Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jayce leaned against the wall, the cheap plastic cup in his hand already starting to bend from the way his fingers absently pressed into it. The air in the house was thick, part sweat, part smoke, part too much cologne, and he could feel the bass of the music reverberating through his stomach. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been there, but it had to be less than an hour.

It felt like a goddamn eternity.

From his vantage point near the corner of the room, he scanned the chaos. Groups of people were gathered around couches and tables, laughing too loudly, talking over the music, or dancing in the cramped space that someone'd may had generously labeled a living room. His eyes flickered over faces, none of them particularly interesting—until they landed on Viktor.

Jayce spotted him easily, slouched in one of the battered armchairs like he’d been placed there as a centerpiece for the small cluster of people surrounding him. A joint passed lazily between the group, and Viktor accepted it with his usual detached precision, his long fingers holding it delicately as he exhaled the smoke with a kind of elegance that seemed entirely out of place here. Jayce allowed himself a brief smile at the sight. Trust Viktor to somehow make sitting in a thrifted armchair at a noisy college party look vaguely dignified.

But then Jayce also spotted him.

Jayce had noticed him earlier, a guy around their age with slick blonde hair and a worn out leather jacket. Jayce didn’t know his name, but he knew he was in one of Viktor’s classes. And he definitely didn’t like the way he was hovering, leaning in too close as Viktor spoke. The guy laughed, too loud and too eager, at something Viktor said, and Jayce could see the subtle tightening of Viktor’s jaw. He could read him like a book by now; they spent most of their time together anyway, inside and outside of university. Jayce knew Viktor didn’t like loud people, didn’t like people who’d chew his ear off rambling about nothing for hours, and certainly didn’t like anyone invading his personal space.

Although of course, Jayce was all of those things, but he had a best friend free pass. He was the exception.

Yet, there the guy was again, sitting on the arm of the chair, leaning closer, his hand brushing Viktor’s arm like it was accidental. Jayce’s jaw clenched. He took a long sip of his drink, not even tasting the watered-down beer as his grip tightened on the cup.

“Are you planning on actually hitting on someone tonight, or are you just going to glare at them until they fall at your feet?” A voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and familiar.

Jayce turned his head to see Caitlyn standing beside him, one eyebrow raised in that way she always did when she was about to say something cutting. Her blue dark hair was tied back, and she was holding a half-empty glass of something neon green that he was pretty sure wasn’t safe to drink.

“I’m not glaring.” Jayce said, though the words came out defensively, which only made Caitlyn smirk.

“You’ve been standing here for almost twenty minutes staring into the abyss like you’re contemplating life’s greatest mystery.” She gave him a little nudge, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

“Yeah, well.” The young man sighed. “I’d honestly rather be somewhere else.” 

“I know. This isn’t exactly my idea of a great Friday night either.” She replied, swirling her drink in her hand as she glanced around with an uninterested look. “Vi dragged me to this party too, you know?” She looked at the green liquid on her cup before hesitantly taking another sip. She made a face, then proceeded to keep talking. “But she’s right. You need to let loose. We barely see you and Viktor outside of school anymore. You guys need to stop being a couple of workaholics and have some fun.”

“We do have fun.”

“Reviewing each other’s notes and talking about physics does not count as fun-”

“It is fun enough for me!” He shot back. “And that- That’s not all we do in our free time, you know?”

“Right.” His friend sighed, elbowing him. “Listen, you’re here anyway, so maybe try to enjoy yourself instead of sulking in a corner like some kind of brooding antihero.”

Jayce scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not sulking.”

“You are sulking.” Caitlyn said, taking another sip of her drink. This time, she didn’t flinch. “And besides, you’ve been whining to me for weeks about how miserable your non-existent sex life is, and now that you’re in the exact kind of setting where you could, I don’t know, do something about it , you’re acting like a moody teenager.”

Jayce gave her a sideways look. “I'm not going to just hook up with some random person at a party.”

“You could.” She shrugged. “You have plenty of suitors already, you said it yourself. You just have to find someone you actually like. You don’t have to marry them, Jayce. Just relax a little. Have some fun. Maybe then you’ll stop being so insufferable about how long it’s been since you-”

“Alright, alright.” Jayce interrupted, rolling his eyes. “I get it, Cait, I get it.”

Caitlyn smiled, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “I’m just saying, if you’re going to be here, you might as well make the most of it. It’s not that bad.” She rested her head on his shoulder for a second, looking at him from below in a teasing yet fond gesture. “Just don’t spend the whole night brooding. You’re more fun when you actually talk to people.”

Jayce managed to smile back momentarily and then sighed and simply nodded. Then Caitlyn patted him on the back and turned around, walking toward the young woman with pink hair waiting for her on the other side of the room. When she reached her, they exchanged a few words and shot back a quick look at Jayce, giggling. Then, they disappeared back into the crowd, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and the growing knot of frustration tightening in his chest.

His head snapped back toward Viktor, his brow furrowing at the sight of the same guy from before leaning in closer, his hand now resting on the armrest, just inches from Viktor’s leg. Jayce took another sip of his drink, the bitterness of the beer doing little to drown out the heat rising in his chest.

He wasn’t sure why he felt so grossed out about this guy hovering around Viktor. It wasn’t as if it was the first time someone had tried to get close to him. Viktor, even as mysterious and lonely as he may seem, had a way of drawing people in, even if he didn’t realize it or particularly want it. Jayce and Viktor had been friends for over four years now, ever since they’d been paired for a project in their first year of university. What had started as a reluctant partnership had quickly turned into an inseparable bond. They were a team, not just in academics but in life.

So maybe that was it? Was he worried about someone stealing his best friend? After all, he and Viktor shared more than just their studies. Their ideas, passions, even their ideals seemed to align in a way that Jayce had never found with anyone else. Viktor got him in a way no one else did. And Jayce liked to think it was mutual. No. He knew it was mutual. So no, he was confident enough that Viktor had a connection with him that he didn’t share with anyone else, and he definitely wasn’t gonna choose a random dude over Jayce to be his new partner in crime.

So why was he so bothered by this guy?

Maybe it was because it was painfully obvious he wanted something more from Viktor than just friendship. The way he was looking at him, with dark, hungry eyes, standing just a little too close to him, open mouthed, almost drooling. It all made Jayce’s skin crawl.

Or maybe it was because, right now, Viktor felt like the only lifeline Jayce had in this entire party. He could always go chat with Cait and Vi, but they were probably too busy making out somewhere around the house. So he was… kind of on his own. Sure, Jayce recognized some faces (this was a university party, after all), and he’d even seen a few classmates he knew, some of whom had flirted with him in the past. And yeah, he had flirted back a little, on occasions, when he felt like it. But it never went anywhere. Honestly, the idea of hooking up just for the sake of it felt like more trouble than it was worth.

He much preferred nights spent at Viktor’s place, sitting on his battered couch watching documentaries or talking endlessly about their projects over some coffee and tea.

Jayce didn’t know what that said about him, exactly.

But he did know that the sight of this random guy annoyed him more than it should. He didn’t want to admit it, not even to himself, but there was something about the idea of someone else taking up space in Viktor’s life — his Viktor, their time— that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

And that wasn’t jealousy. Definitely not.

...Right?

Jayce cleared his throat slightly, trying to ground himself and shake off the spiraling thoughts. He glanced up just in time to see Viktor standing from the armchair. He stretched briefly, supporting his weight on his cane. He yawned and his shoulders rolled beneath his big beige sweater, the collar sliding gently over one of his shoulders, making a bony collarbone splashed with some moles peek under the fabric. Jayce followed him with his eyes, as he started to walk through the crowd, watching as Viktor navigated the cramped room, his expression composed but faintly disinterested, like he was just enduring the chaos around him.

Viktor stopped near the kitchen table, where someone had laid out a sad selection of snacks and half-empty bottles of cheap liquor. He picked up a water bottle, examining it with the same intensity he used in their lab experiments.

Jayce pushed off the wall and crossed the room to join him, weaving through the clusters of people without much effort. When he reached Viktor, he leaned casually against the edge of the table, his plastic cup dangling from his fingers.

“Didn’t think this was your scene, but you seem to manage pretty well, huh?” He said, giving his friend a teasing smile.

Viktor twisted the cap off the water bottle and took a sip before answering. “Not exactly anyone’s scene, if I’m honest. This is less ‘party’ and more ‘cultural experiment in noise tolerance.’”

Jayce chuckled. “That bad, huh?”

“Eh. It has its... moments.” Viktor said dryly, gesturing vaguely toward the crowd with his bottle. “But someone offered me some weed, so I can’t complain too much. It relaxes me. And it helps with the leg pain, so…”

Jayce’s smile softened. He knew better than most how bad Viktor’s leg could get after a long day on his feet, even if he rarely brought it up himself. He also knew Viktor did some ‘medical weed’, as he liked to call it. It wasn’t that often, but he did smoke a joint here and there from time to time, especially when he had bad leg pain days. He had done it with Jayce before as well. He wasn’t too much of a fan of smoking himself, but Jayce had to admit that the couple of times they had gotten high together had been pretty fun.

“Well, at least there’s that.” The tan man replied, his tone light. “So, what’s your verdict? Worth the hassle of being dragged here by Cait and Vi?”

His friend raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s hardly a good party, but as long as I don’t have to endure too many drunken conversations about someone’s philosophical awakening after their third tequila shot, I’ll survive.”

Jayce laughed, shaking his head. “Sounds like you’re having the time of your life.”

“Clearly.” Viktor deadpanned, his smirk widening slightly. “And you? Are you enjoying yourself, or are you still trying to figure out how to finish that disgusting watered down beer?”

Jayce glanced down at the cup in his hand, the golden liquid sloshing pitifully under the dim light. He grimaced. “I don’t even like beer that much.”

“Then why drink it?”

“I don’t know- Peer pressure? Or maybe I thought it’d taste better after the first few sips.” He grumbled in response.

“And has it?”

“Not even remotely.”

Viktor chuckled softly, his laughter low and unhurried, like he was savoring the moment. Jayce couldn’t help but smile at the sound.

“Poor decisions. Typical of you.” Viktor remarked with a teasing edge.

“Excuse me?” Jayce feigned offense, setting the cup down on the kitchen counter. “You’re one to talk, Mr. I’m-Smoking-A-Blunt-Even-Though-I’m-Asthmatic.”

“It’s medical.” Viktor frowned.

“I don’t think sharing a blunt with a bunch of drunk university students counts as medical weed.”

“It is for me.” Viktor said dryly, his tone suddenly dropping to something sharp and serious. “You’re being ableist, Jayce.”

“Oh, shut up!” He laughed, giving his partner a small nudge. “I’m not falling for that shit again.”

Viktor huffed, adjusting his position slightly. He couldn’t help but flash a faint smirk, his expression slowly softening into something closer to a genuine smile. Jayce felt a strange warmth settle in his chest as he watched Viktor relax. He looked tired, but there was a certain calmness in the way he leaned back, as if the tension from earlier was finally slipping away. He liked what he had with Viktor; those silly inside jokes they’d cultivated over the years, Viktor’s pointed remarks about Jayce’s habit of overcomplicating simple experiments, spending their free time together eating snacks and discussing their futures when they eventually get out of uni... For a moment, the noise and chaos of the party faded into the background, replaced by the comfortable familiarity of their banter. But then…

“Viktor!”

Both of them turned to look. It was the group Viktor had been sitting with earlier, crowded around the armchair and the coffee table that had become their makeshift base. The blond guy, the one who had been hanging around Viktor all night, was waving a freshly rolled joint in the air, grinning like he’d just solved a complex equation.

“Vik!” The guy called. “Wanna hit this one?”

Vik? What the fuck?

Why the fuck was this unknown guy even calling him nicknames now?

Before Viktor could respond, one of the girls in the group piped up, her voice cheerful and slightly slurred. “Yeah, come on, Viktor! Bring your friend, too!”

Jayce recognized her immediately. She was in one of their shared engineering classes, and she’d always gotten along well with Viktor. Her dark curls bounced in a big messy bun as she waved them over, adjusting her golden glasses and scrunching her nose as she smiled, highlighting the freckles on her face. Jayce squinted his eyes, trying to remember her name.

Viktor glanced at Jayce, raising an eyebrow. “Well? Shall we?”

He hesitated. The last thing he wanted was to sit through more of that guy’s obvious attempts to flirt with Viktor. But at the same time, the thought of letting his friend go back —with him — made his stomach twist uncomfortably.

“You go ahead.” Jayce said finally, forcing a smile. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”

Viktor gave him a measured look, as if he could sense there was more to the hesitation than Jayce was letting on. But he didn’t press. “Alright.” He simply said, before turning and making his way back to the group.

Jayce watched him go, his jaw tightening as the guy immediately leaned toward Viktor again. The freckled girl greeted Viktor warmly, and the group’s attention shifted back to their conversation, leaving Jayce standing by the table with his almost empty cup. He sighed, and reluctantly finished his beer. Then he tipped the cup back as if there was still something left in it.

