Following Jayce's POV

Winter break came faster than Jayce realized. He'd acquired a few more burn marks on his arm from spending more time in his second class. Jayce always told Viktor it was due to his science class, though he didn't even have a science class that semester. Fortunately, Viktor never dug too deep into the topic, only telling Jayce to "be careful or else I'll have to watch you."

It seemed him and Viktor had grown closer as well. For some reason, Jayce couldn't get the thought of Viktor out of his head. He'd occasionally flirt with Viktor. But it was nothing more than platonic flirting.. Right? Was there a difference? There had to be. Him and Viktor were only friends. Nothing else. That's what Jayce kept telling himself.

Though, it always amused Jayce by how pink he could make Viktor's face get. The way his nose crinkled up whenever he was was embarrassed never failed to make Jayce happier. Or the way his eyes widened a bit before he'd look away shyly. Jayce started to learn little things about the Russian man. The little things that made him embarrassed or shy, happy or annoyed. Viktor was always cute when-

"No, stop thinking those things. We're friends. Besides, I'm straight. I like women, not men."

Jayce quite often had to tell himself that. And, no matter how much he tried to, he couldn't stop doing little things to get those reactions from Viktor. The subtle flirting never ceased, nor the little compliments Jayce passed him. The one night Jayce had dragged Viktor to his bed because he'd been staying up too long, he could've sworn that there was something there. The way Viktor just let him scoop him up and carrying him like they'd done that a thousand times before.

The way Viktor had gazed up at him that night through tired eyes. Jayce could've sworn he saw something flicker in Viktor's eyes. It had made Jayce's face go red, though it was covered by the darkness that consumed the room. And, Jayce wasn't so sure that he didn't feel something that night.

But, once again: they were just friends. Nothing more. Friends. That's it.

..Right?

_______

Once the first week of break passed, Jayce dragged Viktor along with him, driving down to his old house. It was about a six hour drive, and Jayce stopped every once in a while to let Viktor get out and stretch his legs when they needed it. He was so pleased Viktor came. Not that he really had a say in it, though.

His mother was aware of Viktor coming, and she'd been so excited to meet him. They approached the steps, Jayce holding his arm out so Viktor had more support getting up the steps. He gladly accepted the offer, carefully making his way up alongside Jayce. They approached the door and Jayce turned to Viktor.

"Ready?" He asked.

Viktor seemed hesitant at first, but then nodded slowly with a soft smile.

"Yeah. Lead the way."

Jayce smiled and grabbed the doorknob, turning it. He closed it after Viktor followed him inside, taking a moment to take in familiarity of it all. He smiled again.

"Moooom! I'm home!" Jayce called.

A distant door opened and closed, followed by another.

"Is that my Jayce?" He heard his mother ask, peering down from the balcony of the second floor. "It is!"

He was afraid his mother would fall as she nearly ran down the stairs, happy laughter filling the air as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. He chuckled, leaning down to hug her back.

"I was only gone a few months," he chuckled.

"True, but she's been very lonely without you around," another voice said. Caitlyn.

Jayce gazed up and smiled, hugging Caitlyn when his mother finally broke away from him. Jayce noticed another, unfamiliar girl standing at the foot of the stairs. She gazed over at Caitlyn, an amused look in her eyes.

"Hm, I see. How've you two been?" Jayce asked. He motioned towards the unfamiliar girl. "And, who's that?"

"We've been great!" Caitlyn chirped. "And that's Vi, she's my girlfriend!"

Jayce waved at Vi, still gazing down at Caitlyn. "You never told me you had a girlfriend."

"Eh, it never came up in conversation," Caitlyn shrugged, glancing at Viktor. "So, now you know Vi. Who's he?"

Jayce glanced back. Viktor had taken a few steps back away from everyone. He smiled at Jayce shyly, and Jayce assumed that the presence of new people made him nervous.

"I can fix that," Jayce thought, a mischievous look glinting in his eyes.

Viktor must've noticed because he stiffened slightly, giving Jayce a concerned look, eyeing him as Jayce turned back to face his mother and Caitlyn.

"He's my boyfriend," Jayce shrugged.

"WHAT-" Viktor spoke for the first time and Jayce turned again to face him.

His face was the pinkest Jayce had ever seen it. He chuckled a bit and Viktor gave him a bewildered look. Jayce smirked and shook his head, turning back to the girls.

"No- no, he's my friend, actually," he corrected. "His name's Viktor."

Caitlyn cocked an eyebrow, gazing over at Vi before shrugging.

"Hm.. I see. Well, it's nice to meet you, Viktor," Jayce's mother spoke. "Jayce has told me a lot about you."

Viktor smiled shyly and dipped his head. "Oh- Thank you, it's nice to meet you too. I, uh, never knew he spoke about me so often. All positive?"

