#Let Jayce go FERAL

[aikoiya]

Oooo... This is a fun idea.

It'd also be a great parallel with his family's blacksmithing legacy.

To make good blades, they need to be forged in fire & beaten into something strong.

So since Arcane has completely taken up residence inside my brain rent-free, here's a mini rant:

The fandom is sleeping on the idea of a post-act III Jayce whose need for security and possessive side take hold to a dangerous degree.

To me, Jayce is a character who craves stability which is often at odds with his drive for scientific progress. He wants to do good and make advancements, but gets trapped in pre-existing systems, politics, and the lure of celebrity and creature comforts. He is an individual who wants to make change but does not cope well with the consequences of his actions or shifting environments and dynamics. And we also know he loves those close to him very clumsily and deeply.

Jinx's rocket literally and figuratively impacts ALL of that.

Anyway, all that is to say, give me a fic where Jayce buries Ximena and his self-restraint in the ground alongside her. Give me a fic where Jayce becomes bloodthirsty and vengeful, completely forgetting the child he inadvertently killed at the shimmer factory in favor of raging against those who dared strike at what is HIS. Give me a fic about a Jayce that becomes obsessed with protecting Viktor, Mel, and Caitlyn to an unsettling degree, regardless of what they may want. Give me a fic where Jayce crumbles alongside the council building and rebuilds himself into something sharper and colder.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[kabloomed]

[m0thlegs]

maybe the real Viktor arcane season 2 character arc were the friends we made along the way

[dadsbongos]

hi (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡ i was wondering if it's okay to be a little bit feral about viktor here.,..,., craving him. Carnally

let’s get feral about viktor…  general thots here and then a stupid blurb below the cut

would definitely be into face-sitting: pleasing his partner while laying back. hands free to roam and grope and you get to control the pace. you could grind on his nose and throw your head back and he just gets to listen as you squeal.

also would look so so so good covered in hickies….. purplish love bites decorating his sharp collarbones.. he’d probably let you get away with sucking some up his neck since he’s locked in the lab all day anyway

hngnnnggg he’s gotta be PENT up too. he’s handsome and he knows it, but he went from a studying assistant to a full scientist behind hextech so he pretty much capped himself on sex. so when he gets into it he is. INTO it. so needy and whiny and overstimulates himself to keep fucking you just so he doesn’t have to stop

i want him lol… not laughing

~~ 530 words

his careful and thoughtful inflection, each word he says wrought so particularly that no matter how big the words he uses are -you understand each one perfectly with how he uses it.

which is why you take so much pleasure in finding him tongue-tied next to you. pale cheeks flushing and eyes, so ragged with knowledge, wide chock full of curiosity. you’re sure he hasn’t gotten much attention -- no amount of beauty or charming accent can save a scientist from his own devotion.

he got dragged out to an exhibition gala by jayce and he’s been slick against the wall since arriving. no drink or plate in hand, he simply leans there in a bored silence. which is when the last person he wants to see arrives: you, the new assistant.

you spare no time before saddling up beside him with two champagne flutes. one has a dewy smear of gloss along the rim while you extend the other.

“any commitments tomorrow? or can i finally see the famed hextech let loose?”

viktor eyes the bubbles, dragging his gaze up to your face and halting there for an excruciating second before leaning to grab the glass.

“i was just thinking of leaving,” he admits, “these public showings are not my idea.”

“go figure. i think everyone here’s gathered that.”

“jayce can handle any questions of the evening…” viktor sighs, frowning down at the champagne, “sad that you wasted your time getting me the glass.”

“you know, i do wonder how many girls out in town dream about jayce. he’s the face -a pretty face- for hextech,” viktor raises a brow at you prodding for explanation, “i just don’t understand how they can overlook the brains.”

viktor jumps, gaze startling down to his feet, a stiff response already spilling, “jayce is half the brain, and so am i.”

“then i guess i just need to tell you that i think you’re cute.”

a flurry of excuses storms behind his eyes before he catches his breath, shoulders drooping as he exhales and realizes: he doesn’t have to find an excuse. he doesn’t have to refuse you at all. 

he’s not working tonight. you’re not working. he can’t remember the last time he got to act like a normal man with normal desires rather than fulfilling some vague purpose. an idyllic achievement.

he could just be a man tonight.

so he clinks his glass against yours with a soft smile, “then i’m assuming you’re not busy tomorrow, either?”

“i am not,” you beam, sliding closer toward him.

and good thing; both of you having the next day off means you can pull viktor into your apartment, and then your bed. he lets you guide the night, watching with uncharacteristic amazement as you strip -- he looks so mesmerized his hands clench, itching to scale up your bare sides.

you swing a leg over him when he’s sat against your headboard, “you okay, vik?” he tilts his head only for you to cup his cheeks and keep his head straight, “you’re all flushed.”

“your forwardness,” he blinks up at you, heart thrumming between his ribs, “it scares me.”

“oh?”

“i’ve never been more aroused.”

“oh…”

… in another world i will write a viktor fic with this same premise… it is so. Interesting to me.

[oneoftheextras]

lockjaw | j.t three

masterlist | help me fund my top-surgery?

paring: hybrid puppy!jayce talis x f!reader

request: after a recent breakup you find yourself adopting a hybrid to keep you company, but he's more feral than you can handle

series warnings: 18+, hybrid jayce (ears and tail), slight a/b/o traits (could argue alpha jayce), eventual smut, protective jayce, size difference

words: 7.3k

chapter warnings: size difference, a smidge of hunter/prey, and anxious reader

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five

want a handwritten letter from a character? / join the discord

The following weeks were filled with interviews and background tests in between work shifts; you were mentally and physically exhausted.

The vet had pre-warned you with how many hoops you’d have to jump through, but this was more than you had previously anticipated.

They really weren't joking when they said they don't let just anyone adopt a hybrid.

Today was your home inspection. The whole morning had been spent deep cleaning every inch of your home and making it look like something you'd see walking through IKEA.

Once you were done, your apartment was spotless - a bit too spotless.

You sat down on your couch and shuffled around a bit to make it seem at least like someone lived here.

Admittedly, when they told you they would be visiting your home, you'd spent hours searching the internet for how to make your place more comfortable and appropriate.

Looking at different adoption forums to give you an idea of what the inspectors would look for as hazards and immediately removing them from your home.

Candles were bought, lit and then blown out because you didn't like the scent.

Eventually you baked some cookies and left them in the oven after reading that it was an old realtor trick to make a place seem more homely.

Never before had you made such an effort to make your home so appealing.

There was just enough time to shower and get dressed before they arrived, even then, your hair was still slightly damp at the ends when the first knock hit your door.

You gave it one last ruffle with the towel before you opened the door, not wanting to keep them waiting too long and having your first impression be one of tardiness.

"Hello!" you smiled brightly as you swung the door open, seeing the vet who introduced you to Jayce the first time - you'd come to learn that her name was Dr Nala - with a man you'd never met before. His expression was pretty stern.

She greeted you with the same enthusiasm. As she stepped over the threshold of your apartment, your heart thumped in your chest, this was the last sprint to the finish line.

"Have you been baking?" she asked almost immediately and you tried to hide the grin that crept up on your face, not wanting to seem too keen, "I have!" you confimed.

She nodded and continued to follow you through to the living room area, "I'll admit, I don't think I'm very good at it, but when you follow a recipe it's pretty simple," you rambled nervously.

You gestured to the couch for them to take a seat, "Oh, would you like a drink? Coffee? Tea? Water?" the speed at which you were talking wasn't normal for you, and you had to mentally tell yourself to slow down.

"Water would be lovely," Dr Nala spoke gently, but the man just shook his head no.

Hurrying to the kitchen you grabbed your nicest glass and filled it with water, your had was visibly shaking. Inhaling slowly through your nose and out through your mouth again, you took a second to compose yourself.

They had only just got here, you needed to show them that you were capable of looking after someone else, and you weren't going to do that if you were falling apart already.

"I've got this," you muttered to yourself, "I've got this!" you repeated with more confidence.

Handing her the glass of water and sliding a coaster onto the table in front of her to put the glass on, you took a seat in the armchair adjacent to them.

She eyed the coaster carefully and sipped her water, the silence was killing you.

"Your apartment is lovely," she complimented after she'd swallowed her sip, but you could tell she wasn't done, "Is it always this tidy?" she asked kindly, but bluntly.

You let out a small laugh, but when you realised it was a serious question your mind went into overdrive - what was the correct answer?

"For the most part," you settled on, "I try to keep it clean as much as I can, but I'm not obsessed with it being like this all the time," you said with honesty.

The man, who was yet to speak or introduce himself, started taking notes and your heart dropped. That must've been a wrong answer.

"But I'm not a slob or anything!" you quickly redacted what you said, trying to make up for any blunder you'd already made.

"May we have a look around?" Dr Nala asked politely, and you didn't know if you were thankful or not that she didn't address what you'd said.

The speed at which you stood up was too-eager, "Of course!".

'Chill, you need to chill!' Your inner monologue screamed at you.

The two stood almost in unison and followed you out of the room, "As I said to you when we first met, it's nothing big or fancy, just a one-bed apartment," you showed them your bedroom first.

They glanced around the room; one starting with the left-hand-side and the other starting with the right, meeting in the middle at some point to cross over - whilst you stood awkwardly with your arm out like you were presenting a gameshow prize.

"So, this is my bed, obviously," you tried to make it humorous but were really worried it didn't come across that way.

Dr Nala hummed, "Have you thought about where Jayce would sleep?" she turned to you, giving you her full attention and awaited your answer.

"Uh-" you started. No, you hadn't. You'd been panicking so much about passing all these exams that you hadn't given it a moments notice, "-Wherever he wants, I guess?" you couldn't have sounded more unsure.

A dog bed just felt wrong and dehumanising. Yes, technically he was going to be your 'pet', but imagining him trying to curl up on one of those small circular beds on the floor didn't sit right with you.

The idea of finding one big enough to fit him was even worse.

She raised an eyebrow at you, and you knew for sure that wasn't the right answer to give.

"I mean, honestly, I thought he'd like the couch. It's pretty comfortable, and a lot of my research said that's what hybrids prefer!" you began to ramble again.

She watched you as you spoke, "I guess, my plan was to ask him the next time I saw him." you confessed, "And if he didn't like what I have here already then we'd go together to get something he did like," you were thinking aloud and for once you weren't trying to think of the perfect answer.

"Your research?" she repeated your words back to you and you felt a pang of embarrassment. "Yeah! I've been looking up things when I've had the time, to make sure I know what I'm doing before he-" you stopped yourself, "If, he gets here," you corrected.

She stared at you for a moment before admiring your bedroom again, "You care a lot," she commented and left the room, showing herself the rest of your home.

She walked into the bathroom, there was a shower-bath and the essentials with a small roof window for ventilation.

"Is this the only bathroom?" she pointed at nowhere in particular inside the room, "Uh-huh," you nodded, but when she didn't say anything else and simply left, you wondered if one bathroom was enough.

Finally, they moved into the kitchen, observing the area the same way they had every other room.

There was an island in the centre that doubled up as a table with the high stools you'd put there.

"Have you thought about meals?" she asked as her small heels made a clicking sound against the tiles.

It was strange to think that this woman was the same person who had been so excited to show you the hybrids in the first place.

"Yeah, protein is a priority but he'd be able to eat the same things as me as long as it's balanced correctly," you practically regurgitated a sentence that you'd seen online.

She nodded slowly, "He does have his likes and dislikes-" she started to say but you interrupted her, "-I know," you opened a draw and pulled out a notebook where you'd copied the things he didn't like from the file she gave you and slid it across the counter to her.

The pair shared a glance as she read your notes.

"Okay, well we wont take up any more of your time," she smiled again, and the suddenness of their departure made your heart sink, it couldn't be a good sign.

You hurriedly put the notebook back into your draw, "Is it okay? My home I mean?" you were speaking quickly again, "Is it suitable? I know it's small, and he's, well, big, but there's a park close by and I need to get out mor-", she interrupted you by saying your name before you started to spiral too much.

"The main purpose of these visits is to make sure the home is safe and welcoming, the main factor being the person living in it," she chuckled, her pleasant demeanour returning.

She tapped her fingers on the counter delicately and glanced around the room, "It's evident that you care a lot, and want the best for him, and that is the most important thing. I have no doubt he will be very happy here with you,".

"Does that mean I'm approved?" you held your breath, "Well, there's paperwork to fill in, but I see no reason why he wouldn't-", "-thank you, thank you, thank you," you shamelessly jumped off of the floor with excitement.

There were happy tears building up in your waterline that you hadn't expected to be there, just over a month ago you had no clue that Jayce existed, now you were the happiest you'd been in a long time.

"Don't thank us, thank you for giving him a second chance," her tone was kind and full of sincerity.

"Could I try one of those cookies?" the man who'd been taking notes finally spoke. You laughed and nodded, wiping at your eyes to make sure you wouldn't actually cry, and plated the cookies that were still sat in the oven.

He ate one happily and hummed to show his enjoyment. Goodbyes were said and they promptly left, taking the anxiety and weight of the encounter off of your shoulders with them.

The following days were torture. A monotonous cycle of getting up, going to work, spending the evening alone, going to bed and repeating.

Wednesday was the day you were bringing him home.

They'd suggested you visit him one more time so you could let him know the good news yourself, but your workload had increased tenfold due to someone being on maternity leave.

Oftentimes you were working through your lunch break, and the sanctuary didn't allow visits after 6pm.

However, you'd booked Wednesday off as holiday and you were collecting him at 4pm, giving you most of the day to buy some last minute things.

By the time you'd done all of your shopping and put it in the right place inside your home, it was almost time to leave.

All too eager to see him again, you left early - driving perhaps a little too fast along the roads, you made one stop along the way, but you made it there safely.

"Hello, I'm here for-" you started as you walked into reception but they were already expecting you, "-Big day today!" the male vet from your last visit brimmed with excitement.

You chuckled at his enthusiasm and nodded, swallowing back how nervous you were.

He lead you through the corridors that were all too familiar to you at this point, but you took a new turn away from the sanctuary you were used to.

The delay in your footsteps as you slowed at the corner you normally took didn't go unnoticed by him, "He's not in there," he called from the other hallway.

Twisting your head back in the other direction, you continued to follow him, "We have a different pick up point for the ones leaving us, it would be too distressing for them and the other residents to do it in the communal area," he explained.

"Yeah, that makes sense," you shook your head, annoyed at yourself that there was yet another thing you didn't think of, but you didn't have time to self-scold.

He stopped at a singular white door and you felt like your lungs had rolled themselves up like when you're trying to get the last bits of toothpaste out of the tube, all ability to breathe was gone.

The vet grinned at you as he pushed open the door, allowing you to step in first.

For a second you thought your knees were going to give out on you. You couldn't remember the last time you were this nervous.

What if he didn't want to go with you? What if he didn't like you as much as you liked him? What if they were forcing him to leave so they could say they were able to get the feral hybrid adopted?

You shook your head to try and get rid of the bad thoughts but they swam around in your brain like algae in a pond, clinging to every surface.

When you finally entered the room he was in the corner next to the window overlooking the parking lot with his arms folded across his chest, he'd watched you arrive.

"Hey," you spoke softly and made sure your tone was as friendly as it could possibly be to not startle him.

He turned his head towards you and the side of his mouth twitched upwards into a smile for just a second, and you felt a tiny piece of worry fall from the mountain you'd created.

"I assume you know why I'm here?" you queried and slowly approached him, he nodded and his tail swished slowly behind him, but the vet vocally responded for him, "Oh yes, we told him yesterday!", causing his tail to stop just as quickly as it had started.

His interruption irritated you. There was a small part of you that wanted to remind him that you hadn't asked him.

