#ler!jayce

It was another day of countless hours in the lab. As exhausting as those days were, Jayce and Viktor always found it to be the best way to spend them. It was late in the afternoon, their window allowed the sun to shine directly onto the desk they sat at. They’d been bouncing ideas off of one another for hours, only a few actually snowballing into something bigger. They’d traveled back and forth between the desk the chalkboard at least two dozen times, a dance they were all too familiar with.

Of course Jayce noticed Viktor walking a tad slower today, he wouldn’t call himself a good partner if he couldn’t pick up on things like that.

“You alright?” He couldn’t hide the concern in his voice.

Viktor knew he really meant ‘I can tell something’s wrong, what is it?’ He chuckled. “You’re too attentive, Jayce.” He continued walking towards the chalkboard but instead of setting his cane aside like he usually did when he stood, he was leaning against it. That’s when Jayce knew something was really up. “Does something hurt?” He was met with silence, followed by the scratching of chalk. “Vik.” The other still didn’t reply, only shaking his head dismissively as to say ‘just leave it.’ But they knew each other better than that; Jayce knew something was up and Viktor wouldn’t tell him without prying, and Viktor knew Jayce wouldn’t leave him alone no matter how ‘fine’ he pretended to be.

Viktor couldn’t even write in peace without feeling Jayce’s eyes burning through his scalp. “You’re so pushy, you know that?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Proving my point.” When Jayce didn’t reply he knew he was practically talking to a wall. One glance at him and Viktor could see the stubbornness in his face. He rolled his eyes back to his work and sighed. “My back hurts. There, was that just as exciting as you’d hoped for?” He bantered.

“Did you do something to it? Is it because you haven’t been sleeping in a bed? We need to make sure you’re-”

“It’s not that, Jayce.” He cut him off with a chuckle.

“I’ve just been walking more than usual. It hurts when I get on or off my chair.” He gestured back to the rolling chair that sat by the desk. “One of the wheels stopped turning and I haven’t had the time to deal-”

“Viktor!” It was Jayce’s turn to cut him off. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It really wasn’t an issue for m-”

“Uhm, yes it’s an issue, you’ve been straining your body! When did it break?”

Viktor shrugged. “Ehh, couple of days ago? I really don’t mind, Jayce. I’ve had much more important things to worry about than a chair.” He proved his own point by returning his attention to the chalkboard and putting more marks down. “If you want to deal with it be my guest, but I’d prefer if you were working on something more productive.” By the time he looked over at him again, Jayce was already over by the desk, chair upside down on the table, investigating where the problem was. Viktor rolled his eyes once more, but he couldn’t help the smile that tugged on his lips. He could pretend to be annoyed but he admired his generosity. Nobody cared about him the way Jayce did, he wasn’t even half as perceptive of himself as his partner was. It was gratifying to have this much devotion from another person.

Within minutes the chair was fixed. Jayce walked it over to the other and gently slid it towards him, letting it bump the side of his leg.

A moment of silence was followed by a meekly “Thank you.” from Viktor.

“You can ask me for help, you know. Don’t be afraid to tell me you need something just because you think it’s inconvenient.” Jayce placed a hand on Viktor’s back, leaning over to look at his face, but he refused to look away from the whiteboard. “There’s people that want to help you, Viktor. Next time you need something just tell me, okay?” He wasn’t going to take any half-hearted acceptance from Viktor, he was serious. He needed him to know that he was there for him, no matter how big or small he felt his issues were.

“Okay.” Viktor had stopped writing to listen to Jayce. “Sorry, I think I just get caught up in our work. It’s easy to overlook…some things.” ‘Some things’ referring to his own health.

“I know, which is why I have to remind you to think about yourself.” Viktor finally looked at him, the two sharing a sympathetic gaze. “Thank you, again, Jayce.” He pulled the chair behind him and grunted slightly as he sat down, his body immediately feeling relief. “God, I’ve been wearing myself out.” He chuckled.

“How about we take a break?”

“Right after you fix my chair? Sorry, Jayce, but I need to take advantage of this for a little while.” Viktor rolled along the whiteboard, stopping at a prototype sketch for some new machine and diving back into work. “I’d appreciated if you helped me, though.”

It took seconds for Jayce to appear at his side with his own stick of chalk. They were slung back into their routine of ideas, notes, and travel between the desk and whiteboard. Minutes turned to hours and after they knew it the whole day had passed.

Their current objective was finding the correct formula for a hex-based-substrate, one of Viktor’s billions of ideas. Although his chair was fixed, his body was still sore from the days of misuse.

Just as he’d noticed his limp earlier, he could tell something was off with the way his partner sat.

“Is your back alright?”

Viktor wanted to curse him for being so observant. He didn’t even notice Jayce come up behind him until he felt a hand on his lower back.

“Ehh- uhm, yes.” He dismissed but a firmer press into his skin reminded him of their earlier conversation.

“Or, I suppose…no.” He set his pen down, reaching up to rub at a spot on his shoulder. “I’m still aching from all my movement over the past few days, but I can’t do much about it other than take some medicine.” His hands returned to his notes but he couldn’t pick his pen up. His body was too tired and his brain too scrambled.

