This is loosely inspired by what I'm dubbing a Worm Original and was meant to be a drabble. It... got out of hand.
Title: Grumpy Cat
WC: 1399w
Summary: Viktor and Jayce haven't looked at the clock in hours - late nights in the lab bring out the best in both of them.
---------
Viktor caught Jayce staring at him out of the corner of his eye. His brow was furrowed slightly and his hands were laced in front of him, almost like a storybook villain.
âJayce, are you alright?â he asked, turning to him. Jayce tipped his head to the side in curiosity.Â
âHave you always been this grabbable?âÂ
Viktor blanched. âWhat the fuck?â
âYou know. I could sling you over my shoulder and it would be like picking up some grapes.âÂ
âNow thatâs just insulting.â Viktor sputtered and Jayce laughed.
âYouâre like the human incarnation of a grumpy cat.âÂ
Viktor barked out a bewildered laugh at the comparison. âIâm not sure where these are coming from, Jayce. It is- ah, two in the morning. That accounts for some I guess.âÂ
Jayce wrung his hands together and made a little growl. âI wanna squish you. Pick you up and just-âÂ
He mimed squeezing into a hug before leaning his head on the desk. âI get cute aggression.â
Viktor raised an eyebrow. âAre you calling me cute?â
âYes. Like a sad wet kitten left on the street.âÂ
âOh my- I am not a drenched cat!â Viktor protested, half smiling at the absurdity. âIf anything itâs you that resembles a kicked puppy most of the time. I can imagine a little tail wagging back and forth along with those puppy eyes of yours. Pathetic, really.âÂ
Viktor grinned at Jayceâs overtly aghast expression, hand over his chest. âYou wound me, Vik!â
âEh, grumpy cats are mean. I thought you realised that already?âÂ
Jayce pouted for a second before standing and clapping his hands together. âWell, alright then.â
âWhat are you doing?âÂ
âNothing that you donât deserve.âÂ
Viktor suddenly recognised the slightly hungry look in Jayceâs eyes and felt his own widen. The last time Jayce looked like that⊠well, he wasnât set free for an hour.Â
âDonât you dare you fiend, Iâve done nothing that you havenât already.â he stood and backed away, cane held out in self defence.Â
âMmm, maybe, but Iâm bored and weâve been here for hours. SoooooâŠâ Jayce smiled and shrugged. âWhatâs the harm?â
âWhatâs the- you know the harm! Iâm not putting up with being manhandled!â
âAre you worried itâs gonna tickle too much?â
He stiffened at the mention of the word and felt his cheeks flush. âI have no idea what youâre talking about.âÂ
âYeah you do. Come on, itâll be fun!â Jayce wiggled his fingers and Viktor recoiled.
âFor you, maybe! Not for the person subjected to that torture!â Viktor spat.
âI distinctly remember you never once telling me to stop last time.â Jayce teased with an evil grin, and Viktor short circuited. Instead of using words, he just stuck his tongue out and made the stupidest face he could while aiming a middle finger at Jayce.
âSuck on that.âÂ
âOhoho, thatâs it!âÂ
Jayce lunged at Viktor and he expertly sidestepped, jabbing his side with his cane before grabbing a chair and stacking it on Jayce. He took another and put it over his legs before shuffling back and holding a third in front of him - he knew running wasnât going to work, so slowing Jayceâs offence was his best bet.Â
As badly thought out as it was, Jayce did actually struggle for a minute with the chairs before tossing them aside.
âReally Viktor?âÂ
Viktor threateningly held the chair in front of him up, and Jayce leaned down into a rugby playerâs stance. He ran forward and grabbed the chair, throwing it to the side and grabbing Viktor around the waist and hauling him over his shoulders. Just as Viktor planned.Â
The minute he was upside down Viktor mercilessly dug his hands into Jayceâs sides from the back, making him jump and laugh.Â
âWhat, I thought you liked tickling?â Viktor teased, ignoring the blood rushing to his head.Â
âCuhuhut it ohohout! Ihim gonna drohop you!â
âNo you wonât.â Viktor assured, and he believed it. He pushed one of his hands under Jayceâs shirt onto his stomach and he folded like a lawn chair, falling to his knees.Â
âVIHIK!â Jayce cackled, keeling to the side under him. With his feet on the ground Viktor readjusted himself so he could tickle properly, sticking his other hand under his shirt and really squishing the soft flesh of his stomach. Jayce arched his back and shrieked, squirming around on the floor.
âYohou little shihihihit! Ihiâm gonna get yohohou!â
âYou can certainly try- whoa!â
Viktor was interrupted when Jayce gained the willpower to sit up and scoop him up. Expecting him to try and push him away, Viktor was caught completely off guard and yelped as he was pulled close with his arms pinned to his sides. He started kicking and wriggling as Jayce stood up, picking him up off the floor. Hands halfheartedly wiggled at Jayceâs sides, but all it got was a breathless chuckle from him.Â
âOh, no you donât. Thatâs not gonna work again.â
âCome on, Jayce! Look at me, I canât run away! You wouldnât attack a helpless man, would you?â Viktor bluffed, playing it up.
âNope.â Jayce huffed, turning Viktor around so his back was to his chest and hoisting him higher. âIf anything youâve just proved exactly how capable you are. So donât expect mercy from me.â
Viktor jerked when felt a hand on his ribcage and another on his side, both preparing to tickle him. He had about half a second to ramble out some nonsense before those hands dug in, tearing peals of laughter from him. Jayce had immediately started counting between Viktorâs ribs, and by Janna it was killing him.Â
âNononohohoho! I swehehear Iâll hide ahall of yohour erasers!âÂ
âWell I had better make this worth it then.âÂ
He kicked out when the hand on his side kneaded into his hip, cackling. âBahahastard! Mahay ahahall your equations behehe off by ohohone decimal point- AH!â
Jayce yanked his shirt up and started a hand skittering over his stomach, making him throw his head back in mirth.
âJahayce!â
âWhat?âÂ
âDohonât!â
Jayce saw an evil opportunity and took it. âDonât what?âÂ
âTickle me!âÂ
Viktor fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
âWell if you insist!âÂ
Jayce lifted him higher and sent the hand on his ribs under his shirt, pulling it up so his side was completely exposed. Viktor tensed in trepidation, sensing that whatever Jayce was about to do was going to tickle bad.
And, well. He was right.Â
Jayce pressed his lips to Viktorâs side and blew a huge raspberry into his skin before continuing in a trail up his ribs. When he got to the first, lowest rib Jayce gave it a little nibble before blowing a raspberry and proceeded to do this for every single rib. Viktor shrieked at the first one and continued to kick and scream the whole time Jayce worked up his ribs, yelling and swearing hysterically.Â
âAAHAHAHA! NOHOHOT THEHEHERE!âÂ
âNot where? Here?â Jayce nuzzled into his side, nibbling at one of his ribs about halfway up while drilling his fingers into the opposite side. âWhy, does it tickle?âÂ
Viktor went completely limp in his grasp, temporarily losing the will to fight while Jayce attacked what was undeniably the most ticklish spot on his whole body.Â
âYEHEHEHES! JahaYCE I cahahHAnât breheEEHEHEathe!âÂ
âAlright, I think that's enough of a payback.âÂ
Jayce stopped tickling and set Viktor down on the ground, laughing when he practically melted onto the floor. He lay there for a minute catching his breath and Jayce sat by his head.
âYouâve killed me. Say goodbye to Hextech, as it dies with me.â Viktor said.
âWhat do you want on your gravestone? âHere lies Viktor, who was too ticklish for his own goodâ.âÂ
Jayce got a firm punch on the leg for that one and he giggled when he slid down to join Viktor on the ground. He yawned.Â
âItâs probably time to get some rest. Weâre sure to be back here in a few hours.âÂ
âConsidering we have both ended up somewhat hysterical, that sounds wise.â Viktor said, removing his arm from his chest and laying it next to Jayceâs. His fingers loosely entwined with his own and he felt a surge of affection before Jayce was pulling him up with a firm grasp on his hand.Â
âIâll walk you home.â Jayce offered, and how could Viktor refuse.
