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People often assumed that Viktor hated sentimentality. That the job was everything. That Hextech needed to be progressed as fast as possible, no matter the cost.
That could not be further from the truth. Viktor clung to sentimentality. He still had the cogwheel he had grabbed out of the air the first time they had floated, the feeling of the pressure lifted completely off his leg being indescribable. He still had the letter that professor Heimerdinger had sent him all those years ago, inviting him to come to the Academy for his studies.
He had kept the ticket to the movie he and Jayce went to on their first date. Absolutely cherished the first picture they had ever taken together, and also the first picture they had taken as a couple.
He loved the time he and Jayce spent together, whether that be in the lab diligently working together, or in their shared apartment, legs tangled into each other while they were both reading a book, occasionally looking up at each other with a look that said ‘I love you’, without the need for any words.
Viktor was very sentimental.
He just was not a big fan of Christmas. He did not necessarily see the point of showing your loved ones your affections on a special day when, to Viktor, that was something one ought to do every day. He had lost too many people over the course of his life to take for granted how important it was to tell others how much they meant to him. He liked kissing Jayce all day any day, why would Christmas be any different?
Jayce was his polar opposite in this, as he was in most other things. Jayce loved Christmas. Over the last seven years of them working together, this had become abundantly clear. He loved the lights, the Christmas music coming from everywhere. He loved how Christmas was a time when he did not have to feel guilty for winding down and taking a break. He visited his mother, spent Christmas with her and with Caitlyn.
The first two years of their partnership, Jayce had invited Viktor along with him to his mother’s house. Viktor had politely declined, because he did not want to intrude. He would rather continue their work, even if it was by himself. But as the two got closer, it became clear that it was weird that he had not met his partner’s mother yet. Viktor still hesitated for another year, however. By that point, he had started feeling affection towards his partner and he was not sure if he could take an entire Christmas by Jayce’s side, at his childhood home no less, and not relish the delicious domesticity of it. He had not been sure if Jayce had reciprocated his feelings then, and he was afraid to get hurt.
Jayce never stopped inviting him, though. And by the fourth year, he had relented. His affections for Jayce had grown deeper, but he had resigned himself to the idea that Jayce considered him to be a brother. That the affection he showed him, the touches, the forehead presses, the desire to help Viktor in anything and everything he was able to, even if Viktor disliked being looked after, it was all just how Jayce was. A big bear filled with love. But that love was not romantic.
As if. He had failed to realize it at the time, but Jayce had been absolutely smitten with the Zaunite since about a week after they had first met. Viktor still mentally slapped himself for never having noticed the way Jayce looked at him, golden eyes shining with love.
Their shared Christmases had become a tradition from then on. Viktor would come on Christmas Eve and stay at Ximena’s house all throughout Christmas day and sometimes even the day after that.
It was not the holiday itself that he enjoyed, but rather the quality time he could spent with Jayce, away from their lab, away from the Council breathing down their necks for the next phase of Hextech, away from the looks of interest people threw at Jayce and the looks of distrust they threw at him. Away from the world. It was just the two of them and Jayce’s mother, who had grown to care for him as deeply as if he had been her own son.
And so they had spent Christmas together for their fifth, sixth and seventh year together, only one of which was not held at Jayce’s childhood home, because Ximena had been on a holiday by herself.
Somewhere soon after their last Christmas, during their seventh year, Jayce had finally confessed to him. They had gotten coffee at a local cafe and had sat down outside on a bench. Something about not having to face Viktor made it easier to speak his mind.
“V, I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this, but I have been madly in love with you for the longest time. And I don’t care if you don’t feel the same way, we will be partners until the end. But if you do feel the same way, I would love for us to become partners in the deeper sense of the word,” he had said, almost matter-of-factly, as if confessing your deep-flowing love to your best friend was an everyday occurrence.
Viktor had responded in a similar tone. “I love you too, Jayce. I would love for us to take out relationship to the next level.”
Neither was very good with words, but they did not need to be. Their actions, their looks, they both said everything the other needed to hear. Of course, there was nothing romantic about their confession, but they had made up for that lack of romance in the tons of dates they had been on since. They had moved in together quickly after that, and they held hands almost constantly, giving each other kisses on the lips and cheeks often, but mostly their relationship had not changed all that much. A testament to the deep connection between them even before their relationship turned romantic. They had been dating for almost a year now, and Viktor was still over the moon.
“Earth to Viktor. You there?” Viktor was shaken from his reminiscing by Jayce waving at him from the other side of the couch. He was wearing a black hoodie, with blue jogging shorts. His warm legs where snuggled tightly against Viktor’s clothed ones, the other man being perpetually freezing so wearing long sweatpants and one of Jayce’s Piltover Academy sweaters that almost swallowed him whole.
