It hurt, in all honesty.

Viktor hated seeing you galavanting around with other men, none as scientifically minded, kind, or good as himself. What was so good about the other academy members? Sure, none of them were from the undercity—and sure, none of them had a limp—but they didn't know you.

Sat in his laboratory, Viktor found himself rolling his eyes. The sound of your giggling was often so sweet to his ears now turned sour by the knowledge it was Jayce causing it.

He hated it. Loathed it- seeing you flirt with another man. You were supposed to be his- even if you weren't officially together yet. Was he seriously so imperfect to you?

Viktor called your name, then vaguely gestured to some papers on his desk filled to the edges with intricate maths equations and doodles to fill space. “Come help me with this. I can’t quite work it out.” He was lying. Such a question was easy to a man of his calibre— he just needed you away from Jayce and close to him again.