Chapter Text
Title: Let’s Hire A Cat Nanny!
Chapter 1
The afternoon breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass as pedestrians drifted along the tree-lined park.
Aventurine occupied an empty bench beneath the shade, one arm draped lazily across the backrest while translucent holo-screens floated before him. Their edges shimmered faintly against the sunlight, framing two familiar faces as though the women were seated across from him instead of several star systems away.
One window belonged to Topaz, still dressed in her uniform.
The other displayed Jade, immaculate as ever with her big hat, fingers resting beneath her chin with practiced elegance.
"I believe your new arrangement is proving rather less comfortable than anticipated."
Aventurine let out a dry laugh.
"Just say I'm homeless, Jade."
"My."
Jade smiled.
"I haven't seen this grouchy side of you since the day you came to me in chains."
"Thank you. I'd rather not revisit that wonderful chapter of my life."
"How fortunate, then," Jade said with a gentle smile. "This time, you are free to walk away."
"You ARE homeless," Topaz interjected flatly.
Aventurine sighed dramatically.
"Darling, I prefer to call it my healing trip across the continent."
"There's no sugar-coating it."
She rubbed her forehead.
"You destroyed your Cornerstone during the Penacony operation. The board ruled the mission a success..."
She sighed.
"...but they also ruled your actions unacceptable. They terminated your employment."
“Sugilite merely dislikes losing a wager he was never invited to make. Still, Pearl put on a respectable defence—and so did both of you. Consider me touched, ladies.”
He made a show to give a flying kiss.
Topaz shuddered at the flying kiss.
Neither woman returned the joke.
It was painfully obvious he was trying to laugh his way through losing everything.
Aventurine caught the token.
Let it dance once.
"...Perhaps."
A beat.
"I did wonder..."
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his lavender-blue eyes.
"If I'd had a partner… If I'd trusted someone enough to stand beside me... instead of doing the whole thing alone..."
He let out a small laugh.
"...perhaps fooling Sunday wouldn't have required quite so many theatrics."
Topaz rolled her eyes.
"Since when does a peacock like you not enjoy theatrics?"
She sighed.
For once, she wasn't scolding a troublesome colleague.
She was worrying about a friend.
“Look… you can stay with me.”
The blond’s smile twitched before he recovered.
“Move in with you and become Numby’s playmate? Darling, it can’t even hold a hand of cards. What sort of household are you running?”
“I’m asking you to feed them, not corrupt them!” She frowned.
“Love, my talents extend somewhat beyond babysitting an overfed Warp Trotter. I negotiate impossible contracts, outplay crime syndicates, and occasionally rescue entire acquisitions from people with less imagination than capital.”
His favourite token rolled lazily across his fingers as he spoke, the familiar trick as automatic as breathing.
Jade’s smiled, “Then caring for one temperamental creature should fall comfortably within your expertise.”
Aventurine swept into an exaggerated bow, one hand pressed theatrically over his chest. The flourish looked ever so slightly incomplete without the extravagant hat that usually crowned his performance.
"Ma'am," he lamented, "Numby bites. My former clients merely threatened to."
"I imagine caring for Numby would be considerably easier.” Jade interrupted, “Unlike your previous assignments, a Warp Trotter is unlikely to leave behind collapsed buildings, extensive damage reports, or another visit to the infirmary."
“Ma’am, keep speaking to me like that and I may begin missing the damage reports. At least those pretended to value my professional talents.”
There was a pause as the women stared at the blond’s poor attempt of being unaffected by the situation.
Topaz sighed, "…I've already appealed once. The board isn't changing its decision."
Jade nodded, "The Department has already reassigned your assets."
Aventurine caught the token between two fingers.
"Heh. Assets come and go."
His smile never wavered.
"...Though I'll admit, I shall miss the minibar. The wine selection was excellent."
“I can’t believe I have to spell it out, Aventurine.” Topaz sighed in exasperation, "You can stay with me until you figure something out. And you can help feed Numby while I work overtime."
Jade calmly cut in.
"No."
Topaz blinked.
"...Miss Jade?"
"I believe it would be more beneficial for him to solve this himself. This is an investment better made by his own hands."
Aventurine chuckled.
"And here I thought I was your favourite investment. One unfortunate hand and you're already cashing me out?"