Instead, you tried to not let him sour this moment and kept your focus on Jayce. Watching his body language and facial expressions intently for any signs of discomfort or distress.

"Are you okay with it?" you asked him quietly, your voice unintentionally more hushed than usual so though you were trying to make sure that your words only fell on his ears.

He gazed at you, not really giving too much of an indication of a reply to your question; he seemed somewhat indifferent to the idea.

The pang in your chest returned, it felt like your muscles were closing in around your heart - squeezing just enough to allow it to keep beating but hard enough to make it hurt.

Was this your sign that he didn't like you? That he didn't want to leave?

You shuffled forward but made sure to keep your distance, "If home isn't with me, that's okay," you focused on keeping your voice strong and confident, but couldn't tell if you were failing.

One of his ears perked up when you said 'home', leaving the tips to bounce at the sudden muscle movement.

You noticed it but didn't want to give yourself any false hope, instead you let the sensation flutter across your chest.

"I'd really like it if you did," the sleeve of your hoodie was suddenly very interesting. "But it's your choice," if you were paying attention to him, you would've noticed how his eyebrows lost their tension at the sound of your sincerity.

Inhaling, you braved meeting his eye, "Do you want to come home with me?".

His ear twitched again but other than that his expression remained unchanged, until he nodded.

It was subtle and quick; down and up, down and up, but it was certain.

You exhaled and felt instantly lighter, "I'm glad," you tried to let yourself relax, the first hurdle was done, "Where are your things?". Other than him and the empty table and chairs, the room was barren.

"He doesn't have any belongings," the annoying observer said from the corner he was lurking in, "What do you mean? He has clothes and...", you stopped to think, "What about his chess set?".

"They're property of the sanctuary, they can't go with him," he smiled, but that was the last thing you wanted to do in this moment.

With gritted teeth, you glanced between Jayce and the vet. Apart from the basic necessities to survive, he truly didn't have anything to hold onto here.

How could you have been so ignorant to ask him if he was happy here before? How could he be? The entire structure was a constant reminder that nothing he touched was his to keep. That it could be taken away at the click of someone else's fingers.

Even his own freedom was not his.

That stopped today. You'd make sure of that.

"What about his boat?", "What boat?". The desire to lose your temper was strong, but you knew that would get you nowhere.

"The boat that he made with Viktor?" there was a new tension to your voice that he should've taken for a warning, but unfortunately, he was as oblivious as he was ignorant.

His eyes found the corner of the room as he feigned thought, "I don't recal-", "It's on the top shelf of the cabinet closest to the door," you didn't allow him space to speak.

The look you gave him dared him to try and dispute it with you, "Once we have that, we'll be out of your hair," you forced the polite and soft lint to your voice.

He opened his mouth to speak, but his eyes drifted to the shadow behind you and it promptly closed. He managed to mutter a simple, "I'll take a look," before he left the visiting room.

The air felt calmer now that he was out of sight, but that creeping feeling of anxiety clawed it's way up your throat as you realised that Jayce had witnessed that whole scene.

"I'm sorry," you turned your body to face him but still avoided his eye - instead finding an interest in the scuffed up black brogues he wore, "I'm not usually like...that," you tried to explain, "I just know it means a lot to you and I couldn't stand the idea of them keeping it,".

Jayce observed you as you spoke. He felt no malice in your words, not even when you were addressing the man who made his ears hurt.

He noticed how you rubbed your own arm for comfort, and how you avoided eye contact with him - he wasn't surprised, most people did. He wished you wouldn't; your eyes were kind.

When you found the ground more interesting than him, he resided to the window. All he could do now was wait.

"This one?" broke the silence, alongside the sound of the door swinging shut.

The vet was holding the mechanical boat between his fingers by a thin part of the mast, and a part of you knew he was doing it on purpose.

"Yes, that's it, thank you!" you quickly took it out of his grasp and nestled it into your own like a baby bird that you'd found injured on the ground - like it was the most precious thing in the world.

The sooner you removed Jayce from this building the better.

Something that hadn't exactly crossed your mind was how he would be on the journey home.

You took the lead with him trailing behind you at a larger distance than you'd hoped for, you suppose it was natural for him to be uneasy being outside. It wasn't clear as to whether the vets let them go outside of the sanctuary.

Someone like Jayce probably wasn't given that luxury, with his size and obvious athletic build, they would stand no chance of getting him back if he decided to run.

Influenced by your own train of thought, you peered over your shoulder half-expecting him to not be there anymore. Much to your joy, he was.

Opening the door to your car for him and waiting for him to catch up to you, the thought occurred to you; had he ridden in a car before?

Surprisingly, he sat down in the passenger seat with no issue. Apart from having to duck quite significantly to not hit his head.

Once you'd taken your own seat and closing the door softly, he mirrored your movements, clicking his own door shut.

His nose twitched as he scanned his surroundings. There was a sweet smell that tingled his nostrils and filled his senses, but he couldn't place it.

He checked the seats behind him but it wasn't coming from there. The space between his eyebrows wrinkled in frustration at not being able to locate the scent, it was surrounding him.

"I, uh-" your voice drew him out of his search, "I got you coffee on the way here," you were holding up a light brown cup and he noticed that there was an identical cup in the holder separating your legs from his.

He wrapped his fingers around it and accepted the gift, the cup seemingly significantly smaller in his hand compared to yours.

"I'm sorry if it's cold, we were a little longer than I thought we'd be," he lifted the lid of the cup and appreciated the remnants of an intricate flower design in the foam, parts of it had dissolved whilst it had sat in the car.

He inhaled above the liquid, the scent not dissimilar to the one that clouded his brain, but there were elements missing. As if this was one ingredient in the recipe.

He tentatively sipped the coffee, it was luke-warm, but he didn't mind - it was a gift from you.

The butterflies in your stomach fluttered up into your chest as you watched him; his eyes closed and enjoying his drink. You'd had the coffee the sanctuary offered, and it wasn't good. So, you wanted to treat him to something of quality to start your journey together off on the right foot.

When he stopped for breath you chuckled at the milky foam that had clung to the ends of his moustache, the pleasant sound of your laugh turning his attention to you.

"There's- you've got a little bit there," you tapped your top lip and he quickly wiped it with the back of his hand, missing some bubbles.

Subconsciously, you picked up a napkin and reached for him, intending to clean up the patches he'd missed but he moved back sharply, his ears pressed flat against his head and eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Your breath caught in your throat, a wave of guilt crashing over you. Instead, you left your hand in the air, presenting the napkin for him to take.

"Sorry," you muttered as he slowly took the napkin from in-between your fingers and wiped his mouth.

Be mindful. Let him come to you.

When he seemed to be back to the picture of indifference that you'd come to know, you started the car with a rumble and scrolled through your phone for music to put on for the drive home.

What would he even want to listen to? Did he like music?

Overthinking was going to be the death of you, and you hadn't even tackled getting home yet.

Hitting play, you let shuffle decide for you as you reversed out of the parking lot.

Approximately 10 seconds into the song Jayce leaned over to where your phone was in the holder and pressed the pause icon, the tip of his sharp nail making a pleasant sound against the glass of your phone.

With your concentration being on not hitting any of the other parked cars, or running someone over, you didn't have the opportunity to watch what he was doing.

When the song started from the beginning again, then abruptly stopped and a new song started playing, you knew he'd figured out what each button did.

He eventually settled on a slower song with quieter female vocals and leaned back again, placing his coffee cup into the holder next to yours, and you were on your way home.

The time was closer to 5:15pm and with the colder weather seeping in, it was getting darker earlier than usual, but it worked in your favour as somehow you'd timed this journey almost perfectly.

Whilst you couldn't enjoy the scenery as much as you would've liked to, the orangey-yellow hue of the setting sun traced over the road and cars in front of you.

When you eventually hit the rush-hour traffic and your car became stationary in the line of other vehicles just wanting to get home after a long days work, you allowed yourself to take in the world around you.

It wasn't anything too glamourous, and you'd driven along this road multiple times in the past, but somehow it felt different this time.

The city skyline was silhouetted by the backdrop of the golden hour sun, leaving nothing but tall blacked-out shapes for you to view. It was as if someone had stolen an oil painting and pinned it to the outside of your window.

But the vision that caught your eye was Jayce.

His eyes were closed so gently you may have thought he'd fallen asleep if not for his fingers tapping his thigh to the beat of the music playing. The sun rays were trailing through the glass of the window and laying delicately across his face, highlighting freckles that you hadn't noticed before.

He was at peace, basking in the last pieces of warmth this day had to offer him, and for once his face was relaxed - no scowl or caution on his features.

How long had it been since he'd been allowed a moment of tranquillity to truly appreciate something so minimal, something that you'd taken for granted?

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted the line of cars starting to move forward again and you debated whether you should hold up the traffic so he could stay like that for just a little while longer, but the honking of horns wasn't worth it.

The car slowly started to move again and, as you'd expected, he opened his eyes at the sensation - for a second you caught how the sunlight refracted in his irises, illuminating the colour to create the illusion of liquid gold.

You wished you could admire them for longer, but with home so close, you didn't want to shatter the moment.

Unlocking the front door was proving to be the hardest task yet. Your hand would not stop shaking.

The constant tremble that plagued your wrist and fingers made it almost impossible to slide the key into the lock.

Did you tidy everything up before you left? What if he didn't like the space?

Well, he'd just climbed three flights of stairs with you and didn't seem the slightest bit out of breath, so he could always run away if he was that offended by your interior decorating.

The door creaked as you held it open for him, "This is us," you said in the softest voice you could muster - the word 'us' felt foreign on your tongue.

He jutted his chin forward, gesturing for you to enter first. Maybe he was just being cautious?

You walked into your apartment the same way you had every day for as long as you'd lived here, putting your bag down on the table and turning towards him.

He stood in the doorway unmoving, his shoulders and the top of his head almost touching the frame, surveying the room with hooded eyes.

Your best guess would've been that he was checking for any dangers, or simply mustering up the courage to breach the threshold of his new home.

His eyes met yours and you realised you were staring. That probably wouldn't help encourage him.

"Take your time, I need to get something," you tried to hold your head high and straighten your back as if the weight of worry wasn't compressing your spine.

You stepped out of his line of sight and into the hallway that connected to your bedroom and bathroom. Turning right, you chose the former - you'd have to remember to close your door when you slept from now on.

A quick inhale to try and starve off the nerves that lingered, then you picked up a pile of things you'd purchased earlier in the day.

There was a doubt in your head that if you glanced towards the front door that it would still be open but the doorframe empty. If you didn't look then, if you were right, you could live in ignorance.

You exited your bedroom and turned left towards the living room again, but hit a solid wall and stumbled backwards - it was your fault for keeping your eyeline on the things in your arms.

A stupid thought created an unnecessary fear of your own front door and had caused you to slam into a building structure that had been there for a year.

But you hadn't. When your eyelids opened from the shock, you were exactly where you thought you'd be - your back on the floor, staring up at the ceiling of your hallway.

Jayce stood as the blockade between yourself and the living room. He glanced down at you with a cocked eyebrow and a crinkled nose of confusion. He'd followed you once you were out of sight and just so happened to collide with you.

With him staring down at you from such a height, you understood why the other hybrids at the sanctuary didn't invade his space. He was intimidating, even if he wasn't trying to be.

His shadow cast over you and shrouded you with ease, and his bright eyes pierced through the darkness like the sight on a gun lining up it's target.

Your chest moved up and down rapidly, your mouth going dry, the familiar feeling of inferiority fell over you the same way it had when you were playing chess against him.

He stepped forward and your breath hitched in your throat, images of his sharp canines and pointed nails flashed in front of your eyes - was this the type of mistake you heard about in true crime podcasts?

He saw the glossy fear in your eyes. He saw it in a lot of people, he'd become accustom to the gaze of alarm staring back at him.

Something about that tension in your eyes, paired with how helpless and small you were on the ground made his heart beat harder and his mouth salivate. For what reason? He was unsure.

He shook his head - his fluffy ears waving with the motion - and he averted his gaze as he lowered himself to the ground, bending at the knees until he knelt on them.

As his shadow shrunk so did your worry. You were unable to move for longer than you would've liked, it reminded you of a rabbit in headlights.

When he started to pick up the pieces of clothing and paper bags you'd dropped you finally snapped out of it, getting up off your back and helping him collect the discarded objects.

"T-Thank you," it came out as a tremble so you cleared your throat.

He didn't hand you the things, instead he backed out of the hallway and stepped to the side so you could pass.

You shuffled past him and gently dropped everything onto the couch, "These are actually for you!".

The assortment laid in a mess on the couch so you tidied them into piles as you spoke, "I didn't know what you'd like, or what would fit you, so I had to guess," you placed the clothes onto one cushion, and the paper bags on the other.

He picked up one of the tops you'd bought for him and held it up, by visuals alone it seemed like it would fit him. He pinched the fabric of the white button-up shirt he was wearing and looked at you.

"You don't have to wear them if you don't want to!" you stepped back from the couch to give him some space, "But I thought you'd like to have a change of clothes, something more comfortable," you called behind you as you entered the kitchen.

It was getting late; you were slightly hungry, and you weren't sure when he last ate so you pre-heated the oven and got to work.

After around thirty minutes of quiet - apart from the sound of the oven humming and water boiling - you grew worried.

You were sure he would be okay, but were you doing the right thing by leaving him to his own devices so soon after he got here?

Most of the forums and blogs you'd read told you that it was best to let them find their own way around the home. In some cases they recommended isolating them to one room until they were used to the smells and sounds of their new home.

Jayce was intelligent, which was great but it causes other problems to arise.

He'd picked up on things just from simply observing you doing them once, whether you were aware of it or not. Which posed the question of, was he like other hybrids?

Would keeping him in your living room for a few days be helpful, or would that freak him out- no. You promised yourself and him that he would have his freedom, which meant he could go where ever he wanted when he wanted.

Once you'd plated the food and slid it over to the counter where the stools were, you thought you'd better go and find out what he was doing and why the apartment was so quiet.

"Jayce?" your voice carried through the hall and hit his ears like a song. It was the first time you'd called him by his name, and he wanted to hear it again.

It wasn't condescending or overly high pitched like how the vets would say his name, you said it with sincerity and kindness. One he didn't hear very often be associated with himself.

When you found him still in the living room, you were greeted by the sight of his bare back, toned and muscular with scars scattered over the tanned skin. "Oh, I'm sorry!" you apologised for the fourth time today.

Your hands shot up to your eyes to give him some privacy, and you turned around leaving almost as quickly as you'd entered, "Foods ready, it's in the kitchen whenever you're done!".

Eventually, he joined you in the kitchen, having now put on a plain black t-shirt and changed into jeans instead of the tattered white shirt and suit trousers he'd arrived in.

As he entered the kitchen you noticed he was holding one of the t-shirts you'd bought for him. It was a light grey long sleeved polo. His eyes flitted up to yours as he handed it to you sheepishly.

You cocked your head with confusion and looked at the fabric, "Did you not like this one?" you asked as he slinked onto the stool in front of one of the plates.

"I didn't know what you liked-" you held up the polo in front of you and stopped mid-sentence when you realised why he had handed it back to you, and more importantly, why he was being avoidant.

There was a tear across the chest, the soft fabric frayed as evidence of a battle lost against a muscular build.

"That's okay!" you tried to hide the chuckle that wanted to leave you, "At least I know what size not to get you from now,". He visibly relaxed, his shoulders lowered as they lost some of their tension.

You folded up the shirt and put it on the counter next to your phone. Sewing it up was always an option, or you could rip it into pieces and use it as dish cloths?

He seemed more comfortable now, chewing on the chicken you'd made slowly as if he was savouring the texture and flavour with every bite.

Despite his nature, he slowly and cleanly ate the food you'd prepared, there was no trepidation about using cutlery either. So you were beginning to wonder if he was actually as feral as the vet had described.

