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The Proposal

Summary:

Veritas cleared his throat. "Well, there's no time like the present. Shall I begin with my proposal?"

"Your… proposal?"

"Yes, of course," said Veritas. He pulled open his files and began his explanation of his Divergent Universe, as he had decided to call it. He explained how it meaningfully differed from the Simulated Universe and how he would use it to predict the future behaviors of Aeons. As he turned to the main aims of the project, Screwllum interrupted him.

"My apologies, Veritas, but I'm a bit confused. Based on your behavior over the last few months, I assumed we were having a romantic dinner. I'm flattered that you wish to involve me in this brilliant idea, but is this truly how you wish to spend tonight?"

"R-romantic dinner?"

Written for the Screwtio Valentine's Exchange!

Notes:

I'm so excited to share this fic! It's my first time finishing a Screwtio piece and I'm so honored to have it be a part of the screwtio server's valentine's exchange. It's an AU that still takes place in the hsr universe, but Ratio and Screwllum are professors at a university. I hope my giftee enjoys it!

Follow me on bluesky!

Work Text:

Screwllum was known to be shrewd when it came to his collaborations. He had the highest success rate when it came to obtaining grants within their department. If you had Screwllum's name on your project, it had a 99% chance of being funded, but plenty of junior faculty had left his office in tears after his brutal rejection of their ideas.

It had been many years since Dr. Veritas Ratio had been considered junior faculty, but he knew that his latest project was ambitious even for him. While he was erudite in the laws of physics and mathematics, Screwllum's own experience in the logic of simulated universes far surpassed his own. Screwllum's resume included involvement in Madam Herta's Simulated Universe and such experience among Veritas' research team would be his best bet at obtaining funding.

Veritas wanted to build his own version of the Simulated Universe that was focused on current and future events. While The Herta's Simulated Universe focused on understanding the events of the past, Veritas wanted to look towards the future and all possible paths forwards for the universe. He knew it was an ambitious idea, but with Screwllum's expertise, he was certain that the grant committee would be intrigued at the very least.

This was how Veritas found himself planning an elaborate scheme to catch Screwllum's interest. He drew up the proposal to near completion and highlighted the sections he wanted Screwllum's guidance on. Veritas made sure that the biggest salary would go to Screwllum within the budget, making any questions regarding monetary compensation hard to argue. He decided that it would be best to have this conversation away from eavesdropping ears; he cleaned his home from top to bottom and planned a lavish dinner for his colleague.

Veritas debated how to best extend the invitation to Screwllum. He was running all of the possible options in his head when there was a knock on his office door. "Hello, Veritas. Working late?"

Veritas' head snapped up from his notepad to see Screwllum standing in the entrance to his office. "Ah… yes. I'm working on a grant proposal, actually."

"Ah, but don't you still have a number of years to go on your current project?"

"The end of the funding will come sooner than I think and I have a burning desire to see this next project through. As someone on more grants than I can count, I'm sure you're familiar with the endless grant submission grind."

"Perhaps, but I have no need for rest as an inorganic. You should not aim to compare yourself to me. However, if you believe this strongly in this project, I am curious what it is."

Veritas smiled. "I'd be delighted to get your input. Please, join me for dinner at my home tomorrow night. I will be more than happy to discuss all of the finer details with you then. Seven o'clock?"

"Yes, perfect. I'll see you then. Make sure you get some rest, Veritas. Good evening." With that, Screwllum walked away from Veritas' office. Veritas felt like his heart was roaring in his ears.

In the hours leading up to his dinner with Screwllum, Veritas found himself pacing through his house. He felt restless, like his entire academic career was hinging on this meeting. In many ways, it was, but even if Screwllum wasn't willing to work on this project, Veritas was willing to keep trying. He would reach out to Ruan Mei if he had to, although she was far less agreeable as a collaborator.

The doorbell rang and Vertias nervously brushed off his clothes before running to answer. He opened the door to find Screwllum standing there. He was wearing a suit that was much nicer than his usual professional work attire and in his hand was a bouquet of red roses. "Apologies if these aren't to your tastes. I didn't know your taste in flowers so I assumed this was the most statistically likely option to please you."

