Chapter Text
Aventurine is scrolling on his phone. Legs crossed, cat-cake leaning on his thigh. No worries, nothing that needs his immediate attention. Tonight though, his schedule is a bit different.
He has a date. With Veritas Ratio.
A “casual” thing at Aventurine’s place, they’re calling it. Dinner and a movie, takeout and whatever CD Ratio brings. Despite the informality, Aventurine is more than excited; enthused, even.
So surely, one can imagine the drop in his heart at the sight of the Doctor’s text that reads, Something came up. I have to do a few things at home. Apologies, Aventurine. He’s offline, strange. Should I go to his place? No… that’d be creepy. I’ll call.
RING.
Aventurine moves clover off of his lap, his legs uncrossing and beginning to bounce.
RRIINNGG..
C’mon… pick up…
RRRIIINNGGG…
Aventurine hesitates, “Doc? Ratio, are you there?”
“This is Dr. Ratio.”
“Okay, great—“
“I have received your call, but cannot return it. Please leave a message after the—“ Aventurine hangs up, tossing his phone at the couch in frustration. Fuck.
Did I do something wrong? Is everything okay? I should’ve left a message. Augh, too late. Screw it, I’ll go check on him. Everything should be fine, right?
Aventurine does the buttons on his shirt up to the top, tidying himself a bit before leaving the house. He isn’t taking anything but his car, and he spins the keys in his hand anxiously on the way down in the elevator.
He most certainly does not run through the lobby, but he does run through the parking lot, starting his car’s engine in record time. The chained dice hanging on the rear view mirror bounce with every turn. All Aventurine can do now is drive.
***
Aventurine takes a deep breath when he arrives at Ratio’s door, closing his eyes tightly before knocking. He steps back, hand behind his back.
The door opens, and Ratio appears. To the untrained eye, he looks the same way he always does, arrogantly tired. But to Aventurine, he looked… sad.
Ratio raises an eyebrow, “Gambler?” He looks surprised that there’s anybody at his door at all, but not surprised that it’s Aventurine.
Aventurine stops glancing the doctor up and down, attempting to meet his gaze. Ratio does not reciprocate, looking off to the side, or somewhere behind Aventurine. “Ah— hi, doc. I wanted to check in, since you couldn’t make it. Sorry to be a bother, but I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Ratio sighs, but it seems that his anguish is not directed at Aventurine. “…This is not a hallway conversation. Please, come inside.” Ratio offers his hand to hold, which Aventurine takes happily.
Ratio—being the gentleman he is—pulls out a chair for Aventurine, before retreating to the kitchen to grab water. The kitchen isn’t far from the table, which gives Aventurine more time to see if he can discern what is wrong. Once filled, Ratio takes his own seat at the table, grabbing a tissue box to set between them.
Ratio taps his nails against the side of his glass, still not making eye contact. Aventurine thinks, now or never, before speaking up. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” Aventurine disregards the water, more focused the topic at hand.
Ratio speaks with a softer cadence than usual, but still feels like his own voice, “It’s— a more personal matter, than my usual stress.”
Aventurine leans forward across the table, “Does not mean I’ll care any less, I’m listening.”
“…I lost one of my students, today. Or, I found out, rather.” Ratio does not look at Aventurine as he speaks, instead opting to look one thousand yards into his glass of water.
Aventurine stutters, “Wait, lost as in like— missing? Or dead?”
“Death. Determined cause as suicide.” That… explains why he cancelled.
Aventurine stands up to move to the other side of the table, sitting next to Ratio. “Oh dear, Ratio— are you okay? Okay that’s a stupid question,” Ratio raises his eyebrows quickly, a nonverbal that question has an obvious answer. Aventurine backtracks, “I mean do you feel like— emotional?”
“Not quite. I— it’s uncomfortable, though. I was never particularly close with them but… I find myself— what’s the word…” Ratio takes a sip of water as he thinks, “Reminiscing. They were a good student. I’m… I suppose what I’m feeling is lost.”
Aventurine nods, sipping his own water. “I’ve been there, Veritas. I’m sorry for barging in and coming all this way, by the way.” Ratio shakes his head, sighing.
He glances up slightly, finally looking towards Aventurine as they speak, “I’m sorry for making you feel like you had to. I wasn’t clear enough in my texts as to what was going on.”
“I just did whatever I thought you would do for me. So— yeah. I’m— not sure how to help.” Aventurine wrings his hands together.
Ratio scoots his chair closer to Aventurine’s. “Your presence is helping more than I could have predicted.” Aventurine notices Ratio’s body language shifting, and opens up his own. Ratio takes the silent invitation, resting his head on Aventurine’s shoulder. He speaks softly, not wanting to overwhelm Aventurine, “Would you mind if I asked you to stay the night?”
Aventurine nods, moving an arm to Ratio’s shoulders. “I can clear my schedule for tomorrow. I want to be here for you.”
Ratio takes a shaky breath, “Thank you, Aventurine. Truly.” Aventurine does not speak further. The understanding between them says all that needs to be heard.