Chapter Text
“Doctor’s Advice”
The impossible in the Dreamscape is not "Death," but rather "Dormancy."
Do stay alive. I wish you the best of luck.
Aventurine read Veritas’s note again and again, every time, reverting back to looking at the same exact word. Alive. Veritas actually cared for his safety. It was actually quite touching. Not only did he want him to be Alive, that doctor also wished him luck! He might be overthinking it, but what truly does he not overthink? If he hadn’t known that Ratio better, he would’ve actually believed that Veritas cared for reasons other than purely getting whatever job they needed, done.
After all, the phrasing, the use of language, the everything. It’s almost like Veritas was begging him to stay alive! Hah! Imagine that! The haughty doctor begging! Hysterical! Oh, and how he mentioned luck. Wow, Aventurine couldn’t even believe it. That doctor wishes him, the filthy gambler, luck! Oh, the irony brings tears to his eyes, and ember to his heart. He couldn’t deny that the letter made his heart a little.. warmer… After everything he had to go through, well, that letter did stand out exceptionally.
Not only did he finally figure out the truth of the death in the dreamscape, he had also gotten what he could only imagine was a tad bit of fondness from such a proud genius!
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“So,” Aventurine eyed the doctor, whose head was incased in the bust; leaning closer every moment, he waited for the latter to finally announce that he had been too close. When the gambler’s elbow poked Veritas’s chest, only then did the genius bat an eye. “What is it now?” Ratio sighed heavily, whisking away the statue head with a flick of his wrist. “I’m reading.” Veritas stated the obvious, snapping shut his fat book of knowledge. As if he needed it anyways. Aventurine laid his head on his crossed arms, staring up at the doctor. “Do you care?” Veritas was caught off guard.
“Pardon?” The genius rapidly blinked several times, his head flinching back just the slightest.
“I asked if you actually cared. About me being alive, I meant..” Aventurine tilted his head, still observing the doctor.
“Why do you ask?” Veritas questioned back, turning his gaze.
“Nothing much, just out of pure curiosity.” The gambler shrugged, his azure pupils glowing.
“As if any information you receive would purely be used to fuel your curiosity.” Ratio scoffed, crossing his arms tightly, his lips even tighter. “Oh, but my dear doctor, any question is asked out of curiosity. I thought you liked answering idiots.” The Avgin smirked, his eyes arching in a smug manner. The genius sighed once more, finally reverting his gaze to the other’s awaiting eyes. “I care just enough simply because I still need you in our next step for Penacony.” Ratio answered simply, his voice unwavering.
“Oh, so you need me!” Aventurine perked up, his grin widening. Ratio sputtered at the utter nonsense he heard come out of the former’s mouth. “What? Well, theoretically, yes, but I don’t need you!”
“Oh, so you don’t need me for the mission?” Aventurine leaned his head on his forearm.
“I need you for the mission, but I myself, do not need you.” Veritas frowned, tilting his chin up.
“Need is still need. You need me, doc.” Aventurine had the most shit-eating grin on his face. Even if it was only for a few minutes, he loved talking to Ratio with things other than Penacony and the mission.