“Okay.” He muttered under his breath. He turned back and reached for the nearest bottle of liquor, pouring himself a generous amount before topping it off with a splash of soda. If he was going to deal with this, he needed to loosen up first.

Jayce took a long sip of the drink, wincing slightly as the alcohol burned its way down his throat. Then he straightened, glancing toward the group by the couch one more time before forcing himself to move. If that smug idiot thought he was going to let him monopolize his best friend’s attention all night, he had another thing coming.

He approached the group with his drink in hand, his posture casual even as his mind raced. Of course the persistent guy was still glued to Viktor’s side, leaning in just enough to make his intentions clear to anyone with eyes. Viktor, as always, didn’t seem fazed, though he still engaged politely in conversation.

When Jayce reached them, Viktor glanced up and gave him a quick nod, the corner of his mouth twitching in something like a smile. “Ah, there he is. Everyone, this is Jayce.”

A few faces lit up in recognition.

“Hi! You’re in our Descriptive Geometry class, right?” The girl asked, her tone a bit shy, but polite nonetheless. “I’m Sky.”

Sky . Right. That was her name.

“Yeah, I know you.” He gave her a smile back.

“Wait- You’re Jayce?” Some other guy said, with a note of surprise in his voice. “ The Jayce Talis? You’re the guy who won the Distinguished Innovators Competition last year, right?”

Jayce chuckled, scratching the back of his neck as he sat down in the only available spot, a worn-out cushion too far from Viktor for his liking. “Guilty as charged. I guess my reputation precedes me.”

“I participated too.” The young man continued. “But honestly, your design was way more interesting and better put together. As much as it kills me to admit it."

“Actually…” Jayce began, shooting a quick look at Viktor. “The prototype was Viktor’s idea. He kindly gave it to me since he couldn’t be bothered to sign up for the competition himself." His tone was light, though a bit teasing. 

Viktor simply shrugged, crossing his weak leg over the other one. “And I still don’t regret it to this day. You did the idea justice, after all.”

“Wait- WHAT?” Sky almost screamed, her eyes widening dramatically behind her glasses. “Why didn’t I know this?”

“Eh. It’s not that big of a deal.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Still, you could’ve mentioned it.” She crossed her arms, mock indignation lighting her expression. 

“Viktor, a genius and selfless. You don’t see that every day.” The blond guy chimed in smoothly, leaning forward with an easy smile. He elbowed Viktor’s arm lightly, a touch that seemed casual but felt too familiar for Jayce. “What other secrets are you hiding?”

Ugh. That last part sure made him cringe.

Viktor smirked faintly, waving a hand dismissively. “If I talked about every project Jayce and I worked on together, it would grow tiresome quickly. Besides, I’d rather not dwell on past endeavors too much.”

“He’s too modest.” Jayce replied to his partner’s attempt to shift the attention away from himself, cutting in before he could brush it off further. “It’s not like my solo projects aren’t good. I like to think they are.” He continued, fidgeting with his plastic cup, suddenly a bit self conscious. “But usually when I work with Viktor my projects end up coming way better than I expected.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.” The annoying guy said, grinning as he turned to Viktor again.

Jayce’s fingers tightened around his plastic cup, the faint crinkle of the cheap material muffled under the noise of the room. Sweet? Sure, he was just making an innocuous comment, but something about the way he said it, like he was part of the conversation now —like he should be part of the conversation— rubbed Jayce the wrong way. The way his smile lingered on Viktor, too easy, too comfortable, only made it worse.

Viktor didn’t seem to notice, or maybe he just didn’t care. He merely shrugged, his expression neutral but faintly amused. “Jayce is exaggerating. We work well together, that’s all.”

The blond guy chuckled. “Well, whatever you’re doing, it clearly works. You two must make a great team.”

Jayce forced a smile, though it felt tight at the corners. “Yeah, we do.” He said, his voice a little too bright. He took a sip from his cup, the drink barely masking the sour taste creeping up the back of his throat.

The young man didn’t seem to notice Jayce’s tone—or if he did, he didn’t care. He tilted his head toward Viktor, his expression softening. “It must be nice, though, having someone who gets you. You don’t see that kind of synergy very often.”

Jayce could feel his jaw clench, the tension traveling up to his temples. His words made Jayce’s stomach twist. And he wasn’t even saying anything bad at all. But it was just… irritating.

He cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly as if to reclaim some space. “Yeah, Viktor and I have been working together for a while now.” He said, his voice casual but firm, pointedly meeting the guy’s gaze before turning back to Viktor. “We kind of just know how to play to each other’s strengths.”

Viktor glanced at Jayce, his brow quirking faintly at the deliberate emphasis, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he simply reached for his drink, taking a measured sip.

The blond guy smiled again—always smiling, always there . “That’s really cool. I can see why Viktor likes working with you.” He turned back to Viktor once again, his voice lowering slightly, like he was sharing some private joke. “I’d bet you’re the one keeping him organized, though. Am I right?”

“Actually,” Jayce cut in, his tone sharper than he intended, “I’m usually the organized one. Viktor’s got the whole mad scientist vibe down.”

Viktor arched an eyebrow, his lips quirking faintly. “You? Organized?” He scoffed. “Ah, yes. Stopping you from blowing things up is the pinnacle of madness.” He tilted his head, resting his temple on two large fingers. “Stop defaming me in public, Jayce. At least wait until I’m not around to defend myself.”

That earned a quiet laugh from the group, and for a brief moment, when Viktor looked at him with a knowing smile, Jayce felt the tightness in his chest ease. 

Sky tilted her head, her grin widening slightly. “Well, for the record, Viktor also talks about you sometimes.”

“Does he now?” Jayce shot Viktor a mock-surprised look.

Viktor rolled his eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s mostly complaints about your inability to follow lab protocols.”

The group laughed again, and Jayce joined in, leaning back on his seat. “Fair enough.” He said with a defeated shrug. “But someone’s got to keep things interesting.”

And then this fucking guy had to chime in again. “Well, Jayce .” The way he said his name sent a shiver down Jayce’s spine. It felt weird as hell, like some kind of challenge. “You certainly keep Viktor on his toes, I’ll give you that.” He quipped, nudging Viktor again. “He barely has time to hang out with anyone else at this point. He’s too busy nowadays with all of these great projects of yours.” He said jokingly. His tone was light, but it felt a little passive aggressive as he shot a quick look at Jayce.

Oh, come on.

Jayce nearly rolled his eyes. He bit back a sharp comment, focusing instead on his drink as Viktor let out a low and awkward chuckle but didn’t reply directly, instead taking the joint being passed around again.

Sky leaned forward, clearly intent on keeping the conversation going, and Jayce did his best to match her enthusiasm. She seemed a little shy, but she was bright and quick-witted, and under normal circumstances, he might have enjoyed talking to her more. But his attention kept drifting.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the way the blond man’s fingers brushed lightly against Viktor’s knee. Jayce clenched his jaw and forced himself to focus on what Sky was saying. Something about a project she and Viktor were brainstorming.

“Right. Cool.” Jayce said distractedly, nodding along. But his eyes flicked back to Viktor, who had just taken the joint being passed around again. Jayce watched as Viktor raised it to his lips, inhaling deeply, the ember briefly lighting his sharp features.

There was something about the way Viktor moved, the calm precision of it, that always drew Jayce’s attention, even in a room like this—loud, chaotic, too full of people. Viktor had this quiet, magnetic pull, like he existed slightly outside the noise, unaffected by it. Jayce’s grip tightened on his drink as he realized he hadn’t looked away.

Viktor exhaled, the smoke curling lazily in the air around him, and his gaze flicked to Jayce. “Want to hit it?” He asked, his voice a bit rough, holding the joint out to him.

Jayce blinked. “Oh, uh...” He hesitated, but Viktor’s eyes stayed on him, calm and curious. “Sure. Why not?”

He leaned forward and took it, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on him. He wasn’t a stranger to weed, but it wasn’t something he did often, and the pressure of performing in front of the group only made his hands clumsier. He took a cautious inhale, but the smoke hit his throat wrong, and he coughed, hard.

Laughter rippled through the group—light, teasing. Even Viktor chuckled, though it was soft, not mocking.

“Not used to it?” The man beside Viktor asked, his tone amused. It made Jayce’s skin crawl with sudden discomfort and embarrassment.

He coughed again, shaking his head. “Not really.” He admitted, his voice hoarse.

“No rush.” Viktor said, his voice quieter now, almost just for Jayce. “Take it slow. Small inhales. It’s not a competition.”

Jayce nodded, his awkwardness easing just slightly. He tried again, this time following Viktor’s advice. It went down easier, though the heady rush hit him almost immediately. He passed the joint along and leaned back into the cushions, blinking rapidly as the room tilted just slightly.

“Better?” His partner asked. Though Jayce almost didn’t register it.

“Yeah. Uh. Yeah, better.”

The alcohol already warming his veins mixed uncomfortably with the buzz, and his chest felt tight with anxiety. The noise of the party, the laughter, the overlapping conversations—it was suddenly too much. And Jayce was a bit of an anxious person himself to begin with, so the sensation didn’t really help. Doing weed in this context was definitely different from the times he had done it with Viktor alone, just the two of them. And honestly, way worse.

“I’m gonna grab something to eat.” He mumbled, standing quickly, which made him feel a bit dizzy. He didn’t wait for a response, needing the movement to steady himself.

Before he could fully step away, Viktor caught his eye. He didn’t say anything, but his brow furrowed slightly, a silent question. Are you okay?

Jayce forced a smile, raising a thumbs-up as he walked backward. He added a playful wink, as if to reassure Viktor (and maybe himself) that everything was fine. But as soon as he turned and made his way toward the kitchen, his chest tightened further. He leaned against the counter, gripping the edge as he tried to ground himself. The buzz was too strong, his thoughts spiraling into frustration.

Why did it bother him so much? Why couldn’t he just sit there, relax, enjoy the party like everyone else? Why did it feel like his blood was boiling every time that guy leaned a little too close to Viktor?

Jayce poured himself another drink, though he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. But he needed to do something . Anything to push away the gnawing feeling in his stomach.

He knew Viktor wasn’t some celibate monk. Hell, Viktor probably had more sex than he did. Not that he ever talked about it in detail—Viktor didn’t really do details about his sex life. But Jayce wasn’t an idiot. He’d noticed the mornings when Viktor came to class looking a little disheveled, with the same clothes he was wearing the day before, like he hadn’t gone home for the night. He had seen the marks that sometimes appeared on Viktor’s neck, red and purple bruises decorating his pale skin. Viktor didn’t make a big deal of it, and neither did Jayce.

So why the hell did it bother him now?

He took a sip of his drink, the burn of the alcohol distracting him for a moment. Was it envy? Maybe. Viktor seemed to get laid way more than he did. He also seemed so at ease with himself, so confident in what he wanted and what he didn’t. Jayce wasn’t sure he’d ever had that kind of clarity.

But even as he told himself he was just jealous that his best friend had more game than he did, some deeper, more uncomfortable part of him knew it wasn’t the whole truth.

He just couldn’t figure out what the rest of it was.

*****

Jayce sprawled lazily across the corner of the plush couch, one arm draped over the backrest, the other clutching the remnants of a drink. This was his… Fourth? Fifth? He’d lost count hours ago.

The music was loud —too loud— and the room felt like it was spinning in slow motion, but Jayce couldn’t be bothered to move. For a brief moment, he thought about closing his eyes and letting the haze of alcohol lull him into some semblance of peace, but then Caitlyn’s voice calling his name pulled him back to reality.

Jayce blinked sluggishly, his head lolled to the side, just enough to catch her friend perched comfortably on Vi’s legs. She was sitting sideways on her girlfriend’s lap, her arm draped around her neck, and her other hand absently playing with the strap of Vi’s tank top. They both looked tipsy, a little flushed, but entirely too aware of him sitting there like a sulking third wheel.

“You okay over there? You look like you’re about to pass out.” She said, her voice slightly slurred but still carrying a familiar worried note.

“I’m fine.” He mumbled, his voice low, the words dragging through his tongue lazily.

Caitlyn pulled a little back from Vi, her brow furrowing slightly. “Maybe you should drink some  water… Do you want something to eat, or…?”

“I’m fine, Cait.” He repeated. He took another half-hearted sip of whatever was left in his cup. It didn’t do much to clear his head. “Just… wondering what I’m still doing here.”

Vi snorted, the sound low and rough as she tightened her arms around Caitlyn’s waist. “You and me both, dude. Sorry, didn’t think this party would be so lame. This isn’t exactly your scene, huh?”

“Nope.” Jayce admitted, his voice flat as he stared down at the ice cubes clinking against the glass in his hand. “Don’t even know why I came. I just… don’t want to be here anymore.

