OPEN RP POST

[boyofprogress]

𝕆ℙ𝔼ℕ ℝℙ ℙ𝕆𝕊𝕋

Comments

and the wanting comes in waves... [for hexcrafter]

[boyofprogress]

[from here]


[Oh. That word hits him square in the chest, and he leans up a little on his elbow in order to study Viktor's face. But... no, it looks sincere. He looks sincere, and Jayce cups his cheek to press their mouths together with the utmost tenderness. Afterwards, he rests their foreheads together, smiling in both fondness and disbelief.] I think I might have fallen in love with you when you pulled out that ring of keys. But I think I realized it when I saw your face as we were floating.

We've both been stupid, I guess. Trying to protect ourselves from something secretly wonderful.

[hexcrafter]

I was...afraid, perhaps. That you would reject me, or that I would end up hurting you somehow.[Honey-gold eyes regarded him with a geentle warmth as Viktor's hand traced mindless lines along his partner's shoulders.] I still might, miláčku. Is that a risk you want to take?

[boyofprogress]

I told you before, but I'll say it again. [He touches Viktor's cheek as he does, meeting that warm amber gaze with a deeply fond look of his own.] Yes. A thousand, a million times yes, you are work the risk for me. Always.

Especially if it means hearing you calling me sweet things like that. Well -- I assume meelachku is something sweet, anyway. [His pronunciation is terrible, but he's trying.]

[hexcrafter]

[Viktor huffed out a laugh,shakng his head.]

Not even close, but a commendable effort. Don't worry--if I were insulting you, I would want you to know it.

[boyofprogress]

Thanks. I think? [One more kiss before Jayce pulls away with a sigh.] I'm invading your bathroom, briefly, to grab a washcloth. We should clean up a little before we try to sleep.

Do you want a hand with your leg brace, afterwards? [The last part is said over his shoulder as he moves to the edge of the bed and stretches his arms over his head. His undershirt is... somewhere, but he'll find it later.]

[hexcrafter]

...That would be nice, I think. [Viktor pulled himself to sit up and leaned over, enough to press a kiss to the back of Jayce's neck.] Do not get too accustomed to helping me with everything, but...once in a while, I might not mind that much.

i've played all my cards, and that's what you've done too... [for hexcrafter]

[boyofprogress]

[Jayce is already regretting having made this bet with Viktor. They're both stubborn, but Viktor might be moreso. And Janna knows Jayce is able to get distracted by the long line of Viktor's elegant neck --

No! No, he can't think of that. He needs to finish unpacking his bag and setting up his notebooks and pencils at his desk for the day. And absolutely not thinking of Viktor's neck.

Or his hands, his slender fingers and --

Oh he's fucked, isn't he?]

[hexcrafter]

[Viktor was, as he had claimed, very patient. The other side of the coin from stubbornness, of course. But he was also more than willing to go to some effort to prove his point, and if summer weather in Piltover meant rolling up his sleeves to his elboows and forgoing a tie for a slightly open collar, well, it was hot out. Plausible deniability.]

[On the other hand, a couple days in and he was starting to get annoyed. Mostly at the lack of strong hands on an aching back and leg, more than anything else. But that was fine. He just had to wait it out a little longer, that much Viktor was sure of.]

Good morning. [Already hard at work, Viktor turned his head slightly to regard Jayce over his shoulder, loosened collar revealing an often hidden beauty mark on his throat.] Did you sleep well?

[boyofprogress]

You know I didn't. [Gods, it's starting already. This early in the day and his sleeves are already up? Terrible.

The first day, Viktor had come in with his tie loosened and by the end of the day it was off. The second and third days started with no tie and the sleeves were rolled up by the end of the day. Today (day four, one day longer than Viktor's prediction), it looks like he's starting with no tie and rolled sleeves, and Jayce might well snap a pencil in half.]

How's your back?

[hexcrafter]

A bit early for such a dismal mood, isn't it?

[It had been a process, of course. He couldn't just go all in from minute one, then there would be nowhere to escalate to. That said, he was running out of escalation. Admirable, really, to have lasted this long.]

It's fine, thank you. [It wasn't, but it had been worse.]

[boyofprogress]

I'm not dismal, I'm just. I'm winning, is what I am. [He's absolutely not winning. He spent a long time in a very cold shower last night trying not to think about that damn beauty mark now visible on Viktor's neck, and failing utterly. And taking care of himself afterward had just felt empty and cold.

His drawings of Viktor in his notes have nearly doubled.] But it doesn't matter, because we've got work to do.

