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“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Cackling flames, the melody of the piano; a charming backdrop to the lounge of Penacony’s grand hotel.
The slight buzz of alcohol in his system, Dr. Veritas Ratio turns to the man seated beside him. Aventurine, the inquirer of the previous question, continues to twirl the glass of wine in his hand; eyes fixated at another group of guests in the lounge.
“Stelle. I like her.”
Ratio pauses in his motions, eyes following the direction of Aventurine’s gaze.
The small smile on her lips, the light reflected behind her citrine eyes. She laughs at something her pink-haired companion said, her fingers moving to tuck the stray strands of hair to the back of her ear.
“Pretty, right?” Aventurine asked.
“That would depend on one’s standards for physical attractiveness.”
“Are you implying you find her ugly?”
“You have no comprehension skills whatsoever,” Ratio sighs. “She is perfectly tolerable.”
“Really? Because I think that she’s perfectly divine.”
Twirling the drink in his hand, Aventurine continues to gaze at the girl’s back from the distance; smiling contentedly as though he is drunk.
“She’s like unrusting gold in a sea of jagged gems. Like a giant star whose light reaches the darkest corners of the universe. Seeing her smile is euphoric, like hitting the jackpot in an inherently unjust game. You get me?”
“Gambling analogies will not get you anywhere if you truly desire her heart.”
“Hey! That’s actually really great advice. Maybe I should hire you as my love counselor.” Aventurine chuckles before a moment of eureka seemingly flashes in his eyes. “Say, why don’t we make a deal?”
Ratio’s expression turns sour. “I am not interested in one of your games.”
“I promise you; no games this time.” Aventurine sets down his drink on the counter, still smiling that rapacious smile. “Help me win Miss Stelle’s heart. If you can do that, the IPC will grant the Intelligentsia Guild extra funding. Not too shabby right?”
“You cannot be serious.”
"Oh, but I am!”
Ratio shoots him an unimpressed glare and Aventurine takes it in stride, chuckling as he takes off his shades.
“The Intelligentsia Guild’s networking dinner party is coming soon, right. Convince her to attend. And while you’re at it, convince her that I’m more than worthy to be her man. Easy enough, right?”
“... You’re not going to give this up, are you?” Ratio sighs.
The sight of Stelle’s carefree laugh as she jokes with her friends. She has a good smile and an even more enthralling laugh. Was that what drew Aventurine to her? Or was it something else?
“Fine.”
Intellectual curiosity, an eagerness to see things through. Ratio cared little for the talks of funding, but he saw no harm in helping a friend.
“We have a deal.”
What’s the worst that could happen?
“A dinner party?”
“Yes. Though it would be more appropriate to call it a networking event for scholars to share their research and connect with prominent figures from all over the universe.”
The peaceful calm of the Astral Express’s Parlor Car, the strong aroma of coffee thick in the air.
This was hardly the first time Ratio came to visit the Express. Yet for some reason, he felt four other pairs of eyes noticeably watching him and his conversing partner. Ratio heeded them no mind, though he admits that Stelle’s uncharacteristic prolonged silence perplexed him.
Surely, the prospect of attending a dinner party with him was nothing grand, no?
“You should totally go, Stelle!” It was March 7th’s voice who broke the silence. “I mean, when else are you gonna get an invite from Mr. Ratio to attend a fancy dinner party when you can doll up and look pretty?”
“March!” Stelle’s face flushed red. “You know I can’t! The next Trailblaze mission —”
“Will be perfectly fine even without you.” Himeko cuts, smiling kindly. “It’s fine, Stelle. Have a little faith in us, won’t you?”
“But — !”
“Besides,” Himeko turns her attention to Ratio who had been watching their interaction soundlessly. “If anything comes up, I’m sure Mr. Ratio will be more than willing to help you out. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ratio?”
“Naturally.” Ratio huffs. “I shall take full responsibility for ensuring her security, health and wellbeing. I swear on my honor as a Scholar.”
Himeko nods firmly, pleased at his reply. The two men of the Astral Express share a look before smiling. March 7th grins from ear to ear, eagerly waiting for Stelle’s reply.
Seated in front of him, Stelle furrows her lips, pink dusting her cheeks.
“I’m not a child, you know.” She murmurs. “I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you were.” But considering the fact that she’s flushed red from petty anger, Ratio was inclined to think otherwise. “Your answer?”
“What if I accidentally say something stupid and ruin the reputation of the Nameless?”
“Not to worry. I shall guide you on proper conduct as well as support your endeavor in connecting with others.”
“... I don’t have a dress.”
Ratio smirks.
“Stop gawking already, won’t you?”
Stelle jumps at his voice and immediately turns towards him. Even after being told off, the girl makes no indication of parting from the water fountain she has been gawking at for the past minute. He turned around with the intention to leave her behind and she rushed to follow him.
“Sorry! I got distracted there.” Stelle chuckled dryly, her eyes darting around the luxurious shopping complex run by the IPC. “Also uh, are we really going to buy my dress from here …?”
“Before you ask a question, why don’t you consider whether the answer has already been determined?” Stelle opens her mouth to protest, but Ratio cuts her short. “Patience. Your benefactor who’ll be paying for your dress will come soon.”
“Huh? Who —”
“Aha! There you two are!”
“Aventurine?!”
Emerging from the crowd was none other than Aventurine who had replaced his usual gaudy clothing with a simple pair of a white shirt and black long pants. Looks like he listened to his advice of keeping a down to earth appearance.
Good, they’re off to a good start.
“Surprise, surprise! Guess who’ll be paying for both of your fancy clothes for the dinner party?” Aventurine leaned towards Stelle until he was quite literally, shoving his face up to hers. “What’s this? Has my charming face stunned you into silence?”
“You — !”
“You’re late by 2 system minutes, you damned gambler.” Ratio yanks the man away from her. “Enough pleasantries. We’ve wasted enough time.”
“So impatient! But, you’re right!”
Laughing good-naturedly, Aventurine frees himself from Ratio’s hold. Then, as though learning nothing from their subsequent interaction, the blond asserts himself on Stelle’s side once more; snaking a hand around her waist.
“Shall we then, Miss Stelle?”
Stelle swats his hand away easily. “Touch me again and I’ll bonk you with my bat.”
Aventurine laughs once she is out of their earshot. Having the audacity to ask;
“Feisty isn’t she?”
Ratio shoots him a dirty look. “If you’re serious about her, then don’t touch her without her consent next time.”
Ratio did not bother to listen to whatever retort the man was about to muster, already catching up to Stelle who waited in the crowd.
Despite the initial friction, the shopping trip was more or less a success.
They completed their objective of getting Stelle a dress. And while squabbles between her and Aventurine were inevitable, she no longer kept a high guard around him. It helped that the blond actually took his advice and kept his hands to himself for the most part.
As they strolled through the shopping complex, Stelle’s eyes darted to various store displays. At some point, when Aventurine was rambling about the market trends of the universe, she had slowed down in her tracks to stare at a gold-coated bracelet on display.
