boyofprogress | OPEN RP POST

[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.

[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?]

[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.

Edited (repeated myself oop) 2025-07-24 02:50 (UTC)

[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.

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

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