He knows that he doesn't need to hold back, though old habits are hard to break. Even through all the changes in their relationship, and knowing that now, more than ever, Jayce is with him in this, it's still hard to be fully open about it. He wants to spare Jayce's feelings, even though he knows that's impossible. Viktor smooths Jayce's shirt and fidgets with his collar, a habit he's developed when they're standing this close and he can't quite think of how he wants to say what he wants to say.

It comes after a moment.

"I know. You've always been looking forward."

Towards the future. Progress. Viktor does that too, but only when it comes to his work. The possibility of making the world a better place. When it comes to his own health, he has to be more of a realist.

"And you're allowed to. But what we have now is, is so important to me. It always has been."