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[scienceofthearcane]

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You have reached Viktor. I'm sorry I can't receive your message right now. But if you leave it for me here, I'll return it as soon as I can.

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[defenderoftomorrow]

Jayce is trying really hard to put two and two together, but he's still coming up empty, so he follows Viktor - a walking Viktor! Without faltering in his steps- inside without question.

"Okay, ehm. I'm going to...leave this here." He places the present on the nearest flat surface so his hands are free. Jayce feels a bit fidgety all of a sudden, concern making his brows draw together.

In the weeks he's been here, he's been studying medicinal plants and all sorts of magic books, trying to find some cure to help Viktor. It would be logical to assume that maybe Viktor has been doing the same now that he has direct access to those same resources. Perhaps that's it.

"What it is?"

[scienceofthearcane]

The irony of it was that while Viktor had only been in Folkmore for a few weeks, had found he actually had his own form of magic, he had pretty much stumbled across the Baba Yaga school, and had a living god essentially create new lungs for him. The downsides were that he could only use that magic in defense of others rather than in defense of himself, the Baba Yaga school was in Exile, and to create functional lungs Baphomet had essentially crumbled Viktor's own lungs to dust. A wet dust that was later coughed onto the ground in Exile. So that essentially meant Viktor no longer had lungs of his own and would die without Baphomet doing regular upkeep.

Right now he does take a fortifying breath and released it through slightly parted lips and raises the black glove in front of himself. Methodically he loosens each finger of the glove then finally removes it entirely. Beneath it is the metallic stone his hand has become. It looks like metal or fractured reflections of everything around him but it moves with the same liquid grace that the skin over his hand had always moved with.

"I...I have been experimenting on myself with the Hex-core. My leg was the first alteration I've made."

This came later. And came with too high of a price. It was still hard to talk about this, harder still to talk about this with Jayce of all people. Because at the time right before he had started down this path they had argued. Viktor was angry. And Viktor had lied by omission.

[defenderoftomorrow]

Jayce, unlike Viktor, had a mostly privileged life with few hardships, so it's no surprise that Exile didn't think he fit in and did everything in its power to kick him out. He has only seen Baba Yaga once, and it was because Baphomet led him there himself. Jayce has never managed to find the school on his own, and probably never will.

The tension in Viktor's body is evident, even if he would probably look relatively calm to any observer who hadn't known the man for over a decade. It makes Jayce think about their last conversation overlooking Zaun's outskirts, about how they had forgotten what really mattered, how they had failed to help others. There had been a lot of things left unsaid between them; Jayce, too, had his own secrets that he desperately wanted to tell Viktor but didn't know how. Now is the time to speak some truths. The confusion and surprise on his face at the revelation are impossible to hide. His eyes darted from Viktor's hand to his brown eyes and back down again.

"You exprimen-- But, how? We never designed anything with runes that could cause transmutation. Did the Hex-core do it on its own? Or was it some sort of accidental rune arrangement? Wait, your leg is like that as well? Oh, that's why you can stand without the cane.

His mind is going a mile a minute, and Jayce needs to pause for a moment to put some order to his thoughts and focus on one important thing at a time. Part of him is fascinated, and the other is concerned about what kind of magic could do this.

"Does it hurt?" The question is soft but sincere because that's his main worry. He is processing everything, but he doesn't want to give Viktor the impression that he is freaked out by the change. Or not as freaked out as Jayce is actually feeling.

"Can you still feel everything like you did before? Is it just your hand and leg, or does the purple keep spreading?" Without thinking, Jayce reaches out to touch the hand, then stops himself. A slight frown crosses his features, and the silence stretches between them one more time. He drops his hand. "The Hexcore isn't here. This happened in our world, and you didn't tell me."

'You didn't trust me enough to tell me', is what Jayce meant, and the realization hurt. He looks away from Viktor's face, head bowed, and his gaze lands on the man's leg, but not quickly enough. Viktor still had time to see how his eyes had already shifted to a cyan blue.

[scienceofthearcane]

Viktor saw that change in color and had by now known what it meant. It meant Jayce was sad. Viktor had been ready for anger, or at least hostility. He hadn't been prepared for sadness. Part of him questioned whether he could just stop now, not explain about Singed and using Shimmer. Viktor held the changed hand out toward Jayce.

"It's alright, you can touch it. And no, it doesn't hurt."

