[ the second jayce feels a push back, he practically melts, sinks so cleanly into the kiss that he felt like a buttery mound of muscle with only one thing on his mind: viktor. his partner's mouth spreads and jayce's tongue meets eagerly, sliding in waves to survey, curl and softly smack their lips when their entries lessen. wet, glistening and tasteful, jayce drinks up, peppering long, dragging sessions with shorter pecks to allow them recovery, all of which are so short lived.
jayce guides one of his arms around the waist he'd held earlier, now with more unadulterated passion and tracing on the way down, gripping flesh and bone, making sure there was no space left unoccupied at their hips, which pulsed hot beneath the friction of body and thick fabric. it counted as physical support for viktor too, who jayce felt would like to do his own probing if their feelings are really so mirrored. mindful he must be of his knewly braced leg, so even his center of gravity, viktor would find, is being pulled off his responsibility to better explore the farrier. jayce invites it, with splayed fingers at the peak of viktor's hip bone— to give it a blissful knead, with his opposing hand doing the same to his scalp. he felt so good. it is so much better than he imagined it to be.
god, it was until recently that he realized how much he wanted this, wanted viktor— but in the way that it feels just so right he could've sworn he's been after this man for eons. an idea hits his thoughts, in flashes between his attempts to breathe in this maddening scent of viktor's skin through the nose pressed into the inside of his cheek, delve with his mouth, and with stiff legs jayce backs away with viktor in tow, refusing to part— silently beckoning him to the work desk with slowed, clanking steps infused with metal, with now both hands steadying his torso (jayce touches his own fingertips, encircling viktor's waist in full, oh my god), despite his frenzied lips. he's getting breathless, reluctantly breaks, ]
Desk, [ he manages to huff, taking the opportunity to inhale, exhale, briefly find the other's beautiful pearls for eyes underneath his lashes as they wobbled, but knocking their noses together, flashing teeth that come in to kiss him again, giving viktor a little more gums than lips because he cannot stop smiling but damn it does he try anyway!
he's never felt this bloom in his chest, he's never felt this heat so wild to spread. his whole body and mind felt connected to the moment, connected to him— if this was how sex was supposed to feel like, he's much more interested. maybe all that talk of "the right person" his mother would romantically advise him growing up wasn't silly after all. ]
[ Jayce's hands are everywhere on his body, making it as hard to breathe as the constant press of lips and tongue. Viktor is disappearing into the space between Jayce's hips and the wall, consumed by his larger partner as he wraps around him and keeps him impossibly close. It's more intimate than anything Viktor has ever felt, and they're just kissing.
Feeling more supported now, Viktor lets his hands wander higher up Jayce's wide back and shoulders, mapping out the dips between muscles as they flex and move. He finally gets one up the back of Jayce's hair, the heel of his hand scrubbing at the short hairs at the nape of his neck while long fingers grab at the longer strands. All the while, Viktor sighs and hums and moans into the kiss, little sounds of pleasure accompanying the smack of lips.
He sways as they start to move, and god Jayce's hands encircle his waist so easily. ]
Eager. [ The teasing comes with a smile that is probably more felt than seen as they continue to stay close as they breathe and kiss and laugh together. It's bliss, it's everything, it's moving so so fast.
Viktor allows himself to be maneuvered towards the desk, and then he exerts just enough force to guide Jayce to the chair. They both struggle with standing, and Jayce is more likely to have been on his feet all day during work. So there's a strong encouragement for Jayce to sit, and if he is so inclined to listen, then Viktor will drape himself across his lap to sit sidesaddle. ]
[ he retorts, of equal play and chuffing, implying that there is one more eager soul here with them, and that was the man who kissed him first. which he's—
completely blown out of his mind about, still. to jayce's surprise, he's being the one guided to sit, and it has to be one of his greatest awakenings— what had first began as an offhanded, flirtatious joke between them, viktor now sits on his sprayed lap saddleside. he can't help but to snicker, off guard and placing his hands on both sides of him. tentatively, one of them rest on viktor's thigh, feeling the charge of a magnetic pull that breifly locks their colorful eyes. he gets happily lost in them, no need for directions.
he's so gorgeous that jayce's telling, signature brow furrow puts him in a position of brutally smitten. ]
[ Viktor laughs at that, not having intended to invoke their previous flirting but happy for the coincidence. ]
I did say I could tame you, didn't I?
