: Every Timeline Every Possibility :

[hexualhealing]

[ Forehead to forehead, and an explosion of light that fell around them in a symphony of time and space while the words reverberated within his mind, 'you are perfect the way that you are'. Their souls fused, in every timeline and every possibility there could only be them. Divine clarity, that was what it certainly was. Viktor was full of it, of the breath of Jayce's breath against his own and the certainty that they would find each other.

But gods, they could not be allowed to repeat their mistakes.

So many mistakes that could've been avoided if they had only known.

Wherever they went, whatever possibility they faced-- Viktor prayed that he would know, that he would be able to guide them away from the hubris of their own machinations, and the machinations of others. Especially for the man who braved hell so that he could be here at the end with him-- Jayce full of idealism and hope, who despite choices made could push all of it aside for the two of them, to give grace to the same man who could not understand that his own choices had been just as full of error.

Perhaps they could meet in the middle?

Underwater, Viktor had been underwater. He woke up in a start with the sun just peeking just above the horizon, trailing through his window with the first glimmers of morning. A deep breath like he had never breathed before in his entire life while air filled his gasping and aching lungs-- and that ache spread throughout his entire body.

Somewhere out there, Jayce was out there.

Waiting for him. "Every timeline, every possibility" he breathed as if it was a mantra.

There were memories of a life before this moment of wake-up, but it was coupled with the sudden infusion of life before, another era and another universe. Viktor had been given a second chance, and he would not squander it-- that is if he could find Jayce. Gods, Piltover was so big, and he was but one man; countless lives on the freeway of these souls, but he needed to find the exact one. Gods, what a challenge and with the limitations of his own body which he felt keenly.

But not weakness, never weakness as he forced himself out of bed and his body to cooperate with his own fragility. His cane was reached for and then he set about to go about his daily routine which came just as effortlessly as the time before all of this. ]

Comments

[hexpectations]

[There would never be enough time for loving Viktor, as much love as he had in his heart for his partner. Those seven years had gone by so fast, and they had been so intent on their creations and research and discovery, that so much had flown by them without their seeing it or appreciating it.]

We'll do good, Vik. We'll do good together, and we'll remember to live our lives while we do.

[Jayce, however, had not given up the idea of trying to save Viktor, to finding more years in his partner's life. But in the meantime, gods they'd live.]

[hexualhealing]

[ Accountability.

It was all about keeping each other accountable, about learning the lessons from their past lives and carrying them over to this life. He leaned into those arms, the safety and warmth of those arms he had never truly savored until now. He could have this, couldn't he? They could both have this-- moments like these, moments spent in the laboratory as they attempted to work something that could ease the suffering of this world.

If it was possible for him to cling any tighter to Jayce, he did not know how it would be possible.

But very soon he knew that if they didn't emmerge from this shower soon, they would be a mess of prunes. Therefore, he slowly slid away and then gestured toward the shower stall. ] I think that we are suitably clean now, do you want to get out and dry off? As I recall, we will have a long day tomorrow full of you moving my things.

[ While he supervised, which.. looking at Jayce, he would supervise quite gladly. He knew Jayce could carry boxes like a champ, and look good while doing it. ]

[hexpectations]

[Jayce tightened his arms around Viktor as if he didn't intend to let him go, but well, Viktor did have a point. So with a soft sigh he released him, easing to make sure that the other man had his footing before he released him. Once he was sure he was steady, he reached back to shut off the water.]

So you're planning on supervising. Understood.

[He teased lightly before adding.] That's fine though. I like it when you boss me around.

[He was telling on himself with that one. He slipped out of the shower past Viktor to scoop up a large towel to hold it open, inviting Viktor into both the towel and his arms.]

[hexualhealing]

[ Before he stepped into the arms that offered the towel, he considered what Jayce had said for a moment-- that was the truth, was it not? Jayce liked being told what to do-- how could he have forgotten that? The distinctive way that Viktor had bossed him around in the laboratory-- and the flush on those cheeks as Jayce very obediently did just that.

Jayce could act out of line, he'd seen Jayce cross that line many times-- but never to him; even the things that Jayce had done.. and been done because he had told him to do it.

