Beyond the Grave, Come Back Beyond Depraved

by ticketytockety

Summary:

Bug Viktor AU

After the battle is won, Jayce finds himself miles away, in an empty field. Viktor is presumed dead and Jayce is left to clean up the mess. It takes him a year before he is able to return to the lab. He returns to it in the evening.

Viktor comes home that night.

Chapter 1

The lab was empty. 

It had been empty for a very long time. 

The plants were dead. 

They had been dead for a very long time. 

The lab was dark.

Empty. Dead. Dark. Jayce took a deep breath as he sat on the stool Viktor had once occupied for countless and countless nights. He kept his face buried in his hands. This was his fault. He had insisted upon it. Mel had argued against letting him clean up the lab by himself, but he'd lost his temper and insisted he could do it himself. It didn't help that they were both stubborn, but they'd come to a compromise that she would come get him after five hours. When he looked up at the clock, it would let him know that he'd been sitting motionless in that stool for two. The lights had already dimmed in order to mimic the evening light above ground. The lab was dark. 

When Jayce finally shifted, the brace on his leg gave a creak. The way the noise carried through the room made him flinch and he buried his head back in his hands. That's why he'd refused to move, right. It reminded him too much. Of that place. That injury. Of him. 

Click, click, click. 

That noise again. Jayce had been hearing it on and off ever since Mel had left him by himself. It sounded like someone clicking their tongue. But every time he looked, there was no one else in the room. And there shouldn't have been, regardless. The lab had been locked and empty ever since he'd left it to follow Ekko and Heimerdinger to the Anomaly. To put it simply, the lab had been empty for a very long time. Jayce finally lowered his arms so he could lean against his knees. He waited. He listened. Nothing. There was nothing. Jayce finally forced himself to move. He turned around and instantly looked away again, met with the sight of the stand that the Hexcore had once spun in. The only place it had ever been before he'd grabbed it with tongs and forced it into Viktor's dead body. 

Jayce was already tearing up, staring down at his scarred and calloused hands. Why hadn't he just let him rest?? When the warm liquid finally started down his cheeks, Jayce shut his eyes, taking in another quiet breath. Even the simplest of movement felt like the hardest thing he'd ever done. He could only stare. At the floor. At his hands. At his wrist. When Viktor had gone, he had taken the Rune. In return, the Rune had taken Viktor. Mutual parasitism. Something so sinister, yet also the picture-perfect symbiosis that Viktor had been striving for. His glorious evolution. Jayce's skin was untouched and unmarred, despite the Hexcorization from the crystal having been slowly consuming the limb in the days leading up to the battle. Jayce didn't feel like he deserved clean skin. He didn't feel like he deserved to be here. Not without Viktor. 

He'd been ready. He'd been ready to die with him. That's what he thought would've happened. That's what he thought was going to happen. Instead, he'd woken in that field. Instead, he'd felt grass tickling his face and sunlight on his tired skin. And he'd been alone. It wasn't like Viktor had been sent to another location either. Jayce simply couldn't feel him anymore. He couldn't sense him and he just felt gone. Viktor had always had a slight presence about him that Jayce had always been aware of, in the back of his mind. He didn't feel it. He didn't feel him. The lab was empty. The plants were dead. It was dark. 

Click, click, click.

What was that?? Jayce's heart sped up a little as he stared around the room with a renewed confusion and unease. It sounded less like a tongue click and more like some nails tapping together. Jayce couldn't hear anything around him. He didn't hear anything except his own breathing, which was starting to become irregular and ragged. Jayce felt light-headed and he squeezed his eyes shut. Hard surface. He needed a hard surface. Jayce quickly turned and laid against the desk, breathing heavily. His head spun. He had become much more prone to this lately. When he stood up too quickly or when he sat still for too long, his body would simply shut down. He would just... pass out. Jayce's vision blurred.

Something skittered. Something fluttered. 

Click, click, click.

---

"Jayce." Mel's voice woke him and he stirred, feeling her shaking his shoulder. "Jayce, get up." He paused as he blinked open his eyes blearily. Why did she sound so hushed? Jayce furrowed his brow. He managed to push himself up, his whole body feeling heavily. He startled as there was a shuffling noise and Mel's hand yanked away from his shoulder. Jayce's eyes moved over and he froze up, his hands curling up and his fingers digging into the table. There was a person standing in the corner, half-tucked into the shadows. 

Standing may have been generous, considering how the body was slumped against the crutch under its arm. That pale skin almost seemed uncanny paired with that old brown shirt and the vest with the red and gold accents. Mousey brown hair, cut short to his ears and curling outwards. That brace that clung to its leg like a vice. It seemed more reminiscent of a ball and chain to Jayce, rather than the aid he'd built it to be. But what caught Jayce's attention were those eyes. It felt like hours ago instead of a year that he'd seen them staring back at him with emotions he'd always hoped to see. These ones did not do that.

These eyes looked fake. 

Like the false eyes on moth wings, used to scare away larger predators. Those amber eyes moved, but there was no sight behind them. Even still... 

Viktor was here.

But he still didn't feel him. Jayce's lip twitched as he put weight on his braced leg, pushing himself up from the chair. Mel was next to him, though she'd taken an uneasy, defensive stance. Jayce could see why. Those eyes were locked onto her with a feverish hate and hunger that Jayce had never seen on that face before. Viktor was one to wear his expressions plain as day, but he would never give anyone such a look. Despite his distaste and biases, Viktor  had always been kind. Jayce saw no hint of that kindness in this look. And he didn't like the lines. They were soft and light, like vague pencil sketches. A needle-thin subtlety that seemed to cut Viktor's face into symmetrical halves. It was interrupted by his ever-so-slightly parted lips. There were two more soft lines that emerged from under each of his sleeves, stretching down his arms to the points of his middle fingers. 

"Viktor??" Jayce spoke shakily, yet the other didn't seem to react at all. He took a few steps forward, though his leg was heavy. He glanced back at Mel, who returned his look of confusion before he hesitantly stepped to the side. He stopped in front of Viktor and broke his line of sight with Mel. The change was almost instantaneous, Jayce jumping as the light ignited in Viktor's eyes and he blinked for the first time since he'd seen him. He could feel him.

"Jayce? I thought you were at the opera with Councilor Merdar-" Viktor's accented voice nearly sent him to tears, but the shock of his words counteracted it. Viktor stared at him, his sentence abruptly ending and his eyes wide as he scanned him over, likely taking in his change in attire and appearance. The beard. The longer hair. The brace. His hand tightened on his crutch uncertainly. "...What happened at the opera, Jayce??" Jayce couldn't take it anymore and he moved forward, yanking Viktor into a hug that sent his crutch clattering to the floor. "J-Jayce!!" Jayce inhaled shakily and buried his face against his shoulder. He finally felt Viktor's slender hands hesitantly settle on his back. "Jayce, what happened to you??" 

Jayce couldn't even bring himself to speak. "...Viktor, is that... really you?" Mel spoke up and Jayce startled as he felt Viktor's hands drop from his body. He pulled back, his teary eyes wide. Viktor twitched before Jayce flinched as his arms started to extend. His legs were doing the same, the brace rattling wildly. He was left stick-thin, yet almost two feet taller than Jayce. That light was gone from his eyes and both of them winced as the soft line in his face suddenly split open to reveal bloody, Hexcorized webbing. Red spilled down his face and neck. The lines on his arms started to split as well, tearing the sleeves of his shirt. Something else was tearing, the flesh-covered Hexclaw erupting from over his shoulder and snapping violently. Within a second, Viktor was gone and Mel was screaming for Jayce. 

Jayce whipped around, watching as Viktor's mutated form stabbed at the golden shield with Hexcorized bone that jutted from his split arms. There was no noise besides a chittering sound that seemed to erupt from deep in the throat. Jayce was completely frozen up as he watched it. The creature continued to slash at the shield with a rage Jayce didn't understand. His eyes widened as the creature stabbed both bones into one part of the shield before starting to rip it open. It leaned in and Jayce saw shards of bone start to erupt along the edge of the split face, almost mimicking teeth. It snapped him out of his trance and he bolted towards them, ignoring the screaming protest in his calf. 

He tackled the creature away and slammed it to the floor, his hands around its wiry neck. "MEL, GET HELP!!" He yelled, the woman backing towards the door. She was stumbling, her magic having been shaken. She gave him a single look that asked if he'd be okay and he nodded quickly. She turned and disappeared out of the lab. The creature instantly went limp and Jayce felt sick as he watched it start to shift back. Its face and arms sealed back up, the Hexclaw slipping away. The limbs and height started to shorten until Viktor was left breathing heavily beneath him. The only evidence of his change was his torn clothes and blood staining around his lips, chin and neck. Jayce quickly pulled his hands away, shaking. Viktor's eyes lit back up and, to Jayce's utter confusion, he shot him a glare.

"If you had planned on bringing Councilor Merdarda back to our lab so late, I would have appreciated some warning. I also would appreciate some assurance that you knew I would still be here when you brought her back!" Viktor exclaimed, like he hadn't just become some kind of creature intent on eating her face straight off her body. He seemed to notice their position and his shoulders scrunched ever so slightly. "Why... are you on top of me??" Jayce moved off of him slowly, his eyes wide in horror and fear. Viktor sat himself up, trying to adjust his tie. 

"Viktor." Jayce's voice was shaky. "What the fuck was that??" Viktor paused and raised a brow at him. 

"Ah, I lost my temper a little when I saw you had brought her back here so late. My apologies. I made an assumption and got so upset with it that I became lightheaded." Viktor answered, sounding embarrassed. His eyes moved to Jayce. "But... you do not look the same. And neither does she. Your beard grows in quickly, Jayce, but not that quickly. And your hair is... longer. You have wrinkles. Your face shows wear. And your... leg." Viktor genuinely sounded upset by it as he glanced down at Jayce's brace. "Your leg, Jayce. What happened?? You were just supposed to be attending an opera with the Council." 

"Stop." Jayce's voice trembled and Viktor stared at him. "I don't know what your game is. But you have to stop." He didn't know what was happening and he really didn't know if he could handle trying to process it after seeing Viktor's face again after so long. "What are you??" 

Viktor only stared back at him for a few moments. He hesitated before awkwardly shuffling around. He had to drag himself forward. Despite the movement being completely nonthreatening and calm, Jayce's body felt hot with danger. Viktor finally settled at Jayce's side and his shoulders sank as he took in his face. Jayce would've nearly sobbed at the soft look of it weren't for that needle-thin line and the blood still staining Viktor's face and collar. Viktor genuinely looked worried and saddened to see him like this. He glanced around. "The lab is... empty?? What happened to the Hexcore? Your, eh, your Mercury Hammer? My Hexclaw?? Where are all our inventions, Jayce??"

The lab was empty. It had been empty for a very long time. 

Jayce hadn't taken his eyes off of Viktor once. He didn't understand it. He didn't understand this. He didn't think he could. "Stop. I... I don't think you're him." Jayce could barely get the words out and Viktor seemed hurt for a moment. "D-Don't make that face. Don't. You can't be him. He died."  Jayce spoke in a weak, insistent little tone. "H-He's dead." Only Mel or Caitlyn had ever seen him like this since the battle. Where his hardened mask was stripped away into a scared and broken core. Jayce swallowed heavily. 

"I... I am not quite sure I follow." Viktor replied, his brow furrowed. He kept talking about the opera. That night. The night Jayce had gone with Mel and had ended up next to Viktor's hospital bed in the morning. Viktor had started to reach out to his arm, but he seemed to decide against it, glancing aside. 

"What are you?? What the fuck are you?!" Jayce finally demanded, making Viktor flinch backwards. His eyes were wide and he looked confused. Hurt. 

"I-I do not know what answer you are l-looking for, Jayce!!" Viktor exclaimed. Jayce could hear numerous approaching footsteps from beyond the lab door and Viktor looked back at it worriedly before facing him again. "I-I am a Zaunite?? The co-creator of Hextech??" Viktor seemed to search desperately for an answer. Jayce finally broke into tears as Viktor spoke again, the lab door opening to Enforcers. "Your... your partner." 

Chapter 2

Summary:

Yeah, yeah, predictable of me 😔

I HAVE UPDATED THE TAGS - PLEASE READ THEM

THIS WILL BE MORALLY/ PHYSICALLY/ EMOTIONALLY/ MENTALLY DUBIOUS IN ALL KINDS OF WAYS

The Arcane Research Facility had been at a standstill for the past two months or so, since the bodies of the evolved and the fragments of structures from the commune could only be studied to such an extent. Their main concern was figuring out how to siphon this magic back into the Arcane. Return what had been taken. The facility had been created from the old water filtration plant, where Jayce had first encountered the Anomaly. Where he'd last... 'met' Salo. It still made his hands sweaty to even walk through these halls again.

Jayce had rode in the Enforcers' van with Viktor, who only seemed more confused about why he was being treated like this or why the citizens of Piltover seemed so angry when he'd been led out of the Academy building. They'd screamed at him, cursed him. A few had even thrown things. Jayce hadn't been capable of even speaking, let alone answering his questions, so Viktor had stopped trying. 

Jayce could see Caitlyn already coming to meet him, her arms crossed. Vi was with her, her arm still in a sling. The break had been bad and the doctors had considered just amputating the limb entirely. Jayce slipped out of the van and Caitlyn furrowed her brow, stretching out a hand. "Is it him?? Is it really him, as they say??" She asked, her eye scanning him over worriedly. Jayce glanced up at her and there must've been something haunted in his gaze because Caitlyn's eyes widened. "...You don't know." Jayce shook his head. "You're not speaking, Jayce. It's that bad?" Jayce swallowed before nodding. 

"Well, let's, uh... let's see him." Vi spoke up, trying for a smile. There were bags under her eyes. There had been for a long time. Jayce pulled back and moved to the open door. He knocked on it lightly and Viktor glanced up, still worriedly holding onto his crutch. He hesitated before pushing himself up. Jayce held out his hand for him and Viktor took it, holding it tightly as small steps extended from the bottom of the van with a hiss. When Viktor finally settled on the ground, both Vi and Caitlyn seemed stunned. Viktor furrowed his brow, clearly dejected as Jayce pulled his hand away. Viktor's hand followed just for a moment, clearly not wanting to let go of him before he decided against it and released him. 

"Oh, eh... hello, Miss Caitlyn. What...?" Viktor stared at her face in shock. "F-Forgive my rudeness, but your eye..." Caitlyn's gaze weakened and she shook her head as she kept her arms crossed. 

"A small sacrifice was made. The cut needs time, but the doctors tell me it will heal." She assured him. Viktor nodded and he paused as he saw Vi. 

"...Hello. I am Viktor. Who are you?" He asked, raising a brow. Vi instantly furrowed her brow. 

"...We, uh, already met." She spoke in a prompting tone and it was Viktor's turn to be taken back. "At the commune?" Viktor mouthed the word back in confusion before glancing up at Jayce, clearly wanting some kind of explanation or comfort. Jayce didn't provide any, turning his head away. Caitlyn seemed to take note of that and her shoulders sank. 

"Viktor. What do you remember last?" She asked politely, getting the man's attention. 

"Ah, I... I was in the lab while Jayce had gone out to the opera with the other Councilors. I... touched something I should not have and, when I came to, the lab was dark and dusty. Jayce looked like... this. And he was... is afraid of me." Viktor's hands tightened on his crutch. "I-I'm afraid I have done something very wrong, haven't I? The citizens cursed me and threw objects when they saw me." He stared at the ground. Caitlyn's eye weakened and she watched him. 

"That opera was years ago. You missed a lot, I'm afraid." Caitlyn replied quietly. She gestured next to her. "This is Vi. She is my partner." Vi glanced at Caitlyn with a small smile. "I suppose you will be residing in the Arcane Research Facility until we can determine just... how you've returned. Especially with such a stunted memory." Caitlyn said uncertainly. A stunted memory and a horrifying transformation, Jayce almost wanted to add. Caitlyn was already studying Viktor and Jayce could tell she was looking at the thin lines. 

"There is a whole facility for this now?" Viktor asked in surprise, his eyes wide. "Jayce, what..." Viktor trailed off as Jayce moved forward, not even sparing him a look. It hurt because he could practically hear Viktor's confidence deflating as the other man fell quiet. 

"...Try not to take it too personally. Jayce was... one of the most affected by what happened to you. Seeing you again like this is... undoubtedly a massive shock for him." Caitlyn was heard telling Viktor, who gave a weak affirmation in response. He still didn't seem that comforted. Viktor had been at one of his most vulnerable points at the moment he seemed frozen at. Jayce knew Viktor needed his support, but what Jayce didn't know is if this creature was Viktor at all. He was certain neither Caitlyn nor Vi would be standing so close if they'd seen Viktor become what he saw. Jayce waited by the door as Caitlyn guided Viktor forward. 

"Hey, uh, don't you think you’re being a little cold with him, big guy?" Vi had fallen in line next to him, glancing up as they walked through the white halls. Jayce glanced over at him before finally finding the courage to speak again. 

"I don't think it's him, Vi. I think it's something wearing his face." He replied. Vi wrinkled her nose and she was clearly unnerved by that. 

"Oh... ew, first of all. Second of all, I think that's a little harsh." She commented, walking alongside him. "Can't we try to be optimist-"

"His face splits open where the line is. It opens into this horrifying bloody mess and he tried to eat Mel's face off her body when he saw her." Jayce interrupted, keeping his eyes forward. "He says he doesn't even remember doing it, but I just don't think I believe him." Vi had fallen quiet, clearly taken back by the information. "I want to be optimistic more than anyone, Vi. I want to believe I really do have Viktor back. But I don't think this thing is him. I think it's something that's pretending or something that thinks it's him." 

"Both of you." Caitlyn spoke up, making them both turn. "This is the room." She gestured to it and Viktor seemed visibly uncomfortable. They could see the entirety of the room through a thick glass window. It had a bed, a desk, an empty bookshelf and seperate private room for the bathroom. 

"This... lacks privacy, does it not?" Viktor asked, his shoulders slightly scrunched. "I am... really to be treated in such a way because Jayce believes me to be a monster?" He sounded hurt and Jayce paused. He wanted to protest, but he didn't think he could. Viktor's fingers visibly tightened when he didn't hear the protest. When he didn't hear anyone protest. "I... I see." Viktor limped into the room once Caitlyn opened the door for him. He pat at the sheets on the bed, before testing the firmness of the mattress. He finally sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor as he laid his crutch across his lap. Jayce knew that face. Viktor was trying not to cry. When he spoke, his voice came through a small, crackling speaker. "I, eh, thank you all for the escort, I suppose." Caitlyn shut the door and it was heard sealing shut. 

She turned to Jayce and Vi. "The only proof we have of him undergoing a physical transformation are the words of you and Mel. If he isn't actually capable of it, this is blatant abuse and false imprisonment." Caitlyn stated worriedly, glancing at Viktor through the window. "And, even more so, we have to decide what to do with him because this is Viktor far before any of those world-ending choices of his were made." 

"But the people want someone to blame, cupcake. You know that." Vi said, her shoulders sunken. Caitlyn paused before giving a small nod. 

"Jayce?" Viktor's voice came through the speaker and he glanced up. He gave a weak sigh through his nose. Viktor had tears welling in his eyes, but he kept himself composed as he spoke in a slightly strangled voice. "W-Will you please come in and talk to me? Please. I... I need some... insight as to..." He inhaled shakily and wiped his eyes. "...what's going on. Please." Jayce's heart felt like it had been ripped up and stepped on. He squeezed his eyes shut before turning and moving towards the door. He paused as Caitlyn grabbed his arm. 

"You should not go in alone." She said, her brow furrowed. Jayce shook his head.

"If it is Viktor... and it is Viktor at this point in time, he won't talk if anyone else comes in with me." Jayce said, looking her over. Caitlyn finally nodded and let go of his arm. Jayce would know Viktor best. Jayce gave her a weak smile. "Just keep watch. Use the tranquilizer gun, if you need to. I know you're still a hell of a shot." 

"And what if I hit you accidentally??" Caitlyn asked, her brow furrowing. Jayce snorted as he rolled his eyes. 

"Fuck, I could use a nap." He joked weakly. Caitlyn didn't seem amused, but a smile pulled at Vi's lips behind her. Jayce turned and moved to the door. He allowed it to scan his face before it hissed open. He moved into the room and let the door shut again. The glass on the inside was heavily tinted, but Viktor would be able to see outside if he really tried. Viktor glanced up at him, another tear finally escaping down his face. Jayce felt so torn. At surface glance, that was him. That was his partner, sitting there upset and shaken. But Jayce couldn't help but feel this was something far more sinister. Not that Viktor was even possessed by something, but that this wasn't Viktor at all. 

"Jayce..." Viktor's voice shook. He pushed himself up and held onto his crutch tightly. "Please stop looking at me like that. Y-You never looked at me like that." He sounded so hurt and confused. Jayce couldn't help it and his eyes weakened. He closed them, fighting back tears of his own. Finally, he took a deep breath and moved forward. Viktor didn't even freeze up when Jayce hugged him, only pressing into him without a moment's hesitation. "Wh-What did I do?? What did I do for you to look at me so differently?? I don't understand." His voice was weak and desperate. 

"...I'm sorry, Viktor. I'm sorry I'm being cold with you." Jayce finally managed, rubbing Viktor's back. He fought the urge to freeze up or even yank away completely. Two faint mounds along Viktor's back, outlining his spine. They twitched under his skin. "I just think there's something very, very wrong." 

"...With me." Viktor finished for him, his hand having moved up to weakly curl into Jayce's sleeve. Jayce felt Viktor's skin twitch under his hand again and he fought the urge to make a horrified face. 

"Y-Yeah..." He said, with all the calmness he could muster. "With you." 

Chapter 3

Viktor was run through a full day of tests and observations. Jayce couldn't even stand  to watch, though he did stay onsite. He wouldn't leave, even though Caitlyn had offered him an offsite place to stay. He didn't know if he could leave. Maybe it was Viktor. Maybe it was. He didn't know. He didn't know and maybe that was why he found himself where he did. At the empty glass bottom of the celebratory whiskey that the employees kept onsite. A Piltover tradition for the entire lab to have a drink when there was a breakthrough. Jayce was stuck at the bottom of the empty bottle and maybe that was why he found himself here. Right at Viktor's door, just past midnight. In the dark hallway, lit only by the wall of Viktor's room. 

The lights inside were supposed to be motion-activated. Viktor should've been asleep hours ago, but he was here, agitatedly pacing. At least, the best he could with his leg and crutch. Jayce pressed the lock and allowed it to scan his face. The door slid open and he took those few steps inside with the observation clipboard that had been taken from next to the door. The door slid shut behind him and Viktor turned to him with wide eyes. Despite how long he'd been awake, he didn't seem tired at all. "Jayce?? It's late, what are you doing here?" Viktor asked, his eyes wide. He'd been changed into scrubs, though they'd let him keep his brace on beneath the baggy pants. Jayce could only stare at him and Viktor frowned immediately. "Are you drunk?"

Fuck, how did Viktor always know that so easily? "Not that much. I'm doing your physical." Jayce managed quietly, giving the most half-baked excuse he could. Viktor paused, seeming confused. 

"Am I to have daily physicals?" He asked, leaning against his crutch. Jayce's eyes fixed on him hazily and Viktor only seemed to stare back. "You are doing my physical... while drunk?" He seemed like he wanted to clarify that as he took a few steps towards him. He wrinkled his nose. "You... are doused with the smell of whiskey, Jayce. Perhaps you should... return to your-"

"No." Jayce's voice was soft, but commanding and Viktor froze up a little. Jayce was expecting protest. Offense. Disbelief. Instead, Viktor only gave him a completely fascinated look. It was so startling that Jayce nearly felt stunned sober. Emotions flickered across the smaller man's face. Anticipation. Unease. Excitement. Curiosity. Viktor finally spoke again, his voice much softer. 

"You wish to study my body, Jayce?" The question almost sounded innocent. The clipboard fell to the ground, the larger clatter of Viktor's crutch following. Jayce had pulled the smaller man in and the kiss they shared was heated and desperate and messy. Jayce's face was hot as he slid his hands up the back of Viktor's shirt, over the twitching mounds of skin. He yanked Viktor's shirt off of him and tipped his head, pushing his tongue into Viktor's mouth and tasting him. Maybe it was the heat or maybe it was the whiskey, but Viktor didn't taste right to him. Not to say he'd ever kissed Viktor before. Not that he even knew what he would taste like. But there was a metallic tang to his tongue. When Jayce pulled back, they were both panting. 

He wrapped his hand around Viktor's waist and turned, slamming him down against the bed. "I just... wanna know what you feel like. I just... want to know." Jayce managed in a shaking voice. "I want to know what you taste like. What you sound like. If it's anything like I imagined." He couldn't help the tremble in his words, nor could he help the tears in his eyes. The buzz in his head was unbearable. His hands moved to rest on either side of Viktor's head as he firmly slotted himself in between his legs, making the smaller man gasp. 

"L-Like you imagined??" Viktor echoed, seeming genuinely surprised and embarrassed by that. "Y-You imagined it??" Jayce swallowed heavily, feeling like he was in far too deep to let himself start drowning now. 

"More than you'd ever know." He replied in his weak, gruff voice. He leaned down and Viktor inhaled softly as Jayce started to lick and suck along his jawline. He delivered soft bites to the pale skin, uncaring of how obvious they'd be in the morning. He felt Viktor's good leg wrap over his waist and it only spurred him on. He was already moving his hips without thinking and his bulge was rubbing between Viktor's legs, meeting a smaller tent of their own. "Oh gods..." Jayce mumbled. Viktor's face seemed like it was flushed an unhealthy shade of red and it made that needle-thin line all the more obvious.

"J-Jayce... Jayce, th-this sensation i-is new to me." Viktor finally seemed to admit, a heavy heat in voice that sounded as if it were trying to choke him. Jayce nodded, continuing to rub them both together. He leaned forward and cupped the back of Viktor's head. Viktor's breath stirred his beard before their lips met again. "Mmh..." Viktor's stifled little moan made something in Jayce flare up again. 

"I need you, Vik. I've always needed you. You have... no fucking idea..." Jayce muttered, his kissing becoming greedy again. Viktor pressed back into it eagerly, squeezing his eyes shut. Jayce's hands were roaming and he ran them up and down Viktor's sides. He traced over every rib, his hands sliding down and pushing right beneath the waistband of Viktor's pants to hold his hips. "Turn over." Jayce murmured, though he was already pushing Viktor himself. Viktor was left bent over the bed, his fingers curled into the sheets. He was panting and Jayce's eyes fixed on the bolts in his spine. "Vik..." He couldn't help the pain that crept into his voice, leaning down and pressing his lips to each bolt. 

He could see the twitching mounds in full detail. Like something was trapped beneath Viktor's skin. Jayce tore his eyes away from them and he pulled Viktor's pants off, leaving him in just his brace. He leaned down and rested his chest on Viktor's back ever so lightly. His hand stretched around and he wrapped it around Viktor's stiff length, making the smaller man shiver. Jayce's breath was hot on the back of Viktor's neck as he started to jerk him off, his teeth lightly pressing into Viktor's skin. His noises were like music. "H-Hah! J-Jayce! Jayce, g-gods! T-Too fast... too fast..." His voice became a whine as Jayce started to stroke his thumb over the head of Viktor's length. His other hand was clumsily undoing his own belt, casting it to the side. He could feel Viktor already leaking precum, swiping his thumb over the wet slit over and over. "Jayce! J-Jayce..." He loved the way his name sounded on Viktor's tongue. 

Jayce had always loved hearing Viktor say his name. That soft, affectionate linger on the 'a' made him perk up instantly whenever he heard it. The linger on that single vowel remained, but it was shaky and filthy. Jayce wanted more of it. He wanted to hear more of it. He finally let his own length slip out and he rested it against Viktor's bare ass for a moment, making the other man startle. "I-Is that yours??" He sputtered. Jayce felt embarrassment accompany the flush of alcohol in his cheeks. He knew he was larger than average and he'd never had a reason to feel ashamed of it. He raised a hand to his mouth, utterly and thoroughly wetting two of his fingers. He pressed into the gland, letting saliva fill his mouth before spreading Viktor and letting it drip down onto his hole. 

Jayce didn't waste any time pushing a wet finger inside with a squish. "HAH!!" Viktor buried his face against the blankets, which he'd dragged towards himself. He was so impossible hot inside. Jayce started to thrust his finger almost instantly, though it was hard not to let his wrist go loose as he watched that pale body squirm beneath him. He reached down and lightly pushed at  Viktor's hip so he would shift his weight off his braced leg. He added another finger without warning. "AH!! JAYCE!!" Viktor arched his back painfully and Jayce startled as the mounds on either side of his spine let out a buzzing noise, vibrating in place. 

For a moment, Jayce stopped, seeing the way the skin rippled. This was something else. This was something else. Then, the mounds settled down and Viktor was left breathing weakly. "Jayce...? Why did you stop?" He sounded hurt and Jayce's hazy eyes snapped to him. 

"Shh." Jayce shushed him as he spread his fingers wide and crooked them. He forced Viktor up onto his toes and Viktor whined. "I got you, Vik. I got you." Viktor inhaled shakily at Jayce's slurred, breathless reassurances. Jayce pushed in a third finger and Viktor groaned, muffling himself into the blanket. 

"G-Give it to me, Jayce. Please. Please, just give it to me. I just want to know what you feel like. Just one time. Please, just one time." Viktor's begging was muffled and desperate. Jayce pulled his fingers out and he wiped them on his pants before using his hands to spread Viktor. 

"Fuck... fuck, look at you." Jayce whispered. He pressed the head of his length to Viktor's hole before giving a small snap forward with his hips. Viktor gasped before crying out as Jayce kept going, his eyes half-lidded and hazy as he slid home, sheathing himself to the base. "Can you feel that...?" He slid his hand down and Viktor whined as Jayce pressed down on the small bump in his stomach. "I can feel me through you." He began to thrust and Viktor made an absolutely unintelligible noise. Just for a moment, he did look like Viktor. He looked like Viktor, felt like Viktor, sounded like Viktor. For a moment, Jayce felt like this was Viktor. 

And then his skin would ripple on his body. Two mounds raising on his spine, like something was trapped inside. The thin lines that split his arms and hands were strained like they would burst open any moment. And he was so impossibly hot inside. "Jayce! Hah! J-Jayce, fuck!!" Viktor wailed his name and that was enough to satiate his unease. Just for now. Jayce let his eyes slip shut and he sighed. 

Chapter 4

It turned out that Viktor was insatiable. By the third or fourth time, Jayce was starting to slow down, but Viktor was only getting more and more riled up, tears running down his face. He was riding Jayce now, using his good leg to push himself up and slam himself back down, making Jayce's hips shudder. "Th-This feels so good... Feeling you inside of me... like you belong there..." Once Viktor had started talking, he hadn't stopped. Jayce's head was spinning and his vision was starting to swim. Strangely enough, his leg didn't hurt. Nothing hurt. All he felt was numbness and pleasure. It felt so good. It all felt so good. He reached up and dragged Viktor back down into another desperate kiss. "I taste you... I-I taste you..." It felt like his lips were swollen and Viktor had sucked every taste of whiskey from his tongue. "Hah..." 

Jayce wasn't even sure how many times he'd released inside of Viktor, but the slides were effortless now. His heart was beating so fast. His own chest was stained with Viktor's cum, the other having released a few times by now as well. He'd opened up Jayce's shirt frantically and he hadn't taken his hand off his beating heart. Viktor seemed desperate to feel his heartbeat. Every time they changed positions, Viktor had to feel his heartbeat or he would start crying. Jayce felt the knot in his stomach snap again and he saw stars this time as he slammed his hips upwards. Another load. Viktor came to a stop, his head tipped back and his body trembling. He held his hand up to settle on his stomach, which still held that soft pudge to it. "V-Viktor... Viktor, I want to taste you." 

Viktor's feverish eyes went wide and he nodded. "Yes!! Yes! Please!" Jayce pulled Viktor off his length with a filthy squishing noise and rolled them over. Jayce positioned himself over Viktor again, the other's eyes filled with such glee and adoration. Jayce had never seen him so delirious with excitement. He kissed him again and Viktor whined as Jayce's lips moved to his jawline before tracing down his neck. He moved to his chest and Viktor's heart was rocketing unnaturally fast. Jayce continued to kiss down to his navel, his hand already wrapping around the base of Viktor's soaked length. Viktor arched his back, pushing his hips up as Jayce started to massage his balls. "Jayce... Jayce..." He sounded so desperate. "Please..." 

Jayce didn't even know how much time had passed. He didn't even know if they were being watched or not. He felt in tandem with Viktor. Everything felt good and it felt balanced. He pressed his tongue to the bottom of his length before licking a clean stripe all the way to the top. He could identify the taste, assuming it was just his own release. But he didn't want his own. He wanted Viktor. He focused on the top and started to lap furiously at the slit. "Hah!! Jayce! Ah!" Viktor whined and Jayce could taste him. He was sweet and he was cold. How did he taste cold when the inside of him was so hot?? Jayce could only chase it, completely enraptured. Was he even still drunk?? He didn't know. Viktor's length was twitching in his hands. 

Jayce could feel Viktor's thighs squeezing around him, but what he felt inside them didn't feel right. It felt like Viktor's bones were shifting around him. Jayce pushed the thought away and focused. He had to focus. He had to please. He finally took Viktor's length into his throat, sucking heavily. It throbbed and Jayce heard Viktor swear in his hoarse voice. His head was spinning. When Viktor came, the sweetness that flooded Jayce's mouth almost felt toxic. He pulled off of it and pushed himself back, staring down at Viktor with hazy eyes. Viktor was panting as he pushed himself up. "More?? Can you give me any more??" He asked pleadingly. Jayce couldn't answer, only trying to focus on controlling his breathing. Viktor blinked. "Ah, I see. It is alright, Jayce." 

Viktor leaned forward and the kiss was lighter this time, Jayce's eyes slipping shut at the gentle contact. "This felt good. I... I like this feeling. You... wanting me." He sounded breathlessly delighted as his arms wrapped up around Jayce's neck. Their lips hovered inches apart. "All I wanted was for you to want me so desperately... I just wanted you to hold me... look at me... like I was your greatest creation. Even more important than Hextech." He sounded like he was teasing, but Jayce's eyes opened and he stared at him. 

"You always were. You were always more important than Hextech. I was just too fucking stupid to realize." His voice strained and tears welled in his eyes. "I just didn't realize until I'd already lost you." He hiccuped and pulled Viktor into another desperate kiss. "I don't know what you are. I don't know if you're him. I don't know what's happening. I miss you so much, Viktor." Jayce whispered shakily against his lips. His head was starting to hurt and he drew back, raising a hand to it. Viktor watched him with wide eyes. "Fuck... It hurts..." Viktor reached out and pulled Jayce into a tight hug. He had his arms wrapped around his head. 

"Jayce, I love you." Viktor cradled him as he spoke again. Jayce teared up, never having thought he'd hear the words. Viktor had started to pant as he took Jayce's wrist, holding it up to his mouth. "I love you, I love you." He opened his mouth. Something wet started running down Jayce's arm and he lost feeling in his hand. He couldn't quite focus on it, only able to hear Viktor's words bouncing around his head. They were momentarily interrupted by 

click, click, click.

Jayce could barely process what was happening. There was a loud tearing noise, like skin being cleaved open. Viktor let out a shaky breath and Jayce's arm was so wet as he felt those three words continued to be whispered against his skin. The door was heard hissing open and Jayce startled as hands were suddenly felt on him, yanking him away. "NO!! NO!" Viktor's cooing voice suddenly erupted into a screech and Jayce could only hear yelling as he was dragged backwards. Viktor's face was stained with blood, running down his chin and painting his lips. He was wide-eyed and frantic as he stared after Jayce. Why was there so much blood behind him? There were... wings. 

Thin, narrow and glossy. They looked like red-stained, Hexcorized glass. A long, thin wing jutting from Viktor's shoulder. A larger, wider wing jutting from his lower back, an awkwardly large separation in between. When they started to buzz, the white room was suddenly spattered with red and the guards trying to restrain Viktor yanked backwards. Viktor's face split open as there was a chitter, blood spilling from the Hexcorized mess inside. There was a loud bang and the head was soon gone from the shoulders in a flash of blue light and a spray of red. "-ayce!! JAYCE!!" A blanket was thrown over him as Caitlyn appeared in his blurry vision, placing her Hextech rifle down. 

There was a cracking noise and Jayce watched blearily as Viktor's body arched and started to crystallize. His vision was fading out and he finally dropped his head back.

---

Jayce didn't wake again for two days. When he did finally stir, he was in a hospital bed and the first thing he became aware of was the IV hooked into his arm. He furrowed his brow, his eyes scanning over the room. His head hurt so much. So did his heart. So did his entire body. He blinked a few times before taking in a shaking breath. "Jayce??" Caitlyn appeared in his view, her eye wide. Her hair was a mess and she looked like she'd been crying. "Jayce, are you awake??" When Jayce finally focused on her, he wondered why she was keeping her voice so low until he saw Vi asleep on the couch behind her. Jayce gave a shaky nod, trying to wet his throat. Caitlyn buried her face in her hand. "Oh gods... okay..." Her voice was choked up. 

Jayce felt guilt come crashing down on him and he reached up, pressing his knuckle to her arm. He paused. His whole forearm was covered in plasters and bandages. His hand was trembling. Caitlyn quickly took his arm into her hands, holding it gently. "He started eating you. He started biting pieces of your flesh off." She inhaled shakily. "H-His head split open and I-I had to-" She squeezed her eye shut, her face pale and her grip tightening. She raised his hand up and pressed her forehead to his knuckles, knocking her head against them a few times. "What is that thing, Jayce??" 

"I dunno, Sprout." Jayce whispered back, his voice hoarse and destroyed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to see that." He felt so terrible. "Fuck, I'm sorry." He squeezed his eyes shut. Caitlyn inhaled shakily. 

"Y-You had venom in your system. It could only be assumed he put it there. It... It was numbing your pain receptors. Most of it was targeting your liver. They said you drank the whole bottle of whiskey in an hour and a half. You should be dead from alcohol poisoning." Caitlyn whispered, not having moved her head from the back of his hand. "I-I am not as adept in scientific vocabulary as you would be. They called it a neurotoxin mixed with a hemotoxin... Whatever he did kept you alive, but then he started eating you. Did he want you to be alive while he-"

"Cait." Jayce's voice was weak as he stared at her in dismay. "Stop. I'm sorry." Caitlyn stared at him and there were tears in her eye. He scoot to the side and pat the bed.

"J-Jayce, I am far too old to be-"

"C'mon, Sprout." Jayce invited softly. It was on the opposite side of his IV, so she wouldn't disrupt any equipment. Caitlyn stared at him before hiccuping. She covered her mouth to keep it quiet as she stood. She slipped into the hospital bed next to him, her arms tightly crossed before she pressed her face against his shoulder. "I'm sorry I just put you through that... I'm sorry I can't control myself." Jayce felt terrible as he rested his head against Caitlyn's. "W-We're still in the process of trying to piece back together two cities and I'm making an ass of myself." He squeezed his eyes shut.

"His appearance shook you. You were handling it well." Caitlyn said quietly. "You still went through something terrible. You lost the one you loved. And now... something with his face has appeared before us. I can't blame you, Jayce, I would've broken too." Jayce shook his head. 

"I need to be stronger than that. Too many people rely on me. They rely on us. On the Council, to clean up this mess. Not make it worse." He buried his head in his hand. "What happened to him?" 

"He... He formed a chrysalis around himself. He emerged from it unscathed twelve hours later." Caitlyn told him, her voice shaking. "He is a bug of some sort. The doctors say it might be a parasite. He sports wings now, but they are folded in a pin-straight line behind him and he has no ability to unfold them." Jayce stared forward. "He does not recall dying nor eating you, but the doctors say he's grown much more comfortable with touch. More open to showing himself off." Caitlyn's arms tightened. "He keeps asking where you are." Jayce's shoulders sank.

"A fucking bug..." He muttered, leaning back against the pillow. "Like that final form of his. He resembled a bug." Caitlyn furrowed her brow. 

"I never saw it. I was busied with the Noxians." She said quietly. Jayce nodded. A parasite. He gave a heavy sigh. "...You have a thought?" 

"My Rune fractured before we created the Hexcore. It didn't break apart completely, even when using it as a base for such a powerful device. We were worried, but it didn't seem like anything had been affected. I fear we were wrong." Jayce said weakly. "I fear he thought it was mutualistic, what he was doing..." 

"And it was parasitic instead?" Caitlyn asked, leaned against him. Jayce nodded. "Can a Rune just change effect like that when it is broken? If the symbol is interrupted?" 

"Runes can have their effects limited when broken. We were tailoring the Symbiosis Rune towards mutualism. Where good effects would benefit both parties... At worst, we could angle it towards commensalism. Only one side would benefit, but nothing would be hurt. But I guess... the Rune was broken down to the last relationship. Parasitism. I didn't think the weapons would work, but I guess they're able to hurt because they're based on a relationship where they would..." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "I put that parasite in him when I brought him back to life..." Tears had started to well in his eyes. "Cait, I'm such a fucking idiot." 

"I would agree if I knew anything about what you two were doing with that tech of yours, but I can't say for certain." Caitlyn sighed. "We'll have to figure it out, Jayce. He becomes violent towards Mel, so it's you and I who has to piece this together. Maybe he's of..." She waved her hand vaguely. "...scientific use?" Jayce sighed, squeezing his eyes shut and knowing that, at any point before this, he would've been furious at anyone referring to Viktor in such a way. But all he could do was wet his dry throat again. 

"Yeah... Maybe..."

Chapter 5

"He is what??" 

Jayce had pushed himself up in the bed, wincing at the strain on his injured arm. He and Caitlyn had been woken by one of the guards, who looked less than thrilled to be delivering them this news. Especially with how violently Caitlyn grabbed her Hextech rifle up from the floor. "H-He's out, Officer Kiramman." The guard said quietly. Vi was missing from her spot on the couch and they could both only guess where she was. Vi had seen the shell of the cocoon, but not Viktor's transformation. Jayce started to move and the guard's eyes widened. "Councilor Talis, the doctors have not approved you for open mobility yet-" 

"Is anyone dead?" Jayce spoke shakily, fixing his gaze on the older man. The guard hesitated and Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "...Right. It's me he's looking for. Cait, can you do a head count? Try to find Vi."

"On it." Caitlyn said, her shoulders sunken. "Will you be okay going after him alone?" 

"No one else will be if I don't." Jayce answered, glancing over at her. Caitlyn gave a weak sigh and nodded. She turned and followed after the guard. Jayce slipped out of the bed. He didn't have time to put on his brace, so he opted for some crutches. The hallways were eerily silent and eerily empty. Caitlyn would've had everyone hidden. The taps of his crutches almost seemed to carry and Jayce wet his dry throat again. He paused, able to hear conversation. It was far too calm for such a tense situation and he followed it. He turned the corner and froze up. 

Vi was talking with Viktor. 

So casually, too. They were both staring into a glass room, where one of the evolved was displayed. "And I made these...? I... I turned people into these?" Viktor sounded shocked as he took a wobbly step forward with his crutch. Caitlyn had been right. Glassy, narrow wings were folded so tightly behind Viktor, they resembled a very stiff tailcoat. "There is... no way to reach the person it used to be?" He sounded saddened by that as he reached out, pressing his hand to the glass. He looked... tired. Maybe he did need to sleep after all.

"Even when the outside was human, I don't think the person was there. These are all your, uh, commune members. Remember how I said we met because you started a cult?" Vi asked bluntly, Viktor freezing up and glancing at her uncertainly. "Well, uh, when my family and I came to see a... great healer... the only time the commune members spoke to us was at the entrance. No one spoke to us until we reached you. And even after that..."

"It was... It was silent?" Viktor asked nervously.

"Not exactly. Everyone was doing things. Washing clothes and eating fruit. There were even smiths. But no one... talked." Vi tried to explain awkwardly. "Children played together. But they didn't laugh or call out. My dad was a beast that we brought there to be healed. Viktor, we brought a full, hulking beast into your commune and no one batted a fucking eye. Not even when he started to freak out a little. They just... They just stared." Viktor's eyes had become wide and haunted. He sounded horrified by this. "And, uh, Jayce may have had it worse." Viktor's gaze sharpened on her. "When he got there, people did talk. But they all spoke to him like... you. Warmly. Casually. And he'd never met any of these people before. Not to mention he'd just come back, starving and dirty and injured from... fucking who-knows-where." 

"He must've been terrified." Viktor whispered, sounding guilty and upset. Vi scoffed as she shook her head. 

"Fuck, I would've been. A ton of people I don't know suddenly talking to me like we're best friends? Calling my name? Ugh." Vi wrinkled her nose. 

"Violet." Jayce had to call her that or she wouldn't instantly recognize there was a problem. Vi startled and turned to him. "What are you doing with him??" Vi blinked as Viktor's head turned to face her. She gestured behind her vaguely as something red started to run down from Viktor's forehead. His head was the only thing facing her, though his eyes had become as flat as his skin. 

"I found him wandering around. I was bringing him back to his room and he was asking how I knew him." Vi answered, resting her good arm on her splint. 

Click, click, click.

If Vi heard the noises Viktor was making behind her, she showed no indication of it. Instead, she only gave a crooked grin. "What's the matter, golden boy? Afraid I'll tell him how I heroically-"

She was smart. Jayce had to play along.

He instantly let out a loud groan. "Gods, you're never going to let me live that down, are you??" It was hard for Jayce to keep up an exasperated tone like this, especially with how terrified he was for her. Luckily, the conversation seemed to have Viktor's attention and his face sealed up again. He blinked a couple times and gave his head a small shake. He tipped his head as he leaned on his crutch, finally moving forward to stand next to her. 

"What did you do?" Viktor asked in confusion. Jayce had relaxed a little now that it seemed like Viktor wasn't interested in attacking Vi anymore. He rolled his eyes in pretend annoyance as Vi gave him a flashy grin and turned to Viktor. 

"Yours truly fired that weird hammer so golden boy didn't get bisected onstage at a memorial." She stated, scoffing. Viktor's eyes went wide. 

"You fired Jayce's Mercury Hammer?" He asked in surprise. 

"Yeah, in order to save a certain Councilor's life." Vi added, pointedly looking over at Jayce.

"I said thank you already." He stated flatly. Vi smiled.

"Yeah, I know, I just wanted to hear it again." She stated smugly. Jayce gave his heaviest, most dramatic sigh. "That thing was a bitch to keep ahold of-" Vi startled as Viktor hugged her and she was wide-eyed for a moment. She hesitated before reaching out and awkwardly hugging him back. They were both the same height, but Viktor's deteriorated posture made the position hard for him. He finally pushed himself back, leaning on the crutch. He buried his face against his shoulder and his shirt started to soak up the blood from his face. "You... okay...?" 

"I have missed a lot. I have missed too much." Viktor managed weakly. He looked over at Jayce and his shoulders sank. "Jayce... where is your leg brace??" He sounded upset and Jayce shook his head. 

"They said you weren't in your room. I didn't have time to put it on." He replied. He fought the urge to move back as Viktor approached him. All of a sudden, his eyes went wide as Viktor leaned up, pressing their lips together. Jayce didn't know what to do for a moment before quickly putting his hand on Viktor's chest and forcing him to take a step back. "What are you doing??" Viktor stared at him for a moment, seeming taken back. His brow furrowed in confusion. 

"I... Are we not...?" His hands tightened on his crutch anxiously and Jayce gave a heavy sigh. 

"I was drunk, Viktor. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on like that. I was so drunk that I almost died." Jayce said quietly. Viktor stared at him for a moment. 

"Yes, I know." He answered, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Jayce paused and looked back at him. "I could taste death on your tongue, Jayce. I had to save you." Something in his tone became ever so slightly feverish again. "I had to keep your liver from collapsing. I had to keep you from feeling it. I could taste it. I could taste death on your tongue." He stared at Jayce quietly, like he was expecting thanks or praise. Jayce only stared at him in shock. "You did not lead me on, Jayce. You came looking for me. You could have gone to anyone. You could have gone anywhere, but you came to me." Viktor took another step closer, his eyes almost glowing. 

Jayce glanced up at Vi. She'd gone pale and she took a few steps back before silently retreating at Jayce's look. He looked back down at Viktor, startling as the smaller man backed him up against the wall. "I saved you. I saved you, Jayce. You'll thank her, but you will not thank me?? How many years have you known her??" He twitched and his eyes became glassy. "How many minutes do you want to keep knowing her??" 

"Hey!" Jayce barked out the word and grabbed Viktor's face, startling the smaller man. There was a loud clatter as his crutches dropped to the floor, Jayce left putting all his weight on his good leg and the wall behind him. "Stop doing that." He said it as firmly and angrily as he could. Luckily, Viktor seemed to shrink back at his anger, his shoulder scrunching up. He looked upset and Jayce felt his heart sink. Jayce finally used his sleeve to wipe the blood from Viktor's face, making the other man squirm in protest. "...Thank you for saving me, Viktor." That seemed to relax him for a moment, his eyes slipping shut as he leaned his head ever so slightly into Jayce's hands. "Viktor." Jayce had to let his voice slip into a much more serious tone. "How did you get out of your room?" 

Viktor paused and opened his eyes again as Jayce pulled his hands away. "The doctors came to give me a medicine. I believe it was a sedative. I am usually alright with taking such medications, but when they put the needle to my skin, I..." Viktor furrowed his brow. "I became... blurry..." He looked troubled by that. "And when the blurriness went away, I was out in the halls. I was trying to find you. E-Everyone's telling me that I hurt you. I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't hurt you." Viktor's tone became feverish and insistent again. Jayce quickly shushed him and Viktor fell quiet, staring at him in dismay. He scanned Jayce over. "...You'll really just write that night off as something that happened when you were drunk? You were inside of me for hours, Jayce." 

Jayce instantly felt his face go hot with shame as he glanced away. Viktor moved closer again, staring up at him. "I had never felt so complete. So wanted. I have always been looked at like I am something amusing or something filthy. You never looked at me like that. And a couple nights ago, you looked at me like you wanted to eat me alive. Like you wanted to be inside of me forever and I would let you." Viktor spoke in a hushed, heavy tone. He reached out and his fingers weakly curled into Jayce's shirt. "Jayce, you want me, do you not? I have wanted you for... such a long time..." Viktor's shoulders were sunken as he pressed his head to Jayce's chest. Jayce could only stare for a moment. Of course he wanted Viktor. 

But he wanted Viktor. 

Whatever this was... Jayce furrowed his brow. "I don't think you're him. I really don't. I'm sorry." He managed. "I was drunk." He kept his head firmly back from Viktor's as the other man pulled back, fresh tears in his eyes. His hands were tight on his crutch. 

"But you held me so lovingly. You finally held me the way I always wanted you to..." Viktor inhaled shakily. "You were the only one to not shy away from me like I was a disease. What can I do, Jayce?? Why am I still stuck chasing after you?" Viktor sounded so frustrated and he buried his face in his hand. He trembled in place for a moment. "FUCK!!" He shrieked the word, making Jayce jump. He finally broke down again. "Why couldn't I just stay dead??" He spoke the words, weak and hoarse. "Why could my disease not take me faster?" He was muttering to himself now. 

"Stop. V-Viktor, stop." Jayce couldn't stand hearing him say things like that, Viktor or not. "Pl-Please stop." He felt like he was about to burst into tears too. Viktor turned to look back at him with sunken, defeated shoulders. "What are you doing?? What are you??" Jayce could barely get the words out. Viktor only seemed more hurt by his words. "Y-You don't remember trying to eat me, but how did you know you saved me??" Viktor stared at him in confusion. 

"I know I did. It had to have been me. Your liver should've collapsed and it didn't and the only discrepancy was that you were with me." Viktor held his hand up to his forehead. His wings suddenly gave a loud, agitated buzz and he nearly fell over from shock, his eyes wide. "Jayce, I think I am afflicted with something. You just do not believe it's me at all-"

"You dissolved into nothingness in my arms." Jayce stated in the softest voice he had. Viktor stopped and stared at him. "I think I have good reason to believe that." There was a moment of silence.

"So you just believe me to be some kind of monster then? Just like everyone else?" Viktor was clearly trying to keep himself composed, but there was an undertone or anguish in his voice. Jayce didn't answer and Viktor swallowed harshly. "If I had known that would be the first and last time you would touch me, drunk or not, I would not have fought so hard to stay alive for you." His voice became strangled. "I feel this is twice now that I was offered a way out. Something... stretching out its hand to me, saying I did not have to go back. But I refused both times. Because I thought you..." Tears streamed down Viktor's face and he inhaled shakily. "I thought you wanted me." 

Jayce stared at him. His own tears had finally escaped. Was it Viktor?? How would that even be possible? "I do." Jayce managed weakly. "But I want... Viktor. I don't know if-" 

"I hate you! I fucking hate you!!" Viktor suddenly spat at him, his voice becoming feverish and scathing. "You push me away, but say you want me. You sought me out, but say you were just drunk. You do not believe I am even me at all, yet you stare at me so hopefully." Viktor hiccuped shakily. He shook his head. "...I wonder if this is the same pain that I died the first time with." He had curled his shaking fingers into the fabric into front of his heart. He squeezed his eyes shut. "...Whatever this affliction is, I will face it on my own, then. As I always have. You can return to your fancy parties and your politics. You can just brush me away under the rug again." He shook his head as tears ran down his face. "Like the bug I am, no?" 

"I never said that-" 

"You never said a lot of things, Jayce." Viktor's voice was soft and shaking. That felt like a knife straight to the heart. "And here I am, needing my partner's help, in order to find out what is wrong with me. And, in the true fashion of a Piltover politician, you tie the help in front of me and dangle it just out of reach. You-" He hiccuped, wiping his eyes. "You really perfected your craft, Councilor." He turned away and started to limp down the hallway. 

"Viktor-" 

"Ah, who is Viktor?" That shaking, accented voice called back to him. "That cannot possibly be me." There was a moment of silence as those amber eyes looked him over one more time and turned away. "I am just a bug." 

Chapter 6

Viktor killed four more people over the course of the next two weeks. One doctor and three security guards. And it didn't seem as if he were trying to. Caitlyn had told Jayce that it seemed like Viktor would just attack. Like he couldn't control it at all. He was more unpredictable than ever, his files describing him as gentle and soft-spoken, yet he would transform and attack in the blink of an eye with seemingly no triggers whatsoever. Jayce hadn't stepped foot back in the facility since their last argument. Instead, he'd been trusting oversight of Viktor's study to Caitlyn, who would bring him updates and files in turn.

Viktor soon stopped eating entirely. 

Jayce hadn't been too surprised when Caitlyn had told him, but the real concern came from the fact that the killings hadn't stopped. He'd just stopped eating them. Viktor was becoming even skinnier. Starved and sickly. He wouldn't even get up from the floor anymore, choosing to stay in the corner furthest from the bed. It seemed as if he was waiting to waste away. Jayce couldn't even stand to look at the camera footage, fast-forwarding through it and seeing that Viktor's curled up form stayed in the same spot for hours on end. Even the wings jutting from his back had become limp and soft. There was no more firmness. 

Allegedly, Viktor had been trying to cooperate with the doctors at first in order to figure out what was wrong with him. However, after he'd killed the first doctor, he'd distanced himself away for the rest of their safety and Caitlyn had said it seemed like that was when Viktor decided it would just be better for him to waste away. Jayce had seen those words written in quotations. 

"I have already lost everyone who loved me. I have already lost everyone I loved, as well." 

If this was Viktor, Jayce would never forgive himself. He'd been matching up documents and notes. Reviewing footage. Pulling all-nighters. Just like he used to. This Viktor had appeared in the lab, only holding the memories up until the moment he'd first touched the Hexcore. That was where the cutoff happened. He hated watching the lab footage and he could only do it on mute. He couldn't handle hearing Viktor's agonized screams. The Hexcore had erupted in sparks the very first time, but Jayce soon drew his attention to a rather large glow that was flung from the Hexcore and disappeared behind the desk. 

Jayce had gone to the lab first thing in the morning and he'd moved the desk. Jayce had found an empty shell. Recently broken. Something that usually housed a larvae. Jayce had stared at that empty shell for a long, long time.

---

Jayce's footsteps were still off as he moved down the white hall. "Councilor Talis, I must advise against this once again." The head doctor warned him in a weakened voice. "Even with how physically weak he's gotten, his transformations remain unpredictable." Jayce glanced over at the other man tiredly, though he dipped his head in acknowledgment. "He wasn't warned about a visitor, so he may be a little more hostile." 

"I understand, Doctor. Thank you." Jayce said, giving a weak smile as they finally emerged in front of that glass wall. Jayce didn't see anything inside and then a guard gestured to the corner closest to the glass, where Jayce could only see bony feet. His shoulders sank. He moved over to the door and pressed the pad, allowing it to scan his face before the door hissed open. Jayce stepped inside and it sealed shut behind him. Viktor's back was to the door and Jayce could see every bit of his spine through the fabric of his shirt. His wings were saggy and limp, awkwardly crushed against the floor. He was curled on his side. 

"What do you want, Councilor Talis?" 

He froze up as Viktor's hoarse voice floated across the room. He furrowed his brow. "You knew it was me?" 

Click, click, click.

"...Your footsteps are heavier and they are staggered due to your injured leg. Yes, I knew it was you." Viktor answered after a moment. He still didn't move otherwise. "What do you want, Councilor?" 

"I want to apologize. And I want to show you something." Jayce spoke quietly. Viktor finally moved and, when he pushed out his arm, it wobbled under his weight. Jayce felt sick. His arm was bone-thin. Viktor's face was even worse, completely gaunt and his eyes sunken in. Jayce had a bag with him and he finally moved over, settling onto the floor with a creak and a wince. Viktor trembled in place as he sat himself up. Jayce had made sure to make himself as neat as possible. He'd trimmed his beard, he'd swept back his hair and he'd worn his tailored, dark green shirt. He could tell Viktor was noticing these things. "...I'm sorry for how messy I've made this, Viktor. I met you again as a weaker man than the one you had seen last. I should have stayed away and let myself build up some... strength, but all I did was make things worse by staying." 

Viktor hugged himself quietly as he leaned back against the wall, watching him with a tired gaze. "I forgot what it was like to be a scientist. I forgot that providing evidence for a thesis was what should be done instead of accepting the statement as fact. I dismissed you almost as soon as we met again and I'm sorry." Jayce managed, glancing up at him. "I had already decided it wasn't you before I had any evidence to back that up. And then I made it worse by... drinking until it didn't matter to me. I made it worse by bedding you even though I didn't believe in you." He gave a weak sigh. "I want to try again. With a clearer head and an open mind... Please." 

There wasn't an answer before Viktor spoke softly. "And what did you want to show me?" He asked softly. It hurt, but Jayce figured he should've expected Viktor's dismissal of his apology. He turned to the bag and dug through it before pulling out a screen. He brought up the footage of Viktor touching the Hexcore and Viktor instantly seemed to shrink back as he realized what the scene was. 

"I'm not making you watch it. There." Jayce pointed to the larger glow that had been tossed to the corner. Viktor's brow furrowed before he froze up as Jayce flipped the screen to show the picture he'd taken of the empty shell. He furrowed his brow. "The first time you touched the Hexcore, it released an egg. That egg laid dormant, presumably while the base body was still alive. When you dissolved, I imagine that's when the egg became active. What were you doing the night I was out at the opera?" Jayce asked softly. 

Viktor met his gaze warily, his fingers tightening on the fabric of his shirt. "...I was waiting for you to return to the lab." He said softly. Jayce nodded. 

"And what Rune were we working with? And its offshoots?" 

Viktor paused. "Symbiosis. Its recorded offshoots are commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism." He responded quietly. Jayce nodded. He'd noticed Viktor starting to relax a little and he figured speaking like they were just scientists again was helping. 

"The Rune fractured before we created the Hexcore, but we recorded no notable side effects of that, didn't we?" Jayce asked softly. Viktor paused before nodding again. "Well, I think the fracture defaulted the Hexcore to parasitism. When you touched it for the first time, it embedded itself into you. Like a parasite. And, yes, it seemed like it gave you powers, but it influenced you into subtly giving it more and more under the guise of helping everyone. And you took it with you when you died." Viktor blinked and his bony shoulders sank. 

"So you do not believe I am Viktor." 

"I'm not done." Jayce spoke gently and Viktor hesitated, clearly surprised at his soft, chiding tone. A bit of nostalgia flashed in his eyes. "Your first interaction with the Hexcore released a byproduct. While the Hexcore became the parasite in your body, it released something... similar, yet opposite. And, from what I can tell, I don't think the relationship is purely parasitic. I think, with enough control, you can achieve commensalism. At best, even mutualism-" Jayce paused as Viktor held up a shaking, bony hand. 

