[open] september/october catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and YOU
When: Post-Nocwich, through September and early October
Where: Cadens, Libertas the Horizon
What: open stuff, closed stuff, Libertas stuff, horizon visits, whatever I WANT
Warnings: the usual references to terminal illness, will list additional warnings as needed.

[open and closed starters in comments! If you want a custom starter or something specific, just hit me up. full horizon details are here for any and all wildcarding needs. For everything else, I’m on plurk at whitticus and on discord at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

[hextechhead]

Jayce can recognize that there are no-win scenarios with a conversation when they're both like this. He doesn't want their crankiness to make it worse. If they want to bicker tomorrow when they've slept and eaten, they can do that with their minds clearer. Right now all he wants is to find comfort in Viktor. He is alive and they have their intimacy to lean on in bad times. He hasn't really had that before. They have always been close friends, but there were boundaries. Not anymore.

Jayce takes the cup from him and mirrors his actions, tilting Viktor's head back and pouring the water back from his face to wet his hair. His is longer and thicker so he needs more water and shampoo than Jayce. The first time they were intimate together he got to wash Viktor's hair and he has a particular love for it. His fingers dig into the wet strands as he puts the shampoo deep into the roots.

"I am so glad we have this, V. I think everything we've been through would be a lot harder if I couldn't fall into bed with you every night." Jayce never stops being grateful for them, but the nightmares were easier wrapped up in Viktor's arms, and this grief is easier with someone to lean on.

[techmaturgy]

It's very tempting to fall asleep sitting up, the only thing that stops him the gentle nudge of Jayce moving him into position and the pull of his fingers through the tangles in his hair. He leans in and his eyes flutter closed. The water is warm and Jayce's hands are practiced.

"That bed is sounding more appealing every minute."

There's a small smile on his face. It's strained, still, but Viktor is less tense than he was upon their return. When the danger of soap in his eyes has passed, he blinks them open and reaches for a washcloth, lathering it so that he can reach out for Jayce to rub away some of the dirt and grime.

"Much better."

[hextechhead]

Jayce rinses off his hair, making certain his eyes are covered again first, and keeps stroking his fingers through the strands after he probably needs to. He just likes it. Who would ever want to bathe alone again when you can have this?

"As much as I love lingering in the bath with you, you look like you're going to fall asleep any second, love."

Jayce knows that the moment his head hits the pillow and he curls up with Viktor, he'll be out. It is easy to lull when feeling comfortable like this. He is getting cleaner by the minute and he takes the washcloth once Viktor is done with him. It goes fast when they both want it to, although another time he would probably encourage them to stay where they are. When things are better, when grief isn't hanging over everything. He leans forward to kiss Viktor's cheek and sits up, curling an arm around him to hold him close.

Whenever Viktor lets him steal affection, and he does most of the time, he does so, it's soothing. "We're good enough, sweetheart, let's get to bed." They can worry about every speck being gone tomorrow, when they have to do it all over again. He releases Viktor and offers him a hand so he can use it to stand. Jayce could literally just lift him and carry him to the bed, and he is tempted, but knows Viktor would grumble about it.

[techmaturgy]

"It's all starting to catch up with me."

But Jayce knows that already, probably because he's in a similar state. They should eat something, but the prospect of just getting to sleep is far too tempting. There's always the morning, before their next shift.

(It will not be the first meal Viktor neglects to have--it won't be the last.)

Viktor reminds himself that if they stay in the bath much longer, they'll end up soggy and wrinkled, so he wills himself to grab Jayce's hand. He leans on Jayce perhaps a bit more heavily than he usually would, but ultimately his pride wins out. Maybe once he's dry.

"Towels. Please."

[hextechhead]

They really should eat, and it's not like Viktor can afford neglected meals, not that Jayce makes mention of it. His healing can only go so far when his body is still worn to the bone. He holds Viktor up before standing himself and getting the towels. He gives one to Viktor and kisses his forehead.

"Let's take a five-minute stop in the kitchen, alright? Something fast." He puts the towel around his waist although it has a habit of not staying for long, he's been working on it, but he also doesn't care much about covering up. It definitely has to protect his hair though when he sleeps. It curls too much if left wet. He knows Viktor could set off his pride so he adds. "I forgot to eat too, Petra managed to get me a snack." It wasn't enough but it made him less light-headed. Jayce is big, he actually does need to consume more to keep his strength up.

