imsorryithurts - Tumblr blog

imsorryithurts · 9 days ago

Text

Those Aren't Meant to Bend - Arcane Fanfiction

Summary - one night in the lab goes form seemingly normal to very wrong when an enforcer barges in and informs the two scientists of a break in

or, Jayce whump where someone tries to assassinate him and he gets shot

Relationships - Jayce/Viktor

tags - Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Angst, Jayce Needs a Hug (League of Legends), Jayce Whump (League of Legends), Hurt Jayce (League of Legends), Protective Viktor (League of Legends), Badass Viktor (League of Legends), Gun Violence, Assassination Attempt(s), Blood and Injury, Blood and Violence, Pre-Relationship, Set in Season 01 Between Act 01 and Act 02 (Arcane: League of Legends), Self-Doubt, Self-Worth Issues, because Jayce thinks that viktor is so much better than him so Jayce must be useless in comparison, he's so wrong though the world would collapse without him

word count - 3,313

read on ao3

Notes: ya'll... I wrote this in one sitting... for almost four hours... this shit did not get editing time I am done with it enjoy your typos

The day had started off normal. Jayce woke up to the pitter-patter of rain against his window, trying to lull him back to sleep. The warmth of his covers and the soothing background noise were tantalizing, and he indulged in another half hour of sleep.

He had spent almost all night in the lab, only going home after he had face-planted onto the blueprints he had been working on. He hadn’t had a full night of sleep in ages, and it was all too easy to forget that when he was focused on work.

Despite how hospital his cozy mattress was, he heaved a rough sigh and forced himself to get up. Gods only know how Viktor would react if Jayce ended up being late to the lab again .

He hadn’t meant to make a habit of it, really, it was just so easy to get wrapped up in other things.

Mel had been making him mingle with more investors, preaching how beneficial it would be for Hextech. Who was he to say no to that? Hextech had only just gotten off the ground, and he would bend over backwards to keep it in the air.

Nevertheless, it took its toll on the newly proclaimed Golden Boy (The title left a foul taste in his mouth). He found himself having more and more trouble just getting out of bed. He was starting to debate just sleeping in the lab and waiting for Viktor to throw something at him to wake him up.

With an immense amount of effort, Jayce went through his morning routine, albeit rather sluggishly. He wore the most comfortable clothes he could find that still looked presentable in case of a surprise visit from someone important. He also made sure to spend extra time putting some concealer over the shadows under his eyes.

Afterward, he was off. He walked in a quick gait towards the lab, only stopping once to pick up some coffee and sweetmilk as a peace offering for already being late.

It’s not like they had an actual work schedule, really if either of them decided to take a day off no one could stop them. As long as they got results in time for the next council meeting, they could spend however much time they wanted on Hextech.

Even so, they both silently vowed to work everyday until they found results, and then some. Jayce knew if he was late, Viktor would greet him with a frown and look of mild disappointment. Though, Jayce would be lying if he said he wouldn’t respond similarly if Viktor ever ended up being late, but he would show a teensy bit more concern.

Soon enough, Jayce made it to the lab, its giant, imposing doors stood shut in front of him.

He adjusted his grip on the cup of coffee so as to not burn his hand too badly, and then he pushed open the door.

“Good morning!” He said as cheerfully as he could when he entered. He beelined it for his own desk, setting the coffee down, before Viktor could mutter a response.

“It’s hardly morning anymore,” He grumbled, not looking up from the small device he was working on. Jayce had made the parts for it earlier that week, spending half a day down in the forge. Though, a decent portion of that time was spent working on his own little projects, just to clear his head.

Jayce glanced over to the clock hanging up on the wall. It was barely nine in the morning. He rolled his eyes silently and strode over to Viktor’s desk, setting down the sweetmilk once he was there.

“Well, the line at the coffee shop was a little long,” he lied. Viktor turned to look at him then, his eyes covered by the goggles he wore. He pursed his lips silently. The goggles made him look owlish.

“You slept in.” Viktor said dryly. Not a question, a statement. Because of course Viktor knew that the same coffee shop Jayce went to everyday hardly ever had a line. Jayce couldn’t count the times Viktor had joked that Jayce was the sole person keeping the place in business.

“That obvious?” Jayce asked miserably. He leaned against the desk, peering over to see what Viktor was working on. It was another device, one much like what they used that first, faithful night that helped their dream become feasible.

