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He’s a humanoid cyborg. He has brown hair poking out behind his duel faced mask. And his skin? A lavender tinge with frosted metal prosthetics. He wears a thick, yet flowy robe, which is probably not ideal for combat.. but he catches my eye. Even though we’re in a busy lobby in an online server, he’s the only one I seem to keep looking at. There are so many people online that I can’t take a single step without being frozen from lag. His username glows above his avatar. “Viktor” I say. “What?” Mel, on the other end of my headset, a thousand or so miles away, is immediately interested. “‘Viktor?’ Who’s ‘Viktor’?” She’s playing as a mage with gold flecks through her hair and skin. Mel likes to think that she’s skilled at this game, but button mashing doesn’t create real combos… “There’s a guy over there. He’s…interesting” I say. “Way to narrow it down, Jayce.” She responds, laughing lightheartedly. She’s right, it’s hard for a normal person to pick this guy out in a crowd, but for some reason my eyes keep finding him over and over again. “He's a cyborg” I say, hovering my cursor over his character, I linger it over him for a moment before I’m snapped out of my immersion. “Oh! There! I see him now. Wow, what a cute character he’s playing. I might see if Mr Viktor would like to join us in voice chat. Just got to open this message window..” “Don’t you dare!” I yell, clicking to attack her character, forgetting that friendly fire isn’t turned on. “now come Jayce, you couldn’t put your hands on me if you wanted to! And I know you want to-“ “Mel, put me out of my misery here” I groan. Before I know it, the match is over and the lobby is about to close. My stomach forms a pit at the idea of losing this invisible tie to Viktor. What am I thinking? It’s a character in a game. It’s not like I can speak with this person in real life. Mel sighs and I can hear her stretching on the other side of the voice chat. “might be time to log off, Talis.” I like when she calls me by my last name. Talis. It makes me sound like a warrior. A man with a purpose. A man who isn’t in a college drop out, living in a houseshare in his hometown because he never had a reason to leave, and who has the food palette of a toddler (but who *doesnt* like mac and cheese, right)Mel must’ve noticed how quiet I went. “I’ll be back online tomorrow, okay? I have calisthenics at 5 but I should be back home for 6”.
Mel has a purpose in life. Its something I have always envied about her. She was taught how to be independent from a young age and is most of the way through a bachelors degree in political science at the top university of her state. She has taken culinary classes from world renowned chefs and can replicate any dish she tries at a restaurant. She has every reason to bully me for the simple foods I enjoy, but instead goes out of her way to talk about how she enjoys Mac and cheese too. Granted, she’s talking about the kind that you make with four different cheeses from four different continents. I like the four dollar kind.“I know you have to go Mel, just gonna be a lonely night on my own. I wish I had something to get up for in the morning, yknow?” I softly mumble.She’s quiet for a moment before she responds.
“Maybe things will change soon, maybe soon you’ll be outside so much you’ll wish you had something to get into bed for” This catches me off guard and makes me laugh out loud. “You’re silly. Thanks, Mel. I needed that” I say. She hums softly, before wishing me good night and leaving the call.Silence. This is the worst part of the night coming to an end. The wind down and sharp turn from a night filled with laughter to a night sat at my desk in my hoodie and plaid pants. The air around me is cold and uninviting. When Mel leaves the call it’s like she takes the warmth from my room with her. I wish we could hang out the way we used to before she moved across the country. There was nothing for her in this town and to be honest, there’s not a whole lot here for me either.I sigh before returning back to my computer. The lobby had closed and I remembered Viktor and how I’ll never see his avatar again. A twang of regret seeps into my veins. What if that was an opportunity to make a new friend that I missed out on? What if I had actually let Mel message him? What if I actually did something that might actually benefit me for once in my life? I ball up my fist and shake my head like an etch-a-sketch to try and clear those thoughts.My cursor hovers over the X tab button. I go to close out of the game before my eyes are drawn to the corner of my menu screen.[+1 FRIEND REQUEST]I knit my eyebrows together trying to think about who it could be. The closest thing I got to any communication was from a teammate who wrote a lengthy essay about how I must live in my parents basement and collect anime figurines. I can’t remember what I did to warrant that but it was probably a valid crash out.Before I can think too hard, I click into notification.‘VIKTOR’.

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For a moment, I just stare at the screen.My mouse hovers over the friend request. It’s stupid how fast my heart is beating over something as simple as this. A notification. A request. Just pixels on a screen. But still, Viktor.I exhale sharply, forcing myself to relax. This isn’t a big deal. People send random friend requests all the time in games like this. Maybe he just liked how I won us the match? Maybe he’s just adding a bunch of people to finish his achievements quicker?I should just accept it. Or decline it. Do something instead of just sitting here delaying time.I don’t.Instead, I click on his profile.A mini tab pops up, displaying Viktor’s avatar in full. Up close, I notice more details I hadn’t caught during the chaos of the lobby.His masks design has a crack on one side, revealing a hint of mauve skin underneath. His robe has intricate silver flecks woven into it, catching the dim light of the menu screen. It’s not just a cool looking default character, it’s a deliberately curated one.There’s no bio, no status message, no guild symbol. Just the name: VIKTOR.I hesitate a second longer, then, fuck it, I click ACCEPT.Immediately, a private message pops up.Viktor: You noticed me.My blood runs icy cold. The words are simple, but they feel… intentional. Like he knew I’d been watching him intently the whole time.I swallow dryly. My fingers hover over the keyboard before I type out a short but sweet reply.Me: Yeah. Your character stood out.There’s a pause. Then another message.Viktor: Likewise.Okay. This feels..odd..but not in a bad way. Just…odd.I should ask something. Keep the conversation going before he loses interest and decides to delete me as a friend.Me: Do you play often?Another pause. My screen lights up with a ‘pop!’.Viktor: Only when I need to.I stare at my monitor, trying to decipher what on earth he could mean. What kind of answer is that?Me: Need to?There’s a longer delay this time. The little typing bubble flickers on and off, like he’s deciding how to explain his message.Viktor: You ever feel like this world doesn’t quite fit? Like you’re just…here. waiting for something? Something that never seems to happen?I straighten up in my chair. The hairs on my arms and neck stand up. How does he know exactly how I feel?My fingers hover over the keyboard, but for once, I don’t know what to say. I have nothing clever to respond. No witty remarks to make the other person laugh.After a few seconds, he sends another message. He must have noticed that I’ve been hesitating.Viktor: Never mind. Just curious.I bite my cheek, trying harder to articulate my words and to shake this eerie feeling like an invisible string has started tugging on my body.Me: Yeah. I get that. It feels like there’s some divine purpose we aren’t meeting and that we most likely won’t see during our time around the sun?He doesn’t reply right away. Instead, a new notification pops up at the top of my screen.VIKTOR has invited you to a private server.I stare at the notification for so long I can feel my eyes drying out.The rational part of me says that this is weird. That this isn’t something normal that happens. My brain says I should just log off, go to bed, wake up tomorrow and laugh about it with Mel. But another part of me, the part that’s tired of feeling stuck, the part that’s always wondering what if, hits ACCEPT.The screen goes black.And then, the game that I’ve spent the majority of my spare time playing since I was in my teens loads me into a world that I’ve never seen before.

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The new world loads in slowly, textures flickering and warping like the game itself isn’t sure how it exists.I land on solid ground, but it takes a second to shake the strange weightlessness from my limbs. My surroundings are like nothing I have ever seen before. The usual in-game lighting feels softer and warmer, like the suns rays have been altered to a setting the developers never coded. The air is cool with a slight humidity and a kind of hazy static.I notice very quickly that this isn’t a normal map.Me: What is this place?Viktor: A space in between.I squint at his message, trying to make sense of it, but before I can reply, a shadow moves at the edge of my screen.Viktor.He’s standing a few feet away, facing me. Up close, the details of his avatar are even sharper. His mask catches the dim light, and for the first time, I notice something beneath the crack in its surface—an eye. Not just pixels on a screen, but something deeper, something that almost seems to be looking through my soul in the real world.“Welcome,” his voice comes through my headset. smooth and clear, like he’s right in my ear. Except. Hold on.This game doesn’t have proximity voice chat or any kind of built in chat feature.I yank my headset away for a second, flinching at this unfamiliarity. No, that wasn’t my imagination. His voice had weight. Depth. A sultry accent? It wasn’t the repeated pre-set dialogue the game uses for NPCs.I hesitate, then slowly put my headset back on.Me: How are you talking? This game doesn’t have voice chat. That’s not possible.Viktor: Doesn’t it?A chill dances its way up my spine.Me: No. It doesn’t.Viktor: Maybe not for everyone.My nerves are on edge. There’s something undeniably surreal about all of this. My game shouldn’t be loading a place I’ve never seen before. Not when I’ve poured more than 2 thousand hours into each map, even DLC. My game shouldn’t have voice chat. And Viktor..I take a breath and try to ground myself. Maybe this is some kind of test server? Maybe Viktor is a developer and this is some kind of elaborate joke? Maybe the world formatted wrong and I just need to refresh my wifi?Yeah. That’s it. That has to be it.Viktor tilts his head slightly, like he can hear my thoughts.Viktor: You feel it, don’t you?Me: Feel what?Viktor: The shift.Before I can even ask what the hell that’s supposed to mean, the world around me glitches. Not a normal game lag glitch, but something deeper. like reality itself just hiccupped. The trees start to stretch and twist. The clouds flicker between stormy and clear, followed by a static-filled sky. For a brief second, I swear I see something (or someone) standing in the distance, just past the rendered edge of the map. Something tall.Then, everything snaps back to normal. If my heart was racing before, it’s hammering now.Me: What the fuck was that?Viktor doesn’t answer right away. When he does, his voice is quieter.Viktor: You weren’t supposed to notice me, Jayce.The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine. I never told him my name, and my username doesn’t contain it either.Me: How do you know my name?No response. The chat stays empty.My breathing is hitched now. my hands are clammy on the keyboard. Every instinct is telling me to log out, to shut down my PC, to step away and pretend this never happened.But I don’t.Instead, against every ounce of the better judgment that I still have, I take a step towards him. And Viktor smiles. Or at least, I think he does. Because the crack in his mask widens, ever so slightly.

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My thoughts are tangled, a storm of questions are fighting to be asked.Me: Who are you?Viktor tilts his head and hums slightly, contemplating how he’s going to respond. “A friend,” he says smoothly, his voice as clear as if he were sitting next to me at my desk.Me: That’s not an answer.Viktor: Isn’t it?The air around us feels thicker now as the strange static filled air starts closing in. I glance at the warped trees in the distance, at the barely rendered edges of the world, and something about it all…..itches. Like I’m staring at a puzzle with half the pieces missing and the other pieces have had their corners cut and jammed into places they weren’t meant to fit.Me: This place. This isn’t a part of the game we’re meant to be playing, is it?Viktor: Not officially.His words confirm what I already know deep down. No developer intentionally coded us here. No DLC was secretly installed. This, whatever this is, exists outside of everything I understand about the game I thought we were playing.Me: How did I get here?Viktor: You accepted.Me: That’s it?Viktor: That’s always it.I exhale sharply. Every answer he gives only pulls me deeper into the unknown. A creeping exhaustion tugs at the corners of my mind. the kind that sneaks up when you’ve been staring at a screen too long. The time in the corner of my monitor says 3:47 AM.Shit.I drag a hand down my face. I should log off. I need to log off. But something about leaving right now feels wrong.Me: If I go, will I be able to come back?A pause. Viktor’s eye—just barely visible behind the crack in his mask—narrows slightly, like he’s studying me.Viktor: If you remember.I frown at that, but before I can press him for more, my vision blurs. My eyelids become unbearably hard to keep open. A heavy wave of fatigue crashes over me, sudden and overwhelming. My body sags, my eyes sting.The screen flickers. Then, nothing. When I wake up, my cheek is pressed against my wireless mouse, and my room is bathed in the pale dappled light of early morning.For a second, I don’t move. My brain lags behind my body. I’m feeling sluggish and unrested.The dream, if I can even call it that, lingers like a ghost in the walls of my head. The eye behind his broken mask, the spiralling trees, the voice transcending my headset.I sit up with a groan, my joints stiff from sleeping in my desk chair. Ergonomic chair my ass. My PC screen is black. I boot it up and it comes to life with a quiet hum. The game launcher is closed. The friend list is empty.No sign of Viktor. No sign of that strange, ‘inbetween’ world.I rub my eyes, trying to shake the lingering feeling that last night might not have even happened. Did I imagine all of it? Some weird fever dream fueled by 2 energy drinks and an entire margarita pizza?The thought unsettles me more than it should. “You’re saying you made a friend?”Mel sounds way too energetic for someone who just got out of an early morning workout. I can hear the clang of weights in the background, the faint chatter of other people on the stairmaster machines.“I don’t know what I’m saying,” I mumble, shifting my phone to my other ear. “It was weird, Mel. Like, really weird.”She hums, skeptical but interested. “Okay. Walk me through it again. You got a friend request from some mysterious man with a sexy accent, right?”“Yeah.”“And he invited you to a server you’ve never seen before?”“Yeah.”“And then he just… talked to you?”I hesitate. “Not just that. He knew things, Mel. Stuff I didn’t tell him. He called me by my real name. And his voice, it wasn’t in the chat. It was real.”Mel is quiet for a beat, the sound of weights fading as she steps away. “That..does sound weird,” she admits. “But it was probably just some modded server or something, right? Maybe a tech savvy roleplayer?”I don’t know how to explain it. It felt real. Too real.“I dunno,” I sigh. “Maybe it was just a dream.”Mel laughs softly. “Either way, I’m proud of you, Talis. You’ve been needing a new friend for ages.”I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up.”“I mean it!” she insists. “You’ve been stuck in this rut for so long, maybe this is the push you needed to get out of it. Will you speak with him again?” I don’t have an answer for that. Meanwhile, somewhere unseen, Viktor watches his screen.Jayce remembers.Good.

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I don’t open the game for two days.It’s not that I don’t want to. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t play this game for less than 48 hours. Maybe when I dislocated my shoulder a few years ago.
It’s not even that I’m scared. If anything, I should be scared. But the problem is that I’m not. I’m intrigued.
And that might be worse than being scared.Every time I sit at my desk, my mouse inches toward the game launcher and my fingers hover over the login screen, but I stop myself. It’s irrational, I tell myself. It was just some modded server, some elaborate joke, some….something that can be explained. But what if it isn’t?What if Viktor isn’t just some guy with a poorly concealed god complex? What if there’s something more to this? Something I’m not supposed to understand?I hate that I want to know more.The third night, I crack.The game loads like it always does. No private server invitations. No strange messages. No friend requests.
No sign of Viktor.I try to stomach a weird twist of disappointment and join a queue for a match, trying to fall back into my usual routine. Mel isn’t online tonight, so it’s just me. And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched.I check my friend list.Nothing.I check my private messages.Nothing.I click back to the main screen.Nothing.This is ridiculous. I’m overthinking this. I need to just-A new message pops up.Viktor: You returned.I exhale sharply through my nose and tilt my neck to the side. It makes a clicking sound.
I’m unsure if I feel relieved or unsettled.Me: Yeah.I wait. A moment passes before another message appears.Viktor: I was beginning to think you wouldn’t.I hesitate before sending my next messages.Me: I almost didn’t.Me: What are you?There’s a long pause. Too long. The typing bubble flickers on and off like he’s struggling to come up with a response.Viktor: Would you believe me if I told you?I frown at my screen.Me: Try me.Another pause.Viktor: I am not like you.That’s…vague. Frustratingly, annoyingly vague.Me: Yeah, no shit Viktor. But what does that mean?The chat stays still for a moment. Then, a notification appears.VIKTOR has invited you to a private server.My pulse jumps.Every instinct is screaming at me to decline the invite and block Viktor for good. If I even can. I should log off and pretend like this conversation never happened, and that’s he never reached out again after that first night. But then, I think about the way my life has felt lately. Stagnant. Directionless. Like I’ve been waiting for something to happen, and then-This.Him.And I hate that I feel like this might be what I was waiting for.I accept.The screen goes black.And then, I’m back in that place.The space inbetween.The air is thick with the same amount of static as last time. The landscape is warped and surreal, the trees are bending at unnatural angles, the horizon is never ending and seems to spill over itself. It looks exactly like it did last time.But there’s one difference.Viktor is already there, waiting.He stands in the same place as before, but this time, he’s closer. Close enough that I can see the faint glow of his prosthetics and the slight shift of the crack in his mask as if it wants to widen.His eye meets mine. And then, his voice, impossibly clear and impossibly real, glides through my headset.“You were going to delete the game.”It’s not a question.I cross my arms, even though he can’t see me.“I thought about it.”“Yet here you are.”I shake my head, exhaling with an unexpected laugh.“You’re playing some kind of mind game with me, aren’t you? You want me to feel like I have to know the truth. Like I don’t have a choice.”Viktor tilts his head slightly. “Do you?”I scoff. “I could log out right now.”“You could.”He doesn’t sound concerned. He doesn’t sound anything. Just… amused, maybe? That’s what pisses me off the most.I try to ground and distract myself, picking up a tangle toy from my desk.“Just tell me. Who…what are you?”For a long moment, he’s silent. Then, finally he softly says“I was meant to be forgotten.”The words make my hairs stand on end.“What does that mean?” I ask, my voice quieter now.He takes a step toward me. It shouldn’t feel like anything. This is just a game, just pixels on a screen. But something about the way he moves, smooth, deliberate, makes my breath hitch.“This world is full of things that slip through the cracks,” Viktor says. “Things that were never meant to exist, and yet, they do. I am one of them.”A strange feeling settles in my chest.“You’re saying you’re… what? A glitch?”Viktor exhales a short laugh. “If that’s what you want to call me.”“That’s not an answer.”“Neither is ‘glitch.’”My mind is racing. I want to tell him he’s full of shit. That I’ve caught on to him and his elaborate roleplay. But the problem is….I don’t think it is.I felt his voice. I felt the world shift around me.None of this is normal.None of this is supposed to be happening.And yet.“You intrigue me, Jayce,” Viktor says suddenly, his voice softer now.“You see things others do not. You notice what was meant to go unseen.”I think about the way my eyes kept finding him in the crowded lobby. The way my gut told me something was off long before I even received his friend request.Maybe… maybe he’s right.My throat is dry when I speak again.“Why do you care?”Viktor studies me for a moment. His eye appears through his cracked mask again. I feel it study me. It feels like he’s looking through my monitor at my face.
When he responds, there’s something almost wistful in his voice.“I was alone,” he says. “Until you saw me.”Something about the way he says it makes my chest feel a twang of pain.I don’t know how to respond.So I don’t.I just stand there, in a world that doesn’t exist, listening to the quiet hum of static between us.My monitor goes blank and my lighting flickers.Great. A power outage.I sigh, I was so close to finding out more about this guy.I check my phone.3:31AM.bed time.Maybe Viktor will be online tomorrow. I hate that the thought alone excites me.I need to get a grip.I fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes.

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Each morning I wake up feels like im in a fever dream brought on by my desperate need for something interesting to happen in my life.I think that’s why I keep engaging with Viktor even though he’s either not real or IS real and just likes messing with my head.My day goes by autonomously like the days before.I wake up just before midday, eat 3 bowls of cheerios, lift some weights that my mum bought for me several christmases ago and retire to gaming shortly after. I hate exercising but every time I look at the dumbbells I feel a pinch of guilt that I didn’t turn out the way she wanted me to. She had high expectations for me and, she would never admit it, but I’ve disappointed her. She paid my entire college tuition up front just for me to drop out after a year to do nothing with my life.it’s like I’m afraid of success and doing what’s right for me. The only thing I’m good at is self destructing.I try not to linger on thoughts like that.
Mel would have strong words to say to me if she caught me ruminating again.Mel and I are childhood friends.Our parents are both successful political figures, which means that any argument I had with my mum never went well. Do you know how hard it is to plead your case for a second bowl of ice cream to the Supreme Court on a Saturday evening on your couch at 7pm?
I do.Not to say that she didn’t crumble after letting me know how easily she could say no.
My mum has a soft spot for me for sure.I check the time.6:42pm.Speaking of Mel, should probably check in.Her dial tone rings almost to the point of reaching voicemail.“Hello Jayce, I’m elated to see that you were not sold on the dark web by your mysterious glitch friend”I exhale through my nose with a little laugh.“Good to hear from you Mel, will you be jumping online tonight?”I can hear her flipping pages through the mic, she must be checking her VERY extensive diary.“Tonight is studying for my lecture on Friday and it’s 30% of my grade so I’m going to have to ‘lock in’ as you would put it”I hate hearing Mel try to use modern lingo. It’s like hearing your parent say ‘swag’ for the first time. Mel is the same age as me, but she’s so literate that when she uses common vocabulary, it sounds wrong and weird.“That sucks to hear. And by that I mean, it sucks to hear that you won’t be joining me online and ALSO that it sucks hearing you say ‘lock in’. Promise me you’ll never say that again please” I say playfully, hearing her full body laugh on the other end of the line.“Noted. I’ll make sure to reserve my fun words for special occasions” she remarks, with an audible smile. “Did you ever find anything else out about your new friend? How he made that world you experienced? Who on earth he is?” She asks.“I’ve tried looking him up online, turns out Viktor is a very common name and impossible to elaborate on without a last name. I’m gonna see what I can find out tonight though.” I say, not really considering that I had said this out loud.“Tonight hm? So you’re gonna be seeing Viktor again tonight are you Jayce?” I can feel her smirking, it’s the worst.“I need answers! No other reason. I just.. don’t understand how he’s doing what he’s doing. I don’t understand anything about the situation I’m in. I don’t even know this guys coffee order for gods sake. What if he likes soy milk? My brain can’t handle any of this Mel” I word vomit together.Mel laughs and I hear her car keys jingling.“Okay okay, well let me know how that goes for you Talis. If he likes black coffee, it can go 50/50. He’s either the most attractive person alive or the worst person you will ever meet. Tread CAREFULLY with black coffee drinkers. I mean that.” She says, putting on a stern voice that I don’t hear very often. She’s being dead serious.“I don’t know how people drink black coffee. Why have no fun with a drink? If I wanted to drink a miserable beverage I would drink water” I mumble.“Jayce, you drink frappuccinos. Your opinions on beverages could not be less valid” she retorts, turning her ignition on. “Anyways, I’m not getting a driving violation for debating drinks with you. Goodnight Talis” she sings before hanging up the line.I’d just like to clarify that frappuccinos are an ELITE drink choice. They’re efficient. They are a frozen treat AND they caffeinate you at the same time. It’s a win win.I slump down at my desk and boot up my game. My body has the same reaction like clockwork. My gut twists at the thought of Viktor being on the other side of the loading bar. I feel the slightest bit excited for what could be waiting for me. I make myself sick from thinking about it too hard.Before the world can even fully render, a voice comes through my headset, crystal clear.Viktor: You remembered again.I swallow, butterflies twisting in my gut.Me: Of course I do. You made it pretty hard to forget.The typing bubble barely has a chance to show before a message comes through immediately.Viktor: Good.Just like that, the tension in my shoulders uncoils a little. He’s here. He’s real, well, as real as anything can be in this server.And he’s still talking to me.I hesitate for a moment, then decide to push my luck a bit.Me: So..these past few nights have been a little..incomprehensible. I think you owe me some answers.A pause.Viktor: Do I?I resist the urge to groan. Of course, he’s going to be difficult about things.Me: You dragged me into some kind of exclusive server, almost sent me into a full blown panic attack, and then just vanished. I think that earns me at least a little bit of an explanation, don’t you?Another pause, longer this time. The silence stretches out just enough to make me wonder if I’ve pushed too hard, but then-Viktor: You accepted.My jaw clenches.Me: That’s not an answer.Viktor: It is.Fucks sake. I drag a hand down my face. Talking to Viktor is like trying to interrogate a brick wall. one that occasionally smirks at you just to make things worse.Fine. If he wants to be cryptic, I’ll try another angle.Me: Alright, just to clarify.
You’re not gonna tell me who you are, what you want, or how you could have possibly known my name.Viktor: Correct.I roll my eyes.Me: Will you at least tell me your coffee order?There’s a beat of silence. Then-A laugh.Not a typed “lol” or some robotic “haha.”
A real, actual laugh, breaking through my headset.
It’s soft, dry, amused, and for the first time since I met him, genuine.It startles me so much that I straighten in my chair.Then, his voice becomes low and thoughtful.“I take it black. No sugar.”I blink.
Of all the things he could have answered.
This is a sick and twisted joke.Of fucking course he drinks his coffee black.Me: Seriously? That’s what you’ll tell me?Viktor: It is a harmless question, is it not?I huff out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. Unreal. Absolutely unreal. But even as I type out my next message, a thought is forming in the back of my mind.Small questions. Unimportant details.That’s how I’ll get him to open up.Viktor thinks he’s got the upper hand. That he can keep me at arms length. That he can maintain this mysterious outer layer.But I’ve just found my way in.

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I lean back in my chair, eyes locked on the screen as I ponder how I should carefully proceed.The tension between us hangs like a dense cloud, but it’s not heavy, and it’s not suffocating.It’s more like something that’s waiting to slip out from the cracks if I just poke at it a little more.I tap my fingers against my desk, trying to think of something to say that might break the silence.Something that keeps the conversation going but doesn’t let him know how badly I’m hooked on learning more about him.Me: So, you think you’re clever, huh? You keep dodging my questions.Viktor: Clever? No. Patient? Maybe.I roll my eyes. Patient. Yeah right. That’s the word that comes to my head when I think about him.Me: Fine. How about this. let’s play a game.20 questions.You answer my questions, and then I’ll answer yours. I’ll even start.There’s a pause, but it’s not the usual kind. This one feels different. Playful. Almost like he’s considering it, maybe even intrigued.His eye peers at me through his masks crack. Neck tilting ever so slightly. Like he’s assessing me.Me: I’ll start with an easy one. Coffee.I feel a small, twisted satisfaction bubbling up. If there’s one thing I’ve found out the hard way, it’s that Viktor doesn’t like to give away anything. Certainly not for free. So im throwing him a bone just to see what happens.Viktor: Coffee, mm?Me: Yep. I’ll go first.Large coffee flavoured Frappuccino, with a pump of caramel syrup.The world goes silent, and I lean forward, biting the inside of my cheek.A moment stretches longer than it should.Too long.Did he tab out?Me: Viktor? You still there?The last thing I was expecting to hear was the low chuckle that spills through the headset.It’s quiet but unmistakable, the way it’s carefully concealed beneath a very thin layer of control. There’s something about the sound that makes my heart skip, like it’s something I wasn’t ever supposed to hear.Viktor: A…..Frappuccino?His voice oozes with amusement, and I can almost picture his shoulders shaking behind his screen. It irks me. But I refuse to show it.Me: Yeah? Whats wrong with that? Too sweet for you?Viktor: I wouldn’t call it sweet, no. But it’s… unexpected.Unexpected? What does that mean?Me: ‘unexpected’ you say as if you know anything about me. How is that unexpected? What DID you expect?I trail off, the playful edge in my voice masking the slight defensiveness creeping in. I mean, it’s just a drink. Why does Viktor’s reaction bother me so much?Viktor: So, what does that say about you? The fact that you drink something sweet and cold to mask… something else?I sit back, my fingers tightening around my mouse.Me: I drink it because it’s delicious. Simple enough.The silence stretches again, but this time, it’s more comfortable. Like Viktor is considering something. Then, he speaks again, his is voice lower and quieter now.Viktor: Interesting. But I wonder, Jayce… what ARE you hiding?There it is again.The way he says my name, like it’s a thing that means something more than just a name.Something that’s not just a label. It rubs me the wrong way, but I just can’t put my finger on why.Me: What am I hiding? Is that really your question? You have any question in the world to ask me and it’s that?Viktor doesn’t answer right away, and when he finally speaks, it’s like he’s weighing every word before he lets it fall.Viktor: People are never just what they seem. You know this.I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure how to respond. He’s right. I don’t know how he knows that I know this, but it’s something I think about all the time.People are layers. And sometimes, the more you peel away, the more you wish you hadn’t. But what the hell is Viktor trying to get at?Me: Alright, alright. Well if you’re going to criticise me for a Frappuccino, why is your drink of choice Black Coffee?I try to redirect the conversation so I don’t have to talk about myself in detail like that.God, for the first time ever I know what Viktor must feel like.I hang onto this thought for a moment before Viktor answers to my question.Viktor: It’s simple. Straightforward. And it works.I groan.Simple, huh? This guy and his god complex.Me: Yeah, well, I don’t know. It sounds kind of miserable to me. But sure, if you’re all work and no play.There’s a pause.The air between us feels lighter. Almost like we’re teasing each other now, going back and forth in a way that doesn’t feel completely uncomfortable. Viktor’s voice cuts through the static once more.Viktor: You wouldn’t understand.I raise my eyebrows, even though he can’t see it.Me: Oh? And why’s that?Viktor: Because you hide behind layers. Coffee is just one of them. Sugar and cream can only mask so much.I feel a flash of irritation, but I fight it back.This is his game we’re playing right now and it’s something I definitely can keep up.Me: Layers, huh? Is that what you think?Viktor: It’s what I know.The words hang between us, heavy but not quite oppressive. There’s something in the way Viktor speaks that makes me wonder if he’s not just playing games anymore. Maybe he’s trying to get something out of me. Or maybe he’s just testing me, seeing how far he can push before I crack.Me: You know what? Forget the unimportant questions. How about you just tell me something real? Something that’s not a riddle. What are you, Viktor?For a moment, it feels like I’ve hit a nerve. The usual amusement in his voice fades, leaving only that strange, thoughtful edge. And for the first time, I wonder if I’ve hit too deep.Viktor: You want to know who I am? Who I really am?I nod, even though he can’t see it.Me: i do.For a long while, there’s nothing but static and the hum of my own breath in the headset. Then Viktor speaks again, his voice so quiet, it’s almost a whisper.Viktor: I told you once. I was meant to be forgotten.And just like that, the playful edge between us shatters, leaving something darker, something more fragile, lingering in its wake.I’m left with more questions than answers. But this time, I don’t know if I should ask any more.I click my tongue and lean back in my chair with my hands clasped behind my neck.“For someone that was meant to be forgotten, you’ve given me nothing but reasons to remember you lately, Viktor” I say in a soft voice.Silence seeps in once more, but this time it’s…different.Viktors avatar turns to look at me and he’s..Smiling?

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The problem with Viktor is that he’s a paradox.One second he’s all mysterious and distant, speaking in riddles like some all seeing being lurking behind the screen.But then he’s laughing at my drink order and acting like a real person. Like someone I could almost..ALMOST call a friend.And THEN he's saying shit like‘I was meant to be forgotten’ and I’m quickly reminded that I have no idea who I’m actually talking to after all.But then there’s that smile.It’s barely there, just the faintest tug at the corner of his mouth behind a mask, but it changes something.It’s not mocking.Not cold.It’s something else entirely.Something I don’t know how to place.I lean on my hip in my desk chair, tapping my fingers while I’m deep in thought.Me: So, what. Im just supposed to forget you? Is that your goal here?Viktor doesn’t answer right away.Viktor: I don’t believe you are capable of that.His voice is quiet, almost amused.Me: Bold of you to assume I’m that sentimental.Viktor: Bold of you to assume that this is simply sentiment.I bite my cheek and roll my eyes.There he goes again. Twisting things just enough to make me feel like I’ve missed something important.Me: You suck at this game, by the way.Viktor: Pardon?Me: 20 Questions. You’ve barely answered anything real. Meanwhile, I’ve bared my soul to you. Told you my drink order. Do you know how personal that is?A small chuckle crackles through the headset again.It’s unhealthy how satisfying it is to hear.Viktor: Ah, yes. Your Frappuccino confessional.Truly, I should be honoured.Me: You should be. Also this game is not called ‘One Singular Question’. I deserve more answers from you please.Viktor: Very well.I wasn’t actually expecting him to agree. I blink, thrown off for a second.Me: Wait, really?Viktor: One question. Use it wisely.I don’t know why that makes my heart do something weird in my chest.I try to act nonchalant. Taking a sip of my energy drink and pretending like I haven’t been waiting for this opportunity all night.Me: Fine. Here’s my one singular question… ‘Why me?’The game world around us changes colour ever so slightly and only for a moment. Like it’s reacting to the weight of my words.I don’t know what answer I’m expecting.Some grand revelation? A slip-up that will finally reveal who Viktor really is?But when he speaks, his voice is lower. Much more deliberate.Viktor: Because you stayed, JayceI freeze.Viktor: Everyone else leaves.Something sharp twists in my chest.I don’t know why that gets to me the way it does. I don’t know why it makes my throat feel tight or why I suddenly don’t have anything clever to say. I know how he feels, and deep down I think he knows I do too. My soul feels heavy and I’m at a loss for words.Me: …Viktor-But before I can finish, the screen glitches.Just for a second. A flicker of static, a sharp burst of noise in my headset and-Then everything goes black.Disconnected.The server is gone.And Viktor is gone with it.I stare at my screen, my pulse thudding in my ears from how surreal that just was.What the hell just happened?And more importantly..Why do I have a bad feeling that I won’t be able to see him again for good this time?

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For the first time in a while, I feel like I’ve hit a dead end.I spend the next hour reverse image searching every screenshot I’ve ever taken of Viktor’s character. (Which is an embarrassing amount in retrospect)I spend hours combing through forums, trying every trick in the book to figure out where he came from or where I can find him again.And I get nothing.No matching images.No records.Nothing even remotely close.It’s like he doesn’t exist.Like he was never here to begin with.The next day I log in.And the day after that.And the day after that.A whole week passes, and nothing happens.No private servers.No cryptic messages.Just silence.It’s starting to drive me insane.By day six, I start to think that I imagined the whole thing. Maybe Viktor got bored. Maybe whatever game he was playing with me is over.But then-A notification.[Viktor has invited you to a private server.]My heartbeat stutters.I hesitate, hovering my cursor over the pop up.Then, I do what I told myself I wouldn’t.I click join.When the world spawns in, I blink, adjusting to the sudden brightness.It’s different this time.Not the endless expanding skies of shifting, coded terrain. Not a void filled with floating structures and trees that spiral and shape shift.This place looks real.A long stretch of sand extends out toward the horizon, waves rolling in lazily under a deep orange sky. The air is fresh and salty. It makes me want to lick my lips. Everything feels just a little bit softer.And right in the middle of it all, a single wooden bench.Viktor is sitting on it.I frown, making my way over. My boots kick up small puffs of sand with each step.His avatar is…Different.Not as distorted. Not as unnatural. Not as foreboding and god-ish.Human height, actually. Maybe a little smaller than me.He doesn’t acknowledge me at all, at first.It’s just the two of us, in almost complete silence.The waves crash. The wind whistles.And for the first time since I met him, Viktor doesn’t feel like an enigma.He feels real and present.The tide rolls in, then pulls back. The rhythmic crash and retreat fills the air.Seagulls cry in the distance while the wind shifts over the sand, and for a second, I almost forget this is just a game.Almost.I half expected him to vanish before I could reach him. After all, he made me wait six days for this.Me: You really know how to make a dramatic exit, don’t you?Viktor: And yet, you still showed up.His voice is unreadable. There’s something about this that feels… different. Like he’s waiting for something.I sit beside him, keeping a respectable distance, but close enough to really take him in.His avatar is different now.Not just the mask or his velvet robes. This time, he looks human. Or at least, something close to it.The proportions are right.No longer stretched too tall, no longer moving like something just slightly out of sync with reality. He’s still thinner than me, but smaller, more grounded.It’s unnerving, seeing him like this. Like he’s meeting me halfway.Me: You look different.Viktor hums, finally turning his head slightly.Viktor: Does it bother you?I blink, caught off guard.Me: No. Just..didn’t expect it.Viktor: Hm.And then we just sit.The wind brushes through the pixelated beach. the tide comes and goes, and neither of us says anything for a long time.I watch the waves. Viktor watches something I can’t see.For the first time since I met him, I don’t know what to say.A sudden gust of wind crashes through us, wafting Viktors robe up and revealing a metal frame attached to his leg. It’s shiny and my eyes are immediately drawn to it. He notices that I notice, but doesn’t rush to cover it up.Me: sorry, I didn’t see anythingViktor: no need for lies, Jayce. I’m not completely ashamed of my body.His body?He has never even mentioned his avatar before, and knowing the lengths Viktor goes to conceal any personal details, I can’t help but feel like this was a Freudian slip.I say nothing for a moment while I try to form the right words.Me: Viktor?Viktor: yes?He turns to look at me and I can see his whole body sigh.Me: you create worlds I could never even dream of imagining. You create never ending horizons. You can have anything you want in these worlds. BE whoever you want in these worlds. But you still choose to be you. I like that about you. He still doesn’t rush to cover himself up or feel any shame over the way he looks. Well, I can only assume as much without seeing him in person.Viktor: Well. I guess the closest I can get to wearing my heart on my sleeve is wearing my brace on my leg. Potato potato, tomato tomato.did he just make……a joke?I burst out laughing. He visibly jumps.I compose myself after about a minute and he’s staring right through me, assessing my body and how my shoulders move when I laugh.Me: was that a joke Viktor? You actually make those?Viktor: occasionally. sometimes. Perhaps.I remember what i planned to do when I saw him next.Me: oh before i forget, do you have a pen and paper?Viktor: I am this world’s god here, Jayce. I have no need for a pen or for a paper.I roll my eyes. At least he’s self aware of the god complex thing.Me: can you summon my hammer here?Viktor sits up straight, slowly.Viktor: do you wish to inflict harm upon me, Jayce?I smirk. I know he sees it.Me: mm, nah. not right now, no.He gives me a quick laugh.Viktor: very well.Before I can blink, I see my hammer materialise from thin air.I wrap my fingers around its handle delicately.I can feel Viktors eyes studying me for my next move.I dig the handle into the sand with force and start moving it back and forthViktor: oh? I didn’t pick you as an artist.I ignore him while I finish writing in the sand.After a little while I take a step back and wipe the imaginary sweat from my forehead.Me: there! Done.Viktor stays quiet, assessing what he thinks he knows, before asking anyway.Viktor: Is this-Me: This is my phone number.
You are going to call me when you decide to drop off the face of the earth next. I am NOT asking, Viktor. Do I make myself clear?Viktor says nothing.but I can ever so faintly hear a pencil scribbling on a piece of paper through my headset.

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The wind moves over the sand, shifting it grain by grain.Viktor hasn’t erased my message yet. My number still sits there, carved into the beach. The waves come close to washing it over, but they never seem to reach the digits.I wonder if Viktor is doing that on purpose.He hasn’t acknowledged it either. Not directly. But I know he wrote it down. I heard it. The faint scratch of pencil on paper, a detail he didn’t bother trying to hide.I half expect him to make a sarcastic comment or turn it into another one of his mind games where I never know if I’m winning or losing. But instead, his voice comes out of nowhere with a sentence I could never have predicted.Viktor: I believe I owe you 19 more questions, no?I blink.Me: …Excuse me?Viktor tilts his head, the subtlest hint of amusement in his voice.Viktor: 20 Questions. I agreed to one, but you did say that was hardly fair. And I am a man of my word.I squint at him, trying to read his body language (and failing)Me: Who are you, and what have you done with my Viktor?The second the words leave my mouth, I regret them. There’s no fucking way I just said that out loud. There can’t be.Viktor stills. Then, he turns ever so slightly, just enough that I can feel the weight of his stare through the crack in his mask.Viktor: Your Viktor?His voice is smooth, deliberately slow.Viktor: Is that right?My stomach drops. It feels like it’s going to fall out of my ass at any moment.Me: I- that’s not- I didn’t mean- it’s not!My words tangle. A full brain malfunction.I glance away, my face suddenly hot. My ears burn. I can’t even see him and I know he’s smiling.Viktor doesn’t push it further. He could. He absolutely could. But instead-Viktor: Ask your next question, Jayce.He’s letting me escape. For now. I guess god IS merciful after all.I clear my throat and pretend I’m normal. Pretend my face is not the same colour as the scallop shell to the right of our boots. Pretend my heart isn’t doing something weird in my chest.Me: Fine.I lean back against the bench, staring at the waves.Me: What do you think happens after we die?I don’t know why I ask that. Maybe because Viktor always speaks like someone who already knows the answer to everything. Like someone who’s seen things I haven’t.Viktor hums, thoughtful.Viktor: Nothing.He says it like a fact. No hesitation.Viktor: And if there is something… it is not meant for people like me.I frown.Me: People like you?Viktor: Hm. That was two questions.I huff.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: And yet, you still show up, do you not?I roll my eyes and think of my next one.Me: Alright. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?Viktor actually pauses.Viktor: …No one has ever asked me that before.Me: No one? Really?Viktor: Not in a way that expected an honest answer.I watch him closely, waiting for a good answer. But Viktor doesn’t give me one. Instead, he exhales, shifting his posture just slightly.Viktor: Your turn.Me: Huh?Viktor: You asked me something real. Now I ask you.I hesitate.Viktor: What is the worst thing YOU have ever done, Jayce?The wind dies down. The waves feel louder now.I swallow hard. Viktor didn’t answer my question so I could absolutely worm my way out of this one. But I don’t. I know how to answer this one and part of me feels like I actually want to talk about it.I sit in thought for a moment.Me: Probably disappointing my mom.It’s not a hard question. I’ve known the answer for years.Me: She had all these expectations, you know? I mean, she still does. But I was supposed to be more by now. I was supposed to do something important. Something that mattered. BE someone that mattered. Now all I do is sit at home and eat meals I don’t need to cook, lift weights on the rare occasion to stop myself from being a total societal reject, and the only form of interaction I get is from one friend that has a perfect life and one that I’m not sure even wants to talk to me half of the time. I was meant for bigger things than this and I just cannot seem to make decisions that serve me any good. I’m a disappointment to my mother and to myself, Viktor. It’s an isolating life. I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone.The words spill out easier than I expect.Maybe because it’s Viktor. Maybe because this all still feels one step removed from reality and my words can’t hurt me here.Me: Do your parents ever make you feel that way?Viktor doesn’t respond right away. When he does, his voice is quieter.Viktor: I do not have parents anymore.Something in my chest twists.Viktor: But I imagine… that must be a terrible feeling.I shift my gaze, glancing over at him.His avatar is still human-sized, still impossibly real. His hands rest over his lap, fingers interlaced like he’s keeping them still on purpose.Me: Yeah. It is.A pause.Me: I can imagine not having them around anymore must feel lonely.Viktor is still. When he speaks again, it’s almost too quiet to hear.Viktor: Remarkably lonely.I don’t know what to say.I grip my knees, exhaling through my nose. The sun is setting now, the sky shifting from orange to something deeper.Me: well then I guess it’s a good thing you’ve got a friend now, Vik. You can’t be too lonely if I’m spending time with you most nights.I don’t look at him when I say it. I don’t need to. I can feel him processing it, turning the words over like a puzzle piece he wasn’t expecting to find in a box.For a long time, he says nothing.Then, ever so faintly I hear-Viktor: …Vik.It’s quiet. Almost to himself.I can’t tell if he’s just testing the way it feels on his tongue or if he’s not used to someone abbreviating his name at all.I watch him from the corner of my eye, waiting to see if he’ll brush it off or make fun of me.He doesn’t do either.The waves crash, the tide pulls back.And Viktor just sits there, repeating it once more.Like he’s trying to believe it’s his.Vik.My immersion is suddenly broken by my phone making a sudden “BA-TINK!”It’s a text message from an unknown number.‘Hello. - Vik’I smile wider than I’ve smiled in a very, excruciatingly long time before saving his contact and responding back.‘Hey Vik. Thank you, no more disappearing. Promise?’ I send back, putting an emoji of a coffee cup at the end instead of a full stop.‘Ok. Promise’ he sends back. No emoji, typical.I go to put my phone down on my desk and return to our vocal conversation before I’m met with another “BA-TINK!”.‘17 more questions” he sends back, with an emoji of an ice cream cone.I smirk and shake my head before speaking out loud.Me: Why am I not surprised that the first thing you do is mock me about my coffee order again when I give you my number?Viktor: 16 more questions.Shit.

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I poorly conceal a laugh, tilting my head back against the bench.The sky is deepening, stars flickering into existence one by one, pixelated yet somehow breathtakingly real.Me: You’re really gonna count that?Viktor: 15.I let out a groan, dragging a hand down my face.Me: I should’ve never given you my number.Viktor: And yet, you did.I roll my eyes, but there’s no real annoyance behind it. Just something warm, something amused.I glance down at my phone again, Viktors message is still open. It’s stupid how much seeing his name in my contacts list makes my chest feel weird.I tap out a response.‘What’s with the ice cream emoji?’A pause.BA-TINK!‘Is that your next question? that is rather wasteful.’I exhale through my nose, smiling.Me: Alright, Vik. Next question.Viktor: 14.Me: What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?Viktor is quiet for a moment. When he finally speaks, I swear I hear a smile in his voice.Viktor: Pistachio.I look at him, unsurprised.Me: That tracks, actually.Viktor: Does it?Me: Yeah. Feels like an old man flavour. Suits you.Viktor makes a sound almost like a scoff.Viktor: And what is yours, Jayce?Me: Hah. Nice try. Not how the game works.Viktor: Hm. Worth a shot. Though it doesn’t take an academic to predict that it is something covered in chocolate, drizzled in caramel and topped off with a maraschino cherry.I shake my head, still smiling, watching the waves roll in.Me: Alright. 13 more. What’s something you want, Vik?It slips out naturally. But the second I say it, I realize it’s a much heavier question than I intended.Viktor doesn’t say anything.For the first time, I think I might’ve actually caught him off guard.The silence stretches between us, heavier than before. I glance over at Viktor, his posture still relaxed, yet there’s something different about the way he sits now.As if the question I asked, and the weight of it, has settled into the space between us.Viktor doesn’t immediately respond, and I feel the pressure building in my chest.What if I’ve crossed some line? What if it was too much? Too personal? The game, the back and forth, it all felt like a harmless distraction, a way to keep the distance between us manageable.What if I’ve scared him away? What if-Viktor: Hm.His voice breaks the quiet, but it doesn’t come with the usual sharpness or deflection.No witty undertones or playful hints. Instead, it’s.. hesitant? No, that’s not it. Thoughtful. For the first time, Viktor sounds like he’s considering his answer, like he’s giving something real, something he hasn’t shared before to me or to anyone else.Viktor: Something I want..He pauses, and for a moment, I feel like I’m on the edge of something I don’t fully understand.Viktor: I think.. I would want to be seen.I blink, processing the words.Seen.It’s so simple, but in the context of everything I know about Viktor, it feels like the weight of a thousand untold stories.Me: Seen?Viktor: Not as.. this.He gestures vaguely at his avatar. at the mask that hides his face. at the digital space around us, like he’s trying to explain something that’s been with him for much longer than this game, than this world.Viktor: I’m a god here, Jayce. At least, that’s what I’ve lead you to believe. But that doesn’t mean I don’t wish to be seen for something..more than what I present. More than this game, this mask, this life.I feel a knot in my throat, and I force myself to swallow it down, unsure of how to respond. It’s like I’ve pulled a thread from a fabric I wasn’t supposed to touch, and now the whole thing feels like it might unravel.Me: That.. doesn’t sound like something a god would say.Viktor is quiet again, but I hear the faintest chuckle, something genuine in his voice.Viktor: No. It doesn’t, does it?I open my mouth to speak, but my words falter. Instead, I sit there, my thoughts tangled in what Viktor just revealed. This isn’t a game anymore. Not really. Not when he’s saying things like this.Viktor: Your turn.I almost don’t want to continue. The moment feels too delicate, too raw. But the game, OUR game has been this back-and-forth, this steady rhythm, and I can’t stop it now. I’m in too deep and I’m addicted to finding out more about him.Me: Okay. 12 more. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?Viktor takes a breath, and for a long moment, I think he won’t answer.But then, in a voice quieter than before, he replies.Viktor: Let go.The words are spoken and immediately disappear into the denim coloured sky.Viktor: Let go of things I didn’t even realize I was holding onto. Letting go of what I thought I could control.He doesn’t elaborate, and maybe he doesn’t need to. There’s a certain weight to his answer, a vulnerability I didn’t expect he would show to me.Me: Yeah. I get that.It feels like the right thing to say, even though I’m not sure if I do, not really. But I feel it in my chest in the way his words hit me.I want to ask him more. I want to know more about that answer, about Viktor’s past, about what he’s holding onto. But I don’t. I let the silence linger, letting the weight of it settle between us.For a while we just sit here, the waves crashing softly, the world around us flickering in the fading light.And then, I hear Viktor’s voice again, softer than before.Viktor: I suppose… I owe you 11 more questions. Shall we continue?I nod without thinking.The game isn’t over yet, but I can’t shake the feeling that with each question, I’m getting closer to understanding a side of Viktor he’s been hiding for an impossible amount of time.And that in itself is something I’m not sure I’m ready for.That doesn’t matter.I need to know more at whatever the cost.

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I start to ponder what my next question is going to be.Do i ask him something personal like his birthday? Or will he shut down and not go that personal? God it’s so hard to find the line. I mean i really don’t know who I’m talking to on the other end of this. Who he is. What he even looks like.Oh, that’s it!Me: What do you look like? I mean, in real life. I want you to be seen for who you are like you said before, but you’re mysterious and don’t like to give me information for free. So help me put a face to a name here, Vik.The question feels risky. It’s hard to crack someone that wants to stay anonymous but not so anonymous that they’re taken the wrong way or not seen at all.Viktor is quiet for a long time. He’s treading carefully. I can’t pretend like I’m not nervous to hear his answer either. Not nervous. Excited.Then, his voice comes through, a touch more vulnerable.Viktor: You want to know what I look like?He doesn’t wait for me to respond, just keeps talking, his voice light but carrying the weight of something unsaid.Viktor: Well, I do not have any photos of myself, if that is what you are asking. No selfies, no pictures. The only thing I have in my camera roll is Clementine.Me: Clementine?Viktor: Mhm. She is my cat.The thought of Viktor having a pet cat makes perfect sense for the limited amount of detail I know about him. I wonder if his cat is curled up on his lap as he’s speaking to me. The thought of that makes my chest feel warm.Viktor: As for me.. well I guess you could say I am thin. I have medium length brown hair that is kind of swooped towards the ends. My eyes are a simple hazel, and my wardrobe.. Well, I would say it is mostly made up of clothing you could see depicted in a painting from the 1980s. Nothing special. Nothing extraordinary.He says it all without any pride or insult.
It’s just fact. The way he describes himself feels so disconnected from the Viktor I’ve come to know. The image he paints doesn’t match up with the godlike persona he’s built in this world, the one that exists just beyond my reach.Viktor: So, that is me. Not much of anything.His words settle. Filled with something that feels like resignation, and I’m not sure if I’ve just broken through a wall or if Viktor’s just telling me the bare minimum. keeping a distance even with something so simple. It’s almost like he’s holding up his own mirror, but the reflection he’s showing me is a fractured version of who he really is.I don’t know how to respond at first. His words feel like a glimpse into a world I’m not sure I can fully understand, and yet..I get it. He wants to be seen, but not in the way I thought.Me: i think you’re selling yourself short, Viktor.Viktor: Maybe. But I do not really care for your pity, Jayce. You asked me a question, then I answered. That is all.I can’t help but smirk at his response. The familiar tone of deflection creeping back in. The sarcasm I’ve grown fond of. He’s still Viktor, still the guy who hides behind a mask. But now, at least I feel like I’ve seen a little more of who he is, even if it’s only a sliver.Viktor: Now, are we going to continue with the questions? or perhaps you have lost interest.Me: No, Wait!I yell out, surprising myself with the unconscious emotion behind it. Where the hell did that response come from?It seems like I startled both of us with my outburst, as Viktor sits upright and looks straight at me.Me: sorry, Viktor I just.. I’m really enjoying this conversation. I like learning about you. I actually hate to admit it but I’ve had more fun with you in this short amount of time than I have in years. It’s really nice. Please, let’s keep going.I’ve never been more vulnerable than right now.I have bared everything for someone I know barely anything about. I have no idea what has gotten into me but I feel like my soul can drop its walls around Viktor. It terrifies me beyond comprehension, but I’m equally as intoxicated by this feeling of vulnerability.Viktor: 9I smile. Haven’t scared him away just yet.Me: question number 9. What’s the one thing you can’t stand?I hear him shift slightly, but he doesn’t answer immediately.Viktor: You are not going to like the answer.Me: Try me.Viktor: People who do not listen. They do not understand that words can mean more than they say.I clasp my fingers together, considering his words. It’s not a surprise, but it hits deeper than I thought it would. It’s not just about ignoring his words, it’s about not hearing him. Not truly seeing him.I glance at my phone and read over his message again.Me: so when you send me an ice cream cone emoji, you’re not really talking about an ice cream cone. You’re really saying “this frozen treat is merely a front for my cold and nerve startling exterior, where my soft interior must be reached through a series of numerous careful attempts of a warm tonguing”My tone is purposely mocking, i put on my best Viktor accent to really sell it to him.He laughs, like, he REALLY laughs.He laughs so much his avatar keels over and holds its stomach.I can’t help it, I laugh too.This whole moment is so surreal and so impossible. It shouldn’t exist and we shouldn’t exist here either.But despite everything.we do.

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Viktor’s laugh lingers in both the world and in my mind.It’s soft and genuine, his avatar still clutching its stomach. His laugh is a little bit ugly but not to me. I wish I could hear it on repeat forever.For a moment, I forget we’re not physically in the same room. That this is still just a game. A world built from a code. The sound of his laughter is like the final layer of a mask peeling away. And just like that, I want to keep going.I’m going to bulldoze whatever walls he’s still trying to holding up.The waves continue to crash in the background, but I don’t hear them anymore.All I hear is Viktor’s cackle, fading as it intertwines with mine.Me: You’ve got a weird laugh, Viktor.Viktor: Weird is charming, you do not think that i am charming?I pull a face at him, but the warmth in my chest is undeniable.His humour is so dry but it somehow keeps landing exactly where it needs to. I don’t expect him to open up anymore than he already has, but there’s something in the way he’s reacting now that makes me think he’s not done yet.Me: You never answer my questions fully, do you? Like, if i were to ask you what you were really hiding, you would say..?Viktor: I am not hiding anything. Just choosing not to share.Me: Exactly my point. I’m never going to get a straight answer out of you, am i?Viktor: Maybe you will. Or maybe you will not.Me: You’ve got a weird way of keeping people at arm’s length.Viktor: And you have got a weird way of trying to pull them closer.The words hang in the air between us. It’s like we’re both caught in some kind of game we didn’t learn how to play, where every word we speak is just another move.I take a breath.Me: Okay, question number 8. What’s the one thing you thing people get wrong about you?Viktor: People think that i am untouchable. That I do not care. That I do not need anyone.I sit back on the bench, feeling the weight of his words settle in. It’s like he’s peeled back another layer, and for the first time, I feel like I’m getting closer to the truth. Maybe not all the way there, but closer than before.Viktor: But the truth is, I do care. More than I want to admit. And I do need people. Just not in the way that they think.Me: Yeah, I get that. People can think they know what you need, but they don’t. Not really. They create a version of what they think they know, and only use that image of you as their perception.Viktor: Exactly. Lots of big words in that sentence Jayce. Very unlike you. I am quite proud.His response is sarcastic and sultry. Maybe it’s just his accent but it almost came across as flirty.I shake the thought off before i can ruminate on it too much.There’s a shift in the air now, an understanding between us that wasn’t there before. I’m not sure what it means or if it means anything at all, but it feels different. Almost like we’ve crossed some invisible line. one we won’t be able to uncross.I wish I could explain the way this conversation is making me feel. Every word is like another step deeper into Viktor’s world. His reality. And with every step, I feel myself falling further, both scared and exhilarated.Me: So, you need people, huh? Careful, Viktor. You’re starting to sound kinda human.Viktor: Human is overrated.I grin at his response, but my heart is still racing, as if something bigger is about to unfold.Me: Maybe. But I think you’re starting to like it.Viktor doesn’t respond right away, but the pause feels different. It’s like the weight of what we’ve been talking about has settled in both of us.And then, almost like a breath between us, he adds:Viktor: Maybe i am.

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I think about his words some more.Human.It’s so easy to get caught up in this game. He’s just a normal guy in the real world, same as me. He’s probably my age, shops at the same grocery store franchise, has a favourite local bakery.The thought of him looking at cakes in a shop window amuses me. I wonder what kind of pastries he likes?Me: I don’t know if I’m ready to handle the real you, Vik.I don’t know why I say it, but I can’t take it back now. The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them, raw and honest, and I’m suddenly aware of just how much I’ve already shared with him.How much I’ve already allowed myself to feel.Viktor: You do not have to handle me, Jayce. I am not your burden that you need to fix.The words catch me off guard.Viktors words have a venom woven into them that I’m not used to. I know that he’s not some puzzle to solve.I swallow hard, my chest tightening with something I can’t quite place.Me: I don’t want to fix you. I just want to understand you.Viktor’s voice softens, and for a moment, I swear I can feel the weight of his gaze through the screen. It’s almost like he’s standing right next to me.Viktor: Then maybe we have both found ourselves in the right place, Jayce.I don’t know what to say to that, but it doesn’t matter. Because somehow, for the first time, I feel like maybe.. maybe we are.Viktors voice brings me back to whatever i was thinking about.Viktor: Seven.I completely forgot about the game.I would never tell him that though, that would be an easy way for him to go back to being a recluse and mysterious creature. Not on my watch.Me: What does Clementine look like?Viktor responds to this question faster than anything else I’ve asked up until this point. It’s like he has been waiting for an opportunity to talk about her.Viktor: She is just beautiful. Calico. She has a bright orange face with black ears. Her eyes are sage green. Her nose is a shade of burnt umber and her fur has patches of orange, grey, white and black all the way through. She has white socks and her tail curls around her leg. She is beautiful.Viktor hasn’t spoken with more passion for any of my other questions. You can tell how much he loves her.I’m going to push my luck as much as I can with this.Me: She sounds beautiful, but it’s hard to picture her, even with your description. Can you send me a picture of her? You said your camera roll consists of just photos of Clementine, so I’m sure you have 1 photo you can spare, right?He doesn’t answer.I almost think he won’t answer me at all.Viktor: very well. But this is your 6th question, Jayce. You only 5 left.Shit.I forgot about the game again.Before I can beat myself up about it to much, my phone screen lights up with a ‘BA-TINK!’It’s a photo of the most beautiful cat i have ever seen. Viktor wasn’t exaggerating even a little bit. She is gorgeous.There’s something else in the image he sent that draws my attention away from Clementine for a moment. Viktors hand is in the corner of the image. His hand is bony and he wears a Claddagh ring on his thumb.My chest hurts at the implication of him wearing a ring like that. Why do I even care about something like this?Claddagh rings are worn as a token of love. Gifted from someone that loves you.I don’t know what i was expecting, but part of me hoped that Viktor and i were forming a bond together. I didn’t know that he has a special person in his life.I don’t know why this is effecting me so much, it’s not like i wanted to be his special someone or anything. What i did know was what my next question was going to be.

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I stare at the picture of Clementine for so long that i think it might be permanently burned into my retinas.I also can’t seem to shake the image of the ring on Viktors thumb. It’s bubbling up inside of my guts like 3 day old Taco Bell.Me: She’s gorgeous. But you already knew that.Viktor: Of course. I would not lie about something so serious.I give him a small laugh, but my brain is still circling the ring. The next question is right there on the tip of my tongue, i need to ask it before i throw up.Me: Five.Viktor: Ah, you did not forget. Go on.Me: do you have a girlfriend?Viktor makes a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh before shaking his head slightly.Viktor: I have no need for such a thing.His answer doesn’t satisfy me.I don’t feel like he’s being truthful. Why wear a ring with that king of symbolism if it doesn’t mean anything?Me: then do you have a boyfriend?He’s looking right at me now.Viktor: That is your fourth question? You are running mighty low on these.Me: Answer me.I speak before i can even think. No, i pretty much shouted that last one. What the hell was that?Both of us are startled over the sudden outburst I just had.Me: sorry Viktor i.. don’t know what that was or where that came from. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.Viktor: i do not have a partner of any kind, Jayce.He responds quietly yet curiously.I believe him.His words seem genuine and I haven’t given him a reason to lie about something like that.Me: good. I mean, not good that you don’t have one. I don’t even know what I’m saying right now. It’s 4am and I feel like I could fall asleep at any second. I’m sorry, Vik.He tilts his head back, looking at the sky.Viktor: no need for apologies, Jayce. Though if I may ask, what made you believe that I had a partner? Is it something that I said?My stomach twists.After he has been so consistently honest with me, it feels wrong to lie.I tell him the truth.Me: in the photo of Clementine to sent, your hand is in the corner of the frame and you’re wearing a Claddagh ring. Those are given to people by someone who loves them and symbolises the love they have for you. I thought you might’ve been gifted it from your girlfriend or something.Viktor processes my words and waits a while to respond. He laughs very softly before humming.Viktor: I am rather flattered, Jayce. However you have got the wrong idea. I do not blame you for making that assumption. But I wear this ring, as it is the only thing my parents left for me in their will. They perished in a fire long ago, and this is all that was left behind. This is all I have to remind myself that they existed in the first place.I hate myself.I cannot believe I just made him re- live what must be one of his most traumatic memories of all time.Me: Fuck Vik, I’m.. so fucking stupid and I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to get jealous or weird over something like that. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. God.I put my head in my hands.He places a hand on my knee.I jump.This is the first time he has touched me. I know it’s in game and not real but it still feels real.Viktor: you are being stupid, Jayce. Do not be stupid.His words are dry and pull me out of my spiral.Me: I’ll make it up to you, I’ll figure out how to unfuck what I just fucked alright just……give me some time to think of a better question.Viktor smiles softly.Viktor: you may have fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time to decide how you may, how you say, ‘unfuck’ things before we should both go to sleep for the night.Hearing him swear for the first time was a bit jarring and out of character but you know what?Challenge accepted.

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I lean back against the bench, closing my eyes for just a second.My head is spinning, and I swear I can still feel the ghost of Viktor’s hand on my knee.It was barely anything. a pixelated touch, nothing more. but it lingers like a real sensation, like warmth pressed into my skin.Fifteen minutes.I need to think of something good. Something that isn’t just me being a complete idiot.Me: Okay. Four.Viktor hums, amused.Viktor: Go on, then.Me: What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done?He chuckles, low and thoughtful, like he’s sifting through memories.Viktor: Hm. I once tried to fix my own glasses with super glue.Me: And how did that go for you?Viktor: well, I ended up gluing them to my face.I let out a loud, ugly laugh, tipping my head back. Viktor’s grin twitches wider under his mask at the sound of it.Me: Oh, that’s so bad. That’s awful.Viktor: It was very much awful. I had to call my neighbour for assistance, and he found it very funny at my expense.Me: Was this before or after you adopted Clementine?Viktor: Before. Otherwise, I am quite sure she would have judged me too.I shake my head, still laughing. I feel lighter. He let me off the hook without saying it outright.Me: Alright, alright. Three.Viktor: You are on a roll now, Jayce.Me: What’s something you’re really bad at?Viktor doesn’t hesitate.Viktor: Lying.Me: Bullshit.Viktor: I am quite serious. I do not lie, I omit truths. That is different.Me: I think you’re just good at being sneaky about it.Viktor: Semantics. Now, next question.I yawn, blinking hard to shake the sleep from my eyes. I don’t want to sleep. Not yet. I have more questions.Me: Two.Viktor waits patiently.Me: Can you send me a photo of yourself?He huffs out a laugh.Viktor: No.Me: Please? Just one?Viktor: Tonight you will have to fall asleep disappointed, I am afraid, Jayce.Me: Then I just won’t sleep.Viktor: That is ridiculous. You will sleep eventually. Your body will give in to the heaviness in your eyelids.Me: Not until I get my photo. I can do this all night.Viktor sighs, long and suffering, knowing I’m dead serious.Viktor: Why do you even wish to see me?Me: Because you’re my friend. I want to know what you look like. I could be talking to someone that’s actually FROM the 1980s, not just someone that dresses like it.There’s a long pause. Viktor shifts, his gaze unreadable.Viktor: Very well. You win. But I will choose the photo.I grin, triumphant. A tinge excited and nervous about what I’m going to see.What if he’s not what I’m imagining? What am I even imagining in the first place? My brain is rattling with the possibilities and my heart rates is steadily increasing.A moment later, my phone chimes with a ‘BA-TINK!’.I unlock my phone so fast that I nearly drop it on the floor.It’s a photo of him.And, to my absolute horror, Viktor is extremely cute.I stare at the image, completely frozen.His hair is a little messy, curling slightly where it falls against his cheeks. There are blond tinges on the under side, long grown out. His eyes glisten like honey, smooth and dark. sharp and entirely unreadable. They seem to look straight through the screen at me.There’s a smudge of graphite on his fingers, like he had just been sketching something before taking the photo. He is holding Clementine with one arm. His Claddagh ring is there, gleaming on his thumb.I have to physically stop myself from making some kind of embarrassing sound.Me: Wow.Viktor: Wow, what?Me: I wasn’t expecting that.Viktor: Expecting what, exactly?Me: ..Nothing.I can practically feel his amusement.Viktor: Jayce. Would you do me one favour?Considering I have not asked you for anything in return for any of the inside knowledge you have requested tonight, I do believe I am entitled to at least one of my own requests, please.I stop staring at his photo for just a second to snap back into the conversation.Me: mm? Yeah sure, what can I do for you?He’s quiet for a long moment, deciding how he is going to ask his question.Viktor: send me a photo of yourself in return?I flush at the thought of Viktor seeing me for the first time. What if he doesn’t like what he sees? What if he thinks I’m ugly? Why do I even care about all of that?I groan and begrudgingly agree.Me: fine. Let me put a shirt on then.Viktor makes an amused noise.Viktor: you have been without a shirt this entire time, Jayce?I can still hear him through my headset while I slip a button up shirt on.Me: yeah, my room gets really warm at night and my body temp makes me run so hot I’m like a human furnace. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to cool down.He makes another small sound, I’m not sure what he means by them, I’ve never heard him make those sounds before.Me: okay just know that I haven’t shaved in a while and I need to shower, so I’m not in my prime. This is the best I can do for now.I click a photo and hit send.He doesn’t say anything at all for a long while.Viktor: Jayce?Me: yeah?I’m getting nervous, his tone is softer than usual and I can’t read his body language at all. Viktor: Do your headphones have cat ears on them?

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Me: …no.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Okay, maybe. Maybe not.Viktor makes a noise that’s halfway between a laugh and a sigh, and I can tell without even seeing his face, that he’s smirking.Viktor: And they are pink.Me: That’s my final question for the night.Viktor: I do not believe that is how the game works.You cannot just reserve your question for some other random time. I will not be obliged to answer in the future.Me: Too bad. Im saving it for later. No takebacks.Viktor hums, low and amused.Viktor: They suit you.I freeze, my brain short circuiting for a moment as if I just got hit by a bus.Me: What did you just say?Viktor: I will not be repeating myself.I should play it cool.I should just say thanks and move on.But instead, my mouth decides to betray me.Me: You think I’m cute.There’s a pause. A split second of silence before-Viktor: I said no such thing.Me: You absolutely did.Viktor: Jayce-Me: Admit it, Viktor. Say the words.Viktor: You are utterly insufferable.Me: But?Viktor:Me: But?Viktor sighs, long and suffering.Viktor: If I were to admit such a thing, hypothetically, of course, it would not be because of your pink kitty cat headphones.Me: Uh huh.Viktor: Or your unshaven face.Me: Right.Viktor: Or your failure to wear a proper shirt.Me: Keep talking, Vik.Viktor: But rather….I hold my breath.Viktor: Because you stayed.My heart all but stops.The same words he told me before, but now they feel..different.He says them so softly like he’s peeling away another layer, letting me see just a little bit more of his soul behind the walls I’m chipping away it with a plastic spoon.I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my chest tightens.Me: That’s not fair.Viktor: Life rarely is, no?I want to say something else.Anything else to stay talking with him, but my eyes are so heavy I can barely think straight.Viktor notices before I can even try to hide it.Viktor: Time to sleep, Jayce.Me: But-Viktor: No more bargaining. Rest for now.I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face.Me: Fine. But will you still be here when I wake up?Viktor: Is that your final question for me, Jayce?Me: nooooooooooooooI wail softly like a spoiled toddler.Before I can try to push my luck with Viktor once more, exhaustion drags me under.I hear Viktor say something in a language I don’t understand, right before falling asleep. On the other side of his monitor, Viktor mumbles the words ‘Dobrou noc, drahoušku’ before disconnecting the server.

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When I wake up, the first thing I do is grab my phone.I squint at the screen.
My brain is still half melted from only 6 hours of sleep. That’s low, even for me. The last thing I remember is Viktor’s voice, smooth and certain, pulling me under like an undertow.I open our chat, looking for any new messages.Nothing.The photo he sent last night is still there, staring back at me.Viktor, with his honey eyes and messy hair. Graphite stained fingers curled in the frame like he hadn’t meant to capture them. Like he hadn’t realized the effect they would have on me.I groan into my pillow before sending him the first of many text messages of the day.Me: Good morning, Vik.I wait. Five minutes. Five becomes ten. No reply.Me: If you ignore me, I’ll start sending you pictures of my lunch, and I make terrible food choices when I’m upset.Still nothing.Me: Viktor.Fifteen minutes pass.I sit up, rubbing sleep from my eyes.
my stomach is twisting in a way I don’t like, and not just because I’m hungry.Me: You promised you’d still be here.I don’t know why I sent that.It’s stupid. It’s not like he owes me anything. But the longer the silence stretches, the heavier it feels.Then, just when I think I’ve scared him off for good-BA-TINK!I nearly drop my phone on my foot.Viktor: Jayce. It is barely ten in the morning.
Let a man wake up in peace, would you?I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.Me: You wake up at ten? What kind of evil scientist sleeps in?Viktor: One who enjoys tormenting you, evidently.I grin, my stomach unravelling itself.Me: So..what did you say to me last night before I fell asleep?He takes a minute before answering.Viktor: It was nothing important.Me: Uh-huh. See, that just makes me more curious.Viktor: You are always curious.Me: And you are always avoiding my questions.Viktor: I have answered plenty of them.Me: Not this one.Viktor doesn’t reply right away. I can almost picture him tilting his head slightly, debating whether or not to indulge me.Me: Come on, just tell me.Viktor: You would not understand it.Me: Try me.Viktor: It was not in English. You quite literally would not understand it.Me: Okay, so tell me what it means.Viktor: It is not important.Me: Vik.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.Viktor: You are impossible.Me: And you’re stalling. Just tell me.Viktors text bubble starts and stops over and over again, like he’s finally caving but deciding how to.Viktor: It was simply good night.Me: That’s it?Viktor: Yes.Something about the way he hesitated to type that message makes me squint at the screen.Me: Vik.Viktor: Jayce.Me: That pause was suspicious.Viktor: You are imagining things.Me: Am I?Another pause.Me: Tell me exactly what you said.Viktor: Dobrou noc, drahoušku.I blink.Me: What does that mean?Viktor: It is just a phrase.Me: Vik.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Stop saying my name like that.Viktor: Then stop questioning me.Me: Not a chance.Viktor hesitates for another moment before typing out a longer message.Viktor: It means something akin to dear.
Or darling. Though, I’d like to reiterate that it does not translate perfectly to English.My brain fills with static.Me: Oh, I wasn’t expecting that.Viktor: Indeed.I stare at the screen. My heart is pounding in my chest.Me: So..you called me darling.Viktor: It was late. I was tired. We were both falling asleep. Have mercy.Me: Right. Sure. Those excuses are definitely working right now.Viktor: Do not make a thing of this, Jayce.Me: Too late.Viktor doesn’t know it, but he has just given me an ego boost so big and made me so hyperactive that I don’t even need a coffee or an energy drink today.I feel more alive that I ever have.What is wrong with me?Viktor takes his time with his reply.
The moment went straight to my head so quickly I forgot we were even in the middle of a conversation.Viktor: Busy day ahead of you today?Good save.
My immersion is broken when I remember that today is grocery shopping day. I hate leaving the house to grocery shop. I don’t drive and my housemates are never home to help me go anywhere that isn’t walkable.I groan and throw on a t shirt.
The worst part about grocery shopping is planning what you actually need to buy. I hate cooking and I hate addressing my plain and simple diet. It makes me feel like less of a human for 1, not knowing how to cook and 2, not wanting to cook anything fancier than my palette can handle.I sigh, trying to think about what I need and what I can make for dinner that doesn’t actually count as cooking.I know.Me: Grocery shopping day. Hey, what do you think I should get for dinner tonight, Vik?Viktors typing bubble pops up within moments.Viktor: what is your favourite meal?I hated that question and I hated answering it more.Me: Don’t laugh.Viktor: we will see.I groan before reluctantly typing it out.Me: chicken nuggetsViktor spares no time before shooting a remark back.Viktor: makes sense for you. I did not laugh, if that makes you feel any better.It didn’t.Me: I have a simple palette. I know what I like and I like what I know.Viktor: There is nothing wrong with familiarity. If something is not broke, there is no need to fix it.His words are simple enough, but I remember what he said about people not understanding what hes ACTUALLY saying when hes speaking words.I put that thought in my pocket for later while I slip on a denim jacket.Me: want anything from the shops while I’m out?I ask this as a joke, knowing that he would never tell me where he lives or how I could even get something I bought for him to his house.Against all of my expectations, he responds.Viktor: me? I will take some plain Greek yogurt. Clementine has asked me to ask you for a tin of sardines. She has made sure to specify that she does not like the kind in any flavoured oil and will not accept any brands that are not expensive. She is a lady with taste.I stare at the message with a stupid goofy smile on my face. My cheeks burn and the heat is intoxicating.Me: done. Payment for those will beeeeeeeee 1 photo of your dad please, Clementine!
And Vik, yours is on the house. That’s IF you help Clementine with her payment of course.No response comes through, but I can see the read receipt.My smile fades.
I don’t linger on it for too long since my bus is in 5 minutes and the walk takes 4. I swirl my keys around my finger and leave the house for the first time in a week.

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I pull out my phone as I walk down the aisle of the bus before taking my seat. My fingers are itching to text Mel. I need to tell her about last night. About Viktor. And I need to tell her now. I tap out a quick message.Me: Hey, you free to meet up for coffee at Vanders? I know you’re in town at the moment visiting your mom but I need to talk.Vanders is our favourite coffee shop. We spent every single day there after school. The shop owner has seen me polish off an embarassing amount of hot chocolates.It only takes a moment before the response pops up.Mel: Coffee? Sounds serious. What’s happened?Me: Long story short, Viktor called me “dear” last night and I can’t stop thinking about it. Like, at all.Mel: Wait, Viktor? The Viktor from the game lobby?Me: Yeah. And it’s..complicated. I need to tell you everything. A LOT has happened and I feel so weird. I need some Mel time. Do you have any to spare?Mel: Alright, spill. What time am I meeting you at Vanders?Me: I’m heading to the mall now for a grocery shop. Can we meet in 15?Mel: I’m on my way. See you there, Talis.I put my phone away and take a deep breath, trying to calm the flutter in my chest. I still can’t quite process what’s happened these past few nights. It’s been replaying in my mind over and over. It felt..significant. More than just a slip of the tongue. Something else.I arrive at the shops and spot Mel sitting outside Vanders. She runs up to me and I pull her into a squeezy hug. We laugh together while I spin her around, her feet no longer on the ground.Mel: Look at you all big and strong, where has this muscle come from, Talis? My my!

She pretends to swoon while we’re both still laughing.Me: You clowned on me for eating nothing but chicken nuggets but they singlehandedly built this absolute brick house of a man. Read these muscles and weep.

I announce, flexing in a jokingly aggressive way.She laughs and punches my shoulder lightly.

Mel: Alright. I’m all ears. Spill.I exhale slowly, trying to collect my thoughts before I start. I order our drinks and reserve our table. A big sigh comes out of my body before I start composing my thoughts.Me: So..last night Viktor and I were talking in the world he made and I was about to fall asleep. And before I do, he says some words I don’t recognise. After interrogating him for what felt like an eternity, he told me that he said “dobrou noc, drahoušku.”Mel: Hold up. What does that even mean? I speak multiple languages but that is not one of them.Me: It means “good night, dear” in Czech.Mel blinks at me, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.Mel: Wait, what? Viktor..Viktor said THAT to YOU?I feel like we’re already being too loud in Vanders and we haven’t even gotten our order yet. People are starting to look at us. I try to shake it off and tone down the excitement of our conversation.Me: Yeah, and when I asked him about it this morning, he tried to brush it off, but..it wasn’t just some casual thing. It felt different. He’s not the type of person to throw around words like that.Mel takes a thoughtful sip of her coffee.Mel: Okay, this is Viktor we’re talking about. He’s been mysterious and distant with you this entire time, right? But you don’t just throw “dear” around. That’s..big. Especially for someone who doesn’t even know you.Me: Exactly. And the way he said it was soft, like he was letting me see something real for a second. Even though I was almost completely asleep. like he actually meant it and wanted my subconscious to know it too. I don’t even know what to do with that, Mel.She leans in, her eyes sharper than usual and there’s a small smile on her face.Mel: You’re acting different, Talis. In a good way, I mean. You sound more alive than you have in years. Whatever Viktor said to you has clearly got you thinking and most importantly, feeling. That’s a huge shift.I stare at her, surprised.Me: You think I sound different?Mel: Yeah. Like, I don’t know. There’s this energy about you now. It’s like you’re finally engaged with something again. And you were so checked out before. So defeated and in this rut that you couldn’t break out of. And now look at you. Out of the house in a clean shirt for Christ’s sake.I can’t help but smile a little at that.Me: I guess.. I guess I have been feeling kind of stuck lately. But now, it’s like I don’t know if I should just walk away from this Viktor thing or lean into it more.Mel shrugs, her smile a little more teasing now.Mel: You’ve never been one to back away from a challenge, have you Jayce?I laugh softly, feeling a mix of relief and tension at the same time.Me: I don’t know what’s going on with me, Mel. But I can’t stop thinking about him.She smirks, leaning back in her seat.Mel: Well, if you need any advice, you’ve got me. But it sounds like you’ve already got a lot to figure out on your own. Just don’t overthink it too much, okay? You don’t need to have everything figured out right now.I nod, still trying to process everything that’s happened. My mind keeps drifting back to Viktor and the words he said, how it felt like a crack in the armor he always wears.Me: Yeah, I’ll try not to overthink it. But it’s hard not to. You know me.Mel: You’re allowed to be confused. Just don’t shut down again. You’ve got this, Jayce.We sit in a comfortable silence for a moment, sipping our coffees, the weight of the conversation settling in. I feel lighter, like I can actually breathe again. The coffee, Mel’s presence, and just being able to talk about everything out loud is helping more than I realized.I glance down at my phone, remembering the grocery list I still have to tackle. I can’t avoid it forever.There’s a text from Viktor that I just missed.Viktor: hi Jayce, this is Clementine. I have not received my sardines yet and I am most upset with you. Please hand deliver these to my paws at my earliest convenience, which was 30 minutes ago. That should be taken as a threat and a warning. Many thanks!I start laughing without even thinking. He’s an idiot. I forget where I am for a moment before I snap back into it. Mel is looking at me like I’m insane.Mel: is everything alright, Talis?I nod my head, still unable to form a coherent sentence.Me: yeah it’s just, Viktor texted me. He makes me laugh sometimes.Mel: I’m sorry he TEXTED you? He has your number!? You said he was good at hacking but that’s taking it too far.Me: no no I gave it to him Mel, we talk every day. It’s really nice. He’s.. actually kinda cute.I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.She drops her metal spoon and it makes a loud TINKKKKK on the wooden floorboards of the cafe.Mel: Jayce Talis. You have had a photo this entire time and you haven’t thought to tell or show me? Am I even your best friend? I could kill you right now. SHOW. ME.Me: alright alright! Here, see for yourself.I pull up the photo and hold my phone defensively.I study her face while she looks at every single detail in the image. I did the same thing when I first saw the photo too.Her mouth drops and she politely covers it with one perfectly manicured hand.Mel: oh he’s very cute Jayce. How on earth did you manage that one?I think for a moment before saying what Viktor would. Me: I noticed him.

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Mel’s eyes linger on me for a moment after she takes her final sip of coffee. Something unreadable is behind her eyes. She leans back in her chair, crossing her arms with a thoughtful expression.Mel: You must really like him.she says slowly, almost like she’s testing the words on her tongue.Mel: I mean, look at you. You’re out of the house and you’re actually alive again. You haven’t been this, well, THIS in ages. Since school, maybe.She says, vaguely gesturing to me.I feel a warmth spread through me at her words. It’s a strange mix of pride and something else, something soft. I hadn’t really noticed it until she said it, but I guess I do feel different.Me: Yeah, maybe..I trail off, unsure of how to explain it.Me: It’s not just about that, though. Viktor and I, we’ve been playing 20 questions. I learned a lot about him. His past is complicated. But somehow it makes more sense to why he acts the way he does.Mel leans in, eyes wide with curiosity.Mel: What did you learn?I pause for a second, thinking about the things Viktor shared. his fears, the vulnerabilities hidden under his layers. It’s all so raw, but I don’t want to overshare, not yet.Me: I’ll tell you later. It’s a lot. But the point is that he’s not just some mysterious player in a game. There’s more to him. There’s a person there behind the screen. And I can’t stop thinking about him, Mel. He’s different. He’s not like anyone else I’ve ever met.Mel’s smile softens, something almost proud flickering in her eyes.Mel: I can tell.she says gently.Mel: You know your eyes are different now, Jayce. You’ve got this light in them. Like the person I used to know in school, the one who loved things. I haven’t seen that in years.My chest tightens at her words. I hadn’t realized how much I missed that version of myself, the version who still felt connected to the world around him.Me: Thanks, Mel. That means a lot to me.She shrugs, grinning.Mel: I’m just glad to see you finally feel something positive again.I nod, taking in her words. It feels good to be seen, to be reminded of who I was before everything got, well, blurry.My phone buzzes, breaking the moment. I glance down at it. It’s another text from Viktor.Viktor: Sardines are purchased, Jayce.?I smile at the message, my heart skipping a beat. It’s so ridiculous, and yet, it feels like a thread tying us together. I stare at the screen, thinking.Me: How about you get your dad to pay your bill first? I need a photo of him when I go through the checkout with your sardines or my card will decline. You know how it is, Clem.Mel raises an eyebrow, clearly curious.Mel: You’re asking him for another picture?Me: Yeah. I mean, if Viktors cat wants some sardines, I need something in return. Have you seen the cost of groceries right now, Mel?I hit send and glance at Mel, who just shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips.Mel: You’re unbelievable.Before she can say anything else, my phone buzzes again. Viktor’s response comes almost immediately and I can’t help but grin when I see the photo.Viktor is wearing a sweater vest over a button up shirt. The kind of outfit you’d never expect the god in the server to wear. The sunlight is streaming through the window in front of him, casting a soft glow across his face. I can’t help but stare at the freckles across his nose, the little things that make him feel so..real. The way the light catches in his eyes make them look even more like gooey honey. the way his expression is soft yet somehow still guarded makes me feel warm and tingly.I stare for a moment too long, feeling a strange heat rise in my chest.Mel notices, and her eyes widen again.Mel: Okay, now I get it. I see your appeal. He’s cute. Like, really cute. What is this sweater vest look?I can’t stop smiling, even though my cheeks are burning now.Me: Right? And the lighting? those freckles..Mel snorts, clearly amused by my reaction.Mel: Jayce, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you’ve got it bad. But honestly, if this is what’s making you smile again I’m happy for you. Just don’t disappear into this world completely, okay?I nod slowly, barely listening to her. I can’t stop looking at the photo.Viktor’s face, his smile. it’s real. And I’m not sure where this is going, but for the first time in a long time I desperately want to find out.Me: I won’t. I promise.But deep down, I’m not so sure. The pull to Viktor feels stronger than anything I’ve felt in a long time. And I don’t know where it’ll take me. But for now, I’m okay with not knowing.

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I’m still thinking about the photo when I leave Mel at Vanders and head into the grocery store.My cart is half empty, and I’ve already forgotten half the things I came here for. The good thing about living on your own is that you don’t have to buy a lot.The bad thing about living on your own is that if you don’t pick up milk, your entire meal plan for the week goes out the window pretty fast.All I can think about is Viktor in that sweater vest. His freckles. The warm daylight. It’s possessing my brain. I can’t even remember if I need milk.I shake myself out of it and refocus on the list. Sardines, right. Clementine would kill me in my sleep if I forgot.As I reach for a tin, my phone buzzes again.Viktor: Did you get them? I fear for my life. SOS, Jayce.I smirk, snapping a quick selfie of me holding the sardines before tossing them into my cart.Me: Secured. You live to see another day. Lucky I’m such a big hearted kinda guy.I send the message and attach the pic. My chest feels a twinge of nerves as I see the read receipt.The response is instant.Viktor: I am most grateful for the plentiful sleep I will be able to enjoy tonight. Please provide me with your bank details and I will send you exactly 1 dollar and 47 cents, followed by an IOU.I shake my head, biting back a laugh. He’s so stupid.Me: Actually, I think we should renegotiate your terms.Viktor: Oh? And what would you like in exchange, merchant?My fingers hover over the screen.I should say something funny, keep up the bit. But my brain has other ideas.Me: Another picture. Of you. Just to clarify, since you’re the kind of guy to send a pic of Clementine and then argue over the terms and conditions.A pause. Three dots appear, then disappear. Then appear again.I wait.And then-Viktor: You are insatiable.I snort.Me: I have simple needs. Are you not capable of sating them?A longer pause. And then-An image.I stop in the middle of the aisle, my mouth opens a bit.This one is different.The camera is closer, catching only part of his face. his sharp jawline, the curve of his lips, the faintest ghost of a smirk. His eyes are unreadable, but there’s something playful there, something teasing. Like he knows exactly what he’s doing.The lighting is softer this time, evening settling in. He’s still wearing the sweater vest, but the top button of his shirt is undone now.I swallow. Fuck.Me: Viktor.Viktor: You are sated?Me: You did that on purpose. That’s so unfair.Viktor: Whatever do you mean?I let out a slow breath, feeling suddenly way too warm for a grocery store.Me: Never mind. You win.Viktor: I always do, no?I’m about to respond when I get a reminder over the speakers that the store is closing in 15 minutes.I snap out of it and fill my cart with the essentials. Better get moving. After seeing that pic, I need to get home FAST, Viktor can wait for a response for now. I don’t want to know what’ll happen if he sends me another photo like that.

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By the time I get home and put the groceries away, my mind is still tangled up in that damn picture.The angle, the smirk, the undone button. It was deliberate. It had to be. Viktor doesn’t do things by accident. not in his game, not in our conversations, and apparently not in whatever this is.I sink onto the couch. My phone is still in my hand. I haven’t answered him yet. I don’t even know what to say.The smart move would be to let it go. Move on. Maybe log into the game, shift my focus back to something less..confusing.Instead I unlock my phone.Me: You play dirty.He doesn’t take long to respond.Viktor: Elaborate.I stare at the message, exhaling slowly. He wants me to spell it out. He wants me to say it.Fine.Me: You knew exactly what you were doing when you took that photo. You knew.The three dots appear immediately, and I swear I can hear him laughing from wherever he is.Viktor: I take issue with this accusation. You asked for a picture. I complied. I even wore my good sweater vest again. Very generous of me.Me: Again? That implies you changed out of it at some point and into something else.Viktor: Wouldn’t you like to know.I let out a choked sound, throwing my phone onto the couch like it physically burned me.I sit there for a second trying to remember how to breathe. Then, against my better judgment, I pick the phone back up.Me: I’m never buying you sardines again.Viktor: Bold of you to assume that you have a choice. Clementine will not be pleased.Me: Clementine can take it up with my legal team.Viktor: You have a legal team?Me: Yeah. Me, myself, and I. We’re very aggressive when it comes to negotiations.Viktor: I am shaking in my boots at the thought.I smirk while the tension starts easing out of my shoulders.This is fine. This is normal. It’s just Viktor being Viktor.I take a breath and lean back against the couch.Me: Logging in?A pause.Viktor: Already waiting for you.Of course he is.I don’t even hesitate.I grab my headset and log in.The login screen fades, and the world renders in around me.I’m back in Viktor’s private server.The one with the endless horizon and shifting landscapes. The last time I was here we were on a beach. Now, it’s something different. Something warmer and softer.The light has that golden hour glow, filtering through the trees like melted honey. The same colour as his eyes. There’s a wooden bench near a small pond, reeds swaying gently in the breeze.And Viktor is standing there, waiting.My brain short circuits.There’s no fucking way.He’s wearing it.The sweater vest. The button-up. The exact outfit from his photo except now it’s on his avatar, perfectly recreated down to the last detail. The only difference is the mask. still in place, still obscuring most of his face.I stare.He tilts his head, like he’s studying me instead.Viktor: You’re quiet.Me: You’re unbelievable.He spreads his arms, as if presenting himself.Viktor: You seemed so taken with the look. I thought I would accommodate your preferences.I let out a breathy laugh, running a hand through my hair.Me: My preferences?Viktor: You did request another photo. Consider this an immersive experience.Me: This is psychological warfare.Viktor: Then surrender.I shake my head, pacing a few steps before turning back to him. It’s so unfair. He looks so good. He looked good in the picture, but seeing it here, seeing him move in it..it’s messing with me badly.Me: You’re never gonna let me live this down, are you?Viktor: Not a chance.I cross my arms, trying to regain some sense of control.Me: So, what’s the plan? You just gonna stand there looking pretty?He hums, considering.Viktor: Tempting. But I thought that we might actually play a game tonight. Unless, of course, you are too distracted to play.Oh, he’s enjoying this way too much.Me: You wish.Viktor: I do not need to wish.I groan, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips.This is gonna be a long night.Viktor doesn’t move from where he stands. His arms are still spread in that satisfied way. Like he’s won a game I didn’t know we were playing.I drag a hand down my face.Me: Alright. Alright. You’ve made your point.Viktor: Have I?Me: Oh, don’t play innocent with me, Vik.Viktor: I would never.His voice is laced with amusement but there’s something else beneath it. something deliberate. His mask hides most of his face, but I can feel his eyes on me. Studying. Calculating. Enjoying this.I exhale slowly, shaking my head.Me: So what’s the game, then? You said you had something in mind?Viktor finally moves, stepping toward the wooden bench. He rests a hand on the back of it, fingers tapping against the wood in a steady rhythm.Viktor: Chess.I blink.Me: Chess?Viktor: Chess.Me: That’s it? No reality bending puzzles? No absurd game mechanics meant to completely screw with my perception of space and time forever?Viktor: Would you prefer that?I hesitate.Me: ..No.Viktor chuckles.Viktor: Then sit.I do.The bench is surprisingly solid beneath me, and as soon as I sit down, the world around us shifts. The pond still ripples in the distance, the golden light still filters through the trees, but now, between us, a chessboard materializes. Simple, elegant, classic. The pieces hover just slightly above the board, waiting to be played with.Viktor takes his seat across from me, fingers steepled beneath his chin.Me: You’re gonna wipe the floor with me, aren’t you?Viktor: That depends entirely on how well you play.I scoff, reaching for my first piece.Me: Great. No pressure.The moment I move my pawn forward, the game begins.At first, I think I’m doing okay. I make safe moves. Nothing too flashy or reckless. I know the basics, enough to hold my own against casual players.But Viktor? He isn’t casual.Every move is precise.Every response calculated five steps ahead. He plays like someone who doesn’t just understand the game. he understands me. My habits, my instincts, the little tells I don’t even realize I have. It’s like he’s been studying me this whole time, waiting for the moment to strike.Have you ever heard the story of the guy playing the fiddle for his life against the devil? Yeah, I think playing chess for my life against a god that is unfortunately VERY attractive is worse.I stare at the board, realizing too late that I’ve backed myself into a corner.Me: Oh, come on.Viktor: You left your queen vulnerable. A bold sacrifice.Me: I didn’t mean to sacrifice anything. I just suck.Viktor hums, resting his chin on his hand.Viktor: You do not suck.Me: You’re winning.Viktor: That is true. But you do not suck.I narrow my eyes at him, suspicious.Me: This is where you hit me with some philosophical nonsense, isn’t it?Viktor: Would you like me to?Me: No.Viktor: Shame. I had a rather insightful monologue prepared.Me: Of course you did.I sigh, moving another piece. It’s a bad move.I know it’s a bad move the second I make it. Viktor doesn’t even hesitate out of pity.Viktor: Checkmate.I groan, leaning back against the bench.Me: You’re the worst.Viktor: You challenged me.Me: I did not. You lured me into a false sense of security with that sweater vest and then destroyed me in cold blood.Viktor: Ah. So you admit the sweater vest was effective.I freeze.Me: ..That’s not what i-Viktor: It is what you said.Me: That’s not-Viktor: I am logging this victory as a double win.Me: You’re unbelievable.Viktor leans back, smug.Viktor: I accept my title with grace.I let out a slow breath, shaking my head.Me: One more round.Viktor tilts his head, considering.Viktor: High stakes?Me: Define high.Viktor: If you win, I will grant you one request. Anything you like.I raise a brow.Me: And if you win?Viktor: Then you must grant me one request.Something flickers in his voice, something unreadable. I swallow.Me: Okay. Deal. You’re on, sweater vest.The board resets.The pieces realign.Viktor’s golden eyes glint behind the mask. Viktor: Come. Let us play.

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The second round begins, and I already know I’m in trouble.Viktor doesn’t play the same way twice.I can tell within the first few moves that his strategy is different this time. Not predictable. Not something I can memorise and counter. He’s adapting. Learning how I play.I need to throw him off.I lean forward, resting my elbow on the edge of the board. My fingers tap idly against the wood of the bench like I’m deep in thought.Me: So. What’s your request gonna be? If you win, of course. Which you won’t.Viktor glances up from the board, mask hiding any expression he might be making.Viktor: That depends on whether or not I do win.Me: No hints?Viktor: Would knowing change the way you play?Me: Maybe.Viktor hums, considering. Then he moves his bishop, effortlessly cutting off one of my better plays.Viktor: Then I will tell you nothing.Me: That’s rude.Viktor: That is strategy.I exhale sharply, ruffling my hair in my hands. Fine. If he’s going to be like that-Me: If I win, I want you to take that mask off. Permanently.A beat of silence. It’s not long. A second. Maybe less. But I catch it.Then, without a word Viktor moves his rook.I stare at him.Me: That’s it? No protest? No sarcastic remark?Viktor: Why would I protest?Me: Because you’re supposed to make me regret asking.Viktor: Would you like me to?Me: No-Viktor: Then I will simply let you continue.I narrow my eyes. He’s doing it on purpose. Acting nonchalant. Giving me nothing to latch onto. He’s good at this.Too good.I move a knight. It’s not a bad move, but it’s not a great one either. Viktor counters immediately.I try to focus, but my brain keeps replaying that pause.He didn’t argue.He didn’t deflect.And now I can’t stop wondering what his request is. And if he might actually WANT to fulfill mine.The board is closing in. I’m running out of time.And I still don’t know if I’m winning or losing.Viktor watches me with quiet amusement, fingertips pressed together beneath his chin.Viktor: You are distracted.Me: No, I’m not.Viktor: You are. And yet, you continue to play. Quite admirable.I grit my teeth, forcing myself to look at the board instead of him.He’s right. I am distracted. But not in the way he thinks.Or maybe exactly in the way he thinks.Me: If you’re so confident, why don’t you tell me your request?Viktor: Ah, but I would rather not influence your strategy.Me: That’s a cop out answer.Viktor: It is patience.Me: It’s mind games.Viktor’s fingers drum lightly against the table. He doesn’t deny it.The game continues, each move tightening the noose around my pieces. I try to stay unpredictable but Viktor is always a step ahead. adapting seamlessly. Calculating. I can almost hear the gears turning in his head.Then, he moves his queen. A decisive, quiet move.Viktor: Check.I inhale sharply through my nose.Me: You’re enjoying this too much.Viktor: I enjoy a great many things.He leans back slightly, his golden eyes steady behind the mask. The light catches them just right. They glint like embers. I hate that it makes my stomach do something weird.I need to do something drastic.Slowly, I move my bishop across the board with deliberate intent. It’s a high risk move. Not one I wouldn’t normally make, but I’m out of safe options.Viktor tilts his head, considering.Then, so casually it almost feels cruel, he moves his knight.Viktor: Checkmate.I stare.Me: No.Viktor: Yes.Me: No, wait.I scan the board frantically, looking for a way out. Any way out.There isn’t one.I groan, dropping my head into my hands.Me: I walked right into that, didn’t I?Viktor: With great enthusiasm.I shake my head, already regretting everything.Me: Fine. Whatever. What’s your request? Let’s hear it. Put me out of my misery already.Viktor leans forward, resting his forearms against the edge of the board. Staring right into my eyes.Viktor: I think..I brace myself. Here it comes.Viktor: I would like a photo.I blink.Me: ..Of me?Viktor: Yes.His voice is calm, almost casual.But I know better.Me: You already know what I look like.Viktor: And yet, you request a picture of me every day, no?Shit.I stare at him. He stares back.Viktor: It is only fair, do you disagree to the terms that we decided on?I exhale slowly, dragging my hands down my face.Me: Alright. Fine. You win.Viktor: I always do.I roll my eyes, pulling out my phone.My reflection stares back at me in the front camera and for a second, I consider taking a normal photo. Something neutral. Something safe.But then I scroll up a little in our message thread and see how seductive his last photo he sent was. He knew exactly what he was doing and you know what? I think it’s time to even the playing grounds.He wants a picture? Fine. I’ll give him one.I shift my angle slightly, letting the light hit just right. I replace my shirt for a tank top that shows far too much of my chest and collar bones. I tilt my head, just enough. Enough to match the same smug, effortless confidence he had in his own photo.Click.I glance at it. It’s good. Unfairly good.I smirk, then send it without another thought.Me: Happy now?There’s a pause. A long one. Viktors avatar is still staring at the chessboard, but his fingers twitch slightly where they rest against the wood.Then, finally-Viktor: ..Interesting.I try to bite back a grin but I fail.Me: That’s all you have to say?Viktor: It is a picture, is it not?Me: Oh, don’t start. You know exactly what I did.Viktor shifts in his seat. Just a little.Viktor: I did not specify the details of the request. You are free to interpret it however you choose.I lean forward, resting my chin on my hand.Me: So, did I win this round?Viktor is quiet. For the first time since we started playing, I think I’ve actually thrown him off balance. Why didn’t I try this before the match started so I won?Then, finally. In a soft, begrudging tone. Almost like a confession: Viktor: Perhaps.

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I grin, unable to help myself.Me: I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.Viktor: No need to gloat now, Jayce.Me: But it’s so rare. A momentous occasion, really. Should I mark it on my calendar?Viktor exhales through his nose, a quiet huff of amusement. His fingers resume their idle tapping against the wood. The same steady rhythm from before, like clockwork. Like he’s already composing his next move.Viktor: If it pleases you.Me: Oh, it does.I lean back, stretching my arms over the back of the bench. The game is over, but neither of us have moved. The board remains between us, pieces still in their final positions. My defeated king stands frozen in place, checkmated by his knight.It’s quiet.The wind shifts lazily through the trees. The pond ripples in slow, lazy circles. The golden light catches against Viktor’s mask, and for a moment, I wander if he would let me take it off of him.He catches me staring.Viktor: A penny for your thoughts?Me: That depends. Do you actually carry pennies or are you just saying that?Viktor: I could acquire one.Me: How generous.Viktor tilts his head slightly.It’s subtle, but I know him well enough now to catch the shift in attention. He’s studying me again. Assessing. Trying to figure out what’s running through my head.Me: Just thinking.Viktor: About?I hesitate.The mask. The request I made. The way he didn’t hesitate. The way he let me ask for it without pushing back.The way it made my chest feel.Me: ..Chess strategies.Viktor makes a quiet, amused sound.Viktor: Liar.I huff a laugh, then shrug my shoulders nonchalantly.Me: Fine. Not chess. But I am thinking.Viktor: A dangerous pastime.Me: So I’ve been told.A pause. A comfortable one.Me: You really would’ve done it, wouldn’t you?Viktor doesn’t pretend not to understand.Viktor: Would that have surprised you?I shrug, glancing at the board between us.Me: A little. You keep that thing on like it’s part of your skin. I figured you’d at least try to bargain with me.Viktor: Perhaps I would have. Had you won.The implication sits there between us. Heavy. Unspoken.Had you won.Had I pushed just a little harder. Had I distracted him just a little more. Had I been just a little better at reading his moves..I exhale, shaking my head.Me: I’ll get you next time.Viktor: I look forward to it.His voice is warm. Steady. Certain.And I believe him.Before I can respond, my screen goes black along with my entire PC setup. What the hell?I open up my PC tower and the entire thing is fried. Viktors immersive world has clearly done a number on it. Some pieces are completely melted.I snap a photo and send it to Viktor.Me: My PC is broken.I stare at the screen, waiting. It’s late. He might have logged off for the night after I disappeared. But then, barely a second later-Viktor: Tragic.I shake my head.Me: Yeah well, it means you’ll have to suffer my presence in text form for a few days. Hope you can handle that.Viktor: I will manage.Texting isn’t the same.I hesitate. Then send a risky message.Me: You could call me, you know.Three dots appear. Then stop. Then start again.Then-Viktor: No.I huff out a laugh. Of course.Me: Why not?Viktor: Because.Me: That’s not an answer.Viktor: It is an answer.I groan, pressing my phone to my forehead. He’s so difficult.Me: Is it because of the voice changer you use?Silence.Bingo.I smirk, rolling onto my side.Me: Come on. What, you think I’m gonna judge you? You’ve already heard my voice. Fair’s fair.Still nothing.I sigh dramatically, fingers dancing over the keyboard.Me: What if I order you to? Huh?The dots appear. Stop. Start again.Viktor: I do not take orders from men in scoop neck tank tops. What kind of person do you take me for, honestly Jayce.Me: Someone who didn’t delete the photo or say how much they hated seeing my chest.A pause.Viktor: ..You are completely insufferable.I grin.Then, before he can object any further, I hit the call button.It rings.Once.Twice.Then-A soft click.For a second, there’s nothing. Just silence. Then a quiet breath, and”..Hello.”My stomach drops.It’s him. Obviously, it’s him. but it’s different.No filter. No artificial distortion. Just his real voice.It’s lower than I expected. Warmer. And his accent is thicker and more natural, not hidden beneath digital interference.It sounds good. Unfairly good.I swallow, gripping my phone tighter.“Well?” he says after a moment. There’s a slight edge to it, like he’s bracing for something.I wet my lips, forcing myself to sound normal.“I like it.”A pause. Then, a quiet scoff. “You would.”And just like that, I’m gone. Falling faster into whatever this is than I have any right to.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