Jade met his gaze.
"A prized asset does not cease to be valuable merely because the market has corrected."
The older woman smiled.
"If you were anyone else, I would simply write off the loss."
Aventurine laughed softly, looking away.
"How reassuring, my lady. I'll keep those odds close to my heart."
Topaz studied him for a moment.
"...You're doing that look again."
Aventurine blinked.
"Look? My dear, I always have the look."
"Not that one."
She folded her arms.
"...The one where you're smiling because you don't want anyone asking what's wrong."
Aventurine let out a small laugh.
"Careful."
He twirled the token once across his knuckles.
"That kind of observation is how dealers lose their advantage."
Topaz didn't smile.
"...Just don't disappear on us, okay?"
A beat.
Then the familiar smile returned.
"Come now.” He made a show of his hands, “What happened to the famous leader of the Special Debts Picket Team? Showing your hand that early is how clients take you for everything you've got."
Topaz continued looking at him.
No teasing.
No rolling eyes.
Just… worry.
Aventurine sighed.
"...I'll be fine."
He rolled the token over his fingers once more.
"I always come back after the final round, don't I?"
Topaz looked unconvinced.
Jade finally spoke.
"I know."
Aventurine glanced toward her hologram.
Jade smiled.
"A setback of this scale hardly resembles the conduct of the 'final victor' I've heard so much about."
A slow grin spread across Aventurine's face.
He caught the token neatly between two fingers.
"Now those are odds worth betting on."
Aventurine closed the call.
The holo-screens dissolved into glittering particles before disappearing into the afternoon air.
Silence.
No office.
No apartment.
No title.
No Cornerstone.
His thumb brushed absentmindedly across the face of his watch.
Half past three.
Right about now...
His department would be drifting toward an afternoon coffee break.
He almost stood.
“…...”
A small laugh escaped him.
"...Old habits."
There were no meetings waiting upstairs.
No reports demanding his signature.
No assistants reminding him of the next negotiation.
No office overlooking a skyline of glittering towers.
Instead...
He looked around.
Children chased pigeons across the grass.
An elderly couple shared a quiet stroll beneath the trees.
Leaves whispered overhead.
For years, Aventurine had watched cities from the highest floors money could buy.
Today...
He was sitting on a park bench.
Feet planted firmly on the ground.
“.....”
How humbling.
Oddly enough...
Not unpleasant.
He leaned back against the wooden bench.
"...Heh, who was it that confidently called himself the final victor, hm?"
He laughed at his pathetic self.
Then—
“Mew—”
Thump.
Something remarkably soft—and alarmingly heavy—dropped squarely onto Aventurine's head.
His vision flashed white.
"...Ow."
The unexpected weight slid down his shoulder before settling onto his lap with all the confidence of something that believed it belonged there.
"Mew?"
Aventurine stared blankly.
A very round cat stared back.
Calling it "large" felt inadequate.
"...Now what is a Maine Coon doing all the way out here?"
"Mew!"
The offended reply arrived immediately.
"No?"
Aventurine tilted his head.
"Then you're some other expensive aristocrat."
Thick charcoal-black fur covered its broad frame in luxurious layers, with a fluffy mane around its neck and a tail so bushy it looked capable of sweeping the pavement by itself.
Everything about the feline looked expensive.
Everything...
...except its life choices.
The feline blinked once, entirely unconcerned by the fact that she had nearly folded a stranger's neck in half.
"Where did you come from, little friend?" he chuckled.
"Mew?"
She tilted her head with regal disbelief, as though expecting someone to apologise for interrupting her perfectly respectable descent.
Aventurine raised an eyebrow and looked up to see a broken low hanging branch.
He looked back down.
The little lady lifted her chin.
"Meeew."
Another shorter—
"Mew."
Aventurine had no idea what she'd actually said.
Judging by her expression, however...
'That fall was entirely intentional. The branch failed to carry my magnificence.'
Aventurine’s shoulder shook in laughter at the situation.
"...I’m not sure why you’re here."
His voice came out softer than he intended.
"...But I'll take that as a gift from Mama Fenge."
Without another word, Aventurine scooped the living cloud into his arms.
The cat offered no protest.
Instead, she settled herself with the air of a queen inspecting a newly acquired throne. After one tiny adjustment, she tucked her paws neatly beneath her chest and melted against him, already purring as though she had graciously approved of her chosen carriage.
