#snarcane

Jayce had been coming down with a cold for the past few days. It had started as just a sniffle and the occasional tired yawn but today it seemed to have hit him with full force.

Which, for Viktor, was really not helping him to focus on their upcoming project.

Jayce sniffled thickly- it sounded like his face was completely bunged up.

“Vik, do we have any more… snffff..tiss–uh-HEH H’ETGHn’xx!” he stifled forcefully between pinched fingers, drawing in on himself from the force. He pulled on his nose as he released his fingers. “snfff any tissues?”

Wordlessly, Viktor rifled through his desk drawer and slid him over a box.

Jayce glanced up at him gratefully before snatching a few, turning from him and blowing groggily, the sound crackling.

Viktor exhaled shakily. He’d been holding his breath during that whole ordeal. And the semi he’d been growing since the minute Jayce had trudged in, sniffling helplessly as he hung his coat up, was becoming harder to ignore.

This was coupled with the guilt worming through his stomach, Jayce clearly wasn’t feeling well and here he was, listening to every sound with rapt pleasure.

“Do you think the acceleration or the precision rune would work better here?” said Jayce, sliding over his notes for their latest project.

“Ehh…” fuck, he couldn’t focus with the way Jayce’s broad frame was leaning over him. He could just about make out the slow whistle of his breath. Maybe if he stayed frozen like this for long enough Jayce would have to sneeze again…

“Ahh the uhh.. The acceleration one maybe.” he stammered out.

Jayce looked puzzled, “You sure? I was thinking snnfff..ugh sorry, hold on.” he leaned back from Viktor and retrieved another tissue, swiping at his nose and clearing his throat, “I was thinking of the precision, seeing as we need the frequency to be accurate.”

“Right, yes.” Viktor nodded.

Jayce hummed his agreement, sliding back into his seat.

Had he looked like that yesterday? So tired, with exhaustion hanging heavy around his features? And his nose was starting to look chapped from him pawing at it constantly with sleeves and hands rather than the embroidered handkerchief Viktor knew he had.

Then Jayce’s face crumpled, hands clenching against the edge of the desk.

He gasped once. Twice. Before hurtling forwards, haphazardly raising an elbow to let out two bellowing sneezes.

“Ehh’HAESTchuhh!... Hh’HITSCh’ieww!”

Viktor’s breath stilled once again, his dick twitching in his pants. They just sounded so wet and draining. His mind was running wild, picturing Jayce’s pretty face making that expression over him in bed. Imagining the spray raining down onto his chest. Kissing him with mess still clinging to his nose…

“Ughh.. fuck me, sorry Vik.” Jayce groaned. And he truly sounded apologetic. Embarrassed at his complete lack of control over himself. As if Viktor would be disgusted. As if Viktor would care.

Jayce’s head was hung, whether from shame or exhaustion Viktor wasn’t sure. But there was something fragile in that expression, something raw. Jayce was just about holding it together but the ropes were fraying.

“Jayce,” Viktor said quietly, reaching over and grasping his shoulder, “you sound really awful.”

“I–uhh, I know, I’m sorry.” Jayce shrunk back in on himself, inching from Viktor’s touch.

Idiot.

“You don’t need to be sorry.”

“Well…ugh, it must be gross. It’s… pretty rough today. I just can’t seem to stop. I’ll try and-”

“Jayce.”

Viktor wheeled his chair over, taking Jayce’s face in his hands and lifting it.

Jayce’s eyebrows darted together, confused, but he didn’t try and pull away this time.

His nose was running. He tried to sniff it back but it wasn’t particularly effective. Viktor could see the blush creeping across his cheeks at being looked at so intently as this was happening.

“Vik, I need to..sdnff.”

Silently, Viktor reached for the tissue box and pulled one out. He pressed it up against Jayce’s nose and pinched away the moisture there.

Jayce froze. Eyes following Viktor as he tossed the soiled tissue aside.

“Does that not…gross you out?”

“No, Jayce.” he swept his thumbs across the tops of Jayce’s cheeks, revelling in the way it seemed to make his features twitch with itchy need, “I don’t care, I’m just worried about you.”

“Oh.” said Jayce quietly, letting himself sink into the cool hands that were still pressed around his face.

Viktor continued to sweep his thumbs across Jayce’s sinuses. The other man let out a little, stuttering breath.

“I’m g-gonna sneeze if you–HHH…keep doing that.” he breathed.

“Mhhm…that’s the intention.”

Jayce's eyes widened in surprise until his face suddenly scrunched up, chapped lips parting as he tried to fight the sensation, tears collecting at the edges of his long, dark lashes.

Viktor smiled, he must have hit the right spot.

“HhAH’TUSChn’’gtx!!!” Jayce half-stifled desperately, twisting into his shoulder to try and shield Vitkor from some of the blast.

But from the way Viktor was leant over him, hands cupping his face, this wasn’t very successful.

He shivered as he felt the warm mist catch the side of his wrist, the rest of it glistening against the dark fabric of Jayce’s top.

“Shit.” Jayce muttered sniffling.

Before he could try and worm away again, Viktor leant in and planted soft kisses along the lower half of his face, taking in the warmth of Jayce’s skin and his rich, earthy smell.

“Let’s get you home.” he said softly against his ear.

A shudder went through Jayce at the feeling of Viktor’s breath, “We still need to finish-”

But Viktor shut him up with a kiss to his neck, nipping at the skin with his teeth.

“How can you want me when I’m like this?” Jayce asked quietly, sniffling deeply as he pressed a finger up against his nostrils.

There was too much space between them, with Viktor on his chair and Jayce slumped over on his own. He needed to be pressed against his broad frame. Enveloped in his warm embrace. He needed friction.

