Archive of Our Own ^beta

“If you ask me to join you one more time, I may have to hit you, you know.”

“ Viktorrr …”

“Jayce.”

“Caitlyn and Mel – “

“Can be plenty entertained by the charming and enigmatic Man of Progress, I assure you.”

“You think I’m charming?”

“Tch, hrozba .” Viktor twisted just enough in his swivel chair to thwack his crutch out at Jayce’s ankles, making him laugh as he jumped away to avoid it, “You know full well how charming you are when you want to be – you somehow managed to drag me to the last gala.”

Charming.

Enigmatic!

His heart swelled, urging him back in close despite the impending threat of a crutch cracking at his shins. Jayce crowded in, balancing one hand on the desk and bending to curl over Viktor’s hunched over shoulders – the image sprung to his mind of two small cogs, matched perfectly, turning in easy synchronization when finally notched together.

“It’s just nice to hear you say it, that's all.” Viktor huffed in mock annoyance, but still leant back into Jayce’s chest and let the man linger against him, let Jayce press his cheek into his hair and hum contentedly. Viktor always seemed to run cold, fingers and toes icy after long days and nights in the lab, but the gentle skim of cool fingers along the curve of his wrist didn’t surprise him in the slightest anymore. If anything, the burning forgelike heat under his skin was a perfect match, perfect for seeping warmth into Viktor’s limbs and in turn cooling him when he overheated.

Perfect balance, an easy, smoothly turning pair of gears.

“I praise you any more and you may sprout a tail and start wagging.” Viktor mused as he tilted his head just slightly so that Jayce could hook his chin over his shoulder to rest against his collarbone. Nimble fingers snuck up into Jayce’s hair, scratching at short hairs at the back of his neck – and how could he resist such an invitation? He nuzzled in closer, dropping a soft kiss to the side of Viktor’s throat and delighting in the barely-there sigh he answered with.

“Somehow, I think you might like that,” Jayce grinned. 

Viktor scoffed, but Jayce could practically hear the smile stretching his lips. The uneven curl lifting to one side, the mole at the corner jumping; the vision in his mind's-eye of golden brown eyes shining with fondness drove him to twist, to press another kiss harder into the sensitive spot under Viktor’s ear that he knew so well.

“ Trouble ,” Viktor murmured, “that is what you are. You are stalling – You will be late if you don’t leave soon.” Despite his complaints his hand still lingered in Jayce’s hair, petting softly.

“ Viki …mi cielo… ” Jayce knew himself, knew he was full of a disproportionate need for closeness, for touch, but especially so under Viktor’s capable hands. Perhaps he could convince him to ignore the whole gala mess; he could step around the chair and squeeze between Viktor legs instead. Greedily soak up each touch, perhaps even kneel at his feet and rest his head against his thigh –

Heat flashed across his face, curling around his spine all the way to his toes.

Viktor suddenly yanked at his hair, and it was a very near thing that he managed to bite down on a loud groan. Especially as he remembered the way the man had tugged at his hair the night before, dragged his face up close to kiss him soundly –

“Don’t ‘ Viki ’ me . If we are going to get the funding we need, someone needs to charm those Pilties to pull out their wallets – certainly you don’t expect that to be me .”

“Mmm, you certainly charmed this Piltie.”

Viktor’s chair swung around under Jayce’s propped-up arm, but still his eyes were soft and fond looking up at him even as he dug a finger into Jayce’s side. Jayce couldn’t help but laugh loudly and squirm away from his prodding, but nonetheless he tried his best to give the man the big-eyed pout that usually won out and got him what he wanted.

Instead, he got another jab at his ticklish ribs.

“You are incorrigible – don’t give me those eyes,” Viktor scolded, “a few hours will not kill you, and I will be home waiting for you. As a certain someone said, ’the quicker you’re into it, the quicker you are out.’” 

Trust Viktor to use his own logic against him now.

“Hmm, whoever said that sounds very smart, doesn’t he?” He grinned, beaming even wider at the indignant look scrunching up the smaller man’s face as Jayce tapped his finger on his chin. 

“Ugh! Get, get, get! ” 

Viktor was already reaching for his crutch again, whirling towards him fast enough that Jayce knew it was time to get out of the way if he valued his health – and so he danced away as Viktor waved it at him, giggling as he backed towards the doors to the lab.

“Alright, alright! ” He was almost close enough to grasp the handle and pull open the heavy doors when Viktor cleared his throat loud enough to make Jayce look back. Viktor was already smiling, a small, self-satisfied, smug thing that only meant one thing, that the man was about to say something that would absolutely make Jayce’s knees wobble – 

“And just where are you going?”

“You just told me to get –!”

“You are forgetting something, I think.” One thick eyebrow raised, and that was all it took to sway him, to rope him in and have him scurrying across the room back to him. Like a measly star caught in a black hole, split apart and sucked in without a second thought — he’d go happily, as long as Viktor was looking at him like that. As long as Viktor was the one curling his hand around the back of his neck and pulling him close.

The man watched him openly, his gaze unflinching and magnetic and oh-so-pleased as he scrambled back into his orbit. Jayce’s heart pounded wildly in his chest, each beat urging him forward. Slowly, he leant over Viktor, balancing himself on the arms of the chair and successfully caging him in. It didn’t seem like Viktor minded, however – long, slender fingers settled at the hollow of his throat and twisted lightly around his neck, a square thumb brushed along his adam’s apple with enough pressure to make Jayce swallow hard underneath it.

“ Krásný kluk, ” Viktor murmured. He could feel the flush sitting high on his cheeks and easily caught the way Viktor’s keen eyes swept over them, cataloging and studying in the same way he picked apart their messy equations. Viktor’s hand wandered up his neck to cup his cheek, and that was all the encouragement Jayce needed to drive him to duck his head and press a kiss to his lips. 

It effortlessly put him at ease, despite the way his blood pumped harder and harder. As much as the attention, the recognition from the council and sponsors pushed him into his work even harder, encouraged him to push the limits, he could admit he understood Viktor’s distaste for the pomp and circumstance. All of the societal rules and ass-kissing, when all he truly wanted was to hammer through their ideas together in their lab. His mind wandered to a memory of Viktor calling him a ‘live-wire’, buzzing about the lab to stave off his anxious energy before a benefit dinner – he had let Jayce curl up on the small couch with him then, let Jayce rest his head in his lap and combed his fingers through his hair till his mind slowed…

Jayce whined, pressing even harder into his lips.

And like usual Viktor indulged him a moment longer, humming softly between them. He still pulled away however, that pesky need for air; Jayce let out a petulant grumble and chased after him, refusing to let the moment end in favor of trailing his lips messily along his cheek, brushing over the corner of his mouth, lingering on the mole there – he hadn’t had his fill, not even close – 

Viktor’s large hand clapped over his face and forced him back. 

“Just a little longer,” he couldn’t find it in him to even bother with being embarrassed, not even with how spoiled and whiny he knew he sounded. Even muffled behind Viktor’s palm he could hear it. Viktor laughed, a little breathless, and Jayce very nearly vibrated out of his skin with pride; his unusually unflappable partner, all breathless and glassy-eyed and kiss-bitten because of him .

Surely Caitlyn could forgive him for being a little late…?

“ Behave yourself,” Viktor’s lips pursed, and if he hadn’t still been fending Jayce off, he would have happily dived back in regardless of the consequences. Instead, he wrapped his hand around Viktor’s wrist and planted a soft kiss on the heel of his palm. “Just a few hours, Jayce, you are more than capable of that, hm?” 

“With the right motivation…”

“Pfft, motivation,” Viktor smirked, “I will take good care of you afterwards, how about that? Even if you are a spoiled brat .” 

