Chapter Text
There's a moment, when Viktor gets out of his car and sees the central lecture hall for The Academy of Sciences, that he ponders whether or not he's lost his mind. He adjusts his tie, grips his cane tightly, and reminds himself he's perfectly within his right to be here. That Heimerdinger would not have begged him to take the job if he weren't fit for it. With a deep breath in, he makes his way to the Innovator's Building. A dreadfully familiar walk.
It's not as if he's particularly worried about being a professor. He's worked with students before. He's not even particularly bothered by his move back to town. He didn't necessarily have an extensive network of people in the rural factory town where he was conducting research, and he's been ready for a change.
His discomfort has one sole cause: Jayce Talis. Formerly, his scientific partner and best friend, Jayce, betrayed Viktor so deeply and wholeheartedly that Viktor abandoned their venture together and left Jayce to deal with the fallout of his irrational and amoral decision-making. Now, Jayce is a professor here who also teaches in the MA/PhD engineering program. Viktor would rather gaze directly into the sun than see him again, but alas, some sacrifices must be made in the name of progress.
He's hoping to avoid Jayce as much as possible. He might see him at faculty events, maybe sometimes in the halls, but he's a professional. He'll remain cordial. Professional. He just hopes Jayce will be able to do the same.
Viktor spots Heimerdinger rushing out the door of the newly renovated Innovation Hall, practically tripping over himself in excitement. A strange feeling of nostalgia hits him at the sight of his old advisor.
"Viktor! Viktor! Welcome!" Heimerdinger says. He's a small man with big red hair and a mustache that's practically doubled in size over the years. "I cannot tell you how excited we are to have you on board."
"The pleasure is all mine," Viktor says, plastering on the best smile he can muster. "It's nice to see you. You look well."
"As do you, boy," Heimerdinger says, already leading Viktor inside. "As do you. You've filled out a bit. Got some color in those cheeks."
"Yes, well, a reasonable amount of sun exposure tends to be kind to the complexion," Viktor jokes. He's taking in the hallway. The place has really changed. Barely recognizable from when he attended. Instead of the tight old hallways and strange labyrinth-like layout, the building has a modern, spacious feel to it. High ceilings. Wall-to-floor windows.
He hates it. This isn't the Academy he once knew.
The space is mostly empty. There are a few students and professors finishing up the summer session.
Heimerdinger shows him the classrooms where he'll be teaching as well as the student labs. All renovated. Better tech. It's an odd feeling to be toured around your old stomping grounds. But so much has changed.
"Here's our wall of notable alumni," Heimerdinger says. "We moved it from the foyer after the renovation."
Painted portraits from two hundred years ago give way to increasingly modern photography. Near the end of the lineup, Viktor pauses. It's a large portrait of himself and Jayce with their battery. They took it for Forbes. It's one of the only photos he's ever posed for. Viktor looks at his younger self, sitting behind a table next to Jayce in their lab with their bio-battery on top. He looks so… at ease. So unaware of what's to come. He can't even look at Jayce with his plastic smile and bright eyes. Big hands fiddling with some prop wiring. It's sickening.
"I'm honored," Viktor manages, realizing he should probably say something.
Viktor tries to ignore the pain in his leg as Heimerdinger leads him into the elevator with an excited bravado. After all, the faculty labs are a huge reason Viktor agreed to take this position. Nobody has labs like the Academy, and it's far easier to get funding when on their payroll.
"Now," Heimerdinger says, "It's not as spacious and private as the one we offered you and Dr. Talis, but we've set up a wonderful space for you. A window that overlooks the courtyard. Work stations. 3D printers. Whatever you need!"
The lab is a huge, sprawling room that essentially takes up the entire top floor. There's a conference room with a fridge. A series of various workstations. The communal element is frustrating, but it appears they've set aside a whole wing for him. It'll suit him quite nicely, as long as his co-workers aren't too social.
"This is lovely, thank you, Professor," Viktor says. Heimerdinger's response is lost on him. On the blackboard across the room is handwriting he feels he'd recognize in the dark. Jayce. It immediately brings him back to long, caffeine and adrenaline-fueled nights finishing each other's equations - ideas - and sentences - an invigorating dance where anything felt possible. The scent of smoke and sparked wires and hot coffee. Jayce's wide smile. His broad shoulders. His shockingly careful handwriting. His unfettered excitement.
"Ah, yes. Your old colleague's station." Heimerdinger says, "He's being quite secretive about what he's working on. Maybe you can give him a hand." Viktor swallows, hoping Heimerdinger doesn't expect them back together. He peers at the board. There's a surprising amount of organic chemistry involved. One of the man's least favorite subjects.
"Maybe," Viktor says.
He can see a pile of notebooks on Jayces station. And - typical - a half-eaten sandwich. A complete safety hazard.
