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Ratio was having a nightmare, a scene where Aventurine had disappeared. Nowhere to be found. Nothing was left of him... It's as if he had never existed. That Aventurine was all in his head and he was never real to begin with.
Ratio knows this was not reality but god, does it hurt.
He tried to call out for Aventurine, calling him to show himself, hoping that he will be able to see traces of his lover. But there wasn't any sound coming from him. He was muted. Unable to speak or scream, even stuck on the spot of where he stood. He was unable to move forward and was just there, with the knowledge that he was stuck.
And then voices started to pile up against him. Voices he knew were just there to confuse him and doubt himself of his own strengths and capabilities. He knows what he can do, for himself and for Aventurine, but the voices are stronger right now.
Why is he here and not able to find Aventurine? Was he truly capable of helping the man who had sworn he's here for the better or for worse?
Was he truly capable of saving him in a situation such as this? A place devoid of any light or hope? A place both he and Aventurine were in the past? If they were in this exact situation together, would he be able to take Aventurine and get out of this place?
He is.
He is not.
He… is..?
He doesn't know anymore.
Everything was getting darker and pressure was building up from inside. Every space was suffocating and horribly cramped. He doesn't know where he is or how can he leave? Where did Aventurine go? Where did he go? Where—
Then he woke up.
He was breathing heavily, staring at the ceiling he was so familiar with. Then he looks at his side, where a blond man lay. Aventurine was still sleeping and he looked quite comfortable just sleeping on Ratio's arm.
Ratio breathes deeply before he puts a hand on Aventurine's cheek and admires his sleeping lover, causing the other to wake up.
Ratio hums and quickly apologizes for waking his lover, his voice unsteady. But as Aventurine woke up, immediately, he asked, “Veritas, what's wrong? Are you okay?”
Ratio is silent, hesitant to start but Aventurine holds his hand and encourages him to speak. To express himself, the same way Ratio encourages him whenever he's had a bad day. Oh, how the tables have turned.
Then Aventurine places both his hands on Ratio's cheek, gently making Ratio look at him properly instead of letting him avoid the blond's eyes.
“You always said that I should be more honest with you, and that I shouldn't be afraid to tell you such things. Because I have your support, trust and love.” Aventurine says softly, rubbing Ratio's cheek. He places his forehead against the doctor's and smiles.
“Now, I'll tell you the same, Veritas. Whatever it is that is troubling you, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll listen and I won't make fun of your worries.”
Ratio leans closer and hums, “You're right, my love...”
Ratio explains his unpleasant nightmares. How he was trying so hard to look for Aventurine, who in his vicious dream, had disappeared without a trace. Ratio had tried to call for him, to make him show himself so that there's reassurance that he can still reach Aventurine. That he can still see him, and hold him.
Aventurine listens, closely paying attention to every word his beloved doctor tells. Could this be rooted from “that” time...? How selfish that he did not consider Ratio's feelings then and doing something like...
But Aventurine promised he would stay. Not only for himself, but for Ratio as well, who has shown nothing but support, comfort and his love during his journey forward. He won't ever leave Ratio alone like that again.
And he will stay.
“I hoped to never imagine that occurrence again. I... I admit, I have felt helpless, not knowing how to find you, and everything around me was dark. As if there was no way out at all. I couldn't... reach you no matter how much I had tried... I...”
Aventurine pulls his lover closely, kissing both of his cheeks, his nose and then his forehead. “Veritas, I will tell you now. I won't be anywhere you can't reach. I'll always be in your corner, be a call away, a room away and even now, just mere millimeters away. I will always come to you, love.”
“Kakavasha...”
“So don't be afraid, and let me have some of your troubles too. I'll drive them away!” Aventurine says, bumping his nose against Ratio's, which made the doctor chuckle, leaning closer to his beloved gambler.
“Thank you, mea vita. I feel much better now.” Ratio says, as he takes a moment to return a smile, his lips softly meet Aventurine's. “I love you. I love you so much.”
Aventurine smiles at him, “I love you too, Veritas. So much.”
As the lovers relax in their bed, they then hear scratching against their door. Aventurine immediately laughs at how Ratio sighs, knowing that the cat cakes would also like to spend time with Aventurine (and probably Ratio too).
Aventurine gets up from their bed to let the cat cakes in. The snacks, instead of staying with the blond, had gone to Ratio's side and lap. The three were all looking at the doctor, as if inspecting him closely.
He then looks at Aventurine who was also looking at him with a smile, his hands on his hips.
Ratio sighs.
“I am fine, little ones. I had an unpleasant dream but I am alright now, thanks to Kakavasha.” The doctor reassures the three, who seemed to have accepted his reply. Aventurine joins them seconds later, petting one of the cat cakes that was closer to him.
“It seems that the snacks are aware whenever we have bad dreams.” Aventurine mentions. Ratio hums, petting the two cat cakes on his lap.
“It seems that they do.” He looks at the three cat cakes closer, and they seem to be content with the amount of attention they're getting. Ratio smiles.
“Thank you for your concerns, little ones. Both Kakavasha and I appreciate it.”
A series of mews and munyas erupted and the lovers just smiled at the tune. They then looked at each other and shared a comforting kiss.
Aventurine is here by his side. When they are with each other, they feel safest and feel loved. Ratio wouldn't want it any other way.