[ There he is. That's the Viktor Jayce knows and loves very well. The Viktor that is truly his and here. It's odd to see him in this body before he ever should be touched by the Arcane. But here he is. He makes every effort to maintain control over his face, keep it calm and focused on Viktor. He knows it's not wholly there, but it's the best that he can do.

He doesn't want it to show that his mind has been taken for a ride. But he would still argue that it was worse in that pit. If only because down there he didn't know if he would have anyone waiting for him when he got out.

Here, he had Viktor to crawl back home towards. The other's wish was born from his desire to be of use. Jayce's expression softens, saddens. The words get caught in his throat. ]

You're not useless. You're not the reason I died.

[ He brings that hand to his lips, placing gentle kisses along the knuckles, then pressing it to his cheek, holding it there. It's comforting. More comforting than he thought a body crafted of metal could be. It still feels like Viktor to him. His face relaxes, truly. Whatever will haunt him can haunt him when he's not with Viktor. ]

I died because all I wished for was to protect you. [ His eyes flicker open, locked onto Viktor's face. ] When I got back from that place, when I found out Mel shielded me from that explosion—I told her that she should have protected you. That it should have been me under the rubble. I finally got to do that for you.