Jayce shot upright, a wide grin spreading across his face so quickly it made his cheeks ache. His mind spun wildly through the whirlwind of possibilities – it must have been glaringly obvious because Viktor let out a bright, genuine laugh and shook his head in disbelief. 

“Correction, your spoiled brat.” He dropped a kiss onto Viktor’s hairline and swung around towards the door yet again – a renewed energy zipping through him as he bounded off. Viktor’s rumbling laugh followed after him like the wind in his sails.

“Yes, yes, semantics ,” he called after Jayce, “don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late!”

—------------

Chrono-Lattice Matrix. Or maybe, Quantum Time Compressor? 

Jayce stared into space, lost in thought. Perhaps he could convince Viktor to help him invent something to help these events go by faster; after all, the sooner he could leave, the sooner he’d be free to follow him wherever their whims took them. He could probably sneak away now, maybe even get a head start drawing up runic patterns himself, show them to Viktor and get his thoughts, expound on new theories…

They’d need some heavy-duty modulators to regulate the heat off of the crystals alone, and to keep them from overloading…

Jayce startled as a finger poked at the back of his head, and very nearly tripped out from behind the marble pillar where he’d been hiding. He whirled around but he already knew who to expect – Caitlyn grinning and her eyes flashing slyly, knowingly. She shoved a champagne flute into his hand and downed the rest of her own before setting the empty crystal on a passing attendant’s platter.

“Move over,” she jabbed an elbow into his side, trying to dodge around him and squeeze into the shadows with him, “you’re not the only one that needs to hide.”

“Go find your own spot then!”

“I like this spot though.”

“It’s my – hey! You’re gonna get us both caught!”

“Well then stop struggling –”

“Caitlyn Kiramman!”

Councillor Kiramman appeared out of thin air behind them, as though the mere thought of troublemaking summoned her, disapproving frown already firmly in place, ”and you Jayce – it figures that I should find you two together.” She wrapped her hand around Caitlyn’s wrist and pulled her from their hiding spot, not unlike a mother cat snatching up her young by the scruff of their neck. There was no room for excuses from them, it seemed.

“The pair of you insist on giving me headaches,” she sighed, fixing them both with her usual withering stare, “ try to behave, if not for the sake of our reputation, but for the fact you are straining my patience – you especially , Caitlyn.”

With just a quick glance, he could see the way Cailtlyn’s jaw clenched tight, her eyes narrowing as though she were thinking through her next words – she deflated instead and peeked over at Jayce, looking just as helpless and scolded as he felt. He tugged uncomfortably at his sleeve cuffs, thoroughly inspecting them for any dust or lint rather than look up and meet Kiramman’s eye. 

He still ended up caught. Her hand gripped Jayce’s elbow and tugged – he could do little but stumble after her.

“Come, I have some potential investors for you to meet, Jayce. And you , Caitlyn –” her voice was clear and clipped, so steadfastly unquestionable that nearly made Jayce shrink away. He wasn’t sure how Caitlyn could stand it; the woman wasn’t even his mother, and he still felt awkward in the face of her withering looks.

“Sorry, mother.” 

“Hm. Behave . We will talk later.”

If anything, he was certain he was glad he wasn’t in Caitlyn’s shoes. She shrank off into the crowd without another complaint, not even bothering to throw a sympathetic or apologetic look over her shoulder – he’d have to get her back for getting him caught – 

“Well, let's not dawdle now,” Councilor Kiramman hooked her arm through his and pulled him back into the bustling crowd, growing larger and more lively by the second with the sound of clinking glasses and bursts of laughter – nonetheless, it parted easily, almost instinctively to the sheer presence and authority she held. A force not to be reckoned with. They reached a small cluster, an older couple laden with silks and golden jewelry; she straightened next to Jayce, all remnants of the stern, scolding mother evaporating into her own version of public charm and easy pleasantries fast enough to very nearly give him whiplash. The couple perked up at the sight of them, lighting with their own pleasant smiles and eagerly closing the distance.

Sharp, appraising eyes flickered to Jayce, ratcheting his heart rate higher. Even higher, when Kiramman rested a hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing with both reassurance and a reminder – no missteps.

“Councilor! Welcome back – this must be…?”

“Indeed, Mr. Talis himself –”

“Oh, how lovely! We’ve heard so much – such promise, for such a young man as well.” The older woman stepped closer, looking up at Jayce through her lashes but still, he managed a polite smile in the face of the curious glow in her eyes lingering on him.

“He shows much promise, we are indeed lucky to have a mind like his leading the way forward for Piltover.” 

Not just his mind – no matter how many times he reminded them it would never be just him, it never stuck; they would never fully realize how crucial his partner was to all of their successes – in their work, or otherwise. He was exhausted by the constant correcting, but opened his mouth to interject anyway – 

“I apologize,” Kiramman cut in instead, “I must catch Councilor Shoola before she leaves for the evening, please excuse me — I’m sure you have numerous questions for Mr. Talis, I will only be a moment.” 

“Oh, not to worry, we’ll keep him company, Councilor,” the older man assured her. The glint in his eyes betrayed him and Jayce wasn’t certain he should indulge it –  Jayce quickly looked over to where Kiramman had been standing, hoping to catch her eye and silently beg for rescue, but she was already weaving away into the crowd. Without the buffer of her presence, he couldn’t help but tense and brace himself when the couple stepped even closer; Jayce cleared his throat and stood a little taller as he forced a smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both –”

“Believe me, the pleasure is ours , Mr. Talis,” sharp fingernails dragged along his forearm, and another broader hand curled over his shoulder – Kiramman and Mel were both always after him about encouraging their possible new investors, dodging through conversations like a diplomat, but this felt more like sharks were circling at the smell of blood, hungry for whatever they could get their teeth in.

“Perhaps you should join us for dinner sometime, I’m quite certain you could convince my husband to finally open his pocketbook – with the right touch, of course .” With the way the man’s hand squeezed, it seemed he was indeed on the menu. Hopefully, he wouldn’t take his shudder for one of excitement. Jayce smiled stiffly down at the woman, even though bile was churning in his throat violently enough to make his mouth begin to water when she pressed in even closer to him.

“I’m sure you would enjoy yourself,” the older man added – he dipped in closer to Jayce’s ear, and he would have jerked away if he hadn’t been firmly trapped between them, “we are excellent hosts, especially when it concerns such handsome men. I’m sure you must be in need of some… stress relief , with all the pressure on those shoulders…”

Oh. Gods help him, there was no diplomatic way out of this.

“Oh, well I’m –”

“We’ve all been curious if the famous ‘Man of Progress’ could be tamed, you know.” The woman giggled loudly at her husband as she squeezed even tighter on his arm. He hadn't even realized what he had done until she shrieked and jerked away from him – he looked down, and saw the crystal champagne flute he had been holding smashed at his feet. A large wet stain spreading across the silk of the lady’s dress. Panic clawed up his throat, fused with an unrelenting itch under his skin; it seemed like every eye in the hall was turned on them. Scrutinizing, burning right through him.

Nothing more than a piece of meat, a steak to pick the bone out of and suck dry and toss aside, used up. Not his mind, his thoughts, his skills – 

“I – I apologize, ma'am, let me –,” the man was already stepping between them, glowering at him. 

“ Halfwit, I should –”

“ Mr. Salore, I sincerely apologize on behalf of Mr. Talis,” Councillor Kiramman swept in in a whirl of burgundy and white and quickly waved over an attendant, “He has surely had a long day of work, I believe – please, we should get you cleaned up.”

