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Viktor was the kind of person that would fall rock hard to the floor, and never in the most gracious way mind you. Looks like making those modifications on his leg supporter was not such a good idea after all. He should probably have gone to the doctor to get it set again, he was an expert on hextech, not on prosthetics after all...yet. But he never found time, and he thought MABYE...and just MABYE...He could fix it himself without a problem. Turns out he was wrong, and now he couldn’t get up.
He searched for his phone on his pockets, maybe he should call Jayce...No, do not call Jayce, he was already very busy enough with being a council and building almost all their prototypes. He didn’t want to be more…challenging than necessary.
As he looked around the room for his phone, that was clearly not on him, his eyes laid on Jayce´s desk. He was no way indifferent to the form that Council Medarda looked at Jayce...she liked him, a lot actually. Always had a predatory look towards him, as if he was hers and only hers to dominate. And Jayce always seem to respond rather positively to her advances…. like that time, he found them in the lab flirting like teenagers on that same desk.
Forcing himself to land again on reality, Viktor realized that it was not in the lab, or at least, he couldn’t see it from his view. He left it somewhere…he didn’t know where, but somewhere. So, no call...so no need for diving into any calling dilemmas anymore.
Viktor tried once again to get up with the help of his cane and pure will, but it was useless, he didn’t have any stability and the dam thing would not worck. Once again on the floor he wondered how he was he really a scientist. He should have known better than try again. If he had fallen before, he was going to fall again, it was pure logic.
His walking had indeed become a bit sloppier lately, Jayce had warned him many times before, but only now did he actually realized the severity...The illness was advancing fast, or so he supposed, he was no doctor…he just felt it, the live being sucked off by his dam leg.
Viktor had no other choice then but to crawl to a nearby chair and solve his fuck up with his leg supporter. Like at everything else in his life.
The lab door suddenly opened. The room suddenly felt warmer...lighter even.
-Vitya! You have to hear this! I convinced the Kiramans to...- Of course it was Jayce and calling out his nick name. There was a sudden pause to his entering speech, he had rushed so excitedly to the lab that he had had no time to take in the scene properly...until now.
-VIKTOR! - Jayce face went from joy and excitement to worry and anxiousness. He practically ran to his side immediately and grabbed him by an arm and pulled him up. The way he said his full name had no comparison on how he used to call him by his nickname...and that made Viktor’s stomach flip to the sudden contrast.
His face heated up at Jayce reaction. Witch it shouldn’t, because let’s be honest, it was the minimum that he helped him up. Still, the mixture of his protective gaze and the tight but yet still soft embrace of Jayce’s hand on his arm, and how the other curled on his waist for better support...he was against Jayce´s chest, and the closeness putted Viktor´s heart on edge. - Are you ok?! Wait a moment! I’m going to call a doctor! – His grasp on his arm left as he was about to pull his phone out.
- Please don’t, I’m alright Jayce. Don’t worry. It’s just that the modifications I did in my supporter failed suddenly and I couldn’t stand up. - He did not met Jayce eyes, but he could feel his piercing gaze on him. - But I’m sure I can fix it in a moment, not a big deal. – He looked up to him for a moment, to fake a smile to put him at ease. And maybe avoid the reprimand that Jayce had in store, like always. Viktor expected him to say how egotistical he had to be to think he could do a better job than an expert in a field he had no experience at. He wasn’t the bossy type, but when it came to his health, he could be a real nightmare.
Once on his feet again, Viktor expected Jayce to guide him to his desk´s chair. But the man proceeded to guide Viktor´s arm around his neck.
-Wh- Before Viktor could say anything, Jayce tighten his grab on his waist and bent to pull his legs up with the other arm.
He was now being carried like one of those princesses from the books he read when he was a child. Books he still read today. - What?! What are you doing?! Jayce!! Put me down! - Viktor’s cheeks flustered beyond imaginable, his heart was beating so hard and his body felt so warm against him. Jayce simply started to walk towards their working desks.
-No, I will not. You know I won’t – His voice was not harsh, but it was stone cold and determined. His grip on Viktor tightened, if there was any distance left, there was not a single inch separating them now. Viktor could feel his penetrating eyes on him, but he did not dare to look up, instead, he tightens his grip on Jayce´s neck and rested his head on his torso, he did not move to escape. He just pouted resigned and looked away.
Viktor did not like people helping him, that much he knew about himself, he would always get irritable when anyone try to do something for him. But Jayce was different, he never asked, he just observed. He tried to understand his point of view to his best of his capabilities and then tried to make his life a bit easier. And just the fact that he got out of his way that much to comprehend his needs was what Viktor couldn’t never despise.
