You give me a reason, something to believe in

[hextechhead]

WHO: Jayce and Viktor
WHAT: The two head out to Aquila for some networking and beach fun and heart to hearts.
WHERE: Aquila
WHEN: End of April/Early May
WARNING: Will add if need be!





[ooc: artwork by rachelle-redacted]

Comments

[hextechhead]

Jayce can see concern in Viktor's face and it's almost adorable because here he is pouring his heart out, reminding him of everything they've had together, in sweet gestures, and it makes him worry. He knows that he's far more in touch with his emotions than Viktor is and it's fine, he doesn't mind leading him into this and forcing him to accept the anticipation. He'll get the explanation, patience is a virtue.

He has gone into this with the expectation Viktor will say yes, but not in the way that he thinks it has to be that simple either. Viktor will have questions, he always knew that. He'll have to explain himself in a way not everyone would, but that's because of who they are. Curious scientists to the end. He isn't expecting Viktor to yell yes and jump into his arms, that would be another type of person.

Jayce does come off his knee although they're seated so he does end up simply coming in close to Viktor. He's been working on the ring for a long time, and he does have the designs for a second one. He was going to make that one too, but realized Viktor would absolutely want to make it for him. It's an equal gift when it's an agreement between them. It's been easy hiding it by spending extra time in Lee's forge and she even peeked in on it after his tenth attempt.

"That's a complicated question because I used to think about it here and there back home. I assumed we'd end up together, which I know is one of those 'Jayce you look forward in your own fantasy and don't include anyone else' things." He's done a lot of soul searching since coming here and a lot of the changes in him have required Jayce to become more grounded and less fantastical. He still has big ideas but they're always the kind that seem doable, rather than his grand dramatic plans that are more impossible.

Besides, he's learned that the reality is better than the fantasy when it comes to Viktor. In every way.

"In a more realistic sense, I've thought about this since the first time we kissed." That is for certain true. Jayce knows what he's about. "But I knew ... it was better for us to talk about this after you were cured. I know neither of us would have wanted to see it as a last act of love." As in, getting married because Viktor was dying and it was their only chance. That would've been bittersweet and a little hollow, since promising a life together that would end soon wasn't much.

Not like this. Which is a longer life promised. Jayce has been planning this for certain after Viktor was out of the woods and that's when the ring was designed. Then Caitlyn got kidnapped and it had to be temporarily put on hold.

"I don't really mean get married as in here in Cadens in a formal sense, I was thinking more we could come up with our own ceremony and symbolic gesture, maybe with our friends here in attendance, and it'll be ours." He isn't looking at this like logic and legality, it definitely is symbolic, but they don't need more than that.

"It's a type of commitment and declaration and I want to make to you, V. I know it is sentimental but it's ... something I want." Jayce uses his free hand to run fingers through Viktor's hair affectionately. "But I want to be clear this isn't an ultimatum, it's okay if you say no." Jayce would be hurt, obviously, feelings aren't logical, they both know that, and they'd understand it.

[techmaturgy]

"Ridiculous," he says, though there's nothing but fondness in his voice. "You are ridiculous."

That Jayce would even dare to fantasize about this, back in Piltover. Now, however, things are much different, so it only follows that Jayce is changing his expectations accordingly. It's not lost on Viktor, however, that all of this is now coming about not only because of his renewed health, but also because Jayce has chosen to make Cadens his home.

There's a lot to think about here--Jayce can probably see it on Viktor's face, even as he pulls them both into a more comfortable position, leaning forward in his chair so that he can be as close as possible. One hand snakes around the back of Jayce's head, thumb brushing his cheek. Viktor is sure his partner expected some amount of hesitation from him, so the physical touch is meant to be reassuring.

"I appreciate your waiting to ask until I was no longer terminal." That's said with a breathy laugh, though ironically Viktor thinks he would be more willing to immediately accept, if he only had weeks. Still, he's glad that they're talking about this now. If they were to marry, and he were to die, then Jayce would never move on, which is the one thing that Viktor wanted from him, in the worst case scenario. Viktor's had to recalibrate a great deal, since the procedure--where he might ordinarily resist something like this on principle, he understands deeply how important it is to Jayce, even if he immediately bristles at the thought of a wedding. It's softened, at least, by the assurance that it's more for them, and that they could make whatever kind of ceremony they want. Something meaningful.