"Jayce, what am I then? If I am not Viktor." He asked weakly. Jayce shook his head, reaching out and offering his own hand. Viktor stared at it for a moment. 

"Your base is the final form you took in the physical plane. For simplicity sake, your base is essentially the Hexcore's body. But your mind, your memories, and your emotions. That's Viktor." Jayce looked him over. "You are Viktor." Viktor stared at him for another moment or two before shakily taking Jayce's hand. 

"...I am the parasite to the Hexcore?" Viktor asked, seeming like he wanted clarification. 

"In the simplest, bare-boned terms, yes. But, you are closer to a single organism than the other half was. They were two organisms up until the very end. I think... you could achieve mutualism. I think you could be both the Herald and Viktor. With the capabilities of both." Jayce's hand had wrapped around Viktor's and he furrowed his brow. "Does that make sense at all??" 

"So I am still Viktor?" That seemed to be all he really wanted to know and Jayce's eyes softened on him. 

"A much younger Viktor, but yes. Not physically, but yes." Jayce said quietly. Viktor seemed stunned silent by that. "And, uh..." Jayce felt his face go slightly red. "That's why... you may have felt like you had never done any of that before, even though I think you have." Viktor's face went a little red as well, him glancing to the side. "It was a new experience for this second organism. And once that was done, it wanted to show its own... affections." He hesitated and rolled up his sleeve to show the missing divots around his wrist. Viktor's eyes went wide in shock as he shakily reached out to it. 

"T-Tendon. Good gods, Jayce, the bite was so close to your tendons." Viktor stuttered, tears seeming to gather in his eyes again. 

"Because you’re closer to one organism, it acts on your urges. Your emotions. Your wants and... your jealousy." Jayce mumbled. Viktor seemed a little overwhelmed and Jayce hesitated before stretching his arm out. "Viktor. Come here." He said softly. He'd barely whispered it, but the way Viktor threw himself against him was like Jayce had yelled it. Viktor trembled as he buried himself against the larger man. 

"But why now?? Why did I...?" Viktor sputtered weakly and Jayce swallowed softly before pulling back and looking at him. 

"What were you doing the night I was at the opera? 

Viktor stared at him helplessly for a moment, reaching up and weakly wiping at his own eyes. "I-I was waiting for you to come back to the lab." 

"And what did I do?" 

Viktor started to answer before pausing. He stared at him for another few moments. Jayce's shoulders sank. "It took me a year to do it. What did I do, Viktor?" The smaller man inhaled shakily. 

"...You came back." 

Chapter 7

Viktor would only eat when it was Jayce that brought him his food. His skinny body had quickly rebuilt the fat it had lost just from what appeared to be a few meals, but Jayce also caught wind of another security guard that was missing. He suspected Viktor might have been fully carnivorous in this state. Of course, he would still eat the berries and pastries that were brought to him, but Viktor had told Jayce that he didn't feel like he got any kind of energy from them. Not like he did from eating meat. Jayce was a little shocked at how quickly Viktor had reversed his emaciated state. It had taken three days to seemingly undo weeks' worths of damage. It had also taken one missing guard (allegedly). 

Jayce accessed the pad and the door slid open. He'd already seen the mess from the other side of the glass wall. He stepped inside, letting the door seal shut. Even though he couldn't see him, he heard him. 

Click, click, click. 

"Doctor, I need you to remain crouched." Jayce spoke carefully, though he didn't look at the terrified woman in the center of the room. "When I move along this left wall, you move along the right. Stay down. Am I understood?" 

There was a weak 'yes, Councilor' in response. Jayce started to move along the left wall and, out of his peripheral, he saw the doctor inching along the opposite wall. Something dripped down from the ceiling, but Jayce didn't catch it in time, the buzzing of wings indicating that Viktor had moved again. 

Click, click, click. 

Click, click, click. 

Jayce inhaled softly. His heart was pounding. Finally, he heard the door hiss open and then shut again. His shoulder relaxed. He moved over to the window, able to see the guards consoling the terrified woman. They signaled to Jayce that she was alright and he nodded. He turned back and startled as Viktor's split open face leaned down to his height. It wasn't open all the way this time, letting Jayce see how lifeless the eyes were. It was over a foot taller than him again, stretching out the skin it seemed stuck in. Its wings gave another wild, agitated buzz as it dug the two sharpened, Hexcorized bones in its arms into the glass on either side of him. "...Hey, Vik." Jayce whispered softly. 

Click, click, click. 

When it tipped its head at him, Jayce did the same in response, wondering how it was looking at him from that webbed mess inside the head. "Viktor." He called his name gently. "I need you back with me. We have work to do, okay?" He kept his voice calm. The creature didn't react and Jayce hesitated. He stretched out a gloved hand and gently traced along the side of the creature's neck, rubbing in gentle circles. 

Click, click, click. 

The creature stepped closer, crowding Jayce up against the glass well. "Hey, hey." Jayce sharpened his tone just a little. It wouldn't be the first time everyone saw either Viktor or the creature try anything risqué with Jayce, but it didn't make it any less embarrassing. For him or Viktor, who was only usually half in his mind when he did it. The creature let out a chitter, but allowed Jayce to carefully guide it backwards. "None of that, okay? None of that." He insisted. He reached out and placed his hands on its sharpened bones, lowering them away from him. "Viktor!" The creature chittered again and Jayce sighed. He looked back at the wall and gestured. There was a click and the wall went black, keeping both sides from seeing each other. "...You really don't make this easy." He mumbled. 

Click, click, click.

Jayce reached out and pushed his gloved hands under the shirt, rubbing his thumbs just inside the waistband of the pants. He rolled them over pale hipbones and the creature shuddered. Slowly, Jayce pushed his hands down, tracing along the tops of his legs as Viktor's body started to seal up. The bones cracked back to their normal height and Viktor was soon left red-faced against him, panting shakily. The wings had folded in that pin-straight line behind him. "J-Jayce, I-I'm here. I am here n-now." He managed to say, his bloody fingers curled into Jayce's shirt. "Y-You d-do not have to keep... hah..." Viktor covered his mouth before lightly smacking Jayce's chest without another word. Jayce sighed and pulled his gloved hands back. 

"Welcome back." He stated, raising a brow. Viktor scoffed weakly at him, trying to fix his clothes. 

"Th-The doctor, is she...?" 

"She's safe. I kept you distracted and she got out." Jayce assured him. He moved back to the window and knocked loudly on the glass. There was a click and the blackout effect lifted away. "Let's get you cleaned up, alright?" He gestured to the bathroom before offering his arm. Viktor took it after giving everyone outside an apologetic dip of his head. Jayce led him over to the sink before going to search around the room for wherever the creature would have thrown his crutch. He found it and moved back over to Viktor, only to pause as he noticed the other staring. 

"Your leg is stiffer. What happened?" Viktor asked hesitantly, taking his crutch once it was offered. He'd washed his hands and face of blood. Jayce wasn't sure how he'd noticed that, a little surprised. He glanced down at his braced leg. 

"Oh, uh... It's just been acting up lately. It's been raining the last few days." Jayce rubbed his bearded jaw with a gloved knuckle. "After-effects of such a bad break." Viktor had looked downright sick when Jayce had told him that Mercury Hammer had completely and utterly shattered both bones beneath his knee. And then the Arcane infection on top of it. Viktor had been shocked that Jayce was even alive, let alone walking. Even now, just the mention of it made Viktor's shoulders ever so slightly scrunch up. "How's your brace? Should we tighten it back up or do you think you'll have another transformation before I leave?" 

"Please tighten it back up." Viktor's voice strained a little. "It hurts to even keep it straight right now." Jayce nodded, shakily lowering himself to the ground. He took out a small screwdriver from his belt and carefully bunched up Viktor's pant leg to show off the brace. "P-Perhaps we can design a new one? One that extends with my limb?" Viktor asked hopefully. Jayce paused and glanced up at him. Viktor held the bunched up cloth out of his way as Jayce started to tighten the brace back up. 

"It would take me at least a month to build it, maybe more since I have to take my meetings into account." Jayce said, focusing on the brace. "Do you think you could wait that long?" Viktor's weak sigh indicated that he certainly wasn't thrilled about it. 

"I do not think I exactly have a choice in that matter. Asking for a new brace at all feels disingenuous." Viktor admitted weakly. "Considering I have been downgraded even further in the eyes of Pilties. From crippled Zaunite to freak experiment." He gave a small, humorless laugh. Jayce instantly glanced up at him with sunken shoulders. "Do they not ridicule you, Jayce? For tending to such a thing? The very creature that brought this destruction upon our cities?" 

"Very, very few people know that you’re here. Even less know that you’re still alive and not just a corpse brought in for study." Jayce finished tightening the brace as Viktor gave a weakened, bitter sigh. "Vik." His voice was scolding, but it remained gentle. 

"Do not speak to me as if I am being paranoid, Jayce. Look at what I am." Viktor stated firmly, his own shoulders sunken. His voice weakened when he spoke again. "Look at what I've become. To me, only within the span of a few hours, I was thrown into a new body and a new life." Viktor was starting to become visibly upset and Jayce paused. 

Click.

"Hey." Jayce gently interrupted his ranting, standing and taking his hands into his own gloved ones. Viktor startled, staring at him in dismay. "All I know, is that somehow and someway, I have my partner back. I have... my partner back... after watching him dissolve into nothingness in my arms." Jayce stared at him desperately. He leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together, Viktor's cheeks taking on a weakened, pink tint. "...I did seek you out." He admitted in the softest whisper. Viktor's eyes widened and shot up to him. "I was always seeking you. Okay?" 

"D-Do not be ridiculous, Jayce-" 

"Viktor, I was prepared to die alongside you. I met you in that astral plane, ready to dissolve with you." Jayce said softly. "I went there, completely and utterly expecting us to never leave." Viktor stared at him in shock. "So when I saw you again, all of that came crashing down on me. I reacted poorly and I didn't even try to find an answer as to why you were here. Or what you were." Jayce stroked his thumb over Viktor's slender hands, tracing that needle-thin line. Viktor's face was bright red and he gave a small, awkward clearing of his throat, glancing aside. 

"J-Jayce, perhaps this is... something better discussed in private. Not when everyone outside is watching." Viktor said quietly. 

"Still don't think we're partners in front of all of them?" Jayce asked softly, watching as Viktor's eyes widened as he recalled that fateful Progress Day speech. Jayce was aware his face was burning too. He gave him a smile and Viktor stared at him before his shoulders sank. 

"...I always hated when you smiled like that. I could never say no to it." Viktor said softly, his cheeks flushed. "It might be even worse now, with this newer appearance." 

"Yeah? You like the beard and hair?" Jayce teased. Viktor shot him a glare. "Let's get to work, okay?" He stood back and offered his hand. "Partner." Viktor stared at him and he'd teared up a little from his flushed face. 

"Y-Yes, of course." He took his hand, tucking that House Talis-colored crutch under his arm. "P-Partner." 

Chapter 8

Viktor stuck a little closer to Jayce after that. They moved through the facility, Jayce's steps still stiff. To his surprise, Vi was outside the testing room, looking confused as she spoke to a member of staff. "Vi?" Jayce called out in confusion and she lit up when she saw him, scoffing at the doctor and quickly making her way over. Apparently, it was a little too fast. Viktor's fingers suddenly curled into Jayce's sleeve. 

Click, click, click. 

"Oh, woah, okay." Vi held up her hand in surrender, her eyes wide as she stared past Jayce. Jayce blinked and quickly turned, seeing Viktor's face had slightly opened, his eyes dull as he leaned forward heavily on his crutch. His jaws were parted as blood ran down his chin. 

"Hey! Hey..." Jayce softened his tone once Viktor's split face moved up to face him. He'd moved to block Vi from view, his eyes calm and his voice gentle. "None of that, please." Viktor's breathing was ragged and dangerous, but it calmed as Jayce cupped his cheeks. A soft chittering was heard, but it erupted from the opening in his head, not his mouth. Jayce felt a small chill at that, but he forced himself not to look away. Instead, he began to rub small circles on Viktor's neck, just below his ears. Viktor's face slowly closed up and his eyelids finally started working again as they slipped shut. 

"S-Sorry." The word pulled itself from Viktor's throat weakly as shame crossed his face. He was clearly beyond embarrassed about that. Jayce sighed. He startled as some tissues were held out next to him. It looked like Vi had gone and fetched a box. Jayce shot her a grateful look, taking them. He turned back to Viktor, lifting his chin and starting to clean his face. "Jayce, I can do that myself." He muttered, though he did lean forward into his hands just a little. A weak smile pulled at Jayce's lips. 

"Cait got caught up, so she sent me instead." Vi started to tell him. He turned away to go throw the tissues away, but one wrong shift of pressure sent such a bolt of pain up from his calf that tears erupted in his eyes and a pained noise punched its way out of his throat. He instantly leaned down, gripping his calf tightly. "Hey, golden boy, you take a wrong step?" Vi was a little more used to this as she came up next to him. Jayce gave a shaky nod. "C'mon, there's a bench here." Jayce reached up and gripped her shoulder, staggering forward awkwardly before she helped him sit down. Jayce leaned himself back against the wall, his eyes squeezed shut as he tried to control his breathing. 

"Jayce??" Viktor looked a little shocked, hesitantly limping over with his crutch tucked under his arm. "What happened?" Jayce placed the wrinkled, bloody tissues off to the side, inhaling shakily. 

"Oh, uh, that leg of his is still super finicky." Vi said, resting her arm on top of the one in her splint. "If he puts pressure on it the wrong way, he says it feels like it's breaking all over again." Viktor stared at her for a moment in absolute dismay before turning to look back at Jayce. He paused before moving forward a little more, reaching out and weakly touching at Jayce's brace. 

"Don't!" The word snapped its way forward before Jayce could stop it and Viktor startled, yanking his hand back with wide eyes. Jayce stared at him tearfully. "S-Sorry. Sorry, please don't touch it. Any kind of... pressure right now..." He inhaled shakily and squeezed his eyes shut again. He wasn't kidding either. Even keeping his leg upright, balancing it on the heel, was bordering on too much. It hurt. Jayce trembled as he leaned forward, burying his face in his hand. Viktor seemed in distress, his fingers squeezing the handles of his crutch. "I-It'll pass." 

"I... I numbed your pain before, did I not? Perhaps I could try to do it again?" Viktor asked, his eyes wide. Jayce paused and glanced to the side. 

"Do you even remember how you, uh... did that?" Jayce asked hesitantly. Viktor hesitated and Vi raised a brow as she glanced between them. 

"...Am I going to have to leave you guys alone for a second?" She asked. Viktor glanced over at her, his hands slightly tightening on his crutch. Vi clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Alright. I'll, uh... I'll be back in five, I guess." She turned and moved away, leaving Viktor red-faced with embarrassment. Jayce's own face felt a little hot as he looked back up at Viktor. 

"I'm guessing the answer is yes, then?" Jayce asked quietly. Viktor waited until Vi was out of sight before shaking his head. 

"I do not... actually know how I did it, but I do have a few theories. I would like to test the least invasive one." He said, his shoulders slightly scrunched. Jayce nodded. "Could you help me sit?" He moved over next to him, flinching a little before Jayce helped guide him down. Viktor propped the crutch up before turning to Jayce. He hesitated before reaching up to his face. Jayce felt the heat in his face grow a little worse as Viktor's fingers settled on his bearded jaw. 

"Ah, the... the 'least invasive' one?" Jayce asked, glancing off to the side just for a moment before looking back. Viktor paused and gave a small, uncertain nod. 

"Is it alright? I thought we were... Our relationship is... much different now, I think." Viktor said softly. Jayce stared at him before his eyes softened and he nodded. Viktor swallowed and leaned up. Jayce met him halfway and both their eyes slipped shut. Their lips met first and their tongues met next. Jayce felt heat flush his face as he reached up, his gloved hand cupping the back of Viktor's neck. That metallic tang was on Viktor's tongue and he heard the smaller man take in a shaking breath as he chased it. When they both pulled back, panting, Jayce could only stare at Viktor's flushed features. Viktor swallowed, holding a hand up to his mouth in what seemed to be embarrassment. "...Your leg, Jayce?" 

Right, right, his leg. Jayce hesitated before glancing down. He wobbled it back and forth before giving a weak smile. "Can't feel it. Your saliva is a neurotoxin then. I wonder if you licking the surface of the skin would have the same effect." Jayce was already starting to theorize again and Viktor buried his face in his hand. "Oh, uh, we don't have to test any of that, I was just wondering out loud... Sorry." Viktor shook his head. He turned away and sat quietly, his fists balled up on his legs. He stared at the floor with a troubled look and Jayce paused. "What's wrong, Vik?" 

At the nickname, Viktor's eyes softened and he glanced back over to him just for a moment before looking away again. "...I feel like a fool, Jayce. How could I not see it before?" He held up a hand. "I feel... far too tight. Like my skin is stretched taut. Parts of me ripple that should be anatomically impossible for the human body. Good gods, I might be stupid for not noticing these differences. On top of it, there is always this... soreness down my arms and a constant stinging on my face that I cannot seem to rid myself of." He gave a weak scoff. "And I call myself a scientist." 

"You are! Viktor, listen. What's happened to you has never happened to anyone before, I can guarantee it. There are consequences to cracking magic like this. They're just... far from over, like we thought they were." Jayce gave a sigh. "I don't know if anyone would know how to react in your position. You're..." He paused. "I mean this in a good light, but you're a whole new being. In your head, you’re still Viktor, but this?" Jayce reached out, taking his hand and dragging his thumb down that thin, pale line starting at his middle finger. "This is something new entirely." Viktor's hand was trembling in his hold and Jayce glanced up at him. "And..." He'd been wondering the whole time, but he'd been afraid to ask. "And how is your breathing?" 

Viktor paused as he realized what he was asking. Jayce hadn't heard any coughing from him. Viktor hesitated and Jayce blinked as he realized Viktor's fingers were absentmindedly playing with the edge of his glove. "Jayce... I do not know if I even have lungs anymore." Viktor finally admitted. "There is no heaviness in my chest, though the chronic pain that perpetuated my body before is still there. Despite the breathing and internal complications of that sickness being neutralized, the outer effects remain. I do not think I will get any worse than this, but I am afraid I will not get better either." Jayce watched him quietly. 

"Do we think any kind of physical therapy will help? Massages? Surgery?" He asked hesitantly. He startled as Viktor's eyes went dull and his face split as surgery was mentioned, the creature inside nearly falling off the bench as his head twitched around. 

Click, click, click! 

Click, click, click! 

"Okay, okay, no surgery. It's okay." Jayce spoke soothingly and apologetically as he held up his hands. He couldn't help the flare of terror in his chest every time he saw that Hexcorized mess of flesh and blood. It took everything he had not to be sick every time. Blood spilled down Viktor's face, staining his pale chin and his lips. Jayce only gave the weakest, shaky inhale. No matter what he did, he was still scared to death of this creature. No matter if Viktor was in there or not, this was worse than any of the evolved and even seeing his own husk in that other world. This was Viktor, but it was also a creature wearing his skin. 

Jayce felt sick. 

Viktor's face sealed up and he held a hand to his head like he was trying not to pass out. "No, eh, no surgery." He managed weakly. "I cannot handle any more. The bolts in my back have ached long enough. No more, please." Jayce's eyes weakened on him as he nodded. He reached out and pulled Viktor closer. 

"No more then." He whispered softly in a promising tone. "No more." 

Chapter 9

By the time Jayce finally left the operating room, he was a mess. His shirt was torn and stained, covered with blood that wasn't his. His hair was an absolute nightmare. Vi stared at him from the bench across the hallway before giving a loud scoff of disbelief. "Wow, what the fuck happened to you in there??" She asked in shock, scooting over so Jayce could sit on the bench with her. Jayce did so, plopping down with a grunt before giving a heavy sigh and closing his eyes. 

"I had to apply the sedative because he would try to atrack anyone else who did it. He didn't even take me giving it to him very well, but he's unconscious. It should last four hours. They're going to try and open him up. See what's going on inside." Jayce muttered. Vi watched him with a raised brow. 

"And you’re just... okay with that?" She asked hesitantly. Jayce glanced over at her before looking away again. "Or that's what's being asked of you." Jayce gave a small shrug and Vi looked away. "Gotcha." Jayce stared down at the ground quietly. "Hey, uh, is it a bright side that you get a second chance with him? Some kind of... silver lining?" Vi's words were cautious and uncertain. Jayce paused, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. He didn't... know. She was right. This was technically a second chance with him, but this was only Viktor mentally. Not even beneath the skin. Beneath the skin, this was a creature. The Arcane Herald. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "Does the rest of the Council know about this?" 

"The Zaun Councilor is likely on her way to assess the situation, since Viktor is a Zaunite." Jayce replied, burying his face in his hands and letting his voice become muffled.

"Ah. The one that stabbed me, nearly killed me, and currently has me banned from my own birth city. Fan-tas-tic." Vi muttered, turning her head to the side. Jayce paused and glanced over at her with a weak look. Vi seemed to notice it and her shoulders sank as she nodded. "Yeah... I know why I'm banned, okay? Same reason Cait is." She sounded pained and Jayce turned his own head away. "...I never should've put on that fucking uniform, Jayce." 

"You do... terrible things for someone you love." Jayce answered quietly. He scoffed, glancing over at her. "At least you didn't commit necromancy and almost end the world." Vi managed a small, awkward laugh at that, raising her brows. Jayce hesitated. "...Right, it's probably too soon to joke about that." His shoulders sank. "Caitlyn didn't understand. Do you understand at all?" 

"...If he'd actually been your lover, yeah, I would understand. But you rushing to do that for someone you just considered your 'best friend', violating all moral and physical boundaries... that was kind of nuts." Vi said, leaning back against the wall. Jagce furrowed his brow before burying his face in his hands again. 

"Because I was an idiot." He muttered quietly. "It just... seemed so obvious what to do. What I had to do. I didn't even think about anything else. I had already convinced myself it was right." Jayce sighed heavily. "...Viktor was right. Egotistical." He leaned his head against his hands. Vi watched him quietly, though it was clear from her gaze that she couldn't offer much. It wouldn't stop her from trying. 

"I, uh, I saw him, y'know. When he was suspended in that glowing cocoon. Remember the attack at the memorial? I had to go fetch your hammer? I saw him in there and I didn't know what to think for a moment." Vi admitted. Jayce felt shame crushing his throat. He hadn't even thought about that. Of course Vi would've seen Viktor. And she still chose to save him and help him during the attack. "I actually... didn't know Viktor at all then. I only knew that Caitlyn mentioned you having a partner... A research partner." She clarified after a moment. "So I kind of looked at this cocoon and I went 'so this is Viktor' and I kind of questioned what you or Cait thought 'research partner' meant." The awkward joke made him give the weakest laugh. 

"You know I never once thought of clarifying research partner until before the battle? I had always called him my partner up until then." Jayce said, rubbing his bearded jaw quietly. Vi let out a snort. 

"Gods, how did he stand you?" She teased. "Waaaay too eager and a Piltie on top of it." Jayce chuckled. 

He felt awful. He felt terrible. He felt like a monster. How Vi was even still talking to him was beyond him. He refused to let it show on his face and he closed his eyes instead, trying to calm himself with some deep breaths. He'd had a lot of time to reflect in hindsight. In the ravine. After the battle. At every Council meeting, when the other Councilors would cast him small glances. When he'd hear his name whispered among the Enforcers. It wasn't any secret.

Jayce Talis had committed necromancy.

By all technicalities, he should have been in prison. Even the Zaun Councilor, Sevika, would be watching him with a furrowed brow every time the Council had to refocus him from a dissociative episode. "...I think they're about to vote me off the Council, Vi." Jayce finally admitted. Vi paused and glanced over at him in shock.

"You’re one of the few Councilors that actually gives a shit about uniting Zaun and Piltover. Why the fuck would they do that??" She asked, sounding mortified. Jayce glanced over at her and gave a weak smile. 

"I'm not supposed to share what happens in Council meetings, but, uh, it was implied by one of the other Councilors that I may not be... 'mentally sound enough' to continue holding my Council seat." Jayce put the phrase in quotations as he averted his eyes. Vi stared at him and her shoulders sank. "Yeah, I... I don't have a lot of ground to stand on against it." Jayce rested his elbows back on his knees and turned his head away. 

CLICK, CLICK, CLICK! 

CLICK, CLICK, CLICK!

CLICK, CLICK, CLICK!

The noise erupted from the door and startled both of them. Jayce gripped the bench uncertainly, his heart racing before he raised a hand and gestured to the operating room door. "Especially if the other Councilors see him. I already know what the assumptions will be. That I created this second life form on purpose. That I created it to be obsessed with me. I can... fuck, I can already see the fucking headlines." Jayce buried his face in his hands. "What do I do, Vi?? I think I should just take him and disappear off the grid." Jayce threw his hand to the side in frustration. Vi seemed helpless as she watched him and Jayce sighed. "...I'm sorry. I'm dumping a lot on you. This is just... eating away at me. It has been for a very long time." 

"It's, uh... It's a tough situation. At least I can listen?" Vi offered with a weak smile. Jayce gave her an appreciative look. He paused as he heard footsteps approaching from the other hall. An Enforcer appeared, escorting Sevika, the Zaunite Councilor. She paused as she saw Jayce and her nose wrinkled in distaste as she saw Vi sitting next to him. Sevika's eyes moved back to him and Jayce inhaled shakily as he pushed himself to his feet. 

"Councilor Talis. I received word that... your partner is back. Again." Sevika stated, crossing her arms and showing off her metal one beneath her cloak. "It's in my best interest to know the details about him, considering half the Council wants his head on a pike for what he's done. Above all else, the man is still a citizen of Zaun. Above all else, it's still essentially my call, what happens to him." Jayce felt his stomach drop a little. 

"...I'm afraid that him being... 'back' is really only half-true." Jayce admitted quietly. "I'm not sure if Zaun or Piltover will claim him now. He's..." Jayce glanced over at the door before looking back at her. "He's become far removed from what he once was." All of them jumped as chittering erupted from inside the operating room along with a crash. Sevika's eyes were wide. 

"Talis, what the fuck is he?" She asked quickly, turning to him with a frighteningly serious gaze. 

"The doctors are finding out whether he's an invertebrate or not. Leaning much less towards mammal and far more towards insect." Jayce replied quietly. Sevika stared at him, her wide-eyed gaze clearly trying to gauge if he was serious or not. "Mentally, yes, it's him. Physically... is another issue." Sevika blinked a couple times before giving a heavy sigh and burying her face in her hand. 

"...Listen, there are some citizens who have modified their bodies into whole other creatures down in Zaun. It wouldn't be fair of me to judge him yet without seeing him first." Sevika said, finally lifting her head. Jayce felt a bit of relief at that. "But, Talis, is this another... consequence of yours?" Jayce paused and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut, but he also had been expecting it. 

"This one was created years ago. Maybe a day or two after I became a Councilor. It's just been dormant until now. I don't know whose fault that makes it." Jayce admitted. "But, at the very least, part of the blame is mine." 

Click, click, click!

Click, click, click! 

There was another small crash followed by a buzzing noise. Jayce furrowed his brow, hoping the doctors knew to come get him if Viktor was freaking out. "Is your partner dangerous?" Sevika asked, her eyes also fixed on the door. Jayce almost instinctively answered that Viktor would never be dangerous, but he had to stop himself. 

"He's fighting with instincts that aren't completely his. Ones that are more... simplistic. To defend. To eat. I'm able to calm him down, but his change is sudden and often unpredictable." Jayce said, his arms folded tightly behind his back. He swallowed and closed his eyes. Sevika was watching him when he opened them and he did feel like she had a vague understanding that him seeing and hearing Viktor like this was taking the heaviest toll on him.

"Above all else..." Jayce's hands tightened. "...He's scared."

Chapter 10

Viktor's insides held a galaxy. 

When the doctors had cut open his chest cavity, they'd revealed what appeared to be an endless, starry expanse inside. It shifted and twisted despite Viktor being unconscious. When one of them went to take a sample, however, the starry expanse turned out to be a highly corrosive liquid. It ate away the metal tool in less than a second. The doctors had discovered that the outermost layer was completely flesh and nerves. The first inner layer was metal, which had to be carefully sawed through. The layer beneath was chitin. And, despite being unconscious, Viktor's body still very much reacted to pain and intrusion. The chitin would have to grow back on its own, but they'd needed Jayce's help to weld back the metal layer. They'd kept Viktor's face covered so Jayce could finish the job without freaking out. Then he'd been dismissed so they could stitch up the skin layer. 

It did seem like, whatever the form was beneath the skin, it was being scrunched up to fit inside of it. And the doctors had recorded the skin contained an unnatural elasticity to allow for his transformation to happen. It chilled Jayce to the bone. 

The dissection had lasted far too long into the night and Sevika had left, saying she would meet Viktor the next day. After assuring her he would be fine, Jayce also dismissed Vi. He was left on a bench outside Viktor's room when the doctors finally wheeled him back from his operation. Jayce assisted them in transferring Viktor to the bed in the room. And he'd assured them he'd be fine as he slid down the wall and sat on the floor next to it. And then they'd left him alone. So here he was. 

Jayce could hear a small rattling noise beneath every breath Viktor took. He glanced over at the cleaned floor, knowing the janitorial staff must've been in here more than they would ever like to admit. He rested his elbows on top of his knees as he sat back against the wall, glancing up at Viktor's sleeping form. His calf gave another throb and he winced, shakily sliding both of his legs out in front of him with an exhale. He swallowed quietly, leaning his head back against the wall and closing his eyes.

---

Of course, Jayce had known that his drunken episode that night would come back to bite him. He just hadn't expected it so literally. He was vaguely aware of a stuffy, warm feeling through his body as he hazily blinked open his eyes. Pleasure was erupting through his body until he suddenly felt teeth press into his shoulder and his eyes shot open, his arms flying out. "NO." He stated it so firmly and scoldingly that it felt like he was reprimanding a misbehaving animal. He still could barely focus. 

"Why?? Why not?? Why can't I?" Viktor's breathy whine held a scratchy shutter beneath his words and Jayce inhaled shakily. He felt so hot. He felt hot and he felt... wet? His vision slowly came swimming into focus and he froze up in absolute shock. 

"Wh-What are you- HAH!!" Jayce was cut off as Viktor rolled his hips down onto him once more. It looked like he'd dragged himself from the bed, the pillows on the floor and the blanket halfway pulled over the side. He was straddling Jayce, his wings spread out behind him and his face ever so slightly split. Blood was staining his nose and his parted lips as he gasped, Jayce's length buried deep inside of him. "Oh gods, Viktor!!" He sputtered. Viktor groaned, his head tipped back. Jayce was momentarily startled at just how hard he was. Had Viktor given him a venom or had he just been slowly working him up in his sleep?? He reached out, grabbing Viktor's hips and forcing him to stop. The whine that Viktor let out tapered off into clicking. 

Click, click, click! 

It sounded desperate. "V-Viktor?? Are you... here??" Jayce asked breathlessly, trying to get a hold on himself. His heart was absolutely racing and his lungs felt punched out. With how wet Viktor was, Jayce had a feeling he might've already released. Maybe even a few times. The thought made his whole face and neck go hotter than it already was. Viktor kept his head back, taking in shaking breaths. 

"Y-Yes?? I... no... I... I d-don't know. I don't know. I woke up and I wanted you so bad. I w-wanted you in me. I wanted to feel you and I feel you." Viktor hissed out, his body squeezing around Jayce's length. He was panting. "I-I want to milk you dry. I want all of you inside of me. Let me. Let me." He devolved into a raspy repetition of the words, his nails suddenly digging into Jayce's wrists and forcing him to let go. In an instant, Viktor was slamming himself back down onto his length, reaching behind him. 

"HAH! FUCK!!" Jayce sputtered as he felt Viktor squeezing his already sensitive balls. Viktor looked like a mess. He looked tired and he looked frantic, like he would die if he didn't have this. "V-Viktor, your - fuck - your leg!" Jayce dragged one of the fallen pillows over and shoved it under Viktor's bad knee, making the other suddenly let out a delighted trill. Tears started to run down his face from borderline-delirious eyes. 

"T-Taking c-care of me. So good. You are so good." Viktor whispered desperately. "Jayce. Jayce, Jayce, Jayce. I need you. I need you." He started to slam himself down harder and Jayce flinched as his orgasm ripped through him with a groan. It quickly escalated into a breathy shriek as Viktor kept going, his body squeezing his sensitive length. It was becoming too much. 

"VIKTOR!! Viktor, fuck, wait!! Wait, I just came!" Jayce sputtered, tears erupting down his own face. It felt so good that it was almost painful. "Viktor, WAIT!!" He forcefully grabbed him by the hips again, making him stop and Viktor whined. Jayce was breathing heavily, his teary eyes wide as he felt his release dribbling down his length. "Just wait! Fuck!" He turned his head, wiping the drool from his chin on what was left of his sleeve.

"Jayce... Jayce..." Viktor looked destroyed, his face sealing back up, though it left him bloody and teary-eyed. Jayce realized his shirt had been ripped down the front and Viktor had completely discarded himself of any clothes. How had he done all this without waking Jayce up?? Jayce had known in an instant that Viktor was not in control of himself and that the other part of him was likely seeking out the thing that Jayce had taught it. Right, he'd introduced the other side of Viktor to this. Now it seemed hungry for it. Jayce quickly reached up with a hand to cup Viktor's cheek. The moment he let go, Viktor tried to start moving again and Jayce had to hold his hip bruisingly with his remaining hand. "I need it. Please, I need it..." 

There was cum spattered across Jayce's bare chest and he could see how Viktor's length was already half-soft. How long had they been going?? How many times had both of them...? Jayce felt fresh heat flush his face and he shook his head. "No. No more. W-We both h-have had enough." He said firmly, though his voice still shook. He reached down and shakily lifted Viktor off of his length, letting out a small groan of relief. However, he wasn't prepared for just how slick the noises were as his release almost spilled out of the other. "G-Good fucking gods, Viktor." Jayce whispered shakily. 

Viktor was still breathing heavily and Jayce finally laid him on his back. Viktor's legs fell open and the release just kept coming out. Jayce felt exhausted. He hadn't been kidding about milking him dry. It felt like he barely had anything left. Viktor's hand shakily drew across his own stomach. Luckily, it seemed like none of the stitches had torn, going up his sternum. "No... No, it's..." Viktor seemed distressed, his toes curling as he reached down. Jayce felt his face go hot in shock as Viktor started to try and push the release back in. 

"Viktor! Viktor, don't. We have to get that out of you. I-It could make you sick." Jayce felt nauseous himself. He had to hike up his pants and cover himself again. Viktor's forehead was damp with sweat. "A bath. W-We're going to get you a bath, okay??" He scooped his arms under Viktor. He grunted and tried to push himself to his feet, staggering as his legs wobbled. "Fuck." Viktor leaned into him. He seemed to be nibbling at part of his shoulder and Jayce shivered. "Viktor." Viktor hesitated and his hazy eyes moved up to Jayce in confusion.

Jayce brought him to the bathroom, quickly shutting the door and setting him on the floor. He started the water and startled as Viktor instantly hissed, pushing himself backwards with his good leg. The door rattled as he slammed into it. He was still half out of his mind and Jayce could tell. Viktor didn't like the water and he turned, clawing furiously at the door. "Stop! Stop! Hey!! Hey." Jayce quickly came over to him. He swallowed. "I'll get in with you! I'll be with you! Both of us." Viktor paused and looked back at him, his whole body shaking.

"B-Both. Both of us." Viktor spoke insistently and Jayce nodded. Viktor seemed to calm down at that, though he hugged his arms tightly against his chest. "...I'm sorry, Jayce. I'm sorry. Oh gods." That sounded more like him and Jayce's eyes widened. "Fuck..." Viktor inhaled shakily and buried his face against the door as he started to cry. 

"Viktor! Viktor, y-you didn't hurt me. I'm just... Fuck, I'm just really tired from it." Jayce explained best he could. "Let's get you washed up, o-okay? You didn't hurt me. You didn't even bite me." Viktor glanced over at him tearfully, his face a weak shade of pink as Jayce started to strip himself down. He worked at the brace carefully, a small noise leaving his throat as it depressurized from his leg. He pulled Viktor closer and picked him up, slipping him into the warm water. Jayce couldn't help the relieved groan that left him as he sat in the tub across from him, shutting the running water off. For a moment, he just let the warmth surround his aching muscles. Viktor looked exhausted and miserable. He also just looked downright ashamed of himself. 

Jayce hesitated. "...I'm not upset." He said carefully, getting the other man's attention. "I'm definitely, uh, more worried than anything for you. Does your leg hurt?? You were putting too much weight on your knee." Viktor nodded and Jayce reached out, the water swishing as he pulled Viktor's leg out and started to massage it like the other had taught him so many years ago. It was quiet for a moment. 

"Jayce, I just ra-" 

"No." Jayce shut the statement down instantly. "No..." His hands shook a little. "It was shocking, yes, but you didn't hurt me and it... it isn't like I would've said no to you, if you'd asked for it." He added in a quiet mumble. "I'm just worried for your body. I don't know how long you were straining yourself like that. Your stitches could've opened or you could've severely damaged something in your leg. Do you... even remember...?" Viktor hesitated, hugging himself tightly. 

"I-It felt like I was being lifted and shoved underwater repeatedly. Over and over. Sometimes I was above long enough to realize what I was doing and then I would be shoved back under into a... a pleasureful numbness. Where it was dark and everything just felt good." Viktor trembled and squeezed his eyes shut. "...There is a lot of you inside of me, Jayce." The words made Jayce cough a little and he quickly guided Viktor forward. Viktor buried himself against his chest, it being much easier for him to straddle Jayce in the water. 

"I'm going to touch you, okay?" Jayce asked carefully. Viktor nodded. Jayce almost flinched at how easily his fingers went in. He could push two inside of Viktor with no problem at all. He was met with thickness and wetness, his ears burning. He started to scrape out his release and Viktor let out weak, muffled noises against him. 

"Th-There is a v-violent displeasure in my body. R-Reacting to you scooping it out. I-It does not l-like that." Viktor whispered shakily. Jayce swallowed, his other arm tightly wrapped around him, careful not to press on his wings too hard. 

"I know. You, uh... you kept saying something about wanting it all inside. But it'll make you sick or it might give you an infection if it stays in." Jayce mumbled. Viktor made a weak noise as Jayce scraped out the last of it. 

"Empty... Empty..." Viktor whispered shakily, clear upset in his voice. Jayce furrowed his brow. He carefully started to stroke his hand through Viktor's hair, wetting it for him. Jayce whispered that it was okay. "No... No, Jayce, what I just did to you was not okay... I..." Viktor inhaled shakily and tears started spilling down his face. "A-And you d-do not understand. I felt so wound up. I-If we'd been interrupted at all, no matter by who, I-I think I would've rended their bodies apart." Jayce felt a small chill. He scooped up some water and started to clean off Viktor's face, making his squirm as he gently sat him backwards. Jayce watched him. 

"Viktor, what are you feeling right now?" Jayce asked, his heart pounding. He wasn't sure if it was out of terror or not. His hand was shaking and he hadn't even noticed until Viktor reached out, holding it in both of his and pulling it close. 

"There is a possessiveness deep inside me. It calls you my mate. It says no one else can touch you. It says no one is allowed to see you undone but me and no one is allowed to eat the skin off your body except me. I want to eat you alive, Jayce. I want your blood and flesh on my tongue. I want you inside of me any way I can have you." Viktor's voice shuddered and he inhaled shakily as fresh tears sprung to his eyes. "I am a freak, Jayce. I am a monster. Good gods, I'm a fucking monster." 

"I wasn't scared of you!" Jayce blurted out quickly, startling the other man. "I wasn't scared of you. I was scared for you. I was scared for you and your body and how you would react to this. I..." Jayce furrowed his brow. "I don't know. Do we think this'll happen a lot??" Viktor let out a pained noise as his shoulders sank. "I-It was my fault. I taught the other side of you something I shouldn't have and now it wants it. I'm sorry. This is my fault." Jayce admitted. Viktor stared at the water. "Vik. Please. I'm not upset with you." 

"How could you not be, Jayce??" Viktor asked shakily, looking up at him. 

"I told you, it didn't..." Jayce felt his face go hot in shame as he glanced aside. "It didn't hurt. And it isn't like you’re some random person who got on top of me. It was just shocking. I'm really not upset. I'm really just... worried for you." He reached out and cupped Viktor's cheeks, leaning down and pressing their foreheads together. "I'm not the one going through frightful transformations, Viktor. You're my partner and you’re hurting and you’re scared. I want to help any way I can." 

"By serving yourself up like a piece of meat for me to use and eat?" Viktor muttered bitterly, sounding beyond upset with himself. Jayce stared at him before glancing aside. "Jayce, you are not just going to let me do things to you." 

"If it injures me or you, no." Jayce said, his eyes meeting Viktor's again. "But you listened when I told you no on biting me, even if you started whining right after." Viktor's face darkened with humiliation. "Just... Were you... like that when you woke up??" Viktor paused. 

"I woke and I realized you were next to the bed. There was a moment of disappointment and disdain at you not being in the bed with me before... I got this sudden and devastating urge to be... as close to you as possible. I wanted you inside me and I..." Viktor swallowed, his neck having turned red. "I wanted to be so very close. I wanted our skin touching. I wanted all our parts touching." Viktor buried his face in his hand. "It became so hazy once I hit the floor." 

Jayce's shoulders were sunken and he nodded, reaching out with his other hand. He hesitated, hoping this wasn't a stupid idea. He rubbed his thumb up and down the bridge of Viktor's nose, right along the line. Instantly, Viktor's grip loosened and his eyes slipped shut. His mouth parted as he leaned his head into Jayce's hand a little. Viktor blinked a few times in confusion, seeming dazed after Jayce had pulled his hand back. He gave Viktor's hand a squeeze. "I am your partner." Jayce stated. "We're in this together."

Viktor stared at him for a moment before visibly swallowing. His grip tightened on Jayce's hand as he pulled it up to his chest. "My partner..." He furrowed his brow before exhaling shakily. "I know... I'm sorry, Jayce." 

Chapter 11

The new awakening for Viktor's primal half turned out to be a much sooner problem than either of them expected. Viktor had to be touching Jayce in some regard, at all times, or his skin would start to become agitated. His shirt collar was already stained with red and it hadn't even been two hours. "Viktor, I can't come into the room with you." Jayce reminded him. Viktor had pulled his hand away from Jayce's when they'd reached the testing room doors, but his skin had already started to ripple and his wings twitched. There was a look of complete and utter discomfort on his face. "The test is about your reaction to light or color. I can't be in there to distract you."

"I know that, Jayce." Viktor protested, shooting him a shaky glare. "I do know that." Jayce paused as he felt Viktor grab his hand tightly. He raised a brow and Viktor seemed to realize what he'd done, quickly yanking his hand back again. He moved both hands firmly to his crutch. Jayce nodded, looking him over one more time before turning away. "Y-You will be nearby? Jayce?" He stuttered the question quickly and Jayce glanced back at him in surprise before nodding. 

"I won't be far, I promise. I have to help prepare some papers for your meeting with Councilor Sevika later. I should only be two rooms away, at most." Jayce assured him. Viktor's lip twitched for just a moment, but he nodded. The doors to the testing room suddenly hissed open and Viktor hesitated. Jayce watched him and his eyes weakened. "Go on. I'll be out here when you’re finished." Viktor looked him over again anxiously before forcing his gaze away and nodding. He turned and limped away into the room, the doors hissing shut and locking.

---

Jayce had his head in his hand as he went through the papers. Every so often, there would be a rattling noise as the table shook. The testing room was completely and utterly soundproofed, but he could only imagine how nightmarish it sounded in the observation room attached to it. The doctors had promised to send someone for him right before they'd let Viktor out of the room. All of the papers were notes they'd taken on Viktor's condition, along with previous medical notes from before he'd even become a Councilor. And it was horrific, the X-Rays of his lungs and the deterioration of his spinal cord. Jayce had had to put down the papers several times within the past hour. Even now, he could feel the tears welling in his eyes again.

No wonder Viktor had wanted to find a cure so badly. But that thought only led his mind to a sadder one. How bad must Hextech have been in order for Viktor to want to throw his only chance at a cure away?? "Fuck." Jayce whispered shakily. His tears caused wet spots to appear on the paper. This... was all his fault. Viktor hadn't even asked for this. Fuck, Viktor had just wanted to live and Jayce couldn't even let him die. Jayce glanced up at the conference room doors as there was a crashing noise and all the lights went dark in the room. Outside, he could see the red, pulsing glow of the emergency lights. 

And Viktor thought he was the monster. 

Jayce shakily pushed himself up out of the chair and moved over to the doors. He gave a shaky sigh before pushing them open. The usually white halls glowed a devilish red and he heard footsteps running away. Lots of panicked voices. And he heard it. 

Click,

click,

click. 

It echoed down the corridors and it left Jayce's chest feeling empty. Ironic. Maybe the Arcane had sensed that. Everything this creature was. Possessive, hungry, desperate. So obsessive over its partner that it would do anything to have him. To keep him. Jayce's perpetually unbalanced steps echoed down the hall as he moved. A humorless, bitter smile pulled at his lips, something between a sob and a laugh ripping its way from his throat. All those pieces of himself laid bare like this. The parts that would have Zaunites and Piltovians turning away from him in tandem. All built up into this thing that was only a vague echo of the one he loved too late. Maybe this was just his punishment for tampering. Meddling with things he shouldn't have. 

A monster to match him. 

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut, the dull ache in his leg suddenly unbearable with every step. He was usually good about pushing it to the back of his mind. He was good about doing that with a lot of things, it seemed. Every step made the ache worse. Every step made the thoughts louder. 

Click, click, click.

Click, click, click. 

Jayce could hear the noise coming from the hallway in front of him. He could also hear a man begging for his life in a terrified, hushed tone. A younger man. Maybe even some poor intern. Jayce stood at the corner, taking a deep breath before stepping out into the open. Just for a moment, his thoughts clouded. He thought of that mage. That version of Viktor he'd never thought he'd see. Old. Weathered.

Beautiful.

That version of Viktor would only speak to him from behind his partner. That exuviae. That crystalline shell, void of whatever had filled it, long, long ago. That version of Viktor had refused to let Jayce see his back. He had refused to allow him closer. There'd been a soft, white fluff poking out from both shoulders of his hood and every movement of his had been accompanied by a fluttering noise. He'd lamented that he'd never reached the mutualism they'd strived for, but commensalism instead. Jayce just hadn't known with what. He felt like he knew now. That Viktor had lost everything chasing perfection and had still fallen short. It was the only reason Jayce had been able to follow through with what he'd asked of him. 

If that Jayce had never made it back to his lab, then the mage wouldn't have known of the egg, right? He wouldn't have hardened Jayce through starvation and suffering, only to send him back, knowing he would lose Viktor... only for Jayce to be met with this horrifying facsimile of his partner... right? Right?? He reached up and wiped the tears from his face. He watched as Viktor's elongated, twisted form backed one of the remaining doctors into the wall. His clothes were drenched in red. He had glass embedded in his skin, likely in his face as well. 

Had the mage thought this was some kind of second chance?? 

Jayce paused as the man screamed in pain. "Viktor!" His voice was sharp. Much sharper than he meant for. Much colder as well. But at the very least, it didn't shake. It went silent besides the man's whimpering. That hunched figure slowly turned to face him in the pulsing light. Viktor's split open face was firmly bit down on the man's arm, dragging him like he was just some kind of toy. Jayce could definitely see the glass shards glinting along his split skin in the light. Those pincer-like bones that jutted from his arms tapped at the ground. And Jayce could only stare at this mimicry of his partner. "Let him go." He couldn't control the shake in his voice that time. 

Click, click, click. 

There was a loud thunk as the man was unceremoniously dropped to the floor, taking in frightened, pained breaths as he held his mangled arm to himself. Viktor no longer seemed interested in him. Jayce stared up at the creature as it approached him. Tears were running down his face again and he kept his hands tightly folded behind his back. He kept himself small, as he always had before. Something Viktor had always mused over since Jayce was such a large man. Red spilled from that split open face as it leaned down and Jayce was left staring into that bloody webbing again. Those pincers dug into the ground on either side of him and the creature was soon crowding Jayce close to itself. "Sir. I know you are in pain and we will get you taken care of, but I need the hallway to his room completely clear in the next five minutes to avoid further casualty." Jayce's voice strained a little as he reached up, rubbing circles on the sides of Viktor's neck. 

Click, click, click. 

The pincers crossed behind him, a vague mirage of a hug. The man was seen struggling to his feet, holding his mangled arm. He was breathing heavily. "...Yes, Councilor." He managed, turning and quickly moving down the hall, his footsteps stumbling. The noise seemed to agitate Viktor, who turned and hissed towards it. 

"No." Jayce had never used that tone with Viktor and the creature seemed to jerk back, turning its split face to look at him. "...No." Jayce's voice weakened as his shoulders sank. "I can't have you do this. Please." His hands shook as they drew back, more tears running down his face. The creature let out a chittering noise, trying to follow his hands, but Jayce put them back behind himself. That only seemed to confuse it. Jayce closed his eyes and lowered his head. The creature was heard making small, slightly distressed-sounding chittering noises. Finally, Jayce heard it scrape its pincers backwards. There was soft crunching that followed. Something larger being forced to fit inside of a smaller skin. 

After another moment or two, there was nothing but shaky breathing from in front of him. Jayce paused as fingers settled in his cheeks and wet thumbs tried to wipe away his tears before pausing. "...That... only made it worse..." Viktor sounded strained and defeated. Jayce finally opened his eyes, blinking out more tears. Viktor hugged himself, left in the tatters of the clothes he'd worn there. He was soaked in blood and his head was lowered as well. He looked ashamed and miserable. There were pieces of glass still stuck in his face and arms. Jayce watched him before giving a weak sigh. Viktor glanced up at him. 

"Hey, Vik... How do you feel?" 

"...Like I have glass in my face." 

Chapter 12

It wasn't long before they were back in Viktor's room. Out the five doctors in the observation room, two had survived. One of the bodies had all the flesh stripped from its bones. Jayce couldn't let Viktor hear that. Not yet. He would get sick and he was still injured. "Keep your eyes closed." He stated softly, Viktor forcing them shut again. Jayce wasn't sure why Viktor kept wanting to look at him. He picked the last of the glass from Viktor's face, wiping the area down with a medical wipe. Viktor flinched and his hand tightened on Jayce's sleeve. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, Jayce standing in front of him. Jayce dropped the bloody glass shard into a cup with the others. He turned back to Viktor as he set down the tweezers. "Alright, you can open them. Make some expressions. Tell me if you think there's any left." 

Viktor furrowed his brow and opened his mouth. He scrunched up his nose before clenching his jaw. He finally shook his head. "I believe that is all of it." He responded softly. The power was still out, only the emergency generators running to keep the lowest light level, along with air filtration. The windows of Viktor's room were blacked out and the door wasn't able to lock. Jayce had fetched a lantern for them, one that cast crystalline patterns all over the wall. Viktor had requested this specific lantern because it cast white light. He had requested this specific lantern because it could be switched between red, white, and gold. Viktor had requested this lantern because it had the House Talis colors. 

Ever since Jayce had turned it on, Viktor's skin hadn't rippled once. He had made no clicking noises. He seemed relaxed. "Vik, does this lantern remind you of my Council coat?" Jayce asked, glancing up at him. It was in a teasing tone, if only to cover up his genuine curiosity. Viktor paused and his eyes widened as he glanced over at it, like the thought hadn't even occurred to him. His cheeks flushed and he glanced away. 

"Perhaps. I did not even consider that. I have... felt calm ever since I saw this." He reached out with his free hand and brushed it along the lantern. "I suppose the House Talis colors would bring me a sense of safety, would they not? They already decorate my crutch and my brace." His voice was hushed even more so than usual. "You always wore white. I thought it suited you nicely. But the, eh, darker colors you sport now... I quite like them as well." Viktor murmured. "Seeing you in Zaun's green..." He gave a soft laugh. "I didn't think my heart would handle it." The words were shockingly tender and Jayce could only stare at him. Viktor glanced over with a weak smile. "Perhaps I am much more sensitive to color than I thought." 

And this was where the confusion happened. Just earlier, Jayce had been thinking about how this was never going to be his partner. How this was only a monster made to reflect the worst parts of himself. An insult. A mockery. Jayce's shoulders sank. Sitting in front of him, with that same resigned smile, was Viktor. Undoubtedly and indisputably, this was Viktor. Soft-spoken, gentle, yet expressive and emotional. Jayce felt so fucking terrible for even daring to think those things about him earlier. This was Viktor. Jayce had him in a hug before he could even process it. "Oh... Jayce?" Viktor hugged him back, but Jayce could feel the hesitancy and confusion in his movements. "I am still quite bloody and messy. You really should not be touching me. We don't even know if all of the glass is out." Despite his words, Viktor wasn't letting him go. 

Jayce was the one to pull away, scanning Viktor's face over with such guilt that Viktor seemed to take note of it. His brow furrowed. "...What's wrong, Jayce? What I just did is not your fault. The... The casualties that I have, without a doubt, caused. This amount of red on me... It is impossible that I did not kill someone." Viktor hugged himself, burying the lower half of his face in his hand. He looked upset and troubled. They'd wiped the blood from his skin, but it remained on his clothes. Jayce blinked before turning and moving over to the dresser. He pulled out new clothes for Viktor, bringing them back over. "Jayce, perhaps we should invest in, eh, darker clothing for me?" Viktor asked hesitantly, taking the clothes as Jayce offered them. Jayce didn't answer, only giving a nod. 

Viktor paused, staring up at him. He furrowed his brow. This wasn't something Jayce had done before, so he could understand Viktor's confusion around it. When Jayce became too overwhelmed or too thought-heavy, he would just stop talking. He wouldn't say a word and it could last anywhere from five minutes to five days. His voice had only ever brought him more bad than good. Mel and Caitlyn had experienced this the most during his recovery. He hadn't spoken to Caitlyn for a month and he hadn't spoken to Mel for two. It had been getting better, but now he was right back to where he was. Despite his confusion over his silence, Viktor never pushed for him to say anything. As well as he'd read him in their time together in the lab, it seemed Viktor understood that Jayce would speak when he was ready and not a moment before. Of course, he wouldn't hide his dismay at this. 

Viktor stretched out a shaking hand to Jayce's. He still wanted to hold onto him. Jayce paused before offering his hand and allowing Viktor to take it. Viktor's slender fingers nestled in his palm. Jayce's eyes softened again as Viktor managed a small smile up at him. Something didn't escape Jayce's notice though. Viktor kept glancing over at the lantern, almost anxiously and Jayce paused. He reached out and twisted the top of it. The room was suddenly thrown into gold and Viktor's body suddenly seemed to release tension that it didn't even seem like it was holding. His smile was huge and his eyes held a soft light to them. It made Jayce's chest ache. He gently pulled his hand away and gestured to the clothes. Viktor glanced at them before looking back up at him. 

"...Would it be too much to ask you to help me with them?" He finally spoke again and Jayce paused, glancing back at him. Viktor looked uncertain, like he was scared he was overstepping. Jayce finally shook his head and Viktor gave a weak breath of relief that he tried to hide. Jayce reached out, starting to undo what was left of the buttons on Viktor's shirt. He opened it and Viktor trembled as Jayce's calloused hands slipped over his shoulders to push the tattered fabric down to hang off his elbows. Jayce swallowed as he looked down at him. How could he ever think of Viktor as a monster?? Tears had started down his face before he could stop them and Viktor's eyes widened. "Jayce??"

Jayce leaned down and he reached up, cupping his hand over the back of Viktor's neck, the other holding his shoulder. When he leaned in, he saw that same look and it finally clicked for him that, in his final moments, he'd denied Viktor something he'd been expecting. He wanted to give it to him this time. Viktor was looking at him in wide-eyed confusion, yet with that slight expectation beneath it. He'd reached up to hold onto Jayce's arm, the other hand on Jayce's shoulder. Instead of pressing their foreheads together, Jayce closed his eyes and leaned forward. They'd already kissed more than a few times, but this one was different. It felt... so long overdue between them. Nothing desperate. Nothing messy. Jayce pulled back just a little, though his lips remained hovering close. 

His face was hot and, when he slipped open his eyes to look at Viktor, he could see that pink shade on his face and his awed eyes. Viktor had tears pricking his eyes and Jayce stared. He could finally give him what he needed. What he wanted. He leaned in again and this kiss was a little messier. They both tried to match each other's pace until they were both heavy-breathing messes. Viktor's hands cupped Jayce's cheeks, sliding forward into his longer hair. When they both pulled away again, there was a buzz and Viktor's hazy expression quickly turned horrified as his glassy, narrow wings raised behind him. He jerked back and quickly tried to push them back down. He looked panicked and Jayce stared at him with wide eyes. "No! No, no, no, please. Not right now." Viktor whispered frantically. 

Jayce finally raised a hand and stopped him, Viktor glancing back at him tearfully. Jayce furrowed his brow at him and Viktor hesitated, glancing back at the glassy wings again. His gaze finally fell to the floor. "...Don't these break the illusion? That I am still the same as I was?" Viktor's voice was weak and pained. "That I am not just some insect with the mind and skin of a man." He began to choke up a little. "That I am still Viktor?" Jayce stared at him. He finally took him by the arms and helped him stand. He still wouldn't say anything, the words still refusing to leave him. He buried his nose against Viktor's neck, pressing his lips against his skin. Viktor shivered and clung to Jayce as he used his bigger hands to push the base of the wings down. They only gave a momentary buzz of protest before he flattened them back into that shiny, narrow line behind Viktor's body. 

Jayce's hands pulled back, one settling on his waist, while the other held Viktor's shoulder again. "Jayce..." Viktor's voice was little more than a breathless whisper as he tipped his head to the side, giving Jayce much more access to his neck and jaw. Jayce pressed his lips everywhere he could before pulling back. He looked Viktor over quietly, his hand moving up to brush some hair out of Viktor's face. Viktor's jaws were parted and he looked flustered. He finally raised a hand to his mouth. "...It is hard to remain myself." He finally admitted. "Especially when everything about me does not feel like me. I lay on my back just to feel the bolts in my spine. Put pressure on my leg just to feel it buckle. Just to know that there is something human left of me." Jayce's shoulders sank and Viktor glanced up. 

"You've been odd, Jayce. With you, I am the least balanced I have ever felt." He swallowed quietly. "You can make me feel more human or less with just a glance. The only consistency is that I know from a look... A look at you... and a look at me... that we have changed. That we have both been irreversibly changed and that our relationship has changed as well. It is the only consistency I cling to." He gave a weak smile. "Jayce, I am losing my grip. If I am battling between parasitism and commensalism... I fear I may be the weaker side." Jayce stared at him before moving forward. He reached out, sliding his hand along Viktor's jaw and cupping it under his ear. Viktor ever so slightly tipped his hand into it. 

Without his knowledge, Viktor had been reacting to him. Every look Jayce gave. Every word and every tone and every little microexpression. Viktor was reacting to it all. He had been watching him so closely, studying him so intensely. Jayce felt his heart sink. It wasn't like he could pretend. Jayce Talis had left that battle a damaged man in more ways than one. His thoughts and feelings were ever-conflicting. "Do you even want me here, Jayce?" 

Jayce nodded without hesitation, his eyes not leaving Viktor's. "Does my presence here not hurt you?" 

Jayce nodded again. It did, but he could overlook that, couldn't he? It meant Viktor was here. "If I gave in to that other side, would you stay?" Jayce paused at that, instantly meeting Viktor's eyes. There must've been something scary and intense in his gaze because Viktor scrunched up his shoulders a little. "I am not going to. Not willingly." He added softly. He looked Jayce over again. "...Would you kill me if it happened?" 

Jayce's gaze became haunted. The first time he ever saw Viktor dead, crushed under the rubble in the remains of the Council Hall. Head tipped back, eyes closed, mouth awkwardly parted, yet no breath leaving his lips. The second time, it had been by Jayce's hand. And he'd collapsed against the wall, the hole in his chest glittering and smoldering as pale, kaleidoscope eyes watched him with an unreadable expression. Head tipped to the side, eyes open, mouth parted as the last breath left his lips. The sound of a gear gently rolling across the floor. The third time, Jayce had watched as Viktor's astral body was ripped and torn apart by the Arcane, rending him into little flowing pieces bit by bit until Jayce couldn't feel what he was holding onto anymore and his eyes had been shut so tightly that his eyelids had ached. He'd never heard Viktor scream once.

