marjoch

[marjoch]

FOR SURE

TA viktor x undergrad jayce. jayce has acquired his number, and they go out. ft. a dash of stoner viktor x takes one hit and dies jayce

chapter 2 of 16

early updates ao3 @ josmarch !

A university in California, November.

The breeze was perfect. There were a few clouds dotting the skies, and grad student Viktor was hoping for rain. Born and raised in the Queens borough of New York City, he was used to more diverse weather. He’d been in California throughout his college education, and he still mourned the winter snow.

Today was particularly intriguing for Viktor, because he was a teacher’s assistant in an advanced chemistry lab. It wasn’t the work that intrigued him — sure, it was the best way to ease into a career, especially being given the opportunity to assist one of the university’s most renowned science professors. This would look good on his resume. No, it was one person. Viktor showed up early each day, just for the chance to spend even a moment alone with Jayce Talis.

Jayce started class as a dedicated student, turning in his work early and asking questions when it was necessary. Viktor had stopped by him and his lab partner several times, to check in, and maybe even to have an excuse to talk to him. There was something about him that was almost magnetic, and when their eyes met during experiments, Viktor noticed the way Jayce averted his quickly. Was there something there? He couldn’t tell.

Viktor could start conversations easily, but they would only go so far. He’d given Jayce advice on keeping up with classwork, noticing how he started lagging behind. When he was helping Professor Heimerdinger grade assignments, he saw how Jayce’s neat writing in the early semester turned into scrawling letters by now, indicative that he was rushing. He must have been a busy man, Viktor reasoned.

Intriguing, then. There was no better word for it.

Viktor’s eyes scanned the lab, watching pairs of students dutifully titrate their solutions. Jayce was partnered with Sky, a young woman Viktor had worked with before. He’d tutored her in an anatomy class, and he knew she was smart, so he felt they were a good match. Initially he’d suggested pairing them on purpose, to give Jayce the upper hand. He now knew that Jayce was capable of holding his own, even with his apparently occupied schedule.

He was caught looking, then, as Jayce’s eyes met his own. Before Viktor had the chance to redeem himself by continuing his glance across the rest of the students, Jayce turned away quickly. He muttered something to Sky, who looked back. That was enough to prompt Viktor to move on. He made his way around the classroom, stopping by a pair of young men who were increasingly frustrated with their attempts.

“I can’t figure this shit out,” one of them was saying to the other. He noticed Viktor, and straightened, correcting his profanity. “I can’t figure this out.”

Viktor looked down at their setup. “Refrain from rushing,” he offered. “Half a drop is the difference between just enough, and too much.”

The second student nodded, and turned back to the experiment. Viktor moved on.

His next stop was Jayce’s table. Sky was tending to the titration while Jayce was bent over, head in his hands.

Viktor had to ask. “Is everything okay over here?”

He noticed the urgency in Jayce’s adjustment. He sat up quickly, hands quietly hitting the table, eyes meeting the teacher’s assistant. “Why wouldn’t it be?” Was his tone almost… nervous?

Viktor feigned nonchalance. “I’m just checking in.” He looked back at the pair he’d just left. “A few students had other questions.” It was hard not to draw his eyes immediately back to Jayce, and it was a coordinated move to look back at the pair he was in front of.

“We’re alright, thank you,” Sky interjected, effectively saving Jayce from speaking again. Viktor was no stranger to the subtleties of their exchange.

Viktor nodded, letting the conversation end there. In his eyes, it was almost an effort to test the waters. Jayce seemed nervous in his presence, but he wasn’t sure if it was an honest perception.

“Actually, Viktor?” Sky’s voice interrupted his dismissal. Viktor turned around, waiting for her continuation. “Jayce had a question.”

Viktor looked between the two of them. It was quiet as he walked back, ready to answer a question related to science. The silence around the table was deafening: the sound of chatter could be heard in the background, but his focus eliminated it completely.

Sky seemed exasperated, as if Jayce was causing her problems. “He wanted to ask for your number.”

So it wasn’t an actual problem, then, and she was a supporter. It was impressive how easily she was able to get the words out while Jayce sat, stunned. Jayce gave her a look, and kept his eyes on her as she went back to her work, as if nothing was going on.

“Is that true?” Viktor addressed Jayce, finally earning his gaze. He waited, leaning on his cane, and Jayce finally sighed.

“Yes.”

Viktor was pleased. He’d had the thought in his mind for sometime, but would not be the one to say it because of his position as a teacher’s assistant. He’d never dated anyone that wasn’t on his academic level, and even then, it had been fleeting — more of a concept than a relationship. “Give me your notes.”

Jayce seemed surprised. His face turned white, hands shaking as he flipped the page and handed it over.

Viktor took it, putting his pen to paper. He considered writing the number as it was, but enjoyed the fun of a game: he drew out a complicated equation in which the answer was ten digits, and handed the notebook back with ease. “There you go.”

Jayce just stared at him, as if he was still processing the event. Viktor wasted no time in moving on, the thought of Jayce occupying his mind as he did his job in helping students who struggled.

Viktor was by the front at the end of class, helping collect the notes that students were turning in. Sky was the one who brought up the notes from Jayce’s table, much to Viktor’s dismay. His eyes found Jayce on the way out, and he couldn’t help the slightest smile from appearing on his lips.

Back at home, Viktor kicked off his shoes and headed to the kitchen. His cat brushed up against his legs, waiting to be fed. He cracked open a can of cat food and spooned it into her bowl, putting it on the floor by her water bowl and petting her head gently.

“Missed you, Genevieve,” he said.

Since starting grad school, Viktor had been lucky enough to live alone. He’d been on a scholarship most of the experience: it was the only reason he was still in California. He longed for home, especially in the winter, but he was set on finishing the goal he’d set out to accomplish.

Granted, there was nothing for him at home. He was raised as a first-generation American, born to Czech parents who’d passed away at different points in his childhood and adult years. But while he didn’t have much to go back to, he longed for it all the same.

There was work to do. Once Genevieve was fed, he made his way to the dining room table. It was covered in stacks of textbooks, varieties of notes, and assignments he was helping Professor Heimerdinger to sort through. He propped his cane up against the table as he sat and started, playing some easy music from his phone to get through it. Classical was his go-to for work: it lacked words to distract from the task at hand, and it was a reminder of when he studied piano.

The night settled in, and Viktor had to turn a lamp on to see what he was doing. While the rest of the dining table chairs were nice mahogany, the chair he sat on was on wheels. It allowed him to move across the room without the effort of getting up, and he utilized it now, rolling over to the lamp and turning it on before returning to the table.

Once he was finished sorting through everything for class, he started on his own homework. It was extensive — he was working on a thesis, and he kept stalling. It was frustrating, but he was determined.

Sometime in the midst of his work, his phoned buzzed on the table. Viktor came to a stopping point before picking it up, looking at the screen. It was an unknown number, with the simplest inquiry: Is this Viktor?

It had to be Jayce. He couldn’t help but smile, and he composed a response.

I think you have the wrong number.

His phone informed him the text was read. He hesitated, waiting to see if anything else would come through, and then redeemed himself.

Kidding

Viktor went back to work, trying to remain focused, but finding his thoughts wandering back to the text conversation that had just begun. That message was left on read, and after a few minutes, he weighed the options of texting again.

On one hand, he could successfully leeway into a real conversation. On another, he didn’t want to seem desperate. Jayce intrigued him, as he’d come to realize.

Fuck it.

How was your day?

That was easy enough. He went back to work, doing his best to pay attention to his homework, fingers dancing on the edge of the table at a familiar tune he’d played on piano years ago.

The phone buzzed. Viktor looked immediately.

I’m good, how are you?

He let a few minutes pass by. Viktor wondered why he was thinking about this so strategically. Jayce was just a man.

Good enough. Do much with your evening?

He hardly had time to put his phone down before Jayce responded. Device still in hand, he read over the words.

Spent it working our your equation

So Jayce had cared enough to work it all out. Obviously, he thought, because he’d been texted, and he hadn’t given the answer of his phone number outright. Jayce didn’t sound like he had any help.

Even if he had, would Viktor have cared?

Viktor looked between his own homework, and the phone.

You should probably do your homework.

If Jayce had spent the majority of his evening up until this point solving an equation that was irrelevant to his academic career, what would Viktor have to look over the next class they met? He liked seeing into Jayce’s mind. The way he documented his findings was different than anyone else: he had a perspective that viewed things from a new angle, and Viktor wanted to pick his brain.

I’d rather talk to you

It was the first text that truly had him sitting in silence. The piano score he was listening to faded out, and it took a minute for the next track to fade in, accurately representing his reaction.

What to say to that?

Viktor set his pen to his paper again, an attempt to get back to business. He made it through a few problems, but his mind was somewhere else. He couldn’t focus while the conversation still hung in the air.

We could talk over drinks. Friday?

After sending it, he squeezed his eyes shut, as if that would result in an easier letdown. He was prepared for Jayce to back out. Maybe he had plans Friday, with some girl he was seeing. Viktor remembered the start of the semester, when a beautiful woman walked him to class every day, kissing him in the hallway. He remembered the jealousy he’d felt, totally unprompted.

Give me a time and place, and I’m there

Relief flooded his body. Viktor sat back in his chair, fully stepping away from his work for the first time. Where should he take him? Was this a date?

There was no one around to consult, so he thought long and hard about a time and place, just as requested. He finally settled, and texted back, turning off his phone and setting it down on the table.

Viktor sighed deeply. The music kicked back in, and he went back to work. Once he started, it was easy to continue, and he finished before it was late. That was a success, because he was usually up until the early hours of the morning, barely making it to bed before he collapsed of exhaustion.

Done with his work, Viktor rose from the table and made it to his room. He changed for bed and crawled under the blankets, cane against the bedside table. Genevieve made an appearance, settling next to him while he leaned against the pillows.

One last text to Jayce. It couldn’t hurt.

Goodnight

He set his alarms to rise early, and put his phone on his bedside table. It was surprisingly easy to fall asleep with Jayce on his mind, and he found himself pondering the concept of Jayce next to him as he did.

The days dragged on now that Viktor was anticipating Friday. The lab wasn’t meeting again for the rest of the week, so Viktor had no excuse to see Jayce before then. He was lucky enough to see him from a distance across campus, and Jayce waved at him before he had the chance to react. He raised a hand to wave back as Jayce moved on, a taller girl dressed in blue chatting by his side.

Was it a lover? He couldn’t tell. Viktor hardly knew anything about Jayce’s life, but he wanted to know more.

He would just have to wait.

When the hour finally arrived, Viktor was on time. He dressed in trousers, and settled on a white button-down under a navy sweater vest. When he opened the door, his eyes searched the bar.

Sitting at the counter was Jayce, wearing jeans, a similar white button-down, and a light jacket. He looked at his phone and then turned towards the door, eyes immediately finding Viktor.

Jayce smiled and waved, and Viktor knew the game was already over. Jayce had him right where he wanted him.

Viktor didn’t know how badly Jayce wanted him back.

“Hello,” greeted Jayce as Viktor walked to the counter. Jayce stood, standing in front of him.

“Good evening,” was Viktor’s response. “You’re early.”

“I’m very punctual,” Jayce shrugged a little.

“I know,” Viktor nodded.

Jayce seemed surprised that Viktor noticed his attention to detail. He turned to the bartender, a buff man with his hair pulled back. “What do you have on draft?”

The bartender elaborated, and Jayce ordered one of the beers. He turned to Viktor, then. “What do you drink?”

“I’ll have the same,” Viktor told the bartender, who grabbed a second glass.

Jayce pulled out his card, but Viktor was faster, cash in hand. The bartender sat the drinks in front of them. “Eighteen dollars,” the bartender informed. Viktor gave him a twenty, and found another five in his wallet.

“Keep the change,” Viktor nodded, picking up the glasses and handing one to Jayce. He focused on Jayce. Now that they were closer, he noticed the amber in his eyes, the same he saw when he looked in the mirror. Between the shirts and their gaze, they were already on a good track. “Want to talk somewhere quieter?”

Jayce just nodded. Viktor thought it was cute that he was so enthusiastic.

Viktor grabbed his hand, cane hanging from his arm, and led them through the growing crowd towards the back of the bar. There were booths up against the wall on one end, and Viktor dropped Jayce’s hand as they made it to an empty one.

They slid into the seats on either side. Viktor took a drink from his glass, and Jayce set his on the table, watching. Viktor put his down, then, meeting his gaze.

“So,” Jayce started, voice trailing off.

Viktor raised an eyebrow, waiting. “So…?”

“So, uh, how are your classes?” Jayce attempted, sipping at his beer.

“I didn’t ask you out to talk about classes,” Viktor said.

Jayce choked, coughing on his drink. “Wrong pipe,” he informed, redirecting his cough into his sleeve and catching his breath.

“Are you okay?” Viktor asked, concerned.

“Is this a date?” Jayce answered with a question.

Viktor was surprised by his bluntness. It was already giving him more insight into Jayce’s character, and how he was upfront about things. “Do you want this to be a date?”

So many questions, back and forth, with no answers. Neither of them cared.

“Um, yes,” Jayce decided, raising his beer to his lips again to escape elaboration.

Viktor just shrugged. “Yes, then.”

Jayce nodded, looking around the bar. “This is a nice place. Do you come here often?”

Viktor noticed the way Jayce had a hard time making eye contact. Was it his effect on the man, or was Jayce uninterested?

“Only when I’m talking to men,” Viktor joked. He hadn’t brought anyone here, but he had been several times before. Even on weekends, it wasn’t insanely busy, and he valued the ability to navigate through the bodies.

“So you’re gay, then,” Jayce deduced.

Viktor laughed a little. “Yes, Jayce,” he said. “I’m gay. Do I not look gay?”

“You can’t be sure these days,” Jayce answered. “I didn’t want to assume and look like an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot,” Viktor reassured, taking another drink. “Your work is very well-spoken, although I have noticed the decline in your efforts. I’m surprised you were free to meet me, I imagine you’re very busy.”

Jayce seemed like he’d been caught. Viktor was curious. “Thanks,” he said, working on his beer. “I’m gay, too. Well, I’m bi.”

“I assumed,” Viktor said. “You’re better than me to ask.”

“I don’t think we should have to ask. I think it’s stupid. We should just love who we love.”

Viktor noticed how Jayce filled every empty space with words, like he was trying to convince him to stay engaged. Viktor wasn’t going anywhere. He reached out and touched Jayce’s hand, enough to ground him, and then sat back again. “Tell me about yourself.”

Jayce divulged, then, and Viktor paid attention. He wasn’t surprised to hear that Jayce was from LA, but Jayce had endless questions about New York. Viktor answered all of them, and the night passed.

Sometime into their second drinks, Jayce brought up his thesis. “I’ve been stumped lately. I want to research temporal anomalies.”

“That’s bold,” Viktor commented, watching Jayce from across the booth.

“That’s what I’ve been told,” Jayce drank from his beer. He could hold his alcohol, but Viktor’s presence made him feel more intoxicated. The teacher’s assistant was like a drug.

Viktor wasn’t fazed by the idea. “I think it’s brilliant. I’ve yet to encounter anyone else studying that subject.”

Jayce smiled. “You think so?”

Viktor particularly liked Jayce’s smile. It was always genuine, not forced, and it made Viktor feel comfortable. Like his words or opinion mattered. And there was that tooth gap that gave Jayce a sense of human realness, not completely perfect, except in his own way. It was perfect to Viktor.

“Of course,” Viktor said, affirming his thoughts. “I can help sometime, if you want. Not that you need it.”

“You mean it?”

Was that excitement in his tone? Viktor wanted to find out.

“You should show me your work sometime. I can look over it.”

Jayce finished his beer, and set the glass down. “I’m free now.”

God, he was just Viktor’s type. A date at a bar, followed by research? It was what he was planning to do when he got home anyway.

Viktor finished his beer, a mirror image of Jayce. He slid out of the booth, leaning on his cane, and Jayce picked up both glasses to carry them back to the bar. So he cared enough to make life easier for the bartender, Viktor thought. He walked with Jayce, and the pair of them headed out to the street.

“Did you walk?” Jayce asked. When Viktor nodded, he continued. “Me too. I live close.”

They set off, then. There was small talk between them: Jayce commenting on the stars, Viktor asking him if he had a favorite constellation. He thought it suited Jayce to prefer the archer. It held the most stars of any constellation, representative of his many thoughts, all interesting to Viktor.

They arrived at Jayce’s residence: a building of four units, with an entrance to each on the outside. Jayce led them to his unit. He fumbled for his keys and unlocked the door, pulling it open upon his success.

“Welcome,” said Jayce, motioning inside. He held the door for Viktor, who entered, taking in the apartment.

Jayce’s living quarters were just how Viktor imagined. It was an open floor plan, with the living room bleeding into the kitchen, and not a dining room table in sight. There was a couch in front of a television, which was on, some action show being ignored by Jayce’s roommate: a young woman with vibrant pink hair, lying on the couch, laughing on the phone with someone.

“Hey,” Jayce greeted her. “This is Viktor.”

“Yeah, hold on,” the woman was saying into the phone. She sat up, then, and gave a wave. “I’m Vi,” she introduced.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Viktor said, standing near Jayce.

Jayce pointed down the hall. “My room is the one at the end of the hall. I’ll grab us a beer and be right there.”

Viktor nodded, and made his way towards the room. Jayce watched him go, and then went to the refrigerator, opening it and finding two bottles. He popped the caps off, and began to head past Vi.

“I know, I know,” Vi was smiling. “I won’t do it again, promise.” A pause, and then a laugh. “Oh, you don’t believe me?”

As Jayce passed her, Vi waved for his attention. He turned to her, and she gave him a thumbs up.

“Nice,” she said, mouth away from the phone. Then she laid back down, turning to her conversation: “Come on! You have to give me some credit. He deserved it.”

In Jayce’s room, Viktor flipped on the light to find the missing dining room table. The bed was small, pushed into one corner, and the table took up the majority of the space. A wall had been painted as a chalkboard, and it was full of scrawling writing, equations and formulas. The rest of the apartment was what he expected, then — the room was different, because he didn’t know just how dedicated Jayce was. It was almost a breath of relief: maybe he did understand Viktor’s own passion for science.

“Hey,” Jayce greeted, coming into the room and handing Viktor a beer, shutting the door behind him.

Viktor pulled his attention from the board for a second, taking the beer, and motioning at the wall. “You did all this?”

Jayce nodded. “It’s a lot, I know,” he sighed. “It keeps me up at night.”

Viktor looked between Jayce and the board. “Do you mind?”

Jayce shook his head, picking up a piece of chalk and handing it to him. “Please.”

When Viktor took it, their fingers brushed together, and it sent shivers down his spine. He looked over the board. “Have you considered it backwards?”

Jayce raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Viktor put the chalk to the black wall, finding an empty space and rewriting the problem from another perspective. When he was finished, he stepped back.

“Oh,” Jayce said, putting his hands on his head as if he’d just had a breakthrough. “Oh, you’re good.”

Viktor smiled, and managed a nonchalant shrug. “I try.”

“You don’t have to try,” Jayce said without thinking. Then he sighed, as if he should’ve thought through his words better. Viktor thought it was cute.

“Do you smoke?”

The question from Viktor turned Jayce’s attention from math to the man beside him.

“Sometimes,” Jayce offered, lying through his teeth.

“Do you want to?” Viktor asked. “I have a joint on me. We could go outside.”

“We can smoke in here, I don’t care,” Jayce shrugged. “Vi doesn’t care, either.”

Viktor didn’t care. He had the joint in a small plastic tube in his pocket, and he produced it, popping it open. He dumped it out into his hand.

“I don’t have a lighter,” Viktor informed. “Or an ashtray.”

“Hold on,” Jayce sprang into action, leaving the bedroom in a flash. Viktor hardly had time to continue looking around at the posters of old sci-fi movies and the crystals sitting under Jayce’s windowsill before Jayce came back, lighter and ashtray in hand.

He shut the door. He handed the lighter to Viktor, and set the ashtray on the table. There was something about the way Jayce was always in action, ready to supply whatever Viktor needed. If they hadn’t been talking in this way, Jayce would’ve made a good lab assistant, or even a partner in science.

Viktor put the joint between his lips, and Jayce watched him hold the lighter to it like it was a movie. Viktor inhaled, and breathed out the smoke, sighing in relief. He’d started smoking for medicinal reasons years ago, but he would be remiss if he denied enjoying the recreational benefits.

