Work Text:
First meeting
Ratio absolutely loathed pointless meetings. However, judging by today's gathering, pointlessness was about to reach its peak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the person who will help us bring our product to the global market," the director’s voice rang out with exaggerated enthusiasm. "The best specialist in strategy and marketing—Aventurine."
Applause. Ratio barely suppressed an irritated sigh, crossing his arms over his chest. A man entered the conference room—a blond in a perfectly tailored suit. His smile was both confident and slightly amused, as if he already knew he was the boss here. Or that he could be at any moment.
"I'm pleased to see you all," Aventurine said, scanning the room before his gaze settled on Ratio. His eyes gleamed. "Especially our leading scientist. Dr. Ratio, I presume?"
Ratio gave a barely perceptible nod.
"Excellent," Aventurine continued. "So, you're the one who created this remarkable technology? Impressive. My job now is to convince the world that it's worth their attention."
"Science speaks for itself," Ratio cut in. "If a product is truly innovative, it doesn’t need advertising."
Aventurine smirked, stepping closer.
"Ah, you’re one of those geniuses who believe the world will simply notice their work? Unfortunately, Doctor, I'm here to show you how reality actually works."
Ratio clenched his fists under the table in silence.
This was going to be a long job.
-----
The meeting had ended, but Ratio knew—this was only the beginning. And, of course, his intuition did not fail him.
"Doctor, stay. We need to discuss the details," Aventurine smiled as the others began to leave.
Ratio narrowed his eyes in displeasure but remained in place while Aventurine leisurely spread his papers across the table. The research department and marketing rarely crossed paths, let alone worked together. But this time, things were different.
"Let’s clarify something right away," Ratio began, crossing his arms. "Are you planning to simplify my research down to a marketing slogan?"
"Oh, Doctor," Aventurine sat on the edge of the table, looking straight at him. "I admire your determination, but let’s be honest. People won’t buy what they don’t understand. We need to explain your technology in a way that’s simple, clear, and appealing."
"You want to turn my invention into a show," Ratio noted coldly.
"And you want to bury it under terminology that only you and your team will understand," Aventurine countered. "How about we meet somewhere in the middle?"
Ratio sighed. He could already tell this man wouldn’t back down. Well, at the very least, he would make sure his work wasn’t turned into a cheap marketing trick.
"Fine," he nodded reluctantly. "But only if you respect scientific accuracy. I don’t want my invention sold with false promises."
"Deal," Aventurine extended his hand.
Ratio hesitated but eventually shook it. His fingers were warm, and his gaze—mischievous.
This was going to be a very long job.
Difficulties of translation
The work was tense. Every time Aventurine brought a new version of the presentation, Ratio found countless "critical inaccuracies" in it.
"We can't call this a 'revolution,'" he said irritably, shutting Aventurine’s laptop. "It's a significant step forward, but not a 'revolution.'"
"What if I say 'breakthrough'?" Aventurine leaned in slightly, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Or 'a new era of technology'?"
"That's closer, but still too dramatic," Ratio pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is it that hard for you to tell the truth?"
"Is it that hard for you to accept that the truth doesn’t always sell?" Aventurine smirked. "We’re not lying; we’re simplifying. No one will buy 'a significant step forward' when they can buy 'the future, today.'"
Ratio let out an exasperated sigh. He hated to admit it, but Aventurine had a point. No one wanted to listen to dry scientific terminology. Yet, he couldn’t allow exaggeration either.
"How about this," Aventurine suddenly suggested. "I'll teach you the principles of marketing, and you teach me your science. There has to be a balance, right?"
Ratio stared at him in surprise. He had expected pressure, mockery—anything but an offer of compromise.
"Fine," he agreed cautiously.
Aventurine grinned.
"Great. Then tomorrow at lunch, I'll tell you how the market works, and you’ll explain something about your research. I think it'll be interesting."
Ratio wasn’t sure he actually wanted that lunch. But he sensed this conversation was inevitable. And, for the first time in a long while, he didn’t object.
-----
The next day, lunch went surprisingly smoothly. They discussed the market, science, and even laughed a little at the absurdity of their opposing professions. Ratio had to admit that Aventurine had a real talent for making complex ideas sound simple. In return, he explained the challenges of developing the technology and why precision in terminology was so important.
