PART 2
November. The fall air had settled around the campus, the crisp chill of the autumn season seeping into every corner of the university. The trees were shedding their leaves, branches bare and skeletal, casting long shadows across the campus. The days were shorter, the nights longer and the evenings were cooler. Students were bundling up in layers, scarves wrapped around their necks, cups of warm drinks in hand either coffee or tea. It was the time of year where midterms were coming up, late night studying becoming normal within the routines. Holidays were rounding the corner, and talks of going home for the holidays drifted around too.
Jayce felt the weight of the season, the change in the air making everything a little bit heavier. The pressure of upcoming midterms loomed over him (as well as every other student), but the academics weren’t the only thing keeping his mind buzzing. The team had been on his mind more often than not. Tension of upcoming games and his role was more intense now that it was the beginning of the season. Each practice was a test, a reminder of how much effort that they had to put into it to keep moving up on the scoreboard, and hopefully to the championship game.
And then there was his roommate. Jayce wasn’t sure how to categorise their relationship, or lack thereof. Viktor had only been his roommate for almost three months, and yet their interactions were sparse, but there were moments when they would cross paths or something. Small moment when Viktor’s attention would shift to him or when Jayce caught him looking at him in a way that made his heart flutter a little. The awkwardness was fading slowly but Jayce kept wondering if they would actually become friends or would these awkward moments keep happening? Viktor’s sudden gestures, some of them being random outbursts- usually in Russian or Polish-, his inputs here and there, they were all like pieces of a puzzle and Jayce had no idea where to start with unravelling the mystery that was his roommate.
The windows were open in Jayce and Viktor’s shared dorm, the blinds too, letting in the cool autumn breeze, a welcome relief from the stuffiness from inside the room. The light of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees outside, casting shadows that were scattered around. The air smelled of damp earth due to the light drizzle they had had recently, and fallen leaves. Jayce was in the kitchen, working in one of his elements. He had just returned from the forge (the one the school had, thanks to the Kirammans, and his mother too), freshly showered and was cooking up something he knew by heart- chicken fajitas. He was humming along with the music that was playing softly on his phone, the familiar tune filled the room as he sliced the chicken and vegetables. The rhythmic chopping of the knife against the cutting board was almost meditative, and he found himself zoning out, lost in the task at hand. It wasn’t often he did this, usually finding Viktor in the kitchen more often than not, or food set aside for him, which he was forever grateful for, but when he did, it was therapeutic. He enjoyed the task of cooking, it was a nice distraction from schoolwork and practice all together.
His mind wandered, mostly distracted by the fact he and the team had a game upcoming, the first since the beginning of the season. The noise of the chicken sizzling brought him back to reality though, but the second he heard keys rattling, he glanced over his shoulder, brow furrowing as Viktor entered the dorm, phone against his ear as he talked in rapid Polish.
“Dobrze! Wrócę na weekend. Muszę się przygotować do egzaminów, tato... Wiem... Tak. Dobrze. Tak, tak. Kocham cię też... Do zobaczenia w piątek wieczorem. (Alright! I'll come home for the weekend. I need to study for exams, dad... I know... Yes. Alright. Yes, yes. Love you too... See you Friday night),” Viktor sighed, ending the call as he stepped into the room, pulling his phone away from his ear as he hung up. He met Jayce’s gaze briefly, taking his coat off, pushing his glasses up on his nose as he walked towards his room, putting up his coat, placing his phone in his pocket of the hoodie he was wearing, hair slightly damp since he was outside and it had started to lightly rain. He came back, walking with a more steady posture. Having gone for a walk and a swim earlier had helped his knee.
Jayce offered a light smile, turning down the music as Viktor sat at the kitchen island, setting his cane within reach, humming in reply. He took notice of what Jayce was cooking, eyes scanning over the athlete. He had to admit, his roommate was respectful of his personal space and was never invasive, which he appreciated from someone like Talis. The Russian glanced up when his name was said.
“Hm?” His honey eyes met Jayce’s brown ones. “Pardon?”
Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide his embarrassment from the other man. Okay, he definitely had a crush on him and he only knew him for three months! Caitlyn was right. He was a hopeless romantic. “I asked if you were okay. You seemed… Tense?”
“Ah. Family. I’m going home for the weekend,” Viktor informed, a few loose strands falling over his eyes as he rolled a gear between his fingers, averting his gaze away from Talis. He preferred to make minimal contact with his roommate, not one for social aspects. “What is that you’re cooking?”
“Chicken fajitas. My mom taught me… It’s a comfort dish and I made enough for two if you’re hungry.”
“I suppose I could eat,” Viktor hummed, nodding thoughtfully as he placed the gear down beside him. His honey coloured eyes flickered to the pan before returning to Jayce, a sort of curious look in his eyes. He didn’t say anything, he didn’t need to. He stood up, favouring his right side again as he walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a cup, filling it with water before sitting back down at the kitchen island. His cane rested against the side of the counter, just within reach. He leaned down a little, adjusting his brace to where it was comfortable and not rubbing against his skin- which it had been lately and it was really uncomfortable.
Jayce glanced over at Viktor, offering a small smile. He mumbled something to himself in Spanish, turning the stove off and pulling out two plates from the cabinet above him. He had taken notice that he was at least a few inches shorter than Viktor. He plated the dish, handing one over to Viktor who took it with a nod of acknowledgement. Jayce smiled a little, sitting beside Viktor. The two ate in silence, nothing more than the comfortable silence amongst the two of them, both wrapped up in their own little world. Jayce was focused on the upcoming game, Viktor was focused on the book in front of him and the lingering conversation in his head with his dad. The silence was comfortable, there didn’t need to be anything said.
Once Viktor was done eating, he thanked Jayce for cooking, placed the dish into the sink and retreated into his room where he began packing for that weekend. He knew he would only be there two days, well a day a half, but still. He pulled out a small suitcase from the closet, folding warm clothes into it. Zaun was cold during the autumn season and while yes, he did enjoy it, he hated getting ill, so he packed warm clothes. He also made sure he grabbed his study materials, not exactly sure if he was going to get any time alone to study. He wasn’t sure why his father wanted him and Jinx home for a weekend. His twenty-third birthday wasn’t for another month… He wondered what it could possibly be. Jinx’s birthday wasn’t until July… Then again, it would be nice to see his dad and Sevika instead of being cooped up in the dorm or in the classrooms all the time. He shrugged, throwing in a few books too. He made a mental checklist to remind Talis a few ground things before he left tomorrow evening. He just hoped he wasn’t making a mistake going home for the weekend and coming back to see the dorm in shambles.
