Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Ratio has always enjoyed his peace and quiet. Just spending his time playing chess with himself, reading books by himself, and thinking… by himself.
Some say this kind of lifestyle is heaven for introverts like him, but he can't help but feel that there are days when he craves some human interaction.
Maybe he should get a pet owl? But then he read that pet owls will self-harm if they lack attention from their owners, and Ratio can't promise he’ll dedicate all his time to caring for a pet when he’s deeply engrossed in his research studies.
Perhaps he should get a… friend? But the last time he went out, the sheer amount of human ignorance while he was trying to buy groceries almost caused him to commit mass murder by throwing his chalk around.
Is there really no other way for him to solve this silly problem of his? Wanting a friend but not wanting said friend to be too loud, too clingy, or too ignorant?
It’s time to put on his thinking cap. Or rather, his thinking mask.
Or would it be better to take another bath? At least that would be better than talking to the self-portrait mini statues on his study desk.
Sighing, he stood up from all these useless thoughts and did a little stretching. What a waste of brain energy for someone with eight doctoral degrees!
“Let’s take another bath then.”
knock knock
Ratio stopped in his tracks as if an apple had just dropped on his head.
What was that sound? Someone knocking at his door? The sound was so foreign to him because he almost never received guests. Perhaps he misheard it?
knock knock knock
The knocking sounded more urgent now.
Awkwardly, like a statue cracking apart to reveal a moving human within, Ratio quickly moved his body to answer the door.
He expected a deliveryman or someone who had gotten the wrong apartment number.
“Hi, so sorry for disturbing you. Um, have you seen my little brother?”
Ratio widened his eyes when he saw the beautiful man before him. Despite the distraught look in those big eyes hidden behind a pair of shades, the doctor could still see the unusual but captivating shade of purple.
The stranger became restless when Ratio didn’t respond, unaware that the man before him was stunned by his beauty and at a loss for words.
“Um, he’s about this tall.” The blond crouched a bit to show that the child was about hip height.
Ratio gulped slightly as he caught a whiff of the young man’s perfume. It was an overwhelming scent, as if he sprayed himself every half hour. Quite the contrast to the doctor, who preferred the subtle fragrance of bath salts.
“He has a cute, bobbed haircut and big eyes,” the man rambled, “a cute nose and cute pudgy fingers. He wears a purple top with brown pants. He’s a little shy around strangers, but he’s a good boy and polite to his elders—um, hello?”
The youth waved his hand in front of the motionless Ratio, who then proceeded to wear his thinking mask.
It was a bizarre sight for the stranger. “Um…?”
“Silence.” Ratio raised his hand to stop him from talking further, yet there was no hint of anger or malice in his command. “A moment, please.”
All his brain cells got to work as he concentrated behind his statue-like mask.
Here was an attractive young man he had never met before, suddenly knocking on his door in search of his missing sibling.
Theory – It’s a scam. Nowadays, people have endless ideas to scam the ignorant and the elderly.
Ratio agreed he belonged to the latter but definitely not the former. He was far smarter than the average fool.
However, one look at those restless and worried purple eyes convinced the doctor that this was not some kind of scam. From the tone of the youth’s voice to his body language, everything suggested genuine distress—a man desperately searching for his missing family.
Solution – To help or not? Although Ratio empathized with the youth’s unfortunate situation, that didn’t mean he’d willingly assist.
Because before this, Ratio had never met such a man. He didn’t seem to be a local in this area. How could he be sure the stranger wasn’t involved in some form of crime?
“Um, hello? Mister, if you haven’t seen my brother or if you’re just ignoring me and making me angry, I’d rather ask the next neighbor than waste my time here having a staring match.” The blond sighed impatiently at Ratio’s silence.
In truth, he hadn’t planned this far ahead. He had no real destination when he wandered through the streets, no clear goal aside from escaping the crushing weight of his own thoughts. His usual haunts felt suffocating, and he had grown tired of gambling with the same faces night after night. So, when his feet stopped in front of Ratio’s apartment, he thought, Why not? A random door, a random bet with fate. And when it opened to reveal a handsome man with piercing eyes like that of an owl that flickered with both intelligence and suspicion. Aventurine himself couldn't look away.
Ratio took off his mask and looked directly at the shorter man. His eyes were sharp as he prepared to speak…
“You—” Before he could say more, they suddenly heard the thunderous sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the hallway.
“Oh shit! Sorry, there’s no time to explain! Please let me in!”
Suddenly, the stranger brazenly pushed Ratio into his apartment and shut the door behind him!
Ratio was about to react to this uninvited guest who had just invited himself in without an invitation, but the blond shushed him, covering his mouth.
“Sorry, shh. Just a moment until they leave.”
He whispered close to the doctor.
Outside, they could hear muffled shouts and more footsteps coming nearer.
The youth quickly turned off the light, leaving them drenched in dimness, trying to pretend that no one was home. Not a second later, the door to Ratio’s apartment rattled from the impact of several knocks.
“Open up! This is the IPC!” yelled one of the guards.
The stranger paled and gripped Ratio’s arm pleadingly. “Don’t answer the door. I’ll explain everything, but please, don’t answer it now.”
Ratio calmly looked at him before turning his eyes to the incessant banging on his door.
He could easily sell out this rude kid who had barged into his apartment and interrupted his bath time.
Or he could do something out of the ordinary from his mundane, ordinary life.
And so, the doctor began to strip!
The younger man’s jaw dropped at the alluring sight. “H-hey, what are you doing?!” he hissed in disbelief.
He sounded so confused but at the same time a bit… frustrated? Perhaps he regretted turning off the light and being unable to appreciate the revealing scene before him in a brightly lit room?
