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Chapter Text

Once upon a time, deep in the woods of the kingdom of Zaun, rested a homey cottage.

Within this cottage, Viktor, the hidden crown prince and mage of Zaun, gazed down at the fog of his bubbling cauldron, and passed his hand over as he whispered the incantation.  An ancient spell, one he had invoked every day since the death of his love.

…

The stars glimmered, yet nothing else.

Silence.

…

Jayce was truly gone.

Just like every time, the pitch black concoctions remained as dark as the omega’s robes of deepest night in mourning. The only color slashed through his waist, a torn sash of rich sapphire hue on one side, and blood-red ruby on the other.

Viktor stepped away from the cauldron, and closed his eyes, wrapping his hands around himself in empty comfort. A pathetic echo of how his knight once warmly held him close.

The only things that kept him going anymore made themselves known, in distant sounds that cut through the peaceful woods.

A child’s laugh, as their first born played behind the cottage amongst wildflowers happily with Sevika nearby, the one guard he trusted that was assigned to him. Who had been one of the few who survived the siege.

Then an infant’s soft cry, that got Viktor to open his eyes. The need to go towards the other room heightened, where his son lay in his crib…

When the door to the cottage opened, the prince did not need to look behind him to see the imposing figure that casted his shadow over the peace of his home.

“My dear queen.”

Viktor stiffened, as heavy armored footsteps came closer, and arms that felt like shackles wrapped around him. 

He would never acknowledge the title forced onto him, as was all the rest. Within, he is still the crown prince. Never his.

“Look at me, my love. Have the manners of the court fled you in these backwater woods?” The omega’s chin was forcefully grabbed, and he was made to look upon the man he had to marry to protect his people.

The Alornian General, and now King of Zaun, Sonnem Parlec.

Donned in the royal armor, Parlec was a tall golden-haired alpha a decade older than him, finely bearded and statuesque. Cuttingly handsome to most people, and the very picture of a strong ruler. Once from Piltover, he was famed before to have met his enemies blindfolded. That was not so when the general violently took over the throne…

And murdered the love of his life.

Viktor wanted to spit in his face, but instead settled for a frown, as he softly greeted his husband. “Apologies. I feel…unwell.”

“Ah, I understand.” Parlec smiled, and it disgusted the prince as he lowered his hand, and caressed his stomach. 

“The Curse must take a toll on you. My poor queen, how you must be weakened so.” Viktor shuddered.

The Curse.

On the morning of his wedding, forced into pure ivory silk, Viktor secretly cursed his own body.

Grieving and heartbroken, knowing what would happen at night when Parlec would bond with him, the mage molded his flesh into metal, so no other man could ever claim or impregnate his body, ever again. The soon to be king, when his bride had not arrived at the altar, found him like so. His guards paralyzed by the door, and Viktor convulsing on the ground, blood staining his wedding robes, as magic and steel corrupted that which Parlec coveted the most.

Tied to his Jayce’s blood, his fallen lover gone from this world, his curse was near impossible to break, no matter how many healing mages the once general brought to look at him.

A man’s mind hides behind his body, the once Alornian general loved to preach. Repulsed by the transfiguration of his bride that he could no longer use as a breeder for the royal bloodline, Parlec married Viktor not in the loud proclamation all over the kingdom as he originally planned, but in quiet solitude, with no one else but the priest and the higher officials in the man’s pockets.

Now hidden away from the rest of the kingdom in disgust, yet needing his body to produce a legitimate heir, Parlec kept him imprisoned in his own mage’s cottage where he once researched the Arcane, and enforced Viktor to find a cure ever since.

Yet no one could undo his vow, and no one ever will.

“I came to visit to check on your progress, breaking your affliction. I’m sure the poor children are beside themselves, living here rather than in the castle.” the intruder alpha smirked, inclining his head to the continued whimpers and cries of his son in the other room. Viktor wanted to snarl, still caged in by his husband and unable to go to his infant child. 

There were many reasons he refused to let the usurper keep his children away from him in the castle while he was here, ‘breaking’ the curse. Among them being how his once first home had become like a military fort more than a safe place for a young girl and a baby. He would rather die than let Parlec separate him again from his loved ones. The king had not killed him yet… In his darkest, lowest moments, Viktor wished that Parlec did. Then he would be together with his knight once more.

The only thing keeping the grieving omega from following Jayce and letting the curse consume him, was their children, who needed their last remaining parent more than ever. 

Viktor would protect them until the day he was no longer alive, and so he must live, for them. 

Lying through his teeth, the mage prince responded. “The Curse draws its energy from my own reserves. I have been channeling a different path for it elsewhere.” Pride surged in him when visible disappointment showed on the other’s face, and he took the chance to slowly disentangle himself to fully face his husband in oath, yet not in love. “Have you found my assailant yet? There is hope, should they hold the formula for the hex cast upon me.”

So far, despite his worries, they had not suspected him of being the very one to have placed the curse. For who would do such a thing to themselves?

Parlec only studied him for a moment, then shook his head slightly. “Given my enemies, and the many who were invited for the royal wedding that did not come to pass, we still cannot find them. Yet we must tread carefully, as we have bigger issues at hand.”

“Our people are getting restless. They have not seen their beloved queen in months, not since the beginning of my reign. That, and there are these inane rumors upon our borders of some dark knight. My men are saying this, Defender, is responsible for their failures lately. What drivel.” His husband sighed, then repulsively stroked Viktor’s metal cheek. That which could not be hidden, no matter how they tried. “Perhaps a mask…” Muttered under his breath, looking at him like a prized mare that needed grooming before being taken out for a ride. A crease in the alpha’s handsome features, as he spoke aloud.

“You look even paler, my love. Have you been eating?” 

He couldn’t take it anymore, and so Viktor snarled back. “My people are dying, Parlec. You are starving them, forcing them to work in your conquest against Piltover, when you know they are not soldiers. They are restless, because they want to live.”

His anger drained any good nature from Parlec’s expression, and was replaced with his true nature, as Viktor felt his back painfully collide with the edge of his wooden table behind him, the potions and other tools rattling with the force as his husband shoved into his space, then spoke in a low threatening voice.

“The only reason you are alive, is because of this.” A contrasting gentle touch upon his abdomen, empty of the life Parlec desired from him. “Should your curse never be lifted…”

What passed through the alpha’s eyes, his insinuations and wordless promises, made horror, revulsion and dread mix terribly within Viktor, and yet he stood his ground against the monster who took so much from him.

The tense silence stretched uncomfortably for a few seconds, broken only by his baby son crying out for him still, before the usurper relaxed, and leaned back. “Apologies, my love. That was unsightly of me.” He caressed his face and played with the longer strands of his wavy hair, heightening the omega’s discomfort as the other man gave a small smile. “How lucky the people are to have you as my queen, and care so deeply for them.”

Infant sobs finally tapered into whimpers that hurt Viktor worse than the pain Parlec had thrust upon him. That made the false king smile. “Peace and quiet, at last. That would have been quite annoying in the castle. Perhaps your bastard children are better off here after all.”

In a flash Viktor snarled and wanted to slap Parlec straight across the face, a sharp crack that would echo in the cottage, but the blonde king acquiesced, stepping back with a wider grin. “Apologies again, my dear. I had forgotten your father legitimized them before his passing, bless his heart. I must honor at least some of my predecessor’s decrees.” Passing, as though his father died in his sleep, and not murdered before Viktor’s very eyes —

“I will return within a fortnight, to check on your progress once again. I may bring another healer mage. This one I have high hopes for, she’s renowned in our ally’s kingdom of Noxus.” Armor noisily sounded as Parlec turned to leave, and paused at the doorway. 

“Farewell until then, and know that I dream of you every night.”

Honeyed words that tasted like ashes in his throat, as Parlec finally left Viktor alone, and sick to his stomach. The moment the door closed, he quickly made his way to the other room to check on his son.

“Vel…”

Golden eyes like his, wet and round with tears streaking down full cheeks, scrunched once more as Vel began to cry again, only quieting when his mother picked him up and held him close. Soft hiccups and tiny hands gripping the fabric of his mourning clothes, before slowly falling asleep in his parent’s arms.

“I’m sorry…” Vel settled, as Viktor wiped the tears from his son’s face gently. “I’m sorry…”

His daughter’s laugh could be heard from the window, as Thalessa exclaimed she found another flower in her search.

Cupping the back of Vel’s head as his son slept tiredly, Viktor looked out the window, and saw Thal with a bundle of flowers in her hands, making her way to a basket with even more inside. Sevika was standing nearby, dutifully on guard, and he was grateful his daughter’s peace was not disturbed by Parlec’s visit.

Next to the window was a small bookshelf of fairy tales and mythos books that once belonged to Viktor when he was young. He ran his fingers slowly across the aged spines, fondly remembering the stories he now told to his children.

And taking one book out to reveal the hiding place of another, Viktor pulled out his alpha’s leather journal, emblazoned with his House sigil.

His transmutated leg twinged from standing up too long, and Viktor winced. He’d left behind his staff in the rush to console his son, and so settled on sitting upon his bed on the other side. Vel refused to let go of him even in his unconscious state, so he maneuvered to lay down with his son sleeping on his chest, as he opened the worn parchment pages.

Jayce’s hex crystal cuff bracelet, cleaned of his knight’s blood, sang softly with dormant magic.

Viktor sadly smiled at the gleam of the makeshift bookmark he stored within his knight’s journal, that was both for research and Jayce’s diary of seven years since he came to Zaun, when they first met. He then flipped through the pages lightly, knowing their contents by heart after he had salvaged it from the siege, but took comfort in reading some passages once more nevertheless, while his other hand stayed on his son’s sleep-warm back, soothing them both.

Emotional exhaustion pulled him in as his son peacefully slept on his chest, and Viktor laid his beloved’s journal close to his heart as well, lulled into slumber, as he remembered their love.

Jayce Talis, disgraced alpha heir to the fallen House Talis, was on his knees before the old King of Zaun, upset.

“Your son?”

The king, old and kindly as his regal crown gleamed in the sunlight of the throne room, nodded with a wise smile.

“Yes. My only child, Viktor. In exchange for sanctuary in my castle, I am stationing you by his side, as his knight and companion.”

Jayce was baffled by the king’s orders, and what he was asking of him to be from this moment forth. The weight of his exile felt heavier on his shoulders. “The crown prince?” He protested slightly, trying to understand. “I…I know nothing of him. You must have more experienced knights in your order to protect your heir.” Yet the king only stroked his beard as he thoughtfully responded.

“You were a Lord in training, yes? Knighthood would be becoming of you, to be Sir Talis. As much as I trust the knights in my reserve, I believe you are the best suited for the task. And as an unmated alpha, only you can help with my son.” Jayce tried not to wince, being slapped in the face once more after the loss of his title. “Many would be honored to be given such a position, though you question why.” The king gave a benign smile.

“Two lunar phases ago, my son finally reached marrying age, and has begun experiencing heat cycles. He is the future of Zaun, and considered a great beauty. So much so that there are more than a few people who have been driven mad merely looking upon his face. Suitors have already become a problem, and for now Viktor has expressed he does not wish to marry yet.” Jayce frowned, assuming the regent spoke in fond hyperbole of his only child. “That, and he is prone to disappearing off on his own whims for his research into the Arcane. Where he goes, I cannot honestly say.”

“I would rather there be someone by his side when he does so, who will protect him when I cannot.” For a moment, the regal air of the king faded, and Jayce could now see the fond exasperated aura of a father. “And one who can help temper his more, wilder pursuits. His eccentric appetites, until the day comes when he eventually chooses his consort.”

The wording of the king’s last statement made confusion and dread pit in the alpha’s stomach, when it finally clicked in Jayce’s head, and he muttered in disbelief, fist tightening by his side.

“I would be his concubine?”

To be a spoiled brat prince’s shield and outlet of pleasure, used like nothing more than relief…

Jayce lowered his head, hiding his disgust and shame from the king, not hearing his next words as he basked in how far he had fallen.

Only days ago he was still Lord Jayce Talis, heir to his great House, honored by both the nobility and royalty of Piltover. Engaged to the Princess Mel Medarda in arrangement, a beautiful rising mage from the kingdom of Noxus, whom he was so excited to marry and be in love with. His life was perfect.

Until he was found researching how to recreate magic, that which was strictly forbidden within Piltover, a kingdom that was built to escape the warmongering of mages.

Even with his close ties to the royal Heimerdinger family, he was immediately disavowed, his engagement severed. To protect his House and his mother, Jayce was exiled to their neighboring ally kingdom of Zaun, never to return home. His name and standing was tainted, and the reason why he wasn’t exiled to Noxus, so as not to bring further shame.

Zaun was a lower and smaller kingdom, having a past history of enmity with Piltover. Though they were now separate and allied to its sister, the undercity kingdom defied Piltover by welcoming magic of all kinds, even alchemy. King Heimerdinger with a mixture of sorrow and assuring comfort promised that Zaun would welcome someone like him. Someone now dangerous.

He had hope, as his mother tearfully hugged him, promising to send letters, before sending her son away. That he might have the chance to truly study magic even as someone born without the abilities of the Arcane. That he could flourish in Zaun, even with nothing but the clothes on his back and the few belongings he had left of home.

And now, to be told his imminent future, nothing but an alpha to bed when convenient, a knight only in title, made to babysit a wild omega…

“Jayce?”

It took effort to raise his head, and look upon the face of the king, whose voice now deepened.

“Your family bade you obey me in her last wishes. For your mother entrusting me with your future, I entrust you now with mine.”

The responsibility, no matter how demeaning, weighed heavily in his throat, and Jayce couldn’t stop himself from questioning.

“Why?” A foreign alpha, with little to no experience guarding someone, much less to a crown prince, who he knew nothing about… 

“...”

The king stood up, his rich robes stiff in their movement as he walked to where Jayce knelt before him, and murmured in confession, with a sad smile.

“I wish for Viktor to have a friend, Jayce. He does not tell me, but I know my son, and he has always been deeply lonely, growing up without anyone who understands him.”

A friend?

“I would be honored, if such friendship blossoms between you both.”

The king’s close righthand men, Silco and Vander, fit Jayce in armor emblazoned with the royal family’s rune emblem, then sent him off. There were further duties to attend to for now, and the monarch vowed to knight him with the prince’s help in three days time.

In his new armor that slowed his steps as the alpha got used to the heaviness, Jayce was escorted to Prince Viktor’s quarters, where he stood now at the doorway, and knocked.

No response on the first knock, yet Jayce could hear movement from inside, among other muffled sounds. He frowned, and knocked again.

“Hello, my — ” Jayce coughed, “Prince Viktor? May I come in?” Nothing again, and the discomfort of his new armor had made his patience worse. Adjusting his chainmail at his collarbone, he silently wished they would allow him to forge one day so he could make his own knight’s armor attuned to him alone.

“My name is Jayce Talis. I’m here on behalf of your father, the King, as your new appointed knight.” He did not have the breath to say concubine yet, and so he stayed his tongue for now. Surely the omega knew what his station would be.

Rather than introducing him in a formal kneel, he spoke at the wooden grain of the door. Another moment’s silence, and Jayce scowled, ready to leave or open it regardless of courtesy —

“I believe someone should have said that earlier.”

When the door finally opened, yet just as quickly the prince turned his back and walked back inside.

Stunned for a second, Jayce took a step inside the prince’s quarters. In the center laid a bubbling cauldron, surrounded by books and all manner of casting ingredients. To the side was a large ornate chalkboard filled to the brim with runic equations, alongside pinned scraps of parchment with added notes. There were two other doors inside, with one wide open, leading to a richly decorated bedroom with a canopy frame and a tapestry weaved with the night’s constellations.

With his back turned to him, Jayce could begin to take in Viktor…and sharply inhaled in offended horror.

When he arrived a few days ago, one of the few things he got to bring from home was his childhood blanket, a soft cloth that was rich blue on one side, and deep ruby on the other. His mother Ximena had packed other riches from their House, telling Jayce that the king or royal family would choose what to take as tribute from him, to their liking.

Yet amidst the small treasures Jayce had brought to Zaun, it was this very blanket that got caught in the mix, and made into a dress for the royal omega. Floor length with flowing sleeves that presented the rich red in contrast to the rest of the garment’s blue.

One of the last remnants Jayce had left of home, distorted for a spoiled prince’s comfort.

“I told my father I do not need a guard. Thank you for volunteering, but you may leave.”

“…”

Unbothered by his growing anger, Prince Viktor had set down his staff and picked up an ancient tome to read, twirling the back of his hair idly in deep thought of his magical research, allowed and encouraged, that which exiled him, and the insinuation he would ever willingly choose to be here —

“…I can’t.” Jayce finally grit through his teeth. “I have no choice.”

That finally made the omega pause, and slowly turn his head to the side.

“…You’re our new ward, from Piltover.”

