#now that this is out of my head

[shaded-night]

The Price of Gift Giving, pt. 2

part one here because its important to the plot - It wasn't often that both Aventurine and Ratio have a shared day off. It was even more rare for the Doctor to insist Aventurine call in a vacation day.

He has no idea why, he's wracked his brain for any reasons the day before calling in. There wasn't a holiday coming up, nor an anniversary. This was just... a normal day of the week.

When he woke up on his day off, Aventurine was surrounded by his beloved catcakes, making sure to give each one of them their morning pets. There was an empty space on their bed where their Doctor should be, but Aventurine wasn't going to fuss about it. After all he now has all day to spend with his four favorite beings in the universe.

The bedroom door opens, and Ratio enters with a tray in hand.

"Oh? What is this? Breakfast in bed?" Aventurine perks up eyeing his favorite assortment of fruits paired with a typical balanced meal, courtesy of Ratio's nutritional involvement.

"Since we have the day off, I figured I would make it special." Ratio places the tray down between them as he joins Aventurine back in bed. The blond eyes him suspiciously for just a moment before digging into their breakfast.

"Mmm. A day off that you made me take, you mean." Not that it really mattered. He'd much rather stay home with Ratio and the cats than be subjected to meeting all day. Still he didn't press for an explanation, nor did Ratio provide one. They ate in comfortable silence, Aventurine sneaking a few pieces of fruit to the cats; for once not being scolded by Ratio for feeding them human food.

As they finished their food, Aventurine was prepared for a cuddling session. They often did this when it came to anniversaries where they also have breakfast in bed. However, this time Ratio was quick to stand up and before Aventurine could question anything he was scooped up into the Doctor's arms to be taken to their bathroom.

Aventurine's curiosity was peaked, this whole morning was a surprise. As much as he'd like to as what's gotten into his boyfriend, he was also willing to just let Ratio be. Silently he watched Ratio go through the process of setting up a bath. As the water filled the tub, Ratio graciously helped Aventurine undress, making sure to leave plenty of kisses along the blond's bare shoulders.

Their bath went without much fanfare. Both of them falling into their routine of washing each others hair and Aventurine's absolutely necessary task of blowing the foamy bubbles at Ratio's face.

It wasn't until they finished washing up that Aventurine really felt like something was different. Ratio helps with drying his hair like usual, but when he was finished he continued drying off Aventurine's body. The fluffy towel was brought along his shoulders, and he felt Ratio press a light kiss to the brand on his neck. The towel moved lower and so did Ratio's lips. For every dried section of Aventurine's back, a plethora of kisses followed along each and every scar along his back until his marred skin was tingling under the affection.

When Ratio was finished, Aventurine turned, ready to confront this unusual behavior but froze when he was met with nothing but pure devotion in those wine-gold eyes. Every word stuck in his throat, unable to surface under such emotion.

They dress, Aventurine adorned in simple lounge pants and his (Ratio's) favorite sweater. Ratio takes his hand, intertwining their fingers as he leads them out of the bedroom and to the living room. There the full scope of Ratio's plan shows; the couch prepared with blankets and pillows, the coffee table covered in Aventurine's favorite snacks paired with a bottle of wine, and the TV set to play Aventurine's favorite movie.

Aventurine stops at the end of the hallway, taking everything in and suddenly feels almost worried with how these events are taking place without any known initiative.

"Seriously, Veri, what is all this?" Concern laced his words because there had to be something wrong, something that prompted Ratio to plan everything out to this extent. When he turned to face his boyfriend, Ratio almost looked guilty, shying away from his gaze.

"It's my apology. I would have done this sooner but the project I was tasked with took far too long; I had to wait until it was finished to assure we both would be able to take time off."

"Apology? For what?" Confused, Aventurine played through the last few days trying to piece together any moment between them that could have lead to this. But everything was completely normal.

"The other week, when you gifted me that pen. I was so very cold to you, ungrateful even. I love that pen so much, I've used it every day since. I smile every time I see the engraving because it reminds me of you." Ratio blinked, a stray tear falling from his eye. Aventurine reached up and brushed it away with his thumb. "Your expression at that moment; I can't get it out of my head. You didn't even look hurt, you just looked empty. You are the person I cherish the most in this universe, how could I have said that to you? How could I have made you look like that; feel like that? What if you start second guessing yourself the next time you think about gifting me something? You shouldn't have to live with that underlying anxiety."

Oh.

Aventurine couldn't believe this. Ratio held onto something like that for weeks, meanwhile Aventurine had long forgotten about it. But here was Ratio, looking at him with the most apologetic face and all Aventurine could feel was unbridled love. He pushed Ratio against the wall, only pulling him down to connect their lips. The kiss left Ratio a bit dazed and breathless when they finally broke apart.

"You worry too much. I already forgave you for that. I did technically break a promise so it's not that big of a deal."

"Yes but...I want to make it up to you. I'm not always good with words, so I planned to show you how much I love you."

Stupid, stupid Ratio. Going above and beyond for something so simple. Does this esteemed Doctor not realize how much he's already given to Aventurine?

"I'd find a way to buy the entire universe for you if you asked, Veritas. Nothing would stop me from spoiling you. But...thank you. You didn't need to do this, but I really do appreciate it." Aventurine's face brightened when Ratio finally smiled. Good. As silly as this situation seemed to Aventurine, he knew it weighed a lot on Ratio's shoulders.

"Does this mean we can skip watching that dreadful movie?"

Aventurine scoffed, pulling Ratio along to the couch.

"Of course not! It's my favorite movie and you're going to sit through it whether you like it or not."

With a sigh, Ratio sat down beside his boyfriend and wrapped a blanket around them both. The catcakes, who were silently waiting for them this whole time, hopped onto the couch as well and snuggled up to the couple.

"I suppose getting to spend time with you like this is worth sitting through it." Two glasses of wine were poured and Aventurine smiled as he rested his head on Ratio's shoulder.

"You're stuck with me all day, it's best to make the most of it."

The movie starts and the both of them conclude that the life they have together right now is the most precious thing to them.

Nothing will change that.

[corrodedparadox]

Handposting

[humming-fly]

They seem like the kind of guys who would keep count

Bonus:

[minjimunji]

bi 4 bi percabeth,,,,, 👉👈

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

hero/villain showdown but one of them has a spontaneous medical emergency and the battle gets put on hold while their archnemesis drives them to Urgent Care

[hinamie]

post-graduation trip airport looks

[cotl-flower-crown]

chomp

when your future spouse wants to say something nice but he's also a feral cat man that doesn't know how to be casually affectionate

Edit: bold of yall to assume that Lamb needs to read his mind for anything. I mean look at him, he's an open book!

[beelittle]

[kaogens]

static

[lemongogo]

life of regret

[marcell-arts]

He was my cousin, but we were more like brothers, really. (All we had left...)

lucanis and illario through time

[sheikfangirl]

Aryll's gift: A Pre-Calamity short story.

Note: For the best reading experience, please click on the first panel and scroll from image to image. ♥️

... Link forgot.

Hope you enjoy this one.

Cheers!

[amamamumumumu]

This has been a most worthwhile evening 🍽

[keferon]

Snow bots au anyone? :D

They're back together a year later because it's snowing again❄️

All right! For context: I imagine them hanging out every winter in some kind of resort (a resort that Blurr owns. Because his bar business has expanded that much over time.)

[mercuryflan]

“Checkmate dance”

Just them walking around after one of their adventures.

[thatsbelievable]