“You can always just…” Vi shrugged a bit, “go. No one is forcing you to stay, you know?”

“Leave? Alone?” Caitlyn almost exclaimed, looking at her girlfriend with a scolding look. “In the state he's in? No way.”

“Nonono…” The man muttered, rubbing one of his eyes lazily. “Going home alone right now sounds just as miserable as staying.”

Caitlyn tilted her head, studying him with those sharp, calculating eyes of hers. Even tipsy, she still managed to look like she could solve a murder in five minutes flat. “You sure you don’t need anything?” She said lightly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Vi’s shoulder. 

Before he could answer, the pink haired young woman chimed in. “Why don’t you just… I don’t know, go talk to someone? Find a cute girl, or guy, or whatever you’re into tonight.” A sly smile curled on her scarred lips. “Cait told me you’ve been whining non-stop about your poor sex li- Ow!” Caitlyn interrupted her with a sudden slap on her shoulder.

Jayce gave the both of them a tired look. “Not really in the mood.” Alcohol usually made him horny as all Hells, but right now he couldn’t even begin to think about that.

Vi raised an eyebrow, looking at Caitlyn as she pouted in the slightest. Cait huffed, leaning back a little so she could look at Jayce better. “By the way, where’s Viktor?” She asked, her tone casual, quickly trying to change the conversation topic. “I lost sight of him.”

Jayce stiffened, his grip tightening on his glass. He tried to play it cool, but the flicker of irritation was hard to mask. “Yeah, he disappeared.” He muttered under his breath, his voice almost drowned out by the music. “He does that sometimes.”

Jayce’s jaw clenched involuntarily as he thought about Viktor. It had been a while since he'd last seen him, and he couldn't shake the knot of frustration that twisted in his stomach. He hated the idea that Viktor may had let himself be sucked into that dude’s flirting, too forward, too obnoxious, when he deserved so much better. He’d tried to push it aside, tried to ignore the way his friend’s absence gnawed at him, but the thought of him up there having sex with that guy in one of the upstairs rooms, made his blood boil. He imagined the scenario with an almost painful clarity: how that asshole might be gripping him, manhandling him, touching Viktor without any care,  without the reverence he deserved. The image wouldn’t leave him, and it burned at Jayce, the helpless frustration of not being able to protect him from that. Not that Viktor needed protection anyway. He was a grown man. Jayce knew that. And yet, a wave of irritation flooded his chest. 

“Maybe he found someone who is in the mood.” Vi’s playful tone broke Jayce’s silent thoughts. His brow twitched as he looked back at the two girls. Vi lifted up her hands in the air, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “What? I’m just saying, that guy he was with earlier was practically all over him. So maybe he just… you know.”

“Vi.” Caitlyn scolded softly, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. She looked back at Jayce, sighing. “This party was supposed to be your chance to get back out there and return the spark to your sex life. But now it seems like Viktor’s already ahead of you.” 

Jayce scoffed. “Wouldn’t be surprising.” He muttered, trying not to show the obvious discomfort in his voice.

Vi caught it, though, her grin widening as she nudged Caitlyn. “Hear that? Someone’s resentful.” She let out a small chuckle. “What’s the matter, pretty boy? Are you jealous that your nerdy, anemic friend is getting more action than you tonight?”

Cait put her hand over her girlfriend’s mouth, silencing her. But she also smiled, tilting her head curiously. “Are you jealous, Jayce? Because if you are, I have to say, you’re not hiding it very well.”

Jayce groaned, running a hand over his face as if that would erase the flush creeping up his neck. “I’m not jealous." The words came out too quickly, too defensive. “I just… I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in a while, and this place is too big, and-”

Jayce didn’t continue. He didn’t trust himself to. Instead, he stared down at his drink, the ice now melted into a watery mess, the condensation dripping slowly down the sides of the glass. His mind, though, was elsewhere. He tried desperately not to picture Viktor sprawled out on some stranger’s bed in one of the rooms upstairs, that guy’s hands all over him. His fingers gripping Viktor’s skin too tightly, his lips tracing a path along Viktor’s neck, his breath hot against his ear. The thought that someone else was touching Viktor like that, someone who didn’t know him the way Jayce did-

“Jayce?” Caitlyn’s voice pulled him out of his spiraling thoughts. “You okay?”

He blinked, his stomach twisting violently as he shoved the glass onto the table in front of him and stood, swaying slightly. “I’m fine.” He repeated once again, his voice rough. “I just… need to go pee.” Caitlyn frowned, starting to push herself off Vi’s lap, but Jayce waved her off. “I can handle it.” He said, his tone sharper than he intended. “I’ll be fine.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and made his way toward the stairs, leaving the two girls behind on the couch. His legs felt unsteady beneath him as he climbed step after step. The pounding in his head grew worse, each thump of the bass reverberating through his skull.

He finally reached the bathroom and stumbled inside, locking the door behind him. For a moment, he just stood there, his forehead pressed against the cool surface of the door, breathing heavily.

Holy shit, he was drunk.

Like, really drunk.

And thinking about Viktor moaning some random dude’s name wasn’t helping with the dizziness at all.

He pushed himself off the door and stumbled toward the toilet, fumbling with his belt and zipper. Everything felt heavier than it should, his hands clumsy, his balance shaky. When he finally managed to relieve himself, he leaned against the wall for support, his head spinning as he muttered a string of curses under his breath.

“Fuck.” He mumbled to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. “Get it together, Jayce.”

And then he heard it. A quiet groggy voice, with an unmistakable thick accent.

“Jayce?”

He froze, his heart skipping a beat as he turned toward the sound. His eyes landed on the bathtub. A dainty hand appeared from behind the shower curtain and grabbed it, half-drawing it only to reveal an achingly familiar face.

Jayce blinked, convinced he was hallucinating. “Viktor?” His voice was tinged with disbelief.  “What the hell are you doing here?”

Viktor tilted his head slowly, resting his face against the edge of the tub. His eyes were heavy-lidded, his pupils slightly blown, and his hair was a tousled mess, sticking up in every direction. He looked at Jayce with his cheek pressed against the porcelain, like this was the most normal thing in the world. “Hiding.” He simply said, his voice low and slightly slurred from the weed.

Jayce couldn’t help but stare. Even like this, red-eyed, stoned, and absurdly draped in a bathtub, Viktor managed to look stunning. His sharp cheekbones caught the dim light, his lips parted slightly as he exhaled, and his pale skin was flushed faintly at the tips of his ears. He looked tired, disheveled, and yet completely, achingly beautiful.

“You’re hiding…” Jayce repeated, incredulous, “in the bathtub?”

Viktor’s lips curled into a faint smirk, lifting his head slightly as he regarded Jayce with a mixture of amusement and mild irritation. “Yes, Jayce. In the bathtub. Is that so hard to believe?”

Jayce let out a breathless laugh, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the sink. “You could’ve at least locked the door.” He said, gesturing vaguely.

“And deprive myself of this delightful encounter?” Viktor drawled, his voice dry and dripping with sarcasm. “Perish the thought.”

Jayce smiled softly at the words and he walked toward him, trying not to trip over himself. When he finally reached it, he carefully lowered himself onto the edge of the bathtub, trying to balance the weight of the situation and the unsteady swaying of his body. The room still spun slightly, but he ignored it for now. Instead, he focused on Viktor.

His friend was half-reclined in the bathtub with his legs stretched out lazily. His cane, a constant companion, lay beside him, along with a nearly empty bottle of vodka that Jayce assumed he had stolen from downstairs. Viktor had a distant look in his eyes, like he was somewhere else entirely. He flicked his golden irises toward Jayce, raising an eyebrow. “You want a drink?” His voice was low but almost too casual, as if he didn't care much either way.

Jayce glanced at the bottle, then back at Viktor. “I think if I take one more sip, I’ll end up puking all over this place.”

Viktor smirked but didn’t push it. “Fair.” He said, taking a swig himself and then leaning back with a quiet sigh. The silence between them felt comfortable, at least for the moment.

“So, how's the night going for you?” Jayce began, eyes flicking to Viktor's expression, trying to gauge his mood. “I imagine it’s not going that great if you had to come hide out in the bathroom."

Viktor shrugged lazily, his gaze still half-lidded as he took another slow sip. “You know, same old chaos. The usual crowd. Just... avoiding it all.”

Jayce gave a half-hearted laugh, looking down at his hands, trying to mask how much his stomach churned from the alcohol and the tension he hadn't even realized was building. “Yeah, I get that. I was thinking about leaving for a while there... you know, just getting out of here. But now that I’ve found you...” His voice trailed off, unsure of the exact words he wanted to say. “I’m feeling a bit better.”

Viktor's lips quirked upward in a soft smile, the kind of smile that made Jayce's heart beat faster than it should have. “I’m glad you stayed.”

Jayce let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, and for a moment, he just stared at Viktor, feeling a strange mix of relief and something else he didn’t dare to name. “I haven't seen you in a while. I was starting to think you'd just... disappear. You know, maybe take off and not tell anyone. Though I wouldn't blame you.”

Viktor snorted lightly, rolling his eyes, but his tone was gentle, almost affectionate. “I’m not that cruel, Jayce. If I were going to leave, I would’ve at least sent you a message.”

Jayce chuckled, but it was a little bitter. “I guess I should be grateful for that.” He looked down at the floor, thinking. “Actually, I was starting to think you were off with that guy who’s been hovering around you all night. You know the one.”

Viktor rolled his eyes again, scoffing a bit. “No, no. He’s just... some guy from my class. He’s been getting a little too persistent lately. Always hanging around me like he’s waiting for something.” Viktor paused, a shift in his expression as he eyed the bottle, then took another swig. “He’s... trying to hit on me now, every time he sees me, because…” He stopped himself for a second, as if reconsidering how much to reveal, a sudden silence filling the bathroom. Jayce blinked, processing the words, but before he could even say a word, Viktor added, almost too casually, “I gave him a blowjob a couple of weeks ago, and now he thinks he has a claim on me, or something.” He shrugged, not even looking at him. 

The words hit Jayce like a physical blow, his chest tightening in a way that was almost painful. His mind immediately began to flood with images he didn’t want to see. Viktor, on his knees, arched and vulnerable, sucking that creepy guy off. His dick in Viktor’s mouth, his fingers tugging violently at his hair. The blood rushed to Jayce’s face, and a surge of heat shot through his veins.

Viktor continued, oblivious to the growing storm in Jayce’s mind, “But it’s fine. I’m used to it. I just avoid him when I can.”

“You- Wow.” Jayce’s voice came out more strained than he intended. “Did you really?” He swallowed hard, the words hard to spit out. 

Viktor finally turned his full gaze to Jayce, brows furrowing slightly. “Yeah.” He said, voice soft but firm. “I did. But, honestly, it was just... I don’t know. It just happened. He’s been chasing me ever since.”

Jayce swallowed hard, anger flaring up in his chest. He could practically see Viktor there, bent over for that guy, and it made him feel sick. “Did he at least make you come?”

Viktor’s eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting up abruptly. He opened his mouth slightly, as if he was trying to find the right words, but then he just scoffed. Jayce then realized probably a little too late that his words might have been a little too forward. He didn’t even know why he’d asked that out loud.

“Uh… A little too personal there, don’t you think?” Viktor’s voice trembled a bit, though there was a note of amusement in there somewhere.

“I just-” Jayce tried to compose himself. “I can’t believe you would go and have sex with such a creep.” He gritted his teeth and grabbed the edge of the bathtub, his knuckles almost turning white. “He looked so obnoxiously smug, like he was entitled to you or something.”

Viktor’s expression hardened, and for a moment, his usual calm demeanor slipped. He shifted a bit, sitting up straighter in the tub, his gaze sharp. “Are you seriously slut-shaming me right now?” His voice was quiet, but there was a clear edge to it. 

“What- No. No, no, I’m not-”

“It’s not your business who I sleep with, Jayce, respectfully. If I wanted your opinion, I’d ask for it.” His long fingers gripped the neck of the vodka bottle tightly, his posture rigid. “So, if you’re done trying to tell me what to do, maybe you should focus on your own problems.”

Viktor’s sharp gaze never left Jayce, his fingers still gripping the bottle tightly. The silence between them was thick, tense, as if the air itself had frozen. Jayce opened his mouth to speak again, but he found himself fumbling for the right words, his voice unsteady.

“I... Look, I’m not trying to judge you, okay?” His voice cracked slightly, the alcohol mixing with the frustration building inside. “I just... I just don’t like the idea of you being with someone like that. You deserve more than some guy who thinks he can just... claim you. Like you’re some prize to win.” His words came out more forcefully than he intended, and the tension in the room only grew.

Viktor’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he remained still. “You don’t get to decide that for me.” He replied, his tone cool, but there was an underlying anger simmering beneath. “I don’t need you to protect me from my own choices.”

