Archive of Our Own ^beta

Getting mail had been a pleasant thing as a child. Jayce could remember it well, whenever his mother would come in from outside, her bills and magazines in hand and a gentle little smile as she picked out an envelope, handing it over to Jayce.

He remembered handwritten notes from his Tia‘s, his cousins sending stickers and occasionally a piece of advice from his grandmother, who‘d always draw small stars onto her letters.

Growing up, that feeling had changed. A small feeling of dread–the fear of having forgotten to pay a bill or worse–completely overshadowed the magic that getting letters once had meant to him.

And yet he couldn’t help but feel a weird sense of nostalgia when, while visiting Ximena for the third time this week, she pulled out a letter with a small smile and handed it over.

He turned the pretty envelope in his hands. An invitation, clearly, sturdy paper with some pretty stars on it.

„Don‘t drive me insane, open it!“ Ximena laughed, refilling his cup of tea. Jayce did as he was told, gently prying it open.

He had been right. It was an invitation.

„…Anniversary reunion?“ he read out loud, blinking and counting in his head.

Yeah, it was true. His graduation, finishing school, was ten years ago. A decade, full of new and less gentle experiences, shaping him anew.

„Oh how lovely!“ Ximena clapped her hands. „You should go! I've always wanted to go to mine, and I never did!“

Not wanting to disappoint his mother, Jayce just smiled and nodded. Sure. It was a lovely idea, and he could imagine it being nice to see his old classmates again, to see what everyone was up to.

He checked the date, unable to not feel uncomfortable. Winter was coming up, the leaves already leaving the trees and bothering him by sticking to his soles lately. The date would be in deep winter, which meant snow. And the address of the reunion was an hour away, which meant somehow making it there.

„I don’t think I should…“ Jayce started his sentence, the panic rising in his chest.

He wouldn’t be able to drive, not alone and certainly not in the dark. What if his car would break down, what if he wasn’t ready yet. He hadn’t been anywhere alone for two years now, except for work and the grocery store, if necessary.

„Shush, Jayce.“ Ximena shook her head at him. „Think about it first. You can still cancel later, but don’t quit before thinking about it.“

Her voice was laced with emotion and Jayce couldn’t help but realize how important this was to his mother. And he couldn’t argue much. She was right. He shouldn’t let his panic win, he had done that for way too long. Had cut all social contacts, had hidden safely in his apartment and the few times a week he’d come here.

He didn’t want to disappoint her, so he let her know he’d think about it, trying to work against the pounding fear in his chest. He’d make a decision in peace.

 

Peace didn’t come. Hours later, in bed, Jayce was still thinking about it. Driving was stressful, but driving in the snow was something entirely else.

He got up, deciding he couldn’t sleep anyways, and making the switch to his wheelchair. He didn’t want to put the leg on now, having already taken care of the aching muscles and bandaged it for the night.

He rolled over to his computer, needing to push away the chair that stood at his desk, usually functional, but in the way now.

He rolled up close, switching it on.

Maybe he‘d find an alternative to driving by car? It stressed him, not having a decision made and a plan ready. Everything stressed him if not cleared, if not made sure he would be able to participate. Something he had never needed to worry about in his past life and had been learning to adjust to as quickly as possible.

With a small glance at the clock and the short moment of accepting how tired he’d be tomorrow, he began to type and research how to make the reunion happen.

 

It’s how he found himself boarding a train, a few weeks later, the folding cane in his backpack, positive he wouldn’t need it.

He had been so steady on his feet lately, his PT overjoyed by the idea that he was making a daytrip to another city, alone.

Finding his seat, he couldn’t help but be excited for the others. They had been a big group of students, four classes in total, graduating together, all so excited for what the future would bring.

This morning he had visited his mother, maybe to calm his nerves, but also because he knew she’d want to make sure he was alright and genuinely going.

