[He realizes that he basically invited this, and he laughs.]
Ha! A fair assessment.
[There's so many scars to choose from, Bradley really has been through the wringer. But at that angle, Viktor has three choices: hefty claw marks on Bradley's right forearm, a couple round scars up near the back of his neck that are indicative of bullet wounds, and a long diagonal slash that goes from Bradley's right shoulder to his left hip.]
[Viktor will start at that long slash, but then why not the rest, too? Brad's body is just right there, waiting to be lavished with kisses. He'll be considerate and not use his teeth, as Viktor has been want to do. He doesn't know how tender that flesh is, nothing would spoil a good mood like striking an unexpected nerve.]
You are... glorious, Bradley. I think I told you that. [he laps some water from skin,]
[They're not as sensitive as they were centuries ago, but it still feels nice to have gentle attention paid to them. Brad isn't exactly proud of some of these scars, they're evidence of the stupid mistakes he's made in the past. But he won't deny that they're an accurate retelling of past battles and recoveries.]
Well, what can I say? I've lived a life full of glory.
[He can focus on the overall stories of each scar, rather than the moment of injury. That makes it easier to share.]
The claw marks are from one of the darkspawn fights a few decades back. It was a tough fight, and I had to spend a few weeks in the medical ward afterwards, but...y'know, better me than one of the kids. Or one of the humans, they would've died instantly from the darkspawn poison.
[He barely feels it anymore, but those scars do ache when the darkspawn are nearby. It's handy, but painful still.]
The bullet scars are newer too, from like...it was like a decade before I got arrested, so hand pistols had just been invented. Someone got a few lucky shots on me. That one needed healing right away, it got way too close to my spine. Layin' out in the snow while the team healer did his work sucked.
The big one though, that's from a duel. I won, but just barely.
[Nero had cried over him then. In retrospect, that fight had been the start of the end for Brad and Nero's relationship.]
[Viktor listens well and close, moving to grab the pressure sprayer as he's spoken to. He has already grown attached to hearing Bradley's stories. Pieces of a mage's life... all so-]
Incredible. Truly. The persistence to survive... recovering from these could not have been easy. [Even with magic, the lasting marks make it clear that there is no waving a wand and making such things simply disappear. They linger, they scar.
He does as promises, starting high at Brad's spine and spraying the higher pressured water down his back. Viktor's hands massage into him, washing his back while he's in such a state to dote on the man.]
Yeah, well. That's what guys like you 'n me do. We refuse what the world gave us and fight for what we deserve.
[Viktor's achievements might not be on as grand of a scale, but sneaking into an academy by wearing the uniform and acting like he belongs takes balls. Brad likes that about Viktor.
He also likes the feel of that water on his spine, yes please, keep that up.]
To consider us as similar... now that is a stunning compliment.
[Not flattery, but sincere compliment. Viktor believes in himself, he always has, but others see him different. He's looked down on, pitied, or simply not seen at all, a shadow cast behind a greater man. Jayce was the exception all these years, he always recognized Viktor's achievements and contributions. If Viktor really thought about it, Mel and Heimerdinger saw him, though he worried it was more for his value to them than his self worth.
Brad understand him. It's a good feeling, too. Recognized.]
You know, once upon a time I used to recognize talent like yours 'n train 'em up. Or point 'em in the right direction if it was something I didn't know.
[Once upon a time, when he was the Bandit King of the North, and he filled out his ranks with talented men and women. People of all walks of life, who just hoped to become something they dreamed of.
People who died, all because of him.]
...but those days are mostly over, now that I'm busy with the fight against the darkspawn. The only training I do is with new recruits.
Trained... no, it is a bit too late for me. Not that I am passed learning, just-
[He doesn't have much time left. It would not be a wise investment to make. That's always what he's been, after all, an investment for those around him to bet their money on. Brad may have plenty of time, but that doesn't mean it's not precious.
Viktor will take what he can get of it.]
-nevermind. I keep getting distracted. Relax. [he is about to stick a finger in Brad's ass, best to not be too serious about that]
[He knows exactly what Viktor means. He knows Viktor is sick, and the way he acts about it means his life will be drastically shortened by it. There is no doubt in Brad's mind that Viktor is saying that because he thinks he doesn't have enough time.
But Brad smiles and says something different.]
Right, it'd be weird if you were trained by the guy you just railed.
[What he can't say in seriousness he will say in comedy.
[Viktor has definitely not fucked his previous mentors. Academy professors, Heimerdinger, and Singed... he has never been that down bad. Good god, never.
If ever he needed an idea to turn him off, that would do it! Thanks, Brad. Now he can focus on this task without being riled up.]
It has become the truth at the heart of the lie, meaning it will be all the more convincing. [Viktor kisses the man on the shoulder to say this, a little bit more doting, since they're at it.