Viktor hummed in response, turning his head to the side. Jayce let out a disappointed groan and went to his own desk, getting out one of his many notebooks to start working.

The rest of the day went without issue, Jayce only struggling to keep his eyes open a couple of times. Sky was probably the only reason he was still awake though, with how she dutifully brought them coffees whenever she came back into the lab between her classes.

He had been skeptical at first of the new assistant, worried that she would break their work flow, but she was proving more and more useful each day. He was honestly happy to rant to her about the latest goings in Hextech. It was nice to have a fresh pair of eyes too.

By the time She bid them goodnight, there were at least five empty cups of coffee strewn about Jayce's desk. It had to be a record of some kind. Though, Viktor would probably overshadow him soon enough anyway.

He had to admire the man’s determination, it was half of the reason Hextech even existed. Jayce mused that the other half probably had something to do with the way his eyes had practically glowed that night in Jayce’s mangled apartment.

Even now, Jayce couldn’t help but steal glances at his partner, working dutifully on the next thing he deemed important. The device he had been working on this morning had been put together and was sitting at the edge of VIktor’s desk, awaiting testing at a later date.

Jayce glanced back over at the clock. It was about ten, and the sun had set hours ago. He suppressed the urge to yawn from just thinking about the time. How many nights had they both pushed themselves to the limit to get things done? It would probably be easier to count the days that they took off. Jayce doubted he would need more than one hand for that.

The thought of a day off only served to remind Jayce of the bone deep exhaustion coursing through him. He would gladly take a day off, especially with the weather getting colder. He always seemed to shut down during that time of the year, though it wasn’t much of a surprise.

In a split-second decision that he knew he wouldn’t hold himself to later, Jayce decided that after the next council meeting he had to represent Hextech’s progress for, he would take a day for himself. He would go get lunch with Caitlyn, maybe invite Viktor too? Would he like that? Jayce hoped he would be able to convince him to join him, lunch with Viktor sounded nice.

So, lunch with Cait and Viktor if possible. Then what? He could go visit his mom. He hadn’t visited her in a while, and he knew she’d be happy to see him, even if he spent most of the afternoon rambling about what he’s been doing in the lab.

After that he could help his mom cook, he always misses her cooking. Despite the copious pay he was now getting, he still lived a fairly frugal life, not indulging in buying the right ingredients to make a meal that even came close to being as good as his mom’s cooking.

“Jayce?” Viktor’s thick accent cut through Jayce’s thoughts like a warm knife through butter. He blinked several times before turning towards his partner with an answering hum.

“You’ve been staring at the clock for the past five minutes.” Viktor said with a frown. Jayce felt a pit form in his stomach. First he was late, now he could barely go a minute without zoning out.

“Oh, sorry- I was just thinking,” Jayce excused abashedly. He rubbed the back of his neck and flashed Viktor with as good a smile as he could muster.

To his surprise, Viktor put down his pen and turned more directly towards Jayce. He gazed at him from across the lab, leaving Jayce feeling as though he were being studied.

“About what?” Viktor asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

For a moment Jayce was stumped on what to say. In theory, everything he thought of sounded great, something he deserved for how much he had been doing in the name of progress. However, Viktor had been doing more . He had been doing more and hadn’t shown a sign of fatigue.

Could Jayce really ask for a day off when Viktor seemed to scoff at the concept?

“Oh, it’s nothing important,” He decreed. Jayce waved his hand as if he were slapping the thought away.

Really, how could he think he could take a day off? He couldn’t waste a second of working on hextech on a fancy lunch, of all things.

Despite Jayce’s blatant decree that it was nothing of note, this didn’t seem to make Viktor happy. His frown deepened, and he looked down at the floor in disappointment.

Jayce bit his lip to refrain from saying another word. He was just misreading things, Viktor was probably just annoyed that Jayce had wasted their time for nothing. There was work to be done, and here they were talking about his very much not science related thoughts.

“Jayce, you know you can always tal-”

“Mister Talis!” Viktor was interrupted by an enforcer barging into the room. Both of them turned in surprise towards the man. He was in full gear, with a rifle slung around his shoulder and a pistol in his hand.

Jayce stood as the enforcer approached him, a sense of urgency making unease curl in his gut.

