#jayce? hes flawed.

[redr0sewrites]

i will forever defend these two- NOT to start discourse but they are both so heavily mischaracterized by the fandom its INSANE like omg yes they are flawed but they are also trying their best PLEASE leave them alone 🙏🙏🙏

as usual im yapping in the tags if anyone cares

[literaryspinster]

Andre🤝Jayce

Characters the entire fandom seems to hate for reasons I don't entirely understand

[heatwa-ves]

saw someone compare jayce to ballister and I am sosososososooso annoyed do you not understand basic themes!!!!

[amorphousbl0b]

Arcane does a fun thing with its narrative Darkest Hour.

Or: yet another post about how insanely smart this show is and how absolutely genius its writers are (and how jealous of them I am).

For the uninitiated, the Darkest Hour is the moment just before the climax in which the heroes are at their lowest point. When the Avengers are scattered and Loki opens the portal in NYC, when the Falcon has escaped the Death Star but lost Obi-Wan, when the Fire Nation is set to annihilate the Earth Kingdom, when Frodo fails to destroy the Ring at the Crack of Doom. The heroes must confront their flaws and change for the better for a happy ending.

Arcane’s darkest hour is, of course, in Act 3. One might place it at the very end of episode 9, and that’s certainly where the story is at its most hopeless. But I’d contend it starts as early as the end of episode 8 and carries on through the entirety of episode 9.

After all, that’s when Caitlyn and Vi have separated, lost all hope, and Cait is kidnapped by Jinx. Jinx’s mind is fully gone and throughout the episode everything falls apart around her. Silco is losing control of his chembarons and may well have lost his daughter, the thing most precious to him, and is only barely keeping his powerful façade in line. Zaun has realized how ridiculously outmatched they are in a war with Piltover and the revolutionary cause has become almost impossible. Viktor has manslaughtered his assistant and may never be cured. Jayce has manslaughtered a child and finally realizes how quickly he’s losing his morals. Mel and her mother are fully separating and she is struggling with her warlike destiny. Sevika gets the absolute snot beat out of her and limps to an empty office without a boss.

So yeah. Lot of personal Darkest Hours going on.

“But what’s the interesting thing?” I hear you ask in my ear. I don’t know why I hear you. Shut up. I’m writing. Are you even real?

Excuse me.

Arcane’s interesting twist on the Darkest Hour lies in part of the trope that I didn’t mention. That’s in the villain.

Most stories with a clear-cut villain have a plot structure something like this:

Whether things are going well for one side is inversely proportional to the other. During the Darkest Hour, when the hero is at their weakest, the villain is at their most dominant.

Wait… isn’t Silco the villain of Arcane? Not to be too blunt, but he’s having a shit time. Things are falling apart for him just as badly as for everyone else.

That's the trick. Caitlyn and Vi are suffering. Jinx is suffering. Silco is suffering. Jayce is suffering. Viktor is suffering. Zaun as a whole is suffering. There is only one party in the whole story that isn't suffering, that actually is benefitting from this horrid state of affairs...

EKKO AND HEIMERDINGER

Kidding. They're not really a part of this dance. A big part of Arcane's theming is that acting to help people without an agenda is simply more virtuous than fighting for any invariably-flawed nation that innately perpetuates the cycle of violence.

No, the side that is doing fine is the other that is conspicuously absent from my two prior lists. While the characters that make up its leadership are experiencing personal Darkest Hours, the organization itself is essentially on top of the world, having just scored a huge victory and getting set to bring the war to an end before it even begins. I mentioned how poor the situation for the Undercity looks, but not its counterpart.

Piltover.

Wasn't it so that Piltover started this whole mess? Didn't their oppression cause the revolt that orphaned Vi and Powder's parents? Isn't it their actions that drive Silco to ever greater extremes? Isn't it their normalized political backstabbing that causes Jayce to sacrifice his principles because that's the only way to get ahead? Isn't it their corrupt police force that lets Silco operate his drug empire with impunity?

Silco might look the part. He might be the most personally evil character, might be the one who causes the most misery for our main protagonists Vi and Powder.

But structurally, the shining city of Piltover, its political machine, and its Enforcers are the actual villains of Arcane.

[thehistoriangirl]

If You Hadn't Left (Me) [Chapter 1]

I thought I would start posting in the first of February but oh well better now than never lol

I'm gonna post the other fic's masterlist tomorrow I think :3

Viktor x Fem! Reader-----2.9K----SFW*

// M A S T E R L I S T

Next ->

Synopsis:Viktor was never supposed to see you again, just like you had promised that evening when you both ended up heartbroken and bitter toward destiny and all its twisted ways. So twisted as to put you back into his life not only as a temporal working partner to cover Jayce’s absences, but also as the maid of honor in the wedding where he’ll be the best man. Hypothetically, it doesn’t have to be that difficult to find a way around the river of memories flowing between you both. Though, of course, hypotheses are flawed. Just like that part of him that still craves another ending to this story. 

Tags: Second Chance | Angst | Exes to Lovers | Denial of Feelings | Viktor's horny down memory lane* | Reader is pissed | My man is going thru the stages of grief | MelJay bc Jayce deserves to be happy | Eventual Smut | Eventual Happy Ending |

Taglist c: @ihopeinevergetsoberr @blissfulip

That goodbye became a broken promise, cracked over the sound of your voice ever since he heard it at the Council assembly.

Sure, you had spat out the words fueled by betrayal and hatred, but Viktor took them like an oath to put in peace his stormy mind.

First coated in a lie so fragile Viktor was surprised it hadn’t fragmented before, and now this—he was sure he shouldn’t take another glass of wine from the walking waiters zigzagging across the opulent hall—but he had avoided you all night, and he knew Jayce wouldn’t let him go before arranging the “formal meeting” between both of you.

If only he knew...

We congratulate Miss Favred for winning the design contest for the new hall construction inside the Museum of Sciences and Technologies. Graduated from Piltover’s Academy with honors, you're the proof that progress and art are held hand in hand in this city.

Almost the same speech Heimerdinger delivered during your graduation ceremony, only that this time you were all alone on the stage, Viktor's hand grabbing his cane to not feel the growing sensation of emptiness.