“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about you,” Viktor said, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink in embarrassment at being caught.
Jayce chuckled. “Only good things I hope.” His look turned awkward then. As if he was going to propose something to Viktor that he knew the other man was not going to like. “We were invited to a Council Christmas party tomorrow evening, on the 13th. Mel really wants us there.”
Viktor looked at him. “You know-“
Jayce put up his hands. “I know, I know, you hate the politics and the small talk. You know I do, too. We don’t have to go, but…” His lips curved into a small nervous smile. “I kind of want to… Show you off?”
Viktor raised an eyebrow at that. “Show me off? Like a trophy wife? What makes you think I would be into that?”
“Because I know you, V. And you know me. It is going to be our first Christmas together. I know you’re not big on the holiday, but I am and I have made it my mission to make this one special. The first thing I thought of was to make our relationship public in the most fitting way possible. By showing them you are mine. And I know you would relish the idea of showing all those stuck-up politicians that I am yours.” His cheeks turned a shade of pink, less noticeable on his darker skin.
Viktor thought about that for a minute. He did indeed hate the small talk and the politics, but Jayce was right. He would love to stake his claim in public. To show them that the Jayce Talis was now his Jayce Talis. That Jayce had chosen Viktor, the Zaunite, over the rich, powerful upper class of Piltover. He could not wait to see their faces.
“Sure, why not?” he said.
Jayce’s eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you, Vik! I’ll make sure you’re going to have a good time!” He reached over and crushed Viktor in a tight hug. They broke apart and locked their lips together. Their books fell to the ground as their kiss turned into a make-out session, completely forgotten.
-o-o-o-
“You know I will not force you to come, right? We can always turn back. Or leave any time you want,” Jayce told Viktor as they stood outside the Kiramman’s mansion. There were more people there than Jayce had initially thought, and he knew Viktor did not do well with crowds. Viktor kissed him on the cheek affectionately.
“I know, but thank you. Let’s do this.”
They walked up the stairs and entered the main hall of the mansion. Viktor eyed Jayce as he took off his coat. He looked amazing tonight, a dark blue suit that hugged his body in all the right places, showing off his broad shoulders and strong legs. Viktor himself had pulled out all the stops as well. He was wearing a dark green, silk top that billowed at his small waist and had an open back, on top of tight, black slacks. He was wearing a silver necklace, one that Jayce had given him on their third date. He felt Jayce eyeing him up and down. “Slow down, tiger. Can’t be making a scene yet.”
“I would just love to take that outfit off of you.”
“Behave, and maybe you’ll get to tonight.”
They entered the room the party was held. Christmas decorations were hung on the walls, a tall tree stood at the center of the room. People looked their way as they entered, eyes looking on curiously at the sight of Viktor being at a soiree, an unexpected sight. Their looks turned into a mix of confusion and annoyance or admiration – depending on the person – when they noticed Jayce was guiding Viktor by the waist, a hand around the small of his back and resting on his hip. Viktor was already enjoying himself.
“Jayce, Viktor, you came!” came a familiar voice from behind them. Caitlyn Kiramman rushed over to them, wearing a purple dress that matched her hair color. “I can’t believe he managed to convince you, Viktor.” She hugged them affectionately, both returning the hug.
“Yes, well, we could not keep our relationship a secret any longer, could we?”
Caitlyn eyed Viktor with a knowing look. She knew what his endgame was.
“Well, I hope you have fun, let’s talk later! I need to find my father first.”
She walked away, but as soon as Jayce and Viktor turned around to look for other familiar faces, they were approached by one they knew all too well.
A woman that had made multiple advances on Jayce. A good-looking, blonde woman with blue eyes and a slender figure. She had Council ambitions and figured getting in Jayce’s good graces would get her there. “Why, hello there, Mr Talis.” She looked at Jayce affectionately, completely ignoring Viktor. A surge of annoyance washed over him at her disregard. He pulled away from his partner, ignoring Jayce’s hesitation.
“I will be right back, I have to do something.” He had an idea. Excusing himself, he looked around for the nearest waiter carrying glasses of champagne. Once he spotted one, he made his way over to him.
“Care for a glass of sparkles, sir?”
“Yes, thank you very much. Good luck with your work.” He always made it a point to be friendly to service workers. He could only carry one glass, as his other hand was holding his cane. That was perfect, Viktor thought. If Jayce would catch onto what he was doing, his plan would work out perfectly.