His voice is still settling into my bones.
Wrapping itself around my thoughts like a vice. I knew he had an accent, obviously, but hearing it unfiltered and raw without the sterile effects of his voice changer..It’s doing things to me.I clear my throat.Me: So. How long were you planning on keeping up the robot act?Viktor hums, the sound low and contemplative through the speaker.Viktor: As long as necessary.Me: Necessary for what?Viktor: To maintain a suitable level of distance.I frown. I don’t like the idea of him trying to maintain ANY kind of difference from me. The notion is extremely unwanted.Me: That’s a weird way to say ‘I was being dramatic.’Viktor exhales sharply. Not quite a laugh, but close enough.Viktor: And yet, you seem rather affected by the revelation.I can hear the smirk in his voice, and I hate how right he is. I hate it even more when my stomach flutters.Me: I am notI lie. Obviously.Me: You’re just not what I expected.Viktor: And what did you expect?I hesitate. Something colder, maybe. More precise. More artificial, to match the strange, calculated enigma that he is. But this? This is something else. Something warmer. Something real.Me: dunnoI admit.Me: Something different.Viktor hums again, softer this time.Viktor: Do you prefer this, then?It’s a trap. I know it’s a trap. And yet I can’t stop myself from saying it.“Yeah,” I say. “I do.”There’s a pause. Just long enough for me to wonder if I said too much. Then, Viktor clicks his tongue, a thoughtful, quiet sound.Viktor: Fascinating.I roll my eyes, though the grin tugging at my lips betrays me.Me: Oh, shut upViktor chuckles, and I swear I can hear the smallest trace of something indulgent beneath it. Like he’s enjoying this. Enjoying me.The thought makes my stomach flip all over again.I close my eyes, letting the silence stretch between us for a moment. It’s not uncomfortable. Not awkward.
Just a quiet, lingering thing.Me: Looks like you’re stuck with me like this for a while. Gonna take a few days to get my PC fixed.Viktor: A true tragedy.I huff.Me: You sound so devastated.Viktor: Do I?I shake my head.Me: I can hear you smiling, you know.“Ah,” Viktor muses.Viktor: A side effect of my lack of voice modulation, I suppose.Me: Yeah? And what else do you think I can hear?Viktor clicks his tongue again, this time in feigned consideration.Viktor: Mm. Your heartbeat, accelerating.My face burns.Me: That is- No. Shut up.Viktor: Your breathing.he continues, as if I hadn’t said anything.Viktor: A slight change in pattern. Almost as if-Me: I will end this call.Viktor laughs. It’s soft, barely more than an exhale, but real. Not filtered. Not distorted. Just him.His laugh lingers in the air like an echo, soft and real. I’m starting to realize just how much of him I’ve been missing.Me: You’re awful, you know that?Viktor: I am aware.I shake my head, my fingers tapping an absent rhythm against the side of my phone.
My mind keeps looping back to his voice, to the way it’s settling into me. It’s not just his words, not just the accent, but the way it feels more personal now. More raw. More him.Me: I think I’m getting used to this. You, without the mask, Metaphorically I mean.Viktor: That is dangerous.Me: You don’t scare me.Viktor’s response is a quiet hum, like he’s debating something.Viktor: I wonder if you still feel that way when you learn more about me.I pause. The question hangs in the air, both tempting and terrifying.Me: What do you mean by that?Viktor: Everyone has their secrets.I can’t tell if he’s being cryptic for fun or if there’s something deeper there, but I don’t press. Not yet.Instead, I find myself focusing on the weight of his voice again, the way it draws me in.Me: Guess I’ll just have to get used to them, then. Your secrets, I mean.Viktor doesn’t say anything at first. I can almost hear him weighing my words, the gears turning behind that calm exterior.Viktor: Perhaps.It’s not much, but it’s enough to keep me wondering.I lean back against my pillow, running a hand through my hair. The night feels different now, quieter. Less surreal, more intimate.Me: So, tell me then. What happens now?Viktor: Now? We wait.I raise an eyebrow at the simplicity of his answer.Me: Wait for what?Viktor: Wait for you to admit how much you are enjoying this.I smirk, even though he can’t see it. He’s right, of course.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: Yet, here you are.The silence lingers, hanging in the air like we’re both trying to avoid something but can’t seem to find the right way around it.Me: So.. what are you wearing?Why did I even ask that? I think I meant it as a joke but it absolutely did not translate well. There’s a slight pause before Viktor answers, his voice a little quieter than usual.Viktor: I am wearing a silk pyjama set. Black shorts and a black button up shirt. No brand.I blink at the screen, surprised by the simplicity of his answer.Me: Silk, huh? So, you’re fancy and comfortable?Viktor’s tone shifts, just enough for me to catch the faintest hint of discomfort.Viktor: It is practical.I chuckle softly, leaning back and looking up at the ceiling.Me: Practical? Sure. If you’re trying to feel like a million bucks while you sleep.Viktor: It is just silk, Jayce.I grin, sensing the slightest hesitation in his voice, and toss out my next line without thinking.Me: Just silk? That’s an old money answer. All you’re missing now is a night cap and a candlestick.There’s a brief silence before Viktor’s voice comes back, lighter now. tinged with amusement.Viktor: And what would I do with those?Me: They would complete your old man Scrooge aesthetic for your old man Scrooge personality, naturally.The playful tone lingers.Viktor: And for yourself, Jayce?Me:: hmm?Viktor: What is it that you are wearing?It’s playful, casual even, but the underlying curiosity in his voice does something to me. A familiar heat stirs in my chest, and I can’t help but smirk to myself. This is the perfect chance to mess with him, to push his buttons a little.I glance down at myself, eyeing my reflection in the window across the room. It’s nothing special. Just the same old pair of boxer shorts that are way too comfortable for my own good.Me: Boxer shorts.I let it hang there, not saying anything else. His response is immediate, but there’s something surprised in his tone. like he didn’t expect it to be that simple.Viktor: Boxer shorts?His voice dips lower, like he’s letting the words roll off his tongue. It’s so damn smooth, I can practically feel the amusement radiating from the other side of the line. And then, he asks more questions.Viktor: Well, that is bold. Do you not think?I bite my lip, trying to keep it together. It’s just boxer shorts, but the way he’s acting like it’s some big reveal? It makes me feel like I’ve just done something way more scandalous.Me: Practical, actually.I toss out the words nonchalantly, hoping he catches the challenge behind them. I can almost hear him smirking in response, but I’m not backing down.Viktor: Practical.. hmm. I suppose that makes sense.I can hear him leaning back, the sound of his breath coming a little slower now. I can’t help but imagine him, sitting there in his fancy silk pyjamas, looking way too cool for someone who’s probably only in his own company.Viktor: Comfort over style. Noted.Me: Well, it is a big part of the equation.Viktor: I suppose you are right.His voice smooths even further, like he’s toying with me now, like he’s enjoying the back-and-forth a little more than he lets on.Viktor: If comfort is your priority and you are this clingy, I do wonder why there is absence of a man in your bed with you as we speak.My chest tightens at the words, and I swear I almost stop breathing for a second. He didn’t just say that.Me: ..Excuse me?Viktor makes some kind of sound on the other end of the line. We’re both caught off guard by that sentence. He didn’t mean that with any implications, right?I can’t even form a response at first. I’m too busy fighting back the flush creeping up my neck. Did he seriously just say that? Did I really hear him say that?The silence stretches between us, thick with all the things neither of us wants to say but both are clearly thinking.Then, Viktor clears his throat, and his voice, though still steady, has a slightly different edge to it. Like he’s realized what just slipped out.Viktor: That was..not my intention. I believe my words may have been misconstrued.Me: Sure Vik, I totally believe that.I can feel a grin tugging at my lips, and I know it’s coming across in my voice when I speak again.Me: You know, Viktor, you’re really something else.Viktor: Am I?The playful note in his voice is back, stronger now, almost daring me to push further. The tension builds, thick and heavy, like we’ve crossed some invisible line, and neither of us knows exactly where to go from here. Neither of us says anything for a long time.But the longer the silence stretches, the more I know it’s not over yet. And I’m definitely not done with this conversation.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’m suddenly hyper aware of every small shift in my body.The way my chest rises and falls just a little quicker than normal. How I can feel the subtle flush creeping up my neck again. His presence is everywhere now, even through the phone. Every word he says lingers, settling into me with this weight I can’t quite explain.Me: You really know how to throw someone off, don’t you?The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, and I immediately hate how they sound. Too vulnerable. Too open. But it’s too late to take them back, and it’s not like I can hide it now.Viktor’s laugh comes through low and rich, full of something I can’t quite place. Maybe it’s amusement, maybe something darker. I can’t tell.Viktor: I just say what is on my mind, Jayce. I am sure you can relate.His voice isn’t as controlled as usual, not as distant. The sharp edge I’ve grown used to has dulled, replaced by something softer, more intimate. The realization hits me hard in the chest and my breath catches before I can stop it.Me: I don’t know if I can relate anymore. You’ve..you’ve thrown me off completely.It’s the truth, and I can’t help but wonder if he can hear the shift in my tone, the hesitation.The quiet confession hanging between us.There’s a beat of silence, long enough for me to start second-guessing myself, wondering if I’ve said too much. But then his voice returns, steady, but with a different kind of gravity to it.Viktor: I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I am sorry, Jayce. That was not my intention.The words linger in the quiet night. It’s the first time he’s acknowledged the weight of anything between us, the first time he’s offered anything close to an apology.Me: No, No. I’m not uncomfortable. I’m..I’m just trying to keep up.Viktor hums thoughtfully.I can almost picture him leaning back, staring at whatever screen he’s using, his mind working through whatever thoughts are rattling around in there.Viktor: Maybe it is not about keeping up, Jayce. Maybe it is just about being here.The simple statement lingers in the air. The silence stretching between us as I try to make sense of it. Being here. What does that even mean? Does he mean physically? Emotionally? Mentally?Before I can piece anything together, he speaks again, breaking the silence.Viktor: You are still thinking about my words, are you?Me: Maybe. You’ve got me thinking a lot more than I’d like to.The admission feels almost too honest, but it’s true. His presence and the way he’s been pulling me in, the way his voice lingers in my thoughts. it’s become impossible to ignore. And I don’t know if I even want to anymore.There’s a small, amused chuckle from Viktor, and I know he’s smirking, probably enjoying the effect he’s having on me.Viktor: You always act so in control, Jayce. But I am starting to see that I have got you just a little bit off balance.I open my mouth to protest, but I’m not sure what to say. He’s right. I can’t deny it. It’s all so much more complicated now, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for whatever comes next.Me: You’re not wrong.I don’t say anything else, and neither does he.For once, the quiet doesn’t feel like an awkward space to fill. It feels like an admission of some kind that we’re both sharing.Viktor’s words sit between us. Unspoken yet understood. I don’t know what to do with them, or what to do with myself now that I’ve said that. I can feel the pulse of my heart beneath my skin, quickening, nervous. And he knows it. He’s always known, somehow.Viktor: You do not have to be afraid, Jayce.I hear the faintest shift in his voice. He’s not being cryptic this time, or evasive. There’s a softness there, a hint of something that’s unexpected coming from him.Me: I’m not afraid.It’s the first thing I can think to say, but I know it’s not entirely true. I am afraid of what this is becoming. Of how he’s making me feel. How it’s making me want things I can’t explain. Things I can’t control.There’s a long pause, and I wait, expecting him to shoot it down. To mock it. To make it all feel like some game. But Viktor doesn’t do that.Viktor: No?His voice softens further, almost questioning, and it feels like he’s searching for something in my words that he doesn’t know how to ask.Me: Maybe I’m just trying to figure out if you’re real.I hate how unsure I sound, but it’s the truth. I need to know that what’s happening between us is real. That it’s not just a glitch in the system, something temporary, like all the rest of the things I’ve tried to connect to and lost.Viktor: I am real.There’s a subtle weight in his words now, like they’re not just an answer. They are a promise. And something about it makes the room feel smaller, like everything is converging on this single truth.Viktor: But the question is, Jayce, are you ready to face that?I bite my lip, the tension between us thicker than ever. There’s no going back now. I can feel the distance between us close, so damn close, I almost can’t breathe. But his question lingers, hanging over me. And I can’t answer it. not yet. Maybe I’m not ready.But I think I want to be. I want to be real with him too.The silence is different now. It’s not awkward, not like it used to be. It’s something shared, something unspoken that feels like it’s only just begun.Me: I don’t know.It’s the closest thing to an answer I can give. Because I don’t. I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t know what it would even mean to be ready for this, for him. All I know is that I’m here, and he’s here, and neither of us seems willing to end the conversation.Viktor hums. It’s contemplative this time, not teasing. I think he understands what I’m trying to say, even if I can’t quite put it into words.Viktor: That is an acceptable answer.Me: You’re really letting me off easy tonight, huh Vik? Maybe you aren’t real after all.Viktor clicks his tongue softly.Viktor: Perhaps I am feeling generous.Me: That doesn’t sound like you.Viktor: Mm. Maybe you are rubbing off on me.That shouldn’t do anything to me. It really shouldn’t. But it does. It does, and I press the heel of my palm against my forehead, like that’ll somehow make me think straighter.Me: If I am, that’s a dangerous game you’re playing.Viktor: Life is meant to be dangerous, Jayce.His voice is smooth, steady, and I hate how easily it gets under my skin. How easily he gets under my skin.Me: You’re really not gonna make this easy for me, are you?Viktor: Would you want me to?I exhale, sharp and quiet, ruffling my hair with my hand. He’s impossible.He’s impossible, and yet I keep coming back to this. To him.Me: No. I wouldn’t.And that’s the truth.Viktor: You are stalling.I blink up at the ceiling, feigning innocence.Me: What? No, I’m not.Viktor: You are.Me: I’m just-Viktor: -delaying the inevitable. Yes, yes. You should be asleep by now.I groan, dragging a hand down my face.Me: You sound like a disappointed parent.Viktor: If you would simply go to bed at a reasonable time like a reasonable person, I would not have to.Me: Fine. Then tell me what time it is.There’s a pause.Viktor: Bedtime.I groan louder this time, throwing my head back against the pillow.Me: That’s not an answer.Viktor: It is the only answer that matters.Me: Viktor.His laugh is quiet, barely more than a breath through the receiver.Viktor: You are so lazy. Your phone is in your hand, is it not?Me: Yeah, but you could just tell me instead. The light from my screen will turn my headache into a migraine.There’s a beat of silence, like he’s debating whether or not to indulge me. Then, finally-Viktor: It is almost midnight.My lips twitch into a grin. Bingo. Ive got him.Me: Well, well, well.Viktor exhales sharply, catching on immediately.Viktor: That was intentional.Me: What was?Viktor: You were waiting for me to say it.I hum spitefully, rolling onto my side.Me: I was just asking a simple question. Not my fault you walked straight into it.Viktor: Ah. And what great mystery have you solved, then, mm?Me: That we’re in the same timezone. At the very least.There’s a pause. It’s brief, but it’s noticeable.Viktor: Perhaps.Me: No ‘perhaps’ about it. You wouldn’t have said almost midnight if you weren’t working off the same clock as me.Viktor: Mm. You are rather persistent.Me: And you’re not nearly as careful as you think you are.I can feel his smirk, even if I can’t see it.Viktor: A dangerous assumption.Me: I like my odds.The silence that follows is heavier than before. It’s charged with something unspoken. There’s something lingering in the air between us. He knows I’m right. And I know he let it slip on purpose.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I wake up with my phone still in my hand.The screen is dark and the battery is clinging to life. For a second I can’t remember why I fell asleep holding it in the first place.Then it hits me. Viktor. The call.I rub my eyes, blinking while I try to focus on my screen as I unlock it. My stomach drops the moment I see my call log.A second call..At 3AM.I must’ve dialed him again in my sleep.I sit up so fast my pillow nearly flies off the bed.I don’t even remember waking up let alone making the call. My thumb hovers over the entry in my call history, like it'll somehow make it make more sense.I somehow called him at 3AM?And he picked up??Not only that, but he didn’t hang up for 15 minutes. Huh???A weird, restless feeling settles in my chest. If he answered, that means he was awake.But why? Why pick up a call from someone who was clearly unconscious? And why stay on the line for that long?I chew on my lip, debating whether or not to bring it up. Maybe he thought it was a mistake and didn't want to seem rude. Or maybe he was curious. Or..I don’t know.I shake my head. There’s only one way to find out.I pull up our messages and start typing before I can overthink it.Me: Did I call you last night?It takes less than a minute for Viktor to respond.Viktor: Yes.I stare at the single word response, waiting for him to elaborate. He doesn’t. Typical.Me: And you answered?Viktor: That is usually how phone calls work, yes.I roll my eyes.Me: Why didn’t you hang up when you realised I was asleep and dialled you by accident?A longer pause this time. Not long enough to make me think he won’t reply, but long enough that I know he’s considering his words.Viktor: I was curious.That restless feeling in my chest tightens.Me: Curious about what?Another pause. I can practically see him weighing his options.Viktor: What you sounded like when you were asleep.My breath catches. My fingers tighten around my phone.Me: ..And?Viktor: Quiet. Soft snoring. Slightly endearing.I don’t know what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it.Me: That’s it?Viktor: You would prefer that I lie to you?Me: No, I just..I run a hand through my hair, exhaling.This is ridiculous. I should be embarrassed by this and trust me, part of me is. But another part.. the part that won’t stop analyzing every detail keeps coming back to the same thing.He could have hung up. But he didn’t.And now I can’t stop wondering why.He answered. He stayed on the line. And the more I think about it, the more I can’t let it go.Me: Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you stayed on the call for 15 minutes.Viktor is quiet for longer this time.Viktor: I suppose I found it..comforting.The word stops me cold.Comforting.I read it over again, making sure I didn’t imagine it. But no, it’s right there. Plain and simple.I grip my phone a little tighter.Me: Comforting how?Viktor: You were already asleep. Unaware of my presence. And yet, you were there on the other end of the line.There’s another pause before his next message comes through.Viktor: It was easier to rest, knowing I was not alone.Something in my chest twists, slow and warm, like an ember catching fire.I don’t know what to say to that.I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say something so openly vulnerable. Sure he talks in riddles and hides meaning behind layers of careful words, but this? This is something else. Something real.I swallow, I want to say something. Acknowledge it. Let him know that I..But what? What am I supposed to say to that?I pull the blanket over my head while my mind replays his words again and again. He didn’t just find it comforting. he stayed. He let himself be comforted. By me.And that thought lingers, curling around my ribs like something I don’t want to shake off. My thoughts continue to circle around his words like a loop I can’t seem to break.Viktor doesn’t do comfort. At least, not in the way most people do. He keeps his distance and holds everything at arms length. But last night? He stayed.And the fact that he admitted it..that he let me see it..I exhale slowly, rubbing my eyes. I can’t let this moment pass without pushing just a little further. I’m not ready for this conversation to end just yet.Me: You know, that’s probably the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.I watch the typing bubble appear, disappear, then reappear again. Like he’s debating his next move. Like our chess game.Viktor: Then perhaps I should retract it.I laugh and shake my head. He’s so bad at this.Me: Too late. Already heard it. Already cherishing it forever. Bad luck for you.His response is quick this time.Viktor: That is dramatic, even for you.Me: And yet, you stayed on the call for 15 whole minutes. What does that say about you?There’s another pause. Longer this time.I can almost picture him now. Sitting in whatever dimly lit, quiet space he calls home. his fingers hovering over his keyboard, debating how much to give away to me this time.Then, finally-Viktor: It says that I, too, am prone to occasional lapses in judgment.A small laugh escapes me, quiet but real.Me: Lapse in judgment, huh? Guess I should be honored.Viktor: You should be asleep.My smile softens at the shift in tone. The teasing is still there but beneath it, something else lingers. Something careful.Me: I was. Until I saw my call log. It broke me out of both my trance and my deep slumber.Viktor: Mm. A grave mistake, it seems.I don’t reply right away. I let the silence stretch while my mind is still turning over his admission. The weight of it settling deeper in my chest.Me: You could have hung up, you know.Viktor: Yes.Me: But you didn’t.His answer takes longer this time.Viktor: No. I did not.There it is again. That unspoken thing between us. The thing neither of us can name, but both of us feel.I don’t know what to do with it. I don’t know what he wants to do with it. But for now, I let it sit there. And for once, he doesn’t try to take it back or hide it under a layer of humour.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The morning light filters through my blinds. It’s far too bright and far too insistent.I groan and roll onto my side. My phone is still warm against my palm, still not on charge either.Viktor’s last message is still there.‘No. I did not.’I reread it about 6 times half expecting it to disappear or change into something more dismissive and less soft..But it stays. Real.I rub one of my hands over my face, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep residue. It’s too early for my brain to be running in circles like this but I just can’t stop thinking about it. About him. About why he stayed on the line.I test my luck with him some more.Me: So, does this mean I’m your emotional support idiot now?The response is immediate.Viktor: A rather fitting title.I huff out a laugh. Of course.Me: Wow. No hesitation. Not even a little bit of resistance.Viktor: Would you have preferred if I lied?I hesitate. He keeps throwing that back at me. Would I have preferred a lie? A deflection? Some half assed excuse that makes all of this easier to ignore?No.I wouldn’t.Me: No, I guess not.There’s a pause, just long enough for me to think maybe that’s the end of it.But Viktor has other ideas.Viktor: You said I should have hung up. You are correct. I should have.I swallow, suddenly more awake.Viktor: But I did not want to.The words creep in slow and deep, curling around something in my chest and holding onto it tight.Me: Why?I don’t know if I’m ready for the answer. But I ask anyway.This time, the typing bubble lingers longer than before.Viktor: Your presence was. hm. grounding.I stare at the screen, heart thudding a little harder than it should.Grounding.Not just comforting. Not just something he tolerated.Grounding.Like I kept him steady. Like I was something to hold onto.I wet my lips as my fingers tighten around my phone.Me: I didn’t know I had that effect on you.Another pause.Viktor: Neither did I.And somehow, that admission feels bigger than anything else he’s said.I toss my phone onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling. Can my pulse please calm the hell down?? It’s too early for this. Too early for whatever Viktor just dropped into my hands like a cat with a dead bird.Grounding.It plays over in my head again and I swear I can still feel the shape of the word. The weight of it is pressing into me like he’s still saying it. Like it’s something I’m supposed to do something with.I shove a pillow over my face and groan. This is ridiculous.My phone buzzes again and I scurry to find it in a bundle of blankets.Viktor: Are you still there? or did my honesty cause your immediate demise?I huff out a laugh, and roll onto my stomach.Me: Unfortunately for you, I survived.Viktor: Unfortunate indeed.Me: Rude.Viktor: You will recover.Me: Bold assumption. What if I never do? What if I live in a state of shock forever? What then?Viktor: Then I suppose I will have to be the one to ground you next time.I stop breathing for a second.My fingers hover over the keyboard. My mind is completely blank except for that one sentence.He’s still playing with words. Twisting them into something half teasing and half not. But I can’t stop thinking about it. About him. About what that would even mean.Okay, I need to shower before my brain completely short circuits. I type out a message to Viktor so he doesn’t think I dropped map suddenly.Me: I need to shower, I’ll message you when I’m outViktor: Ah, good. I was beginning to worry.I squint at my screen.Me: Worry about what?Viktor: That you might go another day without basic hygiene.I let out an incredulous laugh, sitting up properly.Me: Are you serious? I shower daily thank you very much.Viktor: Mhm. And yet, your first instinct upon waking was to text me instead. Curious.Me: That doesn’t mean anything.Viktor: It means your priorities are questionable.Me: Says the guy who stayed on the phone with a sleeping man for 15 minutes.There’s a pause.Viktor: Hm. Point taken.I smirk, satisfied. I like to think that he can feel my smirk through the screen.Me: Damn right.Viktor: You are still here, though. Not in the shower.I lay back down dramatically.Me: You’re really not letting this go, are you?Viktor: No. Someone must hold you accountable.Me: You don’t have to burden yourself with my taking on my accountability, Vik-Viktor: Too late. You are already emotionally reliant on my presence.My mouth opens in shock.Me: Excuse me???Viktor: Shower, Jayce. Before this conversation escalates further.I glare at my phone, but he’s right. Again. Me: Fine. But this conversation isn’t over.Viktor: I would be disappointed if it was. somehow, that sends more heat through my body than any hot shower ever could. I DEFINITELY need a shower now. The bathroom tiles are cold under my feet but I barely even notice. I’m too busy replaying our conversation in my head. I can’t stop running his words over and over like a worn out cassette tape.‘Then I suppose I will have to be the one to ground you next time.’What the hell does that even mean?I step under the spray of hot water, letting it soak into my skin. Unfortunately it does nothing to soothe the restless energy twisting in my chest. Viktor is messing with me. He has to be. Right?But the problem is..I don’t think he was. Not entirely.He never says things he doesn’t mean.Sure, he twists his words and dresses them up in sharp humor and misdirection but beneath it, there’s always something real. And that? That was real.I tilt my head back and run a hand through my hair. He stayed on the line. He admitted why. And now he’s saying things like ‘next time’ and ‘holding me accountable’ like it’s some kind of promise.I don’t know what to do with that.I shut off the water, wrapping a towel around my waist as I step out onto the rug. My phone is sitting on the counter where I left it. Face up. Waiting.I grab it with damp fingers, half expecting another text from him.Nothing.I exhale, staring at my reflection in the mirror.My hair is dripping. My face is still warm and my cheeks are pink from the shower, but my eyes..my eyes give me away.I look awake.I look ALIVE.I swipe the condensation off the glass with my palm and huff out a laugh. Yeah. I’m in trouble.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I towel off quickly. Almost like I’m in a rush to continue a conversation.I contemplate shaving my beard before I remember how Viktor responded to the photo I sent. Am I just going to base every life decision over what this guy thinks now? I dismiss the thought before I ruminate too hard and head back to my room. My phone is still quiet. No new messages.I don’t know why I expected there to be. Viktor said he’d wait. He always does. But still, the absence of a notification feels almost..loud.I sit on the corner of my bed, staring at my hands for a moment. My thoughts won’t stop. I keep circling back to him and to the way he spoke to me this morning. The way his words felt like a hand at my wrist. He was grounding me in a way I don’t think he even realised.I don’t know how long I sat there before I caved and picked up my phone. My fingers hover over the keyboard, debating their next move.Fuck it.Me: Okay, I’m back. You may resume emotionally stabilizing me or whatever it is we’re doing.The typing bubble appears immediately.Viktor: Ah, you survived. I was beginning to think the steam had finally gotten to you.Me: Not all of us are held together by duct tape and spite, Viktor.Viktor: A shame. It builds character.Me: I’ll take your word for it.Viktor: Wise choice.I hesitate before typing again. Pushing the tiniest bit further this time.Me: Did you miss me?There’s a pause. Longer this time.Viktor: What an absurd question.Me: You didn’t say no though, did you?Viktor: Hm. I suppose I did not, did I?Before I can put together a response to him, he sends another message.Viktor: Are you at least in clean boxer shorts this time?I squint at it, then let out a sharp, incredulous laugh.Me: Wow. Calling me out first thing in the morning. Unbelievable.Viktor: You evaded the question.Me: That’s because I don’t like what it implies.Viktor: Which is?Me: That you spend far too much time thinking about my underwear situation. It’s very bold of you to assume I’m even wearing that much, Viktor.There’s a pause.A long one.I grin.Then-Viktor: Jayce.I can practically hear the deadpan through the screen.I prop myself up on my elbows, amusement curling through me.Me: What? You asked.Viktor: Yes. And I expected a reasonable answer.Me: It is a reasonable answer. I could be in clean boxers.Viktor: ‘Could’ being the key word.Me: Mhm.Another pause.Viktor: Then what are you wearing?The question is casual. Too casual. Like he doesn’t care either way.Like he’s not fishing for anything.But I don’t buy it.I smirk, rolling onto my back.Me: Just a towel.The typing bubble appears. Stops. Appears again.I bite back a laugh.Then-Viktor: Lazy.I laugh properly this time.Me: You wound me.Viktor: If the towel fits.I shake my head. My thumb still hovering over the keyboard. My body is still warm from the shower but now it feels like a different kind of heat. One curling low in my stomach and buzzing in my fingertips.Maybe it’s the way he remembered. Maybe it’s the fact that he even asked.Or maybe it’s because, despite the insult, he hasn’t told me to put something else on.I lick my lips, considering my next move.Me: You’re awfully invested in my wardrobe choices, Vik.Viktor: I am invested in your lack of them.My eyebrows shoot up.Oh.Oh, we’re playing that game now?Alright.I press my tongue to the inside of my cheek, thinking. Then I go for it.Me: Should I take a photo? Since you’re so concerned on how clean I am today.I expect an immediate dismissal. A sharp, unimpressed no. Maybe even a joke about how it would ruin his morning.Instead, the typing bubble appears.It lingers.Then-Viktor: I would be powerless to stop you from doing such a thing.My heart stops.What.I sit up immediately.Me: No denial?? No insult??Viktor: I see no reason to protest.I blink.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.I run a hand through my hair, trying to figure out if I’m still half asleep or if this is actually happening.He’s messing with me. He has to be.Except..I don’t think he is.And that?That might be worse.My brain feels like it’s on the cusp of short circuiting.I was NOT expecting that.Viktor. who always has something sharp to say. Who never lets me win. Who calls me an idiot at least twice a day.Just admitted….to wanting that.I shift to the side, suddenly very aware of the towel clinging to my waist and of the heat creeping around it.Is he being serious? Is this just another way to mess with me? Because if it is, it’s working.Me: You’re not even gonna pretend to be scandalized?Viktor: No.I exhale through my nose, shaking my head slightly.Me: Wow. I expected more of a fight.Viktor: Why waste the effort?Why waste the effort. Like it’s not a big deal. Like it doesn’t matter. Like he’s completely unfazed by the idea of me actually sending him a photo of me with nothing on.I wet my lips and grip my phone.Alright. Fine. If he wants to play it like this, then I’ll push further.Me: So if I did just happen to take a photo and send it to you..you wouldn’t care?The typing bubble appears.Stops.Appears again.My pulse kicks up a notch.Then-Viktor: I imagine it would be..interesting.My brain immediately bluescreens.Interesting?That’s not a no. That’s not an insult. That’s not him shutting it down.Thats him……………..god I dont knowMy chest tightens by the second with something I can’t even name.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes?I don’t know what to say.For once, I have nothing.My mind is a mess. My body is a traitor. And Viktor? Viktor is waiting. I swallow, unable to do anything but stare at my phone.He’s waiting. Not teasing. Not deflecting. Just..waiting.Me: You can’t just say stuff like that.Viktor: Why not?My breath catches.Why not?Like this is a completely normal conversation. Like I’m the one overcomplicating things. Like he doesn’t realize what he’s doing to me.Or does he?I glance down at the towel barely holding onto my hips.Maybe he does.I should stop. I should let it go. I should get dressed like a normal human being and not sit here entertaining whatever this is.But I don’t.Instead, my fingers tap out a message that betrays my brain.Me: So you do want to see me like this?The moment I hit send, I regret it.It’s too much. Too bold. I pushed too far. I should’ve just moved past it. This isn’t going to end well.The typing bubble appears.My stomach twists itself into a sailors knot.Then-Viktor: I think you already know the answer to that, Jayce.I stare.I forget how to breathe.My entire world narrows down to those words. To the way they sit there on my screen like they aren’t turning my brain into a scrambled mess.Like they aren’t setting my skin on fire.I shift again, my towel nearly slipping loose. I grab at it, a rush of heat flaring in my chest.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes?Like he’s completely unbothered. Like he didn’t just say that. I bite my lip, staring at my screen. At his name and the small typing bubble that flickers back in and out. What the hell are we doing?And why do I want to keep going? The room suddenly feels too warm, like the heat from my shower never left. It’s clinging to my skin. Seeping into it.Me: Vik, you can’t just say stuff like that.Viktor: Again, I ask, why not? You have not given me a good reason yet. One at all for that matter.Like it’s the simplest thing in the world. Like I’m the one being unreasonable here.My towel slips an inch lower.I grab at it instinctively while my heart keeps heart hammering.Me: Because it’s dangerous, that’s why.A pause.Then-Viktor: Mm. And yet, you keep pushing.He’s not wrong.I take the deepest breath I think I have ever taken before falling back against the pillows. I should stop. I should get dressed. I should not be sitting here wrapped in a towel, pushing my luck with someone who clearly knows what he’s doing.But my fingers move once more before I can talk myself out of it.Me: Maybe I just like seeing how far you’ll go.Another pause.I swear I can feel his consideration, the slow calculation of his next move.Viktor: A bold strategy.Me: Is it working?The typing bubble appears. Lingers. Fades.My pulse stutters.Then-Viktor: You are still wearing a towel, are you not?I let out a small laugh.Me: Maybe.Viktor: Lazy.Me: Intrigued?He doesn’t deny it.And that? That’s an answer all on its own.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The pause that follows is heavier than the last. I stare at the last message I sent and feel the regret creeping in once again. I just never know how far I can push things with Viktor. He’s an enigma and every answer I get from him stems off another 10 questions in my brain.What was I even thinking asking if he was intrigued? Am I seriously flirting back with him?My immersion is broken by another message lighting up my screen.Viktor: Would it be so terrible if I was?My breath catches. I don’t even know how to respond to that.There’s no teasing tones, there’s no sharp edge to cut through the meaning. Just that simple, unassuming question sitting there like it isn’t setting my entire skin alight.Me: That depends.Viktor: Hm? On what?Me: On how much trouble I’d be in if you actually admitted it.The typing bubble appears. Stops. Appears again.Viktor: Well. That is an interesting dilemma.I press my tongue to the inside of my cheek, staring hard at my screen.Me: You’re not denying anything.Viktor: No, I am not.I try to get my heart rate to calm down. It doesn’t listen.Me: Do you ever get tired of playing with fire?Viktor: I have always been drawn to what burns. Jesus Christ. I grip my phone, exhaling slowly through my nose. My towel shifts slightly, the fabric catching against my skin. I’m suddenly hyper aware of how I’m sitting and especially of how little I’m wearing. Of the way this conversation has spiraled into something I don’t quite know how to contain. Of what he would think if he were here right now. My body twitches at the thought of Viktor being here. I hate where my body is twitching over this.Me: Careful, Vik.Viktor: I believe that warning applies more to you than to me.I bite back a laugh. He has a point.Me: Maybe.Viktor: And yet, you are still here.Me: So are you.The pause that follows is different this time. Not hesitation. Not caution.Consideration.Like he’s measuring something in his mind. Weighing it carefully.And then-Viktor: Yes.The air in my room feels charged, like the moment before a storm. I could end this right now. I could get dressed. I could pretend this conversation didn’t just pull the rug out from under me.But instead, my body acts before my brain once again.Me: You know, Viktor, If you wanted a photo of me in barely any clothing all you had to do was ask.The typing bubble flickers in and out.I hold my breath.Then-Viktor: Is that so? I think I might actually die. I’m not ready for the momentum of the conversation to die down just yet. Not when he’s got me this worked up with such a small amount of work. Speaking of work, I’m not going to make it THAT easy for him.Me: I tell you what. You’ll get your photo. But under one condition.Viktor: Oh? Is that right? Am I to beg for it now?I’m not unpacking that visual, it’s hard enough to not be hard right now. Focus.Me: Tempting. But no. I’ll pocket the begging for later. Tonight we’re going to play a game.There’s a pause. I imagine him tilting his head in that slow and considerate way of his. Bracing and preparing whatever ridiculous thing I’m about to propose.Viktor: What kind of game did you have in mind?I grin, rolling onto my side.Me: Truth or Dare.Viktor: ..Jayce.Me: What? Scared?Viktor: I am not scared. I am, however, wary.Me: Good. You should be.Viktor: I assume there is more to this. You would not set such terms if the game were standard.Me: You know me so well. Here’s the deal. if you win, you get the photo. But if I win, you have to video call with me.The typing bubble appears. Stops. Appears again.Viktor: Hm. Interesting.Me: Not backing out, are you?Viktor: If I were, you would not let me hear the end of it.Me: Correct.Viktor: Very well. I accept.I fist pump the air. He would call me an idiot if he saw that.Me: Rules are simple. You pick Truth or Dare, I give you one. And if you refuse? You drink. The one who drinks the most loses.Viktor: A game of endurance, then.Me: You could say that.Viktor: And our drink of choice?I glance at my nightstand, where my whiskey bottle sits, half full from the last time I needed it.Me: Whiskey.Viktor: Mm. Strong. Acceptable.Me: Hope you can handle it, old man.Viktor: Old man?Me: Unless you’d prefer a warm glass of milk before bed?Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: I try.Viktor: What time have you scheduled this for? I must go out and pick up a nice bottle for the occasion.Me: 8pm sharp. If you aren’t in my ears by then, you’ll be getting an earful from me.Viktor: Naturally. I will be there.Me: I know, I wasn’t asking, Vik.He leaves me on read. Typical.I’m filled with energy and it’s not even 11am yet. I really feel like a whole new person.What has gotten into me lately? That’s a rhetorical question. I just don’t want to address the answer head on. The rest of the day goes by monotonously. Nothing eventful happens. I eat a bowl of mac and cheese and lift some weights.7pm rolls in and I’m feeling more nervous than ever.I send Mel a text to tell her all about the games we have already played and the game we have planned. Oh, and how my PC is still dead. I almost forgot about that. I must’ve been distracted..My phone dings with Mels response.Mel: you’re playing truth or dare tonight?Me: yeah, we are.Mel: Jayce. This is SO high school sleepover. Such a cute idea.Me: it’s not supposed to be cute Mel, it’s supposed to get me some real answers. I need to know more and he won’t tell me anything if I ask him outright. I think he likes the games we play and I can’t lie, I do to.Mel: It’s cute. You’re cute. You deserve this little fling you’re entertaining, and Viktor, though a mystery indeed, seems to make you very happy. You’ve got the Mel stamp of approval.I know I don’t need her to tell me that I’m not doing the wrong thing but hearing her send it in a message makes my chest loosen up. Mel has always had good judgement. She’s the person I was supposed to be.Me: thanks Mel, I’m kinda nervous for tonight. Any advice?The typing bubble stays on the screen for a while. It’s making me even more nervous.Mel: the only advice I can give to you is to be yourself. I know that’s cliche. But you’re the person you are because you aren’t afraid to be true to yourself. You’ve got this, Talis.I roll my eyes. That is cliche. It unfortunately helps though. She knows how good she is with words.Me: You think too highly of me.Mel: you don’t think highly enough of yourself.The last message lingers on my screen and in my brain. She’s right.I ruminate far too hard for far too long.I need to be lobotomised before I have a panic attack and cancel on our call.A little pre drink can’t hurt, right? 8pm rolls around and for once, I’m not the one calling first. My phone screen lights up with his name in big capital letters.Click!Me: Hey Vik, 8pm on the dot. You’re keen, huh?Viktor: Hm. Perhaps. Let us begin, shall we?I smirk and straighten up, gripping my phone and trying not to show that I’m already a touch tipsy.Me: Alright, Viktor. Truth or Dare?Viktor: Truth.Me: Coward.Viktor: Strategic.I hum, considering. Then grin.Me: What’s your type?A pause.Viktor: You are starting off strong, Jayce. But that is an easy one. My type is stubborn, reckless, and convinced they are charming beyond all reason. Puppy dog eyes are also a bonus.I narrow my eyes.Me: That sounds suspiciously specific.Viktor: Does it?Me: You’re not even being subtle at all.Viktor: You asked. I answered. Shall we continue?I lick my lips, my fingers tightening around the whiskey bottle. Fine. He wants to play like that? I can play just as dirty.Viktor: Truth or Dare?I hesitate, weighing up my options.Me: Truth.Viktor: Where do you live?I blink. The question catches me entirely off guard. Why would he want to know that? Though, I can’t say I’d be unhappy if he came here. God what am I thinking..Me: That’s a bold question.Viktor: You can refuse.Me: How specific are we talking?Viktor: Hm. A city would suffice.I hesitate.Then, for some reason, I tell him.Me: Piltover.A pause.Viktor: Hm. Interesting.Me: What does that mean??Viktor: Nothing. Merely an observation.Me: Uh huh. Well if you come over to my place without Clementine, you’ll be turned right back around. Your turn.Viktor: Dare.I smirk. Time to turn it up a little more.Me: I dare you to tell me what you thought about when you touched yourself last.Silence.Oh fuck. Did I push it too far? That was the alcohol talking. Oh my god I’m so fucking stupid. I’ve definitely scared him off now.The typing bubble appears. Stops. Appears again. My heart is stopping at the same time as the speech bubble.Viktor: That is not a dare.Me: It SO is.Viktor: That is a truth.Me: The dare is saying it out loud, duh.Viktor: That is a flimsy argument.Me: Take a shot then, Viktor.A pause.Viktor: Hm. Very well.It feels like he’s letting me win on purpose. From the way he’s indulging me and teasing me, meeting me in this reckless space between whiskey and flirting.He’s slipping.And I intend to push him all the way down.My heart is racing. Not from the alcohol. Not just from the game. But from him.Me: You’re really not fighting back, huh?Viktor: Hm. Should I be?Me: I expected you to.Viktor: And yet, here we are.A pause.I lick my lips before moving onto the next question.Viktor: Truth or dare?Me: Dare.Viktor hums in contemplation.My stomach feels warm, I’m not sure if it’s from the adrenaline of this game or the pint of whiskey it’s brewing.Viktor: I dare you to answer the same dare you gave me. It is only fair.Me: You want me to tell you what I thought about when I touched myself last?Viktor: I did not say that, you did. You are more than welcome to take a drink, Jayce. You do seem rather thirsty tonight and I have had more than enough to drink for the both of us.Me: That’s because you’re a pussy.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Will you be taking a shot? Or are you feeling brave?Fuck. How did he know that I’m easy to rile up when I’m tipsy. I’m always brave. Who cares if he knows something stupid like that. I’ll just tell him and get it over with. It’s not like either of us will remember in the morning anyways.Me: Fine. I was thinking about a gorgeous man with a thick accent and eyes like honey with sun kisses all over his nose. And I’ve thought about him every day for 2 weeks now.Oh my god.I did not just say that. Out loud. To Viktor. There’s no way.The line goes dead silent and I sober up almost immediately.Me: Viktor I- I’m sorry I don’t know where that came from. We can stop there and I can wait until my PC is fixed in a few days before we talk next-Viktor: Jayce.Me: Yes?Viktor: You are drunk. And you are stupid.Me: Well, yes. What’s your point?Viktor laughs, a soft and sultry laugh fills my ears and drives me insane. He must know what he’s doing to me. He’s like a line of cocaine reaching my veins.His laugh intoxicates me all over again and I can’t seem to stop running my mouth.Me: Hey, Vik?Viktor: Yes, Jayce? Are you giving up and letting me claim my prize?Me: Nooooooooo I just want to tell you a secret.Viktor: Very well, I am all ears.I whisper my next words very carefully. It makes the weight of the words feel much less scary and real, I’m also very drunk.Me: You’re hot as shit and I can’t stop thinking about you.Viktor breaks into a cackle followed by an ugly snort. It’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh like this before and I start laughing too.We both laugh for a solid few minutes before winding back down.Viktor: Does this mean you are done playing for the night then?Me: no way. I still haven’t whiskey left and questions for you.Viktor: As you wish. Proceed.Me: Truth or Dare?Viktor: Hm. Truth.Me: If you were here with me right now, what would we be doing?Viktor clicks his tongue and hums.Viktor: Well I suppose that depends..Me: on what?Viktor: Did you ever manage to get out of that towel?I laugh and shake my head.Me: I haven’t just been sat in a towel this entire day, Vik.Viktor: Ah, that is a shame. Well if I were there and you were in just a towel, that may have been a different story. But if this hypothetical includes you wearing actual clothing for once, perhaps we would be watching a movie.My throat feels like it just closed up upon hearing that.Me: Okay, and if I were just in the towel?Viktor: I choose to take a shot.Me: Seriously?Viktor: Absolutely.I hear him wince a little through the line. I hate how cute it is.Me: You’re going too easy on me tonight. It’s like you want me to win. Like you want to video chat with me.Viktor: Perhaps.Me: What’s that supposed to mean?Viktor: Nothing at all.I groan loudly. He can’t keep getting away with this. I need to push harder. I need to do something.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.Me: I’ll send you your pic, you video chat with me. Tonight. Deal?Viktor: I will consider it.Me: Don’t make me beg.Viktor makes a sound I can’t quite place on the other end of the line.Viktor: You say that as if I will let you get out of this now without begging. Stupid suggestion from you. Now I will only agree to your terms if I get my prized photo AND if you beg.Your choice.You’ve got to be kidding me.Me: You want me to beg for you?Viktor: Perhaps.Me: And if I do, you’ll video chat with me?Viktor: Potentially.I sigh and take 2 shots back to back. He’s sick and twisted for this.Me: Viktor..Viktor: Yes, Jayce? I soften my voice down to a whimper. To the rawest, most pathetic decibel I can reach.Me: Please.. Please Viktor. Fuck. Please, for me?Oh my god. I surprise myself with how pathetic and submissive I sound. Before Viktor can respond I hear a crash on the other side of his line. Like a broken glass.Me: Viktor! Are you alright?I hear fumbling in the background before his voice returns to the phone.Viktor: um.. worry not, Jayce. I am fine. Eh. For the most part.Me: so… you’ll video chat with me?Viktor: After I clean up the drink I just spilled, you can have whatever you want, Jayce. Just.. one moment.I smirk and flush pink. I am far too drunk for this right now but I have never felt better. The whiskey dances in my veins and Viktors voice is like my personal drug.I’m entranced in my own world thinking about how good of a night I’m having when I hear three beeps. He… hung up?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’m an idiot.No actually, I’m worse than an idiot.I’m a reckless, impulsive, whiskey filled disaster of a man who just scared off the most interesting person he’s met in years because he doesn’t know how to shut his stupid mouth.I knew I was pushing. I knew I was toeing that invisible line that Viktor always keeps so firmly in place and I just had to shove my whole weight against it, didn’t I?And then he hung up.The worst part is I don’t even know what the thing was that did it. Was it the begging? Was it the admission to touching myself to him? Maybe it was the fact that I was being the most embarrassing person alive on earth?
Jesus. Maybe he’s laughing at me right now. Maybe he’s already blocking my number while shaking his head, wondering why he ever entertained this in the first place.I groan and press the heels of my palms into my eyes.
I need to lay down. I need to sleep. I need a lobotomy. I need to die- My phone buzzes in my lap. [INCOMING VIDEO CALL FROM VIKTOR] I don’t think. I don’t breathe. My body reacts before my brain can catch up and suddenly my finger is hitting accept.The screen shifts. My heart flutters in my chest. And there he is.Viktor. In real time. No mask, no bells and whistles. Just him.His face is framed in soft, warm lighting. His wavy hair is messier than usual, like he’s been running a hand through it. He’s not in his usual sweater vest. Just a simple, dark brown button up with sleeves rolled up past his elbows. The top button is undone. Dangerous.His gaze sharpens the moment he sees me.Viktor: Jayce.His voice is smooth, laced with something unreadable.Viktor: You are not wearing a shirt.I blink. Looking down at myself.Oh. Right.I should probably feel some shame over this but the whiskey is still making a cozy home in my bloodstream..and Viktor is looking at me. His eyes are moving. Like, really moving. It’s like he’s taking me in through a screen in a way that feels startlingly real.I grin cheekily, shrugging my shoulders.Me: I guess you caught me.Viktor exhales, his head tilting slightly.Viktor: This is how you answer video calls? Half dressed and reckless?Me: Only for special occasions.His lips twitch like he’s suppressing something. He shakes his head, eyes flicking up to meet mine again.Viktor: You are ridiculous.I stretch, arms flexing slightly on purpose. Maybe definitely on purpose.Me: And yet, here you are.Viktor: HmViktor hums, the corner of his mouth quirking in a way that sends something hot through me.Viktor: Here I am.The tension is thick. Heavier now that we’re both seeing each other like this. I can’t quite place the look on his face but there’s something there. Something unreadable behind those sharp eyes of his. Something that makes my entire body heat up.Viktor: Jayce?Viktors voice is quieter. A hint of something dark flickers in his tone.Viktor: Are you always this bold when you are tipsy?I swallow hard. My stomach does a flip.Me: I don’t know, maybe. You bring it out in me.I keep my voice steady. That’s a lie. I’m barely holding it together right now.His eyes narrow slightly, and there’s that familiar glint of amusement. He leans forward just enough to make the space between us feel smaller and it’s like everything in my body shifts, reacts and pulls taut.Viktor: Is that so?Viktor’s voice drops an octave, and I’m not sure if it’s the whiskey talking or if his words just have that effect on me. But I’m suddenly aware of every inch of my body. The fact that I’m half naked. The fact that he’s still staring at me.My brain short circuits for a moment. I laugh to try and downplay it, even though it feels like everything inside me is on fire. His gaze never wavers.Me: I guess you’re a bad influence on me and I’m a bad influence on you then, Vik.Viktor: You are far more than that, Jayce. But..He lets the word hang in the air, like a dare.Viktor: Tell me, what exactly do you want from me?I freeze, my breath catches in my throat.
‘What do I want from him?’ I wasn’t prepared for that question. The words feel like they’re stuck somewhere deep inside me, too raw to be spoken. And yet, the alcohol makes me bold enough to take that next step. To stop thinking just for a moment and let everything spill out.I look up, locking eyes with him. My heart hammers in my chest as I say the first thing that comes to mind.Me: I want you to stop making me feel like this, Viktor. I want you to stop messing with my head.There’s a pause, his expression is unreadable. He leans back slightly, watching me with that same careful and calculating gaze.Viktor: Is that what you want?My insides are all over the place. I don’t know what game we’re playing, and I don’t know if I’m winning or losing, but I can’t turn back now.Me: I didn’t ask for this.I mumble.Me: You make it..hard to think straight.Viktor doesn’t respond right away. He’s still studying me and taking his time. I watch as his thumb brushes across his lower lip and the gesture does something to me that makes it even harder to breathe.It’s deliberate, I realize, the way he moves. How everything he does feels like a well thought out step in some kind of intricate dance and I have no idea if I’m meant to follow or lead.And then, finally, he speaks.Viktor: You do not need to think straight with me, Jayce.My pulse spikes.Me: What does that mean?I ask before I can stop myself.He smirks.Viktor: It means I know exactly what I’m doing.His voice is smooth and confident, but there’s a very subtle and dangerous edge to it now. It’s like he’s letting me see just a sliver of something deeper. Something I wasn’t supposed to notice.I stare at him for a long while, unsure of how to even respond. Instead, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.Me: Vik, you’re a problem.Viktor: Am I?he asks, leaning in again ever so slightly. His eyes gleam with something much darker than before and I can see ever so slightly down his shirt through his unbuttoned collar. god.Viktor: Or am I just the kind of problem you have been looking for?The words hang in the air like cigarette smoke curling around me, suffocating in the most intoxicating way. For a second I’m paralyzed by the weight of them. By the implication that maybe, just maybe this game we’re playing is more than either of us let on.Me: I-I start, but the words refuse to come out. It feels like they’ve lost all meaning. Instead, I take another drink in hopes that it’ll give me the courage to say something, anything.But Viktor’s gaze doesn’t leave me, and I’m starting to wonder if this conversation is going somewhere I won’t be able to handle.Viktor: You are thinking too much again.He says it like it’s an observation, but I can hear the challenge in his voice.I smile, even though I’m not sure if it’s entirely a smile.Me: Maybe. But you like it that way, don’t you?Viktor’s lips curve into something that could either be a smile or a smirk.Viktor: Maybe I do.he says softly.Viktor: Maybe you are not the only one who enjoys the push and pull of this dynamic we have.Something inside me shifts as the realization crawls up my spine. My head spins with the recognition that this game isn’t just a game anymore. And I’m not sure if I’m ready to find out where it’s headed, but the thought of stopping now is terrifying in its own way.Before I can respond Viktor speaks again, his voice low and full of promise.Viktor: You are a very interesting man, Jayce. I look forward to seeing how much further you’re willing to go with me.And just like that, the air between us feels charged to the max. My pulse is through the roof and I wonder if this is all going to spiral out of control. Maybe I’m already lost. The quiet wind against the window outside feels distant as Viktor’s unwavering gaze continues to hold mine.
We’ve both said things tonight. Things I didn’t plan on saying, things I don’t fully understand yet. But it’s like we’ve crossed a line and neither of us are willing to step back. The air between us is filled with unspoken truths and it feels like we’re both waiting for the other to speak first.Viktor doesn’t seem rushed.He’s taking his time and letting the silence settle comfortably between us, the tension crackling.
I take another drink. The whiskey burns down my throat but it doesn’t numb the heat building in my chest. If anything, it’s only intensifying it. I’ve never been more aware of him than I am now.Viktor: So, Jayce..His voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts. It’s smooth as butter and casual, but there’s something deeper beneath it. I feel like he’s about to pull me in even further and for some reason, I’m too intrigued to resist.Viktor: What is your favourite song?I blink at the question, the suddenness of it catching me off guard. I almost laugh at the simplicity of it until I realize the weight of what he’s asking. It’s not just about a song. It’s a way of getting closer. Of peeling back the layers. He’s trying to find out the little details that make me who I am.Me: My favourite song, huh? Hmmm..That’s a tough one.I run a hand through my hair while I try to focus but Viktor’s steady gaze is like a magnet, pulling me in. I know he’s watching me and waiting for an answer. For a moment, I let my mind wander.Me: Probably something that makes me feel like I’m not alone, I guess.The words slip out before I can stop them. Much more raw than I intended. But it feels right to be this vulnerable with him. Viktor is looking at me like he’s hanging on every syllable, his expression softening just a fraction.Viktor: I see.He lets the moment linger, like he’s savoring it.Viktor: Do you have one particular song that stands out in your mind? One you may play when you need to feel that way?It’s funny. I never thought about a song that way. But now that Viktor’s asked, I do think of a song almost immediately.Me: Uno by Rex Orange County.I offer a half shrug like it’s no big deal. But Viktor’s eyes widen ever so slightly.Viktor: Uno..interesting.I see him reach for something out of the camera frame. He looks intently focused for a moment and returns back to his usual space. He rubs his nose with his fingers and leaves a graphite smudge behind.I can’t help but smile. He’s always so measured and calculated but there’s something about this moment. The unpredictability of it. The graphite smudge that mirrors his fingertips in the selfie he sent me. I take another long sip from my glass, feeling the warmth burn and spread through me as I catch Viktor’s gaze again.Me: What about you? What’s your favourite song?Viktor’s smile is small but it’s there, tugging at the corners of his mouth.Viktor: Me? I guess it would have to be Crystalised by The XX. It makes me feel like I can float. Perfect listening for right before a storm rolls in.He leans back, glancing up at the ceiling as though considering the answer carefully. His vulnerability is subtle but it’s definitely there. I didn’t expect that. It makes something inside me tighten just a little.Me: You’re not what I expected, Viktor.He turns back to me then, eyes darkening just a fraction. The weight of his stare makes it hard to breathe.Viktor: And what did you expect?His tone is laced with challenge, but there’s something more to it. Like he’s actually curious and looking for a deeper answer. The whiskey makes my head spin but I lean in, feeling emboldened by the alcohol and the way he’s looking at me.Me: Honestly? I thought you’d be all cold and isolated with no real personality. Like the kind of guy who takes everything too seriously.I smile a little and watch as Viktor raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by what I have to say.Viktor: That is the impression I give off, is it?Me: Yeah. But you’re different.I don’t really know where the words are coming from. They’re just spilling out, like they were always there, waiting for the right moment to surface. Viktor’s lips quirk up, but there’s a softness in his eyes now, something I don’t know how to place yet,Viktor: You are right. I am different, Jayce.His voice drops a little lower, a slow, dangerous drawl that makes my chest tighten.Viktor: But maybe you are the one who is making me change.It’s not the first time he’s said something like that which means he isn’t lying. It’s not the first time he’s implied I’m affecting him in ways I don’t fully understand. But this time it feels different. Like he’s not just teasing anymore. Like he’s admitting something. It makes my pulse pound, my chest tightening at the weight of his words.Me: Don’t get used to it.I try to play it off, but even I can tell it sounds weak. It’s clear that he is the one I can’t get used to.Viktor laughs in a sultry tone, leaning in slightly as if he’s telling me a secret.Viktor: It might already be too late for that, Jayce.The way he says my name so low and intimate sends a shiver down my spine. The world around me feels blurry and distorted by the haze of alcohol and the tension crackling between us.Viktor: What is your favorite movie, Jayce?I blink, trying to focus, my head spinning just a little.Me: Favorite movie?Viktor: Yes.He’s studying me again, the question so simple but layered with meaning. I take another sip of whiskey, feeling the warmth spread through my chest.Me: The Lorax.I try to make it seem like I’m more sober than I am as I watch Viktor nod slowly, like he’s committing the answer to memory.Viktor: Of course. I should have known.There’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes but I catch the softness there too. The way his gaze lingers on me for just a moment too long.Viktor: You are more like me than you realize, Jayce.I answer before I can process a coherent thought.Me: How am I supposed to realise how alike we are if it takes playing games, getting naked and getting drunk to learn a crumb of knowledge about you, Vik?Viktor leans back, laughing softly and swirling his glass thoughtfully.Viktor: You are more than just dangerous, Jayce. You are intriguing.His voice is softer now but no less intense.Viktor: I am starting to think I want to know everything about you.And just like that, I realize there’s no turning back.The game we’re playing? It’s not a game anymore. It’s real. And I don’t know where it’s headed but I’m not sure I ever want to stop finding out.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes, Jayce?Me: What’s your favourite movie.Viktor hums deep in thought, stroking a finger across his chiseled jawline. He must know exactly what he’s doing. He drives me insane with how nonchalant he is about how gorgeous he is.Viktor: I would have to say Ratatouille.His answer catches me off guard. That was the last movie I could’ve guessed. Someone like Viktor enjoying a movie like that? I need to make sense of that before we can move past it.Me: I didn’t peg you for a Ratatouille kinda guy. I was expecting you to say some Russian spy movie where there’s a lot of long words and not a lot of them are in English… What is it about Ratatouille that makes it your favourite movie?He taps his fingertips rhythmically on his chin, giving me a side eye that makes my hips twitch.Viktor: I like the notion that anyone can cook. That you do not need to be a professional to be considered ‘good’ at something. So long as you are passionate.His answer rings in my ears and my cheeks flush instantly. It’s not the whiskey that’s making me warm anymore, it’s Viktor and his stupidly cute confessions.Me: Viktor. That’s really cute. YOURE really cute.He tries to conceal a smile by forcing the corners of his mouth down. It looks like a pout which does not help his case.Viktor: I must admit something to you, Jayce.The mood changes and the wind outside my window stops. The weight of the suspense in what he could drop right now is heavier than anything I’ve ever felt.Me: What is it?He clears his throat before finally speaking.Viktor: I have enjoyed talking with you like this these past few weeks. It was a vulnerable thing to do, talking to you without my mask and without my voice changer. But you made it remarkably easy to be comfortable. That is not something I am used to. So, I thank you. Jayce.He looks back at the camera and his eyes widen. He can see my massive smile and pink cheeks.Me: I was thinking the same thing, yknow? The second I saw you in that lobby I knew you were different. There was something about you that shone out like starlight. I thought I’d lost you forever until you sent me a friend request. I still don’t know how you found me or knew what my name was. Something tells me you’ll never tell me that much.He studies my facial movements and softens his expressions before returning to his whiskey.Viktor: You would be correct. I must keep some kind of secrets from you. I would not want you to become disinterested in my lack of mystery.I scoff before admitting something I’m definitely not ready to admit to myself.Me: yeah right. Me becoming disinterested in you? I’m obsessed with you, Viktor. I’ll make sure to remind you that every day.I look back at the camera and he’s..blushing?He’s not facing the camera and his hand is covering his mouth. I think the last few chips in Viktors mask have broken off.

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Viktor exhales a breath that almost sounds like a laugh but there’s something else laced in it. Something much softer. He’s clearly trying to suppress whatever reaction just flickered across his face but unfortunately for him, I caught it crystal clear.He looks back up at me, his lips parting like he’s about to say something but he hesitates. Instead, he takes another slow sip of whiskey while maintaining this seductive eye contact the entire time. We let the moment stretch between us. Thick and humming with something unspoken.Viktor: Your words are like poetry. You say such things so easily, Jayce.His voice is steady but there’s a note of quiet disbelief beneath it. Like he’s trying to understand how I can just say something like that without hesitation. Like he isn’t used to hearing things like this.I tilt my head, watching him carefully.Me: Because I mean them.Simple. Honest. No teasing, no games. Just the truth.Viktor’s fingers tighten slightly around his glass. He doesn’t look away, but I can tell I’ve unsettled him in some way. It’s almost like I’ve pressed against something raw that he wasn’t prepared to show me.Viktor: Hm.That’s all he says at first, but his eyes flicker down for just a moment before meeting mine again. The warmth in them is impossible to ignore. Those honey eyes.Viktor: You are..relentless.I smirk, propping my chin on my hand.Me: You like that about me.He exhales sharply through his nose. It’s almost a laugh.Viktor: Maybe I do.His voice is quieter now. Much more contemplative. He swirls his whiskey in his glass watching the amber liquid shift, his mind clearly somewhere else for a moment. When he finally speaks again, his tone is lower and more deliberate.Viktor: I do not think anyone has ever been quite so persistent with me before.Me: You make it fun.I speak from my heart. I mean it. He does make it fun. Everything about him. his sharp wit, the way he holds back just enough to keep me wanting more, the way he looks at me like he’s cataloging every little thing I do to remember later..it’s impossible to ignore.Viktor hums, tipping his glass slightly toward the camera as if in some silent toast.Viktor: Then I suppose I should not be surprised that I am enjoying this moment as much as I am.He takes a slow sip, and I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch like he’s fighting off a smirk.Me: You’re blushing, by the way.Viktor freezes for half a second so quick I almost miss it. Then, with practiced ease, he sets his glass down and rests his chin against his palm. His expression shifts back into something unreadable.Viktor: Hm. That is an interesting accusation, Jayce.Me: It’s not an accusation if it’s true.I grin, leaning closer to the screen, lowering my voice just a little.Me: What, don’t tell me you’re shy all of a sudden?Viktor narrows his eyes slightly, but there’s no real bite to it.Viktor: Hardly.Me: Then prove it.His gaze sharpens. He studies me like he’s deciding something. Like he’s measuring how far he’s willing to let this go.And then. Slowly. Deliberately, he shifts his chair just a little closer to the camera. His face fills more of the screen and suddenly, it feels like he’s right there in front of me.Viktor: Very well then, Jayce.His voice is low. Intentional.Viktor: How would you like me to prove it?My breath catches.Oh.Oh, he’s good.But unfortunately for him.. I’m better.I never told him this but I actually DID take a photo of me still wet from the shower and in a towel. Maybe we’ll see how shy he actually is when he opens the message up in front of me.I tab out of our video chat for a split second while I send the pic. My thumb hovers over the send button in hesitation. Fuck it.I click send and tab straight back into the video chat. I’m not missing this for the world.I see his camera vibrate for a second while the message appears.Viktor: You are sending me a text while I am on video chat with you? Honestly, Jayce, that is quite obsessive.I grin.Me: just wanted to show you something cool I took a picture of recently.He clicks his tongue.Viktor: Very well. One moment while I-His expression drops and becomes immediately unreadable. His ambrosia eyes scan every pixel in the image, carefully storing it in his mind for later.He lets out a small ‘mm’ sound.Me: What’s the matter, Jayce got your tongue, Vik?He says nothing. Doesn’t even look at me through the screen actually. Just continues staring at the image. It’s making my cheeks burn actually.Me: Well?He clears his throat and plans his next words carefully.Viktor: Jayce does not have my tongue, however, it seems like I would not mind if Jayce did.What?I stop functioning. What did he just say???I immediately flush red and I know he sees it.Me: You can’t keep saying stuff like this, Viktor.Viktor: And why is that?I look away from the camera, I know he sees me getting flustered. I can feel his eyes on me.Me: All I did was uphold my part of the bargain, I’m free from your wrath now.He laughs and takes one final sip of his whiskey.Viktor: Well, even though I did drink more than you and lost in technicality. I still won.I frown and think about tonight. I definitely won, what is he talking about?Me: Viktor you absolutely lost. I got to video chat with you and i didn’t drink nearly as much as you did. How do you think that YOU were the one who won?Theres a considerate pause between us before his words grab my heart with both hands and squeezes. Viktor: I got to spend my night with you. His words hit my chest like a baseball. Viktor watches me, his expression unreadable but his eyes..those damn eyes are steady and unwavering. There’s something in them that makes my pulse spike. Something dangerous in how easily it gets under my skin.Me: That’s..not fair.Viktor: Hm?His lips twitch, just slightly. He knows exactly what he’s doing.Me: You can’t just say something like that and expect me to be normal about it.Viktor tilts his head slightly, tapping his fingers against the rim of his glass in thought.Viktor: And yet, you expect me to be ‘normal’ after the photo you sent me, hm?His gaze flickers down. Just for a second. Just enough to remind me of the photo still burning in his mind.Oh.I swallow, shifting slightly in my chair.Me: Touché.Viktor hums, clearly pleased with himself. He sets his empty glass aside and leans forward again, resting his chin against his palm.Viktor: You fluster much too easy, Jayce.Me: I wouldn’t if you weren’t such a menace.Viktor: A menace?He feigns offense, placing a hand against his chest like I’ve wounded him.Me: Oh, don’t even. You know exactly what you’re doing.His smirk deepens and I brace myself for whatever he’s about to say next. But instead of another sharp remark, another tease meant to make my heart race, he speaks honestly.Viktor: I do.That’s it.Just two words. But they hit harder than anything else he’s said tonight. Because for all the banter, for all the teasing, there’s something honest in the way he says it. Like he’s admitting to something he shouldn’t be.Like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.And he’s enjoying every second of it.I swallow hard, my fingers tightening around the edge of my desk.Me: That’s dangerous, Viktor.His brow lifts, just slightly, but his smirk doesn’t waver.Viktor: Dangerous?Me: You knowing exactly what you’re doing.His expression shifts but I catch it. The amusement is still there, but something else lurks beneath it now. Interest. Curiosity. Like he’s waiting to see just how far I’ll take this.Viktor: Hm. And what happens if I use this knowledge against you?Me: Then I guess we’re at war.His smirk widens, but it’s slower this time, more deliberate.Viktor: A war, you say.He leans in just a fraction more, his voice dipping lower.Viktor: I wonder..would you surrender easily, Jayce?I inhale sharply.He’s relentless. And worse? He knows he’s winning.Me: Not a chance.Viktor hums in mock contemplation, tilting his head like he’s considering his next move. Then with a slow, deliberate motion he reaches for his glass,only to remember it’s empty. His lips press into a thin line, very displeased.Viktor: Hm. That is unfortunate.Me: What, that you’re out of whiskey? Or that you haven’t won yet?His eyes flick up to meet mine again. Sharp yet soft, assessing. Then, to my absolute horror, he chuckles. A real, quiet, pleased sound.Viktor: Ah, but I have, Jayce.I blink.Me: Excuse me?Viktor shifts slightly, his gaze never leaving mine.Viktor: You said it yourself. This is a war.He leans in just a bit more, his voice smooth, intentional.Viktor: And yet, you are already breathless.I freeze. My heartbeat stumbles.Me: Hey that’s cheating.Viktor: Hm. If it works, is it truly cheating?I don’t know whether I want to strangle him or kiss him. Possibly both. Even more possibly at the same time.Viktor studies me for another beat, then exhales, settling back in his chair.Viktor: But I will be merciful. For tonight, at least.Me: ..Merciful? You?Viktor: Hm. You are clearly at your limit. I would not want to break you too soon. Oh, he’s the worst. The absolute worst.Me: Break me? I could break YOU in half, Viktor. Have you seen these muscles?I flex my bicep into frame and pull a pretend shocked face at how strong I am.His expression doesn’t change, apart from a smirk creeping in at the corners of his mouth.Viktor: Well your photo does suggest that you are strong. Quite strong at that I must admit. But I suppose we will just have to see who is the winner of this war..in person, perhaps. I think I’m about to pass out.

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I feel like the walls are closing in on me.Did he just say what I think he said?Me: In person?Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly like he’s shocked by, but considering his own words. But he knows exactly what he said. Knows exactly what effect it’s having on me.Viktor: Hm. Unless, of course, you would rather keep our little war confined to video chats and text messages.His voice is casual, measured, calculated..but there’s something dangerous in the way he’s watching me. Like he’s setting a trap just to see if I’ll step into it willingly.Me: Oh, I see what you’re doing.Viktor: Do you?Me: You’re trying to see if I’ll be the one to cave first.Viktor exhales a quiet chuckle, swirling the last remnants of melted ice in his glass.Viktor: And will you?I narrow my eyes.Me: No.He lifts a brow, clearly amused.Viktor: Hm. A shame.I open my mouth to fire back but before I can, he shifts in his chair again. Just enough that the low glow of his desk lamp catches against the gold in his eyes.Viktor: You know, Jayce. I am a patient man.His voice is softer now, almost thoughtful.Viktor: I can wait.I don’t know what he’s playing at. I don’t know if he’s daring me or reassuring me. Maybe both. But what I do know is that whatever game we’re playing, he’s already thought several moves ahead.And worse?I think I want to let him win. I try to play it cool, as if there aren’t fire ants under my skin and bones right now. Me: That so?I keep my voice steady, keep my expression unreadable. If he’s going to play this game I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch first.Viktor sets his empty glass aside. He doesn’t break eye contact. Not once.Viktor: It is. Very much so..There’s something deliberate about the way he says it. Slow. Certain. Like he’s settling into a truth he’s only just accepted.I shift in my chair, leaning slightly closer to the screen.Me: And what exactly are you waiting for, Viktor?His lips twitch. Not quite a smirk, but something close.Viktor: You.Oh.The single syllable lands like a right hook to my ribs.He says it so easily. So effortlessly. like it isn’t the kind of thing that could level a person. Like it isn’t the kind of thing that could unravel me if I let it.I exhale and tip my head slightly, still trying to play it cool.Me: That’s a lot of patience, then.Viktor: Perhaps.A beat of silence stretches between us. Then, so subtle I almost miss it, his gaze flickers downward. Just for a second.Right. The photo. I forgot I sent that.My face burns, but I refuse to look away.Viktor: You are not nearly as subtle as you think, Jayce.Me: Neither are you.He exhales a quiet laugh, running a hand through his hair.Viktor: Maybe. Maybe not.The way he says it makes my stomach feel like it’s twisting itself into a balloon dog.Me: Well. If you’re waiting for me, I hope you don’t mind waiting a while longer.I expect him to tease me for it, to press me just a little more. To play into this back and forth we have. But instead, his expression shifts ever so slightly. Something softer flickers behind his eyes.Viktor: I do not mind at all.It’s said so simply, so sincerely, that for a moment all I can do is stare.Viktor tilts his head slightly.Viktor: But I do wonder.Me: Wonder what?His smirk returns, slow and deliberate.Viktor: If you will last as long as you claim.My breath hitches.Oh, he’s good.But unfortunately for him.. I’m still better.Me: Guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?I see the way his fingers tighten slightly against his desk. The way his eyes flicker back into my own, sharp and considering.Viktor: Mhm.It’s the only sound he makes before he ends the video call with a quiet‘click!’I stare at my dark screen with my own reflection looking back at me. My heart is hammering like I just stepped off the edge of something I can’t take back. Yeah. I’m so fucked.

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I sit at my desk for what feels like an eternity as I process what just happened.The admissions and confessions, the whiskey still enflaming my bloodstream. That was raw and that was real, and that was Viktor.My face is still flushed red and I know for a fact that it’s not alcohol residue.Before I can ruminate on the acceptance that I have a huge crush on Viktor, my phone lights up. We’ll unpack that later I suppose.One new message.From Viktor.I inhale sharply, sparing no time and unlocking it immediately.Viktor: Sleep well, Jayce.I blink at the screen.That’s it? No teasing? No follow up sarcastic remark to make me overthink this entire conversation even more than I already am? Just.. sleep well?I huff a quiet laugh, shaking my head.Me: You too, Vik.I hesitate. Then, before I can second guess myself I send another text.Me: You’ll need your rest if you’re planning on keeping up with me.A pause. Three dots flicker at the bottom of the screen. Typing. Then-Viktor: As I said, I am a patient man. I can wait.I let my phone drop onto my chest and stare at the ceiling. I am down horrendously bad. The next morning I wake up to sunlight streaming through my window and the vague memory of last night pressing down on my chest like a weight.Viktor. His voice. That stupid smirk. The way he left me sitting there just staring at my own reflection like some sort of bozo.I groan softly as I reminisce. I need to get a grip.Like clockwork, the first thing I do before even getting out of bed is reach for my phone. A part of me knows it’s pathetic, but I do it anyway.I check my notifications. Nothing new from Viktor.I huff like a toddler having a tantrum, flopping back onto my pillow.Me: What, no ‘good morning’ text? You’re either slacking or hungover.I don’t expect an immediate response. If I know Viktor, he’s probably already awake and deep in whatever project he’s working on. Completely unbothered by the way he left me feeling last night.But then, my phone vibrates.Viktor: Ah, I see. You missed me.I stare at the screen, lips parting slightly. He did not just..Me: Excuse me?Viktor: You are the one who texted first, Jayce. It is simple logic.Me: Oh, shut up. Maybe I just wanted to make sure you were still alive. Not too hungover.Viktor: Mm. I am touched by your concern.I can practically hear the amusement in his voice, even through text. He’s enjoying this. The worst part? So am I.Me: You should be. I’m a very considerate person, you know.Viktor: Ah, yes. Incredibly considerate. That is why you sent me that photo last night, yes?I choke on absolutely nothing.Me: I take it back. I hope you trip today.There’s a pause, and then my phone vibrates again.Viktor: If I do, I trust you would be kind enough to catch me.I stare at the screen, my mind fills with that visual and it sends tingles to my cheeks.Me: Bold of you to assume I wouldn’t just laugh.Viktor: Even bolder to assume I would not enjoy that more.I hate him. He’s the worst. I can’t stop entertaining him like this. I shut my eyes for a second and exhale slowly. This man is going to be the death of me.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: And yet, here you still are.I grit my teeth against a smile while shaking my head. I should stop indulging him. I really should. But what would be the fun in that?Me: Unfortunately.Viktor: Hm.I expect him to say more, but nothing else comes through. Just that single, considering noise of his. He does that sometimes. Just drops a comment that lingers longer than it should and then just leaves me with it. Like an unfinished sentence that my brain can’t help but try to complete.I should get up and start my day. But instead, I scroll through the tail end of last nights texts. My thumb hovers over a message I must’ve been too tired to register.‘I am a patient man’ he’d said.‘I can wait.’I don’t know why that sticks with me the way it does. Maybe because he said it so easily, like it wasn’t even a question. Like it was just a fact.He wasn’t pushing. He wasn’t trying to corner me into an answer I wasn’t ready to give.He was just waiting.And the worst part? I think I want to stop making him wait.The thought makes my stomach flip, and I run a hand through my hair as if that’ll help me make any more sense of it.I want to meet him. That’s not the issue.It’s everything that comes with it.It’s one thing to play this game through a screen and to trade smirks and sharp words with the safety of a buffer between us. But face to face? In the same space? Where I can’t tab out and take a breather where he can’t see me getting flustered?That’s different.That’s real.And it terrifies me just as much as it excites me.I think about his golden eyes and how they melt me. There’s no telling how they’ll get to me in real life. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from reaching across the table and brushing my thumb against the smirk on his lips. God. I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.Okay. Baby steps. I don’t have to jump off the deep end all at once. This may be a war but we both still have all of our soldiers.I pick up my phone again. Me: One more video call.This time, there’s no delay.Viktor: Oh?Me: Before we meet.A pause.Viktor: That is your condition?I exhale slowly.Me: Yeah.There’s another pause, longer this time. And then-Viktor: Alright.Me: Alright? Just like that? No smug comment? No teasing?Viktor: Correct. I am restraining myself.I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop the small smile that tugs at my lips.Me: I’m doing you a favor here, you know.Viktor: Oh?Me: Yeah. I figured you deserved the chance to mentally prepare yourself before seeing me in person. Wouldn’t want you passing out from sheer awe. Then I would HAVE to catch you. You’d cause a scene. It’d be super embarrassing for you.Viktor: My, my. How very thoughtful of you.Me: I do try.Viktor: Then I will do the same.I blink at the screen.Me: Do the same?Viktor: Prepare myself. You would not want to fall over either, yes?I bite my lip to keep from grinning too wide.Me: You’re ridiculous.Viktor: Perhaps.Another pause.Viktor: You will see soon enough that I speak no lies.And just like that, my heart is hammering again.I throw my phone onto my bed and bury my face in my hands with a groan.Okay. This is happening. And I don’t think I’m ready for it.But I want it. God help me, I want it.I’m absolutely terrified and I don’t know how I should even begin to move past this. It’s not because I don’t want this, not because I don’t want him because god I do..but because now there’s no turning back.The words are out there, solid and irreversible, and Viktor is the kind of guy who won’t let me take them back even if I tried.I put my phone on silent and dim the screen like that’ll somehow undo the last five minutes of my life. It doesn’t. All it does is make me acutely aware of how fast my heart is beating and how ridiculous I probably look right now. My face buried in my hands like a shy schoolgirl. I can’t stop groaning into my palms like I just signed away my soul.Then, as if the universe itself is intent on making sure I suffer, my phone buzzes again.I ignore it.It buzzes a second time.And a third.Goddamn it.I drag it out from under my pillow and force myself to look.Viktor: Jayce.Viktor: Are you alive?Viktor: Blink twice if you require medical assistance.I inhale sharply through my nose.Me: I hate you.Viktor: No, you do not.Me: I might.Viktor: And yet, here you still are.I groan, letting my head thump back against the pillow. He’s infuriating. He’s impossible. He’s way too good at this.But unfortunately for me? He’s also right.I hesitate before typing out my next message.Me: When?A beat of silence. That one word could mean anything but I know he knows what I mean.Viktor: Whenever you are ready.The simplicity of the answer floors me. No teasing. No pressure. Just raw words.I swallow hard, staring at the words until they blur slightly.Ready. God, what does that even mean?I should be terrified. I am terrified. And yet, the moment he says it so casually, so certain, I realize that maybe, just maybe, I already know the answer.I take a breath. Then another. My fingers hover over the screen.Me: Soon.Three dots flicker at the bottom of the chat.Viktor: Very well. I will hold you to that.And for once?I think I want him to.I put my phone face down at my desk and slump into my chair, as if it’s creating some physical distance between myself and the decision I just made. As if it’ll somehow make it less real. It doesn’t. The words are still there, sitting in our chat like a promise I can’t take back.I exhale slowly, running a hand through my hair.What the hell am I doing?The answer comes far too easily.Im doing what I want. Me: I mean it. Soon, Viktor.I send one last text, which is a dangerous thing, to admit it. Because now I can’t pretend otherwise.My phone buzzes again, and despite myself, I reach for it.Viktor: Good.That’s it. Just one word. Confident. Unshaken. Like he never doubted for a second that this is where we’d end up.I scowl at the screen, ignoring the way my stomach twists.Me: That’s all you have to say?Viktor: Would you like a parade?Me: Maybe.Viktor: I will see what I can do.A breath of laughter escapes me before I can stop it. He’s impossible. Completely and utterly impossible.Me: You’re enjoying this way too much.Viktor: Of course.Me: You’re not even going to deny it?Viktor: Why would I?I narrow my eyes at the screen. I can hear the smugness in his voice. The worst part? I don’t actually mind.I huff a quiet laugh, shaking my head as I type out my next message.Me: You’re the worst.A pause.Viktor: And yet, here you still are.I groan, dropping my forehead against my desk with a dull thunk.He’s going to be the death of me. And God help me, I think I’m going to let him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I find myself checking my phone way more than usual throughout the day. I tell myself it’s not on purpose, but if it’s not, then why do I keep checking our chat like some lovesick idiot?Viktor hasn’t messaged me since this morning, which is fine. Normal. We both have lives outside of teasing each other into oblivion. But at some point in the late afternoon, my fingers tap against the side of my phone, restless.And before I can overthink it, I type out a message.Me: Busy tonight?It takes a few minutes before I see the typing indicator. My stomach does something incredibly annoying.Viktor: That depends. Is this an invitation?Me: More like a request.There’s a pause and a flicker in the typing bubble.Viktor: How intriguing. Go on.I roll my eyes, smirking. He loves making me work for it.Me: Video chat tonight?The typing bubble appears, disappears, then reappears.Viktor: Very well. But only if you promise not to send me another scandalous image while we are speaking. You may wait until after our lines are disconnected before doing such.I choke on a laugh. Of course he’d bring that up again.Me: No promises.Viktor: Of course.I grin, shaking my head. And then, because I’m already being reckless, I add the specifics.Me: 8 PM. Don’t be late.Viktor: I am never late.Me: I bet you will be.Viktor: Would you like to wager on that, Jayce?I exhale sharply, shaking my head. He really never lets me win. But maybe I don’t mind losing.Me: Maybe next time. It’s only after we settle on the time that I realize what day it is. Valentine’s Day.Shit. Do I bring it up? No, definitely not. That would be weird. It would be WAY too forward. It’s not like we’re.. anything, right? ..right? 7:50PM. Why am I suddenly paying way too much attention to my reflection in the mirror? Why am I debating between two different button up shirts like some teenage idiot about to go on his first date?I settle on one. It’s a subtle navy blue silk button up. Just nice enough to be noticeable, but not too noticeable.I glance at the bottle of champagne on the kitchen counter. I wasn’t planning on drinking tonight, but..Fuck it. It’s a date.I pop the cork and pour a glass, setting it down near my desk. And because I’m already doing too much, I light a candle. For ambiance. Nothing weird about it. No other reason.I sit down and open my front camera, clicking Viktors contact and pressing dial.The line rings 3 times before a little click sounds and Viktor appears.And the first thing I notice?He’s also dressed up.Not overly so, but enough. A dark button up, sleeves rolled just enough to hint at forearms, hair looking slightly more put together than usual. And..oh.Is that a glass of champagne in his hand?We stare at each other for half a second.Then, at the exact same time..we both start laughing.Me: Oh my god…..you loser.I tip my head back in laughter, the blush in my cheeks perfectly concealed.Viktor exhales sharply through his nose, shaking his head.Viktor: I was about to say the same to you, Jayce.I gesture toward my screen.Me: Champagne? Candlelight? Who are you trying to impress, Vik?Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly.Viktor: The same could be asked of you.I scoff.Me: It’s just a casual drink, Viktor. Totally normal. Absolutely nothing special about tonight at all.Viktor smirks, taking a slow sip of his drink.Viktor: Of course.We sit there for a moment, sipping champagne in unison while both of us refuse to acknowledge the very obvious truth hanging between us.And maybe that’s fine. Maybe we don’t need to say anything.Because the way Viktor’s eyes linger on me a little longer than usual? The way he smirks when he notices me looking?It’s enough.For now.The laughter dies down, but the amusement still lingers in Viktor’s expression. He swirls the champagne in his glass, watching the bubbles rise to the surface with a thoughtful kind of patience.I should let this moment settle. I should just drink my champagne and let the conversation flow naturally.Instead, my mouth speaks before my brain can tell it not to.Me: So, you dress up like this for all your casual video calls, huh?Viktor’s lips quirk at the corner, his gaze flicking back to mine through the screen.Viktor: Do you?Me: Oh, absolutely. Very normal behavior. Just another Wednesday night for me.Viktor hums, clearly unimpressed.Viktor: It is Friday, Jayce.I pause, blinking.Me: Right.He takes a slow sip of champagne, visibly enjoying my moment of idiocy. I narrow my eyes at him.Me: You didn’t answer the question.Viktor tilts his head slightly, amusement dancing behind those sharp amber eyes.Viktor: You assume there is a special occasion for this.Me: Isn’t there?A pause. A deliberate one.Viktor: Hm. That depends.Me: On what?Viktor: On whether or not you consider spending an evening with me to be a special occasion.My brain short circuits.The worst part? He knows. He watches me like a scientist observing the precise moment an experiment goes off the rails. And he likes it.I recover quickly, but that’s mostly out of spite.Me: Oh, so you admit this is a date.Viktor exhales sharply, shaking his head.Viktor: You are impossible.Me: And you didn’t deny it.His lips part slightly, like he has something to say, but instead, he just huffs out a quiet laugh and takes another sip of champagne.He’s letting it linger. The unspoken thing. The thing we both refuse to acknowledge out loud.It’s fine. I can let it linger too.For now.I take a sip from my own glass, watching him over the rim.Me: So. What are we toasting to?Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: Must there be a reason?Me: It just feels wrong to drink champagne without a proper toast. Kind of tragic, really.Viktor exhales slowly, considering. Then he lifts his glass just slightly.Viktor: To victory.I blink.Me: That’s ominous.Viktor smirks. Slowly.Viktor: Perhaps.I tilt my head, watching him.Me: And what exactly did you win, Viktor?His gaze lingers on me for half a second too long. Then, his next words take me out like an arrow to the heart.Viktor: Well. I am spending my night with you, am I not?I hate him. I hate him so much.I school my expression, pretending that didn’t just knock the wind out of me.Me: That’s funny, I was just about to say the same thing.Viktor hums, tipping his glass slightly toward me in a silent toast. I mimic the motion, our glasses clinking in spirit, and take a slow sip.The candle flickers in the corner of my vision. The champagne is crisp, sweet, just a little bit sharp.Viktor leans forward slightly, resting his chin against his hand.Viktor: So, Jayce.Me: So, Viktor.Viktor: Tell me something.Me: That depends.Viktor lifts a brow.Viktor: On?Me: On whether or not you’re about to ask me something dangerous.Viktor hums, low and thoughtful.Viktor: Perhaps I should rephrase.Me: Go on.Viktor: Tell me something true.The teasing edge in his voice is softer now. There’s something else underneath it.I pause.Me: You first.Viktor considers me for a moment, studying my face like he’s deciding whether or not to take me seriously. Then, slowly, deliberately, seductively-Viktor: Alright.I raise a brow, intrigued.Viktor: Something true.A pause.Then, finally..Viktor: I have enjoyed this more than I expected to.I blink.It’s not the kind of thing he usually says. Not with this much weight. Not without turning it into some kind of game. But he just says it, straightforward and honest.And worse?He means it.Me: That’s dangerous, Viktor.Viktor: Hm. You keep saying that.Me: Because it’s true.Viktor exhales sharply through his nose, amused.Viktor: Very well then, Jayce. Your turn.I tilt my head, considering. Then, before I can overthink it, I speak.Me: I think I’d like to do this again sometime.There’s a flicker of something in Viktor’s expression. It’s gone before I can pin it down, but it was there.Viktor hums, tipping his glass slightly.Viktor: That is not surprising.Me: Is that a yes?A pause.Viktor: It is not a no.I grin.Me: I’ll take it.The champagne is warm in my chest. The candle flickers. The night stretches between us. It’s slow, soft, and humming with something unspoken. Viktor watches me over the rim of his glass, eyes glinting with something unreadable. He sets it down with a quiet clink and tilts his head slightly, his gaze still steady on mine.Viktor: So, Jayce.Me: So, Viktor.His lips twitch at the corners.Viktor: What exactly is your strategy here?I raise a brow, feigning innocence.Me: Strategy?Viktor hums, like he’s considering something. Then, with deliberate ease.Viktor: You have been attempting to impress me all evening. I am simply wondering if you have a plan.I scoff, leaning back in my chair.Me: You think I need a plan?Viktor: I think you are getting desperate.I nearly choke on my champagne.Me: Excuse me?Viktor lifts a single brow, his smirk just barely there.Viktor: You heard me.Me: I am not desperate.Viktor: Mm. Of course.He takes another slow sip, completely unimpressed.I narrow my eyes at him.Me: You know, for someone who claims I’m the desperate one, you sure went through a lot of effort to look nice for me tonight.Viktor exhales sharply, but his amusement is clear.Viktor: Ah, but you see-He leans in slightly, resting his chin on his palm.Viktor: Perhaps I simply enjoy making you suffer.My breath catches.The way he says it is frustratingly smooth, effortless and completely in control.I swallow.Me: You’re evil.Viktor shrugs, unbothered.Viktor: It is entertaining.Me: Oh, you like seeing me flustered, huh?Viktor: I find it..amusing.He lets that word hang in the air between us, deliberate and smug.Oh. Oh, he thinks he won this round.Unacceptable.I shift slightly in my chair, tilting my head as I let my gaze sweep over him Painfully slow and obvious.Me: Well, that’s interesting.Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: Oh?Me: Because I think you fluster even easier than I do.He scoffs.Viktor: Highly unlikely.Me: Is it?I lower my voice just slightly, just enough.Me: I seem to recall a certain someone completely freezing when I sent them a photo earlier.Viktor’s fingers tighten slightly around his glass. It’s subtle, but I catch it.Viktor: Hm. That is an interesting memory, Jayce.Me: Oh, it’s burned into my mind.His lips press together like he’s suppressing a smile.Viktor: Then allow me to remind you.He leans in, just a fraction, just enough that it feels like he’s closer.Viktor: I was simply taking my time to admire the image.Oh.I hate him. I hate how good he is at this.My fingers twitch slightly against my glass, but I school my expression, refusing to let him see the effect he has on me.Me: Oh, is that what you call it?Viktor: Of course. What else would I call it?Me: I could think of a few things.Viktor hums, resting his chin against his hand again, watching me with way too much amusement.Viktor: I am sure you could.The candle flickers. The champagne hums in my veins.He is enjoying this way too much.And the worst part? So am I.Viktor watches me, all sharp eyes and sharper amusement. His fingers resting lightly against the rim of his glass. He’s so fucking pleased with himself. He thinks he’s winning this war. I need to do something drastic.Me: You know, Viktor..I let my voice drop just slightly, let my gaze linger just a little too long. I tilt my head, watching the way he reacts.Me: If you really wanted a better look, all you had to do was ask.His expression doesn’t change. But his breath? I hear it catch.Oh.I have him now.Viktor exhales slowly, measured, before tilting his head, eyes glinting in the low light.Viktor: Is that so?Me: Mm.I take a slow sip of my champagne, watching him carefully and not breaking the eye contact for a second. He’s thinking. Calculating. Deciding how far he’s willing to let this go.Viktor: Very well, then. I am asking.Oh, shit.My fingers tighten around my glass. I blink at him, thrown off for half a second.Viktor catches it immediately. And he smirks.Viktor: Oh? Was that not what you wanted?Me: You-I exhale sharply, trying to gather my thoughts, but it’s impossible with the way he’s watching me. It’s intentional and just a little bit smug. It’s insufferable. It’s so hot.Viktor: What is the matter, Jayce?Me: I just wasn’t expecting you to be so…I gesture vaguely at him.Me: bold.Viktor hums, swirling his champagne.Viktor: Mm. You are quite used to having the upper hand, it seems.Me: And you’re enjoying taking it away from me.Viktor exhales a quiet laugh.Viktor: Very much so.I shake my head, fighting off a grin.Me: You’re dangerous, you know that?Viktor: Oh? And so I have been told very much lately.I take another slow sip of my drink.Me: You know exactly what you’re doing.Viktor: Do I?Me: And you like watching me squirm.Viktor smirks, his voice dropping just slightly.Viktor: Immensely.God. He’s the worst. And I love it.I narrow my eyes at him.Me: You better be careful, Viktor.Viktor lifts a brow.Viktor: Oh? And why is that?I lean in slightly, letting my voice dip lower.Me: Because if you keep this up, you might just get exactly what you want.There it is. That pause. The way his fingers go still against the glass, the way his breath hitches just barely.Viktor blinks at me once, slow and deliberate.Viktor: I am counting on it.Oh.Oh, he’s good.My breath catches.He’s not hesitating. Not dodging. He’s leaning in.I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified. Maybe both. Definitely both.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes, Jayce?He’s too calm. Too in control. And I refuse to let him keep the upper hand.Me: You’re flying very close to the sun.Viktor hums, as if considering.Viktor: Perhaps. But then again..He leans in just slightly. Just enough for the candlelight to catch the edge of his smirk and the lust in his honey coloured eyes.Viktor: So are you.I knew he was going to say that. And it still hits harder than I want to admit.Me: You know, I was planning to be nice tonight.Viktor: A shame, really.Me: Oh? You don’t want me to be nice?Viktor exhales a quiet laugh, low and warm.Viktor: I rather think we have gone past the point of ‘nice.’God. That voice. That sultry twist on the end of every word. The things I’d give to hear him say my name in this room right now.Me: And what point exactly have we reached, Viktor?He tilts his head, eyes flickering over me in that way he knows makes my pulse spike.Viktor: The point where you are waiting for me to say something that will ruin you.I freeze. His voice is too smooth. Too confident. He knows.Me: Bold assumption.Viktor: Not an assumption, Jayce.Oh.Oh, he’s really doing this.I swallow, shifting slightly in my seat.Me: You’re awfully sure of yourself.Viktor: Should I not be?I narrow my eyes at him.Me: You’re playing with fire.Viktor hums, watching me with a gaze so steady it makes my stomach tighten.Viktor: I like the heat. The burn excites me.Jesus Christ.I set my drink down before I can drop it.Me: Okay. That’s enough out of you.Viktor smirks.Viktor: Oh? Are you conceding?Me: Never.Viktor: Hm. Shame. I was rather looking forward to my victory speech.Me: You haven’t won the war yet, Vik.He leans forward, resting his chin on his hand.Viktor: No?Me: No.I sit up straighter, locking eyes with him, letting the silence stretch between us, thick and heavy.And then, I let my voice drop.Me: Because if you had, you’d be the one breathless right now.I watch him closely. The way his fingers twitch against his glass. The way his expression shifts just slightly.I have him.Viktor exhales slowly, steadying himself. He lifts a brow, but I see it now. That flicker of something just beneath the surface that he thought he was masking.Viktor: Hm.He taps a finger against his glass, contemplating. Then, his voice drops lower, warm and edged with amusement.Viktor: Perhaps I simply have better control than you.Oh, fuck off.Me: That so?Viktor: Mm.I smirk.Me: Then prove it.His eyes flicker, something sharpening in them.Viktor: Oh? You would like me to prove it?Me: Absolutely.He hums, swirling the last remnants of champagne in his glass.Viktor: Very well, then.Without breaking our eye contact, he slowly unbuttons the top button of his shirt.I swear I stop breathing.His movements are smooth. Measured. He slides his fingers down the fabric, undoing a second button, slow enough that I feel the deliberate intent behind it.My mouth goes dry.Me: What are you doing.Viktor: Proving it.He undoes a third button, parting the fabric just enough to reveal the sliver of his collarbones beneath.Me: That’s cheating.Viktor smirks.Viktor: If it works, is it truly cheating?I hate him.I really like him.I hate how much I like him.Me: You’re a menace.Viktor: And you are blushing.I glare at him, but it holds no real heat.Me: Shut up.Viktor: Make me.Oh. Oh, he’s winning. I need to do something immediately.I exhale sharply, trying to pull myself together.Me: You’re pushing your luck, Viktor.Viktor tilts his head, his fingers still idly toying with the edge of his unbuttoned vest.Viktor: Am I?Me: You’re practically begging me to do something about it.His lips curve but not quite a smirk. Something close, something dangerous.Viktor: And what exactly do you intend to do, Jayce?Oh, he’s asking for it. Fine.I sit up straighter, rolling my shoulders back, letting my fingers trail along the rim of my glass before I lift it to my lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip.I let the moment stretch. Let him watch me.Then, I lower my voice.Me: Well, that depends. Are you sure you can handle it?His grip on his glass tightens. Barely. But I see it.Viktor: Oh? You believe you could do something that would actually faze me?Me: I don’t believe. I know.I let my words sink in, watching as his fingers tap lightly against the table. his mind working. Calculating. He doesn’t look away.Viktor: Then, by all means..He leans in, eyes flickering with challenge.Viktor: Prove it.Oh, he really shouldn’t have said that.I don’t hesitate. I push my chair back just slightly, just enough to give him a better view, and keeping my eyes locked on his, I reach for the collar of my shirt and very slowly, very deliberately, undo the top button.His gaze sharpens.I undo the second.His fingers still against the rim of his glass.Third.His breath isn’t as steady anymore.………fourth.I smirk, leaning forward again.Me: What was that about better control?Viktor exhales through his nose, his grip tightening around his drink.Viktor: Hmph.Me: I didn’t quite catch that, Vik.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: And yet, you’re still watching, aren’t you?His lips press into a thin line, but I can see the way his pupils have darkened, the way his jaw tenses like he’s holding something back.Me: Something on your mind?He exhales slowly, composing himself, then, before I can react, he reaches up and undoes another button of his vest before leaning back in his chair, his expression infuriatingly composed.Viktor: Not at all.Oh. Oh, he’s fighting back.Me: So that’s how it is, huh?Viktor: Mm. You started this, Jayce.Me: And I intend to finish it.Viktor’s eyes glint with amusement.Viktor: Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?I don’t answer right away. Instead, I let my gaze slowly drag over him and the way the candlelight is flickering against his collarbone. The slight part in his vest, the way his fingers drum idly against the table like he’s resisting the urge to do more.Then, I grin.Me: Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.His eyes narrow slightly, but the smirk tugging at his lips betrays him.Viktor: You are playing a dangerous game, Jayce.Me: So are you.The silence between us hums with something electric. Something unspoken but very much felt.And neither of us is backing down. Viktor exhales slowly, watching me through the screen like he’s measuring every breath I take. His fingers tap against his glass, idle but precise, like he’s thinking. Calculating.Then, his lips part.Viktor: Do you want to know what I think, Jayce?His voice is smooth, deliberate. Dangerous.Me: I’m dying to know.His smirk deepens just slightly.Viktor: I think you enjoy testing me.I tilt my head, feigning innocence.Me: Is that so?Viktor: Mm. You like seeing how far you can push before I do something about it.The way he says it makes my breath stutter in my chest.Me: And what exactly would you do, Viktor?His fingers still against his glass. He studies me for a long moment, like he’s debating just how honest he wants to be.And then, with infuriating ease, he leans in just slightly, voice dropping lower.Viktor: That depends.Me: On?Viktor: How much more you intend to push me.Oh.Oh, shit.There’s something in the way he says it that makes my skin prickle and my hips twitch.Me: I didn’t realize I was pushing you, Vik.Viktor hums, swirling the last of his champagne.Viktor: No?Me: Nope.I smirk, leaning forward slightly, resting my chin in my palm.Me: But I do now.His eyes flicker with something unmistakable.Viktor: Mm.He takes a slow sip of his drink, his gaze never once leaving mine.Viktor: Then I wonder..He sets his glass down, fingertips tracing the rim before tilting his head ever so slightly.Viktor: What will you do with that knowledge?Oh, he wants me to say it.Me: Wouldn’t you like to know?His lips curve, slow and deliberate.Viktor: I would, actually.I swallow.I could end this game right now. I could steer the conversation somewhere safer, let us both catch our breath.But where’s the fun in that?Me: Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.Viktor exhales a quiet laugh, shaking his head.Viktor: You are impossible.Me: And yet, you’re still here.His gaze lingers. The candlelight flickers against his sharp features, against the subtle part in his vest. He stares through me like he’s just waiting for me to take this one step further.Viktor: Yes.His voice is softer now, but there’s something in it that makes my stomach tighten.Viktor: I am.Me: Good. It’s because I’m irresistible.Viktor watches me through the screen, his expression is completely unreadable, except for his eyes. Those damn eyes. They give him away every time.Viktor: You know, Jayce..His voice is smooth, like he’s leading me into a trap.Viktor: For all this talk of war, of who will win and who will surrender..He tilts his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.Viktor: I have a theory.Me: Oh?I prop my chin on my hand, already grinning.Me: And what’s that?Viktor: I think that when we do meet in person..He pauses, deliberate, dragging it out just long enough to make my pulse stumble.Viktor: Neither of us is going to last very long.My breath catches at the implications. Hot tingles shoot across my thighs.Me: That so?Viktor hums and nods slightly, as if he’s just stating a fact.Viktor: You are far too bold for your own good, and I, well..He exhales, pressing his middle finger and thumb against the stem of his glass before he starts moving them up and down slowly, in a steady motion.Viktor: I have never been particularly skilled at restraint.Oh, fuck.I stare at the motion his fingers are repeating and immediately get turned on. I need to calm down, or look away or change the subject or say something.Me: That’s a scandalous thing to admit, Viktor.Viktor: Is it?Me: You’re practically telling me you won’t be able to keep your hands off me.Viktor’s lips part just slightly. Whether to protest or agree, I have no idea. But he hesitates for a fraction of a second too long.And I see it.His brows lift, but there’s a hint of amusement in his gaze.Viktor: Perhaps.Me: You really think you’re going to behave yourself when we meet?Viktor chuckles, shaking his head.Viktor: I think I will try.Me: And fail miserably.Viktor: Perhaps.My skin is burning. He says it so easily, so casually, like he’s already accepted this fate. That he’s planning on driving me crazy.Me: That’s funny. I was thinking the exact same thing.Viktor exhales a slow breath, eyes flickering with something unmistakable.Viktor: Then it seems we have a problem, Jayce.Me: Yeah?Viktor: How exactly do you propose we solve it?I blink.Oh. He wants me to say it. He wants me to admit just how bad it’s going to be when we’re in the same room. When there’s no screen. No distance. No buffer between us.Me: Well, if we already know we’re not going to be able to control ourselves. And we’re in a war. It makes sense to find a middle ground that isn’t marked by enemy territory. Obviously.Viktor processes my words like he’s considering something. Then, he locks eyes with me in the camera, a trace of a smirk playing at his lips.Viktor: I have our solution.My eyebrows shoot up, how can he have possibly thought of something so quickly? Did he just have something in mind?Me: Go on..He smiles while playing with the stem of his glass again, repeating the strokes up and down it and driving me intentionally mad.Viktor: Our first plan of action on the agenda is to attempt to resolve our war over dinner.I laugh and nod my head, tipping the last of my champagne into my mouth. Some drips down my open shirt and onto my skin. I see Viktor stare at my wet chest and I let him. I imagine him licking it up and I get hard immediately. Thank god he can’t see me from the waist down.Me: oh yeah? And what if we don’t reach an agreement over dinner?He smirks. Wide. He was waiting to be asked that and I walked right into his trap as always. Shit.Viktor: Well. If we still cannot reach a resolution, We will have no choice but to resort to spending the night together to see what we can make of this pent up tension.Oh. Fuck.My entire face flushes red and I know he notices. I don’t know what to say or do. He has me by the tongue and I’m at his mercy.Viktor: You are so quiet all of a sudden, very out of character for you. Do we have a deal? Or have I won this war prematurely?I scoff and run a hand through my hair.Me: If this is a game of endurance or finding the right words to make a brain stop working, you might have me a little bit tripped up, Viktor. But if dinner doesn’t solve things and it’s about to turn into physical strength and dominating, you’re absolutely fucked.His eyes glint and his cheeks flush pink. It only happens for a split second, but I catch it. And god does it make me feel good.It doesn’t take long for him to shoot back a response that is somehow much better than mine.Viktor: You may be able to physically dominate me, Jayce. However I do believe I have made you beg and whimper before even seeing you on a video like we are talking now. I am not worried about getting you to do what I want when I need you to. I always have the upper hand and I will always get my own way. This is no exception, I assure you.Fuck. He speaks with conviction behind every word. It both exhilarates and terrifies me. He’s right. I could pick him up off the ground in an instant, but I have no doubts that he could order me to get onto my knees and I doubt I’d put up much of a fight.Me: Oh yeah? Well good luck making me do anything you want. I’ll just do the opposite to spite you.He looks at me through the screen, his amber eyes burn holes into mine. He narrows his eyes slightly before speaking in a low and seductive tone.Viktor: Jayce. You may be a brat. And I may not be a brat tamer..I smirk, I knew he wasn’t gonna be able to handle me when I dig my heels in.He speaks again, leaning even closer to the camera. I can see all the way down his shirt from this angle. I flush red and my eyes widen.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Y-yeah?He licks his lips slowly and intentionally before delivering me a line that I will be thinking about for the rest of my life.Viktor: I am a brat Killer.I cover my mouth and look away from the camera. He’s so evil. This is insanity and I’m going back for seconds and thirds like an addict that can’t get enough of their fix.He breaks out into a laugh, snapping me out of my immersion too.I shake my head frantically side to side.Me: You’re a spiteful, spiteful man, Viktor.He hums and yawns softly.Viktor: Perhaps I am. What I also am, is rather tired.I yawn myself, noticing that we have been talking for hours.Me: Me too but.. I kinda don’t want tonight to end.His attention perks up at my words.Viktor: Is it that you do not want this night to end because you are enjoying yourself? Or do you simply not wish to deal with the aftermath of our battle plan arrangements?I let out a soft laugh and tilt my head slightly.Me: Just really enjoying myself and don’t wanna let you go.The meaning behind those words translate exactly how I mean them, instead of the nonchalant way I try to pretend that I mean.I look at Viktor through the camera and he’s smiling sweetly at me.Viktor: I do not wish to let you go either.I smile back. I love being in this moment with Viktor. We still have our fiery and competitive dynamic thats filled with tension, but.. It’s also filled with tenderness and soft rounded edges. It makes me feel safe and comfortable.Me: Then I guess we just have to promise each other that we’ll meet like this again, you know, so we don’t yearn too hard.He lets out a microscopic scoff and tilts his head.Viktor: It is extremely bold of you to assume that I have not been yearning this entire time, Jayce.I roll my eyes at him.Me: Now who’s the idiot.Viktor: Still you.We both start laughing. Me: Good night, Vik. Try not to have any nightmares about how good I’m gonna look when I win the war.Viktor: Close, but it will not be a nightmare. If you are there, winning a war or not, it will be a dream worth having. Good night, Jayce.Click! That fucker.He leaves me with words like that before ending the call for the second time in a row? He can’t keep getting away with these dramatic exits, and he definitely can’t keep getting away with how he makes my heart burn. Neither of us acknowledged what day it is. But maybe we didn’t need to. Because the way that Viktor lingers? The way he smirks when he notices me looking? It’s as if we have the date in our calendar marked in a red ink heart.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

