#viktor reader insert

[cheeriecherrymain]

papa!Viktor blurb, anyone?

A/N: slowly, slowly, recovering from the creative drought ive been in

it's nowhere near a waterfall again, more like a frustrating dribble, BUT. It's something. But anyways, here is a Papa Viktor Thought Blurb (listen, my sister is almost three months old now, and I am so besotted with her, she's my favourite tiny person, and i am full of Caretaker Feelings)

Content Warning: 18+ MDNI (not explicit, but very very suggestive), afab!Reader, pregnancy, labour and birth (again, not explicit, but still with some depth), papa!Viktor, no beta no editing we simply die

Imagine Viktor, and him believing he'll be alone for his entire life - working so hard to make some kind of legacy for himself, putting everything he has into his creations and his machines. Every calculation, every experiment a labour of love.

This is how the world will remember his name.

At least, he hopes.

But then he meets you.

You're charming, he has to admit. You make friends wherever you go, and you have a weird habit of bringing people out of their shells. There's just...something about you that makes others want to bare their souls to you. Something that draws people in.

Like you have a tangible sort of gravity, and wherever you go, someone ends up in your orbit.

He won't mean much to you, he thinks, after conversing with you a couple times. You're creative, like he is, and you're enjoyable to talk to. But nothing more. Sooner or later, you'll continue on somewhere else, making waves and drawing attention. And in your wake, he will be left to sink. It's what expects.

Except...

You don't leave.

Your chats start out small. Short and sweet, a How are you today? wondered whenever you pass each other in the halls a couple times a month, curious about the goings-on of his life.

He never has anything interesting to tell you about. No adventures or tales to tell, nothing beyond the walls of a cramped and cluttered office.

You must be bored, he thinks.

But then you start seeking him out. Instead of just catching up for a couple minutes whenever you happen to walk past each other, you hunt him down in his office - and god, he wasn't lying when he'd told you it was cramped.

You're amazed he even has the space to think in there, with how tight it is. Yet you still shimmy yourself into the tiny room, careful not to disturb any piles of papers, and find a careful seat on a spot of open floor beside his desk. There's no room for a second chair, and you've always made it clear that you dislike standing when you're having a long conversation.

It's nice to sit down and rest somewhere together, you'd told him one time.

You grow closer after that. From seeing him a couple times a month, to a couple times a week, to literally every day. You don't seem to care that he never has anything 'exciting' to share with you, even going so far as to chastise him for calling himself uninteresting.

Your experiments are cool, you'd insisted, while leafing through one of his old journals. It's incredible to get to see how your mind works, and how creative and inventive you are. You have so many ideas, Viktor, and I really believe that they could help people.

Something changes in him, after that. He'd always been quieter around you, listening to your stories, and dutifully answering your questions: never quite letting you in.

Now he looks forward to seeing you.

His heart skips a beat every time he hears you knocking on his office door, a chipper little pattern reserved only for him. You know that he doesn't always like dealing with students after hours, so you'd come up with a way to let him know that it was you who was greeting him.

Things progress...surprisingly natural.

He's not subtle by any means, even if he thinks he is. The moment he realizes that he has feelings for you, all bets are off. His cheeks dust pink whenever you're around, his palms get sweaty and he fidgets, and the staring.

Looking at you with ill-contained admiration and affection.

You can't not kiss him.

You spend the next couple years having the time of your lives. Moving from classes and overbearing internships, to actively working on experiments. Collaborating with each other, drawing up ideas and debating functionality and form. The two of you get so heated when you're creating things together.

Neither of you are surprised when it devolves. Wide gestures and hasty chalkboard sketches, impassioned explanations and wild eyes - you bite your lip as you let your gaze trail over him, in all his dishevelled beauty. Hair a mess, tie crooked and loose, shirt partially unbuttoned, and sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Many nights are spent like that, cooped up in his little laboratory, surrounded by sketches and blueprints and scribbles and stray notes. His fingertips digging into the soft of your skin as he kisses the breath out of you. The rhythmic clunking of his crooked desk most telling, as he draws forth your little squeaks and sighs of delight.

Absolutely ruining you, filling you, stretching you open. Feeling the way you tremble in his hands, held tight to his slender body as he reaches so deep into you that you'll feel him for days.

Sinking his teeth into the side of your neck when he finds his own release - to stay quiet, he tells you. But you both know it's his way of marking you.

Claiming you.

You're his. You're his person, his love, his partner. Your eyes only ever shine the way they do when you look at him.

Your body, splayed out and spread before him, quivering and gasping and covered in a thin sheen of sweat - his.

Your taste, sweet on his tongue - your mouth, your skin, your arousal that drips out of you whenever he so much as looks at you.

His.

And he knows, without a single atom of doubt, that he's also yours. So entirely entangled with each other, neither of you knowing how you'd managed to exist separately before now.

How had you possibly found beauty in every day, when you'd never heard his voice? Never caught a whiff of his sweet shampoo as he ambled past you? Never felt the warmth of his touch, or the puff of his sighs on your cheek? Never known the tickle of his hair on your bare skin as you slowly woke every morning to find him curled around you, his face smashed into your back and soft snores emanating from him?

No matter, you think. You have him now, and that's what's important.

...until everything changes.

You miss a period.

You tell him about it.

You're both on edge, but he tries to remain optimistic. Cycles can be upset sometimes, he tells you, as if you don't already know. (You're certain he's really just trying to reassure himself.)

But deep down, you know.

You can feel it in the all-encompassing tiredness you wake with every morning. In the random bouts of nausea, and the sudden food aversions. The back aches, and all the sudden new smells you can detect.

You know something is amiss.

And he knows, too, when he finds you one time in the middle of the night. Standing in your shared little kitchen, in the dark, illuminated only by the light of the open refrigerator.

Pulling pickles straight out of the jar, dipping them in mayonnaise, and sinking your teeth into them. Like they were to most delectable thing you'd ever ingested.

You're both terrified, of course.

You're not really surprised that you've managed to fall pregnant - not with the way you two lust after each other practically every night, and sometimes in the morning. Maybe even once or twice in between meetings, when you're both squished together in his compact office.

Neither of you ever thought you'd become parents.

And certainly not right now.

But...you want this, you realize. You want this with him. You want a family with him, you want the evidence of your love - you want a future with him, and you want to see what beautiful little person you'll make together.

Would they have his eyes? Yours? He hopes they have your smile, he tells you, eventually.

It takes you by surprise, his words, what with how quiet he'd been since you'd both figured everything out. You'd been worrying that he wasn't really on board with keeping the baby - with being a father. And you hadn't blamed him, really.

You'd been beyond stressed at the idea of raising a child alone. The thought of him leaving you, leaving behind something so intrinsically tied to him, had been slowly breaking your heart. You hadn't wanted him to stay simply out of obligation - you know you wouldn't be able to cope with the eventual resentment that such an action would breed.

But to know for certain now that he'd only been anxious?

That he wanted this with you, and was excited?

You're so happy that you immediately burst into tears, squeaking and sniffling and snotting uncontrollably while Viktor bites back a laugh and herds you into his embrace. Stroking your back and murmuring the sweetest things to you while you try to catch your breath, leaving gentle kisses all over your face.

Telling you all about what kind of person he hoped your little one would be.

Your smile, most certainly, he said, resolute. You have the most beautiful smile. You light up the room wherever you go. Maybe your sense of humour, too. And certainly your compassion.

Your tears slowly began to lessen, as you let yourself be lulled by the comfort of his arms around you.

Your hair, though, you insist, smushing your face into his shirt. You look so pretty in the mornings, all fluffed up and in disarray. It's the cutest shit I've ever seen.

That garners a laugh from him.

I want them to have your eyes, as well, you admit, albeit somewhat shyly. I've never seen a colour like yours, so intense and complex. Way back when we first met, and you looked at me for the very first time? I almost lost the ability to breathe. It was...it was like I knew, right then. That you were the person I wanted to spend my life with.

He squeezes you a little bit tighter, stooping down to tenderly slot your lips together. Slow, lazy, intimate. Sharing breath and warmth and love and-

He takes you again.

Right there, in the dim quiet of his office, not seeming to care if anyone passing by in the hallway might hear you. Spoiling you absolutely rotten, speaking praises against your skin as he brings you over the edge again and again and again.

Pupils blown wide as he sinks his fingers into you, crooking them perfectly as to reach the spots he knows will drive you mad. The papers strewn around the room don't matter - they don't even cross his mind, as you wriggle and squirm and quiver and cry out for him.

How could they, when all he can focus on is the way you look when your body tenses up, another wave of ecstasy coursing through your veins, culminating in your lovely little noises, and the addicting feeling of your pleasure dripping down his fingers and over his palm, soaking him thoroughly.

He would be happy to have you like this, as frequently as you would let him.

He knows how sensitive you must be by now, not only from his ministrations, but also from the way your body is changing. He's done his fair amount of reading since discovering your pregnancy - he's aware of all the ways you might be feeling.

The hunger, the exhaustion, the aches and pains.

The all-encompassing, single-minded lust you might go through.

He's ready to please you, however you might want - his fingers, his mouth. And whenever you might want. You could wake him up in the middle of the night, for all he cares. You could nudge him from the sleep that he so desperately needs, and he'd ask not a single question besides What do you need, darling? How would you like me?

What he doesn't expect is his own desire.

You're beautiful. You always have been beautiful. Even as things change, he was absolutely certain that you would never stop being beautiful.

It's you, so of course he's going to want you.

But seeing you now, whining and looking at him like he's hung the moon in the sky, specifically for you? Your tummy already growing round with the life that you've made together, visible proof of your love? Desperate whimpers falling past your lips, begging him for more, for him to fill you up again and again and again?

He can't resist you.

Even when he starts to ache, and his arms start shaking, and his throat is raw and dry from breathing hard and calling out for you.

He can't resist you.

You're insatiable.

So is he.

He's a little more careful as the months progress. Manhandling you less, digging his fingers into the soft fat of your hips a little gentler. He's cognizant of how you're most comfortable, watching in awe as you tremble on top of him, grinding down on him and taking his entire length into you like you were made specifically for him.

Nearly every day, you beg for him.

He loves you.

And when the time eventually comes for you to waddle carefully into the labour centre, meeting your midwife along the way, Viktor tries to keep his worrying quiet. Tries to stay by your side as a supportive pillar, regardless of how well or not he might actually be able to hold you up.

