#aventio fanfic

[coffeeaddictandinsomniac]

i'd lost my way but now i'm home - incomplete

“Well then,” Ratio’s voice cuts through the fog that had settled on his mind once again — it makes it so Aventurine can finally breathe, a shaky breath pulling into his lungs. He hopes that Ratio doesn’t notice, but knowing the doctor, he does, “my dear Gambler, what are you going to do now? What’s your plan now that you have been freed from the IPC?” “I suppose I’ll just have to find my way in the world without them.” He hums to himself, staring up at the deep blue sky that throws lights in his face — not stars, but space stations and the like, visible even with the sun out. “Finding a place to live would probably be a good start, wouldn’t you agree, Doctor?” Ratio’s eyes furrow. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t have lodgings anymore?” “I lived in Pier Point, Doctor. Can’t exactly live there anymore if I’m no longer working for them,” Aventurine explains, shrugging his shoulders ever so slightly. He still finds that his voice is too quiet for his usual boisterous self. His words are still slightly shaky — his hands are much the same. “Live with me.”

After somehow being allowed to leave the IPC, Aventurine moves in with Dr. Ratio.

read here on ao3!

now with a chapter two!

[aurae-rori]

“A HEART, EMBARK, A BEAUTIFUL STAR”

— aventio csm au but no prior knowledge of csm is needed. if you dont know csm then think of this of unwilling roommates and colleagues au but they kill shit too

— fiend ratio & devil hunter aventurine

— aventurine backstory :) kind of. briefly. only a little.

— i reveal what the FUCK the wax is, we also finally get to see the trailblazer gang

— multichap, 6/15 and currently 41k words

[ascorpiosramblings]

Dear Sputnik

(an attempt at a song inspired fic for Aventurine x Ratio because that's my comfort ship fr)

"Empty

It starts yet again, an endlessly empty day

Lonely

There's only loneliness in this cold atmosphere that drives me crazy

I follow that meteor shower, the compass that leads me

I run aimlessly to find the answer, find the answer

At the edge of my universe, dimly lit

My long wandering finally meets the end, meets the end"

He sat surrounded by star charts. An empty room, save for him, illuminated by a single lamp in the corner. He gazed up at the stars outside his room. The stars illuminated by moon. He sat in his room reading the charts, the chilly air flowing in the window and enveloping his body. It was of no consequence, the familiar cold was simply a guest he had grown accustomed to with all the nights he spent alone. The laurels hung up on the walls spoke for themselves, as they shone even with the dim light of the lamp, all serving as reminders about the time he accomplished a feat in the scientific field. Yet the grand stories don't bring the company of another. If anything it brought about rejection from Nous.

Another special traveler, traversed hardships and emerged the final victor. Running and searching for solace and freedom. Aventurine sat in his office, paying no mind to the reports in front of him. Scoring a win for the IPC was routine for Aventurine. He was no stranger to praise from his coworkers for a job well done, but even being surrounded by people in a room didn't get rid of the cold emptiness that followed him. The stars in the sky were enough to occupy his gaze. The stars were not alone. Something he could only dream of. This emptiness followed him everywhere he went.

"For this assignment the IPC will be collaborating with the intelligentsia guild."

"Oh my Sputnik

It's my fate, I finally found you

Call me destiny

Because I know you are another me"

Aventurine was assigned as the point of contact. He was there to receive members of the Intellegensia guild and guide them to the main office. To his surprise, he found only one man. The person in front of him was a few inches taller with amethyst hair and face painted with a stern expression. He was surprisingly muscular for a scholar in contrast to the small and nerdy mental image in Aventurines head. It was hard not to compare him to an old statue with each and every nook and cranny of the body defined beyond belief. He shook himself out of such scandalous thoughts as he reached his hands out to shake his.

"Aventurine of the Stratagems, at your disposal. Just a cog in the machine of the Strategic Investment Department. Pleasure to make your Acquaintance." "Dr. Veritas Ratio. A scholar and teacher of the Intelligentsia Guild, and one of the mediocres." The two shook hands. Marking the start of something beyond just a business partnership.

Months passed and the one thing Veritas didn't expect was for the blonde man to hold his attention firmly captive. "Life is a grand gamble and I'll always be the Final Victor." That's what he had said. A philosophy so radically different to his calculated approach to life. It was like an unpredictable variable had just entered his perfectly linear equation. But to his astonishment, he wasn't too opposed to the change. His office saw the company of Aventurine, and for the first time, Veritas felt an unfamiliar warmth.

A single warm frozen hand

The moment we hold each other, everything melts

You are my orbit

You're my one and only

Fly through the night sky with you

Sitting in Ratios office, Aventurine looked around, taking in the countless achievements that decorated the plain white walls. Painting the image of a perfect figure of a boy everyone admired, a boy Aventurine could never be. But it was silly considering he wasn't a young boy anymore, such fantasies were simply silly to entertain. Yet the memories didn't stop, he was still reminded of the cold nights he spent all alone, without his parents, without his sister, just alone in his cell, the only feeling coming from the searing pain of his brand.

The cold was replaced by warmth, warmth of a firm hand and a soft fabric. Taking a second glance he saw Veritas closing a window. "If you were cold you simply needed to speak up" The taller man said as he went back to going through documents. Yet Aventurine felt more warmth than just from the blanket. Glancing at him again he could see the soft line highlight the contours of his face, the concentration reflecting from his eyes as he analyzed every line of a paper that seemed insignificant to Aventurine now. It was subconscious how his hand reached out to trace his jawline. When he came to his senses Veritas already had a crimson hue on his face as he froze.

He expected a hard slap, but to his surprise he got Veritas fumbling over his words yet not daring to remove Aventurines hand. Emboldened by this, Aventurine moved his hand, cupping Ratios cheek. "Flustered are we doctor?" He spoke in confidence as Veritas put his own hand over his. Now they had matching scarlet painted on their face. "I suppose it goes for the both of us".

Its as if Aventurine was floating when he came closer to Veritas. But then he came to his senses. They were supposed to be working. His hand came back to him as he tried to calm his beating heart. Yet he wanted to be closer to him, he wanted to hold him. But this was too ambitious. He pulled back for the sake of his heart.

Ratio couldn't control his heart at the moment as well, he could feel heat on his face and ears. There was something dangerously magnetic about Aventurine. He almost wanted to get on his knees and grovel for Aventurines tender affection but for the state of his self respect and dignity he restrained himself.

If I hold hands with you

My wounds become bright signs

Rounding the universe countless times

Our orbits are finally overlapping

We met like it was a miracle 

His frequency in visiting Veritas in his office had increased, that night left unspoken. That office felt especially warm when occupied by Veritas. It had been a few months since their initial mission was completed, though Aventurine still came up with excuses to sit with Veritas.

Though as of late Aventurine didn't visit Veritas as much due to work obligations, a chance with didn't fail Ratios notice. His office was cold without the others presence and Veritas felt it with his every move. Until days later the door swung open to reveal a bandaged blonde Veritas had been waiting for so long.

"What happened ?" He rushed towards the man. "A simple failed Gamble." Veritas caught Aventurine as he slumped against the wall. Guiding his body safely to the nearby chair Veritas scrambled to evaluate his overall health. This unusual worry overcame the normally stoic man seeing the object of his affection in such pain- wait object of affection? Veritas brought his thoughts back into focus as he checked Aventurines overall health.

"You hands are gentle doctor" This remark made Ratios heart go haywire. He could feel the redness on his ears as he focused on the task of caring for Aventurine. "Why are you doing this doctor?" This made Veritas stop. Why was he doing this? He just didn't want Aventurine hurt. But he never did this for anyone? He was already bandaged and tended to so why? "I simply want to know if you're ok"

It had been a while since Aventurine was cared for. The pain wasn't that bad. He had a hot iron leave a permanent mark on his skin against his will after all, so pain was simply an inconvenience that lasted for some time. But Veritas tenderly checking the bandages somehow became an ointment he didn't know he needed. This was what he missed on his mission, the company of the stoic scholar trying to heal his wounds. The tips of the doctors fingers spread warmth in Aventurines body as he quietly let Veritas work. He leaned back, getting comfortable and letting his eyes take a break and drifting off to the land of dreams.

Seeing Aventurines sleeping form Veritas felt unexpected feelings. He was the only person he'd worried for and cared for. When and how did this happen? The answer escaped him. But seeing the sleeping man Veritas realized that this was uncharted territory. He did his best to be stoic but the blonde seemed to challenge that with every move. The way his heart sped up seeing Aventurine smile, the way his voice captivated him more than any song ever could. He was artwork, one that Veritas wanted to keep his eyes on for as long as he could, to study every detail of his perfect face and engrave it in his memories. He wanted to spend as many hours as he could listening to any story Aventurine wanted to tell, to be close to him as they stargazed together. He was in deep, none of his degrees prepared him for feeling such a way.

Aventurine woke up with a blanket around him with his legs propped up on a stool for added comfort. Glancing to his right he saw Veritas hard at work. Aventurine found himself lost in the charm of the scholar in front of him, a charm that even Veritas was unaware of. It felt as if his heart was screaming at him to declare how attractive he found the man in front of him, yet there was always his voice, reminding him how everyone he loved once are now gone, all of it was his fault and that he'd drive away Veritas too. The pain of old memories found their way to his neck as if chocking him again. Suddenly he was all alone as he drowned, stuck in a prison of his own making. His heart sped up and he could feel perspiration on his palms. As if this was even something he'd deserve in a million years. But he was a gambler at the end of the day, he had to take the chance even if it was slim.

"Veritas, this probably is very stupid of me but I really like you and want more than...whatever we have"

In a crumbling world, I found a star called 'you'

A/N: If you guys like it let me know if you want a part 2, with the rest of the lyrics.

Also I am taking requests if you have any

[cherrylovelycherry]

𓂅new order. "tarte aux fraises and a pain au chocolat."

Contracts and preferences pt.1 pt.2

pairing. Aventurine x gn!reader x Dr ratio (poly) cw/genre. angst, argument, some slow burn again, slight being left out, some nsfw in pt.2, negligent attitudes synopsis. you went from being “decoration” and “ partner” to “ servant” and “assistant”. full menu

The more you gave, the more they seemed to demand, leaving you feeling like you were slowly sacrificing your own identity in the process.

Each passing day brought a new chore, a new task to complete.

You longed for a moment of understanding or appreciation, but it felt like your efforts were going unnoticed.

But you always pushed these thoughts and feelings down, telling yourself that it was just part of the job, part of being their assistant.

You were already managing to hold it mentally, even feeling a little calmer.

But it all went to hell. 

You were currently in bed, trying to rest after a busy day. 

Both Aventurine and Ratio were there, on the other side of the bed. 

Your body was turned, looking at the wall, you've always liked that place. 

About an hour, it was only a damn hour before you started hearing faint sound of kissing and movement in bed. 

Your body stiffened as you heard the sound of their make-out session in the bed, right beside you.

You tried to ignore it, telling yourself it was normal.

But the sound of their movements and sighs of pleasure filled the room, making it impossible to escape the intimate atmosphere.

You clenched your fists, feeling a mix of discomfort and frustration.

Every kiss, every touch they shared felt like an invasion of your already limited space.

You desperately wanted to shout at them to stop, to show some respect for your feelings and the boundaries of the relationship.

But you lay there, frozen in place, your body tense and your nerves on edge.

The sound of their voices filled the room, intertwined with whispers and panting.

"Ah, wait, not that...not yet," Aven muttered.

You felt a flash of frustration, but you held your tongue.

Each moan and gasp seemed like a knife twisting in your heart.

You tried to block out the sound of their pleasure, but it was like a damn torment. 

"Are you sure they're asleep?" you heard Aventurine ask, keeping his voice low. 

"Yeah, just be quiet," Ratio responded, his voice hushed.

Your heart sank at his words, realizing that they thought you were sound asleep, oblivious to their intimate moments.

How many times had they done this before, assuming you were asleep?

The realization hit you like a punch in the gut.

Their voices became more hurried, their movements more urgent.

You hated this.

Their breaths, their moans filled the room, mingling with the rustling of sheets and the creaking of the bed.

You clenched your jaws, tears of frustration welling up in your eyes.

Each sound seemed to mock your presence, disregarding your feelings and boundaries. 

Damn, it'd be a long night. 

…

It was a long night. 

You barely managed to get the dream together. 

You stayed all night in the same position you were in, so you felt your body sore and numb. 

When you tried to move, you felt something was attached to your back. 

Aventurine was curled up against your back, sleeping peacefully. 

You were trapped in his embrace, unable to move without waking him up.

You felt a mixture of irritation, struggling to untangle yourself from his grip.

But Aventurine seemed to cling to you, his arms wrapped possessively around you even in his sleep.

You gritted your teeth, frustration and frustration growing.

Ratio lay on his back, still sound asleep.

You didn't even notice that they had settled like that.

  Aventurine's embrace was warm and tight, but it felt suffocating.

You tried to carefully wriggle free, but his grip only tightened, pulling you closer against his chest.

You cursed silently, feeling trapped.

Each futile attempt to move only made him snuggle tighter against you, his breath tickling your skin.

Their sleepy murmurs and sighs only added to your frustration.

  Aventurine murmured something unintelligible, his head nuzzling against your shoulder as he slept.

You tried to contain your frustration and desperation.

You didn't want to make a scene, but the longer you stayed stuck like this, the more your irritation grew.

The feeling of being trapped, both physically and emotionally, was unbearable. 

Finally you couldn't take it anymore and with one hand you shook his shoulder a little. 

Aventurine muttered in his sleep, stirring slightly at your touch.

He let out a groggy mumble, his grip loosening slightly. 

"Hm... what..?" he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.

Ratio stirred too, waking up due to the disturbance. 

He blinked clearly, rubbing his eyes.

You took the opportunity to break free from Aventurine's embrace.

With a slight push, you managed to move away from him, freeing yourself from his grip.

Ratio groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking sleepy.

"What's going on?" He asked, His voice still groggy. 

"Nothing, nothing," you said, once you had finally freed yourself from his arms. 

"You can go back to sleep," you added, as you moved down the bed, getting up. 

Ratio raised an eyebrow, noting the tension in your movements.

"Are you alright?" He asked, genuinely confused.

Aventurine mumbled incoherently, his arm still outstretched as if trying to find you in his sleep. 

"Better than ever," you said, with some sarcasm in your tone. 

Then you left the room, to go to the bathroom and then start doing your things. 

Ratio watched you go, a mixture of concern and confusion etched on his face.

He glanced at Aventurine, still asleep and mumbling in his sleep.

"What the hell was that...?" Ratio muttered, running a hand through his hair.

For your part, you were still in a bad mood, because of the bad night and everything that was starting to come together.  

You left the bathroom, somewhat refreshed, starting to go to the kitchen, to prepare the damn breakfast, as always. 

You entered the kitchen, feeling a pang of frustration as you began preparing breakfast.

The motions felt mechanical, your mind preoccupied with the events of the night before.

You couldn't shake the feeling of being ignored and underappreciated.

Every task felt like another responsibility piled on your shoulders, another item on a never-ending checklist.

As you went about making breakfast, the kitchen slowly began to fill with the aroma of food.

The sounds of frying and sizzling filled the air, a familiar routine you had grown accustomed to. 

After some time, Ratio entered the kitchen, still a bit sleepy.

He approached you, leaning against the counter as you continued to work.

"What's on the menu today?" he asked, stifling a yawn.

You replied without looking at him, focusing on preparing the food.

"Toast, scrambled eggs, and sausage."

Ratio hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze following your every move.

He opened his mouth to say something, but he closed it soon after, noting your distant behavior. 

Ratio stayed for a moment, observing you in the kitchen, noting the slight detachment in your demeanor.

The silence between you was palpable, as you continued preparing breakfast without meeting his gaze.

Ratio shifted his weight, leaning against the counter.

"You seem quiet today," he finally said, breaking the stillness. 

"As always, love," you said, as you continued to move the sarten a little. 

Ratio's eyes narrowed slightly at your response.

"Is everything alright...?" He inquired, his voice laced with concern.

You shrugged nonchalantly, continuing your tasks without lifting your gaze.

"I'm just focused on the breakfast," you replied, dodging the question.

Ratio let out a thoughtful hum, studying your demeanor.

"Are you sure? You seem... tense now."

He tried to catch your eyes, wanting to gauge your mood. 

"Nah, you think too much," you said, turning the eggs. 

Ratio sighed, realizing that you were not going to give in easily.

He leaned his head slightly, his eyes fixed on your back as you continued cooking.

"Sweetheart, you know you can talk to me, right?"

He tried to sound reassuring, hoping to draw an honest response from you.

Meanwhile, Aventurine appeared in the kitchen, still a bit disoriented. 

"Morning," he chimed in, approaching Ratio.

Ratio glanced at him, his expression conveying a silent message.

Aventurine, still half-asleep and disheveled, shuffled closer to Ratio.

He yawned loudly and rubbed his eyes, unaware of the tension in the air.

"What's for breakfast?" he asked, his voice gravelly with sleep.

Ratio looked between Aventurine and you, noting the contrast in your demeanors.

He turned his attention back to Aventurine, trying to divert his attention.

"They're making eggs and toast," he responded, keeping his voice neutral. 

Aventurine hummed in approval, the scent of breakfast rousing him further.

He took a seat at the table, still a bit groggy.

"Sounds delicious," he commented, his stomach grumbling.

However, Ratio's eyes lingered on you, his concern growing.

He observed you as you moved around the kitchen, noting the subtle signs of frustration in your movements.

