#yes i know viktor may not have actually helped him

[mettywiththenotes]

Thinking about them in episode 2

Light and dark capes, walking through the undercity alone (especially after just losing people they cared about: Silco and Sky), finding someone who needs help, helping (any future consequences this will have aside for now) and then sitting with them (gaining a follower)

[gffa]

I'm still trying to navigate my way through the absolute avalanche of Arcane fic, but I am here to scream at everyone about the fics I've loved so far and try to drag a few more of you down into this hellpit of feelings with me. It's nice down here, I promise! Totally normal and with soooo many hinges, nothing off a single hinge here!

JAYVIK RECS:

✦ To love is to risk the soul's quiet by Disguised_Bird, jayce/viktor, NSFW, 32.7k     When an anomaly suddenly transports an older, scarred version of Jayce into the Jayce of Viktor's timeline, the two must navigate the strange collision of past and future while grappling with feelings neither fully understands. As they work late into the night to find a way to send Jayce back, tension turns into intimacy, pushing Viktor to confront vulnerabilities he has spent a lifetime burying.

✦ Say My Name by Acryllic, jayce/viktor, NSFW, eventually post-canon, 77.2k wip     “Tell me now if you don’t want this.” He stroked Viktor’s bottom lip with his thumb, “Keep saying my name if you do.”

✦ This ain't goodbye no more, it just began by SirCumference, jayce/viktor, NSFW, 7.1k     After he and Viktor save the world, Jayce wakes up in his old bed on the day it all started. Things are different, this time.

✦ first times, second goodbyes by tragicperformer, jayce/viktor, NSFW, post-canon, 1.6k     “What do you mean pull out?” He teases, the corners of his lips quirking up into a stupid, dopey grin. “I have separation anxiety.” “Yes, I know,” Viktor intones. “We were just discussing this. It is why I’m currently visiting you, rather than focusing on my duties back in the commune.” “Yeah. And when I pull out, you’re going to leave again,” Jayce rationalizes. Not entirely incorrect. “Just a few minutes. Please, Vik? Let me pretend for a little longer.”

✦ The Threads of Our Mind by Darling_Pigeon, jayce/viktor, post-canon, 3k     Snapshot of Jayce and Viktor’s new life of exploration after the finale: Viktor helps Jayce adjust to his brace, but they discover they may be connected in another, strangely magical way.

✦ Time For Space by yurikazen, jayce/viktor, NSFW, post-canon, 6.6k     First, there’s a wave of blinding light, tearing through the cosmos like a free-falling comet. Then, Jayce opens his eyes to find a smooth, unfamiliar ceiling above his head. (Jayce dies, holding Viktor close to him, yet death is just another beginning.)

✦ two left feet by ChiliCheeseCornDog, jayce/viktor, 4k     Jayce rises from his seat, face set with a soft smile, and holds out his right hand with the palm facing up. “Let me teach you how.” The pause is long and unrelenting. “You are joking,” Viktor manages to say. or: Jayce teaches Viktor how to dance, Piltover-style.

✦ destabilise by antiparticular, jayce/viktor, 3.6k     Jayce was naked and in Viktor's bed. Don't get him wrong - Viktor had dreamed of this happening, both literally and on slow days in the lab when he was feeling particularly self-indulgent, but for it to manifest outside of his overactive imagination? He was half tempted to pinch himself to check he'd actually awoken. Why was Jayce Talis in Viktor's bed? And more pressingly, why did Viktor not remember?

✦ Run It Back Again by Withercrown, jayce/viktor & vander/silco & cast, 18.9k wip     Sometimes there's nothing you can do except scrap the whole experiment and start over. The worst possible outcome becomes an opportunity for a new beginning. Viktor and Jayce, estranged enemies in a brutal war, go back to the start - and then earlier than that. The key to their salvation ends up being an undercity brat named Silco. He's not quite the person they remember.

✦ Electric Desires by abisbookcase, jayce/viktor, NSFW, 1.2k     Viktor gets an important phone call in the middle of sex, and Jayce keeps fucking him roughly, trying to make him slip up while he talks.

✦ Between gears and parties by chaosheadspace, jayce/viktor, 3.6k     "Why do you think it is so hard for people like me to get a footing here?" Viktor asks. "Aside from the obvious classism, of course. I'll tell you. Bureaucracy. Do you know how difficult it is to even find a place to live without a last name up here?” Or: Jayce wants to save his partner some trouble and gets them married on paper.

ZAUNDADS RECS:

✦ Take Me Like You Mean It by Anonymous, vander/silco, NSFW, 2k     Young! Silco and Vander have sex in the alleyway behind the last drop after closing.

✦ Mr Eye of Zaun by limeta, vander/silco & jinx & vi & cast, 28.8k wip     Mylo and Claggor would say there’s nothing that scares Vi. She can dish out punches and evade danger better than anyone. She’s their fearless leader, always ready to take them on a job and back without losing anyone. It’s that level of assurance that they have in her, that confidence she exudes, that makes them trust and believe in her. But they’re wrong. Powder knows there’s something that scares Vi. And that’s because it scares Vander. Or: Silco reads the letter Vander left in the mines and sticks around as a boogeyman in the Last Drop.

✦ let fall the world by perfidiousalbion, vander/silco, nsfw, 4.2k     Or: before it all went wrong, Silco and Vander had something good.

✦ The Lives of Others by Lilbaebloo, vander/silco & ekko & benzo, NSFW, 5.1k     Ekko drops an emotional grenade on Silco and Vander when he brings up their fated night at the river thirteen years earlier. The plunge into the past reminds them both of how far they've come, together and apart, and what they have to keep living for.

✦ The Shore From Which I Fell by ClutchHedonist, vander/silco, NSFW, 1.2k     “I knew you still had it in you.” Silco’s mouth tastes of ash. His tongue, tacky and dry with the suffocating weight of it, threatens to stick to the roof of his mouth as his lips fall shut. He does his best to swallow past the whisper of bruising already blossoming in his throat where Vander’s broad hand has yet again left its mark.

✦ Night Business by spicedrobot, vander/silco, NSFW, rough sex, 2.6k     The rulers of Zaun play a game.

✦ While the world turns around by Blue_Daddys_Girl, vander/silco & jinx & benzo, 8.9k     In a chance meeting Vander sees Silco for the first time since the fateful day he's come to regret so deeply. Silco has changed—they both have. Vander can't stop thinking about him.

TIMEBOMB RECS:

✦ Little Crow by shroomyystar, ekko/jinx, 2.1k     There’s a monster under his bed.

✦ Let's Give It One Last Try by the_whole_shebang, ekko/jinx, post-canon, 12.3k     The war is finally over, and Ekko is finally home, but an old friend has one more favor to ask of him. Jinx found the strength to walk away, but something told her not to let go just yet. Maybe if Vi and Ekko hadn't given up on her yet, then she wouldn't either. Plus, thanks to Ekko, she was starting to think that the past wasn't as set in stone as she though it was.

✦ Let Me Try by Blue_Daddys_Girl, ekko/jinx, post-canon, 4.3k     Ekko walks away from the final battle in a daze after learning that Jinx is dead. Or: An alternate ending to the show, in which she isn't, no matter what Vi believes.

SOMETIMES THE SHIPS AREN'T THE POINT RECS:

✦ wait 'til your sister sees where you've been by QwahaXahn, vi & jinx & cast, post-canon, 12.9k     OR: Jinx falls. The bomb explodes. Everything goes white. ...And Vi wakes up in a different world.

✦ was it the worst you'd never know by Anonymous, jinx & silco, 2.2k     “Fix him,” she demands, voice barely decipherable through the breaking and raspiness from crying. Gentle, gentle, as gentle as Singed knows how to be, which is not very. Jinx will have no qualms killing him if he steps wrong. “He is… very far gone.” And indeed he is. His chest does not rise, and his eyes are vacant. He is gone. “FIX. HIM.” aka jinx refuses to let her father die and brings him to singed. it goes better than expected

✦ Six Weeks Since by argonautoida, jinx & viktor, 2.1k     Six weeks after Silco died, Jinx finally makes a friend.

[animeshotsh]

You what? | Viktor x Jayce x Kid!Reader | Arcane ¤

Summary: Viktor knows Jayce sometimes does things without thinking, but this? This goes beyond his own limits.

Warnings: Mentions of trauma - Kid!Reader - Viktor and Jayce are a couple - OFF CANON EVENTS - Human traffic - GN Reader - PLATONIC - grammar mistakes -

When Viktor enters on monday morning into the lab with his coffee in hand he expects nothing but silence, after all he is here before Jayce most mornings.

But he stops in his tracks when he hears Jayce's voice, maybe sounding less...well less like him. He sounds like he is talking to a small animal. It reminds him on how he uses to talk to Rio when he was a kid.

Pushing memories aside Viktor retakes his way and goes deeper into the lab, where their experiments are.

And oh, if his illness did not kill him as most doctors had said then this would do it.

Jayce, using one of his experiments showing it to a kid who seems to be as suprised as any kid would be and perphas gives the most honest reactions to his inventions.

But wait, go back.

Jayce and a kid.

His cane hits the floor in suprise and he ends being watched by two pairs of eyes.

Jayce looks like he was discovered breaking some important rule, to which Viktor is centrain that bringing a kid into the lab counts as but he wont say it. And another pair that looks at him with curiosity.

There is silence, no one really knows what to say or how to act. But Jayce ends reacting, leaving the experiment and going to help Viktor with his cane who is feeling a headache coming.

"Hey Vik! long time no see, how's your house?"

Honestly? Viktor wants nothing more than to go back in time and insist that he is fine and does not need rest. Maybe like that he would have stayed with Jayce and prevent...this.

But time travel is something that is still on the making, so back to the main point.

Viktor just gives out the most tired look, then turns to a near chair, sits and taking his coffee simple says "Explain"

Becuase if there is something he has come to learn while dating and loving Jayce is that nothing should suprise him (and yet Jayce still manages to do it) and also, is better to ask upfront than to wait for him to talk up. Viktor can still remember that one time he found a big (illegal no less) plant at his home and Jayce ignored it for two hours till he asked.

"Well you see, its really funny actually..."

"Jayce...."

"Alright..., so I took a walk around campus and saw some...suspicious individuals and well lets say I was not very discrete"

Viktor can just imagine the scene

"And they saw me and ran but I chased after them"

Stupid move Viktor thinks

"And then they trow me this kid at me, i mean what could I have done? So i took them home, gave them a warm meal and a bath" Jayce ends sounding a bit too proud of himself.

"Jayce you...you stole a kid?" Viktor asks because he is confused "And did not report the incident?"

"Uh well i was going too but then (Y/N) started to wonder around so i kind of forgot..."