Jayce’s chest tightened, the words burning in his throat, but he pushed them out anyway. “I’m not trying to protect you. I just care, alright? I care about what happens to you.”

Viktor’s expression grew colder, the distance between them stretching wider with every word that passed. “I really don’t need you to save me, Jayce.” His voice was quieter now, but still edged with frustration.

“Jesus, Viktor.” Jayce groaned, burying his face into the palms of his hands in frustration. He tried to keep his voice steady, but the mix of jealousy and frustration was too much. “I’m just trying to say you deserve better than that guy. He was practically all over you. You don’t need to be with someone like him. You deserve more than just some creepy, pushy guy who thinks he can just fuck you and then-”

“It’s not like we-” Viktor cut him off, his voice growing sharper. “We didn’t even- It’s not like we fucked or anything, Jayce. I just sucked him off and that’s it. Not that it’s any of your damn business.” Viktor’s gaze hardened further, a flicker of annoyance flashing behind his eyes as he looked at Jayce. “And obviously, I’m not with him now, am I? So quit the bullshit.”

Jayce’s heart raced, and before he could stop himself, the words came tumbling out, almost venomous. “Well, yeah. Good thing you didn’t give in to him, then.” He spat, his voice thick with the jealousy that had risen like acid in his throat. “I really would have hated to think you were holed up in some bedroom, having sex with him.”

“And why the hell would you care?” Viktor shot back, his voice low and biting, his patience clearly starting to wear thin. His body seemed to tense, like a coiled spring, ready to snap. “Why the fuck does it matter to you?”

Jayce blinked, his heart pounding as he stared at Viktor. In that moment, everything inside him seemed to snap. The weight of it all, the long-buried feelings, the anger, the attraction—it all came rushing out before he could think. His chest tightened, and the words seemed to pour out of him before he could stop them. 

“Because I would’ve wished to be the one fucking you instead, Viktor!”

Silence. Complete and utter silence.

Jayce’s breath caught in his throat as the shock of his own words landed between them, heavy and suffocating. Viktor, wide-eyed, didn’t move for a moment, his expression frozen as if he hadn’t heard the words at all. Jayce wasn’t sure if he was waiting for the world to stop spinning, or if he was just hoping it wasn’t real.

He swallowed thickly, his pulse thundering in his ears. “Shit, I-” His voice faltered, the reality of what he’d just said sinking in like a weight, a heavy, unbearable thing.

Viktor, still in shock, blinked a few times, his mouth slightly open, as if trying to process what had just been thrown at him. He finally spoke, but his voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. “...What did you say?”

Jayce’s hands were shaking now, his stomach turning, but all he could do was look at Viktor, wide-eyed and panicked. He felt like puking. The room felt too small, the air too thick. He wanted to take it back —wanted to explain— but the words were trapped in his throat. The silence stretched, almost unbearable.

The air between them turned heavy, almost suffocating, and Jayce watched as Viktor’s demeanor slowly shifted. The amber of his eyes seemed to grow darker, sharper, and there was a glint in them now that made Jayce’s breath hitch. The vodka bottle in Viktor’s hand tilted slightly, forgotten, as his gaze locked onto Jayce like a predator sizing up its prey.

“What did you say?” Viktor asked again. This time his voice was lower, firmer, demanding even, with an edge of something Jayce couldn’t quite place. It sent a shiver racing down his spine, and the hairs on his arms stood on end.

Jayce swallowed, his throat dry, and suddenly, the warmth of the alcohol felt like ice in his veins. “I...” All he could hear was the pounding of his own heart. Viktor’s eyes didn’t leave him, didn’t so much as blink, and that intensity was like a weight pressing down on Jayce’s chest. “I would’ve wished…” His voice trembled, as if the very air might shatter if he said it too loudly, “to be the one fucking you instead.”

The words hung in the air like a spark before an explosion.

Yep. Jayce was waaay too drunk.

And maybe the alcohol did make him hornier than he anticipated.

Viktor pressed his lips together, his expression unreadable at first, though there was something in his eyes… A glimmer of satisfaction, of confirmation, of enjoyment . He leaned forward slightly, setting the vodka bottle on the bathroom floor with a soft clink, and slowly, deliberately, began to move.

He shifted in the tub, helping himself with his cane, his movements unhurried, calculated. Jayce’s breath caught as Viktor sat up and swung his legs over the side, the cane propped next to him, just beside the bottle. He rose just enough to sit on the edge of the tub beside Jayce, their thighs brushing slightly, his presence radiating heat and tension.

Viktor tilted his head, studying Jayce with heavy-lidded eyes, his lashes fluttering faintly against his sharp cheekbones as he licked his lips. “Would you like to?” He finally asked, voice low and smooth, like a whisper that wrapped around Jayce’s spine and pulled tight.

Jayce froze. His mind screamed for clarity, but the alcohol dulled everything except the magnetic pull Viktor had on him. His heart hammered so violently he thought Viktor might hear it. His lips parted, but no words came out. All he could do was nod.

Viktor’s mouth twitched. “I need you to say it.” His voice more coaxing now but no less commanding. “Say it out loud. I need to hear it from you. I need to know you mean it.” Jayce’s stomach twisted, and he felt like he might explode under the weight of Viktor’s gaze. “Would you like to fuck me, Jayce?” His voice exhaled with desire and need, his accent suddenly thickening. The way his name rolled off his tongue sent a sudden shock of electricity directly to Jayce’s cock.

He gulped, looking shamelessly at Viktor’s parted lips and that ridiculous perfectly placed mole right above his mouth. His own lips trembled as he tried to gather enough air to speak, his voice barely audible. “I- Yes. I’d love to.”

Viktor drew out a soft smirk, the sharp edges of his face softening as his pupils blew wide. “Good.” 

Before Jayce could process what was happening, Viktor was kissing him.

It wasn’t tentative or shy. It was deliberate, firm, and left no room for hesitation. Viktor leaned in as though he’d decided in an instant and refused to second-guess it.

The world tilted. Every thought Jayce had been clinging to slipped away, scattering like leaves in the wind. Viktor’s lips were warm, softer than he’d expected but insistent, moving against his with a kind of confidence that sent a jolt of electricity crackling down Jayce’s spine. A gasp escaped his lips, almost a whimper, as he instinctively reached out, his hands finding Viktor’s face, fingertips brushing the sharp lines of his jaw. His heart pounded in his ears, so loud it drowned out the muffled music from the party outside.

Viktor pressed closer, deepening the kiss, and Jayce felt the firm grip of his hands wrapping around his forearms, pulling him in as though to ensure there wasn’t even an inch of space between them. Heat radiated off Viktor, or maybe it was just Jayce’s skin burning up from the sheer shock of it all. He didn’t know if it was the alcohol coursing through his veins or the whirlwind of emotions that had been building up all evening, but it was intoxicating.

Jayce’s thoughts grew hazy, muddled by the taste of vodka and something undeniably Viktor on his lips. The lingering tension from their argument twisted into something entirely different, something raw and aching. Without realizing it, his hands slid down from Viktor’s face, fingers brushing over the curve of his neck, trailing down his chest. He moved slowly, almost reverently, as though testing the limits of how far he could go. His hands drifted lower and lower, almost on their own, finally finding purchase on his waist.

The sensation of Viktor under his hands —lean and solid, warm and alive— was enough to make Jayce’s head spin. His grip tightened slightly, grounding himself in the reality of the moment, the sheer impossibility of what was happening. He’d been so caught up in the sharp pangs of jealousy earlier, so consumed by frustration and confusion, and now it all made sense. This was why it had hurt so much to think of Viktor with someone else. This was why every little thing Viktor did had burrowed its way under his skin, why he couldn’t stop looking at him, thinking about him.

The kiss slowed for a moment, Viktor’s lips brushing against his with a gentleness that contrasted the initial fervor. Jayce shuddered at the tenderness, his fingers flexing slightly on Viktor’s waist as though to pull him even closer, to anchor himself in this moment. His partner's hands moved to Jayce’s head, his pale fingers threading through his hair and tugging just enough to make him groan. It was dizzying, intoxicating in a way that no amount of alcohol could compare to.

Jayce’s hands tightened on Viktor’s hips, and without thinking, he pulled him closer, guiding him into his lap. The other man let out a soft noise of surprise but didn’t resist, straddling Jayce with a grace that sent heat pooling low in his stomach.

Jayce’s chest tightened as the realization hit him, clear as day despite the fog of alcohol and adrenaline: he’d wanted this. He’d wanted this for so long it terrified him, and now that it was happening, it was like something had finally clicked into place. Viktor wasn’t just an enigma to unravel or a friend to protect. He was Viktor: sharp-tongued, brilliant, and infuriatingly irresistible. And Jayce would be fooling himself if he thought he could keep his feelings buried.

God, how long had he wanted this? How many times had he unconsciously thought about what Viktor would feel like, taste like? 

Jayce pulled back just enough to breathe, their foreheads pressed together, his chest heaving.

“Viktor-” He whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with something raw, something that he couldn’t hold back anymore. “I- I’m-”

“Shh.” Viktor interrupted. His lips curled into a smirk, his fingers sliding down to rest against Jayce’s chest. “Don’t say anything. I know.” He murmured, leaning in to brush his lips against Jayce’s jaw, sending another wave of heat through him.

Jayce’s hands tightened on Viktor’s hips, his grip almost possessive as he tilted his head back to give Viktor more access. He didn’t care about anything else in that moment. Not the party, not the alcohol, not the way his mind screamed at him to slow down. All he cared about was Viktor, warm, solid, and so achingly close.

Viktor’s lips trailed down to Jayce’s neck, brushing softly before pressing hot, open mouthed kisses down his skin. When Viktor’s tongue flicked over a particularly sensitive spot, Jayce’s breath caught in his throat. He felt Viktor smirk against his neck, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. And of course, he did.

Jayce groaned, his fingers tightening on Viktor. He realized he could almost wrap his entire waist with both of hands. Just the mere thought made Jayce let out a muffled moan. It was overwhelming, intoxicating in a way that had nothing to do with the booze still buzzing in his system. Jayce’s hands, no longer content with just holding Viktor’s waist, slid under the hem of his sweater. His palms met warm skin, lean and smooth, the ridges of Viktor’s ribs and the faint line of his spine under his fingertips. Viktor’s breath stuttered against his neck as Jayce’s hands roamed upward, brushing over his back, pulling him closer.

Mine.

The thought hit Jayce with a ferocity that made his chest ache. Here, in this moment, Viktor was his. Not the guy from the party, not anyone else. Just his . Jayce felt a little embarrassed for even thinking about it, considering just minutes before he was talking down that blond man for displaying an over possessive behavior on Viktor. But he didn’t care. Jayce’s jealousy, that sharp pang that had been eating at him all night, melted into something else—something raw and possessive. He wanted to make Viktor feel good, better than anyone else ever had or could.

Viktor’s lips latched onto his neck again, this time with more intent, teeth grazing against his skin before he soothed the spot with his tongue. Jayce moaned as his hand trailed up Viktor’s spine, grabbing the back of his neck, pressing him closer. That only made his partner huff against his neck, and Jayce could’ve sworn the world tilted on its axis when Viktor started grinding himself against his lap. It was urgent, fervent, almost desperate, and it made a series of continuous short and soft whining moans escape Viktor’s throat.

God . Jayce needed to ruin this man so bad .

They were too distracted in the heat of the moment to notice Viktor’s movements were making their weight shift precariously. The edge of the bathtub beneath them grew dangerous as he leaned forward too far on top of Jayce. His hands slid down Viktor’s sides, gripping his hips to steady them both, but it wasn’t enough. His balance tipped, and before he could catch himself, he slipped, falling into the bathtub with an awkward, loud thud .

“Shit!” Jayce yelped as his back hit the cold surface of the tub, his head narrowly missing the edge. Viktor toppled forward with him, catching himself on his hands to avoid landing fully on top of Jayce.

For a moment, the two of them were frozen, looking at each other with wide open eyes, breathing heavily as they registered what had just happened.

“Are you okay?” Jayce asked hurriedly, his hands immediately flying to Viktor’s arms. His voice was tinged with panic. “Did you hurt yourself? Your leg-”

“I’m fine.” Viktor interrupted, his tone firm but filled with amusement. “Stop fussing, Jayce.” He sat back slightly, still straddling him, and then, to Jayce’s surprise, Viktor let out a soft chuckle.

Jayce blinked at him, dumbfounded, before he found himself laughing too. The absurdity of the situation hit him all at once. The two of them tangled together in some stranger’s bathtub, flushed and breathless, Viktor’s sweater still rucked up where Jayce had pushed it. The tension that had been crackling between them softened, giving way to something lighter, sweeter.

“This is so messy.” Jayce said through a breathless laugh.

Viktor smirked, leaning forward just enough for their noses to brush. “I like messy.” He murmured, his voice low and rough.

