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Viktor had never thought that anyone could love him. He never thought that anyone would love him because of his condition. But that all changed one day, when he met the man he would come to love so much, it nearly killed him.
Viktor had been struggling with a cough for a few years now. He never knew why, he just assumed it was a part of the many chemicals he was exposed to when he lived in the undercity. This is partly true, but suddenly, it started getting worse. Ever since he met Jayce, he would burst out into these coughing fits. They had been going on for a few years, but Viktor just assumed it was how his life was. Until one day.
Viktor and Jayce were in the lab, working on their Hextech machinery. The two were hard at work, both focused on their notes. The room was quiet, only the sound of pen and paper. But the silence would soon be filled with coughing.
It started off small, then gradually got worse. Jayce turned his head to Viktor to make sure his lab partner was ok. Viktor stood up covering his mouth, coughing getting worse. Jayce started getting concerned and watched as Viktor coughed, not knowing what to do to help him. Viktor turned away, embarrassed that he was having a coughing fit in front of Jayce. He tried to calm himself but to no avail. As he continued to cough he felt a tickle in his throat. First, there was blood, then a flower.
The flower was a white and gold rose. Viktor slightly moved his hand to see what he had just coughed up. When he saw what it was, the coughing stopped. He looked at the flower in shock, not knowing what this meant.
When Viktor stopped, Jayce walked over to him to make sure he was alright.
“Are you ok?” Jayce asked, placing a hand on Viktor’s shoulder.
Viktor cleared his throat and closed his hands immediately so Jayce wouldn't see.
“Yes, yes, I'm fine, this happens sometimes, nothing to worry about.” Viktor tried to stay calm so that he wouldn't worry Jayce, but Viktor was shaking. As he sat back down and continued to work, Jayce stayed put, wanting to help, but not knowing how.
“You can sit back down, really I'm alright.'' It was such a lie. He wanted to keep coughing, he could feel the flowers in his chest, they were stabbing and scratching at his neck, but he held it in.
Jayce noticed Viktor shaking, he could tell he wasn't ok.
“Would some tea help?” Jayce asked, his voice soft.
“Actually, yes, that would be nice.” Jayce smiled and started walking out of the room. Viktor let out a cough, a petal fell from his mouth.
“Let's hope it helps,” he thought.
Once Jayce left the room, Viktor started up again. The gold and white flowers were flowing out like a river, spots of blood following with it. Viktor hunched over his desk, one hand clenched to his heart. He felt like he was suffocating, his heart hurt, more than anything. “What's happening?” Viktor thought, coughing getting worse.
Eventually, it settled. The coughing and flowers finally stopped, just in time too.
As Jayce’s footsteps drew near, Viktor quickly gathered all the flowers and petals he had coughed up and threw them away.
Jayce entered the room. Viktor straightened himself out, acting as if nothing had happened.
He placed the tea next to Viktor. He raised his head and gave him a smile of appreciation, but Jayce noticed something, something quite alarming.
“Viktor, is that blood?” Jayce grabbed Viktor’s face concerningly and analyzed it. Viktor went red, a feeling of infatuation stirring, along with that scratchy feeling once again. As Viktor is about to reply to Jayce’s question, the coughing starts again.
Viktor turns his head away and covers his mouth. Jayce, startled by the sudden cough, grabs the tea and hands it to him.
“Here, drink!” Jayce picks up the teacup and hands it to Viktor. Without a second thought, Viktor takes the cup from the worried man and starts gulping the hot tea down. As he sips the last drop down, Viktor gasped for air, coughing a little to catch his breath.
The tea settled the scratching and the urge to cough. Jayce wrapped his arm around Viktor, hoping that he can comfort him. Viktor rests his head on Jayce’s chest, still shaking and exhausted from the coughing.
“We should get you to bed,” Jayce said, placing his hand on Viktor’s head. He couldn’t stand to see his partner like this, he always hated seeing the way Viktor would wince at the pain when he walked, knowing that Viktor has to deal with this every waking hour of his life. And now he has to see him in these coughing fits.
