[CLOSED] The Golden Ratio

[curingidiocy]

WHO: Dr. Ratio + Aventurine
WHAT: Permanent catch all for Ratio and Aventurine's shenanigans
WHERE: Anywhere and everywhere
WHEN: Various
WARNINGS: Patch 2.2 spoilers abound. Suicidal ideation. Now with NSFW. Other content warnings will be listed in starters

Comments

Day of Kakava

[curingidiocy]

[ It is May 5th. Only a scant few days after their arrival to this ruined planet. By now, the deal with Penacony would have concluded. Whether or not the IPC successfully obtained Penacony, he is not sure. But he is certain of one thing: that Aventurine's luck would hold. And that would be enough to guarantee the IPC a favourable outcome, even if the initial goal was not met.

He stands by the large window in his room, overlooking the city of Shinjuku. The skies are cloudy, slowly darkening as time trickles into the evening. The weather forecast had indicated rain would fall soon. How fitting, he thinks, that it would rain on this day.

They have never spoken about this day; not once. But he has come to expect a certain routine every year: a lack of communication during the day, whether it be through text or voice call, and then his sudden appearance in the evening at the scholar's office (and it never seemed to matter whether he was at the University or the Intelligentsia Guild's headquarters, he always seemed to know), accompanied by the strongest of spirits. Though Ratio is loathe to consume alcohol, and normally makes that clear, this day is always an exception.

He waits patiently. Their environs might have changed, but he does not expect the routine to change. ]

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine would like to say he's forgotten in the madness that was arriving here, on the crumbling remains of a dying planet, of getting to learn enough about it that he can find his footing and start to build a plan forward. If they're stuck here -- and it certainly does seem that way, at least for the time being -- then he's going to make it work for him; he's already read through what he can access on the network, already earned himself enough of the currency here to get access to the things he needs. It keeps him busy.

Not busy enough to ignore the date.

He spends the day as recklessly as he always does; there's no thought of what Ratio might do if he doesn't show up in the evening, because Aventurine always does that, too. Blame the luck gifted to him on this day, years ago.

With the setting sun, Aventurine finds a decent bottle of the strongest stuff he can afford and sets off. It's nothing like he used to get back home, but it's better than what he could get on the meager allowance afforded him by LILITH.

The first drops fall on his head as he approaches the assigned quarters for the team Ratio's been assigned to, and Aventurine can't help but grimace. Rain. Just his luck.

Like always the thought leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

Finding the good doctor's quarters with ease, Aventurine raps his knuckles on the door in silence -- there's no one else who it could be, on this day, at this hour. )

[curingidiocy]

It's unlocked.

[ He does not move from his position, only turning once Aventurine has entered the room and locked the sliding door behind him. His eyes instantly drift to the bottle of alcohol. He hadn't expected anything extravagant, but— ]

It seems unwise to spend so much for a single bottle of alcohol.

[ He gives the gambler a look of consideration. ]

How much have you earned so far?

Gazing at the Stars in the RV Park

[curingidiocy]

[ The night sky is bright and clear without the light of the city polluting the atmosphere. Ratio does not find Aventurine in the campervan, though the temperatures have dropped to a nippy chill that leaves him wanting to seek warmth in the vehicle.

He eventually finds the man outside, distant from the campfire, but not so far that he cannot feel its warmth. He's positioned just so to isolate himself from the other Outsiders who have seen fit to camp out under the stars. Aventurine is laid out on the sand, gazing up at the stars that glitter brightly above them, the skies cloudless. ]

Gambler.

[ It is a greeting. Ratio stops next to the man, standing, observing him for a moment, before sighing and sitting down next to him. He does not say any more, waiting for the other to speak. ]

[stonehearts]

( Like anyone born in the desert, Aventurine knows that nights can get surprisingly cold compared to the oppressive heat of the day. It keeps him close enough to camp instead of wandering out further into the desert just to get away from anything that reminds him too much of home -- but luckily the sky above lacks the astral phenomenon that made life there so damned difficult for every unlucky bastard who ever was born on his home planet.