He made his way back to Jayce, who was still talking to the noblewoman. She was caressing his arm, while Jayce kept clearing his throat and pulling away, obviously feeling uncomfortable. How dare she make his partner uncomfortable? Viktor was going to enjoy this.
“I’m back, love.” He said in a sultry voice, handing Jayce the glass of champagne. “Would you like a drink?”
Jayce looked over the moon to see Viktor return. “Thank you, love.” Noticing Viktor was holding only one glass, he quickly realized what the other was trying to do, a devious smile crossing his lips. “But I see you brought nothing for yourself?”
“That’s okay, my sweet, we can share. We share everything, after all.” A matching grin crept onto Viktor’s face.
“Do you want a sip?” Jayce said in an affectionate voice. After Viktor nodded, he put the glass against Viktor’s lips and tilted it slowly, almost literally letting Viktor drink out of his hands. It was all too sweet, almost tooth-rotting. But when Viktor caught the look of disappointment and disgust on the noblewoman’s face, it was all worth it. She huffed in annoyance and stomped away. Viktor chuckled. Victory.
“Maybe we have overdone it,” he whispered into Jayce’s ear.
Jayce chuckled. “Is it bad that I am getting a bit turned on by your possessiveness?” he whispered back.
Viktor blushed. “Not at all.”
They spent about an hour walking around, mingling. They never explicitly told anyone they were together, but their obvious displays of affection, like feeding each other, holding hands, or them guiding each other by the waste or arm, told everyone all they needed to know. Some of them smiled at them, but most of the guests were annoyed. Either because they lost their shot with Jayce or just because they were being inappropriate in public.
Viktor did not care either way. He was with his Jayce and nobody could take him from Viktor.
After a particularly entertaining conversation that had abruptly ended when their conversation partner had realized Jayce’s hand was quite literally on Viktor’s ass, they stood to the side of the room, lost in their own conversation. They had not realized the one and only Mel Medarda was approaching them from behind.
“Hello, boys,” she said, not unkindly, as she interrupted a joke Jayce was about to tell Viktor.
“Mel!” Jayce said happily. Viktor only nodded his greeting. He was wary of Mel, as he was of all politicians. Mel had not yet given him any reason to trust her, but she had never been unkind to him either in their years of knowing each other. He suspected she had a thing for Jayce, and his partner clearly liked her a lot. On the other hand, it had been thanks to Mel’s trust in Hextech and her financial investments, that the pair could work on their dream in the first place. As such, Viktor ultimately saw no reason to hate her. As long as she stayed away from his Jayce.
Mel looked at them with a knowing smirk. “I have been told some… interesting rumors about you two. I came to see if they were true.”
Jayce chuckled lightly, blushing as Viktor snaked an arm around Jayce’s surprisingly tiny waist protectively. He is mine, Mel.
Mel only raised an eyebrow and smiled at them. “No worries, boys. To me, this was all just a matter of time. Bound to happen eventually. Viktor, you are a lucky man. A lot of people have been fawning over your partner for a long time.”
Viktor smiled, suddenly not sure why he ever thought Mel a threat. He leaned into Jayce’s shoulder, loving the feeling of Jayce cupping his cheek. “Don’t I know it. I am still not sure how I managed to get him.”
Jayce scoffed at that. “After all this time, you still don’t realize just how much of a catch you are.”
Viktor looked away, feeling vulnerable.
Jayce continued. “You need to know how sexy you are, V. And not just that, talking with you… Working with you. It’s mesmerizing. Your mind is amazing.”
Viktor knew that Jayce had realized early on that the biggest compliment you could give the Zaunite was saying he was intelligent. After all, in Viktor’s mind, his smarts and his skills were the one thing he could offer the world. Being told he mattered, affected him deeply.
Viktor looked up and softly kissed Jayce as a thank you.
Mel chuckled. “The rumors did not only tell me you were together, they also said you were behaving quite… Affectionately. In public, no less. I had not expected that of either of you, if I’m honest.”
“Well, we figured this might be the most effective way of showing the world we are together,” Jayce responded. “And that nobody can take me away from Viktor,” he mumbled softly, cheeks flushed red.
Mel’s eyes twinkled in adoration. “Well, I have a feeling this deeper partnership will only benefit your work. I am looking forward to seeing how you both grow. But maybe cool it a bit on the public displays of affection. We are in formal setting, after all.” She sounded stern, as if chastising them, but her eyes looked friendly. They knew she didn’t care one bit how they behaved.
“Thank you, Mel,” Viktor said. She nodded their way and moved to speak to her assistant, a woman by the name of Elora.
Jayce turned towards him. “Wanna get out of here?”
Viktor sighed in relief. “Definitely.”
