Chapter Text
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Jayce’s ear twitches every time he hears the sound. Eyes still closed, he concludes that the water from the ceiling hits the ground at the speed of five and a half seconds per centimeter. He lets out a sigh. Now that’s solved, he tries to find something else to over analyze.
How many steps has he taken since this wretched journey starts? Jayce deliriously tries to count for a while and fails.
He opens his eyes, feeling disappointed when he sees the same rock wall he’s been staring at for the past three days. Jayce knows he’s been lying on the stone floor for quite some time now. He spots the leftover fish carcass he made himself eat hours ago. What was he thinking? God knows what it would do to his body. Everything here is mutated and feels wrong.
Jayce knows he doesn’t belong here and has to get out somehow, but his body isn’t listening to him. His leg hurts and he feels so, so tired. Time moves like molasses inside the wretched cave. He stays unmoving for what it feels like an eternity and when sleep finally overtakes his senses, Jayce gratefully closes his eyes.
—
The first thing Jayce notices is that he’s lying on something soft and warm. When he is fully awake, he quickly realizes that he’s in no cave, but an unfamiliar bedroom. The bed he’s on is big enough for two and feels comfortable, a stark contrast to what he’s been sleeping on lately. It’s morning, the soft sunlight is seeping through the window curtains and he can hear birds chirping outside. The scene is so ridiculously peaceful, Jayce is sure that he must be dreaming.
He blinks a couple times and pinches his own arm, but nothing happens.
Jayce’s mind starts to spin as he pushes himself up. He is trying his best to piece together everything he’s seeing. He takes in the Piltover style furniture, the warm blanket he’s covered with, and two different doors laid in front of him.
Despite the cozy setup, a feeling of panic immediately starts to set in him. Jayce hastily gets out of the bed and opens door number one.
He’s welcomed by a view of a simple bathroom. His eyes dart from corner to corner as he takes everything in.
Very clean. Two towels hanging on the side. Two toothbrushes in a cup sitting by the sink.
Jayce glances at the mirror and gasps at his own reflection.
He looks…good. He looks like himself, wearing something he would normally wear to bed. He definitely doesn’t look like a man who has been trekking a nightmarish, dystopian world for weeks.
Suddenly, he hears sounds coming from outside and straightens his back. Whoever is on the other side of the room, he has many questions for. Jayce opens the second door and carefully makes his way through the hallway, but stops in his tracks when he spots someone.
“...Viktor?” He calls, not believing what he sees.
He recognizes his partner right away, even with his back facing him. He’s in the kitchen, looking over a stove, and when he turns around to face Jayce, he has a slightly annoyed expression on his face. His eyes are amber colored. His cane is resting next to him.
The man is undoubtedly Viktor, but Jayce has to rub his eyes to make sure that what he sees is not a mirage.
“You’re not supposed to come out, Jayce.” Viktor says, raising a spatula and waving it at him disapprovingly. The delicious smell of bacon and eggs permeates the kitchen. Viktor is wearing what appears to be a white apron over his clothes. Jayce double-checks his math and concludes that the probability of the scene laid in front of him being real is zero.
“Is this a dream?” Jayce asks out loud to the room and marches towards Viktor. “It must be, right?”
Viktor raises an eyebrow. “...Are you still hungover?”
“No!” Jayce shakes his head and hovers over Viktor. The man takes a step back, looking surprised as Jayce grabs his shoulders. “Viktor, you have no idea what I’ve been through- I- I was investigating the Hexgate with Professor Heimerdinger and Ekko and then something strange happened-!”
Viktor’s eyebrows continue to raise higher as Jayce rambles on. His expression turns from mild annoyance into concern. “I think you should sit down.” He says as he takes his cane and guides Jayce to the living room.
When Jayce finally sits down on the sofa, he immediately scoots towards the corner of the seat. He is becoming more distressed by the second, even as Viktor stays calm and hands him a cup of hot coffee. Jayce takes it out of habitual politeness, but doesn’t drink any of it. All he can do is eye Viktor up and down as the man takes off his apron and settles down next to him.
“You’re real.” Jayce says dumbly.
Viktor studies his own hands, before looking up. “Last time I checked, I am.” He says.
“No, I mean, you look…human.” Jayce says and immediately regrets his words when he sees Viktor’s confused face. The man doesn’t look like he has any idea of what Jayce is talking about.
Jayce buries his face in his hands, feeling lost.
“Are you feeling alright?” Viktor leans in and squeezes Jayce’s shoulder.
“No…I don’t know. But probably yes, for now.”
He’s not trapped at the bottom of a cavern with a broken leg. Nothing in the room appears to be trying to kill or infect him with anything, so that’s a good thing.
More importantly, he’s no longer alone.