"(Y/N?" Viktor asks and sees you peeking out from behind the big desk.

"Yes! Thats their name, im not sure about much more, only that they like chocolate and blue stuff"

Viktor ends in silence for various minutes. You must be an orphan he concludes, an orphan from the undercity, who had no other choice but to follow a gang in order to survive. He tries to calculate your age but its hard, you have been not eating well, thats clear, and he can already see some bruises from the misstreatment of the undercity.

Being raised by parents or family its a luxury after all.

"Jayce you cant just take a kid in" Viktor says and his heart almost breaks as he sees you run towards Jayce hugging his legs.

Noted, you may not talk but you understand, its clear you are more intelligent than what you leave to be at first.

Street smart maybe?

"But Viktor! I cant just leave them" Jayce responds picking you up. "If they return to the undercity i dont think they will make it"

Jayce sees how you push your head against his chest and smiles softly at you.

"And we cant leaven them at an orphan home! I have read of these places, they suck"

Viktor must agree, its not like he comes from one but knows well that lots of kids ends being sold off...

"Alright and whats your plan?" Viktor asks "Do you even know what it means to raise a kid, or how? What about me? Were you going to consulte me?"

He can see the pain in Jayce eyes at his last sentence. "Of course I was! I was just thinking of a...well a good moment"

"Because bringing them to the lab was the perfect idea"

"I could not leave them at home! I mean i tried but- they would not let go of my leg, i think they have some type of trauma..."

Viktor takes another deep breath, Jayce kidness and heart knows no limits.

"Besides you did say you wanted to help the peopel from the undercity"

"This is different, we are talking about raising! adopting a kid!"

"So you are considering?" Jayce asks in the most hopeful tone ever.

Viktor just lets out another breath.

"Well, its not like they can go back and yes, orphan homes sucks" Viktor responds. "But we need to do this right. And i mean legally"

Jayce nods and all of him lights up like he has discover a new thing. He goes to Viktor carefully managing (Y/N) by his hands and leans down to peak Viktor's lips.

"Yes!! Totally! I will talk to Mel about it, im sure she can move some contacts for this" Jayce says and Viktor can see his brain making more and more plans.

"They also need clothes, and we should think of getting them into school" Viktor adds standing up with his cane and going closer. He can see (Y/N) eyes and cant denied how it makes his heart melts.

"Dad?" Its what you say looking at Viktor, then you look at Jayce "Mom?"

Jayce smiles and nods while Viktor is left without words. "Yes! We are your mom and dad now" he says pointing at him then at Viktor.

"Family?"

Jayce nods again

"...Chocolate?" You asks once more

"Alright thats all, if they eat too much sugar this place will be a disaster, you do remember we have dangerous things in here, right?"

Jayce nods at Viktor then whispers to you "We will get chocolate once we end work"

Viktor snorts then moves to his desk to finally start working and also to let his mind register everything. He hears the doors closing imagining Jayce went with you to talk to Mel.

But no, he feels a pull at his trousers and looks down at you who looks up at him extending your arms

"Dad! Up!"

Viktor does as told pulling you on his lap and passing you some papper and a pen. Both fall in a comfortable silence.

And Viktor thinks, this is something he can totally get used to.

[jaggedamethyst]

circuit breaker 🔬🌌 (part four)

tutor!jayce talis x reader, ekko x reader college au

content: jayce ghosts you when you need him most...so you have no choice but to lean on your best friend, ekko

pining, mental health mentions, neurodivergence, lmk if i missed any!

notes: ekko pic...omg... (you may think this series is going slow but i hate a slow burn ass fic that has them fucking chapter three don't pmo...also this evolved way past just jayce and i need to do ekko justice...bc some of yall don't, clocked it)

word count: 2.9k

series masterlist

⭑·ﾟﾟ·*:༅。.。༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·ﾟﾟ·⭑

“Do you know that girl Jayce is always with?” 

You arrived to class, ready to learn—but not about physics truthfully. You expected to cut corners, create friendly conversation about nothing, humor Viktor. When you got there, though, you had to ask him immediately. 

“Mel Medara?” Viktor looked to you with intrigue. “I know of her…but not much about her.” He leaned to his left, toward you, “Why?” 

“She’s just always…around? And we spoke to each other once but I was in a hurry…didn’t get much chance for a formal introduction.” 

“Are you certain that your intrigue is rooted purely in your inquisitive nature…or is there another reason you want to share?” 

“No-“ 

The sound of the door towards the front of the class opening interrupted you—it was perfect timing, actually. You would rather not have to unpack why Mel’s presence bothered you so much; truthfully it was an inexplicable feeling. Someone walked in, and you sat up straighter. 

“Hi, everyone! My name is Caitlyn, some of you may know me if you’ve ever been to the student resource center.” She smiled at you, exchanging a look of recognition. “I wanted to formally introduce myself… I will be joining as a TA. If you need anything and can’t get ahold of the professor, you can ask me your course related questions.” She moved to plug a laptop into the projector, “Here is my email for future reference.” She allowed some time for people to copy and take photos of her email down. “Unfortunately, today’s class will be canceled for an emergency…but I was instructed to relay to you that the quiz will still be held next week. It’ll be on vectors and calculating their angles. Be sure to refresh yourselves over the weekend and reach out to me should you have any questions.” People started to shuffle around her, getting up to leave class. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, guys. Feel free to use the space to get some other work done, or leave early.” 

“What the fuck, this was such a waste of my time.” You glanced back towards the board, making sure you got the email address right. “I have been so tired I could be sleeping right now.” 

“I’m sorry, I know you have a lot to deal with right now.” Viktor moved to the end of the aisle, grabbing his cane while slinging his bag over one shoulder. “At least you’ve been in tutoring. The quiz this week should be easier, right?” 

“That’s the thing,” you reached for your phone, “We’ve only just got to vectors so far. That was hard enough.” You hovered your finger over Jayce’s contact, never actually having messaged him. Before you could talk yourself out of it, you started texting him. 

hi jayce 

im sorry to bother you but i have my quiz next week and its gonna be on more stuff than we got to in our sessions

do you have any time to meet with me this weekend? if not thats ok, i can ask my friend

You paused, walking behind Viktor without looking up from the phone screen. 

i just need you

No, you shook your head, continuing the text. 

i just need your help

lmk

ty 

You grimaced at the text bubbles, hating how you split all of that up. You imagined his annoyed face, seeing all of these desperate messages. You wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t answer. You wouldn’t answer you. 

Viktor turned to you, “Are you alright?” 

“Yes, just frustrated and irritated and angry…thats all.” 

“That’s not a great combination.” 

You shook your head. Without trying, Viktor could always cheer you up. “Unrelated, but did Jayce ask you about what snacks I eat?” 

“He did,” he looked over at you, “It was odd. He said something about ‘reinforcements’ for your guys’ tutoring session.” 

“Oh...okay.” 

Viktor would call himself a lot of things, including perceptive. He didn’t say much, but he noticed the way your eyes lingered on one another when you first met. He was aware of the way you spoke about each other, especially when it was just Viktor around. He simply arched a brow at you, observing your concerned look at the phone screen. 

“Maybe you should take the weekend to rest and recuperate.” 

“I would…but the quiz-“ 

“Just for today. Wait for Jayce to get back to you. Then you can focus solely on next week.” He nodded reassuringly. 

He returned the nod, liking the sound of the plan. 

If only Jayce had bothered to answer. 

——————

“Hi.” 

“Come on in.” Ekko stepped back, letting you into his dorm. 

“I know it’s so last minute, but I know nothing about angles …figured you could help.” 

“I absolutely can help and would love to.” 

You sat your stuff down, getting comfortable as you’d done dozens of times before. You turned a corner, washing your hands at the sink before heading to grab a throw blanket from Ekko's bed. 

He knew your habits, calling from the living room area. “I have the heated blanket out here, too, if you wanna use that one. Know you get cold.” 

You exited his room, wearing the slippers you left under his bed. “Once again, you are the best…because I am, in fact, freezing my ass off right now.” 

“Want something to drink?” 

“Always.” 

The two of you were so in sync—it had to be that way after Powder. It became worse when Vi blamed you, suspecting one of you said something to her to make her disappear. Even though you know you did nothing wrong, there was still a self-hate there. That you couldn’t be there for a friend who needed you—so much so that she left entirely. You couldn’t do that to Ekko, he felt the same. 

“So,” you pulled out the folder Jayce had given you, a slight frown on your face at the thought of him completely ignoring you. “I have this paper, its like a cheat sheet for vectors…but besides what Jayce told me I don’t know what to do. The TA said we also have to calculate the angles…that makes no sense.” 

Ekko grabbed his notebook, flipping to a blank sheet of paper. He sketched a makeshift drawing—surprisingly good for how quick he’d done it. You were always in awe of his artistic talent. 

“Okay, so here…is a light pole.” He moved his finger to the other side of the paper, motioning toward a little drawing of you, smiling on the sidewalk. “This is you.” 

“Wait I’m so adorable here!”

Ekko chuckled, side eyeing you a bit, “Yeah…” 

You snatched the pencil—quickly drawing in a stick figure of him. “This is you!” 

“Is it really? Couldn’t tell.” 

“Hey-“ You swatted his arm, “You’re identical in my opinion.” 

“If having lines for a body is identical…then sure. But anyways…not the point of my sketch.” He grabbed the pencil back, “Thank you very much.” He flipped the pencil, using the eraser side to show you the details. “Okay…light pole…you.” He smirked, knowing you wanted to interject. Ekko raised his hand before you could, “This is the distance between you and the pole.” He made up and wrote a random number in feet under the bottom, the same for the pole. “This is the height of the pole. This is all you need to find every angle and distance measurement.” 

The look on your face was one of pure confusion. “How does that make any sense whatsoever, Ekko?” You moved to close the book. “Actually, lets just watch a movie instead. I’m prepared to fail at this point.” 

Ekko grabbed the book from you, reopening it. “Well, I’m not, so let’s get to work.” 

He continued, explaining as best he could. It was no use, though, it just wasn’t making sense to you. You nodded, trying to get him to move on to something else. 

“Does that make sense?” 

“Yeah.” You reached to hug Ekko, “You’re the best.” Pulling back, you plastered on a smile, hiding the discomfort. You didn’t feel ready whatsoever. Suddenly, Ekko grabbed your hands, pulling your attention to him. 

“You’re gonna do great.” He lingered on you for a while, “Promise.” 

The doubt you felt made you want to hole up and skip class altogether. Eventually, it developed into a disdain for Jayce. When you thought about it, he was the reason you were going to fail…again. 

