Work Text:
“Are you doing anything for Christmas?”
Viktor glanced up from his soldering to look at his lab partner, who was currently lounging back in his chair, feet up on the desk and the chair balanced precariously on its back two legs. Jayce was looking out the window, half-finished equations forgotten and scattered over his work station.
Viktor turned back to his work, readjusting his goggles. “Probably not,” he replied.
“Don’t you go home? See your family, maybe?”
Jayce was not a very subtle man, and Viktor knew exactly what he was doing. The two of them had been working together for the better part of a year now, slowly getting Hextech off the ground and bringing in funding and investors, and Jayce had expressed frustration about not knowing much about Viktor’s personal life.
It wasn’t that Viktor was secretive on purpose. He was used to not talking about himself or his life, since he was hardly ever asked about it; Piltovan sensibilities liked to avoid thinking about how things were in the undercity.
“No,” Viktor said.
“How come?”
Viktor sighed and set the soldering iron aside carefully, leaning away from his work and pushing his goggles up to his forehead. “You’re going to fall if you keep sitting like that.”
Jayce didn’t move, but he did raise an eyebrow at the other man. Viktor had come to recognise the gesture as Jayce’s ‘don’t avoid the question’ look.
“I have no family to go to,” Viktor replied.
“Oh,” Jayce winced. “I’m sorry.”
“I will likely just spend the day here. It will be quiet so I can focus without interruption.”
“What?” Jayce finally pulled his feet off the desk, his chair falling onto all four legs with a sharp sound against the tiles. “You don’t do anything special? Not even take the day off?”
“I might let myself sleep in,” he shrugged, pulling his goggles down with the intention of getting back to work. “What are your plans?”
“I spend time with my mamá,” Jayce replied. “It’s just the two of us. I’ll go over after work on Christmas Eve.”
Jayce had spoken about his mother before, but Viktor had yet to formally meet her. He’d seen her when she’d pleaded in front of the Council not to exile her only son, and Viktor had admired her courage to do so. Jayce spoke highly of her, and sometimes brought in leftovers she’d made; Viktor had to admit that her cooking was fantastic.
“Hey, uh,” Jayce’s voice broke into his thoughts. “If…you really don’t have any plans, why don’t you come over too?”
Viktor blinked, his hand hovering over the soldering iron. Slowly, he turned to look at Jayce through his tinted goggles. “Prosím?”
“I mean, like I said, it’s just the two of us,” Jayce was fidgeting with a pencil, not looking at Viktor. “Mamá always makes enough food for fifty people, and she keeps asking if I’m ever going to introduce her to you.”
Viktor pushed his goggles back up, not particularly caring about the way they pushed his hair messily away from his forehead. “I…wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Jayce turned to look at him, but he still seemed fidgety. “Mamá would be thrilled if you came over. I…would be happy to have you over too.”
Viktor had never been invited anywhere for Christmas, not since he’d lost his parents. His mother had died when he was six from a sickness, and his father had died two years later in a mining accident; he’d been forced to attend some formal Christmas galas as Heimerdinger’s assistant, but he never counted those. He hadn’t truly celebrated since he was eight, usually spending the day working and picking up some sort of sweet treat and strong wine on his way home.
The past several months working alongside Jayce had been interesting, and Viktor found himself inexplicably drawn to the other man. He was handsome, anyone with eyes could see that and would be a fool to think otherwise, but he was also kind, thoughtful, and devastatingly sweet. He picked up on Viktor’s tells quickly, often being able to tell when Viktor was uncomfortable before Viktor even admitted it to himself.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to,” Jayce stammered, quickly trying to backtrack as Viktor’s silence dragged on a little too long.
“If you’re sure I won’t be imposing,” Viktor started slowly. “Then…I would not be opposed.”
Once Jayce registered that Viktor was not turning his offer down, his eyes lit up and he grinned excitedly. “Really?”
