#simp-ly | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

simp-ly-writes · 2 days ago

Text

The Line

─────── · · How Could You Refuse? (pt.7)

Pairing: Jayce Talis x Shy!Assistant!Reader

─ · · SUMMARY: "Take a seat, But I'd rather you not be here for, What could be my final form, Stay your pretty eyes on course, Keep the memories of who I was before..."

─ · · TAGS: female pronouns used, protective!Jayce (to a fault), some fluff- mostly angst, AU - canon divergence, canon major character death, kissing, hurt no comfort, depictions of blood, gore, war and death. mentions of suicidal thoughts.

─ · · A/N: ... 😃 live, laugh, loving over here hahaha (what have you done to me Jayce Talis?!/!>!) 😭

─────── · ·

─ · · You set the table, swinging your hips back and fourth to the music sounding throughout the apartment. Spinning yourself through to the living room to water the plants before looking over a rising Piltover, smile faltering once still seeing the rubble on the streets.

"Breakfasts ready, babe!" Jayce calls from the kitchen. You hear the burners click off as he walks over with various plates up his arm, "I never knew you to be a server?" you tease, extending your hands out to help but watch as Jayce takes a half step back, "the plates are hot, don't want you burning yourself," he explains, your heart swells but you scoff.

"Jayce, I've burned my hands from hextech more times than I can count and almost lost the fingers to count on too," you joke, "I'm sure I can handle a few warm plates-" all of them had been set on the table. "You best know that I'm helping to wash up afterwards," you press a finger to his chest. Jayce stares down at it with a smile, how could he refuse you? Jayce playfully picked your wrist up and tried to bite your finger, watching as you gasped and waged that finger through the air- teasing him before being pulled into his lap.

The morning so far restful as you share plate of food together, clinking your cups of coffee to celebrate the morning. Jayce leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your neck as you tilt your head back on to his shoulder with a giggle. "Your beard is ticklish, Jay."

He hums out, taking a sip of his coffee, drawing random patterns on your arm, "Can always shave it." You sit up, turning your torso sideways, "No," you speak seriously watching as Jayce's smirk becomes hidden behind the mug, "so you like the look, sweetheart?"

You stare at him, tilting your head, watching him sweat for a sec before kissing his cheek, "I do," you say before hiding your face between your hands once hearing him laugh at you.

"Save those words for when I actually propose," Jayce teases, setting his mug down, finger tapping the ring on your own finger as you spread yours to look at him. "Then I don't find you positively hideous," you retort. Jayce throws his head back laughing, the sound making your heat race just like his next words, "Gosh I love you and that mind of yours." He removes your hands from your face interlaces his fingers with your own, squeezing as your cheeks warm. With your first defence gone you move to hiding your face into the crook of his neck, "I love you too," you whisper.

─ · · Later that morning you washed the dishes as Jayce dried them beside you before leaving you to get some work done in his office leaving you with a kiss to your cheek. You kept yourself busy around the apartment in the meanwhile while waiting for him to return. Mel sent a letter earlier wanting to meet with you both and you couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed about having your's and Jayce's limited time together cut short... but duty always called...

─────── · ·

─ · · You and Jayce meet up with Mel later that day, on the elevator up to the council room you admire your new ring with a smile on your face. Jayce stares down at you his hammer groaning, its presence flickering in his palms as you wearily take a step back from it with an anxious smile. Jayce frowns, his forearm starting to burn once again, he grits his teeth- breathing heavily. "Jayce?" you question- your voice echoing the cave of his mind clouded in galaxies before your face suddenly emerges through the darkness like a tunnel of light.

Jayce sways back into reality, the doors open as you look between the empty councillors room and your boyfriend in concern, whatever happened last time appears to be worsening. He blinks through the pain before extending his hand, watching as you walk out ahead of him- he follows closely behind. His eyes keep shifting around the room beyond his control, vision a kaleidoscope of your form merging with Mel who looks as equally concerned, "Jayce?" you both call out to him.

He leans against the large stone table, gripping its edge with a sigh, "I'm fine," he grits out, fixing the grip on his hammer. You begin to place a hand on his shoulder before being shoved away- your head slamming against the floor as you groan out in pain, looking up confused and through hazy eyes to see a white-figure you think to be staring at Mel yet when its blank stare turns towards you, your heart drops as you scramble to move away.

You blink slowly once at a distance yet its attention has never left your figure even as Mel and Jayce attack it. You watch as the masked figure rotates its head to a complete 180 degrees, you scream in a panic once it escapes Mels magical shield and starts flying with force towards you. Jayce races to stand in front of you, grunting as he braces with the handle of his hammer and uses all of his might to push the creature away.

A sudden electric jolt pecks at your ear followed by a ringing; you lose your strength to stand or to flee as you grip your head in pain, the noise progressively gets louder- almost as if taking a bite out of the side of your head and then suddenly you think to be hearing Viktor's voice, listen to me, hear me. Blue flashes in your eyes spreading out in all directions- magic trying to chase the floating body that in any other still scenario would appear angelic.

Mel starts to pull the figure from behind. You watch as Jayce's arms shake, his head turns- looking back at you with concern as you appear to be dozing off- every blinking rapidly- inhumanly- Viktor's voice as clear as ever, There is so much progress I have to show you- for you to note. You feel yourself start to nod before your head falls, finger twitching as you try and grasp out to the floating figure but you stall, a voice calling out to you- words unclear as if screaming through a storm, (name), come back, don't you dare close your eyes on me!