Viktor had accepted death quickly and silently each time. Jayce didn't know if he could handle seeing him do it again. 

Viktor seemed to take note of his expression and it seemed to be enough of an answer. He pulled Jayce down, pressing their foreheads together again and listening to his shaky breathing. "...You will not have to." He spoke in a soft, reassuring whisper. "I promise you, Jayce, I will be sure you never have to do that." Not again. The words were unspoken, but they were there. Jayce nodded, tears falling from his closed eyes. Viktor's lips were felt pressing them away. Jayce didn't know if he could keep standing and Viktor pulled him forward.

They both sat down on the edge of the bed and Jayce curled against Viktor's body, his face buried into his shoulder. "I wish I had a heartbeat to offer. So you knew I was truly alive and with you." Viktor said weakly. "But all I have is my word... and this gentle humming. Is that enough?" His shoulders were sunken as he asked, but Jayce nodded against him anyway. It was enough. 

It had to be. 

Chapter 13

Due to the breakout, the meeting with Councilor Sevika of Zaun was to be held in Viktor's containment room. She seemed less than pleased with it when she came in. The windows were no longer blacked out and power had been restored to the facility again. The door hissed shut behind her. Viktor was dressed in nicer clothes, though he kept the crutch tucked tightly under his arm. He looked visibly anxious and Jayce stood next to him, hoping he could keep it together at least for this. "You must be Viktor." Sevika moved over to him, offering her mechanical hand. Viktor seemed slightly surprised as he stared at it before nodding and shaking it in response.

"Yes, Councilor." He said softly. Sevika scanned him over as she took a step back. She glanced at Jayce with a furrowed brow, taking note of the way one of Viktor's hands was hooked tightly into his sleeve. "I... apologize for the close contact I must share with... Councilor Talis." He sounded awkward as he called him that. "I am unsure how much you were told about me." Sevika raised a brow, her arms crossed under her slanted cloak. 

"I heard you in that operating room yesterday. And, today, I walked in to the cleaning staff wiping red up off the floor. So, they didn't tell me much about you, but Talis shared some theories and I can piece some things together. Talis suggested you might be some kind of..." Sevika gestured vaguely to the side. Jayce could see it click in Viktor's mind and he managed a weak sigh. 

"Bug." Viktor finished for her, Sevika nodded. Viktor glanced up at Jayce and pulled his hand back from his sleeve. "Jayce, would you help me a moment? I cannot move them myself." Jayce paused. 

"And you're sure they won't break if I move them? I, uh, don't know how firm or sensitive they are." Jayce had his hand outstretched, though he'd paused. Viktor hesitated as well and it was clear he didn't know either.

"...Does it matter? It isn't like I am able to use them regardless. Just lift one." Viktor finally said, glancing aside. Jayce reached out and gently cupped his hands under one of the wings. It made a crinkling noise as he moved it, Sevika's eyes going wide as Jayce pulled out the narrow, glassy wing from behind Viktor's back. He only held it there for a moment before he released it, watching as the wing agitatedly twitched and returned to Viktor's back. Viktor gave a weak sigh. "I fear that assumption may be correct. But-" He hesitated and his voice became strangled. "Jayce." 

"I'm here." Jayce assured him quietly, taking his hand and soothing the rippling he could already see around that thin line. Viktor relaxed a little.

"I believe I may be the mind of a man trapped within the body of something else." Viktor said quietly, glancing aside again. "The bug. Which operates on its own instincts and partially on mine as well. It cannot stand to be parted from J-" Viktor bit his lip in quiet frustration. "Councilor Talis. It will become violent. The aftermath you walked into was a consequence of that. B-But I am... I am still very much... Viktor. I am a child of Zaun, as you are. Just... irrevocable." His voice became hushed. Sevika had been watching him with an unreadable expression. 

"You're saying you'd be dangerous if you’re not with Talis?" She asked in a clarifying tone. Viktor clenched his jaw a little and Jayce felt bad. His shoulders sunk. Viktor couldn't even seem to answer her vocally, only giving a nod in response. "Councilor Talis is needed up in Piltover. You can't attend Council sessions with him. And he can't stay down in Zaun with you." Viktor paused and glanced up at her. Sevika sighed. "The deal was, that if you were able  to be kept in any way that didn't pose a threat to the citizens of Zaun, you'd be banished there." She looked them over. "But if you can't be separated from Talis, then we'd have to put a cork in that plan." 

"Can I not try?! Y-You can put me in the mines!" Viktor suddenly blurted out the words, startling both of them. His wings gave a weak buzz behind him. "Please, I cannot stand this place!! There is nothing but white walls and white floors and white ceilings. I... I cannot stand it." Viktor's voice became strangled. Jayce's heart felt like it was breaking, seeing that Viktor would rather be placed into a cave than spend any more time here. "Did you know that I have not seen the sun once since I found Jayce in the lab?? Since my supposed return?? I have not seen the sun." Tears were visible in Viktor's eyes. "Maybe if I am free from this place, I can learn better control!! I hate it here!!" Viktor spat the words and Jayce startled as spit ran down Viktor's chin. He was panting and he squeezed his eyes shut. 

Click, click, click. 

Click, click, click. 

The noise erupted from inside Viktor's open mouth and he visibly swallowed, shaking his head. He raised an arm and wiped his mouth. "Please, Councilor. I do not care where I am taken. I do not care what they do to me. I just want to stop being shoved into rooms. I want to stop being sedated. I want to stop hurting people." Viktor inhaled shakily. Sevika stared at him before she gave a heavy sigh. 

"Talis." She spoke quietly and Jayce glanced up. "Leave the room." 

The instruction startled both of them and Jayce stared at her. "Sevika, you're going to get hurt." He spoke quickly. Sevika shook her head. 

"If he wants to leave this place, he has to prove he can be safe without you." She stated firmly. Jayce glanced over at Viktor, who was already clutching his shirt. 

"...I-I am going to ruin these clothes." He muttered. "Can I at least change?" He asked her desperately and Sevika nodded. 

"I'll leave. When I come back, I'm going to be switching out with Talis. He'll be outside. Got it? This is your only chance to get out of here." Sevika seemed extremely serious about that. "...Neither of you would want to know what other 'ideas' were being tossed out by the rest of the Council." She turned away and the door hissed open, the doctors seen waiting for her. They paused and Jayce nodded. The windows blacked out and the door shut again. 

"Jayce. Jayce, I am going to hurt her. I can't. I can't, Jayce, what if I kill her??" Viktor instantly started to speak in panic, his crutch dropping to the ground as Jayce quickly took his shaking hands. He shook his head and moved forward, pressing his lips to Viktor's and effectively silencing him. Viktor inhaled shakily against him before his hands pushed forward to find Jayce's chest. He clung to him and pushed back into the kiss desperately. Jayce finally pulled back, panting. He gently bumped their foreheads together and stared at Viktor. Viktor could only seem to stare back weakly, his face slightly flushed. 

"Viktor. If you can do this, you'll be free. You'll be in fissures and you'll be free." Jayce told him softly. "I'll come to see you every damn chance I get, okay? You just have to control yourself enough to get out of here. Can you do that??" Jayce whispered to him. Viktor's terrified amber eyes stared back at him. They were filled with uncertainty and Jayce's eyes softened in response. "Vik..." He leaned in and he could see the way that the skin twitched when he hovered their lips close. "Can you do this? Please?" Viktor was almost leaning for his lips already, his face an even darker shade of pink. "If you can control yourself now, if you can prove yourself safe without me, I'll spend all night with you. I'll have the windows blacked out, we can have the lights off... lantern on... Just us." Jayce whispered to him, his hand pushing Viktor's back forward and pressing their hips together. He saw Viktor visibly shiver. 

He knew there was nothing more that Viktor's other side would want right then. He just hoped it could understand him. Jayce could feel Viktor trembling against him. "We can be together all night... Tangled together..." He leaned down and rested his cheek against Viktor's head before whispering. "Inside." The violent shudder that went through the smaller man's body made Jayce's face hot. "Can you do that? Be away from me for however long she needs?" 

Click.

"Come on." Jayce encouraged softly. "Can you do that?" 

Click, click, click. 

Jayce pulled back from Viktor and brushed his hands through his hair. "Still with me?" Viktor's eyes had started to unfocus, but he quickly shook his head, nodding and looking up at Jayce with red cheeks. "Okay... good." Jayce gently bumped their foreheads together again. "Let's get you changed." 

Chapter 14

The blackout filter on the windows disappeared. The door opened. Jayce gave Viktor's hand a squeeze. They'd changed him into much looser and baggier clothes. "-ust don't show signs of aggression." One of the doctors was heard warning Sevika as she moved back into the room. She nodded before her eyes fixed on Jayce. He sighed and glanced at Viktor. He gave a smile before letting go of his hand and moving away. He could already see how unhappy Viktor was becoming, the further he moved away. He finally turned and disappeared out the door, it sliding shut behind him. He moved to the other side of the wall, Viktor staring out at him in dismay. The doctors hit a switch and the one-way filter came up, seeming to visibly startle Viktor. It would just look like a blank wall on the other side, but Jayce could still see into the room. 

It was quiet for a few moments. "C-Councilor Sevika, could I please sit down?" Viktor finally asked after a moment. He was already hunched against his crutch, clinging to it like it was his lifeline. Sevika nodded, gesturing to the bed. Viktor limped over to it and Jayce could see Sevika studying the wings jutting from his back. Viktor managed to sit, leaning his head against his crutch and trying to control his breathing. "D-Did they warn you of how I look?" He asked in a strained voice. Sevika kept her arms crossed as she shook her head. Viktor squeezed his eyes shut. "A-Ah. I apologize in advance." 

"He hasn't even been gone two minutes-" Sevika jerked back, her exasperated tone being abruptly cut off as Viktor's crutch clattered to the floor. The first spatter of blood erupted across the tiles as his face started to split open. Jayce flinched away from the wall, turning and squeezing his eyes shut. He could hear the bones shifting and he could hear the skin splitting. There was no fabric tearing this time and he could at least find relief in the fact that they'd found proper fitting clothes for him. One of the doctors asked if he was alright and Jayce nodded after a moment, though he knew he may not be speaking again until far later in the day. "What the fuck." Sevika sounded shocked as Jayce turned his head back. 

Click, click, click. 

Viktor's twisted form dug its pincers into the floor, leaving behind scratches. Blood was spilling everywhere as the split sides of his face twitched. The wings were up and buzzing agitatedly. The creature took a few steps towards Sevika before seeming to lose interest. It started over towards the door and everyone but Jayce flinched backwards as it started to claw and beat at it. "Hey! Quit it!" Sevika barked out, making Viktor turn towards her. The creature hissed at her, blood spraying all over the floor. 

Click, click, click! 

Click, click, click!!

Jayce's eyes were wide and his heart was pounding. "Fuck, you're ugly." Sevika muttered, watching as the creature took small, staggering steps towards her. It hesitated and turned to face the wall they were standing behind. It tipped its head before moving over. The doctors and Enforcers jerked back as Viktor tried to stab its pincers into the wall. Jayce remained where he was. When the puncture didn't work, Viktor was left furiously tapping at the glass. Finally, the first chitter erupted from it. Saddened. Confused. Jayce had a good feeling that Viktor knew he was here. He knew he was here and was wondering why he couldn't see him. Why he couldn't reach him. Viktor paced in front of the glass quietly. "Hey." Sevika's voice made the creature turn. "Talis will be back, alright? He's away right now." 

Viktor suddenly rushed her and Sevika held up her arms. Viktor did a small circle around her before throwing himself to the ceiling. It scrabbled to the corner of the room before pulling all its limbs in. A crystallized, purple sheen started to spread around it, rooting the creature to the ceiling. It chittered unhappily. Jayce could hear the doctors murmuring about how he hadn't attacked her. It was clear Viktor didn't like Sevika, but he wasn't attacking. 

Sevika stared up at him before sighing. "You really can't stand being away from him??" She called up to the creature. It made no move to answer her, the only sound being the rivulets of blood hitting the floor beneath it. The doctors seemed surprised that Viktor was behaving, but it really only flustered Jayce to see it. The creature had heard him and it had understood him. Sevika watched the creature with a seemingly curious expression before clearing her throat. She began to whistle. 

It was a brisk and surprisingly chipper tune to come from someone as serious-looking as her. What was more surprising, however, was Viktor's near-instantaneous reaction to it. It ripped itself down from the ceiling and cracked in the tile as it landed in front of Sevika, tipping its split head to the side and seeming to listen as she continued to whistle. Sevika finally stopped and seemed to wait. Jayce felt goosebumps erupt over his skin as a warbling noise escaped Viktor before slow whistling started. His whistle sounded less like breath and more like wind. But it was clear that he recognized the tune and he knew it. "Huh." A smile pulled at Sevika's lips. "You are a child of Zaun, aren't you?" 

Viktor's pincers were dug onto the ground on either side of her and she glanced at the Hexcorized bone before reaching out. She tapped her fingers along it with a furrowed brow. Viktor jumped and the creature suddenly inched away, twitching all over. Sevika scoffed before starting to speak to it. Jayce recognized that it was Zaun dialect, but he just didn't understand any of the words. The creature seemed to understand, chittering in response. It suddenly gave a full-body shiver, curling in on itself. It spasmed and everyone startled as Viktor went crawling over to the bed, halfway climbing up onto it before curling around the lantern that had been left on the nightstand. 

Click! Click! Click! 

The creature crawled around the lantern, bumping its pincers against it. It continued to click loudly and desperately. "Okay, okay!" Sevika stated loudly, moving over. She made a shooing motion.

Click!

"Don't take that tone with me." Sevika stated, pointing a metal finger at it. The creature let out a softer, indignant click and Sevika gave it a flat look. He moved slightly back as she reached out, twisting the top of the lantern. The lantern lit up and Viktor instantly began to make a chittering noise that was vaguely similar to someone cooing over something they found cute. Sevika took a step back and watched as Viktor sat right next to the lantern, keeping it close. "You really like this thing, huh?" 

Click, click, click.

Viktor's pincers pulled the lantern closer to himself as he tipped his split head. All of a sudden, his head started to seal and the bones started to crack as they retreated. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut again, taking in a deep breath. This was good. This was incredible. Viktor hadn't transformed back to himself without Jayce in a while. Especially not in front of a stranger. Viktor was left, blood-soaked and sitting on the nightstand with the lantern in his lap. He squeezed his eyes shut once they were functional again, breathing heavily. He let out a weak swear and gripped his leg. The brace had left bruising. They'd taken it off before the experiment, but the constant stretching of the bruised skin likely wasn't doing Viktor any favors. 

"Welcome back." Sevika stated dryly, though Jayce swore he could see some mirage of relief in her eyes. Viktor seemed both breathless and speechless as he nodded. Sevika gestured to the lantern. "What's the deal with that?" Viktor paused and glanced down at the lantern. With shaky hands, he twisted the top to switch the lantern to red. It hid the blood on his hands ever so slightly and he relaxed a little. "White, gold, and red? Tricolor lantern?"

"The House Talis colors." Viktor replied weakly, glancing up at her. Sevika paused before rolling her eyes.

"You two must be fucking joined at the hip." She muttered, turning away.

"Oh, please do not give it any ideas." Viktor mumbled in response. Sevika snorted.

"If that lantern keeps it calm, then you should be free to go. You'll be banished to Zaun. You'll be placed in an area of the Council's choosing and you'll be sealed off. Am I understood?" She said, turning back to him. Viktor seemed uncertain and Sevika's eyes softened just for a moment. "You'll see the sun. I can promise that." Viktor relaxed before nodding. He finally gave a weak smile. 

"Thank you, Councilor Sevika." Viktor's voice shook with gratitude and, even though Sevika seemed to deflect it with a scoff, Jayce could see that she was relieved too. Viktor held the lantern to himself. He startled as one of the doctors flipped the switch, making the wall transparent again. Viktor's eyes instantly started to search it over anxiously, but he calmed as Jayce stepped forward to be right in front of the glass. "Jayce." Viktor's voice trembled. "Jayce, I will be free." Jayce nodded, his eyes soft on him. 

He startled as Sevika approached him on the other side of the glass. "Tomorrow morning, 8 AM, sharp. You'll be in the van that brings him down to Zaun. Understood, Talis?" Sevika stated firmly. Jayce nodded, his hands shaking behind him as he stood up straight. He understood.  

Chapter 15

Jayce wasn't quite sure why he was so nervous, but he was. He most definitely was. He had stayed out of the room long after Sevika had left and Viktor had remained calm, even managing to wash up by himself. Though he brought the lantern with him everywhere. Jayce stared through the glass, seeing Viktor reading one of the few things he was allowed, which was a thick manual on how the water purification system had worked. He didn't seem very pleased with it. Jayce had already informed the doctors that he would be blacking out the windows and staying the night. He hadn't needed to explain anything further, though he certainly got disturbed looks from them. 

Jayce reached out, flipping the switch that would activate the blackout filter. The room disappeared. He moved over to the door and opened it up. Viktor was already staring up at him. His eyes were wide and he hesitantly shut the book. "...Jayce." Viktor said softly. Jayce gave a smile as he moved inside, the door hissing shut. 

"Hey, Vik. Can I come over?" Jayce gestured to the bed and Viktor nodded, moving his legs. He hadn't put the brace back on and Jayce furrowed his brow. He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out. "You didn't put the brace back on? Viktor, your leg is still-" 

"I thought it would be too much of a hassle to remove... later." Viktor admitted, his cheeks going red. Jayce paused and his own face went hot. "You... You made a... a statement earlier. It has been..." Viktor hesitated before turning and showing off the wings, which were twitching madly on his back. "It has been excited. It is excited now." He placed a hand on his chest. "It's a bit embarrassing." 

"Viktor, you... you do want this, right? Not just that side of you? Dare I say your opinion is a little more important to me." Jayce joked softly. Viktor managed a weak smile.

"You... say this as if I have not mounted you twice by now." Viktor said, his joking tone faltering into shame as he glanced aside. Jayce hesitated. He turned to him and offered his hands. Viktor reached out almost instantly to take them and he inhaled shakily as Jayce pulled him over so their sides were touching. 

"We're both aware this time. Not drunk. Not half out of our mind." Jayce said quietly, leaning in. His lips paused so close to Viktor's and it seemed to draw a pained noise from the smaller man. "But you do want this?" 

"Jayce, I have wanted you to myself since I met you on that ledge." Viktor admitted in the softest tone Jayce had ever heard. Jayce felt his face flush. He also felt so terribly and utterly guilty. 

"...How long have I been stringing you along, Viktor?" He asked, his voice becoming a little strangled. "I'm sorry..." Viktor shook his head, closing the distance himself. Their lips met and something in Jayce shattered like a glass. He pulled Viktor in, his tongue pushing in and tasting everything he could. It was metallic and even slightly cold, but some parts of it were so unmistakably Viktor and Jayce needed it. He needed him. Jayce practically pushed Viktor over, crowding the smaller man down against the bed. There was an excited buzzing and Viktor was breathing so quickly, his eyes blown wide. He did look a little confused by something, but the look quickly disappeared. "Can you try to stay with me as long as you can? Please? I want to make you feel good first." Jayce had his hands on either side of his head, leaning down and gently biting Viktor's shoulder before kissing it. "I don't want you to share the sensations." Jayce glanced up at Viktor, who seemed to tremble at his piercing gaze. Jayce slid himself up Viktor's body and inhaled softly as he pushed their hips together. "I want you to feel all of it." He whispered inches from his lips. 

"...You are unfair, Jayce Talis." Viktor whispered, his eyes wide and his face flushed. Jayce gave a small chuckle. He reached out, unbuttoning Viktor's shirt and pushing it off his shoulders. He gave them a squeeze. "Mmh..." Viktor leaned forward again, kissing him. "Oh!" He gasped against his lips as Jayce nudged his thigh between his legs, rubbing in slow circles. Viktor arched his back, trying to push his hips down into it with a violent shudder. "J-Jayce!" Viktor's fingers curled into the bedsheets and his eyes were starting to become unfocused. 

"Ah, ah. Viktor first." Jayce scolded gently, stopping his leg. The whine that left Viktor's throat almost sounded like it had an echo to it. Viktor gave his head a small shake and the light fully returned to his eyes again as he panted. Jayce's lips settled against his neck and his hand slipped down, disappearing into Viktor's waistband. "Viktor..." Viktor let out a gasp as Jayce's fingers wrapped around his stiff length. He squeezed his eyes shut, clearly trying to control his breathing. Jayce slipped his pants off of him, making sure to show extra care to his leg. He started to stroke him with his scarred hand and the roughness seemed to make Viktor whine. 

"J-Jayce... hah..." Viktor arched his hips up into his hand. Jayce gently pinned them down with his other hand. "Jayce... Jayce, I want to move. Please." Viktor begged breathlessly, his hips felt squirming under his palm. Jayce's eyes softened on him. He lightened his hand and Viktor's hips began to thrust up into his hand, a guttural noise being pulled from his throat. Jayce soon released his hips and wet his fingers. He reached down and circled Viktor's hole before pushing one inside. "AH!!" Viktor gripped onto the bedsheets with a shiver. Jayce reached out, pushing his shirt up and exposing Viktor's pale body. Viktor had teary eyes and he seemed to notice him staring. His face somehow flushed even darker. "J-Jayce... hah... stop staring so hard..." 

"I can't help it." Jayce whispered, adding a second finger. His own hips ached as his hard length twitched against the confines of his pants. He was breathing a little heavily too, his face hot and his jaws parted. "Look at you... Fuck..." He felt so left behind. He felt blind and he felt guilty. He hadn't noticed him? His feelings towards Viktor had always been positive, but messy enough that they'd confused Jayce. In the end, he'd pushed them to the back of his mind. He wished he hadn't. Gods, he wished he hadn't. Tears pricked in his eyes and he gave a shaky exhale as he sank both fingers inside to the knuckle, making Viktor throw his head back. 

"Jayce... J-Jayce, give me more. G-Give me more." Viktor sounded near delirious as he begged and, even though it certainly affected Jayce in a way he couldn't describe in any decent terms, he moved forward and cupped Viktor's cheek. 

"Control it. Control it and I'll give you more." Jayce whispered, his gold eyes scanning over Viktor's unfocused, hazy amber. Viktor was breathing heavily, but the light came back into his eyes and he squeezed them shut. "G-Good... Good." Jayce whispered, his voice catching in his throat as his length gave a heavy throb. He pushed in a third finger, a shaky groan of pleasure leaving Viktor as Jayce started to thrust them. The noises Viktor's body made were impossibly wet. "Y-Your fingers are r-rather large... Mmh... I-I was not focused enough to... hah... to notice..." Viktor kept tripping over his words, squeezing his eyes shut as his good leg unconsciously moved, opening himself up a little wider. "Jayce..." That whine shot heat straight through Jayce's core and he bit back a groan. 

"Viktor... fuck, I need you." Jayce couldn't help how his voice almost dipped into a growl. He felt like he could barely control anything. He pulled his fingers out and he yanked his pants down, a needy groan escaping him as his length was freed. "I need you..." Viktor seemed silently delighted to hear that. Like it was everything he wanted to hear. Jayce inhaled shakily as he pushed himself between Viktor's legs. "Oh, fuck." It spilled from his lips before he could stop it, his length slotting itself deep into a warm and wet cushion. Viktor's eyes were wide and he squeezed them shut, his jaws parted wide. 

"J-Jayce... up here... please." Viktor pleaded, Jayce's eyes going wide. He moved up over Viktor and Viktor leaned up shakily, his lips hovering near Jayce's. He seemed frustrated when he couldn't quite reach him. Jayce's eyes warmed and he gently placed a hand on Viktor's chest, having him lay back down. He leaned down and the kiss was tender at first before Viktor wrapped his arms up around Jayce's neck and deepened it. Jayce began to slowly thrust his hips and Viktor gasped against his lips. Jayce used the opportunity to push his tongue into his mouth again. Viktor was keeping up with him, but Jayce paused as he felt him slow. He pulled back, a shiny line connecting them before breaking. 

"Viktor? Are you okay? Should we stop?" Jayce asked worriedly, reaching up and cupping his cheek. Viktor pulled his arms back down. One hand slid up Jayce's arm and wrapped around his wrist. He nuzzled against his palm, his breath felt against Jayce's thumb. Despite the affectionate actions, there was something distant in Viktor's eyes that Jayce wasn't sure he liked. Like he'd just realized something, but not exactly something good.

"Jayce..." Viktor breathed out his name softly. "I admit that I felt different the moment I found you again. Breathing was easier. Sounds were clearer. My vision felt perfect. Everything felt so heightened. Touch, sound, taste." He lingered on the word. "I taste it. I taste everything from so far back. From so long ago." His voice was breathless and he was staring off into the distance. "Mmh..." His eyes suddenly flicked to Jayce with an unreadable expression. "Jayce." His voice was stiff and cold, making his eyes widen. "Where did you go after the opera?" 

Chapter 16

Jayce froze up, his eyes wide. "Vik-" 

"Where did you go, Jayce??"

The question was so sudden and cold that Jayce wasn't sure what to do. He hesitated and started to pull out, assuming they would have to properly talk about this. However, Viktor's legs locked around him and he forced Jayce back inside, making both of them gasp. Viktor's eyes were slightly unfocused as he spoke, seeming to stare straight through him. "I can taste her on your tongue. I can taste her. So, so distant, but undoubtedly and unmistakably her. It was always her you wanted, wasn't it??" Before Jayce could answer, Viktor's hand was suddenly around his throat and he choked. With a shocking amount of strength that Viktor shouldn't have had, he surged forward, slamming Jayce down into the bed so he was on top of him. 

The new position caused Jayce to sink deeper inside of him as Viktor's unfocused eyes somehow fixed on him. His nails dug into his throat and Jayce gasped as Viktor started to slowly grind himself up and down on his length. "Oh, fuck! V-Viktor, w-wait, we should... hah! We should talk about-" 

"About what??" Viktor sounded delirious as he tipped his head back. His hips were merciless and Jayce was worried he was straining his leg. "How you left me?? How you left me to go on a late night rendezvous when I was dying?? When I thought you were my partner? When I thought you would always come back to me?" Viktor inhaled shakily. "Hah... ah... When you were made to be inside me like this...? I feel you so deeply." He was breathing shakily and Jayce started to wheeze. "I thought you would come back to me..." Viktor pulled his hand back, yanking his nails from Jayce's skin. 

"I-I did!! I did... hah... I left her bed in the middle o-of the night when I heard y-you'd collapsed and you were in the hospital. I came to you immediately." Jayce protested in a fatigued, scratchy voice. Viktor tipped his head. There were tears running down his face, but his fevered expression didn't quite match them. He squeezed around Jayce and he swore. "F-Fuck, Viktor!!" 

"She will not compare to me. I want every piece of you. She will not devour you like I will. I want your flesh and I want your blood." Viktor sounded delirious again, though his bounces started to speed up, making Jayce's length throb. Jayce swore and reached out, but Viktor instantly twitched his head down to face him. "Do not fucking touch me, Jayce." He spat. Jayce jerked back, inhaling shakily as Viktor started to slow, agonizingly so. He was using Jayce like a toy, his hands digging into the fabric covering his stomach. "So many days and nights I dreamed of you touching me. I cannot stand it. I cannot stand you. Running off to her. Always listening to her like some kind of puppy. I felt so strong when I could have you disagree with her. I was so proud when you'd do it yourself." Viktor leaned down, his breathing heavy. 

Click.

Click.

Click.

The sound came from deep in his throat and Jayce shivered. Viktor's eyes looked fake now, but his face had yet to split. He looked like he was nothing more than a wax statue, yet the way he squeezed so tightly around him was undoubtedly alive. "You said such nice things to me. Such beautiful, such encouraging things, but it never mattered. To you, those were normal... Mmh... To me, I was so overwhelmed. I-I thought your touches to be exclusive. B-But I realized you were just l-like that and I was not special. I was never special." Viktor ground himself down and Jayce couldn't handle it anymore, releasing inside of Viktor with a rush of pleasure and shame. It produced something so intense inside of him that he would never have the words to describe. Jayce could only let out a shuddering gasp and that intense feeling quickly became too much as Viktor continued to fuck himself on Jayce. 

"F-Fuck! Fuck, Viktor!! F-Fuck, it's t-too much!! It's too m-much!!" Jayce felt the tears spill over and Viktor exhaled shakily as he stared down at him.

"It is not enough, Jayce." He whispered, a vague chittering accompanying the word. Jayce reached out to stop him and Viktor let out a fearsome hiss at him. Jayce felt like he was going to pass out and he felt Viktor slam himself down before something wet spattered his chin. Jayce released again, though it was far too soon after the first and his vision went completely dark, his head dropping back limply against the bed.

---

Jayce wasn't sure how long he was out, but when he woke again, Viktor was gone from on top of him. The lantern was off and it was tipped over, but thankfully not broken. Jayce furrowed his brow and pushed himself up. 

Click, click, click. 

Click, click, click. 

The noise was muffled, coming from behind the bathroom door. Jayce shakily pulled his pants back up, buttoning them before slipping out of the bed. He felt dizzy as he stood, nearly falling over. He had to catch himself and he staggered again. His mouth was dry and he swallowed heavily. His eyes flicked up to the door. "V-Vik??" His voice was hoarse and he winced at how bad it sounded. He made his way over slowly. He reached out and knocked on the door. "Viktor??"

"Fuck you!!" Viktor spat from inside, his voice scratchy and delirious. "The golden boy. Always the golden boy." There was a sickening crunching noise. "I should eat you alive. I should eat you alive. I should eat you alive." It sounded like he was speaking with his mouth full and Jayce felt a chill down his spine. He instantly threw open the door and there was loud crashing as Viktor threw himself backwards. One of his arms looked chewed up and he'd taken a chunk of it, blood running down his chin. "Th-This could've been you. I could have done this to you." He whispered, his forehead split open and his eyes empty. His head wasn't fully split, allowing him to speak. "I protected you. I protected you." There was a hissing noise just below his voice. 

Click, click, click. 

Click, click, click!

Viktor was seen swallowing and he let out a shuddering breath. Jayce stared at him in dismay. He hesitated before moving over and opening the cabinet. He pulled out a medical kit, holding it in shaking hands before turning to look at Viktor. "Do not bother, Jayce." Viktor hissed out. He had crammed himself as much as he could in the corner, his wings up and buzzing threateningly. Jayce took a step towards him. "I'll fucking bite you!! Get away from me!!" Viktor snapped, blood spitting from his lips. Jayce came closer before settling down in front of him. "No! No, no, no. Stop. Get away. Get away." Viktor drew in ragged breaths and Jayce hesitated before reaching out. Viktor flinched before reading forward and sinking his teeth deep into three of Jayce's fingers, making him wince and keep his eyes squeezed shut. 

He could feel his teeth touching bone and his heavy breathing. Jayce waited before opening his tearful eyes. Viktor was panting. He looked frozen and Jayce paused as he felt a tongue draw over the wounds. Viktor pulled back, a shaky chitter leaving his throat as he started to lap at the injuries. Jayce could feel the blood running down his hand. Viktor had tears running down his face from his false-looking eyes. A strangled hiccup left him, devolving into clicking. 

Click, click. 

Click, click. 

Jayce watched with sunken shoulders as Viktor's head finally sealed up, his eyes gaining light. He began to cry, holding Jayce's injured hand in both of his own. He looked ashamed and miserable. He dragged his arm against his chest, hugging it tightly. He was staining Jayce's shirt with his own blood, coming from his completely mauled arm. "I'm sorry, J-Jayce. I'm sorry. I-I'm so sorry." Viktor whispered, his voice strangled. "It acts on m-my feelings. My feelings." He sounded like he was going to be sick. "I n-never thought myself to be so bitter. So jealous. I-I thought I had resigned myself. I-I gave up to h-her the moment she caught us breaking into the lab. The moment you stared a-after her in awe, I gave up." Viktor inhaled shakily. "How could I compare??" 

Jayce wanted to comfort him, but his voice only stuck in his throat. He couldn't. He couldn't speak. He squeezed his eyes shut, the tears running down his face. He'd made Viktor feel this way the whole time? Seven years worth of these pent up emotions. What kind of partner was he?? Jayce swallowed and opened his eyes again. He pulled his hand back and shakily opened up the first aid kit. He reached out and laid Viktor's mauled arm out, starting to clean it with medical wipes. He just hadn't known. He hadn't known any better. He'd thought these feelings to be normal and when they weren't, he'd pushed them to the back of his mind to decipher later, except that later had never come. Not until it was far too late. Not until Jayce had already lost him. 

Viktor seemed beyond upset as he watched Jayce put aside bloody wipe after bloody wipe. Once he was sure it was clean, Jayce started to apply the sealing balm. Viktor choked back a sob. "I-I am not worth this, Jayce. Y-You are going to get hurt. M-More than I-I've already hurt you." Viktor whispered shakily. Jayce glanced up at him before shaking his head. This Viktor would never know how Jayce had left a smoldering hole in his previous self's chest with a corrupted version of the hammer that he'd encouraged and helped him to build. That he'd shot him not even once, but twice. That he'd forced Viktor from his emotions. Towards the path of perfection. He wondered if this Viktor knew that Jayce deserved every bit of hurt that he brought to him. 

Jayce finished bandaging up his arm and brought Viktor's hand to his lips. He pressed it to them quietly, his body trembling. Tears escaped down his face again as he finally pressed his forehead to it. Viktor stared at him and his shoulders sunk. "...I fear you have done terrible things. I fear you think I am just karma for your actions. I don't want to be." Viktor's voice became strangled. "I don't want to be, Jayce." Jayce leaned in and there was a quick snap of teeth and a pinch of pain. Something started to run down his chin, but he didn't care. He pressed his lips to Viktor's anyway. 

Viktor melted into it, despite Jayce's blood between them. "J-Jayce..." He hiccuped and reached out, Jayce instantly accepting his hug and pulling him into his arms. Both of their clothes were stained beyond belief. Viktor hiccuped. "You will not leave me?" Before Jayce could answer with a nod, Viktor spoke again, his voice chittering and his grip tightening. "You will not leave me."

Jayce felt a chill again, but he dismissed it, leaning down and pressing his lips to Viktor's forehead, right along the line. It made Viktor whimper. "Do not leave me." It was desperate and pleading. "Jayce..." He dragged Jayce against him, pushing his own face into Jayce's shoulder. He was dragging his body so closely, it was like he wanted to melt into him. "My Jayce..." He whispered it painfully. "My Jayce..." 

Chapter 17

The gate that had been freshly constructed around the area slammed shut and locked behind Jayce and his calm look dropped. 

He felt fucking sick.

He felt sick and he felt so upset that his body suddenly felt like it was ripping itself to shreds inside. This was a joke. This was such a bad joke that he wanted to personally throttle almost every member of the Council. Viktor was already moving ahead of him. A massive dome had been constructed, resembling the fence. "This... This is the commune?" Viktor asked, his wings giving small buzzes as he turned to look back at Jayce. Seeing Viktor as he was, crutch and brace, instead of the ethereal mage he'd encountered here was jarring. It was the only sight keeping him from collapsing right then and there. 

Jayce managed to nod, his hands shaking so badly, he was sure it had spread up to his shoulders. This was what had been decided. Viktor would reside deep in Zaun, in the shell of the community he'd created. This place was empty. Void. And Viktor would be all by himself when Jayce would finally have to leave. He could see the Sanctum ahead. That vague resemblance of the Hexgates. And it was still blasted open out of the back... just as Jayce had left it. Jayce would never be able to step foot in that place. He couldn't do it. He would wither away. He wouldn't be able to speak for weeks. He couldn't even speak now. 

Viktor paused and started to limp back over to him. He reached up and hesitated, before pressing his fingers to his cheek. "They implied you were here before. It must not have been on good terms." He said quietly. His wings continued to flick. The sun was so vague above them, but it was there, shining through the fissures. The cavern was massive. Jayce hadn't been able to take a good look, but he could see the shimmering, opalescent look of the shelters around. And in the distance, he could see fields of yellow flowers. Thriving and beautiful. They'd even had an irrigation system. 

Jayce had killed all of them. 

He staggered and dropped to his knees, a heavy warping noise echoing around his head and it was so loud. It was so fucking loud. He could see Viktor circling him, his movements anxious and small. He knew Viktor would have no idea why this hurt so much. But it hurt. How could he explain to Viktor that he'd shot him straight through the chest?? How?? How, how, how?? How could he tell him that, by doing that, he'd killed everyone in his commune?? He'd destroyed a perfect symbiosis. A community of mutualism. Tears were running down his face and Jayce leaned over into a ball, his hands buried in his hair as he inhaled shakily. Would everything have been okay if he hadn't?? Would he have just lived with Viktor, finally partners again in a thriving community? 

What if the mage had been wrong?? What if none of that had needed to happen?

Jayce became sick, watching Viktor jerk back in shock as he stared at him with wide eyes. His hands were tight on his crutch. "J-Jayce, this place is not good for you. I do not know what happened, but you shouldn't be in here if it affects you like this..." Viktor sounded dismayed and shaken. Jayce, unfortunately, figured this was the worst Viktor had seen him. He hated this place, but he couldn't just abandon Viktor here. This was where the Council had decided. It was this or execution. Where they would display him. Where they would blame him for crimes that had been committed by the him of an entirely different composition. An entirely different man. A different creature.

Jayce's vision came back into focus as he leaned back up. Viktor had settled next to him, right there on the ground. He had a bag slung across his body, filled with a very small amount of clothes and toiletries. This empty commune was where Viktor would likely spend the rest of his days, looking up at the sun and moon and stars through a cage. "Jayce? Perhaps we could look around a little? I imagine you did not have time to see everything... based on how you look at it." Viktor's voice was quiet. Nothing more than a quiet suggestion, though it was clear that was what he wanted to do. Jayce hesitated before nodding. 

He got to his feet first and helped Viktor up next. Viktor was already looking around curiously. When he saw the Sanctum, Jayce saw his wings suddenly tighten against his back. He reached out and tapped him, his brow furrowed. Viktor glanced back at him before his gaze flicked back to Jayce uneasily. "That place... It does not feel right. Something feels wrong with it. It lets off... a charge." Viktor said softly. 

"I feel... a charge."

Jayce felt himself go pale and he squeezed his eyes shut. Viktor froze up, biting his lip. "Ah, perhaps that... wording was not ideal. I apologize." His wings kept buzzing softly and he kept his jaws parted, his brow furrowing as his eyes seemed to become fake again. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor seemed to refocus and pointed with a new curiosity. "That one." He was interested in a smaller webbed dome, though it seemed to have a thin, glass-like layer inside each hole. Jayce could see so much green inside. He stared at it before nodding and reaching out, shakily placing his hand on Viktor's lower back and guiding him forward. He reached the door, which was made of warped wood, and opened it up. It was as he thought inside. It was a greenhouse. There was a platform in the center with an area to sit. Yet, in the middle of it... Jayce stopped dead in his tracks as Viktor limped towards the massive, towering plant in amazement. "Jayce! This is the plant from the lab! Look at it! Look how big it's grown!" 

Jayce could only manage a silent nod in response, his vision becoming blurry with tears. He'd never known it was here. Would Viktor have shown him this?? Viktor paused and turned back to him, his wings folding tightly again. "You are... You are unable to speak right now?" He asked hesitantly. Jayce gave a weak shrug in response. He couldn't. His voice was jammed so tightly in his throat. He felt like he was going to break down screaming. Viktor turned and limped back over to him. He glanced back at his flicking wings and seemed to fluster. "That other part of me really likes this place..." Viktor hesitated. "It really likes that it is in this place with you... and so do I." Jayce's eyes widened a little. 

He hadn't expected Viktor to want him here. He hadn't expected to see this plant, alive and well. He hadn't expected to see this greenhouse full of life. Everything felt like it was just too much. Viktor reached out and Jayce jumped as he snapped his fingers to get his attention. "We should sit. I don't know if it would be wise for you to keep standing." Viktor said softly. Jayce turned and followed him. They sat on the stone edge, the leaves of the plant sheltering them. Jayce's hands were tightly gripping the edge of the platform beneath him. He was gripping it so hard, his knuckles were white and his fingers were trembling. Viktor sat next to him, his eyes still wide and fascinated as he looked around. 

His gaze landed on Jayce and it weakened. "Will you ever tell me what happened here, Jayce?" He asked softly. Jayce instantly squeezed his eyes shut, moving his hands to his legs and curling his fingers into his pants. Viktor watched him quietly. Finally, he turned his head away, his shoulders sinking as he held his crutch in front of him. "Something bad happened here. I'm sorry, Jayce." 

Jayce paused and glanced over at him. It wasn't this Viktor's fault. It had never been. Fresh eyes after a tragedy. A fascinating new creation. Jayce reached out, turning Viktor's face towards him. He looked him over, his fingers starting to gently ghost over his features. Viktor seemed more than a little confused, but he closed his eyes and he let Jayce map his face out with one hand. His wings kept giving small, excited buzzes. Finally, Jayce teared up again before leaning forward. Viktor gasped against his lips in surprise before leaning forward into the kiss. When they finally drew away from each other, Jayce grabbed Viktor and he pulled him close. He buried his face against his shoulder. 

All around them, the flowers and leaves had that marbled, Hexcorized pattern. Life in the deepest caverns of Zaun. All by Viktor's hand. Fuck. What had he done?? Jayce inhaled shakily and buried his face in his hand as he pulled back from Viktor. Viktor kept his hand gently tangled in his sleeve. He seemed dismayed by Jayce's fractured state, but also frustrated that he couldn't seem to do anything about it. This was beyond his time. It hadn't involved him. It hadn't even involved his other side. Both Viktor and the bug inside him had never seen this place. Jayce could only stare at him with sunken shoulders. Viktor reached out and cupped Jayce's jaw, running his fingers through his beard. 

"...I cannot believe you did not grow this out sooner. This and your hair... You were holding out on me." Viktor tried to joke gently, his other hand sliding along Jayce's scalp as he combed back his hair. Jayce did manage a weak smile at that, but he didn't say anything. That only seemed to discourage Viktor. "You always had something to say before, even when you didn't have to. I never thought I would see the day Jayce Talis went silent." Viktor sounded ever so slightly distraught. "Is there anything I can do? Or do I just wait?" Jayce stared at him quietly before glancing away. Viktor seemed saddened by that, but he nodded. "I understand. Jayce, I wish I knew what's affected you so deeply in my... absence." Viktor's hands retreated and folded in his lap. "We're partners. Despite everything, we are still partners." 

A silence fell between them and Jayce's shoulders sank as Viktor's eyes squeezed shut and he spoke again. "...I miss your voice, Jayce. This one you have now is nice, but I only imagine it was born from strain. It is so much deeper. So much more guttural. Less overconfident, more reserved. You once told me you never liked your voice. Do you recall that?" Viktor asked softly, opening his eyes to glance at him. Jayce did. He'd come back from an investor party slightly tipsy and had gushed over how nice Viktor's voice was for an hour, mourning how there was nothing interesting about his own voice besides hints of blind egoism. What a fool he'd been. Viktor smiled at him. "Despite how you've changed, you are still you. I hear you in this new voice of yours. I know it is you, through and through." His smile faltered and he looked away. 

Jayce paused before reaching out and gently getting his attention. Viktor had teared up, but he managed a weak smile anyway. "My apologies... I-I just wish I could say the same about myself." 

Chapter 18

Jayce's final orgasm shook him awake. Pleasure crashed into him so hard that he gasped, his voice barely a whine as he kept his head thrown back. He felt himself tear up and he arched his back at the feeling of slender fingers roughly massaging his balls. "HAH!! AH!! M-MMH?!" His hands scrabbled for purchase on the marble ledge beneath him. Something was sucking and a tongue was pushed into the slit of his tip, furiously and greedily licking up his release. "F-Fuck!! Fuck, w-wait-" It didn't. A hand was instantly back on his shaft, stroking whatever wouldn't fit in the mouth sucking the top half. The other hand continued to massage his balls, rubbing a finger between them. Jayce had tears running down his face as his hips involuntarily pushed into the air again. It was too much and he let out a choked sob. "Fuck!! Hah!! Mmh?! Ah?!" 

He finally reached down, grabbing a fistful of hair and yanking it back. "Fuck, wait!" He sputtered. Through his tears, he could see Viktor panting as he tugged against Jayce's hand, trying to get back to his length. His eyes were unfocused and his mouth wide open. 

Click! Click! Click!

It sounded so eager. Jayce's face was flushed all the way down to his shoulders as he panted. He was half-soft and he felt soaked around his length. How long had Viktor been at it?! His body was shaking and he felt so hot that it hurt. His hips felt like they were cramping. Some more tears escaped him as he swallowed heavily. He hated to say it, but he felt emptied out and that shocked him. "Fuck, have you j-just been drinking that??" He couldn't quite believe it. He swatted Viktor's hands away with his free one and finally managed to tuck his length away, quickly buttoning his pants back up. Viktor instantly chittered in what sounded like protest. "I-I can't. I can't, I don't have anything left." Jayce managed, letting go of his hair. Tears stained his face. 

Jayce could barely feel his legs and he could only stare at Viktor. His memories of Viktor were still of a quiet, reserved, and put-together man. Waking up to Viktor so desperately latched onto him left Jayce in a momentary state of shock. Viktor seemed more than satisfied, his head tipped back and his eyes closed. 

Click, click, click.

When his eyes opened again, he looked a little confused and the light had returned to his eyes. "...Jayce?" It was nighttime, yet the webbing that made up the greenhouse seemed to have its own faint luminosity. Viktor lowered his head, furrowing his brow as he stuck out his tongue, raising his hand to it. He glanced over at him and hesitated. Jayce was still staring at him with a flushed red face and neck, his clothes wrinkled. Viktor instantly paled a little. "...I mounted you again. Are you oka-" 

"I think you sucked me dry!" Jayce blurted the words out before he could stop himself and Viktor's face went so red that he looked like he would explode. Jayce swallowed and glanced to the side. "S-Sorry. I just, uh, can't really feel my legs. Wow, uh..." Jayce raised a hand to cover the lower half of his face. Viktor had buried his face in his hands completely. "I... I do think this is still my fault for introducing the other side of you to... stuff like this at all." He glanced over at Viktor and reached out. "Are you okay?? You don't feel sick?" He asked, furrowing his brow.

"...I feel terrifyingly good." Viktor admitted. "I don't know why if that was what I was doing. Perhaps it gains some kind of nutrients from it. I... I'm sorry, Jayce." Viktor seemed more than ashamed by it. Jayce reached out and slipped his hand into his hair, carefully getting it back into place before lightly massaging along his scalp. "Jayce, I, eh... have a rather embarrassing urge right now." Jayce paused. 

"Viktor, I really don't think I have anything left." He stated quickly, Viktor instantly going a dark shade of red. 

"No, no! Not that. It is something else. A little embarrassing. I-I will be right here, it's just... It wants..." Viktor reached out and took his crutch. He tucked it under his arm and stood before jumping over to a bush covered in vines and Hexcorized flowers. Jayce paused, watching him lower himself down with a grunt before slipping into the bush and simply... sitting inside of it. Viktor was quiet before a delighted chittering noise erupted from inside the leaves and petals. The only thing sticking out was his braced leg. Jayce could only stare before breaking out into soft laughter. "Jayce! I-I told you, it is embarrassing! This is what it wants!" 

Click, click, click! 

Click! Click! Click!

Viktor was heard breaking into coughing after the sudden intrusion on his throat. Instantly, fear struck through Jayce like a lightening bolt and his smile dropped. However, when Viktor stopped coughing and just made a small noise of disgust, he forced himself to relax. That soft chittering followed again. Jayce wanted to go over to him, but he really didn't think he could stand right then. Fuck, what a mouth-

Jayce mentally punched himself. 

He shook his head and focused back on the bush, trying to see if he could glimpse Viktor's face through the leaves. He could. He gave a small sigh as he saw Viktor's face half-nuzzled into the Hexcorized flowers, his eyes closed and his mouth parted as another round of delighted chittering escaped, despite his jaws not moving an inch. He looked so content. Jayce gripped the ledge beneath him before finally standing up, his legs feeling like jelly. Good gods. Jayce exhaled shakily before taking a few stunted steps forward. "Hey, Vik? There's a flower field outside. Do you want to go lay down out there?" 

The chittering stopped and Viktor's wide eyes peeked out. Jayce gave a smile. "I just want to be able to see you. If your other self likes the plants so much, we can lay in the flower field and you wouldn't have to hide yourself away from me." Viktor finally left the bush with a small rustle. He hesitated and Jayce reached down, helping him up, even though his hips were screaming in protest. His whole lower half felt weak. Viktor tucked the crutch under his arm again and they both left the greenhouse. Surprisingly, it was Jayce who had the slower steps this time, which only seemed to further embarrass the both of them, knowing Viktor was the cause for it 

Jayce could see the yellow expanse in the dim moonlight cast from the fissures above. All of the shelters, and especially the Sanctum, let off their own eerie glows. Viktor's hand suddenly slipped into his and Jayce was thankful for the distraction as he was pulled along. The yellow flowers swished as they moved into them and Jayce's lungs felt so clear. He could tell Viktor felt the same, the other taking in deep breaths with no wheezing. They finally came to a clearer patch and Viktor stopped. Jayce grunted as he settled down into it, lying on his back. Viktor gave an indignant scoff. "And where exactly am I supposed to lay if you take up the whole area with your massive body??" 

Jayce laughed a little before laying his head back. "Can you lie on top of me?" He asked softly. Viktor's false annoyance dissipated instantly as he went a little red. He shakily lowered himself to the ground and furrowed his brow as he placed down his crutch. 

"Are you certain that is a good idea?" Viktor asked quietly, clearly trying to piece together how he would do it. Jayce watched him quietly before giving a smile. 

"Wasn't our partnership founded through a bad idea?" He teased gently. Instantly, he saw a little more light come into Viktor's eyes as a smile seemed to instinctively pull at the other man's lips. "Here, you can lie backwards on top of me, or you can lay on your stomach and put each of your legs on either side of mine." Viktor paused. 

"...Our braces will not lock together, will they?" He asked worriedly, though he was already moving. Jayce shook his head. He felt Viktor awkwardly straddle his leg before laying himself down on top of Jayce. Jayce's arms were slipping around him in an instant and Viktor seemed to relax, resting his head against his chest. Jayce watched as Viktor froze up a little, clearly able to hear his heartbeat. He instantly pushed his face against the area, his jaws parted as his eyes closed. 

Click! Click! 

Click, click!

Click, click!

Jayce's smile hadn't disappeared. "You both seem to like that sound." Jayce commented quietly. He didn't want to mention how he couldn't hear the same noise from Viktor. Only a gentle humming and the occasional chittering that broke through his clicking. "I know you don't really control it, but I would really appreciate not being woken again by any kind of... intimacy. I think I have to tap out for right now, I'm sorry." Jayce was genuinely apologetic and Viktor's face went so hot that Jayce could feel it when he buried it against him. 

"That is twice now that I have done that to you." Viktor muttered weakly. Jayce paused before moving his arm. He gently lifted Viktor's chin so the other would look at him. 

"...I had a lot of thoughts when I was trapped and alone. A lot of thoughts. A lot of scenarios and fantasies." It was hard for Jayce to admit it. Not only was he scarred from it, he was embarrassed. "I would be lying if I say I haven't fantasized you waking me up like that. A lot of my thoughts and scenarios centered around you. More than I would've ever thought. I... had a lot of time to think while I was down there. Why I felt that way. How to decipher my feelings towards you. Actually doing it. Realizing I'm a fucking idiot." Jayce closed his eyes in defeat. "Viktor, I honestly think I would let you do whatever you want to me and I wouldn't be angry." 

"Don't say such things, Jayce." Viktor scolded softly. His voice weakened again. "I am not your penance." Jayce's eyes moved down to Viktor, who was frowning. 

"You're my partner." He said quietly. He reached up and brushed some of Viktor's hair out of his face. "A partner whose feelings I was ignorant to. A partner who I unknowingly strung along for years." Jayce's voice broke a little. "Who I never deciphered my feelings towards until I was broken and alone at the bottom of a ravine." Viktor's shoulders sank as he watched him. He reached up, sliding his fingers through Jayce's beard in order to hold his cheeks. Jayce turned his head to the side and pressed his lips to his palm. "My partner who is still hurting." He carefully drew his hand along Viktor's bandaged arm. 

Viktor's eyes weakened and he reached out, taking Jayce's bandaged hand and pressing his cheek to it. "And you are my partner... who carries burdens on his shoulders heavier than the world. Unshared memories that haunt him. A partner who has moved forward in his life without me, yet has come back to meet me." Viktor's voice was soft. "A genius, a Councilor, a hero." Jayce's shoulders sank. Viktor's eyes almost glowed as he pressed his lips to his fingers. "Above all else, a lover at his core." 

Jayce had tears in his eyes already as he stared at him. He pulled Viktor forward and their lips met. A long, soft kiss, where they could just feel each other. Viktor pulled away just enough to hover his lips. He was outlined in dim moonlight. "...Why was I so ignorant, Viktor? Why did I have to break, in order to realize?" Jayce's voice was taut with frustration. "I was so focused on your physical state that I turned a blind eye to everything else. What is wrong with me??" 

"...You had quite an ego on you." Viktor murmured, though his words were partly playful. "Always rushing ahead with that glint in your eye. Reveling in the glory and attention." Viktor laid his cheek down against his chest. "And yet, you hated the parties. You hated meeting the investors. You hated socializing. You hated standing in front of the Council. Dare I say... you hated being a Councilor." His amber eyes scanned him over. "I think you still do." Jayce gave a weak laugh. 

"Am I that easy to read?" 

"Only for me. Despite the difference in our time, you are still Jayce Talis. A little more reserved and cautious, but you wear your heart on your sleeve." Viktor said softly. His finger rubbed against Jayce's bearded jawline. "...Piltie customs really robbed me of such a sight." Jayce gave a weak snort. 

"I really didn't think you'd like the long hair and beard this much." He said, smiling quietly. Viktor managed a smile back. 

"It was a startling contrast, you leaving for the opera, well-groomed in your fancy white coat. And when I saw you again... you were sporting dark colors and facial hair that certainly spurred new feelings in me. I did genuinely wonder what in the world had happened at the opera." Viktor admitted. "I did not realize... it was me who was out of place. Out of time, in an entirely different way than I expected." Jayce reached up, stroking his fingers through Viktor's hair. The other man closed his eyes. "...What time must you leave in the morning?" 

"Around 8 if I want to make it to the Council Meeting on time." Jayce replied softly. "Will you be okay by yourself here?" 

"...There must be something left behind for me to do. I can entertain myself." Viktor said, giving a sigh. "I was told you advocate for Zaun's independence. That they came to assist Piltover in the war." 

"They did. In a boisterous, fantastic way I think only they could've." Jayce said, smiling. Caitlyn had told him of the spray-painted airship that had roared into battle blasting music from its speakers. He had been so mad that he hadn't been able to see it. Viktor's eyes drifted to the side and Jayce gently nudged him to speak. 

"...You will come back?" 

Jayce paused and his gaze weakened. "Always. I won't do that to you ever again. I'll come back." Viktor seemed to relax at that, his eyes softening. "...I'll come back."

Chapter 19

The first person to greet Jayce once he stepped out of the carriage was Mel. She hugged him and Jayce's shoulders sank before he hugged her back. She pulled away and started to look him over worriedly. "I'm sorry, Jayce. I tried to fight against the choice of location. I truly did." She said, her brow furrowed. Jayce shook his head. 

"I know. I just can't fucking believe that's where they chose to put him. The place I fucking killed him." Jayce inhaled shakily and Mel quickly reached out, placing her hand on his shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut, just trying to focus on that. Mel still wasn't allowed to see or otherwise interact with Viktor, much for her safety, and her safety alone. Jayce had to take a few more deep breaths. "I'm going back down once the meeting is done. It took nearly two miles for me to stop hearing the noises echoing through the caverns." He raised a hand and rubbed his forehead. "It's deep enough that it won't bother the city itself, but I don't know if anyone informed the Firelights." Mel paused, clearly not having thought of that either. "I had warnings left around the Commune, not to disturb it nor try to let the one inside out. I can only hope they'll listen." 

"We don't know if they've been informed??" Mel glanced back at the Council Hall they stood in front of. "Surely Councilor Sevika would've told them. It involves her city." Jayce furrowed his brow. Sevika had refused even follow them down to the Commune. He didn't even fully know why. Only that she'd lost someone she'd cared for in that place. No further elaboration. Jayce hadn't asked for any. And he never would. "We should head inside. The lift is already prepared." Jayce gave a quiet sigh through his nose. 

He hated using the lift because of how the staff operating it looked at him. He knew he appeared able-bodied and well, but no one except maybe Mel or Viktor would understand just how bad that break had been. The infection that had followed. And Viktor had been right, the fact that he was still able to walk at all was a miracle. Once the lift reached the top floor, Jayce was met with that same side eye from both Enforcers and staff, but he refused to exaggerate his limp just to make a point. He offered his arm to Mel and she took it.

They both entered the Council Hall, Mel always making sure to keep him steady when he moved. He'd shot Viktor the second time here. While it hadn't been Viktor's real body, Jayce was absolutely plagued with nightmares of if it had been. It seeped into reality sometimes. Mel led him to the table, the other Councilors seeming unimpressed, except for Shoola, who regarded him sympathetically. Sevika glanced up at him, seeming a little surprised he was there at all. She was fidgeting with a pen in one hand. It looked like she already wanted a cigarette and Jayce doubted she'd even been here five minutes. Jayce thanked Mel with a small nod and a smile. She gave one back as he took his seat. She took her own and spoke. "We will now start the meeting. Pressing concerns, first and foremost?" She had stiffly held up a finger in one of the older Councilor's directions, a firm reminder that he had to wait. She sighed. "Yes, Councilor Husker?" 

"I think we should all address the obvious. There is a hell creature residing somewhere in Zaun!" The older man had stood up, his voice firm. "A hell creature that-"

"Is in my jurisdiction. My city. My Zaunite. It has nothing to do with you." Sevika interrupted coldly, leaned back in her chair. "It's not the same guy. A different creature entirely. I'm not placing blame on an innocent." 

"An innocent?? Good glorious gods, have you seen that thing?! All it does is wear a Zaunite's skin!" The older man exclaimed. Instantly, Jayce felt goosebumps erupt over his skin as his eyes moved to the older man. Shoola quickly held her hand out, shaking her head as Jayce took notice of it. 'Calm.' She mouthed to him gently. He closed his eyes and let out a long breath through his nose. Due to his 'clear and destructive' bias, Jayce was never to speak on this Viktor. He could vote, deliver updates on his condition or report his behavior, but he wasn't to try and sway opinion by tugging at their heartstrings. "We must set that thing ablaze! Twice, even! For good measure!" 

"Still a Zaunite. Still my jurisdiction. Out of the question." Sevika stated flatly, regarding the older man with the same look of exasperation that one might give a child throwing a tantrum. "The place he is, that you voted on, is miles below and far from both cities. Or were you not actually paying attention last meeting while you were pretending not to crunch numbers at the table?" She tipped her head. "We discussed all of this last meeting. If you wanted him dead, last meeting was when you should have voted on it." The older man scoffed and Sevika raised a brow at him, completely unamused. The man firmly sat back down and Sevika nodded back to Mel.

"Councilor Talis has spent more time with this facsimile of the man known as Viktor. Councilor, have there been any changes in his behavior since he was moved from the facility?" Mel asked calmly.

"He's become more curious and relaxed. He does not recognize his new environment nor anything in it. He hasn't chosen a fixed place to sleep, but he shows interest in the greenhouse and the flower fields. He hides himself in the plants." Jayce replied loudly and clearly. A few of the other Councilors seemed taken back by his descriptions of docility. Sevika raised her hand and Mel permitted her to speak. 

"Has he tried breaching the cage?" She asked. Jayce shook his head. "Made any comments on it?" 

"No attempts to breach. He said he understood it."

Sevika nodded. "And he doesn't recognize anything down there? He's not crawling around places he shouldn't?" Jayce shook his head. 

"I had a bad reaction while there and it's resulted in Viktor refusing to go near the center structure, known as the Sanctum. He won't step foot near it." Jayce wouldn't say much more than that, knowing he would end up dipping too far into his personal opinions. He firmly shut his mouth and Sevika sighed through her nose. She did seem placated by his answers, the pen still gripped tightly in her fingers. She definitely needed a cigarette, Jayce could tell. As the rest of the meeting dragged on, Jayce could feel himself slipping away, his eyes becoming distant.

