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

5- Questions

The thought of Aventurine clinging to him was weird to Ratio. Almost as strange as seeing him in dark clothing, instead of the usual flashy greens and blues. 

But if they were to pretend they were together, would they have to hold hands? Or kiss? Was that kind of thing socially acceptable Phagua 5 at all? What kind of traditions did people from Toplos have, and did those coincide with the traditions in Laphia?

What kind of food did they have? Was it unhealthy junk food? What were their speech patterns like? 

"Ratio!" Aventurine's voice calls. 

"What?" He snaps back. 

"Nothing. What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing of interest to you." 

"Don't be so rude." He pouts. "I'm sure the IPC will tell us everything we need to know when we get there."

Ratio pauses. "How..?"

"So I was right?" He clicks his tongue. "Lucky guess..? Or are you just predictable?" Aventurine crosses his legs, the chain bracelets jangling as he crosses his arms behind his head.

How ironic that Aventurine would wear chains on his wrists and a collar around his neck. And it was no doubt intentional- though the gambler would claim otherwise. Everything Aventurine did had a purpose... even if it was not immediately clear to Ratio.

And maybe he was more than a little curious as to how Aventurine's mind worked.

In all sense of the word, Aventurine was unpredictable. The doctor was just glad that Aventurine was an ally, as opposed to an enemy. 

"We'll be leaving soon."

"Mm."

"Don't tell me you aren't at least a little curious."

"Why must you be dressed like an "edgy" adolescent?"

"Why must you be dressed like a depressed middle aged man who's entire life is just business, business, business?"

"At least I don't look like a child."

Ratio felt a hollow sensation in the pit of his stomach, a yearning for... something. But he didn't know what. 

Maybe he just wanted to hit Aventurine with his book to get him to leave him alone.

Yes, that must be it. 

But he wasn't going to listen to the primitive segments of his brain. He was a distinguished scholar, after all. And he wasn't about to succumb to that fight or flight reflex just because a dumb gambler can predict what he was thinking.

The lights on the dash blink on, a beep sounding through the cabin. 

"Come sit." The gambler pats the spot next to him. 

With a sigh, Ratio sits beside the gambler. 

___

It's here.... 545 words

I wrote a depressing love poem on my gf's birthday.

If the World Was Upside-Down
(Would you still love me?)

5/6/24

I know that it's cruel

A me without you

Is like a plant with no roots

For you keep me together

And without you I fear

I'd crumble apart

And just disappear

But I'll ask you once more

And I hope that you'll answer

If the world was broken,

Twisted

And scarred

Would you still love me?

No matter how hard?

Please answer me honest

I must know the truth

And if you say no

I'd solemnly sigh

Give a nod of my head

And not even cry

But if you said yes

It is surely a lie

For how could you love me

In a world where you'd die

For that is the way

The world came apart

And if it were true

It would just break my heart

So I'll sit with you

In a world where you'll live

And I'll tell you stories 

About the things in my head.