“Let me give you a massage.” Both of Jayce’s hands wrapped around his shoulders and began squeezing before he could get any protest. Viktor, being the stubborn man he was, protested regardless.

“You really don’t need to-”

“What did I say about asking for help?”

Silence followed his question, Viktor had almost accepted defeat. He felt embarrassed enough to ask for his chair to be fixed, let alone a massage.

“I mean I don’t need it. I’ll be fine on my own, Jayce.”

“But it will help, won’t it?” That got Viktor to shut up for good. Jayce let out a triumphant laugh, letting go of his shoulders and pressing his thumbs on both sides of his spine. “Where does it hurt?”

Viktor let his head hang, mostly out of relaxation but partially because his face flushed as soon as Jayce’s hands had touched him and he was not about to let him discover that. “Everywhere.” He chuckled but he was only half joking. He’d been working his body to its maximum, and then some, for years. He’d be lying if he didn’t say everything hurt at least a little. “Just, eh, maybe up on my shoulders?” He wanted to give him some sort of direction so it couldn’t get any more awkward than it already was.

As soon as the words left Viktor’s mouth, Jayce’s hands were back up on his shoulders. He tried his best to feel for the tense spots and work them out. Viktor was already melting under him, Jayce could feel his body physically relaxing from his touch. The first groan that had slipped from him was mutually ignored. It was almost as if they could telepathically feel each others blush and decided it’d be better to leave it. The second time he made a sound he followed it up with a breathy “Fuck.” and a sheepish chuckle.

“Sorry.” Viktor laughed awkwardly again.

“Is this alright?” Jayce avoided asking ‘does it feel good?’, knowing how badly that’d fluster both of them. Viktor nodded, putting the back of his hand over his mouth to prevent any future sounds that would want to escape. Jayce took that as his sign to stop talking and keep going. He massaged in little circles with his thumbs, going across his entire shoulder blades.

Everything was normal until he strayed a little higher up his neck than he’d gone before. Viktor let out another sound but it wasn’t anything like the other ones he’d been making. It was a lot whiner and almost sounded painful.

Almost.

Viktor tried to adjust himself as subtly as he could to get Jayce’s fingers off of that spot. He tried to cover up his whimper as a cough but of course mister observant knew what was up.

“Viktor?”

Fuck. He was already squeezing his eyes shut, practically bracing for impact. He had gone this long without Jayce finding out about that and he wasn’t about to let that change today. Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t ask.

“Are you ticklish?”

He could hear the stupid smirk in his voice.

“Does it even matter what I say?” The defeated tone in his voice made Jayce laugh. “Not really.” He touched the same spot on his neck but with his nails. A shiver ran through his entire body and he instinctively hunched his shoulders. Viktor was persistent in not laughing, but all his efforts started to fail him when those devilish nails started crawling up his neck.

“Jayce.” Viktor hoped that if he sounded threatening enough he’d leave him alone. Unfortunately for him that was a bit difficult to achieve while his voice and body were already trembling.

“Viktor.” Jayce returned in his own teasing tone, which elicited the most satisfying groan from the other.

“No teasing. And- ack! No tickling either.” Viktor nearly crumbled when Jayce’s fingers crept their way along his jawline. He smacked at his hands as if that’d do anything other than earn the chuckle it did from Jayce. If anything he just wanted to look like he was at least trying to fight it.

“No teasing? I thought you’d know me better by now, Vik.” He used all ten of his fingers to scratch at the spots behind his ears, soaking up the panicked yelps and jolts that he was producing from his partner. Viktor’s lips were pressed desperately tight to keep any titters in, forcing him to make awkward peeps and hiccups as one of Jayce’s hands played with his ear and the other skittered across his neck again. After a moment he swapped, tickling the opposing ear and his neck with his other hand. He switched back to using both hands on the back of his neck, never letting him get too used to his touch. It was driving him insane.

Jayce loved how he could hear Viktor breaking.

It was enticing.

“I- ugh! Fuck! You need to stop.” He pushed at his wrists but they didn’t budge.

“I need to? Says who?”

“Says the man you’re torturing!”

“This is torture?” He was hardly scratching at his neck, at least that was from Jayce’s perspective. If you asked Viktor he would say it was overhwelming and mean and hell. “Well, I’d hate to see what you think this is then.” His words sent a panicked chill through Viktor’s body, his struggling quickly becoming more frantic. Jayce dug his fingers into his ribs and wiggled them haphazardly.

Viktor let out an embarrassing squeal, folding over onto the desk in a fit of giggles. He felt his brain spinning but it was likely from fighting off the giggles for so long. He pressed his forehead down on the desk, clasping his arms over his stomach. Jayce started squeezing down his sides till he reached the bottom of his vest. His hands slipped underneath the fabric and started skittering back up. He couldn’t help but laugh at Viktor’s frantic kicking and horrified laughter as his hands crept higher up his torso. His panic became increasingly hysteric the further up his hands traveled.

“Jahahayce!”

“Your ribs are bad, hm?” Jayce asked as his fingers finally made it back to each side of his ribs. Viktor peeled with laughter, his arms squeezing tightly around his stomach as if he could crush his giggles before they escaped.

“Nohohoho!”

