Chapter Text
It was still unbelievable that this all started in snowy mountains, in the midst of action. He was only a child, but he has always remembered that day like how he could remember the feel of sweat on his brow; in his sleep, in each step and stride he took in hallways and the streets, he could recall everything about that fateful day.
Recollection of how the cold snow had shifted underneath his body, how his mother cradled him, as if her own body was all the shielding he needed. He remembered how the sound of blasters firing hurt his ears, combated against the slick pew of an igniting lightsaber. He could still hear the charged bullets and how the swinging light would echo and bounce against rock, while his mother tried to desperately cling onto consciousness to protect her only son- her only family. He could still feel the weight of helping his mother stand up so that they may both survive. But what he did forget was always the hooded knight, whose large figure towered over him as he dropped a kyber crystal onto the small boy's glove layered hand. The unknown figure’s silhouette became clearer this time, realer, like it was right in front of him-
“Jayce! Wake up!”
Jayce woke up with a startlinging ringing in his ears first, jumping from where he had been laying down, angled in his seat, hunched over himself now. He looked across from him after a few beats of him just catching his breath, allowing warm air to draft into his lungs, seeing Viktor hovering hands around his frame, a look of concern and worry spread across it as he observed Jayce and allowed him to ground himself from what Viktor assumed was a nightmare. And if Jayce knew that that was what he was thinking, he would probably agree that it was.
Jayce looked up at Viktor, before speaking softly, “Sorry- sorry, I-I just… It was just a bad dream, Viktor. I’m sorry..” He sighed as he slowly leaned back into his seat, head against the wall of their compartment. They were on a transport ship to Naboo for business; Trade Federation representatives and members wanted to discuss negotiations involving the distribution of Kybertech with them. Jayce was reluctant, but the more that word got out that Kyber would soon be put into the hands of the people, and further pressure was put onto him from not only the public, but politicians, Jayce felt he had no other choice but to make the trip.
And while, yes, it was a trip mainly Jayce had to take, he felt it would be wrong to go without Viktor there with him too. Viktor, his partner; someone he had been working with closely now for a few years, someone he considered close. Someone he began to admire for his intelligence and quick thinking, for the angled marks on his cheeks that looked like gills on a fish, except these were flat and looked made with blacked birthed ink. He admired Viktor, but couldn’t say it. He could only stare. Staring too long, “Jayce? Is there something wrong?” Viktor asked, snapping Jayce out of his train of thought and back to the grounding reality- Right, train and trip, with Viktor he had thought, recollecting himself.
“Ah, sorry, just spaced out- nothing important, don’t worry about it, V.” Jayce said, a wave of his hand as if that were all he needed to do to smudge away his thoughts.
“Are you sure? Because you had a nightmare, and then began to blank out on me whenever I was talking to you..” Viktors legs were crossed with a book in his lap; most likely notes or something he was reading. Jayce had begun to wonder what he was reading or writing down, what Viktor was thinking now, what- “Jayce Talis!” Jayce had winced a little at his whole name being used, “Focus! What is distracting you so much that you begin to space out at such random intervals when trying to discuss the importance of our trip?”
Jayce had sighed, “I’m sorry, you’re right. It’s just…” Jayce hesitated, it’s you who occupies my mind. He thought. “...It’s nothing, I’ll be alright.”
Viktor had let a few beats of silence intrude into their space, “Do you wish to.. Talk about it, Jayce?” Viktor looked at Jayce sympathetically, his symmetrical tar colored marks on the sides of his face peeking out further from his hair.
More silence insnude into their compartment. “...Let’s review the meeting one more time before we land.”
Jayce threw his travel bag of clothes onto his large bed filled to the brim with sheets, comforters and mountains of pillows. They must really want Jayce to feel thankful to the federation, and while it was a kind gesture, he knew they just wanted to try and get him to ally himself alongside them so he wasn’t “difficult.” Not that he would try to be, but the reason was there nonetheless.
He had begun walking closer to the overlaying ray of sunshine that had been hitting from his large balcony exit. The sun had hit his floor, like the orange had painted across the tile flooring. It complimented his rough terracotta skin, the light having almost a water-like sensation with how Jayce moved his hand like riding a wave. Jayce felt like he was sunkissed on every fiber of his being. His imagination lingered on the sensation, picturing it as Viktor and his auburn colored eyes gazing up at him- burning into his soul. The image had only lasted for a mere fraction of a second, being interrupted by the sudden sound of a gentle knock at his wide opened door. Reality crashing into him, a harsh reminder he isn’t here to bask in the sunlight, but here to deal with greedy galactic trade controllers. the well renowned founder of Kybertech and golden boy of the galaxy, a weight on his shoulders that he was expected to find a way to improve the lives of those less fortunate people all across the galaxy with his dream. Him and Viktor’s dream.
“Jayce?” As if his thoughts came to life, he heard the familiar voice of his partner, a voice that dripped of caramel and wax tones. Admiration was a hard road to walk when the destination could never be reached.
