Chapter Text
The next time he saw you was at a fundraising event. It was a lofty party catering towards Piltover's richest families with far too much money and free time. He was trying his best to seem interested in some superficial small talk with a potential investor when he saw you. His breath hitched and he completely lost focus in his ‘conversation’. He excused himself and walked towards you out of habit.
You were dazzling, in a perfect dress with your hair beautifully done. Before he could get too close, you were whisked away by a tall man in a suit. You smiled at him, but he could tell it was fake. He suddenly remembered how he had left you that morning and how you had been avoiding him and realized he had no right to feel rejected over that.
Still, he found himself disappointed when he saw that the marks he had left had faded.
…….
A few hours later, he found you leaning on the balcony and sipping some pretty drink. He had too much champagne in his system to stop himself from standing next to you.
“I haven’t gotten to talk to you all night” His words had more confidence than he expected–likely due to the alcohol in his system. You looked at him with tired eyes, you clearly hadn’t been doing well. “I’ve been busy”
You nursed your drink, wishing it would do more to calm the buzz of nerves. “You once told me you were never too busy to talk to me.” You looked at him properly for the first time in over a week. “You’re avoiding me.” Viktor failed at keeping the hurt from his tone. He couldn’t help it. He missed you far more than he thought he would.
You sighed deep and heavy. “I have.” Your voice was small, like you hated to admit it. Viktor stepped slightly closer to you, like he was scared you’d drift away again. “Why?”
It was a dumb question and he knew it. You downed the rest of your drink and tried to steel your nerves. “You know why, Viktor. I can’t–I can't pretend like nothing happened.” Viktor tensed. He knew this was coming, and yet he still had no idea what to say. “Nothing has to change, we can still be friends–” He was stopped when you let out a broken sob and curled in on yourself while leaning against the railing. He felt sick knowing that he made you cry again.
“Please, don’t cry.” He put a hand on your shoulder, but you stood straight and brushed him off. “You know I can’t do that. And I know you can’t either, Viktor. I know you feel something for me, don’t lie to me.” He stuttered, trying to process your words.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew you weren’t either. He just didn’t expect to be confronted with it all like this. He looked away, thinking of anything he could say to convince you to stop crying. You spoke before he could think of a response.
“It doesn’t matter anyways. I’m not staying in Piltover for much longer, I’m going abroad.”
He stopped “What do you mean?”
You swallowed and looked away a quick moment before looking him in the eyes. “I’m moving. I was offered a great position overseas. I’m working there for a few years before possibly coming back”
His heart dropped. He waited a moment, hoping you would take it back and say you were joking or trying to get a reaction out of him, but you received nothing.
“Y-you already accepted the position?” His voice was tight and wavered far more than he intended.
You pursed your lips a moment before speaking again, your voice much softer this time. “No, I have until Monday to give my answer.” You patted the tears from your face, trying to not further smudge your makeup.
Viktor felt his chest tighten, he didn't want-no-couldn’t just let you leave. You both sat in silence for a minute before Viktor forced the words from his throat.
“Please don’t go, please.” He had such a heart broken look on his face, you couldn’t help but want to recklessly give in without question. But you resisted, partially at least, still giving him one more chance to act on something with you. You stepped closer to him, maintaining eye contact as you got close enough for your chests to almost touch.
“Give me a reason. Give me a reason to stay and I will.” You looked up, desperately wanting him to say the words you’ve been waiting to hear for what feels like eternity.
Viktor knew this was a pivotal moment. He could say something to make you stay, or say something that would make you exit his life for a few years at minimum. Possibly forever. He knew that if he wanted you in his life, he would have to stop teetering on the edge of friends and lovers with you. The words were circling his brain, all wanting to come out at once.
I love you. Don’t ever leave me. You’re the love of my life. You’re everything I’ve wanted. You’re perfect. You’re my biggest distraction.
His mind caught on that last thought, lingering on it. You're a distraction. One he loves, but a distraction nonetheless. Viktor knew himself, too. He was not a worthy man. Affection and love didn’t come easy to him. Maybe he was pessimistic, but he truly believed he saw the future and it ended in him ignoring you for his work. It ended in your hypothetical relationship blowing up and you resenting him for keeping you here and not chasing this career opportunity. It ended in you hating him anyways.
So, despite every atom of his body screaming at him to pull you in, he stepped away. He looked down, trying to avoid your eyes. He heard you take a deep breath in, clearly trying not to cry, as you stuttered out a tense “Goodbye, Viktor” and walked away.
He shortly went home after that. His bad leg ached immensely and he just wanted to forget the day and forget that you were leaving.
He never ended up saying goodbye himself. You never gave him the opportunity and he never sought it out. He kept telling himself it was for the best.
You were a distraction. The hexcore came to be and demanded answers. It demanded time.
He had a feeling that eventually, it would make the pain of losing you go away. He hoped he was right.