Work Text:
Jayce truly detests his birthday.
He isn't proud of feeling this way and doesn't admit this fact just to sound quirky ("Ohh, boo-hoo. The Man of Progress hates his own birthday, huh? Bah, who doesn't?"). It's easy to say it out loud and garner sympathy. Like clockwork, people would ask him why this is the case and expect a sob story detailing an unfortunate incident that has dampened his excitement over his own birth.
The reason is nothing so dramatic as that. In fact, for a majority of Jayce's life, he actually enjoyed his birthdays.
The last time he felt anticipation towards his day of birth was four years ago. As a firm believer that birthdays are one of those occasions worth celebrating, he's always understood the sentiment of others who wish to take a break from work just to spend it with their loved ones.
Nowadays, he just wants the day to end as soon as possible. Jayce never realized that working too hard would eventually bite him in the ass.
At first, being dubbed Piltover's 'Man of Progress' came with many perks and privileges — it still does, don't get him wrong — but over time, the title only became a heavy weight on his shoulders. He's become too much of a celebrity for an average person to act normal around him. However, even this was something tolerable — incidents he could manage with a bright smile as he snakes himself out of the situation with charming words. However, things changed when the council approved someone's proposal to make his birthday a citywide holiday.
Suddenly, Jayce Talis's birth is this momentous occasion that Piltover celebrates by turning it into a holiday. The new calendars in circulation the following year reflected this change: 'July 7: Man of Progress Day'. The text is in bold and red, so it's hard not to notice when it's practically screaming in one's face.
The holiday entails a celebration of innovation and progress, so naturally it's like a festival — or like a Distinguished Innovators Competition: Act II of sorts (officially titled the 'Young Innovators Competition') according to one of the events in the program they handed Jayce that first year and the succeeding ones after that — where they have posters of the revered Man of Progress up everywhere in Piltover. And because Jayce Talis is an altruistic man, he shares his birthday in service of the people. This means, according to Mel, that Jayce will partake — and has done so for the past three years — in the entire program from morning to evening and show his golden, perfect self to the public.
Jayce (barely) tolerated it that first year. He (heavily) gaslit himself into liking it during the second. By the third, he was cursing whoever pitched the idea and wanted to kill every councilor who approved this stupid holiday.
As someone who values his privacy, having his birthday be an occasion to put on a fake smile and deal with starstruck common folk to egocentric investors first thing in the morning until midnight is an utter nightmare for him. For three years, Jayce spent his birthday simpering until his cheeks hurt for the entire week. The only reprieve he has is the Innovators Competition they have in the afternoon where he's a judge because the young competitors' ideas never fail to astound and inspire him. Even then, the event is also surrounded by investors and affluent families, so Jayce can never truly let his mask down.
Jayce misses the times where he can enjoy spending his birthday resting, particularly in his mother's house and having her cook him breakfast. They can catch up on everything in between — and one of the few times they actually can with how busy he is nowadays — and he can do the things he never has the time to do anymore. One of these things, of course, include spending the rest of his day with his partner Viktor. Jayce is a little envious (but also relieved) that Viktor only has to attend the Young Innovator's Competition in the afternoon as a fellow judge and the birthday gala to present a united front in the evening.
Jayce sadly reminisces how he used to be able to go out together with Viktor wherever they wanted on his birthday. Now, Jayce can barely take a step outside without being surrounded by people — as if being councilor isn't enough of a social burden already. Gone were the days where he and Viktor could stroll by the pier near the Bridge of Progress. If they did that now, Viktor would probably leave Jayce to his crowd of adoring fans and go back to their lab, miffed by the entire fanfare.
Jayce didn't ask for this.
So this is what Jayce's birthday is now: a fully-booked and hectic day from the moment the sun rises up to the darkest hour preceding dawn the next day. What was supposed to be Jayce's own holiday from his career as a public servant has now turned into a citywide holiday where he has to be paraded as Piltover's selfless and perfect poster boy.
Jayce used to love his birthdays. But this? This is definitely making him despise it. He thinks anyone in his position would feel the same way.
Which is why when somebody shakes and smacks Jayce awake, he doesn't even flinch from his position on the soft bed he shares with his partner (in science and in life). He lets out an annoyed grunt and rolls to one side of the bed before flapping away his hand to whoever is trying to wake him. Jayce can afford to sleep in for a few more minutes (even though he knows he should wake up earlier today than usual to clean his 'rugged' — Mel's words — appearance up).
