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Veritas Ratio was used too the antics of one Aventurine of the IPC. Ever since his students discovered that Aventurine was staying with Veritas, they had been standoffish toward Aventurine. Veritas would say it was endearing that a few of his students were so protective over him. However, he would never admit it out loud to anyone. He would not allow rumors to spread that he held favoritism in his classes. Many nights he had heard the same complaining from Aventurine.
“Why is it so hard to get your students to like me? Making Sunday hate me was so much easier! Fooling Sunday was so much easier!”
Veritas rolled his eyes at the memory. Aventurine had gone back to working for the IPC, still taking dangerous missions to help further the IPC’s reach and grasp on the galaxy. He was still at the university teaching his classes, having meetings and interviews, and working on his own research. Both men had very, very busy schedules now that they rarely got to spend much time together.
“You’re brooding,” Veritas sighed heavily and looked up at Chase. “You have that look on your face. Your brows furrow and try to look angry when really it’s concern.” The white haired student adjusted his hoodie.
“Did you come here for mindless babble or do you need something?” Veritas raised an eyebrow. Chase sat across from Veritas, playing with the strings of his hoodie. “Well, out with it,” he said firmly. He tapped his pen on his desk in fast repetition. Veritas’ patience wore thin as Aventurine had been gone for a solid month. He hadn’t contacted Veritas in two weeks.
Chase glanced at the door where Rivera, Jasper, and Avana were. The three students came into the office and Veritas could feel the migraine that always showed up when all four were together. “You see, we’ve noticed how strange you’ve been acting these past two weeks…”
“And we got you something,” Rivera grinned, bouncing on her feet, barely able to contain her excitement. Jasper held her mostly still by holding her shoulders. Avana had a smug smirk on her face, eyes shining.
Veritas narrowed his eyes. “What did you do this time?” The words Rivera spoke didn’t register until a minute later. “Got me something? Is this a joke?” He heard of students who liked to pull practical jokes on their teachers. Some of his own students, the more troublesome ones, tried to get under his skin by using practical jokes.
“Nope,” Avana shook her head, smiling.
“Chase, show him already!” Jasper elbowed Chase, the lather yelping.
“Alright, alright!” Chase grumbled, glaring at Jasper. Veritas rubbed his temples and sighed. Chase noticed and pulled an object out of his pocket. He slid the small box on the desk toward Veritas. “We got this for you.”
Veritas picked up the box and inspected it, searching for any abnormality. Finding none, he undid the bow on top and opened the box. “What is this?” he deadpanned, looking up at his students as he pulled out a rubber duck that looked oddly like Aventurine. The four of them stifled their laughter, trying to hide their giggles behind coughs.
“A present! Since Aventurine isn’t here right now, you have this little guy to keep you company!” Rivera gushed giddily, smiling brightening impossibly brighter. “You’ve been sadder lately. Don’t try denying it. We aren’t emotionally stunted to where we can’t read a room.”
“What she is trying to say is that we don’t like seeing you like…” Avana gestured to all of him, “this.” She smiled innocently as Veritas gave her an unamused glare. “It’s almost as if you are grieving for him when he isn’t even dead!”
“And the fact that he’s been no contact for two weeks is stressful, but he’s lucky, right?” Jasper added, giving an encouraging smile.
“How do you–”
“You don’t wanna know,” all four students cut him off in unison.
Veritas sighed, picking up the duck and inspecting it. “I suppose this is a thoughtful gift.” He frowned. “However, you didn’t need to go through the trouble of getting it.” He set the duck down on his desk. “I appreciate the gesture. Now, if you don’t need anything, get out.”
“Yes, Doctor,” Chase gave him a two finger salute. “Don’t forget to drink water. You look sick, ack!” Chase ducked as a piece of chalk was thrown at him. “Rude,” he grumbled, leaving the office with his friends.
Veritas rubbed his temples once more and focused on the paperwork in front of him. Hours later he put on his coat and grabbed his laptop so he could get more work done from home. Before he left the office, he put the rubber duck in his coat pocket. Veritas had brought Aventurine’s three cake cats to his apartment while the IPC stone heart was gone.
The cats meowed loudly and circled his legs the moment Veritas walked through the door. He set his laptop down and sighed, picking up one of them. “I know,” he murmured. “Aventurine will come home soon. There is no need to cry.” The cat wailed as tears welled in its eyes. For the most part, all three had been inconsolable.
Veritas fed the cats and allowed them to wander behind him as he prepared his routine nightly bath. With the perfect amount of bubbles, Veritas stripped down and got into the warm water. He let out a sigh of relief and allowed the warm water to soothe his muscles. He placed his regular duck in the water followed by the Aventurine duck. He pushed the duck around for a moment before reaching for his book to read. The cats stayed in the bathroom for a little while before wandering back in the living room. Distracted by the book and his relaxation, Veritas didn’t hear the door open and close.
“I’m home!” Aventurine’s soft voice sang. When he got no response, he fondly shook his head and walked to the bathroom. He stood at the door, watching Veritas read. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the ducks in the bathtub with Veritas. “Miss me that much, huh?” he teased, making Veritas almost drop his book in the water.
“You fool!” Veritas grumbled, calming down and putting the book safely on the table next to the tub. His sunset eyes filled with relief. “You look awful,” he scoffed, taking in Aventurine’s ragged appearance. “Why didn’t you call? Two weeks ago was your last call. What happened?”
Aventurine laughed, taking off his jacket. “Come now, doctor. With all those questions, one would think you missed me.” He unbuttoned his shirt and took off his pants before sliding in the bathtub with Veritas, pressing his back against Veritas’ chest. Veritas rolled his eyes, though he didn’t complain about Aventurine joining him.
“What’s with the duck?” Aventurine asked, picking up the duck replica of him.
“The students gave it to me,” Veritas explained, wrapping his arms around Aventurine. “Believe it or not, they appear to be warming up to you.” He softly kissed Aventurine’s neck. “Why didn’t you call?” he murmured.
Aventurine relaxed, humming in content. “I broke my phone. Someone tried to take a shot at me and my poor phone took the hit.” He sighed dramatically, mourning the inanimate object. “I apologize for not contacting you sooner.” He took Veritas’ hand and gently pressed a kiss.
“I do worry for you,” Veritas grumbled, tightening his hold on Aventurine. “Do stay alive, Gambler.”
“Aw, you do care,” Aventurine teased, smiling softly.
“Maybe one day you’ll believe that what I say is true, Vasha,” Veritas murmured, and Aventurine paused, eyes widening. He swallowed thickly and leaned back into Veritas’ embrace. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
“I missed you, too.”