He puts an arm around Viktor's waist to keep him close, and also doubles as a way for him to lean on someone without it being obvious. "Just some fruit or something, and then bed."

[techmaturgy]

"I don't have much of an appetite."

If Jayce brings him something, he'll try, but it seems Viktor has already decided. He takes the towel and presses it against his face, scrubbing it through his hair before wrapping it around his shoulders. It takes only moments for the cold to set in, so given the chance he'll be making a beeline for the bedroom.

Once he's stopped dripping, Viktor tries to pull them in that direction, if only so he can get some clothes back on.

"If you bring something in here, I'll share it with you."

[hextechhead]

Jayce willingly goes toward the bedroom since he knows Viktor gets colder than him and he needs to get into sleepwear. He kisses him on the cheek sweetly and goes off to the kitchen. He genuinely has no plans on taking a while or making an actual meal, they can do that in the morning. It is as simple as pulling out an apple for both of them and some bread. Easy, basic. Good for Viktor not having a big appetite. He's already back by the time Viktor finishes getting dressed.

Jayce often sleeps in the nude because he is hot all of the time and Viktor is chilly, so his body heat plus the blankets balance him out. He sighs as soon as he settles on the bed, sitting up so he can eat what he brought. The towel is moved to his head to protect his treasured hair.

"It's good that I've learned medic skills as well as magic, sometimes all it takes is first aid." And it spares him running out of energy faster. He and Nadine have been studying together for months, although she's a much better field medic than he is. "I wonder if after the damage report is in, they'd be willing to let us help rebuild." Typical Jayce, seeing this as a long-term project. He's strong and can make tools and carry things for them.

[techmaturgy]

Viktor's "sleepwear" is mostly just his own pairs of undershorts and one of Jayce's oversized shirts. Jayce is only gone for a moment, but in that time the risk of sleep is so great that Viktor has pulled out one of his notebooks and started writing in it, if only to stay awake long enough to appease Jayce. When he settles into the bed, Viktor immediately sidles up next to him, though he doesn't take any food just yet.

"They'd be foolish not to let us." Again, Viktor voices some frustration at being brought here for some greater purpose, only to be held in reserve when there's a real issue that could use their expertise. "A waste of our talents."

With that voiced, he sets aside his notebook and curls up against Jayce's side. Only then does he take a slice of apple. "Perhaps focus more on the first aid, tomorrow. So as not to exhaust yourself out unnecessarily."

[hextechhead]

Jayce loves seeing Viktor in his clothing, he's not entirely sure why. It could be just a reminder that they're intimate with each other and Viktor likes having even this small part of Jayce with him. The first time he saw it he got very frisky but for now he simply smiles and puts an arm around Viktor's shoulders.

"I guess we'll see. We also have to keep our business going. We'll find a way to balance all of it."

They still need the income, especially as they work on the Hexcore and need easy substances at hand. It's fine, it's not like it is new that the two of them have many projects all at once. He eats the apple slices and gives Viktor some of the bread too. They are both so tired so it'll be easy to slip away soon.

"It depends on who comes in." But the reality is as the days go on, injuries will be handled and first aid will be the obvious answer, and bodies will be all that's left out there to handle. Which Jayce himself has no intention of doing. He's seen enough of that, he would rather focus on healing.

He shifts his legs so that he can pull the blanket over them and snuggle Viktor to him. "We have to eat a real breakfast before we go, we won't be strong enough without it."

[techmaturgy]

"We've always been good at multitaksing."

Viktor likes having multiple projects--keeping his mind as occupied as possible, because the alternative is to dwell on the political situation and the stark reality of his own life. Even sitting in bed with Jayce like this helps distract him.

He was not, however, lying about his appetite. Viktor eats a little but otherwise gives up quickly, choosing instead to settle into the pillows and blanked, pressed up against Jayce. It's clear where his priority is (sleep), but he'll provide some reassurance, nodding in agreement.

"Yes, I promise, as long as you do your best not to push yourself too hard, tomorrow."

[hextechhead]

Jayce sighs when Viktor barely eats but he's not going to force feed him. They'll have to worry about that in the morning. He reaches over to turn off their bedroom light and settles back down, leaning down to kiss him gently. Then he puts an arm around him and encourages him to nestle up against Jayce and his warmth, held in an embrace.

"Good night, V. I love you."