His musings are met with a welcome interruption, and Aventurine grins up at the other man. )

Doctor. ( He says nothing for a brief moment before, in a sign of trust -- or perhaps how grateful Aventurine has been for the comfort Ratio has offered him over the past few days -- he continues once the doctor has settled down in the ground next to him. ) It was never this dark unless it rained. There was always something happening in the sky -- I didn't realize night could be so black until I was in my teens.

( Ratio is a smart man who knows enough about the history of Sigonia-IV and its position in the universe to understand what Aventurine is talking about. And what happened to so drastically change his understanding of what a night sky should look like. )

We don't worship Space Clown Gods in this house

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio is awake, following this ordeal of a dream—no, a nightmare. It is perhaps the worst nightmare he has ever experienced, far more terrifying than even the blood and gore of Yuji's past and the tragedy of Aventurine's memories.

Aeons are incomprehensible beings, soaring far, far above humanity and its petty squabbles. Once, Ratio had yearned for the gaze of one of THEM. Then, he realized THEY cared not for humanity, and stopped wishing for it. Now?

Well, he won't be eager for that chance any time soon.

The nightmare has left him breathless, disoriented and terrified. Ice has frozen his veins, and he is covered in a thin layer of sweat, cold and clammy. He feels ill, yet he can't move. A tremble runs through his body, and he closes his eyes with a distressed furrow of his brows, trying to will his rapidly beating heart to slow down. ]

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine had woken earlier from a nightmare, a sharp intake of breath as his body jerked awake before the warm weight of Ratio close by had sent the images scurrying into the recesses of his mind. Unwilling to wake the doctor from his sleep, Aventurine had resettled and allowed himself to watch Ratio as he lulled himself back into something approximating rest.

It would take a bit, it always does, and he can feel himself nearing sleep when he notices something off. The usually composed doctor isn't anymore, covered in sweat that Aventurine associates with his nights, not Ratio's. Frowning, he debates waking him -- a conundrum lasts until he notices that the other man is, brow furrowed and heart pounding against his chest.

Aventurine has never been the best at offering comfort, but he can try, right? For this man. )

Doc? ( He hazards, and then reaches out to cup one of Ratio's cheeks. ) Veritas? Are you with me?

Giddy with Love. cw: NSFW

[curingidiocy]

[ It's curious that they're being asked to think of their happiest memories for this update to succeed, he thinks. While he can cobble up a number of theories as to why this might be their solution, ultimately he doesn't know what technology they've used to build the ocular implants and the programming that goes into it. He'd really love to peer into their coding, truly, to understand how it all worked, but now certainly wasn't the time.

A happy memory... that was easy, when the source of his most recent happy memories stood right next to him. Just a look at the man's face is enough to threaten the stoic expression he preferred to adopt, a giddy feeling rising up within him as he realizes, again, that he has managed to express his affections to the Sigonian properly, and he hadn't run away in fear.

—Wait. Those giddy feelings weren't his. He knows his own emotions well enough to tell that the bubbly emotions welling up in him are reaching levels he doesn't normally experience. And it's causing his face to twitch with the strain of him holding back what would undoubtedly be a goofy smile.

No, he refuses to destroy his own dignity like that in front of everyone.

Biting his lip to control his expression, he turns to separate himself from the group, walking briskly out of the room and towards any empty hallway. He doesn't say anything to Aventurine. The other man could follow him if he so wished. ]

[stonehearts]

( It's just his luck that the memories they're asked to dwell on is one he's recently found himself with a surplus of; especially considering if they'd asked him a month ago he'd have nothing to offer of substance. But now he has more than a handful to focus on, like waking up every morning in Ratio's arms, glad that his nightmares haven't made the good doctor completely give up on attempting to get a good night's sleep.

He's not paying attention to when the fondness bubbling up starts, only when he can feel himself start to crack from the practiced easy smile and grin he wears around everyone. Aeons, he's really sick of not having a choice in how he's being yanked around by this place, but the annoyance is quickly swept away by the giddiness.

