Work Text:
Ratio’s gaze is steady, unwavering and prideful where he stands.
You’ve come to watch his lesson as he teaches, sitting in an available chair in the corner of the classroom. The students try to sneak a peek at you from time to time, and honestly, you don’t blame them.
You don’t belong here, you’re not a student and you haven’t been for some time. But Ratio insisted that you’d come after witnessing your math skills, and you know better than to not listen.
It’s actually not that bad, you think, watching the way his arm muscles move every time he does, or the sway of his hips when he throws chalk at his students upon hearing wrong answers.
His sculpted head is on and it has been for the whole time in this building (you have no idea how he breathes or much less sees). He’s told you why he wears it, that it’s a distraction to the students, but why does he bother to cover his face when his boobs and that snatched waist are out?
Does he simply not care? Or has he yet not noticed? How much does Veritas admire his features?
A loud pained hiss in front of you snaps you out of your fantasy, Ratio must still be throwing chalk at people (you’re glad that kid hasn’t tried to dodge) as that is not the only student getting lectured.
You know he invited you to his class so you could and should take notes, or at least listen, but you just can’t concentrate. Math has never been a strong side of yours and you don’t think it’s ever gonna be.
As the sound of Ratio’s voice blurs together, the bell suddenly rings and he dismisses the class with a tired sigh. It takes a few minutes before everyone leaves and Ratio makes his way over to you.
“I hope you’ve been paying attention. Show me your notes,” He looks down on you as you hand him your notebook. You can see the sour look on his face as he opens it, flipping through pages with furrows brows.
In an instant, the notebook snaps close and he makes eye contact. “I was hoping that not calling you out would lessen the pressure and help you concentrate better, however, it seems to have done quite the opposite.”
He hands you back your almost nonexistent notes, crossing his buff arms in front of his chest. “You either way start paying attention, or I’ll be keeping you here as long as I have to.”
The idea makes you groan and lean your head back in the chair. Have you known that failing in math would help you end up in this situation, maybe you would’ve tried a little more back in the old days.
“You know, I never even wanted to attend your classes in the first place. you threatened me into this,” you frowned back at him. Ratio is stubborn, more so than you.
As the words escape your lips, a loud whack echoes throughout the room and pain blooms on your head right after the shock wears off. You cradle your skull in an attempt to ease the pain, jaw clenching.
Veritas lifts his book and returns it back to his side, “Don’t be a fool, it is for your own good. And to correct you, I never threatened you, you agreed on your own will.”
As much as you want to disagree and protest (just because it’s him), he’s got a point. And realization sets that trying to fight that fact would only make you look like an idiot, and that is exactly what you don’t need right now. Not in front of him.
“I’ll be expecting you tomorrow, same time and place. Try not to get lost in your head,” he says as he walks out the door, leaving you behind. The door closes with a thud and you can’t help but stare at it.
You sit there, still massaging your head from the impact. The room fell into silence and it gives you a weird feeling. As if you were drowning in nostalgia, the classroom reminds you of your time in school.
It brings a sense of familiarity, and you can’t help but feel like a kid again, hoping from class to class while trying to make sense of it all.
It doesn’t take long before your legs are moving on their own, taking you out the building.
————————————————————
You’re trying, you’re actually trying to listen to Ratio’s yapping.
His words do escape you from time to time and you do zoom out without realizing, but letters and numbers are appearing one by one in your notebook and it is not just blank space anymore.
Yet, that does not mean you understand it, you’re just copying him like a student would. The shapes and characters splattered on the board don’t hint to anything you remember learning, and while he explained it, you didn’t understand.
You don’t, but by the looks of it, the confused faces and panicked mumbles around the class tell you that you’re not the only one.
Compared to his actual students, Ratio must be going easy on you. He does not force your hand raised and he hasn’t (yet) thrown chalk at you. You have to be looking out of place, by the looks you’re getting.
It’s your second day here. You don’t know how many hours you’ll be forced to take until Ratio releases you, but you hope to at least make it out alive. There’s still so many things you haven’t done.
As you are solving a math problem, or at least trying to, from the corner of your eye, you notice a guy staring at you from the same row. He’s two seats away, on your left.
You’re so glad to sit in the back, because that crumbled piece of paper thrown across the room would not make it if you were to be closer to the teacher. Honestly, it’s a miracle he didn’t see it.
Flying over a student, the little note lands on your desk. You look at the guy with a weird expression on your face and then at Ratio, making sure he isn’t paying attention to you.