Ratio sighed. What a silly girl.
“Has that bracelet caught your eye?” Ratio asked, joining her by her side.
She jolted slightly, scratching her cheek as she answered; “K-Kinda. It’s shiny.”
“A Tiffania & Co.! Good eye, Ojou-chan!” Aventurine praises. “ Shall we get that then?”
“H-Huh?! But I don’t —”
“Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m not a Senior Manager of the IPC for nothing, you know.”
Aventurine pulls out his black card, causing Stelle’s jaw to drop and Ratio to pinch the bridge of his nose.
With the confidence befitting a man who thinks flaunting wealth is the way to a woman’s heart, Aventurine strides into the shop; the two of them follow after him with frowns on their faces. With a wide smile, Aventurine greets the clerk —
— Only to be greeted back by three IPC guards surrounding them with guns aimed to shoot.
“... Oi, gambler.” Ratio calls, breaking the tense silence. “Is this some part of your elaborate scheme?”
“Ahaha, no. Though it would’ve been cool to see me play the hero, huh?” Aventurine places his hand on his hip, smiling as he faces the clerk. “Could you be so kind as to explain why you’ve called security on us, Miss?”
“I have nothing to say to your kind … you dirty Sigonian .”
The sudden coldness of the room, the hostility and disdain reflected behind the clerk’s eyes. Ratio notices Stelle tensing beside him, her eyes darting to Aventurine’s back.
“... Wow, okay!” Aventurine replies cheerily, still playing the part of the fool. “Sooo, do you have evidence for suspicious behavior or —”
“Shut your mouth! You Sigonians are all liars, thieves, social manipulators and wolves in sheep’s clothing! You two should be ashamed of yourself for conspiring with this criminal!”
The clerk scoffs after throwing accusations after accusations. She waves her hands and the three guards begin to encircle them.
“Don’t resist and let the guards take you away. If you do that, you’ll at least be able to receive a lighter — !”
The sound of shattering glass, the guard’s body eerily limp above the broken container display box.
Jaw dropped, both Ratio and Aventurine could only watch as Stelle effortlessly disarms the other two guards, trashing them and sending them to hell back by throwing them across the room. The clerk lets out a shriek, but even she was not spared from Stelle’s fist of wrath.
Upon watching the chaos unfolding before their eyes, Aventurine laughed while Ratio let out what was probably one of the longest sigh in his life.
“As mentioned before, this humble room shall be your residence for the next two weeks. We’ll have our lessons everyday at 5 PM system time at class XVIIA in the East Hall. I expect you to come prepared and on time each time. Any questions?”
“Are you still mad about me punching the IPC guards?”
“ Important questions.”
Seated on the bed of the Intelligentsia Guild’s guest room, Stelle pouts while kicking her leg. The white bandage wrapped around her hand, Ratio pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Though your actions were not completely unjustified, it was rash and reckless. But surely you are not that dull to not understand I have no reason to hold prolonged anger towards you?” Ratio crosses his arms. “If there are no important questions then —”
“Is there anything I can do to help you — er, the Guild to prepare for the dinner party?”
Ratio blinks at the unexpected question. Those pairs of citrine eyes looked at him expectantly. Like a puppy wagging its tail. How silly.
“Yes.”
Her eyes brighten — only for her expression to fall once he placed a stack of books on her table.
“Read these books to prepare yourself in advance for the possible conversation topics you will encounter in the party. I will be testing you on them in two days. Do us a favor and not let either of us down, understood?”
She grumbles but manages a barely coherent ‘understood’ as a reply. Satisfied, Ratio turns his heel to exit her room —
“Um, Mr. Ratio?”
Ratio paused. He turned to her and found himself gazing at her small smile.
“Thank you.” She says. “I promise I won’t let either of us down.”
Her voice is as tender as the morning sun.
“I would most certainly hope not.” He sighs, walking out her room. “If there is anything else, feel free to contact me at any time.”
The door is shut.
Stelle: Hi! I know you’re probably busy but wanna eat lunch together tomorrow?
Ratio: Unfortunately, I will be having a meeting tomorrow at lunch.
Ratio: If you are in need of company, I suggest you visit the lounge. With your unique disposition, I believe you’ll be able to find the right companions in no time.
Stelle: Are you that busy?
Stelle: Did you just leave me on read?
Stelle: Ugh fine. Be that way.
Stelle: Just make sure you make time to eat and rest, ok? Don’t strain yourself too much so you won’t get sick before the actual event.
Ratio: Rather than wasting your time texting me, I suggest you maximize your productivity by engaging in some self-study.
Stelle: [Angry_Pom-pom_sticker]
“Hey. Who's that pretty girl with gray hair that’s been helping around lately?”
“No idea. Cute smile though.”
“Is she also a student? Or is she a new faculty member?”
Turning his gaze to the source of those voices, Ratio finds a group of boys loitering in the corner of the hall of the Intelligentsia Guild’s main school. He recognized some of them as the slackers he expelled from his class a few semesters ago; those ignorant brats who chose to think with not even a quarter of their brain power.
Anyway, he needs to move along. Between aiding the logistics of the dinner party, mentoring his students, all the while dealing with dozens of blockheads often acting without thinking, Ratio doesn’t have the time to waste on these —
“Nah, she’s a guest attending the dinner party. Her name’s Stelle.”
Ratio stops.
“Stelle? That name’s kinda familiar … oh wait, is she one of the Nameless? The one with killer thighs?”
“Yeah, that one! Have you seen her run around the halls? Just saying but her skirt is pretty short, soo …”
“I actually managed to get her number a few days ago.”
“Lucky dog! Hey, sharing is caring! Give me her number —”
“Ahem.”
“What? If you want her number too then get it — M-Mr. Ratio?!”
Arms crossed, Ratio stares down at the students whose faces had become deathly pale.
“Seeing you have time to yap in the hallway, it seems you’re all in dire need for additional assignments. Shall I do the honors and grant you more?”
“N-No, sir! P-Please excuse us!”
The boys run along without wasting another second, one accidentally dropping their phone. Shaking his head, Ratio picks up the fallen object; his face instantly turning sour at the image displayed on the screen.
It was Stelle’s contact number, along with a candid profile picture of her back-side that the boy had undoubtedly captured without her consent.
He sighed, wasting no time in pressing delete contact .
Ratio: Why have I been receiving reports of a guest named Stelle sticking her nose into various businesses and running errands for the preparations for the Dinner Party?
Stelle: Because … that’s what I’m doing?
Ratio: Didn’t I tell you not to concern yourself with these matters? Your only focus should be on your studies.
Stelle: I can balance between my studies and helping out!
Ratio: Your 30% score on yesterday’s test says otherwise.
Stelle: I’m trying my best okay?!
Ratio: Honestly … why are you even so eager to help others? Are you some kind of altruist who believes that every good deed will be repaid in full?
Stelle: It’s not like I’m doing this without selfish reasons …
Ratio: Whatever reasons you have, I am uninterested in them.
