Following Jayce's POV

Jayce muttered to himself, sitting up in his bed. Sunlight trickled into his room, pooling onto his floor. As he moved to stand, he groaned, his muscles sore from the game yesterday. Taking a moment to get comfortable after he stood, he got dressed, grabbed his phone, and slipped out of his room.

He checked the time on his phone. 12:37. He sat on the couch, deciding he'd give Viktor until one to wake up and get ready before Jayce took matters into his own hands. Kicking his feet up onto the coffee table, Jayce leaned into the couch, turning on the TV, waiting. Time passed quickly. Jayce gazed at his phone. 1:02.

Turning the TV off, Jayce stood, stretching. He walked towards Viktor's door, knocking on it softly.

"Viktor, are you awake?" He called softly. "Don't think you're getting out of going to that cafe by sleeping."

When he got no reply, he quietly opened the door, gazing into the room. He looked over towards Viktor's bed. A small lump laid in the center of it, dark hair confirming it was Viktor. Leaving the door open a crack, he stepped farther into the room. Only a crack of natural light seeped into the room. Quietly, Jayce made his way over towards Viktor's bed, his foot hitting something metal on the ground.

Gazing down, he noticed Viktor's leg brace. It looked beat up and worn out from the years of use it must've endeavored. He shifted his gaze over to the cane propped against the wall. It was splintered and tapped together. A bit of guilt twisted in Jayce's stomach. He shook his head, pushing it aside.

"Viktor?" Jayce asked, lowering himself onto the side of his bed gently.

Viktor stirred slightly, mumbling something in his native tongue.

"Viktor, it's one in the afternoon. You can't sleep forever. I thought you were used to waking up early."

"Mmmm-" Viktor rolled over a bit, the sound of metal clinking together, intriguing Jayce. "I am."

"What time did you stay up until last night?" Jayce asked, shaking Viktor slightly, who still laid under the sheets, hoping to wake him more.

"It wasn't that late," he muttered groggily, uncovering his arms to rub his face.

"I think your version and my version of 'wasn't that late' are very different," Jayce chuckled softly. "Now get up and get ready, that cafe isn't going to be open all day."

"I don't wanna-" Viktor muttered.

Jayce chuckled a bit. Viktor's accent was heavier than it usually was.

"Well, if you say so," Jayce shrugged.

Leaning forward, Jayce scooped his arms under Viktor's thin frame, lifting him, along with the blanket, into the air. Viktor flailed around, his hands grasping at the air.

"Talis, put me down!"

Jayce's hand brushed against something hard on Viktor's back under his shirt. Putting two together, he guessed Viktor wore a back brace.

"How long have you worn a back brace for?" He asked mindlessly, gazing down at Viktor who still looked a bit shocked.

"Uh, I don't know- since I was little," Viktor replied, relaxing a bit. He shifted his bad leg, readjusting it.

"Oh. I only thought you wore a leg brace," Jayce muttered, gazing down at the brace.

"No, my leg kind of messes things up with my spine a bit," Viktor shrugged.

Jayce nodded silently, his gaze still resting on the leg brace.

"You think you'll ever replace the brace? Or your cane?" He nodded towards the two objects.

Viktor gazed over at them. "Oh- I would, and I really should, but I don't have the extra money. They'll last throughout college, though. Hopefully-"

Jayce nodded, making a note of that. Perhaps he'd do something about it in the future. Viktor shifted again, readjusting his leg.

"Uh, Talis?"

Jayce gazed down, tipping his head to the side a bit.

"Hm?"

"Can you, uh- Can you put me down, please?"

Jayce blinked, suddenly realizing he still had Viktor scooped up in his arms. He felt a wave of warmth cover his face.

"Oh! Yeah, sorry about that," he chuckled awkwardly, gently setting him back down, careful of his bad leg.

"It's, uh, no worries," Viktor responded, equally as awkward.

"Well, uhm- I'll be in the living area. If you get ready, we can get to the cafe soon," Jayce said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"A-alright. Yeah, sure, I'll get ready."

Turning on his feet quickly, Jayce nearly sprinted for the door, embarrassment still hot on his face. He felt it up to the tips of his ears. Closing the door, he collapsed on the couch, fanning his face a bit.

Why had he had that reaction? That was stupid. He just embarrassed himself so much.

Fifteen minutes passed and Jayce had calmed down, sighing. The doorknob to Viktor's room stirred and the door creaked open then closed again. Jayce stood, walking over. Viktor wore his usual outfit.

"Ready to go?" Jayce asked, holding a key in his hand.

"I think so," Viktor nodded with a shrug.

"Alright, let's head out!"

"Lead the way, Talis."

_______

The two stepped into the cafe, the warm air hitting Jayce's face welcomingly. They headed for the line to order. Viktor took a few moments to gaze over the options, and Jayce could nearly see the cogs turning in his head.

"Uh- There's a lot of options here," he mumbled.

"Dang, when was the last time you've been to a cafe?" Jayce asked, gazing over Viktor's shoulder at the options, already know what he'd order.