Their hands held together for a lot longer than necessary.Â
Hey dude I just wanna say youâre like by far my fav tkl blog, Iâve been following u for years and youâre the only one whose fics I read over and over. Youâre so awesome and cool andjdjeidjekfoorkdkf okay anyways
EEEE THANK YOU DJSJFJ thatâs actually so sweet i canât
iâm so glad u enjoy my fics enough to reread them like that, genuinely warms my soul and means a lot to me thank youhfjsjfjf <3333
hi! i hope you're doing good!! i just wanted to reach out to say that i love your work!! i'm a huge fan of your Arcane fics (i could probably recite "ramble on" by memory lol). you write a VERY good flustered lee, and I'm such a sucker for your lee!viktor content. and i'm just like- in awe of your talent. literally transports me to the world. you have so much power in your words and i look forward to all of the things you will go on to create!
OMG?? aaaahhh ur too nice plsssjfjdjg đđ that is insanely sweet of you to say u literally made my day. thank you so much for leaving this ask in my inbox my heart is full <3333
iâm so glad you enjoyed the fics!!! hoping for more to come soon once iâm less busy LOL the arcane jayvik brainrot has Not left yet iâve just been too busy to read/write recently </3
In the now three years Viktor had been partnered with Jayce Talis in the research of hextech and its uses, he has long since come to the conclusion that caffeine was both a blessing and a curse.
Of course, the blessing being able to keep one going long after their brain has begged them for sleep, allowing them to work far into the night.
The curse was just how much it made his partner bounce off of the walls.
Viktor didnât truly mind it, of course, but Jayce had gotten to the point where his words were started to merge together with how fast his caffeine buzz had him speaking.
âJanna aboveâJayce! Slow down! Start over,â Viktor chuckled, pinching the bridge of his nose. âHow much coffee have you had to drink tonight?â
âTen. So-â
âTen what?â
âNot important. As I was saying-â
Viktor huffed a quiet laugh to himself as he listened to his partner ramble on, keeping up as best he could. As he spoke, Jayceâs hands were flying everywhere: motioning to projects, acting out turning a gear or wrench, anything they could do to not stand still.
At the end of his tangent, a tangent that Viktor had in all honesty not been following very well, he pumped his fists and whooped with such volume it made Viktor jump.
âWOO Iâm on a roll!â He had the silliest grin plastered to his face and was bouncing his leg in his excitement.
Viktor just looked at him, chuckling and shaking his head. âYouâre ridiculous and high on caffeine, is what you are,â he smiled.
âOh come onnnnn, V,â Jayce groaned humorously. âThat was good! Youâre just being a grump again.â
Viktorâs jaw dropped and his brows furrowed in faux-offense. âI am no-what do you mean again?â Jayce only threw his head back and cackled in response.
Viktor was no stranger to these energetic spurts of Jayceâs that so often happened during late nights like this, an occurrence that only grew in frequency the more comfortable the two scientists got to each otherâs presence. He would keep up his âgrumpâ façade because it seemed to amuse Jayce to no end, but the both of them knew Viktor didnât mean a word of it. In all honesty, it helped keep him awake and entertained as he worked. Such was the case now, for Viktor had turned back to sketching his blueprints with a fond smile on his lips.
For several minutes, he was all too engrossed with his work to notice that Jayce had gotten out of his chair. That is, until two fingers buzzed into his sides.
âBzzzzt!â
It shocked Viktor so much he shrieked and threw the pencil in his hands. Jayce cackled behind him, clapping once in his amusement.
âJayce Talis, you absolute child!â Viktor roared, slamming his hands on the desk and flying out of his chair.
âHahahaha-ohoh shit!â
Jayce must not have been expecting Viktor to retaliate in such fury, for all he could do was backpedal with a giddy squawk before tripping over his own feet and falling backwards. With a playful lust for vengeance, one that was albeit a bit new to him, he abandoned his cane to the side and followed his partner to the ground.
The two young men grappled for the upper hand, both of them laughing as they fought. Viktor would have expected Jayce to take it easy on him, even if Viktor had started it, and could tell Jayce was deliberately avoiding all movements that could possibly jostle Viktorâs bad leg, but that was just about the extent of it. The rest was fair game.
âA Zaunite assassin has befallen mehehe! Hehelp!â Jayce cried dramatically, giggles lacing his voice. Viktor quirked a brow before deciding to play along.
âMaybe it serves you right, Topsider!â He growled with bravado. âA brute such as yourself ought to know better than mess with us fissurefolk!â
âOhohoh, so Iâm a brute now, huh?â
Under normal circumstances, it would have peeved Viktor that Jayce was evidently holding back a little, but here it just made it more fun. He never got to play with anyone like this, even as a child. Too many potential friends worried he would shatter like glass should they do so much as tap his shoulder.
âGAhah!!â Jayce barked a laugh from beneath Viktorâs hold, still squirming. Viktorâs hand had slipped down his side in their scuffle. âNonono câmohon Vik Iâm ticklish!â He yelped through boyish giggles.
Viktor immediately broke into a grin and his brows shot up. âOh, are you, now?â
How Viktor relished the way Jayceâs face filled with dread.
âH-hey waitwaitwaitwaitwait Viktor donât you do it-!â Jayce pleaded, trying to push himself away.
âNo, no, where do you think youâre going? You started this,â Viktor smirked, immediately attacking Jayceâs sides with a vengeance.
The reaction was instantaneous, and Viktorâs smile only grew at being the one to elicit it. Bold, bright laughter immediately flowed from Jayceâs mouth and a wide smile splitting his face. He wriggled and writhed under Viktorâs hold, his heels scuffing against the floor.
âDo you forget I grew up in the Undercity,â Viktor purred. âFighting fair is rarely on the table.â
Jayce was shoving weakly at Viktorâs wrists but couldnât stop them, Viktorâs movements being too dexterous and quick, darting his hands all over Jayceâs torso and sending him into hysterics.
âNoooononononoNONONO HAHAHAH!!! VIHIHIKTOR!!!â Jayce cackled, his laugh rising in pitch as Viktor continued his playful assault.
In a scramble to try and shove Viktor off of him, his fingers must have brushed just right against Viktorâs side. The smaller man gave a strangled yelp through gritted teeth and a wobbly smile. His arm buckled and his attack faltered. He had underestimated his partnerâs fighting ability, for he found himself immediately flipped on his back.
Jayce was now staring down at him; disheveled, fighting for breath, and grinning with wild excitement.
âGotcha!â
Viktor didnât have a moment to prepare himself before Jayceâs strong hands were scribbling at his stomach and sides. He wasnât as ruthless in his attack as Viktor was in his, but the sensation still got him squirming. Alas, he was stubborn. He scrunched his nose and grit his teeth as he choked his laugher down, but he couldnât hide the smile splitting his face.
Jayce knew a challenge when he saw one, and it excited him. He would make his partner laugh himself silly if it was the last thing he did tonight.
âCome onnnnn,â he growled, smirking, digging in a little harder and going up a little higher, teasing Viktorâs ribs right before his skin ended and his brace started.
That got him. Viktorâs back arched and his eyes widened before he began to laugh. It was breathy and unsteady, almost as if he was out of practice, but it was enough to plaster the biggest grin on Jayceâs face.
âThehere we go!â He cheered, and scribbled along any skin he could find on Viktorâs torso.
âNo, nonononono Jayce! JaHAhahayce hahahaha.â Viktor had a hand over his mouth as he tried to fight Jayce off with the other. This only encouraged his playful partner.
âOh no you donât,â he teased, âI know you can do better than that!â
âYohohohohour hohohorihihihble! Gehehehet off of mehehehehe you- AGHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! NONONONONO JAYCE DOHOHONâT!!!â
All mercy was thrown to the wind as Jayce dug all ten fingers into Viktorâs ribs, scribbling against every bone could find. His face lit up like the sun itself as he watched Viktorâs hand fall from his face in favor of fully fighting back. His smile was the biggest heâd ever seen, and his laugh had only grown brighter.
âYou know,â Jayce pondered, slowing his attack and letting Viktor catch his breath, âIn the few years weâve known each other, I donât think Iâve ever seen you laugh this much.â
âMaybe,â Viktor cleared his throat of any giggles threatening to bubble over, but a smile still pulled at his lips. âMaybe learn to be funnier. Iâd laugh more.â
âReally?â Jayce smirks. âThatâs how you wanna play this?â
Viktor grinned, a bit wildly at that. âOh, Iâm not playing, Jayce, Iâm winning!â
Immediately clocking what he was alluding to, Jayce tried to intercept the attack with his own, but a few frantically clumsy scribbles were no match against Viktor squeezing his side with one hand and scribbling under his arm with the other. Safe to say, he folded.
