continuation of a meme thread (closed)

[perfectpower]

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

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[perfectpower]

[continued from here.

Brad doesn't seem to mind how close Viktor is, now how much they're touching. He lets Viktor be, and he smiling as he falls asleep.

Brad is, unfortunately, a late sleeper though. So the next morning, Viktor will have to crawl out of their sleeping embrace. Brad won't make his way out of the bedroom until nearly 10 am unless he's purposefully woken up. But hey, at least he didn't snore? He's not a terrible bed partner.]

[becomerobot]

[Viktor is the worse bed mate between the two of them. He fidgets and adjusts and turns over constantly, stretches and contracts, grumbles and mutters. Basically everything short of snoring. Still, with Brad so firm and warm in his bed, Viktor can actually find some rest. Much better rest than his usual actual.

It reminded him of when he was sneaking into the Academy. When he didn't want to travel all the way back to the undercity and risk drawing attention to his deception. He could usually find some young man of Piltover willing to keep him in his bed or on his couch for the night. Not even all that often for sex, just a friendly or convenient favor, an exchange for help completing some project or assignment. Viktor was always crafty with that sort of thing. Good at overstaying his welcome.

And sometime it had gone along with a fling. How times did change... now all he thought about was his work. He nuzzles into Brad's arms and while he woke up, briefly, at his more usual time... the feeling of being held lulled him back to some much needed sleep. The debt he's in from so many long nights in the lab, followed by early mornings right back, is incalculable.

It is around 10am that the phone by his desk is rattling, a direct line from his apartment to the lab that he'd designed so he could be reached even off his usual hours. The noise does startle him awake, but then he's double startled to find himself so buried into another man's chest, held so securely in his arms-

Brad could probably beat him to picking it up, Viktor needs to shake off the stun he woke up to]

[perfectpower]

[Bradley is at least big enough that he can't be shoved around too badly in bed. He can sleep through most anything besides being thrown out of bed entirely.

A phone, however, that wakes him up immediately. A phone call in the morning usually means hunting needs to be done, and answering the call is an automatic reflex by now.

He doesn't get out of bed to answer it though. He just holds up a hand and flicks his wrist, and the phone floats right over to him. Such a display of magic for such a mundane thing. Then he takes it in hand and answers groggily, with a throat dry from sleep.]

Yeah?

[He's expecting to hear Akira on the other end. He is about to realize what a horrible mistake he's made.]

[becomerobot]

[The stun of waking up to find 1) Bradley was not a mere dream and 2) he is so tangled up in the very real man and 3) he is demonstrating casual magic right before Viktor's eyes is a lot to shake off. He watches Bradley hover the phone over and then grasp it, pulling it to his ear to answer,

His voice is so clearly nothing like Viktor's. Viktor is the only person to have every answered that phone, so the absolutely indignant sound of Jayce's voice when he responds "Who is this? Where is Viktor- Answer me-" is what catches Viktor up with everything. He reaches both hands to claw the phone receiver out from Bradley's clutches and pull it to respond with haste and sternness,]

I'm here, what is it?

[perfectpower]

[oooooh, right. Not his room, not his phone.

Well. He's awake now- it seems phone calls wake him right up with no complaints, for some reason- but he'll stay right here and listen in on Viktor's conversation. Must be one of Viktor's co-workers, given the time of day. People with day jobs go to work long before now, and they're suckers for it.

He will whisper to Viktor though, just to confirm his thoughts.]

Who's that? A co-worker?

[becomerobot]

[Jayce seems stunned silent on the other side for a moment, before collecting himself,

"... I was just checking up on you. You're usually in by now. Are you... feeling alright? Someone is with you?"

Jayce definitely hears Brad's whispered question, Viktor shh-shhing at him before responding more firmly,]

As well as I can be, Jayce. Don't worry. I-... I will be in as soon as I can. ["-You don't have to. You can take time off if you need-"]

-I will be in. Soon. Just give me time.

["... Alright."

Viktor holds his breath as he pushes the phone back to it's receiver, struggling to reach out from where he was still laid out on the bed to hand it up. He finally sighs when it's done, long and leading to an eventual cough he fights to cover with his hand,]

[perfectpower]

[Definitely a co-worker.

With the call done, Brad finally lets go of Viktor and rolls over to sit up. He pulls his boots on and stands up before slipping his coat on. That's when he notices the crutch by where his stuff had been.]

Need this?

[He heard that cough earlier, and that combined with the brace and crutch don't paint a good picture for Viktor's health. Brad is already running through spells in his mind that might help with that, but he comes up short. Healing has never been his strong suit, and it would take someone like the Curseworker to meaningfully help Viktor's life in any way. Brad will hold off on saying anything about that right now though, since it's better to not pile all of that on Viktor right now.

