Chapter Text
Constellations from across the universe
For the second time in Jayce’s life, he braced for death with open arms. Though this time he didn’t feel like all was lost, like there was nothing left on the planet for him.
He felt complete, almost a sense of clarity. Of course the finality of death was unnerving, but with Viktor, Jayce knew he'll be okay.
In the passing moment, Jayce hopes the world he left will rebuild itself. His dream slipped out of his hands long ago, causing irreparable damage to the twin cities. Jayce only hopes that the people he left behind will better than he did and eventually all will move on.
Then he and Viktor will nameless scientist, faded names etched into some old blueprints.
That was fine, really. Selfishly, Jayce didn't care. Why would he when he can finally rest with the man he’s been chasing across timelines apparently.
Viktor. His partner.
Jayce devoted his last moments with his partner, content to be embraced by the man who understood him the most. Honored to have his atoms scattered and melded together within the Arcane with the man who saved his life years ago.
Unfortunately life? Janna? Maybe Jayce can even say it's karma for all the shit he’s done, had other plans.
The landing was not graceful. It wasn't anything like the warm soft bed of grass that his and his mother were gently placed on years ago.
No, instead Jayce violently hit the ground, ricocheting against a wall. It was bad enough that he could feel his body stitch back together one molecule by molecule, leaving little pricks against his skin. Now Jayce thinks he may have a concussion.
It took a moment to open his eyes. Jayce thought maybe it was a dream, the whole ‘Viktor turning into a huge astral god’was another dream his broken mind conjured up. It was too vivid to be a dream, he knew it was real, but he should be dead. Slowly Jayce peels he eyes opens expecting him to have failed, waking up to the decayed world he escaped from.
It was a beautiful starry night.
His mind was in a haze, recollecting his thoughts on what had happened. He was at war, fighting Viktor. Jayce can feel the bruises sporting around his neck like some brand that Viktor has left. He remembers his last words, his final embrace with his partner. Viktor…..Viktor.Viktor.Viktor.
Finding Viktor was more important than figuring out where the hell he was. Jayce sat up, immediately groaning as his body disagreed with the sudden movement. “Viktor!”
Just a few feet away from him, Jayce knew it was him. He recognized that blue robe.
Maybe later he can revel in the fact that despite everything, with all the changes Viktor had gone through, the blanket was never removed. This was not the right time Talis.
Jayce braced himself against the wall as he stood. “Viktor!” Leaning against the wall for support, Jayce slowly makes his way to the other. Viktor seemed to stir, slowly sitting up, propping himself up. Jayce's heart nearly leaped out of his chest seeing that Viktor okay. His voice crackled in elation as he tried to speak.
As he comes closer, Viktor’s small frame trembles. His eyes squeezed too tight and breath too controlled, a hand grinds against Viktor's forehead. Jayce knows all too well that Viktor’s measured breaths were feeble attempts to stop a fit of panic.
Touch was Jayce's language. Being stuck in that ravine, he craved it, coming back and preparing for war; there was no time. There was nothing he wanted to do than simply give a soothing touch to Viktor. It's been so long, Jayce wasn't sure if Viktor would even want to look his way.
Instead, Jayce took off his jacket, unlatching armor attached, quickly scanning for visible injuries. Jayce looked in awe of Viktor's new body.
Jayce had never been happy to see flesh on someone.
Iridescent colorings marked Viktor's body and face, as if the Arcane had left a mark as a reminder of everything that happened. In the moonlight, it reminded Jayce of a opal. It was beautiful.
Viktor was beautiful.
Jayce wants nothing more than to trace his fingers along the wild lines and smooth over the familiar moles that he saw for seven years. He wanted to touch Viktor to really make sure what he was seeing wasn’t a mirage.
Oh…and Viktor was completely naked. Sputtering an apology for the longest stare, Jayce placed his jacket on Viktor, causing the man to flinch out of his stupor.