My phone buzzes loudly, pulling me out of my long winded slumber.I groan, rolling over in bed while still half asleep.I expect it to be some useless notification like Dominos texting me a 3 for 1 deal I can’t refuse. Then I blink.It’s a message. From Viktor.Viktor: Good morning, Jayce. Or shall I say, Good Evening?I stared at it. The words alone make something shift in my chest, slow and warm. He messaged first. He never does that.I shake off the thought before it lingers too long and type back.Me: Morning, Vik. You’re up early.Viktor: Not particularly. You, however, are quite late.I glance at the time and physically cringe.Okay, yeah. 1:02PM. Maybe he has a point.Me: Shut up. Some of us need sleep.Viktor: Some of us also do not drink an entire bottle of champagne in one sitting.I smirk, rubbing a hand over my face.Me: Lightweight.He sends back a single unimpressed ‘…’I chuckle. My fingers hover over the keyboard, debating what to say next. I don’t want the conversation to end yet, especially when I’ve just woken up.Me: You up to much today?A brief pause.Viktor: I need to buy sardines for Clementine. She will be most upset if I forget.I huff out a laugh.Me: God forbid.Viktor: Precisely.My smirk lingers.Me: Send me a pic of her. I wanna see the little menace.A moment passes. Then, a message appears with an image attached.I open it.And.Oh.It’s a picture of Clementine sitting on Viktor’s desk. She’s staring at the camera with her big green eyes.But the thing that gets me..the thing that actually makes something burn in my chest, is the tiny crocheted hat sitting on her head.I laugh and drop my jaw slightly.Me: No fucking way. Is she actually wearing that willingly?Viktor: Willingly is a strong word. But yes, for now.I grin, staring at the picture a moment longer.It’s stupid. Just a cat in a tiny hat. But the idea of Viktor putting it on her, of him being the kind of person who would do something so ridiculous for his cat..It makes something tighten in my ribs.I clear my throat and type again.Me: I don’t know what’s cuter, the fact that she’s wearing it or the fact that you actually put it on her.Viktor: You assume I am responsible for this.Me: Oh, don’t even try to lie to me. I bet you picked out a colour that went with her coat.Viktor: Hmph.I shake my head, still smiling like an idiot at my phone. My fingers hesitate for a fraction of a second before I start typing again.Me: Oh yeah, I made you something last night.Viktor doesn’t reply right away, but he opens the message instantly.I swallow, my pulse kicking up just slightly. Then, before I can overthink it, I send the link.Me: It’s a playlist. Just songs that reminded me of you.A pause.Then, just to make sure he doesn’t immediately roast me or drown me in sarcasm, I send a follow up message.Me: And I promise they aren’t war themed.I watch the screen, waiting.Then, after a moment, he responds.Viktor: You made this? For me?It’s subtle, the way he words it. But I see it. The hesitation. The way he doesn’t deflect.Me: Yeah. Of course I did.Another pause.He must’ve clicked on it right away. Right?I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.Neither of us says anything. But I don’t think we need to right now.Too much time goes by without a word.Okay, I changed my mind. I do need him to say something.I can’t stop repeatedly checking my messages. My thumb hovers over the screen like I’m waiting for something..anything from Viktor. It’s been thirty minutes. No message. I keep telling myself it’s fine, but my mind races. I’m second guessing everything I’ve sent. Did I go too far? Was that too much?I check my phone again. Still nothing. I know I shouldn’t care this much, but I can’t help it. He’s probably listening to the playlist, or maybe he’s trying to figure out why I sent it. I didn’t even think it through, not really. I don’t know why I even made him a playlist to begin with. I think it’s because I’ve been so obsessed with him lately. I need to get a grip.I think I might have fucked everything up.Five more minutes tick by.The anxiety in my chest keeps building. I can’t take it. I don’t want to just sit here and stew in it anymore. My fingers move before I can stop them.I send Viktor a text.“I’m so sorry for not thinking before I sent that. You’re one of my closest friends and I didn’t mean to fuck things up by being too much for you. If I’m honest, Viktor, you make me feel things that scare me. You make it hard to breathe, and you make me want to be a better version of myself. And not even FOR myself. It’s for you. Everything I’ve done lately is with you at the center of it. I didn’t mean to scare you away with how much I like you. I’ll tone it back from now on. I’m sorry, Vik. I hope my actions aren’t irredeemable”I stare at the message for a moment, then hit send before I can talk myself out of it.Immediately, I regret it. What the fuck am I doing? This isn’t the right way to do this. He’s not going to understand. He’s going to think I’m-My phone buzzes, snapping me out of my spiral.I swipe it up. A call.Viktor.I tap the answer button, my heart pounding in my chest. I speak before he can even get a word in.Me: Viktor, I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking when I-Viktor: Jayce. Enough.I freeze. He sounds so calm. Too calm. I start to apologize again, but he cuts me off.Viktor: I was simply listening to your present in full so I could appreciate every word and sentence. Every meaning and undertone. I wanted to understand what you wanted me to hear, the way you wanted me to hear it.His voice is steady, but there’s a softness to it that makes me exhale without realising I’ve been holding my breath all this time.Oh.Viktor: You need not ruminate with me, Jayce. I am not going anywhere.I don’t know what to say.Of course he’s not going anywhere, but that doesn’t stop the guilt from crawling under my skin.Me: I..I cut myself off, running my hand through my hair.Me: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to j-Viktor: Did I not already tell you?Viktor’s voice is calm, but it has that sharp edge to it that makes me pause.Me: Tell me what?I whisper, my throat tight.There’s a brief pause, then he speaks slowly and deliberately.Viktor: I am a patient man. I will wait for you. You are worth the wait, Jayce.His words hit me harder than I expect, and the pressure in my chest lightens just a little. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.I go quiet, letting his words settle around me, trying to wrap my head around everything he’s said. It’s simple, but it feels like so much more.Me: Thank you.He hums softly on the other end of the line.Viktor: I have just arrived at the shops so I must bid you farewell for now. Do not overthink in my absence, Jayce. That is the exact kind of behaviour that will win me this war. Make sure you give me a fight worth attending.I laugh, immediately feeling better.Me: You’re the worst. I really appreciate it. I won’t disappoint you, Vik.Viktor: I know you will not. You never do. Goodbye for now, Jayce. CLICK! My day is wasted on doing absolutely nothing at home other than waiting for either Viktor or Mel to text me back. I eat 2 bowls of cereal and lift some weights before throwing on a hoodie and laying in bed to scroll through social media.Viktor’s next message comes through while I’m in the middle of scrolling.It’s a picture and it catches my attention.It’s of a can of sardines for Clementine. The shiny silver and blue label with fish dancing on it stares back at me.I chuckle softly to myself. Viktor mentioned he needed to buy them earlier and as usual, he’s gone ahead and done it without a second thought. I mean, it’s just sardines but it’s Viktor we’re talking about. Who somehow manages to make even that seem like a little act of care.He’s insufferably cute.I tap the photo to zoom in on his Claddagh ring and his gorgeous slender hand, but my finger pauses as the photo flickers to life.He must have accidentally sent me a Live Photo.The sardines are framed neatly, but then the camera moves upward, revealing the shelves of the grocery store around him.And there it is.Hanging prominently above one of the aisles, a banner that reads Zaun Grocers. My heart skips a beat. It’s a place I’ve never heard of before, but the name is unmistakable. Zaun. That’s.. not far from me at all.Without even thinking, I pull up the maps app and quickly type in “Zaun Grocers.” The result shows up, and my jaw drops.It’s only a twenty minute drive from here.I stare at the screen, my mind reeling, my heart thumping faster than it should.Twenty minutes.I tap my fingers nervously on my desk.For months I’ve been aware of Viktor as this figure who exists in some nebulous space that I don’t really know how to navigate. The idea of meeting him has always felt like some distant, unreachable thing. But now.. now it feels tangible. Like if I wanted to, I could just, go.The thought makes my chest tighten, but in a good way. In an unfamiliar way that I don’t know how to process.I swallow hard.We’re so close.And yet I’ve never even considered the possibility that we could just..meet up. Like normal people. Like friends. Or, maybe more than that if I’m being honest with myself.The realization kinda knocks the breath out of me.I try to push the thought away, but it lingers there, hovering at the back of my mind. What if I text him right now? Just ‘Hey, I saw the place you’re at.’ No. Too weird, right?I run my fingers through my hair, pacing a little. It’s just that this idea, this thought, it feels like it could change everything between us.I stare at my phone for a second longer, unsure of what to do with all this sudden realization.Then, I remember. Viktor. The photo he sent me. I focus on that, willing myself to calm down. He doesn’t know that I saw the store name, right?I quickly type out a message, trying to sound casual.“Do you need anything else while you’re at the store? I’m sure Clementine will love her sardines.”I’m about to hit send when I freeze. What if he thinks I’m reading too much into it? What if he realizes I’m totally freaking out about how close we are? The nerves come back full force.I hit send anyway, trying not to think about the fact that, in twenty minutes, I could be standing at the same store as him. I wouldn’t just show up at the store though, that’s far too casual of a first date for Viktor. First meeting, I mean..I wait. And wait.My thumb taps anxiously against the side of my phone as I look at the screen. It’s been a few minutes now since I sent the message. Viktor’s probably just busy at the shops, right? He’s probably focusing on something else. Not everything needs to be a big deal. I force myself to breathe in slowly, trying to calm my racing thoughts. He told me not to ruminate and I need to listen to him.I glance at the time. It’s still early, but late enough that the day feels like it’s slipping away already.I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. The anxiety’s creeping back. I check my messages again, just to be sure. Maybe there’s something I missed.Still nothing.I feel stupid for even obsessing over this. It’s just Viktor, after all. I’ve known him for a while now. And yet everything feels different now. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks trying to keep things casual, trying to keep a lid on this stupid crush that keeps growing the more I talk to him. But now, with the weirdly comforting thought that we live so close to each other, it feels like it could all change in an instant.What if I actually took the plunge? What if I went to that store, just to say hi?I shudder at the thought, almost physically cringing. No, that’s too much. He’d probably think I’m weird for showing up.But I can’t stop thinking about it. This sudden proximity. This closeness I didn’t even realize was there.I go back to the photo Viktor sent. The sardines. It’s just sardines. Just another small task in his day. But I can’t help but feel like there’s something in it, something in the way he does things, something in the delicate care he takes of Clementine. There’s a tenderness in that. It hits me harder than I want to admit.I swallow hard, trying to push the thought away. It’s ridiculous. I need to focus.My phone buzzes, breaking my train of thought. I nearly drop it.Viktor: She is going to love them, I am sure. I also grabbed a few treats for her. She has quite the discerning taste.I grin, shaking my head. Typical Viktor.Me: Of course she does. Spoiled girl. I bet she’s even got a favorite brand, huh?Viktor: I will admit, she can be a bit picky. But yes, she has developed preferences.I laugh quietly to myself. Viktor and Clementine are ridiculous, but kind of sweet. I bet she gets her picky taste from him.Me: She sounds like a cat version of a princess.Viktor: She would appreciate the title, I am sure. I also got some ingredients to do some light baking.I smirk, amused at how seriously Viktor takes his cat’s needs. He really does care. It’s obvious in everything he does. And it’s silly, I know, but it makes me want to stay just a little bit closer to him. And baking? That’s not like Viktor.I type back quickly, trying to ignore the heat in my chest.Me: So, what are you planning to bake? Don’t tell me you’re making Clementine a cake or something?I half expect him to send a sarcastic reply or brush me off with a dry comment. Instead, he answers almost immediately.Viktor: No, no cakes for her. I am thinking something simple. Maybe red velvet cake. For me, not for Clem.I raise an eyebrow.Me: For you? A baker now?Viktor: I can be. Do not make fun of me. You will not win.I grin, unable to resist.Me: What’s next? You gonna start wearing an apron with your name on it?Viktor: If I must. Do not question my culinary abilities.I snicker, shaking my head again. It’s nice, these little moments of normality between us. As much as I’m fighting my own feelings, there’s something comforting about being able to talk to him like this. Even if it’s only small things. Even if it’s just him baking a cake.I send one last message.Me: Well, if you need someone to taste test that cake, you know where to find me.Viktor: I will keep that in mind.I bite my lip, rereading his response, then put my phone down.The tension’s still there, the weird buzz in my chest. I don’t know what I expect from this whole situation. But I do know one thing. Things are shifting between us. Little by little.‘You know where to find me’ I scoff to myself. Now I know where to find him too. I keep my phone close while the buzzing in my chest takes its time going away.It’s been a couple of hours since I last heard from Viktor and despite everything, I can’t seem to shake the nerves.I keep replaying our messages in my head, wondering if I said too much or if he even liked the playlist. He hasn’t mentioned it much, aside from his initial reaction. Maybe he’s still listening?I force myself to exhale and pick up my phone. It’s now or never.Me: So, what did you think of the playlist?I stare at the screen for a second, then quickly add:Me: Be honest. I can take it.I don’t know why I added that last part. Maybe to shield myself from whatever sarcastic remark he’s going to throw at me. Or maybe it’s just me, trying to prepare for the worst.A minute ticks by. Then another.Finally, the three dots appear.Viktor: I am impressed. You clearly have good taste.My heart rate slows a little, but then the message continues.Viktor: Though, I must say, I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of war themed songs.I snort, half relieved, half amused. Of course he’d bring that up.Me: Oh, of course. I was this close to throwing in a few battle cries.Viktor: Only a few? You truly must have been holding back.I chuckle, tapping my fingers nervously against the desk.Me: You know me. Always playing it safe.There’s a pause, then Viktor responds, his tone softening just a touch.Viktor: I appreciate it. Thank you for this thoughtful gesture, Jayce. It means a lot.I freeze for a second. There’s something about the simplicity of the words, something in the way he says it that gets to me. It feels genuine, not sarcastic.I exhale slowly, letting it sink in.Me: I’m glad you liked it. Seriously. I didn’t want to make it weird or anything.Viktor: I do not think you did.I stare at the message for a moment, a warm rush creeping up my neck. The thought that he doesn’t think I made it weird makes something in me settle.Me: Well, if I ever make you another one, it’ll definitely have at least one war anthem, just for you.Viktor: I would expect nothing less.I smile, the tension slowly leaving me. We’re back to the usual banter, but for some reason, this feels different. More comfortable, somehow.Me: You’re impossible, you know that?Viktor: Only for you.I bite my lip, looking at the screen again, wondering if there’s more to be said. But for now, this feels right. This ease between us. It’s a strange thing, but I’m not about to question it.For once, I think I might actually be getting it right.The screen blinks, and the dots start moving again. Viktor is typing, and I can already feel the familiar rush of excitement in my chest.Viktor: I do have to admit, Jayce. You are growing on me.Oh.I raise an eyebrow, smiling despite myself. He’s trying to play it cool, but I can tell there’s something more beneath his words. I type quickly, not bothering to overthink it.Me: Oh yeah? Growing on you? I’m flattered.Viktor: Do not get ahead of yourself. I have high standards.Me: I’ve heard that before. But I’m sure I’m just your type.Viktor: Just? You have been holding out on me.My pulse picks up a little, but I keep my response light, teasing him with our usual tone.Me: Well, you know, I like to keep you guessing. I wouldn’t want to make things too easy for you.Viktor: Easy is overrated.I bite back a grin, leaning back in my chair.I let the silence stretch for a moment, just enough to make him wait.Then I reply.Me: I suppose that’s true. But you’re still not answering my question.Viktor: Which question?Me: You know, about whether I’m your type or not. I’m starting to think I need a little more assurance.Viktor: Oh, so now you want validation?Me: Don’t act like you don’t love giving it to me.Viktor: You are right. I do enjoy it. But I also enjoy keeping you on your toes.The words hit me with that same heat, that same rush that’s been building between us for a while now. I run my hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath, trying to stay casual.Me: Well, I’m just gonna take that as a yes, then.Viktor: You are bold. I will give you that.Me: Only when I’m sure I’ve got you exactly where I want you.Viktor: Is that so?There’s a pause, a beat of silence that I can feel stretching across the miles between us. The tension feels a little thicker now, like something’s just hanging there, waiting for the right moment.Me: What if I told you I was closer than you think?Viktor: You would not be that reckless.Me: Maybe I would. I’m full of surprises.Viktor: Maybe I should find out for myself.His words come out slow, deliberate, and I can feel that familiar knot tighten in my stomach. There’s something else behind it now. Something more than just playful banter. It feels real, like the line between us is finally starting to blur.I swallow hard, then shoot him a quick reply, my fingers a little shaky.Me: Maybe you should.The conversation stretches on longer than it probably should, but I don’t care. Every second of it feels like it matters. I’m still tangled up in thoughts about meeting Viktor in person. It feels like we’ve been teasing the idea for too long and now it’s finally getting too real. And I can’t shake the gnawing feeling that I’m just..not going to be enough for him.It’s like he can hear my thoughts. He sends a message.Viktor: What is holding you back, Jayce?His words cut like a knife.Viktor: What is the real reason you cannot meet with me? Allow me a glimpse into your concerns so I may settle them.I freeze.I don’t want to say it.I don’t want to sound weak or insecure, like I’m just a kid with no confidence. But Viktor’s not the type of person I can lie to. He sees right through me. I can’t hide it, so I just tell him. I pour my heart out, actually.Me: I’m scared, Viktor. I’m unbelievably scared that I won’t be what you expect. That I can’t be perfect for you.I think.. God I think so highly of you and I’m just.. I’m not sure I can live up to that. I’m probably not even close to what you have in mind. I’m a nobody Viktor and you’re a somebody. You are worth spending every moment and every second with and I’m not even worth the time of day.There’s a beat of silence. A long one. So long that I start second guessing everything I just said.The silence feels too heavy, like I’ve let something slip that I shouldn’t have.I want to take it back, but I can’t. It’s too late for that now. I’ve aired out my dirty laundry and all I can do is wait for it to dry.Finally, Viktor sends another message.Viktor: What will it take for you to know that you are enough, Jayce? That I am not going anywhere? Allow me to ease this rumination as much as I am capable.I don’t have an answer for that.I want to. I want to say something that will make this whole mess easier to untangle, but all I can do is stare at the screen, waiting for the words to come.Me: I don’t know. I just need..something. Something to hold on to. Something to prove that I’m worth it. Worth the wait. Worth spending this much time out of your day for when there’s plenty of other people out there not as mentally draining as I am.It’s out there now and I feel exposed, like I’ve opened up a little too much. But I don’t take it back. I hit send before I can think better of it.My phone buzzes almost immediately, and I glance down at it. Viktor’s reply is simple.Viktor: I think I have an idea.I blink at the screen.What does he mean by that? My stomach flips, the anticipation weighing heavier than I expected. And then I see his next message.It’s a link.To a playlist.I stare at it, letting the meaning sink in.He made one for me. In return for the one I made for him.My heart yearns in my chest. It’s a playlist. Just a few songs. But it’s more than that. It’s Viktor telling me, in his own way, that I’m enough. That I don’t need to keep wondering, keep second guessing myself. That I’m worth it.I hit play on the first song immediately.Ready Now by Dodie starts playing through my phone. I’m not familiar with the song, but the first few lines make all of the hairs on my body stand on end.“You saw through me all this timeI'd forgotten people are kindI was hurting and you knewSo you showed me what to doYou said "I will listen, tell it allWhen you're finished we'll talk more"But I didn't know how, so we took it in turnsTo my surprise we found my words.”The tenderness in the lyrics make my body have a reaction I haven’t had in a long time.I start tearing up. No, I start crying.I put my head in my hands and let myself feel for once. I cry for the rest of the song until the last guitar strum.And I realize, maybe he’s right. Maybe I am enough. I just needed someone to remind me.I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath, sniffling away the pent up emotions I let myself show.I grab my phone and send him another text.Me: Thank you, Vik.He wastes no time responding.Viktor: Anything for you.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It’s an exciting night.It’s extra exciting because Viktor is excited.And Viktor doesn’t get excited about things.Not openly, anyway.
He’s not the kind of person who lights up when he talks or gets animated about the things he enjoys. No, Viktor keeps things close to the chest. His brand of excitement is quieter, tucked into the small details. The way his voice shifts, just barely. The way his eyes linger a little longer. The way his hands move in a not restless, but precise way like he’s holding something delicate.And right now?Viktor has called me on video chat to show me what our night has in store for us.Right now I’m watching him sift flour with the kind of focus most people would reserve for dismantling a bomb.It’s almost cute.Almost.Me: You’re acting like that bowl personally wronged youI say, cupping my face in my hand as I watch him from my desk.Viktor doesn’t look at the camera.Viktor: It might have.I scoff and laugh.Me: Right. Because flour is so notoriously aggressive.He clicks his tongue.Viktor: You would not understand. This requires precision. It has to be perfect.I raise an eyebrow.Me: It’s a cake, Vik. Not a nuclear experiment.He pauses just long enough to shoot me a flat look.Me: If you had any respect for the science of baking, you would not say such things.I bite back a grin.Me: Oh, forgive me, Professor. I didn’t realize I was in the presence of an expert.Viktor hums, satisfied, before returning to his measuring.Viktor: Well. I am very well read on the matter.That makes me blink.Me: ‘Well read’? Don’t tell me you’ve actually googled how to bake a cake.He smirks, just a little.Viktor: I may have..studied.I narrow my eyes.Me: Studied. As in..?Viktor: As in studied, Jayce.He gestures vaguely.Viktor: Articles. Recipes. The occasional forum discussion.I start laughing at him while he measures out his eggs in what looks to be a beaker.Me: You researched how to bake a cake?He shrugs, like it’s nothing. Like it’s normal.It’s not.Viktor doesn’t research things unless he cares about them.Huh.I cross my arms, watching him.Me: Alright. I’ll bite. Why all the effort? It’s just a cake.He hesitates.It’s quick and only for a fraction of a second, but I see it. The way his fingers still against the rim of the mixing bowl. The way his shoulders shift, just slightly.Then he exhales, quiet.Viktor: I like it.I tilt my head.Me: Red velvet?He nods.That catches me.. very off guard.Not because it’s a weird thing to like, but because he actually admitted it. Viktor doesn’t just say things like that. Doesn’t just offer pieces of himself so easily.I keep my voice light.Me: Didn’t know you had a favorite cake.Viktor: I did not realise either until quite recently. But yes, red velvet cake is all I can think about lately.Something tightens in my chest.I don’t know why.I lean into my phone closer, watching him carefully.Me: So, you just decided now was the time to finally bake one?He nods again, but slower.Viktor: I have considered it before.There’s something in the way he says it. Like this isn’t just some impulse decision. Like it’s been sitting in the back of his mind for a while now, waiting.I study him, waiting for him to say more.And, to my surprise, he does.Viktor: I do not..He trails off, pressing his lips together. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter.Viktor: I do not want to mess it up.I blink.I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that before.I tread carefully.Me: It’s just a cake, Vik. It’s not like you’re going to ruin your entire career if it turns out bad.Viktor:Yes, but..He exhales sharply, shaking his head.Viktor: I want it to be right.The words sit between us for a beat too long.I shouldn’t read into them. I shouldn’t.But.There’s something there.Something careful. Something hesitant.Something that feels bigger than a cake. We jump off of the call as soon as the cake goes into the oven. Several hours go by and Viktor doesn’t message once. It’s not normal for him to go so long without even so much as opening one of my messages.It feels like something has changed.It starts small. Not obvious.Not something I can put my finger on right away. Just little things. The shifts in the way he speaks, the way he doesn’t speak. It’s subtle. Subtle enough that anyone else might not notice.But I do.Because I always do when it comes to him.Viktor takes longer to reply now.The sharp, teasing remarks he usually throws my way come less often, like they’re harder to reach. His words don’t bite the same. They don’t linger. They slip away before I can catch them.I tell myself it’s nothing.People get busy.People need space.But Viktor has always been half here, half somewhere else, like he’s toeing the edge of something I can’t quite see. And lately, he feels like he’s slipping further away.I don’t like it.So I do what I always do.I push.Not too hard. Not enough to send him running. Just enough to keep him close, to remind him I’m here.Me: You alive? Or are you in cake heaven?I see the read receipt. He doesn’t answer right away.I wait.And wait.Then-Viktor: Unconfirmed. Jury is still out.A breath leaves me, something caught between relief and frustration. I shake my head, smiling despite myself.Me: I’ll put in a good word with the universe.A pause.Viktor: Tell them to take their time. Oh. My stomach twists.It’s nothing. It’s something. It’s not like he doesn’t talk this way all the time, but it feels different tonight.More practiced. More..quiet.I hesitate.Me: Oh.. you wanna talk about it?The three dots appear. Vanish. Reappear.I watch them, waiting.Viktor: Not particularly.I press my lips together. Not surprising. Viktor doesn’t do vulnerability. He doesn’t hand himself over so easily.But I know him.I know when he’s holding something back. Me: Okay, Im not asking for your darkest secrets. But you are allowed to lean on people, y’know.Nothing.And then-Viktor: It is rather bold of you to assume that I have people to lean on when I do not.Something sharp lodges itself in my chest. What..?I want to say ‘You have me.’I don’t know why I don’t. Maybe because I don’t think he’d believe me. Not yet.Me: That’s not true.Another pause. Longer this time.Then, just like that, he changes the subject. And I let him.For now.But the feeling lingers.And then I notice the messages.I scroll back through our conversations, because I do that now apparently, and that’s when I see it.Some of them are missing.Not all. Just..some. The ones that mattered. The ones where he let himself be seen, even just for a second. The ones where he said things that made my chest feel too full, too tight, too something.And now they’re gone.My breath catches and my heart sinks.It’s not an accident. It’s deliberate.A careful erasure, like he’s trying to undo something that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.Like I shouldn’t have seen it.I stare at the screen, my stomach twisting.I don’t message him right away. I don’t know what I’d even say. I sit there for a while, the screen still glowing in front of me. The silence in the room feels heavier now, thicker. The absence of those words, those moments, hangs in the air like an unfinished thought.I should’ve known. I should’ve seen it sooner.But I don’t want to acknowledge it. Not yet. Not like this.I slide my phone to the side, my hand still hovering over it, like I could somehow call those messages back with just a thought. I can’t. I know that. But I want to.I want to call him. Demand answers. But that’s not what I’m supposed to do. Viktor doesn’t work like that.I lean back, running a hand through my hair while trying to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do with all this. The nagging thought that I’m losing him. That he’s pulling away for good makes the air feel too thick to breathe.I glance at my phone again. No new messages.I don’t know what I’m waiting for. Maybe for him to tell me what’s going on. Maybe for him to tell me he hasn’t gone anywhere. Maybe for him to tell me he needs me.But he won’t.I message him anyway.Me: Viktor. I know you. I know when something’s off. Let me in.I hit send before I can second guess myself. It’s stupid, maybe. I don’t know if I even believe it. But it’s the only thing I can say. The only thing left that feels like it might make him turn back, even for a second.I sit there, waiting. Again.The three dots appear. They flicker in and out like some kind of cruel tease.I watch them, the anticipation crawling up my spine.I tell myself not to overthink it.
That’s what I always do..overanalyse every little movement. Every little word. But the dots aren’t just dots anymore. They’re a countdown. Each moment that passes makes me feel like I’m standing at the edge of something I’m not ready to fall into.Finally, the message comes through. Viktor: You always think that you know, Jayce.I feel the tension in my chest coil tighter. The words are familiar, but there’s something sharper in them tonight. More deliberate.Me: I do know. I know when you’re holding back. You don’t get to hide from me. Not after how hard we have both worked for what we have here.A pause.Viktor: You really want to know what is going on? You want me to lay it all out for you?I stare at the screen, pulse spiking. I didn’t expect him to go there. I didn’t think he’d even entertain it.But I know better than to think he’s just going to spill it all now. Viktor doesn’t do vulnerability. He doesn’t just hand himself over, no matter how much I want him to.Me: I don’t need all the details. Just, please Viktor. Don’t shut me out.The response comes too fast. Way too quick.Viktor: I am not shutting you out. I am just not sure how to let you in without second guessing how much I reveal. I do not improve things, Jayce. I am not worthy of your incessant kindness. I should have been forgotten.I don’t reply immediately. I don’t know what to say to that.The weight of those words presses down on me, and for a moment, it feels like the room is closing in. This isn’t the first time he has said that.I’m not sure how to respond to the rawness of it. To the quiet truth that slipped out when I least expected it.I stare at the screen. Something shifts inside me, like a crack opening in the floor beneath my feet.I should say something. I should reach out, tell him that he doesn’t have to keep hiding.But I don’t. Not yet.I can’t.I don’t know how to handle that kind of honesty from him. The kind of honesty he doesn’t give freely. It’s like it’s a currency he’s been saving up for a long time, and now it’s spilling out penny by penny.I lean back in my chair and try to shake the feeling of everything hanging in the air between us. The silence feels loud now, like I can hear all the unsaid things echoing back at me.I almost want to reach out and take it back. Pretend I never pushed him. Pretend I’m fine with the way things are, with the space between us, with the way he’s drifting further away every day.But I know that won’t work. It never has.I grab my phone again. I don’t even hesitate this time.Me: You don’t have to let me in if you’re not ready. I’m not asking you to open up completely. But I’m not going anywhere.I wait. The dots appear, fade away, then appear again. I brace myself, but nothing comes.I start flipping through our messages and scrolling past all the moments we’ve shared. Our laughs, fights, those small pieces of him I’ve somehow collected, pieces that now feel like they’re slipping through my fingers one shard at a time.It’s too much, too fast.I feel like I’m drowning in the weight of it, in the pressure of needing to fix something I don’t even fully understand.But I can’t stop myself from pushing. Not yet.I type another message.Me: You know I’m here, right? Whenever you’re ready.This time, the reply is quicker.Viktor: I am not good at this, Jayce. You are asking for something I do not know how to give.I swallow hard. My heart beats a little faster.I’m not good at this, either. But somehow, I still don’t want to let go. I can’t.Me: You don’t have to be good at anything. Just don’t shut me out. Please Vik.I stare at the message, waiting for a response. The dots blink in and out again, like they’re teasing me. Testing my patience.I hold my breath. I think maybe this time, he’ll finally say something real.The dots blink again. And again.I’m not sure how long I wait but it feels like an eternity. My thumb hovers over the screen, itching to send another message. To push a little harder. To force him to let me in.But I stop myself.I can’t be the one to drag it out of him.So I sit there, trying to calm the frantic thoughts swirling in my head. I tell myself I’ve done enough, that I can leave it alone for now.But Viktor doesn’t respond.Not right away.I press the home button, throwing my phone on the desk besides me like it’s somehow a lifeline I need to cut off. My mind won’t stop, though. The same questions keep circling back: What happened? Why is he pulling away?I’m not sure how long I sit there before I hear the familiar ping of a new message.I grab my phone so quickly I almost drop it.It’s from Viktor.Viktor: You are right.I blink at the words. That’s all he says. Just those three words, hanging there in the void between us.I want to ask what he means. Right about what?But I don’t. I don’t push this time. Not yet.Instead, I respond simply.Me: Vik, something happened. Didn’t it?I watch the three dots appear again, then disappear. I can’t quite catch my breath, waiting for him to say something that’ll make sense of the mess in my chest.I should be used to the silence by now.But I’m not.And when his reply finally comes, it’s different.Viktor: It is stupid and trivial.I frown and slowly start tapping my next message in. I can’t pretend I’m not relieved that he’s starting to open up. At least a little bit.Me: Try me. I don’t think it’s stupid and I don’t even know what happened yet.I stare at the screen, bouncing my leg nervously while I wait for what feels like an eternity for a response. Viktor: I burnt my cake.Oh.Me: Viktor, that’s so okay. You can always try again.Viktor sends another message immediately after.Viktor: No. Jayce. You do not understand.He’s right, I don’t understand. I try to place why his reaction is so intense but I can’t seem to figure it out, so I ask.Me: Help me understand, Viktor. You’re allowed to be upset. I promise.The typing bubble has become my mortal enemy tonight. I never want to see it again.Nothing could have prepared me for Viktors next message.Viktor: I burnt my cake, Jayce.
I had everything that I needed to make it perfect.
I had a recipe that gave me the exact requirements to have something good. And I still managed to burn it. This is what I do. I get given something good that is easily achievable and I still manage to ruin it somehow.
I burnt it. I realise very quickly that this isn’t about cake. I sigh and try to think of a way that will comfort him while also reassuring him that I get it. That I understand how he must be feeling. That I’m right there with him.Me: Sometimes we have everything we need to bake the perfect cake in theory, but things happen that we can’t predict.
Maybe the oven got too hot too soon, maybe the batter wasn’t quite ready yet, maybe the decorations are too sweet. But it’s the trial and error of making it again and again until you make the perfect cake for YOU that is the defining part of baking the cake.
One burnt cake doesn’t mean you aren’t a baker, Viktor. It means you have a new baseline for improvement.
We all burn one cake.He opens my message and doesn’t reply immediately.The typing bubble pops up once more but it doesn’t go away or flicker this time.Viktor: Jayce.Jayce: Viktor.I hold my breath. This could go any way. I don’t want to lose my best friend like this.Viktor: I wish I had the ability to somehow always say the right thing like you do. Thank you, Jayce. I apologise for my sudden spiral. I do not plan on trying to push you away like that again. I do admit that I will never understand the potential that you see in me, and I spend every moment trying to prove my doubts wrong. Burning my cake was the start of a nervous breakdown that I did not anticipate or realise contained the emotion I was holding on to.I smile wide. This is my Viktor.
Raw, unfiltered emotion and he is trusting ME with it.Me: Viktor. I wish I were there to give you a big hug right now and to get started on a second cake batter.He starts typing back wasting no time.Viktor: That sounds very nice and very needed. However, I do not care much for the second cake part.I laugh, of course he doesn’t want to make a second cake after the first one burning happened too recently.Wait.That’s not the half of the message I should be focusing on.I let out a slow breath, phone still clutched in my hand.He didn’t disappear this time.And if there’s one thing I know about Viktor, it’s that if he wants to disappear, he will. And I’m NOT letting him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I let the silence stretch between us like a tangled thread that I’m not quite ready to untangle.But, somewhere in that stillness a thought slips into my head. A random spark that catches in the quiet, and I can’t help but smile to myself.Me: You know what? Even if you burned the cake beyond recognition, I wouldn’t still gladly eat every single crumb.The dots blink again, hesitating.Maybe he’s expecting something more serious, something to follow up on the mess we just unpacked. But no. Not tonight.Me: And do you want to know why?I pause, biting my cheek. He’s still in that cloudy headspace, trying to make sense of the words I’ve said and I’m just over here talking about cake. How typical of me.Me: Because YOU made it. And honestly, Viktor, if you’re the one who made it, I’d probably eat it even if it was just ashes. Besides, I’m pretty sure you’d still make it taste good somehow. Like, you’re a god. Remember?I can almost see him reading it, his brow furrowing as he processes it, trying to find the catch. But there’s no catch. Just cake. And Viktor. The two of them, together. It’s hard not to feel lighter when I think about it.Viktor: I swear, you are just trying to make me feel better.I grin at the screen. He’s still thinks I’m just tossing him a pity party. But I’m not.Me: Well, yeah, maybe a bit. But it’s the truth. I’ve eaten some pretty questionable stuff in my life, Viktor. It’d take a lot more than a burnt cake to scare me off. So, whenever you make the next one, keep me on speed dial. My tummy will be rumbling.The reply comes faster than I expect. The three dots bounce around, then, a small chuckle transcends through the message.Viktor: You are unbelievable. You would really eat the whole thing, huh? Even if it is like a brick?Me: Especially if it’s like a brick. I mean, honestly, we could start a new trend. Burnt cake as a delicacy. Bet people would love it. I know I would.There’s a long pause.I watch the screen, my thumb tapping absentmindedly, until the message comes through again.Viktor: You are insane. But maybe I will try it. Next time I will make sure to leave it in the oven long enough to set a world record for burnt cake.Me: There you go! Now you’re thinking like a chef. You could call it ‘Viktor’s Famous Cremation Cake.’Viktor: Cremation Cake? You are really running with this, are you?Me: Of course. Think of all the possibilities. I’ll be your biggest fan, even if you have to take out a second mortgage just to make it edible. We’ll market it. Get it trending. I’ll make the hashtags. #CrematedViktorCake. Catchy, right?The tone in his messages shifts.The weight is still there, but it’s like we’ve cracked open a little window and are letting in some fresh air. I can feel the tension loosening.Viktor: You are a mess. Did you know that?Me: Yeah, but I’m your mess. So, you’re stuck with me now. No refunds. No returns. No exchanges and certainly no store credits.Viktor: Why would I ever return something when it is such a nice fit for me.I can practically hear his voice, that rare smile creeping through even in the text.The corners of my mouth lift. He might be hiding it, but I know he’s enjoying this more than he lets on. Viktor: You really are something else.His words feel like a freezing cold drink of water straight to the veins. My Viktor is back. The war is back on.Me: Yeah, but I’m YOUR something else. So you’re stuck with me.Viktor: I think that might be my favorite part.I smile at my screen, knowing the conversation isn’t quite over, not by a long shot.Me: Guess we’ll see, won’t we?My phone buzzes again and I can’t help but smirk as I see Viktor’s name flash on the screen. Time to stir the pot.Viktor: I mean it, Jayce. You really are something else.My heart flutters in my chest. He’s making sure I hear him loud and clear. This newfound tenderness and vulnerability is extremely welcomed but also extremely jarring.Me: What, you’ve just figured that out?Viktor: You are making me second guess my entire approach to baking.Me: Well, to be fair, it was a bold move. You went for broke.Viktor: I did not think it was possible to ruin a cake that badly.Me: If anyone could do it, it’d be you. But hey, you tried, and that’s what matters, right? It’s the thought that counts.Viktor: If the thought includes “letting it burn to a crisp,” then yes, sure.Me: Hey, look at it this way.. you set a new standard. Who else can say they’ve baked a cake that could double as a weapon? That’s innovation right there.Viktor: You are impossible.Me: You love it.Viktor: Not sure about that. You are trying to make me feel better about ruining the cake.Me: Oh, I don’t need to make you feel better. You’re the one who has to live with that culinary masterpiece for the rest of your life. Not me.Viktor: Well, you seem to be enjoying this.Me: I mean, it’s not every day I get to watch someone’s ego crumble faster than their cake.Viktor: You are enjoying this far too much.Me: You should be flattered. I could be spending my time on other, less entertaining things.Viktor: So, this is your idea of a good time? Watching me fail?Me: Hey, I wouldn’t call it a failure. It’s more like a learning experience. Next time maybe we’ll aim for “edible.”Viktor: You really know how to kick a guy while he is down, don’t you?Me: What can I say? I’m an expert. But don’t worry, you’ve got potential.This is what he needs right now. Pitying someone like Viktor isn’t something that goes well. He hates to be treated like a wounded animal. He knows how much I care about him now and the best thing I can do is entertain him with some light flirting to lift the mood.Viktor: I am glad you are so confident in my abilities.Me: Of course. Who else is going to challenge me? It’s a lot of work keeping you in line.Viktor: Oh, so now I am a project?Me: Definitely. But you’re a fun project. It’s not every day I get to see someone try to sabotage their own kitchen.Viktor: You do realize you are never letting this go, right?Me: Oh, no. I’m going to keep bringing it up until you finally get it right. If you want me to stop, you’ll just have to bake something even better.Viktor: You really think that you can make me bake again just to stop this teasing?Me: I don’t have to make you. I just know that if you want me to shut up about it, you’ll be highly motivated to redeem yourself.Viktor: I am starting to think I am the one being played here.Me: Well, duh. Who do you think you’re dealing with?Viktor: Fair enough.Me: Just remember, Viktor, it’s not about the cake.Viktor: Oh? Then what is it about?Me: It’s about me being right. And you knowing it.Viktor: You are something else.Me: Yeah, but I’m your something else. You’re stuck with me now.Viktor: Well, I am starting to think that might not be so bad.I pause, letting the words sink in.There’s a softness there, in the way he said it, but he doesn’t realise it yet. I smile to myself, feeling a little lighter. This isn’t just about teasing anymore. It’s about that unspoken connection, that strange and comfortable thing we’ve got going on, even when it’s wrapped up in sarcasm and jokes.Me: Guess I’ll keep you around then. Just don’t burn anything else while I’m here, yeah?Viktor: I will do my best. If you keep this up, I might just start baking more.. just to keep you entertained.Me: Don’t threaten me with a good time, Viktor. I’m always down for more.There’s that subtle shift again, that tension that cracks like a smile. He’s not saying it, but I can tell. I’ve made my point. And I’m not going anywhere. I tap my phone screen absently, mindlessly watching the dots appear and disappear as I wait for Viktor’s response. The silence is comfortably tense, if that’s even a thing. It’s not like I’m expecting him to drop anything profound right away, but I still can’t stop my mind from racing.Finally, the message comes through.Viktor: You are absolutely ridiculous, you know that?I smirk at the screen, almost hearing his voice in my head.Me: Ridiculous? No, I’m charmingly ridiculous. Big difference.I let the message sit there for a second, tapping my thumb against my knee. He hasn’t replied right away and I’m not sure if I should fill the silence or leave him hanging a little longer. What I really want to do is ask him when he’s free next, but I’m way too nervous for that. He already thinks I’m ridiculous. No need to add ‘desperate’ to the list.So I try to act casual.Me: I’m kind of glad you think I’m ridiculous though. Means I’m not completely off the rails.I watch the dots again. Viktor’s probably thinking about his response, but then, finally, it pops up.Viktor: I think I am actually starting to get used to you. You know that? I should be worried about that.I lean back, a small grin pulling at my lips. Oh, he’s so not getting away with that one.Me: Used to me, huh? What, have I become your favorite brand of entertainment?There’s a longer pause this time, longer than I’d like.Then the message finally pops up.Viktor: Maybe I have gotten used to you. And maybe I do not think it is such a bad thing. In fact, I am starting to think you would be less fun to handle if you were not a bit ridiculous.I raise an eyebrow, fighting a grin.Me: So now I’m a project?Viktor: No, no. Definitely not a project. More like an experiment I want to repeat.I roll my eyes, the teasing tone coming through loud and clear.Me: You really want to keep me around that badly, huh? Maybe I’m not that bad after all.Viktor: Actually, I think you would be more fun if I did keep you around. You are like the puzzle I cannot solve.I snort, a soft laugh escaping before I can stop it. I’m pretty sure I just got challenged.Me: Puzzles? You’re pushing your luck, Viktor. You know I don’t like things I can’t figure out.There’s another pause, and I can’t quite place it.Viktor: Well, maybe it is time we solve this puzzle together. You know, see if we can figure each other out. Over our war. In person.I blink. In person?I stare at the message, my brain processing the words like they’re in another language.Me: In person? You want to meet?Viktor: Oh, I do not know. Maybe I do. You have been talking a big game about how ridiculous you are and how you assume you have already won this war. Maybe I just need to see it for myself. Unless you are surrendering in the war, naturally.I lean back in my chair, biting the inside of my cheek. The idea of meeting up. It’s not that I don’t want to. I just.. I’m not sure I can handle it.Me: You’re asking a lot, you know that?Viktor: Yes. Well. What can I say? I like a challenge.I sit there for a few seconds, fingers tapping against my phone, my heart racing for reasons I can’t even explain.Finally, I type out a response, feeling my chest tighten.Me: Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You might regret it.Viktor: I do not think I will. You are well worth the risk.Me: You sure about that? I’m a handful. You might not survive me in person.The three dots appear almost instantly, and I swear I can hear his amused chuckle through the screen. It’s one of those little things that always makes me feel like I’m a bit more in control.Viktor: I think I can handle a handful. Besides, I am not worried about surviving. I am more concerned with how much damage you will cause while trying to keep up.I bite my lip, fighting the grin that’s starting to take over. He’s good, I’ll give him that.But it’s all about the push and pull, right?Me: Oh, please. You’re talking like I’m some kind of wrecking ball. I’m harmless.Viktor: Harmless, mm? Well, I suppose I will have to see for myself. But do not worry, I will be sure to wear my armor for when you try to knock me out with your charm.I roll my eyes at the screen, shaking my head as I type out my reply.Me: You might need more than armor, Viktor. I don’t go easy on anyone.The three dots bounce a little longer this time, and I swear, I can feel him smirking before he even hits send.Viktor: I will take my chances. Jayce, can you please do me a favour?My immersion is broken by the sudden request. Ominous.. he doesn’t ever ask me for anything.Me: Uh.. yeah? What can I do for you?He doesn’t wait for me to reply before he sends his request.Viktor: Assist me by clearing your calendar this Friday evening at 8pm sharp. I have a booking for us at The Last Drop. Some drinks and a light dinner. We will BYO sarcasm as it is not cheap.I freeze for a moment. He wants to meet in person. This is real. The nervousness that hits me is almost physical, and for a second, I can’t even think straight. The Last Drop is 10 minutes from here and it’s the fanciest place between Piltover and Zaun. Bookings are rarer than Viktor revealing any personal secrets.Me: Are you sure you’re ready for that? I mean, I’ve warned you. I’m kind of a hot mess.Viktor: That is what I like about you. Keeps things interesting.I’m not sure if it’s the idea of finally meeting him or the fact that he’s actually this calm about it, but I can feel my heart racing. I try to convince myself I don’t need to overthink this, but it’s hard not to.Me: Okay, deal. I’ll be there. But you’re on your own if you end up regretting it.Viktor: I will take my chances. See you then, Jayce.It’s happening.And in a weird way, I’m excited. He won’t just be an online crush anymore. I’ll be able to reach out and play with his fingers across the table. I’m scared out of my mind.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tomorrow.Tomorrow Viktor won’t just be words on a screen.He’ll be there sitting across from me, real in a way that makes my stomach twist. I won’t be able to hide any of my reactions or emotions. He’s going to see right through me, and I know he’s going to use that to his advantage.And I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to do about that.I spend what feels like an eternity ruminating on whether or not I can go through with it or if I need to start scripting my plan cancel when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I check my texts and immediately regret it.Viktor: Less than 36 hours until your reign of terror extends to the physical realm. Jayce, how are you feeling?I squint at the screen. He’s really coming out of the gate swinging. He’s the worst.Me: Oh, you know. The usual. Mentally preparing. Stretching. Lifting some light weights. Making sure my first in person insults land perfectly.The dots bounce for a second.Viktor: I expected nothing less. But have you considered the horror of this situation?That’s an insane thing to say and he knows it. He knows how deep the pit in my stomach he has just dug is. What is he getting at here.Me: Elaborate.Viktor: You will not have the luxury of hiding behind your phone when I defeat you in our war.I let out a breathy laugh, rolling onto my back.Me: Bold of you to assume you’ll win.Viktor: Oh, I am counting on it. See, in person, you will not have time to sit and perfect your responses. No edits. No backspacing. Just you, live and unfiltered.Me: That’s where you’re wrong. I’m even worse in real time.Viktor: Impossible.Me: Oh, you’ll see.I set my phone down for a second, staring at the ceiling. It’s actually happening. The thought sends a nervous jolt through me. It’s not quite fear, not quite excitement, just this weird jittery feeling I can’t shake.My phone buzzes again.Viktor: Do you realize what else this means?Me: That I get to bully you in high definition?Viktor: That you will no longer be just a voice in my head. You will be tangible. Within reach. Within my grasp.I pause, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. My heart rate spikes like I’m being hunted for sport.Me: Oh? Planning to reach for me, are you?The dots pop up immediately.Viktor: Not if you behave.Me: So, no chance, then.Viktor: None whatsoever.I grin at my screen, warmth spreading through my chest. This is fine. Normal. Just us, like always.The worst part about tomorrow is that It’s going to happen. No escaping. No last minute faulty WiFi. No convenient power outages. Just us.Part of me still wants to cancel our plans. The part that gives me palpitations when I stare at his lips for too long. But he would never let me live that down. Well, that’s if he would even want to keep me around if I stood him up.I don’t know why I can’t get over this emotional roadblock of just, seeing him in person. What’s genuinely wrong with me? It’s just Viktor. But that’s it, right? It’s not just Viktor. It’s Viktor. I swear he has a fifth sense or something. My phone buzzes.Viktor: Jayce. You are sure about tomorrow?I stare at the message, fingers hovering over the keyboard.No. Of course I’m not sure about tomorrow. Nothing at all can prepare me for tomorrow.Me: Yeah. Tomorrow. The day the world ends.Viktor: Dramatic.Me: I prefer accurate.Viktor: And why exactly is the world ending?Me: Because you and I? In the same space? No screen? No barriers? That’s unnatural. That’s dangerous.The dots blink, stop, blink again.Viktor: Oh, I see. You are scared.I scoff, tilting my head back against the couch.Me: I’m not scared, I’m just..concerned.Viktor: Ah. Concerned.Me: Yeah. Concerned about how weird it’s going to be when I can actually reach out and touch you. Like, physically. You won’t be a guy in a box anymore. You’ll be real.There’s a longer pause this time. Then:Viktor: You are telling me you are most concerned about the fact that you will be able to touch me?Me: I mean, yeah. Aren’t you?Viktor: No, Jayce, though that is a thought that crosses my mind when I think about meeting you in person.I flush at the implications behind his words.Me: The second we sit down, I WILL be touching your hand or something. Just in case. I have to make sure you’re not a very elaborate AI.Viktor: You are insufferable. But very well.Me: And yet, you’re still meeting me. You must love to suffer.Viktor: I still do not know why I put up with you.Me: Because if you didn’t, who else would beat you in our war?A beat of silence creeps in.Viktor: So this is still about the war, is it?Me: Of course it is. You think I’d meet up with my enemy just for fun? No. This is a tactical maneuver. I need to assess your weaknesses in person.Viktor: I see. And you believe that being able to touch me will give you some kind of strategic advantage?Me: You joke, but physical intimidation is a valid tactic.Viktor: Jayce, I hate to break it to you, but I do not think thay you are very intimidating.Me: Wow. Okay. Let’s see if you’re still saying that tomorrow when I’m towering over you like a menacing force of nature.Viktor: You are going to stand over me and what? Loom?Me: Exactly. Looming is a critical part of warfare.Viktor: You are completely ridiculous.Me: Yeah, but I’m your ridiculous. You’re stuck with me.The dots flicker for a second. Then:Viktor: Yes. I suppose I am.I stare at the screen, my breath catching for a second longer than I’d like to admit. The air in my chest feels too tight, too warm, but I shake it off.Me: Good. Now get some rest, Viktor. You’ll need all of your strength for tomorrow if you’re going to be a match for me.Viktor: Are you planning to physically attack me, or..?Me: No spoilers. Goodnight.Viktor: Goodnight, Jayce. I exhale, locking my phone and trying to get to sleep. It’s going to be a sleepless night I can already tell.Meeting him is not an abstract idea anymore. Not just a passing thought I can push to the back of my mind and pretend isn’t creeping closer by the second.It’s real. It’s happening.Viktor is going to be sitting in front of me, in actual, physical proximity. His voice won’t be crackling through a speaker. His face won’t be pixelated through a screen. He’ll be there. Breathing the same air, looking at me with those gorgeous gold eyes and that purposefully unreadable gaze.And I’m going to have to hold a conversation without the safety net of a backspace button or a screen to hide my blushing.My phone vibrates again, yanking me out of my downward spiral.Viktor: Jayce. Are you asleep?I glance at the time. It’s late. And yet, here he is, proving once again that he’s just as restless about this as I am.Me: What do you think?Viktor: I think that if you were asleep, I would be deeply impressed by your ability to text in your dreams.Me: Maybe I’m just that talented.Viktor: Hm. Then tell me, oh dream texting prodigy, what are you thinking about?I hesitate, my fingertips hover over the keyboard. A thousand thoughts crowd my brain, none of them coherent.Me: Oh, you know. The usual. How the world as we know it is going to collapse tomorrow. How reality will be permanently altered by the sheer force of us existing in the same space.Viktor: Ah. That. Yes. A catastrophic event indeed.Me: Right? There should be warnings. Government issued alerts. A state of emergency, at the very least. They’ll need to issue evacuations.Viktor: I am sure they are drafting the paperwork as we speak.I grin, shaking my head. Even now, even with the nerves clawing at my stomach, he makes this easy.And then he immediately makes it significantly less easy.Viktor: You do realize this also means you will be within arms reach of me.My breath hitches. I stare at the screen, willing my brain to function.Me: Bold of you to assume I’d sit close enough for that to be an issue.Viktor: Bold of you to assume I would let you sit anywhere else.Oh.I flop onto my side, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. He did that on purpose. He had to have done this on purpose.Me: That’s awfully possessive of you, Vik.Viktor: Oh? Do you object?I swallow. Hard.Me: I guess I’ll allow it.The dots blink for a second, then stop. Then start again.Viktor: Good. Then I will see you tomorrow. In the flesh. In the chaos. In the aftermath of whatever natural disaster our meeting triggers.I huff a laugh, warmth curling in my chest.Me: Sweet dreams, Viktor.Viktor: And you, Jayce. Do not overthink it. I lock my phone and exhale. Tomorrow. Don’t overthink it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tomorrow doesn’t exist anymore. There is only today.I wake up before my alarm because of course I do. Because my brain hates me and has decided that sleep is for people who don’t have life altering events ahead of them the next day. I stare at the ceiling for a long moment, blinking blearily and trying to process the fact that there are no more days left between me and meeting Viktor.It’s happening. It’s too late to back out. I squeeze my eyes shut and my hands down my face.It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s just Viktor.The same Viktor I talk to every single day.The same Viktor who keeps me up until ungodly hours with his dumb philosophical tangents and his infuriatingly sharp wit. The same Viktor who..will be within an arms reach of me.I groan and try to relax, steadying my breathing.My phone vibrates on my nightstand.I blindly reach for it expecting another intrusive alarm, but no. there it is. A text. From him.Viktor: Your doomsday clock has hit double digits, Jayce. Our worlds shall be colliding shortly.I stare at the message.My stomach flips violently. I briefly consider throwing my phone across the room. It would do less damage to my nervous system.Me: Jesus, Viktor. Let me have one peaceful morning before you start with the ominous declarations.Viktor: Where is the fun in that?I hate him.I don’t hate him.But I do hate whatever he’s doing to my body.Me: You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?Viktor: Thoroughly.I sigh and drag myself out of bed, still glaring at my phone like it personally betrayed me. The worst part is that I can hear his voice in my head. That smug, lightly accented lilt. I haven’t even met him in person yet and he’s already wormed his way into my internal monologue.I shuffle to the bathroom with my phone still in my hand because I have no impulse control.Me: Just so you know, I am unbelievably normal about all of this.Viktor: Oh, of course. That is why you are texting me at 7AM instead of sleeping like a well adjusted person who can regulate their emotions impeccably.Me: It’s called preparation. I have to make sure I look good enough to blind you with my sheer attractiveness upon arrival.Viktor: A bold strategy. You plan to render me speechless?Me: Ideally, yes.Viktor: Then I regret to inform you that I am already immune.I squint at the screen, warmth creeping up the back of my neck. I refuse to let him win this round.Me: Damn. Guess I’ll just have to impress you with my charm instead.Viktor: Oh, I do not doubt your ability to do so.I grip my phone a little tighter. What the hell is that supposed to mean? He just says these things like it’s nothing. Like my entire body doesn’t react to them.I need backup. I switch to my contacts and press call before I can second guess myself. Mel picks up after three rings, her voice still raspy with sleep. Mel: Jayce. You are calling me before noon on my one day off. You had better be on fire.I take a deep breath.Me: I think I might actually die today.There’s a pause. Then-Mel: Oh, is it finally Viktor day? You said it was coming soon but my my Talis, that is sudden for you.I deep sign and ruffle my hair in the mirror.Me: Yes, it’s Viktor day.She makes a sound that can only be described as gleeful.Mel: Oh, this is going to be good. Jayce, this is what you’ve been needing for a long while. I’m excited for you!I lift my head just enough to glare at my phone.Me: This is a crisis, Mel. I am in crisis mode. I need you to say something helpful.Mel: Right, right.I hear rustling on her end, like she’s sitting up.Mel: Okay. Breathe. You’ve been talking to this guy for how long now?Me: Maybe pushing a month.I mumble.Mel: Right. And has he ever given you a reason to think he’s secretly a serial killer or, I don’t know, a 40 year old man in disguise?Me: Not exactly, but-Mel: And do you LIKE talking to him?I hesitate.That’s an understatement. I don’t just like talking to Viktor. I need it. It’s part of my routine, part of my day, part of..Mel makes an impatient noise.Mel: Jayce.Me: Yes, I like talking to him.Mel: Okay, great. Then tell me exactly what you’re freaking out about.I hesitate again, flipping onto my back and staring at the ceiling.Me: I don’t knowI admit.Me: I just..what if it’s weird? What if we don’t have the same chemistry in person? What if I say something stupid? What if he takes one look at me and decides I was way cooler behind a screen?Mel sighs but it’s not an annoyed sigh, it’s a fond one.Mel: Jayce. You do realize that you are Viktor’s entire world, right?I blink. My heart trips over itself.Me: What?She huffs a laugh.Mel: Jayce, I have seen your texts. I have witnessed you spiral over him for months. And if you think for even a second that Viktor isn’t just as bad, if not worse, then you are absolutely delusional.I swallow, my throat suddenly tight.Me: That’s..Mel: Do you think he’d be this eager to see you if he wasn’t already obsessed with you?My face is on fire.I hate that she’s right.I hate that I needed to hear it.I press a hand over my eyes.Me: I hate you.She laughs.Mel: No, you don’t. Now, go shower. Put on something tight. And for the love of god, try to have fun today.I exhale through my nose.Me: Yeah. Okay.Mel: Atta boy. Now go be insufferable with your internet boyfriend.I hang up before she can say anything else embarrassing. My phone buzzes again. I can’t remember the last time I was in this high demand before 9AM. Viktor: Have you run away yet? Or will I still be seeing you today?I stare at the message for a long moment.Then, before I can overthink it, I type back.Me: You think you could get rid of me that easily?The dots appear immediately.Viktor: A shame. I had already planned my victory speech.Me: Yeah, well. You’ll have to settle for meeting me instead.A pause.Viktor: That is an acceptable consolation.I press my phone to my chest.Okay.I can do this.No, actually, I can’t do this.I stand in front of my closet staring blankly at the rows of clothes like they might suddenly morph into something impressive and effortless and charming. Something that says,
‘Hey, I’m normal. I’m definitely not spiraling right now.’Unfortunately, my wardrobe is uncooperative.I swipe through hangers with increasing urgency. Why do I own so many shirts? And why do none of them seem like the one? Something tight, Mel said. But tight in what way? Cool tight? Flattering tight? I’m subtly trying to ruin this man’s life tight?I grab a fitted black button up and toss it onto my bed.That’s a start.Pants. I need pants. Jeans are safe, right? Maybe. Probably. I groan and huff. This shouldn’t be this difficult. I am a grown man capable of making choices. My phone buzzes. I reach for it immediately, because of course I do. Viktor: Jayce. Are you agonizing over your outfit right now? I freeze.How does he do that?Me: No.Viktor: Liar.Me: You’re just assuming.Viktor: I know. I know because I know you.My stomach flips. I huff, typing back quickly.Me: You think you know me that well? Viktor: Intimately. I hate him.I love this.I throw my phone onto the bed before I can start pacing. This is ridiculous. I’m ridiculous.“It’s just Viktor.”I repeat it like a mantra as I get dressed, as I brush my hair, as I check my reflection for the fifth time.It’s just Viktor.The Viktor who makes my pulse jump with a single text. The Viktor who, in a few hours, will be real.I grab my phone.Me: You’re a menace.Viktor: And yet, you are still coming to see me.Me: Unfortunately.Viktor: You wound me. But I will allow it.I smile and shaky my head, pocketing my phone before I let myself linger too long on the way he always allows things. Like I’m his to manage.Like he enjoys it. 3 hours pass and I’m still in bed. The sun has moved. I haven’t.It’s already past noon which means the hours between me and Viktor are dwindling at an alarming rate. Time is accelerating. Time is cruel. Time is an unrelenting force dragging me toward the inevitable, and I, like an absolute idiot, am just letting it happen.I should be doing something productive, like double checking my route or mentally preparing actual conversation topics so I don’t blurt out something irredeemably stupid. Instead, I’m lying flat on my couch, staring at the ceiling like a man awaiting execution. Maybe I should fake an emergency. A mild one. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to warrant a reschedule. Would he believe it? Probably not. Would he let me get away with it? Definitely not.My phone buzzes next to me, and I flinch so hard I nearly drop it between the couch cushions. When I finally gather the courage to check, my stomach flips.Viktor: You are still alive, yes?A loaded question.Me: Technically.Viktor: That is a concerning answer.Me: You should be used to those by now.Viktor: That does not mean I have to like them.I swallow against the way my chest tightens. Because of course he doesn’t like it. Because this isn’t just some casual thing for him either, is it? He wants this. He wants me there.I groan and drag a hand down my face. I don’t know why that’s so hard to wrap my head around, but it is.The dots appear, then disappear. Reappear. He’s thinking.Then-Viktor: You are worrying yourself sick over this, am I right?I scowl at my screen, cheeks heating.Me: No.Viktor: Liar.I huff and sit up, tapping my fingers against my knee. There’s no point denying it. Viktor sees right through me, and if I don’t answer him, he’ll just make me.Me: A little.The response comes almost instantly.Viktor: You do not have to.I blink at the screen. It’s a simple statement, but something about it knocks the breath out of me.Me: Hard to just turn it off.Viktor: I know.A pause.Viktor: Would it help if I told you I have been waiting for this just as much as you have?I stare at the words so long that they start to blur.I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that. It wasn’t Viktor cutting straight through the fog in my brain and reminding me that this isn’t some one sided disaster waiting to happen. That he’s been looking forward to this. That I’m not alone in the anticipation, the nerves, the weight of it all.I swallow, typing without thinking.Me: Yeah. Yeah, I think it would.Viktor: Good. Then let me make it even clearer for you.Viktor: I would not have asked to meet you if I did not want to.Viktor: I want to see you. Talk to you. Be near you.Viktor: Do you understand?I exhale, pressing my phone against my chest.I do.I don’t respond right away.Not because I don’t want to, but because I physically can’t. Because my brain is short circuiting and my heart is having a hard time catching up. I also definitely don’t trust my fingers to type anything that doesn’t immediately betray how much he’s affecting me right now.But Viktor..Viktor is patient.Or maybe he just knows exactly what he’s done to me and is enjoying the fallout.Either way, the dots appear again after a long minute.Viktor: Jayce?I drag in a breath and force my thumbs to move.Me: Yeah. I’m here.Viktor: That is a relief. I thought I might have broken you.I scowl at the screen.Me: You sound way too pleased about that possibility.Viktor: I do not know what you mean.Me: Liar.Viktor: Ah, how the tables have turned.I shake my head, biting back a smile. Somehow, without even trying, he’s managed to pull me out of the worst of my spiral. The pressure in my chest has dimmed and the creeping sense of doom held at bay by the simple fact that Viktor wants this. That I am not some unwelcome variable in his day but something..someone he’s looking forward to.It’s grounding in a way I wasn’t expecting.Me: You always do this.Viktor: Do what?Me: Get in my head.Viktor: And?And calm me down. And make me feel like less of a disaster. And somehow manage to make the world feel a little less overwhelming, even when he’s thousands of miles away.I stare at my phone, thumb hovering over the keyboard.I could say all of that. I could tell him exactly what he means to me. But I won’t.Not yet.Me: And make me insufferably fond of you.The dots appear immediately. Then disappear. Then reappear.I grin.Viktor: Unfair.Me: What? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?Viktor: I can take it just fine. I simply do not know what to do with it.I pause, my amusement fading into something softer.Me: You don’t have to do anything with it. It’s just the truth.Another long pause. Viktor: Then I will simply keep it.Something about that makes my breath catch in my throat.Before I can analyze it too much, my phone buzzes again.Viktor: And you should leave soon. You do not want to be late, do you?I groan and shake my head. How can he be so calm? It’s infuriating.Me: You are way too smug about this.Viktor: Of course. I enjoy winning.Me: Who says you’re winning?Viktor: Oh, Jayce.Viktor: I always win.I snort and shake my head, but there’s no real heat behind it. Because the thing is.. he’s right. I need to leave now or I won’t leave at all. It’s a 20 minute taxi ride to The Last Drop but I need some time to calm down before I arrive. I make the executive decision to catch the train there. It doubles the journey time but I’ve given myself enough leeway that it still won’t make me late.The train ride is both too long and too short all at once.Too long because I have time to think. WAY too much time to think. Too much time to run through every possible way this meeting could go wrong, to convince myself that I am somehow going to irreparably ruin something that up until this point, has been the best thing in my life. Too short because it means I’m running out of time. The landscape rushes past the window in a blur of muted colours. Buildings and trees and patches of sky all blending together in a way that makes my stomach churn. I grip my phone a little tighter, resisting the urge to check the time again.I don’t need to. I know exactly how long I have left.And yet-I tap the screen. 49 Minutes. I take a deep breath. Then another. It doesn’t help.Viktor hasn’t texted since telling me to leave.I think he knows me well enough to understand that if he did, I’d use it as an excuse to stall. That I’d linger in my apartment, lost in the safety of the conversation until it was too late. Until I had no choice but to cancel or reschedule or make up some excuse about a family emergency.But I don’t have that option now. I’m on the train. I’m going. And Viktor is waiting. I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing the heels of my hands against them.This isn’t some stranger I met on the internet. This isn’t a blind date. This is Viktor.The same Viktor I talk to every day.
The same Viktor who despite his usual sharpness and sarcasm, has always made me feel like I am wanted.Like he wants me, in whatever way that means.And yet.What if I’m wrong?What if I step off this train and see him and he sees me and everything that has felt so natural through a screen suddenly feels wrong? What if I’m different in person? What if he’s different in person? What if-My phone buzzes.My heart jumps into my throat.I unlock it instantly, pulse skittering.Viktor: Stop.I stare.My stomach twists.Me: Stop what?The dots appear immediately.Viktor: Whatever you are doing in that head of yours.Viktor: Overanalyzing. Doubting. Spiraling. Ruminating, Jayce. I swallow hard, fingers clenching around the phone.He knows. He always knows.Viktor: I am still me, Jayce.Viktor: And you are still you.Viktor: And that is all that matters.I let out a slow breath, some of the tension in my chest easing.Me: You sure about that?Viktor: Beyond sure.My throat feels tight.I don’t know what to do with this.I don’t know what to do with him.Me: You’re the worst.Viktor: And yet, you adore me.I huff, shaking my head.Me: Debatable.Viktor: Liar.My lips twitch. I tuck my phone against my chest and stare out the window. The world just might end tonight but as long as I’m with Viktor when it happens, I think I’d die happy.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I sit on the edge of my seat.The train rattles beneath me as if it’s mocking my nervous system. Rocking motions are supposed to be calming but it’s only intensifying the knot in my stomach. What am I doing? What are we doing?My phone buzzes again, dragging me from the spiral that’s threatening to swallow me whole.Viktor: Jayce.I can almost hear the way he says my name. That low, slightly teasing drawl that cuts through my haze. The words follow too quickly, leaving me no time to prepare.Viktor: You are still breathing, yes?I blink at the screen, gripping it a little tighter. His timing is absurd. It’s like he can hear my thoughts even from miles away.Me: I am. Just trying not to pass out.Viktor: That is an improvement.I roll my eyes, even though I know he’s right.Me: You’re seriously enjoying this, aren’t you?Viktor: I am merely observing you try to talk yourself out of the best thing that has happened to you in a Millenia.I scowl at the screen. He’s making it sound so easy, so simple.Me: Well, sorry I’m not as chill as you are. I’m kind of a mess here, Viktor.A brief pause.Viktor: You do realize that I would not have agreed to meet you if I thought you were anything less than worth it, right?I blink, the words settling into the pit of my stomach making it twist in a completely different way.For a brief moment, everything slows down. The noise of the train, the world outside, the incessant buzzing of my thoughts.What the hell is he doing to me?I stare at the screen as if the answer might appear if I just concentrate hard enough. My breath catches when the next message comes through.Viktor: Stop questioning yourself. Stop doubting.Me: It’s not that easy.Viktor: You are right. It is not. But you are also not as alone in this as you think.There it is again. That thing that knocks the air from my lungs. Viktor’s patience. His quiet understanding. How does he always seem to know exactly what I need to hear?I don’t respond right away.I’m too busy trying to process what it means, what it means for us. What if I’m reading it wrong? What if he doesn’t mean any of it? What if-My phone buzzes again. It’s him.Viktor: I am looking forward to seeing you. Just you.That’s it. Just 2 sentences.But they hit harder than anything he’s said yet.I feel my heart leap in my chest, then settle somewhere lower like a weight that makes the rest of the world lighter. I swallow hard.Me: You’re.. sure about this, right?Viktor: Jayce.The single word is a quiet command. My stomach flips as I hold my breath, awaiting the rest.Viktor: I have been waiting for this. I am sure.I press my lips together, trying to steady my heartbeat as the train lurches.For a split second, I wish I could disappear into the rhythm of it and just let it carry me away until everything feels less daunting.But I can’t.Not now.I blink at the screen.The train’s sway mixing with the spinning thoughts in my head. The next few moments, no matter what happens, are going to change everything.The train jerks to a halt, instantly snapping me out of my thoughts. My stomach lurches but I force myself to take a deep breath.My eyes flick to the clock above the doors.Five minutes.I glance at my phone half expecting another text from Viktor. Some last minute tease or reassurance, but there’s nothing.I’m left with the hum of my own heartbeat in my ears and the jittery sense that I’m about to step off the edge of something, something huge and unknown.I can hear his voice in my head again, that cool, confident tone.‘Stop spiraling, Jayce.’It’s like he’s right next to me holding my thoughts in check with nothing more than his presence. I hate how much I want that to be real. I hate how badly I want to believe that he’s as sure of this as he says he is. I all but barge my way through the doors when they open, my feet heavy despite my mind telling me to move faster to just get there.It’s not until I step outside, into the brisk air that nips at my skin that I realize I’m actually here.I’m really here.The walk to The Last Drop feels too short, and then, too long.My legs feel like they’re moving in slow motion. Like everything is stretching out in front of me in this strange, disjointed way. The world feels distorted, like I’m dreaming.I finally see the familiar sign up ahead. The subtle glow of the dim lights from inside the bar shining through the windows. It’s ridiculous, how something so simple makes my heart race even faster.I stop in front of the door.I stare at it for a moment, my mind spiraling once again.What if he’s not there? What if this is some cruel joke? What if I look ridiculous standing here waiting for him and he never shows?But then, before I can drown in the wave of self doubt, my phone buzzes again and it’s the exact message I needed. Viktor: I’m here. I stare at the words. There’s a calmness to them that makes something inside of me shift.I exhale, and for the first time today, I feel like I can breathe again.I push open the door. The bell above it chiming softly as I step inside.It smells like beer and aged wood, and something faintly warm and inviting, like comfort.I scan the room slowly.My nerves are buzzing like static in my veins.And right there by the bar, dressed in a sweater vest that seems to accentuate the sharpness of his figure, is Viktor. He looks exactly the same as I imagined, but completely different all at once.His posture, the way he holds himself, it’s familiar but somehow more..real. He doesn’t look up right away. Instead, he seems to be absorbed in the drink in front of him while his fingers trace the rim of his glass with a slow, deliberate movement.I’m almost afraid to take a step forward. Afraid that if I do, he’ll turn and I won’t know what to say or worse, that I’ll ruin whatever we have.Then. Just like that, Viktor’s gaze lifts.He doesn’t blink, doesn’t falter.He just sees me.And the look in his eyes..it’s too much.It’s everything I’ve been waiting for and more. There’s something in the way his lips curl, a subtle smirk that’s knowing, like he’s been waiting for me too.Shit.My heart slams in my chest.My knees are shaking as I take one step forward. I take another, then another until I’m standing in front of him.The words I’ve rehearsed in my head, the ones I thought would calm my nerves, escape me.Me: Hey.I manage that much. It’s not exactly impressive. He can absolutely tell how much I’m panicking right now.He raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching as if he’s holding back a laugh.Viktor: Hello, Jayce.I smile weakly, my hands clammy.Me: I..I wasn’t sure you’d actually show up.Viktor leans back slightly, the playful edge never leaving his voice.Viktor: Did you doubt me?he asks, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone.I shake my head.Me: Not you.I say, gesturing vaguely to the room.Me: Just.. well, me. You know, being here. With you. In person. This is insane.His eyes soften just a fraction, his smile losing some of its teasing edge.Viktor: It is not insane, Jayce. You are here now.And just like that, the tension in my chest begins to ease. It’s replaced by something else. A deep, irrational warmth like I’ve finally arrived at a place I’ve been trying to reach for so long.Me: I guess I am.I whisper, stepping closer to him.Viktor’s gaze flickers briefly to the empty space beside him.Viktor: Sit with me?I don’t even hesitate before slipping onto the barstool next to him, my nerves suddenly not as overwhelming as they had been.He doesn’t touch me. Doesn’t say anything for a beat, but his presence is enough.It’s grounding. Solid. Real.I glance over at him, my throat dry despite the silence.Me: So, now what?He smirks, that familiar spark in his eyes. Viktor: Now, we talk. Just like we always do.And for the first time today, I believe him.I didn’t hesitate before sit next to him, but my hands feel too warm against the bar. My pulse is still a little too loud in my ears.Viktor doesn’t look at me right away. Instead he lifts his glass and takes a slow sip, the kind that makes it obvious he’s letting me sit with this. Letting me process the fact that he’s real and here, and looking far too pleased with himself.I exhale sharply.Me: You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?His lips twitch.Viktor: A little.I scowl, but it’s weak. My brain still feels scrambled.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor finally glances over, studying me like he’s reading between the lines of everything I’m not saying.Viktor: You are still spiraling.Me: Jeez, thanks for noticing.His gaze flickers down, toward my hand and how I’m gripping the bar like it’s the only thing keeping me from being raptured through the ceiling. His smirk softens at the edges, but only slightly.Viktor: It is only me, Jayce.Only him. Like that means something. Like that doesn’t make it worse. Like anything about the way I feel about him is casual.I swallow and glance around, desperate for something to anchor me.Me: I should probably order something.Viktor hums, setting his glass down.Viktor: Let me guess. Something sweet.I glare at him.Me: You don’t know that.He lifts an eyebrow.Viktor: Do I not?The bartender swings by, giving me a nod. “What’ll it be?”I hesitate.Viktor rests his chin on one hand, watching me with quiet amusement.Viktor: Mm. A whiskey sour, perhaps?Oh, screw him. I turn to the bartender before Viktor can say another word.Me: Whiskey sour.Viktor makes a soft, triumphant sound, and I want to throw the bowl of bar peanuts at him.The bartender nods and steps away. I shake my head.Me: I hate that you know me this well.Viktor: No, you do not.Viktor lifts his glass again, voice smooth.Viktor: If you did, you would not be here.My stomach flips. I hate how easy it is for him to say that. How easy it is for him to be sure. How annoying it is that he’s right.I scoff, but it comes out weaker than I want.Me: You really think I’d travel all this way just for you?He tilts his head slightly, making direct eye contact. His eyes have even more of a honey glow in real life. Fuck.Viktor: Would you not?I open my mouth, then close it. I have nothing clever to say. I have no rebuttal. I can’t stop looking at him. I smile at him and pretend like my pulse isn’t about to send me into cardiac arrest.He’s gorgeous. Unbelievably gorgeous. Like I can’t put into words how surreal it is to see him in person like this. His eyes have deep amber flecks that are glowing in the lighting of the candles on the bar. I’m staring and he knows it, and he is too.Viktor exhales, just a little too softly. His fingers tap idly against the table.Viktor: Seeing you here. Not through a screen. Not with any masks or measures in place to establish distance is surreal. I cannot manipulate the world here, only how you see me in real time.And just like that, whatever upper hand I still thought I had vanishes. Because..yeah. It is surreal. And he’s absolutely right.Me: it’s kinda nice, isn’t it? You look different in person.I take him in. I see birth marks and beauty spots I didn’t notice before, smile lines and wrinkles. His expression is soft yet somehow stern.Viktor: You are staring right through me.I smile, not even trying to deny it.Me: It’s nice to see the details in your face that the pixels didn’t do justice. Your eyes are beautiful, Viktor.He runs a hand through his hair and stops making eye contact with me. I guess he does get easily flustered too. I’ll be exploiting that in the future.Viktor: You speak words that go right to my head. I see this is a strategy for the war.I laugh, I had completely forgotten about our stupid war. I was distracted over how his hair hugs his jawline and that he has subtle blonde highlights I never noticed before. He’s beautiful.Me: You caught me. My grand strategy is just complimenting you until you’re too flustered to fight back.Viktor clicks his tongue and shakes his head but there’s no real bite to it. He tilts his glass slightly, watching the liquid swirl before taking another measured sip.Viktor: A dirty tactic.Me: And yet, highly effective.I lean in slightly, just to see how much I can get away with. His eyes flicker to mine, sharp but intrigued. He doesn’t move away.Viktor: You play dangerously, Jayce.Me: And you like it.His fingers still on the rim of his glass. Just for a fraction of a second. His lips part like he’s going to respond, but then the bartender slides my drink in front of me, and the moment splinters.I exhale through my nose and take a sip, the sharp tang of whiskey and citrus hitting my tongue. It’s good. It’s grounding. I needed that.Viktor watches me over the rim of his own glass, a quiet smirk tugging at his lips.Viktor: You are still shaking.I roll my eyes. He’s right though. I firmly grip my drink in one hand and let the other sit on my knee.Me: Yeah, well. Maybe I just get cold easily.Viktor hums, unconvinced, and sets his drink down with a soft clink.Viktor: Or perhaps, you are overwhelmed.I scoff, but I don’t deny it. He has me there.Every time I look at him it’s like my brain short circuits. It’s like I’m torn between processing the fact that he’s actually here and the absolutely ridiculous fact that he looks even better in person. It’s not fair.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: And yet, you are here.Me: Against my better judgment.He chuckles, low and amused, and the sound does something treacherous to my pulse. I take another sip of my drink, desperate to ignore it.Viktor rests his elbow on the bar, his chin propped against his hand as he studies me.Viktor: Tell me, Jayce. What is it that has you so rattled?I exhale through my nose, glancing down at my drink before shaking my head.Me: You, obviously.Viktor: Ah.He seems entirely too pleased with that answer. He shifts slightly, his knee just barely brushing against mine. I flinch ever so slightly and I know he sees it.Viktor: I must be rather intimidating, then.Me: Oh, terrifying.I say it dryly, but the way his eyes glint makes me wonder if he actually believes it. If he knows what he’s doing.His smirk lingers, but there’s something softer underneath it. Something curious.Viktor: And yet, you do not run.Me: Not yet.His lips twitch.Viktor: Then I will have to make sure you do not.The weight of those words settles between us, heavy and certain. I stare at him, my throat suddenly dry. I have no idea what to say to that.Viktor just watches me, waiting. Unshaken. Unmoving. Like he already knows how this will end. I swallow hard, feeling the heat creep up my neck.Viktor tilts his head slightly, waiting for me to respond but I just take another sip of my drink, pretending like I have any control over this situation. Spoiler: I don’t.He leans in a fraction, his voice dipping lower, more intimate.Viktor: Have I left you speechless, Jayce?I scoff, setting my glass down a little too forcefully.Me: Hardly. Just thinking of all the ways I can humble you in return.Viktor chuckles, a quiet, knowing sound that makes my stomach flip.Viktor: Bold of you to assume that is possible.I narrow my eyes, but before I can fire back, he shifts, resting his arm against the bar in a way that brings him just a little closer. It’s a small movement, but I feel it like a spark against my skin.Viktor: Jayce.His voice is softer now, threading through the air between us. I don’t know why it makes my breath hitch.Viktor: Why are you still nervous?I hesitate. Because what kind of question is that?Me: I..I’m not.He just raises an eyebrow. The kind that says, ‘try again.’I groan, rubbing the back of my neck.Me: Fine. Maybe I’m a little nervous.Viktor hums, pleased with my honesty. I want to wipe the smug look off his face. Maybe with my mouth.Me: But in my defense, you are very-I cut myself off. That was a dangerous sentence. He does not need that leverage.Viktor: Hm?He leans in ever so slightly, like he’s daring me to say it.I refuse. I take a long sip of my drink instead, finishing the last of it in one mouthful.His smirk widens.Viktor: Very?I shake my head. No. Absolutely not.He lets the silence stretch, waiting. When I don’t cave, he exhales through his nose, shaking his head.Viktor: A shame. I was rather enjoying watching you struggle.Me: You’re insufferable.Viktor: And yet-Me: I know, I know. I’m here.I roll my eyes, but there’s no real annoyance behind it. The tension in my chest is lighter now, replaced by something warmer. Something that feels dangerously close to comfort.Viktor just watches me, like he’s memorizing the moment.And I let him.He doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, he lifts his glass again taking a slow sip, his gaze never leaving mine. It’s ridiculous how something so simple can feel so calculated. How he makes me feel like I’m under a microscope with just his eyes.I shift in my seat, gripping my empty glass a little tighter.Me: You always stare at people like this?Viktor hums, setting his drink down with a soft clink.Viktor: Only when they are particularly interesting.I narrow my eyes, but the heat creeping up my neck betrays me.Me: You think I’m interesting?Viktor tilts his head slightly, the dim light catching in his eyes.Viktor: I think you are trying very hard not to accept that I do.I open my mouth, then shut it. I have no counter to that. I hate that he’s right. He sees right through my soul.Viktor’s smirk widens like he can hear my thoughts.Me: You’re so annoying.Viktor: And yet-Me: I swear to god if you say ‘you are here’ one more time.He chuckles, the sound threading through my skin like static.Viktor: Fine, fine. I will spare you..for now.His eyes glint with something amused, something knowing. He’s enjoying this.I exhale through my nose, forcing my pulse to settle.Me: You are far too smug for someone who hasn’t even won yet.Viktor lifts an eyebrow.Viktor: Ah, but I think you misunderstand.He leans in slightly, and I feel it like a weight, like gravity itself is pulling me toward him.Viktor: You showing up? That was my victory.I inhale sharply. My hands immediately get clammy. I can feel the flush in my cheeks spreading to my nose and the tip of my ears. And I know he can see it happening in real time.Me: Bold of you to assume this was for you.Viktor smirks, slow and deliberate.Viktor: Mm. Of course. You traveled all this way for the whiskey sours.I scowl. He’s unbearable. I hate that he has this much control over the conversation. And my body.Me: Maybe I did.Viktor: Then I regret to inform you that your taste is rather predictable.I glare at him, trying to figure out what he means by predictable but the bartender slides another drink in front of me before I can argue. I blink.Me: I didn’t order-Viktor lifts his glass slightly in silent acknowledgment.Viktor: I did.I stare at him. Then at the drink. Then back at him.Me: You’re trying to get me drunk?Viktor: Do you need to be?The way he says it. Casual, effortless. Like he already knows the answer.I swallow. I don’t like that he’s winning this conversation.Me: You’re very confident for someone who’s, what, five foot five?Viktor scoffs, shaking his head.Viktor: I am five foot ten.Me: Five foot ten in your dreams.Viktor: My dreams are more ambitious than that.Oh.The air shifts. Just slightly. Just enough that I feel it.Viktor watches me, his fingers tapping idly against his glass.Viktor: What are you thinking?Me: That you’re dangerous.Viktor’s lips curl at the edges, something slow and sharp.Viktor: And yet-Me: Viktor.He chuckles, but the warmth in his eyes doesn’t fade.Viktor: Fine. No more.He lifts his hands in mock surrender before resting one against the bar again, close enough that if I moved even slightly, our fingers would brush.I exhale slowly.Me: So. This is happening.Viktor: Mm. It would appear so.Me: Are you freaking out?Viktor tilts his head, considering.Viktor: Not in the way you are.Me: Oh, so you admit you’re freaking out a little.Viktor exhales through his nose, shaking his head.Viktor: I will admit that this is..unusual.Me: Unusual. That’s one way to put it.Viktor hums, taking another sip of his drink.Viktor: And yet, you are still here.I groan, dropping my head against the bar for a second.Me: I walked right into that one.Viktor laughs, quiet and genuine.I lift my head again, watching him. He’s real. That’s the part I still can’t wrap my head around. He’s real and he’s here, and he’s still looking at me like I’m something worth waiting for.I swallow hard.Me: I’m glad I came.I don’t mean to say it out loud. But I do.Viktor stills. Just for a moment. Then he exhales, soft and measured.Viktor: So am I.It shouldn’t make my chest feel like this. But it does. I exhale, trying to force some kind of order into my thoughts, but it’s not working.Viktor is here. In front of me. Talking. Smirking. Drinking. Existing in the exact same space I do.And yet, some stubborn part of my brain still refuses to believe it.Me: You know.. I’m still half convinced you’re not real.Viktor lifts an eyebrow, his glass hovering just below his lips.Viktor: Oh?Me: Yeah. That this is some kind of elaborate dream. Some weird fever hallucination. Maybe I got hit by my train instead of boarding it on my way here today and my brain is making all of this up in my final moments.Viktor hums thoughtfully, setting his drink down.Viktor: A rather extravagant delusion.Me: Right? I mean, you-My breath catches and my words come to an immediate stop.His hand moves. Just slightly. Just enough for him to rest his pinky finger over mine on top of the bar.Not an accident. Not a brush. A deliberate touch. Small. Barely there. I feel it like a shock to my system.Heat prickles up my spine, blooming at the back of my neck and spreading through my chest.I don’t move my hand.I can’t.The air between us shifts, something subtle but heavy.Viktor waits, watching, like he’s measuring my reaction. Like he’s testing the weight of reality itself between us.My fingers twitch under his, involuntarily. He doesn’t move away.My hands are shaking again. But this time, it’s not from nerves. Or, maybe it is. Maybe it’s both. I don’t know. I don’t care.He’s real. He’s real. And his pinky is still intertwined with mine.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I swallow, trying to keep my expression neutral but I know Viktor sees right through me.He always does.His touch is barely anything.It’s just a single point of contact. The lightest weight of his pinky resting over mine. But my body reacts like my skin is on fire.I flex my fingers instinctively, just the smallest movement, but even that makes my pulse stutter. My hand doesn’t move away, though. If anything it stays stubbornly still, like I’m afraid that even the slightest shift will make him pull back.Viktor watches me, his smirk just barely visible at the edges.Viktor: Still convinced you are hallucinating?His voice is softer now, lower. I hate how easily it makes my stomach flip.I glance down at our hands or, really, at his hand because I can barely focus on my own anymore. The way his fingers rest so casually, like he’s not even thinking about it. Like this is the most natural thing in the world.Me: I don’t know.It’s half a joke, but mostly not.Because my brain still isn’t sure how to process this. Him. This whole night.The weight of all the moments that led to it.I glance back up at him, searching his face for something.Some kind of sign that he’s feeling this the way I am. That I’m not just..But he already knows. Of course he does.Viktor tilts his head slightly, gaze holding mine tenderly.Viktor: Would you like further proof?My breath catches.I should have a response to that.Something quick. Something clever. Something to make this less intense, but my mind is blank.Absolutely, completely blank. No rehearsed comebacks could’ve prepared me for the way he sees right through me.Viktor shifts just slightly. His pinky presses down, the smallest fraction more firm.The air between us fills with static.I don’t move.I can’t move.His eyes flicker to mine, unreadable. Waiting.And I realise that he’s giving me an out. He’s waiting for me.If I move my hand, he’ll let it go.If I pull back, he’ll pretend like it never happened. Like it was nothing.But it’s not nothing.Not even close.I exhale, slow and unsteady, then deliberately press my pinky against his.Just slightly. Just enough that there’s no mistaking it.Viktor’s lips part, just barely.The space between us shrinks to something unbearably small.The room around us fades.The low murmur of voices, the clink of glasses, the warmth of the bar’s dim lighting.All of it becomes nothing more than static.It’s just us.I feel his breath hitch with the smallest intake of air. His fingers don’t move at first, like he’s giving me another moment to pull away, to rethink.But I don’t.I can’t.Because no matter how much my brain is still scrambling to convince me this isn’t real, my body knows otherwise. It knows the warmth of his skin. The quiet weight of his presence. The way his touch grounds me instead of sending me spiraling.Viktor exhales through his nose with a soft sound. Then. slowly, deliberately, he shifts his pinky just enough to hook around mine.I freeze.My whole body locks up. I’m caught between the urge to lean in further and the absolute refusal to move at all in case I break whatever this moment is.Viktor hums, his voice as smooth as ever.Viktor: Is this enough proof for you, Jayce?I swallow. My throat is so dry it hurts.Me: I..Nope. No words. Nothing. Just sheer, unfiltered static in my head.He watches me like he’s reading every thought before I can even process them. His hand is still perfectly still, apart from the way his pinky stays curled around mine. His touch is deceptively light. Like he’s testing how much I can handle.I can’t handle any of this.I also don’t want him to stop.Viktor tilts his head, amused.Viktor: Jayce, you are turning rather red.I make a noise between a scoff and laugh.Me: Maybe because you’re pulling some kind of psychological warfare on me right now?Viktor’s smirk deepens, but he doesn’t let go.Viktor: Oh? And what would you call this?Me: I don’t know, some kind of-I gesture vaguely with my other handMe: unfair advantage? Using my own nervous system against me?Viktor hums, pretending to think.Viktor: Mm. And yet, you have not moved your hand away.I open my mouth, close it, then scowl.Me: That’s not the point.Viktor: Oh, but I think it is.He says it so smoothly.So simply that my brain nearly short circuits all over again. Because, yeah. It is the point.I’m still sitting here.Still letting his fingers rest over mine. Still clinging to every second of this moment like it’s something I’ll never get again.And the worst part?I don’t want to let go.I don’t want this to be some fleeting, passing thing. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow wondering if I imagined it.I meet his gaze, my heartbeat thrumming in my ears.Me: I still feel like I’m dreaming.His expression softens. Just slightly. Just enough. I hate to admit that. It makes the reality of the situation I’m in come crashing down like a pile of bricks.Viktor: Then I will have to make sure you remember it when you wake up.I hate him.I hate him so much.Because that’s the most unfair thing he’s said yet.I exhale sharply, trying to hold onto the last frayed strands of my sanity.Me: That’s..I shake my head.Me: That’s incredibly unfair.Viktor hums again, the sound dipping lower, almost like a laugh he’s keeping just for himself.Viktor: I thought you liked a challenge, Jayce.My stomach twists. The worst part is, he’s right.I glance down at our hands. His pinky is still hooked around mine.A small, ridiculous point of contact that somehow has more weight than anything else in this moment.Me: This is a pretty weak attempt at making sure I remember, don’t you think?I say it before I can stop myself. Half a challenge, half something else entirely.Viktor raises an eyebrow, and my pulse jumps straight into my throat.Viktor: Oh? And what would you suggest instead?His voice is so unfairly smooth. I swear to God, he’s enjoying this.Me: I..Nope. Nope, I’m not finishing that thought.Viktor waits patiently for me to finish my sentence, giving me just enough rope to hang myself.Viktor: Jayce?I force out a breath, barely managing to hold his gaze.Me: Nothing. Forget it.Viktor hums, tilting his head just enough that I catch the glint in his eyes.Viktor: Mm. I do not think I will.Of course he won’t. Of course he won’t.I’m in hell and it has a name, and it’s Viktor smirking at me like he knows.I tighten my grip on my drink, my knuckles almost white against the glass. My skin is still burning where his pinky rests over mine, and I swear he can feel it. The deliberate way he lingers, the barely there weight of it.He knows exactly what he’s doing.I clear my throat, trying to ignore the way my voice feels dangerously unsteady.Me: You’re enjoying this way too much.Viktor tilts his head slightly, considering.Viktor: Perhaps. But can you blame me?I swallow hard.His voice is so calm, so collected, like he’s not the least bit affected by this, while I..God, I feel like I’m about to vibrate straight out of existence.I force a smirk, barely managing to look at him without combusting.Me: You know, if you wanted to hold my hand, you could just say so.Viktor makes a soft sound, amused but unreadable.Viktor: Mm. And you want me to?I stare at him, pulse pounding.There’s a flicker of something in his expression, something sharp and knowing, but before I can even begin to process it, Viktor moves.Slowly, deliberately, his pinky shifts.Just the slightest drag against mine.I don’t even get a chance to process how delicately he touches me before his fingers brush over my entire hand. Just once. Just enough, before he draws back like it was nothing.Like he hadn’t just set my nervous system on fire.I exhale through my nose, suddenly finding it very necessary to take another sip of my drink. The alcohol burns, but not nearly as much as the way Viktor watches me over the rim of his own glass, his smirk threatening to ruin me.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor hums, the corner of his mouth twitching.Viktor: You are still spiraling.Me: Yeah, well. Maybe I’m still not convinced you’re real.Viktor exhales a quiet laugh, setting his glass down with a deliberate clink.Viktor: Oh? How shall I prove it to you, then?My mouth goes dry.I glance at him, really glance at him and suddenly I realize just how close we are.Not scandalously so, not yet, but enough that if I leaned in just slightly, my knee would press into his.Enough that I can see the flicker of candlelight reflected in his eyes, the way the amber flecks in his eyes shift with something unreadable. Something sharp and teasing and entirely too dangerous for my rapidly deteriorating sanity.Me: You’re messing with me.Viktor: Am I?I scoff, shaking my head, but I don’t move away. I can’t move away. I am glued to this seat, pinned in place by the way he looks at me like he’s already won.Viktor: Tell me, Jayce.His voice is so smooth, so infuriatingly steady.Viktor: If this were a dream. Would you want to wake up?My breath catches.Because no.No, I wouldn’t.Not when he’s looking at me like that. Not when his fingers had just traced over mine and left a wildfire in the wake of their friction.Viktor watches me carefully, his smirk just barely visible. He’s waiting.Waiting for me to say something, to admit something.Me: I..I close my mouth. I don’t trust my voice. I barely trust my own thoughts at this point.Viktor studies me for another long, excruciating second. Then, finally, he leans back, lifting his drink once more.Viktor: That is what I thought.Oh, fuck him.I exhale sharply, staring at my drink like it personally betrayed me.Me: You’re the worst.Viktor hums, entirely too pleased.Viktor: Mm. And yet, here you are.I roll my eyes, but I can’t even pretend to be annoyed. Not when I’m still gripping the edge of the bar like it’s the only thing keeping me tethered. Not when my brain is still trying to catch up to whatever just happened.I exhale slowly, letting my fingers drum against the side of my glass. It’s fine. I’m fine.Me: You’re looking a little pleased with yourself over there.Viktor lifts an eyebrow, the very picture of casual amusement.Viktor: Am I not allowed to enjoy the spoils of war?Me: We never agreed on the terms of surrender.Viktor: No, but I believe the current state of affairs speaks for itself.I scoff, shaking my head.Me: You’re really pushing your luck, you know that?Viktor: Luck? Jayce, please. This is pure skill.I should be annoyed. But the way he says it. It’s smug and effortless, like this is all some game he’s already won. It makes my stomach flip.Me: Mm. You’re getting cocky.Viktor: I am merely stating facts.Me: And yet, last I checked, this war is still ongoing.Viktor hums thoughtfully, tapping a finger against the rim of his glass.Viktor: Is it? Because, from my perspective, you have already fallen right into my hands.And he says it so casually, like he’s just making an observation. Like he didn’t just level me with a single sentence.I blink at him, my brain stalling for half a second before catching up.Me: Bold words. You sure you want to make yourself a target?Viktor: I do not fear you.Me: You probably should.Viktor: And why is that?Me: Because if you’re not careful, I just might turn the tables.Viktor smirks, leaning forward slightly. Closing the gap between us just that little bit more.Viktor: Then by all means, do your worst.There’s definitely a challenge in his voice, but more than that. There’s something else. Something warm and amused and just barely holding back a laugh.He’s having fun with this.Good.Me: Oh, don’t worry. I will.I lift my glass, taking a slow sip, mirroring the way he’s been watching me all night. His gaze flickers briefly to my mouth before he meets my eyes again, his expression still unreadable, still too controlled.But I know better now.Viktor tilts his head slightly, watching me like he’s waiting.I set my glass down, matching his look with one of my own.The war isn’t over. But neither of us are in a hurry to end it.Viktor turns back to his drink, still smirking like he hasn’t just rattled me to my core.Fine. If he wants to play it like that, I can play along.I take a slow sip of my whiskey sour, letting the citrus bite linger before speaking. The more I drink the more the nerves are easing.Me: So, I have to ask.I say tilting my head, eyes flicking over his outfit.Me: Was the sweater vest a calculated move? Or are you just naturally this evil?Viktor doesn’t look up immediately, but I catch the way the corner of his mouth twitches, like he’s already amused. He sets his glass down, fingers tapping idly against the rim.Viktor: I do not know what you are implying.I scoff.Me: Bullshit.His lips part in mock offense.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Oh, don’t you ‘Jayce’ me. You knew exactly what you were doing.I gesture vaguely at the way the fabric fits against him, snug enough to emphasize his breathtaking frame.Me: You came here armed, Viktor.He makes a quiet, thoughtful noise, lifting his hand to his chin.Viktor: If you believe a simple sweater vest is enough to disarm you, then perhaps I have already won.My eyes narrow.Me: You wish.He hums, clearly entertained. I take the opportunity to shift the tides just a little.I glance at the bartender, waiting until Viktor is occupied with his drink before making a subtle gesture. Quick, casual, clean. Just a quiet request for another drink, one I already know he’ll appreciate.By the time he notices, it’s too late.The bartender sets a fresh glass in front of him with a knowing nod. Viktor blinks, his eyes flicking to the drink and then back to me.Viktor: And what is this?I shrug.Me: A counter strike.Viktor trails his fingers along the side of the glass before lifting it, taking a slow sip. His expression remains neutral at first, but then, just barely, his lips curve at the edges.Viktor: Clever boy.I grin, feeling just a little too proud of myself. His words melt into my skin like butter. Clever boy..Me: Took you long enough to notice.His gaze sharpens, something calculating flickering behind his eyes.Viktor: You have learned to be sneaky.Me: I’ve always been sneaky.I lean in closer to him, closing the gap another few millimetres.Me: You just underestimated me.Viktor exhales, setting his drink down with deliberate precision.Viktor: A mistake I will not be making again.I tilt my glass in a silent toast.Me: We’ll see.His eyes flicker to mine, something quiet and amused lurking beneath the surface.Viktor: You realize this means retaliation is inevitable.I chuckle, pretending to be unbothered.Me: I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.The air between us hums with something. A challenge unspoken. A game still in play.Viktor stares at me over the rim of his glass, taking his time with the next sip.His fingers tap against the base.slow, thoughtful, calculating.Viktor: Mm. And how long had you been planning this ambush?I smirk.Me: Wouldn’t you like to know?He sets his drink down, tilting his head.Viktor: I would, actually.I swirl the ice in my glass, feigning nonchalance.Me: Let’s just say I’ve been observing you. Learning your weaknesses. Waiting for the right moment to strike.Viktor hums, gaze flicking over me in quiet assessment.Viktor: And you believe that this was the right moment?Me: Oh, absolutely.I lean in just slightly, letting my smirk deepen.Me: You didn’t even see it coming.There’s a flicker of something in his eyes, quick, amused, a little too knowing.Viktor: Mm. If you say so.His fingers drum idly against the table before he shifts his hand closer to mine. Not touching, not yet, but near enough that I can feel the heat of it, the weight of intention behind it.Viktor: Perhaps I let you believe that.My breath catches. It’s infuriating how easy it is for him to do this. To twist the momentum of the conversation back in his favor like it was never out of his control to begin with.I exhale, shaking my head.Me: So that’s what you think, huh?Viktor: I am only saying, Jayce. You should not assume victory too quickly.He lets the words linger before finally pulling back, reaching for his drink with a measured slowness that feels deliberate. His fingers curve around the glass, and I watch them for just a second too long.God, I’m in trouble.I clear my throat, sitting back with a forced air of confidence.Me: Fine. If that’s how you want to play it. But don’t think I don’t have more tricks up my sleeve.Viktor’s lips twitch.Viktor: I would expect nothing less.Then, so casually it almost goes unnoticed, he thanks the bartender who sets another drink is set down in front of me. A fresh one.I blink.Me: Wait. When-Viktor lifts his own newly replenished glass, arching a brow as he takes a sip.Viktor: What? Did you think you were the only one being sneaky tonight?I stare at him, then at the drink, then back at him.Me: You knew?His smirk deepens.Viktor: Oh, Jayce. Of course I knew.I narrow my eyes, torn between impressed and exasperated.Me: You let me think I got away with it.Viktor: Naturally.I exhale a sharp laugh, shaking my head.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor leans in just slightly, his gaze glinting with quiet amusement.Viktor: You walked into this war so confidently, Jayce. And yet, you are already standing on losing ground.I pick up my new drink, leveling him with a look.Me: Yeah? Well, maybe I let you believe that.His smirk lingers as he lifts his glass in acknowledgment.Viktor: Mm. If you say so.I should be annoyed.I should be plotting my next move, setting up the next strike in whatever ridiculous battle this has become.Instead, I’m just watching him.And I’m half convinced none of this is real at all.I take a slow sip from my glass, watching the ice rattle against the sides.Me: So, let me get this straight..you knew the whole time. Just let me feel smug about it.Viktor: Yes.Me: And then you turn around and do the exact same thing to me?Viktor: Yes.I shake my head, chuckling under my breath.Me: You’re pure evil.Viktor: I’ve been called worse.I can’t help but grin, the drinks making everything feel a little looser, a little easier.Easier to let my eyes linger, easier to lean in a little closer.Me: You know, speaking of evil, I don’t believe for a second that your outfit wasn’t calculated tonight.I lean forward a little, a teasing smirk on my lips.Me: You know exactly what you’re doing. Looking all devastatingly good. It’s distracting.He tilts his head, curiosity peaking over my words.Viktor: Distracting?I cross my arms.Me: Yes, Viktor. It’s distracting. It’s like you dressed up just to mess with me.Viktor: Is that so?Me: Absolutely.I reply without missing a beat.Me: You’re making it very hard to stay focused.He looks at me for a long moment, then exhales a quiet laugh.Viktor: How tragic for you.Me: Right?I roll my eyes.Me: Totally unfair.Viktor: And yet, you are still here.I stare at him, tapping my glass thoughtfully.Me: How do you always manage to turn everything back on me?He shrugs, as if it’s nothing.Viktor: It is a gift.I take another sip, feeling bolder.Me: Well, if you insist on being so devilishly charming tonight I might just have to start thinking you’re doing this on purpose.Viktor feigns ignorance, but the corners of his mouth twitch up. He knows what he’s doing.Viktor: I do not know how you came to such a conclusion.Me: I’m just very observant, Vik.He leans back slightly, looking more amused by the minute.Viktor: I see. And what else have you observed?I pretend to think for a moment, glancing him up and down with exaggerated slowness.Me: Well, for starters, I’ve noticed that you have smile lines that the pixels didn’t replicate.Viktor: Is that so?Me: Yes. They’re incredibly cute.Viktor: You are exaggerating.I laugh softly, taking in all of the features in his face I couldn’t before. His beauty marks are so gorgeous. I love his tired eye bags. He’s perfect.Me: You know..I murmur, my voice gets quieter.Me: I wasn’t sure you’d actually show up.Viktor: No?I shake my head, gaze flickering over the bar as if I’m avoiding his eyes.Me: I mean logically, I knew you would, but part of me still thought this was some..elaborate dream, I guess.Viktor: A dream?Me: Yeah. Like, maybe you’re not real. Maybe none of this is real.I laugh nervously, but it sounds forced even to me.Viktor’s gaze softens. His hand sliding a little closer, just a bit more into my space. And then before I can stop it, I feel hand brush against mine.It’s a tiny, simple thing, but my skin burns where he touches me.The world feels a little unsteady again. My breath catches. I don’t move my hand, I don’t dare.He waits a moment before speaking, his voice quiet and calm but with an edge to it.Viktor: Still think I am not real?I swallow hard, forcing out a laugh.Me: You’re certainly starting to convince me.His smirk doesn’t fade.Viktor: Good. I take a long breath trying to steady myself, but it’s hard. Maybe I’ve had too much to drink, or maybe it’s just Viktor.Me: I think the cutest thing about you is that you still believe you have a chance at winning this war.Viktor: You wound me.His voice is smooth, light with amusement, but his eyes..God, his eyes are glinting with something sharper. Something far too pleased with itself.I shake my head, dragging my hand down my face.Me: I swear, you’re playing chess while I’m still figuring out how to flip the damn board.Viktor hums, tilting his head in mock consideration.Viktor: That is an apt comparison.Me: Hey!Viktor: But I do appreciate your attempts at strategy.I scoff, but before I can fire back, he lifts his glass in a slow, deliberate motion.Viktor: A toast.Me: Oh? To what?Viktor: To the game.His smirk deepens, his voice dipping lower.Viktor: And to your eventual defeat.Oh, for fuck sake.I huff a laugh, but I meet him halfway, clinking my glass against his.Me: Bold words. You sure you wanna tempt fate like that?Viktor watches me over the rim as he takes a slow sip. Then, he sets his glass down, fingers curling lightly around the base.Viktor: Jayce.His voice is softer now. Almost thoughtful.Viktor: I think that we both know.He taps a single finger against the side of his glass. His smirk shifting into something quieter, something more knowing.Viktor: Fate was tempted the moment you sat down.My pulse stumbles because yeah. Yeah, it was.I exhale sharply, pressing my lips together to stop the absolutely stupid grin threatening to break through.Me: You’re insufferable.Viktor’s smirk twitches, his fingers still idly tapping against his drink. Viktor: And yet, here you are. I shake my head, fighting a smile. Me: And yet, here I am.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