Instead, once the crutch situation is sorted, Brad is going to go be nosy and see what Viktor has in his kitchen. Breakfast is always important, and today is no exception.]

I can give you a ride to work if you need one too.

[becomerobot]

[Brad gets himself up and out of bed quickly, so Viktor attempts to follow suit. He sits up and swings his own legs over the edge of the mattress, though cannot stand so easily. There is a leg brace he pulls over to himself and begins to latch into place. The crutch is taken when offered, with a nod of thanks, and set within reach for when he's ready for it.

Should he change his clothes, shower, anything like that? Sure, but he's already late. It isn't like they worked up a sweat, anyways. Just... slept. Peacefully. He watches Brad raid his kitchen set up while he's fiddling the brace on,]

A ride on what, might I ask? Because if it is magic, you better not do so in public. This is Piltover and you'll start a riot. The people here... they are afraid of mages. [Not Viktor though, nothing much frightens him]

[perfectpower]

Ah, so it's like the East then, got it. Guess we won't be flying in on any brooms then.

[Brad can quickly make toast and eggs at least, to make some kind of a sandwich. Any ingredients Viktor doesn't have on hand Brad will just magically summon to the kitchen (teleported from Nero's kitchen, which will cause the chef to have a fit later, but that's not Brad's problem right now).]

A cab then?

[Brad doesn't usually ride in cars, as he prefers methods he has control over. But he has made exceptions in the past on trips to the Eastern region of his country, as they are strictly anti-magic there too. Not that he could blend in with humans there anyway, everyone in the East knows who he is and most barely tolerate him. There's a reason he only goes there to fight darkspawn.]

[becomerobot]

It is only across the plaza from here. I will walk. [Viktor tightens the last strap on his brace to punctuate, before adjusting the crutch to lift himself up. It is good for him, to keep as active as he can in his health.

He crosses to the kitchen space and stands, watching Brad rummage for breakfast. Viktor is stocked with the basics the man is looking for; bread, butter, eggs, salt, pepper. Nothing more complicated or involved than that. Even just those things... they were such luxuries where he grew up.]

... a broom sounds like a rather undignified method of transportation, if I'm being honest. [that can't be real, that's childhood storybook stuff]

[perfectpower]

Now see, that's where your inexperience is foolin' you. Riding brooms is awesome.

[Not that he could take Viktor for a broom ride around here, but he sticks that thought away in the back of his mind. Should the opportunity arise, he will be prepared.

He finishes one of his toast and egg sandwiches and shoves it in his mouth while he works to finish Viktor's. Once he's done, he'll hand over Viktor's sandwich then start eating his own. It's not much, but it serves it's purpose.]

It's not a dangerous walk, right?

[becomerobot]

[Everytime Brad opens his mouth it causes 100 more questions. So, when he stuff it with a sandwich, Viktor feels some relief. He moves beside him to take the offered sandwich once his own is done. Feeding himself as the guest before the host is something Viktor would have insisted on anyways, so it slips by him as a power move... just seems like correct manners to him,]

Why, are you worried I won't make it? Or are you just looking for an excuse to tag along?

[perfectpower]

Moreso the latter.

[At least he's honest.]

It's not like I have anything better to do here anyway. And if someone gets in your face I can stab 'em for you.

[becomerobot]

Not one to be left at home like a sad puppy, I see... [a joke, but also that would be the vibe, wouldn't it? Except Viktor is certain this mage would not keep to himself. He'd either be roaming around the city unsupervised... or follow after Viktor. Which is preferable?

Moreso the latter, indeed. Viktor bites into his toasts, chews, and swallows before answering further.]

The work I do is held in the strictest of confidence. I cannot simply invite you in on tour... but if you are my new muscle, to move things about for me, e-e-eh... [he make a yes-no wave of a gesture. It would be a shoddy excuse, but if he kept Brad to his office and the common areas, there shouldn't be much fuss made. He takes another bite of toast,]

[perfectpower]

[Brad is more cat-coded than dog-coded, but this works.]

Hey, I was a day laborer when I was out on work release from prison. I can act the part at least.

[The way he just says things is amazing.

He will indeed follow after Viktor when Viktor leaves though. Good luck confining him anywhere.]

[becomerobot]

[The way Viktor just doesn't react to hearing Brad was once in prison is astonishing. He just chews his toast and considers that like it's any kind of small talk.

Who in the Undercity hadn't caught a case, after all? Viktor nearly did, impersonating a student in the Academy... it was only be good grace that he amused and impressed Councilor Heimerdinger with his antics and skill.]

That is a humorous notion. Trying to keep a man who teleports when he sneezes locked up, I mean.