"You know that I am yours for as long as you will have me. I suppose I felt this was a given." That they didn't need anything official, because Viktor's commitment to Jayce is a foregone conclusion. The way Jayce lays out his reasoning is a testament to it. "But would you want that, too? To formalize it in the Free Cities? Citizenship?"

He knows how he will reply to the larger question, he thinks, regardless of what Jayce says here, but true to form, he must analyze all factors, first. His gaze is soft, searching, perhaps betraying the answer he's about to give.

[hextechhead]

"Very ridiculous," Jayce agrees with a smile. He would have married Viktor back home, of that he is certain, it just seemed like a far away thing at the time. They had so much Hextech to work on and their new projects, and the focus on the betterment of society. In his mind, they had the time to wait, so if they got married a decade from then, so be it. That was all dashed when he found out about Viktor's illness.

Jayce appreciates the physical gestures Viktor is giving him as reassurance, a testament too to how much they know about one another now. Becoming lovers and romantic partners added elements they didn't have before, like how easy it is for Viktor to quell any rising anxiety with a single touch.

"It is a given that we are going to be together, V, but I want to be your husband. I want the title. And technically we can just wave our hands and say we are, but I'm sentimental. I want some kind of celebration with it." Jayce is good at asking for what he wants these days, but it helps that his confidence is the way it is because of how good they are together. They've gone through a lot and made it out the other side stronger and he is confident in their relationship.

Viktor knows he's sentimental and symbols do mean something to them. It's why Viktor got him the bracelet that's around his wrist even now. Gestures matter a great deal to Jayce, and this is the biggest one he can make. As for the next part he pauses and thinks, but then shakes his head.

"I don't care about that. We have both of our names on what we make and own, I'm not concerned about us being legal." If they were in Piltover he would. This is his adopted home, but he has no actual loyalty to the Free Cities, only to the lives they've made together and with the other Summoned.

Jayce takes Viktor's hand and puts the ring in the middle, gently encouraging him to wrap his fingers around it and feel it in his palm. Real and his, if he wants it. A gift, no matter what.

"You can take time to think if you need to."

[techmaturgy]

"Well. We might get tax breaks if we do."

Not that he wants to be part of Cadens in that way. In fact, Jayce's answer is the right one. Given the fact that he still feels beholden to the Undercity, becoming citizens doesn't sit right, and it isn't lost on him, that this is unfair. That none of this would be possible for them in Piltover, and that it might slip through their fingers in an instant due to cosmic forces that are out of their control. What happens if one of them is pulled away? The thought of it is more unbearable than ever, and Viktor still thinks he could control it, if he devoted his time and energy to puzzling out the Summoning ritual. Then, he could secure the future that he and Jayce deserve, even if Jayce doesn't know it yet.

He could argue for it, again. Insist that if they're going to move forward, then Viktor wants to ensure that nothing will ever separate them or take away what they've made for themselves, not even the Singularity.

But Jayce says I want to be your husband and any resistance he could have put up or any counterarguments he might have made dissolve into thin air. Viktor's face wells with emotion, the expression something new and indescribable, all of the love he feels threatening to spill out, like he might cry again but stops just short of it. His fingers close around the ring and Jayce's hand with them, and he brings the whole arrangement up to his mouth to press his lips to Jayce's knuckles. He lingers there, one last moment of consideration.

"I don't need time to think." He's asked his questions, and received adequate, well-reasoned answers. Viktor wants to make Jayce happy, and if the titles and the celebration and the formal commitment to each other is part of the deal, he's willing to weather it. More than that--Viktor finds himself wanting it, too. "You've made a compelling argument."

He knows he might come to regret this, if they're ever separated by the unknowable whims of the Singularity. Viktor is trying, however, to learn from Jayce. To cherish the fact that they're able to have this, in spite of everything, and hold it close even if he might lose it all, and not even remember having it in the first place. That shouldn't mean he denies himself this happiness.