Ward was a deceptively kind term for what he was now, and Jayce opened his mouth ready to finally snap at the brat prince, fed up with everything, needing to lash out —

When Viktor turned to now fully look at him, and Jayce felt his breath leave his lungs.

Framed in a silver circlet upon his head, sharp yet stunningly handsome, dotted with moles. Viktor gazed into his very soul with warm golden eyes, and adorned in the dress made from his blanket, glowed as though painted divine. A face that made people go mad by mere glance.

His inner alpha woke up, scenting the air of lavender and sweetmilk mixed with Jayce’s own, faded, yet embracing the omega intimately…

“I heard you were exiled, for trying to create magic.” Viktor picked up his staff that had been leaning on a table, and walked towards Jayce. The knight blinked, and pushed himself to focus. What was that? 

“As someone not born gifted in the Arcane, your theory intrigues.”

“It’s not a theory.” Jayce blurted before he could hold back, then bit his tongue and looked away. Viktor was patient, and seemed to know he had more to say. “I…”

Trapped in a snowstorm upon the mountain peak, his mother near lifeless and frozen as he begged for help, and by a miracle, someone did…

“I saw it with my own eyes, what magic can do. The lives it could save.” Jayce felt his heart sink, remembering what he went through as a child, and the realization truly hit. He would never be able to help people the way he wanted to. Could never show to those like him, how beautiful magic is for everyone. “But now…it’s gone.”

“No one believed in it.” In me, Jayce left unsaid.

Then, Viktor surprised him, and handed his knight a piece of chalk, with a soft daring murmur. 

“Show me.”

Jayce froze, the chalk in his palm, staring at the mage prince.

“What? N-no, I can’t.”

He tried to give it back to Viktor, and confessed, ashamed. “My research…It blew up. Amounted to nothing.” Meaningless, his mother who once was saved by magic had mourned, tried pleading to the king that he was not in his right mind to lessen his sentence. All it did was hurt her son where the truth was.

“No one thinks it can be done.”

Despite his protests, Viktor closed his hand around Jayce’s to keep the chalk he had gifted, and his next words laden with an inspired expression, made his heart skip a beat.

“When you’re going to change the world, don’t ask for permission.” Golden eyes searched stunned hazel, then smiled. “You were seeking to make the world a better place. Show me how, and perhaps we may do so, together.”

Oh.

In awe and still stunned, Jayce accepted the chalk, and the gentle hand that guided him to the board…

Night fell before the knight and prince knew it, as they became ever closer, and soon followed the sunrise.

Chapter Text

In the early hours of the morning, Jayce knocked on Viktor’s door, to announce his arrival to his sleeping prince.

“Good morning.” 

The knight spoke to the door with a light voice, the wooden grain grazing against his knuckles, accustomed to their usual start of the day. He carried a tray of breakfast for the both of them — Oatmeal with a dollop of honey and some fruit, just the way Viktor liked it. Oftentimes he forgot to eat, so involved in their research, that the trick to getting the mage to remember and partake was for them to eat together before they went on their normal duties. Whether to accompany the prince on his trips outside the castle to help the local healers, or for him to train with the rest of the knights under the captain of the Royal Guard. Though it all now depended on whether his prince was awake yet.

A muffled sound from within made Jayce smile with a light huff, before opening the door —

Blood drained from his face in shocked panic at the sight before him, and the breakfast tray he prepared for them clattered noisily to the floor spilling its contents.

“Viktor!”

His staff resting by the ceiling-high bookshelf, floating several feet off the ground, Viktor looked up from the ancient tome he was reading and blinked down at him.

“Good morning, Jayce.”

He knew Viktor had a well of powers to draw from, as mages often have many that develop after they are born. Yet levitation was still something he was getting used to, as Jayce worriedly ran to stand below his partner with arms open, pleading. “Viktor come down from there! What if you fall?!”

“A breakthrough came to me. I found a means of refining the crystals, and I believe the formula for the spell is near complete.” Unbothered and already dressed for the day in his normal favored robes that were once his knight’s blanket, and a long elegant silver chain belt Jayce had forged for him, each an intricately detailed medallion, Viktor only tilted his head, pouting at seeing their breakfast spilled on the burgundy of his rug. “Oh.”

With a flick of his wrist, magic enveloped the shattered bowls, the fallen fruit and wasted oatmeal sprung to life, and time reversed for them, stitching porcelain back together and returning them to before they had fallen, then floating them safely to the small round table where he and Jayce often shared their meals together here in the prince’s quarters. 

But the alpha only cared for getting his partner back to safe ground, heart still racing in worry. “Please V, come down. For my sake.” He didn’t know how long the levitation magic would hold, and at this height, if anything happened to him…

Viktor saw his expression and softened, acquiescing as he returned the book to its shelf, then floated down into his arms, Jayce quick to secure his hold around his waist while the omega rested his hands on armored shoulders. “Remind me to acclimate you to the rest of my abilities.” As though to lighten the mood, he now levitated them both an inch off the ground, before returning them. “I’d rather you not have more heart attacks for breakfast, if it can be helped. Oatmeal is more preferable.”

Jayce wanted to tell Viktor to be more careful next time, but his heart that was calming down from the fright skipped a beat, as he looked up at the omega in all his divine illumination. 

The early morning sunlight shone through the colored stained glass of the window on their right, beautifully framing Viktor in such an ethereal light that it took his breath away. This close to him, the alpha could smell his sweet fresh scent of lavender and the star anise of sweetmilk…

So enraptured by his prince, he did not notice Viktor was much the same, body feeling warm at their close prolonged contact, and staring back in hooded awe at how the stained glass’ colorful light played upon the face of his knight.

They stayed like this for a longer time than necessary, staring at each other unbeknownst to their mutual enamored state, until Jayce realized and awkwardly coughed, looking away with a blush.

“Y-you said you found a breakthrough?” Carrying his charge to the usual table where their restored breakfast waited for them, the oatmeal slightly wafting fresh steam, Viktor hid his disappointment as Jayce set him down at the seat across, then took his own seat. The other man picked up his spoon, and they began to eat as he caught his partner up on his latest findings. He ignored the happy rumbling of his inner alpha watching the omega eat that which they provided.

As they talked, the once lord of House Talis thought about his life now, finally being able to work on his dream. What he would have never expected in a thousand years, was the unprecedented blessing of having a partner, who believed in him.

For a long time, Jayce had never trusted anyone with his pursuit of the Arcane, in recreating the magic that once saved his life. One night with Viktor and every day since changed him, as the man he once thought to be a spoiled brat prince showed his sincere passion and curious drive for what was now their dream, to help the people of this world better with magic.

Viktor was just as hungry as the knight predicted when he prepared their breakfast, quickly finishing his oatmeal and portion of fruits, then stood up to walk over and retrieve his cane, as well as a small chest resting by the parchment-laden desk.

“Here.” The omega placed the chest in Jayce’s hand, small enough to fit in his palm. “I engraved it based on your memory of the rune…I hope it is as you remember.” 

Opening it, Jayce’s breath hitched, and he carefully picked up one of two hex crystals shaped in a teardrop, carved with the very same rune that once saved his life. Just as he remembered it, before the mage disappeared, never to be seen again. “It’s…” At his caressed touch, the dormant magic hummed within the deep sapphire stone, and Jayce looked up at his partner, amazement and awe in his expression. “It’s perfect.”

“I’m… glad they match, then.” Unused to praise, Viktor’s cheeks dusted rose, and he moved away to his desk, picking up the scroll where they had been working on the spell’s formula. “They are ready for when we leave soon for my heat, where the fields will be perfect for the next phase.” It was now Jayce’s turn to hide his blush, putting down the teardrop crystal at the impending trip they would soon take.

A year had passed, and as the healers had charted, the omega’s second heat cycle would arrive by next week. The king had approved of his son’s request that his first time with Jayce as his heat partner be in privacy, so they would travel in a few days time to a cottage in the woods where Viktor’s mother once practiced her own magic, and where an expansive flower field was located nearby. A perfect stretch of quiet land for testing their theories and research on teleportation magic.

In the past months, they had not yet initiated any intimate contact. Jayce didn’t want to force himself on Viktor when the prince showed no signs of mutual attraction, and he vowed never to be an alpha who had no respect for omegas. The thought of them alone together, sharing the other’s heat, Viktor panting and beautifully wrecked underneath him, joined so intimately…

Quick to change the subject, the knight remembered with no small amount of trepidation what the king’s condition was for their trip.

“We have the gala tomorrow night first.” Viktor groaned in annoyance, and Jayce chuckled fondly as the prince rolled his eyes. 

Lighting up the for now empty cauldron, the mage lightly glared at the alpha, endearing in how reluctant the prince was for the celebration meant for him. “Must we go?”

“Well, considering all those big important names are gunning for your hand, yeah. Your father said you don’t have to choose right away either, it’s just for show.” Viktor huffed, and Jayce walked over to the prince with a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We’ll suffer through it together, and I’ll be there the whole time.”

Viktor’s body relaxed under his touch, and he sighed, resigning himself to tomorrow night’s fate as his knight gave him an assuring smile.

“The night will be over before we know it.”

Jayce changed his mind. This night was insufferable. Agony, even.

Stationed by one of the intricately carved stone columns of the grand hall, the knight gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly it made the leather of his gloves creak, as in a beautiful gala in full swing, he was forced to watch suitors from all the different kingdoms try to put their filthy hands on Viktor.

Regal and the very portrait of a handsome prince, Viktor sat composed upon an ornate chair with his king father next to him, as several suitors approached, offering courting gifts.

Most of them were aggravating, making his inner alpha snarl protectively. Vapid and self-absorbed, with no knowledge on who Viktor was as a person, only interested in the prospect of becoming king consort to a rare male omega heir. Most were alphas, blasting their disgusting pheromones all over the place, like their rut was on edge in the face of the famously beautiful prince of Zaun.

Viktor was unphased by the suitors, but Jayce could see even from here that with every person who stepped forward, his partner grew more and more tired. A subtle furrow between his eyebrows, resting his jaw in hand.

Tonight the omega was adorned in blood red finery with a velvet inlay, and to match his royal prince’s diadem, a golden corset engraved with designs of Janna, Zaun’s goddess. Though Jayce admired how good Viktor looked in his once House colors, he couldn’t help but be annoyed that his partner was not wearing the dress made from his blanket. 

No claim on their prince, his inner alpha growled, which Jayce ignored.

When he asked how his blanket came to be so, Viktor flustered, yet admitted he’d been immediately drawn to the cloth and its plush softness that is so rare for such finery. He apologized and regretted that he did not know its significance to his now knight, but Jayce realized he didn’t mind anymore. What once gave him warmth and comfort found rebirth, and now comforted his close friend and partner.

Jayce grit his teeth at the growing discomfort on Viktor’s expression however much he tried to keep it hidden, as his next suitor stepped up to court him, and Jayce recognized who the alpha was.

Sonnem Parlec. One of Piltover’s greatest generals, an Alornian noble sought by many. From here, he saw the blonde statuesque kneel at Viktor’s feet, and took his hand to kiss it. Jayce held back a vicious snarl that had built up in his throat.

Yet a decade older than Viktor, and one Jayce knew would be a terrible match for him, remembering tales of the other alpha’s abrasive yet sharp appeal. Even Piltovan nobility held trepidation of the general’s feats, and the growing loyalty of those under his command. King Heimerdinger once voiced to him that he worried of revolt from the man, but then dismissed it with a jovial wave after Parlec secured another great battle for the kingdom. Clearly he must still be in good standing within the kingdom, to represent them for the Zaunite prince’s hand in bond and marriage.

…If he was never exiled, never engaged, would Jayce as a Lord representing Piltover sought Viktor’s hand?

“Never gonna get used to these parties.”

Sidling next to him with her own armor as she made her rounds, Vi smirked, leaning on the column where her friend was stationed. “This can’t be your first time in one of these things. Relax, pretty boy.”

Jayce took the opportunity to scowl at his superior even at a young age, the other alpha having been practically raised as a knight since she was a child. “It’s my first one being a guard. It was different back then. Most I had to worry about was not making an idiot of myself.”

“Bet you hated those times too.” Vi chuckled at Jayce’s affirming rough exhale. “A lot of big names are here tonight. You recognize any?” He scanned the crowd, a distraction for now.

The normal retinue of Zaun were in attendance. The king’s advisors, Silco and Vander, the latter being Captain of the Royal Guard and his mentor in knighthood. Patient and fatherly, but not afraid to teach Jayce the hard lessons of becoming a knight, to which he was still getting used to, wielding a sword or to hurt others in defense.

There was Singed, the royal alchemist and once Viktor’s mentor in the magic arts, as well as Ekko, one of the kingdom’s rising engineers for the ever expanding cities. A good friend to Vi’s sister, Powder, who was growing to become a talented alchemist herself, if not an explosive one.

Then, his eyes caught one of the more prominent families in attendance, and Jayce’s breath hitched.

“Caitlyn, and…”

Conversing with Sevika, Lord Silco’s guard, alongside the young Lady Caitlyn Kiramman, one of the few friends he had back in Piltover when he was under her parent’s sponsorship, was his ex-fiancé, the Noxian Princess, Mel Medarda.

The omega was radiant in her gold mage markings and the very picture of an elegant noblesse. Her brother, the Crown Prince Kino, was next to her, likely to try his hand courting Viktor. Sensing his stare, Mel turned to look in his direction, and Jayce felt a tinge of shame at the empathy or pity in her beautiful eyes, of the future they once had. She waved her hand slightly, as though in greeting or farewell. They didn’t even get to speak to each other, before their arrangement was dissolved due to his exile.

“Caitlyn, huh…” Vi sounded her name, eyes not straying from the noble beta her age, who followed the other woman’s gaze and brightened at the sight of him, making her way to them now, Mel behind her after parting from Sevika.

“Jayce!” Most of the nobles who recognized him treated Jayce now as though he was invisible, his disgraced turn from lord to knight an unspeakable ignominy. But Cait was like a younger sister to him, and in other circumstances, he would have been happy to see her and how much taller she had grown in the year since his exile.

“Hey, sprout.” He tried for a smile, but it came out more as a grimace, as he saw up close how both Ladies looked at him with mixed expressions.

“Jayce…” 

As a knight who remembered his station, he bowed to her. “Mel.” But that only garnered a frown on her features.

“We were engaged once, and I like to think we are friends still as well.” The mage exhaled, concern knitting in her expression. “What happened to you?”

He was quiet for a moment, then gruffed out. “...Doesn’t matter anymore.” That earned a glare from both Ladies, and Jayce gave a self-deprecating huff. “I was an idiot.”

“The explosion…It wasn’t your fault.” Caitlyn tried, but he knew otherwise. 

“It was.”

His experiments, obtaining illegal hex crystals and keeping them in secret nearly caused several deaths in the capital. Looking back on it now, he realized exile, however bitter, was a lighter punishment than imprisonment.

Then, his eyes caught sight of Viktor, who while Parlec ordered his men to retrieve his courting gifts, stared at them together with an unreadable sadness in his eyes.

But if he hadn’t been exiled, he would never have met Viktor, and shared their dream together.

Jayce’s gaze softened, and he gave a small reassuring smile to his partner that he was okay. The omega kept his gaze on him for as long as he could, but seeing as he could not leave, and Parlec demanding his attention once more, his prince silently nodded, then returned to his suitor.

When the knight looked back at Mel, he realized she had seen the whole unspoken exchange, and knowingly gazed at him, as though she learned something that completely changed how she regarded him.

“...Are you happy here, Jayce?” That was what mattered to her, in a quiet understanding voice.

After a year had come and gone, with some of the happiest free-hearted moments he has ever had in his life, together with Viktor, and the people of Zaun…Jayce nodded, sure of his answer.

“I am, and will be.”

Finally, Mel smiled then nodded, and once long ago, he would have been giddy at being the cause of it. But now matured from the naive young lord he was before, Jayce knew his love for her was built on shallow waters, of the excitement of being in love.

They had both changed, on different paths, and they both accepted the time they had together was long gone.

“I hope in the future, we can meet again, and be allies once more.”

Jayce, not forgetting his manners, bowed once more, and smiled back. “I hope so too, Mel.”

Caitlyn didn’t seem convinced yet, so great was her concern for him. “Are you sure they’re treating you alright here? Because if not, we can work something out — ”

Vi, who had been listening the whole time, snorted a laugh she tried to suppress. The knight’s amusement earned a scathing glare from the young Lady Kiramman.

“I’m sorry, who are you?”

At the best segue to lighter discussion, Jayce held back a bemused smirk, as he gestured to his fellow guard and introduced her. “Cait, meet Vi. She’s one of Lord Vander’s knights, and a good friend.” 

The pink-haired alpha bowed. “Nice to meet you, Cupcake.”

“Cupcake?!” The informality clearly flustered Caitlyn, an indignant blush forming on her cheeks, and just as she opened her mouth to reprimand the flirtatious knight —

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Jayce stiffened, and they all looked to where the sudden angry shout originated.