Ratio cast a glance your way, noticing the way you seemed to be deliberately avoiding looking at Aventurine.

He furrowed his brow, mentally noting the subtle cues of discomfort.

He needed to tread carefully here. 

"Sweetheart, can you make me a coffee?" Aven asked, from the table, lying down a little on this. 

You paused your tasks, turning your gaze towards Aventurine, who was leaning on the table.

His request was a routine one, yet today it felt like another demand added to your already overflowing to-do list.

You let out a soft sigh.

"Sure, love," you responded, forcing a neutral tone.

You tried to keep a neutral expression, though the irritation was bubbling just beneath the surface.

Ratio watched the interaction with a keen eye, sensing the subtle tension in your response.

He observed as you moved to prepare Aventurine's coffee.

The silence in the kitchen was punctuated only by the sounds of brewing coffee and the sizzle of eggs frying.

Ratio continued to study you, noticing the small telltales of your frustration, the slight clenching of your jaw.

Aventurine, blissfully unaware, hummed in appreciation as he waited for his coffee. 

He approached you, with calm steps, before taking your waist and attaching his body to your back. 

You froze for a moment as Ratio's body suddenly came into contact with your back.

His hands on your waist were a usual gesture, but today felt like an invasion of your personal space.

You tried to conceal your discomfort.

His breath tickled the back of your neck, but instead of comfort, it only heightened your discomfort.

"Uhm... could you?" You said, as you moved your arms a little. Waiting for him to catch the hint. 

Ratio seemed to misunderstand your meaning, thinking you were gesturing for something else.

He leaned in a bit more, his presence enveloping you from behind.

"What is it, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice soft and intimate.

Frustration welled up within you as his grip tightened, his body pressed closer against your back.

You let out a forced laugh, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

"I need to finish cooking," you explained, your voice slightly strained. "Can you... give me some space, please?"

Ratio seemed a bit surprised by your request, but he immediately released his grip, stepping back to give you some space.

He tilted his head slightly, his expression showing a hint of concern.

"Sure, of course," he said, his voice laced with understanding. 

You let out a sigh, something relieved. 

"Can you take this to Aven?" you said as you pointed your hand at the fresh cup of coffee. 

Ratio nodded, picking up the cup of freshly brewed coffee.

He approached Aventurine, who was still sitting at the table, and placed the cup in front of him.

"Here you go," Ratio said, his tone soft, while kissing him on the head. 

Aventurine let out a slight laugh at his actions. 

"Thanks," he said, recording the cup and taking a sip. 

Ratio smiled back at Aventurine, watching him save the coffee.

Meanwhile, you attempted to return to cooking, trying to suppress the turmoil of emotions welling up inside you.

However, Ratio's eyes remained fixed on you, his observant gaze taking in your every movement. 

Once you finished preparing breakfast, you walked to the table, holding their plates for them to eat. 

You left them and also left yours in your place. 

Ratio and Aventurine began to eat, the sound of their forks clinking against the porcelain creating a gentle rhythm.

However, Ratio couldn't shake off the unease he felt as he observed your behavior. 

He could see the subtle signs of tension in your body language, the small gestures that hinted at your inner turmoil.

Ratio tried to engage in light conversation, hoping to ease the tension.

"The food is delicious, as always," he commented, his gaze flickering towards you.

Aventurine nodded in agreement, devouring his food with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, it's really good. You always make the best breakfast," he said, with his mouth still somewhat full. 

"I'm glad you like it," you said, and before you started eating, you got up from the table, to head towards the bedroom. 

They watched as you got up and started to leave the table.

His eyebrows furrowed, knowing that something was off by your abrupt departure.

"Sweetheart, you're not going to eat?" Aventurine asked, his voice tinged with concern and confusion.

You paused in your steps, turning slightly to look at them.

"Huh, yeah," you replied, your voice soft. "I'm just going to change the sheets in bed," 

"'cause I don't think you two changed it," you muttered between your teeth, before continuing on your way to the bedroom. 

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged glances, realizing the hidden meaning behind your words.

"Right..." Aventurine murmured, a slight hint of embarrassment in his tone.

Meanwhile, Ratio pursed his lips. 

Now, more relieved to change the dirty sheets, you left them in the washing machine. 

And again you headed towards the dining room, sitting in your place. 

When you arrived, you hadn't realized that your plate was now in your hands and suddenly you were now sitting on Ratio's lap. 

Ratio, taking advantage of your moment of surprise, had gently pulled you onto his lap without you noticing.

A small gasp escaped your lips as you found yourself sitting on his thighs, the unexpected move leaving you momentarily flustered.

Aventurine chuckled, amused by the sight of you on Ratio's lap.

Ratio wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you snugly against his chest. 

"Okay, sweetie," Aven said as he turned a little in his seat.

"Open your mouth," he added, as he approached your fork with food toward your mouth. 

You felt a mixture of surprise and slight resistance as Aventurine tried to feed you.

Ratio's arms held you firmly on his lap, preventing you from moving away.

"I can feed myself," you protested, trying to push away Aventurine's hand with the fork.

Aventurine smiled mischievously as he brought the fork closer to your lips.

Ratio let out a soft chuckle, holding you tighter against him, enjoying the playful interaction.

"Come on, sweetheart, don't be so difficult," Ratio said.

"Let Vasha feed you."

Aventurine nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

"That's right. Let us pamper you a bit," he added, bringing the fork closer to your lips again. 

You moved something inconsulate, as you pulled your face away from the fork. 

"No, I can do it alone," you said again, with some tension in your voice. 

You were trying to control yourself so that frustration and irritation wouldn't consume you. 

Ratio tightened his grip around your waist, keeping you firmly seated on his lap.

He leaned in closer, his voice now a soft murmur in your ear.

"Sweetheart, relax," he said, his breath against your ear sending a shiver down your spine.

"Just let us take care of you."

Meanwhile, Aventurine continued to attempt to feed you, enjoying the little game he had initiated.

He brought the fork gently to your lips once again, his eyes fixed on your stubborn expression. 

"C'mon, just one little bite," he coaxed.

Your irritation grows more and more, your patience slowly reaching its limit.

Ratio's firm grip on your waist and Aventurine's persistence to feed you were driving you to the edge.

You gritted your teeth, trying to control the feeling of frustration that was coursing through you.

"I don't need to be pampered," you snapped, your voice strained.

You tried once again to push Aventurine's hand with the fork away, but Ratio's hold kept you firmly on his lap.

Ratio's grip remained steadfast, his arms firm around your waist.

Aventurine let out a soft chuckle, enjoying the challenge of trying to feed you.

"Oh, but we want to pamper you," Ratio said, his voice low and persuasive.

"Just one small bite, sweetheart," Aventurine echoed, attempting to force the fork into your mouth.

You were trapped between the two of them, their insistence to pamper you clashing with your growing frustration.

You couldn't hold back anymore. 

The feeling of being controlled and restricted was overwhelming. 

You snapped, your frustration finally exploding.

"No!" You exclaimed, pushing Aventurine's hand away forcefully, causing the fork to fall to the floor.

"I don't want to be pampered! I just want to be left alone and do things myself!"

Ratio and Aventurine froze, their playful expressions changing to surprise at your outburst.

Ratio's arms loosened around your waist as he was startled by your outburst. 

He exchanged a glance with Aventurine, both of them taken aback by the force behind your words.

"Sweetheart, we..." Ratio began to say, his voice soft, but you interrupted him before he could continue.

You pushed away from Ratio's lap, standing up abruptly.

"I don't need your pampering. I can manage myself just fine," you said, your voice still tinged with anger.

Aventurine stood still, watching you get up, his eyebrows frowning a little in an hurt way.

Ratio wasn't going to keep quiet, first you push Aven's hand hard and now you behave like that?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked as he got up from his chair. 

You spun quickly, meeting Ratio's gaze, your frustration and irritation still visible.

"What is wrong with me? What's wrong with you two?" you retorted, your voice rising.

Ratio stepped closer to you, his eyes narrowing.

"We just want to take care of you," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "Can't we even do that?"

"Oh," you let go, almost lowering your tone, sarcastically. "of course, of course, now you both want to take care of me," 

"How funny, really," you added, letting out a slight laugh without grace. 

Ratio was getting exasperated by your attitude, his patience wearing thin.

"What the hell does that mean?" He demanded, his voice raising in volume. "We've always taken care of you, so why are you acting like this now?"

Aventurine, who previously was watching the argument, finally spoke up.

"He's right, sweetheart," he intervened, "we're just trying to be nice, why are you getting mad?" his voice soft but still carrying a hint of offense. 

"Oh, aeons," you let go, smiling a little as you ran your hand across your face. 

At this point you didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 

"Although you two had great jobs, apparently never learned the meaning of a few words," you snapped. 

You meant the word 'always', by Ratio's words, since according to him, they always took care of you. 

Ratio's irritation only grew in response to your sarcasm.

"Oh, please, enlighten us then," he said, his voice thick with sarcasm. "What words do we need to learn?"

Aventurine, now with more upset in his facial expressions, frowned.

"Yeah, I'd like to know too," he echoed Ratio's sentiment, "since apparently we've been doing a terrible job of taking care of you."

You let out a frustrated sign, your emotions boiling over.

"Do you really want to know what words?" You asked, your voice rising.

"Alright. Let's start with always. Apparently, you define 'always' as 'sometimes'," you exclaimed, your voice filled with bitterness.

"Ha! Or even like 'almost never'." 

They exchange surprised glances, taken aback by your response.

Ratio crossed his arms, his irritation still palpable.

"What? We take care of you all the time," he retorted, his voice defensive.

Aventurine nodded in agreement, adding to Ratio's defense.

"Yeah, we do everything for you. We look after you, we're kind to you, and make sure you're comfortable. How is that not 'always'?"

You let go of another laugh, as a mockery. 

"Oh guys, you are for each other" you said. 

"Seriously, you two are completely oblivious."

Before they could answer, you kept talking. 

"Oh, but let's see," you said, as you put a hand on your lips, as if you were thinking. 

"Because you two are so kind and considerate to me, surely thought it would be a good idea to fuck next to me, while I was 'sleeping,'" you said as you made quotation marks with your fingers. 

"Oh right," you said before clearing your throat, ready to mimic their voices. 

"'Are you sure they're asleep?','Yeah, just be quiet'."

They both froze, their eyes widened in surprise at your revelation.

Ratio's expression turned from annoyance to a mix of surprise and sheepishness.

"Oh come on, it's not like we were intentionally—"

Aventurine interrupted Ratio, trying to defend themselves. 

"You... you weren't asleep?," he said, his voice hesitant.

You raised an eyebrow at their words, not letting their words diminish your anger.

"Surprise, surprise! No, I wasn't sleeping," you retorted, "It's hard to sleep when the bed is shaking violently and there's moans all night long."

Aventurine's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, realizing the implications of your words.

Ratio's annoyance returned, trying to defend their actions.

"Well, we didn't realize you were awake," he said, "We just thought you were a heavy sleeper or something." 

"Bullshit," you released. 

"Oh, Aven, how is your back?" You asked, pretending to be concerned. 

Aventurine's embarrassment only deepened.

"Uh, it's... fine," he muttered, his voice quieter than usual.

Ratio, however, was not about to back down.

"What's the big deal anyway?" he said, his irritation seeping into his voice. "We're in a relationship, it's normal for us to be intimate."

You let out an exasperated sign, your frustration growing even more.

"The 'big deal' is that it's disrespectful and inconsiderate," you said, your voice growing louder.

"You two made all that noise and didn't even bother to check if I was asleep or not."

Ratio rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, come on now," he said, "you're blowing this out of proportion. We just forgot to check. It's not a big deal." 

"Yes, it's a big deal, because I'm also your partner!" you snapped, with a heavy annoyance in your tone. 

Ratio seemed unfazed by your assertion.

"Yes," he responded, his tone not matching your annoyance. "You are our partner, but we have our own relationship too."

This only fueled your irritation even more. 

"So what? You think I'm just an accessory to your relationship?" you snapped.

Aventurine, sensing the tension, tried to intervene.

"Sweetheart, that's not what he means," he tried to mediate.

"Shut up," you let go, as it was starting to irritate you to want to appease the situation, as if it wasn't anything important. 

Aventurine's attempt to intervene was abruptly shut down by your sharp words.

Ratio, feeling provoked by your reaction, shot back.

"Hey, don't talk to him like that," he snapped, his irritation reaching its peak.

You, on the other hand, were not backing down.

"Why not? I'm tired of you two treating me as if my feelings don't matter," you said, your voice rising once again.

Ratio's defensive attitude was not waning.

"Your feelings do matter," he retorted, "but you're overreacting. It's just a small example."

You were becoming more and more frustated by Ratio's dismissal of your feelings. 

"Example?" you asked. 

"You want more examples?, of course," you let go, getting a little closer to both. 

"Maybe that 'decoration' and 'partner' stuff isn't the best term for me." 

Ratio's annoyance turned into confusion, as he exchanged a glance with Aventurine. 

"You know what should be the term that describes me?" You asked rhetorically before answering yourself. 

"Assistant who is more of a servant," 

Ratio and Aventurine fell silent, shocked by your words.

Ratio seemed taken aback, his expression turning dark.

"Assistant? Servant? What are you saying?" He asked, his voice low.

Aventurine, on the other hand, seemed saddened by your words.

"Is that really how you see yourself?" He asked, his voice soft.

"And you still ask, Kakavasha?" You snapped, as you looked at him, after asking that stupid question.

"Now all I hear are petitions, petitions and more petitions." You kept talking, not waiting for them to respond. "Even some become orders," 

Ratio was becoming angry at your comparison.

"That's not true," he argued, "we don't treat you like a servant."

Aventurine was already getting tense again, bothered by the tone you were talking about and how to say things that, to him, made no sense. 

"We just ask for your help with small things sometimes," he said, his voice steady.

But you continued to express your frustration.

"It's not just 'small things,'" you said, "It feels like that's all I'm there for, to do whatever you ask, whenever you want." 

You saw that Ratio was going to speak again, you supposed to dismiss your words, so you didn't let him answer, speaking first. 

"Put this in the washing machine, did you change the bath towels?, Pass me this, pass me that, You have the agenda tomorrow and in the past?, Wash the clothes, Clean the house, Wash the dishes, Order our belongings, Make me a coffee, Is breakfast ready?" You said suddenly, several examples of what they were asking for. "And the list goes on," 

Seeing their faces, you mocked, "A little more and I'm ordered to make an appointment for you two." 

Aventurine was starting to get defensive, but he was still trying to control himself.

"We just ask for your help because we need it," he said, his voice rising. "We're busy with other things."

You, on the other hand, weren't accepting their excuses.

"You two are always too busy," you said, your own voice rising. "What about me? I'm busy too, I have things to do, you know?"

Ratio, who had been quiet for a few moments, suddenly interjected.

"Are you really that busy?" He asked sarcastically. "You're just at home, doing nothing all day."

That stung hard.

You felt a stab of resentment at his words, as if he had dismissed all the hard work you did day in and day out to keep their life together.

"Doing nothing all day?" You echoed, your voice filled with a mixture of hurt and anger. "You really think that?"

Ratio held his gaze, his eyes cold as he spoke.

"Well, what else do you do?" I've inquired.

"Ha, right," You let out a bitter laugh, "I don't do anything and you're both so busy, so I have to be always on call to wait on you." 

Ratio's expression hardened, not appreciating your sarcasm.

"We're not asking you to be on call," he said, his voice growing louder. "We just expect you to help out around the house and with other matters. It's a partnership."

"You live here too, so you should pull your weight," Aventurine added, echoing Ratio's words.

You felt your frustration boiling over.

"Pull my weight?" You repeated, your voice rising. "I already do-" 

"How much you complain about, if that's what you signed the contracts for, that's what you're our assistant for." Ratio interrupted you, coldly in his tone. 

 Your irritation shot up even outside, fueled by Ratio's words.

"And there it is," you snapped, "the real reason you two want me here, right? I'm just your little helper, your assistant, here to do the dirty work while you two play." 

This time, Ratio didn't deny anything. "Yes, because that's who you are." 

You felt a pang of pain at his confirmation. It was as if he had just confirmed all your fears, that you were nothing more than a convenient presence in their lives.

Aventurine chimed in, his voice trying to defend Ratio.

"It's not just about that," he said, hesitantly. "We value your company, and we enjoy spending time with you-"

You cut him off.

"As long as I'm useful, right?" You said, your voice tinged with bitterness.

The realization that your relationship with them had been reduced to a transactional, one-sided partnership hit you hard.

Your eyes stung with unshed tears, but you pushed on, refusing to back down. 

"Is that really all I am to you?" You asked, your voice shaking slightly. "Just a convenience?"

Ratio's Demeanor remained cold, unfazed by your emotional display.

"You knew the terms when you signed the contracts," he stated matter-of-factly.

Aventurine, a little quieter up to that point, chimed in.

"We told you what the arrangement would be from the start," he said, his tone less harsh than Ratio's. "But that doesn't mean we don't have a relationship." 

"Right, a 'relationship,'" you repeated, with a touch of sarcasm. "Is that what you call this? Because from where I'm standing, it feels more like you two just want a live-in maid." 

Ratio's expression darkened even more, clearly not appreciating your tone. 

"We're not forcing you to stay here, you know," he said. "If you're so unhappy, you can always leave."

His words were like another knife in your heart.