Before Jayce could respond, Viktor kissed him again, slow and deliberate this time, as if savoring every second. Jayce melted into it, letting Viktor take the lead as he settled between his legs. Viktor shifted, laying himself out along Jayce’s body, pinning him against the cool surface of the tub. And this time Jayce’s hands found their way to grab Viktor’s ass, pulling him closer, anchoring them together as Viktor moaned into his open mouth at the touch.

Just the sound made Jayce’s head spin, his chest tight with want. He surrendered to the moment. Nothing else mattered. The party, the brief argument, the awkwardness of the bathtub… It all felt distant now. All that mattered was Viktor, here and now, pressing him into the porcelain like he’d never let him go, grinding his hips again against the hard length of Jayce's cock inside his pants in-between them. He wondered if they could get off like this. Only humping through their clothes, desperately rubbing against each other. But he didn’t want to wait enough to find out.

Jayce moved his hand and pressed his fingers against the heat of Viktor’s clothed sex. He could feel the warmness of it through the thin fabric of his pants. He wanted- No. He desperately needed to feel him on his fingers. His partner let out a choked gasp, looking at Jayce through his eyelashes with reddened, heavy lidded eyes for a moment. Jayce kissed him again like a starved man, his teeth grazing Viktor’s lower lip before pulling it gently, his fingers rubbing through the fabric, desperate to feel more, to keep him there, to claim him in a way that felt long overdue.

“Vik.” He whispered when the other man pulled away from his mouth just to catch a breath, his lips trembling non-stop. A flicker of satisfaction coursed through Jayce as the nickname slipped out, the same one the guy from earlier had used. But on Jayce’s lips, it felt right, sweet, warm, burning with intensity. Exactly where it belonged. “You didn't answer my question.”

Viktor furrowed his brow, giving him a mildly confused look, but he didn’t say a word. He was too busy trying to catch his breath. Jayce shifted under him, his strong hands gripping the edge of the tub as he slowly sat up, bringing Viktor with him. Their bodies moved together as Viktor blinked, momentarily disoriented. Before he could question it, Jayce’s hands settled firmly on his waist, guiding him upright.

“Turn around.” Jayce murmured, his voice husky but calm, the command carrying an undeniable heat.

Viktor hesitated, his mouth still open in disbelief.  “Wha-”

Jayce didn’t wait for him to finish. His hands slid down to Viktor’s hips, gripping him securely as he turned him with deliberate ease. Viktor let out a soft, startled sound, but didn’t resist, finding himself now with his back pressed against Jayce’s chest.

Jayce’s arms wrapped around him instinctively, his hands sliding down to grip Viktor’s thighs, spreading his legs with a gentle but firm pressure. Viktor shivered as he felt Jayce settle him more comfortably, holding him there.

Jayce leaned forward, his chin resting in the curve where Viktor’s neck met his shoulder. The intimacy of the position sent a jolt through both of them, and Jayce’s breath brushed Viktor’s skin as he murmured, “My question from before...” His voice was low, thick with desire, the words spilling into Viktor’s ear as though they were meant to stay between them forever. “Did he make you come?”

Viktor audibly gasped . He felt his body tense as Jayce tightened his hold slightly, his lips brushing against the soft skin below Viktor’s ear. Jayce's fingers traced light, teasing lines along his thighs, sliding down again to his pants, where he found his zipper, his touch reverent but unrelenting.

“He didn’t.” Viktor's voice was barely audible.

Jayce's jaw clenched as the quiet admission sank in, a flicker of disdain flaring up in his chest. Of course that useless, self-centered idiot didn't even bother. How the hell could he have a man like Viktor in front of him and not even try to give him the pleasure he deserved? It was almost offensive.

His hands deftly unfastened Viktor's pants, his fingers quick and sure. Then he tugged at them with just enough force to slide them down to his thighs. Viktor didn’t resist. He kept one hand on Jayce’s arm, grabbing it tightly, as the other one wandered above his own mouth, his fingers brushing softly against his trembling lips.

Jayce’s lips hovered just over the curve of Viktor's neck as his thoughts simmered. Jayce wasn’t going to let that stand. Not now, not ever. Viktor deserved better. He deserved someone who knew how to touch him, how to cherish him, how to wreck him in all the right ways, and Jayce was determined to make up for every failure that had come before him.

“Let me make one thing clear.” Jayce began, his voice still low but now tinged with frustration. “That piece of shit didn’t deserve you.” His lips brushed against Viktor’s ear, his breath hot and heavy. His hand slipped carefully inside Viktor’s boxers, brushing the trail of hair dusting his lower stomach. “None of them did.”

Viktor let out a shaky breath, his head tipping slightly to the side as though inviting Jayce closer, exposing more of his neck. Jayce took the invitation, pressing his lips to the sensitive skin there, letting them linger for a moment before he murmured against him.

“But don’t worry.” He continued, his voice thick with promise, as his fingers finally reached down, gently sliding across Viktor’s folds. His touch made him quiver, and Jayce could feel his body ache with need against his chest. “I’ll take care of you. I’ll make you feel good.”

As he spoke, Jayce’s fingers splayed against the soft skin of Viktor’s sex. He was soaking wet, warm with anticipation. He wanted to map him out, commit every inch to memory, determined to show Viktor exactly how it should feel to be wanted, to be treasured.

“I’ll make up for all the assholes who couldn’t give you what you deserve.” Jayce continued, his lips ghosting over Viktor’s pulse, gathering his slick on his fingers, exploring, testing his way around. 

The man squirmed under his touch, swallowing hard. “And what exactly is that?” He asked, a futile attempt to keep his voice steady.

“You deserve to be worshiped .”

“Oh, fuck off.” Viktor muttered, a mix of satisfaction and embarrassment in his tone. He rested the back of his head on Jayce’s shoulder, biting his own fingers to stop himself from whining.

Jayce grabbed his partner's chin with his free hand, making him look down at himself where Jayce’s hand disappeared inside the underwear. “Look at you.” He said, licking his own lips. It tasted like cheap alcohol and sugar and Viktor . “You look so good like this.”

Viktor tightened his grip on Jayce’s forearm, digging his nails into his skin before scoffing slightly. “Didn’t think you were… ah- into dirty talking.”

That’s the thing. He usually wasn't. Jayce was more of the quiet type. Some words here and there just for the sake of playfulness and sex-appeal, but he wasn't really a heavy talker. Maybe it was the alcohol (it probably was the alcohol…) or maybe it was Viktor’s mere presence driving him absolutely nuts.

“I’m into whatever you’re into.” 

“What a gentleman.” His companion joked through heavy breaths. Even like this, he found a way to slip a couple of sardonic remarks here and there.

As an answer, Jayce finally pushed one finger up into Viktor, owning a pathetically long groan from him. “And just for the record,” his tone unfazed, soft yet possessive, “no one, no one else, will make you feel like this. Just me.” His thumb rubbed gently at his jaw, making sure his head stayed in place.

Viktor trembled under his touch and the weight of those words, his mind hazy, and his heart pounding as Jayce’s hands and voice left no room for uncertainty. In this moment, in this tangled mess, Viktor was his , and Jayce wanted to make damn sure he knew it.

He pushed another digit inside of him, feeling the walls of his cunt tighten around his fingers, warm and damp and absolutely maddening. He slowly fucked him open, his movements deliberate, every touch calculated yet fueled by pure instinct. As he explored further, his fingers found a spot that made Viktor’s breath hitch sharply, his entire body tensing against him. Jayce froze for half a second, startled by the reaction, before pressing into that same spot again, this time with intent. “Here?”

Viktor’s reaction was immediate and overwhelming. His head tilted back against Jayce’s shoulder again, a soft, almost broken noise spilling from his lips as he gripped Jayce’s forearm tighter, nails digging into his skin. “Yes.” Viktor managed to gasp, his voice trembling. “Right there. Don’t- don’t stop.”

The words were like a match striking against Jayce’s already burning nerves. Something raw and primal flared up in his chest, spurred on by the way Viktor moved against him, the way his voice sounded wrecked and unguarded. He focused all his attention on that spot, his fingers pressing and curling just right, over and over, as though trying to memorize the exact way Viktor’s body responded to him.

“Fuck, Jayce.” He murmured, each word punctuated by a soft moan. Jayce’s eyes almost rolled up to the back of his head momentarily when he heard Viktor moan his name, his voice breathy and uneven, wrapped around that thick yet velvety accent of his. The usual sarcasm with which he spoke was stripped away, leaving behind only sincerity and need. “You’re doing so good. Mhnm- So good, Jayce. Just like that.”

Jayce shivered at the praise, a visceral reaction he couldn’t suppress. His breath came in short, shallow bursts as he sped up his fingers, his lips finding Viktor’s neck again, pressing open mouthed kisses against the flushed skin, tasting the salt of his sweat and the faint hint of cologne.

“Did any of the assholes you’ve been with fuck you like this?” Jayce whispered against his skin, his voice shaking with a mixture of competitiveness and eagerness. “Did they even bother to touch you like this? Hm?”

Viktor twisted slightly in his arms, trying to press closer, his hips rocking into Jayce’s touch as he gasped out. “God, shut the fuck up.” He spat, letting out a heavy huff. “You’re so annoying.”

Jayce let out a small chuckle against his neck, adjusting his grip on Viktor’s jaw, pulling him even closer. “Am I?” He teased, slowing down his fingers and rubbing Viktor’s swollen cock with his thumb, making him shake violently. 

“Don’t-” He choked. “Don’t stop. Don’t you dare stop.” Every sigh, every shudder, every broken noise Viktor made only spurred Jayce on further, driving him to push just a little harder, to be just a little better. 

He picked up the pace again, a small smile still tugging at his lips. Jayce couldn’t have stopped even if he wanted to. The feeling of the wet sounds of his fingers digging deep inside him mixed with Viktor’s muffled cries was overwhelming in the best way possible. His entire focus was on him, on making him feel good, on proving that no one else could ever touch him like this, could ever make him unravel so completely.

The thumb on Viktor’s chin grazed over the softness of his skin, the pad of it tracing the delicate curve of his lips, testing, teasing. Viktor responded instantly, his tongue darting out to lick at the tip, a quiet whimper escaping him that went straight to Jayce’s dick.

For a moment, he froze, his breath catching as he watched Viktor’s lips glisten under his touch. Then, with a shuddering exhale, he gave in, pressing his fingers against Viktor’s mouth. Viktor didn’t hesitate; he opened up for him, drawing Jayce’s fingers inside with a messy, eager motion that left his lips wet and reddened. His tongue swirled around them, lapping and sucking in a way that was as clumsy as it was utterly devastating.

Jayce’s heart pounded, his mind barely able to process the sight and sensation. The wet heat of Viktor’s mouth and cunt was enough to make him feel like he was losing control. He loved being able to fill him up on both sides, fucking him on his fingers in any place Viktor was willing to offer.

Viktor’s hands clutched Jayce’s forearm, running his nails down his skin, scratching hopelessly. He was trembling under Jayce’s touch, his body taut and quivering as he whined softly around the fingers in his mouth, the vibrations of the sound making Jayce’s whole body react. Viktor’s desperation, his eagerness, was like fuel to a fire already burning out of control.

“Fuck, V.” Jayce murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own pulse roaring in his ears. He didn’t pull his fingers away; he couldn’t. Instead, he pressed them deeper, letting Viktor take as much as he wanted, letting him dictate the pace. The sight of Viktor like this, flushed, messy, his lips and tongue working in a way that was equal parts needy and uncoordinated, was too much to bear. It was perfect. It was Viktor, and Jayce wanted to remember every second of it.

Viktor’s whines grew louder, muffled against Jayce’s fingers, and his grip tightened further on his arm as though grounding himself. His hips shifted slightly, his body still responding to the hand that remained between his legs, and Jayce couldn’t help but move in sync with him, feeling every tremor, every quake.

“You’re incredible.” Jayce whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of Viktor’s ear as his other hand gripped his jaw a little tighter, keeping him exactly where he wanted him. “So fucking incredible.”

Viktor’s body trembled violently as he clutched at Jayce’s both arms now, his nails biting into the skin. He tilted his head back, taking his fingers out of his mouth to let out a shaky, broken whisper, his voice cracking with desperation. “I- I can’t- I can’t take it.”

Jayce barely faltered, his movements only growing steadier and faster, his touch both precise and relentless. That only made the other man whine, hunching over himself, squeezing his trembling legs shut. Jayce instinctively grabbed his thigh with the hand that was on his mouth mere seconds ago, forcing him to spread his legs open. 

“You can.” He pressed a kiss to Viktor’s nape, his lips lingering against a small mole, as he whispered. “Please. Let go. I want you to come on my fingers. Please, Viktor, please. Just let go.”