"-in favor of allowing independent food imports to Zaun? For the... safety of the Piltovian citizens." Mel's voice sank in and Jayce jerked himself back just in time to finally raise his hand. He toppled the majority vote, much to the disdain of a few other Councilors. Sevika looked downright relieved, her hand raised. Jayce lowered his hand and kept himself quiet, not even sure what he'd agreed to. Mel seemed to notice his knit brows. She gave a reassuring smile and a knowing look. She would tell him the details after, but it had clearly been something good. He relaxed a little. 

The other Councilors had clearly expected him to remain too out of it to vote and this hadn't ended up being the case. Jayce did end up dissociating again all the way to the end of the meeting. A hand gently rested on his shoulder and he startled, glancing over at it before following it back up to Mel. "The meeting is over, Councilor Talis." She prompted gently. Jayce swallowed before nodding. He pushed himself up, seeing the other Councilors were either leaving or they'd already left. However, one remained. 

"Talis." Sevika's voice was gruff, but only until the last Councilor was out of the room, leaving them and Mel. Sevika sighed. "He's adjusting?" 

"He seems alright for now. There are plenty of plants and flowers there. It seems to keep him calm. Has the lantern been delivered down yet?" Jayce asked quietly. They hadn't been able to bring it with them at first due to its fragility, hence the reason Jayce had stayed the night. A grin pulled at Sevika's lips. 

"We got ten of 'em." She replied. "Same build, same lights. Figured you could just hang them everywhere." Jayce paused before instantly lighting up a little. He paused as Mel nudged him. She seemed happy for him, but she still looked at him promptingly and he startled. Right. 

"The Firelights. They're aware he's down there, right?" Jayce stated quickly, his brow furrowed. "If any of them try to get in there, he'll eat them alive. If he sees them around it, he might try to tear the fence open. The point of this was isolation." Jayce said quietly. Sevika paused. 

"The Firelights are a reclusive bunch. I did manage to catch that damn Chirean, but I don't know if he was able to tell everyone else in time. It's hard without the kid around." Sevika said, giving a quiet sigh. There was an undertone of guilt and nostalgia, but the words caught Jayce's attention. 

"...Is Ekko not there?" He asked in confusion. Was that why Ekko had never come around after?? He still didn't even know what had happened to the Professor. The only one who knew was Ekko and the last time he'd seen him, it was followed by the trail of green from his hoverboard in the final battle. He had barely been able to see him. Jayce felt dizzy. "Did he die??" Jayce was in absolute disbelief. How could a year have passed and no one had told him?? How could Vi or Caitlyn not have told him?? He knew Jinx had died in the battle, Vi had sobbed over it for three days straight on a particularly bad week to him. But Ekko?? 

"You knew him?" Sevika sounded surprised. Jayce stared at her before nodding. 

"He's, uh, he's the only one who knows what happened to H-Heimerdinger." Jayce held his hand to his forehead and Mel stared at him. 

"The Professor. We... We all..." Mel turned to Sevika. "We all disappeared around the same time. For about seven months or maybe eight. I was taken by the Black Rose. Jayce was... taken to some other world."

"I... I entered an Anomaly. A rip in the Arcane. The Professor and Ekko went with me, but they ended up somewhere different." Jayce's breathing was becoming constricted and Mel quickly reached out. "H-He must've made it back because I saw him for a split second. But n-no one's found Heimerdinger." 

"Talis, stop talking." Sevika said firmly, even seeming concerned for him. Jayce inhaled shakily and squeezed his eyes shut. Mel was holding his arm. All he could remember was that vibrant webbing. Those horrible, faceless mannequins covered in chitin. Buzzing and loud. So very loud. The pain in his leg. The infection. Maggots. Maggots, maggots, maggots. "Hey!" Sevika grabbed his shoulder and Jayce startled, staring at her. She held up a pack of cigarettes and raised a brow. Jayce wasn't usually a smoker, but he gave a small nod. 

Sevika took out a cigarette and passed it to him, taking one herself. "You both know better than to smoke in the Council Hall." Mel stated flatly. Sevika glanced at her and raised a brow. She was clearly waiting for Mel to stop them. The gold-adorned woman hesitated before sighing. Sevika flicked her metal thumb, grinning as it popped open with a flame. Jayce almost laughed, letting her light his cigarette. She lit her own and flicked her thumb shut. "Jayce, are you going to head back down to Viktor?" Mel asked gently. 

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and nodded. "I have to. I can't just leave him down there." He managed quietly. "I never want to leave him again. Look what it did last time." He rubbed his forehead. There were still tears threatening to form in his eyes, but he was fighting them back. He blew out a small cloud. It was helping only a little. "Mel, I really hope he'll be calm enough to let you see him again. I know you've wanted to." Mel nodded, her shoulders sunken. 

"I know he felt ignored and overlooked by me at the time he remembers. We really only started getting along before the Council attack." Mel squeezed her eyes shut. "We've all been changed by the Arcane. We can't be at ends with one another. I want to help." Jayce's gaze softened and he nodded. 

"I know." 

Chapter 20

Jayce could tell something was wrong the moment the commune came into view again. The front gates had been blown open, but, from what he could see, Viktor hadn't left. Jayce's heart sped up and so did his footsteps as he limped forward as fast as he could. He burst into the commune, his eyes wide in shock. "VIKTOR!!" His voice erupted around the fenced in dome. "VIKTOR!?" His voice strained. 

Click, click, click.

That noise echoed through the air and Jayce shivered softly. There. Viktor was atop the Sanctum. He looked more than agitated, loud hissing and clicking erupted from its split open face. Its wings were spread and buzzing wildly. Jayce paused. It looked like Viktor had been splattered with blue paint along one side of his body. It was even in part of its split-open face, which Viktor was clearly very unhappy about as he dug his pincers into the side of the hole on top. Something was inside. Someone. "Viktor!!" Jayce called out to him again. The creature lifted its head and turned to face him, crawling along the top of the Sanctum with his elongated limbs. Jayce held up his arms to him. "Here! Viktor, come here!" 

There was buzzing as Viktor lifted off from the Sanctum and flew over, landing in front of Jayce and starting to circle him with a loud hissing. "Vik. Vik, it's me. It's Jayce." He spoke in a much gentler tone, his shoulders sinking as he tried to follow him. Jayce flinched as Viktor's pincer came down right in front of him. He could feel the wind from it and his heart skipped a beat. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a weak, shuddering breath. "Vik..." His usually gruff voice came out so much more small than he ever would've liked. "Please." It was barely a whisper now. 

Click. Click.

Jayce opened his eyes again, though his vision was blurry with tears as he met that bloody webbing that made up the majority of the creature's face. "It's me." He said weakly, scanning it over. "Can't you recognize me??" The creature tipped its head to the side. Jayce hesitated before reaching out to it. The creature hissed in warning, but Jayce persisted, starting to rub gentle circles against the side of his neck. Instantly, the creature's hissing went silent and its wings folded shut behind it. It lowered itself down and Jayce reached up with his other hand. "Hey. Hey." He whispered, cupping one of the cheeks of its split face. Tears ran down his own. 

Click! Click! Click!

Click! Click! Click!

"Shh. Shh." Jayce managed in a shaky tone. "You're okay." He whispered softly. The creature instantly crossed its pincers behind him, digging them into the ground. Jayce nodded. "I know, I'm right here, Viktor. Okay? I'm right here." His other hand moved down and he was rubbing gentle circles on both sides of his neck now. "How is that? Good?" His voice was shaking as the creature let out a chittering noise. Comforting a creature like this was scaring him. It was scaring him. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and let out a weak breath. His heart was pounding. "...Please come back to me." It was a soft, hopeless plea. Jayce didn't expect anything from it. 

He especially didn't expect it to work. 

Jayce flinched back at the fleshy cracking noises. Viktor's head sealed back up and his limbs began to shrink down. He started to cough violently, sounding like he was choking on something before heaving up a massive glob of blue paint. It was still spattered across the side of his body and, where the line was on his face, it seemed to end abruptly. The wings folded tight behind him. He wobbled and Jayce quickly caught him. "S-Someone's here. Someone's here." Viktor managed in a scared, scratchy voice. He clung to him. "I-I don't recognize... I don't..." Viktor sounded terrified. He gagged and turned away from Jayce, throwing up more blue stained bile. "K-Kept telling me to get out and escape. I-I kept saying over and over that I cannot. That it would not be good. I tried to explain."

Jayce instantly pulled Viktor against him in a strong-armed hug. He buried his face into his shoulder. Viktor was breathing heavy, but he managed to hug him back. "I cannot leave, Jayce. I would put so many in danger." Viktor hid against him as well. "I-I am sure there is a misunderstanding. I do not want to leave this place. I do not want to hurt anyone." Viktor's voice was choked up. His eyes suddenly moved past Jayce and they became glass.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!! 

CLICK!! CLICK!

"Oh, FUCK!!" Jayce recognized that voice, but Viktor was already changing again. His face split open and he let out a horrifying hissing and lunged forward, his pincers erupting from his hands and his wings raising. They were buzzing so loud as Viktor's bones distorted and elongated again. Jayce flinched as there was a crunch and a neon teal blade was jutting out from Viktor's back. "Holy FUCK!!" The blade was doing nothing to deter Viktor, who just dragged himself forward on it, his pincers swinging at the person in front of him. "Jayce, get the HELL out of here!!" Ekko yelled at him, his eyes wide. 

For a moment, Jayce had to process that he was even there at all. And he looked fine. He was alive and he was well. "No." His voice was too weak for a moment before it suddenly exploded from him. "No! Drop it now! DROP THE WEAPON BEFORE HE REACHES YOU!!" Ekko's eyes went wide and he let go of the blade before rolling out of the way as Viktor chittered in irritation. The creature stalked around and began to yank at the handle of the blade furiously with its pincers. Ekko was wide-eyed in shock as he backed up next to Jayce. He turned to Jayce. 

"Your hammer! Where is your hammer?!" He exclaimed, his eyes searching him over. Jayce could only flinch at the crack at Viktor removed the blade with a crunch, throwing it aside. 

CLICK!! CLICK! CLICK!!

Viktor lunged towards Ekko again and Jayce moved in front of him. "No!" He barked at him and the creature flinched backwards, nearly falling over itself. Viktor hissed furiously from the bloody webbing that made up its 'face' as he stalked back and forth, trying to find a way to get at Ekko from around Jayce. Ekko was heard breathing heavily. "Viktor!" Jayce finally lost his temper and took a step towards him. "Viktor, cut it the fuck out!!" The creature flinched again and crouched down, its wings instantly folding tightly behind him. The bloody webbing let out a weak chittering and Jayce found himself breathing shakily. He inhaled and buried his face in his hands. Frustration was causing him to tear up. "Good fucking gods."

There was a cracking noise as Viktor's bones started to fix themselves. His face sealed back up, leaving a blood-stained line down the center. He started to cough violently, shakily holding up his bloody hands to the hole through his sternum. He was breathing raggedly, tears erupting down his face. "Jayce, what is that thing-" Ekko started. He didn't finish.

"Quiet!" Jayce snapped at him, turning on Ekko furiously and making the boy startle, taking a step back in shock. "Where have you been?? Everyone thinks you’re dead! They told me you were dead!" Jayce was breathing heavily, clearly overwhelmed as he held a hand up to his head. His leg was shaking, the brace rattling. It didn't feel good. It felt like it was about to give out and he squeezed his eyes shut. Ekko couldn't even seem to give him an answer as Jayce took a firm step forward. "Well??" Jayce felt horrible for yelling at him and Viktor, but he just didn't know how much more he could-

BANG!

Jayce didn't process the pain at first. Only the tearing of flesh. His flesh. He didn't even stumble. It had gone straight through him. His hand was shaky as he raised a hand to his blown open shoulder. "J-Jayce." Viktor's voice was horrified behind him. Jayce's braced leg finally gave out and he collapsed to the ground. Then the pain. Then the pain. He could hear Viktor scrambling to move in front of him and, when he did, he suddenly felt lips against his. He couldn't quite kiss him back, but Viktor's tongue was determined to meet his. It was wet and Jayce had the faint feeling of saliva mixing. Right. Neurotoxin. His pain was already fading away again. Jayce was panting as Viktor pulled back, a string connecting them before breaking. Viktor's hand was on Jayce's chest. 

Jayce couldn't see anyone else in the direction of the Sanctum, which confused him. He was sure that was the direction the shots had been fired from. He felt Viktor lay him down on the grass. "In the first shelter, there are medical supplies. Please get them!" Viktor was pleading Ekko. Ekko only stared at him, clearly untrusting and horrified. Viktor shook his head. "Please, I cannot get up! Please do not make me crawl to them, I beg you! Please get them!! Please!" Ekko finally moved, backing up and running towards the shelter that Viktor had pointed out. Viktor turned back to Jayce and started to pull the fabric from his shoulder. "Th-They are in th-the Sanctum. Whoever just-" Viktor's mouth dropped and that hissing escaped. 

Click! Click! Click!

Viktor's eyes had become false for a moment, but he quickly shook his head. "No. No, no, no, I must wait. I must wait." He swallowed quietly. Medical supplies suddenly landed next to him, Ekko having thrown them from a safe distance before backing up. Viktor instantly started to dig through them, tears seen in his eyes, mixing with the blood. He was struggling to control his breathing and clicking kept erupting from him. 

"Why are you making that noise?!" Ekko finally demanded, looking genuinely offput now. Viktor inhaled shakily and glanced up at him. 

"Because that part of me wants nothing more than to go to the Sanctum and rip it apart piece by piece. It wants to find who shot Jayce and it wants to eat them alive." Viktor's voice was shaking. Ekko paled a little as he watched them. "Someone else is here. Someone is here. They must not be here. I will eat them. I will eat them!" Viktor's voice became feverish as he snapped the last words. He seemed to reign himself in, going back to cleaning the wound. He hiccuped shakily. "It hurts. It all hurts." 

"...I'll see what's going on in there. But I need you to do some explaining when I get back." Ekko said firmly, Viktor glancing up. "Because I threw an Anomaly at you. You should be dead." 

"...It was effective." Viktor responded weakly, only seeming to confuse Ekko more before he backed up and turned away to move towards the Sanctum. Viktor hiccuped and turned to Jayce. "Please still be with me." 

"Mm." Jayce didn't think he could fully speak, but he nodded and Viktor squeezed his eyes shut. They sat in bloody silence together. 

Chapter 21

Jayce wasn't sure when he'd passed out.

He wasn't sure how he survived. He wasn't sure when it had become nighttime. He also wasn't sure when he'd been moved to an actual bed, but he woke up in one regardless. He was inside one of the shelters. He glanced over and paused as he saw Ekko, who was asleep in a chair. He was holding something tightly. A toy? It looked like a monkey with wires sticking out of it. It was splattered in pink and blue paint. Ekko's eyes were slightly puffy. Had he found who shot Jayce?? Was it someone he knew? Jayce started to sit up and he winced, holding a hand to his shoulder. It was heavily bandaged and he could feel the medicine slipping around beneath them. Jayce wrinkled his nose a little. And his leg... fuck, his leg. He needed that damn brace off whenever he was lying down. 

He reached out and moved the blanket. It was difficult to move his shoulder and he bit back a weak noise of pain as he started to fiddle with the brace, having to undo each part with only one hand. 

Click, click, click.

Jayce paused and glanced to the entrance of the shelter. "...Vik?" Viktor stood just out of sight, one hand dug into the doorway and one lifeless eye peeking around at Jayce. It was made worse by the dim light. Jayce froze up completely as he stared at him. There was a fleshy noise and Viktor shook his head, blinking a couple times. His eye lit back up and he furrowed his brow before stepping into the doorway fully. Half of his head was completely coated in blood, starting right where the line in his face was. His eye was missing on that side, the eyelid limp and thankfully covering the empty socket.

Viktor cleared his throat. "I, eh, chased out the intruder. I will be okay." He managed in a slightly awkward tone. 

Jayce only managed a nod in response. Viktor had a blanket over his shoulders, but they sank once he heard Jayce's silence. He reached up and started to wrap the blanket around his shoulders. He finally positioned it so it would cover the damaged half of his face. He leaned against his crutch quietly. "Is this any better?" He asked in a weaker voice. He limped into the shelter, his eye downcast. "I will keep it on until the side of my head is mended. I just wanted to see if your reaction would be bad enough to necessitate it... and now I have made you unable to speak to me again." Viktor's voice only held upset as it strained. "I suppose that was foolish of me to assume it would be alright." 

Viktor grimaced as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He propped his crutch up and turned to Jayce's leg, reaching out. "You need this off. I could not take it off until now, my apologies. Things became..." He gestured to the blanket covered half of his head. "...out of hand." Jayce nodded, his eyes softening a little. He pulled his hands back and allowed Viktor to undo the brace. He slid it off of Jayce and placed it to the side. Viktor stared at his leg in dismay, reaching out and resting his hand on it with sunken shoulders. "...I could have helped you with this. I was only ever able to help you with Hextech. I was no good at gatherings or galas. I was no good at speeches or politics. I was not even a good person by the end, it seems." Viktor squeezed his eye shut. "I could have at least helped you with this."

Jayce stared at him with wide eyes. He opened his mouth, but his voice still wouldn't escape him. He furrowed his brow, his shoulders sinking. He reached out and snapped his fingers a few times to get Viktor's attention. He opened his arms to him, staring at him quietly. Viktor seemed startled by that, his amber eye wide. "Are you certain?" He asked worriedly. Jayce nodded, his eyes weakening. Even if he knew the circumstances, it still hurt him to hear Viktor ask if he was sure he wanted to be near him. Viktor only stared back at him for a moment before inching forward on the bed. He finally hugged Jayce, letting the other man do the same. Viktor's glassy wings were folded so tightly to his back that Jayce could easily hug him with no damage. 

Viktor was quiet for a moment and Jayce felt his heart break as he heard him softly hiccup. Viktor's hands would only lay completely flat against him. He didn't curl his fingers against him or hold him tightly like he used to. Viktor seemed like he was trying to stay as quiet as possible as he sobbed against Jayce. "...I'm a monster, Jayce. I am a monster and it is so hard to kill me that I am afraid I simply cannot die again." Jayce instantly pulled Viktor closer and shook his head. He made a strangled noise of protest, though the words just still wouldn't come out. He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration. "How you can still wish to hold me so closely is baffling... but the fact that I always want to fulfill this wish for you might be worse." Viktor kept his nose pressed into Jayce's shoulder. He hiccuped again softly. "I'm sorry, Jayce." 

Jayce shook his head again. He finally laid back against the bed and tugged at Viktor quietly. Viktor stared down at him in surprise with his one wide eye. Jayce pat his chest and Viktor hesitated. Jayce watched him before tapping out his heartbeat. Ba-bump, ba-bump-

Click, click.

Click, click.

Viktor seemed to respond unconsciously and he shifted around. Jayce reached out, helping Viktor undo his own leg brace before they slipped it off the bed so both aids could sit side by side next to it. Jayce felt a small bit of warmth as he guided Viktor to lay on top of him. The visible side of Viktor's face was flushed a soft pink. "...I hung some of the lanterns. I had to do it with my crutch because I was not tall enough." Viktor suddenly seemed to admit the statement with the same guilt as when he'd accidentally set fire to something in the lab without Jayce knowing. And Jayce reacted the same way, instantly giving Viktor's shoulder a firm, scolding little tap, his eyes wide. "I know! I know it is not safe of me to do so, but I really wanted the lanterns to be hung." Viktor's hands finally curled against him. "Looking at those colors was the only thing keeping me calm when I had to stumble back here with half of my face blown off, Jayce." 

Jayce's heart sank again. Viktor seemed ashamed as he glanced aside. Jayce finally reached up. "J-Jayce, it is not fixed yet." Viktor stuttered as Jayce carefully lifted the blanket from the damaged part of Viktor's face. His eye was still closed and Jayce could see where the coagulated blood was starting to pull the damaged skin back in like webs. Jayce gave a weak sigh through his nose before guiding Viktor forward. He kissed at his neck and then the uninjured side of his jaw. He pressed a kiss to the mole beneath his eye and finally moved down to connect their lips. Despite Viktor's hesitations about his appearance, it didn't seem he would ever turn down such affection from Jayce. 

It seemed to spur something in Viktor when Jayce, ever so softly, nipped his lip. His eye went wide and his kiss became a lot more desperate. Jayce entertained it for a moment before gently pushing Viktor back, waiting for his eye to come back into focus again as he let out a soft chitter. Viktor blinked a few times as he took in soft breaths. Jayce finally guided Viktor to lie down next to him and he felt the smaller man curl against his side. Jayce watched him warmly and Viktor seemed to become flustered at his gaze, quickly reaching down and pulling the actual blankets of the bed over himself. Jayce made a small protesting noise and Viktor lifted the blanket to look at him in slight embarrassment. 

Jayce reached out and pushed some of his hair out of his face. Viktor let out a weak chittering noise. His eyes had dulled, but they seemed upset. Jayce paused. He finally decided to relent and he started to rub circles against Viktor's neck. Instantly, the chittering grew louder and he tipped his head to the side. 

Click! Click! Click! 

There was nothing threatening about that one. The creature sounded delighted by the attention. Jayce startled as Viktor turned over and pulled himself up. He buried his good cheek right against Jayce's shoulder and Jayce sighed softly. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Viktor's head, causing his wings to give the tiniest buzz. It made a weak smile pull at his mouth. Both sides of this being were still Viktor. One animalistic and primal. The other sensible and anxious. Both still Viktor. Both still infatuated with Jayce. Jayce had to keep that in mind. He'd been neglecting one side in favor of the other. He pressed his cheek to Viktor's head and the other perked up a little, his wings giving another tiny buzz. Jayce would have to accept it sooner or later. 

This was Viktor. In both ways. In both forms. This was Viktor. 

Chapter 22

Jayce had a nightmare of being eaten alive. 

He could feel his flesh being torn from muscle, muscle being torn from bone and teeth that didn't feel human. He was screaming and screaming and screaming. But not a single sound escaped him. He couldn't hear anything except the rushing and dripping of his blood. It spilled from his mouth and his nose and-

Jayce woke in a panic, shoving himself off the bed and crashing to the ground. "No. No, no, no, don't. Don't. Don't." He was sputtering as he buried his head in his hands. He used his good leg to thrash himself backwards until his back hit the wall. He couldn't take it. He couldn't take it. There was a soft chittering noise and Jayce squeezed his eyes shut, burying his face in his knees and strangling his fingers into his hair. He shook his head. "Stop! Stop, stop, stop!! STOP!!" He was so close to screaming. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Viktor burning away into the Arcane in front of him. Whenever he opened them, that horrifying, bloody webbing was looking at him from the bed. "No! NO! NO!!" 

Tears had already erupted down his face and his wrist felt itchy. His leg felt itchy. His back felt itchy. Jayce slammed himself backwards and he began to scratch. He was gasping for breath at this point and his skin quickly turned raw and irritated, but he couldn't. He couldn't stop. It felt like that Arcane infection was festering again. He needed it off. He needed it off!! Jayce startled as something suddenly hooked both of his hands and slammed them to the wall on either side of him. His eyes went wide in shock. 

Click! Click! Click! 

Click!

The creature had used its pincers to pin Jayce's hands. The clicking it made sounded urgent. Confused and fearful. Jayce wasn't quite sure he could focus enough to figure out why. All he knew was that he swore he could feel Arcane magic festering and swirling under his skin. It was there and it was itchy. He tried to yank his hands free, but to no avail. Viktor seemed distressed as it tried to figure out what was wrong with him. Finally, it released his hands and turned away, but before he could bring his nails to his skin again, something was shoved into his hands. 

A lantern. 

Jayce froze up. Viktor instantly flattened himself to the ground, clicking softly as its pincers tapped at the stone floor anxiously. The lantern was cycling through gold, red and white in his hold and Jayce could only stare at it for a moment as tears ran down his face. His breathing became quieter as he watched it. Viktor seemed to be watching it too, though his wings remained ever so slightly spread, allowing the light to glisten across them. Jayce finally squeezed his eyes shut as his fingers trembled against the colored glass. 

Click, click, click. 

Click, click, click.

The creature's clicks were soft and uncertain. One of its pincers inched forward and rested against Jayce's leg. It made no further movement and Jayce glanced up at him with his own uncertain look. The creature had closed its face up enough that it wasn't just an open bloody mess. Still haunting to look at, but Jayce could tell some kind of effort was being made. His shoulders sank as he watched him. Viktor made small chittering noises and it seemed like it could tell when Jayce was watching it.  Jayce felt more tears well in his eyes and he set the lantern aside. "Vik." His voice was barely a whisper, but the creature's clicking and chittering stopped abruptly. "V-Vik..." Jayce's voice became a little more desperate. 

Viktor's chitter was much softer in response to Jayce's weaker tone. All of a sudden, Viktor's face fully split open as he turned to face the entrance again. Jayce became aware of approaching footsteps and voices. The curtain opened and Viktor instantly hissed. "Oh, shit! Sorry, big guy." The curtain shut again, but Jayce had turned to look at it in shock. "I guess I should really start knocking, huh?" Vi's voice called out from the other side. 

"Vi?? You're in Zaun?" Jayce called out in confusion. 

"Under supervision!" Sevika was heard next, clearly firm. Viktor was poised to strike at the curtain, his body tense. Jayce set the lantern aside and he winced as he tried to get up. He choked for a moment at the lightening bolt of pain that went through his unbraced calf.

"Cait's not here, but she told me to bring this down from your apartment. She said you had two of these. Figured it could be useful for Viktor if he recognizes it." Vi paused. "How, uh, close are you to the curtain?" Jayce scoot himself over. 

"I'm here. What is it?" His voice was tired and confused. Vi's hand poked through the curtain with some fancy, folded white fabric and she yanked her hand back out once Jayce had taken it. Viktor had hissed furiously. Jayce took a moment to process what he was holding, but once he did, a shiver went through his body. He wanted to drop it and back away. He didn't want to hold it. He shakily turned it and revealed the red shoulder pad with his family crest. He inhaled shakily before unfolding his old Councilor's coat. Instantly, Viktor's wings snapped shut behind him and his face began to seal up. His unbraced leg gave out beneath him and he was left in a bloody, trembling heap, the light returning to his eyes as he stared at the coat. "...Fuck." Jayce's voice was strangled. 

Viktor was breathing heavily, but he seemed afraid to even speak, hugging himself. Jayce stared at him and his eyes softened. He scoot himself forward and Viktor jumped, his eyes going wide as Jayce wrapped the coat over his shoulders. It practically swallowed him. Jayce pulled back and looked him over. Viktor's eyes were wide and he hesitated before reaching up and pulling the coat shut around him as his body relaxed. "...You seem like you could use that more than I could." Jayce said quietly. Viktor teared up a little as he stared at him. 

"Can I open this or am I about to be left-handed?" Vi called out. Viktor's eyes went wide. 

"He's safe!" Jayce called back. The curtain finally opened and Vi poked her head in. She blinked in surprise before raising a hand in greeting. Viktor hesitated before doing the same, though he seemed a little humiliated. Jayce hadn't noticed it until now, but Ekko was gone from his chair. Jayce had a good feeling Ekko didn't want to be found by anyone else. At least, not yet. Viktor seemed like he wanted to say something to Vi, but he wouldn't. She shared a glance with Jayce before kneeling down next to them. 

"Hey, uh, what's up?" Vi asked Viktor quietly. Viktor hesitated. Jayce turned to look back. Sevika was seen directing Enforcers to survey the area and he imagined they were here to try and fix the entrance. She turned and made her way over, leaning just outside the doorway. 

"Hey, bug. What happened?" Sevika asked, crossing her arms and raising a brow at Viktor. "There seems to be a hole in your gate." Viktor stared at her before his eyes flitted over to Vi and he pulled the blanket tighter. 

"...I had a visitor that stayed mostly in the far left field, where there is burnt grass and a small crater." Viktor said softly. "I imagine something bad must have happened there, no?" Vi glanced over at Sevika and her shoulders were sunken. Sevika's fingers dug a little tighter into her arms. Jayce could see connections being made in their minds, but whatever it was, he was out of the loop on it. Viktor gave a small nod. "She hid in the Sanctum once I found her. That side of me refused to follow until she momentarily blinded me with paint. She..." Viktor glanced up at Jayce. "She shot Jayce and nearly b-blew off his shoulder." 

"I-It isn't that bad-"

"I had to seal it with my venom. Your bone was shattered." Viktor said shakily. Jayce fell quiet and glanced away. Viktor finally glanced over at Vi, swallowing softly. Tears were already seen in Vi's eyes. "Is... Is there something your sister would have needed from here? I did not mean to chase her away, but she... she hurt Jayce." 

"...Yeah." Vi managed quietly. "She, uh... She would've wanted to... visit the last place she knew... Isha." Vi's voice broke on the name and Jayce saw Sevika's jaw clench as she squeezed her eyes shut. His own shoulders sank. The grief in the air was tangible. Viktor clearly didn't know who that was, but he gave a weak nod. 

"I imagine that was a casualty... I'm sorry. I would have let her stay, but she did not seem interested in talking. And my... my other half was not fond of her hostility." Viktor apologized quietly. Vi shook her head and let out a shaky breath. "Miss Violet?" 

"...She's alive." Vi managed in a weak voice. "Fuck, I..." She stood up and buried her face in her hands. Jayce watched her and Sevika. Ah, he knew who it was now. It had finally connected. He furrowed his brow. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but all he knew was that he still had a hole in his shoulder. 

Chapter 23

Jayce could tell that Viktor was struggling to hold it together. His skin would ripple and his jaws had yet to close. His breathing was ragged and there was an ever so soft click with each breath outwards. Viktor did not like what was happening outside. He'd always been the introvert. He'd always been too anxious and too ashamed to stand on his own in front of too many people. He'd nearly thrown up during their last Progress Day together. He had thrown up at the Distinguished Innovator's Competition. It was more than obvious to Jayce that Viktor felt there were far too many people here. And if he wasn't careful, Viktor would do something about it.  And that led them here. 

They were tucked away inside the shelter, but Jayce had three fingers knuckle-deep inside of Viktor. He had him on his lap as he leaned back against the wall, one of Viktor's legs hooked over his own. Jayce had his other arm wrapped around Viktor's waist, the smaller man's back very carefully pressed to his chest. The curtain was pulled shut. 

Click, click, click.

The clicking got a little louder and Jayce furrowed his brow. "No, no. Hey. Focus." He whispered, pulling his fingers slightly out before spreading them wide as he pushed them back in. Viktor let out a shaking gasp and the clicking stopped again. Viktor turned his head to the side and nibbled at Jayce's neck, it occasionally being broken by heavy breaths. Jayce's face was slightly hot and it didn't help that Viktor would occasionally press down against the problem starting to make an appearance between his own legs. "Mh..." Jayce let out his own soft breath. "You're squeezing my fingers, Vik. You want another one?" 

Viktor's legs were trembling and he breathed out something that sounded like an affirmative response. He finally broke into a soft moan as Jayce bullied a fourth finger into him before resuming his careful, casual thrusting. Viktor's length was seen twitching madly, though it was only a bulge beneath the fabric of his shirt at the moment. "Just focus on this, o-okay? Yeah?" Jayce breathed out, Viktor shivering in response. His legs opened just a little wider. Jayce felt breath against his neck before jerking as teeth followed, sinking into his flesh. He instantly pulled his fingers out and the teeth released in order to mumble out a protest. Jayce kept his eyes squeezed shut and he could feel trickling down his neck. 

"...Sorry... Sorry, I..." Viktor's tongue was felt laving over the wound and Jayce shivered. "I cannot help it. I want to eat you, Jayce. I want your flesh in me." Viktor's voice was absolutely shuddering. "I want to crawl under your skin. I need you. I need you." Jayce swallowed before nodding. He was going to keep Viktor facing away from him.

"I can be inside you. Just hold on." He managed quietly. He reached down and undid his own pants. He hooked a thumb into the waistband of his undergarments before pulling them down. A borderline-pained noise escaped him as his own length sprung out. Jayce grabbed Viktor by the hips and lifted him, making the skinnier man gasp. That gasp quickly escalated into a thankful groan as Jayce sank Viktor down onto himself. "H-How's that? Flesh inside you, right?" Jayce was trying to be teasing, but his voice was three seconds away from breaking. Viktor only tipped his head back, chittering escaping him as he squeezed around Jayce. 

"Hah... mmh... Jayce..." Viktor groaned as Jayce started to move him up and down on his length. It was slow and controlled, Jayce's fingers digging into his hips. "Ah...!" His blood was already staining Viktor's teeth and lips. Jayce was trying to control his breathing. He already couldn't feel the bitten flesh on his neck, likely because of Viktor's venom. He started to slam Viktor down a little harder, spreading his own legs a little more. Viktor was still being surprisingly quiet. He only let out soft gasps and moans, his eyes squeezing shut. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut again. He knew he was just doing this to distract Viktor so the hole in the dome could be fixed, but he felt like he was going to lose himself. "Jayce... Jayce, let me face you. Please... Please." Viktor's voice strained. 

"C-Can't. You already made me bleed. I-I don't want you to a-actually eat me, Vik." Jayce responded in just as strangled a tone. The punched-out whine that left Viktor nearly made Jayce cave, but he couldn't. Viktor would eat him alive if he wasn't careful. 

"J-Just a little. Just a little. I just want a little bit. Can you not give me that...? Hah...!" Viktor's breathless pleading cut off in a sharp noise. His whole body shuddered and he quickly grabbed Jayce's wrists. Jayce stopped, letting Viktor recover a little from his orgasm. "Mm... mmh..." Viktor inhaled shakily. He had his eyes squeezed shut and Jayce appreciated it. Viktor's eyelids really only worked when he was himself, but it seemed his urges were bleeding together with his other side. "Jayce, please... Please, just..." 

"V-Viktor, you're asking to eat me. Y-You know that, right?" Jayce asked worriedly, watching as Viktor stiffened up. He seemed to finally come to his senses and he furrowed his brow. 

"I-I..." Viktor trailed off once more, seeming confused. "I, uh... I-I don't..." Jayce's eyes softened and he reached out. He pulled Viktor back against him in a hug and Viktor let out the weakest, most wounded noise he'd ever heard. It absolutely broke his heart. "J-Jayce..." 

"I'm here." 

That small reassurance did seem to help, but Viktor inhaled shakily. "I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I don't... I crave it. That other side of me craves it. Flesh in my teeth. Blood on my tongue. Ugh." Viktor buried his face in his hand. "Th-The urge is terrible, Jayce. Th-The moment I feel you release inside of me, I want to turn and consume the rest of you. Piece by piece, bone by bone. Just so I can have all of you inside me." Viktor shivered and squeezed his eyes shut again. "Jayce, I am going to kill you." It didn't sound like a threat. Viktor sounded more afraid than Jayce would ever be. "I don't think I can handle it. I c-cannot." Tears finally escaped down his face. "You will die by my hand and I don't think I can even stop it." Viktor hiccuped. "I-I am going to lose you and I will be trapped alone in a time that is no longer mine and a world who does not know me." 

Jayce buried his face against the back of Viktor's neck. He pulled his shirt to the side with his teeth before starting to press kisses to his bare skin. Viktor shivered and whispered his name, but Jayce was already ahead of him. "I won't let you. I won't let you kill me. I won't let you lose me. And I won't leave you alone." His voice broke a little as he spoke again. "I swear it." He pushed his lips against the cool skin in front of him. "I swear it, Viktor." He heard Viktor softly hiccup again. "I'll be better this time. You won't have to face anything alone anymore. I'll stay by your side this time. Like..." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "Like I should have, as your partner." His own eyes were burning and he knew the tears would escape any second now.

"...Y-You had so much weight on your shoulders, Jayce. You cannot blame yourself for that." Viktor responded softly, his voice strangled. Jayce shook his head. He reached up and he finally let Viktor face him. He pressed their lips together and Viktor whined into his mouth, his eyes slipping shut as his body kept Jayce's length warm.  

"I should have been there for you." Jayce whispered ever so softly against Viktor's lips. "If I'd been a better partner. A better friend. A better man." Jayce stared at Viktor, tears finally running down his face. "I should have been better for you." Viktor stared back before leaning forward. He weakly kissed along Jayce's bearded jawline, his hand having stretched up to cup the side of his head. 

"You are here with me now, are you not?" Viktor whispered weakly. "Perhaps at the end of all things, but you are here. You are with me again. My partner." His shoulders sank as he watched him and he spoke in such a shrill breath. "My Jayce." His Jayce. He felt his heart twist in his chest. "And even though I am a monster now... you have not let me face it alone." Viktor bumped their heads together best he could in their position. "Despite the horrors, you persisted. Despite the horrors, you remain so very kind to me..." Viktor fell silent. 

And I don't know why.

Viktor didn't even have to say it out loud. Jayce could hear it in his breath, drifting off the tip of his tongue. "You were left alone to feel like a monster. Because of me. I should have rejected the Council seat-"

"We would have no funding-"

"Good." Jayce's voice broke again and he spoke much weaker as he hugged Viktor. "...Good. It would've been better that way. I saw the ruin it brought. I saw the... the consequences..."

Fields of dreamless solitude.

No prize to perfection.

Only an end to pursuit.

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. Viktor's hand found his and he interlaced their fingers. His heart was pounding as he held Jayce's hand against it weakly. The mage's sad, forlorn words were etched into Jayce's mind like carvings. That distant, yearning look. That desperate recognition. The tiniest nose crinkle that was usually followed by tears. Jayce could not let Viktor reach that point again. He couldn't. "...I did not want you to give up your legacy for me." 

"I didn't want a legacy without you." Jayce's response was near immediate. He gave a slow roll of his hips and Viktor gasped. "I won't leave you again. I'll... hah... I'll be right here." He started to moved him again and Viktor sputtered. "I-I'll treat you right this time... fuck... I'll... I'll do it right. I swear it. Hah... I swear it." Jayce whispered, his voice insistent and shaky. "I'll tame you. Both sides of you." Viktor cried out his name in a soft voice as Jayce suddenly bucked his hips up. "Viktor..." He pulled him back and tipped his head to the side so he could kiss him again. His eyes were teary. "I'll stay with you. I promise." 

Viktor stared at him, his eyes teary as well, tears mixing with the blood on his face. He hiccuped and nodded, turning his head back to face the front. "I know... Thank you." He whispered. 

Chapter 24

Jayce was beyond embarrassed as he covered his face with one hand. "...I'm sorry, Viktor." The other shook his head, his body below his shoulders trembling. He gave his own flushed smile. Jayce was walking him to the commune spring, where Viktor would finally be able to wash out the release running down his legs inside his pants. Not only had they lost track of themselves, but Sevika had suggested to them in a very loud and stern voice through the curtain that they go clean up. Viktor had Jayce's Councilor coat hanging off his shoulders as he used his crutch to limp along. Both of them had put Jayce's leg brace back on in flustered silence, knowing they wouldn't have to do the same for Viktor now. Jayce had been quiet up until now, but he'd finally taken notice of how stiffly Viktor was walking, spurring the apology. 

"We both got a little distracted. It was not just you." Viktor admitted quietly, glancing over at him. "And I, eh, certainly did not hate it..." Jayce had brought the smaller man to release at least four times and he'd had to tap out after two. Jayce felt his cheeks go a little hot as he nodded, his hand raising to push his own hair back out of his face. He glanced ahead, seeing the freshwater spring hidden behind some large rocks. It was tucked right against the cavern wall, one side of the dome coming to an end in the rock above them. Jayce led Viktor to the small shore behind the rocks. 

"Looks like you'll have to take off the coat." He teased lightly, Viktor giving a quiet scoff in response. Despite his exasperation, Viktor did seem genuinely hesitant to take Jayce's coat off. His fingers curled slightly into the now-stained fabric. His brow furrowed a little. "...It'll still be here when you leave the spring. We'll keep it folded up on the shore." Jayce promised him. Viktor relaxed a little at that and he allowed Jayce to take the coat off his shoulders. Jayce carefully folded it up before placing it on the ground. Viktor stared at the water quietly and his wings gave small, uncertain buzzes. Jayce reached out and gently gave the back of Viktor's shirt a tug. 

"Wh-What?" Viktor seemed to snap out of his troubled daze, turning to look at Jayce with wide eyes. Jayce was studying Viktor's wings again. He knew it was most likely from seeing the water, but he wanted to make sure for certain that none of the fabric Viktor was wearing was scraping or damaging the thin membrane. Jayce's calloused fingers brushed over the glassy patterns, following them quietly. "You hate them, don't you?" Viktor's question made him glance up in surprise. Viktor was glancing back at him. Jayce finally shook his head. 

"No... I'm just thinking. You ended up with wings like this before... when you were revived. But they were shorter and rounded. We theorized that you'd become something like the queen of a colony by the end of it all. But now I think you more resemble something that works independently with, uh, no need for command." Jayce explained quietly. "No need to command." He reached out and pushed some hair out of Viktor's face. "Just focusing on yourself." Jayce jumped as Viktor's hand reached up, grabbing his and slipping their fingers in between one another's. 

"Perhaps just myself and... one other?" There was a small bit of hope among the uncertainty and Jayce's eyes softened on him. Viktor paused. "Well, I, eh... I know I keep suggesting unethical consumption wh-when it is in regards to you-" As he stumbled for an explanation, Jayce carefully helped him out of his shirt, lifting his arm out of it before allowing Viktor to lean on the crutch again. Jayce stood in front of him and he hesitated as his hands settled at Viktor's waistband. Viktor paused before giving a small, embarrassed laugh and looking up at him. "I am sure we are past the need for such uncertainties, Jayce." He tried to joke.

Jayce's own cheeks went a little hot and he scoffed. "Well, I still think it's polite to make sure." He protested softly, though his hands worked to undo the buttons. He let them fall from his legs. Viktor hadn't bothered with undergarments and Jayce awkwardly cleared his throat as he saw the dried release down the insides of Viktor's legs. "D-Do you need help getting in?" Viktor paused before nodding. He reached out and gripped Jayce's arm tightly. His good leg accompanied Jayce with holding all of his weight as his bad leg slipped forward. It sent ripples across the swirling water as his toes pierced the surface and Viktor sat right on the edge. His wings gave a small, uncertain buzz. 

When Jayce finally guided Viktor fully into the water, his eyes widened. A full-blown moan erupted from Viktor's throat, guttural and relieved. Almost pained with how it tapered off at the end. Jayce coughed for a moment before asking in a strained voice if he was alright. Viktor exhaled shakily before nodding. "I-I am so sorry... It... It feels so nice." He squeezed his eyes shut, seeming to stand stiffly in the water. The heat was already leaving moisture in Viktor's fluffy hair. Viktor's shoulders were sunken, but he didn't seem upset. His eyes relaxed and the rest of his body followed. "It usually feels far too hot for that other part of me. But this time, it is different. The water feels nice. The creature in me is calm with it..." Viktor trailed off quietly. "Perhaps because you were the one who brought me here this time. Maybe that makes this bearable." 

"You do bathe when I'm not here, right??" Jayce asked, raising a brow. Instantly, Viktor turned and scoffed at him with flushed cheeks. His arms were crossed tightly. 

"Clearly!" He answered firmly. He fixed him with a stern look before sighing and letting his eyes weaken again. "...When you are not here, the other part of me becomes anxious and sensitive. I have found myself coming to in an absolutely exhausted state, with an aching back and limbs because it had been flitting and flying all over the place to find you. My heart constantly races in my chest, despite myself not finding anything alarming. My hands shake and so do my legs. This water has always felt so, so very hot, which is why I am... I am surprised it does not this time." Viktor gave a weak sigh before speaking in a joking tone. "Still fixing everything with just a touch, hm? Is that still something everyone says about you?" 

Jayce instantly snorted and rolled his eyes. He grunted a little as he settled next to the edge of the spring. "More the opposite now." He said, giving his own weak smile. Viktor watched him before his wings gave a small, uncertain buzz again. He moved over to the edge of the spring and leaned on his elbows. He hesitated before leaning over and resting his head against Jayce's leg. Jayce's eyes softened on him and his hand moved to slip into his hair, massaging his scalp. "If you heard the things some of the citizens call me..." 

"Do they call you a class traitor too?" 

The question made Jayce flinch a little, feeling like a bullet had been sent through the deepest pit of his heart. He squeezed his eyes shut. Viktor hadn't told him that until a day before the bombing. How his fellow Zaunites had spat at him, demanded to know how it was to live so fruitfully and improve the lives of the heel that crushed them. Jayce knew it had been his fault. It had been his fault because he hadn't revealed their project during that Progress Day. Because he'd kept listening to Heimerdinger and he'd only focused on pleasing investors instead of helping people like he said. All while Viktor's hands were tied, since he was a Zaunite himself with no respect from Piltovians. "Vik, I'm sorry." Jayce managed in a small, strangled voice. 

"For what?" 

Jayce inhaled shakily. "I didn't know that was how the Zaunites viewed you until it was a day before your first death. I... I was ignorant. I didn't even consider that what you were doing would've been seen as hope to other Zaunites. A-And I just..." Jayce buried his face in his hands. "Viktor, you never deserved to be called that. It was my..." Viktor paused and pulled back to look up at him with sunken shoulders. Jayce had fallen quiet, his hands shaking again. 

"I suppose it worked in my favor in some twisted, backwards way that Hextech went so wrong." Viktor said quietly. "Councilor Sevika does not seem upset with me, only wary due to my other part. Ekko told me that he only feels bad for what's happened to me. He tried to apologize for killing me, but that me was not... me. That was another Viktor. A further Viktor. A different being. A..." Viktor's fingers curled slightly into the dirt. "A different bug."

"Viktor..." 

"But the point is, no Zaunite I have been allowed to interact with has shown ill will towards me." Viktor said, just a small bit of weak hope in his voice. "Even if I was widespread knowledge, I feel the most they would be upset with me for are the... deaths of all the commune members." Viktor glanced around quietly. "The reason for this empty community-"

"-was also me." Jayce could barely speak and Viktor squeezed his eyes shut. It was a much calmer and confusing reaction than Jayce had been expecting, but he continued. "I-I killed you and i-it severed the mental connection be-between-"

"I know. I know." Viktor interrupted him quickly. "Miss Vi and Miss Caitlyn informed me of this. Because they knew you wouldn't be able to unless it was in a particularly bad state." He looked him over. "...They said you'd insisted you were tasked to do it." Jayce shuddered and barely bit back a pained noise. Viktor glanced to the side. "...You speak in your sleep sometimes. It is rushed and feverish. Frightened." Jayce froze up a little, risking a worried look over at him. "You always say the same things-" For a moment, Viktor's voice became his.

"I won't fail, I swear it." 

"Why did you give me this?"

"Like a moth to a flame."

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. The first two, he remembered saying out loud to the mage. The third, however, had only been said in increasingly deprecating during his time in that other world. It had started as a way to furiously belittle himself for following the mage and getting himself stuck in the ravine. As his feelings had shifted and his anger had redirected, the statement had finally been uttered at the top of Piltover, mockingly and bitterly, when the mage had appeared before him for the final time. Viktor continued to look off to the side. "...This is the longest you have been able to speak to me, regarding that seven month period you were missing. I only ever hear about pieces of it because you barely even told Miss Caitlyn about it. You would become unable to speak when I poked too close to it." 

Viktor's hands squeezed tight in front of him. "...I know it is painful for you and I do not want to push you into becoming mute again. But how can I not be curious, Jayce? What happened to you?" Viktor asked softly. He squeezed his eyes shut. "Why could no one help?? Why was I unable to help?" He buried his face against one of his hands. Jayce stared at him and his hands were still shaking. Honestly, he was surprised at himself for not becoming mute yet. This was the longest he'd been able to talk to someone about it. Even Cait. Even Mel. Even his own mother. He stared at Viktor and he couldn't stop staring. 

What could he say?? What could he say, what could he say, what could he say???

He opened his mouth and took in a shuddering breath. Tears were in his eyes and before he could process much else, lips were felt against his. He startled and focused, seeing that Viktor had raised himself up a little out of the water on shaky arms in order to kiss him. Jayce shivered a little and cupped Viktor's cheek. The other man pulled back, lowering himself down into the water and Jayce felt the first tears escape down his face. "...Mage." He managed. 

"Mage?" 

Jayce trembled as fear swept through his chest and the next word tore itself from his throat like an open wound.

"Maggots."

Chapter 25

---

Maggots.

Jayce was screaming through the filthy gag in his mouth as he washed off his infected leg with the stagnant water in the pool. Every scoop of water dislodged more and more white, wriggling specks from his skin and he finally shoved himself backwards with his good leg. His leg was left burning again and Jayce opened his mouth, letting the stained fabric fall away before an absolutely terrible noise wrenched itself from his vocal cords. Jayce didn't even know if it qualified as a scream, but it bounced along the walls of the ravine. He could hear it becoming fainter and fainter until it was released to the open air above. All that was left was his heavy, choking breathing. Jayce turned himself over and he became sick again. 

He pushed himself backwards with his hands until his back hit the wall and he curled up, his leg still feeling like it was sizzling. "U-Ugh..." Jayce made a weak noise and buried his face against the dusty cavern floor with a small wheeze. He laid there for several minutes, just trying to calm his breathing. He felt like he was wasting away. He felt like it was all wasting away.

A flutter.

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut in a tight flinch. When he'd first heard that noise, it had brought hope with it. The realization that he and his mother would be saved from the blizzard they were caught in. That flutter had always brought him comfort and hope. He flinched now. He flinched. The soft tapping that approached him made his breathing speed up. "Go away. Go away. Go away." Jayce hissed between his teeth. It was more than apparent to him that his childhood savior had decided one time was enough. 

Jayce finally focused on the hooded white figure as it stood a foot or two in front of him, bandaged hand gripping a warped staff. He saw nothing beneath that hood. Only darkness. Every time there was a flutter, something would move behind the mage's back. But it would never turn. It would never reveal what it was. Jayce's leg was still burning and he inhaled shakily as he dragged it backwards, hiding it behind his good one. The first few times the mage had appeared, Jayce had begged and pleaded for it to help him. To get him out of there. To do something. But all it ever did was watch him.

"You hate me." Jayce's statement was simple and firm. There was a moment of silence before the mage shook its head. 

"You do." Another shake of the head.

"Bullshit." Jayce finally pulled his gaze away from it and he buried his face into one of his own arms. "...I hate you." His words were quiet and there was nothing but silence. Jayce only felt silence inside too. His leg may have broken when he first got down here, but over the course of however much time he'd been here, something inside him had been fracturing until it had finally broken too. He was out of tears to cry. He only had screaming and bleeding left.

And maggots

and maggots

and maggots.

---

Jayce jerked awake, inhaling shakily. The sky was dark and he was leaned back against the wall of the ledge next to the spring. Something was tucked against him. Jayce scanned the area, only able to see the ravine and the stagnant pool. Why was he back here?? Why was he back here??

He startled as something shifted and he glanced down. Viktor was tucked against his side and his cheek was resting against his shoulder. It looked like he'd draped one of Jayce's arms over his shoulders and he was loosely holding his hand as he slept. He was naked. Jayce felt his face go a little hot and he glanced aside. He pulled over the folded Councilor's coat and placed it over Viktor's hips to keep him somewhat covered. A lantern was on just outside the spring, cycling through red, white, and gold. This was the spring, not a stagnant pool. This was a cavern, not the ravine. Viktor continued to sleep against him. 

Click, click, click.

Click, click, click. 

Jayce furrowed his brow. Viktor's mouth was open, the clicking accompanying the soft breaths. Jayce couldn't even remember what had happened. He knew Viktor had asked him about that seven month period, but Jayce didn't even remember if he'd gotten an answer in. Had he passed out?? He could see a wet trail leading from the water to his side and he felt his heart drop a little. Had Viktor dragged himself out of the water?? Jayce glanced down at him before his lips pressed to the top of his head. His free hand brushed a thumb over Viktor's lips and gently poked at the mole above his mouth. There was some warmth as Viktor's nose scrunched up. 

Jayce's eyes left Viktor and drifted down to his leg. Clothed and braced. Healed as much as it could be. Not rotting or infected. 

No maggots. 

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut with a small shiver. He opened them again to watch the wall. Something kept flitting in front of the light cast from the lantern. A shadow, small and ghostly. Something drawn to light.

Like a m-

Jayce froze up as there was a flutter and he squeezed his eyes shut. The soft tapping started and the air felt distorted. It felt wrong. It felt off. Jayce furrowed his brow and kept his gaze firmly on Viktor, who was still curled against his side. The tapping stopped abruptly and Jayce could feel the surprise. So it was as he thought. 

No one had known about the egg. 

Jayce finally allowed his eyes to drift over to the watercolor-stained white robe. Something shifted behind the person's back, but it was gone before he could catch it. The tapping started again and Jayce kept his head down, watching the robe drag along the cavern floor as it moved around him and stopped on the side that held Viktor. It was looking at his wings. "...Jayce." He inhaled sharply at that aged, accented voice and squeezed his eyes shut, dragging his injured leg close to him with a creak of the brace. He scoffed weakly. 

"What? You sensed I might've been happy and came running to see what was wrong?" Jayce finally managed in a strangled voice, his eyes lifting to meet the mage's. Viktor's. An older, greyed version of him with kaleidoscope eyes and white fluff around his neck. The mage seemed momentarily hurt by his question, his hands tightening on his staff. Jayce remembered how he'd just been so happy to see Viktor's face again that it had overrun all the rage and anguish he felt towards the mage. He'd been willing to listen to anything he said. Do anything he asked. And he had. But not anymore. 

"Jayce-"

"What the fuck do you want?" Jayce's voice was soft, yet cold. The mage instantly fell quiet again, staring at him. Jayce knew why and he felt terrible inside. He would never speak to Viktor like this. He never would've wanted to. He wished he didn't want to. But this Viktor had put him through so much and for what? For his partner to dissolve into the Arcane without him? And why was he back now? To see why Jayce hadn't offed himself by now?? "He's back. He came back." Jayce wrapped his arm a little tighter around Viktor. The mage stared for a few more moments. 

"...Where did he come from?" 

"You were so sure of the future when you told me to kill my partner. Why are you asking me anything?" Jayce asked, his voice still low. The mage let out a small sigh of what sounded like frustration through his nose. Something Viktor would do when there was an equation he couldn't solve. And wasn't that something. To be frustrated at the man who he'd left rotting in a ravine for seven months. Jayce felt his jaw clench and he inhaled shakily. "You should leave before he wakes up." He spoke through completely gritted teeth. 

"What is he?" 

"I don't think you have any right to be asking that." 

That small sigh of frustration came again. Jayce just wanted the mage out of his sight. There was a fluttering noise and large, segmented wings suddenly spread on either side of the mage. They were white with several black spots. The same white as the fluff around the mage's neck. The wings gave that fluttering noise that Jayce had remembered all his life. Despite his anger and his contempt, he couldn't help but weaken back to that little boy seeing magic for the very first time. The black-spotted, white wings folded behind the mage again and he gave a smaller sigh. "...I wanted to save your world, Jayce. Too many had gone to ruin. No matter the path. No matter the bug. No matter what I became... No matter what he became... It all led back to me. I had to stop it." 

"So why was my rotting flesh necessary?" Jayce asked, his voice much weaker and desperate now. "Why was my starvation and dehydration necessary?? Why were my nightmares necessary??" The mage squeezed his eyes shut. 

"...You would have recognized me the moment I tried to help you. It was too soon. I knew you were one of the more determined ones. I knew you would not be content to die in a pit. I needed you to do what was necessary. Deconstruct your proudest creation. Fight through pain and anguish. I needed you to see him. I needed you to see me." The mage's voice was ever so soft. "If you had remained sound, you wouldn't have been able to follow through. You are so very stubborn, Jayce. I would not have been able to convince you of anything if your mind wasn't a little broken." The older man inhaled shakily. "I did not want that for you, but I did not want his fate upon you even more." 

That shell. That empty shell that had once been Jayce Talis. 

Jayce could understand, but it did nothing to soothe the bubbling anger in his chest. He chose not to say anything else and the mage's shoulders sank. "I am not here to take him from you, nor do I believe either of you would let me. I just needed to know why you had persisted so much longer than I thought." The mage admitted quietly. Jayce let out a heavy sigh through his nose. "It is truly him?" 

"At the very least, just a piece of him." Jayce managed in a shaky voice. "I think you should go." He glanced up. "I think you should go and you should never appear in front of us again... In front of me." His voice broke a little. "I don't want to see you." The mage looked slightly upset, but there was an understanding in his eyes. He gave a small nod, his spotted wings seen fluttering up for a moment. "Thank you for keeping us from your fate." Jayce averted his gaze. "...and fuck you for everything else." 

He only heard a small, weak breath in response. "Jayce-" 

"Go."

Jayce's voice strained and he was only met with a fluttering noise as the pressure in the air dissipated. He focused back on the colors casted from the lantern onto the wall. He felt so pained inside. The mage was gone. He inhaled shakily and Viktor was felt stirring against him. "...Jayce?" He yawned. 

Click, click, click.

The sound accompanied his momentarily wide mouth before disappearing again as he blinked. He furrowed his brow and sat up. "Are you alright now?" He reached out and pressed his hand to Jayce's forehead. He must've passed out. Jayce could only stare at him helplessly. Viktor met his eyes and he seemed to hesitate. "Jayce?" 

"Vik." Jayce's voice was so strangled that he could barely even get out. It seemed he didn't need all the words he wanted to say. Viktor's eyes softened and he gave a weak nod. Jayce reached out and pulled Viktor back between his legs, helping Viktor open the Councilor's coat so he could fully lay it over himself. Viktor leaned back against his chest, his wings carefully tucked between them. Jayce hugged him, holding his partner from behind as he leaned back against the cave wall. He opened his mouth, but that was it for his voice. He couldn't get anything else out. He shut his mouth and his eyes. 

Jayce leaned down and kissed the back of Viktor's ear, making the smaller man jump. His wings gave a tiny buzz. Jayce didn't go any further, only laying back again. He could feel Viktor trying to work his hand into Jayce's and he opened it up. Instantly, Viktor's fingers intertwined with his, giving his hand an encouraging squeeze. Jayce appreciated it. "Rest, Jayce. I will be here when you wake." Viktor's tone became a little joking. "In this form or another, I suppose." Jayce gave a weak scoff. It eased the aching in his heart just a little. 

Chapter 26

Click! Click! Click!!

"Mm-mm!" Jayce quickly stumbled into Viktor's exit, standing in front of the entrance to the spring. Viktor let out a hiss. He'd already been transformed when Jayce had woken up and that creature was already upset. Jayce still wasn't sure why. The only thing the creature wore was Jayce's Councilor coat, which fit much better on Viktor's lankier, longer frame. Its wings were buzzing around agitatedly. Jayce wasn't sure if the creature was angry at any people that were still there or if it could somehow sense that the mage had been there. That bloody webbing kept trying to 'peer' around him. "Shhh! Shhh..." Jayce held up his hands and slowly lowered them. He did it a few more times, getting Viktor's attention. He could still only manage noises. 

Viktor only chittered in response and Jayce startled as the creature moved forward, its split open face seeming to closely scan him over. It hovered the webbing over his chest and shoulders before moving to his neck and head. Jayce wasn't exactly sure if it was smelling him, but he could tell it was searching for something. And whatever Viktor seemed like it was smelling or seeing, it didn't like it. The chittering grew louder and more menacing, the creature's wings buzzing louder. Viktor hissed and Jayce startled as his pincers crossed over his back in an X and he was pulled forward. The creature held Jayce against it, seeming more than agitated. Jayce didn't know why and he reached up, gently patting at Viktor's shoulder. 

Jayce wrinkled his nose as the blood dripping from the creature's split open face landed on his own, but he persisted, continuing to gently shush it. Jayce felt empty. He felt so empty when he was looking at this creature and it made him feel terrible in turn. It still loved him. Viktor still loved him. In both forms.

In all possibilities?

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and his hands fell away. He lowered his head and the first stifled sob left him. The noise seemed to instantly grab Viktor's attention and the creature knelt down, clicking and chittering at him in confusion. Jayce shook his head, forcing his cries back. He wouldn't make those sounds. Not anymore. He couldn't. Jayce inhaled shakily. Viktor's clicking only became more worried and rapid. 

Click! Click! Click! 

Click!

Click, click!

Jayce shook his head again. "Mm-mm." He managed softly. Still no words. He just didn't have them. And they didn't want him. He inhaled shakily as Viktor pulled him closer with his pincers. The creature's face started to seal up as much as it could and it pulled back. It inched backwards and hid its pincers behind itself. Viktor seemed like it was trying to make itself small. Finally, the creature turned and it buried its head under the discarded shirt he'd wore the night before. The shirt quickly became stained, but Viktor pulled in his pincers, lowering itself down so Jayce's Councilor coat covered its body. Why had it hidden itself??What was... It finally struck Jayce. 