You weren't sure how to respond. The thought of leaving them had never crossed your mind. Despite everything, you loved them. But the way they had just treated you, like you were nothing more than a convenience, had hurt deeply.

You swallowed hard, trying to keep your voice steady.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you, Veritas?" You retorted, your voice quivering slightly. 

But as much as you tried, you couldn't stop the tears you were trying not to shed from falling. 

Ratio shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say that's what he really thought. Aventurine, on the other hand, remained silent, unable to defend you. 

It was so unfair. 

You looked at Ratio with displeasure, no matter that your vision is blurred by tears 

You stopped looking at him, to look at Aventurine, waiting for him to say something, to take your side in this. 

But seeing that he wasn't going to say anything, you were instantly agitated. 

"I met you first," you said, almost in a plea. 

He looked down to one side. 

"Vasha...?" You asked, something fearful about his action. 

"...I met him first." He said, in a low tone.

Your heart sank further. It was as if Ratio's words had just confirmed everything you had feared. It was clear that they valued each other more than they valued you. 

Oh, you felt so stupid. 

You started sobbing, with that, humbling yourself more in front of both of you. 

You didn't want to do that, but after suppressing your feelings for a long time, it made it difficult for you to control yourself a little. 

Both Ratio and Aventurine seemed uncomfortable at the sight of your crying. Ratio looked away, clearly not interested in dealing with your emotional outburst. Aventurine, on the other hand, looked conflicted, torn between comforting you or respecting Ratio's attitude.

He took a step closer to you, but Ratio stopped him with a gesture.

"Don't coddle them," Ratio commanded, his voice still firm. Aventurine hesitated, looking conflicted, but ultimately stayed put.

"You're being cruel." Aventurine mumbled, looking at Ratio with a certain disapproval for his way of acting.

Ratio shot a sharp glance at Aventurine.

"They're just being overly emotional," Ratio said, dismissing Aventurine's concern.

Meanwhile, their words and lack of compassion only deepened your sobbing. You felt completely alone in this. 

Maybe you were from the start. 

Even standing there in front of them you tried to cover your face, with your hands you tried to clumsily wipe your tears, to stop humiliating yourself. 

Ratio's coldness contrasted sharply with Aventurine's visible concern.

"Oh, stop," Ratio said, rolling his eyes.

Aventurine protested again.

"They're obviously hurt," he said, his eyes flickering to you, "We can't just ignore that."

Ratio shrugged indifferently.

"They'll be fine," he said. "They're just being dramatic."

Aventurine looked at Ratio with a mix of disbelief and disappointment.

"You're unbelievable," he mumbled.

Meanwhile, Ratio looked almost annoyed. 

"Now, come on, it's been late," he said, starting to walk into the bedroom, to change and get out. 

Aventurine watched Ratio leave the space and then turned his gaze to you.

You kept wiping away your tears as best as you could, still trying to compose yourself, but the hurt and frustration were deep-seated.

When he approached you, you took a step back, feeling vulnerable and a bit defensive after the previous argument. 

His voice was softer than Ratio's had been.

"Here, let me…" Aventurine said, gently reaching out to help you wipe your tears.

You didn't refuse, but it wasn't like you accepted or made the slightest attempt to stick to him.

Aventurine tried to be gentle as he dabbed away your tears.

But you were still feeling raw and hurt, and it was difficult for you to feel comforted. You kept looking down, avoiding his gaze. 

You didn't feel special or anything, at that moment you could just continue sobbing and letting the tears soak your face. 

Ratio, impatient and already on his way to the bedroom, called out to him. "Vasha, come on."

Aventurine shot a concerned glance at you before looking back at Ratio.

"What about them?" he asked, gesturing towards you.

Ratio didn't even look back.

"They'll be fine," Ratio repeated, as he opened the bedroom door. "They just need a moment to calm down."

Aventurine let out a sigh, torn between staying with you or complying with Ratio's demand. He seemed torn, as if he didn't want to leave you in that state, but also didn't want to ignore Ratio's call.

He looked at you again, his eyes reflecting his conflict. Finally, he spoke in a hushed tone, as if he didn't want Ratio to hear.

"We'll talk later, alright?" he said, trying to give a small reassurances.

Then, without waiting for your response, Aventurine reluctantly followed Ratio into the bedroom.

The door closed behind Aventurine, leaving you alone in the hallway.

The silence echoed in your ears, the only sound being your shallow breathing as you tried to contain your sobs.

You felt so alone and unimportant. It seemed as if your emotions didn't matter to Ratio, and even Aventurine's attempts at comfort seemed half-hearted.

The apartment was now quiet, and you were left with your thoughts. The realization of Ratio's harsh words, his casual dismissal of you, and Aventurine's inability to defend you or at least stand up for you, weighed heavily on your heart.

You remained standing in the hallway, the sobs still making your chest ache with each deep breath. 

You managed to go and lock yourself in the spare room next to the master bedroom, seeking solace in that bed. 

After locking the door, you climbed into the bed and curled up in a ball under the covers.

The tears continued to fall, your body trembling from the force of your sobs. The room was dark, and the silence around you seemed to amplify your pain.

The conversation with them played over and over again in your mind, their words like poison in your heart. 

They just see you as their little helper, someone who serves their needs.

You clutched a pillow tightly, burying your face in it as you tried to muffle your sobs. The pain of their indifference was almost physical, like a weight pressing heavily on your chest.

It was as if the bed enveloped you in a cold, embraced the loneliness you felt in your core.

But just being there and allowing yourself to cry felt good, you didn't hold back. 

You don't know how long you were there, sobbing and sobbing, but at some point, tiredness made you practically faint, falling sound asleep. 

Even at night, when they had both already returned home, you were still in that room, sleeping.

As they entered the apartment, they noticed that the table was still with the dirty dishes and your breakfast plate that you did not even arrive to eat. 

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a knowing look as they noticed the untouched breakfast.

Ratio spoke first.

"They didn't eat anything all day, huh?" He said, a hint of indifference in his voice.

Aventurine nodded, a mix of guilt and shame on his face.

"I guess not," he mumbled.

Ratio let out a sigh, as he squeezed the bridge of his nose a little. 

Ratio walked a little further through the apartment, his expression hard to read.

Aventurine followed him, his footsteps echoing behind Ratio's.

"Maybe we should have checked on them," Aventurine said, his voice tinged with guilt.

Ratio remained silent, while frowning somewhat hesitantly. 

Aventurine spoke again, his voice was low.

"Do you think they're still upset?" he asked Ratio.

Ratio let out a sigh again.

"Of course they're upset," he replied, "We literally said hurtful things to their face, Vasha."

Aventurine looked even more guilty as Ratio stated the obvious.

"But I thought you said they were just overreacting?" He said, almost defensively. 

Ratio looked to the side, somewhat annoyed by Aventurine's comment. "And I think they are," he said, "But that doesn't mean we didn't hurt them." 

There was a moment of silence between the two, before Ratio spoke again. This time, his voice softer than before.

"We may have to find a way to apologize," he said, sighing again. 

Aventurine nodded in agreement, seemingly glad that Ratio had considered some kind of reconciliation.

Ratio continued to look at the dirty dishes, the ones they had left there before going out and the breakfast that you had prepared but not touched. That made him feel a new pang, a pang of guilt, but he refused to dwell on that now. 

Aventurine spoke again, breaking the silence. 

"We should talk to them, right?"

Ratio considered for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, we can talk to them."

Aventurine seemed to take a silent sigh of relief, glad that Ratio agreed to the option.

"When?" he prompted.

Ratio looked at the bedroom door, clearly aware that you were in there.

"Now," Ratio answered, his voice firm.

Aventurine stared at Ratio, slightly surprised by the response. 

"Now? But they might be asleep..." he muttered, hesitantly.

Ratio's expression didn't change, as he was resolute.

"It's still early," he replied, "And they are probably awake."

Ratio started walking towards the bedroom door, Aventurine following close behind.

As they approached the door Ratio paused, listening for a moment to see if he could hear any sounds from inside.

Meanwhile, Aventurine stood by, his heart racing a little. 

In the finals, he ended up knocking on the door, not too loud. 

There was no response after five minutes. 

Aventurine shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe they really are asleep," he said hesitantly. 

Ratio sighed, a slight trace of worry crossing his expression.

"Maybe...we should check on them," he suggested, his voice tinged with a subtle concern.

Aventurine nodded, agreeing with Ratio's suggestion.

"Yeah,"

Ratio took a breath, then reached for the doorknob and slowly turned it, opening the door a crack to peek inside.

Ratio slowly opened the door and looked inside. 

The bedroom was dark, the only light coming from the lamp in the hallway. However, it was enough to see you lying on the bed, your face buried in the pillows. 

A soft, regular sound betrayed the steady rhythm of your breathing.

Ratio pushed the door open a little further, his eyes still fixed on your sleeping form.

Aventurine peered over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of you.

"Are they...?" Aventurine whispered, looking at Ratio.

Ratio answered, still observing you. "Yes, they are asleep."

Aventurine let out a sigh, relieved to know that you were indeed asleep.

"That's good, right...?" he said, half expecting Ratio to agree with him.

Ratio, still looking at you, however, didn't answer immediately.

He simply stood there, watching you sleep silently, a strange expression on his face.

Ratio's sudden silence confused Aventurine. He looked at Ratio's face, trying to understand his expression. 

"Veritas?" Aventurine murmured, his voice a little higher than a whisper.

Ratio turned his head slightly, his eyes still fixed on you.

"Hm?" he responded, almost as if he had forgotten that Aventurine was there.

Aventurine looked at Ratio and then at you again, starting to realize that Ratio was strangely contemplative.

"Are you...ok?" Aventurine asked, a note of hesitation in his voice.

Ratio seemed to come out of his trance, snapping his eyes back to Aventurine.

"Yes, I'm fine," he said, though there was a slight hesitation in his words. 

Ratio slowly closed the door, then turned to Aven. 

Who grabbed his face, somewhat worried. 

"Tomorrow we will talk to them and everything will be fine," he said, rubbing his cheeks gently. 

"Yes, tomorrow," he repeated, more as if assuring himself than Aventurine.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting Aventurine's hands remain on his face for a while.

It was somewhat comforting, but Ratio's mind was still occupied with the previous argument.

...

The morning sun slowly shone through the curtains, illuminating the bedroom.

Ratio and Aventurine, both already awake, were still lying in bed. However, neither of them had gotten up yet. 

Ratio had his eyes fixed on a point on the ceiling while Aventurine sat against the headboard, looking thoughtful. 

There was an unusual tension between them, the events of the previous day hanging heavily in the air.

Aventurine broke the silence first.

"Veritas," he said, looking at Ratio.

Ratio turned to look at him, wordlessly waiting for him to speak. 

Aventurine continued, his voice low but firm. "We need to talk to them, like we said we would," he said.

Ratio sighed slightly, already knowing what was coming. 

He knew they had agreed to speak to you, but the thought of it made him uncomfortable. 

"I know," he murmured, turning his gaze back to the ceiling.

Aventurine noticed Ratio's uneasiness and looked at him with slight irritation. 

"Why do you look so reluctant?" he asked, a note of annoyance in his voice. 

Ratio didn't answer immediately, he looked away to one side, avoiding Aventurine's gaze.

Aventurine pressed him again. 

"Veritas."

Ratio finally turned to him, his expression somewhat resigned. 

"I feel like I went too far," he said.

Aventurine's expression softened a little, hearing Ratio's confession.

"I think we both went too far," he said, gently.

"Yeah," he confessed, his voice softer than usual. "What I said yesterday was...harsh."

"You feel...bad?"

Ratio nodded slightly, sighing afterwards.

"I feel ashamed," he admitted, still avoiding eye contact. 

Aventurine moved a little closer to him, a hint of empathy in his eyes.

He reached out and placed a hand on Ratio's shoulder, a gesture of comfort. 

"I feel the same," he said quietly. "I should have said something, tried to stop you..."

Ratio finally looked at him, the corner of his mouth tugging slightly in something resembling a weak smile. 

"I wouldn't have listened to you anyway," he said, not trying to hide the truth.

Aventurine couldn't help but chuckle a little despite the serious atmosphere within the room. 

"Probably not," he agreed. 

There was a moment of silence, before Aventurine spoke again, changing the topic. 

"Do you think they will forgive us...?"

Ratio closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about the question.

The events of the day before played again in his mind, each harsh word, and your tearful expression.

"I don't know," he responded truthfully, his voice low. "I hope so, but..." 

He was going to say something else, but he shake his head, pushing away negative thoughts.

"No, they're going to forgive us." He said, in a way of convincing himself. 

"They will," Aventurine said, in an attempt to give some comfort, although his face said that he had doubts.

Ratio nodded slightly, yet the look in his eyes betrayed the uncertainty he still felt.

Then, another silence fell across the room, only the sound of a clock ticking could be heard.

After a long moment, Aventurine spoke again, breaking the quiet.

"We should get up...and go talk to them," he said, glancing at the bedroom door.

"Yes, we should..." Ratio agreed, though neither of them made any effort to actually get up from the bed.

They both lay there for a few more moments, as if they had both suddenly lost the courage to do what they had promised. 

Aventurine was the first to stir, sitting up. 

"Come on," he said, reaching out a hand towards Ratio, silently prompting him to get up as well.

Ratio looked at Aventurine's outstretched hand for a moment before finally grasping it and pulling himself up.

He swung his legs off the bed and got to his feet, feeling somewhat reluctant but knowing that the conversation was unavoidable. 

No one said anything as they left the room to go to the dining room. 

As they entered the dining room, their eyes immediately fell on the breakfast table. 

Or, more precisely, on its lack of dirty dishes. 

The plate they had left after breakfast was gone. The table was completely clean and polished as usual.

Their eyes fixed on the spotless surface for a moment, then they heard noise in the kitchen. 

They both turned in the direction of the kitchen at the noise.

As they stepped into the kitchen, they were met by the sight of you standing by the counter.

Currently, you were busy placing clean dishes in a cabinet.

You even had food put in a pan, which was being frightened, while you arranged some clean dishes and glasses that you had just finished washing and drying.  

They stood at the entrance for a moment, both a little unsure of what to say or how to behave. 

You seemed to be too focused on your tasks to notice their presence at first. 

Aventurine and Ratio exchanged a quick glance, both aware that this was the moment they had to talk to you. 

Then, Ratio took a step forward and cleared his throat slightly to get your attention.

Your head snapped over to look at him, surprise and a slight hint of cold indifference appearing on your face as you made eye contact with Ratio.

Seeing your expression made Ratio hesitate for a moment, his throat feeling dry. He swallowed, trying to find the right words to say.

Aventurine, standing next to him, shot him a look that clearly said, say something.

There was a palpable tension in the air, the events of the day before still hanging heavy between you all.

You broke the silence first, your voice quiet but steady.

"Good morning." 

Seeing that no one was speaking, you were not going to be rude, especially to your bosses.

Ratio took a moment to respond, feeling a bit taken aback by your flat greeting.

"Good morning," he returned, his voice somewhat awkward.

Ratio opened his mouth slightly, to try to say something again, but words got stuck in his throat. 

He wanted to apologize right away, but he couldn't find the right words. 

Aventurine noticed his struggle and decided to act first.

He stepped forward until he was standing next to Ratio, then sighed slightly before speaking. 

"Can we...talk to you?" he said, his voice softer than usual.

You finished placing the last glass in the cabinet and closed the door before turning to face them fully. 

"We're already talking," you said, something obvious. 

Ratio pursed his lips at your response, a bit irritated by your coldness. But he knew it was their own fault, he tried to stay calm.

"But yeah, we can talk when I'm done preparing breakfast."  You spoke before they said anything. 

"Also, I also have to talk to both about some things," you added, calmly, as you turned back to the stove, to make sure that the food does not burn. 

They watched you turn your back to them to tend to the food, a lump forming in each of their throats.

They both hadn't expected such a sharp and indifferent response from you, but they knew they deserved it.

Ratio looked at Aventurine, who seemed just as uncomfortable and regretful. 

Neither of them spoke, waiting for you to continue.

The only sounds in the room were the quiet sounds of the food cooking and the sizzling.

After a few moments, you spoke again, still with your back to them.

"You can sit down," you said, gesturing slightly towards the table behind them.

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a look, then both sat down at the table, silently.

They waited, the silence seemed to stretch on indefinitely. 

"Love, you want me to, huh, help you?" Aventurine tried to break the uncomfortable silence. 

You shook your head without turning around, silently rejecting Aventurine's offer.

"No, thank you. I'm handling it."

They remained silent again, watching you work. 

Ratio leaned back in his seat, his hands clasped together under his chin, as he watched you in silence.

Aventurine, for his part, was tapping his fingers nervously on the tabletop, his gaze flitting back and forth between you and Ratio. 

The atmosphere was uncomfortable, with none of them knowing how to begin the conversation.

You continued your tasks in the kitchen, acting as if they weren't there.

Finally, you turned off the stove and turned around to face them again.

You had plates in your hands, which you put in front of them. The smell of the food was good.

"Here's the food," you said, still in a cold tone. 

Then you turned around again, bringing your own plate, as you sat in front of them. 

Ratio and Aventurine looked at the food on their plates. 

It all looked very good, just like you always prepared. 

But, they didn't feel like eating, the knot in their stomachs preventing them from doing so. 

You started to eat, silently. Ratio and Aventurine didn't move. 

Another silence fell, heavy and uncomfortable. 

Aventurine glanced at Ratio, silently communicating to say something, before it got even more tense.

Ratio took a moment to look back at Aventurine.