Jayce whipped his head around to be greeted with Viktor’s warm, piercing gaze. Such a state could cause the world to turn on its heals, and that is what Jayce had felt when greeted with those eyes that could put every sun this galaxy had to offer to shame. “Uh, hey Viktor! Sorry, I didn’t see you there,”
“Well, yes, you weren’t facing my direction so how could you have?” Jayce chuckled softly; Viktor’s sarcasm and sass had always made him smile, even when he was being at times irritable and rude, it was one of many things he had grown to appreciate about him, like how the marks on his cheeks with the crooked angle would go up with his uneven smile. Everything about him was so perfectly imperfect from the stray string of hair on his head to his uneven stance, where it’d lean on his crutch to support him up and go around places.
“Jayce,” Viktor had started his sentence, walking over into the cascading, bright blanket of orange sunlight that beamed. “What is it you were doing?” Jayce’s thoughts had reeled in once more when he had heard Viktor’s question.
“What was I doing?” he repeated the question, sitting now on the bed and looking at Viktor a little bit ghastly and nervous. Viktor nodded, confirming, a curious face that verged on the edge of smugness “Uhh, pff- I mean, I was just… Uh..” He searched for an answer, eyes darting to look out the window. Found it, “Admiring the view.” He spoke, his self confidence faltering in his tone. Viktor didn’t look convinced.
He raised an eyebrow, “The view?” He questioned.
“Yep! A truly,” He took in a gasp of fresh air, “Marvelous view, huh?” His voice faltered even more. He was always bad at lying.
Viktor nodded his head and chuckled, scoffing a little, even. He also knew that Jayce was a terrible liar, but loved to indulge in him nonetheless. “If you say so.”
Jayce chuckled in response, eyes on the floor view between his legs, then going back to looking up at Viktor. “What about you? What were you doing? I know you didn’t come in here just to tease me.”
Viktor huffed out air with a smile “If you don’t mind,” He said softly before going to sit next to Jayce. He propped his crutch between his legs and let it lean against his braced leg. “I wanted to ask about earlier today, on the train.” Ah. His nightmare. Jayce wished Viktor hadn’t been there to see him like that.
Jayce sighed softly, “Sorry you had to see that, a little embarrassing, hah!” He and Viktor both knew that was a fake laugh, “It’s nothing to worry about, really. I’m ok.” Another lie. Jayce’s politeness would be the thing to end him.
There was silence for a moment, Viktor’s eyes had darted between Jayce’s, examining every muscle in Jayce’s face as well. Jayce knew he couldn’t have been that good of a liar, though, but before he could question, Viktor turned his gaze to the floor. A silent ponder as to what to say next, in response to the bold faced lies Jayce had been making straight to Viktor in order to avoid talking about topics that would require Jayce to let himself open up. How he wished that he could be honest enough to just tell Viktor everything. His dreams, nightmares, his wants and desires; how they felt tied to Viktor. The silent adoration that had hurt his yearning heart. If his wishes could all become real, he had wished he could stay with Viktor forever, here, where the sunlight shines on them and maybe, just maybe, Jayce could finally be sunkissed. But he could never do that to Viktor, putting Jayce’s pressure of being the forefront of galactic progress onto Viktor. Only Jayce’s mind is where he could scream how much he loved him. Never otherwise.
“Ok.” Viktor spoke, his voice cut through their silence so plainly, so sweetly, like how the water on the side of mountains would slide down. He began to stand up, taking his crutch underneath his armpit, moving up and towards the door, then stopping in his tracks to look back at Jayce. “Just know that you can rely on me. You can talk to me.” Viktor had a face of longing, like he wanted Jayce to lean on him. How that stung his heart like a disinfectant to cut on a finger.
“It’s getting late, Jayce. You should prepare for tomorrow.” And just like how he entered, Viktor had left his room, taking all that warmth with him and leaving Jayce feeling empty. His heart burnt with the feeling only the cold could make. And how Jayce had come to hate the cold.
“Mister Talis, how generous of you to attend this meeting! How pleasant it is to finally meet the golden boy face to face!”
It was the first morning of the meeting, and he hadn’t seen Viktor since yesterday, the evening when they arrived. He had to push that feeling down, for now.
“Oh, the honor is all mine, sir!” Jayce had to play in between suck-up and powerful at today's meeting. He had made sure to study and re-read everything he had written prior to today to be absolutely prepared for everything. Even now, shaking hands with a federation member, he had known what scum they were; their absolute control over modern intergalactic trade made them powerful, as allies, enemies, or oppressors.
He couldn’t let his feelings get the better of him here and now, though. For now, he just had to play nice with the other kids.
“Do my eyes deceive me?” Jayce whipped his head to see none other than Mandalore's very own senator, Mel Medarda standing before him. “Jayce Talis, what a delight it is to see an old acquaintance here on Naboo.” Her smile was as sly as a fox, and her outfit was befitting of a mandalorian title; all black with gold accents to compliment her white silk curtained legs, and bold silver lines that had looked like beskar. Maybe it was, you could’ve fooled Jayce if you told him they were.
It was a pleasant surprise to see her here, but that begged him to question, just what was she doing here? “To what do I owe the pleasure of being in the presence of none other than Mel Medarda?” Nevermind that thought for now, Jayce had a mission here, and that was to be golden. Jayce had smiled at her, warm and shining, bringing a hand out to her, which she took with a welcoming attitude.
