Chapter Text
It takes Caitlyn less than an hour to find Jayce and hug the living daylights out of him after he is formally pardoned and established in his new position as a lead researcher at the academy. This is of course very unbecoming behaviour of a Councillor's daughter which she pretends she never indulged in by brusquely straightening her blouse and offering a very formal, “congratulations on your reinstatement and promotion , Mr. Talis, I look forward to seeing your work.”
There’s no hiding her smile when Jayce beams at her and replies, “thank you, Miss Kiramman.” His posture shifts then. Cocksure and full of pride, he offers his arm. “Would you like a grand tour of my new laboratory?”
It’s clear as Caitlyn steps into the laboratory that Jayce had been hard at work in the week between being arrested and officially returning to the academy as the champion of a brand new technology. The blackboards are already covered in familiar equations and diagrams that she has never been able to make any sense of. However, Jayce’s handwriting is accompanied by a less familiar set, spikey and rushed in a way that makes it unreadable to the untrained eye.
She can’t help but ask, “Who’s handwriting is that?”
“Hm?” Jayce spares a moment from setting up a contraption to look confused before saying, “Oh, that’s Viktor’s!” As if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Caitlyn does not know any Viktors and certainly none introduced to her by Jayce.
“Viktor who?”
He pauses at the question, suddenly realising that Caitlyn had not been privy to all the major changes in his life in the last week. “He’s my new research partner.” Jayce is beaming again, unaware in his excitement of what a strange statement that is to hear from someone who had consistently expressed that he has only ever worked alone. Then begins a long rhapsody on all things Viktor. Viktor figured out this equation, he’d adjusted that design, he could keep up with Jayce’s thoughts and tangents.
Honestly, Caitlyn has never seen him so smitten.
Jayce continues on about an all nighter they’d spent throwing around ideas, apparently Viktor drinks his coffee ridiculously sweet and milky, as Caitlyn leans against the desk, flipping through what she knows is Jayce’s journal until an unusual addition catches her attention. It was a sketched portrait, helpfully labelled ‘Viktor’.
She flips the page over to find another unexpected entry, several designs for a cane with what appears to be a detachable handle. A note in the corner of the page states, Ask Viktor for measurements.
Caitlyn lifts her gaze up, thoughtful, to Jayce who has yet to notice she hasn’t said a word since he started talking about Viktor.
“...you should've seen it, Cait! The crystal was this close to finding a viable combination of runes but the professor was shouting at the enforcers to break the door down. And Viktor! He just- He just picks up his cane and shoves it through the handles and goes, ‘no pressure’. As if both of us won't get exiled if this doesn't work. And then, just as the cane snapped, the crystal exploded with this beautiful arcane energy. The whole room became weightless, Caitlyn!”
Caitlyn glances back down to the journal still open on the cane blueprints, ignoring Jayce’s nonsensical gushing. Viktor, huh?
“Caitlyn! You’re not listening to me!” Jayce’s throws hands out in exasperation.
“Yes, I am!” Caitlyn pushes the journal aside and crosses her arms. “You said the room became weightless. That doesn’t mean anything!”
“It means I cast a spell that cancelled out gravity.” With great flourish, Jayce makes a sweeping motion with his arms and throws his head back. “With science!”
There’s a pause as Caitlyn stares at Jayce with narrowed eyes. Long enough that Jayce’s arms drop a little and he throws her a confused glance from his dramatic pose. He is met with a smirk.
“Show me.”
Jayce answers with a grin of unrestrained delight.
“Professor Heimerdinger, I’ve brought you the improved design for the hextech device!”
Viktor strides into Heimerdinger’s office carrying several blueprints, rolled up and tucked under his arm.
“That looks like more than just one design, my boy,” Heimerdinger chuckled.
“Oh! Ehm, yes.” He places the blueprints on the desk and tugs at the hem of his waistcoat. “I also brought a few designs of my own, small-scale air and water filtration systems.” His face is bright with enthusiasm that the professor is certain he hasn’t seen in a few years.
“Oh, yes? Very interesting!” Heimerdinger sets aside the design for the hextech for later inspection, choosing instead to look at what Viktor’s rediscovered spark has produced.