You begin to look back yet Viktor starts to move the void, images playing out before your face as your mind finds a new clarity you hadn't felt before... any pain from your earlier fall forgotten about as endless charts of perfectly organized information and positive outcomes come before you- you gasp trying to grasp how all these results were possible, I refuse to lose you again!

The opposing voice becomes clearer by every minute that passes, you look up to Viktor who extends his hand again, Follow me, there is still so much to show you. But just as you float over a force grips your foot, hands moving up your leg to your waist, pulling you back as the fantastical images before you flicker back with reality.

Mel is screaming, eyes golden as her arms open- she uses her power to pry open the faceless creatures arms from around your neck. You gasp watching as Viktor stands right beside you, kneeling, his face seemingly ten times the size of your own as you flicker between realms. You can see Jayce gently trying to pull you away, his eyes clouded over, veins glowing iridescently yet his touch burns as Viktor's soothes and when you open your mouth to ask, nothing comes out.

Now that you think about it, you can't hear your heartbeat, or think to be breathing... but you somehow feel more alive than ever. Viktor somehow feels your thoughts as you think them, he nods, You are beginning to understand- always the quickest mind. But just as you feel Viktor's hand shadow over your face, you take a gasp of air. In an immense sweat as you look down at your shaking hands and feel around your body before trying to stand. "What the fuck just happened?" you ask, looking between Jayce who pants, his foot slammed down against a flattened white body and Mel who looks nothing short of traumatized.

"Y-you just died and came back," Mel says softly, as if untrusting her own thoughts as she grips her hands together, shaking her head. You watch as Jayce yells, gripping his hair, he looks to be having another reaction... perhaps like what you just witnessed... the moment comes and goes quickly though as he comes to look you over- face visibly pained as he holds you in his arms- apologizing to you again and again.

"I'm sorry, i'm so sorry, this is all my fault and I'm sorry," he says as "How is this your fault, Jayce?" you speak softly, rubbing your hands up and down his arms trying to comfort him before looking over at Mel. She nods, silently removing herself from the room and going to inform the enforcers of what just happened, you wait and listen for the doors to close. "Jayce?" you call out again as he places his chin atop your head, just enjoying the feeling of you in his arms... as if trying to remember you.

"Jayce?" you ask again, this time a bit more scared. "Let's take a walk," he states, his tone feeling distant- your heart drops, "o-okay," you say, taking a step back. A part of you waits for him to wiggle his fingers, point out his elbow for you to take... but he doesn't- your heart burns once more as you silently follow behind him, just like old times- the times you thought to had missed.

─────── · ·

─ · · "I've been confused about a lot lately, I've not been myself," Jayce begins to speak as you walk behind him, observing his broad shoulders and listening to how his boots chime against the tiles as you both look over the ports of Piltover; a seagull flying overhead. Various enforcers nod to you both before turning around and providing privacy that for once in your life feels suffocating by not knowing what comes next... or the change of what comes next from what you originally had in your mind.

You twist the ring on your finger, shuffling your feet as Jayce grips the balustrade that mark on his forearm looking more irritated. "So much has changed... you, me, this fucking job. I'm scared of what comes next... of..." Jayce can't continue the sentence, a part of him knows fate like the tattoo etched into his skin, of meeting you no matter the universe- even undead. And yet... and maybe the most probable answer of them all... he does not want to admit to himself- to look at you in the eyes and tell you outright that only one of you might make it or else the world you lived in would cease to exist just like the future he lived through.

Jayce grips his hands into fists, begging himself to continue speaking as he feels your anxious eyes on his back, reaching up to the side of his face. He hates scaring you like this, hates that he feels so weak and is strapped with endless responsibility. He cracks his neck before taking a deep breath and turning to face you. "Yet my girl, still with me..." you nod your head rapidly. "Of course, Jayce. I promised since day one." Jayce steps forwards, taking your chin in his palm, tipping your head up as he stares down at you- you part your lips. Partially embarrassed by how desperate you feel for him to comfort you.

"What would I be without you?" he says quietly before capturing your lips in order to distract himself from his thoughts. You melt into the kiss, thankful that is odd mood appeared to be over yet he pulls away too. quickly leaving you chasing after his lips, hands on his chest as you grip his vest. "Do you... regret anything?" your words barley a whisper the wind carrying them up to Jayce's ears as he hesitates before letting go a sigh, "No, with you- never. I just... I look back at myself and I can't believe why you would still want me."

You swiftly pull him into a hug, struggling to wrap your arms fully around him yet you squeeze him tight, "you said it yourself Jayce," you begin to explain; Jayce stays quiet, his hands hovering on your waist, "we've both changed but inside... I know you are the same man I fell in love with all those years ago. And it could only be ourselves now that could admit that to each other- we should be thankful."

You feel as Jayce nods, taking in your words, he closely examines your smile, the way your eye crinkle. He feels your grip- tight on him, grounding him. He blinks, remembering your kiss before entangling his fingers in your hair, enjoying the soft feeling between his fingertips, whatever it takes to protect you, he thinks to himself before pulling away and looking at an enforcer who looks between the two of you, shuffling on the spot. "Councillor Medarda arranged the council..." you look up at Jayce with concern watching as his chin rises, his eyes hardened but before he follows after the guard he takes your hand, pressing a kiss against your knuckles and squeezing your hand before letting go.

