Jayce's room was far messier than Viktor had expected it to be. There were clothes on the bed, and more hung on the door of the wardrobe. It looked like Jayce had struggled to decide what to wear tonight too.
"Sorry about the mess," Jayce said, gathering up the clothes from his bed and hurriedly returning them to their hangers.
Viktor smiled to himself as he watched. Jayce always looked so flawlessly put together in his appearance that Viktor had expected his living quarters to be spotless too. But then Viktor remembered Jayce's habit of leaving things out in the lab once he had finished with them instead of putting them away. Not that Viktor could judge, he was not the tidiest person himself. He always found that the pursuit of perfection stifled creativity.
Jayce shut the wardrobe doors and then turned to Viktor with a smile. "Sit down," he offered.
Viktor walked over to the other side of the room and took a seat in one of the armchairs. Jayce's room was approximately the same size and layout as his, with some differences in the positions of furniture.
Jayce seemed to be looking for something. "Would you like some more wine?" he asked, pulling out a bottle from nowhere.
"Ah, so now I know what you do in the evenings after you return to your room alone," Viktor said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"No," Jayce said, looking taken aback. "The Kiramanns got me this a while ago. I've never found an occasion to drink it." He placed the bottle down on the coffee table, then took out a box and started to open it. "They also assumed, correctly, that I didn't own any glasses." He took two glasses out of the box, and then opened and poured the wine.
Viktor accepted a glass and Jayce poured himself a glass too and sat down in the other armchair. Viktor hadn't actually wanted more wine, this one was just as bitter as the one in the restaurant, he only ever drank it to be polite. But in another sense, he was glad of it. Perhaps it'd make him feel less awkward about this situation. He took a sip, then another one. He wanted to be with Jayce, he did. But reality was always more nerve-wracking than fantasy.
When Jayce spoke, Viktor realised they had been sitting in silence for more than a few moments. It seemed Jayce had been thinking too, but about something different. "I'll complete the prototype of my gauntlets tomorrow," he said.
"You will?" Viktor said, raising his eyebrows. "Well don't push yourself too hard."
"You don't think I can do it?"
"I believe you can. But perhaps not tomorrow. You completely dismantled them."
Jayce sighed and looked down at his glass. "I don't want to hold you back, that's all," he said.
"Jayce! What are you saying? If it wasn't for your discovery neither of us would have achieved anything. If it wasn't for that explosion, we might never have exchanged more than a few words."
Jayce looked up. "You're right, Viktor. And I'm sorry, this is supposed to be your celebration."
"Our celebration. We're partners, remember?"
"Right," Jayce said. He reached out for the wine bottle and refilled both of their glasses. Then he turned to Viktor with an odd smile on his face. "I'm curious. Were you so keen to work with me in the first place because you had a crush on me?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Viktor snapped before he could stop himself. "Of course not. It was your research that interested me, and the way you were not afraid to look beyond the tried and tested methods. And also I could not help but feel a little sorry for you. The academy's rules can be constrictive and cruel sometimes." Viktor took a gulp of his wine, watching Jayce's expression and body language carefully. "You're disappointed."
Jayce shook his head. "No, no. I asked you a question and you answered honestly. That's one of the things I like about you, your honesty."
"Some things, it is difficult to be truthful about. You impressed me in many ways, and surprised me too. I was quite annoyed with myself when I had discovered I had fallen for you."
Jayce laughed. "Why?"
Viktor felt his brow furrow involuntarily. "It was a pointless feeling. Obviously you would not be interested. Saying something would only make things awkward between us, and maybe even put a stop to our academic collaboration."
"Why would you assume I wouldn't be interested?"
Viktor felt himself growing annoyed. Was Jayce playing stupid? Viktor gestured at himself. "I am from the Undercity. And as people often remind me, my physical limitations often present a problem for them."
"But I don't care about those things, Viktor! I mean, they don't matter to me. I mean, they're just a part of you. And not a reason not to like you."
