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It was a month or two after Jayce and Viktor started their partnership before Jayce stumbled upon a question that would destroy his life.
“Say Viktor, when's your birthday?”
“Oh?” said the man finger on chin while he studied the chalkboard. Then he finished off an equation and nodded. “It's tomorrow.”
Jayce froze. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes,” said Viktor. Then as easy as that, Viktor pressed a kiss to his partner's cheek. Jayce stared off into space but dutifully kissed his partner back.
“Alright then, goodnight Jayce. Tomorrow we have to work on the framework for the industrial crystal chassis.” Viktor hummed as he put on his coat and picked up his crutch.
“Goodbye,” said Jayce waving, his eyes still unfocused as he heard the door closed.
Jayce stumbled to the desk. He had been with Viktor only for a few months, but how could he not have asked for something so important earlier? He wasn't ready.
Quickly grabbing blueprint paper he started to sketch out something, something to make Viktor’s birthday the best one ever.
That's how Caitlyn and Vi found him the next day, drooling at his desk, some strange machine spitting out string next to him.
Jayce woke up and turned around, wiping drool off his lip. “Who's there?”
“Hello, Jayce,” came Caitlyn's calm voice. “I see you're hard at work as usual?” Vi merely waved before looking around the lab.
“What are you two doing here?” asked Jayce wiping his eyes. Was it morning already?
“Well we were supposed to have morning tea at my place, remember? You didn't come so I thought something was wrong.”
“Oh! I'm so sorry Caitlyn! Something came up. With Viktor.”
“Is everything okay?” asked his friend, concerned. “Is there anything I could do to help?”
“Well…” started Jayce. “Today's his birthday.”
Vi spun around at that, eyes wide.
Caitlyn clasped her hands together. “Oh my! Is it now? How wonderful!”
“Cait…” came Vi’s warning tone.
“No, don't worry, I won't go overboard,” said Caitlyn, still enthused. “I just love planning parties. You know, when Vi and I spent her birthday together I got to plan the whole thing. And it was great, right?”
Vi paused for a second before saying, “Yes, it was… really great. Huge.”
Jayce looked at his broking machine that was sputtering out pathetically. “Oh, we don't need to do something big, I was thinking once I finish with this—”
“No,” interrupted Caitlyn. “Look, I know how birthdays go. They're big things, especially for your first one with your partner. Honestly, it's as if you've never had…” She trailed off.
“Have you ever had a real Piltover birthday? What do you do for your birthday?”
“Uh, my mom makes a cake? I blow out some candles? I get a present?”
Caitlyn made a face. “Well that's good and all for a small birthday. But for your partner you simply must do much better.”
“Better…” repeated Jayce. No, Caitlyn was right. His partner deserved the best.
“Wonderful. I'm going to make some plans.” Caitlyn smiled. “We're going to make sure Viktor will have the best birthday ever.”
Jayce beamed back. It was good to have reliable friends in high places.
Behind them, Vi sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Vi stayed behind as Caitlyn strode off to make her plans and reserve whatever she wanted to reserve. She went to Jayce and sat directly next to him and spun him around.
“You have to run,” said Vi seriously, looking him dead in the eye.
“What?” said Jayce, startled.
“You can't go through with her plans.”
“What's gotten into you, Vi?”
She took her hands and grabbed him by the shoulder. “No, listen to me man. What's she's planning? It's too much. It's going to overwhelm Viktor.”
Jayce tried squirming away, but Vi kept on holding him. She wasn't going to let it happen again!
She took out her wallet and picked out a photo.
“What is that? Why are you showing me th—” Jayce stopped short.
“This is the photo of my first birthday with Caitlyn.”
“What the hell are you wearing?”
“Something very expensive and very ugly.”
“I can see that. Why are there so many bows on your gown?”
“Because you rich idiots wear rich idiot things! I was humiliated! But Caitlyn loved it so much and she likes knowing we have matching photos in our wallets. The thing is, I love her, so it's fine for me. It makes her happy to do this.”