What the hell is he going to do, you ask yourself... and you don't even know if you want to know but you follow after him, endlessly and into the next room. You watch as he sits in one of the storage rooms, a chest plate being fixed to his chest, you shake your head watching as he places his coat over his shoulders- not even looking at you- his breaths struggling to even out. "What the fuck are you going to do Jayce Talis," you question in too even and cold of a tone at his back watching as he flinches- your stress levels are out of your mind as he moves to the council chamber doors.

He can't even look at you, your heart shatters, no, no, no, what are you going to do?! "Jayce-" you warn, ready to get on your knees and beg. Jayce freezes, hand still on the door knob. "Don't do this, Jayce, we have a future together! You... you promised me-" you cry out watching as Jayce twists the handle, shoulders tense and you can't breathe. You know yourself to be selfish in this moment but after every sacrifice you both have made over the years- the near death (and actual death) experiences, the blood, the horrors, and the tears. All you begged the world for was him and fate couldn't even promise you that. You scream out to the world- for everyone to hear- to suffer alongside you in this realization.

"I FUCKING HATE YOU," your words rip through your lungs as you stomp at the floor, gripping at your hair. "You- you fucking said you loved me, promised me forever- I let you hold me, kiss me, fuck me and this is what you fucking do?! You're leaving me to... to what- die? HOW COULD YOU. HOW DARE YOU. What would your mother think? Wait- did you even think? Jayce-" Jayce turns around, his eyes filled with fury... with pain, cutting you off.

"OF COURSE I'VE FUCKING THOUGHT ABOUT IT- ITS ALL IVE BEEN DOING. Going after Viktor one last time is all I can do to ensure there is a world for you to live in for everyone to live-" Jayce's hammer slams against the floor as you stand up straight, sobbing, your future ahead of you blurry as you blink quickly trying to see him more clearly.

"Everyone but you, Jayce- thats not fair! I don't want to live! Not without you Jayce, you're such a fucking idiot-" you start to twist off the ring, throwing it in his face. "IS THIS WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF JAYCE?" you laugh through your cries- becoming hysterical.

"I. watched. you .die. I won't let that happen again," Jayce roars taking three steps forward as you take three steps back, shaking your head. Jayc cries, slamming his fist against the door, the council quiets- you can hear all of their muttering come to a stop. "Go, just go," you spit out, leaning and falling against a pillar bringing your knees up to your chest. Jayce opens and closes his mouth, hand twitching down at his side to reach out and touch you- to comfort you.

Your eyes are filled with nothing put pure hurt and rage as you stare at him, disgusted at yourself. Jayce turns around, nodding his head, "I love you," he says quietly, the words echoing down the empty halls. "I know... and thats the part that hurts the most. How much I still fucking love you and know that... that you are going to be gone, chose to be gone."

You don't look to see if he caught your words, only listening to how the large oak doors slam behind him. You look out through the window, past the panes and see that blue sky again crying alongside you as the sun glows... there was a part of you that wished to stay in that cell now... maybe Ambessa was right all along, you truly were weak.

─────── · ·

─ · · You couldn't go back to your house knowing your bed still smelled like Jayce. You couldn't go to the lab because that would remind you of Viktor so you went down to the docks, watching as the rich fled overseas as you sat on a bench, eyes dead watching as the sun rose and warmed your face like a synthetic kiss.

─ · · Jayce hadn't slept that night, your screams and voice yelling in his ear keeping him restless and at some point in the morning he felt around his bed for you, feeling sick once grasping cold sheets. He closed his eyes, imagining the weight of you on his chest and not the pressure of the gods on his shoulders. He imagined to feel your kiss on his cheek, your skin on his skin- a tear streamed down his cheek that he blinked away before rising out of bed, dressing himself and heading down towards the council room.

He hated that your last memories together wouldn't be what he wanted, you and him smiling, enjoying your time together. Instead he would die remember your tears, feeling your sorrows as equal and even more powerful than his own. He would die remembering your hateful eyes staring back into his... he would... die... but he had to shut off the hexgates, hand to kill what he started, had to say goodbye.

Jayce wanted nothing more than to be selfish but he knew the outcome if he were to do so. If he were to not tell you anything, to not leave you hurting but you would be dead like everything and everyone else or... he could just remove himself, the biggest mistake of them all. Jayce blinked back tears of desperation, it has to be done. Jayce overlooked Piltover for what could be the last time as he touched the tattoo on his forearm, closing his eyes to feel the sun kiss his face, I love you, he waited for you to hear it before opening his eyes with determination, I will not fail you.

─ · · You watched as the massive ships barley came into view before picking yourself up and seating yourself in a convert heading outside of the city- it would not stop until the sounds of bloodshed and violence could no longer be heard. You grasped Ximena Talis's hand in your own as she cried into your shoulder, you could feel the weight of her pain sitting heavy in your own chest- you both knew the outcome of today. "Why must the good always suffer so? Die so- so..." Jayce's mother sobbed, he words caught up as you leaned your head atop of hers- your words bitter, "Because seemingly there can only be so much good in this world before there is a need for evil."

─ · · Jayce could hear as the building shook... the opposition was already here. He looked towards Mel, to Caitlyn and Vi, his heart destroyed at the lack of your presence but he knew you were going to be safer in whatever city you headed into. He made sure that all the connections he made as Councillor knew about you, would offer you an opportunity for a new life at the sight of your face, a life that he was no longer a part of.

