Muj Milacek | Viktor Arcane x Reader | Revised

You pulled up short, staring at the lopsided banner before you. Splotches of vibrant paint adorned the off-white fabric, spelling out 'HAPPY ARRIVAL DAY!' in bold, eye-catching lettering.

Had they been waiting on an important shipment? You couldn't recall anything, but you wouldn't put it past Jayce to order something impulsively and forget to mention it to the rest of the group. But that wouldn't help explain the banner.

"Hello?" you called to the eerily quiet room, your voice echoing off the high walls.

Shuffling noises around the corner greeted you, muffled voices overlapped and a thud followed by a stumble could be heard, indicating a swift shove had been given. A moment later, Sky appeared, grin wide and bright as she clutched her clasped hands to her chest. Jayce followed swiftly after, his perfectly combed hair slightly askew - leading you to believe he had been the recipient of the shove - grin equally as wide but with a hint of pride and self-satisfaction. Finally, Viktor emerged, his cane resting casually in his hand as he walked, the sparkle of mischief in his eyes betraying his otherwise composed demeanour.

"Happy arrival day!" Sky cheered, clapping her hands. Your lips parted, confusion in the tilt of your brows. Arrival day? You'd never heard of it.

"I nailed the banner this time, right?" Jayce gestured to the fabric above, looking as proud as a kindergartener showing off their artwork. You couldn't see much difference between the quality of this one and the banner from the celebration he'd thrown for you and Sky a few weeks ago.

"And no fires this time," Viktor drawled, shooting you a sly smirk that had your cheeks flushing.

Flustered as you were, you stammered, "I-I...don't understand."

"Well," Sky began, "you don't remember your birthday, so we thought we'd give you one, or rather an arrival day, since the Gemstone didn't birth you."

A sudden rush of warmth and tenderness flooded over you, catching you off guard. Your heart swelled with unexpected gratitude, but before you could even begin to find the words to express it, Jayce interjected.

"Sky made the cake this time after my last...disaster." Though thoughtful, his attempt at baking had been inedible. His mother had taken over and remade it entirely, leaving him in charge of only the icing, which had been strangely bitter.

With a swift, practiced motion, he spun around to the desk behind him, picking the lid off a circular pan, revealing a perfect layer of pure white icing. The smooth and creamy frosting glistened under the light, beckoning with its irresistible sweetness. Beneath it lay a generous mound of cake, perfectly baked and filling the air with a mouth-watering sugariness.

"I..." you cleared your throat, "thank you. I, um, you didn't have to do anything, but this is all so...kind."

Sky bounded up to you, all enthusiasm and open affection as she threw her arms around you in a tight hug. "But we wanted to. Everyone deserves a birthday party, or, sorry, an arrival party."

With a lump in your throat, you returned her embrace, your vision misty with unshed tears. Your laughter was shaky and filled with an overwhelming mix of emotions - too many to name - that threatened to choke you.

As if responding to a silent beckoning - a treat held over a puppy's head - Jayce materialized at your side. His muscular arms enveloped you and Sky, trapping you between his broad biceps and shoulders. The force of his grip was enough to make your vision blur with spots.

"Arrival day group hug!" he declared, loosening his hold enough to allow you to gulp down air into your flattened lungs. Sky - similarly affected - coughed her relief at being able to breathe once more. "Vik, get over here!"

Though you couldn't physically see her expression, pressed up against her as you were, you could feel Sky's face heat up in the same deep red blush as yours.

"I will pass on this opportunity, if it is all the same to you." Viktor had come closer, but he remained distant, reticent to subject himself to the force of Jayce's hug.

"Don't be such a spoilsport," Jayce squeezed again and a low grunt left your throat unbidden. "Come on!"

"Please, Viktor," you begged with what little air you had left. "Just join the hug so I can breathe again."

With a sigh that lacked any real reluctance, Viktor came into your limited view, blocked by the stray curls of Sky's messy bun.

Viktor hesitated for a moment, his amber eyes flickering between you and Sky. Then, with a soft exhale of defeat, he stepped forward and gently wrapped one arm around your shoulders and the other around Sky. His touch was light, almost tentative, as if he was unsure of how much pressure to apply. His arm was surprisingly warm against your back, and his cologne, a subtle blend of pine and ink, was uniquely him.

You felt Sky stiffen, her body going rigid against yours. The heat emanating from her cheeks intensified, and you wondered if she might spontaneously combust from the proximity to Viktor. You could hardly blame her, and while you hid it better, you still wanted to squeal your delight and terror at having him so close.

Jayce, oblivious to the tension, tightened his grip once more, squeezing all of you together. "This is what I call a proper group hug!" he exclaimed, his booming voice reverberating through your joined bodies.

"Happy now?" Viktor asked Jayce, to which he received a smug grin.

"It's not about me, this is about Mila and her arrival day. But yes, I am happy, thank you for asking, Viktor." And with that, he blessedly released his hold, Viktor quickly following suit, leaving you and Sky to cling to each other as you regained your oxygen supply.

You laughed, unable to contain the giggles that started in your abdomen and made their way up and out of your mouth. It quickly became infectious, spreading to Sky and then to Jayce, who chuckled heartily. Even Viktor's lips quirked up in amusement. As the giggles subsided, you found yourself wiping tears from your eyes - tears of mirth, yes, but also of a deep, overwhelming gratitude that threatened to spill over at any moment.

Against all odds, you'd found a caring group of friends. You'd known no one and nothing of this place when you'd arrived a year ago, but you hadn't been alone for long. With the uncertainty of the future looming overhead, at least you had this moment, happy and content, a reminder of what you were fighting for.

And fight you would.

A/N: A little drabble for you all on the eve of the eve of Arcane season 2 finale! Thank you to the lovely members of the discord for the idea <3

If anyone would like to join us, here is the link: https://discord.gg/KG4SmJ4mSy