Viktor's palm slid against that chest as he said almost consideringly. ] You do like it very much, I do not know why I forgot such a detail as that-- but now that I remember... [ It meant that Jayce was going to be thoroughly commanded about, if he was pleased so much by it. ]

[hexpectations]

[Jayce wrapped the towel around Viktor gently, taking a moment to fluff at his hair before moving down to wrap it properly around his shoulders. His pretty partner, always to intensely lovely in a way like no one else Jayce had ever known.]

Now that you remember, huh? What have I done reminding you?

[Oh no woe is Jayce. So much woe. Except clearly not. He leaned into the touch at his chest, the press of that hand. He set one hand atop Viktor's gently.]

Guess I'll have to live with the consequences.

[hexualhealing]

What you have done is made your life much easier, that is if you do what I tell you to do. [ There was the briefest nuzzle against that jawline, his eyes closing because of that tight clench in his heart at the scent of Jayce, of the timbre of his voice that made him want to curl up within the safety of it. ] But in response I know you will do things that I do not tell you to do, such as feed me and remind me to sleep.

[ Which okay, fair. Viktor would grudgingly accept that because there were times when he did forget to eat or sleep, and he needed that gentle push; also heaven forbid Jayce does not have someone to take care of in his life. ]

Do you have a shirt that I can sleep in?

[hexpectations]

Mm... those things are non-negotiable, sweetheart.

[The caring for Viktor's physical and mental well-being were top on Jayce's priorities now. And there would be no escape from that at all, though it would be gently done and as subtle as possible. Usually. If Viktor was particularly stubborn, Jayce could and would toss him over his shoulder like the misbehaving sack of potatoes he was.]

Yeah, I do.

[Viktor in his shirt. And just his shirt? Amazing. Jayce had rather had that fantasy before.]

[hexualhealing]

[ The thing with Viktor that he was often very stubborn, it was one of his endearing qualtiies-- that obstinance. Would it be tempered now that Jayce and him and entered into a romantic partnership? Probably not, because he was still a nerd who did not want to go to sleep even if he was drooping his eyelids, and food-- only if hungry and if he was hyperfocused on something, the stomach forgot to do things like growl.

Or else he wholly ignored it because the thoughts in his brain were far louder and more insistant. ]

You are a marvel, Jayce Talis.

[hexpectations]

[Jayce would worry if Viktor weren't his infuriatingly stubborn self, honestly. It was part of who the other man was, and Jayce loved all of him. Each and every piece, even the ones that made him want to shake his partner until sense rattled back into place in that big clever brain of his.

Another moment of making certain that Viktor was sufficiently dried and fluffed before he left the towel draped around his shoulders and grabbed up one for himself.]

Am I? [A curious laugh and a tilt of his head.] And why's that?

[hexualhealing]

Because...

[ He stood back and surveyed the other man, the tousled hair and the way that those eyes glimmered with softly shaped humor, and kindness. One of the many reasons that Viktor had fallen in love with the other man-- his gentleness, his kindness, his goodness-- the way that he conveyed so much with the glimmer of his eyes.

Viktor was almost sad he had not appreciated the other man more in previous lives. Perhaps he could make up for it in this life? ] I do not know anyone as tender and caring as you, there is not a single part of you that is not filled with love.

[hexpectations]

[He was indeed quite tousled and starting to develop a shadow of stubble across his jaw given that he'd run out of his home this morning in a frazzled, rather desperate state, and had not thought to shave when he'd returned to change before their research sharing symposium date.

There was a visibly surprised expression on his face for a moment, the faintest dusting of a flush across his features.]

I don't know what to say to that.

[A duck of his head, surprisingly shy.] But you're the one who always kept me grounded, always reminded me why we were doing what we were doing, to help people, to make a better world for everyone.

[Now they'd done fucked that up bad, but their hearts had always been in the right place.]

[hexualhealing]

Well, someone had to do it.

[ A very soft smile that crossed over his lips, that little uptick of the corner of his mouth even as he wandered over to one of the little dressers by the cot and then opened it out, finding a clean linen shirt which he started to pull on. It was far too big for him but that mattered very little to him, it hung to his mid-thigh.