The work is technically outstanding and detailed as he has come to expect of all things Viktor puts his efforts into. But the designs have the look and style he remembers of the boy’s early days at the academy, six or seven years ago now. Strange to think that the boy hasn’t evolved much since beginning his studies. Then again, early days aside, he doesn’t recall many original works being presented to him by Viktor. Brilliant as he is, the boy has always spent all his time assisting Heimerdinger in his experiments and ensuring the smooth running of any administrative work; academy and council alike. Indeed, since taking Viktor on as his assistant, there has been a marked improvement in Heimerdinger’s effectiveness as both dean of the academy and head of the Piltover council.
“This is actually an improved design from the original which was bulkier.” Viktor points to a short list written in the margin. “Jayce made some suggestions for materials which allowed me to reduce the size and weight significantly. If all goes well, these water purifiers could be installed without hassle.”
Glancing up to Viktor as he continues pointing out details in his designs with barely concealed excitement, Heimerdinger wonders now if that was to the detriment of progress in Piltover.
“I admit I’m having issues with the air purifier. With the water filtration system, as long as the container is robust enough, it’s a matter of chemical reactions. But with air… the filters simply can’t stand up to the chemicals; at least not the kind being released by the fissures.”
"Well, my boy, you don’t have to tackle the most corrosive chemicals right away. Even something that can handle the spillover from the undercity into Piltover would be progress."
Viktor’s expression goes inexplicably tight, although he gives Heimerdinger an acknowledging nod.
Pushing aside the filtration designs, Viktor’s voice becomes decidedly more serious as he unrolls the final blueprint. “I do have one other design.”
“Finger prosthesis?” There’s something familiar about the idea that he can’t quite place. “An unusual choice.”
“Yes, professor.” Viktor sets his shoulders as he readies himself to launch into what is clearly a prepared speech. “It isn’t uncommon for people working in the mines to lose limbs. There are of course existing prosthetics for whole limbs, articulating and otherwise, but the only existing solution for loss of fingers are unarticulated prostheses. As you can probably imagine, this can have a severe impact on the patients’ quality of life, something which these have the potential to significantly improve.”
“This is indeed an intriguing proposal.” Viktor’s eyebrows remain low and tense, awaiting the final verdict. “I can see that you are very passionate about this project. Naturally, I am in full support of your endeavours.”
Viktor relaxes. “Thank you, professor.”
“However, as your supervisor, I must remind you that your hextech research has to take precedence as that is the purpose for which your joint laboratory with Mr. Talis was established.” Heimerdinger is well aware that Viktor is just as eager to work on the hextech but it bears reminding nonetheless. As a council-appointed laboratory, if begrudging on Heimerdinger’s part, the pressure on Jayce and Viktor to deliver is significantly higher than any other researchers in the city.
“Yes, professor. Of course.” Viktor is all but beaming as he collects his blueprints, earlier tension shaken off with practised ease, and exits the room with a farewell.
Heimerdinger has no doubt that he has just stoked the fire that has awakened in Viktor and he highly anticipates the results of it. It is amazing what the right circumstances can inspire, although young Mr. Talis was certainly an unexpected catalyst. The boys certainly have bright futures ahead of them.
It doesn’t take long for Caitlyn to be introduced to Viktor. As the other half of Piltover’s lauded research team, he is of course invited to any and all social functions. According to Jayce, however, this is the first he has deigned to accept the invitation for and even then it was only thanks to Jayce’s persistence. A good decision on his part, one does not simply turn down the invitation when Councillor Kiramman throws a celebratory party in honour of one’s first hextech patent.
The first unusual thing to happen that evening is Jayce is not in fact present at the beginning of the party. While this is hardly unusual for any other guest, Jayce, as close to a member of the Kiramman family without being born into it by this point, generally gets ready for the parties in one of the guestrooms. Tonight, Caitlyn doesn’t see him arrive until half an hour into the party, and certainly not fashionably late for one of the guests of honour, accompanied by a lean man with a familiar-looking cane. There is no mistaking that this is Viktor.
Unable to excuse herself from a conversation with Councillor Hoskel’s nephew, she is left to watch over his shoulder as Jayce immediately begins his rounds, making introductions with a guiding hand secure on Viktor’s back. While his posture is confident, there is a standoffishness to Viktor that advertises that he is neither used to nor comfortable with the type of mingling that all the other attendees are engaging in so naturally. It is made all the more clear as he quietly says something to Jayce and moves to take position at the edge of the room. If the room weren’t so well lit, Caitlyn is certain he would have chosen the dimmest corner as well.
