"Please Stay" - Arcane Viktor x Reader

Chapter 21

Viktor focused POV

,,I don't understand what you're implying Jayce..."

Viktor was very visibly flustered by such straight forward question.

,,I barely know her, where would such a ridiculous idea come from?"

Even though his face was calm, his accented voice was shaking just slightly. He fidgeted with his fingers trying to collect his thoughts which were now in scrambles.

,,That's funny, because it's exactly what she said yesterday when we talked"

Boy's eyebrows furrowed as he clearly didn't appreciate his colleague asking around both him and Y/N about their feelings. He felt glad though, now knowing that she didn't fall for him, as that would make their relationship much more awkward than it needed to be.

,,You asked her that too? Why? Are you trying to play Cupid or just running some perverted social experiment?"

Jayce was taken back a little by his colleagues defensive attitude. Maybe he really jumped to conclusions too hastily. His expression sunk a little, and Viktor almost felt bad looking at him.

,,Look, Y/N is a great girl. She's dedicated and hardworking and I can appreciate that. She's a bit too prideful and sometimes insensitive, but she's not a bad person."

He explained himself more calmly and Jayce relaxed a little, leaning back on his chair. He looked over towards the two girls, who were now kissing softly over their table. The Vastaya's tail was straightened up with excitement, still making the silent hissing sound. The young inventor turned his gaze away, trying to give them as much privacy as he could.

,,I'm sorry... I guess I'm just concerned for you. The two of you got that competitive chemistry and she's not someone to get overshadowed easily. She might stop at nothing just to best you."

The Zaunite almost laughed, a mocking expression flashing his face. However when he saw that his partner was serious, his face tensed up.

,,Have you ever seen Y/N cry, Jayce?"

His speaker was a bit shocked by his question but soon he collected himself.

,,No... Actually... Why? "

This time Viktor laughed for real, making Jayce get visibly upset at his reaction.

,,Why? What's so funny about it?"

,,You know her for longer than I do and this is all you've inferred? That she's overly ambitious and competitive?"

He paused and chuckled sadly. People really didn't see what she didn't want them to see. Even someone as close as Jayce... He just didn't even consider the idea of there being some depth to her actions. They focused on the light so much, they didn't accept the concept of there being a shadow to it.

'She must've been so lonely throughout the years.'

Viktor thought to himself and let out an audible sigh.

,,I believe that you are missing the bigger picture, however it is not in my competence to tell it. Just know that sometimes there is much more reasoning beyond ones actions, than we expect."

He spoke calmly yet clearly, leaving no room for discussion. Y/N needed to be the one to enlighten him. In her own space and her own time. On her rules.

He stopped as Bella opened the door widely and walked in with a slim, wooden tray. She leaned over the two boys and placed two steaming mugs and a plate in front of them. Viktor looked confusedly at his cup, as he specified he didn't want anything. He sent the woman a puzzled look and she smiled warmly.