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This hand of cards he has been dealt was terrible. He was somehow staying afloat, but many of these plays he was forced into were.. undesirable. But in this game of life and death, there was only one outcome he could attempt to attain.
“It was hardly an intense game,” Aventurine chuckled as he took a sip from his glass of wine. “I managed to get a few good cards right after that initial bad hand. After that, it was an easy win, as usual.” He leaned back in his seat, trying to appear casual despite his seething hatred for these sorts of situations. Another obnoxious meeting disguised as a friendly IPC dinner party. "It's for the good work we’ve accomplished in the past year" but also “We could really improve in these departments” and “Maybe stop using so much money.” He just had to throw on a smile, pretend he was happy to be there, and engage in pointless conversation.
“It’s impressive how you manage to keep composure in such a situation though, Mr. Aventurine,” Someone spoke to him. He didn’t particularly care for their name, and didn’t entirely care to find out. He’d never even spoken to them before, and yet his own reputation has preceded him.
“Well, you can’t afford to give away any emotion and motives in a gamble. Good hand or bad, no hints must be given about your next play.” He just had to put on a front like he always did. It was all a game to him. Even this meeting was like a long, drawn out game. Luckily this one was rather low risk, but it felt like it had no reward. It didn’t matter as long as he won.
This conversation went on for a good few minutes, Aventurine silently begging for this mindless small talk to come to a swift conclusion. Luckily, someone brought up some finances which were luckily more interesting than inquiring about Aventurine's recent gambles. And he didn't even have to engage in this one since his time in the casino mostly paid for any additional expenses he had. He will take this small win he has been granted.
He was more than happy to simply listen to the conversation, only chiming in when absolutely necessary. Perhaps he should, however, work to make connections with the coworkers he wasn't entirely familiar with. They could come in handy in case he wanted to pass off some bothersome paperwork to someone else. But ultimately, he really didn't want to be here. Talking to other people would not improve his mood for the night.
He glanced over to Topaz across the table who at least seemed better at pretending she was having a pleasant time. However, Aventurine was more so interested in how she managed to get Numby in with the restaurant's extremely strict no pets rule.
Numby actually seemed happy to be here at least. But the trotter didn't have to pretend to care about corporate talk at what was called a “party" but was really the torment of a lifetime. If this were optional, Aventurine simply would not have shown up.
Aventurine at least managed an almost genuine smile at the waitress who refilled his other glass with water while exclaiming their meals were almost ready. She didn’t deserve his vaguely frustrated, forced smile, but it was hard to manifest anything genuine. At least an attempt was made.
He was grateful once his dinner arrived. Maybe at least everyone would shut up just for a little bit.
That small amount of relief was not long lived, however. The smell of someone else’s dish hit his nose and he immediately felt nauseous. Cooked meat always had this effect on him. Suddenly, his already minuscule appetite had left him. Staring down at his plate of pasta made his skin crawl. Eating anything suddenly felt like such a life or death gamble and every decision ultimately led to death either way.
Too many memories. So much he wanted to forget resurfaced in that instant. Nothing he did could suppress the horrors he was suddenly facing within his own mind.
He forced down a few bites of his food. Forced himself to pretend he was unfazed for just a few more minutes. Forced himself to be the confident and composed Aventurine that everyone knew him as. If the facade of normalcy fell, it led straight to death.
But after a few minutes, he gave a strained smile. “I will be back shortly,” he said, despite knowing full well he wasn’t coming back at all. By the time they realized this, he’d be long gone.
The cold of the evening air brought him somewhat back to his senses, but the horrors lingering deep within him didn’t back away.
His legs forced him away from the restaurant but didn’t lead him back to his apartment. The dark alleyways were his best friend, where he could lose his composure and nobody would be the wiser.
The scent still lingered in his nose. The smell of meat. The smell was ingrained into his mind, associated with more horrible memories than he’d ever want to admit.
The few bites of pasta he ate didn’t stay down.
He could feel his phone buzzing. Seems like they finally realized he wasn’t actually coming back. He didn’t care who was calling or texting. He didn’t want to speak to anyone.
He leaned back against the wall of some building, shivering at the coldness of it. It wasn’t that cold when he left his apartment. Sure it was chilly, but it didn’t cut into his bones like it did now.
…he left his coat in that restaurant. Of course he did. That’s why it’s so much colder. But he’s not going back. He can’t. Instead he will simply brave the dropping temperatures. Returning to the restaurant held more consequences than sitting out in the cold.