Opening it as quietly as you can, you peer into it, before your eye blow wide open.
You’re not sure which one surprises you more; the fact that the guy has the guts to write this after two days of (not) knowing you, or the fact that he just asked you if you’re together with his teacher.
You’re around the same age as Veritas, the age gap isn’t even big, but why is he asking you this? Is this supposed to be a prank? Hell, he’d be a goner if he’s making fun of you.
Still in shock, you tear the letter to pieces to prevent anyone from reading it. Your head snaps at the guy before frantically shaking your head so there isn’t any misunderstanding.
Mind in your horrors, you don’t notice the figure approaching you. The reason why you realize something is off is because your penpal turns forward, acting as if he isn’t the reason why you’re looking like a psycho.
Sometimes hard lands on your head just like yesterday, bringing you back fully into reality. Your hands automatically fly up your head, covering it, as you look up at Ratio looming over you.
“I do not know what it is that you’re doing, but I expect you to finally start taking the lesson seriously, instead of wasting your time with others.” He announces, and you only just notice how quiet it is.
Everyone is watching you two, of course, embarrassment setting inside you. The plan on keeping a low profile is out the window, then. Looks like you won’t be getting much peaceful sleep tonight.
“I was paying attention, look!” You bring your notes in front of his face, as if you were trying to prove a point, “and I was not wasting time with others! That guy- your class is just complicated.”
That statement makes Ratio raise an eyebrow, his arms crossing, “Oh? And in which way is my lesson complicated? I’m pretty sure the instructions are put clearly, even simplified for you.”
A lump builds in your throat, and for a moment, you don’t know what to say. His pride makes you grip the notebook tighter as something wants to snap inside you.
Fuck Ratio and his muscular form, the shape of his eyes, or the dumb stone he puts on his head. For all his looks, he’s arrogant and a genius, too smart for your own good.
“Just because you simplified it doesn’t mean I’m gonna understand, and it does not mean it makes it easier. If I’m listening or not, that is my own thing, and you can be damned whenever I am or not.”
You slam the notebook on your desk before realizing what you did, and even your own outburst shocks you. Veritas is silent for a moment before his expression relaxes, and his hand grasps your notes.
“Meet me after class, and don’t try to run away,” he turns to go back to the board, and the class bursts into whispers. It doesn’t help you calm down at all, not when your name travels through conversations.
————————————————————
As much as you hate to admit it, Ratio’s lessons did help you. They may not have turned you into a genius like him, but at least you’re not told to be an idiot anymore. Well, not as much, anyway.
It’s been a few weeks since you started taking his lessons. When he recently said you don’t have to anymore, you thought that the war is over. You felt like a sinner forgiven, you felt free.
So why are you forced, again, into a role of some sort? If you were to be a lunch lady or a janitor against your own will, fine, you could use some extra cash. But Ratio’s assistant?
He said it is your payback for his lessons. That asshole.
As of now, Veritas is currently complaining about his students (as if you don’t know them) while loading up the growing pile your fingers struggle to carry. Hell, you can already feel the sore muscles you’ll have in the morning.
You almost fall behind when he decides it’s time to go and suddenly starts moving through the hall. Papers secured in your hands, you manage to catch up and keep up to his pace.
You don’t bother listening to him, you’ve had enough of his voice for the last month.
Your job is to follow him around the university, carrying files and documents that need to be sorted.
Perhaps if he went a little easier on you, you could actually enjoy this. It is your first day, after all.
But this is Veritas we’re talking about.
When you two finally stop, it’s in his office. You’ve been there a few times before, the layout of his desk and place is pretty much the same.
“Drop the stack on my desk, we’ll come back for it later. For now, we have other matters to attend,” you do as he says and drop it carefully, making sure not to bend any corners in the process.
“Matters? You didn’t mention anything earlier, though? And it’s not like any of your classes are starting soon?” Your face scrunches up in confusion as you turn to look at him.
Ratio folds his arms over each other and stands a little straighter, “I felt no such need. It’s simply some business with a colleague who asked me for help. You’ll learn more details when we arrive.”
You stand there still thinking about what sort of help did he accept, but nod regardless. You suppose Ratio must have noticed your state, because before you know it, him mouth is open again.
“Fear not, I shall do most of the talking. However, that does not mean you will just stand by. I expect you to voice your opinions.” You can’t help but look away from his intense eye contact.
It’s not that you’re afraid, well.. mostly.. since you barely know anyone around here, but rather you’re hoping to not mess up. For your sake and Ratio’s.
————————————————————
Well that went smoothly.