——————

You decided against skipping class on Monday, but you were definitely opting out of that damn tutoring session. If Jayce can’t answer a simple few texts, how were you to know you even had a standing appointment anymore. It made you feel less than worthy of a proper notice. Above all, it just felt plain unprofessional…he’s an employee after all. 

Walking into class and into this quiz felt like a walk to your execution. Midterms were quickly approaching, which meant you only had so many quizzes you could fail before the majority of your final grade was tainted by bad ones. 

Viktor greeted you as normal, moving over to give you a seat. “Are you prepared?”

“As best as I can be.” 

The beauty of college was that you did assessments in class and got the results as soon as you submitted. Knowing you would get your score back in the next few minutes had your stomach churning. An image of Jayce, carefree and nonchalant, popped into your head. Nothing was making sense. Reluctantly, you started choosing random answers—disregarding the calculator altogether. Before you knew it, your grade, a 56%, reflected back to you. 

“Fuck,” you whispered to yourself. You closed your laptop, getting up to leave class early. “I’ll see you later, Viktor.” 

Before he could reply, you were gone. Pushing through the door. You grabbed your phone from your pocket, texting Ekko. 

im done early, wanna meet rn?

He replied a few seconds later.

omw 

You picked up the pace, not out of urgency, but in pure frustration. Everything you’d been working towards wasn’t paying off. The time you spent not being with Ekko—with Jayce—was a waste. 

When you arrived to the dining hall, Ekko wasn’t there yet. You took the time to grab both you and him something to eat for lunch. Within minutes, Ekko showed up, that warm smile on his face as usual. He leaned into you, giving you a side hug while simultaneously grabbing the food from you. 

“How was the quiz?” You didnt reply, simply giving him a side eye. “Damn…I’m sorry.” 

“Not your fault…but thanks for helping.” 

He’d seamlessly changed the subject—allowing the two of you to talk without the reminder of your failure that day. You didn’t acknowledge how fast the time had passed and truthfully, didn’t care. You hadn’t planned to show up to tutoring…much less give Jayce any notice. 

To your right, you suddenly heard a voice, interrupting you and Ekko. 

“Hey.” You looked over, seeing Jayce standing there. “I figured you’d be here.” He looks between you and Ekko, hands now on his hips. “You missed our session.” 

You raised a brow and crossed your arms over your chest. “Wow, really? Didn’t know we were still having those.” 

“Of course we are, you have those quizzes-“ 

“Had.” You interrupted, “There was one today. You’d know if you checked your phone.” 

He looked down, embarrassed at his phone sitting in his front pant pocket. 

“I’m sorry- I know this is important for you but something came up.” 

“What? What came up?” Ekko spoke up. 

Jayce turned to look at him, finally acknowledging his presence again. “Something personal,” he looked away, focusing back on you. “Can we talk alone?” 

Ekko spoke again, “Say what you need to say.” 

“I would, but I’m not talking to you.” 

A screech of Ekko’s chair resounded in the dining hall. You reached a hand out, gesturing toward them. “Ekko, please.” 

Ekko looked over to you and inhaled a deep breath. He was looking at Jayce again, but kept talking to you. “I’ll see you later, okay? Call if you need anything.” 

“Wait- Ekko-” 

Jayce gulped, sitting down across from you. You watched Ekko leave as Jayce took his seat, hands resting on the table. 

“What the hell is your problem? You ghost me then show up here with an attitude? I should be pissed…I am pissed! I failed because of you!” 

He nodded, knowing the weight of his being inaccessible. “I’m sorry.” 

“You said that.” 

“There was a personal thing, a family emergency-“

“And yet, your phone is still in working condition.”

You didn’t want to be insensitive, but it takes seconds to reply. A simple message would’ve sufficed. 

“My mom’s sick.” You froze—remembering that it’s just him and his mom. “She was in the hospital all weekend…it still hasn’t gotten better.” He paused, looking at you now, “I thought I owed you to at least show up today.” 

“Well…now I feel like shit.” 

“Don’t. Not your fault I didn’t tell you what was happening.” 

“Is there anything I can do?” 

“Hope she gets better?” 

You reached over, placing a comforting hand on his, “I can do that.” 

He let you linger there, before pulling back. “How about this week, since I messed up so bad with scheduling…we meet as much as you’d like just so you can be ready. Shit, it can be every day if you want.” He nodded, “We’re gonna make sure you pass this class if it’s the last thing I do.” 

“Are you sure? I can be pretty high maintenance…” 

He leaned back in his chair, a nonchalant yet playful look on his face, “Not worried about it.” 

“Okay.” You shrugged, “If you say so.” 

The pair of you exchanged smiles, not at all prepared for how tumultuous this week would be. 

part five

taglist

@juskonutoh @sseleniaa @aerina127 @sleepysoldier @angelicmisty @1800latenitecreep @venus-in-roses

[perfectharmonyloveschaos]

Give Jayce a chance

People will really jump on Jayce for the smallest of things huh? I've already seen so much hate for Jayce, it really makes it seem like some of ye didn't watch the show or actually think about what it's telling us?

Clearly, Jayce has been majorly fucked up by what he experienced. Traumatised and exhausted. They make sure to show him having traumatic flashbacks in relation to Viktor's hivemind.

Because that is what it is.

A hivemind.

A cult.

While Viktor has good intentions, it is clearly not a good thing. He is "healing" people, but also taking away their humanity and autonomy. He is using to help people, yes, but he is inserting the hexcore into people's minds and sooner, rather than later, it will use them regardless of what they or Viktor want.

The faces that Jayce hallucinates have the exact same features and making as those Viktor has "saved" (example, the weird looking robot-statue figure that Jayce hallucinates when he sees Salo which has the exact same facial features and markings as Salo) suggesting that inevitably, those people will become those things as the hexcore evolves and changes them.

People are so quick to claim that Jayce "ruined" everything and it is so frustrating that no one is thinking beyond the present moment. Something has clearly rattled, no, traumatised Jayce and he has gone through hell to try and stop it. But we have no clue what he saw and can only go off the fact that he promised someone that he wouldn't fail them.

Everyone is shitting on Jayce but he was trying to save everyone else from whatever terrible future he saw and I personally will defend him for that.

People will defend all the other characters for their terrible actions/war crimes, and yet Jayce seems to never get the same treatment and it's so annoying even though everything he has done has been to help people. We don't know the full context yet, but I feel like people are jumping the shark in hating on him when we may find out that he was right in Act 3.

[aurumixm]

HOW VIKTOR EMBODIES THE HEXCORE

HEAVY S2 SPOILERS DOWN THE LINE!

discussions and theories about whatever tf happened at S2

Okay so first of all please bear with me with this, I ain't a League player and my English is very wonky wobbly. This is just me and my two brain cells rambling about Arcane season two and hypothesizing and stuff. Please be kind!

So I actually posted a brief explanation on what I think may cause the cuckoo bananas shit that happened in Season 2, Episode 3 entitled "The Instability of Hexcore" here's the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/arcane/s/CZdS4fgI7i

I try to swim through the waters to try and explain everything that happened there. Please keep in mind that this is purely theoretical and it merely serves as a post where y'all can discuss and share your thoughts and stuff!

I. An analogy of the Hexcore

Think of the Hexcore as a Rubik’s cube (I know, yes, because it already looks like one). The Rubik's cube has an even amount of miniature cubes that complement each other to build one singular cube. The same with the Hexcore which contains Runes that compliment each other, which helps it learn and adapt. Although, upon trying to fix it, Viktor suspects that there's something ‘missing’ in it, something that can sustain the Hexcore’s adaptability process and therefore help it learn and evolve. However, the moment that Viktor tries to merge himself with the Hexcore with his blood and inject himself with shimmer at the same time, this action alone would be akin to forcing another color to a Rubik's cube, breaking the laws of space. Viktor's blood may have the ability to help the Hexcore evolve biologically, but shimmer, as it always does, makes it unstable. And if the instability of the shimmer is unable to affect the Hexcore itself, it will find a way for it to do so, and therefore explains the reason why it's spreading and affecting others.

II. Jesus Viktor HOW??

How the hell did Viktor manage to heal himself and other people? My theory surrounds the three main components of the new and improved Hexcore: the Hexcore itself, blood, and shimmer. Once again, the Hexcore is the object of evolution and adaptability, and blood enhances its abilities by letting it adapt biologically. However, in terms of shimmer, in the entirety of the series, we are shown that there are good and bad effects of shimmer. The good effect: its ability to heal and regenerate. In my opinion, this fact also has something to do with Viktor's ability to heal himself and other people, but with a cost.

III. Why does Viktor himself and the people he healed are half metal now?

The moment Jayce “combined” the Hexcore and Viktor's body together, they became one, which was also why the Hexcore was no longer to be found. However, back to the possible reason why Viktor became some sort of a cyborg, I think it happened to be because of his spinal brace? Considering how it was entirely attached to his skin too. Maybe the Hexcore in him realized from his spinal brace, metal can be an object to help people just like how it helped Viktor. Therefore, it also explains why when Viktor heals Huck, scraps of metal were magnetically embedded onto their bodies as well. The Hexcore knew how these metals helped Viktor, and therefore gave it an idea to make use of it in healing other people.

Additional idea from my friend's sister, credits to her!! When Viktor healed Huck he actually took or erased his impurities by spiritual means, a void was left which should have resulted in his death due to its inability to be physiologically viable. However, because both worlds (the spirit and the body) have to complete, connect, and complement each other, the physical voil must be replaced by the materials from the physical world which is metal.

Once again, these are just theories!! You can ask me in the comments for questions, clarifications and stuff yada yada. I personally love Jesus Viktor but I miss the goofy side of him in this Season ☹️. Much love! xoxo

Don't forget to drop your ideas, thoughts, and other theories!

[sadderall-xr]

S2 Act I Viktor Thoughts™

ok but what is eating me up is that (and yes I am overthinking and assuming and extrapolating BUT)

Viktor has, along with being an incredibly accomplished scientist, inventor, and all around genius, spent most of life in pain or at the very least discomfort. Towards the end of season one, his illness was getting more advanced, he was having more trouble just breathing, not to mention nosebleeds, headaches, his experiments and augmentations with the hex core, taking shimmer for the first time, etc. AND to top it off, the emotional pain. Of being orphaned, of having to fight to prove himself in piltover, his relationship with Jayce and having to worry about whether he's going to break their promise of never using hex tech for weapons. Watching Jayce's animosity towards Zaun grow. Seeing the council's reaction to them proposing Zaun's independence. Being so close to potentially curing himself, and then boom he lost sky. Knowing he's got to destroy the one thing that could've helped him. Knowing he created something capable of controlling him and killing someone close to him. Almost j*mping. He's very familiar with pain.