He sat down on the ground, pulling his legs up to his chest as he tried to at least conserve a little warmth. He always was a little more susceptible to the cold than most people.
This sucked.
But what might suck more is having his coat haphazardly tossed over him, a figure blocking out what little street lights hit him in the alleyway. He pulled the coat around his shoulders, looking up at who actually came looking for him. Instead of it being someone like Topaz or some other random person, it was someone he was all too familiar with.
“Did the IPC dinner party really suck that much?” Dr. Ratio crossed his arms, staring down at him.
Aventurine laughed dryly as he properly put the coat on. It was warm. “You know how it is,” he gave Ratio a smile that was so obviously forced, he’s not even sure why he tried. “I’m not one for those pointless gatherings.”
“So you’re instead sulking in the cold without a coat? You know you’re bad with cold temperatures, you idiot.”
“Sometimes it feels like you only interact with me just because you enjoy insulting me,” Aventurine joked. Despite Ratio’s blunt and direct words, he did appreciate his presence. It was infinitely better than the cold winds and setting sun and his obnoxious coworkers in the IPC. If anyone had to come looking for him, he’d prefer it be Ratio 100% of the time.
Aventurine took the hand that Ratio held out for him, allowing him to pull him from the ground. A part of him wished that the contact lasted just a little longer. Ratio’s hand was so warm against his cold skin.
Unfortunately, Ratio broke their contact once Aventurine was off the ground, ruining Aventurine's attempts at stealing a little more warmth. Aventurine resigned himself to shoving his cold hands into his pockets, which barely granted him any additional warmth. Solemnly, he followed behind Ratio, trying to mostly hold himself upright as they left the alleyway.
Ratio's car was parked just a few feet away from the alleyway. It was quiet while they walked to the car. It would be a pleasant silence if nausea wasn't still swirling around within him.
Aventurine slumped down into the passenger seat, enjoying the warmth of the car once they were both inside. He leaned his head against the window, staring outside as Ratio started the car and began driving.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, looking down to see how many people called or messaged him when he vanished. It was far less than he expected.
Ratio: Where are you?
Ratio: You left your coat.
[1 missed call from Ratio]
Ratio: I'm coming to get you.
And that was it. No one, not even Topaz, had called or even messaged. And Ratio wasn't even at the gathering. Aventurine sighed, resting his head on the window. “Why'd you come get me?”
“Topaz called me when you were gone for more than ten minutes. She made up some excuse for you and told me to make sure you're okay.”
How sweet… He'll have to thank her for getting him out of dozens of messages. “And my coat?”
“She said you left it in the restaurant. So I went and grabbed it before looking for you.”
Aventurine laughed softly. “Aw Doc, it's almost like you care about me,” he teased. He could see Ratio roll his eyes out of the corner of his vision.
“When you apparently disappear out of nowhere, I'm the one stuck dealing with you. Don't let it get to your head, you obnoxious gambler. This is a one time thing.”
“Oh of course, I wouldn't want to burden my favorite professor.”
The car fell silent after that. Aventurine closed his eyes, trying to take steady breaths. He wished he didn't react so horribly to the simplest of things. His attempts of blocking out the distress of earlier was completely ruined by Ratio's next words.
“I can't tell if you're shivering because you're still cold or if you're shaking because something happened at that restaurant.”
Aventurine opened his eyes, looking down towards his hands that rested on his lap. Sure enough, they were shaking. Why did Ratio have to be so stupidly observant? “Just cold,” he lied. Was he really doing that bad mentally? He didn’t even realize he was shaking until Ratio pointed it out.
He could tell Ratio didn't believe his blatant lies. He wouldn't believe himself, either. The car was warm, heat blowing directly onto him. It was hard to be cold now. But Ratio didn't press further and Aventurine wasn't going to talk.
They soon arrived at Aventurine's apartment. As much as Aventurine wanted to be away from this situation of Ratio's subtle concern, he didn't move to get out of the car. But also Ratio wasn't saying anything. He wasn't kicking him out of the car, wasn't forcing him to leave, just letting him sit there. The only audible sounds were the slow and steady breaths of Ratio and the slightly more shaky and unsteady ones of Aventurine.
When Aventurine finally moved to open the car door, Ratio's voice suddenly stopped him. “Aventurine?”
