Chapter 7: Affection Holds Us Together

Summary:

Viktor deals with the aftermath, Jayce has lost his ability to recall anything related to his former partner since Viktor blocked his long-term memory (see previous chapter).

One has fallen ill, the other one tries to take care of him in the best way possible. Though... without memories... shit's different.

No one wanted this to happen.

So what now? Read on and find out.

Notes:

So...

What now?

Well... there's still a light at the end of the tunnel. Literally at the end of the chapter... So dive in and enjoy.

(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)

Chapter Text

Chapter 7. Affection Holds Us Together

Jayce's P.O.V.

The first thing Jayce noticed was a total lack of ... everything.

Of memories.
Feelings.
Even thoughts.

As he stood up, he blinked a few times, hoping any stretching of his legs would clear up his head.

Nothing makes any sense.

All he understood right now was that he had just woken up from the most bizarre nightmare he had ever had.
Someone had put him to bed... Strangely, he had woken up in a room he didn't recognise. His heart skipped a beat.

Something wasn't right. It was as if someone had scrambled his brain. As if some bacteria, worm or other creature had eaten its way through both his hemispheres.

And then all sorts of questions began to rush through his mind.

Where the hell am I?
What am I doing here, why did I wake up in this bed? Wait... Who am I really?

Much to his discomfort, he already felt two eyes burning into his back, and after turning his head to confirm who was watching him, he looked straight into the soul of the man in front of him. Jayce inhaled sharply, unsure how to proceed.

This man's gaze... was something else. There was a gentle energy emanating from him. Almost soothing, like a comforting warm blanket in winter. Or a steaming cup of lavender tea.

Who is this young man in those strikingly ornate blue robes? His long, regal-looking cloak and his medium-length, light-brown hair curling down to his shoulders?

With eyes like that - piercing through Jayce - and this unreadable expression on his face. Did he see a mixture of hope and fear?

"Sorry to ask sir... I don't want to bother you.'' Jayce said, clearing his throat. His mouth all of sudden felt dry.

The stranger's lips did not move. He seemed to frown slightly and had a pensive expression on his face. And then he closed his eyes, apparently in thought, and for a moment nothing happened.

No spoken words, no whispering. Just an eerie silence.

Well, Jayce assumed that the man was thinking about his answer.
And in a way Jayce couldn't have predicted, he delivered his message.

You will never be a burden to me, you only need to just ask.

Wait, that same man still didn't move his mouth, didn't speak.

That's impossible.

Jayce stiffened, expecting to hear the worst, he tensed his shoulders for a brief moment as he tried again.

'Alright... Sir, if I may ask...' Jayce started, as he felt this pounding headache rise up behind his temples.

This stranger, who didn't move, didn't speak, just continued to watch Jayce.

'Sir... Do we know each other?'

His questions were never answered. A high-pitched scream was all that could be heard.

His scream. His own bloody scream. He couldn't stop it.

His skull under such pressure that it felt like it would crack at any moment. Excruciating pain, the likes of which Jayce had never felt before.

This is what torture feels like.

Gasping for breath, he nearly fell over as he grabbed hold of the window frame with one hand on the handle. He tried to steady himself, failing miserably as his hand slipped and he fell hard to his knees.

Everything was spinning. Everything was upside down, nothing made sense anymore.
The whole world seemed to be spinning on its axis. It looked as if this stranger was moving, but because everything was dancing so much in front of his eyes and moving in all directions in his field of vision, Jayce couldn't make out what was moving and what was attached.

As he cried out, the sound of his own screams changed and filled his ears in a way that made him feel as if hed held his head under water. He couldn't hear properly, none of his senses were functioning as they should have, apart from his sense of touch, his perception of pain. Those fierce, sharp stabs of pain that continued echoing through the back of his mind.

Make it stop. Just let it be over.

Make this level of pain end.

Someone... help me, please.

Jayce could not take it any longer. Like a wounded and cornered animal, he thrashed about violently.
Then a strong arm wrapped around him. Someone had approached him from behind and had crouched down.

That didn't exactly help him feeling less panicked. Jayce tried to headbutt the stranger, but he didn't get far as the man grabbed hold of his head.

'Stay away!' he hissed, fighting the pain. 'You definitely did this, didn't you? What did you do to me?'

'Get it all out, Jayce. If that's what you need, I'm here.'

He heard this stranger using his name, but he couldnt give a damn due to the constant pounding and flashes of light.