And his fingers are about done working Brad clean from the mess he made. He's a responsible man, sometimes, he can clean up his own mess...]
Though... hm. I could go with you. To the Undercity, that is. I have an... associate. I need to see. He is secretive and I cannot lead you to him, but we can meet back up afterward.
So you're gonna skip work this afternoon too? How brazen.
[That said, he wouldn't mind the company. He doesn't know the way down there and walking all of that distance is going to suck. If he were left to his own devices he would just give up and use a broom once he saw how deep the Undercity went.]
It... is for work. He is a doctor. Keeping myself alive is eh, ah... important part of things. I would say.
[Yeah, a little bit there, Viktor. He doesn't know if the man can help him, but if anybody can... well, the disgraced chemist of the Academy would be the man.]
Jayce will understand. [he says it a bit wry, but he does mean it. Sincerely. He needs to rescue himself from being doomed by the narrative. Jayce will support him in that, no matter the depths he needs to reach down to.]
Viktor's words actually get Bradley to pause, and his teasing suddenly becomes a lot more pensive. He's weighing the options in his mind.]
...it's a bad idea for me to even try anything with your lungs, I ain't even done anything with that before. Magic's great, but it's scary how quickly stuff can go bad if you mess up.
[He knows the risks. He's tried other things, in life or death situations. He's not going to talk about the guys who ended up Changed Forever because of him. Best to keep those nightmares to himself.]
Might be able to do something about your leg though. Bones, that's what I'm good at healing.
No. Bradley. I will seek my own solutions. Your knowledge of the runes I plan to use... they could very well help me.
[Viktor really doesn't want to admit just how badly he's doing to Brad. They've had a nice time since meeting one another. To change that into Brad being nothing but concerned for him, or worse yet, start to pity him... that would spoil it all.
Better to maintain some distance, some mystery to just how bad his condition is.
Though, after this shower and knowing how far they plan to travel in the day, Viktor needs his back brace as well as the one for his leg and his cane. He pets at Brad's hips once more before easing him to move off his lap. They should... not waste more time.]
We'll talk about it again, once I've seen... the doctor. Gotten his opinion on my... options.
[So Viktor won't let Brad heal him, but he'll let Brad teach him how to heal? That's certainly a creative solution to the problem of Viktor's feelings on the matter.]
At least lemme show you a couple'a runes that'll get yer brace movin' like a real leg. It'll make walking faster.
[He still has some small mana stones to use for projects, after all, and if any darkspawn lurk in the Undercity then he can get more.
He takes the hint though, and he stands up. As nice as the shower feels, they have to go about their day.]
[Viktor will turn that down, too, at least for the time being. If he's just striding around all of a sudden, that's suspicious! As is,]
No open magic beyond this room. You'd have to flee the city the moment someone saw you trying to sweep up the skyline.
[Which would be easy enough for Brad, but Viktor wants him to stick around. Not just for the strides in advancements he can help Viktor make in Hextech, towards saving his own life potentially... but also for the company. This has been the most hopeful and inspired he's felt a long time. Selfishly, Viktor wants to hang onto that with both hands.
Even if those hands are shooing Bradley from the shower. They need to get a move one! Water off, towels on. All the rest that follows for getting ready. It is a process with Viktor, but he knows it well and doesn't need help. Bradley can make their breakfast again, if he's so insistent on being useful]
[Brad just seems like that kind of a guy. It isn't like Viktor believes everything he'se told, but for the most part, the man has been showing him magic. Demonstration is key... and Brad's attitude definitely has the display features of a King of Bandits.]
Of course they would be. I'm not worry about you, but about them. People there can be very desperate. [It would be punching down, for Brad, very ignoble of him even if they were to ones to instigate.]
Though, shimmer is rampant... ah, if you ran into anybody with glowing purple veins, you would be best not underestimate their capabilities. It is a terrifying drug run rampant in those parts. [of which Viktor doesn't realize will be just what his "doctor" hands him, even if he gets the privilege of an apex strain over the street stuff. Perks.]
[Awww, how sweet of Viktor. He'll be sure to show Viktor why he's called the Bandit King someday, but for now incognito really is for the best. He's walking to a mirror to look over himself and try to decide what layers to give up.]
I should keep the outer coat, and definitely the layer with all the knives 'n lockpicking tools. Maybe the warmth layer isn't needed? How cold does it get there?
[Shimmer, is it? Hmm... the description sounds interesting. It kind of makes him want to find someone on shimmer just so he can test his strength. That curiosity is definitely reflected in his eyes, if Viktor looks. Brad might make some Choices down there.]
How likely is it that we'll come across someone like that?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-12-08 06:15 pm (UTC)Ha! A fair assessment.