Ratio: If you still score under 70% in tomorrow’s test, I will lock you in your room myself so you can focus on your review.
Stelle: Fine.
Stelle: I’ll show you whose boss.
Ratio: *who’s
Stelle: [Angry_Pom-pom_sticker]
Gambler: Question! Do you think Miss Stelle will fall for me as soon as I show her how smooth I can be on the dance floor?
[Read 13:00 PM]
“Eighty points. Not bad.”
“Aha! See? Told you I’ll show you who’s boss!”
“Don’t look so happy just yet.”
He clicks his pen on the table, setting the paper testing her basic knowledge on the presentation topics of the dinner party aside.
“You still haven’t memorized the faces and names of the distinguished guests. Not to mention, your atrocious table manners.”
“Well I’m sorry I can’t tell the difference between the knives used for a meat, fish and salad course meal.” She pouts, deflating. “Why do I need to learn those fancy shticks anyway? I’m a trailblazer, not some distinguished royalty.”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to tarnish the good reputation of the Nameless by acting like a blundering buffoon?”
“That’s — !”
“Stand up.” Ratio suddenly says.
“Huh?” She tilts her head. “Why?”
“We’re about to start your dance lesson.”
“Huh?!”
“There are many types of formal dancing. But the most popular one for these events is the Waltz that — Oi, stop spacing out while staring at other people’s faces.”
“S-Sorry! It’s just … how am I supposed to concentrate when all I see is your stone head?! Why are you even —”
“Because I know for a fact you will be even more distracted if I am not wearing it. Zero points. Focus.”
Stelle makes a disgruntled noise, but otherwise heeds his words by averting her eyes and straightening her back. Ratio sighed, readjusting his masks and making sure he could actually see her through the stonehead’s eyes.
Once settled, he offers his hand. After some deliberation, she places her ungloved hand above his.
It was small. Calloused, but soft.
“Stand one foot apart from your partner with your right and left hands clasped. Face them, hold their right hand in your left. Your right arm beneath their left shoulder blade.”
She follows his instructions like an exemplary pupil, her citrine eyes glimmering as she keeps her eyes on his stone head.
“Some people like to twist the rules of the dance by placing their hand on their partner’s waist, but that should only be done with the consent of the other.” Whether he did it consciously or not, Ratio carefully pushes away the stray strands of hair hindering him from touching her back. “If someone does that to you and makes you uncomfortable, leave them. A partner who is unable to respect your boundaries is not worth your time.”
“Mr. Ratio …” She meets his eyes, a small yet sincere smile on her lips. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“There is nothing special about what I’ve just said.” He replies dismissively. “Now, let’s move slowly.”
He leads her like a proper instructor, giving her pointers and counting the numbers to help her keep the tempo. Despite having little to no experience with the art, she picks up the steps with relative ease. It was impressive. Though he doubts excessive praise would be effective in fostering her growth.
“Stop staring at your feet.” Ratio says, stern but not unkind. “Look up.”
She gingerly lifts her head and he is greeted by those radiant pairs of citrine once more. Then, after a few moments of silence, she giggles.
“Sorry.” Stelle apologizes when Ratio tilts his head in question. “Your mask is just really funny to look at.”
“You have a strange sense of humor.”
“Says the one with an alabaster mask.”
She laughs at her own words; the soft lilt of her laughter filling the empty classroom with warmth that radiated from her figure. She really does have a nice smile. It was no wonder those boys were easily caught up by her.
Right, those boys. Ratio needed to warn her about —
“Um, I don’t think I’ve properly said this before, but …” Her voice reels him back into reality. “I really appreciate you taking your time to teach me about all this. You’ve been pretty busy with your mentoring and preparations for the events, right?”
She noticed. Ratio knew she would, but for some reason, hearing it from her own lips made him feel an indescribable warmth in his chest.
“I am simply fulfilling my responsibility as the one who had invited you.”
“Still. Thank you for making time for me. I’m … really happy.”
The empty classroom, the echo of their footsteps. Stelle’s tender smile, the pale blush on the corner of her cheeks. She reminded him of the morning sky. The vast clear blue with trails of clouds.
“Mr. Ratio —”
“Ratio.”
She blinks.
“It’s bothersome to hear you call me ‘mister’ as though I am some old artifact.” He explains with a grunt. “So, cease that way of calling this instant.”
“... Hehe.”
“Did I say something funny?”
“No.” She tightens her hold around his hand, grinning from ear to ear. “Nothing at all, Ratio.”
Her voice, her smile. The bothersome warmth that crept upwards to his cheeks.
Ratio knew wearing the alabaster mask was the right choice after all.
Stelle: So! Does this mean I can help out with the preparations for the event?
Ratio: I don’t understand why you’re asking. I assumed you would have continued to keep helping out even without my permission or even despite my demarcation. Honestly … Why are you so eager to help anyway?
Stelle: I wanted to lessen your burdens.
Ratio: What?
Stelle: By doing small errands, I’d be able to help smoothen the preparation process for the event. Maybe by doing that, you’d have less things to worry about and spend more time, idk, relaxing? Or maximizing your productivity with something else?
Stelle: Sorry. I hope that didn’t come off as condescending.
Ratio: Are you free tomorrow afternoon?
Stelle: ? I am, why?
Ratio: Meet me in front of the East Hall tomorrow at 1:00 PM sharp. You will help me receive the delegates from the IPC.
Stelle: !!! Got it!
Stelle: [Happy_Pom-Pom_Sticker]
“Hey! Long time no see, Stelle.”
“Topaz! Numby!”
“Aww, no hug for Aventurine?”
“In your dreams.”
Detaching herself from the white-haired IPC representative named Topaz, Stelle shoots Aventurine a glare which the man took in stride by laughing heartily.
“By the way,” Aventurine perks once Topaz had gone to greet Ratio, effectively leaving him with Stelle. “I never did end up giving my thanks for intervention during that little squabble back in the IPC shopping complex. Is there anything you want as a reward?”
“Uh, nothing in particular?” Stelle scratches her cheek. Then hesitantly adds; “But about that … are you alright?”
Aventurine blinks, momentarily taken aback. “Huh?
“The shopkeeper said a lot of horrible things.” She takes a step closer to him. “I … didn’t know what to say at that time. Wasn’t sure if I should say anything about that fact. So I — Aventurine? You’re staring …”
“Oh! Sorry, I … just got distracted by your beauty!” Aventurine laughed, his eyes darting away from her before returning to them with a rejuvenated vigor. “Say! How about I treat you for lunch? Are you down for some hamburgers?”
“Hamburgers?!"
Aventurine, perhaps finding such reaction endearing, chuckles softly; his pair of violets gazing at the girl with a pure emotion that could only be described as adoration. He teases her and she retorts with a flush. Then, he rests his hand on the small of her back.
The pair excuses themselves and Stelle turns to Ratio as though asking if this was alright. He nods at her and she beams. Just like that, Aventurine takes her away.