âNonoNONONO SHIHIHIHIT HAHAHAHA!â
Unable to hold himself up in his mirth, he flopped right into Viktorâs chest, almost shrieking.
Viktor blamed his previously exploited sensitivity making his nervous system hyper aware, but the vibrations on his chest tickled a little as well. Not to mention Jayce was still clawing desperately at his rib cage.
âJAHAHAHAYCE!!! Jayce s-STOHOP IHIHIHIT!!!â
âYOU-GAhah-YohohohoHOHOHOU FIHIHIHIRST!!!â
They never heard the door to the lab open over their hysterics, but somehow they both managed to hear the amused chuckle coming from it. Stomachs simultaneously dropping, they both perked up to see none other than their own professor standing in the doorway.
Jayce immediately scrambled off of Viktor. âOh god-shit-Professor-!â
âP-Professor, my apologies, we-â
âOh no no no no no, itâs no problem, dear boys!â Professor Heimerdinger chirped. His old pet poro clicked into the room, purring and chirruping as it approached the two young scientists. The Professor gave a chuckle before continuing. âI was simply burning the midnight oil, and decided to stop by to check in on progress. But alas, what is the point of working the mindâ,â
âACK!â Viktor yelped, hunching his shoulder, and Professor Heimerdinger giggled cheerfully as his pupilâs ear was suddenly covered in poro slobber, the affectionate lick making his already disheveled hair stick up.
ââwithout a little play to balance out the soul!â With that signature twinkle in his eye, he whistled to his pet, who immediately trotted back to his side, and turned to leave the room. âCarry on gentleman!â
The door shut with a clunk. All was quiet, the complete opposite of the shrieking laughter bouncing off the walls near moments before.
Jayce cleared his throat and offered Viktor his hand. Still lying on the floor, Viktor took it and allowed himself to be hauled to his feet. The two men simply stood and stared at where their professor had departed. Moments ticked by. Then they looked at each other.
Jayce broke first.
Viktor broke immediately after.
The caffeine, the sleep deprivation, and the pure absurdity of the entire night had taken its toll. Viktor flopped down onto the nearest chair as he cackled, and Jayce was sprawled across the desk, his head in his arms, howling in side-splitting laughter. It was like that for a few minutes until their hysterics finally fizzled out into breathy titters.
Then they met each otherâs gaze again, and it was right back to laughing until their stomachs were sore. Viktor had leaned forward and rested his head on Jayceâs shoulder, and Jayce had placed his hand on Viktorâs. Even after they managed to collect themselves, which took many minutes more, they would still find the other stifling giggles into a coffee mug or their shoulders shaking while trying to draw a straight line, which only set them off once more.
Heimerdinger was several paces down the hall when he heard the two start cackling again, and he smiled to himself. Never had he seen either one of those boys shine so bright outside of their work. He was so incredibly happy for both of them that they had met each other, not just as partners in their studies, but as good friends. Two sides of the same gear, as one would say. A perfect balance indeed.
You need to be banned from writing fics bc you're simply too powerful. I literally threw my phone with the last one. You đ«”đŒ are a menace, how do you just write so effortlessly and make the dialogue flow and ugh just everything
in my notifs this only said smth like âyou need to be banned frâŠâ and i went đïžđïž LMAO
BUT THANK YOUUU SM my secret is getting infected by jayvik worms that take over my system and write it for me idfk
I just wanna say that I've barely even watched arcane and I'm really not part of the fandom, but I just went through all your jayvik fics and. Holy shit. I'm blushing I'm screaming it was all SO GOOD. I hope that both sides of your pillow are cool forever because you deserve it
AWWW THANK YOUUUHFJSF u are too kind anon tysm đđ«¶
The old Viktor Machine Herald design spins in my head like a rotisserie chicken so here u go <3
Title: Old Friends (And Better Company)
WC: 1563w
Summary: Some things you can't fix on your own, and there's only one person Viktor trusts enough to go digging around his insides. Unfortunately, Jayce is also a pest.
----------
Jayce didnât turn when he heard the door of his lab open - he figured it was Mel or Caitlyn trying to pull him away from his work again.
âIâve told you Iâm in crunch mode right now, I canât go out.â He said with half a smile on his face.
âWere you expecting me, Jayce?â A metallic, accented voice responded and Jayceâs smile froze on his face. He turned slowly to see the Machine Herald standing in front of his door, quietly latching it shut.Â
âHow did you get in here?â Jayce asked, hostile. The Herald shrugged.
âYou never changed the code. And your security system is child's play.âÂ
The burning orange eyes of the Heraldâs mask left no room for conversation, and Jayce sighed. He wasnât going to fight today.
âAt least take off the mask, V. What do you need?âÂ
If Viktor could emote through a metal visage Jayce would have seen surprise on his face at the ease of his question. He was expecting resistance, especially after recent events. Viktor raised a hand to his mask and hesitated - it had been a while since heâd shown his face to anyone. He pressed the divots on either side of the mask down and it unlatched with a soft hiss.
Viktor set his mask down on a bench and Jayce let out a soft oh at his appearance. His hair was longer, but still endearingly soft and messy pushed back from his face. Metal covered his skin up to his cheekbones, and one of his eyes had been replaced with a mechanical version. The glowing orange ring of the eye nearly matched the honey-hazel of his remaining eye, and Jayce could only remark that after months it was still him. It was still his Viktor under the mask.Â
âI have a problem I canât fix on my own.â Viktor started, and his voice was the same as Jayce remembered, if not a little scratchy from disuse. âSome wiring was shaken loose during a fight, and I can patch it but canât fix it. It controls the use of one of my arms and the Hexclaw, which I have to turn off in order to mend it. So⊠Iâm down a few hands.â
Jayce almost laughed at the comment, but a sharp look from Viktor silenced him. âWhy come to me? Iâm sure you have plenty of Zaunite mechanics itching to help you.â
Viktor looked uncomfortable for a minute, unwilling to make eye contact. âI trust only you with this.âÂ
Jayce stilled. âAfter everything weâve done to each other? What Iâve done to you?â
A single look from Viktor gave Jayce the answer he needed, so he stood and started clearing off one of the benches.Â
âAlright, old friend. Letâs take a look.âÂ
Viktor took off his cloak and double checked the door was locked before laying down on the table, pulling his right arm over his head to give Jayce access to his side. He concentrated for a minute and Jayce watched the Hexclaw and his arm go completely limp.
âYouâll need to pop the casing off the side of my torso. Iâve turned off the arms, but left nerve activity so I can tell you if something isnât right. Donât worry about anything hurting.âÂ
Jayce caught hesitation in Viktorâs last words so he set his screwdriver down and looked at him.
âViktor. I have no intention of causing you pain. If something hurts I am going to stop and make sure youâre okay, and then find another way.âÂ
Viktor had no answer for him, just stared at the ceiling. Jayce frowned, but continued,Â
âIâll get the casing off now.â
After less than an hour the two of them were back to a semblance of what once was normal. Ideas for improvements were bouncing off each other, solutions to problems were being formed and true to his promise Jayce had never caused so much as a twinge in Viktorâs nerve receptors. Viktor almost found himself smiling, happy and content in the familiar routine but it was tinged with sadness. They caught up as well as they could, Jayce filling Viktor in on Caitlynâs escapades and Viktor telling him about some advances heâd made in undercity prosthetics.Â
âYou know, I canât believe no one ever tried- aCK!â Viktor interrupted himself, jerking one of his legs on the table. Jayce immediately stopped what he was doing, pulling the pliers out of Viktorâs side and holding his hands up.
âWhoa, you okay? Did that hurt?â
Viktor stared straight ahead and tried to ignore the traitorous heat in his face. Heâd have to try and get rid of that soon.
âFine. That wasnât painful.âÂ
Jayceâs initial panic morphed into curiosity and he tilted his head, examining Viktorâs now flushed face.Â
â⊠no way.â He said, a grin growing on his face. âYouâre still ticklish, arenât you?â
âI have no idea what youâre talking about.â Viktor steadfastly ignored Jayceâs eager expression.