A weary laugh escaped him.
"Excuse me while I graciously accept this offering."
He lowered his head until his face disappeared into the cat's impossibly fluffy stomach.
Warm.
Ridiculously soft.
The thick fur carried the clean scent of expensive shampoo.
Someone clearly spoiled this little lady.
The steady vibration of a contented purr rumbled beneath his cheek.
For the first time since the tribunal...
...the noise inside his head grew quiet.
"Mrrrp."
"...Thank you."
Whether he was thanking the cat or the Mother Goddess herself, Aventurine wasn't entirely certain.
The purring stopped.
One green eye cracked open.
The little lady looked down at the strange human currently using her stomach as a pillow.
A fluffy paw landed squarely on the top of his head.
Tap.
Not hard enough to push him away.
Just enough to say,
Well? You may continue with the brushing. Though using your face is an unusual technique, Mr Human.
Aventurine blinked, "...Hm?"
She tapped him again.
The blond blinked then he chuckled as he absent-mindedly scratched behind her ear.
The feline froze.
That's acceptable.
Very acceptable.
Her eyes drifted closed again.
"Meooowww."
She gave his hair one measured tap with her paw.
Aventurine chuckled.
"Yes, Your Highness."
He obediently scratched behind her ear once more.
Satisfied, the little lady resumed purring.
Only then did he take a closer look.
The immaculate coat wasn't the only giveaway.
Her claws had been neatly trimmed.
Around her neck rested a polished leather collar, elegant enough to make most luxury brands feel underdressed.
Whoever owned this fluffy menace clearly adored her.
Aventurine gently turned the engraved tag over.
Three silver letters were neatly engraved into the polished tag.
BBJ.
"...BBJ?"
He tilted his head.
"A secret code?"
The little lady merely blinked.
"A distinguished title?"
"Mew."
"Or perhaps your owner simply enjoys making things difficult."
The cat's ears suddenly swiveled forward.
She lifted her head, nose twitching once as though she'd caught something on the breeze.
"Mew!"
She started to wiggle as if to get out of Aventurine’s grasp.
Before Aventurine could wonder why, hurried footsteps echoed across the pavement.
"Blueberry!"
Aventurine looked up.
...Oh.
That was... Unexpected.
He had been expecting an elderly lady.
Or perhaps an overenthusiastic child.
Certainly not a tall man who’s hurrying towards him, slightly out of breath from the run.
Dark violet hair brushed against his jaw, a few loose strands falling across one eye. Afternoon light softened his pale complexion, but nothing softened the urgency in his sharp reddish-pink eyes as they searched frantically for the oversized cat nestled in Aventurine's lap.
Huh.
He was... unexpectedly handsome.
Aventurine looked down at the cat in his arms.
"...Well. Your Highness certainly chose your staff wisely."
“Mew mew.”
Evidently, her highness approved of his assessment.
The man slowed to a stop before them, relief softening his features.
“Thank you for finding my cat.”
Aventurine blinked and found himself looking slightly upward.
The man really was handsome.
Not in the polished, fashionable way celebrities chased.
There was something quieter about him.
Composed.
Refined.
Like a Greek deity who had descended his throne.
“Apologies for the trouble. She doesn’t usually leave the house without me.”
Damn, even his voice sounds good.
"She’s a beautiful Maine Coon."
The taller man blinked, “Zero points. She’s a Norwegian Forest."
Aventurine blinked at the reply and then he grinned.
"Oh? Is there a difference?"
The other man regarded him with the weary expression of a professor confronted with a student who had answered two plus two with, "Six... seven?"
"Yes... Several."
The blond chuckled then looked down at the oversized cat happily occupying his lap.
Then back at the man.
Then at the cat again.
“………..”
Aventurine really should have returned the cat immediately.
Instead, he smiled.
Unfortunately...
Curiosity had always tempted him into wagers no sensible man would accept.
A terribly wicked idea wandered into his head.
He stood up with the princess carefully cradled in his arms.
"Your cat, you say?"
"Obviously."
"How can I be certain?"
The stranger frowned.
"...Certain?"
"Anyone can walk up and claim such a pretty girl here."
The older man gestured toward the kitty’s collar.
"Her identification tag."
