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Aventurine can’t help but marvel at the sky, painted with brilliant streaks of gold and amber, vibrant oranges, and dusted with soft pinks and reds. Those same colors dance like flames upon the surface of the bay, blending with its natural sapphire shade. A crisp breeze blows by, and Aventurine allows himself to walk just a little closer to Ratio, just enough for their shoulders to brush.
After a few moments of peaceful silence, Aventurine allows himself to speak. “You were right, you know. The sunrise here… it’s truly something.”
Ratio exhales and wraps his arm around Aventurine’s shoulder. He turns to face Ratio and mentally notes how the sunrise lights up the edges of his dark hair, creating a lovely crown atop his head. “Now, dear gambler, will you still complain about having to ‘wake up too early’?”
Aventurine lets out a short laugh and leans his head on Ratio’s shoulder. It’s true that he’s grateful Ratio didn’t let him sleep in. This early, the world is both beautiful and quiet, allowing for a serene walk with only a few passerbys. “I suppose I can’t. You’ve won this time, doc. Still, waking up before 6:30 on a weekend? I find that insane.”
Ratio rolls his eyes. “That is a perfectly normal time to wake up, you damned gambler. The idiotic mess you call a ‘sleep schedule’ has corroded your perception of normalcy.”
“It won’t be such an ‘idiotic mess’ as long as I have you around.”
Ratio scowls in response, but Aventurine doesn’t miss the faint blush on his face. He suppresses a laugh and stops walking, reaching a hand out to turn Ratio’s warm face to his. Aventurine is about to make some lighthearted remark about how easy he is to tease, but the words dissolve on his tongue when he accidentally looks into Ratio’s eyes. He marvels for the thousandth time how those eyes always seem to match the lovely shades of sunrise, filled with warm gold and soft reds…
Remembering himself again, he steps back with an awkward laugh. Before he can scramble to find something to explain himself, Ratio huffs. “I fail to see why you think that requiring my expertise just to establish a healthy sleep schedule is something to be cheerful about. Even the most mediocre of people can complete that simple task by themselves. Besides, you must understand I have better things to–”
His rant is interrupted by the soft click of footsteps behind him and a laughter laced with elegance. Instinctively, Aventurine turns around and is met with the faces of two familiar women who, seemingly, have appeared from nowhere.
Because of course a Memokeeper and an Emanator would have the ability to conceal themselves under the sun’s gentle light, with silent footsteps and voices dispersing in the air. Somehow, Aventurine isn’t even surprised to see them.
“It is amusing,” Black Swan smiles. “Your affection for him is evident, yet you try your hardest to hide it. How cute.”
She turns to Acheron. “Quite the precious memory, don’t you think?”
Despite the fact that she, like everyone else, is wearing casual clothes, her sword still rests at her hip. Seemingly subconsciously, Acheron rests a hand on its hilt. “Indeed. Moments like these are fleeting… yet their worth transcends a lifetime.”
As if she’s just realized that they’re there, Acheron turns to Aventurine and Ratio. “We’ve met before… haven’t we? It was that Land of Dreams.” She briefly falls silent, grip on her sword’s hilt tightening. “ … Yes. I remember you two. Apologies for my earlier forgetfulness. That was terribly rude of me.” She releases her hold on the sword, her hand lingering briefly before gently falling to her side.
“No worries, Ms. Acheron,” Aventurine says, allowing himself an easy smile. Turning to Black Swan, he greets her. “Ms. Black Swan, it’s quite the pleasant surprise to see you here as well. Could it be that you’re planning to record some memories for the Garden?”
“Correct. But I came not only to collect memories… but to create some for my own enjoyment.” Black Swan intertwines her gloved fingers with Acheron’s. “Earlier, as light bloomed in the sky, we danced to the music of the gentle waves.” She gently shuts her eyes, releasing Acheron’s hand, before opening them again and continuing. “You two wished to walk by the water, yes? I hope you won’t mind us joining you.”
“Not at all,” Ratio (who notably hasn’t donned his plaster head yet) replies with a courteous nod.
He resumes walking, Aventurine following suit. Black Swan takes Acheron’s hand again, and the four of them walk, slow like the lapping waves. The sun has already risen higher into the sky, and bits of blue peak out from the gently fading streaks of fiery reds and oranges.
Despite the serenity that’s washed over them, Aventurine can’t help but tease Ratio again. “You never say such nice things to me, you know.”
Ratio frowns in confusion. “What ‘nice things’ are you talking about?”