Jayce knew that the choices he made were wrong, all the choices he made up until now were wrong but he needed you, fuck, he needed you right now and always. Your ring was swinging down from his neck on a chain tucked underneath his shirt. The tattoo of your combined vision forever painted into his skin that also created what would be your undoing forever. He shook his head, if he didn't do this, didn't present to the council, didn't make weaponry... he would be probably standing at the end of the isle waiting for you; that little girl in the front row, his mother smiling at you both...

The hammer hummed in his hands as he propelled himself at Viktor. His pain and loss fuelling every swing, every cry against his old partner. He hated himself for not being a stronger man to let you go and watch you be happy with another, he hated the council for forcing him to make these rash decisions that he always used to be against. He hoped his hate would propel him just as far as his enemies, make them feel his pain.

─ · · You heard as the carriage suddenly stopped, your heart dropped in your chest as screams erupted from the group, white figures flying over- rustling the trees as you shook your head in disbelief, they were back. You hugged Ximena tightly- whispering into her ear, "thank you for giving me a home." She gripped you tight, "thank you for being the daughter I always dreamed of." And then... you felt nothing but the slight cold touch of fingers against your temples and neck before the world turned black.

─ · · Jayce flicked into space, his body illuminated by the rays of a thousand stars. He felt his mind powered, every thought easy and simple just flowing through his head... as if they were not his own. Jayce grips himself, forcing his mind to come back to him yet his eyes stagger him with disbelief seeing what looked to be an entity... and entity floating a million souls that was Viktor.

"So this is what you see? This is perfection?" Jayce asks, floating and spinning, observing the city of souls before him... a dark part of him wonders if one of these are you. Seemingly sensing his thoughts Viktor nods before explaining, "They want better lives but emotion clashes with reason. Everyone is living a perfect life here, one without the wrong choices or thoughts-" Viktor's arcane voice drifts throughout time and space, echoing endlessly in Jayce's ears.

"This is not perfect," Jayce shakes his head, vision of you coming to mind, your relationship and all its bumps, bruises and pitfalls. "There is beauty in imperfections; an inseparable piece of everything." Jayce feels himself blinking between consciousness and unconsciousness, floating over to plate a hand on Viktor's shoulder, "I thought what I wanted was to bring magic to everyone in the world... but now... all I want is to feel the cool breeze through the window- entering the lab and waking up to seeing us three together."

Viktor takes a breath for the first time, he feels the cool morning air, see's the sky flicker before his eyes. He hears you laugh, shaking him awake, the smell of coffee in his face, the sight of you and Jayce dancing together in the laboratory to a record. He thinks back to that night in the wings of the stage, the feeling of your hand in his, the sight of your smile laughing as you cheered Jayce on... he laughs himself remembering when Heimerdinger tried to get you both engaged... you were his best friend, he loved you, but he could never imagine in any lifetime taking you and Jayce away from one another.

Viktor turns his head over his shoulder, "thank you for showing me this," his throat feels heavy with the words alongside his body- yet ready to do what is needed to be done, "but you must go now, Jayce." The celestial body within him still can see to the future, a glimpse of yours and Jayce's faces flash before his eyes- he smiles happy to know you are happy then- that Jayce will be happy then.

Taking the rune out of his skin, Jayce places it in Viktor's palm, watching as the glow illuminates and starts the vanish the darkness of space, "no, we finish this together, as partners," Jayce declares, ready to live through or rather die on his words.

Viktor shakes his head, placing a hand on his shoulder, "we would be forgetting another who stood for just the same work we did. Their heart waits for you... I-I can see it." Jayce's eyes squint past tears as he chokes back a sob, his lip quivers as he takes in Viktor's words. Viktor nods, pulling Jayce in for a hug, knowing his time to be approaching.

"Tell her that I miss her, that I loved her..." Viktor says. Jayce nods understanding his words, the place in which they come from. "I will... I will," Jayce speaks through sobs, gripping Viktor for one last time before letting go. He see's his skin turn gold as he circles around Viktor heading upwards in the funnel.

Viktor tilts his head upwards, sending off one last smile before closing his eyes as Jayce does the same.

─────── · ·

─ · · A/N: IM DONE CLASS FOR THE YEAR!!! happy endings + this story = coming soon...

#fanfic #fanfiction #simp-ly #simp-ly-writes #x reader #arcane x reader #jayce x reader #jayce talis x you #jayce talis x reader #protective #fluff #love language #physical touch #arcane #angst #tw blood #tw death #How Could You Refuse?

207 notes · View notes

simp-ly-writes · 1 day ago

Text

To Be Someone To You

─────── · · How Could You Refuse? (pt.8)

Pairing: Jayce Talis x Shy!Reader

─ · · SUMMARY: You started your new life, got a new job and making new friends yet it seemed no matter how hard you tried to forget about him- Jayce's presence always lingered in your life and it seems that even he himself is not ready or willing to be out of it- he begs you not to be stranger, we only want to be someone to you.

─ · · TAGS: female pronouns used, protective! jealous! grovelling! Jayce, some emotional angst but a LOAD of fluff (potentially cheesy) and mutual pining, kissing, teasing, sharing clothes, intoxication, a side-OC, reader is mentioned to have hair and is shorter than Jayce, not beta read.