Aventurine flipped the polished tag over.
"...Yes, it says here BBJ."
The cat's ears twitched, curious at the two humans who have yet to give her a treat.
"The reverse."
Aventurine turned the tag over.
V.R.
"...Initials?"
"Mine. Veritas Ratio, Dr Ratio."
The man spoke his own name with effortless confidence, as though it carried all the introduction it would ever need.
“Dr. Ratio,” Aventurine repeated, allowing the name to linger. “How reassuring. Her Highness comes with medical supervision.”
"My contact number is engraved beneath it."
“Hmm…" the younger man hummed playfully. “And if I were to call the handsome doctor’s number...?”
Ratio let out the faintest sigh through his nose.
“My phone would ring. That is generally the purpose of engraving one’s contact information.”
“Mm. Beauty and sound reasoning. The lady chose well.”
Aventurine tapped the kitty on the nose.
“Mew!” she replied as if in agreement.
Ratio’s expression clearly asking whether they could please move this along.
“Flattery does not improve your argument.”
Aventurine merely grinned wider, “No, but it improves most conversations.”
How interesting.
He looked from the collar...
...to the interesting stranger...
...then back to the kitty.
"Mm…. Compelling evidence, Doctor. Unfortunately, I remain unconvinced.”
Silence.
“Then your standards of evidence are defective.”
Ratio stared in increasing annoyance.
"Perhaps. Fortunately, I know a charming scholar who might help correct them."
Aventurine punctuated the remark with a shameless wink.
The professor held his gaze for a beat.
“You have known me for approximately three minutes.”
Aventurine placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
"And already you're keeping track, Doc? I'm flattered."
A faint exhale escaped through the scholar's nose.
"I am counting the minutes until you return my cat, otherwise I’m going to call the police on you."
A grin tugged at Aventurine's lips, bright with the anticipation of a gambler about to place a delightfully reckless bet.
"Doctor, surely a man of science wouldn't object to one small experiment."
"That depends entirely upon whether the proposed experiment possesses merit."
Rather than looking discouraged, the blond seemed positively encouraged. His smile only softened.
"Oh, have a little faith."
“Faith is what people invoke when evidence has disappointed them.”
“Then let’s improve the evidence.”
He carefully set the kitty down on the pavement.
"We'll let her decide. If she really belongs to you..."
He spread one hand theatrically.
"...call her over."
The professor looked at him for a long second before apparently deciding there was no reasoning with this peculiar man.
He crouched.
Opened his arms.
"Berry, come."
The cat looked at him.
A pause.
Then...
She calmly turned her head away and began licking one paw.
"..."
"..."
Aventurine burst into laughter.
"My condolences."
Ratio's brow twitched.
“Blueberry Jar.”
The full name carried the unmistakable tone of a parent moments away from announcing consequences.
The cat ignored him with professional dedication.
"A devastating result. Shall we repeat the trial, or would that wound Her Highness's pride?"
Ratio glared at him.
"Her pride appears perfectly healthy. Mine has sustained the injury."
Aventurine crouched beside the fluffy monarch.
He scratched gently beneath her chin.
“Go on, sweetheart. Your poor doctor’s pride is at stake.”
She let out a pleased trill before padding straight into Ratio’s waiting arms as though nothing embarrassing had happened.
The older man caught her with practiced ease.
“Your assistance is acknowledged.”
Aventurine laughed openly now! Delighted at the situation.
“Such warmth. I may blush.”
Ratio raised an eyebrow at him.
“Try not to. I have no desire to diagnose that as well.”
Aventurine tried to contain his laugh but failed.
"I apologise."
"You’re not apologetic."
Ratio replied in a dead pan voice.
“No, really. I’m sorry for laughing just now.”
The blond stared at the kitty with affection.
"She must have been a handful at home."
Ratio sighed, “I disagree. Blueberry is usually obedient when I call her over.”
He adjusted Berry more securely in his arms.
"Thank you for returning her. Your unnecessary little trial, however, was intellectually barren."
"Intellectually barren?" Aventurine pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. "Doc, you wound me. I thought our experiment produced a fascinating result."
"It established that my cat responds selectively to bribery and poor influences."
"And yet she returned to you." Aventurine smiled. "Congratulations—you remain the winning hand."
Ratio arched a brow.
