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Jayce was pacing their dorm, thumb in his mouth as he bit his nail worriedly.
Viktor watched him pace from his seat and didn’t say a word until Jayce paused and turned to him, hands moving very ecstatically as Jayce spoke.
“Okay, so they only gave us one month for our engineering final and the project is so open ended there’s basically no rules except that it has to be something that can contribute to society and doesn’t already exist.” Jayce said and Viktor nodded.
“Those are the guidelines, yes. In theory very easy since there’s little to no restrictions. In practise, very hard.” Viktor said and Jayce nodded.
“Oh of course! Because something that doesn’t exist? I mean, that’s so little, and we don’t want to copy anyone else’s project, and I mean, what can we do that would better society? I think if there was something that could better society-”
“-It would’ve been created by now. Or it’s expensive for us to make.” Viktor finished. “Of course we could always scale down and make a small version but if the project is to make something-”
“-Might as well make it full sized and fully functional.” Jayce agreed. “I mean, come on Mr. Heimerdinger, this is so insanely open-ended! I bet that freshmen duo Jinx and Ekko are having no problem though.”
“From what I’ve heard Jinx is struggling just as much as us. Ekko has been shooting down every idea they’ve given him because he wants it to be perfect.” Viktor informed and Jayce began pacing again, gnawing at a hangnail he had.
“We have a month.” Viktor reminded.
“Yes, but that’s a month for building. We still need to figure out what we want to make, then spend at least a week making the algorithms and blueprints to make sure we have every kink worked out, then two weeks max building the thing so it would give us a week to test and fix any issues we have. We don’t have time to bullshit. Plus we still have our coding finals and other classes.” Jayce complained.
“None of our other finals have been given yet because it’s not time to do them,” Viktor reminded. “We’ve been given a month for this because it’ll take longer. Coding is being assigned next week and everything else is going to be assigned two weeks before the semester ends.”
“I know, I know, I’m just stressing. Plus! You have those upcoming doctor appointments, so what if you can’t help during those days, or maybe the cortisone injections work so you can’t move around much for a few days?” Jayce worried.
“The meeting is a consultation to see if the injections will help, not the actual appointment.” Viktor corrected. “And the other appointments are physical check ups and blood work to see if we can figure out what’s going on. I have an IV infusion and that’ll at most put my arm out for a few hours or so. We’ll be fine, Jayce.”
Jayce huffed and sat down on the small couch next to Viktor. Their dorm was small, one bedroom equipped with a bunk bed, and then a small “common area” that held a couch for two people and a small table, it opened into their small kitchen. A very cramped living space but it worked for the two college students who spent most of their time in the basement lab anyway.
“We always manage to make things work,” Viktor added and Jayce smiled.
“Cause we work well as a team. I’m just stressed is all. This is our junior projects, we don’t have many big projects next year, it’s mostly helping us get internships and jobs and stuff like that. This is our chance to prove ourselves and help people Viktor. I want to save people.” Jayce said and Viktor smiled softly.
“As do I, and we’ll do it together,” Viktor bumped their shoulders together and Jayce smiled warmly.
The duo had become friends in freshman year of their compsci introduction class, Viktor had been sitting alone because no one wished to be his computer partner and Jayce was looking for someone as intelligent as himself.
The pair didn’t actually get along at first, Jayce was too much of a jerk to even talk to Viktor at first and Viktor too used to doing all the work by himself to even try and communicate with Jayce.
But the two quickly realised the other was a genius, actually brilliant and they began to grow close, pairing up for most projects together.
Come sophomore year, they both moved onto campus (it was more convenient for both of them instead of commuting) and they decided to be roommates, which brought them even closer. They moved from “close acquaintance” to friends to best friends in no time.
Junior year and they were inseparable. It was no question they would be teammates for projects and they even made their class schedules together so they had all the same classes (except Viktor was taking a class on Artificial Intelligence and Jayce was taking one called Leadership in Our World).
Over the years, they had been getting closer, and inevitably, their feelings for each other grew. It went from “Oh, well he’s attractive,” to “I think I want to spend my whole life with him.”