âYou sure? Cause that sounded like it tickled.â Jayce picked up his pliers and found the spot again, making Viktor choke down a giggle.Â
âOh my gods, after all this time you havenât found out how to stop being ticklish? It even translated between the old you and the metal - I swear you had a bad spot on your ribs around hereâŠâ Jayce joked, prodding around which made Viktor yell and squirm.Â
âFucking- stop that! Itâs a complex function that is surprisingly difficult to counteract.â
âSo youâve tried to turn it off?â
â⊠not concentratedly. You can imagine itâs not the highest on my list of priorities.â
Jayce raised his eyebrows at Viktor. âMaybe you didnât want to turn it off.â He muttered under his breath.
Viktor started yelling at him and Jayce threw his hands up in defence. âWhat? We used to have fun, thatâs all! Regardless, youâve done a number on yourself and the wires around that point are tangled. I need to remove and resolder a bunch of them, so youâre gonna have to put up with it.â
âYou promised not to hurt me!â
âI did. I never promised anything about tickling.âÂ
Viktor grumbled under his breath but seemed to resign himself to his fate. âWell, get going. I donât have all night.â
Jayce got back to work with a smirk, dutifully started to unhook wires from where they had gotten stuck in gears and each other. Viktor had gone silent, and when Jayce looked up he had his eyes squeezed shut and was biting his lip, trying not to give in to the feeling. Just to be a dick, Jayce stuck his screwdriver in his side and wiggled, single-handedly breaking the dam Viktor had built. He jerked again, cackling and swearing.
Satisfied, Jayce refrained from commenting and got back to work to a soundtrack of laughter. This was fine until Viktor started wriggling around on the table in earnest, making it very hard for Jayce to move things accurately.Â
âStop squirming, you ticklish motherfucker.â Jayce couldnât help teasing. Viktor made an angry face before losing it again.
âFuhuck off fuck off fuck ohohohff!âÂ
âSeriously, if you donât stop moving Iâm going to have to hold you down. Iâm sure Iâve got some strong magnets around here somewhere.â
âMahagents? You think magnets are ehenough to hoahaAHA!âÂ
Viktor accidentally kicked a dent in the table and nearly shrieked when Jayce hit a particularly sensitive spot, trying desperately to resist the sensations ravaging his body.Â
âHuhuhrry up! Cahanât - AH! Cahanât hohold out under thihis much tihickling!âÂ
âOkay, okay, Iâll go as fast as I can.â
Despite Jayceâs best efforts Viktor left a few more dents in his bench, truly unable to hold back under the hands of someone who knew him as well as he knew himself.Â
âI think thatâs the ticklish part done.â Jayce said, pulling out his pliers and cocking his head. âActually, I think thatâs the whole thing done. Try turning your arm on.âÂ
Viktor caught his breath before concentrating again, switching the limbs on. It felt ten million times better, and he caught himself sighing in relief.Â
âItâs fixed. You have no idea how bad the feeling of your wires getting caught in the surrounding gears is. Thank you. Even if you could have been a little more tactful about it.â Viktor added.
Jayce rolled his eyes as he reattached the casing. âI think it was gonna be that bad no matter what. Still, it was nice to catch up without⊠well, you know. Trying to kill each other.âÂ
Viktor sat up and pulled his cloak over his shoulders. âIt was. I hope our paths may cross again someday.âÂ
Jayce smiled and nodded, but the pulling in his chest told him a different story. He missed him terribly. Viktor picked up his mask and hooked it on his face, pushing it upwards so it wasnât yet covering him while he walked to the window. Jayce followed him and watched while he pulled himself over the ledge and onto the railing.
âGoodbye, Jayce.â
Jayce met him at the window ledge. âSee you later, Viktor.âÂ
Before Jayce could react, soft lips were on his for a heartbeat before they were gone.Â
âI never stopped loving you.â Viktor whispered shakily, and then he pulled down his mask and disappeared into the night air. Jayce held a hand to his lips, frozen.
Summary : Apparently, Jayce has a lot he wants to tell Viktor, but only does so once heâs drunk on Viktorâs couch. In doing so, his outward love of physical affection makes Viktor realize some things about himself.
a/n : happy new years everybody! tysm for the love on the last fic, it meant sm to me <3 i hope yall enjoy this one bc i really liked writing it. lee!jayce is a treasure and im holding him dear to my heart rn.
this is a tickle fic! not nsfw but the ending is suggestive, so don't like don't read! :D
â
Jayce cannot be serious right now.
âJust this once? Please, Viktor. That last gala made me feel like aâ like a dissected lab rat. They had their hands all over me, trying toâŠpick me apart and figure out my game,â Jayce cringed, throwing his hands to the side in exasperation, âIâm a scientist, not some corrupt politician looking to exploit. I just feel so out of my leagueâŠâ
Viktor nodded in understanding, his insides fighting against the sympathy he felt for this man. Viktor hated those galas with everything in him. Heâs been to only two so far, right at the start of their partnership, and it was hell.Â
They were exactly the way Jayce described, the way it made you feel like an object to be inspected upon by those giving you the funds for your work. Like you had to let them look at you the way they do, because in some round-about way you almost owe them the right.
Itâs horrible. And now Jayce is begging, pleading with Viktor to go to another with him.Â
Viktorâs not even sure what difference itâll make that heâs there. Most people there always look at him like heâs some wall standing in the way of the Golden Boy. Jayce is always pulled away and prodded at while Viktorâs left to sip on his champagne and watch as Jayce shoots âhelp meâ looks his way.Â
But tonight, Jayce seems desperate. The last one mustâve been pretty bad if heâs actually begging Viktor to come. He never forgets to at least ask Viktor if heâs changed his mind and wants to attend before leaving, but this time he looks like heâs about to get on his knees and clasp his hands together.
Viktor grimaced, looking up at Jayce from his office chair in the lab. âYou really want me to go that bad?â
Jayce sighed with a tired nod, âYes. I just need your moral support. I feel better when youâre there.â
âJayce, Iâve only been twice.â
âYeah, and they were the best ones Iâve been to,â he said sincerely, before putting his hands on Viktorâs shoulders and squeezing. âI am asking you a favor. Partner to partner. Iâll owe you one.â
Viktor stuck his tongue in his cheek and rolled it in thought. Jayce wonât stop looking him in the eyes like that, all wide and sad and puppy-ish.Â
âWhen did I get so weak-willed?â
âOkay fine. Fine. Butââ Viktor stuck a finger in Jayceâs chest just as the man started to smile all bright. âYou owe me. I will not forget this.â
Jayceâs eyes were like stars, âOh thank you, V, thank you. I wonât forget this either, trust me. Iâll buy you all the sweet milk your stomach can take for this,â he cheered, looking like he was about to jump up and down in glee.
Viktor sighed, pushing himself up off the chair with his cane. âYes yes, all the sweet milk money can buy,â he pat Jayce on the shoulder as he walked towards the lab doors. âIâm going to get freshened up in my room, so I will, ehâŠmeet you there, I suppose?â
Jayce smiled hard as he ran to open the door for Viktor in gratitude. âYou got it, partner.â
â
Just as Viktor suspected. Hell on earth.
Itâs so crowded and noisy, the ballroom crawling with wealthy socialites that reeked of expensive perfume and alcoholâ so much alcohol.
Viktor almost wonders if there was a pre-game party before this, because the amount of times theyâve had some rich lady nearly stumble over to grip Jayce on the arm and slur weird little flirts and compliments his way was staggering. Jayce looked like he was going to crawl out of his skin the whole night with the way these people were crowding him like ants to a cookie.
As the night went on, Viktor could tell it was getting to Jayce worse and worse. And not just by how visibly stiff and sweaty heâd gotten, either.Â
Jayce was drinking way more than Viktor thought he would.
Glass after glass, Jayce was downing as much alcohol as he could pour down his gullet. At one point Viktor even tried to insinuate he slow down a little and fucking relax, but it was no use. Jayce just rolled his eyes like a teenager and took another glass off the nearest tray he could find.
At least he doesnât look so out of place, seeing as nearly everyone here was on the brink of being trashed. It was surprising to watch all these high-life classy Pilties get their drink on like this, but Viktor couldnât say it wasnât a little bit amusing.Â
He thought after he left Zaun that heâd seen about the end of getting to watch people stumble and trip over their own feet at a function, slurring their words and laughing too loud at nothing. He supposed it wasnât the worst way to spend an evening.
But then, Jayce walked back over to him with this look in his eyes. Viktorâs brow furrowed in concern.
