[ It takes him a moment or two longer than usual to reach the mental state required to slip into Horizon, instinctively following Viktor into the laboratory area. The large centerpiece, the ominous negative space in the shape of a man, draws his gaze first, reminding him of the discarded cocoons he would find attached to tree trunks.
He would step toward it if not Viktor's presence immediately taking his attention.
The transformation is extreme enough that there's a flicker of shock across his features before he can mask it, his anxieties about the time, how quickly they seem to be hurtling toward a certain future bubbling up again at the sight of Viktor's new, almost familiar body. He picks up the differences quickly enough though, how uniform this body is compared to the more piecemeal way Viktor constructed his own over time in that vision. Barring a major accident, Viktor had done it all to himself in that life - a difference that, while Kyle couldn't agree with all of his choices, at least could understand why he made them.
This is different. Not the horrific way the issusha'im are made (he hopes, at least, if there was pain then it was swift) - and he still can't blame Jayce for choosing to save Viktor no matter the cost, but -
He catches that glimmer of shame in his expression, feels it twist in his side like a knife, using the jolt to try to do more than just stand here. He remembers, keenly, his own moments of shame here, when Viktor had kissed the corners of his mouth - he has only ever wanted to give in return that feeling of being wanted, and loved, without any pain. It has him stepping closer to him, gently cupping his face, thumbs brushing over where the strange metal begins to merge with his skin, still warm. It gives him a better look at his eyes now too, what he thought was a washed out and deathly pale is actually many, many colors at once, shifting and changing as he studies them.
He ignores for now the other obvious physical changes, concern bleeds across his features, a notch at his brow as he asks quietly: ]
no subject
He would step toward it if not Viktor's presence immediately taking his attention.
The transformation is extreme enough that there's a flicker of shock across his features before he can mask it, his anxieties about the time, how quickly they seem to be hurtling toward a certain future bubbling up again at the sight of Viktor's new, almost familiar body. He picks up the differences quickly enough though, how uniform this body is compared to the more piecemeal way Viktor constructed his own over time in that vision. Barring a major accident, Viktor had done it all to himself in that life - a difference that, while Kyle couldn't agree with all of his choices, at least could understand why he made them.
This is different. Not the horrific way the issusha'im are made (he hopes, at least, if there was pain then it was swift) - and he still can't blame Jayce for choosing to save Viktor no matter the cost, but -
He catches that glimmer of shame in his expression, feels it twist in his side like a knife, using the jolt to try to do more than just stand here. He remembers, keenly, his own moments of shame here, when Viktor had kissed the corners of his mouth - he has only ever wanted to give in return that feeling of being wanted, and loved, without any pain. It has him stepping closer to him, gently cupping his face, thumbs brushing over where the strange metal begins to merge with his skin, still warm. It gives him a better look at his eyes now too, what he thought was a washed out and deathly pale is actually many, many colors at once, shifting and changing as he studies them.
He ignores for now the other obvious physical changes, concern bleeds across his features, a notch at his brow as he asks quietly: ]
Does it hurt?
[ This new body. ]