He saw in her eyes that she wanted nothing more than normalcy to return to his life, to finally get back to the usual routine and to less fears and less feelings of helplessness. Something that Jayce didn’t find so easy with a leg less, if he was honest. But he wouldn’t argue with her.

She had put down his old yearbook in front of him, something he didn’t even know she had held onto, and urged him to take it with him, to have something to read on his ride.

Jayce was grateful for it now, was glad he could refresh some names on his way and think about the old characters and their goals.

There was only one page that he wouldn’t have to get to to know exactly what it said.

Viktor.

His best friend in school, a brilliant young man.

A man that Jayce had thought about contacting almost daily since he had lost his leg, which just filled him with so much shame that he never even dared to try.

It wasn’t right to think of the next disabled person just because he was disabled now, or at least that’s what Jayce kept telling himself. In reality, he was just scared. He had never truly forgotten Viktor, had seen him in every breakthrough at work, in any enjoyable moment and in every partner he had tried to get happy with.

But he had never been brave enough to tell Viktor that and he felt like coming out with that information years later was nothing but a betrayal to the friendship they used to have.

He busied himself, by smiling at the terrible fashion choices he and his classmates had been so proud of ten years ago. It would be weird to see everyone again. A part of him hoped he’d find a piece of himself there.

 

The old gym of the school had been decorated very tacky, but Jayce couldn’t help but find it nostalgic as he made his way inside. The way the floor was sticky was making it harder to walk with the prosthetic, but he was sure he’d be fine. So he’d have some extra pain tomorrow, who cared.

He wore his suit pants and fitting shoes, perfect to hide the metal to everyone who he didn’t feel safe being honest to, and a dressing shirt. He had wanted to look acceptable and like he was taking this seriously.

With a cup of god-awful lemonade, he hid in a corner of the gym, watching the room fill with more and more oddly familiar faces.

He was recognized by a few people who waved hello, but so far everyone was talking to their spouses they had brought or friends they’ve come with. Jayce, however, hadn’t been so lucky..

He walked over to the makeshift bar to get a refill of his lemonade when he was clasped on the shoulder by a man his size. He flinched, but quickly managed a smile.

It was Henry, an old friend, who had not only changed in size, but also wore an expensive watch and the ugliest shirt Jayce had ever seen.

„Jayce! It’s so good to see you! How are you?“ He was loud, but Jayce reminded himself to stay nice and socialize. He probably just wasn’t used to this anymore.

„Good.“ he lied, smiling at Henry and the woman that accompanied him. „How are you?“

„Oh just fantastic.“ Henry grinned. „This is my wife, Jenna!“

Jenna smiled and lifted her hand as a little hello, Jayce giving her a nod. „Lovely to meet you Jenna.“

„I was just telling Jenna how you were the craziest sports player back in school, and then I see you, walking like you’ve got a stick for a leg.“ Henry laughed. „What the hell happened?“

Jayce breathed against the feeling in his chest. Wow. He had sworn it wasn’t noticeable, that no one would care or point it out. He quickly, in a desperate try to not embarrass himself, laughed at Henry‘s words.

„Oh you know, took a small tumble.“

Henry laughed, loud and comfortable. „Knew you’d still be an active dude. What a hunk of a man!“ He clasped Jayce‘s shoulder again, and this time, Jayce managed to not flinch but laugh with him.

He wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. He looked around for something else, someone to see and say hello to, truly anything.

What he did see, made breathing even harder.

It was Viktor.

His old friend Viktor, who he had hoped so much to see here. Gorgeous, gorgeous Viktor.

And Viktor wasn’t alone, arm hooked into the arm of a man, standing tall and next to him. A gorgeous couple, Jayce had to admit.

He hadn’t even known Viktor wasn’t straight… of course there had been hints, but these hints had also applied to Jayce and it had taken him approximately seven years to figure out that he also liked men, and romantically preferred those too.

Viktor was smiling at people, quickly being talked to, and Jayce realized that he was still staring while Henry was next to him, telling him about something in his life.

