Chapter Text
Viktor turned his head carefully, eyeing the mirror behind him with a guarded look as he put more weight on his crutch to turn his body. “Are you sure this isn’t…ehh, too much?” He asked, the drawl of his accent stronger with his edginess.
He looked himself up and down as he was dressed in the Talis colors, the red and gold a pleasant combination as he smoothed a few wrinkles from the comfortable trousers. Viktor was grateful at how they allowed breathable room for his new brace; the green and black of the brace able to be shown without clashing with the other colors. His silk shirt was comfortable on his skin, and the trinkets wrapped around his wrist, courtesy of Vi and Powder of course, was a nice added touch.
Viktor’s cause for concern however, was the shirt. While comfortable, the lower back was open enough to reveal skin and part of the brace Jayce designed. The small diamond shape showing more skin then Viktor was content with, and he was tempted to wear one of his old vests as a cover.
“I think it looks sexy,” Powder said, waggling her eyebrows.
Viktor rolled his eyes, but didn’t disagree. While not his style, he…selfishly enjoyed that the guests would see the brace Jayce made for him, what his soon-to-be husband made for him. And the way his freckles and moles were shown off between the steel and leather… It looked…nice, he supposed.
Vi nodded alongside with her sister. “If Jayce doesn’t confess to you by the end of tonight, then he is a fool and we will deal with him accordingly.”
“Again with the death threats…Please don’t kill Jayce and be the cause of a second war,” Viktor said with a small smirk, carefully sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Powder shrugged, making no such promises. “Well,” She said, elbowing her sister. “we’ll be the whole time, so just say the word, and Vi and I can cause a political incident that will go down in history.”
“I would be eager to kick ass today, just for you,” Violet said, battling her eyelashes dramatically. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight.
“Yes, I am quite sure you are eager for tonight, just for defending my honor,” Viktor remarked calmly, enjoying the way Vi’s expression changed to one of indignation.
“Look, just because Caitlyn is here - ”
“Ooohh he didn’t even say why,” Powder grinned. “And you said ‘Caitlyn’, oh why is that?”
Vi shoved her sister away, scowling at her ammused cackling. “I hate you both, you’re on your own.” She lied.
Viktor smiled warmly at the sisters, playing with the bracelets around his wrists. “Is it time?” He asked, already knowing the answer.
The sisters stopped throwing pillows at each other to look up at the clock.
“Ah crap,” Powder said with a huff, blowing her hair out of her face. She reached her hand out to Viktor. “Ready?”
Viktor took her hand. “Ready.”
Viktor was not ready. As he was led by the guards with Violet and Powder by his side, he quickly remembered something important: he hated parties.
“Can we stay with you until Jayce arrives?” Violet asked him when they arrived outside the ballroom doors.
Viktor shook his head, while his mind screaed at him to beg them to stay. “He and I are supposed to arrive together.” He jerked his chin towards the door. “Go on, I will be there soon.”
The sister’s nodded, displeased but hugged him quickly before they were escorted in, Powder shooting him a quickly whispered 'tell him' before the doors shut.
Viktor peaked through the door before it closed, noticing with a grimace how the room was packed unlike anything he had seen before. He let out a disbelieving groan as he faced his two guards with a fatigued look. “Are they always like this?” He asked, griping his crutch. How dramatic, what kingdom needs to have so many people in one room?
One guard ignored him completely, staring ahead but the other shot his fellow guard a dirty look before she turned back to Viktor kindly. “Rarely,” she said gently. “Once you and the prince arrive, people will start to leave;” She leaned forward. “many just accept so they can prove they were there, eat the food, and gossip with the others.”
Viktor nodded, thanking her as he looked behind himself, waiting for Jayce. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the one guard elbow her fellow guard with a confused expression. When the male guard said nothing to her, Viktor stopped paying attention to it, content to ignore him and wait for Jayce.
“Viktor,” breathed a soft voice behind him.
Viktor leaned on his crutch to turn on his heels, letting out a breath at the sight before him.