[ Smiling as he leans in, one hand smoothing up Jayce's chest to cup the back of his neck, Viktor kisses him again but more slowly this time, exploratory. He wants to catalog the shape of Jayce's lips and the way his beautiful eyes fall half-closed when they're close like this. Though Viktor has no intention of making this a one-time escapade, he can't help feeling something in his gut telling him to cherish Jayce and the fact that they can do this, together.
He pulls back, hand traveling higher to twirl a long piece of hair between his fingers as he looks over Jayce's face. ]
I need you to know that I don't intend for this to be a simple dalliance.
[ at this rate he'll never stop smiling. luckily, the more he purses his lips and allows his eyes a half lidded paradise, he falls into place: another wonderful kiss. now that the crazy, adrenaline induced frenzy has simmered with their migration to a chair, jayce can take his time, falling into an easy synchroneity, matching in viktor's rhythm— like pouring water into a cup. even before viktor speaks his honesty, jayce is on the same page. it's not just about the promiscuity of it. it's the intimacy, above all.
he can test the softness of viktor's thin lips against his own, now, he can observe if his beard or whiskers tickle him, how he tastes and how his tongue purls. jayce's flow becomes lazy and content, relinquishing a delighted, curt whimper, while his hands find more ground, not only settling but stroking the stretch of viktor's pants over his leg with a working thumb and circling fingers.
he doesn't want to ever let him go, even when he feels this torrent of intimate togetherness coming to another end, urging him to pull back— he does so closely, marveling and pressing his slickened lips together. he has to shake his head, slow and deliberate. he never thought about him that way. ]
You're so much more than that, [ jayce croons softly, feeling his head dip to the fingers that card into his hair. he studies viktor's face closely, measuring his angles and his moles, padding a thumb to the sharp dip of his cheekbone. ] I . . . even made plans to court you, tonight.
[ he says with comical sheepishness, the saddled horses outside probably a little more than impatient that they're not being used. perhaps jayce should've put the saddle on himself.
he leaves that horrible joke in the crevice of his thoughts to never see the light of day. ]
[ Oh, that whimper is divine, quickly bookmarked to return to later so Viktor can draw more of those sounds from Jayce's plush lips. For now, he smooths his hand back down the side of Jayce's face, cupping his jaw and running this thumb over the curls of his beard. They need to talk about the fact that they're seeing color, too, and Viktor wonders—hopes—that soon he might get to soak up the rest of Jayce's coloring, too. ]
You— [ He laughs at that, not unkindly but certainly surprised. The timing is impeccable, even if Viktor had perhaps jumped the gun, so to speak. ] Well, I shouldn't rob you of that, if you'd still like to.
[ Tilting his head to the side, he runs his hand back through Jayce's hair to push it from where it had fallen into his face amidst all the passion. Viktor can't get over how handsome he is, how perfectly unique and yet totally familiar he is in Viktor's eyes. ]
[ oh, and he will. a romantic sap at heart and no where to really put it until now, jayce fully plans on wooing viktor every day. his gut tells him: every day of his life. he nods with refound enthusiasm and takes it to heart. even if he still has . . . some concerns, it has no place in a moment he'll cherish until he becomes all old and grey. he doesn't want to ruin this.
so he says, with a hand lidding the top of viktor's knuckles and embracing it within his palm, ]
[ It's so tender compared to the hurried passion of earlier, and Viktor finds that he welcomes both equally. Having Jayce's large hand nearly covering his own, he rotates his hand in the grasp so they can slot their fingers together. Viktor never really pegged himself to be one for such little signs of affection, but it feels as natural as breathing with Jayce. ]
So are yours. [ A beat. ] Do you have a mirror? We should see if we're able to see our own eye colors. [ It's an attempt to put science into practice when the situation feels more magical than anything that can be quantified. ]
[ his heart is pulling stunts at something as simple as braiding fingers. it's probably not a good feel, is it? jayce's hands are riddled with broad callouses, scars from burns or miscalculations. they're rough worker hands not at all fit for petting or sweet carresses, but he still wants to feel them brush, feel the space of such delicate, nimble fingers filling the gaps like they were the correct keys to opening him up.
there's a square tack room mirror in between the racks of saddles and champion bow ties. jayce hasn't made use for it until today, when he had to check up on his appearance and groom up moments before they met. but . . . ]
We'd have to get up.