Parlec had approached dangerously closer to Viktor, who held his head in his hands —

Sword drawn by Captain Vander followed by more to defend the king who stood up to protect his son —

In less than a second the knight rushed to his prince’s side, and only heard Caitlyn and Mel’s confused words next as they faded in distance.

“General Parlec? What’s he doing here?”

“You did not send for him?”

“No…it’s why I am here along with Mother only in good graces…He’s on bad standing currently with King Heimerdinger. His temperament cost lives, from what I heard. I don’t know why he’s here…No one sent him from the capital… outside the king’s orders for his own agenda…”

Unencumbered by the weight of his armor Jayce pushed Parlec violently to the side, then knelt to look at Viktor’s face, eyes closed in seeming pain.

“V? What happened?” A whisper with a worried hand to the other’s shoulder. The prince opened his golden gaze mixed with discomfort to look at the alpha, as he muttered back.

“Headache…”

Realization was dawning on Parlec’s face at his outburst, and he tried to do damage control. “Your Grace, I deeply — ” But he was cut off by the king, who stood between them now, drawn to his full height and regal authority.

“I apologize, Lord Parlec. My son seems to not be feeling well.” His voice echoed in the abrupt silence of the grand hall, brimming with sheer might. “To all suitors who have not spoken their peace, you may now do so with me as I speak for my heir. Please excuse the prince, and let the night continue.”

“Wait — ”

“You may leave.”

The coldness of the king’s order chilled even Jayce, yet he took it to heart as he helped Viktor stand up, leaning on him.

“Sir Talis. My quarters please, if you will.” Jayce no longer waited for anyone else’s approval to leave, and guided Viktor along the empty halls of the castle by the small of his back, protective.

The prince’s cane on his other side was the only sound aside from their steps for some time, and Jayce took the time to catalogue the tiredness in Viktor’s eyes, concern growing.

After a moment, the pained omega spoke up, wincing.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t want to use my magic for this…it’s just a headache…” The knight was quick to defend him.

“If this was one of your people, you would have healed it in a heartbeat.” Jayce wished Viktor looked after himself more, and knew that he was just as deserving of care as he gave to the citizens of Zaun. “Come on, water and rest will help at least. Then I’m calling a healer.” A reluctant silent nod, and they kept walking, slow yet steady.

“Do you still love the Lady Medarda?”

They had finally reached the prince’s quarters and he had brought Viktor to his bed, still fully dressed in red and gold, when the out of the blue question stunned Jayce. Rasped as though afraid to speak it out loud.

Viktor’s eyes searched his, waiting for his response…and Jayce answered the only way he knew how when it came to his partner, and told the truth. 

“I wanted to.”

Carefully taking off the prince’s gold diadem from his head and setting it to the side, then…

“But now…”

One by one, helping Viktor undo the laces of his engraved corset, to breathe easier and with no other untoward intentions.

The omega shivered underneath his touch, and Jayce damned this red dress, resolving to bring out his prince’s favored one when he woke up to better keep him warm.

Viktor looked back at him as he sat on his bed, his hand taken by a solid firm gloved one, as Jayce sincerely confessed.

“Everything I ever wanted is different.”

Because of you.

“And I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

His words seemed to calm something in Viktor. Then —

He pulled in Jayce for a hug, that surprised him once more at the sudden affection.

The alpha blinked, yet easily melted in his partner’s embrace, then wrapped his arms around him, happy to ease what no doubt was stress from the gala, and being the object of desire for countless suitors…

Who will never get to hold Viktor, as Jayce holds him now.

His other hand protectively cupped the back of his prince’s head, easing him in bed, as they ended up falling asleep, uncaring of the rest of the world around them.

Sleeping in his mother’s arms, Vel sniffled and snored, levitating a few inches in the air.

Deep in his memories of the past, and used to his baby’s manifestations of the Arcane he inherited from him, Viktor only subconsciously anchored his infant child, pulling Vel back to sleep by his side, then continued to dream.

Chapter Text

On the woodsy road to his mother’s cottage, Viktor felt his heat approaching ever closer.

The morning after the suitor’s gala, the omega left the palace with Jayce as his guard and soon to be heart partner, along with his steady horse Rio, whom he had once nursed back to health when she was a filly, and had been his traveling companion ever since. Nearly three days had passed in their journey, and soon they would reach the cottage, to go through his heat together, as well as test out the magic they had created. Yet the way he was now…

“You feeling okay, V?”

Holding Rio’s reins as she calmly trotted down the path, the prince blinked and looked to his left, where his knight walked alongside them. Sword strapped protectively to the man’s hip, never used in battle yet, and wary still to draw blood unless threatened. 

They had taken turns between this and Jayce guiding his horse, Viktor’s back pressed against the other’s solid secure chest, where such close proximity of the alpha’s petrichor, sharp earth and forge scent nearly drove him mad with want, yearning…

“It is nothing.” He gave a small smile. “We will be passing the fields soon. We can start testing, once we settle in.” That made Jayce brighten in excitement, matching the shine of his armor, before it died down, and his eyebrows furrowed.

“Are you feeling your heat symptoms?” The alpha frowned in gentle worry, and Viktor felt wetness trickle, ignoring the sensation. A faint blush that he wanted to kiss on both cheeks, but he held himself back as much as he could.

“...”

When he first experienced his heat, alone and frightened by how much his body was beyond his control, Viktor hated the feeling, of such unquenchable lust and the mind breaking need to be bred. With the combination of only having his heat now when most other omegas had them years prior, there was a high possibility his first time was so intense due to buildup over time. The healers voiced this may happen again for his second, and why an alpha was greatly encouraged for his health and wellbeing.

Yet what he felt now, with Jayce by his side…Do all omegas feel this way, their entire being attuned to such a perfect alpha as his partner was? Amazingly smart, compassionate and brave, his very spirit a beautiful light…An affectionate madness, that grew with every day since they met.

Not all omegas however, were heirs to a throne, and therein laid the core of Viktor’s internal struggle on their relationship.

“I…I am only remembering last night. Of why you accepted me, knowing now the truth. I am…grateful.”

On the truth of why his king father chose Jayce, an unmated alpha of former nobility, to be Viktor’s heat partner. One that could not be spoken aloud, a secret between royal blood.

Jayce gazed at the prince, empathy and determination mixing together, on the confession the night before. And as his partner placed his hand over his on the reins, warmhearted hazel lighting Viktor’s soul on fire, he remembered.

“My father and I worry over the line of succession.”

Camped in the deep woods for rest, as they laid on their bedrolls and stared up at the stars, his partner asked softly. “What do you mean?”

Viktor could not continue on their journey without revealing this, and he forced himself to explain further, keeping his eyes on the twinkling constellations above, afraid of the other’s reaction once he knew the full story. “...My mother was ill when she was pregnant with me, and my birth led to her death. I inherited the effects of her sickness through much of my childhood. And with my heat cycle now apparent…”

“I am…uncertain, of my fertility as an omega.”

Broken. Just like him to be so.

“My father has promised to legitimize any children we should have, should my heats with you bear fruit. He reasons that if other royalty can do so with their concubines, so can we. It is all to prepare for when I am truly betrothed and bonded, for alliance or love’s sake.” Jayce was silent next to him, and Viktor slowly turned his head on the small pillow, yet unable to look the other in the eye as he assured his future heat partner. “...Nor will it be necessary, to be their father should you wish not to be.”

“In truth, my hopes are low, in this heat and every cycle we may share after.” The omega played with the thread of his sleeve, a frayed red and blue string entwined. “We will not banish you twice over if we do not bear fruit. So…”

The prince wished to voice what Jayce would gain should they succeed, that with his father they would work on clearing the bad blood associated with the exiled lord’s name, so that one day, he could return home…To voice how their research if proven could help change Piltover’s stance on magic, should their ally start to overshadow them as the Kingdom of Progress…But what came out, was a vulnerable truth he’d kept inside, and had never told anyone.

“I…I am scared, Jayce.” He closed his eyes, curling in on himself. “I have been alone for so long, this whole time. And the future of everything on my shoulders…frightens me.”

“I only needed you to know.” So you can leave now, before it hurts worse.

And after a long shared breath, what made his eyes open, a warm calloused hand on his shoulder…

“I won’t leave you, Viktor.”

Jayce staring at him empathetically, a complex of emotions consuming Viktor in the full force of such faith and loyalty…

“Why?”

“Because I promise you.” The hand moved to his cheek, grounding him, and Viktor nearly sobbed at how his heart swelled in the love he could no longer deny.

“You will never ever be alone.”

As the woods cleared, the flower fields in sight, Jayce climbed back up on his horse, and Viktor gave him the reins, then closed his eyes, leaning back against his knight’s chest and trusting the man he loved completely to guide them for the rest.

It happened at the most inopportune time, as they were in the open field, rather than in the cozy bed of the cottage.

Settled now for a few days, waiting for Viktor’s heat to make itself known, they continued to refine the crystal’s magic, while falling into a threatening domestic comfort in what was once the queen mother’s home, and now her son’s nest.

Then on this afternoon, Jayce traveled far away from where he left Viktor in the colorful expanse of the flower fields, stopping at the edge of the woods where the forest met the foot of the mountains. His teardrop crystal in hand, charged with so much energy that it glowed…

As the man once exiled because of magic closed his eyes, envisioning Viktor waiting for him, then opened his palm, and the crystal released the teleportation spell they had perfected together.

There was a reverberating boom, Jayce’s heart leaping in his chest as he levitated off the ground, runic symbols exploding blue around him —

“We did it!”

The sunlight beamed down on them at his return, falling gently back to earth, awe and shock that they did it, portable magic that could save lives and bridge people no matter how far, put teleportation into the hands of the world for everyone —

Viktor’s exhilarated laugh as he jumped into his arms uncaring of hard armor, the matching crystal that guided Jayce back to his partner humming with spent energy, and Jayce excitedly held him close, tumbling onto the flowers, the thrill of groundbreaking discovery heightening everything they felt —

When Viktor kissed him.

Then, horrified that he’d let his emotions take over, the omega pulled away —

Something unlocked within, as his inner alpha roared in happiness —

And Jayce fervently kissed Viktor back, pouring all his love into every touch.

“Jayce… alpha… ”

Viktor panted into his mouth, and he could feel underneath him the rising fever of his skin, he had triggered it, and his rut soon answered —

The crystals abandoned on the grass next to discarded armor, followed by the omega’s most favored dress, the prince and his knight lost themselves in each other.

“Ah — ahh — ah — ”

Eyes clouded in breaking pleasure, Viktor was on his hands and knees as Jayce mounted him raw like the natural bitch in heat he was, the alpha’s broad chest plastered to his back, hands on top of his clenching the crushed petals of their first time together, taking the beloved prince’s virginity.

His weak leg protested at the strain of such weight, and the mage snarled, flicking a hurried spell to ease the pain for as long as he needed, nothing would tear him apart from his alpha.

“Viktor…My Viktor… Mine… ”

The omega whimpered and whined loudly, addicted to the feel of Jayce’s thick heavy cock fucking him with every thrust, he needed them to be closer —

“I’ll be your alpha Viktor, you don’t need anyone else, you’re mine — ”

Arching his neck, pale and dotted with moles, unmarred and bared unlike most unmated omegas who wore collars to prevent a forced bond, but Viktor trusted Jayce completely, without reserve —

“Aghhh!”

Jayce snarled in holding his inner alpha back, immense control despite his rut having overtaken him, and instead viciously bit into Viktor’s shoulder, where the bond could not form, however much he desperately wanted it to. Blood sank into his teeth, and the sanguine metallic taste coated his tongue.

Viktor’s body shuddered and seized as he orgasmed, omega cunt clenching painfully tight around his alpha’s pounding cock, selfish and desperate to breed him full of virile seed.

His omega feared not being fertile, and he would show him, show them all, Viktor wanted pups and Jayce would be the one, no one else, to give them to his prince, his sweet beautiful amazing love who has become his world —

They changed position, Viktor on his back as Jayce pushed down on him and folded him in half, legs bent and feet up in the air, a desperate mating press that fucked the omega deeper and harder —

“Get pregnant, get pregnant, get pregnant!!”

Every obscene squelch and slap of flesh resounded in the flower field where they mated, his pussy begging as he did now to be knocked up, his fingers digging into Jayce’s skin, kissing his alpha and pleading, please please please —

“Breed me, I need you Jayce, please, please fuck me give me pups, please—!!”

“Viktor!!!”

The knight who swore to always be with him finally knotted and came achingly deep inside of him, filling his once maiden pussy with hot disgraced virile cum, pulsating within as Viktor orgasmed a second time around his alpha’s knot.

Not knowing Jayce’s seed took root, impregnating him on their first heat.

Their purpose fulfilled and sated for now, with stray flowers in their hair, Jayce held Viktor in an intimate embrace, connected together still, as they left everything else momentarily, and went back to the cottage where his omega’s nest, cozy and warm for the next hours of the rest of their shared heat awaited.

A few months after, a call to arms sounded urgently throughout the different kingdoms.

Any who could slay the dragon plaguing Piltover, near invincible and made of raw magic, would be extolled as hero.

In such a desolate time, Piltover’s king and his family called for their fallen heir’s aid, hearing of the fruits of his magic research, desperate for anyone to save them.

A year after his exile, Jayce donned House Talis’ sigil, and carried their banner as he rode out of Zaun’s gates with those who answered the call.

And waiting for him by the stone stairways next to the kingdom’s gate, a wild patch of flowers peeking out of the ramparts, Viktor gave his farewell, in his beloved blue red dress, prince’s circlet catching the light of the morning sun. The last time he saw his partner for the next few months.

Reaching to his departing knight, the omega tied his favor to a chainmail bicep, right below the House Talis pauldron, a crimson velvet scarf, stitched with the moon and stars, as well as hidden runes of protection.

“May you return safely, Sir Talis.”

Jayce did not tear his eyes away from his prince, as elegant hands crossed to hold each other on top of Viktor’s abdomen, subtly hiding the small baby bump he had put there.

“And when you come back, know that we will greet you here once more.”

No one else but him heard the hidden message in the sentence, and Jayce mourned missing the announcement of their first child to the kingdom, and having to leave his pregnant omega in such a vulnerable state. The revival of his status and return to his family, now and forever second to his devotion for Viktor.

Yet as the gates opened, the entourage of knights and warriors all vying for the chance to become a heroic dragonslayer, Jayce kept his gaze on his Viktor for as long as he could, and renewed his vow.

“I promised you.”

And so the prince stayed, by the walls of the kingdom that would one day be his, as the last speck of the knight’s procession disappeared from the horizon.

When he went to bed that night in the castle, Viktor cradled the small swell in his stomach, falling asleep with a smile, knowing Jayce did not leave him alone, and would return one day.

“Viktor…”

Sunlight reflected on armor, awaking the sleep-lorn prince from his slumber…

“He’s waking up.”

Viktor blearily blinked, and pain bloomed in his chest, rasping.

“...Jayce?”

The world was blurred, the love of his life kneeling by his bedside, that smile he adored soft and endearing…

“I’m sorry.”

His arms were empty, his pup —

“Vel!”

Panicked and heart racing as he jolted upright on the bed, Viktor’s eyes darted around the room for any trace of his son —

Only to hear the happy laughter of an infant, and the sight of Thalessa in the corridor sitting on the woven rug, playing with her little brother by making silly faces and funny sounds.

Viktor furrowed his brow, heartbeat slowing back to normal, then flinched in unwelcome shock at the sudden touch on his shoulder.

“Easy there, Prince. You’d been knocked out for a while.”

Sevika, his guard and knight assigned by Parlec knelt by his side, serious and worried in equal measure…and it all flooded back to him. 

Somehow, the world became greyer every time he woke up like this…reminded every day that Jayce was gone.

“What happened while I was asleep?” Viktor hid the pain in his heart in his groggy voice, focusing on the older woman, who exhaled.

“You were out for two days, Viktor.” Has it been that long? So deep in his memories of Jayce, the passage of time was a blur. “Had to call Parlec, and he brought Mel over sooner.” Sevika looked to the side and the prince followed her line of vision…

To see the Princess Mel Medarda in all her golden divinity, standing nearby with a look of great worry on her features.

“Viktor…”

From one royalty to another, he inclined his head, and only now realized how weak he felt. “Princess.”

Sevika frowned, protective over her lover. “You should be thankful the king isn’t here. Parlec had to leave after dropping Mel off because of another attack on his camps, but if he stayed to hear the news, he’d have killed you and the kids already.” No —

“He will come back. And you can see it on his face, he’s getting done with your bullshit.”

“Which is why I plan to lie to him, to buy us some time,” Mel gently stressed, and the prince clenched his metal sinewed hands on the bed. “But you must know, while we can still save you.”