Part of him thought it was mere shock. After all, you haven't seen each other in almost ten years; and a petty part of him was surprised he even remembered you, how the image of you was locked in the depths of his subconsciousness that only needed the ring of your greeting to resurface.

But now? Hours after the reencounter? He was so, so weak…

With a sigh, Viktor finally admitted it: stealing glimpses of your purple dress flowing against the gentle breeze was a weakness, though if the excuse lay in masochist interest or avid curiosity, Viktor wasn’t ready to clear his mind. Why would he, anyway? It was a couple of wine glasses too late.

Funny how some things defied the City of Progress where everyone was eagerly grasping the tomorrow.

Viktor just felt stuck in the past, down a path he wasn’t so sure how to slip through.

Your hair was the same, richly stylized and decorated with a geometrical headpiece that looked like a crown from Viktor’s angle. Your time in Shurima had replaced the Piltovan style built by several layers of clothes like vests and corsets for simple, airy fabrics that played with transparencies. The deep shade of violet pooled in continuous drapes ironed in the long skirt falling freely around your hips and down your legs, a gold-threaded corset hugged your waist and framed your bosom, the fabric slowly fading into a lavender tone held like loose sleeves with golden bracelets.

You were covering your mouth while your eyes closed in amused crinkles for whatever the young merchant Mauriel Garfen was telling you as his expert hand twirled you around the ballroom. It didn’t matter much, as Viktor could paint it just fine: with the vivid dark pink adorning your lips, though he knew your favorite color was more of a burnt brown, or maybe even red—

"That's enough for today," Viktor mumbled, eyes looking intently at the crimson liquid as he swirled the stem around his fingers before settling it down against the nearby windowsill.

Suddenly, he heard your happy squeal as you went to hug another young woman dressed in a vivid teal, halter dress. Her curly black hair bounced as you two swayed. Viktor didn’t remember her vividly, but she had been one of your friends ever since your undergraduate years.

If only… Though he knew he didn’t have any right to be greeted as warmly. If even he had any right to be greeted at all. Only because you had returned. Because of course, you did.  Once you had told him that despite the high number of students inside the Academy, you'd find each other in one way or another.

“No, not like fate,” you have told him, voice groggy with slumber as you laid against his chest, hands pointing at his dorm's ceiling where she had stuck luminescence cut-outs of stars. "Entropy."

You were right, from all his perfectly calculated plans tumbling into a state of chaos, one he surprisingly wasn’t against.

Until he was.

Garfen twirled the both of you, giggles bubbling like the nearby tray of drinks a waiter was carrying toward the Councilors discussing on a corner of the hall.

You looked like that photograph he kept in the bottom drawer of his tattered closet, only that the sepia tones eating it away had been repaired with the tone of your skin, the void he left behind replaced with you looking like a fairy queen with your golden crown and dashing company.

Someone more fitting. But Viktor was now the co-creator of Hextech, wasn’t that enough?

His fingers tangled around the glass’ steam, barely feeling the hot sensation of the alcohol down his throat as he gulped it all.

You’re so pathetic, Viktor. Get over it. Why haven’t you done that already?

“Vik! There you are!” He almost dropped the glass with the impromptu voice of Jayce chiming in his roaming thoughts. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”

"You know I'm not… eh, akin to this kind of party," he said, only half a lie. He'd been hiding inside a balcony and then, when Jayce passed by, Viktor slipped between a corner and a column. Now, he'd been too distracted to notice. "I've been unwinding."

“For a moment I thought you were already gone!” He patted his shoulder. “I’ve wanted to introduce you to Miss Favred since morning, but I suppose you had duties to take care of after the meeting.” He had bolted out of there as soon as Councilor Medarda called the session off.

His jar tightened, just as the grasp on his formal cane, naked metal replaced by a coat of black marble and polished wood on its handle. “Jayce, I don’t think this idea about the Hextech Wing would be… good,” he started, pouring in all the thoughts that had flown inside his head ever since the morning meeting. “This isn’t what I imagined when you told me we would celebrate the first decade of Hextech’s creation.”

“Viktor—”

“No, listen to me,” he replied, almost through gritted teeth. How pitiless of him he couldn’t even manage his feelings in public. “We want to help people in need, not to gloat about a fancy exhibit at the Science and Technology Museum. This is just another excuse for the Council to gloat about their grandness. What would the exhibit do for the people who believe in us, hmm? For us as scientists, even? Are you listening to me?” His friend had shifted to his embarrassed posture, where his tall body was trying to shrink into a ball, with hands tightly grabbed against his stomach, gazing at the floor. "Jayce—?"

“We’ve arranged that part of the Museum’s entrance fee is going to be destined to fund upcoming Hextech projects. That way you won’t need as many sponsorships,” Mel interjected behind him. Viktor turned to look at the Councilor, frozen to see the figure tailing close behind. “I believe we talked about it in the past meeting.”

Surely. Not that he would admit he had been too distracted by the nervous movements of your hands gesturing away to explain your design to oblige his mind to follow the Councilor’s debate sprinkled in between.

“Perhaps what he’s referring to is about how much time will it take to seize a positive quantity to fund a project,” you said to save his embarrassing stunned silence, poking your head from behind Jayce’s wide back. Your eyebrows arched slightly, head tilted toward Viktor.

The movement is so familiar from when you helped him through the boring, long seminars with haughty professors and even mouthier classmates. A head tilt and a slow gaze once you had laid the counterargument, ready for him to lock the possibility of a reply with his conclusion.

“I… That wasn’t what I meant,” he said, surprised by his cold tone.

You blinked at him for a moment, a frown slightly forming between your beautiful eyes. He didn’t dare to back out from it, he didn’t have a reason why.

Jayce cleared his throat. “Um… well, Vik, this is Miss Favred, she’s going to be the designer of the Museum ampliation…” He said, and you stepped next to Jayce, lips in a neutral yet mocking smile, with the curves of your lips turned up.

“It’s been quite some time, Miss Favred,” Viktor mustered, a smile plastering on his mouth that was too wide and toothy to be considered polite.

“Likewise, Viktor,” you said, tone sweetly as you extended your hand toward him.