But neither man wanted to say anything, Viktor fearing that even if Jayce did return his feelings, Viktor would inevitably “ruin” Jayce and that he wasn’t “good enough” for Jayce. Viktor believed Jayce deserved someone strong, attractive and impossibly smart. Someone who could keep up with Jayce, something Viktor couldn’t. Viktor wasn’t social, he wasn’t popular like Jayce was, he couldn't even stand in the lab for longer than fifteen minutes without pain or needing assistance. So Viktor remained silent, he pined in silence.
Jayce never said anything because he couldn’t in a million years imagine that Viktor held the same feelings for him. Jayce was loud about his love, he held his friends, he cuddles them, he high fived them, he told them he cared, he was loud with it. But Viktor never reciprocated that. Jayce had actually thought Viktor was aromantic for the longest time until Viktor had made some comment about wanting a boyfriend. Jayce stayed silent about his feelings because he didn’t think a single bone in Viktor’s body loved Jayce.
So they pined in silence. They laughed, they hung out, they had moments that were almost something more, but it was never enough to fully cross that line. Neither wanted to ruin their friendship.
There were others, there was Mel and there was Sky, there were other girls and guys in their class of course, ones who complimented them and made them flush sometimes, but Mel and Sky were the ones always in the way.
Mel and Jayce had dated in sophomore year, they broke it off halfway through the year, but there was still unresolved tension, and it made Viktor see red, always bringing up some random assignment they had to try and get Jayce away from Mel. It got to the point where Mel joked they were swimming in assignments and Viktor just brushed it off.
Sky held deep admiration for Viktor, it was obviously a crush if you asked Jayce (if you asked Viktor, it was just idolization taken too far) and the taller man would not stand for it. Anytime Sky tried to steal Viktor’s attention, or garnered a reaction out of him (Because Viktor was an easily flustered man, almost everything got a reaction from him) Jayce would quickly steal Viktor’s attention, usually followed by a display of physical affection. Platonically though of course.
The boys were so wrapped up in their own feelings for each other they couldn’t see how absolutely whipped the other man was for them.
But none of that mattered right now, it was finals time and feelings would just slow down their progress.
Class the next day and their engineering class was buzzing. Everyone was asking who was doing what and such, all asking how they came up with their design.
Viktor was hunched over writing in his ideas book what he heard from others so he knew what not to make.
Sky leaned over from her row and saw and grinned.
“Trying to steal our ideas Vik?” She teased and Viktor looked up.
“The opposite actually.” He said. “I’m writing down what others are doing so Jayce and I don’t copy anyone’s.”
Sky blinked, her eyes seeming owlish behind her big glasses. “Wait, you guys haven’t figured out what you’re doing yet?”
Viktor shook his head and looked back at his notebook.
“We’ve had some ideas, but none of them have been grand enough,” He admitted and she smiled.
“Of course you two want to be the flashiest.” Sky said, smiling wide and Viktor flushed a bit at her teasing and the fact she was telling the truth.
“What’s the point of doing anything if it’s not memorable?” He replied and Jayce interrupted, an expression Viktor could not read hard on his face as he leaned over Viktor to speak to Sky.
“We still have to discuss what our project is going to be so please excuse us,” Jayce said, wrapping an arm around Viktor and turning him around.
Viktor didn’t pay any mind, leaning a little into Jayce and opening to a new page.
“So, we should start by listing problems in society, then we can try and figure out machines to solve those issues.” Viktor said and Jayce nodded, bringing Viktor a little closer.
“Racism?” Jayce said and Viktor hummed. “Too big of a problem, too little time.”
“World hunger?”
“Same as before.”
“Bees are dying.”
“People are already on that. Plus what machine would fix that?”
They continue to brainstorm the rest of class and after the hour they still had nothing.
They went about the rest of the day, every now and then, Jayce would lean over and whisper a problem before Viktor shot it down with a quick explanation.
The end of the day came and Viktor groaned as they packed up their stuff.