So then imagine he wakes up, his body has been permanently changed by the hex core, and maybe he isn't feeling pain anymore but...what if he isn't feeling anything at all? What if he realizes, logically, what has happened to him, and he wants to feel angry or sad or scared but he just can't? When Jayce hugs him, what if he can't feel it in the same way he used to? What if the hex core stole his ability to feel pain, but also stole his ability to feel anger, passion, love, even gentle physical touch? What if he'd accepted, at some point between the explosion and waking up, that he was going to die, and he made peace with it. And then he wakes up, realizing he's been doomed to an existence that he's completely unfamiliar with, as a direct result of his creation as well as his best friend, who meant well but ultimately broke his promise to destroy said creation? He may not be in pain, he may not have to fight to stay alive in the way that he used to. But is it possible for him to feel any sort of relief or happiness in the traditional sense after being so changed? Is he still human enough for that?

If the answer is no, is he aware of that? What does he think about all this? About knowing he may not be able to feel anything again, including pain? How will he cope? How will he feel? What if the writers of arcane actually hate me? What if they wanted to see me keel over and cry and pace my room at night because they know I spend too much time thinking about this little twink? What if they seek to destroy me emotionally? What if

[dastardly-imbecile]

Mechanical Butterfly (III)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4

---

Viktor doesn't run from Singed. Silco sees the burgeoning inventor in the young girl he found, after Vander. Collaborations abound!

---

Wordcount: ~2100

Singed is back by the time the knock comes, which he’s thankful for. He allows Viktor to answer the door himself, absorbed in methodically sorting through the brains of an overgrown rat. 

Standing before it, in the alleyway, is the woman who’d come in Silco’s entourage the day before, and Jinx, the man himself nowhere to be found. Viktor can’t help but be glad for that—he doesn’t know how he’d possibly teach with that man peering over his shoulder at all moments. 

Then again, looking at the sharp expression on her face, she may not be much better. 

Jinx, however, is the picture-opposite to her—face bright, a smile already tugging at her lips, standing tall. A moment of hesitancy flashes over her expression, as she looks up at him, but it doesn’t quell the clear excitement thrumming through her. 

He steps back, murmuring a quiet, “come in.” 

She does so eagerly, and the woman slower, scanning around the lab, clearly looking for danger. 

“Viktor?” She asks him curtly. He nods, though surely she recognizes him from the day before. 

“And you?”

“Sevika.” The answer is sharp. Singed glances up at the name, some note of recognition in his gaze, though he soon turns back to the rodent’s cracked-open head. 

“My room,” he says to Jinx, nodding towards the open door. It’s a small place, cramped, nothing but the bed and the mass of the half-built forge in it. 

“Not so fast,” she growls, “let me check.”

She bustles off towards the room before he can tell her not to touch anything. For what’s essentially glorified babysitting duty, she seems rather serious about it all—then again, she works for Silco. There’s probably a lot of motivation to be good at her job. 

He follows, finds her poking through the space underneath his mattress. 

“I assure you,” he says, “it’s safe.” Not like he’s hiding a bomb in the room—what does she think he wants to do? Blow up a child, her, and himself?

She mutters something inarticulate, strides over to the far wall and leans against it. A vantage point to look at both the room and, in the lab beyond, Singed injecting the rat with a vial of glowing magenta. 

“You can sit,” he tells Jinx, indicating the bed. She does so, padding over to the spot with the attention of a child in a schoolroom, as if he’s some sort of actual instructor. 

On her lap, she holds a small brown bag. He nods at it. 

“What’s that?”

“Oh!” She opens it, and from inside, withdraws a handful of crude, clumsy tools—a screwdriver that’s hardly more than a rusted rod of metal taped to a block of wood, a small mallet with a chunk missing from the end. They look like something a beleaguered shopper trying to exert minimal effort would scrape up in the cheapest parts of the market, which he suspects is exactly what they are. “I brought my own tools. And Silco told me I should make something for you, so I thought-”

Here, from the bottom of the bag, she extracts something else, holds it gently pinched between two fingers and extends her hand for him to take it. He leans forwards, unsure of what it is at first glance—it is only when she drops it into his palm that he realizes. 

It’s a small butterfly. Deceptively delicately crafted—at first glance, it is nothing but a twist of wires, but as he examines it closer, he sees the shape of wings and even gossamer-thin legs. And, lining its back-

Gears. Experimentally, he prods at its wings, and they move, flapping up and down. Everything about it is so small, so carefully put together, that he could not imagine the patience it must have taken. 

“You made this?” He doesn’t bother hiding the admiration in his voice. Just the minutiae of the body and wings is enough, but to attach the mechanisms for it to move is beyond what he’d expected of her. 

She smiles wider, the last of the anxiety melting away. “Yes! Is it… do you like it?”

“I do,” he says softly. He glances at her fingers, the small hands of a child, thin and nimble, and has a sudden idea. “Come here,” he says, beckoning her forwards, towards the forge upon the ground. 

She obliges, slipping off the bed and approaching it—it’s almost as tall as her, and he’s gratified to see similar awe in her eyes. Singed’s appreciation for what he does is nothing more than the occasional comment on his talent, always said in a detached, observational sort of tone. It feels good to be recognized. 

“Inside,” he says, grabbing a flashlight off the top and shining it inside, “can you see that exposed panel?”

“Where it’s peeled back?” She asks, peering in. 

“Yes,” he says. 

Outside, there’s the clatter of a door closing. 

“Where’s he going?” Sevika asks immediately, making him turn, peer out the door. The lab is empty—Singed must have left. 

“I don’t know,” he answers semi-truthfully, “out.”

“Who’s he getting?”

“Nobody,” he says. Does she suspect an ambush? 

Her eyes dart down to regard his twisted leg, and he gets the ugly feeling that she’s currently considering how easily she could beat him in a fight—the answer is, very easily—before they flick back up and she lets out a low sigh. 

By the time he turns back to Jinx, she’s already halfway into the forge. 

“What are you doing?” He asks. Her voice, when it comes back, is muffled. 

“All you have to do is- is connect the green wires, I think, and then make sure to plug the switch in, and then I think you’re missing a part.”

“Missing?” he asks. 

“Yes, you need something to ignite the spark with, right?”

“I’d planned on installing that later,” he says, but she makes a sound of negation. 

“It’d be best here.”

He steps back, takes a moment to think on it—and, yes, it would be most convenient. For the first time, he smiles, and she extracts herself from the forge interior, blue hair a mess and a nervous cast to her mouth. 

“...Would it?” She asks, and he realizes he never responded to her last point. Suddenly, all that confidence is gone, drained out and replaced with something vulnerable. “You know best, obviously, you’re the inventor and you made this and-”

“No,” he says, cutting her off, “no, you were right.”

Still, she doesn’t move. He nods at the forge. “You were doing a good job. If you wish, you can continue with the wires.” He holds up his hand, wriggling the fingers slightly. “My hands are a bit too large.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, and for what, he’s unsure, but he nods anyways, watches as she returns to the forge. 

Must be an hour, maybe two, before Sevika steps off the wall. Currently, he’s walking Jinx through the construction of a filter, watching her fumble with the delicate meshes, but both of them pause as she approaches. 

“Time to go,” she says, huffing out a breath, “boss wants you back. Same time next week?”

The last question, she directs at Viktor, who nods. Jinx stands without complaint, dropping the filter—and he hesitates before speaking up. 

“No. Keep it.” 

Questioningly, she reaches for it. He nods. “You know what to do, no? Finish it by next time. Consider it… homework.”

The delight on her face at the prospect is both startling and slightly gratifying. He tries to smile back. 

Sevika fishes about in one of her pockets before withdrawing another brown pouch, this one jingling musically. She tosses it to Viktor, who just barely manages to catch it, the weight bowing his arm down. 

“For you and your father,” she notes, and steps out without waiting for his response, escorting Jinx with a careful hand on her shoulder. Even as they leave through the front door, he stands immobilized, carefully considering the pouch. 

Singed is not a father, not in the way that Viktor’s ever thought of him, even though he can perhaps see the logic in calling him that. But no, he had a father, one who died upon the bridge, and Singed is simply a man who fed, sheltered, clothed him, though he cannot think of an equivalent word for that at the moment. It has always felt faintly transactional in nature—always, Viktor has had a job, no matter how trivial, that he does in exchange for this bit of care. 

First, it was caring for Rio, and then it was as an errand boy and lab assistant, spending long afternoons hunting down rats in the gutters or ferrying chemicals to Singed during his experiments. Then, as he began to build, to tinker, it became creating contraptions for the lab, and now it’s this work, bringing in enough money to buy things like food while the other member of the household is off experimenting in the cave. 

Which, speaking of, he’s still not back from. Viktor leaves the bag of coins upon his desk before returning to his room, beginning the work on the nine other filters he needs to make. At least Jinx will take the load of one off of his shoulders. 

—

It is not until late night that Singed stumbles back in, closing the door with a heavy thud. Late enough that Viktor is usually asleep, but he had work to do, and besides, he tries to stay up and wait for Singed if he can. Does not want a repeat of that night of the explosion, does not want to be sleeping while the man bleeds out in the next room over. 

Tonight, he’s unharmed, though tired—he sits down at the lab table with a heavy thump, arms ridgid on the desk. Viktor approaches quietly. 

“You remember Rio,” Singed says—a rare occurrence, him starting the conversation. He nods. 

“Of course.”

“How did you do it?” He asks, swiveling around to regard him, “help her with the Shimmer. How was it done?”

“I… don’t know,” he replies, thinking once again of the giant salamander. Always affectionate, even in her last days, curling around his legs as he slept so she could share his warmth. He’d wanted to bury her, after she died, but Singed insisted on dissection—a process he was normally accustomed to, but in this case, sat out. Viktor left the cave during the process, spent those hours as she was cut to pieces sitting by the river and stretching his leg in the cool water. “Did you not find anything? In her blood?”

“No,” he says, “I’ve attempted distillation, but it is a fraught process. Little has come of it. Cannot preserve it, either—the meat spoils. Not physically, but the Shimmer inside does not take to being extended.”

He winces at the thought. Too soon, still. 

“All the ones before,” he continues, “and all the ones after, the Shimmer changes irrevocably. It is some malady that runs molecule-deep. In small doses—” now, he indicates himself—“it heals, somewhat. But what I’m working on requires too much.”

“What are you working on?” 

“A vast project,” is the answer, more crumbs of knowledge yet. The next words rest heavy on Viktor’s tongue, the words that he doesn’t dare say—that of his daughter. He knows, obviously, from seeing the room and the coffin, from doing his own bits of illicit research. Coming across the name Doctor Reveck, catching glimpses of a girl in Singed’s scratched golden locket. 