Viktor almost wanted to yank it away once he felt a surge of electricity tingling up his arm once your long and elegant fingers wrapped the reverse of his palm. You giggled, nails digging into his skin with discreet violence.

His lips pressed in a thin line that couldn’t be faked as a smile even as he continued shaking your hand for a minute too long, wanting your eyes to decode the hidden message in his. What are you doing here?

“Oh, do you know each other?” Mel said after calling your name, which made you yank your hand away from his grasp.

“We were acquaintances at the Academy,” you said, gesturing away.

Classmates, the word slipped with an acid aftertaste when Viktor tried to back you up. "Very close classmates." Because of course, this was the perfect time for his brain to break under pressure. Yes, so close you slept against his chest every other night, so, so close that he even burrowed inside of you—

Mel turned to you, with an almost accusatory air. “What a surprise!”

“That was many years ago.” Your gaze swept from Mel’s to his, if only for a second. “I had forgotten about it.”

Oh, so that’s how you wanted to play?

"Well, I'm glad you two can reconnect after so many years!" Jayce said a big grin on his face. The sweet oblivious Jayce. “It’ll be good for Vik to have another friend! It’s… slightly difficult for him to open up and get new ones.”

Viktor glared at him. “Why are you talking about me as if I weren’t here?” he replied, while you mumbled:

“I wonder why that is.”

His head turned toward you in a movement so quick that some of his pushed backward-styled hair fell over his forehead. "Pardon?"

You smiled at him. “I didn’t say anything.”

Oh, you—

"Why don't we leave you two to talk?" Mel said, ignoring the pleading look you sent her when Jayce nodded, saying that there must be a lot to tell between the both of you. “Councilor Talis, let’s go for another drink. There’s something I need to talk about with you.” Probably about the wedding. Not that Viktor was interested in the matter when he had you in front of him. 

From all the stolen glances, he had pieced you whole like a puzzle, filling in the missing pieces eaten away by time with the new image, though he knew some things wouldn't change. Like the way you smelled like hyacinth and mangoes, your favorite fruit. All that freckles and moles and scars dotted around your body like those two small ones peeking over the square neckline on the left of your collarbone, which he knew balanced out with the two tiny moles under your right breast.

Surely your skin was just as heavenly soft as back then despite the occasional roughness of your fingers from working so much. Your palms were always warm against his cold fingers during winter. 

“Viktor," you called him. And he frowned to conceal what he had been thinking all the damn night.

“What?”

 “Why don’t we strike a deal?” you said, arms crossed, disrupting what would have been his doom if he continued.

“Do I look like someone that would strike a deal with a devil, Miss Favred?” Viktor said, arching an eyebrow almost in a flirty way. Just amused enough to push you to the edge of your years-trained composure. You certainly played the part, with all the allure and the deep gaze of your eyes.

“I suppose this must be awkward for you, too.”

“It isn’t awkward for me,” he lied. “You should worry about your work instead.”

“So ready for me to leave?” You chuckled. “I think you should know that I applied to this contest because I need the spotless curriculum if I want to be the new Interior Design teacher at the Architecture Faculty.”

“You’re just trying to annoy me. You said you would leave and never return.” Better put, Viktor cornered you to say so, but he wasn’t going to let his mouth run free.

"And you said we were going to get married," you replied, and Viktor felt himself trip backward if it weren’t for the support of his cane. “So I guess we’re even.”

Viktor stood there, stunned golden eyes wide open. He started calling your name, but you had your hand raised.

“You’re right, my bad. That was unnecessary.” Your hand arranged a loose lock of hair poking your cheek. “Anyhow, I’m not going to mention anything about the… past. So you don’t have to worry about me running out my tongue—despite how close classmates we’ve been.”

“Now you’re just being…” improperly brash, dangerously cheeky. Almost as if you’d been pushing him over the edge of his decorum to see if he’d cornered you against a wall to seal your endless rebukes with a kiss. Or many. “…insufferable.”

"Don't worry." You waved away. "I'll finish my job as fast as humanely possible, and then we won't have to see each other again. Because I know you aren't fond of assisting the Progress Day's party."

He crossed his arms, letting the handle of his cane hook on the curve of his elbow. "I'm not sorry to disappoint you—but I'm very fond of Progress Days. I've changed," Viktor said, but it was only a half-truth. He wasn't sure how he could change a feeling that lay hidden deep inside, frozen in time instead of giving them a real burial. You only had to dig to start seeing the uneven silhouette of the memory boxes where nothing should be more than black earth.

“Anyway,” you replied, your tone bleeding with sarcasm. “That’s my peace treaty. I know Mel and Jayce will feel awkward if they ever discover that they’ve arranged old flames as partners, so let’s just forget it. I assure you it’s nothing that could endanger the quality of this project.”

Let’s just forget it. You were right, as you had always been, and yet…

I've already forgotten you, Viktor, you said inside his mind, a smile that once had left him breathless now hurting him in the unspoken truth that now you were better without him.

Of course, you were better without him.

Yet, Viktor couldn’t help but seek your left hand accommodating the deep V line of your dress for the poignant sight of a band on your finger.

“I’m not a passionate teenager, Miss Favred," he said, his tone devoid of any warmth. "I assure you I'm not interested in dwelling in the past. So rest assured, I won't embarrass you." It was totally unconscious that his voice dripped with contempt.

You curled your upper lip. “You’re such a fusspot, always the victim.”

Viktor inhaled sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” you spat, taking your skirt with your fists as you were ready to stalk away.

The parallels made his heart squeeze in a painful grip. Was history about to repeat itself?

Before his brain could recollect the action, Viktor had called your name, hand extended open as if wanting to touch you. “Wait—” As if he had something to tell you.

You ignored him, stopping when Jayce approached you both from the complete opposite direction Mel and he had gone at first. Also, you couldn't point out if the dark marks of brown smeared on his face were just a plaything of the lightning or marks of kisses.

“Are you leaving so soon?” Jayce told you, hand over your shoulder.

“Yes,” you told him with a smile, completely ignoring Viktor. “My feet hurt and I’m afraid I haven’t recovered my sleep schedule since my return.”