'I think you're having a migraine or a panic attack right now...' the man continued quietly, 'or perhaps you're suffering both at the same time.' He wryly added, placing his hand flat on Jayce's chest, on top of his heart. 'It helps if you slow down your breathing and take some nice, long breaths...If you don't, I guarantee you'll pass out and I will be forced to carry you to bed.'

Jayce couldn't care less about the man's advice. He'd have to concentrate to avoid losing consciousness. The pain in his head was growing by the second, kicking him in the ass and he couldn't rub it away. These flashes weren't going away either. He couldn't move his head, even the slightest movement resulted in more dark spots and flashes, punishing him on the spot. To make matters worse, the young man found his eyes tearing involuntarily. He felt nauseous.

'I have to...'

'I'm aware. Ssh... It's OK'.

He did not need to finish his sentence. The stranger pulled his arms away, supporting his torso, and the sound of a scraping bucket was all he could process before he vomited full force into the bucket offered.

Just like I told you, you have to get all the bad stuff out of your system first. Purging is a good thing in this case.

The man pushed the smelly bucket away and put a hand on Jayce's brow.

'You're burning up, my friend.'

Jayce decided not to bother any more as he couldn't quite follow. After emptying his stomach, he took a cloth offered by the stranger and wiped his mouth. He gasped, the headache still there, except that the flashes had subsided. The nausea seemed to have disappeared like snowdrops in the sun.

The sound of a door opening and someone shuffling in broke through Jayce's discomfort. He tried to look up, but the hand on his forehead stopped him before he could. Forcing him to look into the stranger's eyes, he felt the hand twist his head to the side.

'Look at me,' the man insisted, his voice commanding respect. 'You're still breathing too fast. At this rate of hyperventilation... You'll lose consciousness for sure,' he concluded matter-of-factly. 'Jayce, I want you to sit against the wall, knees up and put your head between your knees and then start breathing at my pace.'

For a moment the man broke eye contact as he continued to hold Jayce's chin in place. Jayce heard him say something in a language he did not understand. Then there was the chime of a door opening and closing once more. He looked down to see that the bucket had been removed. Replaced by another one, filled to the brim with cold water, some ice cubicles mixed into it. A sponge in the middle.

His stomach clenched once again and he moaned.

And quite unceremoniously, Jayce threw out the last of its contents. Bile, vomit, the whole thing splattered all across the floor.

'There... that's it, how do you feel now?'

'Splendid, never been better.' Jayce replied sarcastically, feeling shaky like a leaf. Actually at this point, he could not utter more than a two-word sentence at the same . He let out another groan as he felt the icy cold cloth pressing on his forehead.

'Alright... A change of plans. I want you on the bed.Now.'

Jayce barely managed to wipe his mouth before he felt a hand under his knees, one supporting his back and was lifted into two firm arms. Jayce marvelled at the man's strength, even though he didn't appear to have anything of the sort.

His head kept lolling back. His breathing was still erratic, he noticed he would sometimes take a deep breath followed by a few short breaths. Like his bodys regulatory systems spiralled out of control.

Whatever happened, for me to end up like this, I probably screwed up big this time.

The man carried him carefully. It took him only three steps to reach the bed where he lowered Jayces soar body onto the mattress and guided his feverish head on the pillow.

How wonderfully soft... What a wonderful thing a bed is... Yeah... so soft... it's a marvelous invention...

Then the man picked up the blanket and used it to cover Jayce's legs first. He pulled the blanket up to his chest, tucking him in at all sides. For a second Jayce felt this hand returned to his brow, followed by a distinctive "tsk" sound. Well, obviously this man had a look of disapproval on his face as he observed Jayce, scanning his eyes intently. He appeared to be checking his pupils for any sign of dilation.

'That fever, if it doesn't go down soon, you could become severely delirious... Let's hope that's not the case, shall we? Your mind hasn't calmed down yet, since our latest treatment session. You wouldnt handle a fever or delirium well right now... '

'Woah... Our latest treatment session you called it?' Jayce interjected, his tone confused, suddenly he felt wide awake again.Was this delirium phase starting already?

'Your body is in need ofa lotof rest.' This man answered, his emphasis loud and clear.

Oh man... I feel so dizzy...

A cold sponge returned to his forehead. Gently, the man dabbed at his face and down his neck. Jayce welcomed the cold, his eyes automatically started to roll back in his head.