Viktor lowers their hands, opens his palm, and carefully slides the ring onto his finger. It fits, because of course it does. "I will marry you, Jayce Talis."

[hextechhead]

"Pragmatic as always," Jayce says dryly. But he knows that Viktor wouldn't want them to dedicate themselves in that way to Free Cities. Even if Jayce is resolved to consider this world his home and find lasting purpose in it, it doesn't mean he's patriotic or that interested in Free Cities itself. They do plan on making the faction better for the people for their own reasons, not out of loyalty to the Prime Minister.

He hasn't given much thought to the situation involving the kidnapping spell. He knows that Viktor hasn't given up on all of that because he knows him, and he's fine with it. If at some point a discovery is made about it, Jayce is open to talking about it, his line was just that he isn't going to spend all his life here focused on that. He is dedicated to making a life worth living here and all that entails, living in the present as he promised. And proposing to Viktor is following that same path. The future he sees for them here.

They may disappear at any moment. One or both of them, and that is a reality, but they also may be dead back home, so there are a lot of mays and ifs and uncertainty. And while that used to terrify him, at this point he found that it only froze him in place before. He won't let it hold him back from the things that matter now.

He laughs when Viktor said he made a compelling argument, and while he wasn't really nervous about Viktor saying no, it's still a thrill and a relief when he says yes. Jayce feels a surge of adrenaline and he smiles so wide it practically hurts, cupping Viktor's face in his hands and kissing him deeply right away. All his planning turned out to be worth it, but Viktor would always be worth it.

Jayce goes a step further by sliding his hands over Viktor's legs and to his backside, sweeping him right off his chair as he stands. He never does this in a public place, it's very much a 'in our apartment and in passion it's fine,' but he feels like sweeping Viktor into his arms is absolutely a reasonable reaction to them being engaged. Viktor may be getting healthier but he still practically weighs nothing compared to his boyfriend's biceps.

He doesn't carry him bridal style but he does hug him and spin him around a little bit, like he wanted to do the first time they reunited. "I will marry you, Viktor."

[techmaturgy]

Guilty as charged, though of course it's a joke, and there's some relief when. Jayce confirms he doesn't care about any of that. This is for them, and if they choose to revisit the question of formalizing their partnership in the eyes of the Free Cities government, they can do it if and when they're both ready. For now, they have each other, and that's enough.

Viktor finds Jayce's smile contagious, and he offers a brief one of his own before Jayce kisses him fully and he has no choice but to reciprocate. He throws his arms around Jayce's shoulders and leans into the kiss, perfectly content to drag it out as long as possible, the whole world shrinking down to just them.

"You're everything to me, Jayce. How could I say no?"

He'd be content to stay exactly like this, burying his face against Jayce's neck, but his partner has other ideas. Viktor yelps, more out of surprise than anything else, but finds that he doesn't object to being picked up in the heat of the moment, nor does he care that they're in public. The ease with which Jayce lifts him out of his chair is not surprising, but the temporary instability catches him off-guard for a moment. Viktor clings tightly to him as though his life depends on it, though when it becomes apparent that he isn't going to fall, he tilts his head back and laughs.

"You don't have a ring," he says once he stops spinning, though he'll remain in Jayce's arms for as long as he's allowed, toes barely skimming the sand. "Can I make you one?"

It occurs to him that was the idea, so he imagines Jayce will love that he asked, but Viktor means it, regardless. He wants to do this.

[hextechhead]

"It's still your choice. I am going to be everything to you anyway."

That is important to him for Viktor to understand, and he thinks he does. Their relationship is not contingent on Viktor agreeing to what he wants, but when they both learn to want something together, it makes it even better when it happens. Jayce is more traditional in many ways, that's always been true. He did always want to fall in love and get married, although his ambitions toward his work took first precedent. But he never saw himself as a lifelong bachelor, he knew that he wanted a partner in life. Viktor just ended up being his partner in everything.