They exited the room after saying a quick goodbye to Caitlyn, who was sad to see them go before they had a chance to talk more, but they promised they would visit her soon. The cold winter air hit Viktor’s face like a truck the moment he stepped outside, so he buried it deeper in his big, wooly scarf. His hand instinctively reached for Jayce’s as they made their way back to their apartment.
“So, has phase one succeeded?” Jayce asked him as they were walking.
Viktor looked at him questioningly. “Phase one of my plan to make you fall in love with Christmas,” Jayce clarified.
Viktor chuckled. “Jayce, I don’t hate Christmas. It’s just not exceptionally special to me. But…” he started when he noticed Jayce’s puppy eyes. “I have certainly enjoyed myself tonight. I’m curious to see what you come up with next.”
Jayce smiled softly, then leaned in for a kiss. As usual, the kiss began softly and lovingly, but quickly turned into something steamy. Viktor broke away first. “Jayce, we’re outside. Let’s go inside first.”
Jayce laughed. “Gladly, I can’t wait to take that outfit off of you.”
-o-o-o-
It was now 20 December. A week had passed since the Christmas party at the Kiramman’s, and Jayce had been noticeably quiet about what the next phase of his plan would be. Evasive, almost. And as much as Viktor could try to deny it, he was getting increasingly more eager to see what Jayce had in mind.
They had been working on their latest Hextech innovation all day and the sun was starting to set, by the time Jayce spoke up. “How is your leg?”
When they had first met, Viktor would’ve hit Jayce with his cane for asking that. He did not need to be asked how he was feeling all the time, he was an adult. But over the years he had started to realize Jayce never asked because he wanted to coddle him, but because he wanted to know. He knew Viktor could take care of himself, that was very clear. He just cared about Viktor and wanted to know if he could do anything to help him.
“It’s manageable today. The heating inside helps.” Wintertime made Viktor’s leg flair up more often, but with the right heating and knowing when to take the pressure off his leg by sitting down, he could manage it well enough.
“Good. I asked because I wanted to know if you’re able to go for a walk later tonight.”
Viktor chuckled. “I take it this has something to do with the next phase of your plan? I noticed the date, they’re lighting the tree tonight, correct?”
Jayce smiled at him, golden eyes shining. “I figured I could show you how beautiful the lights look. There will be a big Christmas market as well. Maybe we could walk around.”
Viktor smiled back. “I’d love that, Jayce. I should be able to manage it, as long as we can take a seat occasionally.”
“Yes, definitely! Let’s leave here at 6, okay?”
Viktor nodded in approval. He could not help but feel giddy at the thought of visiting a Christmas market with his partner.
The remainder of the day went by agonizingly slow. They had lots to do, but they were both too eager to get out to the main square of Piltover, where the tree would be lighted. Finally, the clock struck 6 and it was time for them to go.
They put on their coats, Jayce wearing a wooly black coat and nothing else. The man radiated heat, so he did not need many winter accessories. Viktor, on the other hand, was wearing a brown longer coat and a green scarf, along with white, fluffy earmuffs. Jayce had giggled at them when Viktor had bought them. But now he thought Viktor looked cute with them on his ears.
They made their way to the central square – holding hands the entire way – where a giant tree stood tall, decorated in red and green. It was crowded on the streets, they were obviously not the only ones that had this idea.
“We still have another hour or so before they light the tree, want to get some hot chocolate?” Jayce asked.
Viktor perked up, his sweet tooth craved something chocolaty. “Very much so.”
They made their way over to a nearby stand and ordered two hot chocolates, Viktor’s with whipped cream on top. Jayce paid and then they moved to sit on the make-shift terrace besides the stand. Close together, shoulders touching. They were watching people, trying to guess whether pairs were siblings or dating, or what was inside big presents parents had bought for their children. Viktor rested his head on Jayce’s shoulder, feeling content. He could stay here with Jayce for ages, drinking hot chocolate and looking at passers-by. He whined softly as Jayce moved to get up, causing his partner to chuckle. “Come on, V. I want to visit some stands to see if I can find a Christmas angel for my mother.” She collected them, her collection growing larger every year. Viktor smiled, he thought the way Jayce cared for his mother was cute. He was such a giant mama’s boy. But who wouldn’t be, with a mother like Ximena Talis? She was love incarnate, opening her home for Viktor when she hardly knew the man and treating him like her own son when she learned he had lost both parents at an early age.
Viktor let himself be pulled to his feet and clung to Jayce’s arm as the moved their way through the stands. There were lots of people selling Christmas trinkets. Decorations for trees, little snowy houses that could hold candles so it seemed as if a fireplace was glowing inside, and a lot of Christmas angels.
