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╰┈➤ You, Aventurine, and Dr. Ratio have been best friends for years. Your adventures across the galaxy are the best memories of your life. But, unfortunately, the trio needs to break off..
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
As dawn approached, a new chapter unfolded itself. Three friends, all from different backgrounds, gathered to part. You still recall how everything began. Your love for your two best friends extends far beyond the heavens themselves, and you could barely hold yourself together as Dr. Ratio murmured the first goodbye.
When it all began, it was just you and Ratio. You addressed him by his real name, not his hilarious alias. To you, he will always be Veritas. You were an IPC goon that Ratio happened to call stupid. He really disliked your presence at the start. But slowly, you learned, and you grew on him. You and Ratio became a well-known duo amongst IPC members, but you both were still underdogs. Far from the top, you began to gamble in your free time. Ratio scorned you for it, but in the end, it was what kept you and him fed.
And then came Aventurine. You recalled seeing him while casually gambling. He was the prize. It terrified you, and you wished to stay out of it— but watching a bird with its wings clipped sank your heart. And so, against you and Ratio's better judgment, you bet for custody of Aventurine. You were harshly criticized, especially thanks to your dirt-low rank within the IPC. Eventually, that lead to you winning Aventurine over. That night, you freed him. It took time for you and Ratio to acclimate to this new friend. Aventurine was quiet and distant just as he was reckless. He did a lot of things that got himself hurt or in trouble, leaving it up to you to atone. Ratio hung back, wishing not to involve himself— but just as you had, Aventurine grew on him.
Eventually, you threw yourself before the grandmaster of the IPC's feet. You begged and pleaded for a spot for Aventurine to work, but to no avail. It took many attempts, and many missions. But on those missions, your trio witnessed beauty. Like when you were sent to Belobog. It was Aventurine's first time ever seeing snow. You still recall that magical smile on his face, stretching from one ear to the other. His face was red from the cold, but he still refused to head into the city for warmth. You recall tossing a snowball at Ratio, managing to score him right in the head. He called you an idiot and tossed a snowball right at you, although his hit you directly in the face. But it made you both laugh. The three laughed so hard you felt as though you'd never breathe normally again. You still have a video that Aventurine took. It shows you and Ratio waddling across a patch of ice, only for you to slip and desperately grasp Ratio for help— only to drag him down. The laughter in the background and the smiles on your faces were priceless. While Ratio looked irritated to begin with, he soon laughed it off before smacking your head and calling you an idiot.
Memories like that is what made your trio. But not all were happy. You still remember when Aventurine was offered a position in the IPC, but he would be forced to gamble on it. If Aventurine won, he'd become an IPC executive. If he lost, he'd pay the price with his life. Ratio was furious. He scolded Aventurine harshly for accepting such an idiotic bet, but Aventurine was determined. The other thing that settled their argument was you separating the two. Their relationship grew rocky after that incident. Aventurine won the bet. You remember hysterically embracing him as you realized that everything was looking up from there. Tears of joy were shed over that.
Under Aventurine's command, you became his official guard. While you both still weren't treated humanely, it was better than before. As for Ratio, he distanced himself after that situation. Gradually, you and Aventurine managed to pull him back in. And a new era of adventuring began. Your trio saw many things, laughed many times, and truly grasped what life meant.. but everyone adopted dreams of their own. Ratio studied to become a professor.
And now, you, Aventurine, and Ratio stand before one another as a trio for one final time. Ratio faced his best friends as they stood in reality's Reviere of Penacony, his expression unusually soft. "Thank you. Both of you." His words were laced with a slightly nasally tone as subtle tears formed in his eyes. Aventurine snickered and nodded his head, a genuine smile lifting his lips. "Of course. We'll always be here, should you decide to come back." You stepped back. You gazed upon your best friends, knowing that now you would lose them. Your heart could tolerate it no longer, and with teary eyes, you raced forth and pulled your best friends into your arms in a tight embrace. Ratio, caged to your left, hugged you back with a soft sigh. Aventurine, caged to your right, wrapped one arm around you and the other around Ratio. Ratio smacked him lightly.
"I'm gonna miss you, Dr. Ratio." You confessed as you began bawling. You were overjoyed for him as he prepared to move on to greater things, but you couldn't fathom the trio splitting. It just felt so alien to you. It made your chest ache and your heart pain. "Thank you for respecting my alias, but please, just call me what you usually do." He said, hiding his face in your shoulder. Aventurine snorted a bit. "We're going to miss you, Idiot." He whispered in a teasing tone. "Imbecile." Ratio grumbled as he thwacked Aventurine's shoulder. Aventurine stepped back, rubbing his shoulder as he did so. "I can't believe you just hit me! Trailblazer, he hit me!" Shouted he. "Veritas, quit it." You playfully punched Ratio's shoulder. You shifted your embrace to tightly hug his neck. "Goodbye, friend." You sobbed your words of farewell, but not in sorrow. You were overjoyed to see this new chapter unfolding.
In the earliest light of dawn, Ratio lowered his head and quietly allowed himself to shed tears as he wished you farewell. Aventurine folded his arms as he watched you both. You absorbed the feeling of Ratio's tight embrace. As a guard, you feared that you would never experience this again. But as a friend, you knew it better than anyone. We will be reunited. You took a step back, drying your eyes and sniveling. "Man, this is rough." You mumbled. Ratio nodded in agreement as tears dripped down his face. Aventurine awkwardly approached him, outstretching his arms. "One last time, friend?" He asked. Ratio didn't hesitate to embrace the blond. "I'm going to miss you both." He confessed as he cried onto Aventurine's shoulder. Tears rimmed Aventurine's gorgeous optics as he began to undo into Ratio's clothes. "..thank you..! Thank you for everything, Ratio!" He yelled over his tears. You raced up to the two, embracing them tightly.
"We'll see each other again." Ratio said, his tone sincere and heartfelt. He audibly sniffled. You released your favorite people. "Please, message me often." You pleaded with Ratio. He nodded his head as he released Aventurine. "Of course. You, not so much." He grumbled towards Aventurine. "Don't ruin the moment." Aventurine grumbled back to him.
Ratio then turned towards the train that prepared to depart. A train that would take him to a bright future, leaving his youth behind. As he stepped aboard, he turned to peer upon his best friends one final time. His stony face, stained with tears, even managed to show them a genuine smile. You excitedly waved to him. "Bye, Veritas! I love you!" You yelled. Heads turned from the sheer volume of your yells, but you disregarded them. Ratio's smile immediately dropped. Aventurine lifted his middle finger. "Love you, dumbass!" He shouted. "Thanks for leaving us!" "We'll see you again soon!" You added. Ratio returned Aventurine's vulgar gesture before waving to you. The doors to the train shut, and before long, the train was disappearing from the Reviere.
Unlike popular belief, the walk back to your hotel with Aventurine was far from silent. You and him were cackling and giggling about the past while excitedly texting Ratio to wish him luck. As expected, your texts went unanswered, but at least you both tried.
We'll see each other again soon. Stay safe out there, Veritas. - Trailblazer (Read)