"Let me show you your office," Heimerdinger says, "It's right downstairs."
"Office?" Viktor asks.
"Yes. This is where you innovate. This space is for your work as a scientist. You must remember from your own time here that students can't come up here unless they work for you. Your office is for your work as a Professor!" Heimerdinger has an odd energy about him. A strange pep in his step. As if he's hiding a secret he's excited about. It's making Viktor uneasy.
Viktor ponders what of his stuff he should set in his office vs. the lab as they take the elevator to one of the main floors. Heimerdinger walks right across the hall. Opens the door, and… Viktor's breath catches somewhere deep in his lungs.
Jayce Talis is right there. At his desk. Jayce looks their way, and oh god, he's looking at him. Jayce's jaw drops. Always so comically expressive. It's so similar to how he looked 6 years ago. How deeply unfair.
Jayce leaps out of his chair.
"What - I - Viktor? What?" He says.
"Jayce!" Heimerdinger says, "Meet your new office mate! Surprise!"
"H-heimerdinger -"Viktor says, all of his former annoyance with his old advisor's complete inability to read others rushing back to him. The absolute weasel. "Can I have a moment of your time? Alone?"
Heimerdinger frowns but follows him down the hall.
Viktor is not the type of man who'd ever be so undignified as to beg for anything.
...but he begs a shocked Heimerdinger to switch him to another office.
"I don't understand, boy; I thought you two parted on amicable terms. I thought you'd be thrilled to see each other again."
Viktor wants to take this man by the shoulders and shake him until he passes out. Of course, that's what they told the press. He explains as calmly as he can that they do not see eye to eye.
"I'm sorry, my boy," Heimerdinger says, not sounding nearly apologetic enough. "My hands are tied."
"What about the other faculty," Viktor says, "We can switch."
"The other faculty are your seniors, so they have better offices. It's unlikely they'd want to switch."
"Another building. A closet. A basement. I can just stay in the lab."
It's all no's.
"Why don't I just leave you to your office? We'll have some people get your boxes for you." Heimerdinger says. "You two can at least make a truce in the meantime. It's not good for one to have rivals, after all. Raises the blood pressure. Toodaloo."
Heimerdinger rushes off. The bastard. Viktor stares at the office door. Knowing who is behind it makes him want to turn around and quit. But that would be giving up his new space. It would be losing. It would be giving Jayce what he surely wants.
So, with as much of his dignity as he can muster, Viktor walks toward the office. He finds Jayce with his hands on his desk. Jayce looks at Viktor with a very complicated expression, as if he's struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. He's gone pale.
"Did Heimerdinger even tell you he hired me?" Viktor asks carefully. He decides to focus on their common enemy.
"No. No. No. That rat."
"He's not letting me switch," Viktor says. He looks over at where his desk is positioned. So close to Jayces.
"You know what. I'll talk to him," Jayce says.
"You do that," Viktor says, old resentment bubbling, "You were always better at getting your way."
Jayce pauses in the doorway. Viktor sees the muscles in his back tense. He braces himself for Jayce to say something, but he just shakes his head and storms out.
"Heimerdinger!"
***
Viktor waits. And waits. And waits. He sits on the couch across from his desk. The one he requested. That's good for his back and not too low. Tries to breathe in through his nose. Out through the mouth. The door flings open. Viktor remains seated. Jayce paces.
"It's a no," Jayce says. Viktor sighs. Jayce plops onto his desk chair. This is all too much. Like he's too close to the sun. Viktor can smell Jayce's shampoo. A heady Amber mixed with a sweet vanilla. He can hear Jayce's labored breathing. When he finally looks Jayce's way, he can see Jayce looking at him. Expression again complicated. Those hazel eyes glimmering. He looks away when he catches Viktor's eye.
The office is small. Dingy. Clearly, it was originally meant for one person. Not part of the massive renovation.
"Here's how it's going to go," Viktor says.
"Oh, that's rich. This is my office. My job-"
"Can you just listen to me?" Viktor snaps, "Or do you still have the belligerence of a toddler?"
"Fuck. You."
"Here's how it's going to go. We will not speak unless necessary for work. We will remain civil. I will buy some dividers to split up the space. You will not be allowed in my space, nor I yours, lest I am coming in and out of the doorway. I will do everything I can to get a new office space as soon as possible."
"Fine," Jayce snaps, all venom. "That works great for me."
Viktor stares him down. Jayce doesn't look as angry as he sounds. He looks… tired. Viktor huffs. There's a long, strained silence before Jayce gets up and starts throwing some things into a bag.
"Why are you even here?"
Viktor can tell Jayce is trying to act casual. Like he doesn't care.
