[ Letting Jayce go when he pulled away, Viktor watched him pace, brow drawn. It broke his heart to see him so conflicted, particularly when he knew the cause. He'd always been so eager to help his loved ones in any way he could. But that devotion would, eventually, tear him apart.
At length: ] I don't disagree. Caitlyn should be able to defend herself. [ But. ]
[ His devotion already has. Jayce felt as if he'd been bleeding out since the day the bomb hit the council chamber and he's just been waiting to succumb to it. With every step he took, Jayce didn't know if he was walking in the right direction, but going back now seemed impossible. Pushing forward felt wrong. And standing still might just kill him.
But if you are being pressured by others to develop more, I will deal with them. [ There's a mechanical edge to his voice, one he isn't concerned with. If Jayce insisted on protecting them, Viktor would hold his ground and insist on being allowed to do the same.
Drawing close again, he peers up at his partner with dark blue eyes. ]
[ The air rushed out of Jayce in a sigh, tremulous and soft. Jayce wasn't sure he'd ever seen Viktor's eyes this color but he recognized the determination set in the line of his mouth, the intensity that seemed to bore right into him. Cradling Viktor's face in his hands, Jayce gently caressed the rise of his cheekbones with the pads of his thumbs. ]
I promise, Viktor.
[ Jayce leaned in until their foreheads were pressed together, eyes closing as he draws in a breath. ]
[ Reaching up to gently hold Jayce's wrists, Viktor searches his partner's face, only relaxing when he acquiesces. Quietly, relieved: ] Thank you.
[ He snorts softly at the question, but it's not unkind. ] Jayce. [ Viktor nuzzles their noses, squeezing his wrists gently. ] I could never think less of you. We move forward together. This is as much your choice as it is mine.
[ Like a band snapping, Jayce sagged, draping himself around Viktor for support. His fingers tangled in the fabric of his robe, face pressed to his neck, tucked away so his voice was muffled when he spoke. ]
As partners.
[ Relief washed over him and with each breath, more of that fear withered until he could pluck the whole thing out and toss it aside. ]
This is the last one I'll ever make.
[ Jayce said it more as a promise to himself than anything else. He had a terrible habit of bending in the name of those he loved, letting his boundaries be obliterated, sacrificing his idea of what was right, if it meant that he could do what he thought they needed, if it meant he could protect them, but Jayce needed to learn how to say no and be okay with that. ]
As partners, [ Viktor echoes softly, bearing Jayce's weight without complaint. He turns his head to press a kiss to his partner's cheek, reaching up to cradle the back of his neck and sneak an arm around his waist to hold him close, protective. ]
Don't. [ He buries his face against Jayce's chest, squeezing him a bit tighter. ] I would rather you keep your other promise. The rest we will deal with.
[ Maybe it didn't need to be said, but Jayce does anyway as he gathers his partner up in his arms, clinging tightly. He believes in this, in them, and that's all that matters. The rest they can figure out. ]
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At length: ] I don't disagree. Caitlyn should be able to defend herself. [ But. ]
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So Jayce said the quiet part out loud. ]
But?
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Drawing close again, he peers up at his partner with dark blue eyes. ]
Promise me this, Jayce.
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I promise, Viktor.
[ Jayce leaned in until their foreheads were pressed together, eyes closing as he draws in a breath. ]
If I do this, will you think less of me?
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[ He snorts softly at the question, but it's not unkind. ] Jayce. [ Viktor nuzzles their noses, squeezing his wrists gently. ] I could never think less of you. We move forward together. This is as much your choice as it is mine.
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As partners.
[ Relief washed over him and with each breath, more of that fear withered until he could pluck the whole thing out and toss it aside. ]
This is the last one I'll ever make.
[ Jayce said it more as a promise to himself than anything else. He had a terrible habit of bending in the name of those he loved, letting his boundaries be obliterated, sacrificing his idea of what was right, if it meant that he could do what he thought they needed, if it meant he could protect them, but Jayce needed to learn how to say no and be okay with that. ]
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Don't. [ He buries his face against Jayce's chest, squeezing him a bit tighter. ] I would rather you keep your other promise. The rest we will deal with.
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Together.
[ Maybe it didn't need to be said, but Jayce does anyway as he gathers his partner up in his arms, clinging tightly. He believes in this, in them, and that's all that matters. The rest they can figure out. ]