Aventurine froze where he was. He didn't look back towards Ratio, but the man kept speaking anyway.
“If you need anything, let me know. I’ll be there.”
Aventurine forced out a laugh that was somewhat like a scoff. “Yeah, whatever. Will do, doctor.” He then opened the door, quickly stepping out without even a goodbye. He didn't hear Ratio drive away until he reached the door. He sighed, ducking his head as he made his way inside.
Everything from earlier was still weighing down on him. He didn't even make it into his bedroom, instead choosing to flop onto the couch. He stared up at the ceiling, trying to block out all the memories his mind so desperately wanted him to relive.
He could still feel the meat between his teeth. The smell was terribly familiar and yet at the time, he wouldn't know what it was. He wouldn't know the horrors he was facing with the cards he was dealt until it was far, far too late.
He didn't even remember getting off the couch when he found himself leaning over a trash can and hurling again. Nothing came out. He's already thrown up what little he did eat earlier.
This actually sucked much.
He laid down on the floor, too tired to bother moving right now. He hated this.
His back hurt. It appears he ended up napping on the kitchen floor. He pushed himself up to sit up, groaning softly. It was cold, probably the worst nap he’s ever had. After checking the time on his phone, he found out that only around two hours had passed. However, he also did see a notification from Ratio.
Ratio: Please make sure you get some rest.
Ratio: I don't know what happened earlier for you to allegedly run off like that, but I do hope your mental health is okay.
Aventurine couldn't help but laugh. His mental state was far from okay. But it was nice to know that Ratio was at least concerned for him.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He should get to bed instead of sleeping on his floor. At the very least he should make an attempt to get some proper sleep. He got off the floor and slowly stumbled to his bedroom. The bed was hardly more comfortable than the floor. But at least it wouldn't further ruin his spine. His blanket was the only truly comfortable part.
He didn't bother changing out of his clothes. It was far more effort than it was worth. He buried his face into his pillow, letting the exhaustion from earlier's events take over him.
Unfortunately, sleep would not grant him the peace he was looking for.
The smell was so painfully familiar. He stared at the plate of food in front of him. In this world, anything to eat was a win. It's been a week since his last meal. He was hardly in a position to deny any sort of food.
But did it really have to come at the cost of his morals?
Perhaps if he knew at the time, he would've denied it. Even if it came at the cost of himself. Even if it came at the cost of his life.
The thought of eating anything made him nauseous. He stood in the kitchen, the cabinet open, a box of cereal staring back at him.
He knew he really should eat something. But he also knew it wouldn't stay down currently.
Aventurine checked his phone once more. He called in sick to the IPC, something he rarely actually did. It wasn't entirely a lie. He was just ill in the head rather than physically. He got a message from Topaz, wishing him well. Jade also seemed to check in on him, seemingly glad he would actually take time off for once. It was something they both thought would never happen. And then there was Ratio.
Ratio: Was last night really that bad you had to call off work?
Ratio: If you're really sick, make sure to rest.
Ratio: If you're not, though, enjoy your rare day off.
Aventurine didn't actually think Ratio cared enough to check in on him. Usually Ratio only responded after Aventurine initiated a conversation. It did warm his heart a little to know that Ratio was more than simply tolerating him. Perhaps it was almost a friendship.
It would turn out that he would not enjoy his day off. There wasn't really much for him to actually do in his apartment. He never spent much time here. It was cold and soulless. The only areas that looked somewhat lived in were the kitchen, where one too many dirty mugs were dodging the dishwasher, and his consistently unmade bed. He wouldn't end up dealing with either of those problems, instead rotating between the couch and his bed, dissociating in between scrolling through social media.
Despite the emptiness he felt, he'd proceed to call off the next day. And the next. And the next.
The routine was the same. Wake up from his past haunting him in his sleep. Stare at various breakfast options in the kitchen, realizing he still felt too unwell to eat. Call off. Read messages from people in the IPC. Read Ratio's messages. Dissociate and accomplish nothing all day. Sleep. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
By the fifth day, he stopped bothering to call in sick. This received a few more messages from the IPC, none of which he actually responded to.
He hasn't responded to a single message since confirming to Topaz he would be at the restaurant for the IPC dinner “party”. Not even Dr. Ratio was spared from his avoidance. Still, Aventurine continued to wake up to at least one message from Ratio.
The nights still were unkind to him.