"Do you translate every interaction into gambling terminology?"
"Only the interesting ones."
The grin returned.
"Plus... you're surprisingly easy to tease, Doc."
Ratio gave him a long look.
"It was my pleasure."
The older man glanced down at the cat tucked comfortably against him.
"You escaped through my study window."
Blueberry blinked innocently.
"Don’t ever do that again."
“Mew~”
She replied as if to say, ‘But it was your fault for not closing said window.’
A tiny sigh escaped him then he began to inspect her, “Are you injured?”
Ratio checked each paw.
Parted the thick fur in search of hidden scratches.
Examined behind both ears.
Ran a thumb beneath the collar.
Only then did his shoulders relax.
“Good.”
Ratio shifted Berry into a more comfortable cradle against his chest.
Despite the cat's considerable size, the scholar carried her effortlessly with one arm.
One glance at the professor's broad shoulders and well-defined arms explained exactly how effortless that looked.
Aventurine's smile curved.
"Her Highness appears perfectly unharmed."
His gaze drifted, just for a moment, to the impressive chest currently serving as Berry's royal throne.
"My neck, however..."
He pressed a hand dramatically against it.
"...may require the personal attention of a certain handsome doctor."
Ratio's attention shifted immediately to Aventurine's neck.
"...You were struck?"
"Her Highness descended from the heavens and graciously entrusted me with breaking her fall."
Ratio glanced once at the broken branch overhead.
"...She fell from the tree."
Aventurine sighed dramatically.
"You academics do have a gift for stripping poetry from an event."
"Poetry does not alter the mechanism of injury."
Ratio frowned.
"...Berry."
The cat looked away.
"...I see."
Ratio bowed his head a bit.
"I apologise for the inconvenience caused by Blueberry Jar."
Aventurine smiled at the name then waved his hand.
“Don’t be, she actually made my afternoon considerably better."
Ratio's gaze flickered to the scratches on Aventurine's face.
"...Are those injuries from her fall as well? Did she scratch you when she panicked?"
Aventurine blinked as he reached up to touch his cheek then he laughed.
“Aw. You noticed.”
“There is blood on your face. Observation was not especially demanding.”
“And here I hoped you were studying me closely.”
“Do not mistake basic visual acuity for fascination.”
He assessed the injury and Aventurine waved him off.
“Really doc. It’s just a tiny scratch when I was burying my face in her tummy. Don’t scold the princess any further over this.” He chuckled.
Ratio seemed as if he wanted to say more but nodded and drop the matter.
He bowed his head for the second time that afternoon.
Professors were more accustomed to receiving thanks than offering repeated apologies.
"Thank you for rescuing her. I’ll make sure to double lock the doors and windows after this incident."
“Miaooww….”
The kitty mewed mournfully at the decision.
“It’s for your own good.”
Ratio paused.
"You’re usually obedient… Since when do you act like this.”
The kitty ignored Ratio stubbornly.
Aventurine felt bad for his new furry friend.
“Come now, Doctor. Don’t prosecute the lady before hearing her defence. Perhaps she was lonely.”
“Lonely? Escaping through a window is a remarkably dramatic bid for attention. That is conjecture.”
“Naturally. But look at the accused.”
Berry purred with wide, innocent eyes, happily kneading against Ratio's chest—the same tried-and-tested tactic that rarely failed to soften her human.
“She appears to support my hypothesis.”
Aventurine found himself watching the contented cat for a moment...
...then the remarkably broad chest serving as her personal cushion.
Well.
That certainly explained how the professor carried a Norwegian Forest cat one-armed without the slightest hint of effort.
Ratio, who was unaware of the blond’s observation, paused for a moment then a realization dawn on his face.
“Unfortunately, the hypothesis is plausible… Perhaps I haven't been giving her enough attention."
“Then perhaps she decided to schedule an intervention.”
Aventurine added.
“By injuring an uninvolved pedestrian?”
Ratio asked in a deadpanned voice.
The blond chuckled, “No strategy is flawless when it comes to the table, doc.”
Ratio regarded Berry for another moment.
"...This behaviour cannot become habitual."
Berry continued grooming herself with complete indifference.
"...If I am unable to supervise you during working hours..."
He sighed.
"...I may have to hire a cat sitter."
Berry stopped grooming herself.