Ratio walked to the door leisurely, unbothered by the loud banging. He unbuttoned his shirt further, exposing his well-toned body—the result of his morning exercise and trips to the gym. He brushed back his hair and sighed.
“Hide yourself,” he commanded curtly before opening the door.
The guard was about to kick the door and his foot was inches from hitting Ratio.
“To what do I owe this unpleasant visit?”
Ratio only opened the door partially as the stranger hid behind the door. But despite the small opening, the guard can still see the doctor’s state of undress. To someone who didn’t know, Ratio looked like he was about to take a bath… or was interrupted when having an intimate moment with a lover.
“Obey our orders and tell me where he is, or I’ll arrest you.”
Ratio scoffed, why do people ask him so many useless questions about missing people today? First a missing younger brother now a missing man? Of course the professor understood immediately that this guard was looking for the blond in his apartment. The way the youth gripped Ratio’s loose shirt was an indicator of it.
“Whoever raids a person’s home without a search warrant? Show me the document or I’m the one calling the police on you.”
Ratio was shorter and slender compared to the guard however his presence was much more impacting. As expected of a former educator.
Instead of a document, the guard pointed a gun at Ratio’s forehead.
“Is this enough of a ‘warrant’ for ya? Move, I don’t want to clean up anymore bloody mess.” The guard growled at him.
Rude students require a special method of discipline.
Ratio was about to respond when they both heard a female voice.
“That’s enough.”
The guard immediately knelt. A little to eager at that. “My mistress!” He barked like a puppy.
Ratio raised an eyebrow at the woman. He didn’t see her face clearly as she wore a big hat that concealed her face. Plus she was a distance away yet he could see clear as day that she’s this guard’s boss.
“Inform the others to evacuate now. The little one is not here.”
“Yes ma’am!’
Obediently he bowed to Ratio like a totally different person and even trot to the lady as if hoping for treats. Ratio could almost see an imaginary leash around the pathetic guard’s neck as if he’s her slave.
The lady also bowed her head towards Ratio in apology for interrupting his private time with his lover and not a moment later they all left.
Ratio shook his head as he closed the door and locked it.
Turning on the lights again, he stood face to face with the stranger who he might have mistakenly kept from the suspicious people.
“Has she left?” The guy asked him nervously. He looked away from Ratio in guilt.
“Before I hear your explanation… “
Ratio reached out to him and suddenly, proceeded to tear open the boy’s clothes.
“W-what??”
The opened collar revealed a burnt stamp mark on the youth’s neck. Which he immediately covered with his palm.
Ratio narrowed his eyes and continued to do a body check of the blond. Obviously to check for weapons or sharp objects. Of course it’s not because he wanted to touch those tempting soft skin and---
“You need a bath.” Ratio concluded with an annoyed tone.
The other man was flabbergasted, “E-excuse me?!”
“Because you smell,” Ratio explained. He nodded. “Really smell.” He repeated for emphasis.
“I… I SMELL??” The younger man shrieked a bit. “I—What? That’s not—” the blond’s mind raced, but before he could protest further, Ratio continued.
“You applied too much perfume, and it’s giving me a headache. Strip now and get in the bath. I can’t think properly if you explain your situation smelling like a walking perfume factory.” Ratio turned on his heel and headed to his bathroom.
Perhaps he himself needed a long bath as well to clear his mind. Clear his thoughts of a certain blond with eyes of a peculiar shade and smooth skin.
“H-hey!”
Ratio pointed to the towel nearby, “Grab that and go to that door over there. Quickly now.” He ordered the stranger and went to his room. Leaving behind a speechless guy who may or may not turn his life upside down.
The bathroom was ridiculously extravagant. Aventurine wasn’t sure what he expected, but this whole Greek bathhouse aesthetic was borderline excessive.
Marble pillars, intricate tilework, and a frankly overwhelming collection of bath salts and oils lined the polished shelves. This guy didn’t just bathe—he curated his bathing experience. And what’s with those self-portrait statues?!
Still, Aventurine wasn’t about to complain. If the brunette was letting him stay—temporarily, of course—he might as well take full advantage of the luxuries.
He sank into the warm water, sighing as he tried to relax his tense muscles from all that running and hiding. Maybe that rude guy was right. When was the last time he had a proper bath? Or even a good night’s sleep?
His fingers twitched.
A memory emerged from the back of his mind. A long time ago he was nothing but a mongrel covered in filth, skin caked in dirt and grime, unrecognizable beneath layers of neglect. A price tag hung around his neck. 30 tanba. That was all he had been worth.
Aventurine clenched his jaw, willing the memory away. This wasn’t then. He wasn’t that person anymore.
A sudden plop broke the silence.
Aventurine blinked. Floating beside him in the bath was a small, rubber duck—except this one had mechanical eyes that glowed faintly.
It stared at him. Unblinking. Judging.
“...?” Aventurine muttered.
Then, to his utter disbelief, the duck spoke.
“Wow. Another brooding protagonist with a tragic backstory. How original.”
Aventurine nearly choked on his own spit. “Did—did you just—”
“Yup,” the duck interrupted, flapping its tiny rubber wings. “Name’s Pi. Also known as 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197. I’m the only thing keeping this apartment from descending into full-blown existential despair. And lucky you, buddy—you just unlocked the premium bath-time commentary package.”
Aventurine stared. The duck stared back.
Then, Pi turned—somehow, without actual feet—and faced the reader.
“That’s right, folks. Welcome to yet another episode of ‘Will They, Won’t They?’ featuring one emotionally constipated doctor and one reckless gambler with enough baggage to fill a cargo ship.”
Aventurine dragged a hand down his face. “...I need to get out of this bath.”
The duck’s laughter echoed in the bath chamber!
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To be continued?