He stood in horror. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears. “I was wondering if you'd make the connection of what you were actually eating,” his master spoke to him. “It seems that a starving boy will not care to question, grateful to take what he is given.”
He couldn't eat anymore.
He'd never questioned where other slaves disappeared to. He had to prioritize himself. In these moments, he couldn’t concern himself with others. Aeons, he should've asked. He should’ve cared at least a little bit.
He wanted to throw his deck down to the ground, shred the cards, and end the entire game.
Burning flesh smelled so similarly to the food he was given. Human flesh. It was sickening.
It's not like cannibalism was unheard of on Sigonia-IV. It was terribly frowned upon, but when food was scarce… At least Aventurine and his family didn't have to face that.
It went against so many of his morals.
Being practically manipulated into it ruined every ounce of trust he had in food he ate.
A few more days passed. The routine broke. He didn't even bother thinking of breakfast despite the fact he was starving. He'd stopped calling in. There was no point in doing either of these things. Messages from the IPC were becoming more infrequent.
But Ratio continued to message him each morning, and Aventurine would occasionally scroll through them. It was odd knowing that someone actually cared enough to make sure he was alright. Even when he hasn't replied to a single message.
Wed. 06:40
Ratio: I heard you stopped calling off of work.
Ratio: People keep asking me how you're doing. Like I’d know.
Ratio: But I do hope you're well so you can return and answer the questions yourself.
Thurs. 07:00
Ratio: My offer still stands if you need anything.
Ratio: I don't hate you, Aventurine.
Fri. 03:47
Ratio: I'm worried about you.
Fri. 08:29
Ratio: I'm used to you responding to messages immediately.
Fri. 10:39
Ratio: Are you doing that bad?
Fri. 12:13
Ratio: Gambler, please at least answer one of my messages.
Ratio: You have 24 hours.
Aventurine still couldn't bring himself to respond to any of the messages. He didn't know what to say. He's disappeared for nearly two weeks now. He can't just act like nothing has happened.
It was Saturday now. He received his daily message from Ratio at 12:13.
Ratio: I'm coming over.
He barely had a chance to send anything to object to Ratio’s sudden message before there was a knocking at his door. It was almost like he was standing just outside when he sent the message.
He couldn't ignore him now. Ratio would probably take the door off his hinges at that point. Aventurine leaned heavily against the wall as he opened the door, peering out at Ratio's concerned face.
“Good. You're still alive.” Ratio didn't give Aventurine a moment to say anything before he pushed open the door further and stepped in uninvited. Aventurine took note of the bags Ratio was carrying.
“Of course I am.. Why wouldn't I be?” Aventurine laughed, closing the door behind Ratio. No point in kicking him out now if he’s already making himself at home. Besides, some part of him longed for the human interaction.
Ratio shot him a light glare. “You haven't responded to a single message in almost two weeks. Usually you respond to my messages within the half hour, and more often within the first five minutes.”
“Trying to psychoanalyze me through my reply times now?” Aventurine said with a slight smirk. He knew that it wasn't working on Ratio though. He probably looked like shit. He's been avoiding the bathroom mirror in addition to everything else.
Ratio's glare hardened. “I'm worried about you, Aventurine. You don't usually disappear out of nowhere.”
“You act like I'm going to kill myself.”
“Don't. Don't even say that, because I would not put it past you.” Ratio looked away from him. “You look terrible. Have you not been taking care of yourself?”
“You know me, Ratio.” And unfortunately that did answer Ratio's question.
Ratio sighed. He shook his head, taking his bags towards Aventurine's kitchen. Aventurine followed, leaning against the counter while Ratio placed his bags down. While Ratio cringed and dealt with the dirty coffee mugs, Aventurine peered into the bags. There was a variety of vegetables and some broth.
He looked over to Ratio. “What's all this for?”
Ratio was busy starting the dishwasher. “I'm making you soup. Evidently, you're not sick, but even still, I feel it will make you feel better.”
Aventurine believed him to be wrong about that one. It seemed like food was his one enemy this whole time. But he couldn't just tell that to Ratio.
He knew he needed to eat something. But he's gone longer without eating in the past and he’s still thriving. And just the idea of food made him sick. But also part of that may also be the lack of eating in the first place.
Aventurine suddenly found himself falling forwards, his mind not processing it soon enough to catch himself. Instead of a thud from Aventurine hitting the ground, there was a rush of warmth around him.