"I've never actually been to a cafe before," Viktor replied, eyeing a cinnamon roll displayed behind glass.

"Really? Well, now you have!" Jayce said happily.

A look of frustration passed through Viktor's eyes.

"Yes, I suppose I have now," Viktor nodded, turning to face Jayce. "What do you usually get?"

"Oh, well I usually get a slice of cheesecake," Jayce said with a confident nod. "It's really good here."

"Hm, I see. I'll get that too then, I suppose," Viktor nodded back, straightening his posture.

"Good to know I have an influence on you!" Jayce joked, walking towards the counter. "What do you want to drink?"

"Just a black coffee, please."

_______

After receiving their food, paying, and sitting down, Jayce watched Viktor as he poked at the cheesecake, observing it.

"It's not a math equation," Jayce laughed. "Just poke it and eat it."

Viktor glanced up at Jayce for a moment before nodding slightly, doing what Jayce said. He watched as Viktor popped the piece into his mouth, taking a moment to study the flavor.

"It's.. It's sweet, that's for sure," Viktor nodded, shrugging a bit. "Not bad."

Jayce nodded, semi-satisfied by his response to it. He'd nearly eaten all of his slice, only pausing occasionally to watch Viktor study the cafe or food. Viktor glanced to the side of the table suddenly and Jayce followed his gaze.

Jayce saw Mel on the other side of the cafe, sitting with one of her own friends. She was gazing at Jayce when he had seen her. Clearly embarrassed, she'd quickly looked back towards her friend. Jayce blinked, turning his attention back towards the rest of his cheesecake. Viktor sipped his coffee quietly, only speaking after a few moments.

"Seems she's coming over," he whispered quietly, eyeing Jayce.

Jayce straightened his posture at the words, clearing his throat a bit. A voice came from his side.

"Hello, Jayce."

Jayce gazed up.

"Hey, Mel! How are you?" He asked, scooting over in his booth seat, offering her a place to sit.

However, she shook her head, waving off the offer.

"I'm doing lovely," she said, her British accent strong. "And you?"

Jayce shrugged his shoulders. "I'm fine."

"That's nice to hear. What brings you to the cafe today?"

Jayce glanced at Viktor, his brows furrowing for a moment. Was it not clear why?

"Uhm, I'm eating here with Viktor," Jayce replied.

Viktor gave a small wave and Mel eyed him from the corner of her eye.

"Hm, I see. Anyways, would you perhaps want to hang out tomorrow? To celebrate the win your team got yesterday, of course," Mel asked.

"Could Viktor come?" Jayce asked absentmindedly.

"Perhaps it's best if he doesn't come," Mel responded quickly. "I just, and no offense, don't think he'd be able to keep up."

From the corner of his eye, Jayce noticed Viktor shift. He'd turned his attention away from Mel and Jayce, stabbing at the cheesecake on his plate.

"I see-" Jayce blinked. "Then, I'm alright. Thank you for the offer, though."

"Hm, very well then. Have a good day, Jayce," Mel said, walking off back towards her table.

After a few moments, Viktor stood and threw away the rest of his cheesecake. He returned back to the table to grab his phone, heading for the cafe door. Jayce stood to follow after him, leaving his own drink behind.

"Aye, Viktor, wait up!" Jayce called.

The Russian kept hobbling forward, muttering in his native tongue. Jayce caught up, keeping pace with him. Viktor seemed to be pushing his pace, his bad leg trailing behind, his cane struggling to keep up.

"Slow down before you fall-" Jayce began.

Viktor shook his head. "I can handle it."

"But, Viktor, still-"

Viktor responded by speeding up faster, limping heavily as he dragged himself farther. Jayce kept up with him, worry sparking in his eyes. He watched as Viktor overextended his cane, his balance shifting too far for him to save himself. Jayce tried to lounge forward to grab him, but it was too late. Viktor caught himself by landing on his knees and hands.

"Treklyatyy noga!" He hissed, twisting so he was sitting.

He clutched his leg, wincing and Jayce noticed red slowly seeping into the knees of Viktor's pants. Jayce crouched, reaching his hand out slowly.

"Need any help up?" He asked carefully.

Viktor was clearly embarrassed. He hid his face, still clutching his leg, gritting his teeth. Jayce wrapped his arm around Viktor's back, not waiting for a reply before helping him up. Viktor let out another hiss of pain, struggling to stand completely on his leg.

"I- You're not gonna get anywhere on that leg for a bit," Jayce said.

"You don't say?" Viktor retorted sarcastically.

"Just- Here, just hold still."

Doing what he did this morning, he scooped Viktor up, lifting him close to him. Viktor had the same reaction as well, flailing his arms about, wincing as he kicked one of his legs out.

"Whoa, calm down. Relax," Jayce blinked, eyeing the cane Viktor wielded. "Before you knock me out with that."

Viktor was silent for a moment, frustration and pain painting his face. He finally spoke after readjusting his leg slightly.

"Sorry, I'm fine now," Viktor muttered.

"Alright," Jayce nodded. "Let's just get you back to the dorm."