─ · · A/N: THEY ARE JUST SO UGH, I NEED IT- PLEASE 😩‼️

─────── · ·

─ · · The carriage continued down the road and into a neighbouring region. You were shocked to see various members of the local guard awaiting your presence and helping you out of the carriage before leading you towards their parliament buildings. To your equal shock people waved and smiled once seeing you, what the hell did Jayce do now? You ask yourself standing in front of the prime ministers desk. "We have been expecting your arrival Miss (last/name). Councillor Talis had informed us..." you zoned out for the rest of his speech nodding along until Ximena Talis squeezed your hand, bringing you back to reality, "...we have a few professors and scholars in the area that would love to work with you if you are interested Miss?"

You smile and nod, "I would love to take that opportunity, thank you." An assistant suddenly comes in running, "this way, ma'am," they lead out of the office and back out onto the street, pointing you in the direction of the university before the parliament doors shut behind you and seemingly on your old life.

─────── · ·

─ · · In the next coming days that turned into weeks you worked alongside Evren, a professor and active researcher at the local university as his new lab and teaching assistant. It felt great to meet new people, be back in the lab space, and to see all of Evren's students, you loved your new position getting to work with the next generation of scientists and develop their skills yet it always surprised you how excited they were to talk with and learn from you.

─ · · You could scoff remembering your first day sitting in Evrens' office as he walked you through the learning material and basic questions students commonly asked that you could filter for him. You were beyond anxious to mess something up or to have a hoard of students calling after you yet Evren only taught the upper years and from having such small classes he really only needed you to grade work and developing new material with him.

─ · · Evren always made sure you were comfortable and confident before leaving you with the students or in the lab when he had to take a step away. He even helped you to move in to your's and Xiema's new apartment and bought a wine bottle for you all to share while building furniture (class was cancelled that next morning as you all stayed up way too late laughing and sharing stories).

"Do you know I was married for a year?" he asks you, cheeks flushed red from the booze in his system as he fixed his glasses- an anxious tick. "No way, really?" you asked, leaning forwards in your seat with wide eyes as Xiema scoffed mentioning she was heading to bed as you two waved her goodbye for the night. "Yeah, high school sweetheart turned out not so... sweet. Stole all my work and designs I had yet to publish."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Evren," you say, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he shrugs, fixing his curly brown hair. "Well," he begins in a matter-of-factly tone, "I actually thanked her for doing so since I came up with a better idea the next week." You throw your head back laughing as his dry commentary, your heart racing remembering how Viktor used to talk to you like this. You face soon falls remembering the man Viktor connected himself to... Jayce.

"Hey, everything alright?" Evren's face falls, green eyes looking into yours with concern as you pull away and look distantly through the window. "Just... remembering past things," you try and move conversation, feeling anger, pain, and sadness starting to boil underneath your skin the more you think about it. "Favourite book?" Evren asks into the dead air as you look at him with relief for not asking any further questions- he seems to silently understand what you were going through internally and you were thankful for it.

"Asking all the hard questions aren't you now," you tease before burying yourself into the blankets on the couch as he throws you a pillow, "don't fall asleep on me now-" Evren begins to say seeing you ready to doze off. A wave of deja vu flashes over you and see Jayce's eyes looking into your own before blinking them away to see green again. Evren now looks exceptionally concerned, "I wasn't going to press earlier but I am worried about you, friend."

You smile at the term, something you both established at the beginning as many of the students "shipped" you two together. "I just hate that I miss him. Hate that I always check the death lists coming from Piltover- wait to see his name as they study corpse after corpse. I just feel disgusted with myself for..." you fail to continue your sentence, confused as to what to say next.

The thought of Jayce Talis made your heart race and equally ache, he made your blood boil and yet when you flipped through one of the few journals you packed, you broke down at the messages and jokes he wrote to you in the margins, you couldn't help but cry for everything you had lost. You swore to see him sometimes between the ailes of bookshelves in the library, at the market, or out of the corner of your eye. But when you would walk closer, you would either just walk right through the mist of him or just blink him away like another fleeting thought.

You were bitter towards that fact as you regretted your final moments together. You knew your feelings were in the right but looking back, you would have made the same choices that Jayce did. Trying to play into that fantasy future you both could have had for as long as possible... knowing the inevitable. Giving yourself that peace to enjoy every moment no matter how short as if nothing could come in between you both. It pained you with want just pleading with your past self to step back into that council room and just hold him, go against your pain and your anger and just have lived a little moment longer.

Evren holds out his hand and seeing that you don't take it he gently flicks the side of your head, "It's okay to be frustrated. You hate them because you loved them once, nothings wrong with working through emotions at our own pace."

"Thank you Evren... I really needed to hear that," you respond, closing your heavy eyes. "Goodnight, (name)," he whispers before you hear the door lock closed behind you for the night.

─────── · ·

─ · · Your daily schedule continued as it usually did yet today felt different and the title of todays paper only concerted that, 'councillors working together to build stronger cities'. Piltover and Zaun were combining resources to rebuild- your heart ached remembering this is what Viktor and Jayce worked so hard towards... and now they wouldn't be able to see their vision finally coming to life. Near the end of the newspaper it noted that the final list of the deceased would be out by the end of the week, and still not sights on the name Jayce Talis.