The attendant ushered them away, but not before the couple leveled him with another steely glare. Another attendant shuffled to clean up the glass, and Kiramman turned on him, blue eyes stern and eyebrow raised. Her face seemed even more angular and sharp than usual – though perhaps that was more to do with Jayce feeling like a child about to be scolded or the harsh overhead lighting growing more blinding by the second. His head was suddenly pounding, his heartbeat rushing loud in his ears. 

“Jayce,” she said, her voice clipped and tight, “you realize how extremely inappropriate that was, I assume?”

He shifted nervously, narrowly avoiding letting his eyes find the floor. He’d never been so sheepish in front of her, had never wanted to curl up into a ball and hide from her like this; guilt and shame and frustration swirled wildly in his chest. If only he could explain , she might listen –

“I have seen what your work can do, but none of that can lead to any growth without more time and the connections and funding to go with it, you know this. I’ve reminded you many times – they are all going to want something, and sometimes we must indulge to get the results we want, yes? The people expect professionalism, poise , not thoughtless bumbling.”

“But, Councillor –,” she shot him another sharp look and straightened up as she turned to walk after them.

“ That’s enough . I will smooth things over. See that you try your best not to make any more messes.” With that, she disappeared through the crowd, leaving him reeling and sweating under his suit. He could feel it beading and slipping down his back, drop by drop. 

Jayce breathed in heavily and tried to gather himself, but it was shallow, rushed, he couldn’t get enough air – his lungs refused to expand against his tightening ribs. The room had begun to distort at the edges, spiralling dangerously, and he wasn’t sure he could trust his wobbling legs to keep him standing if he moved. Was he even standing still at all? Through the fuzz he vaguely heard someone softly call his name but it was just a hum in the air to him – until a steady hand curled around his wrist and tapped gently.

The spinning ebbed just enough that he could take a ragged breath and look up – Mel. Of course. 

She peered up at him– to anyone else, she would look the picture of calm, but he could tell her brow slightly furrowed as she surveyed him, concern flashing through her hazel eyes. Her hand lingered on his wrist, and he was surprisingly grateful for the weight and the slow brush of her thumb against his pulse even if it was hammering wildly against her. 

“ Jayce ,” she murmured, low and measured, “perhaps you should go home and rest.”

“But the –,” he croaked out, but Mel simply shook her head and he bit his tongue. 

“I will handle them, it is no trouble. Besides, I know you didn’t want to be here tonight – you’re quite good at haunting the shadows, as it seems. You might not have been caught if Caitlyn had not stirred up trouble.” He managed a weak smile – though perhaps it looked more like a grimace to anyone else watching. The corner of her mouth lifted with the faintest of smiles anyway, and she gave his wrist one last reassuring squeeze before letting him go. 

“Go on, if you go through the staff entrance no one should notice.” She tilted her head towards the back wall – sure enough, a discreet door stood half-hidden behind a tall, floppy potted plant, it swung open as a waiter ducked through with a fresh tray of drinks. Sanctuary . Before he could think to thank her, she reached up, her soft hand cupping his cheek in a gentle, grounding touch; she lingered just long enough to warm him, to soothe him long enough to guide him home.

Without another word, she slipped away, melting seamlessly back into the bustling crowd.

Jayce sucked in another uneven breath and summoned his strength – he could do it . All he had to do was unstick his feet from the floor, get through the door, sneak through the back, out into the city and it would just be a few blocks to home.

Just a few blocks home to Viktor. 

It was enough to push him through the ballroom and to weave back into the crowd; he vaguely noticed people brightening as he passed and reaching out in hopes to lure him into conversation, but he quickly dodged around them and pushed through. Viktor was waiting. Whether he be pouring over notes in the overstuffed armchair Jayce had insisted on, or indulging in a hot bath to soothe his mind and joints, he was waiting for him. Viktor was waiting for a particular lone cog, waiting for it to be reunited and made to turn again.

The staff didn’t even bother to give him a second glance as he snuck through the kitchens; he pushed his feet even faster as he finally burst out onto the street – and if his breath was still tight in his throat, he could blame it on the speed he kept as he rushed down the road.

—------------

By the time he was scratching his key against the lock and finally pushing inside the apartment, he nearly crumpled against the door like a ragdoll. The relief finally settled, paired with the bone-deep exhaustion and strain finally catching up with his limbs; Jayce sagged back against the door frame and fumbled through toeing his shoes off and half-heartedly kicking them in the direction of the rack. 

The apartment was dark, overhead lighting turned off and casting the room in stillness, save for the warm, golden glow of the lamp on the table next to Viktor’s armchair. An abandoned knitted blanket his mother had made was draped over the cushions, his thick folder of prototype sketches and notes set to the side, but yet no Viktor in sight. The thought struck him to curl up in the chair, tangle in the blanket and wait for Viktor to return and join him – they could curl together, squeezed in the cushions till there was no need for the blankets anymore and he couldn’t tell where he ended and Viktor began. Jayce started to take a step –

A sharp clinking of a spoon against a mug jolted the air. 

The kitchen.

Viktor.

Jayce thumped through the room, through the small open door to their kitchen, and sure enough there he was, hunched over a steaming cup – most likely sweetmilk at this time of night. Wrapped in Jayce’s thick wine-colored house robe that Viktor had insisted was ridiculous but still stole and wore more often than Jayce ever had. He breathed a sigh of sweet relief just at the sight of him and swayed towards him, easily crowding up behind him, pressing his face into the curve of Viktor’s nape and squeezing as close as possible.

Viktor hummed a soft greeting and leant back heavily into his chest.

They lingered together for a long, quiet moment, but it wasn’t enough , wasn’t close enough, wasn’t tight enough – when Viktor turned in his arms to face him, Jayce tugged Viktor in by the loops of his robe and bent to kiss him feverishly, sliding his hands under the plush fabric and clawing over skin and the warmed metal and leather of his back brace.

Maybe if he pressed tight enough, he thought desperately, he could slide into his skin, merge them together – no more ‘man of progress’, no ‘ golden boy ’ and instead just Viktor and Jayce. 

Viktor let out a soft, muffled ‘mmph!” against his lips but still hooked an arm over his shoulders to drag him closer. The taste of sweetmilk still lingered on Viktor’s lips, drowning out the sourness the champagne had left on his teeth. Hungry for more, he swept his tongue along the seam of Viktor’s lips and he parted for him eagerly – but it wasn’t enough , not enough now that the tingling under his skin was spreading rapidly, overwhelming and all-encompassing and suffocating. 

They both had to pull away to gasp for air, but for different reasons.

“Hm, you are eager tonight, aren’t you,” Jayce pitched forward, barely hearing the words like a mumble through the thick warbling cloud engulfing him; he hid his face in the curve of Viktor’s shoulder, nudging the robe out of the way to press his nose there.

“ Jayce? ”

He might have heard the low whine that ripped from his own throat if the buzzing through his brain hadn’t grown so loud. Shadows of disapproving frowns, sharp words, fingers digging into his skin – he tucked in even tighter and squeezed his eyes shut against it. He was home now, he would be okay now, he could pull himself together –

“ Jayce , look at me.” 

It all slowly slid back into focus, ringing fading away to the sound of Viktor adjusting his crutch with a sharp ‘clack’ on the floor, and both slender hands holding his face so tenderly as he pulled his face out of hiding. Viktor stroked his thumbs along Jayce’s cheeks, any other time he might've just melted right there into a puddle at his feet. 

“You are shaking, we should go sit down –” Viktor swiftly clasped his hand in his solid grasp and led him through the room, through the doorways to their bedroom. The lights were already dimmed there to a soft glow from the side table and the moonlight filtering through the curtains; the thrumming tense ache behind his eyes gave way, loosened, the first hints of unraveling its grip.