“This curse of yours is slowly killing you, Viktor.”

…

He knew this could happen.

His fellow mage sat down next to him, voicing her findings. “You haven’t had your heat since what happened, and it may be shutting down your body, bit by bit.” Mel’s golden tattoos glimmered in response to Viktor’s own magic, consuming his flesh and corrupting it. “You must have made a cure for yourself.”

“...” The morning of his wedding to Parlec, the grief that gave way to madness…

“...You know what will happen the moment he can bond with me…Impregnate me.”

Viktor put his head in his hands, shaking. “I…I can’t.”

“And leave your kids alone to die?”

Sevika’s accusation cut through him like a knife, and he stared at his lap, black robes of mourning darkening with an escaped tear. Mel held his hand, and her voice shook.

“I’m so sorry.”

After a tense silence, Mel spoke up once more. “...Sev told me, what you cast every day. A spell that yields nothing.” Hesitant, fear he could hear in her elegant voice. 

“Are you…trying to bring Jayce back?”

Necromancy. A forbidden art to all mages gifted with the Arcane. Punishable by death.

“I…”

You need to let Jayce go.

“I…have tried to find him. Find his soul.” Viktor lifted his hand to touch the pendant he wore. The match to Jayce’s teardrop crystal. “But the result is always the same. I…I need to accept it.” A painful truth he now accepted, no matter how agonizing it was to finally do so.

“He is lost to me, and I cannot bring him back.”

“Mama!”

They all looked up abruptly, the heavy air undercut by his daughter finally seeing him awake, her toothy smile the same as her deceased father’s, and running up to hug him.

Viktor enveloped his arms around Thal, fighting the tears and biting his lip, trying to not cry in front of them even more. He had to be strong for her, for Vel, who Sevika went to pick up from the rug, babbling cutely while holding his favorite dragon plushie.

Ximena, Jayce’s mother, had sewn that plushie especially for Thal and Vel when Viktor finally got to meet her. He remembered how much Jayce loved and doted on them as their daughter played with the toy as though it were flying in the air, and that was how they all got the shock of Vel levitating for the first time, giggling happily.

Thal inherited her grandmother’s illness in a different way from him, making it difficult for her to speak, only being able to say a few at a time. His daughter pulled away slightly, and Viktor fought everything in him for her sake.

“Don’t be sad anymore, please Mama.” Thal signed, and the golden eyes she inherited from him shone, sincere and pure. “Hugs make me happy, so I’m hugging you. So no more sad, okay?”

Just like Jayce, and all the love he had for them made Viktor smile through his tears. Nodding, he quietly signed back. “Okay.”

Thal smiled, and hugged him again. Viktor closed his eyes, holding her tightly, as his breath shuddered.

I will never feel the warmth of his hold again, his hug and touch. 

Except for in our children, who I will protect to the ends of the earth.

Viktor took a deep exhale, then looked back up at Mel and Sevika, who stared back, pained.

“By lover’s blood or by true love’s sacred touch, shall flesh return as such.”

Yet a dead body, rotten to nothing but bone…

Jayce’s journal was still next to him in bed, and Viktor carefully took out the precious leather cuff within, embedded with the first teardrop crystal connected to his. Once drenched in his knight’s blood, that had been used to make the curse. 

“Before he died, Singed requested a vial of a hero’s blood for his experiments.” Sevika frowned at the mention of the former head alchemist, who disappeared after the siege. “I asked Jayce if he was willing, and he gave it to me freely.”

Mel could sense there was more to the otherwise disturbing account. “And?”

He sighed. “I had enough for two. The other, that which I kept, is in the castle, hidden in a book within my quarters.” Nodding at Sevika who stood up straighter at the mission, Viktor envisioned the ancient tome — the very same that was the key to refining the crystals. A memory of Jayce worriedly pleading for him to come down… “I will tell you where to find it there, and what it looks like.”

Jayce is truly gone.

“I will live to honor Jayce’s memory, and for the sake of our children.”

Sevika knelt once more, handing Viktor his son, and put her fist to her chest in solemn oath.

“Your word is my path, and I vow as I have to protect you always, Prince, to find this for you.”

“We will find a way to stop Parlec once and for all.” Viktor was grateful for Mel risking her very being and status for him, for the last remnants of Jayce left in this world, going against her kingdom’s alliance and her queen mother’s wishes. He took her hand, and Mel sent a soothing wash of energy, as she comforted him.

“I swear it.”

The military camp was a horrific massacre.

There was one soldier left, pretending to be dead among the bodies of his fellow fallen, all loyal to the great King Sonnem Parlec, who had never led them astray…

A sharp clawed armor glove grabbed the soldier by the scruff of the neck, making him shriek pathetically in terror.

Until now.

In pitch black armor, the slaughter of Parlec’s men splattered crimson on his face, even on his beard…

The Defender, the nightmare that had been spread through their ranks, stared at him with death cold hazel eyes. His voice unraised, through the whimpering and begging of the soldier to spare him.

“Where is the queen.”

The soldier paled even further, drawing a blank on knowledge he never had in the first place, none of them did —

“I — I don’t know! King Parlec has never told us, only  — Please please, wait! ”

He tried to think of something, anything, oh God — “There are times when he leaves, and we don’t know where he goes! Sometimes he has a knight come back with him, the one with the one arm — !”

Faint recognition flashed in a blink of an eye through the dark knight’s gaze, and the soldier latched on to it, continuing to babble, prolonging his life for even just a few seconds.

“Since the queen disappeared King Parlec has been talking to more mages, I don’t know why, but the queen is a mage himself right, and if he couldn’t ask him himself — ”

The wrong thing to say.

“Then you’re of no use to me.” Letting go of him, summoning his weapon —

No, no —!

“Please, I beg of you! Have mercy! PLEASE NO — ! ”

The last thing they saw was burning cold hazel eyes, and the swing of a blood soaked sharp hammer.

Chapter Text

As the war between Piltover and Zaun waged on, Jayce stood at the mountain’s edge of the reclaimed military camp. Severe in his armor so dark, it was as though the very essence of night had been captured within.

This was the ninth camp of Parlec’s that he helped take over. One of the worst, with Zaunite civilians used as slaves when they were not prisoners, starving them and making them work until they died.

In his search, he made sure to only kill the tyrant’s soldiers, and help Viktor’s people. Those who recognized him gazed back in shock, and some had helped or joined their side. Yet very little information came out of his onslaught of a pursuit, with the only sure knowledge they had on the omega’s whereabouts being cloaked in magic. It seemed Parlec alone truly knew where the royal family was being kept hostage, and the likely reason he protected them to such lengths in the first place…To become Viktor’s alpha, if he was not already, and sire a child with royal blood, solidifying his hold over Zaun…

The dark knight felt the dormant magic of his hammer dangerously hum by his side, his grip tightening painfully. Both kingdoms could be seen in the distance, yet in all this expanse, Jayce could not find who he was searching for.

I promised you.

Phantom warm hands encircled his chest, his beloved hugging him from behind, and he wished they were real, remembering whom he misses, with every breath that aches in his chest.

Jayce let his hands fall from his eyes, and smiled freely.

“Where are you, Thal?”

In the other bedroom, a muffled giggle came from one of the embroidered curtains. 

The knight groaned, searching far and wide. “Are you…here!” 

He pulled out the curtain, and barely saw his daughter scurry behind one of the sofas, happily squealing in the rush to not be seen, but still could be, plain as day. “Where are you? Come on out!” The afternoon light caught the blue crystal on the leather bracelet on his wrist, of the same rune they used when they discovered their magic together.

At three years old, Princess Thalessa of Zaun, First of Her Name and second in line for the throne, was a bright and joyful toddler. Inheriting his dark hair and smile, Thal crouched by her hiding spot, the soft lilac of her dress giving her position away further when it caught the sunlight from the window. She held back a giggle, seeing her father turn his back and smile mischievously.

“Oh well, guess I’ll go find Mama alone. I was gonna go and eat the extra honey cake from the kitchens all by myself too.” A small gasp, and Jayce sighed, walking away.

He went to take another step, when a tug on his pant leg made the knight look down, and saw the little girl shyly pout.

“Papa.” Not only having inherited her parent’s sweet tooth, golden eyes that shone cutely gazed up at him, and made grabby hands. Jayce smiled and understood what she wanted, picking her up in a hug.

“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She smiled back as her father kissed the side of her head, then took her with him as they left her quarters. 

“Let’s go find your mom first, then we can have cake.”

It was a cloudy afternoon, and Thal should be taking her nap right about now, but Jayce indulged spoiling his firstborn for today, her happiness infectious. He didn’t always get to spend a whole free day with her either, not since the rise of Hexgate magic.

Passing through the castle with Thal on his hip, Jayce could see outside how his and Viktor’s creation flourished around the city. Teleportation magic, bringing scholars and abundant trade all throughout the kingdom of Zaun. Life became better for the people as progress boomed, just like they always wanted, and Jayce was always amazed by what they accomplished, together.

As he passed by a few nobles and locals subtly pointing at him, whispering, Jayce ignored them.

Tales of his story circled all throughout the kingdoms, from disgraced noble to esteemed hero knight, who saved Piltover from dragonfire with his magically empowered hammer, and redeemed his name. A Lord and Knight as well as an overseer of Hextech, and now famous in both nations. Jayce only cared that he could see his mother again, who often visited to see him and her granddaughter.

People wondered why he did not return to stay in Piltover, and take on his duties as Lord Talis, which he could do even with the advent of Hexgate magic.

Thal made a sound of awe in his arms as two butterflies flew by, and her eyes sparkled at the sight of her favorite animal.  Jayce smiled in adoration of his daughter, and knew why.

“…Reports of the dishonored general amassing resources, other kingdoms have voiced concerns, Your Grace…”

“Sir Talis, good to see you this afternoon.”

Across the columns leading the path through the royal garden, the knight bowed as much as he could with Thal in his hold, the king smiling at them both as his entourage trailed behind him. “Your Majesty.” 

Thalessa excitedly wriggled in his arms, and Jayce put the toddler down on the ground, running to hug the king who had a veritable soft spot for his first grandchild.

“Hello dear. How is my favorite granddaughter?” Thal pulled back with a toothy smile, as the elder knelt down, then procured something from his rich robes that made the little girl gasp happily.

Jayce hid his small grin that he and the king thought alike, seeing the packaged honey cake, its freshly baked scent wafting in the air. “I heard the kitchens had an extra just for you, and had to deliver it myself. But you must share it with your parent later. Can you do that for me?”

The princess nodded, and signed. “Thank you.” Making the king sign back, fluent in the language as in many, having a small exchange with his granddaughter while the knight watched on contentedly. Then a familiar voice sounded by the gardens, and made Jayce turn to look.

Surrounding Viktor as he walked side by side with them were many subjects of the kingdom, listening to his every word as the prince consulted them on developing different areas of the nation, with an upcoming project to establish better magic education and agriculture.

A mixed feeling of soft pride and dark possessiveness stirred within Jayce, watching them look at his omega like he hung the stars in the sky.

Viktor is truly loved by his kingdom, from the poorest to the richest. Where he goes, people follow. But they all pale in comparison to the love he feels burning within for his partner.

They do not know Viktor like he does, in soul and body, and they never will. That he must share his omega’s heart with the kingdom and the people was something Jayce loathed. He wanted Viktor all to himself, to their small family.

“Mama!”

The king stood back up, holding Thalessa’s hand as she brightened at the sight of her other parent, making a sound and waving, catching Viktor’s attention. From afar, he smiled back at them, and the people around him bowed at the sight of their king and princess.

Thalessa let go of her grandfather’s hand and ran to her other parent, and Jayce couldn’t help the small fond smile seeing her show the wrapped cake to Viktor, who accepted graciously. But then his smile slowly fell, when he smelled the scent of enamored alpha in the air among the small crowd watching them, and something deep within him snarled.

Unbeknownst to him, the king watched the knight’s darkening expression with discerning amusement. 

His son as the crown prince is the most sought after omega in all the kingdoms. Unwed, famously beautiful and intelligent, with a thriving nation who adores him. And as everyone now knows, is capable of having very cute children.

The Piltovan alpha couldn’t keep Viktor to himself even if he wanted to. Thalessa may be legitimized, but it hadn’t warded off suitors, and rather done the opposite. As his heatmate and concubine (lesser known now, after the knight saved Piltover and rose to fame), Jayce had no true formal claim on his prince, even as the father of his first child. Ready to be fully bonded and wed, should a worthy courter make themselves known…

Some bold alpha noble went to lay his hand on Viktor’s shoulder while the prince held his daughter’s hand and rose to turn his attention back to them —

A few fast strides was all it took for Jayce to cross the distance, and the knight put himself between his omega and the daring noble, kneeling to greet him as an excuse.

“Your Highness.” He bowed his head in reverence, then looked up at his partner, hiding his knowing look and nodding in acknowledgement.

“Lord Talis.”

Thal tugged on Viktor’s hand, and he smiled. The alpha noble’s scent behind him soured.

It was no secret who Princess Thalessa’s father was, and most Zaunites, used to families by bond and makeshift blood, did not judge or think it odd. But outside their kingdom, some whispered it as an oddity, almost looked down upon at the rare omega having a royal child out of wedlock with a concubine no less, despite many alphas in history having legitimate children in the same way. It was what emboldened many alphas abroad, and the occasional smitten Zaunite alpha wishing to court the crown prince for their own ends. 

And knowing what would happen should the prince choose an alpha…the mere thought of being separated from Viktor and Thal, his scent fading from them and another taking his place, having another child —

“The king requested you in your quarters. His Majesty said it was urgent.” If sharing a honey cake and having supper together counted as urgent. Jayce lied without hesitation or regret.

Viktor looked over Jayce’s shoulder as he stood up, to see his father speaking once more to his retinue, then walking away with them when the conversation began to grow more serious from the look on the king’s face. The omega knowingly hummed, then nodded.

“Very well.” His subjects bowed as he turned to part ways. “We will continue tomorrow. You may leave.” Then, with one hand on his staff and the other holding his daughter’s, Viktor followed Jayce’s side back to their quarters.

The hand on the small of the prince’s back was more than for protection, as they walked away.

Later that night, full of supper and honey cake, Thal slept peacefully on Viktor’s chest. The omega cupped her head in support, while he leaned back on the sofa, singing an old Zaunite lullaby. A beautiful melody that grew softer with hooded eyes, and the comfort of a soft blanket on top of them given by Jayce, who now watched the love of his life and their daughter protectively…

As a brilliant idea formed in the knight’s head, to solidify his place by Viktor’s side.

Early morning birdsong woke Viktor up, warm and cozy in bed.

“Mh…”

Rubbing his eyes to shield from the faint sunlight peeking through the woven curtains, Viktor felt a solid yet comforting weight shift to his right, and faintly smiled seeing Jayce asleep, a rest well deserved.

Their naked bodies under the blankets, the omega sighed in post-heat contentment, the dull filled ache inside him because of last night a welcome familiarity, that paired well with feeling rested, despite the accompanying discomfort of his chest.

The awoken prince looked up from where they laid, seeing the morning after tea he prepared the night before, and sighed.

Years after their first heat together that resulted in their first child, the omega had been taking said tea after every cycle and intercourse with his partner. Something he was honestly reluctant to do, and something he couldn’t admit openly as to why.

To have one bastard would be unprecedented, even though she was legitimized soon after her birth. To have a second, and be accused of intentional…Yet would it be so bad, to have another?

Viktor made the movement to sit up, when a soft whine and a strong arm limply protested, pulling him back in bed. He chuckled seeing Jayce being unconsciously clingy, even in sleep.

Jayce and early morning laziness deciding for him, Viktor flopped his head back on the pillows, and stared at his alpha’s serene expression, content to be in bed for a moment longer.

The castle didn’t expect their prince or his knight to resume their duties today anyhow, knowing what time of the year it was. As per normal, Thalessa stayed preoccupied with her grandfather or Ximena in Piltover, where both grandparents were more than happy to babysit the three year old girl and give them privacy. It wasn’t easy nowadays to leave for the cottage with the rise of Hexgate magic and the booming progress of their kingdom, even if Viktor sometimes wished they still could.

The wind rustled the curtains just so that a sliver of sunlight hit Jayce’s closed eyes, brows furrowed at the brightness. Viktor shielded the light on his face with his own, seeing his knight’s expression relax in sleep again, and he caressed the other’s cheek fondly.

How he loved him so, and wouldn’t know what to do with himself if anything happened to Jayce, or Thalessa. 

It was what made him stay his hand in accepting courting proposals, knowing what would follow soon after in separation. Viktor frowned, remembering some of the worst persistent alphas vying for his hand. One of them being an Alornian general he met before, Sonnem Parlec, whom Lady Caitlyn and King Heimerdinger revealed was disavowed from their military. Despite this, Parlec by their reports retained a private army, the dishonored man still having good standing in other places, and had been sending the omega letters to express his desire to court him, to which he always politely declined with his king father’s seal authenticating the rejection.

