#firelight viktor

[duckchaw]

it has come to my attention I never posted this on here so. here you go.

[rarepairdumpster]

Firelight Viktor AU Part 2

Part 1

Pairing: Viktor/Silco (Arcane) Rating: M C/W: Negotiation, Exposition, Singed Mention, No one uses a front door

Its almost a week before Viktor finds himself scouting The Last Drop, eventually finding the safest time to sneak into Silco's office. 

Silco still knows as soon as he walks in.

"Hello, Viktor," Silco says, not even looking up from his papers when he shuts the door behind him.

Viktor's sharp eyes spots fricking ledgers.

"You do your own books," Viktor blurts, surprised.

"Of course I do," Silco raises an eyebrow. "Are you interested in becoming my accountant?"

Viktor's brows shoot up. "I am far too overqualified for that kind of work, so....no."

Silco chuckles. "I agree." 

He walks over behind his desk, setting his papers down before he cuts a cigar and lights it. Silco watches Viktor as he takes a drag, then exhales slowly. 

"Now then, have you had some time to think about what I said?"

"If Shimmer is intended as a medicine," Viktor says carefully,  "is there an effort being made to reduce the unpleasant side-effects? The...the mutations? Could I help make it safer?"

The corner of Silco's mouth turns up. "There are derivatives being created and tested. Progress is slow, though." Silco explains. "I currently only have one scientist, after all."

Viktor takes a moment to digest that and then he asks, "And if I could find more?"

Silco scowls immediately. "I don't want Jayce Talis anywhere near our medicine." 

"I didn't mean him," Viktor huffs, rolling his eyes. "He wouldn't understand. I know that. His friend is an enforcer, for fucks sake."

Silco narrows his eyes. "I'd need to vet them. And not a word to Ekko."

Viktor huffs. "I'm going to regret this quickly if you keep acting like I was born yesterday."

"I've been burned before," Silco reminds him. But his features do relax somewhat.

"So have I," Viktor replies, reminding himself of why he stopped working with Jayce so closely. Viktor comes closer to the desk and grabs Silco's pen and a blank sheet of paper.

"These are all current students," Viktor said as he leaned against the desk and wrote quickly, "or graduates from the last ten years or so. All Zaunite. All with anti-Piltover sentiment. As assistant to the Dean, I had a lot of access to certain information that would be kept quiet. You didn't get these from me."

Silco watched as Viktor wrote, letting his eyes glide along his lean form. He could allow himself a little indulgence from time to time. 

"And what do you want for this?" Silco asked when Viktor was done. 

Viktor shook his head. "Consider it a show of good faith."

Viktor thinks about his mother, about the years with her he lost, all because medicine was a privilege they couldn't afford.

He doesn't want anyone else to die from preventable illnesses

Silco raises an eyebrow, then nods with a smile. "I see us doing great things together, Viktor. Great things for all of Zaun."

Viktor doesn't answer. Just turns and leaves as quick as he can. 

But Silco's eye is burned into his mind.

Viktor's list proved to be more useful than Silco expected. Since it had been a few years since Viktor had been at the academy, some of the names had been expelled, mostly for reasons that were questionable at best. When approached, they seemed more than eager to continue their work or be a part of something that was making Zaun a better place.

One of the names works with Viktor and Talis at Hextech.

He doesn't approach that one.

Best not to, really.

Meanwhile, Viktor is having wet dreams about Silco, about the man pinning him down again and trailing the barrel of Viktor's own pistol over his lips. Threatening to stun him and have his way.

Viktor doesn't see Silco or hear from him for several weeks until he appears in Viktor's apartment again. He had a long day in the lab arguing with Jayce and honestly he would just like a bath and a glass of wine but there's Silco, sitting on his couch.

"Silco," Viktor breathes.

"Your information was valuable," Silco says, crossing his legs. "I have the interest of several you mentioned."

"That's...good." Viktor rubs at his temple, feeling a headache threatening him. "You could've sent warning you were coming. I had plans."

"Ah," Silco stands and smirks. "I assumed our normal method of sneaking into each other's personal spaces was the standard."

"I didn't sneak," Viktor scoffs. "You gave me permission to come."

"I have a front door," Silco replied, causing Viktor to flush a little. 

"Besides, I think I enjoy catching you off your guard." He walks closer to Viktor and smirks.  "It's endearing."

"Well, I find you infuriating," Viktor retorts. He doesn't mean to take a step backwards, but it's what happens, and his back bumps against his living room door. 