Yesterday was a tedious day of socializing with the event planners — ensuring everything was well-coordinated — before attending the rehearsal dinner for the gala that somehow continued to drag on due to a lot of technical difficulties and adjustments made on the spot. As if that wasn't enough, his day concluded with a long and abrupt meeting late in the evening with the council regarding Jayce's duties and who he should be meeting and rubbing shoulders with.
Mel at least had the heart to look at Jayce with sympathy and wrapped up the meeting as quickly as possible.
"Jayce, wake up," a familiar, accented voice calls before Jayce is being shaken by the shoulders once more.
"Is he always like this?" Another voice asks condescendingly in a thicker accent. "How pathetic. He cannot even wake himself up!"
"Easy there, sweetheart. That's supposedly me you're talking about," another voice pipes in with a deep and almost seductive tone. Jayce finds himself frowning a little before letting out a small huff in his half-consciousness.
"Oh, please," the other voice scoffs. "If I had to choose between you and him, I would rather die instead."
"Can the both of you please refrain from fighting for just a minute?" Viktor requests exasperatedly before he sits on the side of the bed. He pats Jayce's face gently before leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "Jayce?"
Jayce lets out a deep groan before he slowly opens his eyes. "C'mere and say my name like that again," he says in a scratchy and sleepy voice. He can already imagine the familiar blush blooming in his partner's cheeks at the request. Jayce rubs the sleep from his eyes before adjusting to the light in the room and focusing on Viktor's face. Dear Janna, what a blessing it is to wake up on his birthday and have such a gorgeous and stunning face be the first thing to greet him.
"Morning, baby," Jayce says in a deep voice before he finds himself reaching forward to brush Viktor's cheek with his knuckles. As his vision begins to clear, he notices that Viktor's already dressed to go. However, it doesn't escape his attention that he's not wearing the clothes that Sky had set aside for them — a gold, white, and red formal set that was tailor-made for each of them just for this event. This causes Jayce to sit up from their bed and brush his hair back with his fingers.
"Am I late?" Jayce asks before letting out a yawn and stretching.
"Eh, we are actually ahead of schedule," Viktor says before smiling. Jayce smiles back, feeling a little stupid (only for Viktor — always for him) as butterflies erupt in his stomach. Has he mentioned how breathtaking Viktor is today?
"Good morning, V," Jayce greets before pulling Viktor in to press a chaste kiss on his partner's lips. Viktor easily goes out of habit and follows up with a kiss to Jayce's forehead.
"Good morning, Jayce," Viktor greets softly, his amber eyes bright and beautiful. Jayce tucks strands of Viktor's chocolate shoulder-length hair behind his ear and feels compelled to kiss his partner again. If he didn't have this stupid Man of Progress holiday to attend, he would spend his entire morning messing around in bed with Viktor.
Their tender moment is rudely interrupted when someone clears their throat. Jayce almost startles at the sound and recalls hearing two different voices aside from Viktor's in the background. He glances over Viktor's shoulder and notices two men wearing the tailored outfits he and Viktor should be spotted in today. When Jayce squints his eyes, rubbing them repeatedly before squinting again, he realizes it isn't his imagination — the men are Viktor... and Jayce.
But Jayce was himself.
Jayce pats his face and feels his month-old beard, a feature that's distinctly absent on the other man (that is definitely not him) in the room. On the other hand, the man that resembles Viktor has his partner's old hair before he grew it out. He glances at his Viktor to confirm that indeed he hasn't cut his hair and this is his Viktor and not a stranger.
"Um... V? Tell me I'm not the only one who's seeing double right now," Jayce whispers to his partner before Viktor turns to look over his shoulder. He lets out a sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, yes. I almost forgot about that."
"Hm. Forgetting us already even though you are in dire need of our services?" The man wearing Viktor's attire and face snarks before folding his arms, clearly unimpressed. "If the pay wasn't so ludicrous, I would have walked out of this room after being forced to witness such disgusting domesticity!"
"Aww. Jealous, kitten?" The man who carries Jayce's features and wears his suit asks with a sly smirk. He hangs his arm around the Viktor lookalike for a few seconds before Viktor's lookalike elbows Jayce's lookalike in the stomach hard. Jayce's lookalike hunches over with a small 'oof' before he's yelping in pain when Viktor's lookalike uses the end of his fancy (to match his outfit, of course) cane to practically stab the man's toes.