And Singed knows that he knows, because how could he not—has alluded to the matter, dancing around the topic with all the grace of a spy. 

It is part of the reason that he has never considered Singed his father, he supposes—because the spot of the child is long-filled. 

So he doesn’t say it, and instead shrugs, an uncomfortable movement with the cane. 

“I do not know how I did. Rio simply… survived.”

And how different it would’ve been, if she hadn’t.

Singed lets out a long sigh, the most emotion that he allows himself to show, before standing from the chair. “Perhaps you are uniquely brilliant. I’ll find the key. You should rest.”

Hypocritical words from the man that Viktor’s sure will stay up the rest of the night, but that’s another effect of the Shimmer. Honestly, that facet of the drug, the ability to need so little sleep, is almost as tempting as the prospect of fixing his leg. 

“The money is on the table,” he says. Singed makes no move to grab it, instead striding over to one of the long rows of jars upon the wall, selecting one with a litter of baby rabbits floating within. With his other hand, he reaches for a loaf of bread that sprouts clumps of glowing pink mushrooms. 

“Goodnight,” Viktor adds.

This, finally, garners a response. 

“Sleep well, Viktor.”

He doubts he will, thinking of Rio as he is, but the sentiment is nice.

[stcries]

@jtalis wrote: it's viktor's birthday. jayce has never been a great gift-giver, always too on the nose or too abstract about the whole thing to really hone in on what matters. he supposes he could just be upfront and ask the man himself, but not only has viktor been surprisingly elusive these past handful of days, but it feels like that would spoil the sentiment behind it. so before viktor is supposed to come into the laboratory to finish up a report on their newest set of experiments, jayce stops by the nearby bakery, buys the sweetest cake he can find behind the glass of the case, and spends at least an hour anxiously bouncing his leg in his chair as he waits. that's not without a proper present, of course. tucked away in a neatly wrapped box is a red tie that may or may not be the exact same one jayce wears. in his defense, they're partners now. unity looks good to investors, right ? and it's a nice tie, perhaps a bit understated but classy all the same. does viktor even like ties, or does he only wear them as a part of the academy uniform ? just as he considers running out to find a gift that doesn't scream ' i'm the most boring man alive', he hears the familiar squeak of their door. " viktor ? " jayce stands abruptly, the scrunch of his brow softening into an eager greeting. " i heard it was your birthday. to be honest, i almost thought you'd actually take the day off for yourself. " he approaches now, his offering in his hands, anxieties almost forgotten in his excitement. " um, i know you like sweets, so i got you something small from the bakery. and this. " the box is pressed into viktor's hands, and jayce draws back as though to offer him space to decide it's awful. " happy birthday, vik. "

"jayce? ..." his own words mirror back as he hears his own name, head lifting from the ground for viktor's gaze to meet the others. perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised to see him, they were partners in this shared space after all. but in truth, jayce was earlier than usual, not that is was unwelcome of course. hand reaches backwards to close the door behind him, unable to hide the grin which cracks onto his face following the other's next comment. "yes, well you know, the scientific mind never rests, and this certainly isn't an exception."

in truth, viktor didn't think much of today. growing up in poverty, gifts weren't exactly guaranteed on these special occasions, barely having enough funds to survive, so most birthday traditions were thrown out the window. even once he'd grown and moved to piltover, he was simply too busy, head first in being professor heimerdinger's assistant that it often flew over his head. he hadn't expected much today either, but it seemed jayce had other plans... how had he even found out it was today anyhow? had someone informed him? but now's not the time for questions, not when the other man's present was presented forth.

"you... got something for me? jayce, you shouldn't have." golden hues glance over the other's shoulder, catching glimpse of the still boxed cake behind him, brows quirking upwards. oh, his taste buds sparked to life almost immediately, but he relocates his focus to the box within his hands. a gentle tug opens it, surprise reflecting into viktor's eyes before softening once more. hand reaches inwards to pull the tie from it's confines, examining it closely before meeting the other's gaze once more.

"hm, now where have i seen this before..." he can't help but joke, a subtle snicker escaping his throat as he takes a step closer. eyes meet jayce's half lidded, keeping his focus. but with him distracted, hand reaches to grab the other's matching red tie and yanks him downward slightly. "how you managed to do all of this without me noticing, i don't know how you did it... but thank you, jayce. i love it," he muses, faces mere inches apart before leaning upon tippy toes and planting a kiss to the other's lips. hm, sweet, perhaps more so than the pastry sitting nearby.

[henrysglock]

Yessss okay so if you’re seeing what I’m seeing…the trailers/posters/promo marketing for this season of Arcane were ALLLLL about a Vi vs. Jinx showdown. You know, the thing that happened in like episode 3? And then Act 2 and 3 happen. Not only are they not fighting, they are teaming up together for most of the story! Speculation, do you think a kid such as Holly might make like Isha in humanising Henry to our cast and the audience in season 5, maybe shedding some light on the Alice scenario?

YES okay hello

I didn't actually see any of the promo, because I've had arcane and related tags blacklisted for a hot minute 😭 but I absolutely don't doubt you. Jinx vs Cait/Vi was really set up at the end of S1—I feel like one could compare Jinx hitting Piltover with the rocket at the end of S1 to Vecna opening the rifts. "Papa" is dead, sister has chosen the "wrong" side, and we're dealing with a bona-fide act of war. It seems like a perfect setup to really pit Jinx and Vi against each other, and then...boom. Jinx is suspiciously quiet, wallowing in the loss. Vi is resentful, but she doesn't hold as much vitriol as her girlfriend. Isha brings some of the life back to Jinx, some of the happiness, some Powder. Isha's calmed her, too, a little. Vi seeing Isha defend Jinx, and Jinx messing around with Isha, reminds her of her and Powder. Suddenly Vi is faltering. Then all it takes is Jinx coming and genuinely asking for help, and Vi crumbles.

Isha being that reminder, that bridge, does a lot for Vi and a lot for the viewers. Vi remembers that her sister is still her sister, that she can't abandon her (we're pretending everything post-Isha didn't happen quite the way it happened smdh). Isha brings the family back together—the jinx, the beast, the traitor—right before everything truly goes to shit.

By Holly, I assume you mean Nell's character, who is unnamed as of yet.

I absolutely think she could play a similar role. In fact, I'm fairly certain of it. If she is Holly, and she ended up in Henry's inner world somehow, then she'll definitely be a source of "see, Henry doesn't do all that by choice" and "Henry was/is good with and kind to children". If she's someone else, a figment or an alternate-universe reality (see: Ekko's trip in an AU), then it's a chance to dig into "this kind of thing is what Henry always dreamed of". I know Jamie said way, way back that Henry really did think he was going to escape and have a nice life with El. Nell's character is a good avenue to explore that/explore how that humanizes Henry as someone who may have wanted a daughter of his own. I also agree with you that it would be a good way to explore a sort-of "penance" for what happened to Alice (which El could have been, if we take NINA at face value), even though what happened wasn't Henry's fault.

This would humanize him to the audience, but it would also paint him as someone reasonable, someone who can be negotiated with—someone who genuinely does care but might not have the means to act (in terms of power, knowledge, or otherwise).

Having Henry in such close proximity to a character like that almost automatically sets us up for a humanization arc—since I doubt they'd have him harm her, not after releasing TFS and the VR with the characterizations they did—and it sets us up for a possible team-up, much like Vi and Jinx, Piltover and Zaun, "enemies" with a desperate common goal, teaming up against Viktor and Noxus.

[tekeruthechaotictrap]

Lament of a Nobody (chapter 7)

Meeting Sedgewick Sable and Virgil

John had begun work on Horatio's side of the cleaning, yet again taking to it well and doing a decent job for his first time. He approached the bar and froze in his place. He spotted Viktor, which he had expected to see, but also a 2nd figure he hadn't met.

The man had quite a classy outfit, a nice suit and a top hat. But there was also something strange, an air of familiarity hung around him. He took a sip of his drink and noticed the young man staring.

"May I... help you?" He questioned.

"Oh, my apologies" John would reply, shaking his head slightly to clear away his thoughts. "I just didn't expect there to be any customers here anymore."

"Ah, that's understandable. It is around the time this place would be closed. I get special treatment you see, old friend of Mitzi's."

"I see..." John would say beginning to stare again. Wick was, clearly uncomfortable but wouldn't say much else.

"I've seen you somewhere before..." John would mutter.

"Have you?"

"I remember now, I've seen you on newspapers. Sedgewick Sable, right?"

"Yes, that's me." Wick would say.

"I am John Doe, I'm a new employee here."

"I see, nice to meet you."

Wick and John politely shook hands. After which John began cleaning a few spots around the bar.

"I must say," John said to the gentleman, "I didn't expect someone like you around here."

"Yes I know," Wick would say, "An upstanding member of the community, here in a dingy speakeasy-"

"No that's not what I meant," John interjected. "I actually respect you being down here. You know what you like and you go and get it. That sort of behaviour is lost on some."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I meant, with your money you could be at a better speakeasy that isn't struggling to stand on it's own two feet. I understand Mrs May is 'an old friend' as you put it, but is that enough to sacrifice quality?"

"Well Mitzi and I are quite close, I wouldn't miss being here for the world."

"So you're romantically interested in her, got it."

Wick quickly shot John a surprised look. Not expecting to be read so easily.

"I-.... You-....." Wick would look a bit confused and flustered for a minute before clearing his throat and regaining composure. "Should you really be speaking about your place of employment in that way?"

"Well I guess this'll just have to remain between us... and Viktor." John would say. "I'm only kidding of course, I don't sugar-coat the truth. I made that aware to Mrs May when I told her upfront about what I thought of the state of her establishment."

"You did?" Wick asked, "You are... a brave man then. Not many would like Mitzi's reaction to an insult."

"I wouldn't call it an insult. Just an honest analysis. Plus, I don't dislike the current state of things, it's what helped me get this job."

"Is that so?"

Wick checked his watch and finished his drink, handing it over to Viktor for him to clean. Before getting up.

"As interested as I am in this conversation it's about time that I leaved. Pleasure to meet you 'Mr. Doe'."

The emphasis on the 'Mr. Doe' made it clear Wick saw through the alias. Though so many people have, one would think believability wasn't part of the selecting of the fake name.

"Pleasure was mine Mr. Sable." John said, waving to Wick as he left and cleaning where the gentleman once sat.

After another hour John had finished his first shift at the Lackadaisy. Saying goodbye to everyone he walked out the door.

Walking through alleyways trying to remain unseen, he noticed something. A white furred man, with plenty of wounds and scars. Teeth were missing and chipped in his mouth, his clothes ragged and worn. He was sat down leaning against a wall in the way of the alley he was about to go through.

