Partners
The first few times, Viktor didn’t show up at all. If Jayce was being honest with himself, he got a bit excited to go to the lab on the first day, hoping to see Viktor. But he wasn’t there. Then he skipped again, and again, and somehow two weeks had passed and he hadn’t seen Viktor at all. Of course he was in class, but they never sat beside each other again. Jayce could’ve gone over to talk to him, but what would he have said? “Hey Viktor, I admire your cleverness deeply and just your presence confuses me sexually.” Absolutely not, so he had to settle for quick glimpses from across the class.
Viktor has no idea why he put his name next to Jayces. From all the interactions he had with him, Jayce just stared at him which is off putting, to say the least. But it was more about the way Jayce looked at him, like he was something to behold. Sure, Viktor had been with some men here and there, but no one had ever looked at him like that, like they were looking at him just because they wanted to. Viktor needed to get a grip. If he got with the son of the worst man in the world, it would just prove he had no shred of self dignity left. His only issue was how difficult it was to avoid Jayces eyes, so full of need when they looked at him.
Viktor was sitting on his dusty couch when he made up his mind: he’s going. Tonight was a Friday, he was scheduled to have lab time right now and he was going. Technically, if he didn’t go, it would prove to Jayce that he had gotten to his head, and Viktor was not about to admit that. If he didn’t go he could continue to ignore Jayce, ignore his emotions, but this was a project worth most of his marks and this was his lab time too, he wasn’t going to let Jayce scare him. It was 11pm now. Viktor never really got great sleep with all his sore muscles, and his mind was working overtime, now was the perfect time to work.
Viktors quarters were big for a dorm, but small for the size of a room one was expected to live in. He had barely enough room to fit his dark grey couch, bed, and mini fridge. He didn’t have any room for any sort of drawers so all his personal items went under his bed. This was an issue because it meant he always had to pull himself up onto his bed, which was especially painful if his leg or back was giving him a hard time. The couch was actually a smaller loveseat that sat at the end of his bed, near the door. Right beside that door was his little fridge. Up beside the headboard was his small desk, a little window over top of it. Viktor had put up a blackout curtain, which he always kept closed. He also always kept the overhead lights off. Those bright lights always tended to give him a headache, so he caved and bought those stupid LEDs you see everywhere online. His are permanently set to blue
Where he prided himself most though was his walls. Every surface inch was covered in papers. Some were just writing, but others had drawing and diagrams. After what happened, Viktor could never bring himself to make something new, he held all his ideas close to his heart, for his eyes only. But the ideas, oh god the ideas. There were so many. In his soul, Viktor was an inventor, he couldn’t just turn it off. It was like asking a fish to live out of water. But his inventions didn’t deserve to be put in a notebook and stuffed into his desk, so he put them all along the wall. Stacks of papers were even on the floor, along with some of his dirty clothes. Most of the projects were unfinished, but that was why he was so excited for this lab class. Maybe he would find the balls to make one of his inventions come to life.
Viktor grabs his cane and pushes himself off the couch. He picks his coat off the floor, snatches the car keys off the top of his fridge and packs a small bag of things he’d need. The dorms are about a 10 minute drive from the school. If Viktor were anyone else, he would walk there. The night was warm. Piltover didn’t get very cold in the winter, and it was still in the middle of fall, so the temperature was just right for a nice stroll. For anyone else this was the perfect night for a quick walk over to the uni, anyone but Viktor. If he even tried to walk for that long his leg would cramp up and his whole body would be achy by the time he made it to his destination.
From a young age, Viktor knew he was different. He could never play as long as the other kids. He could never join sports or even run for that matter. This meant no one ever really wanted to hang out with him because realistically he was very boring. He couldn’t go to the park, he couldn’t play games, he had to just sit there. He was shy too, so he would just silently watch others do things he could only dream of, just him and his thoughts. Viktor is somewhat grateful though. If it wasn’t for his moderately depressing upbringing he wouldn’t be the genius he was.
The university housing were just older townhouses the university had bought and renovated. All the houses were in a gated community, but not the insanely rich looking kind. They had gutted the inside and just turned them into tiny rooms with hallways. Viktor lives in the single dorms, the shared ones were in a different section of the neighbourhood. All the buildings looked the same, they were all an older red brick with very minimal windows. Viktor liked this cheaper, older look. It reminded him of the Undercity back home.
You could easily spot Viktors car in the parking lot before the lights came on as he unlocked it. It was an old beat-up Honda Civic. Not only was the car more rust than its original grey color, but it was also riddled with dents. Viktor wasn’t the safest of drivers and he had bought it used, the previous owner also didn’t seem to take good care of it. But with his very little income, this was all he could afford. He also didn’t really trust the newer car models. The car he had now was perfect for him.
