boyofprogress | closed rp for [recursiveimpulse]

He can see the way Viktor shifts his weight, leans on his cane more now that it's the right height. Sees the wince that crosses his face. He frowns slightly, but follows after, sitting backwards on his usual chair.

"Because of the cane, or something else?" he asks, folding his arms across the back of his chair and watching Viktor carefully. "I give a mean massage, I've been told."

Viktor fairly sinks into his seat once he gets to it - and it's with a brand-new openness that he shrugs a shoulder, replying:

"Well - if you are offering."

Then, a self-depreciating chuckle.

"...I had to have my bolts tightened. It...is very painful."

"Oh?" He sits up a little; Viktor's medical operations are so interesting, from a technology standpoint. It's fascinating, what medicine and tech can come together to do. "I knew they helped support your spine, but I don't think I knew they needed adjusting.

Is it because they get loose, or is it more to do with what your body needs changing?" The questions have an earnest curiosity behind them. Not trying to pry or pity, but wanting to learn more about a subject he's interested in.

It's that earnestness precisely that's why Viktor has decided to open up - especially as his body declines, and he will have to trust Jayce with more and more of the truth.

"A little of both. Movement shifts them over time, but...." He sighs a little, his smile faltering. "...But I have declined more, recently. They will...probably have to add more braces soon."

It's not something he talks about. Not with anyone, and that much is obvious by the way he keeps looking at Jayce.

But...he would LIKE for someone to know. At least a little understanding, before....

Well.

While he can get it.

He'd seen the bolts along Viktor's spine. The two at the top that currently sit empty, but he assumed had been added during the initial surgery just in case. Easier to do everything at once, probably.

"If you wanted to," he offers, a little nervous that it might be shoved aside but wanting to show support. "I could come with you to the next appointment? I could learn how the bolts fasten and tighten. That way, if you needed something adjusted and I'm around, I could lend a hand? Just for a quick fix, anyway."

The offer is almost startling - and that much is evident in the way that Viktor's eyes widen a bit, his brows pinching...but then he smiles again, tiny and timid.

"You...would do that? Really?"

It's a very kind thing to offer, and even though he's asking, he already knows it's sincere.

It's Jayce.

"I really would. For you, but also for my own peace of mind, honestly. Knowing how it works, the mechanics of your braces -- leg and back. If something comes loose or is out of place, and I'm here, then I can help out.

Especially for your back, where it's a little trickier to reach. Besides," he adds. "After going with my mom to her appointments, medical tech has become an interest of mine. I like seeing how it all works."

"...Well. If you are interested, then...sure. Yes. I have an appointment in three days, you can follow along."

He's framing it in a relaxed way, making it sound like he's the afterthought here - but there's no hiding the way his expression calms, the warmth in his smile. He feels...like someone cares, about the stuff he's kept to himself for too long now.

It's nice.

Oh. That smile. Jayce feels both a warmth and a tightness in his chest that makes him realize he'd do just about anything to see that smile all the time. Maybe he has been, without realizing it. Little jokes and jabs to amuse his partner.

But this feels different. This feels... heavier, somehow. More. He puts it aside for the moment to mull over later, when the freckle at the corner of Viktor's mouth isn't distracting him.

"You might have to give me a crash course in terminology, but I'd be happy to. We could grab something to eat, after." Not a date, exactly, but... something.

There's...SOMETHING in the air, here. Viktor is inclined to just write it off, but it hangs about him like a mosquito, needling him just enough to remind him of its presence.

So he ignores it harder.

"I would like that. There's a cafe I like near the clinic, I usually go after my appointments to reward myself for putting up with having the bolts tightened."

It's less intense than it was that first night, certainly, but it's still almost tangible though just beyond Jayce's reach. He can think about it later, when he's not in the middle of a conversation.

"What do you treat yourself to? That seems deserving of an exceptionally nice treat."

closed rp for [recursiveimpulse]

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