My arms are the only part of me with any actual strength, I would not offer if I thought it foolishness. [Gesturing for Jayce to take his hand, Viktor adjusted the other on his crutch to make sure his own support was solid.] Do not move like you are pulling yourself up, but rather push downward as you get your legs back under you A matter of leverage, not direct force.
Trust me. Even if it does not work, I promise to only be upset for...hm, thirty seconds.
Thirty seconds? Very generous, thank you. [The gesture is slightly reluctant, but he does take Viktor's hand, focusing his energy on pushing down with his good leg to get both feet back underneath him.
He's a little wobbly when he stands, but he manages, patting Viktor's shoulder in gratitude as he does.] Thanks, Vik. It'll be easier as I get more used to it.
[True to his word, Viktor's arm was surprisingly stable--not particularly strong by any metric but his own, though years of using a cane had built up something at least. Enough that he could keep himself steady while Jayce straightened himself out, with some effort.]
It will. You just need time and practice, that's all.
Oh, uh. Hm. [He runs a hand through his hair, regarding the waverider with a thoughtful frown.] Does Rio want to come with us, to the hospital? Or is she okay here. I could bring her one of the plants to munch on as a snack.
...I think she will be fine on her own? [Frowning in thought, he looked to the owlishly blinking amphibian.] I do not know how often my...acquaintance left her to her own devices, but she should be alright for a little while.
I wish I knew more, but. [He gives Rio a careful pat on the head, offering her a smile.] I know we have lettuce in the ice box, if you're hungry. Do you want some, Rio? Are you hungry? [As though the waverider will somehow answer him.]
[He squeezes Viktor's shoulder briefly before heading back into the house. In the kitchen, there isn't a bowl big enough for Rio, but there is a sheet tray! So he happily spreads some lettuce out on the tray and returns to the docks, looking pleased with himself.]
One salad, for a new friend. [And he sets the tray down in front of her, hoping it warms her to him a little.]
[She looked from the lettuce to Jayce and squinted in what looked remarkably like suspicion, then lowered her head with an exploratory sniff. After a second or two, a forked purple tongue reached out as Rio apparently decided this was appropriate tribute.]
There you go. It's alright--we'll look after you. No more living in a laboratory, I promise.
In a lab? [His face falls at that, but -- at least she's here, now. In a safe place, with someone who clearly loves her.] I'm glad she's here, then. We'll take good care of her.
[Just the same as Viktor had said himself. They were going to have a lot of hard conversations at some point, but it wasn't necessary right this minute. He shook his head and turned his attention back to Rio.]
You can watch the house for a little while, right? [She tilted her head and trilled quietly, tail waving.]
[The doctor's visit went... significantly less well than Jayce had hoped. Both his femur and his tibia had broken. Shattered, the doctor had said. (Though Jayce was fascinated by this new technology of an x-ray that allowed him to see his improperly healed leg.
He had done the best he could with the brace and some guesswork, but adjustments would be needed, and he should look into a cane. Really, he ought to have been using one the entire time, but it was too late for that.]
Well. [Jayce sighs, passing a faintly trembling hand through his hair as they exit the building together.] That was worse than I thought, I guess.
[Viktor had been quietly attentive throughout the whole process, listening with the telltale concentration of mentally taking notes. Concentrating kept the look of concern off of his face, as well as helped to bite back the pressing question of 'what the hell happened'. Which would not have been particularly helpful in this situation.]
Still, better news than when we last left a hospital together.
[Which was both an attempt at a joke and a complete breakdown of most internal filters.]
Ha, ha. [He's leaning against Viktor, just a little. Not enough to put weight on him, but more for emotional support, his head still reeling from everything.] She said I was lucky to be even walking. I guess that's something.
You can say it. I'm stubborn, often to a fault. Good thing I have you to even me out. [He's made sure to put himself on the side of Viktor opposite his cane, so he can reach over and take his hand. Automatically tangling their fingers together and squeezing.]
I'm glad you came, today. I don't think I could have done near as calmly that without you.
[He squeezed Jayce's hand in turn, gentle and reassuring.]
I have been through more than my share of hospital visits. Enough to be well past accustomed to the process, even if the details are different in this world. So if I am able to support you, I will.