[ his words are a little coy, a bit reluctant— but good humored. he'll get up at the drop of a hat if viktor really wanted to.
or maybe not. maybe they could scoot over to proper view. jayce may be plotting the distance and force needed, adjusting his hold into a full body embrace with safety in mind— ]
[ Viktor has the exact opposite opinion of Jayce's hands, loving that they feel like they've been used to live a life. He knows what those calluses are from a passion for his work, the scar tissue drawing a map of the progress he's made in his artform. Viktor's hands are those of a thinker, but Jayce's are those of a doer.
Humming, a little thoughtful and a lot dismissive, he shakes his head. ]
Later. [ But he can feel Jayce's arms around him move and tighten, and it's easy to anticipate what he has in mind even if it's unthinkable. ] Jayce, no, do not pick me up!
his fingers squeeze, he inhales, jayce hooks a good foot to the chair's leg and does something a little worse than standing to carry him, only because he feels his leg would not take kindly—
so, he scoots. he scoots and makes the chair groan terribly with each sputter of groaning wood to the ground, making his way to at least face said mirror and get close enough to see themselves in it. every shuffle is a bounce of viktor in his arms, and a jolt of jayce's body to offer the momentum for it.
he is smiling like a child who's done something crafty the entire time. jayce, yes. ]
[ Very much prepared to become dead weight in Jayce's arms if it helps save his leg from being sacrificed, Viktor is surprised to feel them moving horizontally rather than vertically. Blinking a moment, he rolls his eyes but laughs all the same. Jayce sure looks smug as he scrapes his way across the floor, and it does have the intended result of getting them to a mirror even if it isn't totally dignified.
Good. Viktor hates having to act dignified all the time. ]
You're ridiculous. [ Instead of looking in the mirror, he looks at Jayce and then leans in to kiss him because... he can. Right? Jayce has voiced intentions to court Viktor properly, but that doesn't mean they have to go back to pretending they aren't smitten with each other, does it?
Another kiss for good measure, this time lasting a few beats longer, before he turns to face the mirror. ] Nothing. I suppose that means we have different eye colors. [ He's assuming that he's now able to see the exact shade of Jayce's eyes, no matter the source, because magical or not, that would follow at least a little bit of logic. ] Incredible.
this is all part of charming him, whether viktor is even aware of that or not. if he gets a kiss for his ridiculousness, then color him pleasantly surprised— jayce's rizz levels are so low it's creating a feedback loop where it's indescribably high. feeling viktor lean into him to press their mouths makes him feel elated; he kisses back, both times, and looks quite proud of himself, if not accidentally sheepish, to have managed it.
there is a mirror to look into, now. only shades of grey, except for the striking contrast of a deep, honey amber. speaking of that . . . jayce could now see them from afar. viktor decking his lap, a big arm keeping him steady. it's lavishly attractive. ]
This isn't ordinary, Viktor, [ he starts, seemingly lost in the way he's simply . . . watching them. watching viktor, specifically, as his arm drapes further around him. they're born colorblind, the rarest of the condition, they happen to meet and suddenly— they see each other's eyecolor, but not their own? ] what do you think?
[ Viktor is enjoying this somewhat new, more playful and casual side of Jayce that's been peeking out from under his gruff exterior. It makes him wonder what he might have been like before his accident, or if he's always tried to be serious when he wasn't in the right setting for vulnerability. He gives him a third peck on the cheek, right where it rounds out with pride, just for good measure. ]
I was thinking the same thing. [ But he's a man of science rather than superstition, no matter how often he's caught himself wondering how much more there was to the world. Magic, after all, was just science that hadn't been properly studied and explained yet. ] I think that you deserve to have us follow through with your wooing plans, and we should see if anything in the world around us shows the same colors.
[ jayce goddamn blushes when he looks away, a smile on his lips betraying the shake of his head— on top of getting a third, calling it his wooing plans made it him feel terribly corny!! he must digress, though. not only does he still want to properly win his heart, jayce is also deathly curious about what other colors he'd see. ]
Sounds like a plan.