Holding your hand, kissing your knuckles. Trading his fingers for a stress ball when you squeeze a little too hard (and then another stress ball, stronger this time, when the first one explodes in your fist after a couple minutes. It shocks both of you, but to his surprise, you start laughing).

He tenderly dabs the sweat off your forehead as the hours go by, keeping your hairs from pasting themselves to your face and neck. Staying nearby as a source of comfort, but not so close that you feel smothered by him - allowing you the space you need to wiggle around as you see fit.

Telling you stories to distract you, listening to your complaints and observations as his words become unable to mask the pain of your contractions. Doing his absolute best to bite back a fond grin as you breathlessly curse him for doing this to you.

I didn't mean it, you tell him, as soon as the words leave your mouth, your eyes wide and tearful with sorrow.

I know, he promises, leaning forward to press his lips to your dewy skin.

You sigh happily.

It's not for another couple hours that your baby finally decides to enter the world.

You're beyond exhausted, and Viktor is starting to get fidgety with his worry. Is it supposed to be taking this long? he wonders internally, keeping his questions to himself so as not to stress you out even more.

The midwives, to their credit, are incredibly skilled. Staying by your side throughout the whole process, carefully monitoring everything they need to in order to make sure you're healthy. That the baby is healthy. He knows that they would say something, if anything was truly wrong.

And when the little one finally arrives, she does so kicking and screaming, making an absolute ruckus in the quiet room. The door is shut tight, keeping the sounds of the busy establishment at bay, and the curtain is drawn for your privacy so no one can see in when the staff come and go.

But when your girl begins shouting her absolute displeasure into the air, Viktor swears he can hear some quiet clapping and cheering from the hallway. He doesn't know if it's for your success, or for something and someone else entirely - but for a moment, he likes to believe that there are some strangers out there who are happy for him.

They don't know his story, and they don't know yours - but they've heard a great cry from somewhere hidden and full of struggle. An all-encompassing wail that confirms the presence of life, shouting to the world I am here, I am alive, and I have absolutely no idea what's going on!

He doesn't know when the tears start trailing down his cheeks.

Perhaps it's when he first lays eyes on your girl, pink and cranky and a little bit squished. Putting up a fuss on your base chest, scrunching her little face up as you speak softly and tenderly to her.

Perhaps it's when one of the midwives hands him a very soft towel, instructing him on how to carefully pat away the blood and fluid still clinging to your child. His eyes growing wide when he oh so gently cleans her off to reveal more of her tiny features.

She's still new, and needs time to decompress (so to speak), but he stares at her with such rapture. Taking in every inch of her, burning her face into his mind so that he might never forget her. Ever.

She's still new, and yet he can already tell that she has your nose. And your lips. Your smile, he realizes, with a palpable joy spreading through his chest.

His tears eventually dry, if only so he's able to better see you and the newest member of your family. Laying kiss after kiss to whatever part of your skin he can reach. Stroking the tips of his fingers over your girl's hair - her tiny arms and shoulders, her chubby cheeks, the bridge of her nose and over her brows.

But some two hours later, when you're finally allowed to rest in your comfortable hospital bed: when your baby is now dry and fed and swaddled up happily in Viktor's arms?

The tears begin again.

Privately, in the dim of the room, while you snooze a couple feet away from him, he weeps. Silently, and without so much as a sniffle. He cannot stop the wetness that rolls down his face, even if he wanted to.

Your girl is finally relaxed, after her grand, dramatic entrance. On the edge of sleep, warm and with a full tummy, making funny little expression while she dozes.

Much to Viktor's delight, she has a head of fuzzy brown hair - dishevelled and sticking in every direction, not matter how the midwives had tried to tame it. It'll settle down in a few days, they'd promised. But he didn't care.

The wild mop on top of her head rivalled the chaos of his own. The same shade of chestnut, though perhaps less coarse in texture. Maybe it will grow to the same thickness eventually, he thinks, a fond smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as he imagines how much he's going to have to help her with it as she grows.

Brushing the inevitable tangles out with a soft brush. Pulling the strands back into braids so she can run around and play easier - or maybe little buns on the top of her head, he realizes, the image conjuring up in his mind.

All at once, pictures pop through his head, so vivid and bright that he can almost see them appearing in front of him.

Watching your daughter grow. Sleepless nights of taking care of her, catering to her every whim. Making sure she's fed, and comfortable - entertaining her with silly little toys that make silly little noises, bright colours painted across them. Reading her books with bright, enticing visuals for her to stare at, despite the fact that she doesn't know what words are.

Making trinkets for her as she gets a little older. Things that help her learn, but that also keep her excited and enticed, encouraging her exploration of the world around her. Teaching her to walk, by helping her strengthen her little legs. Sitting on a footstool, a wide smile on his face, as you hold her by her arms and support her as she figures out how to use her legs while upright. Leading her right over into his waiting arms.

Until she's able to balance on her own, after a number of weeks of practising together. Pushing herself up into a wobbly stance, doing her absolute best to try and balance. Maybe she stumbles a couple of times, but she's persistent -stubborn, like he is- and continuously rises back up until she's able to make it over to him on her own. Giggling and wiggling when he scoops her up and praises her and showers he in affection.

Teaching her about anything and everything, the bigger she gets. Answering every question she has, no matter how confusing or senseless - encouraging with his own suggestions, and prompting her to discover some answers for herself. Putting together little experiments for her, so they can learn together and so he can watch her eyes widen with the joy of new information.

Fixing her toys for her whenever they break, as she brings them to him with misty eyes and a wobbly bottom lip. Papa, it fell apart, she says sadly. To which he pulls her onto his lap, regardless of what work he was doing, and helps her repair the damage. Letting her watch and observe when she's still too small to hold a screwdriver, and carefully explaining things to her when her motor skills start to develop more.

And then helping her figure out in what way her toy broke, when she's a little bigger. Asking specific questions, so she can work to connect all the dots herself. Helping her gather the materials that she needs in order to fix things herself, and praising her to the high heavens when she presents the finished product to him.

The little thing is slightly lopsided, but he fully believes that it adds to its charm - tells her as such, when she sighs about it not being the same as before.

It's a little uneven, just like me, he says, with a laugh.

And, much to his complete shock, she wraps her little arms around him, and gives him her strongest possible squeeze.

It adds to your charm, she parrots back to him with complete honesty. I like you, Papa.

And once again, for the umpteenth time throughout his daughter's life, his eyes well with tears and he presses a kiss to the top of her head.

She could go anywhere she wanted, once she grew up. Learn anything, do anything, be anything. Perhaps she'd enjoy the sciences, like he does - machinery, and building, and designing, and inventing. Maybe she'd get into art, and spend her days painting or sketching, or writing, or making music - inspiring other people with the things she makes.

It doesn't matter, though. Because no matter what she ends up enjoying, or where she goes in her life, Viktor will support her with his entirety. Even when she grows all the way up, and inevitably leaves home to begin her own life, whatever that may be.

He knows he's going to cry then, too. So many years together, and yet it will still never be enough.

But for now, he sighs, staring adoringly down at the tiny infant in his arms. For now, they have time. He vows silently to never waste a single moment with her, and never pass up the opportunity to spend time with her. No matter how busy or frustrated or tired he gets, he won't let her grow up feeling unwanted or unloved or unimportant.

He'll give her a better life than he grew up with, and that is both a promise and a threat.

After all, he would do anything, for her.

His greatest creation.

[everafterfics]

What Do You Know About Love? [Viktor x Reader]

This was just a quick fic cause I was having some feelings recently that I needed to get out. It’s about 650 words and I wrote it kinda fast. There’s no use of Y/N at all either by the way.

Synopsis:

Viktor says that he loves you but you aren’t sure what love feels like.

Warnings: Nothing explicit. I don’t want to say it’s angst but the reader does question themselves about love

Viktor cupped your cheeks gently in his hands and he brought your face close to his own. “I love you.” he whispered before placing his lips upon your own. It was a long drawn out kiss, passionate without going over the edge. He pulled away slowly but when he opened his eyes the last thing that Viktor expected to see were tears streaming down your face. He hesitantly placed a single hand to your cheek and lightly wiped away a tear as he spoke. “What’s wrong?”

“I-I want to…” Your voice caught in your throat, unable to complete your sentence. 

Viktor cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. He spoke with a voice like honey, one that could soothe anything that was wrong. “You want to? What is it that you want my love?”

“I want to say it back. But I-“ You backed away from his touch and wrapped your arms around yourself. “I don’t think I know what love is.” You sniffled and felt your throat grow tight. You hated crying in front of anybody, but something about crying in front of Viktor felt even worse. You didn’t want him to pity you, not for something as mundane as this. And yet you continued to cry, your sobs growing louder and more intense with every sentence spoken. “I’ve never… been with anybody before, so how can I possibly know when I’m actually feeling love. I don’t even think I mean it when I say it to my parents. I just- I don’t want to say it and not mean it. How can I tell if I mean it?!” 

Viktor took you by the shoulders and pulled you into a tight hug. “Shhh. It’s ok. You don’t have to say it back.”

“It’s not fair to you.” You sobbed into his chest and he began to lightly stroke your hair.

“Then let me ask you, how often do you think of me?”

You thought for a moment before answering in a pitiful and hoarse voice “…Everyday”

Viktor hummed in response, a small smile working it’s way onto his lips. “And when you see me, does your heart flutter? Does the sight of me put a smile on your face?”

A smile cracked onto your own lips at his questions. “Yes.” Came your answer, muffled from your face in his shirt. 

“Would you be devastated if I were to die?”

You pulled away from him at his suddenly dark question. Your face was riddled with despair. So much so that Viktor felt terrible for even asking such a thing. “Viktor, please don’t make me think of things like that.”

“I’m sorry dear.” he sighed and ran his hands down your arms until they were grasping your own. “I do have one more question though. When I tell you I love you does it warm your heart?”

You looked at him with tear-filled eyes and gave a warm smile. “It does.” you answered.

“All of those thoughts and feelings… that is love.”

“It is?” 

He smiled warmly at you. “It is. But you don’t have to say it. I’ve known that you loved me for quite some time.”

“You have?”

