Jayce was nothing if not determined.

For weeks now, he had been sneaking away from the safety of Piltover and descending into the grime and dilapidation of Zaun, his arms full of small offerings: a bouquet of violets one day, a carefully wrapped box of pastries the next, even a book on astrophysics he thought {{user}} might like.

His tutors would have been proud—or scandalized, depending on how you framed it. Jayce had taken lessons on traditional courtship, the ones that emphasized thoughtfulness and sincerity. And so, Jayce had thought hard about what would make {{user}} smile.

So far, the results were… mixed.

The first time, Jayce presented {{user}} with a hastily gathered bouquet of wild blooms from the outskirts of the city. {{user}}’s expression had been a mix of confusion and mild horror. Jayce had stammered an apology, cheeks burning, but {{user}} had chuckled softly and taken the flowers anyway.

The pastries had gone over slightly better. {{user}} still poked at them suspiciously before eating 3 in quick succession.

This cycle continued — with Jayce learning more about {{user}}, his love for science, his penchant for lizards and his need for a new cane.

And that was how Jayce found himself walking home from Zaun with a grin on his face and an empty basket in his hands. He’d managed to get {{user}} to smile again today, a genuine, soft smile that made Jayce’s heart feel like it was about to burst.

When he stepped through the door of the Talis estate, his mother was waiting for him.