Work Text:
(RATIO is sitting next to the dreampool on a tablet of some kind. His leg is bouncing, and he seems to be writing something. AVENTURINE is laying down in the dream pool. AVENTURINE shoots up with a gasp, hunching over and coughing water out of his lungs. RATIO moves over to his side.)
RATIO: Aventurine? Oh dear, they tell you not to drown in these things, you know.
AVENTURINE: (coughing) Glad to see you too, Doc. (sarcastically)
RATIO: You say that like I’m not glad to see you upright and talking again.
AVENTURINE: Well, are you?
RATIO: I am. Quite so, as a matter of fact.
AVENTURINE: Oh.
RATIO: This should not be surprising.
AVENTURINE: Sorry, Doc. I suppose your acting was reaaaal good in front of Sunday.
RATIO: Quit trying to flatter me. How are you feeling?
AVENTURINE: Like shit.
RATIO: Shocker. It’s almost like you nearly did succeed in discovering “death” in the dreamscape.
AVENTURINE: It would have been helpful if you had informed me to stop trying before I nearly did succeed.
RATIO: It was either you read the message then—lest your entire plan be ruined—or you’d prove me wrong and not get to read it at all.
AVENTURINE: I suppose. (hesitantly) Thank you, for the ehm… other, advice as well.
RATIO: Ah. Yes, err— (blushing) that doesn’t just apply to the dreamscape by the way.
AVENTURINE: I have no reason to now, though.
RATIO: Don’t say that. Find a reason. If you can’t, let your reason be that you need to find a reason.
AVENTURINE: You—
RATIO: I what?
AVENTURINE: You are such a unique man. You pretend to be this tough guy or whatever. You give off these stoic vibes, like ooh, nothing can get to me, because I’m Doctor Ratio! But then— you say things like that, and you care, more than anyone else has since my youth, and I don’t know how to handle it.
RATIO: I don’t think I can help with that one, Gambler. You’ll learn in due time.
AVENTURINE: I suppose I will.