Viktor leaned in to touch his forehead to yours. “Mhmm. I’ve known from the way to bring me food when you know I haven’t eaten. And from the small gifts you give me, just because you saw them and thought of me. From the long nights you spend by my side just so I am not alone.” With each new example he gives your smile grows wider and wider. “You don’t need to say you love me because you show it instead.” He leaned his head back up and looked into your eyes, still puffy from crying but now scrunched in the corners from your wide grin. “And so you don’t forgot, I will tell you once more. I love you” 

[windyblight]

the mindless drabbles | #01

prompt: "i won't tolerate this anymore" (20) [here]

pairing: viktor & gn!reader & jayce (or viktor x gn!reader x jayce, can be read as either)

tags: cats & viktor, general, no plot? head empty?

Viktor could feel the depth of your glare digging into the back of his head.

"Viktor."

He's about to respond, but the right words hasn't seem to land itself on his lips. He pleads quietly.

"Viktor," You repeat. "I won't tolerate this anymore."

Of course you wouldn't. He wouldn't either. It'd been the nth time this has happened.

"I... had no intention to repeat it again."

You pinch the bridge of your nose. A frustrated groan leaves your lips. "This is, like, what? The fifth time this has happened? You can't keep doing this."

Jayce has no clue why the two began arguing.

Well, less arguing on Viktor's side and more you voicing out your disappointment.

"What... is going on here?"

You both turn to Jayce. Your finger points directly at... not Viktor, but something behind him. Jayce squints.

"Wait..." He mumbles, then gasp. "Is that...a cat?"

"Yes! And everytime he visits, Viktor goes ham with the snacks. I told him that we shouldn't feed them too much! It's not good for him!"

"It was just snacks. Little bites. Not a whole meal." Viktor's hands flail all over the place. When did he even have the time to get proper pet food? You left the questions simmering for later.

"Yes, but you gave him snacks every hour, Vik. That's irresponsible!"

"But look at his face," Viktor put on a pout, squishing the cat's cheeks. "How could you ever resist such a face?"

The cat meows at him, purring under his touch. In that moment, both you and Jayce understood that the cat has Viktor's wrapped around his little, furry paws. The little gremlin.

Jayce opens his mouth, hesitates but decides to say it anyway. "I think we should bring him back, uh, wherever he came from. Who knows if the owners are going to look for him?"

"He's a stray. He always hangs out around the neighbourhood and strangers would be feeding him everyday." said Viktor.

"Well, we can't be too sure, right? What if he ran away from home?"

"But can't he stay a little longer?" Viktor, now sitting on the couch, gently petting the cat who's curled up gracefully on his lap. "He's taking a nap."

You and Jayce share a look. You sit down beside Viktor, reaching out to pet the sleeping cat. The gentle touch earns you a tiny 'mrrrp' that escapes through their tiny lips. It's more than enough to strike a cupid's arrow into your heart.

"I'm gonna die."

Jayce standing over the two of you, smiles down at the comfortably sleeping cat. "Maybe we'll keep him for a little longer."

[cheeriecherrymain]

viktor is a cat, no i do not take criticism

you're right and you should say it.

The Likeness Of Men And Cats [Oneshot] Pairing: Viktor x Reader Rating: T Proofread: no beta we die like men Synopsis: You acquire a cat for the first time, and make a startling connection between it and your best friend, Viktor. Of course, you now have to test your theory: is the man you're crushing on actually several cats in a trenchcoat?

You’ve worked with Viktor for years. Six years, in fact, if you started all the way back in your first year at the academy.

You hadn’t had much interest in him, then. He was just another face in the crowded classroom, just another hand that got raised whenever your professors asked a question. He was smart, sure, but no more than some of the other people in your peer group.

Only once you’d been assigned to a group project did you really start getting to know him - and his less than stellar reputation around campus.

Your friends had all given you their condolences when you’d told them who you’d be working with for the semester, each of them sprouting off some story or another about an interaction they’d had with this Viktor.

And the more you got to know him, the more you realized their stories were true.

He was blunt, and logical to a fault. He refused to take breaks, for either his or your sake - even when you’d been about to pass out from sleep deprivation, he’d merely sighed and told you to sleep, then, if you need it. He frustrated you to no end.

And the more you got to know him, the more you realized your friends’ tales were…wrong.

You had hardly wanted bad blood between you and the man you were supposed to be working with for the whole semester, so you’d stuck it out. You’d been friendly, made yourself approachable, listened to him when he spoke and tried to include him in conversations.

And eventually he opened up.

Shared little jokes with you, brought little snacks to your study sessions so you wouldn’t go hungry. He showed a profound sense of compassion, the deeper your chats got, and a truly spectacular desire to change the world for the better.

It only made sense that you’d fall in love with him. Stupidly, terribly in love.

Even now, years after you’d graduated and moved onto your own projects, you still got heart palpitations whenever you spent time with him. Which happened to be most days, what with your work coinciding so closely. You’re certain that one of these days, the persistent thrum in your chest is simply going to stop, and you’re going to perish.

All because of him, and his stupid handsome face, and his stupid beautiful brain.

And it’s not like you hadn’t tried to tell him how you felt! You’re not the kind of person to just stand there stewing in your feelings for years without trying to resolve them!

He was just…not interested. You dropped hint after hint after hint, suggesting you spend time together to catch up, or maybe go out to lunch, or even dinner. You’d flirted with him so openly that even Jayce was cringing from your efforts!

But he never reciprocated.

Jayce had tried to comfort you one evening, after a particularly rough afternoon of thirsting after your best friend. He probably just doesn’t realize you’re trying to uhh…woo him, he’d said, in a vain attempt at calming your roiling emotions.

Didn’t realize. Right.

You’d been heartbroken for so long after being rejected by Viktor, lost in thought and unable to effectively work. Making excuse after excuse as to why you were ‘out of sorts’ and ‘not feeling well’.

That is…until now.

Three weeks ago, you’d…come into the possession of a soft, fuzzy creature. Or she’d come into possession of you? 

Either way, you’d found a cat. Skinny, mottled black and white, covered in fleas - she’d woken you up in the middle of a fateful night, screaming haplessly from your balcony where she’d gotten stuck. The moment you opened the sliding door, she’d run inside and had since refused to leave.

It had been hectic in the first couple days, particularly when you were trying to get her into the bath to remove all the built up dirt and dust from her fur. But you’d gotten her settled eventually, and since then she’s become a staple in your everyday routine.

It had taken you a while to really notice the patterns in her behavior, and to connect the dots.

Your cat behaved an awful lot like Viktor.

Rather, Viktor behaved an awful lot like a cat.

Bringing you little gifts for no apparent reason, typically in the form of snacks or trinkets. Preferring to sit in the same place as you and work separately, as opposed to actively engaging in conversation. Only showing you his softer side once he knew he could trust you. Even the few times he touched you, he did so in the most unusual way you’d ever seen - running a hand down your arm, or your back.

Not unlike a cat brushing up against its companion.

Looking back, knowing what you know now, you feel…stupid. For disregarding the man you loved so easily, for not clueing into his way of expressing love.

Because of course he loved you!

…probably.

Maybe.

…you need to test your theory.

—

The next day is when you begin Phase One of your plan.

You spent the entire night working on a detailed month-long set of experiments, subtle enough that Viktor wouldn’t think your actions were too weird or out of the blue. In the event that you were wrong in your hypothesis, you would be able to chalk your behaviour up to…

…to…

…wanting to switch things up a bit?

So, truthfully, you hadn’t really thought much about it at all. You’d actually fallen asleep with your face smashed into your desk around ten in the evening, and by the time your alarm had started blaring, you had to scramble to make sense of what little you’d scribbled down.

“Good afternoon, my brilliant men of science!” you cheer, skipping into the lab in your typical loud fashion, your arms full with a large cardboard box that had steam wafting from between its creases.

Viktor hums a quiet greeting from across the room, barely paying you any mind as he continues to focus on his current project.

Jayce, on the other hand, looks over the moment you set foot in the room, making a beeline towards you when he sees you struggling with your parcel.

“What’s in the box?” he wonders, watching over your shoulder as you set it out on one of the free desks, and begin to unfold the flaps.

“Lunch!” you reply, finally revealing a bunch of smaller boxes packed tightly within. “I know you two don’t always have time to run out to grab something to eat, so I thought I’d do it for you. It’s important to keep your energy up when you’re using your brains so much.”

Jayce wastes no time in helping you unpack everything you’d brought, opening up each little package to discover the treasures that lay inside. It’s mostly foods that you know Viktor likes - a couple of baked goods, some potato dumplings, a thermos of root stew, some little swirly breads. 

In no time, he’s fixed himself a plate and gone back to his own workplace, leaving you to stand alone by the feast.

Looking at Viktor.

Who was looking at you.

Looking at you with the most suspicion you’ve ever seen him wear, with his eyes narrowed in thought and his shoulders held tight and square.

“Why?” he asks, glancing between you and the food.

“What do you mean, why?”

His brows pull together slightly, adding to the absolute absurdity of his expression.

“What’s the catch?” he reiterates, finally rising from his seat to slink towards you. “You never bring us lunch. Ever. What’s the occasion?”

You shrug nonchalantly.

“Why would I need a reason to be nice?” you ask. You supposed you could just tell him what you were up to - you doubt he’d be upset with you if you did. He’d probably just be curious about your theory.

The only issue was that if he knew, it might skew your data. If he knew what you were looking for, he might try to react in a way that he thought you’d like - or in a way that would purposefully fuck with you.

No, it would be better if you didn’t tell him. At least not yet.

“V, I’m all for asking questions, but please stop trying to dissect a good thing?” Jayce pleads from the other side of the room, casting over his best impression of a kicked puppy.

You’re pretty sure he knows what you’re up to.

Viktor, in any case, appears to be momentarily placated by your explanation, poor as it was. You know that he’s going to wonder about it eventually, but for now you’ve got time. You’ve got time to sit and eat lunch with your two best friends, and hopefully think up some better excuses.

—

You continue bringing the two of them lunch for the next week. Jayce remains completely unbothered by the situation, and even offers to help once you tell him what your master plan is.

He knows how down bad you are for your friend, and you’re certain that he’s fully sick of listening to you lament about how pretty he is and how badly your heart aches.

Viktor hasn’t mentioned anything since the first day of your new routine, either, but you can tell he’s just as suspicious as he was at the start. His gaze is always sharp when you clatter into the room with another box of food, watching intently while you unpack, remaining trained on you while he makes his way over to hesitantly scoop some up for himself.