“It made her happy to make you wear that hat?” Jayce couldn't get how unflattering the giant pink hat was on Vi’s head in the photo.
The photograph was of such high quality he felt like he could hear the creaky strain in Vi’s smile.
“You and Viktor got something special going on, so you have to make his birthday something he’d want to do.”
Jayce just kept staring at the photo. “Your makeup…”
Vi blushed and grabbed the photo and stuffed it away back in her wallet. “It was a whole thing. And it was a dinner with such rich fancy food that made me sick and not full. But…”
Vi took out the photo again. “Look at how happy she is.”
Vi smiled down at her partner’s beaming face. Jayce could only look at the gigantic striped hat on Caitlyn’s head.
“Wait… this was all planned by Caitlyn though, right?” said Jayce, horror growing.
“Yes? What about it?” said Vi, not following.
“Caitlyn is the most thorough plan executor I know.”
“So?”
Jayce looked at Vi with horror. “Then she already has Viktor.”
Vi eyes grew wide in response. “We have to stop her.”
Jayce grabbed his jacket and ran, Vi trailing behind him. They had a partner to save from the clutches of one of the most dangerous things in Piltover: A Woman with Too Much Money.
“Miss Kiramman, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” greeted Viktor, as he opened his apartment door to the young woman who was Jayce’s fanciest friend.
“Happy birthday Viktor!” said Caitlyn, before popping a party popper, streamers of blue and white flying over Viktor’s head.
“Ack!” cried out Viktor swatting away the paper. “Why have you attacked me?”
“Oh? These are… do you not…” Caitlyn looked troubled. “They're party poppers. They … pop for parties. I'm sorry if I startled you.”
Viktor calmed down and picked off the steamers off his sleeves. “Sorry, that is not how birthdays are celebrated in the undercity. If you hear something pop or explode, something has gone very wrong. Eh, or maybe something very right for a scientist making explosive materials.”
Caitlyn wanted to smack herself. How rude of her! If only she could be more like Jayce who was a bit more aware of undercity customs due to his research done after meeting Viktor.
“Thank you for telling me that. I'm always happy to learn more about the undercity. You know,” she leaned in conspiratorially. “I suspect my partner, Vi, doesn't let me know when things topside bother her. I wish she would though.”
“Well maybe it'll take time for her to open up more. Not every partnership starts off like mine and Jayce.”
“Jayce truly is an inspiration! He's done so much to learn about the undercity since he's met you. Speaking of, he sent me here to fetch you for you birthday celebrations.”
Viktor’s eyebrows raised at that. “Did he now?”
“Yes! He's always talking about how you've been teaching him so much about Zaun culture, so I thought how about I help Jayce out in making sure you can learn about Piltover— and what better way than by having a Piltover style celebration!”
Caitlyn took out another party popper and popped it.
“Ah!” exclaimed Viktor, grabbing his heart in shock.
“Oh, hmm sorry. Carried away,” said Caitlyn looking at her watch. “Oh my, we have to get going!”
“Where to?”
“It's a surprise!”
“Is this also a part of Piltover celebrations?” asked Viktor.
“Oh yes,” said Caitlyn. “We love a surprise.”
“I hope we're not too late,” said Vi as Jayce weaved through traffic.
“We got to be,” said Jayce desperate. In the car Vi told him about the birthday Caitlyn had planned. The performers. The tailors. The waiters. Things that made Vi supremely uncomfortable but she just muscled through.
He couldn't subject Viktor to that.
“There they are!” he pointed, as Viktor and Caitlyn stepped into Caitlyn's hired car.
Vi looked through her enforcer supplied binoculars. “Targets in sight!”
They trailed behind the car, as the districts they passed through became fancier and fancier, eventually leading into Cog Street, where all the high fashion stores were.
They parked behind Caitlyn's car and Jayce ran out, trying to follow them into the store but a guard blocked their way.