It's not the only thing that's swept away, and Aventurine turns just in time to see Ratio retreat out of the room. Well, that's no surprise -- the man is about as comfortable exposing his emotions as Aventurine is when it comes down to it, though the masks they wear are quite different.

(And again, he wonders where Ratio's is -- surely the man would wear it for this?)

But Aventurine doesn't let his doctor go alone, ducking out himself without caring much about who might notice -- and once it's clear that it's just the two of them in the hallway, allows himself to reach for Ratio. )

There you are, Doc. ( He teases, pressing himself close to the other man with the heavy joy that seeps through his limbs and chest. Aventurine knows he has no dignity to speak of, something that Ratio has mentioned on more than one occasion, so he has no issue letting a heartfelt grin spread across his face now that it's just them. ) Is my doctor afraid that someone might see him smile?

DATE. post-okinawa

[stonehearts]

( It is hot. Still! Sure, the trip to Okinawa was nice and all, but coming back to a hot city from a beach? Eugh, he'd have loved to have stayed there until it was all over. But he hasn't forgotten his plan to-- he'd say wine and dine his good doctor, but normally that implies a secondary agenda. And sometimes he'd had that with Ratio, fair enough, but not this time.

Aventurine has picked the most expensive restaurant on the list he'd been given -- the sushi restaurant with the underwater atmosphere, not only because it'd been the one with the highest cost, but because it made him think of the types of restaurants you could find back in their own world, in their own universe. Novel, a bit showy, but an experience. After dinner, a walk through a botanical gardens with flowers that bloom at night and some that are said to glow -- he'd debated on a more private bathing experience, but considering all of his options were hot, that would have to be something to do later.

Which is how he ends up, arm in arm with Ratio, leading him to the restaurant. He's said no details about it, only that he's pleased to be able to treat the man as he's used to doing. )

I had hoped the weather would be better, but I'm sure my suffering in this heat has a point since it hasn't bothered to leave in time for our first date.

( He grins, then, a sharp flash as he looks up at Ratio from behind his sunglasses. )

Perhaps the opportunity to see you in as little clothes as possible, outside of the beach--

[curingidiocy]

[ In all honesty, Ratio had not been expecting this. With the change in their relationship, he had expected a change in intimacy, both emotional and physical, but other than that, he had put little thought into whether or not other aspects of their life would change.

He had envisioned, perhaps, that once they returned home their lives would go about much the same. Adventurine off to whichever planet the IPC sent him to, with him accompanying as a colleague whenever their bosses deemed his services needed. Perhaps he had envisioned their regular banter, still the same but infused with a mutual understanding of affection and care. The dinners, too, he envisioned still happening, but that's all they would be. Just dinner, food shared with the best company he could hope for.

A date, on the other hand, belongs in the realm of—well, the ordinary person, who formed close associations with others, searched for romantic partners, and did grand gestures to win their love. He understood the intent of a date, yes, but—it just never crossed his mind that he would ever go on one. Because he wasn't just an ordinary person. ]

Yet I am merely wearing my usual attire, aside from outermost layer.

[ The look Ratio gives Aventurine is his typical unimpressed expression, but it is softened by a fond exasperation originating from his deep affection for the gambler. ]

If you had given me forewarning, I would have prepared a more suitable outfit for today.

THE FUCKENING. post-date. nsfw.

[stonehearts]

( The heat had only dampened Aventurine's plans in the sense where both he and Ratio were sticky with their own sweat by the time they get back to LILITH and Ratio's room. Not the most comfortable way to end the evening (not that Aventurine is planning on ending it) nor the most attractive look for the both of them, but Aventurine feels... good. Relaxed. With enough time between Vegas and now to shove the anxieties and worries that the place had pulled up back into the dark where they belong.

Which means he wants, desperately and achingly, for more than just kisses and heavy petting. He wants to feel Ratio's skin against his, to tangle his fingers in the other man's hair and never let go. Which is why, when they get to the door, Aventurine wraps his arms around Veritas' neck, dragging him in without preamble and kissing him until he can't anymore, if the doctor allows. )

I don't think I'm ready for this evening to be over yet.