“Vik? It's me, Jayce.” Jayce spoke quietly, scared Viktor would get even more spooked by his voice. Viktor only curled within the jacket in response, shuddering. Jayce waits a moment, hesitating, and places a comforting hand on the trembling man.
“Open your eyes. I'm right here.” I'll never leave your side ever. “Breathe.”
Viktor let out a startled gasp, as if he were a fish yanked out of water. He coughed and scrambled to sit upright. Golden eyes frantically scanned the area in a panic as Viktor tried to catch his breath.
“Viktor!” Jayce clutches the man’s shoulder, causing him to finally acknowledge Jayce. “You need to breathe, you’re going to faint. Come on with me…One-” In and out just like his mother taught him as a child. Count with me, in and out, everything will be okay mijo.
Viktor’s breathing had finally calmed down; however, he stared at Jayce in disbelief, then at his own body. His emotions are unreadable, and Jayce had no idea what to say. It had been so long since they’ve seen each other, memories now filled with only fights and conflict. There was so much to say, but Jayce didn’t know where to start. Neither was it the time for an open heart conversation.
“We were supposed to die. I was-” Viktor struggled with the words, but Jayce knew what he was going to say. Jayce couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt in his chest. “Why are we here?”
Jayce sighs, resting on the haunches of his legs beside the protest in his knee. “Not sure.”
“I do not belong here, Jayce. After everything. It was supposed to end with us.”
Viktor said, curling further in on himself. “After everything...”
Maybe this was a punishment or a second chance. Did they deserve another chance after destroying timelines for an endless purist? Under the mask of helping others, they almost doomed everyone.
Jayce stares at the moon, lost for words. It was never this hard to talk to Viktor, they always knew how to solve their problems.
“I don’t know, but right now the Arcane decided to spit us out, wherever this is. There probably is a reason we’re here." Jayce paused, his throat dry. "We'll figure it out, like we always do but for now I have no idea where we are. We need to get going before anyone sees us.” Jayce groans as he sits up, offering a hand to the other. “Come on.”
There was a long silence between the two. The silence spoke more than what the two could ever have the courage to say at the moment. Viktor made no effort to move, only sliding the jacket closer around him. Jayce can see the walls Viktor was slowly putting up. He was closing in on himself, going into a deep, dark place.
It was understandable that Viktor wouldn't want to come with him after everything. After Jayce had taken his autonomy and had gone against his wishes, then going to blow a damn hole in his chest.
However Jayce couldn't leave. It was the selfish, stubborn man in him; he would stay even if Viktor hated him for the rest of his life.
"Viktor?"
Viktor squeezes his eyes shut again and shakes his head, resigning himself to Jayce's relentless determination to move on. "Do you even know where we are?"
Pristine cobble streets, gilded window panes, bright, colorful architecture; it was easy to discern where they were. However, it made no sense; the street was unscathed, and there was absolutely no sign of a war. "I think.. we're back in Piltover."
"Piltover?" Jayce knew that tone; Viktor didn't believe him. He was mostly thinking the same thing. They shouldn’t be here. However, the structures of the buildings, the quite carriages rattling against the stone could say otherwise. Jayce only hummed in response.
Jayce then began removing the rest his armor, leaving only his green shirt to be less suspicious. "Wrap yourself up, we should get moving before the sun comes out. Zaun might be a better place to hide than here," He groans as he sits up, his brace creaks warning him he had been in that position for way too long. Jayce ignores the glance at his leg. A discussion for later, hopefully never.
As Viktor wrapped himself back in his robe, while Jayce uses his jacket as some makeshift knapsack to carry all of his armor. The pieces were made of Noxian metal, they would be good for trade or even to make something out of if they’re lucky to find a forge.
They were quick to move, or as quick as they can be. Viktor seemed to be adverse to touch, declining any help despite obviously needing it. Just from observing and knowing the man for years, Jayce can tell Viktor was struggling to walk. He most likely required a cane, something to help him walk. Viktor’s gait was similar to when they first met, when the man was able to hang the cane against a table and stand by the chalkboard. Yet despite the obvious struggle, Viktor continued and so did Jayce.