“You don't understand, I’m with them!” said Jayce, trying to look behind the guard’s large frame and his impeccable suit.
“Jayce!” said that now dreaded voice. The guard moved to the side as Miss Kiramman walked towards them.
“Hey Caitlyn, I was thinking—”
“I'm so glad you're here, I was thinking of sending a car to fetch you. Viktor's in getting his measurements done.”
“Thank you, but I —”
“You've been such a dear friend,” continued Caitlyn. As she went on, Jayce felt the fight leave him. “It means so much to me. We've been friends for so long and you have never let me take you out for your birthday. Now I finally have the chance to give something back for all these long years of friendship.”
“It's over,” said Vi to herself in the car as she watched her partner take Jayce through the doors. She refused to get caught in that extravagant trap and end up in some monstrosity again. “She got them.”
She moved over to the driver's seat and started up the car. “Good luck boys.”
There was nothing she could do for them, anymore. This was a sick city, and you can only do so much in this town before it got to you. She turned the radio on loud as she drove away.
Then she realized this wasn't her car and parked it back. She kept the radio on though.
Jayce felt Caitlyn's words roll over him as the tailor took his measurements. What was he going to end up in? Something as pink as Vi’s gown? Covered in bows? And the makeup too… was clown makeup considered fashionable in the upper echelons of Piltover society?
“Where's Viktor?”
“Getting ready I'm sure,” said Caitlyn as she pointed at mysterious booklets and swatches.
“How long is this all going to take?”
Caitlyn smiled. “Not long at all!”
Two hours later Jayce woke up from his impromptu nap. He did stay up late after all.
“Jayce…” came a voice in the darkness.
Jayce’s nose gave a snort as he work up and stared into the dark profile blocking the light. “What…?”
His eyes focused and saw Viktor reaching down, light haloing him.
“Viktor?” Jayce said in an awed whisper, reaching out and holding that hand that seems to be almost glowing in the light.
Jayce stood up and looked down at Viktor in a pale lilac suit, make-up impeccably done to make him seem glossy and fresh. Jayce furrowed his brows a bit. In his eyes, his favourite face of Viktor was when they both were tired after a long day of inventing, both looking horrible.
“It seems your friend, Miss Kiramman has taken things a bit far,” said Viktor smiling up at his partner. He lifted up, using his crutch to help him, and kissed Jayce on the cheek.
“Hello, partner.”
Jayce smiled back. “Hello, partner.” Jayce leaned down to kiss this strange new Viktor back, but found a hand pulling him away.
“Huh?” said Jayce as Caitlyn pulled him towards a changing room.
“Can't kiss him, you'll smudge his makeup. And you'll need a retouch up as well.”
“Retouch?” asked Jayce, bewildered as his partner got further and further away. Not far enough that Jayce didn't see Viktor laughing at his predicament. Viktor just waved and smiled, and Jayce swore he could see Viktor mouth the words ‘good luck’.
“I'm gonna kiss you later!” said Jayce as he got thrown past a curtain to see a mirror and a suit hung on the wall.
“I had the team do your makeup while you were sleeping,” said Caitlyn, who Jayce suspected didn't understand how absolutely insane that sentence was. “Get changed, because the car is coming to pick you up soon.”
Jayce quickly took off his shirt and put on the freshly tailored button-up. “Where are we going?”
“Oh you'll see,” said Caitlyn, her voice full of mirth.
“I don't really like surprises,” said Jayce, as he shuffled on his new pants.
“Oh? But birthdays are supposed to be full of surprises.”
“I know,” said Jayce, stepping out and fixing cuffs. “Why do you think I don't really do much for my birthday?”
Jayce looked up to see Viktor and Caitlyn admiring his new looks. Jayce preened under Viktor's attention.
“Looking good, Mister Talis,” said Viktor in his wonderful accented voice. Viktor went to him and tugged on the bowtie, a fancy light purple thing with metal accents. The suit was white with metal shoulders and some crystal roses on the left lapel. It was very odd and fancy, but not as bad as Jayce was expecting.