From beside him, Topaz chuckles. “Good for him.”
The sight of her fading back, the sound of her laugh that seemingly travels from the distance into his ears. She looked happy by his side. Who would have thought.
“Indeed.” Ratio closes his eyes. “Good for him.”
Ratio: How was your lunch?
Ratio: Did you have fun spending time with him?
Ratio: Thank you for your help receiving the delegates from the IPC.
Ratio: Tomorrow I will be rather busy. There’s a chance I will be late for our lesson. Do not wait for me. Just focus on your review.
“I apologize for the delay. But I assume you have read my message and …”
The silence of the empty room, the pale glow of the evening sun like a crown on her ashen-haired locks. Ratio stops in his steps, amber eyes locked on the sight of Stelle’s sleeping figure; resting comfortably against the back of her chair. He closes the door behind him and walks to her side.
“Sleeping without a care in the world in an open classroom. Do you know how easily others could take advantage of your weakness?” He sighs. “Reckless girl.”
She does not answer him. He did not expect her to.
Ratio reaches for the open notebook on her table. Her handwriting was messy. Legible, but had room for improvement. She would do well in taking a course on the art. Maybe he should refer her to a proper course on penmanship offered by the Intelligentsia Guild. Or maybe, he could teach her himself. It was not his specialty, but he knew enough. Then maybe …
Evening winds, the sway of the curtains. The curls of her long lashes, the slow rise and fall of her chest as she slumbers peacefully; blissfully unaware of her surroundings.
Ratio sets down the book on the table, fingers reaching to push away her bangs that covered her eye.
She looks beautiful like this. Though, Ratio supposed she always is; inside out.
It’s no wonder that Aventurine fell for her. Anyone would. Even …
“... Ratio?”
Dazed citrine meets widened amber. He retracts his hand hastily, taking a step back.
“Sorry … I ended up falling asleep.” She yawns. “I reviewed a bit but —”
“Today’s lesson is canceled.”
“Eh?”
“Read these books to prepare for the next session.” He says in a single breath. “I shall see you then.”
“W-Wait! Ratio — Hey!”
The surprise on her face, the tight constricting sensation he feels in his chest. He wastes no time rushing out of the room, ignoring her calls and pretends not to feel the warmth that rushes to his face.
Back against the wall, Ratio crosses his arms, tapping his fingers against the expensive material of his suit. Click, clock, the steady beat of his watch. A few seconds pass. Then finally, the door opens.
“You sure took your time getting ready. Didn’t I tell you that the event starts …”
Radiant citrine, the black of her dress accentuated by the color of gold. Stelle steps out of her room, the sound of her heels against the ceramic floors echoing in the emptiness of the halls.
She looked different, but that’s to be given. It was not everyday that she would wear a long halter dress, her long ashen-haired tied back into a neat ponytail tied together with a golden ribbon that perfectly complimented her eyes. The pale pink dusting the corners of her cheeks, the soft spring the colors of her lips. Stelle looks up to meet his eyes, those pairs of clear citrine reflecting his own figure staring into her eyes.
“How do I look?”
“You look,” His throat felt dry. “Perfectly tolerable.”
Her expression falters. Ratio’s hand twitches, cold sweat lingering in his palm. Before he could retract his words, however, a third party interrupts them.
“Don’t listen to him, my dear. You look absolutely stunning!”
“Aventurine? What are you …”
Aventurine emerges from the shadows, already placing a hand on her back. She startles slightly, eyes looking at him in wonder.
“Isn’t it obvious? Because I’ll be your escort tonight!” He smiles widely before it slowly fades into something more kind and gentle. “That is, if you’ll have me.”
“Eh? But I thought …” Her eyes darted towards Ratio.
“I told you before, didn’t I? I’ll be busy with the logistical flow of the event and making sure none of my students act out of line.” Ratio averts his eyes. “I have no time to be your escort.”
Stelle’s expression falls into something akin to disappointment. He resisted the urge to reach out and smoothen the lines of worry on her forehead.
“Don’t look so sullen, you silly girl.” He sighs, crossing his arms as though to contain himself from reaching for her. “I’ve prepared you well, haven't I? You won’t make a fool out of yourself. Muchless taint the good name of the Nameless.”
“But hey! Even if you do, I’ll be by your side! With Aventurine of the Ten Stonehearts by your side, nobody will dare to step out of line.”
She turns to Aventurine and the man offers her a smile.
“So … will you please have me as your escort tonight, Miss Stelle?”
The muffled sound of music, the dim lighting of the halls. Aventurine extends his hand towards her. She smiles as she places her hand above his. Ratio looks away.
“Oh my, isn’t that Aventurine of the Ten Stonehearts? His dance partner is beautiful, don’t you think?”
The buzz of alcohol, its lingering bitter aftertaste. Looking up from his glass of wine, Ratio follows the gaze of the gossiping women. Fading lights, the melody of the orchestra playing its refrain.
The back of her ashen colored hair, Stelle’s smile as she danced with the man who smiled back at her.
One, two, three. Ratio counts the steps in his head. Not once did she make a mistake, not once did she falter in her step. Good. She really is an exemplary student.
In the back of his mind, Ratio questioned who thought it would be a good idea to include ballroom dancing in this supposedly academic networking party. Someone from the IPC probably, his mind supplies. Maybe it would’ve been better to not have included this.
Maybe, it would’ve been better if it had never come to this.
“Hey … is that girl crying?”
Subtly, Ratio glances at the direction the gossiping women were gazing. And then, his heart seemingly came to a halt.
Citrine eyes, even from the distance he could catch the glassiness of her eyes. The way she abruptly comes to a halt, turning around frantically and makes her silent escape. Blood boiling, he rushed towards Aventurine who chased after her.
“You damned gambler.” Ratio hissed as he blocked the blond in his tracks. “What the hell did you do ?”
“Nothing, I swear!” Aventurine replies, clearly distraught. “All I did was tell her that she looked beautiful and then she just started to cry!”
Ratio grits his teeth. “Stay here. I will handle this.”
He does not wait for Aventurine’s reply, already following in Stelle’s steps.
He finds her in a secluded corner of the empty hallways, her back facing him as she composes her ragged breaths.
“Running out of the venue with tears in your eyes … really, do you know how foolish you must’ve looked to the people around you?”
She jolts, turning towards him, those pairs of citrines glassy with tears. The shaky sigh that escaped her lips. It hurted him more than he thought it would.
“You don’t have to tell me … I already know I must’ve looked so stupid storming out like that.” She retorts, furiously wiping the corners of her eyes. “I — Ugh, I’m just — !”
“Don’t wipe your eyes like that.” He steps closer towards her, grabbing her wrist. “Are you trying to hurt yourself even more?”
“Let go! Don’t — Don’t look at me — !”
“Stop trashing around like some drowning racoon!”
“Ah!”
A beat, a breath. Before he could register his own actions, her body had already collided with his; her smaller frame engulfed by his.