~~~~~
Friday evening came sooner than Viktor anticipated. Jayce had gone off to practice yesterday, so he wasn’t able to talk to him then, having locked himself away in his room to study, and having turned in early. And apparently Talis had practice again that evening. He stood at the door, waiting for his roommate to exit his bedroom, just to inform him he was leaving and not to come back to the dorm being in shambles. He texted Jinx that he would be out soon, glancing over his shoulder just as Jayce exited his room, holding his baseball bat and duffle bag, pulling his cap over his eyes.
Talis finally looked over in Viktor’s direction, raising a brow. “I thought you left already..?”
“I was about to,” Viktor retorted, his gaze flickering to the way the athlete’s eyes were half covered from the cap he had pulled over his head. Jayce’s posture looked relaxed but Viktor could tell there was something bubbling beneath the surface. He was curious to know but he didn’t press, keeping to himself. “I simply wanted to remind you that I would be back late on Sunday, or mid afternoon.”
Jayce nodded, the edges of his mouth curling into a brief smile before he adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder. “Got it. I’ll be busy anyway, y’know with practicing and midterms.” He didn’t add much- his mind back on the upcoming game and the weekend, the uncertainty in his head swirling around like a storm. He hated that he didn’t have a clear answer to whatever tension he felt between himself and Viktor, but he wasn’t figuring that out now.
Viktor paused for a moment, his hand resting on his cane, eyes scanning Talis’ figure before he turned to the door. There was a flicker of something unspoken between them but neither had the energy or the words to address it. Viktor was still processing his father’s words, still unsure why he had asked them to come home but it would be nice to be away from the university for a while. Something told him there was more to it but he didn’t have the energy to figure it out.
“I’ll leave the door locked, stay out of trouble and… Have fun at practice,” Viktor told Talis. There wasn’t any bite behind his eyes as he gave one more glance over to the athlete, and it was returned with a half smile and a small wave before he was out the door and down the hallway, catching up with Jinx.
When the door clicked shut, Jayce sighed softly, rolling his shoulder to release tension. There were too many thoughts building in his head and right now he needed to focus on his practices. Speaking of which, he quickly grabbed his keys and water bottle, walked out hastily, locked the dorm door and sprinted down the opposite way Viktor and Jinx were headed, he did not need to be late for practice this month.
~~~
Viktor’s POV
I heard the dorm door lock behind me but as I was walking down the hallway, I heard it open again, then locked. I glance over my shoulder, seeing Talis run down the corridor. Hm. Supposed he didn’t want to be late for practice this month. If I had to take a guess, my sister was likely in her and Ekko’s dorm, either sucking face for the last few seconds before we left for the weekend, or she was talking to her boyfriend and Steb. I didn’t ponder on the thought too long as I walked toward her dorm, letting myself in once I arrived at the door. I slipped inside unnoticed, leaning against the kitchen island, sitting down on one of the stools, my suitcase beside my ankles, as well as my cane resting in my hand.
I make my presence known by clearing my throat, getting my sister’s attention which pulls her away from Ekko’s arms. Her braids were as usual, neat and tidy and clipped up with Ekko’s decorated hair bands. Jinx turned around at hearing the sound of my throat clearing, her blue eyes wide with shock, like a child caught sneaking dessert before supper. I chuckled as she struggled for a response, my cane resting against my knee.
“Vik!” She finally sputtered out. “Ever hear of knocking?!” Her tone was more exasperated than annoyed, so my response to that was a simple shrug, giving her a dopey smile. She rolled her eyes, stepping away from Ekko, her hands smoothed over her shirt as if she were regaining composure. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and I noticed she was wearing the barrettes dad had gotten her years ago.
I raised a brow, a light smirk appeared on my lips. “If I had knocked, I would be waiting another ten minutes whilst you acted like you didn’t hear. Plus, the door was unlocked and we are on a time limit. Dad did say he wanted us to be in the city before dinner.”
Jinx rolled her eyes at my statement and she mumbled something that I only understood. She huffed, pulling her coat on and grabbing her own bag, as well as her suitcase. “Alright, alright. Let’s go.”
I gave her a look, standing up and headed towards the door. I put my free hand in my pocket while she gave Ekko one last kiss, whispering something to him before finally catching up with me.
“See you Sunday, Ek,” Jinx informed him, smiling at him warmly.
“Stay out of trouble, trouble.”
“Yeah yeah. Love you too.”
“Let’s go,” I grumbled, my patience wearing severely thin as I grabbed the doorknob and walked into the corridor, pulling my luggage behind me. I heard Jinx mumbling as I walked beside her, eventually falling behind her steps, lost in my own thoughts. She was leading and I was following her to the car lot, seeing as she would be the one driving. It was only a forty five minute drive down to the edge of Zaun, but I did not want to drive. Not her car at least.
As we made our way down the corridor, and into the elevator, I was silent the whole way. I pushed my glasses up on my nose, brushing my hair out of my face as we rode down the elevator. I was deep in thought about the tension between Talis and I. It wasn't that we were close… We weren’t, but we did tolerate each other on civility levels. He was.. Decent. Attractive-. No. I am not thinking about my insufferable roommate right now. Not ever really. When the elevator dinged, the noise pulled me out of my thoughts and I stepped out, following my sister. I gave our professor a nod as we passed the front lobby, stepping out into the cool breeze. My eyes flickered over to the baseball field, catching sight of the Pilties at practice. A hum passed my lips as I followed behind Jinx, silently judging her car- as I always did-. I did prefer my own car, which was a Toyota Corolla, and her’s was… A beat up, ancient Volkswagen Beetle, that had very much seen better days. It was Sevika’s before she had retired to get a newer one, so Jinx took it. I took Dad’s old car, which he still drove, if he could ever find the keys (which yes, I do hide from him).
Jinx and I entered the cold parking lot, she beeped her car, throwing her bag into the trunk with ease, sliding into the driver’s side, waiting on me. She had painted her car with her own flares and paints, which of course I didn’t judge at the time, and she begged to spruce mine up, of which I declined several times, insisting on keeping it the silver colour that it was, and shall remain that colour. I placed my own luggage in the back, placing my backpack by my feet when I sat in the passenger side, resting my cane against the centre console and sighed softly. Jinx started the car, pulling out the parking spot, starting to drive down the familiar path down to Zaun’s edges. I knew this was going to be a long weekend.