And the day after that, Ratio found a cup of coffee on his desk with a note:
"In case your day starts as terribly as usual. — A."
He examined the neat handwriting skeptically, then glanced at the coffee. Sighed. Took a sip.
And, to his surprise, felt the corners of his lips twitch in an almost imperceptible smile.
Maybe working with this man wouldn’t be as awful as he thought.
The day gets better
They started spending more time together. Sometimes their arguments turned into endless discussions over a cup of coffee, and sometimes—into quiet conversations in the company hallways. At some point, Ratio realized that he looked forward to these moments. That his day felt better when Aventurine was in it.
And one day, he caught himself watching him for longer than he should. That what irritated him wasn’t Aventurine’s presence itself, but how effortlessly he slipped into his life, changed it… and made it brighter.
Weeks passed, and work was still in full swing. Aventurine entered Ratio’s office without knocking—something that had already become a habit.
"You look terrible."
Without looking away from his monitor, Ratio simply nodded.
"Thanks for the ‘objective’ assessment."
"When was the last time you slept?"
Ratio pretended not to hear the question.
Aventurine rolled his eyes and, stepping closer, snatched the tablet out of the scientist’s hands.
"Hey!"
"That’s it, work is canceled. I’m officially declaring a break."
"That’s not for you to decide," Ratio frowned, trying to take the tablet back, but Aventurine easily dodged.
"Doctor, if you pass out from overworking right here, I’ll have no choice but to resuscitate you. Though, you know what? Keep going at this pace—I’m sure I’ll enjoy the mouth-to-mouth part."
Ratio let out a heavy sigh.
"You’re unbearable."
"But very persuasive."
And, strangely enough, Ratio actually followed him, allowing himself a short break.
-----
The corporate party at the bar started like any other—drinks, loud conversations, and half-hearted attempts by coworkers to build friendly connections. Ratio wasn’t a fan of such gatherings, but when Aventurine sat next to him and ordered them both a glass of whiskey, he somehow didn’t refuse.
“So, Doctor, decided to trade laboratory walls for something a little more lively?” Aventurine asked with a smirk, taking a sip.
“I was practically forced to come,” Ratio muttered, studying the glass in his hand. “And you, I assume, didn’t need much convincing.”
“Of course not. I know how to enjoy these kinds of events. Though, I must admit, sometimes they can be boring.”
Ratio raised an eyebrow.
“You? Bored? Hard to believe.”
“It happens.” Aventurine twirled his glass, watching the amber liquid swirl. “Sometimes it just feels like life is predictable—you’re either buying or selling.”
For the first time, Ratio heard a note of sincerity in his voice. He nodded silently and, without quite knowing why, said:
“Not everything can be bought or sold.”
Aventurine looked at him with unexpected interest.
“For example?” He leaned in slightly, his usual playful smile in place, but something in his eyes was… wary.
Ratio hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted to continue this conversation, but suddenly, it felt important not to leave the question unanswered.
“Trust,” he finally said. “You can’t buy it, only earn it.”
Aventurine slowly nodded, taking another sip.
“Interesting thought. But maybe it’s just a matter of price?” He glanced at Ratio through his long lashes. “What if someone offers enough?”
“Do you really believe that?”
Aventurine smirked but didn’t reply. Instead, he seemed to be studying Ratio—trying to figure out what exactly drove this man. He was silent for several long seconds before he suddenly smiled.
“What about us?” Aventurine’s gaze gleamed mischievously. “Do we have it?” He let his knee brush against Ratio’s under the table—slow, deliberate.
Ratio swallowed, momentarily caught off guard, but he didn’t pull away. He kept his gaze on Aventurine, steady and unreadable.
But Aventurine only smiled, raised his glass, and said quietly,
“For what can't be bought.”
Without realizing it, Ratio mirrored the gesture.
Mistake
The morning started with chaos.
Ratio entered the office with a cup of coffee, opening the news feed, and nearly spilled the drink on himself when he saw the headline: "Revolutionary technology: leak details".
His fingers tightened on the phone. He opened the article. It contained details that were not supposed to have been released to the press—information known only to a select group of employees.
"Someone leaked the data."
Ratio walked into Aventurine's office. The usual relaxed smile on the blonde’s face faded as soon as he saw the expression on the doctor’s face.