Viktor pops open the door and throws his cane across the console into the passenger seat before plopping down in the driver's side. He slams the door and immediately plugs his phone into the car. His playlist turns to shuffle and the electric guitar of a Sleep Token song washes over him. Viktor turns the music up more. While others might find it painful on the ears, he needs the music to be so loud it cancels out all his other thoughts. The only time his mind is finally quiet is when the music is so loud he can’t even think over it. Maybe sometimes at a red light somebody will give him a weird look because they can hear his songs through his car and theirs, but he doesn’t care. If they don’t like it they just have bad taste in music.
When Viktor finally pulls up to the school, he turns down the song that's playing. One too many times has he scared himself by forgetting to turn down the music before getting out of the car, and then when he comes back in the music is still playing as loud as the tiny car will allow. In his opinion, the school looks even more beautiful at night. Each level of the school has bright lights shining up to the sky, illuminating the side of the building. The path that he walks on now is also lit up by tiny strips of light running along the sides of it up until it reaches the big building.
The university offers night classes for anyone interested. Viktor would have chosen those ones if it weren’t for his other conflicts. So the doors were still unlocked and all the lights were still on. When he opened the doors there were still a decent amount of people sitting in the lobby, working on their computer or scrolling on their phones, all of them with headphones in. No one even looks up at the sound of his cane hitting the wooden floors. By this time most of the students have switched from coffee to a more caffeinated energy drink. Viktor never seemed to need them though, his body had taken to just staying awake naturally.
He eventually made his way to the escalator, tracing the steps he did thrice a week for professor Heimerdinger's lectures. This time he kept walking, all the way to the end of the hall, where the big wooden doors stood. The engravings on them were some of the most stunningly intricate things Viktor had seen in his life. He brought his hand up to run his fingers over the planes and slopes of the wood. Inventors needed to have a great deal of attention to detail when creating something new, but this was true art and he was in awe. He let his fingers trace the carvings all the way down to the door handle. The door weighed a ton, but after he turned the knob, it opened so beautifully.
The inside of the lab was like nothing Viktor had ever seen. The ceilings were high and almost every wall was covered in chalkboard. Most of them had mathematical equations, formulas and diagrams scribbled all over them. To the right of him were five wooden blocks, three in the front and two in the back. Some of the desks had tools that were forgotten. A wrench here, an empty starbucks cup there. Along the back were shelves. Some of them contained half finished projects, some had beakers or test tubes. Viktor even saw a flamethrower or two.
The room was quite large for a lab and it was very clearly newly made. Viktor did a lap around, discovering new things as he went. He found a refracting telescope, multiple high grade microscopes, and other things that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. After walking along the back of the desks he discovered that they had storage underneath them, full of other things to conduct all kinds of science experiments. Back at the front of the lab was one long table running along the whole wall. On it was some sort of funky, box looking prototype, a few stray pieces of chalk and a lone potted plant.
Viktor walks over to a stool that had already been dragged over to one of the tables. Out of his bag he pulled his notebook. Its cover was black leather and the pages were slightly yellowed already. This was his special notebook. It was the notebook that held all his calculations when making nuclear fusion, he only used it when he thought the idea was really good, and he had high hopes for this project. He opened the page, wrote down the date and…
Blank. His mind was completely blank. He had all these ideas and motivation just a few minutes ago, but now… nothing. Almost like a wall had been put up to prevent him from creating anything. Viktor was frustrated with himself. Why, why, why couldn’t his brilliant brain ever think of something actually good except when it was for evil? Viktor knew he was smart, so why couldn’t he come up with anything? He could feel himself grinding his teeth together. Viktor is always mad, so he never gets extremely angry, but right now he is angry.
He was a scientist, one of the best in his time, even if no one else knew it, so why couldn’t he think of something? If he couldn’t come up with anything good then what was he? Just some useless cripple with nothing to offer the world? By now ten minutes had gone by and instead of thinking of anything worth a while he was just digging a hole of his own self pity. Viktor slammed his fist down over the notebook. Hard. Now he was just wasting time he could be using to come up with something. Normally during times like this he would go for a smoke, but he really didn’t feel like going all the way up the stairs just to go outside so instead he put his hand back into the black backpack he brought and pulled out his speaker. Hopefully some Radiohead would help bring some creativity back to his life. So there he sat, Creep playing on repeat, head in his hands, trying to think.
He had been unmoving in that position for half an hour when he finally gave up. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, admitting defeat. It was nearing one in the morning at this point, and he wanted his bed, even if he couldn’t sleep. When he finally opened his eyes again, he noticed something that he hadn’t noticed before. In front of him was the long table with the plant, same as before, but at the very end of it was a book he did not recognize. It was obviously a notebook, with the spiral binding, and was just a plain red. Curious, he got up from his seat and made his way over to it. After getting closer, he could make out a cursive J written in gold in the top corner on the cover.