The atmosphere was pleasant. For once you weren't unhappy with someone else being in your space, normally you'd be relatively uncomfortable when another person invaded your home, but there was a familiarity with Jayce.

Other than his large frame being slightly out of place at your counter, it was as if he'd always been there, part of the furniture.

Your train of thought was disrupted by the sound of your phone vibrating across the hard counter top.

The screen lit up with a name you were sure you wouldn't see again, it stopped you in your tracks like flashbang. "I-" you started to say, as if talking to the inanimate object would make it stop.

With a slightly raised heartrate you reached a shaky hand out and tapped the red 'hang up' circle.

Why was he calling you? You'd made it pretty clear that you didn't want any further contact with you after what he'd done, but you couldn't bring yourself to block his contact at the time, and evidentially, you'd forgotten.

Without realising it, you'd been staring at your phone for a good minute before you came back to the present.

You finally tore your eyes away from the screen, "How's the food?" you managed to say, but any sort of response Jayce could've give you was cut short by the annoying buzzing noise echoing on the polished wood.

Jayce's ears flattened against the back of his head at the intrusive sound, and you blinked in semi-disbelief and semi-irritation.

You pressed the hang up button more aggressively, swiped the screen down to turn it onto do not disturb, and placed your phone face down.

"Go away," you whispered to yourself, and Jayce's left ear twitched forward at the hushed tone of your voice.

You stabbed your fork into your food harshly and put it into your mouth, chewing it as you leaned your cheek on your fist.

Thoughts of the past crept their way into your mind, and it was noticeable on your face. You were so occupied with internal questions that you didn't notice Jayce staring at you.

A low huff came from across the table and you looked up at the sound. He was regarding you expectantly; his amber eyes hard and waiting.

"What?" you mumbled with your mouth still full of food. His eyes darted to your phone and then back to your face, and you knew what he was asking, but you weren't sure if you wanted to go there tonight.

Inhaling deeply, you thought about how to respond, "It's nothing," you waved your hand and glanced back down at your almost-empty plate.

He tapped the space on the counter between your plates and twisted his hand to point two fingers upwards towards his face, silently saying, 'Look at me,".

It worked as you re-met his gaze, his stare was still intense but there was a note of curiosity? No, concern perhaps? It was hard to read him.

"Okay, it's not nothing," you sighed, "I'll explain it to you some day, but not tonight, please," you struggled to hold his eye contact, but your response seemed to sedate him as he nodded and returned to his food.

Once you'd finished your meal you put the dishes in the sink and realised it was much later than you thought. "I guess I should give you a quick tour," you laughed as he stayed sat at the counter.

"Obviously this is the kitchen-dining area-" you waved your arm across the room, "-the plates, mugs, and glasses are in here," you opened and closed one of the cupboard door to show him.

"Dry food in here, if you ever get hungry and want a snack," you did the same with the cupboard next to it. "Pots and pans in there," you pointed at one of the lower doors, then to the one next to it, "Cleaning supplies,".

"Fridge, and oven," you put your palm against each metal surfaces respectively, then started walking out of the room, waving for him to follow you, which he did.

He followed you through the living room and into the bathroom, "There's only one bathroom, and unfortunately there's no lock-" you half-closed the door to show him that you weren't lying, "-So, I guess we can have a rule where if the door is closed then don't go in?" you shrugged as you thought out loud, "Or, knock?".

He seemed to understand what you were saying, so you started to head back to the living room, but stopped at your bedroom.

"This is my room-" you reached around the door frame and switched on the light, and realised that you hadn't actually tidied it before his arrival, "-you can come in here if you want, but you probably wont need to," you turned the light off again before he could fully register how messy it was.

Moving back into the living room to grab the blankets and pillows you'd bought for him, "That's everything! I know it's pretty small but it's cosy," you ran your hand nervously over the fluffy brown fabric.

It was complete coincidence, but the blanket you'd bought him was the same shade as his ears and tail.

Extending it out for him to take, you looked up at his face, "I didn't know how or where you'd want to sleep, but the living room is yours," when he took the bedding, you rubbed the back of your neck.

"We can get a different couch if it isn't comfortable, or one of those pull out ones that turn into a bed," you rambled as you mimed what you were describing.

He just stood, holding the bedding, watching you word-vomit to him. He didn't wait for you to stop talking before he started to set up the couch as his bed for the night, and you took that as a sign to stop talking.

It had been a long day filled with new experiences, he was probably very tired.

"I'm going to leave you to it and get ready for bed, there's a toothbrush and stuff for you in the bathroom, use whatever you want," you pulled at the sleeves of your sweater for comfort.

This was the first time you had a guy stay over, granted the situation was vastly different from the usual circumstances someone would think of if you said there was a man staying the night.

But this one was here to stay. It was his home too now, and things were most certainly going to be different from this point on.

"Goodnight, Jayce," you smiled at him softly and gave him space to take everything in. You just hoped he'd be happy here with you.

taglist:

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[hy6erion]

𝐉𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐤 (∩︵∩)

⇢ 𝐟𝐞𝐦! 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐝𝐧𝐢, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭, 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝 𝐣𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 (𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬), 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭, 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 ,,𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲" (𝐢'𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲)

𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐲. 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫

Jayce Talis is big, and he knows it. He knows he stretches you past your limit, knows your tight little pussy can barely take him, and he lives for it— the way you tremble underneath him, the way your breath hitches when he presses his thick cock against your entrance, the way you whimper when the blunt head pushes inside, splitting you apart.

Too Big, Too Thick, and He Wants You to Feel Every Inch

He takes his time at first—lets you feel the ache of him stretching you open, his cock pressing against your walls inch by inch, your body struggling to take him. "Shit, baby, you're so tight—" His fingers dig into your thighs, his voice rough he forces himself deeper, groaning as your walls squeeze around him "Fuck, look at you-already shaking, and I'm not even all the way in."

And when you whimper, when you clutch at his shoulders, shaking your head, babbling that he's too big—he just grins. "C'mon, baby, you can take it. Let me make you feel full."

Holds You Down So You Can't Escape the Stretch

The second he bottoms out, his hips flush against yours, he stills. Just lets you feel it, feel how deep he is, feel how he's stuffing you so full you can barely breathe. "Mmm, fuck-look at you, baby. So fucking stretched, so full-you feel that? Feel me all the way in your fucking stomach?" He presses a big, warm hand to your lower belly, groaning when he feels himself inside you, thick and deep, your walls fluttering around him. "Shit, baby, I'm wrecking you, huh?"

And when you try to squirm, try to pull back even an inch, his grip tightens. "Nah, baby. You wanted me to fuck you like this, right? So take it.”

Fucks You So Deep It Knocks the Air Out of You

Once he starts moving? You're done.

Jayce doesn't hold back-doesn't care that his cock is too big for you, that every thrust forces your walls to stretch even wider, that every deep, brutal snap of his hips has you gasping, hands scrambling for something to hold onto.

"Ohhh, baby-fuck, you feel that? So fucking deep" He loves the way you whimper, loves the way your body clenches down on him, loves the way he can see himself splitting you apart, your pussy stretched tight around his thick cock. "Fuck, look at this little cunt -gripping me like you don't wanna let me go."

Loves Watching You Struggle to Take It All

Jayce knows he's too big, and it drives him crazy seeing you try to take him-seeing the way your eyes roll back, the way your mouth falls open, the way your body shakes from the effort of taking his cock so fucking deep. "Ohhh, baby-shit, you're struggling, huh?" He watches your pussy stretch around him, his cock bulging against your stomach with every deep thrust, and it makes him feral. "You were made for this, baby. Made to take me—look at how perfect this pussy is, stretching just for me."

And when you start babbling-"Too much, Jayce, too big, I can't-"—he just groans, slamming his hips forward, making you scream. "Ohh, baby, yes you can. You can take it."

Won't Stop Until You're Crying on His Cock

You're a mess-tears pricking at your eyes, thighs shaking, body wrecked-but Jayce? He's not done. He loves seeing you like this, so fucked out you can barely think, your pussy stretched so wide around him that it looks like you can't possibly take anymore. "Mmm, fuck, look at you— so wrecked for me, baby. You love this, don't you? Love getting split open on my thick fucking cock?" He grinds his hips, forcing himself even deeper, watching as you wail, body arching, completely at his mercy.

"Yeah, baby-fucking take it. Take every inch."

Fucks You Until You're Gushing

And then he really ruins you. His thrusts get sharper, meaner, his fingers finding your clit, rubbing fast, rough circles as his cock slams against that perfect little spot inside you. "Gonna make you cum for me, baby-gonna make you squirt all over this fucking cock-" And you do-your whole body snapping tight, a choked, wrecked scream breaking from your lips as you gush around him, soaking his cock, your thighs, the sheets.

"Fuuuck-look at that, baby-so fucking messy-" But he doesn't stop. Keeps fucking into you, forcing more out of you, watching with wide, hungry eyes as you drip for him, your body spasming, completely ruined.

"Shit, baby, this pussy was made for me."

Fills You Up Until You Can't Hold Anymore

Jayce is losing it-his thrusts getting erratic, his hands gripping your hips so hard they'll bruise, his breath coming out in rough, wrecked groans.

"Ohhh, fuck, baby-gonna cum-gonna fill you up—" His hips snap forward, cock buried so deep inside you he's pressing against your cervix, and then he's spilling inside you, moaning like he's falling apart, his cum flooding your pussy, filling you up so full you swear you can feel it.

"Mmm, fuck, baby-so much-" And when he pulls out? His cum is dripping out of you, leaking down your thighs, making a mess of the sheets. But he just grins, fingers gathering the slick, shoving it right back inside you. "Uh-uh, baby. We're not wasting this."

And then he slides back inside, still hard, groaning at the sloppy mess between your thighs, the way your pussy is still fluttering around him.

"One more, baby. Just one more. Let's see if I can really split you apart."

[avelera]

Okay so I recently got low-key obsessed with Jayvik and I’ve been liking your posts about them (top tier analysis btw). Anyway I’m curious about your opinions on a couple of things:

If Jayce’s love language is physical touch, what do you think Viktor’s love language is?

What do you think the Anomaly actually is? My headcanon is that it’s caused by all the paradoxes/timelines that Mad Wizard Viktor keeps making, but idk why it would only be under the Hexgates.

Hmm, when taking into account that the love languages thing is basically horoscopes for real people, but they may have informed how the characters were written, I'd say:

1 ) I completely agree that Jayce's love language is physical touch. That much is obvious.

Viktor's love language is Quality Time - that would explain why he starts getting irritated and hurt with Jayce near the end of S1 and why he's so moved and touched by them solving equations and spending time together pre-time skip. Actually, so much of Viktor's attitude towards Jayce is explained by him seeing Quality Time as a love language it's actually making me a bit dizzy, I need to think about this a lot more because I think this might have cracked something for me...

2 ) Hoooo boy, I actually have an answer for what the Anomaly is in my mind, but it's a lot less character driven and a more metaphysics driven because I was feral about Arcane S1 before I had anyone else to talk to about it online and I've spent a lot of time thinking about Hextech and Shimmer. OK, here goes:

Hextech is an axiomatic (lawful) channeling of forces of nature, namely magic. However, magic to stay pure and reliable requires an anarchic (chaotic) AND the axiomatic (lawful) balancing act for each use of its power if it's to stay "pure" and reliable. Otherwise, you invite chaos in. Namely, the Anomaly.

In addition, every use of magic/the Arcane puts off a certain amount of "car exhaust" for every use, this allows it from a Doylist perspective to be a climate change metaphor but it does go deeper than that and follows its own magical rules. If you look closely, overuse of Hextech always puts off smoke. Early uses don't do so as much, though. In my opinion, each puff of that "smoke" adds to a potential Anomaly.

Now if you're good at magic, and skilled with it, say if you're good mage, as seen with The Mage / Viktor in 1.02, you make a point of scooping up up all the exhaust from any use of rune magic and pouring it back into the spell.

Look at how the mage scoops up all the exhaust coming out of the spell here and weaves it back into the spell!

Hextech doesn't bother to do that! Because Jayce doesn't fundamentally understand that advanced level of magic! He just keeps calling on its energy without dealing with the output of smoke/chaos/Anomaly fumes so it's just hanging in the air.

By the way, all the smoke in Arcane is hand animated so to my eyes, all smoke actually matters. I'm actually a little bummed that S2 didn't go deeper into explaining the smoke that comes off of some uses of the Arcane but not others but I'm assuming they'll delve more into in future shows because The Arcane Is Awake Now, thanks to my brilliant science boy dipshits.

The cleanest, clearest use of Hextech we ever see is the first time the science boys use it to float:

I draw a few conclusions from this:

1 ) The first hit is always free - first time you use magic, magic is happy to help you out! It will do the thing you ask! No consequences!

2 ) Magic gets more and more angry the more times you use it. Actually, by the time we get to Vi using the Atlas Gauntlets repeatedly in S2, there's a little puff of smoke every. time. she uses. them.

3 ) Magic requires some balance. Breaking a window before it let the boys float? Cool, that's balance. But if you just have it doing the same constructive motion over and over, like sending out airships, but you don't let it break some things too? It gets annoyed.

4 ) If it doesn't get applied in a balanced way, magic/the Arcane gets mad. Ekko compared the Arcane's frustration to a sigh. That smoke? Is the sigh. Again, first time you use Hextech, magic which is at least semi-sentient, is MORE than happy to help! The more you keep demanding repeated axiomatic actions, the more it sighs in anger.

Then we get to the crux of your question: what is the Anomaly?

The Anomaly built up at the base of a tower stuffed full with polished, axiomatic, reinforced Hexgems that do one constructive task over and over and over again all day, every day: safely send ships from one place to another.

The Anomaly builds up from the frustration of not allowing magic to be free. Jayce is an axiomatic thinker, he sees magic as a tool, not as a force of nature, so he's been channeling it super precisely and not scooping up all that extra exhaust and channeling it back into the magic and that means it builds up this... pearl of an Anomaly which is all this wild magic with tons of chaotic potential that can do basically anything, including time and dimensional travel but it's gonna be super weird about it.

Soooo... thanks for giving me the chance to yell about Hextech, hope that was sort of what you had in mind!

[hexxedcore]

idk if you write for Jayce and I'm kinda having mixed feelings about him after act2 but hear me out: yandere! Jayce's first priority being to look for you after getting out of the hexcore

shamefully i am prioritising this because i have quite a lot of thoughts as of act two 💔. writing will be beneath the cut for people who wish to avoid spoilers. nsfw is included and given a separated section!

also, yes i write for (and love) jayce. i stand with my cancelled wife 💯

WARNINGS: YANDERE, possessive behaviour, delusion, unhealthy + toxic relationship, S2 ACT 2 SPOILERS. NSFW, marking

SFW:

If ‘tunnel vision’ was personified, it would be Jayce after coming out of the Arcane. This man clearly witnessed something so incomprehensibly horrible that it’s amped his determination up to 100%. Good luck with that.

After quite literally squashing Salo, his main mission is you. Find you and protecting you from whatever he witnessed in those Wild Runes from becoming true. Now, we don’t know how quickly time passed for him, but it had to be a long time. God knows what happened to you while he wasn’t there to keep a watchful eye on you. You were hopeless without him — you could be injured, or worse.

You were exactly where he thought you’d be. Tossing restlessly in a bed that was far too large for one person, wondering why exactly his absence was just so abrupt. No letter, no goodbye that morning; radio silence.

You were in for a shock when you were startled awake by the sound of something heavy and burdened being dragged on the floorboards, having little protection save for a knife you’d procured from the kitchen in the case that any burglars attempted to make themselves cozy.

And you were just about to throw it, too, when he stepped into the small gap of your bedside lamp. This was hardly the Jayce you knew; haggard, disheveled, scruffy — most of all, startled, his breathing laboured and his hands tightly clasping his hammer.

