continuation of a meme thread (closed)

[perfectpower]

BEEP BOOP see tag below (I'll add memes here later)

Comments

[becomerobot]

[It does sound like trouble, but Viktor only has one real take away,]

It is good you had each other. [he shovels the last of his provided meal down, always eating hastily out of habit, Brad gets a small smile,]

Thank you for the meal and the... company. I know I have asked a lot of you in exchange for very little.

[perfectpower]

Hey, you're keeping a roof over my head, a warm bed for me to use, and warning me away from anything that would get me in trouble. That's plenty for me.

[Yes, he plans on borrowing Viktor's bed again.]

Plus you're looking for a way to break the curse on me, so that in of itself is worth the work.

[becomerobot]

Yes! I mean... Yes. [let him stifle some of his big enthusiasm for that- but he pushes aside his plate to grab some of the notes he made, flip through, and show Brad urgently,]

Our hextech devices have a stabilizer that dampens what they draw from the Arcane to controllable levels. From what you have showed me, I believe I can make you a device that can counteract your curse. [he stretches his hand out again, too shaky from writing literally all day to make any more notes. It's obvious he wants to, though!]

What form it could take I do not yet know. I will think carefully on it.

[he doesn't want Brad to go as soon as he's arrived, his knowledge feels invaluable already. Viktor needs more time with him,]

[perfectpower]

[He sees that shaky hand, and he reaches out to take it into his own gently.]

We've got a plan then. Let's rest on it and we'll try it tomorrow.

[Viktor looks tired and he needs rest. Brad will body slam him into bed if need be.]

[becomerobot]

[Sorry, Viktor is very stubborn with his work schedule. He has no work/life balance to speak of. It is a perfectly reasonable time to go to bed if you're not a maniac like him. He tries to wave his hand gently from Brad's hold, but the strength isn't much there,]

Rest? It is so early... there is still so much to review- [cut him off, someone needs to]

[perfectpower]

And it'll be here tomorrow, along with me. When was the last time you went to bed before midnight?

[If this fails Brad will just pick him up and carry him, it's not like Viktor can stop him.]

[becomerobot]

I am usually not even home until after midnight...

[He stays in the lab more often than not. Sleeping on his couch or simply laying his head down at his desk for short naps throughout the day. His schedule is truly a mess of "whatever gets him back to work".

Viktor knows how it sounds, speaking it aloud. Irresponsible towards himself, his well being, his already fragile health. He sighs and... allows Brad to pull him to stand. Being carried to bed would be humiliating and he would resent it given the state he's in.]

Do you want to have the bed to yourself? I know I am... a disruptive bed mate. I can sleep in a chair just fine.

[perfectpower]

[Brad, immediately:]

Denied, you're not sleeping the night away in a chair. You'll work better with a good night's sleep anyway.

[The latter part is more to give Viktor an incentive, Brad would want him to sleep in an actual bed regardless.]

'sides, I slept just fine last night. Didn't you?

[becomerobot]

I, well, yes... but I must have turned over two-dozen times in your arms. If that does not both you, then... fine.

[Viktor's used to that annoying any partners he had in the past. It is just difficult for his body to settle into comfort, he usually feels some pain or another he needs to adjust away from. Or push pressure down into. Whatever works.]

You also run very warm. Is that a trait of mages?

[perfectpower]

Ehh, I sleep like the dead. Most things don't wake me up.

[Things that do wake him up: phone calls, certain fluxuations in the ambient mana in the air, nightmares. And none of these apply to Viktor himself.]

That's actually the warming spell I told you about. I dropped it when we went to the academy but I put it back on here.

[He always uses that spell so he never has to change clothes if he doesn't want to.]

[becomerobot]

I won't be sleeping in uniform tonight, if that's the case. [he just kind of went to sleep in whatever he was wearing, yesterday. If they're making the choice to prepare and go to bed, instead of just dragging him into it, then Viktor is opting to wear less.

He is already moving towards his clothing dressing to remove his vest and tie, before he considers,]

It is not like you have been shy, after all. [he'll just be stripping down to his button up undershirt and boxer-briefs if there is no objection. Much more comfortable!]

[perfectpower]

[Brad has never been shy a day in his life.]

What's there to be shy about? I'm not using anything flashy. You probably didn't even notice I duplicated your eggs today did you?

[He also duplicated whatever money he was able to find in Viktor's apartment.]

[becomerobot]

[Viktor does need to sit down on his bed to remove his leg brace before his pants can come off, which they definitely are... He should shower, too. Hmm... maybe in the morning, if Brad doesn't complain he smells. Not like Viktor can tell,]

Why would you do that? I can... buy my own eggs. [he pulls a couple clasps undone and slips out of the brace, setting it aside,]

If you wish to be charitable- and you won't be so conspicuous as to get caught- you should go to the Undercity. The people there could use the grace of such gifts.

