Chapter Text
Viktor’s head whipped around at the sound of the lab door opening. The test tube fell slack in his hand when he saw the man Singed dragged in. Blood mixed with water dripping onto the concrete floor as Singed hauled the limp man forward.
Singed pushed him onto the steel table, and Viktor leaned over the other side, meeting the man’s eyes. He spluttered something, but Viktor wasn’t able to catch it before he fell back, eyes closing.
Viktor frowned, examining the rest of him. He had an open wound under his left eye, the area oozing discolored liquid, and the entire left half of his face red and discolored, the flesh tender and swollen.
“If anyone ever needs an argument to not go swimming out there.” Singed muttered under his breath, reaching out and tilting the man’s head to the side. “I need to take a sample of his blood.”
“What are we going to do with him?” Viktor scanned the man’s clothes, looking for an indication of his origin. He was dressed in the usual Undercity fashion, but not too poorly as to be from the sump levels.
“Prep the draw site.” Singed ignored his question, but Viktor did as instructed. The drawer closest to him held alcohol and gauze, which Viktor prepped the area with. Singed waited until Viktor was holding the arm down before plunging their smallest needle into sallow skin. Viktor couldn’t help but wince slightly, staring at the rest of the man’s exposed skin. It was bruised, as if he’d been in a fight.
“You say you found him in the river?” Viktor looked over at Singed. “How long had he been there?”
“Hours?” Singed shrugged. “Long enough for the river’s pollution to enter his bloodstream, if my suspicions are correct. More than just his eye may be infected.”
While they were speaking Singed had prepared the slide, sliding it under the microscope. While waiting, Viktor leaned on the cane, gazing down at the man.
He indulged in the urge to push damp, matted hair back from their patient’s forehead, watching the infected area run all the way up to the man’s temple. Viktor had expected his skin to be clammy, but instead it burned under his fingertips. Whatever fight this man had been in, he must have lost badly.
Viktor smoothed the hair back. The man must have been young, there were very few scars and blemishes on his skin. He wasn’t bad looking either, aside from the injuries.
“Do you know him?”
“His name is Silco I believe.” Singed returned to Silco’s other side, rinsing the now empty needle and dipping it in disinfectant. “We’ve met before, briefly. I do not know how he got there.”
“Silco.” The name was hard to push through his accent, and Viktor looked down at the man again. His features contorted under Viktor’s touch, twisting in silent pain.
“We need to work quickly. My suspicions were correct.”
“What are you going to do?” Viktor’s hand slid from Silco’s face to his cane, leaning on it with both hands.
“The only thing I can do. Test the mutation.”
“The mutation? How safe is it?” Viktor looked from Silco to Rio’s suspended body, pulsing faintly with purple light. Looking at her always saddened him, but he pushed it down as Singed continued.
“We will find out. I’m especially going to need your help with it. I only have a few stable compounds right now, but he will need you to actively fight the infection while I try to prepare something.”
“I’ll do it.” Viktor nodded.
“I’ll talk you through the sepsis treatment, then the eye wound is up to you.” Singed nodded.
“Well Silco.” Viktor looked at the wound under Silco’s eye. “Let’s get to work.”
Singed told Viktor to check for any other wounds, which had led him to unbuttoning Silco’s vest and shirt and sliding them off the man and folding them on a free section of the counter. That’s how they’d found the bruises.
Silco’s entire neck and shoulder, even down to his collarbones were covered in deep sickly bruises worse than the ones on his forearms.
Running his hand down the bruises, Viktor matched his hand to the purple fingerprints around Silco’s neck. Someone much larger than Silco had nearly strangled him to death. He knew nothing about Silco but no matter how bad the man was, Viktor wouldn’t wish being Singed’s test subject on anyone.
But it was what had to be done, even if the thought turned Viktor’s stomach. He’d been working with Singed for years, he should know better than to think about it too much.
With Singed coaching, Viktor used the man’s other arm to push the hollow needle into, making sure the fluid went in without any air. Singed had emphasized that part. In front of him, Silco had shifted uncomfortably afterwards, but still remained unconscious.
“Should we give him a sedative?” Viktor had frowned, and Singed shook his head.
“The only ones I have right now, he might not wake up from.”
The man beneath them shifted again, trying to turn his head to the side, but Viktor held Silco’s head still, murmuring “Shhh. It’s alright.”
Singed worked in silence, hooking up an IV infusion while Viktor attempted to keep Silco as comfortable as possible. At one point Silco’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Viktor’s for a second. He looked like he was about to form words, before his eyes shut again.
“Just hang on. It’ll be okay.” Viktor felt Silco’s forehead again, the skin still burning.