The surprised gasp that escaped her lips, her head that was situated perfectly against the firm of his chest. His hand still wrapped around her wrist; the other that had unconsciously moved to cradle the back of her head. The warmth that radiated from her frame, the race of his heart that grew uncomfortably fast. Another moment passed and it was only then that he realized he had pulled her into an embrace.
Ratio did not know what had come over him. All he knew was that she was no longer shaking; breath no longer ragged and on the verge of breaking.
“Did he hurt you?”
“What?”
“Aventurine. Did he do or say something to hurt you?” Ratio clicks his tongue unpleasantly. “He is not an inherently bad person, but that does not change the fact that he may act out of line sometimes. If he did something that hurt you —”
“N-No!” She quickly interjects. “Aventurine didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just …”
He feels her hand against his chest, pushing him away. There was a slight discomfort in his stomach, but he does not resist and frees her from his hold.
“... I wanted to dance with someone else tonight.” Came her quiet confession. “I wanted to be told that I was beautiful by someone else. Somebody who I misunderstood might have liked me as much as I liked them.”
“You … Have feelings for someone?” He asks, a mixture of guilt, surprise and something else growing in his chest.
“Y-Yeah, it’s kind of embarrassing to admit but … I do.” She replies, a small yet saddened smile on her lips. “They probably don’t feel the same though.”
“Then they are a fool.”
Her eyes widened. Ratio opens his mouth before closing it once more.
“... They are a fool for making you cry.” He says, voice gentler than before. He thumbs the corner of her eye, wiping away the ghost of her tears. “A fool for not reciprocating the feelings of someone as endearing as you.”
The waves of emotions crashing down in her eyes, the bitter aftertaste of wine still stuck on his tongue. Ratio averts his eyes from her, retracting his hand that still lingered on her face.
“Cease your crying. You’ve wasted enough tears for someone who —”
A hand on his cheek, Ratio blinks and the next thing he knew, she had already pressed her lips against his.
An unfamiliar warmth, an unfamiliar tenderness that was laced by emotions set ablaze. Stelle’s lips were soft and her kiss was light yet deep, much like the morning sky he akins to that was graced by thick white clouds like a dream of a perfect world. Her lips tasted sweet; she smelled like a garden of flowers, like a complete spring. It was as though time had stopped by her bidding. Entrancing him to stay in this moment with her for all eternity.
And then, a moment all too soon, she pulls away. Eyes wide; face flushed even though she was completely sober.
“R-Ratio …! I’m so —”
“Shut up.”
She flinches at his harsh voice, she pulls away from him — only for him to grasp her wrist, pulling her back into his arms.
“Don’t,” He whispers, voice strained. “Say another word.”
Glimmering pairs of citrine, reflecting his own image staring into her soul. He engulfs her once more; greedily consuming the gasps and sighs that escape her lips with his own.
It wasn’t like him to act impulsive.
The darkness of the room, the rustling of the sheets. The creak of the bed, the gasps and sighs that escape her lips. Even in the dim lighting, Ratio could feel those pair of glimmering citrine staring into his soul. Her sweat trickled down her forehead, down to her lips, until they cascaded into the sheets that were already soaked by bodily fluids.
“Ratio … Ratio …!”
The strands of her ashen hair sprawled on the white sheets, the quiver of her voice as she begs him for more.
Each time she cries out his name, her tight walls spasming and clamping around his hardened member, he would lean down to kiss her. Lips ensnared, warm bodies pressed together as their hips rolled against each other; the obscene smell of sex thick in the air.
What series of decisions had led him to this moment, Ratio did not know. Whether he was intoxicated by the wine, the stress and fatigue that culminated into pent-up desire, or a natural result of those moments he gazed at her figure from afar, he did not know.
All he knew was that she was addicting; that the warmth of her body against his was intoxicating.
They remained in this dance until the brink of dawn, until the alcohol had been flushed out completely by the amount of fluids they exchanged all night long.
The light of day, the sunlight that enters through the translucent curtains of his room.
When Ratio opened his eyes, greeted by the sight of Stelle’s naked form by the side of his bed, a sickening sensation pools in his stomach.
Without wasting another second, Ratio gets dressed and leaves the room.
Stelle: Hi, good morning! I hope I didn’t snore last night. I’ve been told my snores are loud haha
Stelle: You must still be busy. Goodluck for today! Is there anything I can do to help with the cleanup? Don’t forget to take breaks and rest!
Stelle: Are you still busy with work?
Stelle: Ratio?
Stelle: Did I do … something wrong?
[Read, Yesterday 10:00 PM]
“You shouldn’t frown so much, my dear. You’ll get wrinkles all over your pretty face.”
“... Isn’t it about time you returned to the IPC?”
“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll be leaving soon. Which is why I’m here to get some unfinished business done.”
Turning to the man who had joined her in the empty classroom, Stelle is met with Aventurine’s smiling face.
He takes a seat on the chair beside her. He scoots closer to her, just enough for them to breathe in each other’s proximity. For a brief second, Stelle found herself hypnotized by Aventurine’s honeyed pairs of violets, by the sweet smile on his lips.
“Stelle.” He calls her name, gently enough for her wretched heart to almost sway. “Will you come with me?”
“... I’m not really interested in a career change though.” Stelle chuckles dryly.
He smirks, his fingers reaching away to push away the stray strands of hair on her face. “Who said anything about a career change?”
“Eh —”
Gloved hands on the back of her head, Aventurine leaned towards her and the next thing she knew, he had already pressed his lips against hers.
It came as a shock, like a splash of cold water to her face. She pressed her hand against his chest and Aventurine grasped them both with his free hand, deepening the kiss until she could not feel anything save for him. She tries to push him away, but Aventurine simply pulls her closer to him. The lack of air, the dizzying effect of his selfish kiss. She kicks his feet and manages to push him away.
“A-Aventurine! What the hell was —”
“I want you.”
The flush of her face, the unfamiliar sharp expression on Aventurine’s face. He keeps her hand against his chest, his heart thudding in an unsteady pace, leaning towards her once more.
“I want to be the only one who can make you laugh, the only one who can hold you in my arms.” She turned away, yet he still pressed his lips against her cheeks. “I want to be the one who brings you happiness. I swear that I will do anything, give you everything that you want.”
His fingers tuck the stray strands of hair to the back of her ear. Stelle hesitantly turns her gaze to him and finds herself gazing into his eyes once more.
“I like you, Stelle.” He confesses. “Won’t you give me a chance to prove to you that you’re the only one in my eyes?”
“I — I can’t.” She shuts her eyes. “I already have someone I —”
“Would they hold you like the way I hold you?
Without warning, he lifts her body and positions her on the desk. She gasped and Aventurine took it as the opportunity to press his lips against her once more.
“Would they kiss you like I kiss you?”
He licks her lips with his tongue and Stelle shuts her eyes as she shudders under his hold.
“Would they tell you they desire you the way I tell you how much I want every part of you?”
Her hand pressed against his chest, the race of his heart that reminded her of the night she spent with someone else. Aventurine gazed at her with those honeyed violet-eyes; a similar desire reflected in his eyes.
