Following Viktor's POV

Viktor woke with a start in the morning, gazing around the room. His alarm blared in his ears as he rolled over, groaning. He sat up eventually, shutting off his alarm. Grabbing his phone, he looked at the time.

Friday, September 30th, 9:55 a.m.

He grumbled, knowing what today entailed. Not only did Viktor have a project for his engineering and technology class, but he was also assigned to work at the football game the academy had, assisting with any injuries the players might acquire. He shook his head and got changed. Perhaps while he was sitting around at the game, he could work on his engineering and technology project, killing two birds with one stone.

After packing his bag with his laptop, books, and sketchbook, he headed for the kitchen. He sat at the table, slouching over as he sipped at the coffee he'd just made. Viktor gazed at the time in his phone again. 10:15. Standing, he hobbled over towards the sink and set his mug in there, taking a moment to stretch briefly. He turned, heading to the door, a key now held in his free hand.

"Hey, wait up! Hold on, I'm almost ready," Jayce called from his bedroom.

Viktor paused. Was he talking to Viktor? He must've been, seeing as Viktor is the only other person around. Jayce ran from his room, vanishing into the kitchen before reemerging from it, holding a packet of poptarts in hand.

"Mind if I walk with you?" He asked, gazing down at Viktor.

"I mean- If you're alright with walking slow," Viktor shrugged, opening the door. "Why?"

Jayce stepped through the door and Viktor closed it, locking the dorm.

"We could talk about the project on the way to class," Jayce shrugged, yawning. "Damn, you wake up early."

Viktor shrugged. "What time do you wake up?"

"As late as I can," Jayce chuckled, pressing the down button on the elevator, stepping into it.

"You and I seem to be polar opposites," Viktor said, pressing the button for the lobby.

"Now that you mention it, I think we are too," Jayce replied. "What time do you go to bed?"

Viktor was quiet for a few moments, shrugging. "Eeh, one at the earliest."

"One? How- God, I could never!" Jayce paused. "Wait, at the earliest? Surely that can't be good for your health."

"Mm, well I'm fine for now," he shrugged. "I can't risk falling behind on any classwork."

Jayce shrugged, giving a small nod in agreement. A thought crept into Viktor's mind.

"Oh! I can't work on the project with you immediately after my classes are over," he said. "I've been assigned to help with that stupid football game that's today. I don't know how long they last, so it could be a while. However, I plan on working on the project while I'm not doing anything, so no need to worry."

"Do you ever stop working?" Jayce blinked down at Viktor as the two made their way down the sidewalk.

"Why do other things when I can work?" Viktor asked, shrugging.

"Uh, 'cause you get to relax?" Jayce suggested. "When was the last time you took a break from work?"

"Last night when I fell asleep," Viktor replied.

"I- No, Viktor, that's not relaxing," Jayce said.

"I suppose I will never relax then."

"Oh! Going back to the football game, I'm playing tonight too, so no worries about not working together. Well, actually, if you think about it, we still technically are working together," Jayce said, gazing ahead of the two at the building.

"Hm, I suppose you're correct, Talis," Viktor nodded. "I'm helping with injuries and water today."

Jayce nodded, "seems like you'll be busy then. A lot of football players tend to get hurt or need water."

"Oh, fun. I get to touch a bunch of hot, sweaty football jocks and help treat their boo-boos," Viktor scoffed sarcastically, a look of disgust settling on his face.

Jayce blinked, gazing down at Viktor for a moment. Realization sunk into Viktor's bones and he flailed his free hand about, trying to fan away the embarrassment settled on his face.

"Uh- No, I didn't mean it like that," Viktor said quickly, trying to fix what he just said. "I just mean, like- Well, it's just- It was sarcasm."

He settled for that, gazing at the ground, embarrassment seeping further onto his face, warming it slightly. Jayce laughed, shaking his head.

"I get it," he shrugged. "You meant something as one thing, but it came out as another. If I had a penny for every time I did that, I'd be so rich."

"Yeah, I think I'd be rich too," Viktor said, chuckling awkwardly.

As the two walked along in silence, Viktor took the time to gaze at the trees. Reds and yellows heavily dotting them beautifully, leaving only small spots of green scattered amongst them. Soon, they'd all be plagued by browns and dark oranges, growing too weak and falling from their stems onto the sidewalk, only to get stepped on by careless people.

He breathed in the smell of the autumn air, relaxing a bit. He enjoyed autumn, especially when it was mixed with thunderstorms. Autumn was perfect; the right amount of hot and cold mixed together. He let his thoughts trail off as he walked on mindlessly, his eyes returning to the dull concrete sidewalk.

"We're here," Jayce said, shaking him from his thoughts.

Viktor looked up at the doors that sat closed in front of them.

"It's appears so," he nodded.

He reached out and pulled on the one of the heavy metal doors' handles. He leaned back, nearly putting his whole body weight into opening the door. Before he could slip his foot in front of the door to stop it from closing, Jayce spoke.

"Here- Let me just help with that," he chuckled, pulling the door open easily, allowing Viktor to go through.

"Oh, thank you-"

"No problem," Jayce said, letting the door shut behind them as they entered the lecture hall. "Mind if I sit beside you today? Seems Heimerdinger is letting us work with our partners again."

Jayce nodded towards the board reading "work with your partner today."

"Eeh, sure," Viktor shrugged, hobbling over towards his seat.

Jayce followed beside him, taking a seat next to him. Pulling out their work, they set off, discussing plans and ideas for the project.