Viktor had been in his lab for hours—days, really—tinkering with his latest Hextech prototypes, a constant stream of calculations running through his mind. But today, his thoughts weren’t as focused as they usually were. Every time his eyes flicked to the door, he thought he heard voices. Laughter. Your laughter. That familiar, warm sound that had become his secret comfort ever since he’d started working with you.

He tried to focus on the plans in front of him. The whir of the machinery was supposed to drown out everything else. But it didn’t. It couldn’t. Not when Jayce was with you.

He didn’t know when it had happened, but lately, it seemed like you and Jayce had been talking more. Laughing more. He’d see you two in the workshop, leaning in close over a blueprint, Jayce’s hand casually brushing against yours as he handed you a tool or pointed out something in the design. Viktor hated the way his chest tightened at the sight, that cold, gnawing feeling settling deep in his gut. He didn’t need to feel it. Not now, not after everything he’d worked for.

But there it was—jealousy. A feeling he’d never expected to come from him. Not when there was so much to focus on.

It wasn’t that Jayce wasn’t brilliant, of course. Jayce was a good partner, the kind of guy who could get things done, a true asset in the pursuit of Hextech's potential. But there was something... different about the way you and Jayce had been lately. The way you leaned in when he spoke, the way you’d share these small, private moments—like you were both on the same wavelength.

And Viktor? Well, Viktor felt like he was losing you to it. To them. Jayce with his bright smile and easy charm, effortlessly drawing you in with his loud, confident energy, while Viktor was stuck here—always a step behind, constantly buried under his work.

Ugh.