"...Mew?!"
"No amount of protest will alter the conclusion."
Berry mewed louder in protest as if with all the outrage of a child who had just lost internet privilidges.
"And that’s final. No more treats for this week.”
“Mewwwwww!”
He adjusted her more securely in his arms before looking back at Aventurine.
"Nonetheless, you have rendered me a considerable service."
He reached into his back pocket.
"Please allow me to compensate you."
Aventurine shook his head.
“Tempting, but no.”
“You are refusing reimbursement, not negotiating a trade agreement.”
“Everything is a negotiation once two people want different things.”
Ratio regarded him quietly.
“And what, precisely, do you want?”
“At present? Somewhere to sleep.”
Aventurine's smile faded just a fraction.
“I recently found myself between residences.”
Ratio studied him.
Aventurine recovered the charm:
“Fortunately, I’ve just met a distinguished gentleman with a troublesome cat and an apparent staffing vacancy. The odds are beginning to look rather favourable.”
The blond grinned.
“You mentioned requiring a cat sitter.”
He gestured between himself and Berry.
“She likes me. I’m available. And unless your study window offers employee accommodation, I happen to require a room.”
“You are proposing that I admit a complete stranger into my home because my cat tolerated him for fifteen minutes.”
“Tolerated? Doc, she selected me.”
Before Ratio could answer, the kitty wriggled free from Ratio’s arms.
“Berry—”
Too late.
The cat trotted straight to the younger man and twirled around Aventurine’s legs. Purring loudly.
The blond glanced down at the furry conspirator before looking back up with a grin.
“Seems like my client has chosen me. What do you say, Professor?”
“From an animal who recently launched herself from a tree.”
“Every recommendation has its limitations.”
Ratio’s expression hardened.
“Your proposal is audacious, poorly substantiated, and potentially dangerous. I decline.”
“Not even a trial period?”
“No.”
“An interview?”
“You have been conducting one without permission.”
“And you’ve performed admirably.”
“That was not encouragement.”
“Tough crowd.”
Silence.
“Well then, since you refuse payment, I shall take my leave now. Good day, Mr...?"
Aventurine opened his mouth.
"A—"
The name caught in his throat.
A title he no longer deserved to wear.
One he no longer had any right to use.
He smiled.
"My name is...Kakavasha."
“Kakavasha,” Ratio repeated once. “Very well. Good day, Mr. Kakavasha.”
Ratio huffed and walked away after picking up his pet.
Aventurine smiled at Ratio’s retreating back.
"...He remembered my name."
He chuckled before the smile dimmed a bit.
Aventurine watched the professor disappear into the apartment building.
For someone so handsome...
He was terribly difficult.
"...Interesting."
A slow smile returned.
“What a pity. Handsome landlord, charming client, excellent neighbourhood…”
His smile dimmed.
“The house should have taken that bet.”
========
Inside the apartment, Ratio scratched Berry behind the ears.
“You embarrassed me.”
Berry’s tail swished.
“And before you object, refusing a direct command before obeying that man constitutes compelling evidence.”
Berry purred.
“You liked him.”
Louder purring.
Ratio’s fingers paused.
“That does not strengthen your case. Your judgement today included climbing through a window and falling from a tree.”
“Mrrrp.”
“Precisely. An argument devoid of substance.”
Berry closed her eyes smugly.
Ratio sighed.
“I refuse to be overruled in my own home by an animal whose principal academic achievement is locating unattended fish.”
=========
Morning arrived with the familiar rhythm of questions.
"Professor, could you explain Question Four again?"
Chalk scraped across the board.
The bell rang before the final equation was finished.
--------
"Doctor Ratio, the review committee requires your signature."
He signed one document.
Another stack of papers replaced the one he'd just completed.
---------
"Professor, the cultures aren't responding."
"I'll be there shortly."
By the time afternoon arrived...
Someone was already waiting outside his office.
"Professor."
Another meeting.
Another consultation.
Another symposium.
Another room full of people eager to borrow pieces of his mind.
"Professor!"
“Sir! Can I have a moment?”
“Doctor, if you please…”
The requests never stopped.
Only the faces changed.
----------
The apartment door clicked shut behind him.
Silence settled at once.
For the first time all day...
No one needed anything.
He removed his glasses.
Pinched the bridge of his nose.