Jayce began to ramble about all the things he and he mother did for Christmas, listing off the food they usually made and the games they’d play, and Viktor couldn’t help but find his enthusiasm contagious.
It was worth agreeing to go just to see how it made Jayce light up.
—
It was around eight Christmas morning when Viktor found himself standing outside Ximena Talis’ front door. Jayce had invited him over for the night prior as well, but Viktor already felt strange being brought into a family celebration when he himself was not part of that family.
Viktor knocked on the door, careful with the bag he had slung over his shoulder. It was only a few short moments before the door swung open, revealing Jayce’s mother, who smiled brightly when she saw Viktor.
“Viktor!” She greeted him warmly, standing aside to let him in. She had some holly hair clips that matched the holly earrings she was wearing, her smile welcoming and very similar to her son’s. “I’m so glad you could make it, cariño!”
It was warm and cozy inside, the smell of something sweet permeating the air. He heard the door closing behind him, and suddenly he was swept up into someone’s arms.
“It’s so cold outside,” Ximena commented, releasing the hug before Viktor could even think of returning the embrace. “Come in, come in, warm up! We’re just making some breakfast.”
Viktor carefully kicked his shoes off. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Talis,” he said.
“Ximena is fine, cariño,” Ximena smiled, taking Viktor’s scarf and coat and hanging them up.
He followed Ximena through the house and into the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon and sugar strong. Jayce turned away from the dishes he’d been drying, grinning brightly when he saw Viktor.
“Vik!” He practically bounced over, making a move to hug him but stopping himself. He had a Christmas hat on and a very cozy looking sweater, some flour smudge on his cheek. “Welcome! The cinnamon rolls are almost done, you got here just in time.”
Viktor couldn’t help but feel just a tiny bit awkward, still feeling in the back of his mind like he was intruding on a family event. He reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out the bottle of wine he’d brought over. “Eh, here, I brought this for later.”
Ximena took the bottle, reading over the label. “Thank you, Viktor, that’s very kind! I don’t recognise this label.”
“It’s, eh,” Viktor rubbed at his arm. “A-A, um, undercity traditional wine.”
“Oh, how exciting!” Ximena smiled happily. “Does it need to be refrigerated?”
Viktor shook his head, and Ximena went to find a place to keep it for the time being. “I’ll finish the cinnamon rolls, Jaysi, why don’t you and Viktor head to the living room and get settled?”
“Okay, mamá,” Jayce led Viktor out of the kitchen, a hand on his back to guide him gently. The living room was decorated with tinsel and various little ornaments along the shelves, with a tree set up in the corner. The tree was lit up with warm white lights, heavily decorated with everything from traditional ornaments to what looked like a protractor on a ribbon.
Viktor walked over to the tree to take in the rest of the ornaments, spotting some that looked like they’d been made by a child—flipping one of them over to look at the back, he saw: Jayce, age 5.
“I’m really glad you agreed to come over,” Jayce was saying. “Mamá was so excited when I said you’d be here. It’s been a long time since it was anyone other than just the two of us.”
Viktor noticed a pile of presents beneath the tree, so he carefully set his bag on a nearby armchair so he could add the small gifts he’d brought to the stack. “It has probably been just as long since I really celebrated,” Viktor admitted, turning to look at Jayce once he’d finished setting out the gifts.
Jayce was closer than he’d expected, making him have to tilt his head back to look at the taller man. Jayce was smiling at him, a small, gentle smile.
“That sweater looks good on you,” Jayce commented.
Viktor tugged at the neck of his sweater, a simple, forest green cable-knit thing, but it was thick and comfortable and good at keeping him warm. “Thank you,” he replied. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything, eh, Christmas related, quite like you and your mother do.”
Jayce’s smile turned into something playful, and Viktor noticed at that point that he was holding something behind his back.
