[ Another gust of air shudders out of Viktor, and he shifts his weight on the stool, always so noisy when he's working through a problem. How could he explain a lifetime's worth of experiences in just one conversation?
Tapping his pen against the pad, he worries his bottom lip, that weighed and warm use of the word partner shaking something loose between his ribs. Viktor glances at Jayce's chair, gesturing to it. ] Bring that here, [ is all he says at first. ] And sit with me.
[ Not that he wants that hand to leave, but this is too important to rely on a single casual conversation. Once Jayce is settled, he tries again. ] This is my reality, Jayce. It is the world we live in. There is no changing it overnight, as much as you and I would like to.
[ Jayce can't help but feel like a kid being told he's too young to be involved in an adult conversation, but he nods and steps away to pick his chair up (because he'd only needed the one lecture about the irritating noise of dragging it across the floor to not do it again, ever the people-pleaser) and bring it over.
He turns it around though, sitting down so he can fold his arms over the back of it, resting his chin on his forearms and trying not to look like he's pouting. ]
I know. [ He sighs. ] Sometimes I wish we could. You've done so much, you're the co-founder of Hextech. People shouldn't treat you like that. They never should have. Even before. [ His thoughts are all over the place, spilling out of him haphazardly, but he can't stop himself once he starts like this. ] I'm sorry, V.
And what if you asked what I wanted you to do for me? [ Viktor's voice is gentle, as is his touch, hand rubbing along Jayce's forearm soothingly. He leans forward into his space, too, a soft look on his face. He loves this ridiculous man so much it aches in his chest, a piercing, intense sensation he wouldn't escape even if he wished to.
Hand resting on his partner's shoulder, Viktor curls his fingers, protective and grateful. ] I know I don't always accept help, [ he says dryly, self-aware enough to see he's mostly resistant to it, ] But I will work on that. Yes?
[ Without hesitation, Jayce leans in when Viktor does, melting a little on the chair and under that touch. It doesn't untangle all the hurt that's bundled up in his chest, but it soothes it a little. Jayce sometimes just feels so helpless and all of his big, consuming feelings make it harder to dig himself out, but Viktor is patient and Jayce wants to be worth the wait.
Jayce perks up a little. ] So what can I do to help? What would you want me to do?
[ It happens automatically — almost like a reflex — his knuckles brushing along Jayce's cheek gently. Later, he'll tell himself it was the look on his face, those unbearably soft eyes and being the focus of them pulling him in before he's thought better of himself.
Realizing what he's done a second too late, Viktor is quick to drop his hand to Jayce's arm again, flustered.
He clears his throat, trying to ignore the blush creeping back up his neck again. Mortifying. ] To start, [ and he's grateful his voice is even, ] When I'm spoken over, if I look to you, I need you to interject. Your voice will have more weight.
[ A sigh rushes out of him, one that shakes his whole frame as he exhales, like it's releasing years of tension and stress. His eyes flutter closed too, and he basks in the feeling of Viktor's slightly cold fingers against the warmth of his face. It's comforting in a way he doesn't how how to describe, but he immediately feels the loss of it when Viktor pulls his hand away.
Jayce's eyes open immediately, looking up at Viktor again looking for anything and yet not knowing what he's looking for.
He sees that flush and he's a little relieve because it matches his own. ]
If you look at me, interject. [ Jayce nods, so serious and enthusiastic at the same time. ] Anything else?
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Tapping his pen against the pad, he worries his bottom lip, that weighed and warm use of the word partner shaking something loose between his ribs. Viktor glances at Jayce's chair, gesturing to it. ] Bring that here, [ is all he says at first. ] And sit with me.
[ Not that he wants that hand to leave, but this is too important to rely on a single casual conversation. Once Jayce is settled, he tries again. ] This is my reality, Jayce. It is the world we live in. There is no changing it overnight, as much as you and I would like to.
no subject
He turns it around though, sitting down so he can fold his arms over the back of it, resting his chin on his forearms and trying not to look like he's pouting. ]
I know. [ He sighs. ] Sometimes I wish we could. You've done so much, you're the co-founder of Hextech. People shouldn't treat you like that. They never should have. Even before. [ His thoughts are all over the place, spilling out of him haphazardly, but he can't stop himself once he starts like this. ] I'm sorry, V.
no subject
Hand resting on his partner's shoulder, Viktor curls his fingers, protective and grateful. ] I know I don't always accept help, [ he says dryly, self-aware enough to see he's mostly resistant to it, ] But I will work on that. Yes?
no subject
Jayce perks up a little. ] So what can I do to help? What would you want me to do?
[ Because more than anything, he wants to help. ]
We'll work on it together. As partners.
no subject
Realizing what he's done a second too late, Viktor is quick to drop his hand to Jayce's arm again, flustered.
He clears his throat, trying to ignore the blush creeping back up his neck again. Mortifying. ] To start, [ and he's grateful his voice is even, ] When I'm spoken over, if I look to you, I need you to interject. Your voice will have more weight.
no subject
Jayce's eyes open immediately, looking up at Viktor again looking for anything and yet not knowing what he's looking for.
He sees that flush and he's a little relieve because it matches his own. ]
If you look at me, interject. [ Jayce nods, so serious and enthusiastic at the same time. ] Anything else?