JAYVIK FIC RECS

[jayvikrecs]

hey what's this

hello everyone! welcome to a somewhat slapdash but earnestly-meant rec blog for jayvik fics. there's like ten thousand on ao3 now omg??? so i want to shout out the ones i liked, especially hidden gems that might fall through the cracks.

there's so much out there i can never get to, though, so co-mods are also welcome! just shoot me a DM ❤ the only screening process is 'do you love jayvik and respect other people' this blog is extremely casual and low-commitment

but there's no real need to join, if you just want to tell people about cool jayvik fics without getting involved submissions are always open! just follow the format showed here!

i highly encourage reccing more obscure fics but i will publish all submissions as long as it follows the format. the point is to rec other people's fics but self-recs will be published too under the shout-out tag.

so. what kind of jayvik can be recced? ANY kind as long as you love it and want to share why. also jayvik MUST NOT be just a side-ship but the main one. that said 'main ship' can take many forms: plot-heavy with light romance, pre-slash, platonic but jayce&victor-centric, and poly are all fine tbh

that's it, really. i'm just here to have fun and share the love.

link to tag page!! you can search by word count, status, story tag, etc

[jayvikrecs]

rec: She Cried

by TurnedWorm on AO3

Summary: Instead of saying “You were never broken” to a man who was actively dying from a very preventable disease, Jayce instead reminds Viktor of Rio.

I so wish this fic was canon. As much as I love Jayce and Viktor's canon final scene together, it does have some ableist overtones, considering that Viktor was actively dying of a preventable disease that did need curing. Like, I've got a lung disease myself (thankfully only chronic instead of terminal), and if my crush tried to claim that my lungs aren't broken I would double down on trying to erase humanity. Viktor deserved a cure, even though the Hexcore was the wrong way, and so did all the people of the Undercity. This fic subverts that by calling back to Rio while acknowledging that none of what Viktor has gone through has been fair. In addition, the fic has a happy ending that doesn't just kill off the people that Viktor tried to save.

[jayvikrecs]

hi! do you do fic recss?? if so fan you rec some domestic jayvikkk

if you dont dww!! anyways thank youuu love this blog

hello! sorry, i've been away for months!

if you're still around, yes, i will answer requests if i can!! tbh i usually prefer plot-heavy fics or wilder set-ups to domesticity, so im glad to be able to rec you something! i've recently been reading Instructions for Dancing by JangJaeYul and loving it.

modern au featuring dancer Jayce, past dancer Viktor, and immediately there's so much warm chemistry, domesticity, mutual caretaking. it'd be hilarious if it weren't so sweet. and true to their canon dynamic lol tbh.

[jayvikrecs]

hii! i came across your blog some time ago and i was hoping you could recall a fic? i distinctly remember the plot, it was post-canon, but i think i forgot to bookmark it

jayce and viktor weren't vaporized but brought back instead, and they run away to one of mel's former childhood houses. viktor's in a comatose/catatonic state for a good part of the fic, and jayce works for the local blacksmith

i distinctly remember two scenes: one where viktor and jayce were out in town where they see a merchant is selling wares and trinkets, and one of them was a 'mask' but it was the face of the husks/puppets viktor controlled

and the other scene was where they were at a pub and enforcers come strolling in looking for viktor and jayvik get into a fight and viktor uses the arcane to fight them when they pin jayce down, and the pubgoers don't say a thing or rat them out after because they didn't do that thing around there

crying ive been looking all over AO3 and my bookmarks but i cant find anything

hi anon!

sorry for this late reply, but this is actually pretty good timing as i haven't been able to tumblr for months 💀

anyway, 99% sure that's A New Knife :D

[jayvikrecs]

rec: a hole where something was

by m122y on ao3

Summary: By the time he's finished flinging himself past the airlock and bolting the door shut behind him, he’s forgotten the reason for his urgency. A dull thud of locks engaging. He’s forgotten where he is. A relaxing, pneumatic hiss. He’s forgotten who he is. -or- Your name is Viktor. Repeat the above as many times as necessary for it to make sense.

SCP AU!!! for those unfamiliar with what the heck SCP is, here is a an intro guide. this fic specifically deals in antimemetics. but for those who dont want to do pre-fic homework, the SCP project is basically a creative writing wiki: a massive collaboration about a secret organization working to contain all sorts of paranormal "anomalies". most entries read as confidential files about some weirdo phenomenon or creature. really, check it out, it's fun :D

onto the rec -- it's relatively short, and i'd rather the reader come into it blind. so what can i say instead? if you like sci-fi and mindfuck this is a fic for you! if you don't like these kinds of stories the fic might make you work for it, but the ending punch is really good, so give it a try? also i just love how the jayvik fandom can put these two blorbos in whatever Situation and STILL somehow it all comes down to love.