“Well, nothing but what I hope to be a very progressive meeting this morning and the days to follow!” She interlocked her arm with his, “And forgive my intrusion in the conversation, but if you don’t mind me stealing Jayce for a moment so that we may discuss the gathering to come?” Mel had always been smooth when sweeping Jayce away, but he knew that was a way of also telling him that they needed to talk urgently.
“Why, of course Senator Medarda! Who am I to impose on two friends catching up?” The federation member smiled at both of them. He knew what she was up to. “Go on, I will be on my way to the meeting room in the meanwhile. Enjoy,” He extended his arm to gesture to the rest of the room, open arms to let them free to do what they may while he walked off.
The two bowed their heads respectfully in an acute angle, walking away and moving onto talk about different matters. “I didn’t think I would see you here, Jayce.” She said, rather bluntly.
“Well, pressure to know what the next step for Kybertech is in heavy demand, and it didn’t take long for the Trade Federation to know about our progress either.” He darted eyes carefully to examine their environment, “They had practically insisted that I fly out to Naboo so we could “talk business.” Which leads to my question, what brings you here?”
Mel took in a deep breath with a smile, looking graceful as ever despite how she felt inward. “Well, that’s a bit of a loaded question.” She huffed, like she had heard a half-assed joke, “but to put it plainly,” She pulled Jayce to a couch nearby so they could look as casual and normal as possible, “the Trade Federation wants to discuss the import and exportation of beskar..” Her face faltered for a moment, her eyebrows creasing and a weary smile on her face, and Jayce had looked almost mortified.
“Beskar?” Jayce didn't hide his shock as well as he should’ve. He had known how important beskar was to Mandalore; how sacred and irreplaceable it was- especially if it were pure. “What could they want with beskar?” Jayce had already known the answer, but he needed to hear her say it in order to believe it.
Mel had kept her smile, “You’re always so quick to emotion. I need you to act as I am; relaxed and collected. Imagine we are simply recalling our past, just..” She adjusted her posture, “don’t falter here, where a conglomerate faction of intergalactic trade holders can see you.” She had a point, and Jayce was inclined to agree and play pretend with her.
“And as for why?” she continued, giggling to keep up her appearance, “I can only hope it’s to line up their pockets, but my instinct tells me otherwise; to smelt into weapons so they can continue to abuse their power on planets with less that rely on the resources they trade. It all leads back to their greed.” Not once had her face failed, her mask stayed up and she looked stunning to the average financer. It had rattled Jayce how calm she was, but for now he had to smile.
“Why does this concern me?” Jayce had felt more worried for what Mel may have to do to keep her people’s native mineral within their grasp than let greedy politicians get their hands on them. He was worried about how this could go further than just a meeting, and instead could get physical. Beskar was an important resource to the Mandalorian people.
“Because I want your help, Jayce,” She stated, “I need you to find out what they want, and if they already have any amount of it. I have my suspicions, but I need someone as adored as you are to try and smooth talk your way into convincing them to expose themselves; you have to find a weak spot because you are their weak spot.” Mel had patted Jayces hand. Jayce had known she was right, hell she rarely ever was wrong when the two of them spoke.
Jayce kept his mask on, “What do you need me to do, Mel?”
—
Jayce had sighed and let his tired guard down as soon as his feet had hit the hard stone floor at the edge of the dock that led to the inside of his and Viktor’s business villa. Jayce had taken a few steps forward, not long before some servants that had worked there came greeting him and asking if they could do anything for him. “I’m ok, thank you- but before you go, have you seen Viktor today? I wanted to talk with him.” He felt almost embarrassed for asking, but since he couldn’t find him earlier that morning, he figured he’d try now.
“Viktor was last seen on the terrace reading.” The servant sang with a wide smile.
He smiled at her and nodded, “Thank you, ma’am,” Jayce could’ve sworn that when he walked away, he heard the woman giggling when they went on their way to do whatever they may have been doing prior.
Jayce walked through what could've been considered a palace to find Viktor sleeping alone on an empty table, a book laid out and with that falling out of his hand. Jayce had scoffed out a smile, his heart warm again with adoration- admiration for Viktor. Jayce had sauntered over, looking down at his book, back at Viktor. His hair had been lightly tossed, waving with the ocean wind. The leaves kept shade over him like a blanket, his face looked like leaves had created a pattern that the sun could touch him in some places, and in other’s could barely.
Jayce didn’t often see him let his guard down like this; Viktor had fallen asleep in the lab often, but even then he didn’t look as peaceful as he did now, and really what a sight to see. Jayce had left only for a moment to retrieve a blanket to cover him in his slumber, and before Jayce could gloss over the thought, he left a gentle kiss in his head of hair, before walking off and retiring to his study room.
Once Jayce’s footsteps couldn’t be heard, Viktor sat up and stared down the hallway where Jayce had left. Utterly red faced and speechless. He could only mumble his name and curse it while burying his face into his book, hand to the back of his head, left wanting more.