#that would surely mean the benfits of hextech would be utilized more equitably for both piltover and zaun

[mollysunder]

I don't think that's an unfair thing to state. Jayce is an adult, and in the course of a few days we the audience seen Viktor be snubbed multiple times by Jayce's colleagues. What was it like in the span of 7 years then?

I think Jayce had no incentive to do more to understand Viktor's perspective or confront the difference in how Piltover treated them, because he's so settled into how it benefits him. I'm not even talking about how overtly Jayce is marketed as the sole founder of hextech. I mean that from the start Jayce's privilege and connections has helped him thrive in Piltover.

Before Jayce's trial, Heimerdinger, the head of the Council and a judge of the trial, came to coach him on how to beat the charges and get a slap on the wrist. Cassandra was his patron and a judge on the trial and wanted to support him on the trial. And this was all for charges where he really was guilty of, not just magic, but recklessly endangering human life by unsafely storing explosive magical material... in an apartment building. He and Viktor are later given a very last chance through Mel when she let's them into the Academy.

Despite how capricious the council and Piltover's favor may seem, there's always something there ready to give Jayce grace. And Jayce almost unquestionably accepts it. Meanwhile, Viktor immediately contrasts Jayce by telling him he's had no name, no patrons, no parents (from what one writer said), and had to deal with the stigma of his disability and identity as a Zaunite against him in his efforts to be recognized. And Jayce never completely internalized what that meant.

The real sign of the inevitable dissolution of Jayce and Viktor's partnership/friendship really was the Progress Day Speech. I've seen people say this scene highlighted the growing shift in priorities between Jayce and Viktor. That Jayce was getting swept up in the limelight while Viktor wanted to keep it humble and stick to the work, and that's wrong.

First thing's first, Viktor does in fact want to go on stage (he was excited to just demonstrate the hexclaw), and Jayce is sincere in that he wants to share the spotlight and credit for hextech with Viktor. The problem in that scene is that for practically 7 years, Jayce has failed to see what's actually going on.

Jayce can't see that his face and only his face is on the mugs, the blimps, and the very banners that decorate the hall he's supposed to give a speech in. Jayce can't see that the Councilors direct all their questions on hextech to him while Viktor sits right next to him. Jayce doesn't notice that Mel, the most perceptive Councilor, still thought of Viktor as Heimerdinger's assistant (she didn't know they were close??!?!). He doesn't realize that the discussion on weaponizing hextech is centered on him rather than between him and his partner. Viktor isn't the one being invited to Piltover's parties for a reason.

Between Jayce and Viktor, they're partners on equal grounds, but to EVERYONE else in Piltover Viktor is practically a non-entity. The only person who doesn't get this is Jayce. It's a testament to Jayce's earnest naivette to think Viktor, as a Zaunite and visibly disabled, would be easily welcomed on stage by Piltover's elite to represent what Piltover has to offer. You'll notice this is the same crowd of people that attend Mel's Gala, the same Gala Viktor wasn't invited to.

This dynamic is insane!?!?! It's unsustainable!!!!! Obviously, Viktor is a grown man and could have mentioned something to Jayce, but also it's at least 7 years, how does someone miss this?!?!

By their last scene of the finale, Jayce was able to give Viktor a voice on the Council by literally standing by his side and giving him a seat at the table, but like peace treaty, the gesture has come far too late, and things cannot return to as they were.