The quiet should have felt restful.
Instead...
It felt strangely loud.
“… How irrational. Solitude had always been conducive to thought.”
He spoke to no one in particular.
Then his gaze drifted briefly toward the opposite end of the sofa.
“……”
Ridiculous.
He lived alone.
The apartment was immaculate.
Spacious.
Quiet.
Entirely suitable for one occupant…
It had never seemed quite so… expansive before.
“…”
A pointless observation.
The dimensions hadn’t changed.
Books remained stacked exactly where he'd left them.
His self portrait statues to one side.
Half-finished research papers occupied the dining table.
Beside them...
A cup of tea had long since gone cold.
“…I should prepare my bath now.”
He crossed the living room.
The echo of his own footsteps lingered behind him.
Curious.
He couldn’t recall the apartment ever sounding quite so empty.
Impossible.
Acoustics did not change overnight.
But then soft paws padded across polished wood interrupted his task.
Berry emerged from around the corner, tail held high.
A smile appeared before Ratio seemed aware of it himself.
"...Come here."
He called out to her as he sat down again.
She answered immediately.
As always.
The oversized cat leapt gracefully onto his lap before circling twice in search of the perfect position.
"There we are."
His fingers disappeared into impossibly soft fur.
A deep purr filled the apartment.
His shoulders eased.
Only slightly.
Enough.
Then.
Exactly five seconds later...
Berry stood.
Stretched.
Jumped down.
His lap felt noticeably lighter.
Of course it did.
Berry weighed over seven kilograms.
She padded toward the front door.
Sat.
Waited.
Ratio blinked.
"...Berry?"
No response.
Only quiet determination.
She continued staring at the door.
Waiting.
As though expecting someone.
Ratio's gaze lingered on the closed door.
Yesterday...
That incorrigible blond had questioned whether Berry belonged to him.
Mistook a Norwegian Forest cat for a Maine Coon.
“The audacity…”
Turned the simple act of returning a lost pet into an impromptu negotiation.
“Zero points.”
Flirted through half the conversation.
...And somehow managed to recruit Berry as an accomplice.
Ratio exhaled quietly through his nose.
"...An utterly exhausting individual."
A pause.
"...I sincerely hope our paths never cross again."
The conclusion felt remarkably satisfying.
Berry continued staring at the door.
The blond had spoken to her.
Laughed with her.
Scratched behind her ears precisely where she preferred.
Called her...
"Your Highness."
Berry had approved.
That conclusion irritated him.
Berry lacked for nothing.
The finest food.
The safest toys.
The softest beds.
He had never forgotten every vaccination.
Every grooming appointment.
Every checkup.
He would have crossed galaxies for her.
But lately...
An uncomfortable thought surfaced.
Love had begun to resemble half-finished research papers balanced beside a cat bed.
"What a ridiculous conclusion."
Berry lacked for nothing.
He had always believed providing for her was enough.
“Until yesterday…”
Ratio followed her gaze to the door.
“…...”
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No knock.
Just the quiet hallway beyond.
Ratio rose from the sofa.
Crossed the apartment.
Stopped beside her.
"...The hallway is unremarkable."
Berry didn't move.
"...There are no birds."
Silence.
"...Nor treats."
Still nothing.
"...You miss him."
The conclusion arrived with irritating ease.
One ear flicked.
"Mewww…"
Ratio frowned.
"You have become unusually attached after a single afternoon."
A pause.
"...Statistically questionable."
He sighed.
"...I fail to understand what you found so extraordinary about that peacock."
Berry looked up.
"Mrr."
"...Did he bury his face in your stomach?"
Berry’s purr grew louder.
Ratio closed his eyes.
"...Ten points."
=======
"Weren't you with the IPC?"
Aventurine flashed the old man his best business smile.
"...Not anymore."
The landlord turned to his assistant then closed the file.
"W-we apologize. All rooms have been rented out to other applicants."
“Y-yes, that’s right. They applied through online!”
The former Stoneheart nodded at the obvious lie.
"Ah, what a shame. Didn’t expect the house to be full all of a sudden."
He walked away and only when he entered his car did his smile faded.
“Should I book another hotel room tonight or camp outside?”
Money had never been the problem.
Ironically…
It was his name.
Plus, it was suprisingly tiring to move between hotel rooms.
