Chapter Text
Aventurine didn't say a single word the entire time they were in the car. There was nothing to say...well, that was a lie, and he knew it. There were so many things he could say. Things he wanted to say. Things he couldn't say.
But none of them were exactly appropriate conversation starters for a short drive anyway, and he'd already allowed himself to be far too vulnerable around Ratio.
Could he truly be trusted? Aventurine wanted to think so. But he no longer felt capable of trusting anyone, even himself. Especially himself, some days.
But trying to keep up his usual facade was hard when the purple-haired man had already seen through it. Ratio knew it was fake, had already seen through it, so maybe, just maybe, Aventurine could let it drop for good?
In fact, he already had, hadn't he? Not intentionally, but he was so tired...
From what seemed like a long distance away, Aventurine heard a familiar voice say his name. He shook off the mental fog and noticed Ratio had been trying to get his attention.
"We're here," Ratio said.
And they were indeed back at the hotel. Aventurine barely even remembered anything about the trip back. It was probably a good thing the other man had driven them...
As Aventurine got out of the car, he noted Ratio was looking at him with concern.
"You don't have to keep looking at me like I'm gonna fall apart at any second," Aventurine said. "I'm fine, okay?"
Ratio just looked at him. "If you must lie, do try to tell one that isn't so obvious. You and I both know that isn't true."
Aventurine was at a loss for words. "I..."
Silence fell once again as the two of them walked back to their adjoining rooms.
Ratio paused before unlocking his room's door. "If you need me, gambler, I'll be taking a bath."
Mind still churning, Aventurine could only manage an "okay, doctor."
Ratio nodded and went inside his room. Aventurine did the same.
When he opened his room door, he was both relieved and disappointed to be alone once more.