“ Viki … ”

“I know. Your brain is going a mile a minute, is it? We will take care of that, I promise.” Viktor lowered himself onto the edge of the bed and leant his crutch next to him, he had barely settled before the sudden need struck Jayce – he crumpled . Caved like a falling tree at Viktor’s feet, curling in around his legs, smaller, smaller, smaller , till all of it would blip away into quiet. He heard Viktor gasp above him, but just as quickly it melted into a soft, pleased sound and a cool palm settling at the back of his neck with the faintest pressure.

Pleased, he was happy with him – he had done well, been good.

“Oh, my perfect boy . I did not even have to ask – how long have you been needing this, hm?” Deftly, Viktor loosened his cravat, tugging the knot open and easing the suffocating tightness at his throat; it still lingered, less physical now as he pulled it from Jayce’s neck.

He needed Viktor to know how thankful he was, for this, for everything – he caught Viktor’s hand by the wrist and twisted his face into his palm to kiss along his work-roughened skin, so familiar against his lips. The fingers still at his nape massaged gently and he could feel the tension easing with each firm pass; he must have groaned, because Viktor hummed his usual thoughtful hum and pressed harder at each knot.

“Does that feel nice, Jayce? That’s it, just rest there, just like that. I have you now.” 

He let his eyes drift shut and they melted into warm, unhurried silence, save for the faint hum of the city beyond the window. Jayce would have been content to kneel there all night if Viktor would let him. To let time drift around them now that all he had to concern himself with was the calm comfort of his presence, the press of his cheek against his trousers, with trusting him to handle his pieces. Carefully, the cogs notched together again, their movements jerky and uncertain struggling to find the right grooves to settle – they turned slowly whirring back to life, matching every pass of Viktor’s hand up and down his neck, each caress along the line of his shoulders. He couldn't be sure how much time had gone by, only that his breath had slowed and calm had settled heavy in his bones. Jayce shifted a little, drooping more into Viktor’s hands, and as always Viktor responded without hesitation; his fingers glided up to trace along the curve of his brow.

“Kiramman…” When he finally broke the silence, Jayce’s voice came out more ragged and unsteady than he had expected it to, “she – I know it’s a responsibility, the funding, the attention…but the people, sometimes I can’t stand it anymore.”

“They look at me like I’m – I’m a toy, a trophy, like I’m only useful for their own entertainment.” He squeezed his eyes shut tighter, sparking lights behind his lids. 

He should be used to this, shouldn’t be so affected, he asked for this attention…usually he enjoyed the spotlight –

“Sometimes…” Viktor whispered, “sometimes I wish that we lived far away from all of this. Believe me, I am well aware how important the work is, what it means to the both of us – but I cannot help but wish it never came with these… demands . Assumptions of what we would do or give or let them take. But regardless they will never have you , má lásko .”

Viktor stroked his fingers through Jayce’s hair, steady and even. For someone who was not so easy to offer touch like Jayce so often did, he seemed an expert at it; or rather, he was an expert in how to touch Jayce . The only case he cared to study.

“It is no wonder they all swarm to you like moths to flame – so brilliant, so handsome and charming, but they do not know you , or how good you can be, do they?”

A locked away treasure , Viktor had once called him as they curled together in bed. And I hold your key; He had shuddered and sparked like charged particles then just as hard as he did now.

“Only for you, V...” 

“That’s right, Jayce. That is all for me, isn’t it.” There it was, the deep, burning ache beginning to spread through his stomach, spurred to life by the blatant pride and satisfaction Viktor took in the truth, as obvious as it was. Jayce nodded against Viktor’s thigh, the rough scratch of his trousers under his hot cheek. He dug his fingers into them, clutching the fabric tight. 

“ Please , let me make you feel good,” Jayce begged quietly, “please, amorcito , Vik— I need—“

I need to be yours, I need the calm, I need to be good – 

“I know what you need.” Viktor’s hand settled back at his nape, but slid up, up into the roots of his hair and wrapped them in his fist – he didn’t even have to tug, the grip itself was firm and enough on its own. A simple, firm reminder, without being harsh or overbearing, of where he was, of who would be handling who; Viktor loosened his grip after a long moment, but he didn’t have the chance to protest before – 

“Take off my brace,” Viktor ordered gently, and Jayce snapped into action, his fingers finding the line of fastenings around his thigh and calf and oh-so-carefully tugging them loose with practiced ease. Viktor’s hand stayed curled around the back of his neck, grounding, a reassuring weight even as Jayce leant back just enough to slide the metal bars down and the boot off his foot — shoes quickly following behind.

He pushed to his feet, despite his knees wobbling under him; he could do this, do just as he’d asked, he could be good . One foot after another. Jayce could feel Viktor’s eyes on him as he rounded the bed with almost ritualistic steps – he had barely rested the brace against the bedside table, carefully positioning it within easy reach before he rushed back, all but collapsing at Viktor’s feet again. His knees ached at how hard they hit the floor even with the soft rug beneath him, but the pain was the farthest thing from his mind.

Not when Viktor smiled down at him and welcomed him back between his legs without hesitation.

“ Good , thank you, Jayce.” His voice was low, tender, filled to the brim with soothing approval that sank into Jayce’s chest, settling there like a warm blanket, like honey spreading through his veins. He shuffled closer between the spread of his legs, curling a hand around the back of his knee as he dropped his cheek back where it belonged , pressed back against Viktor’s thigh.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Viktor grasped his chin and tilted his face up to meet his eyes, smiling softly down at him over his strong nose, “we need to get you out of that suit, do we not?” 

He nodded eagerly and Viktor laughed – pulling him up, up, up by his chin and pressing a lingering, smiley kiss to his lips before releasing him. They shuffled together, unbuttoning, unclasping, firm hands brushing along his shoulders and helping to push off his jacket, his vest; the deep, ‘Talis’ red fell from his shoulders, taking all the burden with it piece by piece.

Instead of forcing himself up, he rocked side to side on his knees to shimmy out of his pants, his belt clinking on the floor as he blindly tossed them across the room. He even managed to toe off his socks, needing to be bare , free of the lingering constriction when he settled back between Viktor’s thighs. Any other day Viktor might have scolded him for making such a mess, carelessly tossing things about, but now he simply trailed the backs of his fingers along Jayce’s cheek, his head tilted as he looked down at him through his dark lashes. Viktor studied him with quiet intensity, as always, unnervingly effortless at picking through whatever emotions must have been written plainly on Jayce’s face.

A low, thoughtful hum escaped him as Viktor leant back on his hands – though his eyes never left Jayce’s face. The intensity made him want to shrink, to twist and bury his face in the crease of Viktor’s hip, to seek shelter from the open vulnerability it sparked in him; still there however, stronger and more insistent, the ache deep within him demanded his surrender like his lungs demanded for air.

“My trousers, lásko .” 

His fingers were already reaching for the panel of buttons before Viktor had finished speaking.

Viktor chuckled, but nonetheless sat quietly and let him work, the sound of rustling fabric the only noise filling the room. He tilted his hips up slightly, enough for Jayce to pull his pants from under him and tug them down his legs. Jayce curled a warm, steadying hand around Viktor’s calf as the man shifted himself and rearranged his leg to spread more comfortably, assumingly to accommodate the wide breadth of Jayce’s shoulders as well – he readily slumped into him and pressed a long kiss to Viktor's knee, warming his skin under his lips.

“ Hmm , so sweet,” he praised, “but, I think I’d like your mouth elsewhere .” Jayce snapped up to meet Viktor’s eyes and was met by honeyed tones practically glowing gold in the low warm light. 