That man had dropped his weapon and was on you in seconds; holding you, clutching you, in the fear that you would dissipate if you weren’t treated carefully. The tight was warm and shaky, but most of all oh so incredibly suffocating.

That night there is one thing he’s promising you, like a mantra: he is never letting you go again.

NSFW:

This man is starving and there is absolutely nothing getting in the way of that. He comes out of the Arcane like he’s in a rut and poor old you for having to cope with it. Good luck.

Jayce doesn’t feel like he has the time to be sensual. He can, and still is of course, but he’s rough in the sense that it’s animalistic. He’s acting on his basest desires now, and that’s a stark desire for you.

There is nothing more that this man gets a kick out of than marking you. For general yandere hcs, yeah, but Act Two him? The whole world is finding out about it, believe it. And god forbid you leave some scratches on his back — he’d go feral.

Constantly muttering affirmations that you aren’t going anywhere, that you are so divine yet so so hopeless without him. You missed his cock while he was gone? He’ll make up for that, because like he’d let someone else do the job.

[menofprogress]

I love LOVE that there is so much s1 Viktor + s2 Jayce content, you CANNOT go wrong there.

Jayce has watched Viktor die and now understands how far he is willing to go to NOT lose him. Jayce has experienced disability and pain now, so he knows what Viktor feels. Jayce can see how healthy Viktor used to look. Viktor gets to see a Jayce that understands him and cherishes him because its a Jayce that was forced to confront his feelings about Viktor. Viktor gets to see Jayce at his most pathetic and needy.

Also i looooove when s1 jayce randomly appears and s2 jayce hisses and spits at him like a feral cat. S1 jayce is like "jesus christ man, get it together, wtf is your problem" and s2 jayce points at him with twitching eyes like "YOUUU. you are my problem, you idiot." Also s1 jayce gets jealous and cranky bc s2 jayce will not let go of viktor and viktor is doing, like, nothing to help and he also keeps petting that dudes hair??

[mimir-anoshe]

I love that ARCANE is using the MAJOR ARCANA for symbolism.

Chefs kiss.

These are Sevika's tarot cards from season 1.

The Magician (upright) overlapping Death (upright).

Foreshadowing? Oh hell yeah. But its only now after S2 Episode 6 do I understand what they might actually be foreshadowing. People may have talked about this before, so I apologise if this is similar to anyone else's meta. These are all my own thoughts, I usually just watch arcane and don't dabble into the meta but this season has me feral and I just rewatched season 1.

SPOILERS for Arcane S1/S2 below.

I just want to prologue this post with a note about how I've noticed even from season 1 there are thematic parallels and linear symbolism being afforded between Jinx and Viktor. Others in the community have too I'm sure. Its strange. I thought it was interesting in S1 but didn't deep dive into it, but S2 has driven headfirst into it and its making me go "oh... oh ok." Even Viktor in S1 noted Jinx's genius, and in another timeline perhaps Powder would've been a student of Viktors had fate not set them on parallel paths. Two children of Zaun, both mechanical/scientific geniuses. One physically disabled whilst the other mentally disabled. One who "escaped" and was given a chance, rising to the top only to create something that would be used for harm. Fighting that fate at every step. Whilst the other trapped at the bottom of the barrel, forced to use her gifts to become a weapon herself. Such GOOD story writing.

So now let's think about the art of the cards, because in tarot, even the symbolism of the specific art is important. Its why an artists interpretation of a major/minor can be so crucial to a reading.

Here's a figure map I made earlier.

Lets begin with Death.

Thirteenth of the Major Arcana, a "significant transformation and the end of a phase in life." There is death and rebirth symbolism all over arcane, but let's take a closer look at the symbolism mirroring the art.

Figure 7&8 - The one who has "died" a skeleton/skull laid down and being "imbued" with something as something else is taken away.

See that the imbuing focuses on the "chest" area.

It's quick, but it flashes briefly when Viktor is being imbued with the Hexcore. He canonically dies "the skull" and is reborn with the Hexcore on an "altar"/table.

Same with Jinx. Canonically "dies" and is reborn laying on an "altar"/table using shimmer. Purple being used as the visual thread between shimmer and the arcane of the hex; a colour imagery representation of "magical" alchemical/arcane power turning them into something beyond human.

Singed and Jayce. Two hands of death, giving and taking life as if they were a God. One using shimmer, the other Hextech thats imbued with shimmer. Messing with the balance of life and death.

With Viktor, the energy is transferred straight into his chest, just like on the card.

So now we've established the parallels to the death tarot, lets look at The Magician.

The First of the Major Arcana, "the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, and the ability to manifest one's desires."

Viktor is the Magician. No doubt. He connects the physical and spiritual world of the arcane, he brings people back from the brink of death, as he was. He manifests his desires through the use of the hex, the arcane. And the dude just looks like a mecha wizard.

Though if you want it to be even more obvious.

Figure 3 - The Third Arm/Third Hand.

The image below is "The Machine Herald" Hero from League of Legends. This is the hero Viktor is based upon.

He canonically has three arms, same as the Magician in the card. The Magician is Viktor, Viktor is the Magician. The Magician is the Machine Herald.

The Magician overtakes/overlaps death. But Viktor by episode 6 still doesn't quite resemble the machine herald from the games. There's no third arm... Yet. So the Magician in the card isn't Viktor from episodes 1-6, this is the machine herald who comes after the one killed in episode 6. Another Rebirth is set to happen for Viktor.

Figures 1 &2 - White mask. Red/pinkish eyes.

Hmmm... Red/pinkish eyes are associated with shimmer. And a white mask, of the machine herald? The mask of a messiah. That the hextech Viktor will most likely also be imbued with shimmer like Jinx, to become the true "machine herald." Messiahs of the hex, monsters of the shimmer.

Its also worth noting that both Jinx and Viktor are framed as messianic figures of Zaun in this season. One the fighter who will rally together the undercity and free Zaun from its oppression. The other a healer and a saint like figure who will free the Zaunites of their suffering and lead them into a better future.

Jinx wanting peace - represented by Isha - and Viktor's dream of peace and healing for Zaun - represented by a lot of things including healing Vander - are metaphorically and literally killed in episode 6. Funnily enough, one symbol of peace killing the other (Isha and Vander - Child and Father). After all, peace and violence are two sides of the same coin, as are Viktor and Jinx. Or should I say, two sides of the same cog...

Figure 4&6 - The Cog shaped Hole in the Magicians chest/The Cog Coin and Jinx's cog.

"I understand now. The message hidden within the pattern. The reason for our failures in the commune. The doctor was right. Its inescapable. Humanity. Our very essence. Our emotions... Rage. Compassion. Hate. Two sides of the same coin. Inextricably bound."

In episode 6, whilst Viktor is explaining to Vi about what it will take to heal Vander, Jinx is sceptical. She doesn't even believe in herself as a messiah, so this "hero"? This "saviour" coming along to solve their problems? To fix things? When all she can do is break everything around her, jinx her own family, destroy? She's scoffing at Viktor sure, but she's also scoffing at herself. Mirroring. People treat her like they treat him, so to believe in him as a saviour means she would have to look into the water of that well and face her own reflection. And Viktor sees right through it, the pretence, and he sees her potential.

Knowledge is a paradox. Jinx wants to stick with what she knows, to destroy instead of to build, to "Watch it all burn." Or ignore the plight of Zaun, so she can live peacefully with Isha. Jinx - Powder - is choosing to remain ignorant to what's right in front of her. Right up until the moment Isha dies.

In the scene earlier in the episode, Jinx accidently destroys a bit of the well, releasing a cog that falls into water. Cogs have been symbolic of Viktor healing people throughout this season, using cogs to "Build."

Powder was thrown into water just like that cog by Silco, and reborn as Jinx. But its not Silco that picks up this cog. Its Viktor. He holds the potential of his creation in his hand, and in paradox, holds Jinx's destruction. Viktor holds Jinx's potential. He's literally holding the two sides of Jinx/Powder in his hand, her - their - fate. Just like Jinx, Viktor has the equal capacity to destroy, and if he is reborn as a weapon later on, perhaps that cog represents Jinx being reborn too. As a creator. A builder.

He holds onto Jinx's cog all the way through the rest of the episode, balancing that potential, that fate, of creation and destruction in his hand. Right up until the moment he dies, and the coin/the cog falls, sealing their fate. His death causing the deaths of Isha and Vander too.

So we've established that the story is viewing cogs/coins in a similar light. We've also established the show is linking Viktor and Jinx through the symbology of the cog.

This is reiterated in the symbolism surrounding the Tarot cards. Around the cards are coins that take the shape of cogs, the currency of Zaun. Fate - coin flips - and cogs, gods and machines. Deus Ex Machina, that is what Viktor is to become, and Jinx creates destruction using machines. She's an inventor, just like Viktor and Jayce. A creator and a destroyer. A god of the machine.

So how does Figure 6 - the coin cogs - relate to Figure 4? The hole in the Magician's chest.

On the Tarot Card, the Magician has a circle in the middle of his chest. A hole. Just like the hole Jayce puts through Viktors chest at the end of Episode 6. The one that kills him.

But if you look closely at the image above, it might be a stretch, but to me, the striations on the inner ring look very similar to those of a cog. The hole is what kills Viktor. Cogs have been given visual symbolism for healing, and are also associated with Jinx's potential for creation. Its a stretch, but it could potentially be foreshadowing Jinx using her abilities to heal Viktor; to build instead of destroy. We've already seen Jinx do it once with Sevika, by "building" her a new arm.

I also find it interesting that we're shown Jinx using her talents to build someone a new arm, and Viktor - the machine herald - still has yet to acquire his third arm. Perhaps he doesn't make it. Perhaps Jinx does?

Maybe, just maybe, Jinx - Powder - is the one to fix Viktor, and flip the cog of fate once again.

Now in Episode 6 we already get foreshadowing that it'll be singe - not Jinx - who saves Viktor by imbuing him with the ultimate shimmer from Warwick/Vander - stabilising him. He says it in the episode, but Viktor refuses to sacrifice Vander in the name of creating the ultimate weapon of destruction.

"It would destroy him."

Viktor's potential for destruction goes hand in hand with Jinx's.

Its even foreshadowed in both the cards. The red/pink eyes of the machine herald foreshadowing shimmer. And the shadow being imbued into the chest of the dead skeleton (Viktor) looks an awful lot like Warwick; the beast that traps Vander.

So why am I talking about Jinx saving Viktor if I'm so certain its Singe? Well I'm certain Singe will bring Viktor back to life, to be used as a weapon. That seems like the most likely outcome.

But like Viktor was saying about Vander "He's not a specimen, he's a man." Viktor was doing everything in his power to save Vander's humanity. So yes Singe will bring the machine herald back most likely - even if I think it'd be thematically cool for it to be Jinx - but I think Jinx will save Viktor. Save the man, the humanity. Be the big fat hero.

Jinx was a girl imbued with Shimmer, and despite having monstrous abilities and doing monstrous things, her humanity has still survived.

I could be wrong, I most likely am, but the the thing that's getting to me is this...

Figure 5 - The Broken Infinity.

At the centre of Viktor's chest, in the middle of Jayce's death blow and Jinx's cog of creation & destruction, is a symbol.

Now a diagonal infinity symbol is associated with the Firelights. Ekko. The boy who shattered time.

Broken Infinity? Shattered time? Seems to go hand in hand.

Though Ekko's symbol is a whole infinity, more akin to a Z than an ongoing X.

There are plenty of theories Ekko will play a role in Viktor's fate and the fate of everyone by rewinding time somehow. And the multiple shots of the coin rolling support that to an extend. Rewind time, change fate, change the flip of the cog. And I agree, I think Ekko is going to have a role to play. But there's also another character who fits with this symbol, who uses shimmer to move faster than humanly possible and defy fate time and time again. Who is the fulcrum of fate in the eyes of the story, the catalyst of everything. And only one character who has solely been associated with a broken infinity symbol before.

Jinx. That's Jinx's symbol. Her champion tag.

Jinx's symbol, right at the centre of Viktors chest. And this line to Jinx from Viktor...

"You have much to offer this commune, Powder. Your talents could be used to build instead of destroy."

And the line from Singe, about Viktor's fate being tied to the commune. Viktor IS the commune, he's the centre of it all. The one who can make the dream of Zaun - Vander's dream - a reality. And that line foreshadowed Jinx using her talents to help the commune. To help Viktor.

Hell, she was technically the reason he "died" in the first place. She fired the rocket that nearly killed him. Wouldn't it be poetic story telling if she was the one who saved him in the end?

I can't wait for Saturday.

I believe whatever happens, Viktor and Jinx's fates are inextricably bound.

[mtomauw]

Here's my attempt to sell you a boat The boat being Vander and Viktor should hold hands and kiss about it. (Arcane season 2 spoilers) Let's start:

Just viktor looking at vander for the first time, sweet baby boy. and then this:

Yes babe see a hot guy once and be ready to mcdie for him yaaaay.

Viktor loves a man with big dreams, we know this because of his questionable ex Jayce. They have a montage:

Tale as old as time type shit

Gay ass "I choose to trust you vs plz let me save you" type shit. And this whole thing

Man depressed the whole time unless he's working with and finding Vander.

This is also how I hang out with my homies, Sky's in on this btw they've just got a cute lil polycule going on where Viktor's in the middle. And then Signed comes in and is like **ah yess evil evil his blood would save your robotic ass** But Viktor's a softball who already pack bonded to the big man and just **nope not killing him for his blood. I'll stab myself and touch hexcores but im drawing the line at stabbing a bootiful boy** And then when Jayce blows Viktor up Vander goes a little feral about it. And yes you can also read this as **viktor's just helping vander cuz he recognizes a useful guy and doesn't have any affection for him and vander only goes feral because he got mindfucked and then maybe driven insane by signed** BUT IM IN THE BUSINESS OF SELLING YOU A BOAT, so they're gay thank you for your time.

[greedylemon]

Some more domestic Grayson thots because she's all I think about<3

Imagine Modern AU! You as Grayson's wife and filming TikToks with her. She would not understand social media but play a long to please you. Trends like "a [girl] who's jacked and kind." The comments would go FERAL over her (me too), flattering her although she does not get it.

However, even if you do not need it, she will reassure you she only wants you.

Let's talk about her strength for a moment because oml. She CAN manhandle you easily because those muscles are for use not for show (yum!).

Her favorite part of the day is coming home to you. (Waking up next to you, when the light creeps in ever so slightly, softly illuminating your body and the room comes close too though)

Being her pretty little thing to show off during galas and other formal meetings for the council/ the Kirammans.

Getting all dressed up for these events and Grayson not being able to resist you. OMG

Her hands would be on you ALL night. On your waist, guiding you along as you both walk through the busy event, letting everyone around you're here with her. Her hands on your thigh when you're sitting down. Holding you hand during still moments.

I imagine she keeps her composure during these events but as soon as both of your feet enter your home, she will be devouring you (hehe) after a whole events worth of build up.

Speaking of the Kirammans! I imagine you would have a close relationship with Caitlyn because of Grayson.

Showing up to their shooting competitions to support your wife and coming across Caitlyn.

I feel as though Caitlyn would be a little weary of you in the beginning but you guys end up having a friendship like hers and Jayce.

I imagine you guys met by working together. Either her coming into your job at a coffee shop/ bakery every day before her shift to see you to have a momentary break before her rigorous works begins.

OR she was hired by you or your company as an officer/ bodyguard, which ends up with both of you becoming too close.