( He says, attempting coyness but only halfheartedly. After all, he has Ratio right where he wants him already -- in his arms. )

[curingidiocy]

[ It's hard to place the feeling that sits in his chest at the end of the day, as their date draws to a close. How activities so familiar could be experienced anew with different context. That is to say, this was perhaps the most he'd ever enjoyed himself, even including their recent trip to Okinawa.

The heat, however, had been stifling. It was easy to ignore when his focus was wholly on the man beside him, but as time ticked on, the sensation of sweat coating his entire body began to bother him more and more. He wanted nothing more than to take a shower upon returning to base, but of course the gambler had other plans, didn't he?

He indulges Aventurine for only a few seconds before he pulls away and frowns with a wrinkle in his nose. A hand reaches up to try and gently pry the shorter man off him. ]

Unhand me, Aventurine. We are both filthy. I will not proceed without a shower.

The Aftermath of the Decision

[curingidiocy]

[ It's been a few days since the Outsiders have returned to Neo Tokyo. In that time, Ratio has sequestered himself in the library of the university he formerly worked at, opting not to return to base even during the night. Most messages sent by others were ignored or curtly replied to and ignored thereafter.

Aventurine is not among those who attempted to message him.

Ratio doesn't think much of it initially, mind far too occupied by his inner turmoil and an intense drive to work, as if somehow it'd make up for his failures and the loss of life in Seoul. But he knows nothing can truly make up for a loss on that scale. Nothing can replace a single extinguished life, because all life is precious and must be cherished. It's why he has to work so hard, in hopes that he might be able to save the ones that still live.

Thankfully, he's knocked out of his emotion-borne recklessness pretty quickly by a few choice conversations with the few that sought him out, either to force him to reflect upon himself, or to redirect his mind back to the path of logic and rationality. And it's only once he's finally calmed himself that his mind turns to his partner.

Oh, how he craves Aventurine's presence right now. What he wouldn't give to sink into the other man's embrace and let loose the tightly wound emotions that still threaten to burst out of his chest. Those emotions need an outlet for release, and perhaps the only person he could trust with such vulnerability is Aventurine, though he had initially been against the idea. He didn't want to add to the burdens he was already carrying, but he has no other choice.

He should ask, at the bare minimum.

So it is without fanfare that the door to their shared room opens to present Ratio soon after their usual dinner time. His eyes are searching, and when they land on the gambler, relief visibly crosses his face and he steps into the room, allowing the door to close behind him. ]

Aventurine.

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine doesn't think anything of Ratio's absence since Seoul fell. He understood that even before the choice was made he felt strongly about the consequences, and the fact that it had gone so poorly for everyone involved was enough to indicate that Ratio would need even longer this time. So he doesn't bother himself with trying to track the other man down -- he'd see him at night, considering their cohabitation.

Except he doesn't come.

Aventurine spends more time than he'd like to admit to tossing and turning, switching from staring out at an ocean lit by a moon and the door, waiting for Ratio to get back. Sleep creeps up on him unexpectedly, and doesn't last long before Aventurine is waking up in a cold sweat, choking back a scream. He turns to the side, reaching for Ratio --- only to find no one there.

Oh.

Aventurine pulls himself together enough to busy himself with late night entertainment in Neo-Tokyo; gambling, charming the waitresses and hosts of the bars that are still open. It's enough to keep him up until the sun rises, and when Aventurine returns to LILITH for breakfast he keeps an eye peeled for the other man. And doesn't find him.

Right. He's probably off doing something, Aventurine reasons. He'll come back. And when night comes again and he hasn't seen hide nor hair of the good doctor, it's getting harder to reassure himself.

And even harder when he jerks awake again, though this time he doesn't have to look or reach for Ratio to know he's not there. He's alone again. And it shouldn't be so hard to go back to being alone -- Aventurine is used to it, it's what he's always been, hasn't it? Just because there was a brief moment where Ratio would be there for him doesn't mean he should have come to rely on him.

Aventurine is made of sterner stuff than that. A chiseled stone, made out of the force of his will alone.

