malleiform | OPEN POST;

[ 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