“Dammit, Aventurine..” He heard Ratio's mumble. Ratio was so warm. Maybe this was okay.
Aventurine found himself on the couch, tucked in with a warm blanket. He laid there quietly for some time, enjoying the unusual amount of comfort. After a while, he heard footsteps before he saw Ratio looking down at him.
Ratio pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. “How are you feeling?”
Aventurine closed his eyes, savoring Ratio's gentle touch. “Comfy,” he mumbled. “Did you tuck me in?”
“You passed out. This was the only logical solution.”
“Sure it was.”
“Is it so wrong for me to care about you, idiot?”
Aventurine laughed. It was weird hearing such directness from Ratio. “So you admit it?”
“You say that like I was intentionally hiding it.” Ratio crossed his arms. “Soup is almost done.”
The warmth from the comfortable blanket turned into cold dread. “I see.”
“You haven't eaten in a few days. That's why you passed out. You're awfully shaky from it.”
“Stop observing me.”
“Stop neglecting your physical health and I won't have to.”
“You say that like I'm trying to.” Aventurine sighed. And he really wasn't. But his mind wouldn't shut up about the past, the trauma seemingly forever haunting him.
“What's on your mind?” Ratio sat down on the arm of the couch, keeping his gaze down towards Aventurine.
The words caught in Aventurine's throat. He didn't want to say it aloud. But he didn't know what else to say to him. “Oh yeah, I just ate something once that fucked me up for life.” Not something he wanted to tell Ratio.
Ratio picked up on his unwillingness to speak. “Let's ask a different question. What caused you to run off that evening?”
“I didn't run off-” Aventurine started, but was cut off by a look from Ratio. He sighed. “I just got triggered by something and had to leave, okay? It's not that deep.”
“It must be something deep if you're locking yourself up in your apartment for two weeks. I don't want to force you into this sort of situation, but I want an answer, Aventurine.”
“I don't want to talk about it.” Most parts of his past he wasn't too pressed about talking about. And most were obvious without being said due to the branding on his neck. But this affected him so deeply. He wanted to block it out forever.
Ratio sighed softly, standing up. “Fine. Soup should be done anyway. I'm expecting you to eat.” He walked off back to the kitchen.
Aventurine sighed, sitting up on the couch. Ratio really wasn't giving him much of a choice. And he was right in doing so, he really needed to eat something if it was causing him to collapse.
It wasn't long before Ratio returned with a small bowl of soup. Aventurine took it from him, staring into the bowl. It smelled heavenly. Since when did Ratio know how to cook? His stomach growled as he stared down at it.
“It's vegetable soup.” Ratio sat down on the couch beside him now that Aventurine wasn't hogging the whole place. “It should fulfill your needs and be easy to eat.”
Aventurine picked up his spoon, swirling it around the bowl. It smelled nice, and he was hungry, but his throat closed up as he stared at it.
“Is something wrong? Do you not like vegetable soup? I admit, it is not a recipe I am well practiced in, but I needed to choose something you could actually eat, seeing as you are vegetarian.”
Aventurine couldn't help but laugh. “You remembered that detail?”
“You think I'd forget? Your dietary restrictions are important when I come to make you food.”
Aventurine shook his head. “Of course not.” Ratio wouldn't feed him something he was uncomfortable with eating. He saw Ratio's bags of ingredients. He trusted him. He just had to rip off the bandaid and eat something.
It was hard with Ratio silently watching him and his hand's slight shaking, but he eventually shoved the spoon into his mouth. And it was everything he could've wanted. It was warm and comforting. It wasn't long before he was finished with the entire bowl. “It's.. good.” Aventurine admitted after a few minutes.
“Glad you enjoyed it.” Aventurine didn't miss the small smile on Ratio's face. “There's more, but I don't want you getting sick from eating too much.”
Aventurine set the empty bowl on the coffee table. He did feel better after eating something. The only struggle now was making sure he kept it down. But at the very least, he knew the food he was eating was safe.
He shifted to lay back down on the couch once more, throwing his legs over Ratio's lap with little regard for his reaction. He could practically hear the eye roll, but Ratio made no attempt to push him off.
“It's incredibly difficult trying to keep the IPC off your back, you know that?”
Aventurine tilted his head slightly, although it looked awkward laying against his pillow. “What do you mean?”
“Have you not considered why nobody has come knocking on your door? One of the Stonehearts disappeared into thin air and you think nobody would come looking for you?”