[perfectpower]

Yeah, it's part of why they put me in work release. They couldn't keep me locked up any longer.

[That's a wholeass story that Brad is sitting on there too, but for now he's snickering about it like it's a fond memory.]

At least being on work release I'm not violating the terms of my prison sentence if I end up in the weeds somewhere.

I'll keep all of this quiet too, no need for your co-worker to hear that you've got a felon in your home.

[becomerobot]

[Viktor swiftly finishes his toast and eggs as Brad speaks. He eats quick, habitually taking very little time because there are better things to do with those precious seconds... but also because that's how he grew up. If you didn't eat everything you were given, and quick, then someone would take it.]

A felon and a mage, sheltered in my own bed no less. Described like that, you're a true terror to the people here. [He straightens up and gets his crutch beneath him, moving towards the door. Viktor grabs his coat and slides it on, before slipping his shoes on,]

We can keep all that a secret between us. How should we have met, if either of us are asked?

[perfectpower]

The hired muscle isn't such a bad idea. Just say you need another pair of hands around your lab, and that's what I'm here for.

[He's certainly strong enough for it, even without his magic.]

As for how we met? Well, that co-worker of yours is already assuming we fucked, so you could say we met at a bar.

[He worded it like that specifically to fluster Viktor. But yeah, the "I boned him and now he's my lab assistant" seems like the path that will get the least prying questions asked, because everyone else would be too embarrassed to ask about it.]

[becomerobot]

[Flustering Viktor is... quite difficult. He's also taking the idea of decent cover story seriously. People would talk like that. He contemplates with a focused look on his face,]

Playing into a more scandalous angle would detour further prying. [Brad meant to fluster him, instead he just made Viktor scheme more thoughtfully,]

Eh, it is too unlike me, Jayce would see right through it. Picked you up at a bar... no. Picked you up from a gutter? Perhaps... [Viktor does have a soft spot for those in need, so that's more in his character than trying to pick a man up for sex]

[perfectpower]

[Well. Brad has been found in gutters before, so.]

Drunk in a gutter, let's go with that. And the job is to help me get back on my feet.

[Bouncing ideas off of Viktor for a backstory is actually kind of fun! Hopefully he doesn't slip up in the explanations at any point.]

[becomerobot]

That will do, yes. [Viktor gestures for Brad to follow along with him, ready to go out and hurry along as he promised his co-worker. Going outside reveals a lush courtyard, Viktor's apartment on the lowest floor of a nice complex, just across from the Academy. Professor and scientist accommodations, nothing as nice as the major families of Piltover had, but still swanky for what they were. The city is truly gorgeous, everything paved and plastered and painted cleanly.

To find a man drunk in the gutter here would look odd. Definitely not impossible or even improbable, just odd against the pristine backdrop of such an affluent place. He locks the door behind them and begins his usual walk out of the complex and through to the plaza. Once they enter a space with more people, Viktor seems to get recognized rather often, though never stopped.]

[perfectpower]

[For their whole walk there, Brad is a good hired muscle man. He doesn't cast a single spell, not even little ones like a locking spell or anything, and he tries his best not to show how interested he is in the lab. Actual work sounds boring, but the thought of getting rid of his curse is enough to keep him on board.

Brad actually hums as they walk along, keeping a slow pace so he's right by Viktor the whole time. Brad's magically-inclined mind is already thinking of ways to help Viktor move faster, but he keeps those thoughts to himself in this anti-magic city. It's best if he just looks like an odd companion and nothing more. He won't try to strike up conversation here, instead leaving any potential hellos for Viktor to deal with.

The walk is quick though, and soon they're at the academy. As soon as they're through the doors, Brad takes a few steps forward so he can take in the view. It sure is something, especially to someone who never went to school.]

So this is where you work?

[Brad, thinking Viktor works for the whole building.]

[becomerobot]

[Viktor would say he works for the whole city, so his answer is nonchalant,]

Yes, impressive, isn't it? A true monolith. [there is some wryness in there, something about it clearly not sitting fully right with Viktor. There is hubris and privilege to such monuments, even if they are places of work. Good work, even, or so he likes to think of his Hextech dream...

Viktor will not show him deep into the facility, opting to go to his own more public facing office rather than the lab. He walks in and hears the phone ringing already, trying to get to it quickly to answer, but missing it. A huff as he redials...]

I just got in. There is work for me at my own office and I have a... guest. Helping me today. [right, their cover-] If you need anything moved about, I can send him to assist. He should be plenty capable.

[perfectpower]

[A guest, he says. A cocktail grin appears on his face as he thinks of an excellent way to keep up the charade and be a menace at the same time.]

If you pay extra I'll do the work shirtless too.

[He says that during a pause in Viktor's conversation, so the person on the other line hears it too.]