âIs everything alright?â
Jayce groaned, before throwing his head onto Viktorâs shoulder and mumbling into his shirt. âWânna go home.â
Oh shit. Jayce is drunk. Really drunk.
Viktor patted him on the back, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one could see the Man of Progress pouting like a child into his partner's neck. âI concur. Butâ youâre coming home with me. Iâm not letting you walk home alone like this, but my leg canât make both trips.â
Jayce giggled into his neck, and his breath gave Viktor goosebumps. âSleepoverrrr!â
Viktor sighed, repositioning Jayce to stand straight as he led them toward the exit. âI hope you know that whatever weird things you say tonight, I wonât let you live it down.â
âMânot gonna say anything weird. Youâre justâ youâre too judgemental,â Jayce spoke too slow, a little slurred, and Viktor couldnât help but grin.
â
Oh Viktor has so much to tease Jayce for in the morning. He can hardly wait.
On their walk home, Jayce couldnât keep his mouth shut. He was going on and on about how smart, how brilliant, how perfect Viktor was as his partner. Viktor couldnât keep the blush off his face if he tried, but luckily Jayce was a little too out of it to notice.Â
Jayce told him how good he looked in his gala outfit, that it fit him perfectly around the waist and the âbutt area,â as he put it. He confessed that he started putting sweet milk in his own coffee thanks to Viktor, and he loves it, despite how much he teases Viktor for his sweet tooth.Â
And the closer they got to Viktorâs apartment door, the less Jayce could hold in his excitement about their little âsleepover.â
âGonna make you play Twister with me,â Jayce joked with a giggle.
âHas anyone ever told you how much of a lightweight you are?â Viktor said as he stuck the key into his door, turning it to click.Â
âYeeeah, they told me that a lot at the academy,â Jayce smiled, walking in after Viktor and gasping. âOh it looks so nice in here!â
âYouâve been here, Jayce. Not much, but you have.â Viktor rolled his eyes, placing his keys on the table and walking toward the open area kitchen next to the living room. âIâm going to get you some water. Go sit on the couch, you overgrown toddler.â
âMânot a toddler, I have a degreeâŠâ Jayce argued, doing as he was told and plopping onto the couch. He ran his hand over the cushionâs fabric, âYou got new stuff since last time. Oh, your couch is so soft.â
Viktor opened the fridge and grabbed his water filter before reaching for the cabinet of cups. âWell, our job pays pretty nicely. I figured I could treat myself to a few furniture items here and there.â
Viktor made his way back to the living area, handing Jayce his cup and sitting next to him on the couch. It wasnât even 11pm yet, so Viktor still felt wide awake. His hours have been so screwed up recently thanks to his many nights spent sleeping in the lab, so he knows that if Jayce doesnât get to sleep soon, Viktorâs probably on babysitting duty for the rest of the night.
WhichâŠdidnât sound so bad, to be honest. Viktorâs only seen Jayce drunk like this a handful of times, but that was usually when Viktor had a few more drinks in him himself.
When Jayce gets drunk, he gets silly.
Even sober, Viktorâs found himself chuckling at Jayceâs antics all night. Jayce is far from a stuck-up person, but heâs usually a tad more reserved with his playfulness, especially around Viktor.
Heâs sure itâs nothing personal, Viktor can be a bit of a stickler about play in the lab, but he really likes getting to see this side of Jayce with a clear head now that theyâre somewhere more private.
So watching Jayce giggle around the rim of the glass at literally nothing was much more amusing to him than it was annoying. He knows how embarrassed Jayce is going to be in the morning, and it only fuels the fire to keep this going.
Viktor canât wait to see Jayce burn red when he recounts all the embarrassing things heâs said and done over the course of the last hour.
âWhatâs got your giggle-box turned over?â Viktor teased, bringing his feet up on the cushions and laying back against the arm of the couch so he could watch Jayce.
Then, realizing how weird that probably was, quickly snatched a book from the coffee table to pretend-read just so he isnât too obvious with his staring.
Jayce snickered, placing the glass down on the table. âI dunno. Youâre just, youâre being so nice to me. Itâs funny.â
Viktor furrowed his brow with a smirk, âWhen am I not nice to you? Iâm a delight.â
Jayce laughed a little harder at that. âNooo you are nice. Youâre super nice, I didnât mean that,â he reiterated poorly, only making Viktor suppress a snicker of his own.
And before Viktor realized what Jayce was doing, the manâs head was suddenly laying down in Viktorâs lap, Jayceâs eyes peering at him from under the book.Â
Viktorâs brows shot up in surprise. âOh. Well hello there.â
âHi,â Jayce smiled before his expression quickly turned to a little pout. He groaned as he grabbed the book in Viktorâs hands and tried prying it from his grip, but Viktor wouldnât let go. Jayce groaned, âUugh, pay attention to me.â
Okay, Viktor couldnât not laugh at that. âAre you serious?â
âYes. Super serious. I wanna talk, I like talking!â Jayce whined, still pulling on the book in Viktorâs hands. Viktor kept his grip tight, because it was far too amusing to watch this strong, bulky man fail to get a good tug in their little scuffle. âViktor câmon!â
âYouâve got to try a little harder than that toâ aH! Hah- no, noho- Jayce, do not-!â Viktorâs voice pitched up without his permission, a choked off giggle escaping him as Jayce snuck his hands up over his own head to tickle at Viktorâs sides.
Alright. Maybe Jayce gets a little too silly when heâs drunk.
Viktorâs elbows crashed down to cover the area, letting the book fall off the couch without thinking, but that didnât stop Jayce.
Now that he was latched on, he wasnât letting go, and Viktor knew if he kept this up, heâd be giggling like a lunatic in no time.
Jayce grinned wide and proud. âHah! Youâre ticklish!â He teased, fingers pinching into Viktorâs sides with much more precision than they should with both the awkward angle and his clear inebriation. âI could tell. You look ticklish.â
Viktor shook his head, âWhahat does that evenâ?! gAh- okay, okahay! Enough!â He was full on giggling now, which is ridiculous because Jayce is supposed to be the one embarrassing himself right now, not Viktor.
Actually. What a wonderful idea.
Viktor gathered enough willpower to push his arms away from his sides, quickly diving his own fingers into Jayceâs very exposed armpits and digging in, albeit a little clumsily.
And yet, Jayce still screamed like a girl.
He shot his elbows down to his sides, immediately falling into a bout of ticklish laughter. His head leaned back and exposed his throat that bobbed through his cackling, legs gently kicking at the arm of the couch, more playful than anything.
âNohohoho! Viktor!â Jayce cackled, and Viktor couldnât help but snicker incredulously at the ridiculous situation heâs found himself in.
Heâs got his fingers stuffed between Jayceâs arms, wiggling them into any muscle and bone he can that he knew would be sensitive on himself.
Viktorâs never found himself in the situation of having to tickle someone to make them stop tickling him before. Actually, now that he thinks about it, this might be his first time really tickling someone. Heâs poked and pinched at Jayce a few times in the lab when heâs going about his daily routine of teasing Jayce til he turns pink, though heâd hardly count that as real tickling.
Heâs teased Jayce for his ticklishness for a while now, ever since that day his elbow poked a little too funny into Jayceâs rib and made the man squeak. Of course, Viktor couldnât help but take advantage, constantly reminding Jayce that, âyes, I remember, and technically speaking, I could use this information against you anytime I want.â
But really tickling? Burying his fingers into the flesh and digging there with enough gentleness to make Jayce laugh the way he is right now with his head thrown back into Viktorâs lap, caught up in breathless laughter and little squirms he couldnât controlâŠ
...Yeah, this is certainly a first.
Though, Viktorâs not complaining. Itâs quite hard to beat a view as cute as this one.
âPlehease!â Jayce begged through his giggling, shaking his head side to side. He wiggled helplessly on Viktorâs lap, but still kept his weight almost entirely off Viktorâs bad leg.
This man is so sweet itâs giving Viktor a toothache.
âWhat are you begging for? You started this, you were practically asking for it,â Viktor teased, grinning when he saw how flushed Jayce looked at his comment.
His fingers found a spot right near the top of Jayceâs ribs, and the man under him jolted with a cackle.Â
âI did nohot!â Jayce argued pitifully, still doing nothing to push Viktor away and stop his assault.