Viktor should not be doing this, but he wanted something new and maybe whatever was in here would inspire him. The second he opened that book he realised his huge mistake. This was Jayce’s. It said his name up at the very top right next to the date. These were Jayce’s ideas and drawings scribbled all along these pages, and suddenly, Viktor felt like he was holding something sacred. And he needed more. The date told him that these notes began at the start of summer. The creations within them were nothing serious, just something fun to keep him busy during the break. As he continued flipping, he noticed all the borders of the pages were full of little drawings.
He finally reached the fall, the day school started. This page was fuller, and more organized. All his classes had titles with the information he needed like syllabi and dates. He finally came upon professor Heimerdinger's class. Everything was normal, until the bottom of the page. Viktor felt his jaw drop, just a bit. There, at the very bottom, was an eye. It was so intricately drawn, Viktor couldn't imagine why Jayce didn’t go to an art school. Viktor would recognize those eyes anywhere though, they looked at him in the mirror every morning, in the grimy reflection of whatever dive bar he was in, in every window he passed. Those eyes were his.
The amount of detail Jayce had put in from each pore to every stroke of lash surprised Viktor. He hadn’t realised that his own eyes had burned into Jayce’s mind. More than that, the iris was colored in. Viktor had been there right beside Jayce on the first day, he doesn’t recall him ever colouring. This means that when Jayce went home, he was still thinking about Viktor enough to remember the drawing in the notebook, pull out some coloured pencils and make Viktors eyes the amber that they were. Viktor didn’t think he had ever made that much of an impact on anyone.
The wave of curiosity became stronger. Almost frantically, he began flipping through each page. And there he was, little pieces of him mixed in with the notes and calculations. He saw his cane, his hands, and a few other drawings of his eyes. Some were obviously silly little doodles, but others were much more intricate sketches. Viktor was truly in awe. Viktor didn’t know that flipping a page could leave you breathless, but he was anyway, for good reason. Right there on the page was an extremely realistic drawing for Viktor. The attention to detail shocked him. Jayce had taken great care to perfect each strand of Viktors hair, each crease in his face. Viktor could feel his face growing hot. He had never received this kind of attention before. Some liked his knowledge, few enjoyed his company, but no one had ever been so addicted to his features as to draw them out on paper, as if they were art.
The words written on that page also intrigued Viktor. The main idea was very innovative, though the calculations rushed. The invention was clearly in the beginner stages, but was shaping up to be something quite-
Oh shit. The sound of keys in the door jolted Viktor out of whatever trance he was in. Before he could slam the notebook close and put it back where he found it, the door swung open, revealing Jayce’s tall, muscular build.
Viktor never really got the chance to properly look at Jayce, but right now his eyes were facing down to his phone and Viktor didn’t know where else to look. The first thing he noticed was, obviously, his muscles. They were mouth wateringly protruding from the white tank top he was wearing. The deep tanned skin just showed their definition more. Then there were his full lips, and those big, begging, puppy dog eyes. He had a gorgeous mop of combed back hair, Viktor wanted to run his hand through it just to mess it up. And those god awful, devil conjuring, fuck-ass grey sweatpants were just showing the faintest outline of a bulge. Fucked, Viktor was so fucked.
When Jayce finally did look up, he literally jumped back. It was one in the morning on a Friday, well technically Saturday now, he didn’t think anyone would be here. Sure enough, though, there is Viktor, giving him an emotionless stare.
“Jesus, you scared me!” Jayce says, catching his breath. There was no point in Viktor putting the book down now, he would find out one way or another that he was reading his notes, so he just looked back to the page and continued reading, needing his eyes to focus on something other than Jayces back muscles. It was only when he was rifling through his gym/lab bag when he noticed his notebook was missing. He must've left it here the other night. He shoots his head up, suspiciously peering around the room, one eyebrow raised. Then he spots it, in definitely the worst possible spot, in Viktors hands. “Viktor… That’s my notebook.” He also remembers all the drawings in there that seem a lot more embarrassing now. Jayce turns bright pink and lashes out from embarrassment “What the hell’s your problem? Why are you looking at my notes?” Viktor gives a small smirk, eyes unleaving the page.
“Well I didn’t know they were yours, not until I saw your signature, which is on every page. A little… egotistical, no?” He liked teasing Jayce like this. Watching Piltovers ‘Man Of Progress’ turn all red and embarrassed because he was found drawing on his work. At least Viktor knew he had the upper hand now, he had a far easier time controlling his emotions than Jayce.
Jayce trudged over to where Viktor was standing and put out his palm.
“Can I please have my book back?” Viktor had to let out a little laugh. Jayces’ shoulders were all bunched up and he refused to look Viktor in the eye. He looked like a scolded little kid.
“Just a minute now Jayce, I find your ideas quite remarkable.” Viktor meant for it to sound sarcastic, but some of his earnesty slipped through. Jayce looked at him, not sure whether to believe him or not.