“It isn't what I would choose,” said Caitlyn. “But Viktor insisted on some design changes.”
“Viktor chose this suit?” said Jayce, looking down at his partner. He couldn't help himself and leaned down to press down his lips on Viktor’s cheek. “Told you I'd kiss you.”
Caitlyn sighed. “Both of you to the chairs. Your makeup needs touch-ups. No more kissing!”
“But Jayce likes kissing me,” said Viktor bluntly.
“I mean I have to kiss him. It's Viktor,” said Jayce at the same time in way of explanation.
Caitlyn looked down at her watch again. “We have no time, out now boys!”
The woman pushed them out as she signed a bill of sale to a smiling salesperson.
“Thank you very much Miss Kiramman.”
“You're very welcome,” said Caitlyn, as she pushed the men outside where a limousine was waiting for them.
“Oh,” said Jayce. “How much was this?”
“It's on me. Now get in!”
Jayce didn’t know what Vi was on about. She had talked about how out of place she felt, wearing fancy clothes and eating fancy food and listening to fancy music. He was worried for Viktor, but Viktor seemed quite in his element.
The suit was impeccable on the man, and VIktor looked like he was having a good enough time.
“Can I rest my leg?” said Viktor, and without getting confirmation, he put his leg on his partner’s thigh.
“Hey,” said Jayce. “How was it? How are you feeling about this whole…” Jayce waved his arm about, at the opulent car.
“Hmm, to be honest, I think it’s very nice that your friend is helping us out,” said Viktor, nodding his head to the front of the car where Caitlyn was sitting with the driver, wanting to give the two privacy. "I don't think I've celebrated my birthday quite like this before.”
“Well, it’s nice to have a day to celebrate. You know, just for you.”
Viktor gave a sleepy sort of smile. “Well, I think every day is celebration enough when I’m with you.”
Jayce felt his heart skip a beat. His hand unconsciously started to touch Viktor’s leg, giving it a soft massage.
“That’s nice…” said Viktor, leaning his head on the plush seats. Sometimes Viktor had bouts of fatigue. Maybe because of his body, maybe from overwork, but from time to time, Viktor was found sleeping wherever. Jayce had nothing to say to that– he had just slept for two hours in a brightly lit store.
Jayce let the soft snores of his partner fill the limo, as he gently kept loosening the knots in Viktor’s leg.
Vi had driven back home and back, just in time to catch the men in the limo. They better thank the hell out of her for what she’s about to do. She trailed the huge car– it wasn’t like she could miss it.
They stopped in front of The Grand Hirana Hotel and Vi stopped right behind, jumping out.
“You two! Stop!”
Jayce was helping Viktor out of the car, before turning to see her and freezing. “Vi?”
She was wearing the outfit. It was more hideous in person. There were strange threaded stripes everywhere. The metal accoutrements were wild and caught the shine off the bright lights of the hotel. Seeing the poofiness of the dress in person was overwhelming. The masterstroke of this tower of fashion was the hat. It was a shocking, vivid shade of pink, and the giant bow gave the impression of a smaller bow that was hit with an enlarging ray.
She stormed up to them. “I won’t let you go through this,” she said, helping Jayce get Viktor out. “Viktor, you don’t know what’s waiting for you.”
“I can guess, it’s going to be some fancy chamber music and some very expensive food and a long night out.”
Vi shuddered. “Yes. I’m going to save you from this.”
“Well, it can’t be that bad. Jayce has tried so much to do things for me that are very Zaunite. Why not do something very Piltovan for him?”
“Oh? You’re doing this for me?” said Jayce. “I was doing this for you!”
The genius Zaun man stopped. “No, I’m doing this for you. You wanted to throw me a great big birthday party.”
“No, I actually wanted to show you this invention I made at the lab.”
“So who am I doing this for?” asked Viktor.