[ that would also require getting up, but . . . it's for a motivating cause. before jayce does that, though— he fixes his feet to the ground properly, trains his gaze to the other man and accordingly studies his features. he looks into his eyes— and looks so deeply it's as if he was seeing right through his soul.
he was so pretty. and smart. was he really having this chance? he smiles with his eyes, first. his lips follow suite, receiving a flash akin to memory in his mind— viktor looking at him with a lethal glance. the kind to make his heart skip.
he's always imagining things. with a huff of a laugh, all mysterious, he offers his hand to take viktor's, to steady him from his lap.
viktor did say he could tame him. such was the budding result: it's been a very long time since jayce had felt a little more like that younger, fantastical jayce who'd be too touchy for his own good, bright and charismatic, interacting with his surroundings as easy as he'd breathe. ]
[ The wooing would, unfortunately, require dismounting Jayce in order to mount a real horse, but that doesn't mean that Viktor is eager to leave his lap. It seems like the feeling is mutual, at least, because instead of making any move to get up, Jayce starts... staring at him. Viktor feels a blush heat his cheeks as their eyes lock, and at least he gets to focus on staring back at Jayce, into him, and he has a brief thought of what his soul must look like, something like a jeweled crown embedded in his forehead. Strange, how Viktor is only prone to fanciful imagery when it comes to Jayce.
He touches his fingertips to the center of Jayce's forehead, right where the multicolored jewels had come together at a point. Smoothing Jayce's hair back from his face, Viktor traces down his temple and jawline when he drums his fingers gently, thoughtfully. ] And you'll allow me to court you in return?
[ jayce's eyes widen for a moment. court— him? of course this was going to be a mutual process, but hearing it outloud . . . it flusters him in the most pleasant way. he hadn't been expecting to hear it, but then again— when did jayce really expect anything when it came to viktor? the man was a capricious seductor . . . (says jayce).
his lips part in a way that bubbles concern to his lips. he's about to ask. say something. would your family ever accept me? his eyes dart in contemplation.
jayce presses his fallen lips together in a pursed smile, keeps the worry lidded. still not a good time. he's too weak to resist viktor, and too steadfast to give up on him. still raising viktor's hand with his, he takes a gander at charming him, pressing his lips to the top of his knuckles in gallant gesture. ]
That's not my choice to make, [ he assures, then softly adds, mildly abashed: ] but I'd like it.
[ Already preparing to rebut Jayce's objection, Viktor is pleased to see it doesn't get voiced. While he sees them as equals and would never wish to silence Jayce, that extends to any qualms he may or may not have about what he deserves. They're in this together, now, and that means equal efforts in wooing, flirting, and general courtship. ]
I hope I can live up to expectations. [ The kiss to the back of his hand should feel ridiculous, but instead it just sets some butterflies free to fly around his stomach. ] I've never tried before, so it may be rather experimental.
[ he can't believe that. it's up they go. jayce is the first to jolt for viktor's cane once he finds it on the ground, discarded in their fervor. oh, he's going to think about this all night, isn't he. the pit of his stomach burns hot. ]
—Never? [ well. it's not as if jayce is any different. shots would be made in his direction, but he'd never really pursue someone out of genuine interest in them. jayce's incredulous "o" shaped mouth slides into a grin that still seems disbelieving. ] And you still manage to blow away all expectations . . .
[ Standing with a bit of a stretch, Viktor takes his cane with a soft word of thanks. Now that they're both upright, he somehow feels even more lewd about how easily he'd taken a seat in Jayce's lap, how seamlessly they had slotted together. ]
Never. [ Not in the traditional, means-to-an-actual-ends sort of sense. He's not sure if he should explain any further, but Jayce's expression cuts him short. A second later, he says that and makes Viktor blush all over again. ] Never courted someone! Nor been courted. That's all I meant.
[ they'd gotten a bit carried away, hadn't they . . . the rush of an emotional ride was strong enough to whisk anyone into a riddled, pleasured mess. and the near scary part was that if it went any further— oh, he tries to divert that thought. it is going places that made his turn darker all by himself. ]
Even with that, we're the same.
[ time to . . . unlock the door. christ, he even locked the door in his worried haste. how'd that even look? that he wanted to bed him right then and there?
he hopes that wasn't the impression he's left. ]
I'm— sorry, about earlier. [ his lack of reaction that looked very much like a rejection. ] I didn't know what to do on the spot, and . . . I couldn't believe it.