[jayvikrecs]

rec: the universe would turn (to a mighty stranger)

By: frankie_31 on ao3 Summary: Viktor understands his lot in life. He is the assistant to the Dean, he is a footnote (if he’s lucky) in the Academy history books. His inventions will never see the light of day, his name will fade into obscurity upon his death. And then, a strange, tortured man appears in his office and tells him that he is the only one who can return him to his home—another reality and time altogether. Viktor agrees to help, agrees to build the machine the man needs. Things take a turn for the complicated when it turns out that the strange man is an older, alternate version of an Academy student, Jayce Talis, and that Viktor’s universe’s Jayce Talis is on to them. Especially after they steal his magic gemstones. Featuring: S1!Viktor/S2!Jayce, jealous S1!Jayce and a whole lot of UST.

just one chapter but i am enjoying myself immensely already!! i love mixing and matching the jayviks, especially the classic s2 jayce with s1 viktor. no details but this setup is one of my favorites, the way they meet and come together

the writing is smooth, i enjoy the cadence of it, does both humor and emotion well. a really GREAT start, i can't wait to see where this takes us

[jayvikrecs]

OMG I FORGOT THE LINK HERE IT IS HEREEEE!!! of all the things to miss, honestly.

[jayvikrecs]

rec: Manual Labour

by: GenGonGinGun on ao3

Summary: “I know, precious.” Viktor slid the hand in his hair to his jaw, thumbing over the flush of his cheek. “Will you behave for me?” Jayce nodded against his palm. “Alright. Just a little longer, be patient.” Then his gentle hand guided Jayce back into the warmth of his body. Fucking shadow brute, honestly. Viktor let off a few more well-timed clicks. (Or, Jayce asks Viktor for a favour and pays him back in return.)

short and charming read!! very fluffy, not much plot, just established modern au t4t jayvik and video games and very soft dom/sub dynamics. like a little sweet treat, a horny piece of candy. a bite-sized pastry stuffed with love. because jayvik deserve to be this happy!!!! and we deserve to read about it!!

[jayvikrecs]

rec: the universe would turn (to a mighty stranger)

By: frankie_31 on ao3 Summary: Viktor understands his lot in life. He is the assistant to the Dean, he is a footnote (if he’s lucky) in the Academy history books. His inventions will never see the light of day, his name will fade into obscurity upon his death. And then, a strange, tortured man appears in his office and tells him that he is the only one who can return him to his home—another reality and time altogether. Viktor agrees to help, agrees to build the machine the man needs. Things take a turn for the complicated when it turns out that the strange man is an older, alternate version of an Academy student, Jayce Talis, and that Viktor’s universe’s Jayce Talis is on to them. Especially after they steal his magic gemstones. Featuring: S1!Viktor/S2!Jayce, jealous S1!Jayce and a whole lot of UST.

just one chapter but i am enjoying myself immensely already!! i love mixing and matching the jayviks, especially the classic s2 jayce with s1 viktor. no details but this setup is one of my favorites, the way they meet and come together

the writing is smooth, i enjoy the cadence of it, does both humor and emotion well. a really GREAT start, i can't wait to see where this takes us

[jayvikrecs]

im back lol

unfortunately IRL has been horribly busy but things are lightening up -- finally managed to read a couple of fics today, even, so expect more recs to resume soon-ish!!

as always anyone is free to join this blog, it's super low-commitment but it might be nice to have another mod/admin in case any of us get busy again and for some variety in reading taste

that's it pretty much. happy jayviking everyone!!

[jayvikrecs]

rec: Rip My Skin Apart (And Take What You Need)

by That_One_Neuvichili_Author on AO3

Summary: When Jayce gets brutally impaled on Warwick’s claws during his fight against the Machine Herald, there are no lengths Viktor won’t go to in order to save his partner.

The gore! The angst! This is so brutally whumpy. (I’d also reccomend reading the other jayvik fics by this author, but this one is my favorite of all of them.)

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Blood, Injury, Temporary Character Death, Non-Consensual Body Modification, Fever, Self-Sacrifice, Suicidal Thoughts

[jayvikrecs]

rec: Hammer to Fall

by [Caspercryptid (FaiaHae), theneonpineapple] on A03]

linky link

Summary: 

Viktor and Jayce are roommates, old friends, and lab partners. They both have just one little secret from the other, which would be fine, if it weren’t the same secret.

Only on different sides of an incredibly deep divide between two cities.

Superhero AU of your dreams. I love their dynamic. Really captures the spirit of “two geniuses who are idiots but also in love.” Plays really well with League lore (if you like that) while also just exploring their dynamic in a bunch of different ways.

addition by peabrain: YES rec co-signed!! this is hilarious and heartbreaking, with more than a little vikjayce/league flavoring than your regular jayvik. also i would have recced this purely on its ability to make a messy four-couple love polygon out of. two people.

