#i've actually seen people making comparisons between Viktor and Maruki and I kinda want to incorporate that

[smolstarthief]

I'm just brainstorming while waiting for the polls to finish but I can't help but when JayVik reaches the 3rd Semester arc, namely the 2/2 scene where Maruki gets the calling card and I'm gonna be real... I think Viktor would be the most pissed at the guy.

To rewind a bit, I personally feel like Jayce would be the least affected by the fake reality since he technically got what he desired most: To have Viktor back. Viktor on the other hand despite no doubt improving by that point would no doubt still have his own guilt and baggage weighing on him so he not only has his leg healed but he gets Sky back... Which would be a major strike against Maruki once he snaps out of it.

B/c to him, that showcases the biggest flaw of his reality and that's basically implying that Maruki himself knows what's best and that him being in a state where he's no longer "broken" is the better option for him to heal. Jayce point blank reassured him in canon that he was never broken and he doesn't need to pursue perfection (as flawed as the monologue admittedly is, it really struck a chord with me and I understood what he was trying to say). Not only that, there's also the issue of his ability to make decisions/autonomy once again being taken away as well.

Now Maruki did HAVE the best intentions and no doubt didn't intend any offense at all but the damage is already done as Viktor calmly but furiously confronts him during 2/2 when he tries to list what he did for him as a positive. Him putting down Sumi's own progress and improvement further aggravated him. He doesn't raise his voice but a tight grip on his cane and glare all but shows how he feels. Yes, he gets it and the pain sucks but the fact that he had Jayce and even Sky (later the PTs in this AU) made it all more bearable and meaningful since their care for him is real and they won't judge or treat him as a burden. He's viewed as a partner, friend, and equal and he's not giving that up again.

This actually further rattles Maruki but he doesn't argue or respond other than acceptance that they'll still have to fight and leaves.

Now Viktor DOES later admit in a private conversation that deep down, he knows Maruki had a point but at the same time he just can't stand for what he said and was implying. Like the others though, he did feel like he got a bit of closure for both his loss and what could have been. At the end of the day, he pities Maruki and can sort of relate to resorting to such extremes to help people.

Idk if this came out well or coherent enough but yeah. I just generally love Arcane's message regarding Viktor. It didn't come off as ableist or anything to me but rather gives acknowledgement that there's no such thing as perfection and that Jayce always viewed Viktor as an equal and cared deeply about him despite how he perceived himself. So someone else basically trying to do a quick band-aid solution for him without any say or protest from him would probably strike a huge nerve for him really.