The room seemed to hold its breath as Mel Medarda appeared at the edge of the grandest staircase. To call her regal at that moment would have been an insult.

Her thin figure was dressed in soft red fabric, adorned with white details. Her arms were adorned with gold. The metal formed snakes, birds and fruit that grew up to her shoulders where they sprouted in feathers from her dark skin.

Unlike most days, she wore her curly hair loose. Between the thick waves of dark brown, the tips of a crown adorned with rubies stood out.

As she took her first breath, tasting the mood and the success of her party, a slight murmur went through the crowd.

"My dear guests, friends.", she raised her arms as only a queen speaking to her people would. "This evening shall be special. May this night expand the possibilities we know. May the limit be exceeded. I look forward to the future."

As she bowed her head, the applause began. Guests laughed, flocking to her as she walked down the steps to take her place on the dance floor.

The party wouldn't start until she had chosen her dance partner for the night. And as usual, everyone wanted to be the lucky one.

"What a fuss...", Jayce muttered under his breath.

You shrugged your shoulders.

"We can't agree with her but bitterness wouldn't be appropriate.", you replied. "She does know how to pull off a show."

Jayce wrinkled his nose. You could tell by the look on his face that he had a lot to say, but didn't want to say it in front of people who practically idolized Mel.

Sometimes you wondered if she would have managed to enchant you too if you had been someone who was interested in women. On the other hand, it would have been unfair to say her success was only due to her sex. Or her beauty.

She was also incredibly cunning and clever. Too bad you were two steps ahead of her by now.

Her dark eyes wandered around the large room in search of someone who could attract her attention. Or for Jayce. Probably him.

It wasn't entirely impossible that she still fancied a chance. Maybe she hoped he would change his mind, or maybe she could be changed.

"Come on.", Jayce suddenly grabbed your hand. "I don't feel comfortable here."

Just as Medarda caught sight of him with you in the shadows, he pulled you away, up another staircase, away from the crowd and the music. Without showing his face, he pushed open a door and you slipped together into the dark corridor beyond.

Silence awaited you. Jayce exhaled audibly.

"Let's look for somewhere quiet.", your fingers intertwined as he pulled you along.

"What if I wanted to dance?", you asked.

He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. Silver moonlight fell through the ceiling-high windows. The night was shrouded in shadows, blue and silver. Every single ray of the moon kissed his skin.

The green of his eyes sparkled.

"I'll dance with you.", he said, tightening his grip on your fingers. "Let's go somewhere else."

Without waiting for your answer, he pulled you along with him. Outside the windows, the lights glowed, fed by the power of the Arcane. Bright colors suddenly lit up the sky.

"Fireworks...", you murmured as the colors danced across your (S/C) face.

Jayce opened another door, took a peek inside and then pulled you along. It was obvious he had no idea where he was going. He only had a vague guess.

You suddenly stopped in front of a large glass double door. From Medarda's estate, you could see directly across the water, along the many bridges and all the way to the Undercity.

"Wait!", with a glance at Jayce, you opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony.

Cold air brushed your cheeks. Goosebumps grew up your spine. In the distance, on the unstable roofs of small huts, sat dark figures.

The inhabitants of the Undercity had little to be happy about. But that night, Mel Medarda gave them fireworks that the children would remember for years to come.

Their fathers held them in their arms. Mothers pointed to the stars and explained what the colors meant. At that moment, the fence and Piltover were one.

And suddenly you understood why Viktor would give his whole life for it. Even though money and influence had always been your motive, you couldn't deny that you wanted to be a good person.

Prosperity for your people, Topside and Undercity. You would give them what Heimerdinger had blown away from them since the creation of this place. A life that was worth living.

You would be their god. No, gods were worshipped and feared. You wanted them to love you.

"It's beautiful.", you whispered into the night.

Your words were caught by the wind, carried across the dark water, along the bridges and into the deepest depths of the Lanes. Smirking softly, Jayce came closer. His footsteps echoed on the polished stone of the balcony.

"It is.", he returned.

What you didn't realize in your trance was that he wasn't talking about peace or fireworks. Not even the play of light and color that poured onto the river.

All he could see was you.

His hand wandered over your lower back, fingers wrapped around your side and gently pulled you closer. You looked at him curiously. He kissed you before you could realize how happy he was at that moment.

Sweet wine and the smell of fire mingled in your head. His tongue gently wiped your lips. You allowed him to enter, took him inside you and tasted all the desires he harbored.

Without thinking about it, your hands wandered along his chest, wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer. His hands gripped you while he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.

And suddenly it was there again, that desire. Your heart skipped a beat as Jayce broke the kiss to take a deep breath.

"What's that?", you asked yourself quietly.

He breathed a kiss on your forehead.

"I... think I've fallen in love...", he confessed.