Almost like he’s waiting for some kind of reaction out of you.

But you give him nothing, no hints as to what your plan is. You wait patiently while he fixes himself a plate, asking him how his day has been or perhaps about what he’s working on, smiling softly all the while.

It’s exactly one week to the day when you burst into the lab again, followed closely by your loud and raucous announcement of your presence, only to be met with silence.

“I’m afraid Jayce isn’t here today,” Viktor sighs from behind a stack of notebooks, not even bothering to turn his attention away from the formulas he’s copying down.

You, however, are undeterred, continuing your trail into the room, over to your usual table where you are about to begin Phase Two of testing your theory.

“I know,” you reply, setting your things down. “He said he had a thing with Mel today - and a busy week, too.”

You can see from the corner of your eye as your friend finally turns away from his work.

“You knew he wouldn’t be here?” he wonders, utterly perplexed. When you hum your confirmation, he continues, “Then why did you bother coming?”

That alone is enough to give you pause, glancing towards him in confusion.

“Why wouldn’t I?” you ask.

You stare at each other for a couple of seconds, before he shrugs and makes a noncommittal grumble, turning back to his papers.

He…thought you wouldn’t come? If it was just him, he thought…you wouldn’t even bother showing up. As if he wasn’t your best friend, and the love of your life, and the brightest part of your day? Like he couldn’t possibly be the reason for your kindness?

Your heart clenches.

In silence, you fix him a plate of the little foods you know he’ll like; you’d gone out of your way to pick out a couple of his favourites today, having suspected that he might be difficult to persuade without Jayce nearby to bully him into eating.

“Here,” you tell him, softly, setting the plate on the desk beside him. You set your hand on his shoulder for a brief moment, letting your fingertips wander down his arm, and then turn away to head back to your own work.

Knowing Viktor, he’d prefer the silence over active conversation. It was easier for him when the other half of HexTech was around to act as a buffer and keep your endless desire to talk entertained. But today, when it’s just the two of you? You know you’ve overstepped your bounds in the past, pushing him into a state of discomfort with your constant chattering.

But not today.

Today, you’ve brought your own work with you, fully intent on sitting quietly with your best friend while you both eat your meals. You had the entire hour to catch up on grading your students’ tests - grades they’d been hassling you about for a while now.

It’s a little bit uncomfortable at first, to not talk while you know he’s nearby. There are things from your day that you want to share with him - something funny that one of your first-years said to you, the gossip you’ve heard about other faculty members.

But you resist.

Viktor, on the other hand, only makes it about ten minutes.

All at once, the incessant scribbling of his pen stops, followed by a deep sigh, and the quiet clatter of the utensil being set down. A creak in his chair, as he turns towards you.

“Have I done something to offend you?” he inquires, bluntly, as usual.

You glance up from your pile of papers with wide eyes, surprised by the suddenness of his question.

“No?” you reply, “Why would you think that?”

He sighs again, his gaze wandering away from yours and down to the floor. He looks hesitant, the same sort of hesitant that he’d been when taking the food you offered to him: like he was waiting for something to happen. 

Like he was waiting for you to…to announce that you were playing some kind of absurd prank-

Oh.

“You’ve hardly said a word to me today,” he mumbles, crossing his arms on the back of his chair so he can rest his head between them.

“But…you like the quiet?” you reply, far more meek than you’d intended to be. Had he been taking your entire experiment as some kind of mean joke on him? Had he already known that he was reminiscent of a cat? Did he think you were making fun of him for it?

“Yes!” he retorts quickly, running a hand through his already-mussed hair. “But you’re always talking! To me, to Jayce - about your students, or some shitty scholarly article you read! You’ve been acting strange for the entire week. First the food, and now this - are you okay? Are you-”

“Viktor, breathe!” you squeak.

The moment you see the worry in his eyes, you jump to your feet and make your way over to him. Taking his face in your heads, despite your better judgment or regard to the rules of your plan. Stroking your thumbs slowly over the curve of his cheeks, holding him close while he forced himself to relax and slow his breathing.

You’ve never seen him so outwardly worried about you.

“Look,” you murmur, “I just…I care about you. A lot. And I feel like sometimes I…do a pretty shitty job of showing it.”

Slowly, you let your hands slide down to rest atop his shoulders.

“I’m always after you to take better care of yourself, but I never actually do anything to help. And - and I always push conversations on you, even though I know you’d rather work on your own projects.”

With a dejected sigh, you remove your hands from him completely, “Even now. My first instinct when trying to comfort you is to touch you, even though I know you don’t really like it.”

Idly, you fiddle with the edges of your sleeves.

“I just want to make you happy, but…I know I can be annoying, sometimes. I’m sorry.”

The air is thick between the two of you after that. You can’t for the life of you figure out what else you should say, if anything - you can’t even bring yourself to look him in the eye. Instead, you turn on your heel and wobble back to your seat, trying your hardest to keep the hot sting of tears from reaching your eyes.

You feel like an idiot.

Your entire plan was stupid, and your theory was stupid, and wanting to test it? Stupid!

So caught up in your own thoughts, you don’t even notice the sound of a chair being dragged across the room, over to where you sit. Only when Viktor shoves it right up beside you and plops down nearly in your lap do you jostle out of your own head.

Staring up at him with wide eyes.

“You think you’re annoying?” he asks, nearly incredulous. “I never have anything to contribute to your conversations - never have any stories or adventures of my own to share. You have to carry all our interactions! And you…think you’re annoying?”

You scoff softly. “I mean, most of my other colleagues tolerate me, and only barely. Do you know how many break room conversations I’ve accidentally overheard about me?”

He grumbles a bit, letting his head roll sideways to carefully knock against the curve of your shoulder. 

“This isn’t about them,” he insists. “You’re not annoying. I enjoy listening to you talk - you always have interesting perspectives on subjects that I rarely consider.”

He tilts his face up, then, staring up at you from mere inches away with a sort of intensity that makes your cheeks nearly catch fire.

“And I also like it when you remind me to take a break. You know how I am about keeping track of time - if there isn’t an alarm, I’ll sit and work until I pass out.”

Slowly, oh so slowly, you lean towards him. Gently, tenderly, with an affection that makes your chest ache - you bonk your forehead against his, the barest of touches, but the most intimate you’ve ever been with him.

And all at once, his face lights up into a bright, rosy hue.

Much like how you had connected the dots a week ago, all the pieces fall into place in his mind. One by one, clicking together to form an entire beautiful picture: a story of your friendship, finally understanding.

“You…” he begins, trailing off as he tilts his head up by a fraction, drawing you into a kiss you’ve both been waiting years for.

[cheeriecherrymain]

The Bottom Of The Inkwell - Masterlist

The Bottom Of The Inkwell - Childhood Friends|Long-Distance Friends/Penpals|Falling In Love With The Same Person Twice|Magic Pens|Classmates To Lovers|Fluff|Hurt/Comfort|Smut

                                                          ~~~

Chapter One - Rated T -  On your thirteenth birthday, you sneak away from home so you can wander around Piltover by yourself. You find a very unusual shop, full of very unusual items - one of which you take home, and discover it has an incredible ability.

Chapter Two - Rated T -  Your friendship with V develops, despite the great differences in your lives, and as the years progress, your feelings morph into something deeper.

Chapter Three - Rated T - You and V begin your new semester at the academy together - you’re still anonymous to each other, even though you’re pretty certain you share a professor. In your class, you get assigned a semester-long partner, Viktor, and you don’t think he likes you very much.

Chapter Four - Rated T - Your classes begin to get stressful, and Viktor does not make it easier on you. However, you finally convince him to meet up outside of class, and you strike a deal with him.

Chapter Five - Rated T - Your relationship with Viktor progresses to a point that you might even call each other friends. Even though you spend a lot of your time arguing with each other. But there comes a time where you both need to be honest about how you’re feeling.

Chapter Six - Rated T - You and Viktor grow closer as you work together - so close that you consider each other friends. On the flipside, you feel like V is growing distant, though you chalk it up to the busyness of your schedules. You decide to invite Viktor home for the weekend, mostly because you have the tools you need in your workshop - but maybe also because you want to spend time with him.

Chapter Seven - Rated T - You have a nice conversation with your mother, which immediately turns sour when she tries to get you and Viktor to attend the winter gala together. Later, V finally lets you know that he wants to meet you, and it causes more anxiety than you thought would.

Chapter Eight - Rated T - You accidentally offend Viktor in the aftermath of kissing him. You have another heart-to-heart with your mother, though it doesn’t seem to help much, because in the following days, you can’t sleep. And then you’re hit with the worst news of your life.

Chapter Nine - Rated T - Your life feels like it’s being uprooted, and you’re not coping well. Thankfully, Viktor is there for you, with his kind words and comforting presence.

Chapter Ten - Rated T - You finally go to see your father in the hospital, with the help of Viktor.

Chapter Eleven - Rated T - You and Viktor wake up together, and talk a little more about the upcoming gala.

Chapter Twelve - Rated T - You have a chat with your mom, who admits that she wants to dress you and your boyfriend up all fancy. Later, Viktor makes you a little hot under the collar, and you silently stress about it.

Chapter Thirteen - Rated T - You wake up alone, and your emotions are high. You and Viktor decide to take the day off instead of working, and wander around the winter market. Except you receive some incredibly upsetting news while you’re there.

Chapter Fourteen - Rated T - You go for a walk in the middle of the night, and the next day, you and Viktor have a big talk about your feelings.

Chapter Fifteen - Rated E (explicit) - You and Viktor have a nice afternoon decorating the winter tree. Then a kiss devolves into more. You’re not ready for the whole nine yards just yet, but you’re certainly okay with what he offers you.

Chapter Sixteen - Rated M - A morning with Viktor. Also you’re insatiable.

Chapter Seventeen - Coming Soon!

[cheeriecherrymain]

Incorrigible Flirts And Besweatered Men [Chapter 7]

Pairing: TA!Viktor x fem!Reader Rating: T Warnings: None? Viktor is affectionate but thats not a warning Proofread: Lol no. no beta we die like men Chapter Summary: Time has passed quickly, and the date of your cousin’s wedding has arrived. You and Viktor depart for the event, and find a surprise when you check into your hotel.

You stroll into the airport at four forty five in the morning, exhausted from a night of no sleep, and excited by the prospect of travel. You’re less enthused about seeing some of your family, but you’ve missed your cousins and some of their kids.

