[This was exactly what he'd been afraid to hear. Aqua's lips pressed together into a bloodless line as Viktor spoke until it came out in a rush.]

I didn't become a doctor so that--

[Catching himself, Aqua yanked his gaze away and covered his mouth, then his eyes. After a moment, he turned back to rearrange the medicine, his voice strained at the edges but once more restrained.]

Sorry. I mean... yeah. I'll do it. If I have to. [He took a breath and let it out more slowly.] But I'd rather you didn't talk like that. We... need your brain, you know. [Even more ragged:] And I can try to give you more time.