Jayce tried his best to throw himself back into that conversation, to listen again, glad he at least got the last few sentences.

„…and the house is amazing! It’s going to be a great place to get children in.“ Henry grinned and Jayce managed to actually be happy for him there. „That’s lovely to hear, Henry.“ He heard himself answer, taking a sip of the lemonade to cover up any facial expressions.

Henry agreed, saying something about needing to see what everyone was up to and disappearing with his wife. Thank god. Like this, Jayce had a second to think, on how to approach Viktor and his.. whoever that was.

He didn’t want to make it weird, and he was hoping there was no resentment anywhere, staying by the buffet and making a game plan.

„Jayce?“ Viktor‘s voice, unmistakably his, ripped him out of any plans he had made.

He looked up to find Viktor smiling, and scrapped any plans with a feeling of relief.

„Viktor.“ he smiled at him. God finally. He couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with a wave of excitement.

„What have you been up to these past years?“ Viktor was smiling politely, no one next to him. Apparently the man had left him alone. „You look good!“

Jayce couldn’t help but think the same about Viktor. He had let his hair grow out, some blonde streaks hidden, some tattoos on his arms reaching up to his fingers, vines wrapping around them. He wore a dark green, flowy blouse and some fitting black pants. Something that Jayce couldn’t help but notice was the gorgeous cane, a gold color. He had never noticed these things until needing to. Until having no other choice.

„So do you!“ he finally caught up. „Uh I...“ he struggled to find a positive thing to say. „I did my masters! And started my doctorate.“

Viktor chuckled. „Physics?“

„Mechanical engineering.“ Jayce nodded, earning a chuckle from gorgeous Viktor.

„That suits you. I like it.“

Jayce beamed. It was a high praise, from a friend like Viktor, that he had shared so many science projects with. „So do I. What about you? What are you-„

They were interrupted by someone calling Viktor’s name, who smiled at Jayce apologetically.

„I‘m sorry, Jayce, I helped fund and organize this evening, so I am needed elsewhere. I will return in a bit, don’t forget where we left off.“

Jayce nodded, stupidly, a little dumbfounded. Viktor was the opposite of a social person, or at least he had been. The idea of him organizing this, a meet up with all these people he hadn’t talked to in years was… hard to believe.

 

Jayce looked around. He saw the man that Viktor had arrived with, standing with a few people. Interesting.

It was wrong, maybe, but Jayce couldn’t help but join the little group conversation. He was curious who this man was. To get a man like Viktor, he had to be great.

The man was, to his luck, currently explaining to someone how he and Viktor had met.

It had been adorable. Viktor, apparently liking coffee now, which Jayce tried to not think of as weird, had frequented a coffee shop close to where he lived. He had taken the same order daily, at the same time. The man that Jayce learned was named Aaron, had watched Viktor every morning, and taken a liking to him. He had started arriving at the same time, and Viktor had noticed and started talking to him. Whenever he’d be there, Aaron would pay for his coffee, and so after months, Aaron had calculated the cost of the coffees and told Viktor he’d have to make up for it with an invitation to dinner.

Everyone around them found that very cute, apparently. Jayce couldn’t help but find it weirdly transactional.