Then he carefully sat down on the little bed, stretching out his foot rather gingerly. It was true that he was making himself at home here, like a cat who had claimed his property, and his property being Jayce. ] You were always the heart of the operation; I was selfish and that selfishness encompassed everyone who shared my affliction-- but your kindness, your charisma made it so that it reached further than I could've done on my own.

[hexpectations]

[Jayce had to full on stop and take a goddamned breath as he watched Viktor in his shirt sitting on his bed. A breath and it was really not enough.]

Do you have any idea how sexy you look right now? What the hell, Viktor.

[Seriously. This was clearly a direct and deliberate attack. Jayce was a huge fan of Viktor making himself at home here, in his space and also, well,]

...after we move your research here, what if we move the rest of your things into my house?

[hexualhealing]

I am sexy? [ Viktor laughed something that was throaty and slightly breathless, and it really would not be helping his case whatsoever when it came down to it, that voice with it's accented phrases, something removed from Zaun, from where his parents had been from before they'd settled there. ] I think that you are just being ridiculous.

[ Though the invitation had him wide-eyed. He thought back to his own apartment, which was sparse and nearly unlived in. He had predominately used it as a touchstone for things that required self-care. But.. this offer. ]

You would not mind? [ That may have been a bit of a stupid question. ] I would if that is something that you are willing to do... [ Even back in Piltover during those seven years, they'd had their own residences-- though more often then not they both fell asleep at the lap so much that it became home to them. ]

[hexpectations]

Devastatingly so, yes.

[Fight him, Viktor. Sitting there and laughing like a daydream and yeah okay. He really had it bad, and he had to get himself together. First though, he pulled on a pair of soft pants, deciding that would do for the night.

Because Jayce was utterly unaware of his charm or charisma, but he did know that his chest was one of his better features. He moved to take a seat beside Viktor on the bed, reaching up to brush back some of that still-damp hair.]

I want you to, Vik. I want to make a home with you.

[hexualhealing]

[ sideways glance, and suddenly Viktor was the one who was tongue tied. It was unfortunately a double k.o because Viktor found himself with the unexplicable urge to lick it, to run his tongue over thst chest-- to do all of the things that Jayce had done so blythfully done to him. Why did that V that disappeared into pajama pants look so alluring?

He took a deep swallow and then scooted over to make room for Jayce, the warm press of his body and the way that he knew that Jayce could enfold into arms. ] That is really not fair, you know.

[ looking up at Jayce with a raised brow. ] using your highly sinful flesh to lead me into cohabitating with you.. [ Jayce was not being sneaky so much as an all-out campaign against his self control. ]

I am a terrible cook, and you know this.

[hexpectations]

[Viktor was entirely welcome to do whatever he liked to any part of Jayce. Anytime, any place. He laughed at sinful flesh because wow, Viktor. He reached a hand over, sliding his fingers up along that temptingly bare thigh, mindful that he was teasing along the other's bad leg, until they grazed along the hemline of that shirt.]

Look who's talking about highly sinful flesh.

[Seriously, Viktor. Jayce was desperately distracted by those legs, okay?]

I do know this. I can cook. I don't want a chef. I want my partner.

[hexualhealing]

I want to be a partner which is why I want to do something to assist you.

[ Viktor did have a point, of course he did. He closed his eyes to the gentle touch against his aching skin; the way that it tingled with the way that Jayce gently palmed it, spreading warmth there. It was not like he could sit there and be pretty, he was hardly pretty. And that was not a thought he'd give voice to because he was sure that Jayce would have ten million reprimands toward a thought like that-- Viktor was wise and knew what he could and could not say.

He did not realize that lavishing Jayce with love was perhaps the only thing that was truly needed.

Even as his fingers shifted up chest, against shoulders until he was cupping the back of that neck-- his tips playing lightly with the hair that tickled against them. ]

I suppose that I shall have to give you all of the affection and love that you forget to take for yourself.

[hexpectations]

[Jayce was working up to a full lecture about how Viktor's presence itself was assistance, that having his partner near made the world a more vivid and vibrant, as if a veil that had always been there was suddenly drawn back and everything was simply more. Then Viktor continued and well, all right, that was something he could quite happily agree to.]