"I tend to have that effect."

"Is that all?" Viktor huffs. "Because I would like to return to my plans."

"No, I'm afraid," Silco lightly takes hold of Viktor's arm, gently guiding him to sit on the couch. "I'd like to discuss your position in my organization."

Viktor's brain goes on autopilot when Silco touches him, but returns when he hears what the man said. "I didn't agree to join your organization."

"I believe the words were can I help," Silco points out, amused. "That sounded like a job application to me. And after all, those names you gave me were just a show of good faith."

Viktor looks away. He shouldn't have said that. He was still emotional from what Silco had told him. It did fill a lot of holes in Ekko's story though, and every time he tried to bring something up, either he or Scar would shut Viktor down. 

"I'll hear you out," Viktor sighed. "But you have to pour the wine." He pointed to the icebox "In there."

"Yes, Sir," Silco answers mockingly, but he does move to retrieve the wine as asked. And two glasses.

Viktor flushes a little at Silco's mocking. He didn't mean to order the baron around. It had just been such a day.

Silco came back from the kitchen with two full wine glasses, and handed one to Viktor before he sat down next to him. 

"Now then," Silco clears his throat. "First, I can't have you working here in Piltover anymore."

Viktor scowls and bites out, "And lose access to that incredible lab, those materials? I don't fucking think so."

Silco smirks a bit at Viktor's passion and takes a drink before his next words. "I'm afraid you don't understand. You're compromised." 

"I am not," Viktor scoffs. "I think Ekko would have said something." 

"How do you think I found you?"

"You have Chief Marcus in your pocket. You could find anyone."

"Marcus and most of Piltover are dull enough to have not caught on, but that stunner," Silco tilted his head and smiled. "The only thing keeping you out of Stillwater right now is that they underestimate you."

Viktor tightens his hand around his glass of wine. "And because you know how to keep a secret."

"And I will continue to," Silco assures him. "However, I can only protect you down there. My reach is limited topside."

"I have a life here," Viktor said quietly, troubled. "Friends. People I care about. A job that most would kill for. People would ask questions, if I left. Who'd willingly return to live in the undercity, after all."

Viktor says that last part like it hurts to say, like it makes him queasy, but he knows it's what Piltovans would ask.

Silco takes a look around at the small, one bedroom apartment that Viktor's life was in. As for "friends", he thought Viktor knew better than to think Pilties would want anything to do with a sump rat that didn't benefit them. He wanted to tell Viktor that he could give him so much more, but it was clear that now wasn't the time. 

"Fine," Silco finally relented. "You can stay, but I'll be having you watched. For safety."

"You don't need to be concerned about my loyalty."

"It's your safety that has my concern," Silco corrects.

"Why?"

"Because you're incredible," Silco answers simply. "Because of the ingenuity of your pistol. Because of your seldom-mentioned contributions to Hextech. And because you love our city--perhaps as much as I do."

Viktor's breath catches in his chest. Silco called him incredible. Even when he and Jayce were doing their best work, it was their experiments that were incredible. Never him.

"I hope that's true," Viktor says before taking a drink. 

"Also, you'll need to meet with the Doctor as soon as possible," Silco continues, pulling a small journal out of his inner coat pocket. "He said this would contain all you need to know about shimmer and what derivatives he's working on."

Viktor takes the journal. Flicks through a few pages as a he takes another drink. And then he swallows roughly, almost choking, as he recognises the chicken scratch.

Takes a closer look to be certain.

Viktor looks at Silco, frowning, severe. "You work with Doctor Reveck?"

Silco raises his eyebrows. "I suppose I never really asked his last name. I assumed he didn't have one."

"Dangerous assumption for one so careful." Viktor snaps the journal shut. "That man's a Piltie. A disgraced one, but still. He used to work directly with Heimerdinger."

Viktor looks at Silco. "Whatever that man is doing, he has his own agenda, and he'll screw you over to get it."

"I'm afraid he's also the only one who knows how to produce and control shimmer," Silco sighed and gestured to his eye. "Until someone else takes over his work, I'm indebted to him."

Viktor purses his lips. Drums his fingers over the journal. Thinks for a long moment. "Fine. I'll meet with him. If only to find out what he's really doing."

"Good," Silco nodded. Viktor didn't need to know that him replacing Reveck was Silco's plan all along. He knew the doctor's history of course. The fact was, he was a necessary evil until Viktor came along.