“I’m sorry I made you cry that night. But after this, I promise there’ll be no more tears.”
He cups her cheek and pulls her into another kiss. She tenses but her body did not resist like it did before.
“Choose me.” He whispers. “Stelle.”
“... Aventurine, I —”
A forceful yank, a loud thud; the sound of Aventurine’s back meeting the wall. Stelle’s eyes widened; her heart seemingly stopped at the sight of those familiar violet locks she had not seen in days.
“Ratio?”
The deafening silence, the waves of anger that refuses to still. Aventurine lips curve into that infuriating smirk. Ratio grits his teeth.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you damned gambler?!”
“My friend! Must you interrupt us when we were having a private conversation?”
“All I saw was you forcing yourself on her while she’s in a vulnerable state! She already told you that she had someone she cared for!”
“Oh? So you were listening for that long?” Aventurine chuckled, eyeing him like a viper. “Strange how you only chose to step in once she was almost completely swayed to my side.”
“You — !”
In anger, Ratio yanked the collar of Aventurine’s shirt. The sound of Stelle’s gasp, of her approaching footsteps. Aventurine watched him, lips curving into an all knowing smile.
“That face you’re making — Ahh, so that’s how it is.” Aventurine’s eyes glint in amusement. “You care for her, don’t you, Ratio?”
“Ratio!” Stelle calls, her hand on his shoulder. “Calm down! Let Aventurine —”
“I do.”
The sudden calm, her pair of citrine eyes that gazed at him in a mix of shock, surprise and disbelief. Ratio releases the blond’s collar. Aventurine watched him, expression eerily calm.
“I care for her,” Ratio says, voice small. “Enough to prevent her from falling into your foul grasp.”
“... Is that so?” Aventurine chuckles, lips curving into a smirk once more. “I see. So you decided to go against our agreement.”
“Agreement?” Came Stelle’s voice.
“‘Help me win Miss Stelle’s heart. If you can do that, the IPC will grant the Intelligentsia Guild extra funding.’” Aventurine shrugs. “Welp. Guess it’s time to terminate the contract then.”
“You fool!” Ratio spats. “Did you really think I —”
The warmth that retracts itself from his shoulder. Ratio turns and is met with the paleness of her face; the hurt and betrayal evident in her pair of citrine eyes. Stelle turns away from them, escaping the scene. Ratio rushes after her.
“Stelle!”
Their footsteps echoing in the empty hallways, Ratio clicks his tongue as he finally manages to grab her arm. She does not struggle against his hold, neither does she say a single word.
“Stelle.” He calls once more, voice steady yet tense. “Listen —”
“You used me for funding?”
It was a ridiculous accusation, one that he would have no qualms of countering in a single argument. Yet, for some reason, upon the sight of the creases on her forehead, the frown of her lips and the hurt and anger reflected behind her citrine eyes, Ratio found himself struggling to find the right words to say.
“All this time, you and Aventurine were working together to get me to fall for him — All this time, you saw me as nothing more than a transaction that can be traded for money.”
She harshly retracts her hand away from him, her citrine eyes glassy as she glares at him with disdain.
“What the actual fuck is wrong with the two of you?!”
Her shout echoes in the empty hallways. Her sight of her tears, stops his breath for a singular moment.
“Did you enjoy tormenting me that night?”
The silence, the coldness of her voice like a knife cutting through an open wound. The slow cascade of her tears, was it wrong that he wanted to reach out to wipe them away?
“Did you enjoy fucking me and then leaving without saying a single word like I’m some kind of discardable object? Did you enjoy making me think you actually returned my feelings?” She laughs bitterly. “Did you even … care about me as a person the entire time?”
The constricting sensation in his chest, Ratio reaches out for her, only for his hand to be roughly swatted away.
She walks away. This time, he does not follow.
Staring blankly at the ceiling of her guest room in the Intelligentsia Guild, Stelle lets out a huff before pushing herself up to sit. She stared at her phone on her desk before sighing once more.
Out of all the people Stelle had to fall for, why did it have to be Dr. Veritas Ratio?
Her first impression of him was, interesting, to say the least.
When they first met, the man was wearing an alabaster head while playing chess with himself. The second, he interrogated her while she was tied up to a chair.
The man was arrogant and self-centered, retorting her every word with a sharp comeback. Sure, he had a handsome face, but that could only compensate for so much.
But then, she got to know him. Thought texts and conversations when he visited the Astral Express.
Somewhere along those lines, she fell for him.
She was beyond ecstatic when he invited her to the dinner party. Happy when he took his time to tutor her amidst his already busy schedule. Nervous and flustered when he taught her how to dance and overjoyed when he told her to call him ‘Ratio.’
She was sad when he canceled their lesson, disappointed when he couldn’t escort her. Panicked when he saw her cry, confused yet engulfed by desire when he kissed her, their bodies becoming one in a night of accidental passion.
It hurt when he left without a word. Hurt even more when he avoided her and eventually learned that he might’ve only seen her as a mistake that cost him funding money.
“... Ratio and funding money … honestly, even I know that’s not right.”
Grabbing her phone, Stelle recalled how Ratio had stormed into the classroom, yanking Aventurine away from her and confessing that he cared for her. It made her heart swell in hope. But, what if he didn’t mean it the way she thought he did?
What if she’s deluding herself into thinking she means something more to him like he did to her?
“... I need to get a grip.” She sighs. “Okay, Stelle. You’re a Trailblazer. You face your problems head on. You can do it — !”
Knock, knock.
Freezing, Stelle stared at her door before slowly getting up and walking towards it.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
A familiar voice, one that belonged to the man whose face she dreaded to see. Veritas Ratio, he was on the other side of this door.
“... What do you want?”
“To talk. To clear up this misunderstanding.”
She takes a deep breath. “Okay.”
The door opened and both parties paused, staring at the other. Then, after a few moments of excruciating silence, she asks;
“Why the hell are you wearing that alabaster mask?”
It's like they’ve come back full circle, save for the fact that they’re seated face-to-well, stone-face, in her guest room instead of the Astral Express. Stelle didn’t know what expression he wore underneath the mask. Wasn’t sure if she wanted to.
“A few weeks before the dinner party,” Ratio starts slowly. “Aventurine proposed the agreement that you overheard in the hallway. I will not deny that I accepted it. But not for the reason that you assume I did.”
“... What was the real reason, then?”
“Because I wanted to help him.” Ratio pauses. “He was serious about you.”
Stelle blinked. “Oh.” She averted her eyes. “I didn’t …”
“Considering his attitude, it’s natural you would doubt his sincerity. But he’s sincere. For what its worth, I truly believe he cares for you.”
Aventurine. Guilt pools in her stomach.
“... Is that why you’re here?” Stelle looks down to her feet. “To make me see his sincerity and fall for him?”
“No. I'm here to give you a detailed analysis of your character.”