His breath hitched. Viktor had always been beautiful , in the way that the early morning sun diffused along the skyline, golden and melting and only to be appreciated by those lucky early-risers. As much as he hated how little others recognized him, he was oh-so-grateful to be one of those early risers, hoarding all the sunshine to himself. He could hoard the warmth that spread through him, could catalog every intimate detail of his muse, his partner ; the sharp line of his cheekbones, his jaw, the curve of his lips just slightly upturned –

“Does that sound good, můj drahý?”

“ Please , Vik…”

Viktor cooed softly, golden eyes drooping even further as he looked down at him – the promise of what to come and the obvious pleasure the man took at his answer made Jayce flush, his heart fluttering free against his chest with half pride, half anticipation. Viktor cupped his chin softly and brushed his thumb over his bottom lip. He  barely had to press, and Jayce’s lips fell open around the pad of his finger, the answering approving hum pushed him further, hunger pulling at his insides as Viktor’s thumb pressed against his tongue.

“Go ahead, ” Jayce all but collapsed into him, nudging his cheek, nose, lips, into the soft skin of his inner thigh, and Viktor sighed above him as he cupped the back of his head. Viktor had given him an easy path, a goal, a task . All that was expected of him was to just do , to be, and let himself be guided down from the pedestal he had whirled himself up to. Dragged down, with a soft bed at the bottom ready to catch him in the form of Viktor’s skin under his and a steady hand at his neck. 

He tucked his fingers into the band of Viktor’s boxers and pulled. The sight alone of miles of pale skin sprawled in front of him, dotted by moles he had already mapped many times with his tongue was somehow more mesmerizing than ever. Miles of pale skin along his thighs begging to be marked up, and his thick cock laying heavily between them – Jayce’s breath came out ragged, more of a gasping hot groan than a rush of air. He shimmied closer, shoving his nose into Viktor’s skin and coarse hair. 

“That’s it. Just like that.” Jayce moaned in response, his skin lighting up like a fire; he sounded so breathless already that he almost wanted to pull back and look up at Viktor, but the desire to slide his rapidly-watering mouth along the length of him won out instead. 

His heart was racing – he was sure Viktor could feel it with the hand pressed to the side of his neck.

He licked a broad stripe from bottom to top and relished in the short gasp he heard above him – it was enough to make him ache, the anticipation, the realization of the effect he could have on the man. It was a heady thing, powerful , but wonderfully freeing; regardless, Viktor would be pleased, would offer up soft moans and groans and approving, encouraging words with whichever road to pleasure he took Jayce down. Jayce reverently slid his palms around Viktor’s thighs, up his hips, dipped under his robe and up his stomach and back again, and sucked him down to the root.

Immediately he was rewarded with a low groan and a pair of hands flying to his head, snatching his hair between his fingers. Vaguely, almost an afterthought, he could feel his own length twitching against his hip, hard and leaking already and leaving a slick smear on his skin. He almost thought of asking Viktor to grip harder, to hold him in place and fuck up into his throat – his dick twitched at the idea of the delicious soreness at the roof of his mouth, the hoarseness he might hear in his own voice tomorrow –

Heat burned across his cheeks alongside the familiar heady, hot weight of Viktor’s gaze — he had to look up, had to see it himself even though it was a gaze he could have sketched from memory. And so he did, looked up at Viktor through his lashes and the settling fog and there it was, half-lidded, hungry, ravenous. It ripped the air right from him so fast that he whined though his stuffed lips.

“ Good boy,” Viktor rasped, “you’re doing so well. You whine so prettily.”

Good boy.

Good.

Jayce’s heart soared. Suddenly, he was incredibly determined to show him how good he could be, and he didn’t make a habit of letting anything get in the way of what he wanted. Viktor bit down on a groan, but Jayce was determined to have it for himself — he pulled back and slid his tongue around the thick head of his cock just how he loved, and there it was — guttural, almost ripped from him. He looked up, blurrily watching the way Viktor’s head fell back and how his throat bobbed hard .

All the better though when he wrenched back up and looked down at him, his bottom lip tucked between his teeth and his face lit up such a beautiful pink. It made Jayce want to launch at him, crowd him into the mattress and bite along the curve of his throat — no. Not yet. Viktor would tell him what to do.

Only if Viktor told him to.

He couldn’t be bothered to take a full breath before sinking even further; the weight on his tongue, the stretch of his jaw, the bulge of his throat –  he could feel the beginning touches of cloudy, soft cotton filling his brain with every bob of his head.  

“Always so eager and enthusiastic, so –,” he could feel the way Viktor’s hips twitched as he slid his tongue around him, “so beautiful on your knees, melting like sugar for me.”

Tears slipped down his hot cheeks, he could taste the salt of them on his lips, but he couldn’t will himself to wipe them clear. That would mean letting go of his grip on Viktor’s waist, his hips – he couldn’t. Wouldn’t . Spit dripped down his chin, down the line of his throat and like a switch being flipped he sank further into the cloud he knew was waiting for him – floating, but secured to the ground by the greedy hand pulling at his hair and gripping at his shoulders. He didn’t need to be perfect here. To be poised and neat and put together when all Viktor wanted was for him to submit, to let go of the reins he tried so insistently to hold firm and simply let himself be . He was sure he looked like a mess, and thankfully it seemed that Viktor reveled in making him that way just as much as he enjoyed it — the spit smeared across his skin, the tear tracks and eyelashes stuck together, the steadily leaking puddle of precome between his thighs.

He didn’t have to be perfected to be treated well. He could be messy, red-faced, stripped down to his bare bones and Viktor would happily take him all the same. Jayce let himself tumble down the final steps, and sank into the crux of Viktor’s thighs.

“ Oh , has that mind of yours gone quiet? Mmm , good, that’s what you needed, wasn’t it . Let it happen – nghh –  let me take care of everything, you are in good hands.”

Thank you.

Thank you – 

“No talking with your mouth full,” Viktor teased – he might've been embarrassed had he not sounded so pleased, “messy thing, aren’t you .” Messy, and it pleased him; Jayce moaned hot and hungry around him. The vibration buzzed through him and Viktor’s hips instinctively jumped, but this time he thrust up hard enough to make Jayce gag, deliciously hitting the back of his throat and sending searing heat down his spine. So good, so good, thank you — but Viktor hesitated, locked up, his fingers just beginning to tense to pull him up and away – 

Absolutely not.

Jayce dug his fingers tighter into Viktor’s twitching thighs, and gazed blearily up at him as he swallowed around him.

“Your mouth – fuck – you take it so well, so good to me,” Viktor gasped. Always one to push the limits — he pressed a thumb against the seam of Jayce’s stretched lips, hooking in and holding him even wider. Suddenly he was smearing and dripping more along his chin; he was sure he was literally melting , eyes fluttering shut under his demanding, undoing touches. Jayce knew he would always take it. Whatever limits, whatever challenges, because with Viktor he could never fail. Not truly. 

“Come here ,” Jayce let himself be guided by the nudging hand at his chin. Reluctantly let Viktor’s dick slip from his mouth, to be pulled up to half-kneeling between his thighs and dragged into a sloppy kiss. They groaned into each other, shuddered hard as their tongues met and Viktor tilted his head to press in – he curled his arms up around Viktor’s waist and pressed in eagerly. Broad hands stroked along his back encouraged him closer just as eager as they mapped the curves of muscle and warm skin; muscle smoothed, loose and relaxed now, drained of the tension that was now just a distant memory.

