Whatever Tony does from here on out is out of his hands--Viktor can't say he didn't warn him, though of course that doesn't stop him from feeling at least partially responsible. Jayce, analyzing their situation and doing his best to be reassuring, comes off as though he'd never had his lapse in composure at all. Viktor furrows his brow. Looks up at that perfect, infuriating face.

Jayce is more of a politician than either of them want to admit. That will probably work to their advantage, here, and he may be right about some or all of the things he's saying. Viktor is too pessimistic, however, to think that the government will continue to leave them to their own devices. They were summoned for a reason. Their specific talents, their research, must have been part of that, and there isn't any hiding the real depth of their knowledge and ability. It's only a matter of time.

"I was so foolish," he admits, burying his face against Jayce's chest while his arms curl around his middle, hands creeping up his back, brushing his shoulders. "To think I could have you, without anything else in the way. That we could escape politics, and war, and simply...do good."

Viktor was ready to make the most of this--displaced as they are, he still wants to help. Make things better for the people of this world. Being drafted into a war effort, inevitable as it may be, is the opposite of that.