"We need to talk," Ratio said sharply.
"Oh, and good morning to you too, Doctor," Aventurine replied calmly, sitting across from him. "Judging by your face, something happened?"
Ratio clenched his teeth and placed the phone on the table, turning the screen toward him.
"How do you explain this?"
Aventurine glanced at the headline, flipped through the article, and raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting turn. And you think I’m involved?"
"Who else?" Ratio’s voice was ice-cold. "Only you and your team would go so far to make a profit!"
"That’s a serious accusation," Aventurine tilted his head, his voice still calm, but a flicker of irritation flashed in his eyes. "Do you really think I’m that stupid to destroy the project I’m working on?"
"I don’t know what game you’re playing, but if you—" Ratio stopped, seeing how Aventurine’s face changed. His usual smugness disappeared, replaced by a cold seriousness.
"If I what?" Aventurine hissed. "Decided to profit from it? You just can’t shake the thought that I always play unfairly, can you?"
Ratio didn’t answer. His silence spoke for itself.
Aventurine slowly leaned back, looking at him with disappointment.
"You know, Doctor, I’m used to people seeing me as nothing but a liar, but I thought you’d see deeper. I guess I was wrong."
He got up from his seat, adjusting the cuffs of his jacket.
"Since you’re so sure of my guilt, go ahead and keep digging into your theories. You’re right, trust can’t be bought—and that’s apparently what I’ll never earn from you!"
Turning on his heel, he left the office, leaving Ratio alone with his thoughts.
-----
That evening, Ratio received a report from the security service.
The information wasn’t leaked by the marketers. Not Aventurine. It was one of the employees from the scientific department—a member of Ratio’s team.
His heart tightened unpleasantly. He realized he had made a mistake.
Step Forward
Ratio wasn’t used to admitting mistakes. More precisely, he was used to doing so in the context of science, but when it came to personal matters... it was more complicated.
Aventurine didn’t leave his mind. His disappointed gaze, the coldness in his voice, the restrained fury with which he had left the office... Ratio wasn’t sure if this could be fixed, but he couldn’t not try.
As he pondered his options, he remembered Aventurine’s style—he knew how to appear at the right moment and say the right words.
So why not use this method?
Ratio found him in the bar. Aventurine was sitting in the corner, lazily stirring his drink with one hand, while scrolling through his phone with the other. When he noticed Ratio, his face froze for a moment, then the usual mask of a light smirk returned.
"Doctor, are you following me? I’m touched."
Ratio sat down across from him.
"I was wrong."
Aventurine froze.
"Excuse me, what?"
Ratio took a deep breath, briefly closed his eyes as if gathering his thoughts, then clasped his fingers together and looked at Aventurine directly, without the usual coldness.
"I... was wrong," his voice sounded softer than usual, but there was genuine sincerity in it. "I let emotions cloud my judgment. I allowed my fears and biases to come between us."
Aventurine stood still, as if not believing his ears.
"The facts say you weren’t involved. But I should have seen this earlier, not when everything became obvious. I was unjust, and I’m sorry." Ratio swallowed, slightly tilting his head. "This won’t happen again. Because I... I trust you."
Aventurine slowly set his glass down, his gaze darkening—not with anger, but with something deeper. He tilted his head slightly, studying Ratio as if seeing him for the first time.
"Are you... serious?" His voice was quiet, almost cautious, without the usual sarcasm.
Ratio nodded.
Aventurine exhaled slowly and ran a hand over his face, as if trying to collect his thoughts. When he looked back at Ratio, the usual bravado was gone from his eyes—only something strangely warm, almost vulnerable, remained.
"Why are you so damn sweet, Doctor?" he muttered, shaking his head. "Of course, I appreciate the apology, but if we’re talking about trust... you definitely shouldn’t trust me. I had some intentions toward you... and they weren’t about work."
Ratio felt something stir pleasantly inside, but he remained outwardly calm.
"You really think I didn’t notice your attempts to flirt with me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "And that... I didn’t mind? Maybe even the opposite."
Aventurine froze, studying his gaze, then slowly extended his hand across the table, fingertips touch the palm of Ratio's hand. A light, almost weightless touch. Ratio didn’t pull away.