Jayce felt half-drunk with it, with the desperate greed of giving in, of letting himself be tugged like a faithful devotee at his will. That was, until Viktor broke away and gulped for air. He groused, but drooped against his shoulder anyway to press his grateful lips to his collarbone, along his throat, smearing adoration into whatever skin he could reach.

“Jayce –”

“ Viki – por favor –”

“ Shhh ,” Viktor chuckled breathlessly, “just listen, my love.” Gently, Viktor coaxed his face out of his shoulder and brushed Jayce’s sweaty hair from his forehead. It was entirely unsurprising that he whined and leant into his hand, twisted his face into his palm like a flower to the sun and happily drifted as Viktor spoke, wrapped up in the pure sharp vowels and even tone of his voice.

“I am going to lay back, and I want you to sit on my lap, Jayce. I want to watch you open yourself up on your fingers, and when I think you’re ready…” Jayce’s eyes flashed open and he leant closer in anticipation, “you are going to ride me , my sweet boy, until you’re sobbing. I will make you come as many times as it takes.”

Gods help him.

“Would you like that, Jayce?”

Jayce nodded dumbly, struck mute, brain fritzing and shorting like broken circuitry. Viktor’s eyes crinkled in amusement at the edges when they flicked downwards, catching the movement as Jayce’s dick twitched at the idea.

The firm hand returned to grasp his jaw and force Jayce to hold his eye.

“ Mmm , I think I can guess, but I’d like your words as well,” Viktor crooned. It was a good look on him, the easy confidence, the dominance – too good a look. Viktor himself was lethal enough on Jayce’s heart, but this: lips parted, his hand teasing at the idea of wrapping around Jayce’s throat, his eyes intense and dark and keenly studying his every movement. Knowing it was all for him. Because of him. Jayce’s heart hammered . 

“Please, Vik – I want that,” he managed to croak out.

“Thank you, Jayce , very good.” Viktor didn’t seem able to hide his grin, the proud little thing. He rewarded Jayce with a soft kiss against his temple, lingering just long enough that when he pulled away, the touch lingered as well – perhaps it’d leave a mark, a shiny and iridescent representation of Viktor in his skin. He wished it would.  

Viktor nudged him backwards to sit on his heels, made to watch as he scooched up the bed to lay back against the pillows. The splay of his untied robe under him, the looseness of his limbs as he sank comfortably into the blankets, the stark contrast of his rich leather brace wrapped around his pale abdomen all drenched in golden light; it was almost too much to look at. No more the early morning light, now instead like the direct, blaring hot sun roaring wildly through his veins. 

“Come here, lásko , before I get cold,” Viktor called, teasing almost – Jayce scrambled up onto the bed, a mess of limbs and muscle fumbling like he’d been hammering away in the forge all day. He crawled up over him, stopping only to drop reverent kisses along his calf, his knee, his thighs, up his abdomen before shakily straightening up and sitting tentatively on the man’s lap. Hovering was perhaps more accurate. Viktor’s hands automatically settled on Jayce’s thighs, but he could hardly focus on the squeeze he gave when Jayce could feel the already-slick length of Viktor’s dick pressed up against his ass. How was he meant to focus on anything else – 

“ Mmm , you know better – settle now, I can take it.” Viktor squeezed again, pushing down just enough to encourage him to let him take his weight, “that’s it, good .” Despite himself, he blushed; he could see now how it smeared red down his chest when he looked down at himself. Looked down, to the vision of Viktor’s narrow waist and hips bracketed by his thick legs, his own cock bobbing and leaking insistently against his abdomen.

Any other time, and that might have been the moment that Jayce would have snapped to wrap his fingers around that sloping waist, dug in and held firm and let the heat take him, swirl him around and urge him to fill Viktor up, press him into the bedding and make him whine – but it wasn’t the time. No – Viktor had plans for him – promises Jayce knew better than to get in the way of him keeping. Nor did he truly want to get in the way of them. Viktor’s plans usually tended to leave him very satisfied indeed, work related or otherwise.

He didn’t have to linger on it – Viktor tucked their half-empty vial of lube into his hand and raised his brow expectantly. If that weren’t enough of a nudge, both of his nimble hands snuck around behind him and grabbed at Jayce’s ass and squeezed tight .

Get on with it – his grip said.

Shakily, Jayce unstopped and tipped the bottle; Viktor simply watched him flush, a satisfied, devilish smirk already pulling at the corner of his lip as he fumbled through slicking up his own fingers. 

Jayce stretched, shoulders pulling and arching his chest out as he reached back, sliding his shiny fingers down between his cheeks. The first, teasing touch, the first real touch he’d had all night; it made his breath stutter in his lungs like a heavy bellows, forcing out air, igniting his coals and kindling and coaxing his simmering embers into lightning . He bit hard on his bottom lip, most likely drawing blood from tugging it between his teeth and chewing on it as he pressed a little harder and rubbed the slick against his rim – 

“Let me hear you – I want every pretty noise from that mouth of yours.”

“They are mine, are they not ?” 

Jayce couldn’t help it, his knees wobbled dangerously under his weight. He nodded, or at least he thought he did – regardless Vitkor seemed pleased – especially with the shuddering, relieved little groan that escaped him as he slipped the first finger into himself.

“ There you are.”

He had to lean back and brace his hand on Viktor’s good knee to keep from crumpling onto him as he tried to suck in air. If he was going to make it through this, not come from just a couple fingers and spill all over Viktor’s chest, he needed the man to be quiet, to quit spewing filth from his lips; if he didn’t know he’d be in a mess of trouble for it he might have clasped a hand over the man’s mouth, just long enough to stretch himself out. Stave off the hot clench in his stomach, already tightening as he clumsily wiggled his finger.

“You are sinful, unbelievable –” Viktor groaned, “if only you could see how you look filling yourself up, squirming – I could watch you all night.”

His eyes jerked upwards, catching the blatant awe on Viktor’s face, the arousal; his chest was rising almost as heavily as his own like he couldn’t catch his breath either. Singing a hot red over his cheeks, his ears, slipping down his chest –

Jayce forced himself to breathe in deep, feeling the headrush teetering closer. 

Not only could he not handle hearing him, he definitely couldn't take him looking so unraveled and at the end of his rope.

Suddenly, Viktor’s hands were on him, everywhere , dragging over Jayce’s defined abs, along his obliques, up over his chest and down again, short nails digging in just slightly, scratching just enough to keep him present, to keep him from floating away to the thickness of his own fingers as he rushed to push another in. The stretch stung, just slightly, enough to toe the line, to make him gasp and his dick twitch hard . His muscles hummed under his skin, not unlike the pleasurable ache he might earn after a long day at work in the forges. But he needed more, needed the strain to linger long after tonight as a heady reminder and so he rocked back harder, reached in deep as he could to curl and press into that sweet, soft spot; Jayce barely recognized his own voice shouting into the air – wrecked and choked out.

“That’s it, very good ,” an almost violent shiver rocked through him, “another finger, now.”

Always an open book. Viktor knew, knew the rushed stretch burning through him was just what he needed, and he was right, he needed the test, the almost punishing pressure that made the fullness all the more satisfying. Jayce obediently slotted another finger alongside the rest, and helplessly panted through it. With each messy thrust he could feel the fuzziness settling around the edges of his vision, beginning to blur the room to touchpoints: the low lighting glow, the places their skin stuck together, the soothing hands smoothing over his hips and waist.

He could only imagine how he looked, humping and dripping in Viktor’s lap like the desperate thing he was; vaguely, he could feel the beginning tears stinging at his eyes again, easily slipping down his cheeks with every jerky rock of his hips. If it were with anyone else hearing him keening, babbling nonsense , he might have been ashamed of himself.

