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?
[ 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.
[ —!! 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
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. ]
[ 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?
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? ]
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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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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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 . . .
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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? ]
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