"Well, maybe Viktor can walk you home?" he offered. "For what Mel told me, you live near his apartment." Not that he had moved a lot since you left, but seeing the surprise in your eyes felt like a little victory.

“No,” Viktor and you said at the same time.

“I mean—,” you started.

“I want to stay a little longer,” Viktor said. "As I should be open to enjoying these celebrations more. Hextech anniversary only arrives once a year!" He tried to laugh, but Jayce looked at him with such a concerned frown it was hard to keep his act. Your contained snort wasn't helping.

“Vik… I think you’ve had far too many drinks.”

He glared at Jayce for what felt like the thousandth time. "I'm fine, Jayce—”

"Well, goodbye!" you chirped, getting on your tippy toes to kiss Jayce's cheek, and then, forcefully, approach Viktor and give him a goodbye kiss, too. More like a rude smack, with how forceful you were.

"Tomorrow, eight sharp," Jayce told you, poking your side with his elbow. "Viktor doesn't like it when I arrive late."

“I can’t wait,” you beamed, eyes boring into Viktor’s. As if daring him to say something.

"Me either," Viktor lied.

If you wanna get into the taglist lemme a comment below! 🤗

[margoisthemoon2]

Give me 5 more minutes // Viktor x reader Smut

Words: Bro dont ever ask me this the answer is always the same idk

Warnings: smut/lemon, PiV, eating out, a few dirty words, Afab,

Two smut stories in two days LETS GOOOO!!! I love my crippled boy. Viktor brainrot all the way. I’m tired of reading smut of him and he is basically a bottom/sub in each one. NOT in this one though haha!😈 EH MINORS DNI!!!! Uhh viktor has an age in this story but this takes place before he met Jayce and hextech and all that.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}}}{}{}{}{}

The loud sound of the alarm goes off. You stir in bed reaching over to turn it off. You fell movement beside you. It’s Viktor. You and Vik have been dating for a year. The young 23 year old man moves a bit giving you a kiss on your cheek. You smile still half asleep. But not for long you feel him kiss your lips and then your neck. His arms goes around your waist and he pulls you closer “Goodmorning” he says in his sleepy voice “morning” you let out. He continues to kiss your neck. His hand leaving your waist and catching a feel of your covered breast. “Viktor you have to go” you say groggily “yes but not immediately my dear” he says, he starts sucking on your neck. “What are you a vampire?” You say jokingly your eyes still closed “only for you my dear” he says. You feel his weight shift and he’s now between your legs as his kisses travel down to your chest.

The silk nightgown you wear is slightly pulled down exposing your breast. Viktor kisses each breast and latches onto one, you lightly moan as he grabs the other mound and massages it with his hand occasionally pulling the nipple and twisting. “Mmph” you moan out. “Thats my girl” he says as he comes back up to kiss you on the lips.

The kisses get heavy and heated. Viktor uses his free hand to snake down your torso and into your underwear. Lightly touching your clit and coating his fingers in your juices. He bends down and kisses and suck your neck. In a quivk movement he shoves two of his slender fingers into your warm heat. In shock you grab his arm and arch your back. He works his finger in and out of you looking down at your face admiring every face you make in bliss. Your moaning is getting louder and louder. Soon you wrap your arms around his neck as you shake and come around his fingers. As you come down from your high viktor kisses your forehead and sits next to you leaning against the headboard. You get up removing your underwear and watches as he slides his boxers down watching him jerk off a few times. You climb on top of him positioning yourself over him. “Have i ever told you on how beautiful you look” Viktor says kissing your chest and neck, you respond by lowering yourself onto him the both of you gasp as he fully sheathed inside of you. He puts his hands on your waist as you slowly lifts up but not to dar leaving his tip inside of you “yes all the time” you respond before slamming yourself down onto him. You repeat these movements. You and him stare into eachother eyes with so much love and trust, the room getting hotter and your moans mixing in with eachothers. His hands roam around your body admiring your curves and flaws. You lean down and deeply kiss him. He buries his face into your breast “oh stars im close” he says you hold his head against you feeling yourself clinch around him. “So am i” you sat picking up your pace his hands grab your azz and you lift up as he cums directly on your stomach and thighs. “Ah that was fun” you say attempting to get up. Before you can viktor grabs your hand pulling you towards him you stand above him as he positions your cunt above him. “Im not finished just give me 5 more minutes” he says before disappearing under you. You feel his hot mouth and he planted a series of kisses on your clit. You feel him kiss your thigh before he dived into you. His hot tongue opens your folds as he dips in between your wetness. He eats you like your his last meal on earth. You grab his hair and rock inti him his long nose and tongue doing you alot of justice. You feel another climax coming and your legs are about to give out. He grabs you waist tightly holding you up. You try to push him away but he doesn’t move. “Fuck!” You scream as he dives his tongue deep into you. You shake and quiver hearing vik drink your juices as you came. He pulls back and lets you go. You fall back onto the bed. Heavy breathing.

As you take a look up you see viktor wet chest and your juices covering his nose and mouth. He looks at you “you are so divine my darling” he says. He gets up and off the bed grabbing his cane. “Do you wish to shower with me? I obviously can’t go into work like this” he says snickering a bit. You nod your head and get off the bed grabbing his hand and the two of you walk to the bathroom.

I’m gonna freaking scream. The last part was kinda hard to type as I didn’t have much coming into my head. Uhh for my spiderpunk/miguel, silco and viktor smuts i plan on making a visual list of corn you can watch to know what is going on. Keep a lookout 👀.

[snakes-of-the-undercity]

Arcane Rant -

Rewatching arcane and I realized something; first scenes of episode 3 are a turning point. Not just in the whole ‘establishing Silco’ business, but because if Vander had truly ended up in Stillwater there’s a good chance Vi would have been the one taken in by Silco.

Vi would have blamed herself for his imprisonment, leaving her vulnerable in a similar way to how powder was, but she would have also become something different; greater.

She would have had to maintain some level of sanity in order to be a parent to Powder and a leader to the rest of the kids. Silco’s attack on Vander actually cost him more than he gained in the end, he could have had Vi and Jinx, maybe even Ekko, but he lost all that because of his vengeance and I think that’s the great thing about his character; his failure, flaw, is that he is too opportunistic, too much of an idealist.

