[Viktor finds himself holding a breath, only releasing it when Mel seems to relent. With it, some of the tension leaves his shoulders--he glances at Jayce, sort of hoping for an assist. He'll offer a tight-lipped smile, at least, an attempt to be reassuring.]
I understand.
[What it's like to be betrayed by one's body.]
I don't think anyone will blame you, for taking the time you need.
[ Jayce has also been holding his breath, waiting for some friction to spark and not entirely sure what to do to steer them away from that. Or, if he should at all. For all the ways they're different, they both can be stubborn, and they both have their pride that they cling to when it comes to asking for help. An aversion to being seen as weak that goes beyond what Jayce really understands himself.
He wishes he could do more for both of them.
Viktor catches his attention with a look, and finally, Jayce becomes animate again. Sets his coffee back down and slips an arm around Mel's back, pressing his lips to her cheek, and slipping his other hand on Viktor's knee, giving it a grateful squeeze. ]
It's okay to do nothing for a couple of days. You're allowed to rest - you can remind me that too, the next time I end up with teeth growing out of my back...
[ No one is really blaming her but herself, and she knows intrinsically it's a foolish feeling as it is — she didn't plan for this to happen, and certainly didn't think it would derail what progress she's made. Jayce's touch is warm, coaxing her out of her thoughts for a moment, but it's Viktor that she looks to first, with a glance of gratitude.
And then, she practically rolls her eyes at Jayce. ]
I'd really like to avoid that outcome for you, if that's all right.
[ She hadn't seen it but he'd told her, and the very idea that his back opened up to form teeth is simply nightmarish. ]
[It's sort of a bad joke, because the picture is not very pleasant, and also he's certain that Mel doesn't need to see it. And also that Jayce doesn't want her to see it.
Jayce's easy affection with both of them has him relaxing, slightly. He decides to tell himself it's just a side-effect of the imprint.]
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I understand.
[What it's like to be betrayed by one's body.]
I don't think anyone will blame you, for taking the time you need.
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He wishes he could do more for both of them.
Viktor catches his attention with a look, and finally, Jayce becomes animate again. Sets his coffee back down and slips an arm around Mel's back, pressing his lips to her cheek, and slipping his other hand on Viktor's knee, giving it a grateful squeeze. ]
It's okay to do nothing for a couple of days. You're allowed to rest - you can remind me that too, the next time I end up with teeth growing out of my back...
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And then, she practically rolls her eyes at Jayce. ]
I'd really like to avoid that outcome for you, if that's all right.
[ She hadn't seen it but he'd told her, and the very idea that his back opened up to form teeth is simply nightmarish. ]
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[It's sort of a bad joke, because the picture is not very pleasant, and also he's certain that Mel doesn't need to see it. And also that Jayce doesn't want her to see it.
Jayce's easy affection with both of them has him relaxing, slightly. He decides to tell himself it's just a side-effect of the imprint.]
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[ Mel gets a sheepish, lopsided smile as he pulls back. Viktor, on the other hand, gets a look of betrayal. To Mel again: ]
Yeah - trust me. You don't.
[ Want to see his back mouths.
They kept some of the teeth, they're in a jar somewhere. ]