The creature was trying to hide for him.

It broke his heart. 

Jayce felt tears spring to his eyes as he watched it before shakily moving forward. There was a confused, hushed chittering as Jayce pulled the shirt off of its head. He reached out and cupped the sides of his face, rubbing his thumbs over its cheeks. There was a weak noise. Jayce felt terrible. Viktor knew its appearance scared him. It knew and it wanted to fix it, but it didn't know how. And it couldn't. It wouldn't be able to. Jayce could only watched as the creature's pincer hesitantly poked out from the inside of the coat, nudging at his side. Gods, he felt awful. Jayce carefully turned Viktor's head to the side and leaned in, pressing a kiss to its cheek. 

The creature let out a soft, weak fluttering noise. Jayce gave a weak sigh and moved forward, hugging him. There was a soft jolt of surprise before the pincers both crept out and hooked behind him. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "...Don't hide, Vik." Jayce finally managed, making the creature perk in surprise. It shuffled and Jayce felt it firmly hook its chin over his shoulder to that the blood didn't seep into his shirt. Jayce gave a weak sigh. He hugged the creature tighter and another small chirp left it, followed by the clicking. "I'm sorry... You do scare me." Jayce leaned back and cupped the creature's cheeks again. He gently pushed its face shut the creature tipped its head, allowing him to do so with a soft trilling noise. "I'm trying so hard to see past it. Because I know it's you and I know you can't help this."

Click, click, click. 

That tone was much more soft and questioning. Jayce looked Viktor over with weakened eyes. "...You can tell the mage was here, can't you? You can tell something was here." There was a low growl in response. Jayce nodded. The scientist in him did desperately want to know just how Viktor knew. But that had to be explored another time. He had to distract him before Viktor got too agitated. Jayce glanced down. "I did notice, Vik. You like to guard this part of you, here-" He moved his hand down and Viktor let out a sharp, surprised chittering as Jayce massaged his hand into the small of its back. 

The creature's wings shot out on either side and a weak cooing noise fluttered from the webbing of its face. It arched its back, squirming and Jayce watched as its shoulders slowly turned a flushed red. It felt so strange, but it comforted Jayce in a way. That this part of Viktor could still react and move in such a human way. He startled as he felt something poke him and his cheeks somehow went so hot that he had to squeeze his eyes shut and let out a soft, controlled breath. He stopped his hand for a moment and hesitated, finally moving his other hand down. The moment he gripped his length, Viktor's legs seemed to give out and the creature whimpered as Jayce caught them, lowering them both to their knees. Viktor began to rut desperately against his hand with shuddering hips. 

Viktor seemed more confused than anything as it clung to him best it could. "There you go. You're doing so well, Vik." Jayce praised softly, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice. He pressed his knuckles deep against the small of Viktor's back, a soft pop heard. The relieved, shivering noise that left the creature made Jayce part his jaws. Jayce felt... dirty. He felt dirty and wrong for pleasuring a creature like this. He felt even worse for feeling affected in turn. But he just had to remember, that whether any of them liked it or not, this creature was Viktor. And if it was Viktor... Jayce gently pressed his thumb under the flared head of Viktor's length and the creature jerked with a startled noise. Something wet and thick spattered Jayce's hands, but he barely had time to register it as the cracking started. 

Jayce wiped his hand off as Viktor shrank back down, panting once his face had sealed back up. His cheeks were flushed red and he swallowed before grabbing the edges of Jayce's Councilor coat and pulling them shut to hide himself. It seemed to take him another moment or two before he could fully settle back to reality and Jayce was already using the unstained sections of his shirt to wipe off Viktor's face. "Hey... Your pants are still fine, but the other half tried to hide his face in this." Jayce held up the bloody shirt and Viktor swore weakly. He finally gave a quiet, resigned sigh and glanced away. 

"...I suppose it will just be a little embarrassing. Just some pants and your... Councilor garment that is laughably big on something like me." Viktor said, giving a weak smile. Jayce paused. 

"...Someone, Viktor." He corrected softly, making the other stiffen up as Jayce cupped his cheeks. He pulled him forward and pressed his lips to his forehead. "Someone like you." A smile tugged at the side of Viktor's mouth. 

"I think you are trying to sweet-talk me." Viktor commented, raising a brow. "Hm, it used to only happen on accident before." At that, Jayce froze up and he felt his face go hot. 

"I-I don't think I've ever-" 

"Of course you don't. But you have always been a romantic, Jayce. Even if you did not realize it. The reassurances and teasing you showed to me were gentle and intimate." Viktor admitted softly before his eyes moved back up to meet his. "You made me feel wanted." Jayce hesitated and his brow immediately furrowed as he stared at him. Viktor startled a little at that and seemed to fluster again before glancing away. "You still make me feel wanted, even if I'm unsure as to why you would want me like this." Viktor's hand emerged from the coat and brushed over the bloodstained rock beneath them. "I am an abomination, Jayce. A freak." Viktor's voice weakened. "How-" 

Jayce's lips were on his in an instant. His heart had sped up, even if it was aching so badly that it nearly left him in tears. "You're not. You're not. You are Viktor. You are brilliant and you are kind. You are my partner." Jayce whispered against his lips. He finally pulled back to meet Viktor's flushed face and teary eyes. Jayce's voice was beyond weak. "You... are my partner." 

Chapter 27

The groan Sevika let out nearly made Jayce break as his mouth twitched at the corner. Mel shot her a scolding look from the head of the table. "Professionalism, Councilor." She chided gently. Sevika sighed through her nose. 

"This is brought up every two weeks and the motion never passes-" 

"But we must vote on it regardless." Mel stated, though it was clear she might've been a little tired of it too. It had been proposed by the same older Councilor. They were in another meeting. "The Council will now vote. Those in favor of relieving Councilor Talis of his seat at the table due to concerns over mental and emotional stability?" Instantly, the same three Councilors raised their hands. There were seven Councilors and Jayce could not vote himself. They would need four in favor or they risked a stalemate. Mel did not raise her hand and neither did Shoola, who only watched the other three with a disapproving glance as she tapped her metal nails together. Sevika only rolled her eyes, resting her head against her hand. 

Instantly, the older Councilor's jaw clenched  in dissatisfaction. Mel waited a few more moments. "The vote has reached a stalemate. The motion will not pass." She stated decidedly. Sevika put her head in her hands, dragging them down her face. Mel shot her another look. Jayce was left to dissociate during the rest of the meeting, wondering how Viktor was doing. The other had actually tried to follow after him when he'd left this time, and as much as it embarrassed the both of them, Viktor had yet to leave Jayce's old Councilor coat too far. Jayce had to soothe him back into his human state in order for Viktor to let him leave. Twice. He'd seemed so skittish and high strung.

Just like before, Jayce was the last one at the table when the meeting adjourned and Mel had to gently shake him out of his daze. He blinked a couple times and raised his head to look over the empty chairs. He could only stare before he squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face in his hands. If he were being honest, yes. Yes, he should be cast from his Council chair. Yes, he was emotionally and mentally unfit to be a Councilor. But one look at Sevika's retreating form told him that he was also one of the only reasons the votes went in Zaun's favor. His eyes fixed back on Mel and he sighed through his nose. 

"No bags beneath your eyes, yet you seem exhausted still?" Mel murmured, looking him over with a furrowed brow. The saddest part was that she wasn't even teasing him. Jayce gave a weak laugh. 

"Found me out that quick, did you?" He joked. His attempt at lightening the mood did work and a smile pulled at Mel's lips. 

"Someone seems to forget that I was a politician even before I met you." She reminded him in a fake, scolding tone. "I am quite good at seeing people's expressions beneath the face." 

"Gross." Jayce replied before breaking out into laughter as Mel smacked his good shoulder playfully. "Oww, Mel, my shoulder..."

"Your other one is the injured one." Mel replied, rolling her eyes. She gave a quiet sigh and her eyes moved to gaze at nothing. She was thinking and clearly thinking hard about it. Jayce watched her quietly before his brow furrowed. He hesitated before reaching out and nudging her arm curiously. Mel jumped before glancing over at him. She chewed her lip, her arms crossed before speaking again. "I believe I would like to try meeting him again." Jayce's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, but Mel held up a hand. "I'm much more prepared this time and I know what to expect."

Jayce still wasn't sure it was a good idea and the expression on his face must've been something serious because Mel's eyes softened. "I'm just worried, Mel. I'm worried Viktor will try to attack you and you'll hurt him defending yourself. Or he'll manage to break through and hurt you. But, uh... who knows? Maybe he'll be calm." Jayce buried his forehead in his hand before dragging it down his face. "Point is, I don't know what to expect and I can't guarantee any kind of safety." He explained quietly. "...And that terrifies me."

Mel watched him quietly, her hands clasped in front of her. "Being a scientist is about exploring the unknown, you once-"

"And look what it did to me!" Jayce snapped the words a little harsher than he meant to, making Mel jump. He hesitated before glancing aside. "I-I'm sorry." Mel shook her head, watching him in quiet sympathy. Jayce couldn't help but equate it to pity. It was obvious to anyone that met him, just how damaged and dampened the former 'Man of Progress' had become. "I, uh, I think if you bring him something he likes, maybe he'll realize you aren't a threat. And... you'll have to stand a few feet away from me." Jayce theorized quietly. Mel nodded. Jayce stared at her for a moment. "And if you do need to defend yourself, just... please don't... do anything that..." Jayce's voice died in his throat, having shaken into silence and Mel nodded. 

"I understand."

"...I'm sorry." 

"It's alright."

---

Jayce's stomach felt like a blackened pit as he stared at the chainlink dome. Mel was holding a jar of sweetmilk biscuits next to him, standing at the entrance to the massive cavern that held the former commune. "Jayce, what's the matter?" She asked worriedly. Of course she wouldn't see anything different, considering she'd never been here, but Jayce almost found the question sickening with how obvious the problem was.

The Sanctum was gone. 

Not even just destroyed, but gone. In its place was a sinkhole. Jayce swallowed shakily, trying not to imagine Viktor being caught in it. Whichever side of him had been out, he would've been terrified. The sinkhole had swallowed the entirety of the Sanctum. Jayce started forward, instantly speeding up down the path and easily pushing the limits of his leg brace. It creaked and squeezed in protest, but Jayce didn't care. He made it to the gates and used his handprint to open them. If he hadn't been so locked on to finding Viktor, he would've felt bad for making Mel rush after him. "Viktor?? VIKTOR!!" Jayce yelled out, his voice shaking. "Viktor!! VIKTOR, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

Even with how his words echoed, there was no response. No accented voice calling back to him. Not even clicking. Jayce inhaled shakily as he finally came to a stop at the edge of the sinkhole, staring down into the darkness with burning eyes. The first tears escaped down his face and his mouth was parted, but no more noise made it out. Only soft, shuddering breaths. It could've crushed him. This much ground could've easily crushed him and Jayce didn't know if he could handle seeing Viktor's lifeless body surrounded by debris AGAIN. Not again. He couldn't do it again. He couldn't. 

And here he was on the edge again.

Just like the night he'd met Viktor properly for the very first time. Despite the situation being so jarring different, it felt exactly the same. It felt exactly the same. Hopeless. Useless. Completely and utterly finite. Viktor wasn't even here to stop him this time. He could feel Mel's hand grabbing his elbow tightly and she was saying something, but he just couldn't focus. He just couldn't do it. Jayce continued to stare down. He didn't know how many times he could handle dropping. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. His leg already ached with phantom pain of an injury long past. Not healed, but past. His mouth was still parted and his breathing still heavy. 

He wasn't sure what possessed him in that moment, but such a cold rush of panic and terror swept through his body, that it seized up and his eyes went wide. "VIKTOR!!" And he screamed for him. He felt Mel yank back from the force of his voice and Jayce didn't even know if he could bring himself to feel bad about it as he listened to his partner's name carry down into the darkness. His breathing was even heavier and the sense of urgency was so tight in his chest that it felt like his heart was being strangled. He had to be there. He had to. He had to, he had to, he had to. Jayce could feel more tears bubbling up and he choked back a sob. He couldn't have lost him again. He wasn't even with him this time. He hadn't even been with him.

From the depths of the sinkhole... there was a chittering noise. It only grew louder and more shrill as it carried upwards. Jayce's eyes went wide in shock. That chittering was so desperate and confused. Then came the 

click,

click,

click.

Jayce was already stepping off the edge before he even processed that he'd moved. He didn't even have time to process Mel's shriek as she grasped the empty air where he'd just been. His heart had gone eerily calm and Jayce could only stare upwards for a moment as he twisted midair. That old man had been right. Jayce was not mentally or emotionally fit for this. Not when things like this came so easily to him. When he wouldn't even give something like this a second thought. How had they let him stay this long? He could craft an argument and hold a conversation with ease. But inside, he'd been tangled and knotted up to his very core. He still could barely eat meat without tasting lizard. He could barely drink without tasting filth. He had such trouble with bathing himself because the second he reached his leg, it was all about

maggots, maggots, maggots.

There was a fissure directly above him. Sunlight shone through puffy white clouds just beyond the rocks. And Jayce could only wonder if Viktor would catch him or if he could keep this tranquil image in his mind all the way until he collided with the ground.

Chapter 28

When he'd finally fallen far enough that the sunlight had been swallowed, there was a warbling.

There was a warbling and it was so, so loud and Jayce couldn't stand it, squeezing his eyes shut. His mouth opened and he swore he was screaming. He could feel his voice in his throat, but he just couldn't- The warbling stopped. His screaming stopped.

Jayce blinked. He was... falling. He was so confused. His vision was blurring. He could feel air whipping past him, but he was still suspended in the air. There was no more light from above him. What was going on? What had that been? He shook his head and quickly snapped back to reality. He was still falling. He twisted around and his breath caught in his throat. He wasn't sure if he should be amazed or absolutely and utterly horrified. He was falling toward what appeared to be a gigantic, misshapen labyrinth of... stone? It was grey, but the arches and jagged walls gave off an eerie light. He didn't see Viktor anywhere. He could see the shattered, spherical remains of the Sanctum spread for at least a mile in each direction. He... was going to die. His vision fuzzed as his breathing sped up. His heart was pounding. It was starting to go dark already.

All of a sudden, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Something vivid and colorful flashed next to him before he felt hands and a much smaller body collide with his. There was a loud buzzing noise. So much louder than Viktor's wings, but Jayce wasn't even shocked about that. Someone at least half his size had just caught him. He was speechless as he felt the jolt of them landing on the stone walls after a minute. Had they jumped to catch him?? It didn’t seem to bother them as they kept running. He could hear their breath. He tried to look, but his vision was blurring. Finally, he felt them slow before they both dropped into a passageway lit by... the walls.

Jayce yelped as he was dropped rather unceremoniously. He laid on the ground for a moment, panting as his heart went absolutely haywire in his chest. He looked over. The other person was knelt on the ground, seeming to be panting. They wore what appeared to be multiple belts and pieces of once-white fabric. They were vaguely stained with blue and pink. They were covered in dust and appeared to be messily hand sewn together. There were two clean rips in the back and he could vaguely see something occasionally catch the light inside. Ropes around their waist held several leather flasks. A holster. They even had a hood on their makeshift outfit, which covered their head. They were facing away from him. He could hear them breathing heavily through the seemingly unending jolting of his own heart. He could only stare at them. He didn't even think he could speak if he wanted to.

He jumped as they sunk down a little more, revealing their feet as they seemed to settle on their knees. They were barefoot. Jayce's eyes widened. Their feet were pale, but the tendons in them seemed horribly elongated, like someone had pulled them right to the edge of snapping. The bottoms of their feet were thickly calloused. Calloused so heavily that Jayce could only wonder how long they'd been barefoot. As a person, he was horrified. As a scientist, however...

'Thank you...' He mouthed softly, his eyes wide. He knew they wouldn't even know that he'd expressed his gratitude, but he was also unsure if he should be thanking them at all just yet. He startled as they stood up and he slowly pressed himself down closer to the ground. The long tendons in their feet were forcing them to perpetually stand on their toes as they walked. They moved like they were constantly off-balanced, their steps slow and unsteady. He swallowed and used his shaky hands to push himself backwards as they faced him. He still couldn’t see their face through his pulsing vision. He shivered and started to back up much faster as they approached him.

He managed to twist himself so he could push himself back with his good leg. His back hit the wall and he exhaled shakily. The person slowly crouched in front of him. He swallowed again. They hadn't said a word. And good gods, they smelled awful.

He watched as they reached up with one pale hand, old blue and pink nail polish seen chipped on dirty fingers. They shakily pulled back their hood and Jayce paused. He'd... never met her in person. He'd only heard about her and he'd only seen her face on posters. Wanted posters, of all things. But that wasn't his concern. The maxillae. There were two protruding pincers that encompassed the girl's neck, seeming as if they were used to grab and pull food up to her lips. The girl trembled as she stared at him. Her face twitched. Finally, the pincers twitched around her neck as she seemed to clear her throat. She spoke in a trembling, rasping voice. "H-Hey... I'm sorry I shot you." Her voice was thin and whispery. It sounded awful. It almost even made Jayce overlook what she said, but he furrowed his brow. 

She was the one who'd shot him. Jayce was pale. He was also still speechless. This... Glowing, magenta eyes stared at him from a pale face. It was streaked with dirt and dust and what seemed to be dried blood. Her face was framed on one side by a long piece of blue bangs. The hair had a shiny, pale pink line swirled into it. Her bangs dangled past her chest. The rest of the hair was short and messy, in the awkward growing phase that usually followed a buzz cut. She looked... so much like Vi. 

'Jinx.' He mouthed her name, pressing himself back against the wall. Jinx lowered herself to her hands and knees as she crawled forward, her pincers twitching. Something was wrong with her eyes. She was mumbling quietly, almost to herself.

Once she was closer, Jayce's eyes went wide. Jinx's eyes were muddy. Her pupils were an off-grey instead of the black the hole in one's eye should have been. Those eyes were not built for light. After a few more moments of silence, Jayce found his voice once his heart no longer felt like it was going to rip from his chest. "...H-How long have you been down here?” He asked, his voice hoarse. He tensed as Jinx's eyes slowly searched over his face and she gave him an eerily blank look. The pincers wiggled. He opened his mouth to say something when Jinx suddenly jerked her head up. She was staring down the stone passageway they were both sitting in, visibly alert and listening.

Jayce didn't need to ask what was wrong, because he could feel it. He felt vibrations and they were getting closer. Jinx abruptly stood up and beckoned to him. She hadn't looked away from down the passageway even once. "...We have to run. Can you do it?" Her voice kept cracking and straining from disuse.

Jayce pushed himself up using the wall and standing with his weight on his good leg. He took a step forward and the creaking of the brace got Jinx's attention. "Oh." She muttered as she shifted from one malformed foot to the other. Jayce was trying to figure out if he should apologize or take offense before he heard a haunting noise from further down the passageway. It was picked up and echoed by others. Jayce felt his breathing shudder. Chittering and barking. Howling and clicking. But none of those noises sounded like Viktor. Jinx's breathing had started to speed up.

"Hey! Hey, we have to run. We, uh, we kinda have to keep pace with them or they'll realize we're different. They'll kill us. They will eat us." Jinx sounded like she was explaining some kind of inconvenience more than a fatality. "Can you hear them?" She lifted her head and her muddy, glowing eyes shifted around. She reached out and her pink and blue nails hooked onto Jayce's shirt sleeve. The vibration was rattling his very bones and he turned to look down the passageway.

He startled as he saw multiple figures tear around the corner, many losing their footing and smashing into the wall. They screeched and continued on. They were... dogs. Jayce could only stare. They were dogs at one point. It finally stuck him that they had been mutated into something much more similar to ants. Snapping mandibles and smooth hides. It looked like their fur had fallen off and dirty, stained claws hooked into the ground from their original quadrupedal legs. The rest of the legs seemed to be what was both pushing them along so quickly and simultaneously making them lose their balance. With how fast they were rushing, Jayce could see some of them being trampled before hurrying on again. Heading straight to them.

Jayce was frozen. There was no way in hell he would be able to keep up. To his complete and utter shock, he suddenly felt someone heave him up. Jinx had just thrown him over her shoulder. Jayce was open-mouthed, never in his life having thought someone below 5'4" would be carrying him like this. She turned away from the approaching mutts, but Jayce could still see them. They were getting closer. Jinx slid one of her feet back, vague line of purple seen spreading through the veins. The dogs reached them and the lead one opened its mandibles to show its canine jaws. He felt a blast of hot breath, but the teeth never came and they were surrounded.

Jinx took off.

For a moment, it broke Jayce's brain. How was she doing that?? She was keeping pace. She had a 6'3", over 200 pound man slung over her shoulder like a sack and she was keeping pace. He could only hold on for dear life as they skidded around a corner and he tried not to imagine how torn up Jinx's bare feet probably were. The thickness of the callouses made sense now. The elongation of the tendons. He felt like he was going to be sick. All of a sudden, he felt Jinx jerk to the left and they came to such a sudden halt that he almost had the air knocked out of him. Jinx had done a near 90° detour to duck into a side passage. He watched as the rest of the dogs ran past before the thunder of their... paws... faded out. He yelped as he was roughly dropped for the second time. Jinx stared down at him before seeming to suddenly lose interest and turning away. She was panting, but she didn't seem exhausted.

He blinked and realized an eerie glow was lighting up the passageway. It came from further down, where he could see an opening to another clearing. It was a dim, flickering purple. He watched as Jinx slowly tiptoed her way towards a giant, glowing pool of pale purple liquid. Jayce furrowed his brow. Was it water?? The surface was completely still except for small ripples here and there. He blinked as Jinx shakily crouched next to it, her muddled eyes wide. "You have no idea how hard these damn things are to find." Her voice cracked on the last word. She undid one of the flasks on her rope belt. She uncorked it and crouched, seemingly waiting for something. She had one of her hands raised, that same vague purple glow spreading through the veins. Jayce furrowed his brow. "Oh, come on... Just do it." He heard Jinx mutter, her voice bordering between annoyance and a desperate whine.

Jayce nearly choked as what appeared to be a large, jagged pincer shot out of the water, breaking the still surface. He didn't even see Jinx move before she was gripping the pincer and yanking up whatever was attached to it. He inhaled sharply as a massive creature was pulled up. He recognized what it was. At least, he recognized what it was supposed to be. It was a Waverider. Viktor used to tell him about the one he'd taken care of as a child.

Like the dogs, the animal had also been changed. It had a shell and its usually reptilian form had been warped into something insectlike. Its eyes and mouth were gaping black holes. It had green skin and it resembled a terrifying misprint of a water bug. Jinx heaved the whole creature to the side with a grunt, and it hit the wall with a loud crack, the shell splintering. He watched as glowing purple veins started to erupt over it before the mutated Waverider melted into the ground in a puddle of vivid, glowing purple. Jinx paid it no mind and instead scooped up the glowing pool liquid in the flask and corked it. She turned back to him.

She seemed to look him over with her cloudy eyes and she finally spoke in her scratchy voice. "Y'know, I've only ever seen you on posters and airships." Jayce stared back at her and barely managed to push himself to his feet again.

"...I only ever saw you on posters too." He said quietly. Jinx blinked at him. "Wanted posters." She instantly seemed to relax in understanding, nodding. 

"Ah, yeah. That... That makes sense." She muttered, her gaze moving off to stare at the wall as she hooked the flask back to one of her belts. Jayce took her in before shakily taking another step forward and offering his hand.

"I-I’m Jayce... Jayce Talis..." He said shakily. Jinx could only stare at his hand blankly before looking back up at him. 

"I shot you." She stated bluntly, clearly baffled by his attempt at politeness. Jayce paused before nodding. 

"I... I've had worse things... by people much closer to me than you." He answered, unable to help how vague the answer sounded. Jinx furrowed her brow and he finally lowered his hands. 

"...The edges haven't given in yet. But you were falling." Once again, the statement was blunt. Jayce had to hold back a flinch and he nodded. The pincers on either side of Jinx's neck wiggled and there was a momentary buzz from behind her that seemed to mess with her clothes. Finally, she held out her hand and Jayce felt his shoulders sink in relief. He shook her hand, though his palm absolutely dwarfed it. "How were you, uh, expecting to land?" Jayce opened his mouth to respond, but Jinx kept going. "What were you coming down here for??" Jayce started to say it wasn't 'what', but 'who'. He never got the chance to finish as an absolutely furious noise erupted from above them. 

Click! Click! Click!

Jayce blurted out the words before he could stop himself. "VIKTOR, DON'T!" 

Chapter 29

Jinx was on the other side of the clearing in an instant, her eyes glowing, as Viktor came crashing down in front of Jayce, his pincers scratching into the stone floor. Blood spattered the pale ground as the creature's face split in full, agitated chittering erupting from the webbing. Once again, Jayce hadn't even seen her move, but there was a bigger problem. "Viktor!" His voice strained as he tried to speak over the loud buzzing of Viktor's wings. One of the lower wings was snapped to the side and Jayce could see him favoring his leg and hip. He finally reached out and yanked at the coattail of the dusty Councilor coat that Viktor still wore. The creature turned on him, hissing loudly before it died down. "...Vik." Jayce managed weakly. "Stop."

Click, click, click. 

Viktor began to circle around him, its wings twitching as it nudged at him with its pincers. "I'm fine. I promise I'm fine." Jayce told him, reaching out and gently rubbing circles into the side of its neck. Viktor chattered before its face slowly started to seal up. Jayce quickly moved to hold him as Viktor shrank back down. Something was incredibly wrong with his leg and hip, which dragged loosely along the ground. He flinched and buried his bloody face against Jayce the moment his eyes became real again. "Viktor, you are hurt. Fuck! Here." 

Viktor bit back a yell as his hands curled into Jayce's shirt. Jayce had lowered them both to the floor, trying to figure out how to prop Viktor's broken leg and hip. With how the snapped wing and broken leg was all on one side, it didn't take a genius to see that Viktor had been caught offguard when the sinkhole opened. Jayce ended up helping Viktor straighten out the leg completely and shifting all his weight to his good hip. "Do you know if your brace fell with you?" He asked, glancing up at him. Viktor held a hand to his blood-smeared forehead and squeezed his eyes shut. 

"It did." Jinx spoke up and Viktor startled, leaning around Jayce to look at her with teary eyes. She stiffened up a little, her fingers hooking in front of herself. "...Hey, cookie." Instantly, Viktor looked taken back. He opened his mouth but no words seemed able to escape him. Jayce had a feeling that Viktor usually would've been offended, but something about the way Jinx said it was throwing him off. He swallowed quietly and glanced down. 

"The one you met is not who I am." Viktor finally managed. "I know you said you were grateful to him for... something, but I really wouldn't know what that is. I cannot take credit for however he may have helped you." Viktor glanced aside, his shoulders sunken as his body shook from the pain of his broken bone. "I'm sorry." Jinx's fingers unhooked from one another and slid over each other so she could hug herself. Her pincers crossed in front of her neck, even that motion seeming confused and anxious. She clearly didn't get it. 

"...I'm gonna go find your leg thing. I saw where it went." She finally stated. Jayce nearly had a heart attack as four, long thin glassy wings suddenly erupted from behind her. They were different from Viktor's, each one being narrow and forming a vague X behind her. The buzzing they let out made Jayce flinch as Jinx pushed off the ground and she was gone in an instant. Jayce rubbed his ear quietly, his nose slightly scrunched in displeasure. He finally turned back to Viktor and offered his hand. Viktor took it and his grip was almost crushing as his fingers shook. 

"Viktor, I'm sorry I didn't get here faster. I would've been back sooner, but the meeting got dragged out." Jayce said quickly, looking him over in dismay. Viktor glanced up at him before he leaned over and buried his face into his shoulder. 

"Were they trying to expel you from your Council seat again?" Viktor sounded unamused as he spoke and Jayce knew he didn't even need to answer, only shooting Viktor a look. The smaller man rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Is that not the third time already this month?" He muttered. Jayce gave an exasperated shrug. He stared at Viktor quietly before leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek. Viktor jumped and glanced over at him. "Jayce?" Jayce gently held his face, pressing a kiss to the other cheek before moving up to his forehead. Viktor's cheeks were pink now. "J-Jayce, now hardly seems to be the time for-" Jayce's lips met his and all protests seemed to melt away, Viktor's eyes slipping shut. 

Jayce pulled back to look at him, his eyes scanning his face over. "...Is it healing at all?" He asked, his voice weakened as he reached out, hovering his fingers over his leg. Viktor glanced down at his hand, his chest giving a small shudder before nodding. 

"I... feel the bones trying to mend. It... It does hurt. Not as much as it should, but nonetheless." Viktor mumbled, his brow furrowed. Jayce frowned and he finally lowered his head to rest against Viktor's shoulder. Viktor was felt hesitating before his fingers slipped up into the back of Jayce's hair. "This whole labyrinth. Do we know where it came from? If it is beneath the commune, do you think he made it?" It was Jayce's turn to hesitate and he furrowed his brow. He didn't lift his head from Viktor's shoulder. 

"From what I could see while, uh, falling, this place stretches for at least a mile or two. I don't doubt the cave system was already here. But with the... the Hexcore being founded solely through a Symbiosis Rune, it's... incredibly possible that the influence alone was enough to... seep into the ground." Jayce didn't quite believe that part and he could tell Viktor knew. His touches became lighter and gentler. "O-Or..." 

"Or perhaps... the scattering of his organic material, yes." Viktor said it so Jayce wouldn't have to, his voice soft. Despite that, it felt like a dagger straight to the heart and Jayce inhaled shakily. When he'd fired that weapon, the very last thing on his mind was where those bits of Viktor would land. His hands shook as he squeezed his eyes shut. Viktor was still holding one of his hands and his other hand moved down to carefully play with Jayce's fingers. It relaxed Jayce just a little and he finally raised his eyes. "Is Jinx not one of Zaun's most wanted criminals?" Jayce paused. 

"Zaun came to our aid in the battle, with her and Ekko on the frontlines. Not only that, but she was presumed dead. Vi said she thought Jinx had fallen into the Hexgates, but Cait theorized she managed to slip into one of the external vents. Hit with how damaged the area was, she likely fell through and ended up down here with no food or water." Jayce hesitated and glanced over at that glowing purple pool in the center of the clearing. "...I can only assume the mutations she's experienced are, uh, a result of that." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "...She wouldn't have been able to get out of here until she grew wings." Viktor gave a small nod in response. "The animals down here have all gained insect traits. The Rune was likely corrupted if it could only provide parasitism or commensalism. None of this is the perfection he was aiming for." 

Viktor's hands continued to quietly play with Jayce's fingers. He looked troubled and confused now, his brow furrowed as he stared forward. They both glanced up as that loud buzzing was heard approaching before Jayce yelped as the leg brace came crashing down in front of them. "Sorry." Jinx mumbled the word after she'd landed, stumbling a little with how she was still forced to stand on her toes. Her wings folded back behind her again, disappearing into the fabric of her baggy outfit. Jayce reached out and pulled the brace over. He sat up, starting to search over the damage. Jinx watched them both with muddled eyes as the pincers around her neck wiggled. She hesitated before taking a small, curious step forward. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor's eyes became ever so slightly dull as the warning noise erupted from his parted lips. That curious step was instantly rescinded and Jinx stood awkwardly again. "Hey. Vik." Jayce kept his tone just a little scolding and Viktor jumped before shaking his head and letting his eyes become real again. He hesitated, glancing between them before turning his head away again. 

"I'm not mad, cookie." Jinx stated, staring at him. Viktor shot her another small, uncomfortable look before his eyes moved back to Jayce, who was starting to pull the dented metal back into place best he could. After another minute or so of silent staring, they both jumped as Jinx plopped down nearby. Now that he thought about it, Jayce wasn't actually sure he'd seen her blink at any point yet. "...There's too many of you down here." Jayce paused and glanced over at her in confusion. "I've already been trying so hard to avoid the other one down here. Ugh." She buried her face in her hands and when she spoke again, it was muffled. "Trying so hard to 'save' me. That's what I get for being so excited to get out of the hole for the first time, huh?" She gave a bitter little snort.

Jayce gave a small sigh through his nose as he looked her over before focusing back on the brace. He could feel Viktor leaning against him, his face nuzzled into his sleeve. He managed his own weak little smile. He was the only one right here without wings, huh? In a way, he was kind of jealous.

Chapter 30

Nighttime down in the labyrinth was stressful, to say the least. Jayce couldn't sleep. Maybe it was a mixture of the hard ground or the unfamiliarity of the new area. They had yet to leave that small clearing. The dogs had passed by again, thundering down what Jayce assumed to be the main paths. That wasn't even what was keeping him awake. Before she'd left to scurry back to wherever her shelter was, Jinx had referred to the walls as 

the bones. 

Jayce had yet to sleep after that. He stared up at the cavern ceiling, his eyes painful from how tired he was. He wasn't even sure how long he'd been staring and his usual dissociation felt so much more brutal than it should have. Viktor had curled up against his side, laying Jayce's Councilor's coat over the both of them like some kind of blanket. His cheek was pressed against Jayce's chest as he slept almost soundlessly. Jayce glanced down before reaching up and sliding his hand under Viktor's. He lifted it, studying the white line that ran straight through the center of his palm and middle finger. He pulled it to his lips and pressed them to the pin-straight outline. 

"Mm?" Viktor made a small noise of confusion as he blinked open his eyes. His fingers gave the tiniest twitch and Jayce managed a weakened chuckle. 

"That woke you up?" He teased gently. Viktor gave a small scoff, his sharp features detailed in the light of the pool. He yawned and Jayce waited. 

Click, click, click.

That noise always came when Viktor yawned and Jayce couldn't help but be curious about why. He didn't think he'd ever learn the answer though. As he looked at Viktor, he wasn't sure how to tell him that he was the only thing keeping Jayce from completely and utterly freaking out. Because here he was. Fallen again. But this time, the cavern had no light from above. And there were animals. Not automatons. Not even controlled by an outside force this time. Roaming. Mutated. Hungry. But Jayce wasn't left alone this time. He wasn't injured and he wasn't alone. "Jayce...?" Viktor seemed confused and Jayce realized that he'd been staring. Viktor furrowed his brow, seeming to understand that Jayce was struggling not to dissociate right in front of him. 

He reached out and Jayce startled so hard that Viktor's eyes widened, though he didn't pull his hand away. The moment it cupped his cheek, Jayce instantly zoned in on it, squeezing his eyes shut. His jaws parted and he gave the weakest exhale. Viktor watched him quietly and gave a small sigh through his nose. "I am here, Jayce." He spoke quietly. The reassurance helped so much more than Viktor would ever know. Jayce nodded and he blinked as he felt Viktor's hand moved back. Viktor had sat up and his eyes seemed false again as he tipped his head. It was Jayce's turn to reach out, though his hand shook. 

"Hey, Vik. What're you doing out?" Jayce asked softly. There was a small buzz from Viktor's wings, one of them still mending. Jayce startled as Viktor moved, his eyes widening and his face going red as the other pushed open his legs. "V-Viktor??" Viktor's hands were already roaming and Jayce inhaled shakily as he felt him start to grope between his legs. "H-Hah... wait, Viktor- AH!!" Jayce's leg twitched as Viktor gave a particularly hard squeeze. He tipped his head back with a shudder. He felt his cheeks burn as Viktor rubbed his own against the growing bulge in his pants. 

Viktor's hands started to undo his belt and Jayce flustered, at a momentary loss for words. He finally found them as Viktor exposed him, his fingers having hooked into the waistband and pulled it down. "Ah! V-Vik!" His length was exposed and he shivered as Viktor nosed against it, his false eyes staring forward. "V-Viktor, you-" Jayce gasped shakily as Viktor finally started to lap his tongue over his length. It was messy and desperate. "F-Fuck!! Hah!!" Viktor's movements were greedy and starving. He started to focus in on the very tip and Jayce felt a ragged breath escape him at the targeted stimulation. He tipped his head back and raised a hand to cover his face.

Viktor's mouth widened and Jayce felt his hips jolt in complete and utter shock as he felt Viktor swallow his length deep into his throat. He sputtered for a moment before groaning as Viktor started to bob his head. He whined and one hand held a tight grip of Jayce's thigh, while the other was settled on his navel. Jayce barely felt his hand slide before he shrieked a little into his hand as Viktor started to furiously massage his balls in tandem with each suck of his length. "Fuck!! F-Fuck, hah!!" Jayce was struggling to keep himself quiet as his toes curled in his boots. Viktor chittered softly, although it was muffled. "V-Viktor?!" Jayce wasn't exactly sure what had brought this on. 

"Mm." Viktor made a weak noise in response. His eyes suddenly became real and he froze up, seeming to realize what he was doing and pulling back, covering his mouth as he panted. "J-Jayce, I-I..." He seemed shocked at himself, his wings folding quickly. Jayce was panting, his length left throbbing out in the open. "I-I'm sorry, I..." Jayce shook his head, pushing himself up into a sitting position. His length was soaked, he realized. Viktor had been drooling. He swallowed quietly and scoot himself up with his good leg so the wall could hold him up. 

"You... can try to sleep. I can take care of it. I-I'm not upset." Jayce assured him quietly, his eyes averting. He reached out and he swore as he felt just how wet his length was. "Good gods." He muttered quietly. Viktor had yet to move, only seeming able to stare. He looked flustered and his mouth kept opening like he wanted to say something. Finally, he shut his mouth and Jayce blinked as Viktor crawled forward, settling on his knees in front of him. He glanced up at him and Jayce paused. "Are you sure?" He asked softly. Viktor's ears were flushed as he nodded, finally lowering himself down. His licks and sucks were exploratory as opposed to his other side's greedy and hungry ones. Jayce's heart was racing as he tipped his head back. Viktor started to tease the tip with his tongue and Jayce jumped as he felt Viktor's hand wrap around his shaft. "Fuck..." 

It escaped him before he could stop it. He felt Viktor release a small, shaky breath at his swear, followed by a weak scoff. "Th-This is not even close to the dirtiest thing we've done, Jayce." Viktor sounded like he was trying to be scolding, but it was certainly falling flat. Jayce only stared down at him with a flushed face. Viktor caught his eye and it only seemed to make the embarrassment between the both of them worse. "It, uh, it wants to taste you. It knows it is not allowed to eat you like it wants, so it just... wants to taste everything." Viktor managed quietly. Was that why it had practically jumped him?? Jayce felt his neck burn. "Should I let him back out?" 

Jayce froze up at being handed the reins and he stared at Viktor. "You both sh-share the body. It isn't up to me." He protested quietly, turning his head away. He almost wished he'd kept looking because maybe it would've prepared him for the way his length was suddenly taken so deep into Viktor's mouth that he could feel the walls of his throat massaging the head. "FUCK!!" Viktor instantly chattered in response, his eyes staring and false as he started to bob his head furiously. And good gods, he was sucking. He was sucking like he wanted to drain everything from him and Jayce's hips spasmed as he felt him groping his balls again. "HAH!! VIK!! V-Vik, please- AH!!" For a moment, he could only wonder if the gag reflex was either suppressed or nonexistent for Viktor's inner counterpart. 

Jayce's orgasm hit him full-force and his leg spasmed as he felt Viktor drinking down everything he was giving him. He wasn't prepared for the way Viktor demanded more and Jayce's vision spun as he was suddenly pushed into overstimulation. "T-Too much!! Too much! Stop!" He could barely see or breathe as Viktor continued to work his hand and tongue over him. "VIKTOR!!" Jayce's legs were shaking and he could barely choke out Viktor's name before a second release was washing over him far too hard and far too fast. He finally shoved Viktor off of him, making the other chitter in protest. Jayce had to slam his arms down in front of himself, his eyes squeezed shut as tears ran down his face. He kept himself pinned back against the wall, panting shakily. "...Fuck." He tensed up as he heard Viktor shuffle close again. 

A tongue drew across his forehead and followed to his neck. Jayce gave a heavy shiver. Viktor was licking the sweat off of him. He squeezed his eyes shut again as he felt him licking away his tears. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor sounded like he was starving. Jayce shivered as he felt Viktor grab his hand and start to bite at his fingers. He wasn't breaking skin, but it was clear from the shake in his jaw that he wanted to. Viktor was hungry. Not just for sex, but in general, he was hungry. The thought hit Jayce and he stared at him. For a moment, he was stiff. Would Viktor actually eat him?? Even the animalistic side of him would understand that was an irreversible consequence, right?? "Vik?" Jayce whispered to him and he felt Viktor bite down just a little harder with a shaking breath. "Viktor, please, I know you're hungry. I know." He reached out with his other hand after tucking his length back into his pants. He cupped his cheek and Viktor made another unhappy clicking noise. 

He released Jayce's hand and he pulled back fingers dripping with saliva. Viktor was starving and he could tell. He furrowed his brow. He couldn't feel his fingers, nor could he feel his... He felt his face flush again, knowing it was likely an effect of the venom. The moment he pulled his hand away, Viktor raised his own arm up to his mouth. "No! No." Jayce quickly snatched it and pulled it away as Viktor's teeth clacked loudly. 

Click! Click! Click!

Viktor sounded shaky and upset. Jayce nodded. "I know. I-I know, we'll find you food. I'm sure you can catch one of the animals down here." He gently rubbed circles against his neck and Viktor chittered again, leaning into his hand. Jayce's heart was pounding. He was stuck down in this pit. He wasn't alone. He wasn't alone this time, but he wasn't sure being alone with something that had his partner's face and wanted to eat him alive was any better. 

Chapter 31

Catching something for Viktor to eat wasn't the problem, but finding something that he wanted to eat very much was. As it turned out, Viktor still seemed to be picky. This shouldn't have come as a surprise to Jayce, considering that, yes, Viktor had always been picky. But this was a level of frustration that he wasn't sure he could quite handle. Viktor didn't want any of the mice. He didn't want mice or lizards. Jayce couldn't even touch the lizards with his hands. The moment he'd even reached for one, he'd been right back to that horrible pit. Alone and starving. Although it was worrying, a mild saving grace was that all the smaller animals had also been weirdly morphed into half-insects. At least a lizard didn't look... completely like a lizard. But Jayce also had a feeling that was why Viktor wasn't eating.

The other had transformed again, wings buzzing in agitation as shards of bone erupted from the sides of its split-open face. Its breathing was ragged and hungry, but every time Jayce came back to it with an animal, it would close up its face and refuse to eat. Jayce didn't want to keep killing things . He finally dropped the body of a cave rat and his hands were shaking. He didn't want to keep killing things. He didn't like killing things. He couldn't. He couldn't, he couldn't, he couldn't.

Jayce finally sank to the ground, burying himself back against the wall. He kept his head in his hands. He and Viktor had long since left the clearing and they'd learned to climb onto the walls when the dogs rushed through. Jayce felt bloody and he felt unclean. He felt violent and he felt terrified. He felt all of those things that he'd felt in that stupid fucking hole. He felt like he'd never left and, good gods, he felt sick . He inhaled shakily before he heard Viktor further up the passageway.

Click, click, click!

It seemed like Viktor had finally noticed that Jayce wasn't behind him. Jayce could hear pieces of the walls being broken as Viktor scrambled back through the passageways. When the elongated form of his partner appeared as a looming, lanky shadow in the corridor, Jayce lost it. Something in his chest flared up, and all the alarm bells went off in his head at once as he screamed. His vision blurred as he held the sides of his head, and when he stopped screaming...

He was somewhere else.

Still in the labyrinth. Still underground. But something was wrong. His legs ached and his brace hurt. His hands were... coated in blood, all the way up his arms. His fingers were trembling. He was shaking. His throat felt raw and his breathing was wheezy. He was struggling to breathe, like he'd been running. Had he been running??  Where was Viktor? Was he even close enough to call out for him?? When Jayce turned to look back behind him, all he could see was his own bloodied footprints and handprints on the walls and floor. The footprints had too heavy of a press. Too heavy of a splatter. He'd ran here. Jayce took one more step forward before his legs both gave out.

The clack of the metal brace hitting the ground hurt both his leg and his head, making him flinch. Something... hurt. Something really hurt in his leg. Jayce inhaled shakily as he laid himself flat to the ground. He hiccuped softly and squeezed his eyes shut, his bloody hands curling into fists. If the dogs came now, he was done for. He couldn't even tell the difference between his own rocketing heart or any subtle vibrations in the ground. He was going to die. He was going to die. Viktor wasn't with him. He stared at his bloody hands with a completely blank look.

Had Viktor tried to attack him... or had he tried to attack Viktor?? He didn't hear his clicking. He didn't hear chittering. He was alone. He was lost and he was bloody and he was alone. Jayce let out another choked cry. He buried his head into his arms, trying and ultimately failing to not get blood on his face or in his hair. He felt like he was going to be sick and he even managed a single gag before all noise caught in his throat.

"Jayce? Click. Are you here? Click. Where are you?"

The questions sounded rehearsed. Like Viktor had been repeating them over and over again in an effort to sound human. It sounded like his attempts at normalcy had looped all the way back around to uncanny. It didn't sound like him and the clicking dispersed between each sentence also didn't help. Those footsteps were too short and controlled. They were far too controlled.

"Jayce? Are you here? Where are you?"

The same sentences. The same tone. Jayce had a good idea of what was happening and not only did it scare him, but it made his heart crack a little. He glanced back as Viktor turned the corner. He was forcibly walking along on his legs, using Jayce's Councilor coat to keep his claws hidden. It seemed like those were the only thing keeping him upright since he'd forced himself into his human form. The eyes were false and the mouth moved like it wasn't used to using it.

"Jayce? Are you here?"

The third question didn't come this time. Jayce knew that Viktor had seen him. It wasn't right of him to be scared like this. Not when this side of Viktor was trying so hard to hide itself. Not when this side of Viktor wanted him to like it and it had less of a chance of understanding why than its much more cognizant counterpart. It was trying to look like him and talk like him and walk like him. But all it was doing was unearthing a primal terror that Jayce didn't even know he had inside of himself and he felt terrible. Those overly-controlled, overly-careful steps finally stopped right next to him.

"Jayce?"

Jayce inhaled shakily and buried his head under his arms as a frustrated sob finally ripped from his throat. There was a soft nudge against his side and he glanced over as Viktor knelt next to him. His eyes were false and staring straight forward. But his nose was bleeding badly. He was heard swallowing and Jayce stared at him. Nearly a decade with Viktor had taught him his facial expressions by heart. He was trying not to get sick. "Vik?" Jayce sat up, his chest heaving as he watched him with sunken shoulders. "Did I hurt you?" Viktor turned his head away and his shoulder scrunched up. Jayce felt his heart drop into his chest. Viktor seemed to swallow again and Jayce shook his head. "You can't swallow blood like that, you'll get sick. Y-You'll get organ damage... I-I don't even know... if you still have those..." 

Jayce's voice weakened and he buried his head against his wrists. "...I'm sorry." There was a soft chattering as Viktor butt his head against his shoulder. He was still keeping his pincers hidden under the coat. 

"Jayce? Jayce? Are you here?" 

Viktor only seemed capable of three phrases right then and it was clearly frustrating him. Jayce inhaled shakily, giving a small nod. "I'm sorry... that I'm so scared of you. I know you're trying, Vik." Jayce couldn't even look at him.

Click, click, click.

Viktor butt his head against his arm again and Jayce could almost imagine Viktor's voice, assuring him that it was okay. That it was fine. When it wasn't okay nor was it fine. Jayce reached out and dragged Viktor against him in another hug, spurring a startled chitter. His pincers hesitated before moving out of the coat and crossing behind Jayce again in a vague mimicry of his hug. "I'm sorry I'm fucking broken, Viktor." Instantly, Viktor retaliated against the word. 

Click! Click! Click!

"I am, Viktor. I haven't had a peaceful night of sleep in months. I still wake up screaming from visions of those fucking maggots. Even if I know they're gone, those robots are always crawling out of the corner of my eye. I still think I hear the flutter of his wings as he watches me. I can't stand it. I can't stand it." Jayce's voice was a weak, feverish whisper and he tightened his grip on him. "I don't know if you can even understand me. I don't know. I don't know, Vik. I don't want to be scared of you and I don't want you to have to hide yourself away." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut as there was a loud cracking and he released Viktor so the creature could grow. Blood splattered the ground near him, likely from the damaged part of its face. 

Despite this, the creature curled itself over Jayce, its pincers dug into the ground and the coat hanging over him like a roof. Jayce hiccuped. He felt hidden. As disturbing as it was, he felt hidden and it was nice. It felt nice to be the one protected for once. Tears finally ran down his face. "...Viktor, you're going to starve if you don't eat. Please." Jayce's voice broke. "I'm sorry, but these animals are all you have. I'm not on the menu. I won't survive." Viktor let out a grumbling chitter and its pincers tapped at the ground in slight agitation. "I know." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "I know better than anyone how..." He trailed off as something snuck into his head and he paused. Viktor shuffled around him uncertainly. 

"Jayce? Are you here?" 

"...Here." Jayce managed weakly in response. He wasn't even sure how Viktor's voice was making it out of that mangled web of a face when there was no visible tongue. "...Do you want me to eat with you?" 

Click, click, click.

Jayce gave a weak sigh. Viktor hadn't wanted to eat unless Jayce was eating too. Good gods, he'd just thought Viktor wanted to eat him. Well, he couldn't exactly place that concern to the side since Viktor had vocalized many times his want to cannibalize him. But right now, it seemed like Viktor had just wanted them to share a meal. He knew Jayce was hungry too and it made Jayce's heart ache. He wondered if this side of Viktor had started to learn and read his speech and body language already. It would make sense if the base of him was already a genius. 

"W... W... With." 

Jayce startled as Viktor's voice lingered on the last part of the word with some difficult. It chittered in frustration before trying again. 

"W-With y... you."

Viktor tapped the ground a couple of times with his pincers. 

"With you. Jayce? Are you here? With you." 

It seemed like Viktor had learned a new phrase and Jayce gave a weak breath as he stared up at him. "...I'm here." 

Chapter 32

If they were going to be sharing a meal, Jayce wanted to make sure it was at least cooked. For his size and clear hunting advantages, Viktor wasn't too helpful in a cramped labyrinth, leaving Jayce to catch two of the beetle-like moles by himself. He had to carry one under each arm and he really didn't like the postmortem twitches they were giving. When they finally found another clearing, Jayce did manage to task Viktor with peeling off the hard shells, something Viktor seemed more than content with doing. Jayce had found old tattered fabrics strewn about the labyrinth and he gathered them in a pile. He swore quietly before starting to deconstruct his brace. It was a shame and he knew trying to build it again with his bare hands would be close to impossible, but they both needed food. 

Viktor's wing wasn't fully healed yet and Jayce had yet to see Jinx again. He could hear her, considering how loud her wings were, but she didn't seem like she was coming to talk to them again any time soon. Viktor's own wings buzzed. 

Click, click, click.

The stripped moles were pushed next to Jayce and he glanced at them before looking up at Viktor. "Thank you." He said gently, the creature perking up in recognition at the words. That bloody, webbed 'face' was peeking out again, seeming like it was healing up from whatever Jayce had done to it. Its pincers tapped the ground and it stilled before using one of its claws to tap at Jayce's hand as he unscrewed his brace. Jayce blinked and looked up at Viktor as the creature moved in front of him. "What's wrong?" Jayce had thought he was better at reading Viktor's body language, but he genuinely couldn't figure it out this time. He hesitated before continuing to unscrew his brace. He didn't expect the jab to his hand. "Ow, fuck! What??" 

Click, click, click!

Viktor seemed just as frustrated, buzzing its wings and clicking at him. Jayce could only stare back and his shoulders sunk in defeat. "...I don't know." He managed. "I don't know what you want, Viktor." His voice gave a dangerous tremble for a moment. "We need to eat. But if I try to eat this like this, I am going to go to a terrible place in my head. I need this cooked. I can't just..." Jayce trailed off. "I can't do it again, Vik. What do you need??" Jayce stared up at him uselessly and Viktor tipped its head. Jayce finally let out an extremely heavy sigh and buried his face in his hands. The air went still and Jayce froze up as Viktor started to hiss furiously. 

There was a fluttering noise. 

Jayce lifted his head, his body tense. He didn't move further. "I told you to leave me alone." He stated aloud, his voice loud and shaking. "I told you I don't want to see you again. What the hell are you doing here??" His anger was bubbling up again. "Here to watch me suffer at the bottom of another pit?? One time wasn't enough?!" Jayce inhaled shakily. "Was it even just one time?? How many days did you come back just to watch me crawl on the floor and scream?? Fuck." Jayce could feel himself choking up. "FUCK!!" He slammed his fist against the ground. "I HATE YOU!!" His scratchy voice echoed around the cavern. Jayce had said it with his full chest, but he didn't even know if he meant it. The mage was still Viktor. He hiccuped shakily. 

Both of them startled at a soft crackling noise. Jayce could only stare to the side of him, dumbfounded. A fire had been started on a small pile of wood. A rotisserie was set up above it, simplistic and made of thin metal. Jayce furrowed his brow. He relaxed just a little as Viktor moved over, hissing at the fire quietly. That meant he saw it too. Jayce felt his heart twist and he swallowed. "...No matter what you do for me, I don't think I can forgive you." He spoke out loud again, his voice strangled. "I don't think I can ever be the person I was before that. I don't think I'll ever truly sleep again."  

Bloody arms suddenly wrapped around him and Jayce shrieked. "Jayce! Jayce!" Viktor's voice was desperate and confused. "Wh-Who are you talking to?!" Jayce had been so focused he hadn't even heard Viktor crunch back down to himself again. He hiccuped weakly as he stared around. He placed a shaking hand over one of Viktor's. He still couldn't see the mage, but he heard the fluttering. His heart was racing. 

"On my best nights, I still feel the maggots in my leg!" He managed to bark out, his voice shredding. He inhaled wheezily. "Because of you, I can't ever escape the feeling that things are crawling in my skin with me. I could have rotted. I could have rotted and you would've just watched!!" He yelled the last words up at nothing. He was left breathing heavily and Viktor finally limped around to stand in front of him.

"Jayce! Jayce, look at me!" Viktor insisted, his eyes wide. He jumped at how fast Jayce's eyes snapped down to him. Viktor hesitated before looking around the area again. One hand was curled into the front of Jayce's shirt and the other was holding onto his Councilor's coat, which was still draped over his shoulders. "Jayce, who is here?? Who is it?" Viktor's voice strangled a little. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and he shook his head. He turned away, burying his face in his wrists again. Viktor wouldn't let him go. Jayce's skin felt itchy and malformed all over. It felt prickly and it felt like things were moving on him and he couldn't stand it. "Jayce!" 

"WHAT?!" Jayce couldn't help the way the word roared from his mouth and Viktor flinched backwards, pulling the Councilor's coat tight around himself. He looked momentarily shocked and even confused. He stared at him and Jayce turned away again, squeezing his eyes shut as he balled one of his hands up into his hair. 

"...You have never, even on your worst days before, screamed at me like that." Viktor stated, seeming genuinely taken back. 

"I'm not the Jayce you knew 'before' anymore." Jayce stated, turning to him with teary eyes. Viktor furrowed his brow. 

"And that warrants no apology for screaming at anyone like that??" Viktor replied firmly, his hands trembling on the edges of the coat as they held it around himself. "You are not the Jayce I know anymore, but no longer just a decent person as well?" His voice was shaking and Jayce hesitated. For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he wanted to ask if Viktor was serious right now. He didn't know if he wanted to apologize. He didn't know if he wanted to tear his own throat open right then and there. After a few more moments, Jayce spoke. 

"You're right. I'm sorry." He stated in a forcibly calm voice. "I didn't mean to scream at you." Every word dragged from his throat like barbed wire and he didn't know why. Jayce fell completely silent as he stared forward. He felt like he was somewhere dangerous. Not just physically, but in his head, he was teetering on a very, very dangerous line. He didn't know where he'd go if he dropped. He didn't know what he'd do. Those amber eyes watched him. Jayce exhaled shakily. "I need... to go away." He managed. Viktor looked taken back and he opened his mouth. "I need to go away. I am going to do something else that I'll regret if I don't." His tone always changed when he was speaking the cold, honest truth and he could tell Viktor heard it. It only seemed to confuse him more. "Stay by the fire."

He turned away and stumbled out into the main corridor, his loose brace creaking. His leg hurt. His chest ached. His heart was burning. He moved a few feet down the corridor and paused. After another moment, he continued. He finally slipped into a small opening in the wall, just out of the way enough that the dogs wouldn't see him when they came rushing past. Jayce buried his face in his arms as he leaned against the wall in front of him. His sobs were quiet. His tears felt like acid. Why couldn't Viktor see that he was different now? That he was different and he was dangerous. That he was unstable and he was delusional. 

Maybe because that was the only reason Jayce was staying with him. Maybe because that wasn't Viktor at all. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. It was a bug. That Viktor was a bug. He was with a bug. Jayce was the worst. He was the worst. "...It's because I broke the promise, isn't it?? It's all karma." Jayce whispered to himself. "I shouldn't have broken the promise, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I just couldn't do it." Jayce slid down, ignoring the strain on his leg. He was jammed perfectly in the small space now. 

"Am I interrupting?" 

Jayce almost started crying again. "...I told you to stay by the fire." He managed in a weakened voice. He heard Viktor scoff. 

"Like you command me? I am a bug, not a dog." Viktor stated flatly. "And we are partners, not boss and subordinate." Viktor was quiet for a moment. "...I thought you said that I did not feel like a punishment." Jayce's hands tightened on his arms and he gave a hopeless shrug of his shoulders. 

"I've been saying a lot of things lately. Good and bad." Jayce stared at the ground. "I don't know if I mean any of it... I don't know if I believe any of it." Jayce hated how often his voice shook now. He hated how harsh it had become. Gruff, deep, and damaged. 

He was damaged.

"I wake up every morning with the cold fear in my heart that I am just going to be right back in that pit. That I'll find out I never made it out. That all of what followed was some delusion of grandeur." Jayce stared at the ground. "I wake up every morning, intending to find out that I died in that hole. And the scariest thing is that I think I would've deserved it for what I did to you."

It was quiet for a moment before there was shuffling. "You will, eh, have to forgive my appearance. I do not trust the liquid enough to wash my face off with it." Viktor said quietly. His face was still bloody and he gave a small sigh as he sat in front of Jayce, the Councilor coat still slung over his thin shoulders. "I find it surprising that you do not consider me the scariest thing. I am quite horrifying." 

"You are." Jayce agreed quietly. "But you stopped trying to eat me a bit ago, so the only scary thing about you now is your face." Viktor let out a loud, offended scoff that made a weak smile pull at Jayce's lips. 

"That's very rude, Jayce. Not all of us can have the face of a poster boy like you." Viktor commented, flicking his cheek. "I did see they were all taken down when I was brought through." 

"At my request." Jayce said quietly. "I couldn't stand looking at them." He glanced up at him. "I don't even know if you being on them with me would've made it any better." Viktor watched him quietly. 

"Jayce... your affection. Is it genuine?" Viktor asked uncertainly, his playfulness soon bubbling away. "Did you always feel like that or was the relief of seeing me again warp your memories and emotions?" Viktor's fingers curled into his pants. "Was it always love... or were you just happy to see me again?" His voice had weakened. Jayce paused. "Guilt and grief are known to twist the mind. With all you have been through, it would not be too much of a stretch." Viktor wouldn't meet his eyes. Jayce stared at him, his brow furrowed. 

"...It can't be both?" Jayce asked weakly. Viktor finally glanced up at him. "All I wanted by the end was to have you back. I didn't want anything else. I didn't want anyone else. I just wanted you. That's love, isn't it? I've never put a definition to it." Jayce put his head in his hand. "All of my strongest emotions were always for you. I just didn't know what it meant. And now I'm so scared of breaking whatever we have that I can't even let it bend." He squeezed his eyes shut.

There was a moment of silence before slender fingers carefully slipped into his hand, pulling it away from his face. Jayce glanced up at Viktor. "...I have loved you for a long time. To the point where I would take it to my grave rather than jeopardize my relationship with you in any way." Viktor gave a weak snort. "I suppose I did take it with me in the end." Jayce scoffed softly. "We can let this bend a little, Jayce. We are aware of each other now. We are both just..."

"Different?"

Viktor rolled his eyes. "You struggle with borderline psychosis, not to mention severe PTSD, and I am a bug. 'Different' seems like an understatement, no?" He stated flatly. Jayce paused before giving a weak laugh. He didn't know whether to cry or not. "No, we are both scared. Scared of where we are. Scared of who we are..." Viktor sighed quietly. "Scared of what we are. And I think we should face this as we always have with new situations." He gave him a prompting look and Jayce blinked. 

"...Together." 

"And?"