"I have one more request," Silco asked, taking a drink.

Viktor sighs. "What now?"

"Allow me to take you to dinner on a night you have free."

Viktor is glad the wine glass was only to his lips because he's sure he would have choked. "I'm sorry?"

"Dinner," Silco repeats. "If we're going to work together, I'd like to learn more about you."

"And dinner is required for that?" Viktor's brows shoot upwards, and for a moment, the memory of his wet dreams push to the surface. He very determinedly doesn't blush. "No, you have another agenda."

Silco chuckles as he leans forward into Viktor's spaces and sets his empty glass on the end table next to him. 

"I'm afraid my other agenda as you call it," Silco pulls back a bit, stopping when he's close to Viktor's ear, "is much more personal." 

Silco leans back, then stands, adjusting his vest and coat. "I'll send a safe courier in the morning to receive your schedule so such things can be planned."

"Such things," Viktor mutters, miffed. Silco acts like his personal agenda is a foregone conclusion, the smug bastard. 

The arrogance of powerful men was the same, no matter what side of the bridge they stood on.

Silco notices that he ruffled Viktor's feathers a bit, but he doesn't have time to deal with the fact that he happened to catch him on a bad day. 

Silco turns to leave and sighs before looking back at Viktor.

"We will make a difference, Viktor," Silco reminds him. "If you trust nothing else that I say, trust in that."

That's what Jayce promised me, Viktor thinks, but doesn't voice, and then he stabbed me in the back in front of a full auditorium.

Part 3

Arch + Woods

[naiad-r]

The self-made immortal and his mortal heart.

[aurelion-solar]

the 3 promo posters for Arcane Season 2 can be joined together, with Ekko's trail going across them all, fortiche really are the best!

[innietheyeti]

I'm internally dying because of these pictures!

[lady-griffin]

I really love how Ekko and the Firelights are essentially the real version of Viktor and his commune -

The Firelights are an actual community not a hive mind. We see through small interactions between Ekko and Scar that the Firelights aren’t mindlessly obedient to Ekko and his will. They follow him because they trust and respect Ekko, but that doesn’t mean they can’t disagree with him.

The Firelight’s base is also this brightly colorful and vibrant hub, but unlike the commune it looks to be from Zaun made by Zaunites; rather than inspired by the Arcane and another culture, that’s distinctly not Zaun-like.

Finally, despite Viktor’s genuine desire to help people, his changes and progress are at best temporary because everything is 100% reliant on him – we literally see that when he dies, everything crumbles instantly.

But when Ekko went missing (presumed dead) the Firelights continued on; sure, they’re struggling and mourning their leader, but they’re still working towards a better tomorrow. Ekko actually made something bigger than himself; a real community that will last well beyond him.

And yeah, I just really love that; Ekko is the real savior of Zaun not Viktor.

[srslylini]

The people praising Arcane seem to always only focus on specific stuff so I want to ask anyone to praise this:

1. Sevika's story, please go on. Praise it. Tell me how good she was after episode 4, I am waiting?

2. The firelights. Go ahead tell me how much we saw them and how the Tree came back and was tied into the story, tell me how they got screen time and how their story got told?

3. Ekko. Tell me how good it was to make him ignore his home after he went to Jayce to get it fixed. Tell me how great his character arc was after they got rid of everything else he liked.

4. Mel. I want you to praise how much screen time she had and how the black rose didn't come out of no where. I want you to tell me it didn't feel like they wrote her out of the story and I want you to look me in the eyes and praise how well they treated her in the last act. You know, with Jayce apparently only seeing her as a sex object. Women really won.

5. Praise the Robots.

6. Go ahead tell me how good it was to kill off all the suicidal characters.

7. I need to hear people praise the time loop/travel. It was so good and made so much sense and time travel isn't mostly a weird way to not resolve anything.

8. Talk nice about the side characters, please. Maddie, Loris, Isha, Steb, Lest. You know all of them were so necessary and weren't only there for one thing and then got killed or just never to be seen again. Praise how good their writing was, go on.

9. Go ahead and tell me how well they handled Vi's character. How they didn't just completely ignore her. Praise how they made her an alcoholic for 3 seconds and then she was just able to stop, isn't she an inspiration?

10. Go ahead, tell me how well they resolved anything that happened in the first 3 episodes. The Grey is just never mentioned again outside of it being used in the last war. Tell me how the people of Zaun just supporting Piltover is worthy of Praise.