You’re also excited that you get to spend an entire weekend with Viktor, in another city. You probably won’t have the time or energy to get out and do much, since your only full day there will be spent at the wedding, but you’ll get to have a little bit of time to yourselves in the hotel, before and after the ordeal.

You’d even brought your roll-up keyboard along with you, in case the chance arose to play for Viktor. You could show him the silly little song you’d written about apples, as well as a couple other wordless pieces you’d composed. Would you tell them that he was your inspiration? Possibly, if you weren’t too nervous.

You look at the printed ticket papers in your hand, and quickly locate your gate before wandering off to check your baggage in. Thankfully, the area for departing flights isn’t particularly crowded, and you get through the drop-off in record time; delivering your single suitcase to where it needed to be, and putting the little tag on your approved carry-on.

You check your phone on the way back to your gate, sending Viktor a quick text that you’re where you agreed to meet. You even send him a picture of the spot where you’ve found a seat, so he can find you easier: and once you’re sure he’s read it, you zip your phone and your ticket into your pocket, loop your arm through the handle of your bag, and shut your eyes.

—

You feel a little weightless as you sleep. The din of the airport is far away in your ears, muffled by the fluffy lining of your jacket hood. You can vaguely feel a tickle on your face, like a bug walking across your skin. But the tickle is soon replaced by a cool pressure, and you’re eventually brought out of your lazy slumber.

A hand, you realize.

The thought startles you, and your eyes shoot open all the way.

“It’s just me,” Viktor whispers, stroking his thumb over the apple of your cheek while you stare at him with incoherent surprise.

It takes a couple seconds for everything to sink in, but once you realize you’re safe, and that no one is trying to kidnap you or your belongings, you relax.

“Hey,” you squeak, still addled with sleep, and stretch.

“Good morning,” Viktor says with a tired smile, taking a seat beside you.

You take a couple seconds to unashamedly observe him, your gaze trailing over him from head to toe. He looks cozy and warm, with a fluffy scarf wrapped around his neck and tucked into the front of his jacket. He also looks exhausted; moreso than usual, with the dark circles under his eyes seeming more pronounced.

“Did you sleep at all last night?” you wonder, turning towards him in your seat.

He makes a contemplative noise, as if he’s considering bending the truth a little to appease you, but the pouty frown you wear makes him think twice. He sighs, leaning back in the metal seat for a couple moments to face the ceiling.

You stare at the exposed column of his throat, thinking idly that he’d be very easy to leave marks on.

“I did not,” he says suddenly, drawing your mind away from your less than pure thoughts.

“That makes two of us,” you mumble. “I was up all night finishing my dress.”

“I thought you finished it days ago?”

“I thought so too,” you admit. “But then I found this pretty gauze that looked like it was covered in stars, and I thought ‘hey, this would look so nice over the navy silk, like the night sky’ and…then I ended up covering the entire dress in it.”

Viktor looks as though he wants to say more, perhaps scold you for getting so little sleep over the past week, but any words he might have die before he says them. 

The two of you sit in silence for a couple of beats.

Until he asks, “Are you looking forward to this weekend?”

It takes a couple seconds for you to formulate a reply.

“Yes, and no,” you tell him honestly. “I’m looking forward to seeing my cousins and their kids. I’m not looking forward to seeing my parents. I’m definitely looking forward to spending a weekend with you.”

His cheeks flush pink, and you smile.

“I know our only full day away will be spent either at, or preparing for, the wedding, but we’ve got this afternoon in the hotel, and half a day on monday. I figured we could take the time to like, I dunno. Relax?”

Viktor nods along with your suggestion, and it becomes increasingly clear how tired he really is. How his eyes are hazy and half-lidded, how his head droops every now and again, as if he’s starting to nod off; even the way he forces himself to take the occasional deep breath to try and stay awake.

“Vik,” you say softly, bringing your hand up to the sharp curve of his jaw, “When was the last time you slept? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

A guilty expression passes onto his face, and he avoids eye contact.

“Viktor,” you say, a little firmer.

“Thursday morning,” he admits. “I got about six hours.”

“Jesus,” you hiss, without malice.

You quickly get comfortable in your seat, briefly pulling your phone out of your pocket to set an alarm, and then pull Viktor closer.

“There are lots of open seats,” you tell him. “Think you could get comfy for a little while?”

He crinkles his nose at the thought.

“You need to sleep, Vik.”

“I have no pillow.”

You bite back a smile when he whines so easily, and you’re wholeheartedly grateful that you get to see him when he’s so sleepy: that you get to see a part of him that so few other people get to know. Would he be like this when he’s waking up in the morning, pouty and reluctant to get up to start his day? What about when he was falling asleep at night?

Your mind wanders to all these things, as you nudge him into laying down. He looks as though he feels a little awkward and exposed, but he immediately relaxes when you guide his head to your lap and start carding your fingers through his hair.

It’s just as soft as it looks, you think giddily.

It barely takes a minute for his eyes to drift shut.

—

The rest of the afternoon is spent in much the same manner. The alarm you set proves useful, as you end up falling asleep with Viktor in your lap; the harsh noise startles both of you out of slumber, and it takes a good thirty seconds for either of you to remember where you are and what’s going on.

Boarding the plane is the same as usual, as is takeoff. Viktor seems a little uneasy with all of it, his hand clenched over yours on the armrest.

But once you’re in the air, his anxiety fades; though he politely asks you to keep the cover on the window closed.

The two of you chat a little bit during the beginning of the three-hour trip, but your mutual exhaustion becomes apparent not long in, and you both trail off into silence.

The next thing you remember is a flight attendant gently waking both of you when it comes time to land. 

You have to bite back a laugh when you glance at Viktor; he’s rumpled and looks as though he’s forgotten what year it is - and when he looks at you with amusement, you figure you’re fairing no better.

And then the mortification sets in when you see a little wet spot on his shoulder.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” you whine, hiding your face in your hands. 

It takes a few seconds for him to realize what you’re talking about, but instead of being grossed out by you drooling on him in your sleep - like you assumed he would be - he only laughs.

“There is nothing to worry about,” he assures you. “This sweater is from the, ah…what did you call it? The chairdrobe?”

You snort quietly.

The seatbelt light comes on overhead.

—

By the time you get off the plane, find your bags, call an Uber, and arrive at the hotel, it’s nearly two in the afternoon. You’re buzzing with caffeine, and the busyness of the giant metropolis you’re visiting has you on edge. It’s loud, it’s full of people, it’s fast-paced, and it smells like cars and asphalt.

“You don’t like the city?” Viktor wonders, as the pair of you wander in through the front entrance of the hotel. A bit fancy for your tastes, but your cousin had insisted on paying for the accommodations of anyone who was coming in from out of town.

“It’s not that I dislike it,” you explain, finding a spot in the line to the front desk. “I just…I dunno. I like quieter places. Trees, parks, fresh air. It’s less crowded, and there’s more space to just…be.”

He nods, sharing the sentiment, and the two of you fall into a comfortable silence.

It doesn’t take very long for you to reach the front of the line, and you greet the woman at the desk with a smile.

She asks for the name of your reservation.

You give her your name.

She types a couple things on her keyboard, makes a perplexed expression, types a few more things.

You feel the anxiety beginning to bubble up in your chest.

“I’m not seeing anything here under that name,” she says. “Are you sure you’ve got the correct reservation?”

Your leg quivers nervously, and you ask her to try your cousin’s name instead.

She starts typing again.

And then Viktor’s hand sneaks around your own.

All at once, your anxious wiggling ceases, and you feel your nerves soothe slightly: even more when his thumb ghosts over your knuckles.

“It’ll be fine,” he says quietly. “If there’s no reservation, then we can ask for a room.”

“I can’t afford this place,” you say quietly, beginning to tremble again.

To your surprise, he releases your hand, and instead wraps his arm around your waist, pulling you close.

“Then we’ll find another hotel,” he promises, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You’re so busy short-circuiting at the small gesture of affection, that you nearly miss the clerk coming back to you with a smile.

“We’ve got your room ready,” she says. “The queen suite with the private spa and lounge area?”

Your eyes widen.

“We book the room under the name on the payment card,” she says sweetly, “But the instructions here say that this room is, indeed, for you. Would I be able to see some ID?”

You hastily nod and fumble your wallet out of your pocket. “Is a student ID okay?” you ask, explaining that you don’t drive. She takes the card when you hand it to her, and looks over it for a couple of seconds before handing it back with a smile.

“Perfect,” she says.

Three minutes later, you and Viktor head to the elevators with your keycards.

—

“I guess I should have asked,” you say, once you’re on the way up. “You don’t mind sharing a room, do you? I promise I don’t snore or anything. It’s just that - I mean, when I told my cousin that I was bringing someone, she assumed I meant like, a boyfriend. And I didn’t want to be like ‘oh no we’re not dating’ and get her to pay for another room, but I just-”

Viktor’s hand slides around yours again, and he quickly pulls your knuckles up to his lips, laying yet another soft kiss on your skin.

And shocking you into silence.

“It’s alright,” he says softly. “This weekend will perhaps give us an idea of what to expect-” he pauses for a moment, pink dusting his cheeks. “Should the future go as we plan, that is.”

You hide a smile and resist the urge to giggle like a smitten teenager. Even when you walk off the elevator and down the hall, your face feels warm, and your heart is fluttering happily in your chest.

In fact, your cheerful demeanor remains intact for several minutes; as you find your room, walk into the quiet lounge area, and sit down to remove your shoes. Viktor takes a little longer to unlace his boots, whereas you simply kick yours off and nudge them onto the mat.

“It’s so big!” you call to him, once you’re further into the suite; traipsing through the little kitchenette and into the bathroom. 

When they said ‘private spa’, they really meant private spa, you think, admiring the bathroom. Solid quartz tiles, three sinks, two showers, and a recessed jacuzzi that looked as though it could fit five of you? You know exactly where you’re going to be spending the afternoon.

It’s when you excitedly run into the bedroom that your heart stops.

Bedroom.

Emphasis on bed.

The singular form of beds.

Beds, which you assumed you were going to get.

Bed, which you apparently have.

“Is something the matter?” Viktor calls from his spot near the door, leaning over to see down the short hallway in which you stand. “Y/N?”

You turn to him slowly, and he grows concerned when he sees how flustered you are.

