As he told Alucard, at the time he thought maybe he could use his new power to help people, that their inventions couldn't be enough when stacked up against the corruption of the Council itself. It was naive to think he could fix their entire system, but it is very Jayce. He who is determined to passionately push things until it works, and therein lies the problem. The only thing that ever made perfect sense was them. Until he realized they had limited time and then he'd be alone. Caitlyn, Mel, his mother, none of them could fill the hole that Viktor did, he'd never have this again. He couldn't lose him.

Looking at him now he's even more aware of it, wondering if his promise to Viktor would be possible for him. They have a chance at a cure again. That's all that matters now. He laughs again when Viktor rolls his eyes, some things never change, and he rolls his eyes right back. "If everyone was as difficult as you are about giving compliments, maybe." It isn't too mean. Viktor taking digs at him is familiar and good for him in the long run.

Jayce puts out his hand in a silent offer to take Viktor's notes too so he doesn't have to worry about them and the cane at the same time. That's the whole point of having a giant best friend. You never have to carry anything again if you don't want to. "Oh so you're manipulating me. To what end? So I'm always willing to do all the heavy lifting?" This may or may not have a slightly flirty edge to it.