„It must be lovely to be with him.“ A girl named Clara, if Jayce recalled correctly, brought up.
Aaron laughed. „I mean, hell, I love him, but he complains so much.“
„Complains?“ Jayce heard his own question louder than anything else. Oh fuck.
Why had he asked? He hadn’t even been in the conversation. And now everyone was looking at him.
Aaron seemed to not be bothered by it too much, nodding. „Yeah, he will just get up and-„
He went as far as to imitate his accent. Jayce felt his own breath halt.
„Why are none of my shirts done right? Where is my cane? This rug is always making me slip!“
Aaron laughed like he had told a real funny joke and Jayce tried to concentrate on the cup of lemonade in his hand to control himself. He couldn’t hit a stranger. He couldn’t, he realized in horror, hit Viktor’s boyfriend.
But this dude was a total asshole. And ableist at that. He felt the way his own prosthetic hurt on his leg, too blunt, too painful.
Jayce needed to say something, something long and buried clawing at him, needing a way out.
„Viktor doesn’t complain.“ he said, trying to sound kind. It didn’t sound kind.
Jayce knew he seemed crazy. He hadn’t seen Viktor in years, hadn’t called him even though he wanted to. But these things that Aaron said.. they made his blood boil.
„He communicates.“ Jayce pointed out. „That’s what he needs to do. It’s.. if his shirts aren’t done right, he can’t grab them without having to strain. If his cane isn’t there, how will he walk?“ Jayce knew he was being looked at by everyone, but he kept talking. „If your rug makes him slip, remove it before he seriously hurts himself!“
His voice was probably much more irritated than it should be. Everyone was probably thinking he had lost his mind. But the frustration of the past two years needed out.
He hadn’t looked at anyone for two years. Had been careful to never need too much, to never complain, about this life not being cut out for him. No one looked at things from a disabled perspective. No one considered that normal things were hard now. Apparently not even the people we loved.
The boyfriend gave Jayce a smile. Clearly fake, showing all of his teeth. Jayce couldn’t help but admit they were pretty teeth, but not pretty like Viktor’s.
„Pretty sure Viktor warned me about you.“ Aaron spoke, Jayce noticing that more people had joined their little circle. Yeah of course, it would be interesting to him to have his ass handed to him in a few seconds. He had reacted completely out of order, and absolutely overstepped. He didn’t know Viktor. And he didn’t know Aaron. Nor their relationship.
„My partner did mention there‘s no one in this world that thinks he knows him better than Jayce Talis.“ Aaron smiled, tilting his head.
Jayce hadn’t expected this. And he knew he should feel bad about this, that it was something bad that Aaron knew about him. But he felt a weird sense of pride in his chest. Viktor had remembered him.
„That would be me.“ Jayce needed to go for defeat. He shouldn’t push further. He had done bad enough, had caused a scene. Something that wasn’t his style. At least not anymore.
„Lovely.“ Aaron’s voice was pissed and Jayce tried to not find even an ounce of joy in it. He had to get out of here. He was turning into someone he didn’t want to be.

„I‘ll catch a smoke.“ he announced, not sure anyone would care, but turning and leaving. He heavily had to concentrate on not slipping with the leg. Not now. Not when he had just pulled all the attention onto him.

 

Outside, he took a deep breath. What had he done?

He knew he should feel terrible, but his heart was pounding. He felt alive, like he had woken up from a slumber.

Looking down on himself, maybe he had been asleep. Maybe he had spent the last two years so numb because he hadn’t allowed himself to be this mad.

People like Aaron were hell, and he wanted to say something every single time. He wanted to fight it, to set it right.

But in fear of upsetting someone, in fear of not being taken seriously anymore, he had kept quiet.

Something that he had not been able to accept to happen to Viktor. Viktor had struggled so many years longer than he had, he at least deserved someone who wasn’t annoyed with him and his disability.

He considered leaving, but his train wouldn’t go for another few hours and sitting in the cold would just worsen the pain.

So, he’d have to pass the time.

He walked around on campus, taking the paths that looked like they wouldn’t be slippery, trying to keep himself active so he wouldn’t freeze. He was probably missing the whole celebration inside, but he really didn’t feel like going in.

After a while, he made his way into the direction of the parking area, curious to see the cars that stood there. Maybe he’d been able to tell who had come with which car?

When he heard loud talking, he stepped back into the shadow of the building, not sure what he had to expect.

Two people came out of the building, talking, no, arguing loudly.

Jayce recognized Viktor‘s boyfriend immediately. And right after him: Viktor, not shy to argue back.

Jayce tried to make out what they were saying.