If anything, it almost looked like he was trying hard not to stop him. His fists were balled up, occasionally gripping onto his own shirt like he needed something to grab onto. He was justâŠtaking it.
Oh this could be very interesting if Viktorâs current theory proves correct.
Suddenly, Viktor stopped the wiggling of his fingers, keeping them still and motionless underneath the manâs arms. Jayce panted through his remaining giggles, twitching like he was expecting it to start up again at any point.
His smile never left, wide and bright as ever. Viktor could feel the manâs anticipation under his fingertips.
And Jayce looked positively giddy with it.
Viktor tilted his head in curiosity as he looked down at Jayce in his lap, his face upside-down from this angle. âAre you having fun down there?â He asked, taking advantage of Jayceâs loose tongue.
Jayceâs giggles just started anew, and Viktor didnât have to move a muscle to prompt it.
âStohop.â
âI did stop. Almost thirty seconds ago, I might add.â
Jayceâs nose scrunched up from his snickering, âI take it back. You are not nice.â
âOh?â Viktorâs voice tilted, giving the fingers under Jayceâs arm an experimental curl.
Jayce jerked with giddy panic at the feeling, âNoho wait! Youâre nice, you're nice, youâre so niceâ! Plehease!
Viktor shook his head fondly, âAre you actually this ticklish or are you just drunk?âÂ
âMmmhm, probably bothâ Jayce smiled wide, looking through his lashes up to Viktor. They both just stared at each other for a moment, Jayce with excited anticipation in his eyes, and ViktorâŠwell, he could only assume he looked about as smitten as he felt. Again, hopefully Jayce was too drunk to notice.
Then Jayce squirmed with a hummed, mischievous giggle in his throat, before lifting his arms and wrapping them around Viktorâs waist, locking his own fingers together behind his slender back. He was looking at Viktor with a little challenge in his eyes, as if saying, âbet you wonât.â
Viktorâs own eyes widened, his jaw slacking in fond shock with a curl to the corner of his lips. Jayce cannot be serious.
âIs this an invitation, Jayce?â He asked with a skeptical chuckle, lifting his fingers to hover just above Jayceâs armpits and wiggle teasingly. At the sight, Jayce giggled hard and shut his eyes back up, his elbows flinching at the thought.
âNoooo,â he said, his smile betraying his words.âJustâŠgettinâ comfy.â
Viktor hummed, âCould you open your eyes then?â
Jayceâs eyes scrunched tighter. âNo way.â
âWhy not? You donât like the view?â
âOh shut it, you know thatâs not why,â Jayce huffed, the grin just unable to leave his face. âNo, mâjust comfy. And if I canât see you thenâŠâ he pulled his lips in like his next words were crawling out of him against his will. â...then, you can just do whatever you want. I dunno.â
Oh, Viktor is going to eat this man alive.
âSo thatâs what this is then?â
âI donât know what youâre talking about.â
âI think you might.â
âNope. Nuh uh. Shut up.â
âYouâre telling me to shut up? In your position?â
Jayce threw his head to the side bashfully, his lips pressed together on a shy smile. âHm?â
Viktor snickered, âYou are actually asking for it. Oh youâre going to hate yourself for this in the morning, arenât you?â
Jayce snickered, burying his face into the crook of his elbow, âI think Iâll just be glad I got it over with.â
âOh? This is something youâve wanted for a while then?â Viktor asked through a grin, before bringing down his index fingers to slowly, teasingly scribble into Jayceâs pits (because god, looking at Jayce like this, all inviting and practically begging for it, waiting any longer to strike wouldâve probably killed them both).Â
Jayce yipped, his elbows jerking inward and nearly covering his entire face. The fabric of Jayceâs dress shirt created a smooth glide under Viktorâs fingernails that he was sure felt torturous.
His arms shook with the effort to keep them locked behind Viktorâs back, but somehow he stayed put.
Not, of course, without giggling his head off at the lightest of touches under his arms, his heels digging into the couch cushions.
âMahaybe-!â He managed through light, breathy laughter. His giggling sounded almost nervous, like he knew just how much worse this could get for him.
Viktor adjusted his jaw on his smile, throwing a look to the side like he couldnât believe what he was seeing. He knew Jayce was a massive lover of physical affection, but good god, Viktor didnât realize how much heâd like giving it to him.
So Viktor looked back down, getting into character. Heâs never really tickled someone before, but heâs more than happy to learn with Jayce as his willing subject.
âThereâs no way youâre going to be able to keep your arms up. Iâd bet money on it.â
âYou hahaveâ aHk-! Suhuch little faith in mehe!â Jayce joked, doing a much better job keeping composure under these circumstances than Viktor ever could.
Ignoring his comment, Viktor moved his hands lower on Jayceâs torso to pinch at his ribs meticulously, plucking at each one at the top. He got quite a rise out of the way Jayceâs giggles raised in pitch and panic, his legs kicking on their own accord.
Jayceâs desperate smile looked like it was going to burst at the seams.
âOhoh no fahair!â Jayce whined, his eyebrows pinched together from frantic laughter. His face was so flushed, hair a tousled mess from his squirming, and Viktor felt himself growing warm at the sight.Â
Shit. Viktor really likes this.
âHow is this not fair? You knew I was going to tickle you, so why does it matter where I do it?â He asked, and though he used a teasing tone, he was genuinely asking.Â
Weirdly, now that heâs realized how much fun this was, Viktor wants to approach this from a scientistâs perspective. Test theories, make conclusions, and above all, experiment.
âBecahahause!â Jayce threw his head to the other side, like heâs trying to block his face from all angles. âItâ gghaAHha noo!â itâs wohorse!â
âHow, Jayce?â Viktor paused his fingers, keeping them poised sharply against Jayceâs top rib. Jayce pouted, letting out another one of his famous whines. âI want you to tell me.â
âUuugh,â Jayce groaned, looking pained in the best way that Viktorâs prying this information out of him. âItâs justâŠwhen you get all pinchyâŠit feels worse.â
Viktor hummed. âWorse in a bad way?â
Jayce just stared back at him with pinched lips like heâd been caught.
So Viktor grinned. âAh. Worse in a good way then, hm?â
Jayceâs eyes shut tight, his mouth spreading into a bashful smile that looked impossible to fight back.
âSo if I were to, say, do this-â Viktor pinched harsher at Jayceâs ribs, staying near the top and really letting his fingers dig in between the bone, practically vibrating into the flesh.
Jayce immediately arched through a cackle, his chest bouncing with the force of it. His face looked gleefully desperate.
âNoho donât-!â
â-It would tickle worse than if I were to do this-?â He switched tactics quicker than Jayce could process the feeling, his fingertips softening along the ribs and skittering over the smooth fabric of Jayceâs shirt.
He could still feel the bones under his fingers through the thin fabric, feeling the way Jayceâs body jumped underneath him, and the sensation made Viktorâs stomach flip in excitement.
The change in tickling made Jayce stumble over his laughter, keening through the feeling as his laughter morphed from something deep and desperate, to a lighter, bubblier sound that made his ears turn pink.
âGghk-hah- aha shihit!â Jayce could barely speak, so visibly flustered by Viktorâs teasing. It made Viktor feel something powerful yet caring surge through him. He was controlling Jayceâs reactions, forcing torturous sensations upon him and pulling humiliating sounds from his throat, and Jayce was loving every second of it. âIâ I cahanât!â
Viktor cooed, âAw, but you are Jayce Talis. You can do anything you put your mind to, no?â The words flowed like butter off his tongue, the teasing coming so natural to him. Heâs spent so long messing with Jayce in their lab, itâs like he knows the exact buttons to press now that heâs got him hysterical under his fingers.
And when Viktor began moving his hands inward, fingers spidering towards Jayceâs bouncing stomach, it seemed that was Jayceâs breaking point. With a frantic shriek he shot his arms down to protect his middle, his knees folding into himself as he quickly curled onto his side, still on Viktorâs lap.Â
Viktorâs brows shot up in surprise at such a reaction, biting his lip on an amused smile. He brought his hands up to comfort a still-giggling Jayce, smoothing over his shoulder as he caught his breath in Viktorâs lap.
Viktor clicked his tongue. âIâm guessing the stomach is an off-limits spot, then?â
Jayce huffed a chuckle into Viktorâs thigh. Even drunk, heâs kept his weight entirely off Viktorâs bad leg through the whole ordeal, and even now brings a hand down to massage into the flesh the way he knows soothes Viktorâs aching muscles. Viktor felt his heart clench at such a caring action, wanting to lean down and kiss all over Jayceâs head and the mess of hair that covered it.
