Work Text:
How do you know when you are in love?
The question ruminates in Jayce’s mind as he picks out a piece of metal to turn into Viktor’s next cane. Once it is chosen, he turns to set it in the forge to start the process of heating the metal.
Is it love or obsession that causes his heart to race at the thought of being apart from Viktor for too long? Is it love or the touch starvation that has him craving his—and only his—touch? Is it love or lust that has him admiring Viktor’s lithe body as they move about the lab together?
How is he supposed to know when he has never felt this before? Sure, Jayce has loved… He loves his mother, he loves Caitlyn, he loves his work. But none of those feel the same. None of them explain why his heart aches like this.
Once the metal is heated, he turns to the anvil and begins the process of shaping it. The familiar motions soothe him. Unfortunately, they do not enlighten him. Jayce comes away from the forge a cane richer, but still just as confused.