We’re getting too tipsy too quickly.I can feel it in the way Viktor’s voice is looser. His laughter coming easier, I know for a fact that I’m not normally this funny.His usual sharp edges are softened by the warmth of wine and candlelight. I can feel it in myself too. This pleasant, humming weight in my limbs. The slight delay in my thoughts, like my brain is just a step behind my body. Everything is warmer. A little blurrier around the edges.And I keep staring at his mouth.Bad sign.I shift in my chair, clearing my throat.Me: We should go for a walk.Viktor tilts his head, glass still hovering near his lips.Viktor: We should?Me: Yeah. Get some air.I push my glass away from me, as if that makes me seem more decisive.Me: Fresh air is good for, uh. Sobering up.He hums, considering. His eyes flick over me, slow and a little too knowing.Viktor: Afraid you will not make it home otherwise?Me: I’ll make it home just fine.I push myself upright, testing my balance. The room stays put.Me: You’re the one who keeps leaning into the table.Viktor scoffs, setting his glass down with a quiet clink.Viktor: Oh, so now you are looking for excuses to take me outside. Bold.He’s teasing. I know he’s teasing. But the warmth in my face spreads lower, settling somewhere in my chest.I roll my eyes and grab my coat.Me: Come on, before I change my mind. The night air hits like a slap to the face. Cold. Crisp. Sharp in my lungs after all that whiskey. It helps. Sort of.We move slow. His cane tapping against the pavement, my hands stuffed deep in my pockets.The city is quieter at this hour, most of the noise settled into bars and dimly lit restaurants. It leaves the streets to the occasional late night straggler. Like us. The lamps glow dimly above us, their yellow light spilling in dappled patches along the sidewalk.I breathe in deep, rolling my shoulders.Me: Better?Viktor hums beside me.Viktor: Mm. The jury is still out.I glance at him. His cheeks are still flushed from the alcohol, his eyes a little glassy. He looks really pretty like this. Soft and unguarded. Less sharp, but not in a bad way. Just different.And then I notice it.The subtle tension in his shoulders. The way his free hand curls in towards his ribs. The tiny, almost imperceptible shiver that runs through him.He’s cold.It makes sense. He’s on the thinner side. His frame is more wiry than broad. And he doesn’t carry heat the way I do. But still, watching him hunch against the sharp wind makes my chest sore.I don’t think. I just move.My hand slips from my pocket and finds his, fingers pressing between his without hesitation.His skin is cold, but his fingers tighten around mine instinctively. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world.He exhales, a soft sound barely audible over the quiet city. His grip settles. Not tense, not uncertain. Just firm. Steady.Neither of us say anything.We just keep walking. His palm is cooler than mine, but the contrast only makes the warmth of my skin more obvious. More noticeable. His fingers don’t hesitate, curling around mine with an easy sort of certainty, like we’ve done this a thousand times before. Like it’s nothing at all.And maybe it isn’t. Maybe it shouldn’t be.But my heart doesn’t seem to agree.I keep my gaze forward, even as my pulse hammers in my throat. Even as my skin prickles where our hands press together. I try not to think too hard about the way his grip settles. It’s firm and steady like he doesn’t plan on letting go anytime soon.I try not to dwell on how easy it would be to just.. tighten my fingers around his. I wish I could bottle this feeling forever and splash it into my coffee on a bad day.The streetlights cast long shadows as we move, his cane tapping a steady rhythm against the pavement. The city hums around us, quiet but not silent. Theres still the distant murmur of conversation from a nearby restaurant and the occasional rattle of a train in the distance.The wind cuts through the spaces between buildings. It’s sharp and biting, but his hand in mine makes it easier to ignore.Viktor tilts his head slightly, just enough that I catch the movement from the corner of my eye. His voice is smooth when he speaks, but there’s something softer in it.Viktor: Hm. Unexpected.Me: What is?Viktor: You. Being so forward.I laugh softly, shifting my grip like it’s purely practical. Like I haven’t been hyper aware of every inch of contact since the second our hands met.Me: You were shivering.Viktor hums again, and I don’t have to look to know he’s smirking.Viktor: Ah, so this is an act of charity.Me: Obviously.Viktor: Not because you were looking for an excuse to hold my hand?The warmth creeping up my neck has nothing to do with the whiskey. I roll my eyes, but I don’t let go.Me: Don’t flatter yourself.Viktor chuckles, low and amused, and squeezes my fingers just once before settling back into that same easy grip. Like he’s calling my bluff. Like he knows I won’t pull away.And he’s right.Because I don’t. And I absolutely won’t. We keep walking along the district. His cane taps out a rhythm, and I match my steps to his without thinking.I focus on the feel of his hand. The weight of his palm against mine. The way his fingers press lightly but assuredly, like he’s testing the fit of it. Like he’s measuring how long he can get away with this before I come to my senses.Joke’s on him. I lost those a long time ago.Viktor: You are quiet.Me: I’m walking.Viktor: Hm. Very intense work, I see.I glance over, catching the way his lips twitch up at the corners.Me: Some of us like to appreciate the atmosphere.Viktor: Ah. And what do you appreciate, exactly?He’s baiting me. He knows it. I know it. But I play along anyway, scanning the quiet city streets with a dramatic sort of consideration.Me: The, uh.. the warm glow of the street lamps. The architectural integrity of that very nice brick wall over there.Viktor makes a thoughtful sound, and I feel the subtle shift of his fingers against mine as he adjusts his grip.Viktor: Fascinating. Anything else?Me: The.. ambiance.Viktor: Hm. Yes. The ambiance.His thumb brushes absently against my knuckle, and I can’t decide if it’s on purpose. If he even realizes he’s doing it.Probably not.Or maybe definitely absolutely.Either way, it makes me feel weak in the knees.I clear my throat, staring too hard at the pavement ahead.We walk a little longer until we come across a bench tucked beneath one of the street lamps. The wood looks worn, probably splintering, but it’s empty and convenient and I don’t have the willpower to keep standing while Viktor acts like he’s above shivering.I steer us toward it, tugging lightly on his hand in a silent cue. He follows without argument, lowering himself onto the bench with a quiet exhale. I sit beside him, stretching my legs out in front of me and tilting my head back. The cold nips at my face, sharp and fresh after too many drinks.Me: Y’know, this is kind of like the server.Viktor hums beside me, shifting his cane so it rests between his knees.Viktor: Sitting together outside in the dead of night?Me: Exactly. The ambiance, the company. The bench. The star filled night sky. The way I can barely feel my hands.Viktor scoffs, tipping his head toward me.Viktor: The server was much warmer.I click my tongue in my mouth and exhale a laugh.Me: You’re such a baby.Viktor: Mhm. And yet, you are the one shaking your hands out every few minutes.I glance down at them, flexing my fingers absently before stuffing them into my pockets. He’s not wrong. But he’s still worse off, judging by the way he’s curled in on himself with his shoulders hunched against the wind.I sigh, nudging his knee with mine.Me: You’re really that cold? We can go inside somewhere?Viktor hums again, this time lower. Thoughtful.And then, without any warning..He leans into me.It’s not subtle.He shifts, pressing his shoulder into mine while his weight settles warm and solid against my side. His face tips against the fabric of my coat. His breath a soft, fleeting warmth through the layers.My brain stalls. This is definitely a dream.Viktor: Mhmm. Much better. You are so warm. Jayce.I stare straight ahead, my entire body locked in place. His weight is real. Present. I can feel the slow rise and fall of his breathing. The way he lets himself press in without any hesitation, like this is just a perfectly normal thing we do.It’s not.But I can’t find a single reason to stop him.I want this to be a normal thing we do. Carefully, hesitantly, I move.I shift my arm, pulling it free from my pocket and wrapping it around him, letting my fingers hold onto his shoulder tightly.He doesn’t stiffen.Doesn’t pull away.He just melts in a little further, like it’s expected.Like it’s easy.And maybe it is. Viktor doesn’t move away.He doesn’t pull back, doesn’t shift like he’s second guessing this. If anything, he presses in just a little more like he’s testing how much space he can take up before I notice. Before I stop him.I won’t.I relax into it, let my body mold into the space he’s giving me. I let my arm hold him a little closer, my fingers pressing lightly into his shoulder. He’s still shivering, just barely, and I think that he’s really not built for the cold. He’s all lean edges and sharp angles, like the wind cuts through him too easily.Which is the exact opposite of me. I overheat insanely easily. The heat gets to me terribly. Sleeping in summer time is a nightmare. I’ve had friends call me the ‘human furnace’ because of how warm I am to sleep next to.I think about lying in bed with Viktor. Nothing too full on, just holding eachother in the perfect temperature we create together. The thought alone is so incredibly grounding.I exhale, tilting my head just slightly. Resting my temple against his.His hair is soft. Much finer than I expect and it tickles against my skin. I press a little closer, my cheek rubbing against his in the smallest, most subtle show of affection. The kind that’s quiet. A gesture meant for no one but him.Viktor hums. It’s not a reaction, not really. Just a small sound of acknowledgment. Like he notices, but he’s not calling attention to it.Like he doesn’t mind.I let my fingers move, rubbing slow, soft circles along his arm. The fabric of his coat is thick but I can feel the tension still lingering in his muscles, the way he’s only just starting to let himself relax.And then, I surprise myself with my next action.I reach for his other hand.His fingers are draped loosely against his lap, like he wasn’t expecting me to take them. But when I do, when my fingers press against his palm and tangle between his own, he doesn’t hesitate.He just squeezes back.A small, easy pressure.Like this is fine. Like this is normal.Like I haven’t spent the last however many weeks lying awake, staring at my ceiling thinking about what it would feel like to hold him.I swallow. Hard.Me: So.Viktor hums, the sound closer than before.Me: If we’re calling a truce, does that mean I win?Viktor laughs softly. I feel his laugh through my own head. It’s intoxicating.Viktor: Hardly.Me: No? Because it kind of seems like you’re surrendering right now.Viktor: This is a strategic retreat.Me: Oh, is that what we’re calling this?Viktor: Mm. Do not let it go to your head.I smirk, squeezing his fingers a little tighter.Me: Too late.Viktor exhales a quiet laugh, barely more than a breath. His hand stays firm in mine, his weight easy against my side. I feel the rise and fall of his breathing, the way it syncs with my own without either of us meaning to.The night is still cold, the wind biting at my face, but none of it matters.Not when he’s here.Viktor shifts just slightly, adjusting against my side. His weight is steady and comfortable, like he’s settling in for the long haul. Like he’s not planning on moving anytime soon.Good.I don’t want him to.His fingers shift in mine, just barely. Then he starts to drag his thumb lightly over my knuckles.I freeze.Not obviously. Not externally. But inside, something in me locks up. Something hot and restless curls up in my chest, sinking deep into the spaces between my ribs.Because he keeps doing it.Slow, absent strokes. Just the soft press of his thumb against my skin, tracing over the bones of my knuckles like he’s memorizing them. Like he has all the time in the world.It’s nothing.And yet it’s..It’s everything.My fingers twitch and Viktor catches the movement, tilting his head slightly to glance up at me. I feel the shift of his hair against my jaw, the briefest tickle of warmth.Viktor: Hm?Me: Nothing.It comes out too quick. Too sharp. A dead giveaway. Shit.Viktor huffs a quiet laugh, and I don’t have to look to know he’s smirking. His fingers tighten around mine, and then, just to be cruel, he starts tracing over them more deliberately.I swallow. My face is burning.Me: You’re doing that on purpose.Viktor: Doing what?Me: Viktor.Viktor hums innocently like he’s never done anything wrong in his life. But he doesn’t stop. His fingers keep moving, his thumb dragging slow, thoughtful shapes along my knuckles.His other fingers brush lightly over mine, playing with them and adjusting their position in his grip like he’s testing the way they fit together.I feel unspooled.Like he’s peeling me apart thread by thread and examining what’s underneath.Me: Nobodys…I stop.I don’t know why I say it. I don’t even know where the words come from. They just slip out, half formed and dangerous. And Viktor catches onto it immediately.He goes still.Viktor: Hm?I exhale sharply, focusing too hard on the way our hands fit together.Me: Nobody has..I lick my lips, swallowing against the knot in my throat.Me: Nobody’s been this..I hesitate again, trying to find the right word.Trying not to let it feel like too much.Me: This tender with me before.Viktor doesn’t answer right away.He stays pressed against me. His body warm and his fingers still tangled with mine. I don’t look at him, but I can feel him thinking.I can feel the slow turn of his thoughts, the careful way he processes my words.Then, quietly-Viktor: Never?Me: Never..There’s a brief pause.And then Viktor’s fingers tighten.Not just a little. Not just a small squeeze. But a real, deliberate grasp. Like he’s making sure I’m not going anywhere. His thumb stops its slow circles, resting firm and steady against my skin. His other fingers curl more securely around mine, like he’s anchoring me in place.Viktor: Then I am afraid-He shifts against me, the movement slow and easy.Viktor: That you have quite a lot to get used to.My breath catches.I turn my head slightly, just enough to glance at him out of the corner of my eye. His expression is soft. Thoughtful. The faintest hint of something warm lingers there, just enough to make my chest feel too tight.Me: Yeah?Viktor hums, his lips twitching faintly at the corners.Viktor: Oh, Jayce.His thumb brushes over my knuckles again, slow and deliberate. Viktor: This is only the beginning.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I can’t feel my face.I mean, I can, technically.But it’s getting harder to tell where my skin ends and the night air begins. The cold has settled in. Creeping into my fingers and curling up beneath my collar. It’s fine. Manageable. But Viktor shifts against me, his breath a quiet huff of complaint.Viktor: I have decided.Me: Yeah? About what?Viktor: This is unbearable.I laugh, rubbing my hand up and down his arm trying to help.Me: You are such a baby.Viktor: And yet, you are the one who keeps shivering.Me: I’m not shivering.Viktor: No? Stand up, then.I blink, hesitant, but he’s already pulling away. Not far. Just enough to straighten up and tilt his chin at me like he’s assessing something.Me: Why?Viktor: Because.Me: Fantastic reasoning.Viktor: I would like to inspect the quality of your jacket.I narrow my eyes.Me: The quality of my jacket..?Viktor nods, as if this is a completely normal request.Viktor: Yes. From the inside layer.Me: You wanna try it on?Viktor scoffs, giving me an incredulous look.Viktor: Do not be ridiculous. I simply want to know what kind of material it is. For research purposes.Me: Research.Viktor: Yes. Because I am clearly lacking in proper outerwear, and you seem warm enough. If I am to buy my own, I must first conduct a thorough investigation.I stare at him.He stares back, completely straight faced.He’s full of shit.But his nose is pink from the cold and I know he’s just being stubborn about it, so I sigh and push myself to my feet.Me: Alright, fine. Inspect away.I unzip my jacket, opening my arms just slightly, giving him the chance to-His hands expertly slip past the fabric, arms sliding around my waist as he pulls himself into my chest. Like he’s played this plan out in his head before a million times.My brain stops working.I barely register the quiet hum of approval he makes, or the way his fingers settle so naturally at my back. Because all I can focus on is the fact that Viktor is hugging me. Properly. Arms wrapped firm and sure, like he’s done this a million times before.Like it’s nothing at all.My hands twitch uselessly at my sides.Viktor: Hm.He shifts slightly, pressing in closer. His voice is smug when he speaks, muffled against my shoulder.Viktor: Very nice. Toasty. I approve.I think my heart is about to explode.Me: You-I cut myself off when I realize my hands are shaking. Not from the cold. From something worse.Viktor shifts again, just slightly, and my brain completely short circuits.I need to do something before I pass out.So I move on instinct. My arms lift, sliding around his back, holding on just enough to steady myself.It helps. Sort of.We stand there like that for one moment, and then another. My pulse refuses to slow. It’s hammering so hard I swear he can feel it through my shirt.And then, so gently I almost don’t notice, we start to sway.It’s subtle.A slow, lazy movement that’s barely there. But it feels like something. Something soft and warm and dangerous.I don’t know how long we stand there holding onto each other like this. But I do know that despite the cold, neither of us are shivering anymore.And even though I can’t see his face, I just know.He’s smiling, too. I can feel the weight of Viktor’s chest rise and fall against me. His breath is steady and warm as I hold onto him a little tighter. My arms feel like they’re doing more than just keeping me upright.But the tension’s not all bad. Not when I’m pressed up against him like this.I can’t help myself.Me: This..this is how you fight your wars, huh?Viktor shifts slightly. A soft, pleased hum vibrating against my shoulder.Viktor: I have no idea what you are talking about.He laughs, just a little too amused, like he knows exactly what he’s doing.Viktor: This is all entirely unintentional, I assure you.I roll my eyes, the warmth of his hands still lingering on my back.Me: Oh, I’m sure it is. Totally innocent.Viktor: Quite.I can feel his fingertips beginning to trace slow circles on my back, just light enough to make my skin tingle.It’s sneaky, is what it is. The way he draws those small, deliberate patterns. His touch isn’t an accident. He’s testing the waters. Playing his game, just like I thought.Me: You’re playing dirty.Viktor: Am I?His voice drops a little, teasing, low and rich with that smirk I can’t see but I know is there. I can feel it in the way his hands move.Me: Yes. You’re using..tactics.Viktor: Tactics? What, like this?His fingers shift, slow and deliberate, as if he’s drawing invisible shapes into my hips.Me: Exactly like this. You’ve got the upper hand, huh?Viktor: Oh, I would not say that.I raise an eyebrow, feeling his chest rumble with another laugh.Me: Really?Viktor: I think you might be mistaken.Me: You know, two can play at this game.I take a breath, my heart still pounding, but with something else this time. A little daring.I slide my hands up his back, finding his hair just as my fingers brush against the edge of his collar. The strands are softer than I expected, smoother than I thought they’d be. I run my fingers through it gently, combing through it like it’s the most natural thing in the world.Me: You’ve got tactics of your own, right?Viktor’s breath catches for a fraction of a second, before he chuckles softly, voice warm and low.Viktor: Hmm. I am curious to see what you have got in mind.I can hear the challenge there, but his hands don’t stop their slow movement against my back. He’s still drawing those little circles, like he’s marking his territory.Me: Well, I’m just getting started.Viktor tilts his head up a little, his lips close to my ear, his breath sending a shiver down my spine.Viktor: I see. And what is your next move?I tilt my head down just enough to look at him, still running my fingers through his hair and pulling him a little closer.Me: I think..I think it’s time for some counter tactics.His eyes flick to mine, and there’s something in them that makes my stomach flip.Viktor: Counter tactics, huh? Bold. I like it.I feel him shift, his hands sliding to my waist, as if he’s preparing for whatever I’m going to do next. But he doesn’t move too much. He’s waiting for me. Watching.I run my fingers through his hair one last time before letting them trail down the side of his neck. My thumb brushes against his cheek, a subtle touch. The kind that’s just enough to let him know I’m still in control of this little war.Me: I think you’re about to lose this round, Viktor.He smirks, and for a second, I think he’s going to pull away. But he doesn’t. He just stays there, letting me do whatever I want, like he’s letting me win just this once.But I know better.He’s still got me right where he wants me.I’m still trying to catch my breath from how close we’re pressed against each other. My pulse still a little too fast.Viktor pulls away just slightly. But it’s his lips that stay near my cheek. His breath warm against my skin. And for a moment, I think I must be imagining it. The heat, the weight of it, the tension hanging so thick between us.Then, without warning, Viktors lips press against my cheek.Oh.Oh fuck.It’s like my entire world just halts.My chest tightens and for a split second my body forgets how to move, how to breathe. I can’t help it. I freeze. The sensation is so soft, so intimate, that my mind short circuits and I feel my face flush with heat.For a moment I just stand there, my body completely still while I try to process what the hell just happened. I can still feel the pressure of his lips there, the heat of his breath lingering on my skin, like it’s burned into me. And I swear I can’t breathe.But then I can’t help myself.Something flips in me.The pull of him is far too strong.And before I can even think about it, I tilt my head, shifting just enough so that my lips brush the side of his neck. I kiss him between his neck and collarbone in one long and lingering motion.He makes a sound.Something between a gasp and a soft moan. And it’s like the universe snaps back into place.Viktor pulls away, just far enough for me to see the surprise flicker across his face.His lips part and his eyes open wide. He’s a little breathless, and for a second, neither of us say anything.His chest rises and falls a little too quickly, and I realize I’m just as flustered as he is.We stand there for a beat. Both of us frozen. Heavily breathing. Both of us trying to piece together what just happened.Finally, I speak up. My voice is a little rough but I can’t bring myself to hide the half laugh that escapes.Me: Guess we’re both full of surprises tonight, huh?Viktor chuckles, his hand coming up to rub the back of his neck, his fingers brushing through his hair. He’s still flushed, but there’s something lighter in the way he looks at me.Still unsure, but warmer.Viktor: I was not expecting that.Me: Well, neither was I. You do weird things to me, Vik.He glances at me with a wry smile, but the tension between us is too thick to ignore.I shift, feeling a sudden need to do something..anything to move past the intensity.Me: We should go somewhere warm. Sit down for a minute.He nods quickly, as if relieved by the idea.It’s like we both need to process what just happened and the only way we’re going to do that is if we give ourselves a moment to breathe.Viktor: Yes, I.. definitely need to sit down.He’s still a little flustered, and I don’t think either of us has quite figured out what to do with this new shift between us. But I’m glad we’re both on the same page about needing to take a step back.I turn on my heel, motioning for him to follow as I search for somewhere to sit, somewhere warm.We both move slowly like neither of us wants to break the fragile silence, but I can feel the weight of it now.It’s different, but not necessarily bad. Just..different. And I think we both know we won’t be able to walk away from this moment without acknowledging it.And that thought is enough to make my heart pound even harder. I can feel my heart pounding too loudly. My hands are still cold, and I barely notice how I’m still holding onto him, still just close enough for him to feel every shift of tension between us.He clears his throat, the sound strange in the stillness.Viktor: That was not-Me: It wasn’t a mistake.The words slip out before I can stop them. I’ve been feeling them since the second I kissed his neck. Since the second I felt the heat of his skin against mine.Viktor’s expression softens, a quiet acknowledgment flickers in his eyes, but he doesn’t speak. Neither of us do for a moment.I can’t stand the silence anymore. Not with the air still thick between us.I give him a half smile, pulling my hand free from his and sliding it slowly along his arm.Me: You’re not going anywhere.Viktor tilts his head, confusion knitting his brows together.Viktor: What do you mean?Me: I’m not letting go of you. Not until you hold my hand again.His eyes widen slightly. A flicker of surprise, and then something darker, something that makes his lips twitch in that way that makes me forget the rest of the world.I can feel him hesitate for a second, like he’s debating something in his head. But then, with a quiet breath, his fingers find mine again. Slow but steady, like he’s come to the same conclusion I have. He’s not letting go either.I don’t even have to look at him to know that we’re both just standing there, connected in a way that makes everything feel right. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world.We turn and start walking again, this time with a little more certainty. Still silent, but it’s different. Warmer, somehow.Me: So, where to now? We’re going to sit down somewhere, right?Viktor: You really think I am going to leave you again after that?Me: I don’t know, maybe I’ll make you.Viktor lets out a soft laugh, his thumb brushing against my hand in a way that makes everything seem to slow.Viktor: You will have to catch me first.I roll my eyes, but it’s playful. I squeeze his hand tighter.Me: I’m already holding you hostage.He looks over at me, his lips curling in that faint teasing smile. The one that makes me think he knows exactly what he’s doing. Viktor: Then we will have to see how long you can keep me. The streets are quiet except for the distant hum of traffic and the occasional flicker of neon signs reflecting off wet pavement. The night has settled into a sort of comfortable stillness but neither of us seem eager to break it.We walk slowly with our hands still loosely intertwined. It’s a little absurd, how natural it feels now.Viktor glances at me, a question forming in his expression before he even speaks.Viktor: Where to next?I blink, thrown off by the sudden responsibility of decision making.Me: Uh. What’s even open? It’s kinda late.Viktor hums, scanning the empty streets like an answer will present itself in the cracks of the sidewalk.Viktor: Restaurants. Bars. Perhaps a questionable convenience store, if you are feeling adventurous.I snort. Me? Adventurous? With food? Absolutely not.Viktor: Have you eaten?Me: Yeah.I don’t know why I lie.Maybe because it’s late and I don’t want him thinking I’m some kind of mess that forgets to feed himself. Maybe because admitting I haven’t eaten makes it seem like I’m expecting something from him.But the universe decides I don’t get to have this moment of dignity.Because right as the words leave my mouth..right as I try to act normal, my stomach makes a sound so loud and so deeply betraying that I could drop dead on the spot.The corner of Viktor’s mouth twitches.I can already feel the stare.Slowly, deliberately, I turn to meet his gaze.He’s looking at me with that infuriatingly unreadable expression, the kind that’s way too controlled to be real neutrality. His fingers twitch against mine, and then without a word he tugs my hand, guiding me across the street toward a small, glowing 24/7 diner.Me: Oh, come on.Viktor: You are a terrible liar.I groan, but I don’t resist. My feet move in sync with his, his grip firm but not forceful.The bell above the diner door chimes as we step inside. The scent of coffee and fried food clings to the warm air. It’s a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. The place is mostly empty, save for a tired looking waitress leaning against the counter, flipping through a newspaper.We find a booth near the window. The vinyl seats stick to us slightly as we settle in. Viktor slides into his side with a quiet sigh, setting his cane against the wall before tilting his head at me.I don’t even look at the menu.Because now that we’re inside, now that I can actually feel the contrast between the freezing wind and the warmth of the diner,I don’t care about food.I care about him.I rest my arms on the table, watching him carefully.Me: Are you warm enough now?Viktor pauses, eyes flicking over me like he’s gauging how serious I am. Then, his lips pull into a smile. A familiar, mischievous glint lighting his gaze.Viktor: I suppose I am out of the cold now.He shifts, resting his chin in his hand as he studies me. Then, softly, almost like an afterthought-Viktor: But I was much warmer in your arms.The words shouldn’t affect me the way they do.But God, they do.Heat floods up my neck, pooling somewhere behind my ribs, and I have to physically force myself not to react. I fail.I cup my hands over my face, covering it as much as I can.Me: You’re evil.Viktor chuckles, low and satisfied. I don’t have to look up to know that he’s smirking. I grab the menu, flipping it open aggressively to give myself something..ANYTHING to focus on that isn’t Viktor’s ridiculously smug expression.The words blur together.I don’t even know what I’m looking at. It could be a tax document for all I care.Viktor props his elbow on the table, resting his chin in his palm as he watches me. I can feel it. That amused, knowing stare.I should not be this flustered.But my skin is still buzzing with leftover warmth from his weight against me, from the feel of his breath against my collar. The ghost of it lingers, like my body hasn’t quite gotten the memo that we’re in a public place now and not still standing on the sidewalk wrapped around each other like idiots. I can’t stop thinking of how I kissed his neck and how it took every ounce of strength I had to stop there instead of pressing my tongue into him and-Viktor exhales through his nose, an almost-laugh.Viktor: You are taking this very seriously. My immersion is broken. Thank god. Me: I have to. This is a matter of life or death.Viktor tilts his head. Vaguely unimpressed.Viktor: Your choices are eggs or pancakes. You are not defusing a bomb.I finally glance up at him, raising a brow.Me: Eggs or pancakes? That’s all you think this place serves?Viktor shrugs, unbothered.Viktor: It is a diner. They all serve the same food.I scoff, shifting the menu toward him.Me: Yeah, okay. But you’re forgetting the third sacred option.Viktor hums, giving me an expectant look.Me: waffle fries.He blinks, slow. Then leans forward like I’ve just said something profound.Viktor: Ah. Of course. How could I forget such a crucial contender.Me: Exactly. And obviously they’re the best choice.Viktor exhales a soft laugh, shaking his head.Viktor: You are very passionate about this.I smirk, sitting back against the booth.Me: I take my war tactics very seriously.His eyes flicker with amusement at the callback, but he doesn’t push back. Instead, he folds his hands neatly in front of him.Viktor: So. You will have waffle fries.Me: Yes.Viktor: And I will have eggs.I immediately frown.Me: No pancakes? Not even a consideration?Viktor shakes his head.Viktor: I do not trust pancakes.Me: ..Excuse me?He shrugs, like it’s not the most insane thing I’ve ever heard.Viktor: Too fluffy.Me: You have a personal vendetta against fluffiness?Viktor: I am simply saying, food should have substance. Pancakes are just air in a circle.I stare at him. Genuinely baffled.Me: You say that like you didn’t just order eggs. They’re just goop in a circle?Viktor smirks.Viktor: Eggs are compact. Efficient.Me: You sound like you’re writing a performance review.Viktor laughs, a low, warm sound and I feel too much all at once.Viktor: Ah. Well, perhaps your waffle fries will impress me.I grin.Me: Just you wait. They’re gonna change your life.His smirk softens slightly.Viktor: Mm. I suppose I will have to trust you.Me: Have I lead you astray yet? He smiles, looking right through my soul.Viktor: Oh, Jayce. You have lead me to places I could not have even begun to imagine. Your torso being my favourite.His fingers tap once against the table before he leans back, stretching his arms briefly before settling again. Like what he just said didn’t completely level me in one sucker punch.His eyes flick toward the window, the neon light casts a soft glow over his features. I watch him for a moment, my stomach still warm from his earlier words.I clear my throat.Me: Are you sure you’re warm enough now?He meets my gaze with a soft, tender glimpse. He nods his head slowly while closing his eyes.Viktor: Yes. I promise. Thank you, Jayce. I smile at him before I flag down the waitress and order the fries and Viktors eggs without hesitation.Viktor watches me the whole time, chin still propped in his hand, expression unreadable but entertained.The moment she leaves I shift in my seat, exhaling like I’ve just accomplished something monumental.Viktor: Feeling proud of yourself?Me: Extremely.Viktor smiles, shaking his head slightly. His eyes flicker back toward the window, watching the way the neon light outside casts soft red and blue glows against the glass.For a second, we just sit there.The warmth of the diner, the distant hum of conversation from the counter, the occasional clatter of dishes. It all feels..comfortable.And then, so quietly it’s like he doesn’t mean to say it out loud, Viktor speaks.Viktor: I do not think I will forget tonight.My chest tightens.Me: Yeah?Viktor hums, turning back to me.Viktor: No. I am quite sure of it.The look he gives me is soft. Certain. Like he’s memorizing every little detail, even though I know he doesn’t have to. It’s already burned into my brain.I swallow hard, suddenly hyper aware of the way my pulse is picking up again. The way my skin still tingles where he touched me.Me: Good.He smiles, just a little. Then, with the same level of casual confidence that’s going to be the death of me, he speaks again.Viktor: I expect more counter tactics next time.I emit something between a groan and a laugh.Me: You’re going to kill me.Viktor: Oh? That easy? Then I have already won.Me: No. You haven’t.I peek through my fingers to find him smirking, pleased with himself.Me: I’m just regrouping.Viktor: Hm. A tactical retreat.Me: Exactly.Viktor’s smirk lingers, but his eyes soften just slightly. I know he’s still teasing, but there’s something else there, too.Something that makes my breath hitch just a little.But then the waitress returns, setting the basket of waffle fries in front of me.I could kiss her. Well, that’s a lie. But it distracts me from how much I want to kiss him at least. For now.Me: Oh, thank god.I reach for one immediately, but Viktor grabs the first one like an absolute menace. He plucks one from the basket with surgical precision, twirling it between his fingers like it’s some delicate artifact.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor: I am merely conducting another investigation.I watch, unimpressed, as he takes the smallest possible bite, like he’s testing for poison.Me: Well? Verdict?Viktor chews, thoughtful. Then, after what feels like an eternity-Viktor: Acceptable.Me: You absolute thief.Viktor laughs. It’s quiet but genuine and he grabs another.And just like that, the night continues.The warmth lingers and stretches between us like a thread neither of us is willing to cut.And maybe, just maybe, I’m not ready for it to end.Me: So, how’s Clementine? Still wearing cute little hats?Viktor: Ah, no. Though she is angelic, she is not when I put those on her for more than 5 seconds.He’s already unlocking his phone, smirking.Viktor: You wish to see pictures?Me: Obviously.He barely needs an excuse. Swiping through his camera roll like a proud dad. He tilts the screen toward me. And yeah, she’s incredibly cute. Her fur is full of mixed colours and she has big, round green eyes.There’s one of her curled in his chair like a princess. One of her sprawled across his lap, fast asleep. One where she’s mid crime, tearing up the corner of some Viktors poor research paper.Viktor: Here, she steals my chair.A flick of his fingers.Viktor: Here, she..destroys my notes.And-He stops.His breath hitching.And that’s never a good sign.The screen lingers on something that is very much not a cat.A brief glimpse of warm, golden light. Bare skin. My own face looking back at me, teasing and half dressed.Oh.Oh.The phone goes dark so fast I barely register him moving. He nearly drops it, his ears burning deep red.Viktor: I apologise. That was..um..not-He clears his throat, gripping the phone like it personally betrayed him.Viktor: Not Clementine.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Me: Yeah, no shit that’s not your cat. Unless she looks like a Greek god all of a sudden.I’m grinning. Because what else am I supposed to do? Sit here and pretend I didn’t just catch him red handed, keeping that picture?My cheeks burn at the implications behind him saving it, but I’m having too much fun seeing him squirm and blush that I barely notice my own cheeks flushing.He swallows, obviously avoiding my gaze and I swear he’s actually gripping his phone tighter. Like that’s gonna stop me from saying anything.Me: Didn’t take you for a sentimental type, Vik.Viktor: I am not.It’s rushed. Way too defensive.He shifts in his seat, forcing a cough.Viktor: It was..an accident.Me: Right. Total accident. Just somehow ended up in your camera roll.Viktor: ..Yes.I let that hang. Give him a long, knowing look.I can’t help but watch the way his fingers flex around his phone. The way his blush creeps down his neck where my lips were earlier. I try not to think about how warm that skin would feel against my lips right now. I fail miserably.Me: Uh huh. And you just happened to keep it?He exhales sharply through his nose.Viktor: Jayce.Me: What? I’m just trying to understand.Viktor: No, you are trying to..He gestures vaguely, the most flustered I have ever seen him.Viktor: You are being difficult on purpose.Me: Who, me?Innocent. Blinking at him.Me: Viktor, I would never.He glares. Hard.But it loses some effect when he’s this red.I can see his jaw working, trying to find a way out of this.Viktor: It was-He inhales, stiff.Viktor: It was a nice picture.Oh.Me: A nice picture.I nod, serious.Me: Yeah, I get it. You just wanted to..appreciate the artistry.Viktor: Yes.Me: The lighting, the composition..Viktor: Jayce.Me: The way I looked all-Viktor: Do you wish to see more pictures of my cat or not?I burst out laughing.He deep sighs, tipping his head back like he regrets everything. I can still see the red flush at the tips of his ears.Me: Fine, fine. Show me Clementine.He does.Still a little stiff, still refusing to make eye contact. But I catch it. The way his grip relaxes. The way his mouth twitches, like he’s trying not to smile. Me: You know, I still can’t believe you saved it.Viktor: Jayce.Me: No, really. Of all the pictures to keep..Viktor clicks his tongue and shakes his head, running a hand through his hair.I grin wider, setting my phone down on the table screen up. I don’t think anything of it because I’m having way too much fun with this.Me: I mean, what was it about that one, huh?I tilt my head.Me: The pose? The smolder? Be honest, did you zoom in?Viktor: I will leave.Me: No, you won’t.Viktor: I am strongly considering it.Me: But you won’t. And then, right as he’s glaring at me and I’m playing into this to the maximum. Right as I’m about to push him even further..my phone lights up. We both glance down.Viktor freezes, a microscopic smirk forming on his lips.And I.. oh.Oh shit.We’re both looking at my Lock Screen and we both realise at the same time, clear as day, that it’s his face looking g back at us.Not just any picture, either.One I took weeks ago. A screenshot of him back when he was working late on a project. In soft lighting, his hair a little messy. His glasses slipping down his nose. Focused. Gorgeous.Absolutely, unmistakably Viktor.I don’t even have time to move it before I hear the breath of laughter from across the table.I snap my gaze up, and..yeah. Yeah, he saw.He definitely saw.Because now he’s smiling.Viktor: Oh?Me: Don’t.Viktor: Interesting.Me: Viktor.Viktor: I had assumed you were not sentimental.His tone is light, way too pleased with himself.Viktor: And yet.He gestures lazily to my phone.Viktor: What is this, then?Me: It’s..I swallow. Scramble. My words aren’t nearly as quick and convincing as I need them to be right now.Me: It’s a nice picture.Viktor: Ah. A nice picture.I groan softly. Dropping my head back.Viktor: Did you, how did you put it..He taps a finger against his chin, mocking deep thought.Viktor: Wish to appreciate the artistry?Me: Okay, no.Viktor: The lighting, the composition..Me: Absolutely not.Viktor: The way I look all-Me: Viktor. Shut up.He grins.Smug. Triumphant. Victorious.Viktor: Oh, but Jayce, I am just trying to understand.Me: Oh, you are, huh?I lean back in my seat, crossing my arms but my chest feels tight.Damn it. He’s right. I am so busted.And that picture..it’s there staring me in the face. Like an exclamation point to the fact that I might have gotten a little too comfortable with that damn photo.Me: Fine. You got me.I throw my hands up in mock surrender, but the grin is still there. I can’t help it. Viktor’s teasing has this effect on me, and I’d like to think I can return the favor. But this..this feels different.Me: Guess I have a thing for the artistry too, huh?Viktor: Hmm.He tilts his head, almost like he’s considering it seriously. Like it’s not just to see me flounder.Viktor: I never took you for the sentimental type.Me: Me neither.I let out a nervous laugh, but I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing. He’s the one putting me on the spot, but here I am, trying to come up with something that might make him stumble.Me: But you? You’re all about the accidental sentimentalism.Viktor: Accidental?His eyes narrow, and I realize I might’ve pushed it a little too far with that one.Me: Yeah, sure. You didn’t mean to keep that picture, right? Just some happy little accident.I’m leaning in now, voice dropping to something a little quieter, a little more teasing. Viktor’s got that thoughtful look in his eyes.Me: I bet that wasn’t the only one, though.Viktor: I-Me: It’s okay, Viktor. You can admit it. Everyone gets a little sentimental sometimes.He raises a brow.Viktor: Is that what you think?Me: I mean, it’s not like I saved every picture of you. Just the best ones.Viktor: Really?I smirk.Me: Really. You haven’t seen my camera roll.Viktor: Should I?Me: Probably not.Viktor: Oh?I can feel the way he’s leaning in, just enough that I can practically hear the amusement in his voice.Viktor: Now I’m curious.He’s got that glint in his eyes. I know where this is going. He knows where this is going. And yet, he’s still playing it cool, like he’s not about to pull some kind of trap on me.Me: Trust me, Viktor. You don’t want to see it.I say it in that same teasing way, the one I know he won’t resist. And yeah, I might be hoping a little too much that he won’t press the issue.Viktor: But I do want to see, Jayce. You said you have not saved every picture. That suggests there is something else I should know about your collection.I feel my stomach tighten.Me: It’s nothing.I’ve already got a couple of images locked in my mind. Mostly ones that make me feel way too exposed.Me: Just some, you know. Random stuff.Viktor: Random?There’s a flicker of something in his eyes now. Amusement, curiosity, maybe even something more. It makes me regret saying anything at all.Viktor: You would not mind sharing, would you?He smirks, leaning back in his seat, arms crossed in a way that somehow feels more smug than before. He’s waiting for me to cave, I can tell. But I’m not sure I want to give him that satisfaction.Me: I’m not an open book, Viktor.Viktor: Ah, but you have already let me peek at a couple pages.He’s relentless. I can’t help but chuckle at the way he’s so determined to keep pushing.Me: Okay, fine. Maybe I did save one or two of you.Viktor raises his brow again.Viktor: Only one or two?Me: You really think I’m that sentimental?Viktor: Maybe.I can’t stop myself from leaning forward this time. And I’m pretty sure he can’t either.Me: Well, maybe I’ll get more sentimental the more time I spend with you.Viktor’s smirk turns into something more playful. A challenge.Viktor: Is that so?Me: I don’t know. You’ll just have to find out.Viktor taps the edge of my phone with one finger. His smirk still lingering, but there’s something thoughtful in his gaze now.Viktor: Of all the pictures of me, you chose this one?He tilts his head, studying the image like he’s seeing it for the first time. I suppose he is, right?Viktor: My hair is a mess. My glasses are falling off my face. I look half asleep.Me: And?Viktor scoffs, amused.Viktor: And you could have chosen a much better one.Me: Nah. This one’s perfect.His brow lifts. I hold his gaze, leaning in slightly.Me: You look real in it, Vik. Soft. Like you’re finally resting, even if you weren’t. Every time I see it, it grounds me.I don’t know why I say it like that. So honestly.So completely unguarded. He makes saying vulnerable stuff easy. It terrifies me.But the moment the words are out, Viktor blinks.His expression shifting. His teasing smirk fades into something else. Something warm.His lips part slightly, like he’s searching for something to say. But for once, he doesn’t deflect. He just looks at me.Viktor: Oh.That’s all he says, but it feels like more. I swallow, glancing away and rubbing the back of my neck.Me: Anyway, I guess you’re stuck there until I find something better.Viktor hums, contemplative.Viktor: Then perhaps we should take one together.I look back at him, raising a brow.Viktor: If you must have me as your Lock Screen, at least let me have some say in it.Me: Oh? So you’re offering to pose for me now?Viktor rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling.Viktor: I am saying, if you insist on this nonsense, we might as well do it properly.Me: Hm. Tempting offer.I pretend to consider, tapping my chin. Viktor shakes his head fondly, already sliding into my side of the booth next to me.Viktor: Well?Me: Fine. But only if you actually look at the camera and don’t scowl the whole time.Viktor: I make no promises.I laugh, shifting my phone camera to the front. Viktor leans in, his shoulder brushing mine. Close. Warm. His gaze flickers to the screen and for a second, I see the smallest hesitation in his eyes before he settles, his expression softening.I tilt my head in to him as close as I can.I snap the photo. And it’s good. Really good.Me: Huh. Would you look at that.Viktor: Decent?Me: More than.I set it as my Lock Screen, flipping the phone around for him to see.He looks at it for a moment, then nods. Satisfied.Viktor: Acceptable.He’s pleased. I can tell.But when I unlock my phone a moment later, my Home Screen flickers into view, and there he is. The original photo.Still there.Viktor doesn’t notice. But I do. And I don’t change it. I grin at my phone, still taking in the photo we just took together. The evidence that he’s real and we met. The barely there flush on his cheeks and the tips of his ears.Me: You know, this is basically the modern day version of carrying your sweethearts photo in a locket.Viktor stills. Just for a second.Then, slowly, he turns his head to look at me, expression unreadable.Viktor: ..Sweetheart?Oh.Oh, I walked right into that one. Shit.Me: I mean-Viktor: Fascinating.Me: Don’t-Viktor: So, I am your sweetheart?The way he says it.That deliberate, quiet amusement, like he’s rolling the word around in his mouth just to see how it feels.And yeah. Yeah, I feel that one straight down my spine.Me: I was just making a point.Viktor: Mhm.Me: A general statement.Viktor: I see.Me: Not-Viktor: So you do not wish for me to be your sweetheart?I open my mouth. Close it. He raises a brow, and that’s when I see it. The spark of something playful, something sharp edged but soft at the center.Me: I didn’t say that.His lips twitch.Viktor: Ah.That’s it. Just that one syllable, perfectly smug.I huff, shoving my phone into my pocket like that’ll somehow erase the last thirty seconds. But Viktor just leans back, watching me with a look that I absolutely do not trust.Viktor: Interesting.Me: I swear to god.He hums, pleased.And I know he’s going to hold onto this one for a long time.Viktor tilts his head, studying me with that same smug little smirk. The one that tells me that he’s enjoying this way too much.Viktor: So. My picture remains your locket, then?Me: That depends.Viktor raises a brow.I grin.Me: It depends on how well you behave. If you’re REALLY good, I’ll even send you the picture for your own locket.That gets his attention.His gaze sharpens, amusement flickering into something even more dangerous.Viktor: Ah. Blackmail.Me: Leverage.Viktor scoffs, but there’s a glint in his eye that tells me he’s entertained.Viktor: And what exactly does behaving entail?I shrug, leaning in just a little, just enough that I know he’ll notice.Me: No more gloating. No more playing innocent when we both know you’re a menace. No more-Viktor: Mm. No, I do not think so.I blink. He says it so easily, like I should’ve expected it.Me: No?Viktor: No.I raise a brow, but he only shrugs, relaxed and unaffected.Viktor: You see, Jayce. I think we both know that neither of us would actually prefer if I did behave.My stomach flips, filling with heat.Me: Bold assumption.Viktor: An honest one.Me: You want the picture but you don’t want to behave? Wow Vik, negotiation isn’t your strong point, is it?Viktor’s smirk widens.Viktor: I think it is only fair. You have taken one with me. Should I not have an opportunity to take one with you?Me: You do have one of me.Viktor: Ah, but that’s is of just you. And that was an accident.His voice is all mock innocence but his eyes are anything but.Me: Right. An accident.Viktor: Yes.I exhale through my nose, shaking my head.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: And yet, you seem quite fond of me.He says it like it’s an observation.Like it’s just a fact, undeniable and unshakable. My brain short circuits just a little because, well..he’s right.I roll my eyes.Me: I’ll think about it.Viktor hums, clearly pleased with himself.Viktor: Take your time.Me: Oh, I will.But we both know I’m sending that photo to him before the night’s over.I swallow, leaning back in my seat with my arms crossed like that’ll somehow make me look unaffected.Me: Maybe you’ll get a smile out of me, maybe not.Viktor tilts his head, considering.Viktor: Good.It’s simple. Direct. A little smug, but mostly something else. Something that makes my chest feel tight.I roll my eyes, reaching for my drink just to give my hands something to do.Me: You gonna take your picture or what?Viktor hums, pulling his phone from his pocket.Viktor: Oh, I will. But I think I should be the one to decide when.I narrow my eyes.Me: That sounds ominous.Viktor: Does it? The way he smiles tells me that, yeah.Yeah, I should absolutely be worried.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Viktors eyes linger on me for so long it feels like he’s burning holes into me. I don’t break the eye contact.He’s the first one to move, clicking his tongue and sliding back to his side of the booth. It’s only then that I remember that we both still haven’t eaten our food.He picks up his fork and twirls it between his fingers like he’s never once dropped an eating utensil in his entire life. He then stabs into his eggs with a kind of precision that feels personal. Like he has a grudge against them.Like they owe him money.I glance down at my waffle fries that remain untouched aside from the ones Viktor critiqued. which is weird because I don’t forget about waffle fries. Ever. But apparently, Viktor has the ability to make me do just that.Which is both impressive and deeply concerning.I pick one up and pop it into my mouth, chewing slowly. Viktor watches, unimpressed.Viktor: You eat like you are being forced.Me: I think I’m just stunned. This might be the first meal we’ve shared where you didn’t spend the first five minutes judging me.He shrugs, eyes flicking back down to his plate.Viktor: you say this as if we have shared a meal before.I roll my eyes.Me: We have. Digitally. Remember when I burnt that pizza last week? You judged me then. You judged me hard. It’s not like you to let me off easy like this.Viktor: Maybe I have given up.My stomach forms a deep pit. I don’t like hearing that sentence one bit.Me: On me..?Viktor: On hoping you will develop taste.I burst out laughing and kick him gently under the table. He smiles and rests his foot on top of mine.Me: You sure? I’m pretty confident that I can turn you into a waffle fry truther. If not, we can order you a nice big serving of the pancakes?Viktor’s gaze lifts, unimpressed but amused.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Yes, Viktor?Viktor: Are we truly doing this?I widen my eyes, all innocent.Me: What? Sharing food? Making a heartfelt attempt to get you to experience something new and wonderful?He stabs another piece of egg.Viktor: Suffering.I laugh, leaning back. My shoulders raising in time to my chuckles. I see him staring at them and I don’t care.Me: C’mon, it’s not suffering. It’s just a little pancake. What else could they possibly symbolise?Viktor: A war.Me: Well I suppose that’s true. And you’re losing, in case you somehow forgot.Viktor sniffs, raising his chin.Viktor: I am winning.Me: Oh?Viktor: Yes. Because I am eating my meal in peace, and you have barely touched yours.I frown, glancing down at the bowl of waffle fries again. A few fries are missing, but the rest remain completely untouched.Huh. That’s.. odd.Viktor’s smirk deepens like he can see my exact thought process unfolding in real time.Viktor: Curious.I narrow my eyes at him, then at my fries, then back at him.No.No, I won’t let him have this.Deliberately, I grab a handful of waffle fries and fill my mouth up with what I can manage. I chew. I swallow. Then, just to really drive it home I nod in deep, exaggerated satisfaction.Me: Wow. This is amazing. I’m so glad I ordered this. Best meal of my life, honestly.Viktor hums, unimpressed.Viktor: You are very defensive over fries.Me: WAFFLE fries.Viktor: Mm.Me: You don’t believe me?Viktor: Oh, I believe you. I also believe that you would rather choke on them than let me be correct.I chew, narrowing my eyes again.I make a point to not respond.Viktor leans forward slightly, expression as smug as ever.Viktor: I think I will let you keep your victory.Me: Because you know that I won?Viktor: Because I do not care enough to fight.Me: That’s what losers say.He chuckles and shakes his head before finally turning his attention back to his food.I watch him eat for a second.The way he holds his fork so precisely. How he neatly cuts each bite like some kind of methodical strategy is at play.Like he’s carefully deconstructing each piece before it reaches his mouth.It’s strange.Not the way he eats. That’s just Viktor.It’s strange how easy this is.How familiar.Like nothing’s changed. Like we haven’t spent a month only talking on the phone with the occasional video chat. Like I haven’t spent so much time convincing myself that this wouldn’t.. that this couldn’t happen.And yet. Here we are.I take another bite, slower this time.He doesn’t look up, but I can tell he notices.And for the first time tonight, I don’t feel like I’m losing.Viktor finishes his eggs, setting his fork down with a quiet clink against the plate. My own food is still half eaten. A casualty of my own distraction. I twirl a fry between my fingers, not particularly enticed by it.I don’t want this night to end.The thought is intrusive. Sticky.Something I don’t want to acknowledge but that I can’t quite push away. I know it’s stupid. I’ll see him again obviously and we talk every day. But there’s something about this. About him sitting across from me like this is normal, like it’s always been normal. Like I won’t have to stand up soon and step back into the part of my life where he’s not physically there.I don’t want that. And I want to delay that from happening for as long as I possibly can.Viktor tilts his head, watching me.And then, as if he’s pulled the thought right from my brain, he speaks.Viktor: I do not want this night to end.My fingers go still around the fry.Viktor: I am enjoying myself. More than I can remember ever doing so.It’s said so simply.No hesitation, no uncertainty. Just the quiet, undeniable truth. My stomach twists and I don’t know what to do with the way it makes me feel.I force a grin, finally tossing the fry into my mouth.Me: Well. If you need me to start insulting you, just say the word. Wouldn’t want you getting too comfortable.Viktor huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.Viktor: You already do that.Me: Do not.Viktor: Do.I kick him lightly under the table, and he just smirks before shifting his foot against mine again. I don’t think he even realises he’s doing it.I chew my fry, swallowing past the knot in my throat. Because I don’t want to go home.Not without him.But I can’t ask him to come over.It’s too soon, too much. We’ve only just gotten here to this strange and tentative space where things are..different but not.It’s familiar in all the ways I missed and new in all the ways that matter. I don’t want to risk pushing too hard by moving too fast.So instead I pitch one last thing before the night will inevitably come to an end.Me: We could get dessert.Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: You did not even finish your dinner.Me: That’s because I’m a responsible adult who saves room for sweets.He hums skeptically but he doesn’t say no.Me: Come on. You can’t tell me you’re not a little curious about what this place has to offer.Viktor: I am quite sure it is just more variations of what you have already eaten.Me: And yet.Viktor sighs a long and suffering sigh but there’s a glint in his eye that betrays his tough exterior.Viktor: Fine. But if I do not like it, you owe me.Me: Deal.I don’t ask what he’d make me owe him. I don’t want to ruin the moment with questions I’m not sure I’m ready to know the answers to.The waitress swings by to clear our plates, and I slide the dessert menu toward us. I scan it with all the seriousness of a man choosing his last meal. Viktor watches me, amusement softening his expression and I pretend I don’t notice.Because if I do, I might never look away.Me: So. How do we feel about pancakes for dessert?His reaction is immediate.A sharp exhale, head tipping back slightly and his eyes shutting like he’s just been personally wronged.Viktor: Jayce.Me: What? It’s a great idea. Warm, fluffy. Round in a trustworthy way. You could put syrup on them. Maybe some fruit. Whipped cream, even-Viktor: I know what a pancake is.Me: And yet, here you are. Depriving yourself of happiness.Viktor shakes his head but there’s a ghost of a smile at the edges of his mouth.Viktor: You are determined to make me suffer.Me: What can I say? It’s my love language.He huffs, but his foot presses more firmly against mine under the table. I still don’t think he even realizes he’s doing it.I glance back at the menu, still grinning.Me: Alright, alright. If you won’t let me revolutionize your worldview with pancakes, then we’ll find something else.Viktor: Something edible would be nice.Me: So picky.Viktor: So correct.I shake my head, but I don’t argue.Instead, I let myself enjoy this easy back and forth riffing with Viktor. This unspoken rhythm we’ve fallen into. It feels unbelievably good. More than good. And I don’t want it to stop.I flip the menu toward him, leaning in slightly.Me: Alright, genius. What looks good?Viktor doesn’t answer right away. He just looks at me with an expression that’s unreadable, before finally shifting his gaze down to the menu.Viktor: The best looking thing on this table is not on the menu.My pulse all but stops and I have to break out eye contact before I combust.I laugh. A little too loud. A little too forced. He definitely knows that was a fake laugh.Me: Wow. I hope you don’t use that line on everyone.Viktor: Ah. You are right. It would be quite a waste to use it on anyone else.I blink.Viktor tilts his head, watching me.Viktor: It was a good one, no?Me: No, it was awful.Viktor: Mm. You smiled.Me: No, I didn’t.Viktor: You are smiling right now.I press my lips together immediately, forming a straight line across them.Viktor: Too late. I see through your facade. You smiled.I groan, leaning back in my seat.Me: Why do I even try with you?Viktor: I do not know. But it is endlessly amusing to watch.I shake my head, but I don’t argue.Instead I let the warmth of the moment settle, let myself breathe in the easy, ridiculous back and forth that feels so stupidly natural it makes my chest yearn.Viktor watches me, gaze flicking across my face like he’s cataloging something.I don’t know why, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel. Like I’m being seen a little too clearly.I grab the menu again, tapping at the dessert section with unnecessary force.Me: Alright. Let’s circle back before you start psychoanalyzing me. If not pancakes, what about tiramisu?Viktor lifts a brow, unimpressed.Viktor: Jayce.Me: What?Viktor: I know what you are doing.Me: Trying to enjoy a nice meal with a dear friend?Viktor: Stalling.My stomach twists. I cover it with a huff, flipping the menu shut. He sees through me whether I hide it or not.Me: You are exhausting. You know that?Viktor hums, completely unbothered.Viktor: And yet, you do not want to leave.I freeze.It’s a casual observation said with the same easy confidence as everything else that comes out of his mouth tonight. But it lands hard, a little too accurate for my comfort.Viktor leans forward slightly, elbow propped on the table with his head tilting just enough to make his smirk infuriatingly smug.Viktor: Am I wrong?I chew on my cheek, debating if I should just lie out of sheer spite. But he knows. Of course he knows. I exhale sharply, shaking my head.Me: No. You’re not wrong.Viktor’s smirk deepens, but there’s something else hiding underneath, something much softer.Viktor: Good. Because I do not want to leave either.I stare at him while my pulse starts stuttering. It’s too much. Too easy. I should make a joke. Laugh it off. But for some reason, I don’t.The words sit heavy in the air, weighty in a way I wasn’t expecting. I’m still not sure what to do with them.Viktor doesn’t rush me.He just watches with his gaze steady and patient. It should be unnerving. Maybe it is. But it also makes me feel like I don’t have to scramble for a deflection. Like I can actually think before I speak.I exhale, shifting in my seat. My fingers drum against the table. I glance at the menu, then back at him. He hasn’t looked away, still staring at me and trying to read my expression.Me: I like this.Viktor lifts a brow.Me: Being here. With you.It’s clumsy. Not as smooth as I wanted it to be. But it’s the truth, so I push forward before I lose my nerve.Me: I mean, I always like talking to you. Obviously. But being here like this..actually getting to see you, to sit across from you, to just..I huff, shaking my head.Me: I don’t know. It’s just nice. Really, really nice.Viktor’s expression softens, the sharpness in his gaze giving way to something unreadable.Viktor: That is a lot of words to say you enjoy my company.I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling.Me: Yeah, yeah. Make fun all you want.Viktor: I am not. I enjoy your company as well.It’s said so plainly, so easily. Like it’s obvious. Like it’s never been a question.I swallow, my fingers flexing slightly against the tabletop before I make the decision to reach across.I move slowly to give him the chance to pull away if he wants. He doesn’t.My hand settles over his.His skin is warm beneath my palm and his fingers twitch slightly but stay still.I look down at our hands, exhaling through my nose.Me: This is okay, right?Viktors thumb brushes lightly against the side of my hand.Viktor: Very.My stomach flips. I glance back up and his expression is unreadable again, but it doesn’t feel distant. If anything, it feels the opposite. Like he’s right here, closer than ever.Viktor: It is funny.Me: What is?Viktor: How long we have spoken, and how short that time really is. How much we know each other. Yet this still feels..new.Me: Yeah. But not BAD new. Right?Viktor: No. Not bad at all.I don’t take my eyes off his hand beneath mine. The way his fingers rest there, still and steady.But then he shifts, his fingers curling and interlocking with mine, pulling my hand closer.My focus is broken by a motion so soft. Warmer than I expected.His lips brush against the back of my hand, light as a breath.A tender kiss, while Viktor holds our eye contact the entire time.My stomach twists. My brain stalls. My spine chills. I don’t let go.Viktor doesn’t pull away. His lips linger just long enough to make my breath hitch. Just long enough for me to feel the warmth of them and the way they press, slow and deliberate, against my skin.Like he means it. Like he wants me to feel it.I do.God, I do.His fingers tighten slightly around mine. His grip is warm and sure. I don’t think I’ve ever been more aware of my own pulse in my life. It’s deafening. A steady, thunderous rhythm in my ears that drowns out everything except him.Viktor pulls back just an inch. Just enough to look up at me through his lashes, honey eyes steady and gleaming. He doesn’t let go. His fingers flex, holding onto me like he’s waiting for something. Like he’s waiting for me.I swallow. My throat suddenly too tight and my stomach twisting itself into knots.Me: ..That was unfair.Viktor’s lips twitch, his thumb grazing the side of my hand.Viktor: How so?Me: You can’t just do that.Viktor: I cannot?Me: No. Not when I’m already struggling to-I stop. Clamp my mouth shut before I say something irreversible. Before I admit too much.But Viktor just watches me. Patient, gaze flicking across my face like he’s already heard the words I didn’t say. His fingers shift, interlacing fully between mine.Viktor: You think too much.Me: And you don’t think enough.Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly.Viktor: I think about you plenty.The words are soft. Easy. And they land like a sucker punch straight to my ribs.My lips part, a sharp inhale cutting through the silence. Viktor squeezes my hand, just for a second, before finally pulling back.The absence is immediate.My palm feels cold and my fingers resort to curling against nothing.Viktor: Now. About dessert.His voice is casual. Like we weren’t just holding hands across the table, like he didn’t just kiss me. Like he didn’t just say that.I blink at him, still reeling.Me: You can’t just move on like that.Viktor lifts a brow, eyes gleaming.Viktor: Can I not?Me: No! You just..you just said-Viktor: I know what I said.Me: And you’re just gonna-Viktor: Talk about dessert? Yes.I sigh, dragging a hand down my face.He’s enjoying this.I can see it in the way he fights back a smirk and the way his fingers drum idly against the table like he’s waiting for me to catch up.I exhale sharply, shaking my head.Me: You are impossible.Viktor hums, perfectly at ease.Viktor: And yet, you are still here.I open my mouth and immediately close it. Because he’s right.I’m still here.And I don’t want to leave.Me: Alright, we’ve had this debate long enough. I’m telling you, pancakes would have been the perfect ending.Viktor shoots me an unimpressed look from across the table, clearly not amused by my repeated attempts at pancake persuasion.Viktor: You seem to forget that I am the one who gets to choose.Me: Yeah, yeah. You and your endless ‘weapons grade’ opinions.Viktor: I prefer precision.Me: Oh, please. You’re the only person I know who’d treat pancake diplomacy like a war crime.Viktor raises an eyebrow at me, sharp and unamused but I catch the glint of amusement hiding behind it.Viktor: It is your war. You made the rules.Me: You sure about that? Because I’m pretty sure I stay winning here.Viktor just tilts his head, like he’s the one calling the shots and finally, reluctantly, orders.Viktor: Fine. Tiramisu. But only because pancakes are not and have never been an option.Me: Oh, don’t worry. This one’s going to be a real treat. It’s like a dessert handshake after our fierce battle of wills.Viktor: There is no war, Jayce. You are simply losing.I roll my eyes as the waitress heads off to fetch our dessert. The smugness on Viktor’s face could cut glass, and I can’t help but smile.Me: Whatever you say. Enjoy your victory while it lasts.It doesn’t take long for the tiramisu to arrive, sitting in front of us like a small mountain of indulgence. I waste no time. I grab my spoon. My eyes are immediately fixed on the creamy layers. The moment the spoon dips in, I’m hooked. I can’t resist. The creamy sweetness of it, the way it melts on my tongue. I’m in sweets heaven.But my focus doesn’t stay just on the dessert. It never does with Viktor.I take another bite and completely blissfully unaware, lick the spoon clean. It’s slow, exaggerated. Sensual even, as if I’m savoring every moment. Letting the sweetness linger on my tongue.I glance up and straight into Viktor’s eyes. He’s staring at me. Not with the teasing smirk I’m used to, but with a look that’s way more intense than I expected.Viktor: Jayce.. what exactly do you think you are doing?I freeze. My stomach does a little flip. I didn’t think it through.Me: What? I’m just eating dessert.Viktor’s eyes narrow, like he’s trying to figure me out. His lips barely twitch as he leans back, crossing his arms.Viktor: That..was not just eating.I blink. Oh my god. I didn’t realise what that must’ve looked like to him. And the way I was making direct eye contact.Me: I wasn’t- I didn’t mean to-Viktor: You do not need to explain yourself. I have seen enough.I’m trying my hardest to suppress the flush creeping up my neck, but it’s no use. I feel like he has caught me red handed, even though I wasn’t doing anything that obvious and DEFINITELY not on purpose.Me: Oh, come on. It’s just a spoon. Relax.Viktor’s smirk curls back into place, his gaze darkening and the tension between us suddenly feels so much heavier.Viktor: Just a spoon?I blink at him, trying to keep my composure but all I can think about is how he’s looking at me right now.Me: Yeah. What’s the big deal?Viktor: If you really want me to answer that, we will be here all night.I freeze again, caught in his gaze. He’s still looking at me with that hint of something dangerous in his expression. Something I’m not sure I want to unpack. But part of me wants to explore it more.Viktor doesn’t give me a chance to say anything else. Instead, he picks up his own spoon, slowly and deliberately. He scoops a generous portion of tiramisu and brings it to his mouth.And then, just like I did, he licks the spoon clean. Making direct eye contact with me, his amber eyes glinting with mischief.It’s the smallest, softest movement. But it sends a rush of heat straight to my chest and to my lap. My brain short circuits for a split second. His eyes never leave mine as he does it, and I realize he’s not just playing me at my own game. He’s challenging me.I swallow hard, my heart thudding in my chest. My mouth goes dry and I almost forget to breathe.Me: Did.. did you just..Viktor doesn’t answer right away.Instead he just watches me, the glint of amusement in his gaze replaced with something sharper and much more aware.Viktor: What? You are not used to being on the other end?My mind races and my thoughts scatter.I don’t know what to say, but I know my face is burning. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and I can’t even pretend like I’m not getting off on it.I shift in my seat, suddenly acutely aware of how this feels. The way the air between us has changed. How close we’re sitting, how much his presence fills up the space. How much I want him to continue.Me: You..you have a way with spoons.Viktor leans in slightly, his lips curling just enough for me to see the challenge in his eyes.Viktor: I was not aware that you were so affected by it.I stare at him while I try to ground myself. My eyes drop to his lips, then back up to his face. There’s something different in the way I’m looking at him now. Something deeper. Something that wasn’t there before. And it’s not just the way he’s eating dessert, either.I notice something I hadn’t before.There’s a subtle glint on his tongue. A piercing.It hits me like a ton of bricks. And suddenly, everything about this moment feels so much hotter.Holy shit.Me: You’ve.. Viktor, you’ve got a tongue piercing?Viktor’s smirk deepens as though he’s finally caught onto the shift in my expression.He’s completely unbothered but the way he pokes his tongue out and licks his lips to show his piercing makes me lose all semblance of control.Viktor: That is what you have been staring at this whole time?I swallow hard, my mind scrambling to catch up with the sudden rush of heat flooding through me.Me: Uh, yeah. I’m a little distracted now.Viktor chuckles under his breath but it’s not the teasing, light laugh from before.This one is dark and knowing.Viktor: Distracted, hm? Are you sure that you do not want me to give you another demonstration?I can’t even breathe properly.I can’t even think properly.All I know is that Viktor just completely turned the tables on me. And it’s increasingly impossible to ignore the way I’m feeling right now.I feel like I’ve just been hit with a sledgehammer of attraction. And it’s so obvious to both of us, there’s no point in denying it.Viktor: Be careful, Jayce. You are looking at me like you want something.My mouth goes dry. I clear my throat, trying to regain some composure.Me: Maybe I do.Viktor’s gaze never wavers.Viktor: Then stop pretending you are not enjoying this.I don’t need to answer. Not when everything between us is already laid bare.I can’t stop myself from leaning forward. My own curiosity is my worst enemy. My body compels me to ask him in a voice barely above a whisper.Me: So..how does that feel?Viktor doesn’t say anything at first.He just shifts closer, his thumb brushing lightly over my wrist. He doesn’t need to say a word. Not when his eyes are doing all the talking for him. The tiramisu is practically a distant memory now, but the tension between us? Oh, that’s still very present. In fact if anything, it’s gotten even thicker and much more suffocating.I can’t ignore the way Viktor’s eyes are on me, like he’s watching me in a way that goes beyond casual interest. It’s more like he’s studying every move I make and calculating his next step in whatever game we’re playing.It makes the air between us feel too small. Too close.I try to break the silence with something. Anything. But it’s like my usual sarcasm has disappeared into thin air. I can’t seem to find the words to cover up how much I’m feeling in this moment.Me: So, this is what you’re into? Hot piercings and eating weirdly?Viktor lets out a soft chuckle, his eyes still locked on mine. His lips curling up just enough that I can see a flash of amusement.Viktor: You think that this is weird? You have got a strange way of looking at things, Jayce.I click my tongue and shake my head.Me: You’re not beneath doing something like getting a tongue piercing just to win this war. This was a disorientation tactic and it fucking worked.Viktor smirks, his gaze dropping down to my lips again for a moment before meeting my eyes. I feel my stomach do an annoying flip. He’s playing with me. Drawing it out. And damn if I’m not following every single move he makes like a lost puppy.Viktor: If you think that is all there is to it, you may be missing the point, Jayce. But keep looking, you might catch up eventually.I blink.Me: Oh, please, Viktor. Don’t act like I haven’t caught up. I’ve been catching up since, well, since forever.I can feel the words coming out before I even think them through and once they’re out there, I can’t take them back. But instead of him retreating or laughing it off like he usually does, Viktor leans in just a little bit closer. His lips barely move, but his words are so much more dangerous now.Viktor: You have always been one to chase, Jayce. You just may not always know what you are chasing.My heart skips a beat at his tone.That steady, sure confidence that makes everything in me want to jump out of my skin. But I can’t let him see that. No way. Not tonight.Me: If you think I’m chasing you, you’re delusional.His smile doesn’t waver.Viktor: Are you sure about that? From where I am sitting, it looks a whole lot of running has already happened.I scoff like I don’t care, but the blush creeping up my neck gives me away.Viktor sees it.Of course, he does. His smirk deepens like I’ve just proven some kind of point he was already confident in winning.I narrow my eyes, reaching for my water like it’ll do something to cool me down.I take a slow sip, forcing myself to hold his gaze over the rim of my glass. If he thinks I’m just going to fold that easily, he’s got another thing coming.Me: Alright, since you’re the expert, tell me. What exactly do you think I’m chasing?Viktor hums, tapping a finger against his chin in exaggerated thought. Like he’s pretending to debate it. Like the answer isn’t already sitting in his mouth, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Viktor: Ah, I could tell you. But where would the fun in that be?Me: Oh, so now you’re playing coy? You’re really dragging this out, huh?Viktor: It is fascinating watching you squirm.I scoff, shaking my head as I set my glass down with a little too much force.Me: You know, I think I liked you better when you were shy.Viktor chuckles slow and quiet, like he’s savoring the moment.Viktor: You think I am not still?I tilt my head, considering him. His smirk is sharp, his posture relaxed, the glint in his eyes a little too knowing.Me: No.Viktor laughs again, and there’s something infuriatingly pleased about it.Viktor: Mm. Good.My stomach flips. I don’t know what to do with that. With him. With the way he’s looking at me like he’s peeling me apart layer by layer and somehow still enjoying the process.I exhale sharply, drumming my fingers against the table, pretending I’m not completely thrown off.Me: Alright, fine. Have your fun. But don’t think for a second that you’ve won.Viktor lifts a brow.Viktor: Jayce.Me: What?Viktor: You are still blushing.I sigh, reaching for my water again.Viktor watches with a disgustingly smug look on his face as I down the rest of it in one go.Viktor: Do you feel cooler now? Perhaps less thirsty?Me: Shut up.Viktor: I will take that as a no.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The inevitable is creeping closer.I can feel it in the way the diners energy has shifted.It’s far less lively than before. The soft murmur of other diners has dulled and even the distant clatter of plates from the kitchen seems subdued. Outside, the streetlights glow against the darkened sky and I know without looking that the hour has ticked close to midnight.Viktor has finished his drink and my own sits half empty beside my plate. The condensation trails in slow, lazy paths down the glass. Our tiramisu has been picked apart until only crumbs remain, the last remnants of an excuse to stay just a little longer.We have nothing left to do but go.And yet, neither of us moves.Viktor twirls his spoon between his fingers. The soft clink of metal against porcelain is the only sound between us for a long moment. Then he looks up at me, eyes sharp and shining.I have realised maybe much too late, that I am in an unbelievable amount of trouble. Because I’m pretty sure that I’m in love with him. The realization is sudden and complete, like the final piece of a puzzle snapping into place. It is not new. It is not shocking. It is something I have known without actually knowing for a long, long time.But here, now with him sitting across from me, his foot still resting lightly against mine under the table. His expression unreadable in a way that makes my chest ache.I feel it.I feel it so much I think it might ruin me.He exhales softly, setting his spoon down. His fingers trail absently over the edge of the table, tapping once, then twice before stilling.Viktor: It is getting late.I swallow against the knot in my throat.Me: Yeah. It is.Neither of us moves.Viktor tilts his head slightly, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin feel too tight.Viktor: You do not want to leave.It isn’t a question. He says it like a fact. Like he knows.I could lie. I could make some joke. Something about being tired or needing to get home or how I’d gladly stay if he was willing to finally admit defeat in our ongoing war. But none of that would be true.So I don’t say anything.Viktor’s lips twitch, just barely. Then softly, he speaks.Viktor: I do not want to leave either.My heart stumbles over itself.I want to reach for his hand again. But I don’t. The thought stays there, curling warm and insistent beneath my ribs.Instead I force a smile, resting my elbow against the table and my chin in my palm.Me: We could stay here forever. Just claim this booth as our own. Set up a little home base.Viktor huffs a quiet laugh.Viktor: As much as I am sure the staff would love that, I think they might have objections.Me: That sounds like quitter talk.Viktor: It sounds like reality.I sigh dramatically, letting my head tip back.Me: Ugh. Fine. If you’re going to be realistic about it.He chuckles, quiet and fond.But then his expression softens and he looks at me like he’s memorizing something. Like he’s committing this exact moment to memory and tucking it away somewhere safe.And I think I might actually die.Me: What?His eyes flicker over my face, something unreadable in them.Viktor: Nothing.Me: Liar.Viktor: Perhaps.A beat of silence. I watch as his fingers curl against the tabletop, flex, then relax.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.His lips twitch again, but his gaze doesn’t waver.Viktor: This has been nice.Nice.Understatement of the century.Me: Yeah. It has.I want to say more. I don’t know what. I just know that I want to fill the space between us with something real. Something that won’t let this moment slip through my fingers.Viktor beats me to it.Viktor: Perhaps..we could do this again.I blink.Me: You asking me out, Vik?Viktor scoffs, rolling his eyes.Viktor: I am stating a possibility.Me: Sounds a lot like asking me out.Viktor: And if I was?I open my mouth and close it almost immediately after.Because what do I say to that?Yes? Absolutely? Please? Don’t make me beg?I swallow, forcing a grin.Me: Then I’d say you’re finally admitting that you enjoy my company.Viktor: Hm. Perhaps.My chest is tight. My fingers itch. I want to reach across the table and trace my knuckles over the back of his hand. I need to feel the warmth of him beneath my touch so I can confirm that this is real.Instead, I just nod.Me: Yeah. We could do this again.Viktor’s expression doesn’t change. Not really. But his foot presses just a little more firmly against mine under the table.The moment stretches between us, delicate and precarious like a held breath.Neither of us moves to break it. We just sit there, the hum of the near empty diner around us and the warmth of his foot still pressing lightly against mine.Eventually, because the universe is cruel and time never slows when you need it to, the waitress swings by with our bill. She sets it down between us with a polite smile, oblivious to the catastrophe of emotions unfolding in real time.Viktor glances at it first, then back at me.Viktor: Ah. And so it ends.I frown and look out the window, resting my chin on my hand with a big huff.Me: Don’t say it like that. Makes it sound like we’re being executed.Viktor: Well, I suppose that depends. Are you paying?I click my tongue, grabbing the check and pretending to examine it with grave concern.Me: If I do, will you promise to finally admit that waffle fries are substantial and delicious?Viktor hums, tilting his head as if considering.Viktor: No.Me: Unbelievable.He smirks.I roll my eyes but pull out my card anyway. I don’t want to argue about it. Not because I care about paying, I had already planned to do that. But because I don’t want to waste a single second of whatever time we have left in this space.When the waitress comes back, I hand her my card before Viktor can protest. He watches me with a quiet sort of amusement. His chin resting on his hand.Viktor: Chivalrous.Me: That’s me. A true gentleman.Viktor: A gentleman who spent twenty four minutes trying to convince me to eat pancakes for dessert.Me: Okay, first of all, that was a noble cause. Secondly, I was trying to do you a favour.Viktor: Hm. You are very committed to your cause.Me: And yet, you still refuse to see the light.He chuckles, shaking his head.The waitress returns with my receipt and I sign it quickly, shoving my wallet back into my pocket with more force than necessary.And then, the moment I’ve been dreading.I glance up, and Viktor is already looking at me. His smirk has faded into something softer. Something I don’t have the capacity to name right now.Because this is it. We’re out of excuses to stay. Viktor exhales through his nose, tapping his fingers against the edge of the table before finally pulling away. He shifts his foot from mine, the absence of warmth hits me immediately. I try not to think about it too much.I fail miserably.Slowly, we gather our things.
Viktor reaches for his cane, adjusting his grip as he stands. I watch the way his fingers tighten around it and the way his shoulders square as he straightens.I shouldn’t find that attractive. And yet.I clear my throat, looking away.Me: Alright. Guess we should- Viktor: Walk me home? The words are so sudden, so unexpected, that I nearly choke on absolutely nothing.Me: What?Viktor raises his brows.Viktor: Walk me home.I stare at him, scrambling to figure out if I’ve misread this. If he’s just messing with me. If he’s throwing me another impossible challenge in our ongoing war.But he looks serious. Expectant. And maybe even..hopeful?My pulse pounds in my throat.Me: You want me to walk you home?Viktor: That is what I said, yes.Me: And if I refuse?Viktor shrugs, utterly unfazed.Viktor: Then I will go alone.Me: This feels like emotional blackmail.Viktor: Perhaps.I shake my head, biting back a smile.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: And yet, here you are.I sigh dramatically, as if this is some great burden.Me: Alright, fine. I’ll walk you home. But only because I’m a gentleman.Viktor chuckles, already turning toward the door.Viktor: Of course.I follow him out into the night, the cool air settling over us as we step onto the quiet street.I don’t know where we go from here.But I do know one thing.I am in love with Viktor.And I think.. I hope he might be in love with me too.I watch Viktor as he leads the way. His movements are steady and confident. His cane taps against the pavement in rhythmic beats and the sound is oddly comforting in the quiet of the street. We walk side by side, our footsteps are the only noise between us for a while.The night is colder now and I’m thankful for the warmth of the jacket I threw on earlier. It’s still a bit too early to call it winter, but the chill that bites at my skin makes me think otherwise. I wrap my arms around myself. I’m not entirely sure if it’s for warmth or to hold together the thousand fragile thoughts that are scattering through my brain. I can’t help but think about how cold Viktor must be right now. His hands were polar against my lower back when we swayed together earlier.I get warmer just thinking about it again.I glance at Viktor. His profile is sharp against the dim streetlight and the lines of his face are more defined in the pale glow. It’s almost like he’s in his own world. Quiet. Still, but not cold. He’s here. Present. Alive.And I am so in love with him.I’m still trying to figure out what to do with that, because saying it out loud sounds like the beginning of some kind of disaster. It’s too big, too real. And even though it’s clear now, clearer than it’s ever been, there’s a part of me that wants to deny it. I want to run in the opposite direction and pretend I didn’t just have that epiphany in the dim light of a hot dog water scented diner.But here I am, walking beside him in the silence and the weight of it hangs between us like a secret neither of us is brave enough to acknowledge.Eventually, Viktor glances over at me. His lips barely lifting at the corners. His eyes flicker and for a moment, it feels like he’s reading my mind. Seeing everything I’m too scared to say.Viktor: You are quiet.His voice breaks the stillness, soft but laced with a tension I can’t quite place. It’s the kind of voice that demands you look up and take notice.Me: Just thinking.Viktor raises an eyebrow, the kind of eyebrow that says he’s not entirely convinced by my answer.Viktor: About what?I can feel his gaze on me. Its burning a little too hot for comfort and I can’t help but laugh. A soft, nervous sound that feels alien in my throat.Me: The fact that we’re walking around at midnight in the cold and I’m not entirely sure how we got here.I keep my voice light, trying to cover up the mess of emotions tangled up inside of me. But Viktor doesn’t let me hide.Viktor: That is a bit of a vague answer.I pause, my foot catching on a crack in the pavement. He doesn’t stop walking but I can feel the way he’s slowed down. Letting me catch up. I
try not to let my heart race faster, but it does anyway.Me: Yeah well, I’m a bit of a vague guy.Viktor hums under his breath clearly not buying it, but he doesn’t press further. He’s learned by now that pushing me too hard only makes me dig my heels in deeper. Instead he just keeps walking, and I follow.The air grows colder as we make our way through the city streets. The silence between us stretches for longer now but in a way that feels almost comfortable. It’s as if we’ve settled into something that doesn’t need to be explained.But it does.And it won’t stop bothering me, not until we finally face it.I glance at Viktor again. This time his expression is unreadable, but there’s a tension in his posture. A softness in the way that he carries himself. It’s the kind of softness I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The kind that makes me wonder what he’s thinking..what he’s feeling.I can’t keep my thoughts from running wild. I wish I could. But everything about him from the way he looks at me, to the way his hand subtly drifts toward mine as we walk. It keeps pulling me back. He’s doing it again. That thing where he’s so close, so there, and I’m lost in it. Drowning in it. In him. Im completely at his mercy.And God, I want to tell him. Want to say the words no matter how terrified I am.But instead, I settle for silence. For now. The silence, this quiet that sets in between where everything is possible but nothing is said.Because, at least for a little longer, I can at least pretend I don’t know just how much I am in love with him.I slow my pace slightly, letting a space grow between us before I deliberately extend my hand toward him. It’s a simple movement, almost careless in its casualness but it feels monumental. My fingers twitch like they’ve been holding onto this moment without me even realising it, and now they can’t seem to let the notion go.I don’t look at him when I speak, but I know he’s watching me. He has been watching me for some time now. I feel it. His presence pulling at me from all sides.Me: You’re not going anywhere if you’re not holding my hand.I can hear the playful challenge in my voice, though it’s edged with something deeper. The last remnants of the banter that’s always hung between us, with a new weight added to it.Viktor stops walking. I feel it instantly, the shift in the air. He’s still, but there’s a stillness that speaks louder than anything else. I glance up, just enough to catch the way his eyes narrow at me, like he’s trying to figure out if I’m serious. Or maybe, if he’s allowed to take that step.I keep my hand there, fingers slightly curled. Waiting.He tilts his head, lips quirking up just a little at the corners.Viktor: You know, Jayce, you are making this walk home far more complicated than it needs to be.Me: Yeah? Maybe.I let the silence hang between us, just long enough for him to feel it. The way I want this. Need this. The way it feels like everything would fall apart if he doesn’t take my hand.And maybe, just maybe, he feels the same.Finally, his hand moves. Slow at first and vaguely hesitant, but then with a purpose. Reaching for mine. The second our fingers meet, the warmth spreads up my arm and I almost feel like I can breathe again. Like everything is just right.He interlocks our fingers and gives my hand a slight squeeze, his grip firm but not tight. It’s like he’s grounding me. Anchoring me in a way I didn’t even know I needed.Viktor: Very well. I will play along if it makes you happy.His voice is softer now, a thread of something that I can’t quite place. But I don’t need to. I just need to hold on to this moment, to the way his hand feels in mine. To the way I feel like this might be the beginning of something I’m both terrified and desperate to explore.We keep walking side by side, hand in hand. The night feels less cold and less isolating now that I know he’s here with me. Viktors ability to make me feel safe and warm is part of the truth I’m still coming to terms with.The city hums softly around us, a distant lull of life that doesn’t quite reach where we walk. It’s quiet enough that I can hear Viktor’s breath, steady and even. The faintest scrape of his cane against the pavement. The subtle rub of his thumb against my knuckles.I should say something. I should make a joke. I should call him clingy for how he’s still holding on or tease him for giving in so easily.But I don’t.Because the warmth of his hand in mine is something I don’t want to ruin. Not yet.Viktor: You are uncharacteristically quiet.Me: Enjoying the moment.Viktor hums, a sound of acknowledgement, maybe even amusement. His thumb moves absently, just the faintest stroke against my knuckle and my brain feels somewhere between comfortably content and completely disheveled.Viktor: A rare occurrence.I scoff, tightening my hold on his hand just enough for him to notice.Me: You say that like I never shut up.Viktor: I say that because you never do shut up.Me: Wow. Unbelievable.His smirk is audible, even if I don’t turn to see it.We walk a little longer, letting the silence stretch. It’s not uncomfortable. It’s not weird. It just simply is.Then, quietly, oh so quietly I almost miss it, Viktor exhales a soft laugh.Viktor: I was expecting more resistance, honestly.I quirk an eyebrow.Me: Resistance?Viktor tilts his head toward our joined hands, raising a brow.Viktor: I thought I would have to drag you kicking and screaming before you willingly held my hand.Me: Oh, please.I roll my eyes, but I don’t let go. Neither does he.Me: You act like I don’t have basic human decency.Viktor: I act like you are insufferable.Me: And yet, here you are.Viktor: And yet, here I am.His voice is softer this time, thoughtful. He doesn’t say anything else, and I don’t push.We just keep walking. Hand in hand.I start counting the houses without meaning to.One. Two. Three.Each one we pass is another step closer to the end of this walk. To the moment where Viktor lets go of my hand and disappears behind a door I won’t be able to follow him through.Four. Five. Six.I don’t know which one is his, and I don’t want to find out. The idea of this night ending, of this quiet, lingering closeness slipping away sits heavy in my chest.Seven. Eight-Me: Should we, uh. Walk slower?I try to sound casual, like I’m just making conversation. But Viktor turns his head toward me, just slightly, and lets out the smallest, most unimpressed huff.Viktor: I am quite capable of keeping up, Jayce.I blink, realizing instantly what he thinks I meant. God I’m so stupid.Me: Oh. No. That’s not- I mean-I shift uncomfortably, tightening my hold on his hand without thinking.Me: I didn’t mean it like that Viktor, I just. To be completely honest with you, I don’t really want this night to end. To let you go so soon. Walking slower was for my benefit, not yours.The words come out quieter than I mean them to. Vulnerable in a way that makes me want to cringe, but I don’t take them back. I can’t.For a second Viktor is silent. And then-He laughs.Not a chuckle. Not a scoff, but an actual warm and amused laugh that sends something fizzy and unbearable rushing through my chest.Viktor: Ah, I see. Poor Jayce.He shakes his head, his grip on my hand briefly tightening before he lets go entirely. I feel the loss of it instantly.Viktor: You must be truly devastated.Me: I am. Thanks for noticing.Viktor hums and then as if struck by sudden tragedy, he shivers dramatically.Viktor: Hm. It is quite cold all of a sudden now that I think about it.Me: What?Viktor: Yes. I fear I may not make it. I will simply perish within a mere few moments.He sighs, lifting his free hand to rub at his arm. His breath is visible in the air, but no more than mine. He’s dramatising his coldness for some reason.Viktor: If only there was some kind of..solution. A way to warm up.He glances at me, eyes gleaming with something unbearably smug.Viktor: Perhaps a strong and warm, chivalrous handsome man could be of some assistance.I stare at him, heat creeping up the back of my neck.Me: You’re ridiculous.Viktor: And yet-Me: And yet, here you are. Yeah, yeah, I get it.He smirks.I exhale sharply through my nose, shaking my head but I don’t hesitate. I unzip my jacket, hold my arms out wide and before he can say another word, I pull him into my chest.His laughter cuts off with a quiet inhale as I wrap my arms around him, pulling him close and tight.Viktor: Oh.Me: Oh?Viktor: You are very warm.Me: You’re welcome.I don’t know what I expected. Maybe for him to make a joke, or shove me away. But instead, he relaxes against me with a soft, contented sigh. I feel him nuzzle his face into my chest. I wish I could preserve this feeling forever. I rest my chin on his head and plant a soft kiss in his hair. I don’t think he notices but that’s more than okay.Viktor: Hm. I may need to stay here for a while.Me: Take your time. Wouldn’t want you to get hypothermia, right?His hands settle lightly against my waist. I feel him squeeze me ever so slightly. I try not to think about it too hard. His hair tickles my jaw and I close my eyes for half a second, just letting myself feel this.We default to our favourite pastime. Swaying together so slowly and so tenderly. It’s like a dance that neither of us are leading but one that has been ingrained into the splints of our bones.This warmth.This closeness.This impossibly stupid, inevitable love I have for him.He pulls away after what feels like an eternity but also not long enough at all.Viktor: Come on, Jayce. We must continue.I huff out an unimpressed sigh.I can tell that Viktor’s apartment is just a few streets away. It’s in the way he has been lingering as slowly as I have. It’ll take us what, five minutes to get there? But we’re intentionally making sure it takes twenty. Because neither of us is in a hurry. Because every step is slow and drawn out. It’s stretched by lingering glances and teasing remarks and the way his hand feels so right in mine.And maybe also because I keep taking unnecessary detours.Viktor: Jayce.He catches on to my master plan, looking unamused but not in an upset way.Viktor: You just turned us into a street that loops back to where we started.Me: Huh. Weird. Well I’ve never been to your place before Viktor. I must be lost.He clicks his tongue and smiles, shaking his head slightly.Viktor: I know a shortcut.The words settle in my guts like raw meat.A shortcut? Does he want this night to end? I thought we were having fun together.Did I misinterpret tonight?Eventually, we stop in front of a building and he gestures up toward one of the windows.Viktor: This is me.Oh.Neither of us moves.Not toward the door.Not away from it.Viktor watches me.His eyes are soft and unreadable in the dim streetlights. They flick over my face like he’s trying to figure out what I’m thinking. And I..god. I don’t even know what I’m thinking.There’s something significant about standing here. Something weighty. Like if we go inside, we cross some kind of line. And maybe that’s stupid. Maybe I’m overanalysing things but it feels too soon. Like sure, we’ve been talking all night and had an intimate date. We’ve been dancing around something all night, and yes, we just spent the last few minutes practically fused together in the middle of the sidewalk..but inside his house..that’s different. That’s private.And Viktor is watching me. Waiting for me to say something.Me: So. This is where I say goodnight, right?Viktor: Is it?Me: It should be.Viktor hums, contemplating with the ghost of a smirk creeping onto his lips.Viktor: I noticed you did not say it.Me: I was going to.Viktor raises his eyebrows.Viktor: And yet.And yet.I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes, Jayce?I narrow my eyes, trying to read the situation and the implications behind his tone.Me: Are you trying to manipulate me into staying?Viktor holds his hand against his chest like I have personally wounded him, putting on a mock offended expression.Viktor: Am I? I am simply just standing here. Like you are.Me: Yeah, but you look like you already made a decision.He shrugs nonchalantly, tilting his head while he looks at me.Viktor: Perhaps.Me: And I am still deciding what to do with you.Viktor: Take your time, Jayce. I am very patient.Me: That’s the problem.I fold my arms.Me: You’re not gonna make this easy, huh?Viktors mouth quirks up at the sides, a devious grin creeping onto his face. It makes me flush. He has TOO much control and he knows it.Viktor: Would you like me to? I could step inside right now and shut the door in your face if that helps.Me: Oh, so generous of you. And you think I would just let you win our war just like that? Please. Spare me.Viktors eyes gleam. He looks me in the eyes, and then back to my lips. Flickering between the two.Viktor: It would be a tactical strike. Swift. Decisive.Me: Cowardly.Viktor Presses a hand to his chest in mock offence again.Viktor: You wound me, Jayce.Me: Good. Maybe now we’re even.I exhale, tipping my head back against the night air.Me: But seriously. I feel like..like if I do end up coming inside with you, I’m giving up something.Viktor Watches me carefully, his smirk fading quickly.Viktor: Like what?I open my mouth and then close it. I don’t know.The anticipation, maybe.The slow build of this whole.. whatever this is. The tension that’s been hanging between us all night. If I walk inside now, what happens? Does it snap? Does it change? We have worked so hard to cultivate this soft tenderness and the idea of jeopardising it in any way shape or form makes me want to run away as far as I can. Viktor steps closer. The warmth of him pressing into my space returns. His expression is softer now, more calculated.Viktor: I do not think going inside would be losing something, Jayce.His voice dips lower.Viktor: I think it would be..progressing.I look at him. His face is an open book, he’s waiting for me.And God, I want to.But also..Me: I’m not sure you’re ready for me to be on your grounds, Viktor. You definitely need some time to process my charm. I’d eat you up if I went in there right now. I think you need time to work on your battle strategy.It’s a poor deflection and he sees right through it, but I don’t know what else to say or do to stop myself from following him inside.Viktor: Is that what you really think?Me: Yeah. I mean, isn’t that the strategic choice?I arch an eyebrow.Me: You of all people should understand the importance of a long term battle plan.Viktor hums like he’s considering it. Like that wasn’t the most incoherent and stupid sentence he’s ever heard in his life.Then he leans in, voice dipping lower.Viktor: That is true. But I am also a scientist, Jayce. And the thing about science is that sometimes..the best way to understand something is to test it.My breath catches.Oh.Me: Are you saying you want to experiment on me, Viktor?I was aiming for playful and I sorely missed the mark. That was much more forward than I realised. Than I would ever say if I was intentionally flirting. I’m a fucking idiot.I swallow hard. Viktor laughs softly, not breaking our eye contact.Viktor: Perhaps. But only if you volunteer.My pulse hammers in my throat.I should go.I should turn around, say goodnight and walk away.I don’t.I stand there caught between should and want, watching the curve of his smile and the gleam in his eyes. And for the first time in a long time, I have no idea what the right move is. I don’t move. I don’t breathe.Because Viktor is watching me, and I swear he knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows exactly how that line sits heavy between us. How the word experiment should not feel as dangerous as it does coming from him. He knows how my brain is currently short circuiting trying to decide if I should turn around and walk away or..Or.His smirk deepens, just the slightest shift of his lips. Like he’s waiting to see how I react. Like he’s enjoying this.I clear my throat, dragging a hand through my hair.Me: And what exactly would this experiment entail?Viktor tilts his head, feigning consideration.Viktor: Mm. That depends.Me: On?Viktor hums. Taking a step closer.Viktor: On how much you are willing to let yourself discover.Oh.That’s it. This is my breaking point. The moment my brain just completely, irreparably shuts down.I exhale sharply, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes like that’ll somehow help me reset.Me: Okay. You need to stop talking.Viktor: Do I?Me: Yes.Viktor: But I am enjoying myself so much, Jayce.I tilt my head back toward the night sky because I cannot look at him right now. I can feel the way he’s watching me, can sense the damn smirk on his face. I can’t stop thinking about how badly I want to kiss him just to shut him up.Me: You’re evil.Viktor: You wound me.Me: You love it.Viktor hums, and it is downright criminal how pleased he sounds.Viktor: Perhaps a little.I drop my hands, finally forcing myself to meet his gaze again, and yeah. There it is. That impossibly smug expression and the way his eyes gleam with satisfaction.I should leave.I SHOULD. This is my chance. My perfect exit. My opportunity to not do something I’ll spend the entire night overthinking.I shift my weight onto one foot.But I don’t move.Me: You’re really not gonna make this easy, huh?Viktor: Where would the fun be in that?I press my tongue against the inside of my cheek, narrowing my eyes at him. His smirk twitches, like he’s anticipating my next move. Like he already knows what I’m going to do before I even do it.And maybe he does.Because instead of leaving, instead of saying goodnight and making my very necessary escape..I take a step closer.Viktor doesn’t move away.I swear I hear his breath catch, but it’s so quiet I can’t be sure. His expression stays unreadable, but I see it. The slight twitch of his fingers. The way his grip tightens subtly around the handle of his cane.Me: You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you want me to stay.Viktor blinks, slow and deliberate. Then, he leans in just enough that I can feel the warmth of his breath when he speaks.Viktor: And if I did?My heart stops.Because there’s something different in his voice now, something that makes my stomach swoop dangerously. It’s not just teasing anymore. It’s not just banter.Its real.And I have NO idea what to do with that.I swallow. Dragging in a slow breath.Me: Then I’d say..I pause. Let it hang there. Let the silence stretch, let him feel the anticipation I know is simmering between us.And before I can react. Before I can get a word out. before I can even think, he pulls me forward, hard.I stumble, my free hand instinctively catching against the doorframe as Viktor drags me inside. His grip doesn’t loosen. It doesn’t falter. Not even when the door swings shut behind us, not even when we’re standing there just breathing in unison, the weight of something unspoken crackling thick between us.He doesn’t let go.And neither do I.His fingers flex around mine, grounding and steady. There’s something electric in the space between us. Something new, something neither of us has the words for yet. His breath is just a little uneven, and I realise quickly that mine is too.He swallows. Then, softly. Almost too soft to hear. He speaks.Viktor: There. That was not so difficult, was it?I huff out something between a laugh and a sigh, shaking my head.Me: You’re impossible.Viktor: Mm. And yet-Me: And yet, I am here. Inside your house. With you. Against my better judgement AND my own will. A hostage. A prisoner of war. A FOOL for letting you win this round.His lips quirk and suddenly everything feels so real. Too real.It feels dangerously real.I don’t move.I can’t.Viktor’s grip tightens around my hand, pulling me toward him until there’s nothing between us. His chest is pressed against mine and my back is against the wall. His breath mingles with mine, warm and unsteady. There’s a tension in the air crackling with static. It’s thick enough to drown us both in it if we don’t do something about it.I swallow hard, unable to look away from him. The heat between us is undeniable now, the space we were dancing around all night collapsing in an instant. I feel the pull of him so strong and so real. I know I should resist. I know I should take a step back.But I don’t.And neither does Viktor.His free hand moves to cup the back of my neck, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin there. He doesn’t give me a chance to think. He doesn’t give me a chance to question it. All I feel is him and his body. His warmth. His breath against my skin. It feels like this moment is the only thing that matters.I want to kiss him so badly it makes me feel and look pathetic.I lean in and finally, he’s close enough that I can feel the heat of his lips. Just a fraction of a second away from mine. Our breathing is hitched, on the brink of panting. Staring at eachothers lips. God I’ve waited so long for this.My lips graze the surface of his before-‘Meow?’A loud, demanding meow echoes through the hallway startling both of us.Viktor pulls back just enough to look over his shoulder, his expression shifting to something between frustration and amusement. I almost laugh, but I’m too stunned by the sudden shift and the heat forming in my hips.From the hallway, Clementine, the source of our interruption, turns the corner. Her green eyes gleam in the dim light as she trots into the room, tail swishing side to side like she owns the place. Her meows are louder now, clearly desperate for attention. As though she has no concept of personal space.Viktor sighs, his hand slipping from my neck as he glances back at me with a half amused, half flustered look.Viktor: Well, hello Clementine. Dad was quite busy. Not that you care at all.I laugh softly, rubbing my neck where Viktors hand was resting.I treat the interruption like a blessing in disguise. There’s nothing I want right now more than Viktor, and I know I won’t be able to control myself when I get my mouth on him.I shake my head like an Etch A Sketch like it’ll remove my thoughts and desires.It doesn’t.Me: Well hello pretty girl. It’s lovely to meet you. You are much smaller in person, just like your dad.Clementine’s meows grow louder, like she’s personally offended that we’ve ignored her for so long. I can’t help but smile at the absurdity of it all. Seeing her in person is the last playing card of this card house, solidifying that I’ve reached a point of no return. I don’t want to go back now. This is where I’ve needed to be for a while.Viktor mutters something under his breath in irritation, but I see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he bends down to scoop her into his arms.Viktor: You really know how to ruin a man’s evening, is that right, Clem?She purrs loudly, completely oblivious to her role in our paused evening. Viktor straightens up with her in his arms. He looks at me, the moment between us hanging by a thread. He speaks softly but with purpose.Viktor: This is not over, Jayce.I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep my composure even though my heart’s still racing.Me: Oh, I know. But I think Clementine just called for a timeout.Viktor chuckles, kissing her on her head.Viktor: Well, it looks like I am at her mercy for now.I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. It’s ridiculous, the way this moment slipped from a breathless tension to something so strangely comforting. But I’m not complaining.Me: I can wait my turn. You’ll be at my mercy again before you know it.Viktor’s gaze never leaves mine, the faintest smirk still playing on his mouth even as Clementine purrs in his arms like she’s some kind of small, demanding dictator. The tension is unbearable, thick with that need we’d both been dancing around all night.Viktor: You will be patient, then?I raise an eyebrow, my voice dropping lower, teasing, despite how desperately my body is still screaming for him.Me: Oh, I’ve got nothing but time.I let the words hang in the air, my eyes flicking down to his lips before meeting his gaze again, feeling that rush of heat. The proximity of him and the warmth of his body still lingering on mine. It’s enough to make my pulse race even faster.Viktor leans in slightly, his thumb brushing along the edge of Clementine’s fur as though he’s trying to suppress the urge to step closer. His voice comes out smooth and low, maybe just a little too knowing.Viktor: I am not sure patience will be enough for you, Jayce.His words make my stomach drop, and I feel something shift in me. It’s a mix of anticipation and frustration. The space between us might as well be non existent.I swallow, forcing myself to sound steady but even I can hear the breathlessness in my tone.Me: We’ll see about that, won’t we?He looks at me like he’s weighing his options, and the flicker of something in his eyes is enough to make my heart stumble.Viktor: You might be playing a dangerous game, Jayce.I’m so close to just saying fuck it and closing the distance. My body is so painfully aware of his, and I know he feels it too. The way his eyes stay on mine, like he’s fighting the urge to pull me back to him.Clementine meows again before I can think any harder. Louder this time, like she knows she’s ruining everything. Viktor curses softly, breaking our stare. His gaze flickers back to me, full of frustration and something else. Something dark.Viktor: For now, Clementine requires dinner. But make no mistake, Jayce. We will be returning to the pin we left earlier.His words are a promise and it’s all I have to stop me from pulling him closer to me. Clementine meows again, as if to remind us that the night isn’t over yet.Me: Oh, I’m counting on it.I’m barely able to keep the smile off my face, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. He’s not done with me yet and I sure as hell am not done with him.He walks down the hall and into his kitchen. I hear Clementine plop down on the floor. The silence is broken by tinking sounds on a porcelain surface. Clementine meows sweetly while she’s getting her dinner served.I use this opportunity alone to really take in Viktors house.It’s an apartment. The lighting is ambient, only lamps and smaller light sources are in use. No overhead lighting or LED bulbs. Just warm yellow light. He has paintings on his wall and various certificates scattered throughout the hallway.It takes me a moment but I realise that the paintings are ones he has created himself.Each brush stroke is expertly placed on the canvas, as if he has an agreement with a higher power. He never fails to amaze me.I make my way down the hall, finding a study. I recognise the curtains and the bookshelves from my Lock Screen. Well, my Lock Screen before a few hours ago. This is where Viktor draws. Where the magic happens.I see an art book left open with some graphite strokes fleshed out. I step closer, flicking through a few pages. Each work is so unique and so finely crafted. His attention to detail is next to none.I flip one final page and stop dead in my tracks.It’s a graphite drawing with impeccable detailing. He sketched the photo I sent him. I look at every detail in the drawing. There’s the birthmark I have on my hip. There’s the freckles on my shoulders. There’s my snail trail leading down to my towel.It’s as if he has studied every pixel in the image to perfectly replicate it on paper.The strokes of charcoal poorly conceal just how much he has observed me, and the thought alone makes me feel deeply lusted for.I need him so badly. I hear Viktor wrapping up in the kitchen and I immediately duck out of the room, pretending like the house doesn’t exist past the hallway he left me in.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

My mind is still racing from the sketchbook.I keep replaying every detail of the drawing. It feels like a secret, HIS secret, and it’s sticking with me like a weight in my chest.I don’t know how long I stand here, trying to get my thoughts back in order. Eventually, Viktor reappears in the hallway. A slight, amused smile on his lips as though there’s a faint tiredness to his gaze. I’m still standing awkwardly where he left me and I can’t help but feel like I’ve stepped into something more than I intended.Viktor: So, what do you think of the art?I blink, startled by the question.He knows. How could he possibly know? He must’ve heard my footsteps and connected the dots that I went into his study.I’m so stupid.I can’t even weave a web of lies. He has seen through me and it’s too late to even try.I force a shy smile, still a bit embarrassed by the whole situation. Viktor is bold for asking me about it, I’ll give him that.Me: It’s really good. Like, REALLY good. I’m kinda flattered, honestly. I don’t know how you made me look that good with just a piece of charcoal. But I’d be willing to send you more photos just like it if it means I’ll look like that again.Viktor’s eyebrows furrow slightly, his lips press together as he processes what I’ve said. It’s almost as though something clicks in his mind, but then his expression softens and he clears his throat.Viktor: Ah. I was talking about my paintings. On the wall. In this hallway. I did not know you let yourself into my study for a sneak peek. Naughty.Heat rushes to my face and I can feel the tips of my ears burn.Fuck, I’m caught. And it’s not even in a fun, flirtatious way.No, this is pure embarrassment.This is entirely my own fault for not using a crumb of critical thinking.Me: Oh..uh right. I- I didn’t mean to. I just, uh..Clementine kind of distracted me and I ended up wandering.Viktor doesn’t seem bothered, though.
He looks almost amused at my flustered state.Viktor: Do not worry about it. However, if you are looking for a tour, I will give you the official one later.I can’t help but let out a quiet laugh. My anxiety eases up just a little. He doesn’t seem upset. If anything, I think he’s a little too amused by the whole thing.Me: Maybe I’ll take you up on that. But I might stick to the official version of the tour next time.Viktor gives a nod, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he moves to lean against the wall. He’s watching me with that familiar, unreadable gaze. I still feel the sting of embarrassment from the sneak peek I got but the tension between us shifts becoming something else. Something lighter and more fun.Viktor glances over at me, his gaze softening as he stands by the wall. He’s clearly taking in my still slightly flustered state.Viktor: It is a touch cold in here, would you like a hot drink? The house gets rather crisp in winter. I will be making myself one.I open my mouth to respond, but Viktor’s already moving. Assessing my words before they can even form.Viktor: I will make you a hot chocolate right away.I laugh, a surprised chuckle escapes me as I watch him go back to the kitchen. He knows me far too well.Me: Oh, well, alright then. Hot chocolate it is.He doesn’t give me a chance to say anything more as he walks off. I follow behind him, trying to get my bearings and we both settle into the small, warm space of his kitchen. The tension from earlier still lingering in the air.We work together in comfortable silence for a moment, gathering the ingredients for the drink. Viktor heats some milk on the stovetop and I ask what I can do to help.Viktor: Could you please pass me the sugar? It is just to the left above me.I nod, leaning over him to grab the sugar bowl.The moment I do, I find myself dangerously close to him. My chest brushes against his back and my hips press against his lower half as I stretch a bit further to reach the sugar.Before I can pull away, my hand finds its way to his waist to stabilise myself. The proximity is too much for either of us to ignore.Then. I lose my balance. The shelf is too high.I accidentally nudge him slightly forward. Viktor catches himself with his free hand, just enough for his body to arch against the counter. He’s bent over a little, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his balance.I freeze.We both freeze.Viktor looks back at me over his shoulder with an expression I have never seen from him. It’s shocked, submissive and.. unbelievably hot. The awkwardness of the moment hangs in the air like an electric charge.Viktor: Um..His voice is tight. Barely a whisper. As if he’s trying to process what just happened.I’m caught off guard. My hand still resting on his waist. It feels like it’s burning and I scramble to apologize, but I’m too flustered to get the words out.Me: I- I didn’t mean to.. uh, sorry, Vik. I-Viktor clears his throat, turning his body towards me but maintaining the press of ours together. He’s looking at me with a mix of embarrassment and something else. His face is flushed, and for a moment we’re both too stunned to do anything except stand there, caught in the chaos of proximity. His gaze flicks up to mine with an amused glint in his eyes, the corners of his lips curling just slightly.Viktor: Well, that is.. one way to pass the sugar.I feel the heat rush to my face but instead of pulling away, I lean in a little more. Just enough to stay within that space between us. My hand still rests on his waist and it’s almost like the weight of it is pulling us closer, coaxing that lingering tension into something else.
I slide my free hand to the other side of his waist.Me: I mean, I didn’t exactly see you complaining.Viktor’s breath catches, a half smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he tilts his head slightly. Clearly not minding the closeness, maybe even enjoying it a little too much. He leans back against the counter, casually letting me keep my hands where they are, neither of us move to break the contact.Viktor: Maybe I should take that as a compliment. You are not nearly as shy now as you were outside a moment ago, now are you, Jayce?I let out a short laugh, keeping my eyes locked on his. Amused by how effortlessly we’re slipping into this rhythm. It’s intoxicating.Me: I could say the same about you.Viktor’s smirk deepens, and he shifts just enough that his body presses against mine harder. A silent challenge that sends a shiver down my spine.Viktor: Looks like we are both getting comfortable, then.I feel his breath against my cheek, and I can’t help but grin. There’s no pulling back now. The air between us fills with that same irresistible pull. I shift just a little, my fingers tracing small circles over his waist as I tease him with my next words.Me: Maybe too comfortable.Viktor chuckles, his hands moving up to cup my cheeks. Just a subtle touch that somehow only amplifies the tension.Viktor: Perhaps. But you know that I am very comfortable with you.I feel the same.My hands remain where they are. Not ready to let go. And before either of us can break the moment, Viktor leans forward just slightly.
A teasing glint in his eye as he asks, his voice low.Viktor: So, Jayce. Do you want to pass me the sugar again, or are we done with that?I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. I pull back just enough to reach for the sugar, but not without pressing my chest against his again, this time on purpose. The touch lingers, sending an unspoken message between us. Neither of us is backing down. Not tonight.I place the sugar behind him. Making sure I have to lean over him to put it down.I have the upper hand here.Viktor is exactly where I want him.I feel my body process this power and it goes straight to my head. I’m going to make him buckle-My train of thought is immediately derailed by one swift motion by Viktor.He pulls my neck close to him and kisses it, licking me ever so slightly.I can’t stop my body before I let out a soft moan. Fuck.I grip the counter and pull back to lock eyes with him again.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.I pant softly, trying to stop the heat from going straight to a place that will write off the rest of our night.Me: You’re playing with fire. I won’t be able to control myself if we do this.He makes an amused sound, tilting his head at me and playing with his tongue piercing. Making sure I see it. Fuck.Viktor: if I did not think that I could not tame you, I would not have brought you here. I can handle you.The words melt into my skin.I want him so badly.I need his lips on mine.I need his hips pressed into mine.I need his mouth on my neck.I need him.I can’t look at him right now. It’ll tip me over the edge.I don’t know what I’ll do if I let myself give in to this desire. I’ve never done anything like this before. And I don’t want to fuck things up with Viktor of all people.I try to say something, anything, but words fail.Viktor: You are thinking too much, Jayce.Me: maybe you’re not thinking enough.He hums, as if he’s actually contemplating my words. He isn’t.Viktor: Maybe I am not thinking enough. Maybe we do not have to. Maybe you are allowed to do things that feel good without needing a reason to justify it.He’s right. The only thing I want right now is Viktor. But that’s the very thing I can’t afford to lose.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Do you trust me?I blink at him as if he just asked the most stupid question ever.Me: Of course I do.He presses into me once more, guiding my hands to his cheek and waist. Viktor: Good boy. Then do what I say and shut up. No more thinking.He doesn’t give me a second to even try to respond before he presses his lips into mine with the same desperation that I give back. I kiss him back hard and hungrily. With the intensity I’ve been craving for months. I pull his hips into mine, rubbing against him softly. He opens his mouth to let out a soft moan, I waste no time in running my tongue along his bottom lip. His tongue presses against mine and I feel the ball bearing rubbing along it. Fuck it’s hot. I let out a breathy moan, his hands reaching under my hoodie and shirt, teasing my back with his nails.I’m going to lose control. I can’t handle this lust.I pull back, panting hard.Me: Viktor.. sorry if I was too forceful I just-He pushes me into a wall and immediately covers my mouth with his hand.Viktor: I told you to shut up, Jayce. Are you defying me? Shall I punish you?Before I can spit out a whimper, he wraps his fingers around my neck and turns my head to the side. Planting his lips on my neck and biting hard.I moan loudly under his grasp.Fuck.I needed this.He bites down on my skin, leaving marks all the way down my neck. I whimper as his tongue piercing traces my jugular.My fingers find his belt loops and I pull him into me by them, grinding against his hips.He lets out a soft moan, tipping his head back and trembling slightly. This is my moment to take the control back.I scoop Viktor up and carry him over to the countertop, placing him carefully down and pulling his hips into mine.He wraps his legs around my waist, pulling me in for another kiss by my throat. I don’t object.I moan into his mouth, pulling at his sweater vest. I need him so bad. I need more than this. I need-A foreign sound snaps us both out of it at the same time.It’s a fizzing and splashing sound. Oh shit we forgot about the milk. Viktors stovetop is quickly tainted by over boiled milk, bubbling and leaving a mess.He huffs, and I’m not convinced it’s because we burnt the milk.Viktor: I do not suppose you still want a hot chocolate?I laugh, shaking my head while I try to catch my breath.Me: Well, I am terribly thirsty.His ears perk up and he shoots me a smile.Viktor: Good. As am I.Viktor sighs, resting his forehead against my shoulder for a moment before pulling back just enough to smirk up at me. His fingers still rest on my waist, firm and grounding.Viktor: I suppose that means I will have to start over.Me: The hot chocolate or what we were doing before?He hums while pretending to think, but his hands tighten against my waist for just a second before he pulls away and slips off the counter, stepping back toward the stove.My body feels the lack of his warmth instantly. I’m already itching to touch him again.Viktor: Both, ideally. But one of them is much easier to restart than the other.I huff out a laugh, leaning against the counter. I watch as he wipes down the mess with practiced ease. I should probably help, but I’m still catching my breath. Processing what just happened and desperately trying to figure out how I can make it happen again.The way he kissed me.The way he touched me.The way he looked at me like he already knew I’d melt under his hands before I even had the chance to fight it.I clear my throat, shoving my hands into my pockets as I watch him work.Me: So, any other drinks you’re going to burn tonight, or was that a one time incident?Viktor scoffs, shaking his head as he throws a towel over his shoulder.Viktor: If you are so concerned, you are welcome to take over.Me: Oh, I would, but I think I’d be a little too distracted.I let the word hang between us, watching as Viktor stiffens for half a second before turning back toward me. His expression is composed, but I see the way his fingers twitch slightly. Like he wants to reach for me again.Viktor: Then perhaps I should keep my hands to myself until the drinks are finished.I grin, pushing off the counter to step closer.Me: Is that a challenge?He raises an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly as he watches me.Viktor: No, Jayce. That is a warning.I laugh, stepping closer to him.Me: By now you should definitely know that I’m not great at listening to warnings. I am in your house against my better judgement, aren’t I?Viktor exhales a soft laugh, shaking his head as he turns his attention back to the stove.Viktor: That is true. You are very bad at listening. But I am very capable of making you do what I want you to.Me: And you’re very bad at pretending you mind.He doesn’t argue. Just hums as he sets the pot back on the burner, reaching for the milk. I don’t miss the way he lingers slightly in front of me. He’s close enough that if I just leaned in a little, I could..I clear my throat, forcing my hands to stay put. Forcing myself to play it cool.Me: So, are you actually making the drinks this time, or are we going to find another excuse to get distracted?Viktor smirks, pouring the milk into the pot before glancing at me over his shoulder.Viktor: I suppose that depends on you.Oh, he’s good.He knows exactly what he’s doing. Knows that I’m still wound up from before. And yet he’s standing there, stirring the milk like he didn’t just have me pinned against the wall five minutes ago.I step up behind him, close enough that I can see the faint marks on his neck where I had kissed him. They suit him. His breath hitches slightly, but he doesn’t move away.Me: You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?Viktor: What ever do you mean?His voice is smooth and playful. But I hear the slight unsteadiness beneath it.I grin, reaching around him to grab the sugar from the counter. I let my fingers graze his as I pull it toward me.Me: Nothing. Just thinking about how flustered you got earlier.Viktor scoffs, but I see the way his ears turn pink.Viktor: I was not flustered.Me: No? Then what would you call it?He sets down the spoon, turning to face me fully. He’s still backed against the stove, but he doesn’t look trapped. If anything, he looks like he’s considering something. Something dangerous.Viktor: I would call it patience.Me: Patience?Viktor: Yes. Because you have been teasing me all night, and I have been letting you.I swallow, suddenly very aware of how close we are again.Viktor: But the question is. How patient do you think I really am, Jayce?I don’t get the chance to answer before he hooks his finger into the waistband of my jeans and pulls me into him.I inhale sharply, my hands snapping to the counter on either side of him to brace myself. The heat of his body is right there and suddenly the kitchen feels way too small. Or maybe I do.Me: I’d like to think you have at least a little restraint.Viktor hums, tilting his head as his fingers tease at my waistband, like he’s debating whether to pull me in again.Viktor: Maybe. Or maybe I am simply waiting for you to stop pretending you do.I exhale a microscopic laugh, but it’s shaky. Because he’s right. I don’t. I can’t. Not with the way he’s looking at me right now. Not with the way I can feel his breath on my lips.Me: That obvious, huh?Viktor: Painfully so.His voice is quieter now, like he’s savoring the fact that I’m finally unraveling in front of him. Like he knows he’s already won, and he’s just waiting for me to admit it.I don’t.I press forward instead, letting my hands fall to his waist as I slot myself into the space between his legs. His breath stutters just slightly, his fingers twitching against my waistband again. If one of us doesn’t do something soon I’m going to lose my mind.My mouth speaks before my brain can think. I guess I’m doing exactly what Viktor wants.Me: Then maybe you should do something about it.His hands waste no time. He reaches for my hoodie strings and yanks me forward, closing the gap so fast that I barely get the chance to register the warmth of his mouth before he’s kissing me like he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life.And maybe he has.Maybe I have too.I groan against his lips, pushing him back against the counter as I kiss him deeper. His hands slide under my shirt. His nails digging into my back sharp and desperate, like he’s trying to keep me as close as physically possible.Like he’s scared I might disappear if he lets go.I moan against his lips, pulling away slightly.Me: Vik-I barely get his name out before he tugs me down by my hoodie again, kissing me harder and rougher until I’m dizzy from it. Until I don’t care about the stove being red hot and inches away from us or the fact that I should probably be taking this slow. Or anything else other than the way he tastes. Like something sweet and dangerous, like something I can never get enough of.Me: You’re going to burn the milk again if you can’t control yourself, Viktor.Viktor laughs against my lips, breathless and smug.Viktor: Jayce, respectfully. I could not give less of a fuck about your hot chocolate right now.I don’t think I’ve ever heard him swear before. It catches me off guard and I pretend to be offended, clasping my chest with my hand.Me: Viktor, language.He clicks his tongue and turns his body back towards the stove, returning his attention to the milk again.But I’m not done with him yet.I press my body into his back and slide my hand up his sweater vest, before licking his neck hungrily. His breath hitches and he lets out a soft moan, tilting his neck to the side to give me more skin to trace with my tongue.
I waste no time in biting down on his soft skin.I can hear him trying to suppress a whimper and failing.It’s so hot.Seeing him like this.Feeling him like this.I can’t keep my hands off of him. I need more.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’ve never needed anything more in my entire life.Than him.Than this.Than the way he feels against me.Under me, pulling me in like I’m something he’s been starving for.Like if he lets me go he’ll lose something vital.That realization alone sends a wave of heat to my hips.I grip his waist, pressing him back against the counter with enough force to make him gasp against my mouth. The sound does something to me. Something dangerous.Viktor: Mm. Eager, are we?His voice is teasing, but there’s a breathlessness to it that betrays him. I know how badly he wants me, and it’s enough to tip me over the edge. I don’t even think he realises how tightly he’s gripping my hoodie and how his hands are trembling.He’s holding onto me like he’s bracing for something inevitable. A devious grin spreads on my face as I realise just how much control I have.He’s in trouble.Me: You say that like you’re not just as bad.Viktor hums, tilting his head like he’s considering my words.But he doesn’t argue.Because he can’t.I lean in again, pressing a kiss to the side of his jaw. Trailing lower until I reach that spot just beneath his ear. The one that made him whimper earlier.I test the waters pressing a slow, deliberate kiss there.His breath catches.I do it again.And again.Viktor exhales sharply, his hands gripping my hoodie like he’s barely holding himself together. His head tips back slightly, giving me more room and I take it without hesitation.Me: You like that, huh?Viktor lets out a breathless chuckle, but it’s strained.Viktor: You are getting ahead of yourself, Jayce.Me: Am I?I nip at his neck just enough to leave a mark, feeling him tremble against me. His hips press forward instinctively, and I swallow down a groan at the feeling of him grinding against my hips.Viktor: You are.He says it like a warning, but it doesn’t land.Not when his nails are digging in to my back like he’s trying to make sure I don’t go anywhere.Me: Then stop me.I challenge him, dragging my tongue down his throat and savouring the way his breath stutters. The way his body reacts before his mind can catch up.But he doesn’t stop me.He won’t.Because he doesn’t want to.Viktor: You-A sudden hiss fills the air, and we both jolt. We forgot the fucking milk again. Viktor groans, tipping his head back against the cabinet with a huff and a light bang.I bite back a laugh, stepping away just enough to give him space, though I don’t move my hands from his waist.Me: That’s twice now. Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something.Viktor exhales a slow breath, rubbing a hand down his face before looking at me with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.Viktor: Yes. That you should not be allowed in my kitchen.Me: Oh please. I wasn’t the one who got distracted first.Viktor raises an eyebrow at me, tilting his head.Viktor: You pinned me against the counter.Me: And you liked it.He doesn’t argue. He just smirks, shaking his head as he turns back toward the stove, muttering something under his breath in his Czech.I grin, leaning back against the counter as I watch him take the pot off the stove.Me: So, third time’s the charm?Viktor: For the hot chocolate? Perhaps.He glances at me from the corner of his eye, his smirk deepening.Viktor: For us? We shall see.And just like that, the tension is back.The air between us still charged, still heavy with the weight of everything that just happened.I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone like this before.And I don’t think I’ve ever been wanted like this before.The thought alone makes my head spin.I exhale, shoving my hands in my pockets to stop myself from reaching for him again.Me: Guess we’ll just have to wait and find out, huh?Viktor: Yes, Jayce. We will.Viktor hums, throwing the pot in the sink and folding his arms.Viktor: We are not winning this battle.He stands there holding his spoon like a weapon, lowering it in defeat.Me: A tragic loss. Should I offer a moment of silence?Viktor: No. I have a better idea.He shooes me away from the counter and wipes his hands on a towel before gesturing vaguely toward the rest of the apartment.Viktor: Since you seem determined to make yourself at home, I suppose I should show you where everything is.I raise an eyebrow.Me: Oh? You trust me enough to give me the full tour? What if I start laying traps? Strategically placing..I don’t know, obnoxious little reminders of my presence everywhere?Viktor hums, as he leads the way out of the kitchen, glancing back at me with an amused glint in his eyes.Viktor: You are already doing that simply by existing.Oh.Me: Ouch. That almost sounded like a compliment. Careful Viktor, it’ll go straight to my head.Viktor shrugs and continues walking, cane tapping softly against the floorboards.His apartment is compact, but clearly well lived in. It’s the kind of space that feels both intentionally decorated and cluttered at the same time. There are a stacks of books everywhere. On the coffee table, the armrest of the couch, even precariously balanced on his radiator.Inside of his study are scattered notes pinned to the wall. Some in messy handwriting, others looking like complex equations that I can only pretend to understand. I didn’t notice the walls before, my mind must’ve been occupied with something else.Viktor: You are allowed to touch things.He speaks dryly, glancing at me. I didn’t realise, but I’ve been keeping my hands firmly at my sides like a kid in a museum.Me: You say that now, but what if I start messing with your system? Move something slightly out of place? Shift a single book to a different stack?Viktor turned on his heel to face me, narrowing his eyes.Viktor: That would be an act of war.I smirk, folding my arms and leaning on my hip.Me: We’re already at war, remember?Viktor tilts his head slightly, considering.Viktor: Then let us call it..escalation.My pulse throbs in my throat as I move closer to him, just enough to feel the warmth radiating off his body. He doesn’t move away.Me: That a warning?Viktor’s gaze flickers over my face, slow, assessing.Viktor: That is a promise.For a second, neither of us move.The air between us is charged, thick with something unspoken but very pleasant.Viktor sighs and turns back toward the hallway.Viktor: Come. Before you start loitering in my study like an abandoned pet.I click my tongue and shake my head.Me: This tour better be worth it.Viktor doesn’t look back when he speaks but his voice is laced with something I’m definitely going to overthink later.Viktor: Oh, I can very well guarantee it will be worth it, Jayce.I follow him, watching the way he moves. Deliberate and effortless, like he’s completely at home in his space. Which obviously, he is.But there’s something different about seeing him like this.Not as the sharp tongued genius in a lab, surrounded by equations and half finished projects. Not as the man I spend my days locked in debate with, challenging and being challenged in return. Not as the 9 feet tall mechanical god in a realm of twisted trees and endless horizons.Just Viktor. In his own space. Existing.And I’m here.Allowed to see it.He pauses at a doorway, glancing at me over his shoulder.Viktor: Well? Are you coming, or are you simply going to stand there looking awed?Me: Awed? Please. If anything, I’m just shocked at the lack of secret passageways.Viktor huffs a laugh, shaking his head as he pushes the door open.Viktor: You assume I would show you all of my secrets at once? That is a sore mistake.Me: Oh? So you’re hiding things from me now?I step closer, tilting my head as I watch the corner of his mouth twitch upward. His fingers tighten around his cane, grip flexing.Viktor: Not hiding. Simply withholding.Me: That’s just a fancy word for keeping secrets.Viktor hums, noncommittal, as he gestures me inside the next room.It’s his bedroom.Oh.The space is small like the rest of his apartment, but there’s an undeniable intimacy to it.Books stacked haphazardly on the nightstand, a coffee mug with a mouthful of black coffee left over from this morning. His bed is slightly unmade. His blankets twisted as if he’d left in a hurry. It smells like him. Like warm linen and ink mixed with something faintly citrusy.I exhale slowly, watching as he leans his cane against the bedframe before turning to face me fully.Viktor: You are very quiet all of a sudden.Me: Just..taking it all in.My voice is rougher than I mean it to be.Viktor notices.His gaze sharpens, flickering down to my mouth before looking back up to my eyes, slowly and deliberately.I swallow.Me: You really trust me in here? What if I start-Viktor: If you make another joke about sabotage, I will personally escort you out.Me: Would you?I step closer, testing my theory. I think he’s just as nervous as I am. He has a confident front but it’s cracking. I see right through it. His breath hitches, just slightly as I enter his space.Me: Because I don’t think you want me to leave.Viktor exhales, slow and controlled like he’s willing himself to stay composed.Viktor: You are getting ahead of yourself again, Jayce.Me: And you’re letting me.I reach out slowly, brushing my fingers against his wrist. He doesn’t pull away. Doesn’t stop me. He just watches. His amber eyes glint in the dim lighting, lips parted like he’s on the verge of saying something damning.Viktor: I should..It’s barely a whisper.I step even closer, my chest nearly brushing his. My heart is thundering in my ribs, each beat urging me forward, forward, forward.Me: But you won’t.His breath shudders, just slightly. Enough to be noticeable. Enough to send a thrill up my spine. But before I can do anything more..before either of us can push this charged moment into something irreversible, Viktor closes his eyes and exhales deeply. Like he’s pressing some private thought back into place.
Like he’s reining himself in. Grounding himself.Then before I can react, he moves.A shift in weight. A slight adjustment of balance. His hands reach out for my hoodie, and suddenly I’m the one being pulled forward.Not into a kiss. Not into another teasing battle for control. But into him.A full bodied, deliberate hug.My breath catches in my throat.He holds me close, pressing his cheek against my chest, his arms tightening around me in a way that feels safe. Not desperate. Not hungry. Just solid. Warm.I exhale and let my own arms come up, wrapping around him tightly in return. One hand slides up into his hair, running my fingertips through his soft waves and letting his hair fall back across his cheek. We start to sway. The movement unintentional at first but then settling into something rhythmic. Something steady.My eyes flutter shut.Me: You know, Viktor. I haven’t been ruminating nearly as much. Since you.Viktor hums softly against me.Me: I haven’t been overthinking everything to death. Haven’t been-I swallow.Me: I guess what I’m trying to say here is that you help, Viktor. You really, really help. You keep me here.It’s not poetic. Not perfectly phrased. But he gets it. I know he does.There’s a pause. Then-Viktor: That is quite sappy, Jayce.I huff a quiet laugh into his hair before nuzzling my face into it.Me: Yeah. And?Viktor chuckles, and I can feel the way his body shakes slightly with it. Warm. Familiar. He doesn’t pull away. Just lets me hold him, lets himself exist in my arms for a little while longer.Eventually when our swaying slows, we move to sit onto the edge of his bed. Shoulder to shoulder, our legs stretched out in front of us. The warmth of the moment lingers in my chest.I start to realise just how nice this evening has been. How I could never have imagined how confident he makes me. How brazen I get when I’m in his company. How soft his hair is. How I’ve kissed him multiple times tonight and not once did I regret it. How I never want tonight to end.My thought process is swiftly broken by Viktor tackling me sideways and pulling me into a big, squeezy cuddle.Me: What the-Viktor: If we are at war, I am simply asserting dominance.I laugh, wriggling a bit but ultimately letting myself be engulfed.Me: Oh, so this is a tactical maneuver?Viktor: Obviously.I let my head rest against his shoulder, grinning as I feel the vibrations of his soft laughter.Me: Hm. Bold strategy. What’s your next move, oh great warlord?Viktor hums, thinking. Then, with a lazy flick of his fingers, he reaches for his phone. A few taps. A quiet pause.Then..music.I recognize it almost immediately.My breath catches.It’s the playlist I made for him.I glance down at him, heart stumbling in my chest.He meets my gaze, an amused glint in his eyes like he knows exactly what he’s done.Viktor: Hm. What an interesting selection of songs.I don’t even have words. Just a mess of feelings tangling up in my throat.Viktor smirks, settling back against my shoulder as the song plays on.Viktor: Tell me, Jayce. Is this a surrender? Or an escalation? Me: I’m not telling you shit, Vik.He laughs softly with pride, like he just won a round of a game we didn’t agree to playing.I shift slightly, just enough to guide Viktor down until he’s resting against my chest.He lets me, which is the part that really gets me. No resistance, no teasing remark. Just a quiet hum as he settles in, his breath warm against my collarbone.The playlist keeps playing, the familiar melody filling the quiet between us. Absentmindedly, I start humming along while my fingers draw slow, lazy, heart shapes against Viktor’s back. I don’t think he notices.Then, because I can’t help myself, I press a kiss to his forehead.I feel his breathing stop for a second, before starting back up.I grin.Me: What? Too much?Viktor huffs, shifting slightly like he’s debating whether or not to argue. Before he can, I lean in again, this time pressing a soft kiss to the bridge of his nose.Then one to his cheek.Then, because I know exactly what I’m doing, I trail down to my favourite beauty marks scattered across his face. One. Then another.And that’s when he laughs.Not just a quiet chuckle or an amused hum, but a real, unguarded laugh. Light, breathless and so warm.And I swear if I could live in one moment forever, it would be this one.Me: Damn. Gonna have to kiss you more often if that’s the reaction I get.Viktor: Hm. Dangerous knowledge to have.His voice is softer than usual. Sleepy. I grin against his temple and just hold him, letting the warmth of him seep into my skin.We stay like that for a while. Long enough for the playlist to move through a few more songs. Long enough for the hum of Viktor’s breathing to slow, his body growing heavier against me. But then, after a little while, he shifts. Just barely.And that’s when I realise that he’s shivering.I frown, looking down.Me: Cold?Viktor huffs, clearly annoyed at the involuntary reaction.Viktor: A little.I don’t hesitate.Tugging at my hoodie, I pull it over my head and bunch it up before handing it to him.Me: Here. Put this on.Viktor wastes no time, pushing himself up just enough to slip out of his sweater vest and unbutton his shirt. The fabric slides off his shoulders, and before I can even process the fact that Viktor is half undressed in front of me, he’s already tugging my hoodie over his head.It’s too big on him, obviously.It hangs loose at the collar, the sleeves falling past his fingertips. He pushes the sleeves up slightly, and I catch a whiff of my own cologne clinging to the fabric.
Something warm and possessive tugs at my ribs. It’s like I’ve imprinted on him. I hate how much I love the idea of him being mine and only mine. I try to deflect the sudden wave of possessiveness.Me: You’ve got an entire apartment filled with thick knitwear, and you’re still after the one thing you can’t have.Viktor raises an eyebrow, tying the drawstrings of my hoodie into a bow, as if to emphasize the fact that he very much can have it.Viktor: I clearly can have it, Jayce.He gestures vaguely to our current situation.Viktor: You are in my bed, are you not?My brain stutters.I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head.Me: Alright, fair point.Viktor smirks, clearly pleased with himself.I roll my eyes, tugging him back down into my chest.Me: Now come here and get warm before you perish. Viktor shifts against me as he settles in again, my hoodie swallowing him whole.I swear if I had even a fraction less self control, I’d be losing my mind over the sight of him like this. Drowning in my clothes, smelling like me, curled up against my chest like he belongs there. Like he’s always belonged there.I run my fingers through his hair, slowly and deliberately just to see if he’ll make that quiet little sigh again.He does. I bite back a grin.Me: Comfortable?Viktor: Hm. Passable.His voice is muffled against my shoulder, but I can hear the smirk in it. I pinch his cheek in retaliation and he exhales a sharp breath, shifting slightly but making no move to escape.Viktor: If this is how you treat a guest in your bed, Jayce, I am beginning to question your hospitality.Me: My bed?I raise a brow, tilting my head down to look at him properly.Me: I’m pretty sure we’re in your bed, Vik.Viktor lifts his head slightly, peering up at me with an expression that is far too smug for someone currently using me as a human mattress.Viktor: Hm. That depends.Me: On what, exactly?Viktor: On how long you plan on staying.He says it so offhandedly. So casually, like it’s just another piece of witty banter to be exchanged. But I know better. I know him. And I see the way his fingers tighten slightly where they rest against my ribs. Like maybe he’s bracing for something. Like he doesn’t want to think about letting me go.Something cold settles in my chest.Me: How long do you want me to stay?The question comes out quieter than I mean it to.Viktor doesn’t answer right away.Instead, he exhales slowly. Eyes flickering over my face like he’s weighing his options. Deciding how much of himself he’s willing to give away in this moment.Then, finally, just when I start to think he won’t answer at all-Viktor: Indefinitely sounds reasonable.My breath catches.He’s joking.Obviously, he’s joking.But there’s something about the way he says it. The way his voice softens, just slightly. The way he refuses to break eye contact, like he’s daring me to challenge him on it.I don’t.Instead, I smile. Something warm and easy, something that makes my chest ache in a way I’m not quite ready to unpack.Me: Yeah, Vik. Sounds reasonable to me too. We spend another 5 minutes talking about absolutely nothing before we fall into a deep sleep. 8AM. The silence in the room is almost peaceful. The only sound is Viktor’s steady breathing. His soft exhale rising and falling against my chest like a slow, comforting rhythm. I don’t want to move, not yet. My body is so warm from the proximity, the soft press of Viktor’s weight against me is keeping me grounded, like a constant pull that keeps me tethered in this moment.I feel the familiar rush of heat against my skin. My shirt must’ve slipped off at some point in the night. I always overheat so easily. It’s not unusual, but it’s a little strange to wake up without it in Viktors house of all places.I glance down at Viktor. His face is so close, so real. There’s something about the way he looks while he sleeps. So utterly unguarded.His nose is slightly crooked, something I’ve never really noticed in the middle of all his sharp, focused expressions. But here with him so close, it’s clear. And I think it only makes him more perfect. It gives him character. He’s not some flawless, unattainable figure in the distance. He’s real, in front of me, with all the tiny imperfections that make him who he is.I let my eyes wander lower, to his lips.
They’re chapped. The roughness barely visible in the dim light. I want to kiss them again, but I don’t. I stay still, watching the subtle rise and fall of his chest.His skin is impossibly clear, but beneath his eyes there are deep bags. A telltale sign of dehydration and too many sleepless nights. He doesn’t take care of himself. At least not like he should, and for the first time I wonder if I can do something to change that.The weight of his body on mine is comforting, but my thoughts drift to his flaws. The kind that no one sees when they look at him from the outside. His perfection isn’t in the way people perceive him, but in how he exists.
Here, right next to me. In his quiet, unspoken vulnerability.As my eyes trace the outline of his face, something catches my attention. A small bundle at the corner of the bed.Clementine.She must have toddled in here sometime during the night, curled up at our feet. She looks so tiny in comparison to the two of us. Her face is tucked into the crook of her paws, her tiny body forming a perfect ball of warmth.I smile softly. I never expected her to find her way into our space, but it makes me realise something.This feels like home.The warmth of both of them.Viktor, still half dreaming against me and Clementine, safely tucked in on the corner of the bed. The moment settles into my chest. I could stay here forever, just this quiet, perfect moment.I don’t move. Not yet. I don’t want to disturb him. I don’t want to break this fragile, fleeting thing we’ve created between us.Viktor is here.And so is Clementine. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt more content in my entire life.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The soft warmth of Viktor’s breath against my chest stirs and I can feel the faint shift in his posture as he begins to wake up. His brow furrows just slightly before he blinks his eyes open, adjusting to the light.For a moment, his gaze lingers on me and I can practically see the realization dawning on him as he takes in my shirtless state. Real subtle.A slow, amused smirk forms on his lips as he tries a lot harder to open his eyes, his voice laced with sarcasm.Viktor: Well, this is unexpected. Do you usually sleep like this? Or is this just a special treat for me?I chuckle. I knew he’d say something. But before I can tease him back, his fingers act on instinct, grazing along the bare skin of my chest.The touch is light and deliberate. I can feel the coolness of his fingertips against my skin. A shudder runs down my spine. The sensation catches me off guard but I don’t pull away. Instead I let him continue, unable to stop the way my body reacts to the simple intimate touch.His fingertips trace slow lines down my torso, and I swallow the soft breath that’s caught in my throat, fighting the temptation to pull him closer.Viktor: Did you have any dreams?He asks. His voice is soft but it carries a note of curiosity. As though he’s still half lost in the drowsy fog of sleep.I hesitate for a second, then shake my head.Me: Nah, no dreams for me.My voice is quieter, much slower as I say the next part.Me: But I was awake long enough this morning to realise that I’m pretty sure I’m living my dream.I can see his expression shift at my words. The corners of his lips curling into something softer than his usual smirk. His hand stills against my skin for a moment and I feel him nuzzle into my chest. A small sigh escapes him.It’s rare for Viktor to let his guard down like this, even if it is in the comfort of sleep.Viktor: Hmm..He murmurs, his voice muffled against my skin.Viktor: That is a nice thought. I like when you are nice.I smile, the warmth in my chest deepening as I gently stroke his hair. I’d never imagined myself in a moment like this but now that I’m here, I don’t ever want to leave.After a beat, I pull back slightly to meet his eyes.Me: What about you? Any dreams?Viktor’s eyes narrow, a sly glint entering his gaze.Viktor: I did.He says, his lips slowly, slowly curving into a wicked grin.Viktor: It was about a gorgeous man who wandered into my kitchen and burned almost a litre of milk in one night.I burst out laughing at the absurdity of it. Cheeky.Me: That sounds like a nightmare, Viktor. who would do such a thing?He shrugs, unbothered. His smirk never fading.Viktor: It would have been a nightmare if it was anyone else but you.I raise an eyebrow, my laughter dying down but still carrying a playful edge.Me: So you’re saying you find my disastrous cooking..charming?Viktor’s eyes soften, the teasing edge of his voice slipping away.Viktor: You could say that. Though I would prefer if my milk remained unburned next time.I laugh again, quieter this time. I’m enjoying the way he’s letting me in, even with his sarcastic facade.It’s strange. How something as simple as a dream, no matter how ridiculous, could make everything feel so real. And perfect.Me: Next time..I tease, brushing his hair away from his face.Me: I’ll try not to ruin the kitchen.Viktor leans into my touch, his smile still present but more genuine now.Viktor: I look forward to it.The morning is slow and almost lazy. I can feel every second ticking by as I lay there, tangled up in the warmth of Viktor’s body. Not in a bad way, more in a way that I don’t want to ever end.The way his hand rests against my chest, fingers lazily drawing patterns along my skin. There’s something so soft about it, something so tender that I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.The world outside might be moving but right here we’re together in this perfect, quiet moment.I shift slightly, not wanting to break the stillness but needing to feel him closer. His body reacts instinctively, pulling me a little tighter, his breath steady against my neck. I can’t help but smile at how effortless it is, how natural it feels to be like this with him.Me: You know, this feels..good.I don’t know why I say it. Maybe it’s just the warmth between us, the way he feels pressed up against me. Maybe it’s because I want him to know that in this moment, I’m happy. REALLY happy.Viktor’s response is a hum. Barely a sound, but it’s enough to send a shiver through me. His fingers slide up to my shoulder, just brushing the skin there as he pulls away slightly to look at me. His eyes are soft andhalf lidded, still heavy with the remnants of sleep.Viktor: It does.His voice is low, still a little rough from just waking up and it sends a thrill down my spine. He smiles at me, that crooked smile of his that always gets me. I don’t know what it is about it. It’s not technically perfect, he has the slightest snaggle tooth, but it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.I reach up, gently brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. My fingers stay lingering on his skin. He closes his eyes at the touch, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips.I’m getting lost in the moment. In the warmth of his body. In the softness of his touch. In the company of my dream person wearing my hoodie and looking indefinitely better than I do in it.His hand drifts lower, finding mine in the bed sheets. His fingers slot between mine like they were made for their sole purpose of fitting together. We don’t say anything, not for a while. We just lay here, our fingers intertwined. Both of us content to let the silence stretch between us.Viktor: I have never met anyone like you.His words are so quiet I almost wonder if I imagined them. He shifts closer, resting his head on my chest again. I can feel the weight of his words settle into the air around us, heavy but not in a way that feels suffocating. It’s comforting, like a promise.Me: I’m not going anywhere.I say it before I really think about it, but it’s true. I don’t want to leave, not now, not ever. I just want to stay here in this moment, with him.Viktor shifts again, pressing his lips against my collarbone. His breath is warm against my skin. The kiss is light, almost teasing but it leaves a trail of warmth behind it. I tilt my head down, pressing a kiss to his temple in return. Just a simple, quiet gesture but it feels like the most intimate thing we’ve shared.We spend what feels like hours like this. Playing with each other’s fingers, tracing shapes on each other’s skin. Sharing soft, lingering kisses. There’s no rush. No pressure. Just the two of us, wrapped up in each other, enjoying the quiet simplicity of being together.Eventually, the outside world begins to creep in. The sun rises higher, but I can’t bring myself to care. All I want is this. More of this.Me: You’re perfect, you know that?Viktor chuckles softly, his voice is muffled against my chest but I hear the smile in it.Viktor: Perfect, hm? You really are full of compliments this morning, Jayce.I laugh, pressing a kiss to his hair.Me: Maybe I just like making you blush.He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, his chest vibrating against mine and I can’t help but smile. He might be teasing me, but there’s something so sweet about it. It’s like this quiet little game we have. Who can make the other smile more, who can steal the other’s breath away with a simple touch.And for once, I don’t feel the need to rush. I’m not worried about what comes next or about what I’m supposed to do. I’m just here, with him. And that’s enough.I trace my thumb over the smooth band of his Claddagh ring, feeling the cool metal shift slightly against his skin. It’s a small thing, barely even a movement but it tugs at something deep in my chest.I remember the way I felt that night. The stupid twist of jealousy, the heat curling in my gut at the thought of him with someone else. It makes me cringe remembering how embarrassing I was, honestly. I was so jealous.A feeling I wasn’t ready to acknowledge back then.Now, though.. now, it’s different.The jealousy is long gone, replaced by something quieter. Something real. Something only I can feel.Me: You always wear this.My voice comes out softer than I intend. I don’t mean to get sentimental about it, but I guess I already have.Viktor hums, his fingers brushing against mine as he shifts closer.Viktor: I do.I glance down at our hands, at the way his fits so easily in mine. I could make a joke, deflect the weight in my chest like I always do. But I don’t want to. Not with him. Not now.Me: It suits you.Viktor tilts his head, watching me. There’s something in his eyes, something knowing, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he squeezes my fingers, grounding. Steady.Viktor: It does. Though, I do believe that you suit me more.I huff a laugh, rolling my eyes.Me: Yeah, yeah.Viktor smirks, but it softens when I tighten my hold on him.Because, really, I don’t care that much about the ring. I don’t care about the past, or the stupid jealousy I felt or the way I used to overthink every little thing.I care about him. And the fact that I get to be here, holding his hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world.I stretch my arms above my head, my muscles shiver in protest as I glance down at him. Viktor is still curled against me, his hand resting loosely in mine.Me: So, coffee? I’m sure we can fix our track record this time..I think.Viktor blinks up at me, his expression unreadable for a moment before he huffs out a quiet laugh.Viktor: Tempting. But I think we would get distracted. And I am NOT wasting any more milk.I smirk.Me: Like last night?Viktor: Exactly like last night.He presses his face into my shoulder, like that’ll somehow stop me from seeing the tiny smile on his lips. I squeeze his hand once before shifting to sit up.Me: Alright, how about a walk? We can grab coffee and get some air. Or I can catch a cab home right away. Your choice.I’m bluffing obviously. Half considering nailing myself to the floorboards so I don’t have to leave.Viktor hums, considering his options as if it’s a hard decision, then he nods.Viktor: That sounds acceptable. The coffee part. You do not have a choice in leaving. You will be staying.I grin, dragging myself out of bed before offering him a hand. He takes it, rolling his eyes at my dramatics but accepting my touch anyway. The air outside is crisp, a welcome contrast to the warmth still clinging to my skin from sleep. Viktor walks beside me, his pace a little slower but steady. His cane tapping against the pavement in a familiar rhythm.He managed to give me my hoodie back after tough negotiations. Though I secretly tucked it into his wardrobe for him to find at a time where he really needs it. He hasn’t realised I’m not wearing it anymore but my coat is so thick, I doubt he would be able to tell if I was.It’s nice out. Peaceful. The kind of morning I could get used to. Definitely if Viktor is with me.When we reach the cafe I open the door for him with a little flourish. He just shakes his head, stepping inside like this is the most normal thing in the world.I glance up at the menu, pretending to debate when I already know exactly what I’m getting.Me: Black coffee for you, my liege?Viktor nods, already pulling out his wallet. I pluck it out of his hands and slide it into my pocket.Me: My treat.He gives me a look, but I ignore it in favour of placing our order.Me: One black coffee. And a caramel Frappuccino. Extra whip. Caramel drizzle.I glance at Viktor just in time to catch the way his lips twitch.Me: Dont.Viktor: I would never.He says it so seriously and so earnestly, but his eyes betray him. He is visibly struggling not to smile, and not because he thinks it’s embarrassing. No, it’s worse than that. He looks at me like I’m the most ridiculous thing he’s ever seen. Like I’m not gonna hear the end of this any time soon.We take a seat at a corner table outside.I cross my arms trying not to grin as the barista, who has been eyeing Viktor with a familiar sort of amusement, brings our drinks over. I feel a twang of possessiveness over how she smiles at him. I don’t know if they’re friends or if I’m just insane. But I don’t like it one bit.Barista: Here you go- oh!She gasps, eyes flickering between Viktor and me before landing squarely on him.Barista: Is this him?She says it quietly, but not so quietly that I don’t hear.Viktors eyes widen, looking at her with an intense stare.And then, as if he’s a chameleon, his entire face flushes red.He gives her an intense look, lips pressing together as he raises a hand to cover part of his face.Viktor: Thank you for the drinks.He grabs them both with a level of urgency I wasn’t expecting, immediately attempting to usher her away like that’ll undo whatever just happened.I blink then glance between them, realization dawning slow and warm in my chest.Me: Him?The barista lets her eyes wander over me for a moment too long before she leans in close to Viktor, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.Barista: I can’t wait to hear about this later.I almost don’t catch it. Almost. But my ears are tuned into Viktor like a damn radio frequency. I see the way his shoulders stiffen, the way his fingers tighten around his cup just slightly.I take a slow sip of my drink, studying him behind the mountain of whipped cream.Me: Something you wanna share with the class?Viktor exhales through his nose, shaking his head as he stirs his coffee.Viktor: No.Me: Mm. Pity.I tilt my head, dragging my straw through the whipped cream just to give myself a moment before I push further.Me: So you talk about me.He huffs, finally meeting my gaze and there’s something in his eyes I can’t quite place.Viktor: I may have.. mentioned you.Me: Just mentioned?Viktor: Just mentioned.Me: Ah.. I see. Just mentioned, but she’s desperate to hear the latest installment of The Viktor Diaries.Viktor exhales sharply, lifting his coffee to his lips.Viktor: Jayce.Me: No, no, I love this. Do you give her weekly updates? Charts? PowerPoints?Viktor: You are being insufferable.I grin, nudging his knee under the table.Me: And yet, you just mentioned me in passing to your local barista.He sighs, dragging a hand through his hair but I don’t miss the way his lips twitch, the way the tips of his ears are still a little pink.Viktor: Go. Drink your sugar abomination.Me: Gladly.I take an obnoxiously long sip, but my heart is hammering in my chest.Because Viktor talks about me.A lot apparently.And now I have to figure out how to be normal about knowing that.Viktor is a private person, so it’s a big deal that he confided in this barista. It’s a weird combination. I push it a little.Me: So how do you know her? Just a barista customer kinda thing? Or did you know her before the coffee thing?I realise just how jealous I sound the second the words leave my mouth, a sour taste in their place. He quirks a brow at me.Viktor: Am I sensing Jealousy, Jayce?I scoff and clutch my chest in mock offence.Me: Don’t be ridiculous. But like, also I do want to know. For reasons.He clicks his tongue and shakes his head.Viktor: Her name is Sky and we went to the same university. We had one mutual class and both enjoyed discussing creations and inventions.His words are factual with no emotion behind them, but my stomach churns with a tinge of jealousy at the thought of them being as close are we are.He reads my mind. It’s almost annoying.Viktor: We were never romantically involved. She did ask me on a date once, however as I am sure you can connect the dots, I am not interested in such advances from.. a woman. I try to fight the smile that tugs at my lips, but I don’t think I’m very successful. He’s not even looking at me, swirling his coffee like it holds the secrets of the universe. But I catch the way his fingers tap against the cup, the way he shifts just slightly in his chair.Me: Yeah? And how exactly did you turn her down?Viktor: Politely.Me: Uh huh.I take another long sip of my drink, waiting him out. He sighs through his nose.Viktor: And perhaps a bit awkwardly.Me: Oh, I would pay actual money to have seen that.He shakes his head, the corner of his mouth twitching.Viktor: I am sure you would have found it entertaining.Me: You have no idea.He finally glances up at me then, eyes warm and clearly trying to scan my face for some kind of smug reaction. My fingers twitch against the side of my cup, itching to reach for him. But I don’t. Not yet.Me: So. You never told me what exactly you’ve been saying about me.Viktor hums, setting his cup down with deliberate slowness.Viktor: Perhaps if you ask nicely.Me: I did. I think.Viktor: That was not nicely. That was ‘I am going to tease you relentlessly until you give me what I want.’Me: And?He lets out a quiet laugh, but he doesn’t deny it.And then, as if reading my mind, he exhales softly and taps his fingers against the rim of his cup.Viktor: I may have spoken of you fondly.My stomach flips.Me: Fondly? Do elaborate. I’m on the edge of my folding outdoor chair.He huffs a laugh, lifting his coffee back to his lips.Viktor: Your diabetes is getting room temperature, Jayce. Drink up.I grin, leaning my elbow on the table to rest my chin in my palm as I watch him.Me: Right after you admit you’re obsessed with me.Viktor: You have a very inflated ego. Me: Can you blame me? Look what I pulled. Viktor clicks his tongue and shoots a look in my direction, but I catch the flicker of amusement in his eyes before he forces his expression into something more neutral.Viktor: You pulled nothing. I am still deciding if I will let myself be pulled.Me: Oh? So you’re just hanging around me for fun?Viktor nods, taking a slow sip of his coffee.Viktor: The entertainment value is significant.I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest.Me: Entertainment value? That’s all I am to you? A clown for your amusement? A court jester for you, my king?Viktor: Clown is an accurate term, yes.I drop my jaw in mock offense, and he has the audacity to look pleased with himself. His fingers tap idly against the table and I know, I just know that he’s waiting for me to take the bait. To throw something ridiculous back at him.But I don’t.Instead, I take another sip of my drink. My eyes study his expression before dropping lower. His posture is relaxed, but there’s an energy simmering under the surface. Something warm and fond that makes my chest ache in a way I don’t know what to do with.Me: You like me.He huffs, setting his cup down with a little too much care.Viktor: Do not be ridiculous.Me: No, no, it’s okay. You don’t have to say it. I can see it.Viktor: I said nothing.Me: I just told you that you don’t have to.I grin, nudging his foot under the table.Me: Your little barista friend already told me everything I need to know.Viktor groans softly, tipping his head back in his chair.Viktor: You are never going to let go of this, are you?Me: Absolutely not.Viktor sighs, but there’s a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Like he’s already resigned himself to whatever nonsense I’m about to put him through.I take another slow sip of my Frappuccino. Me: So. How fondly are we talking?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Our coffee cups are now mostly empty, the soft hum of the cafe fills the quiet space between us. He sits with one leg tucked beneath him, stirring the last of his coffee like it holds the meaning of life.I lean against the table watching him. Waiting.Yeah, I know that look.Me: Alright. Spit it out.Viktor blinks up at me, feigning confusion.Viktor: Spit what out?I raise a brow.Me: The thing you’ve been thinking about for the past ten minutes. The thing making you stare into that cup like it’s about to start speaking to you.He exhales shaking his head, but there’s a small smile there. Barely noticeable.Viktor: It is not important.I stand up and drag my chair closer and dropping it down beside him. Close enough that our knees touch.Me: I’ll be the judge of that.Viktor is quiet for a moment, fingers tapping once against the table. Then, softer and more thoughtful-Viktor: Do you remember the red velvet cake?It takes me a second. Then it clicks.The burnt mess of sugar and flour.The way he had gone stiff, barely able to speak to me after pulling it out of the oven. The way he had apologised over and over, like he’d ruined something bigger than just dessert.My stomach twists at the memory.Me: Yeah. I do.Viktor sighs, staring into his coffee like it holds his next words.Viktor: I was..ashamed.I frown, shifting so I can see him better.Me: Viktor-Viktor: I wanted everything to be perfect. And I failed.There’s no bitterness in his voice, just something quiet. Something purely factual. Something almost resigned. I open my mouth to say something, but he beats me to it.Viktor: But last night, when we ruined the milk..I did not feel that way.I blink.Me: Because you don’t actually care about milk?He nudges my knee, amusement flickering in his eyes.Viktor: Because I realised.. I do not have to be perfect. Not with you. You simply enjoy me for who I am. And not for what I may be able to provide to you.My chest goes tight.His fingers curl slightly around his cup, his gaze still distant.Viktor: I feel comfortable around you. Even when I am..imperfect.Something about the way he says it makes my throat close up. He has never been this raw and honest before.I don’t think.I just reach for him, prying his fingers from the cup, turning his palm over in my hand. I run my thumb over his knuckles, feeling the warmth of his skin before lifting his hand and pressing a slow kiss to the back of it.His breath catches for a split moment, I notice it immediately.I let my lips linger for a moment, just long enough to feel his pulse flutter beneath my touch before I pull back.Me: Viktor. I think you’re perfect.Viktor exhales a laugh, but it’s quiet and a little shaky.Viktor: You are so dramatic.I grin.Me: Says the man who mourned a cake like it was a fallen soldier.He clicks his tongue, tugging his hand free just so he can press it against his face.Viktor: I take it back. You are unbearable.I nudge his knee again, watching the tips of his ears turn pink.Me: And yet, you feel comfortable around me.He huffs, and folds his arms, but he doesn’t even bother denying it.I squeeze his knee.Me: So. You never finished telling me about all the nice things you say about me.Viktor makes a thoughtful noise, tilting his head.Viktor: I believe I did.Me: No, no, I distinctly remember you saying you spoke of me fondly. Which let’s be honest, is just vague enough to drive me insane.Viktor: Ah, yes. That was intentional.I narrow my eyes, locking them onto his.Me: You’re a menace.Viktor hums, sipping the rest of his coffee like he doesn’t have a single regret.Me: Okay. New angle. Would you say you ‘like’ me?He arches a brow.Viktor: You are tolerable, yes.I scoff.Me: Tolerable?Viktor: Most of the time.Me: So you DO like me.Viktor exhales through his nose, swirling his coffee.Viktor: I like you in the way one enjoys the sun. Warm, but occasionally too much.Like the sun? That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me. The implications are driving me crazy.Me: You love me.Viktor: I have never once used that word.Me: Not yet.He huffs, shaking his head.Viktor: Your ego is getting out of hand, Jayce.Me: And whos fault is that?Viktor taps his chin with a finger, pretending to consider.Viktor: Societies fault.I bark out a laugh, completely caught off guard.Me: So you’re saying it’s not because you secretly adore me?Viktor clicks his tongue.Viktor: I am saying that if you keep this up, I will start disliking you out of sheer principle.I smirk, leaning in slightly.Me: If you actually disliked me, you wouldn’t let me get away with half the things I do.Viktor eyes me for a moment, like he’s debating something. Then, finally-Viktor: ..I never said I disliked you.I pause.He takes a final sip of his coffee.I narrow my eyes.Me: You are so annoying.Viktor: And yet, you like me.I groan, flopping my body against his shoulder.Me: I walked right into that.Viktor smirks, entirely too pleased with himself. We walk home together shortly after we finish our drinks. It takes us all of about 10 minutes before we’re back on his doorstep.He pushes himself through the front door, keys jingling as the lock is twisted open. I take off my coat before plopping down on his couch. He doesn’t join me, I look back to the hallway and see him taking his shoes off neatly.Viktor: I am going to the bathroom. Try not to cause any disasters while I am gone.Me: No promises.He rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue, disappearing down the hall.The room is quiet for all of three seconds before I hear the soft patter of paws.I glance toward the doorway just in time to see Clementine prancing in, her tail flicking as she studies me. I stay still, watching as she considers her options.Then, with the same air of confidence Viktor has when solving equations, she hops up onto the couch and slowly curls up on my lap.I blink. She’s definitely got Viktors boldness.Me: Well. Hello there.She blinks up at me, eyes big and expectant. I huff out a quiet chuckle, reaching down to scratch behind her ears.Me: You’re a traitor, you know that? Betraying Viktor like this. I bet he’d kill to be in your spot right now.Clementine purrs, completely unbothered by whatever words I’m saying.I grin, stroking my fingers gently down her back. Her purring only gets louder, vibrating against my leg like a tiny living engine.Me: Yeah, yeah. I’m a sucker for you too.I scratch under her chin and she tilts her head into my touch. Her eyes slowly shutting.And that’s exactly how Viktor finds us when he walks back into the room.He pauses in the doorway, taking in the sight of me lounging back against the couch. Clementine curled up in my lap like she’s already decided that I belong to her now.And then he smiles.Wide.Viktor: You are being very cute today, Jayce. I believe the fondness I have for you is hereditary.I glance up, catching the way his eyes soften. The way his lips twitch like he’s trying not to grin but can’t quite help himself.Me: Well. You do keep saying I’m tolerable.Viktor smiles, stepping closer with a voice full of something warm. Viktor: Yes. Tolerable. The realisation hits me all at once and extremely hard. I’m still here. At Viktors house. I never actually left.And neither of us have said anything about it. I glance at Viktor, watching as he scratches under Clementine’s chin like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Like I belong here. Like I came with the walls of the building. Like I’ve just been folded into his space for an eternity, with no real reason to leave.I should go. I should say something. But I don’t want to.Viktor shifts, resting his chin in his palm. His voice incredibly casual when he speaks.Viktor: You know Jayce, it is getting late.I glance at the clock. It’s midday. I wouldn’t exactly call that late.Me: Is it?Viktor gives me a completely unconvincing ‘mmhmm’.Viktor: It is. And it is terribly cold outside. And public transport is unreliable. And taxis are sparse here.Me: Mm. All solid points.Viktor: I suppose that it would be wise to stay with me here for one more night. Logically speaking.I narrow my eyes, biting back a grin.Me: Logically speaking?Viktor nods, his voice still steady.Viktor: Yes. It would be strategic.Me: Ah. A war strategy.Viktor: If that is what it takes to convince you.I stretch, pretending to think about it.Me: Well. You do have the advantage. You know the terrain. And I am unarmed. Plus Clementine has executed her right to my lap. Though I’m not sure I’m completely convinced.Viktor exhales, shaking his head with a quiet laugh.Viktor: Jayce.Me: I guess considering how tactical this decision is, I suppose I have to stay. Tactically speaking of course.I settle back against the couch like I’m making some sort of great sacrifice.Viktor hums, his lips twitching.Viktor: You did not have a choice anyway.I glance at him, catching the way his eyes flicker over me. I believe his words wholeheartedly. I absolutely did not have a choice in this. I challenge him regardless while my stomach flips.Me: No?Viktor: No. You are staying.I grin, nudging his knee with mine.Me: You really are obsessed with me.Viktor scrunches his nose at me, but I don’t miss the way his fingers twitch like he’s resisting the urge to reach for me.Viktor: Keep talking, and I may reconsider.Me: Too late. You’re stuck with me now.Viktor taps my knee with his hand, letting his fingertips linger. Humming and tilting his head.Viktor: I have made worse decisions.Me: And yet, you sound so confident about this one.He exhales through his nose, tapping a rhythm on my knee with his fingers.Viktor: Confidence is a matter of perception.Me: Oh? So you’re only pretending to be confident?Viktor: No. I am simply stating that if I say something with enough certainty, it becomes difficult to argue with me.I narrow my eyes at him before they flicker down to my leg. I watch the way his fingers carefully trace absent heart shapes against my knee. I don’t think he realises he’s doing it. I won’t be the person to stop him.Me: You’re very good at arguing.Viktor hums again, clearly pleased with himself.Viktor: I know.I shake my head, stretching my arms over my head.Me: So, what’s the next part of this master plan? You’ve convinced me to stay another night. What now?Viktor glances toward his kitchen before returning his gaze to me, a glint of trouble in his eyes.Viktor: Well. I suppose we could attempt to cook something again.I arch a brow.Me: And risk another war crime?Viktor: If it happens twice, it is simply policy.I bark out a laugh, my shoulders bouncing in time with it.Me: You really have no shame, huh?Viktor exhales, standing up and stretching.Viktor: None. Now, come. Let us find out if we are capable of producing something edible.He offers me a hand, and I take it without thinking. His fingers curl around mine, warm and certain.I grin, letting him pull me up, but I don’t let any of my body weight actually rely on his pull. Me: Lead the way, General. We head into the kitchen together. Viktor stands beside me with his arms folded, eyeing the pantry like it has personally offended him.Viktor: We do not have many options. I may have neglected food shopping for some time.He’s right.But it’s too early for dinner, too late for a proper breakfast and neither of us are really hungry enough for lunch. But there’s still that lingering itch to make something. A task. A purpose. A reason to linger in the kitchen together a little longer.I run my fingers over the ingredients he has stocked up, tapping thoughtfully against a bag of flour before my gaze drifts lower.And then, it clicks.Me: Oh, Viktor. I know exactly what we’re making.Viktor glances at me. His eyes are full of skeptical assumption.Viktor: Is it something edible?Me: Even better. It’s the perfect evidence that we can actually work together as lab partners to make a perfect formula for success.He gives me a flat look.Viktor: That sounds suspiciously like propaganda.Me: What? No. It’s called motivation.Viktor: More like brainwashing.I ignore him, grabbing the bag of cocoa powder from the shelf and holding it up for him to see.Me: We’re making a red velvet cake.There’s a brief pause. Viktor eyes the cocoa powder. Then me. Then the cocoa powder again.Viktor: I am convinced you have learned nothing from history. Like all bad war participants.Me: Oh, come on. That was one failed cake. This time, we have an actual game plan. Plus, I’m here.Viktor clicks his tongue, shaking his head.Viktor: What could possibly convince me that this will go any better than last time?I lean in slightly, lowering my voice like I’m letting him in on a secret.Me: Well, Viktor This isn’t just about baking. This is the perfect battle of will.Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: A battle of will?Me: Exactly. If we can keep our hands off each other for long enough that the cake doesn’t burn, we’ll know we can actually cook and our bad luck streak is just a fluke.Viktor blinks at me, unimpressed.Viktor: Jayce. That is not an argument. That is a gamble.Me: Yeah, but it’s a fun gamble.He rubs a hand over his face, exhaling.Viktor: We are going to burn it again.Me: No, we’re going to conquer it. Where is your optimism?Viktor huffs but I can see the way his lips twitch like he’s trying not to smile.Viktor: Fine. But if this goes wrong, I am blaming you.Me: Everything goes right when I’m involved.Viktor shakes his head.Viktor: That is objectively false.His words are dry but he still rolls up his sleeves, already reaching for the sugar. Bingo.I’ve got him. The kitchen is alive with motion. Flour dusting the air, cocoa staining my fingertips. The sound of eggs cracking against the rim of a bowl.Viktor puts on an apron with some chickens embroidered on the front. I have to turn my head away from him for a moment while I gather my thoughts. He looks WAY too cute for me to focus. I clear my throat and try not to look at it too much. Obviously failing. Miserably.Viktor is careful and precise, measuring everything out to the exact gram and double checking my work over my shoulder with a skeptical glance. Meanwhile, I’m a little more hands on. Stirring with enthusiasm and tapping my fingers against the counter in anticipation of our next instruction.Me: You don’t have to supervise me, you know.Viktor: Historically, I do.I scoff, bumping his hip with my own.Me: Come on. I think we’re actually nailing it this time. We’ve got a really good thing going here.He hums, considering the batter as he folds in the dry ingredients.Viktor: Perhaps.I grin.Me: See? That’s the spirit.He shakes his head, focused on the bowl. I take the opportunity to glance at his hands. The way his fingers move carefully and much more steady than my own. His knuckles are dusted lightly with flour.And then without thinking, I reach forward and swipe a bit of cocoa powder onto his nose.Viktor goes still.Slowly..slowly, he looks up at me. His eyes narrowed.Viktor: Jayce.I poorly conceal a smirk. Even with a smear on his nose, he’s still the cutest person I’ve ever seen.Me: Yeees?There’s a beat of silence. Then, with zero hesitation he dips his finger into the batter and smears it beneath my lip.I gasp.Me: You traitor!Viktor smiles, lifting his chin.Viktor: I am simply fighting back.Me: That’s how you want to play this?Viktor: I believe I am winning. Do not bother with a rebuttal, it will be unsuccessful.I lick the batter from my lip, trying to glare at him but it’s hard when he’s looking at my tongue like he’s imagining it elsewhere.Me: Okay, okay. Truce.Viktor folds his arms and leans back on the counter, considering.Viktor: A truce would imply mutual destruction. I am perfectly fine.Me: Oh, that’s how it is?Before he can react, I swipe my finger through the batter and tap it against the tip of his nose again.Viktor: Jayce!Me: Whoops.He exhales sharply, reaching for a towel.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: And yet, here you are.Viktor wipes his nose, shaking his head.Viktor: For now.But I can tell, from the way his shoulders shake with barely contained laughter, that he’s secretly enjoying this. And honestly? So am I. By some miracle, we get the cake batter perfect.No disasters. No burnt sugar. No sudden explosions. No burns.The moment the batter is poured into the pan, I glance at Viktor triumphantly.Me: You have to admit. This is textbook perfection.Viktor studies it for a moment, arms folded.Viktor: It is acceptable.Me: That’s the best compliment I’m getting, huh?Viktor smirks.Viktor: Yes.I roll my eyes but grin as we slide the pan into the oven. And now the real test begins. We wait.Viktor leans against the counter, arms still folded. I step closer, close enough that my knuckles graze his.Viktor: We need to watch it carefully.Me: Mm. Agreed.A pause.Then I lean in slightly, voice lower.Me: But hypothetically. If I were to kiss you right now, do you think the cake would still survive?Viktor exhales, locking his eyes in mine.Viktor: This is why we failed last time. Remember?Me: Oh, so you’re saying it was mutual?Viktor: I am saying you are a bad influence.I smirk, resting my hand against the counter beside him.Me: And yet, you’re the one who insisted that I stay another night.Viktor: That was your fault.Me: No, no. Logically speaking, it was tactical.Viktor narrows his eyes.Viktor: You are going to bring that up for weeks. I just know it.Me: Months.Viktor lets out a soft groan, swiping his hands across the counter to gather the spilled flour.Viktor: I regret everything.I chuckle, reaching out to grab his wrists.Me: No, you don’t.He looks down at his flour covered hands and I see a mischievous glint twinkle in his eyes. Oh no. I don’t trust that look one bit.Before I can even begin to prepare myself for a sudden attack from Viktor, I am promptly smacked with two flour covered hands.Right on my ass.My brain goes empty. Did he just use some cooking ingredients as an excuse to fill his palms with my ass? Unbelievable.I barely manage to spit out my words. They have absolutely no authority behind them.Me: VIKTOR!!!Viktor: Yes?His tone is the picture of innocence, but his eyes are glittering with barely restrained laughter. He dusts his hands off on his apron like nothing happened. Like he didn’t just deliver the world’s most brazen sneak attack. Like I imagined it. Like I’m crazy for thinking he would do suck a thing.My eyes shoot up to his, my face flushing pink. His eyes stay on mine, steady and unwavering.Me: Did you just-Viktor tilts his head, expression perfectly neutral.Viktor: I was simply getting rid of excess flour.Me: On my ass?Viktor lifts his chin.Viktor: It was the largest surface available.I let out an incredulous laugh, running my hand through his hair.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor: You started it.Me: By putting a smudge of cocoa powder on your nose??Viktor shrugs, already turning back to the counter.Viktor: Actions have consequences, Jayce.He says it so smoothly, so smugly, like he hasn’t just committed a war crime. My mouth opens and closes a few times, trying to summon a response that isn’t just sheer shock. But all I can do is stare at him as he carefully wipes down the mixing bowl like nothing happened.I lean in, resting my hands on the counter beside him.Me: That was a dirty move, Vik.Viktor hums, unbothered.Viktor: If you cannot handle the battlefield, perhaps you should reconsider your tactics.Me: I should reconsider my-I cut myself off, exhaling sharply.Oh, he thinks he’s so clever. He thinks he’s won. But we both know this war is far from over.I straighten up, rolling my shoulders.Me: Alright. No more distractions. We focus.Viktor nods, glancing toward the oven.Viktor: Yes. We must be vigilant.Me: Mhm. Stay sharp. No funny business.Viktor: No funny business.We both nod, completely serious. And not even five minutes later, I catch him staring at my mouth again. Viktor: This is your fault.I quirk a brow, my arms crossing in intrigue and pretend offence.Me: What, for existing?Viktor: For distracting me.Me: Oh, sure. I’m the distraction. Not the guy who smacked my ass with a war crime amount of flour.Viktor smirks, tilting his head like he’s the most innocent puppy in the world.Viktor: You are still thinking about that?Me: How could I not? It was a premeditated attack.Viktor: It was an opportunity.Me: Oh, so you admit it!Viktor hums noncommittally, his eyes flickering back toward the oven.Viktor: We should check the cake.Me: Oh, so now you care about the cake?Viktor: You do not?Me: I’m just saying, your focus was on a different cake just a moment ago. I didn’t think you had this much of a sweet tooth.Viktor exhales, but I see the way his fingers twitch like he’s resisting the urge to touch me.Viktor: Enough from you. We have worked hard for this. Viktor grabs a toothpick to check the center of the cake. I let my eyes wander while he does, watching the way his lips part slightly in concentration. The crease between his brows. The little glint in his eye when he pulls the toothpick back, inspecting it.Viktor: Hm. It needs three more minutes.I smirk, stepping closer to him.Me: That’s plenty of time.Viktor eyes me, unimpressed.Viktor: For what?I lean in, my fingers ghosting over his waist.Me: A rematch.His breath catches ever so slightly, but he schools his features back into something infuriatingly neutral.Viktor: A rematch, hm?Me: Mhm. I still owe you for earlier.He hums, amused.Viktor: You want revenge?Me: I want justice.Viktor smirks, tilting his chin up.Viktor: If you think I can only last for 3 minutes, you have a long night ahead of you.I laugh, pressing my forehead to his as I grip the edge of the counter, trapping him.Me: Oh, bold of you to assume I’m stopping at one round.Viktor lets out a microscopic sound. Just for a second. But I catch it.His hands, still dusted with flour, come to rest at my waist. Not pushing me away, not pulling me in, just there. Warm through the fabric of my shirt. His fingers twitch like he’s debating whether or not he should let me win this round or drag me down with him.Viktor: Jayce.It’s not a warning. It’s a plea.And damn it, if that isn’t my weakness.I shift, brushing my nose against his, my lips barely ghosting over his own.Me: Yeah?His fingers tighten. His breath is shaky. He’s slipping. I can feel it.The oven beeps.We both freeze.For a moment, all we can do is stare at each other, breathing the same air. Teetering on the edge of something dangerously close.Viktor exhales sharply, like he’s physically shaking himself out of it. He presses his palm flat against my face, pushing me away with all the grace of a man who has just realized he’s been thoroughly riled up.Viktor: Get the cake, you menace.I chuckle, stepping back to grab the oven mitts.Me: Admit it. I won that round.Viktor huffs, shaking his head as he folds his arms.Viktor: The only thing you won is cake duty. Now hurry before it burns.I smile, silently holding my breath before pulling the cake from the oven and setting it on the counter.And.. It’s perfect. Just like us.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The moment I set the cake down, Viktor leans in.Inspecting it like it’s a breakthrough discovery. His eyes scan every inch of the surface, looking for any flaws. Any burnt edges, cracks, sunken spots.But there’s nothing.It’s perfect.And then, Viktor does something that absolutely breaks me.He bounces. Just slightly. Just a few times. But I see it.His hands come together in a tiny, rapid burst of applause like his excitement is so overwhelming that it has to escape somehow.And I am absolutely wrecked by it.Me: Did you just-Viktor: No.Me: You bounced.Viktor: You are hallucinating. The cake fumes have gone straight to your head. Come, let us open a window before you pass out.Me: Oh, no, no. I saw that. That was real. You were excited. You clapped.Viktor exhales sharply, already turning away as if distancing himself from the crime scene will erase the evidence.Viktor: It is a normal reaction to a scientific success.Me: Viktor. You bounced.Viktor: Enough. Focus. The cake needs to cool.But I can’t just let this go. Because he’s so happy. And it’s so damn cute. My chest is throbbing and I have nowhere for this cuteness aggression to go.Fuck it.Before he can protest, I grab him by the waist and pull him into a hug before lifting him clear off the ground and spinning him just once. He lets out a startled noise between a gasp and a half laugh before gripping my shoulders instinctively.Viktor: Jayce!Me: We did it, Vik!He’s laughing now. Real and unrestrained, his fingers curling into my hair.Viktor: Put me down!Me: Never.I spin him one more time before finally setting him back on his feet. He sways slightly, gripping my arm for balance but he’s grinning despite himself.Me: Admit it. You loved that.Viktor: I admit nothing.Me: You’re still smiling.Viktor: That is simply a normal reflex.I smirk, resting my hands on his waist. I’m not quite ready to let go yet. I’m not sure I ever want to, actually.Me: A reflex to what?Viktor hums, tilting his head like he’s considering.Viktor: Annoyance.I laugh, pressing my forehead against his.Me: Liar.Viktor smirks, rubbing his nose against mine. My heart pounds at such a sweet notion between us. I’m already burning this image into my mind forever.Viktor: And yet, you still adore me.Me: Yeah, well. Somebody has to.Viktor hums, feigning consideration.Viktor: You make an interesting case for yourself. Perhaps I will keep you around.Me: Oh? I passed the test?Viktor: Temporarily.Me: Ouch.He smirks, patting my cheek condescendingly.Viktor: Try not to get a big head over it.I roll my eyes but don’t pull away. Because despite the sarcasm. Despite the teasing..he’s still smiling. Still pressed close, his fingers slowly caressing my hair like he’s not ready to move either.The cake sits forgotten on the counter for now. We’ll say it’s ’cooling’ or something. This moment feels much more important than the statement he was trying to make with the cake.Me: You know.. you never did answer my question.Viktor lifts a brow.Viktor: What question?Me: The hypothetical. About kissing you while the cake was in the oven.His smirk doesn’t falter, but I see it. The way his fingers twitch slightly where they rest against my head. The way his breath catches for just a fraction of a second.Viktor: I do not recall.Me: Liar.Viktor hums, pretending to consider again.Viktor: Well, we already know the cake survived. So your hypothesis remains untested.I grin.Me: Sounds like we should do some further experimentation, then.Viktor exhales sharply, but he doesn’t pull away. His arms drop to my shoulders, resting comfortably on top of them.Viktor: You really do not know when to quit, do you?Me: Not when I’m onto something good.He shakes his head, exasperated but fond before he lets out a quiet laugh.And then, just when I think I’ve won-Viktor: Very well. You may kiss me. But only as a reward for our success.Me: Oh, how generous of you. Just once?Viktor: Do not push your luck.I don’t.I just lean in, let my hands settle on his body. One rests behind his neck, the other on his cheek. I kiss him slowly and deliberately, the way he deserves. His hands clasp together behind my shoulders for just for a moment before finally relaxing.And when we break apart, his smile is softer now. Less teasing. More real.Me: See? I have some self control.Viktor: For now. A pause. Viktor: If the cake tastes terrible, I am blaming you.I laugh, dropping my forehead against his.Me: I’ll take that chance. The cake is, predictably, amazing. Light, fluffy, perfectly balanced.Viktor cuts a precise slice, lifting it with a practiced steady hand. I swear I see something reverent in the way he examines the texture before taking his first bite. He’s so cute. His lips press together, eyes narrowed in deep concentration.Me: Well?He takes his time finishing the bite, holding onto the remaining piece delicately in his fingers.My stomach tightens with anticipation.Viktor: ..It is acceptable.Me: Acceptable???Viktor: Adequate. Passable. Perhaps even-I don’t wait for him to finish. I lean in and take a bite straight out of the piece he’s holding.Viktor: Jayce!Me: Mmm.It’s incredible. Fluffy, rich, melts right on my tongue. I make a point to let out a satisfied hum while chewing slowly.Me: This is what you call ‘acceptable’?Viktor clicks his tongue, lifting the cake out of my reach.Viktor: You are an animal.Me: I am an animal? You’re the one downplaying a masterpiece just to mess with me.Viktor: I was going to say-Me: That it’s perfect? Yeah, I figured. Obviously, we made it.His expression flickers. Annoyance to fondness. He shakes his head, setting the half eaten slice back onto the tray with an exasperated sigh.Viktor: You are lucky I adore you.Me: Yeah? How lucky?Viktor: Moderately.I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest in mock offense.Me: Moderately?Viktor: I am still deciding.Me: Oh, please. You’re obsessed with me.Viktor glances up at me, tapping his fingers against the counter.Viktor: You do have your uses. Lifting things, for example. Spinning me against my will. Stealing my cake.Me: Don’t act like you didn’t like at least two out of three of those things.He lifts a brow, unimpressed.Viktor: You are getting crumbs on the counter.Me: So you admit it.Viktor: I admit nothing.I smirk, stepping in close again. Viktor watches me carefully, feigning disinterest but he doesn’t move away.Me: You know, I’m feeling pretty generous after all this baking success.Viktor: Oh?Me: Yeah. I might be willing to share my cake with you.He exhales sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.Viktor: Our cake.Me: That’s not what you said earlier. You called it ‘my’ cake. Pretty selfish, don’t you think?Viktor levels me with a stare so dry it could turn the cake to dust.Viktor: You are the worst.Me: You love me.Viktor: Moderately.I laugh, reaching for the piece. Before I can grab it, Viktor swiftly snatches it and takes a deliberate bite, maintaining eye contact the entire time.I drop my jaw at him.Me: You little-Viktor hums an annoyingly long note, savoring the bite.Viktor: You are right. It is perfect.Me: Unbelievable.Viktor smirks, wiping a crumb from his lip with the tip of his tongue.Me: You’re so lucky I adore you. Viktor: Moderately. I gather the dishes while Viktor hovers over the cake like it’s some rare artifact that might disappear if he looks away. His fingers twitch like he wants to poke it. Test its structural integrity one last time, but he refrains. Just stares at it, slowly blinking like he can’t quite believe it’s real.I smile to myself as I start cleaning the dishes. He did it. We did it.No burnt edges. No sunken middle. No smoke rising from the oven like some cruel joke from the universe. Just a perfect cake. And unlike last time when he was crushed over his mistake, there’s nothing bitter clinging to this moment. No underlying self doubt. No feeling of failure looming over him.Just pride.It suits him.I hum as I scrub the mixing bowls lost in the rhythm of it, until I feel something.Viktor’s arms wrap around me from behind.I freeze for a moment, caught off guard.He presses in close resting his cheek against my back. His grip is loose, but warm. Content. The kind of touch that asks for nothing, just looks for closeness for the sake of it.I exhale softly, setting the dish I’m working on down.Me: You okay, Vik?Viktor hums, nuzzling slightly into my back.Viktor: I feel..amazing.A quiet laugh escapes me. I dry my hands on a tea towel before reaching down and covering his hands with mine.Me: Yeah?Viktor: Mm.His arms tighten, just a little. Like he’s grounding himself in the feeling. Like he’s realising maybe for the first time that he doesn’t have to fear messing things up. Not with this. Not with me.I squeeze his hands.Me: Good. You should. You deserve to feel amazing all the time.His fingers curl slightly against my stomach.Viktor: I was scared before.I wait, letting him decide if he wants to continue.Viktor: But it does not hurt anymore.I swallow thickly, my chest tightening in a way that has nothing to do with how hard he’s holding onto me. I turn my body on the spot, just enough to press a soft kiss to his nose.Me: I’m glad.Viktor hums, tilting his head to brush his nose against mine.Viktor: And you?Me: What about me?Viktor: You are happy?I squeeze his hands again, letting my thumbs rub slow circles over his knuckles.Me: Happier than I’ve been in a very, very long time.Viktor exhales softly and slowly, like that’s all he needed to hear. He stays there holding onto me while I finish washing the dishes and for once, he doesn’t let go first.A warms fills my chest and I realise that I need to take a moment to process everything. I excuse myself to the bathroom while Viktor reluctantly lets my waist go.Me: I’ll be right back you big baby. He grumbles, scrunching his nose at me. It’s very cute. I splash some water on my face and grip the edges of the basin, exhaling slowly.Jesus.It hits me all at once.The warmth in my chest, the weight of this moment, how fucking natural it feels to be here with him. How much I want to be here. Not just for the big things, but for all the small ones too. Every quiet victory. Every step forward. Every little moment where he lets himself be happy.I want to celebrate it all.I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. I’m so far gone for him. Too far gone.And I’m irrationally okay with that.I dry my hands and pull my phone out, searching up the nearest bottle shop. Fifteen minute walk. Perfect.When I step back into the kitchen, Viktor is still where I left him. His hand resting lightly on the counter, fingers tapping idly as if he’s been waiting for me for hours. He lifts a brow as I grab my coat.Viktor: Where are you off to?Me: Just a quick walk. Clementine deserves a treat for accepting me into her space so easily. Plus, you did say that you’re out of sardines and we BOTH know that’s a cardinal sin.Viktor hums, considering.Viktor: Very well. I will allow it. Do you want me to come with you?I glance down. He’s been subtly taking the weight off his bad leg since we got back from our coffee date. He won’t say anything about it, but I know he’s sore.I shake my head, smiling.Me: Nah. You’ve done enough today. Stay here, rest. I’ll be back soon.Viktor narrows his eyes slightly like he’s debating arguing, but his lips pull into a smirk.Viktor: Fine. But just so you know, I put a tracker in your body to make sure you come back to me.I pause.A slow wave of something rolls through me at the way he says it, playful but undeniably possessive. I like hearing him talk like that. A lot.I huff a laugh, stepping closer just to run my hands down his arms.Me: Oh yeah? You that worried about losing me? You that eager to mark your territory?Viktor hums, feigning thought.Viktor: Not worried. Just prepared. And I have more ways to mark my territory, do not worry.I grin, leaning in close.Me: Good to know.I press a quick kiss to his cheek before slipping out the door. The bottle shop is quiet when I step inside, the air slightly cool from the line of fridges along the back wall.Champagne. Lemonade.Something light, something easy to drink. Something we can toast with.Something to celebrate him.I checkout and head to the grocers next door to grab Clementine’s sardines.Priorities.I turn the corner and stop dead in my tracks. I didn’t notice what grocer I’d be entering into. I just put a bottle shop into my maps. But here I am.Just like Viktors accidental Live Photo.Zaun Grocers.I smile. I laugh softly. I shake my head. I’m extremely humbled and feel incredibly alive. Look at where we are, look at where we started. When I get back, Viktor is leaning against the counter. One hand idly stroking Clementine, who is curled up in her usual corner of the kitchen in the sunlight. He blinks when he sees the bottle in my hand.Viktor: Sardines come in champagne bottles now?I let out a laugh, setting both the bottle and the bag down.Me: No. This is for you.He tilts his head slightly, eyes flickering over my face to see if he’s misinterpreting something. He isn’t.Viktor: Me?Me: Us, technically. But mostly you.I place the bottle into his fridge, along with the lemonade.Me: You did it, Vik. And I think that deserves a toast. You’re worth celebrating today and every day.Viktor exhales sharply through his nose, shaking his head as he smirks.Viktor: You are such a sap.Me: And you love it.Viktor rolls his eyes but he’s clearly fighting a smile. He rubs his fingers over his temple like I’ve somehow flustered him.Viktor: This is entirely unnecessary.Me: Nope. You’re not getting out of this one.He sighs, but there’s no real protest in it. Just mild exasperation and something fonder.Viktor: Fine. But if we are toasting, we should at least toast to something reasonable. Like you finally ruminating less. A lot less, might I add.I click my tongue, shaking my head.Me: Me? No way. This is your win.Viktor lifts a brow, unimpressed.Viktor: Then we are at an impasse.I grin.Me: Not necessarily.I pause for a moment, taking his hand in my own. He looks up and meets my eyes, a softness in them that betrays his monotonous vocabulary.Me: How about we toast to us?Viktor stills, silently considering.It’s subtle. The way his fingers twitch against the counter. The way his lips part slightly like he wasn’t expecting that. Like it means something to him. Like it means more to him that he’s letting on.He huffs a microscopic laugh.Viktor: Us, hm?Me: Us. He lets the words settle for a moment. Viktor: We may toast to us. We move to the couch, two glasses in hand. The bottle of champagne now cracked open and fizzing between us. Viktor swirls his glass idly, watching the bubbles rise to the surface. His expression unreadable.Viktor considers something silently, running a slow thumb over my knuckles.Viktor: It has been some time since I have partaken in day drinking.Me: Oh? Do you think you can still keep up?He lifts a brow, clearly unimpressed.Viktor: I can outlast you easily.Me: Bold words from someone who weighs less than a wet towel.Viktor: Bold words from someone who was catastrophizing over me just a few weeks ago over a single sip of whiskey.I let out a dramatic gasp.Me: That was different! That was my mortality flashing before my eyes.Viktor: It was whiskey.Me: Exactly. Life threatening.Viktor pinches the bridge of his nose.Viktor: I am reconsidering this toast.I smirk, leaning in closer.Me: No take backs.He exhales, feigning the deepest most exaggerated suffering he can muster. But he places his hand on mine and lets his fingers tighten ever so slightly.Viktor: Fine.He lets the words settle for a moment before his lips twitch slightly.Viktor: We should say something profound, yes? That is what one does during a toast?Me: Oh, yeah. Definitely. Something deeply philosophical. Maybe a quote about resilience. Or..I pause, grinning.Me: Maybe something about how I’m the best thing to ever happen to you.Viktor clicks his tongue, shaking his head.Viktor: Ah, yes. That would be deeply profound.Me: Well, it’s true.He hums, lifting his glass slightly.Viktor: To a successful experiment.Me: That’s what you’re going with? Not even something sentimental?Viktor: I believe I have exceeded my sentimental quota for the day.Me: Mm. I dunno. I think you have a little more in you.I nudge his knee with mine, watching as the corner of his mouth twitches up.Viktor: Fine. To..His fingers curl slightly around the glass. His voice is quieter now.Viktor: To things going right. For once.I blink back a surprised reaction, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.He glances at me, something careful in his gaze like he’s waiting for me to brush it off. Make a joke. Shoot a sarcastic comment at him. But I don’t.I just smile, clinking my glass gently against his.Me: To things going right.We take a sip and the bubbles tickling my nose, the bitterness settling on my tongue. Viktor exhales, rolling the stem of his glass between his fingers. His eyes focused on nothing in particular.And then, so softly I barely hear it-Viktor: And to you.My breath catches. He doesn’t elaborate. Doesn’t look at me. Just says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like it was always meant to be said.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