“Ha ha, yes, you are very funny now just let me write down this thing before I forget.” He reaches out to grab the book, but is not fast enough. Viktor pulls it behind him, nothing between the boys now as Jayce steps closer. Their eyes lock on eachother, and the look is very charged. Jayce is practically leaning over Viktor, he has to lean back to not be pulled in by Jayces smell.
Jayce can see the way Viktor is tilting away from him, but unfortunately this just makes his body even more on display for Jayce. Viktor is wearing baggy jeans and a Smashing Pumpkins shirt, but Jayce can just imagine his thin waist under it all. He can already imagine the boney v-line… this is why looking into Viktors eyes was important right now. Because if he looked anywhere else, he would do something rash.
“Do you wanna know something actually funny?” Viktor asks, the front of his eyebrows pushing together, making the piercing move too. He gave Jayce a quick once over. “Wearing a fucking wife beater in the lab.”
“Hey! Not fair, I was at the gym!” Jayce defends himself.
“Well, why the hell are you at the gym at midnight on a Friday? Surely you have a party or two to attend?” Viktor pokes.
“I go to the gym because it helps me think… and Goodlife is 24 hours.” Jaye says, deadpan.
“Sure, dude. Whatever.” Viktor responds with an eyeroll.
He pushes the book into Jayces chest and weaves around him heading straight for an empty spot on the chalkboard. If Viktor couldn’t come up with something himself, he could sure as hell fix someone else’s work. He works silently, only the tap of the chalk can be heard. After regaining his composure, Jayce also makes his way over to the blackboard. He watches Viktor as he works, his hand moving quickly but still forming even cursive letters every time. Eventually he catches on.
“Viktor, these are just my calculations…” Jayce really does not understand what’s going on right now.
“Yes but you frequently make mistakes. Most of them are based on your disorganized work ethic and less so your math. Some little pieces you’re just missing entirely. With a bit of refinement, though, I’m sure you have something on your hands here.” Viktor says all this while continuing his writing, not faltering for a second.
“Wait, Viktor, you want to help me?” Jayce was really confused now.
“I truly have nothing better to do.” Was his only response.
They stayed like that for the next three hours. Always one person on the chalkboard and one person watching, listening. They bounced ideas off of each other, and even though he hated to admit it, Viktor had to give Jayce some credit. He was smart and incredibly passionate. When he got to talking about his inventions Viktor could physically see his eyes shine brighter and his pupils dilate. He also had a very different perspective from Viktor, giving him the chance to see things in a light he didn’t notice before. Viktor never thought he would say it, but he actually did like working as partners, it made everything new and interesting.
Jayce was just astounded that someone like Viktor wanted to work with him. He hadn’t gone to the same highschool as him, but he heard the rumors. Apparently Viktor had created the whole nuclear fusion thing himself and was forced to let the teacher have the idea because he was too young or something like that. It was just information passed down from overhearing ears so he wasn’t sure how true it was. He did believe it was Viktor, though. When he and his dad met up with the ‘inventor’, he couldn’t really answer any questions about his own invention which was suspicious. After seeing the work done here today, though, he knew it was Viktor.
After seeing all his calculations and how quick his brilliant mind worked, he was sure Viktor was capable of cracking the code to clean energy. Jayce admired him deeply for this and he was honoured that someone who had changed the world so dramatically was interested in his work. Jayce could see the cogs constantly turning behind his eyes, trying to find a way to improve what they already had and new ways to make it better. This revealed a part of Viktor Jayce hadn’t noticed the few times they’d interacted. Viktor cares, he cares so much, more than he wants to present to the world. He can see by the way he carefully thinks out every action he takes, every word he says. Jayce finds it remarkable.
“No, because the mechanics of it wouldn’t allow for the-”
“Time's up, we gotta get out.” Jayce interrupted Viktors verbal train of thought.
“Huh?” Viktor was confused. They were making small but very important steps, why would Jayce want to leave now?
“It’s like, thirty minutes past three, Viktor. We’ve been here longer than our slotted amount of time.” Jayce points to a large analogue clock on the wall that Viktor hadn’t noticed before.
“Oh, yes I suppose it is. Do you really think people are going to come into the lab at three in the morning though? I’m sure if we stay an extra hour or two no one would mind.” Viktor says all this without looking up from the paper he was reading off of. Jayce had to let out a chuckle.
“Yeah, but maybe I actually want to sleep tonight. So even if that’s true I’m going to call it quits. I think you should too, sleep is important.” Viktor mulled it over in his head, slightly rubbing his forehead like it was a complicated math equation. He did have a morning class tomorrow…
He straightened his back from where they were both hunched over a desk. He stretched his arms out behind him and let out a small groan, which only made a small lump in Jayces throat. He turns off the speaker which had been playing this whole time, and shuts his notebook, putting both back into his bag. He picks up his cane, which was leaning on the side of the wooden box, and eases himself off the stool. Jayce had never really taken note of the cane before. It was just a classic wooden one but the handle and the bottom had gold accents, and he suddenly wants to ask Viktor so many questions. How did he get it? Was he hurt as a kid? Maybe a disease? Instead he decides to swoop down and snatch Viktors backpack right before he could get the chance to lift it up. Jayce hoists the backpack and his own bag onto his shoulder and turns to leave.