11. Vi and Ekko never interacting was so good, wasn't it? So perfectly in character for Vi to rush right past him in the finale. That was perfect.

12. Praise it how good it was that Caitlyn just completely forgets her mother in the end, you know the reason the first 3 episodes happened. Praise it how her father is off hand mentioned in episode 8, never to be seen again. You know... the parents, her reason to go nuts like this. Damn that was good

13. Jinx getting to apologize in prison to Caitlyn. What a scene am I right?

go ahead, there is so much to praise, it must be tiring only focusing on one or two things

[celineandtulips]

So… my man Ekko deserved more recognition, and he’s becoming more popular with season 2.

But I’m so tired of looking for fanfics and head cannons and all and finding only crumbs of him so I’m writing my own for the few Ekko fans that want to read more than just Timebomb like me

I’ll be publishing the first chapter of a series in some days. Anyone can make requests too if they want!

I mean, he’s so pretty just look at him

[arcaneadvi]

powder and ekko could have been zauns jayce and viktor.

[pedroam-bang]

Arcane (2021)

[velvet-games]

mel goes hoverboarding

[duckchaw]

More of my au Viktor this time it's some s1 act1 realness (aka pre firelight) :)

In this au ekko and viktor kind of have a siblings/close cousins vibe goin on bc I think it'd be cute.

[rarepairdumpster]

Firelight Viktor AU Part 3

Part 1 | Part 2

Pairing: Viktor/Silco (Arcane) Rating: M C/W: Realizations, Sexual Tension, Disability Talk, Viktor deserves all the mobility aids

It takes a long time for Viktor to trust Silco. Longer than Silco expected, honestly.

Viktor is like a stick in the mud when it comes to trusting people. He doesn't give it easily. It takes hard work to ease it out.

It had taken over a year of working together for him to really trust Jayce, after all. And look where that got him.

Silco at least seems committed to gaining Viktor's trust. He notices Silco never makes promises he doesn't intend to make good on, and he's kinder than Viktor expected. 

He takes Viktor's suggestion to set up a free clinic in one of the old factories, and it's where Viktor visits often to see how he really is helping the undercity.

The first time he visits, it makes him emotional, because their are old grannies, etc, thanking the workers for helping with their joints. For the medicine. Saying they've had a new lease of life in the last week, etc

He notices their lack of mutations.

And when he asks one of the workers, they make an offended face and explain "Taking too strong a dose over long periods is what causes the mutations. We know the guidelines for administrating it."

Viktor smiles a little at the seriousness that the workers take their jobs. "I'm glad to hear it," Viktor nods. It makes him happy to know that Silco chose good people to hire.

When he gets back home, Viktor has a little cry, and pulls out an old tattered photo of his mother. Wishes he'd been older. Wishes she'd lasted longer. Wishes he'd met Silco sooner.

It's not long before Viktor realizes he's spending more time in the undercity than in Piltover. He keeps making excuses to not be in the lab as if Jayce isn't making similar ones for political ventures, and finds walking the streets topside to be increasingly uncomfortable.

Keeps hearing not-even-remotely-hushed remarks about uppity sumprats daring to ask for a new lift, for water purifiers, etc, and answering outbursts of "ungrateful trenchers"

"As if we havent spent enough money on them already"

Unkind comments about The Industrialist.

Viktor isn't eating very much at him and Silco's, now, weekly dinner at the last drop. All their words keep swirling in his head and it makes him sicker than he already is.

"What is it?" Silco asks, dabbing his mouth with his napkin.

"I don't think I can keep going back there," Viktor answers quietly, not look at him. He pushes some food around his plate with his fork. "The things I hear up there....its sickening. And I hear it more now than ever."

Silco nods. "I have somewhere for you to stay. When you're ready."

Viktor flushes a little. "I think I'm far from ready to stay with you."

"No, of course not," Silco chuckles. "I had a townhouse prepared when I first recruited you. I wanted you down here full time, if you recall."

"A townhouse," Viktor repeats, bemused. "Haven't heard that term used down here before." 

Silco smirks, eyes glinting. "You'd be amazed at the difference knocking a few walls, a fresh coat of paint, and some good furnishings, can make."

"You had that prepared for me?" Viktor asks, a little surprised that Silco went through all that trouble. "And kept it?"

"I had a feeling you would need it one day," Silco explains, taking a drink. "And I'm usually right."

Viktor can't tell if he wants to touch Silco's hand in thanks or kick him under the table for the presumption

"I need another week," Viktor decides. "To gather my things and make arrangements." 

