Sextech (Jayvik)

Jayce

When I first met, rather, saw, Viktor, I was too angry to see him too well. But later that night when I couldn't stop thinking about him, I knew I was lying to myself.

"Who are you anyway?" I asked irritatedly, trying to keep my eyes off my lab filled with me entire life's worth of work and research blown to smithereens by a couple of nasty, Undercity hooligans that made way with some of my stuff too. Apparently they were kids.

"I'm assistant to the dean of the Academy," the man replied plainly, "who, it may serve you to remember, is also head of the Council," he added.

I rolled my eyes. I liked his attitude, but I had far more things to be concerned off.

The man, who had an accent that I couldn't help but notice, continued, "He sent me here to ensure anything dangerous is removed safely. Which... according to my list... includes you."

My head shot up from wear it was resting wearily on my hands, "What?!" I blew up, "How am I dangerous?"

He brushed it off and nodded to the female guard who accompanied him to escort me out.

It was now "later that night." I sat in a chilly cell, sitting in the same position as earlier, my elbows on my needs, forehead on my palms as I awaited the morning for the Council's decision. It was invigorating. I couldn't wait, I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was my research. And Viktor.

Of course, I didn't know his name then. Hell, I didn't know anything about him except what he said: that he was the assistant to the dean of the Council who was there to detain me and remove anything "else" dangerous from my home lab.

What frustrated me more though was that while I etched my brain throughout the night for possibilities of getting out of here, that man overshadowed any rationale. I didn't know why I was feeling this way. I laid down to try and ease my mind.

"Getting some rest?" I heard a familiar voice mumble.

That goddamn voice. The one I couldn't get out of my head just moments ago, and it was back. I stuffed a pillow over my head. I heard soft footsteps. He even steps so lightly. Was he...?

I immediately sat up, the pillow falling from my face onto my lap, my hair frazzled, eyes wide, as I craned my neck towards the bars of the cell.

There stood the man, his figure so delicately illuminated in the moonlight creeping through the barred window above my cell, his tired eyes with the faintest shimmer, still wearing his attire from earlier, back slightly hunched as he leaned over the cane he used to support his bad leg.

I couldn't help but stare, too sleep-deprived, too shocked to see him there and he must've noticed because he tilted his head a little and that only made me want to stare longer.

"Is everything alright?" he asked. He sounded tired. I wondered what he was doing here, watching me, late at night. What time is it? I think I'm going crazy.

"Ah," Viktor nodded, "I see, preparing for the big day tomorrow?" he slowly made his way over to a stray chair positioned in front of the cell.

I still didn't answer, I couldn't. My mouth felt dry. He was just so pleasant to look at.

"Are you nervous?" he pressed, not to get an answer out of me, but for me to acknowledge his existence, "The Council won't be too hard on you," he thew in a joke.

I simply nodded.

"Ehhm," he faltered, "Well, that was a lie. They will be extremely hard on you, but I am just being honest."

I shook my head, "I'm not nervous," I finally brought myself to respond. Man, I must be tired. It's been a long day. "But I know the Council would never be on my side. You people are afraid of change. Afraid of science and the wonders it can create."

The man made a face like he was offended, scrunching his brows.

"I'm sorry-" I immediately took it back. Especially after today and having to hide my research for so long, I was pretty passionate about the matter.

"First of all," he interrupted, "I am not a member of the Council."

"Why is that?" I asked, genuinely curious, before letting him get to his second point.

"I'm just an assistant," he murmured his reply. His yellowy eyes that almost glowed watched me.

"You seem more important than that," I said with a shrug.

He scoffed, "Are you calling me conceited?"

"No, no," I leaned back and let my head fall back before brining it forward to look at him again.

"You really shouldn't be talking," he said, leaning back into his chair, "I saw your notes, you signed every page. A little egotistical, don't you think?"

I let out a chuckle, only because he seemed right. "It's really only because you-" I cut myself off then continued, "The people like the Council members want to take my research, no doubt they might try to steal it for themselves. Because, I guarantee anyone that looks like it will see it's potential like I do, and realize this whole thing is a huge mistake. This... technology, that I'm working on, it can change Piltover. Hell, it can change the entire world."

The man tilted his head again, something that made me feel... something, for sure. "Go on," he ushers.

It takes me a moment, but I do, "I'm talking, not only economically, improving trade, speeding up imports and exports; but revolutionizing transport, technology in general; and most importantly, the lives of the general population. The normal, everyday citizens that try their best and work hard to make a living. That contribute to our community to make Piltover the great city it is seen as today. And soon, it can become a utopia. A central point for all."

"Sounds like you're looking for a power stroke," he responds, fiddling with the sleeve on his wrist, "Piltover supremacy or something."

I sigh and throw my hands up, "Not supremacy- I-" I sigh again and drop it. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and now it was starting to feel like a misjudgment.

"I'm only joking," the man smiles, "Kind of."

"Then you have to defend me tomorrow in front of the Council. You're the only one whose word matters," I plead.

He scoffs, "I have no power here. I'm from the Undercity."

Now that was a shock. I open my mouth and close it again, "You-?"

Immediately he stands up, slightly wobbling against his cane then turns to leave, "Good night, Jayce. Good luck tomorrow."

"Wait," I call out, to which he barely reacts to, "I don't even know your name."

He turns to face me and we hold a somewhat charged eye contact that I feel throughout my body.

"It's Viktor."