He knew Aventurine was right. They had to start the conversation.

He turned his gaze to you, who continued to eat, without looking up. 

He opened his mouth to say something, but still, the words didn't flow.  

Finally, after taking a deep breath, he managed to start speaking. 

"We… we want to apologize," Ratio began, his voice strained, "for what we said yesterday."

You didn't respond to Ratio's apology right away, continuing to eat.

However, they could see that you had stopped for a moment, listening to him.

"We said some things that...we didn't mean," Ratio continued, his expression remorseful. "And we didn't act right, towards you," he added quietly, casting his eyes downward.

You finished chewing and swallowing what you had in your mouth before you spoke. 

"Okay, now I want to hear you," you said, looking at Aventurine. 

By the time you had listened to Ratio, so now it was time for you to hear him. 

Aventurine swallowed hard, feeling like a child who had just been scolded. 

He swallowed, feeling the knots in his stomach tighten even more.

"I also want to apologize," he said, his voice slightly unsteady. "I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday," he admitted, regretting the words he had spoken.

Then, he added, his face more distressed. "I also shouldn't have been silent, when Veritas-" He stopped short, realizing he almost referred to Ratio as such.

A small, almost bitter smile pulled at the corner of your mouth. But you said nothing about it.

Ratio, at that, felt a sudden pang in his chest. 

But, he kept quiet, his lips pursed.

He had noticed, throughout the previous day and this morning, how you responded differently to each of them. 

You seemed to forgive or react better to Aventurine, than to him.  Which he couldn't blame you for, but it hurt more than he would like to admit.

You sat quietly for a few moments, letting them speak. 

You knew they were trying. You could tell, they were at the very least, sincere in their apologies. 

You took another bite, slowly chewed, and swallowed before speaking again. 

"I accepted your apologies, both of you," you confirmed. 

Ratio felt some relief at your words, even if your cold tone still hurt. But he still remained silent. 

Aventurine, on the other hand, also felt that small load leave his shoulders and he smiled slightly, glad you forgave him. 

He looked at Ratio, encouraging him to continue the conversation.

Ratio couldn't help but notice your cold tone, even after accepting their apologies, and it only made him feel worse. 

He wanted to say something about it, but held back, knowing it wasn't the right time.

Instead, he continued, speaking again, his voice still somewhat strained.

"We really regret what we said," he said again, his eyes fixing on yours. "We want...we want us to go back to how we were before," he said, swallowing hard.

You took a pause to study both of them.

You could see that Ratio was uncomfortable and, although Aventurine was trying to look better, you could tell he was uncomfortable, too. 

You couldn't deny that the relationship between you had deteriorated, and you wanted to change that, too.

"I don't think we can go back to how we were before..." you said, your eyes looking away to one side, as you continued to speak. "But we can...start again," you suggested, your head turning back towards them.

Ratio felt a pang of hope at your words.

Start again.

Maybe you had more hope for them than you wanted to show.

He relaxed his shoulders slightly, feeling some of the tension being released.

"You...you're giving us a second chance?" Aventurine asked, his tone a mixture of disbelief and optimism.

You nodded slightly at Aventurine's question.

A small smile tugged at the corner of your mouth. "Yes, I'm willing to give you both a second chance," you said, your tone less cold than before.

"Have you two finished speaking?" You asked, in a calm voice. 

At that, Ratio shook his head a little, all of the above had been his imagination. 

"Uhm, yes," Aventurine said, quietly, responding for him and Ratio. 

You let out a small sigh and looked at both, your expression still cold.

"Like I said before, I accept your apologies, but they don't erase what you two said, or what happened."

They both knew that, but it still hurt to hear it.

"We understand," Ratio said quietly, still looking down, as he fiddled with his fingers nervously.

You took another bite, slowly chewed, and swallowed before speaking again. 

"Good," you responded, your tone not so cold, but still guarded.

"So, don't take my forgiveness as a sign that everything is fine between us," you clarified. 

They nodded slightly, understanding the warning in your words. 

"We won't," Aven said, his voice hoarse again, the knot in his stomach twisting even more.

Silence fell again, a heavy one. 

You continued to eat silently, while Ratio and Aventurine remained sitting, staring at their plates, their untouched food. 

You looked up from your food again, noticing their plates.

"You both are going to eat that or just stare at it?" You asked, an edge of sharpness in your voice again.

They both stiffened at the sharpness in your voice.

Ratio opened his mouth to answer, "We aren't-" he started to speak, but a loud rumble interrupted him.

He stopped, a look of embarrassment crossing his face as he realized the source of the sound. 

He hadn't even realized that, since he hadn't eaten breakfast, his stomach was protesting.

Aventurine stifled a laugh, looking at Ratio amused, and trying to cover his mouth with a hand.

Looking at them, it was kind of bitter to you. 

The table was silent for a while, every now and then you looked at them, finally they were eating. 

You let out a sigh, before placing your fork on the plate again. 

"I wanted to make everything clear, because that's what the worker-boss relationship I have with you is all about." Your voice came out calm, without any hint of hate. 

They both froze in their seats, looking at you as you spoke. 

Ratio could not help the feeling of his stomach twisting upon hearing those words. 

Aventurine was much more expressive, his face fell, disappointment clear in his eyes. 

He felt his chest tighten and his breathing become slightly ragged, but he didn't say anything.  He tried to keep his voice steady as he spoke, "So, you...you mean we're just...boss and employee...again?"

Your eyes moved back and forth between them as they spoke, noting their reactions.

You took a moment to think, you knew your words would hurt them, but it was necessary.

"Yes," you answered, your tone firm.

"For the moment, our relationship can't be as it was before. We need to redefine the limits between us."

They swallowed hard, both of them still looking at you with slightly dejected expressions.

On the one hand, you wanted them to feel bad. The things they said were not acceptable, and it stung that they had thought you would forgive them so easily.

But at the same time, you didn't like seeing them like that, and a small part of you was screaming to just say 'no, that's not it' and hug them tightly. 

"I'm thinking about myself this time," you said, holding firm in your decisions. 

Ratio and Aventurine sat silently, silently processing your words.

Ratio's shoulders slumped, a mixture of guilt and disappointment in his eyes.

He couldn't blame you for your decision, as it was a logical one.

Aventurine, on the other hand, was visibly upset by your statement, but he tried to keep his voice level and composed.

"What does that mean? What are the limits again?" he asked, his voice tinged with barely suppressed frustration.

You leaned back in your chair, folding your arms across your chest as you looked at them.

"The limits include a more professional relationship, no intimate nicknames or comments," you listed some examples, your tone matter-of-fact.

"No touching me without my permission, even something small," you added a bit firmer, your eyes slightly hardening.

Ratio bit his lip at your words, feeling a pang in his heart at the thought of not being able to hold or hug you anymore.

However, he understood, it was his own fault for everything that was now happening.

Aventurine was visibly more frustrated by the established limits, but he tried to control himself, although his words came out a bit sharper than he wanted.

"And, how long are we going to be like this?" He asked, trying to keep his voice calm. 

You raised an eyebrow, totally unbelieving of his words. 

"I don't think you two are getting it," you said calmly. 

Ratio glanced at Aventurine, clearly not liking his tone.

Aventurine, however, chose to ignore Ratio's look and focused on you.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

Ratio, on his part, chose to remain silent, watching silently for now.

You let out a small sigh, not surprised that your words hadn't gotten through to them.

"The duration of this situation is indefinite," you said, matter-of-factly. "Maybe permanent,"

Ratio's stomach dropped upon hearing your words.

Permanent?

That can't be true, right?

He glanced at you, his expression hopeful, silently praying that you would change your mind.

Aventurine, on the other hand, could not believe what he was hearing.

"You can't be serious," he said, his voice filled with disbelief. "This can't be permanent, I-" he started to protest, his body tense. 

"It is, because I'm getting out of your relationship," 

Your tone was firm, not showing any signs of wavering.

Ratio could start to feel a slight panic rising in his chest, but he tried to keep himself calm.

"You can't do that," Aventurine protested, his frustration coming through in his voice. "You-" he tried to continue, but you interrupted him.

"No, you don't have a say in this," you said firmly, your eyes fixed on him.

Aventurine opened his mouth to speak again, but Ratio spoke first this time, his voice a little desperate.

"Please," Ratio pleaded, "There must be another way.", his voice cracking a little.

His heart was racing rapidly, his palms started to moisten with sweat.

Aventurine looked at Ratio, surprise and slight hurt at his desperation.

He was just as surprised to hear Ratio, someone who was usually rational and controlled, talk in such a panicky way.

You thought you were going to falter, to have your decision go to the trash if you ever saw it like that, but somehow, you stayed calm.

"Why are you complaining?" You started.

"Isn't this what you wanted, Veritas?" You asked. 

"”cause after all, you met him first, right, Kakavasha?" You asked again now looking at Aven, keeping calm. 

"Why are you two complaining then?" 

Ratio's breath caught in his throat upon hearing that.

It felt like a punch in the face, a painful reminder of the situation.

He bit his lip, a lump forming in his throat.

Aventurine, at that, froze in his seat, his heart dropping at your words.

He felt as if you had just stabbed him, deep.

He took a shaky breath and replied, his voice wavering, "That's not-" he began, but was unable to finish. 

You finished eating your last pieces of food before getting up from the table. 

"Finish eating, it's getting late," you said, as you went to the kitchen to leave your plate. 

Ratio swallowed hard, trying not to let his emotions get the best of him.

Aventurine also struggled to keep his emotions under control, his shoulders tensing.

Neither of the two spoke again, they could only watch you disappear into the kitchen.

They couldn't believe it.

It had ended.

All of it.

©cherrylovelycherry do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[dazed-19]

based on @havanillas role swap au

normal ratio and gambler ratio switch places :3

probably gonna write this out when i finish up my argenthill fic

dr.kakavasha is suspicious of “Lapis” but chalks it up to him being weirder than usual

ratio actually understands what’s going on and tries to play the role of Lapis. he hypothesized that aven probably took his place in this universe but when he sees dr.kakavasha he freezes up and almost reveals himself.

when dr. kakavasha actually has a meeting with veritas (by force not choice, more contrast between the characters hahaahha) he realizes its not Lapis and threatens veritas.

“You’ve done your research, you know that this stoneheart’s real name is veritas ratio, but it seems you somehow haven’t caught wind of who he is now. I suggest you reveal yourself so you can lessen your punishment. Impersonation of a stoneheart is strictly forbidden.”

Ratio being ratio, uses his wits to convince dr.kakavasha. He understands that since Dr. Kakavasha is similar to himself, he should see his reasoning. Dr. Kakavasha is surprised at first, but after he learns of what Ratio’s universe is like he obliges and helps Ratio figure a way back home. All the while asking Ratio questions about himself as he finally has a chance to see who the Veritas Ratio he heard so much about while studying was like before he turned into Lapis. He does this to also understand Lapis better, because he wants to know what was the difference and why they became so different. He also is very surprised when veritas whips out his abalasor head because what the fuck?? when they’re alone together ratio uses it when he’s deep in thought because while this is kakavasha, he isn’t his.

aventurine immediately realizes it’s not his doctor bc while Lapis understands what’s going on, he dreads having to be veritas ratio again. so he disappears (as best as he can) as he knows his counterpart will find a way to fix this. aven being aven finds Lapis (he’s lucky ofc he’s gonna find him) and is surprised to see how different Lapis is from veritas and makes note of how much nous’ gaze really impacted the both of them. (if aven already knows that ratio never received nous’ gaze make it so that he realizes how much it matters as well. idk if aven actually knows this so that’s why we gotta research.) he also invites Lapis to stay with him bc Lapis has been staying at a run down hotel with a casino. aven invites him also because he wants to understand veritas more so if he learns more about Lapis, veritas’ opposite but still similar, he’ll be able to figure veritas out. and also because he wants to find out how to get his doctor back. Safe to say he is SHOCKED when Lapis is almost exactly like himself. He knows he shouldn’t be surprised since Lapis already explained what was going on, but he’s still surprised. While he would love to see a version of Ratio gamble and win 10 times in a row, he knows that his Doctor would hate to see his reputation ruined and to be thought of as a gambling addict so he makes sure that Lapis stops before things get even crazier. He opts to let Lapis gamble with himself to at least keep him entertained. Also while Aven originally let Lapis stay so they could find out how set things right, he is again shocked when Lapis slacks off and almost never touches a single book or article about dimensional travel.

“Lapis, I hope you know that while I enjoy winning against you when we gamble,” Aven stated. He wanted to get a start on how to get his doctor back, and Ra- Lapis, had done as much as spending two seconds reading a book. He took a breath, “That’s not why I invited you to stay with me.”

“I am aware, however I’m sure your Ratio is on his way to figure out whatever happened. He’s honestly probably working with my little doctor hah. Oh how I wish I could’ve seen Dr. Kakavasha’s face when he realized it wasn’t me.”

Aventurine froze. “Sorry, Kakavasha?” Lapis looked at him for a moment. And then laughed.

“Oh right, hah. Here you’re not called by your birth name since your a stoneheart. I keep forgetting that, sorry Aventurine.”

Also there’s probably one moment where Aven finds Lapis drunk and there’s a reference to the comic the artist made.

“Lapis stared into Aventurine’s eyes. Like he was lost in them. It seemed as though he could stare into those multicolored eyes forever.

“Lapis, my friend, its about time we head back no? I’m sure you’ll regret not drinking any water tomorrow so-“

“They’re beautiful.”

“…What?”

“Those eyes.” He pauses, taking another moment to stare before he dons a smile too wide for the face Aventurine has come to know. “Hah its just like what happened last time I drank this much.” The blonde’s eyes widen into saucers. The sharp inhale he does does nothing to calm himself down.

“Haha, is- is that so?”

“Quite. It's most likely the one constant throughout the universe. Your eyes will always be pretty, and they will always make me yearn.” Lapis whispers the end of that sentence, like if he says it any louder this moment will shatter into a million pieces, like a mirror.”

[starcurtain]

Hey! I apologize if this question has been asked before since it seems like a pretty obvious one, but where do you think the idea of Aventurine being a sex slave came from? Other than the obvious factor of it being something fun for the fandom to mess around with, I mean.

It's something I kind of took for granted as being true before playing his quest, but after finishing it I realized there wasn't really any indication. The only thing I can really think of is his master's comments about him having a good body. Is there anything in his behavior you can think of that would lead to this conclusion if it wasn't a popular fan interpretation already/kind of just an easy conclusion to reach with a slave character?

(also kind of related but what do you think of the idea that he sleeps around/with his clients to make deals? he's obviously willing to sexualize himself with the boob window, but that doesn't necessarily mean he goes further.)

As far as I can tell, the idea that Aventurine was involved in sexual slavery comes from three (maybe four) places:

First, the comment from the master about Aventurine's appearance. People were holding this comment up as refutable proof that Aventurine was used in sexual slavery on top of being tossed into the Hunger Games; however, the response from other players on this interpretation, especially the Chinese side of the fandom, was very mixed, with a lot of people pointing out that the context in the game probably meant the slave master was talking about Aventurine's ability to attract attention from fans watching the literal Sigonian Hunger Games, rather than having a direct sexual-slavery connotation.

Second, the comment from Sparkle about stripping naked and getting on his knees for Sunday. This one has way more implication in English than I think it might for an Eastern audience, actually. In English, this pretty much sounds like Sparkle saying Aventurine trades sexual favors for success in his gambles. However, I suspect the original intention in Chinese was more about humiliation. Western audiences don't have as much history with honor-based prostration, i.e. accepting corporal humiliation as a form of reconciliation that Eastern audiences might be more familiar with. And in any case, Sparkle is Sparkle. She probably just went for the lowest blow she could think of here.

Third, the general assumption that if Sigonian slaves were being chained, branded, beaten, sent to death matches, etc., it seems logical that they would also be taken advantage of in other ways. I honestly think this is probably the fairest take--many, many real slaves around the world faced (and still face!) sexual abuse, so if slaves from Sigonia were treated so poorly you could make them fight to the death for entertainment, it stands to reason they were probably also not safe from other forms of assault. We also have no idea what happened to Kakavasha in any of the years between his being a tiny child fleeing the massacre and then being purchased as a slave as a late-teens-early-twenties person. That's a very long time for a child to have to survive on their own on an extremely hostile planet and not face risks of all kinds or end up needing to do unspeakable things to survive. So I think this is at least not that far-fetched, although it's important to say there's nothing in the game that directly confirms this.

And fourth: I read a tweet semi-recently that stated that one of the Chinese (or maybe it was Japanese) names for a quest Aventurine was involved in was actually a reference to a book about a teenage sexual assault survivor. However, when I tried to verify this myself, I couldn't find any quest Aventurine was in that was based on a book about sexual assault in either English, Chinese, or Japanese. It's possible I just missed something, but I'm taking this one with a bit of a grain of salt currently, since I can't confirm it personally.

Regarding your other question, about whether I think Aventurine sleeps around to make deals...

I definitely think he does not, for one major reason.

First, I will admit that Aventurine is definitely willing to use his appearance to his advantage. This is pretty obvious. He wears incredibly flashy clothes, baths himself in cologne, overloads on glittering golden jewels, and absolutely calls attention to his appearance when working with clients.

We see him actively doing this in his Moment Among the Stars video, where he is clearly using his looks as an equal tool (to his wealth), to daze his target.

It's not an accident that he says things like "Use me as you wish," with all the explicit connotations preserved. The implication is there. However, unless he was absolutely backed into a corner, I think that implication is all it will ever be.