In a quick movement, Jayce placed something atop of Viktor’s head that felt like a headband. Viktor made a surprised yelp and Jayce laughed in response, taking the smaller man’s shoulders and turning him so he could see his reflection in the mirror that hung over the fireplace.
It was a headband, adorned with small antlers and two small, fluffy deer ears. “Antlers?” Viktor huffed. “Really?”
Jayce grinned, catching Viktor’s eye in their reflection. “The ears are the same colour as your hair,” he commented, playfully flicking at one of the ears. “I saw it and I just couldn’t resist.”
Ximena walked in at that point, thankfully pulling Jayce’s attention away from the growing blush on Viktor’s face. He was ushered to settle on one of the sofas, Jayce sitting beside him, helping Viktor balance his cane against the sofa arm.
“I am so glad you’re here, really, Viktor,” Ximena said after a few moments of polite questions. “I’ve wanted to meet you for months, I was starting to think Jaysi was going to keep you all to himself.”
Viktor let out a small laugh, wiping frosting from the corner of his mouth. The cinnamon rolls were delicious, and Ximena had happily scooped two large rolls onto his plate. “I hesitate to ask what Jayce has been saying about me.”
“Oh, he never shuts up about you.”
“Mamá,” Jayce shot her a look, the tips of his ears turning red.
“¿Qué? I’m just telling the truth!” Ximena laughed. “It’s always Viktor this and Viktor that.”
“That sounds irritating, I apologise,” Viktor laughed nervously.
“Oh quite the opposite,” Ximena smiled. “I’ve never heard Jaysi be quite so passionate about someone before.”
“Hey! I think it’s time to open presents!” Jayce said, a little louder than was necessary. Viktor couldn’t help but laugh, if only to cover up how he was feeling just as flustered as Jayce.
Jayce took it upon himself to distribute the presents, and Viktor was surprised at the amount he was handed. They took it in turns opening gifts, ranging from silly to thoughtful to useful, and Viktor felt a certain amount of relief when Ximena seemed genuinely thankful for the gifts he’d gotten for her—a collection of delicately decorated recipe cards, some new baking utensils, and a recipe book.
Viktor had gifted Jayce a sketchbook and some art supplies. He was unsure what sort of art Jayce did aside from sketching, so he just went a mixture, but Jayce seemed excited all the same.
The gifts Viktor unwrapped included a handknitted scarf and glove set, some sweet pastries and chocolates, and some hardcover editions of various scientific and engineering texts he’d wanted but could never afford.
At some point before lunch, the wine Viktor brought had been opened, and Viktor found that he no longer felt tense or out of place. Ximena treated him as if he’d always been there, as if he belonged there with them.
Jayce had not been exaggerating about the amount of food Ximena prepared, and she made Viktor promise that he would take some leftovers home; he would probably still be eating them through to the New Year.
Ximena was very strict about Viktor not helping with lunch set up or cleaning up, stating that he was a guest and she was going to be a good host. He still tried, which just resulted in him being shooed out of the kitchen as Ximena wielded a kitchen towel against him.
Viktor had maybe one too many glasses of wine, but he felt comfortably fuzzy and it seemed Jayce was on the same level. He too had been subject to Ximena’s kitchen towel and told to get out of the way while she boxed up the leftovers.
Music was quietly playing in the living room, some sort of Christmas tune that Viktor vaguely recognised. Jayce had stood up and dragged Viktor to stand too, leading the smaller man in some gentle swaying that sort of resembled dancing.
If Viktor was more sober, he might have thought to read into the whole dancing thing a bit more. As things stood, though, he just giggled as they clumsily swayed to the tune.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so relaxed,” Jayce smiled, adjusting the reindeer headband that Viktor still wore.
“Mmh, it’s a wonder what five glasses of wine will do to a man,” Viktor chuckled in reply. “And a ridiculous amount of food.”
“Prepare yourself for more of that whenever you’re over,” Jayce grinned. “Mamá thinks everyone is too thin and always needs to eat more.”