Instead, the helpless buck of Viktor’s hips under his ass made him sink all the more willingly, embarrassment and deep-rooted shame be damned. Viktor liked him like this, messy and crude and bumbling.

The room swirled – it took a moment for Jayce to shake free of the fuzz and realize he was being pulled to hunch over, to press their foreheads together and be dragged with both hands into a heavy, filthy kiss. Viktor moaned against his tongue, swallowing down his pitiful whine when his fingers accidentally slipped from him; though he didn’t have to mourn the loss for long. Three long, nimble fingers thrust into him all at once and curved – Jayce wailed .

His arms and legs went weak, gave out and he dropped limp over Viktor’s body like a blanket. Usually, he might have grumbled about being suffocated, smothered, but now his free arm instead wrapped around Jayce’s shoulders and held him even tighter as he fucked his fingers into him. He gasped against Viktor’s hair, each breathy cry punched from his throat like a broken record.

“Does that feel good?” Viktor turned his face to press his nose into Jayce’s cheek, “do you like my fingers, Jayce? Tell me , sweet boy.” 

“Yes, yes-yes-yes –,” he squirmed, his own arms scrambling to latch onto Viktor as tightly as he could; they slipped between the bedding and tangled around Viktor’s back to cling desperately to him.

“Say thank you, my love.”

“Thank you –”

Suddenly a hand cracked against the top of Jayce’s ass, stinging hot on his cheek and jostling him to thrust back hard on Viktor’s hand. 

Here lies Jayce Talis, died doing what he loved – or what he loved doing him – however it went.

“ Again , Jayce,” Viktor demanded.

“Thank you – thank you!” He cried. Jayce got his reward immediately; Viktor’s long fingers dragged along his prostate perfectly , with a filthy squelch that echoed through the room and made his hips jump like he was trapped in a delicious feedback loop. Pushing back onto his fingers, rutting forward into the rapidly growing puddle of precome pooling on Viktor’s thigh — spiraling the heat lacing down to his toes to a roaring wildfire. It wasn’t enough , he needed more , just another nudge too far and he’d tumble right over the edge, he could feel it coming, just a little more —

“Vik — Vik, please, I need —“

“Come like this first, I know you can,” Jayce whined, high-pitched and breathless, his chest heaving as he shook his head; he couldn’t, he couldn’t , “ yes , yes you can , I know it. Then I’ll give you my cock –”

“ Please , Vik – nnghh !” The coil in his stomach twisted tighter and tighter with each punishing, persistent press, and Viktor wasn’t going to let him escape it. Even if he wanted to squirm from the onslaught his weak limbs weren't going to allow it; he had to lay there and take and struggle for air between every relentless pump of Viktor’s fingers as the man growled against his neck. 

Shock zapped through him like lightning as sharp teeth sunk into the meat of his shoulder; that was it, that was the final push he was craving – oh Viktor, always so brilliant – Jayce trembled almost violently as his orgasm struck. It spattered messily over Viktor’s thighs, he could feel it slick between them as he thrust against him and gasped through the lingering pulses and sneaking beginning touches of overstimulation. Viktor didn’t relent.

Pure, burning white heat seared across his skin; Viktor was mouthing along his throat, murmuring something Jayce couldn’t quite make out through his heartbeat hammering in his ears. All he could feel was the sweat  dripping down his neck, Viktor’s fingers slipping from him, all his nerves fritzing out – but he was still supposed to – he had plans –

‘You are going to ride me – until you’re sobbing – I will make you come as many times as it takes...’

Jayce’s arms quivered as he pushed up and propped himself back in his lap.

Of course, Viktor’s hands followed, smoothing sweetly over his thighs, his waist – uncaring for the sticky mess smeared all over them both. He might have blissfully stayed in the sugary, indulgent cloud had Viktor’s dick not jumped under him and thoroughly reminded him of what he’d been promised. He’d been good, he knew it, he deserved it, even if he still was a little boneless and overwhelmed.

He blinked hard, forced the blurriness out of his eyes and focused; Viktor’s skin was stained red from the heat, the exertion, but even through the sheen of sweat his eyes still glinted gold with satisfaction. Smug , as always. Even when it was him on the other side of things, twitching and whimpering under Jayce’s hands instead.

The thought struck him – he could easily take his own revenge with just a tilt of his hips. Wouldn’t be so smug if he slid right down to the root, he’d done such a thorough job of slicking him up that he was sure he could slip right in; it’d be quicker than he was used to, but the sparks, the stretch, the fullness – oh it’d be exquisite .

Jayce was quickly yanked from his plotting by a firm hand wrapping around his throat, squeezing just enough at the sides of his neck to make him gasp. He looked back up – Viktor’s eyes were narrowed, darkened to a sinful caramel. 

Dangerous. Challenging. 

“And here I was, about to praise you for being so good — but I can tell you’re looking for trouble .” 

“ No , I’ll – I’ll be good,” Jayce acquiesced – he truly didn’t have much fight in him, not really. Not with the grounding grip on his throat easily turning all his plans into mush in his head. Maybe one day, he’d push his luck and see how far he could push till Viktor finally flipped and bent him over, crowded over him, all unruly and wild – 

“I know you will. Just needed a reminder, didn’t you?” 

He nodded jerkily. 

“Just my eager, sweet man, I know. I like you excitable.” 

Another subtle reminder: liked him messy, liked him worn, liked him fumbling through his words, flustered, imperfect — all of it, and still he was good . Even if he went looking for trouble.

Jayce could have cried right there, certainly, but not yet.

“Go ahead, hejsku . Take it slow,” Viktor directed, his hands settling back on Jayce’s hips and rubbing softly into his skin. He laid back, like a conqueror enjoying his spoils, all messy hair, tangled all loose and relaxed in his robe and all too happy to simply watch as Jayce shakily rose higher on his knees; but still Jayce could see the love and care shining in his eyes, could feel it pressed into his skin with every pass of his fingers. 

Oh, how he loved him.

Taking a deep breath, Jayce reached between them. Wrapped his sticky hand around Viktor’s cock to line them up, and sank down.

Shivers racked up his spine, mouth falling slack at the relief . Overwhelming. Perfect . Worth the drawn out wait when he arched his back and easily slipped even deeper, even more so when he caught Viktor’s sharp groan under him. Viktor’s hands dug into him, squeezing so tight he was sure that he’d have finger shaped bruises littering his thighs – hopefully . After the strain of the evening and the rollercoaster of ups and downs, Jayce couldn’t believe he still had any energy left at all, especially to try to ride him like this; all the sensitive nerves under his skin were buzzing, like an electrical charge waiting for a touch to close the circuit.

Just a touch.

He jolted, nearly choked on his tongue – he realized suddenly he was fully seated, filled and stretched to the brim. The overwhelming fullness had him scrambling to balance, luckily, his hands found Viktor’s arms, his hands were still clasped iron-clad around his hips like he was holding on for his life as desperately as he was. Hell, neither of them were probably going to last long like this – he’d be sobbing before they even got started; he tested himself anyway with a hesitant roll of his hips.

Everything in him clenched.

Every muscle seized ; he cried out, evidently that was all the encouragement Viktor needed to grind up roughly into him, to use his grip on him to shift just enough to punch right up into that sweet spot. 

“F-fuck! Vik, oh shit –!” Oh, he was going to die , die and go straight to heaven; Jayce bent, clawing his fingers uselessly at Viktor’s shoulders. He braced for balance, his hips bucking through each thrust. 

“I know, I know,” Viktor panted, “that’s it, take what you need – that’s it.”

