Archive of Our Own

The soft hiss of the sink can be heard as Aventurine enters his apartment. Slipping off his shoes, he looks around for a moment, curious as to what all the inhabitants of the place could be doing. He saunters towards the kitchen, his suspect for the source of the water. Lo and behold; Ratio is standing, doing dishes with a pair of headphones in. As he hums to himself, Aventurine sneaks up behind him, poking his shoulders. Ratio jumps, gasping sharply.

Aventurine’s head finds its way to Ratio’s shoulders, and his hands snake around Ratio’s waist. “Good evening, Doc,” Aventurine speaks softly. Ratio sighs, taking his headphones out.

With feigned reluctance, Ratio’s hands meet Aventurine’s. “Welcome home, no need for formalities here—except for maybe being more noticeable when entering rooms. You best be thankful that was you who pulled that stunt as opposed to anybody else.” Aventurine laughs at the faux scolding, pressing a kiss to the back of Ratio’s neck.

Aventurine pulls back from the embrace gently, now facing Ratio properly. “Sorry, sorry— anyways, anything interesting happening in my absence?”

Ratio brings Aventurine to his chest now, still not seeming to have had his fill of hugs yet. “Nothing of note, just doing some housework. And you?” he asks, his voice softened by the weight of the day.

Aventurine reports, “No news is good news. Nothing on my front either, luckily.”

“Glad to hear it. Do you have a preference for dinner?” Ratio asks.

Aventurine pauses, thinking. In his idleness, his hands make gentle circles on Ratio’s front. After a moment, he replies with “None in particular,” He suggests, “how about going out tonight, since you’ve been cooped up all day?”

Ratio doesn’t seem to light up—to the untrained eye. “Actually, I did run an errand or two.” To Aventurine, his excitement his hidden at about the same level as the sun is concealed by lace curtains. “But— I would be fine with going on a date tonight. Casual, though.” Ratio finally ends the hug, letting Aventurine go.

Aventurine springs up, “Casual it shall be. Let me change out of my work clothes, yeah?” He doesn’t run down the hall, per se, but he certainly isn’t walking.

Ratio responds, “Take your time,” knowing damn well his words will do nothing to slow Aventurine down. It’s about the principle of the matter.

***

Both now bearing the scent of wine, Aventurine and Ratio hold each other tight, supporting each other through the door. The cat-cakes greet them with their usual vocal performance of “munya,” to which Aventurine waves at. Slipping his shoes off, Ratio yawns, wide and with exhaustion.

Such a yawn does not go unnoticed by Aventurine. “Aw, are you tired?” he teases. Ratio shakes his head, hands crossing in front of him. Aventurine gently ushers him to his bedroom, yammering on about nightly routines. 

Flicking the light switch for his bedroom on, Aventurine asks, “are you taking a bath tonight, Ratio?” Ratio merely shakes his head, commenting that he’ll shower in the morning.

Aventurine nods in reply, beginning to shed his outer layers in order to change into his pajamas. Ratio turns away out of respect, sitting down on Aventurine’s bed with his leg beginning to bounce. When Aventurine turns back to see Ratio just sitting there, he furrows his brow.

Ratio then furrows his brow in return, almost defensively. “What?”

“Are you— not staying the night, Ratio?” Aventurine questions.

A spark of surprise is traceable on Ratio’s face, before it leaves just as quick as it arrived. “Oh. Did you want me to?” Ratio wrings his hands in his lap, attempting to maintain eye contact with Aventurine.

Aventurine rolls his eyes, stating the obvious. “Yes.” Aventurine sighs, “Ratio, you practically live here, sleeping here won’t change my mind against you.”

“Ah. Then I shall change shortly,” Ratio replies, seeming to go through the motions on autopilot. 

Aventurine moves across the hall to the bathroom, keeping the door open as he brushes his teeth. Is Ratio alright? Maybe he’s just tipsier than I am. Ratio joins him about halfway through, now dressed much cozier in his usual pajama set. Aventurine scoots to the other side of the counter to make room for Ratio. Maybe I’m just imagining things. 