Jayce, for his part, continues making the rounds with his usual disarming charm, laughing at jokes that really aren’t that funny and complimenting outfits that may or may not be fashionable. What’s different tonight, however, is he keeps returning to that one spot occupied by Viktor. As the man of the hour, he’s hardly inconspicuous as he brings Viktor an assortment of food and drinks.
Eventually, Caitlyn manages to extricate herself from the unending line of conversationalists. Rather than interrupting Jayce in his schmoozing and getting herself pulled into another asinine conversation, she makes her way to his partner in crime instead. Jayce will certainly end up back there anyway.
“Miss Kiramman, I presume.” Viktor tilts his head to the large family painting, prominent on the staircase. His eyes are sharp and intelligent, and there’s a mirth to them as he looks at her that suggests that Jayce has definitely told him a story or two about her.
“And you must be Viktor,” she replies in kind.
The corners of his mouth tip into a genuine smile and he gives her a conceding nod. “I’m very happy to meet you, Miss Kiramman. Jayce speaks of you often, I almost feel as though I already know you.”
She is about to return the sentiment with a comment about how he takes his coffee when she is interrupted by a hand on her shoulder.
“Caitlyn!” Jayce’s cheeks are flushed with no small amount of alcohol. “I haven’t seen you all night.”
“I was quite occupied with a guest. They do know how to go on and on, I’m sure you understand,” she smiles, barely holding back her distaste. “But I could say the same about you. Showing up late to the party is rather unbefitting of the guest of honour, don't you think? I hope you don't expect to be getting off freely, mother most definitely will be having a word with you later.”
Jayce looks off to the side, sheepish. “Oh, well that’s because I-”
“Any tardiness would be a fault on my part, Miss Kiramman,” Viktor interrupts him. “Jayce had the unfortunate task of locating me and making sure I did not run off, subsequently making the both of us late, although it is not for a lack of trying on his part.”
“Well, I’m glad he was somewhat successful. I was looking forward to meeting the only other person he has somehow managed to befriend.” … and his recent favourite topic of conversation . “Introduce us, Jayce.”
Caitlyn turns just in time to see his smile pull into a playful scowl at her gentle ribbing. No doubt he is glad his two friends are getting along well already.
“Miss Kiramman, please allow me to introduce my partner, Viktor.”
She watches as Jayce wraps an arm around Viktor’s shoulders, a gesture so natural to him she wouldn’t have given it a second thought if it wasn't Viktor he was holding so close.
Viktor rolls his eyes at the formality but Caitlyn sees the faintest blush along his cheekbones accompanying a bashful smile.
“And Viktor. This is Miss Caitlyn Kiramman, my everyday nuisance and next in line for the Kiramman seat on the Council.” Jayce falls into a graceful bow. With a wink he adds, “if her mother has it her way, of course.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” she says, disdain colouring her voice. “I hear enough about it as it is.”
“Do you have an alternative career in mind?” The question itself is asked with polite interest, reminiscent of the idle small talk occurring around the room where no one really cares about the answer. However, Viktor’s gaze is intent on her as he waits on her reply. He’s either a very good actor or genuinely wants to know the answer.
Two things strike her then. Firstly, no one has actually bothered to ask her what she wants before. And secondly, there’s an intensity to Viktor’s attention as he holds her gaze that she can see becoming very addictive very quickly.
If Jayce is regularly being pinned by Viktor’s admittedly pretty eyes as he throws out statements and questions that cut to the heart of the matter, it’s no wonder that he’s fallen head over heels without even noticing.
Were she anyone else, Caitlyn would have stuttered. “Not yet.” A lie. But she’s not ready to inform everyone of her decision, not even Jayce. “However, I’m quite certain bureaucracy is not the path for me.”
Viktor’s eyes fill with amusement, he definitely picked up on her deception. Internally, she curses herself. Did she glance at Jayce? She’s already preparing herself for damage control when-
“Well, I’m sure you will excel at whatever it is you choose to do.”
Her eyes widen. He says it so earnestly that she blushes and has to look away. Oh yes, Jayce is very much in trouble.