“Don’t let him pull the infusion out. It’ll rehydrate him while I prepare the mutation.” Singed appeared behind Viktor, kicking the rolling stool next to him. “Treat the eye. Don’t fall over.”
Singed left, leaving Viktor alone with Silco. The window to the ocean loomed behind them, dark and foreboding. The water outside seemed to suck out any excess light from Singed’s dim lamps.
Viktor found another light to put on, the single beam casting harsh shadows in the corners of the lab.
Fluid dripped from the machine above him, and Viktor set to work on Silco’s eye. He didn’t question where Singed acquired materials and equipment, but he was thankful as he pulled gloves on.
Silco’s unconsciousness was a fitful one, the man pulling against the restraints and letting out noises of distress. When he was moving too much for Viktor to work, the scientist held Silco’s head still, murmuring soft words in an attempt to calm him.
Silco’s eye had abscessed, and it took a gentle scalpel incision to start draining it. Viktor tried to soak as much out as possible, the skin sinking down, somehow making the area look worse. He pulled open the lid of the left eye, finding it bright red instead of white.
The doctor had topical antibiotics in a different drawer, but the area needed to be cleaned first.
Viktor practically soaked the entire area in disinfectant, every crevice of skin he could reach around, but not directly in the eye.
Part of him idly wondered if Silco would retain vision in the eye, if the infection had eaten away at the ocular nerves, or if Singed’s mutation could restore it. If he did lose vision, Singed could have two disabled people in the lab. If Silco stayed. If Silco survived.
The ache in his leg had climbed to his hip slightly, and he continued to ignore it. Singed had left him the rolling stool for when he needed a break, but he needed to stand over Silco to work on the eye.
Focus.
Silco shifted under Viktor’s fingers, letting out a low grunt.
“My apologies.” Viktor continued talking to the man who was unconscious and unable to hear him. “I am almost done.” He pressed a knuckle against Silco’s cheek in a half attempt to soothe him.
The abscess was letting out blood now, and Viktor would have to consult with Singed about the treatment. But antibiotic was applied to the area, and Viktor started taping layers of gauze over it. He’d let it run its course, and check the wound again in a couple hours.
For now, he had a suspicion that if he didn’t sit down soon, his leg would force him to, regardless of his proximity to a chair. Sighing quietly to himself, Viktor had just dropped into the rolling stool when Singed had rejoined him. The doctor held several vials of purple liquid that had the faintest glow in the low lighting. He inspected them in the light, then pulled a needle unit from a cabinet.
Viktor’s stomach turned, looking from the vials to Rio, and Singed looked down at him. Something in the man’s face softened.
“You are not needed for this part of the procedure.”
Singed was giving him an out, a way to not be responsible for whatever was about to happen to Silco. The doctor knew Viktor hadn’t come back to Singed’s lab because of interest in his mutation research, no matter how little it was mentioned.
Viktor’s grip on his cane tightened, but he rolled the chair back as Singed walked down the length of the table, strapping Silco to it.
“I will stay.”
He watched Singed peel the bandages over the eyeball backwards, then load up an injection needle, flicking the side a few times. The only sounds in the room were the plink of Singed’s fingers on the metal and the ocean rumbling in the window behind them.
There was a glint in Singed’s eye, and he stabbed the needle down.
Silco let out a hoarse, shredding scream, and Viktor winced. Singed pulled the needle back, holding Silco’s head still as the man’s body tried to thrash against the restraints.
“One more.” Singed glanced at Viktor as he loaded another vial into the injector unit. Viktor could see that Silco had broken into a sweat, and he bit back any objection. He had to trust Singed. He could see Silco’s hand clenched, pinned down at his side.
Viktor stood, stepping closer to examine their patient. Silco was barely awake, purple liquid leaking from the eye socket. He murmured something, and flinched away from Viktor when the man stood at his side.
“Hey-” Viktor caught his attention as Silco’s right eye blinked open, the pale blue reflecting every unnatural glow from the lab. “Look at me. You’re going to be okay.”
Across from him, Singed wordlessly angled the needle again.
“Focus on me.” Viktor kept his voice soft. Silco’s chest rose and fell rapidly, but slowed a couple beats when the one eye locked onto Viktor, blinking slowly.
“Focus.” Viktor repeated, putting his hand over Silco’s without thinking.
Singed stabbed the needle, and Viktor let out a hiss of pain when Silco’s hand twisted around to grab Viktor’s and digging his nails in. The man’s good eye screwed shut, features contorting in pain.
Thankfully he didn’t scream this time, his gaze flicking back to Viktor as Singed retaped the area.
“We will see the effects of the compound soon. Stay with him, yell if anything goes wrong. Keep him tied down for now, in case something happens.” Singed nodded, and Viktor turned his attention down to Silco again. His breathing was evening out, and Viktor let go of Silco’s hand to check his forehead.
