The thing is, it's really not what it looks like.

Jayce doesn't answer questions for Viktor with him standing right there to be dismissive. He doesn't ignore Viktor's input to choose what he wants to be selfish. He doesn't deny Viktor's requests whenever he feels like it to purposefully control him. He doesn't cover Viktor's mouth during sex to take what he wants.

He does it all because Viktor told him to. Because Viktor said it would make him happy.

And Jayce would do anything to make Viktor happy. Anything.

Even this.

Today's letter isn't the worst. Just the usual rendition of Viktor's day, as told by his omnipotent narrator. It notes what time Viktor set off for work, who he greeted first at the door, what Viktor ate at a cafe for lunch.

Jayce is very good at pretending he doesn't want Viktor to take advantage of him. A bit too good, perhaps.

It started with Jayce being unable to kill Salo at the Hexgates. His hammer was poised to strike, flexed, tensed muscles in a damning position, but a thought sparked within him, 'what if Viktor can feel this?' and he was powerless to stop it.

“Have you heard about Councillor Talis' new fling?”

“Councillor Talis?” Viktor's voice comes out shaky. He quickly clears his throat.

Jayce's considerable physical strength compared to his own has weighed on Viktor's mind before. But he never expected Jayce would take advantage of it. Certainly not like this.

Jayce pins his prey on his stomach with a boot to the small of his back. The faux wound on his shoulder is all twitching wires and bleeding synthetic fluids and sparking, ungrounded electricity.

Viktor didn’t pull his punches today. He wanted Jayce to take real damage in this fight. He wanted him to suffer. He’s pissed off for some reason other than the countless, fleeting, intangible reasons they’ve both been pissed off at each other for half a decade.

Jayce intends to find out exactly what that reason is.

Jayce is touchy, and likes to get his way, so Viktor decides to teach him a lesson to appreciate what he’s got.

Or, Viktor ties Jayce up and forces him to watch as he touches himself.

Viktor has to piss, hilarity ensues.

Jayce bends down, kisses the matching dimples at the small of Viktor’s back; he sinks his canines into the gentle rise of one cheek. Viktor’s good leg twitches, kicking out blindly, and he splutters an indignant little laugh into the sheets.

“Tenderizing your meal?” he drawls at Jayce sarcastically, but there’s something pulled taut in his voice. Anticipation. His hips cant further upwards by a fraction of a degree, almost invisible but unmistakable. It’s always so subtle with Viktor, but Jayce has learned to read every part of him. He’s presenting for Jayce.

It’s irresistible. Fuck, Viktor is always irresistible – but when he relents like this? Offers himself up and allows Jayce to manhandle him?

On late nights at the lab, Viktor offers his couch for Jayce to sleep on since his apartment is closer. Jayce sleepwalks into Viktor's bedroom. Viktor decides to keep it a secret.

Jayce gets a footjob from Viktor.

He’s about to go inside when he hears Jayce call out, “I don’t think I caught your name.”

Viktor pauses, turning back to drink in the sight of him one last time — tall, dark hair, black clothes, and white priest’s collar popping out like a beacon in the night. He swallows. “It’s Viktor.”

Viktor, alone in the lab late at night, discovers an interesting device hidden underneath Jayce's desk. He can't help but to explore it's uses... for science, of course.