But the voices come creeping in anyway, reminding him that he's failed. Ratio has left him to suffer the nightmares alone because Aventurine was never good enough for him, and he realized it. Got out while the getting was good, and Aventurine can't even blame him for it. Why would he? Aventurine would do the same if he were in Ratio's position. Should he see Ratio he'll... well. He doesn't know what he'll do, just as he had no plan, no thought of what he'd do if he saw Ratio again after his 'death'. Take it as it comes has always worked out for him so far, and perhaps the edge of it, the tightness in his chest and the lack of breath will give him that thrill he wants.

Until then, though, Aventurine is not going to take another night lying down. He's just finishing the touches on his usual flashy gambler's outfit when the door opens, tugging at the collar in preparation to go and chase that high he needs, the pain and the threat of loss--

Oh.

Aventurine's eyes go wide for a quick second, darting over Ratio's face before the mask that is Aventurine comes slamming down and he offers the other man a smile, his face aching with the effort the false smile takes. He really has become complacent, hasn't he? )

Ah, there you are, Doctor. Don't worry, I'll be out of your hair for the evening soon enough.

The Second Date, some time late Sept.

[curingidiocy]

[ Romantic relationships are something Ratio has very little experience in, and just as little knowledge. He'd never expected to end up in one, let alone with Aventurine of all people. Attraction was not an emotion he felt often, and initially, it hadn't been something he felt for the gambler. So he'd never bothered to improve his knowledge in the subject, believing it would never come to use.

Life has a funny way of coming at someone though, and now he was here, with Aventurine as his lover, and hopefully, lifelong partner. One he'd treated poorly because of his own inability to adjust to his circumstances, however. Though he'd already apologize for his error, it wasn't enough. Not for him, anyway. Aventurine seemed satisfied, but it didn't settle right with the scholar.

Which brought them to today. Today was their second date, planned by Ratio himself. Their room might have been destroyed, and his own capabilities shackled, but it wasn't going to stop him from making it happen. It was part apology, but mostly a way to show his gratitude and appreciation for the gambler. He went all out—an afternoon exploring Neo Tokyo's shopping district and shrines, a fantastic dinner at the most expensive teppanyaki restaurant he could reserve a spot at, followed by a peaceful evening walk along the shores of Emerald Beach.

Originally, he'd wanted to present the bouquet he'd had Ereshkigal make during the beachside walk. It would have been a simple matter to conceal it within his subspace storage. But with his powers restricted, he could no longer do that. So he'd retrieved the bouquet and presented it to his lover on base, then left it in the vase he'd prepared in the lab beforehand.

Now, as the sun was setting to the west, painting the beach in vibrant, warm pinks and reds, Ratio wondered if this would be the most appropriate time to present his final surprise for the day. He glanced over to the shorter man who was walking beside him, hand intertwined with his between them. ]

Have you enjoyed today, my dear gambler?

rolls in here

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine is used to wining and dining people, or letting himself be charmed by those who wanted something from him. Ratio is-- well, Aventurine has done both those things with Ratio, but they were never the same sort of thing after their first meeting. No, Ratio couldn't be bought by pretty words and expensive things. It had endeared him to the other man in time, even if it was frustrating at the beginning. But now they do it simply because they can, because the presence of the other brings them joy.

And, in his heart of hearts, Aventurine enjoys being gifted things just because Ratio thinks he might like them, or put thought behind them into what Aventurine might truly like. It makes him feel... a little more real. A little more like a person, who has desires and wants and things that matter to him instead of just things that showcase his wealth and power. The flowers -- he could tell thought and effort were put into picking which ones, and didn't want to let it wilt before he could truly enjoy it. The restaurants, even the walk on the beach-- it really is nice to have this with Ratio.

Everything he didn't think he could have. Didn't think Ratio would want.

His hand squeezes Ratio's at the question, leaning in to bump his head against the other man's shoulder. )

I think it's the best date I've been on yet, Doc.

Much Needed Comfort

[curingidiocy]

[ Continued from here...