“No they’re not bad? I don’t know, Viktor, you might need to rethink your answer.” Jayce kept attacking his ribs, noting the crazed reactions he was eliciting from his partner. Even through his undershirt he was still terribly ticklish.

“Yes- fuhuck! I-” Viktor didn’t even know why he was trying to talk, any word trap Jayce put him in would be resolved with ticklish wreckage. Besides, it was nearly impossible to get a word out through his manic laughter.

“Oho, fuck, this is bad, isn’t it?” He mocked as he vibrated his fingers into his skin. Viktor could feel his eyes start to water as his body was reduced to a puddle. Jayce tormented the spot till Viktor let out a snort.

“Oh my god-”

“Dohon’t even.” Viktor threatened.

“I’m sorry, are you in a position to be bossing me around?” That shut him up. He laughed freely, his legs stomping on the ground every so often. Jayce traveled down his sides again, pinching and scribbling all across his skin, before going back up to his ribs and starting all over again. Viktor’s laughter changed depending on where he was being tickled and Jayce was trying to play him like a piano, relishing the sweet giggles to the hectic shrieks that came from his partner.

How could Jayce stop when Viktor was displayed out all nice for him on the desk like this? He was just too easy to touch, Jayce’s hands practically gravitated towards his body like magnets. He also noted how Viktor hadn’t been fighting much since he started, and he definitely wasn’t fighting right now. That was something he’d taunt him with later. For now he was focused on worming his hands through Viktor’s not-so-impenetrable arm barricade.

“Move your arms.” Jayce sing-songed as he gently scratched at Viktor’s hips. His hands left his stomach for a moment to push Jayce’s away but returned just as quickly as they’d left. Jayce groaned, this time vibrating his fingers into his hip bones. Viktor jumped and barked but refused to move his arms again, knowing what awaited him if he did.

“No.” His voice was muffled against the table.

Jayce was just going to have to come up with something else.

“Viktor.” He sang, taking his hands off of him. Viktor couldn’t see behind him and Jayce’s sudden absence made him panic because he didn’t know where his hands were.

“Noho.” He tittered, curling further into himself.

“It’ll be so much worse if you don’t help me out here, V.”

“No it won’t!”

“Yeah? How do you know?”

“I- uhh…” Viktor couldn’t find any words, his mind was flooded with thoughts of Jayce’s fingers darting across his skin, and the imminent threat of it happening again.

“I’m the one who’s making it bad, eh?”

Viktor shivered, he didn’t even need to be touched, this was torturous enough. He let out a giggly whine, half praying for it to start again so that the teasing was over with. Jayce noticed how Viktor trembled from his words.

“The anticipation seems worse than anything. Wouldn’t you say so?”

“Fuck you.” Viktor spat between gritted teeth.

That was all the fuel Jayce needed to dig in. He attacked Viktor’s lower back, making him sit up and arch. He pulled his arms away from his torso and gripped the edge of the desk. As soon as his arms were out of the way Jayce went in for the kill. He clawed at prodded at his stomach, sending Viktor into his trillionth fit of laughter. He screamed, his body slamming back onto the table. He was far too weak to hold himself up like this. Tears were falling onto the papers below him, his knuckles turning white from how hard he clutched the edge of the desk. He mumbled incoherent protests between the giggly sobs that flowed out of him.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” Jayce ridiculed but was only replied to with bubbly cackles. Viktor didn’t even attempt to form a sentence, he knew he’d get teased to all hell for the mess he’d become.

Jayce reached down and starting squeezing both of Viktor’s thighs, making him jump with each grasp. His hands flew off of the table and gripped onto Jayce’s but he still made no effort to push him away. He kneaded his thighs, loving how it made the rest of Viktor’s body shake. He reached further to prod above his kneecaps which made Viktor let out an amusing screech as he kicked his legs fruitlessly. His hands frantically clutched onto Jayce’s yet he still wasn’t trying to fight him off.

“Ohoh my gohod.” He groaned, making Jayce chuckle and double down, continuing to squeeze along the length of his thighs.

Viktor let go of Jayce’s hands and brought them up to grip his hair, losing himself to his laughter. Jayce could tell he was still trying to fight the sensations. He squealed as his hip bones were prodded, pounding on the table with his fists. Jayce chuckled at him, it really was an enchanting sight.

Viktor couldn’t do anything other than lay limp against the desk and laugh. He’d exerted all of his energy days ago, his body didn’t have enough sleep to fight off this. Jayce went back to antagonizing his thighs and it was sending Viktor into mania.

“I cahahan’t!” He cried, his hands uselessly slapping the table in front of him.

“Can’t what?”

“Tahake it!”

“Aww, really? You seem to be taking it just fine! I can’t see what the issue is.” Jayce dug into his hips again. Viktor’s scream dissolved into giggles and he shook his head. No! He really couldn’t take it! He was going to implode if he didn’t die from the tickling itself. He balled his hands into fists and hit the table so hard Jayce was a little fearful he might break something, if not his bones. A few more squeezes to his hips made Viktor start to hiccup through his giggles.

