Jayce sighs as he wipes a line of sweat from his brow, leaning back against the counter behind him in his workshop. The heat from the nearby forge beats against his skin and makes him shiver, taking his mind off of the impending sense of dread twisting in his stomach.

This was never the path in which he wanted to follow, but did he really have a choice? It was his duty as a leader to make this decision— but what would you think? His moral compass, the one who has been by his side since day one, and the only person he really trusted at this point besides Viktor…

The thought of disappointing you pained him just as much as this impossible choice.

He’s so deep in thought that he doesn’t notice the faint sound of footfall against the stone tile of the workshop, his brow furrowed and eyes staring off into the darkness of the world.