So, wordlessly, he reached out and took Jayce’s hand in his own. He brought it forwards. Downwards. Rested it against the tent he was pitching in his pants.

“Oh, oh.” said Jayce. A glint of amusement flashed across his tired eyes and a flash of something more, something closer to hunger. 

“Mmm, that’s how.” 

“Let’s get home then.” His congested, hoarse voice had taken on a different tone, deeper, needy.

They walked through the halls of the Pilltovan academy, not worried about getting caught as it was the early hours of the morning. 

Jayce had to stop a few times to suck in a deep breath, air rushing into his lungs before twisting to the side with a poorly stifled, waterlogged sneeze.

After one particularly loud one, Viktor leant in and traced along the skin of his neck with a slender finger.

“You just can’t make them quiet can you?”

Jayce looked blearily down at him, still recovering from the sensation that had taken hostage all of his senses.

“Ughh no, I’ve never been able to-hHEH–.”

Viktor couldn’t help himself, he didn’t give a fuck that he was rapidly growing harder and needier in the middle of the hallways. He whispered into Jayce’s air-

“Try and keep this one quiet, baby.”

Jayce’s eyes flashed at the use of the petname- Viktor almost never used them. But he couldn’t dwell on it too much as his chest suddenly swelled, his eyes clamping shut-

“HAH’’’TGng—CHuch!!” He’d tried desperately to stifle properly, to be quiet, but he was just so miserably congested, his nose wouldn’t let him keep all of it in.

The sound rang through the hall and Viktor shivered. God this man was going to be the death of him.

“Bless you.” he breathed.

Jayce turned to look at him with saddened, red-rimmed eyes, “I tried.”

“I know.” 

Finally, mercifully, they reached Jayce’s apartment. 

Viktor couldn’t wait any longer. As soon as the door was shut behind them, he turned around, letting his cane clatter to the floor as he titled his head upwards and pressed his lips against Jayce’s own.

He sank into the kiss for a moment, tasting the long day on his lips. Jayce was breathing deeply, humming as he lapped Viktor up. He looped an arm around Viktor’s back, supporting him, drawing him in tighter and firmer.

Then suddenly he was pulling away, breaking apart from the kiss- though still helping Viktor to stand.

“Fuck, Vik, you’re gonna get sick.” he croaked, guilt swimming in his big, amber eyes.

“I’ve spent all day everyday with you for the last three days. If it’s going to happen it already would have.”

Jayce groaned, free hand coming up to pinch the skin between his eyebrows, “Still I don’t-”

“Jayce,” Viktor said firmly, trying not to let the desperation sink into his voice, “Don’t deny me this.”

“I–okay.”

They stumbled their way into the bedroom, Jayce’s mouth hot against his own, hands in his hair, down his chest, gripping his tie.

Viktor let himself be guided onto the bed, smirking as Jayce hurried to take his clothes off. His bare skin sprouted goosebumps as it was exposed to the cool air, but in his veins his blood ran hot.

Jayce was yanking Viktor’s pants away, leaving him in just his boxers, dick embarrassingly hard for not even being touched yet.

There was no way he was getting out of this without Jayce catching on. But fuck it. There were weirder things about him and Jayce knew them all.

Jayce was tearing off his own clothes now, ready and eager despite the cold ravaging his system. Maybe he was tired of sniffling and working all day? Maybe he just needed to let everything go.

Fingers at his shirt buttons, Jayce suddenly paused. His nose quivering, shoulders rising as he sucked in staggered, gasping breaths.

Hurriedly he dropped the shirt, cupping his palms to his face and snapping in half with a resounding, drenching-

“Hh’AHH’’CSCHooo!! Ugh, fuck me.” he said, voice barely distinguishable from the congestion clinging to every syllable.

Viktor bit his lip to stop himself from screaming- hurry up, hurry up.

Jayce returned to the buttons and Viktor tried not to imagine the moisture on his fingers, coating the buttons, no doubt making the job harder.

At last, Jayce was down to his boxers too and he crawled onto the bed. 

“Let me be on top.” said Viktor- greedily watching the way Jayce’s nose still wriggeld about as if he wasn’t quite done, as if the itch consuming his sinuses would never be satisfied.

Obediently, Jayce hooked an arm around him, gently but solidly shifting him to be on top.

He took a moment to sink into the contact, the feeling of their hips pressed together. Jayce’s dick, straining against the fabric of his boxers, grazing against his own.

With slow, shifting movements, Viktor rocked himself back and forwards, dragging their cocks together through the material.

“F-fuck Vik.” Jayce gasped out, pushing up into him even more. His voice was a wreck, claggy, stuck at the back of his throat.

Jayce’s breath hitched in a completely new way, his broad hands reaching down to slot around Viktor’s waist, hips bucking upwards. 

With Jayce still sniffling pathetically beneath him and the pressure against his dick, Viktor was worried he was gonna finish before they’d even began, like some horny fucking teenager.

But he didn’t stop. He reached forward and raked the skin of Jayce’s chest with his nails, hands moving upwards to snake around the skin of his neck.

He let out a shuddery moan as he felt one of Jayce’s hands working their way from the side of his waist towards the centre and inching down, down…

“Jayce…ughh.. P-please.”

Jayce didn’t need any encouragement. His hand slipped beneath the waistband of Viktor’s boxers, curling around his cock.

“Ohh..mmmhmm.” Viktor breathed out. 

“You’re so wound up.” Jayce said, almost laughing.

“I- god yes,” he inhaled sharply as Jayce’s hand began to move up and down, “a-all day.”

“All.. snnddff.. All day?”

Viktor just nodded his confirmation, too caught up in finally, finally being touched to say much of anything.

Through his bleary blaze of pleasure he remembered Jayce had needs too and worked his own hand downwards.