[And he's going to pull his tie off as well, tossing it in his bag. Not to try and even the playing field so much as he does, in fact, feel overwarm]

[hexcrafter]

Mm, I'm sure. [Turning back to what he was working on as calm as anything. Off course Viktor had his own limits, but...well, clearly they were far further along than some people. Work before pleasure in all aspects, apparently.]

You are right, we do. I have already been here for some time.

find you all unwoven trying desperately to sew

[hexcrafter]

[Without exception, all living things had an expiration date. The catch was that most people didn't know when it was--Viktor, however, was not most people. He had known for much longer than he wanted to admit that his life would be a short one; facing the sharp reality of that knowledge was quite another thing. Even if he hadn't dared acknowledge it, he felt the way every breath pulled harsher and harsher in his chest. Felt a thousand small aches and pains worsening like shards of glass running through his blood, the constant exhaustion that pressed in closer and closer like an unbearable weight slowly crushing him. But he refused to admit he already knew the truth of the matter, would act like he was unaware of that everpresent threat of time abruptly running out.]

[Right up until the night he collapsed in the lab and woke up in the hospital.]

[Because the secret was well and truly out at that point, wasn't it? All he could bring himself to do was ask how long do I have in resignation as a teary-eyed Jayce stumbled through trying to tell Viktor something he already knew. (Another thing he refused to think about: how had he gotten there from the lab?) Ultimately, a year was the optimistic estimate--Viktor himself presumed that really meant six months at best. Doctors were infuriating like that, cushioning harsh reality with faint possibility.]

I'm fine, Jayce.

[Which brought them to right now--a day or two later, he wasn't sure with how time had blurred together--his far too caring partner insistent on seeing Viktor home safely. As the door to his apartment (modest, laden with the books and organized chaos of a scholar) closed behind them, Viktor said as much calmly but with an insistent edge. It wasn't necessary, he didn't need to be looked after like he was a child or otherwise incapable. Besides, Jayce had a whole life ahead of him and a beautiful Councilor to spend it with. Why waste any more time here?]

There is no need for you to stay here.

[boyofprogress]

[Jayce had barely slept since finding Viktor in the lab that night. Guilt has been gnawing at him since then -- he should have known, he should have seen this coming. Had Viktor been slowing down at all? Breathing harder, leaning more on his cane, favouring his back more? What else had he missed?

And the night with Mel... it was lovely, but shouldn't have happened. She's brilliant and beautiful and a wonderful friend, but it's not where his heart is.

His heart is here, with his partner. Who seems to be fussing at him already.] What? No, of course I'm staying. The doctor said it will be another few days before you're back fully on your feet.

[hexcrafter]

Yes, and reluctant as I am to stay out of the lab, I remain perfectly capable of doing so without supervision.

[It was easier this way, honestly. Push back as hard as he could; distance between them now would hurt much less later.]

[boyofprogress]

Wrong again, because I'll bring the lab to you! [Already, he's guiding Viktor with a careful hand at his mid-back towards the sofa so he can at least sit down.] I need to run out in a little bit anyway, and I can at least pick up our most recent notes from the lab while I'm out.

My mom made you a bunch of food, and if you say no you'll upset her, not me, so consider your options carefully.

[hexcrafter]

[He let himself be guided without complaint on that front, at least--truthfully, he was exhausted. And truthfully (selfishly), some part of him desperately wanted that casual touch right now.]

I believe we are having some manner of miscommunication. While your help as well as your mother's is truly appreciated, I do not require it. You can leave me alone without worrying that anything else will happen.

i love how you shake... [for hexarch, nsfw]

[boyofprogress]

[from here]

Wrapping up now. The new parts need to cool for a few hours anyway, so I'm sure we can find some way to occupy our time?

[There's been an almost tangible tension between them, since their meeting. First anger, then intrigue and then... whatever this is. The almost irresistible urge to touch Viktor somehow, whenever they were close enough. And now this agreement, as Viktor had called it. Not quite dating, but a mutual relieving of tension.

Jayce doesn't bother putting his shirt back on, on the way back up to the lab. He's walked the halls shirtless often enough anyway, and he suspects it's what Viktor's expecting. Instead, the shirt and the bag with his notebooks are slung over his shoulder as he hurries back up, making sure to lock the door behind them.]

Vik? Hopefully I didn't miss my window.

[hexarch]

[ Their arrangement is new, new enough that Viktor is still trying to get a feel for things and just how much he can ask for. He's still in their office, stretched out on the sofa that's shoved up against the wall with his pants undone and slid down over his hips.