[There's so many scars to choose from, Bradley really has been through the wringer. But at that angle, Viktor has three choices: hefty claw marks on Bradley's right forearm, a couple round scars up near the back of his neck that are indicative of bullet wounds, and a long diagonal slash that goes from Bradley's right shoulder to his left hip.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-08 07:59 pm (UTC)You are... glorious, Bradley. I think I told you that. [he laps some water from skin,]
It would bare repeating.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-08 09:07 pm (UTC)Well, what can I say? I've lived a life full of glory.
[He can focus on the overall stories of each scar, rather than the moment of injury. That makes it easier to share.]
The claw marks are from one of the darkspawn fights a few decades back. It was a tough fight, and I had to spend a few weeks in the medical ward afterwards, but...y'know, better me than one of the kids. Or one of the humans, they would've died instantly from the darkspawn poison.
[He barely feels it anymore, but those scars do ache when the darkspawn are nearby. It's handy, but painful still.]
The bullet scars are newer too, from like...it was like a decade before I got arrested, so hand pistols had just been invented. Someone got a few lucky shots on me. That one needed healing right away, it got way too close to my spine. Layin' out in the snow while the team healer did his work sucked.
The big one though, that's from a duel. I won, but just barely.
[Nero had cried over him then. In retrospect, that fight had been the start of the end for Brad and Nero's relationship.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-08 11:04 pm (UTC)Incredible. Truly. The persistence to survive... recovering from these could not have been easy. [Even with magic, the lasting marks make it clear that there is no waving a wand and making such things simply disappear. They linger, they scar.
He does as promises, starting high at Brad's spine and spraying the higher pressured water down his back. Viktor's hands massage into him, washing his back while he's in such a state to dote on the man.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-08 11:17 pm (UTC)[Viktor's achievements might not be on as grand of a scale, but sneaking into an academy by wearing the uniform and acting like he belongs takes balls. Brad likes that about Viktor.
He also likes the feel of that water on his spine, yes please, keep that up.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-09 01:49 am (UTC)To consider us as similar... now that is a stunning compliment.
[Not flattery, but sincere compliment. Viktor believes in himself, he always has, but others see him different. He's looked down on, pitied, or simply not seen at all, a shadow cast behind a greater man. Jayce was the exception all these years, he always recognized Viktor's achievements and contributions. If Viktor really thought about it, Mel and Heimerdinger saw him, though he worried it was more for his value to them than his self worth.
Brad understand him. It's a good feeling, too. Recognized.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-09 03:56 am (UTC)[Once upon a time, when he was the Bandit King of the North, and he filled out his ranks with talented men and women. People of all walks of life, who just hoped to become something they dreamed of.
People who died, all because of him.]
...but those days are mostly over, now that I'm busy with the fight against the darkspawn. The only training I do is with new recruits.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-10 01:04 am (UTC)[He doesn't have much time left. It would not be a wise investment to make. That's always what he's been, after all, an investment for those around him to bet their money on. Brad may have plenty of time, but that doesn't mean it's not precious.
Viktor will take what he can get of it.]
-nevermind. I keep getting distracted. Relax. [he is about to stick a finger in Brad's ass, best to not be too serious about that]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-10 03:43 am (UTC)But Brad smiles and says something different.]
Right, it'd be weird if you were trained by the guy you just railed.
[What he can't say in seriousness he will say in comedy.
And yeah he's relaxing, go ahead Viktor.}
no subject
Date: 2024-12-11 05:53 pm (UTC)[Viktor has definitely not fucked his previous mentors. Academy professors, Heimerdinger, and Singed... he has never been that down bad. Good god, never.
If ever he needed an idea to turn him off, that would do it! Thanks, Brad. Now he can focus on this task without being riled up.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-12 04:22 am (UTC)But once the deed is done Brad will lean back against Viktor's shoulder, relaxed and calm. Nothing beats a hot shower, except maybe a hot bath.]
What're you gonna do today at that academy anyway?
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 01:38 am (UTC)At this point, I will probably spend the day explaining to Jayce who you are...
[meaning lying, he will be doing a lot of lying]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:14 am (UTC)[Ever the eloquent one.]
Though I guess I won't be doing any heavy lifting today. Just tell him I took the day off I guess.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:25 am (UTC)And his fingers are about done working Brad clean from the mess he made. He's a responsible man, sometimes, he can clean up his own mess...]
Though... hm. I could go with you. To the Undercity, that is. I have an... associate. I need to see. He is secretive and I cannot lead you to him, but we can meet back up afterward.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:29 am (UTC)[That said, he wouldn't mind the company. He doesn't know the way down there and walking all of that distance is going to suck. If he were left to his own devices he would just give up and use a broom once he saw how deep the Undercity went.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:34 am (UTC)[Yeah, a little bit there, Viktor. He doesn't know if the man can help him, but if anybody can... well, the disgraced chemist of the Academy would be the man.]