“No, Jayce it was just a coughing fit, I’m ok.” Viktor pushed him away. Jayce looked at him, worry and concern in his eyes. But he gave in.
Jayce walked back to his side of the desk, leaving Viktor be for now.
As the two continued to work, Viktor acted like everything's ok, but Jayce grew worried by the hour.
It was getting late. As the sun began to set, Jayce got up and walked over to Viktor, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Viktor coughed and jumped back in surprise, startled by the sudden touch that had snapped him out of his focus.
“It’s getting late, we should get going,” Jayce suggested with a soft voice, hoping to convince him. Viktor sighed, knowing he was right.
“Ok.” Viktor wrapped up what he was working on and reached for his walking stick.
“Here,” Jayce said, handing him his cane.
“Thank you.” Viktor thanked with a grunt as he got to his feet. The two walked out of the lab, Jayce staying right behind him.
Viktor walked slowly, his body feeling weak, his lungs hurting.
Viktor stumbled a little, catching Jayce off guard, he instinctively put his hand on Viktor’s shoulder.
“Jayce, please, I’m fine,” Viktor said, his voice getting defensive. He couldn't stand when Jayce would be overly caring, even though he loved it, it made him feel weak. It reminded him how little he could actually do.
Jayce looked at him, understanding how embarrassed Viktor must feel.
As they reached Viktor’s room, Jayce waved his hand goodbye, but he could see Viktor was about to start another coughing fit. Viktor, without even looking at Jayce, shut the door in front of him and began coughing, blood slightly spitting out from his nose. Jayce could feel Viktor’s pain. Every cough hurt Jayce. He wanted to do something to help.
Viktor coughed harder than he ever had. Continuing to cough up flowers and blood. He wanted to scream for help, he wanted to scream for Jayce, but all he could do was cough.
Jayce stood outside the door, listening to the pain Viktor was in. His face filled with sorrow.
Once the coughing stopped, Jayce felt it was ok to leave. Viktor collapsed onto his bed, surrounded by the white and gold flowers, spots of blood on his face, and sheets.
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The next morning, Viktor’s pain was severe. His muscles ached, and his head spun. He looked around him at the pile of petals and rosebuds. He sighed as he began to clear the petals off his bed.
As he was cleaning up the last few petals, Jayce knocked on the door.
“Viktor, how are you feeling?” He asked, placing his hand on the door.
Viktor, startled by the sudden voice, scrambled around, throwing the last few petals away.
“Ah, yes, I am feeling much better.” another lie, he could already feel another fit coming on.
“May I come in?” Jayce asked. Viktor straightened himself out. Thinking he got every last petal, he opened the door.
Jayce looked at Viktor’s face and could see the pain in his eyes. Viktor tried to hide it. He grabbed the sick man's face, once again scanning it up and down. It didn't take long for him to notice the blood coming from his nose.
“Viktor, you have blood coming from your nose. I think you should go see a doctor.” as the suggestion left his mouth, Viktor pulled away.
“No, no it's not that serious, I just need some rest.” he tried to play it off.
“Not that serious! Viktor, you are bleeding from your nose, and I can tell that you want to cough. I think it is a little serious.” Jayce exclaimed, Following Viktor’s steps.
Viktor turned his head to Jayce and gave him a weak smile, not having it in him to fight.
“Are you hungry? I’m starving. Let's go get some breakfast.” Viktor ordered, putting a bit of cheer in his voice. Not wanting to upset Viktor anymore, he followed Viktor down to the dining hall.
They entered the dining hall and headed to the line to grab their food. Viktor only grabbed a small portion of food, suddenly not feeling as hungry as he thought he would be.
They grabbed sausages and pancakes. The normal assortment that was presented to them every morning.
As they sat down, Jayce, with a much larger helping, looked at the little amount Viktor had.