And with that, Viktor gave in. And the orgasm finally hit him. Hard. A long, drawn-out cry escaped his lips as the waves of pleasure overwhelmed him, his body quaking uncontrollably. Tears spilled from the corners of his eyes, unbidden, streaking his flushed cheeks as he surrendered completely to the moment. Jayce didn’t stop holding him, his arm wrapped around his trembling frame like a lifeline. He murmured soft, grounding words against his skin, brushing gentle kisses over his hair and shoulders as Viktor rode out the high, his entire body collapsing back into Jayce’s solid embrace.

When Viktor finally stilled, his chest heaving, Jayce pulled his hand away, his movements unhurried and reverent. Viktor barely had time to catch his breath before he felt Jayce shift slightly behind him. He turned his head just enough to catch the sight of Jayce, who brought his soaked fingers to his lips with a soft, almost unconscious gesture, licking them clean with deliberate, languid movements.

The flavour of Viktor mingled with the faint, bitter tang of sweat and liquor, as if the very act of tasting him grounded him back into the moment. His mouth was dry, but the taste lingered sweetly. He felt his senses blur, the intensity of the sensation spiraling through him, like a tide that he couldn’t escape. He slowly tasted him on his fingers, savoring every trace of Viktor’s presence on his tongue. He wasn’t sure if the haze was from the alcohol or the overwhelming emotions flooding him, but the combination was like a fog settling over his mind, clouding his thoughts. A mixture of desire and awe settled in his body, and something far more intimate, like he had discovered a part of Viktor that no one else had ever seen, and he couldn’t quite bring himself to let go of it.

Viktor stared, wide-eyed and incredulous, his lips slightly parted as if to speak but unable to form words. His amber eyes, still glassy from the intensity of it all, held an unspoken mix of disbelief and lingering desire. Jayce couldn’t help the satisfied smile tugging at his lips as he tasted the remnants of Viktor’s pleasure.

“You taste even better than I imagined.” He murmured, his voice low and rough, his eyes locked on Viktor’s.

The boldness of the statement made Viktor let out a breathy, incredulous laugh, still trying to piece himself back together, his flushed face turning impossibly redder as he looked at Jayce, completely undone.

“Who are you,” he muttered between shaky breaths, his voice tinged with disbelief, “and what have you done with the Jayce I know?”

Jayce chuckled lowly, the sound rumbling from his chest as he nuzzled against Viktor’s temple. “Blame the alcohol.” He said, his tone warm but unrepentant. His lips curled into a smirk as he brushed a strand of damp hair from Viktor’s forehead.

Viktor narrowed his eyes slightly, the faintest trace of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Before he could respond, Jayce leaned in, capturing his lips in a heated, urgent kiss. Their mouths moved against each other with fervor, Viktor’s fingers threading through Jayce’s hair, tugging just enough to earn a low groan from him.

“You could probably use some water.” Viktor pointed out, speaking against his lips. “Sober up a bit before this alcohol-fueled arrogance of yours gets completely out of hand.”

Jayce frowned slightly. “Arrogance?” He repeated, though his grin betrayed him. “I thought I was being... confident.”

Viktor let out a short laugh, his expression softening despite himself. “There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness, Jayce. But don’t worry. You’re still firmly on the side I like.”

“I’m glad.” He murmured, his voice a touch lower, his hands resting on Viktor’s hips now, still reluctant to let go.

“Now.” Viktor began, his tone firm but edged with mischief as he shifted slightly in Jayce’s hold. “Here’s what we’re gonna do.” His gaze locked onto Jayce’s, daring and commanding all at once, despite the lingering shakiness in his body. “First, you’re going to help me get these pants off the rest of the way.” He tilted his head, his breath brushing against Jayce’s cheek as he spoke. “And then, you’re going to sit on the edge of the tub and let me return the favor.”

He didn’t have to tell him twice.

Jayce nodded instinctively, his hands already moving to help Viktor out of the remainder of his lower clothes, his fingers brushing against his skin with a reverence that made Viktor smirk faintly. He took extra care as he worked to remove Viktor’s leg brace. It wasn’t the first time he’d done this after all, and the movements were precise, practiced. Jayce’s fingers worked with familiar ease, knowing exactly how to avoid any discomfort. He’d done this before, on days when Viktor was too exhausted or in pain to do it himself, when the weight of the world felt too heavy on his shoulders. On those days, Jayce never minded. He took pride in these small acts of care, as though they were his way of showing Viktor how much he mattered. He knew Viktor would do the same for him. And he did, perhaps in ways that weren’t always so obvious. Through quiet gestures, quality time, shared moments of understanding, and in the way he’d occasionally offer something that reminded Jayce of him. They worked together, moved in sync, their bond unspoken but deep, like a rhythm they had always known, even before they knew they had it.

Once Viktor was free, he leaned back against the cool porcelain of the tub, looking up at Jayce with a commanding expression that sent a shiver down his spine. There was something about the way Viktor held himself, even in moments like this, that made Jayce feel both grounded and electrified all at once. 

“Sit.” Viktor said sharply, his tone deceptively casual as he motioned toward the edge of the tub. “Legs inside.”

Jayce obeyed immediately, his body moving almost on autopilot. He settled on the edge of the tub, his gaze fixed on Viktor, who remained inside, his lean form still glistening and utterly captivating.

“Pants and underwear off.” Viktor simply instructed, his golden eyes narrowing, daring Jayce to delay. Without hesitation, Jayce fumbled with his jeans, lowering them down to his ankles so quickly he nearly tripped over himself, even if he was sitting. There was something freakishly maddening about the way Viktor spoke to him —like he owned every part of him— and Jayce felt powerless to resist.

He watched as Viktor’s lips quirked into a knowing smile, his eyes now fixed on Jayce’s throbbing erection. He felt somehow shy like this, vulnerable in so many ways. Which was kind of ironic considering how shameless he was being just moments ago.

“Good boy.” Viktor said smoothly, the words falling off his tongue like a reward.

The effect was immediate. Jayce’s body tensed slightly, his cheeks flushing, and his breathing quickened. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Viktor tilted his head, catching the faint, almost imperceptible twitch of Jayce’s expression. Amusement lit up his features.

“You like that?” Viktor asked, his voice playful but curious, leaning forward slightly as his hands slid along Jayce’s thighs.

Jayce nodded, swallowing hard, his voice coming out almost shy. “Maybe.”

Viktor chuckled softly, his laughter filled with both affection and satisfaction, his red-rimmed eyes gleaming. “Then,” he murmured as he shifted closer, settling himself between Jayce’s knees, “you’re going to behave for me and stay still while I suck you off, aren’t you?” His fingers trailed upward, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of Jayce’s inner thigh as his hands moved purposefully, leaving no doubt about his intentions as he grabbed the base of his partner’s dick.

Jayce’s head tipped back slightly, his breath shaky as he nodded again, his heart racing. “Yes.” He managed to whisper, his voice trembling with anticipation as his mind spinned at the praise and the promise in Viktor’s words. “Yes. Anything.”

“Good boy.” He repeated before sticking out his tongue and running it through Jayce’s whole length.

He almost flinched at the motion, his hands clenching the edge of the tub as he felt his heart doing something humiliatingly erratic inside his chest. All of it felt unreal. This was Viktor lying beneath him, his tongue pressed against his cock, his lips brushing the leaking tip, as if we wanted to taste him too, almost achingly slow, as if to savour every part of him, enjoying his flavour bit by bit.

Viktor’s eyes, filled with something wild, lifted to meet his. The sight sent a jolt through Jayce, his own mouth falling open as if he couldn’t keep the pleasure contained. He looked ridiculously good like this, with his lips planting small pecks and kisses at the head of his erection, never breaking eye contact, gazing at him through those glassy, warm golden irises, a perfect blend of innocence and defiance. It made Jayce feel like he was teetering on the edge of losing every last shred of sanity he had left.

It took all of Jayce’s willpower not to collapse right then and there when suddenly Viktor took him in his mouth and slowly slid down further and further. The heat of Viktor’s mouth around him was almost too much, an all-encompassing wave of pleasure that left him shaking. To Jayce’s surprise, he didn't stop. He kept going until he was practically swallowing him down his throat.

“Holy sh-” He muttered, not even finishing his sentence, his voice choked out by a shaky gasp. His jaw dropped in awe, while his hips unconsciously rocked forward. 

Jayce surrendered entirely as Viktor took him apart piece by piece. His hands found his friend’s hair, soft and disheveled, and he ran his fingers through it with a tenderness that was at odds with the intensity of the moment. His breath hitched as he tugged gently, letting his fingers tangle deeper. Viktor pulled away for a few seconds, grasping for some air. His lips were swollen from kissing and biting and sucking, and his tongue darted out, licking around the corners of his mouth, shiny and wet with spit. And right before taking Jayce in his mouth again, he smiled.

Jayce thought that smile was even more feverish than the blowjob itself.

He grabbed Jayce's hips, bobbing his head repeatedly in a steady motion. He didn’t stop, didn’t waver, his pace deliberate and slow, calculated in a way that only made it better—made Jayce feel like he was unraveling one nerve at a time. He let out an embarrassingly long moan, tugging at Viktor's hair, gently pulling him up and down. His chest heaved with each labored breath, as his thumb slid over Viktor’s cheek, tracing the small mole near his eye before running along the sharp line of his cheekbone, like he was memorizing every detail.

“God.” Jayce groaned, his voice breaking. The sound, raw and full of awe, made Viktor open his eyes again, returning the look with big blown out pupils filled with tears. Jayce’s thumb lingered on Viktor’s hollowed cheek as he gazed down at him, trembling. “You’re gonna make me lose my mind, Vik.” He sucked in a breath as Viktor’s movements grew more deliberate, the pressure perfect, sending sparks through him. Jayce couldn’t tear his eyes away from the man in between his legs, so utterly beautiful and determined. He felt like the air had been knocked out of him, overwhelmed by his devotion and focus. “You’re so beautiful like this. Just for me.” He murmured, his voice thick with disbelief.

Viktor hummed in response, the sound sending vibrations through Jayce that made his entire body tighten. He arched slightly, his fingers gripping Viktor’s hair tighter as his other hand braced against the edge of the tub. His head swam, the alcohol amplifying the sensations, but he knew, without a doubt, that even sober he would feel the exact same way—like this was unparalleled, like no one else could make him feel this way. Only Viktor. Only him.

When Viktor pushed further, Jayce gasped, his body shuddering uncontrollably. The deliberate pace was maddening, each stroke ruining him more and more by the minute. Every nerve in Jayce’s body was alive, burning with sensation. When the wave of pleasure became too overwhelming Jayce leaned forward slightly, his chest heaving as he tried to regain control, his fingers still tangled in Viktor’s hair. "Wait." He murmured breathlessly, tugging the young man gently away. His voice was strained, thick with unstoppable desire coursing through him. "Not yet. I don’t want to finish yet… I’m not done with you."

Viktor tilted his head, looking up at Jayce with wide, glassy eyes, his lips slightly parted and glistening. He bit down on his bottom lip softly, the movement unintentional but devastatingly effective. His expression was so disarmingly sweet and angelic that it made Jayce’s chest ache with something feral. Viktor simply nodded, obedient and understanding, but that look… Jayce groaned internally.

How does he manage to look so infuriatingly innocent, after what he’s just done?

Frustrated by the sheer audacity of Viktor's natural allure, Jayce let out a shaky laugh as he began to pull off his shoes, pants and underwear. His movements were clumsy, his fingers fumbling to work the laces and tug everything off. He tossed them out of the tub along with Viktor’s trousers with little regard for where they landed. Then his hands went to Viktor, grabbing the hem of his sweater and pulling it over his head. The fabric caught slightly on Viktor’s hair, and Jayce muttered an apology as he carefully freed him, tossing the sweater to join the growing pile of discarded clothes.

When he looked back at Viktor, he had to choke out a gasp. Viktor’s body was laid bare before him, his skin pale and speckled with moles, like constellations scattered across a vast, delicate canvas. His chest rose and fell unevenly, a faint line of hair there leading down his stomach catching Jayce’s eye. But it was the two silvery scars beneath his chest that made Jayce pause.

He got down into the bathtub again, gently leaning against his partner. His fingers instinctively brushed over his collarbones, then down his chest, caressing the large scars there, featherlight, as if touching something sacred. That made Viktor tremble under his touch.

Jayce smiled softly, the memories washing over him. He remembered those scars like they were his own. It had been almost three years since Viktor had his top surgery, and Jayce had been there every step of the way. Visiting him in the hospital, bringing him terrible watered down tea from the bending machine and pulling bad jokes to distract him from the pain, staying by his side even when Viktor told him he didn’t need to. When they started to hang out alone again, by the time he got back from the hospital, in the early days of healing, Viktor would sometimes lift his shirt with a smug grin just to show off his chest with pride, like it was a badge of honor. Jayce had clapped and cheered every time, unable to stop himself from laughing at how utterly endearing Viktor could be when he wanted to.