The reason I think this is that the devs go out of their way to give Aventurine three fairly noticeable physical behaviors in his in-game scenes:

For one, he has some of the most closed off body language of any character in the game.

Aventurine's default conversation pose is arms crossed directly and tightly in front of himself. This is like "Defensive Body Language 101." By crossing your arms, you put a symbolic barrier between yourself and the person you're speaking to, and also ensure that your hands are up and available in case you actually need to physically defend yourself.

Virtually all of Aventurine's conversations take place from this stance, no matter who he is speaking to (from the Trailblazer all the way to Topaz). He deliberately closes his pose off and tightens up his silhouette, which just sends a glaring "Don't touch me" message.

This closing off is also blatantly apparent when you compare it to the deliberately open poses he strikes while trying to make himself seem accessible to others (like tempting clients) or seem powerful (to intimidate):

Complementing this habit of closing himself off is a second noticeable aspect of his body language: He frequently avoids eye contact to the point that he even holds conversations while entirely facing away from the person he's speaking to.

I might be a bit lenient and say maybe he's doing this to on purpose to be mysterious, whoo~~ But... in all honestly, he just does this with everyone, even with Ratio while trying to talk about an actual important issue (wanting to look into Acheron's real identity). Hell, even the fake Aventurine does it to himself!

We can even say that wearing the rose-tinted glasses in the first place is another intentional barrier, one Aventurine deliberately removes in specific moments to give people the (false) impression that he's "letting them in" to his circle:

Now, this might be a bit more complicated in Aventurine's case, because eye contact has a whole extra meaning when eyes are the defining trait of your species and come with particularly challenging racial stereotypes. So it may be that Aventurine is simply used to conducting conversation while looking away to minimize racial prejudice against his eyes' unique appearance.

However, I'd also argue that the devs deliberately turned his entire model away in cutscene after cutscene to create a clear sense of being inaccessible, unapproachable, and unwilling to engage in the physical intimacy of standing closely, directly facing, and staring at his conversation partners.

While he faces away, he controls both the figurative and the literal direction of conversation, forcing people to keep their eyes on him while he is free to move as he pleases. Over and over again, it just says "I want to be the one in control. I'm not afraid to show my back to you, but you are not welcome to come near me."

And, in fact, that's a third aspect of his character's body language that I am sure the devs did not include accidentally: More so than other characters, many of Aventurine's conversations are conducted from weirdly far distances. Like, half the time he's talking, he's standing all the way on the opposite side of the room!

This habit of speaking from a-larger-than-normal distance is apparent in the first scene with Himeko...

And then in just about every other conversation too:

The bubble is twenty feet in every direction.

Like yes, he does approach and have conversations like a normal person... sometimes... But it is significantly more noticeable with Aventurine than with other characters that he often conducts whole conversations--even with his allies--from a distance. Just genuinely weirdly far apart.

Leaving space for Gaiathra, I guess.

And it's because these significant decisions were made with Aventurine's in-game body language that, when he deliberately alters his own behavior, it is instantaneously noticeable.

In 2.0, he closes the distance, the glasses come off, and he gets directly up in the Trailblazer's face.

It's uncomfortable not just because the player is suddenly being loomed over, but because this behavior has already been subconsciously established for the player as out of character for Aventurine.

The barriers the character himself was putting up are deliberately stripped away so that he can use physicality and demanding eye contact to intimidate his target. He has to reverse his own normal body language in order to come across as domineering (and, I guess if you're into that, appealing in a domineering manner).

And ummmm, just a tiny aside here because I can't resist:

This does mean that when the game goes out of its way to demonstrate Aventurine altering his own normal habit of distant and defensive body language, it is absolutely intentional.

Yes, this is a Ratiorine post in disguise. There literally isn't any other character in the game that Aventurine is shown being comfortable standing so close to and interacting with in this manner. This doesn't occur in every one of their scenes, but Ratio is the only character that this happens with repeatedly. It's not an accident that the devs literally added "They were walking side-by-side" as flavor text.

But look, I'll be fair: There's a great example of this in Aventurine's scene with Acheron too, where he closes the distance and attempts to make eye contact with her--seeking her guidance and closeness--and she is actually the one stepping away, speaking with her back turned, demonstrating her power and control (and issues with connection!) in that scene.

Anyway, this was a whole longggg tangent into analyzing Aventurine's body language, but my point is that, overall, the devs deliberately adjusted his model's actions in-game to give the impression of a person who clearly wants to be in control of every interaction he has with other people, who insists on distance over intimacy, and whose stances and habits suggest that he is significantly less accessible and open than his "Use me as you wish" motto might suggest.

Long story longer, I think that there is almost zero chance Aventurine is willingly ceding control over himself or the actions expected of him to anyone he isn't 100% comfortable with, and I think that using physical intimacy of any kind would be an absolute last resort for him. Frankly, he comes across as more likely to shoot himself in the foot than let someone he doesn't trust lay hands on him.

To me, he reads very much as "You may look, but you may not touch."

[creamflix]

biker! veritas ratio x female reader x biker! aventurine; 18+ content (MINORS/AGELESS/BLANK BLOGS dni or follow, you'll be blocked), threesome, dub-con/cnc (u fw them heavy!!), sub!reader, overstimulation, p in v, creampies, voyeurism, sadistic aventurine, throttle play ??, spanking, ratio's implied to wear his helmet most of the time, fucking on a bike !!, oral (f. & m. receiving, separate), backshots <3, possessive aventurine & ratio — wc: 4.4k words.... goodnight – masterlist here ☆～（ゝ。∂）

you hadn’t realized the kind of place you’d walked into. sure, it was a bar, and it had that rough, edgy vibe — but you figured it was just the usual crowd. 

not somewhere dangerous. 

not the kind of place that’d have people staring at you the moment you crossed the threshold, their gazes lingering just a little too long, drinking you in like you were the freshest thing they’d seen in weeks.

you made your way to the counter, trying to brush off the feeling, thinking maybe you were imagining it. not until two sets of eyes — one mismatched, sharp as a predator’s; the other hidden behind a reflective visor — fixed on you from across the room.

you perched at the bar, awkwardly flagging down the bartender. “just a drink,” you muttered, too focused on finding some normalcy in the situation to realize what was happening behind you.

aventurine noticed first, of course. leaned back in his seat, legs stretched out, looking like he owned the damn place. sandy-blond hair falling just right over his brow, magenta and cyan eyes gleaming with interest. “what do we have here…” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. the smirk on his lips grew wider as he watched you fumble for your drink, completely unaware of how much danger you were in.

meanwhile, ratio observed from the other end of the bar. much more stoic, controlled, his hands resting elegantly over a glass of dark liquor. underneath that pristine helmet of his, he watched with calculated focus, analyzing every little detail — the way your fingers drummed nervously against the counter, the way your eyes darted around, clearly out of your element. “an unexpected visitor,” he mused under his breath, his voice smooth and articulate. “curious… what brings someone like you here, i wonder?”

aventurine didn’t waste time. he pushed off from his seat and sauntered over, his presence magnetic, drawing attention even if you weren’t aware of it yet. he slid into the space beside you, leaning an arm against the counter as his eyes flickered down your form. “you lost, sweetheart?” his voice was playful, teasing, but there was an edge to it — a warning, if you were paying attention. but of course, you weren’t.

you glanced at him, offering a small smile. “uh, no… just stopping in for a drink.”

“mm, is that right?” aventurine’s smirk widened. “you sure you’re in the right place? this isn’t exactly your kind of scene, is it?”

“i’m fine,” you replied, trying to dismiss the way he was looking at you, though something about it made your pulse quicken.

“oh, i don’t know,” he drawled, his voice dropping lower, more intimate. “something tells me you might need a little guidance… lucky for you, i’m feeling generous tonight.”

before you could respond, a deeper voice interrupted, smooth and calculated — ratio’s, as he approached from the other side. “aventurine,” he greeted coolly, giving the man a pointed glance before turning to you. his posture was formal, upright, even in a place like this. “forgive my associate here; he can be… overzealous.” his words were polite, even as he reached out, brushing his gloved fingers along your wrist, a subtle touch that sent a shiver through you. “it seems you may have walked into the wrong establishment, miss. this place… is not for the uninitiated.”

you blinked, feeling caught between them. “i — i was just —”

“oh, we know,” aventurine interrupted, his voice laced with amusement as he slid even closer. “but that’s okay. we like your type. a little out of place, a little lost… it’s cute.”

ratio’s gaze darkened beneath his helmet’s visor, but he didn’t move to correct aventurine. instead, he tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping into a softer, more intimate tone. “he’s correct, you know. there are eyes on you already… many of the patrons here wouldn’t think twice about taking advantage of someone so… unaware.” his gloved fingers pressed more firmly against your wrist, a silent claim. “but fortunately for you… you’ve caught our attention first.”

“and we don’t plan on letting anyone else near you,” aventurine added, his breath hot against your ear as he leaned down, his lips almost brushing your skin. “not when we’ve got plans of our own…”

your heart raced. “i should probably leave —”

“oh, you’re not leaving,” aventurine’s grin turned feral as he tightened his grip on your waist. “not until we’ve had our fun with you.”

“he’s right,” ratio agreed, his composure still intact, but his voice holding a dangerous edge now. “you wouldn’t make it very far on your own, i’m afraid. but stay with us, and we’ll ensure you’re… well taken care of.”

the way he said it sent a shiver down your spine. something in you knew that you should leave, that you shouldn’t be entertaining this. but when they both stepped closer, flanking you on either side, their combined presence overwhelming, intoxicating… you couldn’t resist.

aventurine chuckled, his voice a low purr as he leaned in. “let’s take this outside, baby. wouldn’t want to make too much of a scene in here, now would we?”

ratio’s hand slipped to your lower back, guiding you as he led the way. “yes, discretion is key… at least for the moment.”

they ushered you out of the bar, and the night air hit you like a jolt, the reality of what was happening sinking in — only for a second. because when you saw their bikes parked in the dim glow of the streetlights, your breath caught. aventurine’s bike was all flair and flash, gleaming with chrome and covered in gambling-themed motifs. ratio’s, on the other hand, was sleek, almost academic in its precision, an owl emblem etched into the side along with laurel detailing.

"hop on," aventurine’s voice had dropped an octave, thick with promise. he leaned back against his bike, one hand resting on the throttle as he gestured for you to come closer. "we’re gonna make this fun for you, baby. just follow our lead."

ratio’s fingers brushed the small of your back, his voice calm but commanding. "you may find this… unconventional. but i assure you, the pleasure you’ll experience is far beyond anything you could imagine."

you hesitated, glancing between them — part of you still thinking you could back out. but aventurine gave a wicked smile, his eyes gleaming under the streetlights as he reached for your waist, pulling you toward him. "trust me," he purred, lips brushing your ear. "by the time we’re done, you won’t want to leave."

you found yourself being pressed between them, the weight of aventurine behind you, ratio in front. ratio’s gloved hands slid down your sides, almost too formal in their movements, but the second he felt your body tense against him, his composure cracked just a little. "you’re trembling," he observed quietly, his voice still smooth but lower now. "are you nervous, or is it anticipation?"

aventurine chuckled, his hands slipping beneath your shirt, fingertips tracing teasing patterns along your skin. "either way… we’re gonna make you forget everything else."

you didn’t have time to respond before ratio leaned closer, his helmet pressed to your forehead. "feel the engine," he murmured, turning the key in his bike. the motor rumbled to life, vibrations thrumming through your legs, making you gasp. "that’s just the beginning."

aventurine revved his bike’s engine next, the low growl of it matching his own as he kissed along your neck, his hand sliding down between your thighs. "yeah, baby… feel that? we’re just getting started."

ratio’s formal tone slipped, the edge in his voice now fully breaking. "fuck… you’re going to feel so fucking good when we’re inside you."

you’re still pinned between the two bikes, engines purring beneath you, the vibrations from each one subtly teasing your already sensitive body. aventurine's sly smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as his hands roam possessively over you, but your eyes keep drifting back to ratio, that mysterious helmet of his, hiding his face.

"what’s the matter, sweetheart?" aventurine drawls, fingers brushing down your sides with that teasing edge. "distracted by our dear ratio? don’t worry, he’s not always such a stick in the mud."

your heart skips a beat when ratio steps forward, silent as ever. his gloved hand slowly lifts, fingers moving to the clasp on the side of his helmet, and you hold your breath. the metallic click echoes in the cool night air as he pulls the helmet free, revealing sharp features, lips slightly parted as if about to speak, and those piercing eyes that seem to take you apart in one look. the sight of him, so unexpectedly gorgeous, knocks the air from your lungs.

“like what you see?” aventurine teases, but there’s an edge in his voice now, a sharpness that wasn't there before. his fingers dig into your hips, pulling you back into him as he leans in to whisper against your ear. “she’s staring a bit too long, don’t you think, ratio?”

ratio’s eyes stay locked on yours, expression calm and composed, but there’s something darker brewing beneath. "i don’t mind," he says quietly, voice smooth but edged with something dangerous. "though," he continues, eyes flicking to aventurine, "we wouldn’t want to break such a pretty thing, would we?"

aventurine chuckles darkly, "no, but she needs to learn not to be so distracted when i’m right here." without warning, his gloved hand comes down on your ass, the sharp sting of the leather making you gasp. "keep your eyes on both of us, sweetheart." he spanks you again, harder this time, causing you to jolt forward with the impact. "can’t let you forget about me."

"easy," ratio murmurs, frowning slightly as he watches aventurine. "don’t want to leave marks, not yet."

aventurine laughs, though his eyes darken with jealousy, and his hand finally loosens its grip. “fine, fine,” he mutters, stepping back. “but don’t take too long — i don’t share well.”

ratio’s gaze softens just a touch, his hands coming to rest on your trembling thighs. he moves you carefully, positioning you so your bare thighs straddle his bike. "hold on," he whispers, placing his helmet on your head before you even realize what’s happening. the scent of him fills your senses, intoxicating, while the visor cuts off your vision, leaving you in the dark, left to feel instead of see.

“you’re mine now,” ratio whispers, voice vibrating through the helmet. you feel his warm breath against your core, his lips brushing the sensitive skin before he presses a kiss there, teasingly slow. his tongue flicks out, the wet heat of his mouth sending jolts of pleasure through you as he starts to eat you out with a calculated precision that leaves you gasping.

and then, you hear it — the bike’s throttle. ratio’s hand rests casually on the handle, fingers playing with the throttle as he revs the engine, each vibration from the bike’s motor sending shudders through your core, right where his mouth is. the combination of his tongue lapping at you and the engine vibrating beneath your pussy has you a writhing mess in seconds.

"fuck," you gasp, voice muffled inside the helmet, but ratio doesn’t let up. he’s merciless, the vibrations from the bike sync with his tongue, alternating between slow, teasing laps and deep, firm strokes. every time the engine roars, the sensation triples, and you’re thrown into the kind of pleasure that leaves you delirious.

“how’s that feel, sweetheart?” aventurine’s voice breaks through, and you feel his presence behind you again, his hands running down your back before he grips your ass, fingers digging in as he spreads you wider for ratio. “don’t forget, the harder you throttle,” he purrs, “the harder we fuck you.”

ratio slows down, just enough to keep you on edge but not enough to let you cum. “go on,” he murmurs against your soaked core. “show us how much you want it.”

with trembling hands, you reach for the throttle, fingers curling around it as you start to twist. immediately, the engine roars to life again, the powerful vibrations rocking through your body, and ratio’s tongue dives in deeper, his mouth working you over until you’re panting. your hips jerk forward, desperate for more.

“harder,” aventurine hisses, smacking your ass again. “you wanna get fucked, right? throttle it harder.”

you obey, twisting the throttle even more, the engine’s roar becoming deafening as your body is wracked with vibrations. ratio’s hands grip your thighs tighter, his tongue flicking over your clit in rapid strokes until you’re on the verge of breaking. the pleasure builds, higher and higher, until you can’t hold back anymore.

you let out a choked moan, body shuddering as you finally cum, the engine purring beneath you as ratio keeps his mouth on you, drawing out every last wave of pleasure until you’re left trembling, barely able to stay upright.

but they’re not done with you yet.

“good girl,” aventurine murmurs approvingly, pulling you back against his chest. he lifts you off ratio’s bike and turns you to face his own. you’re still shaking, but aventurine holds you steady as he positions you on his bike, your legs spread wide over the seat. “now, let’s see how fast you can ride.”

ratio steps behind you, letting your back rest against his chest as he helps guide you down onto aventurine’s cock. the stretch makes you cry out, but ratio’s hand is already on your clit, his fingers circling the sensitive bundle of nerves as aventurine thrusts up into you.

“that’s it,” ratio murmurs against your ear, his leather jacket cool against your burning skin. “ride him like you’re on the open road.”

aventurine’s thrusts are deep and hard, and with each one, the bike beneath you rocks, the motion sending shockwaves through your body. ratio’s hands are everywhere — your tits, your clit, pulling and teasing until you’re nothing but a mess between them.

"you want more?" aventurine growls, slamming into you faster. "then throttle it. show me how fast you want it."

your hands, shaky but desperate for more, reach for the throttle again, twisting it hard. the engine roars, and aventurine follows suit, his thrusts becoming brutal as he fucks you on the bike. ratio keeps you steady, whispering filthy encouragements into your ear while his hands drive you to another orgasm.

ratio’s hands are still on your trembling body, keeping you steady as aventurine cums inside you with a guttural groan. the sound of his breathless chuckle fills your ears as he pulls out, leaving you empty and sensitive. the bike's engine continues to rumble beneath you, continuing it’s brutal teasing of overstimulating you.

you feel ratio behind you, his presence quieter than aventurine's but just as potent. he’s helped you through every wave of pleasure, and now, despite his quiet demeanor, you know he’s still holding back. his gloved hand brushes your side tenderly, as if he doesn’t want to impose.