“This is impossible, how have the rest of our class already come up with problems and solutions?” Viktor whined, slinging his bag over his head before grabbing his cane.
“Because they’re thinking way smaller than us.” Jayce shot back and Viktor stood, wobbling some and the pair made their way out the classroom.
“There has to be something we can do.” Viktor mumbled, walking with his head ducked and his thumb and index finger pinched at his lip in thought.
“Viktor,” Jayce said and put a hand on Viktor’s shoulder, pulling him close as some big jock-esque dude barreled down the hallway. Had Viktor not moved, the man would’ve knocked his cane away and Viktor would’ve fallen.
“Can’t fucking pay attention asshole?” Jayce called to the man as they walked. “I fucking hate people who are so inconsiderate. Can’t they see your cane?”
“It’s fine,” Viktor mumbled. “Happens all the time. I’m not the only one this happens to you know.”
Jayce was silent for a second and Viktor looked over and smiled softly.
“Uh oh, you’re thinking.” He teased and Jayce was so deep in thought he didn't even respond, making Viktor smile more.
“You aren’t the only one this happens too.” Jayce said and Viktor smiled tightly.
“Yyyyep, that’s what I said.” Viktor replied as they made their way into the dorm building, scanning their student IDs and walking to the elevator.
“So that can be our problem,” Jayce said. “I mean, you’re disabled, so you’ll be able to think of things that could help other disabled people more than me. And it doesn’t have to be anything super big, like curing the illness cause if it was that easy, it would’ve been done. But it can be something like maybe making an electric rollator.”
“Electric rollators already exist,” Viktor said as he pressed the button for their floor.
“I’m being dramatic. I just mean we can make something that’ll help like that.” Jayce said and Viktor hummed. “I’ll think of some things then while I’m doing my homework for other classes tonight.”
Jayce smiled and looked at Viktor.
“Whatever we make can help you too, it’ll be great.” Jayce said and Viktor’s chest warmed at how excited Jayce was to help him .
They got to their dorm and sat at their own desks, doing homework and thinking of ideas.
After four hours of thinking hard about what they should create, Viktor walked up to Jayce.
“I have an idea.”
And so began the week of hell.
They had to figure out what they wanted to make, then they had to decide what they wanted it to do exactly, and then figure out how it would do that and then make the blueprint.
They stayed up an hour or so past their normal “bedtime” working on it, but at the end of the week, their blueprint was perfect.
Now it was time to put it together.
The pair was both excited, as they usually got when they worked on anything together. Everyone in the class could see it too, some already saying they “accept defeat” because they knew Jayce and Viktor’s invention would be the best (because it was, of course).
Sky even teased them about how they look like they were ready to accept the Nobel Peace prize and Viktor just laughed it off, causing Jayce to playfully pat him on the back before pulling him into a side hug, glaring at Sky.
Week two came and they were given their coding final. Easy enough, they were both confident they could knock it out easy. It was simple for them: code an entire program that can write and delete itself. It had to be done multiple times of course, because anytime you ran the program for testing, if it ran successfully, it deleted itself. So it was to test the class's ability to remember and save code.
No big deal for Jayce and Viktor, they finished their own programs two days after being given the assignment. Of course it was the weekend and they didn’t sleep but that’s besides the point.
The first week of creating ruined their sleep schedule more, they stayed up an hour later, but woke up an hour before needing to get ready for class to continue putting everything together.
The dark circles under their eyes announced to everyone how hard they were already working when only half the month had gone by and it was worrying the other students who were trying to beat them.
They hit a bump in the road when Viktor’s first doctor appointment came.
Viktor was dismissed from class early to go to his appointment and when Jayce finished class and went to the dorms, Viktor was curled up on the small couch.
“Vitya, what’s wrong?” Jayce asked and Viktor looked up at him, frown deep on his face.
“It wasn’t an auto-immune disease.” Viktor said. “Or lyme. Or Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
Jayce crouched before Viktor, face soft and worried.
“Isn’t that good though?” He asked and Viktor sighed, sitting up.