It did not take long for Jayce to find an angel for his mother. A cute, round, little girl with big white wings and the familiar halo on her head. Her eyes were closes and her lips were curved in a serene smile. “She’s adorable,” Viktor had said to him.
They continued their way, until something caught Viktor’s eye. At a stand a few meters away, a man was selling the most campy Christmas decorations Viktor had ever seen. The kind that was so ugly that they were adorable. He let go of Jayce’s arm. “Excuse me a moment, I need to take a bathroom break,” he lied.
“Sure, I want to take a look at that stand over there, meet back here?”
Viktor nodded and quickly moved over to the stand when he was sure Jayce did not see him anymore. His gaze drifted across the trinkets until they stopped at a figure of a big, light brown labrador dog sleeping next to a Christmas tree. The dog was wearing a Santa hat. Perfect. Viktor had often compared Jayce to a puppy because of the way he loved being complimented and always leaned into physical affection immediately. It had embarrassed Jayce at first, but nowadays he had grown used to it. Even liked it when Viktor called him his puppy.
He picked up the trinket and showed it to the vendor. “How much?”
“For you? A five.”
“Deal,” he said, handing the man a bill and quickly putting the trinket in his pocket. He was going to surprise Jayce with this later.
Making his way back to the meeting point, he noticed Jayce sticking something in his own pocket quickly. He raised an eyebrow. “Care to show me what you bought?”
Jayce hesitated, but his excitement clearly got the better of him. “I wanted to give you this when we got home, but…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a similarly campy Christmas statue. His was of a cat. A black cat, the animal Jayce often compared Viktor to. The cat was also wearing a Christmas hat. “It made me think of you,” he said, rubbing his neck awkwardly.
Viktor smiled softly. “I love it, Jayce. Thank you.” He reached into his own pocket and pulled out the dog. “Looks like we had the same idea.”
Jayce looked at the statue and then at Viktor, his eyes radiation love and warmth. “V, it’s perfect. Thank you!” He enveloped the man in a tight hug, Viktor gladly returning it. They could perhaps start their own Christmas trinket collection, in addition to the tree they had already put up on Jayce’s insistence.
“It’s almost time, no? Let’s go back to the tree.”
They made their way back and found an empty bench at the edge of the square to sit on. Jayce raised his arm to wrap it around Viktor and the other man immediately accepted the invitation and leaned on Jayce’s chest as he felt his strong arm wrap around him. Being held by Jayce was the best way to beat the cold, Viktor thought to himself.
In their little corner of the square, most people ignored them, preferring to look at the tree. They were alone in their little bubble, unbothered by what happened around them. As they waited for the lighting ceremony, they remained silent, just enjoying each other’s company. He could hear the faint sound of Jayce’s heart through his coat, a sound Viktor always found comforting.
When it became time for the ceremony to begin, Viktor sat upright to get a better look. They could not see through the crowd what was actually happening, nor could they hear very well what professor Heimerdinger, head of the Council and speaker at the ceremony like always, was saying. But once the lights in the tree turned on, Viktor could not help but gasp in wonder.
The lights were all colors or the rainbow, a cheerful collection of reds, blues, yellows and greens. In the dark, with the tree a faint shadow, the lights seemed like they were floating. He had never paid any attention to the tree, it was just an empty decoration to him. But being there with Jayce, his eyes lighting up in the reflection of the colorful lights in the tree, Viktor thought to himself how special this moment was. He leaned his head back on Jayce’s chest, feeling the familiar arm wrap around him instantly. He definitely needed to buy a set of similar lights to put in their own tree next year.
“Jayce?” he said softly, after having stared at the lights for a good fifteen minutes.
“Hm? What’s up, V?”
“You can consider phase 2 a success.” He smiled, which grew even wider when he heard Jayce’s heartbeat increase.
-o-o-o-
It was 24 December today, Christmas Eve. They had locked up the lab, not intending to return until after the start of the new year. It was time for their break now. Jayce was packing a weekend bag of their clothes, while Viktor was getting ready in the bathroom. They were going to stay with Ximena for a couple of days, so Jayce had said they needed some extra clothes to wear. Viktor let him pack, but he knew perfectly well they would be wearing Jayce’s old sweatpants the entire time they were there.
Viktor was just putting the finishing touches on his look, putting on the silver necklace over his black turtleneck and wiping a speck of dust from his dark brown slacks, when Jayce barged into the bathroom, looking stressed and anxious. “V, we have to go! We’re going to be late!”
“Relax, love. We have time. I would not dare to let Ximena wait for us.”