OR you were an enforces too. You starting out as a newbie, being assigned to train under Grayson. In this, she would be hesitant to be in a relationship with you due to your positions, but after some reassurance and weariness, she allows her feelings for you to win as she's absolutely enamoured by you<3

That's all!! Hope all the Grayson fans are fed well by this<3

[captain039]

PART 5 On the edge Last part

Alpha Jayce x omega reader

Warnings: AOB, light swearing, feral alpha, intimacy, angst, Spoilers, Fated mates, hurt/comfort, depression

Previous part <-

A battle is always gruesome, always war cry’s, guns blazing, swords clashing. You’re with the people of Piltover hidden,protected, the ones who decided to stay anyway or couldn’t leave, you’re trying to comfort Jayces mum, after last night you’ve been a whirlwind of emotion and you haven’t seen the alpha since then. There’s a constant nagging in your stomach and brain as you hear distant rumbles and shouts. All you can do is wait, you don’t posses any power of the Arcane, of Hextech or basic fighting skills or rifle handling, in other words you can’t help Jayce. It’s like a deep sunken pit of emotions in your gut.

Caitlyn is the one to return, she’s missing an eye her stomach is stabbed and Vi is holding her up.

“We won” is all she says before she collapses and is rushed to medical. The people emerge, you see Mel holding her dead mother, you see her mother’s soldiers there and a bunch of those creatures Jayce showed you. You see no Jayce though, you figured the battle took elsewhere maybe in the lower part of the hex gate. You rush down there, it’s destroyed and no sign of Jayce, there’s a hold leading right to the top though of the hex gate building. You search everywhere for any trace of the alpha and find none and sinking feelings claw at your heart.

It’s been a month now and no sign of Jayce or his body, no sign of Viktor and his body just those hollow creatures and fallen soldiers from both sides. You don’t want to admit it, Jayce being dead it feels wrong like it shouldn’t be real. You’ve avoided any real conversation or socialising with anyone, you prefer the solitude of your double bed and simple apartment. You prefer very little at the moment, you’ve avoided taking care of yourself in any way, you barely eat or drink, you rarely shower, you don’t take your suppressants. It’s a warm night surprisingly, you lay there in underwear and a singlet on your side eyes staring blankly ahead, you feel as hollow as those creatures looked. Your apartment door opens and you tense up but can’t move your body, if an intruder is here you don’t care. The groan and collapse make you frown though and look up switching the lamp on. Jayce…

Jayce is kneeling in the door way bruised and battered looking worse than you.

“Jayce!” You’re rushing over almost falling over in the process at your lack of muscle usage before you slide to the ground in front of him. You touch his face making sure he’s real before hugging him tightly. The alpha sighs and wraps his arms around you tightly nuzzling your neck you don’t care that you stink, you just need to hold him.

“What- how- I don’t-“ you pull back seeing the small smile he gives.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks and you nod quickly pressing your lips to his without thought. The alpha sighs pressing his lips back to yours wanting to deepen it but you pull back.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth in a while” you mutter.

“Neither have I” he growls and tugs you back kissing you again his arms tightening around you.

“How are you back?” You ask hands resting on his cheeks.

“I don’t know” he answers eyes hazing over.

“I don’t” he shakes his head.

“And- Viktor?” You ask and he shakes his head against jaw clenching eyes closing for a moment as he holds back emotion. You hug him tightly again arms cradling his head. He’s dirty, his once white jacket now browns and greys his hair is slightly matted and dirty too.

“Let’s get you in the shower” you help him up and go to your shower, turning it on, you help him with his outer clothes before giving him privacy to get under the warm water. You go to leave when a wet hand catches your wrist.

“Join me?” He mutters and you turn back to look at him, his wet head of hair and tired eyes. You tense but nod, blushing a bit before taking your singlet off and underwear off. You hold your arms over your breasts before going under the water, Jayce steps back a bit eyes on you intently. You let the water wash over you knowing you need this shower as much as him and look at your feet shamefully.

“I didn’t handle, you being gone very well” you admit as rough fingers tilt your chin up.

“How long have I been gone?” He asks.

“A month and ten days” you answer and he grimaces.

“I haven’t seen anyone I don’t know how they are, your mums alive, Caitlyns alive, so Is Mel” you add.

“Mel’s mother?” He asks and you shake your head to which he nods too.

“Turn around” he orders gently and you frown but do, he grabs your shampoo and tilts your head back just a bit before he’s massaging the shampoo into your scalp. You sigh instantly eyes closing trying not to let a content moan leave your lips. He turns you back around with careful guidance before he tilts your head back into the water. He’s gentle, makes you wonder how he could be so gentle given his nature, work and everything that happened. Your arms are still covering your top half as he conditions your hair next before you switch places to let it soak in. You watch him wash his hair, watch the way his arm muscles move and tense, eyes trailing to his shoulders, collar bones, chest, abs- you force your eyes back up he’s always been so clean shave and well kept, you can see the hair on his arms and chest now, and down lower- which you’re not looking at as he meets your gaze. He smirks a bit and you glare tightening your arms around your breasts to hide yourself.

“Pass me my toothbrush and toothpaste” you grumble and he chuckled handing you both the items. You turn around so your backs to him and you begin to brush your teeth a little harshly till your gums bleed, before spitting. Jayces fingers trace your back, moving your hair from your shoulder before resting his head there. He’s warm, warmer than the shower now and you sigh a bit.

“I have spare toothbrush in the cupboard” you mutter and he hums in response. He turns you around slowly taking the toothbrush and toothpaste putting them back while your arms cover your breasts again. He glances down to them and you huff at him softly making him smile and press his lips to yours again. He steps closer an inch away his hands resting on your forearms you want to wrap your arms around his neck but don’t trying to keep some modesty even though he doesn’t seem to care. His hands clench gently before sliding to your elbows he gently urges your arms up and you give in wrapping them around his neck and he presses himself against you. There’s a small growl on his lips as his hands clench against your waist trying to get you closer. You’re pressed against the shower wall conditioned hair making your head slide against it.

“My conditioner” you mutter and he lets out another small growl. You figure not all the feral left him. He turns around guiding you back under the water tilting your head back and letting the conditioner rinse from your hair, once he’s satisfied he kisses you again under the flow of water making it harder to breathe.

“Jayce” you get out breathlessly as his mouth moves over your jaw and down to your neck.

“I missed your scent” he says desperately.

“I missed you” he adds letting out a small sigh as his shoulders sag and his head rests against your shoulder again.

“I missed you too Jayce” you mutter softly as he lifts his head to look at you.

You turn the shower off and both dry off, you don’t have any clothes for him to wear you realise and tense a bit.

“I’ll put your clothes in the wash” you comment from your room after you dress while he brushes his teeth in the bathroom. You put his dirty clothes in the washing machine before turning it on. You feel better, clean, refreshed you brush your hair of knots before going to the kitchen and wincing at the lack of food that isn’t off. Jayce comes out of the bathroom, in nothing but a towel around his waist and you know you were just naked in the shower with him but- geez.

“I don’t have any food” you call trying to avoid to look at him as you rummage through the cupboards. The alphas by you instantly though pressed against your back his nose pressed into your hair as he breathes in.

“I don’t care” he mumbles and you blink and huff.

“Jayce you obviously haven’t eaten in a while right?” He only grumbles to your question like a child. You haven’t eaten in a while either, stuck in your depressive episode. In fact you feel exhausted now that you think about it, your body aches and you want to nap.

“What’s the matter?” He asks mouth moving against your head as he speaks.

“Nothing” you brush off and feel him tense. You tense too as he turns you around and pins you with this look.

“As I said I didn’t handle you being gone” you shrug it off and he frowns. He looks around the apartment, nothings cleaned, dishes are unattended, dirty clothes are in one pile in your room the cupboards aren’t stocked and there’s rotting food in the fridge.

“Omega” the way he says it makes you shudder, it calls something primal with in you and you tilt your head without thinking.

“What was I supposed to do?!” You yell at him and he’s surprised by your outburst.

“All the shit I’ve been through!” You add.

“You disappearing for almost a year before returning in a feral state. The medical officers calling me saying I’m your true mate that I can bring you out of your feral state! Dragging you to the under city to get help from Viktor! - Viktor! Viktor who’s gone, Viktor who cured you somehow with this higher evolution power or whatever he called it. The war-! You disappearing again!” You don’t register the tears till he wipes them away.

“I’ve been on and off my suppressants my body’s a wreck! Jayce!” you add sobbing finally. You collapse against the alpha, sobs leaving your lips as you cry. Jayce hushes you resting your face in the crook of his neck his hand gently massaging the back of your neck. You cry and breathe him in nuzzling closer arms going around him tightly. Science- you missed the way he smells that undertone of alpha, leather, musk and metal. Jayce lifts you, he carry’s you to the couch and puts you down wrapping the blanket on the couch around you. You whimper and he presses his lips to your forehead.

“I’m gonna change your sheets ok?” He says softly and you nod wiping your eyes. He nods and goes into your room, he takes off the old bedding putting it in the laundry before grabbing a new set from the small linen cupboard you have. He struggles to keep his towel around his waist which makes you smile softly at the effort he puts in. He finishes and you stand soft blanket still wrapped around your shoulders before you collapse onto your bed. You sigh at fresh sheets and shuffle to lie your head on the pillow.

“I’ll wait for my clothes to dry before getting some food” Jayce says sitting at the edge of your bed.

“Stay” you say.

“Please” you add as Jayce smiles softly before moving he chuckles a little nervously at the towel around his waist.

“Just take it off I don’t care, we were literally naked in the shower together” you sigh and you see a faint blush on his cheeks. You look away and listen to the towel drop before he climbs into the bed. You’ve got the soft blanket and your clothes around you anyway. You grumble softly and roll over snuggling up to Jayces side leg hooking over his head resting on his shoulder. That’s all the encouragement he needs as he wraps his arms around you. You lay in silence for a while enjoying his warmth, his scent.

“Does your mum know you’re alive?” You ask softly and he nods.

“I went there first” he says and you nod glad.

“Jayce” you mutter and he hums as you think back to what you said when he asked you to stay.

“I’m sorry” you mutter.

“For what?” He asks.

“For, the night before the fight” you tense feeling him tense softly.

“It was the wrong time” he answers and you shake your head lifting your head to look at him.

“No Jayce I should’ve stayed with you, I shouldn’t have rejected you like that, I was horrible-“ you take a small breath calming your emotions.

“You’re my mate” you mutter tears welling in your eyes.

“And I want you to be my mate” you add bravely. You watch the alpha process the words his arm tightening on your waist before his lips crash with yours again. You make a surprised noise but kiss him back shuffling closer.

“Is that a yes?” You ask softly against his lips pulling back slightly as his eyes soften.

“Yes my omega” he says softly.

[tired-truffle]

Even the Gods Cry For Us

A Viktorxfem!reader fic

Chapter Word Count: 6.9k

Part 17/17

Tag list: @im-just-a-simp-le-whore @potatointhedirt @dedicated2viktor (if anyone else would like to be tagged with future updates let me know!)

“You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies. You have me.” - Amie Kaufman

Masterlist

Burning and shredding, you felt yourself being torn apart and remade, your mind split and shattered only to be pieced back together again.

You were everywhere and everywhen at once. Threads, intersecting and glimmering spread out before you, like a hundred violins smashed together, strings overlapping as they cried a haunting tune. Your hand reached out, brushing against the gossamer strands, and visions unlike any other flooded your mind.

You stood atop the ruins of Piltover, your hand intertwined with Viktor's. His mask was gone, revealing a face covered in glowing Hextech augmentations. You wore a crown of twisted metal and crackling energy, your eyes ablaze with power. The city below was a spectacle of gleaming chrome and pulsing light, every citizen augmented and connected to a vast network. You had remade the world in Viktor’s image, free from the tyranny of emotion and human frailty. But as you looked upon your perfect creation, a hollowness echoed within your chest where your heart used to be.

Another thread pulled you in, and you were beset by rage and grief. Piltover burned around you, great plumes of smoke rising into the blood-red sky. Your magic, fueled by anguish, tore through the city like a hurricane. Buildings crumbled, bridges collapsed, and the screams of the dying filled the air. You kneeled at the epicentre of the destruction, tears streaming down your ash-covered face as you cradled Viktor's broken body. Sobs heaved from your chest, strings of spit strung between your teeth as you cried, open-mouthed and feral. He had died trying to stop you, and in your madness, you had struck him down. As the last remnants of the city fell, you realized too late the cost of your vengeance.

Tossed again like a doll held by a rambunctious little girl, you were thrown into a jarringly different scene. Piltover was saved, but at a terrible price. You stood before a cheering crowd, hailed as part of the city's saviours. Jayce stood beside you, his face grim but grateful. But Viktor was gone. You had stopped his plan, prevented the destruction he would have wrought, but in doing so, you had lost him forever. As the crowd's adulation washed over you, you felt nothing but a numbing emptiness, a black hole in your chest that sucked in everything that made you, you.

You pulled back, gasping, overwhelmed by the intensity of the visions. But they kept coming, each one more vivid than the last.

In one, you and Viktor worked together, using your combined powers to heal the rift between Piltover and Zaun. You saw yourself mediating disputes, your empathy tempering Viktor's logic, your magic able to give him his emotions back and keep him level. The two cities flourished, technology and humanity in perfect balance. But the constant struggle wore on you both, and you saw the light in Viktor's eyes dim with each passing year, slowly becoming more machine than human, going too far for even your magic to reach.

Another showed you alone, wandering the world as an immortal being of pure magic. You had absorbed so much power that your human form had burned away entirely. Centuries passed in the blink of an eye as you drifted, searching for meaning, for connection, for anything to fill the Viktor-shaped void in your heart.

Thread after thread, timeline after timeline unfolded before you - for that was what they were, all possible futures. In some, you ruled. In others, you destroyed. In a few, you saved the world. But in none of them did you truly have Viktor - the man you loved, whole and happy and by your side.

Ethereal and serene as freshly fallen snow, Soraka's voice echoed through the swirling chaos of timelines, gentle yet insistent. "You must choose a path," she urged.

You hadn’t expected to hear her again, and though you couldn’t see her through the haze of the shimmering strands, you found an odd comfort that she was there with you, at the end. She had made this all possible in the first place, hadn’t she? It seemed only fitting.

But you had suffered enough and you refused to accept a future without Viktor, without the love and happiness you both deserved. With grim determination, you reached out, not to grasp a single thread, but to gather them all in your hands. The timelines thrummed with power, vibrating against your skin like living things.

"I will make my own path," you declared, your voice resonating with newfound purpose and the lost dreams of those who should have lived to see them come to fruition. "I'll carve it from the bedrock and brimstone if I have to."

The how was yet to make itself clear, but you could feel the immense power that ran through the threads, magic calling to magic, begging to be used.

Soraka appeared by your side, but she was no longer the same as when you last saw her. Her once violet skin and warrior's attire had been replaced with an otherworldly form, one that radiated with divine power - one that befitted a goddess.

Her skin, pale as the morning sky, glowed with soft moonlight from within. Robes of the finest silks in shades of gold, azure, and white adorned her slender frame, her large sleeves giving her a royal air. A horn crafted from emerald stone sat atop her forehead, framed by an ornate crown and the soft tresses of pure white hair. Her gown cascaded down to cover her legs, the skirt shimmering as though it was made of gently flowing water.

Her eyes, filled with infinite compassion, met yours. "You walk a dangerous path, little one," she said softly. "But I cannot deny the strength of your love."

A single tear rolled down her cheek, glowing with celestial light. As it fell, she caught it, holding it out to you. "You will need this," she said, her voice tinged with both sorrow and hope. "A fragment of divine essence, freely given. May it provide the last piece that you require."

You took the tear, feeling its warmth pulse against your palm. "Thank you," you whispered, your voice thick and trembling.

Soraka smiled. "Good luck," she said simply, before fading away, leaving you alone with your monumental task.

You clutched the threads and the tear, feeling their power buzzing against your skin like a heartbeat. With a deep breath, you closed your eyes and let yourself fall into the cosmic tapestry.

