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[The bandaged hand. The ruined coat. The haunted desperation in every inch of Jayce's posture. All of this speaks to a particularly bleak future, perhaps one not even worth knowing before its time, but as a man of science, Viktor has to at least ponder it -- if not the reality, at least how one would get there. The possibilities of expanding Hextech intrigue him, even if he has yet to decide if they are worth pursuing.]
Professional curiosity demands that I ask you to.
[Even so, it seems as if the unfinished formula will remain that way for the time being: unfinished. Viktor makes no move to pick up the chalk nor to pass it over to Jayce. By sheer accident, he is also between his partner and the board, a situation he makes no move to rectify, even with the knowledge that Jayce could easily put him aside, should he so choose. Viktor probably only takes up half of that great width of shoulders, and Jayce has always been physical. One could blame growing up at the forge for that, (thankfully, Jayce wasn't fully indoctrinated into the upper crust of Piltover society from birth,) but Viktor suspects the other man is just built that way.]
But...
[The hand that covers his own is calloused, dirty, and injured, but it is still warm and quite a familiar comfort. If Jayce is expecting a recall, he instead gets a slender thumb brushed against the tips of his fingers]
I am also thinking that could wait.
[Speaking of time, it would seem this Jayce needs some -- to compose himself, to make himself once again into the confident man that Viktor knows all too well.]
Professional curiosity demands that I ask you to.
[Even so, it seems as if the unfinished formula will remain that way for the time being: unfinished. Viktor makes no move to pick up the chalk nor to pass it over to Jayce. By sheer accident, he is also between his partner and the board, a situation he makes no move to rectify, even with the knowledge that Jayce could easily put him aside, should he so choose. Viktor probably only takes up half of that great width of shoulders, and Jayce has always been physical. One could blame growing up at the forge for that, (thankfully, Jayce wasn't fully indoctrinated into the upper crust of Piltover society from birth,) but Viktor suspects the other man is just built that way.]
But...
[The hand that covers his own is calloused, dirty, and injured, but it is still warm and quite a familiar comfort. If Jayce is expecting a recall, he instead gets a slender thumb brushed against the tips of his fingers]
I am also thinking that could wait.
[Speaking of time, it would seem this Jayce needs some -- to compose himself, to make himself once again into the confident man that Viktor knows all too well.]
[ he's such a coy fox at times . . . something that jayce has noticed he enjoys quite a bit about viktor. while there have been some . . . advancements, so to speak, none of them were so serious as to count, or snap jayce's attention to begin with. he's never been courted for who he was as a person— only his looks. which almost always ended with a seductress fleeing from his equine fixations. so, he stopped caring about his looks. (little does he know it may have had the opposite affect for some) ]
For . . . How long?
[ he's curious, as he heads out to pull the tacked up horses from their stalls. viktor's preferred steed on one side, and a young gelding that needed some smoothing out on the other. i could do it jayce said, eager to show his usefulness, especially now with his interest in the property's son, and wanting, specifically, to showcase his worth— but he's a little nervous about this. it sounded like a good idea, in his head at the time, both to take the extra responsibilty as much as make it a date plan. now, when he's a kick away from mounting?
he hasn't mounted a horse since the accident. and this has all been a thorough distraction for his creeping realization that he's going to ride after years of avoidance. oof. ]
For . . . How long?
[ he's curious, as he heads out to pull the tacked up horses from their stalls. viktor's preferred steed on one side, and a young gelding that needed some smoothing out on the other. i could do it jayce said, eager to show his usefulness, especially now with his interest in the property's son, and wanting, specifically, to showcase his worth— but he's a little nervous about this. it sounded like a good idea, in his head at the time, both to take the extra responsibilty as much as make it a date plan. now, when he's a kick away from mounting?
he hasn't mounted a horse since the accident. and this has all been a thorough distraction for his creeping realization that he's going to ride after years of avoidance. oof. ]
Edited 2025-01-14 17:28 (UTC)
[ Viktor looks sidelong at Jayce, admiring his profile. He could certainly see why women would vie for his attention, but his mind had been what attracted Viktor to him in the first place. ]
I have to keep some secrets from you, Jayce, otherwise I'll lose all allure and mystery.