“Not particularly. We want to figure out what this is . Figure it out so we can cure it.” Viktor said, frustrated. “And we’re crossing off boxes, which are leaving only bad options. Things that never cure or get better.”
Jayce sighed and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Even if it can never be cured, it can be managed, right? You’ll be able to get the right aids and the right medication once you figure it out.”
Viktor groaned. “I hate being in pain, Jayce. Medicine can only do some much. Everyday I wake up and my head hurts, and my leg hurts, and no matter how much sleep I’ve gotten I’m tired . It’s annoying and I want to get better but- If it’s what the doctors think it is, it won’t “go away” I’ll just be given ways to live with it.”
“Well what do they think it is?” Jayce asked, voice soft and caring, but not carrying and once of pity behind it.
“Ehler Danlos and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.” Viktor began. “They normally come hand in hand but EDS is genetic so now I have to talk to my insurance company and hope they cover genetic testing. As for POTS, I have to go see a cardiologist now and literally the only time this man is free this month is next Tuesday. If I don’t see him next week he isn’t free until September because apparently he’s the only fucking doctor in fifty miles who’s good at his job so everyone wants him! But I have to talk to him about getting a holter monitor to track my heart rate. And I’m gonna have to wear that for at least 24 hours, at most a week.”
Viktor leaned against Jayce and sighed.
“I hate this all. I really fucking do. My body is deteriorating and all I’m trying to do is work on my machines and help make a difference in the world. Even worse but now they’re telling me I have to use two forearm crutches because using the one cane is fucking up my wrists!” Viktor’s accent got thicker as he got more frustrated. “On top of all these problems they suspect I have carpal tunnel! So now it’s either the crutches or a wheelchair and I am not giving into a wheelchair. I will die before I use that damned chair.”
Jayce wrapped an arm around Viktor and held him close, rocking back and forth slowly as he held him.
“Vitya, I’m here for you, okay? Through whatever worries you have, through sadness, through pain,” Jayce promised and Viktor cracked a smile.
“Through sickness and in health?” He teased and Jayce rolled his eyes.
“ Yes , I’m here for you. I always will be. Whatever problems you face, it doesn’t have to be alone.” Jayce promised. “And I can make you a new brace, one that’ll relieve some pressure from your leg. And don’t forget what we’re working on. Those will help too. And anything else you need Viktor, I’ll go the ends of the world to get it for you.”
Viktor leaned into Jayce more so his face was buried in his shoulder.
“I can do it by myself.” Viktor insisted and Jayce sighed.
“You can, I believe that. But you don’t have to.” Jayce said. “You don’t ever have to do anything alone.”
They sat in silence some more, just rocking, leaning into each other’s warmth and breathing in each other.
It wasn’t until Viktor shifted that they separated.
“My cardiologist appointment is Tuesday, so we should get everything we can do today and over the weekend. If the appointment goes well then they should do the holter monitor test that week. And hopefully it’s only for 24 hours because I’ll have to take it easy, go about my day like normal so my heart rate doesn’t spike for no reason.” Viktor said. “If all goes well, then I’ll only have that and another IV infusion Friday to worry about. The last week we should be completely fine.”
Jayce nodded. “And even if other stuff comes up, we’ll get this done. I have faith in us.”
They spent the next three days down in the lab. They didn’t get any sleep in the time being, running purely on starbucks coffee that Jinx had got everyone since she and Ekko were also down there working.
Jinx and Ekko had brains though, they went to sleep at normal times. They had a different final assignment of course since they were freshman, and there wasn’t as much riding on their project being finished like Jayce and Viktor’s were (they had their reputation, their last chance to make an impression on the Academy, and the opportunity to make a huge change for disabled people) so naturally they had the luxury to sleep, but that’s besides the point.
Come Sunday, their project was only half finished, but t was where they wanted to be anyway so it worked out well.
They retired early that night, by which we mean they both passed out from exhaustion when they went to their dorm for dinner. But it was very needed and they had class the next morning anyway.
Their classmates worried even more when the duo came to class with heavy eyebags and dreary attitudes.
Mel turned in her seat and smiled at Jayce.