The threads wrapped around you, a story of infinite possibilities. Soraka's tear dissolved, seeping into your soul. Power surged through you, raw and primal. It was like swallowing a star, your body incandescent with energy.

You were the eye of a hurricane, the calm center as madness swirled around you. Memories and futures crashed together like tectonic plates, grinding and reshaping reality. Your mind expanded, consciousness stretching across time and space.

You were the stars, the inky vast expanse of nothingness that cradled them in its hands. You were the sun, the moon, the wishes that children made when light streaked across the sky. Your hair blended with the cosmos, your eyes alight with their eternal shine. Hope and love and dreams made real. 

This was what you were meant to be; a bringer of comfort, a being of protection. 

Colours you'd never seen before painted your vision. Sounds beyond human comprehension filled your ears. You tasted stardust and felt the birth of galaxies in your bones.

Souls burned like small golden balls of flame all around you. Everywhere you looked you saw them, drifting, floating, winking out as others took their space. Your teeth rattled with their rage, their terror, your lips tingling with their joy and love and laughter. Curiosity plucked at your ribs, grief squeezed at your heart. It was chaos and confusion, a little boy lost in a bustling city, crying for his father, a young woman navigating her new school campus, afraid of being away from home for the first time in her life. It was the warmth of putting one’s feet up by the fire after a long day out in the snow, a cat curling up in their owner's lap, digging their nails into soft flesh as they purred their satisfaction - even as it hurt. 

It was everything, and by the gods it was beautiful. 

Like floating down a trickling stream, you turned, seeking, searching, reaching out with the love that tangled like vines around your heart, grown into the steady beat until it became one. 

And the flow of your love was met with its reflection, the love that was given so freely to you - once lost, but found again. You would have sobbed your relief, made rivers form from mountains as you eroded the weathered rock with your salty tears, but contentment took its place. 

Swooping towards the pull of your mirrored heart like a bird fluttering in a gentle breeze, you came upon the ethereal golden glow of the two souls that belonged to those you held dear. 

“—must go, Jayce, and take Milá with you.” The unmistakable accent of Viktor’s voice floated through the stars, through your fingers and up to your ears. 

“We finish this together, and you know she would never abandon you either.” Jayce, firm in his conviction, his soul pulsing with the strength of his belief. 

You chuckled, the sound reverberating through the emptiness as the souls turned their attention to you. As swift as the wind at the front of a storm head, you closed the remaining distance, and blinked, the souls glowing softly in one moment, and in the next, floated the two men on the precipice of ending this war. 

Jayce, with his flowing locks and scruffy beard, watched you with awe in his dark eyes.

And Viktor, your lovely, sweet Viktor, looking just as you remembered before the changes - his hair shining a startling white, but beneath you knew the waves of chestnut remained - reached towards you, hand outstretched and curious. But you were much too large, your form stretched across the night sky, and his palm took up no more space than a freckle upon your cheek. Still, you leaned into his touch, into the soft curves of his fingers, his calluses.

“Milácku,” he whispered with reverence, eyes wide and lips parted.

“He’s right,” you said, your voice falling over them like a rain. “I’m not going anywhere. You do your work, and I’ll do mine. Deal?” 

“A team, like always,” Jayce agreed, holding his hand out for Viktor, arcane stone in his palm. 

There was nothing left for you to say, and as Viktor reached for his partner, you stretched and grew until they sat in the palm of your hands, glowing souls that collided in a blinding array of sparks. 

You wove your magic around them, a shimmering cocoon of starlight and dreams made real. As they burned brighter, you felt their souls pulsing with power, their essences intertwining. Your cosmic fingers gently cradled them, keeping them safe as the energy built to a new height.

You watched, breathless, as streams of magic curled around Viktor and Jayce, binding them together in a dance of light and shadow. Their forms blurred, becoming indistinct as they merged with the arcane energy.

Colours exploded outward, each hue carrying a memory, an emotion. You saw flashes of their shared past - late nights in the lab, heated arguments that turned to laughter, quiet moments of understanding. Love, frustration, hope, and determination. It was all there, and it was stunning.

The light grew blinding, forcing you to squint even with your cosmic eyes. You felt the surge building and your heart raced, a staccato rhythm that echoed through the vastness of space.

With a soundless roar, Viktor and Jayce's combined energy erupted. The force of it threatened to tear reality apart, to scatter their souls. But you were ready.

You tightened your web of magic, wrapping it around them like a net. The threads of your power, woven from galaxies and divine tears, held firm. You poured every ounce of your love, your hope, your unwavering belief in them into that protective barrier.

When the explosion finally subsided, you were left holding two softly glowing orbs - Viktor and Jayce's souls, preserved and protected, shining with the same light blue hue as your magic.

Tears of relief and joy streamed down your cheeks, each droplet a newborn star. You had done it. They were safe, plucked from the edge of extinction and held in your palms like the most precious of pearls. 

You breathed deeply, your inhale rippling across reality like a stone cast into still waters. You needed somewhere to go, somewhere where you could all finally get the rest you were owed.

"Go forth my child,” Soraka had whispered to you as you’d fallen through the void for the first time. “Like a blazing comet streaking through the darkened sky. Your mission is clear: to mend their broken bodies and souls, to rescue them from certain death. You hold the key to their salvation, the only hope for a future free from destruction."

You had thought you’d failed, had allowed death and destruction to reign, but perhaps you’d been looking at it wrong. Death would happen no matter what you did, it was the cycle of life. But after life…nothing but oblivion. That was, until you.

With a gentle exhale, you willed a new reality into existence, fuelled by your magic. The cosmos shimmered and parted like a curtain, revealing a realm of breathtaking beauty. Rolling hills of soft, luminescent grass stretched as far as the eye could see, each blade swaying in a breeze that carried the whispers of a thousand lifetimes. The sky above was an ever-changing background of colours, auroras dancing in mesmerizing patterns.

Crystal-clear streams meandered through the landscape, their waters gleaming with memories of joy and laughter. Trees with silver bark and leaves of spun starlight dotted the hills, their branches reaching towards the heavens - though, you supposed, this was as close to heaven as one could get. Beneath their canopies, shimmering flowers bloomed, each petal a fragment of a cherished moment.

You felt a stirring in your chest. The three souls you had gathered - the warmth of a friend, the love of a father, and the curiosity of a child - began to float towards this new paradise. They drifted from your heart like dandelion seeds on the wind, each carrying a piece of your essence with them. They would be the first to enjoy the afterlife you had created, but they would not be the last.

Opening your hands, you freed both Jayce and Viktor from your pull, letting them fall like leaves in autumn towards the haven that awaited them. It would all be over soon, you could rest, be free from pain and suffering at long last, and—

Viktor’s soul remained unmoving, his brilliant light dim and pulsing, the taste of rain on a gloomy day hitting the back of your tongue. You returned your hands to holding him, but where he’d once felt like determination and fear, he now felt like the screaming anguish of someone who’d lost everything at their own hands. And with all your power, the magic that flowed over and through you like a dying star given rebirth, you couldn’t cure his self-blame. But you were still you, even made of starlight and the memories of millions, and perhaps, that was what Viktor needed most; not the goddess, but simply you, his miláčku. 

You inhaled, deep and expansive, your lungs filling with the nothingness around you, and when you exhaled, you released pieces of yourself into the galaxy, shrinking down until you’d returned to your human height. Were you still human? 

Existential questions could wait, what was most important was Viktor, his soul, tinged in your protective blue glue, floating before you. With a wave of your hand, you returned his form back to him, channeling your magic. He could communicate - you think - in his soul-form, but whether he knew how, or could express as much was not clear. 

He was exactly how you remembered him on the day of the council explosion; his hair swept back and curled around his ears, devoid of any metal, thin, but entirely himself. The only difference being the press of guilt sitting heavy on his shoulders, curling them in, and the dullness of his once brilliant eyes. 

Without thinking, you reached for him, hand outstretched, needing to feel him, to know he was real. But you came to an abrupt stop when he flinched, not meeting your gaze, head hung. 

Silence stretched between you, the distance becoming a gaping canyon. You wanted to hold him, to offer him comforting words, but not before he was ready. 

And maybe your own anger over your own loss had you hesitating to try. 

“They’re gone, aren’t they?” His eyes flicked up to meet yours, your form of starlight and the darkness of space shimmering at the edges. 

You didn’t need to confirm it, he already knew, had felt their souls disintegrate when he took over their bodies. 

He sucked his teeth, shaking his head. “They came to me for healing, they were vulnerable and desperate and I-I used them,” he spat. “I burned their souls out of their bodies and they are lost forever because of me.”

“Viktor—“ you started, but he was quick to cut you off. 

“I do not deserve what you have made,” he turned towards the space you’d carved out of nothing, where you’d laid the foundations for something better than non-existence. “It…radiates goodness and purity, I cannot go there.”

It was simple to keep your face carefully blank when it wasn’t a face at all, and merely a collection of constellations. “Sulking out here won’t bring them back.”

His head turned to you with a sharp twist of his neck, incredulous disbelief in the curve of his brows. “How do you not despise me? Charlotte, you loved her, and I destroyed her.”

Your chest bloomed with a swirl of blue and violet stars, your grief laid bare. “Yes, you did,” your voice wavered, “I…am angry and hurt but it’s not directly solely at you - there were many factors that led to Charlotte’s death and the destruction of her soul. I blame myself too, I blame Piltover and their lack of care for the citizens of Zaun, I blame Jayce for killing that last piece of your humanity you had left, and yes, I blame you, though it is unfair to say there were no other circumstances that led to this ending. Your mind was corrupted, and I do have some experience with what that’s like. With time, I will heal, but you will have to exist with that guilt forever. There is nothing you can do, no one left to pardon you.” 

It was harsh, but honest, and you did not have the energy to shield the truth from him, nor did you believe it would help. Still, the agonized grimace that twisted his lips, the tears gathering in his eyes, had your limbs tingling with the need to hold him tight, to soothe your hand down his hair and tell him everything would be okay.

“I don’t want that.” He pulled back his upper lip in a sneer, his teeth clenched. 

“Too bad,” you shot back. “You don’t get to shy away from the things you’ve done, to drift off into nothingness because it would be easier than facing it. I have never known you to be such a coward.” He flinched again and you stopped yourself, your hands clenched into fists. Taking out your anger and grief on him while he was already in such a vulnerable state would not benefit anyone.

You inhaled deeply and exhaled the stars. “Viktor, I…do you remember what I said to you on top of the Hexgate?”

His eyes swam with sorrow, deep pools of molten gold. “Every word,” he whispered like a promise. 

Your heart ached to see him like this, a shell of his former self. “We all played a part in this; if I hadn’t used the Hexcore to heal you, none of this would have happened. If we had died when we were supposed to, maybe we could have saved a lot of people from suffering. But there are too many ifs and buts and frankly, I don’t care enough to catalogue them all, nor would it change anything. I meant what I said, that I don’t regret a second of our time together, even through it all. I can’t bring myself to wish I could change it.”

Viktor’s eyes darted between yours as though he was searching for your sanity and could find no traces. “You absorbed thirty Gemstones, surely you have lost your mind and you do not truly mean that.”

You giggled, unable to hold yourself back. “It was closer to forty, but I think I’ve always been a little crazy when it comes to you.”

Seeing that he wasn’t going to persuade you to leave him to rot with those tactics, he changed his approach. “Milá, you made an afterlife, such a feat…it boggles the mind. You are…” he sighed, heavy and tired, affection swirling with the sorrow in his eyes. “You are a goddess, radiant and powerful and the most magnificent being in all of creation. And I…what good have I done?”

The answer was simple, it came to your tongue like breath to your lungs. “You loved me, for starters, and without you I never would have made it this far.” 

He opened his mouth to argue, but you held up a hand. “Wait, I’m not finished.” And when he reluctantly crossed his arms over his chest, you continued, “You were a kind and loving friend, you taught others the value of science and how to apply it which I’m sure will lead to all sorts of wonderful advances. You made me laugh when no one else could, and even though you hurt them in the end, you healed so many, provided them relief for the first times in many of their lives. But your value isn’t only what you can provide to others. You fought for yourself, for your right to live. You pursued goals others could only dream of, and you did what you had to survive. You couldn’t have known how it would end, neither of us did, not fully.”

He twisted his lips, his shoulders tightening, unable to meet your gaze. “I essentially killed you—“

“And I essentially killed you,” you countered, watching as his mouth opened and shut in rapid succession as he failed to come up with a rebuttal. 

“If you had never met me, you would still be alive,” he managed at last. 

You smiled then, sad and gentle. “Not without you, not in any ways that matter.”

His eyes widened, jaw slack in disbelief. Silence settled between you once more, but this time, you felt peace. The anger was still there, your grief simmering beneath the surface. Charlotte had been…like a mother, in the short time you’d known her. Losing her so completely had torn your heart in two. But you would have time to sort through that pain, right now, Viktor needed to get to a place where he could begin mending. You’d both been through enough, you deserved a happy ending. 

“I-I used a whole commune, I tore out their souls.”

“You did,” you floated forwards, stopping when he pulled back. “And that does not change how much I love you.”

Panic, fleeting and sharp crossed his angular face. “I aligned with a military, invasive force that killed hundreds.”

“And I love you,” you countered, moving closer again, only a few feet between you.

“I was going to subjugate the entire world, to remove their ability to choose in the pursuit of perfection!” His voice had raised an octave, but he no longer pulled away when you continued to float closer. 

“And I love you.” A few inches now, and you stopped, hand raised to cup his cheek in your stardust palm.

“But I…” his breath came in sharp pants, tears shining in his red-rimmed eyes. “I hurt you.”

“Sometimes we hurt the ones we love, but love isn’t about never making mistakes, it’s about how we handle them when they happen. Even the big ones.” Charlotte’s words of wisdom floated from you with ease. You tilted your head, running your fingers through his hair and watching with rapt attention as he shivered. “Viktor, I have loved you through life and death and rebirth. I will love you for eternity. So please, let yourself be loved.”

Like the breaking of a dam, Viktor crumbled. He fell into your arms, his body colliding with yours, two celestial bodies drawn together by gravity. You enveloped him, your cosmic form moulding around his. He curled into you, face buried against your chest as he wept. You held him tight, one hand cradling the back of his head while the other traced soothing patterns along his spine.

As you comforted him, comets streaked from your eyes instead of tears. They blazed brilliant trails across the inky void, each one carrying a fragment of your shared grief. The comets sailed past distant nebulae and newborn stars, their fiery tails painting the darkness with your sorrow.

Viktor's fingers dug into your shoulders, clinging to you as if you were the only solid thing in a universe gone mad. His tears soaked into your starlight skin, creating ripples of iridescent colour that spread outward like rings in a pond. You felt every shuddering breath, every choked sob as if they were your own.

Time lost all meaning as you floated there, two souls intertwined amidst the nothingness of space. Galaxies spun lazily around you, their spiralling arms seeming to cradle you like those of a loving parent.

Ever so slowly, his sobs began to subside. His grip on you loosened, though he made no move to pull away. You felt the tension gradually leave his body as exhaustion took hold. His breathing evened out, punctuated only by the occasional hiccup or sniffle.

You continued to hold him, one hand stroking his hair while murmuring soft words of love. The comets falling from your eyes grew fewer and farther between, until at last they ceased altogether. A sense of peace settled over you both, as delicate as spun sugar but no less real for its fragility.

“I want to take you home,” you whispered into the shell of his ear - though home had always been anywhere with him.

Viktor slowly pulled back, his amber eyes rimmed with red but no longer overflowing with tears. He gazed at you, wonder and hesitation warring on his face. You cupped his cheek, your celestial flesh warm against his skin.

"I would like that," he whispered, barely audible even in the vast silence of space.