─ · · You stumbled into Evrens office later that day holding coffees for you both as you apologized for being late, the shock of the headlines still ringing through your head, "shit sorry I'm late, did you get a chance to read the news yet- its crazy I never thought this day would..." you slowly stop talking once not hearing Evren respond, hanging up your jacket over his as he stares at you, leaning against a windowsill with an apologetic look on his face before walking over and pulling you in for small hug.

You pat his back, "bad day already?" you mumble with a slight groan not looking forwards to it. You feel Evren shake his head before another voice clears their throat from behind you both. You feel as Evren jumps in your arms before he pulls away and grips your shoulders, forcing you not to look just yet. "I promise you that I had no idea, if I had I would have screened you first and this was not my choice and-"

You take a deep breath before looking over and your heart drops seeing... "Jayce?" sitting behind Evrens desk glaring at the other mans hold on you before catching your eyes and smiling anxiously. You can feel the world slow, your vision tunnelling to his smile and the shake in his hands he tries to hide by holding them together. Blinking away tears, as he slowly nods and stands, you hold out your hand, silently asking him to stay in his spot. "Am I seeing things, Ev?" you ask in a small voice, unsure.

Evren takes his time to respond, "that is Councillor Talis," he confirms before starting to move out of the room to give you both space yet you reach out and grip his hand for support. You look at Evren, "thank you, I'll be in lecture soon." He nods, giving your hand a squeeze and shuts the door softly behind himself.

"I know you must be confused but please allow me to explain-" Jayce begins before you cut him off with a heated glare. "No, Councillor Talis. You will fucking listen to me when I say you shouldn't be here after what you did to me. You said you were going to die, going to leave me, and yet you have the audacity to stand before me and plead?" You watch as Jayce's expression falls, his shoulders dropping as his head lowers apologetically, shuffling on the spot as if you kicked a puppy- your heart aches and you only become more frustrated.

"No Councillor you don't deserve to be moping around after the utter shit you pulled trying to play hero. I won't thank you, won't get on my knees and worship you- no. Do you understand how many nights I held myself sobbing to sleep, thought to see you- to hear you, desperate to feel you?" you are vibrating with anger, electricity flowing through your veins power by the passion in your heart.

"I do understand," Jayce's tone is firm, a warning to your heart for what is to come. You watch as he walks over and stands before you, his head tilting down and cocking to the side as he looks over your features distantly with dark eyes- you hate yourself for blushing.

"When I got stuck in the rune, I was forced to see your dead body before you consumed my every. waking. thought. It was your voice that called me back to you, that allowed me not to feel the pain in my leg, the ache in my ribs from starving. The thought of your touch against my body propelled by every step. I didn't stop- wouldn't stop until I knew you were safe... and you know what happened afterwards," Jayce allows a smirk to form across his features once seeing you subconsciously bite the inside of your cheek before taking a few steps back as you let out a breath you didn't know to be holding.

You walk after him as Jayce moves to leave against the desk. You stand in front of him before slapping him straight across the face. Jayce flexes his jaw, licking away the taste of iron building in his mouth. He looks back at you with wide, remorseful eyes and press lips- your blood boils, "I fucking hate your face."

"Mhmm?" Jayce hums, imploring you to continue getting your anger out. You take a step closer, standing in between his legs as you grip the lapels to his coat, knuckles turning white, "I hate that I'll always listen to everything you say and desire your touch. Hate that I still care about you, that I still want you. I hate myself! Hate my weak heart and yet I still let you have it- I fucking hate that I can't move on. Can't function a day without thinking to see you. I HATE YOU- hate that I love you, Jayce!" You punch and sob into his chest, utterly tried and longing for him to comfort you in a way no one else could as large warm palms hold you closely and tightly to his chest.

His beard tickles the top of your head, ruining your styled hair and yet you can't find it in yourself to care about anything. You feel sick with yourself for almost moaning when he kisses the side of your head and hums his apologies into your hear. You are embarrassed with yourself as you shake your face into the crook of his neck.

"I'll do anything for you to be mine again... and if you can't accept that just yet or even ever... I just want to be someone to you- just not strangers, never strangers... please," Jayce begs, squeeze your hips once feeling you starting to pull away but letting go once seeing your puffy eyes mirroring his own.

"I would say yes to everything now, Jayce. But I know that wouldn't be good for either of us knowing what happened last time," you explain as Jayce lowers his head into a nod, "I love you," he speaks softly.

"I know, I know," you respond, taking a deep breath before picking up your notes and learning material, "and thats why you are going to leave me alone for awhile... just so we both can sort though ourselves and come back with clearer minds." Jayce chuckles a little, "what part of me do you need a clearer image on, sweetheart?" he teases watching as you groan and huff your way to the door.

"Goodbye, Jayce," you twist open the doorknob only to feel a hand on your shoulder, holding your movements, "not goodbye- never again," Jayce says while looking into your eyes sternly. You raise your chin, "of course.... see you later then?" you try and say yet it comes out more like a question. Jayce smiles, your heart skips a beat, "better, see you later," he leans forwards to kiss you but ends up kiss air as you flee down the hallway smiling to yourself. Jayce sighs, watching as you turn down the hall and out of sight, back to square one.

─────── · ·

─ · · You feel bad that Evren paused the class as soon as you appeared, checking over your face and telling you to spin three times to ensure you were a-okay. The rest of the students fell into a hysteria and all you wanted was for his lesson to continue and for life to move on. "I'll beat of that councillor if you need me to miss!" "Would you ever consider going back?" "If he were ugly he wouldn't have gotten away with all of the shit he pulled!"