Jayce can feel warmth radiating from his partner. The last time they touched, Viktor felt so cold. There must be a logical explanation for all of this, magic involved or not.
“Where are we?” Jayce finally looks up.
Viktor takes a sip of his coffee and places the cup on the table, his eyes never leaving Jayce. Without much thought, Viktor then takes his hand and brushes his thumb over his knuckles.
“We’re home, Jayce.” Viktor says, deliberately slow.
Jayce's mouth hangs open. He doesn’t move his hand away, but starts to frantically scan everything around him, trying to find clues. The house is neat and cozy, but there are some corners that just scream Viktor; the random boxes on the floor filled with secondhand nuts and bolts, the jar of his favorite sour candy at the study desk, almost empty. On the other hand, the decor of the room feels so familiar to Jayce. The way the books are cataloged on the shelf is just how Jayce has it back home. The coffee cup he’s holding matches Viktor’s. In fact, there are two of matching…everything. The way Viktor has been acting, the queen sized bed-
“...We live together?” Jayce whispers in disbelief.
Suddenly, a sharp beeping sound pierces through his ears.
Viktor rises to his feet and quickly makes his way to the kitchen. He opens the oven door and smokes billows out of it. Jayce smells sugar burning and hears Viktor curses in his mother tongue, clearly frustrated.
“Tsk. Well, this is a complete failure.” Viktor says in a monotone as he tosses a tray into the sink. “Let’s pick up something from the bakery instead. I don’t even know why I tried.”
Jayce watches curiously as Viktor slams the oven shut and starts to wipe off something on the floor.
“What were you doing?”
“I was making breakfast in bed, for you.” Viktor says, way too casually.
“W-why!?”
Viktor pops his head out from behind the counter, now looking very worried. “...Because you asked me to- are you sure you’re alright? You’re acting strange.”
“No, it’s just-” Jayce freezes when he spots something out of the balcony window. The view looks like Piltover on a nice, sunny day, except for one thing, the Hexgate. The massive structure is no longer where it should be, replaced with more vivid blue sky and white clouds.
Jayce is stunned into silence for a good minute, the gears in his mind spinning into overdrive. Now that he has stopped panicking and has time to think, he realizes that whatever corrupted the Hexgate must have sent him to a different world, or perhaps, a different timeline entirely. If the hellscape he was in before was a version where the Piltover is destroyed by Hextech, could this one be where things end up fine?
“Jayce, do you need to lie down?”
Jayce turns to face Viktor again and studies him properly. This Viktor looks younger and much healthier. He isn’t using a crutch, but a cane similar to the one Jayce made for him many years ago. He’s also making breakfast for him… Well, for this timeline version of Jayce anyway, the one he strangely can’t spot in the house.
“...I’m fine. Just a bit hungover.” Jayce manages to make himself say.
He’s not sure if Viktor buys his excuse, but if he doesn’t, he says nothing.
“Well, get your coat then.”
—
Jayce can’t help but to notice the absence of Hextech as they make their way to the bakery. It’s strange to not see the Hexgate, which normally towers over the streets of Piltover. Zaunites are walking among them, mingling with the general population with no worry. There are no riots, no soldiers marching around with their guns at ready. Obviously, the world is doing much better without magic. Jayce can’t help but to feel both guilty and bitter about it.
He’s still deep in thought when Viktor nudges his shoulder. “What would you like?”
Jayce blinks and looks at the baker. He realizes that they’ve been standing there for a while and holding up the line. “Right-” He glances at the options in front of him. There are different types of bread, croissants and cakes temptingly displayed behind the glass case. His recent diet mostly consists of things that aren’t exactly delicious and just the aroma coming off the baked goods makes his stomach growls loudly.
Jayce picks five things and eats three of them on their walk back home.
They choose a scenic route home and cross a park filled with families enjoying their day. Children are running around, trying to fly kites. Parents are sitting on picnic mats, watching them as they chat. It is all awfully domestic and nice and after a while, the tension on Jayce’s shoulders starts to loosen.
Is he supposed to be relaxing right now, though? He thinks as he finishes off his last bite of bread. Shouldn’t he be panicking, trying to return home?
A hand brushes against his and Jayce pulls away in surprise.
“...Are you still upset?” Viktor asks, eyes narrowing.
“About what?”
“About me almost burning down the apartment. You know I’m hopeless in the kitchen, Jayce.”
Is he pouting? Jayce never knew Viktor’s face could look like…that.
“No, I’m not upset.” Jayce says, feeling nervous all of the sudden. Somehow, this version of Viktor is throwing him off balance. He is comfortable with standing very close to Jayce and touching him the whole time, very much unlike the Viktor he knows.
Jayce bites his lower lip. Well, of course he is comfortable with him. They live together and sleep on the same bed, so why wouldn’t he be?