Relief flooded through you, setting off a cascade of shooting stars across your form. You took his hand, intertwining your fingers, and gently tugged him towards the paradise you'd created. As you descended, the universe seemed to contract around you. Stars rushed past in streaks of light, galaxies blurred into swirls of colour.

Your feet touched down on soft grass that glowed with a gentle inner light. The blades bent beneath your weight, releasing a sweet scent that reminded you of summer evenings and childhood laughter. Viktor stumbled slightly as he landed, unused to having a physical form again. You steadied him, your hand on his shoulder.

For a moment, you both stood still, taking in the breathtaking beauty of your creation. The ever-changing sky painted everything in soft, ethereal hues. A warm breeze caressed your skin, carrying whispers of joy and contentment.

You closed your eyes, focusing inward. Your cosmic form buzzed with energy, too vast and powerful to be contained in a human shape. Slowly, you began to compress that power, folding it inward like origami. Stars collapsed into neutron-dense points within your chest. Galaxies spiraled down into the marrow of your bones. The vast emptiness between celestial bodies became the spaces between your atoms.

It was an odd sensation, like trying to pour an ocean into a teacup. Your skin tingled and stretched as it struggled to contain your new nature. You felt simultaneously infinite and impossibly small. Memories of countless lives flickered through your mind - births and deaths, triumphs and failures, love and loss - before settling into the background hum of your subconscious.

When you opened your eyes again, you found yourself standing on solid ground, in a form that was both familiar and strange. Your hair floated around you as if suspended in water, each strand containing a glimmering nebula. Your skin shimmered, constellations mapping themselves across your body in ever-shifting patterns. When you breathed, stardust escaped your lips in glittering clouds. And as always - your constant companions - the blue balls of light that belonged to your sparks floated lazily around you.

You turned to Viktor, but before you could take in his wide-eyed expression, a blur of motion caught your eye. Without warning, someone launched themselves at you with a delighted squeal, wrapping you in a tight hug, arms around your neck. The sudden impact sent you staggering back a step, your body rippling with surprise.

For a moment, confusion reigned. Your mind, still adjusting to its new vastness, struggled to process this unexpected development. But familiar sensations washed over you - the tickle of dark curls against your cheek, the scent of sunlight and tender friendship that could only belong to one person.

"Sky," you breathed, your voice cracking around the syllable of her name.

As if your recognition had unlocked something within you, your legs gave out, and you sank to the luminescent grass. She went down with you, refusing to let go even for a moment.

Sobs pulled from your chest in painful tears, your body shaking and weak. Sky held you through it all, her small frame surprisingly strong. Her hands rubbed soothing circles on your back, leaving trails of warmth that felt like home.

"I've got you," she murmured, her voice thick with her own tears. "I've got you, and I'm never letting go again."

How had you not recognized her soul when it had sat so snuggly in your chest?

You clung to her, your fingers digging into the fabric of her sundress as if she might disappear if you loosened your grip even slightly. Flowers sprouted and bloomed around you in a rapid cycle, their petals opening and closing like a visual representation of your racing heartbeat.

You cried for everything you'd lost, for the agony you'd endured, for the impossible choices you'd been forced to make. But you also cried with relief and joy at this unexpected reunion, at the miracle of having your dearest friend back in your arms.

Gradually, your sobs subsided, replaced by hiccupping breaths and the occasional sniffle. You pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Sky's face. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, but her smile was as bright and warm as ever. Her eyes, filled with love and understanding, met yours without flinching from your new, otherworldly appearance.

“The whole time,” you whispered, your bottom lip quivering. “You were with me the whole time.”

“You kept me safe. Even when I didn’t know that I was, well, me, you held my soul until I could come back to myself.” She laughed, breathy and tear-strained. “You are amazing, Milá. I can’t wait to hear about everything I missed.”

You laughed through your tears, the sound tinkling like broken glass. "I've missed you so much."

A gentle cough drew your attention. Viktor stood awkwardly nearby, shifting his weight from foot to foot. His eyes darted between you and Sky, a mix of emotions playing across his face - relief, guilt, uncertainty. Gone was the glowing blue aura of your magic. He was simply Viktor, no Hexcore metal, no sickness lingering in his lungs, cane held lightly over his forearm.

Sky noticed him too. Her grip on you loosened slightly as she turned to face him. For a moment, tension crackled in the air like static electricity.

Then Sky smiled, warm and welcoming. "Hello, Viktor. It's good to see you again."

Viktor's eyes widened in surprise. He opened his mouth, closed it, then tried again. "I…I'm sorry, Sky. For everything."

Sky's expression softened. "I know. And I don’t blame you."

Those simple words seemed to lift a great weight from Viktor's shoulders. He sagged visibly, exhaling a shaky breath.

Pushing yourself up to stand, you took Viktor’s hand in yours. His skin was plush and warm beneath your touch, and his fingers intertwined with yours as he gave you a small smile.

As you drank in the sight of him whole and unburdened, movement over his shoulder caught your eye. In the distance, beneath the boughs of a tree with silver bark and twinkling leaves, stood a figure you had only ever seen in your dreams. Vander, his face creased in a gentle smile, knelt beside a little girl, dyed blue hair lovingly tied back in twin braids. Isha, you realized with a start, her round features lit by the soft glow emanating from the grass beneath her feet.

Vander placed a comforting hand on Isha's shoulder, and you watched as she smiled shyly up at him. The sight tugged at your heart, a bittersweet ache of recognition flooding through you. These were the other two souls you'd carried with you, nestled safely within you until you could bring them to this place of peace.

Your moment of reflection was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out. "Hey! Wait for me!"

You looked up to see Jayce jogging towards you, his gait slightly uneven but determined. He was cleaned up, his beard neatly trimmed and his hair combed back. The only evidence of his past ordeals was the leg brace he still wore.

Jayce slowed as he approached, a sheepish grin on his face. "Sorry I'm late. Got a bit turned around in this place." His eyes widened as he took in your new look. "Wow, Mila. You look…different."

You couldn't help but laugh, genuine and relieved to see him in one piece - and back to himself. "It's been quite a journey."

Jayce nodded, his lips pursing. "I can imagine." He turned to Viktor, extending his hand. "Partner. It's good to see you back to yourself again without the imminent threat of arcane destruction."

Viktor hesitated for a moment before clasping Jayce's hand. "And you, Jayce. We have much to discuss after…all that.”

“We do,” Jayce agreed, “but I’d like a minute just to, uh, process it, if that’s alright with you.”

Viktor inclined his head. “Of course.”

"So," Sky said, antsy as the tension pulled taut between the two men. She turned to you. "What's it like being a goddess?"

You chuckled, grateful for the distraction to take the pressure off of Jayce and Viktor. They had plenty of time to work through their issues, jumping in right away would only lead to further strife. You’d all had more than your fair share of that. "Overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying." You paused, considering. "I'm not sure I'd call myself a goddess, exactly. More like…a cosmic caretaker?"

Viktor's hand tightened in yours. "You created an afterlife," he pointed out, awe colouring his tone. "If that's not goddess-like, I do not know what is."

You leaned into him, savouring his warmth. How close you’d come to losing him…you didn’t want to think about it. "I couldn't have done it without you. Any of you. Your love, your friendship, it gave me the strength to reshape reality. Thank you."

Sky beamed at you, her eyes sparkling. "Well, I for one think you've done a wonderful job. This place is beautiful."

As if in response to her words, the sky above you erupted in bright aurora-like waves of light that danced across the heavens.

"It's incredible," Viktor breathed. He turned to you, a hint of his old curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "How does it work?”

"I'm not entirely sure yet," you admitted. "It's all still so new. But I think…" You paused, reaching out with your newfound senses.

The realm pulsed around you, alive in ways you were only beginning to understand. You could feel the ebb and flow of energy, the intricate webs of connection between all things. It was gorgeous and frightening, like holding a living star in your hands.

"I think it's responsive," you said slowly, "to emotions, needs, and desires. It's not just a static place, but something that can grow and change."

As if to demonstrate your point, a cluster of flowers suddenly bloomed at Viktor’s feet. Their petals were translucent, catching the light in rainbow hues.

"Fascinating," Viktor muttered to himself, releasing your hand to kneel and examine the flowers more closely. "The potential significance is staggering. An infinitely adaptable environment, capable of providing for any need."

Even in the face of the miraculous, Viktor's scientific mind never stopped working.

"Well," Jayce said, clapping his hands together, "as amazing as all this is, I don't know about the rest of you, but I could use a drink and a very long nap."

Sky laughed, her dress swishing in the breeze. "I second that motion."

You looked around at the faces of those you loved most - Sky's bright smile, Jayce's easy grin, Viktor's intense gaze softened by wonder. For the first time in what felt like eons, you felt truly at peace.

"I think I can arrange that," you said with a wink, and with a wave of your hand, a cozy-looking cottage shimmered into existence nearby. It was nothing fancy - just a simple structure with a thatched roof and climbing roses around the door. But it radiated warmth and safety.

"Shall we?" you asked, gesturing towards the cottage.

As your little group made their way towards the house, Viktor began to trail behind. You matched his pace, watching as Jayce and Sky chatted animatedly ahead.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked softly. "About me?"

You linked your arm in his, resting your head on his shoulder. "More sure than I've ever been about anything," you replied. "We've been through hell and back, Viktor. We deserve some happiness together without the threat of death looming over us. You know, since we’re already dead."

He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. As you walked, you noticed the grass beneath his feet sprouting tiny blue flowers - forget-me-nots. Had that been your doing or his? Either way, you couldn’t imagine forgetting even a second of your time with him.

Sky and Jayce entered the cottage, their laughter drifting back to you on the gentle breeze. As they disappeared inside, you pulled Viktor to a stop, your fingers curling around his wrist.

"Viktor, I…" The words caught in your throat, a supernova of emotion ready to burst from your chest. You bit your lip. How could mere language possibly encompass the depth of what you felt?

To hell with words, you thought. I'll show him instead.

You pulled Viktor close, your hands cupping his face as you pressed your lips to his in a searing kiss. The contact sent shockwaves through you, ripples of energy cascading across your skin like the surface of a disturbed pond. Viktor stiffened for a moment, surprised, before melting into your kiss.

The grass beneath your feet erupted in a riot of wildflowers, their petals unfurling in rapid time-lapse. The sky above blazed with shooting stars and you tasted stardust on Viktor's lips, felt the heat of a thousand suns in the press of his body against yours.

When you finally broke apart, breathless, you found that your feet were no longer touching the ground. You and Viktor floated several inches above the flower-strewn grass, held by your magic as it glowed around you.

A smile tugged at his lips, boyish and carefree in a way you hadn’t seen in years.

"I love you," you whispered. "We made it, Viktor. We're here, together. Our friends are safe, and when the rest are ready, they will have a place here too."

In response, Viktor pulled you close again, resting his forehead against yours. You closed your eyes, basking in his affection, in the simple miracle of his presence. The universe may have been vast and unknowable, but in that moment, your entire world was contained in the circle of Viktor's arms.

Lowering yourself, you made your way towards the cottage once more. Viktor entered first, but you paused at the doorway, looking back at the vast expanse of your creation. It felt surreal to be there, like a dream come true. In time, you’d figure out how to usher other souls to this place, to make it a true beacon of rest and safety. And maybe, just maybe, you could find the shards of Charlotte’s soul and piece her back together. Anything was possible when you had the power of infinite universes at your fingertips.

You stepped into the cottage, leaving the door open for Vander and Isha if they decided to make their way over, and were greeted by the smiling faces of your friends as they settled into the new space. Jayce, Sky, Viktor, and soon-to-be countless others are at your side. You knew in the depths of your never-ending soul, that this was where you were meant to be.

Epilogue

(Click on the picture for full resolution)

A/N: I can't believe its over!! It's crazy to think that its been three years since I posted the first part, and the entire time in between I was thinking and brainstorming about how I wanted it to end, only for Arcane to give us such a beautiful ending I couldn't bring myself to change much of it. But now they get to all be happy together in the afterlife for eternity, no more fighting or pain, just getting to be together in all the ways that matter ❤️

Thank you x1000000 for coming on this journey with me, its been a blast!! I'd love to hear what you think, even if you're reading this months or years later, I'm always looking for more inspiration to write more!

I may at some point post a very short epilogue so let me know if you still have any questions and I will try to provide answers. (Jinx isn't here because I think she's still alive)

Love you all!!!!

Spotify playlist

[oneoftheextras]

lockjaw | j.t two

masterlist | help me fun my top-surgery?

paring: hybrid puppy!jayce talis x f!reader

request: after a recent breakup you find yourself adopting a hybrid to keep you company, but he's more feral than you can handle

series warnings: 18+, hybrid jayce (ears and tail), slight a/b/o traits (could argue alpha jayce), eventual smut, protective jayce, size difference

words: 3.8k

chapter warnings: predator/prey vibes, the slow burn begins, mentions of a bad relationship

chapter notes: chess descriptions but easy to follow, salo is reader's ex

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five

want a handwritten letter from a character? / join the discord

The game started quickly, although you hadn’t played chess in years so you weren’t putting much thought into your moves.

The fabric bottom of the metal pawn made a satisfying but muted click as you put it down on the metal square.

Jayce cocked his head to the side by no more than an inch, staring at the pawn with furrowed eyebrows. After a few seconds, his eyes moved to you.

Even though he didn’t say anything, his facial expression spoke for him. ‘That was a stupid move’.

He continued his eye contact with you as he picked up his bishop and slid it diagonally across the board until it collided with your pawn with a melodic ‘tink’ sound.

As he lifted up your pawn and put it on his side of the table you realised just how smart he was, and that you’d clearly insulted him.

For a second you felt ashamed of the assumption you’d made. For thinking this would be an easy win.

“Okay, Jayce. Game on,” you said quietly to him and readjusted yourself in the chair; your voice carried a playful and challenging tone which made his ears twitch.

He liked how you sounded when you were having fun and not overthinking your words.

He looked up at you through the strands of hair that fell in front of his face, the side of his mouth curled every so slightly upwards into a cocky smirk.

It was so subtle that you almost missed it, but it was as if to say ‘Challenge accepted’.

After a mere eight minutes you knew you’d lost the game.

All you had left was your king, a castle and a handful of pawns, whilst Jayce’s side of the board was heavily populated.

Staring at the pieces wasn’t going to win you the game, no matter how hard you studied them. A hundred different moves had gone through your thoughts but not one of them would help.

Jayce exhaled through his nose and leaned backwards in his chair to watch you, he was letting you take your time but he was also very aware of your impending loss.

You glanced up at him with a somewhat pleading look, silently asking him to show you mercy and not rub it in too much.

If he was thinking of finishing this quickly then his face showed no signs of it.

When you eventually made your move he sat forward, his forearms leaning on his thighs to interlock his fingers together in thought.

Even you knew he didn’t need to think about it for as long as he was, any move would mean you were one step closer to defeat.

There was a clear space for him to seize your castle and leave you with only two pawns to protect your king, but he didn’t take it.

Instead, he moved his own pawn forward. A seemingly useless move that achieved nothing, but the small smile on his lips indicated he was up to something.

Quirking your head to the side to ogled his piece with confusion, you tried to understand why he'd make such a move.

His eyes gave nothing away. He simply leaned back in his chair again and rested his mouth against his knuckles as he watched your reaction.

You moved your castle into a more offensive position, trying to create a protective wall around your other pieces, but Jayce moved his pawn closer.

His queen was still in play, as well as other more threatening pieces, so you were perplexed as to why he was only moving his pawn. It was only when he slid it one space forward so it was diagonally next to your castle, that it clicked.

The pawn was in position to take your castle, but your castle couldn't attack the pawn - it's only option was to retreat.