I suppose I can live with that.

[It really was best that Viktor was smart enough not to say anything about being anything less than beautiful. Because yup, yes, definitely, Jayce would have vehemently argued his side there. Viktor could indeed sit there and be pretty. He was doing it right now, and Jayce Talis was enchanted.

A soft, content sigh at the passing of those fingers over his skin. His head tipped forward to rest his forehead against his partner's in what would likely become a very frequent, familiar gesture.]

[hexualhealing]

[ They sat their for a few moments longer. Never before had Viktor ever felt the urge to sit here in perfect quietude-- always his mind had to be occupied with other more lofty ideas; a creature of frenetic energy that had very little outlet to spill it within until now while he sat there forehead to forehead. Could feel how their breathing matched each other, in and out.

If he pressed his chest to Jayce's-- he knew that he would feel the murmuring heartbeat match his own.

Without even opening his eyes, he nuzzled their noses together. Rubbing the very tip against the side of Jayce's in a gesture that he did not mean to be quite as erotic as it came out. It was a nuzzling that accepted the very state of being that captured the two of them, and he felt his heart sync up and overflow into Jayce's. ]

That is an order, Jayce Talis. That you will leave me with wanting to do something for you, anything for you because I did far too little in our previous life and now I wish to make up for it.

[hexpectations]

[Neither one of them had been very good at being still, at being patient. Viktor had the continual sound of a ticking clock quickly running out. And Jayce had never been able to still that compulsion in himself to move forward, always forward. There was something precious in this stillness, in this moment where they both seemed content to simply exist with each other.

Something in Jayce's chest fluttered at the nuzzling, sweet and sensual and a reminder of how easily everything about Viktor affected him.]

Yes sir... [His voice was shaped mostly out of laughter, soft and breathless as it might have been. Viktor had saved him again and again and again in that previous life, and Jayce could have argued the point. But who was he to argue with an order?]

Just stay with me, Viktor. That's all I need.

[hexualhealing]

Fate will have to rip me out of your arms.

[ He promised with a touch of his slender fingers to the pulse against Jayce's neck, felt the thrumming of that heartbeat and the way that Jayce brought infinite calmness to him-- in this moment he felt like time had stopped for the both of them, capturing them in a perfect bubble. ]

I am not going anywhere, I will stay with you for as long as you want and need me.

[ As long as time would give him to live, but that could be enough if they understood that time and every minute was a gift, not trying to rush to the end but savor what they had like slow moving coffee pouring out of a carafe and into a cup. ]

[hexpectations]

Fate can try.

[Jayce would fight fate. He was pretty sure he'd already sort of half done that? In any case, what time they had, he'd hold to every instant of it. He slipped a hand through Viktor's hair.]

I will always want you.

[In every timeline, Viktor. Jayce was fully aware how much of his heart and soul was made of Viktor now, and that was exactly how it ought to be. A tilt of his chin, a brush of his nose against Viktor's in an echo to what the other man had done only moments before, and then Jayce let his lips brush whisper-soft against Viktor's.]

[hexualhealing]

[ Why did Jayce do this to him, make the bottom fall out in his stomach-- had done that since the moment of their first meeting and yet Viktor thought it had been intellectual intrigue. It had, of course-- but something else; something deeper and stronger that was like the tides of the moon. He pressed a soft slow kiss to those lips, deciding that a little bit of firmness was what he wanted.

And then he was drawing Jayce down to snuggle with him.

It appeared that Viktor was a very secret cuddler, and this was only a bit of information that Jayce would be trusted with-- and perhaps children when and if they had them. The sort of man that would likely curl attop Jayce, acting as a weighted blanket for the other Hexbro. ]

[hexpectations]

[Surprising absolutely no one who had ever met him, Jayce was a not-at-all-secret cuddler. Acts of service might have been his mother tongue in terms of love language, but he was also deeply fluent in physical touch as well.

So he very happily settled down with his partner. Then he properly wrapped his arms around Viktor and gathered him in closer. Get spooned, loser, get absolutely adored.]

You comfortable enough?

[It wasn't a big bed, his little laboratory cot, but it was decently soft and had enough room for two, especially with cuddling.]