“Well Jayce, you’ve never looked more handsome then now.” She flirted and Jayce rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah, yak it up Mel. You won’t be making fun when you see what our invention is.” Jayce said and grinned that heart stopping grin Jayce had become known for.
Mel smiled and fanned herself.
“Well Jayce! What a humble mind you have!” She said sarcastically and Jayce smiled at her.
Viktor suddenly pressed a stack of papers to Jayce’s chest. “Assignments,” Viktor said. “You haven’t done any of your other class’s homework. We still have normal schoolwork to worry about Jayce.”
Jayce blinked and grabbed the stack and turned to Viktor. “Shit, you’re right, I didn’t do that report on cars yet that we need. Thanks Vitya.”
Jayce went quickly to writing and Viktor turned, but he caught Mel’s eye, the mature woman smiling knowingly at Viktor.
Viktor frowned and looked away, paying attention to his own assignments.
Tuesday came and when Viktor came back from his doctor appointment, Jayce asked him how it went.
Viktor replied simply by taking off his shirt to show Jayce the device strapped to his chest. The holter monitor was a small, battery operated machine that was attached to Viktor’s chest by a string that went around his neck. Small little wires went to different places on his chest, held up by those stickers they put on you when you get an EKG.
Viktor sighed. “48 hours. They said since I’m younger I mostly likely won’t have as many problems they’re looking for as often as needed in the 24 hour timeline.”
“What are they looking for?” Jayce asked.
“Heart rate going really high really quick, frequent heart palpitations, that sort of thing. But we can’t work for two days, they said to avoid stressful situations and as such they need me to be as much of a “control” as possible. Don’t engage in anything that’ll intentionally elevate my heart rate.” Viktor explained and Jayce nodded.
“We can do two days. We’ve been making excellent progress anyways. We should relax some.” Jayce said and then thought for a second. “I would say we could shower and rest and such, but can you shower with that on?”
“Technically yes but it’d be very complicated and nerve wracking so I’d rather not.” Viktor said and made a face. Jayce laughed at the expression and nodded.
“Okay, okay, so rest up, relax. We should go out for dinner tonight, instead of eating barely cooked ramen.” Jayce suggested and Viktor smiled at the idea, putting his shirt back on and sitting down.
“Sounds nice, where shall we go?” Viktor asked and the two talked about diners near them, going back and forth over what diner had the best food and fastest cook times and shortest wait times.
They eventually decided on what they always did, Vi’s and Jinx’s dad’s restaurant.
Vandor owned two places, a bar that opened at 8 on weekdays and 6 on weekends, and a nice family restaurant that all of them loved dearly.
Vandor greeted them both with a wide hug and smiles before offering them a nice private table.
They both agreed to it and took it with grateful smiles.
The private tables were in a section off area outside, each table far away from the last so you had privacy for conversation.
The area was filled with flowers and candles and felt very date-y but neither man said anything (though they were both warm inside and hiding their own flushed faces as they spoke).
They ordered and Jayce decided to ruin the silence that had covered them.
“Sky seems to really like you,” Jayce mumbled and Viktor shrugged. “We’ve been friends since young, We grew up in the same broken down part of town. Of course we’re still close friends after all these years.”
Jayce sighed and picked at one of the flowers on the table.
“I mean she likes you likes you.” Jayce mumbled and Vikotr hummed. “Hmm, I did not notice.” Viktor replied and Jayce chuckled.
“Yeah, you seem to be a little oblivious when people like you.” Jayce mumbled. “Would you date her?”
“I don’t think I would. She’s practically a little sister to me. Like Jinx, only nicer. Would you date Mel again?” Viktor asked and Jayce turned at the question.
“What? No,” Jayce’s answer was rushed, like the idea of it was unfathomable. Viktor smirked in response and nodded.
“Okay,” He replied and before Jayce could asked why he even asked, their food was brought over.
And as usual, the duo began splitting the food they had ordered and sharing it with the other.