Aventurine blinked up at him. “I just figured they didn't care enough to bother.”
“Due to your unfortunate popularity, many people wonder where you've gone. I've told them that you've been under my care while you're unwell so they'll leave you alone.”
Aventurine's eyes widened. “You'd do that for me?”
“You underestimate your worth to me, dear gambler.”
“You can't keep saying these things to me. It's going to actually kill me one of these days.”
Ratio scoffed. “I'm sure your above average luck will save you from that one too.”
Aventurine shrugged. “Perhaps it will finally have run out.”
“You're not going to die from me caring about you, gambler.” Ratio paused. “Will you kindly tell me what's been bothering you?”
Aventurine sighed, closing his eyes. “It's a long story.”
“We have all the time in the world.”
“...Don't say I didn't warn you.”
Kakavasha never really had a choice in what to eat. He learned pretty early on that he had to take what was handed to him.
Food on Sigonia-IV was scarce. Kakavasha was lucky to eat more than once a week. And it usually came at the cost of his sister, which he would soon realize and feel eternally guilty over.
Kakavasha hoped it would've been at least an improvement even while he was in slavery. But the blood on his hands made him too unwell to eat. To kill was part of the natural life cycle. To kill was to live. To kill was to win . The cards in his hand were awful, but he was determined to stay on top.
But to not eat was to starve. To die. To lose. Rejecting the food never caused anyone else to harm him. But his body would protest it the entire time. It was weakening him. It wasn't the first time he passed out from not eating. But ideally it would've been the last.
It was a plate of meat, something so rarely had on Sigonia-IV. He wouldn't have realized something was wrong with it. If he was never told, he never would've known. The blood on his hands was also the blood on his teeth.
He would've enjoyed it. Enjoyed the taste of fresh meat. Eating something that was never offered before. But it wasn't something to enjoy. It was cruel to both him and the victims.
It almost killed him after he found out. He refused anything given to him. Whether it included meat or not. It ruined him. Anything he didn't witness be prepared was a risk. A risk of being manipulated into something horrible.
He would eventually stop eating meat entirely. It all tasted far too similar. Smelled just a little too familiar. It made him sick. Reminded him of the blood he's seen too much of. Becoming a Stoneheart made it so much easier to avoid all his problems, replacing it all with his chill persona. However it worked so well, he almost forgot the problem existed in the first place. Almost.
Aventurine's only solution for these problems was to run and hide until it passed.
Ratio was silent for a long moment. Aventurine almost felt bad for dropping so much trauma onto him, but he did ask for it. Finally, Ratio spoke up. “So you were manipulated into cannibalism.”
Aventurine winced slightly. “Must you always be so blunt about it? But yes, that is what happened. Ultimately I was more so expecting to be poisoned rather than.. that.” He sighed, draping his arm over his eyes. “It's been so long. I thought I'd be over this by now.”
“Aventurine, I don't think this is something you just get over.”
“..I realize that now.” Aventurine groaned. “I can’t even imagine what they've been saying about me back in headquarters. They probably want me back already.”
“That’s a later problem. You need to be in a better space mentally before you actually return to work.”
“I’m using all my sick days on this.” Aventurine moved his arm from his face to look up at Ratio. “And I didn’t even get any in the first place.” He pouted.
“The IPC will live without you for a few more weeks. You need the break anyway. You look dead tired even on a normal day.”
“Only you would notice, doctor.” Aventurine stuck out his tongue. “It’s like you care about me.” He teased.
“I thought we already established that I do.”
“And that’s insane to me. I don’t know how you do it.” Finally, Aventurine moved his legs off Ratio’s lap, only to replace it with his head. He didn’t realize how nice of a pillow Ratio’s thighs made. “I must be exhausting.”
“You certainly are a handful. But I was aware of what I was getting into.”
Aventurine opened his mouth to respond, but instead was stopped by Ratio brushing his fingers through his hair. He felt like some sort of cat, being pet by Ratio. And he was not against it whatsoever. He was gonna be a damn good kitty cat.
He jolted out of his kitty cat thoughts when Ratio spoke up once again. “I’m here for you. That’s not going to change. I’ll help you through your struggles and I’ll catch you when you fall.”
“It almost sounds like you might even love me, doc.”
There wasn’t even a moment of hesitation. No second thought.
“You’d be right on that one, Aventurine.”
“...Love you too, Ratio.”