~~~
Jayce’s POV
I was irrevocably and unbelievably crushing on my roommate. Holy shit. I was crushing on the mystery man that was my roommate. Viktor. The closed off, reserved and grumpy Viktor. That’s who I had a crush on. How?! Why?! I had no idea. But, okay, can you even blame me? The guy is adorable. Don’t get me started on the way he adjusts his glasses—like it’s second nature—and that little smirk he throws my way when he thinks I’m not looking. Or the fact that he has impeccable taste in music and food. And then there’s the violin. He plays the violin! Who even does that anymore?! It’s like he’s some walking contradiction—grumpy, logical Viktor with his sharp mind and biting wit, and then there’s this soft, artistic side that sneaks out when you least expect it. And here I am, crushing on him. Hard. Like, “I’m rehearsing how to casually ask him about his day” hard. The crazy thing? I’ve only known him for three months. Three! What is wrong with me?
I left the dorm after him, locking the door behind me, but I hesitated for a moment. My gaze followed him as he walked down the corridor toward his sister’s dorm—or at least, I think it’s his sister? Are they even siblings? They seem close, like Caitlyn and I, but there’s something different about the way they interact. I wanted to ask, but Viktor isn’t exactly one for conversation, let alone small talk.
I snapped out of my trance as I watched him for a minute longer, remembering that I had practice to get to. I moved quickly down the stairs, holding onto the railing as I took two at a time. I tried to focus on my upcoming drills but my thoughts kept lingering around him, and the upcoming exams that we had. I sighed softly as I reached the main floor, pushing through the side exit and jogging to the field. I had to focus. I needed to focus. ‘C’mon, Talis. Focus. Fantasise about him later.’ I told myself, entering the field and throwing my bag down on the sidelines along with everyone else’s.
Coach gave me a nod of determination, almost as if she were forgiving me after last month for being late to practice twice, which my mother was not happy about. I nodded back, pulling my gloves on as I took place beside the rest of my team. It was time to put my head down and focus, at least for the next few hours. I needed those thoughts to leave my head, give my attention to the ball, and prove that we could win our upcoming game. I needed to prove myself, stay out of trouble and let off steam.
As we warmed up, jogging a lap or two around the field to get our hearts pumping and the adrenaline rushing through, Mel caught up to me, nudging me with her shoulder. I gave a disgruntled hum in reply, glancing over to her briefly. She was on my left, which still left the right side, a clear view of the car lot, open to my line of sight.
“What’s up, Jay? You seem… Distracted,” she teased, her voice light but protruding. Yeah, she used to be my girlfriend but we remained close friends. She was on the baseball team long before I was, and since this was a girl/boy team, all the girls obsessed over the fact that Mel and I had gotten together. But… That was two years ago. I broke up with her towards the end of my first year (the end of her second year), and that did create some tension, we broke through it though.
I looked over at her and shrugged a little. “Just thinking.” I was telling the truth. Sort of. She raised a brow at me, clearly not convinced. She matched my pace, staying on my left as we jogged around the field. Her brown eyes drifted over to where I kept sneaking glances at the parking lot, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she hummed thoughtfully, choosing her next words carefully.
“Okay. About what?” Mel kept pushing it.
I groaned, pushing loose stray hair out of my eyes. “ The game, exams, studying.”
She gave me a look, and I knew she didn’t buy it. I could feel her eyes on me, assessing me like she used to when we were together. I looked over at the car lot again when I heard a beeping noise. Jinx. I knew it was her from her blue braids and the fact Viktor was following. He probably couldn’t see me, so I didn’t do anything. I still felt Mel’s eyes on me so I looked over for a split second and saw her expression softened. She may still be my ex, but she cared for me, and I did too. It wasn’t easy post breakup but we worked it through and sometimes she could read me better than anyone.
“You are terrible at lying.”
“Not lying,” I countered, rolling my eyes, coming to a slowing stop when Coach’s whistle blew. She patted my shoulder and ran off towards the other girls that were huddled up with each other, I did the same with the guys. Even though my mind was elsewhere, kind of, I somehow remained focused, despite the fact my mind was on Viktor… And the games, practice, exams, and a whole bunch of other things. This was going to be a long weekend, I already knew it was going to be.
~~~
Viktor’s POV
The drive to Zaun was shorter than I thought, likely because there was less traffic this late at night. I was silent the whole drive, merely reading a book I had stacked away with me in my backpack, listening along to whatever story my sister was sharing. She knew I wasn’t paying attention fully, but I was still listening to whatever story she was telling. Her story tellings were just as energetic as she was and it was entertaining when it needed to be.
When she drove down the familiar street, I looked up and put away my book, looking out the window, watching the lights flicker into the distance as we passed them. Jinx nudged me when we came to a stop.
“You okay? You’re quiet.”
“I’m always quiet,” I countered, scowling. My eyes watching the street lights passed us as Jinx drove down the familiar street, passing the closed bar- the Last Drop, which I had noticed was dead when it was usually packed full of people at this hour. Hm. My sister nudged me when she pulled up to a red light and gave me one of those “I know something’s up but you aren’t telling me.” I ignored the look, redirecting my gaze to my phone, checking for any messages, and conveniently I received a message from dad.
<Dad>
19:13
I have dinner cooking. Sevika will greet you two. Drive safely, please.
I smirked a bit, typing back with the promise that I would make sure we got there safely. I sighed softly, pushing my hand through my hair as I watched the sun set behind the horizon. The sunsets were always gorgeous down here by the docks… I will say, I do miss staying up late with Jinx and counting the stars, watching the sunset too. I couldn’t do that down in the middle of Piltover, with all the buildings and such… Plus, classes were always early in the morning, so that got in the way.
“Dad said to drive safely,” I informed my sister, watching the speedometer. Jinx rolled her eyes.
“You’re just as bad as him. I drive just fine, thank you,” she countered, rounding the corner of the street which allowed us to turn into dad’s makeshift garage. Sevika was home. That was good to know. Once she parked, I got out after she turned the engine off, gripped my cane and walked around the car to get my luggage from the trunk. I wrapped my coat around myself, trapping the cold out. It was colder further down here by the docks. The smell of salt, chemicals, metal and something sweet filled the air. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was home. A small smile appeared on my lips as I followed Jinx towards the main door of the place we called home.