"Heimerdinger called me and offered me the job and a space in the lab. Good insurance. Fair salary, and a place to innovate."
"And what, you thought we'd just be … buddies?"
"Your ego is getting ahead of you. Your presence here was not going to stop me from making the most logical next step for my future. I've been given an incredible space for my projects and have been given the opportunity to teach the very students who've benefited from our scholarship."
"That entire new wing is for you?"
"Yes, well, it may come as a surprise to you, but people respect me."
"I always respected you." Jayce snaps. Viktor stares at him. No. You didn't. Jayce looks caught off guard by his own words. Viktor watches as Jayce starts to gather some of his belongings. The logical thing would be to ignore this. To move on. But Viktor's pesky emotions get the better of him in a way that only ever happens with Jayce.
"The last time I checked, going behind one's back isn't a proper way of showing respect."
"I didn't!" Jayce starts. He takes a deep breath in. "I'll be in the lab. Welcome back," Jayce snaps. He slams the door, grumbling on his way out.
Viktor puts his head in his hands. Rubs at his temples. He shouldn't have taken this job.
***
The night they got the battery working remains one of the best nights of Viktor's life. He was still a few years shy of his doctorate and had been working with Jayce for only a week. Jayce faced disciplinary action for failing to register his battery testing with the school and shorted some of the wiring in one of their very expensive testing labs. The simple bureaucracy-related faux pas caused Heimerdinger to assign Viktor to essentially babysit.
Initially, Viktor was furious. Jayce was the spoiled rotten golden boy of the Academy who got a slap on the wrist where most students, especially any student from Viktor's background, would face expulsion. Jayce Talis had a reputation for having two of Viktor's least favorite traits: hubris and naivety. After observing the man in the lab for a mere half hour, Viktor determined the rumors were true. However, he also discovered Jayce was brilliant, kind, enthusiastic, and, most importantly, on the verge of what might be a world-changing breakthrough.
Jayce was technically not supposed to work on the battery and instead focus on his faculty-approved coursework. But the moment Viktor read Jayce's notes, he became a co-conspirator. He was exhausted by the administration. Felt burdened by all the red tape. The moment Viktor started helping out, Jayce said it was 'their project' with the naive generosity of someone who's always had enough to go around. They started working together non-stop. Exhilarated and fueled by dreams of creating a better world. One where big oil was a thing of the past.
The breakthrough happened on a Tuesday night - or, more accurately - a Wednesday morning. Viktor had fallen asleep. Jayce gently grabbed his shoulder.
"Viktor, wake up, Viktor," Jayce said, hushed yet buzzing with life. His breath was warm on the back of Viktor's neck. Viktor shot up.
"How long have I been asleep?" Viktor asked.
"A few hours," Jayce said. "Come on. Look at this."
Jayce's bronze eyes glimmered in the dim light of the lab. The world around them was quiet. The clock read 2:30 am. Everyone else had gone to bed. It was just them.
"I think you were right," Jayce said, still in a fevered whisper. "I needed to increase the amount of bacterium inside on top of changing the shape of the anode and cathode, but I didn't want to test it without you."
The remnants of sleep quickly left Viktor's body. Viktor inspected the battery as Jayce hooked it up to test its voltage. They needed to hit at least 12 volts. Jayce went to the switch. The tension in the air felt heavy. Palpable. Crackling. Viktor stared at the meter.
"Ready?" Jayce asked. Viktor simply nodded. Jayce flipped it on and… 12.2. It hit 12.2.
They had done it. They had done it.
Viktor couldn't help but beam as Jayce let out an undignified shriek, breaking the silence by leaping in the air and pumping his fist and jumping up and down. Viktor checked the meter again, making sure it was real. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much. He'd never felt like this. This joyful. This victorious.
Viktor watched as Jayce, that stunning, incredible man, rounded on Viktor. Before Viktor knew what was happening, Jayce was wrapping him in his arms. "We fucking did it, you beautiful bastard," Jayce said. Viktor felt Jayce shaking. The warmth radiating from him. His breath in his ear. The strain in his voice. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god."
They still had a lot to do. So many kinks to iron out. So many more tests. But right now, none of that felt pressing. All that mattered was this. The feeling of Jayces arms. The strange, foreign hope. The rush of excitement that made him feel like he could do anything.
***
Jayce insisted they celebrate, which was completely fine on all accounts because Viktor did not want the night to end either. He led Viktor to his academy apartment, located right off campus. It was an incredibly nice building. One of the expensive options.
"You know there's a meteor shower tonight?" Jayce said, rifling through his kitchen cabinets. "The peak is at three thirty. We should go to a roof."
"We'd have to find one I can get to," Viktor said, gesturing to his leg. It had been a long day, and he didn't know how much walking he could take. He certainly couldn't climb steep stairs or - god forbid - ladders. "I'm uhh.. it's been a long day. I'm not exactly mobile. I'm sorry."
