malleiform | OPEN POST;

[ He notices the absence. He recognizes the second Viktor's hand pulls away. He doesn't keep track of how long it lingered. He didn't care. He would have allowed him to hold onto him for as long as he needed. He takes in the outside of the place, and he'd agree - it does suit Viktor. He couldn't pinpoint why, just was something simply true to him.

He's polite at first, waiting to be given direct permission to enter the space. He picks up his feet and immediately moves inside once it's given. He folds his arms behind his back as he takes a look around. He's careful to keep his hands off anything until he knows something is alright to touch. ]

It's amazing in here.

[ He's in awe, honestly. Impressed by things that had been worked by Viktor's hand. Projects - incomplete as they were - still were impressive to him. His eyes are wide with fascination as he takes everything in. ]

You're free to look arou- [Viktor's voice drags out in a yawn before recovering, shielding his face with the back of a hand while he makes the involuntary noise,] -oouuu.. nd... in the morning.

[He makes a vague waving gesture before moving towards the far wall. The vast majority of the space was being taken up by workshop and storage. Carved just along one edge was an modest kitchen, just enough space for a stove, some counter space, a couple of cabinets, and a small bar with a couple of stools to sit at. Presumably to eat, though half of it was again taken up with drafts and newspapers. Clearly, Viktor was often sat their alone despite the extra seat for company. He busies himself in clearing that off so Jayce can feel welcome,]

If you start perusing now, we'll get no sleep. Then we'll be no better off than if we stayed in the lab.

[Reasonable, he knows, though it does sound nice to get lost in Jayce examining his past works. He's proud of many of them, they're very much what is informing their current projects, it can be good to look back on the inspiration and find other ideas, remember past mistakes and flaws... Ah, he's still in work mode, isn't he? He distracts himself asking,]

... I could put on a kettle, if you'd like a nighttime tea? [a nice chamomile would do, to help them both get to sleep, right?]

[ A polite nod of his head. He pays no mind to whether or not there's space for him. Whether Viktor is moving things to make him feel like he has a little space here. It's Viktor's home, and the way it is can give him a lot of insight to who he is.

But Viktor's right. If he starts looking around and getting too invested, before he knows it - the sun will rise and he won't have slept at all. And then tomorrow will be far more terrible and exhausting than it should be.

He nods as he answers. ]

Oh, sure. A tea would be good.

[ He does like tea. It would be nice have something that helps him turn off for awhile and get at least a few hours of sleep. He can sleep fairly soundly once he's out, so all he needs is that little nudge. ]

I'll keep my hands and eyes to myself until the morning, then.

[ The temptation is too great for him otherwise. ]

You are ever the gentlemen, Jayce.

[Viktor has the absolute audacity for his dry tone to sound disappointed. He doesn't really catch himself, too tired for tone policing himself. Hands and eyes to himself... If only not.

What is he thinking? Viktor shakes his head with a huff of a laugh and moves to flip on his oven and get the kettle heating up. He watches the low circle of fire go for a moment before he says, without looking back,]

My bed is big enough to share, [he then jokes with a lighter tone,] unless that discomforts your un-wandering hands and eyes. I often sleep on my couch, I am not bothered either way.

My mother raised me to be.

[ Ever polite and courteous, especially after the small incident on the carriage where his hands wondered a little more than he anticipated they would. The silly things have a mind of their own, he thinks. They should stay at his side for now. ]

We can share, that's fine. I'd never ask you to take the couch, anyway.

[ It's no big deal to him to share. And if Viktor were uncomfortable, he'd sooner take the couch than ask his friend to give up his bed. He's perfectly content sleeping wherever he ends up. It's no big deal to him. ]

I see no reason I'd be uncomfortable with that!

Hmm, that settles that, then. [Viktor concludes, tone casual. He leans his hips against the countertop area, his kitchenette space with just a small space for food prep, storage, and his stove. Watching the fire roar beneath the kettle a moment, he is contemplative before going back to the previous topic, as if he couldn't just let it settle,]

I am curious, [he's always curious, but not so often about personal matters, so it might strike Jayce that he's asking about this,]

How does your mother feel about this partnership of ours? Hextech was always your dream... but she pleaded for you to give it up at the trial. I suppose, at best, she must not care for me. [He isn't sure he should elaborate why he thinks that. Isn't it obvious? If not to the reasons of him being from the Undercity, being the enciting force to drive Jayce to risk worse banishment, or simply taking Jayce away in handcuffs their first meeting. Not all are good reasons to resent Viktor, but they are... reasons.]

Hm?

[ It does surprise him. If only because of the two of them, Jayce is the more inclined to ask personal questions and get into people's spaces - both literally and not. He liked Viktor, he saw no reason that he shouldn't be curious about someone who he enjoyed the company of.

The answer comes with an earnest honesty. ]

Not at all. Ma thinks very highly of you. She appreciates that I have someone in my life that shares my passion and interest.

