Following Viktor's POV

He stepped outside of Jayce's home to get a look at the property. He'd hardly had time to do that yesterday, as it was almost dark when they had arrived. It was a beautiful property. Trees lined the gravel driveway on both sides, and there was a garden that sat to the right of the porch, flowers and vines precisely planted. A small fountain sat in the middle of it.

He worked his way down the steps of the porch, the gravel crunching under him as he stepped onto it. Cold wind assaulted his face, his eyes watering due to it. Viktor shivered a bit. He wasn't used to the cold. Maybe one day he'd buy a heavier jacket, but for now, he pushed through that.

A small creek trickled by the house, snaking down the property. He hobbled over towards his, carefully lowering himself down onto the cold grass beside the creek, allowing the sounds to consume him. He laid back, gazing up at the sky. He closed his eyes, allowing the birdsong to lull him off gently. A shadow fell over him, chilling him more and he opened his eyes.

Jayce was standing over him, gazing down at him. Viktor was silent for a few moments, a shiver going up his spine again. Jayce smiled down at him.

"I see you've found yourself a nice spot to lay down," he said.

Viktor shrugged, "eeeh, it's nice and peaceful right here. Well, it was. Now some idiot is ruining it."

He grinned a bit, joking.

"Ah, I see. Well, would you mind if the idiot were to join you?" Jayce asked, raising a brow.

Viktor shuffled over slightly, silently telling Jayce that he could. Jayce lowered himself beside Viktor, remaining sat up. He watched the creek for some silent moments, the two just enjoying each others company. Viktor gazed at the clouds drifting overhead, his eyes occasionally stealing glances of Jayce.

Something had felt different inside of Viktor when he was around Jayce lately. It was a distant feeling, but Viktor shoved it aside. Nothing positive came of those emotions. He was content being friends with Jayce, at least. Though, no matter how hard he shoved the emotions away, they always resurfaced just at the sight of him. They seemed to grow stronger everyday.

Though, Jayce was straight. Viktor knew that, and he respected it. It frustrated Viktor when Jayce introduced him as his boyfriend. Was Jayce trying to do that on purpose? Was it a game to him? Maybe he'd never know.

"Vik?"

Viktor was shaken from his thoughts. Jayce was still sitting up, but now he was facing Viktor. He gazed over at Jayce. He noticed his green eyes glimmering in the sunlight. He sat up slowly, Jayce placing a hand on his back to help him.

"Sorry, was lost in thought. What?"

"Hey, you don't have to apologize," Jayce said. "I just wanted to know if you were alright."

Viktor nodded, a shiver going through his body again.

"Yeah, just a bit cold, I guess. This jacket's a bit thin. I'll have to get a new one soon-"

Jayce leaned towards him, dragging Viktor carefully towards him. Viktor let it happen. Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor's stomach, tucking him close to his chest. Viktor's gaze burned holes into the ground at that. His face flushed as Jayce wrapped his legs around Viktor. He chose not to speak, knowing if he did it'd come out as a mess. Jayce's body heat helped warm Viktor. He exhaled sharply out of his nose.

"Just friends. Friends. That's it."

Jayce set his chin on Viktor's shoulder, resting it there. After a few moments, Viktor allowed his head to tip back a bit, resting the back of his head on Jayce's shoulder. Another shiver went up Viktor's spine. Though, not because he was cold.

"How about I take you out to the town later today?" Jayce asked. "I can buy you a better jacket."

"I- I mean, uhm, if-" Viktor tried speaking, but failed miserably. He took a breath. "I mean, like, if you really want to. You don't have to-"

"I want to, though," Jayce mumbled.

"Ok, I am okay though. Like, you really don't-"

"I want to, Vik," Jayce repeated, picking his head up off of Viktor's shoulder. "Do you not want me to?"

Jayce gazed at Viktor as he kept his head tipped back. Viktor avoided eye contact.

"No, you can," Viktor said at last. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to."

"You never make me feel like I have to do anything. You make feel like I want to do things. I want to take you into town. I want to buy you a better jacket. Okay?"

"You promise?"

"Of course."

Viktor sighed. "Alright. We can go into the town then and look at jackets."

Viktor noticed Jayce grin from the corner of his eye. "Awesome!"

Viktor chuckled at his enthusiasm, shaking his head slightly. Jayce rested his forehead on Viktor's shoulder. Every time Jayce exhaled, Viktor felt it slightly on the nape of his neck. It sent shivers down his spine.

"Mmm, I don't know. They're 'just friends,' remember?"

Viktor picked his head up at the voices, Jayce doing the same. Jayce twisted around, Viktor having to do the same.

There, Caitlyn and her girlfriend, Vi, stood, watching the two guys. Viktor's face went pink and he got a glance at Jayce's face. It was a dark red.

Caitlyn giggled, "I know, but, like, that's not something friends do."

That made Viktor's face turn even pinker.

"I mean," Caitlyn continued. "Look at them. Look at their faces!"

Vi covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a laugh. Jayce and Viktor turned, gazing at each other for a moment. That's when Jayce noticed Viktor's face. He turned away quickly, shuffling back. Jayce blinked before standing.

"Uuuh, girls what're you doing out here?" Jayce asked, holding out his hand to help Viktor up.

"Uuuh, I live here? And Vi is staying over for a few days," Caitlyn said, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, well-" Jayce paused. "I- Okay.."

"Anyways," Caitlyn shrugged. "What, uh- What was that all about?"

She nodded between Viktor and Jayce, her brows raising expectantly. Viktor blinked, not knowing what to say or do.

"Nothing," Jayce shrugged. "We were just talking."

"Mmm, didn't look like that.. But if you say so," Caitlyn said smugly, turning. She grabbed Vi's hand, dragging her off.

"Well-" Viktor blinked, standing there awkwardly.

"Sorry about her," Jayce chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's alright," Viktor said.

"Yeah.. It's not like that meant anything," Jayce said.

Something died inside of Viktor when he said that. He gazed down at the ground, giving an obviously fake smile.

"Yeah.. Yeah, it didn't," he agreed.

Jayce didn't seem to noticed the fakeness behind Viktor's smile.