.'~𝑨𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒚~'. 【Ｒａｔｉｏ ｘ Ａｖｅｎｔｕｒｉｎｅ】

2- An Undefined Variable

Aventurine scans Ratio up and down.

"So, why did you ask me on a date all of a sudden?" 

A....what?

"I did not ask you on a date."

"You asked me to come to a coffee shop. Alone. Just you and me. At a coffee shop."

"That doesn't make it a date!"

"Sure..." He turns on his heel, heading into the cafe with a flip of his hair.

Aventurine could be so irritating some times.

He follows after the man. 

"This way." Ratio pushes past Aventurine, heading to the back of the cafe, away from the rest of the people. 

"Rude." Aventurine huffs, strutting after Ratio. 

"Just sit down already."

Aventurine plops into the seat across from Ratio. 

"I'd ask why you told me to be here, but I'm sure you'll tell me yourself." Aventurine sighs dramatically, drumming his (d̶a̶i̶n̶t̶y̶) fingers adorned with glittering jewels rhythmically on the table. 

Ratio clears his throat to speak, only to be interrupted by a soft spoken waitress. 

"Hello, may I take your order?" 

"Just black coffee." Ratio says, while Aventurine rattles off a whole paragraph of incredibly specific instructions. 

"Did you get all that, or do I have to repeat anything?"

"U-uh, no! I got it!" She scurries off.

"As I was saying. Aventurine, you need to stop putting your life at risk."

"You need to mind your own business." Aventurine narrows his eyes, instantly growing hostile.

"Just hear me out, will you?"

"When did it become your job to manage my life?"

"Aventurine!"

"No! I'm tired of you trying to micromanage my entire life like I'm some kind of pawn that you want to keep alive to the very end! You know what? I'm done! With all of this!" He stands up to leave.

Ratio opens his mouth, but the lump in his throat stops him from getting any words out. He swallows.

"Aventurine, just- just listen to me!" He grabs Aventurine by the wrist to stop him from leaving, and he could have sworn he saw the man flinch. 

"Don't touch me!" He yanks his wrist away from Ratio. 

"I just want to help you!" He cries with growing desperation. 

"Well maybe I don't need your help! Did you think of that? No, because you've got your head stuck so far up your own ass that you think everyone needs help from the genius Dr. Ratio!" He mocks. 

Those words stung more than he'd admit. As much as he wanted to insist... the desire... no, the need to keep Aventurine from leaving was stronger. "Fine." He sits down, head resting in his hand. "At least stay until the coffee gets here."

Aventurine's eyes widen. "What- you're just going to give up?" He murmurs, baffled. "Just like that? It's not some type of trick so that you can insist upon it?"

"I just... I wish I knew how to help you." The words slip out unintended. Aventurine scoffs.

"I don't need your help."

"You've mentioned that."

Aventurine's gaze softens just a bit, sitting back down. He reaches towards Ratio, gently tapping his forehead. "Come on, what's up with you? Do you have a fever or something? You're acting weird."

"A... feve- no, I'm not ill, Aventurine." Looking up, he could see the gloved hand that he'd totally not been admiring not long ago, and he followed it with his eyes, trailing them up the sleeve of Aventurine's blazer, only to find they settled on the brand on the gambler's neck. Of all the times he'd taunted him about the brand, his eyes always felt drawn to it. They dart up to meet Aventurine's gaze, which had a hint of compassion and possibly concern.

"Why so glum, Doctor?" Why was the man acting like this not even five minutes after they'd been shouting at each other? According to Ratio's observations, it should have taken 10 minutes to calm down, and an additional 5 minutes to return to his usual playful nature. Nay, Aventurine was an enigma. An undefined variable, the key piece in a puzzle that Ratio was going to love solving.

And boy, was he up for the challenge.

___

MAN MY FACE HURTS SO BAD

I bit my cheek and it STILL HURTS

AAHHH

This story is doing so well, it makes me so happy! I'm gonna try not to let it die again, but you know how it is...

Song: A pearl by Mitski

675 words