Chapter Text
It all started one afternoon when Jayce invited Viktor to his mother’s house—his childhood home.
Viktor was nervous; it was the first time he was seeing Jayce’s mother since they had started dating, and he didn’t really know how to act. They had never talked about it.
Then suddenly, without warning, the worst thing that could happen did happen: rejection.
"You know, Jayce… he's turning thirty-five soon, and I'm starting to worry about him," Ximena had begun. Viktor had frozen, set his cup down on the table, and glanced toward the door Jayce had just exited through.
"I understand, but Jayce is very intelligent and perfectly capable. We've made a lot of progress in our research, and I think it's fair to say he's adapted very quickly to his role as councilor," Viktor had replied, offering her a reassuring smile.
"Exactly. I don’t want to interfere too much in his private life, but... I’d like to see him get married."
"Oh," Viktor had said, clasping his hands tightly as they began to tremble.
Their relationship was complicated… They hadn’t defined any real boundaries. Friends with benefits felt too shallow. A couple felt too soon—even though Viktor was in love with Jayce and would have given himself to him completely. But marriage… that was another level entirely.
"I wish he’d go on dates with the girls who approach him. They’re so pretty, so full of life… I just don’t understand why Jayce isn’t interested. And he’s always at the lab." she had added, wearing a small, apologetic smile.
Viktor’s blood had run cold. He had glanced once more toward the door, silently begging Jayce to return and save him from this conversation, which had already begun to shatter his heart.
Despite himself, he had felt tears rise—tears he’d immediately forced back, sending a sharp burn through his sinuses. He had quickly raised his cup again to hide the trembling of his lips.
"I'm getting older. I’d love to have grandchildren. And more than anything, I just want to know Jayce won’t end up alone."
Alone? But Viktor was there. Viktor and Jayce were always together.
"I wish he’d distance himself a bit from the lab..." and from you.
Viktor had never considered that Ximena might not approve of their relationship. Jayce loved her so much, spoke of her so often, that Viktor had imagined she shared her son’s warmth and openness.
And she wasn’t cruel, her words were kind, filled with a mother’s love, but Viktor was painfully aware of all the things he couldn’t offer Jayce: fame, adventure, children… the life Ximena wanted for her son.
"And..." He had hesitated. What did she expect from him, telling him all this? What exactly was she asking?
"I know you two are close. I just thought maybe… you could give him a little nudge. Encourage him to look elsewhere." Viktor had studied her. He had trouble processing it. It was so direct, and yet so vague.
She had clearly implied that he should step away from Jayce. She had been kind enough to say it to his face. He couldn’t help but respect that, in a way.
"Okay, here are the pastries ! Sorry, Mom, I couldn’t find the oven mitts." Jayce had burst into the room, a little out of breath. He had clumsily set down the tray in his hands and flashed a smile at Viktor, who had done his best to return it.
"Thanks, sweetheart." And just like that, the conversation had shifted.
Ximena looked completely normal, as if she hadn’t just broken Viktor—and the relationship he had with Jayce.
He had simply sat there, silently sipping his tea and listening to their chatter, all while wishing he could leave as soon as possible.
That had been one week ago.
Unusually, Viktor had claimed he had a cold and preferred to stay home. Jayce, too busy with the Council, didn’t ask questions, which suited Viktor just fine.
He had barely moved from his bed since returning from Ximena’s. He hadn’t even bothered to remove his brace, too consumed with ruminating over her words. In just a few minutes, she had destroyed all the confidence Viktor had built up in his relationship with Jayce.
Jayce had spent so long convincing him that he was worth it... But through Ximena’s critical lens, everything had changed and Viktor wasn’t so sure anymore.
How could he go against the words of a maternal figure? Jayce was so close to his mother, Viktor didn’t stand a chance.
But a chance at what? Jayce would never make a choice. Viktor quickly realized why Ximena had chosen to speak to him instead of her son. Viktor was the one who had to step back.
He sighed deeply and slowly turned over, curling onto his side to face the wall.
Viktor couldn’t let go of Jayce. He was too selfish for that. He would never survive the distance. He wouldn’t even be able to take the first step. He couldn’t convince himself to do it. If he wanted to help Ximena, he had to make sure Jayce was the one to pull away.
The very thought made tears rise to his eyes. He blinked them away, unsuccessfully. His throat tightened and he choked on his own saliva.
Why should he help Ximena? He had nothing to gain from all this. It was selfish, yes—but true.
Because she wanted what was best for Jayce, and if Viktor truly loved him, he should want the same. And according to Ximena, what was best meant marriage, a romantic, family-oriented life.
Jayce had talked before about wanting to get married and have kids, but that was at the beginning of their friendship, never since they had started getting involved romantically… or sexually, at least.
And where did Viktor fit into all of this? He could either be the boyfriend not accepted by Jayce’s mother, childless, with an uncertain future due to his health: breaking Jayce’s heart in every possible way. Or Viktor, the best friend, the colleague. It was clear Jayce had more to gain from the second option.
Viktor stood up and walked to the bathroom. Deep down, he had already made his decision but he still had to convince himself. He stared into the mirror for a few moments. His eyes were red and swollen, his nose raw from blowing it too much. He looked himself straight in the eye. He felt sorry for himself. His reflection made him pity the man he saw. Deep down, he wanted to be selfish, he wanted to believe he deserved a life with Jayce.
Looking into the mirror, he imagined it was someone else, someone who did deserve to fight, to stand his ground.
But that wasn’t reality and the humiliation he had felt during that conversation with Ximena had overpowered whatever feelings Jayce might have had for him. Yes, as delicately as possible, Ximena Talis had thrown his world into chaos.
He had felt a deep rage in the first few days. He had wanted to go back to her house, tell her to go to hell. But little by little, that anger had faded, replaced by doubt and sadness. No matter how hard he tried to summon the anger again, his lack of self-confidence wouldn’t allow it.
All he could do was promise himself he would try his best to push Jayce away.