He trailed his fingers along the line of hair leading to Jayce’s boxers, relishing the way the light touch made Jayce quiver.

His touch slipped under, fingers stretching around his length.

“V-viktor–”

Jayce gasped and stuttered beneath him, eyes sinking back in pleasure

Before suddenly he was jerking upwards, hands pulling from his pants and coughing thickly to the side, the sound rattling through his chest. It went on for a while, as if he was struggling to catch his breath.

“Ugghh sorry… snff… snfff I think lying down made all the…the congestion worse. I can barely breathe.” he let out a miserable little laugh, scrubbing at his face.

“Alright, I’ll lie down then.”

They switched positions, Viktor squirming beneath Jayce’s frame as he rocked back and forth into him. Why the fuck were their boxers still on?

From this angle he could see the chapped skin on the underside of his nostril- it looked red and sensitive, like if he just reached up and tapped it, it would cause a barrage of sneezes and moisture to rain down on him like a fucking shower.

He could hear every jagged breath, every thick snort as Jayce tried to sniff back up the congestion. 

Then his face stilled, his chest contracting in and out. 

“HEEHH– hh-iiiHHH…”

Yes, Viktor thought, this is what I’ve been waiting for.

Jayce’s hitches were growing louder, more high-pitched until suddenly, with a shuddery moan his shoulders relaxed again and he exhaled bitterly.

“Lost it.” he muttered, resuming his motion against Viktor, leaning in to suck and nibble on the tender skin of his neck, tongue swirling across the mole there.

Then it happened again, louder and more needy this time. His breath caught in a wild, overbearing sensation. It sounded like Jayce was teetering right on the edge, his eyes squeezed shut and body waiting for the inevitable.

“HH–IIIhhhhh!” But the release never came. 

“Vik I need to sn–EEEHuhh… snddfff.. Sneeze so bad but it wo-Hhu–hHH, won’t come.”

Irritated tears were beginning to slip from Jayce’s eyes. He looked so stuffed up and miserable. An entire day of sneezing non-stop and now they were eluding him.

Something cold and hungry slipped through Viktor.

“Why don’t I help you?”

“H–HHEH H-How?”

“Eucalyptus, yes?”

Jayce blinked, “What?”

“What you’re allergic to.”

“Well yes, but-”

“Reach into my trouser pocket.”

Wordlessly, Jayce obeyed, leaning over the bed to pick up Viktor’s trousers, his fingers slipping around something smooth and cylindrical. He pulled it out. Oh.

“Now spread it between my legs.” 

Jayce tugged at the waistband of Viktor’s boxers to draw them off before uncapping the lid of the Eucalyptus ointment.

From just the smell his breath was hitching widely once again, he was close, so close- more itchy and desperate and hungry for release than he’d ever been in his life.

“HE-EHH hI–HHeehh!” he heaved, the hand he had against Viktor’s shoulder tensing in preparation.

Viktor curled up, pressing a finger beneath the quivering appendage. 

“Mhhm… not yet baby. You think you can hold them in? Until I say?”

Jayce’s eyes widened, blinking through the allergic tears.

“I– err… okay.” he shuddered out. So obedient.

Viktor slowly slid his finger away, trying not to moan as he felt the wetness gathered across Jayce’s nostrils slink onto his fingers. God they were both such a mess.

Struggling against the need to cram his eyes shut, to rub at his wriggling nose with fisted hands, Jayce poured the bottle to the side, spilling some of the substance onto his palm.

He stuttered and gasped through the itchy need, his hands shaking as he tried to fight the sensation. Jayce put the bottle aside and massaged the substance along the tops of Viktor’s thighs.

Viktor let out a shuddery gasp at the cool substance slid between his legs, Jayce’s fingertips so close to his dick that was pulsing with need.

Suddenly Jayce froze. No doubt he’d breathed in loads of the stuff he was so desperately allergic to at his point.

His breaths were coming in faster and faster, almost as if he were panting, the taut muscles of his abs contracting in and out.

“Fu—HHHHCuckk Vik, I- ca–Hhnnt, can’t…”

Viktor slid his hands across the lengths of his own thighs, getting them slick in the oil coating them.

Then, with his fingers absolutely drenched in the stuff he reached up and held them up to Jayce’s nasal airways.

He let him take deep, gulping breaths before he realised what was going on. Before he noticed that with every needy gasp drawn into his lungs, the allergen was becoming more and more concentrated.

Jayce’s eyes snapped open at the feeling of Viktor’s fingers against his nostrils.

His breath was insanely erratic, heaving in and out above him. Afterwards VIktor would tell him what a good job he had done, fighting so desperately to obey his commands.

But now he would give Jayce what he wanted, what he needed.

He leant in close, hands dropping to Jayce’s wrists, pinning his hands down. 

He whispered into his ear,

“Let go, Jayce.”

Instantly Jayce reared up and with his hands pinned down there was nothing he could do. Nothing but snap forwards again and again with an insatiable need to rid his system of the antigens attacking it. Cold, allergen it had all gotten too much.

“H’’HHAESCHUhhh– HEHH-hhH-.... HEH’ATCHUhh–.....H’ENGT-SchUhh- HEH-H’’Ept’’CHOOO!!”

Warm mess blasted onto Viktor’s bare chest, over and over, Jayce barely able to gasp a breath, barely able to hold himself upright as his body forced him to snap forwards relentlessly.

Viktor’s chest was getting soaked, long trails sprouting from Jayce’s nostrils.

The heat in his belly was pulsing, hot as fire.

“Oh f–fuckk Jayce…” he gasped out, pressing himself upwards almost involuntarily to grind against Jayce’s cock, eyes rolled back in pure pleasure from the pressure below and the wetness against his chest.