John walked fast past the man, before freezing in place. He stood still for quite a few minutes. Thinking. Then turning around, reaching into his pocket and kneeling down next to the man. Out of his pocket he took out some money, a wad of a few notes, and handed it over to the man.

"Use it to get yourself some food... and maybe some new clothes. Don't you dare use it on whatever your vice is." John sniffed the air. "Based on the stench I'd assume alcohol. I will find out if you use it on anything that isn't needed for survival, and I will be very upset."

The man spoke as John stood back up, his words slurred, "Thank you."

John began walking away again. But freezing again, this time not because he was thinking. But because he heard a voice. A voice he immediately identified as Zib.

"Looks like being a new face at the Lackadaisy isn't the only thing that make you quite rare these days John. Not many people would end up giving Virgil over here money. Let alone a wad as big as the one you just handed over."

"That's all? You noticed me being a decent person?" John asked.

"What I find more interesting, is the sheer amount of money. Given the fact you got a job at the speakeasy and those oversized, clearly hand-me-down clothes, probably from an older brother, I expected you to not have a lot of money." Zib speculated

"The clothes were my grandfather's, and I sense you're trying to make a point so get to it. I'd like to get home soon." John said

"My point is, why did you go get a job at the Lackadaisy if money clearly isn't a motive?"

"Who says there needs to be a motive?"

"Does a mouse ever go into a trap without some cheese to lure it in?"

"What if the trap itself is lure enough?"

The two stood in silence for a while.

"Are you quite done Zib?" John asked.

"Sorry kid, just confused. Why did you choose to work at a rundown speakeasy?"

"I have my reasons and that's all you need to know."

"....fine, go on back home." Zib would say, turning around and going home, just as John did the same.

[cyan-skulls-writing]

Arcane Characters + Riding Your Thighs

18+ only minors DNI

With: Viktor, Jayce, Silco, Vander, Ekko, Jinx, Vi, Caitlyn, Sevika, Mel

gender neutral/body neutral also all the characters are body neutral so make them as trans or as cis as you want

Viktor is shy, he needs a little help to get started. He doesn’t like losing his composure or control over his emotions, but sometimes he just needs to stop thinking— and that’s when he bottoms. He may or may not actually cum, you usually use this as a precursor, to get him into a better headspace to sub, but he enjoys himself. Grinding on you this way can strain his leg after too long, but that will not stop him.

“Please, please, I want— I want to be good for you, my love, please— ah! Please, love, please— make me stop thinking.” He stops talking, then, his pretty amber eyes rolling in his head and mouth hanging open as he desperately grinds on you, his hands gripping tightly on your shoulders.

Surprisingly, Jayce really enjoys this. He doesn’t mind bottoming, even if he’s not used to it. And Jayce is a bit arrogant but he is also a dog boy at heart. If you tell him he’s being a good boy for you, he’s all the way in subspace, right away. Also he needs so many reassurances. He’s so stressed and busy all the time, you have to remind him to rest (and to make a mess of your thigh).

“Fuck, baby, yes— no, it’s good, I’m good, I’m— I’m being good, right? I’m trying to be good for you. I— yes, thank you, thank you, thank you— mmph! Ah hah—sorry about the mess.”

It is hard to convince Silco to do this, and it only happens on two occasions; one, he was bottoming and was being too bratty so you had to make him work for it, or he needs an excuse to cuddle you and get off at the same time. Either way, you have to praise him while you do this; if you praise him just right while he’s riding your thigh he just absolutely melts into you. Sometimes even the King of Zaun needs to be a whiny mess.

He doesn’t talk much like this, like he’s afraid to admit he likes it. But that’s alright, you can tell anyway. The very fact he’s here at all, letting you take care of him, letting himself go, you can tell. His face is buried in your shoulder, blue eye shut tightly, gripping your wast like a lifeline. Unbidden, a whine keens from him when you speak; “good boy.”

Vander is so afraid of crushing you, no matter what size you are. He thinks he’s too big, too heavy. You have to pull him down and start moving to convince him to try and he’s still trying to keep his weight off you. Luckily, once you get him worked up enough, he forgets about anything and everything that has ever worried him and rests himself fully on you so you can make him cum.

“Oh, nah, pretty thing, I don’t wanna crush you, I’m pretty big, as I’m sure ya know. Oh I— ah— fuck, darling— ah, ah, fuck! I— yes, yes, please I wanna cum— ah!”

Ekko is trying his best to seem like he’s still in control, but his smug quips keep being cut off into whines and shudders and he keeps bending down so you can pepper his face in kisses— he’s not fooling anyone, least of all you, but you let him try to keep cool just to see him absolutely lose it when he’s close. You have to kiss him when he cums so he doesn’t wake every Firelight in the base.

“Yeah, you like it when I—mmph! I get myself off, don’t even let you—mmMMM! AH- yes, yes yes yes please, baby, please let me— I wanna— I wanna come plea— AH! Yes, yes— thank you, thank you—“

Honestly, Jinx kinda springs this on you when she needs to get off quickly but doesn’t have time for a whole fuck. She promises she’ll get you off later, and you know she will, she’ll make you cum all night when she gets home, but for now, she just needs to cum. She rides your thigh hard and fast and when she’s done she has enough time to clean up, kiss you stupid, and run off with a promise to return the favor when she’s back.

She doesn’t talk much, as unusual as it is, too focused on getting hers before leaving on this job. The only noise in the room is her short little “ah, ah, ah!” while she bounces. She giggles, after she cums. “Mmm, thanks, trinket, don’t worry, I’ll treat you so good when I get home~”

Vi like, just got home from a stressful day and honestly just needs to unwind. Usually she does that by having you sit on her face, but when you pat your thighs and she figures out what your offering, she’s on you in a second. She is not shy, groaning loud and clear, teaching the neighbors your name, and all the pretty pet names she calls you.

“Oh, cupcake, you spoil me, so good to me, fuck— I love you, you know that, sweetheart? Yeah, oh shit, yeah, that’s it, make me cum, come on— ah!”

Caitlyn needs a lot of reassurance and kisses just to get through this without being reduced to atoms. Whether she’s stressed or just relaxing on the couch, the moment you get her seated she forgets whatever she was doing and absolutely melts into you, she wants so desperately to be good for you. She loves it when you take control, moving her hips on you so she can focus on how good you make her feel.

Her arms coil around your shoulders as she whines and keens— you’re struck by how beautiful she is in the light form the window— the sweat on her forehead glistens, and her final cry as she cums echoes in your head even as she buries in in your willing mouth.

Unlike Ekko, Sevika is actually successful in keeping control. You’re not getting her off, she’s getting herself off using your thigh. And as she grinds on your thigh, smoking a cigar and smirking at you, all you can do is hope she decides to return the favor. (She always does, she loves you too much to leave you wanting, but the threat gets you almost as excited as the promise hidden behind it.)

“Yeah, little mouse, you like that? When I use you, don’t let you do a single thing? Aww, what? Cat got your tongue? I know, bunny, I know, but you’re being so good for me~ Keep it up and maybe I’ll let you ride me, huh? That sound good?”

For Mel, this is less about one of you being in control and more of a quiet, sensual moment. You’re both just relishing in the closeness, she’s cradling your face so gently, and you’re whispering sweet nothings back and forth, there’s wine and candles, it’s all very romantic. You pause frequently just to kiss each other, just to enjoy these gentle few minutes alone.

“I do adore you, my star. You’re so beautiful, so perfect. You shine before my eyes, like the gentlest of sunbeams. I could spend forever with you, just like this. Mmm, I love you, honey~”

[mang0tang00]

5 Acts of Love♡

Ft. Viktor

Viktor x GN! Reader

Warnings: none.

Word count: 1k

Part 1: Physical touch

It has been a stressful week for you and Viktor. Him with his endless experiments both in and out of work, along with piling up paperwork he seemed to neglect. You are helping him with said experiments and being Heimerdinger’s assistant on top of that! You two were juggling so much that you both haven't been able to see each other. Yes you two may live together but arriving home at different times with one always being asleep, it seemed impossible to have down time between you two. The stress had peaked when Jayce noticed that you two had stayed in the lab for 3-4 days straight. He immediately told Heimerdinger that he needs to give you a few days off to rest fully, he did the same with Viktor as well. Though neither of your brains seemed to take the word “break”, very well. Jayce went to check on you and Viktor to see if you two were actually resting only to discover that neither of you have. The eye bags had been worse than ever! Jayce had himself and Sky remove all projects and experiments from the shared home despite you and Viktor moaning in protest but your bodies were too exhausted to actually cause a halt in their removal. After a few hours, Jayce and Sky had finished their removal now it was just you two awkwardly sitting on the couch. Not knowing what to do with yourselves, you just sat in silence. Your eyes peaked at Viktor from the corner of your eye only to see him looking at you, quickly glancing away only to hear a snicker from Viktor,

“We are acting like awkward teenagers on their first date” his comment had broken a smile onto your face.

“Well we haven't really spent time with one another outside of work for…” you tried mentally counting but ultimately gave up, “a while…'' Then you hear Viktor sigh.

“I know it's been very long since we have actually done something with one another.”

Silence once again fills the room, your eyes looking around the room then you spot something, your eyes light up like a shooting star. The expression is not going unnoticed of course. Viktor then follows your movement as you turn on the record player and music begins to fill the room with a soft tune. He follows you with his eyes, the ones that you have fallen in love with. You walk closer to him and lay down on the couch and stare at him. The warm smile that fills his chest with warmth, the kind of warmth you only feel with someone you love. Your movements broke him out of his daze as your arms were opened wide for him, he knew the signal and it was for him to lay down. He did just that, he got comfortable in your awaiting arms. He placed his ear over your heart so he can listen to the rhythm he loves to fall asleep to. He closed his eyes as he placed a hand around your torso to keep your body closer to him. Both your legs intertwined with one another and your body's heat seeped into his making him sleepy. After a few minutes he felt your fingers glide through his hair, oh how he loved it when you scratched his scalp and played with his hair. Feeling your fingers press into his scalp and drag gentle lines, he gently moaned at the feeling. Viktor also felt the way your chest expressed laughter at his sounds but he could care less. In the moment you consumed all of his senses, your hands running through his hair, your scent filling his nose while he dug his face deeper into your neck (accompanied with a small giggle from you as he knew that place was sensitive), the way your heart beat. He wanted to be surrounded by you and only you, you are the most valuable thing in his life. So moments like these are what he cherished the most. He felt your other hand move from his shoulder to his leg and began to massage it. After a while he felt you move which woke him up as he had started falling asleep in your arms. You kissed his hair line then his forehead and then gently kissed his lips. The way your lips had both fitted each other in a perfect way, the softness of yours against his own, your taste, it wasn't frantic like when something was wrong. It wasn’t filled with lust like when you two were having sex. It wasn't quick and light like when it would be a fleeting kiss before work, no it was gentle and slow. This kiss embodied the love you two had for one another, the pure feelings you two felt for one another. Breaking away from the kiss he looked up at you with adoration, how had he been so lucky with you? All his dreams were about you, all his thoughts were about you, his senses filled with nothing but you. He sighs happily as you kiss him again in the same way, his heart beats faster but he smiles happily while kissing. You feel him smile which makes you smile in turn, then you laugh. Your laugh is contagious as it makes him laugh as well, the purest feeling of love was there. It will always be there in silence around others but by yourselves? It was so pungent that it could make people melt with joy. You shift so you're more comfortable but Viktor still has the ability to hear your heartbeat. You just held him closer to your chest as he held you just as tender and close as you. He feels your fingers thread into his hair once again and gently scratch his scalp. Sending him into a hypnotic state that lets his exhaustion take over.