[ Someone who understands him better than others tend to. Plus, Jayce has spoken really highly of Viktor to her, so he supposes that his mom's perception of Viktor would be from mostly what Jayce says or from the very few times she's been to their lab. ]

I don't know that she loves Hextech or anything. But she will be happy as long as I am.

[ He doesn't mention what Viktor did for him the day they met in his apartment after that trial. He doesn't really need to. But that certainly isn't hurting the case. ]

The brief times I have met her, she was very kind... I just presumed, eh, [what is he trying to say? It's late, his mind is a bit scattered and unfocused. The water in the kettle is beginning to boil, he can hear it getting ready to yell out, so he takes it off. Busied with a task of preparing them each a cup of tea, Viktor goes on,]

I've been met with a lot of... surface level tolerance, from those in Piltover. Kindness masking disdain, for politeness sake. I find it difficult to read.

[he finishes the cups off with some milk and dash of honey, making them both the way he likes them out of habit. Turning with one in each hand, he offers Jayce one first,]

... now I feel rather foolish. You're the most genuine man in Piltover. I shouldn't have doubted your mother for passing along the trait. [Viktor's really not someone for compliments, so he really means them when they cross his mind and make it all the way to his mouth]

[ He fidgets a little, moving his fingers over the surface of the table, small circles tracing as he talks with Viktor. He's quiet for a moment, taking in the compliment and opting to think before he speaks again. The smile is soft. ]

Thanks, she'd take that as a compliment, too. [ That she raised him well enough to be perceived in such a way. ]

She does mean it, though. I promise that.

[ It's not like Jayce had a lot of friends. He had classmates and peers, and then he had Caitlyn - before he met Viktor. And then he had Viktor. And Viktor became such a prominent part of his world that it would have been hard for her to do anything but accept him. ]

Makes it easier to make sure we're not misunderstood.

Edited 2025-10-02 03:06 (UTC)

I believe you. Seems like a Talis family trait... wearing one's heart upon their sleeve.

["It's refreshing," saying Viktor's tone, because he is so used to those of Piltover having two faces. He had to develop that in some way, a mask to get by with and keep his true self safe. With Jayce, he doesn't need that, he can just... be. There's a weight removed from Viktor for that.

Which, he does feel very heavy, still standing. He really might have collapsed if tehy had to walk all the way here. With a turn to face Jayce fully, he sets his cane at the edge of the counter before pressing both his palms down into it. A swift gesture and he sits himself up on the edge of it, legs dangling. It's his house, he can sit on the counter if he liked to, taking his tea into his hands to cup over his lap,]

Is that tea to your liking? I feel I should... offer you more. I'm rarely a host. [he doesn't have company over, he's not certain he's been all that welcoming.

The type of company he did rarely entertained wouldn't be something he mentioned in polite company. Viktor's not the type of man to brag about having men over, and he doesn't think Jayce would-... actually, he realizes, he has no clue what Jayce's reaction to that information would be. Surprise, maybe? Viktor's rather reserved and to himself, after all. Maybe it would seem out of his partner's character to occasionally indulge...

What is he even thinking of? Viktor's blinks himself back to focus, sleep deprivation really leading the mind all over the place, at such an hour.]

It really is.

[ For him, he's glad he's like her in that way. His father, too. It probably would be good for him if he didn't always present his heart so readily to people, but he can't easily change how he is and how he engages with the world. He takes a quiet sip of the tea, watching Viktor as he moves himself up on the counter. Something about the motion was so...easy to watch. Smooth, Jayce would say. It reminded him of dancing, he supposes.

He considers those thoughts are due to his being tired. They're here because his mind is roaming more freely and unrestricted. ]

Oh, it's perfect! You don't have to offer me anything else, you didn't even have to offer me this.

[ That's not the type of guest he is. Though he wants to look at and touch everything, there's still a restrained politeness here compared to when he is freely looking at Viktor's work. ]

Your hosting works great for me.

[ Jayce wants to be here simply because he wants to be near Viktor. He wants to see his world and learn what he can about his partner. So as far as he's concerned, everything after that is just icing on the cake. ]

Thanks for having me over.

I really should have invited you by sooner... we're just always so focused on the lab work. Better late than never, I suppose.

[He thumbs up and down the side of the mug nestles between both his hands and lap, eyes following Jayce. What is the man looking at, anyways? Just Viktor-? With such... casual eagerness. Like a contented puppy dog, just gladdened to be around. And Viktor, a stray alley cat, or so he feels at times. Even in his own home, there is a feeling he's not quite meant for the polite society of Piltover. Doesn't quite belong the way Jayce does, with his house name, however lesser it might be seen.

Yet, Jayce would never look down on him, nor would Viktor towards the other. They are on one another's level. Never assistant, always partner.]

You'll always be welcome here, Jayce.