Jayce calmed a bit at Viktor’s soft voice. He had been nervous for a few days now. Fidgeting, drowning Viktor in more affection than usual, which he tended to do when he was anxious. Showering Viktor with love and clinging onto him physically tended to calm Jayce down when he got like this. Something was on his mind, but he became evasive whenever Viktor asked him what was wrong. It had hurt Viktor at first, he thought Jayce trusted him. But after a few days he had accepted that Jayce would tell him when he was ready. They had no secrets between them. Even secrets told to either of them in confidence, were shared at the dinner table. He was still curious, however, so he hoped Jayce would share his worries with him soon.
Jayce looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a black button-up and matching brown slacks. He was wearing a golden bracelet that Viktor had given him. He did not wear it often, afraid to damage it. But Christmas was a special occasion. He looked especially handsome tonight, Viktor thought.
Jayce turned to him and kissed him softly. “Ready?”
They made their way out of their apartment and got into their car. They hardly used it, everything they needed being within walking distance, but when they had to go to Jayce’s mother, who lived on the other side of Piltover, it was easier to take the car.
Jayce was driving, one hand resting on the steering wheel and the other on Viktor’s thigh, occasionally giving him a squeeze. His fingers were drumming on the wheel, he was nervous again. Viktor did not ask. Instead, he asked another question.
“You’ve been quiet about your plan the past few days. Was the tree the final phase already or do I need to expect another phase to come?”
He had meant to question to be light-hearted, but instead he felt Jayce squeeze his thigh again. He looked nauseous. “Jayce, are you okay?”
“Y-Yes, V, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve been nervous for a while now. I hope it’s nothing serious, but you’ve never been good at hiding your emotions. Especially from me.”
Jayce smiled at Viktor in an attempt to calm his nerves, but he noticed Jayce’s smile did not reach his eyes. “Please, Vik, let it go. I will tell you everything eventually, but I need you to trust me now.”
“I always do, Jayce. As long as you stay safe.”
The rest of the drive was quiet, bar the music flowing from the speakers in the car softly. It did nothing to calm Viktor’s nerves.
When they arrived at Ximena’s home, Jayce quickly got out to open the car door for Viktor. He accepted the hand being reached out to him with a faint blush. Jayce got the bag out of the car and they walked to the front door together.
Ximena opened the door before they had a chance to ring the bell. “My boys, welcome!” she said warmly, enveloping them both at the same time in a tight hug. Any nervousness Viktor had felt was washed away immediately at the feeling Jayce’s mother. He looked at his partner, who seemingly had also let go of some nerves when his mother had hugged him. She let them go. “Come in, come in! It’s freezing out there, let’s get you warm.”
After taking off their coats and hanging them up, Viktor walked further into the house. He had always liked Ximena’s home. It was filled with pictures of her family, cute embroidered pillows on the couch, snuggly blankets and beautiful carpets spread across the rooms. It felt like a home that had been lived in. A home like he hoped he would one day be able to create with Jayce. He blushed at the thought.
“Ximena, can we help you with anything?”
“No, dear, of course not. I have been cooking all day, we can almost eat! Here, have a glass of wine while you wait. You can tell me how you’ve been during dinner. You look pale, darling, have you been eating well? Don’t tell me my son has left you to starve.” Viktor loved it when X imena fussed over him.
Jayce faked being hurt. “Mom, why do you think I let him starve? I cook for him almost every night!”
“Every night we eat at home, which is rarely,” Viktor corrected him, chuckling.
Ximena scolded them both, saying it was important to eat well and not the cheap instant foods they got from the Academy cafeteria. Viktor nodded, he knew she was right. But their research was too important to both of them, so they had developed the unfortunate habit of sometimes forgetting to eat.
Once the food was ready, they moved to the dinner table. Ximena sat at the head, Jayce and Viktor on either side of her, opposite each other. The table was filled with all kinds of meat, vegetables, sauces and decorations. Ximena had outdone herself again. “I want to, dear, that’s why I put in so much effort,” she said to Viktor, as if she could read his mind.
The dinner was delicious. Ximena and Viktor talked to no end about the things that had been happening in their life lately. Viktor was talking about the Council Christmas party. Ximena had been invited too, as it turned out, but she had declined. She felt she had no business there at her age. She gossiped with Viktor about what some of her friends had been doing to try and look younger. “As if that is possible at our age,” she laughed. Not that she looked terribly old at all. For a woman nearing her sixties, she looked like she was still in her early fifties.