“Think dad made guláš?” Jinx asked me, holding the door for me before entering the building herself.
“It’s likely,” I answered, my smile still lingering on my face as Sevika rounded the corner and greeted us. Jinx beamed and ran over to her, laughing as she was spun around by our aunt. “Hi, Sev.”
Sevika gave me one of her cold grins but pulled me into a one armed hug, the scent of smoke, spices and oil was a comforting constant. I missed her. I didn’t say it outloud but I did. I wrapped my free arm around her larger frame, hugging her back.
“Silco’s in the kitchen…,” she told us but when Jinx was about to head that way, she pulled her back. “Go unpack. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Jinx shot me a look. I shrugged a little. “What’s goin’ on?” Jinx asked Sev.
“He’ll tell you, just go unpack,” Sev told us again, giving Jinx’s shoulder a little nudge in the direction of our bedrooms. I huffed silently, turning on my heel and walked that way. When I was halfway down the corridor, I felt my phone buzz, taking it out, I saw a text… From Talis. We exchanged numbers about a week ago, something he had brought up, but it was rare that I ever received anything from him. I read the message, not unlocking my phone as my eyes scanned the message.
<Talis>
19:30
Hey, just checking in. Hope you made it safely. Let me know if you need anything.
Wasn’t he at practice?? I didn’t ponder too much on the thought. Instead, I set my phone down on my desk when I entered my bedroom, took my shoes off and placed them beside the desk. I set my suitcase by the foot of my bed, shedding my coat. I was wearing a hoodie underneath, one that definitely drowned my small frame but I didn’t mind. I was comfortable. I sat on my bed, taking a moment to breathe. I thought about the message again but I focused on settling down for the night.
The familiar cosiness of my room was comforting. Unlike my dorm, it was small but functional, shelves crammed with books, sketches pinned to the wall, a few music numbers there above my bed too. A place where I could breathe. I wrapped my arms around myself, humming softly as I was enveloped in a warm embrace by the hoodie I was wearing. I sank into my bed for a moment, letting out a slow exhale. My room smelled like old paper, mint, chocolate and cinnamon, it was like the weight of the room fell over me like a blanket- something I could always come back and find solace in.
I finally sat up when Jinx entered my room, settling on the edge of my bed. I raised a brow, silently asking her what she was doing.
“Wow. Nothing changed here,” she teased, perching beside me. I laughed softly, leaning my head on her shoulder. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I tucked my hands into my sleeves.
“Mmm. Smells like supper is done,” I inquired, changing the subject and grabbing my cane as I stood, making my way towards my door, waiting for her to follow. She got up with a playful sigh, pushing her braids behind her ear. I rolled my eyes, shutting the door behind me and led the way into the kitchen where I was about eighty percent sure I heard more than one voice. I looked at my sister, and then behind me when Sevika appeared. She gave us a look that I couldn’t decipher so I pushed the door open to the kitchen and was shocked by what Jinx, and I saw.
“Dad/Vander?!” Our voices chimed together, our expressions in shock and in denial, searching our father’s eyes for any explanation. I had a lot of questions that I wanted to ask. Like why our father’s past lover was here?! Jinx’s once upon a time father was here too!
“Explain. Please.” Jinx’s voice startled me, and her tone was almost demanding as she looked at our father, her arms crossed defensively. I placed my hand on her shoulder comfortingly, also as a subtle reminder for her not to lose her temper. I too wanted an explanation.
~~~
Jayce’s POV
After practice was finished, it was now around seven, maybe a little later? I was sitting on the bleachers, catching my breath as the rest of the team dispersed. The cool evening air settled in and the sky was turning darker. My mind refused to settle as I thought about what was on my plate. Viktor, the game, exams… Viktor. God. I was so falling for him and it hasn’t even been a full semester yet! But I couldn’t stop thinking about how quiet, cute and reserved he was.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when Mel came over and sat beside me, handing me my water bottle which must have fallen out of my bag when I threw it down earlier. I thanked her softly when she gave it to me. I took my baseball cap off, unscrewed the lid and took a long drink, wiping the back of my mouth with my hand.
Mel sat back, leaning on her elbows as she looked over the now empty field. The floodlights buzzed softly, casting shadows on the dirt and the grass. “You’re quiet,” she said, her voice gentler this time, less teasing. “Even for you.”
I looked over at her, unsure how much I should say. She had always been able to read me, better than Caitlyn too, even when I didn’t want her too. I sighed softly, pushing a hand through my sweaty hair. I was quiet, I knew I was but I did have a lot on my plate, and not me fantasising about my roommate. “Just.. Thinking,” I finally mutter, setting my water bottle down beside me, checking the time on my watch, my eyes wandering over to the spot where Jinx’s VW had once been. I knew the drive down to Zaun wasn’t long but it wasn’t fun.. Then again, Viktor probably did grow up there so I couldn’t be talking.
Mel nudged me, snapping me out of my trance. “You sure? It’s not about someone?” she teased, laying her head on my shoulder. I shook my head, scooting away. I loved her but she didn’t stop flirting with me sometimes.
“It’s nothing,” I answered sternly, grabbing my duffle bag and swinging it over my shoulder. I did not need my ex girlfriend prying me open like a can of sardines, nor did I need her advice on relationships. Okay, a little passive aggressive but… Right now I could care less. “I’ll see you tomorrow during practice.”
I didn’t see it, but I could hear the frown in her voice as I walked down the bleachers. I don’t register her words, waving her off as I head back towards the building. I slow my pace after a while, halfway through the field. I had two routes to take that would get me back to the dorm, the way I usually went, or the long way which would be through the basketball court in the gymnasium, and up two flights of stairs to the second floor that lead up to our dorm. I pondered for a second, my mind distracted and somehow my legs were leading me towards the longer way. I didn’t mind, it gave me more time to mull things over in my head.
Three months. I’ve only known this guy for three months and I’m falling for him. Hard. There were a lot of factors to why he was specifically the one I was crushing on, and those consisted of the fact Viktor played violin, he spoke three- no four, languages, he had the cutest little smile that always showed his dimples in the corner of his left cheek. His eyes were so gorgeous; a dark brown yet it was coloured like honey. His naturally brown hair that I think he dyed golden in streaks? His athletic but small frame, his sharp wit, the way there was a sort of confidence in his posture, and how quiet, but reserved, strict, his accent whenever he spoke in any slavic language- even when he wasn’t- , his glasses that were highlighting those eyes of his that I desperately wanted to get lost in, and his laugh. His laugh was melodic.