It was laughable at most Jayce can imagine what they look like, everything about them screamed out of place. It being nighttime helped there were only a few stragglers on the streets. All gave the two suspicious looks, rightfully so. Luckily, the enforcers they passed scoffed, calling them drunks as they stumbled off. Jayce wished he had a drink.
The walk was dreadfully awkward; the only noise between the two was the creak of Jayce’s brace and the clunk of the armor in the knapsack. Otherwise, they spoke no words.
Piltover was almost the same: the same benches they sat in, the same cafes they made memories at. No signs of a war. Every step they took only raised more questions. Eventually, they reached the bridge there was no Enforcer in sight.
Jayce tried not to remember one of his many mistakes as a councilor, ordering a barricade against the Undercity people. Even worse, he was offending his partner by being a typical Piltover classist asshole. The what-ifs and guilt dragged him into a dark hole, a place deep down he couldn’t climb up.
“-ce, -ace, Jayce!” Jayce jumped as Viktor quietly snapped at him, motioning at the bridge. He had aimlessly following Viktor, not really looking at his surroundings. “I’m being suspect…this is not our world or perhaps some type of time travel. look-"
Jayce looked, really looked at the bridge. It was quiet at the moment; however, there were stalls of all sorts lined up like some marketplace. Some were a mix of Zaunite and Piltoverian style. They reached from both ends of the bridge, no divide. Nothing like their own respective cities.
He looks back at Piltover, the site took his breath away. The sky was empty, except for a perfect starry night. Not a single airship in the sky, nor was their life's work, the Hexgate. The whole epitome of their dream, the very thing that snowballed into this mess.
"I-I think you're right."
Time travel or another universe, it is then.
Viktor stares back at Piltover and a slight flicker of emotion appears in his eyes; however, Jayce couldn't comprehend it. The man was quick to return to a dazed look, turning back to walk across the bridge. Both of them lacked the words to comprehend what they were seeing, but they thought the same thing.
Regardless of where they were, they did not belong here.
"We need to move on. If this is a different world, there is a possibility of one place to get refuge for the night." Viktor leads the way as Jayce quietly follows. Jayce had only ventured a few times in Zaun. Mainly in his academy days, when he scraped up every coin he had for materials. The other two times, one in the doomed timeline and the other down to complete his promise.
He barely remembers the place, but he knows the gritty streets were thick with smog, and beggars broken by shimmer littered the alleyways to beg for a spare coin to pay for their next fix.
This Zaun was changed. It still had its Undercity feel; that Undercity grit, yet the streets were clean. The air was clear; no matter how far down they went, there was no deep haze that would destroy countless lungs. The streets were colorful, not as rundown as if the world had not given up on Zaun.
This was what Hextech, the Hexgates, was meant to be for. For a better place. Could it be related to the lack of the Hexgates? Jayce only had more questions as they venture down.
After a long walk to the Lanes, Viktor led them to a place called the Last Drop. From the looks of it, it was a popular bar full of buzzed boisterous patrons. Viktor lingers at the door, staring at someone in some daze. "We will look for a man named Vander. He may have a spare room for the night we can borrow. We can figure out the next steps in the morning. We will go by aliases" Viktor mumbles, never looking directly at him, devoid of any real emotion. Maybe he was just tired.
"Okay." It was a bit much to take in. Although Viktor has never really talked much about his Undercity life, Jayce was curious about the bar. The man barely drank. "What are we going by then?"
"Jayce, you are an adult and a scientist, surely you can make up one?"
Jayce huffs, amused that despite everything, Viktor managed to keep his attitude. "Well, since you had the idea, I assumed you had already thought of one."
"No, I do not." Viktor quips, staring at Jayce. A moment passed. Clearly, Jayce was not going to be in charge of names. "Fine-" Viktor points to Jayce. "-Ace" Then to himself. "-Er Corin"
Jayce raises a brow. “Corin?” Viktor was never good at picking out names, and it was very unfair that Viktor had a completely different name, while Ace was extremely unoriginal name! Alas before he could even protest, Viktor glared at him as he made his way into the bar.