It was something they had started the first time Vi and Jinx had taken them here. Viktor and Jayce had both been indecisive about what they wanted so they ordered separate things and shared them, so it was less of a tough decision. It spilled into them doing it everywhere they went and then spilled into them doing it no matter what. Even if it was breakfast in their own dorm, if Viktor had waffles and Jayce had french toast, they would split their meal in half and swap. Vi called them “Annoyingly domestic” for it.
Vandor came by and talked to them for a bit, asking how the girls were doing in school (Jinx was an Engineering Major like them and Vi was a Psychology Major and Criminology Minor) and then left them to enjoy their meals.
The two had peaceful silence cover them, enjoying each other’s presence and Viktor felt euphoric. He was out, with his best friend (and love of his life) in a nice restaurant and despite all his worries lately it was nice to just have a small moment like this with him.
Jayce suddenly snorted and Viktor looked up. “What are you laughing at?” He asked and Jayce grinned.
“You have some gravy on your cheek.” Jayce said and Viktor grabbed his napkin and wiped his cheek.
“No other side,” Jayce said and Viktor wiped.
“Well, okay, lower.” Another wipe.
“Okay higher now.” Another one and Viktor sighed frustrated.
“Hold on, let me just,” Jayce grabbed the napkin from him and leaned a little over the table, lightly wiping away the gravy from Viktor’s cheek and Jayce was staring so intensely and deeply into Viktor’s eyes, he felt butterflies flapping a storm in his stomach and his heart skip a beat.
Okay maybe this wasn’t too good for his heart either.
Everything in Viktor screamed at him, to ruin their friendship, to lean forward and kiss Jayce , but Viktor remained still.
Jayce smiled and pulled his hand back. “You missed like a million times,” He teased and the butterflies flew away as Viktor rolled his eyes.
“Your directions sucked.” Viktor shot back.
After the 48 hours passed and Viktor returned the holter monitor, the duo was right back to building and tweaking their design as they worked. They hadn’t even begun to test it yet and Viktor’s infusion passed without a hitch and then it was Monday.
This was the last week for perfecting their design. They had spent the weekend working on all their other finals and even going over their coding one a few more times so they could focus their full attention on their engineering project.
They began testing on Wednesday, later than they had wanted but they needed to make sure everything was 100% finished before testing since Viktor would be the one trying it out and Jayce really did not want to risk him getting hurt using something that was supposed to help.
Thursday came and they had not slept in the past 34 hours. Their presentation of the project was tomorrow and they were trying to make sure everything worked the way it was supposed too.
They were both sleep deprived but refusing to sleep. The stress was finally getting to them as all their other finals had now been turned in (their coding one was praised by their teacher earlier that day) and they couldn’t even say they felt confident that they all got the A+ grade they were aiming for because they had been so focused on this project.
Viktor had the added on stress of worrying about his own health on top of all of this and Jayce was worrying for his friend as well.
They needed this to be perfect.
Neither got much sleep that night, up until 4 am making sure everything was perfect and waking up three hours later to double check again.
When their class finally rolled around and Viktor stood at the front with their project, the nerves were finally getting to them.
Did they hype it up too much? What if this didn’t help disabled people as much as they thought? What if their design was flawed?
Of course the project was perfect, they both made sure of it, but what if ?
Heimerdinger announced them to present and Viktor was clenching his jaw. Jayce would be explaining how it all worked while Viktor demonstrated os they both got 100% at least on the presentation part, but Viktor still didn’t do well with everyone’s attention on him and with how intensely everyone was watching him, he felt pressure piling on top of him.
“So, let us present, our project.” Jayce said and Viktor began walking.
A student rose their hand and Jayce pointed.
“You didn’t make anything new, those are just crutches.” She stated and the class all mumbled in agreement.
Viktor looked over at Jayce, eyes wide.
“Technically, yes, but these are much more, show them Viktor.” Jayce said.
Viktor lifted his arm and the class watched as the forearm rest moved with it. Some mumbled to each other, someone snickered and someone else yawned loudly.