"I’m not used to such conversations," Aventurine quietly confessed. "Usually, I’m not interested in people. We just sleep together, and then we go our separate ways. But with you... it’s different. You don’t leave my mind. That’s why it hurt so damn much to hear those accusations this morning."
Ratio leaned slightly forward, shortening the distance between them.
"Maybe communication science also requires practice."
Aventurine smirked, but there was something new in his eyes. He slowly moved closer, their faces almost touching.
"Then maybe we should start now?" he whispered.
Ratio found no reason to object when their lips met.
Aventurine didn’t rush—he studied, as if giving the opportunity to pull away if this turned out to be a mistake. His lips were soft, his movements cautious but with an almost imperceptible confidence, like someone used to getting what he wanted.
Ratio didn’t pull away. He felt the warmth of Aventurine’s hand gliding up his arm, and his heart beat faster when Aventurine pressed a little harder against him.
It was... unexpected. And yet, it felt surprisingly natural.
Ratio wasn’t a person who gave in to emotions. He preferred control. But now, when Aventurine's tongue barely touched his lower lip, sending a slight electric shock through his body, Ratio allowed himself to feel for the first time.
Aventurine smirked, slowly trailing his finger across his wrist.
"I think we still have a lot to teach each other," Ratio said calmly, leaving cash for the blonde’s drink.
His fingers gently, but firmly, closed around Aventurine’s wrist, and the latter allowed him to guide him out. There was something barely perceptible hanging in the air between them—tension, anticipation. After all, Ratio had always sought new discoveries.
Something more
A couple of months later, the market launch of the technology was a triumph. The presentation went smoothly, investors were delighted, and the management was happily calculating future profits. But the main achievement for Ratio and Aventurine wasn’t this.
Now they were working together. Not as opponents, not as obnoxious coworkers, but as a real team.
"Doctor, you look especially inspired today," Aventurine said, sitting on the edge of Ratio's desk with a cup of coffee. "Let me guess... Sales have been successful, and you're craving recognition? Admit it, you need me, and we’ll make you a star in the scientific world!"
Ratio didn’t take his eyes off the monitor, simply raising an eyebrow.
"I admit your communication skills, with proper control, can be a useful tool."
Aventurine theatrically sighed.
"And that’s all? I thought we were making progress between us. At least last night, we definitely were!" He gave a mischievous smile and slowly ran his fingers across Ratio’s wrist, letting the touch linger a little longer than it should have. Ratio froze for a second before throwing him a stern look.
"Maybe you should get back to work?" Ratio glanced at him. "Or is your new strategy to undermine the team's productivity?"
"Doctor, you’re so strict."
Ratio shook his head, but a barely noticeable smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Veritas, do you know what ‘entertainment’ is?"
"I’m familiar with the concept."
"Then we should run an experiment, doctor," Aventurine leaned in closer. "Tonight. Over dinner."
Ratio looked at him, but there was no usual sarcasm in his gaze.
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"Well, if it’s easier for you to call it that..."
Ratio set his cup on the table and, without breaking eye contact, said:
"Alright."
Aventurine blinked, as if not expecting such an easy agreement, but then grinned in satisfaction.
-----
At the next meeting, Ratio unexpectedly supported Aventurine’s proposal to expand the advertising campaign.
"It’s a reasonable move," he concluded tersely, causing surprised glances from his colleagues. "Based on market analysis, the proposed strategy will increase coverage by 37%."
Aventurine barely held back a smug smile.
"Look at that, he’s even learned to give compliments," he muttered, leaning a little closer to Ratio when he sat next to him in the meeting room.
Later, in the elevator, when the doors closed, Aventurine shamelessly moved closer.
"Veritas, you just approved my idea without a single argument. Should I start worrying?"
"Or be happy," he answered calmly.
"Oh, I’m already happy," Aventurine purred. "First, you agree to dinner, now you support my ideas... You’re spoiling me."
Ratio tilted his head slightly, watching him.
"I’m just adapting to you."
Aventurine smirked.
"Or maybe you just like to please me?"
The elevator doors opened, but before stepping out, Ratio quietly replied:
"Or maybe you should find that out over dinner?"
Aventurine paused for a second, then, smirking, followed him. Now they were not just colleagues, but it seemed like something more.