Leaning down, Jayce pressed his lips to one of the scars, then the other, lingering as he trailed kisses across Viktor’s chest. He smiled against his skin, thinking about all the overwhelming feelings pooling in his chest. He thought about all the love he held for this man, how much he cared for him, and how, at the end of the day, Viktor was just a big nerdy idiot; a brilliant and indecipherable man but with a warm, sweet and dorky side, just like anybody else. Jayce took pride in knowing he was probably one of the only people that knew that part of Viktor, and that intimacy meant far more to him than any guy who might have seen him naked.

His lips found every mole, every mark, and he kissed them all with reverence, as though trying to memorize the map of Viktor’s body. His hands ran over Viktor’s sides, skimming the contours of his ribs, his thumbs tracing gentle circles over his skin. When he finally worked his way back up, Jayce kissed Viktor’s lips tenderly, almost sweetly, his heart brimming with affection. Pulling back slightly, he whispered, "You’re the most stunning man I’ve ever seen."

Viktor blinked, his cheeks flushing a little darker as he let out a breathy laugh. He placed a hand on Jayce’s face, jokingly pushing it back a little, his expression tinged with embarrassment. “You’re so drunk.” He teased, though his voice was softer than usual. “You’re saying ridiculous things.”

Jayce grinned, pulling his hand away. “I’m not drunk enough to not mean it.” He murmured before rolling his hips forward, their bodies aligning as their hips brushed together.

The teasing expression on Viktor’s face faltered instantly, replaced by wide eyes and a sharp intake of breath. A visible shiver ran through him, and his lips parted, a trembling, anticipatory sound escaping as he bucked slightly under Jayce. His body responded instinctively, trembling as if electricity had shot through him.

Jayce couldn’t help but chuckle, low and husky. “See? Not so ridiculous now, am I?” He teased, his voice a mix of playfulness and heat, as he took himself in one hand and rubbed the head of his cock against Viktor’s own dick, through his folds.

Jayce let out a low gasp as Viktor’s hands gripped his arms tightly again, fingers digging into his skin like he didn’t want to let him go. The hold was intense, kind of animalistic, and Jayce was almost certain he’d find marks there the next day.

“Enough-” Viktor’s voice, firm and demanding, cut through the haze of the moment. “Enough with the teasing.” His accent was thicker than usual, his words heavy, slowly sliding off his tongue. “I thought you said you were going to behave.”

Jayce’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, amusement flickering in his eyes as he plopped his cockhead a few times against his partner’s wet cunt, creating shamelessly sloppy and messy sounds that echoed off the walls of the bathtub. Viktor’s spine arched, his head tilting back as a desperate whine escaped his lips. “I am behaving. Am I not making you feel good?” Jayce asked, unable to look away from Viktor’s wrecked expression. “Look at how wet you are.” His voice was tinged in awe, his tongue lazily sticking out in between lips in an absentminded hungry gesture as he watched their cocks gently rub against each other.

“Fuck, Jayce.” He gasped, covering his eyes with one hand, voice half-broken and soft tears of pleasure streaming down his face. “Just- Please, just fuck me. Please.”

Jayce pressed his lips to bite back a smile of satisfaction. Just hearing Viktor beg was making his head spin with utter desire. He adjusted himself, ready to finally give him what he wanted, but something suddenly clicked. The haze of alcohol and arousal had made his mind heavy and slow, and he didn't seem to have realized until now that there was something missing.

He froze, his expression shifting as he murmured, “Shit. Wait. I-” He swallowed thickly, his voice softer now but edged with urgency. “Do you have a condom? Because I don’t.” He cleared his throat, suddenly pulling back a little. “Sorry, I know it’s probably a little bit to say this.” It was, considering the were just rawly grinding against each other just seconds ago, but-

“It’s fine.” Viktor’s head shook quickly, almost anxiously, speaking without hesitation. “It doesn’t matter.”

Jayce frowned, trying to find the words to protest. “Uh. But-”

Viktor cut him off, his tone impatient yet steady. “I get tested regularly. I’m clean. Are you?”

Caught off guard, Jayce blinked, his mind scrambling for a coherent answer. “I- Yeah, I think I am.” He finally admitted, his voice a little hoarse. “It’s been a while since I’ve… been with anyone.”

“Then that’s settled. Now do me a favor, be the good boy you said you’d be, and give me what I deserve.” Viktor replied, his voice sharp and daring, but carrying a trace of longing. “Or was all of that talk just for show?”

Jayce let himself doubt for a second longer. In retrospect, this was absolutely fucking nuts. Suddenly it felt a little bit too self-conscious for his liking. All of this was probably a terrible idea. They probably wouldn't be able to look at each other the same after this. And that was bad enough as it was, but now this? Viktor begging him to fuck him raw so casually, like it was nothing? It was too much. Jayce let out a heavy, shaky breath, and opened his mouth again to protest. “Listen, Vik-”

But his partner wasn’t planning on letting him even begin that sentence. He grabbed the collar of Jayce's shirt and pulled him back down, his voice hard and demanding, almost angry. “Jayce. If you don’t get inside me right now, I swear to God-”

Fuck it.

Jayce didn’t hesitate this time, ready to lose himself in him all over again. His breath hitched as he shifted, sinking himself into Viktor. He lowered into him inch by inch, slowly, deeply, his gaze locking onto Viktor’s with an intensity that sent shivers through them both. They groaned in unison, a raw, guttural sound spilling from their parted lips as Jayce filled him completely, their bodies aligning like two pieces of a puzzle finally falling into place. 

Their breaths mingled, hot and heavy, as the air between them thickened with the scents of sweat, alcohol, and something unmistakably them. Jayce leaned in closer, their foreheads almost touching, his movements deliberate yet desperate, as if he wanted to memorize every second, every sensation.

In that moment, nothing else existed. Just the two of them, tangled together, their bodies and souls fitting as though they had been made for each other.

God. This was really happening. He was inside Viktor. He was inside his best friend. Which, really, sounded weird as hell, if he thought too much about it. Jayce could hardly believe how they’ve ended up here, but there was no sense of regret, only an all-encompassing connection. His mind was racing, feeling the walls of Viktor’s damp sex quivering against his own, hot and soft and perfectly tight around him.

He buried his face against the curve of Viktor’s neck, and he felt the man’s hands on his back, gripping the fabric of his shirt. “How do you feel?” He asked in a whisper.

A second of silence. And then,

“Full.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

Not the kind of answer Jayce was expecting, but it made him feel ridiculously proud. Viktor knew exactly which strings to pull to drive him insane. It was amazing how he always seemed to know just what to say and when to say it, pushing him to the brink of obsession, making him feel animalistic, almost feral, completely undone.

Viktor’s hands found their way to the edge of Jayce’s t-shirt, pulling it up in a messy almost anxious motion, like he couldn't bear the thought of not being skin to skin. He tossed carelessly and then placed his palms on Jayce's abdomen, trailing his skin, devouring him with starved amber eyes.

“Move.” He gulped a lump in his throat, his eyes tracking up to meet his gaze. And then, he added a small, almost shy, “Please.”

Jayce nodded, mouth wide open. Seeing Viktor so helpless, so vulnerable, almost begging, felt like a fever dream. Seeing the flush of his cheeks, the strands of hair sticking to his sweaty forehead, the tears tracing down his face… It all brought something primal to the surface for Jayce. There was an overwhelming tenderness mixed with a deep, almost desperate need to be closer to him, to feel him in every way he could.

Finally, Jayce moved his hips up, slowly dragging out of Viktor, earning a soft pouty whimper from his mouth. Then, he slid back inside with a quick motion, thrusting into him with a low growl.  

And Viktor screamed . He cried out in pleasure just with one thrust, his hands trembling as they covered his eyes. Jayce found himself eager to find out how much more he could make Viktor scream like that.

He kept swinging his hips, grinding and thrusting against Viktor with raw intensity, his teeth clenched as ragged groans spilled from his throat. And Viktor wrapped his legs around him, whining uncontrollably, his hands still covering his eyes. And he was crying and drooling and twitching and clenching around him and he was perfect , God, he waw absolutely perfect .

“You’re gorgeous.” Jayce murmured, his voice thick with emotion, gently pushing away Viktor’s hands with his own. Their eyes met, electricity ringing through their bodies like a lighting bolt. “You’re so beautiful, V, God.”

He had to make him know how stunning he looked, all disheveled and messy and all for Jayce. It sounded like a mantra on his tongue, a steady and constant reminder of his beauty. Viktor’s only response was a pitiful moan sliding down his tongue, his trembling hands now resting on top of his chest, fingers curling and digging deep in his own skin.

“Fuck- You-” He managed to say, a soft sob escaping him. “You’re doing so good for me, Jayce.”

“Am I?” The words came out of Jayce’s mouth before he could stop them. He had this strange visceral reaction whenever Viktor praised him, like he needed desperately to show Viktor how good he could make him feel. “Am I good?”

But just then he was caught completely off guard when Viktor's hand suddenly wrapped around his throat, firm but not overbearing, applying just enough pressure to send his pulse racing. He pulled him in by his neck in an almost violent motion, their noses nearly brushing, as Viktor tilted his head ever so slightly, his eyes burning with intent.

Viktor gave a small nod. “The best.”

For a moment, Jayce swore he could see stars behind his eyelids.

No one had ever held him like this before, but the feeling of Viktor's fingers around his throat sent a thrill through him that he hadn’t known he craved. It was almost dangerous, but grounding at the same time, as though that was exactly where Viktor’s hand was always meant to be; right there, around his throat, claiming him, anchoring him, making him feel more alive than ever.

Jayce choked out an embarrassing moan, still thrusting into his partner, filling the bathroom with the loud rhythmic sound of skin meeting skin, each collision drawing echoing in an sloppy and absolutely delicious way.

The moment was intoxicating, an all-consuming haze of heat and desperation. They were utterly lost in each other, their movements erratic, breaths mingling, bodies pressed together like they were the only two people in the universe.

But then, it shattered.

The sound of the door handle jiggling snapped them back to reality like a bucket of ice water. Both froze, eyes wide open, staring at each other in stunned silence.

The handle rattled again, this time with more insistence. Jayce silently thanked whatever higher power might be listening for the stroke of genius he’d had earlier when he’d locked the door after coming in to take a piss. 

Then came a knock, and then, a voice. “Is someone in there?” Someone called out from the other side.

“Shit.” Viktor hissed under his breath, his frustration palpable. Instinctively, Jayce clapped a hand over his mouth. Viktor let out a muffled exclamation against Jayce’s palm, his glare both incredulous and irritated.

“Hello?” The voice persisted. “Hey, I can hear you. Come on, is someone in there? I need to pee!”

Jayce swallowed hard, gathering the few shreds of composure he had left, and raised his voice, doing his best to sound neutral. “Uh, yeah, sorry.” He said, a little too loudly. “I’m... I’m feeling kind of dizzy.”

Viktor’s brows furrowed in confusion, and he shot Jayce a questioning look from below. Jayce merely returned the look with an apologetic shrug, keeping his hand firmly over Viktor’s mouth.

“Are you gonna take much longer?” The voice pressed, annoyance creeping into their tone.

Jayce’s eyes roamed over Viktor’s disheveled state. He couldn’t help the faint grin that spread across his face. There was definitely some unfinished business here, yes. Slowly, deliberately, he began to move again, his hips grinding just enough to draw a muffled gasp from Viktor, who widened his eyes in alarm, his breath catching in his throat.

Jayce leaned in close, teasing and amused. “Shhh…” He whispered, gesturing for him to stay quiet. Viktor glared, but his resolve was clearly faltering. “I might need a couple of minutes.” He called out to the person outside, his voice impressively steady given the situation. “I’m, uh... really drunk. I think I’m gonna throw up.”

“Ew!” The voice replied. “Gross, dude! You’re gonna make a mess!”

“I’m sorry.” Jayce said, his tone exaggeratedly apologetic, all while maintaining a slow, calculated rhythm. He reached one hand between Viktor’s legs and  thumbed at his cock, which made the man under him let out a small guttural cry against his palm, gripping his arm in a futile attempt to stay silent.

“Come on, man!” The person outside groaned, pounding on the door. “I really need to go!”

Jayce tilted his head, feigning consideration. “I don’t think I can get up right now.” He called back, glancing down at Viktor, who looked absolutely wrecked, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Jayce’s smirk deepened as he thrusted harder, deeper, his thumb still circling around the tip of Viktor’s swollen dick. “You might wanna find another bathroom.” He added with mock sincerity. “I’m gonna be here a while.”

Viktor’s toes curled in the air, his body squirming uncontrolably. He looked at Jayce with pleading eyes, fighting back the urge to scream into his hand. He looked devastatingly beautiful.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” The voice snapped, followed by one final angry thud against the door. “Fine! Screw you, man!” The sound of retreating footsteps echoed, followed by blissful silence.

Jayce finally stopped moving, and they waited a beat, ensuring they were alone again. Viktor immediately grabbed Jayce’s wrist, shoving it aside as he stared daggers at him. “You’re an asshole.” He muttered, his voice low but filled with exasperation.