Jayce was there, dressed beautifully (he always looked beautiful, Viktor thought to himself) in Zaun’s signature forest green and black. Viktor didn’t know Jayce would be wearing those colors; he was sure his face and neck had that annoying pink tint to them that he got whenever he was staring at Jayce took long. Powder and Vi were the only ones to point it out, but once they did, he noticed it as well.
Caitlyn was behind the prince, gently nudging Jayce forward. Jayce stared at Viktor like he hasn’t seen him in ages. His eyes were wide as he took a careful step forward. “I - you – your shirt – I mean - you’re wearing the brace.” Jayce stumbled out, his expression morphing from shock to cringe, proving that wasn’t what he wanted to say.
“It’s my wedding gift,” Viktor smiled warmly, once again taking in how Jayce chose to wear Viktor’s colors, his heart doing annoying summersaults. "Of course I'm wearing it."
Jayce slowly reached forward, his fingers grazing over Viktor cheek, seemingly missing or too involved in his action to note Viktor’s wide eyes. “You look amazing.”
Viktor smiled and stupidly, selfishly, leaned into the touch. “I was going to say the same about you.”
How could a man like Jayce blush under such simple praise? Or, Viktor selfishly yearned, was it because it was Viktor saying it?
Jayce’s lips part, as he has that expression on his face similar to when they worked together in Viktor’s lab at Zaun on occasion; an expression of excitement to tell Viktor of a newfound discovery - when the nicer of the two guards cleared her throat. Jayce pressed his lips together, a faint frown at the corner of his mouth. Viktor turned his head to see her gesturing to the door for the party.
Jayce groaned, and Viktor turned his head back in time for Jayce to start pressing his forehead to Viktor’s. “Wanna skip this?”
"Oh absolutely,” Viktor nodded, easily returning the gesture. “But we can’t.”
Jayce pouted.
Viktor was not strong.
“I mean, we could try - ”Viktor started.
“No,” Caitlyn interjected from behind them. “It took me forever to get him here and not running to your room. Now get inside.”
Jayce shot her a look but didn’t argue. Instead he offered his elbow to Viktor. “Shall we?”
Viktor took it without question. “Of course.” Making a mentalnote to ask Jayce what she meant by running to Viktor’s room later.
As they entered, Viktor could feel Jayce’s eyes on him the whole time, walking in sync with each other even as Jayce’s piercing gaze never wavered. Jayce only turned away once Queen Ximena called to Jayce, pulling him into a hug and kissing Viktor on the cheek, surprising him.
“You both look so handsome,” The queen said, clasping their shoulders. “Greeting can wait, you two should dance while there’s room.”
“This counts as room?” Viktor questioned skeptically, looking back at the packed dance floor.
"Unfortunately yes,” Queen Ximena said, not looking sorry at all.
Viktor was absolutely not ready to dance, he barely wanted to be here at all, but when he turned to tell Jayce that he'd rather wait, all disagreements fell from his mind.
“I guess one wouldn’t hurt too bad,” Viktor agreed.
It was worth it to see Jayce’s beaming grin. As Jayce led him out to the floor slowly, eyes on him the entire time, it was hard to remember why Viktor was hesitant to enter the room in the first place; how could he focus on anything else when Jayce was right here? Jayce leaned his head against Viktor, breathing him in for a moment before he pulled back, moving his feet slowly, making sure Viktor could follow.
Viktor made it a habit to ignore the gawking stares of others when he noticed them throughout his life, but this time he didn’t need to try. If anyone was sneering behind him, he didn’t care. Didn’t feel the mocking gazes on them as they eagerly whispered venom to their own partner - all he felt was Jayce’s warm hand on his back, thumb rubbing against the sliver of bare skin, all he saw was Jayce’s soft eyes glancing from Viktor’s lips to his eyes, and all he heard was Jayce sigh out “Viktor, I know I should wait until later, but I need to tell you something…if that's okay.”
Viktor’s mouth went dry, unable to look away, he didn’t want to. He never would. Viktor couldn’t help but smile, leaning in to hear, eyes flickering away only due to movement from behind Jayce.
It was then when Viktor saw him.