I pulled myself out of my fantasies, focusing on something over than the guy that I was crushing on. I sighed softly, pushing a hand through my hair, realising that I had entered the gym without recognising my surroundings. I moved quickly through the quiet room, the only sound was the echo of my footsteps. I cut through the middle, jogging over to the door, pushing it open and taking the stairs two at a time. I reached the second floor within ten minutes. I pulled my keys out from my bag, unlocked the door to our dorm and as usual, there was dim lightning. I half expected to hear jazz playing or Viktor playing his violin for that matter, but it was silent. Viktor’s room was shut and the only sound I could hear were the birds chirping, and my own breathing.
“Right…” I said to no one in particular. I would have to get used to this eerie quietness for two days seeing as Viktor was down in Zaun visiting family for the weekend. I set my keys down in the bowl on the kitchen island, walked into my bedroom and took my cleats off, as well as the rest of my uniform, throwing it into my hamper. I dug out what I needed from my bag, placing it all correctly back into its space before grabbing a change of clothes, mumbling to myself in Spanish as I headed to the bathroom (which is down the hall, across from Viktor’s room and beside the kitchen). I opened the door, flickered on the light and stepped inside. It was small but decent sized, and it had enough room for a washing machine though the dryer was on the bottom, it was enough for two people to work with. The space was clean, probably from Viktor stress cleaning in the last four days.
I placed my clothes on the sink, turning on the water that way it ran for a few seconds to warm up. I leaned against the sink, looking at my reflection. I saw myself; tired, hopelessly in love, strong, kind, the kind of guy that no one would expect to date the one who’s all quiet and keeps to himself. I pushed my hand through my hair again, making it even more of a mess than it already was. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in before peeling off my boxers, throwing those in the hamper and then stepped under the warm water, letting it wash over my tired body.
Two days. I could handle silence for two days. Right?
The warm water cascaded over me, easing the tension in my muscles and drowning out the silence that seemed to fill every corner of the dorm when Viktor wasn’t around. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh, the steam wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.
Two days. Just two days.
But even as I told myself that, I knew the next forty-eight hours would feel longer than usual. Viktor had this quiet way of making the dorm feel alive, even when he was holed up in his room working on some project or lost in a book. Without him, the space felt... off. The water ran over my face as I tilted my head back, trying to push the thought of him out of my mind. It wasn’t just the absence of his presence—it was the way my thoughts always seemed to drift back to him. To his soft laugh, his sharp wit, the way he’d brush a strand of hair out of his eyes when he was focused.
“Get it together, Jayce,” I muttered under my breath, reaching for the shampoo.
As I worked the lather through my hair, I tried to focus on anything else. Practice. Exams. The upcoming game. But no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept circling back to him. To the way his voice sounded when he spoke in his native language(s). To the way his eyes lit up when he talked about something he was passionate about. To the way he’d glance up from his work and give me a rare, small, shy smile that made my chest tighten. The water started to cool, and I quickly rinsed off before shutting it off and stepping out. I grabbed a towel and dried off, wrapping it around my waist as I stared at my reflection in the fogged-up mirror.
“You’re being ridiculous,” I told myself, but the words felt hollow. After getting dressed, I padded back to my room, the quiet of the dorm settling around me once again. I dropped onto my bed, the soft mattress a welcome relief after the long day.
I stared at the ceiling, my mind still racing despite my exhaustion. Two days. I could handle two days. But as I lay there, the truth settled in my chest like a weight. It wasn’t the silence that was getting to me—it was the fact that I missed him. And I hadn’t even realised just how much until now. Rolling over, I grabbed my phone and stared at the blank screen for a moment before opening the messaging app, finding Viktor’s contant, then I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, before finally typing out a message.
Hope you made it to Zaun safe. Let me know if you need anything.
I hit send before I could second-guess myself and set the phone down on my nightstand, plugging it in then turned it face down with the ringer off, sighing softly.
“Two days,” I whispered to myself as I closed my eyes, hoping I would be able to get some sleep. “Just two days. You’ll be fine, Talis.”
~~~
Viktor’s POV
“Wait. What?!” Jinx’s voice rang out after dad had finished explaining why Vander was here and everything that had happened in the last three months that we had been gone. I rubbed my temple, starting to get a minor headache.
“Were you listening at all?” dad asked Jinx, rubbing a hand over his face. My sister scoffed, mumbling that she was. His eyes met mine across the table. “Co o tym sądzisz, mój chłopcze? (How do you feel about this, my boy?)”
His question stunned me a little. I knew he asked me in Polish too for a reason- a sort of private question that only Jinx and I understood the language. I looked up over the top of my glasses, eyes searching between both Vander and my dad. I sighed softly, looking at my sister too. I didn’t say anything for a while, pinching the bridge of my nose with my forefinger and thumb, pushing my hair out of my eyes before finally meeting dad’s look.
“Szczerze mówiąc, nie wiem, tato... Ja... Idę spać. (Honestly. I don't know, dad... I.. I'm going to bed,)” I answered, my voice laced with exhaustion and hurt. Dad read my expression, nodding in understanding before he stood up, placing a hand on Jinx’s shoulder when he passed.
“You should rest too, dear,” I heard him mumble, giving my sister a hug as she leaned into his embrace though her eyes held hurt, anger and distrust. I watched from where I stood up, leaning on my cane. Dad looked back at Vander, sighing softly, letting his hand fall from where he placed it on Jinx’s shoulder. “You should go, Van.”
The barkeeper didn’t say anything but I caught his eye. Understanding and loving. I gave a slight nod as he passed me, softly reaching out for dad’s hand, offering a small smile, placing a kiss to the top of his forehead before he saw himself out of our home. I took the chance and spun on my heel, walking back to my room, where I flickered on the lamp light, sitting down on the edge of the bed, and I took out my violin, dancing my fingers on the strings of my beloved instrument.
