...we have both been very stupid, haven't we? Or--will be, I do not know anymore. I am not going to blame you for one thing and act like I have not done similar or worse. Even if we failed in our every endeavor to help people...how could I walk out now, on the one who needs my help more than any other?
[Viktor squeezed a little tighter against the tremble in his voice; he'd never cried where others could see him before, and he was not about to start now.]
I am just as much to blame in this. I should have pushed back harder before they turned you into something you are not. But I was afraid as well, I think--afraid to jeopardize everything we worked towards by allowing Piltover to judge me as everything they reviled. I let myself think you enjoyed the publicity while I hid in your shadow, and if I had not been such a coward-...
[His voice cracked perilously, hitching before continuing a little more quietly.]
We can carry this together. As we should have carried everything else long before coming to this point. Please, Jayce--I will not push you to speak on anything further unless you want to. So sit down with me before one of us hurts ourselves.
no subject
[Viktor squeezed a little tighter against the tremble in his voice; he'd never cried where others could see him before, and he was not about to start now.]
I am just as much to blame in this. I should have pushed back harder before they turned you into something you are not. But I was afraid as well, I think--afraid to jeopardize everything we worked towards by allowing Piltover to judge me as everything they reviled. I let myself think you enjoyed the publicity while I hid in your shadow, and if I had not been such a coward-...
[His voice cracked perilously, hitching before continuing a little more quietly.]
We can carry this together. As we should have carried everything else long before coming to this point. Please, Jayce--I will not push you to speak on anything further unless you want to. So sit down with me before one of us hurts ourselves.