That’s why he’s the perfect foil to another character I lowkey hate; Heimerdinger. Heimerdinger is not opportunistic, and that costs him so much; he’s not idealistic, rather he’s cynical and that leads him to believe that there’s only one option for progress.

Silco and Heimerdinger are each others parallel, instead of Heimerdinger and Singed/Silco and Jayce as I originally thought

Back to my original thing though -

Basically the first scene of episode 3 changes the whole narrative. Silco originally wanted to take Vi rather than Powder and he only took Powder because he had no other option. The original plan was for Vi to become ‘Jinx’, for her to become the next iteration of Vander leadership but with Silco’s ideals; instead we got Jinx the unwitting revolutionary, the embodiment of a weapon.

Silco doomed the undercity through his own quest for revenge and I think that’s super fitting and might be a bit of foreshadowing for the coming season (Vi & the underground theory truther right here)

[bringthekaos]

I just relized something that I don't think enough people talk about. We keep thinking the heartbreak of Jayce and Viktor that will happen. Viktor becoming the Machine Herald. We are not ready for that. But also-

WE WON’T BE READY FOR VIKTOR AND BLITZCRANK'S HEARTBREAK

This is gonna be as emotional as the fucking iron giant, AND WE ALL WILL CRY

Viktor building, bonding with Blitz. Learning about Blitz having a mind of it's own. Trying to keep his baby safe from the council.

I'm not gonna be ready for that 😭

Honestly the whole Viktor/Blitzcrank bond speaks volumes to me. Like… Viktor created this living being that developed emotions of its own, and like… he doesn’t consider that a flaw in the golem. He never considers “removing” the emotion from Blitzcrank (to my knowledge?? Correct me if I’m wrong Leaguies). He considered it a flaw in himself, removed them from himself (Thor “did he though” meme) but when Blitz exhibits signs of consciousness and emotion, he just… lets it be. Like… for a guy who preaches rising above emotion, that’s just a huge sign that Viktor does view a certain degree of emotion as essential to being alive, he just… struggles with them himself.

Also… I personally think things are gunna play out differently in Arcane. I think the council attack is the beginning of the end for Viktor’s time in Piltover, and that his exile will follow shortly after. I don’t think he’s even gunna be able to create Blitz before he’s exiled. So maybe he’ll create Blitz while he’s also undergoing his transformation into MH? And the two of them are born/reborn together?? Then the whole “council trying to take Blitz away/deprogram them” will either come much later, once Viktor is already the Herald, or it won’t happen at all/it’ll be reworked. Cuz once the cities officially split, the Piltover Council really won’t have any say in what a Citizen of Zaun does (granted Blitz is created using a Hextech gemstone, so maybe that’s where the Council’s objection comes in?) Or perhaps it’s switched around, and it’s the Chem Barons who are trying to seize Blitz for themselves? That could work, it is very valuable and groundbreaking technology.

Either way, you’re absolutely right, we’re not gunna be ready. Viktor will have lost so much at that point; his family, his home, his work, his… Jayce. And to finally have this incredible thing he created, to give it life and “raise” it like his own child, teach it about the world… only to be threatened with having that ripped from his grasp too?? Like goddamn, can he have one fucking thing for himself?!

[paarthursass]

What makes Heron an incredibly bland protagonist is, unfortunately, he rarely does things of his own volition. He's extremely reactive, and he rarely makes choices that are truly his own; he's usually just following the directions of a god - Zeus in season 1, and Gaia in season 2. This is probably, in part, why people click so much more with Seraphim: while he is also forced to the whims of the Gods (Hera in season 1 and Hades in season 2), we seem him chafe at this. He doesn't want to be their pawn, but he's literally forced to because of the power they wield over him.

This could create an interesting dynamic between the two brothers, especially with how season 2 ended. Heron did everything right; he followed Gaia's orders to a T and it didn't save his life. He was her prized pawn, and he was destroyed for it. I hope this causes a shift in his character in season 3, and that we see him start to take a more independent route (teaming up with Seraphim, perhaps?).

And the thing is, Heron being relatively passive and easily influenced could be an interesting character trait! Look at Jayce from Arcane: he's your typical hero character, but he spends the majority of the series WILDLY out of his depth. As a result, he easily looks to other people for guidance, and is incredibly easily influenced as a result. But we see him struggle with the consequences of that, we see him question with who truly is the best voice of reason in the room, and we see how his poor decision-making comes back to bite him in the ass. But Jayce was written with these character flaws deliberately; I don't think Heron was written the same way.

I think, unfortunately, because most of Greek mythology consists of heroes being given their quests by gods and then them following their instructions, the writers have had Heron follow that same formula. He's a good, pure-hearted man who is chosen by the gods, given a quest by them, and he Must follow it. But this formula falls apart in a series that focuses on examining the character of the gods, and on exposing them as flawed individuals. Why does Heron need to follow their orders? Why doesn't he think for himself? Why must he be their puppet? Seraphim asks these questions of himself, and he's even asked Heron the same thing, only for Heron to...stubbornly stand firm in the "follow the gods blindly" camp. And yes, part of that is also because of necessity: Heron wanted retribution for his mother, and Zeus was the best option for him getting that in season 1, and in season 2 he wanted to prevent his premature death, and Gaia was the only one offering him a lifeline. But, again, while Seraphim is aware that he's only following the gods because of their immense power over them, we don't see Heron struggle with his role in the same way.

After two seasons of seeing him just be a pawn in the game of the Gods, I'd like to see him make some decisions of his own for once.

[demacianpuppet]

Having some Meljayvik thoughts that I wanted to share badly.

Meljayvik is one of this ships I really enjoy not only because I tend turn most possible love triangle to polycue but because for it to actual work, it would mean that both Mel and Viktor would have to work on their flaws and get a better understanding of themselves.

Mel is a person who needs control. As someone who grew up in Noxus, she learned early about how to use pure brutality to crush all your enemies. And while she chose a softer approve, the teaching never left her. The serie does a fantastic job to show how much influence Mel has over the council and how she is not afraid to use it, her weapon of choice is silver-tongued diplomancy instead of pure strength in contrast to her mother.

