#it’s actually embarrassing how attached I’ve gotten to viktor so suddenly

[scribbly-artist]

Calling it a Night

Author’s Notes: I let the Arcane brain rot win lmao. Season 2 was dope, I’ve rewatched S1 and I’m making my way through S2 again. I looked up some tickle content for Arcane, and while there isn’t a whole lot, I got sucked in, hard. So he is a little ler!reader fic featuring my favourite inventor/scientist, Viktor. :)

He was a little bit difficult to write for, but after rewatching the show I think I could portray him a little bit accurately. Apologises if not.

Warning: a tickle fic. If you’re not into that, I’d advise not reading.

Words: ~1,400

The weight of your head felt like a boulder as you awoke from sleep. You weren’t even sure when you gracefully passed out on your work desk, papers strewn about messily. You swiped at your mouth with the back of your hand, letting out a yawn as you reached up to rub your eyes. Your back felt so stiff, probably from leaning over on the desk. You arched your back as you cracked it. You continued to lift your head in this drowsy state, your eyes looking at the tall, elegant windows. The sight shocked you.

The moon was high up in the sky amongst the stars. But why were you still here so late? Your gaze turned to the left as you shifted in your seat to witness your reason.

Because Viktor was still here, working away.

Both of you were doing some research in the laboratory. Both independent work, but you both enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s quiet company. You helped out Viktor when you could. Whether that be handing him a tool that was just out of reach, or to grab both of you a nice beverage or a snack so he didn’t have to grab his cane and hobble over to the kitchen nearby to do it himself. He apologised every time you went out of your way to do that in particular, but you didn’t mind. You liked caring for him and helping him out.

However, it was getting way too late at night. It looked like even Jayce had already left with no sign of him in the shared lab. You were no stranger to the late nights doing research and experiments - Viktor even more so - but you worried for Viktor’s health as he appeared more tired and pale lately.

You rose from your seat, pacing over to Viktor’s workbench. He didn’t seem to notice your presence behind him. He was heavily focused on carefully putting together a little machine. Something for Hextech, you assumed. You admired how delicately and calmly he could work. You placed a warm hand on his shoulder, making him jump, his head whipping around to look at you with his amber eyes.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” You spoke up, alarmed.

“It’s quite alright. Mm, I was just focusing and didn’t hear you get up.” He reached up to put his own hand on top of yours. “You must be tired - I could hear you snoring earlier.”

Your cheeks flushed at his comment. “We should really get going. The moon is already out, and it looks like it’s been for a while.” You gazed out the window.

“Just for a bit longer, it’s nearly complete.” He replied, his hand slipping away from yours as his head turned back to the pieces of metal in front of him.

“Viktor, I know you’re no stranger to all-nighters. But if you keep working, your body will shut down. You haven’t gotten a lot of rest lately,” Your mind wandered as you spoke. “I could see how tired your eyes looked. Surely you can finish this first thing tomorrow.” Your other hand joined his opposite shoulder, gliding your palms on top of them. He hummed at the touch. Maybe you could convince him to stop and leave with a bit of comfort. But he shook his head, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

“It is indeed tempting. And I appreciate your concern. But this will only take, eh, twenty more minutes or so.” His hands went back to work, picking up a screwdriver to carefully tighten a screw. You let out a sigh at his reply, leaning back on your heels, hands still on his shoulders. You pondered for a minute. If he can’t pull himself away from his work, you would have to do it by force. Literally.

“You’re so stubborn, you know that?” You pointed out as your hands slipped down from his shoulders to grip under his arms near his ribs. You felt his body jump at the touch as you attempted to physically pull him away from his desk. “If I have to pick you up like a toddler, I will.” Your hands slipped under his arms as you pulled some more. You got as far as lifting his elbows off the bench before you heard a noise leave his mouth.

“Hahaha— please, do not grab me there. Please, be patient. I won’t be much longer.” He steeled himself from laughing anymore than that, resting his elbows back on the table as he continued to work.

You heard his laugh and felt his body jump when you previously grabbed him. You started connecting the dots in your head, devising a plan.

Your hands dropped down from under his arms to his sides instead, dragging your fingers along the way. He jumped and twitched at the touch, stifling any noise before it left his mouth. “What was that laughing about, Viktor? Is something funny?”

He started to slowly catch on. “No, it was nothing of concern. Please, disregard it.” He was aware of your fingers being dangerously close to his sides. His body went stiff as a board.

“I think it was something else. And I think it’s our ticket out of here, Viktor.” You replied as your index fingers started to draw ticklish circles into his sides, his skin quivering under your touch.

He took in a breath, steeling himself. It was hard to concentrate and not react now that you’ve already started tickling him. But if he stayed calm, he could will himself to concentrate. He didn’t dare speak, as even replying to your comment would make his focus slip. He tried to distract himself by tinkering on his little machine, but even that was difficult.

You added more fingers as drawing circles turned into scribbling into his sides. A grin plastered itself on your face. You knew that if you kept going, he’d have to give in. You glanced over to view his arms, his elbows already shaking. It was taking every ounce of willpower within in to not turn around and grip your wandering hands by the wrists.

“You’re forcing my hand, Viktor. I’m doing this for your own good.” You warned as your hands slid up to his ribs, gently tickling between the bones through his vest.

Viktor’s body shook, his hands pausing but still gripping onto the machine and the screwdriver in his hands. He shut his eyes, leaning forward to try to get away from your touch. But your hands simply followed, pinching his ribs. He let out a laugh, he could no longer hold his reactions in.

“Pleahahahase, I j-just need to tighten some more screws— haha!” Quiet laughter escaped Viktor, his shoulders shaking. You couldn’t help but laugh alongside him, his sweet laughter you never got to hear often was quite contagious.

“Trust me; you can do it tomorrow. C’mon now, let’s go home.” You punctuated your sentence by quickly moving your hands to wiggle your fingers under his arms. Viktor let out a loud bout of laughter, quickly rising from his seat and grabbing ahold of your wrists, swiveling around on his heels. He met your smirking face.

“Alright, ohohokay, I believe you have made your point,” He stated, taking in a couple of breaths to rid of the residual laughter. “We will do some more tomorrow. Let’s go rest up, and maybe even have some tea?” He suggested as he let go of your wrists and shifted, grabbing his cane from off the side. You nodded as you started to leave with him, walking side by side.

“I’ll make us some chamomile tea when we get back. It’ll make us well rested and we’ll have lots of energy for more experiments tomorrow.” The rhythmic thump, thump, thump of his cane soothed you as you both walked together, matching his pace as to not leave him behind.

“Certainly. Mm, just before that though, so you’re aware. I’ll be getting you back tenfold for all of that.” As his words left his mouth, you thought you had misheard him. Your gaze darted to his face, a small but confident smile on his lips.

Uh oh.

You could feel a little bit of sweat collect on your forehead as your face turned red.