His mother nodded. "Of course! And, yes, all positive things. He's very fond of you, it seems."

Embarrassment flushed through Jayce's face at those words.

"Oh, is he?" Viktor asked smugly, seemingly getting back at Jayce. "I had no idea. He never told me."

"Hm, well he does! He often goes on about-"

"Oooooookaaaaay!" Jayce cut off the conversation, chuckling. "Why don't I show Viktor to his room?"

Viktor blinked, smirking. "Well, I was quite enjoying the conversa- Aye!"

Jayce had grabbed Viktor's arm, pulling him around the stairs, heading for the downstairs guest room. He pulled Viktor into the room, quickly shutting the door behind him.

"Yeah, well I wasn't," he said, crossing his arms. "And it's my house, sooo, yeah. Hmph."

Viktor chuckled, Jayce rolled eyes. His mother called him. He gazed at the door for a few moments, debating on whether or not to stay and help Viktor unpack, or go speak with his mother. He gazed at Viktor, who gave him an expecting look.

"Go talk to her," He nodded. "I'll be okay by myself for a bit."

Jayce nodded and left the guest room, heading towards the living room. He sat down on the sofa beside his mother. Caitlyn and her girlfriend sat on the loveseat together.

"Sooo, how'd you meet this Viktor boy?" His mother asked.

"I'm not proud, but I used to be one of the main people who teased him a lot," Jayce admitted, rubbing his neck.

"JAYCE TALIS!-" He cut his mother off before she could say anything else.

"But- but I don't anymore! We grew to be friends during a project we had. He's really smart! I help him a lot, and he helps me."

His mother scoffed a bit. "You know I raised you better than that."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I tell him that almost every day."

"Hm, I see. You do talk about him a lot in a positive light. What do you think of him?" His mother asked. He noticed Caitlyn shift, listening to the conversation silently.

"He's nice. We're great friends," he nodded.

"No, Jayce. I mean, like, do you like him?" His mother asked.

Jayce paused, his mouth falling open wordlessly. His thought for a few moments before shrugging.

"I don't know. I don't think so, I'm straight."

"Y'know-" Caitlyn chimed in, "you don't have to be gay to like guys."

"I- Actually, no.. I didn't know that. But, I'm still not sure if I like him- I mean he's-"

Jayce's mother raised an eyebrow. "He's what?"

"He's really nice and smart, and I could go on and on about the little things about him for ages and- Oh my God-"

Realization hit Jayce like a bus.

"I like Viktor."

Caitlyn giggled a bit and her girlfriend chuckled. His mother gave him an amused look.

"I think you have a little crush," Caitlyn snickered.

Jayce was red in the face with realization. Did this mean he wasn't straight? Well, obviously. But what was he? He wasn't gay. He looked at Caitlyn for help, she knew best about this stuff out of all four of them. Well, perhaps Vi knew about it too.

_______

After a long, confusing conversation, Jayce found out he was most likely bisexual. He was still a bit shocked about the whole discovery when he returned to the guest bedroom, his face still red. Viktor gazed up from a book he was reading on the bed.

"Is.. Everything alright?" He asked, placing the book down and grabbing his cane.

"I- Yeah.. Yeah, I think it is," Jayce nodded. He felt oddly calm now.

Viktor hobbled over, gazing up at Jayce through narrowed eyes.

"Are you sure? Don't lie to me, Talis."

"Never. I'd never lie to you, Viktor."

"Except for when I lied about my science class."

"Mmm, okay. I got unpacked while you were out, so I don't need help with that anymore," Viktor said, still gazing up at Jayce.

A pang of guilt shot through Jayce.

"Oh, God! I'm so sorry, Vik!" He reached forward, grabbing Viktor's arms. "I didn't realize I'd be gone that long. You could've just waited. I'm sorry-"

Viktor shook his head, his face a faint shade of pink. "Hey, it's alright. Really, it's okay!"

Jayce sighed, emotion suddenly swarming in his stomach.

"Hey, Vik?"

"Yeah?"

"Can- can I, uh, hug you real quick?"

Viktor was wordless for a few moments and regret churned in Jayce's stomach. However, before he could appologize, Viktor silently wrapped his arms around his stomach.

"Sure," he replied softly.

Jayce's breath caught silently in his throat and he hugged the shorter man back, comfort seeping into his bones. He rested his chin on top of Viktor's head for several moments, taking in a deep breath.

"Thank you," Jayce whispered, closing his eyes for a moment. "I really do appreciate it."

"Did something in particular happen that caused this?" Viktor asked, still pressed against Jayce's chest.

"Yeah, but it's not important right now," Jayce replied.

"Are you sure? I'm always open to listen," Viktor muttered.

"Yeah. Maybe some other time," Jayce responded.

"Promise?"

"Of course."