Jayce whips around. He slams his head on the cabinet. "OW! FUCK!!! Don't be sorry, Viktor. We'll figure it out."
Viktor found himself smiling despite himself. Jayce rubbed at his head and went back to the cabinet.
"What do you prefer - Vodka? Gin? Whiskey? We've uhh… got rum… I think I drank all the tequila the night before my disciplinary meeting. Ah ha -"
A door in the apartment swung open. A very angry Caitlyn stood in the doorway. It was the first night Viktor met her.
"JAYCE!" She snapped. "How many times have I told you? No more loud hookups after one am. That's all I ask!"
She gestured to Viktor with annoyance. Viktor had to take a second to digest the information presented to him. One - Jayce had a lot of hookups. Unsurprising. Two - Some of them must be men. Three- Viktor, looking the way he did, could be deemed among them.
"He's not a hookup Caitlyn. This is Viktor. And we fucking did it!"
Caitlyn sighed.
"Congrats. Now let me sleep." She slammed the door. Opened it again. Her tone changed. She looked at Viktor. Piercing blue eyes. Viktor remembered where he recognized her from. She's a Kiramman. "Also, Nice to meet you, Viktor. I've heard amazing things."
"Th- thank you," Viktor choked. Caitlyn gave him a friendly wave goodbye and closed the door.
"Sorry about her," Jayce said, still at the liquor cabinet. In the dim light of the apartment, Viktor noticed a very pronounced blush on Jayces cheeks. Cute, he thought to himself before trying to smother and drown the thought. Viktor had heard that Jayce was getting funded by the Kirammans, yet he didn't know he was so close to one. Caitlyn couldn't be older than 18-19. Surely, they pulled some strings to get her into graduate housing. He tried not to think about it too much. Families like the Kirammans went against everything Viktor stood for.
"It's alright. And Whiskey," Viktor said.
"What?" Jayce asked.
"The alcohol."
"Oh," Jayce said. "Right, I would have pegged you for a Vodka guy."
Viktor snorted. "I'm going to ignore that you said that."
When they stepped back outside, Jayce was contemplating something.
"What are you thinking about?" Viktor asked.
"Where we can go," Jayce said. "I know a building that has an elevator all the way up to the roof, but… it's all the way across campus and…"
Jayce's eyes landed on - oh dear. Surely not. An abandoned golf cart used by campus security.
"Jayce -"Viktor hissed as Jayce strode up to it, all giggles.
"Come on, V. Live a little. I mean, what are the chances? They left the keys! It's fate. It's destiny."
Jayce hopped in the driver's seat.
"I would have thought you a little too level-headed to believe in such nonsense," Viktor said.
Jayce then looked up at him with what Viktor could only describe as an animal begging for scraps. He started the golf cart with ease. Drove it around so the passenger seat was right in front of Viktor.
"You are in enough trouble as is." Viktor spat.
"Come on, you know they can't expel us," Jayce said, knowing very well they were both top of their year. God. Viktor couldn't look at those eyes. It couldn't work on him.
Viktor scanned campus. It was dead. Empty. The stars were bright in the sky. He could see a meteor streak across it. Beautiful. He took a deep breath and got in the passenger seat. Jayce let out a giddy giggle and took off.
"Hold on," Jayce said, flooring it.
"Jayce!" Viktor yelled as Jayce let out a loud whooping sound. "Jayce!" Viktor snapped again, trying to keep his laughter out of his voice, "At least be quiet!"
"We're going to miss peak time!" Jayce said simply. He took a sharp corner, causing Viktor to gasp.
"Come on," Jayce said, "Don't you trust me?"
"I've only really known you for a week!"
"AND LOOK AT ALL WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED!"
The wind danced through Viktor's hair. The late summer breeze danced along his skin. Strange, to have grown up so fast that he felt he had to do it all over again when his life was safer.
It was the kind of night that Viktor never thought he'd have. The kind of night out of teen movies he watched on his foster parents' barely functioning TV when he was young. Beautiful people with champagne problems coming of age through the static.
Jayce parked by the art building and led Viktor to the elevator.
"How did you know about this place?"
"I have a friend in the business school who takes some classes here," Jayce said. Viktor didn't know it at the time, but he was talking about Mel.
***
Viktor didn't realize at the time that Jayce would give him many more nights like this. Not always out of celebration. Sometimes just because he could. Just because that's who Jayce Talis was. All he knew, when they made it to the roof full of easels and art supplies - when they got drunk and talked all night and watched the open sky turn from a show of shooting stars to a serene light blue to a brilliant pink - when they talked about their shared dream of changing the world - is that he never wanted to let this go.