[theprettyarachnid]

VIKTOR + ALL LETTERS YES

a/n: i... got a little carried away

warnings: nsfw

a (aftercare)

Viktor is very affectionate after sex. Before you two clean up, he enjoys just cuddling with you while brushing any pieces of hair away from your face.

He'll run a hot bath for the both of you where he just props you against his chest. He tenderly washes any bruises or bite marks on your body while complimenting you. He's big on acts of service.

b (body part)

Viktor's favourite part of your body is your face. He loves watching every expression you make when he changes in pace or moves to a new area of your body. He loves how your eyes squeeze shut and how you bite your lip when you're close to cumming.

Another favourite body part are your thighs. There isn't much of an explanation for this one, he just loves the way they look and how they feel in his cold hands.

Speaking of hands, Viktor's favourite body part of his are his hands. This is mainly because of how much you love them. He loves how your hand intertwines with his somehow perfectly and how you hold his hand when you aren't thinking. He loves how you respond to every touch, no matter how small it may be, and how they look wrapped around your wrists or neck.

c (cum)

He loves to cum inside you and isn't even ashamed about it anymore. In the beginning, he really tried not to but the second you told him, no.. more like begged him, to cum inside you he didn't hesitate.

He can't help himself from teasing you about how much of a mess you've made every time he pulls out. Not like you can give much of a response.

d (dirty secret)

Viktor will probably never admit this but he once masturbated to the thought of you before you two started dating/got sexual. Part of him is embarrassed to tell you while the other part of him is dying to know your reaction and wants to know if you possibly did the same.

e (experience)

He doesn't have loads of experience but he does know what he's doing. He's a fast learner and he studied anatomy and psychology so it doesn't take him long to find out what you like and what you don't like.

f (favourite position)

Viktor's favourite position is either missionary or cowgirl. Like I said before, he loves to see your face so any position where he can see your reactions is kind of an automatic favourite.

If he's feeling particularly tired, he likes to fuck you from the side while clutching one your breasts. He also likes this position because he can easily kiss you.

g (goofy)

He's kind of in the middle when it comes to goofiness. If you're tense about something, he makes a few teasing or sarcastic comments to help you loosen up.

During actual sex, he isn't that goofy. He's more focused on making you feel good while the both of you get to forget about day-to-day responsibilities for a while.

h (hair)

Viktor almost always looks pretty polished so obviously he's going to keep it neat and tidy down there. He does it not only for you, but for himself because it doesn't like it getting out of control. Although it's not very noticeable at first, he has a happy trail that peeks out just above his briefs.

i (intimacy)

He can come off as timid and kind of cold but he's actually very romantic. It's nothing too crazy like roses on the bedsheets or whatever, but he treats you throughout the day or takes you out to dinner.

He makes sure you're comfortable, occasionally asking if what he's doing is okay no matter how many times you might've had sex. He leaves featherlight kisses across your body while complimenting you. It's honestly very sweet how he puts your wants/needs in front of his own.

j (jerk off)

He isn't a huge fan of jacking off. He just never really has the time and would much prefer spending a possibly pleasurable moment with you instead.

k (kink)

oh great heavens

Viktor loves being in control, there's something really intoxicating about it to him. He likes to tie your hands behind your back and do what he pleases with you, whether that's overstimulating you or denying every orgasm that you get close to.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a kink but he enjoys mirror fucking you. He likes how embarrassed you look as he makes you watch him finger fuck you.

He doesn't do it often but he likes to embarrass you. Not too much where it's humiliating but a few teasing comments mixed with degradation and praise while people are around never hurts.

l (location)

He's most comfortable when you two are home. He doesn't need to worry about someone walking in and seeing you in a way only he's allowed to see you.

He also likes being home because you don't try and conceal your moans. He loves hearing his name spill from your parted lips in between breaths and how you don't hesitate to tell him what you need.

m (motivation)

Any time you dress nice for a certain occasion. He loves the way the outfit he helped you pick fits you like a glove and how he can see just the right amount of skin.

It's somewhat torturous to him when you look so beautiful yet he can't do anything until you two get home. Although he loves the thought of ripping it off of you, Viktor's always gentle when taking off your clothing.

When you play with his hair, even if it's an innocent gesture, he can't help but get a little excited. Your nails gently scratching his scalp has him suppressing quiet moans and whimpers and you both know it.

n (no!)

The idea of actually hurting you is a no-go. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he accidentally hurt you when he was supposed to be pleasuring you.

He also hates the idea of sharing you.

o (oral)

Viktor most likely won't say no if you ask to give him a blowjob, especially if he's in his office at home. The idea of you under his desk sucking his dick while he tries to do paperwork turns him on.

He likes eating you out. The way your thighs crush the sides of his face only spurs him on as you tug his hair. Every time you tug his hair, he moans. He can't help it.

p (pace)

His pace is mainly based on his mood but he likes to take his time. He loves going over every inch of your body, getting you wet and ready for him.

Once he's actually inside of you, he starts at a slow pace for you to get used to. He gradually picks up the pace until he finds a rhythm and speed you both find pleasurable.

q (quickie)

Meh, he's not really one for quickies. It just doesn't do it for him like regular sex does.

r (risk)

Viktor is actually pretty open to most ideas you may want to experience with him. The idea of fucking you in the lab is very appealing to him but whenever you try and bring it up, his response is a quick and simple 'no'. Although every time you bring it up, the more he thinks about it.

s (stamina)

Because of his health, he can't keep going round after round. A lot of the time he needs breaks in between but during those breaks, you're cockwarming him while he's leaving hickeys on your neck.

He can actually hold himself back making him last for a pretty long time. He likes to see how many times he can make you cum until he can't last any more.

t (toy)

I can't really imagine Viktor owning any sex toys but that doesn't mean he isn't open to them. If you're into them and want him to use one on you, he's game.

If you want to use one on him, he's a little taken aback and flustered. Once he thinks about it, he's open to it.

u (unfair)

bitch

This man can literally tease you for a whole two days without giving into you. He just loves seeing you frustrated with him but not frustrated enough to actually be angry with him because you know that won't get you anywhere.

He definitely enjoys starting something when you're too busy to finish it.

v (volume)

He isn't very loud, the most noise that comes out of him is an occasional curse in between pants and strangled moans. It's not that he isn't enjoying himself, he's just kind of shy when it comes to making too much noise.

w (wild card)

He can be a little possessive but that's because so many Piltover hotshots think they can just sweep you off your feet just because he's from the Undercity.

It's never anything too extreme but there have been situations that have irked him more than he'd like to admit.

x (x-ray)

Viktor has a horse cock. No I will not go into further explanation.

y (yearning)

I'd say his sex drive is pretty normal for his age. It hiked up a little when you two started dating but overall it's nothing too extreme.

z (zzz...)

Viktor tries to stay awake until you fall asleep but after he's made sure you're taken care of and satisfied, he lays his head on your chest and dozes off.

[thehistoriangirl]

The Oblivious Game I Want to Lose (Without Losing You) [Chapter Three]

This one is short and messy, because I’m truly fighting creative block here. Stumbling out Google Docs covered in blood, nevertheless, I hope you like it :D

Viktor x Fem!(Hopeless Romantic!)Reader----1.9K----SFW

> M A S T E R L I S T <

Summary: You and Viktor have bonding time! (even if one is a little skeptic about it)

Tags: Friends to Lovers| Not-Actually-Unrequited-Love| Hidden Feelings| Crushes| Slow-Burn| Oblivious (both Viktor and Reader)| Romantic Fluff| Veeery light angst|

You settled across from him at the desk, a tray with two cups of two chocolate and cookies on its surface. Silence lingered heavily inside the studio as Viktor sipped his beverage and you munched a bunch of cookies.

It took you a couple of minutes to gain courage enough to say:

“I’m sorry…”, at the same time Viktor commented:

“I apologize—”

Stopping midway to the double interruptions, you automatically locked gazes, feeling your cheeks burn. If Viktor noticed, he cleared his throat and averted his eyes toward the garden.

“It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have behaved like a child. I’m truly sorry, Mister Viktor. You’re just doing your job.”

Viktor lowered his gaze, brows slightly pinched together.

“Nevertheless, I shouldn’t have judged you like I did, Miss. I’m your tutor and I didn’t act like a professional. I’m sure you have your… eh, your reasons.” He efforted not to look toward the shelf at his back, but you did.

Rather than get angry for him to looking at your things without permission, you chuckled. "I do, yes. But they aren't less childish." You signaled at the photos slightly crooked in their positions for when Viktor scanned them moments ago. "Perhaps my father is right and I should stop dreaming like if I were still the kid in those photos. But… it’s difficult, I guess. I wanted to be like my mother—she achieved so much, coming from the Undercity into Piltover. But ever since her death, my father has been doing everything in his power to make me a useful heir.”

He squinted his eyes, resting his elbows over the desk. "I don't mean to pry, but I think you can achieve your goal and fulfill your duties all the same.”

“My goal?” you repeated, arching an eyebrow. “How do you…”

It was Viktor’s turn for his face to get all red. “I—eh, I worked for the Music Faculty as a technician assistant in the auditorium. I oversaw the auditions for a couple of years.”

You grunted, hiding your face between your hands. "Well, that makes this situation much more embarrassing."

Viktor smiled softly, even if you couldn’t see him.

“If it makes you feel better, I think I can help your situation. If you let me, of course.”

"Why would you want to help me?" you said, and Viktor knew it was a good question. He asked himself the same thing, but could never grasp a logical, concrete answer. It was a strange sensation localized deep within his being, warm and liquid as the hot chocolate that traveled down his throat to cover his stomach. The way sun illuminated the room with soft hues of gold contrasting in your lashes and down your curious eyes.