[ Laughing at the absurdity of that idea, he follows Jayce out and takes the reins of his horse once she's closer. He approves of Jayce's choice of ride, too, always impressed by his ambition in so many areas of his profession. ]
They haven't named him yet. [ Viktor nods towards the gelding as he directs his mare to a bench where he can get a step up to the saddle. He's unaware of Jayce's inner turmoil, but he has wondered about the conflict between accident and profession. ] You should make some suggestions.
I have to keep some secrets from you, Jayce, otherwise I'll lose all allure and mystery.
[ Laughing at the absurdity of that idea, he follows Jayce out and takes the reins of his horse once she's closer. He approves of Jayce's choice of ride, too, always impressed by his ambition in so many areas of his profession. ]
They haven't named him yet. [ Viktor nods towards the gelding as he directs his mare to a bench where he can get a step up to the saddle. He's unaware of Jayce's inner turmoil, but he has wondered about the conflict between accident and profession. ] You should make some suggestions.
[ that. that is a false statement!! the narrow of jayce's eyes and the flash of his teeth are indication! at the mention of a name, though! jayce is surprised he should give suggestions at all. an honor.
and a distraction from joining viktor by the bench. ]
I'll think about it, [ he muses a bit. his names aren't going to be all fancy. this gelding had a heavy stride, tougher than most to break. he has an idea, but first— before viktor could mount, he reaches out to flag him down and stop him. ]
I, uh— [ it's not that he's embarrassed. he's more . . . visibly uncertain. ] —Could you show me how you mount?
and a distraction from joining viktor by the bench. ]
I'll think about it, [ he muses a bit. his names aren't going to be all fancy. this gelding had a heavy stride, tougher than most to break. he has an idea, but first— before viktor could mount, he reaches out to flag him down and stop him. ]
I, uh— [ it's not that he's embarrassed. he's more . . . visibly uncertain. ] —Could you show me how you mount?
[ If Viktor can win those smiles from Jayce by being his true mischievous self, then all the more reason to fall for him. There's always been a battle between upholding social propriety and being genuine in his word and actions, but it's always been easy to leave that struggle behind when he walks into the barn; originally because of the horses, and now because of their caretaker.
Pausing when Jayce holds out a hand, Viktor cocks his head to one side. The request makes sense, but it's also such a good opportunity to tease. ] You'd like to watch me? How bold.
[ He chuckles and shakes his head before leading his horse to a closer bench. Without saying anything, he goes through the process of stepping up onto the bench with his stronger leg, leaning himself against the mare to get that same strong foot into the stirrup, and then hoisting himself up. Once he's balanced in the saddle, he uses his left leg and hands to position his right leg crossed on top, and then gives a flourish of a hand as a silent "ta-dah" as he looks down at Jayce. ] The brace makes it easier. I've actually been designing a saddle that might work along with it, but it requires enough leg strength to be able to properly straddle the horse.
Pausing when Jayce holds out a hand, Viktor cocks his head to one side. The request makes sense, but it's also such a good opportunity to tease. ] You'd like to watch me? How bold.
[ He chuckles and shakes his head before leading his horse to a closer bench. Without saying anything, he goes through the process of stepping up onto the bench with his stronger leg, leaning himself against the mare to get that same strong foot into the stirrup, and then hoisting himself up. Once he's balanced in the saddle, he uses his left leg and hands to position his right leg crossed on top, and then gives a flourish of a hand as a silent "ta-dah" as he looks down at Jayce. ] The brace makes it easier. I've actually been designing a saddle that might work along with it, but it requires enough leg strength to be able to properly straddle the horse.
[ —!! and he was the one that was supposed to start courting? no, he's well aware that this is going on both sides, he's just flabbergasted that nearly everything coming out of viktor's sassy mouth is charming him to breathless ends. very funny he murmurs, but his toothy grin doesn't let up.
a number of things also has jayce paying attention to a little too much detail as viktor mounts. viktor's brazen remarks, how he'd kissed him in the tack room, how— passionate it had been and how his hands slotted so pleasantly on viktor's hips, how warm it was and how close their bodies were, the weight in his lap, the tops of his legs, and that get's him wondering, as eyes slide up viktor's limbs how it'd feel like to touch—
he should stop! it's so deathly hard, viktor has a damn spell on him. there's no other explanation. he's a wizard. imagining viktor as a mage had given him the impression of a somber man instead, beard grown out and the cosmos within his hood. why was he so melancholic, though? jayce would wish to make such a fascinating old man like that happy for life. if he focused enough, he was saying something to him.