As the day stretches on, the two of us sink into the quiet comfort of each other’s company. The gentle clink of our glasses is the only sound between us when we aren’t throwing sarcastic comments at each other. Viktor gazes at his drink, letting the silence linger for a little while before I decide to break it.Me: You know, you really did love being all mysterious back then. When we first met. Always with that cool, distant vibe. Like some kind of elusive enigma.Viktor quirks an eyebrow, not missing a beat.Viktor: Are you sure you were not just reading too much into it? I was just trying not to scare you away with my undeniable charm.I shake my head, rolling my eyes at him.Me: Oh, yeah, totally. Because that was definitely what had me hooked.Viktor lets out a small laugh, but the amused smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes as he turns the glass in his hand. I watch him closely, his gaze softening. A moment of quiet stretches between us as I lean back slightly.Me: Seriously though.. I still don’t really get it. Why me? I mean, you.. you never really seem the type to get involved with anyone. But then you chose to try and get to know me. Why?Viktor’s smile lingers, but his eyes stay fixed on the swirling contents of his glass. He doesn’t rush to answer. The air between us hangs with the weight of unspoken things. Finally he looks up at me, the corners of his lips twitching.Viktor: Because you noticed me.The words don’t get lost on me.They’re the first words he ever sent to me in our chat room. My stomach twists as I remember how cold he was before he let me slip through the cracks.And that’s just it, isn’t it. He LET me.I laugh softly, rubbing the back of my neck while I try not to let on how much I’m lingering. I know he sees right through it.Me: You were hard not to notice. It was like you had starlight beaming out of you.Viktor clicks his tongue, shaking his head as if he’s not blushing over my words. His expression goes right to my head and I feel confident enough to keep pushing for answers. And that’s exactly what I do.Me: Something still doesn’t add up, Vik. How did you even know my name? It wasn’t in my username. Or any related accounts.Viktor shrugs, taking a slow sip of his drink.Viktor: A good magician never reveals his tricks.I rolls my eyes.Me: Please, you’re not a magician. You’re a scientist. Don’t give me that cryptic nonsense.Viktor’s lips curl into a half smile.Viktor: Potato potato, tomato tomato.I lean back, still trying to piece things together.Me: So, what else are you hiding, then? Any other tricks up your sleeve, or is it just my personal business you prefer to dabble in?Viktor’s smile deepens, but he doesn’t answer.Instead, he lets the moment linger, the unspoken words stretching the space between them. I don’t press for more, but my mind stays vigilant. I’m determined to untangle the puzzle that is Viktor.Me: Guess I’ll just have to keep watching you, huh?Viktor looks up from his drink, meeting my gaze once more.Viktor: Maybe. Or maybe you will figure it out on your own.I lean back in my chair, letting Viktor’s words settle in, the weight of them almost enough to make me second guess everything I thought I knew. But I don’t let myself fall for it. Not yet. I can’t.Me: You really think I’ll figure you out?Viktor just shrugs again, the flicker of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. His eyes are unreadable as he turns the glass in his hand, the liquid shifting with a soft fizz that seems louder now.Viktor: Maybe. Or maybe you will keep asking questions and I will keep not answering.I laugh hard, unable to hide the amusement in my voice.Me: Yeah, that sounds about right. Just keep me on the edge of my seat, huh? Nothing like a good mystery.Viktor raises an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to me before he lets out a breath that’s almost a laugh.Viktor: I thought that you liked solving puzzles.I do.I do like puzzles. But Viktor? He’s a damn enigma wrapped in a riddle, surrounded by a puzzle box I can’t quite crack. The frustration gnaws at me deeply but there’s something about it that pulls me in deeper, like I’m playing some game I didn’t agree to that I can’t bring myself to quit.Me: You’re not a puzzle, Viktor. You’re like one of those trick locks. The kind where you know you’ve got the right key, but it just doesn’t turn no matter how much you try.Viktor’s lips twitch again, a tinge of humour hides behind his cool facade. I know he’s enjoying this. He’s always enjoyed getting under my skin and yet, there’s something about it that feels like a dance. A slow, deliberate one.Viktor: Well, maybe you just have not figured out the right combination yet.I stare at him for a second, trying to read his expression.Me: Maybe I’m not supposed to. Ever think of that?Viktor gives a small, almost imperceptible shrug. As if the idea doesn’t bother him one way or the other.Viktor: Who is to say?I fall quiet, my mind still working in overdrive. Still looking for the hidden threads.Viktor is watching me now, fully engaged but there’s no hurry in him. No need to press. He’s content to let the silence do the work, and I can feel the weight of all the unasked questions. Each one trying to break through the surface.But not yet. Not tonight. Not unless he’s ready.I let out a breath, leaning back into the chair again. My hand slips into his lap where his hand falls. My thumb softly grazing the edge of his Claddagh ring.Me: You know, one of these days I’m gonna figure you out. And when I do..well, I’ll let you know.Viktor tilts his head, eyes softening for just a moment.Viktor: I will be waiting. The realization doesn’t hit all at once. It creeps in slow.Somewhere between the way the room tilts when I lean forward and how warm my face feels when I laugh. It’s only when I try to set my glass down and slightly misjudge the table’s location that it really clicks.We’re drunk.Me: Okay. So. Hypothetically speaking. If one were to realise that they have perhaps, not eaten nearly enough today-Viktor: Hypothetically.Me: Hypothetically. And if, by chance the champagne were to be hitting a little harder than usual-Viktor: Hypothetically.Me: Hypothetically. What would be the proper course of action?Viktor tilts his head like he’s actually thinking about it, but I can tell from the flicker of amusement in his eyes that he’s just messing with me. He’s just as drunk as I am.Viktor: Well, one could attempt to rectify this mistake by acquiring food. Or alternatively, one could continue down this path of self destruction and see where the night takes them.Me: Hmm. Tough call.I glance at the bottle, then back at him.Me: Let’s be honest. We both know which option we’re going with.Viktor smirks, tapping his fingers against the glass.Viktor: I may have been counting on it.His voice is smooth, lazy in a way that makes me wonder if he’s feeling the alcohol as much as I am. Definitely.That’s a dangerous thought.I study him for a moment, the way the dim lighting catches the sharp angles of his face. The glow of it against his skin. The way his hair falls slightly out of place, curling near his ear.Me: You know you’re beautiful, right?Viktor blinks at me.Viktor: You are drunk.Me: Maybe I am. But tomorrow I’ll be sober. And you? You’ll still be beautiful.He looks away from my eyes, making the smallest change in expression ever, but I catch it. A shift. Something faltering behind his usual wit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Viktor flustered like this before, not really. But there it is. A faint hesitation. A flush on his nose, his lips pressed together hard like he doesn’t know what to say.Oh, this is going straight to my head more than the champagne.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: You love it.Viktor exhales sharply, shaking his head.Viktor: Do not start with that.Me: What, you mean stating objective truths? Can’t handle a little honesty, Vik?Viktor: Honesty is not the issue. Your delivery, however, could use work.Me: Right, right. I’ll workshop it. Maybe send a formal letter of appreciation.Viktor: I will burn it.Me: Wow. Tragic. Guess I’ll just have to whisper it in your ear instead.Viktor gives me a flat look, but I can tell he’s fighting back a smile.Viktor: You are worse when you drink.Me: Or am I better?Viktor: Worse.Me: Jury’s still out on that one.Viktor sighs like he’s suffering, but the way he’s looking at me? I’m not buying it.Me: Hey. Look at me.Viktor raises an eyebrow but humors me. I take it as my chance.Me: You are, without question, the most breathtaking person I have ever seen.There’s a pause. A shift in the air.His lips part slightly like he’s about to say something, but nothing comes out. I can see the war happening in real time. The urge to brush it off versus the undeniable truth in my voice.I grin.Me: No witty comeback?Viktor: I am debating throwing my drink at you.Me: Bold move. But that wouldn’t change the fact that you’re gorgeous. Plus I’d be dripping wet, but I bet you’d like that.Viktor sighs, tipping his head back on the couch. I stare at the way his jawline curves and how I can see his pulse throbbing in his throat. I want to feel it under my tongue.Viktor: I hate you.Me: No, you don’t.Viktor: I do.Me: You’re just flustered.Viktor: I am not flustered.Me: You’re so flustered.Viktor: I will end you.Me: Kinda dramatic, but okay.Viktor: Oh, I apologize. I meant I will get us food.Me: Damn. I was kinda hoping for a dramatic end.Viktor stands and for a moment, he sways just slightly before catching himself. That’s when I know for sure that he’s just as drunk as I am.Me: You’re stumbling, Viktor.He pauses before shooting me a smirk, clearing his throat softly and pretending to be offended by my words.Viktor: Jayce. I have a bad leg. How could you be so cruel.I burst out laughing, pulling him back down into my lap.Me: Do NOT start that shit with me, you know that’s not what I meant. You’re drunk and disorderly and I need to keep an eye on you before you get into some trouble.He’s sat across my lap bridal style, my arms hooked around his waist and legs. He looks insanely pretty like this.He hums and pretends to be upset over the location change, but I see the way he wiggles his feet slightly. He reaches up to cup my face in his hands before speaking in a soft voice.Viktor: You are the trouble I am trying to get into.I roll my eyes, not letting him know how much his words are affecting me. That and the alcohol. I let out a slow breath, my grip tightening just slightly around his waist.Me: Well. Mission accomplished, then.Viktor watches me, eyes flickering between mine and my lips. Searching for something. Or maybe he already found it. Maybe he’s just lingering now, just to let me squirm.Viktor: You are quite easy to get a reaction out of, did you know that?Me: I feel like you’ve said that before.Viktor: And I will say it again. Because it is true.Me: Yeah? And what’s got you so confident?Viktor tilts his head, studying me in that lazy all knowing way that makes my pulse tick up. His thumb grazes over my cheekbone, just for a second. Just enough to leave me wanting more.Viktor: Because I am watching you react right now.God. I hate him.I swallow hard and break eye contact first, because if I don’t I’m going to kiss him.Viktor hums, clearly pleased with himself. He leans in close like he’s going to say something devastating but instead, he just plants a soft kiss against my cheek before pulling away completely.Viktor: Well. I believe you promised to keep an eye on me.Me: I did.Viktor: So? What now, Jayce?I blink, still trying to rewire my brain after realising how close Viktor was to being sat on my lap completely.Me: Uh. Food. We should get food.Viktor: Ah, yes. The hypothetical solution.Me: Yeah. Very hypothetical.Viktor stretches slowly and lazily, before shifting in my lap like he’s about to get up. I keep my arms around him.Viktor: You are not letting me go.Me: Nope.Viktor raises an eyebrow.Viktor: And why is that?Me: You’re warm. And drunk.Viktor stares back at me, lips pressing together like he’s trying not to smile.Viktor: So now I am just a heat source to you?Me: That’s not all you are.Viktor: No?I grin, leaning in just a little. My voice dropping lower.Me: You’re also gorgeous.Viktor exhales sharply, shaking his head like he’s had enough of me.Viktor: Alright. Now I am definitely getting up.I laugh, finally loosening my hold just enough to let him slip away. He stands up but not before ruffling my hair just to be annoying.Viktor: Come along, Jayce. Let us fix this before we make even worse decisions.I get up a little slower than I probably should, and follow him.Me: Define worse.Viktor glances back at me, eyes glittering with amusement.Viktor: Oh, you will see. We make it to the kitchen, but the second Viktor leans against the counter, I already know that this is a bad idea. I’m already watching how his hips look against the marble countertop. Ugh.Me: Okay. So. We could make something.Viktor: We could.Me: Like, technically.Viktor: Yes.Me: But.Viktor: But.We both fall silent. The last time we cooked together, we actually succeeded.The cake was proof that we weren’t a total disaster as a team. But that was under very different circumstances. That was us sober.This is us now.I glance at him. He glances at me. There’s a moment of consideration. Of restraint, before I realize his fingers are already idly grazing the edge of the counter. Just close enough to mine to be a problem. Me: We’re gonna order something.Viktor: Yes.Me: Great teamwork.Viktor hums in agreement before pulling out his phone. He scrolls for all of five seconds before nodding decisively and picking somewhere.Viktor: There.Me: That was fast. What’d you get?Viktor: Cheese and garlic pizza.I stare at him.Me: That’s it?Viktor blinks, then raises an eyebrow.Viktor: Yes?Me: Just cheese. And garlic.Viktor: It is a classic.Me: It’s boring.Viktor scoffs, sliding his phone back into his pocket.Viktor: I do not mock you for your box mac and cheese.Me: ..Touché.Viktor smirks ever so slightly, before tilting his head and handing me his phone.Viktor: So? What will you get, oh refined culinary expert?Me: BBQ chicken pizza.Viktor makes a face.Me: Don’t you dare judge me.Viktor: I would never.I narrow my eyes at him before adding my pizza to his order. The second I hit confirm, the ETA flashes across the screen.15 minutes.Viktor glances over my shoulder.Viktor: Hm.Me: Hm.I set his phone down. Viktor turns to face me fully.Me: That’s not a long time.Viktor: No.Me: But it’s long enough.Viktor: Yes. We don’t waste time. The second I step forward, Viktor’s already reaching for me. His hands sliding into my hair, tugging me down just enough to crash into his lips. It’s messy. It’s urgent. It’s all tongue and teeth and the taste of sweet champagne lingering between us.My hands find his waist gripping it tight and pulling him flush against me as he exhales a quiet, breathless laugh against my mouth.Viktor: Making up for your rudeness earlier?Me: My what now?Viktor: Your disrespect against my pizza choices.Me: Oh my god.Viktor hums, tilting his head while his lips ghost over mine.Viktor: It wounded me, you know.Me: You are so-Viktor cuts me off with a deep kiss, stealing whatever insult I was about to throw at him. I groan against his mouth, dragging my hands up his back. Completely lost in the feeling of how he presses into me like he’s been waiting for this all day.Maybe he has. Maybe I have too.I back him up against the counter, fingers slipping under the hem of his shirt just enough to make him shiver. He exhales sharply, grabbing my hand.Viktor: 13 minutes.Me: Then we’d better make them count.I lean in, my lips grazing along his jaw just to feel the way his breath hitches. I don’t stop there. I kiss my way down, tracing a path along his throat and dragging my teeth over the delicate skin just enough to make him moan softly.Viktor: I hate you.Me: No, you don’t.Viktor: You are so-I bite down gently on his jugular. Just enough to cut off his words. His fingers tighten around my hand as he lets out a pathetic whimper.Viktor: i-insufferable.Me: Again, I don’t think you mean that.Viktor exhales hard, tilting his head back to give me more space.I waste no time in taking it.Viktor meets my gaze with half lidded eyes, it’s enough to almost tip me over the edge. Almost.His grip tightens around my hand but he doesn’t push me away. If anything, he tugs me closer. Like he wants to feel the weight of me against him. Like he’s seconds away from breaking entirely.Good. Because I am too.Me: You were saying?Viktor tilts his head back down to look at me and god, he looks wrecked already.Fuck.His hair is a mess from my fingers. His lips are still wet from my tongue and his pupils are dilated to the max, almost entirely swallowing up the honey gold.Viktor: You are unbearable.Me: That’s not what your hands are saying.His grip tightens.Viktor: You are-I don’t let him finish.I kiss him again, hard and deep. Forcing him to swallow whatever insult he was about to throw at me. He groans into my mouth, grabbing the front of my shirt and yanking me in so forcefully I nearly stumble forward.Me: Jesus, Vik.Viktor: Shut up.Me: Make me. He does. His fingers twist into my hair, tugging my head to the side. I let out an involuntary moan at the feeling of my hair being pulled and by how rough I’m being manhandled by Viktor. My hands find his waist, slipping under his shirt and tracing up the curve of his ribs, feeling the way he shudders at my touch.Viktor: Nine minutes.Me: God, I hate the pizza delivery guy.Viktor laughs breathlessly before tilting his head to the side, exposing more of his throat to me.I don’t waste the invitation.I bite.I suck.I kiss until I know there’s going to be a mark there tomorrow.He lets out sweet desperate moans as my teeth leave indents on his pale skin. I have a new favourite sound.Me: You’re so sensitive.Viktor: You talk too much.Me: Again, Viktor. Make me stop.Viktor growls. Like, actually growls before pushing me back, completely flipping our positions so I’m the one trapped against the counter.Shit.I don’t even get a chance to react before his mouth is back on mine. Hot and desperate. His hands pressed against my chest like he’s keeping me right where he wants me.And god, I want him so badly.My hands find his hips and squeeze tight, pulling him against my lap before I grind against him softly. He gasps softly against my lips, and I can feel it. The way he shudders. The way he presses closer. The way his nails dig into my back like he never wants to let go.Me: Six minutes.Viktor groans, nipping at my bottom lip.Viktor: Then stop talking and do something. I do. I barely have time to process his words before Viktor’s lips are on me again, his body pressing into mine with an urgency that has my head spinning. His hands work their way under my shirt, fingers brushing against the skin of my lower back, sending jolts of heat through me.I can’t even think straight anymore.Viktor’s mouth moves down my neck, teeth grazing my collarbone and I have to bite back a gasp, my hands fumbling to grip his shoulders. Desperate for something to hold onto.Me: Fuck, Viktor..His response is a soft chuckle, but it’s filled with enough heat to make me lose my breath. He looks up, his eyes half lidded darkened with something I can’t quite place. Need? Desire? Frustration? All of it.Viktor: So much talking for someone who doesn’t want to.I’m about to respond but before I can, he’s kissing me again. His lips are hot and insistent. His hands slide up to my chest and over my collarbones, fingertips brushing the sides of my neck. I barely notice my body reacting. My heart racing. The way my pulse races with each touch and each kiss.The timer’s ticking down.Me: Five minutes.I say it breathlessly, but the challenge is there hanging between us. And Viktor? He’s never one to back down from a challenge.His hand slips lower, pressing firmly against my hips. His fingertips teasing at my waistband. It sends an electric shock through me that makes me lose my focus completely. His lips are still on mine. His kisses are slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring every inch of me.Me: Vik..Viktor: Shh.He silences me with his mouth again, his fingers slide beneath the waistband of my jeans and I lose all ability to think. I can barely keep my breath steady as he presses his body harder against mine, the tension building between us like it’s about to snap.I can’t help myself.My hands slide over his shirt, unbuttoning it with as little care as possible. If it wasn’t a nice shirt I would’ve ripped it open so hard the buttons would’ve flown off by now.Me: Three minutes.Viktor doesn’t answer this time. Instead, he pushes me harder against the counter, his hands moving faster with more urgently now. His fingertips unbutton my pants with expert precision. His mouth trails down to my ear, lips brushing against the sensitive skin there as he whispers something low and heated.Viktor: You started this.The words send a shiver down my spine. My mind goes hazy with the tension. The desire building between us like a storm I can’t escape. But I don’t want to escape. Not now. Not with him this close, this present.Me: Two minutes.Viktor’s mouth presses into mine again, deep and frantic. I can feel the weight of him against me. The way his breathing is jagged. The way his hands are desperate. Exploring. Hungry.We’re both beyond the point of no return.The timer’s ticking down, but I’m not sure we’ll even hear the doorbell when it rings. All I can focus on is the way Viktor’s lips move against mine. The way his tongue presses into me. The way his hands are so close to reaching my dick and how every kiss feels like an unanswered question.Me: One minute.Viktor’s grip on my waist tightens. He pulls me into his hips, grinding desperately against me. We’re both rock hard and panting into each others mouths. I’m going to lose control.His lips find the sensitive spot on my neck and I can’t help the way my body arches into his. Everything around us disappears. There’s no pizza. There’s no clock. There’s just us, together, on the edge of something, everything, all at once.Right as I feel like I’m on the verge of finishing from his neck kisses alone.. The doorbell goes off. A sharp chime cuts through the haze of heat between us, but neither of us moves. Not right away. Viktor’s lips are still against mine, his body pressing me into the counter like he has no intention of stopping. And honestly? I don’t want him to.But the delivery driver waiting at the front door is annoyingly persistent.He presses the doorbell again. Me: Pizza’s here.Viktor exhales against my throat, his breath warm and frustrated.Viktor: Terrible timing.Me: I know. Fuck.He finally pulls back, just enough for me to see the flush on his face. The way his pupils are blown. His lips are red and kiss bruised. I want to drag him right back in. Want to forget the world outside this moment.Instead, I sigh and drop my forehead to his shoulder. Laughing against his shirt.Me: Okay. Five second debate. Do we ignore it?Viktor hums, running his fingers through my hair in a way that makes me want to throw all rational thought out the window.Viktor: Tempting. But then we will regret it.Me: I dunno, Vik. I feel like we’re doing just fine without it.He chuckles, low and knowing.Viktor: You get very bold when you are desperate.Me: I get desperate when you-The doorbell rings again, a little more impatient this time.Viktor groans and drops his head back.Viktor: Go. Before they think we are dead.Me: Right. Right.I steal one last kiss. Quick, heated, completely unfair before pushing myself off the counter.Viktor watches me go. His eyes dark. He's still catching his breath and I swear he’s silently daring me to rush back.It takes everything in me to make it to the door.I open it just enough to grab the boxes from the delivery guy, tossing an apologetic tip into his hand before slamming the door shut.When I turn back around, Viktor is still leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. Watching me with a slow, considering look.Me: What?Viktor: I was simply wondering how much of that time you spent trying to not immediately run back to me.Me: Oh, you’re smug now.Viktor: Just perceptive.I set the pizzas down on the table, shaking my head still trying to clear it.Me: You wanna eat first, or should we test exactly how long this pizza can stay warm?Viktor exhales a laugh, stepping closer, resting a hand on my chest.Viktor: I think you are underestimating how much I plan on ruining you for making me wait.I swear my knees almost buckle.Me: Noted.I barely have time to register him pulling me in before his mouth crashes against mine again, a clear, wordless answer to whatever restraint we thought we had left. And this time? There’s no fucking doorbell stopping us.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The pizza boxes are already long forgotten sitting untouched on the counter.But who cares? There’s only Viktor now. No distractions.My hands are tangled in his hair, his lips a constant pressure against mine. His hips so close I can feel the heat of him seeping into me.It’s intoxicating, the way he grinds against me like he knows exactly how to pull every single piece of me apart. I’m not even putting up a fight.I’m drunk on him.Not just the alcohol, though that definitely helps.No. It’s the way he kisses me like he’s been starving for it. Like there’s nothing else in the world but this moment. How can I possibly be thinking clearly with him kissing me like this?I reach for his hips, my finger tips trace over his belt. He lets out a startled noise but not one that wants me to stop. I don’t.I start working on his belt buckle, pulling it open with a sense of urgency I’ve never felt before.His breath catches when the buckle clicks open, but he doesn’t stop me. Instead, he lets out a low chuckle. One that vibrates against my mouth making everything inside of me tighten in a way that’s almost painful.Viktor: You are in such a hurry. It is adorable.He murmurs the words out, they’re heavy with something desperate.I pull away just enough to look at him, meeting his eyes and feeling the heat between us almost too much.But then again, isn’t that what this is? Too much. Too fast. No one’s keeping track anymore.Me: You’re not exactly making me wait.I speak and my voice comes out rougher than I intend. In my defence, it’s hard to sound confident when I can barely keep my hands from shaking.He grins, his hands on my waist pulling me closer and forcing me to grind against him again. I let out a poorly concealed moan.Viktor: I cannot imagine why you would want to wait.His voice is a dangerously quiet whisper that sends a shiver down my spine.I smirk, pressing my lips to his neck while my fingers start undoing the button on his pants. Just slow enough to make him feel every bit of the moment.Me: You’re about to find out.I whisper before my lips return to his, swallowing any answer he might have. His lips are still on mine, but I can feel him shiver against me. It’s subtle. Just a small tremor that’s barely noticeable. But I catch it anyway.I smirk against his mouth.Me: You cold?Viktor huffs. His grip on my waist tightening as if to prove otherwise but his body betrays him, another shiver rattling through him. I let my hands wander lower, pressing against his bare skin from the part of his shirt I unbuttoned and. Yep. He’s ice cold.Me: Thought so.Viktor: It is fine. You are warming me up.Me: You’re literally freezing.He exhales sharply, a mix of frustration and amusement.I know I’ve won before he even answers.Viktor: Then perhaps we should continue this somewhere warmer.I grin, letting my fingers drag teasingly over his skin as I lean in.Me: You just wanna get me in your bed.He tilts his head, that insufferable smirk tugging at his lips.Viktor: And?And that’s all it takes.Before I know it, we’re stumbling through the apartment. Barely making it to his bedroom without breaking apart. His hands stay on me the whole time. Gripping, guiding, grinding, pulling me closer. It’s like he can’t stand the thought of even an inch of space between us.The second we pass through the door frame, it’s over.Viktor pushes me down onto the mattress with more force than I ever thought he was capable of. My back hits the foam and I let out an involuntary gasp at how hard I’m thrown. Before I can say anything, he straddles my hips. Continuing to unbutton his shirt until it’s just skin.Me: I thought you were cold?Viktor: Do you ever know when to shut the fuck up?I go to say something witty but Viktor plants both hands on my throat, grinding himself against my dick recklessly.I let out as much of a moan as I can with his hands pressed down on my windpipe. The feeling is absolute bliss. I could cum from this alone.My hands return to Viktors waist, pulling his hips down as I buck mine upwards. He tips his head back with a soft moan. Fuck. I need him right now. I speak without thinking.Me: Viktor I need you. Now.He tilts his head back down, meeting my gaze with a lust filled stare.Viktor: Ah, so you are done with endurance tests?I nod my head pathetically, looking at him with the desperation of a man who can’t hold back any longer.Viktor: That is too bad for you. I wish to take my time.He shifts his body to the side of mine, dismounting from my hips. I huff a miserable whine. I’m completely pathetic right now.Me: please don’t make me beg.A smirk forms on his lips. Slowly but surely making its way up to his eyes. A glint of mischief mixes with the golden honey tone.Viktor: You will beg, actually. Or you will get nothing but a slumber on the couch.I let my head fall back into the pillows. I walked right into this one. Fine, I’ll bite. But I won’t do it in a way that’s fair.I make a point to only move when he locks eyes on me. Moving one hand to my throat and one sliding my other hand under my jeans and into my boxers. I grip my throat tight and stroke myself ever so slowly while I speak my next words.Me: Viktor. Please. I need you. Please.His lips part, as if he’s moments away from dropping his jaw. He moves so fast I barely register any moment at all.Viktor: Shirt off. Now. Before I rip it off.I obey.My shirt is thrown into the void of Viktors room. It doesn’t matter where. All that matters is the way he bites down on my shoulders. Licking along my collar bones and stopping at my chest. He runs two delicate fingers over my right nipple, warranting a tiny whimper from my lips. He looks up at me with a lust filled gaze before softly licking my other one. I cover my mouth with my hand, completely lost in the sensation. Fuck. His tongue is driving me insane.The ball bearing of his piercing runs over my nipple gently before Viktor bites down. I shudder and twitch underneath him.Viktor: Such a good boy.I hate how hot that gets me. I hate how his words unravel me into a blushing, drooling mess. I hate how I need nothing more than Viktor right now and he’s teasing me far too slowly.He must’ve seen the desperation in my face. He reaches down, sliding his finders along my waistband before issuing me a look that suggests that he thought my pants were already off.Viktor: Off. Now.I waste no time in lifting my hips enough for him to drag my jeans down. The force behind his movements makes me think that he’s just as desperate for this as I am.My brain is at an impasse in the heat of the moment. All I want right now is Viktor. But what if this ruins everything.Why am I ruminating at a time like this? Viktor notices a change in my brain, because of course he does.Viktor: Jayce. What is it?I turn my head to the side, trying to find the right words. They don’t come. I’m forced to speak my mind no matter how incoherent my thoughts are.Me: I just.. what if this changes things and what if I’m not very good and-I’m swiftly interrupted by his hand grabbing my jaw, pulling me into his face.Viktor: Enough. You said that you trusted me. Did you lie to me, Jayce?Me: No! Of course not, it’s just.. I don’t know I-Viktor clicks his tongue before removing the last grain of control I had in this situation.He slides two fingers into my mouth, making me suck them slowly. My words can’t come out like this, and the way he tilts his head back at the feeling of my tongue makes me want to never stop. I moan against his fingers, sucking them hungrily.Viktor: Fuck. That’s my good boy. Just like that.I almost cum right then. HIS good boy? Fuck.Right as I think that things can’t get any hotter, he slides his hand under my waistband. His fingers trace over my hip bones and the warmth of his touch is already driving me insane. I instinctively buck my hips, sending his hand lower. I lick at his fingers hungrily as he makes direct eye contact with me.He takes his fingers out of my mouth for a moment, returning them to my throat.Viktor: You have been such a good boy, Jayce.I tip my head back, giving him the most pathetic look I can manage.Me: Please, Viktor. I need you so badly. Please..He hums, really taking in how desperate I look and sound right now.Viktor: Please, what?I know what he wants.I just didn’t think he’d be brazen enough to ask for it directly. I waste no time giving him my last shred of shame.I gulp, my voice barely a whisper.Me: Please, please I need you Viktor. Fuck, please touch me daddy. I need you so fucking badly.The final straw snaps.He slowly slides his hand around my dick, taking every inch of me into his fingers. My skin burns at his touch and my mouth opens instantly, my back arching into him involuntarily.Viktor: Good boy. Look at you, completely at my will. You look so good like this. Look at how hard you are for me. Such a good boy, Jayce.Before I can say something, anything, his hands starts slowly stroking me up and down. The sensation burns in my hips and I let out a whimper.Me: Fuck. Thank you. Fuck. I’ve been such a good boy for you.His other hand pulls away from my neck and slowly slides into his own boxers, toying with himself while making direct eye contact with me. Fuck.I try to reach out my hands to replace his, but he gives me a glare that tells me I shouldn’t bother trying.His pace speeds up, faster strokes and more attention to my sensitive tip. He’s driving me crazy and he knows it.My hips grind into his hand, I might as well be fucking it myself at this point. The feeling intoxicates me. I’m in complete bliss until.. he stops.I make a pathetic whine, looking down at him to figure out what he stopped for.He tilts his head at me, before pulling my boxers down further. I lift my hips up, helping him get them all the way off.Before I can feel self conscious about how exposed I am, he looks down at me and smirks, tracing his fingertips down me again.Viktor: There you are.I blush and turn my head to the side, trying not to think about it too hard. He speaks again.Viktor: Sit up a little.The request catches me off guard but I prop myself against the headboard, resting my head against his pillows.I look down at him. He’s sat eye level with my waist. Dangerously close.Me: Like this?He nods his head, smiling.Viktor: Thats my good boy.I try to suppress a smile, but this praise kink isn’t something I’m very subtle about.Me: Why did you want me to readjust?His gaze flickers from my dick up to my eyes, something wicked hidden behind it.Viktor: I simply wanted you to have a good view.I raise my eyebrows slightly, trying to understand what he means.Me: A good view for..what?He looks at me with the most smug expression I’ve ever seen. He was waiting for me to ask. And I fell right into his hands.Viktor: This.Before I can say or do anything, Viktors hot, wet tongue pulls from my base to my tip. I cover my mouth with my hand, moaning into it loudly. Hungrily. Desperately.He laughs softly, teasing my tip with his tongue bar. The sensation is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I can’t think. I buck my hips, taking more of Viktors tongue wrapped around my dick.My head presses into the pillows, I look down at him. He’s already looking at me. His eyes are intense, like they’re daring me to try it again. His tongue licks me up and down, strands of spit connect us as he pulls back ever so slightly.I’m losing my mind. He feels so good. I need more.I reach down a hand to find his hair, pushing down on his head softly. Forcing him to take more of me into his hot throat.The sensation sends me reeling. He takes all of me at once with no hesitation. Fuck.I can feel myself on the verge of cumming down his hot, tight throat. I speak without thinking.Me: Viktor. I’m so close. If you keep that up I’ll cum in 10 seconds.His pace slows to a complete stop.I open my eyes, looking down at him in a mix between confusion and exasperation.Viktor: I am not done with you. You will wait until I tell you that you are allowed to finish. Do you understand?I huff, desperate to cum but not stupid enough to disobey him.Me: Fine.He frowns at me, reaching up a hand and pressing down on my throat.Viktor: Do not take that tone with me. It will not end well for you. Do you understand?I bite my lip and nod quickly.Viktor: Good boy.He plants a kiss on my tip before straddling my waist. My dick pressing hard against his hips.I notice that he’s still wearing some clothing, I frown at him, pouting slightly.Me: How come you have your boxers on still? That’s hardly fair.He tilts his head to the side, suppressing a smirk.Viktor: And are you going to change that?Me: Is that an invitation?He shrugs nonchalantly, it’s infuriating how calm he can be at a time like this.I grab his waist and pull him down on top of me before throwing him down onto the mattress underneath me.He hits the mattress with an audible gasp, looking up at me with a curious and equally as desperate look in his eyes.Finally. I have a shred of control back. I pull his boxers down slightly, just enough to expose the tips of his hip bones. His body is illuminated by the street lights outside, shining through his curtains. He’s beautiful. He’s right here. He’s all mine.I trace my fingers over his hipbones, watching as he wriggles underneath my touch. I make direct eye contact with him, pressing my tongue over them. Tracing them downwards, like they’re pointing me in my next direction.He lets out a soft, sweet moan at my tongue running over him. The sound drives me insane. I’m determined to find Viktors best sound tonight. I tug at the waistband of his boxers, pulling them all the way down.I’m in trouble. His dick is huge.I don’t let him see the glint of hesitation in my eyes, instead I slowly reach around him. Feeling how hard he is under my touch.He bites his lip and smiles, letting out a soft moan and looking down at me with lust in his eyes. I’ve got him exactly where I want him.My brain can barely focus, I’m completely lost in seeing him like this. My strokes get faster and more intense, I see the way his pulse hammers in his throat. I need more of him.I stop, deciding to take a page out of his book. Just to really hone in on the fact that I’m the one in charge here.Me: Sit up a little.He rolls his eyes, before mumbling something under his breath in Czech.Viktor: As you wish.He readjusts, flipping the script on how I was laying 10 minutes ago.Me: Thank you.I give his hip a kiss before drawing my attention back to his dick. How the fuck am I supposed to take all of this? I don’t think. I just start.My lips wrap around his tip, my tongue making g slow and steady circles around it. I look up at Viktor, his face already flushed and his hair a mess. The sight does something unholy to me. I take more of him. My mouth running along him, licking hungrily over every new inch. I get down to the last part of him that I think I can take. Staying at that depth for as long as I can, sucking desperately as he moans my name so sweetly.I pull away for a moment to really commit this view to memory. His breathing is hitched. His body is flushed pink. His hands are resting above his head as if there’s an imaginary rope binding them together. I want to burn this image into my mind forever.Viktor: Is there a reason you have stopped?I blink, forgetting where I was for a moment. Completely lost in this visual.Me: Just taking in the aftermath of me getting the upper hand again. You look good when you’re bottoming to me.Viktor: Is that what you think?I frown slightly.Me: Well, yeah. I’m on top of you and giving you head right now. That’s textbook topping.He laughs softly, running his fingers through my hair.Viktor: Oh, Jayce. The fact that you think you are in charge here is the cutest thing about you so far.Me: Oh yeah?Viktor: Yes.I huff and put his dick back into my mouth, teasing at his tip. I’ll show him how in charge I really am.Before I can process it, he grabs my head with both hands, thrusting himself all the way down my throat. I can’t take this much of him, but he’s making me do it anyways.The sweet moan he lets out makes me reconsider how much of him I can take. I want all of him if I can keep hearing this. I moan instinctively, vibrating him in my throat. His head tips back at the sensation. Hips grinding harder into my mouth. I pull back slightly to breathe, but he fills my mouth again after just a few seconds. I thought I had the upper hand but Viktor is fucking my throat with such an insane amount of control that I have none left at all.My eyes water as I moan and whimper against his dick filling my throbbing throat. I can tell that he’s close. I can tell that he’s going to cum any moment. I reach up for his hands, interlocking his fingers into mine as I push all of him down my throat, bobbing my head and sucking his tip, my tongue stroking him all the way down and back up.His grip on my hands tightens. I know what that means.Before I can fully prepare myself, Viktor fills my throat. Moaning my name loudly and sweetly as he finishes, his hips twitch sensitively, thrusting himself into my mouth 3 more times before he falls back into the bed sheets. Panting heavily.I swallow and pull back, taking a breather. My breath is just as hitched as his is.I wipe the drool from my lips, laying next to Viktor and pulling him into a cuddle. Our bodies connect like jigsaw pieces. Being skin to skin with him just feels so.. right.I kiss his forehead softly, moving gently to not overstimulate him too much.Me: That was a dirty move, Viktor.He laughs softly, reaching out to play with my hair. I nuzzle into his touch.Viktor: You were getting ahead of yourself. Too power hungry. I had to take you down a notch.Me: You fucked my throat. Hard.He smirks, looking at me with innocent eyes.Viktor: You took me so well. And you looked so pretty while you did.I huff as if I wasn’t completely intoxicated in the moment too. As if I don’t already want him to do it again.Me: Yeah well, next time I’ll have more control.His eyes flicker to mine, then down to my dick. I’m still rock hard but can you blame me after that?His mouth opens slightly, his entire focus still remaining on my lower half. Viktor: Your turn.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

His gaze lingers on mine for a while, intense and lust filled.He doesn’t break the eye contact, even when reaching into his side drawer for something.And because i’m too curious for my own good, I break the eye contact.I see Viktors hand reach in and pull out a small bottle in the mix of several colourful items around it. The room is dimly lit. The only lighting is a streetlight outside casting a feint glow so I struggle to see what’s in there.For a split second, my eyes focus and I see exactly what’s in his drawer.He has at least 8 different toys. And he just pulled out a bottle of lube. Oh. Fuck. I gulp, returning my gaze back to Viktor. His eyes still on mine, watching how I connect the dots in real time. He smirks, pulling out the smallest toy he has before leaning in close to whisper in my ear.Viktor: I plan on taking my time with you, Jayce. My only goal is to first, make you comfortable. And then, make you cum as hard as you possibly can.I cover my mouth with my hand, twitching against his hot breath. His words make me involuntarily moan. I know he’s not lying and I know he won’t stop until he’s done with me.Viktor: Now, I plan on taking it slow with you for my own selfish reasons, but also because I desire to know what exactly I can do to put you into pure bliss. A war tactic. Obviously.I huff out a laugh. How is he still making sly comments about our war at a time like this?Me: This feels like some long winded torture.He grins at me, tracing a hand down my torso ever so slowly.Viktor: Depending on how slowly I go, it may just be torture after all.His words are sultry but still hold power. He’s putting on this dominant front.. but the care in his words doesn’t get lost on me. He wants this just as bad as I do, but he’s making sure I’m comfortable with everything despite his lust.My heart throbs thinking about how delicately he’s treating me.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.he smiles softly, revealing the toy between us. It’s not too big and it’s not that intense looking, but part of me still feels a tinge unsure.Viktor: It is quite cold in this room, and this toy is no exception to its chill. Allow me to warm it up for you before we continue.I quirk a brow at him, wondering how he’s planning on doing that, but my curiosity doesn’t get much of a work out.His eyes lock onto mine as he places it into his mouth, sucking it up and down. Spit strands glimmering in the light as he pulls it back from his tongue. Fuck. How does everything he keeps doing get me hot like this? It’s so unfair.My breathing hitches as my heart races. My pulse throbbing in my throat and my dick twitching at the sight of him teasing the toy with his tongue piercing.Me: Viktor..He pops the toy out of his mouth, opening the lube bottle with his free hand.He puts a generous layer of it around the toy, making sure to rub it up and down painfully slow while making direct eye contact with me.Viktor: Jayce.My breathing intentionally slows as it try to calm myself down. It doesn’t work.Viktor: If you need me to stop at any time for any reason, you will let me know. Yes?I nod my head slowly, on the cusp of overthinking everything all over again. He speaks again, reading my mind as usual.Viktor: You are in my care. I will make sure you are safe. Happy. Comfortable. Enjoying yourself.He leans in close to my lips, the sudden movement makes me hold my breath. His tone drops to a whisper.Viktor: And once I have achieved all of this, I will break you.Before I can respond, his lips crash into mine. I moan into his mouth hungrily. He places the toy just out of arms reach, while his fingers slowly trace down to my entrance. I let out a slight noise as he starts teasing me, the sensation is a mix between unknown and intoxicating.Viktor: That’s my good boy. Nice and slow.He watches me intently while he ever so slowly slides a finger inside. I close my eyes as I try to adjust to the sensation.Viktor: That’s it. Jayce you’re doing so well. Just like that.I moan softly, hyper aware of the attention he’s giving my body and how surreal this night has been already without his fingers inside of me.His finger pushes deeper and finds the spot I’ve been needing him to hit for a while. My head shoots back into the pillow, my mouth opening instinctively. I let out a whimper, looking Viktor in the eyes with what must be such a pathetic expression.His face is flushed pink, panting just as heavily as I am. His dick twitches as he gets hard again from my sounds and movements alone. Fuck.Viktor: There we go. Jayce, you are doing so well. That’s my good boy.I bite my lip as he slides another finger in, pressing down on my sweet spot with more intensity.I moan and whimper pathetically.His pace picks up and his fingertips curl against my sensitive spots, jolts of pleasure continuously shooting down my legs.I need him so badly.This isn’t enough anymore.Me: Viktor. Please, I need more. I need you. Please.His gaze flickers over to the toy next to us, still slathered in lube. He moves slowly, taking his fingers out of me before planting a soft kiss on my lips.Viktor: Jayce. if you keep being this good for me, I will make sure you are rewarded very handsomely.I nod my head, processing his words. Panting softly as I try my best not to beg for him to fuck me more.He delicately picks up the toy, rubbing it over my entrance a few times softly. The sensation alone makes me let out a soft moan. He smirks slightly at the sound of it before pushing it inside of me in a careful, slow movement.I breathe in, filled with more than I have ever filled myself with before. The sensation is foreign at first, but it soon turns to bliss as my sweet spot is pressed on with even more force. My dick twitches and I buck my hips instinctively, it feels so good it’s unreal.Viktor: My my, Jayce. You are taking it so well. Good boy. Let us see if you can continue taking it for me.My body adjusts to the toy inside of me, changing the unsure feeling to pure lust. Viktor pulls it back slightly before pushing it back in. I moan softly, the feeling taking my body over completely.Viktor: Just like that, you can take more can’t you?Before I can speak, he fucks me faster and harder. My sweet spot being pounded over and over. My eyes almost roll back. It’s pure bliss. He knows exactly how my body works.I need more. We can’t stop here.Me: Viktor. More. Please.. please..He obeys my request.His hand starts moving it in and out in quicker bursts, my head digging into the pillow and my hands reaching down to find a part of him to grip onto.He stops.So does my breathing. Using his free hand, Viktor grabs something from the side of his bed.It’s one of his ties.What does he need that for at a time like this??I quickly find out.He leaves the toy inside of me for a split second before forcing my hands to clasp together, tying them in a double knot with the tie.Oh.Viktor: There. Now I am back in complete control. As I should be.I flush, suddenly aware of how much I’m at his mercy.He speaks again, his tone softer but still demanding.Viktor: Your hands may be bound but your words are not. You WILL tell me if we need to stop under any circumstances. Understood?I nod, smiling slightly. Even when he’s aware of how hard he’s planning on ravaging me, he still makes sure I’m comfortable.I can’t think about how much I’m in love with him right now. Not while he’s fucking me like this. Me: Yes, Sir. A smile flickers onto his face before he pushes the toy back inside of me, hard.I moan as my sweet spot is pounded over and over again. It’s ecstasy.It’s so much.It’s not enough.I still need more.The only thing better than this would be.. I try to stop my words from coming out. I try to be content with what I’m already being given. I fail. I want more. I NEED more.My voice is raspy when I speak, he looks up at me as soon as I start.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.Me: I need more. Please. Please I need more so badly.He tilts his head looking at me, a smile creeping across his lips.Viktor: you are a lucky boy. We have plenty more toys we can use tonight-Me: No.He sits up, looking at me with a somewhat shocked look on his face.Viktor: No?Me: No.Viktor: Then enlighten me, Jayce. What are you asking for? He leans up until he’s level with my face, daring me to ask exactly for what I want. I struggle to get the words out. Once they’re out there, there’s no coming back. I don’t care. I want him. I need him.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.I look up at him, my eyes wide and begging for more. He reacts to the sight of me like this, licking his lips slowly and tilting his head.Viktor: What do you want. I swallow.If I don’t have him right now I’m going to lose control.Me: Viktor. Please.. please I’m begging you.He leans closer to me, his lips brushing mine.Viktor: Tell me.I pant softly against his lips before saying exactly what I want into the air for him to hear. Me: Viktor I need you to fuck me right now. I’m begging you. PLEASE fuck me and fill me. Please.He gives me a look somewhere between insanely turned on and shocked that I was bold enough to say what I wanted.His hand finds the bottle of lube again, squirting a generous amount onto his hand before stroking himself slowly up and down.He makes sure I watch him while he does it, teasing me with his gentle strokes. He’s so hot and he knows it.He adjusts himself between my legs, planting a soft kiss on my knee. I blush and look away. Such a sentimental moment at a time like this.It’s humanising. It’s soft. It’s sweet.It’s Viktor.He rests his cheek on my knee, closing his eyes softly and humming.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.His hand gently brushes across my stomach before he speaks.Viktor: I want you to tell me if any of this is too much. You are very important to me. The only thing that matters..is you.My heart all but stops.I smile and let out a soft laugh, shaking my head.Me: Keep talking like that and I might fall in love with you, Vik.He smiles, a subtle glint flickers in his eyes.Viktor: I believe it may be too late for that.He rubs against my entrance, a moan escaping both of our mouths.He grips my waist, leaning forward and pulling me into a kiss. Right as his tongue rubs on mine he pushes himself inside of me.He’s huge.Jesus fucking Christ.I moan into his mouth softly, gasping and looking up to him. His eyes are already on mine. His mouth is parted slightly. He tips his head back, pushing deeper inside.I don’t even know if I can take all of him.But looking at his reaction, at how his body is shaking at how we feel together like this.It doesn’t matter if I don’t think I can take him. I’m going to.Me: More. Please, Vik.His breath catches slightly, pushing into me deeper.His dick pushes over my sweet spot. I let out a pathetic moan, involuntarily telling him exactly where he needs to be.Viktor: Good boy.His pace speeds up, thrusting into me faster and harder.I tug at the tie wrapped around my wrists, desperate to free my hands so I can dig my nails into his back.He sees me struggling and clasps his hand over my wrists, tightening its grip on me.Viktor: Ah ah, hands to yourself. Do not make me punish you after you have been such a good boy for daddy.His words shoot through me like a vial of adrenaline.I go to say something as response but I’m lost in the moment. He kisses my hand, pushing himself inside of me all the way.My breath hitches at the sensation of him filling me completely. His eyes are still on me.Still not breaking our eye contact.The atmosphere is electric.It’s ecstasy.He feels so good.My skin burns hot while his dick is throbbing in me.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Yes?Viktor: You have been so good for me. You deserve your reward. Shall I give it to you now? Or would you prefer for me to give it to you slowly?I gulp. My pulse pounding in my throat.Me: Now please.. please Viktor I’ve been so patient. I’ve been so good for you.I barely croak the words out.A smirk returns to his face, I guess I answered right.Viktor: Good Boy.His hands slide down to the underneath of my thighs, pushing them back into the mattress. He starts fucking me as hard as he can.I let out a pathetic moan, drool streaming down the side of my open mouth.Viktor: You are going to cum for me, do you understand?I nod my head, tears forming in my eyes from how good his dick feels pounding against my sensitive spots.Me: Yes, sir.He leans down and bites my thigh, still thrusting into me as hard as he can.I whimper sweetly at his teeth sinking into my skin. I’m so close, I’m going to cum any moment.Viktors breath hitches, telling me that he is too.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.I try to talk myself out of my next decision but my brain can’t think about anything else. I speak from my dick and not from my mind.Me: Please cum in me. Please I need you inside of me. Make me yours. Mark your territory. I’m all yours Vik. Please, I need it. Now..please.Viktor is past the point of rational thinking too, he digs his fingertips into my thighs as he presses himself into me with one final thrust before filling the air with a sweet moan and my body with his cum.As my body fills with him, I hit my climax.I moan out his name louder than I’ve ever shouted anything in my entire life and before I can warn him, I finish all over his chest and throat. We’re both panting. We’re both in absolute bliss. We’re both shaking and overstimulated. We’re both now in desperate need of a shower.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