„I‘m fucking sick of this!“ Aaron exclaimed. „I did you a fucking favor coming here. You said it would be easy!“

Viktor scoffed, throwing his free hand in the air. „A favor?! I let you accompany me to be a good boyfriend, not to act like you got me locked in a shed!“

Aaron sputtered, his face red with anger. „I‘m fucking sorry my ideas aren’t good enough for you! This was realistic!“

„Realistic?!“ Viktor‘s voice doubled. „You didn’t even know what my doctorate was.“

Aaron scoffed and Jayce got closer. He wouldn’t interrupt, but he wanted to stay close in case the dude would try anything funny. He didn’t trust him, not a second.

„Oh my god, first this old friend of yours lays into me for being not mindful of your disability and now you’re pissy that I can’t remember your studies?“ Aaron threw his hands up. „I‘m done. This is ridiculous. I‘m leaving.“

Viktor’s face changed for a second, before it turned angry again. „What- You know what?Fine! Leave!“ he gesticulated wildly. „This was a shit idea, I should have just come alone!“

Aaron was already walking off, heading over to one of the cars. „Maybe you should have!“ he shouted back.

Viktor watched him drive off, while Jayce watched Viktor.

The man looked angry, but also sad. Viktor ran his hand over his face, laughing softly and sarcastic, shoulders shaking. He moved to a bench that stood at the side of the wall, dropping himself onto it.

Jayce knew that stepping out of the shadow now would be creepy, but he was beyond caring. Viktor seemed in distress, and Jayce had caused half of it.

He tried to walk like he was just passing along, Viktor‘s face snapping up when he heard something.

„Jayce?“

Jayce flinched regardless of being prepared.

„Hi.“ he tried to smile, probably failing terribly and only managing a face of pity.

Viktor scoffed, and his face read that he was looking right through Jayce’s facade.

„How much did you hear?“ he scooted on the bench, making space for Jayce, which Jayce gratefully took, trying to find a way of staying polite and not telling on himself.

„Uh.. just a bit.“

„And by a bit you mean…?“ Viktor grinned and Jayce knew he wouldn’t be able to lie to him.

„The whole thing.“ Jayce admitted, shoulders dropping.

Viktor laughed softly. Good, he was not mad. That was good.

Jayce couldn’t help but think how gorgeous Viktor looked when he laughed.

„What does he mean, you laid into him?“ Viktor interrupted himself and Jayce ducked his head.

„How do you know it was me?“ he tried to find an out, still a little embarrassed over the little scene he had caused.

„You’re the only one I told him about.“ Viktor shrugged and Jayce did his very best to ignore any implications of that.

„Oh…“ he nodded. „He was telling a small group of people that you complain occasionally about things.“ Jayce looked down at his shoes.

„I told him you don’t complain, you just let him know how ableist he is.“

Viktor laughed, sudden and loud. Jayce hadn’t expected it.

„You’re not mad I spoke on your behalf?“ Jayce questioned.

Viktor shook his head, still laughing.

„No it’s okay, Jayce. We aren’t really dating anyways.“

Jayce blinked, looking up at the empty spot in the parking lot, then looking back at Viktor.

„But he said- … the coffee shop story?“

Viktor sheepishly smiled, pulling his shoulders up.

„He’s a colleague from another department. He’s been asking me out for months now, specifically for this weekend. I was stupid enough to tell him what my plans are and so he... came up with this idea.“

Jayce blinked.

„Ah don’t look at me like that, Jayce.“ Viktor chuckled. „I know, I shouldn’t have said yes. But I was embarrassed about coming alone and he was right there.“

Viktor? Embarrassed?

He was the most gorgeous person here, by far having the best glow up out of everybody. He had apparently helped organize this event and even had a doctorate.

„There’s nothing you need to be embarrassed about.“ Jayce said, maybe a tad too quick, too desperate, too pathetic.