that's not for now. it happens in a matter of seconds anyway, and through that, jayce has already studied the way up in . . . detail.
the mention of a saddle design makes his eyes bright. ]
Will you show me when we come back?
a number of things also has jayce paying attention to a little too much detail as viktor mounts. viktor's brazen remarks, how he'd kissed him in the tack room, how— passionate it had been and how his hands slotted so pleasantly on viktor's hips, how warm it was and how close their bodies were, the weight in his lap, the tops of his legs, and that get's him wondering, as eyes slide up viktor's limbs how it'd feel like to touch—
he should stop! it's so deathly hard, viktor has a damn spell on him. there's no other explanation. he's a wizard. imagining viktor as a mage had given him the impression of a somber man instead, beard grown out and the cosmos within his hood. why was he so melancholic, though? jayce would wish to make such a fascinating old man like that happy for life. if he focused enough, he was saying something to him.
that's not for now. it happens in a matter of seconds anyway, and through that, jayce has already studied the way up in . . . detail.
the mention of a saddle design makes his eyes bright. ]
Will you show me when we come back?
[ Looking down at Jayce from this height isn't something new, yet it gives him a certain feeling of vertigo for the first time as if he's a hundred times taller. Darkness surrounds them, yet it's full of a million little lights. Beyond that, multicolored nebulas...
Swaying a little bit, he puts a palm to his forehead and steadies himself in the press of slightly cooler skin. ]
Mm. [ He hums, in thought or reply, and then shakes off the strange feeling. ] Yes, of course. We could make it our next project.
[ Dismounting and sliding back down to the bench, Viktor walks over to Jayce. He's assuming that he'd asked about mounting in order to replicate the process, so Viktor holds his hands out for the gelding's reins. ] Your turn.
Swaying a little bit, he puts a palm to his forehead and steadies himself in the press of slightly cooler skin. ]
Mm. [ He hums, in thought or reply, and then shakes off the strange feeling. ] Yes, of course. We could make it our next project.
[ Dismounting and sliding back down to the bench, Viktor walks over to Jayce. He's assuming that he'd asked about mounting in order to replicate the process, so Viktor holds his hands out for the gelding's reins. ] Your turn.
[ there weren't many times when viktor instigated touch, or reciprocated; but when he did, jayce talis knew that is was something special, for a special occassion. did he really deserve all of that? the more he hangs here, he realizes . . . the more he tethers to these memories. they he wished that he could at times just . . . stay. stay and relive this time, the best time of his life, over and over.
these touches back and forth are dangerous. jayce feels the heart in his chest leaping around like a butterfly garden warning him of an intimacy that could seize him at some point— and he wouldn't be able to control himself. yet, with this viktor— he is far too weak to deny him or deny himself of him. jayce's fingers thus linger, and don't retreat. his brows raise and his head nods. ]
Might need a wash. [ that's not even a question, with his raspy voice all dripped with irony. he could us use a shower last year. ] While we wait.
[ and maybe— he could tell him more. they would have to meddle with hextech, and then dispose of it. could they? ]
these touches back and forth are dangerous. jayce feels the heart in his chest leaping around like a butterfly garden warning him of an intimacy that could seize him at some point— and he wouldn't be able to control himself. yet, with this viktor— he is far too weak to deny him or deny himself of him. jayce's fingers thus linger, and don't retreat. his brows raise and his head nods. ]
Might need a wash. [ that's not even a question, with his raspy voice all dripped with irony. he could us use a shower last year. ] While we wait.
[ and maybe— he could tell him more. they would have to meddle with hextech, and then dispose of it. could they? ]
[ —he saw that.
jayce does follow, but there's a pinch in his brow that's not exactly his signature smitten card. it's one laced with concern
before getting to anything, he puts a hand on viktor's back. the longer he stays there, the more he starts performing little circles with his palm. ]
You okay?
jayce does follow, but there's a pinch in his brow that's not exactly his signature smitten card. it's one laced with concern
before getting to anything, he puts a hand on viktor's back. the longer he stays there, the more he starts performing little circles with his palm. ]
You okay?
