[Viktor makes a small, ambivalent noise in response, leaving things purposefully cryptic in the matter of partnership. He and Jayce had their disagreements, even here, removed from the political situation of their home. He'd forgiven Jayce for things he probably shouldn't have, in hindsight. There were compromises made between the both of them, but in the end Viktor was the one who lost, as always. Being removed from Jayce's particular brand of magnetism has afforded him a bit more clarity, in that regard. He won't make the same mistakes again.
It's easier, as always, to talk about the people who are still here.]
Yes. Even if I wouldn't ask them to.
[Or want them to. That's important--enacting violence on his behalf would be just as distasteful as the weaponization of his technology. He also wouldn't want anyone hurt on his account, which is what all of this circles back to, in the end.
He and Kyle have been fairly good at avoiding the largest point of contention between them, playing at friendship and trying to enjoy each other's company when they disagree on something so fundamental. The bike ride was nice, Viktor thinks, but now it's over, and his expression hardens, even if Kyle does a better job of articulating his fears, this time. Couches it in concern for Viktor's convictions, and what it might do to him if he succeeds at a cost.]
You still think I would be so careless. [That he would push forward, with no regard for consequences. That he isn't thinking about or planning for or trying to negate what this would mean and what might happen, reaching beyond the boundary between universes. He still doesn't believe that it has to work the way it did in Kyle's world, but if it did, and he has to face the very destructive consequences he's trying so hard to avoid, then Viktor knows what he would do.] I would rather die than harm another person in the name of progress. I would do it myself.
[Which is, maybe, the answer that he was looking for, with regards to his theoretical failure, just days away from the moment he left.]
cw: reference to suicide
It's easier, as always, to talk about the people who are still here.]
Yes. Even if I wouldn't ask them to.
[Or want them to. That's important--enacting violence on his behalf would be just as distasteful as the weaponization of his technology. He also wouldn't want anyone hurt on his account, which is what all of this circles back to, in the end.
He and Kyle have been fairly good at avoiding the largest point of contention between them, playing at friendship and trying to enjoy each other's company when they disagree on something so fundamental. The bike ride was nice, Viktor thinks, but now it's over, and his expression hardens, even if Kyle does a better job of articulating his fears, this time. Couches it in concern for Viktor's convictions, and what it might do to him if he succeeds at a cost.]
You still think I would be so careless. [That he would push forward, with no regard for consequences. That he isn't thinking about or planning for or trying to negate what this would mean and what might happen, reaching beyond the boundary between universes. He still doesn't believe that it has to work the way it did in Kyle's world, but if it did, and he has to face the very destructive consequences he's trying so hard to avoid, then Viktor knows what he would do.] I would rather die than harm another person in the name of progress. I would do it myself.
[Which is, maybe, the answer that he was looking for, with regards to his theoretical failure, just days away from the moment he left.]