After another puff, Viktor passed it over to Jayce. Jayce had smoked before, but it had been years. He inhale through the filter, trying to play it cool, and began coughing the second the smoke hit the back of his throat. Clouds of smoke erupted as he coughed, doubling over.

Viktor took the joint back, the faintest smile on his lips. Jayce reached for his beer, and desperately sipped. Before Viktor could ask anything, Jayce assured, “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Viktor took another drag, watching Jayce carefully. When Jayce stood up straight again, finally recovered, Viktor extended the joint to him again. Jayce hesitated, but took it.

“You don’t have to hit that,” Viktor said.

Jayce wasn’t listening. He hit the joint again, this time easier, careful. When he exhaled, he did so successfully, and handed it back over. Viktor noted how he looked as if he’d succeeded at some achievement, and he couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath.

“What?” Jayce asked, catching his reaction.

“Nothing,” Viktor responded, taking another drag. Again, Jayce watched him, enjoying the view. Viktor felt his gaze, but played it off, turning back to the board as he continued smoking. He held out the joint to Jayce at some point, and Jayce waved his hand in denial.

“I’m tapping out,” Jayce said. “You go on.”

Viktor had no complaints. He put the chalk on the wall again, considering the work Jayce had already done. He turned back, pointing to a specific part of the equation. “Do you have the notes for this?”

Jayce nodded, and fumbled through the pages on the table. When he found the right one, he handed it over easily. Viktor read through it, still smoking. This time, he hardly felt Jayce’s gaze, which was hyper-focused. Viktor flicked the ash into the ashtray, and carried on.

While Viktor was working, Jayce was faltering. He pulled out a chair to sit down, and Viktor recognized the experience he was having. “Do you want some water?”

Jayce shook his head, sipping from his beer, not speaking. Viktor could have carried on with the equation, but he set the notes down and leaned against the table, eyes on Jayce.

“I’m okay,” Jayce said, but Viktor could tell he was struggling.

“Do you want to lay down?” Viktor asked.

“Maybe,” Jayce couldn’t decide.

Viktor put the joint out, leaving the remains in the ashtray, and opened a window to ventilate the room. It was chilly outside, but neither of them complained.

“I’m going to go,” Viktor decided, setting the chalk down. “You should get some rest. We can continue this another day.”

Jayce looked disappointed, but he didn’t argue. “Let me walk you out.”

Viktor was wary, but Jayce rose, and walked to his bedroom door. Just as he had outside, he held it open for Viktor, who made his exit.

At the front door, they lingered. Jayce was captivating as ever, but Viktor wasn’t going to make a move while he was far too high on top of the beers they’d shared. “I had a great time tonight,” he told Jayce, who smiled and stared at the ground.

“I’m glad,” Jayce finally met Viktor’s eyes again, nerves racking his body. He would’ve felt this way under the influence or not.

“Text me,” Viktor said.

Jayce was still beaming, and he nodded. “I will. Get home safe?”

Viktor echoed him. “I will.” He made his way off of the porch entrance. “Goodnight, Jayce.”

“Goodnight,” Jayce called after him, watching Viktor until he disappeared from sight.

[marjoch]

FOR SURE

TA viktor x undergrad jayce. jayce has a big fat crush. viktor gives him his number as a math equation

chapter 1/8

early updates on ao3 @ josmarch

A university in California, November.

The air was cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoon. Jayce Talis, born and raised in East Los Angeles, was no stranger to the sunny weather and the littered streets. He liked the university because it was clean, and it gave him the opportunity to utilize the science theories he’d been captivated by since childhood. As a senior, he was taking upper-level classes, and he was determined to graduate on time.

Today was particularly exciting for Jayce, because he had an advanced chemistry lab. It wasn’t the science that interested him — sure, it had started off that way, as he became better-educated to follow his passion. It was one person. Nearly every class, save for September when the entire class caught an illness, Professor Heimerdinger had assistance from a particularly attractive man. Jayce knew him as Viktor, and that was the depth of his knowledge.

He couldn’t talk to Viktor without prompting. How could he? Jayce had known he liked men for years, but he’d only been with women. Viktor was different. When he collected finished exams last month, their fingers had grazed briefly, and Jayce was still thinking about it.

He felt pathetic. His grades had slipped these past two weeks, in this singular class, and it was a result of being distracted. Even his lab partner, an optimistic but quiet woman named Sky, was running out of patience for his slacking.

“Jayce,” she was saying, while he was lost in thought. He looked at her, and she sighed. “Focus.”

The pair of them were sitting in front of a titration setup, and Sky had been dutifully working to determine the answer. It was now clear that she was growing tired of doing it on her own.

“Sorry,” Jayce reached out to take over. Slow and steady wins the race, he thought as he carefully titrated the solution. Maybe that could work with Viktor. If he eased into talking to him more, maybe he could figure out if he was single and ensure he was gay before making a total fool of himself.

“Jayce.” Sky spoke again, this time out of frustration. Jayce focused on what he was doing, but it was too late — he’d added too much, and they had to start over. Sky took over again, moving the equipment so it was in front of her. She did it herself, then, giving up on Jayce’s help.

Fine by him. Now that he didn’t have to pay attention to two things at once, he could gaze at Viktor from where he was walking alongside the professor. They were conversing quietly amongst themselves, and it was indistinguishable with the noise of other students communicating.

“Nothing will ever happen if you don’t talk to him,” Sky said, shaking her head.

Jayce wasn’t entertaining the thought of embarrassing himself. “What would I even say?”

“Ask him for his number. That’s a good start.”

“He’s the TA, Sky,” Jayce looked at her as if her proposal was out of the question.

“Ask for his email, then.” She was focused on her work, not looking up from her efforts.

Jayce could imagine how it would go. It would be awkward, if he could even get the right words out. And what if Viktor said no? He’d have to see him in class again two days a week. Then again, the semester was ending in less than a month.

“Do it.” She pressed.

“What if he says no?” Jayce’s eyes found Viktor again. Much to his surprise, they made eye contact, as Viktor was already looking in his direction. Jayce looked away quickly. “Fuck.”

“What?” Sky raised an eyebrow.

“Is he still looking over here?”

Sky smiled at Jayce’s struggle, and turned. Viktor was looking back at the papers in front of him on the desk, and the professor was pointing something out. “All clear.”

Jayce buried his head in his hands. “This is ridiculous.”

“I agree,” Sky affirmed. “Why are you torturing yourself like this? Just talk to him.”

A voice interrupted their conversation: Viktor. “Is everything okay over here?”

Jayce sat up, moving his hands back down to the table, feigning attentiveness towards the experiment at hand. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Viktor shrugged. Jayce thought it was unfair that he could be so nonchalant while Viktor's mere presence nearly made him fall apart. “I’m just checking in. A few other students had questions.”

“We’re alright, thank you,” Sky jumped in before Jayce could go on. Viktor nodded and turned to move on.

“Thanks,” Jayce breathed, of her quick reflexes. He watched Viktor walk away, transfixed.

Sky wasn’t done. “Actually, Viktor?” The teacher’s assistant looked back, waiting. “Jayce had a question.”

Jayce shot her a glare. Viktor came over, and Jayce blanked. The moment of silence stretched so long he was sure he’d blown it.

“He wanted to ask for your number,” Sky suggested.

Jayce looked at Sky again, less of a glare, more of a nonverbal “what the hell”. She shrugged the slightest, and went back to the titration.

“Is that true?” Viktor asked Jayce, some sort of amusement in his tone. Jayce’s heart fell into his stomach. Just as he’d suspected: he looked like an idiot.

“Yes,” he admitted, with a sigh that communicated the betrayal he felt.

Viktor held out his hand. “Give me your notes.”

Jayce paled. He’d hardly taken any notes, and there were sketches of Viktor he hadn’t shown anyone. He flipped to a new page and handed it over, heart pounding at the possibility of it being looked through.

Luckily, Viktor wasn’t inspecting notes. He clicked his pen and started writing. For the first time since seeing Viktor on syllabus day, Jayce felt a real flicker of hope. When Viktor was finished, he clicked the pen again and handed Jayce the notebook.

“There you go,” he said, and he moved onto the next pair of students without another word.

“You’re welcome,” Sky said, swirling the beaker. She beamed at their science project. “Got it.”

Jayce’s eyes didn’t leave Viktor until Sky held the beaker in front of him, waiting for affirmation. “Oh, nice,” he said, recognizing her success. He looked down at the number Viktor had written.

Or, rather, the series of numbers. On the page in front of him was a carefully crafted mathematical equation, one that daunted Jayce just by looking at it. He sighed heavily. Sky peered over his shoulder.

“Damn,” she laughed. “You gotta hand it to him, that’s unique.”

“This is going to take me all night.”

“I’m assuming no study hall, then.”

“Fuck study hall,” Jayce said. “I won’t be able to study with this on my mind.”

Sky straightened up the notes she’d taken on their experiment, and passed it over for Jayce to sign. He did, right by her own signature at the bottom. “I’ll hand this in. Sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

Sky put her hand on his shoulder as she passed, and Jayce collected his things into his bag, save for the notebook, which he continued to look over as he walked out. Just before passing through the doorway, Jayce’s eyes found Viktor’s again, and he was almost sure he could see him smile.

“Any luck?”

Vi, Jayce’s roommate, was laying on the couch with her legs over the armrest and her head turned to the side to watch television from a different angle. The coffee table had a beer for each of them and an open box with remnants of a pepperoni pizza. Jayce’s plate was in the kitchen sink. Vi’s was on the floor within reach, a half-eaten slice waiting to be finished.

Jayce was sitting on the other side of the couch, calculator in his left hand, pen in his right, and notebook on his lap. The page was now filled with scrawling numbers, little pieces of the puzzle as he slowly worked out the equation.

“Not yet,” Jayce said. “But I’m almost there, I can feel it.”

Vi reached over to take a sip of her beer. “All this over a phone number. Must be some girl. Or guy.”

“It’s a guy.”

“Finally,” Vi sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the women you see. I just think you seem like you’d have a husband.”

“I’m not getting married anytime soon.”

“Okay, pretty boy,” Vi set her beer back on the table.

Jayce ignored her comments and went back to focusing. This would all make sense eventually, he knew it. He put his hand on his forehead, and then he frantically typed into the calculator, writing furiously as he went.

Once he’d found his footing in the endgame, he soared through to the final answer. Staring at the ten digits felt like relief. He stood up, smacking the notebook on the table and reaching for his phone.

“You got it?” Vi sat up, swinging her legs forward.

“I think so,” Jayce said, unlocking his phone, hands trembling. He added the number to his contacts, and sent an easy first text.

Is this Viktor?

Vi was just as invested in what was going on. She stood up and went to stand by his side, looking down at his phone. They both waited for a response.

I think you have the wrong number.

Jayce sighed in frustration. “I must’ve worked something out wrong.” He went to delete the contact, but before he could, a notification popped up.

Kidding

Jayce rolled his eyes, and Vi laughed. “You got a good one,” she said positively, leaving him to sit back on the couch, pulling out her own phone. “Oh, hey, will you tell your sister to text me back?”

“If she’s mad, there’s not much I can do about it,” Jayce answered, starting to text Viktor back but deleting every attempt. “What do I say?”

“You tell her Vi’s waiting,” she said.

“Not about Caitlyn.”

“Right,” Vi nodded. “I don’t know, small talk? How was his day? Just shoot the shit.”

“I don’t shoot the shit.”

“Yeah, you do,” Vi picked up her beer again. “You’re good at conversation, and people like you. I don’t know why this Viktor has you all scrambled.”

“He’s different,” Jayce started at the text. Before he could say anything else, another text from Viktor came through. “He asked how my day is.”

“Three texts in a row, man? He wants you.”

Jayce refused to believe that. He sat back down on the couch, reaching for his own beer, needing a drink after this. “He’s just being nice. He’s the TA.”

“I’ve heard of professors fucking students. This isn’t half as taboo.”

Jayce typed out a response, and put his phone down the second he sent it, nervous in his very bones.

I’m good, how are you?

There was no reason for him to feel this way over small talk. If he could hardly ask about Viktor’s day, how could he get to know the inner workings of his character? He decided that was a problem for future Jayce. Despite the nerves, this adrenaline was unbeatable.

Good enough. Do much with your evening?

Jayce smiled a little at the text, and responded.

Spent it working out your equation

“You’re head over heels,” Vi was watching him as he conversed via text, and he hadn’t even noticed her gaze. “You’re practically giggling at your phone. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”

“It’s not my fault,” Jayce argued. “You don’t get to choose who you have a crush on.”

“I’m not blaming you,” Vi put her hands up. “I hope he’s cute, at least.”

Jayce almost zoned out completely just picturing him. “He’s beautiful,” he said.

Vi laughed, and finished her beer. “I believe you,” she said. “I saw you with Mel.” She whistled. “That woman was fine, and you kept yourself together. I’m interested to see how this goes.”

She stood, picking up her plate and bottle and carrying them to the kitchen. She disposed of the bottle and leftover pizza, and set the plate in the sink. “I’ll do the dishes tomorrow,” she said, getting another beer out of the fridge and utilizing the bottle opener.

Jayce was lost in his phone as another message from Viktor came through.

You should probably do your homework.

Jayce typed furiously. Vi watched him, and laughed to herself. Jayce didn't even notice.

I’d rather talk to you

Jayce tossed his phone onto the table, burying his head in his hands again, waiting for a response.

“Jesus, Jayce,” Vi propped her legs up on the coffee table.

Jayce didn't look up. “How do you do this?”

“Do what?”

“Talk to women.”

Vi raised an eyebrow. “I thought Viktor was a guy.”

“He is,” Jayce sighed, “but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

Vi raised an eyebrow. “How do you talk to women?”

Jayce picked up his phone, and set it back down when he saw there wasn’t a response yet. “I don’t know, I just talk to them. This is different.”

“You keep using that word. Different. Maybe it’s a good thing.”

“I never said it was a bad thing,” Jayce began, and his phone buzzed. He picked it up quickly, and his face fell.

“Viktor?” Vi questioned.

Jayce was disappointed. “It’s just Cait.”

“Let me see that,” Vi reached for the phone, and Jayce held out of her reach.

“It’s not your turn,” Jayce shook his head. “Fix your thing with Caitlyn on your own time.”

“I’m trying,” Vi grumbled. “She’s holding a grudge.”

Jayce was over it. “Maybe if you hadn’t gotten into that fight, she wouldn’t have had to bail you out, and she would’ve passed her final exam.”

Vi rolled her eyes. “I said I was sorry. I didn’t know she was studying, or I would’ve called you.”

Jayce shrugged. “I would’ve let you spend the night there.” Vi punched his shoulder, but it wasn’t aggressive. “Hey,” Jayce acted like he was wounded, rubbing his arm. “Fine. You should call me first next time. Then you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“I hate being a lesbian,” Vi muttered, drinking from her second beer.

“No you don’t,” Jayce stared at his phone screen. It buzzed, and he sat up straighter.

We could talk over drinks. Friday?

“Holy shit,” Jayce breathed.

Vi was closer in an instant, reading over his shoulder. “Oh, hell yeah,” she smiled. “You’ve got a date.”

Jayce looked to her. “How do you know it’s a date? This could be a casual meeting. Just talking.”

Vi rolled her eyes, settling back in her seat. “The day you stop second-guessing yourself is the day you become irresistible.”

Jayce shook his head, phone in his hands, thumbs stalled as he racked his brain for a proper response. Not second-guessing himself was easier said than done. He never felt like this with his last girlfriend Mel, but then again, Mel knew what she wanted and made her intentions clear. Jayce couldn’t read Viktor. Not to mention, Viktor was far more intimidating. Mel was stunning. Viktor was mysterious.

Give me a time and place, and I’m there

The second he sent the text, he regretted it. There had to be a better way to say that.

Vi was scrolling through her phone, checking her social media and sending a sixth text begging Caitlyn to respond to her.

Viktor sent a time and place, just as requested. Jayce put his phone down and sat back. “Friday,” he said. “That bar off campus. Eight o’clock.”

“Go get ‘em,” Vi winked.

Jayce just rolled his eyes, finishing his beer before he stood and took the empty bottle to the trash can.

He took it upon himself to do the dishes, even though Vi had promised to do them the following day. He needed to occupy his mind, but it didn’t distract from the constant thoughts of the teacher’s assistant. What was he doing with his life? He was supposed to be an academic, working towards a degree that would finally allow him to finish the research he’d started in his youth. And, despite that, the only equation he wanted to solve was Viktor.

Jayce’s phone buzzed.

Goodnight

He sighed deeply. It had barely begun, and the game was already over.

Viktor had him right where Jayce had dreamt of being.

Jayce didn’t know how badly Viktor wanted him back.

[marjoch]

do you think about me

In an established relationship, Viktor has been engrossed in work while Jayce is feeling neglected. Jayce dares Viktor to follow him along for a day as a councilor. Jayce only wants to spend time with him, and Viktor is learning that Councilor Talis is a big turn on.

[18+]

Mid-summer, sometime closer to fall than spring.

Jayce Talis was hard at work, devising plans to keep his project on track and his city in order. Two jobs were more difficult than one, as anyone would imagine. Anyone apart from Viktor, that was.

On the other hand, Jayce’s partner Viktor spent every moment of his “free” time on their research. “Free” didn’t include typical work, sleeping, or playing. This meant that every moment he wasn’t sleeping or playing (on the rare occasion when both he and Jayce had time), he was ruminating over theories or mathematical equations.

Viktor was every bit of Jayce’s. He was not only a partner in science but a partner in life: the pair of them bonded over their shared passion for science, and continued their relationship depths further to love one another. Jayce had fallen first and Viktor had fallen harder, a dynamic that defined them well. They were partners in every sense of the word. Years prior, when Viktor stopped Jayce from an attempt on his life, the pair of them found themselves intertwined. Concepts led to research, which led from longing to something more official. Nearly everyone they knew were aware of the relationship, including Jayce’s mother, whom Viktor had met several times.

These days, Viktor spent nearly every waking second in their lab. He was withering away as a result of his childhood in the fissures, and Jayce was ever-aware. When he wasn’t preoccupied attending meetings as a councilor, he was by Viktor’s side. Apart from Jayce, no one seemed to care about Viktor’s illness or where it stemmed from. Viktor, however, was determined to keep this from happening to other children. It would be a positive side effect to benefit his own survival, but even now he feared the answer wouldn’t rid him of his ailments.

There was no time. Viktor was fearing a finish line coming into sight, and Jayce was fearing not being respected by his peers. The lab was busy all times of day, with Viktor dedicating the majority of his time to it and Jayce showing up in evenings to pull double shifts (one as a councilor, the other a scientist).

Viktor was dying as a result of his chronic illness. Jayce was dying because of Viktor’s lack of care: his lover even took to sleeping in the lab, something Jayce had a hard time keeping up with due to his rigorous schedule.

On one particular late evening, Jayce put Viktor between a wall and a hard place. Viktor had been working until Jayce convinced him into a make-out session, something spurred between science and boyfriendism. It didn’t last very long, as Viktor was intent on returning to work. Jayce happened to mention his hard day, to which Viktor responded detailing his scientific difficulties.

“It seems you’ve had a productive evening,” said Jayce, in response to Viktor’s seemingly spiraling thoughts pertaining their shared discoveries.

“It seems you don’t care about this as much as your day job,” was Viktor’s response. He meant it genuinely: Jayce had hardly been in the lab recently, focused on his position as a councilor.

“I doubt you could survive a day as a councilor,” returned Jayce, almost a joke, but something serious behind his tone.

Viktor wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge. “You doubt,” he said, “that I could do an easy job.” Science was one thing; diplomacy another.

Jayce seemed intrigued. Viktor wasn’t sure why — meetings and paperwork were easy to him. He could solo a day of controversy and critique, unfazed. He found the concept of political debate to be boring, even rote. It was always the same at the end.

“Are you accepting the challenge?” Jayce questioned, wanting confirmation. He was good to do so, as he’d lost a bet earlier this year, solely because Viktor lost but they had not locked in their bets prior (and Viktor was better at debate).

Viktor shrugged. “What time do you start tomorrow?”

Jayce informed him the first meeting was shortly after sunrise, and Viktor was not alarmed. He had been expecting something early, and he didn’t particularly care either which way. He was only prepared to defeat his opponent, said opponent being his lover.