“Sir,” the enforcer started, sounding a bit out of breath. Had he run all the way here from his post? “There’s been a break in, just a few floors down.” he started to explain, “I was sent to make sure nothing happened to you.” he stated, nodding towards Jayce, who was beginning to feel more and more overwhelmed.

He opened his mouth, urging words to form, but they seemed lodged in his throat. This enforcer seemed almost scared, the threat was real.

Jayce glanced down at the enforcer’s pistol. His finger was on the trigger, he was expecting to have to fight any second.

Jayce glanced over at Viktor. Viktor was a grounding presence, he always was, and Jayce knew that if anyone could comfort him with their presence alone, it would be Viktor.

He was standing now too. Viktor was tensely leaning on his cane, his knuckles white from the force he was using to hold onto it.

Instead of the grounding presence Jayce so desperately needed at that moment, Viktor only stares at him and the enforcer with a look Jayce never wanted to see on Viktor’s face again.

Then he was yelling. Then Viktor was moving faster than Jayce had ever seen him move, with much more urgency than he ever used more. Jayce half-wondered why he hadn’t even shown that much urgency when the former had been teetering over the edge, arms outstretched and ready to let gravity take him.

Then there was a loud pop , and Jayce was on that ledge again, only gravity took him this time.

It started with a dull ache in his side. When he stumbled backwards, hitting the edge of his desk, it bloomed . He thought he heard someone scream, but maybe that had been him.

His knees gave out, and he fell face-first onto the floor. He was shaking, he didn’t think he could move. Something had hit him, hit him hard enough to incapacitate him.

He blinked slowly, then scrunched his eyes to chase away the dizziness that was muddling his thoughts. He was breathing hard through his mouth, trying to gulp in air that didn’t seem to do anything.

Something wet was on his side, seeping into his clothes. Maybe he spilled his coffee when he fell onto the desk.

There was another pop, and Jayce expected it all to start over again. Another dull ache, then the bloom and the vertigo. Instead, he was met with the same pain as before.

Was that what was happening? Was he in pain? Why, what had happened to him? He was fine seconds ago, just tired. He had been fine. There had even been an enforcer there to keep him and Viktor safe. They had been fine.

He was being moved. A strangled gasp escaped his lips as he was pushed over. He looked up at the ceiling dazedly, trying once again to breathe. He couldn’t.

The shadow of a familiar man loomed over him. The spots dancing across his vision covered his face, but he would know the voice that joined it anywhere. He sounded scared. Jayce didn’t like that. It made him scared too.

Jayce knew he was speaking, but the words wouldn’t process. The spots moved, and Jayce could see Viktor’s face. His beautiful golden eyes that seemed to glow, only now they glowed with the glassy shine of tears. The realization was followed by a drop of water falling on Jayce’s cheek.

He frowned. That wasn’t right. Viktor wasn’t supposed to cry. Why was he crying? Who upset him. Did Jayce make him cry?

Jayce kept staring at Viktor’s eyes, even as the dark spots seemed to grow and multiply. He kept his eyes trained on where Viktor’s eyes had been.

“Vik…” He muttered, surprised to find the single syllable so difficult to say. It made him cough wetly. Something that tasted like copper flicked onto his lips.

“Here, I’m here, Jayce!” Viktor responded, his voice breaking with almost every word. They were the first words that registered for what felt like an eternity.

Even though Viktor was sobbing it, Jayce couldn’t help but smile at hearing his name leave the other man’s lips. He always loved how Viktor said his name, so mundanely, yet it could sound so reverent at times, so adoring.

“Don’t-” Jayce forced out, being cut off by more coughs. They ended in a wheeze. This was something he had to say, though. He had to, even though his brain barely registered what he was saying.

Wasn’t that a scary thought? One of the most important scientists in Piltover, not being able to process his own words. He hoped Viktor would be smart enough for the both of them.

“Don't cry, V,” He urged. Somehow, among the tingling pain that seemed to send waves and waves of stifling pain throughout his entire body, he was able to lift his hand up to Viktor’s cheek. The other man grabbed his hand and held it there tightly.

“Don’t cry,” He whispered, barely loud for him to hear over the constant drumming in his ears.

Jayce lost the little strength he had mustered. His hand fell limp, and Viktor didn’t have to reflexes to stop Jayce’s arm from falling. By the time he turned back to look at Jayce’s face, into his now dull, hazel eyes, they were already shut in what he begged the gods to be unconsciousness.