“Let’s just say that whenever I offer to hang out with you, you reply with painfully sharp words.” He places his hand over his chest and sighs dramatically. He wouldn’t normally cause such a scene with Ratio whenever they have company, but he somehow doesn’t mind showing this side of himself to Acheron and Black Swan. Part of him even enjoys putting on this little show.
“Offer to…” Ratio’s expression turns stern. “Damned gambler, those offers of yours are just your ways of trying to distract me from my work. You text me during work hours. As a Stoneheart, don’t you have your own matters to focus on? If you contacted me outside of work hours, I would have no reason to refuse–”
He abruptly stops, seemingly remembering that he’s not alone with Aventurine. Hastily, he turns to Acheron and Black Swan. “I… apologize that you had to see that. This gambler is incapable of–”
A soft chuckle from Acheron interrupts Ratio. “Though Ms. Black Swan’s perception far exceeds my own, I too can see the emotion you conceal beneath your frequent scoldings. It’s pure and… rare to see in people.”
“I–” Ratio begins. He crosses his arms, straightening his back. “It’s… Y- you misunderstand. I’m merely explaining this to him so that he can stop bothering me at work. This has nothing to do with anything interpersonal, which would not concern you even if it were.”
“Ah, I understand. I apologize for misinterpreting,” Acheron responds with a tone that sounds a lot like someone who knows perfectly well that they misinterpreted nothing. At the same time, her neutral face doesn’t betray a hint of emotion.
Black Swan smiles discreetly at Acheron and loops their arms together. She whispers something in her ear, and the Emanator nods in response. Ratio sighs and runs a hand through his violet locks.
By now, the sky is draped in shades of pale azure and brilliant sunlight, yet the air remains crisp and chilly. “There’s a nice picnic table not too far away,” Black Swan remarks, gesturing to someplace in the distance that Aventurine can’t discern. “Why don’t we take a break there?”
Without waiting for an answer, Black Swan airily picks up her pace, taking Acheron with her. They’re talking, and somewhere throughout their conversation, Acheron even laughs. It’s free and unrestrained, yet quiet at the same time. It’s interesting, really, how Acheron looks so relaxed compared to just a few months ago. He ought to find some time to have a one-on-one chat with her, just to see how she’s doing.
Actually, it reminds Aventurine of a conversation he had with Topaz a couple weeks back. At the time, he didn’t think too much of it, but now…
Aventurine had just finished organizing his papers. Those countless forms and contracts were absolutely headache inducing, especially considering the near unshakable stance that the company’s representative had. He couldn’t help but feel relieved that the negotiations had finally finished.
Taking one last look around his office, he switched off its lights and shut the door behind him, making sure he locked it securely. For tonight, he planned to just go home to watch some old flicks and snuggle with his cat cakes.
Just as he had been debating the film he might watch, he heard quick footsteps approach him from behind, accompanied by snorts and oinks. He’d recognize those hurried steps anywhere, but it’s always the oinks that give the person (and their pet) away.
“Why, Topaz!” Aventurine greeted as he locked his door, not bothering to look up. “Oh, and Numby. I haven’t seen you for a few days.” He finally turned to look at her.
“I didn’t think I’d see you either,” Topaz admitted. “We’ve both been so busy recently… ah, speaking of which, how are your negotiations? I heard you had almost finished.”
“Spot on. I just wrapped up the last part of it, actually. And you?”
“Same here,” Topaz responded with a bright smile. She leaned down to pat Numby’s head. “Honestly, I just hope you aren’t feeling too stressed with all the difficult negotiations they make you go through…”
Aventurine shrugged. “This isn’t anything too bad. A few hard headed individuals are annoying, sure, but honestly? Most of my assignments have been light work ever since Penacony. I suppose Diamond has finally taken pity on me.” He spread his arms with a dramatic sigh.
Topaz stood up to roll her eyes at him. “You know Diamond wouldn’t lighten your workload just because you completed a major project. If anything, he’s assigned you more work. Although…”
She straightened out some invisible crease on her vermilion suit and took a deep breath before continuing.
“You seem happier these days. I mean it, Aventurine. You really do.”
Sunlight dances across Aventurine’s vision, and he’s led back to reality by a steady hand on his back guiding him to sit by a wooden table. Truly, what a gentleman Ratio is. So respectful, acting as if he hadn’t been angrily ranting at Aventurine’s work habits just a few minutes prior.