His eyes bore into Jayce, all hot and oozing lust right through him from Viktor’s hands into Jayce’s skin – urging him all the more desperately to push through fast, sloppy thrusts. He tried to keep his pace steady, he did, but the thick stretch, and Viktor’s face ; swollen lips parted with every heavy groaning breath, but he never dared take his eyes off Jayce. He met his gaze and hoped Viktor could see it all in his face: I love you, you’re my everything, my partner, my perfectly matched cog, IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou—

Viktor cursed under his breath, a strained, gorgeous sound. Jayce couldn’t help but clench tight around him. 

Gods, it was a miracle they got anything done, not when they could be doing this. 

Jayce could feel his cock swell even harder; the images struck him, of Viktor bending him over a lab table; pushing him down onto the couch, even crowding against him at the council room table — then they’d all know then that he was Viktor’s. How good he was for Viktor. They’d never have him. Surely his brains were melting out his ears but still the thought had him dripping in Viktor’s lap like a broken faucet. Jayce looked down, whimpering softly as he watched his cock drag across the soft curve of Viktor’s stomach. The slick messy trail he rutted into left behind after him, the angry red flush as he bounced. Jayce’s hand flashed to wrap around himself, tight around the base – he had to stave it off a little longer, he needed more, he was too close, he could feel the tightness squeezing –

“Jayce – kurva – so tight –” he hissed through his teeth, “ unbelievable , so perfect, pretty thing– you’re so good, Jayce –”

The headboard cracked loudly against the wall on his next thrust down; Viktor had the nerve to look surprised. Like they hadn’t nearly broken the bed frame before, and succeeded many times, in fact. Him, pinning Viktor into the mattress, or with Viktor in his position, letting Jayce lift him up and down on his cock, or when Viktor pressed up against his back, mouthing at the back of his neck – 

He gripped himself even tighter and choked hard on his own breath. 

Entirely unhelpfully, Viktor groped around to his ass and clawed into the meat of his cheeks, probably leaving scratch marks behind as he ground up on every thrust down, meeting Jayce and chasing after him just as hungrily. He’d treasure them and savor the sting anyways like he savored every and all marks Viktor left on him. Their hips twitched and ground together, while Jayce tried to get his melting legs to cooperate and find the rhythm enough to bounce harder, faster, bring them both closer to the mind-numbing orgasm he knew was waiting for them. He could feel it creeping at the edges of his mind, all heat and comfort and satisfaction and quiet that they both craved so often. He needed to give it to him, to make Viktor feel just as good as he made him feel.

The sinful praise dripping from Viktor’s lips, the crack of skin meeting skin; Jayce clenched so hard that he thought he might come right there – not yet, not yet – he bit down hard on his cheek, fighting the urge to melt and drift away into the clouds. 

“You – you’re all mine, Jayce, you’re all mine –” 

“Made for me, lásko – nghh – take me so well – that’s it, don’t you dare stop – “

“Desperate thing, aren’t you – hungry for it – I know, such pretty noises – f-fuck , could come from just listening to you whine –”

He couldn’t last, not like this, not with Viktor clutching to him and choking out filth. The air was too tight to breathe anymore, or maybe it was just his lungs fighting him again? No matter which, he had to use whatever air he had left to tell him, thank him, gasp out whatever he could –

“V – Sí, sí – se ven tan – tan hermoso , tan bueno conmigo – te amo, te amo – ” 

Viktor’s face screwed up, his eyebrows scrunched, and Jayce caught the slight glimpse of the whites of his eyes before he squeezed them closed; he could have gotten drunk on the sight, even blurry as it was. Water was beginning to ripple over his eyes again. Pleasure, throbbing and consuming, thrumming like an incoming wave threatened to take him under – he couldn’t stop , he needed to chase after it, needed the mind-numbing friction of it all to come crashing down on him. On them both .

Swallowing thickly, Jayce pushed himself to bounce faster even though his thighs were burning .

He could only hear his own high-pitched, breathless cries, hear Viktor groaning and keening, the bed frame squeaking and hammering against the wall, feel the perfect drag of his cock deep in him – and suddenly it all smashed into him. The gut-twisting heat snapped, sending Jayce soaring .

Vaguely, he could feel the tears dripping down his cheeks, followed by a few last unsteady thrusts and sudden warmth filling him up – Jayce groaned, slack- jawed and all fucked out – Viktor’s come was already slipping around his cock and dripping onto the bedding. A perfect , lewd mess, squelching loudly as Viktor chased the last touches of their orgasm by fucking it deeper into him with each shallow thrust till Jayce finally went limp.

He collapsed, but still tried his best to roll over into the bedding rather than crush Viktor under his weight – he ended up half draped over Viktor’s side, panting, twitching and whining softly through the aftershocks and sudden emptiness. Viktor was right there with him, shivering and sucking in raspy breaths with an arm thrown over his face. A sweet, pleasant haze settled over them, calm, quiet; Jayce pressed grateful lips along Viktor’s sweaty shoulder, feeling the heat from his skin and his breath combined as they both fought for air.  

So good to him. Always so good to him.

Jayce shuffled closer and nuzzled his cheek against his damp skin – maybe he could press his gratitude right into him, right through his skin and into every pore. He slid his hand along Viktor’s chest, across the spread of his ribs, down his stomach and along his leg, and massaged gently along his inner thigh just how he knew he liked best.

Viktor let out a satisfied hum, low and rumbly under his ear. Finally he dropped his arm from his face, letting Jayce take in the glazed red flush and droopy tilt of his smile. He shifted, and Jayce followed, just enough to let Viktor curl his arm around his shoulders and pull him even closer. Warm, safe, steady – he let himself drift in it for a long fuzzy moment, wrapped up in it.

When Viktor finally looked down, he must have seen the dopey satisfied look in his eyes, all lovey and sappy as he tended to get like this; Viktor huffed exasperatedly, but still smiled softly nonetheless. 

He loved him. In every universe, he was sure of it. If there was Viktor in that world, any world, Jayce would be right there to love him in every one of them. A true universal constant. The thought made his stomach clench again; despite the ache in his bones, it seemed his body had other plans for him tonight.  

Now if only…

Jayce tucked his face into Viktor’s neck and pressed his slick lips gently along the curve of his jaw. Slid his hand higher up his thigh – 

“What are you up to, hm?” Viktor hummed, raspy, but still tinged with a hint of a smile. Jayce laughed despite himself, stupidly pleased, and pulled back to drop a kiss to his chest and lift himself up enough to kiss Viktor soundly. They kissed slowly, sinking into each other with each curl of Viktor’s fingers through his hair, with each messy, lazy slide of their lips till they were squeezed together head to toe; Jayce couldn’t take it – he needed to know.

He wrenched himself away just enough to breathe against Viktor’s mouth.

“Would you wanna…”

Viktor laughed weakly, already a bit out of breath once again. So lovely, such a beautiful sound —

“ Jayce , if you say what I think you are going to say, I’m going to die .”

“You just — you look so good , cariño,” he pouted, “ tan hermoso, …just wanna say thank you properly is all…”

Viktor hesitated, looking down at him and heaving a long-suffering sigh. It wasn’t convincing in the slightest, Jayce could still see the smile pulling at his cheeks. Even though he tried to stifle it by tucking his bottom lip between his teeth. Jayce grinned – victorious.

“Give me five minutes. And a snack.” Jayce tumbled from the bed happily, wobbling naked through the bedroom and racing towards the kitchen to the beautiful tune of tired, delirious giggles. His feet couldn’t take him back to the bed, back to Viktor fast enough, back to the comforting click of them fitting together. He quickly filled a water glass, grabbed some fruit and hurried back – eager as ever for the gears to reunite and spin perfectly in easy, quiet rotation – together .