It had not escaped Viktor’s notice that Jayce had grown quiet again during dinner. At first, he had participated in their conversation, but as the main course led into dessert, he had been lost in his own thoughts once again. He looked nauseous. Viktor tapped his leg under the table with his foot, trying to catch his attention. He made eye contact, a wordless question of ‘are you alright?’ Jayce smiled at him and nodded. His smile still did not reach his eyes. Viktor felt his heart break. He hated seeing Jayce so nervous about something.
After dessert was done, Jayce exchanged a look with his mother, who stood up and said, “Viktor, dear, be good and help me with these plates, will you?”
“Of course, Ximena,” he replied, picking up some dishes and bringing them to the kitchen. He was letting them soak in the sink when Ximena came to stand next to him.
“He loves you a lot,” she told him. She had noticed Viktor’s worry. “Let him work this out himself, Viktor. I promise you, he will tell you when he is ready.”
Viktor smiled at her. “Thank you. I must confess, I’m concerned. But I know he trusts me. I will be patient and let him come to me.”
Ximena returned the smile. “That might be sooner than you think.”
Just as Viktor was about to ask her what she meant, he heard Jayce’s voice coming from the living room. “Viktor? Can you come here, please?” His voice sounded strange, as if he was still trying not to throw up. Ximena took the plates out of his hands and gave him a push, as if urging him on to go. She was beaming brightly at him.
Viktor made his way to the living room, his curiosity becoming almost too much to bear. What in the world was going on with Jayce? When he entered the room, he froze in place, mouth agape. Candles had been lit all throughout the room, the only source of light next to the Christmas tree. What appeared to be rose petals, Viktor’s favorite flower, were scattered across the room. Jayce stood in the middle of it all, hands behind his back. He was barely holding it together. Viktor approached him slowly. “Jayce? What’s going on?”
Jayce took Viktor’s free hand in his own. “V… The past year we’ve spent together has been the happiest year of my life. And every year since I met you has been better than the one before. I know we’ve only been together for a short time, but I have always felt like our partnership has been deep and intimate even before it became romantic.” He swallowed thickly, Viktor felt the other man’s hand shake. He continued.
“I don’t think I can live a single day without you. I am so completely, utterly, in love with you. Devoted to you. Sometimes I feel like I want to become a part of you, to literally be joined at the hip.” He looked down, as if embarrassed. He had no idea those very words set Viktor’s heart on fire. He felt the exact same.
“I set out to give you a Christmas that was special to you. To show you why the holiday means so much to me. But there is something you can do for me that will make my Christmas one of the most special ones to date.” He bend down on one knee, letting go of Viktor’s hand to nervously feel around his pocket. He took out a small box. Inside it, a ring. His hands were still shaking.
“Viki, I am begging you. Please marry me.”
Viktor did not know what to say. His heart fluttered at the nickname from Viktor’s native language. A nickname only his mother had ever used for him. He looked at Jayce, his eyes prickling with tears. “J-Jayce… You want to marry me?”
Jayce was surprised at the question. “Are you kidding me, V? Who wouldn’t? You set my heart ablaze with every look, every kiss, every touch. I feel completely lost when you are not near me. I have felt like this for years. Being with you is exhilarating. Even more so than when we make breakthroughs in our research. I wouldn’t want to marry anyone else, ever. Only you. Please, Viki.”
He was crying as well, nervous but excited. Hopeful. Viktor matched every emotion Jayce was feeling down to the detail.
“Jayce… I don’t think I can match the beauty of your words, you know it doesn’t come as easily to me and what you just told me… I don’t think anyone has ever said anything so kind to me before. Suffice to say… You have made an impact on my life that I had never expected anyone to ever have. I have been betrayed. I have been pushed down, kicked, whatever you can imagine. I did not dare to let anyone close to me. And yet you did. You wormed your way into my heart as easy as if it had been nothing, and it made me feel a type of love that I have never felt before. You say you are devoted to me, but the feeling is mutual. Jayce, I love you. And if you’ll really have me, then yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Jayce let go of the breath he had been holding in his anxiety. Tears fell freely from his eyes now as he stood up. “Vik, I… I can’t believe it.” He took the ring out of the box. A small, silver one with an emerald in the middle. Green being Viktor’s favorite color. He slid it onto Viktor’s ring finger with ease and enveloped him in a warm hug. Viktor nuzzled the crook of Jayce’s neck, inhaling the scent he had grown so comfortable with. He did not ever want to let Jayce go. And now he didn’t have to. Once they were married, Jayce would forever be his. And he would forever be Jayce’s.
“Can I come in now?” came the sound of Ximena’s voice. Viktor let out a very unattractive cackle.
“Of course, mom,” Jayce answered.