[ The hand on his back is grounding, and even if he doesn't love that he'd been caught, maybe it's not so bad if Jayce is the one to notice. ]
Fine. [ He just has moments of remembering things that haven't happened, things that are impossible, but they're not just flashes of imagination. They feel real, so maybe it's more like a waking dream. It makes him feel insane sometimes, though, and how does he expect Jayce to be any different? He'll explain it, someday, but not today. ] A little vertigo, but it's gone.
Fine. [ He just has moments of remembering things that haven't happened, things that are impossible, but they're not just flashes of imagination. They feel real, so maybe it's more like a waking dream. It makes him feel insane sometimes, though, and how does he expect Jayce to be any different? He'll explain it, someday, but not today. ] A little vertigo, but it's gone.
[ his hand retreats when he thinks viktor is telling the truth, hanging back to his side. huh . . . ]
I get that, sometimes.
[ the reason for it will be similarly kept under wraps; jayce feels like his fantastical imagination sometimes feels too real, and too strange. like where do they come from? some of them don't even exist. but explaining the trickling sense of deja vu from them is more than a little crazy. he prefers to nod, and get himself situated on the gelding's side. it would have to be his right, to support his staggering left. a breath goes in, then out— followed by his tertering hesitation. it's apparent how this makes him feel. ]
—Guess it's time. [ he feels like he's said this behind packed curtains before, a little disappointed. now's not the time to be daydreaming— ] I haven't mounted a horse since the accident.
[ despite his chronic pain, he should be alright. the fracture has long been healed. but anyone post fracture has one fear.
jayce gets up on the bench, and helps steady the gelding, eyeing the triangle spaces of metal his foot should slide into, taking it by the fingers and giving it a gentle wave so as to not startle the horse. this creature is a little impatient— needs soothing. talking to. ]
Steady, boy. Steady . . .
I get that, sometimes.
[ the reason for it will be similarly kept under wraps; jayce feels like his fantastical imagination sometimes feels too real, and too strange. like where do they come from? some of them don't even exist. but explaining the trickling sense of deja vu from them is more than a little crazy. he prefers to nod, and get himself situated on the gelding's side. it would have to be his right, to support his staggering left. a breath goes in, then out— followed by his tertering hesitation. it's apparent how this makes him feel. ]
—Guess it's time. [ he feels like he's said this behind packed curtains before, a little disappointed. now's not the time to be daydreaming— ] I haven't mounted a horse since the accident.
[ despite his chronic pain, he should be alright. the fracture has long been healed. but anyone post fracture has one fear.
jayce gets up on the bench, and helps steady the gelding, eyeing the triangle spaces of metal his foot should slide into, taking it by the fingers and giving it a gentle wave so as to not startle the horse. this creature is a little impatient— needs soothing. talking to. ]
Steady, boy. Steady . . .
[ Viktor misses the warmth and weight of Jayce's hand as soon as it leaves, but they should probably practice restraint early on or they'll be annoyingly inseparable later.
The admission isn't a surprise by any means, logical as it is to fear a repeat, but it does make Viktor inhale sharply. He can understand how terrifying it must be to consider putting his body in the care of such large, strong, and sometimes unpredictable animals. He also knows that Jayce already has enough going on in his head without Viktor adding to it with empty promises that nothing bad will happen.
Instead, Viktor gently takes the reins and comes to stand at the side of the gelding's neck where he can easily be seen. He slowly raises a hand, fully in sight, and then begins to stroke the horse's long nose, cooing at him softly. ] Good boy.
The admission isn't a surprise by any means, logical as it is to fear a repeat, but it does make Viktor inhale sharply. He can understand how terrifying it must be to consider putting his body in the care of such large, strong, and sometimes unpredictable animals. He also knows that Jayce already has enough going on in his head without Viktor adding to it with empty promises that nothing bad will happen.
Instead, Viktor gently takes the reins and comes to stand at the side of the gelding's neck where he can easily be seen. He slowly raises a hand, fully in sight, and then begins to stroke the horse's long nose, cooing at him softly. ] Good boy.
