Viktor ████

Investigator Viktor [ID 090] P.I.L.T. Homepage: pilt.neocities.org // Recap: docs.google.com/document/d/1Oz… // X Feed: x.com/i/lists/201845… RP INFO ↓

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor chuckles and holds the gold ring to his own chest] Deal. [His hand slides from Jayce’s cheek to the back of his neck, pulling him down as he rises onto his toes to meet him halfway. He draws him into a kiss, warm against the chill of the night air]

@Inv_Viktor090 [He doesn't care if the ring is too hot, either. He takes it, studying the details in the pale light. He clutches it tight in his hand] I won't embarrass myself by asking for a re-do. But I am going to ask that you take mine, and I take yours. Deal?

[Viktor opens the door and steps out onto the breezy roof. It’s a cool night, refreshing. The stars are out, but barely visible under the twinkling city below. He spots Jayce sitting at their usual place]

@Inv_JayceG100 And I never want you to doubt that. And I never want you to forget.

@Inv_JayceG100 [This time, when he opens his hand, there’s a second ring resting in his palm. Metal. Crude. Visible welding seams in delicate ripples, like tiny waves frozen into the surface. It’s still a little too hot for skin contact, but he doesn’t care]

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor smiles sadly] If there’s one thing I can say for certain about us, Jayce… it’s that we *always* find a third option. We will figure this out. [He reaches up and cups his cheek] And I’ll always be with you, regardless of how it turns out.

@Inv_Viktor090 [Jayce's hands curl around his, enveloping them] You can't expect me to say yes to this. You can't. There's no me without you, Viktor. Half my successes are yours. I couldn't do that crazy job without you if I did take it.

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor takes both of Jayce’s hands in his] You don’t need to decide this right now. Not tonight, not tomorrow. And if they say you’re out of time, we make them give you more. The answer will come to you when it comes. Let it breathe, for now. Just focus on me.

@Inv_Viktor090 [He looks down, suspicious for a second, but takes his hand and steps away from the railing] What's this about?

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor nods slowly. He glances up and gazes at Jayce with soft eyes] Will you come back down here with me for a moment? [He holds out a hand]

@Inv_Viktor090 There is no *us* where I'd be going, Viktor.

@Inv_JayceG100 And I do what I do because I have some kind of god complex about changing the world. It’s all selfish. And people still get saved. [He gazes over the railing for a moment] What does it mean for *us*, if you take this job?

@Inv_Viktor090 I do it so the military lets me prance around in my off time—I wish I could tell you I do *something* 'cause *someone's* got to care. I'm just not that good of a man, Viktor.

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor shakes his head] Don’t talk about yourself like that. Even on your worst days, you always do the right thing.

@Inv_Viktor090 What a spit in the fuckin' eye to the rest of the world!

@Inv_JayceG100 … What are you going to do?

@Inv_Viktor090 ...because I'm the best.

@Inv_JayceG100 [He takes a breath and looks down at his feet, the metal of his brace glinting in the moonlight] Why does it have to be you?

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor’s face twitches, and he turns the lighter in his hand absently] That doesn’t make any sense. [His voice is low] Why would they send one man to stop everything that wants to destroy the world? That doesn’t—they should at least have a handful. They should let—

@Inv_JayceG100 Is it something that… someone can sign up for. Or is it… [He sighs] Only for Stanwick’s hand-picked cream of the crop?

@Inv_Viktor090 ...What do you mean?

@Inv_JayceG100 … Is it opt-in?

@Inv_Viktor090 I lose my citizenship. Records get scrubbed clean, and I become this... ghost person, phasing between borders to stop who-knows-what kinda monstrosity. No breaks, and no coming home.

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor’s quiet for a moment] What does it mean? For you.

@Inv_Viktor090 ... [He takes a long drag. The cherry burns his fingers, and he drops it on the pile] That he did. [Jayce rubs the back of his neck restlessly] It's a pilot program. Between you and me, I think the dirty bastard just wanted the pun.

@Inv_JayceG100 [Viktor quirks a little smile back] A bit. But I love you anyway. [He drags his cigarette and looks out over the night city] That… “Warden” thing. Is that what Stanwick wanted to talk to you about?

@Inv_Viktor090 [Jayce smiles despite himself, something organic and rebelious as flowers in the sidewalk. He tilts his head away from Viktor’s hands with an amused breath that ends in a curbing sadness] There you go being cute again. Am I really that pathetic?

@Inv_JayceG100 Hm… [Viktor reaches up and presses his fingers to his forehead, making a show of looking into his eyes] Sounds like a brain mole. Afraid we’re going to have to do surgery before it’s too late. I’ll get my scalpel.

@Inv_Viktor090 [Jayce is hunched over a cigarette, cherry burning bright as a crucible. A pile of ashes grows between his feet. Nothing will rise from them] Feels like my brain's trying to fight its way outta my skill through my eyes.