A guard, the same Piltover guard that ignored Viktor earlier, standing there, people dancing around him, ignoring him. Viktor frowned, about to ask Jayce to turn, when he noticed the guard was reaching into his jacket, venomously staring at the back of Jayce’s head.
The guard bellowed something, Viktor wasn’t sure what was yelled out, he didn’t need to know; all he registered was the shine of the dagger being thrown, guests screaming, Jayce turning around far too slowly and Viktor instinctively flicked his wrist - his magic carefully wrapping around before shoving Jayce out of the way -
He only had a moment to see Jayce's confused expression change to one of horror before Viktor felt nothing but -
Pain. So much of it. It overwhelmed Viktor instantly, spreading throughout his entire body – far too fast, far too quickly. He gasped out, hands going to his stomach where the agony started. Something was wrong – something about that dagger - Thank Janna that he moved Jayce fast enough.
He felt himself stumble, heard a clanging sound of metal hitting marble as his balance started to fail him - Everything was just fog and agony and distantly, he felt his legs give out on him, he knew he must be falling - yet he didn’t feel the pain of hitting the floor.
"Viktor! Viktor!”
Jayce. Viktor opened his eyes – when did he close them? – looking up at Jayce – up? Why was he – when did he hit the floor?
"No no no look at me, keep your eyes on me." Viktor opened his eyes again. Why did he keep closing them? Viktor felt Jayce’s warm hand on his cheek, thumb moving back and forth as he kept talking. "Viktor, it's - oh god - no don't pull it out. We can't- Viktor, hold my hand - good, you're doing good. Caitlyn, tell them to hurry, please-" He didn’t like hearing Jayce sounding so – Viktor swallowed painfully – scared.
Perhaps he could have moved them both in time - Viktor didn’t even think of using magic to block the weapon, why didn't he? It never occurred to him; all he knew was the weapon was behind Jayce and he needed him to move. Viktor just wished he wasn’t the one to make Jayce’s voice tremble like that.
Viktor's head felt heavy, unable to move it easily but when looked down at his body, he could see the growing red on his shirt, quickly staining down to his pale skin.
“The brace,” Viktor mumbled, his accent sounding thick and coarse to himself. “I got it bloody. Sorry.”
“What - no it’s okay, that doesn’t matter,” Jayce’s shaking hands pulled Viktor to his lap, his other hand pressing against Viktor’s stomach - Viktor couldn’t help but let out a pained shout at the pressure.
“Sorry, I’m so sorry - ” Jayce kept whispering. Viktor felt something wet drip on his face.
"It does matter, you made it for me, don’t want to ruin it,” Viktor whispered, barely able to move his hand but needing to touch Jayce.
"We can make another together, it'll be okay," Jayce moved his hand from Viktor’s face to grip his hand firmly. Someone else was by Viktor’s side; he felt a hand on him and he impulsively flinched away.
“It’s okay, it's Powder and Vi. They're here, they're with you. We're here.” Jayce said unsteadily but Viktor couldn’t held but flinch at the added hand on his stomach. Viktor's eyes threatened to slip shut again, but a hand on his leg made him flinch, the feeling like he was burning from the mere pressure.
"I'm sorry," the voice was wet and aching, a sound he never heard from Vi. "I'm sorry, it's okay, you're okay." She rubbed his leg soothingly, voice shaking.
Viktor breathed in sharply, focusing on feeling the warmth of Jayce hand on his own as he was propped up with his back against Jayce's front, Violet's fingers pulling his weaker leg over his lap, Powder soothing back his hair from his eyes. Viktor almost smiled, he knew they would eventually get along. Shame it had to be like this.
His own private joke was cut short as Viktor bit down on his lip, desperately trying to keep from screaming over the pain of Jayce pressing on Viktor’s rapidly growing red chest, and only then did Viktor see the hilt of the dagger, sticking out of him. “I’ll fix it," Jaycewas gripping his hand almost painfully. "I promise, we can fix this, just – just keep your eyes open, please?”
Viktor would have done anything for Jayce, so he tried, but it was proving more and more difficultto do anything besides squint his eyes shut and scream.