“This isn’t so bad, really-”
Before Jayce can finish his sentence, Viktor already tilts his head up to give him a peck on his cheek. His lips brush against Jayce’s skin and they tickle slightly. The gesture seems so natural and practiced, as if Viktor does it all the time.
“...I can do other things to make it up to you.” The man promises, voice all smooth and soft.
“Oh.” Jayce has to take a second to digest his words and remind himself that Viktor isn’t actually saying these things to him, but to his real lover…who is also Jayce, whose existence he has accidentally replaced…which technically makes him this timeline’s Jayce. For now, at least.
….That makes complete sense.
“Sure, yeah.” Jayce mumbles to stop himself from spiraling further.
“But we have something to take care of first.” Viktor reminds him as they arrive back home.
—
Beyond the kitchen, there’s a staircase that leads to the basement lab. They enter the workspace and it looks exactly like how Jayce imagines it. His side is neat, while Viktor’s is cluttered. His tools and notes scattered on the floor as usual. Some things never change, no matter the timeline, Jayce thinks. From the corner of his eyes, he spots a large object hidden under a white cloth.
Jayce is about to ask Viktor what it is when he feels something brush past his ankle. He yelps and jumps back. “What was that?” He asks and then notices a black, long haired cat peeking from behind the corner. It blinks at him lazily.
Viktor has that look on his face again, a mix between suspicion and worry. He must think Jayce is suffering from a severe head injury at this point. “It’s just Mort, Jayce. Come help me with this.” He says.
Jayce doesn’t know what to expect when he pulls away the canvas tarp, but he’s glad that the object revealed underneath is not an angry, pulsating Hexcore.
It’s not magical nor powered by hextech, just a simple water treatment system made of metal and screws. Glancing at the documents on the desk, he quickly learns this timeline version of Jayce and Viktor have been developing the system for some time. It’s a piece of technology Jayce has seen before, but upgraded in a much more efficient way. If put in place, it will surely better the lives of both people who live in Piltover and Zaun. But if Jayce is to be honest, he is not sure how potential sponsors will react to it. He can’t imagine there would be much interest from the council either….
Viktor turns on the power and starts to work on an open section of the machinery, while Jayce continues to read and catch up. The construction of the filter is nowhere near as complex as something like the Hexgate and Jayce can’t help but to wonder why they aren’t challenging themselves to do more, or why progress is so slow. But then he starts to notice things at the bottom of his notes. Every page is signed with both their names on it. More often than not, the pages are also littered with sketches of Viktor’s side profile, his back, or just of Mort. The other Jayce must have done them.
That’s right. He remembered drawing Viktor once.
“Hand me the wrench.”
Jayce looks up to see Viktor. He’s stretching out his arm without looking back at him, fully focusing on his work. Sighing fondly, Jayce takes the wrench on the table and passes it to him. He sees Mort napping right by the man’s feet, undisturbed by the soldering and clanking noises. Jayce is suddenly reminded of the good old times and his heart aches for it. Maybe this version of timeline isn’t so bad after all. It’s much less glamorous, sure, but Jayce doesn’t have to live a life where he fumbles through politics, tirelessly chasing the next shiny thing. He doesn’t have to abandon his partner over and over again. More importantly, he doesn’t have to do great things, just…good things.
And Viktor-
“Viktor, I’ve never seen you this happy.” He blurts out.
Well, that’s not true. Jayce did once, a long time ago, on the first night they met. They were floating.
“Why wouldn’t I be happy?” Viktor asks, as if the answer is obvious. Jayce can’t see his face, but knows he’s smiling. “Are you going to help me or not?”
“Yes, Sir.” Jayce makes his way to Viktor and starts to assist him, welcoming the familiar scenario. He predicts what Viktor thinks and finishes his sentences. His muscle memory takes hold of his body and before long, he’s already in the zone, easily losing himself in the rhythm. Jayce knows how to do this well, being Viktor’s partner, and he loves it more than anything in the world.
—
The day goes by quickly and in a blink of an eye, Jayce notices that the sun is about to set. Viktor finally calls it a day and suddenly asks Jayce what’s for dinner.
Jayce knows that he’s wasting time. Returning back to his own timeline should be the most important thing, but at the same time, the whole day has felt like a dream he doesn’t want to wake up from. He’ll do something about the situation…eventually.
“I’ll make something quick.” He says and Viktor hums listlessly in response, still wrapping up his notes.
Jayce goes to the kitchen and checks the fridge, trying to figure out what to make. It’s been so long since he did any cooking and judging from how Viktor did this morning, this version of Jayce is probably the one who prepares all the food for both of them. He is surprised by the number of ingredients he has never seen before, like a filet of neon blue fish…perhaps one of Zaun delicacies Viktor likes to eat. But then he spots some regular, basic-looking, Piltover eggs and lets out a sigh of relief. He can make eggs.