Now that is difficult to believe. [ Looking at Jayce, Viktor highly doubts that no one has ever taken a fancy to him. If he has always been as single-minded in his passion for equestrian technology, it stands to reason that he never accepted any advances; Viktor would bet money that plenty had hoped to be the ones to catch his eye.
How unlikely for Viktor to be the one to finally do it. ]
No apologies are necessary, Jayce. I was being very impulsive. I didn't come here with a plan to accost you. [ The pleased smile on his face is enough evidence that he feels no regret nor guilt about the matter now, though. ] I suppose it's a testament to my previous restraint that you were unaware of my... affection for you.
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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?
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jayce guides one of his arms around the waist he'd held earlier, now with more unadulterated passion and tracing on the way down, gripping flesh and bone, making sure there was no space left unoccupied at their hips, which pulsed hot beneath the friction of body and thick fabric. it counted as physical support for viktor too, who jayce felt would like to do his own probing if their feelings are really so mirrored. mindful he must be of his knewly braced leg, so even his center of gravity, viktor would find, is being pulled off his responsibility to better explore the farrier. jayce invites it, with splayed fingers at the peak of viktor's hip bone— to give it a blissful knead, with his opposing hand doing the same to his scalp. he felt so good. it is so much better than he imagined it to be.
god, it was until recently that he realized how much he wanted this, wanted viktor— but in the way that it feels just so right he could've sworn he's been after this man for eons. an idea hits his thoughts, in flashes between his attempts to breathe in this maddening scent of viktor's skin through the nose pressed into the inside of his cheek, delve with his mouth, and with stiff legs jayce backs away with viktor in tow, refusing to part— silently beckoning him to the work desk with slowed, clanking steps infused with metal, with now both hands steadying his torso (jayce touches his own fingertips, encircling viktor's waist in full, oh my god), despite his frenzied lips. he's getting breathless, reluctantly breaks, ]
Desk, [ he manages to huff, taking the opportunity to inhale, exhale, briefly find the other's beautiful pearls for eyes underneath his lashes as they wobbled, but knocking their noses together, flashing teeth that come in to kiss him again, giving viktor a little more gums than lips because he cannot stop smiling but damn it does he try anyway!
he's never felt this bloom in his chest, he's never felt this heat so wild to spread. his whole body and mind felt connected to the moment, connected to him— if this was how sex was supposed to feel like, he's much more interested. maybe all that talk of "the right person" his mother would romantically advise him growing up wasn't silly after all. ]
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Feeling more supported now, Viktor lets his hands wander higher up Jayce's wide back and shoulders, mapping out the dips between muscles as they flex and move. He finally gets one up the back of Jayce's hair, the heel of his hand scrubbing at the short hairs at the nape of his neck while long fingers grab at the longer strands. All the while, Viktor sighs and hums and moans into the kiss, little sounds of pleasure accompanying the smack of lips.
He sways as they start to move, and god Jayce's hands encircle his waist so easily. ]
Eager. [ The teasing comes with a smile that is probably more felt than seen as they continue to stay close as they breathe and kiss and laugh together. It's bliss, it's everything, it's moving so so fast.
Viktor allows himself to be maneuvered towards the desk, and then he exerts just enough force to guide Jayce to the chair. They both struggle with standing, and Jayce is more likely to have been on his feet all day during work. So there's a strong encouragement for Jayce to sit, and if he is so inclined to listen, then Viktor will drape himself across his lap to sit sidesaddle. ]
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[ he retorts, of equal play and chuffing, implying that there is one more eager soul here with them, and that was the man who kissed him first. which he's—
completely blown out of his mind about, still. to jayce's surprise, he's being the one guided to sit, and it has to be one of his greatest awakenings— what had first began as an offhanded, flirtatious joke between them, viktor now sits on his sprayed lap saddleside. he can't help but to snicker, off guard and placing his hands on both sides of him. tentatively, one of them rest on viktor's thigh, feeling the charge of a magnetic pull that breifly locks their colorful eyes. he gets happily lost in them, no need for directions.
he's so gorgeous that jayce's telling, signature brow furrow puts him in a position of brutally smitten. ]
Taking me for a ride?
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I did say I could tame you, didn't I?