But if he did stop now, it would still be letting that lie stand and he knew that would only be because he had been a coward and not as a salve to Jayce's feelings.

"I told you what my friend said...but that wasn't all he said."

Viktor swallowed hard. Lies fester but the truth, while it may cut deeply, always cut clean. This was the first difficult hurdle.

"He said that 'nature is resistant to change but luckily we have the means to change our nature' and gave me a small vial of Shimmer. I saw the way the Hex-core reacted when my blood was on the desk with it. So...I changed my blood."

Meaning he had not just drunk the Shimmer but injected it straight into his bloodstream.

"I can still feel with the hand, but my fine sense of touch has now become muted since it changed. And it hasn't been changed for very long. But I don't think the purple is spreading."

It was an experiment after all. Viktor didn't really know what side effects might happen.

[defenderoftomorrow]

Jayce had a complicated relationship with anger. He didn't like feeling it, and he tried hard to keep a cool head, but when he let his negative emotions run wild, it usually ended in disaster.He tries to reign in his feelings, but sadness is somehow harder to keep at bay.

He met Viktor's eyes again when the man offered his hand, and reached out to touch it gently, his thumb brushing over the back of the hand and its knuckles, studying the valleys and ridges. He let curiosity and fascination win over worry for a few moments. For some reason, Jayce expected it to feel colder, more metallic, but it did move like Viktor's natural hand. 

"It feels strong." He pressed the flat of his palm against Viktor's own,  hands held up against each other, tilting his head to look at them. Viktor's mention of his zaunite's friend got Jace's focus back on him again.

"You also never told me his name." That alone was strange, if not suspicious, but now Jayce knew why. If he had learned back then what Viktor planned to do, Jayce would no doubt have had reservations. At the mention of the drug, something cold and unpleasant settled on Jayce's stomach. Nothing good ever came from Shimmer. "You could have died, Viktor.  Suddently. You know what that thing does to people. How the addiction eats them from the inside out. And you used your blood?  If this hadn't worked..." 

He shifted his fingers so he could entwine them with Viktor's and gave his hand a squeeze, taking in a shaky breath. Viktor's health was bad enough that he probably thought he lost nothing by trying, and Jayce understood that. It didn't mean knowing all this was any less scary or upsetting, and his eyes remained a steady blue.

"At least it's not going to take all over your body," Jayce muttered, then frowned at his own words. "Unless...that's what you wanted? Could this have cured you completely? It seems like it comes at a high cost."

Ah, if Jayce only knew the full story.

[scienceofthearcane]

"It does."

Viktor felt odd about Jayce essentially holding his hand, but did not pull away. The changed skin was still warm to the touch but it also felt solid like stone. At the comment, Viktor actually strengthened his grip just a bit to encourage Jayce to look at him. And when Jayce did, Viktor's expression had gone from tense to haunted.

"Though I didn't realize how high that cost would be until recently or that I wasn't the one that would pay it. Heimerdinger was right. It must be destroyed."

It was ironic in that Viktor had been prepared to risk his own life, but was punished for his own hubris in thinking that it was just his personal risk alone.

"And it wasn't the Hex-core that cured me. That didn't happen until I was in Folkmore."

In illustration, he took in a deep breath, then exhaled without coughing. And strictly speaking, it wasn't a cure because it wasn't his lungs that were repaired. Probably not the best time to bring up the detail that he would die quickly unless Baphomet did regular upkeep.

"But it's more important that you keep your promise. Please Jayce."

[defenderoftomorrow]

As far as they knew, this was unprecedented. No kind of magic had ever done anything like this before, but they also didn't have complete records about the arcane. The hand was warm and strong, alive. In the end, that was what Jayce found himself caring about the most. At the silent request, he stared back at Viktor, wondering what cost could be greater than paying with one's own blood and flesh.

"You gave your hand, your leg, your blood. Was that not enough?"

It's a stupid question, Jayce knew the moment he took a good look at his partner. There was something else eating away at Viktor, something haunting that cut deep. He could tell because Jayce had that same look on his face every time he thought about the Shimmer raid. The next words, though, brought him some comfort, and his iris turned a rich yellow.

"You are fully cured now? Did someone with healing magic help you?" If so, Jayce had someone to thank profusely. He found himself smiling, his eyes a little wet now, after seeing his partner breathe without issue. "It's amazing, V."