"Silence!" Evren ordered as everyone fell back into their seats and reopened their journals, you looked towards your friend with thanks, seating yourself beside him as you finished marking the papers before you, inputting the grades into your tables to help take your mind away. The class went by more quickly than you thought once zoning out, "how about a nice long lunch break this afternoon?" Evren asks, holding out your coat with a smile.

"Is coffee included?" you ask, offering a small smile watching as his grows, "of course it is."

─────── · ·

─ · · "So tell me, am I going to have to hire another assistant?" Evren asks, stirring the sugar in his coffee while watching your expression tick with annoyance. "I'm not jumping his bones as soon as I see him, at least not again after thinking him to be dead." Evren kicks his feet in laughter, the table jumping with the movement as you kick his shin, mumbling for your friend to, shut the hell up.

"I mean... I would jump his bones. Did you see that oxford shirt?" Evren groans, twirling his non-existent long hair as you roll your eyes. "And here I thought you had my back?"

"I do! I do, but after him threatening me... I think I questioned my sexuality-"

"WHAT?" it was your turn to yell as other cafe-goers looked between the two of you in question. You sunk down into your chair, embarrassed yet eyes demanding to know the answer as you took a sip of your coffee. Evren regretted his words not wanting to stress you out further but every time he would try and change conversation... you would only ask him again.

"Well... I think someone told him the wrong information about our relationship. I walked into my office not expecting anyone yet as I sorted through our schedule on the board and then next thing I knew a hand was being clamped down on my shoulder, the other on my hand in a tight shake..." Evren continued to recall the story of their interaction with Jayce who appeared to "size him up-" you scoffed.

"...and then he said to me," Evren lowers his tone watching as you shake your head at him, "...'I've killed gods and came back from the dead. If I hear that you've done anything against her- know that there isn't a place on this planet I won't be able to find you'."

"He said that?" you ask to confirm- Evren nods his head, chuckling, "He was so jealous saying it- I would have laughed if I wasn't so scared shitless."

"Oh god," you sigh out.

"Oh Jayce!" Evren mocks... whatever we're you going to do?

─────── · ·

─ · · It had been a few weeks since you had last seen Jayce. He had been sending flowers to your apartment with little notes attached that you kept in a box underneath your bed. Jayce also donated a very generous amount of money to your universities department and event sent service people to help fix your leaking sink and shower.

─ · · Jayce was very conscious about keeping physical space between the two of you just like you had asked. Even though it pained him listening to you talk in lecture as he stood at the back of the hall and when he stared down at the tattoo on his arm.

─ · · Everyday was a new challenge for you both not running to one another- it posed a new hurt that you both needed to feel mutually as you jotted down what you wanted out of your future the next time you both were to talk. Jayce on the other hand swirled your ring between his thumb and index finger, reminiscing on past dreams that if he waited just long enough could become his future.

─ · · Jayce always made sure to tell you when he was headed back to Piltover and for how long he would be gone since he was still needed at the Council as they rebuilt the cities and reestablished their trade routes and partners. As a parting gift, he offered you a shirt of his or left his jacket behind somewhere in your apartment when you were out a work and he visited his mother. Evren would also laugh when seeing you practically live out of the large jacket as you glared at him, daring him to say anything.

─ · · In one of his attached notes to a new pair of boots from the Zaun cobbler you liked he noted down Viktor's final words to you and worried for your letter back. You thankfully took the information well... or at least he couldn't see any tear stained pages or furiously written text, just thoughtfully exposed words in a mature understanding of the events. A part of you did wonder for a moment what a future with Viktor would have been like before realizing you both argued more than you agreed on things and the little moments you both shared were only possible because of meeting Jayce... Jayce, your heart heart longs for... and how could you refuse his affection when you wanted him just as much?

─────── · ·

─ · · A part of you was worried that your presence and relationship with Jayce was keeping him away from spending time with his mom but when you and Evren came back from the bar one night totally hammered, your drunken self was almost made sober by the shock of seeing Jayce open your front door for you once hearing you struggle with your keys.

"Had a good night there, sweetheart?" he asks in a loving and equally teasing tone as you fall into his chest, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Wow, you're really here! Hey handsome," you giggle, feeling as his back muscles flex as he holds you up in his arms. Evren mumbles something about heading into your kitchen but all your groggy mind can think about is pawing at Jayce.

You stand on your toes, trying to kiss him. Jayce remembers your words of wanting space and moves his head to the side, your soft lips fall upon his beard with a huff, "mean! I wanted to kisss you since I misss you~" you slur your words together, suddenly becoming interested in your glimmering heels in comparison to Jayce's dress shoes, "I love how much bigger you are to me, always so warm and huggable," you giggle, feeling giddy with yourself before stepping away and running after Evren, "Ev! you should really get a hug from Jayce! He gives the best hugs!"

Evren picks his head up, eyes squinting to the dim kitchen lights to look at you and Jayce who watches your every moment, hands extended and ready to catch you as you wobble on the tiled floors and towards the fridge in search of a snack, oooh apples!

You turn around, fridge slamming behind you in search of a cutting board and blade. Jayce's heart drops as he wraps his arms from behind you, gently taking the knife from you and doing the job for you.