Veritas stared at the flowers in confused. He took them from Screwllum slowly, taking a sniff. "Um… thank you. These are lovely. Come in. I'll put them in some water." Veritas led Screwllum to his dining room and then disappeared into the kitchen. He put the flowers in an empty vas he kept under the sink. Then, he returned with the vas and placed them in the middle of the table.

"Dinner looks wonderful, Veritas."

Veritas blushed and sat down at the table next to Screwllum at the seat where he had left his grant proposal. "Thank you. My skills aren't renowned, but I developed some culinary talents during my student years."

"No need to be humble. This certainly exceeded my expectations," said Screwllum.

Veritas cleared his throat. "Well, there's no time like the present. Shall I begin with my proposal?"

"Your… proposal?"

"Yes, of course," said Veritas. He pulled open his files and began his explanation of his Divergent Universe, as he had decided to call it. He explained how it meaningfully differed from the Simulated Universe and how he would use it to predict the future behaviors of Aeons. As he turned to the main aims of the project, Screwllum interrupted him.

"My apologies, Veritas, but I'm a bit confused. Based on your behavior over the last few months, I assumed we were having a romantic dinner. I'm flattered that you wish to involve me in this brilliant idea, but is this truly how you wish to spend tonight?"

"R-romantic dinner?" He felt his face heat. It was rare that Veritas found himself truly taken aback, but Screwllum had properly befuddled him.

"Forgive me if my calculations were incorrect, but all knowledge I have of human behavior pointed towards you planning to seduce me tonight."

"N-no… well, i-if you want me to, I wouldn't be opposed, but ah… I know you're careful with which projects you are willing to sign your name onto. I simply wanted to present my proposal in the most appealing way possible."

"Veritas, all of your projects are brilliant. I do not wish to risk my reputation on junior faculty with ambitions far beyond their capabilities, but you've proven yourself time and time again to be one of the most brilliant minds in the universe. You simply could have asked and I'd be more than happy to support any of your endeavors."

"O-oh, well… In that case, I suppose I don't want to waste any more of your time. Let me know your thoughts whenever you get the chance to look it over," said Veritas, sliding the folder towards Screwllum. "I confess… it really hadn't been my intention to seduce you tonight, but I wouldn't be opposed to shifting gears in that direction for the rest of the evening."

"May I be permitted to touch you?" asked Screwllum. Veritas nodded. Screwllum leaned towards Veritas and cupped the back of his head, pulling him close so that their foreheads were touching.

Veritas' eyes shift towards the entrance of the dining room. "My bedroom is not too far off."

"Shall we retire there, then?"

Veritas nodded and stood up from the table. It felt wasteful to leave the food, but Screwllum didn't eat in the conventional sense and he would reheat his portion later. He led Screwllum to his bedroom. Once they were inside, Screwllum gently pushed Veritas to lie on the bed and settled in next to him. Veritas watched with rapt attention as Screwllum dragged his hand along his chest, popping the buttons on Veritas' shirt as he went. When Veritas' chest was revealed, Screwllum dragged his hands along it, pinching Vertias' nipple. Screwllum's hands were surprisingly warm for a man made entirely of metal.

Veritas' breath hitched as Screwllum's hand descended lower. Screwllum popped the button on Veritas' pants and slipped his hand underneath the waistband. Veritas let out a deep sigh as Screwllum wrapped his hand around him. Veritas reached for Screwllum, but Screwllum pushed his hand away. "There is no need. My species does not receive sexual gratification the ways yours does, but I am delighted in the opportunity to study your reactions to my touch. You fascinate me, Veritas. More than any organic I have met before."

Veritas felt his face heat. "It feels… selfish to not return the favor in some way. I want you to feel pleasure, too."

"Make no mistake. I derive a great deal of pleasure from touching you. I'm happy to get closer to you, touch you in ways befitting a lover." Screwllum pulled his pants off his legs, revealing his metallic body. He reached for a panel between his legs and pushed it aside. Slowly, a large, metallic cock pushed out of it, shiny and chrome. "I installed this before I came here. I hope it is to your liking. If not, I am happy to remove it and let you use my hole."

"It's… perfect. Magnificent." Veritas found himself at a loss for words, an experience he was not used to. He reached for the lubricant in his bedroom drawner and handed it to Screwllum. He hooked his thumbs into his pants and pushed them down his legs, his underwear going with them. Once he was fully nude, he spread his legs for Screwllum. "Do you think using your fingers on me would bring you pleasure?"