He didn't know how things worked once they left Folkmore, if they would be able to keep some of the bonds they gained, Jayce only hoped that would be the case for Viktor. He let out a shaky breath of his own and nodded. "Yes, I'll keep my promise. Once we're back, I'll destroy the Hex-Core."

[scienceofthearcane]

This had been part of why Viktor had kept his hand and leg hidden for so long; he was ashamed. Both because of the just plain stupid mistake he'd made in the lab and what it had cost Ms. Young. He would have to broach that topic side-on. He didn't think he had the strength to try to take head-on.

"Several someones tried to use healing magic on me, but none lasted for more than a few hours. The first time I found Baba Yaga, I also spoke with Baphomet."

The change in Jayce's eye color was profound and a little bit surprising. Certainly, Viktor had expected him to be pleased but not that pleased. Still, Viktor couldn't help having a small smile in response to it.

"It's not exactly a cure. Baphomet had some type of magic to create flesh constructs and that was what he did to me. The trade-off is that my own lungs were in too bad of a shape to be usable. So he replaced them with what I'm using now."

Viktor lightly shrugged.

"I don't know how long they'll last, but since it is likely I would be dead soon without this sort of intervention, I'm grateful for the quality of life I have over the length of time it gives me."

[defenderoftomorrow]

They have now been granted more time than Jayce ever imagined they would get. There will be more chances to talk about their mistakes and intentions, and hopefully get some sort of understanding and redemption. Jayce isn't ready either to talk about what happened at the factory, but perhaps with some time, he will.

"I know Baphomet. I'll have to thank you properly." His eyes were only getting brighter now, closer to actual gold than simply yellow. This Legend's trait was a bit embarrassing, and fairly inconvenient. Jayce couldn't conceal his actual feelings, but that matters little now. What was important was that Viktor would be all right, for now.

"Oh, okay." He looked taken aback by how Baphomet managed to somehow replace Viktor's whole lungs to cure him, and was silent for a couple of moments before speaking again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be so curt. It's a lot to take in at once, it's all. Magic new lungs, that's...wow. But yes, it's very good, Viktor."

He knew that magic could help people, and had tried to prove that all his life, but Jayce could never have imagined something like this before. The prolonged stress and anxiety of the last month and a half were all too much now that it was over. Jayce's free hand rose to brush at the wetness he could feel pooling at the corner of his eyes, and his breath was a little shallow. He gave Viktor a shaky smile, irises still bright gold, and used their connected hands to pull the man into a tigh hug.

"I'm so happy you're okay, Viktor. I don't know what I would do without you."

[scienceofthearcane]

Viktor was entirely caught offguard by the impromptu hug. He staggered a bit so he ended up with his face turned to the side against Jayce's collarbones below his chin. One of his hands was now mashed between them and the other sort of awkwardly hovering to the side.

But after a moment Viktor let the awkwardly hovering hand come to rest against Jayce's back. It was probably for the best that Jayce wouldn't be able to see the pink blush staining Viktor's cheekbones like this. Usually, Viktor didn't care for being touched, though it was mostly well-meaning people trying to take the cripple's arms. So he didn't know that casual touch could feel so...nice.

That didn't count what Jayce had said when he pulled Viktor into this hug, either. That alone would have made Viktor blush but coupled with the hug and Viktor was left speechless. All he could do for the moment was stand there in silence and hug Jayce back.

[defenderoftomorrow]

Jayce couldn't help himself, emotions got the better of him. He closed his eyes, eyebrows drawn together, and didn't seem to be willing to move any time soon. It did occur to him that squeezing their hands between their chests might be really uncomfortable for Viktor, and he let go so he could wrap his other arm around his partner.

Close like this, there was no way Viktor missed the way Jayce's heart beat quickly, like a trapped hummingbird trying to escape its cage. It calmed somewhat when he felt Viktor hug him back, and Jayce's whole body relaxed. He let out a low, soft sigh, and tilted his head, his cheeks pressing against the top of his friend's messy hair. He didn't think about anything for some long moments, simply basked in the relief of having Viktor here with him, safe and on the way to recovery. It was something they couldn't have back home.

He knew that Viktor wasn't fond of being smothered, and after another minute or so, Jayce slowly leaned back to give him space. There was a small smile on his face, and Jayce's own cheekbones were flushed, but that could be blamed on the fact that he still looked a little teary. Viktor hadn't said anything before, and now it was Jayce's turn to be at a loss for words.