“Vii-HHIII’TCHUhhh… Vik I ca–AHH-HAETCHUhhh… can’t sto-OppHhh’’EEHH…. E’’EHSTUCHuhh!”

Viktor paused, worried he’d pushed Jayce too far. The other man had completely lost control, mess clinging to his face, chest heaving as he desperately tried to pull in air between expulsions.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” said Viktor shakily, releasing one of his hands from Jayce’s wrist to rub comfortingly up and down his arm.

To his surprise though, Jayce didn’t try to cup his face to shield him from the continued blast, instead, through the haze of overwhelming sensation he fumbled for Viktor’s hand and grasped it in his own.

Oh. Oh. He was okay, this was okay.

“H’HIHH’Tchuhhh!”

“You’re so fucking hot like this Jayce.” Viktor breathed out, squeezing the broad hand encasing his own.

Jyace leant in closer, nuzzling his slick nose up to the crook between Viktor’s neck and collarbone.

“H’’ESTCH-uhhh!” he sneezed, blasting against the warm skin, “This stuff…i-HHHhh– is so.. Snnfff- H’ITCHchuhhh.. So strong.”

Viktor released his other hands, reaching up to rake across his back, too absorbed by lust to control how heavily he was scratching. Besides, Jayce liked it when he left his mark.

Finally, the fit seemed to subside and Jayce exhaled, utterly exhausted against him.

He sat up slowly, hand coming to cup his nose. Finding it miserably wet he bundled up some of the covers and mopped himself up. His eyes flicked to the mess smeared all across Viktor’s chest, no doubt glimmering in the lamplight.

“Oh god… you’re.. You’re absolutely covered.” embarrassment flashed across his eyes.

It was time to tell him.

“Yes,” Viktor said slowly, methodically, not quite sure how to broach it, “ Jayce, I like it. I really like it.”

“You– I don’t–...”

“I like it when you sneeze.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Makes sense?”

Jayce laughed, the sound muffled through the congestion, “Explains a fair amount actually.”

“Like what?”

Jayce’s eyes darkened, the corners crinkling, “Like why you’ve been sporting a semi since I started this cold.”

Viktor laughed then, he really had not been subtle.

Jayce hitched again, nose scrunching upwards and eyes squeezing shut.

“H’ehh’’HITChuhH!” But this time his hand had slid down to Viktor’s crock, stroking as the sneeze took over him- making Viktor’s ‘bless you’ catch with a shuddery moan in his throat.

“Always such pretty sounds.” Jayce breathed, sniffling back the mess, though most was still smeared across his face.

The cozy days of winter were spent curled up in front of the roaring fires that Vi spent her days tending to throughout the Kiramman Estate, which she now inhabits with its namesake. That said, Vi was pleasantly surprised one morning mid March when the sun was high in the sky, casting golden rays across the cobbled streets of the city, and the scent of blooming flowers wafted gently through the air. This was the first truly warm day that spring, and the soft rustling of leaves accompanied the morning breeze. She was just about to get out of bed to look for her wife when a harsh sneeze rang out from the en-suite.

Caitlyn had woke up earlier than usual, eyes still heavy from sleep, and sat up in bed, stretching her arms over her head. The sunlight peeked through her window, bathing the room in warm hues, but she immediately squinted, her eyes watering and nose twitching. She stretched, careful not to wake Vi up as she got up to begin her morning. As she was walking to the bathroom, she was bent over suddenly at the waist as she stifled a small *hiingxt* into her shoulder.

The sneeze came out of nowhere, and she sniffed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, groaning softly. She glanced over at the open window and the just rising sun. Spring had arrived in Piltover. She’d known it was coming, of course. Spring was always tough for her and as the days were getting longer and warmer, she knew it was only a matter of time before the pollen, the dust, the blooming flowers—all of it wreaked havoc on her sensitive nose and sinuses. They had developed in her teenage years, and with her father working long hours at the hospital and her mother busy with her business on the Council, Caitlyn just dealt with them on her own. She’d never really told anyone about it. Not even Vi. Nobody had paid enough attention to notice and Cait never really cared to complain.

Caitlyn rubbed her temples, feeling the familiar pressure building behind her eyes. She sniffled again, feeling her nose fill up, and before she could stop it—

“HH—tshhiEW! Hap-tchiEW! Heh’kchhh!”

She sneezed three times in rapid succession, and her head felt like it was about to explode. Her breath hitched again, but this time she managed to catch it before the sneeze took over.

"Ugh…" she muttered, rubbing her eyes in an attempt to stifle the tears that were quickly gathering. Her nose was now in full rebellion, and she could already feel the oncoming wave of sneezing building inside her. She gripped the sink to steady herself.

She glanced at the clock. Vi would be up soon. They had plans today—meeting with the Council, checking in on the progress of a case, and doing whatever else their day required. She needed to pull herself together.

Caitlyn tried ti get on with her morning routine, washing her face and doing her makeup, but it proved very difficult when she needed to stifle a sneeze ever 30 seconds or so.

“huh-hSHXIEW!” She stifled, or tried to at least, as she needed several tissues to clean her shoulder after that one.

By the time she was done, her eyes were barely open, and she was sniffling non-stop. But she had to face the world, and more importantly, face Vi.

Vi.

She sighed and finally managed to finish getting dressed. With a deep breath, she straightened her back, prepared herself for whatever the day might bring, and she splashed some water on her face for good measure.

Before she was done drying her face, Caitlyn felt the familiar stinging tickle and put a hand on the sink to steady herself as she let out another small fit.

“heh-hEPtchIEW! HasHIeu! hah-CHU!”

No sooner could she wipe her nose did she hear shuffling outside the bathroom door.

“Vi?” she called, voice hoarse from the congestion in her nose.