“It’s too much - We need help!” Jayce roared at someone, Viktor wasn’t sure who. Powder’s fingers were shaking as she pulled his hair from his forehead, keeping hit from sticking to him. He didn't feel Vi by his leg anymore. He tried to look down, a whimper breaking past his lips as he tried to find even a glimpseof pink hair.
"They're trying to stop Vi from killing him," Powder said, her thumb rubbing over his forehead. She tried to laugh, but it was forced, a wet sound. "Don't you leave him." Viktor heard her say to Jayve before she was gone, and Viktor missed her touch instantly.
Jayce pulled Viktor closer, bringing Viktor's hand up to his face. "Stay with me, okay" Jayce pressed his mouth against Viktor's wrist, almost like he was kissing his pulse. It was proving difficult to register what was around him…in fact, it felt like they were alone, just the two of them.
"Please, stay with me Viktor, they are almost here now, just stay here, okay?" Jayce’s face was inches from Viktor’s, eyes red and lips trembling. Looking so horrified, looking so beautiful.
Oh.
I love him, Viktor thoughtto himself.
“I’m sorry,” Viktor whispered. He wasn’t even sure what for – for putting Jayce through all of this, for not telling him sooner, for wanting to tell him now, so many things. Viktor raised his hand up – it felt so heavy – and rested it on Jayce’s wet cheek. Jayce quickly covered Viktor’s hand with his own, shaking his head at Viktor's words. “I wanted to tell you -" he hissed when he moved wrong, his vision going white. "I wish I told you sooner…”
“You can tell me when you’re better – Caitlyn please tell them to hurry - they’re coming with help, you can tell me then - ”
"I love you, Jayce.”
Viktor didn’t want to close his eyes - he was afraid to – but when they close without his permission, Viktor felt the darkness consume him, sounds becoming muffled, feeling leaving him. He didn’t want to keep his eyes closed. Something warm enfolded him, and he felt his body move. He just wanted to see Jayce…once last time.
Please…he thought as he felt consciousness leave him. At least Jayce be okay.
*
It had been three days, the doctors said. Only, like any time was acceptable for Viktor to be unconscious. We had gotten to him fast enough, he is getting better each day, you brought him to us fast enough, just go to your room and rest - if they hadn't saced Viktor's life, Jayce would have been tempted to punch their calm faces. Viktor had been unconscious for three days, so Jayce hadn’t left the hospital room in three days.
Not that anyone would have found that surprising; Jayce was fully planning on staying until Viktor woke up, because he would wake up. Of course he would. The doctor's only said that Viktor should be okay, but that was enough. Nothing else was an option – he would wake up.
The first night Viktor was rushed in the hospital, carried in Jayce’s arms, he was so pale, covered in so much red, Jayce was terrified he was holding his dead body. The doctor almost had to drag Viktor out of his arms, he couldn't let him go, couldn't stop staring at Viktor's still face, his mouth open, his neck lolling to the side, his eyes closed.
Jayce wished it was him. It should have been him. It was supposed to be him. He had been so sure that was what the princesses would agree on as well. Instead, when Powder and Violet found Jayce outside the doctor's doors, on his knees and tears streaming down his face, covered in Viktor’s blood (so much blood there was so much and he couldn’t stop it and Viktor was in pain his fault his fault his fault) all they could do was drop to the knees as well and grab Jayce, holding him as they sobbed.
"He's gonna be okay," Powder’s muffled voice said against Jayce's shoulder. "He has to be. We can't - none of us can lose him. Please, Vik. Please be okay."
Jayce almost left once, and only once. When Caitlyn and Vi came to him to tell him about the poisoned dagger and the traitor guard trying to assassin Jayce for the “betrayal marriage”, it took both of them combined to physically keep Jayce from rushing to the prison himself. Powder didn’t stop him and soon Caitlyn and Violet were trying to hold down. Jayce didn’t help them. Probably the only reason Vi was trying to stop them after when she herself had almost stranged the man was due to Caitlyn begging her to let him live to ensure he wasn't working with others.