Jayce felt a smile pull at his lips. "With reckless abandon." 

"Perfect." 

Chapter 33

Jayce ate quietly, though his body was trying to reject every bite of the cooked meat. He stared at it quietly, glancing over as he heard soft chewing. Viktor was leaned against his side, eating his own piece of the mole. He was clearly trying to remain polite, but he seemed like he was starving just based on the way his fingers shook. Jayce watched as he cleaned the bone before setting it down. Jayce hesitated before holding his own piece out to him. "I think I have to switch to a smaller piece. Can you finish this off for me?" He asked softly. Viktor looked like he was about to argue, but his eyes fixed on the meat instantly and he hesitated. Finally, he reached out and took it, barely getting out his thanks before he was digging his teeth into the meat. Viktor must've been starving.

Jayce glanced behind him. Viktor's wing had almost completely sealed up again. They would be able to leave soon. Hopefully. Jayce paused as he felt that slight, approaching vibration beneath his fingers. He turned to look at the entrance to the clearing as the dogs went rushing by, throwing up dust and small chips of rocks. They still moved in less of a pack and more of a swarm. Jayce gave a heavy sigh through his nose. "Jayce. Y-You, eh... said you would eat." Viktor spoke uncertainly, clearly already finishing off the last of the meat he'd been given. Jayce glanced over at him and his eyes slightly softened. 

"You seem a lot hungrier than I am. You likely burn a lot more calories between two forms, so you need to eat more." Jayce explained quietly. "It's no wonder your other half was so irritable if you both get hungry that fast." Viktor scoffed at him. 

"Oh, analyze me, why don't you?" He shot back with a slight teasing tone. Both of them startled as Jinx spoke from her perch on one of the walls above them.

"I mean, I'm pretty hungry if you don't want it." She commented. Jayce glanced up at her in surprise. 

"Even if I did, I'd give it to you. You're probably hungrier than me too." Jayce beckoned and Jinx hopped down almost soundlessly, her elongated tendons keeping her on her toes as her pincers wiggled on either side of her neck. Jayce reached out and tore off another leg of the cooked mole. "Here." Jinx hesitated, hopping from one foot to the other before giving a quick two steps forward to snatch it before moving back again. She dropped down and started to devour it, staining her face. Jayce watched as her hands fell to her sides, her pincers keeping the meat in front of her mouth. 

Viktor had reached out and pulled off a smaller piece of the meat, looking it over before glancing at Jayce. "Viktor." Jayce's voice was a little exasperated and Viktor's brow furrowed. Gods, Jayce remembered that stubborn, stubborn look. It hadn't changed at all and he doubted he would be winning any arguments either. Viktor held the piece up to his lips and Jayce watched him before giving a small sigh. He opened his mouth, gently taking the piece of meat from Viktor's fingers. Somehow, the taste and feeling of food was a little more bearable when he took it from Viktor's fingers. Viktor seemed satisfied once Jayce had swallowed. He hadn't looked away once, clearly wanting to make sure Jayce finished it. Jayce rolled his eyes, giving a quiet scoff.

"You two are kinda gross." Jinx commented bluntly. "Like, the weird sticky kind of sweet." She continued to eat and Viktor gave her a completely flat look. 

"Thank you for the valuable contribution, Jinx." 

"Of course." Jinx replied earnestly, taking another bite of the meat. Jayce scanned her over, taking note of how she was sitting ever so slightly skewed. Jinx was soon seen cleaning the meat off the bone and her pincers dropped it before wiggling around. 

"Jinx." Jayce spoke with a furrowed brow and the girl froze up like a dog with something in its mouth that it shouldn't have had. Viktor snorted quietly. "You're, uh, sitting skewed. Viktor does that when one of his wings is damaged." Viktor paused and glanced over at Jinx. Jinx's glowing gaze had fallen to the ground and it twitched around before moving back up to him again. Jayce softened his voice. "Can we see? We might be able to help." Jinx hesitated. 

"I mean... it's kind of gone, so I don't know what you really plan on doing about that." Jinx stated, gripping her legs and rocking back and forth as she sat crisscross. Jayce stared at her.

"Do you shed your wings?" Viktor asked, seeming just as taken back. Jinx looked over them with terrifyingly blank eyes. 

"...My dad's down here too, y'know. He wants out, but he doesn't have any wings to fly with." Jinx glanced to the side. "I blew off all his claws on one of his hands so he can't climb. He's just... kinda been down here too." That was a problem. Jayce couldn't tell if Jinx meant it or if she was hallucinating it. She'd just described her own father as having claws. She didn't seem to be any kind of Vastaya and Vi certainly didn't seem to be either. Vi never spoke to Jayce about her family outside of occasional mentions of Jinx. And Caitlyn had been very clear with him. If Vi didn't want to tell him, Caitlyn wouldn't either. "I, uh, don't usually let him catch me, but I wasn't looking out as much as I shoulda been." 

"...Did he tear them off of you?" Jayce asked, his brow furrowing. Jinx gave a small snort, her eyes remaining on the ground. 

"It was either my wings or my spine. I have preferences." She mumbled. Jayce hesitated, unsure why she spoke like he'd personally offended her. "I can still run fast and jump high, can't I??" Jayce hesitated, his brow furrowed before he glanced to the side. Good fucking gods.

"Forget I asked." Jayce muttered, pulling the rest of the meat off of the cooked mole. Jinx rolled her eyes, before startling as Jayce tossed her another piece. She grabbed it and started to eat again. Jayce handed the last piece to Viktor, who frowned and instantly started to pull off a piece to share with Jayce. "Not hungry." Jayce stated firmly. He picked up the skeleton. "I'm going to get rid of this." He didn't let Viktor even get a word out to him, already having painfully gotten to his feet and moved out of the clearing as his brace creaked. He entered the corridors, a slight burning in his chest. The force with which he'd considered throwing that piece of meat at Jinx was something dangerous. 

Jayce felt terrible that he'd changed. Viktor hadn't even been able to see him do it. He hadn't been there. Jayce was no longer patient nor was he able to keep his mouth shut the way he used to. He was so much less tolerant of people he didn't know. Less willing to sympathize and too tired to try. Jayce stopped a few corridors down before absolutely chucking the skeleton as hard as he could over the jagged walls. He stared after it for a few more moments before slowly dropping to his knees, the brace giving a small clack as it hit the ground. Jayce had to take another moment to himself. It seemed he needed a lot of moments to himself lately. 

He'd retired his hammer. He'd retired inventing. He'd retired his pursuit of magic. And now what was he left with? 

Bugs.

Jayce inhaled shakily and buried his face in his hand. The world felt empty for him. There were so few strings keeping him tethered. Who would help fight for Zaun? Who would vote against the money-hungry Councilors? Jayce stared at the ground. "I think I need to die." He stated out loud to no one in particular. His calf ached. 

A fluttering of wings. 

"I should've died." Jayce spoke louder, knowing someone was listening now. "I don't know why I bothered to fight so hard. I don't know why I wanted to stay alive so badly. In the end, I lost him anyway. In the end, I was successfully traumatized by magic. I don't think I can ever touch it again." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "...I should've just jumped when I saw him dead in the Council Room. We had a good several years together. We achieved great things. I should have quit while I was ahead." Jayce's shoulders were sunken. "...I don't think I want to keep fighting anymore." 

Tears welled up and spilled over. He knew Viktor was probably still waiting for him back in that clearing. That facsimile of Viktor. Another flutter of wings before a hand was placed on his shoulder. "Don't touch me." Jayce stated without any real bite behind it. He heard the mage let out the weakest sigh. "...This world isn't any good for me. Yours is more of a mercy than this." Jayce said softly, hot tears running down his face.

"...He still wants you here." 

"Yeah? I bet." Jayce responded dully. "Think the real one would've said the same?" 

"Considering I am 'the real one' with the same events and a different outcome, yes." The mage replied, finally moving around him. Those soft wings fluttered behind him. Jayce felt a whirlwind of emotions seeing Viktor's aged face again. Almost none of them were good, but there was always that tiny spark of joy that came along with seeing that it was Viktor. Jayce gave a weak scoff as the mage turned to face him, his saddened, kaleidoscope eyes meeting his.

"You have a hell of a way of showing your affection." Jayce's voice was barely even distinguishable, let alone a joke. The mage's shoulders were sunken. All of a sudden, his wings slightly spread.

Click, click, click.

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut as the noise erupted from behind him. He didn't even think it was worth warning the mage.'surely he already knew. "Jayce...?" Viktor sounded absolutely shocked and distressed as he spoke. "Who-"

"Meet my childhood savior, Vik." Jayce spoke shakily. There was a moment of silence. 

"That is me."

"...Yeah." Jayce croaked out. "He's not saving me from this pit either." At that, the mage froze up and took a step back. 

"...You did that to him." Viktor's voice was shaking and hushed. "You did that to him?? You bore my face and you never saved him??" Viktor sounded shocked and outraged. "They call me the monster and you left him with maggots in his leg!!" Viktor's voice was interrupted by cracking and Jayce closed his eyes, letting out a weak sigh.

He shakily knelt down and buried his head in his arms. Maggots.

Maggots in his leg.

Chapter 34

It was barely even a struggle.

Despite his human appearance, Jayce quickly learned that the mage was almost no different from the Viktor he knew now. Human on the outside,

bugs on the inside.

Bug

Bug

Bug

When Viktor had attacked him, the mage's wings had taken him into the air. The mage's face had split open like Viktor's and he'd grabbed the latter by the neck and the pincers before a drill-like tongue had emerged from the bloody webbing. Viktor's screeching and thrashing had been enough to jar Jayce into moving, but by the time he got to his feet, Viktor was unceremoniously dropped to the ground. Silent. Twitching. His split open 'face' as suspiciously dry and his skin was so pale, it was almost white. Jayce stared at him before glancing up in slight terror as blood dripped from the end of the tongue. It was quickly pulled back into the webbing and the mage's face closed back up.

Blood that wasn't his dribbled down his chin as he panted. His wings settled him back down onto the ground. His staff had been sent clattering to the floor and he took a step back. He looked horrified. Jayce hesitated before stumbling forward. "...Viktor?" He moved around and knelt next to the fallen creature, shakily reaching out. When he pressed his knuckles to the split half of his face, he was met with ice-cold skin before the body suddenly jerked and the face sealed up. The rest of the body twitched and shook as it shrank back down, leaving Viktor curled up on his side. He was so ghostly pale that Jayce felt like he was looking at a corpse. "Viktor??" Jayce's voice became slightly more urgent and slightly more strangled. 

He pulled the other man over so his head was in his lap. He reached out and placed his hand firmly to his chest. Viktor's heartbeat was so slow that it may as well not have been there at all. Jayce gave a trembling exhale as he shook his head. "N-No. No. No, no, you-" His anger died in his throat as he turned to shoot a furious look at the mage and he was met with no one there. Jayce let out a weak breath of disbelief. He turned to look back down at Viktor and he quickly hovered his hand in front of his parted jaws. There was still breath.

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and let out a choked swear. He pulled Viktor closer to himself. He didn't know what had happened to him. Jayce Talis, Man of Progress. Renowned scientist and inventor. Councilor. Even when he'd come back from months of isolation, he'd rallied the city of Piltover into battle. He'd fought. He'd wielded his hammer with such a determination and wrath, yet he couldn't even think of it without shaking now. It was like all the glory and curiosity and fight had left him, leaving behind nothing but a broken, traumatized shell. He was still physically strong and built, but it felt like that was the only thing he still had besides his strenuous seat on the Council. What had happened had cost him everything. 

Hextech had cost him everything. 

His drive, his glory, his leg, his partner. 

Jayce Talis felt like nothing now.

Tears streamed down his face, but he made no other noise as he let Viktor's head lay against his legs. Jayce stared at him. Viktor's eyes were slipped shut. Every part of him was completely limp, like he'd gone boneless. He looked dead. He looked just like he had in the Council Hall, buried among the rubble. Head tipped back, mouth open, eyes closed. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. 

Jayce cradled his head with a gentleness that almost mocked the violent, agonized scream that left his throat. His scream carried through the labyrinth of stone like a clap of thunder. He doubled over, pressing his forehead to Viktor's as he muffled his sobs. He'd never cried this much before. Even when Viktor had met him at one of the lowest points in his life, he'd never bawled like this. He'd been hopeless, not pathetic. Anger dully burned in his chest. He pulled back and his breathing sped up as he glanced around. He couldn't lose him. He couldn't lose him again. Not four times. Not four times. 

Not four FUCKING times.

Jayce reached out, dragging over a rock. He gripped it in his hand, the point sticking out between his pointer and middle finger before holding up his other arm. The stab made him wince and he threw the rock  aside. His injured arm shook as blood started to drip down from the wound. Jayce gently cupped Viktor's face before pressing the wound above his parted jaws, letting his blood trickle down the other man's throat. Jayce was bracing himself because he knew this was something that Viktor had desperately wanted, but he didn't know how extensive the damage would be. Right now, he didn't think he cared either.

He kept his arm still and his other hand was clenched into a fist against his own stomach. Viktor didn't move at first. Then, he twitched. Once. Twice.

Click.

No rule of three this time. Jayce was given exactly one click before teeth were sinking so deep into his skin, that his pain receptors needed a moment to truly process that a whole piece of flesh was being torn from his body. Jayce grit his teeth and the muffled growl that left his throat felt like it nearly snapped his vocal cords. The pain exploded up his arm like fireworks under his skin and he buried his face against his fist. He could hear the crunching and gasping of Viktor eating below him. The scuffling buzz of his wings smacking the ground. He was finally heard roughly swallowing and dragging in breaths of air. Jayce couldn't bear to look at his arm, keeping his eyes squeezed shut. 

Jayce startled as Viktor grabbed his arm and brought it down. He started to drag his tongue over the wound and Jayce flinched with a whimper of pain. Viktor's breath was hot and heavy against the ripped skin, making Jayce shiver. The pain was starting to ebb away as Viktor licked deeper and deeper. Jayce inhaled shakily before letting out a startled noise as Viktor used his thumbs to spread the hole wider. He finally coated every surface of the wound with his saliva and he pulled back, a string connecting him to Jayce's arm for a moment before snapping. Viktor was breathing heavily. 

Click, click, click.

He was still pale and he trembled as he started to move. Jayce paused in confusion before yelping as Viktor pushed him down onto his back. He tore the button from Jayce's pants and clawed the zipper open, Jayce swearing. "V-Vik! W-We're in the open!! W-We're in a corridor, we should move-" Jayce cut himself off with a silent shiver as Viktor's hand started to massage him through his boxers. He rolled his palm into the base and slipped it down before starting to furiously massage Jayce's clothed balls. "Hah! W-Wait! Wait, Viktor, we're o-out in the- MMH!!" Jayce threw his head back, covering his mouth as Viktor's tongue was felt dragging along him through his boxers. Jayce's face was burning and his heart felt like it was about to explode through his chest. 

Viktor's face was only the palest pink, likely from lack of blood, as his false eyes stared at Jayce's stomach. He mouthed the bulge in Jayce's boxers again, panting as he left the fabric hot and wet. Jayce groaned and covered his face. Viktor used his teeth to peel his boxers down and Jayce felt an innate sense of danger once his length finally sprung out. And he was right. Viktor started to lave his tongue over it without a care in the world to technique or class. It was messy and desperate. Slow. Viktor furiously suckled the head of his length and Jayce's hips twitched madly. "F-Fuck! Viktor...!" Jayce was struggling to keep himself quiet. 

Viktor finally leaned forward, slowly and lazily dragging Jayce's length deep inside his throat. Jayce could feel his lips right up against his pubic hair. Viktor swallowed desperately, over and over as he tried to squeeze something out of Jayce. His hand moved down and the noise Jayce let out was downright filthy as Viktor furiously massaged his balls again. 

Click! Click! Click! 

Click! Click! 

Click, click, click!

Each one was begging and muffled and desperate. Viktor needed him to release and Jayce's head was absolutely spinning. He could tell Viktor was still weak and he wondered if his semen would provide any kind of benefit to Viktor. It must of, if Viktor was so desperate to have it after nearly dying. The bobbing of his head was shaky as his body trembled between Jayce's legs. Viktor pulled back and started to furiously lap at his tip again, Jayce's length giving twitches. He could feel more tears escaping his eyes just from the overwhelming mess of it all. "V-Viktor! V-Viktor, pl-please slow down! Hah!!" Jayce groaned as Viktor nipped along the underside of his length. 

His fingers suddenly slid up the curve and Jayce moaned as he felt Viktor's pinky push against the slit in the head of his length. It was nearly pushing inside and the feeling was maddening, Jayce gasping. Viktor's hand fully closed around the shaft and he started to pump him as he leaned down, nipping and sucking at both of Jayce's balls. "Fuck!! Fuck! F-Fuck...!" Jayce could barely get anything else out as he squeezed his eyes shut. It was torture when Viktor was firmly keeping his legs pinned so he couldn't squirm around. They squeezed and Jayce felt that heat in his stomach pop like a balloon, sending so many emotions crashing through him that he felt like he was drowning. 

Viktor's mouth was felt enveloping his length and Jayce came. He released so hard, it nearly blinded him from tears. He couldn't even recognize his own voice as he shot down Viktor's eager, waiting throat. Jayce nearly screamed as he felt one of Viktor's hands firmly squeezing his sensitive balls and the other hand gripping his shaft and dragging upwards, as if to coax more out of him. Viktor was swallowing over and over. It was too much and Jayce felt like he was going to pass out. "V-Vik..." His voice sounded destroyed and Viktor's fingers stroked along his hip in what felt like a comforting gesture. It all stopped for a moment and Jayce was left trying to collect himself through tears and aftershocks of pleasure. 

He wasn't even sure of where he was as he buried his face in his hands. His breathing was ragged and his arms slumped to his sides as his vision went funneling.

---

Another violent crash of pleasure was what finally woke Jayce back up. However, his head spun and his hips felt sore. Everything around his waist felt sore. The orgasm that ripped through him was so painful that he had to bite back a shriek. He could hear swallowing. His balls felt bruised and his length was flaccid. Hot and heavy breath was still stirring his happy trail. Jayce inhaled shakily as a tongue started to lap over the top of his thigh, moving to his hip, his navel, then the other side. It ended with one more soft suck to his tip before the heat pulled away. Jayce felt shaken and he felt drained, for lack of a better word. "...fuck." His voice was ragged. They were in a slightly different area, Viktor seeming like he'd moved them into a side corridor. 

Jayce was propped up against the wall and he watched through bleary eyes as Viktor leaned back up, licking his lips and starting to lap at his own fingers. His color had returned to his skin and his movements were sharp and eager. Based on how shriveled Jayce felt, he didn't doubt that Viktor had continued to wring release after release from him even after he'd passed out. Viktor's lips were somewhat swollen and he seemed more than pleased with himself. Jayce could only stare. "...Vik." His voice was still weak, but it got the job done. Those false eyes turned to him, the split in his face ever so slightly open. "Are you okay now?" Jayce had to gather all the energy he had left to reach out and hold Viktor's cheek. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor buried his face into Jayce's palm as his hands held his wrist and forearm respectively. Jayce nearly cried at the flood of relief he felt. Viktor was okay. Jayce felt him pull his boxers back up. He sat in place and twitched before his eyes suddenly seemed to become real. He blinked as the line on his face sealed up completely. He was panting and staring at the ground. The longer he did, the redder and redder his face got. "Hey." Jayce spoke weakly, getting his attention. His head was slumped against his shoulder. "I, uh, don't think I can feel my legs. We might... have to stay here for a moment." Viktor raised his hands to his face. 

Jayce could tell that his taste was all Viktor had in his mouth. "...oh good gods." Viktor's throat sounded raspy. "...D-Did I-"

"You drained me. Fuck." Jayce managed, his head slumping back against the wall. "I-I'm glad you’re okay, but fuck."

"...I am so sorry." Viktor managed, his voice muffled as he hid his face. Jayce shook his head. He squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to move even a little. His hips and thighs screamed in protest. Even the flaccid length touching against the fabric made him flinch from the oversensitivity. He didn't even want to imagine how he was going to go to the bathroom. Jayce inhaled shakily and opened his eyes again. 

"Y-You're okay. You’re okay and you’re alive. Th-That's so much more important to me." Jayce managed. Viktor glanced up at him before seeming to remember and casting a quick look out into the main corridor. "He's gone." 

"That was me. Your mage was me." Viktor managed in shock. He turned to Jayce and leaned forward, curling his hand into his shirt and burying his face against his shoulder. "He never saved you?? Why would I not save you?? Why would I ever leave you down there to suffer like that?? Bile in your stomach and bugs in your skin. Good gods, that couldn't have been me." Viktor inhaled shakily in upset. "I would not have left you down there. Jayce. Jayce."

"I know. It's okay." Jayce reached up with a trembling hand to slide his fingers into Viktor's hair. He pressed his lips to his head. Viktor instantly moved up and kissed him, his fingers sliding along his beard as he looked at him with teary eyes. 

"It could not have been me. I wouldn't have left you, Jayce." 

"Viktor-" 

"No! No, I would not have done that to you!! It couldn't have been me!! I would not. I-I would not."

"Vik..."

"J-Jayce, I w-would not." 

"...It's okay."

Chapter 35

Ethereal. Glowing. Cured. 

He felt like Death. Above him, his closest friend and his beloved partner drifted. Connected by glowing webbing to this perfect community he had created.

Drifting. Clean. Beautiful. 

He was so beautiful. He was so beautiful and Jayce could see the gear glinting between his metal fingers, being held as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Because it was. 

Because he was.

He looked so peaceful. He looked so peaceful and Jayce could feel it tearing apart everything he had inside and everything he was. Just one conversation. Just one touch. One glance?? Not even a word?? Nothing?? He couldn't have anything of him?

Peaceful. Captivating. Quiet. 

Another step into the Sanctum. Another step into the Sanctum. His hands shook. His hands hurt. His heart hurt. 

Viktor floated silently.

Peacefully.

Beautifully.

Hammer in tow, here came the reaper.

---

Jayce blinked open his eyes, tears already trickling down his face. He made no noise. Sometimes the nights just went like this. Some nights, he didn't sob. He didn't scream and he didn't yell. Some nights, the tears just started flowing and they didn't stop. He couldn't bring himself to cry, so he didn't. He just sat there, feeling miserable and empty. Useless and alone.

Click, click, click.

Something shifted next to him. 

Jayce paused and glanced over. Viktor had rolled over onto his side to look up at him, yawning wide and causing some clicking. They'd both found a small corridor to sleep in, along with what they assumed to be one of Jinx's supply stashes. They both had blankets now, and a bag made of two potato sacks sewn together. Viktor had Jayce's dirty Councilor coat over himself and the blanket tucked under his head. The corridor was enclosed overhead and was shaped slightly more cylindrical. Viktor fit perfectly, but Jayce was left slightly scrunched. He had two blankets, one for his head and neck and the other for his leg. His brace was propped up next to Viktor's. 

"...No noise?" Viktor's voice was hushed and worried. He pushed himself up onto his good knee before shifting to sit on his hip next to Jayce. He hesitated as he lifted his hand, searching Jayce's eyes over. Jayce could tell he was trying to see if Jayce would be okay with his touch. Viktor finally seemed to make a decision and he gently started to wipe the tears from Jayce's eyes. "Was... Was it a truly terrible nightmare or just a bad memory?" He asked softly. 

Jayce looked him over quietly. Because this was how Viktor had looked before Jayce had forced that horrible thing into his body. All sharp edges and soft eyes. So visibly human, ironic as it was right then. He reached out and brushed his thumb over Viktor's lip, settling on the mole just above it. His eyes moved to the second mole just under Viktor's eye and he squeezed his own shut, dragging his good leg up to himself and burying his face against it. Viktor could only watch him quietly, seeming to understand which one it was now. He tipped his head into Jayce's hand and remained quiet, waiting for him to speak. Jayce inhaled shakily. 

"The Hexcore took this from you. This one." Jayce managed in a weakened voice. He brushed his thumb over the mole above Viktor's lip again. He turned to look at the other man, his head awkwardly resting against his leg. Viktor's brow was furrowed. "When I saw you again... your hair had grown to your shoulders and it had lost color near the tips. But you'd kept it clean. Your skin was paler, but your body had fully adapted into that fascinating mess of purple and gold metal. You had my childhood blanket draped over your lap. The one from the lab with a blue side and a red side. Your eyes were like kaleidoscopes. You were drifting in the Sanctum." Jayce's voice had grown weaker and weaker as he continued. "You were drifting and quiet and still. The Sanctum was so peaceful and cold." Viktor remained quiet, but he moved his hand up so he could hold onto Jayce's. 

Jayce's voice choked up again. "...A-All the commune members said you were so eager to see me again. Even you said you were excited to show me everything you'd created." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "When I stepped inside and I saw you floating there... alive. Alive and peaceful. You were so fucking beautiful. And I thought the pain of seeing you snapped over the rubble of the Council Room was the worst thing I could ever feel... Until that moment when I saw you again, knowing what I had come there to do. Knowing that this time..." Jayce inhaled shakily. "This time, it would be my hand."

Viktor's shoulders sunk completely. "Jayce-" 

"You looked at me right before I fired the hammer." Jayce managed. "Sometimes... even though you saw what I was about to do... I still think you smiled when you saw me." Just saying it out loud felt like he'd torn his heart apart. He could feel it bleeding and bleeding and bleeding in his chest. More tears escaped him and his voice finally withered away in his throat. Viktor stared at him, his gaze slowly becoming more frustrated and devastated. 

"I just..." Viktor spoke shakily through gritted teeth. "I just wish I knew what had happened to you." He sounded beyond upset. "I just wish I knew what happened to anyone or anything." One hand held onto Jayce's while the other balled up in his hair. "I blink my eyes and it is all different. I blink my eyes and it is all gone." Viktor squeezed his eyes shut. "Sky is gone. Heimerdinger is gone. Half the Council. Half of Piltover! Half of Zaun!" Viktor's voice raised for a moment before he exhaled shakily. His wings had started to raise under the coat, but they lowered again. He opened his eyes, now brimming with tears. 

"And you, Jayce." His voice had gone soft again. "You were on top of the world when I saw you last. Freshly appointed Councilor Talis. Man of Progress. One of the most beautiful women in Piltover at your side." Viktor sighed. "The one and only founder of Hextech." Jayce's mouth opened to protest, even if he didn't think he could speak yet. Viktor shook his head. "...in their eyes." Jayce shut his mouth again and Viktor squeezed his hand. "And then I blink my eyes. And gone is that performer I once knew, with a blinding smile and bright eyes. I blink my eyes and something has hurt the one I care for most... so badly so that his eyes do not gleam with curiosity anymore. So badly that he jumps at the slightest sounds and wakes up screaming, should he get any sleep at all." Viktor swallowed quietly. "And I think the one that hurt you all along was me, and I can't do anything about it." 

Jayce stared at him. At the end of it all, he'd really forgotten just how hard this Viktor would've have to adjust to everything. How bad the whiplash of jumping from the night of the opera to a year after his death must've been for him. How this Viktor had to adapt as fast as he could because he couldn't do anything else. How this Viktor had last seen the cleanshaven Man of Progress, Councilor Jayce Talis, bid him goodbye with that huge smile... and how a moment later, he'd met Jayce Talis. A disheveled, traumatized, aged survivor of the Arcane. Unshaven, crippled, and occasionally mute. Jayce almost felt humiliated. He shut his eyes again and turned his head away. 

"And somehow..." Viktor sighed, burying his face in his hand. "Somehow... me being a bug in a human skinsuit... is less upsetting than everything that has happened in my absence." He gave a weak, humorless laugh. "Is that not sad, Jayce? The night of the opera, I thought I had already hit the bottom. Turns out... I just needed a shovel." Viktor threw his hand to the side as he muttered the bitter joke. He paused as Jayce's hand weakened on his before pulling away. Jayce didn't even know if he could look at him. He felt terrible. He felt so terrible and more tears streamed down his face as he kept his jaw firmly clenched shut. He buried his face in his hands. "...I'm sorry, Jayce. I... should not joke like that." 

Jayce shook his head and gestured silently that Viktor didn't need to apologize. Before he could lower his hand, Viktor had reached out and taken it once more. "...One thing that shocked me more than anything about this sudden shift in the world... was how blinding and devastating your affection for me was. It transcended grief entirely. From the moment you saw me again to my first conversation to someone who was not you, it was so shockingly and blatantly obvious to all, how deep your love for me was." Viktor said quietly. "I did not think my feelings were ever to be reciprocated. That they would go with me to my grave." He paused. "...I suppose they did, but they returned just as I had. And I returned to you." 

Jayce stared at him. He reached out and Viktor jumped as he pulled him into a kiss. It was soft and desperate and deep. Viktor melted into it with a small shiver. His partner. His partner. His Viktor. Jayce pulled back before dragging Viktor into a tight hug, burying his face against his shoulder. He still couldn't bring himself to speak, only making small, desperate noises. Viktor's arms wrapped around him in response and his heart was rapid-fire racing. "...Jayce, I love you. And I have loved you for a very long time." Viktor finally spoke and Jayce could only let out a weak sob in response. He started to nod frantically, just wanting to give some kind of nonverbal understanding. Some way to show Viktor that he felt the same. 

It had just taken him absolute hell to realize it.

"Shhh. I understand. I understand, Jayce." Viktor gushed his pleading noises, gently cupping Jayce's cheeks. Jayce hiccuped and covered Viktor's hands with his own. Jayce started to try and mouth the words back to him. 

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you so much, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I love you

Even mouthing the words was starting to make him shake and Viktor's eyes widened. He distracted Jayce with another kiss, Jayce's eyes sliding shut as he felt a pathetic sob in his throat. He just wanted to resign from the Council and take Viktor and disappear. Just somewhere else. Somewhere away from it all and they could be alone and together. It was so hard to care about anything else when he had the one he'd imagined his whole life with in his arms again. Jayce felt Viktor's fingers push back his long, unkempt hair before moving down to stroke through his beard. "...You seem so tired, Jayce." Viktor murmured quietly. "...I'm tired too. The world has moved too fast and it has left us both behind." 

"...eave... can leave..." Jayce strangled the words from his own throat and Viktor blinked. He put his hand over Jayce's mouth, almost a little scoldingly. 

"Do not force yourself to speak in this state. It distresses you." Viktor chided. He stared at him. "...If you are suggesting what I think you are, we must put a pin in it until you are of clearer mind. That... is a conversation that needs to be had with clear heads and words." Viktor glanced aside before giving a weak smile. "Quite a productive nighttime conversation. You have guilt over an act unspeakable to you. And I was just thrown a year or two into the future." He blinked. "...And I am a bug now too, I suppose." 

Jayce stared at him before furrowing his brow. He didn't want Viktor belittling his own scares like that. If he'd been in Viktor's position, he was sure he would've been beyond shaken. He leaned forward and tenderly pressed their foreheads together, that seeming to affect Viktor more than their kisses as he gave a small tremble. Jayce hesitantly opened his mouth before his voice left him in little more than a breath. 

"I love you."

Chapter 36

Click, click, click.

The noise was directly over him and Jayce paused before struggling to blink open his eyes. Something dripped next to his head and he had a good idea that he already knew what it was. He glanced to the side with bleary eyes just as another red splatter landed on the rock next to his head. He furrowed his brow. Viktor was fully transformed and he was standing above Jayce, clicking and hissing. The blood kept dripping down from his open face. Jayce wasn't sure what the problem was until he became aware of the skittering. He froze up and glanced to the side. On either side of the tunnel they both were hidden in, the dogs had gathered. Pincers clicking and legs pacing. 

Every time one of the dogs tried to enter the tunnel, Viktor's wings would buzz threateningly. Based on the splatter at either end, it seemed he still had quite a reach with his pincers. Despite Viktor clearly keeping Jayce safe, they were still surrounded. They were still outnumbered. And Viktor would have to sleep eventually. Jayce's heart was pounding as he slowly sat up. It took Jayce accidentally bumping the top of his head against Viktor's chest for the creature above to finally notice he was awake. That split open face angled down to look at him and Jayce wrinkled his nose as blood dripped down onto his cheek. 

Click, click click! 

Even if there was what could only be described as a 'language barrier', Jayce felt like he had a pretty good understand of what the creature was trying to say and he scoffed. "Yeah, I, uh..." He glanced to either side of the tunnel, where the dogs could be seen pacing around with their multitude of legs and frothing mouths. "I can see them." Viktor had his limbs spread over Jayce like a tent. Jayce glanced up at him again. "Wings?" At the word, Viktor's wings instantly shifted outwards and Jayce only saw the tiniest tear where the damage had been. He hesitated. 

He wasn't sure if that was enough repair to fully get them both out of here since Viktor would most definitely have to carry him. He furrowed his brow. With Viktor's ridged pincers, he would undoubtedly be able to dig into rock. And Jayce had free-climbed a wall before with a janky, freshly and poorly healed tibia/fibula. "...Do you think you can reach that hole where we fell?" Jayce finally asked. He was already gathering up the blankets into the bag so he could leave them where he found them for Jinx. He wasn't expecting the creature to fully understand, but he still hoped that it understood enough. The creature was quiet for a moment, its wings quietly buzzing in place. 

There was a scuffling noise at the start of one side of the tunnel and Jayce couldn't help but flinch at how fast Viktor reacted, stretching and instantly lashing out with one of his dagger-like pincers. There was a crunch and a yelp before the intruding dog scrambled backwards with a whimper and a few broken legs. Viktor let out a low warning hiss that sounded like a kettle. "Vik! Hey..." Jayce hated how his voice tremored, but he needed Viktor focused. He struggled to sit up and gently massage the side of the creature's neck, Viktor instantly chittering and leaning down into the touch. Jayce was trying to figure out how to say it, knowing the bug side was more intelligent than a regular feral animal, but still a feral animal, nonetheless. Jayce swallowed quietly. 

"Wings. Up." Jayce tried, the creature chittering as it crouched lower and spread its wings. They just barely fit within the tunnel. Jayce watched him and pointed up. "Hole-" He didn't even get to finish his sentence as Viktor suddenly hooked his pincers under Jayce's arms. He had maybe two seconds to grab their braces. The buzzing of Viktor's wings in the tunnel was unbearable for a moment before they were both suddenly lurching forward, Jayce instantly feeling jaws and legs clinging to his own. When Viktor erupted from the tunnel and shot upwards in a staggering, off-kilter line, Jayce could see that a few dogs had decided to join them. His heart was pounding as he dislodged one from his leg and kicked another from his hip. He watched as they both plummeted towards the eerie glowing labyrinth. 

There was a bang and Jayce startled as the last dog was blown from his leg. He scanned the area and saw Jinx perched on one of the walls. She seemed proud of herself as she blew off the barrel of her pistol and tucked it away before cupping her hands over her mouth. "BYE, BIG MAN!! BYE, COOKIE!!" Her scratchy voice echoed through the massive cavern. She gave them a salute, her pincers wiggling before she turned and hopped down out of sight. Jayce quickly directed his attention upward. Viktor's flying was starting to become uneven. Jayce hooked both braces to either side of his belt once they were high up enough into the hole. 

"Drop me!!" He barked out abruptly. Viktor did and Jayce threw himself forward. He crashed into the rock wall and flinched, digging his hands into the first crannies he could find to hold on. There was a crack as Viktor landed on the wall next to him, pincers hooked into the stone. That tear in his wing was back, leaving it twitching and Jayce felt a twinge of guilt. Viktor chittered and, surprisingly, he didn't sound upset at all. The split sides of his face were opening and closing as if he were breathing heavily and he let out another chitter. He sounded excited and Jayce watched with wide eyes as the creature poked at the rock above it before suddenly starting to climb. "Wha- Hey! Viktor!" 

Jayce couldn't help but feel a bit of warm amusement through the adrenaline in his body as he watched the other climb. He felt like he may have known the reason and it was probably because never, in Viktor's wildest dreams, would he have thought himself capable of scaling a wall, let alone with no equipment. His leg and his body wouldn't have allowed for it. But now, not only did it, but it seemed well equipped for it. Jayce figured he was probably ecstatic. But... "Vik?? Hey! I'm still down here!" Jayce called up to him. Jayce grunted before pushing himself up. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to adjust with the weight of the braces hanging off his belt. He'd forgotten he wasn't wearing his. "...Fuck." 

Click, click, click.

Jayce swore as Viktor suddenly dropped back down next to him, its pincers dragging in the rock. Jayce stared over at it in shock before startling as Viktor inched over. He climbed over Jayce carefully, using his body to keep Jayce supported. There were new protrusions from his knees that mimicked hooked back legs. Jayce swallowed before carefully leaning back against him. He let one hand go. Then the other. Viktor chittered, keeping him up. "...Th-Thank you. Please don't drop me, Vik." Jayce whispered shakily. 

Click, click, click!

In the cramped space he had, Jayce unhooked his own brace before flinching as he managed to jam it onto his leg. He twisted the knobs on the sides in order to tighten it and hissed weakly in pain. He undid it and twisted it ever so slightly before trying again. That felt better. He furrowed his brow and reached up, struggling to reach the rock. He startled as Viktor's body pressed up against his and he managed to grab onto the rock wall again. He hooked his foot in and hoisted himself up, swearing in relief. "Okay. Okay, okay, okay. I'm good." He managed. Viktor chittered before climbing off of him. 

The other inched side to side before seeming to excitedly climb upwards again. Jayce let out a small sigh of exasperation as he watched him go before climbing up after him much, much slower. He couldn't let the familiarity of this get to him. He had to stop climbing and just cling every few feet, squeezing his eyes shut. He wasn't back there. He wasn't back in that place. He wasn't. He flinched as a few pebbles bounced off his head. "Vik, watch the rocks!" He yelled up. 

Click, click, click!

Jayce scoffed weakly, unsure if Viktor was apologizing or chastising him. Regardless, the pebbles soon started to fall to the left of him instead. Jayce continued to heave himself upwards, having to stop every so often. Finally, finally, he reached a ledge and heaved himself onto it, panting. His arms were sore and his breathing was heavy. He squeezed his eyes shut again. He jumped as Viktor came sliding back down again, a startled laugh escaping him. "Stop that!" He exclaimed. He let out a breath. "I know you’re excited, Vik, but you still have to be careful. It's a long way down." Jayce scolded lightly. 

The creature chittered at him again before inching over. "Vik, I don't think this ledge will-" Jayce startled as it suddenly began to shrink down and his eyes widened. "Oh, fuck." He quickly reached out and dragged Viktor against him before he could look down. The other man's eyes were wide in shock. He had new holes in his pants were his knees were. They'd mended themselves. "Viktor-" 

"Where are we??" Viktor instantly demanded, his eyes squeezed shut and his body tense. Jayce paused. 

"We're, uh, making our way back up. It's okay, I have you." Jayce tried to assure him. Viktor refused to open his eyes, sticking as close as he could to Jayce. 

"How high are we??"

Jayce hesitated before leaning forward to look down. He couldn't make out the labyrinth anymore and he sucked air in through his teeth. He leaned back again. "I, uh, don't think you want me to answer that. But I do have you. You're not going to fall. I promise I won't let you fall." Jayce insisted, his arms wrapped firmly around the smaller man. Viktor nodded spastically, his nails practically embedded into Jayce's arm. "Deep breaths." 

Viktor tried to listen to him, inhaling and exhaling shakily. He still wouldn't open his eyes and Jayce wouldn't dare make him. He hadn't expected Viktor to transform back while they were free climbing easily over 2 kilometers from the ground. "M-My brace-" 

"I have it, but I don't think you'd benefit from it right now. The other half of you is doing something to your legs in order to hold on to the rocks. The moment we're out, I'll help you put it back on." Jayce quickly told him. Viktor finally opened his eyes, though they were wide and terrified. "Look at me. Look." Viktor focused on him and Jayce pulled him close to press their foreheads together, looking into his eyes. "I will not let you drop, Viktor. Okay??" 

Viktor stared at him for a moment before his shoulders sank. His eyes closed and he nodded again as he let out another shuddering breath. "We won't go anywhere until you transform again. Well stay right here. I'll keep you close and you'll be safe. Okay?" Jayce asked softly. Viktor nodded again, seeming to relax just a little more. Jayce leaned forward and smoothed his hair back, pressing his lips to his forehead. Viktor continued to try and calm himself. "I'm here. I'm right here. You’re safe. You’re stable." Jayce insisted. Viktor looked like he wanted to say something and Jayce nudged him.

"...Fuck."

Jayce probably would've laughed if the situation was any better. Instead, he nodded, resting his chin on Viktor's head. "Yeah, fuck." He agreed. 

Chapter 37

They stayed like that for what felt like hours on end. The hunger was starting to stab at Jayce's stomach again, but he kept himself quiet and he kept himself leaned against Viktor while he slept. Viktor seemed stressed even in his sleep. Jayce gave a quiet sigh, glancing upwards, where the rock walls stretched into darkness. He'd sworn he saw light earlier and he assumed that meant it was now nighttime again. He let his head drop back against the wall behind him, his eyes squeezed shut. He had to keep calm. He couldn't risk freaking out at this height. 

No matter how absolutely desperate he was to get out of another fucking pit, Jayce had to remain calm. He wanted out of this damn pit and he wanted to be above ground immediately. But... Jayce glanced over at Viktor's sleeping face and his eyes weakened. His mind began to race and he finally let his eyes drift back upwards. 

...He had a plan.

---

To say they scared the shit out of Vi when they both reached the top of the pit might've been an understatement. Viktor erupted from the ground first and the scream that followed made Jayce physically pause his own climbing. "Vi??" He called out. "Was that you??" After a moment, Vi poked her head over the side of the hole with such a furious glare that Jayce almost started laughing. "Got it. I didn't hear a thing." Jayce heaved himself upwards and, despite her initial unamusement, Vi dropped to her knees and stretched out her hand for him. Jayce could tell she was wary of Viktor, who had come to an abrupt stop nearby. 

Viktor seemed to watch quietly as Vi pulled Jayce up out of the hole. Jayce froze. He could see a number of Enforcers and Sevika, but most importantly, he could see who was being hidden behind Sevika's broader frame. Viktor chittered and moved over, Vi freezing up as the creature seemed to circle her. Finally, it butt her arm and left a stain, Vi's nose wrinkling a little. She didn't say anything and glanced over at Jayce with a raised brow. "He's, uh, recognizing you as a friend and not a threat." Jayce managed quietly as he finally dropped to his knees a good distance from the edge of the hole. "Uh, this may seem stupid, but is there any food?? Vik and I had to cook moles." 

Sevika seemed taken back before calling out to an Enforcer, who nodded and took off. Sevika paused and glanced behind her. Vi was giving an awkward smile bordering on a grimace as she pet Viktor's hair. She was wearing a climbing harness and tactical gear. The creature was rumbling like an engine, his wings flicking and buzzing. "Talis, someone's wondering if you're alright." Sevika called out to him, her arms crossed under her cloak. Jayce blinked in surprise before giving a quiet laugh. 

"Uh, missing some flesh on my arm and bruised to hell. But I'm alive." Jayce called back. He glanced over. "Vik's wing is torn if, uh, someone wants to try and make a good impression." He spoke promptingly and there was no hesitation before Mel appeared. Jayce was more surprised by her outfit than anything, which was a thick fabric with her own belted harness. He did feel warm, knowing Mel was 100% planning to traverse down into the hole to find him. Mel seemed relieved that he was alright before turning to where Viktor was still crouched next to Vi. She hesitated before moving towards them. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor noticed her almost immediately and the split sides of his face suddenly opened wide, hissing and bleeding. Mel seemed to keep calm before swallowing quietly. "Your wing." She spoke with no tremor and Viktor seemed to pause, his wing twitching. Mel showed off her hands, a gold glow sparking above her palms in circles. Vi was tense, clearly prepared to protect the Councilor if she needed to. Viktor crouched to the ground as Mel moved closer. "I want to help. Please." She kept her voice calm. She kept her voice quiet. Viktor's wing flicked. He lowered himself to the ground completely and Mel finally stepped within a foot of him. He let out a low hiss that seemed to rattle around in his throat, but he made no move to attack her. She reached out to his wing and her fingers settled on it. 

Viktor fell completely silent and Mel started to carefully pulse her magic through it. He seemed to startle a little at that before going still, Vi still keeping a hand on his shoulder. She hesitated before grunting and settling down next to him. "Easy, big guy. Easy." She stated. 

Jayce became aware of footsteps and glanced up as Sevika stopped in front of him. She passed him down an apple, giving an apologetic look. Jayce eagerly took it, more than happy about anything he was given. He took a bite and closed his eyes, letting out a sigh of relief through his nose. He glanced over as Sevika crouched down. "So... want to enlighten me on what's going on down there?" She stated, gesturing to the hole. Jayce took a few moments before swallowing. 

"Ecosystem. It's a whole new ecosystem. Cave-based, but the environment and the animals in it have been mutated. Adapted." Jayce managed quietly. He took another bite and savored the taste again before swallowing. "The, uh, the walls are bone, I think. It's a labyrinth. A maze with winding corridors. Pools of water that are so cold, you lose feeling in your hands almost instantly." He paused as he noticed Sevika's look. "...You can just ask me what you really want to know." He finally stated. Sevika's gaze snapped back to him and she let out a heavy sigh, glancing aside once more. 

"...Is she down there?" 

Jayce paused, having taken another bite. He chewed for a few moments before swallowing and nodding. "Yeah. She's been changed too. I think prolonged exposure to that place... It changed her physically." Sevika's eyes widened and Jayce quickly held up his hand. "She doesn't seem upset. Quite the opposite. She, uh..." He flinched as he coughed, a piece of stray apple catching him in the throat. "She can fly now."

Sevika stared at him before scoffing and shaking her head, muttering in a painfully fond voice. "As if she wasn't chaotic enough already..." Jayce took another bite, being much more careful this time as he chewed. He paused as she spoke again. "Anyone else? Or is it just her? No, uh..." Sevika seemed hesitant to even say it. "No kid? Little girl?" Jayce blinked before shaking his head and swallowing. 

"Not that I saw. She mentioned her father was down there. Or whatever's left of him." Jayce said quietly, making Sevika stiffen. "She didn't elaborate much on that." Sevika was quiet before burying her face in her hand. 

"When you say mutations-"

"Bugs." 

"Ugh." Sevika wrinkled her nose and glanced aside. "Figures." She waved her hand dismissively. "Any elaboration on that?" 

"There's a pack of dogs down there that resemble army ants. The waveriders are like water bugs. The moles are like beetles." Jayce said, staring down at his half-eaten apple. His shoulders were sunken. "...I couldn't tell you how long any of them have been down there. It could've been since the commune itself was active. She's been down there at least a year and she already has wings and pincers." Jayce didn't miss the way Sevika's nose instantly wrinkled in worry and disgust at that. 

"...She really seems fine with that?" Sevika asked after another moment of silence. Jayce gave a weak scoff. 

"No warrants for arrest in a bug-filled labyrinth." He commented quietly, taking another bite from his apple. "...Not to mention she can fly." He squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his head to rest against his knee. There was a loud cracking as Viktor started to crunch back down into his human form and Vi was heard swearing again. Jayce glanced up as Viktor inhaled shakily, keeping himself curled up tightly on his knees with Jayce's dirty coat wrapped around him. He glanced up in confusion. 

"Fuck, man, you really have to warn me if you’re going to be doing that." Vi grumbled, lying on the ground next to him. Viktor stared at her in surprise before managing the weakest, relieved smile. He startled as Mel's hand settled on his wing again and he quickly folded it down as he stared up at her with wide eyes. 

"Viktor." Mel quickly settled on her knees in front of him. "Viktor, hello." Viktor seemed stunned for a moment. 

"H-Hello, Councilor Merdarda-"

"Mel." She interrupted quietly. Viktor paused again. "I think we're all well past the formalities..." She glanced up at him. "How do you feel? I think I managed to repair most of the damage to your wing." Viktor blinked before glancing back. There was only a tiny tear left and he furrowed his brow before looking back in time to gasp as Mel held up her hands, showing those glowing gold circles. "I'm afraid you've missed quite a lot regarding... me." 

"...Yes, it w-would appear so." Viktor managed. He hesitated before reaching out to the glowing circles with a furrowed brow. "You... You are a mage?" Mel nodded, her shoulders sinking. 

"Just a beginner, really." She admitted. Viktor still seemed in awe. He seemed to realize something and finally started to look around with wide eyes. "Jayce is alright. He's over there." Mel pointed to him and Jayce nodded, still having a bite of apple in his mouth. He raised his hand and Viktor gave a weak smile, raising his hand in response. He jumped as Vi snickered. 

"Fuck, get a room, you two." She teased. Viktor scoffed and lightly smacked her arm. Jayce watched him warmly before swallowing again and glancing over at Sevika.

"Hey... What's left for Zaun?" Jayce asked quietly. Sevika's eyes shot over to him. "You have the docks. You have your own trade circuit. We're working on lessening Enforcer presence and replacing it with your own people. What else is there?" It was a genuine question and Sevika paused as she looked him over. 

"...You have a plan, Talis." 

"I have half a proposal for them. How soon do you think we can get another meeting together?" Jayce asked quietly. His shoulders were sunken and his body felt heavy. Sevika furrowed her brow. 

"You finally out of the fight?" She asked after a moment. Jayce swallowed quietly, though he hadn't taken another bite. He couldn't even look at her, his eyes fixing on the ground again. He expected disdain. He expected a scoff. What he didn't expect was for Sevika to pat him on the back. "You kicked ass, Talis. You really did." He paused and glanced over at her. His eyes still felt heavy, but he didn't think he was going to cry. "Does your, uh, proposal have something to do with him?" Sevika asked. Jayce glanced over to Viktor. Viktor was laughing weakly at something Vi had said. 

However, that real smile emerged when he met Jayce's eyes. That bright one. Jayce gave a smile back, though he was sure his looked much more tired. Who was he kidding? Everything he'd done. Everything he'd fucked up and everything he'd fixed. It had only ever really been for one person. "...It has everything to do with him, actually." 

Chapter 38

Sneaking Viktor back into Piltover was no easy feat, especially with how twitchy his other side was. They couldn't gather the Council for another two days and Viktor had nowhere to go with the commune being deemed an 'environmental hazard'. So Jayce brought him back to Piltover. To his estate.

His estate. 

Just hearing the word come out of his mouth seemed to shock the other man as they rode in the carriage. Viktor had a cloak on that covered his whole body and he blinked a few times. "...You have a whole estate?" He finally asked in disbelief. Jayce didn't think he could get flustered anymore, but here he was. He gave a small nod. 

"I, uh, have the sole rights to Hextech. And I'm a Councilor." Jayce mumbled, glancing aside awkwardly. Viktor hesitated again before pulling the cloak a little tighter around himself. "...I had your name added to all the patents. I paid for it. I wasn't going to let you remain unknown." Jayce told him softly. Viktor glanced up at him and the weakest smile pulled at his lips.

---

Jayce watched as Viktor stepped into the foyer with wide eyes. As expected, his manor was decorated in House Talis coloring. Reds and white and golds. Jayce thanked the staff with a nod and sent them home for the day, shutting the front doors and locking them. Viktor's brace creaked. He was using an old prototype crutch from the lab to move around. Not nearly as efficient, but it got the job done. Viktor stared at the spiral staircases and the fireplace. His hands seemed to tremble on his crutch and Jayce moved forward. 

He reached out and placed his hand on Viktor's, turning the other to face him. Viktor looked overwhelmed and confused, to say the least. "I know. I know last time you saw me, I was in that apartment downtown. I had just become a Councilor." Jayce said quietly. He glanced around. "I know this is a lot and I'm sorry. Can I take you to the bedroom or do you want to just sleep here in the foyer?" Jayce asked quietly, rubbing his thumb over Viktor's knuckles. He'd spent the last day or so in a hospital bed while both Mel and the doctors fixed him up. He was no longer missing a chunk of flesh from his arm. Viktor seemed to think over it for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. 

"...Bedroom." He managed quietly. Jayce nodded. He turned and moved over towards the wall, much to Viktor's confusion. Their braces seemed to creak in unison as he pressed a panel on the wall and Viktor jumped a little in surprise as an elevator opened up. He glanced over at Jayce and the larger man gave a chuckle. 

"Think I'm going to be climbing spiral staircases any time soon with my leg?" He teased, moving into the elevator and guiding Viktor inside with him. Viktor scoffed. 

"You just have spiral staircases for decoration then?" He asked flatly. Jayce shook his head. 

"Vi likes to throw herself up the railings and Cait's always been fond of them." He replied softly. Viktor paused at that and his gaze softened a little. The elevator dinged and let them out onto the second floor, where Jayce carefully led Viktor down the hall. When he opened the door to the bedroom, Viktor let out a soft breath.

The bed was massive. It was massive and soft with dark green and gold sheets. A false fireplace cast gold light across the dark room. When Jayce turned on the lights, it shut off. There was a gorgeous, Zaun-made carpet and plush leather chairs. A massive bathroom off to the side, with a circular tub that one could step into and sit down in. Jayce felt a little guilty at how dumbfounded Viktor seemed by it all. 

He distracted himself by moving over to the bed and sitting down with a small grunt. He started to undo his brace, his hands giving a little more of a tremble than he would've liked. He paused as Viktor stopped in front of him. "Perhaps you could use a hand?" He asked softly. Jayce glanced up at him before managing a tired smile and nodding. Viktor sat on the bed next to him, carefully guiding Jayce's leg into his lap as he started to undo the brace. He looked worried and slightly distracted. Jayce paused before reaching out and gently tapping his shoulder with a raised brow. "...You have a lovely home, Jayce. I worry what my other side will do to it." Viktor admitted softly. Jayce blinked. 

"I, uh... I don't think I really care, Vik. I'm just happy you’re in it." Jayce replied after a moment. Viktor gave a small scoff at that, but his cheeks turned a rosy pink anyway.

---

The real problem came late at night. Jayce was burning up as he laid on his back and he could feel his shirt sticking to his body from sweat as he dragged himself back to consciousness. He furrowed his brow before something suddenly tightened on his length and he swore. "Hah! Fuck! Viktor!" He tried to sound scolding, but he couldn't quite do it with Viktor riding his length like his life depended on it. The bed let out rhythmic creaks and Jayce exhaled shakily before squeezing his eyes shut. "Oh, f-fuck! Ah!" He dug his fingers into the blankets on either side of himself. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor sounded like he was more than enjoying himself, even his clicks spaced out between his heavy breaths. He was facing away from Jayce, giving him the perfect view of golden light shining off his wings and his length plunging deep inside of him. Jayce swore softly and squeezed his eyes shut again, tipping his head back. "Y-You can't just- hah! - wait for me to wake up?? H-How did you even- FUCK!!" Jayce cried out as Viktor lifted himself to the head before taking him in all the way back to the hilt again. Jayce reached out quickly grabbed his hips, stopping him. "Wait! Fuck, w-wait a moment!" 

Click! Click! Click!

Viktor let out a whine, but he didn't struggle against Jayce's hands. He kept himself still. Jayce needed a moment to recover and he needed a moment to gather his thoughts as he panted quietly. "Did... holy shit, did you already make me cum??" Viktor seemed far too slick for basic preparation, which he wasn't even sure this half of Viktor even did. He shivered as Viktor gave a small roll of his hips. He tightened his grip. "Still." He managed in a stern voice. Viktor whined again, but he stopped moving. His shoulders were a dusty pink. Jayce felt like he was burning up and he quickly stripped himself of his shirt, casting it aside and letting the cool air settle on his skin. He startled as Viktor suddenly pulled himself off of Jayce's length with a slick noise. "Wha- Vik- HAH!!" 

As it turned out, Viktor simply wanted to face him. The moment he turned, he was sinking himself right back down onto Jayce's length. His limbs were still lengthened, but Jayce could tell he was trying hard to keep his face together. Was even the bug half of Viktor worried about getting the bed bloody? Jayce stared up at it quietly. Those pincers were lightly pressed into the bed on either side of Jayce's head. Just seeing this... thing above him in the dim light made his heart pound and his mind uneasy. But knowing it was Viktor eased the ache just a little. Jayce reached up, guiding the other down and pressing his lips right to the thin line that split his head. The chitter that the creature let out was soft and shaky. 

Jayce could swear that it somehow tightened around him. He had a feeling he would regret it, but he finally laid back and gave an experimental thrust of his hips upwards. That was all it took. Viktor chittered, sitting up immediately before starting to pound himself down onto Jayce's length. "FUCK!! HAH!" Jayce gasped and arched his back. Viktor had tipped his head back and his body felt like it was absolutely milking Jayce for all he had. Viktor's sleep shirt was the only thing covering him, his pants completely gone. The creature was also gasping and chirping breathlessly. Jayce could feel another knot painfully building up in his stomach and he knew he couldn't take anymore after this. He squeezed his eyes shut. 

His release almost made him pass out and he felt his head spin for a moment. He could barely blink open his eyes once he'd finished and he felt something wet on his lip. Viktor had sprayed all over his chest. The creature was panting and it slid off of Jayce's length, straddling his body as it dropped against him, limbs starting to shrink and face starting to seal up again. Viktor was left collapsed against him, red-faced and too humiliated to even look at him. "...good gods." Viktor had never sounded more embarrassed in his life. Jayce hesitated. He could feel his length resting against Viktor's thigh and he flustered a little. "J-Jayce, you know y-you can stop me." 

"Vik, I'm not going to try and argue with a version of you that has tried to eat me and is over eight feet tall." Jayce scoffed softly. "Not to mention he only starts when I'm asleep." Viktor only seemed to feel worse and Jayce watched him. "...And maybe I don't want to stop you either." He managed quietly. Viktor's eyes widened and he leaned up on shaking arms to look at Jayce.

"Th-That other side of me is trying to drain you dry!" He sputtered. "E-Every time, you end up exhausted and I end up with the taste of you all inside my throat!" He exclaimed. Jayce paused at that, staring at him. He furrowed his brow. 

"...And you don't like that?" He asked quietly. Viktor stared at him with something akin to disbelief before lightly smacking his chest. 

"I-I am not saying I do not! I-I'm just w-worried for your wellbeing!! That cannot be healthy for you, especially with h-how exhausted you become!" Viktor insisted, quickly avoiding his gaze. Jayce stared at him before reaching up. He tugged at his shirt. "Jayce-" 

"Can you take this off? I want to feel you against me when I sleep." Jayce requested in his softest voice. The plea seemed to instantly shut Viktor up, the other man staring down at him with wide eyes. He hesitated before leaning back and carefully pulling his shirt off. His face was flushed red as he cast it to the side. They both laid naked with one another and Jayce felt a rush of warmth through his heart as Viktor laid on top of him. He had his face partially hidden in his arms. Jayce slid his hands up over his hips and laid his head back.

"...How do you know it will not try to mount you again now that we're both nude?" Viktor asked softly after a moment. Jayce blinked and glanced down at him. 

"...I think you might be a little tired." He answered softly, tracing the faintest edge of a dark circle under Viktor's eye. Viktor paused before giving a small sigh through his nose and resting his head against his chest. He seemed to find Jayce's heartbeat and focus in on it, pressing his cheek above it before falling quiet. Jayce watched him, his gaze warm before he finally allowed it to slide shut again. 

Chapter 39

To say that the other half of Viktor was curious about its new surroundings would be an understatement. Jayce startled as Viktor's wings buzzed to life again and he hopped from one spiral staircase to the other, the railing rattling under the force. "Vik, careful!" Jayce called out, his brow furrowed as he watched from the floor of the foyer. The spiral staircases were both made of wood. To be fair, it was a strong type of wood, but nonetheless... wood. He could already hear it creaking. 

Click, click, click! 

Viktor buzzed over to the other staircase again, climbing over the railing and inching his way up the stairs themselves with soft taps of his pincers. He tipped his head before reaching the second-floor balcony. That split 'face' twitched and Jayce had taken notice of something new. A membrane had grown between the two sides, similar to the cocoon that had grown around Viktor after Jayce had... His hands tightened on his arms. After Jayce had brought him back. It was bright and glowing, but most importantly, it was keeping the blood off his floor and off Viktor's body. "...Vik?" Jayce called out to him after a moment of uncertainty. 

That seemed to catch Viktor's attention instantly, his head shooting up. He gave a chitter and, just for a moment, Jayce's jaw clenched. He was left looking at a bug. No. No, not a bug. His...

His partner.

Jayce stood with his mouth open for a moment before holding his chin. It switched to him covering his mouth and he shook his head. "No, uh... never... never mind." He called out, turning away and rubbing his forehead. He felt like he should've been over this. He felt like this should've been enough. It was Viktor, wasn't it? And if it wasn't, whatever it was believed it was Viktor. It acted like Viktor. Most of the time, yes, it was Viktor. Jayce flinched as a stab of pain pierced through his head and he squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling shakily. He buried his face in his hands before finally lowering himself to sit right there on the floor as slowly as he could. He kept his braced leg out in front of himself. 