Jayce stopped at the side of his own desk and move his chair with his foot. He gently left Viktor sitting there, sitting on his chair. Viktor dared to look up, and all he saw was Jayce face at inches from his. He could make his soft wrinkle lines at his forehead, his eyebrow scar…the softness of his lips…
Jayce then stood and turned to his desk to look for something in his desk drawers. -Why didn’t you call me? – His voice was vague, and almost like a whisper.
-I…I couldn’t. I looked for my phone, but I don’t know where…-
-No- Jayce interrupted him loudly but not commanding, almost desperate. – I would have taken you to the hospital. - There was a pause.- I would have taken care of the lab, and I would have made sure everything was in order if you had just asked me to, so…why didn’t you call me? – He sounded steady, but his back was very tense. He stopped scavenging in those disastrous black holes he called drawers and turned to Viktor again with a wooden box in one hand. But this time his eyes where…conflicting.
-I... I thought I could do it myself. And you already have so much worck as a council and making our prototypes…and I just…- I just couldn’t leave you alone in the lab again…The last time I did went to a revision, I found Medarda siting in your desk…seducing you, and you giving in. That’s what he would have hope to say, but he can’t, he has no right to. So, he keept silent, trying to eat his words back as best as he could…like always.
Jayce kneeled in front of him, proceeding to open the box and leaving it in the floor…they were special prosthetic screwdrivers and parts. – We are partners Viktor. No, we are more than that, you are like a brother to me, so I worry. Next time, please, come to me. I will always make time for you. – Jayce eyes met Viktor´s, his smile was breathtaking, and that was the last nail in the coffin. A hole settled in his chest instead substituting his heart. That is what he was to Jayce, a brother. He should be happy right? Right?
Jayce started working on Viktor´s leg supporter. He grabbed his ill leg as if it were made of porcelain and checked the engine carefully. For a moment, Viktor felt like Cinderella, but crippled.
-Ah! I see…Let me fix it for you. You made quite a mess here bro. - Jayce laughed lightly.
But then silence filled the lab. Until a question popped up into Viktor´s head. He knew it wasnt a good idea, but he was a scientist, so he had to.
-Jayce-
-Mm? – He murmured as he was still concentrated on his work.
-How do you know what you are doing better than me? It’s my prosthetic…How do you know how it works? – Jayce froze on the spot.
- I ehhh…- Was he blushing? -I took some lessons…about how your prosthetic worked- Viktor was speechless. -I have a friend I made in the academy that works as a designer for new prosthetics. I asked him to show me how it worked. - Jayce smiled widely, but diidnt met Viktors gaze.
Obviously, Viktor wanted to ask why, but he was scared. Why? Viktor already appreciated his efforts to make the lab more comfortable for him to move, to give his chair wheels so he wouldn’t have to stand up as much…to fight for a lab with no stairs to access it. But why? Why would he have to also learn to fix HIS prosthetic? The hole constricted in his chest, as if a hand had grabbed it, asphyxiating it.
– You know, you are one of the most important people to me Vitya. - Jayce said with a sweetness that only he was able to have. - I know it sounds selfish, but I want you to rely on me more. And I know you can do it all by yourself, you are the strongest person I know. But…I want to be there for you, just like you are for me. I would not be here if it wasn’t for your constant corrections and just…having you at my side to say that I might be wrong. – Jayce finally looked up at him and Viktor instantly knew he couldn’t handle it anymore. He had to stop this. His heart. It was so painful. To not love him like he did was impossible. Even with all his flaws, even when he stepped the line…Viktor´s heart was his, and there was no turning back now. And the sorrowness to know that he did not love him back…It felt like he was being teared apart into a million pieces, and he couldn’t do anything about it. This pain was rotting him inside out, a burning that threatened to destroy all he was.
-Jayce please I ca- His voice faltered, it was almost a whisper
-No. You need to hear this. I never say it enough but it’s true, you’re the most intelligent, resilient, strong, and creative person I’ve ever met. And I’m so lucky to have you by my side. – Jayce smile was like no other, it...it felt like home. No…Stop…Please stop. I can’t do no more...-So, you like it or not, you will be the wingman at my wedding if I ever get married- Jayce laughed at his own silly comment. His attention returned to Viktor´s prosthetic, but he was still smiling.
That was it, the last drop.
- In that case, what if I said I don’t want us to be brothers anymore? – He felt the tears about to break.
- What? - Jayce face was a mixture of confusion and fear. But instead of words, this time Viktor´s hands reached to his jaw. That moment of confusion was the perfect opportunity for what came next. He closed the distance between them quickly, and for the first and last time, he felt Jayce´s lips on his. They touched lightly, but it was enough to feel his heart resurrecting for a instant and disapearing forever.