âNot off-limits,â Jayce started, his words mumbled into the fabric of Viktorâs pants. âThereâs just no way I can keep my arms up if youâre there. Itâs pretty bad.â
âNoted,â said Viktor, âIâll remember to get you nice and secure next time.â
Jayce shot his head up, looking at Viktor with wide, nervous eyes. âN-Next time?â
God, Viktor wanted to just squeeze Jayce until he popped. âWhat, you didnât like it? You looked like you were having a ball down there.â
Jayce flashed another shy, closed-mouth smile, his eyes darting away. âWell, Iâ I just thought that it wasnât something thatâŠwell, something that you would wanna do again,â Jayce shrugged, âYouâre not usually playful like that.â
And heâs right, usually Viktor wouldnât indulge himself with such an outward display of childishness. Heâll tease, oh how he teases, but getting too physical always felt like some barrier heâd have to forge a long path toward tearing down.
Turns out, that barrier was a lot easier to cross when Jayce made it so clear how badly he wanted it from Viktor.
âWell,â Viktor started, smoothing his thumb over Jayceâs shoulder and feeling warm when Jayce leaned into his palm, âYou seemed to be enjoying yourself so much. I expected you to push me away, and thenâŠyou didnât. Once I realized you seemed to like it, I found myself enjoying it too,â he said, before chuckling softly, âAs odd as it may be.â
Suddenly, the top of Viktorâs hand was enveloped with Jayceâs own (Viktor knew his hands were smaller than his partnerâs, but good god, it pretty much wrapped entirely around his own), and it didnât seem like Jayce even realized what he was doing. He was just savoring every bit of affection Viktor gave him, and indulged himself as he pleased.
As it seemed, Viktor could learn a thing or two from Jayce, and he really, really wanted to.bxÂ
âYou caught me, I liked it,â Jayce mumbled, his words slurred and sleepy as he made himself comfy over Viktorâs lap, leaning his weight on the good leg. âButâŠI just really like when youâre like this. Itâs fun.â
Viktor was glad Jayceâs eyes had slipped shut, because the look on his face had to be painfully obvious. He felt so warm, his insides turning gooey when Jayce snuggled the side of his face into Viktorâs thigh.Â
Jayce is so honest. Too honest. Viktor loves and envies him for it so deeply. He canât understand how Jayce is able to roll those words off his tongue like itâs the easiest thing in the world to do, like it isnât painful to admit.
Viktor wants to learn how for Jayce. Heâs a smart man, they both are. Maybe itâs not as hard as he made it out to be in his head.
He turned his palm up to squeeze Jayceâs, exhaling shakily when Jayce squeezed back gently, tired. âI like when youâre like this too, Jayce,â Viktor practically whispered, hoping his kind words were the last thing Jayce heard before falling asleep.Â
â
Jayce woke up to the smell of coffee.
And just as soon as that warm smell hit him, a pounding pain behind his eyes seemed to hit even harder.
Jayce groaned. As he slipped his eyes opened, he realized the sun had a fucking vendetta against him this morning, its rays shining through the window directly into his eyes and going straight to that source of pain in his head. He threw his arm over his face with another groan.Â
âI think Iâm dying.â
âWell good morning to you too.â
Jayce huffed, suddenly remembering where he was. âCoffeeâs on?â
He heard a little hum of confirmation from the kitchen, slumping further into the cushions. Jayce sighed, âI donât think I even drank that much last night. I donât know why I feel like actual death incarnate.â
âOh no, you definitely drank too much. You had some of the punch, yes?â
Jayce peeked over the arm of the couch, sparing Viktor a furrowed brow. âYeah?â
Viktor smirked, grabbing the coffee pot to pour into their respective mugs. âI suspect it may have been spiked. Everyone that touched that bowl went home slung over someone elseâs shoulder.â
Jayce buried his forehead in his arm with a frustrated sigh. âThat explainsâŠso much.â
He heard the familiar click of a cane coming his way, lifting his head to meet Viktorâs gaze with a tired chuckle. Viktor handed him his coffee before seating himself down next to Jayce, blowing the steam off the top of his own cup.
âSoâŠâ Viktor started, not even glancing at Jayce as he grinned down the rim of his coffee. â...tickling, hm?â
Jayce choked on the coffee he had been trying to swallow down.
Viktor took Jayceâs cup and sat it down on the table to pat his back through the coughing fit, that calm and collected look on his face never wavering. Jayce felt himself burning to the touch.
âIâ uh, I donâtâ heh, it wasnât like thatââ
âJayce,â Viktor commanded Jayceâs gaze with his voice. Jayceâs eyes were wide, biting down on his lip in embarrassment.
Viktor just smiled warmly. âI know how you are about physical affection. Iâve received more hugs from you in the past few months than I probably have in the last decade.â
Jayce nodded to show he was listening, but felt himself sadden a bit at the passing comment. How could anyone not want to hug Viktor?
Sure, heâs a bit bony, and is maybe a little intimidating when you first meet him, but Jayce had Viktor in a tight embrace within their first few months of acquaintance. Jayce canât help but throw an arm around him any chance he can get. Heâs justâŠtouchable.
Still, Viktor continued, âAnd though Iâm not one to usually give out such affections myself, you seemedâŠvery happy last night.â
He twisted his lips, thinking of how to word it. âIâm unsure if the whole tickling thing specifically was just a manifestation of your intoxicated state, or if itâs something you also crave when youâre sober,â he tapped a nervous finger against the mug. âNonethelessâŠI found myself enjoying it as well.â
Viktor shrugged, but looked a bit embarrassed at the admittance. âIâm sure you donât remember details, but you told me last night that you had been hoping for something like that to happen for a while now,â he said, giving Jayce a hard, concentrated stare that made him nearly shiver. âWas it just my offering of physical affection that you wanted? OrâŠthe specifics of how I handed it out last night?â
God. Jayce isnât sure whether to be elated or mortified by how scientific Viktor was handling this.
He loves how Viktorâs accent curls around the words and makes them sound so clinical and professional, but he could also feel how hot his face was burning at the sound and was frankly a bit too embarrassed to answer in the same dignified manner.
âUmâŠâ he started, cringing at the sound of his own wavering voice. âSort ofâŠboth? I think?â
Viktor nodded, his face set in concentration on Jayceâs. Jayce felt so observed, and it made eye contact very hard.
âI do like the, uhâŠtheâ yâknow-â
âThe tickling?â
Jayce huffed, bringing a hand to his face. âYeah. That.â
Viktor grinned. âYou struggle to say the word?â
âIn this context? Yeah. A lot.â
Viktor just pinched his lips on a smile. âPlease, continue.â
Jayce sighed, âSo, I do like that part specifically. Like, kind of a lot.â He shrugged shyly, bringing a knee to his chest to lean on, âBut, youâre right, it isn't just that. IâŠdo really like when you touch me in any way,â he said, before stammering, âWaitâ that sounds weird but, you know what I mean.â
Viktor nodded once, âI do.â
Jayce exhaled like heâd been holding his breath, picking at the fabric of his pants anxiously. Shit, he never changed clothes last night. His shirtâs probably wrinkled to high hell right now. He must look like a mess.
Jayce ran fingers through his hair and looked down at the cushion of the couch. How is he supposed to tell Viktor how much he wants to touch him, to be touched by him, to feel every fabric of Viktorâs being under his fingertips and have the same done to him, without it sounding as romantic as it feels?Â
He doesnât want to scare Viktor off by admitting how heâs felt about him for the pastâŠgod, who knows how long by now, but with the way this conversation is going, it doesnât seem like heâs getting out of it any time soon.
Jayce bit the inside of his lip. âI do remember last night. Not every detail, but I do remember bits and pieces,â he glanced at Viktor through his eyelashes. He looked so focused on Jayce, hanging onto his every word. âYou seemed like you were having fun too.â
Viktorâs expression remained unchanged, but Jayce swore he saw his cheeks flush. âI was. Iâve told you that, you putz,â he taunted, the corner of his lips twitching upward. âYouâre trying to change the subjectâ that subject being you.â
Jayce chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning back against the arm of the couch. âOkay, fine. What do you wanna know then?â
Viktor took a sip from his coffee, eyeing Jayce down over the mug the entire time. Jayce suppressed a squirm at the lingering gaze. When he swallowed, he sat the mug down in one swift movement, before leaning back himself.