And I'll be there for yours, as well. Whenever you go to make sure you're still stable, that everything is still fine? I'll be there to hear whatever news they give you.
[The hand squeeze helps. Viktor helps, just by being next to him like this.] You know? I'm even more glad now that you told me how you felt. Now I can grab your hand like this whenever I need to.
I would. I absolutely would. [Maybe his anxiety is overwhelming at times, but he doesn't feel like it's entirely unfounded. He considers, for a moment, confessing everything.
What he does instead is turn his head to rest his forehead against Viktor's temple] We can make up for lost time, now.
Jayce- [Viktor sighed quietly, turning to lean their foreheads together.]
I have...never been skilled with things like reassurance. I hope it has been enough, so far. Things will be alright. [Even if Viktor was quietly deeply afraid that they weren't; that anything could throw him out of whatever impossible balance his health was in. That wasn't important, he was used to that uncertainty--his partner was not, and that along with a thousand unknown factors clearly terrified him.]
We will take matters as they come, one at a time without need to rush anything. Together.
It has been. [He reaches up to rest his hand against the back of Vitkor's neck to hold him in that touch.] I don't need you to be anything other than who and what you are. What you give me is more than enough.
Anything that comes, we'll handle it together. Good or bad.
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Trust me. Even if it does not work, I promise to only be upset for...hm, thirty seconds.
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He's a little wobbly when he stands, but he manages, patting Viktor's shoulder in gratitude as he does.] Thanks, Vik. It'll be easier as I get more used to it.
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It will. You just need time and practice, that's all.
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[Petting Rio on the head with a small smile.]
It worked for me.
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One salad, for a new friend. [And he sets the tray down in front of her, hoping it warms her to him a little.]
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There you go. It's alright--we'll look after you. No more living in a laboratory, I promise.
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It is...a long story. I suppose there are some things neither of us really wish to talk about.
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Why don't we head to the hospital. On the way back, we can see if we can pick up a few things for her. A bed, maybe?
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[Just the same as Viktor had said himself. They were going to have a lot of hard conversations at some point, but it wasn't necessary right this minute. He shook his head and turned his attention back to Rio.]
You can watch the house for a little while, right? [She tilted her head and trilled quietly, tail waving.]
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[The doctor's visit went... significantly less well than Jayce had hoped. Both his femur and his tibia had broken. Shattered, the doctor had said. (Though Jayce was fascinated by this new technology of an x-ray that allowed him to see his improperly healed leg.
He had done the best he could with the brace and some guesswork, but adjustments would be needed, and he should look into a cane. Really, he ought to have been using one the entire time, but it was too late for that.]
Well. [Jayce sighs, passing a faintly trembling hand through his hair as they exit the building together.] That was worse than I thought, I guess.
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Still, better news than when we last left a hospital together.
[Which was both an attempt at a joke and a complete breakdown of most internal filters.]
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[He gave a thin smile, still trying to help a dismal mood in his own way.]
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I'm glad you came, today. I don't think I could have done near as calmly that without you.
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[He squeezed Jayce's hand in turn, gentle and reassuring.]
I have been through more than my share of hospital visits. Enough to be well past accustomed to the process, even if the details are different in this world. So if I am able to support you, I will.
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[The hand squeeze helps. Viktor helps, just by being next to him like this.] You know? I'm even more glad now that you told me how you felt. Now I can grab your hand like this whenever I need to.
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[They were scientists before anything else, after all.]
...We have been foolish, haven't we? All those years, and one of us could have simply...said anything.
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What he does instead is turn his head to rest his forehead against Viktor's temple] We can make up for lost time, now.
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I have...never been skilled with things like reassurance. I hope it has been enough, so far. Things will be alright. [Even if Viktor was quietly deeply afraid that they weren't; that anything could throw him out of whatever impossible balance his health was in. That wasn't important, he was used to that uncertainty--his partner was not, and that along with a thousand unknown factors clearly terrified him.]
We will take matters as they come, one at a time without need to rush anything. Together.
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Anything that comes, we'll handle it together. Good or bad.
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[Closing his eyes, Viktor let out a quiet sigh.]
No matter what happens, I will be here, and so will you. Right?