Jayce, on the other hand, was missing Viktor. Their jobs kept them separate as much as their work drove them together. It had been weeks since the pair of them had spent a continuous shift in the lab together because Jayce preferred early mornings while Viktor lived and breathed by late nights. Jayce frequently arrived to work around sunrise, and Viktor was fast asleep at the desk, having dozed off in his attempt to stay up. The workload was slowly killing Viktor beyond his illness, and Jayce knew it.

“We’ll rise at sunup,” Jayce said. “Then I’ll show you the routine.”

Viktor was hardly focused on Jayce, consumed by the current problem at hand. Jayce was tired of it, but he knew Viktor was working towards a greater goal, and he extended him the same grace he’d want if he were in that position.

Jayce broke through being practically ignored. “Okay. Tomorrow morning, then.”

“Tomorrow morning,” repeated Viktor, still distracted.

Even despite the frustrations, Jayce still thought the world of his partner. He gave Viktor another kiss, the only time he’d successfully drawn Viktor’s full attention during the course of their conversation.

They shared a residence at this point. Or, rather, they shared two, each belonging to either of them. Jayce’s was “theirs” in every sense, which was founded on the fact that Jayce was often home before Viktor. Jayce liked to change out of the clothes he had to wear as a councilor before heading to the lab. The garb was different: as a councilor, his clothes were crisp and clean-pressed. As Viktor’s partner, however, his clothes were allowed to be wrinkled or worn, whatever was remaining out of the closet.

Jayce went home, and did his nightly routine. He missed when Viktor had been here for it, talking to him and corresponding their lifestyles. Now, he was alone, and he could imagine how Viktor would be lethargic in the morning from a lack of sleep.

When Jayce went to bed, he fully expected to have to walk to back to the lab the next morning and wake Viktor up. He was pleasantly surprised, finding that Viktor had actually come home instead of passing out when he could go no further.

Jayce always set his alarms early. Therefore, he was prepared to stay in bed a little longer, pulling Viktor close and holding him. Viktor slowly awakened, complaining about the warmth (entirely radiating from Jayce) and the hour (which he had agreed to wake upon). Jayce let him go eventually, only to get situated for the day. Viktor remained in bed, completely passed out. Once he was cleaned up and ready to go, Jayce sat on the bed, his hand finding Viktor’s shoulder.

“Come on,” Jayce prompted, in the sweetest tone he could manage. “I’ve got a meeting in thirty minutes. It’s a ten minute walk.”

Viktor awakened quickly, sitting up. Jayce rose to bring his crutch to him, and assisted him up. At the start of their relationship, Viktor would insist he didn’t need help. Nowadays, slowly falling into decline, he took advantage of Jayce’s strength.

Viktor was nonverbal in the mornings, and Jayce could usually appreciate it. He liked the quiet just as much, so it was no trouble when Viktor didn’t have much to say. Today was different, though, because Viktor was completely silent as Jayce was counting the minutes until he would be late. The moment Viktor was ready, Jayce whisked him out the door, considering how much this challenge could possibly bite him in the ass.

“Where are we going?” Viktor finally spoke.

“First meeting,” Jayce responded. “Representatives from Demacia came all this way to meet with us.”

“Who’s included in ‘us’?” Viktor inquired. Jayce could define this as Viktor Has Awakened Phase 2: Too Many Questions. In a different setting, this curious Viktor could appear in moments of sleep deprivation. Jayce knew which version he was signing up for today.

“It’s just Mel and I. She’s familiar with their trade arrangements. We’re finding a middle ground, a transversal way to skip over Noxus completely since we brought the Hexgates into play.”

So many words, not enough energy. Viktor was wilting from the minute he woke up, but he wasn’t going to back out this soon. The words Jayce spoke went in one ear and out the other.

Viktor wasn’t going to let him speak to empty air. “That sounds interesting,” he said, and his tone came across more sarcastically than intended.

This resulted in a response from Jayce. “You don’t have to come with me, really. You can go back to bed. It’s not a huge deal, I know you’ve had a lot on your plate.”

Such a good partner, as always. Jayce’s care was one thing Viktor admired the most. It’s what drew Viktor to him in the first place: the way Jayce latched onto any hopes and dreams, any ways to get his point across. When Viktor met him, he was on the brink of death as a result of losing sight of the goal he’d been working towards all his life. Viktor could relate to that.

“I’m alright,” Viktor shook his head. He kissed Jayce’s lips ever so briefly, indicative of their closeness, and acting as a reassurance. “Carry on.”

Dragged along to the first meeting of the day, Viktor took advantage of this chance to see the sunrise. The outdoors were faintly illuminated, shades of orange and pink framing the eastern landscape. Viktor expectantly awaited the sun’s arrival, hoping it would wake him up.

As they neared the building in which the council hosted their meetings, Jayce checked in with Viktor again. “You can go back to sleep if you want. Just know that once I engage with these people, it’s not something I can turn off. There’s no bailing beyond now, until we get to a break.”

Viktor shrugged. “And? I can handle it. I’m right behind you.”

Shadowing Jayce seemed like an easy feat. He wasn’t intimidated in the slightest, just exhausted from the work he’d done the night before. Viktor couldn’t count on one hand the nights he’d gotten necessary sleep, focused on equations every waking moment apart from now. While this was a nice break for his brain, he was itching to get back to the lab. He’d left a problem hanging, as he always did, and it led to a desire to return.

Jayce went into the first meeting with poise. Viktor had never seen Councilor Talis live in action, but it was clear that this man was someone different than the man he slept next to. For starters, Councilor Talis was polished. He had no hesitations about political indifferences; in fact, he encouraged them. Debate was commonplace, and he was an active participant. Viktor was intrigued by the subject of their discussions with Demacia: classism, inequality, recklessness on behalf of the leaders.

The conversation continued on. Jayce spoke to a military man, someone in charge of Demacia’s extensive forces. Viktor found himself confused, trying to piece together this puzzle. Jayce hadn’t spoken of battle intentions, but this almost read as such. He did not ask any questions, committed to his dare to shadow Jayce and doing him a favor by not stirring up any possible trouble.

Once finished with his first meeting, Jayce shook hands with whomever he was corresponding with. Viktor watched from his side, and found a hand extended in his direction directly after. He obliged with a handshake, almost grateful to be acknowledged.

They moved on, something about picking up new equipment for the transcribers that dedicated their lives to documenting each conversation that occurred within the council. They found their way down to a public square, somewhere Viktor didn’t go often, as he didn’t have much of a reason to. Any equipment he needed, he acquired from Zaun or requested Jayce to bring it by (which Jayce always did, happily).

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jayce almost seemed concerned. The behavior flew over Viktor’s head, solely because he was intrigued by certain booths as they passed through a section of town consisting of resellers. These folks purchased important product and upsold the general public. Viktor knew it was legal, but was annoyed it was even a possibility.

“It could have been worse,” Viktor admitted. “What’s next?”

“We’re just making a quick stop, then I’m visiting the secondary school. The students are studying government, so I’m making an appearance and answering some questions.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t what he’d imagined, but it wasn’t the worst thing to do. Before he could say anything, Jayce continued.

“Mel suggested it. We were planning to do the event together but there was a last minute schedule change.” He looked down to Viktor with a smile. “I’m happy you’re going with me. I’m excited to show them the potential in connecting science and policy.”

Jayce seemed enthusiastic, which make Viktor smile. Jayce noticed, and Viktor caught a glimpse of that familiar sparkle in his eyes.

When they arrived at the secondary school, the students were still in class. Jayce and Viktor were introduced to the principal and lead teachers, and given a brief tour before being led into an auditorium.

The principal explained the format of this appearance, and Jayce listened attentively, asking relevant questions. Within the half-hour, the seats were filling with teenagers who chatted amongst themselves. The principal addressed the crowd first, and then stepped down for Jayce to take over.

Jayce began by introducing himself and Viktor, who chose to remain sitting offstage. (Being in the spotlight did not count as shadowing Jayce’s job.) He went on to explain his role as a council member, what responsibilities it entailed, and how he made it to this position. All in all, he spoke for some five minutes, deciding against pushing the limits of the class’s attention span.

Following his short speech, he informed the teenagers that he would be answering questions. Viktor missed the explanation of how he would interact with the students, completely lost in experiencing this Councilor Talis.

Seeing Jayce in this setting was causing Viktor’s thoughts to ruminate. At the start of the day, he’d been overthinking the same equation he left off on the night before, but now he was focused on the moment.

Jayce was currently being asked several different questions at once. He laughed, good-natured about the chaos, and raised his voice. “Okay, okay, one at a time. Let’s start up here in the front and work our way back.” He motioned to student in the front who had a notebook with him, pen at the ready.

The student was primed. “What advice do you have for someone wanting to pursue a political career?”

Jayce thought for a moment. Viktor was focused on him more than anyone else in the room. “Be prepared for anything. There are a lot of moving parts, and you have to be adaptable.” Jayce made eye contact with the owner of the next hand in the air, and nodded, encouraging speech.

Viktor lost the conversation at that point, too focused on Jayce to process anything being said. At some point he was brought back down to earth by a nudge on his arm.

He turned to see a red-haired teenage girl, dressed in all black. “Sorry,” she said. “I just wanted to ask you something, if that’s okay.” In waiting, she fidgeted with the hem of the sleeve on her jacket.

Viktor nodded. “Go ahead. I’m no politician, though, only a scientist.”

She smiled. “I know. I’ve heard about your work, although it’s hard to find any information about you.” She stopped messing with the cuff of the jacket and pulled it up slightly, raising her arm. Underneath the jacket was a brace of silver metal, fitted to her skin. “I had an accident when I was a kid. I’ve been trying to figure out the mobility on this, I thought you might know what to do.”

Viktor met her eyes again before looking at the brace closer. He raised his hand, hovering near. “May I?” She nodded. With permission, Viktor touched the brace, turning her forearm around ever-so-slightly to see it from an angle. “You did this on your own?”

Another nod from the girl, who remained silent as he examined the work.

“It’s very impressive, Miss…”

“Sienna,” she introduced. “And you’re Viktor.”

He smiled, happy to be recognized. “That I am.” He continued looking at the brace, and nodded. “I think this is a good start. I can see where you’re having trouble. I think it’s all about the measurements. See how it extends over the wrist just slightly?” He pointed to the metal piece. “It restricts. You want to feel aided, not hindered.”

Sienna’s eyes lit up. Viktor let go of the brace, and she twisted her arm to feel the resistance he spoke of. “Oh, that’s genius! Thank you so much. You’ve really helped, you have no idea.”

Satisfied with her answer, she began to drift back into the now-dispersing crowd of teens. “Anytime,” Viktor said, giving her a little wave as she went.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, then and turned to see Jayce, who had caught the end of the conversation and hadn’t dared interrupt. Jayce’s hand lingered even as Viktor turned, and then made its way down his arm and to his hand, holding it tight. His expression was one of admiration. “Ready to go?”

Viktor wanted Jayce alone, but he knew that wasn’t happening anytime soon. “Where to next?”

“Back into another meeting, this time with the council. It may get heated. We’ll find out.” Jayce motioned towards the door, letting Viktor lead them back out of the building. He was always close behind.

Once outside, Jayce remained by Viktor’s side. Due to the distance between the future meeting room and the school, they opted to take transportation. They both took a moment to sit and breathe in silence, resting from how busy it had been. Jayce was revisiting possible topics to bring up at the meeting. Viktor was imagining him breathing heavy on the council bathroom counter.

“How are you doing?” Jayce checked in again. Viktor was in another world. “Viktor?” Even that didn’t work. Jayce put his hand up and waved. “Hello? Viktor?”

Back to earth. “Sorry,” Viktor said. “There’s… a lot on my mind.”

Jayce’s face fell, assuming Viktor was talking about work. He knew it was important, because he thought it held the same importance to him.

Viktor noticed the shift, and reached out to touch Jayce’s knee. “I’m here, Jayce,” he said. “I’m on the job with you. Just tell me what to do.”

Jayce was pleased to hear that Viktor was willing to keep following him around. Viktor was internally screaming at Jayce for being right — this was a busy job. It was also entertaining, as long as he got to witness Councilor Talis in action.

Their arrival at the council meeting kicked off another spur of important events: Jayce negotiating with the rest of the members about economic stability, lines of defense, even future changes to their own scheduling.

Viktor remained in a chair beside Jayce, attempting to keep up with the quick conversation. He was glad he didn’t have to remember any of this. He was also starting to see why Jayce was so tired when he came in after a full day of meetings.

“It would be a poor use of our resources,” Jayce was saying, and Viktor was lost on the subject entirely. “There’s no reason for us to spend beyond our means when we own the means of production.”

“Production that is executed better by an outside source, mind you,” Salo argued. “What persuades anyone to choose our method over something that delivers faster?”

Another eruption of back-and-forth. All the while, Viktor became more focused on his partner. This longing had been overtaking him all day, and he was nearly at his wits end. He found himself daydreaming about where this specific scene could take them: the meeting concluding, everyone else leaving the room, him convincing Jayce to stay behind. He could imagine the feeling of Jayce’s hands on him, the cold surface of the table, the acoustics in a space this large…

The meeting continued on. Minutes passed, and half an hour, and then a full hour… which extended into another. Viktor was itching to get home, and for once, it wasn’t work-related. When the council finally came to an agreement on the last topic, Jayce seemed relieved. Everyone dispersed, and Jayce turned to Viktor for unprompted approval.

“You’re very well-spoken,” Viktor affirmed.

Jayce smiled, confidence refreshed. “Thank you.” He picked up the pages he’d been referring to during the meeting, and stood. “I just have to stop by the lab, and then we can head back.”

The lab! An excellent place for the things that were on Viktor’s mind. It wouldn’t be the first time they utilized the space, and surely it wouldn’t be the last. Viktor followed Jayce out, falling behind with the intent purpose of watching Jayce as he led the way. His partner was far too attentive, slowing just the slightest so Viktor could catch up. Therefore Viktor forfeited the view he’d worked for, and they travelled side-by-side.

At the lab, Jayce moved quickly. He dropped off the notes he’d referred to at the meeting, and searched around for other notes he planned to look over with his morning coffee the following day. When he found them, Viktor was standing nearby, completely lost to his imagination.

Jayce was surprised Viktor wasn’t rushing to finish any of his equations. In all honesty, he’d expected for this lab visit to be more of a drop-off for Viktor to inevitably spend the night working. It was a way for Jayce to guarantee he could say goodnight.

Viktor, on the other hand, was exercising self-control. He’d made it to this point so Jayce couldn’t say anything about him distracting from the work day, and this felt like the home stretch. Forget the moments they could share here and now: he was going to get Jayce home, and he was going to tire him out. “Ready?” Viktor asked.

Jayce was visibly excited to go home together. He nodded, smiling faintly, and leaned down to give Viktor a brief kiss. He had no clue of the effect it had on Viktor, making it infinitely harder to continue waiting until they were home. Viktor remained where he was as Jayce began to exit, and Jayce seemed concerned when he looked back, as if Viktor may change his mind about returning home.

Meanwhile, Viktor was once again lost in thought. Jayce still had no clue. Viktor caught up, his longing guiding the way home. He was getting closer to abandoning all sense of decency and jumping Jayce in the street. As he genuinely considered the consequences of a detour, their final destination came into sight.

Jayce, unaware of Viktor’s thoughts, approached the door. He reached in his pocket for his keys, and found the one corresponding to the door. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“I told you I could handle it,” Viktor remarked.

“You proved me wrong,” Jayce said, unlocking the door. Viktor watched him intently, counting each second it took him to let them inside. The moment the door was open, Viktor pushed Jayce inside. “Hey,” Jayce protested.

Viktor didn’t have a thing to say in response. He blindly pushed the door shut and reached for the crisp jacket Jayce only wore as councilor, pulling him right into a kiss. It was immediately intense, catching Jayce off guard. He easily adjusted, giving into the rush. Viktor threw Jayce’s jacket somewhere near the door.

Jayce was backing up, then, with Viktor’s guidance. Viktor continued kissing him, slowly moving them to the bedroom, fingers working at Jayce’s shirt, kicking off his own shoes. Jayce did the same, leading Viktor to trip on them, which caused him to accidentally overestimate the door in their blind travel. Jayce’s back hit the door frame, halting their motion.

“Are you okay?” Viktor immediately asked, pausing the action of undressing Jayce.

Now that Viktor had started things off, Jayce was equally into it. He didn’t speak a verbal confirmation of his wellbeing, he just moved himself into the actual doorframe, put his hands on Viktor’s hips, and kept moving backwards to bring them further into the room. Viktor finished getting rid of Jayce’s shirt, and threw it wherever they were now, reaching for his belt. Jayce was matching the energy, unbuttoning Viktor’s shirt.

Viktor pushed Jayce to sit down on the bed as they got close enough, but he remained standing for a moment, staring down at his lover. He shook his head. “You looked good in that outfit.” He moved closer, reaching for Jayce’s chin and angling his face upwards, looking down at a very attentive councilor. “You don’t know what I went through today, watching you walk around in it, having to wait to take it off.”

Jayce remained where Viktor directed him, expectant. “I was elated to have you with me. You know I would do whatever you asked.”

“I know,” Viktor said in a low tone. He leaned down, kissing Jayce gently. Jayce followed his lead. It was gentle for all of a minute, before Viktor changed up the mood. He sank into Jayce’s lap, giving himself a better angle. He reached down to finish undoing Jayce’s belt, settling to undo his pants and pushing Jayce backwards onto the bed.

Viktor wasn’t wasting any time. Shirt still hanging from his shoulders, completely unbuttoned, he kissed Jayce’s neck and down to his chest before returning to his lips. He took control, reaching down and playing with Jayce to rile him up before taking all of him in. He sighed heavily upon the initial contact, and Jayce reached up to touch his cheek.

Viktor moved his head to kiss Jayce’s palm, and worked on the pacing. Jayce let him have control, taken by Viktor’s forwardness this time around. The last times they’d engaged in this sort of activity, Jayce had been the one taking the lead. Jayce had even gotten the impression he wanted it more. Now was completely the opposite: Jayce was captivated by Viktor’s desire.

Another sigh from Viktor, this one louder and followed by a sound of pleasure. His hands found Jayce’s chest, and Jayce’s rested on Viktor’s hips. Jayce was having a good time, satisfaction increased by his perception of Viktor’s need. A slight change in the pace, and Viktor became increasingly more verbal until he muttered a quiet “Oh my god, Jayce.” He stopped, then, collapsing onto Jayce’s chest, breathing heavily. “I’m sorry.”

The smallest laugh from a very amused Jayce. “Already?”

Still catching his breath, Viktor nodded against Jayce’s chest. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“What for?” returned Jayce, running his hands through Viktor’s hair.

Viktor’s mood never faltered. “I’ve needed you all day, more than you know.” He kissed Jayce’s neck before propping himself up again, meeting his lips hard.

Impressed with the order of events, Jayce continued following Viktor’s lead during the increasingly intense make-out. He reached up and finally got rid of Viktor’s shirt. Within a few minutes, Jayce gripped Viktor’s hips and flipped them so he could look downwards at his lover. Viktor hardly broke the kiss during the switch.

“Let me take care of you,” Jayce interrupted. Viktor pulled him back into another kiss, seemingly unwilling to let them part. Jayce had another idea, moving from Viktor’s lips down to his neck, trailing to his chest and his stomach, and then even lower, territory he’d claimed as his own. He finished undressing Viktor, and moved to give him another kiss on the lips. “Yeah?”

Viktor nodded, and Jayce returned to tracing his way down Viktor’s body. The very moment he set to work at his destination, Viktor inhaled sharply and exhaled deep.

Jayce should have received an award for his skill with his tongue. Viktor had seen him as Councilor Talis, delivering well-worded speeches and getting his point across. This was a different use of his ability, something reserved for his partner.

Viktor admired how the feeling took him to another place. This moment was a world all its own, somewhere with endless clear skies and just enough light, lush forests surrounding the beautiful isolation they lived in. Jayce took him on a journey through the trees, up to a mountain that both of them were intent on climbing.

Jayce took the longest path up the mountain, guiding Viktor through the landscape. When Viktor noticed a shortcut, Jayce kept him walking down the same winding road, leaving Viktor aching to find the summit and see the view. It came into sight, now, and Jayce gave him the nudge he needed to finally reach the top.