The table rests in a small clearing, surrounded by autumn trees and the distant sounds of waves. The morning sunlight reaches through the orange leaves, brushing its warm rays against Aventurine’s face. It’s well hidden, a place you can really only find if you’re looking for it… or, of course, if you happen to be a Memokeeper.
Next to him, Ratio sits down, and Aventurine catches himself staring at how the light’s dappled glow illuminates his handsome features. Aventurine’s brought out of his trance when Ratio recoils from the light, turning away with a scowl as he brushes leaves off the table. Across from them, Acheron idly drums her fingers on the surface of the table.
Black Swan stands to the side, with some strange fondness in her eyes as she shakes her head and smiles. “There’s this cute little cafe nearby. I can purchase something for everyone.”
“That will be unnecessary,” Ratio says, standing up. “I can order for myself and Aventurine.”
“Hm, I see,” Black Swan says, looking between the two of them. “Then, let’s be on our way now.” Black Swan smiles at Aventurine, and he could swear he hears her voice in his head:
I know you and Ms. Acheron have quite a bit of catching up to do. We’ll leave you to it~
Before he can try to concoct some sort of mental response, she turns away, taking Ratio with her.
With them gone, he finally takes a good look at Acheron. It’s strange, really, to see her, an all-powerful and mysterious Emanator, in something as simple as an INSIDE t-shirt and sweatpants, sitting across from him in a little clearing like this. He didn’t even know until now that Acheron listens to Robin’s music. Somehow, the thought of her doing something that simple feels so… foreign to Aventurine.
“I’d always known our fates would be unkind,” Acheron says, almost as if she can see his thoughts. “Losing all that we fought to protect, to save… I remember our conversation under IX’s shadow. Your doctor friend… On the outside, he wears a guise of stone and plaster, but on the inside, he holds a love for humanity that none can take away. Is that so?”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Aventurine admits. It’s easy somehow to be honest with Acheron, because after all this time, honesty with people is still difficult. For the longest time, he couldn’t see the line between his own lies and truths. Even now, that line still feels blurred. “I’ll always be grateful that you were there that time. It was thanks to you that I could have the privilege of spending time with him, raising cat cakes with him, getting to listen to him talk about whatever’s on his mind, and just…” He realizes what he’s said and pauses. “Ah- I’m sorry, you don’t need to hear me talk about–”
Acheron chuckles, just barely smiling. “No worries. Anyone can see how much you care for each other. I’m happy for you, that you’ve found your guiding light to the waking world. And in turn, I’m certain you’ve noticed…”
“Until now, I’d never even realized how close you were with the Memokeeper. But honestly? I’m happy for you as well. It’s easy to see that you’ve filled at least some of that emptiness within you.”
“I feel it, too. In the past, memories always slipped away and faded like tears in the endless rain. I’ve always intended to remember everyone I’ve walked side by side with, and everyone who fell to my blade. Yet for countless years washed away by the Nihility, those memories were carried within my sword, only surfacing once I unsheathed it. But Black Swan… She has shown me countless memories, some from those I knew, and some from individuals I’d never known of. It’s like living anew whenever she shows them to me. That lady, from her poise on the dance floor to her fascination with memories… I’ve experienced joys with her that are truly irreplaceable.”
Acheron goes silent, gazing contemplatively into the distance. Meanwhile, Aventurine mulls over the months he’s spent with Ratio since Penacony, since that time something irreversibly shifted in their friendship. He remembers the conversations that had gotten too close, dangerously on the border between friendly and something else. He thinks of their life after they sorted out their feelings for each other, all the elaborate confessions and dates, yet also the most seemingly mundane, everyday moments. His days spent with Ratio and his days spent without… all shine with a new kind of joy that Aventurine had once only felt during his childhood.
He and Acheorn sit comfortably until Black Swan and Ratio (wearing his plaster bust, of course) each return with two steaming cups in their hands. Wordlessly, Black Swan hands Acheron her drink. The Memokeeper sends Ratio a brief smile before settling down next to Acheron. Aventurine can only guess that they too had a somewhat similar conversation.
Ratio approaches Aventurine, and as he does, his bust dissolves, revealing his picturesque face perfectly framed by his hair, and he too sits so close to Aventurine that he can’t help but lean into him. Aventurine takes his drink– a pumpkin spice latte that makes his hands tingle from warmth– and sips it, practically melting from both the warm latte and from Ratio’s presence next to him.
No words are exchanged– the four of them simply sit under rustling shades of orange and red, light filtering through the dancing colors. The morning breeze is chilly, yet here with the people he hopes to truly call his friends, Aventurine hasn’t felt so warm in years.