Jayce only lightened up because he could hear how exasperated Viktor’s laughter was becoming, he refused to completely stop yet though. This was too rare of an opportunity for him to give it up now. He slid his hands under Viktor’s vest again, making him wail in defeat and frustration. The way his body couldn’t defend itself made him feel immensely helpless. Jayce started to tickle his ribs again, but this time much lighter than before.

“Ah- god-” Viktor gasped, he couldn’t say much more than that, he was still recovering from the torment he’d just endured.

“Feeling better?” Jayce taunted, crawling his fingers forwards on his rib cage.

“I sahaid my back hurt.” Viktor growled. “This is not my back.” He huffed, trying to shake Jayce’s fingers off of him with no success.

“You also said everywhere hurt though, right? I’m just trying to help!”

Viktor groaned, he was too witty.

“Yohou’ve been too dihistracted todahay.”

“Is this a distraction? I thought I was helping you.” His fingers scratched oh-so-gently at his rib cage, Viktor squeezed his eyes shut and let out a pathetic sob.

“Nohohot hehelpihing!”

“No? You seem pretty cheery for someone who’s claiming this doesn’t help.” He tickled his way out from under his vest and brought his hands up to scribble at the nape of his neck. Viktor cringed and slapped his hands over his neck but Jayce’s fingers were still able to find every inch of exposed skin.

“Hehey, wasn’t this suhupposed to behe a massage?”

“What do you mean? This is the massage!” Jayce exclaimed, leaning down to taunt in the others ear, “What, you’re not feeling relaxed?”

Viktor snapped his head to the side, his cheek pushed into the desk. He tried to give Jayce a mean glare but his smile was fighting its way through his mug. This was the first time Jayce was seeing his face since he’d started messing with him. His cheeks were flushed pink and he could see tears around his eyes. He’d made him cry. Jayce could feel his own face start to warm up, did he actually tickle him to tears? Did he really get so ruined by this? Jayce’s mind raced with a billion ideas of how to break Viktor with his fingers. He could hardly fathom being that sensitive, it was pathetic in the most charming way.

Jayce cracked Viktor’s mean face by pinching his sides, sending him into a giggly fit of whiny protests.

“Nohoho, plehease.” His voice was breathy and audibly exhausted. “Jahayce.” He begged with desperation. Jayce could see the despair in Viktor’s eyes. He couldn’t tickle him forever. Well…

“Okay, okay.” He rubbed his palms on Viktor’s sides, still evoking laughter from him. “Jahayce!” Damn, he couldn’t even massage the feeling away? How sensitive was he? Jayce retracted his hands, letting Viktor work his way through the residual giggles on his own.

“You suck.” He heaved, his body collapsing further onto the desk. Jayce chuckled, opting to rub his back because surely that couldn’t tickle too.

“Jayce.” Viktor snapped, his body contorting as soon as he touched him. He put his hands up and moved off to the side. “Jeez, ticklish much?” He teased, earning the same annoyed glare from Viktor. After another moment of catching his breath, he sat back upright and began fumbling with his notes in front of him.

“What, that’s it? You’re just going to go back to work?”

“What else am I to do? Wait for the next round?” He caught him with his comeback. Jayce stayed quiet, letting Viktor flip through notes and try to settle on something to tinker with. A few seconds of page flipping went by before Viktor paused, the silence catching Jayce’s attention again.

“Thank you.” He wasn’t looking at him, rather, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of the desk.

Jayce was genuinely taken aback. He just thanked him? After telling him he sucked? Was he thanking him for stopping?

“For the massage.”

Oh.

Oh.

“You liked it?” Jayce tilted his head at the other who was determined on avoiding his gaze.

Although Viktor couldn’t see his face, he could hear that dumb smile on Jayce’s lips. He felt his face heat up and decided it would be best to stay facing his notes. It had definitely helped him feel better, in whatever way that was. It might not have been a traditional massage but Viktor felt pretty relaxed after it.

Viktor pushed his goggles to his forehead. “Jayce! That broke my concentration, I almost had it!”

“No you didn’t.”

“How do you know?”

Jayce yawned, leaning on the back of the chair. “When you’re actually close to figuring something out, you have a face for it. A figured-out face.”

Viktor sputtered. “What- no I don’t!”

Jayce just raised his eyebrows. “You do. So, are we calling it a day?”

Viktor narrowed his eyes, studying Jayce for a minute before going back to his work with an amused smile. “No. You may go, but I will stay.”

Jayce let his head fall to the side. He was fucking around now, and he was gonna find out.

“Well, if that’s how you’re gonna be, I’m going to have to resort to making you.”

Viktor scoffed. “Good luck- whoa!”

Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor and pulled him up out of the chair, half dragging him away from his work. Viktor yelled and pushed at his arms in response, kicking out weakly.

“Jayce, this is madness and undignified!”

Jayce adjusted his grip and Viktor squirmed, making a choked noise and throwing himself to the side. An idea suddenly popped into his head.

“You want undignified? I’ll show you undignified.”

With that, Jayce took most of Viktor’s weight with one arm and used the other to prod at his side. Viktor let out a high pitched yelp and started thrashing with more vigour than Jayce thought possible. He didn’t laugh, not yet, but there was absolutely no doubt that his poking tickled pretty badly.