Viktor’s hands were tangled in Jayce’s hair. Jayce returned to his lips by taking the long way home: trailing gentle kisses up Viktor’s body. Viktor met him halfway, eager. Jayce was determined to keep the control for a little longer, and Viktor pushed back on it.

The intensity of Jayce’s desire caused him to nonverbally emphasize his desire to lead. Viktor deferred, wanting Jayce to find satisfaction as he had before. Jayce wanted it concurrently with his partner, which led him to position Viktor on the edge of the bed. When he moved himself inside, Viktor thought the sound was heavenly. Jayce’s hands drifted from Viktor’s hands to his waist, his chosen place of rest.

Loving Jayce was all there was for Viktor. Jayce was kind to him, and caring in every way. Even now, he made Viktor his priority, looking down at him with an indescribable glint in his eye: a reflection of fascination, passion, and adoration. Viktor caught each meaning, cherishing the fact that he could feel this understood. Jayce was the only person who’d ever made Viktor aware of the fact that there was beauty beyond his flaws.

In a similar sense, loving Viktor was everything to Jayce. Viktor was intelligent, something that had initially drawn his interest. It served him well in the way he remembered all of the details about Jayce: his preferences, his deepest thoughts, the expressions he made to himself when he was focused. Jayce only ever desired to be near him, most comfortable in his presence. These private nights meant more to him than any achievement.

Jayce was setting the pace this time around, and Viktor was incapable of keeping himself together. It had been a long time since Jayce had seen him like this: visibly sweating, craving closeness until they could go no further, only desiring more despite fulfillment. Viktor was, in every sense of the word, desperate. Jayce was, in every sense of the role, a people-pleaser.

“Hang in there,” Jayce muttered, in response to Viktor speaking up. Viktor responded in breaths, heavy and hitched. “Wait for me.”

Viktor nodded, unable to say anything through the intense satisfaction. He would shadow Jayce a hundred more shifts if this was the outcome. He always wanted his lover in this way, but it was magnified in this circumstance.

“Fuck,” Jayce was barely audible. He was working now, keeping Viktor from tipping over the edge. He gripped Viktor’s hips, more focused on maintaining the pacing and the consistency and less so on the possibility of bruises in the morning. Viktor agreed with the decision.

Viktor shifted, then, causing Jayce to slow his rhythm. “You’re almost there,” Jayce encouraged. “Wait for me.”

“I can’t,” Viktor breathed, hands finding Jayce’s on his own hips.

“You can,” Jayce groaned. “I’m almost there.”

Viktor found a grip on the sheets, and Jayce reveled at the sight. He considered it an honor to be this person for Viktor, who he believed to be the most important figure in his life. Without Viktor, he wouldn’t be here today. Without Viktor…

“Okay,” Jayce murmured, breathing heavily from the exertion.

Finally, they finished together. Viktor grasped at Jayce’s arm, holding onto him tight, even as Jayce laid down next to him. Jayce searched Viktor’s eyes for any nonverbal communication. Once he’d barely caught his breath, Viktor kissed him again.

When the kissing continued longer than expected, Jayce laughed against Viktor’s lips. “You want to go again?”

“Mmhm,” Viktor affirmed as he kissed Jayce, forgoing language and instead running his hands through his lover’s hair. Jayce obliged to continue on, wrapping his arms around Viktor’s waist. Almost as if in sync, they each reached down with the intention of pleasing the other. And so it became a sort of game as they continued to kiss, tongues exploring familiar territory.

This wasn’t new for them. They’d been dating long enough to understand each other well enough, so well that they knew precisely how the other wanted it. All parts of their bodies were useful to one another, especially their hands, which they utilized now. Jayce gasped against Viktor’s lips, and Viktor smirked.

“Wait for me,” Viktor whispered, teasing Jayce with his own words from before.

This was the first time since they started that Jayce was truly at Viktor’s mercy. Viktor knew exactly what to do, how to make him feel just right. It was harder to focus since Jayce was doing the same to him, but he was determined to win.

For Jayce, the experience was more like crossing an ocean. There was an island off in the distance, and Viktor was rowing the boat that drew them closer, perfect clouds dotting the sky above the horizon. Viktor knew how to cross the sea directly, but he seemed intent on weaving through the waves, slow and steady.

There was no sense of Viktor’s plan to reach the island, only that he was guiding Jayce just as Jayce had before. While Viktor was patient along his previous journey up the mountain, Jayce didn’t care if he jumped overboard. He decided to swim to shore.

Jayce took control again, switching the tides. Viktor found himself staring up into his eyes, which spoke of his hunger. Viktor was equally approving of the change, feeling as if he was knowing Councilor Talis as opposed to his research partner.

Crossing this ocean on his own accord required more effort, but yielded better results. Jayce was a voyager, and he carried them both. He catered to each of their needs, finding his way inside Viktor once again and verbally appreciating this new position. Viktor wrapped his arm’s around Jayce’s neck to keep him close, needing the symphony of Jayce’s approving breaths in his ear.

“You’re everything to me,” Jayce said, tone low, barely a whisper.

“Show me,” Viktor returned, just as quiet.

Jayce didn’t have to be told twice. He focused, the faintest noises finding their way from his throat to Viktor’s ear. A barely audible murmur of Viktor’s name, a heavy exhale, all of it made his partner spiral. As they reached the island from the initial journey, Jayce looked to see if Viktor was close behind. Viktor sensed this inquiry, and nodded, his cheek brushing Jayce’s.

“Go on,” he said, speaking of the shore they neared. Jayce listened, and Viktor was thinking of any mathematic formula that would allow him to bottle up this moment for future reference. At a loss for any ways to immortalize the feeling, he followed Jayce’s lead as he made it to the beach. The sun shone brighter than ever from this place in the landscape, and the relief of arrival washed over both of them.

Exhausted from his efforts, Jayce collapsed onto Viktor. Both of them were breathing heavily, out of sync but in a way that still sounded symphonic: rounds, harmonizing. They remained there until Viktor tapped Jayce’s arm. “You’re heavy,” he said.

“Sorry,” was Jayce’s response as he lifted himself back up, kissing Viktor. He then rolled to lay next to him, staring up at the ceiling. “Fuck,” he murmured. “You wanted me that bad, all day?”

“I want you that bad, all the time,” Viktor turned to face him, laying on his side. “We’ve been busy, but I miss you.”

Jayce just smiled, and Viktor could see his cheeks flush. It made Viktor smile in return, and he touched Jayce’s cheek, a gentle gesture.

Viktor continued before Jayce could speak, tracing his fingers across his partner’s skin. “I wish we could be here forever. I wish I could stop the flow of time, just to stay with you.”

It was a somber shift of topic, a reminder that Viktor had limited time. Jayce hated to talk about it, but he gently caught Viktor’s hand and kissed the back of it. “We’ll find a way,” he said.

Viktor smiled again, but it was sad. He nodded in affirmation, falling quiet. Jayce knew where his thoughts had wandered to, because he knew Viktor.

Jayce gave him a kiss on the forehead. “You go take a shower,” he said, combing through Viktor’s hair with his fingers. “I’ll change the bedding, and I’ll be right there.”

Viktor nodded again, listening to Jayce and heading towards the door directly off of the bedroom. It was a large bathroom, one they’d spent plenty of time in together, getting ready or discovering new ways to explore each other. Viktor’s mood shifts were not atypical, especially in the moments where he was able to grasp all that he would miss when he did reach the end of the road. He tried not to think about it, turning the shower on and waiting for the water to warm up.

Jayce was right behind him, as promised. It only took him a few minutes to get their room ready for sleep, and when he wandered to the bathroom, he found Viktor sitting and staring. The dissociation wasn’t uncommon, and Jayce knew how to bring him back to earth. He walked to Viktor and put a hand on his back, a gesture that spoke of his care for Viktor and his own love language of physical touch.

“Hey,” Jayce said, voice quiet, easy to break through Viktor’s trance. He successfully drew Viktor’s attention, and his lover looked up at him, sighing.

“Sorry,” Viktor said. He shook his head, as if it would expel the thoughts. He hated feeling like this, especially after he spent all day wallowing in longing and reaching for a moment that already occurred. The previous experiences felt futile, some heartbreaking resolve that he assumed it would be the last time. Many moments felt like the last time, even if they weren’t. It felt impossible to overcome.

His partner was understanding. “For what?” Jayce said, hand still on Viktor’s back, tracing circles that grounded his racing thoughts. “Let me help with your brace.”

Viktor nodded, still nearly nonverbal, a position he was only in upon waking and nearing bedtime. Jayce could sense his exhaustion, and did all of the work to unfasten the bolts and screws that kept Viktor’s leg in working condition. Free of the brace for once, Viktor sighed, hand rubbing his upper thigh.

“Is it still causing resistance?” Jayce asked, looking up at Viktor from where he knelt in front of him. “I can adjust it to be more comfortable.”

“It’s perfect,” Viktor said. It was hard to be in this state. Jayce had known him prior, and he almost felt burdensome for needing this much attention. He meant his words, though: the brace was as comfortable as it could be. Even with the odd pressure points and occasional blisters, it was better than living without it.

The steam from the hot water running in the shower was starting to cloud the room, and Jayce offered support to Viktor, who took it. Together, they stepped into the shower, something Jayce was hoping to have replaced soon so Viktor would have a place to sit during the rare moments he wasn’t in the brace.

Where Viktor had taken the lead in kicking off events, Jayce took the lead in the interim between the action and falling asleep. He took care of Viktor, washing his hair, giving him gentle kisses under the showerhead. Viktor was grateful, albeit lost in his pre-sleep nonverbal exhaustive state.

Jayce was aware, taking care of him and sitting him down once they were finished, wrapping a towel around Viktor’s shoulders and singlehandedly focusing on reinstalling Viktor’s brace before he dressed himself. Viktor reached down to help, and Jayce stopped him, shaking his head.

“I got you,” Jayce said, a guarantee that he was willing to take care of his partner. It wasn’t the first time he’d done this for Viktor, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

“Thank you,” Viktor responded, looking at Jayce with affection. He didn’t have much energy to speak paragraphs of admiration, but it was understood between them. Jayce knew everything about Viktor, from the way he communicated when he wasn’t able to speak to the way he preferred to sleep in the brace to prevent twisting and turning during the night. Jayce had been there when he’d woken up in pain in the middle of the night. Jayce had been there when he was unable to speak for days after a temporary illness. Jayce had been there when he thought no one was.

He helped walk Viktor back to their room, and put the crutch by his side of the bed. Viktor was grateful beyond words, and Jayce understood beyond language.

When Jayce settled into bed, Viktor was already asleep. Jayce watched him until he could stay awake no longer, drifting off with peace knowing that his partner was comfortable. He had to get up early in the morning, but every opportunity he was given to be with him was taken. Viktor knew of his love, but Jayce's was deeper than perception: care within his very bones, something Viktor could not see without ripping him apart. Settled next to Viktor, Jayce found it easy to sleep, remaining close enough to feel his partner’s warmth without the complaints of his own body heat.

In the early morning, Jayce pulled Viktor close before his departure. Despite feeling overheated from his partner’s closeness, Viktor refrained from complaint, recognizing that this sort of care only came around once in a lifetime. In all timelines, he would search for this Jayce, desiring any semblance of what they had experienced together.

[marjoch]

happy progress day

Jayce is drunk, and Viktor fancies a smoke. The events that occur on Progress Day, and the evening directly after.

[18+]

Progress Day.

To some, it was a holiday. An off day. For Viktor, it was just another late evening at the lab, faithfully working. Despite the hour, he barely felt any inkling of exhaustion. There were things to do, things beyond sleep. There would be plenty of rest come the end. His body was failing him, and his mind made up for it, racking through solutions and rationalizing every equation that led him closer to a conclusion. He was told to wait a decade, but he would be damned if it wasn’t done before he was out of time.

He was focused now, pen in hand, documenting his latest findings. He’d made a few new discoveries, things he was excited to share with his partner Jayce come the morning. Once he was finished with his notes, he set the notebook on the table, pen on the pages to keep it open. Then he stood, returned to the chalkboard, erased a section, and started working again.

This problem was more complicated. He never dreaded equations, but this had been haunting him for days. Now that he was facing it, he felt like he was suiting up for battle. He was on one side of the war, armed with his wits and a piece of chalk. The numbers were on the other side, with no weapons apart from their own orders and properties. He knew how their playing field worked. He only had to put the soldiers in the right positions.

Viktor finished writing out the mathematics and began to look over it. There was a starting point here, if he could find it. He did, easily, and started to solve. Some time into his attempt, he groaned in frustration, and went back to the start.

Minutes passed. Hell, hours. Viktor pondered the problem until his head started to hurt, and he returned to his notes, nearly sure he’d missed something. It was all correct, much to his dismay. Sighing, he resolved to take a break in the form of smoking.

Usually, Viktor was respectful of the workspace. He took his break outside, away from anyone, and did his best to smell clean when he came back in. If Jayce had noticed his occasional habit, he never said anything. Tonight, with the absence of anyone apart from himself, he lit up in front of the chalkboard.

Within a few hits, the equation seemed less menacing and more like a puzzle. Halfway through the joint, he started to solve again, the filter between his lips when his hands were busy with the chalk and eraser.

“Oh, hey,” said a voice from the doorway.

Viktor nearly dropped the joint, which was still burning. He turned to see his partner standing there, still in his day clothes. The room was dim, because Viktor believed in saving energy when he could. “Hello,” was his response.

Jayce came closer, and wrinkled his nose. “You smoke?”

“You didn’t know?” Viktor asked, raising an eyebrow as if his secret should have been clear from the start. He took another hit while Jayce watched closely. Sensing his gaze, Viktor extended the joint.

That’s not what Jayce was after, but he stepped forward and took the joint anyway. Viktor watched his gait, noticing the slightest imbalances. Jayce took a small hit from the joint and immediately started coughing, doubled over.

The intensity of the cough surprised Viktor, who took the joint back and held it away from Jayce to prevent the smoke from coming near him. “Are you okay?” Viktor asked, concerned.

“I’m fine,” Jayce choked, taking a few deep breaths before returning back to his full height. “I’m fine.”

Viktor watched him for a second. “Are you fine?” Jayce made eye contact with him. There was the smallest beat of silence. Viktor had something else to ask, amidst the empty space. “Are you drunk?”

“Happy Progress Day?” said Jayce in response, shrugging with his hands up.

“Happy Progress Day,” responded Viktor, taking the last hit of the joint. He looked back at the chalkboard, which drew Jayce’s attention.

“Wow,” Jayce sighed, walking closer to the equation Viktor had written out. “You did all this?”

Viktor hurried back to his notebook, picking it up. The pen rolled off the pages and hit the desk with a faint clatter. He brought the notebook to Jayce. “I worked out the other equation, I documented it all. I’ll show you all of this again in the morning, when your mind is more attuned.”

Jayce wasn’t focused on the notebook. When his eyes left the chalkboard, they found Viktor, and they never left. He listened, as attentively as someone inebriated could.

Viktor noticed Jayce’s focus was off, and sighed. “Is there something on your mind? I can do this later.”

Jayce shook his head. “You’re just so smart.”

Viktor was caught off guard by the compliment, but he played it off. “I imagine they don’t choose idiots to be a council member’s assistant. It’s been years since, but I doubt I lost my wits in the meantime.”

“No,” Jayce shook his head again, this time with more fervor. “No, not like that. I just mean… you have an understanding beyond everyone else’s. You amaze me. I don’t know how you do it.”

Viktor chuckled a little, somehow out of awkwardness. The things Jayce said were unspoken truths between them, sentiments that they shared about each other. “Thank you, Jayce,” was his response. Then, thinking of his friend’s wellbeing, he continued. “You should get some rest. I can explain all of this to you tomorrow.”

Another head shake from Jayce. It made Viktor realize the state he was in, despite how hard he was working to feign sobriety. “I want to stay here, with you.”

Viktor shrugged. “Okay,” he said. He turned back to the chalkboard, collecting his thoughts. He had a good train of thought that was derailed by Jayce’s arrival, and remained off the tracks with him still in the room.

It was an odd feeling. Usually, he worked better with Jayce next to him.

“I can help,” said Jayce, speaking up. “Let me see that.” He held out his hand, expectantly waiting for the chalk.

“I don’t think-”

Before Viktor could continue, Jayce took the chalk out of his grip and started working.

“Jayce,” Viktor began to protest, but as his partner worked, he stood back in silence. Whatever alcohol was in Jayce’s body was no inhibitant to his skill with mathematics. Right before Viktor’s eyes, Jayce worked out half the problem. When he found himself stumped, he stepped back.

“You got me there,” Jayce spoke to the chalkboard. Viktor watched him stand back, arms crossed, fervently studying.

“You’re smart yourself,” said Viktor, repeating Jayce’s compliment from before. He held out his hand for the chalk, and Jayce obliged. Stepping up to the chalkboard, Viktor worked out the rest of the problem… nearly.

While Viktor was standing close to the chalkboard looking over the last variables, Jayce was standing from behind. He wasn’t focused on the equation, though. In fact, he’d only been forcing focus for the sake of his partner, because that’s what Viktor wanted to do at this hour, and he liked spending time with him.

That, and Jayce Talis had a massive crush.

It had been growing for years now. He’d stuffed it down in hopes it would disappear, like it had with every other crush. He liked Mel Medarda, but was it the desire for allyship? He knew she was on his side, and that’s what he needed. He was on her side, too. He enjoyed her companionship, she was devastatingly stunning, and he would be so lucky to spend a single minute with her.

But Viktor…

With the drinks in his body, it was easier to fantasize they were something more than partners. Viktor didn’t even have to know that from back here, Jayce was imagining they were something more. Watching Viktor stand at the chalkboard, pretending he was a lover… it was a nice thought.

A thought that Jayce didn’t get to ponder long enough before Viktor interrupted his beautiful trance. “What do you think, Jayce?”

Just hearing his name on Viktor’s lips made his head spin. He was fighting to keep himself composed, but the liquor had another idea entirely. “I think you’re beautiful.”

Viktor, who’d found Jayce to be haunting his dreams on and off for years, was shocked to hear the sentiment returned. He turned around and found himself captivated by Jayce’s gaze: one of adoration, care, and longing.

Dismissively as possible, Viktor scoffed and turned back to the board. “Really, Jayce. I could use your brain, if it’s working.”

“It’s working,” Jayce said, not faltering from his current thoughts. For Viktor’s sake, he turned his attention back to the board. Through his intense thoughts of desire, he pieced one of the numbers together. Instead of asking for the chalk, he took it directly from Viktor’s hand, fingers grazing palm. The contact alone sent shivers down both of their spines.

Watching Jayce work out another portion of the equation gave Viktor’s thoughts time to ruminate. Now that he was the one behind Jayce, he took in the sight. He’d been here many times before in those dreams, always leading to something he’d never ask for in waking life. Oh, to hear his name said in a different context, Viktor, Viktor….

“Viktor?” Jayce’s voice cut through the trance.

“Hm?”

Jayce held out the chalk. “Check my work?”

Viktor took the chalk, nodding. “Of course.”

His turn to stand in front of the board again. Viktor went through the work, seeing the attempt at a completed problem. Finding a fault, he shook his head. “This, here. This doesn’t fit.”

Jayce was paying attention. He stepped up beside Viktor, ready to listen.

“I don’t know what fits. Just… not this.”

“Do you have another joint?” Jayce was wildly off-topic.

Viktor hesitated, but gave in. “Do you want to smoke?”

Jayce shrugged. “Only if you want.”

Viktor was content to smoke more. He went to his bag, dug out another joint, and lit it up. The first drag was enough to make him sigh in relief. Not only did it help settle his mind, it succored the pain he was used to living with.

When he passed the joint to Jayce, it was clear that his partner’s eyes were elsewhere. He could’ve dropped it just to maintain his gaze on Viktor, and Viktor noticed.

“I’m gonna sit down, if you want to.” Jayce proposed it like a suggestion, but his immediate change of position to sit on the floor made it obvious that he was going for it regardless.

Viktor looked down at the floor, and then back at Jayce. He was considering the effort it would take to lower himself down and back up again when Jayce sprang up.

“Just kidding,” said Jayce, who took note of his partner’s hesitations. He handed the joint back to Viktor. “Chairs.”

Without any prompting, Jayce brought their chairs over from the table Viktor had been working at earlier. He sat in one of them, and waited for Viktor to take the other. Viktor did, breathing in through the joint.