Going through the motions, the two eventually settle into bed. Aventurine turns off the lamp on his side of the bed, while Ratio keeps his on for a moment longer. Tiredly, Aventurine lets autopilot take over, and leans into Ratio, tossing an arm around his waist. 

Ratio tenses. 

Maybe that’s just Aventurine’s imagination. He pulls back regardless. “Ratio?” Aventurine hesitates. Ratio glances over, eyes widening with realization.

Quickly, he backtracks, “Apologies, I did not mean to offend.”

“I’m not offended or anything. You just seem a bit off. Is it not a cuddle kind of night?” Aventurine lays on his side, propping himself up with a pillow.

“No, no— I just—“ Ratio closes his book with a sigh, setting it on the nightstand. “I don’t think I can put it into words. I’ve had this… desire—for lack of a better term—for a while now.” Ratio’s hands begin to fidget, now that they are no longer holding anything. He does not make direct eye contact, but it is clear that his attention is on his partner. 

Aventurine observes all of this, comparing Ratio’s mannerisms to previous ones brought up by previous topics. “Could you elaborate on what you mean by ‘desire?’ Because I’m sure it doesn’t mean what it sounds like, knowing you.” Aventurine stays on his side of the bed, careful to not overstep.

Ratio contemplates for a moment. “I’m not sure how to go about it,” he confesses, softer than his previous statements.

“Maybe you could just… show me?” Aventurine suggests, extending his hand out.

Ratio accepts the offer, holding his hand as he nods. “Just… don’t judge me. Lay back.”

Aventurine complies. He teases, “As you wish,” still holding Ratio’s hand.

Ratio takes a breath, letting go of Aventurine’s hand. He readjusts the blankets for a moment, before finally giving in— and… oh.

Ratio lays his head on Aventurine’s chest, arms carefully wrapping around his middle. His hold is gentle, and his breathing seems shallow. His hesitancy does not go unnoticed, but Aventurine quickly intends to remedy that. 

Aventurine brings his own arms around Ratio. One at his waist, and one hand moving to his hair, gently stroking and weaving through purple locks. As he does so, he hears Ratio shudder and sigh, finally feeling his weight relax into Aventurine. Feeling tender, Aventurine speaks up, “You could have just asked.”

“I know,” Ratio comments, “But that’s— I wasn’t sure how to go about it. It’s quite embarrassing.” At that line, Aventurine tilts Ratio’s head back, taking advantage of the leverage this position gives him. Ratio seems to blush. 

Aventurine smiles at the sight of Ratio like this; gentle and experiencing something new. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. If you ever need to be held, just ask. I will never shame you for such a thing,” he affirms. Ratio nods, moving his head back down to listen to Aventurine’s heart. Aventurine lets him, stroking and playing with his hair again.

Ratio feels his eyelids go heavy with relaxation, letting out a soft sigh to indicate his pleasure. Such a sound is not heard often by anyone, and Aventurine feels as if it is his duty to remedy that. Feeling his heart clench, his hand tightens its grip in Ratio’s hair.

Ratio can just almost fall asleep like this… light still on, page and place lost in his book, the cats locked out. Ah, wait. His eyes shoot open, and hopefully his body language conveys to Aventurine to let him up for a moment. Ratio grumbles, going to open the door and turn the other light off while he’s up, slipping under the covers on his own side again.

Aventurine notices this display, and extends an additional offer, “Don’t think you have to stop. This doesn’t need to be a one time thing.” It’s wonderful to hold you like this. “You could lay on top of me fully, if you wanted to.” Ratio feels his ears go red yet again, moving to Aventurine’s side of the bed. 

Aventurine readjusts his pillow briefly, opening his arms for Ratio to climb into. Ratio does not hesitate this time, crawling on top of his dearest, who holds him just the same as before, if not tighter. 

The soft sound of the cat-cakes hopping into the room accompanies the room’s ambiance as Ratio thinks to himself, This is bliss. No wonder Aventurine gravitates towards such behavior. Ratio’s head has found itself resting on Aventurine’s shoulder. His arms drape around Aventurine on both sides, and everything about this just screams “secure.”