How short-lived his relief, struck down by what Viktor says next. Aghast, his expression fails to conceal a single iota of distress, slack-jawed as he physically recoils away, knee-jerk panic swirling within his skull. This can't be-- It must be a misunderstanding. Jayce is still missing a piece-- pieces. Enough of them to create the wrong picture -- wrong, surely, because has he truly been so blind to misinterpret everything between them?

Or is this the consequence of years upon years of endurance for the sake of something greater?

A nervous chuckle slips past his lips. "Is this, um... your way of politely asking me to fuck off?"