"ratio," you whisper, voice shaky but determined. you turn your head to meet his gaze, his dark eyes full of restraint. despite the filthy scene surrounding the two of you, his gaze remains calm — too calm for someone who hasn’t had his own share yet.

he raises an eyebrow, clearly confused by your soft call of his name. aventurine, on the other hand, is leaning back against his bike, amused, probably expecting you to collapse from exhaustion. but you have other plans.

before ratio can respond, you sink down onto your knees in front of him, your eyes locking with his as your hands reach for his belt. his breath hitches, and for the first time, you see his composure crack.

“what are you…” he begins, but his voice falters when you unzip his pants and pull him free. his cock is already hard, and the moment you wrap your hand around him, his knees nearly buckle. “you don’t have to —”

“i want to,” you cut him off with a small smile, and that’s all it takes. ratio’s eyes darken, his lips parting as he watches you in stunned silence.

you give him a slow, teasing stroke, and his head falls back, exposing the line of his throat. you’re entranced by the sight of him losing that usual control—his carefully constructed facade crumbling as you start to take him in your mouth. the warmth of your lips envelops him, and the deep groan that escapes ratio’s throat is nothing short of divine.

"fuck," he curses under his breath, the curse slipping from his lips, so unlike his usual refined speech. it’s clear that you’ve unraveled him completely. his hands come to rest on your head, fingers weaving into your hair but not pushing, not guiding — he’s letting you set the pace, the control entirely in your hands.

“she’s a quick learner, isn’t she?” aventurine's voice cuts through, and you feel his presence behind you once more. ratio’s eyes open, briefly meeting aventurine's amused smirk before focusing back on you, pupils blown wide with desire.

aventurine kneels behind you, his hands trailing down your back, but his attention is on ratio now. "you don’t have to be so shy, man," he teases, giving your ass a playful smack. “enjoy her, yeah? she’s already decided how she wants to worship you."

you can feel ratio’s body tense beneath your hands, his breathing labored as your mouth works his cock with practiced ease. but the moment aventurine’s leather-clad hand connects with your skin, the sting sends a shiver through you that you can’t suppress.

ratio’s hands tighten in your hair as you moan around him, and the sound pushes him further toward the edge. “you’re — fuck — unreal,” he groans, voice heavy with need.

aventurine’s hands wander, one of them gripping your waist while the other spanks you again, harder this time. you whimper, the vibrations traveling through your throat, making ratio gasp above you. “that’s it,” aventurine purrs, leaning in close enough that you feel his hot breath against your skin. “keep making those pretty noises for him.”

you can hear ratio’s breathing becoming more ragged, his hips jerking slightly as he tries to keep himself under control, but you’re relentless. you hollow your cheeks, taking him deeper until his grip on your hair tightens, and for a second, it seems like he’s going to lose it completely.

but then, aventurine’s cock presses against you from behind, and the sudden stretch makes you cry out around ratio. aventurine doesn’t wait, doesn’t ask. he thrusts into you with a low groan, the wet, filthy sounds of him fucking you mixing with the ragged sounds of ratio’s breath.

"fuck," aventurine growls, his hands gripping your waist tight. “so tight. you’re perfect, baby.”

ratio watches, his expression torn between pleasure and frustration. “aventurine,” he says, voice tight as his hand pulls you closer to his hips. “you’ll break her.”

aventurine only chuckles darkly, leaning over you as his hips snap into yours. “don’t worry,” he murmurs, “i’ll make sure she’s still pretty when i’m done with her.”

you’re caught between them — ratio’s cock in your mouth, aventurine pounding into you from behind, and every nerve in your body alight with sensation. ratio’s hands tremble as he grips your head, groaning as you take him deeper.

“fuck… you’re going to make me —” ratio starts, but aventurine interrupts with a sharp thrust that makes you whimper around ratio’s cock.

“do it,” aventurine purrs, hand coming down hard on your ass again. "cum for her. she’s begging for it, look at her.”

ratio’s jaw clenches, his restraint snapping as he thrusts into your mouth, the wet sound of you gagging on him the last thing he needs to fall apart. with a deep groan, he cums down your throat, his hands keeping you still as he fills your mouth. you swallow everything, your tongue still working him through it as his body trembles above you.

as soon as ratio is spent, aventurine pulls you back into him, his cock still driving into you mercilessly. your body feels weak, overwhelmed, but aventurine doesn’t let up. "you look so good with your mouth full, baby," he growls, thrusting harder. "now let me finish what we started.”

ratio watches, chest still heaving as aventurine slams into you one last time, his rough hands gripping your waist as he cums deep inside you with a low, satisfied growl. the aftershocks ripple through your body, leaving you gasping, completely wrecked.

aventurine finally pulls out, his hands sliding over your skin one last time before he steps back with a satisfied smirk. "what’d i tell you?" he says to ratio, still catching his breath. "this pretty thing’s all ours now."

ratio’s eyes meet yours, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he brushes your hair back from your face. "you were perfect," he whispers, leaning down to press a tender kiss to your forehead. and in that moment, despite the chaos, you know you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

the air around you is heavy with the aftermath of your sinful rendezvous. aventurine’s hands are still warm on your skin as he chuckles softly, satisfied with the way your body shivers. he runs a gloved hand along your back, soothing the marks he left, while ratio gently helps you to your feet, his touch far more careful.

“easy now,” ratio murmurs, voice calm but filled with concern. his strong arms steady you, and despite everything, he’s still the gentleman between the two. aventurine leans back against his bike, a grin pulling at his lips as he watches you two.

“took it like a champ, didn’t she?” aventurine hums, brushing the hair from your sweaty face. his eyes roam over your body, lingering on the marks both of them left behind. “can’t leave her like this, though. let’s get her nice and cozy.”

with surprising tenderness, aventurine pulls his leather jacket off and drapes it over your shoulders. it’s too big, swallowing your frame in warmth, but the weight of it feels grounding. it smells like him — leather and smoke, mixed with something heady and masculine. he adjusts the collar, winking at you as he does.

ratio shakes his head at aventurine’s theatrics, but even he can’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips. he turns back to you, carefully brushing your face with the back of his knuckles. “you did well,” he says, his voice low and soothing. "now let's get you patched up."

you can’t help but feel the rush of heat at how gentle he is after all they’ve put you through. ratio’s hand slides under your chin, tilting your head up to meet his gaze. “you should rest,” he adds, though his eyes glimmer with a possessiveness that mirrors aventurine's.

aventurine’s eyes, however, are full of mischief. as he fixes your jacket, he slips something from the ground into his pocket — your hair tie, one you hadn’t noticed had fallen off in the heat of it all. "just a keepsake," he says when you give him a questioning look, smirking as he taps the pocket where he’s placed it. "something to remember our pretty little thing by."

“aventurine,” ratio sighs, rolling his eyes. but he doesn’t argue—he knows better. instead, ratio reaches behind him and, without another word, takes off his signature helmet, holding it out to you. “here,” he says, his voice soft, but there’s a firm insistence in his tone. “you’re mine now, so take it.”

the weight of his helmet in your hands feels significant, far more than just an accessory. it’s his claim on you, and when you look up at him, his eyes are unwavering. aventurine watches with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying the moment.

“looks good on you already,” aventurine murmurs, leaning in to place his sunglasses on your face as well, the reflective lenses hiding your wide, dazed eyes. "now everyone will know exactly who you belong to."

your breath hitches as you realize you’re draped in their things — ratio’s helmet under your arm, aventurine’s sunglasses on your face, and his jacket keeping you warm. they’ve marked you in every way possible, and the thought makes your heart pound in your chest.

“our little pretty thing,” aventurine whispers in your ear, his lips brushing your skin. “whether you like it or not.”

but the truth is, you love it. the way they claim you, the way they’ve made sure every single person will know you belong to them — there’s no denying the thrill that rushes through you at the thought.

it’s been some time since that night, but every memory is still vivid in your mind. you stand outside the same bar, the one you unknowingly stumbled into before. only this time, you're far from oblivious.

ratio’s helmet is tucked under your arm, aventurine’s sunglasses perched on your face, and his leather jacket still hangs from your shoulders. the second you step into the bar, heads turn, but instead of the lingering stares and lewd comments, there’s a palpable tension in the air.

people recognize you now.

you walk through the crowd, the loud chatter of the bar quieting as bikers move out of your way. their eyes drop to the helmet, the sunglasses, and they shrink back, knowing exactly who you belong to. they’ve all heard the stories — two of the most notorious bikers in the scene have already laid their claim on you. and no one dares mess with you now.

you catch a glimpse of aventurine leaning against the bar, his signature grin flashing the moment he spots you. beside him, ratio is seated with his usual calm demeanor, but the second he sees his helmet in your hand, a small smirk tugs at his lips.

you make your way toward them, and aventurine stands to greet you, pulling you into a quick embrace. “look who’s back,” he purrs, his fingers brushing the edge of the jacket. “wearing our gifts so well.”

ratio’s eyes lock with yours, the faintest trace of pride in his gaze as he gestures for you to sit beside him. “took you long enough,” he says, voice smooth. “i was beginning to think you forgot about us.”

you shake your head, settling in between them, feeling their warmth and protection. “never,” you reply softly, a smile playing on your lips. “how could i?”

the rest of the bar knows better than to get too close — because you aren’t just anyone anymore. you’re ratio and aventurine’s pretty little thing, and the whole world knows it.

this was rotting in my drafts for a while, and only on reading @sugoroo 's satosugu fanfic i was given enough motivation to fine-tune this (˵ •̀▽•́ ˵ ) make sure u check out her work/s too <3

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[tamathetimethief]

tempted to write a 5+1 ratiorine fic, where it's 5 previous missions they've been on together where aven has bet his life, and the +1 is post-penacony where ratio actually has a full breakdown because this is the closest his partner has ever to been to actually dying when on a mission with him and he realises just how attached he's become

[alekthefox]

I want to write so badly a scene where Aventurine and Ratio play chess. And I want Aventurine to win. You know why? Because people forget he's in the STRATEGIC Investment Department. Along with his batshit crazy luck this man does THINK and he does it so damn well(I can and have yapped about this). So when you pair strategy of a professional and insane luck, no wonder he can win at any card game and such, but chess has no luck. I am yet to decide Ratio's reaction.

I'm not saying the doctor is dumber(mans has phds) but i feel like it'd be fun.

[seiko-koko]

My only progress in the past three days on my fic has been three lines of dialogue

[ourrosette]

Ultramarine.

(read here on ao3: Ultramarine.)

Relationships: Dr. Ratio / Aventurine

Chapters: 15/?

Rating: Explicit, Blood and Violence

Summary: Merman Aventurine was captured by pirates and managed to escape into the arms of the local lighthouse keeper, Veritas Ratio. A merventurine fic based off of the genius artwork of havanillas.

@havanillas

[coffeeaddictandinsomniac]

i'd lost my way but now i'm home - (1/?)

“Well then,” Ratio’s voice cuts through the fog that had settled on his mind once again — it makes it so Aventurine can finally breathe, a shaky breath pulling into his lungs. He hopes that Ratio doesn’t notice, but knowing the doctor, he does, “my dear Gambler, what are you going to do now? What’s your plan now that you have been freed from the IPC?” “I suppose I’ll just have to find my way in the world without them.” He hums to himself, staring up at the deep blue sky that throws lights in his face — not stars, but space stations and the like, visible even with the sun out. “Finding a place to live would probably be a good start, wouldn’t you agree, Doctor?” Ratio’s eyes furrow. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t have lodgings anymore?” “I lived in Pier Point, Doctor. Can’t exactly live there anymore if I’m no longer working for them,” Aventurine explains, shrugging his shoulders ever so slightly. He still finds that his voice is too quiet for his usual boisterous self. His words are still slightly shaky — his hands are much the same. “Live with me.”

After somehow being allowed to leave the IPC, Aventurine moves in with Dr. Ratio.

a flower shop/hanahaki ratiorine/aventio fic! packed full of fluff and very minimal angst.

read here on AO3!

[aurae-rori]

A DEAL IN DIAMONDS (MEMENTO VIVERE) - AVENTIO FIC

“a deal in diamonds (memento vivere)”

— #aventio #ratiorine fic

— based on @portalmonsterrr 's comic!

— pre-penacony relationship

— established but also not-established relationship

— aventurine's issues™ coming into play

— 4.2k words

[qu0rky]

Please share fic recs for the ships i tagged, it’s for research purposes (i need something to read at 1 am)

[cherrylovelycherry]

𓂅new order. "tarte aux fraises and a pain au chocolat."

Trios never work

pairing. Aventurine x gn!reader x Dr ratio (poly) cw/genre. angst, some slow burn, anxiety vomiting, drink, being left out, slight addiction issue. synopsis. you couldn't stand to be left out any longer. full menu

You watched the television disinterestedly, not paying attention to whatever is on that channel.

You, Aventurine and Ratio have been together for a little over a year now. At first, it was great, you three were inseparable and you did almost everything together. Moved in, split chores and expenses, that sort of thing.

That is, until you started being left out by them. You've always known they're closer to each other as they've been in love for time, but why did they even want you there if they'd just… forget about you?

Today is no different, unfortunately. You're stuck beside them, having to watch them cuddle and talk to each other while you just sit by yourself. Finally having enough, you stand from your spot, making your way towards the door.

"Is something wrong, my dear?" Aventurine asks as Ratio buries his face into his neck gently, his arms around his waist. Ratio looks up at you as well, his eyes taking in your expression, "You look upset. Is something bothering you?"

Your shoulders slump, eyes not quite meeting theirs. "Nothing." you reply softly, shifting uncomfortably. A slight lie.

Your throat tightens, "I was just going to go for a little walk," you murmur, a forced smile on your lips.

Ratio gives you a slightly skeptical look before sitting up to properly look at you, his arms still around Aventurine. "Why do you need a walk? Are you feeling unwell?" He asks.

"No, I just…" You stumble over your words, your voice growing shaky. "I just need a bit of air. Fresh air." They're so focused on you, eyes scanning you with hints of worry and curiosity, and yet—you still can't help but feel left out. It's the way they're still holding close to each other, not making any effort to reach out to you instead. It stings a bit.

There's a bit of a pause, the air between you turning a little tense as Ratio seems to think over your answer. He nods slowly, resting his chin on Aventurine’s shoulder.

"Alright then. Go on." He says, turning his head to press a kiss to Aventurine’s neck.

Your heart sinks a little at his words. It was so easy for him to just tell you to go. No offer to come with or ask if he should come with, nothing. It made the ache in your chest worse.

You nod silently, not trusting your voice. "I'll be going now. I'll be back soon." You murmur, slipping your shoes on and opening the door.

Aventurine opens his mouth to say something, but you’re already walking towards the front door. "Be careful on your walk," he calls out, "Don’t be out too late." You simply nod as you open the door, a small sigh of relief escaping your lips as you step outside.

You walk aimlessly, taking in the fresh air and the peaceful night sky. Still, your thoughts aren't very positive. Your mind keeps running back on how close they were, how lonely you felt being right next to them. It's exhausting, really, and it hurts more than you care to admit.

Both are left sitting together on the sofa, looking towards the door that you'd just walked out of. Aventurine hums gently. "They seemed a bit upset, don't you think?"

Ratio lets out a thoughtful hum, his expression a little grim. "Yeah…" He mutters, his eyes glued to the door. "I noticed too." His fingers begin to trace patterns on Aventurine’s waist, his touch almost absentminded as he thinks to himself.

"They've been acting a bit strange lately as well," he points out after a few moments of silence. "More down or distant, I think."

You walked leisurely through the cheerful and welcoming streets of Penacony. Which, despite being so, you did not find at all amusing.

It felt more, shall we say, boring.

You went up to the highest rooftops, seeing how pretty the lights looked and people enjoying themselves.

You felt jealous when you saw a couple taking pictures of each other. You shook your head, pushing those thoughts away.

To tell you the truth, the flat they bought here is only provisional since your boyfriends are on some kind of; mission? assignment?

You didn't really understand.

And of course, you being their partner, you're always with them wherever they go.

You sighed, crossing your arms a little as you leaned against the railings of the rooftop, looking down at the people below and the lights. The cool night air blew gently, gently brushing your hair with it.

You stayed there for a while, simply taking in the sights and sounds of the city around you. For a while it's peaceful and pleasant, a temporary distraction from the thoughts in your head. However, after a while, your mind drifts back to Ratio and Aventurine, and the ache in your chest returns.

Your mind drifts back to what's happening at home. Aventurine and Ratio. They're probably cuddling each other right now. Or they're watching a movie together. Or maybe they are kissing each other.

The thought makes your insides twist uncomfortably.

The entire place came to view before you as a chilly breeze passes you.

You let out a tiny shiver and cross your arms, hoping that it would help protect you from the cold air.

You check your phone. How long has it been since you left? Thirty minutes? An hour? Maybe two? Should you be getting back soon?

Above all, no messages or calls.

Just a few more minutes, you convince yourself. Just a few minutes more.

You let out a frustrated sigh, burying your head into your arms for a moment. The thoughts in your mind becoming louder with each passing minute.

This was unfair. They didn't even try to contact you. Not even a word.