Jayce stopped dragging him, opting instead to kneel and pin Viktor to the floor, temporarily providing relief. Viktor’s chest heaved from trying to escape, but with his arms pinned all he could do was glare at Jayce.

“What the hell was that?” Viktor complained, flushed. Jayce laughed.

“Are you going to bed now? I think you know what will happen if you don’t.”

Viktor mumbled something foreign under his breath and struggled a little before giving up.

“This is cruel considering my condition, Jayce.”

Jayce loosened his grip, thinking he’d won, but the minute Viktor could move he used a hand to grab onto his rib cage and squeeze, making Jayce burst out laughing.

“Oh, you little shit I’m gonna get you now.”

Viktor’s self satisfied grin was lost when Jayce quickly pinned both his arms above his head with one hand, the other aiming to skitter up Viktor’s side. He had a moment to try and squirm away before the fingers touched down and all hope was lost.

“Oh no no no-!” Viktor repeated, immediately dissolving into cackles. Jayce laughed triumphantly, hand crawling up and down Viktor’s ribs like a spider. He nudged his fingers between the bones of his ribs and wiggled, and that made Viktor shriek.

“Ha! I had no idea you were this ticklish!” Jayce teased, counting up Viktor’s ribs until he was a giggly, squirmy mess.

“Plehease!” Viktor managed amidst laughter, arching his back which only made Jayce’s tickling worse.

Jayce released his arms and Viktor though he had freedom, but that other hand just slipped under his shirt to tickle him even more, fluttering over his stomach before scuttling up to his ribs to join the torture. Viktor’s freed arms could do absolutely nothing against Jayce, who he was quickly discovering was a force of nature when it came to tickling. He tried to resist as best he could, but it had been so long since someone had dared try this on him and he was not handling it well.

Recognising his defeat, he let his head fall back and laughed freely, giving up on his efforts to stop the curious hands.

“Ahallright! I will stop! Jahayce, it tickles!”

Jayce finally let up on his victim, drawing his hands over his bare tummy one last time to get a giggle out of him.

“Still alive?” Jayce asked, and Viktor glared at him.

“Alive? You just about killed me!”

Jayce grinned and cocked his head, teasing. “No. If I wanted to truly turn you into a puddle I could have held you still and blown raspberries on your tummy. I could still do that-“

Viktor quickly moved to protect his stomach, scooching out from under Jayce. “No! No, you have tormented me enough today.”

“Are you sure? There’s no shame in wanting more - it sounded like you were begging for it before.”

Viktor turned bright red, stammering on his words and sitting up. “I did not- what are you-“

Jayce chuckled and put a hand on Viktor’s shoulder. He flinched, but relaxed when he realised Jayce wasn’t going to tickle him again. The hand moved to cradle his cheek and Viktor unconsciously leaned into it, yawning. This time it was Jayce’s turn to blush, and he drew his hand away after a moment.

“Anyway. We should get some sleep.” Jayce stood and offered a hand to Viktor, which he took. “Is the heating in your apartment still broken?”

Viktor sighed. “Yes. My landlords are… useless, is the kindest word I could use.”

“My place?”

“Mhm. If I wake up to you cuddling in your sleep again, I’ll obliterate you.”

"Hello, Vi," Viktor greeted casually. Vi strode into the lab and looked around their organized mess.

"Where's the pretty boy? Day off?" she wondered. Viktor shook his head.

"He's over there."

Oh. Right after saying so, Viktor realized that Jayce must be reacting this way for a reason.

"Good!" Vi clapped her hands and walked over to where Jayce was hiding. Before she could reach him, Jayce jumped from his hiding place and circled around the room.

"Viktor how could you!" He sounded awfully cute as he accused him. Viktor chuckled.

"I'm sorry," he said, but Jayce had worse things to deal with. Vi was approaching him like an evil predator, and Viktor abandoned his work to admire the way Jayce grinned nervously.

"Were you hiding from me, pretty boy?" she asked.

"Look, what happened the other dayー"

"Who says I'm not just here to ask you for another favor? Don't you trust me?"

Even Viktor wouldn't have trusted her. She was smiling too nicely, and the tone in her voice was too sweet.

"I know you're here to make me- pahahay no! Don't you dare!" Jayce jumped away when Vi reached for him.

"I wasn't even going to do anything." Vi sounded unimpressed by how the usually cool Jayce Talis was now stumbling around all giggly and flustered. Viktor recognized Jayce's ticklish reactions before he even got tickled. He wondered if Vi really would go so far, knowing she wasn't even that close to Jayce.

Of course Viktor had heard a bit about how Jayce was going to help Vi with her revenge on Caitlyn, and later when he urged Jayce to tell him more about why he was acting so funny, Jayce admitted to him that he betrayed Vi and teamed up with Caitlyn instead.

It sounded like a fun thing between friends, and Viktor hadn't thought Vi would actually be back to, well yeah, punish Jayce or anything.

"V-Viktor, I'll get you later!" Jayce warned before he ran off with Vi after him. Viktor chuckled and didn't even bother helping him, but once he repeated those words in his head, it started to sink in. Jayce betrayed Vi, now Vi was after him. Viktor betrayed Jayce, so...?