“I thought you were hungry, why did you grab so little?” Jayce asked, his worry for Viktor growing.
“What? This is way more than I normally get. And you eat so much more than me.” Viktor said, getting playfully defensive.
“That's more than you normally get! Viktor, that's so little, HA! No wonder you're so small!” Jayce teased, but also felt as if Viktor was lying.
Viktor gave him a smirk and began to eat. The pancakes were nice and warm. But as he continued eating, he felt sick, nausea rushing over him.
Viktor stopped eating, his expression changed, his face going blank.
“What's wrong? Are you alright?” Jayce asked, seeing Viktor’s face change.
Viktor couldn't speak, the nausea was overwhelming. Jayce reached out to snap him out of his daze, but just as he touched his hand, Viktor frantically got up and ran to the nearest trash bin.
He began throwing up everything he had just eaten, along with a couple of petals. Jayce ran over to Viktor’s side. He placed his hand on his back, offering as much support as he could.
“God Viktor…” Jayce whispered, rubbing his back.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. It's ok.” Viktor claimed, gasping for air.
“Viktor, you are not, you've been coughing for months now, and it's starting to get worse. How long are you going to act like you are ok?” Jayce asked, raising his voice slightly out of frustration.
“Jayce please, I’m fine.” He said, putting his hand up, forcing Jayce away.
Viktor began coughing. He walked out of the dining hall, trying to escape all the questions. Jayce followed Viktor, calling out to him, but he just kept on walking, his head spinning, vision becoming blurry.
As he turned a corner to try and hide, everything went dark, his ears beginning to ring.
Jayce finally caught up to him, just before Viktor began to fall. Jayce was caught by surprise as he felt the scrawny man fall into him. Out of instinct, Jayce caught him.
“Viktor!” he gasped, stumbling at the sudden fall. Placing his hands on Viktor’s shoulders to catch him. He looked down at Viktor’s face, blood, and petals covering his mouth. Jayce, having had enough of Viktor’s childishness, took him to the academy clinic.
Jayce rushed into the clinic. Doctors turned their heads to see who had just rudely barged in. Once they saw it was counselor Talis, everyone stopped what they were doing.
“Counselor Talis! What's going on?” one of the staff asked, rushing over to him, seeing the limp man in his arms.
“It's Viktor, I...I don't know what's wrong, but he had this awful cough Since last night, and... And this morning he was throwing up so violently-” Jayce was starting to get ramble, freaking out. The nurse placed their hand on Jayce’s arm and tried to calm him down.
“Mr.Talis, it's going to be ok, we will run some tests to see what is wrong. He is in good hands.” The nurse assured Jayce as they took Viktor from his arms and wheeled him out on a bed.
“I am going to ask you to wait in the waiting room while we run the tests. We will let you know when you can see him.” The nurse said as they started to walk away.
Jayce sat in the waiting room, his head in his hands. Forget about the petals he saw on Viktor’s face. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Viktor. The two had accomplished so much together. The Hex gates, Hex tech, their whole dream they had done together. Jayce wouldn't know what to do without Viktor.
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It had been a few hours. It was mid-day by now. Jayce stayed put in the waiting area, restless, unsure if his partner was going to be ok.
One of the nurses walked in asking for him. Jayce rose to his feet the second he heard his name. Questions started running in his mind, but he stayed quiet, not wanting to know.
As the nurse led Jayce to Viktor's room, Jayce could hear the sounds of light coughs.
When he stepped foot into the room, he saw Viktor hooked up to all sorts of tubs. Jayce felt sorry for him, sorry for everything he was going through.
Viktor heard the sound of the door creaking as Jayce stepped inside. He turned his head to see the distressed man.
“Jayce?” Viktor’s voice strained, hoping that he was seeing correctly,
“Viktor!” Jayce loudly whispered, quickly kneeling next to Viktor’s bed. He put his hand on his face. Caressing his thin cheek.
