*Eventually, the car rolls to a stop outside of the gala hall. Jayce hands the keys over to Valet and helps Viktor out of the car, unfolding the wheelchair. "…If you get tired,” Jayce says finally, voice quieter, “we leave. Immediately. I don’t care who I’m talking to.”

It takes several minutes for them to look even vaguely appropriate again. Jayce helps Viktor up, smirking at the noise of displeasure when he sits down.

🤷

The night ends with a walk— or rather, a roll of shame. As Jayce, wearing a bright grin and strutting like a bird of paradise, pushes a humiliated, thoroughly marked (and sticky) Viktor, back to the car. "Yknow, on second thought, maybe we should stay—"

You mean besides him flirting with my wife? Nothing. Never met the guy.

Hey guys! Great news! The gala worked! Er, sort of. No approvals for grants yet. But a few have been reopened. So they're at least reconsidering!

WHY ARE WE ALL YELLING?

*Jayce sprints up the front steps, shouldering the door open.* VIK? VIKTOR! VIKTOR WHERE— Oh.

After dinner, and after the girls are tucked into bed, Jayce follows Viktor into the bedroom. "Viktor. What's going on?" He demands.

Guys what the FUCK?

Jayce wakes slowly for the first time in months. Not to the sound of retching or children crying. Not to equipment beeping or to his alarm at an ungodly hour. But to birds chirping outside. And the smell of breakfast.

Jayce steps downstairs only to be immediately greeted by Viktor standing around the corner. "Jesus—"

Jayce approaches Viktor at the sink after breakfast. "Babe..?"

No way that worked.

What do you mean there's/nothing/? No cancer. No disease. No scarring. Nothing. Tens of thousands of dollars in treatment and half a year later and one morning it just... Disappears?

*Jayce paces back in forth as Viktor sits on the edge of the bed.* Okay. Okay. I need you to go over with me EXACTLY what happened from noon when I left you after lunch yesterday, until I got home at dinner.

*Jayce's hands tremble as he fishes the keys from his pocket and shoves open the door. He freezes when he sees the hexcore missing.* Where is it?