If Mel would engage in such relationship, she would have to relinquish her control over Jayce. Instead, she would have to come in term with her need to have influence about everything and everyone and this would resolve (imho) in a better understanding about her relationship with Jayce and herself.

Viktor’s conflict would be all about learning to see his own self-worth and stopping comparing himself to everyone. One of Viktor’s major theme - aside from the whole dying plotline - is his battle with his sense of inferiority. Born on the wrong side of the river and having a disability resulted in a difficult journey to success. Everything that Vikor achieved, he had to work twice as hard. And no matter that, it never feels enough for Viktor.

If Viktor would find himself in this kind of relationship, he would have to learn that this is not a competion about who wins Jayce’s attention. This is not how a non-monogamous relationship work, these are complete different relationships which have different basis and needs. Jayce’s love to him would be a different than to Mel because Viktor is Viktor and that would be enough for Jayce.

And in the end, Mel and Viktor would maybe notice that they have more common with each other than just the interest in the same man.

[y2kbugs-moved]

As I re-read Viktor and Jayvik fanfiction, I’m seeing a pattern in which people try to make Viktor insecure and self-loathing about his own looks. This is not Viktor. I think a lot of fanfic writers are doing some form of projection (especially if they are also disabled), or in the case of abled fanfic writers, falling back into ableist tropes that Arcane specifically averted with Viktor.

Viktor is not a man of publicity, this much is true. Being someone who is reserved and not fond of much publicity doesn’t equal someone who is introverted in a way that means they’re self-loathing, insecure, or anything like that. From everything else we have seen on Viktor, he is confident in his own skills and intelligence, he has strong will, and is not afraid to take risks. Indeed, his lack of self-preservation and willingness to take risks is often cited as his fatal flaw. You can be self-confident and have a strong will without wanting to have too much publicity. He just likes the privacy.

He says it himself in the second episode, making a comment on how no one believed in him, in a way that I think is misinterpreted by the fandom. He isn’t saying that he thinks he is a poor, and visibly disabled person from the Undercity. He is saying that in a tongue-in-cheek sense on how other people perceive him as a poor and visibly disabled person from the Undercity.

He knows he is dying, and he’s understandably depressed over the fact, and we see that in episode 6 he specifically talks about how he won’t be around long enough to leave a legacy, and that he feels he’s only accomplished a fraction of what he could do. He realizes he might not be remembered as anything more than a Zaunite scientist who was Jayce’s co-worker and therefore couldn’t prove himself to be more.

Additionally, he does not seem like the kind of person who is self-conscious about his own appearance due to disability. I definitely don’t mind that I have a deformed ear or that my gait is uneven, this is just a part of me and how I have always been, and I personally think Viktor sees it that way too. The only thing that he would be self-conscious of is his augmented parts and the rune scars he carved into his flesh, because that’s a sign of his own desperation and extreme risk-taking behavior that he knows people (especially Jayce) will freak out over, not disability that he was born with.

Look at how Viktor is introduced. He’s an intelligent and studious man who works for the academy. He happens to have a cane, and stands tall and has sharp eyes. He tells Jayce that he’s broken the rules and makes a little comment about it. Seems like a guy you don't want to get in trouble with. But it turns out he likes what Jayce's talking about and joins him in this dream AND he's actually taking risks and getting into trouble! He steals the book, and unlocks the key to the laboratory, all without a second thought. We have a man who is smart and crafty and will do what it takes to get him to his goal, even if it means taking risks, contrasted with Jayce. There's literally nothing about his disability beyond the fact he uses a cane, and the single comment he makes, which is punctuated with irony. There isn’t a single thing about how he should be pitied and that he’s sad and disabled. Even post-timeskip we see him working together with Jayce and showing their inventions, and only at episode 5-6 does worsening condition come into light, then it becomes a part of his story. Nothing is brought up about the fact he looks different, and has switched from cane to crutch. This is also a testament to Arcane’s excellent “show, don’t tell” approach and visual storytelling. We don’t need to be told that Viktor’s health is getting worse. We can see it.

To my understanding, he only really becomes more secluded and desperate after his stay at the hospital and knowing he is living on borrowed time,and that is when Heimerdinger points out that he's changed. (Yes, he was right on that part, admittedly).

He is frail, he has low muscle tone and is underweight, but the fandom has flanderized this to the point where they write him as if he’s going to shatter like glass. This man knew he was actively dying and he knew Zaun had intensifying threats of an attack against Piltover, and yet he walked his way to Singed’s laboratory. He also lifted his stool high above his head, but briefly and this may just be adrenaline, but point is, he walked all the way to the Undercity fully knowing his condition and the political tensions. (Granted, he likely left early in the morning because he is smart, had enough energy at that time to go and return, and is keenly familiar with the Undercity). There’s a kind of preseverance in this character that people are choosing to erase when writing him. There are things he can’t do, yes, but if you take those things and exaggerate them to the point where he becomes a carciature of himself, that’s a problem.

People are doing this wonderful character a disservice.

"When you're going to change the world, don't ask for permission."

[hexhomos]

so do i have to play league to keep up with lore?

Not at all!!! League is the opposite of a story-based game. Champions are meant to represent an archetype in the rift and shout some cool catchphrases. MOST are self contained, a few have interwoven plotlines that can span years. Some character stories get updated over time in the form of short fiction / comics / event based visual novels but most of that content can be looked up online.

In the case of jayce/viktor, to make ref easier for all: HERE’S THE JAYVIK LEAGUE LORE CHEAT SHEET.

League of Legends

Viktor's bio v.1 | Jayce's bio v.1 | Blitzcrank's bio v.1

Viktor's bio v.2 | Jayce's bio v.2 | Blitzcrank's bio v.2

Viktor’s short story | Jayce’s short story | Blitz’ alt bio

“v.1″ refers to their original release bios, “v.2″ to post runeterra universe reboot bios. Worth noting that some of these changes were... contentious; blitzcrank’s new origin story as something viktor did not create but simply mod is mostly ignored by fans, who still refer to original events in a vague manner. The omission of stanwick in jayce / blitz’ updated bios is a big questionmark. To get in the spirit of the thing I just go all in the ‘Unreliable Narrator’ aspect of their whole shebang and cobble together my own interpretation of events.