“Jayce, what the hell are you doing?” Viktors voice does not sound grateful. Jayce spins back around.
“Just grabbing our bags. I saw you packing up, I assumed you were leaving too.” This pissed Viktor off.
“Jayce, just because I can’t walk properly and need this shitty little cane doesn’t mean I can’t carry my own backpack.” He’s in Jayces face now, face all bunched together in anger “I live by myself, I got here by myself, I can take care of myself. I do not need you babying me. I see enough pity in other peoples eyes when I walk by and I do not need that from you too.” By this point Viktor had raised a finger and was tilting his head up to look Jayce in the eye. Then he snatched his own backpack right off his shoulders and elbowed past him, right out the door.
Viktor was already half way down the hall when Jayce finally closed the big wooden doors of the lab and took a fast pace to catch up to Viktor. He has to take photos and wipe all their work off the chalkboards before leaving. “Wait! Viktor, I didn’t mean to insult you like that. I just…” Jayce wasn’t sure how to say it. He wanted to carry Viktors bag in case something was wrong for some reason that day and something happened. Jayce would never be able to get over it if something happened to Viktor because he didn’t carry his bag. It was an irrational fear to have but he had it all the same.
“Are you going to finish that sentence?” Jayce could almost hear the exasperation in Viktors voice.
“I just didn’t want to seem like an asshole in case you couldn’t carry your stuff.” That was the best way Jayce could put it without sounding obsessed with Viktor.
“I think that’s your problem, Jayce.” Viktor says bluntly “You care too much about how you seem. You should’ve asked before just making assumptions. To be fair, I still would’ve been upset that you even thought that I couldn't handle myself, but less so than I am now.” Nobody says anything until the two of them are halfway up the escalator.
“I… uhm, I never thought of it like that before I guess. I was always taught to just help whenever I could, whenever possible.” Jayce explains this with such tenderness. They were both looking straight ahead as the room above them came more and more into view, but Viktor had to look away. He turned to face the wall and pressed his lips into a fine line. Jayce sounded so sweet when he said things like that. He sounded like he was actually sorry, he sounded like he wasn’t the son of an evil man. Unfortunately, it made Viktor want to apologize for snapping at him before. This was one of his worst ideas yet, it would just prove that Jayce could get under his skin. Maybe this was why he was clamping his mouth shut, as to not say anything too revealing.
After stepping off the escalator, they wordlessly made their way to the front door. Viktors scowl remained on his face, maybe he was still angry with Jayce. Jayce knew that he was definitely still angry with himself for ruining whatever relationship they were making in the lab. After apologizing on the stairs, he still turned away, obviously wanting to drop the conversation. Jayce said all he could though, and if Viktor wasn’t ready to accept the apology then that was up to him. So instead of pleading with him to understand, he also remained silent.
The temperature outside was still warm as they walked out of the building, the remnants of summer heat still in the air. The parking lot still held many cars, but not nearly as many as earlier in the day. Viktor presses the ‘unlock’ button on his car, making the headlights flash. His car was very close in the second row while Jayce had to trudge pretty much to the back.
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you later then.” Jayce gave Viktor a polite smile and short wave before Viktor turned away from him and towards his car. Jayce watched him leave, stealing a few more seconds before he ducked into his car.
Jayce’s truck was easily one of the largest in the lot. It was white and one of the newer models. He never really cared much about what he was driving, but his mom will worry about him if he isn’t driving an up to standard truck. On the occasional time she comes to visit she often bugs Jayce about his vehicle if it's over four years old. Besides, since this truck had been made recently it had all the bells and whistles Jayce loved to explore. Jayce actually enjoyed learning about different cars but would never work with them. Making things that already exist has never really been his thing.
Viktor already had the music blasting when he was about to pull out of the parking lot, but to his right he saw some commotion in the dark. Up ahead of him slightly was Jayce, yanking on his car door. Viktor felt his whole face scrunch up and he parted his lips to let out an exasperated sigh. What the hell is he doing? As he got closer, he slowed down. Jayce seemed to be pulling on the handle so hard, Viktor was surprised it wasn’t falling off. Viktor craned his neck down to get a better look. Eventually Jayce had somewhat given up and was just leaning his whole body weight away from the car with his hands grabbing the door, head thrown back. Eventually Viktor rolled up beside him.
He contemplated for a moment. He could go home, leave Jayce and his clearly busted vehicle here… or he could offer him a ride home. Viktor sniffed, then rolled down the passenger window, right where Jayce stood.
