I talked about the mischaracterization of Viktor as an insecure person in this post, but I think there's another, related aspect that's become something of a trope in fanfiction: the idea that Viktor isnโt big on superficial things like looks or fashion โ so whenever thereโs an event, he has to be persuaded into dressing up. I don't think thatโs actually accurate to Viktorโs character. In fact, Iโd argue it might be pretty much the opposite โ at least when heโs functioning at his full potential. I mean, have you seen these things:
Also: the way he dresses in the Commune? The way his followers dress? The fact that he basically gives them a free glow-up on top of healing them?
Are the amount of straps and jewellery and the little cut outs really necessary? No. Do they look great? Yeah.
The Commune itself has a very particular, curated, and beautiful aesthetic. Itโs functional, yes โ but by no means utilitarian. And while many people helped build it, Viktor is the one in control, so we can reasonably assume this is his design sensibility coming through.
I also often see Jayce portrayed as the one whoโs very concerned with his appearance, with Viktor juxtaposed as someone who doesnโt give a fuck. But Iโd argue:
Jayceโs apartment is canonically messy, and so is working at the forge.
Viktor only starts looking more unkempt as his health deteriorates โ whereas at the beginning of S1, when heโs still feeling relatively okay, heโs well-groomed, with neatly cut hair.
The fact that his clothes later appear ill-fitting or sloppy isnโt a personal choice โ itโs a visual consequence of severe weight loss due to illness.
So what Iโm trying to say is: if Viktorโs not actively dying, he will probably come across as pretty confident โ and, frankly, heโll be serving cunt.
(Disclaimer: This isnโt me trying to police anyoneโs headcanons โ write whatever and however you want. This is just my interpretation based on what the canon seems to suggest.)