We fall back onto the bed together, still sweating and sticky. But we don’t care. It doesn’t matter right now.All that matters is that we are here. Together. And Viktor knows exactly how to put me in my place.I’m still partially immobilised by how hard I came.My hand reaches out, clasping his gently. I let myself get lost in the moment for a while before I notice that Viktor is shaking. Like, really shaking.It’s not a cold shaking. It’s not a climax shaking. It’s not the way he usually does. This isn’t the slight tremor in his hands or the occasional unsteady breath. This is different. His whole body is trembling and it doesn’t take me long to figure out why.His bad leg.Oh.Shit.I prop myself up on my elbow, still catching my breath. Viktor hums in satisfaction like he hasn’t just pushed himself too far. His eyes are still half lidded. His hair is an absolute mess, his neck has deep bite marks and hickeys. He looks wrecked in the best way possible. Which is probably why he doesn’t notice me watching him over him. Assessing him.Or maybe he does, because his mouth curls into that smug little smirk of his that I’ve grown to love.Viktor: You look like you have seen a ghost.Me: You look like you just lost a battle.Viktor hums again, tilting his head in mock thought.Viktor: If that was losing, I am happy to be defeated.Okay, fair.. VERY Fair.But his leg stays on my mind.He’s still shaking.Even as he lazily drapes an arm over his stomach, looking entirely too pleased with himself.I sit up fully now. My hand tracing down his torso in a way that I know will distract him before I move to his thigh.And just as I thought.. his muscles are completely tensed up.Me: Vik..His fingers twitch against the sheets.Viktor: Jayce.Me: You pushed yourself too hard.Viktor: And yet I have no regrets.I sigh, shaking my head but I can’t even pretend to be mad at him.Me: Okay, we’re going to have a hot bath. Come here, I’ll carry you.Viktor: Absolutely not. I don’t give him a choice. Before he can argue or try to stand, I scoop him up bridal style, immediately ignoring his noise of protest.He’s warm against me, still loose limbed and touch drunk from everything we just did. He grumbles and looks me in the eyes, completely unimpressed.Viktor: Jayce. Put me down.Me: Not a chance.Viktor: This is humiliating.Me: I literally just had you moaning my name for the last-Viktor: Enough.I bite back a laugh, carrying him straight to the bathroom and setting him carefully on the closed toilet lid. He crosses his arms, giving me a huff while he watches as I start running the bath.I can feel the judgment radiating off of him.Me: You’re sulking.Viktor: I am reflecting on my defeat.Me: Oh? So you admit it. You were defeated?Viktor: Yes. A great tragedy.I turn, leaning against the bath with a grin.Me: Should I apologize for being so victorious?Viktor scoffs.Viktor: It would be the honorable thing to do.Me: Mm see, I don’t know if I can do that in good conscience.His eyes narrow, but there’s warmth behind it. Amusement curling at the corners of his mouth. I remember that I still have him.. inside of me. Iclear my throat, excusing myself for a moment while I use the toilet down the hall. I don’t take too long while I take care of the matter, quickly returning to the bathroom before the bath fills up too high. I test the water and it’s perfect.Hot enough to create steam and cool enough to not burn at the touch. I reach for him again, this time to help him into the tub and to my surprise, he lets me. He still lets out a grumble under his breath.We both settle into the water facing each other, legs crossed and knees touching. The heat of the water immediately visibly easing the tension in his body.For a long moment, we just sit there together. The steam curls around us, our breaths still a little uneven from earlier and Viktor just looks at me. His gaze is softer now. Searching. Like he’s trying to figure something out.Viktor: I assume you feel victorious?I raise a brow.Me: Is that your way of asking how I feel?Viktor shrugs.Me: I feel good. More than good.I pause, tilting my head.Me: Do you?Viktor’s lips quirk.Viktor: I think you already know the answer to that.Me: I want to hear you say it.He makes a thoughtful noise, letting his head rest back against the edge of the tub.Viktor: I feel.. content.He says it like he’s testing the word out, like it’s unfamiliar to him.And maybe it is.Me: That’s all?Viktor: It is a high honor.I huff a laugh, shaking my head but something warm settles in my chest anyway.But then I notice his legs.They’re still folded, the shaking is almost not noticeable but the water rippling at their movement tells all.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.Me: You are still not resting your leg properly.Viktor: It is fine.Me: You are the worst patient.Before he can argue I grab his arms and tug him forward, pulling him over to me and moving him until his back is resting against my chest. His sharp exhale tells me he wasn’t expecting it, but he doesn’t resist.He shifts slightly until he’s comfortable and his legs finally stretch out properly.Me: There. Better?Viktor hums, tilting his head back against my chest.Viktor: This is acceptable.Me: Good.I reach my hand out of the tub for a moment, grabbing my phone.I tap at the screen, knowing exactly what to do.After a few moments, the first song of many starts playing. He recognises it immediately.Viktor: Ah, it is your turn to be sentimental. Is it?Me: Perhaps.He clicks his tongue, recognising that I’m imitating the way he speaks.Viktor: If I am not mistaken, this is my playlist. Am I correct?I smile, nuzzling myself into his hair.Me: You would be correct.I feel him laugh softly, bringing his hand up to stroke my leg next to him.Viktor: Cute.I kiss the top of his head softly before reaching for the shampoo. I lather it between my hands before carefully working it into his hair. My fingers move in slow, firm circles massaging his scalp. I feel the tension drain from his body almost immediately.His breath slows for a moment but then he sighs, melting against me. I wish I could live in this moment forever. Viktor lets out a quiet hum, low and indulgent as I work my fingers through his hair. His head tips back against my shoulder as his body sinks deeper into me. His arms submerging into the water. Into this quiet little moment where neither of us has to say an anything.It’s rare for him to let himself relax like this. But he does.For me.That knowledge alone sends a warm sensation through my chest.My thumbs press gently against his temples, moving in slow, deliberate circles. I can feel the tension easing beneath my touch. Seeing the way his breathing slows. The way his body presses into mine a little more with each pass of my fingers.Me: You’re really enjoying this, huh?Viktor: I would be a fool not to.Me: You’re already a fool, so.Viktor clicks his tongue and huffs, but it’s weak at best and I can tell he’s too content to put up a fight. His hand lifts from the water, lazily flicking some droplets in my direction in what I assume is meant to be retaliation.Viktor: You are lucky I am too relaxed to get you.Me: Oh, I’m terrified.Viktor hums again. Something between amusement and satisfaction. I let my hands drift lower, massaging along the base of his skull and then down the nape of his neck.Viktor: You are good at this.His voice is softer now, much less guarded. I don’t think he even realizes it.Me: Oh yeah? You say that like you’ve had a lot of people wash your hair before.He laughs softly, tipping his head back into my chest.Viktor: I assure you I have not. I simply assumed you would be terrible at it.I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.Me: You wound me.Viktor: You will survive.I let my fingers trace down, running the pads of my thumbs along the nape of his neck. I start massaging small, slow circles. The way his breath catches ever so quietly doesn’t go unnoticed.Me: What would you do without me?Viktor hums like he’s actually considering it.Viktor: Hm. I suppose I would continue to be perfectly capable on my own.I click my tongue, dragging my nails lightly against his scalp just to watch him shiver.Me: Liar.His lips twitch, but he doesn’t argue.Instead, he lets his head tip back further against my shoulder, exposing the pale column of his throat. His pulse beats steady beneath his skin, just beneath my lips.It would be so easy to kiss him there.I swallow.Viktor: I think I like this.The way he says it is quiet and almost hesitant. He makes my chest ache.Me: The bath?Viktor: Hm.Me: The head massage?Viktor: Mmm.I smirk, letting my hands drift down, tracing the shape of his ribs beneath the water.Me: Me?He waits a while before answering this time.Viktor: Perhaps.I grin against his temple, feeling his body shift ever so slightly against mine.Me: Just ‘perhaps’?Viktor: You are fishing.Me: And?Viktor: And I do not think you need me to answer.I exhale, something deep and warm settling in my stomach.Viktor: It is.. nice. This.His voice is quieter now. It’s as if he’s saying it to himself more than to me.Me: Yeah. It is.It’s a simple truth but it carries more weight than it should.I think about all the ways I could respond.I could say something cocky, make a joke to deflect the sudden seriousness of the moment.I could push. I could pry. I could demand to know exactly what he means.Or I could just let it be.I choose the latter.Instead, I press a slow kiss to his temple. Lingering just long enough to feel him sigh against me.Viktor: Sentimental fool.Me: You love it.Viktor doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t deny it either.We stay like this for a while.Bodies pressed together, the water lapping softly against our skin. The steam curling around us like a second touch. Neither of us moves to break the silence. It’s a rare kind of quiet. Not awkward. Not heavy. Just comfortable. Like the moment doesn’t need anything else.Viktor’s breathing is slow and steady, the weight of him resting against my chest making me feel grounded in a way I can’t possibly explain. My hands stay in his hair, idly threading through the damp strands and occasionally massaging at his scalp just to hear him hum in contentment.It’s almost scary how easily I’ve learned to read him.Every little noise.Every shift of his body.I know exactly when he’s about to speak before he even opens his mouth. And half the time I can predict his words too.Viktor: You are quiet.Me: So are you.Viktor: Hm. That is rather rare for me.I grin, dragging my finger tips lightly along the back of his neck.Me: Oh, I know.He scoffs before shifting slightly, but he doesn’t pull away. If anything, he relaxes further into me. His head tipping back against my shoulder.Viktor: It is strange.Me: What is?Viktor: This.He gestures vaguely with one hand, causing a small ripple in the water.Viktor: Being with someone and.. not feeling the need to fill the silence.I blink, my hands stilling in his hair for just a second.Me: Yeah.I don’t say more than that. I don’t need to.Because I get it.I get him.I don’t think Viktor has ever done this before. Let himself be vulnerable like this. Let himself rest against someone without constantly keeping a part of himself walled off.And to be honest, I don’t think I have either.I curl my arm around his waist beneath the water, feeling his ribs expand with a deep inhale. I know he’s thinking about something and debating whether or not to say it. I don’t push. I let him get there on his own.Viktor: You know, I never imagined this for myself.His voice is quieter now, barely more than a murmur.Me: This?Viktor: Mm.He pauses like he’s still trying to find the right words.Viktor: It always seemed unnecessary.Me: What, meaningful relationships?Viktor: Yes.He says it simply, without hesitation.Viktor: I did not see the appeal. The need for it.He exhales. His fingers tapping idly against my knee where his hand rests beneath the water.Viktor: And yet.His voice dips lower, something almost self deprecating in the way he says it.Viktor: Here I am.I smile before leaning down slightly so my lips brush against the curve of his ear.Me: And do you regret it?Viktor doesn’t answer right away.Instead, he turns his head just enough to meet my gaze. His expression is unreadable.And then, he smiles. Soft. Barely there. But real.Viktor: Ask me again later.I exhale a quiet laugh, pressing my forehead to the side of his temple.Me: I will. And I will.Because I already know the answer. Me: I should do this more often.Viktor: You should.Me: Wow, you didn’t even hesitate.Viktor: It is important to encourage good habits.I roll my eyes, but the corner of my mouth twitches up anyway. He’s impossible.The music plays softly from the counter, filling the space between our words.His playlist. Of course I put it on.I might never be able to admit it out loud, but I love the way he softens when he hears familiar songs. It’s like his mind quiets down for a little while. It makes me feel like I can control the situation better and make him feel as good as he deserves to.I work the last of the shampoo into his hair before leaning forward and pressing a lazy kiss to his temple.Me: Alright. Let’s rinse you off, war criminal.Viktor sighs, but it’s a content kind of sigh, one that makes my heart throb in my chest.Viktor: If you insist, my captor.Me: You’re getting way too comfortable in my arms for someone calling me their captor.He chuckles a slow and tired laugh. I detach the handheld showerhead, tipping his chin back just enough to start rinsing the bubbles from his hair. He closes his eyes, trusting me completely.And that..that’s the part that gets me.I let my fingers drift lazily through his hair, watching the way the water ripples dance over Viktor’s skin. He’s still resting against my chest, his eyes closed and his breathing slow and steady.He’s completely at ease. He trusts me. He knows he’s in good hands and doesn’t need to hide behind a cracked mask anymore.I suspect that the cracks are deeper than the mask, but I’m willing to be the kintsugi that holds him together if he needs.I finish washing his hair, my fingers raking through the final strands softly. I feel a new level of peace that I’ve never experienced before. And I know it’s because of him.Me: You wanna know something?Viktor: Hm?Me: I think this is the first time in forever that I don’t feel like I need to be doing anything else.Viktor shifts his head slightly, turning to the side enough to glance up at me.Viktor: What do you mean?I breathe out softly, letting my hand slide lower to rest lightly over his stomach.Me: I don’t know..I guess I’ve always felt like I need to be thinking about what’s next. What I should be doing. Where I should be going. How I’m not doing enough. How I’m falling behind.But right now?I tighten my arms around him just slightly, trying to hold onto this moment for just a little longer.Me: Right now, I don’t care about any of that. I just want be here. With you. That’s all I need.Viktor doesn’t say anything for a long moment, but I feel the way he exhales. Slow and measured. His fingers resume their absent tracing over my thigh.When he finally does speak, it’s quiet.Viktor: Me too.I don’t push him to say more.I don’t need to.Because right now?Right now, we have all the time in the world.And maybe it’s because of the sudden vulnerability or maybe it’s just the stupidly intimate atmosphere of the whole thing, but I find myself speaking without thinking once again.Me: Hey, tell me a secret.Viktor makes a quiet, thoughtful noise but doesn’t open his eyes.Viktor: A secret?Me: Yeah. Something you’ve never told anyone before.His lips twitch slightly, like he’s amused.Viktor: That is an oddly sentimental request.Me: Humour me.He shifts a little, his fingers rubbing over my knee. I can feel the hesitation in the movement. The way he’s weighing something in his mind.Viktor: It is silly.Me: Now that just makes me want to know more.Viktor exhales, something close to a sigh but he’s smiling now. Just barely.Viktor: You are relentless.Me: And yet, you love me for it.There’s a pause. A flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he closes them again.Viktor: ..I love to drink sweetmilk.I blink.Me: You what?Viktor: Sweetmilk.Me: Like..warm milk with sugar?Viktor hums in confirmation.Viktor: Mhm. And star anise.I stare at him for a long second before bursting into a soft laughter, my body shaking both of us.Me: You? Mr. ‘I drink my coffee black because I am sophisticated’? You have a soft spot for sweetmilk?Viktor huffs, shifting against me in what I can only describe as a sulk.Viktor: I knew this was a mistake.Me: No, no, this is amazing. That is my new favorite thing about you.Viktor: I take it back. You deserve no secrets from me.I press my face into his hair, still chuckling.Me: Oh, come on. It’s adorable.Viktor: It is practical.Me: It’s cute!He sighs dramatically like this is the worst possible outcome but there’s no real annoyance behind it.Viktor: Fine. If I must be humiliated, then you must suffer as well.I raise a brow.Me: Oh?Viktor tilts his head back, just enough to look up at me.Viktor: Your turn. Tell me a secret.Me: Alright.. I have a deep and terrible secret.Viktor: I am sure you do. Go on.Me: I once.. cried at the ending of an animated movie.Viktor: Which one?Me: No. That’s classified. You haven’t unlocked that answer yet.Viktor gives me a look, clearly unimpressed.Viktor: That is not a real secret.Me: Sure it is.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.Viktor: You are avoiding the question.Me: I’m not avoiding anything.Viktor: Jayce.Shit.I walked myself into this one.I glance down at him. He’s watching me now, like really watching me. It’s almost unfair how well he can see through me. It’s like he’s peeling back every layer of my mind with nothing but a quiet look.And before I can even think to stop myself, the words I’ve been holding onto since the beginning slip out.Me: My secret is that you were right.Viktor: I usually am. But be more specific. What about?I smile, lost in the moment. His skin pressed against mine. My brain still delirious from earlier. The steam removing the oxygen from the air.Me: It absolutely is too late for me, like you said earlier.I can almost see the cogs turning as he processes my words. His brows furrowing as he tries to reflect on what he said.Viktor: Too late for what? Enlighten me. Me: I have already fallen in love with you. Silence. The air shifts. The water stills. And Viktor just..looks at me. I can’t breathe.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Viktor doesn’t say anything at first. He doesn’t move.He doesn’t react.He just stays there leaning against me. His body warm and steady, his fingers staying rested lightly against my leg.I should say something.Backtrack.Laugh it off.Something.Anything.But I don’t. I can’t.Because it’s true.So I just sit there with my heartbeat thundering in my ears, watching the slow and deliberate way Viktor’s fingers tap against my knee.One. Two. Three.Then, he breaks the silence. Viktor: I know. It’s so soft I almost miss it.I swallow, my throat suddenly as dry as sandpaper.Me: You-Viktor: Of course I know.He says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Like I just told him the sky is blue.He shifts against me, tilting his head back so he can look up at me fully and god. Those eyes. They’re soft and warm and unreadable.If I wasn’t already drowning, I would be now.Me: And you-I can’t even finish my sentence.But Viktor understands. He always understands.Viktor: Mm.I blink.Me: ..that’s not an answer.Viktor hums entirely too pleased with himself, resting his head against my chest again with a soft pressure.Viktor: It is a perfectly good answer.Me: No, it’s not. You can’t just-Viktor: I can. And I have.I stare down at him, completely at a loss.Me: So that’s it? I spill my heart out to you and all I get is a hum?Viktor: Well. It is a very meaningful hum.Me: You are insufferable.Viktor: Mm. But you love me.I open my mouth and close it.He has me there.Me: Yeah. Unfortunately, I do.Viktor makes a small, satisfied noise and lets himself sink further against me. His body molding perfectly into mine. My arms tighten around him instinctively, like they were always meant to hold him here like this.The water is cooling around us, but I don’t care. Viktor is warm against me, his head resting on my chest like he belongs there. My fingers skim along his arm, slowly and absentmindedly tracing patterns into his skin. He sighs softly, shifting just enough to get comfortable and my heart clenches.He still hasn’t said it back.I know I shouldn’t care.I didn’t say it expecting anything in return. It’s enough that he’s here, that he’s mine in whatever way he wants to be. But still.. god, I want to hear it. Just once. If he even feels the same.I don’t push too hard, though. I know him better than that.I exhale, tilting my head back against the edge of the tub.Me: Y’know, most people would say something after such a raw and honest confession like that. Just saying.Viktor makes a small sound, adjusting his head against my chest.Viktor: I did say something.Me: A hum does not count as words.Viktor: A hum can convey a great deal of meaning.I huff, rolling my eyes.Me: Yeah? What exactly was your great meaning then?Viktor: That is for you to interpret.I groan, tipping my head forward to rest against his.Me: You’re the worst.Viktor chuckles, soft and quiet.Viktor: And yet, you love me.Me: Yeah, yeah. We’ve been over this.He rubs his head side to side slightly, nuzzling me into him. He has a soft, pleased look on his face like he’s won something.We just sit like this for a while. The only sounds are the occasional drip of water and the steady rise and fall of our breaths. After a long pause, Viktor speaks again. Viktor: It scares me. Just a little bit. The words are so quiet I almost miss them. I blink, lifting my head slightly to look down at him.Me: What does?Viktor doesn’t answer right away. His fingers ghost over my forearm, slowly and thoughtfully before he exhales. Viktor: This. Us. You. His voice is barely above a whisper.Viktor: I have never been very good at this sort of thing.I soften, my chest aching for him.Me: You’re doing just fine, Vik. There’s nothing you need to be except you. That’s exactly what I love about you. Just, well.. you.Viktor scoffs, but it lacks his usual sharpness.Viktor: Mm. Perhaps. There’s another pause before he speaks even quieter. Viktor: I have loved you for a long time, Jayce. My breathing stops. My entire world feels like it has just broken out of a glass box it didn’t realise it was encased in. My ruminating vanishes. It feels like I have been living my life as if it was a gasp instead of a deep breath. I feel like I’m going to cry. Me: ..Yeah? Viktor: Mm.I close my eyes, pressing my forehead against his shoulder.Me: That better not be another hum.Viktor laughs softly.Viktor: It is not.Viktor sits forward, readjusting his body to face me again before reaching up and cupping my cheeks in his warm, wet, slightly pruny hands. Viktor: Jayce. Let me be crystal clear for just a moment.Me: Mm?He kisses my lips softly, letting them linger for an intoxicating amount of time before pulling back slightly and finally speaking. Viktor: I love you too. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled harder in my life. I rest my forehead against his, my nose rubbing against his softly.Me: Thank you. For loving me too. I know it isn’t easy.He clicks his tongue, pulling back to raise his eyebrows at me.Viktor: Nonsense. The hardest part about loving you will be convincing you that you are worth the effort.I laugh softly. He’s right. The water went cold a long time ago. It’s lukewarm at best. Viktor is still leaning against me, fingers tracing lazy patterns along my arm. I’m not moving first. Not when I can stay like this with him.Unfortunately Viktor is Viktor and his sense of self preservation wins out over any sentimentality. He sighs, shifting against me.Viktor: This is getting uncomfortably cold.I hum, stretching my legs out under the water.Me: What, you don’t enjoy marinating in your own bath water?Viktor: I can think of better ways to spend my time.He nudges me with his knee.Viktor: And better places to sit than cold porcelain.Me: Like my lap?I expect an eye roll.Instead he moves forward, bracing a hand against my shoulder as he slowly climbs out of the tub, water dripping from his skin. It gives me an excellent view of his back. Petite and pale, a few small moles scattered along his spine that I haven’t had the fortune of kissing just yet.He turns quickly, catching me staring.Oh shit.I quickly look away, clearing my throat.Me: Should probably uh.. dry off.Viktor makes a pleased noise, stepping onto the bath mat.Viktor: Yes. And you should put on something dry. I will find something that fits you.I sigh, dragging myself out of the bath.I already miss the warmth of Viktors skin on mine despite my earlier complaints on the water temperature. Viktor, of course, has no issue. He grabs a towel, wraps it loosely around himself and heads toward his bedroom cupboard.I follow him into his room, still a bit wet. My towel wrapped around my waist. He’s rummaging through his wardrobe, no doubt trying to find something that will actually pull over my shoulders.Me: You know, I think I would look better in your sweater vests than you do.He glances over his shoulder, unimpressed.Viktor: I think you should not test my generosity.Me: Come on, imagine it.I gesture vaguely at myself, smirking.Me: The perfect fit. The perfect color. People would say ‘Wow, Jayce! you look incredible, is that new?’ And I’d say ‘No actually, it’s Viktor’s. I just wear it better.Viktor: You are impossible.I shrug, grinning but he’s stopped looking through his clothes. He’s staring at something in the cupboard, quiet.Me: Are you okay, Vik? Is there a spider?He reaches inside, pulling out a hoodie.My hoodie.The one I hid for him to find.He turns to me, holding it in both hands. A confused expression on his face.Viktor: You left this.Not a question.I rub the back of my neck, my ears turning slightly pink at being unexpectedly called out.Me: Yeah.Viktor: You left it here for me.I nod. My words failing me.Viktor holds it close to his chest for a moment before looking at me again, something unbearably soft in his gaze.Viktor: You cannot have it back.My lips part. I wasn’t expecting that.Viktor: It is mine now.He says simply.Viktor: And I will not return it.I laugh under my breath, shaking my head.Me: Alright alright, you win.He smirks victoriously wasting no time in putting it on, then turns back to the cupboard. This time pulling out a different shirt. An old, oversized one. The faded print still only just legible:Zaun University.Viktor: Here, you can wear this.I catch it easily in one hand, eyeing it quickly.Me: Didn’t know you kept any of these.Viktor: I am sentimental. That or.. maybe I am just a hoarder.I exhale a laugh out of my nose, pulling it over my head. It’s a little baggy on me, which is surprising. He must have gotten it a few sizes too big for a comfy fit.It smells like him, too. Not that I’m thinking about that.Definitely not. We end up in the loungeroom on the couch, Clementine curled up sleepily beside us.The pizza is long cold and forgotten. We both still haven’t eaten. I take one look at the sleepiness creeping onto Viktors face and volunteer to reheat our pizza before tucking us in on the couch. Nice and warm. Safe. Soft. Cosy.Home.We toss up what to watch as our movie of choice and I opt for my favourite one.Ratatouille plays softly on the screen.Viktor shifts, glancing at me.Viktor: This was your choice?I stretch my arms along the back of the couch, feigning offense.Me: What, you don’t like it?Viktor: It is about a rat.Me: It’s about following your dreams.He huffs, unimpressed but lets it play regardless.Somewhere near the middle of the movie, I admit something to him.Me: This is the cartoon movie that made me cry. From my secret earlier.Viktor turns to look at me so fast I think he might hurt his neck.Viktor: You cried?I groan.Me: I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.He’s grinning now, his eyes alight with amusement.Viktor: You cried. During Ratatouille.I gesture to the screen, clicking my tongue.Me: It’s emotional, alright? Remy just wants to cook and nobody believes in him, and.. and it’s about passion-Viktor lets out a sharp laugh, shaking his head.Viktor: You are stupid.Me: Okay, rude.Still laughing, he leans in closer. Nudging his forehead against my shoulder.And then, so casually.So easily, he murmurs under his breath.Viktor: I love you.The world tilts.My heart does a somersault in my chest.He just said it so naturally. Without me needing to prompt it.I turn my head slowly. My eyes wide because.. because he just-He looks unbothered, still smiling. But there’s something in his expression, something warm and knowing.I exhale, letting my heartbeat slow before mumbling softly.Me: You’re lucky you’re so cute.Viktor lets out a pleased hum, clearly entertained.I don’t let him bask in it for long.Instead, I move fast. Pulling him on top of me, wrapping my arms around him as he squeaks in surprise. His laugh bubbles out, bright and free as I press a series of soft kisses to his face.His cheek.His nose.The space just below his eye.His beauty marks.Viktor: Jayce, the pizza is getting cold again!Me: I know.I murmur between kisses holding him close, feeling his warmth against me.His hands curl around my neck, still breathless with laughter.I press my lips to his temple, closing my eyes. Me: And I love you too. We finally get around to eating but we’re more focused on the movie than the pizza in our hands.It’s fine. Room temperature at best.It’s not bad, not great. But it does the job when you haven’t eaten all day.Viktor doesn’t say anything for a while, his attention fixed on the screen. I can see the way his brows furrow slightly and the way his fingers pause against the crust of his pizza like he’s considering something.Then, finally he speaks.Viktor: Hm.I glance at him.Me: Hm?Viktor doesn’t look away from the screen, just gestures vaguely with his slice still in hand.Viktor: The way he describes taste. The combination. It is clever. Very creative. Very scientific.I follow his gaze.Remy is nibbling on a piece of cheese, then a strawberry. Bright, colorful sparks flare behind him as he discovers the way the flavours blend together.Me: Yeah?Viktor nods slowly.Viktor: It is an interesting way to think about it. The layering of sensation. Balance. Contrast. It is close to a formula blueprint.He sounds almost thoughtful. I smirk, nudging his knee with mine.Me: You getting ideas, chef?Viktor huffs, unimpressed.Viktor: Do not start. The credits roll and Viktor is already slipping into that sleepy haze. His body relaxing against the couch cushions as his eyelids droop. I nudge him lightly, not enough to be annoying but enough to pull him back from the edge of sleep.Me: Viktor. You’re gonna fall asleep on me, aren’t you?He doesn’t open his eyes. His response is half a groan, half a mumbled word that I can’t make out.Me: Viktor. C’mon, get up. We’re going to bed.Viktor: Five more minutes..I laugh softly, shaking my head.Me: Alright, old man. I’ll let you sleep like that on the couch but don’t say I didn’t warn you when your back starts aching tomorrow.He cracks open one eye, giving me a sleepy squint that’s too adorable for words.Viktor: Fine, fine. I will get up.He mumbles, letting me help him to his feet. My arm slips around his waist and his arm wraps around my shoulder.We shuffle down the hallway together, Viktor still wearing my hoodie like it’s super glued to his body.Part of me wants to ask if he’s planning on stealing it permanently, but I keep it to myself. There’s something about him in that hoodie that just feels right. Like a piece of him that’s meant to be there.Once we get to the bed, I crawl in first letting the cool sheets greet me. It feels good to be here. To be alone with Viktor in this quiet, intimate space. He follows me in with no hesitation and immediately wraps himself around me from behind. His body presses against mine like it’s a habit he can’t bring himself to break.His lips brush against my shoulder, soft and lingering and it makes my heart do a giddy little skip.Viktor: You must serve your purpose as heat generator for the night.He mutters, his voice thick with sleep but his grip on me is solid like he means it. Like it’s an order.I laugh softly.Me: Guess I can handle that.I reply, my voice quieter than usual.I settle deeper into the bed trying to ignore how comfortable this feels. How natural it is to be here with him.The room is silent for a while, save for the steady rhythm of Viktor’s breathing against my back.The weight of everything that’s happened between us feels heavier now, like it’s finally sinking in.How real it is.How we’re not pretending anymore, not hiding behind the walls we once built up.And yet..He loves me.He said it.Not once, but twice.And I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.I know what he meant when he said it, but I can’t help the nagging doubt that won’t quiet down.What if it’s just some fleeting thing? What if he doesn’t actually know what it means to love me? Maybe he’s still figuring it out himself. Maybe that’s why he’s not saying it again. Maybe, in his mind, it’s not real yet. Or maybe I’m just imagining this whole thing.I shift a little, feeling Viktor’s arm tighten around me as if he’s sensing my thoughts. His face nuzzles into the back of my neck, and his breath is warm and steady against my nape.My rumination fizzles out like a defective firework.He’s here.He’s still here.He’s not going anywhere.And somehow, that means more than anything else. It means that I’ve done something right even if I’m not entirely sure what that is.I let out a soft sigh and try to relax, pulling his hand closer to my chest. He’s not pulling away, not hesitating. His presence feels like the most certain thing in the world. Even if I’m still unsure of what comes next, I’m not alone in figuring it out. I close my eyes, feeling the steady pressure of him breathing softly against me and I remind myself that for now, this is enough. We fall asleep in tandem and I have the best nights sleep I can ever remember having.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’m still half asleep when my phone screen flashes brightly followed by a series of vibrations. I barely even register the alert before I instinctively tap the button.
It’s just my 10AM alarm.I lost my shirt in the night again. I’m starting to think that Viktor might be the culprit and that maybe I’m not just some sweaty perv.I blink a few times, bleary eyed and groggy before picking up my phone to check the time.And there she is. Full of energy. Her face processing my image as I barely realise what has just happened. I rub my eyes with one hand, my mind still not quite awake. Mel video called me.And I accidentally answered. Mel: Jayce? You’re still asleep?Me: Mel? Oh what? Hey yeah I Just. Just woke up, hey what’s up?Her gaze drops lower as my image renders in properly.
I can see her eyes widen. She clears her throat.Mel: Now, Jayce.. not to be intrusive but.. well, I can’t NOT address the hickeys.I glance down at myself for a moment, suddenly realising what she can see. There’s no hiding the marks and there’s DEFINITELY no hiding the bites.I try to cough, brushing it off as best I can. But then I feel a weight shift beside me.Before I know it Viktor’s arm wraps around me, pulling himself up to nuzzle against my shoulder. He’s half asleep against me.I swear he has some sort of radar for when I’m trying to get out of awkward situations that makes him immediately amplify them.I freeze for a second, my brain processing everything far too slowly. Then, like it’s the most normal thing in the world, she adds in some words that sober me conscious immediately.Mel: Jayce. Is that.. There’s no way.. is that VIKTOR behind you!? Oh my god, you two were together last night???She almost squeals, but catches herself before it becomes too loud.Mel: Wait, no. You two were TOGETHER last night. That’s- Jayce. You must be imploding. I’m not sure if I should be proud or concerned that you were able to go through with it. Mr rumination does something not self destructive for once? Let me check the calendar, it must be Christmas.I groan inwardly, my face already hot and blushing. I try to sit up, dragging my hand across my face.Me: Mel, come on it’s not like that!But she’s already seen it all.
Far too much, actually.Mel: Oh please, ‘it’s not like that’ but you’re covered in hickeys and bite marks. Consider me convinced! Well if nothing else, it’s good to see that you’re finally getting a full body workout, instead of just your arms. Good job, Talis.I blink a few times, half caught in the haze of sleep and half grateful that she’s not teasing me too much. I shoot Viktor a sideways look, pleading that he’ll do something not incriminating but he’s still not helping. He’s sitting up now pulling a lazy smirk as he adjusts his position looking every bit like he couldn’t care less.Viktor: I do not know who you are speaking with, but if she is looking to be your girlfriend, I am afraid that position has been recently filled.I feel the heat in my cheeks surge as I process his words, my eyes flickering back to Mel.Mel: Hiiiiii Viktor, I’m one of Jayces oldest friends. My name is Mel. I would like to assure you, that I do not wish to take him away from you. The position of Jayces girlfriend is all yours.I tilt my head back, running a hand through my hair. My worlds have just collided and I’m barely awake enough to process it.Viktor gives her a sleepy thumbs up, leaning on my shoulder softly. Still delirious from sleep.Mel: But I will say, Viktor. If you would ever like to see embarrassing pictures of Jayce from university, please message me at any time.I’m still trying to process everything when I feel Viktor nudge me again, still snuggled up to my side. I can feel the smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he slowly pulls himself up, wiping sleep from his eyes. He looks too damn cute for how much chaos is going on around us.Viktor leans up slightly with a grin, looking straight at the screen.Viktor: I am very interested in seeing these..pictures.I roll my eyes, wishing I could sink into the bed and disappear. It’s hard to pretend I’m unaffected when Viktor’s arm is around me and Mel is absolutely enjoying every second of this.Mel: Any last words, Talis?I can hear her still laughing in the background, making my face burn with the intensity of it. Viktor just leans back against me, looking more smug than Clementine when she is handed a plate of sardines.I grumble, trying to shift my face away from the camera.Me: Shut up, Mel.Mel: Oh, I’m just getting started. Do you know how nice it is to put a name to a face? It is a delight to finally meet you, Viktor. Jayce has told me ALL about you.Viktor’s smile doesn’t falter, but I feel him chuckle against my shoulder before settling in closer, tilting his head curiously at the phone.Viktor: Is that right?Panic seeps into my chest, my pulse throbbing in my throat.I deny it.Me: She’s lying!Viktor: Well, that is very interesting. Jayce recently found out that I discuss him with a friend and he did not let me hear the end of it. This is very welcomed news. I will pocket this knowledge for later.Mel grins, absolutely thriving off my misery.Mel: Oh, Viktor, you have no idea. Jayce here has been hopelessly enamored with you since the beginning. And let me tell you. He doesn’t talk about anything else.Me: Mel.Mel: What? I’m just sharing valuable context with your boyfriend.Viktor hums, dragging his fingers through his sleep tanged hair and looking more entertained than he has any right to be.Viktor: I believe I claimed the title of his ‘girlfriend’ if you remember.Mel: Right, my bad. Jayce’s girlfriend.I pinch the bridge of my nose, willing the universe to strike me down. Viktor is barely awake and he’s still managing to tag team with Mel, WHO HE HAS JUST MET, to make my life a living hell.Me: Okay, fantastic, great talk. Glad my two favourite people have now met. We should really wrap this up-Mel: Absolutely not. Viktor, do you want to know the first thing Jayce ever said to me about you?Viktor: Oh, desperately.Me: No.Mel: He said that he knew you were the mystery he has waited his entire lifetime to crack, and that he would wait another lifetime if it meant he could actually do it.Viktor blinks once. Then twice.
Then he bites his lip, trying and failing not to smirk.Viktor: Did he now?Me: Mel, I am begging you.Mel: I have so much more, by the way. I could write an entire dissertation.I groan into my free hand. Viktor pats my back like he’s offering me his deepest sympathies.He isn’t.He’s having the time of his life.Viktor: Please, continue.Mel: With pleasure.Me: Mel.Mel: Talis.Viktor is barely containing his amusement. He rests his chin against my shoulder like he’s settling in for a bedtime story.Viktor: I am listening.I swear I feel my soul leave my body. This is it.This is how I die.Mel: Let’s see here.. oh! Do you remember that time you disappeared for a few days and left Jayce spiraling?Me: MEL!Mel: He was convinced you got bored of him. Dropped him like a toy. He kept refreshing his messages every five minutes like a widow waiting for a war letter.Viktor lets out a low hum, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns against my skin. He’s way too pleased about this.Viktor: My suburb had a power outage for several days and I could not charge my phone.Mel: I know that. You know that. But Jayce? Oh, he was halfway to composing a tragic love ballad about his mysterious internet crush leaving him for dead.I drop my phone onto the mattress and cover my face with my hands.Me: I hate both of you.Viktor picks up the phone the second I put it down.Viktor: That is unfortunate, Jayce. I was just about to say something very sweet.I peek at him between my fingers.Me: Go on.He smiles. Smugly.Viktor: No, no. I would not want to embarrass you. Mel howls in laughter. Mel: Oh, he’s perfect for you, Jayce. I like him a lot. I am so proud of you. Me: Oh, well, I’m sooooo glad I have your approval, Mel. This has really been my main concern. Phew!Mel: As it should be.I hear Viktor chuckle beside me, and I shoot him a glare that only makes him grin wider. He’s fully awake now, lazily draped over me like he belongs here. Like this is normal. And the worst part is, it is.I hate how easily I’ve gotten comfortable with our new normal. Except I don’t hate it. Not really.Mel: Alright, Jayce I should let you go. But I’ll be thinking about this moment for the rest of my life. And I’ll make sure you never forget it too.Me: Fantastic. I hope it haunts you.Mel: Oh, it will. Every time I see you, I’ll think about how Viktor here has you wrapped around his little fingers.Viktor: I am not so sure Jayce could call my fingers little in good faith.Mel: Oh my god.I shoot him a horrified look while Mel cackles so hard I think she might drop her phone.Viktor, completely unbothered, just nestles further into my side like he didn’t just say that. Like he didn’t just turn my own best friend against me. Like he didn’t just unintentionally make the best first impression he ever could have.Me: We’re done here.Mel: We are not!Me: Mel.Mel: Ugh, fine. But Viktor, it was genuinely such an absolute pleasure. You will be hearing from me again, I promise.Viktor smiles at the camera.Viktor: I am already looking forward to it.And with that, I end the call.Immediately.Without a word.I tap the screen and shut it down before Mel can say anything else and before Viktor can get in another smug remark. Before the last of my sanity crumbles into dust.I exhale, tilting my head back against the headboard. My eyes closed.Silence.Peace.Then..Viktor: So.. I groan. Here we go. Me: No.Viktor: I am ‘The mystery you have waited your entire lifetime to crack’?Me: No.Viktor: And you would wait another?I roll onto my side, shoving my face into the pillow.Me: I am going to suffocate myself now.Viktor just laughs, warm and low. His fingers tracing up my spine. Viktor: You are absolutely not getting your hoodie back now. Viktor is cruel and perilous and does not allow mercy.Instead his fingers keep tracing along my spine in a slow, absentminded path that sends shivers up my back.I hate that he’s doing this while I’m actively trying to die.
I hate that it’s unravelling me.Viktor: You know, I do not think that Mel was exaggerating.I grumble into the pillow, muffled and pathetic.Me: I don’t know what you’re talking about.Viktor, as always, sees right through me.Viktor: Of course not.I hear the smirk in his voice before I even lift my head.Viktor: You have not been hopelessly enamored with me since the beginning. You were just..what was it?He hums, pretending to think.Viktor: Waiting a lifetime?I sit up immediately, smacking him with a pillow.Me: You are insufferable.He grins, completely unbothered.Viktor: And yet..he says, tilting his head.Viktor: ..You are here.I open my mouth to argue but I don’t have a single leg to stand on. Not when I’m still sitting in his bed, half naked after waking up beside him.Viktor takes my silence as victory.Viktor: That is what I thought.he murmurs, leaning in slightly. Close enough that I can feel the warmth of his breath. Close enough that it does something awful to my already compromised brain.I swallow hard.I need to change the subject before I kiss him.
It won’t end with just one kiss I can promise that much.Me: Give me back my hoodie.Viktor outright laughs.Viktor: Absolutely not.The morning light spills in through the cracks in the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room and most importantly, on his face.Viktor is still half draped over me, his nose tucked into the hoodie he has claimed. He’s doing it on purpose, I know. But I can’t bring myself to care.He’s too damn close to me that I can’t even think straight anymore.I take a deep breath trying to compose myself. Viktor pulls back from me, wrapping his arms around himself and falling back into the mattress.He's specifically holding the hoodie he is wearing closer to his chest with a smirk that could rival Mel’s when she connected the dots this morning.Viktor: You are not getting this back, I mean that.I roll my eyes, still not looking at him.Me: Oh I’m aware. You’ve made that painfully clear.Viktor sits up and leans closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks. His voice is low and teasing.Viktor: You know, I have to say, Jayce.. I am starting to think that you like it when I take things from you.I shudder involuntarily.I’m not sure if I should be irritated or turned on.God.Me: Maybe I just like it when you’re being possessive.Viktor smirks and chuckles softly, tracing his fingertips over the deep bite marks on my shoulders.Viktor: There is no maybe about that, Jayce.My face flushes under both his touch and his words. He’s got me wrapped around his fingers figuratively this time.Me: So, uh.. I was wondering.Viktor quirks a brow.Viktor: Mm?Me: Does this mean we’re.. I don’t know, like..’boyfriends’ now? I don’t know why I ask that.I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth.My lack of critical thinking needs to be studied by a professional. Viktor raises his eyebrow higher, clearly enjoying the way my words hang in the air with thick, unspoken tension. He tilts his head, amusement sparkling in his eyes as if he’s already decided I’m completely at his mercy.Viktor: Are we in school? No. You are much more than a boyfriend to me, Jayce. Do not be ridiculous.I blink, processing what he just said. My heart does a flip in my chest. The tips of my ears turn the faintest tinge of pink.Viktor: I believe that I already told Mel that I am your girlfriend. So I think I am already claiming some sort of title here.I let out an ugly laugh, shaking my head.Me: Yeah, I did hear that. Can’t say I was expecting you to call yourself my girlfriend, but I guess I’ll take it.Viktor lets out a low chuckle as his fingers lightly trace a pattern on my arm. His eyes soften just enough that I know he’s serious, even if the teasing never fully leaves him.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.He smiles while his fingers move higher to trace my jaw.
His voice drops to a soft, gentle tone.Viktor: You are the very marrow in my bones. You are the sea grass on my coral reef. You are the first raindrops after a long drought. You are my favorite part of the very essence of me.I blink, my heart skipping.His words are so raw, so real.So incredibly poetic.I feel like I can’t breathe for a second. Viktor: You are my partner, Jayce. My mind short circuits.It feels like all the little fragments of doubt I’ve been holding onto.. all of my hesitations and not fully understanding how deep this is just..vanish.Viktor’s warmth. His words. Everything feels like it fits perfectly.Like I’ve been waiting for this moment without even knowing it.Me: You really know how to make a guy melt, Vik.Viktor just smiles, his thumb brushing over my lips. The warmth of it makes my chest tighten. Viktor: And yet, you are here.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’m still reeling.I don’t know what to say.I should say something just as poetic and sweet. Something just as sentimental and raw.I don’t.Me: You are never meeting Mel in person.Viktor: Oh?His fingers ghost over my ribs, light as a feather and insufferable. I twitch at the contact but refuse to react. He hums, entirely too pleased with himself.Viktor: Is this because she will reveal your dark secrets? Or perhaps because you are afraid we will become good friends?Both.And the worst part? He says it like it’s a threat.I huff. He’s still sprawled next to me. Still wearing my hoodie like it belongs to him. Still looking at me like I’m the most amusing thing in the world.Me: Because she will arm you with too much ammunition.Viktor grins, all teeth.Viktor: Oh, Jayce. You make it sound like I need help with that. I absolutely do not.I exhale, ruffling a hand through my hair.Me: Alright. Fine. You win. Have your fun. Get it all out of your system.Viktor tilts his head, feigning curiosity.Viktor: My fun?Me: The gloating. The teasing. The endless torment. I can already see the speech bubbles forming above your head. Just..get it over with so I can move on with my life.Viktor considers it for just a moment and I think maybe, just maybe, he’ll be merciful.Then he leans in.Viktor: So. The mystery you have waited your entire lifetime to crack?I groan.Viktor: And another lifetime, if you must?Me: Oh my god.Viktor: And what was that other part? Ah, yes. Hopelessly enamored?I sit up, reaching for another pillow. He dodges it, laughing as he rolls onto his side.Me: You are the worst.Viktor: And yet.His voice drops, warm and smug and entirely too satisfied. I know what he’s about to say.Viktor: You are here.I don’t know what grates on me more. The fact that he keeps saying that sentence, or that it keeps getting harder to not be here.I sigh through my nose, pressing my palm against my face. Maybe if I apply enough pressure, I’ll simply cease to exist.Me: You can’t keep using that against me.Viktor: I absolutely can.I glare at him. He’s already watching me, chin propped up on his hand. Looking insufferably pleased with himself.Me: You could at least pretend to be humble.Viktor: I could.He doesn’t elaborate.Of course he doesn’t.I drop my hand and hold his gaze, but it has no effect. If anything, it just fuels whatever terrible streak he’s on.Viktor: Come now, Jayce. There is no shame in your affection. You have suffered long enough.Me: Oh, I have suffered? Enlighten me, oh wise one.Viktor: Mhm. I imagine it must have been so exhausting, being so in love with me for so long.I blink. My brain buffers. Viktor just keeps looking at me all nonchalant and smug like he didn’t just say that.Me: Excuse me?Viktor: Oh, my apologies. You prefer ‘hopelessly enamoured.’Me: Viktor.Viktor: Yes, my darling? I reach for the pillow again. He laughs, disarming me by climbing on top of me and wrapping his arms around my neck. I pull the pillow down over his head, bringing him closer to me.Before he can say anything more cruel things, I plant a soft kiss on his lips.I could get used to waking up like this.The moment turns ice cold for a split second as I remember the exact thing I’ve been trying to ignore for the past 2 days. I have to leave. Go back to my own house. The problem isn’t exactly that I have to leave.It’s that I have no more excuses not to.I have no clean clothes and there are no conveniently timed natural disasters happening. Just Viktor, curled up next to me wearing my hoodie like it belongs to him and the slow, sinking realization that this can’t last forever.I exhale, stretching my legs out and emotionally breaking away from our playful banter.
Viktor shifts beside me, catching on immediately.Viktor: Ah. You are finally surrendering.Me: I wouldn’t call it that.Viktor hums, noncommittally. His fingers slowly and deliberately twist at the fabric of my hoodie- Well, HIS hoodie now apparently. He doesn’t say anything but I can feel the smugness radiating off of him. I know exactly what he’s thinking.Viktor: You lasted longer than expected.Me: Excuse me?Viktor: I expected you to flee the moment you woke up.I scoff, rolling onto my side to face him. He’s doing a poor job at hiding his smirk. His chin resting in his palm, elbow propped on the mattress like he’s settling in to watch my suffering unfold.Me: And leave you defenseless? No shot. I had to stay to make sure you didn’t die tragically. You could’ve tripped over Clementine or..I don’t know, fallen into a well.Viktor: Ah, yes. A real tragedy. ‘Beloved scientist, dead at the hands of one very small very cute cat.’Me: And if that happened, I would be forced to avenge you.Viktor: Mm. And how exactly would you do that?Me: By waging war against Clementine, obviously.At this, Clementine lets out a sleepy little chirp from where she’s curled up at our feet. She stretches slow and lazy, then promptly flops over. Not impressed.Viktor: I am afraid you would lose.Me: I never lose.Viktor: You lost this war.He tugs at the hoodie, pointedly.I groan, reaching out to grab the fabric. Viktor sees my attack from a mile away and gently slaps my hand.Me: You’re never going to let this go, are you?Viktor: Never.I sigh.My mind stays lingering on the inevitable and on how much I don’t want this moment to ever stop. I can’t stop thinking about how safe I feel with Viktor in this warm, cosy space he calls his home. How Clementine has started to really like me, sleeping by my feet at night. My chest is yearning for this place I haven’t even left yet.
My heart hurts in my chest.
I speak softly.Me: I don’t want to leave.It’s quiet for a long moment. Viktor’s fingers have stilled where they rest on my arm but they don’t pull away. They linger, warm against my wrist.Viktor: I know.It’s not a plea. Not a question. Just a quiet understanding.He doesn’t want me to leave, either.But I have to.I sit up, rubbing at my face.Me: Alright. I need clothes. Something not mine, since somebody refuses to give my hoodie back.Viktor: Oh? And what would I get in return?Me: My eternal gratitude?Viktor scoffs but pushes himself up anyway, rolling his eyes as he moves toward his wardrobe. I watch as he sifts through his things. Tossing aside sweater vests, cardigans, a truly heinous turtleneck and finally, settling on something before tossing it my way.I catch it.It’s a faded black hoodie with a cog embroidered into it. It’s an oversized fit, which means it’ll fit me normally but Viktor would be swimming in it.It smells like him.I swallow hard.Me: So you DO have normal clothes.Viktor: Define normal.I shake my head, tugging the hoodie over my head before I can think too hard about it.It’s a little tight around my chest, but it fits well enough.Viktor’s eyes flick over me, slow and considering.Viktor: Hm.Me: What?Viktor: Nothing. Just thinking.Me: That’s never a good thing.Viktor: On the contrary. I am simply wondering how long it will take for me to steal that back.I click my tongue, shoving him lightly.Me: Not happening.Viktor grins, sharp and knowing.Viktor: We’ll see. I don’t put my shoes on right away. It’s not intentional, but it’s also not NOT intentional.Viktor, ever so observant notices immediately.Viktor: Ah. So the war continues.Me: What?Viktor gestures lazily at my socks.Viktor: You are stalling.Me: I am not-Viktor: It is alright, Jayce. No shame in admitting defeat.I groan, reaching out to grab the sleeve of MY hoodie he has claimed. He smacks my hand away again.Me: You’re really pushing your luck today.Viktor: Am I? Or am I simply enjoying my victory?His voice is so smug that it makes my lip twitch. I level him with a look while shaking my head and drop back onto the couch.I should be leaving.I should be putting my shoes on and saying something smooth and nonchalant before walking out the door with my dignity intact.Instead, I sink further into the cushions with my arms crossed over my chest like a child throwing a tantrum.Viktor: Oh dear. This is much worse than I thought.Me: Don’t.Viktor: No, no, I understand now. The great Jayce Talis does not want to leave.Me: I have to leave.Viktor: And yet.I exhale sharply.He’s right, of course. He always is.Viktor sits beside me, close enough that our knees knock together. He props his chin in his hand, considering.Viktor: We could think of another excuse.I glance at him.Me: You have one?Viktor: Hm. Perhaps you have fallen into a sudden and tragic coma.Me: ..You want me to fake a coma.Viktor: It is an option.I huff a laugh, tipping my head back against the couch.Me: Not bad, but I think Mel might get suspicious when I still manage to post pictures while unconscious.Viktor: A coma except for that.Me: Ah, yes. The rare and deadly Selective Posting Syndrome.Viktor: Exactly.I grin, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.Me: Or..you could just ask me to stay.Viktor blinks.I expect him to tease me.To make some sarcastic remark about my inflated ego.Instead, he just looks at me. His gaze slow and considering, like he’s actually thinking about it.His fingers twitch slightly at his side. He opens his mouth, but hesitates.Then, instead of answering, he nudges my knee.Viktor: We are out of excuses.My chest aches, slow and quiet.Me: Yeah.We don’t move.Clementine jumps onto the couch beside Viktor, curling up like a tiny baby. I reach out, scratching behind her ears. She makes a little noise of contentment.Viktor: She will be devastated by your departure.Me: Oh, will she?Viktor: Yes. She has grown quite attached.Clementine does not react. At all. Even a bit.Me: She’s literally asleep.Viktor: Do not be fooled. This is her grieving.I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.Me: You’re the one projecting now.Viktor hums. He doesn’t deny it.I sigh, running a hand through my hair.Me: Alright. Enough stalling.Viktor watches as I lean down, finally pulling on my shoes. It feels too final. Too real.When I straighten, Viktor is already standing.I don’t know why that makes my chest ache more.I follow him into the hallway.We move slow. Not on purpose.Just in that heavy, sinking way that people do when they don’t want to leave but have to.My bag is slung over my shoulder. Viktor’s hoodie is still on him. I should tell him again that I’m taking it back someday, but I don’t. Because I won’t.I don’t think I actually want it back.We stop at the front door.Neither of us reach for the handle.Viktor: Hm. Perhaps the door is broken.I raise a brow.Me: Oh?Viktor: Yes. A great and terrible misfortune.Me: Right. A true disaster.Viktor: Quite tragic. No way to leave.Me: Guess I’m stuck here, then.Viktor hums, tilting his head.Viktor: But wait.I arch a brow.Viktor leans forward, pressing down on the handle. The door clicks open, smooth and effortless.He looks at me, all smugness and fake pity.Viktor: Ah. Would you look at that.I frown at him, clicking my tongue.Viktor: So tragic. So sad. I will mourn you every day.Me: I hate you.Viktor grins.Viktor: And yet.I exhale, shaking my head. Even the concept of leaving hurts.Not in an obvious way.Not in a dramatic, world ending way.Just in the way that Viktor lingers in the doorway.Just in the way that my fingers twitch at my side. Itching to reach for him again.We don’t say anything at first. Just stand there. Stupid and quiet.Me: You’re making it weird.Viktor: YOU are making it weird.Me: I’m literally standing here, minding my business-Viktor: Moping.Me: I am not..okay, maybe a little.Viktor hums, amused but slightly somber. I roll my eyes, dragging a hand through his hair.Me: Just..don’t forget to eat, alright? And drink water. And-Viktor: Jayce.I shut up.His fingers brush against mine, feather light. Not enough to hold me back. Just enough to feel.Viktor: Go home.It takes everything in me to take a step back.To turn around.To leave.And when I finally do my stupid, aching heart already wants to go back. I take about ten steps.Just ten.Then I stop.The city is waking up around me. Zaun’s usual symphony of early risers and the faint scent of coffee and toast drifting from a window somewhere.The scent of Viktor’s hoodie still clings to my shoulders, and my shoes feel heavier with every step I force myself to take.I don’t even pretend to fight it.I turn back.The air is colder now. Or maybe it just feels that way without Viktor standing next to me.I take the steps two at a time, my heart picking up pace like it knows something my brain hasn’t admitted yet. Before I can second guess myself, I press the doorbell.Silence.Then. The sound of locks shifting.The door cracks open just enough for Viktor’s tired, knowing eyes to meet mine.He doesn’t look surprised. Not even a little bit. He just tilts his head, his mouth twitching like he’s trying not to smirk.Viktor: Did you already get lost?I huff a laugh, rubbing the back of my neck.Me: Nah, I just forgot something super important.His brow lifts.Viktor: If you mean the leftover pizza, I suppose you can have it-I don’t let him finish.I open the door, closing the space between us and I kiss him. slow and lingering. Like I can pour everything I don’t know how to say into the way our lips meet.He lets out the softest exhale against my mouth. Something almost like relief before he melts into it.My hands find his waist.His fingers curl into the fabric of my hoodie.The door creaks as he leans his weight into me. His body feels warm against mine and for a second it feels like the world has shrunk down to just this. Just us.When we finally pull away, Viktor doesn’t step back. He rests his forehead against my shoulder. His fingers still gripping my hoodie like he’s anchoring himself. My arms tighten around him in return.Viktor: You do not need to be this sad.He murmurs softly.Viktor: We will see each other again soon.I nod, my chin brushing the top of his head.Me: I know.A beat of silence.Viktor: Go.His voice is barely above a whisper.Viktor: Go before I am not able to let you go again.I swallow hard, my throat tight.I press one last kiss to the side of his head, my lips brushing against his temple.Me: I love you.Viktor’s grip tightens for a second. Then he exhales.Viktor: And I love you too. And this time, I make myself leave.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I walk slowly, each step heavier than the last.The tug in my chest grows tighter with every inch of space between Viktor and me, like some invisible string pulling me back to him.I’m not usually one for fate, but this? This feels like it’s happening on purpose. Like the universe is reminding me that Viktor is a part of me and that without him everything feels.. incomplete.I don’t want to go home yet. I can’t.I’m craving familiarity and I just can’t go back to Viktors house. So I end up heading to the coffee shop.I need something to distract myself, even though I know it won’t work.I walk up to the counter, my eyes scanning the menu. I usually get the same thing.A caramel Frappuccino with extra drizzle and whip.But now? I can’t even bring myself to order it. It’s too sweet, too normal. Without Viktor here, it feels boring.I sigh, almost a little annoyed with myself and order a cappuccino instead.It’s simple and straightforward.Sort of like how everything feels when Viktor isn’t around.Quiet.Still.Boring..I wait by the counter, tapping my fingers against the edge and trying to ignore the unfamiliar ache in my chest. My eyes wander to the tables of people outside, to the passing cars, but my mind is still back with him.Always with him.‘Jayce?’I freeze.I know that voice.I turn, and there she is.Sky. Viktor’s friend.She’s standing there wiping her hands on a rag, staring at me like she’s trying to figure something out. I can almost hear the thoughts clicking behind her eyes.Me: Hey! What are the odds, huh?She tilts her head, eyes glinting with amusement.Sky: I didn’t think I’d see you here alone. Is Viktor okay?I shrug, trying to act nonchalant.Me: Yeah, he’s got some stuff to take care of today. I just needed a little..distraction.She doesn’t push, just nods like she’s seen this before.Sky: I get it. I’m sorry by the way, for embarrassing you the other day. I didn’t mean to-I laugh, shaking my head.Me: It’s nothing. Really. You’re so fine.She studies me for a second, and then her smile softens.Sky: You know..Viktor doesn’t open up to people easily. He’s not the type to trust just anyone.She lowers her voice a little, leaning in.Sky: I had to work SO hard for SO long to finally get through to him.I nod. The thought of Viktor being that closed off with her too makes sense. It’s why it feels like such a privilege to see him let his guard down with me.Me: I figured. But he seems different now.She smiles, an almost wistful expression spreading across her face.Sky: Yeah. He is.She looks at me, like she’s seeing something deeper now.Sky: I’ve never seen him this happy before, Jayce. And it’s because of you. I know it is.The words hit me harder than I expected.My chest tightens, a lump suddenly rising in my throat. Viktor’s happiness? Because of me? It’s..humbling. It’s overwhelming.Me: I..I swallow, trying to get my words right.Me: I didn’t know. I mean, I didn’t realise.She hands me the cappuccino, her eyes soft with understanding.Sky: Take care of him, okay? He deserves this. He deserves to be happy.I nod, barely trusting my voice, but I manage a small sentence.Me: Yeah, I will. I promise. He deserves everything.She gives me a final smile before turning to take care of another customer.I stand there for a moment just holding the cup, my fingers numb against the heat.All I can think about is Viktor and how much I want to be with him again.How much I need him.But now.. now it feels like I’m carrying that weight a little lighter.Because I know he needs me too.And god, that makes everything feel real in a way that’s both terrifying and completely grounding all at once.I clutch the coffee cup a little tighter, the warmth seeping into my fingertips. It still doesn’t quite reach the coldness inside me. It’s the first sip of something that should’ve felt like comfort, but instead, it just tastes flat. Bitter, even.Nothing like the sweet familiarity of the caramel Frappuccino I always order. Without Viktor here, everything feels off. Like something’s missing, and I can’t fix it with my safe drink.I finish it quickly, the bitterness settling in my chest as I toss the empty cup into the nearest bin and step back onto the sidewalk.The sun is lower now, casting a soft light over the street. But it doesn’t feel warm. It’s almost like the world’s forgotten how to feel right without Viktor beside me.I walk slowly. Each step is heavy as if I’m dragging myself through thick air.I want to go back to him.I want to feel that pull in my chest again. That tether that binds me to him like the red string of fate.But I can’t. I can’t go back right now.The ache is unbearable.The kind of ache that sinks deep and makes every other feeling fade into the background.Viktor’s absence is louder than anything else.I keep walking.My thoughts ruminate more and more, but still push me forward even though I want to stop.I find myself back at my apartment building sooner than I expected. My feet have taken me here without me even realising. The walk took over an hour and I spent the entire time thinking about him. It’s like some part of me knew I couldn’t stand the thought of going anywhere else.I stand outside my door, my fingers resting on the doorknob but I don’t turn it just yet.I’m still caught in the blur of thoughts about Viktor.His smile.His voice.The way he makes me feel like I’m home even when we’re miles apart.But I can’t stay there again. Not yet.I pull the door open and step inside.The familiar scent of my apartment greets me but it’s not the same.It feels empty.Quiet.The way everything feels when Viktor isn’t around.I kick off my shoes and drop my bag on the floor, leaning against the door for a moment.The silence is almost suffocating. The weight of everything comes crashing down on me.I stare at the walls. The same ones that have never felt this cold. And I realise for the first time just how much I’ve let Viktor in.
How much he’s become a part of everything in my life.It’s scary.It’s terrifying.And yet, the thought of being without him makes everything feel much scarier.I sigh, rubbing my temples and trying to shake the thoughts away.I’m here. Alone. And I need to deal with it.I need to stop pretending like I can just keep running back to him every time it gets too hard.I need to figure this out. Because as much as it hurts, I know that Viktor can’t be my everything all the time.Not yet.My phone buzzes on the counter, pulling me out of my ruminating. I pick it up without looking. Expecting some random notification.But it’s a message from Viktor.Viktor: Did you make it home safely?It’s so simple but the weight of it hits me right in the chest. I exhale, suddenly feeling infinitely lighter.I type back with no hesitation.Me: Yeah, I did.A pause. Then the three dots appear and I feel my stomach twist.Viktor: I know. I just wanted to hear it from you.A smile pulls at my lips.I feel better now, just like that.Just hearing from him makes everything feel a little more manageable. I type back quickly again.Me: I miss you. Im already counting the metaphorical days until I see you again.Viktor: You are being silly. It has not even been a full day yet.Me: Yeah, well, I’m a little silly sometimes.Viktor: A little? Try a lot.I laugh under my breath, sinking into the couch and resting my head on the cushions. The connection we have feels real now, undeniable in every message and every word we exchange. There’s no room for misinterpretation. Just words that mean everything.Me: I know you miss me too. It’s okay to admit it.Viktor: Maybe. But I am too busy for that right now. My brain is focused on other things.Other things? I don’t like that. Maybe I’m just overly clingy but I want to be the main thing on his mind too. I grumble.Me: Other things, huh? Like what?Viktor: War, of course. You know I have a war to win.Me: I thought you admitted that you lost. Remember?Viktor: That was a war of the heart, Jayce. This is a battle for dominance. And we both know who is winning.I click my tongue and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. We banter like this back and forth. Like it’s a game neither of us wants to lose.He changes the tone of the conversation with a question that shifts things a little.Viktor: Have you thought about what you will have for dinner yet?I glance over at my fridge. It looks back at me, empty and uninviting.Me: Not really. Not hungry. I think I must’ve left my appetite at your place.Viktor: This will not do.Me: Oh? And what exactly do you plan to do about it?Viktor: Well, I do not know where you live, so I could not possibly do anything about it, could I?I smirk at his message, tapping out a response.Me: Oh, I’m not telling you my address. For strategic reasons. You’ll send Clementine to come get me if I don’t get her sardines and I’m NOT ready for her to hate me after the progress we have made these past 2 days.Viktor: Clementine would do that, trust me.Me: Oh I’ve got a pretty good idea. I’ve seen her eyes when she’s hungry. She means business.The messages keep flying back and forth full of playful jabs and sarcastic comments. It’s become my favourite pastime.My immersion is suddenly broken when my doorbell rings, loud and unexpected.I stare at my phone for a second before walking slowly to the door, expecting it to be some kind of prank or wrong address.When I open it, there’s a delivery driver standing there holding a bag of food.“Are you Viktor?”The driver eyes me like he’s not quite sure if he’s at the right place.I blink, trying to process what’s happening.Me: Uh.. yes. I’m Viktor.The driver nods at me, handing the bag over. I take it off of him hesitantly, examining the bag. It’s from my favourite burger place. How did he know what my favourite burger place was?And more importantly.. how does he know where I live??I stand there for a second, speechless while I process everything.Trying to make sense of everything, when my phone buzzes again.Viktor: Enjoy your dinner, Jayce. You deserve to be taken care of.I’m still holding the bag, staring at the message. But then I notice something inside of it.
There’s a note slipped into the bag.I pull it out, unfold it and read:‘Do not let your stomach go as hungry as your heart is. I will look after you, my love.’I blink a few times.My heart skips a beat and I suddenly feel both warm and freaked out at the same time.He’s such a stupid romantic, and yet, this? This is next level.I text him right away.Me: How did you know my address? I know for a fact that I didn’t give it to you.The three dots appear instantly, and my phone vibrates with his reply.Viktor: It does not matter.I stare at the screen, my mind racing.Something about this feels off, but also kind of.. exhilerating?I decide to just call him.When he picks up, there’s a little pause before he finally speaks.Viktor: Hello, love.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.There’s a pause, I sigh.Me: Answers. Now.He sighs, a soft laugh creeping into the microphone.Viktor: I may have tucked a tracking tag into the hoodie you are wearing. Just a prototype I was working on. Just a test trial. So I could make sure you got home safe. And it appears it is working.I freeze.If I were anyone else, this would be a major red flag.
But I’m not anyone else.I’m stupid and I love it when he’s possessive over me.
My heart skips again.I laugh awkwardly.Me: You.. did what?Viktor: I did not think you would mind. I just needed to know you were safe. And now that I know that for certain, I figured I would order you dinner.I should probably feel a little unsettled.Maybe I should be worried.But instead, I feel something more like..affection.Because, God, I love that he’s this possessive.And now? I kinda love the idea that Viktor could show up at my door at any time he wants to. The thought alone makes me flush.I shake my head and mutter under my breath,Me: You’re insane.Viktor: You are welcome. This was only a test trial, I thank you for your contribution.Me: Just a test trial?Viktor: Yes.Me: That’s insane. To normal people, of course.Viktor: No, what is insane is you not taking care of yourself. I had to take drastic measures.Me: Drastic. Like tracking me without my knowledge?Viktor: That was a minor invasion of privacy. But I think you will survive.I huff, rubbing my forehead.Me: You cannot just go around slipping tracking devices into my clothes.Viktor: I did not go around. And it is not your clothes. You are wearing my hoodie.Me: Wow. That makes me feel so much better. You only track yourself then and it was pure coincidence that a tracker made its way into the very hoodie I am wearing.Viktor: See? I knew you would understand.I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.Me: You’re lucky I find this more endearing than creepy.Viktor: Oh? You think I am endearing?Me: That’s what you took from this?Viktor: I take what is important.I sigh, finally peering into the bag.The smell of my favorite burger hits me instantly, making my stomach twist with sudden hunger.Me: You’re really something else, you know that?Viktor: I have been told.Me: By me? Constantly?Viktor: Correct. And yet, you love me anyway.The words are so casual. So easy, that they catch me off guard. My breath stalls for a second but Viktor keeps talking before I can process it.Viktor: Now, eat. Otherwise, I WILL find a way to track your kitchen activity too.I laugh but I know he isn’t joking.Me: You’re not getting away with this.Viktor: I already have, love.I shake my head, but I’m smiling.He’s impossible.And I wouldn’t change a thing.Me: If you don’t make yourself something decent for dinner, I swear I’ll order you the most abominable meal imaginable.Viktor exhales, a long and suffering sigh. I can practically hear him debating whether starvation is preferable to whatever crime against food I’m threatening him with.Viktor: Fine. I will make something. Before you send me the Mac and Cheese you like.I grin, victorious.Me: Good. I’ll check in with you later to make sure you actually do.We hang up and I waste no time devouring my food.I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating. Everything else fades into the background as I focus on getting every last bite down.Once I’m done I lean back feeling extremely satisfied before remembering Viktors side of the bargain.I grab my phone and send him a quick text.Me: Thanks again for everything, Vik. Please tell me you actually made yourself something.A few minutes pass before my phone finally buzzes.I glance at the screen and nearly choke on my drink.It’s a photo.A simple pasta dish. Nothing too fancy, but I barely look at the food because Viktor is holding up the bowl.
Smiling.It’s soft and barely there, like he’s not used to aiming one at a camera. The lighting in his apartment is dim and a little uneven, casting shadows along his cheekbones and making the mess of his hair look even softer.Something in my chest pulls tight. It’s that red string again. I’m sure of it.I shake myself out of it, thumbs flying over my keyboard before I have the chance to dwell.Me: Okay, I was expecting something tragic. Look at you, Chef Viktor. Remy would be proud of you.The read receipt pops up, followed by the telltale dots of an incoming message.I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.There’s something about knowing he’s there and texting me back that makes everything feel slightly less lonely in this apartment.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I’m sulking. Again.It’s not like I want to be but here I am.Staring at the same four walls.Trying to ignore the emptiness that Viktor’s absence has left me feeling. The space next to me feels too empty without him pressed against my side. The silence is too loud without Clementines loud purring at the end of the bed.I hate it.I miss him.God, I miss him.I start to wonder if he installed a brain reading chip into my head at the same time he planted the tracking tag, because he messages me right as I’m at the peak of my ruminating.Viktor: Jayce.I can hear his voice through the word alone.It’s like he’s right here with me. His presence is making everything feel just a little bit less unbearable.Another message comes through, one that makes my heart yearn.Viktor: I miss you.It’s simple.Too simple, but it hits me harder than I thought it would.My chest aches.My stomach twists.I suck in a sharp breath, trying to ignore how raw it feels.Me: I miss you more.I send back, because what else is there to say?Me: Ive been craving a sense of familiarity. Of belonging. Something only you can give me. I hate being away from you now I know how good I feel when I’m with you.He doesn’t respond for a moment and I can almost hear the cogs turning in his head.Viktor: Familiarity? I can provide you with this.Me: You can? How?Viktor: Log on to your PC.My brow furrows. What?Me: My PC? Why?He doesn’t answer.I glance at my desk, almost stubbornly.Me: I haven’t even thought about it since I got it fixed. Ive been too focused on something else.A beat of silence. Then-Viktor: Someone else.There it is.I roll my eyes but I can’t stop the grin that creeps up.Me: Maybe. But you already know who I’m talking about.Viktor: I do.He types back and I swear, there’s something in his words that almost makes my heart stop. Soft, almost tender.Viktor: Log in. Allow me to make things familiar again.I take a deep breath trying to ignore the pull in my chest.The ache that’s so damn obvious now.I stand up and walk over to the desk, slumping down in my chair. The hum of the computer turning on feels like it’s vibrating adrenaline into my veins. I log in and my screen slowly comes to life.I don’t know what I expected but the second my screen flickers to life, it’s almost too much. [VIKTOR HAS INVITED YOU TO A PRIVATE SERVER] I blink.Once.Twice.And then.. I laugh. It’s a real, unfiltered laugh and I can’t help it from coming out.There it is.The notification.So perfectly Viktor.I stare at it for a moment, as if I’m waiting for something else to happen but nothing does.It’s just him and it’s exactly what I didn’t know I needed.I hit [ACCEPT]. Then, I’m suddenly transported into a world I’ve.. seen before..It’s Viktors world.No, it’s LITERALLY Viktors world.He has meticulously recreated his apartment, and we’re standing in the hallway just like we were not too long ago in real life.The attention to detail is insane.Each brushstroke in his paintings, each grain of wood on the floorboards. Even a replica Clementine curled up on the couch.Viktor: Welcome back, Jayce.His voice is smooth, like a whisper. It carries through the headset and for a second, everything feels a little less heavy.There’s no voice changer.There’s no false confidence.Just Viktor.Me: You did all of this.. for me?There’s a bout of silence for a little while, followed by a soft hum.Viktor: It was supposed to be a gift for a later date. For when you REALLY really missed me. I did not expect this to come about so soon. My mistake.I lean back in my chair, running a hand through my hair and laughing. My face is fully flushed pink.Me: You really know how to make a guy feel special, don’t you?He chuckles. Of course he does.Viktor: I think you feel special enough already.His words settle over me and for the first time today, the ache in my chest isn’t as sharp. Familiar. That’s what it is. His presence, his voice, the way we fit into each other’s spaces without even trying.I exhale slowly, the weight of everything slips away just for a moment.Me: Yeah. Maybe I do.It’s quiet after that. Comfortable. Familiar.Like this is how it’s supposed to be. And for the first time in a long time I don’t feel the need to pull away.I just want to stay right here with him.Viktor: You are staring.Me: Huh?I blink, realizing I’ve been frozen in place just taking in every ridiculous and meticulous detail of this digital replica of his apartment. His world.Me: Can you blame me?Viktor: No.There’s a softness in his voice, so subtle I might have missed it if I wasn’t already hyperfixated on every syllable that leaves his mouth.I shift my weight, my avatar mirroring the movement. The game mechanics are just as fluid as I remember. Of course they are.It’s Viktor’s work. He doesn’t do things halfway.Me: How long did this take you?Viktor: Does it matter?Me: It does when I’m feeling incredibly loved and maybe just a little bit flustered about it.He laughs, the sound quiet but unguarded.Viktor: Good. That was the intention. It took long enough, that is all I will say.I let out a breath, dragging my gaze across the room again.It’s not perfect.Now that I’ve been there in person, I can recognise that there are some tiny pieces missing. Minuscule things.Some of his books are out of place, the worn corner of his desk isn’t scuffed the way it is in real life. But it’s close enough that I feel something catch in my throat.Me: You’re unreal, you know that?Viktor: A compliment? How rare.Me: Don’t get used to it.Viktor: Too late.I shake my head, smiling as I move toward the couch. My couch. Or rather, his couch. But the one I’ve practically claimed as my own. It even has the same throw blanket draped over the side that we cuddled under last night. He has thought of it all.Me: So, what’s the plan? You gonna make me run through some elaborate quest to win your affection?Viktor: You have already won my affection. No quest necessary.His words settle over me. Warm and certain.I suddenly forget how to breathe properly.Viktor: However.Me: There it is. The catch. Lay it on me, Vik.Viktor: Since you are here, I would like to take you somewhere else for just a moment.I smirk, stretching out against the digital couch like I own the place.Me: Oh yeah? And where exactly are we going?Viktor: Somewhere you have not been before, but if I could take you there in real life, I would not hesitate to for a second.He extends his hand to me, closing the gap between us ever so slightly.Viktor: Do you trust me?Me: That’s a dangerous question.Viktor: And yet, you did not say no.I roll my eyes, but the smile won’t leave my face. I take his hand in mine.Me: Yeah. I trust you.Viktor: Then close your eyes.I hesitate.Not because I don’t trust him.Because I do. Too much.But there’s something in the way he says it. Like he’s asking for more than just a simple action.Me: Alright, fine. But if you make my avatar naked, I’m logging off.Viktor chuckles.Viktor: Duly noted. Now, close them.I do.And without even opening my eyes, I can feel the world shift. There’s a moment of silence. Just the soft hum of my PC mixed in with the distant buzz of the game’s ambient sounds.Then..Viktor: Open them.I do.And suddenly, we’re somewhere else. The walls of his apartment are gone.The familiar, lived in space is replaced by something vast and endless. A night sky stretching in every direction. A mix between a deep indigo and velvet black with stars so bright they almost flicker in time with my heartbeat.Below us is a floating platform. It’s sleek and metallic, checkered like a chessboard.We’re suspended in midair like something out of a dream.Me: Okay, this is new.Viktor: Do you like it?His voice is quieter now, almost hesitant.I turn in place, taking it all in.The way the stars shift as I move, the soft glow of something distant. Something pulsing with light just beyond reach.It’s beautiful.A world that shouldn’t exist but here it is. Because Viktor wanted it to.Me: Yeah. Of course I like it. It’s gorgeous, Vik.Viktor: Good.I hear the smile in his voice before I see him step forward. His avatar is illuminated by the soft glow of the platform beneath us.Me: You made this too?Viktor: Of course.Me: For what? Just for fun?He tilts his head, considering.Viktor: For you.My brain short circuits.Me: For me?Viktor: You said you were craving familiarity. And yet, you have also always been drawn to the unknown.I blink at him.Viktor: So. I thought.. perhaps I could give you both.My stomach twists but not in a bad way.I exhale slowly, bouncing my leg to try and keep my cool.Me: You really don’t play fair, do you?Viktor: Oh?He shifts, stepping closer.Viktor: And here I thought you liked a challenge.I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.Me: You’re unbelievable.Viktor: And yet, you are still here.I laugh.Me: I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. As long as you’re with me, it wouldn’t matter.He hums softly, clicking his fingers loudly.I jump at the sudden sound. Our avatars flicker slightly, their skins changing instantly.I look down and I’m wearing.. a suit?My eyes move across to Viktor and he’s wearing one too. And his avatar is.. him.He designed an exact replica of his avatar to be here with me. I flush red, I know he can tell how flustered I am. Viktor: May I have this dance, Mr. Talis? Me: A dance?Viktor: That is what I said, yes.He stands there perfectly poised, his avatar mirroring the sharp grace of his real self.He’s reaching out a delicate hand, waiting.Expectant.Smug.My stomach does another flip.Me: You just carry around a ballroom in your code for moments like this?Viktor: No. Just for you.I exhale, running a hand down my face because.. because what the hell am I even supposed to do with that?My heart’s already in my throat. My fingers tingle against the keyboard.Me: You’re ridiculous.Viktor: You are deflecting.He steps closer.The soft glow from the platform throws golden light over his features, catching on the sharp lines of his cheekbones. His amber eyes. And his smirk.His voice drops, just enough to make me feel like my whole chest is caving in.Viktor: Dance with me, Jayce.I swallow, staring at his outstretched hand.My hand moves to grab it, but hesitates.Me: You know I’m terrible at rhythm games. And at dancing.Viktor laughs, short and warm.Viktor: I am aware. Do not worry. I will lead. God help me. I take his hand.Our avatars move in sync.The moment my hand meets his, the platform shifts beneath us. Glowing squares light up as if responding to our touch.Viktor pulls me in with one hand at my waist, the other threading his fingers through mine.The music starts. Soft at first.A slow melody plays. It’s something older, but modern enough that I recognise it.Me: You coded a whole song for this?Viktor: Not just any song. You will see.We move.Or rather, I let him move me because he wasn’t kidding about leading.He’s smooth and calculated. His steps guiding mine with barely a hitch. It’s seamless and effortless. Like we’ve done this a hundred times before.Like we belong here.And then the music swells.And I know the song.I freeze, my chest tightening.Me: Wait.Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly.Viktor: Do you recognize it?Of course I do.It’s the song I told him about months ago. Late at night, when my voice was barely above a whisper.The one I used to hum absentmindedly as a kid. The one that my mum played on old vinyl records. The one that stuck with me all this time like an imprint on my bones. [ Champagne Supernova by Oasis plays softly ] Me: How do you-Viktor: You told me.Simple. Short. Sweet.Me: But I.. Viktor I only mentioned it once.Viktor shrugs, a small smile curling at the edge of his lips.Viktor: Once was enough.And just like that, I’m done for.I let him lead me across the platform, my breath caught somewhere between a laugh and something dangerously close to a sigh.Me: You’re unreal.Viktor: You have said this already.Me: And I’ll keep saying it.Viktor chuckles, his fingers tightening slightly around mine.Viktor: Good.The stars blur above us are spinning with the motion.I realise something that makes me laugh into his shoulder.For the first time since leaving his apartment.. I don’t miss him. Because he’s here. Viktor: You are worth the effort, Jayce.I exhale sharply through my nose, shaking my head. My heart is already trying to escape my ribcage. My fingers rest against the keyboard like they’re waiting for permission to move.Me: You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?Viktor: That would be counterproductive. I quite like you alive.He shifts his grip, tightening his fingers around mine before guiding me into the next step. I follow. Our movements are fluid and seamless, like the physics engine has been tailored just for this.Maybe it has.I wouldn’t put it past him.The music peaks as the chorus filters in. Our movements are slow. Soft. Intimate.I can feel something forming in my throat.I can feel the tensing in my stomach.My eyes are starting to burn. I’m about to start crying.It’s too much.It’s too thoughtful.I can’t let Viktor know.I wipe my eyes quickly, sniffing back a microscopic sob.Me: Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before, Vik. Thank you.Viktor hums, leading me through a turn with infuriating ease.Viktor: As I said, you are worth it.I huff out a laugh, the burning in my eyes returning. I’m not sure how long I can hold off.Me: This is unfair.Viktor: Oh?Me: You’re being too romantic. I wasn’t prepared.Viktor chuckles. The sound is a little breathless, like he’s just as caught in this as I am.Viktor: I will try to warn you next time.Me: Next time?Viktor: Of course.His grip tightens, his fingers curling against mine.Viktor: This will not be our last dance.My throat tightens.My stomach twists.My lip quivers ever so slightly.I swallow around it, exhaling shakily as the music reaches its ending.Me: No. I don’t think it will be.We move together, step by step. Twirling eachother and laughing against eachothers chests. The song fades out and we are left tangled together on the dance floor in the middle of an endless sky.I catch his eyes and he’s already looking at me. I give him a soft smile and shake my head softly.Me: I still can’t believe you did all of this just for me. It’s overwhelming. It’s just-It’s too late.I can’t stop the tears any longer.I whisper into my headset, my voice barely audible.Me: I’ll be right back, sorry Vik. One second. I barely manage to get the words out. Then I’m up, pushing my chair back far too hard and nearly tripping over my own feet as I race to the bathroom.The second the door shuts behind me, it hits me like a bullet train.A sob tears its way out of my chest, raw and unstoppable. I grip the sink to brace myself but it doesn’t help.My body shakes with it, my breathing ragged and uneven.I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing the heels of my hands against them but the tears don’t stop.I can’t make them stop.It’s too much.It’s all too much.I don’t even know why it’s happening like this or why it’s happening now but I think part of me does.It’s him.It’s always him.The way he speaks.The way he sees me.The way he makes everything feel different.Bigger.Like I’m standing at the edge of something I’ll never fully understand but I want to dive head first into anyway.And I don’t know what to do with it.I don’t know how to hold it.My breath shudders as another sob rips free. I bite down on my lip hard enough to hurt, as if that’ll somehow ground me.It doesn’t.My chest is still too tight and my mind is still too full. My hands are trembling where they clutch the sink.I press my forehead to the mirror, the cool surface shocking against my skin. I focus on it as much as I can.On the sensation.On anything that will pull me back to reality.Slowly, the moment starts to loosen its grip on me.The tears slow down.The shaking eases.My breathing is still uneven, but it starts to steady.I swallow hard as I reach for the faucet, splashing cold water on my face.My hands are still trembling.My heart is still pounding. But I can breathe again.I take one last steadying breath before I wipe my face with the sleeve of my hoodie. Well, Viktors hoodie. I pull it up to my nose to take a deep breath. It still smells like him.His cologne.The soft smell of his skin mixed in with a feint citrusy tone.I tap my cheeks a few times in the mirror and step out of the bathroom.My body still feels a little too light as if my chest has been hollowed out from everything that just poured out of me..but I feel calmer.Like I can exist again.Like I can breathe.I sit back down, putting my headset on like nothing happened.Or at least, like I can pretend nothing happened.Me: Back! Just needed to go to the bathroom. Now, where were we?Viktor sees through it instantly. Of course he does.His voice comes through my speakers, softer than I’ve ever heard it.Viktor: Are you alright?It’s not teasing. Not even a little. Not a single sarcastic jab, no knowing smirk in his voice.Just something quiet. Something real.Something concerned.I swallow.Me: Yeah. Just..I huff a laugh, rubbing at my face like that’ll erase the last five minutes.Me: Needed a minute.He hums, like he understands. Maybe he does.Viktor: You know, Jayce. I love how big your heart is.I blink.Me: What?Viktor: I love how easy you are to talk to.His voice is slow and deliberate, like he’s reading me a list he’s been keeping in his head for a long time.Viktor: I love your endless little war tactics and your dedication to never losing a game against me.I love how you care so much about people even when they do not deserve it. ESPECIALLY when they do not deserve it.I let out a breath of laughter.Me: Oh my God.Viktor: I love how you know you will not enjoy something but will still go out of your way to try it just in case you do.I cover my face with my hands, groaning out a laugh.Me: Viktor.Viktor: And I love that you let yourself cry when you need to.Oh.His voice dips even softer, gentle in a way that makes me want to cry all over again.Viktor: You feel things deeply, Jayce. I think that is beautiful.I pull my hands away from my face just to laugh again.Me: You’re ridiculous.Viktor laughs softly and it’s the best sound in the world.Viktor: Thank you for joining me on our first digital date.I shake my head, grinning despite myself.Me: You’re welcome.VIktor: I cannot wait for the next one.Me: Yeah?Viktor: Oh, absolutely.We’re both smiling.I can hear it in his voice. In the way it lingers in every syllable.Viktor: Sweet dreams, Jayce. Next time we will spend more time in our digital apartment, I promise. And do not forget. I love you more each day.My breath catches.It’s not fair how much that does to me.How much he does to me.I close my eyes to let it sink in, let it wrap around me like warmth on a cold day.Me: Sweet dreams, Viktor. I love you so much. We log off for the night. I stare at my screen for a long moment before finally pulling off my headset and leaning back in my chair.Somehow. Against every single expectation I had earlier in the day. I’m smiling. And I don’t stop smiling. Not even as I crawl into bed. Not even as I close my eyes. Not even as I drift off to sleep.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I wake up, stretching lazily under the covers.For the first time in ages it feels like I’ve just had the most refreshing night of sleep.My body feels light, like I’m floating above the mattress and there’s this sense of calm that’s settled deep into my bones.Like the weight of everything has just melted away.I’m also wearing a shirt, confirming my suspicions that Viktor was stripping me in my sleep for his own selfish benefit.I blink a few times, trying to adjust to the morning light sneaking through the blinds. It’s one of those rare mornings where everything feels.. right.No stress.No worries.Just peace.After a few moments of letting that blissful quiet reach my soul, I reach for my phone on the bedside table. I don’t even look at the time, just unlock it and go straight to my messages.A grin tugs at the corners of my lips when I see a text from Viktor waiting for me. It’s a soft reminder of the surreal date night we shared.Viktor: Good morning, Jayce. I hope you woke up with a smile, my love.I can’t help but smile to myself before typing out a response.Me: I woke up with more than a smile, Vik.I send it off and then pause, letting that small but powerful feeling settle back in my chest.He’s it.He’s everything.I set the phone down as something suddenly crosses my mind.Mel.I haven’t checked in with her yet and I know she’s definitely curious about how things are going with Viktor. Especially after our video call.I shoot her a quick text.Me: Hey Mel, I don’t suppose that by some miracle you’re around? If the stars have aligned, I’d love to schedule us in a coffee and a well needed catch up.It doesn’t take long for her to reply.Her message pops up almost immediately.Mel: It’s your lucky day, Talis. I am in fact in the area. Meet me in 20 at Vanders?Me: Perfect, see you soon.I toss the covers off and slide out of bed, feeling a little giddy. I throw on Viktors hoodie and some sneakers before grabbing my wallet and heading out. The whole walk there, I feel lighter.It’s like the world is a little less heavy on my shoulders now.I finally spot her sitting at our usual table, a wide grin spreads across her face as she stands up to greet me.Mel: Look at you.She teases, giving me a once over and a vague gesture.Mel: You look like you’ve been way too happy lately.I just laugh and pull her into a hug. I’ve missed her. I’ve missed this.I drop into the seat across from her.Me: I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just getting my life together.She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t press further, just waves the barista down and orders our usuals. As we wait for the coffee, she leans forward. Her eyes glinting with mischief.Mel: So, come on. You’ve been hiding things from me. What’s going on with you and Viktor?I take a deep breath, already feeling the warmth in my chest when his name leaves her lips. It’s getting harder to fake being normal about him.Me: I don’t even know where to start, Mel. He’s just..amazing.Mel: Obviously.she grins.Mel: But like, how amazing?I shake my head with a laugh, feeling my heart pick up speed just thinking about him.Me: He’s just so.. everything. He listens. He sees me. He gets me like no one else ever has, and it’s just.. it’s like he’s this part of me I never knew was missing.She nods, her expression softening.Mel: I can see it in your eyes, Jayce. You’re happy. I don’t even remember the last time I saw you this full of life. I don’t think I actually have seen you less miserable.Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I feel my cheeks flush.I look away for a second, trying to fight back the swell of emotions that always seems to catch me off guard when I talk about Viktor.Then, of course, she notices.Mel: So, I take it the date went well?Her gaze flickers to my neck where I know the hickeys from Viktor’s bites are still visible.My cheeks flush slightly as I’m suddenly made VERY aware of the hickeys I hadn’t even thought to hide. My hand instinctively goes to my collar, but I can’t hide them. And she can’t unsee them.Me: Mel.. let’s not, uh.. let’s not talk about that right now.She bursts out laughing, her eyes sparkling with amusement.Mel: Oh my God, you’re adorable. I can’t believe you’re blushing. But okay, okay, I won’t press you about the details.I sink into my seat.Me: Please. You’re embarrassing me.She just grins like she’s won some kind of victory and leans back, sipping her coffee slowly and holding our eye contact like it’s a competition.Mel: It’s good to see you like this, though. Really. You deserve it.I give her a small, grateful smile and take a sip of my own drink.I’m still feeling that weird mix of happiness and vulnerability from last night.Me: I never thought I’d find someone like him.I admit it quietly. Mel tilts her head at me as she assesses my words like she’s going to be quizzed on my responses.Me: But I think I finally get what everyone means about ‘the one.’She leans forward again, eyes serious now.Mel: You’re that sure about him?I nod without hesitation.Me: More sure than I’ve ever been about anything. Mel: Well that’s a relief. Though, I would be too with bite marks that deep, Jayce. You got wrecked.She practically cackles, leaning forwards to touch one of them.Mel: Look at you. You can’t even deny it!I deflect her touch and grab her wrist. She pulls back, still laughing.Me: Can we PLEASE talk about something else?Mel is absolutely not letting me off the hook.Mel: Who said I wanted to?I shake my head, trying not to laugh.Me: Seriously, though. How are you? How’s university going? How are your political studies treating you?She gives me a look like she knows I’m changing the subject on purpose, but she lets it slide with a smug little shake of her head.Mel: They’re exhausting.She admits, blowing on her coffee slowly.Mel: Rewarding, but exhausting. You wouldn’t believe the kind of debates I have to sit through.I raise an eyebrow.Me: Oh, I think I would. You don’t wanna see how hard I have to fight for my life against Viktor in a debate.She huffs a laugh.Mel: Okay, fair. But it’s just.. god, the sheer amount of stupidity I have to listen to on a daily basis, Jayce. Do you know how many people think ‘trickle down economics’ actually works?I click my tongue and laugh, as if I’m actually considering a number.Me: Too many?Mel: Way too many. And don’t even get me started on the misogyny. Half the time I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall trying to get these entitled future politicians to listen to reason, or just someone with a pair of tits. A great pair, might I add.I shake my head, agreeing with her. Not on the boob thing.Me: And yet, you’re still putting yourself through it.She grins.Mel: Because someone has to. And because I LOVE proving them wrong.Me: Now that I believe.She raises her cup in a mock toast.Mel: To slowly dismantling corrupt systems, one argument at a time.I clink my cup against hers.Me: To you making the world a better place while I stand on the sidelines and cheer.She chuckles, but there’s something fond in her expression when she looks at me.Mel: I really am happy for you, Jayce. You’ve always been the kind of person who gives so much of yourself to other people. It’s good to see you with someone who gives just as much back to you.I swallow, feeling that warmth flood my chest again.Viktor.He gives me everything.His words from last night are still lingering in my head, soft and certain.‘I love you more each day.’I clear my throat, forcing a smile.Me: Yeah. It’s.. it’s good.Mel tilts her head, studying me.Mel: You’re scared.Me: I’m not scared.Mel: Jayce.I sigh.Me: Okay, maybe a little.She nods, like that’s the answer she expected.Mel: Because it’s real?I hesitate, then nod.Me: Because it’s real.She reaches across the table, giving my hand a squeeze.Mel: It’s okay to be scared. Just don’t let it stop you from being happy, alright?I squeeze her hand back.Me: Yeah. Alright. I’ll try my best Mel.Mel gives me a soft smile before pulling her hand away, stretching lazily in her seat.Mel: Good. Now, enough about your love life. Let’s talk about me again.I laugh, leaning on the table with one arm.Me: Oh, thank God. I was getting tired of all this romance talk.Mel smirks, taking a slow sip of her coffee before setting it down with a dramatic sigh.Mel: Well, in that case. Let me tell you about the absolute circus that was my last political seminar.I lean forward, already intrigued.Me: Do I need popcorn?Mel: I don’t believe there’s enough popcorn to sate you for this.She launches into the story with flair, waving her hands animatedly as she describes some overconfident rich kid trying (and failing) to argue his way through a debate on social policies.Mel: He tried to mansplain the wage gap to me, Jayce. ME.I bite my lip, already suppressing laughter.Me: Oh, this poor sheltered manchild.Mel: Right? So obviously, I destroyed him. Politely and politically, of course.Me: Of course.Mel: But you should have seen his face when I pulled out statistics. Like he genuinely didn’t know numbers existed.I shake my head, grinning.Me: Did you let him recover?Mel: Absolutely not. I let him flail for a bit first. It was like watching a fish try to climb a tree. Painful, but entertaining.I laugh hard.Me: You truly are doing gods work.Mel flips her hair dramatically.Mel: I try.There’s a comfortable pause as we both take sips of our coffee. I lean back, watching her with quiet appreciation.I’ve missed this. just talking and catching up. Hearing about her life. It reminds me that no matter how much things change, some things stay the same. It’s grounding in a different kind of way.She catches my look and raises an eyebrow.Mel: What?Me: Nothing. Just.. you’re still the same Mel I met years ago.She scoffs.Mel: And you’re still a sentimental idiot.Me: That just might be true.She smirks, but there’s warmth in her eyes.Mel: I like seeing you like this, you know. Happy. Even if it does mean I have to suffer through hearing about your stupidly romantic boyfriend. At least it gives me fresh ammunition to give you a hard time.I chuckle, shaking my head.Me: You love it.Mel: Not as much as you do.She winks and I just laugh, as we fall back into easy conversation.My focus shifts as my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Viktor.Viktor: Are you at Vanders?I blink at the message, my lips quirking up.He’s definitely tracking my location again.Not that I mind. I’m still wearing his hoodie, well, MY hoodie.It’s flattering, really. In a slightly concerning‘I know where you are at all times’ kind of way.But it’s also possessive and exhilarating.It makes me feel desired.I love it when Viktor is clingy.Me: I am. Are you stalking me?Viktor: Yes.Me: Are you actually serious?Viktor: No, Jayce. I merely had a suspicion.Me: Uh huh. Right.Viktor: But now that you have confirmed it, stay there. I am on my way.I straighten in my chair, rereading the message to make sure I didn’t imagine it.Viktor?Coming here?Right now?Mel catches the shift in my expression immediately, because of course she does.Mel: What?I glance up at her, hesitating.Me: I have some terrible news.Her brows lift in genuine surprise before she sits up in her chair and leans over the table.Mel: Jayce. Is everything okay??Me: No.She’s almost standing now. Towering over me.Mel: Tell me. Now.I stare at the message. Still processing that I’m gonna see him again in less than 30 minutes.Me: Viktor is coming. Right now.She almost falls out of her chair. I do too.Mel: OH. MY GOODNESS! Wait.. why do you think that’s a bad thing?I sigh, my eyes meeting hers.Me: You two are going to be a BAD combination. I’m going to be fighting for my life today.Mel picks up her coffee and smiles into her sip, eyes squinting at me slightly.Mel: I don’t know if I’m more excited about this or if you are.I roll my eyes, but my stomach flips.He didn’t say why he’s coming.Just that he is.And that’s enough to send my heart into mini palpitations.Me: I knew this day would come. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.She hums, far too pleased with herself.Mel: Don’t be so dramatic. I’m sure Viktor and I will get along just fine.Me: Oh, I’m sure you will. That’s what I’m afraid of.Her grin only widens.Mel: You’re acting like I’m going to interrogate him or something.I give her a deadpan look.Me: That’s exactly what you’re going to do.She shrugs, utterly unapologetic.Mel: Can you blame me? I need to make sure the man wrecking you-Me: Stop.Mel: Emotionally, Jayce. Get your mind out of the gutter.Me: Oh my god.She cackles, delighted by my suffering. I kick her gently under the table.Mel: As I was saying, I need to make sure the man wrecking you emotionally is worthy of you.I pinch the bridge of my nose.Me: You’re insufferable.She takes a leisurely sip of her coffee.Mel: And you love me for it. I do, unfortunately. Before I can find a proper way to counter her, the bell above the café door chimes.My breath catches as my head instinctively turns, already knowing who I’ll see.And there he is.Viktor steps inside, his gaze sweeping the cafe until he finds me. The moment our eyes meet that quiet, steady warmth settles in my chest again.He’s here.He’s really here.He makes his way over. His movements are slow and unhurried, like he’s got all the time in the world. And the way he looks at me like I’m the only thing in the room worth looking at, makes my pulse stutter.Beside me, Mel lets out a low whistle.Mel: Well, damn.I resist the urge to groan.Viktor stops by our table, his head tilting slightly as he takes in Mel with open curiosity before his gaze flicks back to me.Viktor: You look surprised.I blink, trying to play it cool.Me: Yeah, well, you weren’t supposed to show up and make my heart start palpitating, so.His lips twitch.Viktor: Ah. My apologies. I shall endeavor to be less devastatingly handsome in the future.Mel lets out a poorly concealed laugh.Mel: Oh, I like him.I close my eyes briefly, inhaling through my nose.Me: This is my nightmare.Mel: No, babe. This is my dream.Viktor pulls out the chair beside me and sits, looking effortlessly composed.Viktor: You must be Mel.She grins, extending a hand.Mel: The one and only. And you must be Viktor. The man who has single handedly turned Jayce into the best version of himself I have ever seen.I gape my mouth at her.Me: Mel!Viktor, to my utter horror, smirks before placing a soft kiss on the back of Mels hand.Viktor: Ah. So you have noticed.Mel laughs, absolutely delighted.I’m going to die.Right here.On the cold hard floor tiles of Vanders.I sink lower in my chair, muttering to myself.Me: Should’ve just stayed in bed.Viktor leans in, just enough for his shoulder to brush mine.Viktor: And deprive me of seeing you blush so prettily? Perish the thought.Mel gasps.Mel: Oh, he’s dangerous.I groan into my hands.They’re going to destroy me.And I’m going to secretly love every second of it.I can already feel my face burning. The heat creeps up my neck as Viktor’s proximity makes everything feel ten times more intense.Mel is practically giddy. Her eyes flickering between us like she’s watching an intense tennis match.Mel: So, how long have you two been, you know.. doing the thing?I nearly choke on my own breath.Viktor’s lips curl into a mischievous grin. The kind that suggests he knows exactly what’s going through my head.Viktor: Doing the thing? You will have to clarify, I am afraid. There are many things one can do.Mel smirks, clearly amused by the game they are now playing. She leans in like she’s got a front row seat to the entertainment.Mel: You know.. the thing. The thing where Jayce here can’t stop smiling every time your name comes up. The thing where his eyes go all soft and he gets all shy when he talks about you.I shoot her a look, but she’s too interested in how Viktor will respond.Me: Mel, please. You’re embarrassing me.But Viktor doesn’t miss a beat.Viktor: Shy, you say? I do not believe it.His voice is light and teasing, like he knows exactly how much I don’t want to be called out in front of her. And yet, my heart races anyway. My chest tightening with an unexpected mixture of anxiety and excitement.Mel: Oh, I’m not buying the whole “shy” act, Jayce. You look different too. More relaxed. Like someone’s been putting a spark in you.I feel my pulse quicken at the way her words sink in.Relaxed?Spark?She’s not wrong. but god, I’m not ready to have this conversation yet.Not here.Viktor leans back in his chair. His fingers tap lightly on the table, he’s clearly enjoying the way I squirm.Viktor: You see, Mel, sometimes the smallest spark can set fire to the most unexpected things.I glance at him. Theres a flicker of something in his eyes. Amusement, sure, but something deeper too. Something that makes my stomach tense.Mel shakes her head, laughing softly.Mel: Okay, okay. I see it. You two are like a slow burn, huh?I think I just died inside.Me: Please. Can we not turn this into some kind of cheesy romcom?Viktor: Why not? I think we have earned the right to be the lead characters in this particular story.Mel lets out another laugh before leaning back in her chair, thoroughly entertained by the two of us.Mel: Oh, this is good. This is very good.I can’t help it. I roll my eyes.Me: You’re killing me here, Mel.Viktor takes the opportunity to lean in closer to me, brushing his arm against mine. Just enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. He whispers, voice low and teasing.Viktor: You are not dead yet, Jayce. But I can promise you that you will be alive long enough to regret sitting through today with us.I look at him, fighting the smile that threatens to break free. There’s something so effortlessly charming about the way he knows exactly how to push all my buttons.And I hate that it works every time.Me: I think I’d regret it a lot less if you’d stop looking at me like that.Viktor’s smirk widens and for a moment, I swear I see a flicker of something in his eyes that makes the room feel a little smaller. Like it’s just the two of us now. Like he might just reach for my neck and pull me into a slow, deep kiss.My skin tingles at the thought.Viktor: Now where is the fun in that?Mel clears her throat, snapping me back to reality.Mel: So, are you two gonna kiss or should I just keep waiting for the dramatic tension to kill me first?I nearly choke on my own spit.Me: Mel.Viktor’s laughter is rich and low, and entirely too smug.Viktor: The metaphorical ball is in your court for that one, Jayce.My heart skips a beat.Maybe two.God help me.I don’t think I’m ever going to make it out of here without combusting.Mel eyes Viktor, clearly intrigued. Her lips form into a microscopic smirk as she leans forward. Her voice is light but full of curiosity.Mel: So, Viktor. What’s your story, huh? What’s the man behind the mysterious facade really like?Viktor stiffens for just a second, just enough that I catch it. The subtle tension in his shoulders.He’s still wary. Still guarded around Mel, and I totally get it.He doesn’t know her the way I do.He doesn’t know the depth of the friendship we share or the way Mel’s sarcasm can be an armour. How her sharp wit is just a defense mechanism.But I can see that he’s going out of his way to try with her.I notice it right away. The effort it takes for him to lower his guard. To let a sliver of himself show. And it means something.It means a lot.I reach under the table, my fingers brushing lightly against his.Viktor doesn’t flinch or pull away. Instead, he interlaces his fingers with mine. A quiet, subtle acknowledgment of the moment.I squeeze gently, silently telling him I’m here and I’m with him.Viktor exhales, glancing at Mel with an easy but controlled smile.Viktor: Well, there is not much to tell, really. I am a man of simple tastes. I like books, I love to invent, and on occasion I enjoy a bit of chaos.Mel raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.Mel: Chaos, huh? I’m surprised. You seem like the type to have everything planned out.Viktor chuckles and for a moment he lets himself look like less like the cool, distant figure I’ve come to know and more like the man who laughs with me in the quiet light of his loungeroom.Viktor: I suppose we all have our contradictions.I catch Mel’s eye and we share a knowing look. She’s starting to see the layers beneath the cool exterior too.Me: Yeah, don’t let him fool you. He’s a mess.Mel laughs, and Viktor shoots me a playful glare.Viktor: You are absolutely full of it, Jayce.I shrug, trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.Mel: Oh I like you, Viktor.I can’t help but laugh at that, and Viktor’s grin widens just a little. It’s small, but it’s there.Viktor: And you, Mel? What is your story?Mel sits back in her chair, thinking for a moment before responding. A gleam of humor flickers in her eyes.Mel: Well I’m your typical kind of girl, I guess. I study too much, talk too much, make bad decisions. Attend the occasional Pilates class. You know, the usual.Viktor raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.Viktor: Bad decisions? Care to elaborate?Mel leans in, speaking in a mock conspiratorial tone.Mel: I mean, I’m mostly good at making good decisions. But sometimes.. just sometimes, I end up letting my friends drag me into something ridiculously embarrassing.I laugh softly, my face flushing a little as I realize where this is going.Me: Oh no. Not this story.Mel grins wickedly.Mel: You know, like that time Jayce thought it was a good idea to karaoke ‘If I Had You by Adam Lambert’ at that bar.. in front of everyone. With far too much hip movement and far too much tequila coursing through his veins.I bury my face in my hands, immediately blushing.Viktor’s laugh is rich, deep and infectious.The way he looks at me with genuine amusement is enough to make my heart stutter.Viktor: That song? With far too much hip movement you say? I think I would have paid good money to see that.I glare at Mel, who is absolutely dying of laughter.Me: Mel, please. You’re evil for that.She wipes away a tear, her laughter dying down as she catches her breath.Mel: Okay, okay, I’ll give you a break. For now.Viktor smiles at me, the corner of his lips twitching as he squeezes my hand under the table. It grounds me instantly.Viktor: It sounds like you two are a hot mess together but I suppose I cannot blame you for that. It seems like chaos suits your dynamic.Mel leans back in her chair.Mel: Oh we are chaotic, that’s for sure. But you know, Viktor. I think you might fit right in with our brand of chaos.I feel a weird sense of peace settle over me as the conversation shifts, the playful tension dissipating.There’s something comforting about how effortlessly Viktor and Mel fall into their own rhythm. Like I don’t need to be on edge at their interactions or worry that they won’t get along. They both have this shared understanding of what it’s like to be on the outside looking in.And suddenly, the fact that my two worlds are colliding feels right.Better than I could have imagined.Viktor’s walls are coming down piece by piece, and Mel’s not only accepting him but drawing him in.Teasing him just enough to get a genuine reaction.For the first time in a long while, I realise that I’m not just standing between two worlds. I’m standing in the middle of something that’s starting to make sense.We all laugh together, making little jabs at each others expense but nothing too sharp and nothing serious.Everything feels light.Easy.The way it should be.I squeeze Viktor’s hand again, and he meets my gaze with a softness in his eyes that wasn’t there before.Viktor: I think I am starting to like this chaos a lot.Me: Yeah? Well, don’t get too comfortable. It’s a lot to handle. Viktor: I think I can handle it.

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Mel throws her car keys onto the table, breaking our immersion.I mean.. our immersion was just Viktor and I staring at each other for a moment too long, but I was admittedly quite locked in.The sound startles us.We both flinch as the metal keys bounce against the wood table.Mel: Alright, boys. I’m heading to IKEA. I need a new rug for my lounge room and let’s be real, I want some of those delicious little Swedish meatballs. You two coming? Decide. Quickly.I look over at Viktor, who’s still trying to process the last few minutes of hanging out with Mel. His brows furrow a little, but there’s something in the way his lips twitch.Like he’s interested, if not slightly.. nervous?Me: Oh, you can’t turn down IKEA meatballs. That’s basically a sacred experience.Viktor’s smile is small but genuine, as if he’s warming to the idea.Viktor: You know, I have never been to an IKEA.Mel and I share a look. You’d think we were just told that our worst enemy had just won the lottery from the way our expressions drop in shock.Me: Well there’s no time like the present, Mon Amore.Mel accepts our discussion as the all clear she was looking for, grabbing her jacket and heading for the door. Viktor and I follow behind her like lost sheep and the three of us pile into her car.The ride to IKEA is short and filled with light banter, mostly Mel trying to subtly inform Viktor of some embarassing things I did when we were younger.It’s not until we pull into the parking lot of IKEA that Viktor’s calm exterior cracks ever so slightly.It’s just a little bit. But I’ve learnt to notice the small changes in his mood and expressions.I watch as he looks up at the massive building, his eyes going wide. He swallows involuntarily.Viktor: This is..a lot.I can’t help but laugh.Me: You’ve got no idea. Get ready to get lost, Vik.He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he loops his arm around mine. His fingers lightly brushing my skin. I glance at him, a little surprised as his eyes meet mine.Viktor: I do not want to lose you in here.His voice is quiet and I feel the softness in it.It makes my chest tighten.Me: Someone installed a tracker into my hoodie, remember? You don’t have to worry about that.Viktor chuckles, but it’s the way he leans a little closer like he’s actually seeking the contact that makes my breath catch.Viktor: MY hoodie. And I would still prefer to be within your touch, please.I blink, my face heating up.Such a simple statement but one that makes everything in me go quiet for a moment.Me: Oh, okay. Well. That’s really sweet actually. I can do that.Mel is already heading towards the entrance, oblivious to whatever’s happening between us.We follow her.Viktor keeps his arm close to mine the whole way inside, as if he needs me to anchor him. Something to hold onto.It’s endearing, and I don’t want him to ever pull away.Once we step inside, we get swept into the flow of the place. Mel is on a mission for the rug department while Viktor and I are slowly getting overwhelmed by all the endless aisles.I can feel Viktor’s gaze flicking around.He’s Looking for something familiar.Some kind of guide, but he’s just lost in it all. Understandably. I can’t blame him.Me: You alright there?Viktor turns to me, clearly a little disoriented.Viktor: I think I have already lost track of where we are. How do you even find anything here?Me: Don’t worry. Getting lost is all a part of the experience. You just have to follow the arrows.Mel abandoned us offensively quickly. I bet she’s debating over which rug would look best in her living room. I can feel the boredom setting in for both of us after we complete what must be our fourth loop around the entire store.I glance at Viktor with an idea already forming in my head and a smile creeping onto my face.Me: Hey, let’s go do something fun while she’s lost in rug land. What do you think?Viktor looks at me, his eyes flickering to mine with curiosity burning in them.Viktor: Fun?I don’t answer. Instead, I pull him in the direction of the display kitchens, grinning wide.Me: You are about to have some fun. Trust me.He looks confused but follows me anyway, curiosity shining through the anxiety. He trusts me and I don’t take that for granted for even a second.We enter into the display kitchens department and I pull out one of the chairs at a kitchen table, gesturing for Viktor to sit down. He hesitates at first, his eyes scan my face for some kind of explanation. I purposely put on a vague expression so he can’t find one.Viktor: Jayce, what are we doing here?I shrug dramatically and open a cupboard.I pull out a display teapot like I’m about to serve him a fancy cup of tea. I clear my throat, finding a teacup in the cupboard next to it, and pretend to pour a long and careful stream into the delicate porcelain chalice.Once I finish pouring imaginary tea into his cup, I hand it to him.Me: I’m serving you tea, obviously. Don’t look so surprised. You’re a guest in my house. It’s a normal thing to do, duh.Viktor stares at the empty cup for a moment before breaking into a soft laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement.He plays along, taking the cup with exaggerated care. And sipping the hot tea carefully.Viktor: Of course. What else would I expect from you?Bingo.I know exactly what we’re doing for the rest of the day. We move from one display room to another.Kitchens, bedrooms, outdoor living, bathrooms, acting out little domestic scenes as if we’re already living together and have been married for a decade.I open cabinets and doors, pulling out pretend tools from the garden shed.He plays the role of the confused husband asking for things that don’t exist and I’m the overly organized partner who’s just a little too obsessed with setting up the perfect house.Finally, we land in the living room department and Viktor flops onto one of the couches. For a moment, he looks a touch too lost in the absurdity of it all.I sit beside him, pulling a cushion out and arranging it like we’re having a real conversation about nothing.Viktor: Pass me the newspaper.I hesitate for a moment while I process his request. There are no newspapers around and certainly not for sale at an IKEA.Oh!Right.We’re still playing pretend.It’s been me initiating these scenarios this whole time, so it takes me by surprise when he leans into the bit.I hand him an imaginary newspaper and he takes it with a dramatic flourish, squinting at the page like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.His face drops. He looks at me like a kid who just dropped their ice cream.Viktor: Somebody already did my crossword..I snatch the imaginary paper back with mock outrage, crumpling it into an invisible ball and tossing it far, far away from us with a forceful arm and a dramatised grunt.Me: I’ll buy you a new one, don’t you worry.We both burst out laughing and for a moment, everything else disappears.It’s just the two of us in our little imaginary world, acting like we’ve been married for years.And I realise somewhere between the kitchen and the couch, that I’m so much more comfortable with him than I ever thought I’d be.Viktor leans against my shoulder, his arm brushing mine as he lets out a contented sigh.Viktor: I think I am starting to enjoy this.I grin before speaking softly.Me: You know what this is right?Viktor looks up at me, quirking a brow.Viktor: Hmm?I lean down to kiss the top of his head.Me: This is my version of creating our own server. Just for us. Maybe just the acoustic version since I didn’t need to like, code anything.He blinks for a moment before bursting out laughing. Like, really laughing.Viktor: There are no floating platforms and endless night skies here.Me: That may be true, but you didn’t exactly code a RIKLIG teapot though now did you, huh genius.He cackles against my shoulder, slapping my leg. I’m intoxicated by him.By this.By his laugh.By his smile.I lean down and interrupt his laugh with a soft kiss. He laughs against my lips, nuzzling my nose with his.Me: I’ve been waiting to do that all day, you know.He kisses my nose, humming softly.Viktor: I was starting to think that you were not going to.Me: Now that’s never going to happen. I’ll take ever excuse to kiss you I get.He smiles softly, smile lines form at the sides of his eyes. They suit him so much.I lean down and kiss them.He clicks his tongue and laughs, gripping my arm tightly like he never wants this moment to end.I don’t either. As if she could smell us from a mile away, Mel turns a corner holding the longest rug I have ever seen.Mel: Alright boys, I’ve got my rug and my meatballs. Ready to bounce?Before I can even speak, Viktor nods enthusiastically.Viktor: Please. I am starting to get a feeling that I have entered the backrooms.We all laugh, following Mel through the Swedish labyrinth and finally, through the checkouts.We get back into Mels car and we barely JUST fit with her humongous rug sticking out from the back seat to the front windshield.I wrap my arm around it while we drive to make sure we don’t end up in a final destination-esque predicament.Mel plugs my house into the GPS, playing a god awful playlist while we drive.I groan.Me: Can we put on some real music?Mel adjusts her mirror to glare at me.Mel: Jayce Talis. I dare you to look me in the eyes and tell me that Lady Gaga is not real music.I can’t bring myself to do it.Partially because I’m afraid of Mel and the other part because I actually can’t honestly say that I don’t like Lady Gaga.Viktor makes a small sound before starting to sing along to the song with Mel.I look at him in shock.Me: No.. not you too! I thought we were on the same team!Viktor laughs.Viktor: You thought wrong. This is a Lady Gaga positive car ride.Mel lets out an obnoxious ‘WOO’ sound, honking her horn twice in excitement.We’re lucky there are no other cars around, these two are unbelievably embarrassing.Me: Okay okay, you win. Just quit honking already.They both make satisfied sounds, still singing along.Mel: That isn’t enough for me Jayce.I quirk a brow at her.Me: Excuse me?Mel: I want to hear it.Me: Hear what??She grins in the mirror.Mel: Sing along, Talis.I groan, running a hand down my face. I’m not getting out of this one alive, I just know it.Me: What if I don’t know the words?Viktor clicks his tongue, shaking his head at me with a pretend attitude.Viktor: Jayce. Everybody knows the words to Telephone. Do not be stupid, now. Obey Mels request. We are guests in this car and she has so graciously offered to drive us both home.I sigh.He’s right.I’ve well and truly lost.I won’t go out without a last hurrah though.I absolutely BELT out the words.The entire car has erupted into loud, bad singing. It’s genuinely one of the most cathartic experiences I’ve ever had.I mean of course it is, it’s Lady fucking Gaga. I barely notice when we pull up to my place. We’re all still laughing and singing like the moment wasn’t meant to ever end.Mel laughs and lets out a long wind down sigh.Mel: Alright boys, out you get.It takes us a moment too long to process it, but Mel is dropping us.. both off.At my house.Me.And Viktor. We both step out of the car before she drags us out.Mel: Viktor it was a pleasure, I’ll make sure Jayce sends you my number so we can continue our talks from earlier. I like you a lot and I feel like we have a lot to discuss.He smiles at her, still trying to process that he has just been dropped on my doorstep like a cat with a bird.She knows what she’s doing.I can tell by the glimmer in her eyes.She planned this the second Viktor joined us for coffee.I shake my head at her with no real annoyance behind it.Mel: Have a good night, Talis. It was lovely seeing you again.She winks and blows me a kiss before leaving us in the dust.I turn to look at Viktor.He’s already looking at me.He clears his throat, looking a touch flustered.Viktor: Well.Me: Well.We just look at each other for a while before I grab his hand. He looks down at our hands, interlocking our fingers and brushing his thumb over my knuckles.I don’t know what the right thing to say is.I don’t know what the right thing to do is.I can’t say nothing.I can’t do nothing.I bite my cheek and tug on his arm slightly, leading him towards my front doorstep. Me: Well, care for some non imaginary tea?

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Viktor glances at our joined hands.Then at my front door.Then back at me.His lips twitch and his expression changes.I think he’s caught somewhere between amusement and hesitation.He speaks softly, giving me no more time to overanalyse everything.Viktor: I feel like I have been expertly maneuvered into this situation.Me: Oh, me too. Mel played us like a fucking fiddle.Viktor hums, clearly considering the situation we’re in before he gives my hand a small squeeze. He lets out a soft sigh.Viktor: Very well then. I would love a cup of non imaginary tea, please.I don’t let go of his hand as I unlock the door.There’s something grounding about the weight of his fingers interlaced with mine. Especially at my house.MY house.Even just being outside the door with him makes the quiet space between us feel less daunting and intimidating.Once we step inside I kick off my shoes expecting Viktor to do the same, but he hesitates just past the door frame.His eyes flicker around the space like he’s seeing for the very first time. Like he’s taking everything in and committing every detail to memory.I tilt my head at him.Me: You look weird.Viktor raises a brow, caught off guard by my words. He almost looks offended.It makes me smirk a little.Viktor: Thank.. you?Me: No, I mean, you’re acting all.. I don’t know. Like you’re processing something bigger than it is.He hesitates before letting out a small, almost self conscious laugh.Viktor: It just feels.. different.Me: Different how?Viktor looks at me, lips pressing together like he’s debating something. Then, softly-Viktor: Like this is more of a space that you simply live in. That you exist in. Like it is not a home.The words catch me off guard.They shouldn’t.he’s always been good at saying things that make my chest ache in the best way, but something about this feels deeper.Like he’s not just talking about my house.I swallow.Me: Well it’s a home now because you’re here.His eyes widen just a fraction, like he wasn’t expecting that. And then just as quickly, something softens in his expression. His grip on my hand returns and tightens like he’s holding onto me just as much as I’m holding onto him.For a moment neither of us move.Then quietly, Viktor smiles.Viktor: That was very smooth.I grin.Me: I try.He huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. But he doesn’t let go. And neither do I.Viktor’s gaze drifts around the rooms as he steps further inside. His eyes sweep over the minimalism of it all.The sleek countertops, the neatly arranged but sparsely filled bookshelves, the neutral toned furniture.It’s clean and well put together, but distinctly impersonal. The entire house lacks a soul and I can admit that.He hums, tilting his head.Viktor: You do not keep much.Me: I do have housemates. They just.. aren’t here much. Once a month at most.Viktor’s brow furrows slightly, his fingers trailing absently along the walls as he walks.Viktor: That must be lonely.I let out a small dry laugh, rubbing the back of my neck.Me: You have no idea.Viktor glances at me, his eyes flicking over my face like he’s trying to piece something together. But he doesn’t press.Instead, he turns and makes his way toward the hallway. His curiosity pulling him deeper into my space.I swallow, suddenly hyper aware that he’s never actually been here before. He has never seen the parts of my life outside of him.Then he reaches my room.He pauses in the doorway, taking in the stark contrast to the rest of the house.It’s still tidy, but this is where the personalisation is.The walls aren’t bare here.There are polaroid pictures pinned up. Mostly of me and Mel from university. In one we’re mid laugh in blurry party lighting and in another we are squinting into the sun on some campus lawn.There are postcards stuck on the wall between the images, all sent from my mum and scrawled in elegant handwriting across images of foreign cities and breathtaking architecture.My bed is carefully made, thank god.The deep orange corduroy fabric of the duvet stands out against the neutral tones of the rest of the house.Viktor steps inside slowly and cautiously, like he’s unlocking something new. Like every detail is another puzzle piece he hadn’t even realized he was missing.Viktor: Oh.I shift on my feet, suddenly feeling kind of exposed.Oh..?I’m not used to feeling embarrassed and he hasn’t really given me a good reason that I should be embarrassed. But I am.Me: What?Viktor turns to me and he’s smiling.That quiet, almost reverent kind of smile that makes my breath catch.Viktor: I am just.. endeared.I blink.Me: By what?He gestures lightly around the room.Viktor: All of it. You. Every new detail I learn makes me fall harder, Jayce.My face goes hot instantly.I open my mouth then close it, then open it again but nothing remotely intelligent comes out.Viktor chuckles, clearly amused by my malfunctioning brain.Me: You’re just saying that because I have a nice bedspread.Viktor: Perhaps that is one reason, but I think you are missing the point.I rub a hand over my face, trying to process the fact that Viktor is standing in my bedroom and saying things like that.And ESPECIALLY looking at me like that.And then, he steps closer. Just enough for his fingers to brush against mine.My mind races at how close he is.How easily I could push him down onto my bed right now.My eyes flicker to my bed beside us. He absolutely notices.Viktor: I like knowing you.I exhale, slow and a little unsteady.Me: Yeah. I like you knowing me too.Viktor studies me for a moment, his gaze dropping to my hand where our fingers barely touch.Then, like he has finally made some quiet decision, he intertwines them again.His grip is warm and steady.He turns his attention back to my room while his thumb brushes absently against my knuckle as he takes everything in.The pictures.The postcards.The small pieces of me scattered throughout the space. Viktor: Your mother has beautiful handwriting. I glance at the postcard he’s eyeing.It’s one with a gorgeous building on the front. The ink is slightly smudged in the corners from where I ran my thumb over the words too many times.Me: Yeah. She writes like she talks. Like every word has weight to it.Viktor hums, his fingers tracing an invisible pattern against mine.Viktor: And Mel?Me: What about her?He gestures vaguely to the polaroids.Viktor: You two are so close.Me: Of course, she’s my best friend.Viktor looks at me with something unreadable in his expression.Viktor: I can tell. You always look so happy with her.I tilt my head, clocking his change in tone.Me: You say that like I’m not happy now.Something flickers across his face, too quick for me to name.Viktor: No. You are. But this is different.I swallow, feeling my pulse kick up in a way that has nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with the way he’s looking at me.Like he’s seeing something in me I haven’t quite figured out how to see in myself yet.Me: Different how?Viktor’s thumb stills over my knuckle. He speaks quietly.Viktor: You are happy in a way that means something to me.My breath catches.There’s something about the way he says it that makes my throat tighten just a little bit. Like it’s not just an observation but also a confession wrapped in careful words.I clear my throat, suddenly needing to break whatever intensity is settling between us before I do something stupid like press him into my mattress and see if he’ll keep saying things like that.Me: Well. Since we’ve already acknowledged I have an excellent bedspread I think it’s only fair we discuss the other fantastic interior design choices.Viktor raises an unimpressed brow, but there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes.Viktor: Oh? Like what?I grin, pulling him toward the kitchen with a little too much enthusiasm.Me: Like the exquisite way I have arranged my coffee table books. And the artistic vision behind my very deliberate choice of mugs.Viktor makes a noise that is somewhere between a sigh and a laugh as he follows, his grip on my hand still firm.Viktor: You are really trying to sell this, hm?Me: Oh, absolutely. You’re missing the full Jayce house tour experience. You’ve seen my bedroom, but now you get the real magic. A.K.A the space where I pretend to be an adult who has his life together.I gesture around dramatically as we step into the Kitchen.Viktor’s eyes sweep over the space. Unimpressed.Viktor: Jayce.. this is just another IKEA showroom.Me: Excuse me?Viktor shrugs, looking entirely too smug as he gestures vaguely around us.Viktor: It is very staged. Very put together. I have seen this exact setup in an IKEA catalog from 10 years ago.I gasp, clutching my chest in mock offense.Me: You wound me.Viktor clicks his tongue, glancing at the bookshelf in the doorway just outside the kitchen arch. He taps the edge of one of my more intellectual looking books.Viktor: Do you actually read these, or are they just for decoration?Me: IKEA showroom AND implying I’m illiterate? You really are out for blood.He smirks, reaching for one of the books but I tug him toward the couch before he can open it.Me: Well, if you’re going to criticize my impeccable design choices I think it’s only fair you experience them properly.I push him down onto the couch and drape my favourite blanket over him, making sure to tuck it around his shoulders. He groans at the gesture but I see him nuzzle into the fabric ever so slightly.Me: Welcome to the IKEA date night experience.Viktor tilts his head, his lips twitching.Viktor: Oh?Me: Yes. We’re pretending we just spent three hours wandering IKEA, judging furniture we can’t afford, and now we’re home pretending we live in a tiny Scandinavian apartment.Viktor huffs, shaking his head.Viktor: You are ridiculous.Me: And yet, you love me.He stills.It’s a throwaway line. A teasing, offhanded remark.But the second it leaves my mouth I feel it settle between us.Viktor doesn’t look away.Doesn’t laugh.His fingers tighten around the blanket.Viktor: I do.I smile at him, reaching down to plant a soft kiss on his nose.He leans into it.God. I could do this for hours.I feel the cold air of the room settle in and remember my offer on the doorstep. I don’t need to wait until Viktor is physically shaking before I offer him some warmth.Me:I believe we left off with an offer of some non imaginary tea, does this sound correct, dear husband?Viktor drags a hand down his face, but his laughter betrays him.Viktor: You are incorrigible.Me: And you’re my sweet, weary spouse who just got home from a long day of work.He plays along beautifully.Viktor: I do not know why I expected a warm meal instead of this.I scoff.Me: Excuse me? I did make you a warm meal. A three course meal, actually.I walk to the kitchen and very dramatically pick up a singular banana. Then, just as dramatically, I place it on the coffee table in front of him.Me: Bon appétit.Viktor leans forward, resting his chin on his palm as he eyes the banana like it has personally insulted him.Viktor: This is a fruit. Not a meal.Me: Oh, I’m so sorry. Did you want the fancy service?Without waiting for an answer, I snatch up the banana and peel it with unnecessary precision. I grab a butter knife from the kitchen and place one single slice onto his palm like I’ve just delivered the finest dish in a Michelin star restaurant.Me: There. Now it’s an experience.Viktor shakes his head as if he’s inconvenienced, but he eats the banana slice anyway. Sighing like he’s simply tolerating my antics rather than secretly enjoying every second of them.But i’m onto him.He wipes his fingers on his hoodie (MY hoodie but whatever) then looks at me with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.Viktor: Well, if we are committing to the bit..He shifts, crossing one leg over the other with an air of importance.Viktor: You did forget one thing.I quirk a brow.Me: Oh?He holds out an empty hand, expectant.Viktor: My newspaper. The one where somebody already did my crossword. You said you would get me a new one. Did you forget?I gasp, scandalized.Me: You’re right! They robbed you of your intellectual joy. Give me one moment, my love.I spin on my heel, miming the same dramatic crumpling motion from earlier.Then, I pantomime pulling out a brand new, pristine invisible newspaper and hand it to him with great pride.Me: Here. Fresh off the press. No one has soiled it with their pen.Viktor clicks his tongue in approval, unfolding the nonexistent newspaper with an exaggerated flick of his wrist. He hums in satisfaction as he ‘reads’ and occasionally nods like he’s just figured out the vertical word he needed.He flicks his gaze up to me and I can tell that there’s something different about it now.Softer.Fonder.Viktor: Hmm. I am quite enjoying this.. married life.I swallow.Hard.It’s a joke.A bit.A carryover from IKEA.And yet something about the way he says it makes the room feel smaller.Warmer.I sit beside him, nudging his knee with mine.Me: Oh yeah?He hums again, turning the newspaper upside down as if that will help him understand the very real words on the page.Viktor: Mhm. It is very comfortable.His voice is softer now.I’m gone.Utterly and completely gone for him.My arm moves before I even realise it, wrapping around his shoulders as I pull him into me. He exhales against my neck, relaxing like he has belonged there this entire life.Maybe because he has.I press a slow, lingering kiss to his temple.Me: Well lucky for you, I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.His breath catches.His fingers tighten in the fabric of my hoodie.And then.He laughs.Quiet. Sweet. Utterly Viktor.Viktor: Good. I admit that I would be very lost without you, Jayce.I close my eyes, letting the warmth of him settle into the fibres of my bone marrow.We don’t move for a long time.Because this..This is our real, tangible, undeniable version of our server.And I never want to log out.Viktor breaks the moment with a slight grumble under his breath and a huff.Viktor: You have forgotten the next part of this experience.I pull back enough to meet his gaze. A mock frown spreads across his face.Me: Oh? Enlighten me please, dear husband.Viktor: The post dinner entertainment. It is customary after such a fine meal, for a couple to indulge in a sophisticated evening activity.Me: Like?Viktor gestures toward the bookshelf with the same faux elegance he’s been using for this entire bit.Viktor: Perhaps a dramatic reading from one of your very intellectual, definitely not just for show books?I narrow my eyes, fully aware that this is an attempt to expose me.Me: Fine. But if we’re doing this we’re going all in.He smirks, flicking his wrist and placing one leg over the other.Viktor: I would expect nothing less from you.I huff out a laugh.Me: Alright alright, let’s see what books I can give you a dramatic rendition of.I head over to the bookcase and run my fingers along the spines of the books on the shelf. Trailing over the dense titles I barely I understand.All of the books are the same theme.Inventing, engineering and physics.They are all the things that I’m interested in, but have never seriously pursued.I get in my own way a lot when it comes to the things I enjoy.I bought a bunch of these books when I dropped out of university because I told myself that if political science wasn’t going to be my calling, maybe engineering would be. I haven’t so much as skimmed a single one of these books, but one catches my eye.I tug it free, flipping through the first few pages.Me: This one looks a little dystopian.Viktor is now stretched out on the couch, turning his head lazily toward me.Viktor: What is it about?I read the blurb out loud in a dramatic, movie theatre advertisement voice.Me: Two scientists develop a deep sea diving suit that lets the people on the surface control the wearers emotions. If they start panicking, someone up top can just.. change their brain chemistry all together.I glance over at Viktor to gauge his reaction to it.Me: That’s kind of fucked up, right?Viktor hums, clearly less bothered by the concept as I am.Viktor: I suppose that it is practical.I shoot him a look that’s somewhere between curious for him to elaborate and concerned that he would even consider something like that.Me: It’s controlling. I don’t know that we should be taking away someone’s freewill like that. What if something goes wrong?His lips curl at the corners.Viktor: Then they drown peacefully.I groan, shoving the book back onto the shelf.Me: You’re terrible.Viktor chuckles, the sound is warm and addictive.Viktor: And yet, you love me.I sigh dramatically, turning to face him fully.Me: Yeah, yeah. Unfortunately.He smirks, propping himself up on one elbow.Viktor: If I had control over your emotions, like the scuba suit, I could make you say it properly.I raise my eyebrows and cross my arms, resting my body weight on one side of my hips.This’ll be good.Me: Oh? And what would that sound like? Enlighten me on how I’m ‘supposed’ to confess my undying love for you, Vik. I’m all ears.Viktor’s gaze flickers down, like he’s considering it in detail. He meets my eyes again, slow and deliberate.Viktor: You would say “I love you, Viktor. You are the light of my life. The very breath in my lungs. The reason my heart beats-“I bark out a laugh, stepping closer to him.Me: You really think I’m that poetic? I’m flattered.Viktor: What I think is that you are ridiculous when you are in love. You would say something terribly embarrassing just to make me laugh.I lean down, my hands resting against the couch on either side of him.Me: Yeah?His smirk softens, eyes half lidded.Viktor: Yes.For a second, I think about kissing him.Hard.Just because I can.Just because he’s looking at me like that.Instead, I use what little restraint I have left. Opting to knock my forehead against his lightly.Me: You’re impossible.He exhales a quiet laugh, his hand brushing my waist.Viktor: And yet, you want me here.I sigh again, this time smiling.Me: Yeah. I do.Viktor chuckles softly, watching me with an unreadable expression. There’s something almost playful about the way his eyes linger on mine.Viktor: You are a jigsaw puzzle, Jayce.I arch an eyebrow, leaning back slightly but not breaking eye contact.Me: Oh? And how’s that working out for you?He hums thoughtfully, tilting his head as if weighing his words carefully.Viktor: Well, I suppose I have yet to solve it. But I am having a lot of fun playing with the pieces.I can’t help but smile at that, even as something in my chest tightens.He’s so good at making everything feel like it matters, even when we’re just talking about silly things like books or furniture.He shifts on the couch, his gaze flickering down to my hand resting near his shoulders. There’s something almost magnetic about the way his fingers move as they draw closer, brushing lightly against mine.I let him, not pulling away.I can’t.Viktor: You do not like the idea of control, do you?I blink, surprised by the shift in topic.He’s looking at me with a sharp intensity now, as if studying me more closely than ever.Me: I don’t like the idea of being controlled. People shouldn’t mess with someone’s head like that. It feels wrong.His lips curl just slightly, as if he’s toying with something in his mind.Viktor: And yet, here you are. Letting me sit here. Letting me touch you.His voice is soft and teasing, but there’s a truth there. One that lingers just below the surface.Me: Well, you’re not controlling me, Viktor.I let my thumb trace the line of his hand, feeling the way his pulse quickens ever so slightly under my touch.Viktor: Is that so?I meet his eyes, my heart pounding in a way I can’t even begin to unpack.Me: Yeah. But if you’re going to keep looking at me like that, I might change my mind.His smirk widens just enough to make me wish I hadn’t said it.But I don’t take it back.He leans in closer, his face inches from mine now and I can feel the heat radiating from him.It’s almost too much and yet, I can’t make myself move away.Viktor: Then I will have to be very careful with how I look at you, now won’t I?His voice drops to a whisper, and the space between us feels charged with something unspoken, something raw.For a moment, we just breathe, our gazes locked.I can feel my pulse in my throat.In my fingertips.In the pit of my stomach.In my dick. He’s too close.And yet, I don’t want him to move. Viktor’s gaze never leaves mine and for a moment, the world feels like it’s shrunk down to just the two of us. His breath is warm against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.Viktor: You are not nearly as in control of this situation as you think, Jayce.I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words like a slow burn spreading through me.Every inch of him feels like a magnet pulling me closer.The air between us is thick and saturated with tension.Me: Who says I want to be in control?I don’t even recognize my own voice as it comes out.It’s thick and rough with something that feels dangerously close to need.Viktor’s lips curl at the edges with a kind smile, but his eyes are intense. Almost wild. Like he’s already anticipating what comes next.Viktor: So, you are just going to let me..take over? Is that what you want?I don’t have an answer, but I feel it.In the way my body tenses. In the way my chest rises and falls with each shallow breath.I lean forward, my lips grazing the edge of his ear. I whisper, just loud enough for him to hear.Me: You think you’re the only one who can take over?Viktor’s hand moves to my neck and his fingers trail lightly over my skin, sending another wave of heat coursing through me.He doesn’t pull me in yet, or press down on my jugular. He just lets his touch linger, a slow sensation that has me aching for more.Viktor: God, you are killing me.I tilt my head, eyes darkening as I watch him struggle to maintain his composure.It’s almost too much seeing the way he’s reacting to me. It’s like he’s just barely hanging on to all rationality and reason.I want to push him further to make him lose that control, just like I feel myself slipping.Me: Then maybe you should stop trying so hard to hold back. That’s all it takes. Viktor moves in much faster than I could have prepared myself for, pressing his lips to mine in a desperate kiss.It’s everything.Rough. Hungry. Unrestrained.His hands are everywhere, pulling me closer and grabbing at me like he’s afraid I’ll slip away. I waste no time in reaching the same level as him. My hands tangle in his hair, pulling him even closer and feeling his heart race against mine.There’s no room left for whatever ruminating I could be doing right now.No space to question what’s happening between us.It’s like we’re both caught in the same current and we’re both desperate to see where it takes us.Viktor: You wanted this. You wanted me to control you.I pull back from his lips to pant softly, catching my breath for a moment.Me: I never said I didn’t.The air between us grows heavier and the world outside fades into the background.All that matters is the heat.The need.The pull of his body against mine.I can’t get enough of him and I know deep down, neither can he. Viktor: Then do not fight it. The way he whispers those words so close to my ear makes my entire body react with a shudder of desire.I can’t fight it.I don’t want to.The way his hands move so bold yet so gentle like he’s trying to savor every moment makes me want to lose myself completely in him.His breath is hot against my skin as he presses his lips to the curve of my neck.The feeling of his teeth grazing my neck sends a jolt straight to my core and a moan to my throat.Me: I’m not fighting it, Viktor.His hands roam lower, pulling me in tighter as if he can’t bear the space between us.The weight of his body is all I need to feel grounded in this moment.His kiss deepens as he swipes his tongue across my bottom lip. But there’s something in the way he pulls back just enough to look at me to search my eyes that makes my breath catch.Viktor: Are you sure that this is what you want? There is no going back. I will not be able to control myself once I have had a taste of you.His words hang in the air, thick with both challenge and a question I can’t ignore.I don’t think I can answer him with anything but my body.I pull him in by the back of his neck, my lips meeting his in a desperate, almost frantic kiss as if trying to prove that there’s no doubt left. My tongue slides across his. A moan escapes his mouth and it slides into mine. Fuck.I’m already beyond the point of return.Me: I want you, Viktor.The words are barely out before Viktor groans, his hands gripping me tighter and pulling me even closer.His touch is all consuming like he’s marking every inch of me.Memorising the way I respond.Toying with the way I crave more.Viktor: You have no idea how much I have been craving you, Jayce.The heat in his words ignites something inside me. I’m not sure if it’s the way he says it or the way his hands are now gripping me with urgency, but I feel everything shift.I’m not sure if I’m still in control of what’s happening, but I don’t want to be.Not anymore.Me: Then what are you waiting for, Viktor?His response is instant.He doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t waste another second.He takes what he’s been longing for and I do the same.Our bodies collide in a way that’s both frantic and hungry. Desperate in the best way.The only thing I can think about is the heat of our skin, the urgency of our touch and the overwhelming pull between us that neither of us can deny any longer.Every movement, every brush of skin against skin feels like a spark building into something bigger and more urgent.Viktor: This is only the beginning.His words send a thrill through me and the intensity between us only grows.I believe him.There’s no slowing down now and no turning back.Every inch of my body is on fire, craving him like I’ve never craved anything before.His hands slide down my back pulling me closer, the heat of his body merging with mine until there’s no space left between us.I can feel his heart pounding against mine.I can feel the urgency in every touch. In every kiss.It’s like we’re both desperate to feel the other’s skin and to taste each others breath. It’s like the world around us could implode and we wouldn’t even notice because lost in this moment.In each other.Viktor pulls back, breaking our kiss and looking into my eyes with a look of desperation and desire that I have never seen from him before.It’s driving me insane. Viktor: Tell me you feel it too. Tell me this is what you want.His lips are just inches from mine, his breath mingling with mine and his gaze burning with something raw. I can see the lust in his eyes, but there’s also a vulnerability beneath the surface that makes my heart race.I answer him not with words, but with my body. I press myself against him harder, pulling him closer.I don’t need to speak.The need between us is louder than any words.I can feel him tremble beneath my touch, his grip tightening around me as if he’s barely holding on.Me: I want this. Viktor, I want you.My hands are moving on their own now. Sliding under his shirt and feeling the heat of his skin. My fingertips trace over the beauty marks that I didn’t get to kiss last time.Every touch, every second, only makes me want him more.Need him more.He groans at the contact, his lips finding mine again in a searing kiss filled with hunger.Viktor: I will not be able to stop once you push me over the line. You know that, right?The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine. There’s no hesitation in his voice, only certainty. Certainty that whatever happens next, he’s all in.And something inside of me responds to that. Something deep and wild, eager to surrender to the same need with the same hunger.Me: Then don’t stop.The challenge in my voice only makes him growl low in his throat, the sound primal and raw. It makes my breath catch and my face flush.He moves faster now. Much more urgent.His lips trail down my neck and his hands pull me closer as if he can’t get enough of me.I can feel his body tense and his breath coming faster as we get lost in each other. Lost in the rush of everything we’ve been holding back.All that matters is him.All that matters is this. And as his hands grip my waist pulling me into his hips, I know i need more of him. Now.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I feel Viktors body trembling beneath my hands.His need for me as undeniable as mine is for him. Something clicks in my brain as a surge of desire to take control hits me with a desperate urgency.I want to push him past the point of no return.Without warning I grip Viktors wrist, pulling him toward me with an intensity that leaves no room for hesitation. His eyes widen in surprise but before he can react, I place a firm hand against his arm and pull him up so we’re both standing, before dragging him towards the hallway.Me: Not here.I murmur, my voice low and commanding.Me: You’re coming with me.Viktor doesn’t resist, but there’s a fire in his eyes.A challenge.A dare. Like he’s testing me.Seeing if I’m brave enough to make the next move.But that’s exactly what I want.I want him to fight me. To push back.Because I know I’ll win.I lead him through the hall, pulling him behind me with a firm grip on his wrist. I’m not giving him a single chance to pull away.Every step feels like a battle.The air is thick with anticipation.The closer we get to my room the more desperate the need for him becomes.The pull of him is almost unbearable.Finally, I throw open the door and push him inside, not giving him any time to react before I lock the door behind us.I turn to face him, my eyes seething with lustful intent.Viktor: Jayce..Viktor’s voice is low and dangerous.
His chest rising and falling with every breath.There’s something in the way he says my name, like a challenge. A promise.He steps toward me, a subtle defiance in his posture.Viktor: You really think that you are still in control?I smile.My hand brushes against the back of his neck before pulling him toward me, my lips hovering above his before pulling him into a kiss thats more commanding than it is tender.His body tenses beneath me, but he doesn’t push me away. Instead, he pulls me closer. His lips move against mine in a way that tells me he’s not going to make this easy.But I love a challenge.
Especially when it comes to Viktor.I pull back just slightly, watching the smoldering look in his eyes.Me: I don’t just think I’m in control.I murmur, my voice sultry with desire.Me: I know I am.The words hang in the air between us, thick with challenge and promise.But I see it in his eyes.He’s not going to let me have it all my way.With a swift motion Viktor spins us around, pinning me against the wall with a force that takes me by surprise.The control shifts and I can feel it. The way he’s taking charge now with his hands on my waist, pulling me into him with a force that makes me moan softly.Viktor: Is that so?His voice is rough and filled with desire.Viktor: Let us see here.. I believe you said a similar thing last time before I.. what did I do again? Ah, that is right. I pinned you against a wall. How fitting. History is repeating itself, Jayce. You hold no power here. Learn your place.Before I can respond, he presses his lips to mine with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. The kiss is brutal and desperate. I can feel the way he’s taking the control back from me.I’m not backing down though.If anything, it only ignites something deeper and more primal in me.His hands travel down my sides to my backside, his grip tightening as he pulls me flush against him.The heat between us unbearable.I don’t let go, my hands moving to his chest and feeling the thrum of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips.I can’t let him dominate me completely.Not like this.I shift, pushing him back just enough to get the upper hand for a moment. He’s surprised, but the hunger in his eyes is still there burning bright.Me: Not so fast.I growl, before taking the lead once more. My hands moving to his waist and pulling him toward the bed.Viktor groans in defiant response but I’m not backing down this time.I’m in control.For now.But the fight isn’t over.
Not by a long shot. And we both know it. The room feels like it’s pulsing with the energy between us. The tension is so thick that it’s almost suffocating.I push Viktor back onto the bed with a careful but dominant shove.My hands waste no time in undressing him.My fingers make quick work of the button on his jeans. I slide my hands up his torso, revealing his snail trail and god. I can’t NOT trace it with my fingers.He doesn’t resist, even though I can see the way his eyes flash with that familiar fire.
The one that dares me to test my own limits.I pause for a moment just taking him in, watching him as his chest rises and falls with each breath.His expression is a mix of frustration and hunger, like he wants to fight this but at the same time.. he can’t help but want me.Want this.Fuck.His voice breaks through the air like a jagged blade, low and rough.Viktor: You think that because I am in your bed, you have now got me under control, Jayce?I smile, the rush of adrenaline sharpening my senses.Me: I don’t think, Viktor. I know.As I lean down to plant a patronising kiss on his forehead, he catches my wrist with a grip that’s harder than I expected.A flicker of surprise crosses my face and before I know it, he’s the one on top. Pushing me back onto the bed with a power that leaves me breathless.The tables have turned, and I can’t help but let out a breathless laugh.There’s no denying it now.He’s taking control but I’m not giving up.The fire inside me refuses to be extinguished.Viktor leans down, his breath hot against my ear as he whispers.Viktor: You wanted control. Now you will see what it feels like when I take it from you.He moves with precision. His hands exploring my body and pushing me deeper into the sheets as if he’s marking me as his own.His lips trail along my jaw, then down my neck, biting and kissing with an intensity that leaves me gasping for air. My hickeys have barely had a chance to fade and he makes sure to darken them three times deeper than they originally were.It feels so good to be marked by him.To be made his property.To carry proof that he wants me.That he desires me.I fight the wave of sensation and come back to my senses. My hands grip his shoulders trying to flip the script again, but his hold on me is unyielding.His mouth is everywhere, each touch setting me further on fire.There’s no escape.His voice is a rough whisper against my skin.Viktor: If you think I am going to let you be in control forever Jayce, You are sorely mistaken. You will have to fight me for it.The words hang in the air like a challenge, and I find myself both frustrated and exhilarated by the power shift.It’s a game.One that neither of us is willing to lose.And the more we fight for control, the more we both crave the surrender that comes with it.I don’t back down, though.Not this time.I push my hands against his chest with a surge of strength and I manage to shift us, rolling him onto his back with surprising speed.My lips find his again, raw and desperate.Me: I don’t need to fight you.I growl against his mouth, pulling him closer.Me: You’ll give in. You always do.Viktor stares up at me, his eyes darker now. The challenge still present but theres something else in them too.Something that tells me he wants to be controlled just as badly as I do.Viktor: I have not given in yet.His voice is coarse and filled with raw desire.It’s driving me insane.And just as I’m about to say something else, his hands grip my hips pulling me down onto him. The words slip away, lost in the heat and the urgency. There’s no need for talk anymore, just action.The battle of control.Of power.Of giving in and taking it all. It’s unspoken but we both know that neither of us is in control. I can feel the heat building. It’s in the way Viktors hands tighten around my waist as he pulls me down to grind against him.I want to fight it. To push back. To make him feel my strength. But something about the way his gaze locks with mine with each thrust makes me want to test him even more.I smirk tilting my head, my hips straddle him firmly.I let my words drip with defiance.Me: You know, Viktor. You’re not nearly as in control as you think. You could’ve had me whenever you wanted.His eyes narrow slightly, and I see that fire. His brand of dominance is rising like a storm ready to break. But there’s no fear in me, only a twisted sense of thrill.I’m pushing him now.Testing him.Provoking him.Viktor: I think you have forgotten who is really in control, Jayce.He speaks lowly, his voice rough with authority.Viktor: And you are about to learn that lesson.Before I can retort, he flips me with brutal precision onto my stomach, pinning my arms to my lower back with one hand.His body presses down on mine, a heavy weight that has me gasping for breath. Viktor’s surprise strength is undeniable but I still try to fight it, twisting beneath him determined to break free, to keep this fight alive.Me: You can’t just dominate me like this.I sneer, my chest heaving beneath him.Me: I won’t just bend for you.But the words only make him more resolute. In one swift movement, he uses his free hand to pull me back onto my knees slightly. Before I can try and escape this new position, he grinds against me, pulling me into him desperately.I let out a poorly suppressed moan as I realize how little leverage I actually have in this moment.Viktor: Oh, Jayce. You are not bending for me.AViktors voice is cold and commanding, but absolutely filled with lust.Viktor: You are arching for me.His grip tightens on my wrists and I have no choice but to take it. To feel every inch of his dominance sink into my skin. My body shudders, caught between the rush of adrenaline and the sting of restraint. I let out a whimper as he grinds on me.Viktor: Do you really think you can keep playing games with me?Viktor murmurs, his hips grinding against me with a hunger that tells me he wants more. There’s something in his voice. A mix of restraint and warning.Viktor: I will break you, Jayce. And I will make you beg for it.I bite my lip because I know that beneath all the defiance, beneath all my rebellion, I’m already starting to lose my resolve.Viktor’s presence. His control is overwhelming.And then, with a surprising gentleness that throws me off entirely, he releases my wrists and shifts his weight off of me.For a moment I’m disoriented.Then, I click my tongue and shake my head, lying flat on my back.Me: I knew you’d buckle.He quirks an eyebrow, laughing and clicking his tongue.Viktor: You think this is victory?I don’t answer. I’m too proud to admit that part of me is still reeling from his hold on me.Viktor: I let you think you had won, Jayce.Viktor continues, his eyes glinting.Viktor: But you are still mine. I am letting you believe you have control, but this.. this is just another part of the game.I swallow hard realizing the truth in his words but I don’t show it.Me: You’re so full of shit.I retort, but there’s less bite in my voice now. The realisation settling in.Me: This isn’t over.Viktor leans back against the headboard, his eyes dark with satisfaction but there’s no sign of aggression left in his posture. It’s as if he’s already won the war without even needing to fight anymore.Viktor: I never said it was.He speaks quietly, his voice suddenly gentle and almost affectionate.And in that moment, I know the truth.Viktor undeniably has the upper hand and I’ve been nothing but a pawn in his game all along. But as much as I hate to admit it, there’s a part of me that’s hungry for more and craving the push and pull. The way he’s always in control without even having to say it.It’s maddening.And the worst part is that it’s what makes me want him even more.I rest an elbow on the bed, cupping my face in my hand. I give him a look that’s equal parts challenge and desire as my free hand traces his still exposed snail trail.Me: You know, Viktor, I almost let you win. Almost.He raises an eyebrow, his expression never faltering but there’s a glint of something playful in his eyes.Viktor: You are delusional if you think that is how this works.His voice is low and steady but there’s something in the way he watches me that feels like a warning.My fingertips trace lower, following his snail trail down to his waistband. His body twitches under my touch.Me: You say that like you’ve already won. But I’m not finished yet.Viktor’s lips curl into a knowing smile, but there’s no amusement in his eyes now.Only something much darker and possessive.Viktor: You really wish to test me again?He asks, and I can feel the weight of his question in the air. The space between us is charged like something’s about to snap.I lean forward, my mouth ghosting across his hip bones as my fingertips slide under his waistband. I can feel the heat radiating from him.Me: You can’t keep me in line forever, Viktor. I’ll never just let you control me.Viktor: You are playing with fire, Jayce.He warns as his hands reach out, gripping my throat and pulling me up to meet his face. I can feel the tension in his body as he holds me there unable to stop himself.Me: I’m not afraid of getting burned, Vik. I want to see how far you’ll go to prove you’re the one in charge.He growls under his breath, sitting up with impressive speed and reaching for my belt buckle. I grab his hand and lean over him, pinning it to the bed above him. He frowns at me in frustration, but it makes me want to toy with him more.Viktor: You are insufferable.He murmurs, trying to use his free hand to flip our positions. I push it into his other hand and grip his wrists tightly in one hand.He’s almost entirely at my mercy.Laying under me panting and giving me a scathing look with messy hair and flushed pink cheeks.He looks disheveled.I need him so fucking badly.Me: Then why don’t you do something about it?I challenge, my voice barely a whisper.Viktor’s flashes me his bared teeth for a moment before his legs wrap around my hips. I feel him try to tip me over but it’s no use. I’m far heavier and bigger than he is.It’s unfairly hot watching him squirm underneath me.Viktor: You are pushing me too far, Jayce. And you are going to pay for it.I know his words are dangerous, but there’s no turning back now.I need to feel that control.I need to dominate him even if it kills me. I use his new leg position to my advantage.My fingertips grab onto his belt loops and I pull him down onto my painfully hard dick. I grind into him slowly.He lets out something between a gasp and a moan, tilting his head to the side in an attempt to hide his reaction.That won’t do.I slide my hand up his chest until I reach his jaw, pulling it to face me with a sharp motion.He’s forced to meet my eyes, continuing to scowl at me.I lick his bottom lip, kissing him deeply and moaning into his mouth. He melts into the kiss, but still tries to wriggle his wrists out of my grasp. My grip tightens on them.Me: I don’t care how much I pay, as long as I keep getting looks and sounds out of you like this.His eyes flash with something darker, a mix of anger and desire.Viktor: You will regret this.He warns, his voice is raw with restraint.But I’m already too far gone, already tangled up in the power dynamic we’ve created, desperate for more.He can try to get me to hold back, but deep down I know he’s already lost.He wants this just as much as I do.My hand moves from his jaw, down to his throat. I press down softly to gauge his reaction before grinding into him once again.He bites his lip and tips his head back, trying so hard to not give me the reaction I want.I tilt my head at him.Me: Viktor you look so pretty underneath me like this. Why don’t we see how much prettier you can get?I see him flush pink underneath me. I’m not used to seeing him this submissive and desperate for touch.I think I’ve broken him. My turn. My voice drops to a whisper.Me: Or if you prefer, I could toy with you slowly until you’re begging me to finish you off?He scoffs and tips his head to the side. I reach up and grab his jaw again, forcing him to look me in the eyes again.Me: Use your words. Now.He stares at me intently, like he’s debating how he wants to play. Like we’re in a game of chess and he might actually lose to me for once.To my surprise, he actually gives me a response.Viktor: If you must have me to yourself, I will do everything in my power to not give you the satisfaction of me finishing.I blink. A grin forming on my face.Me: Is that so?He tilts his chin up so he can purposely look down on me.Viktor: I would not lie about that. If you want me to cum, you will have to work tirelessly for it while I work just as hard to not comply.I bite my lip. I know he’s not joking.Me: You’re worth the wait. Even if it means I have to drain my entire body inside of you before you give me so much as a droplet.He lets out a huff, shaking his head.Viktor: You cannot say stuff like that.I tilt my head, leaning up to kiss him hard. He moans against my tongue, as my hands move to his hair. I pull gently, warranting a soft whimper from his lips. It drives me insane.I don’t tell him that I notice, but his hands stay above his head when I let go of them.He likes being vulnerable and overpowered.And that knowledge goes straight to both my head and my dick. My hands return to his throat, pressing down harder as I grind my hips into him again. He tips his head back into the pillow, moaning my name softly.Seeing him this pathetic and moaning my name so softly is setting something primal off inside of me that I didn’t know existed.I need to fuck him so badly I look stupid.I test the waters and see if he has noticed that his hands are free. My hands find his belt loops and tug his jeans down. He lifts himself up to help me take them off, still not moving his hands from above his head.I grin, shaking my head slightly. He doesn’t let it slide.Viktor: And what is so amusing to you?Me: Nothing. I just like you.He clicks his tongue, shaking his head.Viktor: Honestly..I lean down and place a soft bite on his inner thigh. The sensation of my beard must tickle. He squirms and makes soft surprised sounds as I lick along his thigh until I reach his hipbone.I grip his waist with both hands, pulling him against my hips. I can’t help but notice how his entire waist fits in both of my hands perfectly. How I can control his entire body in such an easy push and pull motion.Fuck.I take another look at Viktor, really taking in his expression.His pupils are blown wide and his usual sharp confidence is cracking.Me: You still planning on trying to wait me out until you can’t any longer?He wastes no time in responding.Viktor: Of course. I cannot have you thinking that you are actually in control. Do not be foolish.Me: Oh I’m going to make you finish, Vik. That’s a promise.He smirks at me.Viktor: You will try.I growl low in my throat as I drag my teeth along the sharp line of his jaw, feeling him shiver beneath me.Me: I don’t try anything, Viktor.I breathe, my lips brushing his skin.Me: I do.Viktor hums. The sound is light and teasing.Viktor: Then do it, Jayce.I freeze.Because there’s something in the way he says it in that soft, mocking tone that makes me realize something awful. I already lost. And Viktor knows it. Viktors breath hitches as my fingers curl under the hem of his hoodie, well, MY hoodie. I tug just a little bit before stopping.I smirk and bite my lip before leaning down closer to him.Me: You are going to leave this hoodie on. And nothing else.Viktor frowns, tilting his head at me.Viktor: Why?My hands trail lower.
Slow and teasing. Pressing against Viktors hips as I pull him closer.Me: Because I want to see you wearing my clothing while I’m inside of you. I’m feeling a bit possessive today, Vik.A flush spread across Viktors face instantly, creeping down his throat. God I want to bite him.He swallows hard while his fingers twitch against the fabric of my jeans as if he’s reconsidering, but my grip keeps him exactly where he is.Viktor exhales sharply, eyes flickering away before he lets out a small, breathy laugh.Viktor: You are never this confident.I grin.Me: Maybe seeing you in my room, in the place that I control, makes me want to do things to you that I can’t hold back from any longer.Viktor parts his lips to retort but i lean up to tilt his chin, stealing whatever sharp remark was forming in his throat with the slow drag of my mouth against Viktors jaw.My patience is gone.Burned away by the heat between us.By the way Viktor is usually so sharp and so smug, and is now beginning to falter in my hands.Viktor shudders as his fingers run over my arms, stopping and tightening around my shoulders.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.I tilt my head at him, licking my lips. His eyes study me as I lean down to bite his neck. He lets out a soft whimper as my canines drag against his already flushed skin. I take this opportunity to whisper into his ear.Me: I want you to beg me to fuck you.His breath hitches. A microscopic smirk tugs at the corners of his lips.Viktor: Excuse me?I frown at him, clicking my tongue.Me: I wasn’t asking.I slide my fingers into his waistband, running my hand down to his boxers. He’s just as hard as I am.Good.I tease and paw at him, feeling him throbbing at my touch alone. My eyes move up to meet his and he looks like an absolute mess. I keep teasing at him for a moment longer, waiting until he’s ready to beg for more.Me: Use your words, Viktor. Tell me what you want from me.His panting increases, legs twitching in rhythm with my painfully slow strokes.Hes close to breaking.He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, clearly trying to ground himself. To ward of the desire he’s so close to vocalising.This won’t do.I tug his boxers down just low enough that I can find more leverage. My tongue moves to his hips and I bite hungrily at them.He lets out small sounds of overstimulation.
I need more.My tongue moves down and so does my tug on the band. Finally, I’ve got what I’ve been waiting for. I reveal the last few inches of Viktors gorgeous body, with a not so gracious flick of his boxers to the corner of the room. Me: Oh, I’ll make you talk, Viktor. Before he can say anything, I drag my tongue all the way along him. His dick twitches under my spit as he lets out a strained moan.Fuck it’s hot.I make sure that my tongue is purposely slow and teasing.I need him to break.
I can’t give him what he wants just yet.My tongue teases at his tip gently, swirling in circles. His fingers creep into my hair, raking through and putting a microscopic amount of pressure on my head. He wants more. And god I’m going to give it to him.Me: You know, Vik. I think I’m fresh out of lube.He makes a small sound, looking down at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.Viktor: And what are you implying, Jayce?I smirk, putting my hands underneath his thighs and pressing down. His legs part exactly like I want and fuck, he looks so hot like this.Entirely at my mercy.Hot and flustered.Exposed.Flushed and panting.Fuck.I don’t think, I just act.My tongue moves across his hole, teasing at the rim.He immediately moans, much louder than I have ever heard him moan.Oh.This is what he likes, is it?I smirk, immediately continuing. His voice is loud and sweet, moaning my name hungrily. I push him harder. I need him to break.I put more pressure on my tongue, pushing it inside of him ever so slightly.And.He snaps.Viktor: Jayce. Please.I don’t stop.
I make an inquisitive sound, telling him to keep talking.Viktor: Fuck. Please. I need it.I smirk, still teasing him with my tongue before stopping. I move my body to be towering over him. Staring into his eyes. Watching how his chest rises and falls with each hungry pant.Me: Tell me, Viktor. What do you want?He swallows hard, the pink flush from his cheeks and ears has now spread to his entire body.He lets out a pathetic whimper before finally speaking. His voice is coarse and quiet.Viktor: I need you to fuck me, Jayce. Please. Please I am begging you to fuck me, please. I am going crazy. I cannot take it any longer. I need you so badly.I could cum on the spot.
Holy fucking shit. I reach under my bed and pull out a bottle of lube with a smirk.He groans and clicks his tongue.Viktor: Are you kidding me? You had that this entire time?Me: Yeah of course I did.He lets out a huff, but theres no real annoyance behind it. Just impatience.I slather some lube across my fingers, carefully covering the entire length of them.I return my attention to his entrance, slowly rubbing my finger over it before slowly, slowly pressing one finger inside of him. I watch his expression while I press. His eyes are closed and his mouth wide open, moaning softly at the feeling of my fingers filling him.I pull out slightly before pushing back in a little more this time. His breathing picks up with my thrusts, as we start forming our own rhythm. Once I’m sure he can take one finger, I tease two at his entrance.I stop and look up at him to check in, he doesn’t need to speak. His frantic head nodding is all I need.I push inside of him with both fingers and fuck he feels good. So warm and tight.He arches his back as I push inside of him, taking me so incredibly well.After pressing into him for a little while he makes a small stirring sound.I tilt my head at him.Me: Everything okay?He grumbles something under his breath that I don’t quite catch. I shift upwards, fingers still inside of him.Me: Use your words, Viktor.He huffs before speaking, his voice is raspy and strained.Viktor: Put me out of my misery and fuck me already, Jayce. I need you so badly. I don’t need any further convincing than that. I take my time pulling out of Viktor and reach across for the lube bottle again.I pour a heavy squirt of lube onto my hand before working it along my throbbing dick.I can’t tell who needs this more, me or Viktor.I pull him down by his waist so he’s in a better position. He makes an involuntary squeak at how easy he is to manhandle. It’s cute.I rub my tip against his entrance, watching how his body reacts to the warmth of it. His back arches and his hands reach for the bedsheets behind him, a sweet moan escaping his mouth.I rub myself around his rim for just a little longer before leaning down to kiss his knees. He laughs and shakes his head at me.Viktor: Do not try to distract me with romance, I have shifted my focus to making sure I do not give you the satisfaction of me finishing.I smirk, pushing into him softly.
I’ve heard enough.As I slowly make my way inside of him, I feel him trying not to hold his breath.Fuck, he feels unbelievably good.I close my eyes, completely lost in the way he grips around my dick so tightly. I let out a moan that escapes from my soul.This is absolute bliss and it’s only the beginning.I push inside of him more, watching his expression closely. His mouth opens, panting softly as he takes me so well.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.I see a flicker of mischief glinting in his gooey amber eyes as they lock onto mine.Viktor: For someone that is ‘in control’ of this situation you are not being very assertive, Jayce. Being this slow will not make me cum any time soon. Such a shame, really.I narrow my eyes at him and scoff. He knows exactly how to get under my skin. But I know exactly how to get inside of his.I slide my hands around to the front of his thighs, pulling him down onto my dick the rest of the way. His back arches and his hand flies up to cover his mouth as he lets out a sweet, raspy moan.Viktor: Fuck, Jayce.I can barely bring myself to look at him. He feels so good wrapped around me. He looks so good panting underneath me.If I think about everything too hard I’ll cum inside of him right now.I take a deep breath, before I grip his thighs again. Pulling out slightly just so I can go back in even harder.When.My phone rings.We both just stare at each other in disbelief.There’s no fucking way.I tip my head back in frustration. I tell myself that if it’s Mel then I’m going to kill her when I see her next.I pick up my phone to see who has the audacity to interrupt at such a poor time. It’s not Mel. It’s my housemate, Caitlyn.The one I see once a month at most. I don’t pull out of Viktor.I answer the phone, still making eye contact with him.I see him smirk and bite his lip.He’s up to something in his head. Not good.Me: Hello?Caitlyn: Hey Jayce, are you home?Me: Hey Cait, yeah I am. What’s up?I feel viktor wrap his legs around my waist, pulling himself down onto me and expertly concealing a moan. I have to pull the phone away from my head so I don’t moan into the microphone.Evil fucker.Caitlin: I left my laptop in my room so I’m going to swing by to pick it up soon. I don’t know where my keys are so can you let me in to get it?I pull out of Viktor slightly, before thrusting myself back in quickly. Two can play at that game.We both barely conceal our moans.I can see his pulse throbbing in his jugular.Me: Yeah I can let you in, how far away are you?Caitlin: 10 minutes. 10 minutes. I take a look down at Viktor and see how hot and bothered he is from just two thrusts.Yeah.I can work with that. Me: See you soon, Cait.I hang up the phone and throw it off to the side. Me: Ten minutes.Viktor quirks a brow.Viktor: That is all? What a pity.Me: And what is that supposed to mean?He smirks, tightening his legs around me and pulling me into him again.Viktor: We both know you will not be able to finish me off in ten minutes, Jayce. Perhaps we should wait until your housemate has left.My grip on his thighs tighten. It won’t surprise me if he’s bruised tomorrow from my fingertips.Me: Is that what you think.He gives me a grin, licking his lips slowly.Viktor: No. it is what I am sure of.Something inside of my brain snaps at the challenge.I growl and pull him into me, thrusting deep inside of him.He lets out a surprised moan. His mouth falls open and his back arches.Me: You’re right Vik, I can’t make you cum in ten minutes.I push his thighs down so I can reach even deeper inside of him, as I lean down to be level with his face. Me: We only have nine left, V.I thrust into him as hard as I can. His mouth gapes as he lets out a whimper, still holding my eye contact. Me: Im going to make sure that you finish in eight.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