All three of them looked towards the now opening door of the limo. Caitlyn came out beaming. “Oh Vi! You’re here! And you look fabulous!”
“Hi! Caitlyn!” said Vi coming up to her. “I… came for dinner!”
Viktor came in smoothly, “Plus my bedroom is on fire.” Viktor was a fantastic liar.
“Yes! His whole home is being destroyed. Right now.” Jayce was also great at lying.
Caitlyn was aghast. “You must go then! Vi and I will have the dinner in your place, and you go take care of that fire!”
“G-great!” said Vi. “I’m… I’m so happy!”
Caitlyn frowned. “You really shouldn’t, Viktor’s home is being destroyed. Honestly Vi, you can really think with your stomach too much.”
“Ha. Ha. You know me. The girl who loves eating… what was it again that we had last time?”
“Fois gras and roquefort.”
“Tortured duck liver and stinky cheese, my favourite,” said Vi glumly as she walked into the hotel with Caitlyn, and the two men drove away. They owed her big time.
“You make such funny jokes, Vi,” laughed Caitlyn, leading her partner to her doom.
They made it to the lab and Jayce and Viktor took off the suits and washed their faces. Two hours of work undone in five minutes.
Viktor smiled at his partner. His sweet partner who did so much to please him. He never suspected that the plans weren’t made by Jayce, who always wanted to give him the best. But he should have known better. Of course Jayce wouldn’t want to give him a ‘Piltover’ experience. Not the man who spent so much time making Viktor feel seen and comfortable. No, Jayce knew him, inside and out and they were of one mind and heart.
He idly went to the bench were there was a machine which was covered with tangled blue and red yard.
“What’s this then Jayce?”
“Oh?” Jayce came up and looked slightly embarrassed. “That was your present. Or rather, it was supposed to be.”
“A new machine?” Viktor swept away the yarn and looked at the metal box with the spindly arms and mysterious output tray.
“No, it’s this actually.” Jayce picked up the yarn.
“Oh…” said Viktor. “It’s lovely? I love blue and red.”
“No, it’s supposed to be…”
Jayce swept the leftover yarn off the table, revealing the blueprint for his machine. “It didn’t work though.”
Viktor looked at it, and took out a pencil and marked down five places for improvement.
Jayce looked at it and lifted his hand to his forehead. “Of course!”
Viktor grinned and picked up a wrench. “Shall we?”
His partner smiled and leaned down to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Let’s.”
Viktor was a genius. Jayce really didn’t know what he did to deserve Viktor in his life. But he was here, and once again, fixing his problems.
“Alright! It should be good now! Let’s try it out!” said Jayce, yelling around a large piece of metal. They got a bit carried away and the machine was now a large frame, taller than Jayce or Viktor.
Viktor put on his goggles and got the remote button in his hand ready. Jayce came up around him and put an easy arm around Viktor’s shoulders.
“Iteration six, test one is a go,” said Viktor as he pressed the button.
It worked! The machine whirred and from the top red and blue intertwined quickly, coming down, filling the frame, and after a minute of this dramatic process, there was a stretch of chunky knit that Jayce went up and pulled out.
It was a blanket. Just a knitted blanket with one side red and one side blue. Jayce smiled and draped it around Viktor’s shoulders.
“Happy birthday, Viktor.”
“You know, you could have just knit this. You didn’t have to make a machine. Or just buy one.” Viktor smiled as he wrapped himself up in the knit.
“Last minute. Seemed like the most reasonable idea. Plus I don’t know how to knit.”
“Here I thought you could do anything, Jayce Talis.”
Jayce reached down to kiss his partner softly on the lips, his warm hands feeling the soft knit, before rising up to feel Viktor’s even softer cheek.
“Can’t do anything without you, V.”
Then Jayce found himself with an armful of Viktor and a birthday blanket covering him, and that was how Viktor’s first birthday with Jayce went. It wasn’t perfectly upper or undercity, but it was perfectly them.