Compared to how your hands fidgeted and your left foot wouldn’t stop tapping when you first came face-to-face with the professor Ratio decided to lend a hand, now you have a wider range of how things work around here.
And it seems the professor has taken a liking to you. He greeted you just as warmly as he bid goodbye, with a tiny smile.
The work that needed help with was about some furniture arrangements into his office. Said something about needing help from Ratio because it was a tight fit and he wasn’t so good at calculating.
In the end, the only thing you could do was place your opinions on the furniture design, which he seemed to take quite literally. (you asked him if the designs were a joke)
He ended up choosing different colors of the wood to match each other and even said how much better it looks.
But the day is over now and the sun seems to be setting.
You’re leaning against the door frame of Veritas’ office while he packs up the last bits of worksheets you two didn’t have enough time to grade.
The day has worn you out completely. You don’t know if it was the running around the building or listening to Ratio’s complaints, however, whichever it was, it wouldn’t have made such difference.
Veritas’ voice snaps you out of your half lidded eyes as you fight to keep focus, his shoes coming into view that makes you finally look up.
“It is time to leave. Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything laying about, we won’t be coming back until tomorrow,” his hand lends you your bag with your belongings and you take it unconsciously.
The weight of the worksheets inside makes you groan, and you can’t help but slumber against the frame, “I’m really supposed to grade this? Come on, Veritas, it’s late. I don’t have the energy for it.”
He ignores your antics as you two go on your way after he locks the office. Before you know it, you two are out of the building, standing in front of the main entrance.
“It is getting dark, let me walk you home. Nights in this city are not the safest,” his words take a minute to sit down in your brain before you’re once more squinting at him, and he can’t help but sigh.
“Are you serious? You know, you’re the last person I’d expecting this from. The cold and harsh Veritas Ratio offering to walk someone home? Is this your first time?”
His eyes bore holes through you before looking away, “Ugh, forget I said anything. I believe you’re not that stupid to get lost on your own.”
This forces a laugh out of you. You can’t help but find it kind of sweet, not everyone gets to experience this side of Veritas. Maybe the hard work was worth it.
“No! No, I’m sorry. Just walk me a bit and we’ll call it a day. No strong feelings,” a smile creeps onto your face before you can stop it. Veritas looks at you and lets his gaze linger for a moment.
You’re not stupid; you notice how his eyes seem a little softer than a minute ago. You too are softer on him like he is on you, even if anyone may not notice. More so if not even him.
————————————————————
“Excuse me! Excu-“
You were cut off by another person bumping into your shoulder. Crowds and commotions were not on your to do list, but you have been looking for Veritas for around 10 minutes now and a colleague of yours hinted that he may be somewhere in this chaos.
This isn’t a public place, for god’s sake, where did these people come from?
Pushing through the sea of people, you barely manage to make it to the front. There, to your relief, is Ratio standing in the center. You halt at him and tap him on the shoulder to get his attention.
“Veritas, I’ve been looking for you everywhere! What are you doing here? And why is there so many people?!” You fight a little to not be swept away by the crowd.
His face stiffens up from the lack of personal space before answering you, “What does it look like I’m doing? I can barely move between these idiots. Have I known to end up like this, I would have refused to hang these posters.”
At that, you look behind him to notice the poster pinned to the notice board. It takes some time to read, but when you finally do, your eye widen.
“Ball? You have this in here?” You beam at him, surprised. He only gives you a look in return, “Yes, once a year. It is quite the favorite event, as you could have guessed by now.”
You don’t remember much from school, but you can recall that prom is a very common event. Perhaps this something similar?
“Are you going to participate? It’s just in two weeks. You can come with me, I’m sure it could fun,” you eye him verily, waiting for his reaction.
He can see the way your face screams ‘please say yes’, and normally, he’d decline. But suddenly you’re grabbing his biceps and he’s finding it hard to make something out.
And it looks like you know him just as much, because you seem pretty conscious in what you’re doing.
Not knowing if it’ll work, you pull out your best pleading face while you hold his arm firmly. Normally, you wouldn’t go such length, but you’re sick and tired of bare work. When “break” opportunity arises, you can’t just let it get away.
Also, being his assistant means that if he won’t go, you will neither. Veritas can be a tough nut, but you’re sure that you’ve already cracked him, judging from his easiness on you.
Still, you’re surprised when Veritas lets out one of his sighs of surrender. His eyes drift away from yours in an attempt to hide his feelings clear in his eyes.