However, you tried to cheer yourself up, thinking that maybe they had just fallen asleep. And that they were worried about you.

…Yeah, that must be it. They are probably sleeping right now. They are probably worried sick.

You try to convince yourself that they are worried just as much as you.

How can they not care? They love you, right? They care about you, right? You've been together for so long. There's no way they suddenly don't care anymore. Right?

You push yourself up, letting out a shaky breath.

You started walking again, with slow, leisurely steps.

Not to the flat, but to the bar you once stumbled upon while exploring.

Once you reached the bar, you push open the doors, stepping into the dimly lit room. There was a soft hum of music playing in the background, and several patrons were seated at the bar or lounging in the booths.

You took a quick glance around, taking in the cozy atmosphere of the place. It seemed like a nice place to relax and think.

You made your way over to the bar, taking a seat on one of the stools and leaning forward on the counter.

You didn't really realise how much time you spent there, at least you weren't falling or tripping over anything as you walked back to your temporary home.

However, you did have some alcohol in your veins.

You had fun, you met new people, including a Gallagher and a Siobhan.

And now you were slowly stumbling around the streets, your mind and body fuzzy from intoxication. The alcohol had definitely taken its toll on you, dulling your senses and affecting your judgment.

As you reached your temporary home, you fumbled with the keys, trying to find the right one to unlock the door. Finally, after a few failed attempts, you manage to open the door and stumble inside.

The living room was dimly lit, with just a few lamps lit around the room. Ratio and Aventurine were nowhere to be seen, and a quick glance around confirmed that they were probably in the bedroom.

You stumble over to the couch, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. You drop down onto the cushions with a soft thump, your body feeling heavy and tired.

You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a deep breath as you lean back against the couch. Your head was spinning slightly from the alcohol, but despite that, your mind suddenly became more clear.

All the thoughts you've been pushing down started flooding back in, and your chest clenches painfully as you’re reminded of why you went out in the first place.

Sighing deeply, you got up from the sofa, slowly taking off your shoes.

Then you made your way to the bedroom.

There you both were, sleeping face to face.

Without thinking too much and without changing your clothes, you climbed into bed, putting yourself in the middle of both of them, trying to make some space for yourself. Being careful not to wake them up.

Ratio stirred slightly as you settled yourself beside him, his arm wrapping around your waist unconsciously. Aventurine shifted closer to you, pressing his body against yours.

You were surrounded by them, their bodies warm and familiar.

For a while, you just lay there between them, feeling the rise and fall of their breaths, listening to the soft rustling of their limbs.

You felt a strange mix of comfort and pain at being here. Comforted by their presence, pained by how distant they felt.

You were tired, both physically and emotionally. Your body ached from the alcohol, and your heart ached with something else.

Lying there, between the two men you loved, you felt more alone than ever.

But, oh, the warmth they radiated made your eyes glaze over.

They were so close, yet so far away.

They clutched onto you, as if they needed you, but they didn't?

You couldn't help but watch them as they slept, Ratio's arm wrapped firmly around your waist, Aventurine's head resting on your shoulder.

Everything felt so familiar, yet so… distant.

Were you overthinking things? Were you making a big deal out of this?

They love you… right?

You watch as Ratio mumbled something in his sleep, his grip on your waist tightening slightly.

Your heart skipped a beat at the action, a strange mix of warmth and pain coursing through your body.

You knew you shouldn't be feeling like this. You shouldn't be doubting their love for you. They've been with you for so long, they've said they love you so many times.

But still, the doubts linger in your mind, whispering and gnawing at your heart.

Perhaps it was the alcohol talking, maybe it was just your own insecurities, but you suddenly felt the urge to cry.

Maybe it was just the alcohol.

You opened your eyes slowly, almost as if you didn't want to wake up from your warm and peaceful sleep.

You found yourself lying on your back, your head resting on a firm yet comfy pillow. There was a comforting pressure on both sides of your waist, holding you carefully but firmly in place.

As you opened your eyes more, you realized that you weren't alone in bed. Ratio and Aventurine's bodies were pressed against yours from both sides, their limbs tangled with yours in a way that you were completely encircled between them.

Ratio's head was resting on your shoulder, his face nuzzled into the crook of your neck. His breath was warm and slow against your skin.

Aventurine's arm was draped over your waist, his hand resting firmly but gently on your hip. His forehead was pressed against your shoulder, his messy hair tickling your face.

"Morning…" Ratio mumbled groggily as you struggled in their grips, his arm tightening around your waist.

Aventurine stirred as well, nuzzling his face into your shoulder and mumbling something incoherent.

You could feel the warmth of their breath against your skin, the way their bodies were still pressed against yours with no signs of moving.

You groaned again, feeling like you were trapped in a warm, loving cage.

But despite the comfort, you felt frustrated.

"Stop…" You muttered, trying to push them off.

The two men responded with mumbled protests, their grips on your waist only getting tighter.

"Come on guys, you have work to do." You spoke, tiredly.

They both grumbled, starting to let go of you little by little.

"No offense," Ratio mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep, "But you smell like alcohol. Did you drink last night?" Aventurine opened his eyes slowly, looking up at you from his spot on your shoulder.

His voice was gentle but held a hint of concern. "Yeah, where'd you go?" He asked softly, rubbing at his eyes.

Great, just great.

You could already feel the hangover creeping in, and to add to your misery, there was a hint of concern in their voices.

You tried to brush it off, giving them a small smile.

"That doesn't matter…" You mumbled, avoiding both of their gazes. "What matters is you two have work to do."

Ratio sighed, letting his grip on you loosen completely. "We do have work, but we're more concerned about you," He said, propping himself up on his elbow.

Aventurine followed, propping himself up next to Ratio and looking at you with an expression that was a mix of concern and annoyance.

You suppressed the urge to roll your eyes. At the time they worried.

"I just needed some space." You replied, feeling like a child getting scolded, shifting slightly to try and sit up.

"Space, huh?" Aventurine said, his voice still slightly hoarse from sleep. "You could have at least told us where you were going."

Ratio chimed in as well, his voice carrying a hint of irritation. "Yeah, a warning would have been nice. We were worried about you."

This time you rolled your eyes quietly, but tried not to show them any obvious annoyance.

"I'm a grown adult," you retorted, a hint of defensiveness in your voice. "I can handle myself."

Ratio raised an eyebrow at you, his eyes searching your face. "That doesn't mean we're not going to worry." he said, his voice firm.

Aventurine sat up as well, propping himself up with one arm.

"It's not about you being able to handle yourself," he said, his voice a mixture of annoyance and concern. "We had no idea where you were."

Ratio nodded in agreement, running a hand through his messy hair.

"Oh. When I got home, they were sleeping peacefully." You said, with a hint of bitterness.

They both exchanged glances, the annoyance in their expressions not going unnoticed by you.

Ratio sighed, running a hand through his hair once more.

"That's not the point," he said, his voice still firm. "You were gone for hours. Do you have any idea how that feels?"

Aventurine joined in as well, his voice slightly more gentle than Ratio's. "We thought something might have happened to you."

You let out a heavy sigh, not saying anything.

Aventurine's voice still laced with concern. "You could have at least texted us."

Then he reached over and touched your arm gently. "It's just… we care about you. We want to know you're safe."

You bit back the urge to scoff at the hypocrisy.

"Yeah, well… I'm fine. See?" You gestured to yourself, trying to show that you were indeed in one piece.

You could feel the guilt creeping in, mixed with annoyance. Why did they suddenly care now?

"I just needed…", you paused, trying to find the right word to describe your current feelings. "space," you finished lamely.

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a quick glance before looking back at you.

"Space from what?" Ratio asked, his tone slightly colder now.

You were starting to feel frustrated.

Why was it suddenly such a big deal? Why did they have to make such a big issue out of you needing some time alone?

"Space from…", you started to respond, but then you hesitated.

How could you possibly explain it to them without sounding needy or clingy?

You wanted to tell them what's been bothering you, but something held you back.

Maybe it was the guilt, maybe it was the fear of sounding like a needy child.

But before you could find the words, Ratio spoke up.

"Space from us, I presume." He said, his voice cool. "You needed space from us, didn't you?"

You felt a pang of guilt at Ratio's words, your heart clenching in your chest.

You tried to keep your expression neutral, but you could feel the emotions starting to bubble up inside of you.

"No," you lied, immediately. "It's not that."

Aventurine raised an eyebrow at your denial, his grip on your arm tightening slightly.

"Then what is it?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

You swallowed the lump in your throat.

"Ugh, please don't do this." You said grabbing your head. The hangover was starting to affect you harder, combining with the stress you felt now.

Ratio chuckled quietly, a sound that sent a shiver down your spine.

"Oh, so now we're being dramatic, huh?" he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Aventurine spoke up as well, his voice tinged with irritation. "We're not doing anything, we're just trying to understand what's going on with you."

Ratio leaned back, propping himself up against the headboard.

"You've been acting different lately," he said, his gaze focused on you. "More distant, less responsive."

You wanted to protest, to deny their accusations, but the words got stuck in your throat. They were right, and you knew they were right.

But you couldn't tell them why. Not yet, at least.

"I've just… been feeling a bit stressed," you replied vaguely, avoiding their gazes.

"Come on, don't give us that bullshit."

At Aventurine's words, your eyes widened slightly. He normally didn't say that kind of thing.

However, that didn't stop you from feeling uncomfortable and with a taste of pure bitterness in your mouth.

You proceeded to let out an unfunny laugh, as you got out of bed.

"My head hurts too much for this." You said, with some coldness in your tone as you left the room.

"You two should already be continuing with your work. That's why both came here." You raised your voice so they could hear you since you were heading towards the kitchen.

As they heard your words, Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a quick glance.

Ratio ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh.

"They are so damn… infuriating," he muttered, his annoyance evident.

Aventurine nodded, his expression mirrored Ratio's frustration. "I don't even know what's going on with them," he replied, running a hand over his face. "They are been acting weird for days now."

You could hear them both stirring in the bedroom, their voices lowered, but you knew they were talking about you.

"Probably bad things.", you thought.

You rubbed your temples as you entered the kitchen, the lights feeling brighter and only making your migraine worse.

You rummaged through the cabinets, looking for a painkiller or something, when you heard footsteps behind you.

"You shouldn't mix alcohol with pain killers, y'know," Ratio's voice was low and calm, but there was an edge to it.

You paused what you were doing, looking over your shoulder at him.

Ratio's face was set in a frown, and Aventurine's expression was stern.

He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.

You didn't respond, continuing to rummage through the cabinets in search of pain medication.

Ratio watched you silently for a moment, his eyes studying your every move.

"You're being stubborn," he said after a while, his voice neutral yet laced with annoyance.

"Thanks." You responded dryly, in a murmur.

Ratio rolled his eyes at your response, his annoyance growing visible.

"You know that's not what I meant," he sighed, running a hand through his hair once more.

It was becoming a tic of his.

Aventurine spoke up as well, his voice a bit calmer than Ratio's.

"You're acting like a child." He said, crossing his arms over his chest as well.

Oh, Aeons.

You felt frustrated by their words and by the pain in your head.

You slammed the cabinet shut with more force than necessary and turned to face them.

"Both should stop wasting time here and concentrate on your work." You spat, rubbing your head with both hands, you felt like it was going to explode at any moment.

Ratio raised an eyebrow at your sudden outburst, his expression slightly surprised.

"And there it is," he said, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "The real Y/N, finally decided to show up."

Aventurine watched you intently, his eyes scanning your face.

"Oh, because we're wasting time by trying to check on your well-being?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Aventurine stayed silent, simply observing your interaction with Ratio. He was probably trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.

Ratio took a couple steps closer to you, his gaze not leaving yours.

"You should stop being so goddamn stubborn and just talk to us." He said, his annoyance growing more noticeable.

Oh no. You started to feel the sudden urge to vomit. That was bad.

Your expression went from irritated to slightly dizzy.

"Guys, stop it, we can continue later." You said, as you grabbed onto the kitchen counter.

The nausea was the effect of the hangover and excessive stress you were feeling now.

Ratio immediately realized something was wrong as he noticed your expression changing. His annoyance was quickly replaced by concern.

"Y/N?" he asked, taking another step towards you, his eyes watching your hand clutching the counter.

Aventurine also moved closer, his gaze shifting between you and Ratio. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

You swallowed hard, trying to suppress the nausea that was rising in your stomach. "I'm fine," you said weakly, but your trembling voice betrayed your words.

"Maybe I need—" Your words were cut off by the urgent need to throw up, causing you to cover your mouth, running towards the bathroom.

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a quick glance before following hot on your heels. They hurried into the bathroom, just in time to see you hunched over the toilet, vomiting.

Ratio gently placed a hand on your back, rubbing soothing circles as you retched.

Aventurine appeared again in the doorway with a glass of water in hand.

"Here," Ratio said, grabbing the water from Aventurine and handing it to you. "Drink slowly."

You gripped the glass of water with trembling fingers, taking a few small sips as Ratio instructed. The cool liquid helped to soothe your burning throat.

After a while, your vomiting subsided, leaving you feeling even more weak and tired than before. You slumped back against Ratio, feeling completely drained and miserable.

"Sorry," you whispered, your voice raspy and weak.

Ratio shook his head, his hand still rubbing slow circles on your back. "Don't apologize," he said softly.

By the time you turned to look at Aventurine, he was gone.

You did the same to see Ratio who was next to you, he wasn't there either.

Oh, right. They were never here with you, they stayed in the kitchen. You never drank water, you never had your back rubbed.

You really wondered what the hell was wrong with you.

You stood up heavily from the ground, rinsing your mouth with the water from the tap, and flushing the toilet. Then with slow steps you returned to the bedroom.

You didn't care to know if they were still in the apartment.

You hated it when your body reacted to your stress.

They were engaged in hushed whispers, their voices too low for you to hear. They stayed in the kitchen, just like you thought.

When they saw you walk in the bedroom, they immediately stopped talking and turned to look at you.

Ratio's expression was a mix of concern and annoyance, his arms crossed over his chest. Aventurine, on the other hand, had a troubled look on his face, his brows furrowed in thought.

At least you would feel calm being alone in the apartment. Without showing each other affection every minute, in front of you, without giving you anything like that.

You climbed into bed, covering yourself with the covers, trying to relax.

A few minutes passed before Aventurine spoke out loud.

"Uhm, we're leaving, we'll be back soon." He said.

You heard the door open and close.

You were glad to hear the sound of the door closing behind, signaling that they were leaving. At least you could finally have some peace and quiet.

You closed your eyes and attempted to fall asleep, hoping to get some rest and recover from the hangover and the previous encounter.

You rested a little more, after a few hours you got up and tried to distract yourself.

You watched television, you played games on your phone, you ate the odd snack. That is until it got later.

While you were on the couch, you heard the door open. They had returned.

Ratio and Aventurine walked through the door, their expressions serious.

Aven, as usual, was the first to speak up. "Hey."

Hey, is that all they could say? It was as if they didn't realize that they were being insensitive.

But suddenly you were doing it too, so you ignored it.

Ratio spoke up as well, his expression slightly softer. "How are you feeling?"

You shrugged, not meeting their gaze. "Good." You replied coldly, trying to hide your annoyance.

Aventurine gave you a quick glance before sighing. "We brought food." He said, holding up a bag containing takeout food.

"Oh, uhm." You blurted out, feeling uncomfortable.

"Thank you, but I'm not very hungry." You got up from the couch, leaving the television on, while you stretched.

"I'm going out for a while again." You said, walking into the bedroom, and changing out of your sleepwear into something simple.

Ratio and Aventurine exchanged a quick glance as you left to change. They were both aware of the tension in the air and your mood.

Ratio let out a sigh.

"This is hopeless," he muttered, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Aventurine looked at Ratio, understanding his frustration.

"We just have to keep trying," he replied, though his voice had a tinge of uncertainty.

You left the room, going to put on your shoes, passing them.

"Well, I'll be right back." You said calmly.

Ratio couldn't help but roll his eyes at your words.

"Yeah, we'll see about that." He muttered under his breath. Aventurine gave him a stern look, silently warning him not to push things further. They both knew that this situation was quickly becoming a headache for all three of you.

You finished putting your shoes on and grabbed your keys, leaving the house without saying another word.

They watched as you closed the door behind you. The silence in the apartment became thick and uncomfortable. The television was on, being the only sound that could be heard.

This type of situation happened, once, twice, three times. And more.

A little routine of yours, like you try not to be in the apartment when they are there too.

Waking up tired and dizzy, saying cold and boring words between the three of them, waiting for hours for them to return and once they did, you went to the bar, returning hours later, tripping over things in the apartment, falling asleep on the couch or in bed.

And it was repeated, again.

Again, and again, and again, and again.

The cycle seemed endless, caught in a loop that seemed impossible to break.

Ratio and Aventurine were frustrated, frustrated by the walls you had built around yourself and the communication issues that prevented you from opening up.

They wanted to help you, but they didn't know how to approach the situation. They couldn't help but feel like they were doing something wrong.

But no, that couldn't be, they knew they weren't doing anything wrong. Right?

Ratio and Aventurine sat in silence for a while, both lost in thought. They knew they needed to address the situation, but it was hard, especially since you were avoiding them.

"I hate this," Ratio finally spoke up, breaking the silence. "I hate that they are behaving like this."

Aventurine nodded, a frustrated expression on his face. "I know." He said, holding Ratio's hand.

It was already nearing midnight, and there was no sign of you returning home, again.

The atmosphere was thick with tension and frustration. They had been talking about you, again.