"I didn't know that you'd see it that way. And I didn't think it was worth risking all of our great work together," Viktor said. He took a sip of his drink, and despite Jayce's words felt like there was a rift between them. Jayce looked tense, conflicted. His body language didn't seem to match what he was saying. "Are you mad I didn't say something?"
Jayce shook his head. "I guess, it wasn't until recently that I figured out my own feelings for you. Not until after I carried you back to your room. And once again, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
Viktor looked shocked. "I thought that was why you did that," he said, and felt his face grow hot with embarrassment of the memory. "So you could snuggle with me."
Now it was Jayce's turn to look shocked. "You think I'd do such a thing without your permission?" he said. "When I put you down on your bed, you kinda grabbed my arm and I couldn't get it free."
"Oh."
"I didn't wanna wake you, so I just lay down with you. And then I realised I liked being close to you a whole lot more than I thought I would." Jayce's cheeks were red, and he looked down at his wineglass, running a finger round and around the rim.
Viktor emptied his glass and put it down on the table. He leaned heavily on his crutch as he got to his feet, surprised at how unsteady the wine had made him. Jayce watched him and placed his own glass down as Viktor took a few steps towards him. He put his free arm around Jayce's neck, and Jayce let out a little sigh and rested his head on Viktor's chest. Viktor felt certain that Jayce must notice the pounding of his heart in his chest. Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor's waist, and Viktor noticed how slowly he moved the arm on the same side as his crutch, taking care not to knock it. He rested his chin on top of Jayce's head. Viktor enjoyed the warmth of being so close to Jayce, feeling the hardness of the muscles of his arms and chest pressing against him. Jayce was so strong, but he was holding Viktor so gently.
They held each other like that for some time. Viktor started to feel discomfort in his legs and back, and tried to ignore it, but Jayce must have noticed him shifting his weight. He lifted his head off his chest and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Mm, just getting a little stiff," Viktor said, taking his arm back from around Jayce's neck to allow himself more freedom to move position.
"You can sit, if you like," Jayce said, and gulped. "On my lap."
Viktor took his crutch from under his arm and placed it against the side of the chair, then rested his arm on Jayce's shoulder and lowered himself down to sit on Jayce's thigh.
"It's not uncomfortable?" Viktor asked, now able to look Jayce in the eye without having to look directly down.
"Not at all," Jayce said, and Viktor felt his arms encircle him again and his lips pressing kisses to his throat. The sensation made him shiver pleasurably.
The last few weeks had been nice, the thrill of sharing glances across the lab when other people were around, kisses and embraces when they weren't. But this was the first time that Viktor had had Jayce's undivided attention. It was overwhelming, and if not for the alcohol to calm his nerves, he might have found it too much.
Jayce was loosening Viktor's tie. Viktor helped him, taking off his tie and tossing it onto the other chair and opening the top couple of buttons on his shirt. Jayce moved lower, kissing along Viktor's collarbone. Viktor tilted his head to kiss Jayce's lips, and he felt Jayce slide a hand under his shirt, thumbing open another button and touching his chest.
Viktor froze, suddenly concerned about the brace that kept his spine in alignment being seen. Jayce had to have some idea about it, he must have felt it when they hugged, and when Jayce curled around him after carrying him to bed. So it wouldn't be a complete shock. But it still served to underline the differences between him and Jayce, who he imagined would look as perfect and godlike without clothes as he did with them.
Jayce was touching his face, eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong?" he whispered.
Viktor blinked, feeling vulnerable and exposed. "Jayce, you wouldn't understand," he said.
"No, tell me, Viktor. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. We can stop any time you like."
Viktor considered this. Putting his tie back on, fastening his shirt buttons, walking out of Jayce's room. He could do this, Jayce was telling him he didn't mind. But he didn't want to let his self-consciousness control him and stop him from getting close to Jayce. "Can we dim the lights?" he said eventually.
"Of course," Jayce said.
Viktor got up to allow him to stand up, and Jayce touched his arm on the way to switch on a lamp and turn out the main light. He shrugged out of his jacket and put it on a hanger, and when he turned back to Viktor, he saw that he was sitting on his bed, taking off his shoes. Jayce slipped off his own shoes, and took Viktor's jacket and put it on a spare hanger.