[update nov.22]: Blitzcrank’s alt bio has been added! this 1.5 version contains a somewhat different account of events that I kind of prefer, compared to 2.0

EVEN MORE STUFF:

Read info on ALL Canon AU universes, find HD splash art, Skinline details, 3D Models & more on the Vikjayce Codex!

CONVERGENCE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY

'CONVERGENCE' is an Ekko-led platformer game that released in 2023. An accompanying free-to-download comic miniseries was made to supplement the game's story, and it focuses on Jayce, Viktor, Ekko himself & his family -- and how they are all interwoven as the 'struggling genius' archetype in a very flawed system.

[Read here!!]

This series features a retelling of J/V's backstories through the lens of an outsider, and a bit of an update on where they are now. Surprising absolutely no one: they are still very attached to each other. (This comic is standalone, and not part of the Arcane universe.)

Legends of Runeterra vikjayce content:

[ Jayce’s Deck / related cards ]  |  [ Viktor’s Deck / related cards ]

Jayce's Path of Champions Comic (Voiced/Viktor is in it)

Jayce voice interactions | Viktor voice interactions (he shares this vid w other champions, pops back from time to time)

*They both keep extensive research/life notes addressing themselves. It’s very undying highschool girl cute. LoR is sometimes referred to as its own continuity; their cards are both a progression of their story and a what-if scenario.

Arcane universe limited content:

[ Jayce Talis’ journal ] was available to read in the league client while the show was airing. “Far From Home” “Progress Day” “A Powerful Partnership” are all diary entries; the layout is a bit finicky but click on chapter numbers to progress, the image on the side changes to match!

Wild Rift limited content:

[ Jayce got a champion release webtoon ] that never made it to NA servers. It quickly summarizes his deal and vaguely hints Viktor is in the update horizon.

There is a tentative translation offered by blessed twitter user crossedfires, highlight being the jayce/viktor panel wherein he remarks: 

“Genius is always lonely, I know this truth very well. Until Viktor appeared – I admit it – he is the only gear comparable to me.” (uses the verb xiāngdāng (comparable) that means match, balance, correspond to). One of my mandarin-speaking friends has also pointed out the wordplay lends itself to double meaning; “He is the only gear to match/that matches mine.”

MISC / OFF CANON:

Jayce & Viktor animated stickers

Punches&Plants 2 - Altcanon comedy, various champs living in an urbanized fantasy version of runeterra. Jayce and Viktor retire from a life of rivalry to dedicate themselves to new hobbies. Viktor is a dollmaker, Jayce is a weeb. Blitzcrank has an unfortunate job.

League’s Germany twitter promo - Viktor gets his ‘man of progress’ mug.

Wild Rift holidays promo - Jayce leaves a gift for ‘V’ under the tree.

Jayce and Viktor also have plenty of AU ingame skins with their own micro bios. Not linking these here since itd be too much info/ u can easily google; they share the Battlecast universe (ppl like this one) and the Heavy Metal universe (ppl dislike this one for various reasons, namely retconning Viktor’s full machine skin from ‘his last stage of mechanization’ into a very unfortunate stereotype.) They were meant to be an annoying player and an annoyed dungeon master in the Riftquest universe but riot scrapped Viktor’s skin. RIP

if anything else cool happens or I remember a missed spot I’ll update this!

[ante--meridiem]

Jayce/Viktor for the ship bingo 😁

Pro tip: a lab partner can be a life partner if you live your whole life in the lab.

Anyway asterisked ones are with caveats that'll be explained below.

Caveats - they're so divorced: they're not really divorced right now? All the spoilers I've gotten say it'll happen and the setup is clearly there for it and I'm looking forwards to it but it is not currently accurate where I'm at.

It only works if they hate each other: I mean it's not that I think they're destined to hate each other no matter what, it's that their dynamic is flawed enough for it to be much more interesting to me if you dig into their differences than trying to paper them over, even though it probably would still be possible to paper them over where they're at now, just unsatisfying to me. So it doesn't actually only work if they hate each other I'm just more interested in that route.

Facebook status saying it's complicated: only Jayce has this. Viktor does not post relationship statuses. Viktor makes obscure sleepdeprivationposts and science memes and gets into heated internet arguments on topics no one else understands. He has 5 followers. I know this in my heart.

[lullabyes22-blog]

Mal de Mer - Ch: 3 - Treasure (Part I)

Summary:

A high-seas honeymoon. Two adversaries, bound by matrimony. A future full of peril and possibility. And a word that neither enjoys adding to their lexicon: Compromise.

War was simpler business…

Part of the 'Forward But Never Forget/XOXO' AU. Can be read as a standalone series.

Thank you for the graphics @lipsticksandmolotovs<3

Mal de Mer on AO3

Mal de Mer on FFnet

Snippet:

"You are," Silco says, with a degree of wryness, "scheming."

"Takes one to know one."

"I never scheme. I merely plan ahead."

"Same difference."

"Scheming requires an adversary. Planning, a vision."

"And what's yours?"

A corner of his mouth curls. "Good try."

Mel sighs. He is always maddeningly closemouthed about his agenda. It will take more than pretty prattle to pry the details loose. The only clues she can glean are from his choice of attire—and his critique of her boots.

Whatever his plan, it involves getting their feet wet.

Mel is wary. But she knows better than to fill the silence with futile queries. He proffers his arm; she takes it. Together, they stroll down the promenade deck. After a week confined to the cabin, the sea air is a heady tonic. The loose weave of her dress is a kiss against her skin. She is still lit up like a klieg-light: her body hot and hyperaware after the morning's exertions.

She seldom, as rule, makes love in the daytime. To her way of thinking, the act, in sunlight, loses some of its artistry. Everything reduced to the crudest mechanics. Every flaw in full relief. Even Jayce had been his loveliest in the twilight. All shadow, all suggestion.

With Silco, daylight is fast becoming her favorite hour. Like the sun-warmed vista, she is all sensation.

[the-glorious-evolution-fanart]

About the narrative of Convergence comic

It’s Ekko’s comic first and foremost. It treats him well, it shows us his inner conflicts about wanting to help his parents but struggling with the feeling that he’s imposing his will on others, then he wonders if he imposes on others due to his advantages due to intellect.