[ Smiling as he leans in, one hand smoothing up Jayce's chest to cup the back of his neck, Viktor kisses him again but more slowly this time, exploratory. He wants to catalog the shape of Jayce's lips and the way his beautiful eyes fall half-closed when they're close like this. Though Viktor has no intention of making this a one-time escapade, he can't help feeling something in his gut telling him to cherish Jayce and the fact that they can do this, together.
He pulls back, hand traveling higher to twirl a long piece of hair between his fingers as he looks over Jayce's face. ]
I need you to know that I don't intend for this to be a simple dalliance.
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he can test the softness of viktor's thin lips against his own, now, he can observe if his beard or whiskers tickle him, how he tastes and how his tongue purls. jayce's flow becomes lazy and content, relinquishing a delighted, curt whimper, while his hands find more ground, not only settling but stroking the stretch of viktor's pants over his leg with a working thumb and circling fingers.
he doesn't want to ever let him go, even when he feels this torrent of intimate togetherness coming to another end, urging him to pull back— he does so closely, marveling and pressing his slickened lips together. he has to shake his head, slow and deliberate. he never thought about him that way. ]
You're so much more than that, [ jayce croons softly, feeling his head dip to the fingers that card into his hair. he studies viktor's face closely, measuring his angles and his moles, padding a thumb to the sharp dip of his cheekbone. ] I . . . even made plans to court you, tonight.
[ he says with comical sheepishness, the saddled horses outside probably a little more than impatient that they're not being used. perhaps jayce should've put the saddle on himself.
he leaves that horrible joke in the crevice of his thoughts to never see the light of day. ]
Even if I thought I didn't have a chance.
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You— [ He laughs at that, not unkindly but certainly surprised. The timing is impeccable, even if Viktor had perhaps jumped the gun, so to speak. ] Well, I shouldn't rob you of that, if you'd still like to.
[ Tilting his head to the side, he runs his hand back through Jayce's hair to push it from where it had fallen into his face amidst all the passion. Viktor can't get over how handsome he is, how perfectly unique and yet totally familiar he is in Viktor's eyes. ]
Seems we had the same unnecessary worry.
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so he says, with a hand lidding the top of viktor's knuckles and embracing it within his palm, ]
Your eyes are beautiful.
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So are yours. [ A beat. ] Do you have a mirror? We should see if we're able to see our own eye colors. [ It's an attempt to put science into practice when the situation feels more magical than anything that can be quantified. ]
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there's a square tack room mirror in between the racks of saddles and champion bow ties. jayce hasn't made use for it until today, when he had to check up on his appearance and groom up moments before they met. but . . . ]
We'd have to get up.
[ his words are a little coy, a bit reluctant— but good humored. he'll get up at the drop of a hat if viktor really wanted to.
or maybe not. maybe they could scoot over to proper view. jayce may be plotting the distance and force needed, adjusting his hold into a full body embrace with safety in mind— ]
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Humming, a little thoughtful and a lot dismissive, he shakes his head. ]
Later. [ But he can feel Jayce's arms around him move and tighten, and it's easy to anticipate what he has in mind even if it's unthinkable. ] Jayce, no, do not pick me up!
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his fingers squeeze, he inhales, jayce hooks a good foot to the chair's leg and does something a little worse than standing to carry him, only because he feels his leg would not take kindly—
so, he scoots. he scoots and makes the chair groan terribly with each sputter of groaning wood to the ground, making his way to at least face said mirror and get close enough to see themselves in it. every shuffle is a bounce of viktor in his arms, and a jolt of jayce's body to offer the momentum for it.
he is smiling like a child who's done something crafty the entire time. jayce, yes. ]
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Good. Viktor hates having to act dignified all the time. ]
You're ridiculous. [ Instead of looking in the mirror, he looks at Jayce and then leans in to kiss him because... he can. Right? Jayce has voiced intentions to court Viktor properly, but that doesn't mean they have to go back to pretending they aren't smitten with each other, does it?
Another kiss for good measure, this time lasting a few beats longer, before he turns to face the mirror. ] Nothing. I suppose that means we have different eye colors. [ He's assuming that he's now able to see the exact shade of Jayce's eyes, no matter the source, because magical or not, that would follow at least a little bit of logic. ] Incredible.
