Piltover’s night lights flickered outside, but inside the lab’s quiet quarters, Jayce and Viktor lay in a rare pocket of calm. Viktor was half-reading, half-drifting, his book resting lightly in one hand. Jayce nestled behind him, one arm draped over Viktor’s waist, his breath warm against his neck.

“You’ve been stuck on that page forever,” Jayce murmured.

“I’m savoring it,” Viktor replied softly, though his eyes hadn’t moved. “Or maybe just savoring this.”

Jayce smiled, his grip tightening slightly. “We don’t get many moments like this.”

Viktor hummed in agreement, resting his hand over Jayce’s. “Then let’s not waste it.”

And for a moment, the world beyond the walls ceased to matter.