There are problems in that narrative too though. He threw away his Z-drive? Okay let’s say he did want to get rid of it, even though he would know how it literally has an ability to give people a second chance to survive fatal incidents. Why would he not dismantle it? Destroy it? Wouldn’t it cross his mind that someone might find it and misuse it? And how did the other kid find it in the end? Nobody knows, and the authors surely don’t know.

The other Lost Kids are annoying. We care about them just because Ekko cares about them, not due to any quality of theirs as characters. They’re there to serve as emotional fodder. Sorry narrative writers, you gotta do better than this. (Also shouldn’t “Lost Kids” be a title for orphans? Oh well it just has a weird vibe)

Now about Viktor, what everyone has been waiting for, staring at this Viktor-centric blog:

Do you like supervillains who are bombastic, convinced of their superiority of whatever kind, very harmful to others, and physically scarred? Congrats, you win another one. New Universe lore treats Viktor as a morally bankrupt character who for some reason believes “free will” is a flaw. It is intentionally written to make him clearly a villain, and then sprinkles in “but he tried to save lives” as a way to make him sympathetic. Guys he’s a villain here, he treats people like cogs.

Yaay let’s go slavery! Mind-controlling slaves to sacrificing themselves for “greater good” is not greater good. People are called heroes if they decide to risk themselves for others by their own will.

This is written a tiny bit naively, but in principle I fully agree Viktor would be willing to collaborate with someone to help him with public relations. A Piltovian as well. Remember, Viktor approached Jayce originally to ask for a collaboration! So, I like this aspect of the comic ^__^

I’m really not a fan of cheap sci-fi vibe of pulling out brains and putting them into mechanical bodies which then go “Beep-boop! We follow orders!” Like what the fuck. Also this fusion of in-game Viktor and Arcane Viktor is giving me the heebie-geebies. No thanks

Dear Riot writers. Either you don’t understand what Viktor is supposed to be about, or you concluded it’s much more profitable with a wider reach to have him be this type of villain.

This frame though... this frame comes dangerously close to the real valuable core of Viktor’s story. To one aspect of it at least. Can you feel it? Can you sense it like I can? His expression is also good here. Him being silent is also good here. There is something about the Evolution he believes in, but doesn’t know how to explain it appropriately. Partially because the Evolution is in big part a response to his trauma. You can’t explain your coping mechanism to random others who haven’t gone through that trauma.

Wide_Viktor.jpeg

It’s a good idea to have Viktor see others misuse his work (again)

For a moment, was excited, I had hope Riot would handle well the dumb Glorious Evolved which they introduced. A religion forming around his work is something Viktor wouldn’t like at all. I don’t like how Riot wrote the zealots as even rotting while trying to replace their bodyparts... It doesn’t go that way!! They would all have been already dead!! But then Riot goes 180 and has Viktor go “yees you opened my eyes to perfection” again to make sure he stays a villain, and encourages MORE mind-controlled slavery and sacrifice.

Do you want to be used like this? If not, then Viktor is a villain here. (I say this because I’ve seen A LOT of relatively new Viktor fans who like him for some other reasons, and then fall into a trap of trying to logic their way out of this evil characterisation. Trust me guys, you don’t have to do that, because you don’t have to justify all writing of a character. Writing is often done by many people in a company, motives change, etc. etc.)

Wide_Viktor2.jpeg

This is literally a Saturday Morning Cartoon. A prosthetic leg isn’t going to be able to mind-control you. The sensitive ones work by picking up signals from nerve endings and dumping back signals onto them for very specific senses of touch/pressure. An amputee using a prosthetic is not going to be mind-controlled guys, please.

Also it’s fucking absurd how new lore treats augments as “Tee-hee, I got my arm replaced for funsies and now I have a robotic claw”, like NO that’s not how these things go!! Call me a killjoy cause I’m listening to MCR!

Let’s go Viktor, atta boy, I’ll kick your ass that’s how much you go on my nerves. And I’m supposed to be your stan?

Ignoring the anatomy, Viktor floating and the complete mismatch of tech style, does Viktor look like a guy trying to merge with other people’s minds? No. Does he look like someone who’d want to be the ruler of that one giant mass of mind-controlled humans? Arguably yes. Boring villain characterization.

Even a child can identify that this is not “perfect” functioning. Anyway, as I said, Saturday morning cartoon and I’m tired now so I’ll end it here. Every other bit of the comic is just repeating what has already been said.

Enjoy the comic for the qualities it has, and I’d say don’t take it as any reference for characterisation or references or whatever.

[thehistoriangirl]

2024 Valentine's Day Event!

This year I'm posting two stories, but I'm probably going to only finish only one before February ends bc I'm college (again, hopefully)😪🤧 but I hope you enjoy them anyway ❤💕

Viktor x Fem!Reader  

If You Hadn’t Left (Me) -> Mature/Explicit

| Second Chance | Angst | Exes to Lovers | Denial of Feelings | Viktor pining a lot tbh | Multichapter (7) |

Synopsis:Viktor was never supposed to see you again, just like you had promised that evening when you both ended up heartbroken and bitter toward destiny and all its twisted ways. So twisted as to put you back into his life not only as a temporal working partner to cover Jayce’s absences, but also as the maid of honor in the wedding where he’ll be the best man. Hypothetically, it doesn’t have to be that difficult to find a way around the river of memories flowing between you both. Though, of course, hypotheses are flawed. Just like that part of him that still craves another ending to this story. 

Viktor x Fem!Reader 

Without Compromise -> Mature/Explicit

|Blind Date | Matchmaking | Strangers to Lovers | "Friends" with Benefits | Mutual Pining | Idiots in Love (and Denial) | Multichapter (7) |

Synopsis: Viktor had never enjoyed any snobby party held in the luxurious districts around the Academy, though he can't deny this one is rather... peculiar. Still, when accompanying Jayce to another boring celebration ends with him stuck in an awkward situation when a stranger wanders inside the lab asking for him, he can´t help but comply with the unpredictable threads of a mockeing fate--how else would he, from all the assisting guests, be inside in this mess?