[the absolute truth of the matter, even if it took Viktor a while to invite him in, he'll always be allowed to come around,]

Oh, here, let me... show you one thing, before we rest. [Viktor takes a downing gulp of his tea before setting it aside and hoisting himself from the countertop. He wobbles briefly as he catches his cane and then begins off in his usual, determined manner towards whatever this new goal is.

It isn't far off, just down a row of projects, of which Viktor expertly avoids any mild tripping hazards passing by. He opens a door and there is a corridor- or more accurately an aquaduct tunnel, leading to an overlook of the city's drainage basin. There's some overgrowth of vines and moss, some potted plants deliberately being cared for. A certain odd tranquility to the sound of the water falling beyond and below a circular opening with spots to sit. Viktor moves and does as much, silently enjoying the view of the city beyond without any need to introduce it to Jayce. It speaks for itself, doesn't it? A hidden cove, Viktor's steel oasis as Heimerdinger liked to say.]

[ His eyes light up at the revelation. He had hoped their friendship was in a place where he'd always be welcome. But that politeness ingrained in him from Piltover demanded he not assume things like that about it. He simply nods a few times over his mug before he takes a sip of the tea. ]

Thanks!

[ There's nothing better to say to an offer like that, right? He considers it an honor that Viktor would welcome him here. He shifts, setting down the cup and gets up to follow Viktor. He's careful about the other's space - diligent to the point where it's noticeable. Especially after the incident on the ride here that he is going to be thinking about a lot. Maybe too much? ]

I'd love to see whatever you want to show me.

[ Too eager, maybe. He sits down opposite Viktor and then works to focus his attention on the environment rather than his partner here. ]

This is really — [ Pause. ] Well, it's really special. [ He's honored. It takes him longer to find the right words to describe it. ]

[Viktor smiles shortly at that cheery "Thanks!" from Jayce. What a precious man, with his good and gentlemanly manners. It's charming to say the least. The Undercity gave everybody, especially Viktor, thick skin when it came to roughness and crass attitudes. What it didn't do was prepare him for how to handle someone so genuinely pleasant as Jayce. It's always a bit of curveball, one Viktor finds... fascinating, really.

He takes a seat at one side of the aqueduct overlook, gesturing for Jayce to join opposite of him. His cane is crossed over his own lap as Viktor looks outwards to the view.]

That it is. You should come by during a storm. A fantastic view when there is rain or even lightening. Sets me at ease.

[a perfect place to hide out and enjoy such weather. A bit of a shame the night is so clear, Viktor thinks, but most would prefer a view of the city over a view of a downpour. He gives a puff beneath his breath, not really joking to say,]

If I ever disappear on you... just look here, okay? [he does that sometimes. Disappears. Heimerdinger got an understanding for it pretty quickly. Jayce shouldn't be too worried if it happens. It's not abandonment, it's just... Viktor.]

[ Jayce takes the seat, quiet as he checks out the world in front of him. Everything about it is amazing. The view - the calm that it seems to make him feel when he gets to look at the world from a perspective he's never had before. He's quiet for a moment - just huffing out some air while he listens to Viktor.

He's learning so much, he realizes.

He dare not interrupt or he'll miss something important. He'd never want to miss anything important. He leans back a little, tilting his head in Viktor's direction.

Disappears, huh? ]

And if I come to find you when you disappear, it won't be a bother?

[ He considers the possibility Viktor will want time alone - away from him. ]

[Viktor fiddles his hands together, smirking a little at Jayce's question. Once again, a good mannered man, always considering what Viktor might or might not wish of him. If he knew what Viktor really wished, what Viktor wouldn't even fully admit to himself, would he still ask so kindly?

Much to learn about Jayce and Viktor is just as curious of a man as he is.]

If I don't want to be found, you won't find me.

[but if he's sitting out here, he knows who can come find him. A trusted few. For a while now, it had only been Heimerdinger who knew about this steel oasis of Viktor's.

He's glad to add Jayce to such esteemed company.]

If I'm here, you can be assured I'm glad to see you. Even if I don't seem it.

[ Jayce's eyes light up as if he got the secret to all things in the universe when Viktor says that. Not only was he shown a special place like this, but Viktor would be glad to see him there? It feels like the highest compliment and he gets a little bashful that he has that. His cheeks turn a light shade of pink. ]

Well — I'm honored, then. That you trust me with this, I mean.

[ Trust, right? Jayce has trusted Viktor since not long after their partnership started. But he knows not everyone is like him - trusting to anyone who treats him well. He'll take shows of it when it happens. ]

And I'd be honored to find you, too, since it won't be a bother. Thanks for showing me, too. It's really nice. I see why you'd want to hide out here. It's...peaceful. [ Quiet. Nice. He could see this place being a great spot to simply think. ]

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oops, sorry for delay ♥♥

all good! ♥

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aaaa busy end of month, hoping to have more RP time soon!!

ITS FINEEEEE RIP Me in November, I'm so sorry!

I disappeared in Nov too don't worry :"D

:DDD happy holidays lol