Click, click, click.

Jayce startled as he felt that chest bump up against his back. Viktor's pincers crept around, forming an X over his chest again. Viktor was heard chittering and clicking in what sounded like slight frustration as it tried to find a way to sit with Jayce. It finally sealed up its face just enough to rest its cheek against the back of Jayce's shoulder. They both sat like that for a moment and Jayce finally lifted his head to look at the pincers holding him in their loose version of a hug. He shakily reached out and slid his hand along them. Without a doubt, it was bone. It was completely bone that had been reformed and restructured on a mere whim. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut again and he put his head in his hand. 

"Jayce? Are you here?" Viktor's carefully rehearsed voice drifted from over his shoulder and he fought the urge to flinch. It was just trying to help. He knew it just wanted to help. He gave a wordless nod in response, his body trembling. "H-How do I...? How do I...? How do I...?" The creature sounded dismayed as it repeated the question over and over. Jayce glanced back a little, his shoulders sinking. 

"...I don't know. I'm sorry." He managed in a weak voice. He knew it was trying to help. He wanted to let it. He knew it was trying to understand. He didn't know if it could. "...You have no idea how scared I am of hurting you." He finally spoke out loud and Viktor paused, pressing his cheek right into the back of Jayce's shoulder again. "Because you're not how you were. I'm terrified I'm going to forget that and I'm going to hurt you. I've... already a-almost..." Jayce didn't even know if he could talk about it. Sometimes, when he'd woken by Viktor's side in the commune, he'd blindly grabbed for the nearest thing he could and he'd always have it raised above his head before reality would come crashing in. He would always end up in tears. "I-I don't know if I'll e-ever get used to you." 

"How can I...? How can I...?" Viktor was heard repeating the question again and Jayce shook his head, struggling not to cry again. He paused as Viktor's pincers pulled away and the creature moved around so it could sit in front of him, its elongated legs splayed out on either side of Jayce and its pincers tucked back against its own chest. Its wings and shoulders were sunken, even the glow of the membrane seeming dulled from within its split head. "How can I...? Jayce? How can I...?" 

"...I don't know, Vik." Jayce whispered. He reached out and Viktor jumped as he tugged at one of his pincers. He hesitated before carefully stretching it out to Jayce. Jayce wrapped an arm around it before resting his head against the side of it and closing his eyes. Viktor seemed to perk up at that, chittering quietly. Jayce finally opened his eyes again and glanced up. He stretched a hand up to Viktor's split face and watched as the glowing membrane practically dove outwards to cling to his fingers. It was tingly and warm. The membrane seemed eager to curl around his fingers until Jayce pulled his hand back. It seemed to reluctantly let him go. "You didn't have that before. Why the change?" Jayce asked softly. 

The creature only chittered at him and Jayce gave a quiet sigh. "...Right. You only understand most of what I say." He slid his hand down to rub that soothing circle on the side of Viktor's neck, causing the creature to rumble. 

Click, click, click! Click, click, click!

Jayce allowed himself the weakest smile. "Yeah, I know. You like that." He dipped his fingers down further and pressed into the dip between Viktor's neck and shoulder, causing his wings to instantly spring out on either side of him as he tapped his pincers against the floor. Jayce's smile grew a little more before he yelped as Viktor suddenly bowled him over, knocking him down on his back against the carpet. "Viktor!" He paused those pincers dug on either side of his head. Viktor had moved up to straddle his legs and Jayce gave a quiet sigh. "I know we both keep joking about you trying to milk me dry, but I'm starting to think you actually are." He stated. 

Click, click, click!

Jayce flinched as the pincers scraped backwards, the bones remolding into hands and arms. Viktor's eyes remained false and his face remained ever so slightly split as he yanked at Jayce's pants. He exposed his flaccid length just in time for the bones to reconstruct into pincers and split out of his skin again. Jayce shivered. His eyes widened as Viktor leaned down and opened his 'face' wide. The glowing tendrils of the membrane started to wrap around his length and Jayce sucked in a sharp breath of air at the sensation alone. "Oh, fuck." He muttered, tipping his head back. The glowing membrane finally pulled Jayce's length into it and he gasped, squeezing his eyes shut. "Oh..." 

It felt like small shockwaves to his nervous system every time a new piece of the membrane curled around him. It was warm, but it felt like static was tingling all along the most sensitive part of him and Jayce didn't know how to react at first. His face was burning and he couldn't dare open his eyes yet. He could even feel the membrane curling around his balls and he gave a violent shiver. It was somehow far too much and far too soft at the same time. Whatever it was, his length certainly wasn't flaccid anymore and he couldn't stop the shaky whimper that left his throat. "Viktor..." Even he was a little embarrassed at how bad of a whine the other's name came out as. "Fuck... hah..." Jayce's hips twitched involuntarily and Viktor chittered. "HAH!!" Jayce gasped as he felt the vibrations shake down his length and he covered his mouth. "Oh, gods. Fuck... ah..."

The way the heat was building up in this stomach felt far too fast and he tried to say so, but only an absolutely filthy groan left him as a piece of the membrane seemed to almost 'lick' deep into his slit. Jayce was left struggling to hold on as he felt the tingling from his balls all the way to the tip of his length. He could feel his eyes watering and right before he crashed over, a shocked yell left him as the membrane suddenly tightened around his balls, squeezing them harshly. "FUCK!!" Jayce's whole body shuddered and he nearly lost control of everything. He slammed his fist against the ground, gasping as the membrane released him. 

He barely had time to get to his feet and hike up his pants before stumbling to the nearest bathroom. He shouldered open the small guest bathroom and it took two seconds before there was a violent stream erupting from him. As he leaned over the toilet, his legs were shaking and he kept his eyes squeezed shut. He was breathing heavily and he didn't move even after he was finished, keeping his head buried into his arms. His face was burning and he felt downright humiliated at how he'd almost just... Jayce shook his head frantically. He started to shakily clean himself up before pulling his pants all the way up and flushing the toilet. He turned and buried his face in his arms, hiding against the wall as he leaned on it. 

Click, click, click.

There was a soft, hesitant tapping and Jayce glanced over tiredly, the pincer that had been inching into the bathroom quickly retreating. There was the sound of bones and skin shifting around outside the door, but Jayce still heard those same rehearsed lines. "Jayce? Are you here?" Viktor slightly appeared in the doorway leaning against it as he held his arms so tightly that he left little crescents in his skin from his nails. He looked so close to human, but his eyes were still false and the line splitting his face gave that eerie glow. He wouldn't face Jayce, instead standing with his body turned away and his shoulders sunken. "Jayce? How do I...?" 

"It's fine." Jayce spoke a little sharper than he meant to and Viktor's wings instantly folded up a little tighter behind him. Jayce weakened just a little. "Vik... I... I need some warning if you're going to do something like that." He mumbled. "I almost just made a fucking mess." He was so embarrassed that he could barely even speak. Viktor seemed disheartened by that. 

"...h...urt...?" He managed after a moment. "Hurt?" Jayce stared at him before shaking his head. 

"No. No, I'm just..." Jayce rubbed his forehead, unsure of how to explain to a bug how he'd almost just lost control of his body functions from orgasming so hard. His face was completely hot and he buried it in his hand. "Not hurt, no." He said quietly. Viktor chittered softly in response, shifting in place. Jayce gave a heavy sigh before turning and moving over to him. "Okay, uh... Nothing here for a little bit." He gestured at his own lower half and Viktor tipped his head. Jayce flustered before making an X in front of himself with his hands. Instantly, Viktor jumped. 

Click, click, click! 

He sounded like he was protesting and Jayce fought the urge to go an even darker shade of red. "No." He said firmly, Viktor going quiet for a moment. He gave a soft chitter and his shoulders sank again. Jayce reached out and pulled him into a hug. "I need some time, Vik. I have to recover." He told him quietly, Viktor's wings giving an unhappy buzz. Jayce looked him over before starting to rub small circles on his cheeks. Slowly and carefully, Viktor's face fused back together until his eyes became real and he slipped them shut. He reached up and held onto Jayce's hands. 

Viktor paused and his cheeks turned pink as he held a hand up to his mouth. He glanced up at Jayce, who nodded. "Y-Yeah, I told him no more touching for now. I don't know if he'll listen." Jayce said, glancing aside. Viktor cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded. "C-Can I get you something to drin-"

"Sweetmilk."

"Got it." 

Chapter 40

Jayce didn't realize that telling Viktor's other half he couldn't touch him would have such loud consequences. He was already struggling himself, having been told that the Council had denied his request for an audience with Viktor. They'd cited 'concern for safety' as a reason. And Jayce didn't even think he could argue. Jayce sat on a couch in his parlor, his elbows leaning on his knees before he squeezed his eyes shut as there was another crash from upstairs. He buried his face in his hands, trying to keep himself calm as he glanced up at the wall. The golden-handed clock told him it was only 8 PM. He had a long night ahead of him if this was how Viktor was going to be acting. 

Considering how calm and warm human Viktor had been with him up until now, Jayce hadn't expected him to change and just... He glanced over to the side, where the top of the couch was torn open from how fast Viktor had hooked his pincers into it to get away from him. Viktor had used his wings to fly up to the second floor and disappear over the railing like something was after him. In a way, it felt insulting. Jayce could only imagine what he was doing upstairs now. All because he'd said Viktor had to stop trying to drain him dry every time he wanted sex. Jayce wasn't sure what he'd really expected in hindsight. This other half of Viktor was intelligent for an animal, but it was still an animal. Being emotionally regulated wasn't exactly its strong suit either, considering how distraught it became when Jayce was upset.

Jayce flinched as there was a loud buzzing and the railing rattled before Viktor came crashing down and squeezed himself into the kitchen area, followed by the loud clanging of pots and pans. He'd have to spend all night cleaning up after this thing. He stretched out his leg and the brace gave a small creak. He wasn't sure why, but his leg was aching particularly bad. Right where the infection had festered his skin. Right where the maggots had been. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut as he reached down, tightly gripping the area. He let out a slow, shaky breath. He still remembered how it felt to have the Arcane fully poison his body. It had set his whole bloodstream on fire and he felt like he was dying. He felt like every part of him was going to burst from the inside out and, good gods, the color of his release when he finally succumbed to the simple primal urge of touching himself...

It had looked like rainbow oil. Dark and shimmery. Jayce had felt so poisoned and infected in that cramped cave that it wasn't even funny. Anything that had left his body had carried that odd multicolored shine to it. How close had he been to permanently slipping away?? Would the mage have let him?? Or would he have forced him to stay alive? What if he already had? Forcing him to live, just like how Jayce had done to Viktor. Even the thought of it now made Jayce gag within the walls of his own home. It made him genuinely uncertain if he was grateful or not for the crashing noises Viktor was causing around his house. 

The crashing suddenly ceased and Jayce groaned, hearing Viktor let out loud, high-pitched chittering noises that bordered on screeches. He hadn't expected this kind of tantrum from the other. It went quiet and Jayce heard heavy panting. He was sure that Viktor had sounded farther than that-

A gun barrel shakily pressed to the back of his head and Jayce stiffened. "Call it off." The stranger's voice was shaky and terrified. When Jayce didn't answer, the stranger shoved the barrel into the back of his head. "Call your fucking freak off." Jayce felt a chill and he stared forward. Wasn't that unsettling? He had no desire to. He knew his life was at stake. When hadn't it been? Jayce raised his eyes to the golden-handed wall clock again. When had a whole hour passed?? "Hey! Hey, fucking listen to me!!" The man's voice had become tight and hushed. "I'll blow your fucking brains out!" Jayce finally shifted to fix his tired gaze on the masked man, who furrowed his brow. "Are you serious??" 

Jayce watched him impassively before giving a small shrug and a shake of his head. Something dark dripped down between them and the stranger froze. 

Click, click, click.

Above them, more strings of dark liquid came down. It took one more second before Viktor came down with it, Jayce turning away as he heard the man's scream get abruptly cut off into gurgling. The ripping of flesh followed and he closed his eyes again. Maybe at an earlier point, he really would've tried his best to solve this without violence. He would've called Viktor off and he would've tried to talk the man out of it. He would have tried every way he could to spare his life. 

But not anymore. 

Jayce really did feel like someone else. That every time he saw those old signs, advertising him as the 'Man of Progress' with his bright smile and cleanshaven face, he felt like he was looking at a stranger. He didn't know who that man was. He wasn't sure if he'd ever known who that man was. He was sure Viktor had noticed the pictures in his home. Jayce had covered up his face in each one with a House Talis sticker, several sheets of which he had from when they were mass-producing merchandise about him. Jayce was pulled out of his thoughts as Viktor's carefully rehearsed voice came from behind him. 

"Jayce? Are you here? Jayce?" Viktor's bloody pincer hooked over the side of the couch and Jayce sighed through his nose before turning to look back at the creature. Most of its face was sealed up in its attempt to look human and Jayce's tired eyes weakened. 

"You don't have to do that." He said quietly. He reached out and used his thumb to tug at the skin on Viktor's face, causing it to fully split open and reveal the glowing webbing inside. The creature chittered and Jayce had a feeling the obscene amount of blood dripping from within the webbing might not have been his. And, gods, did Jayce feel like such an asshole now. "...Did you get all of them?" He asked softly. 

Click, click, click!

Viktor tipped his head into Jayce's hand. Jayce watched him. "You've been running around for over an hour. There were either a lot of them or they were giving you a hard time." Viktor gave an indignant chitter at his words and it caused a ghostly smile to pull at Jayce's lips. "Well, you'll need a shower now. Come on." Jayce pushed himself to his feet and he started to walk towards the elevator before Viktor's pincers suddenly slipped around him, crossing in front of him and digging into the ground. Jayce startled and glanced back just in time for Viktor to butt his head against Jayce's back. For a moment, Jayce was worried Viktor wanted a 'reward' of some kind before he finally took notice of just how badly he was shaking. Jayce could see the tremble in his legs and through his pincers. 

Viktor had been scared. 

Jayce felt his heart sink and he turned in Viktor's hold, his hands coming to rest under Viktor's split jaws. His face sealed back up enough for him to hide it against Jayce's stomach. Jayce' hands were becoming bloody, but he didn't think he cared anymore as he stroked his fingers through Viktor's hair. "...Thank you for protecting me, Vik." He said softly. "I'm sorry, you must have been terrified of them." Instantly, Viktor let out a chitter, sounding like he was disagreeing. Jayce furrowed his brow. It clicked and his shoulders sank in response. "You were scared for me." Viktor didn't respond, only pushing his face deeper against Jayce's chest. "...I'm sorry." 

There was a cracking noise and Jayce reached out, slipping his hands under Viktor's arms as they reformed so he would stay upright. The creature slowly crunched back down into Viktor. The moment his eyes became real again, they widened and he sputtered. "There are people in the house! There are people! Jayce, there..." He trailed off, glancing down at his bloodsoaked arms and hands. He was quiet for a moment, panting. "Oh, I... Did I find them?" He asked shakily.

"I think so, yeah. How many of them were there? Only one of them actually made it to me." Jayce said quietly, turning and carefully placing his hand on the small of Viktor's back as he guided him to the elevator. As they stepped inside, Viktor inhaled shakily. 

"Good gods, Jayce, there had to have been at least twenty of them." He held his hand to his head, only to swear in frustration as he left blood on his forehead. They rode up in the elevator to the second floor and, when it opened, Jayce could see the bloodstained railing with deep scratch marks in it from where Viktor had thrown himself over. All the way at the other end of the floor, he could see a body with no head. Viktor made a small noise of disgust and Jayce wondered if it was from the sight or the very good possibility that he'd eaten it. 

As they moved down the hallway towards their room, Viktor inched backwards at the sight of another body. Jayce paused as he stared at it. The man had been unmasked and his eyes were glassy, but Jayce recognized him. And the moment he did, frustration and self-loathing rushed over him like water, stopping him in his tracks as he buried his face in his hand. "...FUCK!!" He barked out the word and squeezed his eyes shut. "FUCK!! FUCK!!" Viktor stared at him in shock and Jayce's brace squeaked in protest as he dropped down to the ground, his leg pulled up to his chest as he buried his face against his knee. He was breathing heavily and Viktor's brace was heard giving a much quieter squeak as he knelt down. 

His hand was felt on Jayce's bicep, giving it an uncertain squeeze. Jayce glanced over at the man and reached out, tugging the torn armored vest down to show a golden pin. A House Crest. One that no longer adorned the Council Table. "Ah, that is Councilor Salo's crest, isn't it?" Viktor asked in quiet confusion. Jayce could only give a small nod in response. That was Allira Salo's crest and this had been his former bodyguard. Jayce drew his hand back and placed it firmly against the ground, needing to remind himself it was there at all. 

In all honesty, he'd thought something like this would happen sooner. He'd seen the footage himself. The camera inside the room that had housed the Anomaly had been rendered useless by the energy output, but the camera in the hallway had clearly shown Salo entering the room. And after fifteen minutes, only Jayce had left, dirty and deranged. He'd lied and said he hadn't seen Salo at all when he'd come back and who would question him when Salo had already been 'gifted' by the Herald? Who knew what had happened to him?? Only Jayce would've. And he did.

Because he still remembered the sound Salo's body had made, crumpling beneath his hammer.

Jayce had to control his breathing and, after a few minutes, Viktor spoke again. "A shower, Jayce." He prompted quietly. Jayce finally glanced over at him and gave a nod. A shower would probably do them both some good. 

Chapter 41

Jayce kept his head bowed as the water rained down on him. He wondered what was going through Viktor's mind when he saw him like this. Nothing like the nervous, cleanshaven, and bright-eyed man that had left for the opera that night. Nothing like the man that had let political corruption go to his head, but maybe something worse now. Maybe something even worse. Jayce could feel Viktor's slender hands massaging the shampoo into his scalp. "...I'm sorry I'm not how I was, Viktor." He felt the other man's hands pause. "And I'm sorry I can't help you to understand why." There was a moment of silence before Viktor spoke. 

"It is alright, Jayce. Changed or not, you still proved to be the man I fell in love with. Because when you finally felt it was me, you looked at me like you always had. I always wondered if you knew the look of yearning that adorned your features. I always wondered if I'd just imagined it too. Through careful study, I have concluded both answers are negative." Viktor explained quietly. Jayce gave the weakest snort at that. "Rinse." Jayce tipped his head back into the water and closed his eyes. He felt it rushing along his scalp. He lowered his head back down and Viktor was staring at him quietly. He reached up and pushed some of Jayce's hair out of his face with one hand, while he cupped his bearded jaw with the other. "I would say you look more of a 'golden boy' now than you did then." 

Jayce blinked as he leaned his head ever so slightly into Viktor's hand. "And why's that?" He asked. Viktor's eyes softened. 

He felt Viktor's thumb slide under his eye. "Your eyes before had only been a warm brown, leaning just barely towards bronze. Yet now, they are undeniably gold." Viktor murmured. His eyes trailed down to his jaw. "I can't believe you never listened to me when I suggested you did not shave this." He sounded slighted and Jayce gave a soft huff. Not quite laughter, but definitely not annoyance. Viktor pulled his hands back, soon returning with conditioner. He had Jayce lean down as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. He washed off his hands and Jayce stared at him before reaching out and pulling Viktor into a hug. Viktor reciprocated it immediately and Jayce hadn't realized just how badly he needed to feel that. No hesitation or awkwardness. Viktor wanted to be close to him. And he was acting on it. He was doing it. 

"You don't feel caged by a life like this?" Jayce asked quietly, his cheek pressed to Viktor's hair. He felt his fingers slightly curl against his back as Viktor sighed. 

"I am certainly not the only one caged, am I?" He replied quietly. Jayce's grip tightened on him a little more, but he didn't answer. Viktor was right. They were both in this cage together. Strung away from both Zaun and Piltover. Ostracized and looked upon with unease. It reminded Jayce of the very first time they'd met. When Viktor had said he was 'dangerous'. And he'd been right in the end. "Rinse." Viktor's voice was gentle as he let Jayce go and the larger man tipped his head back, letting the conditioner seep from his hair. "I think it would do us both good to eat something once you send for Enforcers to clean up this mess. I have no doubt the questioning you'll have to endure will be tedious." Jayce gave a heavy sigh and nodded. "Though Miss Caitlyn will likely understand, I imagine."

Jayce nodded. He stepped aside, allowing Viktor under the spray of the water. He stared at his glassy wings with blank eyes before focusing again as Viktor turned to face him. He started to wash his hair for him and Viktor shut his eyes in quiet delight. "...We showered before a few times like this. When we were both quite inebriated. It was a poor idea in hindsight, that we repeated several times." Viktor spoke in slight amusement. Jayce finally allowed himself the weakest smile. When they'd gotten too drunk, they both would always wake up completely clean the next morning and on the lab couch. Jayce would have Viktor crushed against the inner part of it, both of their legs tangled together and Viktor's arm slung over his chest. 

It was when they'd both been less tipsy than usual when they'd remembered what had happened and swore not to invade each other's privacy like that again. "...I really enjoyed those showers with you. From what I remember, we really didn't do anything except help each other wash our hair. And maybe watch one another a little closer than we would if we had been sober." Jayce recalled. "I wish we hadn't called it off. I know we were both embarrassed, but I long suspected neither of us had actually hated it." Viktor nodded quietly. 

"Because neither of us did." He replied softly, glancing up at Jayce with a small smile. "We were just too afraid to admit it. Too afraid to confront anything. Too afraid to break what we had." Viktor slipped his eyes shut as Jayce put a finger under his chin, having him tip his head back. He rinsed the shampoo from his hair and he started to work on the conditioner. 

"We were supposed to be the greatest minds in Piltover." Jayce said quietly, slipping his fingers along Viktor's scalp. A small, pleased noise escaped him, Viktor slightly pushing his head up into his hands. He scoffed softly in response next. 

"You say this as if we both still aren't." He commented. Jayce chuckled softly, pulling his hands back. 

"I think my brain might be a little fried." Jayce said, watching Viktor quietly. He reached out and Viktor jumped a little, reaching up and holding onto Jayce's wrist as he traced that thin line that perfectly bisected his face. "Does knowing you have this part to you now still scare you?" Viktor paused and glanced aside. 

"I think anyone would be frightened to know that their body sporadically contorts into a creature with a different conscience and a willingness to eat human flesh." He replied flatly, shooting Jayce a look. It softened and his eyes lowered again. "...No, it no longer scares me. It certainly did at first. I had no idea why people ran from me or looked at me in such a way. But it's calmed now. I think of it... like a bodily companion. A sibling I will never know. Similar to when a twin absorbs one in utero, but not completely." Viktor furrowed his brow as he tried to describe it. "Less of a parasite... more of a... enhancement of sorts." 

"An augmentation?" Jayce questioned, having Viktor tip his head back again and wash out the conditioner. Viktor made a small noise of agreement. He tipped his head back and sighed. 

"I doubt it feels the same way about me. I am, irrefutably, its weaker side." Viktor reached up to hug his own arm. "You said it is learning to speak... That it is learning how to seal parts of itself up so it can look more like me." Viktor's head lowered and he stared at the floor. "What shall I do if it decides I am not necessary?" He sounded slightly frightened and Jayce stared at him. 

"Viktor, I can't imagine it would want to get rid of you. The only reason it's ever held a grudge against anything is when it gets close to me. Or if something tries to hurt either of us. You heard how it acted with Mel. You felt it whenever you saw her. It doesn't act that way when I mention you. I don't think it minds you at all." Jayce assured him quietly. Viktor still seemed doubtful, but he looked slightly more comforted. "Despite its, uh..." Jayce gestured vaguely and Viktor gave a small smile. 

"Everything?" He finished for him, Jayce snorting a little before giving a small nod. 

"Despite its everything, that other part of you isn't a malicious creature. At the end of the day, it's an animal. And it happens to be a predator instead of prey."

"Not to mention territorial and possessive, no?" Viktor asked quietly, his eyes roaming over Jayce warmly. Jayce only flustered and glanced aside in response. "...There is quite a deep upset in my core right now that stems from it." Jayce paused and glanced over at him. "It is rather dejected, I imagine, that its mate is standing so close to it, completely bare, and it is unable to do anything to show its devotion to you." Jayce instantly felt his face flush in embarrassment.

"Well, uh, forgive how blunt this is, but it likes to fuck me and suck me until I can't even move." Jayce stated, making Viktir flush as well. "And I really don't have the stamina that I used to." He glanced over and Viktor's eyes had become ever so slightly fake-looking. "Maybe if it showed a little more restraint... and proved that it can be gentle... maybe we can do the things it likes a little more." He knew Viktor wouldn't respond, but he heard a very, very soft and acknowledging 

click, click, click.

Jayce sighed and leaned forward, pressing a quick and gentle kiss to Viktor's lips. When he pulled away, those focused eyes were on him again and Jayce gave a weak smile. "That's one mess dealt with. Now the other."

Chapter 42

Jayce was never invited to galas anymore. 

Not until today. 

And what a last minute invitation it was, considering the gala was that night. It was from Councilor Tavian, one of the younger Councilors who wanted Jayce off the Council. Jayce even liked to think of him as just being the next Councilor Salo. He had his old seat, after all. The letter was simple and blunt. 

—

Councilor Talis,

I would like to discuss the matter of your partner. I know what it is you want to propose and I am willing to assist you.

Councilor Tavian

—

Incredibly blunt, even. Jayce furrowed his brow as he stared at it, taking note that even the wax seal looked half-assed. No one ever invited Jayce to galas because Piltover's elite either hated him or believed he was mentally unstable. Sometimes it was both. Jayce also had a sneaking suspicion that half of them suspected that he was to blame for the death of Allira Salo, who'd formerly been quite the socialite.

If only any of them actually knew.

He placed the letter down as he sat on the edge of his bed. They'd just finished removing the bodies from his house and he'd had every inch of the house scrubbed clean, all over the course of two weeks. He and Viktor had stayed with Caitlyn and Vi for a week, though they'd had to hide Viktor from Tobias Kiramman. He couldn't even imagine how fast Cassandra would've sniffed Viktor out if she'd still been around. Jayce paused as he felt the bed shift. 

Click, click, click.

The pincers that were loosely crossed around Jayce's waist shifted and he glanced over as part of Viktor's split face buried itself against his side. Jayce's eyes weakened and he reached down, gently scratching the back of Viktor's neck and causing him to chitter quietly. He gave a sigh through his nose. "...You've been very good." He finally said, his voice quiet and calming. Viktor chittered again. Jayce watched him before tapping his pincers. Viktor seemed unhappy about that, but he let Jayce go. Jayce pushed himself up and limped around to the other side of the bed, much to Viktor's visible confusion. 

Jayce laid down on his back, wincing as his leg gave a protesting twitch before settling. "Ugh." He paused as the bed shifted and a weak laugh left him as Viktor chittered, his pincers dragging almost all the blankets and pillows over to pile on top of Jayce's leg. Viktor nudged at the pile quietly with a pincer and Jayce shook his head. "Vik. Come here." He said, patting his thigh. Viktor seemed to pause at that and it shrunk back a little. Jayce watched him. "Come on." He encouraged. Viktor finally crept over and it startled as Jayce helped him straddle his hips. His pincers rested on either side of Jayce's head as he made a troubled chittering sound. 

Jayce reached up, rubbing circles on either side of Viktor's neck. "You've been so good for me." He said quietly. And it was true. This side of Viktor hadn't touched Jayce in any suggestive ways in two weeks. Two whole weeks. Jayce watched it before reaching out and placing his hand on Viktor's chest. He carefully dragged it downwards and Viktor jumped a little as Jayce's palm settled dangerously low on his navel. Jayce waited before hooking his finger into the waistband and pulling it down. Viktor's length was still mostly flaccid, but Jayce felt like that would change soon. He hooked his hands under Viktor's legs and dragged him forward. The creature whined as Jayce's tongue lapped at the tip of his length. 

He panted as he used one hand to hold Viktor's thigh and the other to position his length before taking it into his throat. Viktor's body seemed to seize up and he awkwardly pushed his shaking hips forward.  It let out a loud, low chittering noise that bordered on a groan, tipping its head back. Jayce swore he could taste the magic buzzing inside of Viktor, turning him into what he was. Jayce chased it, pulling the head of Viktor's length deeper into his throat. Viktor groaned and his hips gave an awkward jerk again, Jayce just barely dodging a gag. He could feel his own heat gathering between his legs as he started to bob his head in small increments. 

Just as he thought, it wasn't long at all until Viktor's length was healthy and rearing. Jayce blinked as there was a cracking noise and he glanced up to see the wood splintered in where Viktor's pincers had landed on the bedframe. He focused back on him and took the length into his broad again. The groan that left Viktor was downright guttural. It made a bit of twisted pride stir in Jayce's chest. He startled as Viktor finally started to consistently thrust his hips and he found himself choking. Oddly enough, he didn't hate it. He let his eyes slip shut and he could feel Viktor throb in his throat. Viktor finally came to a stop and Jayce opened his eyes as Viktor pushed himself backwards, his length slipping from his mouth and leaving him panting. 

Viktor had crept back to straddle Jayce's thighs and, with a shocking amount of control and precision, he lifted a pincer and tapped at Jayce's navel, right above his own bulge. The sight of something that sharp that close to him made Jayce uneasy, but he knew Viktor's intent was never to hurt him now that they'd finally established what was and wasn't okay. "Your pants, Viktor. Here." Jayce reached out, carefully slipping his fingers into Viktor's sleep pants. The creature wiggled around in order to help Jayce take them off a little easier. Once he was bare from the waist down, Jayce swallowed and nodded. "Go ahead." 

There it was. Shockingly still, shockingly precise control as the pincers hooked into his waistband. Viktor tugged them down and Jayce exhaled shakily as his length was freed, already twitching. Viktor seemed to chitter in quiet delight. He hesitated before shifting his hips forward and rubbing his length against Jayce's. "Hah... Vik..." Jayce groaned out his name and the creature shivered. Its pincers dug back into the pillow on either side of Jayce's head. Viktor was going slow and the realization made Jayce blink in surprise. He could feel how much Viktor was quivering in need, but he was forcing himself to go slow. "Viktor... you can use me. It's okay." Jayce encouraged. 

Click, click, click.

Viktor lifted himself and Jayce shivered as he felt just how soaked Viktor was between his legs. "Use me, Viktor." He still wasn't sure how the other managed such a natural lubricant, but Viktor didn't give him time to think on it much longer before he was sinking down onto Jayce's length. "Ah! Hah, fuck!!" Jayce cried out as Viktor's body swallowed him, that delighted chittering heard. It was like Viktor was trying to suck him deeper than he could possibly go. "Hah... Did you, uh... miss me?" Jayce tried to joke before shivering again. 

Click, click, click!

Viktor started to move himself, the creature's head still tipped back. The split sides of its face were opening and closing like it was breathing heavily. Jayce reached out and gently slid his hands along the smooth sides of Viktor's pincers. "Fuck, you a-actually behaved so well. You behaved yourself when we weren't even home." Jayce breathed out, watching the creature with warm, half-lidded eyes. The creature almost seemed to purr at the praise, wiggling in place. Viktor continued to move himself up and down on Jayce's length, trying to swallow him into his body with each thrust. "Hah..." Jayce reached up and cupped the split sides of Viktor's face. Just the simple contact seemed to excited Viktor and he started to bounce himself even harder. 

He suddenly tipped his head and Jayce gasped as his hand slipped into the webbing. Instantly, that glowing silk started to creep down his arm, sending warm pulses through his body that went straight to his twitching length. "I-I'm not going to last. Viktor! Viktor, I'm not going to last!" Jayce sputtered. The silky glow only crept down farther and Jayce was suddenly releasing so hard that he saw stars. "HAH!!" He bucked his hips right up, sheathing himself inside of Viktor completely. Instantly, Viktor let out a loud chitter of delight. Jayce could feel his insides milking him. The wispy tendrils instantly started to retreat and Jayce gasped as Viktor pulled himself off his length, leaving Jayce dripping. "V-Viktor??" 

There was a soft chittering and Viktor's pincers arched over Jayce's body protectively as he sealed his face up enough to rub it against his arm. Jayce stared at the creature before his eyes softened. "Trying not to drain me today, huh?" He asked softly. "Come here." He reached out and Viktor groaned again as Jayce's hand wrapped around his length. It only took a few pumps before Viktor was releasing with a shaky chattering noise. "Good... You did good. Hey." Jayce praised him breathlessly and he swore the creature seemed to beam. Jayce pulled his pants back up and shivered, knowing he'd have to clean himself later. 

He was quiet for a moment or two before he looked the creature over. "Vik... I have to go out on my own later. Will you be okay?" Fuck, he was going to have to prepare. He needed his nicest suit and he needed his beard trimmed. He needed his hair done. He wondered if it was just the residual fears left over from when he'd attended galas before. Good gods, why did it feel like that was 20 years ago instead of just 2 or 3? 

Click, click, click.

"I know, but it's only for a little bit."

Click, click, click.

"I'll come right back once I'm done there, okay?" 

There was a soft cracking noise as Viktor's body started to crunch down, leaving Viktor panting with his arms slung over Jayce's chest. "...Okay." 

Chapter 43

The gala was loud. The gala was loud and obnoxious and Jayce regretted coming at all. To his surprise, his sleek green, black and red suit combined with his neatly styled hair and gold jewelry adornments drew a lot of positive attention. It was mostly in whispers, but a few brave and wary souls would approach him to introduce themselves. When he kissed their knuckles, he knew Viktor would go ballistic once he returned home, wanting to rid any trace of anyone else off his body. Jayce kept himself cordial and polite, even cracking a flirty joke or two. It wasn't long before more people were hesitantly approaching him. 

Of course, they were people that had only ever heard of him from the other elites. They'd likely heard that he was past his prime and mentally unsound, but Jayce was determined to come across as quite the opposite. He fell seamlessly back into his old rhythm at galas. A little charm here, some laughter there. Soft deflections whenever the final battle was mention. He could not let himself be shaken. He could see Mel and Shoola were here too, decently and understandably surprised by his presence, but they were both giving him his space to mingle. They were letting him make a good impression of himself without making it seem like he needed any kind of support. Jayce was relieved. 

Even the other Councilors that he could pick out from the crowd looked shocked at how well he was navigating. However, he had yet to see Councilor Tavian and he felt a small bit of annoyance, considering that he was the one Jayce was really here to speak to. Jayce had always suspected Tavian was much more clever than he let on, though he never really contributed to Council meetings, unless he particularly felt like antagonizing Sevika by pointedly and flippantly asking about the crime rates in Zaun whenever the fragile topic of independence was alluded to. At least Salo had been vocal during meetings. 

He had to pretend like he didn't hear the occasional whisper of the other man's name around the ballroom. That he wasn't catching the suspicious glances tossed his way. He didn't want to think about it. He couldn't think about it. He couldn't. He couldn't. Jayce gave a quiet exhale as he moved through the crowds. He spoke in gentle, non-confrontational tones, asking where he would be able to find Councilor Tavian. He had yet to receive a helpful answer and he was slowly starting to become frustrated. 

What was the point of inviting him so last minute if he wasn't even going to be there when Jayce arrived?? Had he expected that Jayce wouldn't show up? Jayce felt like Tavian wouldn't have wasted his time with a letter at all if that was the case. Jayce finally found himself at the drink table. He had to be careful, considering the last time he'd drank, he'd ended up essentially confessing his physical attraction to Viktor in the worst way possible. He found himself with a glass of wine, which he wasn't exactly a fan of. One sip had him wrinkling his nose in distaste. 

Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see a member of the staff. "Councilor Tavian has requested to see you, Councilor Talis." She told him quietly. Jayce nodded and followed after her. To his displeasure, he was brought to a bedroom, where Tavian had a few Vastayan women fawning over him as he laid back in the bed. He was sipping at his own glass of wine as one of the women nuzzled against his chest. Jayce gave a heavy sigh through his nose as the staff left him. He downed the glass he had in one go, seeming to amuse Tavian. 

"How baffling to me that you would prefer a roach over the beautiful array of Vastayans willing to please." He commented quietly, Jayce narrowing his eyes in response. 

"...He isn't a roach." Jayce replied firmly. He gave a quiet sigh. "...He's a mantis."

"Cousin of the cockroach." Tavian responded dismissively, causing amused purrs from the Vastayans around him. Jayce scowled at him and folded his hands behind his back. 

"What do you want, Tavian?" Jayce asked flatly, though his tone bordered on venomous. "I didn't come here for you to demean my partner. You said you knew what I wanted to propose."

"And I do. You want to disappear. You want to take your... mantis and you want to disappear to live the rest of your lives undisturbed. It's cute, I must admit." Tavian murmured. 

"And you want me gone." Jayce replied quietly. "The majority of the Council wants me gone. You all think I am not sound enough to stand at the table."

"Because you aren't." Tavian stated matter-of-factly. "And it seems to me that you know that. It seems to everyone at that table that you know that, yet you continue to endanger the decisions we make."

"I think you know what I want." Jayce said quietly. "It's what Councilor Sevika's been pushing for." 

"Mm." Tavian sounded unamused. "The removal... of Enforcers from Zaun... and establish their own police force. In a city full of criminals, of course." Jayce nodded. "And if I vote in favor, you'll resign."

Jayce scoffed. "If the motion passes and is put into effect, I'll resign and none of you will see either of us ever again." He muttered. A smile seemed to pull at Tavian's lips and he circled the glass in his hand. 

"You being gone does sound rather appealing." He murmured. "And especially that roach being gone as well." He paused and rolled his eyes. "Apologies, the mantis." Jayce stared at him with such an unamused look that Tavian almost seemed to laugh. "Has a sense of humor been strangled out of you, Talis?" Jayce's hands tightened painfully behind his back. When he didn't answer, Tavian sighed. "You want my word."

"I want something to ensure this. Because this is bribery unless I propose it to the whole Council. You have me trapped." Jayce stated quietly. 

"Perhaps. But I also know what happens when that creature of yours is away from you for too long. If anything, I'm the one in danger." Tavian replied, nodding to him. "How long have you been apart from him?" 

"...Two hours." Jayce replied quietly. "He'll want me back soon. But you called me here to talk about this. You pulled me away from him. I don't think you would've done that just for fun. You know better. You want this deal and you want me off the Council." Tavian hummed and nodded. 

"Incredible detective work, Talis." He replied sarcastically. Jayce narrowed his eyes at him and Tavian sighed. "If you keep your word, I'll keep mine." He said quietly. Jayce nodded and Tavian leaned back against the backboard of the bed. "Run home to your insect. Before he ends up coming here." The statement sounded both warning and wary. Jayce paused as the door opened behind him, the staff member standing there. Jayce left the stuffy room without another word, following the staff member back to the ballroom. 

Mel was already searching for him and he gave her a reassuring smile. He took a glass of wine to go before slipping out into the night. He sighed quietly and took a sip as he started walking. The neighborhood was massive, but they were still in the same one. Jayce loosened his tie and gave a heavy sigh, letting his vest fall open as he walked on the side of the road. He could feel the wind on his face as he walked, creating a chill. He paused as he heard a slowly approaching buzzing. He stopped and glanced up. "VIK!!" He called up to the dark sky and waited as he stopped in his tracks.

Click, click, click!

Viktor came crashing down in a mess of glowing webbing and wings. He seemed more than agitated, as evident by the sporadic buzzing of his wings. Jayce stared at him and gave a quiet sigh. "You behaved for two weeks, but you were about to crash into a ballroom of over fifty people-" Jayce yelped as Viktor yanked him forward with his pincers. A low hissing escaped him as he seemed to scent Jayce over. Jayce gave a heavy sigh through his nose before pausing as Viktor suddenly hooked his pincers around him. His wings buzzed. "Viktor. Viktor, don't."

His plea was cut off, only the buzzing of wings and the clattering of a wine glass hitting pavement soon heard after. Finally, Jayce's distant, indignant voice was heard far above. "VIKTOR!!"

Chapter 44

"...Jayce." 

"I a-already forgave you, it's fine." 

Viktor didn't seem convinced as he rubbed Jayce's back. The larger man was hunched over the toilet, having been retching. "I... don't believe it is." Viktor looked upset and Jayce remembered that look only once before, when Viktor had... seen the blueprints. Jayce suddenly became sick with such force that it sent pain through his whole body and his hand curled into a fist. He slammed it against the ground, making Viktor jump in shock before he leaned backwards, squeezing his eyes shut. Jayce dragged his good knee up to his chest and buried his face against it as he leaned back against the wall. "You said you had something to tend to at the party. Were you successful?" He asked softly. He stretched out his hand after placing his crutch against the wall. Jayce helped him sit down. "You would not have gone if you didn't have something to do there." 

"...I'm going to resign from the Council, like most of them want." Jayce finally answered, causing Viktor's eyes to widen. "I'll stay out of trouble and you'll be allowed to stay with me and they'll never both us again. But I want my resignation to prove helpful in other ways. Zaun's been pushing for one last break from Piltover. If I can get that..." Jayce exhaled quietly. "And talking to the Councilor that hosted the gala confirmed my suspicions. They want me off the Council bad enough to make that deal." Viktor stared at him. 

"Jayce, are you sure this is a good idea? What if they go back on their word?" He said, frowning. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and finally buried his face in his hand. "I-I know you are trying, Jayce, I wasn't implying otherwise!" He sputtered softly. When Jayce still didn't answer, Viktor's shoulders sank. "I did not mean to distress you." Jayce shook his head. 

"I shouldn't have drank anything. I think Tavian always carried liquors with higher alcohol concentrates." He muttered, his hand burying itself in his hair. "I feel fucking sick, Viktor." Viktor's hand settled on his shoulder and started to rub small circles. He was trying to comfort him best he could. He knew Viktor was frustrated lately. He'd seen him moving around the house during the day. He looked like he was always lost in thought and Jayce wondered if he was trying to piece together the events of a timeline he never experienced. Everything that had happened after that night at the opera... it was beyond him. And everything that had happened had irrevocably changed everyone around him. 

It had changed Jayce and, no matter what Viktor told him, he didn't think that the other really liked this new version of him as much as he insisted. At the very least, he'd admitted that he missed the old Jayce, but he had reiterated over and over that he was just happy to have him. That he... had just wanted his partner back. It had made Jayce's chest hurt so badly because Viktor wouldn't have known he said that, but here he was, repeating it word for word. Jayce finally turned to look at Viktor and met his worried, amber eyes. How did he not notice before that they'd always been looking at him?? "...Please come here." Jayce was already on the verge of begging, which caused Viktor to quickly move to him in worry. Jayce yanked him into a close hug and buried his face against his chest. 

He inhaled shakily once he finally felt Viktor's warmth. Viktor was alive. He was alive. He was changed, but so was Jayce and they were both alive. The circumstances were beyond bizarre, but Jayce didn't care. The Glorious Evolution was stopped. The twin cities were safe. The Rune was destroyed. And he and Viktor were alive. "...I love you so much, Viktor." Jayce could hardly even choke out the words. Viktor seemed to startle at that, his grip tightening around Jayce. "You have no idea... Fuck... When I was down there, in that fucking crevice... it hit me like a rock what that odd feeling was, that I'd only ever held for you."

"Me? What of Councilor Merdarda-"

"I did love her. And I still do, because love doesn't just fizzle away like that. But I didn't feel... obsession with her like I did with you. I knew the love I had for you wasn't healthy because I kept it pushed down and under the shadows to fester and corrupt. I couldn't bare it out in the open like I did for her, so when I saw you lifeless for the first time..." Jayce trailed off. "I forgot about everyone around me. Nothing else mattered in that very moment except getting you back. I forgot about Cassandra, I forgot about Mel, and I even forgot the promise I made to you in an instant."

This was never anything Jayce had wanted to admit. Not to anyone and especially not to Viktor. Who would've ever guessed that he would've had the chance to tell Viktor this? Viktor exhaled shakily. Jayce reached up and clung to his arms, his body trembling. "I don't want you to hate me. I know you don't know what I'm talking about, but I'm still just... so... fucking terrified that when you do know everything..." Jayce inhaled shakily. "I don't think I can let you go again." 

There was a moment of silence and, just for a moment, Jayce thought that was it. He'd done it. He'd ruined it. Finally, Viktor spoke again. "You will not ever have to let me go again, Jayce. I don't know what you've done, no. But even if I do... I know that I was forced back to life against my wishes. I know... you killed me. And yet, knowing these horrible things, do you see me running away from you?" His question was soft. Jayce paused and looked up at him, tears running down his face. Viktor cupped his bearded jaw and pressed his lips to his forehead. "...My Jayce. I know I cannot change what happened. To you or to me. But I hope I can at least soothe the wound a little with my presence." 

"It helps more than you'd ever know." Jayce whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. "You have no idea... every time I wake up to see you... even in your other form, just knowing you are there. Just knowing that I haven't lost you-" Jayce cut himself off, clenching his jaw so tightly that he could hear his teeth scrape. "All I want is to live out the rest of my life with you in peace. I don't want us to be bothered. I don't want us to be hunted. And I don't want us to be used." Jayce whispered. "Gods, Viktor, I just want to be left alone with my partner. I just want to be with one of the only good things that came out of that fucking mess."

Jayce started to say something else, but Viktor's warm, desperate lips stopped him. Jayce's eyes slipped shut and he yanked Viktor against him, his arms around his waist as he kissed him back. "As always, you talk too much, Jayce. I am here, am I not? And I am not afraid of you. And I have no intentions of leaving. I will remain as long as you allow me to. And even then... I do not think my other side will be so eager to let you go." Jayce nodded, feeling Viktor's shaking breath against his own lips. 

"That's good." He whispered shakily. "Th-That's good." They were both lying on the bathroom floor now, their legs tangled together and their braces clicking against one another. Jayce stared at Viktor uselessly. 

"If this works, could we move, Jayce?" 

"Where?" 

"Somewhere that is not here. Somewhere away from all of this. Away from everything."

Jayce felt fresh tears well up in his eyes as he nodded. "I-I'd like that, yeah." He managed in a weak, strangled voice. "Where do you want to live?" Viktor's eyes drifted to the side. They seemed lost in thought and became false for a moment.

Click. Click. Click.

The clicking was much slower and Jayce wasn't sure why until he saw Viktor yawn. He smiled weakly. "I... would like to live in a small cottage... by a stream." Viktor replied softly after a moment, his eyes becoming real again. "I want to be surrounded by trees and fresh air. And I want to be with you." 

"I want to be with you too." Jayce whispered almost immediately in response. His eyes never moved off of Viktor. "I'll do everything in my power to make it happen. A place where no one knows us. A small cottage by a stream. A place with trees and sun..." His shoulders sank as he tried not to cry again. "And I'll be with you." 

Chapter 45

The meeting had been called by Councilor Tavian, so of course it actually happened. The rest of the Councilors had been beyond taken aback when he'd requested Viktor's presence there and Caitlyn had the task of providing extra security in case Viktor's other half lost it. And that was a problem in itself. Councilor Tavian hadn't asked for Viktor, but rather his animal side to be present. Jayce was standing outside the Council Hall doors with him, helping him fix the loose fabrics he wore. 

They'd chosen a dark, flowing outfit that wouldn't impede Viktor's limbs or wings when he grew. Jayce could tell how scared he was, despite Viktor trying to maintain a neutral expression. "Viktor? I don't doubt that Jayce is able to keep you calm, but I need to show you what we would be using if you happen to lose your composure." Caitlyn said, approaching them with a small glass tube. Viktor looked it over worriedly, seeming to take note of the needle under the cap. 

"...Would I survive this amount of sedative, Miss Caitlyn??" Viktor finally asked in concern, glancing up at her. "Even in my other form, I would not say I am all too... robust." Caitlyn seemed to pause and Jayce swallowed. 

"I measured it out." Jayce admitted, turning to Viktor. Viktor seemed to startle at that, his eyes wide. "I took into account body mass and weight. Both of your forms. It's a muscle relaxant as well, so it should revert you back to human form if we have to use it. I promise I took every detail into account." Jayce's heart was pounding and, for a moment, he really wasn't sure if Viktor was actually the more nervous one. Viktor finally seemed to relax at that and gave a small nod, both hands returning to grasp his crutch. 

"I trust your measurements, Jayce." Viktor said quietly. Caitlyn shared a relieved glance with Jayce. "I assume you would be taking the shot, Miss Caitlyn? You have always been the most precise, no?" Viktor's tone seemed to be an attempt at light-hearted praise, but the tremor still hadn't left. Caitlyn nodded as she held the capsule back against herself. 

"Vi would hold you with her gauntlets. I believe she's verbally hashing it out with one of the Council Hall enforcers if that noise is anything to go off of." She rolled her eyes as she nodded towards the stairwell, where Vi's annoyed, muffled voice was echoing from behind the door. "The gauntlets are able to, um, lock in place, from what Jayce tells me. He also informs me that they are able to span the entirety of your body. If your other half is still fond of Vi, I hope that there will not be too much resistance on his part. We need him as calm as possible for this meeting, no matter how the Councilors antagonize him." Caitlyn looked Viktor over for another moment. "Have you eaten today?" 

"Yes, Miss Caitlyn. Jayce prepared a hearty breakfast. I am aware this sedative should not be applied to someone with an empty stomach." Viktor affirmed, giving a small nod. Caitlyn let out a small breath of relief. She looked them over with a furrowed brow. 

"I hope all goes in your favor. Both of you. You deserve to be released from the public eye once and for all." She said, her voice soft and sympathetic. Jayce felt a weak rush of warmth and he thanked her quietly. The door at the end of the hall opened up. 

"-and thanks for nothing." Vi threw the word over her shoulder as she slammed the door to the stairwell and scoffed, storming down the hall to stand next to them. Caitlyn crossed her arms and raised a brow at her. "Oh, don't look at me like that. Ferris cornered me and tried one last time to get me to give him the gauntlets so he could be the one to hold Viktor. Like his skinny ass could possibly-"

"Vi." Caitlyn stated her name flatly, rolling her eyes, though a smile had quirked her lips. "The rookies are always overeager, you should know this by now." 

"Overeager pains in my ass." Vi replied. She turned to Jayce and Viktor, letting out a heavy sigh through her nose. "I won't grab too hard, alright? I promise I have a good handle on my strength." She told Viktor. Viktor nodded, though the words did seem to relax him a little. 

"Considering how everyone has told me you have wielded those gauntlets for almost two years now, I would certainly hope so." Viktor replied. Vi chuckled, flexing the giant metal fingers. Jayce reached out and carefully placed his hand in the small of Viktor's back, just like before. Viktor glanced up at him and Jayce gave him a warm, weak smile.

"I'll be by your side, okay? We're partners. We stand together." Jayce stated, Viktor staring at him for a moment before his gaze weakened and he managed a smile in response. Caitlyn picked up her rifle, having propped it against the wall. She plopped it open, slipping the sedative inside and closing it up. She stood at attention and Jayce nodded. "We're ready." Caitlyn turned and pushed open the Council Hall doors. Jayce instantly froze up, feeling Viktor do the same. 

Why were there so many people here?

"Cait. Why do we have a public audience??" Jayce instantly asked. Caitlyn paused and turned to look back at them with wide eyes. 

"Did no one tell you it was an open meeting??" She asked quickly. Jayce shook his head. "Oh gods, they said you knew." She turned to look down the massive hall. She moved over to Viktor. "Viktor?? Do you still think you can do this??" Viktor had squeezed his eyes shut and he let out a trembling breath. 

"...I-If Jayce and I wish to be free... and never have to be put under the public eye again, we must be able to do this." He whispered, his voice shaky. "W-We must." Even Vi seemed dismayed at that. "Sh-Sheriff Kiramman, i-if you could lead us..." Caitlyn stared at him in slight panic before glancing at Jayce, who nodded. 

"Alright. Please do your best, Viktor. Remember that Jayce will be with you." She said softly. As if to remind himself, Viktor reached up and gripped Jayce's sleeve. Jayce's free hand slipped over his and gave it a squeeze. Caitlyn turned and Jayce led Viktor after her. The doors were heard shutting behind them, Vi covering the rear. The closer they got to the table, the louder the whispers in the room became. They turned shocked and disgusted when they finally emerged among the crowd, which parted for them. Jayce glanced up and met Mel's eyes, his shoulders sunken and his eyes betrayed and questioning. Her hands were tight and her eyes told him all he needed to know. This must've been the only way to get the Council to agree. 

Sevika was watching them with a vaguely worried expression. As Viktor and Jayce stepped up into the center of the table, Caitlyn had broken off to stand next to Mel and Vi remained at the entrance to the center of the table. Jayce stood straight with Viktor, who was clearly trying his hardest not to throw up. Jayce could tell immediately. He started to rub his back, keeping his hand beneath his wings. "The meeting will now begin." Mel's voice swept through the room, quieting the whispers. "Today's agenda consists of what to do with the Zaunite known as 'Viktor'. A citizen of Councilor Sevika's jurisdiction." Mel seemed to add the sentence in a pointed way to the Council, some of which rolled their eyes. 

Viktor swallowed quietly as Mel fixed her gaze on him. "Viktor, as you must be aware, this meeting is not for you as a human." She stated carefully, her voice hesitant and prompting. Viktor nodded. 

"Y-Yes, Councilor Merdarda." He responded quietly before turning to Jayce. He looked up at him in dismay and terror and Jayce gently cupped his cheeks. 

"You'll be okay. I'm here." Jayce assured him. He pressed a kiss to his forehead, ignoring the murmurs of disgust that rippled around the room. Jayce gently took Viktor's crutch and stepped back. Viktor squeezed his eyes shut and the first shocked gasps erupted around them as the center of his face split open, revealing that glowing white webbing. The cracking noises sent the audience into a slight panic that the Enforcers had to quell as Viktor's limbs lengthened and his bones fused into pincers. His wings raised for a moment, buzzing loudly. 

Click! Click! Click! 

Click! Click! Click!

The moment Viktor seemed to become aware of his surroundings, he instantly hunched down and let out a hiss, the halves of his face fluttering in tandem. It seemed to curl itself around Jayce, almost protectively. "Hey. Vik." Jayce kept his voice calm and the creature seemed to focus on him. Jayce smiled and reached out, offering the palm of his hand. Viktor moved to it, lying one of his cheeks into it as his wings twitched. 

"Ugh." One of the older Councilors couldn't seem to help himself, his face wrinkled in complete and utter disgust at the sight of Viktor. Jayce shot him a look. Tavian had his head resting against his hand, seeming to look them over with a curious fascination. Like he was looking at a new, exotic animal. Viktor chittered quietly as he leaned up, its pincers crossing in front of Jayce and digging into the ground. 

"As you all can see, Viktor has been more or less tamed by Councilor Talis. The insect's erratic behavior currently stems from apprehension instead of hunger. It does not wish to eat any of you, but rather it wants to protect Councilor Talis." Mel stated, looking around to see if everyone was watching. "Now, as you all know, a proposal concerning Zaun was made last meeting. To pull all remaining Enforcers from the undercity and help them to establish their own police force." At that, gasps and protests erupted around the room. Jayce caught a few words. 

'Criminals' 

'Corruption'

'Rampant'

'Chaos'

It made his chest squeeze. Sevika's nose had wrinkled in displeasure as she raised her metal hand. Mel turned her attention to her. "Councilor Sevika." 

"I hear the mutters around the room and I feel like I should probably address that I wouldn't be just pulling random Zaunites off the street in order to play cop." She stated in a slightly snappy tone. "Since the force will be new, I'd hold it to the same qualities that your Enforcers hold. Justice, loyalty, and a willingness to do what's right. Not everyone in Zaun is the criminal scum that you rich a-" Mel cleared her throat loudly and Sevika paused before rolling her eyes. "-that you people seem to think we are." While they spoke, Jayce soon tuned them out to focus on Viktor. 

He reached up and carefully started to rub soothing circles on the side of his neck, Viktor scrunching a shoulder and leaning into the touch with his other one. Jayce managed a weak smile and Viktor let out a soft rumble. 

"Councilor Tavian." Mel's voice broke through and Jayce paused, turning to look at the younger Councilor. 

"I called this meeting because I had a distinct feeling that Councilor Talis had an offer for us, regarding his... mantis... that I felt a lot of us could not refuse." His eyes scanned Jayce over quietly. "Was I right in my assumption, Councilor Talis?" Jayce gave a small sigh through his nose. 

"Your suspicion was correct, Councilor Tavian. I did come with an offer in regards to an issue that quite a few on this Council have been trying to solve for months now." At that, a few of the older Councilors seemed to pay much more attention. Jayce took a deep breath. "In exchange for this change to Zaun and the removal of Viktor from the public eye..." He closed his eyes. "I offer my official resignation as a member of the Piltover Council."   

Chapter 46

The silence that followed was almost deafening. Jayce could practically feel the tension in the air. The silent battle. How they wanted him gone, but it would mean giving Zaun another bit of freedom. And gods, he knew they loathed the idea. But did they hate that idea more than they hated him?? 

"Jayce." Viktor's robotic, yet very hushed voice drifted through his concentration and Jayce turned to look at him, his eyes softening. He could tell no one else had heard as they argued among themselves. Jayce reached up. Viktor had sealed up most of his face and he tipped his head into Jayce's hands when he offered them. A soft rumbling noise left him. "Jayce." Viktor repeated his name softly and Jayce nodded. 

"I'm here, Vik. You're being so well-behaved, thank you." Jayce murmured, Viktor's wings giving a tiny buzz in response. Jayce managed a smile and pulled Viktor down so he could bump their foreheads together. It caused the creature to circle him, rubbing his cheek against his shoulder. 

"He seems quite fond of you, Councilor Talis." Tavian spoke, causing Jayce to jump and look back at him. His gaze weakened and he nodded, turning to look back at Viktor. Jayce reached out and guided Viktor down so he would be sitting next to him. Jayce hugged Viktor's split head close to his chest and the soft, delighted chittering that left him pulled a small smile onto Mel's lips and caused Sevika to roll her eyes. "Oh, it's almost cute." Tavian murmured, a ripple starting to go through the crowd. 

Enforcers approached half of the Council table, handing off something to the Councilors. The audience was pulling things out too. Jayce shot a confused look at Caitlyn, who furrowed her brow and started over towards the closest Enforcer, likely to ask what was happening. Mel, Shoola and Sevika were exchanging glances. "Councilor Tavian. What have you discussed without the Council's whole input?? And without the knowledge of the Sheriff??" Tavian hummed in response. 

"Well, Councilor Merdarda, I know your estate is quite clean, so you may not have an issue with bugs." Tavian replied. Viktor had started to curl around Jayce.

Click, click, click.

"I know. I know, I don't like this." Jayce muttered, reaching up and pulling Viktor's head to rest on his shoulder. Vi had started to move around the table, clearly intent on protecting Caitlyn. 

There was suddenly a loud crash, followed by hissing noises coming from every part of the room. One by one, those gas mask eyes glinted on every person. "This will cause incredible irritation to your eyes and throat if you have not been associated with the Arcane. I apologize in advance. For those of you touched by the Arcane..." Tavian's voice was muffled and Jayce's eyes widened as a thick fog suddenly swept across the floor. "I'm afraid there is really only one way to deal with pests when you've exhausted all other options." Shoola and Caitlyn started to violently cough, tears erupting down their faces almost instantly. Vi yelled out as she was caught by a much larger Enforcer and Sevika swore as two pinned her down. They seemed less affected and Jayce had a realization. 

They'd modified The Grey.

Horror swept through his body and he backed up against Viktor. Sparks of gold emerged from the fog, but it seemed to react, severing whatever tried to reach Jayce. He couldn't even see Mel, only the fog attacking the dome he assumed she was under. "As expected, Councilor Merdarda will take much longer to incapacitate. But you, Mr. Talis." Tavian rested his chin on his hands. Jayce felt his leg give a violent spasm and he dropped as a burning sensation ripped through his body as the fog reached him. Viktor caught him with trembling pincers. "It will be quick. Like falling asleep." 

"CAIT!!" Vi's scream was heard in the direction of the blue glow nearby. Jayce's lungs were starting to constrict. He didn't even feel the need to cough. His vision was blurring and all he could see were the reflective eyes through the fog. Jayce startled as something firm was pushed under his chin. His head was tipped back and he was met with that glowing white webbing. It looked beautiful. A chitter erupted from the webbing. Jayce could only stare, able to register that his burning body was collapsed back against a lengthened chest. 

'Viktor...' Jayce mouthed his name, only a strangled breath accompanying the word. 