[scienceofthearcane]

Once his hand isn't being mashed between them Viktor did actually use it to hug Jayce properly. Or as properly as he knew how to anyway. The blush staining his cheekbones pink was still there when Jayce turned that small smile on him because his skin had become much too pale for it not to show.

Viktor felt a bit odd about actually hugging Jayce. It didn't feel bad...just odd. Then again it had rarely ever been anything but the two of them working alone in the lab so Viktor hadn't really thought anything about Jayce's easier time with showing his emotions. To him, that was just Jayce. Viktor had never thought that expressive emotion might get turned on him. Certainly, Viktor had thoughts that it might feel nice when Jayce turned those expressive emotions on others but those thoughts were always quickly dispelled by the reality of his own body and later the much more urgent problem of his own impending death. It was something of a surprise to realize that wasn't something he had to think about anymore.

There was a moment of Viktor looking at those tear-filled eyes that seemed to stretch for longer than any moment should...and then Viktor lost his nerve and glanced furtively away.

"Um. You said you actually had a reason for coming here?"

[defenderoftomorrow]

For a moment, Jayce practically melted against Viktor, enjoying the way their bodies slotted together and the fact that his friend was hugging him back. It was rare for him to do so, making it all the more meaningful to Jayce for it. It was no secret to anybody who knew Jayce that he found comfort in touches, and that he offered them freely to those who welcomed them. Touches helped him center himself, and Jayce was always weak when it came to receiving them in return. And he touched Viktor the most.

When Jayce looked at him, the blush was impossible to miss, and he gave the other man a silent, fond look. That blush brought a funny feeling to Jayce's stomach, even if he couldn't put his finger on what it was. He didn't bring it up, only admired the unusual view before Viktor averted his eyes. There had been something, Jayce thinks, a Moment with capital 'M', passing between them when they stared at each other. A moment when he felt there were important, unsaid things clinging to the air, but it had gone away quickly. Later that night, once Jayce is back in his own apartment, he will replay the events in his mind, thinking about if he's missing something he should know. 

"Right, yes. I did. Let me just..." Jayce stood to fetch the present and brought it back to Viktor in a matter of seconds, leaving it in his lap. Inside the box there was a dark burgundy coat with a few small copper pieces of metal in the cuffs and lapels to give it an extra elegant touch. "Happy Holidays, Viktor. Come on, open your present."

[scienceofthearcane]

Viktor took a moment to get his composure back while Jayce was distracted, and did manage it when he had the wrapped box given to him. Glancing up at Jayce once when the other man encouraged him, Viktor then carefully opened the corners one side at a time, keeping the wrapping paper mostly whole as he removed it. The bow was attached to the wrapping paper and went with it. The paper is then neatly folded and set to the side - Viktor had never gotten enough presents as a child to rip any decorative paper - and when he opened the box to find the coat.

He was actually mildly pleased it was a gift that was something functional. He didn't fully have a grasp of this holiday and he wasn't at all sure it wasn't meant to be frivolous as part of 'the Holiday Spirit'. He had a small smile as he lifted the coat partially out of the box and saw that there were metallic accents at the cuff and lapels.

"It is very nice. Thank you, Jayce."

Viktor turned his small, pleased smile onto Jayce. Then his look turned thoughtful.

"I have something for you, as well, but it's not really a gift. More a token of remembrance."

And from just his pants pocket, Viktor drew out a tiny gear. It was recognizable as one of the little parts of the first model Hexgate they had ever used as their proof of concept. He held it out, cupped in his flesh hand toward Jayce in offering.

"It's meant to be a reminder of where our dream started. So we don't risk losing it again."

[defenderoftomorrow]

The paper gesture was so very Viktor that Jayce couldn't help the fond smile that spread over his lips at the view. If anything, it made the present feel more relevant somehow. He was even more pleased when Vitkor, ever the practical man, seemed to really like the coat.

"Ah, welcome. They figured it couldn't hurt to have something to keep you warmer. The days had gotten incredibly cold as of late." That was a pretty and rare smile, and Jayce felt the funny feeling in his stomach come back with renewed force. What a silly thing.

He hadn't expected Vitkor to get him anything at all, didn't think it was the man's style, so when a little present was offered, he took it as if it were something precious. And precious it was. Jayce recognized it immediately.

"I can't believe you kept it. You, softie." Jayce teased, his smile bright and happy, as he held up the gear. "I'll get a chain so I can wear it as a necklace. It's a good reminder."