"I'll send a truck whenever you're ready," Silco nods. 

Viktor stares at his food, then up at Silco. "I...Thank you."

"What for?"

"Treating me like a person," Viktor explains. "Like I matter."

Silco frowns like he's actually baffled.

"How else would I treat you?"

"It's just that you were right about everything. My friends, my job...everything." Viktor chuckles sadly. "You're the only one that's stayed consistent in how you've treated me."

Silco's lips thin. Just for a moment.

"I don't relish being right about such things, Viktor," Silco says quietly. "You must know that. If a man deserves anything, it's to be confident his friend has his back. No matter what."

"Then, I'm glad to have you," Viktor smiles, even though he can feel tears stinging his eyes, "as a friend."

Silco almost startles, but contains himself. 

Instead....he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handkerchief.

Offers it without a word.

Viktor dabs his eyes and thanks Silco, taking a few deep breaths before speaking again. 

"I should go. I have things to prepare."

Let me escort you, Silco thinks, but he doesn't give voice to it. 

Viktor is still too entangled with the firelights for that.

It only takes Viktor a couple days to gather his meager things from his small apartment and make sure that only what he wanted remained on record at the academy. 

He called Silco for the moving vehicle early and was a little embarrassed when all he had to put in the large truck was a small end table, his shower chair, and a couple crates of personal items.

The truck driver gives the contents a funny, half-irritated look, but shrugs. Whatever. Silco is paying for the fuel and his time, so who cares.

Silco is there to greet him when they pull in front of the house. It's nestled between two much taller buildings but still contains the winding brass and chemtech accents native to Zaun. Viktor hasn't seen anything so magnificent that was his.

Silco glances at the limited contents that the driver heaves out of the truck and he raises a brow. "I suppose its a good thing this place is fully furnished."

Viktor looks away, embarrassed. "The academy provided my previous apartment and furnishings. I had planned to get my own things eventually but...nothing ever seemed right."

Silco hums, and suspects he knows why, but doesn't comment. He just opens his palm and reveals the key

Viktor hesitates a moment before taking the key, letting his fingers brush along Silco's palm. "Thank you, again."

"No need." Silco smirks. "I get as much out of this arrangement as you do."

"I'm not sure about that," Viktor chuckles trying to hide the flush of his cheeks. Gods, the crush he had been developing on the man just kept growing. He just hopes that some day he'll have the courage to do something about it. 

"Are you busy?" Viktor asks, a little hopeful. "I could make some tea."

Silco gives him a once-over, and Viktor feels like he got caressed from ankle to throat  "I could drink."

Viktor goes to grab one of his boxes and Silco stops him with a hand on his upper arm. 

"Let them take care of it," Silco smiles. "You've had a long day." 

Viktor nods and goes to the door, opening  it for the first time

The brief touch on his arm lingers, a phantom sensation, warm and tingling.

When he opens the door, he sees that most of the furnishings are covered, but the amount of space is more than Viktor has ever occupied. 

"I do have one thing to show you," Silco smirks, a glint in his eye. He walks forward into the house, looking back to make sure Viktor is following him. He winds his way to the back of the house, near the kitchen, where a small lift was tucked away. "I knew relying on stairs all the time would be difficult for you."

Viktor draws in an unsteady breath. A personal lift? In his house?

Silco was spoiling him.

Silco is a bit hesitant at Viktor's silence. "I understand if I was being too presumptuous or--"

When Viktor's hands fly around his chest and he feels the warm heat of Viktor's body against him, he goes stiff for a moment before letting his arms wind around Viktor as well.

Almost like he can't help himself, Silco tucks his face into Viktor's neck and inhales.

Viktor isn't usually one for acting out of emotion, but no one had ever thought of him like this. His leg and back were an inconvenience and a problem to be fixed.

But Silco saw him.

"I'm sorry, I..." Viktor couldn't bring himself to pull away from the warm embrace. Not yet.

"It's alright."

Silco ends up being the one to part them, the temptation too strong when his lips were so close to the skin of Viktor's neck.

"I believe I was promised tea," Silco gives Viktor a soft smile, his hands resting on the boys shuulders

"Ah. Yes." Viktor flushes. "Right."

Arch + Woods

[agathesisi]

"What I've done"

[aurelion-solar]

Arcane x Wild Rift Full Promo Art

[autumnblooms]

“You are…the final tether…to my humanity”