“Are you ok? What did the doctors say?” Jayce started questioning frantically.
“They said…they said I was dying,” Viktor answered through coughs, his voice getting quiet.
“Oh, Vitya...” Jayce looked into Viktor’s eyes. They were dark and tired.
As the two looked at each other, the moment was quickly cut short by another coughing fit. Jayce backed up, giving Viktor some space. He sat up, coughing getting worse. The nurse put a hand on Jayce’s shoulder, signaling it was time to leave him be.
Jayce left the room, looking back at the dying man, wondering how much time he had left with him.
The nurse quickly rushed over to Viktor as he started coughing up flowers.
“How come you didn't tell him?” they asked. Grabbing a bucket for him to cough the flowers into.
“I don't wish to worry him, more than he already is. He has enough on his plate already.” Viktor answered, feeling shame in himself.
The nurse looked at him, pity in their eyes.
“Is he the one?” they asked, knowing the answer. Viktor gave them a look that said it all.
Viktor was let go after his coughing subsided. Jayce, relieved to see him out of that bed and back on his feet, wrapped his arm around his waist to help him walk. It was dark outside as the two went back to the academy dorms.
“Viktor, I’m so sorry.” Jayce started to apologize.
“For what?” he asked, pulling away, a confused look on his face.
“Your condition, the pain you're in. I just wish there was something I could do to help.” Jayce said, his voice lowering.
“Jayce, you have already done enough. You brought me here because you knew I needed help. You worked on the more complex parts of the project when I was not feeling well, you gave me tea when I started coughing. Jayce you do so much more than you think you do. And I appreciate every bit of it.” Viktor listed. Jayce looked at him, swayed by the small man's words.
“Viktor…” He said, touched by his words.
“Come, let's go home.” Viktor started to walk off, but his legs gave way. He stumbled. Jayce quickly reacted and swooped in and supported the other half, and the two began to walk off.
Jayce made sure Viktor was safely inside his room, with enough tea to last him a lifetime. As they said their goodbyes and Jayce started to close the door, Viktor started to lightly cough. Jayce swung the door back open and looked at Viktor, unease by the coughing.
“It’s ok, go, just a slight cough,” Viktor played off, reassuring the disheveled man. Jayce smiled and closed the door, walking away, still tense that Viktor may need his help.
Jayce sat by his door, feeling at ease that he could at least be here in case Viktor needed him.
Jayce had forgotten about the nightly stole Mel does around the dorms. He had his head on a pillow that he grabbed from his room and was laying outside Viktor’s door. As Mel turned the corner, she slightly tripped over Jayce. Jayce, being kicked awake, quickly sat up, aware of his surroundings.
“Jayce? What are you doing out here?” Mel asked, confusion and suspicion present in her voice.
“Oh uh, Hi Mel.” he began to stand up, not knowing how to explain how he got to be outside Viktror’s bedroom door.
“Hi Jayce, now can you please tell me why you are out here, sleeping on the ground,” she asked sternly.
“Well, it's a little complicated.” Jayce began to say, rubbing the back of his neck.
Mel was taken aback, interested to see what explanation he had. Jayce collected his thoughts and explained what was going on with Viktor and that he just wanted to stay outside so that he was here in case Viktor needed him.
Mel was touched at the lengths Jayce was going for Viktor, she knew he loved him but now she can really see it's much more than that.
“Well I shall leave you be Mr.Talis, sleep well,” she smirked as she turned and walked away. But she stopped in her tracks, remembering something she forgot to tell him.
“Oh, Jayce, I nearly forgot, you have a speech to give for the region of Targon next week about trading Hextech machinery with Piltover, no need to rush, I know you are nearly done with one of the prototypes. You just need to persuade them about trading with us.” Jayce nodded as Mel walked away. He laid his head down again, but just as he did, he heard the sounds of Viktor's unsettling coughs.
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The next morning, Jayce grabbed Vicktor some breakfast and brought it up to his room. He only grabbed a little, not knowing if Viktor was feeling any better.
