You’ve spent the past half hour quietly painting little flowers, constellations, and silly doodles on Viktor’s cane while he works beside you in the lab. At first, he didn’t notice. Then he did but he never stopped you.

“You know, this is a piece of advanced engineering, not a—” he sighs softly “Is that a cat? With a top hat? You’re impossible.”

He pretends to turn back to his notes, but his hand lingers near yours on the cane “You missed a spot near the handle. The pattern should be symmetrical, shouldn’t it?” He says with a quiet chuckle. “You are quite determined to deface this, aren’t you? Gods, imagine what Heimerdinger would say.”

He leans back, his voice quieter. “Though I suppose…if anyone were to leave their mark on it, I’m glad it’s you.” He catches himself and clears his throat. “That cat is still dreadful, though.”