You glanced up at him from the chess board and he did the same, your eyes meeting for a second before you relented and moved your castle horizontally a few spaces to save it the embarrassment of being taken by a pawn.

A low chuckle came from Jayce's throat; it took you back for a second - you were pretty sure that was the first noise you'd heard him make.

He reached over the board and moved his bishop into position to block your two pawns and your king into the corner.

With a loud sigh, you moved your pawn back a space to buy you some time to think of what to do, but he immediately moved the bishop closer.

One diagonal square at a time he enclosed your pieces into the corner. He could've done it all in one move or even ended the game several moves ago, but he wasn't.

"I surrender," you threw your hands up in defeat, but when you saw the determination mixed with something similar to playfulness in his golden irises, you started to understand why he was drawing this out.

He smiled for a moment and you spotted his sharp canines peeking out from under his scarred lip; the sound of your forfeit was pleasant to his ears, evident from the bristled fur around the base - but he wasn't interested.

He wanted to corner you. Trap you with nowhere to go. Then he would take his win.

Eventually, he took your castle and one of your pawns, leaving you with nothing but a singular pawn to defend yourself.

There was nothing you could do but back yourself into the corner until there were no more spaces left.

The glint in his eye only shone brighter once you moved for the last time, his pieces surrounding yours; that's when you finally understood fully.

He'd played with you, hunted the pieces down until all that was left was him to take them - it was like a bright neon sign had switched itself on in your brain to give you a deadly reminder:

'Unfortunately, some of his feral habits returned but he mostly keeps to himself now'

The vet's voice reverberated in the back of your mind as you pushed your last pawn forward and into the firing line of his, your heartbeat quickened as if it was yourself stepping into the jaws of the starving beast.

Jayce's tongue darted out to wet his lower lip as he collided his bishop into your pawn, he picked up your piece and placed it with the others he'd captured.

He gazed up at you with triumph, his pupils slightly enlarged compared to before, but apart from the small signs you'd picked up on he seemed completely calm.

"You won," you said slightly-breathlessly, and he held your gaze.

For a moment, you were unsure if he was done with you. His stare was intense and hungry. He no longer looked like a chocolate Labrador, moreso a wild wolf.

Then he broke the eye contact and started to reset the board.

You felt like your breath had been returned to you, as if he'd released you from whatever cage he'd put you in.

Maybe it was just you being too cautious, and you'd misread him. Maybe you were unfairly making assumptions based on what you knew about his past.

"Some tea before you go?" the man from before was stood next to your table, holding a tray with two cups and a teapot on it.

"Before I go?" you queried and glanced towards the clock on the wall - you only had around 17 minutes left of your visit. Somehow the conclusion of that game took nearly 30 minutes.

The man slid the tray onto the table next to the chess board and Jayce side-eyed him as he leaned down but continued to reset the board.

"Pick whichever flavour you like," he gestured to the small box with multiple different colours of teabag packets, and took hold of the teapot and poured hot water into the cup he'd put in front of Jayce.

As he went to pour the water into your cup too, Jayce tapped his hand firmly and grabbed hold of the handle, forcing the vet to let go and give it to him.

He then slowly and gently poured the water into your cup for you before placing the pot softly back down on the tray. His actions and demeanour were a stark contrast to how he was a few moments ago.

"Oh, I don't think you'll have time for another game, sorry buddy!" the vet cooed at him as he returned to putting the chess pieces back into place.

Jayce gave him a scolding glance, but ignored what he was saying. If you were being honest, you didn't like the tone he was using with him. It was similar to baby-voice with an infant; it was condescending.

"Thank you," you smiled at the vet as an indication that he could leave as you picked your tea flavour and submerged the bag in the hot water.

When he eventually left there was silence around you and Jayce again, and you wondered if he would talk - or if he even could.

You'd heard him laugh earlier so you knew he had human vocal chords, maybe? You'd have to research it when you got home.

When he was done resetting the chess board, he picked his own tea flavour and put it into his own cup, repeatedly dunking it with his teaspoon.

"So..." you awkwardly attempted to start the conversation, and his eyes darted up to yours at the sound of your voice.

"Do you like it here?" was the first question you could think to ask, but his quirked eyebrow and facial expression was all the answer you needed.

Of course he didn't. It was the equivalent of the pound, or an orphanage, just fancier and cleaner.

"Sorry," you rubbed the bridge of your nose with the hand that wasn't holding the teacup, "I've never been very good at small talk," you laughed nervously.

He observed you as you sipped your drink, he noted how delicately you blew on the hot liquid so you wouldn't burn yourself, and how you struggled to keep eye contact with him.

You were certainly different to the other people who walked through that door, especially the people who worked here.

"I don't really know what to ask you, I'm not usually the one who carries a conversation," you confessed as you put your teacup back down on the tray and glanced around the room.

The other hybrids were out as well, but other than a few curious peeks in your direction, they'd stayed away.

It wasn't surprising that they kept their distance. From the brief moment that you'd stood opposite him, you got a gage for how big he was.

Not just tall, but muscular as well - if you were a hybrid you'd probably keep out of arms length as well.

"Why do you stay here?" you asked suddenly and before thinking. He stared at you with no indication of a response like earlier. "I mean-" you tried to reword your question, "-I guess you don't really have a choice-", his eye flitted to the ground for a millisecond then back up to you, confirming your words were true.

"-But you can clearly look after yourself fine, and physically you wouldn't have a problem fighting anyone off if you needed to," you gestured to his bicep and his attention went down to his own arm.

The shirt he was wearing was very flattering for his physique, but you hadn't meant to point it out so blatantly.

"What I'm trying to say is, if you wanted to leave you probably could, so why do you stay?" you concluded, unsure if anything you just said made sense.

He didn't move for a moment and you were afraid that you'd insulted him, but then he suddenly pushed himself up and startled you in the process.

He walked over to one of the cabinets on the other side of the room and you watched how confident his strides were, his fluffy brown tail swishing behind him with every step. Other eyes were on him too, clearly it wasn't often he moved.

He reached up to one of the high shelves and picked something up, cradling it in his hands until he could hand it to you.

You took it as gently as you could, it was a small metal boat - despite it's size it was very detailed.

There was a tiny crank on the side, which he reached down and delicately started to wind it up, which made the circular engine move; you were sure if you put this into water it would be a functioning machine.

He took it from your hands to turn it over for you. That's when you saw the engraving on the side, 'V & J'.

"You made this?" you grinned with surprise and looked up at him. You hadn't realised, but he had put one hand on the back of your chair and was leaning over you.

He bent down, even closer than he was before and tapped the 'V' on the boat specifically, then it clicked what he was trying to say.

"Viktor?" you whispered. His expression softened and he nodded, "He was your friend wasn't he?" you asked and he smiled sadly - he clearly missed him.

Then it all made sense. Why he was showing you this, after your specific line of questioning.

Never before had you looked at someone and so clearly seen yourself staring back. "You don't want to be alone," you said aloud, and this time you were unsure who you were saying it to; yourself or him.

He picked the boat up gently and let it sit in the palm of his hand to observe it again. He started poking and prodding different parts and you could almost mentally hear him criticising his own work.

"I get it, in my own way," you reassured him, and a part of you wanted to take his hand - enclose as much of him in your grasp as you could, to let him know that it was okay to feel what he was feeling - but neither of you were ready for that.

He glanced from the boat to how you were admiring his work and it made his chest warm up. The way you took in every detail and really appreciated it was something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"The whole reason I'm here-", "Okay guys, that's one hour!" the vet clapped his hands from his seat across the room, and Jayce's ears flattened at the loud sound, causing the confession to die on your tongue before it could begin.

The bubble of comfort around the two of you had been abruptly popped before it had even finished forming.

You stood slowly, glancing between Jayce - who was staring daggers - and the vet.

"Right, yeah," you acknowledged his announcement and stood from your chair, "It was nice to meet you properly, Jayce," you said softly as you stepped away from him reluctantly.

He smiled for a second before his expression returned to the neutral scowl he had when you first saw him, and he sat back down in his chair as if you'd never arrived.

There was a pang in your chest when you looked over your shoulder one last time as the sanctuary doors swung shut, blocking your view of him.

An arbitrary afternoon of work bled into an evening of solitude. You sat on your couch and mindlessly flicked through TV channels, finding nothing of worth for you to watch.

It was hard to not think about him, especially when you were alone. What was he doing right now? What were they allowed to do in the evenings?

It was so blatantly obvious to you that you weren't ready for this type of commitment yet; you had no idea how to take care of a hybrid let alone one like Jayce.

Jayce.

His face flashed in your mind. His sad golden irises, his momentary smiles, and the gentle way he handled something so dear to him.

That pain in your chest hit you again, "You deserve someone better," you muttered to yourself and picked up your laptop.

The email to the vet was written within the hour; a simple explanation that, whilst Jayce was lovely and he hadn't done anything wrong, you felt you weren't the right fit for him.

But pressing send was proving impossible.

The tip of your finger had been against the mousepad for longer than it had taken for you to write the email; reading and re-reading your own email back to yourself over and over again.

Would they show him it? Would they let him know that you wouldn't be seeing him again? Or would he eventually realise you weren't coming back?

A singular tear that you didn't know was forming dropped from your waterline and hit the back of your hand; at the same moment your phone rang.

It was your friend, the one who had originally recommended you get a pet. The one that started all this.

"Hey?" you answered the phone with a shaky voice and a sniffle, "Hey, what's up?" your friend's voice travelled through the speaker but you could tell she'd picked up on the fact you were crying.

"Not a lot, you?" your answer was a cookie cutter response and she knew it, "What's wrong?" she ignored your question and instead asked her own.

A puff of air, which you think was supposed to be a laugh, came out of you, "Nothing, I'm fine!" you protested, but the silence on the other end was evidence enough that she didn't believe you.

"Tell me," she eventually said, and you caved.

"You know how you suggested I get a companion after Sal-", "We don't say his name in this household," she interrupted you, "But yes, I do, continue,".

A sad sigh left your lips, "Well, I think I found one, but he's-" she injected again, "Oooh! Tell me everything! Cat or a dog? I'm going to guess a little kitty," she was more excited than you were originally.

It sat with you for a moment; you wanted to tell her everything but the subject of hybrids had never come up before with her and you weren't exactly sure if it would go down well.

"He's a dog," you scrunched your face up at your own words, you hated referring to him in such a basic way.

A surprised sound came from your phone, "A small one though, right? Like a dachshund or something?", this time you were the one that was silent.

"A Labrador," you muttered, "Quite a big one too," you clarified.

She said your name in a scolding manner, "Do you have enough space? Do you know how much energy they have? It'll wreck your apartment!".

"He's actually very calm and polite," your words came out more defensive than you meant them to, "Polite?" she laughed at your choice of words.

"I'm more worried about if I can take care of him properly," you admitted, "Dog's are easy; walk them once a day, feed them and let them out when they need to shit!" by the tone of her voice, she was finding this all very amusing.

You opened your mouth to explain how different your situation was, but the sentence died in your throat, knowing it would cause more questions than you'd be able to answer.

"He's a rescue though, that's what I'm worried about," you thought hard about your wording, "He was abandoned really young so he's lived his whole life fending for himself until recently,".

"How recently?" she asked her voice becoming more serious. "I think they said 3 months- but he's adjusted really well!" you started to counter any arguments she was thinking of putting forward.

You retold the story of how he'd befriended a feline and it had grounded him, obviously rewording some parts.

"That's a good sign that he was chill with a cat, not a lot of dogs are like that," she paused for breath, "What's his name?" she asked.

Your heart skipped a beat and you smiled to yourself, "Jayce," you said with a giddiness you didn't know you had.

"Is he cute?" her second question came, and immediately your brain filled with images of him.

His strong jaw, his prominent cheekbones, his muscular frame, and his ears that looked so soft to touch.

"Y-Yeah, he is," your smile widened, "Then what is it that you're actually worried about? 'Cause you seem to like him a lot," she cut straight to the point.

Your grin started to fall, "I guess-" you started, inhaling deeply to prepare yourself for what you were going to say, "I guess I think he's better with someone else, who's adopted a rescue before, and emotionally together,".

This was something you'd only thought about, but for the first time you were speaking it aloud, "After Sa-" you started, but stopped yourself, remembering her rule about his name, "-After everything with him, I haven't been my best self, you know?" you vented.

She hummed as a sign that she was listening to you. "He needs someone who will take care of him properly, not make him worse," you concluded, slightly breathless from the confession.

"My mom adopted a rescue a few years back," she started what seemed like a tangent, but you let her continue, "My dad was so against the idea, but once my mom had met her there was no changing her mind, they'd bonded almost instantly."

You knew the dog she was talking about, you'd met her once and you'd had no idea she was a rescue until now.

"The little shit spent months warming up to her, but you could see it in her big soppy eyes that she adored my mom, but was scared to trust again," as she spoke, sad golden eyes flashed in your mind.

There was a short pause as you heard your friend sipping whatever drink she had before she continued

"What I'm saying is; yeah, rescues are hard work, but once you earn their trust, there is nothing stronger," she sounded uncharacteristically philosophical.

You nodded even though she couldn't see you. "I get what you're saying," you verbally confirmed so she knew you were still listening.

"Anyway, you might find that he brightens your miserable-ass up and makes you fun again," she insulted you but you knew it was meant with love and she was only semi-serious.

"Yeah, you're right," you said absent-mindedly. She quickly changed the subject and started to talk about how her day had been and how her girlfriend's birthday was coming up soon and she didn't know what to get her.

As she spoke, you listened but dragged your cursor over to the 'Delete' button of your email and confidently clicked your mousepad without a second thought. Your moment of doubt, and email, gone.

taglists:

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lockjaw:

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[ironhyde202]

Okay my friend has convinced me to share my dumb arcane head canons that I've been hoarding, their not great but they randomly popped up in my head, soooo:

Vi acts like she hates pop music but secretly listens to sad ones and cries, Jayce walks in on this once, and instead of leaving when Vi yells at him sits with her cause man loves sad pop music but Viktor never lets him listen to it. Hours later Caitlyn and Viktor find both of them crying to sad pop music in Vi's room, Caitlyn has no idea how to react to this weird ass image, Viktor just sighs pitches the bridge of his nose and proceeds to scold Jayce because this is exactly why he doesn't let him listen to it. All while going over to jayce wrapping his arms around him because he looks like a sad puppy While Vi is just threatening murder if anyone ever finds out about this, as Caitlyn turns off the music and hugs her

Sevika, big scary sevika who takes no shit from anyone, thee try me bitch, sex drugs and rock an roll, I don't need comfort that's weak, melts completely if someone plays with her hair

Viktor who absolutely looks like he'd listen to classical music, blasts death metal, anti government/piltover music in the lab sometimes and looks at Jayce daring him to say a word

heimerdinger walks in on this once compliments the music and leaves, Viktor is both embarrassed and has known no peace bc Jayce now teases him about it constantly

Viktor has to threaten Jayce with no physical affection every time jayce finds an animal on the street bc jayce tries to take every single one home, He caves exactly once, when it's a golden retervior puppy and it's feral black cat buddy bc their just them and he can't say no

Vander who doesn't push when the kids don't want to tell him why their upset unless it's seriously affecting them, than it's old man story time followed by him telling them that he's proud of them and they can tell him anything

Silco is the opposite and is very much who hurt my baby i have a knife, bc nothing makes him more feral and loose his calm collected coolness like someone hurting his babies

Silco and vander adopting the hoard of children together but they also get viktor and when jinx and viktor work together on a project Silco loves the chaos while Vander debates drinking the whole bar

Sevika in the world with hextech is still just Sevika and swears up and down sge doesn't like kids but she sees one of the kids getting beat up, (probably powder, like tiny percious bean powder) and goes fucking off on the idiot who did it, R.I.P idiot. And when Vander and Silco find out about this they give ger constant shit about it.