The door creaked open, and Vi stood there, her usual confident grin spread across her face as she rubbed her eyes, clearly still half-asleep.

“Hey, there you are,” Vi said with a lazy stretch. “You ready to get going? The sooner we handle all this council stuff, the sooner we can head to the shooting range. You know I’ve been itching to take out some targets.”

Caitlyn smiled weakly, but it was clear that her usual energy was absent. The pressure in her sinuses was unbearable, and her nose twitched again. She fought to keep it under control as Vi stepped into the hallway, her eyes narrowing in concern at Caitlyn's obvious discomfort.

“You okay?” Vi asked, stepping closer. “You look a little… off.”

Caitlyn felt her face redden as she sniffled and waved a hand in a dismissive motion. “I’m fine, really. Just... allergies. It’s no big deal.”

Vi raised an eyebrow. “Allergies? You’ve never mentioned having allergies before.”

“Uh... it’s not something I usually talk about,” Caitlyn muttered, trying to downplay it. She wiped her nose quickly with her sleeve, hoping Vi didn’t see the trail of moisture left behind. “I just don’t handle the spring air too well, that’s ahh— all— ahP-TCHIEW!”

Vi tilted her head, clearly skeptical. “Cait, honey, you never sneeze. Are you sure you’re okay?”

The sneeze that had been building up for what felt like hours finally broke free. “Ah-chuoo! Hh-hehh’kchhh! Hhh-choo!”

Caitlyn’s face flushed, and she quickly turned her head away, embarrassed by the sudden explosion of sneezes. She felt utterly defeated by the congestion now filling her head.

Vi’s eyes widened, her usual concern turning into confusion. “Whoa, bless you baby! That… was a lot. You sure you’re alright?”

Caitlyn sniffled, rubbing her nose again, but she didn’t trust her voice enough to speak. The sneezing was starting to take over, and every breath made her more and more miserable.

Vi stepped closer, a touch of worry in her voice. “Caitlyn, you don’t look fine. You’re all red, and you can barely keep your eyes open. What’s going on?”

Caitlyn finally managed to speak, her voice muffled and congested. “I… I’ve got bad hayfever. It’s… it’s the pollen, and… I didn’t tell you because… well, I didn’t want to be a bother.”

Vi blinked, still a bit taken aback. “Wait, what? And it makes you feel this bad?” She put her hands on her hips, a mix of disbelief and concern written across her face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Caitlyn's face flushed further, and she quickly wiped at her nose again, her breath hitching in her chest. “I don’t like drawing attention to it. It’s not… it’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s the first day this spring it’s bothered me. I just need a moment, and I’ll be fine.”

Vi crossed her arms, her frown softening as she shook her head. “Cait, I love you. You’re not a bother. You should’ve said something sooner. I could’ve been expecting it and would’ve helped you! Now, let’s get you settled. I’m not letting you go out there like this.”

Vi grabbed Caitlyn’s wrist gently, guiding her back toward the bed in the. “Lay down. You need some rest. We’ll take care of everything later. I’ll go grab some stuff for you—maybe some tea, or hell, I don’t know, some medicine.”

Caitlyn looked up at her, her eyes watery from the constant sneezing, and gave a soft, grateful smile. “Thanks, Vi. I... I didn’t realize how much I needed help with this.”

Vi smiled back, her usual mischievous grin returning. “Well, what are girlfriends for, right?”

Caitlyn’s heart swelled a little. In all her years of dealing with her hayfever alone, she had never expected someone to care about it as much as Vi did.

Vi returned a few moments later with some allergy pills, having already stored some in her pocket for later since they wore off after a few hours, a cool facecloth, and a glass of water. Caitlyn was laying down in the bed when Vi entered, her arm laying over her face. She sniffled miserably.

“Alright my baby, I have some stuff to make you all better,” Vi sang sweetly with a smile as she sat down on the edge of the couch by Caitlyn’s upper half. Caitlyn sighed contentedly when Vi placed the cool cloth over her burning eyes, and helped her sit up.

“I have some medicine for you, Cupcake. When you’re ready,” Vi says, running a hand through Caitlyn’s hair. Caitlyn moves the towel from her eyes and smiles up at Vi.

“Thank you, darling,” Cait says sweetly, accepting the pill and water from Vi’s hands and swallowing it with a gulp and a sigh.

“Now, we lay here, cuddle probably, and wait until the medicine kicks in,” Vi says feigning seriousness, as she sits next to Caitlyn and pulls her in tightly.

“Oh, cuddle huh? I suppose the Council can wait,” Caitlyn chuckles, leaning into Vi and sniffling thickly. “Ugh, not again” Cait whines, trying to move away from Vi who just holds her closer. “Vi? Wh- whahh— huu-TSHIEW! Hhh-ngxt!”

“Shh, Cupcake. It’s alright, let me hold you. You can sneeze on me all you need,” Vi whispers against Caitlyn’s ear, leaving a kiss before snuggling her head against Caitlyn’s neck.

Viktor woke slowly, pulled from sleep by a roughed muffled sound.

For a moment, he stayed still, his sluggish brain flickering to life. Through the cracks in his eyelids he could see the first hints of morning light seeping through the curtains. Jauce’s lingering warmth was stll beside him but-

There it was again. Was that…coughing? The sound came again, wet and strained. Viktor shifted in their bed, cracking an eye open.

Jayce had turned away from him, his wide shoulders hunched, blanket pushed down to his lap as he desperately tried to stifle the sound into his fist. His whole body was jerking with the effort, shoulder blades drawn in to himself. 

Viktor was about to sit up and pat him through it when Jayce finally sucked in a shallow, shuddering breath. He simply sat and breathed for a moment before slumping back against the pillows, chest rising and falling unsteadily. He turned his head and- 

Their eyes met.