When Viktor offered the joint to Jayce, Jayce just waved his hand. “I’m good.”

“You wanted to smoke,” said Viktor, hand still extended.

“I wanted to watch you smoke,” confessed Jayce, eyes focused on his partner.

Viktor paused, then shrugged and continued smoking on his own. “Interesting thought.”

“Am I not allowed to think it?”

“I never said that.”

“Do you like that I think it?”

Viktor took a long drag before he motioned to Jayce with his finger. “Come here.”

Jayce was eager, pulling up his chair closer in an instant. Viktor blew the smoke in his face. Jayce coughed and shook his head. “What the hell, Viktor.”

Viktor’s smile when Jayce’s vision cleared was enough to warrant forgiveness. Hell, he was resisting the urge to ask him to do it again, just to see that same smile.

“I’m sorry,” Viktor said, with amusement. “I won’t do it again.” He went on smoking for another minute, then he asked, “Want to try something?”

Jayce was the type of man to try anything once, especially when it was suggested by someone close to his heart. His chair was already close to Viktor’s, but he inched up even more. “Sure.”

His yearning was visible, but Viktor was dragging it along. It was nice to discover that his partner felt similarly about him. Viktor breathed in through the joint, then motioned Jayce closer. “Open your mouth.”

Jayce, already captivated by Viktor’s presence, complied. He sat there obediently, mouth agape, while Viktor breathed the smoke into it.

“Breathe,” was Viktor’s instruction as he exhaled, and Jayce listened.

Viktor sat back as Jayce exhaled the smoke passed to him. Jayce took in the sight, locked into the moment. No amount of self-control was getting him through the night, however. Instead of sitting back in his chair, he remained leaned forward, arms propped up on his knees. “How much longer is that gonna take?” Jayce asked, referring to the joint.

Viktor looked at it. “I can be done, if you’re tired of it.”

Jayce shook his head, perhaps a bit too quickly. “No, carry on.”

As Viktor finished smoking, the two of them sat in a comfortable silence. Viktor looked at the equation on the board while Jayce looked at Viktor. When the joint was done, Viktor seemed like he was going to stand up. “Back to work.”

“Wait,” said Jayce, before his partner could move.

Viktor paused, looking to Jayce expectantly. When there was nothing to be said, he prepared to rise again, but was interrupted by Jayce coming much closer than before and the sensation of lips pushed to his own.

It felt natural. Kissing Jayce was like drinking water: necessary, something to be desired in its absence, and now that he’d tasted just a drop, he needed his thirst quenched. It took everything in him not to pull Jayce closer, especially now that he could taste the alcohol on his breath.

“You’re drunk,” murmured Viktor, halting the moment.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jayce said, tone so low it gave Viktor goosebumps. “I want you all the time.”

This night had taken a turn. He’d started off working on his own, pondering numbers and equations and all the things leading up to eventual payoff. There were goals to work for, problems to solve, and ideas to pitch. This took precedence.

“You don’t mean that,” was Viktor’s response, spoken with a shake of his head.

“I’ve always meant it,” Jayce remained close, looking into Viktor’s eyes even when Viktor looked away.

“I want you when you’re sober,” Viktor spoke.

Jayce sighed, and it devastated Viktor. His partner exhaled with all the energy of a wounded dog, a disappointed sound that was indescribable in any other way. “Drunk Jayce never has any fun.”

It took everything in Viktor not to laugh. “I’m not going to take advantage of you being inebriated.”

“You’re inebriated too,” said Jayce pointedly. “You’ve smoked two joints.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Kinda seems like the same thing to me,” Jayce continued. He remained where he was, close but far enough for Viktor to stand up at any moment.

Viktor wasn’t going anywhere. He was currently considering his options, weighing the possible regrets of any actions he could take. He leaned back in his chair. “Don’t you have meetings tomorrow?”

Jayce sighed of annoyance, finally sitting back in his chair and momentarily glancing at the ceiling before returning his gaze to Viktor. “Don’t remind me. From sunup to sundown, I’m stuck in back-to-back meetings with the most esteemed officials representing important politicians. In short: very boring, alarmingly corrupt.”

“You need to get some sleep.” Viktor hadn’t seen a clock in hours, but last he checked, it was already late. He stood up, and motioned towards the door with his head. “I’ll go, too. Be back here tomorrow night?”

Jayce was willing to leave if Viktor was going. For one, he didn’t like being alone in the lab this late without him. For another, he knew Viktor didn’t get the sleep he needed. Jayce had been there overnight many times before, and Viktor was nearly always working longer hours.

They left together, then, going their respective ways. When Viktor returned the next day, he saw the chairs still there in the middle of the room, and couldn’t help but smile to himself.

Violent events overnight landed Viktor and Jayce in front of the council the next morning, discussing the safeguards that should be placed on their new technology. Jayce walked away a newly-appointed council member, and Viktor returned to the lab.

The rest of the day passed quickly for Viktor, who was fully dedicated to his work. Jayce, on the other hand, suffered through the rest of his meetings. Preoccupied with business from the moment he woke up, he hardly had time to process the previous night’s events. This processing time coincided with his evening walk to their lab. Entering, he found most of the confidence he had the night before was diminished.

“Viktor,” he said his partner’s name in greeting. “Sorry I’m late. Trade dispute.”

Viktor was scrawling away in his notebook, detailing how the day had gone. So many things solved, yet so many to go. “Sounds fun,” he remarked, not looking up from his notes. He was determined to get all of his thoughts down before his head became clouded with new possibilities.

Jayce read it differently. Where a short response from Viktor may have been normal before, he found himself wondering if the night before had been too much. “Anything of importance today?”

Viktor finished his notes, and then flipped back several pages. “Actually, I wanted to review what I went over last night, just so it’s clear.”

He handed the notebook to Jayce, who went through it before walking to the chalkboard. The problem was still there, untouched.

“I wanted to wait for you,” Viktor said. “I don’t know. Drunk Jayce, as you called yourself, was very helpful.”

Jayce shook his head. “I’m sorry I barged in on your work night.”

“You were very helpful,” he repeated. “You almost finished it. I think it’s your calling.”

Jayce smiled and stepped up to the board, handing the notebook back to Viktor in passing. Viktor watched him work, paying attention to the numbers. Jayce’s mind moved faster than his in this particular moment, and since he wasn’t needing to solve anything, Viktor chose to watch him instead.

“I think that’s it,” said Jayce, with enthusiasm. He turned, and caught Viktor’s eyes. Viktor immediately looked to the equation, perhaps where he should have been looking all along.

As he attempted to double-check Jayce’s work, he found himself completely distracted. Jayce sensed it. When Viktor didn’t have any corrections or any positive remarks for a minute, Jayce touched his shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

Viktor pulled himself together, looking at Jayce. “Yes, sorry.” The hand came off of his shoulder, and he missed the touch.

“Does it look alright?” Jayce asked, expectantly. “The solution.”

Viktor trained his gaze on the board again and went through it. On time, he responded, “That looks good to me. Very nice.” He knew damn well he would have to go back and check later.

“Very nice,” Jayce repeated, smiling again.

Viktor was still holding the notebook, and he went back to the desk for his pen now. Setting the notebook down, he began jotting his thoughts.

There was that nagging feeling again, the sense that Jayce was watching him. Viktor made eye contact with him, waiting for him to speak, but nothing came of it. The moment became so prolonged that it felt more like a social experiment on how long it could go, or even a competition of who would outlast the other.

Viktor was the loser. “I have to finish this.” He went back to the notebook, while Jayce walked over and found a seat in the chair next to him.

The pair of them were always inextricably attracted to each other, almost in a magnetic sense. Instead of sitting side by side, they tended to face inwards towards each other. Jayce particularly liked it because it was less obvious when he stole glances.

“You’ve been working all day, take a break.”

Viktor never looked up or faltered in his writing. “Take a break? We don’t have time for that. Besides, this won’t take me long.”

Jayce was usually content to watch him work, as he’d done this times before. It had been an indulgence he’d savored in the rare moments when they weren’t both preoccupied. After last night, however, his longing was becoming unsustainable through gaze alone.

Viktor was dutifully scribbling away when Jayce moved his chair closer, close enough to put his knee between Viktor’s. Just the slightest touch of their legs, and Viktor’s attention was drawn.

Jayce’s heart was beating so intensely that he feared Viktor would be able to hear it. Viktor, suddenly aware of the butterflies in his stomach, kept his composure. “Jayce.”

“Viktor,” was the easy response. The tone in his voice was reminiscent of last night, the same sound that gave Viktor goosebumps. He still hovered over the notebook, but his eyes never left his partner.

“You heard Heimerdinger. This will take years, Jayce.”

“Fuck Heimerdinger,” Jayce responded, with a strong expression to match.

Viktor shook his head. “I’m serious. If we don’t-” Jayce touched Viktor’s knee, causing Viktor to pause. He had his own way of staying on subject. “If we don’t finish this, you’ll have to do it when I’m gone.”

Jayce scoffed. “Thanks for the reminder.” He went to lean back, lifting his hand, but Viktor reached out and grabbed it, guiding it back. The action brought Viktor ever-so-slightly closer, and Jayce took the opportunity to test the waters, leaning in. The gentlest kiss, short and sweet.

Viktor just smiled. Jayce waited politely, and Viktor finally had enough, reaching for Jayce’s face and kissing him, hard.

Jayce leaned over and grabbed Viktor’s waist, hooking his fingers under his knee and pulling him closer. Viktor let his arms settle around Jayce’s neck, assisting in their shared conquest to eliminate the distance between him.

No separation, no conversation, just the breaths they shared and desire being spent. Jayce kept a hand on Viktor’s waist and ran the other up and down his thigh, feeling the way it made him shiver just the slightest.

Viktor was practically sitting on Jayce’s thigh, and Jayce was aware of keeping them both supported. The last thing he wanted was for them to end up on the floor. In an effort to situate them more stably, he pulled Viktor closer, inching him up his leg. The action elicited a quiet moan from Viktor. Jayce laughed just a little against his lips.

Viktor pulled away, then, arms still around Jayce’s neck. “Jayce.”

“What?” Jayce asked, beaming. His expression changed, then. “We can stop, if you want.”

“So stupid,” Viktor responded, kissing him again.

Viktor liked the way Jayce melted into him. He was sitting on top, but Jayce seemed to completely encompass him. Viktor drew himself closer, if that was possible at this point.

Jayce sensed his desire for the friction they’d experienced moments prior. Jayce put both of his hands on Viktor’s hips, and took control of the motion, the easy back and forth. Viktor approved audibly, a heavy sigh interrupting their make-out session.

“You like that?” Jayce asked, quiet.

Viktor just exhaled again, putting his forehead against Jayce’s. Jayce kissed his neck, determined to get another sound out of him. He’d heard it before, and it was the song stuck in his head. He needed to listen intently to get it out of where it remained, on loop. He succeeded, and Viktor shook his head at his own failure to remain quiet.

“I need you,” Viktor murmured, barely audible.

Jayce heard, but feigned as if he didn’t. “What?”

“I need you,” said Viktor again, this time more clearly.

Jayce kissed his neck once more before pressing a brief one to Viktor’s lips. He shook his head, moving his hands to Viktor’s face, running his fingers through his partner’s hair. When he spoke, his words were honesty in its most transparent form. “I need you. All of you. Whatever you’ll give me.”

“You can have it all,” was Viktor’s response.

Jayce moved them, then. With ease that Viktor quite liked, Jayce lifted him up onto the desk, and stood between his legs. Hands on the desk to support himself as he leaned in, he kissed Viktor with passion that he hadn’t demonstrated before. In all honesty, as he believed in that, he’d never been this entranced by anyone else.

Viktor was into it. The longer they went on kissing each other like this, the more he desired something more. He also noticed how his sounds seemed to please Jayce, and obliged to give into another soft groan, accompanied by his hands running down Jayce’s chest. Once he reached Jayce’s belt, he pulled his shirt out so it was untucked.

Oh, a sound from Jayce, then. Just the faintest moan, but enough to make Viktor understand why Jayce had been so intent on hearing him again. It was a melody, almost.

Heavy breathing. Lips on lips, hands in hair, a tangled mess of where Viktor ended and Jayce began. Viktor grabbed Jayce’s collar and pulled him closer, an action that made Jayce stumble from where he had been propped up leaning over the table.

“I miss your touch,” said Viktor. The look in Jayce’s eyes was something new. He would do whatever Viktor asked, and Viktor knew it. Jayce listened to the feedback and abandoned his position balancing on his hands, shifting so one was behind Viktor, holding himself in place, and the other found Viktor’s knee.

When their lips met again, Viktor explored the space of Jayce’s mouth with his tongue. Jayce slowly moved his hand up Viktor’s thigh, having an exact idea of what he was doing. When he reached his upper thigh, he felt Viktor shiver under his touch, and chose to linger.

Viktor, who paid attention to the way Jayce was playing with him, had tricks up his sleeve. Not breaking their kiss, he trailed his fingers up Jayce’s arms and, upon reaching his shoulders, took his jacket off. It fell to the floor without a complaint or a beat from either of them.

Jayce thought Viktor was good at working while distracted, but this was something else altogether. Viktor made quick work of Jayce’s tie and vest, leaving just his buttoned shirt between Viktor’s hands and his chest. Despite the new lack of clothing, Jayce felt warmer than before.

Viktor thought Jayce could stand to play catch-up. He was hardly halfway through the thought before Jayce moved to kiss his neck again, hands working at Viktor’s clothing, getting rid of everything save his now-untucked button up shirt and pants that Jayce was itching to get him out of.

Jayce was the one who broke the furious kiss, much to Viktor’s dismay. “How are you doing?”

In response, Viktor pulled him back in. Even as just a sentence, the separation was too long. He had never known Jayce Talis in this form, and he found himself addicted to it. Viktor blindly worked at the buttons on Jayce’s shirt. When it was undone, he ran his hand down his chest, finding muscle that he had imagined he’d see. Still, the very thought was arousing, and his longing grew deeper.

“You’ve got a friend,” said Viktor, upon bringing his knee up between Jayce’s legs. Jayce groaned at the touch, sending another wave of shivers down Viktor’s spine. Jayce could only move on, kissing Viktor’s neck, violently unbuttoning his shirt to continue down his chest. Viktor had a suggestion. “You should make him useful.”

Jayce stopped, then, and met Viktor’s eyes. “Are you sure?”

Viktor tilted his head curiously, smiling just the slightest. “We can stop if you want,” he echoed Jayce’s words from earlier, knowing good and well that neither of them were going anywhere.

“I’m good,” said Jayce, kissing Viktor again. As much as he loved doing this with Jayce, Viktor was aching for something more. Jayce sensed it, reading him as easily as he always did in waking day. His hands abandoned Viktor to work at his own belt buckle, and Viktor interrupted.

“No,” he murmured against Jayce’s lips. “Just touch me.”

Jayce exhaled deeply at the very thought and listened, moving his hands to Viktor’s waist again. Within moments of yet another intense make-out, he slipped his thumbs under Viktor’s waistband. His hands traveled until they found the buttons that kept them held together, and he worked to undo it.

On the other end, Viktor set to unbuckling Jayce’s belt on his own. He succeeded before Jayce did, smiling against his partner’s lips like it was some sort of competition. He reached in, and Jayce groaned. “That’s not fair.”

Viktor just sighed. “You should be faster next time.”

Jayce nearly knocked him back against the desk with the fury in which he kissed him. He finished undoing the buttons on Viktor’s pants and felt him as Viktor was feeling him now. Viktor moaned at the first sense of any touch, and Jayce couldn’t help but laugh again. The joy of finally getting to this point was too much to ignore.

“Are you going to make me ask again?” Viktor practically whispered. Upon sensing hesitation, he continued in the same tone. “Are you nervous?”

Jayce searched his eyes, remaining as close as he could. “Are you not?”

Viktor had been waiting for this, but he didn’t want to diminish Jayce’s confidence. “Who says I’m not?”

At this point, Jayce saw through his facade of ease. Viktor wanted the same as him, and he was ready to deliver. “You ask a lot of questions.” He captured his partner’s lips again, and pulled him closer by the waist, positioning him on the edge of the desk. When he finally gave into Viktor, the both of them groaned under the satisfaction of surrender.

“Fuck,” Viktor breathed, adjusting to the feeling of his partner inside of him. Jayce shared the sentiment, but did his best to hide it. What for?

With the sensation of movement came the visual of Viktor giving into laying back on the desk. He had remained up close to Jayce, keeping their lips in proximity, but he was content to enjoy the current moment.

Even if it wasn’t possible for Jayce to get off on the physicality (which he most certainly was), he would have been aroused just at the sight of Viktor like this. In fact, it’s something he’d imagined on his own, when he was supposed to be going to bed on time.

In-between bated breaths, Viktor reached up for Jayce. His partner’s hands were on Viktor’s hips, steadying them both and maintaining the motion, but Jayce was attentive. He took Viktor’s hand.

Viktor wasn’t looking for a hand-holding moment, he desired Jayce’s kiss again. The hand was a good enough guide, though. He pulled Jayce down towards him. “You aren’t going to kiss me?”

That earned the attention he wanted. Lips on his, and the pace elevated. There was no trying to hide any sounds shared between the two of them, the gasps and moans creating a symphony to fill the empty space in the room.

At some point in the act, Jayce separated from the kiss. Viktor let him go, watching the way Jayce propped himself up on an elbow, hovering above his partner with that indescribable look of pleasure on his face. Viktor’s hand followed Jayce’s arm up to his shoulder, where it lingered.

It was serious, now. This was the endgame of the act they’d both began, and the heat was undeniable. Sweat dripping from his brow, Jayce leaned down to kiss Viktor briefly. It didn’t last, because he was breathing entirely too heavy to continue. He settled to rest his forehead against Viktor’s, a position that was suitable to both of them.

Viktor’s fingers found themselves in Jayce’s hair, tracing down his jaw, his chest, any inch of him they could reach. At one particular moment he faltered, finding the back of Jayce’s neck as a safeguard against their foreheads separating. “Fuck, Jayce.”

It wasn’t a command as much of a reaction, but it may as well have been. Jayce focused now, caring about how it felt for himself but even more caring about how it felt for his partner.

Viktor moaned loudly, then covered his mouth with hand. When he spoke, it was breathless. “Fuck, Jayce, are you close?”

Jayce didn’t have words to respond. “Mhm,” was his close-lipped response, between the heavy exhales that were melodic to Viktor’s ears.

The pair of them were one, intertwined upon the desk where they did their faithful work. It was almost spiritual, an intended use for the space. This was the alter, and either of them were the offering to the other. Their god was the feeling they shared, something Viktor would worship in Jayce’s future absences, something Jayce would consider when with another.

Jayce was a patron, and Viktor was his dedication. Together, the two of them worked their way up to a climax, and they shared it with resonating sighs. When it was over, the feeling didn’t end, just the moment.

Drenched in sweat, Jayce rested his head on Viktor’s shoulder. Viktor’s hands found his face easily, pulling him into a kiss before he had anything to say about the event. When Viktor was done kissing his lips, he worked down Jayce’s neck, chest, anywhere he could reach without leaving his position on the desk.

Jayce thought he could fall in love with Viktor, but he didn’t have the guts to say it now. Instead he fixed Viktor’s hair, running his hands through it until it fell in messy waves. Viktor just stared up at him, taking in the view.

“How was that?” Jayce asked finally, almost nervous for a response.

Viktor laughed a little. “That was… not what I was expected when you came in tonight.” Upon seeing Jayce’s eyes filled with a mix of confusion and fear, he hit Jayce’s shoulder and sat up. “In a good way.”

Jayce chuckled, and Viktor sensed the possible discomfort. In an attempt to reassure him, Viktor gave him another kiss. While their lips were impossibly close, he whispered, “That was great. Thank you.”

Jayce seemed relieved to hear that, and it made Viktor’s heart skip a beat. Viktor pushed back the strand of hair that had fallen over Jayce’s forehead, and sat up.

“I didn’t want to end up on the floor, but it’s looking more comfortable by the minute.” Viktor’s words were true, something also on Jayce’s mind.

“Can I carry you?” Jayce asked.

Viktor raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going. Despite not knowing, he nodded.

When they had gathered the clothes they needed to look barely presentable outside, Jayce turned back to Viktor and easily scooped him up bridal style.

“My room, or yours?” The question was Jayce’s to ask and Viktor’s to answer.