“Viktor, I brought you some food. You need to eat something, I’m not having you die of starvation!” Jayce joked. He waited for a minute for a response but Viktor didn’t respond.
“Viktor?” Jayce opened the door, thinking he was still asleep. As he looked in the room, Viktor was nowhere to be seen. He set the plate down on Viktor’s bed.
Jayce was getting worried. He left the room and scanned the hallway, hoping to see Viktor somewhere.
Jayce began searching all around the academy for him. He was about to give up after he searched the lab, but as he passed the library, he saw Viktor sitting on one of the couches, reading a book.
He ran in, so glad that he found him, and so mad that he wasn't resting.
“Viktor!” he shouted, walking over to him. Viktor looked up and closed the book he was reading as quickly as possible, surprised at his name being called.
“Oh, Jayce!” Viktor realized, looking up at who had called his name.
“God, I've been looking everywhere for you, how long have you been here?” Jayce asked, sitting down next to him.
“Oh, not long. Maybe an hour.” Viktor answered. Swinging the book around in his hand.
“What are you reading?” Jayce asked, noticing the book.
“It's, Uhm, about strange diseases.” Viktor lowered his head, scared of what Jayce was going to say.
Jayce looked at the book, then at Viktor, and could tell he didn't want to talk about it. He nodded and stood up, reaching out his hand to Viktor.
“Let's go take your mind off things. Is there anything you want to do?” Jayce asked, a smile on his face.
“Let's finish those prototypes,” Viktor said, getting up.
“Oh, that reminds me, Mel said that we have a week to finish them. She wants us to present them to the Targon council!” Jayce said, getting excited. Viktor looked at him and smiled.
“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go finish them.” The two walked to the lab and spent the rest of the day there, working endlessly and enjoying their time together.
Later that night, as they were walking to their dorms, Jayce began to ask questions.
“Are you sure you are alright? I can sleep in there tonight and make sure you're ok.” Jayce offered.
“Yes, I'm sure. I already told you I'm fine, the doctors gave me some medicine to help with the cough.” Viktor lied, trying to convince Jayce that he was ok.
“Please go sleep in your own bed, I'll be just fine.'' Viktor smiled with a soft look in his eyes, reassuring Jayce that he was going to be alright.
Jayce smiled and waved Viktor goodnight as he walked to his dorm.
When Viktor entered his room, he immediately started coughing. He walked towards his bed. As he sat down he noticed a plate with cold food on it. Viktor realized that Jayce must have brought it in. Viktor’s heart ached. He doubled over and began coughing once more.
“Will these flowers ever stop blooming?!” He asked himself, falling onto his bed, tired from how much he had suppressed his coughing, and from how much he knew he was going to cough.
Eventually, he fell asleep.
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They worked on the prototypes for the rest of the week. It helped to keep Victor's mind off of his current condition, but when he was alone, Viktor kept getting worse. Coughing up flowers every night for hours on end. He was lying to Jayce, saying he was feeling ok, but it was such a lie. Jayce’s mind was starting to focus more on his upcoming speech, with Viktor telling him he was ok, Jayce just believed it, and didn't think to question it.
The night finally came for Jayce’s speech. Mel was giving the two the rundown of what was going to happen, but Jayce had a different idea.
“Could Viktor present with me?” he asked, hoping she would allow it.
“Oh, Jayce, no I couldn't. I don't even know what I would say.” Viktor chimed in, Afraid to go out looking the way he does.
“Viktor, please, we did it together. It's only fair that you come up with me. You don't even have to say anything.” Jayce tried to convince. With enough puppy dog eyes, Viktor gave in.
“Fine, fine.” Viktor sighed, a smirk on his face. Jayce looked at him with a big smile.
“Well, Viktor if you are up for it I don't see why not.” Mel granted.