The chatter lowered only by a decibel once they wandered in. Jayce knew they were all staring. There were eyes all over from above the balcony, from the large man idly cleaning a glass cup. His boot were sticky on the floor, the place smelled of liquor and smoke.
"How can I help you two lads?"
Jayce blinks, staring at the man. He was towering, even over someone like Jayce. He stood straight like a man who knew all and wasn't to be messed with. The look he gave them was inviting, already preparing two glasses for them; however, there was a slightly wary look. Which, of course, was understandable.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any coins at the moment; there is nothing we can afford." Viktor motions to a stool next to him for Jayce as he also sits down. Jayce welcomed the stool with loving arms. He sighed, feeling his body almost melt when he sat. He wasn't sure he would be able to get up.
The bartender looks between them and pours water for the two, sliding them over. "Two cups of water won't put a dent in my business. Looks like you two need it." They both looked at the water as if they were foreign entities. One man is just learning how to be human, and the other is learning to be sane again. A free cup of fresh water shouldn't be too complicated for the two right?
Similarly, they both hold their cup close in their hand. Jayce takes the first sip, realizing he's thirsty, and jugs it all down. Meanwhile, Viktor swirls it around while taking the smallest sips.
"No coin won’t get you anywhere. Why come to a bar with nothing but rags on yer back?" The bartender asks.
"We're travelers," Jayce speaks up, finally. "We lost most of our things in an accident."
Victor nods. "Yes. I've heard rumors that the Last Drop is the place to get resources or tips. My-" Viktor pauses and stares at Jayce, then at the man. "-friend and I need a place to sleep. Just for a night possibly."
"Oh? and why do you think I would give a room for free? Especially to some travelers from who knows where, hm?"
"I can do handy work." Jayce blurts. "We may not have coins, but I can fix most." He looks around, already assessing what he can fix around the place. Easy fixes that he can't possibly mess up on. The bartender ponders, staring at the two for another moment. The silence between them was filled with boisterous laughter.
"Ya good with a hammer?"
Jayce wanted to scoff and laugh, but nods quietly. That's his specialty.
"Fine, might as well tell me yer names if you swindled me out of a free bed, must be Zaunite then. If ya heard about the bar, then you know the name's Vander." The man, Vander, chuckled. Viktor neither confirmed nor denied the fact that he was from Zaun. He quietly sips his water, taking his time to answer.
"My name is Corin and this is Ace."
Vander hums and slaps the rag over his shoulder. The man lugs out of the bar, looking even more intimidating closer. "Benz, take over for a sec. Got some guests." Vander yelled over his shoulder. A man from the background exclaimed something unintelligible in response. "Follow me. It's just up a few steps."
Fortunately for them, Vander seemed to be aware of their much-needed slow pace. He didn't comment on how heavily they used the stair railing for each step or how they winced at the top. Instead, he waited until moving on. "Room's small-" Vander led them to a basic single bedroom. It looked like any well-used guest room, a little dingy, with some webs on the far corner, even crayon drawings on some of the lower walls. There was a nice window that looked out to the streets of Zaun, the street lights illuminating the room.
"s'been a while since we used the room, but everything's clean, got sheets n' everything proper. Feel free to use the shower, but the hot water runs out quickly. If you need anything, give me a holler. My room's down the hall the bar will hunker down soon." With that, Vander closed the door with a click, leaving the two in their awkward silence.
Jayce clears his throat and walks around, peering out the window and then at Viktor, who settled at the edge of the bed. He had a faraway look, barely moving an inch. Jayce wasn't sure whether the man was even breathing.
"You can take the bed if you want. I can sleep on the floor or something. For now, why don't we take turns taking a shower? You can go first?"
It was too many questions at once. Jayce was just trying to fill the silence. Viktor scrunched up his face and gripped his robe. "I killed so many. I killed that man, Vander. I gave them hope and took it all away in one fell swoop." Viktor mumbled, not quite at him, just stating a fact.