“Yours,” was the response. In all honesty, Viktor had yet to see Jayce’s living quarters. He’d briefly glimpsed at an idea of how he lived years ago, but nothing since. Jayce was thinking just the same about Viktor, but he was content to settle.

When the two of them left the lab, they were both aware that the memories of what occurred would never fade. As he fell asleep next to Jayce, Viktor just hoped that it would last. He wasn’t the type to engage in fleeting relations, especially not of this kind. Jayce meant something to him, and that was rare.

Jayce was up later than Viktor for once, ensuring his partner got much-needed sleep. Only when Viktor was asleep did he attempt the same, drifting off and dreaming of variations of the night’s events.

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

(a jayvik au based on the 1998 film)

CHAPTER FOUR?

early updates on ao3! @ josmarch

Despite not having met NY1972, Viktor woke up one morning suffering from the sickness his internet stranger spoke of. Throat sore, nose running, and forehead warm to the touch, he could barely push himself to leave the house. When he found himself practically quarantined, he gave Sky permission to run the store on her own while he stayed home.

His illness didn’t dampen his determination, however. Surrounded by a box of a tissues, a cup of tea, and countless papers spread throughout, he sat at his dining room table researching. He had messaged NY1972 in the morning, relaying the information of his sickness, but his energy was diminished and he was focusing all of it into his work.

His doorbell buzzed. He missed it, locked onto the pages of scrawling handwriting and diagrams before him. The second buzz was unmistakable, repetitively urgent. Assuming it was Sky, Viktor rose. He was in no rush, crossing the room with the assistance of his cane, mumbling something to himself about building a crutch to alleviate the growing efforts of mobility.

He pressed the button on the doorbell that allowed him to speak to whomever waited at the front entrance to the apartment building. “Is everything okay?”

“I heard you were sick,” said a familiar voice, but far from the one he was expecting. This was Jayce Talis.

Viktor scoffed to himself. “What do you want?”

“I brought you something.”

“Go away,” he remarked. “I’m busy.”

Downstairs, one of Viktor’s neighbors was entering the building. Seizing the opportunity, Jayce followed them inside. Receiving no response, Viktor turned with the intention of continuing his work. A knock at the door interrupted. No amount of ignoring the knocking would make it go away, as it continued to increase in speed and volume.

Viktor opened the door just enough to see outside, leaving the chain locked in place. As expected, Jayce was standing there. He was holding a bag, full of something Viktor couldn’t see from this angle.

“I brought you something,” Jayce repeated, reaching in and pulling out a bouquet of flowers. Viktor, who was put in a mood by the interaction on the doorbell, softened at the sight. He sighed, closed the door to unlock the chain, and reopened it to let Jayce in.

Once inside, Jayce looked around, taking sight of Viktor’s apartment. It was orderly, with bookshelves lining the back wall of the living room, which was set with a couch, a coffee table, and a rug underneath both. The wall art was projects he had worked on and had put on pause to continue his current work. Rain made an appearance, then, sitting at Viktor’s feet.

Jayce bent down and held his hand out towards the cat. Rain must have sensed something that Viktor didn’t, because she was normally shy around strangers (including Sky) but nudged up against his hand for pets. Jayce obliged. “What’s her name?”

“Rain,” Viktor answered, watching carefully. Jayce returned to his full height, still holding the flowers and the bag of secrets.

“Do you have a vase?” Jayce asked.

Viktor turned towards the kitchen, but Jayce was already halfway there, poking around. He found a vase on top of the fridge, and filled it with water. Viktor followed behind. “Why are you here?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Jayce put the flowers in the vase, and carried it to the kitchen table. “Go, sit down.” When Viktor raised an eyebrow suspiciously, Jayce pulled out a chair for him. “Sit.”

Viktor did so, but kept a close eye on Jayce. The contents of the bag became clear as Jayce unpacked them: a loaf of bread that was set on the counter, and a container of soup. Jayce found the microwave and put the container inside, and started looking in the cabinets. “Top far left,” Viktor said, helping him find the bowls.

Once located, Jayce put a bowl on the counter. When the soup was warm enough, he poured it into the bowl, fumbled around in the draws for a spoon, and brought it to Viktor. He set it in front of him, and looked expectant for a response.

“Why are you doing this?” Viktor asked, wary.

“What, is it a crime to help out every now and then?” Jayce remained standing. “Go on. Don’t let it get cold.”

Viktor just stared at the soup. “With all due respect, I think I’d like it more if you weren’t here.” When he directed his eyes back up to Jayce, he read some sort of disappointment on the other man’s face.

Jayce hid it well. “That’s fair,” he said. “I’ll be on my way, then.”

Viktor stood up to walk Jayce out. Jayce noticed the effort in his attempt to rise, and Viktor cut him off before he could say anything. “I don’t need your help,” he said. Silence between the two of them as Viktor escorted Jayce to the door.

“Feel better soon,” were Jayce’s final words before Viktor closed the door and locked it.

Despite whatever negative feelings he harbored towards Jayce, Viktor could admit that the gesture was kind. He ate the soup, only now realizing how much he needed it. He’d been too exhausted to cook anything while he spent the little energy he had on work. He fell asleep at the table again and woke up in the middle of the night, then dragged himself to his room to go back to bed.

In the morning, he stood in the kitchen and looked at the flowers Jayce had brought. It was a beautiful arrangement, Viktor was certain he’d paid well for it. He still couldn’t wrap his head around the action; he thought Jayce had hated him, as he’d returned the favor.

Viktor was learning he was bad at hiding his thoughts. At least, Sky seemed to think so. Once he arrived at work, she made a singular comment about how he should be resting, and then continued with a barrage of questions about his “odd behavior”. She pried until he relented, telling her about Jayce’s visit.

“I knew it,” she said, shaking her head with a smile. “He likes you.”

Viktor looked skeptical. “Sure, and I’m running in this year’s Boston Marathon.”

Sky rolled her eyes. “Come on. Why else would he go out of his way to bring you all of that?”

“Jayce Talis is going to be the reason we have to close The Shop,” Viktor said, turning to his work. “That’s not something you do to someone you like.”

“Maybe it’s just business,” she shrugged.

Feeling conversationally frustrated, Viktor sighed. “I’m going to work now. Let me know if you need anything.”

Sky got the message, and left him alone. While Viktor couldn’t help but think of Jayce, the AIM chat was in the back of his mind.

Jayce didn’t have the same issue of split thoughts, because he knew Viktor and Tinkerman were one and the same. He was determined to get closer to Viktor. Something about the man fascinated Jayce — he’d never met someone with the same determination, the same goals. And Viktor challenged him, which was something he found to be enticing.

On his lunch break, Jayce decided to stop by The Shop Around The Corner. “Welcome in,” said Sky when she heard the bell on the door. When she looked up from her reading, her eyes brightened. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”

She disappeared before Jayce could say a word. She came back moments later, and Viktor was behind her.

Dressed in navy trousers, a pressed button-up shirt, and a matching sweater vest, Viktor was beautiful to Jayce: so beautiful that Jayce could almost ignore the look of annoyance on his face.

“Can I take you out for lunch?” Jayce asked.

Sky seemed to read the room and dismissed herself to dusting shelves. Viktor seemed hesitant, but nodded. “I should probably eat.”

Jayce watched as Viktor retreated into the office to get whatever he needed. He stood there politely waiting, excited that Viktor gave him the opportunity. When Viktor returned, Jayce held the door open for him to leave.

“Do you have any favorite restaurants in the neighborhood?” Jayce asked, initiating the conversation.

“I go to the coffee shop a lot. It’s more of a cafe. You know the one.” Viktor walked beside Jayce, eyes forward.

“We can go there,” Jayce suggested, easygoing as long as he was in the company of his secret internet stranger.

They did. Over lunch, the pair of them began to open up to each other. Viktor was honest, telling Jayce about his mother and The Shop and why he was so dedicated towards his cause. Jayce was careful, staying true to himself while not giving away his online identity. He wasn’t sure what Viktor remembered from their AIM conversations, but if it was anything like Jayce remembered, he needed to watch his language to prevent from being found out.

When Jayce walked Viktor back to The Shop, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort. On the other hand, Viktor was learning that he enjoyed Jayce’s company.

“Thanks for going with me,” said Jayce as they reached Viktor’s destination. “I know we started off at odds, but I enjoy your company.”

“Of course,” Viktor responded. “Thank you for lunch.

“Anytime,” Jayce nodded.

“Don’t ruin my research,” Viktor remarked, “and maybe we can do this again sometime.”

“I’ll try not to,” Jayce joked. It was clear that it wasn’t very funny to Viktor, who turned and went inside.

The conversation topic was relevant, because Sky was standing in front of the register looking crestfallen. Viktor knew what she was going to say before she opened her mouth. “Negative again?”

She seemed hesitant to tell him. “It doesn’t cover last month’s expenses, either.”

Viktor shook his head. “There’s not enough time for this. Call me if you need anything.”

He was back in his office before she could formulate a response. If the funding was running out, Viktor would make the most of every second. Jayce was in the back of his mind: a rival, competition, but yet good company. He had the sense that this downfall would lead to the best thing that would ever happen to him.

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

a jayvik au!

early updates on ao3 @ josmarch

CHAPTER THREE!!

Christmas came and went. Jayce spent the holiday home with Mel, who hosted her mother in town for two nights. Mel insisted on redecorating the guest bedroom just beforehand, so Jayce had been in charge of putting together the furniture, and therefore he was behind on his project.

It was harder to keep up with AIM while the festivities were going on, but Jayce did his best to sneak away in the evenings and continue the ongoing conversation with Tinkerman. Things went back to normal by Monday. While Mel was working late, Jayce was on AIM.

I hope your holiday season is going well. It has been hectic on my end, but I have missed our conversations. NY1972

Tinkerman was on the computer, because a message came through shortly after.

It’s been the same for me, and I have also missed our conversations. Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? Tinkerman

I hope I can achieve some of my goals this coming year. I have a lot of potential growth, if I utilize it. I’ve got a great opportunity that I can’t let slip through my fingers. As much as New York gets on my nerves, I am not going back to Seattle. What about you? NY1972

I find I have a hard time speaking my mind. It has always been easier to be passive, but I know I could lose my business if I don’t stand my ground. Tinkerman

Jayce read over the messages, and thought of what to say. He never had a problem with assertiveness — he was confident in his beliefs, and he would defend both those he cared for and himself the same.

I think I speak my mind too much. Maybe I can give you some of my ability, and you can say whatever you like, and I can keep quiet when it would benefit me. NY1972

Tell me how to make the trade, and I’m there. Tinkerman

The wording made Jayce ponder once more who this internet stranger was. Jayce decided to test the waters of their growing friendship, holding his breath as he typed and barely breathing after it was sent.

Would you want to meet? NY1972

On the other side of the screen, Viktor was at the computer in his living room. He immediately closed the chat window, staring at the now-blank computer background. He stood up and went to feed Rain, giving her pets in response to her rubbing up against his legs. Then he took a deep breath, went back to the computer, and logged back into AIM.

When are you free? Tinkerman

With effort, he was up again. He leaned on his cane as he looking through the bookshelf on the opposite wall, as if a new book would appear and stand out beyond the others.

The notification came through. He didn’t even sit down, peering down at the screen.

I could do tomorrow evening. 6pm? You pick the place. NY1972

Like it or not, Viktor’s stomach turned, and not in a negative way. He’d never felt like this before, and he certainly didn’t expect it over an internet stranger. He lowered himself back into his chair, thinking. Too much time had passed before he had a coherent response, but he figured it was better late than never.

6pm is great. There’s a local coffee shop I like, I’ll send you the address. Tinkerman

He followed up the message with the address to the coffee shop, and waited idly for a response. When he didn’t get an answer, he logged out of the chat and pushed down his feeling of disappointment. He spent the rest of the evening going over his research, constantly working despite his need for rest.

In the Upper West Side, Jayce was already in bed next to Mel, having sent his final message before she came in through the door. He felt bad being on the computer around her, and he was still trying to decide if it was a general respect for her presence or some sort of guilt for the feelings he couldn’t deny. He found it hard to sleep, so he poured himself extra coffee in the morning, rising before Mel had already left. He never saw her these days.

He had the news on in the morning, playing from the kitchen as he got dressed for work. He could faintly hear something about his father’s recent business successes in Seattle.

The address for the coffee shop Tinkerman chose was somewhere in Brooklyn. Jayce felt relieved, because it would ensure he could make it on time without worrying about crossing half of the city during rush hour. There was a second message waiting for him:

Heading to work early. I’m not sure if you got my message, but I’ll be there tonight. Bringing a red book so you know how to find me. Tinkerman

I’ll be there. NY1972

Viktor wouldn’t see the last message, because he was dutifully working away on his current project. He was stuck on the neuroscience aspect of it — he could make mobility devices all day every day, but if he didn’t know how to connect one’s brain to the structures, it was useless. At this point, he didn’t need more funding, he needed a better facility.

“Planning to take a break anytime soon?” came Sky’s voice from the office doorway. Viktor didn’t so much as look up.

“In a little bit,” he responded, oblivious to Sky’s concern.

“You’re not working at home again, are you?”

Viktor shrugged, still focused. Sky had grown used to his conversational indifference. When he was working, he was impossible to crack. “I can’t work tonight anyway, I’m going out.”

“Oh really?” Sky’s tone changed, curious. “Is it this man you’ve been talking to on instant messenger?”

“No,” said Viktor, too quickly. He realized his error and sighed, finally looking away from his work and turning to Sky. “Maybe.”

“Ooo, Viktor’s got a date,” said Sky in a sing-song voice.

“It’s just coffee, not a date,” said Viktor, rolling his eyes as he went back to his equations.

“Coffee in the evening? He must like you a lot.”

“He has a girlfriend, I’ve told you this.”

“So? Plenty of closeted gay men have girlfriends.”

“Thank you, Sky,” he said. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

She shrugged, still amused. “Alright then.” She turned and left the doorway, pulling the door almost-shut behind her, and going back to work at the counter.

Viktor continued to work steadfastly until closing time came. Sky was ready to leave at 5, but Viktor decided to hang back.

“The coffee shop is just a few minutes from here, I’ll just work until then.”

Sky sighed in exasperation. “Sounds like an excuse for you to fall asleep here again, ‘on accident’.” She used air quotes for emphasis. “You have to stop overworking yourself. It doesn’t do you any good.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” he said, shaking his head. Sky left with that prompt, and Viktor returned to his desk until it was time for him to pull on his coat, grab the red book, and head down the street.

6pm came and went, and Viktor sat at a table in view of the window. He saw many faces come and go, and wondered if each entering patron may be NY1972. He found himself becoming anxious over different possible outcomes. But what did any of them matter? He was an internet stranger.

Jayce was on time, palms sweating more than he would admit. He looked through the big window in front of the coffee shop, eyes searching for the red book that signified the presence of Tinkerman. He found it: on the table of a brunette man who was all too familiar.

Taken by surprise at the sight of Viktor, Jayce made the controversial split-second decision to continue hiding his identity as NY1972. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to talk to Viktor, though.

Viktor had heard the bell on the front door ring. He looked up see none other than Jayce Talis, who seemed to be casually queueing to order. Viktor immediately opened his book and tried to hide behind, pretending to be interested in the pages. His act failed, because Jayce’s voice was close when he interrupted.

“Is anyone sitting here?” Jayce asked, hand on the back of the chair on the opposite side of Viktor’s table.

“Yes, actually—” began Viktor, but Jayce was already sitting down.

“I’ll just hang around until they get here.”

Viktor was annoyed. “I’m actually busy.”

“Busy reading a book?” Jayce said, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” responded Viktor, still feigning interest in the book. He flipped the page as if to prove his point, not making eye contact with Jayce, who took the book out of his hands and closed it. Viktor was visibly frustrated, taking it back and flipping through the pages. “You made me lose my place,” he huffed.

“Do you regularly come read at coffee shops at 6pm?”

“Do you regularly bother people who don’t enjoy being in your presence? Or am I special in that regard?”

Jayce scoffed. “What is it about my presence that you dislike?”

Viktor closed the book, and made direct eye contact with Jayce.

“I think you think you’re better than me. Maybe you think you’re better than everyone else. You act as if you’re owed something, but you’re new in town. You’re out of your league, and it’s bringing the rest of us down.”

Both of them sat in silence after that: Jayce stunned by the accusations, and Viktor finished with his explanation. When the silence was broken, it was by Jayce. “Alright then,” he said, standing up. He pushed his chair back in on his side of the table. “Good night.”

Nothing else from either of them before Jayce turned and left. Viktor remained at the shop for another hour, expectantly waiting, and left when they started to close.

Upon getting home, Viktor started up the computer. There had to have been a valid reason why NY1972 wasn’t there. Disappointingly, there was nothing waiting his return.

In the Upper West Side, Jayce was intercepted by his girlfriend, who was intent on having a serious conversation. During the course of this conversation, Mel explained that her job was taking away from their relationship, and she was planning to campaign for re-election. When she suggested they put their romance on hold, Jayce felt a surprising lack of disappointment, instead filled by a sense of freedom.

The next morning, Viktor went to work without logging into his computer. He was determined to focus today, because he had a growing list of tasks to complete before his invention progressed. He must have seemed different despite his attempts, because Sky sighed when she saw him.

“How did it go?” she asked, with obviously low expectations.

“It didn’t go,’” Viktor was monotonous as he unlocked the front door. Sky pushed it open and held it for him.

“He didn’t show up?” Sky said, sighing. “I’m sorry, Viktor.”

“It’s not a big deal. He’s just a stranger on the internet.” No efforts could make Sky believe him.

“Maybe he got into a car accident,” she offered. “Or maybe he got sick, and his internet went down, and he couldn’t message you.” She got out the duster and started cleaning the shelves. “Maybe he’s super ugly, and was scared to meet you because you’re hot.”

“He doesn’t know what I look like.” Viktor shook his head. “I’m going to work.”

The work day flew by. He spent the entirety of his time tirelessly researching. Sky insisted on locking The Shop up herself to ensure he went home and rested. He let her have the keys for the night, just to get her off his case.

When he got home, he spent time with Rain, and ate his first meal of the day. He couldn’t resist the urge to check AIM, despite his persistent frustration about last night. There was a message awaiting him, much to his surprise.

I’m sorry about last night. I’ve caught some sort of illness, and I didn’t want to spread it to you. I should have let you know, and for that, I apologize. I hope you don’t hate me for my absence. NY1972

Viktor felt relief. While a message would have been nice, he had feared NY1972 was done speaking to him. He typed out a response.

It happens. I hope you are feeling better today. Tinkerman

Jayce sensed the tension in the short response, and did his best to make up for it by continuing the conversation.

How have you been? Hopefully you are doing better than I am. NY1972

I’m as healthy as I can be. I think my New Year’s resolution is coming to fruition early. Yesterday, I was able to say exactly what I meant, and it didn’t feel like I expected. I think I much prefer keeping my thoughts to myself. Tinkerman

Assertiveness is a double-edged sword. You are very level-headed, from what I have gathered. You shouldn’t feel bad, I’m sure whoever it was deserved it. NY1972

That made Viktor feel better about his exchange with Jayce last night. It was nice to have someone on his side for once. He appreciated Sky, but she was about all he had before this internet stranger.

I have work to finish, but I’m glad to hear from you. I must admit your absence caused me to wonder if you wanted to continue messaging. Tinkerman

Working late proves you are as dedicated as I have imagined. Best of luck, and let me know if you need anything. NY1972

Viktor logged out of AIM, then. He spent the rest of his night doing just as said, falling asleep at the dining room table with his work littered about the table. He dreamt of Jayce Talis again, except this time Jayce was on the other side of the computer screen. When he woke up to Rain purring and nudging his hand for her breakfast, he couldn’t put the thought out of his mind.

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

(or: jayvik inspired by the 1998 film starring meg ryan & tom hanks!)

CHAPTER TWO!!

early updates on ao3 @ josmarch

Over the course of the next few days, messages continued to be exchanged between NY1972 and Tinkerman. They exchanged stories of their college years, and talked about how they came to be in New York. On the morning of the inventor’s fair, Viktor considered mentioning the event to NY1972. He decided against it. He liked how intelligent their conversations seemed, and he didn’t want to make it awkward.

When he arrived at the Shop, Sky was waiting early and eager as always. Today she held two cups of coffee, one of which she offered to Viktor once they made it inside. Viktor accepted, but left it on the counter, much too distracted by his thoughts.