Viktor smiled at him, eyes twinkling in the Christmas lights that someone hadn’t removed from the building yet.

„Thank you. I just thought if I came with a boyfriend, I‘d feel a bit less ridiculous.“ he shrugged.

„I get that.“ Jayce spoke, before realizing what it sounded like. „Not that you’re ridiculous!“ he rushed to explain. „But I get wanting to feel different. Better, more accomplished.“

Viktor nodded, tone playful.

„Yeah? And what is Mister Talis wanting to feel different about?“

Jayce knew he could distract. That he could turn this topic around and not give Viktor the awful truth.

But it was Viktor.

His Viktor.

And he didn’t feel like lying at all.

He smiled at the other, not sure whose nerves he was trying to ease, before gently plucking up his pant leg, revealing the sturdy bar of metal where his leg used to be.

Viktor’s eyes widened. „Oh fuck me…“ he mumbled. „Jayce, shit I‘m so sorry. I‘m an asshole.“

Jayce shook his head, quickly.

„Not an asshole at all.“ he smiled. „I‘m glad if you can’t notice right away. Well, my therapist says I shouldn’t be glad about that but-„

„I get it.“ Viktor interrupted. „I worked remote for a couple of months, only being seen behind a screen for all my colleagues. It was wonderful. No one knew how disabled I really was. No one judged me, or wasn’t sure I wouldn’t be able to do things. Whenever I had a flare and took a sick leave, they’d wish me a speedy recovery. No questioning whether I was healthy enough to work.“

Jayce nodded at that. He was lucky, working in his own lab and engineering department, no one else to bother him or question how often he was sitting down.

„I am sorry, though.“ Viktor spoke again. „It‘s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Especially not on someone as kind and smart as you.“

Jayce grinned, choosing to fuck with Viktor. „It doesn’t make me less kind or smart.“

„Oh fuck off.“ Viktor laughed. „You know what I‘m saying.“

And Jayce did. He understood what Viktor meant, but they both were stuck in it.

„You also don’t deserve it.“ He shrugged, Viktor shrugging right back.

„Nobody does.“

Jayce nodded. „We are stuck in our bodies. In this mortal realm.“

Viktor giggled. „You still believe in magic?“

Jayce chuckled. He had been obsessed with magic in their teenage years. With powers, with different kinds of abilities and the possibility to leave this world still fully conscious.

„Not as much as I used to.“ he admitted, truthfully.

Viktor nodded at that, looking out at the parking lot.

„Are you still in Piltover?“

Jayce nodded. He had thought about leaving many times, but with Ximena and Cait so close, he didn’t see the appeal. Additionally after losing his leg.

„Good. I‘m making the move soon. We should meet up when I‘m there. Go out together.“

Jayce didn’t know what Viktor was implying, just feeling a pressure in his chest. He needed to be honest with Viktor.

„I don’t really leave the house-„ he said, too quickly.

Viktor looked at his face, studied it, reading between the lines.

„Because of your leg?“ he questioned, not judgemental at all.

Jayce nodded, feeling a bit ridiculous now. Viktor had just invited him out, he was realizing, and he had said no because he was scared of slipping in a bar?

„How long haven’t you left the house, Jayce?“

Viktor’s voice was in his head and Jayce couldn’t even think of lying to him, or trying to make it sound nicer than it was.

„This is the first time since.“ he spoke, Viktor wincing softly.

„That doesn’t sound nice.“ he spoke, so soft, that Jayce felt like he was going to tear up right here, on this stupid bench in front of his old school.

„It isn't,“ he admitted.

Viktor gave him a soft nod. „But you came here. That’s good.“

And Jayce knew he needed to at least lie a little bit now, or tell him that it was because he didn’t want to disappoint his mother, or tell him he had been bored or that his therapist-

„For you.“ he heard himself say.

Viktor‘s eyes widened slightly. Fuck.