[ . . .
there is something about that specific said of words in that specific tone of voice that makes jayce's beat extend for more than necessary. after he notices that he's been stupefied, his brows pinch and his lips pull down, growing serious as he tries to focus on actually slotting his foot into the stirrup and gripping the horn of the saddle.
jayce can't help but to think the horse is a damn rascal for going all sweet with viktor, and with him it was all . . . impatient hoof clicking.
(he's not jealous)
finding confidence in his hold, jayce finally swings his left leg to the other side of the saddle, plops down into his seat, and then, with a little bit more work— tries to bring his leg over to the side. suffice to say, it's very hard for him. despite the atrophy, he still has big ass thighs. with some grit and grunt, jayce resigns to keeping his left on the stirrup. ]
It's harder than it looks.
there is something about that specific said of words in that specific tone of voice that makes jayce's beat extend for more than necessary. after he notices that he's been stupefied, his brows pinch and his lips pull down, growing serious as he tries to focus on actually slotting his foot into the stirrup and gripping the horn of the saddle.
jayce can't help but to think the horse is a damn rascal for going all sweet with viktor, and with him it was all . . . impatient hoof clicking.
(he's not jealous)
finding confidence in his hold, jayce finally swings his left leg to the other side of the saddle, plops down into his seat, and then, with a little bit more work— tries to bring his leg over to the side. suffice to say, it's very hard for him. despite the atrophy, he still has big ass thighs. with some grit and grunt, jayce resigns to keeping his left on the stirrup. ]
It's harder than it looks.
[ Keeping most of his focus on the horse, Viktor does watch Jayce from the corner of an eye. He has the basics down, but it certainly looks harder for him given his height and generally being bigger than Viktor. Once he gets to a point he doesn't seem to be continuing, Vikot pat the gelding's neck and then steps around to look up at Jayce.
It's a pretty good view. ]
Don't compare yourself to me, I've had to mount horses this way all my life. [ At this position, it's easier to see the intricacies of Jayce's leg brace. Viktor ghosts his fingers over it, feeling it would be rude to touch without asking since it was an important tool and also an intimate place given the history of the injury. ] Do you feel comfortable?
It's a pretty good view. ]
Don't compare yourself to me, I've had to mount horses this way all my life. [ At this position, it's easier to see the intricacies of Jayce's leg brace. Viktor ghosts his fingers over it, feeling it would be rude to touch without asking since it was an important tool and also an intimate place given the history of the injury. ] Do you feel comfortable?
[Its unfortunate for Jayce's composure that his fluttering heart sits right under Viktor's hand. The fact Viktor can even feel its beat through the thick fabric of Jayce's jacket is telling. Something flickers in Viktor's gaze but he shutters it with another small hum. For the moment, he decides to leave his hand in place. (More data is needed on this particular anomaly.]
Might?
[This time, the raise of Viktor's brows is very pointed. There is no question Jayce could benefit from a shower, and perhaps a fresh pair of clothes too. Viktor may not exactly be the paragon of self-care himself, but he also doesn't generally look like he just crawled out of a fissure. (Well, not in front of others at least.) Jayce gets an appraising look-over that would put even the most discerning of Piltover mothers to shame, before the corner of Viktor lip quirks up in amusement.]
Well. You know where the shower is.
[In case Jayce has forgotten, in-between his time travel and his mysterious purpose, Viktor gestures with his crunch to the corner of the lab -- to the safety shower. True, its purpose is to quickly clean off chemical spills or corrosive materials, but it should also work for cleaning off the debris of inter-dimensional travel, right?
(And if not, beggars certainly can't be choosers.)]
Unless you suddenly found modesty in this future of yours?
Might?
[This time, the raise of Viktor's brows is very pointed. There is no question Jayce could benefit from a shower, and perhaps a fresh pair of clothes too. Viktor may not exactly be the paragon of self-care himself, but he also doesn't generally look like he just crawled out of a fissure. (Well, not in front of others at least.) Jayce gets an appraising look-over that would put even the most discerning of Piltover mothers to shame, before the corner of Viktor lip quirks up in amusement.]
Well. You know where the shower is.
[In case Jayce has forgotten, in-between his time travel and his mysterious purpose, Viktor gestures with his crunch to the corner of the lab -- to the safety shower. True, its purpose is to quickly clean off chemical spills or corrosive materials, but it should also work for cleaning off the debris of inter-dimensional travel, right?
(And if not, beggars certainly can't be choosers.)]