He spent time resting before the fair was set to begin, if “resting” meant pondering over the notes he’d dutifully been taking. He needed the chance to sit down, anyway. These days he was noticing a decline in his health, something he’d been warily anticipating. It was only a matter of time before he was using a crutch to get around anywhere, and the time accelerated faster each day. His research was becoming more dire by the minute.

Meanwhile, Mel was returning home from her business trip. Jayce was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her return. He had the day off, but he was planning to go down to the research facility and organize his office to make the upcoming work week easier. He was also finding it difficult to sit around these days: like it or not, the ongoing conversation on AIM was occupying his mind.

Mel seemed overwhelmed by the trip, rushing into the apartment in a mood. She was on the phone, passionately talking about something Jayce couldn’t make intelligible through her fervor. He loved how focused she was on her work. He also mourned life before the election, when his work felt just as important.

She looked beautiful as ever standing her ground on the call, and Jayce didn’t have the heart to interrupt her. He wrote her a note and left it on the counter, heading out for the day. The usual taxi ride to Brooklyn was notably longer today, the result of an accident on the bridge. By the time the driver was pulling up to the destination, Jayce was itching to get out of the car. Three blocks from Talis Technologies, he noticed the crowd around The Shop Around The Corner.

“Here is fine,” he said to the driver, who promptly pulled over. Jayce paid the fare and exited, looking around at the fair.

Tables had been set up outside the shop, expanding the space for new creations to be brought in by outside sources. People were walking around the inside and outside of the Shop, looking at everything, conversing amongst themselves. Passerby had trouble fitting through the crowd to continue their journeys. Jayce noticed a few opting to continue on the other side of the street. He was on his way to do the same when he heard a woman’s voice behind him.

“Hey!”

Jayce turned, and saw the woman who worked at the shop. He couldn’t remember her name. “Oh, hi.”

“Leaving so soon?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Just passing through,” he said.

The woman smiled. “That’s alright, he didn’t expect you to stop by at all.” Before Jayce could inquire what she meant, she continued, “I’m Sky, if you forgot. You’re…?”

“Jayce,” he responded, realizing she’d missed his introduction the first time. “I’m going to get going, but it was nice to see you.” He gave her a little wave before he crossed the street.

From the crowd, Viktor watched him go. He had something to say about it later that evening when he returned home.

Do you ever get the sense that people hide who they really are? I’ve had encounters lately that make me rethink my perception of humanity. I know a lot, but I cannot deduce what motivates my new neighbor. What motivates the city, even. Have you experienced this feeling before? Tinkerman

It wasn’t long before there was another response. Viktor was growing used to the accelerating rate of their messaging. It’d been awhile since he connected with someone like this, even if they were internet strangers.

I get what you mean. I believe we all hide ourselves in some way, even if just to protect who we think we are. The anonymity of the internet and the vastness of society make it easy, almost. It also makes me wonder who you really are on the other side of this. NY1972

Viktor read the message and sat, processing. He had the urge to open up, to tell NY1972 everything about himself. He refrained, though. NY1972 beat him to a response, a second message appearing on the screen.

I hate to cut our conversation short, but I have obligations. It’s bound to be boring, wish me luck. Talk to you later. NY1972

Viktor responded, just so NY1972 knew he had read it and was awaiting further conversation.

Good luck. You’re very capable of whatever it is you’ve got going on. Talk to you later. Tinkerman

As much as he already missed talking to NY1972, Viktor also had somewhere to be. In an effort to transition his research to a better facility, he’d found his way into a cocktail hour designed for business networking. It was in downtown Manhattan, so Viktor cleaned up and got on the metro within the next hour, planning to be fashionably late.

The event took place in a high-rise, and Viktor took the elevator up to the top floor. There was music playing, and tables full of finger foods, and an open bar off to the left. Viktor chose to visit the former, looking over the selection of fruit, cheese, and small sandwiches.

“You must be Viktor,” said a female voice to his right. He looked over, and saw a recognizable face. “Your mother and mine were close friends. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

“Senator Medarda,” Viktor said. “Of course I remember. It’s been a long time.”

“Please, call me Mel,” she responded, shaking her head. It was now that Viktor realized that the man behind her was also recognizable. He didn’t have to say anything, because Mel grabbed the man’s hand. “This is my boyfriend, Jayce Talis. Jayce, this is Viktor, an old family friend.”

“We’ve met,” Jayce said, nodding. He was holding a plate that he had been loading up with snacks. Viktor noticed the way he preferred to look at Mel, almost intentional. “It’s nice to see you again, Viktor.

“Do you want anything from the bar?” Mel asked, turning to Jayce.

“Cabernet,” Jayce responded. “Or just water, if they’re out.”

Mel gave him a kiss, and swiftly left the scene. Jayce picked up a spoon and used it to take a bit of caviar from a plate below him.

“You work for Talis Technologies,” Viktor connected the dots. “I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you before.”

“You keep stealing my grants,” Jayce remarked, taking another bit of the caviar and adding it to the rest of the growing pile on his plate.

“You moved into my area of town,” Viktor said. “If anything, you’re stealing my grants.” Another bit of the caviar made its way to Jayce’s plate. Viktor couldn’t remain silent. “That caviar is a garnish.”

Jayce made direct eye contact with him, scooped up the majority of the remaining caviar, and put it on his place before turning and crossing the room towards his lover. Viktor had nothing else to say, watching him go.

Viktor made his rounds circling the room, introducing and reintroducing himself to possible investors. In the midst of socializing, he found that he was tiring out much earlier than expected. He ended up in the bathroom, staring himself in the mirror, weighing the future possibilities of slowly declining into immobility and illness or ending it all before it got too bad.

Jayce was on the other side of the door when Viktor exited, so close that they nearly collided.

“Sorry,” was Jayce’s instinct response. Seeing who it was, Viktor sensed that he may have wished he could revoke the apology. Viktor pressed onward past him, making a beeline for the elevator.

The metro ride home was sobering, but Viktor had consumed no substances. When he made it home, he collapsed onto his bed, forgoing changing into something more comfortable before succumbing to sleep. He dreamt of Jayce, which was unexpected yet surprisingly welcome. Upon waking, he made a pact to erase it from his memory.

[marjoch]

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

Jayce and Viktor are instant-messaging anonymously after meeting in an AOL chat room. They're also research competitors in New York City, and have no idea that they're slowly falling in love with their would-be business rival.

Inspired by the 1998 film You've Got Mail.

early updates @ josmarch on ao3

CHAPTER ONE

Viktor had always loved New York. Growing up in Brooklyn it was just him and his mother, who had immigrated from the Czechia in search of business opportunity. She had owned a small shop selling quirky inventions, a place she called The Shop Around The Corner due to its proximity the apartment she spent the rest of her life in. She’d been building things all her life, but the business kicked off when he was in elementary school, and she focused on expanding access to mobility. When he wasn’t in school, Viktor found himself following the same path. Drawn to science and mathematics, Viktor worked alongside his mother until she passed away and left him the storefront.

These days he worked with Sky Young, a woman who helped show walk-in customers around the crowded shop. She was curious about inventing, but Viktor had yet to convince her to open up and try something on her own. For now, she was good at watching the merchandise while he worked on more important things in the office.

Viktor’s mother died five years ago in 1993, but her creations still littered the shelves of the store. In fact, it was almost certain that they outnumbered his own. To be fair, Viktor’s projects were often lengthy and risked failure, while his mother did work on the side for commission or personal interest. His current project was an expansion of her thoughts on enabling someone suffering from paralysis to have full autonomy. It was intricate: neuroscience, engineering, and anatomy rolled into one. It was costly and timely, taking him upwards of a season. He’d started in August, and the clocked still ticked onwards a week out from the holidays.

The shop was funded by scientific and engineering grants that Viktor spent long hours applying for. He was noticing that he had to put in more effort recently: a couple times now, he had been expecting for something to pull through, and they had gone in a different direction. Even one of his regular investors was supporting something newer, and it was beginning to stress him out. He had a nagging feeling that the newly-constructed research facility just blocks down the street had something to do with it. The newspaper headlines said something about an achievement related to transportation, but he hadn’t gotten the chance to read about it yet.

When he wasn’t at the storefront, Viktor was in the apartment down the street that he shared with his cat Rain. She was a black cat, practically nonverbal unless she was convincing him to feed her. Her hobbies consisted of napping, staring, and sitting in Viktor’s lap, which made her a very easy roommate.

The apartment was a two-bedroom unit with a small bathroom and a fire escape. He’d lived here with his mother, and he’d moved things around since it became his alone, apart from her bedroom. It was frozen in time, the same as the day she left, with the addition of a few boxes of her personal belongings from elsewhere in the house. He couldn’t bring himself to touch it, and he was too busy these days anyway.

The morning of December 18th, Viktor woke up early. He spent an hour working his thoughts out in a notebook before ever leaving the bed, and Rain showed up expectantly when he entered the kitchen to make coffee. He fed her and let her have her space to eat, heading to the computer in the living room and starting it up. In its own time, it displayed the AOL instant messaging login screen. He input the correct information (username Tinkerman) and the startup informed him “you’ve got mail”, a sound that should not have made his stomach flutter like it did. He ignored the feeling, clicking on the chat he’d been anticipating a response from.

NY1972 was a man from the Upper West Side. That’s about all the personal details Viktor knew about him, except that he lived with his long-term girlfriend, and he worked in technology. Opening the chat they communicated through, Viktor read the latest message:

Today’s rainy in this area of town. I find that I don’t mind the weather, it feels nostalgic as it reminds me of growing up in Seattle. I heard we’re due for a wet winter, so I should invest in a new raincoat. Work these days is repetitive, there are so many companies willing to fund technological advances but even more hoping applicants. I can only hope my proposal is good enough to convince them. How are you this morning? I imagine you’re reading this as you drink your morning coffee, preparing for what awaits. NY1972

Viktor looked down at his coffee mug, feeling a bit seen-through. He shrugged a little, took a sip, and got to writing back:

The weather’s not so bad here. It looks like rain, but I’m not convinced today is the day. It’s fascinating that you are also working to acquire funding for your projects. May I ask what your passion is? If it’s too personal, I understand. I’m interested in hearing about anything, from your current favorite book to the inner workings of your daily routine. My morning started with research, and will likely end the same way. How is your day? Have you been to Seattle recently? Tinkerman

He sat there after pressing send, and stood up from the desk. NY1972’s message had come in earlier in the morning, so it could be before the evening that he received a response. He was getting dressed for work when he heard the notification of a message coming through AIM chat. He nearly stumbled making his way back to the computer, expectantly looking for an update.

My family is still in Seattle, I sometimes visit for the holidays. My father also works in technology, but his company is based on the West Coast. I think he holds a grudge against me for moving this far away. I’m still learning to appreciate New York, but making connections within the community has helped. I’m working in renewable energy these days. I’m about to leave for work, but I look forward to hearing from you later this evening. NY1972

It was nice to know that this man wanted to speak to him as much as Viktor wanted to hear. He sat in front of the computer, hands lingering over the keys, before words found him.

I have the same busy day ahead of me. I fear my cat will be upset at the lack of my presence, but she’s good at keeping herself entertained. I am curious if you have any pets? Let me know when you do return, and work hard. Tinkerman

Viktor logged out of AIM before he allowed himself to waste time sitting around in hopes of another message. The pair of them had met in a larger chat server, and when they’d moved the conversation to a private window, Viktor noticed how NY1972 was driven by his work. Viktor worked long hours, even occasionally staying at the storefront overnight, and he had noticed that there was sometimes no message awaiting him when he returned. He tried not to allow any disappointment to cloud his judgment, but this internet stranger was captivating his attention. He pulled his jacket on, leaned on his cane as he locked the front door, and started his short walk to the storefront.

Sky was waiting outside, having arrived just before him. “Good morning,” she chirped, dressed in a warm sweater, navy trousers, with her hair pulled back and glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose.

“Morning,” Viktor responded, unlocking the door and pushing it open for her. She entered first, flipping on the lights. The dark shop was instantly illuminated, bright lights shining down on the shelves of metal. Sky pulled the curtains open, letting the natural light in. Viktor headed back towards the register, setting to count the drawer.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood,” Sky noted.

Viktor looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. “Do I?”

“You never seem this bright,” she clarified. “Did one of the grants pull through?” Hesitation, then: “Seeing anyone new lately?”

He shook his head and went back to counting the bills. As he worked, he answered, “I should ask you that question. I’ve yet to hear you speak of anyone, and you’re an attractive young woman. You’re intelligent. You could have men lined up down the block.”

“I could find someone if I was looking,” Sky said. She was watching him with some expression of longing, but Viktor missed the meaning in her gaze, focused. “So there’s no one? What’s got you acting all different?”

Viktor finished counting and put the cash drawer back in the register, closing it. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he feigned innocence. “I’m the same as I always am.” He straightened up the junk on the counter: sticky notes, a cup of pens, a stack of receipts. Sky didn’t go anywhere, staring as if it would reveal his secrets. It worked, because he sighed. “Alright. If I tell you, you cannot judge me.”

“Why would I judge you?” Sky laughed, leaning on the counter on the opposite side from where he stood. “I’m all ears.”

Viktor flipped through receipts as he spoke. “Last week, I had a night off. I ended up in one of the AOL instant messaging chat rooms.”

Sky laughed again, interrupting. “Oh, really?”

“Do you want to hear the story or not?”

She put her hands up. He continued on.

“I ended up talking to a man who is also in tech. He understands the work I do, it’s been a refreshing conversation. We’ve been messaging privately since that night.”

“And?” Sky pressed, never taking her eyes off of him. “What’s his name?”

Viktor met her eyes for the first time since he started sharing. Sky didn’t need a response to get the message.

“Oh my god,” she exclaimed. “You don’t know his name. You’re talking to a guy on AIM, and you don’t know his name.”

“No, I don’t know his name,” Viktor said, coming around the counter and fixing the flyers on the front windows. Each of them displayed information about upcoming neighborhood events. The most important was two days before Christmas, in which Viktor was hosting an inventor’s fair. His mother started the tradition, and for ten years now, inventors and engineers in Brooklyn would bring their creations to the shop and demonstrate their discoveries. “He has a girlfriend. It’s not a big deal.” He straightened the crooked poster announcing the date and time.

“Interesting,” Sky said. “What are you trying to get out of this?”

“Good conversation at the very least,” Viktor replied, putting the conversation to rest by walking back towards the office. “I’m going to keep working on the project. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Have fun,” was the response from his assistant. The amusement in her voice never faltered, and Viktor almost regretted telling her about his new friend. He lost himself in his equations, sitting at his workbench and carrying on what he’d been working on for months, forgetting about NY1972 as well as he could.

Jayce had always hated New York. The noise was constant, and the stench was even worse. Growing up outside Seattle, he preferred the quiet and clean streets. He missed a lot about the city: his family, his best friend who may as well be his sister, even the weather. While he’d been in New York for two years now, he was still adjusting. Things were starting to look up, as he finally acquired property for the research facility he’d always dreamed of.

Jayce’s routine was easy. He woke up at seven in the morning each day, even the weekends, and either worked out or worked on his current project (depending on what the day called for). He lived with his girlfriend, who’d he been dating since just before his cross-country move. Since they became official, Mel had been elected to the state senate, leaving Jayce alone on weeks when she was required to travel for work. He’d kept himself entertained with a multitude of books and his own projects, but he recently found himself in an AOL instant messaging chat room, in which he came across Tinkerman, a captivatingly educated personality who was also in New York.

On December 18th, Mel was out of town. Jayce woke up, worked out, and made breakfast before sending his morning message to Tinkerman. He was buttoning up his shirt when he heard the AIM notification from the living room. Against his better efforts to stay calm, he rushed to finish dressing and hurried back to his computer. He found himself smiling at the response before him. It was nice to know that someone cared enough to ask questions.

After responding, he turned off the computer and took a taxi to Brooklyn. He was living in the Upper West Side in Mel’s spacious apartment, but he’d gotten property in a different borough because it allowed him to get his research up and running.

Just down the street from The Shop Around The Corner, Talis Technologies was two-story building that replaced an old bookstore. The building had been gutted and redesigned to add research laboratories, offices, and a large room solely for a supercomputer and all its related gadgets and gizmos.

Jayce was pouring himself into a project he’d been focused on for the better half of the year. He had a concept for introducing new cross-country transportation ideas, but was just now securing the location and the funding to pick up the pace. He was expecting an investor to show up for a tour this morning, but the appointment time came and went, and he heard nothing. He ended up in his office, flipping through a business magazine that gave him an idea of potential investors to call.

His cell phone rang, then. It was the investor, an hour and a half late. Jayce answered immediately. “Jayce Talis speaking.”

“Hello Mr. Talis,” said the deep voice on the other end of the line. “Apologies for the miscommunication about our appointment this morning. We have already chosen to award this grant to someone else, but we encourage you to apply again in the future.”

Jayce deflated, but kept himself together on the call. “Thank you for letting me know.” Curiosity got the better of him, so he continued, “May I ask who the grant went to?”

“We have been a consistent supporter of The Shop Around The Corner throughout the years, so we’ve chosen to continue maintaining that partnership. They have an inventor’s fair coming up, perhaps it would be to your advantage to network with peers and other potential investors.”

Now he wasn’t disappointed, he was annoyed. He hadn’t been to The Shop Around The Corner yet, but he was under the impression it was less of a scientific facility and more of a knick-knack store. It felt like the investor only chose The Shop because of their history, and not due to any possible successes, but he couldn’t let that show in his tone. “I appreciate having the opportunity to apply, and hope you have an excellent rest of your day.”

“Take care, Mr. Talis.” The investor hung up.

Jayce sat at his desk for a minute, then stood and made his way outside. He had to get some fresh air. He’d been expecting this grant to work out, and it was taken from under him.

Since he’d never been to The Shop Around The Corner, he figured he would see what all the fuss was about. He knew exactly where it was, having passed it in the taxi many times before. Three blocks west. When he arrived, he peered inside, curious for a glimpse.

A woman was entering the shop holding hands with a young boy, and she held the door for him. Jayce refused her gesture and held the door for her, then thanked her anyway. He followed her inside, looking around for a better idea of what was going on. So many unintelligible things on shelves of various heights. Despite the critiques coming to mind, he could imagine his teenage bedroom, full of the same seemingly-nonsense useful tools.

The woman seemed to have a good idea of how to go about shopping here, because she headed directly to the counter. Another woman sat behind it, and she struck up conversation with the customer. Jayce was eavesdropping until he saw a man walk out of a door behind the desk. He was older than the woman helping at the counter, about Jayce’s age. The pair of them locked eyes, and the man stopped.

“Can I help you?” said the man to Jayce. He seemed so genuine about the inquiry, Jayce almost felt bad for intruding in his space. Before the silence grew too lengthy, Jayce thought of something to say.

“Yeah,” he finally spoke. “I’m new in the area. I’m stopping by all of the shops and stores and checking things out, trying to get familiar with my surroundings.”

The man’s face softened. “Welcome to the neighborhood,” he said. “I’m Viktor. I run this shop with Miss Young.” He gestured to the woman behind the counter, who was still assisting the customer.

“I’m Jayce,” he introduced in response. “I’m just a few blocks from here.”

“You should come by more often,” Viktor nodded. “We have an inventor’s fair coming up, it’s open to the public. It’d be a great time to meet your neighbors.”

So it wasn’t just knick-knacks, it was outreach. Jayce could understand how someone with deep roots in the community beat him out for a grant, he just couldn’t let it happen again.

“If I’m free, I’ll try to stop by,” was he response he offered. He stepped back, then. “I’ve got to get going, but thank you.”

Viktor said nothing, watching this Jayce leave with intrigue.

“Thank you for what?” said Sky when he was finally gone. She’d finished with the customer, who was now poking around the shelves with her son.

“I’m not quite sure,” Viktor answered, picking up the receipt from the latest sale and stacking it on top of the others. The growing pile was bound to fall over soon.

“Do you think he’ll show up?”

“Probably not,” Viktor shrugged. He looked around the store. Noticing it was empty, he put forth a proposition. “I can watch the store if you want to go get us lunch. Whatever you want.”

“I got you,” she said, popping the cash drawer open and taking a twenty. “Be back soon.”

The bell on the door rang as Sky exited. Viktor basked in the silence, intending to rest his wandering mind for a few moments, but instead finding himself wondering if there was a message waiting for him when he finally got home later.