This time they would wait for you, they were not going to rest until they could talk to you once and for all and stop making you avoid the conversation.

"I feel like we're going around in circles." Ratio spoke up again. "Every time we try to talk to them, they shuts us out. It's like they are not even trying."

Aventurine squeezed Ratio's hand, trying to comfort him. "There must be a reason why they are acting like this," he said, although even he seemed doubtful.

Ratio let out a bitter laugh. "Is there? Because I can't think of one that makes sense."

They waited, and waited, and waited.

Time dragged on slowly, tick, tock, tick, tock, the clock seemed to move slower every second.

They waited with anticipation and expectation, sitting motionless on the couch, their eyes fixed on the front door.

And then, finally, they heard the jingle of keys, the sound of the door opening, and your footsteps entering.

Ratio and Aventurine immediately sat up straight, turning to look at you as you stepped inside.

As a matter of course, you were drunk.

Ratio and Aventurine couldn't help but notice the way you swayed slightly as you walked, a slight flush on your cheeks betraying your intoxication.

Ratio let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair as he looked at you. "Where have you been all night?" he asked, his voice betraying his annoyance.

Aventurine, sensing the tension in the room, stayed silent but placed a calming hand on Ratio's arm, hoping to soothe the situation.

"Having fun." You said, smiling a little.

Ratio's eyes narrowed at your response. "Having fun? Is that what you call it? Drinking yourself into oblivion every day?"

Aventurine shot Ratio a look, silently urging him to calm down. Him speaking this time.

"We're worried about you, you know that?" he continued, his voice rising. "We—"

"Hah, like you said—don't give me that bullshit." Your voice came out almost with spit words.

Your mind was fuzzy.

Ratio clenched his fists, his irritation growing. "We're not giving you bullshit. We care about you, damnit."

You chuckled bitterly, your words slurring slightly. "Yeah, I'm sure you care, but only when it suits you both."

Ratio's eyes widened at your response, his anger rising. "Excuse me?"

"We're the ones who should be getting pissed off here. You're the one who's been acting like a complete mess."

Aventurine tried to interject again. "Ratio, this isn't—"

But Ratio wasn't having it. "No, Aven. They needs to hear this." He turned back to you. "You've been avoiding us, avoiding everything, and for what? So you can go get drunk every night?"

"Yeah, exactly. Because being around you two is so damn great." You retorted, sarcasm dripping from your tone.

Ratio's expression darkened even further, his next words cutting through the air like a dagger.

"Oh, is that right? I guess being with us is so unbearable that you have to go out and get drunk every night instead of staying here and facing your own damn problems."

Your eyes narrowed at Ratio's words, your own anger starting to boil over.

"Yeah, because it's better than dealing with your bullshit all the time."

Ratio let out a bitter laugh. "Bullshit? You think we're bullshitting you? We're the ones who've been putting up with your crap, your avoiding us, your reckless behavior."

Your eyes widened at Ratio's harsh words, hurt flashing across your face.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," you said angrily, your voice shaking. "You have no idea how I feel."

Ratio scoffed, his irritation reaching a boiling point. "Oh, really? Then why don't you enlighten us? Why do you feel the need to drink every night?"

"Seriously, you can tell us." Aventurine said, his brow now furrowed, a mix of worry and frustration on his face.

You let out a scoff, your words coming out in a rush. "And what, you want me to spill my heart out to you two, like it's some kind of therapy session? I didn't realize I was dealing with a couple of psychologists here."

Ratio let out a bitter laugh. "Well, it's not like you're giving us anything else to work with. You just keep drinking yourself into oblivion every night, avoiding us, avoiding any kind of conversation."

You clenched your fists, your frustration turning into anger. "Oh, aren't both of you so perfect?"

Ratio's expression hardened. "Don't try to turn this around on us. We never said we were perfect, but at least we're trying to communicate and have a conversation. You're the one who's refusing to listen or talk to us."

Aventurine interjected, his voice laced with concern. "Y/N, please. We just want to help you. We don't—"

"Help me?" You snapped, again cutting Aventurine off.

"Hey, watch your tone." Ratio said, at the shout you gave to Aventurine.

"Hah, just that.", You thought, looking at them with anger and irritation.

Your anger flared, your words coming out in a frustrated hiss. "Oh, and I'm supposed to believe that you really want to help me? Please. You're both probably just worried that I'm gonna ruin your perfect little lives."

Ratio's eyes widened at your accusation, stung by your words. "Is that really what you think of us? That we only care about ourselves?"

Aventurine spoke up again, his voice pleading. "No, that's not true at all. We care about you. We care about us."

"Yeah, right." You replied bitterly, crossing your arms.

Ratio's face twisted into a scowl. "We're just as messed up as you are. We have our own issues and problems to deal with. We don't need you acting like this, avoiding us, drinking excessively—"

"Yeah, because I'm the ONLY ONE who's being problematic, right?" You interrupted, sarcasm lacing your words. "Just because I don't sit next to both of you and start to fucking endure how both are so loving and happy between ONLY the two of you, I'm wrong here, huh?"

Ratio's jaw clenched tightly, his temper rising at your accusations.

"That's bullshit and you know it. We're a team, a relationship. We're supposed to be in this together, working through things together."

You felt the growing lump in your throat. "Fuck, no. We're not a team anymore, it's just you being a fucking couple."

You clenched your fists, trying to calm the wave of emotions that was washing over you.

Ratio's expression hardened at your words, his own emotions warring with his irritation.

"What the hell do you mean we're not a team anymore? We're still together, we're still—"

You cut him off, your voice trembling with anger and hurt. "No, we're not. Not really. Not when you both spend all your time together, sharing moments, laughing, even in sex."

Ratio's eyes widened at your words, hurt evident on his face.

"Is that really what you think?" he asked, his voice low. "That we're just a couple and that you're not a part of us anymore?"

Aventurine's face fell, his expression pained. "No, that's not true. You're just as much a part of this relationship as we are."

"I'm just a third wheel," you said bitterly. "That's what I've always been."

Even though your words affected them, Ratio couldn't help but get more frustrated.

"And whose fault is that, huh? Whose fault is it that you keep pushing us away, that you keep avoiding us, that you keep getting drunk every damn night instead of dealing with the problem?"

You clenched your fists even tighter, your nails digging into your palms.

"Oh, so now it's MY fault, huh? It's MY fault that I feel left out, ignored, and sidelined?"

You didn't know if you wanted to laugh or cry at what he was saying.

"Yeah…maybe it's my fault." You spoke again, feeling your eyes sting. At any moment they would be filled with tears.

"It's my damn fault that both have sex secretly from me, it's my fault that both knew each other before, it's my fault that both are more affectionate with each other, it's my damn fault that both know each other much more than you two know me!"

And that's it, with that, your voice cut off. Being unable to see both men's faces as tears clouded your vision.

Ratio's expression softened at the sight of your tears, his irritation momentarily forgotten.

It was true, he and Aventurine had been more affectionate with each other lately. But that wasn't because they didn't care about you, it was just…

No, there really were no words to deny or defend the accusations.

He sighed, trying to find the words to explain themselves. "Look, we didn't mean for it to be like that. It just happened."

Aventurine spoke up, his voice soft. "We never wanted you to feel left out or ignored. We care about you, we really do."

Ratio stepped closer as well, his expression conflicted between anger and concern. "Y/N, we never wanted you to feel left out. That was never our intention."

But your emotions were running high.

"Then what was your intention, huh? To make me feel like an outsider in my own relationship?"

They both stayed silent, not knowing how to respond to that.

"That is what I thought." You blurted out, in frustration.

Ratio pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression shifting to frustration and guilt.

"That's not what we wanted, that's never what we wanted."

You let out a bitter, unfunny laugh, "Oh, shut it."

You were shaking, you really wanted to just not feel like that.

"It's always you two. Always Aventurine and Ratio. Always Kakavasha and Veritas."

"Fuck all that." You spat, as your tears began to come out like waterfalls.

"Where the hell was I there?" You sobbed, covering your face with both hands. You felt humiliated to be seen crying like that.

"I hate it so much." You mumbled, without a hint of stopping your crying.

Ratio's heart ached at the sight of your tears, realizing the depth of your emotional pain.

Aventurine stood beside him, visibly upset as well.

"Y/N, please…" He tried to reach out to you, his hand hovering in the air.

But you flinched away from his touch, your body shrinking back as more tears streamed down your face.

"Don't." You warned, your voice choked with sobs. "Don't touch me."

Ratio and Aventurine stood there, feeling helpless as they watched you cry.

"We never wanted to make you feel like this."

"You're lying." You retorted, your voice raw from crying.

Aventurine shook his head, his expression pleading. "No, that's not true. We love you, we truly do."

Ratio's hands were shaking slightly, torn between wanting to comfort you and respecting your wish not to be touched.

Aventurine looked like he was on the verge of tears as well, his shoulders slumped with guilt.

Ratio said softly. "We never meant for it to be this way."

But your words cut through the air between you all.

"Then why did it happen?" You asked, your voice laced with pain and anguish.

Ratio's jaw clenched as he struggled to find the words to explain.

"It just…happened." He said weakly. "We got caught up in our own relationship and didn't realize that we were neglecting you."

Aventurine nodded alongside him. "We messed up. We should have paid more attention to you, made more of an effort to include you in our activities."

Ratio winced, knowing how hollow those words sounded.

"But just because we made a mistake doesn't mean we don't care about you." Ratio was quick to add.

You let out a bitter chuckle through sniffles and sobs.

"…That 'mistake' is 3 fucking years old." You spoke in a muffled manner. Breathing heavily.

How they left you aside is not recent, it had been years. The bomb was accumulating until today it exploded.

The reality of the situation hit Ratio and Aventurine hard.

Three years. Three years of ignoring your emotions and needs. Three years of putting their own relationship before you, despite claiming that you were all equal in this relationship.

Both felt a pang of guilt and shame in their chest. How could they have let it go on for so long without realizing the harm they were causing you?

Aventurine looked equally devastated, his face pale and his eyes downcast.

"We…we never realized…" He began, his voice choked with emotion.

Ratio, seeing Aventurine's almost tearful state, rubbed his back slowly.

Ratio's head was spinning, trying to figure out how it had come to this. They had always thought that they were in a healthy and happy relationship. But clearly, they had failed to consider the impact their actions were having on you.

He looked at you, still crying and curled up on yourself. The guilt and remorse gnawed at his insides. He and Aventurine had been fools, blinded by their own selfishness and neglectful behavior.

Aventurine spoke up suddenly, his voice shaky. "Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you tell us how you felt?"

Ratio's eyes widened slightly. That was a fair question. Why hadn't you spoken up before now?

But he immediately realized the answer to that question. If you had tried to bring it up, how would they have reacted? Would they have dismissed your feelings, or maybe gotten defensive?

With your breath coming in ragged gasps, your body trying to catch the air lost through crying, you let out slight hiccups.

With one of your hands you wiped your wet cheeks.

Your head was beginning to ache from the alcohol in your veins and the dehydration from crying.

"Ah…it doesn't really matter anymore." You said, your voice hoarse.

And you were right, there was no point in questioning why, if you'd finished getting everything out that you'd been holding in for so long.

You felt their worried and trembling looks, you felt ashamed and humiliated for having exploded in such a way, your sobs had faded into sniffles and deep breathing.

They both listened to your words with a sinking feeling in their stomachs. Your voice was hoarse and strained, but the message was clear: you'd given up.

You stretched slightly in your seat, starting to walk towards the bedroom.

You wanted to simply rest from it all.

"I'm going to go to sleep now." You said, passing by both of their sides.

The conversation, or rather argument, had not ended well and just expressing yourself left you completely exhausted.

They both knew that they hadn't solved anything, that they'd done nothing more than reveal just how distant they had become from you.

Before you disappeared from his sight, Aven called out to you, making you turn around for a while.

"We love you, sweetheart."

That simple phrase made you let out a silent sigh.

As much as you wanted to smile at least a little, it only came out as a grimace.

"Uhm…okay, I guess." You said, not really feeling his words.

They felt totally empty.

You turned your head again, walking into the bedroom. Your mind was spinning, your thoughts were varying, the same with your feelings, they were all jumbled.

But at least one thing was clear to you; trios never work and never will.

©cherrylovelycherry do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[apollo-likes-writing]

LAPIS LAZULI (PROLOGUE)

Character(s): Kakavasha/Aventurine, Veritas Ratio/Lapis Lazuli

Tags: Angst, long fic, role swap!au

Word Count: 933 words

Summary: A role swap!AU where Ratio takes his rejection by Nous a lot harder than he did in canon and loses himself as a result, becoming one of the Ten Stonehearts, while Aventurine is not recruited by the IPC and is instead a scholar in the Intelligentsia Guild.

Author’s Note: This was inspired by the amazing @havanillas with their role swap! AU! Check it out! Their mind is brilliant (and I am obsessed with the way they have drawn their differences). Also, I’m a nerd about crystals, not about space, so forgive me if there are any inaccuracies. I was also vaguely tipsy when I was writing the ending, so please excuse that. This will be multiple chapters, so let me know if you’d like to be on the tag list.

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A science lesson in the metaphysical properties of crystals and gems, if you’ll allow me.

I know, I know. You did not click this fanfiction for a science lesson. It’ll be quick, I promise. It would be perfectly understandable for you to click off this, or even send a hate comment stating “I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS!!1!1!!”

Still here? Great. I’ll continue.

Everything has a vibrational frequency: from the rocks in the ground to the leaves in the trees. You have a vibration. Your best friend has a vibration. Your pet gecko has a vibration. Hell, even the device you’re reading this on and the bed your sitting in has a vibration. You get the picture, yes? These frequencies are like a marker that interact with other markers to create different influences.

Things like crystals and rock - objects that have existed for thousands of years - are bound to have stronger frequencies (let me know if I lose you. There is a point to this, I promise) that interact with you differently. Amethyst, for example, helps with sleep and meditation; Rose Quartz is great for self love; Carnelian and Tiger’s Eye can give you a confidence boost, and Aventurine is good at manifesting luck.

So, what is Lapis Lazuli good for? What magical powers does Lapis Lazuli have? What funky frequencies does it fuck around with?

Intellect.

Intellect, wisdom, and the ability to communicate, to be specific. It was used by the Egyptians a few thousand years ago as makeup and medicine, and is the stone of many gods of wisdom in various mythos’. Interesting, right? Veritas Ratio was a man of intellect. A man of prestige and great wisdom who wished to communicate his genius to those more mundane in hopes of curing ignorance. An honourable cause, if any.

See how far he has fallen.

Lapis Lazuli is no longer a man of intellect. He drinks and gambles and throws his life away all for the purpose of forgetting. Forgetting THEIR rejection. Forgetting his own ignorances.

Forgetting his own genius.

The IPC ate him up. They picked him up by the scruff of his collar and swallowed him whole. They boiled him in their stomach acid and digested him into something functional. Something utilisable. Something mouldable.

He let them.

I told you this science lesson had a point to it.

The fall of a star is always so explosive, so why did he burn out so quietly? Perhaps the rejection from a star as mighty as Nous made the rejection of himself quite infinitesimal in comparison. When a red giant explodes into a supernova, it is much more noticeable than a white dwarf imploding in on itself to create a black hole.

That doesn’t mean that a black hole doesn’t have a presence. It is a presence of darkness, yes - practically invisible if it weren’t for the event horizon that drew the eye of the nosey - but a presence nonetheless. No matter how difficult it is to see, it is still ever-present, sucking in the warmth of stars and the things it kept dear until there is nothing left. It is a shell of what it once was. Just as Lapis Lazuli is a shell of what Veritas once was. Veritas Ratio has been sucked up by the black hole, warped and spaghettified until there is practically nothing left, leaving behind only the blinding horizon disk that is Lapis Lazuli. Anyone who dares to find him - the real him - only risks being sucked up and warped themselves.

It is not wise to try and find Veritas Ratio.

Veritas Ratio: the legend of the Intelligentsia Guild. A young prodigy with three pHds under his belt at the ripe old age of sixteen, only to achieve five more before twenty-five. He is the example set for all scholar’s who wish to make names for themselves. His name is whispered in hushed voices by students for support before their exams as if he were an Aeon they worship. In the eyes of the average mundanite, he basically was.

The duality of the esteemed Doctor Ratio is a fascinating one and the topic for debate for many of his former colleagues. These debates have never been made private (for who would care? He isn’t around to hear them anymore), so even the esteemed Doctor Kakavasha has heard of his story.

The scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild have always been creatures of gossip, spreading rumours and half-truths wherever they go in order to foster attention. Kakavasha knows of these tricks and refuses to fall for them. To judge a book by its cover is as criminal to a scholar as blasphemy is to a priest. Honestly, these Guild members have such massive sticks up their backside that Kakavasha is surprised they’re not coughing up leaves. He, like many of his calibre, has looked up to the legend that is Veritas Ratio ever since he started his first degree at university. The man is only a few years his senior, but his reported work ethic and candid attitude has followed the Avgin throughout his own education and beyond. It’s safe to say that he idolises the man despite his unknowable reasons for his disappearance and recruitment into the IPC. Time changes everything. Perhaps time changed Veritas Ratio’s outlook in life and he found better prospects in an institution as massive as the IPC.

Despite this, Kakavasha wishes to find him, to hold an educated conversation with him, in hopes of receiving his perspective on his independent research project:

How to get rid of his divine luck.

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Hope you enjoyed! Super proud of this. Reblogs appreciated!

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