Honkai Star: Rail x Reader Oneshots

"Natural? Yes, Natural" | Aventurine x Reader

Summary: Aventurine takes a significant step toward vulnerability and trust as he shares an evening walk with you. Beneath his confident, calculated demeanor lies a guarded heart, and tonight, he chooses to gamble on love by reaching for your hand-a gesture both tender and monumental.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Slow Burn, First Touch, Romantic Gestures, Emotional Vulnerability.

The night air was crisp as you strolled alongside Aventurine, the cobblestone path lit by warm, flickering lamplight. Despite the elegance of the evening, an awkward tension hung in the air—a quiet space you’d come to recognize as Aventurine's cautious retreat into himself. You glanced over at him. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his hair catching the glow of the lamps, eyes scanning the horizon with the same precision he applied to his investments.

And yet, despite his confident aura, his hands remained firmly tucked into the pockets of his coat, a barrier you had learned not to breach.

Your relationship with Aventurine was unlike anything you'd ever experienced. It had been months since you'd first met, and though you shared countless conversations, subtle smiles, and fleeting moments of connection, his hesitance toward physical affection had always been palpable.

At first, it had confused you. Someone as charming and self-assured as Aventurine seemed like the type to sweep someone off their feet with bold gestures. But as time went on, you began to understand the layers beneath his confident exterior. He wasn’t withholding affection out of indifference; he was protecting himself, unsure of how to navigate the vulnerability of touch.

So, you waited.

You were careful, always mindful of his boundaries. A lingering glance replaced the touch of a hand; a quiet “goodnight” replaced the impulse to lean closer. It was difficult at times to hold back, but you knew he needed this.

Tonight was no different—or so you thought.

As you both approached a quiet overlook, Aventurine slowed his pace, his eyes flicking toward you briefly before darting away. His hand hovered near the pocket of his overcoat, and you noticed the slight tension in his jaw, the way his fingers twitched as though fighting an invisible battle.

“Aventurine?” you asked softly, tilting your head toward him.

He stopped walking, turning to face you fully. His expression was unreadable, but there was something vulnerable in the way he avoided your gaze, the way his shoulders shifted as though he were bracing himself.

“Do you ever…” he began, his voice quieter than usual, “...find it difficult to wait for someone?”

You blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Not when it’s for someone who matters,” you replied honestly. “Why do you ask?”

Aventurine’s lips curved into a small, almost self-deprecating smile. “You’re remarkably patient, you know. More than I deserve.”

Before you could respond, he took a step closer, his hand emerging from his pocket. His fingers brushed against yours—light, tentative, as if testing the waters. Then, slowly, he slid his hand fully into yours, intertwining your fingers with a gentleness that made your chest tighten.

The world seemed to pause. Aventurine, the master strategist, the gambler who thrived on risk, was utterly still, his usual confidence replaced by an endearing shyness. He glanced down at your joined hands, his eyes softened by something unspoken.

“I’m not…very good at this,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I thought it was time I tried.”

Your heart swelled at his words, at the quiet courage it must have taken for him to bridge this gap. You squeezed his hand gently, offering him a reassuring smile. “You’re doing just fine.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Aventurine’s gaze remained fixed on your hands, his thumb tracing small, nervous circles against your skin.

“I didn’t expect this to feel…” He trailed off, his cheeks tinged with a faint pink.

“Natural?” you offered.

He nodded, his lips curving into a soft smile. “Yes. Natural.”

As the night stretched on, the two of you stood there in comfortable silence, his hand resting in yours. It was a small step, but for Aventurine, it was monumental—a gamble on love that, for once, he knew he couldn’t lose.