âIs it a kink thing?â
Jayce thought his own eyes were going to bulge out of his head, his body suddenly running dangerously hot. Okay, now heâs squirming.
âUhââ he stammered, chuckling nervously. âI mean, I guess it can be? Iâve neverâŠtried it like that before or anything, but I donât think Iâd be opposed.â He scratched the back of his neck just to do something, anything with his hands.Â
Viktor just kept watching him, and the realization that Jayce might be implying something with his words made him fumble.
âBut that wasnâtâ thatâs not how I felt about it last night, if you were wondering. Not that I wouldnâtâ I meanâŠgod, I can feel how red my face is right now, you are the worst.â
Viktor couldnât hold back a chuckle at that. He leveled his stare with a smile. âIâm not sorry. Itâs quite amusing to see the Man of Progress squirm through such a confession,â he said, before giving a little shrug like this conversation wasnât picking Jayce apart at the seams. âAnd, for the record, if it had been a kink thingâŠI wouldnât have been opposed.â
Jayceâs mouth hung open slightly in shock. âWhaâAre you serious?â
Viktor smirked. âIs that a problem?â
âNo, no, of course itâs not! Iâm just⊠a little surprised, is all. That youâd be willing to, yâknow, do something like that with me,â he said, greatly underexaggerating the feelings coursing through him right now.Â
If the butterflies in his stomach were real, they probably wouldâve eaten through Jayceâs body and infested the entire house by now. He can feel his own heart hammering in his chest, and heâs trying very hard not to get shaky.Â
Jayce bit his lip. âI mean. Iâm not saying no, but maybeâŠmaybe sometime in the future is all.âÂ
No one has ever known this about him. Heâs open about his love of affection, sure, but the tickling part? For some reason, that had always been kept close to his chest, something too vulnerable and embarrassing to say out loud.Â
So for Viktor to know, and be so clearly fascinated by it, was eating Jayce alive. Heâs loving every ounce of this humiliating attention, but he doesnât know how much more he can take of not having Viktor wreak havoc over every sensitive spot heâs hidden for so long.
Viktor hummed, setting his cup down on the coffee table. He wasnât looking at Jayce anymore, and his demeanor seemed almostâŠnervous now.
He was biting the inside of his lip the same way he does when heâs cutting it close on an important deadline, and his thumb tapped impatiently on the knee of his bad leg. And Viktor being nervous made Jayce feel nervous, almost hearing the thrum of his own heartbeat in his ears.
Viktor clicked his tongue. âI think itâd be stupid not to say something at this point,â he started, and Jayce felt his heart stop when Viktor leveled an anxious glare his way.
âLast night made me realize that, though I donât like giving affection away to just anyoneâŠâ he smiled something warm and sweet. â...I like giving it to you. When I do, your face lights up something vicious, yet calm in me. I enjoy the feeling very much, and I can only hope you feel the same.â
Jayce felt his breath leave him. He smiled hard, reaching a hand out to grip Viktorâs. Viktor chuckled at the gesture, and squeezed back.
âI do, V. So much, you donât even know,â Jayce breathed, scooting close to gather as much warmth from the man as he could. He tucked his face into Viktorâs neck, feeling light knowing Viktor enjoyed this just as much as he did. âAnything with you makes me happy.â
Viktor huffed a small laugh through his nose, bringing his free hand up to smooth up and down Jayceâs back. âYou knowâŠâ he started, leaning his head back to look at Jayce properly, âIâm quite glad youâre such a lightweight, otherwise I donât know if weâd have ever gotten to this point.â
Jayce snickered into Viktorâs neck, making the man scrunch slightly on a smile. âYeah, me too.âÂ
And before he could stop it, Jayce found himself kissing softly at Viktorâs neck, slow and nervous but still so sweet with intent. He heard Viktor gasp, his head scrunching slightly against Jayceâs own.
âAhâ Jayce-â
âIs this okay?â Jayce whispered, his voice breathy with nerves. He kissed again, this time even softer and more hesitant with his question in mind.
And Viktor giggled.
Jayce smiled against the skin, âWhat are you laughing at?â
Viktor pushed at Jayceâs head, his own voice light with joy, âYour stubble is dreadful Jayce, stop!â
âOh itâs dreadful is it? Bet youâre just full of dread right nowââ Jayce grinned, very purposefully rubbing his mouth and chin all over the sensitive expanse of Viktorâs skin, smiling even bigger when Viktor fell into choked giggles and squeaks he was clearly trying to contain. âWhatâs wrong, V? Canât take your own medicine?â
âYou are a menace!â Viktorâs voice was so pitchy, Jayce couldnât stop smiling if he tried. He couldnât help but nip gently at the spot under Viktorâs ear, squeezing his arms around Viktorâs waist affectionately when the man cackled and pushed against him half-heartedly.
âNo-! Horrible! You areâahaha-!â Viktor melted into helpless giggles when Jayceâs fingers started pinching at his sides, soft and sweet and torturous. âF-Fuhucker!â
Then, Viktor seized Jayceâs wrists with a sudden urgency, and Jayce pulled off with a small look of concern. âSorry, I justâ I thought-â
âYou are fine, Jayce,â Viktor panted through a little leftover smile. He brought his face closer to Jayceâs, so close the tips of their noses brushed, and Jayceâs lashes fluttered. Viktor grinned all smug, âI just figured, you may wish to kiss properly instead.â
Jayce breathed, nodding like an eager puppy, âYeah. Yes, please.â
Viktor hummed in agreement. Then, finally, he closed the gap with intimate softness, brushing his lips teasingly against Jayce with a little breath of his own. Once Viktor had their lips locked together, he pushed forward with a sudden neediness Jayce had never seen in him.
Jayce made a pitiful sound into the kiss, letting Viktor lead their way through it. Viktor cupped his hand around Jayceâs cheek, and the other man eagerly placed his own on top, desperate to feel any and all of Viktorâs warmth.
And Jayce couldnât help it, he was completely unable to keep quiet about just how much he was enjoying this.Â
He panted little gasps when they broke apart, moaned when Viktor finally let his tongue slip through and grazed Jayceâs teeth. He felt Viktorâs hand slip up his shirt, and with how hot everything had been getting, was expecting a different kind of touch than the one he got.
Fingers curled softly at the back of Jayceâs ribs, wiggling soft and featherlight at the sensitive skin. Jayce made the most humiliating sound into Viktorâs mouth, a noise between a giggle and a moan, and Viktor hummed all smug in return. The sound made Jayceâs mouth tingle as his back instinctively twitched away from the soft touch, though Viktorâs fingers always followed.
âV-Vikââ
âYouâre so sensitive, Jayce. Ticklish,â Viktor drawled, and Jayce felt himself shiver at the word. âAnd, if youâd allow meâŠâ he leaned into Jayceâs ear, making sure his lips brushed feathersoft against the skin just to make Jayce tremble. âIâd like to find every spot that makes you tick.â
Jayce felt his entire body flush red hot.
âYou are way too good at this.â
Viktor just kissed him again, mumbling into his lips, âI remember something about you owing me? Does this ring any bells?â
Jayce whined through a smile, hiding his face into the crook of Viktorâs neck. âYou are evil. Pure, pure evil.â
Viktor chuckled, pinching his fingers into Jayceâs ribs, then not moving his fucking fingers. Jayce felt like a live wire, entirely tense and way, way too excited.Â
âYes, yes. So evil,â he teased, crooking his fingers just slightly to make Jayce whine through a giggle. âNow. Try to stay still, yes?â
Jayce was never going to live this down.Â
Heâs never been happier to owe anyone anything in his entire life.
âŠ
a/n : tysm for reading! ik this was long but i couldnât help myself theyâre so cute and i just kept needing to write more and more LOL. hope u guys enjoyed and again, happy new years to everyone!! luv u guys MWAH <3
i appreciate the ask but iâll be honest, i have no desire to write a tickle fic for jinx
i think at the moment, the only arcane characters i would do tickle fics for are jayvik and caitvi, so if you have any prompts youâd like to send for either of those ships im more than willing to give it a shot!! i love hearing ideas, it helps get the brain juices flowing :D
