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can we be more exclusive?

i'm not interested in them, i promise.

- Jayce

Pronouns: He/Him/His, M!Reader

CW/TW: None!

Despite his title as the creator of Hextech and Mel's unofficial mentoring in the world of socialites and politics, Jayce never managed to brush away the awkwardness that settled on his bones each time he was ushered to attend a party with Piltover's most influential figures and houses. He still felt vastly out of place, even when those around him patted his shoulder or sang his praises for putting Piltover on the map with Hextech.

He clutched a fancy cup in one hand and the bronze railing in the other, his eyes gliding over faces he'd grown familiar with over the years. Part of him yearned for Viktor's calming presence, for one of his quips or jokes to take the edge off, but Viktor had declined the invitation in favor of working on some calculations he deemed important. If only Jayce had the guts to say no to Mel but between her convincing words and his never-ending desire to prove himself, he only managed to secure a spot in the party.

A familiar laugh caught his attention, his body naturally perking up at the sound of it and eyes immediately searching for the source. (Y/N) stood amongst a few socialites, his smile ever radiant and allowing Jayce's body to relax despite the distance between them. He watched (Y/N) mingle effortlessly with others, his jokes landing perfectly and laughter sounding genuine enough for Jayce to wonder if the jokes were actually humorous.

His stomach twisted when Salo's hand landed on (Y/N)'s forearm, his shoulders shaking with laughter from something (Y/N) said. They weren't together, Jayce knew that perfectly well. (Y/N) had been one of the very few on the Council to vote in his favor after the incident in his workshop and, similarly to Mel and Viktor, helped him adjust to the changes in his life. It'd only been after one particularly good day that'd fueled Jayce's confidence enough to kiss him but they were hardly together. (Y/N) was a busy man, as was he, and it was naturally expected of him to join his house with someone like Mel or Salo.

His staring was noticed and with one swift dip of his head, (Y/N) parted from the small group and approached him, his plastered smile shifting into a tired one. Jayce winced sympathetically, finishing the rest of his champagne and setting it aside. His arms itched to encircle (Y/N) in an embrace, to melt into him and allow his worries to be soothed away, but they were in public and the last thing they needed was gossip spreading.

"You can leave if you're tired, you know. No one will dare object to our precious golden boy's wants." (Y/N) reminded him with crinkled eyes, his hand coming to rest over Jayce's bicep and squeezing lightly. The touch, though meant to be comforting, sent a chill down his spine that he prayed hadn't been noticeable.

"I promised Mel," Jayce told him, glancing around for the woman in question and finding her speaking with Cassandra and Tobias Kiramman. She only wanted what was best for him, he supposed. She'd been raised to be politically savvy, he'd simply gotten lucky. "How was your chat with Salo? Seems like you were having.. fun."

(Y/N)'s brows furrowed and his head cocked slightly to the side, an action Jayce had grown to adore. "Jayce... I'm not interested in him, I promise. I'd rather throw myself off this balcony." He scoffed softly and glanced over his shoulder to ensure his words hadn't been within earshot of the councilor.

A laugh bubbled up in Jayce's throat, warmth spreading through his body. His finger twitched, half-tempted to reach out and touch him in some way but despite his attempts, he never managed to act causally around him. Something about him always made him stumble over his words or yearn for his approval. The thought of making him uncomfortable and losing him plagued Jayce's mind.

"Jayce," (Y/N) murmured his name so sweetly he never went weak at the knees. His hand trailed downward until his fingers wrapped around Jayce's wrist, eyes briefly gazing over the long expanse of Piltover before turning back to him. "I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What is it?" Jayce straightened up, ignoring the way his skin tingled at the contact.

"Can we be more exclusive?"

For a moment, it felt as if the world around him had stopped in time and all he could focus on was (Y/N); the color of his eyes, the sheepish smile spread across the lips Jayce loved kissing, the hopeful way he gazed at him. Jayce's heart hammered in his chest, words forming and dying on his tongue as his mind repeated the uttered words over and over and over. (Y/N) wanted him. Not some uptight know-it-all with generational wealth but him.

Jayce surged forward, nearly knocking the champagne glass out of (Y/N)'s other hand when he wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him as close as possible. He captured (Y/N)'s lips in an instant, heart swelling with delight at the feeling of (Y/N) reciprocating it after releasing a muffled chuckle. He only parted with him for air, and to savor the fury on Salo's face before he delicately cupped (Y/N)'s face.

"Yes."