your eyes are broken bottles [viktor + jayce]

[hexsteel]

for hexcurse

and i'm afraid to ask

[ continued from here ]

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[hexsteel]

[ Viktor opens his mouth to give voice to half a dozen questions, and then closes it again, sighing thinly. ]

Perhaps it would be best if you did not tell me some details. I do not need to know exactly what he did to himself: only that it led to something so bad that it resulted in your mission across timelines. If I did know, and his method was initially safer or better, I might... be prone to obsessing over how to make it work without the terrible end result.

[ Because Viktor is nothing if not honest with himself, and he knows he is prone to lingering on things he should probably leave alone.

He hesitates, and puts his mug down. He should let Jayce get dressed, and they should get to work -- the sooner they figure this out, the sooner Jayce can get back to his own timeline -- but there is one question that's been eating a hole in him. ]

The only thing I'd like to know is-- how bad did it get, exactly?

[hexcurse]

[ It's jarring for Jayce, every so often, to hear him say he instead of I, but that's his own problem - his inability to separate this version from his own (or maybe his desire for this version back). In any case - Viktor's right, he knows. He's been avoiding the details for this very reason - of course any version of Viktor would want to puzzle out what went wrong, any version of the two of them would do this.

And Jayce can't say he wouldn't be tempted the same, eventually, if they went down that path - even with everything he's seen (and promised).

He stares at Viktor's notes, shaking his head again. ]

Whatever you're imagining - it was worse. We didn't -

[We didn't know. His face has gone a shade paler as he relives that trek to the hexgate. ]

It... it infected everything. There was no more Piltover, no more Zaun, no more people... only - husks.

[hexsteel]

[ Viktor can come up with no response to that other than to look stricken.

He had assumed it was bad. Though lacking in details, Jayce's explanation had been obviously trending toward some sort of catastrophe. Viktor had changed himself with magic somehow, and what had resulted was so bad that Jayce felt the need to change the entire course of the technology. Just knowing that had been bad enough.

But to hear that whatever he'd done, he had destroyed both cities and killed everyone within--

To know that he is capable of such devestation-- ]

You are right. That is... exponentially worse than I had imagined.

[ He closes his journal with a sudden slap of paper, all thoughts of saving his own life abruptly put on hold. What had once seemed important now seems to pale in comparison to a far bigger mission: finding a way to prevent himself from genocide. Gods. Not even in his wildest nightmares had he imagined such a scenario.

Momentarily speechless, his gaze fixes on the gem set in Jayce's wrist. It is easier than looking at his eyes. Viktor attempts to collect himself: ]

Right. Well, we should get started as soon as possible, then. If saving two worlds is on the agenda, we have our work cut out for us.

[hexcurse]

[ It kills him to be the cause of Viktor's expression turning like that. For him to put this weight on his shoulders. It's necessary, he tells himself, even as it twists him up - and he has to resist the kneejerk urge to offer some kind of physical comfort, at least -

The slap of the journal slamming closed startles him - he shifts like he means to stop Viktor from pulling it away, managing to stop at the last second, as though it only made him flinch. He watches Viktor's gaze land on his wrist, and resists too the instinct to turn it over, hide the scarring around the shard as though Viktor hadn't already inspected it the night before.

His eyes flick from Viktor's averted gaze, to the journal again - and he carefully places his hand over the worn cover. ]

Two worlds, and this. [ That's not negotiable.

(it is the root cause of everything, really)

He tries to draw Viktor's eyes to meet his own, reaching with his other hand to touch his shoulder, tentatively. ]

Thank you, for believing me.

[ For trusting him. ]

[hexsteel]

[ Faced with the prospect of saving two worlds, the failing body of one man does not seem important. And yet, to Jayce, it is. Something between jealousy and flattery burns in Viktor's gut -- jealousy for that other Viktor who had been the recipient of so much care, and flattery that he is now the recipient.

Ever the pessimist in matters concerning himself, Viktor immediately reminds himself that it will not last. Jayce will return to his own world once they have completed their work.

Jayce thanks him for believing him, and Viktor lifts one shoulder in a shrug, like it was never in question. ]

It is a bizarre tale, but there is something eminently trustworthy about you.

[ The touch to his shoulder makes his expression soften a touch, sharp golden gaze raking over Jayce's face like he's just now seeing him for the first time. Jayce will eventually leave, but for now, for the first time, Viktor has a fellow genius willing to work with him, and he will jealously hoard all the time he can get. ]

But first, I suppose I should find you some clothes. There is a shop down the road that owes me a few items after I installed an elaborate security system for them, so they can part with a few outfits for you. Will you be alright on your own, if I leave for a bit?

[hexcurse]

[ Viktor accepts his light touch, and that warmth returns to his expression again - the one that seems to momentarily lift some of the weight from his features, a fondness and deep familiarity that maybe he acknowledges shouldn't be earned, but radiates from Jayce undeniably.

(it is dangerously close to - and might just be - love)

The mention of getting him clothing seems to snap him back to attention, and awareness that he's been letting the blanket slip from his shoulders again. He releases Viktor's shoulder to cover himself up again, nodding and running a hand through his hair, eyeing all the items on the counter. ]

Yeah - I can try not to start any fires. Or, you know, clean up.

[ Clean up the sparse amount of dishes they used. The truth is - with food in his stomach and his poor sleep, he almost feels like he could pass out again. But he'll find something to occupy his time when Viktor goes, probably go through his notebook more thoroughly. ]