Well, betrayed was a big word of course. But Viktor would admit that it wasn't very nice of him to bluntly give away Jayce's hiding spot without giving it much thought.

I'll get you later!

Even when flustered and giggly, Jayce could sound quite threatening. More than that, the meaning of those words started to sink in.

Feeling his cheeks heat up at the thought of Jayce punishing him, Viktor could no longer focus on his work and he stepped away from the desk. Hmm. He wondered how long Jayce would be gone.

A bathroom visit would be a good option, for now. A long one. Until Jayce came back and cooled down. Until his work would reel him back in, full concentration, so he would forget about that little threat, if it even meant anything. But even if it didn't mean anything, Viktor didn't feel like risking it.

His body felt all fluttery already at the mere thought. Jayce had tickled him before. If he was going ahead with a similar punishment, Viktor would be useless by the time he was finished with him. Flustered, breathless, his body burning as if it was on fire. Viktor remembered feeling like this and retreated into a bathroom stall.

Without needing to do anything, Viktor locked himself in the stall, put his cane to the side, toilet lid down, and sat fully clothed on it as if it was a comfortable chair. He took out the notebook he had brought and studied his notes for some entertainment.

It was a good hiding place, if Viktor could call this hiding. No, he wasn't really hiding. He was just making sure to avoid facing Jayce for the next couple of minutes. Which could be considered the same thing, oh well.

He listened carefully whether he could hear anything outside that would indicate what the hell was going on with Jayce and his new pal Vi, or enemy, whatever they were. There was nothing. Just silence, and the sound of the pages of his notebook. They must've raced each other through the whole building, or made amends. Who knew.

But then... Viktor jolted when he suddenly heard the door open, and he held his breath. He recognized Jayce right away - he was breathing heavily, of which the sound was soon drowned by the sound of running water.

"That little shit," Jayce cursed breathlessly, and he coughed a few times. Viktor felt his lips curl and he covered his mouth to hold back an audible chuckle. Heehee. Looked like Jayce really had a new friend, and that friend hadn't been going easy on him. Viktor would've liked to make fun of him if he hadn't already put him in this potential vengeful mood.

Viktor heard Jayce splash water in his face and drink some. He then cut off the water and let out a deep sigh. Waiting for him to go back to the lab, Viktor remained silent. Yes, Jayce. Break's over. No more playing around. Time to get back to work. Right now.

"Viktor. Is that you?"

Oh.

Viktor's breath hitched and he quickly grabbed his cane, a reflex he didn't understand. It wasn't going to protect him if Jayce would find him.

"...." Speechless, Viktor chose not to answer him. A bad move of course, which only rose suspicion.

"Viktor~?" Eep. Viktor didn't like the tone of that. He blushed and remained silent.

He heard Jayce move until he stood before the stall. Then the sound of a hand against the door.

"I know you're in there."

"...." It felt like a childish game of hide and seek. Viktor definitely felt the thrill, and even though he had never played hide and seek before, he could understand the fun of it.

"Viiiiktor," Jayce sang, tapping his fingers against the door. Yeah, he wasn't going to leave. Viktor sighed.

"Is it a habit of yours to disturb people when they're at the bathroom, Jayce?" Viktor tried to sound cool.

"Is it a habit of yours to rat out your loved ones, Viktor?" Jayce immediately retaliated, and Viktor was embarrassed to not have an answer to that.

Loved ones. It was indeed what they were but... More blushing, oof.

"It was an accident. If you came to talk about this, we can do it after I'm finished. You go back first."

Jayce laughed. "You make a good actor, Viktor. But you can't fool me. I know you're not doing anything in there."

"....What are you implying?" Viktor asked.

"I'm implying that you're hiding in there."

"I'm not a child. I don't play hide and seek. Like a certain someone," Viktor reminded him of Jayce's earlier attempt at hiding from Vi.

Their playful argument went back and forth, and continued to do so.

"Yet, you're hiding from me right now, Viktor."

"No, I am not. When you have to go, you have to go."

"Really? Okay then. Lucky you, to have such a loyal and social partner. I'll wait here until you are finished."

Damn. Viktor hesitated whether he should throw in lame excuses like a bad stomach, but no. He rolled his eyes fondly and finally got up from the toilet. His legs complained; he had been quite comfortable actually. To tease Jayce further, Viktor couldn't help but flush the toilet.

"Are you going to step away from the door and let me out?" Viktor asked, noticing that Jayce was still right in front of his stall. He made the mistake to unlock the door right after he said that, without hearing an answer.

Jayce was the one to open the door first as soon as it was unlocked, slamming it with enthusiasm, and Viktor gulped when he saw the smirk on his face.

That did not look like the face of a man who got his ass handed to him by a girl just now. Jayce Talis really was something else.

"Jayce, please," Viktor begged dryly. Jayce shook his head and shoved Viktor right back into his stall.

"I'm sorry," he responded in the same casual manner as Viktor had done right after he had blurted out Jayce's hiding spot earlier. As Viktor had feared, Jayce immediately reached for both his sides and tickled him. In a place like this.