“Fuck, Vik,” Jayce groaned, his voice raspy, “Did I wake you?”

Jayce looked exhausted, his features puffy and hair frumpled- shadows under his eyes that hadn’t been there yesterday.

“You do dnot sound good,” Viktor murmured, shifting upwards to get closer to Jayce.

“I’m fine, just choked on some water,” he sighed, eyes swimming with guilt, “I’m sorry I woke you, I tried to be quiet.”

“Don’t be silly,” Viktor said, resting his head against Jayce’s shoulder.

“Your fever seems to be gone.”

“Hmm”

Jayce’s hand raised to run soothing trails through his hair, “That’s good, how do you feel.”

“Just tired an—hhhHH...” the itch that had lay dormant over night suddenly scrambled to the surface, “And i–HH…’IT’sSCHuhhh! Itchy snuff.” 

He’d barely bothered to cover the sneeze, just twisting to the side and letting it mist the air.

Jayce was looking at him, gaze full of that same relentless concern.

“Stop fussing.”Viktor said, scrubbing at his running nose.

“Not possible. And bless you.”

Jayce began to rise from the bed, “I’m gonna take a shower then head off to the lab.”

Viktor frowned, Jayce really did look knackered and it wasn’t fair to expect him to do the work for both of them. But Jayce was already shuffling off to the bathroom before he could protest.

Viktor curled back down into the blankets, though his fever was gone, his head felt heavy with congestion, exhaustion hanging behind his eyes. And his nose was constantly oscillating between being completely stuffed up and running like a tap.

The shower flickered on. Then he heard it. 

A strange, stuttering sound. Soft, hitched gasps.

Viktor pushed himself up slightly, listening harder. Barely-there sounds, just audible over the torrent of the shower water. Jayce’s breath caught, a clipped, shaky silence then-

Nothing. No release. What was he?...

With an effort, Viktor sat up properly, rubbing at his temples. He thought about calling out, but just as he opened his mouth-

His own breath snagged, teeth bearing in a snarl. He floundered for a tissue, clutching the duvet up to his face when he wasn’t able to make it in time. 

“HEEh’ntSCHhh! Hh’KTSchh’uhh— snff...”

They were low and dribbling, mess spreading across the covers. Ugh, they’d have to wash these. 

He kept the blanket up to his face, a tear sipping from his eye as his breath continued to hitch slightly. But, with an irritated grumble, he exhaled shakily, dropping the snotty covers back to his lap.

The bedroom door creaked open, wrapped in a towel, Jayce walked in, last nights t-shirt ruffling his damp hair. Suddenly his steps halted, his hands freezing in his hair. His shoulders tensed, as if bracing for something. Then he jolted forward, the movement sharp. 

A barely-there, almost-silent stifle, hidden in the movement of drying his hair.

With a water-logged sniffle, Jayce straightened up, pressing a fist against his nose.

“Jayce are.. you-HHH.” shit not again.

Viktor snapped forward in a barrage of sneezes he hadn’t quite satisfied before, not bothering to cover as he dipped forward again and again in a fittish volley. His body shook with the effort, breath stuttering through the congestion as he tried to get a hold of himself.

And then Jayce was there.

“Shit, Vik—”

A warm, steady hand rubbed gentle circles against his back as the itchy, almost useless expulsions rattled through him.

“H’itsch…HI-iihh… K’tsh..T’shh.!”

Finally, mercifully, the fit ended. Viktor blew blearily into the stack of tissues raised to his face, realising a moment too late that it was Jayce holding them there and not him. 

“You’re so sick, baby.” muttered Jayce, kissing softly against his temple as Viktor continued to try and clear the gunk out of his face.

“I’m…okay.” Viktor croaked. But the energy had been sucked out of him, leaving him blanched and feeble to the drag of sleep.

“Go back to sleep, V. I’ll be at the lab. Text me if you need anything, okay?”

“Okay…” he murmured, voice shrouded with sleep.

He could just about sense the shift in weight as Jayce rose and slipped quietly from the room before the darkness of slumber pulled him under.

~.~

Viktor sniffled, too tired to bother blowing his nose again. He flipped the page of his book, though his attention wasn’t really with it.

It was late.

Not too late but still, Jayce should’ve been back by now. Especially since he’d already sounded worse for wear this morning.

Viktor reached for his phone, reading the message he’d sent him earlier. Just a simple Don’t be too late.

Jayce had responded a few minutes later. Need something? :)

Viktor had hesitated before typing back- Just miss you.

That had been an hour ago.

Viktor sighed, the mess dribbling down his face too heavy to snort back any more. He rubbed at his nose with a crumpled tissue before giving a few wet, congested blows. He was feeling marginally better, or at least not feverish, but the congestion milling through his features was still miserable. His head was stuffed thick with it, the flesh of his nose tender from fumbling at it all day.

Should he text Jayce again?

Then he heard the telltale sound of a key against the lock, Jayce’s trudging footsteps down the hall.

The door creaked open. Jayce pushed into the room, shadowy in the dim light. Damn, he looked even more exhausted. The shadows under his eyes had grown in to dark smudges, his broad shoulders sagged as if his whole frame was weighed down.

But the moment his eyes locked with Viktor, his face softened, crows feet crinkling at the corners of his tired eyes.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey.” 

Jayce shuffled across the room, climbing onto the the bed with a groan before settling beside him.

Jayce’s head dropped onto Viktor’s chest, heavy and warm.

“You look a bit better,” Jaye mumbled, wrapping an arm around Viktor’s frame.

Viktor huffed, running a lazy hand down his back. “And you look awful.”

“Jusdst tired,” he muttered, voice strangely low and rough sounding, like it was caught at the back of his throat.