Unless you suddenly found modesty in this future of yours?
[ . . . this is a very good view.
there is a budding fluttering in his belly when viktor's thin fingers poise over his leg, consequently his brace, and anticipating a full on touch (and desiring such), his thighs flex.
the same way he puffs his chest out a bit, as the visceral cluster of acts makes himself look more pleasing— his subconscious hopes. he nods with the reins bunched into his hands; and with that, the gelding starts walking; jayce is who halts him into an impatient, standing march. ]
Yeah, It's alright— and Warhammer's more than ready.
[ he raises his brows in waiting, as if to say: did I do a good job with the name? ]
there is a budding fluttering in his belly when viktor's thin fingers poise over his leg, consequently his brace, and anticipating a full on touch (and desiring such), his thighs flex.
the same way he puffs his chest out a bit, as the visceral cluster of acts makes himself look more pleasing— his subconscious hopes. he nods with the reins bunched into his hands; and with that, the gelding starts walking; jayce is who halts him into an impatient, standing march. ]
Yeah, It's alright— and Warhammer's more than ready.
[ he raises his brows in waiting, as if to say: did I do a good job with the name? ]
[ Jayce is already an enticing thing, sitting there were Viktor could so easily touch so much of him. The way his thighs tense beneath his slacks, the nearly imperceptible straightening of this spine that pushes his chest forward, make Viktor long for the privacy of the tack room.
His attention is appropriately dragged back into the land of propriety with the name. It feels like a perfect fit, tickling the back of his mind, but he shakes the feeling off. ]
Warhammer, hm? [ He smiles, reaching for Jayce's hand and putting the reins in his palm. Turning his hand over, he pulls it close enough to kiss his knuckles, looking up at Jayce all the while. ] I suppose something like Anvil would be a little on the nose?
[ Stepping away, he returns to his mare and once again rises into the saddle. He steers her around to stand next to Jayce and Warhammer so he can (gently) kick at Jayce's good leg with his foot. ] Mercury and I like it.
His attention is appropriately dragged back into the land of propriety with the name. It feels like a perfect fit, tickling the back of his mind, but he shakes the feeling off. ]
Warhammer, hm? [ He smiles, reaching for Jayce's hand and putting the reins in his palm. Turning his hand over, he pulls it close enough to kiss his knuckles, looking up at Jayce all the while. ] I suppose something like Anvil would be a little on the nose?
[ Stepping away, he returns to his mare and once again rises into the saddle. He steers her around to stand next to Jayce and Warhammer so he can (gently) kick at Jayce's good leg with his foot. ] Mercury and I like it.
[ oh, that's a good one, actually!! the rest of the reigns are taken properly, and jayce— well, his ride, is ready to go. he has a bit of effort to give in trying to slow the gelding's temperament down, but that's just the process. plus, the attention he feels releases the butterfly garden caught in his chest, and extends the same attention upon viktor tenfold—
his charming gaze goes from his face, down, back up upon recieving a teasing bump of play, and jayce is alured to follow him, taking a moment to appreciate his back and the sway of viktor's frame on top of mercury's gentle trek. ]
Warhammer's Anvil has a good ring to it.
his charming gaze goes from his face, down, back up upon recieving a teasing bump of play, and jayce is alured to follow him, taking a moment to appreciate his back and the sway of viktor's frame on top of mercury's gentle trek. ]
Warhammer's Anvil has a good ring to it.
It does, now you need to make him a champion.
[ Stepping out into the open air, Viktor finds himself mirroring his horse as they both raise their faces towards the gentle breeze. Viktor's always loved dawn and dusk when the sky was a mix of tones and he could imagine it looked like his colorful dreams.
He looks back at Jayce and slows to wait for him to come up alongside so they can ride side-by-side. ]
Anywhere in particular you want to go?
[ Stepping out into the open air, Viktor finds himself mirroring his horse as they both raise their faces towards the gentle breeze. Viktor's always loved dawn and dusk when the sky was a mix of tones and he could imagine it looked like his colorful dreams.
He looks back at Jayce and slows to wait for him to come up alongside so they can ride side-by-side. ]
Anywhere in particular you want to go?