“One thing we’ve noticed is mobility aids such as canes and such go unnoticed by others. They’re too small but because people don’t see them, they often get knocked out of people’s hands. Not to mention canes and even certain crutches put too much pressure on the patients wrists, which can cause other damage they didn’t already have.
“These crutches are designed to move with the patients arms, that way they won’t need to put the pressure on their wrists, it fits to their arms instead, which will not only improve their arm strength, but provide more stability when walking. The handles also turn a full 360 degrees which provides more room for the patient to have a fuller range of mobility witht their hands.
The bottom has a bouncer support as well, so it is more shock absorbent and also moves easier with you. The armrests strap to the patient's arms as well so there’s less risk of dropping the crutch and damaging it.”
Viktor stood still now that Jayce had finished and the class all sat in silence for a moment.
“It’s such a simple design but incredible!” Sky gushed. “I mean, this could really help a lot of people!”
“I agree,” A random male said. “I mean, my grandmother hates her cane because it puts pressure on her wrist and she knits so she doesn’t want her wrist going too. Something like this could be world changing for her.”
“It could help so many people. If you had smaller versions of this it could help younger children learn balance from a younger age as well.” Mel suggested. “So many other opportunities as well.”
“Well boys,” Heimerdinger said with a smile. “I think you’ve both earned yourselves a 100 for this project. I think it would be wonderful to show at the Junior projects showcase this weekend. A lot of sponsors and inventors will be there. They could help you get your project out there.”
Viktor turned to Jayce with a wide smile.
This would help.
This would help people.
They did it.
They duo walked back to their seats excitedly, Viktor setting the crutches down as Sky and Mel went up to show their project (Viktor and Jayce were a little surprise at the pairing, they hadn’t known the girls were working together).
“Oh, I can go home and shower and sleep .” Viktor said and Jayce chuckled.
“Yes, I’m gonna sleep for a week, omigod.”
Both excited from the success of their project, the boys had ordered food to have a small celebration.
They were only running on five hours of sleep total for the past six days though and were both practically sleep-eating their food.
They both crashed on the couch, leaning against each other for warmth.
When Jayce finally woke up a day later, he was awoken to the smell of bacon and the sound of sizzling.
Jayce rubbed at his eyes as he sleepily stood and walked over to the kitchen, where Viktor was making food.
“Morning Sleepyhead.” Viktor greeted back in his own soft and sleepy voice that had Jayce melting inside, the russian accent making it somehow more adorable and hot at the same time.
Jayce yawned and leaned on the counter next to Viktor, watching as he rubbed at his own tired eyes, smiling softly and Jayce’s heart felt so full as he stared at Viktor. His brown curls mussed and his eyes half lidded still as he cooked.
“What time is it?” Jayce asked, looking at Viktor so earnestly.
“It’s 3 in the afternoon.” Viktor mumbled. “We slept pretty late but it was much needed.”
Jayce looked at the pan and blinked.
“You’re making breakfast.” Jayce pointed out. “It’s lunch time.”
Viktor shrugged. “Yeah, but I know you like to eat breakfast first thing when you wake up, no matter the time.”
Jayce…. He felt loved. It was such a small thing, to remember something as simple as what Jayce ate the first thing waking up, but it was something Viktor remembered about Jayce. A random, seemingly useless, detail about Jayce that Viktor remembered.
And Viktor was here, making him breakfast at 3 pm because he knew Jayce liked to eat it when he woke up.
Viktor remembered small things about him.
Viktor worked with him to change the world.
Viktor was here for him as much as Jayce was there for Viktor.
Jayce couldn’t help the amount of love he felt in his heart, it was an overflowing river, pouring out of his chest and all over the kitchen floor right before him.
And Jayce could later on maybe blame his actions on his sleep deprived brain, or the sudden relief of constant stress from the past month.
But he would never deny wanting to do it.
Jayce leaned forward and took Viktor’s face in his hands, pressing their lips together passionately and Jayce forced all the love in his heart into the kiss.
He almost pulled away until Viktor’s hands wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer, kissing back with just as much passion and Jayce felt it.
He felt the electrifying sparks everyone talked about.
He felt the sparks so intense his body was on fire.