Despite his words, it pains Ratio to consider Godzilla a true enemy. He'd witnessed the intelligence nestled in the kaiju's brain. He knows there's more to the titan than this. Whatever happened in the last few months has changed him, somehow, but he doesn't know why. He wants to help Godzilla, before it's too late.

If it isn't already too late.

But right now, Aventurine is, unfortunately, correct in saying that they need to plan against Godzilla in the worst case scenario. Already, his mind is racing with ideas to turn the others against Godzilla, ensure that he cannot accumulate allies, perhaps force LILITH to send him away— ]

What—!?

[ —and winds up caught off guard when Aventurine sweeps him off his feet. Immediately, his cheeks flush in embarrassment and he feebly pushes at Aventurine's shoulders. ]

Gambler! Unhand me right now! This is no time for a nap! There are matters I must attend to! Gambler, listen to me!!

[ He's silenced when his protests only get the Stoneheart to tighten his grip and hold him closer, further restricting his movements to futile squirming. He stops resisting soon enough, and instead turns to bury his face into Aventurine's chest, as if to avoid everyone else gazing upon him in such an undignified position. His ears are bright red and he does not reply to Ereshkigal when she bids them farewell. ]

[stonehearts]

( He should have done this ages ago: transform to carry off Ratio from whatever situation they've gotten themselves into. Once he's out of range from Godzilla and his fear for Ratio's safety dims into the background -- Aventurine shifts his focus from getting Ratio out of there to Ratio in general. That lizard will have to be dealt with eventually, but for now: Ratio's wellbeing is his priority.

Once they're closer to Ratio's room, he lifts the doctor up enough to press his face against the side of Ratio's, the smooth mask cold to the touch, and even a whispered voice still having some amount of unnatural reverberation. )

I'm listening now, Doc. And all I can see is a man who needs to rest.

To a New Year

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio isn't a fan of the year end celebrations that prompted an increase in spending and consumerism back home. Though it had been a Masked Fool that had started a tradition of gift giving "to ensure no one enters the new year unhappy," as they are often quoted saying, the IPC had taken that sentiment and utterly ruined it with their desire to make profit.

That, and he hadn't anyone to indulge in the festive atmosphere with anyway.

He hadn't expected to receive anything from anyone this year, having long dissuaded colleagues back home from such inclinations, so when piles of presents suddenly showed up a week before the changing of years on this planet's calendar, he had been bewildered. To receive them, but more importantly, the timing. Of course, a quick search on the net rectified his concerns.

But with the presents brought an unfortunate conundrum. At home, he had clearly announced his intention to abstain from the gift giving. Anyone who expected him to reciprocate afterwards was a fool. But here? He had made no such proclamation, and courtesy dictates he must gift them back. How vexing.

As rude as he may choose to be at times, he is not discourteous. So it is with the energy of a man used to completing his duties to utmost perfection that he assembles together packages for those who gifted him and prepares them to be sent out before the turn of the year.

And with all the effort in gifts comes another thought: what of Aventurine? He is not a festive person, but surely... Perhaps just this one time, he should indulge. So Aventurine could have something warm and sweet to remember in the years to come.

Which means... a present must be prepared. Luckily, the scholar had been in the middle of creating a little something for his partner. Just a few little tweaks were needed to better suit the occasion, and he had a gift he was certain Aventurine would love immensely.

It was a tight schedule though, in between his regular work, gathering gifts for others and spending more time than he ever had before on leisure with Aventurine. On New Year's Eve, he leaves his room early in the morning to put the finishing touches on his gift. He'd promised Aventurine that he would be done by noon, and worked diligently to fulfill that promise.

Now, with the gift ready, Ratio stepped out of his lab to seek the company of his beloved for the rest of the year. ]

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine is used to the end of the year being busy. Finishing up reports, fiscal statements, last minute trades and investments, the like. And of course: the purchasing of the required gifts to colleagues and people he wants to keep close enough to use. Money solve so many problems, after all, and Aventurine is so good at using it. Here very little has changed, save for the gifts he'd purchased for Ratio; he's happy enough with his choices save for the fact that he has no idea how to begin cooking, but that's a problem for later. In a few hours when he'd attempt to cook.