Jayce laughed, the sound warm and carefree. “Come on, admit it.” He teased, leaning in closer. “An adventure is always more fun with a little danger, isn’t it?”

Viktor groaned, but the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself. Jayce’s laughter was contagious, and before long, Viktor was chuckling too, the absurdity of the situation washing over them both.

“How the hell did we end up fucking in a stranger’s bathroom?” Viktor asked between breaths, shaking his head.

Jayce grinned, brushing his nose against Viktor’s. “I have no idea.” He said softly. “But I’m not complaining.”

Their laughter faded, giving way to a quiet, tender moment. Jayce grabbed Viktor’s jaw with one hand and their lips met in a kiss. This time, it was slower, sweeter, the perfect balance of ridiculousness and intimacy. Somehow, amidst the chaos, they had found each other, and for now, that was all that mattered. The kiss deepened, eager and open mouthed, as Viktor’s fingers curled into the nape of Jayce’s neck. Both men breathing into each other's mouth, as if they needed each other just to breathe.

Slowly, Jayce shifted back, his hands reaching for Viktor’s legs, lifting them carefully, mindful of his bad leg. Viktor’s body reacted beneath him, and Jayce swore he could hear him murmur his name, his voice filled with a rawness that made his heart race even more.

He pushed Viktor’s legs together and held them up, grabbing his knees firmly but with infinite care. That only made him feel tighter, like he could feel himself getting lost in the deepness of Viktor’s hole clenching around him. He fucked into him, watching as Viktor arched his back and head into the cold porcelain of the tub, his hands reaching at Jayce’s hips in a hopeless attempt to keep him even closer.

“Jesus…” Jayce’s tone carried a note of endless awe, looking down at Viktor's cunt practically sucking him in. “You’re so tight.”

Viktor simply nodded, digging his fingers in his partner’s hips, a fervish act of desperation. “Faster.”

Jayce could only comply. He adjusted his grip on his legs, bending them slightly toward Viktor’s chest. He sped up his pace, pounding faster and rougher inside of him. “Like that?” Jayce mumbled with his mouth half open. It was kind of embarrassing to admit he was practically drooling. “You like that?”

Viktor didn't have to answer, since he clearly loved it . His eyelids fell further, nodding and moaning for it. Jayce found it fascinating. He’d never thought that Viktor would be such a noisy man during sex. The sounds he made were maddening, angelic, even. At least for Jayce. He screamed and cried and whined uncontrollably for Jayce’s touch. It felt like his own way of longing, of begging. And Jayce adored every little thing that came out of that pretty mouth of his.

Jayce’s large hands brushed over the marks and faint bruises etched into the pale skin of Viktor’s leg where the brace usually rested. His fingers traced the indentations reverently, his touch soft, almost hesitant, as if afraid to cause any discomfort.

“No one’s going to make you feel this good, Vik.” Jayce murmured, his voice rough with a slight sense of possession, lowering his head to press featherlight kisses along the curve of Viktor’s calf. He lingered on the tender spots, his lips brushing over his pale skin with endless care. “No one knows you like I do.” When his mouth reached the arch of Viktor’s foot, he placed a gentle, adoring kiss there, his eyes flickering to meet Viktor’s gaze. “Only I can fuck you like this. Only I know how to ruin you like this.”

Viktor let out a shaky cry, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His fingers gripped harder on Jayce’s tan skin, making his knuckles white as his body tensed under the attention. "You-” He said, his voice trembling with a mixture of vulnerability and longing. “Stop- Stop teasing… Just-” His words broke off into a desperate sound, clenching his jaw, his frustration melting into a low groan as Jayce pounded harder into him with a low growl.

Jayce’s his thumbs traced soothing circles over Viktor's thighs, not slowing his rhythm even for a second. "Tell me what you need." He whispered, his voice carrying the kind of devotion that made Viktor’s heart stutter.

“I-” He hesitated, his hands pushing Jayce’s hips toward him. “I need you closer.” The way he spoke, his voice strained and full of longing, made Jayce let out a sharp moan. “Don’t stop.” He commanded. “I need this. I need you.”

It’s like an electric pulse to Jayce’s heart.

There was a warm vulnerability in Viktor’s voice, yet in that softness, Jayce saw a trust he hadn’t expected but felt deeply honored by. His heart swelled with tenderness as he leaned down to kiss the soles of his feet softly, his lips brushing against his skin in a quiet promise.

With each movement, with each shared breath, Jayce realized the depth of his feelings for Viktor, how much he’d been wanting to be the one to fuck him like this, to make him come over and over again, to drive him insane, but also, to hold him, to kiss him, to caress and worship every inch of his body and mind.

It was terrifying. How much he cared for Viktor. How much time he had been repressing all of this. And how after this, it would be impossible to ignore. But at that moment, nothing mattered. The intensity of the connection made everything else fade away. Jayce allowed himself to have this. To have him. At least for one night.

“Jayce.” Viktor insisted. His voice was sharper this time, though still thick with emotion. “I want you. I need you. Stop holding back.”

The words ignited something primal yet soft in Jayce. His fingers tightened ever so slightly around Viktor’s legs as he stared down at him. He looked like an absolute mess, utterly wrecked and irresistible. His swollen lips, kissed raw and glistening, parted slightly as he struggled to steady himself, while stray trails of saliva glimmered at the corners of his mouth and down his chin. His cheeks, flushed a deep red, burned with the heat of the moment, and his hair was now a wild, tangled halo around his head. Faint reddish marks had started to bloom along the column of his neck, evidence of where Jayce’s lips and teeth had wandered earlier, leaving a possessive trail in their wake. But it was his eyes —those amber, tear-brimmed pools, blazing with unrestrained intensity and yearning— that completely undid Jayce. They made his chest ache, his resolve crumble, and his heart race with an almost overwhelming need to gather Viktor in his arms and never let go.

So he stopped holding back. Entirely.

He surrendered to the moment, his breath uneven as he let the heat between them consume him. His hands slid down Viktor’s thighs, gripping with both tenderness and fervor as he gently spread Viktor’s legs again, settling between them with a deliberate closeness. One of his hands went to Viktor’s cheek, gently cupping his face, and the other held his frame in a strong yet delicate gesture. He sank deeper into him, merciless pounding inside his warmness. Jayce could’ve swore he was about to pass out.

Viktor’s breath hitched, his chest rising and falling erratically as he neared his own breaking point. His hand flew to his own mouth instinctively, muffling the guttural sounds threatening to spill out as his head tipped back, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity coursing through him. Jayce, noticing the way Viktor tried to contain himself, moved the hand on his face down to the side of Viktor's neck, with gentle but firm fingers.

“Look at me.” Jayce murmured, his voice rough but steady.

Viktor’s amber eyes fluttered open, teary and dazed, locking onto Jayce’s. As the moment overtook him, he let out a strangled gasp, his body trembling violently as his release crashed through him. His hand fell away from his mouth, his lips parting as he panted, his gaze never once leaving Jayce’s face. He looked utterly wrecked and vulnerable, and yet there was something fiercely intimate in the way he refused to look away, his entire being laid bare before Jayce.

Seeing Viktor like that, undone and still holding his gaze with such raw intensity, shattered the last of Jayce’s restraint. He felt his own orgasm near, his mind high with the scent of alcohol and sweat and sex and Viktor . The young man, though a trembling mess beneath him, reached up with steady hands, cupping Jayce’s face as if anchoring him to the moment. His fingers’ warmth grounded Jayce in the hazy storm of emotions and sensations.

"It’s okay." Viktor murmured. His words were lazy and wrapped around that accent that made Jayce go completely nuts. “You’ve been so good… You can come, Jayce.” His amber eyes pierced through Jayce’s haze. “Come inside. Please .” His voice rough and laced with both encouragement and desperation. 

The words unraveled him. With one last, shuddering movement, Jayce gave in, the wave of pleasure cresting and breaking over him as his body trembled violently. He buried his face in Viktor’s neck, holding him as though his very existence depended on it. A broken, guttural growl escaped his throat as he spilled himself inside of him, the weight of his own climax leaving him spent and overwhelmed.

Viktor’s arms wrapped around him instinctively, pulling him close, their bodies pressed together as they rode the aftershocks of their shared intensity. They were both a mess; skin damp with sweat, hearts pounding in unison, breaths mingling in shallow, uneven gasps. In that moment, nothing else existed except the feel of Viktor beneath him, the scent of him, the sound of his heartbeat echoing in Jayce’s ears.

Jayce clung to Viktor with everything he had, his grip fierce but full of tenderness, as if afraid to let go. He was dizzy and he felt the room spinning around him. Viktor stroked his back soothingly, his own body still trembling slightly, and whispered something soft, something Jayce couldn’t quite catch, but that settled deep within him nonetheless.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, tangled together in silence, the warmth of their bodies a stark contrast to the cool surface of the bathtub. Neither of them seemed to know what to say, the weight of what had just happened settling between them. The only sounds were their uneven breaths slowly evening out and the faint thrum of music from the party downstairs.

"Jayce."

“Hm…?” He hummed in response, his cheek still pressed to Viktor's shoulder, his arms loose but unwilling to fully let go.

"You're... crushing me."

"Shit- Sorry, sorry.” Jayce jolted upright, flustered, his movements clumsy as he pulled back, getting out of his partner carefully. He grabbed the edges of the tub, steadying himself a bit, his eyes darting down to Viktor’s disheveled form. His gaze lingered for a second too long on his body, his eyes unable to dismiss the way their fluids mingled, spilling outside and pooling around Viktor’s cunt, leaving a sticky and wet situation in the bathtub’s surface under him. He forced himself to look away, clearing his throat. "Uh... sorry for, um, making such a mess."

Viktor waved a hand dismissively, his voice dry but not unkind. "It’s fine. I think we both contributed."

The air between them felt heavy now, tinged with a mutual awkwardness neither knew how to break. Jayce shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair before finally pushing himself to stand. His legs felt shaky as he stumbled slightly getting out of the tub, but he steadied himself on the sink. Glancing around, he grabbed a roll of toilet paper, tore off a generous handful, and handed it to Viktor.

"Here.” He said, avoiding eye contact as he passed it over.

Viktor took it with a quiet ‘thanks’ and began to clean himself up. The silence between them stretched again, both too aware of each other and the absurdity of the situation. Jayce coughed lightly, feeling the edges of his drunken haze begin to fade, replaced by a creeping clarity that made him hyper-aware of everything: the cramped bathroom, the cooling sweat on his skin, and, most of all, Viktor, still naked, inside the bathtub they just fucked in. It felt too surreal. Like a fever dream that felt way too amazing to be true.

Jayce cleaned himself as well and busied himself at the sink, splashing water on his face to dispel the heat lingering there. He stared at his reflection for a moment, noticing how flushed and mussed he looked, before turning back to his clothes. The feeling of awkwardness swelled as he hurriedly pulled his shirt over his head and stepped into his jeans.

"You need help?" He asked as he glanced over at Viktor.

Viktor shook his head, not meeting his gaze. "No, I think I’ll... stay here for a bit. Have a quick shower, now that I’m here anyway.”

Jayce let our a short laugh, the sound more nervous than genuine. "Yeah, good idea. You can, uh, clean up the... mess. You know, while you're at it."

Viktor offered a faint smile, just as awkward. "Sounds efficient."

Jayce nodded, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Right. Okay, well, I’m gonna… head downstairs. See if I can find Cait and Vi."

“Okay.” Viktor nodded in return. "I’ll, eh, probably head home after I finish."

"Yeah, me too. I’ll wait for you. Just... let me know when you’re done, and we can leave together."

"Sure."

"Cool. Cool." Jayce muttered, giving a small, tight-lipped smile before heading for the door. He hesitated once, glancing back at Viktor, who was already leaning back into the tub, his head resting against the edge. Jayce opened his mouth as if to say something, then thought better of it and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Standing in the hallway, he pressed his palms to his face, his mind racing. He could still feel Viktor’s hands on him, the weight of his body, the look in his eyes, intense, unguarded, beautiful.

"Holy shit." He whispered to himself, dragging his hands down his face. The full weight of what just happened hit him like a train.

He just had sex with Viktor. His best friend. His lab partner. His Viktor . Jesus Christ, he just came inside of Viktor. And, God help him, it had been absolutely mind-blowing.

Leaning back against the door, he let out a long, slow exhale, his thoughts a chaotic jumble. Part of him was screaming that this had been a terrible, impulsive decision that sober Jayce would definitely regret later. But another part, the one still buzzing with the memory of Viktor’s touch, was giddy and breathless and completely unrepentant.

He took a deep breath and started heading downstairs to try and find his friends, his mind still racing in confusion and ecstasy. A wry smile tugged at his lips as a last thought entered his brain before going back inside the crowd in the living room:

At least, he did have sex at that stupid party after all.