The feeling of the violin was familiar beneath my hand, bringing a sense of comfort. I picked it up out of its case, placed it under my chin and adjusted the bow on top of the strings. The tension that had coiled through my body began to unravel as I played a melody. I played softly at first, searching what I knew before I picked up speed, closing my eyes and letting the music carry me away. Each note resonated in the quietness in the room, echoing down the hall, down to Jinx and dad’s bedrooms too, it filled the air with emotion that I couldn’t voice. The melody was fluid, a blend of improvisation and muscle memory, an echo of the thoughts in my head.
The bow moved faster across the strings as I translated my emotions into the rise and fall of the music. Frustration, confusion, and longing all blended together into something beautiful yet chaotic. I wasn’t playing a song, I was playing out my emotions in similarity to the first song that I had learned from my mother. It was a simple song, but it had a deep meaning to it. It was one I let stay close to my heart, having little memory of my birth parents. I started humming the lyrics along with the melody that I played, warmth filling my heart as my mind went back to the night my mother sang that song to me.
Flashback
The melody played in his head, transporting him back to a small, dimly lit room. The faint flicker of a candle casted long shadows on the walls. He was younger at the time, roughly five years old, curled up in his mother’s lap. Her gentle hands stroking through his brown hair, rocking slowly with him curled up in her robe, wearing a blanket around his small frame.
“Mama?” Viktor’s quiet voice asked, slightly muffled from where he was pressed into his mother’s chest. She smiled at him, her eyes tired but her smile was everything to the young boy. She cradled her baby closer, holding him close before standing up and slowly rocking with him cradled in her arms, humming in reply.
“Ano, moje dítě? (Yes, my child)?” she murmured, using her free hand to stroke her boy’s unruly hair back from his big brown eyes. Viktor leaned into his mama’s touch, smiling back at her and placing his own small hand on her cheek.
“Zazpíváš, maminko? (Will you sing, mama?)” asked Viktor, laying his head down on her torso, nuzzling at her neck. Her soft grin returned to her features as she nodded, placing a kiss to her boy’s forehead, rocking him still in her arms. She swayed here and there, humming out the melody before she started singing. Her voice was like honey. It coated around him like a warm blanket, lulling him to sleep, and her movements were gentle too. Her voice was soft, but it carried a deep, unspoken love, a connection that only a mother and her child could share.
“Spi, mé zlaté děťátko, hvězdy bdí nad tvým sníčkem. Měsíc tiše zpívá ti, ukolébá tě svým třpytem. Spi, můj malý andílku, svět je krásný, plný kouzel.Jen zavři oči, pusť se snů, ráno tě čeká nový úsvit.(Sleep, my golden little one, the stars watch over your dreams. The moon softly sings to you, lulling you with its gleam. Sleep, my little angel, the world is beautiful, full of wonder. Just close your eyes, embrace your dreams, a new dawn awaits you in the morning).” Her voice carried through the room, and Viktor mumbled along with her as she sang, half asleep in her arms by the time she was done. His eyes had shut and his ear pressed against her chest, listening to the lull of her heartbeat as if it were sacred to him. His small hands grasped tightly onto her robe, holding onto her like a lifeline, holding onto the love and safety she offered.
Her soft, loving gaze fixed on her son as he drifted to sleep, a sense of contentment washed over her. She didn’t need to sing anymore; he was already lost to the world of dreams, where he would be free from fear or worry. She rocked him slowly in her arms, the night stretching on as she hummed the last remnants of the son. She moved about the room gracefully, stopping when she looked at a picture frame, her heart lingering in sorrow and longing. The picture had all three of them… Her husband, Viktor, leaned on her for support, and herself. She smiled sadly and pressed a kiss to her fingertips, placing it on the frame.
“Come home alive, please…” she whispered to the frame, sadness lacing in her voice before she continued down the hallway and into her bedroom, deciding that tonight wasn’t a good night to sleep alone. She climbed into bed carefully with her boy in her arms, laying on her side after she placed him down, covering him with the duvet. She watched as he slept, brushing his curls back against his face, leaning down and kissing his forehead.
“Spěj sladce, můj malý andílku... Vždy tě budu milovat, můj sladký chlapče, nikdy na to nezapomeň (sleep tight, my little angel… I will always love you, my sweet boy, never forget that).” That was the last thing he heard before he fully fell asleep.
End flashback
I opened my eyes once I finished the song, the room still and quiet as the final note echoed through the air. The melody lingered, almost as if the song itself were alive, filling the space with warmth that contrasted the emotional storm that I had played out. I set the violin down carefully in its case, placing the bow down too before shutting it and setting it down on the floor beside my feet. I let the memory wash over, my hand coming up to grasp a necklace I always wore. It was my mother’s. The last thing, other than memories, that I had of her. It was something simple but yet it held a deep meaning to me. The chain was worn, the pendant a small, polished stone in the shape of a crescent moon. She always said it was a symbol of protection, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, she would be my angel that would light my way. A silent promise. I ran my thumb over the cool surface of the stone, letting a few tears fall down my cheeks, shutting my eyes and letting the feel that she was with me.
I lay on my side after I had plugged my phone in and changed clothes into something more comfortable. I still had that feeling… She lay beside me as she once did many years ago. The memories suddenly came back to me- her voice, her touch, the safety she wrapped me in like a cocoon. It was bittersweet, and I found comfort in these fragmented memories I had of her… It was better than nothing because it was all I had. I hadn’t checked if there were any more messages from Jayce, and there probably weren't. I decided not to bother. I sighed deeply, listening to the silence around me, assuming dad and my sister were asleep. I did glance at the clock on my desk, seeing as it was pretty late, I wouldn’t blame them. I let out a content sigh, resting on my side again, my head against my pillow as I shut my eyes, hoping I would get some sleep.
~~
Jayce’s POV
Sunday couldn’t come by quick enough. Saturday was a drag. Practice on Saturday was longer than usual because today had been our first game of the season. I was going to ask if Viktor would be able to come to the game, and I was pretty sure I did a week ago before he left for the weekend, then again, I couldn’t remember if he said he would be back before six or not. Six was when the game started and I had all day to get my gear ready, as well as meet the team by the field an hour and a half before then.
Did I do that? Absolutely not. It was four in the afternoon and I may have kept spamming messages to Vitkor, wondering if he was going to show up before the game. I told him, I think, that I would have liked it if he did come and see us play, but knowing him, he likely wouldn’t. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone, wondering if I would receive a message back from him any time between now and the next hour.