„I‘m sorry!“ Jayce blurted out, hiding his face in his hands.. „This is fucked, I‘m so sorry, wow. I didn’t mean to say that!“

He was such an idiot, Viktor would be-

A noise startled him. Viktor was.. laughing?

He looked up at the man, in between his fingers, unsure what to think of it.

Viktor calmed down, putting a hand on Jayce‘s thigh to calm him and Jayce felt like the spot was burning with how warm it was.

„I‘m sorry, I‘m not laughing at you at all.“ Viktor chuckled still. „It’s just.. wow we are really a pair of idiots aren’t we?“

Jayce didn’t understand, only focused on the hand on his thigh.

„Jayce, you came here for me? To see me again? Maybe open a line of contact?“ Viktor questioned and Jayce nodded. There was no point in hiding that now.

„Fantastic.“ Viktor chuckled. „Because I organized this whole event to do the same.“

Jayce felt his heartbeat pick up.

„You did all this so you could see me?“ he wasn’t sure if this was a dream.

Viktor nodded, cracking up again. „I don’t know why I didn’t just fucking try to call!“

„B-but Aaron-„ Jayce needed to know. Why had Viktor come with a boyfriend if he had done this for Jayce? Did he mean it in a platonic way? Jayce could live with that.

„I was scared you’d show up with a wife and kids. Or a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend, which would have been better and worse at the same time.“ he smiled. „So I figured taking Aaron with me would be safe to not seem creepy.“

Jayce smiled. „I don’t know, Viktor, organizing an entire event just to meet someone again… that is a little creepy.“

There was no bite in his voice at all.

Viktor laughed again. „I know right? I tried to tell myself that that wasn’t the case, that I just had been wanting to see everyone again but deep inside…“ he shook his head at himself, gently rubbing the spot where his hand was still burning a hole in Jayce‘s suit pants.

„I‘m glad you did it, then.“ Jayce made a decision. They had to get out of this. They had to finally get it together. It had been too long.

„I‘m glad you actually came.“ Viktor smiled at him and Jayce wanted nothing but to kiss him.

„Yeah.“ he croaked out. „Me too…. When are you coming to Piltover again?“

 

********

„You really don’t have to.“ Viktor‘s voice was laced with amusement.

„I have to!“ Jayce argued, holding his hand out for the scissors.

„It’s your favorite-„ Viktor tried, but shut up and just handed him the tool.

„I have to.“ Jayce repeated.

It had been a wonderful few weeks. Viktor had moved to Piltover and within the first week, Jayce had taken him on two dates.

They started slow, with small coffee shop meetings and an occasional cinema visit- something where sitting was a crucial part.

Jayce had upped the experiences, had gone further on their dates and far past his level of comfort. Viktor made it all easier.

Tonight, however, Jayce had set his mind on going out to a bar again. He‘d take Viktor to his favorite place up until two years ago.

Slippery floors, people that would bump into him, loud music and very little sitting space.

He’d try having the cane in his bag.

But that wasn’t the only thing he’d try.

With calculated cuts, the scissors separated the fabric, where Viktor had made a little mark with a pen.

Jayce was cutting, feeling Viktor‘s eyes on the head of his neck as he worked.

„I‘m just saying, we could have found another way.“ Viktor chuckled, but Jayce shook his head, as he removed the fabric.

„It‘s better this way. It can’t tangle like this.“

He gave Viktor the scissors back, looking down at his favorite pair of jeans.. one leg cut shorter than the other now. So short, it would perfectly show the prosthetic.

Viktor came to his side, cuddling himself close, and Jayce pressed a kiss to his head.

„I‘m so proud of you, Jayce.“ Viktor smiled at the reworked pair of jeans.

Jayce felt his own chest grow a bit, smiling softly. It meant a lot, coming from Viktor.

Tonight, he’d be at a bar again. With his prosthetic leg visible and a gorgeous man in his arms.

„Yeah…“ he smiled, and was surprised to find he actually meant what he said. „I‘m proud too.“