Deep within Viktor knew, as he softly cupped Jayce’s cheek, that his heart belonged to no other but his knight.

Giving into temptation, Viktor leaned closer to his alpha, and gently began to pepper Jayce’s face with kisses. Each kiss an affirmation of love upon expression, and his inner omega purred, wanting to nuzzle even closer to their alpha who took care of him so well.

“Mmhh…”

Jayce slowly woke up, eyes closed, and when he realized what was happening, tried not to melt at the loving affection of his partner.

“V…”

“Good morning.”

His prince, bathed in soft sunlight, a radiant being of pure awe, smiling next to him in bed. His wavy hair is a mess from last night’s heat, his marks all over his body, and the scent of content lavender and sweetmilk an addictive thing to have first thing in the morning. 

Jayce cupped Viktor’s neck, feeling the unmarked skin. Then his eyes sharpened and focused, remembering what he needed to do, to solidify his place by the prince’s side.

The omega’s eyes slightly widened as the other slid down his body, then felt wetness make itself known between his legs at seeing the alpha’s intentions. “Jayce…”

Post-heat as the sun continued to rise beneath the curtains, Viktor dazedly held his alpha close. Jayce nursed from his small breast, and drank milk like ambrosia.

“Hn…” Naked together in bed, underneath the covers, a ritual only for them. Since his first pregnancy and the mating cycles after giving birth, Viktor’s body constantly produced milk around the time of his heat, much to his discomfort even after their daughter no longer needed it. Jayce had done this to him, and he dutifully took responsibility, suckling one tit while cupping the other.

There was no more need to be intimate anymore though. Viktor’s heat had been sated, and that should have been enough. But it was clear they were not having sex out of necessity for heats anymore, and Jayce being the one to initiate it even more often than not resulted in more than a few times when they were almost caught doing so. Behind the tapestries of the castle, by the bookshelves of the royal library, even here in bed where they were almost caught, when a beta healer worriedly checked in on the prince with a fever, not knowing Jayce was under the covers, eating the omega’s pussy out and later fucking him. Viktor never denied his alpha once, just as keen for his touch, bending over or hitching up his dress when the knight gave him those determined hazel eyes.

Jayce had a purpose to fulfill, and he would get his omega pregnant again if it was the last thing he did. One isn’t enough.

Addicted to the honeyed edge of Viktor’s milk, cloying and full, combined with the after scent of a heat-fulfilled omega, his inner alpha was going crazy at being unable to bite, claim, nor even be acknowledged as Viktor’s alpha, because he isn’t, not yet —

“Mmh, alpha — ” His prince’s fingers tangled in his hair tightened, feeling Jayce humping the sheets as he moved to lave the same care and attention to his other breast, the heady petrichor and forge scent Jayce emanated, nursing and drinking milk meant for another child he wanted, the morning after tea forgotten — “Please, in me — ”

Lining up to Viktor’s well-fucked cunt and inhaling at how tight he still was, Jayce didn’t hesitate as he immediately entered, sheathing himself deep to the very hilt.

Viktor’s pussy was getting puffy from the sheer size of the alpha fitting so snugly inside of him, and for a moment Jayce tried to slow down, rock into his cunt lazily, hitting his G spot with every move. So full and pleased, warm and comfy, the omega purred, but needed more.

The alpha then started his harder mind breaking thrusts, the elegantly carved canopy bed rocking with the force of it. The omega happily moaned, wrapping his arms around Jayce’s broad muscled shoulders to anchor himself.

Things are different now, and he can court Viktor, as a lord and noble worthy of him, who understood him best, no one else —

“Jayce!”

The knight and lord captured Viktor’s moan in his as they came together, the omega’s pussy greedily took his virile alpha seed deep inside.

Panting lightly, Viktor pulled Jayce closer in a wet kiss tasting his own milk on the other’s tongue, as the alpha breathed contentedly.

“Ha…good morning too, V.”

Viktor chuckled, and kissed the corner of his partner’s mouth one last time. “You’re insatiable.” So am I, were the words unspoken, but mutual in understanding.

Jayce slowly sat them both up, and nuzzled into the palm of the omega’s hand, bringing up his own to keep it there. The mage smiled, seeing the teardrop crystal on the other’s wrist. Always wearing it, even when naked.

“This reminds me, of when we first met.”

The alpha, happy in fulfilling his plan for the day, tilted his head and gave a toothy smile. “How so?”

Jayce remembered his initial resentment, resigning himself angrily to the fate of his exile. How that resentment blossomed into extremely devoted love, that deepened further in starting a family together.

“You were like a puppy, waiting to be let in.” Viktor laughed as Jayce doubled down on it, hugging him and nuzzling his neck, drunk off of their milk and morning lovemaking. “My sweet, loyal puppy.”

Then, he could feel Viktor hesitate. A moment passed, Jayce giving his partner the time to parse his thoughts, and soon enough he did. “I…”

“Back then, I was resigned to being just an omega. A broken one, used only for marriage’s sake. So I buried myself in my studies, my research.” The prince breathed, closing his eyes. “Then I heard of your dream, and was grateful to then call it ours. And now… our dream is fulfilled.”

“You gave me hope, Jayce. For a future worth living in.”

His heart tightened, and so did his embrace around the other man. “I should be the one saying that.”

The sudden tenderness in their nest, their combined scents and the unbearable yearning need, no kingdom politics or dynamics in power…only them.

“I did not know I could fall in love so deeply, nor love so devotedly…only you, showed me this.”

Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of trust and love he had, all for his partner who he would split the world apart for, Jayce pulled away, bringing Viktor with him to stand by the edge of the bed.

Then, Jayce knelt down, an echo of when the prince knighted him, so long ago. But this time there was no great audience, no regal air. Just the two of them, and the pure blanket draped across Viktor, and pooled around Jayce’s naked hips loosely.

“You are my new dream, Viktor. You and our family together.” Kissing Viktor’s wrist, his pulse a beautiful beat to their quiet intimacy, and the morning sunlight being the only witness.

Their family, that would soon grow.

Nine months later, Viktor’s screams as he gave birth shook the very stone walls of this side of the castle, while the kingdom waited with held breath for the arrival of a new royal child.

Outside the healer’s chambers, the king watched as Lady Ximena Talis, the mother of the knight he entrusted to his son, braided their granddaughter’s hair, distracting Thalessa as her parents were in the other room. At least his heir cast a muffling spell on Thal temporarily. The little girl refused to be kept away knowing Viktor was hurting, much like her father. So young, and she already showed a self-awareness and empathy most children her age did not. But, her mother was the same way as a small boy.

It had been hours when another scream mixed with a sob, then hushing comfort could be heard. The king sighed, and Ximena seated near him looked in his direction at the sound.

“In all truth, Jayce could have just asked the normal way.”

The beta woman chuckled, her fingers deftly braiding Thal’s hair while the little girl played with her dragon plushie. “Does he still surprise you, Your Majesty?”

It didn’t surprise him when Viktor and Jayce announced the coming of a second child. The monarch honestly expected this could happen one day, with his son remaining an unwed omega actively spending his heats with the other. But three years after their first, followed by the rise of proposals for the hand of the prince…As king, he was no fool to connect the dots on Jayce’s perspective. The alpha just didn’t factor sooner that as a redeemed lord and hero knight, not to mention the literal father of Viktor’s children, the young Talis was the perfect choice to be the next king consort.

Exasperated yet amused, the king massaged the bridge of his nose. “I must admit, most alphas vying for Viktor’s hand in bond and marriage never did.” He hid his smile. “But one would think Jayce would know by now.”

“All he needed was to ask to formally be wed and bonded with Viktor, and I’d have already given my blessing for their union.”

It was a topic he and Ximena had discussed many times, since they met again after Sir Talis defeated the dragon plaguing Piltover, and restored his standing. They were olden friends before their sons met though, and the reason why Jayce was entrusted in Zaun.

Unlike him, he strove for his son to have a choice in who he could marry, whether for alliance or love’s sake. There were talks before, of perhaps arranging a marriage between Jayce and his child when they were younger, until the arrangement with the Lady Mel Medarda. Then the lord alpha was exiled, and so he was entrusted by his friend to care for her son, when he could not.

What a mystery fate is, that they ended up together regardless.

Lady Talis finished the first intricate braid with a golden hairpin, and nodded with a small laugh. “You must understand. I imagine it was quite complicated for them both, with Jayce formally known as merely his knight and concubine. The move from this to King Consort and bonded alpha would be hard for anyone to navigate.”

“Perhaps,” The monarch exhaled, “But one look at them after their first cycle shared, then partners who have a child together, even the way they look at each other, and they would know.”

He looked at the wooden door separating him from his son, and the young alpha he grew to consider as family. “What more can I ask?”

“I have a good judge of character, I like to think. It is what has helped me as regent for so long. And in truth, I knew when he was first exiled, that he would be good for Viktor.”

Thalessa yawned, blinking blearily before settling to sleep in Ximena’s arms, the exhaustion of waiting for her parents catching up to her despite fighting it. Like she once did before with her only child, Ximena held the little girl close, and responded softly. “I feel the same, as a mother. Viktor is like a son to me as well, and I can’t see anyone better suited who understands Jayce the way he’s always wanted to be.” 

The future was uncertain, even now. Even as he handled many problems for Zaun, the king knew his son would one day inherit them. They may even include the growing concerns of his former suitor, Sonnem Parlec, should Piltover and his kingdom not take further action to halt the disconcerting reports of the general planning something. 

The succeeding regent would need a strong, loyal and compassionate consort, and Lord Talis had proven to be that and so much more.

“Whatever happens onward, I only wish they know we are grateful they have each other in their lives.”

After his son recuperated from giving birth to his second child would he make his blessing known to the pair, and he chuckled, already imagining the shock, flustered hope on their two faces. What a royal wedding that would be, and a historical one, of the union between Piltover and Zaun.

An infant’s cry silenced everything in the castle, even the birds in the trees, and the king waited a few more moments, before entering the healer’s chamber with Ximena carrying Thalessa in tow.

Sweaty and exhausted in bed, yet with the most heart-filled smile on Viktor’s face, he held his newborn infant, and offered to a crying Jayce, to hold their second child for the first time.

“Meet Prince Velkan, Second of his Name…your son.”

“Vel…” Jayce cried, smiling through his happy tears, as he kissed his omega’s forehead in gratitude. His newborn son cried louder as if to match his father, and Thalessa woke up from the noise, brightening as she was let down by Ximena to run and join her family’s side.

As he watched his son, happy and surrounded by the people he loved, the king committed the memory of this moment forever in the remnants of his heart, and when he held Velkan, his grandson, in his hands, he held hope and excitement for their future amidst the world before them.

The king’s ideal of their future of hope and excitement, became destined to be only another unfulfilled dream.

A month after the birth of Velkan, without precedence, Zaun was invaded by an army’s conquest, led by Sonnem Parlec, the dishonored general.

Jayce’s memories of the attack were a blur. Only for the most traumatic moments did he remember, as anguished wounds that have not healed since.

Their walls broken down, infiltrated. The people of Zaun were fighters, but the surprise of the very first attack on their nation since the peace with Piltover, and the sheer numbers of soldiers gave Parlec the upper hand.

Silco by order of their king evacuated the castle, the people first to the safer areas away from battle, with the help of Vi and the other knights. Despite their protests, he only took Vander to be his guard, knowing if he hid that Parlec would tear down the kingdom, and cause further casualties in the search for him.

In the chaos, Viktor was almost captured. He’d made sure to entrust a frightened Thalessa and a crying Velkan to a pained Sevika in the safe area,  before Jayce found the men who tried to take his beloved away and present him to their master in the throne room.

“NO!”

But it was all over, when Parlec beheaded the king on his throne, right before his and Viktor’s eyes.

“...Father?”

He would never forget Vander’s enraged shout, in failing his liege while he was forced to fight still against Parlec’s lieutenants. The quiet disbelief Viktor let out, golden eyes pooling in horrified tears, reaching towards the collapsed body as crimson blood stained the marble floor. The ingrained need to protect his prince overpowered his shock, and Jayce slew the men against him quickly, running as fast as he could to stop his partner getting closer —

Summoning the Mercury Hammer, his magically empowered weapon, Jayce blocked an attack from Parlec, who only grinned. The blonde alpha radiating warlust, his experience against the knight.

“You must be the renown Lord Talis. I remember you.”

He swung his hammer and missed, as the tyrant side stepped and he had to block again. “The exiled alpha, who wormed his way into Prince of Zaun’s bed, and won back his status. Your story is admirable.”

“Jayce!” Magic filled the air, and Viktor winced as he tried to cast a barrier spell of protection for his knight, but his body was still recovering, weakened from giving birth  —

“Viktor—!” The mere half second of distraction was more than enough for Parlec, whose eyes sharpened, and —

“NO!”

Agony burst through his chest, Parlec’s sword driven to the hilt into Jayce’s heart.

“But I’m afraid my bride will only be burdened by you, and so it falls unto me to lighten it.”

Jayce gasped, then coughed blood out violently —

He remembered falling, his lungs rattling as they struggled in vain when Parlec pulled out his sword from his chest, then footsteps, and a deft hand unfastening the leather bracelet on his wrist, where the hex crystal was embedded.

“Jayce! No, please, NO — !”

“Worry not, Talis. Your legacy is well secured in your children, and this magic you’ve kept to yourselves here in Zaun.” The older alpha’s condescending face, examining the crystal, before giving it to one of his men to hold.

“V…”

More soldiers had grabbed Viktor trying to reach him, and his magic freaked out due to the high stress and panic, causing several of them to be killed in an instant, Arcane energy overloading their bodies and exploding them from within. The sudden onslaught caused his partner to stagger, and fall to the ground near him. 

“I am a man of my word.”

“...”

With labored uneven breaths, Jayce used the last of his strength to move his hand, to try and reach his beloved, whom he had failed to protect.

The omega’s gaze, lightheaded overexertion, tried to focus on him, as blood trickled down his nose, matching with the other fallen, where his own dripped from his mouth.

Viktor…

The sharp steel tip of Parlec’s blade made itself known on his heaving bleeding chest, but he refused to look away, from the man who meant the world to him. If this was to be his last sight…

The past six years flashed before his eyes, all the sorrow, pain…all the wondrous joy and sheer amazing love they shared…Of Vel and Thal…

…

Viktor holding their sleeping son in bed, as Thalessa napped by his side, illuminated in the morning sunlight…

“...”

Parlec raised his sword, the visceral sound of skin torn apart…

The last thing Jayce thinks of is Viktor’s smile, and the soft touch of his children’s small hands in his own.

Then, darkness.

Darkness, for the longest he’s ever known.

Nothing but silence and darkness.

Then…

The stars glimmered over his cauldron, a hopeless incantation whispered, of an ancient spell of necromancy…

That was how Singed, alchemist and former mentor of the prince, found Jayce gasping awake, among the bodies of the fallen.

In the present, the Dark Knight opened his eyes, and finished remembering what had happened.

Jayce knew he should have been dead. No one could have survived a sword through their heart. Not after being discarded like rubble outside the castle with the rest of those killed in the siege.

He didn’t know either who resurrected him, only that Singed was there looking for his body to bring back anyhow. Someone had done so before him, and when later asked who it could have been, the pale scarred man remained silent, while his daughter Orianna, seer and healer both, began to stitch him with magic to restore as much as she could.

Singed would then cast a black spell over Jayce, so neither his body or soul could be found. His return would be kept a secret, and to the rest of the world, Jayce remained dead.

Having joined the formed rebellion against Parlec who had taken over Zaun, the alchemist brought the disoriented knight to their hidden base, where Vander and Silco planned with the others, on how to take back their kingdom. Vi was relieved and happy to see Jayce alive, as well as Caitlyn, representing Piltover in aiding the group as atonement and responsibility for their former general’s havoc.

Here now in the reclaimed military camp, Vi was helping the prisoners and Zaun slaves out of their chains, while Jinx and Ekko brought the freed ones out to be checked over by Orianna and the other healers of their resistance.

Jayce exhaled, and let go of his Mercury Hammer, corrupted and twisted due to the dark magic that brought him back. The weapon glowed, then returned to its summons when it would be needed next.

He walked away, stepping on a pool of blood, and passing by a turned over cauldron along the way. The dark knight frowned.

Despite being resurrected, it took several months for Jayce to heal from his wounds to join the battle for Zaun.

They tried to hide it from him at first, the few days he was bedridden, still unable to speak. Vi was the one to tell him that Viktor and the children had gone missing from the kingdom by their reports, may be kept locked away somewhere by Parlec…

And that by the time he woke up, Viktor had married Parlec. The tyrant king, who murdered his father and almost killed him, to protect his people.

