Jayce is being much more understanding than he probably deserves, but Viktor knows him too well for him to hide the hurt that he really feels. If it were that simple, there would have been no hesitation. Even now, Viktor wants to reassure Jayce that he will never be without him again, though he can't quite bring himself to do that, because he's not quite ready to give up on home. There's a part of him, too, that resents the lecture, like he he can't make his own decisions about what he thinks is vest, but it seems pointless to argue when the Hexcore turned out the way it did.

Next time, he always tells himself. Next time he'll get it right. That's what scientific progress is--improving with every new iteration, inching always towards perfection. That Jayce could be content with him and only him, at the expense of everything else, is all at once infuriating and deeply affecting.

"I know, Jayce." That love for him has never been in question. Viktor allows himself to lean into the hands against his face, and it's only another moment before he's squeezing his eyes shut, cheeks wet. A scenario where Jayce is dead is not one he wants to entertain--it's an overwhelming thought that hits him all at once, now that his own anger has ebbed. "I'm sorry. I need to think. About--about everything. But I'm not going to leave you. I promise."