[ and jayce took that challenge personally. if he could make this greenhorn rise— he wouldn't be used for reproduction anymore, but it'd certainly bring more name and fame to the sire and dam already on the property.
it's some pressure, but he's got this. he'll be as reliable as he says he is— how he wants to be percieved by the family, more desperately now than before.
it's not so dark yet; jayce still sees greys in the sky, but they contrast nicely. he could've sworn he saw a chip of color beneath the clouds where the sun descends, but it's gone as soon as he sees it. viktor's eyes.
he might watch the sun rise tomorrow. ]
I had a place in mind.
[ jayce gives a bit of a smirk, feels daring, kicks warhammer's belly with a gentle prod of his heels and spurrs him into a soft trot.
the slight twist of his grin back suggests he keep up. his confidence grows, his fears soothed—
he missed this. and he cant believe he's sharing it with viktor. ]
it's some pressure, but he's got this. he'll be as reliable as he says he is— how he wants to be percieved by the family, more desperately now than before.
it's not so dark yet; jayce still sees greys in the sky, but they contrast nicely. he could've sworn he saw a chip of color beneath the clouds where the sun descends, but it's gone as soon as he sees it. viktor's eyes.
he might watch the sun rise tomorrow. ]
I had a place in mind.
[ jayce gives a bit of a smirk, feels daring, kicks warhammer's belly with a gentle prod of his heels and spurrs him into a soft trot.
the slight twist of his grin back suggests he keep up. his confidence grows, his fears soothed—
he missed this. and he cant believe he's sharing it with viktor. ]
[ twin minds think quite alike . . . 😏
jayce's brows lift, and his chapped, cracked lips spread in a knowing smile, dipping his head. during the occasional night where he'd been too lazy to go home, or even needed just a little wake up call— he'd use the damn safety shower when no one was looking. only viktor knew about it. with there sleepness nights of dreaming awake— it was fun.
viktor's hand does not leave him, and in turn, jayce's does not force him back. with his hand still on top of the other's, jayce's thumb begins to rub into the inside of viktor's palm. if he guides it away from his chest, it's only because he could cradle it better, this way.
not being plagued by the glotches in his system, jayce could only feel a massive calm in what he's doing. there are no reminders, no distractions.
he's so weak for him. ]
Still have the soap lying around?
[ they practically lived here during a time. it was certainly the best years of his life. just him, viktor and the confines of this lab, full of dreams. who would've though— he only had that obsession because of viktor.
"that soap" should indeed be hidded somewhere in their drawers. ]
jayce's brows lift, and his chapped, cracked lips spread in a knowing smile, dipping his head. during the occasional night where he'd been too lazy to go home, or even needed just a little wake up call— he'd use the damn safety shower when no one was looking. only viktor knew about it. with there sleepness nights of dreaming awake— it was fun.
viktor's hand does not leave him, and in turn, jayce's does not force him back. with his hand still on top of the other's, jayce's thumb begins to rub into the inside of viktor's palm. if he guides it away from his chest, it's only because he could cradle it better, this way.
not being plagued by the glotches in his system, jayce could only feel a massive calm in what he's doing. there are no reminders, no distractions.
he's so weak for him. ]
Still have the soap lying around?
[ they practically lived here during a time. it was certainly the best years of his life. just him, viktor and the confines of this lab, full of dreams. who would've though— he only had that obsession because of viktor.
"that soap" should indeed be hidded somewhere in their drawers. ]
[ Though Viktor hadn't said it with any real challenge in mind, he was intrigued. Jayce had always focused on rehabilitation and proper outfitting of the horses on the estate, but he hadn't necessarily been hired to do any training himself. Viktor's parents would certainly be impressed if he showed a talent for it though, and that was a good thing to keep in his belt during courting.
That leap makes Viktor blush hot. Why had it been so easy to imagine that Jayce would go so far for him?
Admiring the line of Jayce's back when he hurries ahead some distance, Viktor waits a moment before urging Mercury to catch up. He doesn't want to infringe on Jayce's rediscovery of riding, of connecting with a horse and building trust between rider and stead, so he hangs back. Maybe this is a date (it's a date, right?) but it's also an important step for Jayce. It also means that Viktor can safely watch the wind in his hair, the way his muscles move beneath his shirt, the flash of his eyes which are so easy to pick out among the grey backdrop of the world. ]
That leap makes Viktor blush hot. Why had it been so easy to imagine that Jayce would go so far for him?