The fever had broken.
As Singed left once again, Viktor let out a deep sigh, folding his hands on top of the cane, his forehead hitting it. It was preferable then being forced to stare at Rio, or any eldritch monsters passing by the window. The lab fell eerily silent again, save for the labored breath of Silco in front of him.
In the stillness, Viktor let himself succumb to the exhaustion creeping in from his leg.
He must have fallen into a short nap, since the sound of Silco mumbling something again woke him. Viktor’s head shot up, and when he looked down, he could see the red lines from Silco’s nails still dug into his hand.
He stood so that Silco could see him better, and reached over to check the IV fluid levels. The bag was deflated to a near empty, and Singed hadn’t given him instructions to do a second round.
“How are you feeling?” Viktor leaned back on the cane, giving Silco plenty of space.
“Am I dead?”
The first words Silco had spoken to him, rasped out at barely above a whisper. Much to Viktor’s surprise, Silco was looking at him with complete seriousness.
“Eh….no. But if that was your intention, the doctor and I maaaay have interfered with that a little bit.” Viktor gestured with the hand that wasn’t leaning on the cane.
“Why am I being held down?” Panic entered Silco’s voice when he glanced down the table, and Viktor eyed the leather restraints.
“A standard precaution, and I’m sure the doctor will be back to remove them soon. We’re just monitoring for side effects.” It was technically the truth, though it did not seem to make Silco feel better.
“Side effects?” The man demanded, struggling.
“Every treatment has risks, but I’m sure the doctor will clear you to be released soon. I know it may not seem like it given your current circumstances, but you are safe with us.” That might not have been technically the truth, but Silco took a deep breath.
“Where am I?”
“You’re still in the Undercity.” Viktor used his cane to retrieve the rolling stool, sitting down on it so that Silco could turn his head to the side and see him. “Don’t worry, you didn’t float all the way to Piltover.”
“If I were in Piltover they wouldn’t have bothered to revive me.”
“You make a good point.” Viktor leaned forward on the cane, regarding the man before him.
“Why is there a tube in me?” Silco asked after several seconds. He now seemed embarrassed at asking questions, but Viktor wanted to tell him it was perfectly understandable.
“Oh that? It was for fluids. I can take it out if you promise to stop struggling.”
Silco did as asked, relaxing on the table and keeping his arm still as Viktor removed the needle. A small bead of blood welled up after the needle was removed, and Viktor pressed over the injection point with a piece of clean gauze leftover in his pocket from treating Silco’s eye.
His hand brushed over one of the bruises on Silco’s forearm and the other man tried to jerk away.
“Apologies.” Viktor murmured, checking under the gauze. Silco wasn’t bleeding anymore, and the gauze was thrown out, leaving them to continue staring at one another. Silco seemed to be studying him, and Viktor wasn’t used to being stared at for this long.
Singed entered after a minute or so, glancing between Viktor and Silco.
“I have not seen any side effects.” Viktor reported, looking up at the doctor. Singed nodded, then walked over to inspect Silco.
“I request that you stay with us for a few days to monitor and continue treatment.” He started undoing the restraints, the straps falling to the sides.
While Singed let Silco sit up, Viktor retrieved a bottle of drinking water from a drawer, rolling back next to Silco to offer it to him.
Singed had his back turned, and when Viktor looked up, Silco was pressing a hand over his bandaged eye.
“I would advise against that-” Viktor’s free hand flew up without thinking, pulling Silco’s hand away. Silco’s gaze darted to it, to the red nail marks. Silco’s hand twisted in Viktor’s so he could examine them. His mouth set into a hard line.
“Did I-?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Viktor said quickly as he slid his hand free, offering the bottle of water in exchange. “Whatever happened to you was far worse.”
Silco just stared off into nothing.
“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.” Viktor tacked on.
“Whoever you were before now doesn’t matter to us.” Singed added, from deep within his notes.
Silco nodded, then downed the water as if he were dying of thirst, emptying the bottle and having to wipe the corners of his mouth. Viktor wondered how a man who almost drowned could be so thirsty, but then again clean water was already scarce in Zaun, not to mention whatever effects the mutation might be having.
“And can I…” Silco forced several sharp coughs out in an attempt to regain his voice before trying again. “Can I get my shirt back?”
“Oh- Of course-” Viktor didn’t know why his face flushed slightly at that, but Silco’s shirt and vest were handed to him after Singed wordlessly gestured to them.
The man redressed, shivering a bit. Once again the bruises on his neck were mostly obscure, just faint splotches peeking over his collar.
He nearly gave Viktor a heart attack when he tried to stand, knees immediately buckling.