Three blocks to the east, Jayce was doing the very same thing.

[marjoch]

alright i’m putting a pin in the agathario fic and i’m cooking for ellabs but until then jayvik is falling out of me so are there any readers??

i’m thinking you’ve got mail (1998) AU… if you are unfamiliar

it’s coming regardless but it would be nice to get in touch with other people also suffering from the ailment of arcane s2 😭🙏

[marjoch]

[marjoch]

mother hahn at the disney screening in LA last tuesday <3 photos by me

[marjoch]

agathario origins fic continued!!

DOES NOT HEAL

chapter two. follow you down

The transition from coven member to nomad was easy for Agatha. It felt like what she’d been doing in the forest during her learning experience, but more permanent. She didn’t find survival to be difficult: there were always those who had lost their way around, an easy target to fulfill her desire for power. Every so often, there was a small coven, just a few witches. She never took that for granted, exhausting every spark before continuing on her way. While the power was what she was after, every individual or group of witches also had life-sustaining resources such as water or makeshift shelter. Agatha spent nights in the camps of covens she ended, waking to beds of flowers in places of the bodies, sometimes even a small meadow around herself. She worked hard to catch glimpses of the shadow woman near the scenes, but she seemed to be taunting Agatha, never making herself clear. This game of hide-and-seek went on for two long years.

After exhausting her efforts in the wilderness, Agatha stumbled upon a coven of ten witches. They had built a commune, complete with a fire pit in the center and well-fashioned structures on the outskirts. The designated houses had fabric hanging over the window openings, and the place was situated in dense forest that acted as a protection against the outside world. Agatha wandered to the entrance and stood, searching for someone to speak to.

“A traveler!” announced a bubbly voice from a girl of eight. She bounced down path towards the fire pit. “This month is so exciting!”

An older woman came into view, looking in Agatha’s direction when the child pointed. Agatha raised a hand to wave, smiling brightly. The woman made her way closer before she spoke. “Have you been on the road long?”

“Years, in fact,” Agatha shook her head as if it was not her own doing. She went on to lie, “I have never come across any other settlement in these vast woods.”

“You must come in, then,” said the woman, gesturing. “If not for anything more than rest and a good meal. My name is Magdalene. My sisters and I have been settled here for nearly a decade. We are small but mighty.”

Agatha relaxed at the easy invitation. “My name is Agnes. What a beautiful home, I must meet everyone.”

She did. Magdalene took her on a tour, pointing out each witch and highlighting their skills, naming them as she went. Agatha did not try to remember any of it, thinking instead about how she would go about her acquisition of power. Magdalene pointed to the garden, and said, “We have another visitor here. She has been with us for a few weeks.”

Agatha looked towards the subject of Magdalene’s words. The shadow woman was there in the garden, in the form Agatha had seen only once. There was something different about her; Agatha still sensed some sort of inhuman energy surrounding her, and it only made her more intrigued. She loved a good mystery, especially when the mystery was attractive.

“What’s her name?” Agatha inquired.

“She does not speak,” Magdalene responded. “We call her our Green Witch, as our Heloise passed right before her arrival. She has maintained our garden since.”

Agatha waited no longer, setting off on the path towards this Green Witch. She’d heard her speak before, and she was determined to hear her voice again. As if sensing her approach, the Green Witch turned and walked away from her, towards the edge of the settlement on the other side. Agatha hastened her pace, and caught her before they were too deep in the woods.

“What are you doing here?” The Green Witch turned and spoke before Agatha could pry.

Agatha laughed. “You’re asking me?”

“Death follows you,” she countered, shaking her head. “I know these people are doomed.”

“Says who?” Agatha shrugged. “You don’t even know me.”

The Green Witch stood for moment, considering her words. Insisting that she knew what this woman was up to would make her comment on the fact that she’d been watching her. “I know of you,” was her best answer.

“You know of me,” Agatha repeated, nodding. “But I have only seen you in passing. So tell me then, who are you?”

“I am someone who cares for Magdalene. You must spare her.”

Agatha felt disappointment in that response, but a flicker of hope. This shadow woman seemed to be just like Agatha herself in a sense of connection. “Whatever you desire,” said Agatha in an immodest tone.

The Green Witch seemed disinterested, walking past Agatha back towards the gathering. She spoke forward, not turning back. “Do not expect me to speak around them. And do not hurt Magdalene.”

“To them, you are the Green Witch. But what do I call you?”

This earned a stop and turn. “You can call me Rio,” she said, before resuming her journey back to the garden.

It only took a day for Agatha to find a place in the coven, working to teach eight-year-old Rosie how to use analog magick. Each of the other witches were preoccupied with a multitude of housekeeping tasks and individual practices. Agatha learned that Rosie belonged to none of them by blood, having been found abandoned outside the commune as a baby. It is for this reason that she felt ease with the child, because they shared a common lack of family. Agatha had never taught another witch from the ground up, but she found that it wasn’t so bad, especially since Rosie was easy to talk to.

As the days passed, so did members of the coven. It began with Bridget, the divination witch. Agatha cornered her in the early morning when Bridget was out in the forest meditating. She put on an award-winning performance of distraught panic when the rest of the coven noticed she was missing and announced they’d seen her body in the woods during a search. Rio seemed annoyed.

It was only a few more hours before Magdalene found Gail behind the storage shed, and she was quick to act following this discovery. She gathered the remaining coven members, including Rosie, Agatha, and the Green Witch, around the fire pit. She deduced that they must have been hexed or similarly cursed, and instructed the two protection witches to fortify the settlement and cast runes to ward off outside attacks. As they began working, Agatha noticed that Magdalene dismissed herself.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she followed. She was careful not to be seen as both of them traveled to Magdalene’s home, and she remained outside when Magdalene entered, waiting to see which window would be optimal for research purposes. When Magdalene settled in her room, Agatha sat underneath the window outside.

Magdalene’s cough sounded bad. Agatha had heard it once before, and the witch afflicted passed a week later. Magdalene eventually returned outside, and Agatha hurried back to her own makeshift home, processing the story that was coming together.

Rio was right outside, as if she knew Agatha was on the way back. Agatha lowered her voice. “She’s sick,” she said. “But you already knew that.” Rio said nothing. Agatha rolled her eyes. “Nobody can hear you.”

Rio turned and left, then, much to Agatha’s dismay. Every time she was in close proximity to Rio, she felt more alive, and the absence was evident.

The days continued passing, and the witches continued to fall. Agatha was reactive each time, feigning fear and anxiety at the increased death toll. Magdalene reassured her she would be okay: if their coven was under fire, Agatha would surely survive, as she wasn’t a technical part of the group. Magdalene even suggested that Agatha move on to avoid potential injury, but Agatha insisted she was here to help. Magdalene accepted gratefully, telling Agatha that she was welcome to speak to the protection witch that was left if she was concerned about her own safety.

Agatha carried on. She was determined to finish the work she’d set out to do. She was busy abandoning one of her final victims some night the following week when she noticed an eery silence over the settlement. She went to Magdalene’s home first, sensing something shift in the power dynamics within the restraints of the commune’s boundaries. Magdalene was in her room.

Agatha sat beside the bed and took Magdalene’s hand. Magdalene was asleep, pale and sickly. She had been looking worse by the day, and today seemed to threaten to push it over the edge. Agatha could feel that her chance of acquiring Magdalene’s power was slipping through her fingers. But, even in sickness, Magdalene’s power felt the strongest of the other witches she’d rid herself of recently.

Rio appeared, then. Agatha cursed her presence in her head, and Rio shifted on her feet, giving Agatha the impression that she should guard her thoughts. “Hello, Agatha,” she greeted.

“Hello,” responded Agatha, wary. “It’s late.”

“So says the sky,” was the reply. “It’s nearly midnight. Tell me why you insist on watching Magdalene. What are you hoping to gain?”

Agatha sighed. “I care for her. Is that a crime?” She did her best to feign honesty, but lying was a skill she still needed to perfect.

“You want her,” Rio concluded. She knew she’d found the answer based on Agatha’s immediate silence, and it made Rio’s stomach turn. She wasn’t supposed to care, so why did she? “It’s cruel. She is suffering.”

“It’s nature. She will lose everything when she passes.”

Rio knew Agatha was referring to Magdalene’s power. “Is that not fair? Thousands have died and taken it with them.”

“You know it doesn’t travel. There’s nothing in the bodies you collect.” At Agatha’s words, Rio met her eyes, as if caught in the act. Agatha was amused at her nonverbal response. “I wasn’t certain of your line of work until now.”

“I don’t care if you know what I am,” Rio replied, sharp-tongued.

Agatha liked it. “This could work for both of us. You can turn a blind eye. There are no stipulations to your job.”

“I am not allowed to interfere.”

“I am the interference,” said Agatha, standing. Her tone changed, now, working to convince Rio. She doubted her learned skill of mind manipulation could work on Rio at all, so she did not try. Rio must have cared despite the lack of attempt because she did not leave Agatha nor did she provoke further argument. Still, she held fast to her convictions.

“She deserves better than this.”

Rio seemed to be on the verge of aggravation, so Agatha crossed the room. She stood in front of Rio, and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Come on,” she spoke. “You let me do this, and I will be indebted to you. Whatever you want, whoever you need, I will bring them to you. Surely there are those who work to escape your inevitability, let me do this and I am yours to use as a weapon.”

“I don’t need a weapon,” said Rio, staring into Agatha’s eyes. Agatha almost felt as if her soul was being bared, completely open for Rio to examine. She didn’t mind the exposure.

“Take her, then,” Agatha murmured, not breaking eye contact. The tension between them was palpable, hanging heavy in the space that separated them. Rio was the one to look away, and she walked to Magdalene’s bedside, leaning down to give her a kiss on the temple.

“Make it easy,” Rio said to Agatha, not meeting her eyes again before exiting. She seemed to disappear as she appeared. She moved so gracefully, Agatha could hardly keep track of her whereabouts if she wasn’t in sight. While she usually longed to see the young woman, this evening was different. Now alone, Agatha took advantage of the sick woman and put her out of her misery, bright purple flashing through the windows before a sickening darkness blanketed the house.

Only two remained, then, not including Agatha and Rio. Agatha had already packed her things, ready to move on. Agatha didn’t have a chance to see Rio again before setting on her way, leaving behind the weakest of the witches (Agatha was certain she was barely gifted) and Rosie. As she went out into the familiar unknown, she found her soul longing for something left behind.

[marjoch]

fuck it, history of agathario fic, starting with agatha’s first kill + first rio interaction. josmarch on ao3 for updates throughout nanowrimo!

DOES NOT HEAL

chapter i. your only dream

“I think my mother hates me.”

Agatha Harkness felt sure. Home, if she could call it that, was chaos within itself. She hated the way it crept into her bones, easing its insecurity and anxiety into whatever it was that held her together. And, since her mother hated her, everyone else may as well have: Evanora was revered as both a leader and a teacher of skilled craft. The tension was evident to everyone around. The mother and daughter would hardly speak to each other, and were rarely caught in the same room. The distance began when the questioning began. Fourteen-year-old Agatha possessed curiosity that could not be contained, and avoidance was easier for Evanora, so the girl resorted to her own means of learning. This learning came in the form of a friendship with Corina, a girl her age.

Corina was different. She had grown up outside of the village they lived in, and moved in with her aunt with her mother at age ten. Her father was the only member of her family who was not a hereditary witch, but he was hardly family to begin with, living far away. Agatha was fatherless, created and born from her mother, a stubborn woman who was determined to make something her own. Agatha thought Evanora believed her existence was the only thing she’d ever done wrong. Corina laughed the stories Agatha told her, even if it was only to lighten the mood.

By eighteen, Corina and Agatha were nearly inseparable. They would wander from home when they were able, traveling the forest they’d come to know well. They were there now, sitting underneath a pine tree, picking at the straws. Agatha could not help but think her friend looked beautiful in her purple dress. “You sound certain,” was Corina’s response.

“Is it not certain? You see the way she looks at me.” Agatha shook her head. “You are the only one who sees me as good.”

“Why would anyone think otherwise?” Corina questioned. The silence spoke enough. It had gone around in recent whispers that Agatha was educated above her rank, and that she was not afraid of the possibilities. “No one knows, Agatha. Just you and I.”

Agatha may have felt alone, but she was stubborn. Corina saw this in her, and it was one of the reasons their friendship had survived. “I am not ashamed,” Agatha resolved. “If I am good at my craft, why am I meant to hold back from exploring it?”

It was an inquiry that didn’t need an answer. Agatha stood from their sitting place, brushing the pine straw off of her skirt. She extended a hand to Corina. Her friend took it, and allowed Agatha to help her to her feet. The slightest lingering of their hands upon standing together made Agatha’s heart skip a beat.

Down by the creek halfway back to home, Agatha and Corina took their shoes off to wade. Agatha held her skirts up, but Corina let the hem of hers hit the water. She was turned away from Agatha, so Agatha could take in the view. It’d been months since she’d started feeling something different: a warm, happy feeling that only came when she was around her. She had to make Corina aware of how much she meant to her. This feeling was practically bursting out of her.

“We ought to head back,” said Corina, noticing the sun hanging low in the sky. She walked to the dry ground and started putting her shoes back on. Agatha hung back.

“Corina?” she began. Her friend looked to her, assumedly prepared for whatever Agatha had to say. The way she looked at Agatha made her stomach flutter. This feeling was so possessive over her body. “How do you feel?”

Corina raised an eyebrow. “In what sense?”

“I feel something. It’s new. It’s something I feel in your presence and miss in your absence.”

Corina seemed to change, and Agatha wasn’t sure if it was good. “I’m not sure I understand.”

Agatha followed her out of the water, now, and reached for her hand. Corina just watched. “Do you feel nothing at my touch?”

In response, Corina drew her hand away. She looked more understanding now, but she didn’t seem happy about it. She backed up from Agatha. “Do you mean to tell me you harbor feelings for me?” She put an emphasis on “feelings”. She sounded unamused. “I am your closest friend. Why do you betray me so?”

“Betray?” Agatha shook her head, a small laugh echoing her disbelief. “I mean to flatter you. I didn’t intend to offend.”

“You assume I would be flattered by your attempts? I would never be seen with you in that way. The thought of it is revolting.”

Agatha was stunned. And, hot-headed as ever, anger followed. “You are my closest friend, and this is how you treat me when I confide my deepest secret?” Corina was finding the words, so Agatha continued. “You are no better than my mother, provoking me to see me lose myself.”

“Do not compare me to that woman. She is your cross to bear.” Corina sounded serious, and Agatha sensed her preparation for physical argumentation.

Agatha wasn’t shy of a challenge, and there was something itching at her — this little game was almost fun. Drunk on adrenaline and covert longing, Agatha breathed a deceptively disinterested sigh. “In the glow of your insults, you almost look just like her.”

Corina’s yellow glow danced across her fingertips. She said nothing aloud.

“Do you think you can best me?” Agatha said. Maybe it would be foolish to hold back on getting ready, but the anticipation was impossible to beat. Corina and Agatha had never sparred before, only taken turns on fallen trees or makeshift dummies. They’d been too afraid to hurt each other.

Corina sent a warning shot, a small ball of yellow energy that hit Agatha in the side. Agatha braced for the feeling of discomfort, but found that the sting gave way to a rush of energy. The slightest buzz, straight to her spine. She countered with the same move, and Corina groaned. Then, immensely angered by the pain, Corina gave it her all.

She wasn’t the strongest witch, and her magic often weakened in moments (like when she needed to take a breath, Agatha had always noticed). Agatha was caught off guard, but quickly moved to fight back, not afraid. The same energy from before flooded into her body, and one taste was all it needed. Without any forethought, Agatha clung to it.

“Agatha! Stop! You win!” Corina cried, but her words were a haze to Agatha’s senses. She felt as if she was being reawakened from a week’s long slumber, rejuvenated and alive more than ever. The energy slowly tapered off, leaving Agatha on her knees, head reeling from the rush.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, breathing heavily. “Are you okay? I don’t know what happened.”

When there was no response from Corina, Agatha looked up. Corina was face down in the ground by the creek, and Agatha quickly crawled to her, turning her over. She reflexively gasped when she saw a barely-familiar body, a remnant of her friend. Her clothes were fine, but her face was grey and sunken, and she was devoid of life. Agatha just stared, calculating all the possible ways she could explain this to her mother. She then put her shoes back on and decided to wander, looking for branches that looked like they would make a nice coffin. Her thoughts raced. She had cherished Corina, regardless of how indifferent she was trying to make herself feel. But she didn’t have time to cope with this right now.

Agatha wandered for a few minutes before deciding to give up. The sun was nearly to the horizon. While she walked, she was planning how to make a midnight getaway out of her mother’s house without discovery. Either that, or she could fake her own death? She shook her head. Someone would find her. She wished she could disappear.

A surprise awaited her when she arrived back at the scene of the crime. In place of the body was a bed of flowers, a tight-knit community of daffodils and dandelions. Agatha looked around, searching for a witness or a culprit. Out in the shadows stood a dark figure, and Agatha watched it turn and walk away. Her curiosity wanted to follow, but something in her gut sent her home.

Corina’s death was the beginning of Agatha’s hands-on learning experience. After thinking about the event for weeks, she had the urge to find that energy again. She would tell her mother she was headed out for the day and would travel far and wide to find lost witches in the forest. Sometimes she would start an argument in hopes they would volunteer themselves up. After all, she was only defending herself. She felt bad about tricking people into friendly duels that turned bad. She would rather them go down on their own accord.

Agatha also learned that once someone had provoked her, it felt impossible to break away. The stronger the opponent was, the harder her body desired to take. Once it began, it seemed the energy was the only thing keeping her alive until there was nothing more to take. To attempt to cut it off felt like dying in itself.

The rumors about Agatha continued to circulate until her mother had enough. Agatha was becoming far too dangerous, and she had to go. Years of learning had turned her into a threat that no one wanted to deal with. Agatha’s stubbornness carried her until she realized her mother meant her words.

Her mother did hate her, but Agatha still wanted to do better. Surely there was a way she could prove herself worthy and good. Maybe she had a problem. This power was necessary to keeping her going, but surely there was a way to control it. She knew it was over when she tried explaining and received dismissal. Everyone wanted her gone, and Agatha was prepared for the isolation of being a coven-less witch.

After taking power from those who had conspired against her, Agatha went to sit down at the edge of the gathering. It was here that she saw the same shadow again, moving through the woods towards the scene of the crime. She’d thought she had seen it during some of her other forest tricks, but this confirmed it for her. She watched as the shadow stopped, sensing Agatha’s eyes.

“Are you following me?” Agatha called out. She wasn’t afraid of anyone in these woods. She had a solid track record.

“It’s not you that I follow,” said a disembodied female voice.

Agatha shivered.

The shadow moved closer, then, and stopped behind an oak tree that Agatha particularly liked because of the way the branches twisted around themselves. From behind the tree came a brunette young women in a clean-pressed green dress. She had a dark cloak with a hood over her head, but her long hair fell to her hips. She was what Agatha felt for Corina, a thousand times over.

“I wish I saw you like this more often,” Agatha spoke, meaning her words but not intending for them to come out.

The young woman seemed to enjoy the cheekiness. “Perhaps you will.”

As easily as she came, she left.

Agatha was busy anyway. She took the bare minimum and set out into the forest, on a mission to find a new home, or at least a temporary place to stay. The rest of the village were likely to be on her heels after they saw what she had done. She also needed more power.

When she found a good resting place, she stopped for the night and curled up by a small fire. In the morning, following a dream about the mysterious young woman, she awoke to a garden of lavender.

[marjoch]

i love the imagery of lev & sharks.

i was watching a video abt sharks a couple of weeks ago and typed up tiny thoughts about the correlation between lev’s character and the creatures. while i still need to sit down and fully write out my entire thought process, a few things stuck out!

the particular trait that both of them share is curiosity, and i think it’s very fitting. sharks are social but able to fend for themselves, and are not violent as much as they are interested in the current happenings. a lot of times, lev springs into action and is ready for a fight, but waits on further prompting to act. he puts up a front that is more defensive than he behaves, also reminding me of shark tendencies. they’re both just curious little guys.

[marjoch]

ellabs — waiting room

intro text by @marjoch

[marjoch]

i have heard your confirmation. now it’s time to decide what to write

[marjoch]

arcane fics anybody?