Jayce sighed, resting his head on one hand, the other gripping Viktor's cane. The sisters were in their guest rooms sleeping as Jayce promised he'd get them if Viktor woke up, but they needed rest too.
“Any updates?”
Jayce looked up and sighed in relief to see his mother. “None yet,” Jayce swallowed, looking back at Viktor’s still face. There were faint lines of pain on his face, but his breathing was deep, even. Better than before. “He feels warmer, that’s something, I think.”
Queen Ximena nodded encouragingly, a simple action that had some weight leave his tight shoulders. “The brace took most of the damage if I recall the doctor saying, and the antidote for the poison is working, yes?”
Jayce knew that was true, but that didn’t stop him from tightening his hold on Viktor’s too still, too cold hand. The fact that the doctor's said the posion that was meant for Jayce would have killed him if not for Viktor, brought no comfort. So what? If Viktor's magic wasn't embedded in his veins, fighting off the poison, then Viktor would have died. Jayce held the crutch tighter.
“He will be okay,” She said, sitying next to him to rub a comforting hand up and down his back.
Jayce sniffed. “He has to be.”
“And he will,” She said firmly, and it was hard to disagree with her when she had that tone.
“The last,” Jayce’s voice shook “What he said before he fell unconscious, was - He said he loved me. And I didn’t even get to say it back.” Jayce lowered his head, shoulder shaking. “I want him to know I wanted to say it back. But did he - did he even mean it the way...the way I do? The way I wanted to tell him?"
His mother pressed her hand on his spine resolutely, seemingly not surprised by Jayce's feelings. “Well, I think it’s clear he loves you – why else would he- ”
She stopped suddenly. Jayce turned his head to look at her, brows creased. “Why else…what?” He pressed.
Queen Ximena looked down at her fingers, a tick that Jayce knew she only did when she was nervous. “…Do you know…did Viktor say anything, about the day of the engagement?”
Jayce frowned slightly, absentmindedly caressing Viktor’s pale knuckles with his thumb. “No? I figured he was just as surprised as me at the news?”
Queen Ximena stared at her hands for a long moment before looking back up. “You were originally supposed to choose between Vander and Silco’s daughters, do you recall how we...discussed that option before? That is what we all assumed.”
Jsyce nodded, not sure where his mother was going with this.
“Well, of course neither of the kings wanted a war, well, perhaps mainly King Vander, but neither wanted to offer their children,” She reached up to caress Jayce’s cheek. “And while I knew if I asked you to join me for that meeting, you would have accepted anything to secure peace. But I couldn’t bear to force you to wed someone I knew you could never care for. It was starting to seem like nothing could be agreed upon.”
Jayce nodded, his free hand holding hers.
"But then Viktor spoke up.”
Jayce’s ears perked up at his name.
Queen Ximena sighed lightly. “He said that it shouldn’t be necessary to force you to marry a princess. That perhaps a Zaunite was enough.”
She waited patiently for Jayce, but for what, he was not sure.
“I don’t understand,” Jayce finally said.
Queen Ximena lowered her head, seemingly refraining from sighing. “He begged us not to say anything, but - ” She raised her head, gaze soft. “Viktor volunteered for the marriage. He said if you accepted, that he offered himself for the marriage.”
Jayce’s fingers froze on Viktor’s cheek.
"He wanted this…he wanted you." Queen Ximena squeezed Jayce’s shoulder, before she rose form her seat. “He will wake up. And when he does, talk to him.”
*
Jayce had been waiting by Viktor’s side long enough that the doctors silently brought an extra bed for him for nights instead of the chair he had made his temporary home. They had placed it next to Viktor’s bed and Jayce could have sobbed his thanks, grateful for the proximity. Powder and Vi had been by Jayce's side. Kings Vander and Silco had even come at one point. The two men eyes Jayce's hold on Viktor but said nothing.
It was a few days later when Jayce was half asleep, reading out a book to Viktor that he heard a muffled whine.
“Viktor?” Jayce dropped the book, moving closer.