8 minutes. The clock on my bedside table blinks back at me. The red numbers are burning into my brain.We don’t have time for this.We shouldn’t even be doing this.But Viktor is impossible, and I can’t stop myself.He’s drawing this out on purpose, I know he is. Every little movement. Every smug smirk. Every barely concealed moan.He’s toying with me and holding back just to make me suffer.I grip his hips tighter, my fingers digging in.I’m desperate to pull him down onto my dick again. I need to break that last shred of composure he’s clinging to.His eyes are closed, trying to focus on anything else to make the time tick lower.Me: Stop fighting me.I growl when I speak. My voice is rough and demanding. 7 minutes. Viktor is teasing me. He’s dragging this out just to watch me struggle. His breath stutters and his body tenses as I fuck him over and over again.. but he still won’t give in.I know how to get him close, but he’s clinging to control just to spite me.Me: Let yourself have fun and stop being a stick in the mud for once.I mutter against his skin.I’m frustrated.I’m desperate.He laughs in a soft, smug, infuriating tone.Viktor: Patience, Jayce.His voice is taunting, like he isn’t also moments from breaking.I don’t have patience.Not when I can hear basically hear Caitlyns footsteps walking down the driveway.Not when every second counts. 6 minutes. Me: Viktor.I warn, dragging my lips down his throat and biting down, pressing into him deeper and refusing to let him win this time.Me: We have..I glance at the clock.Me: ..Five minutes, fifty eight seconds.Fuck.My pulse kicks up.Me: If you don’t give in, I swear I’ll-He laughs again, breathless and teasing.He’s still in control even when I know he’s unraveling.Viktor: You will what?Fuck him.Fuck his stubbornness.Fuck how good he looks like this.I narrow my eyes, determination burning hot in my chest.If he wants to play, I’ll make him regret it.I don’t think.I don’t have time to anymore.I grab Viktor by his tiny waist and pull him down onto my dick as hard as I can.A loud moan escapes his mouth, his hand moving to cover it. I tighten my grip on his waist and pound him over and over again.The way he wraps around my dick so warm and so tight is otherworldly.Maybe he is a god after all. 5 minutes. The seconds tick by, each one dragging me further into a state of pure bliss.Viktor is still holding back, but I can see it now.The edge.The way his breath is catching.He’s close.I know he is.I lean up and drop my lips to his ear, my voice low and urgent.Me: You’re not getting out of this unfinished, Viktor. Not now.The words feel too good coming out of my mouth. I press against him harder, trying to push him past the last of his restraint.He shudders under me, moaning and whimpering. He pulls back just enough to look me in the eye, and there’s that smirk again. That stupid, teasing smirk.Viktor: Jayce. If you really want me to cum, you will have to work much harder than this. 4 minutes. I’m not sure I can try any harder without losing it. Every part of me is strung tight to not immediately cum. Every nerve is firing with the need to push him over the edge.But I can’t seem to get him there. He’s too damn stubborn.Me: Viktor, you’re going to make me lose it.I warn, my voice a little louder than it should be. The pressure building inside me is unbearable, but I won’t let him win this time. Not when we don’t have long.Viktors hands slide up my back, his nails gently scratching over my skin.Viktor: You have got plenty of time. 3 minutes. My heart is pounding. The countdown is eating away at me and I’m already on the edge.Me: No, Viktor.I say pulling him closer, teeth grazing his neck.Me: I don’t have time for this. You don’t have time for this. WE don’t have time for this.I can see the control slipping for a second in his eyes, but just as quickly it’s back. I can feel how badly he’s trying to hold on. Trying to make me suffer just a little longer. 2 minutes. The seconds seem to never stop. I could lose my mind.He’s so close.Just a little more.Just a little push.Me: Viktor.I breathe his name, the need in my voice is crystal clear. I drag my lips across his jaw and down his neck. I feel the way his pulse picks up.Me: I want you to give in. Now.His eyes darken and for a brief moment, I see him break.Viktor: You will have to make me, Jayce.And just like that. I lose control. I snap. I grab Viktor around the waist and pick him up off the bed, pressing him up against the wall while I’m still inside of him.Me: Fine then. We’re doing it the hard way.Viktors arms wrap around my shoulders, in shock at the sudden change in our positions. I pull him down onto me as I fuck him senselessly against the wall. His moans are a lot louder and much poorly concealed.I’ve got him now. 1 minute. This is it.I know if I don’t make him give in now, it’s all going to fall apart.Me: Cum for me.I whisper, my voice rough with desperation.Me: You know you want to.Viktors head is tipped back, drool dripping out the corners of his mouth as he’s in absolute ecstasy. I pound him over and over again, feeling myself getting to the brink of climax. I look up to meet his eyes and they’re wet with tears that are threatening to come out.He moans my name and his breathing picks up.I know he’s close.He leans down to bite my neck, sucking hard to give me even more hickeys. I moan against his skin, still thrusting into him with everything I’ve got left.His breath hitches and I see his pulse spark up.This is it.Me: Good boy Vik, cum for me. You’re doing such a good job.I can see the way he’s trying to fight it.To not give it to me. 30 seconds. I can’t have that.I reach up and curl my arms around his shoulders, pulling him down onto me with as much force as I can handle, pounding into him over and over. A tear manages to escape. His eyes roll back as he still tries to fight the sensation washing over him.He digs his nails into my back, scratching down hard. It feels hot and sharp but so insanely good.I’m so close.I need him to finish NOW.My pace speeds up as I fuck him as hard and as fast as I possibly can. Desperate. Needy. Infuriated.I need this.I need him to cum.I need to cum in him.Fuck.I can feel it.I look into his eyes and he’s already looking into mine.He knows.He knows that he has lost.I lean in to kiss him, my tongue playing with his and with one final thrust and a loud, blissful moan, I fill Viktor up with my hot, dripping cum.And to my surprise, he fills my chest with his. The room is electric as it fills with my name.I’ve never heard my name being whimpered so desperately before.Something tells me he won’t let me get used to that.The flood of relief is overwhelming, but all I can think about is how I got him there. How despite everything, I got him to lose control before the clock ran out.I won.I maintained the control.I did it.I carry Viktor back to my bed and slowly, slowly pull out of him. I find a towel nearby and make sure to offer it to him before myself. I take a look at him and he’s an absolute mess. His pupils are blown. His hair is tangled from my fingers. His eyes are tear stained.He’s gorgeous.I lay down next to him, still reeling from my success. He looks over to meet my eyes, panting softly as his body catches up with his brain.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.His panting slows down as his brain starts to form coherent sentences again.Viktor: Promise me something.I quirk a brow, resting my arm on the bed and propping myself up on my elbow.Me: Yeah? What is it Vik?He huffs, making a face at me.Viktor: You are not allowed to say ‘I told you so’ yes?I burst out laughing with whatever energy I have left.Me: No promises.I check the time.It’s definitely been 10 minutes.I wipe off my chest and lean over to grab my phone.A text.From Caitlyn.‘Hey Jayce, false alarm on the laptop front. VI said I could just borrow hers. Don’t wait up, I’ll catch you another time!’You’re joking.You actually have to be fucking kidding me.I start laughing again from the hysteria of the past 10 minutes.Viktor frowns at me, unaware of the situation. I can’t even bring myself to explain it, I just show him the screen.Viktor reads the message intently before falling back into the bed.Viktor: We could have kept going.Me: Oh we ended at the perfect time for me. I was ready to cum after the first 30 seconds of being inside of you, Vik.Viktor hums and laughs softly.Viktor: Try 20 seconds. It was a miracle I lasted as long as I did. That was sheer commitment.I huff, partially flattered that I could’ve made him cum so quickly and partially frustrated that he didn’t let me.Me: Come on, you. Shower time.Viktor would usually groan at this, but he slides off my hoodie and follows me into the shower with ease.I grab us fresh towels from the linen cupboard before heading into the bathroom.Viktor quirks an eyebrow when he walks in.Viktor: What do you use this for? I assume you did not get that for my benefit.I follow his gaze and find the shower chair he’s looking at.Me: The chair? Oh, I sprained my ankle rollerblading last year and I’m not huge on baths so I bought a chair for the shower. Turns out I really like to just let myself be held by the water and now I no longer need to stress about the hot steam making me almost pass out. It’s convenient. I think that’s everyone should have a shower chair. That’s my hot take of the night.Viktor just looks at the chair, then back to me, then the chair. A small confused smile creeps onto his lips.Viktor: Rollerblading?I laugh, gesturing for his hand so I can help him into the shower.Once he steps in, I turn my back for a moment.Viktor notices.Viktor: Shy all of a sudden?I knew he was going to say something.Me: I just didn’t want you to feel weird while you were.. getting that stuff out of you.He laughs softly.Viktor: You had me folded like a lawn chair against your wall just a moment ago and now you are being chivalrous? My goodness. Perhaps you really are a switch.I burst out laughing. He’s so stupid. He makes my shoulders bounce when I laugh.Me: Just finish up already so I can come back and cuddle, okay?He hums, taking care of that part on his own.Viktor: This water is lovely and warm. Though not quite as warm as my man. Have you seen him around? I do miss his touch terribly.My brain freezes.His.. man?HIS man??I waste no time.I jump into the shower with him, insisting that he sits in the chair. He rolls his eyes at me but doesn’t protest past that.I scoot in behind him so I can reach the products I need, slathering some shampoo into my hands before working it into his gorgeous hair.He hums contently, leaning into my touch as I massage his scalp. I close my eyes as I enjoy the moment just as much as he does, before he speaks and breaks my immersion.Viktor: I love you, Jayce Talis.I stop moving my hands. He notices.I clear my throat, massaging his hair again.Me: I love you too, Viktor.He tips his head back to look up at me, water threatens to go into his eyes but he risks it anyways.Viktor: You always take such care of me. Small things. The check ins. The moments of reassurance. Giving something to me before yourself when we both need it as much as each other.A smile forms on his lips.Viktor: Massaging my hair.I let out a soft laugh, tipping Viktors head back to rinse out the shampoo.Me: You’re worth the effort, Vik.He hums softly as if he doesn’t believe my words.I grab the conditioner and start working it into his hair in slow, deep circles.Viktor: Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such a kind and attentive partner.My brain is still processing Viktor calling me his man from earlier, so hearing him call me his partner makes me all but short circuit.Me: All you needed to do was be unapologetically you.He clicks his tongue.Viktor: Cheesy.I ruffle his hair softly before grabbing the body wash. I rub it into his shoulders, pressing my fingertips into his knots deeply.He’s tense. Makes sense for him.Me: You’re my favourite code to crack, Vik.He’s quiet for a moment before he laughs softly.Viktor: Very technical wording. But what do you mean?I massage his shoulders, warranting a pleased groan from him.Me: I like finding out what makes you smile. What I can do to hear that laugh again. I like figuring you out when I know that you don’t like to be seen.He clicks his tongue like he’s being inconvenienced but I don’t stop.Me: I love to give you compliments and words of affirmation but I know how much you struggle to receive those. So instead, I’ve grown to love doing small acts of service for you. Just little things wherever I can. Getting you a coffee, learning how to bake, I even cleaned out Clementines litter box while you were sleeping so you wouldn’t need to do when you woke up.I realise that I’m rambling and should probably wrap it up before the water gets cold. I sigh.Me: I guess what I’m trying to say here Vik is that I really, genuinely love you. You’re all I think about each and every day and when I’m not thinking about you, I’m trying to do things to distract me from thinking about you. You’re so special to me and I still can’t believe that someone like you is even remotely interested in me.Viktor doesn’t say anything for a while.He doesn’t need to.I’m not ruminating or regretting anything I said, because it’s the truth.And it doesn’t scare me anymore. I am completely and unapologetically in love with Viktor.After a little while longer, he stands up off or the chair. I reach out a stabilising hand like it’s second nature, he doesn’t take it. Instead, he turns to face me and presses himself against my chest.His skin is colder than mine, but I’ve been standing underneath the hot water for the past 15 minutes.I wrap my arms around him and place a soft kiss on his forehead.Me: My Viktor. My beautiful, beautiful Viktor.He lets out a soft laugh, nuzzling himself under my chin.Viktor: My Jayce. My darling, sweetheart. I am all yours.I smile into his hair, kissing him 8 times in a row all over.He laughs and we start swaying together like usual.Just us, together in this ethereal moment.Skin to skin, my hand tracing his beauty marks on his spine. Perfectly content and perfectly infatuated.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The water is still warm which is a sharp contrast to the cold air outside.All I can focus on is Viktor.His arms are wrapped around me, his breath warm against my skin as he leans into me. Our bodies are pressed so closely that I can feel every shift of his muscles.The space between us is barely there. His hands are on my back, fingers gently tracing the edges of my spine. His touch is both tender and intentional.I never want to leave this shower.I’m not sure if it’s the warmth of the water or the closeness between us but everything feels right.Perfect.Viktor pulls back just slightly. Just enough to meet my eyes. I see a glimpse of something there. Something deeper than usual. It’s like he’s looking through me and understanding things I haven’t told him yet.His hand slides to my cheek as he leans in to press his lips softly to mine. A brief kiss, but it’s closer to a promise. When he pulls away, it’s like he’s holding something back. Something that makes my chest tighten with both anticipation and longing.Viktor: You always manage to make me feel.. safe. How is it that you do that?His voice is soft. Barely above a whisper, but the weight of his words lands heavy in the minuscule space between us.I reach up, cupping his face with my hand. The coolness of his skin against the way mine burns is unbelievably comforting and grounding.Me: You make it easy.A comfortable silence settles in.The only sound is the steady rush of the water.I can feel him looking at me, studying every inch of me. And then as if nothing in the world matters but this moment, he steps closer. His body presses flush against mine once more.I catch my breath, my pulse pounding softly in my throat. His eyes flicker down to my lips, and I don’t hesitate.We kiss again, much deeper and slower this time. His hand slides down to the small of my back, fingers grazing the curve of my hips and pulling me in closer.Viktor: I think.. I think I have fallen for you even more than I thought possible. And definitely beyond any and all logic and reason.I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I pull him closer, my hands threading through his damp hair.Me: I’ve always been yours, Vik. And I always will be. I love you so much.We stay like that for a while longer, before the water starts to turn cold.We step out of the shower, both of us dripping wet. The cool air feels refreshing after the heat of the water.And Viktors kisses.I glance over at Viktor whos toweling himself off, his hair still damp and falling in messy waves around his face. I can’t help but smile. There’s something so effortlessly beautiful about him and every time I look at him, I can’t believe he’s mine.Viktor: What now? You are not planning to just stare at me for the rest of the evening, are you?I laugh, tossing my towel aside.Me: Well that was my plan but I suppose we can do something else. I was thinking we could go grab a fun drink. Maybe hit up 7 Eleven? I could really go for a Slurpee. It’s only a five minute walk down the street.Viktor raises an eyebrow, glancing at me.Viktor: A Slurpee? You are a full grown tax payer. Honestly. Slurpee..I stick my tongue out at him, feeling a sudden burst of energy.Me: Hey, don’t knock it till you try it. Plus, they’ve got coffee too. Oooh black coffee, grandpa. Your favourite!He sighs but smiles.Viktor: Fine, but we are only going because you cannot live without your sugar rush.I laugh again, my chest feeling light.The truth is, I’d go anywhere with Viktor. I don’t care about a Slurpee really, but I would do just about anything to spend more time with him.We head into my bedroom and assess the crime scene of blankets that we have left crumpled across my mattress. The room is an absolute mess, but it’s proof that I was 1: with Viktorand 2: was victorious.I collect my boxers and find Viktors for him as well. I toss on a shirt and see Viktor reaching for his hoodie, well MY hoodie, again.Me: You don’t want something else to wear? You practically live in that hoodie, Vik.He looks down at it, then back at me.Viktor: It smells like you. It is very comforting.I blush at his words. They’re raw and honest and very clingy.I reach into my wardrobe and pull out a plain black long sleeve shirt that I used to wear to death. Before I toss it to him, I reach across to my desk and grab my cologne, spritzing the collar of the shirt to really ingrain my scent into it.I hand it to Viktor with a smile.He all but snatches it out of my hands, immediately bringing it up to his nose.Me: You’re crazy, you know that? Crazy behaviour!He just hums, closing his eyes and really absorbing the scent.It’s cute.He slides the shirt on and predictably, it’s massive on him. He doesn’t care. He rolls the sleeves up and slides on his boxers and jeans, tucking the shirt in carefully.How does he always make my clothing look better when he wears it? It’s SO unfair. We walk down the street together, fingers interlaced.The chilly evening air biting at our skin. I insisted that Viktor borrows one of my Jackets before we left the house. He’s practically swimming in it but as long as he’s warm, I don’t care.When we reach 7 Eleven, the fluorescent lights cast a comforting glow around us. I imagine this is what the gates of heaven look like. All I’m saying is that if heaven doesn’t have hotdogs, then it’s NOT heaven. It’s hell.I walk straight to the Slurpee machine, already debating between the cherry and blue raspberry flavours. If Viktor weren’t here, I’d mix both flavours. I know the relentless comments i’d get about that if he saw it, so I opt for cherry on its own.Viktor is at the coffee station, getting himself a cup of the strongest brew they have. I glance over at him for a little while. My eyes start at the bottom of his body. They trace over his shoes and the way he puts effort into even those. His straight cut jeans that still look like skinny jeans on him. The way his borrowed jacket looks oversized on him because I’m so much bigger than he is. The barely visible hickeys that hide behind his hair. The-Oh.He’s looking right at me.He caught me looking at him.My eyes widen ever so slightly before I quickly look away. So embarrassing.. he’s not gonna let me forget about that.I wander over to the hot food section and grab the last hotdog they have. I must have been a good person in a previous life if this was left here for me. Viktor joins me at my side, humming over what he wants. He tilts his head at the options, before deciding that nothing fits his palette today. I don’t push him to get something he won’t feel comfortable eating.We head to the checkout and the worker smiles at me. Her eyes twinkling as she looks me up and down. She’s cute. Definitely more confident than me.Cashier: Hey you, I haven’t seen you for a while. Just your usual slurpee today?Me: Oh hey, yeah and the coffee please. And the hotdog.Viktor places his drink carefully on the counter, watching how the cashier moves with an intense look in his eyes.She hums sweetly, not even acknowledging Viktor at my side. She’s clearly enjoying our interaction.Cashier: I can see you like the cherry flavor. You’re a man of good taste who’s after my own heart. You know, I knock off in about 30 minutes. Just so you know.I blink at her, confused.Me: Oh! Well, that’s okay. We’ll be out of your hair soon.The cashier laughs way too hard. Even I know I’m not that funny. Her gaze stays on me a moment too long as she rings up our drinks.Cashier: Well, aren’t you cute.I laugh and shake my head a bit awkwardly.She smiles wider as she slides the Slurpee closer to my hand, her fingertips brush against mine when pulling her hand back.Cashier: The slurpee is on the house.I frown slightly, not understanding. There isn’t a promotion on at the moment or anything. I checked the app twice.Me: Really? How come?She smiles, resting her head on her cupped hand.Cashier: Gorgeous boys get free slurpees today. New promotion.I raise my eyebrows, not sure on the logistics of something like that. What even constitutes for a ‘gorgeous’ boy anyways?Before I can question her further, I feel something tugging on my jacket. It’s Viktor. I glance down at him. He’s now standing a little closer to me. His gaze is intense. There’s something almost possessive in the way his eyes flicker over me.Viktor: Give me your jacket, Jayce.I blink, confused.I look at the cashier who’s still smiling at me, and then back at Viktor whos expression hasn’t shifted. There’s a tension hanging in the air now and I’m not sure if I’m the only one who feels it.Me: What? Why? You’re wearing your own jacket.Viktor doesn’t answer right away.His eyes shift from me to the cashier, who’s now writing something down on a piece of receipt paper, clearly still enjoying our interaction.Viktors gaze sharpens.Viktor: Just give me the jacket.There’s an insistence in his voice that I don’t question any longer. I shrug it off and take off my jacket, handing it to him.He immediately slips it on over his own jacket and I notice that the way it fits him is even more oversized than usual. He looks goofy all wrapped up in multiple jackets. His shoulders seem a little broader in it, the sleeves hanging low over his hands. It’s almost like he’s wrapping himself up in my presence in some symbolic way.And then it hits me.Oh.Viktor doesn’t want to hide the marks he left on me.He wants the cashier to see them.To see that I’m his.The deep hickeys and the bite marks that come from the passion between us that are still EXTREMELY visible on my skin.He wants the world to know, even if it’s just for a brief moment.I glance at Viktor, his eyes are now cold and calculated. His expression is unwavering.He’s staring at the cashier and this time, his stare is much sharper. I catch the possessiveness in his posture, in the way he stands a little closer to me. Holding himself with a quiet authority.I catch the look, and it hits me.Viktor wants her to know that I’m taken, and I’m marked by him. His gaze shifts back to me and his eyes soften just a fraction as if to make sure I understand.She tilts her head, clearly noticing the subtle change in Viktor’s demeanour and the hickeys on my neck. It’s like she’s just now registering that he exists and that theres energy between us.Viktor doesn’t let her gaze wander. His stare is laser focused and his posture shifts as he wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me close to his side.The way he locks eyes with her is enough to make anyone second guess their approach. Viktor: You should probably be more careful who you flirt with.His tone is calm but firm.There’s no real malice in it, but the words land with weight and I can see the effect it has on the cashier.Her smile falters slightly as she realizes that Viktor isn’t playing around. She takes a step back, finally breaking the eye contact.Cashier: Oh. Sorry, didn’t mean to make things weird.I try to stifle a laugh, but Viktor’s hand on my lower back is enough to keep me grounded.He’s still staring at her with a quiet intensity, as if silently asserting his claim on me.Me: It’s okay. Well, enjoy the rest of your shift!The cashier nods quickly, suddenly seeming much more subdued. She rings us up without another word, sliding the receipt across the counter to me.Cashier: Your totals all set. Have a good night.I smile faintly, grateful that the awkwardness is over. I grab the receipt and my hotdog and step back from the counter. Viktor lets out a quiet sigh of relief as we turn to leave. The door chimes as we step outside and the cool evening air greets us once more.Viktor slips his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer, his grip is warm and comforting.Viktor: You are mine, Jayce. Do not forget that.I look at him, my heart racing for reasons I can’t quite place right now.Me: I know, Vik. I wouldn’t want it any other way.We walk in silence for a moment, just enjoying the quiet. I feel his fingers subtly tighten around me, and I don’t need to ask if he’s still thinking about the exchange inside.I know he is.I can feel the possessiveness in his touch. The way he wants to keep me close. To protect me from even the smallest threat.It’s funny how we never needed to speak about things like this before. Our relationship and our connection has always just been.. understood. Even in moments of tension, we knew where we stand.I glance at him, feeling the warmth of his presence beside me and I realize just how lucky I am.He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.I wrap my arm around his waist, pulling him just a little closer as we walk back down the street together.The night feels so much more ours than it did when we first walked into 7 Eleven.I take a long sip of my slurpee and it’s absolutely delicious. I hum as I enjoy the sweet nectar dancing on my tongue. There’s nothing better than artificial cherry flavour. Nothing.Viktor speaks, pulling me out of my immersion.Viktor: Did she really give you that drink for free?I completely forgot about that. I doubt it though.Me: Huh. You know I have no idea. I just kinda tapped my card and hoped for the best. My receipt is in my pocket if you wanna check.He reaches into my pocket to retrieve the receipt. He squints as he reads the total.Viktor: It seems that she did give it to you for free after all. So silly.I laugh, talking another sip.Me: Bonus. I’ll take it. Whoever said that pretty privilege gets you nowhere?Viktor stops walking.I stop walking too, trying to read the situation.He is still looking at the receipt but this time he’s looking at the under side.Me: Something wrong, Vik?His eyes flicker to mine, anger seething in them.I have never seen him look like this before. It’s terrifying.It’s not Viktor.Me: Whoa, what’s wrong??He shows me the receipt and my stomach drops as my eyes finally register exactly what I’m looking at.The cashier wrote her number on the back of the receipt.Not just that, she also wrote:‘Your scary boy toy doesn’t need to know. I won’t tell if you won’t. X’I scoff and reach for the receipt, snatching it out of Viktors hand and crumpling it up. There are no bins around and I can tell that this has really gotten under his skin.I dont know what to do.I can’t put it in my pocket or he’ll think I’m saving it for later.I can’t throw it out because there’s no bins around. I’ve never been one to litter so I can’t just drop it.I take another look at Viktor. He just looks.. defeated. I’ve never seen him this upset before and I hope I never have to ever again.I don’t think.I stuff the receipt in my mouth and swallow it down, chasing it up with a long sip of my slurpee and a staggered cough.I don’t know why I did it.I just wanted Viktor to not be bothered by it anymore.I turn to look at him and his expression is completely different.He looks somewhere between horrified and amused. He turns his body away from me, his shoulders moving slightly.My stomach drops. I think I made him cry.Oh fuck.I grab his shoulders and spin him around, getting my apology ready. Viktor is..laughing?Not just a quiet chuckle. Not his usual amused huff.He’s fully laughing. His whole body is shaking with it, shoulders trembling under my hands as he doubles over, his cane barely holding his body weight underneath him.I stare at him, completely caught off guard and bewildered.Me: Viktor?? Are you okay?He waves a hand at me, barely able to get words out between his laughter.Viktor: You..Jayce, you just!He gasps for breath, wiping at his eyes and I suddenly realize there are actual tears forming in them. He looks at me like I’ve done something completely and utterly absurd which to be fair, I have, but I still don’t fully understand why THIS is what broke him.Me: Listen I panicked, okay? I just wanted it gone and for you to feel better and there were no bins-Viktor: So you ATE it??He nearly wheezes the words out, his voice going high and incredulous.I cross my arms, frowning at him with a huff.Me: What was I supposed to do? Let it sit in my pocket like some kind of dirty little secret? This was the best solution!Viktor shakes his head, clearly still struggling to keep it together.Viktor: The best solution would have been to rip it up, Jayce. Or..or literally anything else! But no, you-He starts laughing again in disbelief and I swear he might actually collapse if I don’t hold him up.I groan, rubbing a hand down my face.Me: Oh my god, just let it go, Vik.Viktor: Let it go? Let it- Jayce. You have just willingly consumed a piece of thermal paper covered in cheap pen ink! For me! That is both the most ridiculous and somehow the most romantic thing I have ever seen in my entire life.His grin is absolutely radiant, and despite my better judgement, I feel my own lips twitching up at the corners.Me: Well, when you put it like that-Viktor: No. No, you do not understand. I will never forget this moment. It is burned into my mind forever. My handsome idiot boyfriend, so desperate to prove his loyalty that he-He stops, his expression shifting as he really looks at me and his teasing gives way to something softer. Something warmer. Something more genuine.Viktor: You swallowed something just to make me feel better.His fingers brush over my wrist, his touch gentle but full of meaning.Viktor: I do not deserve you.I shake my head, exhaling a small laugh as I curl my fingers around his.Me: You do. You always will.The amusement fades just slightly from his eyes, replaced by something quieter. More vulnerable. He tugs me forward, pressing into me and I feel his arms slip around me.Viktor: Thank you, Jayce.I wrap my own arms around him in return, letting the moment settle between us. The cool evening air, the distant hum of traffic, the faint stickiness of cherry flavoured Slurpee still lingering on my lips.And Viktor, pressed against me like I’m the only thing keeping him grounded.I press a kiss to the top of his head. Me: Always. The walk home is quiet.The only sound is the distant hum of the city filling the spaces between our footsteps. Viktors fingers are interlaced with mine.Warm and steady. Grounding.The walk home is short too, only 5 minutes. But I can tell that we’re both dragging out feet.When we reach my front door, we both linger for just a moment. Viktor glances up at the dimly lit windows, then back at me with a familiar teasing smile.Viktor: Well.. I suppose I should head home. Clementine will be expecting me.My heart sinks in my chest but I try not to show it. I nod, trying to show indifference. Trying being the keyword.Me: Right. Yeah, of course. Wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.Viktor watches me for a moment, amusement dancing in his eyes.Viktor: Unless.. you would prefer I stay?My eyes light up as I try to suppress the grin spreading across his face.Me: I mean, if you want to, I wouldn’t exactly complain.Viktor hums thoughtfully, pretending to weigh his options.Viktor: It is quite late. And cold. And I suppose your company is tolerable enough.I click my tongue, grabbing Viktors hand and pulling him inside before he can change his mind.As we step into the warmth of the hallway, I hesitate.Me: Wait. What about Clementine? You can’t just leave her alone all night.Viktor smirks, his eyes glinting with quiet triumph.Viktor: Sky is cat sitting for me tonight.I blink.What?Me: How? When? I haven’t seen you touch your phone once since I met you this morning.Viktor raises a brow, looking far too pleased with himself.Viktor: I made the arrangements earlier today. Before I met you at the coffee shop.My cheeks flush pink immediately at the implications, warmth spreading in my chest. He planned this from the beginning.Me: You.. you knew you’d be staying the night?Viktor steps closer, tilting his head as if my surprise is cute.Viktor: Of course I did.I groan, burying my face in my hands as Viktor laughs at my fluster.Me: You’re ridiculous.Viktor: And yet, here I am.I sigh, already feeling the tension from the cashier melt away. I don’t think I’ll be getting Slurpees for a while..The door clicks shut behind us, and the world outside already feels miles away. The warmth of my apartment settles over us as we make our way to the couch. Viktor sighs as he sinks into the cushions, stretching out his bad leg with a soft groan.I flop down beside him, close enough that our shoulders brush. For a moment, neither of us speak, content to let the quiet fill the space between us.After a little while, my body starts working on instinct. My hands drift to Viktors extended leg. My fingers work gently over the tense muscles of his thigh, then down to his calf.Viktor stiffens at first. He’s not used to me touching him on that leg, but he soon melts into it with a soft exhale.Viktor: You are too good at that. It is almost suspicious.I chuckle, humming softly and closing my eyes.Me: I’ve had practice. You’d be amazed how often I’ve had to give myself massages after long gaming sessions.Viktor hums, his eyes fluttering shut as my hands move with practiced ease. I can almost see the ache in his leg dull slightly. My chest swells seeing him allowing himself to enjoy this rare moment of comfort.After a while, Viktor’s expression grows more serious. I stop massaging.Me: Did I press too hard?He shakes his head, letting it tip back into the couch cushions with a sigh.Viktor: I.. I should apologise.My brow furrows while I try and place what he’s talking about.Me: For what?Viktor hesitates, his gaze fixed on some distant point on the other side of the roomViktor: At 7 Eleven. I was.. irritated. Jealous, even. It was childish. My behaviour was not good enough.I pause while I process his words. My hands still for a moment before resuming their slow massage.Me: Oh.Viktor waits for what I assume must be judgment. He must be expecting me to tease him or brush it off. But instead, I grin.Me: I actually kind of liked it.Viktors eyes snap open, confusion flickering across his face.Viktor: You..liked it?My grin widens as I laugh softly.Me: Yeah. I mean, you getting all possessive? Kinda hot, not gonna lie.Viktor covers his face with his hand, sighing.Viktor: You are impossible.I lean in, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw.Me: And yet, here I am.Viktor glares at me from between his fingers, but the smile tugging at the corner of his lips betrays him.The tension eases between us, replaced with something more intimate. We stay like this for a while. My hands work the stiffness from Viktors leg until eventually, I think of a fun idea.I break the silence with a soft laugh. Viktor looks up at me, quirking a brow.Me: You ever notice how when we’re not gaming or having sex, our main hobby seems to be drinking?Viktor smirks, closing his eyes again.Viktor: I prefer to think of it as enhancing our creative process.I laugh, clicking my tongue and tilting my head back against the couch.Me: Right. So, what’s the plan then? Enhance our creativity some more?Viktor opens one eye, a sly grin playing on his lips.Viktor: I do not see why not. We are rather good at it.I pull myself up to my feet with a grin.Me: Well in that case, I’ve got a fridge full of fruit that needs eating and some wine that’s been begging for attention. Sangria?Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: You know how to make a sangria?Me: Absolutely not. But we’ve never let lack of expertise stop us before.Viktor chuckles and slowly rises to his feet, putting careful pressure on his leg and following me into the kitchen.Viktor: This is going to be a disaster. Just like the hot chocolate.I roll my eyes, opening the fridge.Me: Yeah, but at least it’ll be a fun one.Viktor sighs but steps closer, already eyeing the selection of fruit with quiet curiosity.What follows can only be described as controlled chaos.The first thing we do is take a shot of Brandy. I ask if we are toasting to anything in particular but Viktor just tells me it’s to make sure the ink from the thermal receipt doesn’t kill me.Not sure about the science behind that but I don’t question him.We slice oranges with such mismatched thickness that you’d think we were blindfolded. We pour way too much red wine into a pitcher and throw in a splash of what I THINK is the Brandy we just shotted. Viktor insists on adding honey, which I suspect is more for science than flavour. And the final secret ingredient, a dollop of strawberry jam. My suggestion, of course.We pour the concoction into fine stemmed glasses and raise a toast.Me: To making you cum in less than 10 minutes.Viktor rolls his eyes, smirking.Viktor: To eating soiled receipt paper.We both laugh, clinking our flutes and taking a sip.The result is.. absolutely disastrous.My eyes widen as I try to swallow without dry heaving.Me: Mmm.. incredible.Viktor, who looks equally pained, nods along with me.Viktor: Yes. An exquisite vintage.We exchange a look before bursting into laughter, setting the glasses aside like some failed experiment best left forgotten.Me: Viktor that was grim.He laughs hard, watching me spit out my mouthful into the sink. When I turn to look at him, he’s giving me a soft smile.Like he’s thinking about kissing me under the kitchen lights. Me: Okay, maybe.. we start with something simpler.Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: Something simpler than fruit sliced up in alcohol? We are admitting defeat early. This is a sad day for us culinarily.I laugh, bumping him with my hip.Me: Yeah yeah, hey you didn’t grab anything to eat at 7 Eleven. How about we make my special mac and cheese?Viktor hesitates, but I can see the curiosity flicker in his eyes.Viktor: Mac and cheese? That is.. very you.Me: And very delicious. Trust me, you’ll love it.With a reluctant sigh and a soft smile, Viktor nods.Viktor: Fine. But if it is terrible, I reserve the right to remind you of this for the rest of your life.I click my tongue and shake my head while I gather the ingredients. Viktor joins me at the stove.As I melt the butter and sprinkle in flour, Viktor watches with quiet fascination. I hate being watched. Especially by Viktor. He’s not just watching, he’s judging. Hard.My enthusiasm quickly turns chaotic. I spill grated cheese across the counter, knock over a measuring cup of milk and somehow get breadcrumbs on the floor.Viktor smirks.Viktor: Are you cooking, or conducting an experiment in destruction?I groan, making a face at him.Me: Hey, the mess is part of the process. You’ll understand once you taste it.Viktor hums, leaning in to stir the physical pot and the metaphorical pot as well.I pour the freshly cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce that Viktor is stirring. He tries to help and ends up sloshing a generous glob of gooey cheese right down the front of his pants.There’s a beat of silence as we both stare at the cheesy disaster.I should check that he didn’t get burnt.I should see if he’s okay.I don’t.What I do is double over, laughing so hard I nearly collapse against the counter.Me: Oh my god, Viktor! I thought I was the messy one!Viktor looks down at the bright orange stain spreading across his jeans and just sighs.Viktor: This is your fault. You distracted me with your chaotic energy.I can barely breathe through my laughter. I grip onto the counter so I don’t keel over completely.Me: You’re just jealous because I make it look effortless.Viktor tries to maintain his dignity but the corners of his mouth twitch. Eventually he joins in with my laughter, wiping at the cheese in vain.Viktor: I should have just purchased a sandwich.I try to stop laughing but I just can’t seem to. I somewhat compose myself and hand him a kitchen towel, biting my cheek to not start up laughing again.Me: Too late now. You’ve got the cheese touch, Vik.Viktor glares at me over the kitchen towel, but there’s a spark of amusement in his eyes. He dabs at the cheese stain with minimal success, muttering something in Czech that I’m sure isn’t complimentary.Viktor: I came here for intellectual stimulation, not whatever this is.I grin, grabbing a fork and twirling it through the gooey, golden mac and cheese.Me: This is art, Viktor. You just lack the palate to appreciate it.He clicks his tongue, accepting the fork I offer him. With clear hesitation, he takes a bite. His eyes narrow as he chews slowly and for a moment I wonder if he’s about to spit it out.Viktor: It is edible.I gasp in mock offense.Me: Edible? EDIBLE? This is a masterpiece! A symphony of dairy! A culinary triumph!Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: You are too proud for a man who nearly burned pasta.I scoff, taking a bite for myself.Okay it’s not perfect, but it’s definitely good enough to justify my bragging rights.Me: Admit it. You love it.Viktor sighs. Defeated, and takes another bite.Viktor: I tolerate it.It’s the closest thing to a compliment I’m going to get and it goes straight to my head.We settle into a comfortable rhythm, leaning against the counter as we eat straight from the pot. Viktor’s leg nudges against mine and neither of us moves away.The kitchen light casts a soft glow over him, catching the curve of his smirk and the warmth in his eyes.Me: So.. what’s next, Chef Viktor?He smirks.Viktor: Perhaps something that does not involve me ruining my pants any more.I laugh, reaching over to steal another forkful from his side of the pot.Me: No promises.We finish off the mac and cheese, scraping the pot clean like two starving university students.The kitchen is a disaster zone. There’s breadcrumbs on the floor, cheese splattered on the stove and of course, Viktor’s pants are still sporting that unfortunate stain.But none of it matters.I wash my hands and head into the loungeroom, grabbing a blanket from the couch and gesturing for Viktor to follow me.He hesitates, but eventually toddles over and sinks onto the cushions beside me. I drape the blanket over us and he shifts closer. His shoulder pressing against mine.For a while, we just sit in the soft glow of the dimmed lights, listening to the hum of the city beyond the open window.Me: You know, I didn’t really expect tonight to go this way.Viktor smirks, resting his head against the back of the couch.Viktor: Neither did I. But I am not displeased.I smile, letting the quiet between us stretch. Eventually, I feel his hand brush against mine beneath the blanket. I take it, lacing my fingers through his as if it’s second nature. I guess it is at this point.Viktor: I do not often allow myself.. this kind of ease.Me: Then it’s long overdue.He turns his head slightly, studying me with those sharp, analytical eyes that always seem to see straight through me. But there’s something vulnerable glinting in them that makes my chest ache.We talk about everything and nothing.About his latest project, about how I still can’t believe I let him put honey in the sangria, about our server.About us.Slowly, Viktors words grow quieter and his eyelids grow heavier. I shift so he can rest against me, my arm wrapped around his shoulders.At some point his breathing evens out and I feel him fully relax against me, his full body weight pressing into me aa he falls fast asleep. I smile to myself, pressing a light kiss to the top of his head.Me: Sweet dreams, Vik. I love you.I close my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his breathing pull me under.I could move us to the bed and tuck us in properly, but were so much closer on this small couch. We drift off together, tangled up in each others legs and the warmth of something that feels a lot more like home than anything I’ve ever felt within these four walls.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The morning light filters through the lounge room windows, casting a soft glow over the room. I blink awake, disoriented for a moment until I feel the warmth pressed against my side.Viktor.He’s still asleep, tucked into my side and pressed against my body breathing slow and steady. His arm is draped across my chest, and his hand is loosely curled against the fabric of my shirt.I don’t dare move.I let my head fall back against the couch and just.. exist in this moment. There’s something grounding about his presence, like the world outside doesn’t matter when he’s here.I can’t help but smile, closing my eyes again.Eventually Viktor stirs, his fingers twitching against me before his eyes slowly flutter open. For a moment he looks confused, like he’s forgotten where he is. Then his gaze meets mine and a sleepy smile tugs at the corner of his lips.Me: Good morning, my love.Viktor hums in response, his voice still heavy with sleep.Viktor: Morning, darling.Neither of us moves and I’m perfectly content with that.Me:Did you sleep well?I ask but I don’t need an answer really, he looks more rested than he probably has in years.Viktor smirks faintly.Viktor: Surprisingly, yes. Your couch is uncomfortable, but your company is tolerable.I laugh quietly, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from his face.Me: High praise.He shifts slightly, propping himself up on his elbow to look at me more clearly. There’s something vulnerable in his eyes, something I know he doesn’t let anyone else see.Viktor: You meant what you said last night?he asks, almost hesitant.Viktor: That I deserve this?I nod without hesitation.Me: Every bit of it.He studies me for a moment, then leans in. Pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth. It’s tentative at first, but I reach up to cradle the back of his neck pulling him closer.When we finally break apart, Viktor sighs and rests his forehead against mine.Me: If you have a spare receipt laying around I’ll prove it to you again right now.He clicks his tongue and huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.Viktor: I could get used to this.I plant a soft kiss in his hair before speaking from the depths of my soul.Me: Then stay.His eyes soften as he snuggles back in to my chest.We stay like this for a while, wrapped up in each other until it hits me like a bullet train just how badly I need to pee.Me: Okay Vik, I need you to release me. I’ve got to pee so bad.Viktor looks up to meet my eyes, a glint of evil flickers in his honey irises. The look makes the hairs on my neck stand up.Before I can question it, he squeezes me as hard as I can.I let out a suffering groan, keeling onto my side and almost peeing my pants on the spot.Me: VIKTOR! that is pure evil!!He rolls onto his back laughing, taking up the rest of the space on the couch.Viktor: Hurry back, Jayce. I miss you already.I click my tongue and roll my eyes but there’s no real annoyance behind it.I race to the bathroom and waste no time in emptying my bladder. Bliss. I wash my hands and dry them with rapid speed to get back to Viktor.When I enter the lounge room he’s sat upright, wrapped in my blanket with his eyes still closed. He looks ethereal, even with the dried drool at the corners of his mouth.He’s perfect.Seeing him like this gives me a burst of energy I don’t think I’ve ever had before 11AM.I’m grab my phone and find the right song for the moment.The soft strum of Cherry Wine by Grent Perez fills the room as I let the music set the mood.Viktor groans, burying his face in the blankets like he can somehow escape the sound.Viktor: Too early for this, Jayce.I grin, already tugging at his hand.Me: Come on, this is basically your digital dance floor. And since you’re in my real life server right now, you have to indulge me. Those are the rules. You don’t want to break the terms of service now, do you?He lifts his head just enough to shoot me a half hearted glare but I catch the hint of amusement in his eyes.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: And yet, you are still here.With a sigh that’s more dramatic than genuine, Viktor lets me pull him up.He’s sluggish and clearly craving caffeine, so I take the lead. My hands settle on his waist while his rest sits awkwardly on my shoulders.We sway to the rhythm, slow and easy. The sunlight casting a soft glow around us. Like the glow from the stars in his server but with a real life warmth that can’t be replicated in a digital realm.I start singing along quietly at first, but as the song carries on, I can’t help but let my voice fill the space between us.Viktor blinks up at me, almost stunned.Viktor: You.. can actually sing?I stumble over the next line, suddenly self conscious under his gaze.Me: Uh.. kind of?His lips curl into a faint smirk.Viktor: No, you definitely can. I’m going to need you to sing for me again later.Heat rises to my face and I look away, my heart throbbing in my chest.Me: Don’t get used to it.Viktor chuckles, leaning in closer as we continue to move in sync.Viktor: Too late.The warmth of his body against mine whilst the lazy sunlight spills through the window feels surreal. I hold Viktor close as we sway to the gentle rhythm of the song and I’m hit with the realisation of how much I’ve needed this kind of intimacy.His eyes stay fixed on me, soft and curious, like he’s memorizing every detail of my face. I can’t help but feel exposed under his gaze but there’s a strange comfort in it too, like I don’t have to hide from him.The song carries on and I hum along, letting the words spill out naturally. My voice fills the quiet space between us and I catch the faintest flush on Viktors cheeks.Viktor: I really was not expecting that.He murmurs, his smirk betraying the fact that he’s thoroughly enjoying my embarrassment.I roll my eyes, trying to play it off.Me: Don’t make it weird.He chuckles softly, resting his head against my shoulder.Viktor: I think I already have.I tighten my arms around him, feeling the tension melt from his body as he leans into me. The next song plays but I’m barely paying attention now. All I can think about is how right this feels. Like we’ve somehow found our own rhythm, separate from the noise of the world outside.Me: Stay?I whisper again though this time, it’s more a plea than a suggestion.Viktor tilts his head up, eyes meeting mine with that same quiet vulnerability from earlier. He doesn’t say anything, just presses a soft kiss to my jaw before resting against me once more.Viktor: You know i must go..It feels like the ground slips out from beneath me. My chest tightens as I watch him, his expression already somewhat distant.Already somewhere else with Clementine.Of course he has to go. Of course he has a life beyond this couch. Beyond me. But I can’t accept it. Not yet.Me: Do you, though?I speak half joking, half desperate.Me: Clementine’s probably thriving in your absence. She’s independent. A free spirit. Just like her dad.Viktor gives me that small, tired smile. The one that makes my heart ache in ways I don’t know how to handle.Viktor: She is also a cat, Jayce. She does not have thumbs. Or self restraint around plants.Damn it.I cling to him tighter, refusing to let the moment slip away.Me: Vik, come on. Just a little longer. One more song. Or ten. Or.. forever?His laugh is soft, but there’s this heaviness in his eyes that mirrors the pit forming in my stomach.He doesn’t want to leave.I know he doesn’t.But he will.He always does.Viktor: You are making this unnecessarily painful.He mumbles, brushing his fingers over mine as if that’s enough to soothe the gaping wound he’s about to leave behind.Me: I’m not making it painful. I’m just..I swallow, trying to steady my voice.Me: I’m just pointing out that if you leave, I will die. Right here. On this very couch. And you’ll have to live with that. It’s your conscience at the end of the day. Your choice.He groans, burying his face against my shoulder for a moment and I swear I feel him smile against my skin.Viktor: You are unbearable.Me: And yet, you’re still here.I whisper, echoing the words from earlier in hopes that they’ll anchor him to me.For a second, it works.He doesn’t move, just stays pressed against me. Breathing me in like I’m something worth holding onto.I want to say it.That I’ll go with him.That I’ll crash on his couch with Clementine if he gets tired of me.That I’ll make myself bearable company until he either adopts me or kills me.But the words stick in my throat.Because he hasn’t asked.And I’m too much of a coward to force my way in where I’m not wanted.Me: I’ll miss you.I admit instead and it feels pathetic, childish.But it’s the truth.Viktor pulls back just enough to meet my eyes.Viktor: I will miss you too.His voice is barely above a whisper but it hits me like a bullet train.I’m losing him.I follow him to the door, dragging my feet like a child throwing a tantrum. I almost reach for his hand. Almost beg him to stay, but I stop myself. I can’t make him choose between me and the life he’s built.I won’t.When he steps outside, the sunlight catches in his hair making him look even more untouchable. Like something slipping through my fingers no matter how tightly I try to hold on.Me: You know.I call out, hoping humor will mask the desperation in my voice.Me: if you don’t come back soon I’m breaking into your apartment and stealing Clementine.Viktor rolls his eyes, smirking just enough to make me feel like I can breathe again.Viktor: I would like to see you try. She would maul you.I reach up and brush his cheek with my thumb, he leans into my hand. My heart is breaking.Me: The scars will be worth it if you’re the last thing I see before I bleed out.He lingers there, like he wants to say something else. Like maybe he’s waiting for me to ask him if i can go too.But I don’t.Instead I just stand there, frozen in the doorway. Watching Viktor get ready to leave.My chest feels like it’s caving in with every second that ticks by.He’s actually leaving.Me: Hey.I speak suddenly, my voice louder than I intended.Me: You’d better not forget about me while you’re busy with Clementine.I try to sound casual, but it’s impossible. My heart is already running away with itself.Viktor doesn’t immediately turn, but when he does look back, the faintest smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth.Viktor: Forget you? Impossible. You are already tattooed in my brain. Burned in like thermal receipt paper on an empty stomach.I ugly laugh.He steps forward closing the space between us and before I can make sense of it, his lips are on mine.I gasp, caught off guard by how intense it is and just how much it hurts that he’s actually leaving. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer as if he’s trying to make sure he’s still here. Still real. It’s desperate, like he’s afraid of losing me before he’s even gone.I kiss him back with everything I have, like I’m trying to pull him into me to make sure that this moment sticks. I want to take all the warmth from his lips and hold it like it’s the only thing I’ll ever need.When we finally break away, it feels like my chest is cracking open and I can’t breathe.Viktor’s forehead rests against mine, both of us panting slightly, but neither of us willing to let go just yet.Me: God, you’re impossible.I whisper, but the words sound more like a plea than a complaint.Viktor: You have told me this before.Viktor murmurs, his voice thick with something unreadable. He doesn’t pull away, though. His fingers are still tangled in my hair and his thumb is tracing the line of my jaw like he’s trying to memorize it.Viktor: And yet here you are, stuck with me.I don’t know how to respond to that.The only thing I can do is pull him in for another kiss, a little slower this time. My hands running down his chest, memorizing the feel of him because I hate the idea of waiting to see him again. I need him forever. Just like this.But as we pull away, I can already feel the distance growing. Even though we’re still so close. Viktor sighs, his gaze locking with mine and there’s a quiet sadness in his eyes that makes it impossible to say anything else.He takes a small step back, one hand lingering on the doorframe and the other brushing over my cheek.Viktor: You will be fine, Jayce.He says, like it’s some kind of reassurance. But I don’t feel reassured at all.Me: I don’t want to be fine.I reply, my voice low and thick with everything I’m feeling.Me: I want you to stay..Viktor’s gaze softens, but he shakes his head slowly as if he’s already made his peace with it, even if I haven’t.Viktor: You know I can’t. Clementine..I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.Me: Yeah, I know.I say it, but it doesn’t feel like I do know. Not really.He hesitates at the door, his hand still resting on the frame. But he doesn’t leave just yet.A second stretches into a minute.The silence stretches between us like an invisible red thread.I don’t know what to say anymore.Then, he glances at me and his voice is quieter, more serious.Viktor: You will be okay, Jayce. I will.. I will miss you terribly.I feel that weight in my chest, but I bite back the urge to say something that’ll make him stay.I can’t be that selfish.Not now.Me: Yeah, right. I’ll be fine. No big deal.I try to make light of it, but the crack in my voice betrays me.His lips twitch, and before I can say anything else, he steps forward and pulls me into one more kiss.A long, slow, lingering kiss.It’s everything I need. Everything I want and then some. It tastes like regret and yearning, and everything I’m going to miss about him while he’s gone.When we pull apart, I feel like I’m already losing him. The ache in my chest almost unbearable. Viktor doesn’t say anything. Instead he just gives me a small, sad smile.Viktor: Take care of yourself, Jayce. I love you.He murmurs, stepping away.Me: Yeah you too, Vik. I love you too.I reply, my voice thick with something unsaid.And then he turns on his heel, and walks down the driveway to the bus stop down the road. He doesn’t look back.My heart feels like it’s been ripped in two. I stand there staring at the street just wishing I could call him back.But I can’t. It’s done.I don’t want to be fine, but I know that I have to be.And all I can do is wait for the next time he walks back through that door.The door clicks shut and with it, the last bit of warmth that Viktor left behind. I stand there rooted on the spot, listening to the faint sound of the bus pulling away.I want to run after him.But I don’t.I can’t.Instead, I turn back toward the mess we left in the wake of last night. Blankets strewn across the couch, empty glasses on the coffee table and the faint scent of him lingering in the air.It’s all him.I start cleaning up.Not because I want to, but because I need something..anything to keep my hands busy.I make the bed, smoothing out the sheets that are still wrinkled from when we had 10 minutes in heaven together yesterday. Laughing, tangled up in each other. My fingers brush over the pillow where his head rested, and I swear I can still feel the weight of him there. I almost leave it just to pretend he’s still here.The towels from our shower go into the wash, heavy and still slightly damp. The memory of the water cascading over his body, the steam clouding the glass, and his quiet comfortable hums from my head massage echoes in my head. I close the lid and start the machine, the deep grumble of it doing nothing to drown out the ache in my chest.In the kitchen I find the sad, soggy fruit we’d tried to turn into sangria. The night had been filled with terrible ideas and even worse execution, but Viktor had laughed at every failure and I’d loved every second of it.I stare at the fruit for too long before finally dumping it into the trash. The clatter feels like betrayal.Every corner of this place is soaked in him, from the coffee cup he abandoned on the counter to the blanket he wrapped himself in when the morning chill crept in.I don’t want to clean any of it up.I don’t want to erase the evidence that he was here. That for one fleeting moment, this place felt like ours.Like home.I sink onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. I’m overwhelmed by how empty this place feels without him in it.Me: Pathetic.I mutter to myself, but the words don’t carry any weight.I miss him.Already.And I know this isn’t the last time I’ll feel this way because every time he leaves, he takes a piece of me with him.And I’m left here.Waiting.Hoping he’ll come back and make this place feel alive again.Time stretches on as I sit here. The weight of Viktor’s absence presses down on me. The hum of the washing machine in the background fills the space, but it doesn’t drown out the echo of his laugh or the warmth of his touch that still lingers on my skin.I reach for my phone, my fingers instinctively hovering over his contact.I want to text him.Just something simple like ‘Miss you already’.But I don’t.I can’t.I know he’s barely halfway home by now and I don’t want to seem.. clingy.But isn’t that what I am?I sigh and toss the phone onto the coffee table, leaning back against the couch that still smells faintly like him.My gaze drifts to the window, where sunlight streams in. It’s illuminating the spot where he stood not too long ago. I replay the way he looked at me with that softness in his eyes and the hesitation in his steps.He didn’t want to leave either.The thought should bring me comfort but it only makes the ache in my chest hurt more.The hours drag on.I try distracting myself with mindless tasks like washing dishes, folding laundry, scrolling through social media, but everything feels empty.Eventually I give up and sink back onto the couch, pulling the blanket he used around me.I close my eyes and imagine him here, his head resting on my shoulder and his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arm. I can almost feel the weight of him against me, the steady rhythm of his breathing.I lose track of time like that, drifting in and out of memories and daydreams.My phone buzzes on the table, jolting me out of my thoughts.My heart leaps as I grab it.Viktor: Just made it home. Clementine is already judging me for being gone for so long. I miss you already, my Jayce.I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.I type back quickly.Me: Tell her she has competition for your affection. I miss you so much, my Viktor. When can I see you again?The three little dots appear and disappear a few times before his reply comes through.Viktor: Soon. I promise.It’s not enough.It never is.But for now, I’ll hold onto that promise. Because Viktor always comes back.And until then, I’ll be here. Waiting.My phone buzzes in my hand again, the screen lighting up with Viktor’s name.I frown.He never calls first.Something must be wrong.Panic surges through me as I swipe to answer.Me: Vik? What’s wrong? Are you okay?My words tumble out in a rush.There’s a beat of silence, and then I hear a soft chuckle from the other end.Viktor: Calm down, Jayce. I am fine.Viktor says, his voice warm and familiar. God I didn’t realise just how badly I missed itViktor: I just.. wanted to hear your voice.My heart stutters in my chest.Oh.I sink back into the couch, letting out a deep sigh. A wave of relief washes over me as I realise that I’m not the only clingy one.Me: You’re going to give me a heart attack one day.I mumble trying to sound annoyed, but the grin stretching across my face betrays me and I know he hears me smiling.Viktor chuckles again, quieter this time.Viktor: Forgive me. I am still not used to.. missing someone like this.My chest tightens but in a good way. The kind of ache that comes from wanting someone so much it hurts.Me: I miss you too.I admit softly.Me: Like..embarrassingly bad.There’s a soft hum on the other end, and I can practically see the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.Viktor: You know..Viktor starts.Viktor: I keep thinking about.. everything. Yesterday. The couch. The IKEA showroom.I laugh, my heart swelling at the memory of us weaving through the maze of fake rooms, pretending we lived there. Testing out every couch. Bickering over whether the minimalist lamp was superior to the vintage one.Me: You did look oddly at home in that weirdly small Scandinavian kitchen.I tease.Viktor: I was imagining making tea there while you burned my milk on the stove.Viktor counters, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.Me: Rude.I say, but I’m grinning.Me: You wouldn’t stop rearranging the throw pillows on the couch either.Viktor: They were offensively arranged. I was doing a public service.We both laugh, the warmth of the moment washing over me.Me: I wish we could do it all over again.I say quietly.Viktor: Me too.His voice softens, almost hesitant.Viktor: Maybe next weekend..if Clementine allows it.My heart flips.Me: You would brave IKEA again for me? Oh I’m gonna wrestle Clementine in that case.I say with mock seriousness.Viktor: You would not survive.He replies but there’s a warmth in his tone that makes me feel like maybe, just maybe he’d let me try.We fall into an easy silence, just listening to each other breathe. It’s comfortable.Familiar.Like we’ve done this a hundred times before.Me: You’re going to make it really hard to sleep tonight.I murmur.Viktor: Good.Viktor speaks softly.Viktor: I want to haunt your dreams.I burst out laughing and he laughs with me.We talk until the city outside falls asleep. The space between us feels smaller with every word we share.We talk about everything and nothing. Our dreams, the IKEA date, and how neither of us can stop thinking about the other.Eventually, Viktor’s voice grows softer and heavier with sleep.Viktor: I will see you soon, Jayce.He yawns down the line, signifying that I should head to sleep too.Me: Soon..Viktor hums.Viktor: I love you, my sweetheart.My heart feels like it’s about to burst.Me: I love you forever, my love. The call ends but I stay there with my phone pressed to my chest as if it could somehow keep him closer to me. The night outside feels softer now. Less empty. Like his voice has lingered in the corners of my room and is wrapped around me.I know I won’t sleep for a while yet.My mind is too full of him. His laugh. His smile. The way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. The memory of his touch is still warm on my skin and I cling to that as if it’s the only thing that will carry me through the long hours until I see him again.I get up and walk to the kitchen, making Sweetmilk the way Viktor told me that he does. Letting the milk steep just a little longer. It tastes.. different. Better somehow, because it reminds me of him.I finish my last mouthful and head to bed. I curl up and stroke my fingers over the pillow he rested against. I can still picture him with me. His hair sitting perfectly against his cheeks. His eyes looking at me as if they’re looking through my soul.Tomorrow will come and the world will pull me into its noise and distractions. But for now, in this quiet space where only he and I exist, I let myself miss him.Fully.Deeply.Without restraint. Because I know he’s lying in his own bed, missing me too.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The morning light stings my eyes through the blinds. It’s pale and cold and nothing like waking up with Viktor.Viktor’s absence lingers like a shadow.I sigh to myself and force myself up to lift some weights. It’s been some time since I prioritised those.I push through my usual routine, hoping the familiar rhythm of lifting weights will drown out the urge to text him right away. I don’t want to be so clingy that I risk pushing him away after all. The metal clinks and the tension builds. Sweat beads on my skin but my mind keeps drifting back to him.After my last set, I reach for my phone.No message.I tell myself he’s probably still sleeping. Or maybe he’s busy with Clementine.He’ll text when he gets a moment.I shower and make coffee. Scrolling through my phone and pretending not to notice the empty notification tab.By midday, the unease from the radio silence has settled deep in my gut.I cave and send a text.Me: Hey, you okay? Miss you.I stare at the screen, willing those three little dots to appear.Nothing.The more time passes, the worse my rumination gets. My mind starts spiraling.What if I did something wrong?What if last night was too much for him? The laughter and the soft confessions. The cashier at 7 Eleven might still be bothering him..Maybe he’s regretting it.Maybe he’s pulling away.I pace my apartment trying to shake off the sick feeling in my gut.By midday I’m ready to throw my phone against the wall out of sheer frustration, when it vibrates in my hand.Viktor.Relief floods me so fast I nearly drop the phone.I answer immediately, trying and failing to sound casual.Me: Hey.I say, breathless.Viktor: Jayce.Viktor’s voice comes through, soft and familiar.Viktor: I am sorry for worrying you. I was.. distracted.I sink onto the couch, the tension in my chest easing but my curiosity peaking.Me: Distracted with what?There’s a brief pause on the other end like he’s debating whether to tell me.Viktor: A project.I frown.Me: Did you get a new job?Viktor: No.He speaks slowly.Viktor: It’s.. personal.A project.Personal.My curiosity flares. Something so personal he can’t tell ME about it? My stomach forms a pit.Me: What kind of project?Viktor chuckles, the sound is warm and teasing.Viktor: That, my love, is a secret.I groan, flopping back against the cushions of the couch.Me: Come on, Vik. You can’t just leave me hanging like that.Viktor: I can. And I will.I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. I’m still getting used to this part of him. It’s rare, but sometimes he gets completely absorbed in something and shuts out the world.But a secret? From me? That’s new.Me: Is it a new painting?I press, trying to get my answer.Me: A sculpture? Some weird avant garde installation that only you and like three other geniuses will understand?Viktor laughs softly.Viktor: You are relentless.Me: I’m curious.I say which is true, but more than that I’m relieved.He’s okay.He wasn’t avoiding me or regretting last night.He was just.. being Viktor.Viktor: Good things come to those who wait.He murmurs.I groan again, dramatic and drawn out.Me: You’re torturing me.Viktor: I am sparing you from my chaotic creative process. Trust me, it is not as romantic as you think.Md: I’d take the chaos if it meant being with you.I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them.There’s a beat of silence. My heart stutters.But then Viktor speaks. His voice is quieter, almost shy.Viktor: You are.. too good to me, Jayce.I want to tell him that’s impossible.That I’d do anything for him.That he’s the one who’s too good for me.But instead, I speak.Me: I’ll let you off the hook for now. But only because I want to see this masterpiece when you’re done.Viktor: You will be the first.Viktor promises me.That warmth spreads through my chest again. Slow and steady, replacing the earlier panic.We talk for a while longer, about nothing and everything. About how Clementine is still giving him attitude for leaving her alone for so long. How my neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking. How the city feels too big when he’s not here.Curiosity gnaws at me, refusing to be quiet.A personal project? And he won’t tell me about it?I can’t help but overthink.My brain starts painting pictures of him locked away in his cluttered little study, sleeves rolled up, hair a mess, completely lost in some brilliant intricate creation.I smile at the thought. That’s so Viktor.Still, the secrecy stings a little.I break the silence after a little while.Me: Oh I know what you’re working on.There’s a pause.I can practically hear him raising an eyebrow on the other end.Viktor: Oh?I grin, really leaning into the playful tone in my voice.Me: You’ve been perfecting a pancake recipe behind my back, haven’t you?Silence.Then, Viktor sighs.Viktor: Jayce.He can definitely hear the laughter I’m trying and failing to suppress.Me: It all makes sense. The secrecy. The distraction. You’ve finally embraced the beauty of fluffy, round and trustworthy pancakes and you’re ashamed to admit it.Viktor lets out an actual laugh this time. Soft and warm, like sunlight breaking through clouds.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: And yet, you are here.Viktor: You know how much I despise pancakes.Me: A classic cover up story.Viktor: If I were to attempt cooking again, I assure you it would not involve something so offensive.Me: One day, I’m going to make you love them. Mark my words.Viktor hums and I imagine the little smile that’s probably tugging at his lips right now.Viktor: I suppose I will allow you to try. But only because I enjoy watching you fail.Me: Rude.He laughs softly, and the sound settles in my chest.Me: I’ll let you get back to your mystery project, but don’t think I’m letting this go.Viktor: I would expect nothing less from you, Jayce.We linger on the line for a moment longer, the comfortable silence stretching between us.Viktor: Thank you.. for understanding.Me: Always.When we hang up, I feel that ache in my chest again. But this time it’s not the painful, anxious kind. It’s something gentler.I miss him.God, I miss him so much.But whatever Viktor’s working on, he’ll tell me when he’s ready. And until then, I’ll just have to wait. The day stretches on and with Viktor buried in his mystery project, I find myself with too much time and too little distraction.The weight of missing him gnaws at me too much, so I boot up my game hoping to lose myself in the familiar chaos of battle.The screen lights up and the lobby fills with names and avatars that I’ve never seen before. I fall into the rhythm of the game easily. My muscle memory from years of practice guiding me through each map and mission. But.. somethings off.The adrenaline rush that used to fuel me feels muted. The victories are hollow.I know exactly why.Viktor.He’s the one who made this game feel alive. I was operating on instinct whenever I jumped on to play with Mel, but he challenged everything I knew about this game in the span of 10 minutes on a random weekday.I don’t want to be in the main game right now, I want to be in Viktors realm. Where things don’t make sense. Where trees spiral and the stars twinkle too bright. Where his voice booms in my headset even though it shouldn’t be possible.I miss my impossible god.I lean back in my chair, letting my fingers drift off the keyboard. My eyes linger on the screen but my mind wanders to the last few months.Since Viktor came into my life, everything’s shifted. That was one of the first things he said to me. “You feel it too don’t you, the shift.” He made me feel the shift. The change that wasn’t there before.Since I met him, I’ve found joy in places I never thought to look.Simple things like wandering through the corridors of IKEA or burning milk on his stove have become memories I cherish.He’s softened the edges of my world in ways I didn’t even know I needed. He has broken down walls I didn’t know I had concreted.And now, the idea of losing him feels like a punch to the gut.I shake my head trying to push the thought away.I can’t spiral like this.Not now.Viktor’s still here and still mine, even if he’s temporarily lost in his creative chaos.With a sigh, I quit the game and toss my headset onto the desk.The quiet hum of my apartment settles around me and for once, I let myself feel the ache of missing him wholeheartedly and unapologetically. It’s not comfortable but it’s real.And maybe that’s the point.Loving someone like Viktor means accepting the moments when he drifts into his world of creativity and ideas.It means trusting that he’ll come back to me with stories to share and an excitement level to match.I just have to be patient.And God.That’s harder than it sounds.The hours bleed together. I try to distract myself with errands and mindlessly scrolling but my mind keeps circling back to him.To Viktor tucked away in that dimly lit study, completely consumed by whatever new creation has claimed his attention.I know he’s okay.I heard his voice.I made him laugh.But that doesn’t stop the ache from settling in my chest.I keep checking my phone hoping for a stray text. A simple “thinking of you” or some sarcastic quip about my pancake theory.Nothing.Eventually, I end up back at my desk booting up the game again, more out of habit than anything else.The lobby loads, familiar yet unfamiliar without him.I queue up for a match, fingers moving on autopilot through the opening sequences. My character moves with practiced ease, but the thrill I used to chase feels dull and like I’m playing through muscle memory alone. I keep playing anyway hoping that if I just keep pushing forward, the hollowness will fade. But with each match I only feel more distant from the person I used to be before him.Before Viktor, this game was my escape.A world I could control where wins and losses were clear cut and nothing hurt the way reality did.But now?Now it feels like a pale imitation of something real.Because real was Viktor leaning into me on my couch, analysing me with that wicked little smirk.Real was the way he challenged me, not just in his server, but in everything.Real was the way he saw me through my screen and made me feel like I have always been enough.God, when did I let him get this deep under my skin?I close out of the game and lean back in my chair, running a hand through my hair.This isn’t just some passing infatuation.He’s changed me.Every part of my life feels sharper and more vibrant with him in it. Even the quiet moments walking home from the 7 Eleven or listening to him ramble about quantum mechanics at two in the morning feel like things I never want to lose.The thought of him slipping away.. of returning to this emptiness terrifies me.I can’t lose him.But I can’t smother him either.I sigh and rub my face with my hands.This is what loving Viktor means.Trusting him.Trusting that I’m enough and that he is still a patient man. God I wish I had a sliver of that patience today.My phone vibrates against the table, startling me out of my thoughts. I snatch it up. My heart hammers as Viktor’s name lights up the screen.Viktor: The project is finished. Well, mostly. Just needs polishing.I blink at the message, a grin spreading across my face.Me: Seriously? Already? Okay, you have to tell me what it is now. I’ve suffered long enough.I watch the screen, waiting for those familiar three dots.They linger, disappear, then reappear before his reply comes through.Viktor: I told you, Jayce. It is a secret.I groan, flopping back against my desk chair.Me: Come on, Vik. I’ve been patient. I’ve been good.Viktor: Debatable.I huff, but the tension that’s been gnawing at me all day finally eases.Me: You’re evil.Viktor: I am efficient.I can’t help the smile creeping back onto my face.Me: So.. can I at least see you on the server? Or are you too busy polishing your masterpiece?There’s a pause before he replies.Viktor: Meet me in five.Relief floods me, and I’m already booting up my PC before I even respond.Me: Be there.As soon as I spawn into the world, I’m hit with an unexpected wave of familiarity. The pixelated walls, the cluttered desk, the half empty coffee mug on the counter.We’re back in his apartment again.I chuckle, the tension in my chest melting away as I look around, still absorbing the little details.It’s like I’ve stepped right into Viktors apartment. The home that I have grown to miss so much.And there, standing by the couch is Viktors avatar dressed in his signature sweater vest just to get a rise out of me.Typical.But this time, perched on top of his head are a pair of inventors goggles.They’re slightly big on him. They’re the kind of quirky touch he’d never wear in public, but here? They suit him perfectly.I can’t help myself.Me: Those goggles are very cute.Viktors avatar tilts its head slightly, as if in amusement. His voice crackles through the headset with a quiet laugh.Viktor: I knew you would think so.I roll my eyes, leaning against the door frame in game.Me: Of course. Because you would wear them just to make me melt.Viktor: Would it work?Me: Oh absolutely. I’m already weak in the knees. It’s actually strategic that I’m sat down right now.Viktor laughs again, low and warm.For a moment I forget where I am. I’m just.. here with him. Even if it’s virtual it feels real.Viktor: I missed you, Jayce.His words are soft and so genuine. I feel a little knot in my chest tighten but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s the kind of missing someone that makes me feel connected even if we’re apart.Me: I miss you too. More than I want to admit to myself.There’s a brief pause, the air between us settling into something more comfortable like we’re finally catching up after a long time apart.Today’s distance almost killed me and I’m sure he noticed.Viktor: I am glad to hear that. You have been quite persistent in your messages.I chuckle rolling my eyes again but the teasing edge is gone.Me: I was worried you were pulling away. But I get it now. You were just busy.Viktor: Always. But I never forget you, Jayce.His avatar shifts, moving closer to mine in game. The space between us narrowing. It’s a simple action but it feels like he’s physically here.Me: I know. But still.. I can’t help it. I just want to be near you all the time. I know I’m clingy but..The words slip out before I can stop them and I feel the familiar rush of heat rise in my cheeks. Viktor doesn’t say anything at first. Instead I hear a soft, almost hesitant breath through the mic.Viktor: And I want to be near you too.I smile, leaning into the banter even as my heart picks up speed.Me: I guess I’ll just have to wait for you to finish your mysterious project.Viktor: I said it is finished, just polishing it. You will see it when it is ready.Me: So you’ve got something special planned?Viktor: Always.Me: I’m counting down the seconds.Viktor chuckles and the sound wraps around me like the a fleece blanket that has just been taken out of a dryer. I could listen to him laugh like that forever.Viktor: You are going to be the first and only person to see it, Jayce. I promise.I huff, tapping my fingers on my desk.Me: Is it something.. for me?His avatar tilts his head at me, a smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.Viktor: Perhaps. Oh.My heart skips a beat. I don’t know whether it’s the fact that he’s making me wait or the idea that whatever it is, it’s for me.Me: You’re killing me here, Vik.Viktor: Patience, Jayce. It is the most important virtue.Me: Oh, I’m patient, alright. But not when it comes to you. You’ve had me waiting long enough. This is just cruelty at this point.Viktor: What can I say? I like to make things.. worth the wait.I can’t suppress a grin, leaning in slightly towards the screen as if trying to bridge the digital gap between us. It feels silly, the way I get lost in these moments but it’s comforting at the same time. More than that actually.It’s grounding.Me: Well, whatever it is, I can’t wait to see it. I’ll be your biggest fan.Viktor: You already are.There’s something tender in his voice that doesn’t quite match the usual cool confidence he wears like armor. It makes my heart flutter and I realise just how much I missed hearing him speak like that. So openly and so affectionately.Me: You know, you’ve got me hooked. Whatever this is I’m already obsessed with it.Viktor chuckles and I imagine him looking at me with that same knowing smirk he always wears in person. I can practically hear the amusement in his voice.Viktor: You make everything sound so dramatic, Jayce.Me: Drama is just more fun. And I do love a good mystery. Like you.Viktor: I suppose that makes you the perfect person to share it with.Me: Well, whenever you’re ready to share it I’m here. It would just be much cooler if that moment was like, right now. Immediately. Just saying. Viktor: I know you are. And that is what makes this wait worth it. We linger in the quiet for just a moment, taking in each other’s presence and enjoying spending time together after a stretch of agonising no contact.My phone suddenly buzzes on the desk.I glance down at the screen to see who’s calling at a time like this.I freeze for a moment, a little caught off guard.It’s my mom.It’s not unusual for her to call, but I can’t help feeling a pull to stay in this space with Viktor even if it’s just for a little longer.Viktor’s avatar shifts slightly.Viktor: Is everything okay, Jayce?I sigh, placing my phone back down on my desk.Me: Yeah, my mum is calling. I’ll call her back when we aren’t hanging out.Viktor: You should talk to her, Jayce. It is rude not to and I will be here when you are done.I hesitate for a second, the words tugging at me more than I expected.I glance at the phone again, my thumb hovering over ANSWER button.Me: I don’t want to end our conversation, though Vik. I’ve waited all day to speak to you..Viktor chuckles softly, the sound soothing my bones.Viktor: I understand. But your mom would probably appreciate the check in. And I will message you later. You know I love you.The warmth in his words melts the hesitation.I smile, that familiar feeling of safety wrapping around me.Me: Fine, fine. You’re right. I’ll talk to her, but you better message me soon.Viktor: Always. Take care of yourself, Jayce.I sigh, feeling the bittersweetness of pulling away but it’s hard to argue with Viktor’s gentle encouragement.Me: I’ll talk to you later. I love you.Viktor: And I love you too. With a final smile, I hit the green button on my phone and answer the call. Me: Hey, mom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Mom: Oh, Jayce! It is so good to hear from you.She speaks and her voice warm, full of excitement.Mom: I’ve missed you! How’ve you been? What’s new?I feel the weight of guilt immediately.Me: Good.. mom, I- sorry it’s been a while. I’ve just been.. caught up with some things.She laughs lightly.Mom: It’s okay, love. Don’t worry about it too much. I’ve been keeping myself busy, too. Since I retired I’ve been focusing on my art. I’ve been doing a lot of new charcoal drawings.I straighten up a bit. Now that’s something I actually know a tiny bit about for some reason.Me: Charcoal, huh? That’s a really cool medium. You can capture a lot of detail with it.The words slip out before I can stop them. I didn’t even realise how much I had picked up about art but Viktor’s sketch of me comes to mind and the way he captured every little detail, every part of me stands out in my brain.Mom makes a small sound of intrigue.Mom: Since when do you know so much about art, Jayce? You’ve never really shown much interest in that stuff before. And I tried relentlessly to get you to join the Art club at school.I hesitate for a second, but then I shrug it off.Me: Oh, I’ve met someone that’s really into art.There’s a brief pause, and I can hear her excitement shift.Mom: Aha! So, who’s the lucky girl?I almost laugh at how quickly she assumes, but I correct myself without thinking twice. Mom never made me feel weird about not being straight.Me: Actually, I’ve met a guy.Mom: Oh! that’s nice, darling. Tell me everything about the lucky boy.I breathe out, feeling relief settle in.Me: His name is Viktor. He’s.. well, he’s brilliant. He’s got this incredible mind and loves to create. He’s kind, patient and makes me into the best version of myself I’ve ever known. I really like him. Plus he has Mels stamp of approval.She listens quietly at first and then, with a knowing tone, she speaks.Mom: Well, you’ve certainly convinced me. I need to meet him. You can’t go on talking about him like this without me getting to see for myself.I feel my chest tighten with uncertainty. This all feels so soon. And I know how Viktor would feel about meeting my family right now.Me: Mom.. you really want to meet him?Mom: Of course I want to meet the guy who’s making my son so happy. You can’t keep him all to yourself, you know!I let out a quiet laugh, the tension easing off my shoulders.Me: Alright, I’ll ask him. But, no promises. He’s not the best at meeting new people.Mom: I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.she says, teasing now.Mom: You know your mother always finds a way to get people to open up. It’s part of the Talis charm.I laugh again, feeling lighter.It’s funny how easy it is to talk to her about this now.And she’s right, the Talis charm is a real thing. Just look at how I got Viktor to open up to me. Mom: So, tell me more about this Viktor. You’ve barely told me anything!I smile to myself, the warmth of her genuine curiosity wrapping around me. And I’ll take any excuse to talk about Viktor to anyone who will listen.Me: Right, I guess I haven’t really gone into detail. He’s.. well, he’s the kind of person who’s always thinking and always creating. It’s like his brain never stops. And once you get him talking, you realise that you don’t ever want him to stop. He’s always got an idea for something whether it’s a new project or something he wants to improve. I admire that about him. He’s quick witted, sarcastic but in a playful way.Mom: Sounds like a driven guy. But I get the feeling there’s more to him than just being smart and creative.I pause, considering her words.Me: Yeah, you’re right. He’s also patient in a way that’s rare. Like, I’ve never felt rushed with him. He just lets me be myself and I don’t have to pretend to be someone else around him. It’s.. I don’t know. It feels like something I’ve never had before.Mom: That’s a really good sign, Jayce. You deserve someone who makes you feel like that. You’ve been through a lot, my love.I nod, even though she can’t see me.Me: Yeah, I think so too. And the best part is that he’s not perfect. He has his quirks and his own struggles, but we work through them. It’s like we just get each other, even when we don’t always have to say everything.Mom’s voice softens a little, and I can hear the smile in it.Mom: That’s how it should be. I think that’s the secret to a good relationship, love. Understanding, even when it’s hard to explain. Cultivating a space together where you don’t need words. You just..know.I let out a breath, feeling a little more vulnerable than I ever expected to be with her. I usually put on such a strong front. I never waver or make anyone worry about me. But tonight feels like the right time to wear my heart on my sleeve.Me: Yeah, I think you’re right. It’s different from anything I’ve had before.Mom: I can tell. I can hear it in your voice.I bite my lip, my chest tight with a mixture of excitement and nerves.Me: I just.. I really want it to work, you know? Like, I’m not used to feeling this way about someone.Mom: I understand, love. It’s scary, isn’t it? But that’s how you know it matters. If it was easy, then it wouldn’t be as special.I nod again, this time more sure of myself.Me: Yeah, you’re right.There’s a pause, and I can tell she’s thinking about something.Mom: So, have you guys talked about the future? You know, what comes next?I hesitate.The future feels like something I’m still trying to wrap my head around.Me: We haven’t really had a deep conversation about it yet. We’re taking things slow.I silently laugh to myself. Taking it slow. Yeah, as if he didn’t have his fingers in my mouth on our first date.Mom: You don’t have to rush it, Jayce. Relationships take time to grow. But as long as you’re both on the same page and honest with each other, you’ll be fine.I smile, feeling lighter as I hear her reassurance.Me: I know. I guess I just want to make sure I’m doing this right.Mom: You’ll figure it out. You’re not the same person you were before, Jayce. You’ve grown, and I’m sure that Viktor has too. It’s a journey for both of you. This is both of your first times being alive, you do not have to have all of the answers right away. Find them together.I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding.Me: Yeah, I guess we’re both figuring it out together.Mom: The important thing is that you’re happy.Me: I am. I really am mom.She pauses, and I can tell she’s smiling.Mom: Well, I’m glad to hear that. And you know, Jayce, I always knew you’d find someone who gets you. Even when you were younger I could tell you weren’t like everyone else but that didn’t matter to me. You’ve always been you. And I’m proud of you for finding someone who sees that, too.My throat tightens.Me: Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.Mom: You’re welcome, darling. And don’t forget, I’m here for you. Always.I breathe out, feeling my chest open a little more.Me: I won’t.The conversation stretches on with her asking about everything from Viktor to how I’ve been spending my time. And for the first time in a long while, it feels like a true catch up.It’s not just small talk.It’s real.She’s here for me even if we don’t talk every day.My stomach forms a pit at the thought of Viktor and how he doesn’t have parents to speak to like this. I don’t know what I’d do without my mom.As we wind down the call, she brings up Viktor one last time. It must run in the family.Mom: I’ll be waiting for the day I get to meet this Viktor. You are not getting away that easy, Jayce.I chuckle.Me: I’ll make it happen, I promise. But, like I said, no promises on when. I’ll have to do something serious convincing on my part.Mom: I’ll hold you to that.Me: I know you will.Mom: Goodnight, my sweetheart Jayce. I am so proud of you. I love you forever.Me: I love you too mom. Goodnight.I hang up with a smile on my face, feeling a little bit lighter and a little bit more sure of myself.I can’t say that I’m not nervous to see how Viktor reacts to the idea of meeting my mom.I hover over Viktor’s contact for a moment before pressing call. The phone barely rings twice before I hear his familiar, soft voice.Viktor: Hello, Jayce.Me: Hey! I uh, just got off the phone with my mom.There’s a brief pause and I hear the faint sound of him shifting. Probably in his chair at his study desk.Viktor: Oh? How did it go? You caught me at a good time. I have now finished polishing my project.I smile to myself, still feeling the warmth from the conversation.Me: Honestly, it was really good. We caught up properly for the first time in ages. She’s been busy with her art since retiring. Charcoal drawings, actually.Viktor hums in quiet approval.Viktor: A beautiful medium. Very raw.Me: Yeah, that’s what I said.I hesitate, my heart beating a little faster.Me: I.. might have mentioned you.There’s a noticeable beat of silence.Viktor: You did?I can practically hear the confusion laced with a hint of something.. excited?Me: Yeah. I mean, she asked why I suddenly knew so much about art. And I couldn’t exactly avoid telling her about the person who’s been sketching me in charcoal.Viktor lets out a quiet laugh, almost disbelieving the entire situation.Viktor: And what did she say?Me: Well, after assuming you were a woman-Viktor chuckles softly.Me: -she was actually really excited. And she wants to meet you.There’s a longer pause this time and I can almost feel the gears turning in his head.Viktor: She wants to.. meet me?Me: Yeah. But, no pressure or anything. I know you’re not really used to this kind of thing.Viktor breathes out slowly and when he speaks again, his voice is softer.Viktor: It’s not that I wouldn’t want to I just… I’ve never really had that experience. With.. parents.My chest tightens at his words. I knew this wouldn’t be easy for him.Me: I get that. And it’s okay. There’s no rush. She’s just excited because, well, I’ve never really talked about anyone like this before.There’s a quiet moment before he speaks again almost shyly.Viktor: I think it’s very cute that you spoke about me to her, Jayce.I can’t help but grin. Warmth spreading through my chest like a cup of tea in winter.Me: Yeah, well I guess you’ve kind of become a big part of my life.Viktor: Likewise, my love.There’s a softness in his voice that makes my heart ache in the best way possible.Me: We’ll take it slow, okay? No pressure.Viktor: Thank you. I would love to meet her.. someday.Me: Someday is good enough for me. So anyways, now that your project is done, will you tell me what it is?He clicks his tongue and lets out a laugh.Viktor: Of course not.I let out an exaggerated groan, getting up from my desk and flopping down on my bed.Me: You’re impossible, you know that?Viktor laughs softly, the sound sends warmth through my chest and my fingertips.Viktor: And yet, you cannot get enough of me.I smile, letting my eyes drift shut as I soak in the sound of his voice.Me: That’s the problem. You’ve completely ruined me, Vik.His laugh is gentle, almost shy.Viktor: Then I suppose we are both doomed. Because I cannot seem to focus on anything without thinking of you. I almost burned my fingers three times while you were gone, I was distracted thinking of your laugh.My heart skips and I clutch the phone tighter. I wish I could reach through the line and touch him.Me: I wish you were here right now.Viktor’s breath catches slightly and I imagine him flushed and smiling in that way that makes my whole world tilt.Viktor: I wish for that too. Always.The silence between us is heavy but it’s filled with something warm and endless.Me: Hey, Vik?Viktor: Yes, my love?Me: I meant what I said. You’ve become everything to me.There’s a pause and when he speaks his voice is thick with emotion.Viktor: You are my everything too, Jayce. I have never felt this way before. To be honest with you, it completely terrifies me. But with you, it feels safe. I feel safe.My chest tightens. I’m overwhelmed by how much I adore him.Me: You’re not alone anymore. You’ve got me, always. And my mom who is already eager to love you too.Viktor chuckles softly, but I can hear the vulnerability in it. He’s still unsure about the extended family thing and I can’t blame him even a little.Viktor: I am still not sure that I deserve all of this.Me: You do. Every bit of it.He sighs and I swear I can feel the tension leaving his body through the phone.Viktor: I will try. For you.Me: That’s all I need.We linger on the line. Neither of us are ready to let go and go to bed just yet, even though it’s late.Me: Hey Vik? Would you mind staying on the line? Just until I fall asleep?Viktor’s voice is a tender whisper.Viktor: Of course, my love. Sleep well.Me: Thank you, I love you.Viktor: And I love you my darling.I let out a deep sigh. I’ve missed this reassurance. Today felt like an absolute nightmare. I don’t know how I lived without Viktor before I met him. It’s absolute torture.His voice comes through my phone, snapping me out of my lingering for a moment.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Would you please meet me for coffee tomorrow?I grin feeling a flutter in my chest. There’s no way I would say no to something like that. I’ll take any excuse to spend five more seconds with him.Me: Only if you tell me what your secret project is.A moment passes before Viktor replies with a sigh and a laugh.Viktor: That is precisely why I wish to see you. It is a gift. For you.My heart skips a beat. I wasn’t expecting that. I was right the whole time?Jayce: For me? Oh.. right, right. Give me a time and place and I’ll be there.Viktor: The coffee shop near you works.I frown slightly.Viktor doesn’t drive so that means him making the trip here on his bad leg just for my convenience.Absolutely not.Me: Nah Vanders hasn’t been hitting lately, how about the one near you? They have a GREAT caramel Frappuccino. Just saying.He goes quiet for a moment but eventually agrees to meet there.Viktor: Very well. I will be there at 10AM. Please do not keep me waiting. I am having withdrawals and I do not mean caffeine.I huff a laugh, shaking my head. He always knows what to say to send my pulse haywire.Me: I wouldn’t dream of keeping you waiting. I’ll see you tomorrow handsome. I love you.He clicks his tongue and laughs.Viktor: And I love you, my sweetheart. Tomorrow. Viktor. This secret project just for me. Our future like my mom mentioned. I’m not going to be getting any sleep tonight.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I wake up with a jolt of adrenaline already coursing through my veins.Sleep barely touched me last night but it doesn’t matter.Nothing matters except Viktor.In less than an hour, he will be in my arms and that’s all the fuel I need to get me out of my bed sheets.My shower is quick, and I linger over the aftershave I know he likes. I douse myself in it, hoping he spends an extra few moments taking me in. My skin prickles at the thought. I roll up the sleeves of my button up knowing he enjoys the way my arms look.I enjoy the way his eyes linger on them even more.I book a taxi and try to breathe through the anticipation.Even after all this time, I’m still nervous to see him again. I hope that feeling never goes away. I doubt it ever will.I’ve missed him.God, I’ve missed him.It hasn’t even been that long but every moment apart feels like a lifetime.I wish I could see him every day.I wish I didn’t have to miss him at all.The taxi driver switches on the radio and as if the universe itself is speaking to me, Tangerine by Ocean Alley plays.I added this song to Viktors playlist a while ago.I smile to myself, sinking into the melody. It calms me. It grounds me.All I can think about is him.When the taxi pulls up to the cafe, I barely remember to pay the driver before I’m scrambling out the door.And there he is.I don’t think. I don’t hesitate.I stride across the street not even checking for oncoming traffic, and pull him into my arms with a yearnful jolt.Viktor laughs softly against me. The sound vibrating through my chest as he curls his arms around my back. It feels like our souls intertwine.I lean down and kiss him. It’s slow, delicate and familiar. The world blurs and fades away leaving only him.Me: Hello, my baby.I murmur sweetly, my cupped hands softly cradling his face.His smile is brighter than I’ve ever seen and my heart flutters wildly in response.Viktor: Hello, my darling boy.He replies. His voice is soft and full of something tender that I can’t quite name but i already never want to lose.I am so in love with him it feels almost unreal.We stay like that for a moment just looking at each other, before slipping into the cafe and finding a quiet corner tucked away from the rest of the world.I stay as close to him as I can without being too much, our legs tangling beneath the table on instinct. My hand rests on his like it’s finally gone to bed after a long day.It feels right.Safe.Like home.Me: I needed this.I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.Me: God I missed you so much, Vik.He lets out a tender laugh, brushing his thumb over my knuckles.Viktor: And I missed you terribly, Jayce.I take his hand in mine, instinctively running my thumb over his Claddagh ring. I do it without thinking now. It grounds me. And I know he likes it too.We talk about the little things we’ve done since we last saw each other, which admittedly isn’t much. We’ve both just been counting the hours until we could be here again.Knowing he was as excited to be here as I was makes my heart ache in the best way possible.But I notice something that makes my stomach form a very small pit.Every so often Viktor glances at his phone, tapping out messages with a small smile. At first, I ignore it. Probably something unimportant. But as it continues, something sharp twists in my chest.He’s not giving me his full attention, and I’m not used to that. Who could he be messaging?Finally, I can’t help myself any longer.I need to ask.Me: Who’s got your attention more than me, huh?I try to sound playful, but the jealousy seeps through immediately.Viktor looks up a little startled, before chuckling softly. His eyes soften as he processes how jealous I am. God i wish I had some kind of poker face.Viktor: Ah.. I do apologise, Jayce. I have not been polite company today. I am messaging with.. Mel. We have been talking a lot lately, actually.I blink, the jealousy dissolving in an instant. Warmth floods my chest instead.Mel.He’s been talking to Mel.I hadn’t realised just how badly I wanted them to get along until now. And they’re doing it without me even needing to mediate it. I know how hard it is for Viktor to trust someone, so for him to make that kind of effort with my best friend? That’s not something to be taken lightly. And I don’t let it slide.Me: That’s..actually really nice.I say, squeezing his hand softly in mine.Viktor’s smile softens.Viktor: I thought that you would think so. I have been discussing with her all about my secret project. If I am completely honest, I was on the phone with her when I went radio silence with you the other day. We spoke for hours about the project. About our similarities. About you. It was.. refreshing. To speak with someone who thinks so highly of you. She has given me confidence in my work. In how I approach things with you, too. She is..a great woman. She actually convinced me to meet you today after I almost discarded the project all together. I got in my head towards the end of it, but she pushed me through. Jayce, I have already stolen your heart, and it is not beneath me to steal your best friend in addition.My heart feels like it’s going to burst.Viktor doesn’t let people in. Ever. And now, he’s letting the person who means the most to me in. He’s talking about me to her.The thoughtfulness and the implications behind this news is almost too much. I try to conceal my excitement but he sees right through me like cellophane.Me: You’re.. such a dork.I tease, my smile widening to a state that even I can admit is goofy.Viktor laughs, shaking his head.Viktor: Yes, I am aware. You make my brain work in a different way than I would typically like. But you make it fun. And incredibly warm.I feel lightheaded. I’m drunk on the moment. On him.Me: You can’t distract me with all of these sweet words, Vik. Tell me about this secret project already. I’m dying over here. I’m on the edge of my seat!Viktor hums, glancing beneath the table.Viktor: You are slouching against the back of your chair, liar. Very far from the edge.I click my tongue, grinning.Me: Same thing. Now dish!He sighs, pulling his hand from mine to rest both of his in his lap. He clears his throat, searching for the right words.Viktor: Well.. I have been working on something for a few days now.He begins.Me: Uh huh.Viktor: It was.. ambitious. But I believe I have perfected it.I lean forward, my pulse quickening.Me: You’re killing me.He smiles shyly, hesitation flickering in his eyes.Viktor: I wanted everything to be perfect. For the final product. For you. Not like the red velvet cake.My breath catches.Me: For me?He nods, swallowing hard.Viktor: Jayce, may I have your hand?I don’t waste a moment. I extend my hand across the table, cupping it and watching as his fingers tremble slightly while he reaches into his bag.Viktor: And if you could close your eyes, please.I hesitate but obey, my pulse pounding in my chest.I feel him flip my hand over so my palm is facing down, and something cool and smooth slides onto my thumb.My chest pounds.If this is what I think it is, I don’t know how to be normal about it.Viktor: You may open your eyes now.He whispers.I don't think I can.I force myself to blink them open and my gaze immediately falls to my hand.It’s.. a ring.Not just any ring.It’s a Claddagh ring.But instead of the traditional hands holding the heart, two delicate cogs cradle the heart.It fits me perfectly.
Of course, it does.I can’t breathe.He made this.For me.Viktor lets out the tiniest ‘ta-daa’ as I try to process everything.Me: Oh, Viktor..My voice trembles as I look up at him, overwhelmed with pure love and emotion.His eyes are warm and soft, but there’s a flicker of anxiety beneath them as he waits for my reaction.I run my thumb over his ring, and then my own.Me: I love it, Vik. Thank you so much.His smile spreads, lighting up his entire face.Viktor: I am very glad. It felt.. right. A little reminder that I am always with you, even when I cannot be in person. Think of it as a promise. From me, to you. For us.My face burns with affection.I’m so hopelessly in love with him I could cry.No really, I might cry.Me: Viktor, I feel bad that I don’t have anything to give you in return..I admit, guilt creeping in to my chest.Viktor’s smile softens.Viktor: You think that I made this for you expecting something in return? Do not be foolish.I laugh softly shaking my head, but the lump in my throat doesn’t go away.Me: You always know exactly what to say, don’t you?Viktor tilts his head slightly, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.Viktor: Only when it comes to you, Jayce.My heart aches in the best way and I feel an almost desperate need to be closer to him. I reach across the table, threading my fingers through his and squeeze gently.Me: You’ve ruined me, you know that?He chuckles, brushing his thumb over my knuckles with that soft, deliberate touch that makes my breath hitch every time.Viktor: Good. Then my work here is done.I laugh, but the emotion behind it threatens to spill over.The ring on my thumb catches the dim light of the cafe. The craftsmanship is incredible. It’s intricate and precise. Which is so very ‘him’. Yet, there’s something deeply personal in every detail. The cogs instead of hands. It’s more than a gift. It’s a piece of him. A promise, like he said.My throat tightens and I swallow hard, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.Me: Vik, this.. this means everything to me. I don’t think you understand.He squeezes my hand in return, his smile softening into something almost shy.Viktor: YOU mean everything to me.My breath catches and for a moment I can’t do anything but stare at him.I am completely and utterly undone by this man.The world outside the cafe might as well not exist.There’s only him.Only us.I shift out of my seat and move to sit beside him in the booth corner, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us. He lets out a quiet laugh as I nuzzle into his side but his arm curls around me naturally, drawing me in closer.I lean in and press a lingering kiss to his temple.Me: I love you.His breath stirs against my neck as he whispers back so quietly I’d miss it if I wasn’t tuned into his voice like it’s my favourite radio station.Viktor: I love you too.We sit there, wrapped up in each other as time slips by unnoticed.I twirl the ring on my thumb, grinning as I catch Viktors gaze.Me: So, what are the terms and conditions that come with this?Viktor raises a brow, amused by my words.Me: I mean, if the hoodie you gave me had a tracker in it then this ring definitely has a catch.Viktor chuckles, leaning back slightly and crossing his arms over each otherViktor: Ah, you have caught me. There is indeed a secret. Though, it is not quite what you imagine.I perk up immediately, narrowing my eyes with playful suspicion.I knew it.Me: If there’s a hidden camera in this I swear, Viktor, I’ll call you a perv for the rest of your life.I pause, smirking. I can’t tell him how much I’d like that, though..Me: But I might put on a show for you if you’re lucky.Viktor clicks his tongue and huffs out a laugh. His face flushes faintly as he shakes his head.Viktor: I will make a note of that for next time.I laugh with him, the warmth of the moment wrapping around us like a second skin. Next time? The thought of more secret presents for me makes the hair on my neck stand up.Me: So what’s the secret to it? Are you ever going to tell me or do i have to find out the hard way?Viktor tilts his head at me, deciding whether or not he wants to spill the beans.Viktor: And where would the fun in telling you be?I huff and rest my head on his shoulder. He smells like home.Me: You know, you can’t just drop hints like that and expect me to let it go.Viktor hums, the sound vibrating through my shoulder where I’m still pressed against him. It vibrates my bones and soothes me to my core. His fingers ghost along my wrist, tracing the edges of my sleeve before toying with the new ring on my thumb.Viktor: I expect you to be patient.I scoff dramatically.Me: Have we met? I have zero patience.Viktor chuckles, tilting his head slightly to rest against mine.Viktor: Yes, I happen to have noticed.I sigh, turning my thumb side to side to inspect the fine details again.The weight of it is unbelievably comforting. Familiar already.Me: Fine, if I can’t interrogate you about that, then tell me. What’s our excuse today?Viktor lifts his head just enough to glance at me, amused at the implications of my words.Viktor: Excuse?Me: Yeah, you know. The reason why we have to spend all day together this time. We need something good.He smirks slightly, leaning back against the booth with his arms still folded.Viktor: And you expect me to come up with this reason?Me: I mean, we can brainstorm together. I just think we need something airtight. Unquestionable. Foolproof. With NO reason to go home.Viktor considers my words, nodding slowly like he’s already thinking of his master plan.Viktor: We could say that I require assistance carrying out extensive research.Me: See, that’s a solid start. What kind of research?Viktor: Mm. The long term effects of excessive cuddling. I have been meaning to test my hypothesis out for a while.I blink.Me: You.. wait.He raises a brow, feigning innocence perfectly as usual.Viktor: It is a critical study. Requires hours of observation. Possibly days. Possibly weeks. Who knows.. perhaps a lifetime.I press my lips together, trying to look serious. Like my skin isn’t flushing an undeniable tinge of pink right now. Like that has also been my souls ambition to find out.Me: And you’re saying I’d be your.. test subject?Viktor nods as if it’s stupid of me to consider anything other possibility.Viktor: Yes. Your participation would be invaluable.I squint at him.Me: You just want an excuse to cuddle me all day.Viktor: Correct.I huff out a laugh, shaking my head as I nudge his leg with mine.Me: You’re terrible.Viktor: You asked for an excuse. I simply gave you one.Me: Okay, fine, but I think we can do better. What about.. hm.. oh! What if you suddenly forget how to walk and I have to carry you everywhere?Viktor’s expression flattens, but I see the smirk forming at the corners of his mouth.Viktor: That is ridiculous. I still have SOME mobility, Jayce. You wound me.Me: Is it ridiculous? Really? You have a bad knee so maybe it just gives out. Maybe you swoon dramatically into my arms.Viktor: I do not swoon.Me: You might if I carry you princess style again.He pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath.Viktor: I am dating a fool.Me: Yeah, but you love me.Viktor exhales heavily, tilting his head against me again.Viktor: Unfortunately.I grin, wrapping my arm around him and squeezing his shoulder.Me: You love me so much. It’s kind of embarrassing for you, honestly.Viktor mutters something in Czech, but he’s smiling. His fingers idly twisting his own Claddagh ring.Viktor: Fine. If you insist on being foolish, then I propose a better excuse.Me: Hit me, Vik.Viktor: You are in desperate need of tutoring.I frown.Me: Okay.. in what?Viktor: Advanced mathematics.I blink, then laugh as if he’s just said the stupidest thing in the entire world.Me: Vik. I haven’t so much as used math since university. And i dropped out of that so imagine how that will go.Viktor: Yes. And your skills are likely terrible. A refresher is necessary. Obviously.Me: You just want an excuse to make me suffer.Viktor: Perhaps.I groan dramatically, squeezing my arm around him a bit tighter. I hear his breath hitch slightly in his throat. It’s not because I’m squeezing him too hard.Me: No maths. I revoke that excuse.Viktor chuckles, his hand settling against my knee.Viktor: Then we are at an impasse.Me: Never.I turn my head, meeting his eyes. They’re soft and sweet. Just like he is.Me: We could say that we’re stranded.Viktor: Stranded?Me: Yeah. Some freak accident where the cafe doors won’t open. We’re trapped inside. Can’t leave. Must spend all day together.Viktor gives me a long, slow blink as if he’s waiting for me to tell him that I’m kidding. I’m not.Viktor: Jayce.Me: Hm?Viktor: This cafe has windows.Me: Yeah, but what if we’re morally opposed to breaking them? Code of honour kinda thing. Think about it.Viktor rubs his temples, laughing under his breath.Viktor: I fear for your logic.Me: And yet, you love me anyway.Viktor sighs, leaning in to press the softest kiss he can manage against my cheek.Viktor: Against all reason.I melt. Completely, shamelessly.Me: So.. stranded cafe theory?Viktor hums.Viktor: Unfortunately, It is the most plausible so far.I grin, victorious, and curl closer into his side.Me: See? We make a great team. We could’ve done this forever ago if you agreed to border up the windows of the diner. Just saying..His fingers squeeze gently at my knee, his voice warm with laughter.Viktor: You are insufferable. Me: And yet, you are here.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Viktor huffs a small laugh, shaking his head in mock exasperation. His fingers trace the cuff of my sleeve. They stay there for a little while, lingering on my skin. I knew he liked it when I rolled them up. His fingers drift down to brush against my wrist, the touch is absentminded but grounding nonetheless.I watch him for a moment as he leans into me, taking a not so subtle deep breath of my cologne soaked collar. He lets out a soft hum as the scent seeps into his bloodstream.Me: Are you good there?He doesn’t move.Viktor: Perfectly fine.Me: You’re being so sweet today, it’s almost as if you like me or something.He huffs out a laugh, tapping our matching rings together.Viktor: Unfortunately.I smirk knowing full well that if I asked him to, he’d sit here with me all night. Excuses be damned.Me: You love it.He exhales like he’s trying to argue but his hand tightens around mine, betraying him.Viktor: I tolerate it.I grin, leaning into him just enough to feel his warmth. The weight of my new ring presses gently against his own.Metal against metal.A reminder that he’s with me.That he’s mine.I let my other thumb drift over the tiny cogs, my mind already racing with ideas on what I can make for him in exchange for such a genuine and heartfelt treasure.Me: Okay, but hear me out. What if I actually do get you something in return?Viktor hums, tilting his head toward me.Viktor: I have already told you, Jayce. There are no conditions or strings attached.Me: Yeah, yeah but just hypothetically.. what if I made you something too? Something special. Something just as heartfelt and sappy as this.His brow lifts, intrigued.Viktor: Go on.I tap my fingers against the table, pretending to think.Me: Alright. Picture this. Matching bracelets.Viktors expression flattens instantly.Viktor: No.I bark out a laugh, nudging my knee against his beneath the table.Me: Come on! We’d be so cute.Viktor: We are already cute.Oh.Me: You think we’re cute?He blinks, immediately realising his mistake.Viktor: No.I grin wider.Me: You just said-Viktor: Forget what I said.Me: Can’t. Won’t. Already burned into my memory. Sucks to be you.He sighs, long suffering but I catch the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.Viktor: If you must make me something, I would prefer something practical please.Me: Practical, huh?I tap my ring against the table, thinking. Then, the perfect idea sparks in my mind and I snap my fingers.Me: Got it. I’ll knit you a scarf.Viktor stares at me, unimpressed.Viktor: You do not know how to knit.Me: I’ll learn.Viktor: It will be terrible.Me: It will be heartfelt.Viktor: It will fall apart within a week.Me: Then I’ll make you another one. I’ll be better at knitting by that point too.He sighs like he’s already resigned to his fate.Viktor: You are ridiculous.Me: And yet, you are here.His lips twitch, just barely before he shakes his head.Viktor: Against all reason.He tilts his head so it rests against mine. His voice is quiet and laced with amusement.Viktor: And yet, I am here.Me: Must be a real tragedy for you.He hums, his fingers idly toying with my ring again. He starts turning it between his fingertips like he’s reminiscing on the work that went into every detail. I know him well enough to understand that he probably is.Viktor: Oh, yes. A great misfortune indeed. Trapped here with my foolish, insufferable partner. However will I cope?I chuckle, shifting slightly so I can wrap my arm around his waist. He doesn’t resist, just sighs softly and leans further into me.The warmth of him seeps through my clothes, grounding me in a way I didn’t realise that I still craved.Me: You’re coping just fine. Admit it. You’re loving this.Viktor: I will admit no such thing.But his hand tightens around mine, and his thumb traces soft circles against my knuckles.He doesn’t need to say it. I already know.We sit there for a while, wrapped up in the illusion of time not existing beyond this moment. The quiet murmur of the cafe fades into the background.I close my eyes, breathing him in and listening to the steady rhythm of his breath.If I could stay here forever, I would.Eventually, Viktor shifts slightly. His fingers tapping against the table as if his mind is working through something.Viktor: I have been thinking.I lift my head, glancing at him curiously.Me: Dangerous.He clicks his tongue, shaking his head.Viktor: You joke, but I believe you will like this thought very much.I raise an eyebrow, intrigued.Me: Oh? Do tell.He glances at me with something soft in his expression before he speaks.Viktor: I would like you to come back to my place with me tonight. Please.My heart stutters.I blink, my brain taking a second longer than necessary to process his words.It’s not like I haven’t stayed over before but usually it’s either out of convenience or because we’re grasping at straws for reasons I should NOT go back to my own place.But for him to say it like this. To decide definitively and not just on a whim, but with intent..It makes my chest ache. In a good way.Me: Yeah?My voice comes out softer than I intended.He nods, his fingers tightening slightly around mine.Viktor: If you would like to stay, of course.I scoff, grinning as I squeeze his hand.Me: If I want to stay? Vik, I’d move in with you if I thought that you’d actually let me. And maybe even if you wouldn’t.He huffs out a laugh, shaking his head and shooting a quick glance at me.Viktor: Bold assumption. You would drive me mad within a week.Me: It’d be the best week of my life, though.He hums, eyes crinkling with amusement before his expression softens again.Viktor: I just.. do not wish to be apart from you again yet.My breath catches.Viktor doesn’t let himself be as clingy as I am very often. This is a nice adjustment. It makes me feel less insecure about being too much.I squeeze his hand, running my thumb over his knuckles the way he always does for me.Me: Then don’t be.His smile is small, but it holds the weight of something unspoken.We finish our coffee but neither of us makes any move to leave just yet.We just.. talk.By the time we finally leave the cafe, the sky is streaked with warm orange and soft pink flecks.The last remnants of daylight clinging to the city.The air has cooled but it’s still very pleasant and I find myself matching my steps to Viktors slower pace, letting the moment stretch just a little longer.Neither of us are in a hurry.Not when we know we don’t need to say goodbye.At least for now.His fingers brush against mine. Not quite holding my hand, but not quite letting go either.I glance down at our hands, then back up at him. He looks ahead. His expression is thoughtful but there’s a faint smile on his lips.Me: You know, you could just hold my hand properly. Just saying.Viktor: I could.Me: And?Viktor hums, considering before finally slipping his fingers fully around mine. His grip is warm and firm. It sends flutters through my chest.Viktor: There. Happy now?Me: Incredibly so.He rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t let go.The streets aren’t nearly as busy as earlier and the quiet hum of the city feels strangely intimate as we walk side by side.The route to Viktor’s apartment is familiar, but tonight it feels different. Maybe it’s the way he keeps looking at me when he thinks I don’t notice, or the way his thumb absently traces small circles against my skin.Or maybe it’s just the simple fact that he asked me to stay. Not because I had nowhere else to be. Not because of circumstance. Not out of convenience.But because he wanted me there with him.When we reach his building, he pauses just before unlocking the door.His eyes flick up to mine. Searching.Like he’s making sure I haven’t changed my mind.I squeeze his hand.Me: I’m here, Vik. You can’t get rid of me that easily.A small breath escapes him, almost like relief as he nods, finally pushing the door open.The door clicks shut behind us and I exhale, rolling my shoulders.Being here. Just the two of us, with no noise beyond the quiet hum of the apartment and the soft chirping of Clementine from a room away always feels like stepping into something softer. Something safe.I kick off my shoes and glance down at myself, suddenly remembering.Me: Shit. I didn’t bring a change of clothes. You didn’t exactly prepare me to be spending the night.Viktor hums as he shrugs off his coat, hanging it neatly by the door. Then, without missing a beat, he speaks.Viktor: Then you will simply have to remove them. I do not make the rules.I choke.Heat rushes up my neck, burning all the way to the tips of my ears. Viktor grins, clearly pleased with himself. He laughs softly like it’s all just some joke.He isn’t joking.I know him too well.Me: You.. Vik-Viktor: What? It is a simple solution. Practical, actually.Me: NOT the one I was looking for!Viktor laughs again, leaning on his cane as he makes his way toward the kitchen. I follow him, still flustered. Still very much regretting bringing it up in the first place.Then, I notice the counter.There’s fresh vegetables, neatly laid out on the counter.Next to a bottle of wine.Next to a carefully hand written recipe with the corners weighted down like he’s already been referencing it.He planned this.For me.My stomach drops.Me: You.. wait, did you-Viktor: I went shopping earlier, before we reunited. I thought I would make something nice for us.My mouth opens, then closes.He knew that I’d be coming over tonight.When he asked me to come over, it wasn’t a question.He knew that he would be making us dinner tonight.I rub at the back of my neck, suddenly feeling off balance. It was already bad enough that I didn’t have anything for him in return for such a heartfelt gift like the ring, but now this too?Me: You planned this?Viktor: Mhm.He moves around the kitchen with ease, reaching for a pan. Like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Like I’m the weird one for not being able to process everything right now.I didn’t bring anything.I didn’t prepare anything.The feeling creeps in slowly, curling up tight in my chest. A whisper of a thought at first, but then growing and stretching its claws.‘You don’t deserve this.’The sentence burns in my mind. It becomes harder and harder to ignore.I swallow hard, suddenly feeling out of place in my own skin.I take a step back. Then another.Viktor notices immediately.He sets down what he’s holding and his brows draw together as he watches me. Then, without hesitation, he moves.I make my way to the couch and Viktor sits down right beside me.He doesn’t pry. Doesn’t push. Just settles close enough that I can feel his warmth.Viktor: Something is wrong.It’s not a question.I let out a slow breath, staring down at my hands.Me: I just.. I didn’t bring anything for you, Vik. Not really. And now you’re here, cooking dinner and planning all this. You made me a beautiful ring and spent the morning with me and It’s- I feel like I should have done something. Given you something. Anything, to deserve this.I shake my head. The words are harder than I thought they’d be.Me: I’m scared, Vik. Scared of being a bad partner. Of not being able to give you what you need.Viktor doesn’t hesitate.His hands find my face, gently cradling both sides of my jaw. His thumbs brush against my cheekbones.I look up, startled at first, and before I know it he’s kissing me.Soft.Steady.ReassuringGrounding.Like he’s trying to quiet every ingrained doubt I’ve ever had. And he’s succeeding.When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, and his voice is barely more than a whisper.Viktor: Jayce. You are more than I can ever imagine needing. And then some more.I close my eyes, exhaling shakily. His fingers tighten just slightly, grounding me to my core.Viktor doesn’t move right away, and neither do I. His hands are warm against my skin. Steady in a way I don’t always feel. For a moment, I let myself sink into it. The closeness. The quiet understanding between us.He completely dissolves my thoughts.Nothing is left.Only us.Then finally, he brushes his thumb over my cheek one last time before pulling back.Viktor: Now. Are you going to sit here brooding the whole time or will you keep me company while I cook?I huff a small laugh, shaking my head and wiping a very subtle tear. I don’t think he notices.Me: Depends. What are you making?Viktor’s lips twitch like he’s been waiting for me to ask the entire night.He leans on his cane, pushing himself to his feet before gesturing for me to follow.I do. Like a lost puppy.Viktor: I am making Ratatouille.I blink.Then blink again.Me: You mean like, the movie?Viktor: No, Jayce. Like the dish.Me: You chose that?Viktor smirks, already turning back toward the kitchen.Viktor: You love the movie.I stare at him for a second, something warm pressing against my ribs.Me: You love it too.Viktor: Hm. Perhaps.Me: Perhaps? You cried when Remy and Linguini had a fight.Viktor scoffs, grabbing a knife from the counter.Viktor: That is an exaggeration.Me: Oh, I wish it was.Viktor rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. Which means I’ve won. Obviously.I lean against the counter, watching as he starts slicing the vegetables into thin, precise rounds. He’s careful with it. Methodical. The same way he is with everything. My cheeks flush at the image of him carefully crafting my ring. I run my thumb over it idly.I let the silence settle between us, listening to the rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board. There’s something strangely soothing about it. About him.Me: You really planned all of this?Viktor glances up, his expression softer now. It’s like he’s looking through my soul.Viktor: I did.Me: For me?He tilts his head, amused.Viktor: No, for the rat living under my floorboards.I laugh, nudging his shoulder. He huffs a soft laugh, shaking his head before setting the knife down and turning toward me fully.Viktor: Of course, for you.His gaze lingers, something unspoken behind his eyes.Viktor: I wanted to do something nice. That is all.I press my lips together, suddenly feeling the weight of it all over again. But this time, it doesn’t feel so heavy.Me: Can I help?Viktor’s brow lifts, and he glances down at the half prepped vegetables before looking back up at me, amused.Viktor: Perhaps. But only if you promise not to ruin it.Me: I make no promises.Viktor clicks his tongue, handing me a knife anyway.The kitchen is warm, filled with the gentle sound of vegetables being chopped and the occasional scrape of a spoon against the pot. The scent is rich. Herbs, tomatoes, something slightly sweet. It’s comforting in a homey in a way that makes my chest ache. But beneath all that warmth, there’s a lingering thought gnawing at me.What if I don’t like it?I know how picky I can be.It’s not intentional, but it’s always been a problem. Certain textures, certain flavours. I just can’t do them.And Viktor knows this.He knows me well enough to be aware that I have absolutely no poker face too. If I don’t like something, he’ll see it immediately no matter how hard I try to hide it. And the last thing I want is to make him feel like I don’t appreciate all of the effort he has put into this. An hour goes by.It’s ready. I rub the back of my neck, staring at the finished dish as Viktor carefully spoons some onto our plates.The slices of zucchini, eggplant, and tomato are arranged in perfect spirals, topped with a fragrant sauce.It looks good.Really good.And I want to believe it will taste just as good too.Viktor sets my plate in front of me before settling into the chair across from me, watching me expectantly.Viktor: Moment of truth.I hesitate for only a second before picking up my fork. Viktor doesn’t move to eat yet. He’s waiting. I can’t help but feel like it’s for me.I cut a small bite, making sure to get a little bit of everything before I bring it to my mouth. The second it hits my tongue, all my worries disappear. It’s delicious.The vegetables are soft without being mushy, and the sauce ties everything together perfectly. It’s rich, savoury, a little sweet somehow. It’s both light and deeply flavorful at the same time.I blink, glancing up at Viktor in surprise.Me: Holy shit.Viktor raises an eyebrow.Viktor: That is a good reaction?Me: That’s an amazing reaction. Vik, this is.. God, why is this so good???His lips twitch with amusement and there’s a slight tension in his shoulders that melts at my words. He exhales, leaning back in his chair.Viktor: That is a great relief. I was concerned you would not like it, given your palette.I freeze mid bite, feeling my face instantly heat.Me: My what?Viktor smirks.Viktor: Your very particular tastes.Me: Oh my god, you DO think I’m picky.Viktor: I know that you are picky.I huff, setting my fork down to cover my face with my hands. Viktor chuckles, the sound is soft and affectionate.Viktor: Do not be embarrassed. I find it endearing.I peek at him between my fingers, still blushing.Me: Endearing?Viktor hums, idly prodding his own food.Viktor: Yes. Though it did make cooking for you interesting.Me: So you were worried.Viktor shrugs.Viktor: A little. But I am glad you like it.I glance at my plate, then back at him. My chest feels full. Like something big and warm is sitting right there behind my ribs, pressing against my heart.Me: I don’t just like it. I love it.Viktor’s expression softens, and I swear I catch the faintest hint of pink dusting his cheeks before he quickly looks down at his food. I know he picked up on my reference to what Anton Ego said in Ratatouille.We eat in comfortable silence after that, the warmth of the meal settling between us.Once we’ve both finished I push my plate aside and stretch, cracking my knuckles.Me: Alright. My turn.Viktor glances at me, raising an eyebrow.Viktor: Your turn for what?I smirk.Me: Dessert.Viktor tilts his head, intrigued.Viktor: Hm. And what are you thinking of making?I pretend to think, getting up on my feet and glancing at the kitchen with my hands on my hips.Me: Pancakes.The reaction is instantaneous.Viktor groans so dramatically that he actually tilts his head back, rubbing a hand over his face in sheer despair.Viktor: No. No. NO. Why must you do this to me?Before I can even think of moving, he stands up and suddenly lunges, tackling me back onto the couch in a mess of tangled limbs.Me: Viktor!He huffs something in rapid Czech but the words are too quick for me to catch, and understand obviously, but the exasperation is clear as day. He switches back to English, still sprawled half on top of me.Viktor: You know how much I hate pancakes.Me: That’s why I’m making them. Duh.Viktor groans again, burying his face into my chest.Viktor: I despise you.Me: No, you don’t.Viktor: ..No, I do not.I grin, laughing as I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. He doesn’t resist.Viktor: But I still hate pancakes.Me: And yet, you’re still here.He huffs but the sound is affectionate. He settles into my side, sighing dramatically against my shoulder.Viktor: Against all reason.I chuckle, my fingers tracing gentle patterns along his back.Me: And yet..He hums, his voice softer now.Viktor: Yes. I am here. And that’s all I could ask for.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I try to get up off of the couch but Viktor tackles me again, pinning me against the cushions with an exaggerated sigh.Viktor: How could you betray me like this? In my own home?Me: Betrayal? I think of pancakes as a gift, actually.Viktor: A punishment, more like.I grin, looping my arms around his waist to keep him there. He makes a weak attempt at squirming away but he’s not trying. Not really.Me: You’ll eat my pancakes and you’ll like them.Viktor scoffs, shaking his head.Viktor: That is a bold assumption. No pancakes are allowed in my abode.Me: And yet.His eyes narrow, but amusement lingers behind the look. He sighs softly, shaking his head at me.Me: You are here.Viktor: Against all logic. Even though this is MY house.I laugh softly, tipping my head back against the couch cushions. Viktor doesn’t move from where he’s half draped over me. His weight is both warm and grounding. His hand rests against my chest, his fingers idly tracing the fabric of my shirt.My grin softens.Me: You really hate pancakes that much?Viktor: I do not hate them. I just think they are overrated. And untrustworthy. And disgusting. And I dislike them beyond comprehension.Me: Blasphemy.Viktor: Truth.I scoff, shaking my head like he has personally offended me.Me: You’ll change your mind once I make them for you.Viktor hums, unconvinced.Viktor: We will see. Actually, we will not. Since you are not permitted to make them.I watch him with a goofy smile on my face while my fingers drift up to toy with a loose thread on his sleeve.The scent of roasted vegetables and herbs still lingers in the air, warm and familiar. The remnants of our dinner sit forgotten on the kitchen table. Our evidence of a meal well shared.A meal he made for me, no matter how much he tries to play it off that it was for both of us.I sigh, squeezing the thread between my fingers before meeting his gaze again.Me: Thank you for dinner, by the way.Viktor: Of course.Me: No, really. It.. It was really good, Vik.His lips twitch at the sincerity in my voice.Viktor: That is a relief. I was a bit concerned.Me: About what?Viktor: Your, ah.. particular tastes.I huff, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling suddenly more vulnerable than usual.Me: You know me too well.Viktor: I do.The words are so simple, but they land in my chest like a stone sinking into water.My face warms before I can stop it, and I have to look away.Viktor lets out a soft laugh, clearly amused by my reaction.My eyes meet his and it feels like time itself stops. Beneath the soft amber tinge, there’s a tenderness that he only ever shows to me.A softness that doesn’t exist for anyone else.I roll my eyes, nudging his knee with mine.Me: I’m not THAT picky.Viktor hums, skeptical. He’s not buying it even a little bit.Viktor: Mm.Me: Hey! I ate all of it, didn’t I?Viktor: You did.Me: And I liked it.Viktor: You did not even leave a pattern behind.I narrow my eyes.Me: But?Viktor exhales through his nose, tilting his head slightly. His fingers play with mine idly as he finds his words.Viktor: I may have planned a backup meal. Just in case you did not enjoy the ambitious dish I had in store.I blink.Me: Are you serious?Viktor shrugs, but there’s a knowing glint in his eye.Viktor: You are nowhere near as subtle as you think you are, Jayce. And I do not mind taking extra care to make sure your needs are met.My face heats up. I sigh, tipping my head back against the cushions.Me: You’re too considerate sometimes, you know that?Viktor chuckles.Viktor: And yet, here you are.I huff, shaking my head but my chest feels warm in a way that I don’t have the words for. I squeeze his hand, running my thumb over his knuckles instinctively.Me: So, what was the backup meal?Viktor smiles, meeting my eyes.Viktor: I will hold that as a secret, in the rare instance that you wish to stay an extra night.I let out a laugh at the sheer idea of NOT staying an extra night if I get the opportunity.He has me in the palm of his hand and he knows it.Me: Well, it’s my turn now.Viktor raises a brow, intrigued.Viktor: Oh?Me: Yep. I made a promise, didn’t I?Viktor hums, pretending to think.Viktor: And what, exactly, are you planning?I smirk.Me: Oh you know.Viktor scrunches up his face, shoving at my shoulder.Viktor: You are sleeping on the couch tonight.I bark out a laugh but before I can escape, Viktor leans in, pinning me down again with his full weight.Me: Oh, please. You’ve endured worse.Viktor: Have I?Me: You love me, don’t you?Viktor groans dramatically.Viktor: Against all reason and logic, I do.I grin and before I can think better of it, I roll us over so he’s pressed into the couch instead. He makes a startled noise, but I catch the flicker of amusement in his eyes.Me: Then you can suffer through this too.He sighs, but I can feel the laughter shaking in his chest. His hand settles at the back of my neck, his fingers curling just slightly.Viktor: I loathe you.I grin wider.Me: You’re gonna love my pancakes.He switches to Czech again under his breath. He’s definitely cussing me out. It’s kind of hot.I laugh, and before I know it, he’s laughing too. Shaking his head at me like I’m the most ridiculous thing he’s ever seen.Maybe I am.I sit up, shifting Viktor to the side of me and stretching my arms above my head, settling back against the couch. Viktor watches me. Still half draped beside me, his head propped against his palm. His fingers tap idly against the couch cushions like he’s waiting for something.Me: Alright, fine. You’re off the hook. No pancakes.Viktor blinks, clearly thrown off by my sudden mercy.Viktor: What?Me: You heard me. I’m sparing you. You should be grateful.His eyes narrow slightly, like he’s trying to figure out my angle.Viktor: Just like that?Me: Just like that.Viktor hums, unconvinced.Viktor: And what was it that changed your mind?Me: Well for one, I do enjoy being in this apartment. And if I force you to eat pancakes, I might not be so welcome here anymore.Viktor exhales through his nose, clearly amused by my thought process so far.Viktor: A wise observation.Me: Also, I figured I should let you live in peace at least once before I ruin your life with my superior cooking skills.Viktor scoffs, shaking his head.Viktor: You are insufferable.Me: And yet.I reach over, running a hand across his knee. He sighs, but the small twitch of his lips betrays him.Viktor: And yet.I grin.His fingers idly play with mine again, tracing soft, absentminded patterns against my knuckles. His fingertips make their way down to my ring, tapping gently over it. A gentle reminder of his gift to me. His touch is so familiar now that I hardly notice when it happens, but the warmth it brings settles deep in my chest every time without fail.The moment lingers between us as the weight of it settles into something quiet and easy.Viktor shifts eventually, stretching before he pushes himself up from the couch.Viktor: I will make us some tea.I quirk an eyebrow at him.Me: Trying to bribe me into forgetting about dessert entirely?Viktor: Is it working?I hum, pretending to think before I grin.Me: Maybe. But only because I like you.He laughs softly, shaking his head as he starts walking towards the kitchen.Viktor: A tragic fate.Me: You’ll survive.He glances back at me, his expression is soft and sweet, just like him.Viktor: Hm. I suppose I will.My eyes don’t leave Viktor as I watch him effortlessly move around the kitchen, falling into the rhythm of boiling water and setting out our mugs.His apartment is dimly lit now.The golden glow from the under cabinet lights cast a soft shadow along the countertops. The air still carries the lingering scent of roasted vegetables and herbs, mixing with the subtle warmth of home and the intoxicating hint of Viktors citrus toned cologne.I sigh, stretching my arms over the back of the couch before letting my head tip against the cushions. The weight in my chest has settled into something steady and eased.Me: Y’know, I could get used to this.Viktor makes a small sound without looking up, carefully measuring out tea leaves in his strainer.Viktor: I should hope so. This is not the first time you have been here, Jayce.Me: No, but..I pause, my fingers pressing into the fabric of my pants.Me: It feels different tonight.Viktor glances at me briefly, as if gauging my expression before returning his focus to the kettle.Viktor: Different how?I exhale, tilting my head as I try to find the right words.Me: Like.. I don’t want to leave.The words come out softer than I intend. But they hang between us, unchallenged.Viktor doesn’t answer right away.He finishes setting up the tea and then turns, leaning back against the counter with his arms crossed. His gaze is steady, the light catching in the gold of his irises.Viktor: Then do not leave.My heart almost stops.I blink at him, caught off guard by the simplicity of it.No teasing.No more remarks about how I’d drive him mad within the week.Just a quiet certainty in the way he looks at me.Me: ..Yeah?Viktor nods, something knowing flickering behind his expression.Viktor: I have already made space for you, Jayce. More than you have probably realised.My chest tightens.I sit up slightly, my hands gripping my knees as if grounding myself.Me: You-I cut myself off, swallowing thickly. There’s too much swelling in my throat to speak properly.Viktor watches me, patient as ever.The kettle whistles, breaking the moment just enough that he turns away to pour the tea. I take the second to breathe. My mind still reeling from the weight of his words.‘More than I probably realise.’I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like him. But I know I’d do anything to keep him.When Viktor returns to the couch, he hands me my mug before settling beside me again. He swivels his body and lays his bad leg across my lap, making himself infinitely more comfortable.I take a sip, letting the warmth of both the tea and the fact that he feels safe enough to be like this with me, settle in my chest.My fingers tighten around the ceramic like I need something solid to hold onto.Me: You really mean that?Viktor doesn’t hesitate.Viktor: I would not say it if I did not.It’s such a simple thing.No dramatic gestures.No over explained reasoning.Just Viktor, stating facts like it’s the most natural thing in the world.I swallow, looking at him now. Fully taking him in.The dim light from the kitchen softens the edges of his face, casting warm shadows over his cheekbones. His hair is a little messier than before, strands curling over his forehead. He doesn’t seem to care.Me: That’s.. a really big thing to say, Vik.Viktor tilts his head slightly.Viktor: It is the truth.I huff, shaking my head as I take another sip of my tea. My throat feels tight again but this time it’s something different.Something I don’t know how to put into words yet.Me: You’re gonna make me emotional.Viktor hums, clearly unimpressed.Viktor: I believe you were already emotional, Jayce.I choke on my tea, coughing slightly.Me: Hey.Viktor’s lips twitch into something that almost resembles a smirk.Viktor: Am I wrong?I narrow my eyes at him, placing my mug down onto the coffee table before placing both of my hands on his leg, massaging soft circles into it.Me: You’re not right, either.Viktor sighs, unconvinced.His hand moves instinctively, fingertips brushing against mine where my hand is working circles into his calf. He doesn’t even seem to think about it anymore. It’s like touching me is just second nature now.Like it always has been.The warmth in my chest spreads a little wider.I exhale slowly, glancing away for a second before turning back to him.Me: You know, I could get used to hearing things like that from you.Viktor quirks an eyebrow, his thumb ghosting over my knuckles now.Viktor: Then you should stay longer. Perhaps I will say it again.I blink.He says it so casually.So easily.Like it isn’t burning my skin to a crisp.My mouth opens, then closes, then opens again.Me: You’re not just saying that to mess with me, are you?Viktor shakes his head, his gaze steady on mine.Viktor: No, Jayce. I am not.My breath catches.There’s something about the way he says it.It’s like he’s already made peace with this decision.Like he decided long before I even realised it myself.I press my lips together, watching him. Searching for any hint of teasing or a social cue that I’ve missed.But there isn’t any.Just Viktor, looking at me like he already knows what I’m going to say next.Me: Okay.A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips.Viktor: Okay.I laugh, shaking my head before reaching for my tea again.I don’t know how to process any of this.I take a sip, letting the moment settle into something real.Me: Guess that means I really am staying the night, huh?Viktor exhales through his nose, amused.Viktor: It would seem so.I smirk, leaning back against the couch.Me: And here I thought you wanted me on the couch.Viktor glances at me over the rim of his mug, eyes glinting with something unreadable.Viktor: That was before you made an intelligent decision about the pancakes.I grin.Me: So, sparing you from pancakes gets me into your bed?Viktor sets his mug down, stretching slightly.Viktor: Mm. Something like that.I hum, pretending to consider.Me: What if I change my mind?Viktor exhales sharply, giving me a flat look.Viktor: Then you will regret it.I laugh, shaking my head.Me: Yeah, yeah. No pancakes. I got it.Viktor watches me for a moment longer, something close to affection flickers behind his expression before he sighs, shaking his head.Viktor: You are impossible.I reach for his hand, lacing our fingers together without thinking.Me: And yet.Viktor glances at our hands before lifting them both to his face, planting a soft kiss on the back of my hand.Viktor: And yet.Viktor watches me with what I can only assume is a subtle expectation to confirm what we just spoke about. He doesn’t press or pry, but I can tell that there’s a lingering weight that remains unspoken. I exhale, rolling my mug between my hands before setting it down on the table.My fingers drum against my knee while I find the right words.Me: Alright. I’ll do it.Viktor raises a brow, amused.Viktor: Do what, exactly?Me: Move in with you.I don’t know why I say it so casually.Maybe because I know it’s what I want.Maybe because deep down, I know it’s what he wants too.Viktor blinks, straightening slightly.Viktor: You will?Me: Yeah.I grin, running my hand over his leg.Me: What, you thought I was gonna say no?Viktor shakes his head, disbelief flickering in his eyes.Viktor: No. I only thought you would take longer to decide.I huff, stretching my arms behind my head.Me: What can I say? You’re very persuasive.Viktor scoffs.Viktor: I did not even have to persuade you.Me: Exactly.Viktor rolls his eyes, but I catch the way his fingers tighten slightly where they rest against the couch cushions.Like maybe he wasn’t expecting me to say yes so easily.Like maybe he’s still processing the fact that I did.I grin, watching him for a moment longer before leaning in slightly.Me: But.His gaze sharpens, wary.Viktor: But?I smirk, tapping his knee.Me: You have to do something for me first.Viktor frowns and narrows his eyes like he’s already regretting asking.Viktor: I should have known there was a catch.Me: It’s not a catch. It’s a favour.Viktor exhales through his nose, already unimpressed.Viktor: And what is it?I pause for dramatic effect, just to watch him shift slightly in impatience before I finally say it.Me: You have to meet my mom first.Viktor goes still.Very still.I grin wider.Viktor: ..What?Me: You heard me.Viktor stares at me, calculating. I can practically see the gears turning in his head.Viktor: You wish for me to meet your mother.Me: Mhm.Viktor: Before you are willing to move in with me.Me: Yep.He exhales, leaning back against the couch as if I have just presented him with an impossible task.Viktor: I see.Me: What, don’t tell me you’re scared?Viktor clicks his tongue and shakes his head but his fingers tap idly against my leg.Viktor: Do not be ridiculous.Me: Then what’s the problem?Viktor hesitates.It’s subtle, but I see it. He tilts his head slightly, considering deeply.Viktor: It is.. unnecessary, is it not?Me: Not to me.I shrug, leaning in to him again.Me: Look, I know you. I know you’d let me move in tomorrow if I really wanted to.Viktor: ..Perhaps.Me: And I know you don’t care about things like formalities.Viktor hums, unimpressed at the entire situation.Me: But I care about this.Viktor’s gaze flickers to meet my eyes.He exhales, slow.Viktor: You truly want this?Me: Yeah, Vik. I do.There’s a beat of silence. Then, finally-Viktor: ..Alright.I blink.Me: Yeah?Viktor sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose like he’s already regretting it.Viktor: Yes, Jayce. I will meet your mother.I grin.Me: Good. Because that was more of a request from her than it was from me.Viktor groans, letting his entire body flop onto mine dramatically.Viktor: I do not doubt that for a second. If she is anything like you, then I am in for some deep trouble.I laugh, cupping my hand on his cheek.Me: Relax. She’s gonna love you just as much as I do.Viktor mutters something under his breath in Czech, but nuzzles into my touch tenderly. I can’t tell if it’s a complaint or a prayer. Either way, I smile wider.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