He looks up when Jayce busts in, taking the time to properly appreciate the sight of his partner. Maybe Viktor isn't anything special but Jayce has always been a sight to behold when he's been working. ]

Hm, I think that they window might still be open if you come over here right now.

[boyofprogress]

[New though it may be, Jayce already knows there is very little Viktor could ask for that Jayce wouldn't give. Eagerly, even. Including pulling him up from the forge for a mid-day hookup in the lab.] Hey, gorgeous.

[He's already a little breathless, both from hurrying up here and from the sight of Viktor with his pants undone like that. With a needy noise in the back of his throat, he crosses the room to try and fit himself on the sofa, straddling Viktor's thighs to get a better look at him. It's a tight fit, but they've made it work before.]

Gods, look at you. Delicious.

and when i look in hindsight, silly how i feel [nsfw]

[hiraut]

[ Viktor sets his empty glass down on the kitchen counter, fingers drumming along the countertop in a nervous pattern. the drink helps, but this is still a lot to think about, a lot to consider. a lot that he probably shouldn't be thinking about while he's been drinking at all, but ... the night had taken a very unexpected turn. and now he has to think.

Jayce has his spare key. it's not a long distance to travel, so he will be here any moment. not a lot of time to think. certainly not enough time to try and make himself ... presentable. he looks like shit. sleep-deprived (not unusual,) dark circles under his eyes, his hair's a mess, dressed only in his oversized navy shirt, shorts, and braces. there's so much they have to discuss. pros and cons. boundaries. the fact that this doesn't have to mean anything at all, it doesn't have to change anything between them, Viktor can keep it to himself, it's fine.

it's tempting to pour another drink, to keep from getting frazzled again. but he hears footsteps in the hallway, and he takes a deep breath, taps his fingers along the counter again. he hears the key unlock the door's deadbolt, and his heart is pounding. it doesn't have to mean anything, Viktor tells himself, as he glances over his shoulder. he has to be okay with that. he totally is. ]

[boyofprogress]

[he's not sure if this is the best or worst decision he could have possibly made. they could have possibly made, since Viktor had agreed to it. encouraged it, even, asking jayce to ask about his wants. his turn-ons.

and it's not like he hasn't thought about this before, the times when viktor was out looking for someone and jayce had to pretend like his brain wasn't screaming just pick me at him the whole conversation.

he'd worn his usual worn grey tee to bed and once Viktor had said yes, had thrown on whatever pants were closest on top of that. his hair looks like he's been in the forge all day, and his stubble is making its usual end-of-day appearance, but by the gods he's here.

here, turning the key in Viktor's door and stepping in quickly, like one of them might change their mind if he doesn't move fast enough. he can see the pale curve of Viktor's shoulder where the shirt has fallen off it and he leans hard against the closed door, breath catching]

Fuck. Hi. You look --

[hiraut]

[ it's a terrible decision. an awful one. even if they tell themselves, promise themselves that it won't change a thing between them, that's a blatant lie isn't it? there's no going back to being just lab partners, the both of them know that. but also, there's no turning back. Jayce walks in the door, and Viktor looks like he's ready to devour the man. ]

Like shit, I know.

[ Viktor runs a hand through his hair, before reaching for his crutch propped against the countertop. ] Had this not been something so ... spur of the moment, I would've gussied myself up for you.

[ it takes him a moment. gathering up some nerve. some courage empowered by the drink. and he pries himself away from the counter, a few cautious steps forward. Viktor knows what he wants. he's been sure of that for a long time. what about Jayce? ]

Are you stuck to the door?

[boyofprogress]

I was going to say "so damned pretty" but okay. [he'd known, logically, that Viktor has a slender build, that much is obvious even through the layers of clothing he favours. but here, like this, with his shoulder exposed along with his collarbone, and gods his neck --

right, Viktor's talking to him.] I'm braced to the door because I almost fell over when I saw you. If this is you normally, I'm not certain I could handle "gussied up".

[hiraut]

[ --Viktor almost coughs, but manages to cover it up, clearing his throat and averting his gaze. that's not fair. he can feel his face heating up. this is just supposed to be ... just something inconsequential, stress release, scratching that itch. Jayce isn't supposed to be all sweet on him. ]

Jayce, please. [ mumbled, awkward. his hand moves to the back of his neck. this is stupid. he's not pretty. Jayce doesn't have to do that. ] You don't have to do that.