Work Text:
Dr Ratio had enough.
The audacity! It was in the evening, the sun wasn't even completely down yet, and that egotistical gambler was already wasted at the casino? Dr Ratio was a high school teacher at the local school; known for his strict yet outstanding way of teaching. Despite spending majority of the class ridiculing his students, they still had high standards for him because he was incredible at explaining. Nothing less expected of a 'genius' like himself.
Most people bothered him - of course. Even though he was just as human as the rest of them, he hated how lazy and idiotic the people surrounding him were. No one had a passion for education anymore and it drove him insane...no wonder his students struggling to pass their lessons. And the cherry on top; this insufferable gambler was driving him insane with frustration. He had a charismatic smile and the way he presented himself with such confidence, how did no one notice how obviously it was a facade? Ratio even started to question whether the gambler knew himself it was a facade, or if he was fooling himself just as much as everyone else.
And there was the gambler, in his natural habitat, like a moth to a flame. Through the casino's window, Ratio instantly recognised the dishevelled blonde tuffs of hair, a guy sat aimlessly betting money on some sort of machine that Ratio did not care to see what it even was. Judging by the shakiness of the blonde man's hands, it was pretty clear he was under the influence of something...perhaps alcohol, perhaps drugs...who even knows.
Groaning and pinching his nose, he knew he would have to be the one responsible to stop him, so Ratio forced himself into the casino and stormed up to him with a cold gaze. Like a hawk, he stood behind him, looking down at him, before firmly saying, "Gambler." as a warning.
Aventurine's hand twitched yet he kept placing more money into the machine. Hundreds perhaps thousands of dollars had been wasted. At his refusal to speak, Ratio clicked his tongue, then in a softer tone, "Aventurine."
At the sound of his own name, and with trembling hands, Aventurine covered his face. Whimpers and sniffles were muffled behind the skin, not to mention it was drowned out by the obnoxiously loud music. However, it was clear he was on the verge of a breakdown.
"You're a mess. Like usual," Ratio commented sarcastically, yet he still offered his hand out.
With a firm grip, Aventurine took his hand and pulled himself up from the chair. Atleast he is willing to get himself away, even in the state he was in. Instinctively, Ratio began to drag him out of the casino, like a parent dragging their child out of a candy store.
"Dr Ratio..." Aventurine shuddered, his voice thick with emotion as soon as they got outside. The sky, once a beautiful blue, was painted with delicate hues of orange and pink, dancing in harmony. Ratio tilted his head back to look at him, noticing the redness in his eyes and his cheeks swollen with tears. With embarrassment, Aventurine tried to hide his face once more with his sleeves, his uniquely captivating eyes avoiding eye contact. A comfortable silence lingered between them as Ratio guided him further and further from the utopia that was breaking Aventurine down inside out. Eventually, they reached Aventurine's small apartment.
Trembling, Aventurine got his keys and unlocked the door. His breaths were uneven and shaky as if he was a second away from losing himself completely. Seeing that the gambler was now safe at his home, Ratio began to walk away without a word.
Yet he couldn't leave.
A forceful, desperate tug at his hand spun Ratio back around. Swiftly, Aventurine buried his head into his chest and began to ugly sob like a newborn baby. He was a convulsing mess, seeking comfort he was deprived from.
And for some reason...the self-centered scholar was the one he seeked comfort from.
Without a word still, yet a clear look of affectionate annoyance on his features, Ratio dragged him into his own home and locked the door behind them, before walking to his bedroom. From the amount of times Aventurine had teasingly invited Ratio into his house and dragged him into his bedroom to seduce him (rather unsuccessfully), Ratio knew the way to Aventurine's room like muscle memory. However, this time Ratio was bringing him to the room, and definitely not to flirt.
"Come on, Aventurine..." He sighed, both of them sitting on the bed.
Now sat beside him, Aventurine nestled his head into the crook of Ratio's neck, gasping and sobbing into it. "I- I- ah- I- I can't......I- I- I- need....need to give up...." Aventurine choked on his cries, no longer holding back. "I'm...so....
sorry....everything...is w-way too....too much..."
"You're being serious aren't you? You're finally realising how pitifully you're wasting your life away," Ratio scolded, yet paused and added with a gentler tone, "This isn't you, Aventurine."
"I need help..." Aventurine's voice cracked, yet his sobs were quiet now. "No one understands..."
"I'm here...you're fine..." He hugged him, placing a comforting hand on the back of his head. "Don't hold it all in anymore. You've been through a lot...I already know the full story."
Aventurine's heart sank like a broken ship, "What...?"
"...I found and read old records and accidentally stumbled upon your past...I should have admitted sooner yet...I didn't want to upset you again...."
"Oh Ratio-" Aventurine began to sob again, his grip tensing.
"It's all okay...nobody else knows...I got rid of all the information publicly...so..." His voice trailed off as he watched the gamblers eyes fluttering closed, still sniffling and gripping him tightly even in sleep. With a huff Ratio
brought him closer, and got more comfortable on the bed,
"You're so silly, gambler...but I won't let anyone know of everything you endured...you poor, sweet soul..."