"If you lay your hand on me without my permission again, I will knock you out myself and replace your arms with twigs," the man threatens with narrowed golden eyes.
Viktor turns to Jayce with a tight smile before gesturing to the two. "Jayce, meet Viktor and Jayce." Jayce knows he's staring at the lookalikes with his mouth gaping open. "They will be replacing us and taking over our duties for the entire day."
The Viktor lookalike straightens his clothes with a huff before taking confident strides towards Jayce. Seeing him beside Viktor feels disorienting because the man looks like Viktor's identical twin. The lookalike presents his hand for a handshake, which Jayce hesitantly takes.
"It is good to finally meet the man behind the act," the lookalike says while shaking Jayce's hand once and letting go. There's a borderline manic grin on his face that Jayce has only ever seen on his Viktor's face when he has a truly crazy idea that none of their investors should know about for how close to illegal it is. "I am but a humble engineer in Zaun well known under the title of the Machine Herald."
"Uh, nice to meet you I suppose, mister... um, Herald," Jayce manages to say in turn with an unsure smile.
Viktor leans in a little in Jayce's space and stage whispers to him with humor, "His legal name is also Viktor."
The Herald — legally 'Viktor' — makes a sour face before turning to Viktor with narrowed eyes. "I insist on having a word with the person who gave you this information." There's a thinly-veiled threat in his voice, and Viktor turns to the Jayce lookalike and passes the blame on him without a second thought.
"I believe he mentioned it to me a few days ago." Viktor points at Jayce's lookalike with his thumb and briefly watches the Herald glare at the bigger man. The Herald stomps over to Jayce's lookalike, who takes a few tentative steps back with his hands up in surrender.
"Hey, that's not fair, sweetheart. You promised not to say anything!" Jayce's lookalike complains before chuckling nervously and dodging quickly when the Herald uses his cane to stab him right in the stomach.
"Hmm, did I?" Viktor pretends to contemplate before turning to Jayce with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I don't quite remember."
While the lookalikes are busy fighting like a cat and dog in perpetual disagreement, Jayce finds himself looking back at his partner with watery eyes.
"Did you do all of this for me?" Jayce asks, his lower lip quivering.
"Ehh, not for the most part," Viktor answers before his smile turns soft. He places a hand on top of Jayce's on the bed. "Admittedly, it is quite unfortunate that we will miss this year's Young Innovators Competition, but I trust the opinion of our replacements as they are engineers themselves." Viktor's free hand reaches forward as he cups Jayce's cheek. "And I could not very well leave you by yourself on your own birthday, no?"
Jayce pulls Viktor into a tight embrace, startling his partner and causing him to let out a small sound of surprise. Viktor's thin arms wrap around Jayce's shoulders as he begins to cry.
Nobody could understand the weight Jayce has to carry every single day for Hextech and their dream. He's the face of the brand (unfortunately so), and everything he does will reflect on his and Viktor's efforts. He will never stop being grateful for getting so lucky and to have the opportunities and privileges that others only dream about. However, he had to sacrifice so much to get where he is now — he was no longer the naïve and bright-eyed thing that thought he could make his dreams come true through sheer passion alone.
Passion can only bring him so far — especially when things like funding can quite literally put a stop to things. If Jayce publicly messes up, they'll lose investors on their projects. They can't just make things now for the sole reason that it benefits those who truly need it — marketability and sales need to come out on top because saving people's lives for free doesn't pay for the materials that make those things in the first place. In the end, money is all that matters — nevermind the betterment of people's lives — and it's easy to be jaded when it's a fact that constantly slaps Jayce every single day.
And this is just on top of the complexities that open up to them the more they unravel the secrets and capabilities of Hextech. Even though he can barely manage to squeeze lab time with Viktor in his (always) hectic schedule, it's the only time he can truly feel like himself — a time where he can put the mask away or give a rest to the 'Man of Progress' act (when did it start feeling that way?). During those times, he's still Viktor's partner, so of course Jayce has to carry his own weight in the lab. He doesn't want to let Viktor do everything just because he's away most of the day. That's not what a partnership is about, after all.