“So uh,” you wring your hands together nervously. “You said you’re okay with sharing a room. But, uh…what about a bed?”

[everafterfics]

Your World or Mine [Part 1] [Viktor x Reader]

Finally starting a multichapter fic. It’ll probably be 5ish parts. I’ve had this idea for quite awhile now so lets see how this goes.

Synopsis: You get accidentally teleported to Piltover from Earth. The Hextech scientists try their best to get you back home.

Warnings: None

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]

You groaned and lifted yourself out of bed with the sound of your alarm. Just another day of work ahead of you, boring as ever. You got dressed into your black pants and F/C blouse before proceeding to the kitchen in the small 2 bedroom apartment that you shared with your sister. You packed lunch for the day and with a long yawn you shoved a bagel into the toaster oven. Pulling your phone out of your pocket you began scrolling through your Instagram feed while you waited for it to toast. A ding alerted you that your breakfast was done and you set your phone aside. After spreading the cream cheese onto your bagel you took a look at the clock on the stove. “Shit.” You mumbled through a mouthful of bagel.

You continued to eat as you shoved your feet into your work shoes and layered a thick winter coat on. You shoved your phone back into your pants pocket, grabbed your purse and your fabric lined lunchtote, and put the other half of the bagel into your mouth. Quickly you headed down the apartment stairs and out to the parking lot towards your car, careful not to slip on the freshly fallen snow.

Just as you approached your car the ground suddenly felt like it gave way beneath you. A bright light enveloped your vision and you felt yourself fall as a beam of light shot into the air. The bright chasm that had swallowed you whole left a missing mass of snow in its wake, the only sign of something strange occurring in the parking lot.

******************

“You’ve got to be careful messing with that thing.” A mans voice rang out, scolding his partner. “Seriously Viktor, you don’t know what it could do.”

“You don’t think I know that? Progress isn’t made by being careful, Jayce.” Viktor responded and adjusted his hands inside the large machine. The Hexcore in front of him whirred to life and shot a beam into the air. Both men recoiled at the sudden burst of light. A large portal opened up above them and they looked up. Suddenly their faces were assaulted by cold snow and they heard distant screaming. Seeing the quickly approaching figure, Jayce moved to catch whoever it was in his muscular arms.

You let out a yelp when you felt the momentum of your fall end abruptly. The hood of your winter coat had fallen over your head during the fall, it’s thick faux fur lining covering your eyes.

“Are you alright?” A mans voice came from somewhere above you. The lunchtote you had let go of during the fall hit your savior in the head and the sudden impact caused him to drop you.

“Ah!” You shouted when you hit the floor. You couldn’t help but think about how you would definitely be bruised from the fall. You tore off your hood to see where you were, only for your eyes to meet those of two equally confused men.

“Sorry for dropping you.” Your breath hitched and you scooted backwards, clutching your purse tight to you when the larger one extended a hand to help you up. He rescinded the hand when he noticed how terrified you looked. He knelt down to your level and spoke in a soft voice. “We don’t want to hurt you. Where did you come from? Whats your name?”

You glanced between him and his partner that remained standing, leaning on a crutch. Your eyes then wandered about what looked like a laboratory. Metal pieces of different and unknown equipment littered several tables. A large glowing object floated above the table just behind the thinner still standing man. Your attention was drawn behind you when a sound of a door opening was heard. A young woman walked into the room, her hair tied into a bun atop her head. She adjusted her glasses when she saw you on the ground.

“Sky, just in time.” The kneeling man said. “Can you fetch Professor Heimerdinger for us? Tell him its an emergency.”

The young woman, Sky, nodded. “Of course.” As promptly as she entered the room, she left. Off to fetch whoever this Heimerdinger person was.

The two men turned their attention back to you and you instinctively stiffened, your knuckles paled with how tightly they were gripping your purse. The man with the crutch approached his partner and placed a hand on the his shoulder. They looked at each other and each gave a nod. This new man continued to get closer to you. He used his crutch to help him get down onto his knees to meet your eyes. He spoke slowly and quietly. “I am Viktor. This is my partner Jayce. Do you speak english?” His accent caught you off guard considering the other two who had spoken didn’t have the same accent as him. You nodded slowly in response. “What is your name?”

“Y-Y/N” Your voice was quiet, but loud enough for both men to hear.

“Y/N… You are in Piltover. Do you know where that is?” Viktor seemed to be observing you intensely, perhaps to try and judge your emotions as you answer him.

“No. I’ve never heard that name before.” Your voice was still quiet but your body relaxed.

“Hmmm… And where are you from?” He cocked his head to the side.

You fell silent again. Your eyes dipped to the ground, thoughts racing. The door behind you swung open and you gasped at the sight in front of you.

Alongside Sky was a small creature covered in pale yellow fur. His ears were long and pointed with small tufts of fur on the ends. A notable large mustache adorned his face and bounced when he spoke. Whatever he was was unlike anything you had ever encountered on Earth. “My boys, what ever is the emergency?” The creatures shrill voice rang out.

“Professor,” The man known as Jayce stood and passed you to get closer to the creature “we seem to have accidentally teleported this young lady here from…somewhere else.”

The professor approached you. Had he not been so admittedly cute looking you may have flinched back farther. Your eyes remained wide as you gawked at him. “I see. And where might you be from my dear?”

Viktor hoisted himself back up off of the ground. “Judging by her reaction to you, I’d say she is not from this world.”

The yellow creature turned his attention from Viktor back to you. “My dear girl, have you really never seen a yordle before?”

You shook your head. “We don’t have any… Yordles on Earth.”

“Extraordinary. You really are from another planet, or I suppose maybe even another dimension.” The yordle commented. He turned his attention to Viktor and Jayce. “However did this happen?”

Both men suddenly looked very nervous, as though they were going to be scolded. “It was the Hexcore.” Jayce finally spoke.

“The Hexcore?” The professor seemed confused but also cautious.

“It’s my new project professor. An adaptive rune matrix. While I was adjusting the runes it seemed to react and brought miss Y/N here from her world.” Viktor explained. Heimerdingers expression grew dark with his explanation. “May I see this Hexcore?”

Viktor hesitated and moved his body to block the Hexcore from the professors line of sight. “Ehhh it is still unfinished professor. Perhaps another time would be better.”

“Viktor, I need to know if this project is dangerous. Something like you described-“

“Um,” you cut Heimerdinger off. “Sorry, but if this thing brought me here could you send me home?”

Everyone in the room shared several looks, varying from concern to embarrassment. “Theoretically we could…” Jayce rubbed the back of his head but he didn’t sound to confident in himself.

“But we don’t know the exact runes that brought you here, or why the hexcore even reacted in that way.” Viktor finished his partners thoughts.

“Oh.” You said sadly.

“We will try though! In fact, Viktor and I will make it our top priority to find a way to get you home.” Jayce placed a hand on Viktors shoulder. In turn Viktor nodded his head in agreement.

You smiled at both of them and stood up. Knowing that all of these people seemed to want to help you definitely made you relax. This wasn’t an ideal situation but at least you weren’t completely alone.

“I’ll see if there are any open dorm rooms at the academy that you can stay in for the time being.” Heimerdinger said.

“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.” Heimerdinger gave you a small nod before making his way out of the lab. He spared one final glance at the too Hextech scientists, still not happy with their current project.

“Sky, why don’t you show her around Piltover while we get started here?” Jayce suggested.

“I’d be glad to.” Sky responded. She looked you over once before walking up to you. “It’s rather warm out, you won’t need your coat. Jayce and Viktor keep the lab locked when they aren’t in here so your things will be safe here.”

You gave her a nod. “Is there anywhere in particular I should set my stuff down?”

Sky led you to a mostly clear table near the door. “Over here should be fine.”

You placed down your purse and lunch tote before taking off your jacket. Once you were ready you and Sky left the lab to tour the city of progress.

————————

“Those over there are the Hexgates. They were the first invention by Hextech and have allowed for easier transport of both goods and tourists.” Sky explained. You watched the runes around one of the gates begin to glow. The blue light got brighter and brighter before a large beam of light completely enveloped the ship floating in front of it. Just like that the ship was gone. Your mouth hung open, gawking at the sight.

“Jayce and Viktor made that?!” You couldn’t believe that those two men made something so amazing. The simple sight of something so magical made you so giddy that you almost forgot the situation you were in.

“Yeah. They really are amazing.” Sky adjusted her glasses. She really did admire those Hextech scientists, as evidenced from the light blush on her cheeks. After a moment she cleared her throat. “Let’s move on…”

You spent the rest of the afternoon with Sky. She showed you the docks, multiple cafes that she frequents when getting coffee for Jayce and Viktor, the shopping district, and the academy district. By the time you were done the sun was beginning to set beyond the horizon.

The two of you reentered the lab. Strangely only Viktor was there. You didn’t pay too much mind of the lack of Jayce thought, you were preoccupied with finding somewhere to rest your aching feet. You found the nearest stool and sat down with a huff of exhaustion.

“So what did you think of the city?” Viktor asked while he continued his work.

“It’s very big. A lot prettier than most of the cities on my world though.” You replied. Your stomach growled and it unfortunately caught all of the attention in the quiet lab.

Viktor removed his goggles and placed them to the side. “Jayce should be back soon with dinner.” He commented.

As if on cue the door to the lab swung open. “Oh good, you’re back!” Jayces voice reverberated through the walls of the lab. “I brought dinner for all of us.”

All four of you pulled stools up to the same table and Jayce set out the food for everyone. Once settled and eating Jayce started to ask you questions. “So what was your life like before?” He asked.

“To be honest, kind of boring.” You laughed. “I was a store manager for, well you wouldn’t know the company, it was a retail store. I dealt with some of the worst people I have ever met and it was way too exhausting for the pay I was given. I worked pretty much every day though so it was always the same routine. Get up, go to work, come home, sit on the couch and binge some TV before going to bed. Just to do it all again the next day.” You sort of trailed off at the end, a frown forming on your face. It was awkwardly quiet after you stopped speaking. You took a drink to quell the awkwardness.

“Surely there was something you did for fun?” Sky asked.

“I like to draw, and write… I like to do pretty much anything artistic actually. I just haven’t had much time recently to do any of that though.” It didn’t dawn on you until now just how much you disliked the way you were living. What happened to your drive? Your creativity? Your passion? Did you really want to live such a mundane and repetitive life? Your gaze fell to the small plate of food in front of you and you solemnly took a bite.