"J-Jahayce nohoho! I sahahaid I'm sohorry!" Viktor heard himself laugh, and right here in the bathroom it was even more embarrassing. His laugh echoed through the room and combined with the feeling of getting tickled like this, Viktor already felt like surrendering.

The question was how one could surrender when Jayce was in a vengeful mood like this.

"I know you're sorry. I said I'm sorry too, right?" Jayce said, but they were meaningless words just to tease Viktor further. Viktor stumbled back and returned to his toilet seat, this time with force. He tried to get back up, but Jayce tickled him and Viktor just collapsed. He couldn't help it.

"What's wrong, Viktor? Are you ticklish?" Jayce asked as if he hadn't tickled him many times before.

Jayce was ticklish too, Viktor knew that. It was probably the thing he got confronted with earlier by Vi, or simply a wrestling match, but Viktor knew a tickle war was plausible. He knew at least Caitlyn would tickle Jayce from time to time too. If they could do itー

"Nu-uh, no you don't," Jayce sang the moment Viktor tried to retaliate. Catching his arm and pinning it above his head, Jayce tickled Viktor's vulnerable armpit and invited him to laugh to his fullest. There really was no choice but to drown the both of them in his loud, echoing laughter.

"JAhahayce! Ahhahha wahahait- not hehehere!"

"Not here, hm? And that while it tickles so much?" Jayce teased, tickling Viktor's armpit even more. It wasn't what Viktor actually meant. He tried to make it clear that this was still a public bathroom. If someone of the council would walk in on this, it was going to be embarrassing. But Jayce didn't give him any chance to say it.

"Heehehehe! I'm sohohorry! Noooo!" Viktor whined, turning and twisting. Here in this tiny stall, with him sitting while Jayce was looming over him, Viktor felt more trapped than ever, and it was flustering as hell.

"You're sorry? Right, I remember that. What were you sorry for, again?" Jayce asked. Viktor tried to flail his free arm, but it got caught as well and pinned together with his other. Now fully exposed and vulnerable, he could only squeal and shake with hysterical laughter as his lover attacked his helpless ribs and underarms with rapid tickles.

"Fohoohoor- ahahaah! Noooahahaa!" Viktor could barely speak. "F-foraahaha!" He really tried!

"Hmm. Can't understand you," Jayce said. Oh the tease. Viktor shook his head and squirmed weakly. His cheeks and whole body were burning, his heart racing, ahh. It felt as good as he remembered. Eh, bad. Bad of course.

Viktor never got to finish his apology. Jayce tickled him until he couldn't breathe. He would've called his accidental betrayal an accident, a mere slip up, but Jayce tickled him as if he had committed a crime, and Viktor couldn't help but feel ashamed for how much he enjoyed to experience this side of his partner.

When the tickling finally stopped, they were doing something even riskier. Their lips brushed against each other's and Jayce awkwardly bent forward to deepen the kiss even more.

Viktor would've gotten up if he could, but the strength in his legs was all gone. Instead, he pulled Jayce further down to kiss him more, almost making him fall forward.

Knowing it was a miracle they hadn't been disturbed yet, Jayce did keep this kiss short though, and before moving back he mumbled in Viktor's ear: "If you want to play more hide and seek, we can try again later."

He winked, and then with also a visible blush on his face, quickly left. Viktor rubbed his lips and lowered his head.

"Jayce," he breathed out. His body was burning with desire, excitement and more, and he felt his legs stagger a bit as he got back on his feet.

He was aware that wasn't just an invitation to play hide and seek, and Viktor found himself wanting to rush quickly into their room and accept the challenge. But eventually he returned to the lab where Jayce was as well. They exchanged smiles that were somewhat fond and shy before they resumed their work.

And it was actually a really good night out, if he could say so himself. It was a general council party, so thankfully the focus wasn't entirely on them. Though many people came over to congratulate both Jayce and Viktor on their recent work.

What Jayce wasn't expecting was for himself and Viktor to have so many drinks. In the past parties he’s attended on his own, Jayce rarely drank at them – only when someone offered him a drink, or when Mel insisted on a toast. Viktor had some to ease himself into the loud, unfamiliar environment, so of course Jayce wanted to join him. 

They've had some drinks together before. A few bottles were stored in a cabinet in the lab so they could share a drink after a hard day. But that occurred only a few times, and they never had too much to the point that felt anything more than a buzz or got a little bit silly. 

On this night though, Viktor had a lot. 

So like what any partner would do, Jayce had left the party early with Viktor by his side, dragging him back to their shared apartment. 

Viktor was a bit of a mess. Viktor’s hair was sticking up in all sorts of weird ways – when is it ever tidy? – his clothes were dishevelled, even his tie was nearly falling off around his neck. He was holding his cane loosely in his hand, he had nearly dropped it a few times on their walk home. Jayce was surprised he hadn't gotten sick from the alcohol. 

Jayce was a bit drunk himself, but he could hold himself together. At least he wasn't quietly laughing at nothing like what Viktor was doing at this moment. 

“Do you always get like this after one too many?” Jayce asked with a chuckle.

Viktor sluggishly shook his head. “Nhmm… it’s been, hehe, a long time since I’ve last drank, that may be why…” he looked up at Jayce, a cute, drunk smile plastered on his face.