Ximena rushed into the living room and almost tackled her boys in a bear hug. She was crying, too. “Oh, my boys. My beautiful boys, I am so, so happy for you!”
And Viktor was too. So very happy.
They spent the rest of the evening chatting and drinking, celebrating Jayce and Viktor’s engagement. They slept in Jayce’s twin-sized childhood bed, a little cramped compared to their queen-sized bed at home, but given how they usually slept close together anyway, it wasn’t too bad. Viktor had wrapped his arms around Jayce protectively, pushing his fiancé’s back into his chest and holding his hands, their legs entangled in such a way you almost could not tell who’s legs were who’s if it hadn’t been for the sheer size difference. There, in the privacy of their embrace, they talked. About what they wanted their wedding to look like, who would be their best men, or women, as Jayce was most likely going to ask Caitlyn. They talked about the plans for their future. Where they would go after achieving their dream. A small cottage on the outskirts of Piltover seemed like a dream come true to both of them. They talked about adopting a cat, or maybe two cats. Or three. They eventually fell asleep, with mantras of reciprocated oaths of devotion whispered in each other’s ears.
They woke up the next morning to a loud banging on the door to Jayce’s room.
“Jayce Talis, you get out of that room, right. Now.” That was Caitlyn’s voice. Viktor sleepily rubbed his eyes from in between Jayce’s strong arms. Apparently, they had switched positions in their sleep. He felt Jayce sleepily kiss the nape of Viktor’s neck, sending shivers down the smaller man’s spine.
“Jayce, now!” Another loud knock. Jayce jumped up.
“My love, what’s wrong?” Viktor asked, only now paying attention to the knocking. “Is that Caitlyn?”
Caitlyn was supposed to be there, she would be joining them on Christmas morning for a breakfast and presents, as she always did. But why was she so angry?
Jayce looked guilty. “I, uh… I promised her I would wait to propose to you until after breakfast, so she could be there.”
Viktor stifled a laugh. “Why didn’t you?”
Jayce looked at him sheepishly. “Because I got too nervous. I couldn’t wait a single second longer, I had been so anxious for days. I just didn’t want to be not your fiancé for another entire evening.”
Viktor got up too and softly kissed his partner on the lips. “I’m glad you didn’t wait. I had no idea you were going to propose, but now that we are engaged,” he said that word with the largest smile he had ever worn on his face, he could not believe they were engaged. “I can’t imagine not being your fiancé.”
“I’m going to break down the door, you fruitcakes,” came Caitlyn’s voice. That startled them both back to reality.
Jayce hurriedly got out of bed and opened the door. He was only wearing pajama bottoms, no shirt. Not that Caitlyn would care, she had seen her brother half-naked before. Viktor was wearing matching bottoms, but wore an old shirt of Jayce as a top. Caitlyn stood in the door opening, fuming.
“You would wait for me, Jayce,” she cried.
“I’m sorry, Sprout! I really am, but you should’ve seen the state I was in. If anything, blame my mother, she was the one that said I should do it as soon as possible to get it over with.”
Viktor had not even noticed that conversation had happened. He chimed in from the bed. “I can vouch for that, Cait. He was beside himself with anxiety. He looked like was going to throw up.” He ran a hand through his hair and realized he was still wearing the ring. He looked at it, his eyes going soft and pricking with tears again. They were engaged.
Viktor’s expression made Caitlyn soften a bit. “Fine. But you better make me your best man, Talis. As an apology.” She said it angrily, but her faced betrayed her. She smiled from ear to ear as she hugged her brother. “I am happy for you Jayce. You deserve this.” She moved over to Viktor and gave him a hug as well. “And you, too, Viktor. Thank you for making him so happy. I don’t know what would have happened to him if he hadn’t met you.” Viktor blinked back his tears. He was the luckiest man on the planet.
They got out of bed and dressed in comfortable clothes to join Ximena and Caitlyn downstairs for the Christmas breakfast. They talked, laughed, teased. A Christmas like no other. When they had relocated to the couch afterwards to watch a bad holiday movie, Viktor was positioned in such a way that he was half sitting on Jayce’s lap, his legs folded in between Jayce’s own, but his torso twisted in such a way that he could lean against Jayce’s chest with his side. He was playing with the ring on his finger, not at all paying attention to the movie.
“I think it’s safe to say phase three of my plan was a success?” he heard Jayce whisper in his ear. Viktor giggled.
“A resounding one, if I may say so,” he replied, looking up and pressing his lips against Jayce’s lovingly.
And he was right. Jayce had succeeded. He had managed to show Viktor just how special Christmas could be. And if the ring on his finger was any indication, his fiancé would make sure every Christmas to come would be equally so.