Chapter Text
The sound of chitter and chatter fill the room. Its a extravagant room, to the north theres a balcony that leans over the rest of the room, the railing carved from wood, hand made and beautiful. It sports two twin staircases leading up to it on either side; very fancy. Down below theres a tall tree in between the two staircases. It glows golden and warm, with tinsile of festive colors on it with ornaments too. Underneath, there's a red rug lined with white–plus, presents galore.
to the south, theres a wall blocking off the main entrance and the rest of the room. On the north side of the wall, theres a glass table with decorations on it and a beautiful painting hung above it. To the south, a coat rack and bench with holes to store your shoes in. The archway connecting the room and the entrance is marked with a thing of dangling mistletoe. The rest of the room is stunningly festive; reds and greens everywhere.
"Jayce," He began, a exasperated tone in his voice. "I don't want to be here." Viktor says, a strand of unruly brown hair falling in front of his eyes but immediately getting pushed back. Viktor purses his lips and grips his cane ever-so-slightly tighter as he scans the room.
His research partner, Jayce Talis, turns to him. He nods and sighs. That puppy dog look, the one Viktor can't deny, forms on his face. "I know V, but this is just friends; no business. I promise." He seems sincere enough to Viktor, who looks up at him and instantly finds that all his annoyance has washed away like the white caps of the sea. He nods at the other, and looks around again.
He's glad him and Jayce got to come here, a little–he likes spending time with Jayce. Hes smart and has a good smile, not that he pays attention to that, no, totally not, but it's a good trait to have–Makes the ladies drool.
Might make a man drool if Viktor can't help it.
Jayce adjusts his tie for the 5,000th time this evening, looking around him, trying his hardest not to look at Viktor who he knows will either be lost in thought looking at him or lost in thought looking at the mistletoe that hangs right above them. How had Vik not noticed? Should he say something? Jayce gulped, trying to swallow that lump in his throat. Jayce runs his fingers through his hair for the 5,000th time. He taps the front of his shoe on the hard wood flooring for the 5,000th time.
Viktor notices for the 5,001 time.
"Jayce, what's wrong?" He asks, looking up at the man who is, at least to Viktor, clearly nervous. Viktor had gotten used to reading Jayce and picking up on those little things, it came handy when Jayce was troubled and didn't know how to talk about it.
Jayce looked down at Viktor, who stared back. "What do you mean, Viktor?" He asked, giving a fake smile and closing his eyes, trying his hardest not to grimace.
"I mean-oh. That's curious." Viktor says, clearly distracted. Jayce opens his eyes to see him looking up to the middle of the archway they were resting in.
Well, he noticed.
Jayce swallows thickly looking up at the decoration as well. "Hm..." Viktor stirs, walking closer to Jayce, making his heart race and the blood rush to his cheeks and ears. Viktor stops in the middle of the archway to brush his fingers against it. "Im not familiar with this species of flora..." He mutters, practically speaking to himself. It's nerd for "What's this?".
Jayce stammers looking up at the mistletoe too. "Well, it's a mistletoe. Uhm... Traditionally, when...when you stand under it with someone else, you're supposed to kiss them." Jayce finished, taking a slow look down at Viktor who stared back, mouth slightly agape. Viktor moved forward again, closer to Jayce.
"It's usually bad luck to not honor traditions."
Jayce nodded in response, his hands instinctively wrapping around Viktor's waist and pulling him closer until they're chests touched. "May i?" Viktor asked, his voice a whisper, bringing his free hand up to clutch Jayce's chest.
"Please."