“Y’know, I can hear you from across the plot?” Jayce had righted himself by now, but was still turned towards his truck, as if willing it to start.
“What? Not a Chili Peppers fan?” Viktor gives a smirk. Once again, he’s found himself in a position with the upper hand, he can’t help but relish it. He turns down the music.
“My key fob isn’t working.” Jayce says. He walks over to Viktors little car and leans down to cross his forearms above the window and peer in from there.
“Well something is very obviously wrong with your truck. What the hell even is a ‘fob’ anyways.” Viktor raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know! It’s supposed to replace a key for whatever reason but this lousy one isn’t working.” Jayce was really riled up. He turned away from Viktors amused eyes and ground his teeth together. His head snapped back when he heard a pop.
“C’mon you Big Baby. Get in.” The pop was Viktor unlocking his car door.
“No, that’s okay. I live on the other side of town and I don’t want to make you waste gas or anything. I’ll probably just call a tow.” Jayce tried to reason.
“Okay firstly, I don’t mind driving and it’s three in the morning, how long do you think a tow is going to take to drive here? Plus, I can make you pay.” By now Viktor was facing the road again, hands on the wheel, ready to drive away. He had been nice enough to offer the ride, so he wasn’t going to push it.
He did feel a little satisfaction however when the door did crack open and Jayce let himself in.
“Oh yeah, just throw that in the back.” Viktor waved away the question when Jayce pointed a quizzical thumb towards the cane in the front. Viktor found it quite amusing the care he took to gently grab the cane, exit the car, place it carefully in the back, and resume his position in the front.
“Okay, so apparently you don’t like rock, then what do you want to play? The aux cord is right there if you need it.”
“Viktor we are right in the middle of the only exit way of the parking lot.” Jayce really hated to waste anyone's time.
“It is the middle of the night and there are other ways of leaving. There isn’t even anyone behind me. If someone needs me to move I will don’t worry, but my phone just crapped out and died and I need you to put in directions to your house so just plug in your fucking phone, enter your address and play something.” This is why Viktor didn’t like talking to people, there was more room for them to argue with him.
“Here just unlock the phone and give it to me.” Viktor shot his waiting hand out for Jayces phone. Jayce could feel himself getting on Viktors nerves, so he silently opened the phone and placed it in his palm.
“Okay where do you live?”
“1780 Bluewind.” Jaycees says this very quietly. He’s not ashamed to be living in the richest part of the city, but he knows how that looks. To Viktors credit, he only lets out a small scoff.
He throws on some Del Water Gap in sympathy for Jayces ears before peeling out of the parking lot at alarming rates. Jayce is extremely surprised when Viktor starts going way over the speed limit. Jayce is baffled that this little car can go so fast, but now all the dents along the side of it make sense. He can feel his body getting thrown around and grabs onto the side of the door for support. He gives Viktor a look like he’s crazy, but Viktor doesn’t even notice, he’s too busy focused on the road and Jayce can also see that he’s not wearing a seatbelt. For someone who says he can take care of himself, he is going to get himself killed.
Jayce can’t deny how good Viktor looks though. His elbow is propped up on the ledge under the window, his pointer finger absentmindedly tracing his lower lip. Jayces’ gulp is so loud he could’ve sworn Viktor heard it over the music. The lights of the city are illuminating him from behind, giving him an odd aura effect. The red light Viktor had just barely stopped for in front of them, gave his eyes a red gleam. The light also bounced off his eyebrow piercing. Viktor looked so sinfully good. As if he couldn’t help himself, his eyes fell onto the hand on the steering wheel. Only for a second did he imagine licking the length of his boney fingers.
Jayce continued his gaze all the way up Viktors right arm. Possibly the hottest thing about Viktor was his full sleeve tattoo. It looked almost like a spiderweb but instead of little trapezoid webbing it was circular. The tattoo was mainly black and white except for the inside of the circles were different pastel colours of the rainbow, making it almost look like it was glitching on his skin. Jayce squinted his eyes and tilted his head to the side to get a better view of it. He had never seen anything like it before, it was very arcane. Viktor gave a small smirk. He could feel Jayce ogling him. He wasn’t used to being looked at and examined so intensely, he assumed it would make him uncomfortable, but for some reason knowing Jayce was watching him like that made his core hot.
Jayce was in the middle of a very inappropriate train of thought when the music stopped and was replaced by his ringtone. Before he even had the opportunity to see who had called him, Viktor had answered.
“Hi, Mrs. Talis.” Viktor said this deviously, eyes flickering over to where Jayce sat. He looked down to see who was calling, though he already had an idea. Ma.
“Jayce? Are you there, Honey?” Jayces’ mom shouted through the phone.
“Yeah, Ma, I’m here, it's fine. You’re on speaker, so just… y’know… filter yourself.” Ximena was notoriously bad at keeping her words in her head.