Viktor spoke quietly through the silence. “Then perhaps you can take advantage of your current situation and rekindle your creative side.”

His comment made you smile, you hadn’t really thought about the good side of being trapped in another world. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

There was a small knock on the door and Heimerdinger entered. “Ah good you are all here. I have some very good news miss Y/N.” The yordle approached the table in high spirits. “I have found an empty dorm room that you can use through your visit here!”

You smiled at him, though it was only half genuine. “Thank you! That sounds great!”

“I see you’re in the middle of dinner at the moment. I could show you to the room now, or if you’d prefer, I can leave the room number and key with Jayce and Viktor to show you later?”

You look around at your companions before returning Heimerdingers gaze. “I think I’d prefer to go later. If that’s alright.”

“Of course my dear girl.” Heimerdinger responded before going over to Jayce to give him all the room information. He looked back at you and spoke one last time before leaving again. “I hope all goes well and we can get you home soon.”

Jayce pushed his chair away from the table. “Speaking of, I think it’s time to get back to work.” Viktor mirrored him but didn’t say a word.

You stared at the scraps of food left lining the table by the two scientists. “You’re going to attract flies.” You comment mostly to yourself.

“Pardon?” Viktor turned to ask.

“Flies…or mice. If you leave food lying around like that it attracts pests. Or at least on my world it does.” Both men looked dumbfounded but Sky found your comment rather funny. “Sorry, I don’t mean to mother you. It’s just an habit from pestering an old roommate of mine to clean up after herself”

“No, no, you’re right. We should clean up.” Viktor replied. He then looked at his partner. “Jayce can do that while I get back to work.”

Jayce seemed to go through stages of shock, anger, and confusion. “Why are you designating it to me?”

“Because you brought the food in the first place and you made a bigger mess. Besides, we both know that I am the smarter of the two of us.” Viktor teased.

“What?! I never agreed to that!” Jayce bickered back. The two of them reminded you of siblings, it made you miss being back on your world where your family was.

“Forget it! I’ll help clean up. It’s something to do anyway.” You said after watching them argue for several minutes.

“You’re sure? You are our guest here.” Viktor asked.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. It gives you more time to work anyway.” You said as you started to pile up their trash with your own.

“Here I’ll help too.” Sky said as she too began to pick up the table scraps.

“As long as you’re ok with it.” Viktor said and sat back at his desk and got to work.

You and Sky cleared the table in record time and you soon found yourself sitting alone and watching everyone else work. Viktor and Jayce were brilliant, but Sky was also able to keep up with them and offered her insight. It made you feel rather inferior to be amongst such geniuses.

You decided to take Viktor up on his suggestion and went over to your purse to retrieve the sketchbook that you usually kept on you. You pulled out the tiny book and your mechanical pencil and brought them back to the table. You tapped the pencil on the table in thought. It’d been awhile since you drew, so you were hoping ideas would just come to you… you were wrong.

Taking a look around the lab you hoped some sort of inspiration would come to you. When nothing took you settled on just drawing small sketches of those around you. Sky was standing closest so you focused on her first.

You were used to drawing the softer features of female subjects anyway so she was the perfect segway back into drawing. You drew Sky several times and the sketches turned out a lot better than you thought they would considering your lack of practice.

You looked down at the page and smiled before turning to a blank page. You started to draw Jayces angular jaw. He was a bit more difficult to get right. It took you several tries of sketching and erasing before you finally got to a sketch you were even remotely happy with. You tried again and the second sketch made you a lot happier. It still wasn’t perfect, but it was getting closer.

“Hey those are pretty good!” You jumped slightly when Jayce spoke over your shoulder.

“Thanks. There’s still something off about it though.” You couldn’t help but mention how it wasn’t perfect.

“You’re being too hard on yourself.” Jayce gave you a small pat on the back. “Hey, it’s getting kind of late. Do you want me to bring you to your room? Viktor could do it later if you’re not ready to leave yet.”

You hadn’t even noticed how late it had gotten, or that Sky had left. “Oh. Umm, if Viktor doesn’t mind I think I’d rather stay a bit longer.”

“I don’t mind.” You didn’t realize that Viktor was listening to your conversation, but when he spoke up it drew your attention. “I may be quite a bit longer though.”

“That’s ok. I’m used to staying up late anyway.” You shrug.

“Then that’s settled.” Jayce walked over to his partner. “Don’t stay too late.” He patted Viktor on the back before heading to the door. “Good night you two.”

With just the two of you left in the lab it felt a lot bigger than before. You took your sketchbook and moved to a seat that was closer to Viktor. You opened to a blank page and began to roughly sketch out Viktors features, though with his goggles on it was hard to fully capture his image. Each stroke of the pencil made you intensely aware of how quiet the room was. You only hoped that the scratching sounds of pencil on paper did not bother the dedicated scientist.

“You found your inspiration then?” He suddenly asked after the Hexcore whirred in front of him.

“Huh? Oh, I guess. Though I suppose you don’t need much inspiration to just draw what you see.”

Viktor pulled back his goggles, letting them rest on his head. He looked at you, “And what is it that you’re drawing?”

You flipped back a couple of pages and scooted closer to Viktor. “Well first I was drawing Sky. Women are often easier for me to draw so I started with her to kind of work my way back into it.” Viktor nodded and you flipped to the next page. “Jayce was standing closer to me so it was easier to observe him. I was in the middle of a drawing when he left.” Viktor hummed in response. You turned to the newest page, which contained a single half completed sketch of himself. “You’re my current subject. I hope that’s alright.”

Viktor observed the drawing for a short while. His gaze lingered over the goggles on his face and he frowned. “That’s fine. I’m sorry if I am not quite as interesting as your other models.”

You could empathize with his feelings of insecurity. You’d never had the best self esteem yourself, especially when it came to your looks. “You’re interesting too. You know, I’ve never actually met an inventor before, and if I draw you while you’re working it’ll have more character.” He gave you a light smile and went back to work, purposely leaving his goggles off so that you could see his eyes.

As the night grew longer your exhaustion started to take hold. You had ended up drawing more of Viktor than your other two subjects. However, your sketchbook had been cast aside for about an hour or two at this point. Now you were watching Viktor work, fighting the urge to fall asleep on the desk.

Viktor glanced over at you and stopped working. “Would you like me to bring you to your room now?” His voice was soft so as not to startle your half asleep form.

You shook your head to wake yourself up. “No, no I’m fine. I don’t mind staying longer.”

He didn’t quite believe your words and scooted his stool closer to you. Viktor placed a soft hand on your shoulder and the sudden contact caused you to flinch. “Miss Y/N, you are clearly exhausted.”

“I’m fine.”

“Is there a reason you don’t want to leave?” Viktor brows knitted together with concern.

“No, I just-I don’t want you to have to cut your work short for me.” Your words couldn’t have been more unconvincing.

“I don’t believe that is it. Please?”

You placed your head in your hands and sighed. “I can’t be alone right now.” Your words were muffled by your hands but they were still heard.

Viktor removed his own hand from your shoulder and leaned onto the desk. “I see. And why is that?”

Your hands came down to the desk and balled into tight fists. You fought the urge to break down into tears right then and there. To break down in front of this man that you barely know, it would kill you inside. “Because if I’m alone this all becomes real. And I-I might not be able to handle that.”

Viktor eyes widen before softening their gaze. He thought for a moment about the right course of action. “I cannot force you to go to your room. However, if you’d prefer to stay awake then we will need some coffee. Do you have that on your world?”

“Coffee? Yeah we have it. I don’t like it very much, but it would help…” You trailed off, not quite sure what to say next.

Viktor grabbed his crutch and stood up. He looked at you and smiled kindly, extending a hand in your direction. “Then lets go get some coffee. Theres a cafe not too far from here that stays open all night.”

You sat in shock for a moment, not quite sure what was going on. Did he just ask you to go out for coffee? Surely this wasn’t a date, just a small kind gesture from a budding friendship. So why then did your heart beat so rapidly? “O-ok.” You took his hand and together you made your way out onto the streets of Piltover.

[everafterfics]

Progressing Times [Viktor x Reader]

I wrote this on a whim with a small idea in mind of the reader meeting a young Viktor and then re-meeting him as an adult

Synopsis: On a trip to Progress Day as a kid you meet an unlikely friend. What are the odds that you’d meet him again in the future?

Warnings: None

Progress Day. The festival that came around every year celebrating the new innovations and, as the name suggests, progress that has been made in the large city known as Piltover. Your family made the trek out to the city every year for the festivities, and this year was sure to be no different.

You and your family boarded the train to Pilover, dressed in your finest clothes as you would be the entire weekend. You stared out the train window in anticipation. It wasn’t a long journey but the wait to get to the big city was killing you. Compared to your small town, Piltover was a wonderland full of magnificent and borderline magical sights, especially during progress day. Your mind wandered as you watched the scenery pass you by. What sort of new inventions were created this year? Would there be any new types of food for you to try? Would you meet anybody new while you were there? The possibilities seemed endless, especially to the wandering mind of an imaginative preteen like yourself.

The train pulled into the Piltover station and you excitedly jumped out of your seat. Your parents retrieved your luggage for your overnight stay and you ran off of the train ahead of them, eager to see the city.

“Y/N! Stay close, we don’t want to lose you!” Your father scolded.

“Sorry dad!” You shrugged back.

Your family made their way to the hotel you’d be staying in for your visit. Tomorrow the main festivities would begin and you just couldn’t wait!

Morning didn’t come soon enough, but finally the day had arrived. The streets were lines with large colorful tents filled to the brim with presentations and vendors alike. Your jaw dropped at the sight before reforming into a large smile.

You and your parents began looking through the various tents together. Unfortunately your father had a knack for looking at a tent quickly before pulling you and your mother along to the next one, you barely had time to appreciate what you were looking at. You were on your way to another booth when something caught your eye. A street performer was showing a younger girl a butterfly that glistened in the sunlight as though it were made of metal. Without thinking you walked closer to see it, but just as you arrived it flew off of the mans finger. You watched it fly higher into the blue sky before it changed course. You’d never seen a butterfly like it, so when it came back down and flew through the crowds you followed.

