Content Notes: Nothing of note.
The boy's disapproval of Singed grows and grows over the years, yet like a clockwork, he keeps showing up on Singed's door.
"I have tea," Singed says to him in a greeting one night as he steps aside to let Viktor in. "How is the Academy treating you?"
"It's fine." Viktor lets the lie linger in the air for a moment before setting out to correct it: "I have been Heimerdinger's assistant for a while now. You would think that would make me something in their eyes."
Viktor falls silent, and Singed says nothing either. No commentary is necessary: they both know this city won't forget where you came from.
"They don't know what they have in their hands." Singed's apartment is barely more than a room; it doesn't take long for him to get Viktor seated on the couch and fetch them tea to drink. Singed needs space for his work, not for himself. "All they will ever have for you is contempt, no matter what you do. When will you have enough of that, Viktor?" Standing before Viktor, Singed looks the boy in the eye, offering him a cup brimming with tea. "When will you realize you deserve better?"
Viktor scoffs. "And what exactly is better?" I'm lucky to be at the Academy in the first place. Opportunities, well, they don't fall in my path." Sighing, Viktor takes the cup from Singed. "I just have to accept the cards that have been dealt to me."
But even as Viktor says that, acceptance is absent both in his eyes and voice.
Singed smiles inside. There is still hope.
"It's up to you, of course." He sits down next to Viktor. "Now, tell me about you and Heimerdinger. What has he been teaching you?"
One day, Viktor will realize where he really belongs. And when that day comes, Singed will be there to see him shine.