Chapter Text
Aventurine has already been in Astropolis for several days when he notices that he has…an admirer.
The first time Aventurine had seen the man was after one of his photo shoots on the beach. The man had approached Aventurine and introduced himself as a fan, smiling nervously while asking for an autograph. Aventurine had cheerfully obliged, used to the attention which was hardly unusual.
What was unusual was that their paths continued to cross afterwards.
The day after meeting the man, Aventurine was soaking in the rays on a lounge chair on the shore when a shadow fell across him.
He raised his sunglasses.
"H-hello, Mr. Aventurine!" The same man stood beside his lounge chair, wearing the slightly sheepish smile of someone who had bumped into an acquaintance by chance.
"Hello?"
The man smiled awkwardly, but seemed unsure of what to say. After several silent seconds, he mumbled a quick goodbye and hurried away.
Aventurine watched him leave before settling back against his lounge chair.
A little strange, perhaps. But hardly enough to worry about.
Until Aventurine began noticing him everywhere.
At the shopping center, briefly glimpsed between the aisles of an expensive boutique.
By a pool, watching him from beneath one of the brightly colored umbrellas.
Outside a restaurant Aventurine had visited for lunch, although the man was gone by the time he emerged.
It was enough to become a curious little pattern, but Aventurine thought little of it. Astropolis was a popular vacation destination, and the man was clearly a fan. It wasn't particularly surprising that their paths might cross more than once.
Besides, Aventurine had considerably more interesting things to occupy his attention.
A few days later, he sauntered toward one of Astropolis's many pool bars, entirely unhurried despite the fact that he was, according to a certain professor's exacting standards, late.
He spotted Ratio immediately.
Of course he did.
The professor was seated at the bar beneath the shade of a wide awning, an open book in one hand and an untouched drink sitting before him. He looked, Aventurine thought, perfectly at ease.
Until Aventurine approached.
"Well, well. Dr. Ratio. Fancy meeting you here." Aventurine's lips curved into a grin as he settled onto the stool beside him.
"Fourteen minutes."
Aventurine paused.
Ratio turned a page.
"Is that your way of saying hello?"
"It is an observation."
"Mm. How charming." Aventurine smiled brightly at him.
Ratio closed his book and picked up his drink.
"Did you miss me?"
"I was rather enjoying the silence."
"Meanie."
Aventurine signaled the bartender for a drink, entirely unbothered.
"So Doctor, have you been enjoying all the sights Astropolis has to offer?"
His drink arrived a moment later. Aventurine took an idle sip as Ratio considered the question.
"I am reminded of Penacony's dreamscape. A hedonistic playground marketed as an escape from reality where the wealthy indulge every fantasy without consequence, all while the IPC profits. Truly a remarkable talent for turning the mundane desire for rest and escapism into a capitalistic enterprise of overconsumption."
Aventurine smiled into his drink. "You really hate it here."
"I find it intellectually exhausting. Why the Technology Department chose to establish the Life Sciences Institute here of all places, I'll never understand."
"Maybe they wanted their researchers to enjoy the finer things."
Ratio had opened his mouth to retort when his expression suddenly changed. "Gambler. What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"
Aventurine glanced up from his drink at the abrupt change in topic. "Huh? What are you talking about?" He tilted his head puzzled.
Ratio's sharp gaze shifted past him. Aventurine followed his line of sight and sighed.
The gentleman was standing near the pool bar.
He was looking directly at Aventurine.
"Oh. Him."
The man smiled when their eyes met, then waved at Aventurine.
"Him?"
"An admirer." Aventurine waved back at the man, then turned toward Ratio.
There was a beat of silence.
Ratio looked back toward the man.
Then back at Aventurine.
"A what?"
"An admirer." Aventurine took another sip of his drink. "Or a particularly committed fan. The jury's still out."
Ratio looked toward the man again. "And why, exactly, is your admirer staring at you from across the bar?"
Aventurine shrugged. "Perhaps he finds me attractive."
"Don't be obtuse."
"Oh, come now. I've seen him around a few times. He's harmless."
Ratio's expression darkened. "A few times?"
Aventurine silently took another leisurely sip, enjoying the increasingly familiar look of profound exasperation on Ratio's face.
"How long has he been following you?"
Aventurine hmmed. "A couple days?"