He sat next to Viktor, who turned to look at him intensely and then started to kiss him passionately. Viktor unfastened Jayce's tie, and then they were both unfastening each other's shirts and waistcoats. Jayce noticed Viktor's eyes roaming over his body as they shed their clothes. He was used to people admiring his physique, but now Viktor was doing it he found himself blushing.
Jayce reached out to touch Viktor's pale skin and admired the design of his back brace, before reminding himself not to stare.
"You're beautiful," he whispered into Viktor's ear.
Viktor chuckled. "You don't mean that," he said, leaning his head on Jayce's chest.
"I do," Jayce said, running his fingers down the vertebrae of Viktor's brace, before wrapping his arms around him.
Viktor brushed his lips against his chest, and Jayce gasped. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of Viktor's lips, and his hands running over the muscles of his chest and back. He shivered as Viktor smoothed his hand down over his abdomen, and stroked his own hand along Viktor's slim thigh. He felt Viktor's breath catch in his throat, and slid his hand back up his thigh, brushing up against the bulge in his trousers. Viktor let out a needy moan and Jayce took that as an instruction to unfasten his belt and slide his hand beneath his underwear. Jayce enjoyed the way Viktor gasped and quivered in his arms.
"Mm, stop, stop," Viktor mumbled.
"Sorry," Jayce said, immediately withdrawing his hand.
"Don't be, that was nice," Viktor said, looking up at him through half lidded eyes, and kissing the corner of his mouth. He brushed his fingers along the waistband of Jayce's trousers, teasing him. He kissed Jayce's chest, and then looked up at him again. "This would be easier if you stood up."
Jayce did as he was told, his desire heightened by Viktor's sudden assertiveness. Viktor pulled him closer, stroking his buttocks and the backs of his thighs. He leaned upwards to kiss Jayce's stomach as he unfastened his belt and trousers. He let out a guttural moan as Viktor took him in his mouth. The warm wetness and rhythmic pressure from Viktor's lips and tongue took his breath away.
Jayce stroked Viktor's head and entwined his hand in his hair. Viktor let out a noise of pleasure, so Jayce tugged on his hair a little more. Jayce felt his hips start to move almost involuntarily, and Viktor gripped the backs of his thighs tighter and increased his speed accordingly. Jayce gasped and let out a ragged moan as Viktor brought him over the edge. Viktor held him as he shook in ecstasy.
Seeming to lose all strength in his legs, Jayce dropped to his knees. When he looked up, he saw Viktor staring at him with smug satisfaction. He pushed himself up a little and kissed Viktor, swirling his tongue around his. Viktor pulled him closer and wrapped his legs around him. He could feel Viktor's desire pressing against his stomach.
"Take off your trousers," Jayce said, running his hands down Viktor's thighs as he moved away from him. "Do you want me to help?"
Viktor shook his head. This was a more difficult process than it seemed because of his leg brace. Jayce watched and didn't interfere. Everything in his head was still soft and glowing, Viktor looked like some kind of ethereally perfect angel.
Viktor felt momentarily vulnerable as Jayce stared at his naked body. Jayce leaned over and grabbed a pillow and guided Viktor to lay down. "You'll be more comfortable this way," he said.
Relaxing back, Viktor felt Jayce's lips and tongue touching him gently and he took a sharp intake of breath as he was enveloped in Jayce's mouth. Jayce moved almost painfully slowly at first and Viktor writhed and moaned. "Oh, Jayce," he murmured.
Jayce began to move faster, and Viktor knew it would not be long before he completely fell apart inside of him. Payback, he thought with a wry grin. He felt his body start to spasm and he cried out in pleasure as Jayce brought him to climax.
He lay gasping for breath as the waves of pleasure crashed over him. At some point Jayce climbed onto the bed beside him.
Jayce curled his body around Viktor's and held him tightly, his heart still beating crazy in his chest. "Is it too soon to tell you I love you?" he said before he could stop himself.
"Probably," Viktor said. Jayce planted kisses on his cheek, not caring. "I love you too, Jayce," he murmured.