Jayce escaped back then, desperate and terrified of what Parlec must have done to Viktor while he lay dead. Was still doing, and he couldn’t find them, he promised —

“There are times when he leaves, and we don’t know where he goes! Sometimes he has a knight come back with him, the one with the one arm—!”

Sevika, one of the few knights who stayed behind to protect what was left of the royal family. A traitor, Vi had sneered, but deep down Jayce was grateful knowing the older woman was there for them, if no one else. She was also among the many of the old king’s subjects who were kept in the dark on the resistance, and Jayce’s revival.

Silco and Vander, heading this rebellion, planned on a surprise attack, strictly ordering Jayce to be careful once he healed enough to search for Viktor. To use their enemy’s tactic against him, and more. But they would only have one chance before they were exposed, and should they fail, strike too early, it would be over.

That is why they were amassing more strength in numbers and alliances the old king forged that were still respected. Why they were disarming Parlec’s military might, camp by camp. Assembling allies, knowing the ins and outs of the castle, and weakening Parlec’s hold around Zaun and surrounding camps as the tyrant creeps closer to Piltover, for responsibility of both kingdoms.

When Jayce was not doing so, he was always looking for Viktor, Vel and Thal.

After what Orianna showed him, in her porcelain clockwork and concerned gaze, a seer’s vision she had over her cauldron, fogging over, as the waters revealed a dark possible future…

He’d searched far and wide, gotten more violent after the vision. Killed hundreds of soldiers for information on their whereabouts. The bare scraps he had, were that they were kept somewhere that required Hexgate magic to go, and the knowledge that Sevika was spotted to go with Parlec in those times.

There was one last place Jayce would check next. A place special to him and Viktor alone, that he prayed he would find them. Parlec defiled his partner, his life, and if he did so to their second home…

Whether or not his family is being held captive there…Soon, when they find Sevika again, and Jayce will be there to meet her and finally find them, then put an end to Parlec, once and for all.

Thalessa, his daughter…crying in one of the hallways of the castle. She was lost, and wanted to find Vel.

“Princess? There you are.”

An ominous shadow, and Thal hiccuped, rubbing her eyes and taking a step back.

Parlec dressed in his stolen crown and rich finery, smiling down at the small child.

Thal hated him. He did something, and now Mama’s acting weird.

“Thalessa…Your father’s been looking everywhere for you.”

Then, stepping out to the hallway, decadent in a queen’s dark robes, Viktor walked over to his trembling daughter, his staff echoing against the stone. No longer sad, or sick with purple metal like before, but…

She signed, he isn’t her Papa, Papa is gone —

The light no longer reflected in Viktor’s golden eyes, as he lovingly kissed Parlec on the cheek, then again and again. Dazed, succumbed by magic she could taste in the air like ashes.

“Thank you for finding her, my alpha.” Parlec looked at her Mama in a creepy way, and something was wrong, she missed Papa —

King Parlec wrapped an arm possessively around Mama’s waist, and took Thal’s small hand, ignoring the tears that fell from her innocent face.

“Let’s go find your brother, and then we can have a nice meal, together.”

Chapter Text

“...And you are sure this will work?”

On his rightfully earned throne, King Sonnem Parlec, radiant alpha of Alornian might, held up a glass vial to the light that shimmered a sinister purple.

In a string of mages from all over the land, this one, a ragged thin yordle, rubbed his magicked hands together as he grinned toothily.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” His raspy voice echoed in the throne room, empty by his request. The yordle was outcast for practicing dark magic, and it took several of his men to find where he was hiding. In the pursuit of finding a cure for his queen’s curse, he’d exhausted more resources than ever…

“Once His Highness is your thrall, he will tell us the cure for his own curse.”

Only to find out through this mage the truth of Viktor’s condition.

Parlec was enraged, this was true. Rather than mating with him, the once prince would choose to curse himself to a slow death. 

“He knows the cure, but has likely hidden it from you these past months, my liege. It is also possible, that he will die soon.”

His blood boiled even now, a simmering fury that wanted to lash out at being played for a fool. But the alpha did not become Piltover’s greatest general and the now King of Zaun out of impetuous rashness. No, he had learned better. His queen cannot die until he sires him a proper alpha heir.

If Viktor wished to hide behind his body, so be it.

“The love potion is potent, mixed with my finest concoctions and spells.” The yordle mage pitched. “As you requested, it will make him forget his previous love, then it shall be transferred to you.” An ominous chuckle. “And he shall always willingly do as you please.”

“Viktor will be yours to submit and bond, forever.”

At the impending future, Parlec repressed his excitement, clenching his other first so as not to bring attention to the bulge in his robes, nor to adjust it, in thinking of all the things he’d desired to do to Viktor since he had conquered Zaun.

The naked omega bound in chains, body restored to him with a metal collar on his bitten neck, Viktor’s dazed expression in heat, willing to do anything Parlec pleased as he was bred over and over until it took…

Parlec nodded, and tucked close the love potion in his robes.

“You’ve done what no other mage could. Well done.” Not even that renown mage, Lady Mel Medarda, could help him. Such incompetence. “I commend you, and you shall be rewarded well.”

The dark mage bowed, bony hands clasped with a grin. “Your most humble servant, King Parlec.” Land and riches, with legalizing forbidden magic and inhuman experiments. Such were the compromises of a king, and when Parlec chose to take over Zaun, he knew as their leader that he would do better than the last indolent king.

“I will hold a grand feast, for the return of the queen. How the people will rejoice so.”

A proper celebration, despite the annoyingly grim air hanging among the people. They should be grateful that their lives now had purpose. Soon, the kingdom of Piltover will join them under his rule, and he will lead them all to a better future, where war shall lead their progress.

Zaun was a backwater hole playing at progress before he came, and no amount of progress by their margin would ever make the mark, no matter what magic they had. It would be by his leadership, the strength and unmatchable might Parlec had that he offered up to the people.

With Viktor by his side, the omega who had driven him mad, a whore who scandalously took an alpha concubine…Parlec frowned, remembering the disgusting knight, who’d used his omega to rise back to power. It satisfied him that he had slain the other alpha, and taken what was rightfully his.

Parlec would treat Viktor better than Talis ever did, and as the omega he was.

To be his queen, and the royal breeder of his future heirs.

But it wouldn’t do for Viktor to neglect their future children with those bastards of his, no…He’ll think of something, whether now or in the future of how to rid them of the two offspring by Talis, once and for all.

“I must warn you though, Your Majesty…There is one condition to the potion.”

The blonde king raised an eyebrow, unamused. Of course, magic had its own blasted trickery. “And what would that be?”

The yordle mage lifted both bony hands, as though holding two cups. “For the potion to truly work, it is only after the queen drinks willingly and the two of you share love’s kiss shall the spell take root, even against a powerful mage like His Highness.”

“Hm…from my lips to his. I see.”

“Yes. Then he will be yours, eternally.”

Parlec sighed, then rose from his throne. The mage bowed. “Very well.” As his once king Heimerdinger liked to say, there were some things that required further precaution than others.

When the dark mage left, King Parlec summoned his subjects and soldiers for his departure. He would use the Hexgate magic as his beloved so finely created, and be with him soon.

“Prepare a grand feast here in this very hall. Spare no expense. I will be back soon, to reunite with my beloved.” His loyal men hid their surprise, while some of the older subjects from the last king flinched, containing their shock.

King Parlec, ever gracious, handsomely smiled.

“When I return, I shall have the queen by my side once more.”

The Defender rode on his horse as fast he could, the thunderous galloping and whipping wind but numb noise against his sheer adrenaline. Rio, who was once his prince’s beloved steed, sped even faster as though she could sense his purpose.

“Jayce!”

Coming from the south, Vi, his fellow knight and one of the resistance fighters Ekko were trying to follow him on horseback as he rushed to where they finally knew Viktor and his children were.

“Piltover does not want this anymore as much as you do.”

Surrounded next to them by the round table where a battle map of the kingdoms of Piltover and Zaun lay, were the two Resistance leaders, former advisors to the departed king, and Caitlyn, representing their ally’s military support.

“Patience, Lady Caitlyn. We understand. None of us wish for the nation of Zaun to suffer any further.” Silco exhaled, positioning the markers of where Parlec was last seen on the map. “But we will only have one chance to launch our attack. The moment we do, it will reveal our alliance here without question, and we will not have another opportunity like the first.”

Vander, grim and determined to atone for his failure as Captain of the Royal Guard, gruffed. “It must be perfect in plan before execution, and we do not have all the pieces on the board.” They would see Viktor returned as the true ruler of their kingdom, but they needed to know where he was first.

“Found her!”

They all sharply turned to Jinx, who’d been tinkering with Ekko on finding Sevika using a hex crystal she’d nabbed from the castle. Given what they were used for, Parlec had monopolized the resource, despite being intended for all the people of the kingdom.

The blue-haired alchemist mage placed the modified crystal over the map, enveloped in a glow…a bright blue line sped from the castle to a location on the outskirts of Zaun…

Jayce’s eyes widened, horrified at realizing where she was, all this time —

Rio whinnied, the scars on his leg and back ached painfully, but Jayce ignored everything as he whipped the horse’s reins to go faster.

Viktor closed the door as Ximena tucked Thalessa and Velkan together in bed for their afternoon nap, happy and tired from a day of playing with their grandmother.

Mel had pulled some ropes, and somehow got Parlec to allow Lady Talis to visit. Likely something to do with “helping his curse.” He was calmed by her presence regardless, and the children were more than excited to see her again.

Ximena had tried not to cry, seeing how much Vel had grown since he was born…and how much he looked like her departed son when Jayce was a baby.

And as Sevika presented with him the vial of his knight’s blood, Viktor was grateful she occupied his children as the omega cradled it in his hands like something precious.

“Thank you.”

The one-armed knight bowed, but had a grim slash of a frown on her face when she rose.

“I’m…sorry. When I spoke to you last, it was unbecoming as your guard.” The normally gruff woman exhaled, conflicted. “But I can’t watch you and do nothing while you slowly die.” She looked away, quieter. “I don’t want Parlec to force himself on you either.”

“I understand.” Viktor’s eyes softened, and held Sevika’s arm to comfort her. “But in my grief, I’ve neglected my duties to you and my people. I know this now.” He held the glass vial, careful under his metal fingers. “It’s long overdue that I act like the regent you’ve sworn fealty to.”

Even at the cost of his most intimate dignity, that he would feel violated for the rest of his days.

It was the sadness in his eyes as he let go of the other woman, and the subconscious reach for the pendant he always wore, of the first teardrop crystal he shared with Jayce.

Sevika gave him a complex expression, as though wanting to say more. Ever since Silco and Vander disappeared, with so few of the people he trusted, Sevika was the only one to stay and guard the royal family, like she vowed to and her oath to him. She was there when Viktor was found convulsing in his wedding robes on the floor, blood in his mouth and the other guards paralyzed by his magic. He knew not where the others fled to, even Vander who he couldn’t begrudge for not protecting his father, but he only hoped they were safe from Parlec’s reach.

Before either of them could speak again though, suddenly, a distant loud sound, a familiar reverberation, yet unexpected twice in one day. Sevika tensed, gripping the hilt of her sheathed sword.

“Stay here.”

Viktor watched the front door of the cottage, his heart beat rising, but he tried to remain calm. Sevika took a step forward, his loyal guard readying her defense when faster than they could anticipate, the sound stopped as soon as it came —

And the door opened.

“Viktor?! Viktor!”

Jayce dismounted from Rio before she even stopped, with Ekko and Vi coming to a halt behind him.

The cottage was just like he remembered it last, when they’d taken Thal here before Vel’s birth, and his heart beat faster seeing remnants of toys in the grass, they were here, Viktor  —

He burst through the wooden door, desperate to close the distance and finally have his family in his arms again  —

“Viktor!”

…

……

Only for the cottage to be empty.

“No…” Footsteps behind him, and Vi’s shock at the silent home, where not even the older knight they were tracking was there to greet them.

Panting from exertion, Jayce’s eyes roved through the main living room, the cold hollow of the cauldron, the still warm teacup billowing with steam —

“Viktor?! Thal?!”

He rushed to the other rooms, tousled blankets, the faint scent of his omega and the powdery milk of Vel, yet tainted with something that tasted like metal on his tongue —

No…

They were here once, but were now gone.

“NO!”

Parlec must have caught on to the resistance, taking them away before they could be found by him, or might have killed them already —

The anguished pursuit of finding his family, finding Viktor after almost a year since his death, he was too late just like before, he failed them —

His armored knees crashed to the wooden floor, and Jayce couldn’t help the grief, anger, frustration and helpless anguish that came out of him in sound only. And he would have stayed there, if it weren’t for the two who followed him in his mad rush here.

“Jayce! Can you hear me? Snap out of it!”

He’d sworn Viktor he would never leave him alone…That he would always be there for him and their family…

And now they were gone.

He didn’t know whether Vi punched or slapped him, could have been either. Shaking his shoulders didn’t work, but this did, as he now numbly looked up at the pink-haired knight who stared back in urgency and anger.

“Ekko spotted a carriage in the distance, from the north. He took Pow-Pow’s tracker with him too, and it’s with them heading to Zaun.” She kneeled down, adamant that he wouldn’t give up. “We need to keep searching. If Parlec killed them already, we’d have found their bodies.”

And if it wasn’t them?

Jayce after a second rasped, hands trembling. The ache of his fatal wounds made themselves known, his failure with him everywhere he went. He stood up, and felt determination rise in him, as Vi gave him strength.

“We have to try.”

Viktor numbly stared at himself in the tall mirror, as the servants changed him out of his robes of mourning black, and dressed his steel cursed body in an intricate lilac dress, spun with velvet and billowing sleeves.

A day had passed since Parlec arrived unannounced at his door, and broken the peace the once prince had tried to keep for as long as he could.

“My love.”

Though unprecedented, Viktor hid the blood vial in his robes, and greeted his husband at the door while Sevika bowed. The tyrant kissed his cheek, and with a terrifying warmth, held his hand in both of his.

“I apologize for my sudden visit. But I had to see you.”

A thrill of fear shot through his spine, remembering Mel and Sevika’s words, that Parlec would kill his children if he could no longer be useful.

And so Viktor surprised the usurper in turn, for kissing the hand that had killed his father and lover, then taking a seductive voice.

“I have missed you, my alpha.” The words were foreign in his ears, and he wanted to throw up, yet Viktor only smiled, then bowed. “Forgive me for how I’ve treated you since last we met, and that I had been asleep when you generously sent Lady Medarda to treat me.”

Parlec seemed taken aback, then relaxed, practically rumbling at how pleased he was at finally being acknowledged.

“Only if you forgive me for the way I’ve kept you locked away here, Viktor.” The royal omega tried not to stiffen, as Parlec then kneeled before him.

Sevika watched the couple warily, withdrawing her sword. Ximena and the sleeping children were none the wiser of the king’s sudden visit, and Viktor prayed they didn’t come out of the room.

“Come back home with me.”

His breath hitched, and he couldn’t escape the blonde alpha’s heartfelt gaze, uncomfortable as it was.

“I love you, curse and all.”

Parlec continued, pressing his metal palm to his bearded cheek. “I have decided to withdraw from Piltover. No more senseless waste. We shall continue to search for your cure, but please return to the castle with me. Once you’re back, the people will be overjoyed, and you can help them once more.”

To be the monarch his people needed of him since the passing of his father…

“Return with me now, and we will rule Zaun peacefully, as king and queen, with Thalessa and Velkan by our side.”

Viktor exhaled, feeling the tightening of the gold corset he once wore around his waist.

They had gone ahead, using the very magic he founded with Jayce. A carriage would soon be on its way the next morning to pick his children and their wards up, along with the rest of his requested belongings. He does not know when they will be back at the cottage, and resigned himself that it would be the last time he could for a long time.

Before he left, Viktor kissed both Thal and Vel in their sleep, anguished that when they woke up, he would be gone. But they would be safe with Sevika and their grandmother, who hugged him close and hiddenly glared at Parlec’s smug stature.

Now here Viktor was, back in the quarters where he and Jayce made their home, surrounded by silent gaunt servants, their exhaustion from Parlec’s rule palpable in the dreary air.

One of them placed the queen’s diadem over his head. A butterfly crown, with diamond looping threads glimmering upon his longer dark hair in the sunlight that peeked through the windows…

“Leave me.”

A whisper, yet with no less gravity that the servants could hear. They bowed to him, as though giving respect and tribute to the dead, then left him alone at last.

There would be a grand feast to celebrate his return, as Parlec proclaimed. Like they hadn’t just been at war, and as though the kingdom was perfectly fine. He did see the hope in some of the people who did lay their eyes on their prodigal prince and now queen once more, so Viktor would go along with it, if only for show. Just this once.

The silence hung in the air, and Viktor adjusted the weight on his bad leg. Depressed, he stared at himself in the mirror, felt the steel warped skin of his collarbone above, that could not be hidden by his elegant robes. Despite Parlec’s profession of love, some part of him knew it was too good to be true.

