"No, I know. I shouldn't take it personally." Jayce is sensitive and he knows that, and Viktor in particular could rip him apart with a few careless words. But intellectually he does understand it wasn't Viktor saying their partnership was wasted. It only felt that way. "I wish we could have done that, I agree. We both thought we had more time." Jayce literally thought they both had lifetimes to get to everything. If he knew it was limited, he might have pushed more for things to move.

"I know I let myself get distracted and I wasn't the partner I should have been lately." Lately for him, months ago for Viktor, but it still stands true, and he still feels the weight of it with his guilt. There were a lot of other things he was dealing with, a lot of power, a lot of responsibility, he thought it was great at first and then all he could see were his failures.

Jayce lets out a breath and looks at Viktor. "I just need you to know that I'm always on your side. Even when we disagree with each other or I'm being an idiot. You're my best friend, and I want to be there for you, no matter what happens." Or whenever Viktor will let him be there. So much of his heart is out there and after a beat he smiles wryly, shrugging.

"And I know my intense sincerity makes you uncomfortable, so ... we can just go home now and get some sleep."