Jayce truly wasn’t sure what day it was anymore; could have been months but it must have been days since the engagement ball. Powder and Vi would be distraught for missing the moment Viktor, but once they saw him, Jayce knew that the moment they laid eyes on him, Viktor would grab them and let them hold him tightly.
When Viktor's eyes opened, though his gaze was dimmed and expression drained, and yet he was still so, so beautiful. Viktor groaned, trying to push himself up with his shaking hands. Jayce rested his hand on Viktor’s chest, pressing him back down on the bed.
“How do you feel?” Jayce’s hands trailed from his cheeks to his chest, terrified he would see red on him again. “Do you need a doctor, I can get one. I know I saw - Oh - Powder and Violet, I need to get them - ” Jayce barely had time to sit up before Viktor grabbed his wrist weakly, yet his grip was tight enough to cause Jayce to pause.
Viktor’s eyes narrowed. “Are you hurt?” His voice was rough and dry from lack of use but it was still the most beautiful sound Jayce had ever heard.
Jayce scoffed, a watery thing. “You were poisoned, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?”
Viktor started pushing himself up against the headboard, Jayce carefully helping him settle comfortably. “Is that a no, hopefully?” Viktor pressed.
"I'm not hurt, I promise," Jayce said honestly.
Viktor nodded once, seemingly satisfied. "And Powder, Violet, are they - I remember they were with me..."
"They are fine," Still looking over Viktor, gaze flickering from his face to his slowly raising and falling chest, to his stomach where the - where it - Jayce swallowed thickly. "They will so relieved to see you awake, I should get them, they're just sleeping but I know they will want to see you."
Vikor simply held on to his wrist tighter. "Let them rest, if they look as exhausted as you, they will need it."
Jayce sighed, pulling the blanket up to Viktor’s waist. “I’m fine.”
Viktor squinted at him. “You don’t look fine.”
Jayce wondered how he looked exactly; he barely cleaned himself and ate only a little while he was waiting to Viktor to wake up. The sisters tried to get him to eat but he could barely think of food when Viktor was like this. Even washing the tiredness from his face in the washroom was a challenge because what if something would happen while he was gone? What if he would lose Viktor forever? “I thought I lost you, Viktor.”
Viktro leaned his head against the headboard, eyes downcast. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be…gods don’t be. I’m so glad – I didn’t even tell you how much – Viktor if I had lost you…” Jayce trailed off, his throat closed on him.
Viktor offered his hand, and Jayce took it without hesitation. “But you didn’t.” Viktor said it so simply, it felt easily to believe.
Jayce gripped his hand tightly, and Viktor mercifully didn't pull away. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you…”
Viktor waited for him to continue, color slowly coming back to his cheeks.
“I wanted to tell you that I loved you too,” Jayce wished it could have been under better circumstances, but his chest was threatening to implode if he went even another moment without letting Viktor know. “I’m sorry it took me so long – I never thought – I wish I had figured it out sooner, said something sooner, done something sooner but – I love you.”
Viktor stayed quiet, expression still.
Jayce inhaled shakenly but said nothing, waiting.
Viktor leaned forward, fingers moving from Jayce’s hand to his face, thoughtfully, carefully. “Is this a dream?” Viktor finally said, his tone disbelieving.
Jayce shook his head gently, pulling Viktor’s hand from his cheek to press his lips against them. “No. I love you Viktor.”
Viktor only stared at him, shaking his head as if trying to wake himself up.
Jayce wasn’t sure when it happened. All he knew was he had been looking from Viktor’s eyes to his lips, and he couldn’t let Viktor think he didn’t mean every word - and then Jayce was leaning forward, pressing their lips together.
“I’m sorry,” Jayce pulled back when he felt Viktor freeze – but then he became lightheaded at the moaning sound Viktor made at the loss. “Wait, no I want to but – I should have asked - May I kiss you?”
"I may not be incredibly experienced in kisses but I am quite sure that was the wrong order of things to do,” Viktor said, raising a hand to poke at Jayce’s overthinking brain.
“So, I mean, can I?” the words were coming out in a rush.