The boys went on stage, the two doing a great job explaining the Hextech machinery. They were wrapping up their speech, giving the final conclusion, but then Viktor started to cough. Jayce looked at Viktor as he was talking, his face asking if he was ok. Viktor just brushed it off and tried to hold back his coughing, but that proved itself impossible.
Viktor felt a sharp pain run through his heart and legs. Forcing him down to the floor, the flowers pushing their way through, thorns stabbed at Viktors lungs. Jayce turned to see him on the floor and stopped. Fear overcame him, thoughts yelling that this was it, Viktor was truly dying.
Jayce ran to Viktors side as he began to cough up the white and gold roses. The counselors were staring, not knowing what to do.
Jayce picked Viktor up, carrying him off stage, his mind only on him. Blood was seeping out of Viktor’s mouth and dripping down his nose.
“Someone get me some water! And a doctor! Oh, Vitya…” Jayce demanded, as he set Viktor down on a chair and kneeled down to his level. Mel ran off instantly, looking for help.
Jayce saw the flowers coming from Viktor’s mouth. He grabbed one and everything was starting to make sense. He studied the colors of the flower and realized that these were his favorite colors.
“Viktor...” he said looking up at him, with shock on his face.
“I didn't want to tell you. I…I didn't know how you were going to react.” Viktor started to explain through coughs.
“Vitya, how long?” Jayce asked, putting a hand on his cheek.
“Oh, about 10 years,” Viktor said, trying to laugh but ending up coughing more.
“When the doctors told me I had Hanahaki, I knew you would freak out and start asking questions, but not even I knew much about it, nor did I want to answer those questions,” Viktor explained, pain on his face.
Mel came back with a doctor and a cup of water. She handed Viktor the cup as the doctor began to examine Viktor.
“Hanahaki?” The doctor asked, pulling a petal off his lap. Viktor nodded, slowly looking up to face them. Jayce sat back as the doctor was doing their examination. The doctor looked at Jayce, then back at the petal, noticing that both the petal and Jayce’s vest were the same colors.
The doctor's eyes pointed to Jayce, Viktor nodded.
The doctor looked at Jayce and could tell that this case of hanahaki wouldn't last much longer. Jayce was biting his nails, and a look of great concern was shown.
The doctor moved towards Jayce.
“Tell him.” They commanded, giving Jayce an assuring look. Jayce looked up, caught by surprise. When the words caught up to Jayce he nodded, knowing exactly how he could help Viktor now.
“You two should go somewhere private.” the doctor advised. Viktor looked at them confusingly. Jayce got up and grabbed Viktor’s hand.
Viktor, still confused, obliged and followed Jayce. Mel looked at the two, relieved knowing that they were going to be ok.
The two went into a lounge area. Completely alone, Jayce finally did what he had been wanting to do for so long.
“Jayce, what is going on? I don't understand?” Viktor asked, looking at Jayce.
“Viktor, I never realized not saying this and pushing my own feelings down would cause so much harm to you.” Jayce began to say, grabbing Viktor’s face. Viktor looked at Jayce, his eyes faint but also glossed with tears.
“Jayce…” Viktor said, as he grabbed Jayce’s hands, his breath shaking.
“Viktor, I love you, I always have.” Jayce pulled Viktor in, as their lips touched, Viktor could feel relief all throughout his body, the petals whithering away.
“You know, I always thought you and Mel had something going on, because of how often you were with her.” Viktor confessed, looking away.
“Well, I did tell her about how much I was in love with you.” Jayce giggled, guiding Viktor’s face back to meet his eyes. The two stared at each other, both in utter bliss.
“Well, it took you long enough to finally confess.” Viktor pulled Jayce back in for a kiss. The two were finally happy. No more pain. No more suffering.
“Are the flowers gone? Can you breathe now?” Jayce asked, pulling back from the kiss.
“Yes, it feels like butterflies are flying around in my stomach now,” Viktor said, a big grin on his face.
“You are my dream,” Viktor said, looking into Jayce’s eyes.