The moment I stepped back into my dorm, I set my bag down with a thud and let out a deep breath. My room felt emptier than usual, and the thought of leaving for a few weeks felt oddly bittersweet. I grabbed a duffle bag from the corner of my closet and started packing it with everything I thought I'd need—clothes, toiletries, a couple of books, and my notebook.

After zipping it shut, I changed into something more comfortable: a soft, long-sleeved sweater dress that hugged my figure just enough, paired with black stockings, chunky Mary Jane shoes, and a pair of cozy leg warmers. I touched up my makeup, adding a light shimmer to my eyelids and a soft tint to my lips. Satisfied, I slung the duffle bag over my shoulder and left for the lab.

When I arrived, Viktor was still hunched over his desk, scribbling notes in his precise, elegant handwriting. He didn't look up at first, so I cleared my throat softly to catch his attention.

"I'm ready whenever you are," I said with a small smile, gesturing to the bag on my shoulder.

Viktor glanced up, his golden eyes briefly scanning me before nodding. "Just a moment. I need to finish this calculation." He jotted down a final equation, set his pen down, and stood, reaching for his cane. "Shall we?"

I followed him out of the lab and into the cool Piltover air. We walked in silence, the click of his cane against the cobblestones setting a steady rhythm. The streets were quieter than usual, with most students and professors already away for the Winter Blessed holidays.

After a short walk past the university grounds, we arrived at Viktor's apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, gesturing for me to follow.

"Welcome back," he said, his tone polite but warm.

The apartment felt just as I remembered it—like stepping into a cozy library or an old study. The dark wood furniture, the shelves overflowing with books, and the scattered trinkets gave it a distinctly academic yet personal feel. It was quiet here, and the air seemed to hum with Viktor's presence.

Viktor glanced at me and offered a small smile. "I believe I showed you most of this last time, but I'll give you a proper tour."

He led me through the space, pointing out the kitchen, the small but functional bathroom, and his study filled with yet more books and odd devices. Finally, he opened the door to the spare bedroom.

The room was small but inviting, with a single bed neatly made up with soft gray sheets and a thick quilt. There was a desk by the window, a tall wardrobe in the corner, and a small lamp casting a warm glow over everything.

"It's perfect," I said, dropping my duffle bag onto the bed. "Thank you."

"I'll leave you to settle in," Viktor said. "Take your time."

Once he left, I unpacked my things, folding my clothes into the wardrobe and placing my books and notebook on the desk. I smoothed out the quilt on the bed and took a moment to sit down, letting the quiet of the room sink in.

After I finished, I made my way out to the lounge room. Viktor was seated on the couch, a book in his hands. He glanced up when he saw me and set the book aside.

"Settled in?" he asked.

I nodded and sat down across from him. "I am. Thank you again, Viktor...it's nice not to be alone for the holidays."

He inclined his head. "The feeling is mutual."

There was a brief pause before I spoke again. "So... what should we do this afternoon?"

Viktor tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the couch, his expression thoughtful. "We could review some of your study materials, if you'd like. Or perhaps something less academic. It is a holiday, after all."

I smiled. "Something less academic sounds nice."

"Very well," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll let you decide."

I leaned back into the couch, feeling more at ease than I had in a long time. Whatever we ended up doing, I knew it would be a welcome distraction from the stresses of the past few months.