"I… I don't know." He shrugged. "I suppose I want to help people from the Undercity, too. Alas…" Viktor shook his head, a sad smile expanding on his lips while looking directly, intently. "I can't do it at the moment. I can only help you.”

“So you’re saying, I’m your testing experiment.” You chuckled, an airy sound Viktor found… interesting, for sure. “I don’t mind. I judge you’re smart if my father considers you for tutoring me.”

Viktor blinked, feeling the tips of his ears getting warm. “Then, do you trust me?”

“Sure. I wouldn’t have answered when you knocked on my door if I didn’t.”

He nodded. “Good. Thank you for the vote of confidence. Hear me out first, the beginning of my idea may not be that appealing to you, but I promise you it can work if you wish so.”

You frowned. “Alright…”

"The main issue here is one that plagues many people here, especially creators of any kind. You want the liberty to make whatever you desire with your life. However, your patron—your father—wants you to do another thing. First, you have to follow his demands, and with time, Mr. Ventos would just let you be. Because you’ll know what you must do, which I assume is engross the capital of the Ventos’ business.” Viktor tapped the plates of cookies, now almost empty. “But with time you learn, you wait for a suitable opportunity. You’re Mr. Ventos' sole heir. You can have many opportunities like those if you wait for enough to make a name for yourself and wield that power."

You were looking at him with widened eyes, fingers froze in the handle of your cup.

“Why do I think you’re saying this from experience?”

“You know, I don’t want to be Heimerdinger’s assistant all my life.” He said, and then, just like an afterthought. “Miss.”

You smiled, saying your name between a drink of your now cold chocolate. “I believe if we’re going to follow your plan, you should refer to me by my first name.”

He wasn’t expecting that.

“Then, do I assume I’m still your tutor?”

"Only if you can handle me." You put three cookies inside your mouth, only because if you'd had your lips unoccupied, maybe you'll say another stupid thing.

Viktor blinked. “I think I can. Only if you promise don’t doodle me without telling me again." He put out your notes from his bag, and you lowered your head, just a little to look at him from behind your lashes. "Besides, I don't have a nose that big."

You laughed wholly this time, taking the notes and quickly tucked them into your lap.

“You do, but you’re still handsome,” you said, and then quickly added: “You’re saying that if I graduate from the Academy, my father will let me alone?”

"No. You said he wants you to be a useful heir, right? You'd probably have to work a little bit inside your family business."

You groaned, but Viktor gestured while he finished his sentence. “Especially because, if I recall correctly, your father will rather marry you off rather than let you disobey his wishes. Am I wrong?”

“No, you aren’t.” Your voice was a thin thread Viktor had to lean closer to listen. “I hate this so much—” you started, cut in the middle of your rant. “And I hate being so whiny. I’m sorry, Viktor. I know I’m annoying you.”

“You wouldn’t annoy me if we continue our lesson.” Viktor signaled the incomplete equation, a small smile playing while he gave you a pencil, fingers almost brushing. “Mmmh?”

“Alright.” You finished your drink, pushing the plate with the last cookie toward him. “Have it, please, it’s yours. For your help.”

He shyly took it, muttering a "thank you", before his speech returned to formal, voice firm and clear as Viktor explained what you were supposed to do. This time, Viktor would tap your notes or call your name every time you got distracted, even taking little breaks between long explanations and difficult problems.

In those breaks, you talked about your personal life.

“Why did you decide on being my tutor, Viktor? I’ve heard even if the money is tempting, many quit.”

“I wonder why would it be,” he said mockingly. You pretended to glare at him, but you were laughing too much for it to be considered credible. “Your Father told me something that implied that you were from the Undercity… like me. Though I didn’t know your mother was from the Undercity. She married into a very important family.”

You scoffed. “I hope she didn’t. I believe she would’ve preferred not to, in the end.”

“But then you wouldn’t have been born—” Viktor started, but your sour chortle interrupted him.  

“It doesn’t matter,” you reassured him with a tense smile that didn’t reach up to your eyes getting shinier with trapped tears. And Viktor silently hoped you didn't start to cry because he wouldn't know what to do.  “She would be still alive, too,” you muttered, lips barely open which made the words unintelligible for him to hear correctly.

Viktor tried to reach up but wasn't sure if touching you was the correct thing to do. So he poured you half a cup of hot chocolate from the little kettle, shaky fingers as he put the little porcelain thing over your notes for you to notice.

“Still, I’m happy to be here,” you added, seeing the looming mood that was starting to conquer Viktor’s eyes. “I met you, at least.”

He didn’t know what to say, feeling once again his face warming up.

You fidget with your fingers, nails clicking around the cup’s ring as you locked your gaze on the desk. “Can we… be friends, Viktor?”

He blinked, feeling his heartbeat raise with no logical cause. It wasn’t that important, Viktor tried to convince himself. Of course, you’d be the first person that openly asked about forming a friendship with him. Nothing too relevant. Why would anyone be interested anyway? He was always hidden in the library, scribbling away, or inside Heimerdinger’s office filing out paperwork.

But a change would be good. And it would be awkward for your tutoring sessions if Viktor refused—surely it was a trick on your end too, so he couldn’t back up from helping you.

An intelligent move indeed.

Viktor extended one hand toward you, smiling politely as he did it toward other merchant families and even some other members of the Academy faculties. “It will be my pleasure.”

Your hand touched his not without caution. His fingers were slim and long, palm slightly cold. He pressed your palm into his, a gentle touch that shouldn’t have lasted as much as it did.

The door at the entrance of the studio opened just enough for a maid’s voice to filter through the wood.

“Young Mistress, you’re expected in the garden to have dinner in an hour.”

Viktor quickly broke the contact, sweat prickling the nape of his neck as he felt the tip of his ears burn with shame—though he wasn’t doing anything inappropriate.

You smiled apologetically, and Viktor consulted his watch. It was indeed half an hour past his scheduled session.

“I’ll see you in two days, Viktor!” you beamed, jumping to your feet when the maid closed the door as fast as she appeared. "Be careful on the way home! You can grab an umbrella on your way out—I don't it's going to rain, but oh I wish so.”

He chuckled as you entered the same lateral door Viktor knocked on hours before. A maid quickly surrounded you with a dress, slamming the door when she discovered Viktor was peeking inside.

All he could see was half a shelf covered in books, plushies adorning a white couch, and a fluffy blue carpet adorning the entirety of the floor. It seemed even your bedroom was light blue and white.

Your notes were covered in cookie crumbs when he was piling them in order, looking with an almost unnoticeable smile at the last cookie you left on the plate for him. It tasted like nuts, filled with mousse that smelled like vanilla. It was shaped like a little flower.

From all your notes, he only took back home the one where you had doodled him. Like a silly souvenir, Viktor repeated in his mind on a loop as he walked back home. A silly souvenir of his first friendship.

Even if it wasn’t a genuine one.

[mistiell]

Who’s more likely to be the prankster or the one to get pranked?

A/N: I love this request so much, it was honestly so fun to write. (Also, I just sort of assumed you wanted this with Arcane characters)

To Prank or Be Pranked, That is the Question

Viktor

- Honestly, it’s hard to say which one of you would be which

- He may seem like the type to be the person being pranked, but he’s fully capable of being just as much of a lil’ shit as you are

- You probably start a prank war

- and it was by complete accident too

- You switched out his coffee for tea

- Which isn’t really a big prank, but still a prank nonetheless

- He retaliates by moving your favourite snack to different places around the apartment

- You found it underneath the bed at one point

- This continues for as long as it takes for one of you to give up and call a truce

- Which you’re both too stubborn to do

- He also moves your tea/coffee to the highest shelf he can possibly reach and teases you when you can’t reach it

- He’ll get it for you once he’s finished having his fun

- Also

- Something you should know in case you ever want to get him back

- His sides are very ticklish

- Do with that information what you will

Jayce

- You’d be the one pranking him

- You do the one where you stick an empty paper towel roll between the lid and seat of the toilet and a couple toilet paper rolls on top of the lid and say, “the toilet’s smoking”

- ^ It looks like this

- He’s actually really concerned at first

- when he comes into the bathroom, he just stands there for a second

- Then he runs a hand over his face and starts laughing hysterically

Jayce, laughing and looking mildly disappointed: Seriously? The toilet’s smoking?

You, trying desperately not to laugh: Yes! Are you not seeing what I’m seeing???

Silco

- He’d definitely be the one getting pranked

- You and Jinx team up and come up with a bunch of different ways to fuck with him

- At one point, y’all shift everything in his office a little bit to the left

- This literally goes on for months

- Once or twice a week, depending on how ballsy you two are feeling, you distract Silco for an hour or two while Jinx spends that time moving every single item just a smidge to the left

- He doesn’t notice until his desk is very noticeably off center

- Once he asks you guys about it, you feign innocence and help him move everything back to where it was

- And then a week later, you start moving everything to right side of the room instead

Vi

- She’d be the one to prank you first

- definitely the type to do the plastic wrap prank

- She’ll have it set it up hours before you get home

- And when you do, she’s in the kitchen waiting for you to call her name

You: Vi, I’m home!

Vi: In the kitchen, babe!

You: Oh, are you making di-

- It startles you so bad that you lose your balance and fall flat on your ass

- And she fucking dies laughing

You: sHUT UP, IT’S NOT FUNNY!

Vi, in tears: YOU’RE RIGHT! ITS FUCKING HILARIOUS!

- Once she’s calmed down and made sure you aren’t actually hurt, she apologizes

Jinx

- You’re the one being pranked

- Hands down

- She keeps you on your toes 24/7

- I’ve mentioned this before but she does the poppers under the toilet seat thing

- Also switches your shampoo for hair dye

- You make sure to check the label before using it now

- What’s infuriating, though, is that she’s damn near impossible to prank back

- Somehow, she always knows what you’re planning and how to avoid it

Mel

- You’d be the one pranking her

- She finds them funny, but she isn’t really the type to go out of her way to do them herself

- You hide a fake spider under her pillow and wait for her to make the bed

- You’ll be sitting in the living room, sipping on your morning tea/coffee, when all of a sudden you hear a sudden yelp from the bedroom

- You have to stop yourself from bursting out laughing

- She walks out of the bedroom with the spider looking very unamused

Mel, raising an eyebrow: You think you’re funny, do you?

You: Absolutely, I do :D

- She gets this mischievous look on her face and you’re like “Woah, hold up, wtf is about to go down??”

- She sprints at you with the spider and you literally have to scramble off the couch to escape her

- Eventually abandons the spider and just tackles you to the couch instead

- It’s not often that she lets loose like this but she’s so fun when she does