You followed it for some time through the weaving crowds, past booths and tents that you’d no doubt look at later, and soon towards the edge of the festivities. The crowds thinned, as did the amounts of tents set up. The butterfly flew to a closed tent and squeezed its way through a small gap in the tarps. You pulled the low hanging cloth aside and stepped in. It was dim inside, but the sunlight still peeked through the light colored fabric of the tent. Perhaps the stall wasn’t set up yet because it seemed rather empty inside, save for a few tables and chairs. Your head perked towards the top of the tent in search of your winged friend, but the butterfly seemed to have disappeared. You continued to walk with your head towards the sky, turning around to be sure you didn’t miss it. Suddenly you backed into something.

“Ah!” You heard a voice shout and a thump hit the ground.

Turning around to see what happened, a young boy, not much older than you, now laid on the ground. His brown hair was jostled and in his face. “Oh! I am so sorry!” Immediately you were beside him on the ground. “I should’ve been looking where I was going. Are you alright?”

The boy looked up at you, his shimmering amber eyes reminded you of the glistening wings on the butterfly you were chasing. The two beauty marks were distinct and for a moment you couldn’t stop staring at him. A light flutter rose through your chest. You couldn’t help but think he was rather cute.

“I am fine.” He reached around for the makeshift cane laying beside him. You held out a hand to help him up. He looked at it for a moment before taking it. “What are you doing here?”

His accent was tantalizing to your ears. A sudden embarrassment hit you when you realized just how childish it was to have been chasing a butterfly. “I’m here for Progress Day.” You decided to say instead with a smile.

He looked at you with confusion. “But nothing is down this way, at least not until later when the parties start.”

“Oh.” You look at your feet and awkwardly shift in place. When you look back up you notice that the boys attention has been drawn to the little butterfly you were following. It had rested itself on his cane, flapping its delicate wings lightly. You watched as he placed his free hand in front of it and let the insect crawl onto his finger. “The butterfly.” you mumbled.

The boy looked up at you. “You were following this?” He asked and slightly raised the hand with the butterfly. You nodded in response. “It is just a butterfly” he laughed.

Your face went red. “We- we don’t have butterflies like that in the countryside. It looks like it is made of metal.”

The boy tentatively stepped closer to you and held the butterfly closer to you. “It is. See?”

You lifted your hand to his and let the butterfly crawl onto it. You then brought it up to your face to peer at the small mechanical insect. “Magnificent.” Your comment had your new companion laughing. You look up at him. “Are you here for progress day too?”

The boy in front of you shifted, looked down at himself, and then back up to you. You held a soft smile on your face, but it grew more concerned the longer he didn’t answer you. Finally he spoke, very quietly. “I would like to go. But, someone like me wouldn’t be welcome there.”

Your brows furrowed. “Why not?”

He shrugged and gestured to himself. You took a good look at his clothing for the first time. His clothes and shoes were worn, his shirt and pants were hand stitched together in several places giving them a very homemade look. He looked like he led a rough life. Especially compared to your own clothing, which was finely pressed and immaculately put together. You looked like you belonged in high society, much like the other guests that attended the festivities.

You shook your head. “Who cares how you’re dressed?! Everyone should get to experience Progress Day!”

The boy smiled at you, but that smile quickly faded when he saw the tent open behind you. An enforcer entered followed by two people, their clothing just as high end as yours. “Y/N!” They both shouted and ran up to you. Your mother wrapped you in a tight embrace as your father scolded you. They both completely ignored the boy in front of you. “I told you not to wander off!” Your father shouted.

Your new friend slowly backed away from the scene and as fast as he could, he disappeared out of the tent. You wanted to call after him, but your parents were too busy worrying over you.

The rest of your time in Piltover was spent with your parents watching you like a hawk. You regretted never getting the name of the curious boy that you had met in that tent, but he would remain on your mind for many years.

—————————

Progress Day. You’ve attended the festival since you were a child, always intrigued by the new inventions displayed every year. Though now the yearly trip was less about intrigue and more about finding you a suitor. While you came from a wealthy family, your parents wanted you to marry into an even wealthier one. You used to love coming to Progress Day but now it felt like more of a chore.

You entered a large tent where a gigantic machine of some sort was being displayed. You parents schmoozed the inventor behind it before pushing you forward. They talked endearingly about their beloved daughter and how single she was. You very much hated that part, being paraded around like some sort of prized mare. The inventor was flattered but turned you down. Your parents were upset, though they didn’t show it. And you, well you let out a sigh of relief.

Your family left the tent and your parents discussed which one to enter next. While they were distracted with each other you took the chance to back away from them. Maybe you’d actually get to enjoy this progress day if you went off on your own.

You ducked into the crowd and went into the largest and fanciest tent you could see. You gawked at the size of it. The inside looked like a small laboratory and somehow the tent even had a skylight to let in the sun. You let your eyes wander the entire place. You turned to walk backwards to even take in the large entryway. Suddenly your body collided with something.

“Ah!” A hand grabbed your shoulder and the man behind you let out a small gasp.

‘Well this feels familiar.’ You thought.

“Careful now. You should probably watch where you are walking miss.” That accent was very familiar.

You turned around to meet a pair of amber eyes. A face with two beauty marks dotting it like stars. You couldn’t possibly be mistaken. The cute young boy you met all those years ago grew into quite the handsome man. “You…” the breathy word was all that came out of your mouth. Not the most eloquent way to greet him you’d admit.

He looked very confused. “Me?”

“Sorry.” You breathed out. Why was it suddenly so hot in this tent? Why did your corseted dress suddenly feel so tight on you? You cleared your throat. “Excuse me if I’m wrong, though I don’t think I am since a lot of the physical descriptors I remember seem to align so I can’t really be wrong, but we have met before right?” Your words came out more as rambling than you’d hoped they would.

The man blinked at you a couple of times. “I am not sure. I think I would remember meeting such a beautiful young woman.”

“Y/N, my name is Y/N. Though I don’t remember if I told you that. I certainly never caught your name, which bothered me a lot for many years. You kind of disappeared before I could even ask.” Again with the rambling. You were usually so succinct when you spoke. What was wrong with you?

“Y/N… that name does sound a bit familiar.” He placed a hand up to his shin in thought. “You mentioned physical descriptors? Is that how are you so sure that we have met?”

You were quiet for a moment. “You look like him. Well an older version of the boy a met all those years ago anyway. You have the same eyes, the beauty marks on your face, the accent…” your voice got quieter as you spoke. It felt weird to admit that you were staring at his face enough to notice those things.

It was suddenly like a lightbulb illuminated in his mind. “The butterfly girl” He said as if that was the most obvious thing about you.

You turned your head away from him in embarrassment. “That’s how you remember me?” You cringed when you spoke but he just laughed.

“I am sorry for laughing miss, Y/N was it?” You nodded. “It was a rather unique interaction I’ll admit. I’ve never met someone who was so interested in a single butterfly of all things. Especially during Progress Day.”

“Beg your pardon sir, but how do you know that I’m not a lepidopterist?” You countered, it felt rather natural for you to tease him. You’d never really flirted before but perhaps this was it. He chuckled at your response.

“Ah, of course, you are right. I wouldn’t know that.” He leaned down closer to you and cocked an eyebrow. A sly smirk graced his lips, “So are you?”

You sighed in defeat. “No. I’m not.” You both laughed and you felt your heart flutter in your chest just like when you were a child. You both stared at each other, light blush dusting of your cheeks.

“I still don’t think I’ve told you my name.” He finally spoke again. “I’m-“

“Y/N!” You father shouted from behind you. You rolled your eyes, an action which the man in front of you caught.

“Yes father?” You turned around with a feigned smile.

“We’ve been over this before. I don’t want you wandering off by yourself. We have much to do and not a lot of time” He scolded. He and your mother were quickly at your side. They both looked the man in front of you up and down, judging him before they got a chance to even talk to him. Your fathers eyes narrowed, “Who is this?” He asked.

“Viktor.” You finally got a name to the face as Viktor extended a hand towards your father.  One which he hesitantly took and shook. “I am the assistant to the head of the council, Heimerdinger.” Your eyes widened at that fact, as did your parents. Though your reactions each held different meanings.

“The head of the council? Your position must be very auspicious.” You mother cooed.

You saw what was about to happen a mile away. Depending on Viktors answer your parents would either butter him up to try and set the two of you up or they would drag you away from him with some made up excuse for why you shouldn’t be together.

Viktor laughed, though you could tell it was fake. He was definitely trying to stay on your parents good side. “I wouldn’t exactly say that. It is only an assistant position, but one I earned through my own brilliance. Or so Professor Heimerdinger has told me.”

Your mothers smile dropped for a split second, the only sign that she wasn’t entirely satisfied with his answer.

“Your brilliance? Did you attend the academy?” Your father seemed less tactful. His questions sounded more like an interrogation.

Still, Viktor retained the fake smile on his lips as he continued to indulge your parents. “Yes, I did. I was top of my class during my time there.”

“What was your field of study?” Your father asked.

“Engineering.” Viktors answer was succinct. His gaze didn’t waver from your fathers. In fact it felt as though Viktor was now taking your parents challenge head on.

“And you haven’t tried to invent anything to show off here during Progress Day?” Your father was losing interest in Viktor, that much was certain.

Viktor looked to you and you mouthed the words “I’m sorry.” He smiled back at you, though this time it was real and held a sense of mischief.

“Not yet, sir. As councilman Heimerdinger would say, all progress takes time.” Viktor made sure to emphasize the world councilman when he spoke. To remind your father who he worked for and the connection that he held.

Your parents dropped any sort of cordial facade they had been holding and your mother wrapped her arm around your own. However, Viktor seemed to be one step ahead. Your mother opened her mouth to speak but Viktor beat her to it. “Miss Y/N, would you like to meet Councilman Heimerdinger?”

“Yes!” You yelped, perhaps a bit to quickly.

Viktor held out a hand to you. You took it and pried yourself from your mothers grasp.

“Y/N.” Your fathers voice was stern and commanding. You turned back around briefly.

“Don’t worry sir.” Viktor pulled you closer to him. “I know my way around Progress Day. She will be able to see all that the festivities have to offer. She will even have a front row seat at Heimerdingers speech this evening.” Your father scowled at his response. Had you not been in front of your parents you might have laughed at how bold he was being. “I’ll return her to you safe and sound tonight.”

With those final words Viktors hand found the crook of your back and he led you away from your parents. You leaned into his touch and closer to him. It was all the confirmation he needed to know that you were as interested in him and he was with you.