Jayce woke up to an irritating beeping. When he opened his eyes, he was almost blinded by the white walls and ceiling of the room he was in. He groaned and snapped his eyes shut once more, wincing from the pain.

Everything felt fuzzy. He could hardly recall where he was or why he would be here. The last thing he remembered, he was in the lab with Viktor.

Viktor . Viktor had been crying. He had been crying over him . The thought sent Jayce spiralling.

He opened his eyes again, pushing through the pain of the bright lighting. He surveyed the room more. He was in the hospital, which sent many more alarm bells ringing. The beeping sound got faster.

A hand rested on his shoulder, making Jayce jump. He turned his head quickly to see the man of worries sitting next to his bedside and gazing at him with thinly veiled concern.

“Vik-” He started, breaking off into pained coughs. His throat felt like it had been mangled, along with the rest of his body.

“Easy, Jayce.” Viktor said as he handed him some water. “Your injuries are healed, but you need to take things slow.” he urged. Viktor helped Jayce sit up, flinching as Jayce let out a small, pained whimper.

He watched silently as Jayce drank, then took the cup and set it on the bedside table. There was a small bouquet of flowers there as well.

“Are you okay?” Jayce after a minute. He looked at Viktor tiredly, who only blinked for a moment before looking at Jayce like he was a madman.

“Jayce- you got shot , why in the world would you be asking if I was okay?” He asked incredulously. Jayce saw very little fault in his thinking process. If he got shot, which was a big realization to have after just waking up in a hospital, then of course he would worry about what could have happened to Viktor.

Turns out, not much happened to him. Viktor explained everything to Jayce, who still struggled to keep his eyes open. He explained how the enforcer had shot him, how Viktor then beat the man with his cane as hard as he could, kicking the gun away from him before he could shoot Jayce again .

He then explained how he had shot the man in the leg where he promptly bled out. Which was probably the most surprising part of it all, though Jayce couldn’t say he was much surprised at all. Viktor could be ruthless with his words, who was he to assume that he couldn’t be the same with his cane and a gun.

After that, Viktor trailed off. Jayce leaned back into the mattress with a huff, taking it all in.

“So, someone tried to kill me?” Jayce asked incredulously, turning back to look at Viktor.

“Yes.” Viktor said simply. Jayce let out an amazed exhale. There was no way he was that important for someone to put a hit on him.

“Thank you,” Jayce said after a long moment of silence. “For staying with me.” He smiled softly, squinting his eyes in a loving gaze.

Viktor looked taken off guard for a moment, but he placed a hand on Jayce’s cheek after he took a moment to recover. Jayce leaned into the touch without shame, ignoring how cold Viktor’s fingers were. His eyes fluttered closed as Viktor rubbed his thumb over his cheekbone.

“You should get some rest.” Viktor said, “You still have a lot of recovery to do.” Jayce hummed quietly.

“We should take a day off.” Jayce said tiredly, not opening his eyes. Viktor’s thumb paused in its mapping out of Jayce’s cheek. “Go get lunch together, get some proper food.” He opened his eyes then, taking in Viktor’s astonished expression. Even with the more prominent circles under his eyes, and the puffiness around them, he was beautiful. “You deserve the break.”

“If- if that is what you want, Jayce, I would be happy to go get lunch with you.” Viktor agreed, his lips turning upwards in a smile that made Jayce melt. He thought that he would die happy if he got to see that smile again.

“I do.” he said, without a hint of doubt or apprehension in his voice.

“Go to sleep, moje láska .” Viktor said softly, going back to rubbing his thumb in soothing circles over Jayce’s cheek. Jayce didn’t need to be told twice.

End Notes: tysm to my moots on tumblr that encouraged this, you guy convinced me to finish and post this when i ha honestly planned on it never seeing the light of day… though I did change the original idea of it a lot anyways I named this after the song Oh Klahoma by Jack Stauber because it was stuck in my head when I was writing this and also "those aren't meant to bend" in this sense symbolizes how Jayce isn't meant to overwork himself to the point of exhaustion hope you all have a lovely day and happy new years!!!!

NPT: @imtryinghereplease @whumpedup @ghostlysweetnight

31 notes · View notes