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

The clicking sounded frantic. Panicked. The webbing leaned down and Jayce was suddenly consumed in it. It was so bright and he swore he could see stars hidden within the glowing strands. It was beautiful. It cooled the burning just a little. Jayce's eyes started to slip shut. He felt something slipping over his face and he startled, jerking as something suddenly shoved its way down his throat. Jayce spasmed, his eyes squeezing shut as he gagged around the intrusion. It tasted like snow, melting on his tongue. Cold, soft, and light. It crept down and down and Jayce swore he could feel it spreading through his chest. It didn't even hurt.

His throat suddenly opened up and Jayce let out a loud, shaking gasp as the webbing retreated from around his head. The last of a glowing white strand disappeared over his lips and Jayce collapsed against Viktor's pincers, dragging in loud breaths. He could breathe. He could breathe. He couldn't see or move very well, but fuck, he was breathing. Viktor let out a low warbling. It was strangled but Jayce felt himself be lowered to the ground. Above him, Viktor's gangly silhouette stood to its full height, though it stumbled as it raised its wings and hissed. He could hear Tavian yell something, but Vi's response was the one that pierced through. "-so fucking stupid!" She snapped. "He's a bug, but Viktor is a still a goddamn Zaunite!! We grew up in the fumes of The Grey! You're a fucking idiot if you think this'll put down a child of Zaun!" 

Right. Viktor was a Zaunite. Zaun had been shrouded in that thin fog as long as Jayce could remember. A small bit of relief and pride blossomed in Jayce's chest as he watched Viktor's silhouette. The ground cracked next to his head as Viktor's pincers slammed down on either side of it. The silhouette disappeared and Jayce's hearing became fuzzy as he heard something loud. Maybe screaming. Maybe something else. Screeching? He could feel the rush of so many footsteps through the floor. Where was everyone going?? That cold inside his body was fighting with the burning that seemed to threaten to overtake his body.

His leg burned. His wrist burned. It hurt. It hurt. Were the maggots back? Were the maggots back?? Maggots, maggots, maggots-

"HEY!!" Jayce flinched as Vi's voice erupted next to them, a small cough escaping her as her red eyes watered. She furrowed her brow and the gauntlets warbled for a moment. "Fuck, alright, big guy. Come on." She scooped the gauntlets beneath him and heaved him upwards. Jayce momentarily shortcircuited, processing that both sisters were able to pick him up and sling him over their shoulders. 

"C-Cait..." Jayce managed shakily. 

"I got her. I got her already, she's okay." Vi spoke quickly and Jayce startled as she suddenly seemed to duck and something wet spattered them. He furrowed his brow and he could hear that screeching and chattering. Viktor. Was Viktor okay...? Jayce was jolted and he was suddenly dropped onto the floor of a hallway. He winced and there was the slam of a door. Jayce's vision slowly came swimming back and he was able to finally make out the ceiling of the hallway outside the Council Hall. His hearing was the next thing to return and, just for a few seconds, Jayce wished it hadn't. 

He could hear desperate, muffled screaming from inside the closed doors of the Council Hall. He flinched as the doors jolted with a loud bang, something having slammed into the other side. He could hear that angry hissing. It reminded him of a steam kettle. Jayce finally managed to heave one arm beneath himself and push himself up. "W-We have to get everyone o-out." He mumbled. Vi stared at him in disbelief before glancing back. 

"He's right, Violet." Mel's voice was strained. Jayce could see her with Caitlyn against the wall. "They all may be Councilor Tavian's friends and accomplices to this crime, at that, but they are still people. They should be judged fairly instead of being torn apart." Vi's face was almost hilarious with how displeased she looked by that. Finally, she nodded. "Please start evacuating the survivors. Sheriff Kiramman, Councilor Sevika, please be sure that none of them leave this floor." Mel's voice hardened a little and Jayce heard Sevika snort, muttering that she wouldn't dream of it. Vi yanked open the doors and Jayce wasn't sure what possessed him. He stumbled to his feet as he watched Vi disappear into the fog. "Jayce? Jayce!" Mel's voice faded as Jayce disappeared into the fog after her. "Jayce!!"

He felt a chill all over. He could breathe. He could see. It felt like that chill was right beneath his skin. He could see silhouettes rushing past him towards the doors. Bodies on the ground. Limbs. Jayce felt sick. The only thing that was missing was the rubble. The only thing that was missing was Viktor's dead body crushed beneath rubble. Jayce stopped in his tracks, trying not to hyperventilate. Someone crashed into him and he quickly guided them towards the doors. He did it a few more times, hearing Viktor clicking and skittering around the room.

The occasional cut-off scream. The tearing of flesh. The spattering. The ripping. Jayce was shaking so badly that he felt like his legs were going to give out. He finally reached the Council table and he could see someone still in their seat. Tavian lifted his head, still wearing the mask. Half of the chair had been gashed open and Tavian's shoulder seemed to be holding on by mere tendons. "...Are you proud of yourself, Talis? Bringing such a creature into our city? We should have killed it the moment you found it." Tavian hissed through his mask. Jayce stared at him before his gaze shakily moved. 

Bodies. All over the floor. Glassy eyes. Blood. Blood. Blood. Limbs and tattered clothing. A head or two. The remains of fancy jewelry. Jayce's heart was pounding. "...VIKTOR!!" He yelled out for him, his voice strangled and desperate. "VIKTOR!!" 

Click, click, click.

Something massive emerged from behind Tavian's chair and a dripping pincer hooked onto the chair, jerking it backwards. The white webbing was stained red and Jayce could feel his breathing hitch. A killer. An animal. A monster. He'd nurtured a monster. Even Viktor's hair was slick with blood and viscera. There was a low hissing noise as Viktor seemed to notice Tavian, hooking his other pincer onto the chair as well. "Talis. I heard you were once a good man. Councilor Merdarda still believes it to be true. I cannot die like this." Tavian's voice rattled. Jayce could only stare. 

Once upon a time, Jayce was a good man. Even if Tavian had tried to kill him, Jayce would've made sure he escaped safely and he got the medical treatment he needed before facing judgement. He'd always been forgiving like that. At least... he had been. He could barely even process when Tavian said his name with increasing urgency. Viktor had hooked his pincers into the man's shoulders and started to drag him up his chair, towards his split head. Yes... Jayce had been a good man once. Viktor's face sealed up just enough. "Jayce?" He spoke in his robotic voice and Jayce focused on him. Jayce opened his mouth. No sound came out. 

All he had to do was say no and Viktor would put Tavian down. That was all he needed to do. Jayce didn't think he could even speak. And even if he could... he didn't think it would change a damn thing. 

So he shut his mouth. 

Chapter 47

NEWS - COUNCIL MEETING MASSACRE
There was an estimated audience of 34 Piltovians.

Jayce closed his eyes as Viktor pulled Tavian up the rest of the way. The crunch rattled his whole body and he didn't dare open his eyes as he heard the body be unceremoniously dropped to the floor. 

Out of 34 Piltovians, 11 survived.

"Jayce? Are you here? Jayce?" Viktor's robotic voice piped from in front of him. Jayce opened his eyes, the first tears escaping as he watched this skinny, terrifying creature climb over the Council table. It crept and clicked and dripped and twitched. Pincers tapped the ground. That bloodied, glowing webbing chittered.

Out of the 8 Councilors that adorned the table, 6 of them survived. 2 of them were removed as accomplices to the act of domestic terrorism.

Jayce felt the tears running down his face in unstoppable streams now. He didn't know what was happening. He kept flickering in and out of recognition. This was Viktor. This was Viktor?? This was Viktor? This was Viktor. Jayce's breathing was ragged as that split face sealed up just enough to show him one that he recognized. He reached out to it. 

The floor of the Council Hall is permanently stained red from the blood. Some of the bodies were unidentifiable by appearance. Dental records or fingerprints were required. 

Jayce hiccuped and he squeezed his eyes shut, his hand left trembling to the open air. Each soft sob shook his chest and his shoulders were sunken in defeat. He knew him, but he didn't recognize him. Not like this. Not soaked in red and covered in bits of flesh. He almost flinched as he felt that wet cheek press into the palm of his outstretched hand. He felt so cold inside. He exhaled shakily and his breath came out in a puff of air. 

Out of the remaining 4 Councilors, 1 was removed for his part in causing the slaughter. He is currently hospitalized and has not woken since the incident. 

"...Are you even still there, Viktor?? Pl-Please tell me you're there. Please. Please, please, please tell me you’re there." Jayce's voice came out far more pathetic than he ever would've wanted and his tongue felt numb from how cold it was. Jayce opened his eyes as he felt a wet cheek press gently against his own. He reached up and broke down crying as he held onto Viktor's bloody head, those pincers crossing behind his back. 

Jayce Talis was removed from the Council for creating the monster that painted Piltover's most established building in red.

---

Jayce's head felt like it was swimming as he blinked open his eyes again. He furrowed his brow and he couldn't quite lift his cheek from where it had sunken into the pillow. His throat felt raw. His neck felt stiff. When Jayce finally gathered the energy to move his head, he felt the front of his throat strain. He could feel the stitches in his skin. That cold feeling was gone from his throat and chest. His mouth was so dry. He laid his head back against the pillow and he recognized the ceiling that fizzled into view above him. It was his bedroom. He was back in his estate. When had he gotten here?? 

Something pleasant tickled his nose and Jayce turned his heavy eyes to a small table next to the bed with a bowl of meat stew, some milk, and applesauce. His stomach had completely cramped and he could only wonder how long he'd gone without eating. The glint of metal caught his eye and he stared at the metal stand next to him, holding a fluid bag with the cord to an IV that he could feel in his arm. Jayce furrowed his brow. The food smelled relatively new. When he finally pushed himself up, he had to squeeze his eyes shut and take a shaky breath at the rush that swept through his body. He felt thin. Not skinny, but like his skin would tear open at the slightest movement. 

Jayce composed himself and turned to the small table, managing to sit on the edge of the bed before reaching out and dragging it closer. He had to move slowly and carefully as he guided the spoon of stew to his mouth. Even more careful was his chewing and swallowing. Jayce shut his eyes. It tasted good. It had clearly been out for a little bit, not as hot as he would've expected, but he didn't mind. It was delicious. It tasted like the best thing he'd ever eaten. He sat in silence for several minutes, only the soft clink of his spoon heard against the bowl. Only after he'd finally scraped the bottom did he allow his eyes to lift to the rest of the room. 

A cold chill went down his spine as he saw those false eyes staring at him. Viktor was sitting on one of the plush chairs in front of the fireplace, having turned it to face Jayce directly. There was only the smallest, glowing diamond on his forehead and he remained eerily still. His limbs were normal and he was sitting in an awkward crisscross position. He didn't even seem like he was breathing at first glance. But Jayce could see that glowing diamond grow ever so slightly larger and smaller again. Viktor didn't make a sound. He made no movement. Only stared with a plastic gaze. Jayce slowly set the spoon down into the empty bowl. His heart had started pounding. 

Viktor had no wings.

It was still between them, yet there was no tension. It was just... stagnant. Eerie. Jayce didn't know if he could even speak. Not because he was incapable, but he didn't know if he could do it. He opened his mouth and nothing came out. He tried again, becoming slightly frustrated. Nothing. Jayce's shoulders sank and he shook his head. He lifted his hand and stretched it out, shakily keeping his palm upturned. 'Viktor.' Jayce mouthed his name, wondering if a desperate tone was still possible with no voice. 'Please. Please come here.' Viktor didn't seem to respond before his fingers finally twitched. 

"Jayce... hurt by... me." He managed quietly, that robotic tone conflicting with his ever-present accent. "Jayce... hurt by me." Jayce stared at him in confusion before starting to shake his head. He flinched as Viktor's jaw dropped open. 

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!!

"Jayce! Jayce... hurt! By me!" Viktor repeated, much louder and much more urgently. Jayce stared at him, his shoulders sunken. Viktor was upset. He didn't quite have the control over his face to express it, but he was upset. Jayce furrowed his brow. He startled as a glowing white stream suddenly started to spill from the open diamond in Viktor's forehead and his voice became strangled. "Hurt by me..." He was quiet for a moment. "Always... hurt by me."  Jayce felt his eyes water and he shook his head, tapping the table before stretching out his hand again. He just wanted Viktor to take it. He wanted him close. Viktor's empty eyes fixed on him as more glowing liquid streamed down his face.

'Please. Please, Viktor. Please.' Jayce had started to tremble, panic flooding every nerve in his body. He needed his partner. He needed his partner to hold his hand, he needed to know he was there, and he just wanted him close. Tears finally escaped Jayce's eyes and he urgently gestured with his hand. Viktor didn't seem to react for a moment. The glowing liquid had started to stream from his nose as well, dripping off his chin. One of Viktor's legs slowly stretched down to the floor. When he stood, it was careful and heavy. When he walked, it was too controlled. Each step deliberate. Each step followed by a moment's pause. It took Viktor a minute or two before he stopped in front of the table. He didn't take Jayce's hands, his arms hanging stiff at his sides. Jayce stared at him with tearful eyes before stretching his hand further. 

He gently wrapped his fingers around Viktor's bicep before guiding him to turn around. Jayce felt himself choke up a little as he saw the base of Viktor's wings. They were all that was left. The rest had been cleanly and almost surgically cut. He'd been effectively rendered flightless. The bases gave a weak twitch and Jayce turned Viktor to face him again. He reached up to cup his cheek, but Viktor turned his head away from him. "Jayce. Not me. Not me." Viktor stated, facing away to the side. When he spoke again, it was strangled. "Bug." Jayce could only tear up more. This side of Viktor was forcing himself down to hide in his skin again. Forcing himself to look like the human counterpart he wasn't. His wings cut and his skin rippling just from the effort of staying small. "...Bug." 

Jayce stared at him before reaching out and carefully snagging his sleeve. He tried to guide Viktor around the table, but the other wouldn't budge, only more liquid streaming from his nose and the hole in his head. Jayce clenched his jaw and he gripped the edge of the table before throwing it to the side and sending everything crashing to the floor. Viktor jumped in shock and Jayce took the opportunity to grab him before yanking him into a tight hug. He buried his face against his chest, holding Viktor as firmly as he could. "Jayce." Viktor's tone was firm. Unhappy. Jayce shook his head. He couldn't let him go. He couldn't. "Jayce. Bug. Not me. Not..." Viktor trailed off before speaking again. "Not him."

Jayce instantly looked up at Viktor in shock. Despite the lack of facial expression, Viktor looked upset and defeated. Jayce reached up and firmly cupped his cheek. Viktor shook his head, that false gaze lingering somewhere over Jayce's head. "Not him... Bug." Viktor stated. Jayce wished more than anything that he could speak right then, but his voice just wasn't coming out. How did that still matter after the months they'd spent together? After the fact that this was still a version of Viktor that had known Jayce for seven years.

Jayce shook his head again, much more frantic. He dug his fingers into Viktor's shirt, trying to pull him down. Viktor wouldn't move. "Bug. Jayce... hurt by me." Viktor said. "Bug. Bug. Bug." Jayce squeezed his eyes shut and tugged at Viktor much more desperately. "Not him, Jayce." Viktor raised his hands and Jayce furrowed his brow. Viktor's hands looked... He reached out and took them. The skin seemed scarred, like he'd... Jayce clenched his jaw again. They looked like they'd been scrubbed raw. How long had Viktor spent in the shower, cleaning himself of that bloody mess? He had the same scarring on his cheeks and nose. The hiccup that escaped Jayce hurt his throat. He buried his head against Viktor's chest again, shaking it as he held his hands. He trembled as he intertwined their fingers, giving Viktor's hands a squeeze. 

When Viktor didn't squeeze back, Jayce finally broke down crying. It was silent, but his body curled in on itself and he grabbed Viktor's hands, pulling them to his chest. The tears were hot down his face and it only took a moment or two before one of Viktor's hands curled in his grasp. Jayce gasped desperately as Viktor pulled them away and Jayce stared up at him. He shook his head, panic and terror in his body. Viktor stared at him with false eyes. 'Don't leave. Don't leave me again. Don't. Don't leave. Please don't leave me again.' Jayce mouthed the same words over and over as he shook his head. Viktor turned his head away.

"Not him, Jayce. Bug." He stated. Jayce tried so desperately to get his attention as he mouthed more words. 'I don't care. I don't care. I love you. Viktor, I love you. I don't care. Please.' Jayce placed one foot down on the floor, but he could tell in an instant that he would drop if he tried to stand. He stopped himself and stared at Viktor. "...Bug." Viktor finally said one more time before taking another step back. Jayce stopped mouthing words, staring at him. There was a primal terror in his chest and he was sure it showed on his face. There was a dark feeling in the back of his head. It matched the one in his heart. 

When Viktor finally turned away from him, Jayce felt something inside him break. Viktor was walking away from him again. Again. Again. 

...Again.

Jayce took in a dragging breath as Viktor's body started to shift. It cracked and lengthened as he moved towards the window, using his pincer to shove it open. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut as he heard the telltale split of Viktor's head. His soft 

click, click, click. 

And when Jayce opened his eyes, Viktor was gone.

Chapter 48

Summary:

> Two Years Later

Three months after Viktor had left, Jayce stopped speaking entirely. Three months after Viktor had left, Jayce stopped going outside.

One year after Viktor had left, Jayce stopped accepting visitors. One year after Viktor had left, Jayce had sealed all the doors and windows with the exception of one on the top floor.

No one had seen Jayce Talis since then.

A pulley system with a basket had been rigged to that one open window, where Caitlyn and Mel were able to leave him groceries or letters. Occasionally, they'd get a letter in return. It always said the same thing. 

Still here - JT

Nothing more, nothing less. No one ever saw Jayce pull the basket in during the day. He only did it at night. With the doors and windows shuttered, his estate stood large and dark and lonely. Only one window would hold a light. A lantern that shifted between red, gold, and white. Like clockwork, it would turn on once the sun went down.

---

Jayce combed his fingers through his hair, pulling it back into a bun. He tied it off as he stood in front of the sink, the mirror having been removed from the wall in front of him. He'd removed all the mirrors in the house and shoved them away into a spare room. He kept his beard trimmed and his teeth clean. He wasn't quite sure what time it was, since he'd just woken up. His eyes were heavy and the dark circles had only gotten worse. As of late, his sleep had been black and dreamless. He wasn't sure if that was worse than the nightmares before. His fingers twitched as he heard the fluttering of wings again. 

The door to the bathroom was open, but Jayce knew if he glanced over, he wouldn't see anything. He never saw anything. That noise haunted his mind and he couldn't tell if it was ever real or not. His brace creaked as he finally moved out of the bathroom. Despite eating, drinking, and keeping himself fit, Jayce had never felt more wasted away. He reached up and his fingers absentmindedly traced the surgical scar down the front of his throat. Caitlyn had told him that they'd been forced to operate on him to remove the raw Arcane membrane that Viktor had forced into his body. Jayce's hand tightened around his neck for a moment. He could. He could do it. He could. 

Jayce released his grip and let his hand fall to the side as he moved out of the bedroom and down the hall. No, once he passed out from lack of oxygen, his hand would loosen again anyway. He dismissed the thought from his head as he entered the elevator, allowing it to slide him down to the bottom floor. The doors opened with a soft whir and Jayce limped out, headed towards the kitchen. He'd fired all his staff. He didn't need them anymore. He busied himself by picking up the cleaning and cooking. It wasn't too hard. There was only one person to take care of. And, in his opinion, it was the cleanest the place had ever been. 

He moved into the kitchen and started to root through the cabinets. He settled on making himself some bacon and eggs. It happened every few weeks that he found himself staring at the sizzling grease in the pan. Just wondering. Just wondering. Staring at the fire in the fireplace. Just wondering. Staring at the blankets on his bed. Staring at the ropes next to his curtains. Just wondering. He'd been in an astral plane and he somehow felt more suspended in this house than the middle of everything. He paced around the downstairs as he ate, not even sparing a glance to the shuttered windows. He still didn't know what time it was. He finished his food and made his way back to the kitchen, making sure to clean his dish and setting it up on the drying rack. 

He took his usual spot in front of the fireplace, right on the couch. The couch that still had that same rip in it. Jayce did wonder how Zaun was faring sometimes. Mel never mentioned anything about it in her letters. She never mentioned any Council business and he supposed that made sense. He wasn't a Councilor anymore, after all. Caitlyn's letters were the ones he looked forward to, especially since Vi usually had little add-ons that made him smile. Jayce's eyes were heavy again. He was always so tired lately. Gravity felt so strong suddenly. Jayce's steps had become heavier and heavier whenever he walked around. 

He felt lost. And he felt empty. And, worst of all, along with the fluttering noise, he would hear the 

click.

Just hearing that again would send him into a frenzy that spanned anywhere from hours to days, tearing through his house and ripping at the walls to try and find the source. To see if he could hear it again. And he never did. He'd always end up passing out on the floor and too sore to move the next day. Jayce moved his hand down to squeeze the cushion of the couch. He'd relocated himself to a different bedroom and sealed up the one that Viktor had left him in. He didn't think he would ever be able to lay eyes past that doorway again. Sometimes he still paced outside of it. His eyes traced along the flames as they licked at the air. That fluttering of wings again made him twitch. He only stared and blinked when he needed to, his hands moving to rest limply in his lap. 

Jayce hadn't spoken in ages. He didn't even know if he would be able to anymore. He always felt so slightly nauseous. His head always hurt, no matter how much medicine he took. Sometimes, when he accidentally poured too much, he would just stare. Just wondering. What if, what if, what if. His resolve would crack soon. His dwindling hope would run out. He'd stop sending letters one day. He knew it to be true and he knew it to be soon. At least, that's what he figured, considering he surprised himself just by waking up every morning.

He tapped his fingers against each other before glancing over as there was muffled knocking from the front door. Someone always knocked to see if he'd answer. Sometimes Vi. Sometimes Caitlyn. Sometimes even Sevika. He could tell them all apart. It sounded like Caitlyn this time. Jayce didn't move, his eyes drifting back to the fire. He could see the light imprinted in his eyelids. He did wonder where Viktor had gone. He did wonder if he was still out there. He did wonder if Viktor missed him. Just thinking those things would always send Jayce to tears before, but he felt like he'd finally run dry. He didn't have anymore. He didn't feel anymore. The knocking stopped and Jayce was left in silence again. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift. Maybe if he drifted long enough, he wouldn't have to come back. 

Jayce returned to a dark room when he finally focused again. The fire had gone out and it seemed like it had been a while now. Jayce was leaned back against the couch, his hands still in his lap. He wouldn't quite call what he did 'sleeping'. He wasn't sure what to call it. His head slumped to the side and he stared over at the wall. The fluttering of wings again. Jayce swore he could see the very edge of that white robe out of the corner of his eye. It made his stomach churn. Somehow, the idea that the mage was staying to watch over him felt like a mockery. The worst kind of insult. But Jayce never said anything. It wasn't like he could. 

Jayce's shoulders were sunken. There was another knocking at the door and Jayce's head slightly tipped towards it. He didn't recognize that one. It was too quick. Brief. If he listened, he could hear unfamiliar, muffled laughter. A group of teenagers, most likely, seeing if they could piss off Piltover's richest neighborhood. Jayce let his eyes slip shut again. The muffled laughter mixed with playful-sounding, unintelligible yelling. They were calling out and Jayce had a feeling it was because he and his estate had some kind of mysterious reputation. When he didn't answer again, he could hear the young voices talking among themselves.  

Jayce gave a small sigh through his nose. He paused as there was a crashing noise from upstairs, the sound of breaking glass before he heard the voices outside erupt in laughter and excitement. At least he'd have something to do later. They'd likely broken the lantern in the only open window upstairs. Glass would take him a bit to clean up and that gave him something to do. The voices grew louder and quieter and louder again as he heard the teens talking among themselves. He kept his eyes closed as they suddenly yelled out, banging on the door. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but they sounded panicked. He wondered what else they'd broken. 

It was another few moments before Jayce smelled the smoke. He opened his eyes and allowed his gaze to drift to the upstairs. A vague light was illuminating one side of the upper hallway, in the direction of the room with the lantern. Jayce could only stare. When the first of the flames poked around the corner, Jayce finally turned his head away and closed his eyes again, making no attempt to move. He had been hoping it wouldn't be fire that did it, but he supposed he also was in no position to be picky. The fluttering of wings was heard in front of him, but Jayce didn't open his eyes. His body was relaxed and his breathing remained quiet. He could hear the faint crackling of the fire spreading above him. 

The frantic knocking and yelling of the teenagers had stopped and Jayce figured they'd run away. Maybe the fire department would reach Jayce before the fire did. Maybe they wouldn't. Maybe he didn't want them to. One disgraced inventor wasn't much of a loss. Jayce kept his hands clasped in his lap. He'd always wondered if there would be something else once he passed. Would he see anything? Would he meet Viktor again? Which Viktor would he meet? In all honesty, Jayce just wanted to see him. He didn't care which. The one he'd lost in a brilliant explosion of light and color. Or the one that had crawled out his window and left him in an empty room. Either one would do. As long as it was Viktor. 

The smoke was starting to tickle his nose and throat, but Jayce paid it no mind. At the very least, maybe the smoke inhalation would kill him first. He parted his jaws and that stinging started to prickle his lungs. He didn't even want to ponder that stupid question. Had he lived a satisfying life? Not in the slightest. Not anywhere in the slightest. Who else could say they were hated enough by the gods to lose their partner four times? Who else could say that they'd lost their partner and gotten him back as something else, only for that version of him to leave Jayce too? A smile quirked Jayce's lips and he let out the weakest scoff as his eyes watered.

And don't even get him started on the nightmare that had been his Hextech dream. 

Good fucking gods, what a stupid fucking dream.

If there was one thing that Jayce had become certain of in his time alone, it was that he should've stepped off. All those years ago. He should've saved everyone the trouble. No one would've been in danger. No one enslaved. No Glorious Evolution. No pit. No maggots. No bugs. Jayce let out a small sigh. If he hadn't met Viktor, he wouldn't have this horrible, aching emptiness that sat under his skin like stagnant water. If only he hadn't met the piece he'd been missing. If only Viktor hadn't believed in him. 

How stupid they both had been. 

Jayce almost laughed out loud. He paused as he heard the banister creak above. The fire had consumed the whole upstairs area. Jayce was finding it harder and harder to breathe. 

Click.

Jayce let out a small, frustrated sigh as he heard that noise. Of course it would do that to him now. He kept his eyes closed as there was a creak and he flinched slightly as crashing was heard, heat sweeping over him and leaving his face slightly cold. The upper floor had likely collapsed. At least partially. There was another crunching noise from the wall on the other side of him and Jayce remained quiet. Despite his open mouth, the breaths came harder and harder. The crunching was growing louder, starting to become accompanied by a frantic-sounding scratching and splintering. Jayce didn't have the energy to even look. 

Right before he was pulled under into unconsciousness, he could have sworn he heard chittering.

Chapter 49

A cold breeze swept over Jayce, chilling him awake. He slowly scrunched up his shoulders and shivered. Something prickly brushed his cheek. Grass. He was lying in grass. It was mostly pale green and brown. The dirt was dry beneath him. It wasn't until that first cold flake landed on him that Jayce jolted like he'd been electrocuted. Not snow. Not snow. Not snow. His breathing was heavy and it came out in massive, shaking white clouds. He shoved himself backwards and scrambled for any kind of cover, his vision blurring with panic and terror. Not snow. Not snow. Jayce couldn't see anything around him but dead grass and empty trees. A sob choked his throat and he dropped on his side, curling up and burying his head beneath his arms. 

Not like this. Not like this. Not like this. 

Anything else would have been fine. Anything else. But not snow. Fuck. Jayce could only wonder if this kind of hell was what he deserved after all. After all the shit he'd done.

The maggots hadn't been enough.

The pit hadn't been enough.

An insect version of his partner hadn't been enough.

That version of his partner leaving him hadn't been enough.

Another sob shook his body. Maybe he really was the most hated by higher powers. Maybe Jayce Talis really was the universe's most hated soul. He nearly choked on his tears, his body trying to crush itself down into something that was impossible with his massive frame. Jayce felt so cold and he pulled his hands down against his stomach to warm them. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know. He didn't know. 

Click, click, click.

The first soft crunch made Jayce freeze up as a polished white bone dug into the ground in front of him. The pincer sank into the dirt and Jayce let out a shaky noise. There was a soft chittering and the pincer shifted to lay on the ground before something warm laid on top of Jayce. A body draped in a blanket-like robe. Another pincer laid on the other side of his head. His eyes went wide in shock. His body went stiff in shock. "Click. Jayce? Jayce, here. Click. Here." Viktor's voice was hushed and it lacked the robotic tone that he remembered. Jayce hiccuped before rolling onto his back and reaching up. His arms slid around Viktor's skinny waist and he held the other against him. Viktor's elongated limbs shuffled so they were tucked against Jayce's sides. "Jayce..." Viktor's face was felt nuzzling against his shoulder. 

Jayce let out a weak sob as he slid his hand up to hold the back of Viktor's head. He leaned back and, to his shock, Viktor's eyes seemed real as he scanned him over. Yet that white diamond and line remained in the center of his face. Jayce teared up again, reaching up and cupping Viktor's face. Viktor blinked at him slowly, one eye seeming a little delayed. "...Jayce." Viktor repeated his name quietly. Jayce yanked him down into a kiss and Viktor's body shivered, relaxing into it immediately. Jayce could taste metal and cold on his tongue. He hiccuped against Viktor's lips and Viktor pulled back, nuzzling their cheeks together. "Safe, Jayce. We... are... safe." He kept the words spaced out and careful. Jayce stared at him and his hands slipped backwards to fall to his sides, tears stinging his eyes. 

Viktor seemed to pause as Jayce lay limp beneath him. Jayce's heart still ached and it still felt shattered. "...You left." It was the first words Jayce had spoken in almost two years and his voice was so whispery that he wasn't even sure if Viktor had heard it at first. Viktor's shoulders sank and a weak chittering noise left him. "You left again." His voice choked up and the tears became free-flowing. "I had the lantern on every night. Hoping you would come back." It was quiet for a moment. 

"...Couldn't leave... Never left." Viktor finally seemed to admit, a white glow seen in his pupils. "Never left. Just... too scared. Bug. Dangerous. Hurt by me." Viktor leaned down and buried his face against Jayce's chest. "Always hurt by me." Viktor's pincers pressed to either one of Jayce's arms. "But couldn't leave. Not you. Jayce." Viktor managed weakly. "Spent... time in Zaun... Time with Jinx. Time with Ekko." He kept his brow furrowed. "Time... underground. But... could never stay away. Always... came back to you." Jayce stared at him and fresh tears welled in his eyes. 

So he hadn't hallucinated the clicking. No, it had been Viktor. It had been Viktor the whole time. "The lantern was nice." Viktor murmured, his eyes squeezing shut. He chittered softy. "The lantern was good." Jayce hiccuped and he still didn't know if he could reach out to hug him yet. How could he possibly explain to Viktor that him leaving had ripped him apart so much more than anything he could have done to him physically? Would Viktor even understand?? He'd left to protect Jayce from himself, but how could Jayce possibly get him to understand that he'd rather Viktor slice him from head to toe than leave him again? He would've rather been gutted than left. Viktor leaned back up to look him over. "You are cold. You are cold, Jayce." He sounded worried and crawled upwards, pulling more of his robes over Jayce's body, swamping him in warmth. 

"I... love you." Jayce managed, causing Viktor to freeze up. "I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. Please don't ever leave again. Please. Please never leave again." Once the verbal dam was broken, the words just kept spilling. How he had wanted to die. How he had spent every waking moment in hopeful limbo and agonizing emptiness. How fast he flew into desperation at even the slightest clicking noise. How he just wanted his partner back. In any way. In any form. "...even as a bug." Jayce whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. His arms had wrapped around Viktor's body again and he kept him pulled flush to his chest. "Even like this, I love you. Because you're still Viktor. You have always been Viktor... and I'm so sorry I couldn't grasp that until you were gone." Jayce pressed a desperate kiss to his jaw and then his neck. "Just how badly I needed you by my side."

Viktor had ended up trembling by the end of it and he inhaled shakily. His limbs started to crack and retreat, leaving Viktor in his human form on top of Jayce. The diamond on his forehead had closed up, but the bright light in his eyes remained. "...You have no idea the extent to which we love you too." Viktor whispered, tears seen gathering in his own eyes. "I nearly split myself in two when I found out that we'd left you. But we kept coming back again and again. Crawling all over your damn house. Bringing you fruits and crystals. Fighting any threats. Killing any trespassers." Viktor squeezed his eyes shut. "We would stare at the lantern for hours during the night, knowing it was for us." Viktor reached out and guided Jayce to sit up, wrapping them both in his robes. Viktor straddled his lap and he inhaled shakily as he wrapped his arms around Jayce's shoulders. "...We felt like we were going to be sick, the longer we spent away from you. Every second we were unsure of your state, we would become ill." 

Jayce slipped his arms tighter around him. His heart was aching and racing. He hiccuped again. He pulled back to look at Viktor, reaching up and cupping his cheek as he looked him over. He glanced down and pulled the blanket aside to show that Viktor's weak leg had been transformed. It had become digitigrade, the 'knee' having become backwards. It was noticeably longer than his other leg with odd little spines sticking out of the skin. He placed his hand on it and glanced up at Viktor tearfully. "...Fully symbiotic." He whispered, scanning him over. 

Click, click, click!

Viktor seemed to respond to him before nuzzling his face into his shoulder, gripping him tightly. Jayce could only hold him. Fully symbiotic. The full and true extent of the Symbiosis Rune. Mutualism. Both sides helped each other. Both sides benefitted. His breathing sped up and he inhaled shakily, only a shaking whimper able to escape him. Jayce lifted his head and, in the far, far distance, he could see smoke rising. He held Viktor tighter. This... was his chance. His chance to leave the public eye. His chance to get away from it all. Guilt stabbed him when he thought of Caitlyn, Vi, and Mel. Would they even know he was alive? Would they think he died in the fire?

Jayce finally pulled back to look at Viktor again, his breath billowing between the both of them. Viktor stared at him before reaching out and cupping Jayce's cheeks. "You are cold, Jayce. We should get you somewhere warm. Quickly." He glanced up and his brow became furrowed. "You do not like the snow. We will take you away from it." Viktor insisted, even seeming like he was assuring him. "We will..." He turned to look back in the direction of the smoke before glancing back to Jayce. "We will take you away, if that is what you-"

"Yes." Jayce's voice was abrupt and strangled, momentarily startling Viktor. Jayce only stared at him, not taking his eyes off him. "Yes." Viktor nodded and slipped off of him. The robe pulled back as Jayce got to his feet. He let out a shaky exhale and watched as Viktor stood up on his mismatched legs. His gait was lopsided, but steady as he took Jayce's hand and started to pull him through the trees. He was walking. They were walking.

Everything was blurring. The cold, the grey clouds, the passing of trees, the warmth of Viktor's hand. It all felt too good to be true. Had he really died in that fire?? He glanced up as he heard the sound of running water.

When they emerged from the trees, Jayce was momentarily stunned silent. Across a large river, he could see a silhouette. A cabin. A cabin next to the river. It was clearly handmade and he could see rotating red, gold, and white light shining dimly from within its windows. The walls were spray painted with blue and pink, occasionally mingling with a white hourglass figure. Jayce was already crying again before he could even process it. The cracking and stretching of Viktor's body pulled him from his daze and he inhaled shakily as he was scooped up into Viktor's pincers. The bug started to inch through the rushing water, keeping Jayce above it as they approached the cabin. Jayce was so cold and his breath kept billowing. His fingers and toes felt numb. His tears felt frozen. What was he going to do??

Click, click, click.

Was this even real? Viktor was really here?

Click, click, click.

Could he really get away from it all?? They could be together?? Was this a dream?? Had he hallucinated this?? Was he still in the pit?? Had he died in the pit?? What if he woke up to those high walls and that stagnant water?? Viktor's noises seemed to slowly and carefully draw him from his thoughts, as if to reassure him. 

Click, click, click.

Chapter 50

There was a hole in the floor of the cabin. 

Jayce could see it the moment he was set down. There were two rooms. The main one with a bed and a makeshift kitchen. And the one in the back with the hole. Viktor's snapping and crunching brought him back and he glanced over as Viktor moved over to the door and shut it, putting a barrier between Jayce and the hole. He turned to look back at him, his eyes gleaming in the shifting light of the lantern hanging from the ceiling. The cabin had vents in its floor and Jayce felt warm. He wasn't sure where the warm air was coming  from, but Viktor's weak gaze on him said that he had bigger things to worry about. He probably looked pitiful and pathetic, like a half-drowned cat. 

Viktor moved forward, his steps soft against the cabin floor. He reached up and cupped Jayce's cheeks, looking him over. Jayce couldn't help but desperately press his face into his palms. "We tunneled. We tunneled all the way up to this place from below. We built this place. We built this place in hope that, one day, we would bring you here." Viktor whispered to him. Jayce stared at him. The hole led to the labyrinth far below. It led to Jinx and those twisted walls. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut. "You will never be asked to go down there." Viktor spoke reassuringly, his voice gentle. "We would never ask that of you. But Ekko and Jinx are free to pass here as long as the door is open." Jayce opened his eyes. Ekko, too? 

Maybe some company would be nice. 

"We can live here. We can live here and stay away. No more bothering. No more politics." Viktor's voice broke a little. "No more separation between us. No more." He leaned up and Jayce practically melted into Viktor's kiss, his eyes slipping shut. Viktor met him desperately and Viktor trembled as he whispered again. "No more. No more being apart." 

"...No more." Jayce echoed against his lips, his words merely a breath into Viktor's mouth. It caused a smile to spread across the smaller man's face, relieved and near-delirious. Jayce stared at him before reaching out and yanking Viktor's hips against himself in a near-bruising grip. He nearly heaved him off the floor in another kiss and Viktor chittered in slight surprise before it was quickly swallowed up into the kiss that followed. Viktor's tongue was so cold. Jayce was panting when he pulled back. His face felt dull with heat. There was no more embarrassment. There was no more guilt or shame. He needed Viktor so badly that he would swallow him whole if he could. Viktor's arms had thrown themselves around Jayce's neck and he scooped Viktor up, staggering over to the bed and slamming him down. 

"Mmh!" Viktor groaned against Jayce and they continued to taste each other. Jayce's hands were tearing at the robes around Viktor's body. Viktor's hair had grown. It reached the bottom of his shoulder blades now, wavy and pale at the ends. Jayce could feel Viktor clawing at the fabric of his shirt and he could feel the seams tearing across his body and he didn't care. Viktor arched his back, his limbs lengthening and his pincers fusing into existence before hooking over Jayce's back in an X. When Jayce kissed him again, he felt the skin give way and Viktor's head split open into that glowing membrane. It bloomed against Jayce's lips, cold and excited. 

Jayce didn't waste any time, stretching his fingers down and slipping them between Viktor's spread legs. The length was twitching madly as Jayce gave his balls a squeeze. Viktor let out a loud warbling noise, sounding breathless. Jayce slipped his hand further and found his hole. There was a loud, wet squish as he pushed two fingers inside to the knuckle. Viktor's body squeezed him as he let out another desperate noise. "Jayce. Jayce! Jayce..." Viktor could only seem to say his name, each rendition filthier and more breathless than the last. Jayce could feel himself straining his own pants.

Without Viktor, he'd gone completely and utterly devoid of anything sexual. He hadn't felt deserving of even touching himself. Morning wood was met with ice-cold water. Jayce hadn't touched himself in almost two years. He hadn't even spared it a thought. But now that Viktor was back, he could feel just how heavy he was. Just how pent-up and full his balls were, aching to spill everything he had into his partner. All his devotion. All his devotion and he wanted Viktor to swallow it down, regardless of which hole he used to do it. He began to thrust his fingers and Viktor arched his back, chattering loudly in between his moans. His length was already leaking, forming a small puddle on his stomach. Jayce had a feeling Viktor had been practicing the same chastity.

Jayce inhaled shakily as he pulled back, his body flushed with heat. His lips still felt cold. He spread his fingers inside Viktor and the other tipped his split head back as Jayce pushed in a third finger with a loud, wet noise. Viktor suddenly squeezed and his pincers suddenly tightened over Jayce's back. 

Click!

Jayce quickly snapped out of his haze, pulling his fingers out in worry. "Vik??" He croaked his name weakly, unable to even fathom that he had hurt Viktor after they'd been apart again. He yelped as Viktor suddenly flipped them, slamming Jayce down on his back against the bed. His pincers yanked from behind him and the rest of Jayce's shirt was torn off with them, leaving him with wide eyes and a bare, heaving chest. His heart was pounding. Viktor slid backwards off of Jayce, his pincers hooking into his pants and pulling them hard enough to make the button pop off. Jayce couldn't help the guttural noise that left him as his rock-hard length was freed from the fabric. 

Viktor had dropped between his legs and Jayce swallowed quickly, knowing he would have to work hard to control his breathing in a moment. There was a shifting noise and Jayce could feel the pincers holding his legs open retreating, splintering, and reforming into fingers until flesh was pressing against his skin. "Unh!" He jerked a little as he felt Viktor's hand cup his balls. He knew how it looked and he finally felt that first hot wave of embarrassment as Viktor was heard letting out a warble of interest. "Ah! Fuck!" Jayce twitched as Viktor began to carefully massage him. Each squeeze felt overloaded and bordering on too much as he gasped. "Fuck! F-Fuck, Viktor!! Agh!!" Jayce's leg spasmed, making him flinch. One of Viktor's hands moved, his fingers hooking into the strap of the brace before yanking it down and keeping Jayce's leg on the floor. 

The firm motion sent a throb right through his length and Jayce's fingers instantly curled into the bed so tightly that he was momentarily afraid he'd tear the sheets. "AH!!" Jayce shrieked as that cold webbing engulfed his length, sending fizzling down the most sensitive part of his body. "HAH!! V-VIKTOR!! AH!!" His voice strained in its higher volumes from disuse, but the purr Viktor sent down his length seemed to indicate that he didn't mind at all. Jayce wasn't sure when he'd started crying again. "W-Wait, I-I'm-" Viktor gave the shaft a squeeze, as if to encourage him. "FUCK!!"

When Jayce released, he felt like he momentarily went blind. Every powerful suck felt like the Arcane webbing was trying to drain him from his core and he ached as he realized just how badly he'd missed it. He nearly sobbed as Viktor massaged his balls through the orgasm, placing Jayce right on the delicate line of it being far too much. When Viktor finally pulled off of his length, he only hovered. Jayce was given a moment of reprieve, his body left raw and trembling. He whimpered and jolted his hips a little as Viktor gave him another squeeze. He wasn't sure whether it was fear or excitement when he realized he wasn't running empty yet. 

The next thing Jayce knew, the bed sank in on either side of him and Viktor's face sealed up, showing his flushed red face and teary eyes as he straddled Jayce's lap, pressing their lengths together. He slipped forward and pressed back again so Jayce's length was behind him. It still held a staticky feeling and Jayce had a good feeling that was sustaining his lack of a refractory period. He was still so hard and so aching. "...Jayce." Viktor spoke his name softly and Jayce shook, a small sob leaving his throat at just how tender it was. Viktor's shoulders sank and his eyes scanned him over in understanding and warmth. He reached out and drew one of Jayce's hands to his pale belly. "We want you under our skin... Ohh..."

Viktor's noise was downright filthy as he sank himself onto Jayce's length. Jayce didn't even know if he could manage any noise, feeling nothing but wet and warmth with the way Viktor's body squeezed around him. Viktor took it all the way to the base and Jayce nearly choked as he felt the bulge of himself beneath his hand. His palm trembled against Viktor's stomach. Viktor was panting, his eyes having slipped shut. He gave a shuddering gasp and flinched, covering his mouth as his length suddenly spurted between their stomachs. He swore shakily and scrunched his shoulders up, the red flush having spread onto them. "O-Our apologies..." Viktor mumbled, clear shame in his mouth as he kept his head turned aside. "W-We waited so l-long for this, we- AH!!" 

Jayce had silenced Viktor's apology with a slight upwards thrust. Viktor gasped and it seemed to spur him into motion. He used his digitigrade leg to ground himself before he was violently slamming himself up and down on Jayce's length. "Want you... fuck, we want you... Hah! Hah... We want everything... We want everything you can give us... All of it... in here..." Viktor's breathless words tumbled out of him as he held Jayce's wrist, keeping his hand against his stomach so Jayce could feel each thrust. Jayce's face was burning from his nose to his ears. He felt like he was going to pass out, but excitement lined the feeling instead of panic. "Jayce!" Viktor whined and Jayce swore weakly, reaching up and dragging Viktor down into a messy kiss. "Mmh!"

Jayce could feel the venom coursing through his system, but he didn't care. He wanted it. He wanted him. Viktor's hands slid through Jayce's hair, pushing out the bun and letting it all splay around his head. Viktor pulled back to look at him. He panted and a warm, teary-eyed smile spread across his face. The rush of affection combined with the rapid bouncing of Viktor's hips wasn't doing Jayce any favors. His length was throbbing so badly inside of Viktor that it bordered on agony. He pulled him down again, biting Viktor's jaw and neck as he whispered feverish gratitudes into his skin. "-love you. I love you. Hah... I love you... Ugh... Thank you... Thank you for coming back to m-me... I love you..." Jayce inhaled shakily. "You feel so good-"

"You feel good!" Viktor blurted out, seeming to be half-overwhelmed and half-protesting. "Jayce... oh gods, hah... We need you. We need it. Give it to us... Please, please, please give it to us." Viktor had devolved into begging, his voice whining and breathy. Jayce squeezed his eyes shut as he tipped his head back. His next release made him scream. 

Jayce's throat burned as he felt himself erupt inside of Viktor, the other man slamming himself flush to Jayce's hips. His body twitched and Jayce could see his stomach clenching and unclenching with each breath. Viktor's eyes were hazy and his fingers had left bruises on Jayce's shoulders. Viktor doubled over with a soft cry and Jayce felt something else spatter his own stomach. Viktor reached back and Jayce swore. "HAH!! VIK! AGH!!" It was too much as he felt Viktor squeezing what he could from his oversensitive balls. He didn't think he'd stopped releasing that whole time. When it finally did stop, Jayce dropped back against the bed, covering his face with his hands as he dragged in heavy breaths. 

Viktor's elbows were leaned on his chest and his own soft, hot breaths were felt against Jayce's neck. His arms finally slid up and he seemed to loosely hook his hands over Jayce's shoulders, burying his face into the side of his neck. His chest fell next, becoming flush to Jayce's own. Jayce was sure his heartbeat was the one rocking both of their bodies. His arm slipped around Viktor and he started to carefully guide him off his length. "No!!" Viktor blurted out the word. 

Click, click, click!!

"S-Sorry." Jayce breathed out, quickly stopping. He shuddered as Viktor immediately sank himself back down so Jayce's length was sheathed inside of him again. Jayce heard that first soft sob against him and he startled, pulling back to look at him. Viktor looked nearly delirious with joy as he cried, his grip tight on Jayce and his long hair a complete mess. Jayce felt his own eyes watering as that white diamond split Viktor's forehead.

"P-Partner... Partner..." Viktor managed in a strangled voice. "Inside... Inside." He hiccuped and clung to Jayce. "Together. Jayce. Jayce." Jayce nodded, holding Viktor as close as he could. "A-Are you here?? Jayce?"

"Always. I'll always be here. I'll be with you. Always." Jayce whispered quickly, trying to assure Viktor. "I love you... I love you so much, Viktor..." Jayce croaked out, pressing a kiss to the diamond in his forehead. He watched as Viktor squeezed his eyes shut and a red flush spread over his face before he hid it in Jayce's chest. He hiccuped again and Jayce swallowed. "Come here, Vik. Come here." He insisted. Viktor glanced up at him uncertainly. 

Click, click, click.

It sounded uncertain and terrified. Jayce shook his head. "You. I want you. As you are. All of you." He stated as firmly as he could. Viktor crawled up his chest and a wear rumbling left him as Jayce started to kiss along his jaw, his hand massaging into the arch of Viktor's back. "You're beautiful. You have always been so beautiful to me. Never let yourself think otherwise..." Jayce inhaled shakily. "Even when you terrified me... even when you hurt me... you were so fucking beautiful." Jayce's voice died on the last word as he squeezed his eyes shut. He had whispered the words against Viktor's neck. "I love you. I love you." 

"Love you. Love you." Viktor echoed softly, still seeming like he was trying to get a hold of himself. He hiccuped weakly. "...Love you, Jayce..." 

Chapter 51

Summary:

> One Year Later

"Deep breaths, Jayce." Viktor mumbled, circling him again. The white diamond had grown ever-present on his forehead. His footsteps were soft on the cabin floor, muffled only when Viktor passed over the rug. He was anxious, Jayce could tell by his wings. They'd had to travel down below to get them grown back in one of the pools. Viktor's wings gave tiny buzzes as he anxiously looked him over. Jayce reached out to stop him, Viktor instantly holding onto his arm and looking up at him in worry. 

Click, click, click.

"I feel like it'd do you some good to remember that advice too." Jayce commented quietly, raising a brow at him. Viktor's shoulders sank as he shot him a small glare. Jayce's eyes softened and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the glowing, diamond-shaped opening. Viktor shivered and squeezed his eyes shut, his cheeks flushing. Jayce winced a little, inhaling shakily as the three hexagonal eyes underneath his right one opened up. "Ugh." His vision became suddenly amplified, but only on one side of his face. The extra eyes were smaller, allowing for finer details. Jayce wouldn't exactly mind that if- 

"May we?" Viktor seemed worried as he reached up to the other side of his face. His fingers hovered and Jayce nodded, his body twitching a little as Viktor started to carefully pull the three eyes on the other side of his face open. One by one, his vision began to magnify. Right before the last one, Jayce was sure this was what hell would look like. Viktor got the last eye open and Jayce swore in quiet relief as his vision stabilized. He blinked a few times, the six eyes beneath his original two blinking in tandem. Viktor pulled his hand back, his eyes wide. His thumb brushed beneath the new eyes and Jayce furrowed his brow worriedly. "...They are gold as well." Viktor murmured, his gaze becoming soft and fond. Jayce relaxed a little. 

"Good gods, you made me think something was wrong." Jayce muttered, leaning down and firmly butting his forehead against Viktor's. Viktor let out a small chitter in surprise before closing his eyes and leaning up, nuzzling him. "...Besides the bug thing." Jayce added, making Viktor snort and roll his eyes. 

"You knew what would happen if you stayed down there, Jayce. Was Jinx not evidence enough?" Viktor asked, raising a brow at him promptingly. Jayce gave a smile, Viktor huffing at him in response before leaning against him. "How do they feel? These? Do they feel ready??" Viktor had stretched his arm around Jayce to rest his hand on the cocoon hanging off Jayce's back. Jayce couldn't help but flinch at that, the trapped wings inside twitching. "S-Sorry." Viktor quickly pulled his hand back. The cocoon of flesh had started to grow out of Jayce's back a month ago and it had been too painful to try and remove. Around two weeks ago now, Ekko had pointed out that he could see something with large black spots inside. It hadn't taken the four of them long to deduce that Jayce had gained wings. 

He'd drank of the labyrinth's water. He'd lingered in the walls. Consequently, the mutations that seemed to follow the underground inhabitants soon found him. It had only been five months since he'd stepped foot into the labyrinth again. Despite Jinx and Ekko having been down there, and even with Viktor by his side, Jayce couldn't do it until then. The day he'd been brave enough, Viktor had led him down the tunnel and the two younger Zaunites were waiting for him at the end. 

Jayce and Viktor were both above ground, in the cabin right then. Jayce furrowed his brow. "...Try again." He mumbled, turning his shoulder slightly to show off the cocoon. Viktor hesitated before reaching out and placing his hand on it. Jayce spooked a little, but it didn't... "It doesn't hurt." He stated after a moment, his eyes all widening. Viktor froze at that, staring at him. Jayce turned to look at him again. "It doesn't hurt! T-Try to pierce it!" He insisted, his eyes huge. Viktor paused before furrowing his brow. 

Click, click, click.

There was a cracking noise as the skin peeled back on one of his hands, the finger bones seen shifting around and fusing together into that pincer. "Okay. Okay, please remain still. If they are wings, we cannot allow any tearing." Viktor was clearly nervous and Jayce nodded, giving an encouraging smile over his shoulder. He inhaled softly as he felt Viktor's pincer slice through the flesh that held the cocoon to his back. Another cracking noise indicated that Viktor's hand had returned to normal. Jayce startled a little as he felt Viktor's fingers worm their way into the cut and he clenched his jaw. Even if it didn't hurt, he could still feel it and he wasn't sure he liked that very much either. 

Jayce hadn't exactly known what to expect when Viktor slipped the flesh cocoon off, but it certainly wasn't for the wings that had been trapped inside to fly open and spatter the walls of their cabin with whatever they'd been soaking in. Jayce went completely stiff, his eyes all wide in shock. The wings reacted, but only seemed to cause more problems as they knocked a framed embroidery off the wall. Jayce instantly flinched and buried his head in his arms, all of his eyes squeezing shut. "Sorry! Fuck, I'm sorry!" He blurted out, panic flaring in his chest. His wings started to flutter and he shook his head. "No! Stop!! Fuck, STOP MOVING!!" He barked out, his fingers digging into his head. 

What was he doing?? What was he doing?! All he was doing was just-

Click, click, click.

Viktor's slender hands were felt on his back and Jayce fought the urge to flinch again. "Jayce. Jayce, calm." Viktor insisted softly. "Breathe? Please?" Jayce forced himself to take some breaths. "Are you here? Jayce?" 

"I'm here." Jayce responded in a strangled voice, his eyes still squeezed shut and his body completely locked up out of fear he'd break something else. "I'm here."

"You are here." Viktor echoed from behind him, his voice soft and reassuring. "We are here too." Jayce swallowed. "Your wings are different from mine. Yours do not fold. It is okay. Please take some breaths." Viktor prompted gently. Jayce tried to focus on breathing as he felt Viktor's fingers skim over the new appendages. Jayce's wings were large and almost felt paper-thin. "They may be similar to Jinx's, in which hers jut out on either side of her unless she traps them down." That wasn't particularly encouraging to Jayce. "Here." 

Jayce startled as he felt Viktor's fingers push between the folded wings and force them apart. Jayce's entire body went haywire with panic and he barked out an unintelligible noise of protest, feeling Viktor's hands yank back. Jayce's wings pressed back against one another again, trembling. Viktor quickly appeared around him, spattered in a glowing purple liquid before reaching up and checking on Jayce. "Did we hurt you?? Hurt?" Viktor asked, his eyes wide and slightly panicked. Jayce shook his head. That same purple liquid was thrown across the walls. It resembled the water from down below. Viktor's own folded wings buzzed anxiously from where they laid down his back. Jayce's heart was pounding and he squeezed all of his eyes shut. 

He wasn't sure why he was out of breath and he certainly didn't know why his wings being opened had caused such a violent panic in him. "Sorry... Sorry, I don't know what's... fuck..." Jayce buried his face in his hands. He paused as Viktor quickly took his wrists and pulled his hands from his face, his brow furrowed in worry. 

"We think you might just be nervous about leaving the cabin again. Especially now that you are, eh... newly changed." Viktor mumbled, his fingers lightly tracing over Jayce's face. "We will not be out long. Just enough to drop off the letter. You said you have wanted to do this for quite some time. A-And when we return, we must go down to see our young friends." Jayce would dare say that Viktor seemed just as worried as him. "You have been down there before. What's wrong?? Jinx and Ekko will be there again, as they always are. You said the problem is not the beetle-"

"It's not Warwick, no." Jayce agreed weakly. "And it's not even dropping off the letter." He took a deep breath and buried his cheek in Viktor's palm. Viktor's other hand crept down, starting to stroke through Jayce's beard on the other side of his jaw. Jayce let out a small sigh through his nose. "...Sometimes I wake up and there is just an overlying sense of fucking dread that just... ruins the whole day from the start. I wake up terrified and I don't even know why. I spend all day jumping at my own shadow. And for what?" Jayce threw his hands to the side in frustration before flinching as his wings rattled a table behind him. Viktor took his hands and led Jayce forward to stand more in the center of the room. When he did, the room was suddenly cast into a dark blue light as Jayce's wings opened up beneath it. 

He quickly shut his wings and the normal white light of the lantern returned. Jayce's hands were squeezing Viktor's tightly and he quickly loosened them once he realized. "...She'll be pissed once she reads it." Jayce finally spoke again. "Everyone believes Jayce Talis is dead. Lost in a house fire started by some drunk teenagers..." 

"You do not think Miss Caitlyn believed such a story?" Viktor asked, his tone slightly doubtful. 

"Not with the hole you tore into the wall from the outside, no. Only she'd know to look for that." Jayce managed, glancing up at him. "But I never said goodbye. To any of them. Not her. Not Mel. I just disappeared. A-And now she's going to be getting a letter telling her that-" Jayce startled as he felt lips against his own. His body relaxed as it processed the action and his eyes all slipped shut. Viktor's hand moved to rest against his chest and Jayce's eyes were weak as he stared down at him. 

"And she will understand. You know she will. That is not to say she wouldn't be upset, but she would understand." Viktor insisted. "You know that to be true and so do we." Jayce fell quiet for a few moments.

So did Viktor. He looked Jayce over quietly and his eyes softened. "...Your wings are beautiful, Jayce. Jinx was right. Butterfly." Viktor confirmed softly, reaching over Jayce's shoulder to gently slide his finger up the paper-thin edge of one wing. Jayce paused at that before glancing to the side. 

"Pfft. And here I was, thinking I would be the cockroach." He joked softly, his eyes moving back to Viktor. Viktor shook his head, stepping forward and pressing his cheek to Jayce's shoulder. Jayce relaxed a little and the room around them became swamped in blue again as he let his wings open. He heard a scuffling from the tunnel. When he glanced over, he saw the quick snuffing of a light. Heard the slightest buzz. A flash of blue hair. 

"Ha! Eat shit, Firefly, it's a monarch!" 

"How is that fair?? Monarchs aren't blue!"

"So??"

"How could I have guessed the type when it's a miscolor?? That doesn't make sense!!" 

"Your spine glows, boy savior, I don't wanna hear anything about anything 'making sense'."

"At least no one hears me coming from eight miles away-"

"Shut up!"

The scuffling grew louder and Jayce felt a smile pull at his lips as he heard two bodies tumbling back down the tunnel. Viktor gave a weak laugh and Jayce turned his eyes down to him. Viktor was staring back up at him in warmth and amusement. "...They agreed on butterfly, but did not agree on type." Viktor told him softly. Jayce felt his own little laugh escape him. He pulled Viktor into a tight hug and his eyes drifted past him to the sealed envelope on the table. Viktor's arms slipped around him. 

Click, click, click.

"Jayce." Viktor gently hooked his fingers into Jayce's bun, lightly playing with it. "Are you here?" Jayce nodded against his shoulder. 

"...I'm here." 

"Are you ready?" Viktor asked, his tone becoming softer. Jayce had to take a moment and he tightened his grip on Viktor. Viktor's hands pulled back to cup his jaw. "Stay with us, Jayce. Breathe." He pleaded. Jayce nodded, closing his eyes and controlling his breathing. He felt Viktor's lips against his and he trembled, mouthing those soft words against him. "We love you too." Viktor responded in a hushed whisper. His thumbs stroked Jayce's cheeks, right under his eyes. He searched him over with his own glowing ones. "Are you ready?" 

Jayce didn't know how to answer for a moment. His mouth felt dry and his body ached. Viktor chittered softly, getting his attention. Jayce could only stare at him, reaching up and guiding a piece of Viktor's long bangs back behind his ear. After another moment and a soft kiss to Viktor's knuckle, Jayce nodded. "...I'm ready." 

---

To: Sprout

---

I am alive. Not only am I alive, but I'm...

happy.

I won't be coming back and I'm sorry I left you in the dark for so long. But I really needed time to myself. I needed time to my partner. Time to mend and time to recover. From everything and everyone. Viktor is with me. Just know that we're okay. And every year that passes, I'll leave another letter for you. And another. And another. 

I know you're upset I didn't say goodbye. I know you're upset that I won't be coming back. But I don't think I can do it anymore. I won't return to Piltover. I won't return to the public. There's no place for me there anymore.

Don't tell Mama that you received this letter. It's better if she believes I'm gone for good this time. Her heart won't handle a shock like that twice. Let her think I'm at rest. You're smart, Cait. A detective like you probably already knew I wasn't dead. I just want you to stop searching for me. I don't want to be found. I'm happy where I am. I wish you all the best. I wish everyone the best. I can't do anything more to help. I've given all I can. This is it.

---

From: Jayce Talis

---

 

Notes:

Thank you for reading my fic! Hope you enjoyed Bug Wife Viktor! 🤍