“Wha —”
“To start, you are reckless beyond comprehension!” He points his finger to her, causing her to jump. “You are quick to turn to violence. You chose to punch three fully armored IPC guards without regards to your own wellbeing or other solutions. Why? Because I assume you are too hot-headed to consider anything else.”
“Excuse me? I was rightfully angry at them — !”
“Second, you are incredibly dense and naive when it comes to human relationships!” Stelle jolts at the accusation, but Ratio wastes no time to further elaborate. “You easily give your contact information to unknown people. You fall asleep in an empty classroom and put yourself in a vulnerable position. Not to mention, you would kiss and bed with a man after one heated exchange with him.”
Her face flushes. “Says the man who — !”
“You’re someone who gives too much to others.” He got up from his seat, crossing his arms behind his back as he gazed out the window of her room. “You are impulsive, you rush coming to conclusions without fully hearing the other part out.”
“I get it!” She shouts, standing up from her own seat. “If you hate me so much then —”
“See? You are doing it again.” He sighs. “You are so foolish. So reckless, dense, naive and ridiculously altruistic —”
“You — !”
“— But those are all the parts of you that I cannot help but adore.”
A beat and then another. The warmth that spreads to her face, the race of her heart that felt too loud for the silence.
“... Can you please take off your mask?”
It took a moment, but he eventually obliged her wish. He turns to her and oh, this was probably the first time she’s seen him so red and flustered.
Slow steps, she approached him until they were standing face-to-face once more. His pairs of amber, the twitch of his hand when they are only inches in proximity.
“You adore me?” She asks, voice barely a hush.
“I do.” He confesses. “Even though you are undoubtedly a fool.”
“Do you really have to —”
“I’m sorry.” He says suddenly. “For making you shed tears. For making you cry because of my own foolishness.”
The words that escape his lips in a single breath. She wonders if that’s a habit he does whenever he feels nervous.
“Is this the part where you tell me to choose you?”
“You are free to choose whoever you please.” He averts his gaze. “But it would not change the fact that I will continue to desire you.”
“Prove it.” A step closer, she closes in the distance between them until she is close enough to tug on the fabric of his shirt. “Prove it that you … really adore me.”
“... As though that is something that can be easily proven.” He places a hand above hers and uses his other free hand to lightly flick her forehead, a smile on his lips. “Silly girl. Just tell me what you truly desire.”
She pouts and Ratio scoffs amusedly. Then, he leans down to meet her lips in a kiss.
“What’s wrong?”
The flush of her cheeks, the sweat that trickles down her naked skin. Ratio cups her cheek and Stelle slowly turns to meet his eye once more. There was still a frown on her lips, her hands placed above her chest, covering her breasts.
“Are you still upset?” Ratio asks carefully, leaning closer to her face. “We don’t have to continue if you’d rather not.”
“Oh, no. It’s not that. I’m just …” She bit her lower lip. “A bit embarrassed.”
Ratio stares at her for a few before chuckling, his hand gently grasping her thigh. “Are you really feeling shy now? After the things we did that night.”
“T-That’s — A-Ah …”
He traces a line over her folds, slowly parting her folds with two fingers before gingerly teasing her entrance. Stelle shivers, her face growing even redder as a quiet sight escapes her lips. She looks at him in expectation and Ratio scoffs in amusement, leaning forward to press a kiss against her lips.
As he licks her lips with his tongue, he slowly pushes in his finger, causing her to squirm and let out a moan. Ratio takes this opportunity to tease her tongue, deepening the kiss as he takes his time to explore every corner of her slick heat; her sensitive body shaking and squirming each time he touches her walls.
“A-Ah … Ratio …. Mhmm !”
He inserts another finger inside of her, all the while pressing his thumb against her clit. He rubs his thumb around the sensitive nub, causing her hips to buck as she continues to gasp and moan. Ratio thrusts his fingers in and out of her and consumes each and every single cry that escapes her mouth.
“R-Ratio …!” She moans as she bucks her hips against his fingers. “S-Stop … teasing!”
“Are you that eager for the main course? Naughty girl.” He inserts a third finger inside of her, stretching her walls even further. “Hasn’t anyone taught you that patience breeds success?”
She gasps and her walls suddenly clamp around his finger. Ratio licks his lips, amused by her reaction.
“Oh? Did I just feel you tighten around me?” He kisses the nape of her neck. “Tell me, dear. What was it that I said that provoked you to react so strongly?”
“N-Nothing …”
“Really?”
She whines as he curls his fingers inside of her, hips bucking as his slender fingers massage that sensitive spot that made her walls clamp tighter around his fingers. Panting, she gazed at him with those hazy pairs of citrine in desperation. She looked so beautiful like this, with the sweat trickling down her skin, her lips parted as he leaned forward to plant yet another kiss; pressing his fingers against her G-spot again and again.
“Ratio …” She calls softly, her eyes fluttering close as her breathing grows labored and unsteady. “I — I’m close …”
“Is that so?” He whispers against her ear. “Cum for me then.”
He pressed his thumb against her clit and just like that, the tight coil in her stomach snapped. She cums with a silent cry, her legs shaking as her entire body convulses from her prolonged waves of pleasure. He keeps his fingers inside of her, his thumb still rolling her sensitive nub as he watches her come undone. The flush of her face, the glassiness of her citrine eyes.
Shakily, she places her hand on the back of his neck and pulls him into a kiss. Her lips soft and moist, she let out a whimper as he pulled out his fingers from her dripping cunt; her juices dripping into her sheets already tainted by both sweat and fluids.
“Did that feel good?” Ratio asked, thumbing her chin as he tilted her head to look at him.
“Mhm.” She replied in a mumble, her citrine eyes averted from his pair of ambers.
“Are you still feeling shy?” He chuckled at her adorable reaction, leaning to kiss her cheek. “You can be really cute sometimes, you know.”
“... And you can be really annoying sometimes, Ratio.” She pouts.
“Veritas.” He pressed their foreheads together, his hand roaming to feel the supple skin of her thigh. From now onward, call me by my name. Is that understood?”
She stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly in a daze, before she giggled. “You can be really cute too … Veritas.”
The jump of his heart, the gentle warmth that spreads through his chest. Stelle gazed at him before her cheeks flushed into a shade of red once more.
“Um, do you want me to go on all fours like before —”
“N-No. There’s no need for that.” Ratio cleared his throat. “Unless … you’d prefer it?”
“... I’d prefer if I could still be looking at you while we’re doing it this time.” She averts her eyes once more. “I-If you’re fine with that, of course.”
She really does say the cutest thing sometimes. Ratio chuckled, guiding her arms to rest against his shoulders.
“Lay down. I’ll be sure to properly take care of you this time.”
Ashen hair sprawled over the sheets, Ratio takes a moment to admire the beauty of her figure. The smooth of her skin, the allure of the accentuated curves of her body. His eyes linger on the area of her chest and his hands gingerly move to trace the outline of the star-shaped scar embedded on her skin. He looks to her as though to ask, does it still hurt? And Stelle replied with a gentle smile which he could only interpret as it doesn’t bother me as it did before.