"Certainly." Screwllum coated his fingers in the lubricant. Then, he reached for Veritas and pushed his finger inside him. Veritas threw his head back as he felt himself fill. Screwllum's fingers were large and they made his head spin with desire.

Veritas moaned as Screwllum pushed in a second finger. He already felt so full from just two fingers. Screwllum's dick was far larger, and Veritas was excited for the challenge. Veritas arched his back, already panting from the sensations.

The third finger Screwllum pushed inside him made his eyes roll into the back of his skull. He didn't know if he had much longer left in him, but he was determined to feel Screwllum inside him. Realizing that time was limited, he grabbed Screwllum's wrist and pulled it out. "My apologies, but it's my turn to take charge." He pushed Screwllum until his back hit the bed. Then, he straddled Screwllum's hips and lined himself up with Screwllum's cock. Slowly, he began to sink down onto Screwllum.

The head of Screwllum's cock was large and pulled him open. He couldn't help the piercing moaning that dropped from his lips as he felt himself fill. He had barely gotten the head inside of himself and the stretch already felt like it was at its limit. Veritas took a deep breath and slowly began to push himself down.

As he bottomed out, it took all of his willpower not to release all over Screwllum then and there. He took deep breaths as he steadied himself. He felt so full, so impossibly full. He'd never had a cock so large inside himself before and it caused a sense of pride to bubble in his chest. He wanted to show Screwllum that he was up for any challenge that was thrown at him.

Slowly, Veritas used Screwllum's chest as leverage to start moving. His movements were slow, every millimeter he moved sending shock waves throughout his body. He closed his eyes and willed himself not to release. It was too early.

As he got used to Screwllum inside him, his movements got faster. Every time he would bottom out, he would let out a deep exhale. He felt like he was being ripped apart by the seams, but he didn't want it to end. The sound of skin slapping against metal flooded the room. Veritas was sure he was going to have bruises in the morning. Even still, he couldn't stop. He was addicted.

Eventually, it became impossible to resist the siren song of orgasm. With one final rock of his hips, he slammed down onto Screwllum and released all over his chest with a heavy grunt. He felt like he was being rocketed up into the heavens and then sent tumbling down. As he came to his senses, he felt himself fill with a fluid. His eyes flew open and he stared down at Screwllum underneath him, his breathing heavy.

Screwllum cupped his cheek and pressed his forehead to Veritas'. "You are simply magnificent, Dr. Veritas Ratio. You have brought me endless pleasure to witness you like this. I hope I was able to provide you with sufficient pleasure in return."

Veritas nodded. "More than you'll ever know, I suspect." Slowly, Veritas pulled himself off of Screwllum. The fluid inside him rolled down his leg and he let out a gasp.

"I figured simulating a human release would better convey my enjoyment."

Veritas chuckled. "A bit excessive but… the effort amuses me." Veritas felt a sharp pain in his lower back as he shuffled off of the bed. He headed towards the bathroom attached to his bedroom. He began to clean himself off in the sink. He heard shuffling in the bedroom and then Screwllum stuck his head in.

"Unfortunately, while I had intended to stay for longer, my assistants have conveyed to me that I am needed in the lab. There's been ah… a bit of an emergency. Will you forgive my disappearance? I know such behavior is typically frowned upon by humans post-coitus, and I will apologize for my rudeness the next time we meet."

Veritas smiled. "Of course. Besides, I can't imagine you would make for a good sleeping companion in the traditional sense."

"On the contrary, I have been told I'm a fantastic cuddler. I can warm my body up to the ideal temperature. Next time, perhaps?"

Veritas found himself blushing, something else he wasn't prone to doing often. "Yes, next time."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. I still need to hear about this grant proposal of yours. I'll stop by your office in the morning with breakfast, if that is amendable to you."

"Of course. Anytime."

With a nod and a wave, Screwllum left. Veritas was alone in his bathroom, naked as the day he was born. He sighed and headed towards the shower. He didn't have much taste for how messy human coitus often was. Next time, he would instruct Screwllum that he could be a little less human. Veritas happened to like him just the way he was.