“Well, whatever she’s doing it must work,” Viktor couldn’t help it when he squeezed his hand where it rested against Jayce’s bicep. “I mean, look at you.”
Jayce laughed, a cute flush over his cheeks. “Is that good or bad?”
“It’s good,” Viktor said. “Very good.”
They continued to sway for a few moments more, before Jayce stopped moving rather suddenly. Viktor glanced up at him—when had his head come to lay against Jayce’s chest?---and saw him looking at something on the ceiling.
“When did that get there,” Jayce mumbled, looking at the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. “That wasn’t there this morning, right?”
“I don’t remember seeing it.”
Jayce looked down at Viktor, something shifting in his eyes. “Y’know what they say about mistletoe, right?”
Viktor knew exactly what Jayce was getting at, and his brain went haywire. Feeling his entire body flush, he couldn’t help himself when he blurted out: “It’s a parasitic plant and members of the family range in toxicity from not too bad to deadly but it’s also been used historically for medicinal purposes.”
Jayce blinked a few times, looking at Viktor blankly. Viktor felt prickles along the back of neck as embarrassment rose up inside him—he’d been handed the perfect opportunity to kiss the object of his affections, and he’d had to go and fumble it.
“Oh shit, really?” Jayce said, looking back up to the mistletoe. “I didn’t know that. I wonder how it ended up being associated with kissing.”
“It’s, eh, been associated with, um, romance and healing for a long time,” Viktor continued to ramble. “Due to its medicinal properties. I think.”
“Huh,” Jayce looked back down at him, and Viktor was fully prepared for him to pull away and laugh the whole thing off. He did not expect for Jayce’s hand to find its way to Viktor’s cheek, thumb smoothing over the skin below the mole by his eye. “You’re so smart, Vik.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Viktor laughed, high-pitched and awkward.
“You’re the smartest person I know,” Jayce said, leaning closer into Viktor’s space. “Hextech would be nothing if it weren’t for you.”
Viktor felt like he couldn’t breathe, his hands resting on Jayce’s chest slowly tightening their grip on the other man’s sweater. He could appreciate the humour in the situation—both of them multiple glasses of wine deep, Jayce in his Christmas hat and Viktor still wearing the reindeer headband—but he was getting lost in Jayce’s eyes and didn’t stop to think that maybe they’d had too much to drink.
Jayce leaned in to close the distance between them, and Viktor felt himself sigh happily when their lips finally pressed together. Jayce moved his arms to wrap around Viktor’s waist as he tilted his head to move even closer into the kiss.
They could have been kissing for seconds or hours before they parted, Viktor found the rest of the world seemed to simply melt away while he was being held by Jayce.
“I know we’ve been drinking, but,” Jayce started. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
“Ah, so you had an ulterior motive for inviting me over today,” Viktor teased. “Did you sneak the mistletoe while I wasn’t looking?”
“I genuinely do not know when the mistletoe got there,” Jayce laughed.
“Well,” Viktor looked at his own hands where they laid against Jayce’s chest. “I…have wished to do that for a while, as well.”
“Really?”
Viktor looked back up at him, and he swore if Jayce had a tail it would be a blur from wagging so quickly. He was smiling, though there was a nervousness to it, as if Viktor was about to pull away and say he was just kidding.
“I think I’ve wanted to kiss you since the day we met,” Viktor admitted, the wine definitely making his tongue looser.
Jayce chuckled, pulling Viktor closer and pressing their foreheads together. “I think the only reason I didn’t kiss you when we cracked Hextech is because we ended up floating,” he said. “I’m really glad you came over today, Vik.”
Moving his hands up to wrap his arms around Jayce’s neck, Viktor smiled and pressed a quick, chaste kiss against Jayce’s lips. “I’m really glad you invited me, Jayce.”
“You’re coming over for New Year’s, right?”
Viktor laughed, pressing another kiss to Jayce’s cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”