synflux | [CLOSED] The Golden Ratio

Once we're back in our proper universe we can find another restaurant to see to your scholarly curiosity. This time without as many health infractions, yeah?

( Which is to say, even if they haven't talked about this thing between them (a relationship, Aventurine supplies for himself, because they are on a date and there is a warmth in his chest and a calmness over some part of his frantic mind when Veritas is near) he has no desire to end it upon their return. It will likely take a different shape -- they won't have so much time on their hands for swimming lessons or long dates and longer evenings -- but Aventurine can be satisfied with that. So long as he knows that there is a place in Ratio's arms for him.

It's more than he's ever had. More than he ever thought he'd have. And more than he knows he deserves, but Ratio's current presence sitting across from him is enough to keep him from spiraling further down that particular line of thought.

Instead he orders the most expensive sake they have, though he doesn't plan on getting completely drunk. It isn't his birthday, after all. )

Want to make a bet of it? Not against each other, but together, to ensure a successful date.

[ Ratio has never considered an end to their relationship once they return home. No, his mind has been filled with considerations and adjustments to his schedule and routines to accommodate Aventurine in his busy life. The man has been a part of his life for a long time already—he simply cannot fathom a life without the gambler in it. ]

I shall eagerly look forward to that date.

[ Because that's what it'll be. A date. His heart stutters at the thought of using such a romantic term to refer to their dinner engagements. A date. It's enough to make him feel giddy, much like when he has a breakthrough in research. Those feelings shine through in the way his eyes crinkle warmly and the affection evident in his sunset gaze.

He huffs in amusement. ]

Very well. Together. We'll bet on a successful date.

[ And every moment after. Together. He wants to bet on that too, no matter how foolish it may be. ]

( Aventurine has the self-awareness enough to know that he'd been infatuated with Ratio for longer than he would like to admit. He wonders, idly, if Ratio has figured that out by now -- that his constant presence around Ratio's life doesn't only stem from how well they work as a pair but because Aventurine enjoyed spending time with the other man.

Did Ratio agree to it all because he'd felt similarly even then?

Maybe one day Aventurine will ask. For now he's just happy to be on a date with the other man. )

Good! See, I knew you understood my style after all, no matter how you might protest.

[ You might have to wait longer for that revelation from Ratio, because for all that he can understand Aventurine, it's also true that he is quite terrible at understanding emotions past what needs to be known to succeed as the gambler's partner in all the high-stakes missions the pair of them are assigned to. As far as he's concerned, Aventurine enjoyed his company because he was an excellent work partner, that's it.

Ratio had begrudgingly learned to accept Aventurine's company because, as he'd said many times before, he was a far better conversational partner than most of the people he knew. That came with the concern one normally feels for a colleague put in danger, and then eventually what used to be annoying suddenly seemed endearing in his eyes. Before he knew it, he started looking forward to their occasional dinner outings.

It's still a puzzle he's trying to piece together. The logic behind his emotions still eludes him, but every day, he finds a new reason to justify his love. ]

Hmph. If I did not, we would have hardly been excellent partners. My protests were reserved for your excessive risk-taking.

[ This is an argument they've had many times, sometimes devolving into a full fight. That isn't what he wants for this night, so he opts to change the conversation before either of them can really dig into it. ]

Have you decided on your order?

Excessive? You wound me, Doc.

( Aventurine presses a hand to his chest in mock offense, his eyes bright for a shining moment. It’s been a long time since Ratio has ever said something that upset Aventurine. There’s no point in it when that’s never the Doctor’s intent – he’s just like that. He wonders, idly, if Ratio has ever been purposefully mean or cruel to someone, but he can’t see the man ever doing so. All his abrasiveness comes from the fact that Ratio cannot stand the ignorant, the people who willingly choose not to learn, their idiocy inherent in that choice. Why should he not voice his opinions when they do likewise? It’s charming, and perhaps that says more about Aventurine than it does Ratio, but he’d always thought that Vertias’ conviction to be one of the more attractive qualities of the other man.

Besides those muscles, of course. Which Aventurine is going to see and touch up close and personal later. He has to refocus on the menu when Ratio asks, and nods. Ordering the most expensive sushi is no issue for him, nor is buying the best sake. Aventurine is a man who intends on impressing Ratio, and just because they’re… dating, they’re partners, that is not going to change.

He may not need to impress him to keep him by his side, but he can impress him to show him how much he values Ratio there. He is worth every credit, every krypto, and more. )

For all that being here has been one hellish day after another, heat aside, it’s– ( Something in his face twitches, but he is going to be honest as much as he can with Ratio. Especially about this. ) Well, I wouldn’t like to think about what it would be like on my own.

[ Had this been earlier in their relationship, he would have snapped back at Aventurine, listing all the ways the gambler was excessive in taking risks. But as it stood now, both of them knew what the scholar would say in response. And, he can't bring himself to dampen the mood when those beautiful dawn-toned eyes shone for just a moment, arresting Ratio's breath.

Does Aventurine know how beautiful his eyes are? It's something he has always wanted to comment on, but never has due to their association to his Avgin background. Because he could not be sure how the man would react; no doubt many people have already remarked on his eyes before, for their unusual colour and piercing properties. Unsettling, he's heard them described before. Mesmerizing, he thinks personally.

