Chapter Text
The very first time Veritas Ratio met Aventurine, the man wasn't even one of the Stonehearts yet.
Ratio had just graduated with his eighth degree back then, an achievement that had earned him The First Class Honors Degree that had been left vacant for two Amber Eras in the University of Veritas Prime.
He had been waiting for his invitation to the Genius Society (Oh, what a fool his younger self was...) and had rejected any and all advances from other intelligence institutes like the Intelligencia guild and the sort- for he knew that the true geniuses of this modern era were all in the Genius Society, beings who had been recognized by Nous himself. As a scholar, he too wanted nothing more than for the Aeon of Knowledge to cast its gaze on him.
But as fate had it, someone else's gaze had fallen on him. One with beautiful gemstone-like violet eyes- as empty as they were beautiful.
With a sly and wicked grin on his face, less like a businessman offering a deal and more like a crazy man who knew how to play with fate itself, the blonde-haired IPC worker had offered him an invite into the Intelligencia Guild.
"I have already rejected any and all invites from the guild, I have no intention of joining an organization lesser than the Genius Society itself. And if the communication within the guild is so bad that this news hasn't spread around yet, that only proves my point further." Not to mention the fact that the young man in front of him did not look like a high-ranking member of the IPC at all, he was wearing the basic uniform he had seen all the other IPC grunts wear.
At least the ones who had been sent to him to beg him to join the Intelligencia Guild had either been high-ranking officials, stonehearts, or well-educated researchers from the guild itself.
Just as Ratio was about to turn around and return to his office, the IPC grunt had spoken again.
"That's where you're wrong, my friend~" The man pronounced the word 'friend' rather oddly- akin to that of a snake hissing, "You see, I haven't been sent by anyone. I'm here entirely from my own violation."
"So you are going against your orders?" Ratio quirked his eyebrow at the odd man, those violet eyes of his were really mesmerizing...
"Well, technically, I have no orders to speak of." The man giggled as he invited himself into Ratio's office, much to the doctor's annoyance.
Ratio bit back his insults, glad that the alabaster mask of his was hiding his facial expressions. The man in front of him looked extremely young and small, many of his first-year undergraduate students looked older and larger than him. Besides, these were his office hours so anyone was free to come visit... just that he was used to no one disturbing him during these times as his students and coworkers were all too intimidated by him to personally come and meet him so he was a little used to having his office as his private space that no one intruded upon.
He followed the blonde man from the IPC inside and closed the door inside him, he did not wish the rest of the university to listen in on his conversations and how he had rejected yet another invite from such a prestigious institution. (Sometimes he would hear a few people laughing, and even worse, pitying him as he waited around for Nous to cast its gaze on him.)
If it was the future Ratio who had been more knowledgable of Aventurine's barely noticeable body language, he would have seen the way the young man had flinched when the door was closed, the way his shoulders tensed as well as his hands crossed over his chest defensively and that smile looking a little faker than usual.
But this Ratio knew none of that so he continued on as if nothing happened,
"And? How does that make a difference? My answer is still no."
The blond man released a breathy chuckle, "Come on now, Doctor~ don't be such a party pooper." He said as he lounged on his couch like he owned the place, "At least allow this lowly IPC grunt to offer his side of the bargain to you!"
Veritas wasn't really in the mood to waste his time, but he had already finished with his work for the day and had been planning on taking one of his relaxing baths to get rid of the tension from the day, and for some reason he knew for a fact that this annoying bratty little IPC punk wouldn't leave unless he heard his terms.
Better get this thing over with so that he does not come to bother me in the future as well, was what his thought process was at that point in time.
If only the young, immature version of him knew just how much the trajectory of his life was about to change in the next second brought upon by none other than the enigma that was sitting on his sofa.
Sometimes he wondered if he somehow knew what was about to happen at that point in time and how it would change his future... would he take the chance? Would he snap out a fierce 'No.', throw the suspicious-looking IPC worker out of his office, and ban him from seeing him again, a future where he would never get to know the man who had called himself 'Aventurine'... would he do it?
If he had known the pain and heartache he would experience would he have chosen a different path?
No...
Doctor Veritas Ratio would never.
No matter how much time passed, he was fated to fall victim to Aventurine's hypnotic Sygonian eyes again and again.
After all, falling in love with Aventurine was his destiny- and also his curse. One he will forever gladly embrace.
And so as fate would have it, Ratio allowed the then no-named IPC worker to speak. Ratio had heard him out, listened to his every word. Aventurine had later confessed that that was the first time in his life somebody had ever just listened to his words and believed the promises from Sygonian trash like him.