The silence in the dorm was eating me alive. I hated it and I genuinely wished my roommate would come back to Uni from Zaun. I understand he was with family, but I hated the silence. It felt… Eerie without Viktor’s presence, his quick thinking, intelligence and the tune that came from the violin that he played. I missed him, I’ll admit that. I finally get out of my trance when my eyes catch the clock on my nightstand. It was nearing five and I knew I had to get moving. Sitting here like a love struck puppy, waiting for a response from Viktor wasn’t doing me any good.
With a quiet sigh, I stood and grabbed my gear bag, putting my phone in one of the side pockets before flinging it over my shoulder. The weight from the bag was oddly comforting as I grabbed my keys as I passed the kitchen, walking out and locking the door behind me. I tugged my cap over my eyes as I made my way down the stairs just to the right side of our dorm room. I mumbled something to myself as I headed out of the building and to the baseball field, seeing coach Grayson and the team warming up. A few strangling team members caught up with me, walking to the field to get the last few minutes to warm up and go over strategy moves. Simple goal. Win the game and hopefully move up to win the championship by the end of the season.
The glow from the stadium lights illuminated the field as I approached it, casting shadows from the team as they moved through their warm up routines. I stepped onto the field, dropping my bag off near the sidelines, pulling my gloves on and grabbing my bat, sitting near the dugout. I was greeted by the smell of chalk lines, and fresh turf as well as Coach’s voice. We finished with our warm ups and were going over everything, most of them paying attention to what I was saying as I explained our strategy, one that would win against the opposing team.
“Play smart. Play hard, and remember, this is just the beginning of the season,” Grayson said, her eyes sweeping over all of us, lingering on me for a brief moment. “Set the tone. Let them know who we are.”
We broke the huddle with a unified cheer, adrenaline surging through me as we took positions on the field. Mel was pitching, and I was batting first. We would do a few practice rounds before the game actually started. She threw the ball to me, my eyes trained on it and I swung. A satisfied crack echoed through the field.
We did this a few times, getting practice in for a while longer before moving to the dugout whilst students and the opposing team started arriving. I looked around, glancing at my watch. I was jittery, and I knew stressing was only going to make it worse. I sighed, taking my hat off and pushed a hand through my hair. I was fine. This was fine. We were going to win this game and I was going to stop stressing over my roommate. I grabbed my bat and walked up to home base, looking at Mel, who was waiting on me. The crowd went silent, catching onto my every move. Mel gave me a nod, wounding up before she threw the ball at me. I trained my eyes on it, swinging when the time was right.
CRACK!
It echoed through the field. I dropped the bat and ran to first base, then second, third and just barely made it to home base. A home run. Adrenaline coursed through me as I focused on the game, my mind clear of any thoughts from Viktor now that I was paying attention to the game.
~~
Author’s POV
The drive back to Piltover from Zaun took longer than expected. Jinx was still bothered by the fact that their dad was dating her former adoptive (??) father. Viktor hadn’t been very pleased either but he didn’t say anything. He and Jinx told Silco about them not being entirely comfortable, but Viktor, at least, understood where their father was coming from and told him that he would accept it. Jinx, however, was a little iffy. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her dad and Vander being together. Proving that point, the woman ignored Vander the whole rest of the weekend. Viktor was civil, for the most part, but he remained moody and cold towards the bartender, not particularly fond of the man. She would glare at him across the table the second night that he stayed for supper. Sevika tried to interfere but didn’t, knowing it would only make the situation worse than it was. Viktor had told Jinx the second night they were there that she didn’t have to accept right away but at least give it time to settle in and then make her final judgment.
Jinx was still discomforted by it. Right before they left Silco’s, she had given her dad a hug (one of what Sevika called a Jinx hug), squeezing tightly but not enough to hurt him. She had told her dad that if Vander hurt him to let her know so she could handle it. Silco had assured her that nothing would happen but he would let her know. He then had given Viktor a hug, having him promise to call weekly, to which his son agreed to, hugging him once more before getting behind the wheel in the driver’s side, opting to drive back to the university instead of Jinx driving. Did his sister complain up until the halfway point? She did.
“Fine! You drive,” Viktor snapped, rubbing his temple, pushing his glasses up. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before so he was a little moody. He was fed up with her teasing and complaining about how he was driving, so he pulled over and gestured for him to switch seats with him. Jinx got out and circled around the car as did Viktor, sliding into the passenger seat, adjusting his cane which was at his feet.
“You’re snappy.”
“You’re not helping. Just drive.”
Jinx held her hands up in surrender, putting on soft music to ease the tension between them. They were quiet for a while before Jinx spoke. “V?”
“Hm.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?” Viktor lifted his head from the window, looking at his sister.
“For y’know.. Complaining. You drive fine. I was just teasing,” Jinx answered, looking over at him when she pulled at a red light. Viktor hummed, laying his head back down.
“All if forgiven, sister. I’m simply exhausted. I didn’t sleep much,” he told her, his hand coming up to rub the necklace he wore. Jinx smiled softly, nodding in return. She stepped on the gas when the light turned, crossing over the bridge into Piltover. What would have been a forty five minute trip, turned into an hour and a half, and then some.
By the time they arrived back at the university, it was roughly eight in the evening. Jinx parked her car next to Viktor’s, texting her boyfriend that they had arrived safely, and not even ten minutes later, Ekko came running out to the parking lot. Viktor smiled at the couple, rubbing his eyes as stood up, stretching and got out of the car. He leaned on his cane as he popped the trunk, circling around it to get his luggage. He was too tired to pay attention to the excited reunion between his sister and Ekko, though there was a faint smile as Ekko swept Jinx into a tight hug, lifting her off her feet, causing her braids to swirl around them. Her laughter echoed through the parking lot and she was still smiling as her beloved kissed her, only pulling away when they remembered that Viktor was still nearby.
“Make sure she gets sleep, she’s been insufferable,” Viktor teased his sister, pulling his suitcase out, swinging his bag on his back which carried his violin case and a few other essentials. Jinx rolled her eyes, leaning on Ekko’s shoulder before she too grabbed her own suitcase, locking the car after she shut the trunk.
The trio made their way back towards the building, it was silent, not many students were still awake at this hour, plus some were still talking about the game. Viktor picked up on the lingering voices and raised a brow, looking at Ekko.
“There was a game?” he asked, reaching for his phone in his backpack side pocket. Ekko glanced up from Jinx to Viktor and nodded, his brown eyes glimmering with amusement.