[perfectpower]

It seemed fair, to make the eggs I ended up eating.

[And maybe Brad likes using his magic to help people, did you ever consider that Viktor?]

The Undercity, is it? That'd give me something to do while you work...How do I get there?

[becomerobot]

[Viktor strips his pants off and sets his dirty clothing into a hamper. Taking his crutch again, needing it more than ever without the leg brace, he moves towards the bathroom to brush his teeth,]

That would give me time to review what you told me today. It is just across the bridges that take one out of Piltover.

[he leaves the door open as he gets ready, still talking to Brad as he does. Rarely a wasted moment for this guy, ever the multitasker-]

I could write you a note with a stamp from the Academy, so no Enforcer hassles you on the way back. Official business... collecting some such materials for me.

[perfectpower]

Yeah, that's probably for the best. I mean, I'm good at sneaking around even without my magic, but that's just gonna make me look more suspicious.

[Brad's boots and coat come off, but so does his tie and some of the gold rings he wears on his fingers. The luck ring remains though, he never takes that one off. You never know when a little luck will save your life.]

Lemme know if you actually do need anything from there, 'kay? I might as well actually do work for you if I'm goin' there.

[becomerobot]

Ish finhh. [Answered while actively brushing his teeth. It's fine. He shouldn't need anything in particular, but maybe he'll think of some scrap or other by morning. Now that he's going through the motions of getting ready for bed, the feeling of tiredness falls over him. Momentum all gone from his sails, no more second-third-fourth winds to carry him. He finishes in the bathroom and moves back to bed, slumping down heavily at one side.

Looking to Brad, he pats the mattress in welcome. His bed is pushed up against the wall, so he should probably offer,]

Do you want me towards the wall or do you prefer that side?

[perfectpower]

[Brad is still slipping off his vest when he glances down at Viktor.]

Well, me on the outside would protect you from any sudden attacks. But I would have an easier time of climbing out of bed from the inside, and it'd keep me from answering the phone again. Maybe.

[So really, both have benefits. But ultimately, in just his button-up shirt and boxers, he crawls onto the bed to lay closer to the wall.]

[becomerobot]

Hah... nobody is coming to attack me. Even if they were, I don't think any could stand up to even a half asleep mage.

[Viktor will lay down once Brad is settled in, laying on his back and looking to his ceiling a moment. Taking a few deep breaths, centering himself... what an odd situation this remains.

His eyes do, subtly shift towards Brad after a moment. Curious if he will reach out and grab him again. They did cuddle very close the evening before, but... now they know each other. Funny, that that makes Viktor feel like Brad will be less willing to do such a thing, familiarity and distance are difficult for him. He keeps away those who get to know him... he doesn't think to cross this line of physical affection.]

[perfectpower]

[Well fortunately Viktor is dead wrong about that, because once they're both laying down Brad rolls onto his side so he can drape an arm over Viktor and get comfortable. It seems like, regardless of closeness, Bradley is a cuddler. And if Viktor asked, Bradley would be honest about liking the man even more now than he did before.]

We'll see if either of us attract unwanted attention in the coming days.

[But as he gets comfortable, a thought suddenly occurs to him:]

I should probably give you a hickey tomorrow.

[For the cover story.]

[becomerobot]

[Viktor reaches up to lay a palm over Bradley's arm around him. To just relax into the feeling of it across him. The weight and strength of it there.

Then Brad has to go and make a suggestion,]

... it doesn't have to be tomorrow.

[joking... unless......?]

[perfectpower]

[Oh, this is dangerous ammunition to give Bradley.]

Oh? Looking for something more than sleep?

[He'll claim it's a joke if Viktor says no or doesn't play along with it, but Bradley is living his ho years and would gladly go along with it.]

[becomerobot]

[Viktor thinks... very honestly on that question. It is likely just another joke, they're just flirting for amusement, after all. He quirks a soft smile and rolls in towards Bradley. Fitting into his arms and chest, as he had the night prior,]

No, no.... goodnight, Bradley.

[no longer "stranger"]

[perfectpower]

[Honestly Bradley wouldn't have minded a tumble in the sheets, but he seems to take that no without resistance.]

G'night V, see you in the morning.

[no longer "doc". He does need to think of a better nickname though.]

[becomerobot]

[V is... cute. Very endearing. He didn't grow up with friends to give him nicknames. At the Academy, it was always more professional. Jayce called him "friend" or "partner", sure, but that wasn't the same either...

He falls asleep quicker than he could expect possible. The day was busy and the extra boost he got from the sugar Brad conjured had long faded. Viktor just needs more rest in general.

They'll sleep in together, again. Viktor is not stirring early, out like a light. He has his legs tangled in Brad's, and arm around his waist palming up his back, and his other palm to the man's chest. All over him is an understatement,]