Ratio caressed her cheek as he aligned himself with her entrance, slowly pushing in into her slick heat. She was still so wet, so warm and so tender. There was little resistance, but Ratio still leaned forward to kiss her as his thick girth stretched her tight walls, her warmth enveloping his hardened member that twitched upon hearing the sighs and moans that escaped her lips. He sank his fingers into her thighs as he was completely sheathed within her, their bodies becoming one as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Are you alright?” He asked, voice raspy.
“Mhm …” She sighed, running her fingers along the locks of his hair. “Y-You can move.”
“Not yet.” “He pressed his forehead against hers. “Let me savor this for a bit longer.”
She nods, perhaps also finding the prospect of taking it slow after their first heated exchange just as appealing as he did. They remain in the intimate position a few moments longer, their foreheads pressed against each other’s, the warmth of their joined bodies spreading throughout.
He begins to move slowly, savoring the pleasant drag of his cock against her tight walls. She wails slightly at the feeling, her gaze trailing downward as she watches him pull out until only his tip is left, before he slowly sinks his large girth inside her once more. It was cute, Ratio thought. Endearing even. He thumbs her chin and gently tilts her head to meet his eyes once more. He kisses her, enjoying the feeling of her body quivering as he fills every single inch of her with him.
“V-Veritas …” She mewls, her breath hot against his ear as she pressed against his chest. “Veritas, more … please.”
“You’re … really impatient aren’t you?” He sighed, greedily pressing his lips against her throat. “Silly girl.”
“Veritas … nghh!”
Her hips bucks against him as he thrusts deeper inside of her, his cock grazing that sweet spot in a tantalizing manner that made her cry for more. Her back arches in pleasure each time he sheathes himself completely, her breasts bouncing with each impact that sounded an obscene slapping noise that bounced on the walls. He hand clenching the sheets, Ratio reached to cover it with his own. Their intertwined fingers, Ratio tightens his hold on her hand as his thrusts become faster and deeper.
“Veritas … Veritas …!” She cries his name, again and again, her pairs of citrine glazed as her breathing becomes shallow and uneven. “I’m — I’m about to — I’m going to — !”
Her second orgasm came in a large, strong wave; her eyes shooting open as she threw her head back against the sheets. Jolts of electricity courses through the quivering body, her walls continuously squeezing and convulsing against his cock that was still fully sheathed inside of her. Panting and gasping for air, Stelle gazed at him with those hazy citrine eyes. Her legs wrapped around him, she nudges him to keep moving. Ratio grits his teeth and continues to thrusts inside of her, pulling out until the tip before sinking it in once more.
Her moans and cries grow louder in volume, each lull of his name bringing him closer and closer to his edge. He reached to rub her clit; the extra stimulation only served to further heighten her desire. The creak of the bed, the erotic sound of slapping skin like music to his ears. He licks the flesh of her neck, his hot breath tickling her skin.
“Stelle,” He murmurs, voice low and filled with desire as he gazes at her shaking figure. “You’re beautiful.”
Her breath hitches; biting her lip. “Veritas,” She sighs. “Veritas —”
“Again,” He whispers against her ear. “Call my name again,”
“Veritas. Veritas, Veritas.” Her eyes flutter close, her entire body shaking as the coil in her stomach threatens to snap. “Veritas — !”
“Stelle,” He calls, voice hoarse and raspy as he feels himself reaching his peak. “Stelle, where —”
“Inside.” She gasped, citrine eyes gazing at him with desperation. “ Please .”
One final thrust and Ratio comes inside of her, cock twitching as he spills his seed inside of her. Upon the sensation of being filled, Stelle too came from her high with another moan that was cut short by the kiss he planted on her lips. They stay in that position until they both recover from their high, sharing a tender gaze at the other before he slowly pulls out of her; the remains of their lovemaking dripping to her thighs before eventually falling to the already tainted sheets.
Ratio moved to lay on the space beside her. Stelle turned to face him, a hint of worry reflected behind those pair of citrine eyes as though she was fearful that he may leave her without another word again. Then, as though to reassure her, he reached to comb the stray strands of hair on her face, tucking them to the back of her ear. She stared at him, citrine eyes glimmering.
“Veritas.” She calls.
He hums. “What is it?”
“You have a pretty name.” Stelle smiles. “Veritas.”
The heat that rushes to his face, the tender warmth that blossoms in his chest. She scooted closer towards him, her own hand reaching to cup his cheek.
“Hehe.” She grins. “You’re blushing.”
The race of his heart, the comforting warmth of her hand.
“... Silly girl.”
He lightly flicks her forehead. She laughed and Ratio smiled, leaning to press another kiss against her lips.
“If it isn’t the two lovebirds! Still cozy with each other?”
Upon Aventurine’s teasing, the two ‘lovebirds’ reacted within his expectation, with Ratio wearing an exasperated expression and Stelle’s face flushing into an adorable shade of red.
Chuckling, Aventurine watched with mild amusement as the two shared a look before Ratio retracted his hand from her shoulder. The scholar walks past him to the bar, leaving Stelle alone with the blond. She takes a seat beside him.
“Oh, what’s this? Did you have a change of heart and decided I’m the better option after all?” Aventurine chuckles, resting his head against his palm. “Well, I’ll have you know that —”
“I’m sorry.”
The quiet jazz, the ambient lighting of the lounge. Aventurine looks at her and Stelle, despite her hesitation, meets his eye.
They are silent for a few moments, until Aventurine opens his mouth.
“What for?” He asked with a smile.
“For being unable to reciprocate your feelings.” She averts her gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“Miss Stelle using big vocabulary like ‘reciprocate?’ Ratio really must’ve educated you in more ways than one!”
Stelle shoots him a look of disbelief causing Aventurine to laugh. The curls of her lashes, the light reflected behind the radiance of her citrine eyes.
“Are you happy?” He asked.
Stelle’s eyes widened fractionally.
“... I am.” She replies, smiling tenderly.
“Then,” Aventurine closed his eyes. “It’s fine.”
When he opened his eyes again, he was met with Stelle’s kind and gentle expression. The tenderness of her smile, the warmth that her presence gifted to the coldness of his being.
Just as he was about to change the topic, Ratio returned to her side. He pointed to a table where the Astral Express crew had just settled and told her to go greet them and call him once it’s his time to formally make his appearance. She nods and politely excuses herself to Aventurine.
Now it was Ratio seated beside him, passing him a glass of expensive liquor from a brand he liked.
“If you’re going to say sorry,” Chuckling, Aventurine graciously accepted the glass. “Don’t bother.”
“Who ever said anything about ‘sorry,’ you damned gambler.” Ratio huffs.
The distant sound of her laughter, the sight of her carefree smile as she laughed along her companions. Twirling the glass in his hand, Aventurine found himself asking;
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Ratio glances at him before returning his gaze at the radiance of Stelle’s figure once more.
“She is.”
Aventurine laughed.