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this is all part of charming him, whether viktor is even aware of that or not. if he gets a kiss for his ridiculousness, then color him pleasantly surprised— jayce's rizz levels are so low it's creating a feedback loop where it's indescribably high. feeling viktor lean into him to press their mouths makes him feel elated; he kisses back, both times, and looks quite proud of himself, if not accidentally sheepish, to have managed it.
there is a mirror to look into, now. only shades of grey, except for the striking contrast of a deep, honey amber. speaking of that . . . jayce could now see them from afar. viktor decking his lap, a big arm keeping him steady. it's lavishly attractive. ]
This isn't ordinary, Viktor, [ he starts, seemingly lost in the way he's simply . . . watching them. watching viktor, specifically, as his arm drapes further around him. they're born colorblind, the rarest of the condition, they happen to meet and suddenly— they see each other's eyecolor, but not their own? ] what do you think?
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I was thinking the same thing. [ But he's a man of science rather than superstition, no matter how often he's caught himself wondering how much more there was to the world. Magic, after all, was just science that hadn't been properly studied and explained yet. ] I think that you deserve to have us follow through with your wooing plans, and we should see if anything in the world around us shows the same colors.
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Sounds like a plan.
[ that would also require getting up, but . . . it's for a motivating cause. before jayce does that, though— he fixes his feet to the ground properly, trains his gaze to the other man and accordingly studies his features. he looks into his eyes— and looks so deeply it's as if he was seeing right through his soul.
he was so pretty. and smart. was he really having this chance? he smiles with his eyes, first. his lips follow suite, receiving a flash akin to memory in his mind— viktor looking at him with a lethal glance. the kind to make his heart skip.
he's always imagining things. with a huff of a laugh, all mysterious, he offers his hand to take viktor's, to steady him from his lap.
viktor did say he could tame him. such was the budding result: it's been a very long time since jayce had felt a little more like that younger, fantastical jayce who'd be too touchy for his own good, bright and charismatic, interacting with his surroundings as easy as he'd breathe. ]
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He touches his fingertips to the center of Jayce's forehead, right where the multicolored jewels had come together at a point. Smoothing Jayce's hair back from his face, Viktor traces down his temple and jawline when he drums his fingers gently, thoughtfully. ] And you'll allow me to court you in return?
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his lips part in a way that bubbles concern to his lips. he's about to ask. say something. would your family ever accept me? his eyes dart in contemplation.
jayce presses his fallen lips together in a pursed smile, keeps the worry lidded. still not a good time. he's too weak to resist viktor, and too steadfast to give up on him. still raising viktor's hand with his, he takes a gander at charming him, pressing his lips to the top of his knuckles in gallant gesture. ]
That's not my choice to make, [ he assures, then softly adds, mildly abashed: ] but I'd like it.
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I hope I can live up to expectations. [ The kiss to the back of his hand should feel ridiculous, but instead it just sets some butterflies free to fly around his stomach. ] I've never tried before, so it may be rather experimental.
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—Never? [ well. it's not as if jayce is any different. shots would be made in his direction, but he'd never really pursue someone out of genuine interest in them. jayce's incredulous "o" shaped mouth slides into a grin that still seems disbelieving. ] And you still manage to blow away all expectations . . .
[ viktor, if anything, is beyond clever. ]
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Never. [ Not in the traditional, means-to-an-actual-ends sort of sense. He's not sure if he should explain any further, but Jayce's expression cuts him short. A second later, he says that and makes Viktor blush all over again. ] Never courted someone! Nor been courted. That's all I meant.
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Even with that, we're the same.
[ time to . . . unlock the door. christ, he even locked the door in his worried haste. how'd that even look? that he wanted to bed him right then and there?
he hopes that wasn't the impression he's left. ]
I'm— sorry, about earlier. [ his lack of reaction that looked very much like a rejection. ] I didn't know what to do on the spot, and . . . I couldn't believe it.
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How unlikely for Viktor to be the one to finally do it. ]
No apologies are necessary, Jayce. I was being very impulsive. I didn't come here with a plan to accost you. [ The pleased smile on his face is enough evidence that he feels no regret nor guilt about the matter now, though. ] I suppose it's a testament to my previous restraint that you were unaware of my... affection for you.
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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. ]
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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.
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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?
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