For now he's just waiting for Ratio outside of his lab/his former room, pushing himself off the wall when he sees Ratio leave. The fact that his entire face brightens when he does so is... not important, and also not something Aventurine is particularly aware of at the moment. )

There he is! The dear doctor himself.

( Aventurine says, leaning in and raising himself onto his toes to press a kiss at the corner of Ratio's mouth in greeting. )

A Night of Fun, sometime mid-July, NSFW

[curingidiocy]

[ 'A fun fuckin' night.' Though it certainly hadn't meant anything raunchy, the idea had somehow gotten stuck in his mind. It'd been months since they've done anything of the sort, and while Ratio hadn't been feeling in the mood so soon after being rescued..

Well, clearly that was changing, given how quickly his mind went to the gutter with the barest of suggestive wording.

But while his libido might be returning, could the same be said of Aventurine? Their relationship, while not necessarily strained, had been going through some small bumps due to Ratio's own incompetence in navigating emotions and relationships. He wanted to show Aventurine that he still loves and adores him so very much.

So after a day of contemplation and more than a few plans put together, Ratio returns back to base far earlier than usual. By 7PM, a whole two hours earlier than he'd usually return, he'd already consumed dinner and thoroughly bathed himself in anticipation for what would hopefully be a night to rekindle their bond and mutual affection for each other.

He sat on their new bed in his now spacious suite, triple checking his preparations (and also tempering his expectations, Aventurine could always say no) before he finally uses the ocular implant to send a text to his beloved. ]

I've returned early.

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine's actually doing work, or something akin to it -- he's working with Muramasa and Silco on a project he's expecting to pay off in a big way. Eventually. Once the work is done. But it gives him something to do, and to stop bothering Ratio in his lab whenever he's bored. Well, most times. He still does like to see if he can get away with wearing a sexy science outfit every so often.

But the text comes when Aventurine is out, not expecting Ratio back so soon. It brings a smile to his face -- he makes his goodbyes and excuses, texting his dear doctor as he makes his way back back to base. )

On my way back now. What's the special occasion, Doc?

Oh yeah, sex pollen baby. NSFW

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio was as careful as could be when exploring the Rift-corrupted jungle. He'd made sure his plug suit and helmet were in top shape, moved slowly and carefully so as to allow himself to study the environment and minimize danger, and collected samples when it was as safe as it could possibly be to do so.

Yet his luck must have run dry, because all that precaution was swiftly undone by a chain reaction of events starting from the scholar dodging a pitcher plant's attempt to trip him, which in turn caused him to startle other animals, and so on and so forth culminating in his helmet being knocked slightly askew as he received a face full of pollen. Truly, none of any of the events could be attributed to his mistake, yet he still ended up being exposed to Rift energy.

Fearing the worst, he'd immediately turned around and returned back to base to get himself cleaned up and checked with medical. They'd given him a clean bill of health, citing that the only effect he should be dealing with is an increased appetite and irritability, which could escalate to violence if he wasn't careful.

Okay, he could certainly minimize human contact until the effects wore off. Which is how he found himself in his assigned room feeling increasingly restless and aching for some sort of release.

No, absolutely not. Not while they were on a mission. ]

let's FUCKING GOOO

[stonehearts]

( Thanks to the ring given to him by Ratio, and Aventurine's increased (fair, in his estimation!) paranoia, he notices when Ratio suddenly returns back to base -- that's not usual for the good Doctor when there's plenty of things out there to poke at. So, curious, Aventurine slowly ambles back to the base, hands shoved into his pockets and scrolling through the network to see what might have sent Ratio packing.

Oh. Oh.

Aventurine's eyes widen, and then a smile spreads across his face. So that's what's got bees in the man's bonnet, huh. And if he's gone into hiding in the base, well.

Aventurine might just be able to help with that.

Which is why, when he palms open the door to their room, he decides on leaning against the wall -- looking rakishly good looking, if he does say so himself. Handsome, capable of ravishing and being ravished, depending on what Ratio is feeling. )

Hello there, Doctor.

( He offers, in what can only be described as a purr. )