This curse sapping Viktor’s magic as an inexhaustive supply, and now tapping into his life source…and yet still, the afflicted omega had not drank the cure that was Jayce’s blood. He swore internally to take Jayce’s blood and lift the curse after the feast.

Subconscious habit once more, he touched the teardrop crystal pendant that hung from his neck. He could not bear to part from it. They had already taken the red blue sash that he’d made from the remnants of his old favorite dress, and he vehemently protected what he had left of Jayce that was dwindling further. This realization, and the knowledge of what would come once his body was returned to its original form, even with the replenishing of his magic, how Parlec would take, and take…

A tear fell unbidden from his unbroken gaze.

This would be his life now.

…A sliver of sunlight hit Jayce’s closed eyes, brows furrowed at the brightness. Viktor shielded the light on his face with his own, seeing his knight’s expression relax in sleep again, and he caressed the other’s cheek fondly, gentle kisses and love that made him feel whole…

The empty sound of the cauldron’s ancient spell, Jayce’s soul not answering his call to come back to him, likely long gone to join his father…

Viktor hid his face in his hands, as his emotions escaped from his closed eyes, and repressed his quiet resigned tears, knowing he would mourn forever.

Sevika held a sullen Thalessa beside her in the carriage, while Ximena sat opposite of her with an equally sullen Vel.

“Is this their first time without Viktor, since…?” The knight nodded at the Lady’s somber question, that faded in not wanting to upset the children further. It didn’t help that Viktor had been whisked away when Vel and Thal were asleep. Perhaps it was better that way, else who knows what fuss they’d kick up and risk the king’s odd benevolence.

She was suspicious enough that Viktor and King Parlec went ahead, and that the tyrant only prepared Hexgate magic for one pair. This carriage was already planned to pick them up the next morning, when normally it took days to reach here from Zaun, and with several in their entourage. Said it was to protect the future heirs, but Sevika knew bullshit when she saw it.

Viktor had quietly asked her to protect his children while he was apart from them, and even at the cost of her own life, Sevika, as their sworn knight, would do so.

“Are we there yet?”

Sevika huffed at Thal’s signed question. It had been the fourth in the past few hours, and with the trip they still had, it was bound not to be the last. Vel in his grandmother’s arms looked this close to crying again, and Ximena held the infant closer, soothing him. Internally she groaned, knowing this would be a long one.

“AAAGGHHHRGHH!!!”

When a bloodcurdling scream outside the carriage made Sevika immediately tense, and protected Thal with a squeak as there was a violent lurched stop.

“Stay here, and don’t come out until I say so.” She strictly ordered, despite Thal’s golden eyes widening in protest and fear, while Ximena took the little girl’s hand to stay on her side.

Another scream, the whinnying of horses in distress, and Sevika opened the carriage door, drawing her sword at those who would dare attack the royal family —

The first thing she saw was bloodshed, Parlec’s men fighting a dark armored figure on horseback, who sped past her too fast that she couldn’t get a glimpse of their attacker’s face —

Some of the soldiers were unconscious and bleeding, some (who she recognized were Zaunites in service) had been trapped in some yellow crystalline rock around them —

Her knight sharp senses kicked in, and Sevika spun to meet the sword of —

“Vi?”

The pink-haired knight, who had disappeared with her family, now grinned at her like this was just another sparring in training.

“Hey, traitor.”

Sevika growled, enraged. “How dare you.” To be called this when she was the only one left to protect Viktor, the anger that she would make known just exactly how Vander and their whole fucking family —

“Stay back!”

An arrow flew past them and separated the two knights, Sevika saw one of Parlec’s men fire again from his crossbow, and the dark knight on horseback caught it midair, snapping it in two as another — Ekko? — fought a separate soldier with a glowing swordbat.

The soldier with the crossbow tried to buy time as he reloaded his weapon, panicking fingers making it slip while the knight in obsidian armor in front of them dismounted from his horse that seemed familiar.

“What do you want you fiends?? Coin? Gold?? Or — ” The arrow fumbled out of his grasp again from how terrified he was, and the soldier scrambled to plead for his life.

“The royal children are inside! Take them, they’d make fine hostages, or sell them, take them and spare me please—NO! ”

Sevika watched the dark knight summon something from his hand —

Then —

“No —! Come back!”

Ximena followed out of the safety of the carriage with Vel in her arms, but unable to stop Thalessa from running out and clinging to the older knight. Fear pierced in Sevika’s heart, the bloodshed the young girl didn’t need to see at all.

“Stay in the carriage!”

As stubborn as a child could be, Thalessa clung to her side, acting like a shield against Vi, who strangely hadn’t been fighting her. “No!”

“Where is Mama? ” The young princess signed, and tears were now falling from her face, upset and stressed. “I want to be with him now!”

The small girl stepped on a notebook that had fallen in the commotion from the carriage bringing their belongings, and a teardrop crystal inlaid within a worn leather cuff gleamed.

“And I…I, I miss Papa…”

Thalessa began to sob, and Sevika knelt on one knee to hold her hand, grimacing.

A little girl, even one as smart and bright as the princess, was still a child who lost her father. Still a small kid, in a big world where everything she knew felt like it was falling apart.

“Kid…”

Sevika wished Mel was here right now to speak for her. Her lover always knew what to say, and especially with the current situation, gauging Vi and this troupe were not here to harm them, left the knight at an awkward impasse.

She looked up to Ximena for guidance, the Lady having a gentler hand on these things, when she saw how the elder woman looked forward in dumbfounded shock, holding Vel to her chest who hiccupped…

As Sevika slowly followed her line of sight, and saw the face of the dark knight who walked towards them.

Jayce stared at his mother Ximena, his son in her arms, as she looked at him like a ghost brought to life, taking a step back. He put away his summoned corrupted hammer, uncaring of the dead crushed in soldier bleeding on the soil.

And next to a kneeling Sevika, with her dark wavy hair, and teary golden eyes like his beloved, that slowly turned to the left, seeing him…

Jayce, who’d been through hell and back to find them, now didn’t know whether to run toward them or not, taking a step forward with a shaky breath trying to say her name —

“PAPA!”

But it was Thal’s expression, seeing who he was, recognizing him even through his rougher and darker appearance, letting go of Sevika’s hand to run first —

“PAPA!”

Despite her condition that rendered her mostly mute, his daughter called out for him running, and Jayce couldn’t help the tears that fell in relief as he smiled through them, meeting Thal halfway and hugging her tight.

He sobbed as Thal flung his arms around his neck, refusing to let go and the weight made him kneel for a moment, before picking her up and holding her back just as fiercely. Jayce kissed the side of his daughter’s temple as he cupped her head, just like the day she was born, as he kept walking forward.

“Jayce…”

Ximena shakily called out her son’s name, feeling his bearded cheek, and realizing that he was truly here, began to cry too as he hugged her, in sorrow and elation at finally seeing her again.

Vel cooed between them and made a happy gurgling sound, his sullen mood gone at being with one of his parents again. Jayce kissed his son’s forehead lovingly, and leaned heavily with Thal still in his arms, mourning how much they’d grown in the time he’d left them alone.

“Viktor saw you go down.”

As Vi and Ekko stood with her, Sevika stared at Jayce. The Defender, the dark knight who’d been plaguing Parlec’s military camps this whole time. “Said you took a sword to the heart. No one would have possibly survived a blow like that.”

Jayce felt Thal’s arms tighten around him.

“What happened?”

An ancient incantation called to him, the agony as Singed and Orianna regenerated his blood and flesh —

He kissed his daughter’s temple again in comfort, and gruffed. “Doesn’t matter.” There were more important matters at stake.

“Where’s Viktor?” Why was his love not here with them, he can’t think what would separate him from Vel and Thal without the worst —

Sevika glared. “You’re a day late. Viktor has your blood, and chances are he’s taken it already. He's been back at the castle with Parlec since yesterday.”  

What?

“What do you mean?” Jayce frowned back, dread pooling in his chest and dissipating the relief from the reunion, while Ximena whispered in shock.

“You don’t know…”

What happened to his omega?

Sevika licked her lips, parsing the words to give the news without traumatizing Thal and Vel further, who were definitely still listening.

“His Highness…changed, after your death. Parlec wanted to have him after marriage,” Something in Jayce snapped, “And Viktor cursed himself with a metal body, so he couldn’t be bonded or taken.”

The vision of his prince in beautiful steel warred with the horror he felt, the rage at Parlec, and the returning adrenaline to rush to find Viktor.

The older knight frowned, sheathing her sword. “It would have kil — made him go away if the curse went on any longer, and he told us the cure for me to get from the palace. Your blood, or loving touch.”

An old memory came to mind, before everything went wrong, as Viktor oddly asked for his blood, and drew enough for two vials. Jayce had freely given his essence, and kissed his prince for payment, which later led to more.

Then a more recent memory, of Singed grinning down at him with his scarred jaw, saying his blood research was useful for the original after all.

The thought of Viktor’s death that had been looming all this time, because of him, made Jayce pale. Even a second of the notion was enough to make his whole being reject it, and the adrenaline rose higher.

“On our journey, I heard the soldiers talking about some feast at the castle,” Ximena worriedly pitched in. “Said it would be happening today, for Viktor’s return.”

Now it was Ekko that cursed, scowling. “It’s going to take a few days tops to get there, and by then whatever Parlec’s got planned for him will be already over.”

Jayce tried to control his breathing, not wanting to break down while his daughter was holding him tightly, and his eyes roamed the strewn road where blood, yellow crystals and bodies lay…Then…

The sunlight caught the blue glow of the crystal, and Jayce knew what he had to do.

With all the authority powered in his voice, the lord knight commanded Sevika and the other three. “Go back to the cottage, and stay there. If you don’t hear from me in two days, Vi and Ekko can help connect you with Silco and Vander.”

“Papa…”

Jayce gently set his daughter down on her feet, but kept a hand around her shoulder as she tearfully signed.

“Please don’t go.”

“I’m so sorry, Thal. It’ll only be for a little while, and not for long.”

His heart twisted, never able to withstand his children’s gold gaze, being the same for their other parent. But he had to, and Jayce determinedly held her hand, vowing.

“I’m going to get your mother back. And when I do, we’ll have a good meal, with all of us together. Okay?”

Then, he whispered only to her and Vel when he hugged them again both, pained at having to tear himself apart after just having them back. For Viktor’s sake, who would echo these words to their children.

“If anything happens, I love you.”

Vi and Ekko took Rio from him, then helped Sevika now handling the carriage horses in guiding them back to the cottage, as Thal tearfully waved from the small window, Ximena by her side and Vel napping after being lulled to sleep by Jayce.

From the soil, the once disgraced knight picked up his hex crystal leather bracelet, and inhaled, at an unbidden vision of the past.

Viktor only subconsciously anchored his infant child, pulling Vel back to sleep by his side, then continued to dream…His omega was beautiful and divine in softly glowing metal, and the open notebook by his side, as the teardrop crystal was unconsciously being given the bare magic he had despite the curse…

The real world flooded back in, and Jayce felt determination and indomitable will arise, stronger than ever, as he whispered to the stone, forever faithful.

“Wait for me Viktor…I’ll see you soon.”

The teleportation teardrop crystal gleamed, ready to be activated once more, with its twin waiting in longing.

Chapter Text

There is a hidden extortion in all magic that forces love.

Rather, any spell, artifact or potion cannot truly make one person love another.

Most invoke a deep obsession, a yearning tied to the physical, or dulling of the senses to focus only on the person of affection.

Love cannot be forced…yet love can be warped, corrupted. Transferred, and brainwashed.

Thus the vial of Shimmer in Parlec’s hand, secretly poured, promises.

Alone on the path, Zaun a mountain’s distance away, Jayce inhaled, and closed his eyes.

He subconsciously rubbed the worn crystal on the leather bracelet held in his hands, as he prepared within.

His children and mother were safe with Sevika and Vi, heading back to the cottage. Ekko would be with them, and while the younger man was right that it would take more than a day for the resistance to make it back to Zaun, there may be a way for him and Jinx to recreate their Hexgate magic, enough for reinforcement to help take back the kingdom.

All that was left for Jayce to do is summon their dream made real, and be with Viktor at last.

Knowing what would happen in any event, wherever the other twin crystal rested, and the impending battle Parlec would instigate over the kingdom and the royal omega…

The Defender put everything within him on the line, and closed his fist around the hex stone.

His partner’s remnant magic, charged with so much energy that it glowed between his fingers…envisioning Viktor alone…

In all his divine illumination, the early morning sunlight shone through the colored stained glass of the window on their right, beautifully framing Viktor in such an ethereal light that it took his breath away —

Jayce opened his palm as he did when they first achieved their dream long ago, and the teardrop crystal released the teleportation spell they had perfected together.

For the first time in almost a year, the Royal Hall of Zaun was holding a grand banquet, where all folk were invited. Most people came for the free food in a period of starvation, and many came to curry favor with the king, as they all welcomed the return of the queen.

Yet despite the energetic music, singing and festive beats with the swell of the violin flowing like the ale in many cups…

Within, many like him felt as though they were at a funeral.

Viktor stared down at his golden goblet, the deep red and purple wine untouched.

Next to him at the grand table, Parlec, his husband, took hold of his metal hand, unflinching despite how cold his palm was.

“Are you feeling well, my queen?” Parlec asked, and unaccustomed still to this kinder side of the man who murdered his loved ones, Viktor gave a close-lipped smile, squeezing his hand back.

Together, and other than the curse of his body, they were the perfect painting of a king and queen. The sharply handsome alpha in his golden crown and equally gold engraved armor. The beautiful, graceful omega in his ethereal lilac dress, adorned in his late mother’s butterfly diadem, as well as the sapphire blue of the hex crystal pendant around his neck.

No one would know of the silent tears that fell from exhausted golden eyes, and the anguish he would always hide, that was greater than even the chronic pain he’s known near all his life due to his countenance.

He had not taken Jayce’s blood yet.

It sat deep below his goblet, mixed with his wine. Ready to cure him of this curse.

…Viktor needs only to take a sip.

Parlec seemed to be looking for something in his repressed expression, so the omega exhaled, looking to the banquet table where all manners of dishes and foods were being served. The smell of one of his favorite baked cakes, drizzled in honey and rich cream would have normally made his mouth water.

But all he remembered was the honey cake he and Thalessa shared, given by his father. The smile and pleased hum his daughter gave munching on the small treat, with Jayce’s soft chuckle as he wiped the crumbs for her cheek.

Jayce’s fond gaze looking back at him, and the kiss they later shared that tasted of honey and cream.

“I am feeling well, my alpha. I…I only miss the children.” A deflection, mixed with honesty.

This was the first time he was separated from Vel and Thal for this long since they’d been kept in the cottage, and Viktor felt ill at the realization. Perhaps he was feeling separation anxiety as well, and he could not hide how much he missed their presence.

“Ah. Worry not, my dear.” Parlec kissed his hand, soothing. Viktor fought the urge to shudder.  “The prince and princess shall arrive by the morrow, safe and sound.” The blonde alpha smiled, then pulled back. “I’ll see to my men meeting them along the road, to bring them faster to you. You need only ask.”

The unspoken here, Viktor surmised, would be leaving behind Ximena and Sir Sevika with the rest of the carriage. And while he could already anticipate the conflict that would arise at separating the children even further from the people they felt safe with…He missed them so much that the offer was a great temptation.

“I will consider thus. Thank you, my alpha.”

Calling him so always triggered a pleased and…aroused scent from Parlec, who nodded, then let go of his hand. 

The omega was left feeling sick. He needed a drink.

King Parlec rose from the grand table, and took a pitcher from a nearby yordle attendant, then poured further into both of their goblets, as he raised his own. Everyone in the room quieted, and the mixture of military order and gaunt fear returned in the air.

“A toast!” Raising his goblet, and his soldiers followed. His deep voice echoed in the throne hall. “To the return of His Majesty Viktor.” Parlec turned to him, and the eyes of many followed. “In sickness and in health, he has come back to us, and I am beyond grateful to have him in my life.”

Charged silence followed, and Viktor slowly stood up, the weight of his metal body feeling heavier than before, as he took his own goblet and raised his drink to the tyrant king, then addressed everyone present now.

“Thank you, my king, and my people.” The monarch met the eyes of old subjects, who stared back with tired sadness. 

“In spite of my curse, I vow to be here for you all now, and be your Herald, of a better tomorrow.”

Then…

Viktor’s eyes slightly widened, as one subject, an old wizened vastaya, bowed low.

Another followed, and then another. Until nearly all the guests, save for Parlec’s loyal men, were bowing in fealty to their once prince.

Unspoken reverence and power bestowed onto their true ruler, who would take the burdens of people, and transform it into progress and hope.