“Don’t!” Viktor spoke sharply, alerting Singed. The doctor managed to spin around to catch Silco before the man fell as Viktor could only watch.
“Don’t overdo it.” Singed’s tone was sharp, leaving Silco sitting on the operating chair in a stunned silence.
“You just woke up.” Viktor said from beside him, voice gentle. “Give sitting up a few seconds before you try standing.”
“Give him one of the spare rooms. You know what to do, and when and where to find me if needed.” Singed looked at Viktor, not acknowledging Silco at all.
“Will do.”
After Singed retreated, Viktor got to his feet again, stepping close to Silco to check over the eye.
“How does your head feel?” Viktor tilted Silco’s chin up to inspect the bandages. Singed had taped them back down, but the edges were stained with purple slightly. Viktor wiped away a stray droplet of the substance.
“Spinning.” Silco didn’t try to push him away, but he did tense under Viktor’s touch.
“It’s best to take it easy for a minute.” Viktor removed his hand and stepped back again, not wanting to make Silco more uncomfortable. It would have been embarrassing to admit that Singed was the only other human Viktor routinely interacted with, meaning his social skills had most certainly regressed.
“I don’t know your name.” Silco’s remaining eye was fixed on Viktor.
“It’s Viktor.”
“Nice to meet you, Viktor.” The water had helped, but Silco’s voice was still slightly gravelly. Whoevers handprints were around the man’s neck had likely done some kind of damage.
“The doctor told me your name is Silco?”
“It is.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Viktor shifted slightly on the cane.
“What was done to me?” Silco asked after a moment.
“To tell you the truth, I have no idea.” Viktor murmured, shaking his head. “Singed did not even tell me where he found you. Only that we were going to do everything we could to keep you alive.”
Again, a stretch of the truth, but Silco hummed in what sounded like appreciation.
“And your accent? You’re from Zaun?”
“I have an accent, yes. From my mother. And also yes…I am from Zaun.” Viktor had to fight back the bitterness creeping into his voice.
“And-” Silco gestured to the cane. “Did topside do that to you?”
Viktor stopped for a moment, then laughed.
“That would be a no. I was born like this.” Internally, Viktor braced himself for the typical slew of pity at best, the “I’m sorry” or “It’s amazing you’re still alive”, or at worst disdain. The disdain usually came from those who thought he shouldn’t have been able to survive in the Undercity.
“I see.” Was the only thing Silco said, nodding slightly, though he looked Viktor up and down, gaze lingering on his leg. Viktor wanted to respond with a sarcastic “can you?” in reference to the man’s injury, but instead cleared his throat in the awkward silence.
“Anyway, I can show you to one of the spare rooms, and then I will leave you alone if you wish.” Viktor offered.
“Show me somewhere to piss first, then you won’t have to babysit me anymore.”
Viktor chuckled at that, despite disappointment spearing through him at the other man’s word choice and tone. But he tried to let go of it as Silco slid to his feet, wavering for a second before meeting Viktor’s eyes. Viktor had been about to offer the man a hand, but Silco took a deep breath, steadying himself.
“Don’t pass out on me.” Viktor gestured down the hall.
“No promises.” Silco’s hand reached up to his bandaged eye again, and Viktor reached out to smack it away.
“Don’t poke at it.” His tone was more stern than he meant it to be, but Silco didn’t get upset. He remained silent and didn’t touch his eye again as Viktor pointed him to the bathroom. To avoid hovering like an overbearing parent, Viktor retrieved spare blankets from his own room, handing them to Silco and leading the man to one of the spare rooms outside the main lab.
The room was the same sterile white tile, with a few furniture pieces thrown in haphazardly. Viktor tried to nudge the corner of a table into place unsuccessfully. The walls here in the lab were suffocating when in darkness, but the fluorescent lights made Viktor feel sleep deprived constantly.
Viktor had barely even registered Silco sitting on the bed, and was about to leave absorbed in his own thoughts when the other man spoke.
“Thank you.”
“It’s really the doctor you should be thanking, not me. It was his compound-” Viktor replied, talking faster than he meant to.
“I don’t really remember the procedure very well, but I remember you were there.” Silco said quietly. “Your accent.”
Viktor fought back a nervous laugh.
“Well, I wouldn’t say the doctor has the best bedside manner, and so I hoped it would make the process a little easier.”
“It did.”
Silco was looking up at him with an unidentifiable emotion, and Viktor took that as a sign to take his leave.
“Well if you need anything, I am down the hall. If you really were trying to die, I wouldn’t try breaking into Singed’s experiments either. He would not kill you quickly or painlessly.”
“Noted.” Silco nodded, and Viktor was relieved to see he was smiling slightly. “Goodnight Viktor.”
“Goodnight Silco.”