Viktor answered by closing the little gap between them, parting his lips over Jayce’s, teeth grazing Jayce’s lips.
Jayce blinked once before diving back in, instead focusing on making sure he could make Viktor make that sound again. Viktor dove in deeper, running his palms down Jayce’s shoulders, and Jayce carefully placed his hands on Viktor’s waist, tracing nonsense patterns though the thin shirt. Viktor leaned forward into Jayce, holding him close and running his hand anywhere, everywhere. "You really love me?" Viktor whispered.
"Yes, Yes, Viktor yes." Jayce's finger gently moved in tiny circles around the familiar mole beneath Viktor's eye as he leaned in deeper. Jayce only stopped when he felt Viktor pull back, a glassy look in his eyes. “Sorry,” Jayce said, dazed. “Maybe that was not the best thing to do when you just woke up.”
“I disagree, I think it is helping immensely,” Viktor smiled wearily, but he did lay his head back on the pillow, that adorable pink tint on his cheeks.
Jayce laughed, moving further up on the bed to sit next to him, hip by hip.
“Something else is bothering you.” Viktor said, no question in his voice.
Jayce shook his head. “Not bothered, just curious…Were you…going to tell me you volunteered? For the marriage?” Jayce asked after a moment of comfortable silence.
Viktor's eyes betrayed nothing as he swallowed loudly. “Powder?”
“No, my mother,” Jayce confessed.
This time Viktor’s eyes widened. “Last person I would have suspected letting it slip.”
"She told me outright,” Jayce admitted. “So, were you? Going to tell me?”
Viktor hung his head down, and Jayce hated how small he looked. “I wanted to. First, I tried to tell myself that I only did it because it would be better for you to marry a friend than a stranger. I knew you’d say yes to the offer for princess Violet or even Powder if it meant peace…so then I tried to say it was because I knew Violet was in love with Caitlyn, and Powder with Ekko - they didn’t deserve to be separated.”
Jayce nodded, waiting patiently as Viktor found his words.
“While those were true...the real reason is I wanted it to be me because I was selfish,” Viktor whispered eventually. “I offered because it was you. I never thought you could…want me back, so I was prepared for nothing to change between us. But I wanted to be with you. I shouldn’t have done that to you, it was harsh and cruel and I’m sorry - .”
Jayce leaned down to kiss him again.
Viktor sighed, but kissed back. “I shouldn’t have - ”
"I’m glad you did,” Jayce says hungrily back. “It got us together, didn’t it?”
“There were several other ways for this to happen,” But Viktor was starting to smile, a lovely sight.
Jayce hummed thoughtfully, ignoring the words as his heart swelled; Viktor picked him, wanted him, wanted Jayce – how did Jayce ever survive without Viktor by his side?
"I personally could have gone without this,” Jayce tenderly caressed over Viktor’s injury.
Viktor kissed Joyce's frown lines.
Jayce moved closer to finally – finally – kiss the beauty mark under Viktor’s eye.
Viktor’s grip on his hand tightened.
“I’ll never let you out of my sight for the rest of my life,” Jayce promised, moving back only to dive back in to worship Viktor’s neck, seeking every mole and mark he never had a chance to admire fully before.
Viktor smiled wider, running his hand through Jayce’s hair, kissing the top of his head. “What if I want to go to my lab?”
“We’re moving the lab in the throne room,” Jayce babbled, his lips going back to Viktor’s face. “Then I can join you when you need a second pair of eyes.”
Viktor laughed, causing Jayce to kiss his teeth with how wide his smile was and he was just so so beautiful. “What about when I want to go to the garden?”
"Move the whole garden by the window so I can see you, make sure to join you anytime I can," Jayce’s fingers tangled in the blonde locks by Viktor’s neck.
Viktor only smiled wider. “What about - ” He started.
Jayce silenced him with a deep kiss against his lips, swallowing down any more words. “I'll find a way to be by your side. You’re never getting rid of me.”
“Promise, husband?”
Jayce smile softened. He leaned forward, letting their foreheads touch, his thumb caressing Viktor’s cheekbone sweetly. “Promise.”