Oh he was tired all right. His breath was already starting to slow, the weight of him pressing heavier against Viktor’s chest.

He was still dressed in his work clothes, his ridiculous knee high boots still laced up.

“Jayce, baby,” he murmured, brushing his fingers through his hair, “you’ll sleep better if you get out of these clothes.”

Jayce grumbled sleepily but- after a moment- forced himself up, head hanging heavily. Eyes half closed, he clumsily pulled off his clothes, yanked loose his boots and shrugged into a pair of soft flannel pyjamas.

He was just shifting the pants up when his breath snagged suddenly, fingers on the waistband clenching in anticipation. 

His face screwed up, nostrils flaring as he was absorbed into the sensation.

With a final, flaring breath he twisted to the side and pitched downwards with a-

“HHe’’eHH’rsheuhh…H’AHHH’KSchh…H’UHT’chuhh!!”

His whole body convulsed as they shook through him, the mess released misting across the air, droplets illuminated by the lamplight.

 “Ugh, sorry. That was..” Jayce groaned, hand cupping his nose as he straightened up.

“Bless you,” Viktor murmured, shifting the tissue box towards him.

Jayce snatched a few and blew miserably- the sound longer and more crackling than he had anticipated. 

Viktor frowned, reaching for him instinctively. He really didn’t sound good. Had he been like this all day? Working away in this state while he was tucked up in bed?

Jayce all but collapsed into his opened arms, utterly boneless. It was almost comical, the way he seemed to melt into him. Well, it would be if it wasn’t so concerning how out of it he was.

His partner sniffled against his chest, breaths coming in slow and congested through his parted lips. 

“Do you feel okay?” he croaked quietly.

“Yes Jayce, I feel better today.”

“That’s–Huhhh.. Huhhh sorry I have– to–Huh-H’ehhhgntx!” Jayce shook with the force of the stifle, forceful and wet against the bare skin of his chest, “That’s snddf good.”

Viktor sighed, it was clear just how much congestion was flooding Jayce’s features, only made worse by him stifling. Sooner or later it would all come flooding out.

He fumbled for a tissue and wrapped it around Jayce’s nose.

“Blow for me.” 

Jayce froze momentarily, but then the exhaustion seemed to win and he relented, thick mess filling the soon-useless fabric.

Viktor tossed the sodden thing aside and sighed. They’d have to talk about what they were going to do about the project due in just 2 days now. Neither of them were really in any fit state to work on it. But as Jayce’s weight went completely slack against him he knew that conversation would have to wait until the morning.

He sighed, carding through the locks of Jayce's hair again.

Jayce was definitely coming down with something. And by the looks of it, it was hitting him hard.

Jayce’s hand had reached under the desk, squeezing at his lower thigh, eyes staring imploringly into his. “Take a rest, just for a couple days.”

Viktor snorted, though the action made the congestion shoot up his nostrils, pricking against the most sensitive spots like pine needles.

“I do–Huhhh, don’t n-need…”

“Sneeze and then finish what you were gonna say.”

Viktor shot him a glaring look before his eyes glazed over, consumed by the itch seering in his nose and dipped into his arm with a-

“H’uu’HHH’tchoo…H’hetgnx!” 

The hand on his thigh squeezed tighter, thumb running up and down.

“Bless you, babe.”

Viktor sniffled thickly, the moisture clagging his nose threatening to spill out. He rummaged in his jacket, desperately looking for something to wipe away the mess in time. Too late. He could sense it dribbling out of one side and he hurriedly raised a hand to cover it.

“Do you have-”

“Here.”

A soft handkerchief was placed in his free hand and he hastily pressed it to his face. He blew softly but thick bubbles of the stuff came out anyway. God he was a mess.

Jayce had leaned even closer, now looping an arm across his back, lips trailing tender pathways across the bare skin of his neck. His breath was warm against his chilly skin and it sent a ripple shuddering down his spine.

“We’ve got time,” Jayce said, voice close to his ear, “The lab will be waiting.”

Viktor sighed, heavy and weary, filled with the exhaustion flooding his body.

“Alright.” he breathed out quietly.

~.~

Viktor groaned, shifting in their bed, desperately trying to get comfortable. It had been two days since Jayce had dragged his ass back from the lab and he still felt terrible.

The congestion had thickened and settled into his features, making his coughs rattle and his sneezes shoot out heavy and drenching.

This morning, if possible, he felt even worse. What the hell had he managed to catch?

Bundled in the covers, he felt the tickle that seemed to be ever present flare up in his nose. He felt his chest seize up, face scrunching in anticipation. It demanded release. Viktor barely had time to fumble blindly for a tissue before he was surging forward with a-

“HeH’hh’ISHh’uhh! Hh’ihh’TSCHh-uhh!”

They thoroughly soaked the tissue, but Viktor was too tired to grasp for another. So, groaning, he folded the mess over and pressed the tissue to his nose, giving it a weary blow.

He was so out of it, he barely registered the sound of the bathroom door swinging open down the hall.

Then suddenly, there was a sinking of the mattress, a warm comforting mass at his side. Jayce’s arm looped across his chest, pulling him in to his arms, still a little damp from his shower.

“Hey.”

Viktor exhaled into the warmth of his forearm, “Hey.”

He noted the smell of soap and steam still clinging to Jayce as he breathed into the strong, grounding arms wrapped around him.

Jayce pulled back slightly, worried eyes searching his face. “You don’t look well, V.”

Viktor sighed, hand coming up to rub at his eyes, “I feel like crap.” His voice was scratchy and painfully congested, the constants slurring together. “I want to get back into the lab…the deadline is only two days away.”

Jayce squeezed him tighter, pressing his lips to the sweaty strands of his hair, “Don’t even worry about that,” he mumbled gently, “I’ll handle all of it. You just focus on getting better.”