Parlec’s smile slowly slid off his face at the spectacle, and stared as Viktor felt his heart tighten, then bowed back. The tyrant king quickly schooled his face back to the genial facade he’d mastered as the omega after looked at him, and raised their goblets to almost connect.

The thick current in the air was finally cut when Parlec shouted.

“Minstrels! Play to your heart’s content! And make it lively!”

Music swelled, lively yet yearning, and the banquet resumed, with the lingering tension dissipating as dutiful but tired cooks brought in more dishes to the delight of the raucous drunk soldiers.

Parlec touched their goblets together in a resounding clink , a smile on his face, as he partook of the wine he poured for them.

“To your health, and our better tomorrow.”

Viktor held his own gold goblet, unbeknownst to the sinister shimmer of the wine within…

And with the intent to cure his affliction, true love’s blood sanguine in his throat —

Drank deep of the potion, as dark magic took hold of his heart, morphine and bittersweet.

…

……

The goblet fell from his loosened grip in a drowned out clang , as Viktor’s eyes hooded, and a fog overcame his mind.

Feeling woozy as foreign magic filled his veins, his hand instinctively grasped Parlec’s shoulder, who smiled, watching and pulling the omega closer by his corseted waist.

His own magic would have once fought against it, yet the weakened state created by the very curse he put upon himself that drained his magic and life reserves…Was this the feeling of the curse being lifted, or…

The Shimmer love potion ate at Jayce’s blood inside of him, strengthening the dosage, corrupting his love’s essence, and rather than curing him…

A beguiling voice whispered in his fogged thoughts, familiar and warm…

“Viktor…”

To give in…this will make the pain go away…after so long mourning…

When Viktor lifted his head to look at the alpha holding him —

It doubled with the image of Jayce as when they first met…and his heart soared.

“My…”

Jayce, young in new gleaming armor, pristine hair and clean-shaven sharp cheeks…His heartwarming smile that made him feel deserving of love, that their children inherited…

My knight…my alpha…my beloved…

My partner.

“I’ve missed you so much…”

Viktor had spoken the words out loud in a soft enthralled murmur, cupping King Parlec’s cheek, drawing closer, to forever seal the spell…

“I’ve got you.”

This…this is what he’s so desperately wanted, ever since that day. Ever since Jayce was violently murdered before his own eyes. Ever since he cursed himself, and tried every day to bring his knight back to life.

His true love’s comforting hold, just one last time…

The omega closed his eyes heavily, leaning into his beloved’s arms, lips parted, as the king’s breath, reeking of wine and meat…

Neither king nor queen sensed the brightening glow of the teardrop crystal pendant between them, the hum of approaching magic —

Viktor will be your thrall, to submit and bond, forever…

You’re mine.

Parlec internally roared, closing his eyes in victory, leaning forward to claim his queen once and for all —

When an explosion of blue light eclipsed the entirety of the Royal Throne Hall of Zaun, and chaos enveloped them.

The sweetness of his enthralled queen’s kiss never came to be, as one second he held Viktor in his arms, and the next —

Screams of terror, his soldiers scrambling past the partygoers running for their lives, and the dust of collapsed rock against his armored back were nothing to the sheer agony Parlec felt emanating from his chest.

“Gauh…”

Gasping, coughing out blood that gurgled out of his mouth unwillingly, King Parlec brought a shaky hand to his body armor. A hole burned into the side of his chest, smoke and corrupted magic eating at his armor, his flesh, his lungs…his heart…

Soldiers drew their blades, some fled in terror at the sight of his attacker, a dark-haired bearded man, in obsidian armor…All of that didn’t matter right now, Parlec grit his teeth, trying to sit up, and agony lanced through his body, making him scream.

Soldiers fell in an onslaught of blood and magic lighting the hall in flashes…

Then…Where was…

“Viktor!”

From the broken throne where he lay collapsed, Parlec refocused his bleary vision, amidst the chaos.

His queen lay collapsed on the intricately woven rug of the grand hall, a portrait of beauty even unconscious. The attacker ran towards his omega —

And despite the blood trickling down his vision, Parlec finally recognized who the man was underneath it all.

“You…!”

Jayce Talis.

The knight he killed fell to his knees, and in blasphemy held Viktor, panicked at seeing the omega unconscious.

“Viktor? Viktor! ”

Rather than being disgusted by that insipid cursed form, Talis cupped his queen’s cheek, trying to wake him up.

“V, please…I’m here. I’m here, no no no no…”

A tear fell onto Viktor’s transformed cheek…

“I’m here.”

As Talis laid a kiss on his omega’s forehead, pleading.

“Please…”

Amidst the slain bodies of his soldiers, the crumbling stone of the castle’s walls where magic had blasted through…

Suddenly, a bright glowing magic enveloped Viktor’s body, in swirling colorful loops, dispeling the tainted poisons within —

Jayce held onto his partner tight, closing his eyes as did Parlec against the sudden expulsion of light —

By lover’s blood or by true love’s sacred touch, shall flesh return as such.

The light faded, and by Jayce’s unconditional and deep genuine love for Viktor, the curse finally lifted.

Where dark polluted steel had been, soft skin dotted with moles returned. Talis opened his eyes, surprised, and let out a sound of exhilarated relief as the other man slowly blinked awake.

“Viktor!”

Golden eyes that had always been closed off and distant with him now welled in emotion, open disbelief and shock at the fallen knight holding him.

“Jayce…” A pale hand caressed the other’s bearded cheek, shaking. “My Jayce…” Another, cupping his knight’s face, then…a painful sob.

“You’re alive…”

No…

Helpless to watch their reunion, Parlec groaned and went ignored as Jayce helped Viktor sit up further. Their next words were whispers against the chaos, and he wanted to scream at them, the hole in the side of his chest growing bigger as the dark knight’s magic ate away at his organs —

“Every day I tried… I called for you… Every day… ”

The bastard alpha’s head nudged his wife’s shoulder, pleading for forgiveness, rubbing his disgusting scent and replacing his —

“I heard.”

No…No!

“I promised you.”

“NO!”

Agony pierced through the king as he stood up, finally catching the attention of the reunited lovers. Parlec snarled, his usurper crown tilted in disarray.

“You’re supposed to be DEAD!”

A staggered step forward, drawing his sword —

He would not be slaughtered with his eyes closed, the kingdom and omega he rightfully claimed taken from him —

“You think you get to just, walk away?! After destroying everything I’ve built with my own bloody hands?! THAT YOU CAN TAKE MY OMEGA AWAY FROM ME, AFTER EVERYTHING I DID FOR HIM?!”

The other’s grip on his hammer tightened as he resummoned it in clawed armor hands, and the Defender darkly frowned. Talis rose protectively over Viktor, not noticing the other’s panicked concern, then a gasp and flinching, holding his stomach at some sudden pain  —

“ YOU WILL NOT DECIDE MY FATE!! ”

With the last of his strength, King Parlec rushed with his sword raised to kill Jayce Talis once more, Viktor’s golden eyes widened in horror, reaching out —

“NO!”

“DIE!”

An explosion, light overtaking the whole world a second time.

Jayce blinked against the light shining on his face, raising his hand and hammer in the other…

Some kind of Anomaly transported all three of them to another plane of reality, an infinite realm of stars —

And Jayce sharply inhaled, seeing the divine sight protecting him.

Levitating in a halo of astral fire surrounding his glowing body, Viktor’s eyes and hair were like brightly born stars, and his robes a plethora of ever-shifting energy.

“Viktor…”

Magic that had finally returned, built up from almost a year, now overflowed through the royal mage, in a manifestation of pure power that had never been seen before.

“AAAAAHGHGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGHGHGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Jayce saw Viktor lift Parlec up in the air, and simply touch his forehead with his fingers —

Unable to handle the transfer of such intense built up energy, Parlec’s eyes bled as they were stabbed by raw magic, and the usurper horrifically died in extreme agony, as his body writhed and steaming blood and flesh falling from bone  —

Until the Tyrant King of Zaun finally became nothing more than desecrated viscera.

A weak ominous light came out of what was once Parlec, and in a terrifying yet gentle move, Viktor held the soul in his hand, then crushed the light out, destroying any hope of resurrection.

Jayce’s heart was beating loudly in his hearing, as a silence filled the void of stars.

Not in fear, but worry.

“Viktor?”

Then, the divine entity that Viktor had become slowly turned.

It frightened the Defender how those glowing eyes stared in the distance, at something Jayce couldn’t see.

“Viktor…” Banishing his hammer, Jayce took a step forward, and took his prince’s hand in his, grounding him back to the world.

“Come back to me.”

The Arcane wanted his beloved, and he would do everything to have him back.

Slowly lowering, the mage omega fell into Jayce’s awaiting arms, lifted like they were so long ago. Yet there was no other reaction from Viktor, feeling his starlight body burning up  —

Oh.

Feeling his heat cycle after so long, the omega pulled him closer —

In the depths of the infinite stars, the lovers embraced.

The divine omega gasped, eyes glowing brighter and throwing his head back as his resurrected alpha fucked him deeply, devotedly.

Nothing held them back anymore, and to bring back Viktor from the Arcane, his partner forcefully pressed his face into his magic-warm neck, needing to be mated with finally —

Jayce’s alpha hackles raised, then drew his beloved’s blood in a ferocious bite, as Viktor screamed, locking his legs around the knight’s waist and pulling them even closer in finishing together, ethereal seed filling deep inside of him.

Their bond formed amongst the stars, a pulsating link that only they felt, in an infinite loop of pain, pleasure, yearning, relief, trust, and unconditional love.

Then the glowing light of the Arcane receded, and the stars with them. 

True love, felt in every degree one can feel, is the inviolable force of the world.

Chapter Text

Love is the feeling of recognizing the potential in our own soul. One’s love for someone can turn them into a better person, and their love’s impact lasts forever. The more we can own the part that is about ourselves, the more we can see others for who they really are.

And love them, truly, in whatever form that takes.

As the world slowly awakened, Viktor quietly watched the sunrise from the castle balcony. The soft feel of the wind, the sublime streaks of pinks, blues and oranges across the sky that left him breathless, enough to let tears fall.

The kingdom of Zaun, reclaimed and battered, was waking up as well in the distance. People from afar getting ready for the day, sweeping the streets, preparing for the celebration that would take place today.

As the castle and kingdom were being repaired from the battle, the atrocities the usurper subjected his people to, Viktor felt like his heart mirrored the damage.

Eaten from the inside out by his curse. Broken and mourning, traumatized by Parlec, who died by his own hands.

Some days he felt the phantom touch of that man on his skin returned. Some days he woke up crying, sobbing, panic in his chest that the worst had happened, to him and to his children. That he’d wake up, and it was all a dream, and that his beloved was truly dead.

The omega silently looked at his hand, flesh and blood, feeling the Arcane thrum within. Magic that returned to him, but more powerful than ever, so much so that it took his beloved bringing him back to stop it from destroying.

Yet slowly, over time, the kingdom was being restored, brick by brick. Every life he was grateful for kept going, happy and relieved without the oppression of the last year.

Then…

“...Everything okay?”

Viktor exhaled, closing his eyes as he felt the warmth of Jayce envelop him from behind, and rested his chin on his shoulder.

Healing was a mess, and never perfect, carrying the weight of the world, of life in one’s human hands…but it is a journey taken together with the people who love you.

The question murmured against his skin, and the omega leaned into the touch. His knight’s chest was bare against his early morning robes, but even with the layer separating them, he could feel the other’s scars. The proof that Jayce had died, and brought back, by him.

“Mm.” There was no real answer Viktor could muster. Nothing he could say with certainty, and perhaps it was better that there was none. Jayce didn’t seem to mind, as he kissed his neck. Fresh scars from their bond healing over, and the omega relaxed even further in remembering he was loved.

“Thal’s up early too.” The father of his children gently chuckled. “Caught her in the kitchens with Mom, signing that she wanted to help with the ceremony later. Something about honey cakes and sugar-burnt cream.” Viktor smiled, intertwining his fingers with Jayce’s hold close to his heart. “I did promise her we’d have a nice meal together when I came back.”

He could not help but bring his knight’s scarred and calloused hand to kiss them, as Viktor asked just as quietly. “And our son?”

“Snoring a little. He’s happy to still be asleep.” Jayce let out a short puff of breath. “Vel’s gonna need it for today, and I don’t want to wake him until he asks for you.”

It was Viktor’s turn to chuckle, then moved to face the other man, leaning against the balcony’s stone ledge as he hummed. “The coronation joined with our wedding won’t be that long. I have my limits when it comes to these events, even for us.”

Time had passed since reclaiming the nation of Zaun, with their allies from the past and from both Piltover and Noxus helping them against the last of Parlec’s loyalists. Yet no sooner had they settled back in the castle did his Jayce propose on one knee, amidst the broken throne room and everyone helping clear the rubble. Viktor already wore his mark, bore his children, and so the true heir’s coronation accompanied by an official marriage vow was as natural to say yes to as the air they breathed.

Reverently, Viktor cupped Jayce’s bearded cheek, feeling the warmth he had returned and quietly breathed him in.

His partner. His knight and best friend in the whole world. The father of their two wondrous children. His alpha. His mate, bonded for life.

And soon to be his husband, his consort, as he restored the kingdom of Zaun together with him and their people.

Jayce closed his pretty hazel eyes, placing his own hand over Viktor’s, basking in the touch.

“...I cannot live without you again.” A sudden confession, grief and loss. Not from him, but from his alpha. “...I can’t.”

The mage’s gaze softened, as he felt the same. 

They had spoken of what necromancy asked in return. Spoken with Singed, who had worked his own spells on the resurrected knight to change them, but both Jayce and Viktor willingly accepted the inevitable. That when Viktor will one day die, Jayce may soon follow.

But even that did not erase the separation they went through, and the fear his alpha now held within, that he would outlive him, and die without him. “You won’t.” Viktor echoed Jayce’s words to him a lifetime ago, laid in the night forest, and he connected their foreheads in silent love.

“You will never ever be alone.”

Whether that be tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, as their children prospered onward…they would leave for the afterlife, hand in hand.

“It is true that I do not know how to go from here, and what we shall do now.” He pulled away slightly, and murmured honestly as his soon to be husband searched his vulnerable expression. “Only that I will be with you always, my Jayce.”

After everything that’s happened to them, what they’d done, to themselves and their people. Of statecraft, the return of the Hexgate magic that connected their nation to so many others. What they would accomplish in the future, and what more they would learn. The legacy left for them, and the legacy they would leave behind when they were long gone.

To be better, for himself and his family, and the people they loved here.

“We’ll do what we’ve always done, and together.”

Then, Jayce answered, for the both of them.

“We live.”

As Viktor closed his eyes, embracing his love’s soft kiss amidst the sunrise, of a better tomorrow with the simple miracle of living.

And that was enough.

Fireworks burst overhead, and the cheering of the kingdom of Zaun rose in abundance, as Viktor and Jayce expressed their newlywed vows in a devoted kiss.

Crowned in both his mother and father’s together, crystalline threads and intricately designed metal melded as one by their son’s magic, His Majesty, King Viktor, continued to kiss his husband, adorned in a consort’s crown of his own making. Dressed in sapphire blue and the deepest blood red, their hands reached for the teardrop crystals they wore around their necks, as the Hexgates to the different realms reopened in a rainbow of magical connection.

In her knight’s armor, Vi smiled with her arm slung around Lady Caitlyn’s waist, as Jinx whooped next to her, the alchemist mage’s plethora of colors illuminating the castle’s sky, along with their brothers and Ekko, who excitedly made their way to the opening feast with them. Vander chuckled as Silco hummed in contentment, clapping with the rest, the two advisors quietly at peace in finally seeing the true heir to Zaun take his father’s duty. Princess Mel shared a soft kiss of her own, with her beloved and knight Sevika, who would leave with her to Noxus, and start a new journey in their own bond. Singed hid amongst the crowd, quietly observing, but happy while his daughter Orianna’s eyes sparkled in awe at the fireworks above them.

The Crown Princess Thalessa happily ran towards her parents, hugging Viktor’s robes and almost tripping on his cane, laughing in pure joy as her father picked her up and spun her around. Golden eyes lit up with love as Ximena approached, smiling lovingly with tears in her eyes as she passed the cooing Prince Velkan to him, and their family was blissfully whole at last…unaware that a hidden one completed them, growing softly within.

Jayce’s hazel eyes met Viktor’s gold, and time slowed, captured beautifully, in this moment.

Of their past, devout knight and mage prince, who would then go on to change the world forever.

Of their future they would embrace graciously, when long after today, Thal and Vel grown, beautiful and amazing, found them passed away in bed, peacefully with each other. Their legacy of evolution and magic beyond the Arcane, and the love they prospered in their children.

Of the present, with the heartfelt emotion and warmth of their family surrounding them, as Jayce lovingly kissed Viktor once more, bonded and connected in unconditional love.

And they lived happily ever after, their names written in the stars.