Jayce will understand. [he says it a bit wry, but he does mean it. Sincerely. He needs to rescue himself from being doomed by the narrative. Jayce will support him in that, no matter the depths he needs to reach down to.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:39 am (UTC)Viktor's words actually get Bradley to pause, and his teasing suddenly becomes a lot more pensive. He's weighing the options in his mind.]
...it's a bad idea for me to even try anything with your lungs, I ain't even done anything with that before. Magic's great, but it's scary how quickly stuff can go bad if you mess up.
[He knows the risks. He's tried other things, in life or death situations. He's not going to talk about the guys who ended up Changed Forever because of him. Best to keep those nightmares to himself.]
Might be able to do something about your leg though. Bones, that's what I'm good at healing.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 04:56 am (UTC)[Viktor really doesn't want to admit just how badly he's doing to Brad. They've had a nice time since meeting one another. To change that into Brad being nothing but concerned for him, or worse yet, start to pity him... that would spoil it all.
Better to maintain some distance, some mystery to just how bad his condition is.
Though, after this shower and knowing how far they plan to travel in the day, Viktor needs his back brace as well as the one for his leg and his cane. He pets at Brad's hips once more before easing him to move off his lap. They should... not waste more time.]
We'll talk about it again, once I've seen... the doctor. Gotten his opinion on my... options.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-14 05:04 am (UTC)At least lemme show you a couple'a runes that'll get yer brace movin' like a real leg. It'll make walking faster.
[He still has some small mana stones to use for projects, after all, and if any darkspawn lurk in the Undercity then he can get more.
He takes the hint though, and he stands up. As nice as the shower feels, they have to go about their day.]
Or we could use a broom, that'll be fastest.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-17 12:33 am (UTC)[Viktor will turn that down, too, at least for the time being. If he's just striding around all of a sudden, that's suspicious! As is,]
No open magic beyond this room. You'd have to flee the city the moment someone saw you trying to sweep up the skyline.
[Which would be easy enough for Brad, but Viktor wants him to stick around. Not just for the strides in advancements he can help Viktor make in Hextech, towards saving his own life potentially... but also for the company. This has been the most hopeful and inspired he's felt a long time. Selfishly, Viktor wants to hang onto that with both hands.
Even if those hands are shooing Bradley from the shower. They need to get a move one! Water off, towels on. All the rest that follows for getting ready. It is a process with Viktor, but he knows it well and doesn't need help. Bradley can make their breakfast again, if he's so insistent on being useful]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-17 03:30 am (UTC)[He wiggles his eyebrows, both to seem lewd and to tease Viktor. But he's out of the shower as soon as he's pushed.
By the time Viktor makes it out, Brad is dressed in new clothes and adjusting one of the buckles as Viktor walks in.]
Hey, I figured this would be less conspicuous. What do you think?
no subject
Date: 2024-12-18 05:11 pm (UTC)[Sorry, bud, Viktor can't mince words there. Brad would stick out about as much as Jayce did, going down there in his Academy uniform.]
Two layers less, otherwise, you look like a King who got lost down there.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-18 05:40 pm (UTC)Ha! I actually was a king once, you know. Back in the day, the rich bastards of the North knew to fear the Bandit King.
[Man. It's been ages since he went by that title. He swears he can feel the itch in his fingers to make good on that name.]
They'd be fools to try.
no subject
Date: 2024-12-21 02:28 am (UTC)[Brad just seems like that kind of a guy. It isn't like Viktor believes everything he'se told, but for the most part, the man has been showing him magic. Demonstration is key... and Brad's attitude definitely has the display features of a King of Bandits.]
Of course they would be. I'm not worry about you, but about them. People there can be very desperate. [It would be punching down, for Brad, very ignoble of him even if they were to ones to instigate.]
Though, shimmer is rampant... ah, if you ran into anybody with glowing purple veins, you would be best not underestimate their capabilities. It is a terrifying drug run rampant in those parts. [of which Viktor doesn't realize will be just what his "doctor" hands him, even if he gets the privilege of an apex strain over the street stuff. Perks.]
no subject
Date: 2024-12-21 07:24 pm (UTC)I should keep the outer coat, and definitely the layer with all the knives 'n lockpicking tools. Maybe the warmth layer isn't needed? How cold does it get there?
[Shimmer, is it? Hmm... the description sounds interesting. It kind of makes him want to find someone on shimmer just so he can test his strength. That curiosity is definitely reflected in his eyes, if Viktor looks. Brad might make some Choices down there.]
How likely is it that we'll come across someone like that?
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