“Bud-”

“Nope.” Jayce cut him off before he could argue. “I mean it, Vik, you need to rest.”

Viktor shifted, turning to face him, a strange mixture of guilt and relief swarmed through him. But Jayce was looking at him so tenderly, the wide pools of his amber eyes swimming with care. 

Jayce leaned in, kissing against his damp forehead.

“Get some sleep, love.”

As Jayce stood, he grabbed another box of tissues from the shelf and dropped them on to the bedside table, passing a few to Vik in the process.

“Thagk you.” he leant in to blow miserably, not missing the way Jayce’s face contorted with worry at the sound.

“Send me a message if you need anything okay?”

Viktor nodded, tossing his soiled tissue to the side.

He took in Jayce’s face for a moment, the lines of tiredness hanging out his features. Had he slept okay? He hadn’t kept him up with his snuffling and sneezing had he? He was about to ask as much when, with a little wave, Jayce slipped from the room.

~.~

The day blended into evening in a fog of congestion and exhaustion.

Viktor had spent most of it curled up in bed, swiping at his endlessly running nose with tissues, alternating between being too hot and shivering under the blanket. His head felt thick, his sinuses completely clogged as if sticky molasses ran through them. His throat hurt from sneezing and sneezing and sneezing.

He felt miserable. He wanted nothing more than to sink into the warmth of Jayce’s broad chest.

Finally, the sounds of a door unlocking down the hall. He perked up slightly, Jayce was back.

The door cracked open; Jayce slipped inside with a wide but tired smile.

Hey,” Viktor murmured, his voice like crackling tar, pushing himself up on his elbows.

Jayce flopped onto the bed beside him with a quiet groan. His hair was a little mussed, his shirt rumpled and he smelt of a long day in the lab. As he turned to face toward Viktor, he let out a long yawn, jaw popping.

“Hey, V,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “How you feelin’?”

Viktor sniffled, the sound wet and productive, he opened his mouth to speak but realised he couldn’t until he’d at least cleared some of the gunk from his sinuses.

He fumbled for a tissue from the much depleted box, giving his chapped nose a good, honking blow.

“Gross, mbainly.” he finally croaked out.

The same itch that had been triggering his senses all day reared up once more. It was like his nerves were exposed and this virus was swinging back and pressing against the most sensitive spot.

“H’’EHUPCHuhhh….H’EH’Tschuuhh!--snddff…” They were louder and wetter than he’d ever known himself to sneeze before, rocking him forward with the sheer force of them.

He’d just barely managed to raise the tissue he’d already soaked before and he kept his face held to it for a moment, cheeks warming. He hated sneezing in front of people, even Jayce. He must sound absolutely disgusting.

But Jayce wasn’t deterred, he reached out a hand to squeeze his shoulder, shifting to get up.

“Bless you, V. I’ll make you some tea and something to eat.”

Vitkro frowned at him. Jayce looked wrecked, dark circles under his eyes, shoulders slumped with exhaustion. He’d already been doing work for the two of them all day in the lab and now he was going to take care of him?

“Jayce, you dod’t–” he started.

But Jayce cut him off, “Vik,” he said firmly, rising from the bed, “Let me do this.”

Viktor sighed wearily, nodding his acquiescence.

Half an hour later, Jayce was back, wobbling through the door with a bowl of soup and a steaming mug of tea. He placed both on the side before slumping back onto the bed beside him.

“Thagk you, babe.” Viktor said softly, reaching over to sip from the tea. The warmth eased the rawness in his throat, shifting some of the mess clogging his sinuses.

“How’s the project?” he asked, glancing at Jayce over the rim of the mug.

Jayce shot him a tired smile. “Should be ready in time I think,” he assured him. He let out yet another yawn, rubbing at his face tiredly.

Fuck he felt awful. Jayce was this tired because of him. Because this measly cold had knocked him into bed for days.

Despite the tea he just couldn't get warm. He felt a full body shiver rattle through him, the mug shaking in his hands.

Jayce immediately took notice, sitting up, eyes searching his face. “V, I think you’re running a fever.”

Viktor exhaled a stuffy sigh, closing his eyes. “Yeh… feels like it.

Jayce frowned, strong forearms making to get up again. “Gimme a sec.”

The exhaustion hanging off of Jayce was tangible now, it was clear he wanted nothing more than to curl up under the blankets with him and yet here he was, pushing himself up wearily

Viktor weakly grabbed for his sleeve. “Jayce, you—”

“Shhh,” Jayce hushed him, prying himself free with gentle hands. “Just stay put.”

A moment later, he returned with a bottle of medicine, placing two tablets in Viktor’s palm, watching as he swallowed them down. His fingers brushed against Viktor’s forehead, and the concern in his face deepened. “Shit, Vik, you’re seriously burning up.”

“Its—hhuuuhh…”

Fuck, it was back again.

Through the consuming sensation, eyes squeezed closed he shakily placed the mug aside. His breath surged in and out as he gasped, hitched, sniffled through the dramatic build up. He was gonna….he was gonna…

“H’uhh’itchuh! ..HH’’ESTCHieww!....hhu-UHHH.”

“Bless you, bless you. Oh, you’re not done.”

“H’’ATSch’uHH!”

Jayce reached over, pressing another stack of tissues in his hand, taking away the used, crumbled ones without a care for the germs coating them.

“Bless you, Vik.”

Viktor mumbled something unintelligible, utterly worn out from the fever racing through him and those drenching sneezes. He sank further into the bed.

Finally, finally, Jayce let himself collapse beside him, tucking himself close, his hand resting lightly against Viktor’s back.

“Rest for a minute,” he murmured, “but then could you try and eat some soup for me?”