“Fine, but do not overthink this, I won’t be engaging in any dance activities and I won’t be staying for long.” Disappointment melts into your face at his statement. But you suppose it’s not a very Ratio thing to have fun.
Somebody slamming into you from the side brings a stop to your chitchat. You completely forgot where you stand. Maybe it’s not a good idea to have a conversation in this kind of place.
Letting go of his biceps only to grab his wrist, you pull Ratio away from the notice board. It takes a while before you two escape, yet you manage to find a quiet corner far away from all the students.
You dust off any invisible dust from your shoulders before picking on from where you stopped. “Great, that settles it. I’m sure you’ll come along when the ball arrives and hopefully change your mind. I’m not a great dancer, but one dance together surely won’t hurt anyone.”
Before he can say anything, you’re pulling out papers from your bag and handing them to him.
“Here are the worksheets from yesterday. I managed to grade them, even if I nearly fell asleep. You’re welcome, by the way. It’s not many people I pull through such length for.”
Veritas stands there for a moment without saying anything, his brows knitted. He didn’t think you’d actually grade them into the night. ————————————————————
The night is livelier than you expected it to be.
Students pulled out their best dresses and suits, as well as the professors. The dance floor is full of people dancing, couples merging and laughing together.
You too dressed up as best as you could. It makes you feel fancy wearing something unusual, as if you were some kind of royalty.
Standing nearby the dance floor, your eyes drift away from it when you spot a ball of familiar blue hair. He doesn’t seem to have noticed you yet, as he turns to grab something to drink from the bar.
You move into action soon enough, making your way over to him. You take a seat next to him without saying anything, ogling him until you finally decide to announce yourself.
“Almost started to think that you won’t make it, Veritas. Are you enjoying yourself so far?” He eventually turns your way, elbows on the counter and a drink in his right hand as he is seated next to you.
He scoffs, closing his eyes for a moment, “I have been here for a while now, you must have missed me completely.” Veritas takes a sip of his drink when your eyes land on it, picking your curiosity.
“Is that water? We’re at a bar, couldn’t you have picked something more.. interesting?” Maybe it was a bad thing to say, because the look he gives you doesn’t make you feel safe at all.
“I am not about to get wasted. I have a profile around here to maintain, one that you clearly don’t care about.”
Your head goes to rest on your palm as a small pout grows on your lips. “Are you really just going to sit here? Don’t you want to at least enjoy yourself?”
“I’m enjoying myself. And what I do is none of your concern-“ you cut him off by swiftly jumping off the bar stool, putting your hand over his shoulder.
“How about we have a dance? Please? To celebrate how smoothly things have been going between us?” A smile blooms in your expression, eyes lightly closing.
Ratio puts his drink on the counter, yet not letting go of it. You two make eye contact, and you swear something sparks in those eyes, for it to be gone just as fast. No one says anything for a while, only your shoulders relax upon the realization that he’s in a good mood.
Something good must have happened, Ratio has been becoming more relaxed as of late.
Your smile widens when he stands, leaving his drink behind. Your hand drops from his shoulder only for him to take it into his own, reading you onto the dance floor.
You have to bite your tongue not to tease him for his unusual behavior. As much as fun it’d be, you don’t want to ruin this rare moment. Not when you see this side of him once in a full moon.
Your feet land on the smooth floor as you and Veritas blend between couples, only stopping when you get to a free space in the middle.
Veritas looks at you without letting go of your hand, instead choosing to place it over his collarbone. His hand feels light against your back as his other one intertwines with yours. In a second, your movements fall into a peaceful rhyme.
“Didn't know you could be a softie, Veritas. Who knew you have this in you?” A chuckle escapes you when he averts his eyes, pressing onto your back a little firmer.
“Don’t be foolish, I’m simply doing us both a favor.” You slightly raise your eyebrows at that, the smile never leaving your face.
“Veritas, I’d gladly dance with you, always. I know you don’t hate this as much as you pretend to,” eyes back on yours, his mouth failing to form a response.
Veritas was hoping you wouldn’t see through him. He never acted like this with anyone before, he doesn’t know why it has to be you who makes him feel like this.
His lack of confidence in his words surprises him, as he can’t think of anything to say. Your gaze holds strongly, and he knows what you’re trying to do.
He doesn’t remember when he started to soften with you nor when his heart started to bloom, but it doesn’t matter as of now. He cannot go back in time to stop himself from feeling like this, no matter how much in denial he wants to be.
He’s only hoping you cannot hear his heart thumping faster than it should be, that you don’t notice the tender look he failed to suppress.