#poor viktor

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Viktor’s illness in Arcane is one of those things that people talk about, but I feel like they only scratch the surface. Yeah, it’s tragic, yeah, it’s why he pushes Hextech so hard, but the way it actually shapes him. His mindset, his relationships, the way he exists in the world is so much deeper than just “he doesn’t want to die.”

Like, Viktor isn’t just running out of time—he feels it, every second of every day. He doesn’t get the luxury of patience, of hesitation, of slow and careful progress. People frame his desperation as a descent into obsession, but let’s be real; when your body is literally failing you and you’re one of the smartest people alive, of course you’re going to throw yourself into your work. What else is he supposed to do? Accept it? Lie down and die? He’s been sick since childhood, and you can see how that shaped him into someone who refuses to waste even a second.

And that’s why his relationship with Jayce is so painful to watch. Jayce is idealistic. He believes in progress, but in a way that’s manageable, controlled. Jayce is thinking about the future in terms of decades. Viktor? He doesn’t have decades. Every time Jayce hesitates, whether it’s about Hextech, about the ethics of what they’re doing, about the council’s approval, it’s not just frustrating for Viktor, it’s terrifying. Every delay, every “we need more time,” feels like another nail in his coffin. And the real tragedy? Viktor knows Jayce cares. He knows Jayce wants to help. But Jayce has the privilege of time, and Viktor doesn’t. That’s a gap that love and friendship alone can’t fix.

And here’s my hot take: Viktor’s biggest fear isn’t just dying. It’s dying without proving he mattered. His whole life, he’s been seen as weak, as fragile, as someone people pity. Hextech isn’t just about survival for him—it’s about legacy. It’s about making sure that when he’s gone, the world will remember him as something more than a sickly kid from the Undercity. And when you look at it that way, his whole arc stops being a “tragic downfall” and starts looking like the only path that ever made sense for him. Because if the alternative is fading away into nothing? Then yeah, of course he’s going to push further. Of course he’s going to risk everything. Because at least if he goes out, he goes out leaving something behind.

And that’s why the fact that people took Viktor’s name off Hextech is actually one of the most tragic things in the show. Like, Hextech wasn’t just some invention for him, it was his life’s work, his legacy, the thing that was supposed to make sure he was remembered. He built that with Jayce. It was supposed to be the proof that he mattered.

And then the second he wasn’t there to fight for his place in history? They erased him.

They didn’t just take away credit. They took away the one thing that kept him going, the thing that made all of his sacrifices mean something. Hextech was supposed to outlive him, and in a way, that was supposed to be his version of immortality. But now? Now it’s just “Jayce Talis’ great invention,” and Viktor is nothing more than a footnote.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Yuri!!! on Ice (Anime) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katsuki Yuuri/Victor Nikiforov, Christophe Giacometti/Christophe Giacometti's Man | Masumi Characters: Katsuki Yuuri, Victor Nikiforov, Christophe Giacometti, Christophe Giacometti's Man | Masumi, Christophe Giacometti's Cat Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Identity Reveal, sorta - Freeform, Drag Queens, Bad Jokes, Pole Dancing, Pole Dancer Katsuki Yuuri, Yuuri on pole, Did I mention bad jokes? Because they're bad, Happy Birthday Katsuki Yuuri, though really Viktor is the one who ends up getting the present, Not Beta Read, We take pity on Io when it comes to my flights of fancy Summary:

Chris had suggested that they all go to a charity drag show at a club in New York, and Viktor had thought that it sounded like a great idea. If only Yuuri hadn't gotten lost and had managed to meet them on time. It just wasn't going to be the same without him!

And then Cherry took the stage.

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Viktor: Would it be alright if I set up my own furniture in the room I’m staying in?

Yuuri: Yes, that’s fine. What do you have in mind?

Viktor: Just the essentials, maybe some cabinets and a king size bed.

Yuuri: King? But wouldn't that be a tight fit in that room?

Viktor, desperately trying to flirt: But it’s always nice to have a spacious bed, especially if I end up sharing it.

Yuuri: *smiles*

Yuuri: It's really sweet how you're always thinking of Makkachin.

Aaaand that’s a wrap on my fic! I was supposed to draw this before I started publishing but I got caught up with work, so here’s the cover!! If you’d like to read my fic, you can click right here!

For those of you who have enjoyed it, thank you! Your support means so much to me :,)

I WOKE UP LIKE THIS

Nice try Viktor, but Yuuri had to call you out!