Ratio's eyebrow twitched. "How many is a couple?"
"Well, I would say that all depends on how generously one defines following."
"Gambler. How many."
"Hmm, since the photo shoot six days ago."
"You have known that a stranger has been following you for nearly a week."
"When you say it like that-"
"I am saying it exactly as it is."
"-it does sound a little concerning."
"A little?"
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're about to put me on a leash."
"I am considering it."
Aventurine laughed.
Ratio did not. He sighed and took out his phone. "If you refuse to take this seriously, then I'll have to handle it myself."
Aventurine blinked.
"What?"
"Your security."
"My security?"
"Clearly your judgement cannot be trusted in matters of personal safety."
Aventurine stared at him for a moment before his mouth curved into a grin. "Oho?" He tilted his head. "And what are you planning to do about that, Doctor? Follow me around all day? Be my personal bodyguard?"
"Correct. I will accompany you until I have determined this man's intentions and whether your safety is actually at risk. Given that he has repeatedly appeared in the same places as you, it would be irresponsible to dismiss the pattern without further observation. If he is merely an enthusiastic admirer, then the matter will resolve itself once he realizes you are unavailable. If his intentions are less innocent, I will be in a better position to determine that before the situation develops into an actual threat."
"Well." Aventurine's grin widened. "You make it sound rather serious."
"It is only serious because you seem determined not to take it seriously."
"Mm. And here I thought you were simply worried about me."
Ratio's gaze lingered on him for a moment. "I am concerned with determining whether there is a potential risk. Your safety is therefore a relevant consideration."
"How touching."
Ratio ignored him. "However, simply following you around would accomplish very little. It would only make my presence conspicuous without addressing the reason he continues to approach you."
Aventurine tilted his head. "Then what do you suggest?"
"If the objective is to discourage him from approaching you, the simplest solution would be to give him a reason to believe you are unavailable."
Aventurine's eyes narrowed with amusement.
Ratio continued, his expression remaining perfectly composed. "I will pose as your boyfriend. It would establish the necessary boundary without requiring any confrontation, and it would allow me to observe his behavior without making the situation unnecessarily obvious."
Aventurine stared at him. Then his smile slowly returned. "Your solution is to pretend to date me?"
"Temporarily. Do not misunderstand the reasoning behind it. The objective is not to indulge your tendency toward dramatics, nor is it some inexplicable gesture of affection, despite whatever conclusion you appear determined to reach. I am suggesting the most efficient solution to a relatively simple problem."
Aventurine let out a quiet laugh, leaning back in his chair as he looked Ratio over. "Well. That's certainly one way to handle the situation."
"An effective one. If you intend to turn this into another one of your tiresome games, you are free to find another solution."
Aventurine laughed softly. "Oh, don't be like that, Doctor. I'm only surprised. Still," he leaned back with a smile, "I could definitely do worse than having you as my boyfriend."
"Pretend boyfriend."
Aventurine's smile widened. "Right. Pretend."
"Precisely."
"Though, if we're going to convince anyone, shouldn't you at least try to make it believable?"
Ratio lowered his glass and regarded him over the rim. "I am perfectly capable of appearing convincing."
"Are you?" Aventurine leaned forward, resting his elbow on the bar. His eyes traveled over Ratio with deliberate scrutiny. "You don't exactly strike me as the affectionate type."
"Affection is unnecessary. We only need to establish that we are involved."
"That's a rather clinical approach to pretending to date someone."
"Because it is a practical arrangement, not an actual relationship."
Aventurine hmmed, turning his glass between his fingers. "And what exactly would this practical arrangement involve?"
"I will accompany you when necessary, remain close enough that the relationship is apparent, and intervene if he attempts to approach you. Meanwhile you will refrain from doing anything that undermines the illusion."
Aventurine raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Encouraging him."
"I don't encourage people."
Ratio gave him a flat look.
Aventurine smiled innocently. "I can't help being charming."
"Gambler."
"Fine. I'll behave."
"I'll believe that when I see it."
Aventurine laughed again. "You really have thought this through."
"Someone has to."
"Well, Doctor..." Aventurine picked up his drink, his smile turning mischievous again. "I suppose I'll have to see how good you are at playing the part."
Ratio sighed. "You are enjoying this far more than the situation warrants."