To his credit, Jayce has managed to be as level as possible during these harder weeks. It's always been easier for him to take care of other people and find the strength within himself to be there. He's held his internal turmoil where it has to be, but it has been terrible to watch Viktor degrade by the day. When this first started to change, when Viktor was still relatively healthy, he started to wonder if they should keep putting it off. Now it's clear, they can't. There's no other option.

He is the perfect partner during all these trials. He is at his elbow any time he needs something, he finishes everything Viktor can't do himself, he brings him food and water, and makes certain that he rests. He cleans his handkerchiefs out of blood daily so they're ready when he needs to use them again. Jayce does all of it as carefully as he can so as not to set off his pride, but at a point, illness is harsher than pride.

Viktor was dying back home but he had hidden it from him until he was at this place. And then when it was over, he'd given up. At least he hasn't given up again. Jayce is never far from him these days, he hates leaving him even for a few minutes. This may be all they have left. He comes in when he hears Viktor speak, bringing warm tea for his throat since he's coughing hard again.

"It's all right to stop. You need to rest, love." Jayce hasn't questioned the letters, he knows that Viktor needing to rely on him for other things is difficult, so he lets him keep as many of his secrets. He hands him the tea and runs his fingers gently through his hair. The bed is always made up these days with his comfort in mind, pillows often firmly stacked so he can sit up if it is easier for him to breathe that way.

"Have some tea. What are you going to do when we're through this and you have to stay in bed for weeks?"