Jayce’s cheeks turned a little pink seeing his partner’s adorable smile. But he had to focus on getting them home, his mind wasn’t allowed to wander just yet.

It’s good that Jayce got Viktor out when he did. He doubted that Viktor would want people to see him in such a state.

He couldn't lie though – he didn't mind seeing Viktor out of character like this. Seeing a genuine smile on his face, albeit from the alcohol, was a rare sight to behold. It made him smile and his heart warm. 

Walking up a few steps that felt unusually steep on this night to the door, nearly making Viktor trip, Jayce searched his pockets for the key while keeping his hold on Viktor. Once he was successful, he shoved the key into the lock and twisted the door handle open, kicking it open with his foot. 

He led Viktor to their bed, setting him down on the foot of it, and then made his way to the front door to lock it shut for the night.

“Mm, we're home, no?” Viktor slurred, his head rolling to try to look at Jayce’s face as he made his way back into the bedroom. 

“Yeah, we are. I'll get you some water to drink, yeah? Stay right there,” Jayce made his way to the kitchen sink, grabbing a glass on the way and filling it up. Once he was back at Viktor’s side, he sat down next to his partner, gently placing the glass in Viktor’s hands. “Be careful, don't drop it.”

Viktor brought the glass up to his lips to take a nice long sip, some of it dribbling down to his chin onto his shirt. “Thank you Jayce… It's appreciated.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, that smile still glued to his face. 

Viktor held out his hand which held the glass lazily. Jayce gripped onto it, setting it off to the side. Viktor leaned back, plonking his back down on the mattress as he closed his eyes, a chuckle escaping him. 

“Do you need me to do anything else?” Asked Jayce, looking in Viktor’s direction with a small smile of his own. 

“I think I just–” He was interrupted with a sudden yawn, bringing his hand up to cover his mouth. “Need to settle down for bed. Eh… I think the fatigue from both the party… and from working in the lab… is catching up to me…” He could barely keep his eyes open. 

“Do you need me to help you get changed?” Jayce offered. He's had to do this a few times before, as Viktor is no stranger to passing out from exhaustion at his bench in the lab. Numerous nights, Jayce has had to carry him home and change him into his pajamas just so he could actually sleep somewhere comfortably. 

Viktor rose from the bed sluggishly with a weak nod. “If you wouldn't mind,” He slid off his tie, then looked at the buttons on his shirt with a quiet laugh. “I believe I do not have the… coordination to take these buttons off in this state…”

“This isn't the first time,” Jayce shook his head with a laugh. He shifted so he was facing Viktor and got to work. Jayce wasn't shoshed, so he actually had the brain power to undo a couple buttons. He started undoing the first one, but was swiftly halted at the wrist by Viktor’s hands, a laugh escaping him. Jayce cocked his head to the side in confusion. “What was that, V?” He couldn’t help himself from smiling.

“Yohohour fingers… they just…” Viktor's eyes wandered and began to mumble as his face flushed. “It tickled a little…”

Jayce laughed at the absurdity. “You’re just ticklish everywhere, aren’t you?” He undid another button, intentionally brushing his fingers against the gaps of Viktor’s shirt where skin was peeking through.

Viktor sputtered, holding onto Jayce’s wrists more tightly. “Muhuhust you always exploit thihihis??” Viktor couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, the tickling mixed in with the alcohol made it impossible to hide.

“I’m not doing it on purpose. You’re just adorably and stupidly ticklish.” An extra scribble as he undid another button, a smirk rising onto his face.

“You are! You’re being a menahahace! Yohohou troublemaker!!”

“You’re over exaggerating it. I’m just helping you out.”

It took a couple minutes - and a lot of laughing from Viktor - but Jayce managed to get Viktor undressed and then redressed with his pajamas. Jayce popped the last button on Viktor’s night shirt, his fingers brushing up against Viktor’s neck as he fixed the collar.

Viktor was red in the face from laughing so much. He didn’t have the energy to fight back anymore, nor the drive to.

“Heheheed my warning, Talis. You won’t be getting off scot-frehehehee in the morning.” Viktor tried to give Jayce the evil-eye, but it failed him in this state.

“Pfft, like you’re going to be able to do anything. I bet you’ll regret drinking so much once you wake up tomorrow.” Jayce changed into his own pajamas as he climbed into bed, Viktor following suit. 

“I’m going to… feel like shit in the morning, aren’t I?” Viktor complained as his head hit the soft pillow, reaching up to rub his temple. “In fact… I believe I can already feel the dreaded headache… ugh…”

Jayce reached over with a comforting hand, brushing his fingers through Viktor’s messy hair. “Even though I didn’t drink as much, I always get hangovers. I’ll let you in on my super secret Talis Drunk Remedies in the morning.” He winked at Viktor, the other rolling his eyes.

“Mmm, whatever you say,” he mumbled and shook his head, pulling the covers closer as he closed his eyes. It was silent for a moment until Viktor spoke up. “Thank you for dragging me out tonight… and for carrying me back home… Admittedly, I had fun…”

Jayce reached over and planted a sweet kiss on Viktor’s forehead that made him giggle, lingering there for a moment. 

“Always, Vik.”

They snuggled close and drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.