"We both did unspeakable things Vik. That wasn't you, the Hex-"
Viktor scoffed. "Even to this day, you are still Naive. It was me, Jayce, all of it. It steams down to me."
Jayce steps forward, trying to hold Viktor yet the man flinches back, startling Jayce.
"Don't touch me….please. Everything is too much. All of this, these emotions, feelings. I need to adjust." Viktor crawled further into the bed, curling into himself, and Jayce could do nothing. He needed to listen for once. Although it stung, he tried not to take it to heart. Viktor was hurting, understandably so. So he steps back.
"Okay. I'll wait for you. When you're ready, I'll be here. I'll wait for as long as it takes." Jayce declares, he stands there awkwardly before heading to the bathroom.
In the safety of the bathroom, he lets out a deep breath that he didn't realize he was holding in. His whole body seemed to sag against the door. Jayce slashed water onto his face hoping it calm down his nerves. Looking in the cracked reflection he usually avoids he looks at the stranger staring at him. The older haggard him, now adorned with opal finger prints on his forehead. Similar marks like the ones on his wrist and legs sprawled up his face. This must be a sick joke.
Jayce sighs, carefully stripping himself of his brace, wincing as the swelling of his leg releases from its confines. Gently massaging did nothing to relieve the pain. Slowly, he peeled off his clothes, brushing a finger against the now iridescent markings on his leg. Now he had matching scars on his wrists, and they were both similar to those of Viktor's.
The Arcane had left its mark. However, it left a deeper mark on both of them, something they'll never heal from.
Jayce props himself against the wall to set up the tub, filling it up with lukewarm water to save up some warm water for Viktor. The water was mediocre, nothing refreshing about it like the first time he stepped into a clean body of water after his hellish trip. This tub was poorly angled, not made for a man of his size, and the water was already cold within minutes.
It numbed him. The drip of water that slid down his shaggy hair splat into the tub, it was a steady drip making him want to curl into himself as much as his body allowed.
Jayce stayed there, he didn't know how long. Viktor never came in to check in, but eventually the water was too cold and Jayce shivered too much to his liking. Eventually, he slipped out, toweling himself dry. With no other clothes, he puts back his shirt, a bit counterintuitive for putting dirty clothes back on but who cares.
"Sorry I took so long. You should've knocked on the door." Jayce mumbled as he walked back into the room, Viktor still on the bed. This time, he laid on his side facing the wall. "Viktor?"
At a closer look, Viktor had fallen asleep, and a few hair strands slipped to cover Viktor's sleeping face. He looked exhausted, already lulled into a deep sleep. Jayce remembers how Viktor used to sleep or well collapse at his desk at a similar state over a three day overnighter.
How long has it been since Viktor has slept? Or eaten? How much humanity has been given back to him. Jayce covers him with a blanket and grabs his own, along with a pillow. It was clear Viktor wanted his space, so Jayce would. Unfortunately for his back, he opts for the hardwood floor for his bed, adjusting himself next to the bed.
Hey at least he has a pillow and blanket. right?
He listens to the bar's ambiance rather than the anxious voice in his head. It's been a while to hear laughter, people enjoying their lives ignoring their troubles for the night. He would take that over the silence. The silence was louder.
Soon Jayce felt like slipping into a dream. It was bright, too bright, but Jayce was overwhelmed by a sense of familiarity. Behind him was a sound of rumbling buildings as if they were falling apart. Someone was talking to him, a gentle arms around his chest. A whisper of a familiar voice in his ear
-ace. -nk
He was pulled back into that vast, endless space of stars. It was only him.
Jayce.
"Viktor?" Jayce spun around, yet he was alone. No celestial version of his partner, no thousands of souls waiting to be ascended.
One more. His head stings as that familiar voice reaches him. One more favor.
Whatever the older man was trying to say was distorted through the void. Parts of it are lost, only capturing, hopefully, the important things. There was another voice as well but he couldn't here him.
Please-