He laughs when Viktor yelps but he's holding him carefully, Viktor knows Jayce is very careful and considerate when he's sweeping him up. He never lets him fall or be put in any danger, he could do this with one hand if he wanted to. He loves when his partner ends up relaxing into it though. When he clings to him not from fear but because he wants to stay close. Jayce stops spinning and for a few seconds he still holds him close, even if it requires Viktor to stay off the ground. He does set Viktor down but his arm moves around his waist and keeps him near.

Jayce beams down at him. "I didn't make one because I assumed you'd want to make it yourself." Viktor admires Jayce's handiwork, obviously, but he also likes to put his own touch on everything that matters to him. His own inventions, and this ring will be one of them. There are people looking at them after the spinning, but nothing negative. If anything they might see from the corner of their eyes some smiles, because who doesn't love a beach proposal?

"Thank you, V." Jayce cups his face with his free hand. "For literally all of what I showed you in the video, but also ... because I know this isn't really your thing, but you're willing to do it anyway. I promise it will be intimate and comfortable and not my usual brand of overdramatic." Jayce likes that for his presentations but his wedding, not so much.

[techmaturgy]

"You will be my husband."

Viktor tries it out, finding that he likes the way it sounds. That much is evident on his face, which sports a sincere smile. Soft. All the love in the world in his eyes, a rare look for him. He can't say he ever thought this for himself, but now that it's happening, it feels more comfortable than he expected. This is right. It feels right.

They come to a stop and Viktor nuzzles into the crook of Jayce's neck, not at all worried about falling or stumbling with that strong arm around his waist. He can't say he isn't anxious about a ceremony, but Viktor already knows he can weather it.

"I'll make you a ring, and then we can have a celebration. In the Horizon, so all of our friends can be there. If it makes you happy, I want to do it." Increasingly, Viktor is determining that's what matters to him. It makes him happy too. That said, he's not about to let Jayce off without consequence. "But we will have to do it in the Zaunite way. I don't think my mother would forgive me, otherwise."

Is it a joke? It might be a joke. Viktor pulls back from the embrace and his face is sincere, betraying nothing.

[hextechhead]

"Absolutely, I'd love to incorporate any Zaunite traditions!" Jayce takes what he says at face value, he doesn't assume he's joking. They probably have their own traditions, and he would never want it to be Piltover only. "It's really not going to be complicated, I promise. We can invite some friends to the Horizon, make a little celebration in our domain, maybe say vows to each other, and keep it simple."

That way Viktor really doesn't have to worry about too much attention or discomfort. Jayce is already getting what he wants by the marriage and the party. Even if it's them and three other people, he will be happy. Symbolically, it is all going to be enough for him. If he really did care about the details, he might have wanted the legal documents. It's all about being able to look in Viktor's eyes and make promises in a more official way, and then call him by a name he's thought in his head for years.

He does wish for a strong moment that his mother could be there. That is the only downside. He has Cait here, and he is thankful for that, but his mother always wanted to be there for this. They talked about it sometimes, she would tease him about making her wait so long. But Jayce knows his mother would be happy for him if she knew. That is what has kept him from going crazy missing her here. It can't hold him back.

He leans down to kiss Viktor, long and sweet, and takes his hand with the ring so he can kiss it. "Looks good on you," Jayce says with a smug smile. He looks forward to the expressions on other people's face when they see it. Maybe. Once he gets one, he'll be sure to probably flash it everywhere. Jayce is too enthusiastic about these things, but Viktor likes him for it.

"I've been planning this for awhile, I'm glad the practice paid off."

[techmaturgy]

"You say that now. I haven't even told you what that means. I could make you walk barefoot across hot coals, for all you know."

Okay, maybe now it's clear that he's joking, because of course Jayce would do that, without question. Viktor is still apprehensive about the thought of a ceremony, but Jayce talks him through it, seemingly having thought of everything. Yes, something short and simple in their domain, with their friends, feels appropriate. Neither of them really need the formality of it, but if it makes Jayce happy, then he'll do it.

In his head, however, he considers this moment all that matters. Maybe they'll quibble about the use of fiancé in the interim, when this is all Viktor requires to call Jayce his husband. The way he leans into the kiss says as much.

It's not long, however, before something else occurs to him and he gives Jayce a little shove against his chest.

"I can't believe how long you've conspired against me."