He’s been hunting for a decent apartment before moving on to job hunting but almost all home applications he went to had bad experience with the IPC.
Overdue debt
Expensive loans for renovations
Friendly threat over late fees
The old landowner just now was the nicest that Aventurine have encountered with a polite rejection. Previous landowners or landladies had either threw water at him, yelled insults or slam the door on his face.
“Maybe I should go to the casino nearby and get a drink. Maybe the bar tender there can help give me info on places I can hit for the night… heh, who am I kidding? Which area here is not under the IPC?”
Ring ring
“Are you still alive?”
“Topaz, my friend!”
She raised an eyebrow, “Why did you turn on the background filter?”
He chuckled, “What? I thought a summer vibe would fit for our reunion, no?”
She sighed, “You don’t have to pretend. I know you’ve been sleeping in the car since two days ago.”
Aventurine laughed nervously, “Did you bug my car?”
“I don’t have to. Usually you’re vain about your appearance but right no you looked like you had a rough night.”
The blond’s jaw tightened.
Women can be so scary with how sharp they are.
“Come now, don’t tell me you’re giving me a call just to say I have bed hair?”
At this Topaz paused then that look of concern crossed her eyes again.
“I cooked too much and was thinking who can I invite to finish them.”
“Don’t you usually call Jade for that?”
“You dummy, how can I let Miss Jade eat my horrible cooking?!”
“And you’re fine letting me eat said horrible cooking??”
“At least I know with your luck, the worse that could happen is you having a stomachache!”
“…..”
Then they both chuckled.
“No, seriously I ordered take outs. You really don’t want to come over and eat with me and Numby?”
“You’re a sweetheart. However, I think you shouldn’t mind me too much. You don’t want bad rumors to spread for hanging out with me.”
Topaz rolled her eyes.
“Please, what do you think I am? A teenager? I’m more worried about seeing the headline news of you passing out on the street and disappoint Miss Jade.”
“I bet you that Jade would find that headline funny, honey.”
There was a pause and this time Aventurine smiled genuinely.
“Thanks Topaz, I appreciate you looking out for me but I’m fine, really.”
Topaz looked at him for a long moment.
“…You’re lying.”
Aventurine kept smiling.
“Probably.”
She sighed.
“How’s your apartment hunting?”
Aventurine took out his familiar token coin.
“Oh, you know how I can be so fussy about choosing a place, right? It has to have big beds, big pools, big bars….”
“Liar. During our last team building trip, you lent your room to the old couple who got their booking mixed up.”
Aventurine laughed and the two continued to chat for a bit before he ended the call. Thankfully he managed to delay her goodwill.
He did appreciate her but he didn’t want to trouble her further.
Looking outside, he was surprised to see it was already dark.
He should head out to eat dinner but he already felt lethargic.
“Let’s sleep.”
He moved the driver's seat back.
Pulled a blanket over himself.
It wasn’t really a blanket but his old office coat he used to keep his chest warm.
“Now where did I put my watch— oh.”
He noticed something on his coat… and pulled out a single tuft of charcoal-black cat fur stuck to his sleeve.
He smiled.
"...Your Highness sheds terribly."
He rolled the tiny tuft between his fingers for a moment.
Smiling despite himself.
Instead of throwing it away…
He placed it carefully on the dashboard.
“Good night, sweetheart. I hope your daddy gave you treats today.”
No answering meow came.
For the first time in years…
He found himself missing a cat he’d only known for an afternoon.
======
An hour passed.
The city lights blurred beyond the windshield.
Inside the car…
Silence.
Then—
“!!”
Aventurine woke with a sharp breath.
His pulse hammered against his ribs.
For one disorienting second…
Fire.
Prison cells.
Chains.
His sister.
Then the windshield came back into focus.
“…”
Another nightmare.
He scrubbed both hands over his face.
“…”
He leaned back against the driver’s seat, waiting for his breathing to settle.
His hand reached blindly beside him.
Searching.
Finding…
Nothing.
“…”
A faint laugh escaped him.
“Heh… Kinda wish I had a teddy with me.”
Instead…
He adjusted the driver’s seat upright.
Started the engine.
The low hum filled the silence.
Better.
Movement was easier than sleeping.
“No point trying to sleep again.”
And he drove away to the night.
To be continued….