“Yeah, first of the season. Talis’s team played today against the Legends. They won, you didn’t see it?” Ekko asked.
Viktor blinked, unlocking his phone and checking the unread messages from Jayce. All regarding the game.
<Talis>
16:01
Today’s the first game of our season.
<Talis>
16:05
I know you’re in Zaun for the weekend but could you come to the game? I’ll get Ekko to save a spot
<Talis>
16:15
Did I ask you about the game yet…
<Talis>
16:30
Not sure if you’ll be back in time
<Talis>
16:45
Game starts at 6pm
<Talis>
16:59
See you when I can. Wish me luck
Geez. He sighed softly, pinching the bridge of his nose as he followed Jinx and Ekko to the elevator, tucking his hand into his pocket. Jinx hummed softly, laying her head on Ekko’s shoulder, pressing the button to the second floor. She took out her phone and let Silco know that they had made it safely back to campus. Once they reached the second floor, they headed down the hallway, passing the other dorms on the floor until they reached Jinx, Ekko, and Steb’s dorm.
“Steb’s out. He’s over at Scar’s,” Ekko informed, pushing the door open with his foot. Viktor waved his sister and Ekko off before continuing down the hall to his own dorm room. He sighed softly, grumbling in Czech. His brow furrowed when he went to put his key in the lock and found it was already unlocked. He heard Talis’ voice… But he also heard others. He was already in a mood and he didn’t want to deal with other people. Oh bother. He prepared himself for the worst. Viktor pushed the door open, kept his eyes down and pulled his luggage in behind him. He placed his keys down in the bowl, ignoring any of the words said to him, including the looks that were passed his way.
He said nothing as he made his way towards his room. His expression was his usual RBF (resting bitch face). He stepped into his room, shedding off the layers he was wearing, now only wearing a long sleeve shirt and trousers. He set his violin down against the desk, his door cracked so he was still able to hear the quiet murmurs of the other people in the room.
Jayce… Hadn’t considered when Viktor would be back. His team had won the game and after they had celebrated a little on the field, he was pulled into a small group that had Mel, Marcus, and two other players. They were throwing ideas on where to celebrate the rest of the night. One had brought up the fact that Jacye’s roommate was out of town for the weekend and brought to Jayce’s attention, who immediately tried to shut it down, but failed miserably because the rest of them agreed.
So, now they were here, sitting in the living room. Jayce was uncomfortably sitting against the ottoman, Mel beside him and the other three teammates across from them. He turned his head when he heard the door opening. Viktor. Shit. He was silent, looking away when he caught the man’s gaze. The second Viktor had disappeared into his room, one of his teammates, Lucas, spoke.
“So we finally get to see who Jayce’s roomie is. A Zauntie who’s a cripple.” Laughter rang out between three of the five. Jayce’ stomach churned with uneasiness. He kept his mouth shut, unsure how to word the next thing he wanted to say. However, Viktor had beaten him to it.
“Out.” Was the only word needing to be heard to catch everyone’s attention.
“Oh come on, it-,” Lucas started.
“Get out of the dorm,” Viktor growled, sharp eyes trained on his roommate. Jayce looked away. Mel gave him a] small squeeze to his shoulder standing up and ushering the others out of the dorm, leaving just the two of them. Viktor turned his attention to Jayce, his expression unreadable. “"Co to do pr...?! Nemůžu ti uvěřit! Souhlasil jsi s tím, že tvoji spoluhráči budou v /naší/ koleji, za jaký důvod?! A bude to zatraceně dobrý důvod! (What the hell?! I can't believe you! You agreed to having your teammates in /our/ dorm, for what reason?! And it better be a damn good reason)!” He was angry. His slavic accent thick on tongue as he lashed out at Jayce.
Jayce blinked, unable to process or understand any of what the man had just spoken to him. It wasn’t like this was his fault! It wasn’t! He was frozen in place, Viktor’s words echoed in the room, each cutting like a knife. The anger in his voice was unmistakable, and the accent that Jayce had grown used to in calm moments now sounded harsh, filled with frustration.
“Viktor- I. Wha- I didn’t-” Jayce began, his voice faltering as he struggled to find the right words. This wasn’t his idea. He hadn’t wanted any of this. His teammates had pushed and he had been weak. “No hice nada, Viktor. Esto no fue mi culpa. (I didn't do shit, Viktor. This wasn't my fault).” He finally answered, snapping back in Spanish.
Viktor didn’t know what he had said but he fired off another statement, angry at Jayce for crossing a boundary, let alone not even asking him first! He felt a piece of his trust broken. The air between them was thick with tension as the two young men stood, each with frustration and confusion, unable to understand one another clearly. Jayce was trying to figure out why he was so mad at him! He was dragged into it and he was a sweetheart who couldn’t say no to people!
“Tohle byla tvoje vina, Talis! Minimálně jsi mi to měl říct! Já nemůžu- ... Tady jsem si myslel, že bychom spolu mohli vycházet. Očividně ne. (This was your fault, Talis! At the bare minimum, you should have told me! I can't- ... Here I was thinking we may actually get along. Apparently not),” Viktor snarled back in Czech, glaring at Jayce before turning on his heel and walking into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Jayce was shocked, hurt and confused.
“Qué carajo acaba de pasar? (what the fuck just happened)?” Jayce mumbled to himself, running a hand through his hair before turning around, his back to Viktor’s bedroom as he headed to his own room. He didn’t know what he did. It hadn’t been his fault. He frowned a little, standing near his dresser, and he pulled out a change of clothes, changing into sleep wear. After he changed clothes, he sat on the edge of the bed, knee bouncing as he looked at his phone, hesitant if he should… No. He wasn’t going to do that. He was going to let Viktor come to him first because otherwise, he would only keep pushing him away and he didn’t want that.
Jayce sighed softly, laying on his back as he tried to close his eyes and fall asleep, however, the only thing he heard was silence. Up until he heard soft melodies being played. Viktor. He must have played his violin. That made Jayce smile a little bit. He turned on his side and listened to whatever was being played, humming along with the tune. He enjoyed it whenever the man would play the instrument he liked, finding it comforting as the melody washed over his body like a blanket. He eventually told himself that things would work out… Hopefully. He finally fell asleep, the guilt weighing on him like bricks. He hoped he could make this up to his roommate.