'Jayce, focus. Can you breathe at my pace, just for me? In and out... Yes... In... and out.' He felt the man take hold of his hands and put them on top of his stomach.

I try to focus, dammit. Nothing's working as it should. Everythings going to hell right now, well, guess Ive to endure the whole ride with this stranger alongside me.

Such a joyful day.

'Breathe towards your abdomen. That's the way diaphragmatic breathing works.'

Well, thank you for pointing that out, Captain Obvious.

'You didn't answer... heck, you still dont answer the only question I had.'

'This is hardly the time for a conversation, Jayce.' the man said, his tone of voice low and serious. 'Don't argue with me and listen. You will follow my instructions, that's all you are going to do. For now... Hold your breath after each inhalation, 4 or 5 seconds will do.'

Jayce begrudgingly tried to follow his instructions. After each inhalation, his paused for about four seconds, counting each breath. He felt his belly inflate and with each long exhalation he seemed to feel a little better.

'I'm not going to wait much longer for answers just because you're ordering me to do so.'

The man ran a hand through Jayce's hair in an apparent and total disregard for his words. He finally sat down in a chair next to the bed and sighed.

Jayce wondered how many times the man had operated like that. The ease with which the stranger had picked Jayce up and had carried him to the bed, as if it had been some routine to the guy.

So much I don't know. And I've a feeling this hasn't been... the first time I can't recall what happened, either.

'You stopped breathing altogether, did you notice?'

Well, yeah, he was right Jayce had to admit. And no, he hadn't realised. Actually, he didn't give a damn. He wanted- no he needed answers.

'Soon, Jayce. Not now. Alright, take a deep breath in...'

And so Jayce did.

Breathing diaphragmatically again did help. At some point - he didn't know how much time has passed - his breathing finally stabilized. Apparently, it did have some effect on the headache as well, and his vertigo slowly subsided.

'So, we're not going to talk even just a little bit about the reasons I am here?'

'No. Certainly not. You are running a high fever. Right now, I want you to close your eyes as you listen to my voice.'

Jayce turned his head sharply. He pressed on, no longer able to keep himself in check. Well, must be the fever talking, right?

'Wait... Hold on a second...what do you mean- you mentioned treatment?'

The stranger pressed his lips together, hard. 'Jayce... you just have to trust me. I'm not going to discuss these matters with a patient of mine. I'll give you one more chance to cooperate, but after that I'll have to take over. No second chances.'

'Take over what?' Jayce replied in a reflexive manner.

Did he just mention... "a patient of mine?"

'The choice is yours. What will it be?'

At that, Jayce nodded hesistantly, accepting his defeat. He realised that he no longer had any strength to resist. Not only the fever, or this malaise, but most of all his persistent headache was killing him.

So, at the last possible moment, the young man let out an audible breath and closed his eyes.

'A wise decision.' the man remarked. As he laid his fingers on top of Jayce's head, a shiver ran down his spine. 'Listen to my voice... and focus only on my voice.'

And Jayce did just that. He focused on the voice and he let himself be carried away in Sleep's affectionate embrace.

His last thoughts before he fell asleep were thoughts he himself did not understand.

Viktor... I promised you I woulddo everything in my power to stop you.

Nonetheless... I will try to reach you by other means first.I won't use the rune if I don't absolutely have to. Unfortunately, I don't know if I'll succeed using an alternative method. But no matter what, I will not stop or rest until I've brought you home.

Until you have returned to Piltover with me.

Safe and sound.

...

I hope in the end... you understand.

I hope in the meantime I won't crack.

Right now,

All I want...

I only want my partner back.

Two tears rolled down,

hitting the floor.

You cared about me all this time.

TO BE CONTINUED

Notes:

So you have finished this chapter, my beloved reader.

I hope you're doing OK, haha, well, this chapter's not that emotionally damaging, right? This is just the beginning.

So lighten up! Smile ;) Ah, I'm teasing you, don't mind me. Glad I finally finished the thing. My thumb literally hurts from typing the evening away. But, I hope you liked it and it's worth your (and my) time.

Let me know what you think in the comments; my curiosity is killing me. No need to hold back, ghehe.
Whose tears you think dropped?

Kuddos are always appreciated. Comment and subscribe if you haven't already. It's free, you know. (Well, thank you for pointing that out, Captain Obvious... Yes, you caught me, I'm guilty too!)