He felt the love Viktor poured back into the kiss, the want, the longing.
Jayce brought a hand up and threaded it through Viktor's hair, eyes closed tight as he kissed the love of his life, his best friend, his partner.
They kissed for what felt like years until Viktor suddenly pulled away, eyes wide and face flushed, lips bruised and glistening with spit.
“Breakfast is going to burn, give me just a moment.” Viktor said and turned around, turning the stove off and moving the pan off, turning back to Jayce.
Jayce pressed their lips back together in moments and wrapped his hands around Viktor’s waist, lifting him up and turning to set him on the counter.
Viktor spread his legs so Jayce could stand between them and the two resumed their passionate kissing.
Lips moving against lips, their teeth clacked against each other only a few times, their tongues seeking each other out to dance in broad daylight.
They pressed as close to each other as they could and then some more.
Their hearts rushed fast, beating quickly and loudly, in synce as their chests pressed against each other.
Years of pining, of staging silent were all being brought into the kiss.
Without saying a single word, they confessed their love to each other.
The kiss said nothing and everything all at the same time.
It was what they had both been waiting for.
After what felt like aeons and nanoseconds at the same time, the two split, resting their foreheads against each other.
“I’ve waited years to do that.” Jayce said softly, slightly breathless. Viktor swallowed as he held Jayce’s face in his palms.
“You have?” Viktor asked and Jayce nodded.
“God, I wanted to do that since the day I met you, Vitya.” Jayce said and Viktor huffed.
“I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you at orientation.” Viktor mumbled and grinned. “So I win.”
“Hey, we both win, okay?” Jayce said and held Viktor’s other hand.
“I love you.” Jayce said and Viktor smiled. “I love you too.” He echoed and Jayce smiled.
“I’ve- I’ve loved you for so long. Since I met you and I heard your adorable accent and you told me to fuck off if I thought I was smarter than you,” Jayce said with a wide smiled. Viktor chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“There’s no way that’s when you fell in love.” Viktor said and Jayce smiled.
“No, but I knew I liked you. You remember that one day when we were in the basement and working on our sophomore thesis projects and you told me we should combine our ideas since we were obviously the smartest people at the school?” Jayce asked and Viktor smiled.
“I told you we could do everything together and be the most brilliant minds the world ever saw.” Viktor recalled.
“I wanted that so bad, Vitya. I realised I never wanted to do anything without you and that’s when I realised I loved you.” Jayce said.
“Mine was stupid…” Viktor mumbled and Jayce grinned.
“It’s love, hun, everything is stupid.” Jayce said and Viktor rolled his eyes.
“Some kid kicked my crutch in the hall in freshman year. You threatened to kill him.” Viktor said. Jayce nodded.
“I remember, I got suspended for a week.” Jayce said and Viktor chuckled. “That was when I realised I loved you.” Viktor told him.
“All my life people have only ever looked at me with pity, like I was a sad and broken animal. But you never looked at me with pity. You looked at me like I was the strongest person in the world. And even then, when my legs were shaking because my cane had been kicked out of my hands, you didn’t call me weak. You told that jerk I was stronger than he ever would be. I decided I loved you then and there.” Viktor said.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Jayce asked.
“Why didn’t you?” Viktor shot back.
“I didn’t think you reciprocated.” Jayce confessed and sighed. “I could’ve had this with you from the moment I fell for you, but I waited so long.”
“I waited too.” Viktor mumbled. “I was scared I would… I would ruin you. I’m from the bad parts of town, the ones they warn you to stay away from. I’m a cripple, and you’re a genius. We both are but, I was always scared you’d get more so, you’d become more intelligent than I could keep up with. I was scared I’d ruin that. Ruin your smarts, ruin your golden boy routine.”
“If you were so scared, why change your mind now?” Jayce asked and Viktor smiled.
“Because I decided to be selfish.” Viktor replied. “I don’t care if I ruin you, Jayce. I love you too much to let you go.”
Jayce leaned in and pressed their lips together for a long moment.
“Ruin me, Viktor.”