[jayvikrecs]

hey loves !!!! thank you so much for all the work you put in this blog. I wanted to ask if you or your followers know of any fics where viktor is still living in zaun, and jayce goes down there to get help for his research once he's expelled from the academy in s1? I know the concept is very famous but i can't seem to find any specific fics with it !!! thank u 💕

hello! i LOVE this but have yet to see this exact scenario, too. to anyone reading, if you know any fics please help us, it's such a good concept!!!!

the closest fit i know IS a fave of mine tho: Bad Machinery by Tlon. a classic s1 fic, it's possible you know this already. but if not, please check it out!!! the divergence point is before the explosion, and it's more a sort of alt s1act1 than a full blown divergence, but it's an excellent read by a great author.

[jayvikrecs]

author shoutout: Where the Wildflowers Still Grow

by excludedfromchickencutletnight on ao3

Summary:

As Jayce kneels in a field of wildflowers before an older, bearded Viktor, he is given a choice: he can go back and save his own Hextech-corrupted timeline, or he can go back to the day it all started and fix everything. He chooses the second option.

And so he is given a second chance at life. He is determined to give Viktor one, too.

But the vibrant field of wildflowers still haunts his dreams as a constant reminder—this time, Viktor will still be sick, and he won’t get better.

I’m the author. This is a self-rec :) This is a bittersweet story that I wrote as a way to cope with grief. Normally, I avoid stories like this, so I’m proud of myself for being able to write it. I hope people enjoy it despite the heavy content.

Warnings: Major Character Death

[jayvikrecs]

rec: With My Calamitous Love And Insurmountable Grief

by laliabriel on AO3

Summary: Jayce tries a different, more desperate approach to get Viktor back. He threatens to jump.

This fic is such a nice bookend to how Jayce and Viktor first started working together, to how Viktor only started working on Hextech when he stopped Jayce from jumping off a ledge and ending his own life.

Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Warn, further warnings under cut

threats of suicide, ambiguous character death

[jayvikrecs]

rec: To Chain a God

author: Quixotic on ao3 Summary: After Viktor and Jayce are dragged back to Runeterra by a force outside of their control, a recovering Piltover faces a new challenge: how do you imprison a god? Viktor has surrendered himself to the people’s justice, but is still the Machine Herald in form and function, a mechanical monster and boundless font of arcane power. Jayce is the only one who can see him as the man he was before, but he is also the only one who can answer to the other Councilors’ demands. Jayce Talis was made famous for harnessing magic with technology. Now, he's being called upon to bind the god his work created, all while protecting him from the forces that would exploit him.

BANGER premise with banger execution!!! it's rare to see postcanon fic where viktor is still in his arcane herald form, and what a GREAT interpretation this is. i dont want to talk about the specifics bc i want you guys to read for yourself but like it's real good

also what's in the abovementioned summary is just a start; this fic adds in a cosmic horror mystery, political maneuvering, ramifications of s2 events for zaun... all the while keeping the jayvik relationship gut-wrenching and emotional.

i really can't wait to see where this fic takes us

Warnings: cosmic horror, suicidal ideation

[jayvikrecs]

rec: A Shame For Us to Part

author: DetectiveGreen on AO3 Summary: Jayce and Viktor haven't been on speaking terms for two years, after an awful series of misunderstandings and well-intentioned mistakes led to the breaking of a friendship both men considered irreplaceable. Now, as teachers in Cecil B. Heimerdinger's Metamorphos Academy, they have to learn how to get along, although things soon become perilous for more than just the ragged remains of their relationship.

You like the idea of a teacher AU with the other Arcane characters present (some of them students)? You like post-"breakup" angst between Jayce and Viktor? You like really fantastic prose and long chapters? Then check this new fic out, it's really good. I followed the author from a previous fandom and they would love bookmarks and comments!

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Blood and Gore

pairing: Jayvik (Arcane)

characters: #Jayce Talis (Arcane), #Viktor (Arcane)

tags: #alternate universe - science fiction, #graphic depictions of violence, #hurt/comfort, #heavy angst, #unresolved sexual tension, #SLOW BURN, #idiots in love, #teacher AU

#rating: explicit

#status: wip

#length: 10000k - 25000k

#author: DetectiveGreen

our first submission ❤ thank you so much for the rec!! check it out everyone!! i'm off to read this too ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[jayvikrecs]

rec: In Lieu of Flowers

author: Vamillepudding on ao3 Summary: “I’m going to meet Viktor’s parents," Jayce announces confidently. “I see.” Caitlyn pauses. “Does Viktor know?” His smile slips. “Not yet.” Jayce talks his way into accompanying Viktor to the Undercity. After knowing him for three years, this is his first chance of learning more about Viktor's past - and he's about to find out why Viktor has been so reluctant to mention it.

SWEET. yet another fic where jayce just cares so damn much but in lighter situations than fics i've recced previously. this is just such a soft, lovely little read. bit aching at times but funny, also great jayce voice:

“No reason! I’m just-“ Don’t say worried. “-worried you’ll have-“ Don’t say trouble. “-trouble making it to Zaun if you’re in that much pain.” Fucked it right up, he thinks self-deprecatingly.