ic contact.

[deushexmachina]

"Hi, probably just easier to find me in the lab. I'll get back to you."

Comments

[theorems]

[Viktor takes a seat at the hearth, cane placed carefully nearby and on the ground. Jayce is so close to tears, just seeing him like this starts triggering Viktor's own confusing bodily reactions. He wants to comfort him. He wants comfort himself. He doesn't want it from anyone but Jayce, but does he forgive Jayce?

It even feels hypocritical of him to even blame Jayce for this. As he said, they weren't in their right minds. And the end result of what happened...

It was something Viktor intended to do himself, anyway. This was just the same result he intended to achieve, with more complicated steps. It eliminated the need for him to do it himself, and Jayce doesn't even know that.]

Coffee. Please.

[He looks to Jayce, gaze a little softer.]

You know how to make it the way I like it.

[deushexmachina]

[Closing their door, he walks towards the hearth, arm raised to unlatch the kettle before starting a flint-scratch fire.]

I kept the ants from your sugar. [A valuable resource he had received on behalf of Viktor. A resource he protected, his conviction steeled for Viktor's return.]

Did it — did it hurt? Coming back.

[theorems]

No. It was like it never happened.

[He stretches out his legs in front of him, tries to straighten his back a little.]

I feel better than I had before.

[deushexmachina]

[Water in the kettle, set over a burning fire. Jayce pours the modified coffee mix into an haphazardly shaped glazed mug. His back is to Viktor. His voice quivers.]

I — I didn't mean. To hurt you like... that.

[theorems]

We had wanted to hurt each other. No sense in denying that.

[The water needs to boil. Jayce will vibrate out of anxiety off this plane of existence if he isn't reassured soon.

Viktor holds out his hand to Jayce.]

[deushexmachina]

[Jayce sees it out of the corner of his eye, this pale and bony offering. He turns a few degrees, a twist at the waist.

He grabs that hand. Without a second thought, he grabs that hand. The alternative would have been akin to drowning.]

[theorems]

[Despite Jayce's urgency, Viktor takes it slow, measured. He pulls Jayce down to his level, sitting them next to each other, and keeps his fingers wrapped around Jayce's hand in a firm grip.]

It is... tempting to ignore what happened. But that would be even less beneficial to us both.

[deushexmachina]

We weren't thinking clearly, [he argues the second Viktor's mouth closes again.] We had been enthralled in some malicious fantasy, the context betrayed us.

[theorems]

I shot lasers at you and hit you with the Hexcore. You had an eight-foot hammer. These were not improvised weapons from either of us. This was focused desire, intentional animosity.

[Viktor huffs out a sigh, still not letting go of Jayce's hand.]

[deushexmachina]

[Fingers tighten around Viktor's hand, cool—but warming—within his.]

Are you saying you think we hate each other? We're fixated on mutual demise?

[theorems]

[The tea kettle begins to gain steam. Viktor uncharacteristically fumbles over his words.]

I- no. No, that's not what...

I don't hate you, Jayce. The very opposite. I care for you so deeply.

[deushexmachina]

Then why dwell on what this illusion did to us? I don't—I didn't want to kill you, not really. I—[he said the words aloud before his teeth could bite away the brunt] I'm sorry.

[theorems]

I know. I'm sorry, as well.

[Viktor takes in a deep breath and holds it. A slow exhale. No coughing, somehow. He doesn't know how to delicately confess this, so he's going to just come out with it.]

My death was inevitable. If not by your hand, then by my own.

[deushexmachina]

Don't say that. There's always— [the kettle shrieks. Jayce winces, leaning over to remove its convection, his hand still holding Viktor's.]

Another way. For next time, for every possible outcome. So, please, don't say that.

[theorems]

Jayce.

[He keeps their hands together as well. Parting them at this point would be more devastating than the inconvenience it causes.

Jayce is still not ready for what Viktor has to say, is he? Even now, even after that... Will he ever be?

Viktor nods. A silent surrender. Either a topic for another time... or something that'll never be brought up again.]

[deushexmachina]

Okay, [his gaze swallows that nod; a promise to fight destiny, he assumes. They've always conquered limitations, together. This would be no different.] Good.

[His fractured, wet expression eases into one relieved.]

Because I'm not gonna let you die again.

[theorems]

[A humorless single huff of a laugh. His shoulders indicate the gesture more than anything on his expression. Once again, he's going to need to hide things from Jayce, isn't he? If it comes down to it.

He refuses to let himself become that sick and enfeebled again.]

Of course.

[deushexmachina]

Because—[his eyes search over Viktor's face.] Because that's what you want. Because I'm doing this for you.

[A deception of equal measure, but it didn't feel leaden in Jayce's bones; he was gullible enough to believe his own tongue.]

[theorems]

I should like to avoid dying again if possible, yes.

[He says, voice a bit tighter than he'd like to let it be, in this moment.

But the way he had phrased it- is Jayce doing this for Viktor or for himself?]

[deushexmachina]

Good, [the tension clenched in his brow smooths,] great. I'm glad to hear it.

[Quickly, almost furtively, he swoops to peck a kiss on Viktor's forehead.]

I'll do everything I can to make sure you stay here, with me.

[theorems]

Mm.

[He takes the kiss, but at the moment, offers none in return. His thoughts are carrying his mind elsewhere.

A way will need to be found. No matter who finds it first, or what he needs to give to make it happen. Some methods just may require a scope beyond what Jayce can actually provide.]