“Well who are you with, Baby? Are you driving? I can hear you driving. Why are you driving at 3 in the morning?” She was also notorious for her prying questions, but Jayce knew there were only so many of them because she cared.
“I think the better question is why are you calling me at 3 in the morning?” Jayce retorted.
“Oh hush, I only called because I know that you spend too many hours of the early morning awake working on something or other. I called you to remind you to sleep.”
“Okay, duly noted, thank you Mother.” Jayce rolled his eyes. The corners of Viktors mouth were still turned up, obviously amused with the conversation.
“Wait but that voice was not yours, who are you with?” Jayce could practically hear his mother raise one eyebrow.
“Ma, it’s really no big deal. My car wasn’t unlocking so I got a ride with one of my classmates who also apparently has as crazy a sleep schedule as me.” Jayce explained.
“Jayce, are you sure that was safe? Some people are extremely unsafe drivers. What if you get into an accident?” Jayce pinched the bridge of his nose. His mom really had no filter.
“Don’t worry, Baby, I can assure you that my driving is perfectly safe.” Viktor was turned fully towards Jayce when he said this, making the statement completely unbelievable. Normally Jayce was okay with the slightly embarrassing nicknames his mom gave him, but the way Viktor said it, with the lights of the city illuminating something wicked in his eyes, left him speechless. It took a few silent moments of him slack-jawed to finally be able to respond to his mother.
“Don’t worry Ma, I’ve been in Viktors car for like fifteen minutes and he hasn’t crashed us… yet.” At the last word he gave Viktor a meaningful glance.
“Wait… Viktor?” It was only until his mom said this that he realized his mistake.
Jayces mom had always been a loving person, almost violently. She was caring and protective and everything else that made her such a good person. When she heard her husband had bought a stolen invention from a little boy, she was furious. Technically the rights said professor Singed invented the fusion, but the rumors of Viktor had made their way into the media in a big way and Jayces mom always wanted to believe the one who needed a friend, someone in their corner. That was just the kind of person she was. Jayce was eight at the time. His parents had been arguing before the whole ordeal, but it proved to his mom that her husband did not share the same loving and caring attitude she held. They divorced within the year.
“Okay, nice talking to you we have to go now-”
“Is this Viktor like ‘Nuclear Fusion Viktor’?” Ximena cut off her son. Jayce was hoping to hang up before she would say something he would regret. He immediately felt the air in the car go stale. Viktor stiffened up at the mention of his greatest and only invention.
“Mom, I’m going to hang up now. We can call later and-” This time it was Viktor who cut him off.
“Yeah.” This one word made Jayces head snap to Viktor, he moved too fast it almost gave him whiplash. Viktors smirk had dropped off his face, replaced with a misty far off look. He was reminiscing on what could’ve been. What could’ve happened if he wasn’t so angry, so scared? Maybe he would’ve helped others, maybe he would’ve been able to invent something new. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so damn useless all the time. Maybe he would actually have a purpose, be something other than just a crippled fleshbag who will do nothing with his life and is destined to just die. These dark thoughts he would never share with anyone.
“Viktor, I know you don’t know me, but I just want to apologize for the actions of my ex-husband. That was a completely ridiculous maneuver of his that I do not agree with at all. I definitely should not be apologizing for his actions, he should, but I’m not sure when he’ll sober up and see the truth so I need you to know that I am sorry.” You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
“Thank you, Mrs. Talis.” Jayce isn’t sure how Viktor is able to sound so thankful while looking so upset.
“Oh please none of that, you can call me Ximena. Now, Jayce, why don’t you ever come visit your mother?” A slick segway was not one of his mothers strong suits.
“I don’t know Ma. I mean, I just started university and my classes are very time consuming so probably… Christmas?”
"Oh, muchacho, ¿cómo te atreves a hacer esperar tanto a tu madre? ¡Navidad! ¡Faltan al menos dos meses!" His mother often converts back to their native language when she gets worked up.
“"¡Mamá, cálmate! I’m seriously hanging up on you now.” Jayce presses the red button with finality, falling back into his seat with a large exhale.
The music doesn’t turn back on. Jayce makes no move to turn it back on. He suddenly feels like he should definitely not be in this car right now and is intruding on a very personal moment Viktor is having with himself. He is now hunched over the wheel, his fingers gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles are going white. His jaw is clenched and he has seemed to pour on the speed since Ximena spoke about nuclear fusion. Jayce felt if he moved he was either getting thrown out the window or the whole car was going to crash. The silence was growing longer, more awkward by the moment. Jayce started fiddling with his thumbs, literally. It was physically impossible for him to sit here and be quiet while Viktor looked uncomfortable, so he said the first thing he could think of.
