[nsfw][arcane][silktor] Blessed are the fornicants

[silco]

Viktor had begun to visit Zaun more often, and it had not escaped Silco's notice. There is little that gets by him, when he has ears and eyes 'round every corner. Viktor stands out. His face is known. He's of some regard and of great value, the work Jinx does is irreplaceable but what leads Silco can offer her will benefit her greatly.

And, of course, what he can take from the topsiders will benefit all of Zaun. Just as they've taken for years.

Viktor is incredibly intelligent, complicated. Wounded. Silco can dig his fingers into that, use it. Viktor's incredible mind needs stimulation, after all. When he presents him with shimmer, it's as a curiosity. To aid his research. Of course he didn't expect Viktor to take it, not after he told him of the small costs that came with the incredible, physical benefits. Of course.

And now Viktor has become a very familiar face, one that has once again found itself in Silco's quarters. He runs his rough, calloused fingers over the shape of Viktor's cheekbones with slow, gentle movements.

"You're shaking." He notes, eyes climbing over the body of the man in front of them before they settle on his face.

"Is there something you wish to tell me, Viktor?"

Comments

[silco]

The way Viktor is noted, relished even. He doesn't particularly want to pull away, but senses that a line has been drawn and he uses his hand to reach for his drink. He draws from it, basking in the faint hints of praise and gratitude. Whether they're falsified or not matters little to him in this context.

"I expected as much from you." Silco smiles, sitting back in his chair and staring expectantly across at Viktor.

"Show me."

look at me trying to sound like science

[razvitiye]

Whether it's the remnants of shimmer still making its way through his system, or that subtle rumble that underpins everything Silco says, not unlike a tiger crouching in the grass and waiting to pounce-- Viktor's muscles stiffen, and it feels a strenuous effort simply to open the folder containing his notes and leaf through them. His face is flushed, and his hands clammy, and it's not at all conducive to presenting himself as anything other than a wounded gazelle.

But he has to try. Insofar as the business side of this 'relationship' goes, it's been productive, and he's not ready to give it up.

"Here, have a look," he says, eyes focused solely on the pieces of parchment as he starts laying them out on the desk. Messy handwriting clashes with organized diagrams and neatly-drawn chemical formulas, as he lays them side by side. Records of the trials he's conducted on himself. Live critters were too difficult to hide, and would raise too many questions... nor was he sure he had the heart to inflict such tests on anything more intelligent than a fruit fly.

"There's only one thing I haven't been able to figure out." It's almost like he's talking to himself, tapping a knuckle against his chin. And he ventures a tentative glance up. "What is it that you've really been giving me? I'm sure now it's not what your subordinates are peddling on the streets, the numbers don't bear that out."

[silco]

In a way, Viktor's treatment is one of privilege as far as Silco's usual approach is concerned. He remains patient and unaffected as Viktor seemingly struggles with his folder and leafs through his notes. Anyone else, Silco might've taunted by tapping his fingers or frowning to make them sweat more.

In contrast, he seems to have the respect for Viktor enough to give him space to find his thoughts. He still looks suspicious as Viktor calls his attention over, but it's subtle and brief. He leans over, body so close to Viktor he's almost brushing against him as he looks past him just to see if he might flinch.

He laughs, a surprised bark that sounds humourless. There's genuine amusement on his lips as they curl into a polite smile.

"It's pure." He says, simply. "Unfiltered." He adds, and he adds nothing more. Viktor is a clever man, he's sure he can ascertain that Shimmer doesn't come cheap and the resources are finite.

"I didn't expect you'd use it on yourself. You're braver than you look." Or dumber. But that's still up for debate as far as he's concerned.

it's been 84 years...

[razvitiye]

Viktor is quiet for a longer stretch now, as he cants his head and stares Silco down, trying to read him, as futile as that might be. Viktor's never been good at reading people, much less those who are accustomed to holding their cards close to their chest. He has no hope here, but it's about standing his ground more than anything. His jaw clenches; he shifts uncomfortably, his whole body flushed, and the thin sheen of sweat building at his forehead and temples belies more than just emotional discomfort.

And what to even say? How to even move forward? Coming here was both a mistake and a necessity. Thoughts flit through his mind unbidden, above and beyond scientific appreciation. How close this man is, the stretch of his fingers, long and slender. How they might feel...

Viktor scoffs in a vain attempt to reel his thoughts back in.

"Is this your plan to ease tensions?" he asks, still scowling, though his tongue feels dry and heavy in his mouth. "Or else it would make for an excellent distraction. No one is going to be nosing around in your business if they're too busy having orgies in the streets."

He practically spits the word, and of course that's hyperbolic, but it's the least personal way he can think to call it out.

[silco]

"Hmm..?"

Silco's voice is soft, as if genuinely curious and enquiring. His face is the picture of innocence, which he knows is an absolute farce. It's why he can't hold it long before it splits into a wicked smile.

"Oh, Viktor. You don't believe you've been fed the same batch as the unwashed masses, do you? That would be terribly naive."

Silco reaches between them, his own long fingers hooking into the loop of Viktor's tie and dragging it down until it starts to loosen.

"No. We whipped up something special, as we often do for our topside customers. Do you like it?"

His finger hooks deeper in, pulling Viktor's face close as he does so he can breathe against his ear. His breath smells faintly of cigarettes and liquor, his cologne is subtle but noticeable this close.

"I think you do."