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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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[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."