“We’re from Mexico, I mean, originally.” This was the start of some word vomit he could not contain. “Both my parents are from there. Taxco, it’s some sort of small city. I don’t really remember it, we moved when I was three. We moved here, to Piltover. That’s when my dad started buying all these companies and hotels and whatever, but my parents made me take Spanish lessons because of culture or something. When my parents divorced we stayed here, but moved obviously because they didn’t want to be near each other. Obviously.” Jayce couldn’t stop now, the words were pouring out of his mouth. “After they broke up I found out my dad actually didn’t care at all and so we just kinda fell out. I actually don’t really talk to him at all anymore so it’s weird when people are like ‘oh, it’s Piltovers Golden boy, Mr.Talis’s kid’ because I don’t associate with him at all. I suppose the perks of being a person of interest are cool. And since he knows he’s such a shitty dad he’s always paying for stuff. Anyways, after I got out of the house my mom moved to Canada, which is odd because she's never really liked snow. That’s why she called, because she’s in Canada. And yeah, that’s why we spoke spanish and, uhm, yeah.” Jayce scratched the back of his neck. He didn’t know he could make the previous situation anymore awkward but somehow he managed.
Viktor was still quiet, but didn’t look so uptight, more relaxed.
“I’m from the Czech Republic.” He says timidly. “I was sent here by my parents when I was 12 for a ‘better life’. They were too broke to feed themselves for themselves, let alone me. So they just shipped me away on a boat.” He pauses for a moment, looking out the window with empty eyes. “My conditions weren’t even that bad before I arrived in Zaun, it was the quality of air and lack of healthcare that did me in.” Then, like the past ten minutes had never happened, Viktor’s face hardened back into its scowl and learned back into his seat. Jayce could physically see the mask going back up.
“They were stupid, never used their heads. That’s probably how they fucking died, guess I’ll never know, though. Whatever, fuck them. They taught me at a very young age that you can’t wait for someone else to give you a hand up, you have to grab life by the balls and do that shit by yourself.”
Jayce understands why Viktor has the mask, it is very obvious now. He’s been so fucked over by life time and time again that he thinks it’s better to not show any emotion at all, not let anything else hurt him. Jayce finds this sad. He loves feeling, sometimes it sucked, but you have to endure the awful to feel the joy. All of a sudden he feels pity, not for Viktors illnesses, but for his coping mechanisms. Is it not better to feel everything than nothing at all? Jayce decides to change the topic, it makes him too sad.
“So if you, uhm, moved so young how did you keep your accent?” Jayce likes the accent conversation, plus he finds the way Viktor rolls his R’s slightly attractive. Then, just for a second, the mask slips again and that faroff look befalls Viktors face again.
“I don’t live in Czech anymore, but it is still my place of origin. I guess I just held onto it tightly.” Viktor swallowed and his eyes hardened.
“You have arrived at your destination.” They both jumped when the phone announced that they were in front of Jayce’s apartment.
The building was mainly white cement, the sharp corners bending into curbs. Around the many large paned windows was that ugly fake wood that made Viktors eyes sore. Most of the lights in the building were out, but some windows were still illuminated.
“We’re here. I suggest you go inside and immediately call a tow to bring your truck back here.” Viktor had stopped the car now, Jayce could get out if he wanted to, but he didn’t, mainly because he didn’t want to. He liked Viktors company and, based on the past few weeks, his presence was never ensured. To his own surprise, Viktor let him. Viktor has never really liked people, they always were assholes with ulterior motives, but Jayces never ending optimism, enthusiasm and occasional uncertainty was refreshing. So now there was no excuse for them to be this close, for Jayce to be in his idle car, no excuse for them to talk.
Jayce didn’t like this. He wanted to be with Viktor. The three hours they had worked together was extremely useful, not once did Jayce second guess himself. He hadn’t felt that way in forever.
“Is there any chance we could be partners?” Jayce blurted before thinking twice. The lack of filter must’ve been genetics.
“Partners?” What an odd suggestion.
“Yeah! I just thought that we made such great leaps today in the lab, some of those things I never would’ve came up with without you. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Unless, of course, you don’t want to. Which is fine. I get it, you’re, like, really smart and we don’t really know each other. And the whole ‘my dad’ thing. Y’know what? I just realized how stupid I sound. Forget I said anything.” Jayce had to bite his own cheek to get himself to stop talking. Most people called him a ‘smooth criminal’ when it came to women, but this was anything but smooth.
“Partners?” Viktor asked again. Jayce had pressed his hands together and pushed them into his lap, wishing he could disappear. From Viktors standpoint, he looked like a scolded child.
When Jayce finally worked up the courage to look back over to Viktor, he was met with amber eyes already digging a hole into him. Viktors eyes were squinted, examining Jayce like he was some sort of equation he just couldn’t solve. Under Viktors inquisitive eye, Jayce felt ablaze. Viktor only took his eyes off him to unlock the car door.
“I’ll see what I can arrange with Heimerdinger. Goodnight, Jayce.”