Admiring the line of Jayce's back when he hurries ahead some distance, Viktor waits a moment before urging Mercury to catch up. He doesn't want to infringe on Jayce's rediscovery of riding, of connecting with a horse and building trust between rider and stead, so he hangs back. Maybe this is a date (it's a date, right?) but it's also an important step for Jayce. It also means that Viktor can safely watch the wind in his hair, the way his muscles move beneath his shirt, the flash of his eyes which are so easy to pick out among the grey backdrop of the world. ]
[ the breathing under his legs, the power in the hooves that carry him— it was a wonderful feeling to have that back. wonderful as it was dangerous to get too cocky too soon. warhammer was exactly how they described— he knew most commands, but he was impatient and hot-tempered, his movements harsh and lacking the grace needed for show. they weren't bad— it reminded jayce of his uncouth, more carefree riding style, but for dressage of all things? it wasn't really acceptable.
but they're not training today. he's just getting a feel, getting back on the saddle. he's happy he did.
jayce looks for viktor all the while— even as his partner lags then follows suite, jayce tests the gelding's turn and circles back to him, circles around him, quizzing his stead's march— he is not only putting his form up for show, but unmistakably taking a fancy to watching viktor's. up, down, at all angles— and eyes. there're no words, only smiles, smirks, grins— jayce doesnt know how to dance, but he knows how to make this look like one.
flirt. he can rival a stallion's endearing courting attempts. without all the flashiness.
the are riding into a clearing at somepoint, where the paleness of the sky reflects off a body of water that stretches on into a field of sleeping wildflowers. at least its not so dark here, and the shadowy sky starts to point out stars. ]
but they're not training today. he's just getting a feel, getting back on the saddle. he's happy he did.
jayce looks for viktor all the while— even as his partner lags then follows suite, jayce tests the gelding's turn and circles back to him, circles around him, quizzing his stead's march— he is not only putting his form up for show, but unmistakably taking a fancy to watching viktor's. up, down, at all angles— and eyes. there're no words, only smiles, smirks, grins— jayce doesnt know how to dance, but he knows how to make this look like one.
flirt. he can rival a stallion's endearing courting attempts. without all the flashiness.
the are riding into a clearing at somepoint, where the paleness of the sky reflects off a body of water that stretches on into a field of sleeping wildflowers. at least its not so dark here, and the shadowy sky starts to point out stars. ]
[ It's a simple but beautiful dance, man and beast and the backdrop of nature, but it's one that Viktor actually understands. As a boy, he'd learned to ride instead of waltz, dressage instead of anything that would suit a ballroom. As a teenager, he'd sat on the edges of dance floors, his nose in a book rather than attempting to find someone who might dance with him, who would let him lead at a slower pace without it being about pity. He'd never cared before, because it felt like he was speaking a different language than everyone around him. For a while now, he'd given up hope of finding someone to ride with, think with, maybe even dance with.
It's something that he's never had and missed all his life.
Jayce's sweetness makes Viktor's heart tighten in his chest, the way he'd double back for Viktor not because he's impatient with the wandering pace, but because he wants to share it. He inspires Viktor to show off, too, and let the retired Mercury relive some of her glorious competition days.
By the time they reach the clearing, Viktor feels like he's dying of thirst, and the only thing to quench it is Jayce's kiss. He leads the way to a fallen tree on the edge of the clearing that will have to act as a mounting block, sliding from Mercury and then leaning against her as he stretches the stiffness from his leg. Perhaps it's lucky, this time, that he doesn't have the strength to immediately pounce on Jayce. ]
It's something that he's never had and missed all his life.
Jayce's sweetness makes Viktor's heart tighten in his chest, the way he'd double back for Viktor not because he's impatient with the wandering pace, but because he wants to share it. He inspires Viktor to show off, too, and let the retired Mercury relive some of her glorious competition days.
By the time they reach the clearing, Viktor feels like he's dying of thirst, and the only thing to quench it is Jayce's kiss. He leads the way to a fallen tree on the edge of the clearing that will have to act as a mounting block, sliding from Mercury and then leaning against her as he stretches the stiffness from his leg. Perhaps it's lucky, this time, that he doesn't have the strength to immediately pounce on Jayce. ]
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