Work Text:
"Viktor, can you tell me your last name, so I can fill out these documents for the sponsoring contract with Atlas Ironworks?"
Jayce walked through the research quarters he shared with the other scientist while going through the papers in his hands. He would have to turn them in the same day at the least, so they would receive the necessary funds for their advancing research in time.
Viktor wasn't even looking up, way too busy with a mechanism that he was still adjusting on the workbench in front of him. "Why can you not just put your name," he asked Jayce over the sizzles of his soldering iron.
"It's you who's been dealing with all the paperwork and honeycoating politicians anyway."
"This is our project. Our vision, Viktor, you've put as much work and soul into this as I have. If not even more. I want you to earn the credit you rightfully deserve", Jayce claimed determinedly as he picked up the pen scattered on his desk that was loaded with mountains over mountains of notes and equations. Viktor waved a hand over his shoulder dismissively.
"I'm a Zaunite, those uptight knuckleheads wouldn't even recognize me. I don't really have a last name, we don't have that in the undercity", he explained flatly and gently pinched his eyebrows in concentration as he adjusted the soldering iron in his hold. "If it's so important use your name or whatever."
Jayce rolled his eyes with a exasperated sigh and put the papers down, clicking the pen and simply decided to sign them with 'Viktor and Jayce Talis'. It should suffice the sponsor to see who would be on the receiving end of their money. Everyone would be happy, right?
-
It became a regular thing after that, as long as they were progressing with their work with Hextech. Jayce never gave it much thought when he placed their names on the documents and there had never been any complaints from the recipients, so he just went with it. Viktor noticed. He might not have been very interested in it at the start, still wasn't in terms of receiving much acknowledgement from strangers for his work. But he noticed Jayce's care to never leave him unmentioned. He always put Viktor first on every scrap of paper he signed. Even on his notes. He never mentioned it to his partner, but Viktor didn't forget.
He never would.
-
Gala evenings and parties have always been something more of Jayce's forté, has always been, even back in school. Wherever he went he seemed to shine the brightest and gathered people around him like moths chasing the light. Viktor found it impressive, but also quite irritating. He didn't understand the appeal of being the center of attention. He liked to keep to himself, drawing away from the noisy crowds whenever he attended such occasions. This one would be different.
Jayce had insisted to take Viktor to this gala as it was going to be their most important one: the opening of their first Hexgate. After so many years, of hours and hours in their laboratory, days and nights spent in restlessness their work finally came to fruition. The collar of Viktor's tailored suit was itching around his neck. He walked at Jayce's side as they entered the fancy hall and the clinking of his cane was drowned out by the chattering of guests. This would be a long night.
Jayce lead Viktor along and handed him a flute of some fancy, sparkly drink from the silver tray of one of the waiters going around. Jayce began shaking hands and giving introductions to the guests approaching them. Viktor mainly stuck to polite smiles and nods, but since he was never really addressed directly, that was all he decided to do.
That was up until the point of another man approaching them who Jayce had been considering a potential sponsor for a while already. To his surprise, it was him who was greeted while Jayce was talking to someone else over his shoulder.
"The scientists of the hour. I must congratulate you both to your remarkable breakthrough, Mr.."
When the man floundered for a proper address of his name, Viktor gave his best attempt at a smooth reply.
"Viktor Talis. Thank you for your kind praise," he stated with a little bow of his head. Next to him, he noticed Jayce snap his head back and go stiff.
The sponsor was delighted. "It is the least I can say about your efforts. It is save to say that everyone in this room is deeply impressed by your efforts to make Piltover not even a center for innovation, but now for trade as well! I assume you are going to delight us with even more Hextech in the future?"
The man looked between Viktor and Jayce with an expectant little tilt of his head.
"Yes, I sure hope that we will," Viktor replied. "Isn't that right, Jayce?"
Next to him was only silence. Viktor glanced at his partner from the corner of his eye, yet the taller man seemed frozen in place for some reason. Viktor tried to gain his attention with a little nudge with his cane against his leg. Nothing. As after three taps Jayce still wasn't responding, Viktor aimed a sharp whack of his cane against Jayce's shin, finally causing him to jolt out of whatever trance be was in.
"I do-," Jayce quickly choked out, faltering and blinking rapidly
Viktor could swear there was some color in Jayce's cheeks that hadn't been there before. Jayce cleared his throat in front of the confused looking sponsor and nodded sheepishly. Now, Viktor was confused as well.
Jayce seemed to catch himself again and after they had gone through some more awfully boring smalltalk, Viktor found himself being grabbed gently by his arm and lead outside through some double doors of the large, golden hall.
Outside on the balcony, the air was cold, but not uncomfortable. They were alone.
"Tired of the people in there already? Thought that was only me," Vikor attempted a little snark, but his expression sobered up when he noticed the somewhat anxious glint in Jayce's eyes. "Are you alright?"
Jayce ran a hand through the back of his neck, scratching at the nape while he tried to find the correct words. "
Back inside, when you told this one sponsor your name... you told him it's Talis," Jayce spoke hesitantly. Viktor raised a brow at him.
"I believe I did. It's what you always put for me on the documents", he gave back, yet there was a mild tingle creeping up the back of his spine slowly but surely. Jayce gave him an open look with his large brown eyes. Viktor's heart leapt when a large hand reached for the fingers around he handle of his cane.
"...How do you know I always do that? I thought you didn't care," Jayce asked quietly.
Viktor felt the tingling feeling reach his face, turning it hot and his mouth a but dry.
"I.. just came to notice. And since I have not much of a name myself.. I found it kind of you to lend me yours whenever it seemed necessary." A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Even though I don't quite understand why you would use it in your notes as well."
Viktor's breath hitched a little as he hand closed a bit more around his fingers. Jayce was still looking at him, shy, but still close and with some kind of... affection.
"I told you before, Viktor. This is our success. Our life's work. I would never leave you out of this."
And that.. Viktor didn't know what to say. Jayce had everything he could ever dream of. The success of their mutual project, the admiration of Piltover's high society. Of all those noble people and their fancy words and their powerful names. And still, he wanted Viktor to have it with him. To let this be their hextech dream.
Viktor looked at the man in front of him, his kind eyes and dared his leap of faith.
Closed the gap in between them to press his lips to Jayce's for a sweet kiss.
Maybe he could get used to borrowing the name Talis for himself more often.