However, Jayce can't deny how far behind he already is on some of their projects. Normally, Viktor already works at a faster speed than other people — a trait which Jayce loves about him since they both work at the same pace — but now this trait is biting him in the ass because Jayce can't deliver as fast as he used to. Janna, he just doesn't want to disappoint Viktor or for him to think that Jayce is slacking off on his side of the work.
Jayce barely gets any rest anymore as a result. He's mostly up after his council and Man of Progress duties to work on his side of things. Still, even Jayce can admit he's exhausted and running on very little fumes.
It's why Viktor going through such lengths to give Jayce a break truly means a lot to him because it's everything he wants and needs now — he couldn't ask for anything (or anyone) better.
"Thank you," Jayce whispers into Viktor's hair with a kiss.
Viktor pats Jayce's back with a smile. "Happy birthday, Jayce."
They could stay like that for hours, passing time in each other's arms. However, life isn't so generous.
Someone clears their throat.
"Hate to break you two lovebirds up, but time's ticking," Jayce's clone reminds as he taps his wrist. Jayce glares at him when Viktor makes a small noise of surprise and separates from his partner.
Jayce stands up from his bed and offers Viktor a hand, which he willingly takes. Viktor leads the way to their wardrobe as Jayce lags behind him — just so he can size up his clone. Up close, Jayce can see where he and the other man differ.
"Hey, man. Just so you know, it took me months of tanning under the Shuriman sun for this moment," the clone says with raised hands. "So you better make sure to get the most out of your big day, if you catch my drift." He winks at Jayce and elbows him in the ribcage, causing Jayce to huff and shake his head.
He doesn't need to be told about the obvious.
As he passes his clone, the Machine Herald blocks his path with folded arms. It's a little uncanny seeing his normally kind and determined partner's face be contorted into one of jaded boredom and critical assessment. "I would have loved to discuss further with you the future of Hextech in Zaun where I believe it would benefit most, but your dear partner informed me I can save it once our task has been successfully accomplished," he says before offering his hand once more, which Jayce takes.
Viktor's clone has a firm handshake, though Jayce can't help but feel like he's being judged from the way those sun-like eyes practically stare a hole into his skull. Jayce escapes his intimidating gaze as he enters the walk-in closet where Viktor is looking for the right pair of clothes for Jayce.
"Where'd you even find these people, Vik?" Jayce stage whispers before cautiously looking over his shoulder.
"Eh, well. I may have spent a couple of years looking for the perfect impostors just for this day." Viktor smiles. "I believe it will all be worth it."
"Do you think Mel's gonna notice?"
Viktor pauses and pulls out a plain pair of clothes that Jayce recalls from a year or so ago. He's uncertain if it'll fit him, especially the shirt. "If she is as wise as we give her credit for, then I'm certain she'll notice something's off the moment your impostor opens his mouth," Viktor says as he gives Jayce the clothes to change into. "But I trust that they'll know how to get out of that one should the situation present itself."
Jayce has plenty of worries about this plan — but when has Viktor ever failed him? When nobody believed in his dream of Hextech, Viktor put his faith in Jayce and made it all work out in the end. Yeah, Jayce would trust Viktor with his life — and he trusts this plan will work.
Janna, he really needs to stop thinking so much on his birthday.
"You need to stop thinking so much on your birthday, Jayce," Viktor teases, chuckling behind the back of his hand as Jayce begins to strip and change his clothes. "You're going to get old much faster that way."
Jayce turns to Viktor, in the middle of putting on his pants. "Are you a mind reader? How'd you know what I was thinking about?"
"You have a very expressive face."
Jayce playfully rolls his eyes as he begins putting on his shirt. He pretends Viktor isn't ogling him. "Wow."
"Don't worry," Viktor reassures, "I think you would make a very handsome old man."
"You into older guys, Vik?"
"If the older guy in question is you, then yes."
Jayce lets out a laugh. He hasn't felt so light in so long. Whatever happens from here on out, Jayce only wants to make the most out of it.
When he finishes changing, Jayce pulls Viktor in by the waist and places a kiss on his lips. "I love you," he says. "I'll use every birthday wishing I get to spend each one with you."
"You need to dream bigger than that, Jayce," Viktor teases as he cups his partner's face with one hand. "I'll be here until you're sick of me."
"I don't think that'll ever happen, Viktor."
And he's not lying — because Viktor is every wish Jayce made come true.