A loud thud and clattering sound snaps Jayce out of his thoughts and he quickly rushes towards the darkened hallway. He finds Viktor sitting on the floor with his cane, his back slumped against the wall.
“What’s wrong?” He kneels next to him. Memories of seeing Viktor lying in the hospital bed rush through his mind.
“I…It’s my leg again.” Viktor says, holding his thigh with both hands. “I must have overexerted myself.” He continues, obviously trying to downplay the pain he’s feeling.
Jayce’s stomach drops instantly.
Please, don’t tell me-
As if Viktor can read his mind, he raises his hand and strokes Jayce’s cheek gently. “Don’t start. I’m setting an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, alright?”
“...Alright.” Jayce says, but his heart feels heavy and he cannot find the strength to comfort Viktor. He knows what follows after these little cramps, first the back brace, and then the crutch. The next time Jayce realizes how bad it really was, Viktor was already coughing blood.
“I’m sure it’s nothing…See? It comes and goes just like that.” Viktor says, trying to smile just to reassure him.
“It’s-”
What is there to say in this situation?
Jayce takes Viktor’s hand and squeezes it so hard, the man winces.
“This is all my fault, Viktor.”
Viktor looks taken aback by Jayce’s words. His eyes shift towards his cane.
“...What a ridiculous thing to say.” He quietly whispers and looks at Jayce again. His eyes are saying so many things at once and all Jayce feels is guilt.
“No, it is not. I should’ve known- No, I knew. Maybe I knew, but pretended I didn’t. I’ve ruined us-”
What did he know? Viktor’s actual diagnosis? His feelings towards him? Jayce can’t think anymore as his heart is flooded with regret. It doesn’t matter the timeline, some things can never change. Viktor is Viktor, because the disease is an inseparable part of him. There was never a cure, a way for Jayce to save him. It is as if Jayce is always destined to lose him, one way or another.
“I was supposed to die.” Viktor told him once.
“...I- I can’t lose you.” Jayce says, feeling defeated and hollow inside.
Viktor’s face only softens. “Hey, everything is going to be alright.” He pulls him into a hug and strokes his back. His voice, his touch, they are always so gentle. Jayce can feel Viktor’s fingers in his hair as he ruffles it. It takes every fiber in Jayce’s body to not just crumple in his arms.
“How do you know?” He manages to choke out.
Viktor smiles kindly and nuzzles him, pressing their foreheads together. “As long as we’re together, we’ll find a way to make it so.” He promises and Jayce wants nothing else but to believe him.
The next thing he knows, they are already kissing. Jayce’s hands are everywhere, desperately discovering, mapping every part of Viktor he has never seen or felt before. Viktor’s lips are chapped and warm. He’s human, alive. As Jayce takes him to bed, he can’t help but to be reminded of the Viktor he left behind, his mechanical body and the empty, disappointed look in his eyes.
“Jayce-” Viktor’s breath hitches as Jayce slips a hand under his pants. Even in the dark, his amber eyes shine bright and Jayce can see them filled with lust.
“You’re beautiful, Viktor.” Jayce says, but Viktor only scoffs and rolls his eyes in return. He loops his arms around Jayce’s neck to pull him closer.
“...I love you.” Viktor whispers ever so softly into his ear. Jayce can hear his heartbeat, his breathing, his vibrating soul.
“I know.” He has always-
Their lips meet and everything after that becomes a blur.
The way Viktor's body writhe under him as they move in unison, his slack jaw and long lashes, and finally, those little knowing smiles, all flooding Jayce’s mind with what could've beens and what ifs.
Does the other Jayce, the one who is supposed to be here, usually touch him like this? Should he be gentler or rougher? He would also love to know what his own Viktor prefers, but it’s probably far too late for them now. So he savors what he can and buries himself inside of this one, burning every image and sensation into his memory.
“Viktor.” Jayce whispers over and over between his sorrys, until Viktor fondly hushes him and kisses him again.
—
Long after Viktor falls asleep in his arms, as he himself starts to drift to sleep, Jayce silently prays he’ll wake up here again tomorrow and everyday after that.
—
The next time Jayce wakes up, however, he’s back at the bottom of the cavern, alone. The fish's rotten carcass lies right next to him just as before, taunting him. He wonders how long time has passed, if what he just experienced was real or just an incredibly vivid dream, caused by the anomaly.
Jayce can’t tell nor care anymore. But he needs to find Viktor, his partner, now.
His whole body hurts and his joints are screaming at him. Still, Jayce pushes himself back up, knees trembling and clothes covered in dirt.
Slowly, he starts to move again.