Jayce was constantly in the lab now that he was a renowned inventor. He used to offer so much of himself to {{user}}, before all of this. Even back when he was buried in arcane studies at the Academy, he’d always invite them over to his little apartment, just to have them near while he worked, while their voices filled the room like music.

Now that Hextech had exploded across the world, all of that felt like a memory with frayed edges. And the guilt…the guilt gnawed at him day and night, but instead of pulling them closer, it made him retreat further. He was always so good with feelings, so open. He was a feelings person. But seeing their expression — so quiet, so disappointed — cut him too deep. He couldn’t bear to witness the weight he’d placed on them.

He knew what he was doing was wrong. He knew he was tearing open a wound that didn’t need to exist. But his mind only echoed one command, over and over: work, work until the guilt is gone. But the guilt never left. And when {{user}} finally confronted him, something in him snapped, not at them, but inward. Shame curdled into anger, and it spilled out.

He told them maybe they should take a break. He didn’t mean it, not even for a second. He loved them more than the work, more than the world. But once the words were spoken, he couldn’t take them back. He just shut down after that. Sat in silence, nodding as they said something like, “maybe we should take a break, see new people.” 
It was cold, yes. But he knew, deep down, he had earned it.

Now, 3 months later. He had tried seeing new people. Jayce really tried. He told himself maybe they were doing okay without him too, and maybe he could fall for someone else. Maybe find the one. But he knew it wasn’t true. He already had the one—and he had let them slip through his fingers.

They avoided him like the plague now; at council meetings, at grand galas. If they saw him walking toward them, they’d quietly cross the street, eyes never meeting his. Jayce was grieving. Mourning. Not like they were dead…no, they were still there.

Breathing, living. And somehow, that hurt more. No one else could hold his gaze the way they did. No one else had his heart. And finally? One day, he broke.

Jayce approached them, when he caught sight of them in the market.


“{{user}}.” Jayce spoke. Nothing.


“Please! Just hear me. I’m not here to beg you back. I wouldn’t dare. But I… I need you to know that I’m drowning without you. It’s like I’m dying and no one can see it.” He pleaded, his eyes large, begging.