You lean your head back, smiling softly at the man before you- touching his clenched jaw with fascination, "you trimmed your beard, it looks good."

"Thank you," Jayce smiles before presenting you the plate. Removing himself from your touch as he looks around to hide the knife from you. "Are you sober enough to get home? Or should I put a fire on in the living room?" Evren points at himself as Jayce nods, "yes, you."

"I've been sober the whole time to watch over that one," Evren points over to you as you wave cheerfully back, snacking on your apple slices and offer one to him in which he accepts. "None for me?" Jayce teases as you shake your head, "No," you state coldly. Evren laughs, "You ready to get to bed?" he asks you.

You look between Evren and Jayce, "Get your mind out of the gutter," he shoves your shoulder as you laugh, pushing Evren on his back as he pretends to stumble over into the wall, "if you start shoving me, I may just have to report you to the dean," he teases as you narrow your eyes. Jayce crosses his arms watching as you two rile one another up. "You wouldn't dare!" you point your finger in his face.

Evren puts his palms up and shrugs, "Hey, I know that you're leaving by the end of the year anyways- what difference would a few months make?" He asks looking over at Jayce expectedly.

Your gaze also turns towards Jayce, eyes softening as you fall into his side. Jayce holds your upright, thumb gently rubbing the side of your arm. "Are you saying I can't hold a grudge?" you ask, feeling as Jayce fixes your hair our of your face.

"Well, I was trying not to say it like that-" you scoff as Evren treats you with a deadpan stare looking between you and Jayce expectantly. "This means nothing right now," you say, wrapping Jayces arm around your front and playing with his fingers. Jayce stiffens staring down at you yet you look forwards- having a silent conversation with Evren who sighs, "okay, goodnight you two. I can trust you to make sure she makes it to the couch, right?"

"Of course," Jayce says, squeezing you against him for a moment as you smile and wave goodbye to your friend, listening to the door close behind him before stepping out of his touch. "Did you... really mean that?" Jayce asks, not expecting a confident answer since you still appear under the influence.

"No, just had to stick it to him," Jayce chuckles before saying something he hopes you will not remember in the morning, "I miss you, so much... I just want you back but I'll wait... forever if I have to but I'll always live with hope." You look at Jayce for a long moment before heading towards your bedroom. Jayce stands there in the kitchen wondering if you even heard him before hearing your voice whisper-shout down the hall.

"I miss you too... I just want to make sure its more than that first."

─────── · ·

─ · · In the morning you her Xiema in the kitchen, the local news radio ringing through the apartment as you groan and place a pillow over your head, I really have to start saying no to nights out, I'm getting to old for this feeling...

─ · · You startle at the sound of a knock at your door, but Xiema's in the kitchen? Jayce sighs from behind the door, gently opening the door but not looking in as he calls to you, "Morning sweetheart, my mom told me to come and wake you up. Evren wrote in saying you both were..." Jayce contains a laugh, ""sick" this morning." You mumble something incoherent that Jayce only picks up the end of, "...come here."

─ · · Jayce opens your door fully before walking over to your bedside and crouching down to look at your face as you smile at him lazily. Pulling your hand from underneath the covers to hold his cheek, feeling as he nuzzles into your touch- closing his eyes as he drinks in the moment not knowing when the next time would come... if ever, he feels his heart drop as you watch his expression become pained. Guilt gnaws at your chest as you roll yourself over underneath the covers before patting at the empty spot.

Jayce opens his eyes, eyebrow raised as if to confirm. You nod your head and extend your hands to welcome his warmth to your side, intertwining your legs together as you rest your head on his arm and press a kiss to his chin, "I love you," your murmur, not confident enough to look at him in your soberness with the confession.

Jayce gently tips your head back in his direction, his other hand massages your thigh as you hum at the feeling while looking into his eyes filled with nothing short of pure adoration, "I love you too, princess."

You swat his chest before trying to crawl away, "no! you don't get to say that!" you yell into your pillow, holding it to your face once feeling his heavy arms wrap around your torso, touch calling you back to him. "Say what? princess?" he teases, purposefully using his groggy morning voice while taking away your pillow- you kick your feet. "Stop it," you huff, hair sticking up in all positions as you sit up and glare at him watching as his arm flexes from behind his head as he looks up at you, "I love watching your cheeks flush for me."

Your jaw drops as you are at a loss for words, "Jayce-" you warn feeling your heart rapidly beating in your chest. "I love hearing my name from between your lips." You throw yourself out of bed, "and I love you in my clothes."

"This is too much now, Jayce!" you plead for mercy (though you love it) as you run out down the hall and towards the kitchen as Jayce chases after you. "Morning Xiema!" you chime watching as she turns around to see Jayce hugging you form behind with a large smile that matches her own, "Good morning to you both, now who I made a few options..."

─ · · You all sit at the kitchen table together, passing food and the coffee pot. Jayce places an arm over the back of your chair, playing with your hair as you look apologetically towards his mom who just smiles brightly seeing you both together again.

─────── · ·

─ · · A/N: thinkin' 2 more chapters? 🤔 or... idk, I love these two together so much but I don't want to over do it! 😅

─ · · JAYCE TALIS TAGLIST: @sseleniaa @sunshiines-stuff @kiromiix @todorokishoe24 @w2momo @m-arj-1 @reid490 @kaminocasey @chickenlvr123

162 notes · View notes