(Ratio frowned, "Stop referring to yourself like that. One's kind does not give an accurate representation of their personal nature." He hugged the smaller man closer to his naked chest, a position he knew Aventurine found comfort in while they cuddled.
"Who knows?" Aventurine let out a sleepy chuckle, "Sometimes... even I wonder if those things are true after all..."
Before Ratio could correct Aventurine, the blonde had already fallen asleep. Just a glance at those deep dark circles Aventurine concealed everyday with his makeup vanquished any and all urge within him to wake him up.
It was alright, he could let the smaller man sleep. They could talk later.
After all,
They had all the time in the world.
Oh how wrong he was.)
"You keep rejecting any and all proposals because you want to join the Genius Society correct?" The IPC worker had smiled, "Well, sorry to break it to you doctor, but you'll never be getting that invite."
A hand slammed the sofa right beside the blonde man's head.
"Is that why you're here? To taunt me?" His mask no longer on his head, Veritas had practically growled those words out.
The man's smile only grew wider (But Ratio wasn't able to see the way his hands were shaking and shivering) despite the larger man towering over him with such anger in his eyes.
"Don't get your panties in such a twist Doctor~ I'm merely speaking the truth. You see..." He lowered his voice, his vibrant violet eyes shimmering in the dimly lit room as he nudged his tinted glasses down and stared right into Veritas Ratio's eyes, "I've seen these so-called 'Geniuses' from the Genius Society... they are no more than vile pieces of scum who would even destroy the cosmos itself if they deemed it interesting enough for research. They are no more than a bunch of psychopaths with no morals to speak of. Do you truly wish to be one of them?"
Veritas was silent for a moment. Of course, he had heard rumors about a few of the members of the Society, as well as its past members and their... escapedes... how could he not?
This IPC fellow was definitely not lying. And his words were genuine, though for what reason, Veritas did not know yet.
"What I seek is not the company of the other geniuses but for the recognition of Nous. I don't think parading myself around as another one of the dogs of the IPC who follow the Path of Preservation would help me in that in any shape or form... Your point being?" The anger had subsided a little, but the fierce expression on his face remained.
The blond-haired IPC grunt had looked at him then- looked right into his eyes- as if his violet eyes were piercing right through his very soul.
"Do you really wish to slave through your entire life begging for a sliver of attention from someone else? Is that how you wish to spend the rest of your life? The only one who can acknowledge you for your achievements is yourself. Squandering your opportunities and prospects for such a childish dream as that... it is truly pathetic." A pause... and then, "Dr. Veritas Ratio, you were born free. Don't willingly shackle yourself to a master who does not even care for your name."
Veritas stared at those hypnotic eyes.
"Is that your business proposal?"
The man smiled, eyes crinkling yet the smile never reached his eyes.
"Consider it advise from your new 'friend'."
The silence stretched on for what felt like hours before Ratio finally gave in. His expression returned to its usual impassiveness as he made his way to his seat behind the table. He could see the way the young boy was following his every movement with his eyes no matter how hard he was trying to act nonchalant about everything.
"What are you doing?" Veritas asked after a while.
"Huh?" The IPC worker looked confused.
Ratio clicked his tongue, "Does the IPC not train its workers? When discussing matters relating to partnerships and contracts, they should be done in a formal setting. Stop lounging on my couch and take a seat in front of me." He ordered sternly.
The blonde looked blank for a second as if his mind had stopped computing Ratio's words altogether. Ratio was just about to throw one of his chalks at the man when he got up from the couch and made his way towards the chair in front of Ratio not unlike a puppet with how awkward and mechanical his movements were at the moment.
It was as if this was the first time someone had given him a seat, invited him to a conversation and deal where he was equal to the man in front of him.
Cute...
Before Ratio could even process what the voice inside of his mind had said, the smaller man had opened his mouth, "They don't really offer these kinds of courses to people like me..."
Ratio tilted his head before nodding, "It makes sense."
His shoulders tensed again, and the smile became wider and faker.
Ratio continued, "You do seem a little too young to start on those courses right now. Well, practical knowledge is the best way to acquire knowledge- consider this my first lesson to you."
But the blonde was still stuck on the previous sentence, "'Young'?"
"Yes? I said young." Ratio frowned, he did not like repeating his words, but he would make an exception in pursuit of spreading knowledge and eradicating stupidity.
"...Dr. Ratio, I think there has been a misunderstanding... I'm only 5 years younger than you."
"...Ah."
The blonde burst out laughing, much to Ratio's annoyance. But he decided to keep his mouth shut.
That was the first genuine smile he had seen from the man.
He couldn't help but think that he liked this smile of his much better than his fake and empty ones from before.
Veritas concluded that he did not mind seeing that smile again in the future.