We settle into a quiet rhythm, the kind that comes naturally to us now.Viktor is sitting beside me with his legs resting over my lap. His fingers idly toying with a button on the couch cushion.The tea in our mugs has cooled with only a mouthful left in each one, long forgotten on the table.The air between us is warm and easy but after a while, I notice it.He’s gone quiet.Pin drop quiet.Not the comfortable kind of quiet we often share, but the kind where his thoughts have pulled him somewhere far away.His expression is still and his fingers still moving but without focus.I squeeze his knee, breaking him out of his immersion just slightly.Me: You okay?His fingers pause for a fraction of a second before continuing to play with the cushion button.Viktor: Hm?Me: You’ve been thinking. Loudly.He exhales slowly through his nose, but doesn’t meet my eyes.Viktor: I always think, Jayce.Me: Yeah, but this is different.I shift slightly so I can see his face better, my voice softening before I speak.Me: Talk to me, Vik.He hesitates.For a moment, I think he won’t talk to me at all, but then, after a long pause-Viktor: I am.. nervous.His voice is quiet. Uncharacteristically so.I can connect the dots without him needing to specify, but I ask anyway.Me: About meeting my mom?He nods once.Me: Vik, she’s gonna love you. I promise. You’ve got nothing to worry about.Viktor exhales, rubbing his fingers over the bridge of his nose.Viktor: It is not that simple.I wait. I know him well enough to know that if I give him the space. He’ll keep going without me needing to pry.And he does.Viktor: I do not know how to act around.. mothers.His voice is measured but there’s something vulnerable in it. I don’t move, don’t push, just let him say what he needs to say.Viktor: I barely remember having one of my own.My chest tightens.I knew this about him. He mentioned it once in passing, but he’s never spoken about it before. Never let himself say the words out loud.Viktor: I have no reference for what is.. appropriate. I do not know how I am supposed to behave.He exhales, shaking his head slightly.Viktor: And I do not wish to make a fool of myself in front of someone who means so much to you. Someone who may become a person that means a lot to me.I reach for his hand without thinking, lacing our fingers together.Me: You won’t.His eyes flicker up to mine, filled with uncertainty.Me: My mom’s not expecting anything from you, Vik. She just wants to meet the guy I love so she can put a name to a face.Viktor tenses slightly at my words, but he doesn’t pull away. His grip on my hand tightens.Viktor: I..He swallows. His throat bobs and his fingers flex.Viktor: When I lost them-Oh.His voice is quieter now but I hear every word loud and clear.Viktor: I was still young. Too young to understand.I squeeze his hand, trying to subtly ground him.Viktor: I did not just lose my parents, Jayce. I lost guidance. Affection. Stability.He pauses, exhaling slowly.Viktor: Every reaction I have. Every way I interact with others.. I had to learn it on my own.His thumb brushes absently over my knuckles as if he’s steadying himself.Viktor: Which is why I do not trust easily. Which is why I hesitate.His voice drops just slightly.Viktor: And which is why I am so scared of saying or doing the wrong thing.He swallows again, the movement slow, deliberate.Viktor: Of pushing you away.Something in my chest aches.I shift, bringing my free hand up to cradle the side of his face. He leans into it just slightly, his eyes flickering shut for a brief second before opening again.Me: That’s not gonna happen.Viktor watches me, searching for something in my expression.Me: You’re not gonna lose me, Vik. You don’t have to be perfect or have all the right words. My mom’s gonna love you for you. Just like I do.His breath stutters, just slightly.And then he exhales, long and slow.Viktor: You always say things like that so easily.Me: Because they’re true.His lips twitch, the ghost of a smile. But I see the weight behind his eyes, the quiet vulnerability he rarely lets himself show.I run my thumb along his cheek, grounding him the way he always does for me.Me: You don’t have to do this alone anymore, Vik.His fingers squeeze mine, tight.For a while, he doesn’t speak.He just holds onto my hand like it’s the only thing keeping him tethered.His breathing is steady but his eyes are distant, like he’s sorting through memories he barely allows himself to touch.I don’t rush him.His fingers tighten around mine, his other hand curling slightly where it rests on his knee.Viktor: I try not to think about it.His voice is quiet.Viktor: There is no point in dwelling on something that cannot be changed.I don’t answer right away. Because I know that isn’t really what he means.Me: But you do think about it.He swallows hard. He doesn’t deny it.Me: It’s not weak to remember them, Vik.His fingers twitch.Viktor: It is not that.His voice is strained, but I can hear the weight behind it.Viktor: It is that..He exhales sharply, as if trying to steady himself.Viktor: I do not remember them well enough.I frown, shifting slightly closer but I don’t interrupt him.Viktor: I remember pieces of them. A voice, a scent, hands guiding mine. But never a whole picture. Never.. them.He swallows hard, I can see his throat quivering.Viktor: I should remember them. I should. But when I try, all I find are gaps. Blurred images. Empty spaces. Patches in the few memories I have.His fingers flex like he’s trying to grasp something that keeps slipping through his hands.Viktor: And I hate that.His voice cracks.My chest tightens.Me: Vik..He lets out a slow breath but it’s unsteady now.Viktor: What kind of son forgets the people who gave him life?His voice shakes on the last word. And suddenly, I see it.His lip quivers.His breath hitches.His body is holding tension like a wire that’s being pulled too tight.He swallows, blinking rapidly as if he can force it back down.But he can’t.I feel his whole frame tremble, the weight of everything pressing down on him all at once.And then.Viktor: T-to forget them.. is to lose them all over again.His voice breaks completely.And just like that, the dam bursts.His shoulders jerk.His fingers clutch at mine, like he’s trying to hold onto something, ANYTHING solid. His head tips forward, and I feel it. A soft, shuddering sob pressed against my shoulder.I move before I can think.I wrap my arms around him, pulling him in to me and anchoring him. He doesn’t resist. If anything, he curls up into me like he doesn’t know how to hold himself up anymore.His hands clutch at the fabric of my shirt, desperate. His knuckles turn white from the grasp he has on me.Another sob wracks through him.And another.Deep, raw, countless years of grief with nowhere to go unraveling all at once.I hold him even tighter.Me: I’ve got you.He shakes against me, his arms wrap around my back but his fingers stay grasping the fabric of my shirt.Viktor: I do not want to forget them.Me: You won’t.Viktor: But I already have.His voice is so small, so wrecked.It’s killing me. This moment is pure agony.I can only imagine how he must be feeling.I press my hand against the back of his head, holding him as close to my body as I can.Me: They’re still with you, Vik. In ways you don’t even realise.His breath shudders against my shoulder.Me: In everything you do, in everything you are. They’re still here.He shakes his head, but I feel the way his grip tightens. Like he wants to believe me. Like he’s terrified to.I don’t let go. I don’t say anything else.I just hold him. For the first time since I’ve known him, he lets himself break. For a long time, there is only the sound of Viktor’s ragged breathing. The weight of his body pressed into mine. The way his hands clutch at my back like he’s afraid to let go.I can feel his heartbeat, wild and unsteady beneath his ribs.I don’t speak. Not yet. I just hold him, waiting for him to take what he needs. I have more than enough to give, especially to him.Eventually, his breathing evens out but his hands still tremble against me.When he finally speaks, his voice is coarse and worn paper thin.Viktor: You.. remembered.It’s barely above a whisper, but I hear it.I pull back just enough to see his face. His eyes are red and bloodshot and his cheeks are damp. His expression is completely raw. Hes still so beautiful.Me: Of course I did.He swallows hard and he exhales shakily.Viktor: I told you once.. that you could only come back if you remembered. On the server.I nod, watching him carefully. I remember that night like it was yesterday.Viktor: But you do not know why I said it.I don’t say anything, i just wait for him to continue.He looks away for a moment, blinking hard to fight the tears.Viktor: I said it because I needed to see if I was worth remembering.My chest tightens.Viktor: Because.. I was not meant to be.His voice wavers, I can hear how hard he’s trying to keep his composure.Viktor: I was meant to fade. Just like them.He clenches his jaw, his hands curling into fists against my shirt.Viktor: I was meant to be someone who just slipped through the cracks.My breath catches.Viktor: And if something does happen after you die, then it is not meant for people like me.The words hit me like a physical blow.These are the exact words he said that night in the server.The messages I spent countless hours trying to decode. He’s just unravelled all of them in a matter of seconds.I open my mouth but I don’t even know where to begin. I don’t think he’s ever let himself say these things out loud.Not to anyone. Not even to himself.His fingers twitch, his body still trembling with the weight of everything spilling out of him.Viktor: I did not deserve to be remembered, Jayce.His voice breaks again and suddenly, he’s shaking his head. His breathing picking up quicker.Viktor: I was not a good kid. I was not.. enough.His hands are clutching at my arms. His grip desperate, his eyes searching for something, anything else to hold onto.Viktor: I let them down. I- I was sickly. I was weak. I made things harder for them. And then I-His breath hitches. He squeezes his eyes shut as more tears slip down his cheeks.Viktor: I do not even remember if they loved me.A sharp ache blooms in my chest.I don’t think.I just reach up and cup his face, tilting his chin so he has to look at me.Me: They did, Viktor.His breath catches, his fingers clenching against my skin.Me: I don’t care what you think you were or weren’t. I don’t care what you remember. You were theirs. And they loved you. I know they did. You are impossible not to love.His throat catches as his entire body shakes.Me: And you deserved to be loved. You deserved to be remembered.His lips part like he wants to argue, but I don’t let him.Me: And you are.I tighten my grip just slightly, my thumbs brushing away his tears.Me: I see you.His breath shudders out of him.Me: I love you.I rest my forehead against his.Me: And I am NEVER letting you slip through the cracks.His hands tighten around my shirt and then.He sobs.A deep, shaking, broken sound as if something inside of him has finally shattered completely.I hold him through it, pressing my forehead to his firmer and letting him break apart in my hands.His fingers clutch at me like I’m the only thing keeping him from disappearing entirely.He sobs so hard that his whole body shakes, so hard that he can barely breathe through it.And when it finally, finally begins to slow, he slumps against me.Completely drained.His fingers twitch weakly against my chest. His breathing is uneven, but steadier now.A long silence stretches between us.I let it.Eventually he lets out a weak, watery chuckle.Viktor: Bože.I feel him shake his head slightly.Viktor: That was.. quite the outburst.I squeeze him lightly, brushing a hand up and down his back.Me: Yeah, well. It was overdue.He sniffs, rubbing at his face before exhaling a long, slow breath.Viktor: I do not remember ever crying like that before.His voice is hoarse, raw from all the emotion.Hes shoots me a look, his cheeks are tear stained and his eyes are red. But a microscopic smirk forms on his lips.Viktor: I blame you.I huff a small laugh, still holding him close.Me: For what? Being too nice to you?Viktor: Precisely.There’s a weak amusement in his voice but when I glance down at him, his eyes are still wet.Something still lingers behind them.I don’t rush him.He lets out a slow breath, fiddling absently with the hem of my sleeve.Viktor: The night we met..I blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. Listening attentively. Viktor: I was going to end my life. Oh.Every muscle in my body locks up.I feel like I’m about to vomit.He says it so simply. Like it’s just a fact.Like something that almost happened and SHOULD have happened.I don’t move.I don’t speak.Because I know he’s not finished.His fingers tighten around my sleeve.Viktor: I had asked Sky to watch Clementine for the night. She was due to drop by an hour after I logged off the server. I spent one last moment in the endless world I created. I felt weightless in a place that I belonged for just a little while. I built that realm as a version of the afterlife that I would actually get to see.My stomach twists.Viktor: And I was going to do something stupid. Far from home.His voice doesn’t shake.Viktor: Because I knew no one would mourn me. Sky would most likely call the police when I did not return. Clementine would live with her instead.His throat bobs.Viktor: That was supposed to be it.A deep, crushing silence fills the space between us.His grip on me tightens.Viktor: But then I met you.I barely breathe.His eyes flicker up to meet mine, something impossibly soft and unbearably raw settling behind them. Viktor: I joined a public server in a last ditch effort to find a sign from the universe that I should keep going. And there you were.My throat is so tight I can’t even swallow.He takes a slow breath.Viktor: You did not let me slip through the cracks.My pulse is in my throat.Viktor: You saw me.I grip him tighter.Viktor: And you kept seeing me.He shifts slightly, his fingers brushing mine like they’re an unspoken promise.Viktor: You changed everything that night.His voice is so quiet, so sure.Something inside me cracks wide open.I squeeze his hand.I don’t know what to say, but maybe I don’t need to.Because he’s still here. And I’m not letting go.Viktor: Jayce, you have not only given me a reason to live, you have given me a reason to love waking up. You have changed my brain chemistry completely. Everything is different now. The smell of coffee in the morning is bitter in the best way possible. The sound of Clementines paws on the hardwood floor makes me realise just how much the structure of this house is ingrained with love.He pauses, meeting my gaze with a soft, raw smile.Viktor: You make me want to learn how to love. Unapologetically. Unconditionally. Uncontrollably.I smile, his words melting into my bones like butter.Me: Viktor, I love you. So much.He laughs softly, but I can tell that it’s involuntary.Viktor: Despite everything, you can still love a broken man?I frown at him, wiping a tear from his cheek with my thumb.Me: You were never broken, Viktor. Theres beauty in imperfections. They make you who you are. An inseparable piece of everything I admire about you.He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, leaning into my shoulder with his entire body weight.Viktor: I have felt broken for a long time. But you make me feel like I am not beyond repair.I plant a soft kiss into his hair.Me: I would prefer to repair you with Kintsugi, but I’d still make it work with chewing gum and spit if it meant that I could have you back in the end.He groans into my shoulder with a microscopic laugh.Viktor: Such cheesy words.Me: Yeah, well, I mean it.He pulls back for a moment to meet my eyes.He smiles.A genuine smile.God I’ve need to see that after tonight.Viktor: I know that you mean it. You have a massive heart. And a massive head.I scoff in mock offence.Me: Excuse me! You’re forgetting the most important part. I also have a massive-He doesn’t let me finish my sentence. Instead I get a couch cushion to the face.I let out an exaggerated war cry as if I’ve just been executed on the battlefield.Viktor exhales a small laugh, shaking his head as I dramatically slump sideways against the couch, the cushion still resting against my face.Viktor: So theatrical.Me: That was a violent and unprovoked attack. I’ll be reporting this to the authorities.I peek out from behind the cushion just in time to catch the amused glint in his eye, the lingering dampness on his cheeks is still visible in the soft glow of the loungeroom lamp.He looks lighter. Tired, but lighter.Viktor: You are the authorities.Me: And yet, justice remains out of my grasp. Tragic, really.His lips twitch, but he just shakes his head again, reaching down to grab my hand and lacing our fingers together like it’s second nature. His fingers are still a little cold, but the way they squeeze mine is warm. Solid.And for a while, we just sit there. Hands clasped, legs tangled, the weight of the night settling into something quieter. Something more vulnerable.After a long pause, Viktor speaks again. His voice is quiet but not heavy this time.Viktor: I cannot promise that I will never think that way again.I shift slightly, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles and waiting for him to continue.Viktor: But I can promise that I will tell you when I do.The words land deep in my chest. A lump forms in my throat but I swallow past it, nodding once before squeezing his hand.Me: Okay.His fingers tighten around mine.Viktor: And I will try to believe you when you say that I deserve to be remembered.I let out a slow breath, my heart aching at the sight of him allowing himself to be fragile in a way he rarely lets himself be.Me: Good. Because I’m never letting you forget it.He lets out a small huff, shaking his head but I see it. The way his lips twitch. The way his shoulders finally, finally lose some of their tension.We stay like that for a long time. Just holding onto each other. The room fills with the quiet hum of the city outside.Eventually Viktor shifts, tilting his head back against the couch as his eyes flutter shut.Viktor: I think.. I am exhausted.Me: Yeah, no kidding. You did just unload like, a lifetime’s worth of emotional baggage.His lips twitch again.Viktor: Hm. Perhaps I should find more cushions to throw at you.Me: Bold of you to assume I won’t fight back.His eyes crack open just slightly, golden and soft in the dim light.Viktor: I would expect nothing less.I grin, but I don’t tease him this time. Instead I shift, gently tugging on his hand.Me: C’mon. Let’s get some sleep my love.He hums in agreement, but doesn’t move right away.His fingers brush over the back of my hand, slow and absentminded.Like he’s still grounding himself in this moment.Eventually he stands, stretching just slightly before casting me a tired but genuine smile.Viktor: Thank you, Jayce.His voice is quiet, but it carries the weight of everything that went unsaid.I reach out, squeezing his hand one more time before leading him toward the bedroom. Me: Anytime, Vik.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Getting Viktor to bed is an effort, but not an unwelcome one.He’s light and thinner than he should be and even though I know he hates being fussed over, I can’t stop the way my stomach twists at the thought of how easily he folds into me.I settle him beneath the blankets, slipping in beside him without hesitation.I’ve done this before.Held him when he was too exhausted to protest. Pulled him close for warmth when his body ran cold. But tonight is different. Tonight, I want to be beside him not just because he needs it, but because I do too. I curl an arm around him drawing him in carefully. His back presses against my chest and I can feel the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing.For a while, there’s nothing but silence. His body growing heavier against mine. The rise and fall of his breaths. The way his fingers curl loosely against my arm that’s wrapped around him like an afterthought.He drifts off in record time.No fuss. No late night reading.Just pure exhaustion taking over. Somewhere in the depths of his sleep, he stirs.It’s subtle at first.A twitch of his fingers. A furrow of his brow.Then his breathing shifts, growing uneven. Something tight and pained threading through it.I tighten my hold on him instinctively.Me: Hey.I keep my voice soft, my lips barely brushing his ear as I murmur the words. My hand finds his, easing it open and smoothing my thumb along his knuckles.He jerks suddenly, a sharp breath sucked between his teeth as if he’s falling.Me: Vik, it’s okay. You’re okay.I don’t know if he hears me, not really. But after a few moments the tension in his body eases. His fingers that were just curled into a fist loosen.His breathing evens out.I don’t let go.Instead, I keep holding him. Even after he’s fully settled after the nightmare has passed. I keep holding him because I want to, because I need to.Because I don’t think I could let go even if I tried.I press my forehead against the back of his neck, my eyes slipping shut.And I know with startling clarity, that I am hopelessly in love with him.Not just in the easy ways. Not just in the bright, brilliant ways. But in this too. In the dark. In the restless nights. In the weight of everything he carries.I love him, and I’ll hold him through every nightmare if it means that he never has to face them alone again. I drift off before I can fight the impending drowsiness. The bed is empty when I wake up.At first, I don’t fully register where I am.I roll over, instinctively reaching for the warmth that should be there to greet my fingertips but my hand meets only cool sheets.That gets my attention.I blink, my eyes still heavy with sleep. I push myself upright, looking around the room. The bedroom is quiet, save for the distant tick of Viktors side table clock. I rake a hand through my hair, shaking off the haze of sleep as I glance toward the bathroom door.It’s open. No sound of running water.He’s up.I inhale deeply then exhale slowly as I throw my legs over the side of the bed.He’s probably in the kitchen. It’s routine by now. He’ll be standing by the counter, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. Probably already lost in thought before the day even properly begins.I smile to myself as I stretch, rolling my shoulders before padding down the hall towards the kitchen.But when I get there, the space is empty.His fancy coffee machine hasn’t been touched.I frown.Viktor NEVER skips his morning coffee.I glance around as if he might be sitting somewhere just out of view, but there’s no sign of him. Not on the couch next to a sleeping Clementine, not at the table.The house is silent in a way that makes it feel emptier than I have ever felt it.That’s when I hear it.Soft.Almost imperceptible.The faint scratch of something against paper.I turn toward the sound, following it down the hallway. His study door is cracked open just enough for the glow of a desk lamp to spill into the dim corridor.I step closer. Quiet. Instinctive.And then I see him.Viktor sits at his work desk, completely absorbed in a project. His elbow rests against the wood, fingers curled under his chin as his other hand moves in careful, deliberate strokes across the page.I don’t enter.I don’t make a single sound.I just watch.The way his brow furrows in quiet concentration.The way his fingers smudge the charcoal, softening the lines with the gentlest touch.His head tilts slightly while he studies his work, eyes flickering across the page with sharp precision.The sight of him like this is breathtaking.I could watch him like this for hours.Something about it feels private, like something I shouldn’t be witnessing but I can’t make myself leave.Because then I see it. The sketch he’s working on.It’s.. me.He’s drawing me again.My stomach tightens as my pulse picks up slightly in my throat.But this time it’s not just me.There’s a background now, much more detailed than any of his previous sketches. I lean forward slightly, squinting at the familiar setting before realisation strikes me like a lightning bolt to the chest.It’s IKEA.A moment from our date.He has captured it perfectly.The shelves, the display teapot I’m holding while I pour him a pretend cup of tea, the expression on my face. Open, unguarded, mid laugh.My throat feels tight.I should say something. Step forward. Make my presence known.But then.He speaks.Not loudly. Not to anyone in particular.Just a murmur under his breath. Absentminded and soft in the way that makes my bones ache.Viktor: Ridiculous.Viktor mutters, clicking his tongue and shaking his head slightly. But there’s no real bite to it. His voice is fond. Endearing.I swallow thickly.He pauses, tapping the edge of the page with his charcoal stained fingers. Then, even quieter-Viktor: I wish you could see how you look at me.My breath catches.A warmth spreads through my chest, slow and insistent. Climbing up my neck until I can feel the heat prickling at my ears.Viktor..Before I can fully process it, my foot shifts just slightly and that’s when I hear it. And I know he does too.The floorboard beneath me creaks.Shit.Viktor stills.His head snaps up and in the span of a heartbeat, his gaze locks onto mine.For a moment, neither of us move.Then his lips part slightly, his eyes flicking toward the door as if he’s only just realising I’ve been standing there.Viktor: Ah.His voice is steady but there’s something in his expression that tells me he’s caught off guard and maybe even a little embarrassed, but not regretful.Viktor: You are awake.I step into the room now, making a show of rubbing the back of my neck.Me: Uh, yeah. I was looking for you. You weren’t next to me when I woke up and you weren’t in the kitchen when I checked.Viktor studies me, his eyes sharp despite the early hour.Viktor: Have you been standing there long?I don’t hesitate.Me: No.I lie.Me: Just got here.His gaze lingers on me for a moment longer like he doesn’t quite believe me.But then after a beat, he exhales through his nose. Shaking his head with a small, knowing smirk.He doesn’t say it.But I see it in his eyes.He knows I’m a liar.Viktor doesn’t call me out on it, though. Instead he turns his attention back to the sketch, twirling the charcoal between his fingers. I step forward slowly, drawn in by the image on the page. The details are incredible. Down to the soft creases in my shirt, the relaxed tilt of my head, the way my expression holds a trace of laughter.But it’s the way he’s drawn me looking at him that makes my stomach flip.It’s tender.It’s fond.It’s undeniably in love.I don’t remember exactly what I had been looking at in that moment but if it was Viktor, then.. did I really look at him like that? Like he was the only person in the room?Me: Is that-I clear my throat, rubbing the back of my neck.Me: From IKEA?Viktor hums, idly smudging a shadow into place.Viktor: Mm. The display area. Where you insisted on serving me a beverage.I huff a quiet laugh.Me: You were absolutely parched.Viktor: I was.He speaks dryly.Viktor: For the record, you are not permitted to pour me a cup of tea again. It may have been imaginary but the offence I felt after my first sip was extraordinarily real.I huff out a laugh before speaking again. My voice comes out softer this time, more hesitant.Me: You.. you don’t usually draw backgrounds.His hand stills.For a moment, he doesn’t answer. Then, without looking at me, he speaks.Viktor: No. I do not.I study him. The way his posture has shifted, slightly more guarded.Me: But you did for this one.Another pause. Then, so quiet I almost miss it-Viktor: You were happy that day.I blink.The words hit me harder than I expect them to.He’s still looking at the drawing, tracing over the lines of the sketch with careful precision.Viktor: You looked at me like you were enjoying yourself. Like you were..He trails off, exhaling softly.Viktor: I wanted to capture it properly.My heart stutters.I look at him, then back at the drawing. The warmth in my chest spreads. It’s slow and insistent, reaching the tips of my fingers.I don’t know what to say to that.So instead, I do something instinctive. Something that feels right.I reach out, placing my hand gently over his.Viktor’s fingers twitch slightly beneath mine, but he doesn’t pull away. He just watches me carefully, his golden eyes flickering with something gentle.I squeeze his hand, grounding both of us in the moment.Me: You make it look better than it was.I say, my voice quieter now.Viktor tilts his head slightly, considering.Viktor: Do I?I nod, smiling a little.Me: Yeah. You make it look.. I dunno. Special.Viktor huffs a quiet laugh.Viktor: It was special.I feel my breath catch slightly.He says it so simply, like it’s just a fact. Like there’s no room for argument.I swallow, my grip on his hand tightening just a fraction before I let go.Me: So, you just woke up and decided to start sketching?Viktor shrugs, rubbing his thumb over a smudge of charcoal on his palm.Viktor: Could not sleep.I frown.I remember the night terrors he was having last night and how I pulled him out of them.I don’t mention them.Me: Are you okay?He hums in consideration then offers me a small, tired smile.Viktor: I am now.And damn if that doesn’t knock the air straight out of my lungs.I don’t trust myself to speak so I just reach out and ruffle his hair instead, smearing loose charcoal dust into the strands.Viktor swats my hand away with a soft grumble but there’s no real annoyance to it.I grin, stepping back toward the door.Me: C’mon grumpy. You skipped coffee, and that’s just unnatural.Viktor rolls his eyes but doesn’t protest when I nudge him toward the kitchen.As he follows me out, I glance one last time at the sketch on his desk.He has captured so much love in that drawing. And I’ve never seen myself like that before.It looks good on me.Viktor follows me out of the study moving slower than usual, and I make sure to match his pace.The morning chill still lingers in the air. As soon as we step into the kitchen, I grab the nearest blanket draped over the couch. Without a word, I swing it over his shoulders and tug it snug around him, wrapping him up like a burrito.He blinks at me, clearly caught off guard.Viktor: Jayce-I press a kiss to the top of his head before he can protest.Me: There.I say, smoothing the blanket into place like I’m tucking him in for the night.Me: Much better.Viktor exhales, but I catch the way his fingers curl into the fabric, the way his shoulders relax beneath it. He doesn’t fight it.I grin and move toward the counter, already reaching for the coffee beans. Viktor settles into his usual space at the table, rubbing his eyes before watching me with mild amusement.Viktor: I did not ask for coffee.He says.Me: You didn’t have to.I start the machine, the familiar whir filling the quiet space.Me: I wasn’t going to give you a choice anyways.He huffs out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.I grab some bread and toss it into the toaster while the coffee brews. Viktor notices.His eyes narrow slightly.Viktor: I also did not ask for breakfast.I turn to look at him, raising a brow.Me: And?His lips press into a thin line.I slide butter across the toast, then plate up 2 pieces for him before placing them in front of him with an air of finality.Me: I wasn’t asking.Viktor stares down at the plate. Then at me.I stare back.A long, silent beat passes.Then, slowly and deliberately, Viktor picks up the toast and takes a small bite.He chews and swallows. Glancing at me again.Viktor: Hmph.He leans back into his chair, eyes flickering toward his coffee as I place it down in front of him.Viktor: Well. It is good, at least.Me: Damn right it is.I smirk, sitting across from him and taking a bite of my own toast.He exhales, shaking his head again but the corners of his mouth twitch up, betraying him.The house is still quiet, but this time it doesn’t feel empty. The warmth of the coffee, the sound of buttered toast being eaten, the blanket draped over his shoulders. It all settles around us. Soft. Steady.Neither of us say much for a while.And I think neither of us need to.The quiet between us is easy. Familiar. The kind of silence that doesn’t beg to be filled, just shared.Viktor sips his coffee slowly, his fingers curled around the mug like he’s trying to absorb its warmth. He’s still waking up and the exhaustion clings to the edges of him, but there’s something looser in his posture now. Less guarded.I watch him for a moment, letting my toast rest on my plate. The way his shoulders rise and fall beneath the blanket. The soft furrow of his brow as he idly scrapes his thumbnail across the rim of his mug.Me: Did you dream?I ask, my voice quiet.I try to get a bit of context for his night terrors without directly asking. I don’t even know if he’s aware that he has them.His fingers still for half a second before he takes another sip.Viktor:No.He says eventually.Viktor: To dream means I have to sleep in the first place.I nod, waiting to see if he’ll say more.And, after a beat, he does.Viktor: My mind was restless.He admits, setting his mug down.Viktor: It is easier to focus on something else rather than try to force sleep.Me: So you drew.Viktor hums, glancing toward the hallway like he can still see the study from here.Viktor: Yes.I run my finger along the edge of my plate, tracing the crumbs.Me: You could’ve woken me up.Viktor: I thought about it.His eyes flick to me, golden and sharp even in the soft morning light.Viktor: But you looked too cute. Too peaceful. It felt cruel to disturb you.I huff out a laugh.Me: You’re not usually concerned about cruelty when you shove your cold feet against my legs.Viktor smirks.Viktor: That is different.Me: Uh huh.He takes another sip of coffee, clearly pleased with himself. I roll my eyes, but I don’t push the subject. If he wanted me awake, he would have made sure I was. But he chose to sit in his study alone, pouring his focus into lines of charcoal instead.I think about that sketch again. The way he captured everything. The background. The atmosphere. The way I looked at him.And how he said he wanted to capture it properly. My stomach twists. Not in a bad way.Me: You should try to sleep after this.I say, nudging my plate aside.Me: Just for a little while. It’s still early.Viktor tilts his head.Viktor: You are suggesting I go back to bed? After giving me coffee?Me: That’s exactly what I’m doing.He hums, pretending to consider.Viktor: Will you come with me?Something about the way he says it makes my pulse jump slightly. It’s not teasing. Not flirtatious. Just simple. Soft. Needy.Like it’s obvious.I swallow.Me: Yeah.That seems to satisfy him. He nods once, finishing off his toast.I don’t know if he’ll actually be able to sleep, but at least this way he won’t be alone in the early hours of the morning, losing himself in unfinished sketches and restless thoughts.And if I get to hold him close while he tries, well..That’s just a bonus.We finish eating in easy silence. The soft clink of Viktor’s mug against the table, the quiet scrape of my fingers brushing away crumbs. there’s something so grounding about it.He moves slower than usual, like the weight of being awake so early is finally settling in his limbs. The blanket around his shoulders has started to slip. I stand and drape it back over him, tucking it snugly against his frame.Me: There.I say, smoothing the fabric.Me: Perfect Viktor wrap.Viktor huffs a small laugh, his eyes half lidded, heavy with something close to fondness.Viktor: I do not believe I resemble a wrap.Me: You do. A very tired, slightly grumpy one.He hums, unimpressed.Viktor: How flattering.I grin, ruffling his hair just to see him swat at my hand again.Me: C’mon, bed.He doesn’t argue. Just lets me help him up, the blanket dragging slightly behind him as I steer him toward the bedroom.When we get there, Viktor hesitates at the edge of the mattress, his fingers curling around the blanket.I know that look.Me: Vik.I say, voice softer now.He glances at me, brow raised slightly.Me: You don’t have to keep yourself awake. I’m here. It’s okay to rest.For a second, I don’t know if he’ll listen.Then, with a quiet sigh, he nods. I pull back the covers and he slips beneath them, shifting onto his side as I climb in next to him.The second I settle, he moves closer.Not obviously. Not deliberately. But enough that when I turn onto my side, I can reach out and brush my fingers against his wrist. I don’t say anything about it. Just let my hand rest there.Viktor exhales, slow and steady.I feel it when the tension in him starts to ease, when the weight of exhaustion finally wins out.And when his breathing evens, his frame going soft with sleep, I let my own eyes slip shut.We’ll figure out the rest when morning comes properly.For now, this is enough. We nap for longer than expected. I wake up warm.Really warm.Like, cocooned in sunlight warm.Like, can’t move my arms warm.It takes me a second to register why.My face is pressed against something solid. Firm but comfortable, and there’s the distinct weight of an arm slung heavily over my back. A second leg is hooked around mine, keeping me completely pinned in place.It takes another second before I realise.Viktor.We are completely tangled together.I blink blearily, my brain still fogged over with sleep. Viktor’s chest rises and falls steadily against me, his breath warm against the top of my head. His grip is firm and possessive in a way that I don’t think he even realises.I try to shift just slightly, and his arms tighten.A quiet, content sound rumbles in his throat as he nuzzles instinctively closer, tucking his chin against my hair.I freeze.He’s-Okay.I don’t think I’ve ever woken up like this before.Usually, it’s me wrapped around him.It’s me pulling him close in my sleep, craving the reassurance of his warmth.But now.. now it’s Viktor who won’t let go.My stomach flips.I shift my head slightly, tilting just enough to glance at the bedside clock.2 PM.Oh shit.We really slept in.I breathe out slowly, my fingers curling slightly against the fabric of his shirt.I should wake him up.I should.But his grip on me is so steady. So sure, and I can feel the slow, even rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palm.For once, he’s completely at ease.He looks so peaceful.I can’t bring myself to wake him.I let my eyes slip shut again. Maybe just a little longer. I stay still, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace between us.Viktor’s grip on me is gentle, possessive in the way that only he can be, and I feel the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.His warmth is soothing and comforting, and I realise just how much I’ve come to rely on it without even thinking about it.His breathing evens out becoming slower, deeper, as if he’s fallen back into a dream. And for a while I just let him hold me.There’s a strange kind of serenity in the way he’s tangled up with me.In the past, I might’ve felt suffocated by the thought of this kind of closeness but with Viktor.. it feels right. In fact, I can’t seem to get enough of it.I feel the light of the afternoon creeping in through the window, casting a soft glow across the room.It’s warm.So warm.Almost too warm.I start to feel the sweat gathering at the back of my neck and under my arms. But still, I don’t move. I let the heat settle between us, letting the quiet stretch a little longer. As long as I can tolerate.And then, Viktor shifts. His hand brushes against my waist just barely, and I freeze. I hold my breath, afraid I might break the tenderness of this moment.But he doesn’t pull away. Instead, his thumb runs across the skin just beneath my shirt. A soft, absent minded touch like he’s still half asleep. The motion is slow and deliberate but so gentle. My stomach twists in that way that only he can make it do.I shift a little, just enough to glance up at him.I watch the way his face is relaxed.The lines of stress are temporarily gone from his brow. It’s almost disorienting to see him like this. It’s vulnerable and open in a way I’m not used to yet. Usually, Viktor has his walls up sky high, but now.. it’s like he doesn’t care if I see. He’s not hiding it. Not from me.And I realise, not for the first time, that this.. was what he used to be afraid of.Letting me in.Letting me see him like this.Letting me be this close. What he used to consider TOO close.The way his body relaxes against mine. The soft murmur of his breath against my skin.It’s a kind of surrender.A trust he has never given anyone before.And it’s all mine.I want to ask him what he’s thinking, what he’s feeling. I want to know if he’s as lost in this as I am. If he feels the weight of it, the way everything in my chest seems to be swelling with something new, something deeper.But I can’t.Not yet.Not when everything feels so fragile and fresh after last night.So I stay quiet, letting the silence stretch just a little longer.Viktor shifts again, his fingers twitching slightly against my back. His brow furrows, lips parting just barely as he starts to stir. I know I should say something, maybe ease him awake gently. But I don’t want to break whatever this is.Then, slowly, his lashes flutter.Golden eyes, still heavy with sleep blink open and land on me.For a moment, he looks almost confused. Like he’s forgotten where he is. Like he’s forgotten that he’s the one holding me.And then, recognition settles.His grip doesn’t loosen.If anything, he pulls me closer.I feel my breath hitch.Viktor exhales slow and deep. His voice is hoarse with sleep when he finally murmurs.Viktor: Hm. You are warm.I huff out a breathless laugh, shifting just enough to raise a brow at him.Me: Yeah, no shit. You’ve got me in a death grip here, Vik.His lips quirk slightly, but he doesn’t let go. His thumb brushes another slow, absent minded stroke against my spine.Viktor: I am comfortable.Me: You’re smothering me.Viktor: Mm.He says it like that’s not his problem.I roll my eyes, pressing my forehead against his collarbone with a quiet sigh.Me: You know it’s two in the afternoon, right?Viktor hums again, clearly unbothered.Viktor: A nap, then.Me: A nap, he says. As if we didn’t just sleep the day away.I shake my head.Me: Do you know that we just slept for like eight hours?Viktor: And?Me: And if you don’t let me go, I’m going to die of heatstroke.At that, Viktor finally cracks one eye fully open, watching me with something close to amusement.Viktor: Dramatic.Me: Dehydrated.Viktor exhales a long and suffering sigh before finally, finally loosening his hold just enough for me to shift.Not enough to let me get up.Just enough to let me breathe.I don’t pull away completely.Neither does he.Viktor shifts just barely, like he’s already slipping back under, and I let my eyes slip shut too.Just for a little longer. Just until-A loud thump jolts the mattress.Followed immediately by an even louder, drawn out‘Mrowwwwwl.’I groan.Viktor groans.We both know exactly what’s coming.A second later, Clementine steps directly onto Viktor’s side, her full weight concentrated into one precise little paw. Viktor chokes out a quiet wheeze, his grip on me loosening just enough for me to lift my head.Me: Clem-Mrroww.She’s not listening.Of course she’s not.Her tail flicks once impatiently as she marches straight up to Viktor’s chest, staring him down like he is personally responsible for her current state of starvation.Viktor exhales sharply, cracking both eyes open.Viktor: Clementine.She sits. Stares. Yowls.Loud.Viktor winces.I poorly contain a laugh as Clementine leans in, pressing her nose directly against Viktor’s like she’s making absolutely sure he knows what she’s here for.Me: I think she wants breakfast.Viktor: It is past two o’clock.Clementine does not care.She headbutts his chin then promptly turns, flicking her tail right across his face before leaping onto the blanket in one fluid motion.She kneads at it twice, then fixes us both with an expectant stare.Viktor groans, dragging a hand down his face.Viktor: I am being harassed.Me: You are the one who started feeding her sardines at a specific time each day.Viktor: And I am beginning to regret it.Clementine yowls again, cutting through the quiet like a siren.Viktor sighs heavily, giving me one last look.One that practically radiates ‘help me.’I grin, stretching before finally sitting up.Me: C’mon. Let’s go feed your royal highness.Clementine purrs like she’s won, hopping off the bed and trotting toward the door. Her tail high in triumph.Viktor huffs, rolling onto his back.Viktor: This is ridiculous. Me: And yet, you are getting up.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Viktor grumbles under his breath but I can see the way his lips twitch like he’s holding back a reluctant smile.He stretches slowly before rubbing the heel of his palm over his eyes and finally forcing himself upright.His hair is a complete mess.It’s flattened on one side and sticking straight up on the other. It’s unfairly endearing.Clementine is VERY satisfied with our sudden compliance, waiting at the door with all of the imperious grace of a tiny dictator.Her tail flicks once. Impatient.I shake my head, pushing the blankets off and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. My limbs feel heavy. Like they’re reluctant to wake up properly but there’s something grounding about the warmth still lingering on my skin, the echoes of where Viktor had held me just moments ago.I flex my fingers absently, trying not to think too much about it. About how easy it had been to just be with him like that. About how much I already miss it.Viktor sighs dramatically beside me, rolling his shoulders before rising to his feet. He looks down at Clementine who stares right back up at him, unmoved by his theatrics.Viktor: You are very demanding for someone so small.Clementine flicks her tail and lets out a small meow to make a point.I bite back a laugh.Me: You did set this precedent, y’know.Viktor makes a vague, dismissive gesture at me as he shuffles toward the door. Muttering something in Czech that I don’t catch. Clementine trots ahead of him, clearly pleased with herself. I follow after them, stretching my arms overhead as I step into the warm afternoon light spilling through the hallway from the stained glass front door window.The apartment is quiet. The only sounds are the soft hum of the world outside and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards beneath our feet. It’s peaceful in a way that I don’t stop to appreciate nearly enough. It’s the kind of peace that comes from just existing in the same space as someone without needing to fill the silence.Viktor moves through the familiar motions of feeding Clementine, opening a can with practiced ease and scooping the fish into her bowl as she weaves around his ankles in anticipation. I lean against the counter, watching the way his fingers move. How careful and methodical the nature of them are. Even now, half asleep and grumbling, he’s always so precise.So calculated.So pretty.I don’t realise that I’m staring until he glances up at me, brow raising slightly.Viktor: You are quiet.Me: Just thinking.Viktor: Dangerous.I huff a laugh, shaking my head.Me: You’re the dangerous one.Viktor: Me?He gestures vaguely at himself, as if the very idea of him being anything other than a saint is completely absurd.I just smile, shaking my head as I reach for the coffee pot.Me: Don’t act all innocent. You tried to suffocate me less than 30 minutes ago.Viktor hums, clearly unrepentant.Viktor: You could have moved.Me: You had me in a chokehold.Viktor: It was a very comfortable chokehold.I roll my eyes, pouring the coffee into our mugs as Clementine purrs loudly at Viktor’s feet, finally satisfied.The easy back and forth. The warmth. The lingering weight of the morning. I don’t say it out loud, but I don’t need to.I could get used to this.And I suppose if I’m going to be moving in with him, I will be getting very used to this.The thought alone warms my bones more than the coffee I’m stirring.I gently place Viktors mug in front of him, letting my fingertips graze his as I pull my hand away.Viktor leans his hip against the counter, fingers curled loosely around his mug. He’s watching me. Not in a calculating way. Not in that sharp, assessing way he gets when he’s picking apart a problem in his mind. No, this is different. Softer. Like he’s cataloging something about me for himself.I meet his gaze over the rim of my mug, quirking a brow.Me: What?Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly.Viktor: Nothing.But his lips twitch and there’s something knowing in his expression, something smug, like he’s caught onto something I haven’t.I narrow my eyes at him.Me: Liar.Viktor just shrugs, taking an unbothered sip of coffee.Viktor: I am merely appreciating the moment.His voice is smooth. Undeniably casual. But I don’t miss the glint in his eyes.He’s teasing me.I scoff, shaking my head as I take a sip of my own coffee. It’s still too hot, but I don’t care.Me: You’re being weird.Viktor: I am always weird.Me: Yeah, but now you’re being weird AT me.Viktor smirks, clearly enjoying whatever silent joke he’s made at my expense.Viktor: You are overthinking.Me: And you’re being insufferable.Viktor hums again, unbothered. He sets his mug down before shifting closer to me. His fingers brush absently against the back of my hand as he passes, not quite holding it but not NOT holding either. Just enough to let me feel the warmth of him and the deliberate weight of his touch. Just enough to make my skin tingle in the places he grazes.I exhale slowly.It’s nothing.It’s everything.Viktor doesn’t even look back as he moves past me, like he hasn’t just set my nerves alight with the simplest touch. Like he doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing.I press my lips together, fingers tightening slightly around my mug as I watch him retreat toward the couch.Yeah.I am definitely getting used to this.I take a slow sip of my coffee, watching Viktor settle onto the couch like he owns the place. Which, okay, he does but still. He moves with that effortless confidence like he knows exactly where he belongs and exactly how to exist in his space without thinking about it.It’s unfairly attractive.He tilts his head back against the cushion, stretching out with a satisfied little sigh. His shirt rides up just slightly at the hem, exposing a sliver of bare skin above his waistband. My eyes catch on it before I can stop them. The lines of his hip bones and his snail trail are looking right back at me.And he is too.Viktor: You are staring again.I blink.Shit.He’s looking at me now with lazy amusement and knowing smugness. One brow raised, lips quirking like he’s caught me red handed.Which admittedly, he has.I school my expression, lifting my mug in an attempt to appear completely unbothered.Me: I have no idea what you’re talking about.Viktor hums, unconvinced.Viktor: Mm. Of course.He shifts, stretching again more deliberately this time, like he knows exactly what I was looking at and is just being a pain about it.I narrow my eyes.Me: You’re doing that on purpose.Viktor: Doing what?Me: That. The.. stretching.Viktor blinks at me innocently.Viktor: I am simply getting comfortable.Me: You are so full of shit.He smirks, feigning innocence once again.Viktor: You are very easily distracted.Me: I am not.Viktor: No?He shifts again, this time leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees, his gaze is sharp and interested in a way that makes my stomach tense.Viktor: Then tell me. What were you looking at, my not-easily-distracted Jayce?Me: ..The couch.Viktor: The couch.Me: Yep.Viktor: Fascinating.Me: It’s a very nice couch.Viktor exhales a quiet amused laugh, shaking his head. His fingers drum lightly against his knee but his gaze is still fixed on me. Still sharp and assessing.Viktor: You are terrible at lying.Me: And you are terrible at not being insufferable.Viktor hums, tilting his head slightly.Viktor: And yet, you still like me.My stomach does another flip.I scoff, turning back toward the kitchen with a roll of my eyes.Me: Debatable.Viktor: Mm.I don’t have to look at him to know he’s smirking.I can feel it.And worse?I can feel the way my own lips are twitching.Viktor watches me with that same lazy amusement. His eyes glinting in the afternoon light. He knows exactly what he’s doing.And unfortunately, he also knows exactly what it does to me.I take another sip of my coffee to stop myself from saying something ridiculous.Like how good he looks in this light.Or how I could very easily spend the rest of the day just watching him.Instead, I glance toward the clock on the wall.Me: It’s almost three o’clock.Viktor hums, unconcerned.Viktor: And?Me: And we’ve wasted most of the day.Viktor raises a brow.Viktor: You call it wasted. I call it well spent.My stomach squeezes at his words.I set my mug down carefully before I do something foolish like drop it because my hands have suddenly decided they do not want to work anymore.Viktor stretches again, this time rolling his shoulders. His movements are slow and easy. His shirt slips further up his stomach, exposing even more of that unfairly distracting sliver of skin. His hips are exposed and so is his tiny waist.I look.Of course I look.I hate myself for it.Viktor makes a quiet, pleased sound at the end of his stretch, completely oblivious to the war he is waging against my self restraint.Or worse.COMPLETELY aware.I drag a hand down my face, exhaling a slow breath before leveling him with a look.Me: You’re doing it again.Viktor: Doing what?He has the audacity to sound innocent.I point at him accusingly.Me: That. That whole thing. Being all.. comfortable and smug and-Viktor: Attractive?My brain short circuits. I stare at him.He smirks.I click my tongue, reaching for a pillow off the couch and lobbing it at him.He catches it. Easily. Because of course he does.Viktor: Ah, ah! Violence will not change the facts, Jayce.Me: You are the worst.Viktor: And yet.Me: Do NOT finish that sentence.Viktor smirks but thankfully, mercifully, he lets it go, tossing the pillow aside before settling back into the couch.Viktor: So. You wish to be productive with what remains of our day?I hesitate, glancing toward the window. The sun is already dipping lower, casting the apartment in a soft light.The thought of getting dressed and going out or really doing anything feels like too much effort.Besides.The way Viktor is watching me now like he has absolutely no intention of moving from that couch, like he’s waiting to see if I’ll actually drag him out of this apartment?Yeah.Not happening.Me: Actually, I think you were right.Viktor perks a brow.Me: It was well spent.His lips twitch.Viktor: Mm.Me: So we should probably just, y’know. Continue spending it well.Viktor tilts his head, studying me with that sharp gaze that always makes me feel like he’s seeing more than I’m saying.Viktor: And how do you propose we do that?The way he says it is low and edged with something dangerous. It sends heat curling through my stomach.I swallow, clearing my throat.Me: I dunno. Stay in. Exist in each other’s company. See where the evening takes us.Viktor smirks, clearly amused by my deliberately vague answer.Viktor: A thrilling proposal.Me: Well I AM full of great ideas. Obviously.Viktor: Mm.He shifts, reaching for his coffee and taking a slow sip.His eyes never leave mine.Viktor: We shall see.The hours pass in easy conversation. Just our quiet companionship and the occasional interruption from Clementine who has taken up her usual spot curled on the couch between us like some kind of tiny chaperone.But eventually, even the comfortable silence starts to drag.I shift, stretching my arms above my head before letting them fall limply to my sides.Me: Okay. I’m officially bored.Viktor hums, unbothered, still half draped over the arm of the couch like he has no problem sitting here for the next five hours doing absolutely nothing.Viktor: Then entertain yourself.Me: Wow. Great suggestion. Incredibly helpful. Thanks a lot, Vik.Viktor smirks slightly but doesn’t look up from where he’s idly twirling a pen between his fingers.Me: C’mon. Let’s do something.Viktor: Such as?I open my mouth.Pause.Okay. That’s a fair question.I glance around the apartment like an answer is just going to present itself to me.It does not.I groan, letting my head fall back against the couch dramatically.Me: I dunno. A game?Viktor hums again, considering.Then, slowly, a smirk pulls at his lips.Viktor: Poker?I freeze.Then immediately narrow my eyes.Me: Absolutely not.Viktor: What?Me: You’re way too good at card games.Viktor tilts his head, looking entirely too smug.Viktor: Afraid to lose?Me: No, I just don’t enjoy getting my ass handed to me.Viktor shrugs with an expression that says‘that sounds like a you problem.’Viktor: You should practice, then.Me: Oh, yeah, let me just magically get better at a game that requires skill and strategy and an actual brain.Viktor: I see. And you are lacking in all three?I gasp.Me: Rude.Viktor just smirks.I scowl, crossing my arms.I refuse to let him win this so easily.If I’m gonna lose at poker, I might as well make it interesting. I lean forward slightly, fixing him with a slow, deliberate look.Me: Fine.Viktor raises a brow.Me: But only if we play strip poker.Viktor stills.I watch the way his lips part slightly in surprise, his fingers faltering for just a second around the pen.Oh.Oh dear.That got his attention.I fight to keep my expression neutral.Viktor tilts his head, studying me like he’s trying to figure me out.Then, his lips curve.Slow.Dangerous.Viktor: Alright.My stomach flips.Wait..Me: Wait, seriously?Viktor hums completely unbothered, already pushing himself up from the couch.Viktor: I believe I have a deck of cards in my desk.Me: You’re.. actually agreeing?Viktor smirks over his shoulder as he walks toward his office.Viktor: You made the proposal, Jayce. Surely you are not already regretting it?Oh, I should regret it.I absolutely should.But the way he’s looking at me now?Like he knows exactly how this is going to end for me?Yeah.I’m fucked.Viktor disappears into his office and I sit there for a second, staring after him. Processing. Writing my mental eulogy.Okay.Okay.I was half joking.But he wasn’t.Oh, I’m in big trouble.I run a hand through my hair, shifting restlessly on the couch as I hear him rummaging through his desk.It’s fine.It’s fine.I mean, worst case scenario I lose and end up sitting here in my underwear while Viktor, who let’s be honest is probably some kind of card counting genius, stays fully dressed and smug as hell...Shit.That is absolutely how this is going to go.Before I can reconsider my entire life’s choices, Viktor reappears with a deck of cards in his hand.He flickers his gaze to me, eyes sharp with amusement like he already knows I’m having second thoughts.Viktor: Do not tell me you are nervous.Me: Pfft. Please. As if.Viktor’s smirk deepens.Oh, I hate that look.That’s a lie. I love that look. It just happens to terrify me right now.He moves easily, setting the deck on the coffee table before sinking back onto the couch beside me.Viktor: So. Shall we establish rules?Me: I mean, it’s poker, Viktor. The rules are kinda-Viktor: I meant the strip part, Jayce.I freeze.Oh.Okay.There is definitely something different in his tone now. Something very deliberate.Viktor watches me, his eyes gleaming as his fingers tap lazily against the deck of cards.I swallow.Me: Uh.Viktor smirks.Viktor: What? Having second thoughts?Me: Not at all.That’s a lie.A big lie.But I’ll be damned if I let him know that.I reach forward, snatching the deck of cards before he can do any of his fancy shuffling nonsense that’ll somehow guarantee my loss.Viktor raises an unimpressed brow as I fumble with the deck, attempting to shuffle in a way that definitely does not inspire confidence.Me: Okay, fine. Rules. One piece of clothing per round lost?Viktor: Acceptable.Me: Does jewelry count?Viktor: No.Damn.Me: Shoes?Viktor: No.Me: You just want me to be naked faster, huh?Viktor tilts his head, considering.Viktor: Yes.My brain short circuits at his blunt confession and..I drop the cards.Viktor laughs, seeing right through my nerves. It makes my cheeks and ears flush.I scramble to pick the cards back up, heat prickling at the back of my neck. Viktor leans back against the couch with one arm slung lazily over the backrest watching me fumble like a man with all the time in the world.Viktor: Already dropping things? We have not even begun.I shoot him a flat look, but it only makes his smirk grow.Me: You talk a big game, Vik. Let’s see if you can back it up.Viktor: Oh, I intend to.I swallow.Nope. Nope. Nope. That is absolutely not something I am prepared to deal with.I push through it, clearing my throat as I deal out our hands. My fingers still feel clumsy and I’m fairly certain I just gave Viktor the best hand of his life, but whatever. I’m committed now.We pick up our cards.Silence.I glance at him over the top of mine.He doesn’t even look at his hand. Just at me.I shift slightly.Me: You gonna check your cards or..?Viktor: I do not need to.Me: ..Why?Viktor tilts his head, amusement glinting in his eyes.Viktor: Because I am going to win regardless.Smug bastard.Me: Okay, you know what? Fine. Show me your hand then if you’re so confident.He does.And somehow..someway..he has three kings.I drop my jaw at him.Me: You’ve gotta be shitting me.Viktor: I assure you, I am not.Me: How?! I just shuffled-Viktor: Did you?His lips twitch.My eyes narrow.Me: You rigged the deck, didn’t you?Viktor: Would I do such a thing?Me: YES. YOU WOULD.Viktor shrugs.Viktor: Rules are rules, Jayce.I scowl.Viktor gestures vaguely at me.Viktor: Well?I sigh, dragging a hand down my face.I should not have suggested this game.Grumbling under my breath, I reach down and tug off my shirt, tossing it onto the floor beside us. I’ve never been more relieved to wear a button up shirt over my t shirt today of all days. Viktor barely looks at it before his gaze flicks right back to me.And suddenly I am very aware of the way his eyes darken just slightly.The way his head tilts.The way he looks like he likes what he sees already.My stomach flips.Oh.Oh, I am definitely not surviving this game.Viktor hums leaning forward slightly, elbow resting against his knee as he studies me. It’s not fair how he does that. How he can just look at me like he’s already won.I shift under his gaze, dragging my fingers through my hair as I try to keep my composure.Me: You’re enjoying this way too much.Viktor: Mm. Maybe.His smirk is slow, deliberate.Viktor: Would you like to fold?I scoff.Me: Nice try, but I’m not giving you an easy win.Viktor: Ah. So you are giving me a challenge?Me: I’m trying to.Viktor chuckles, tapping his fingers against the armrest in idle amusement.Viktor: Then by all means. Deal the next hand, Jayce.He knows I’m bad at this. He knows I have no chance of winning, and he’s relishing in it.Fine!Fine.I shuffle the deck making sure he doesn’t get a rigged hand this time, and deal out the cards.I glance at mine.Oh, come on.I’ve got nothing.For fucks sake.I school my expression quickly before Viktor can catch on. He picks up his cards, glancing at them briefly before looking at me again.Viktor: Well?Me: Well what?Viktor: You look nervous.Me: I’m not nervous.Viktor: No?Me: No.Viktor: Then why are you gripping your cards so tightly?I glance down. My knuckles are whiter than my food palette.Shit.I force my grip to loosen and straighten my shoulders.Me: Just play your hand, Vik.He does.And of course, he wins. Again.My head tilts back with a groan.Me: This is rigged. This is absolutely rigged.Viktor: You shuffled!Me: I think you’re cursing the deck or something.Viktor’s lips quirk.Viktor: I do not believe that is how probability works.I glare.He gestures toward me with a small wave of his fingers.Viktor: You know the rules, Jayce.Oh, he is really pushing it now.I sigh, dragging a hand down my face before reluctantly reaching for my belt. I pop the buckle and slip it free, tossing it aside with a clink.Viktor clicks his tongue softly, shaking his head.Viktor: Cowards move.Me: Excuse me?Viktor: That was a technicality. Barely counts.I blink.Then smirk.Me: Oh? You want me to up the stakes?Viktor raises a brow, but the glint in his eyes is unmistakable.Viktor: I am merely saying that if you are going to lose, at least make it interesting for me.Oh, he has to be doing this on purpose.I lean forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees as I meet his gaze.Me: You really think you can keep winning?Viktor: I know I can.Me: That’s a bold claim.Viktor: Mm. I am very confident.I glance at the deck. At him.And then, deliberately, I tug my socks off and toss them aside.Viktor’s eyes narrow.Viktor: You are stalling.Me: Oh, I’m just getting started.His gaze flickers over me, considering. Then-Viktor: Then deal, Jayce.I deal the next hand, my fingers moving with a bit more hesitation than before. This time, I’m not just playing for fun.Viktor’s eyes track my every move like he knows I’m about to fall into his trap. I can feel the weight of the moment in air between us. His gaze lingers, sharp and calculating but there’s something else there. Something more.. hungry. It’s the way his lips curl just slightly, like he’s savouring the game more than the actual cards we’re playing with.I catch myself staring back a little too long. I break it quickly focusing on my cards, but the heat creeping up my neck won’t go away.Me: You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?Viktor doesn’t even pretend to be surprised. He just gives a slow, smug smile.Viktor: You could say that.I roll my eyes and throw my cards down.Another lost round.But this time, I don’t care about the cards. I care about the way Viktor is looking at me now.It’s a challenge. He’s daring me to do more.Me: I should’ve known I’d never win. This is like your natural habitat or something.Viktor smirks, tapping his fingers against his knee as he leans back a little, stretching casually.Viktor: I do enjoy a good game.I can tell he’s holding back a laugh, probably because he knows where this is going.Me: Alright, fine. You win. But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly.I push off the couch and step closer to him, my eyes meeting his. I can feel the tension in the room shift. The playful teasing giving way to something else.I slide my shirt off, watching Viktor’s reaction. His eyes flicker over me. Quick but unmistakably appreciative. His breath catches slightly, but he doesn’t say anything. He just watches, waiting for me to make the next move.Viktor: So, you are finally making this interesting after all.I raise an eyebrow, leaning in just a little closer.Me: I told you. I’m not just going to fold this time.Viktor’s smirk widens and he leans forward, setting his own cards down. He shifts slightly, his body language suddenly much more deliberate.Viktor: Well, let us see how long that lasts.He stands slowly, his gaze never leaving mine, and I have a brief second to appreciate how.. dangerous this is. The game has changed completely. It’s no longer about cards. It’s about the space between us and the quiet hum of tension.I feel the air between us thicken. The playful challenge replaced by something more raw, more intense.I don’t back down.Instead, I move to stand directly in front of him, my chest pressing lightly against his.I can feel the warmth radiating off of him in the same steady, familiar rhythm of his heartbeat. It’s enough to send a shiver down my spine. But I don’t break the gaze between us. Not yet.Me: Your move, Viktor.Viktor’s eyes darken slightly, the corners of his lips curling up again in that maddening, infuriating way.Viktor: I think I am going to enjoy this.And with that, he pulls his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, dropping it to the floor.It’s a challenge.He’s daring me to do something now, to respond. To make it real.And damn, I think I just might.I hold my breath for a second, the tension thick and almost suffocating. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest in a mix of anticipation and something darker, something more primal. Viktor’s gaze never leaves mine, but now it’s sharper. There’s a hunger in his eyes that makes me feel both exposed and electrified at the same time.I try to steady myself but it’s hard to focus when every part of me is hyper aware of the way he’s standing. Broad shouldered, chest rising and falling in slow, deliberate breaths, skin within an arms reach just enough to remind me that I’m playing with fire.I take a slow step forward, my fingers trailing lightly over his arm as I move. He doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t even blink. He’s watching me like he’s waiting for me to make the next move. Like he knows how this is going to go and he’s enjoying the anticipation.Me: You know, for someone so confident you seem a little.. unsure.Viktor raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by my challenge. He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning back slightly.Viktor: You are testing me, Jayce. I can see it.I don’t reply immediately. Instead, I reach down to tug at the waistband of my pants. Just enough to make the movement slow and deliberate, watching him all the while.His eyes follow the motion. His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t say a word. He’s trying to play it cool but I can see the way his fingers twitch, the slight tension in his posture.Me: You’re not going to back out now, are you?Viktor’s lips curl into a smile but it’s not one of amusement. It’s a challenge. He uncrosses his arms and takes a step closer to me, His breath warm against my neck when he leans in, just a fraction of an inch away from touching.Viktor: I never back out.I inhale sharply, the heat from his body engulfing me. The space between us is electric now. Charged with the kind of intensity I can’t ignore.I’m no longer playing the game.The cards are forgotten, tossed aside in favour of something much more important and much more exhilarating.I take a deep breath, my eyes flicking to his lips and I know what I’m about to do.With a deliberate motion, I pull my pants off and kick them to the side.Viktor’s gaze sharpens, but he doesn’t look away this time. He steps forward, closing the distance. His hand resting lightly on the small of my back, pulling me into him in a way that leaves no room for doubt about his intentions.I smile, feeling the heat of the moment wrap around us like a thick, heavy fog.Me: Now, let’s see if you can keep up, Vik.His eyes flicker with something wild and untamed, before he crashes his lips to mine in a kiss that erases everything else.It’s not soft or slow. It’s desperate.Hungry.Like we’ve both been waiting for this moment without even realising it.The game is over.And now, all that’s left is us.The kiss deepens. The intensity building as Viktor pulls me closer. His hands are firm and urgent, mapping every inch of my skin like he’s been starved for it. There’s no hesitation now, no more games. It’s just the heat between us, the overwhelming pull of it.My breath hitches as I pull away for a split second, trying to steady myself but Viktor doesn’t give me much space. His lips trail along my jaw and down my neck, sending sparks through every nerve. I can feel the steady beat of his heart against mine, thumping in sync like we’re tethered together.I let out a raspy moan.Me: Viktor..He murmurs something quiet in response. His voice is rough, like he’s barely holding on to control. I’m about to say something else, but I don’t get the chance. His hands are on me again, pressing me back against the nearest surface. The cool of the wall meets my back, but it doesn’t cool the fire spreading through me. It only amplifies it.Viktor’s gaze locks onto mine as his hand moves to my chest, tracing the line of my collarbone with the lightest touch, teasing. His thumb brushes against my skin and I feel my breath catch, my body responding to every move he makes.Viktor: You like this, do you?His voice is low, and the smug satisfaction in it makes me want to kiss him until I can’t breathe.Me: I like everything about this.Viktor’s lips twitch and for a moment, I see the Viktor I know. The one who’s both teasing and relentless. He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear.Viktor: Then let us make sure we do not stop.I don’t need any more encouragement.Every part of me is awake now. Every sense is hyper aware of him. His touch. His scent. The sound of his voice. All of it pulls me further into this moment, until it’s the only thing that exists.My heart pounds louder than the world outside, and I can’t help but smile against his lips as I wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer.Viktor kisses me like he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment. Like if he lets go, I’ll slip through his fingers. His grip on my waist tightens as his body presses flush against mine, like he can’t stand even a sliver of distance between us. And honestly? Neither can I.I barely get the chance to catch my breath before he’s on me again, his lips dragging over my throat and his teeth grazing it just enough to send a sharp jolt down my spine. My hands find his shoulders and his back. I grip him hard, nails digging in as if I need to ground myself.He’s pulling me under, and I want to drown in him.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Mm?His voice is so smug and so satisfied, but there’s an edge of something darker beneath it. Something desperate, almost needy. I don’t even have to see his face to know his pupils are blown wide, his golden eyes dark with want.Me: You’re-I gasp as he shifts against me, and my brain short circuits.Me: So mean.His lips twitch against my jaw, warm breath fanning over my skin.Viktor: Am I?I don’t even have time to answer before he tilts my chin up, claiming my lips again. Deeper this time. Hotter. Messier, like he’s lost all the patience he had left.His fingers slip beneath the waistband of my boxers. Not quite touching, just teasing. My whole body shudders at the implication of his touch alone.Me: You.. You play so dirty.Viktor hums, nipping at my bottom lip.Viktor: I learned from the best.I groan, tilting my head back as his mouth trails lower. My pulse is racing. The heat coiling tight in my stomach. My body is already reacting to every little touch, every lingering press of his lips. It’s like he’s unraveling me piece by piece and he knows it.Me: Viktor, I swear to God-Viktor: Swearing already? My, I must be doing something right.I grip his hair, tugging just enough to make him gasp. His reaction sends another rush of heat through me.Oh. He likes his hair being pulled, does he?I’ll remember that.Me: Shut up and keep doing it, then.He laughs but it’s breathless. Wrecked, like he’s barely holding on. His breath is hot against my mouth. His hands gripping at my sides like he’s anchoring himself. Like if he lets go, he’ll lose himself completely.And I want him to.I want him to let go.Me: You’re not playing fair.Viktor exhales a slow, shaky breath, his lips quirking like he’s amused, but his eyes.God, his eyes are dark.Viktor: I was never playing fair.His voice is lower now. Rougher. It sends a full body shiver down my spine. He watches the way I react. His fingers flexing against my ribs like he wants to remember every inch of me, memorise the way I feel beneath his hands.I swallow hard, my head tilting back against the wall. My entire body buzzes with the heat of him, the weight of him, the way he’s looking at me like I’m something precious.Me: Vik-Viktor: Tell me what you want.It’s barely a whisper, but it knocks the breath out of me.He’s so close.So steady.But his grip tells a different story. His fingers tighten just slightly, like he’s holding himself back.Like he’s waiting for me.I can feel my pulse in my throat.Me: You. I want you.Viktor moves fast. Faster than I expect.One second I’m pinned beneath him against a wall, burning alive under the weight of his stare. And the next, I’m being dragged.His hands are firm but careful, guiding me and shifting me where he wants me until my back meets the cushions of the couch. He’s hovering over me, braced between my thighs, his breath already unsteady.Viktor: More comfortable.His voice is rough, but there’s something deliberate in the way he settles against me. Like he’s choosing to slow down. To stretch this moment out. To savour it.But I can see it in his eyes.The barely leashed restraint.The way his fingers twitch against my hips like he’s holding himself back from just taking me right here, right now.I swallow, my hands sliding up and curling around the back of his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin and the tension in his muscles.Me: Are you always this bossy?Viktor hums, tilting his head as his lips ghost just above mine.Viktor: Only when I know what I want.My breath catches, my grip tightening. His weight presses me deeper into the cushions in a slow, torturous push closer, his mouth hovering over me, teasing.Me: And what do you want?His lips brush against mine, just barely. Just enough to make me chase after it, desperate for more.Viktor: You.And then, he kisses me.Slow.Deep.Consuming.Like he’s got all the time in the world to ruin me.I gasp against his mouth, and Viktor drinks it in.He kisses me like he’s memorising every shift and every sound. Like he’s savouring the way I fall apart beneath him.I tug him closer, my nails scratching lightly against the nape of his neck. He shivers. His breath stutters just barely before he tightens his grip. His hands slide up my sides, tracing heat into my skin.Me: You’re-The words barely form before Viktor tilts my head, deepening the kiss and stealing whatever thought I was about to have.His tongue flicks against mine just once, teasing, and I moan, arching into him. He swallows the sound greedily, pressing me further into the cushions, like he wants me closer. Like the press of our bodies isn’t enough.It’s dizzying.Overwhelming.And yet-Viktor slows.His mouth softens against mine, dragging and lingering until he’s barely kissing me at all. Just breathing against my lips.His fingers flex against my ribs, smoothing down over my stomach in a careful trace. His forehead drops against mine and I can feel his heart hammering just as wildly as mine is.Viktor: We should-His breath is shaky and his voice lower than before, rough with restraint.Me: We should what?I don’t mean for it to sound as desperate as it does, but Viktor smirks. His hands slide lower, teasing at my waistband but he doesn’t push further.Viktor: Pace ourselves.I blink up at him. My mind still swimming and my body still burning.Me: Pace ourselves..?Viktor nods, though he doesn’t move. Doesn’t pull away. If anything, his fingers tighten slightly at my waist like he’s just barely keeping himself from changing his mind.I exhale sharply, dragging my own hand down and curling my fingers around his wrist.Me: That’s the worst idea you have ever had.Viktor laughs. Low and breathy, eyes flickering with amusement before they darken again, molten and hungry.Viktor: Perhaps.His lips brush against mine in just a ghost of a kiss, a lingering promise.Viktor: But you are far too fun to tease.I stare at Viktor as he smirks, a glint flickers in his eyes that makes something coil low in my stomach.He’s got that look again.The one that tells me he’s got something planned, something more than I’m prepared for. His voice drops lower and quieter, like he’s sharing a secret just for me.Viktor: I have a fun idea.Before I can even respond, he’s pulling me towards the bedroom. His hand is warm in mine but his grip is steady and urgent as he guides me through the door.The world outside doesn’t exist anymore.Just us.When we reach the bed, Viktor stops, giving me a look.Viktor: Lie down.It’s a command, but there’s no harshness to it.He’s not forcing me but I know better than to argue. I lay back, the sheets are cool against my skin and my heart is already pounding a little faster in anticipation.Viktor steps back and I watch as he moves to his dresser, pulling open a drawer.I know very well by now what drawer that is.I swallow. Hard.There’s a quiet rustling sound before he turns around, holding something small in his hand.It’s smooth, sleek, and shaped like a ring with a thin adjustment mechanism on the side.Viktor: This-He holds it up, eyes gleaming.Viktor: Is something I made. A prototype.I frown, confused.Me: What is it?Viktor’s lips curl into a playful smile as he steps closer, that familiar heat in his gaze. He lifts the ring up, fingers brushing mine as he holds it just in front of me.Viktor: Put it on.I blink, trying to process.Me: Wait.. this is a big ring, Vik. where exactly am I.. putting this?The question hangs in the air for a second before Viktor’s eyes darken just slightly.A shift in the air. A subtle warning. His voice drops to a low rasp.Viktor: You know exactly where, Jayce. Do not make me ask again. That is a warning.I swallow hard. His gaze is unwavering, demanding. I feel like I don’t have much of a choice in the matter.I hesitate for just for a second, then I comply.I slip the ring on.Viktor watches me closely, and I feel the heat of his glare as he takes in the motion. I can feel the weight of the moment in the air as I adjust it, and I can’t help but wonder what exactly he has in mind.Viktor: Good. Now.He leans in, his breath warm against my skin as he hovers just inches above me. His lips brush across my forehead, soft and slow, before he pulls back slightly.Viktor: You are going to help me conduct an experiment. It is a test of your resilience. And your discipline. And a touch of trivia to keep it exciting.I feel a thrill run through me. A strange mix of excitement and nervousness, but my curiosity is piqued.Me: Resilience? Trivia? This should be easy peasy.I flash him a sly smile trying to sound confident, but I can tell from the way his eyes darken that I might have underestimated him. Viktor tilts his head, an amused smile tugging at his lips.Viktor: Is that so?Before I can respond, he presses a button on the small remote he’s holding and suddenly, the ring I’m wearing begins to vibrate. Softly at first, but with a pulse that sends a shock straight to my core.I gasp, letting out an involuntary moan. The sudden sensation catches me off guard, my breath hitching as the vibrations intensify just slightly. Viktor watches me carefully, waiting for my reactions with that same dark glint in his eyes.Viktor: Let us see how long you last. Answer me this-He hovers just above my lips, the heat of his breath tantalizingly close.Viktor: What is the capital of Italy?The question is so casual and so normal, but I can barely concentrate. The vibrations running through me distracts me to my core. I’ve never used anything that vibrates before so the sensation is brand new. And fuck it feels good.I try to steady my breath. Try to focus, but it’s harder than I thought.Viktor knows it’s going to take everything I have to keep my composure.I shift slightly, my lips parting to respond.Me: Rome.Viktor’s eyes flash with approval but the moment I answer, the vibrations get stronger.The pressure in my chest builds and I can feel myself fighting to stay still, to focus, but my body betrays me as I gasp.Viktor watches with that same quiet intensity, his hand resting on the bed next to me.Viktor: Good boy. But that was too easy. Let us make this a little.. harder.He leans in closer, brushing his lips over mine again, a teasing whisper before he pulls back.Viktor: Who wrote ‘Pride and Prejudice’?I try to force myself to answer but I can barely manage the words without breaking. The vibrations press deeper now. More relentless. I can feel every nerve in my body electrified, straining. Twitching.I’m rock hard and my dick is throbbing already.Viktor watches me, unblinking. Like he’s waiting for me to crack. He doesn’t say much as he watches me struggle. His silence is more tormenting than any sarcastic words could be.His gaze never leaves my face. His fingers tighten around the remote as the soft buzzing continues, growing stronger and more insistent with each passing second.I try to focus on the question he just asked, but everything feels like it’s slipping away. The vibrations are so intense now that I can barely catch my breath, my chest heaving in time with the pulses. I didn’t hear the question but it has something to do with the periodic table.. I think.Shit. I need to say something.Me: Sulfur?Viktor watches me for a long moment, his lips quirked slightly.Viktor: Wrong.He presses the button again and the vibrations surge stronger, sending a jolt through me. I gasp, my back arching slightly, and I can’t help moan.I open my mouth to try and answer, but my thoughts are scattered. The question is gone, lost to the haze of sensation flooding my body. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, trying to regain some control but the vibrations won’t stop, won’t let me focus.Viktor is silent again. His eyes are dark, intense. He doesn’t need to say a word to make me feel the weight of his gaze.I finally manage a half hearted answer, my voice shaky, but I know it’s still wrong.Me: hah… um.. Iron?Viktor’s lips curl in a barely there smile.Viktor: Wrong again.He presses the button again. The vibrations grow stronger and relentless now.My breathing quickens and my body betrays me, shifting and trembling with the intensity of it.I can’t think.I can’t remember.It’s like my mind is blank, just a fog of heat and sensation and desperation to cum.Viktor leans closer, his thumb hovering over the button. He waits for a second, letting me struggle, watching the flush spread across my skin.The vibrations intensify again, making my body jump. I bite my lip, trying to steady my breathing, but it’s getting harder to keep it together.I want to say something, anything, but I can’t form the words. My chest is tight. My body is caught in the thrumming waves of the device.Viktor’s silence is the most cruel part. He doesn’t push me to answer. He doesn’t say anything at all, just watches, waiting for me to falter.And falter I do.Me: I- fuck, I don’t know..Viktor’s eyes glint with something dark, but he doesn’t say a word. He just presses the button again and the vibrations intensify to an almost unbearable level.I gasp, my hands gripping the sheets as my body shudders. It’s becoming harder to breathe, to think, to do anything but feel.It feels amazing. It’s unreal. I need more.I meet Viktors gaze with what I can only imagine is a pathetic expression.Something inside of him snaps and I see it.He presses the remote one last time and throws it across the room, reaching for me and planting both hands on my throat. He grinds his hips into mine and I watch as he tips his head back. The vibrations run through both of us. He lets out a raspy moan, letting his mouth fall open.Fuck.This is so hot.I’m still wearing my boxers and he’s still wearing his pants. This won’t do.Me: Viktor.Viktor: Jayce.Me: You’re still wearing your pants. You’d be able to feel a lot more if you weren’t. Just saying.He clicks his tongue and huffs, tugging his pants down so we’re both just in our boxers.I don’t know why the sight of him like this makes me blush still. He’s just so pretty.Viktor: Happy?I try to form a thought but I struggle. The ring is vibrating so hard I’m almost incoherent. I reach down and loosen it, taking it off completely.My body lets out a visible sigh of relief.I had about 45 seconds in me before I was going to cum. Thank god.I look at Viktor and he is not happy. Like, REALLY pissed.Viktor: Did I say you could take that off?Shit.I need to think of something clever. Now.I swallow hard.Me: Your experiment is flawed, Vik. We can’t continue like this.He perks up at this, folding his arms and raising his eyebrows at me like I don’t have a choice but to continue with my thought.Me: You don’t have a point of reference or anything else to compare these statistics to. And what kind of inventor doesn’t sample their own hard work?I grin. He narrows his eyes at me. I continue.Me: All I’m saying is, you talk a big game for someone who hasn’t shown me what true resilience looks like.He bares his teeth at me, snatching the ring from my fingers.Viktor: You are insufferable.He took the bait.The second Viktor slides the ring on, his expression changes. I see his breath hitch and his pulse throb in his jugular.It’s so hot.Me: There you are. There’s my Vik.I lean over him, planting my hands either side of his shoulders. His entire body reacts to the shift in our position.Me: So pretty, look at you.He scoffs, tipping his head to the side as the vibrations take over his body.Viktor: You are-He lets out a moan, arching his back.Viktor: Tampering with the experiment results.I laugh, planting a kiss on his jaw.Me: Viktor, respectfully. I don’t give a shit about the experiment.I grip his chin in my hand and lick his bottom lip. He moans against my mouth and I take the opportunity to find his tongue when it opens.His hands move up to my back, scratching deep marks into my skin. I moan and grind my hips into his, feeling the vibrations from his ring on my dick through the fabric of our boxers.Fuck. It feels so good. No wonder this drove him crazy.I don’t get too lost in the moment, my mind is distracted on the fact that I never seem to win anything.It’s eating at me.It’s hurting my pride.I need him to lose something for once.I need to knock him down a peg.I know what I need to do.I leave a trail of hungry kisses and bites from his neck to his hips, licking hungrily at his waistband.Viktor reaches for me, knowing that I’m about to ruin this ‘experiment’ completely. I gently swat his hand away, continuing my plan.I tug down his boxers, exposing the ring in action.Fuck he looks good like this.I can see how much his dick is throbbing from the overstimulation.My turn.Before he can oppose, I pop him into my mouth, swirling my tongue around his tip in a slow, deep motion.His breath hitches and he lets out a loud moan, his hand flying up to cover his mouth.I smirk, letting my tongue wrap around him more and more. The ring vibrates in my mouth but I don’t let it bother me.I let some of my spit drip down his dick, my hand catching it, slowly rubbing it up and down his length while I lick hungrily at his tip.Viktor bucks his hips, pushing his dick deeper into my mouth, desperate for more of my hot wet tongue.I moan instinctively, sucking softly on his tip.My free hand traces up to his nipple, playing with it teasingly.Viktors moans get more high pitched. He does this when he’s close. It’s one of the best sounds ever.I pop him out of my mouth but my hand doesn’t stop stroking him.Me: You gonna cum for me, Vik?I look up at him and he’s an absolute mess.His hair is tangled. His pupils are blown. Strands of spit trickle down the side of his mouth.I could watch him like this for hours.He bites his lip and nods his head, letting out more high pitched moans.Viktor: Please..He doesn’t need to ask twice.I plant both of my hands on his hips, pulling all of him into my mouth. My lips reach the ring and the vibrations tickle my nose, but I barely notice.My senses are completely flooded by Viktors moans and twitches under me.I can’t think.I can’t breathe.All I can do is treat my throat as his personal fuck toy. And I can’t lie, I wish I could do that all the time.My tongue grips around him harder, moving up and down in faster strokes.Viktor: Fuck, Jayce. Please, baby I need this.I don’t need to give him a response, my tongue does a good enough job of that.I moan, taking every inch of him in my throat.I don’t need to breathe as much as I need him to cum. I’d rather pass out than let him win something else.His breath hitches. He starts panting faster.Finally.His hands reach down and push on my head before I can brace myself, making me take him deeper and harder. My tongue works its way along his dick one final time before he fills my mouth up, shooting a hot load down my throat.I feel him twitch underneath me as his body recovers from climaxing so hard. I swallow, taking him out of my mouth and wiping my lips.I take another look up at him.He’s a panting, blushing mess.I shift so we’re facing eachother before I pull him into my chest. He lets out a breathless laugh, tangling our legs together like it’s second nature.Viktor: You play dirty.I smirk.Me: Couldn’t let you win another game, Vik. I had to protect my pride.He clicks his tongue, nuzzling his face into my chest.Viktor: You do not have any pride left. And if you do, I will make sure I take it from you one way or another.I smile, planting a kiss into his hair.Me: You know, I really don’t doubt that.He wraps his arms around my torso, in a tight, clingy squeeze.Viktor: Good. It is smart not to doubt me.I play with his hair softly, letting the tenderness of the moment wash over me.Me: You’re so pretty, Viktor.He huffs out a tiny laugh.Viktor: Pretty..I massage tiny circles into his hair, warranting a small hum of satisfaction from him.Me: VERY pretty, actually.He laughs again, planting a soft kiss on my chest. Viktor: I love you, Jayce. My heart throbs in my chest. Me: And I love you, Vik.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Viktor makes a small, disgruntled noise against my shoulder which only makes me grin wider.Me: You know, for all that talk about my discipline and willpower..I let the words hang, teasing him while my fingers trace slow, absentminded patterns against his back. He exhales sharply but it’s lazy. He's too drained to argue.Viktor: Shut up.Me: I’m just saying. Didn’t even last-Viktor: Shut. Up.I laugh, tipping my head back against the pillows, but my point has already been made. Viktor shifts against me, grumbling something incoherent before settling against my skin, warm and exhausted.His breath evens out embarrassingly fast.And before I can process it..He’s dead asleep again.Me: Oh, come on. It’s barely four in the afternoon. You’ve been sleeping like a bear today, Vik.No response.I tilt my head, just enough to get a look at him.Sure enough, he’s already out cold.Dead weight.One arm draped over me in a way that makes it very clear that he has no intention of moving.I shake my head, carefully untangling myself from the mess of limbs and blankets. As much as I’d love to just stay here pressed against him, I don’t fancy waking up in a sweat puddle again.Plus, this gives me a great excuse to explore the tiny details of Viktors apartment that I haven’t seen yet. It’s important, I need to see what I’m going to be moving into, after all.It’s not snooping!It’s totally snooping..I pull on a pair of sweatpants, padding quietly out of the bedroom and into the hallway.It’s the first time I’ve really had an opportunity to look at the place. The first time I’ve taken in all the little pieces that make up Viktor outside of the moments he’s spent beside me and the details I could pick up from the hallway.The stacks of books continue past where I’ve already seen. They are everywhere.But it’s the study that really draws me in. The one he draws his pictures in. I’ve been inside before but I haven’t really looked AT anything in particular.It’s tucked away, the door is cracked just enough to let the afternoon light spill in.I take a step inside where I notice that everything is just a little more deliberate. It’s still cluttered, but it’s organised in a way that makes sense to him.I look around, taking in the art on his walls. He has a painting of Ophelia on the wall along with multiple specimens of pinned beetles and cicadas. It makes sense for him. To enjoy preserved beauty even after it’s long left this world.My eyes keep wandering, noticing stacks of different things in all different corners and crevices.And in the corner, his PC.I pause, staring at it because it hits me all at onceThis is where he plays from.This is where he built everything.For me.There’s a chair pulled up to the desk with a couple of books stacked beside the keyboard. These ones aren’t novels or Encyclopaedias though. They’re journals.I hesitate for only a second before reaching for one, flipping it open. I shouldn’t be in here and I definitely shouldn’t be looking through his belongings.. but there’s still so much I don’t understand about him and I most likely never will.I look at the first page and..It’s.. coding.Most of it is indecipherable to me, just pages of numbers and symbols. But there are a few words that catch my eye. Words I do recognise.Warmlight.Outfitchange.ChampagneSupernova.The world he made for me.My chest tightens, fingers running over the ink like touching it will somehow make it more real.The attention to detail he put into that world transcended just his brain and a keyboard. He wanted to remember and to make sure I did too. How many times did he code something that didn’t work if he mortalised some of it in ink?I swallow, setting the book down carefully before reaching for another.This one isn’t like the first.It isn’t full of code.It’s a diary.I open it, my pulse kicking up as I read the first few lines. I definitely, DEFINITELY should NOT be reading this.And yet.Day 1 : I regretfully found a reason to stay today. It is a person. He is frustratingly charismatic. He talks too much. Jokes too much. He is distracting. He is aloof. He is.. interesting. And he thinks that I am too. This marks day one of testing this sign from the universe. I am silently hoping this is a temporary solution. However, I am feeling strange and unsure if he is the reason I have been looking for. I will update this log when I am more certain. For now, he wishes to speak again. I have told him that he can if he remembers. This will be the hypothesis I am testing.I huff under my breath, shaking my head. That sounds about right. It’s strange seeing his words written out like this. He doesn’t talk like that anymore. It’s like I can see how high his walls were in that moment through the page.But as I turn the pages, the entries shift.Day Three : He remembered. He actually remembered. He is impossibly stubborn. Annoyingly so. But.. he listens. He really listens. No one ever does that. He does not just listen, he understands. He has input to my speeches. He LISTENS. He is.. quite brilliant. He makes me think during the time I do not spend speaking with him. That is unusual for me. I do not trust anyone, but I am starting to want to let him in. Jayce.I blink, my throat suddenly dry.Day Four : These entries keep coming sooner and sooner, it appears. He made me laugh today. I did not expect that. I never expect that. He wanted to know more about me, which I do not tell easily. He noticed exactly that. And he still insisted on trying. He wanted to know my coffee order. Coffee. The most meaningless but most personal detail he could assure that I would tell him. And I did. It felt good telling him something about me that could not hurt me. I fear the plaster in my walls is being chipped off slowly by this gentle giant. Be still, my aching heart. Jayce drinks Caramel Frappuccinos with extra drizzle and extra whipped cream. Disgusting. Endearing. Perhaps this overload of sweetness will balance out the bitterness I radiate. We shall see. I exhale slowly, flipping ahead. Day Fourteen : I think I am in trouble. Every day feels brighter than the last. I looked at myself in the mirror today and I no longer recognise the man i am. I have smile lines. Crows feet. Evidence of a life filled with laughter. I do not recognise this man who smiles, but I am learning to enjoy being him. Thanks to Jayce. It is all thanks to him. My stomach twists. I flip another ten pages. Day Twenty Three : If he ever knew-The ink trails off, the sentence unfinished.I stare at it for a long time, my heart pounding.Then, carefully, I close the journal.I sit there for a moment just staring at the cover of the journal like it might burn me if I touch it again.It’s too much.It’s too much and yet somehow not enough.Like I’ve caught glimpses of something I was never meant to see but now that I have, I don’t know how to look away.I swallow, my throat tight, my fingers tapping restlessly against my knee. My gaze drifts back to his PC and to the coding journal still open on the desk. I run my tongue over my teeth, considering.I could turn it on.I could step into that world he built with his own hands and see it from his perspective, not just through the lens of a visitor but through the eyes of its creator.But something stops me.It feels like I’ve already taken enough.Read too much.Learned more than I was supposed to in one sitting.And maybe deep down, I want him to show me himself.I exhale, shaking my head as I push myself up from the chair and closing the journal carefully before setting it back exactly where I found it.No evidence.No proof that I’d been here.Just as I turn to leave, something catches my eye.The drawer in Viktor’s desk is slightly open, just enough to reveal the edge of something colourful. It’s out of place in the sea of muted books and coding journals.Curiosity gets the better of me.I step back toward the desk, fingers hooking into the small gap to pull it open just enough to see inside.Cards. A small bundle of them. Neatly stacked.I frown, carefully pulling them out. They’re not playing cards, not note cards.Birthday cards.There aren’t many. Five, maybe six, all of them a little worn at the edges like they’ve been handled more than once.I flip through them slowly, scanning the names. Most aren’t familiar. There’s one from Sky.Then I get to one that stands out.The handwriting is messier, scrawled in blue ink across the inside of the card.‘Another year older huh? blah blah, you know the drill. Hope you enjoy your combined Birthmas card because let’s be honest, who is born on December 29th? no one is getting you two separate cards. I’m starting to think that your parents hated you since you were born between two massive public holidays. Anyways, enjoy!’The card isn’t signed with a persons name. It’s almost written as if it was an afterthought.But that’s not what catches my attention.December 29th.I inhale sharply.Viktor never told me his birthday.Never even hinted at it.And it’s next month.I press my lips together, sliding the cards carefully back into the drawer exactly as I found them, my mind already racing.There’s no way in hell I’m letting him have another birthday go uncelebrated.Not when I know this now.A slow grin pulls at my lips as I leave the study as immaculately untouched as I entered it.Alright.I’ve got some planning to do. I make my way back to the bedroom with slow steps. My mind is already spinning with ideas.It has to be something good. Something he won’t expect.Something that makes up for the fact that he’s definitely spent his entire life up until now letting this day slip by like it doesn’t matter.Because it does.He does.Viktor deserves to be celebrated whether he thinks so or not.I push open the door quietly, expecting to see him exactly how I left him. dead to the world, tangled in blankets, arm flung across my side of the bed.But as soon as I step in, I know something’s different.Viktor stirs, shifting onto his back and blinking up at the ceiling like he’s just now dragging himself out of sleep.His hair is a mess. His shirt is wrinkled. There’s a crease on his cheek from where he was pressed into the pillow. He blinks again, slow and unfocused, then turns his head towards me.Viktor: You were gone.His voice is hoarse with sleep, soft around the edges in a way that makes my chest ache.Me: Yeah. I didn’t go far though you big baby.He hums, eyes slipping closed again.Viktor: Hm.A pause.Viktor: Come back.It’s not a request. Not really. More of an expectation. Like he already knows I will.And yeah. Yeah, I will.I grin, shaking my head as I cross the room.Me: You gonna stay awake this time? Or do I have to time my return for your next hibernation cycle?His brow furrows, but it’s barely there. Just the faintest crease before he exhales heavily, too exhausted to fire back with anything more than a quiet, unimpressed word.Viktor: Insufferable.I laugh, slipping back under the covers and feeling the warmth of him immediately seep back into my skin.Viktor shifts towards me without hesitation, like gravity itself is pulling him in.Like I belong here.And yeah. I do.Viktor shifts against me, warm and somehow still exhausted. exhaling softly in his sleep.I’ve been lying here for maybe ten minutes now pressed up against him again because apparently I have no willpower.But I can’t stop thinking about it.December 29th.Viktor’s birthday.He never told me. Not once. And that’s not an accident.My fingers brush absently against his back, feeling the slow and steady rise and fall of his breathing.He’s so careful with the things he shares.I know that.I’ve always known that.But I know this now.And I can’t just ignore it.My mind is already racing ahead, pulling together ideas and filing away every little thing I know about him. What he likes, what he doesn’t, what would make him feel special without making him uncomfortable.Because I know him.I know what he’s like.If I make too big a deal out of it, he’ll deflect. He’ll brush it off. He’ll recluse and shut down.I have to be smart about this.I smirk a little to myself, pressing my forehead lightly against his.My mind is already too deep in it. Already cycling through possibilities and working out exactly how I’m going to pull this off without being too much.I could start simple.Figure out what kind of cake he actually likes. The only cake I’ve ever seen him eat or talk about was the red velvet one he burnt and we revived. But is that his favourite? Or is that just a memory we have together now?Then there’s the gift.It has to be meaningful.Personal.Something he wouldn’t buy for himself but would secretly love. Maybe something with Clementine on it? Maybe a nice bottle of Whiskey?I hum softly under my breath, shifting so I can look at him properly.He’s dead asleep again, the afternoon light catching on the curve of his cheek. That’s the softest part of him. His hair needs to be brushed terribly and his breathing is deep and even.I want to make this good.I want to make this perfect.I want to give him something that tells him without words that I see him.That I know him.That he deserves to be celebrated even if he has spent his whole life avoiding it.Alright.I’ve got work to do.Viktor shifts again, inhaling deeply before exhaling in a long, drawn out sigh against my collarbone. My skin tingles at the sensation. His fingers flex slightly where they rest against my ribs, like he’s only just now remembering that he has control over his limbs again. Then, groggily, he speaks.Viktor: If I sleep any longer, I will not sleep tonight.I huff a quiet laugh, dragging my fingers through his hair, enjoying the way it makes him melt into me for just a second before he forces himself to stay awake.Me: That’s a bold assumption considering you’ve been sleeping like the dead all day.Viktor: Mmmm. Do not remind me.I grin, shifting just enough to get a better look at his face. He still looks drowsy, like he could be convinced to fall asleep again if I tried hard enough. But I don’t push it. Instead, I take my chance while he’s still too sleepy to be fully suspicious of me.Me: So, what do you usually do when you can’t sleep?Viktor hums, eyes still half lidded as he considers.Viktor: I read. Or I work.Me: Shocking.He gives me a slow, unimpressed blink.Viktor: What do you expect? That I go out and run laps?I burst out laughing.Me: I dunno, Viktor. Maybe you’ve got some deep, hidden hobby that you’ve never told me about. Maybe you secretly collect..I pause, thinking.Me: Vintage soaps or something.Viktor laughs, finally rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.Viktor: I do not collect vintage soaps.Me: Well what do you collect, then?It’s subtle. A little too casual. But I watch his expression closely, making sure he doesn’t catch onto the real reason I’m asking.Viktor: Books, obviously.Me: Yeah, yeah, besides books. You’ve got like, five billion of those. What else?He exhales, considering.Viktor: Beetles, I suppose. I have been collecting specimens since I was young. I used to wear a knitted sweater and go into the garden to find cicada shells and i would hang them on the threads until i was completely covered.I nod like that’s totally expected, even if it’s a creepy visual, but I file it away for later.Me: Huh. Makes sense. You do have a weirdly specific love for bugs. I noticed those on your study walls.Viktor: They are fascinating.Me: Yeah, yeah, you and your corpse bugs.He pinches my arm lightly and I laugh but my mind is already spinning again, calculating, adjusting.Alright.This is good.I’m getting somewhere.Me: Alright, what else? What do you do for fun?Viktor: Fun?He says it like it’s a foreign word. I bite back a laugh over it.Me: Yes, fun. You know, that thing that isn’t related to work or productivity.Viktor: I enjoy playing chess.Me: That’s not fun, Vik, that’s brain exercise.Viktor: And what would you define as fun, then?Me: Something that doesn’t require you to think so hard.Viktor scoffs, but there’s a flicker of amusement behind it.Viktor: That is not my strong suit.Me: Yeah, no kidding.I pause, watching him as he stretches and rolls out his shoulders. There’s so many questions on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t ask them outright. It’s too risky. I have to be careful.Me: So no big personal traditions? Nothing you always make time for?It’s subtle but vague enough that he might not think too hard about why I’m asking. But the way he glances at me again makes me wonder if I’m pushing too much.Viktor: I suppose that depends on what you mean.Me: I dunno. Just.. things you look forward to.Viktor hums, considering. But then he just shakes his head.Viktor: Time moves forward regardless. It is better to keep moving with it.I try not to react, keeping my expression neutral even as my thoughts spin.I nod slowly, my fingers still tracing along his skin.Me: Yeah, I get that.I keep my tone light and casual. Viktor seems content with still being on the cusp of sleep, but I can feel the undercurrent of my questions still hanging between us.Me: But, I guess.. everyone’s got those little moments, right? Things that.. I don’t know, make certain days feel a little different than the rest.Viktor’s eyes flicker to mine for a brief moment before he blinks it away.Viktor: I suppose so.He shifts, the slightest hint of discomfort in his posture, but nothing too overt. I let the conversation sit there, not pressing any further. Just letting it hover in the air, waiting for something else to break the quiet.Me: Yeah it’s like, sometimes it’s just about the little things. The stuff you wouldn’t think about, but it kind of sticks with you.Viktor doesn’t respond immediately, and I feel the weight of the silence. I’m not sure if I’ve gone too far or if he’s just too tired to engage.Viktor: I do not give much thought to those things.The words are said softly, but I can feel the barrier in his tone. I keep my expression neutral, carefully not letting him know that I know exactly what’s buried beneath his words.Me: Yeah, fair enough. There is one thing i celebrate every year though. A really special date in my calendar.His eyebrow quirks at me and I silently hope i haven’t said too much about important dates.Viktor: And what date might that be?I grin.Me: March 4th.I see him frown, trying to piece together why that date is significant. Before he can speak, i tell him.Me: Pancake Day.The second i say the first syllable of the word, i get a pillow to the face. I fall apart laughing as Viktor groans and shakes my shoulders back and forth.Viktor: I take it back, you are NOT moving in. Take your pancakes and get out. You have forsaken me for the last time, Mr. Talis.I wipe a tear from my eye, wrapping my arms around his petite frame.Me: Come here, you.He grumbles but worms his way into my arms anyways.Viktor: You are terrible..Me: And yet-Viktor covers my mouth with his hand in one quick slap.Viktor: NO. No finishing that thought.We laugh together, bumping foreheads. The day got away from us after all, but it was absolutely not a day wasted.