Jayce Giopara

Investigator Jayce Giopara [ID 100] P.I.L.T. Homepage: pilt.neocities.org // Recap: docs.google.com/document/d/1Oz… // X Feed: x.com/i/lists/201845… RP INFO ↓

[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_Viktor090 [Jayce wraps his arms around him, lifts, and spins him, losing the fight against his adoring impulses as he hauls him into the sky that he loves]

@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?

@Inv_Viktor090 [Jayce stares, stunned for a moment, and then a smile cracks across his face] You sneaky bastard, you found the ring and couldn't stand that I one upped you, hah...

@Inv_Viktor090 [Jayce surrenders to the touch, pressing his cheek into Viktor’s palm. He kisses it softly] ...I love you.

@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_Viktor090 Imagine if Clark decided to half-ass the whole thing. [He grabs the railing and lifts himself up, back straight, chin high, strength effortless. He looks like he's flying. Then he plants his feet between the bars, and shakes it like an antsy everyday schmuck]

@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_Viktor090 [The tremor in his hand grows] That's about it. He said—he said it was a one-man deal.

@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_Viktor090 Everyone 'round the globe shook hands like it was about leaving nuclear off the table, 'cept it's about sending their own to keep the world from getting too fucked up for them to destroy first. [He fidgets with the cigarette between his fingers]

@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?