He decides to hold his tongue. There is no need to take such risks today. Not during this date. ]

I concur.

[ While he trusts Aventurine to be capable of handling himself as well, he can't help but envision how lonely the man would be. And suffering from the effects of the Nihility, to top it off. It would not have been good for him. And if it had been Ratio by his lonesome, he would have been fine, but that would have meant the gambler's fate would still be unknown, and that... ]

...Your presence has been reassuring.

[ If that sounds a touch melancholic, it's only Aventurine's imagination. ]

( He does wish, sometimes, that they were back in their own universe. Just to be able to have Ratio sleep in Aventurine's own bed, to know that he isn't hallucinating the other man. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real -- the newness of this change in their relationship. Aventurine almost indulges the fancy to pinch himself to see if he's, perhaps, still in the Dream. Which-- )

If I wake up and I'm still on Penacony after this, Doc, I'm going to find you and kiss you senseless. I'm willing to bet that, even if I've just dreamed a version of you that returns my feeling, you'll at least let me get one kiss in, hmm?

[ Ratio chuckles quietly, willing himself to ignore the uncertainty that churns in his stomach at those words. He knows when his own feelings developed, but what of Aventurine? Would he feel open to such a relationship without the memories of what's occurred on this planet? ]

Perhaps. I hope you will do your best to woo me if that is the case. I quite value your time and company.

[ That is the only advice he can give Aventurine, if such a thing were to happen. Ratio has never cared for appearances or material goods, but time—that is the most valuable possession one can give another. ]

Yeah? How does the great Doctor Ratio want to be woo'd then? Assuming I can't attempt to hide from you in a bathroom again.

( Aventurine leans forward, elbows on the table and chin in his hands as he beams at the other man, gaze not captured by the delivery of their food. He'd much rather tease Ratio if it's all the same to anyone else. )

[ The waiter is professional and ignores Aventurine's antics as they place the food down on the table. And unlike the gambler, Ratio has manners, so he thanks them before they leave them to their solitude. ]

Captivating conversation, of course. You should know how much I value stimulating discussion. In fact, I believe you already have all the chips you need to woo me again, should you ever need to. After all, you've already been successful once.

[ And Ratio is steadfast in his thoughts and ideals. So Aventurine can expect the same tactics he's employed before to work. ]

I suppose I'd just have to remember that it's a gamble worth taking. That's what stopped me before, you know? I couldn't guarantee that the chips would fall in a way that would leave me with something -- it wouldn't be so bad if I knew you'd stick around, but I thought...

( A shrug, as he grabs one of the rolls with his chopsticks, chewing as he tries to think of the way to put his thoughts together. )

That you'd leave if you knew. Who'd want to work with their annoying coworker who had an inexplicable crush on them? You don't tolerate nonsense -- even I can push you to your limits. So it was better to just be able to enjoy your company in any way I could rather than risk losing your presence altogether.

I have been the recipient of romantic confessions in the past, all of which I rejected, of course. [ Kind of comes with the territory of looking the way he does. He's come to accept that most value looks over personality, as much as it dismays him. ] So long as the other party can contain their unprofessional behaviour, I do not have any issue continuing to work with them. That would apply to you as well.

But...I must admit I felt the same, when I realized the depth of my feelings. I did not act on them because I felt you would be burdened. There are few you can rely upon wholeheartedly and I... did not wish to compromise the bond we had formed.

[ He's framed his reason not to confess as solely because he was concerned about Aventurine, but really a part of him was afraid of rejection too. Aventurine was perhaps the only person he could really consider a friend and he didn't want to lose the gambler. ]

Of course you did. ( He says that with a warm chuckle, propping his head up as he looks at Ratio with a tilted head, gaze warm and full of affection. Yes, Ratio's handsome bust was one thing, but his face -- he's an exceptionally handsome man. Aventurine can see why he started to wear it in the first place given how badly it took him aback the first time he saw him without it in person. Full on staring until Ratio had asked him there was something wrong.

Aventurine had recovered, of course, with Only that you're hiding that handsome face away from the rest of the world~ that had earned him a glare and a threat to put it back on. ) So it was the same for you, huh? Feeling this way before arriving here. I... well, with your 'prescription' I kind of figured that you cared about me, or else why would you, of all people, wish me luck? I just didn't know you could care about me in the way that you are.

( Though he does have to admit one thing: )

I would have been happy even if things hadn't changed like they have. Frankly, I didn't think I could be happier than I was when we worked together.

I was not quite cognizant that I held you in romantic regard, but I knew that I cared deeply about you, greater than what friendship would warrant.

[ Because he was lonely, and Aventurine was the only person who went out of the way to spend time with the scholar, allowing him to enjoy the mundanities of life that he didn't know he was missing out on—

It wasn't just that, of course. Ratio liked Aventurine as an individual too, because of how brilliant and intelligent he is. So much so that— ]

I am the same. I was happy to simply be your closest platonic companion. So long as I was able to remain in your life and provide aid when necessary, I would have been satisfied. I did not think I wanted any more than that.

[ But now, they are here. Entwining their lives even more deeply. Promising each other more than they thought they could give the other. ]

[CLOSED] The Golden Ratio

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject