After Dark

[takesitall]

Comments

[ignoranceisblight]

I don't.

[He swallows.]

... I didn't say anything because I thought you might if I pointed it out. And I... didn't want to potentially drive you off.

[Well. Aventurine knows Ratio doesn't exactly have many friends.]

[takesitall]

[And neither does Aventurine, so that feeling is very, very mutual.

He looks down at his hands.]

Well, for what it's worth...I don't think I have a problem with it, either.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Ratio gives a small, hesitant smile, reaching out to take Aventurine's hands.]

[takesitall]

[He lets Ratio take them with a smile.]

...that's also why I, uh, changed the dinner plans. I didn't want to have that conversation in my apartment. I'll host the next few dates, don't worry.

[ignoranceisblight]

[A sheepish chuckle.]

Fair enough, really.

[He squeezes Aventurine's hands.]

So, um. Shall we?

[takesitall]

Dinner, or are you asking to kiss me?

[ignoranceisblight]

Dinner. Though, if you'd like a kiss...

[takesitall]

After dinner. If you kiss me, the amulet might stop working so well~

[ignoranceisblight]

[He chuckles.]

After dinner, then.

[He gently squeezes Aventurine's hands again before letting go.]

[takesitall]

[Knowing for sure that this is a date, Aventurine relaxes and truly enjoys the dinner. He keeps reaching for Ratio's hand despite that making it hard to eat. He can't help it, he likes touch!

After dinner (and dessert), he very quickly takes Ratio's hand again.]

So, how was the cake?

[ignoranceisblight]

[Ratio, admittedly, seeks out Aventurine's touch, too. Mostly for things like briefly squeezing his hand, or laying his hand on Aventurine's arm for a moment or two.

When Aventurine takes his hand after dinner, Ratio intertwines their fingers.]

It was wonderful. You did an excellent job.

[takesitall]

Good. I was a little worried, not going to lie. Baking is...very. Very. Very different from cooking.

[He kisses Ratio's hand.]

But worth it~

[ignoranceisblight]

It certainly is very different... You've come a long way. I'm proud of you.

[He smiles at the kiss to his hand, cheeks turning a bit pink. After a few moments, though, he carefully pulls Aventurine closer, just to wrap his arms around him.]

[takesitall]

[He preens a little. He may like the praise, okay, sue him.

As he cuddles closer:]

Learning to cook and found someone who I'm pretty sure hasn't been affected by my...everything.

[ignoranceisblight]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel something before, especially after the times you'd fed recently before I spent time with you, but it was always... faint. Something I could easily overcome with self-control.

[He closes his eyes.]

I could always put it out of my mind while I was spending time with you.

[takesitall]

Mmm, that's a first, you know. A lot of people, even that little bit of energy will ruin them.

[ignoranceisblight]

And yet I was able to more or less ignore it...

[Fascinating.]

I wonder what makes me so resistant.

[takesitall]

I don't know, but I'm thankful for it.

[He nuzzles closer.]

...I may not always trust that, though. It's not you, it's being what I am.

[ignoranceisblight]

I know. I'll still endeavor to control myself the best I can.

[As he reaches up to stroke Aventurine's hair a little.]

[takesitall]

[He melts.]

I appreciate that...mm, keep doing that?

[ignoranceisblight]

Of course.

[He'll keep at it, then! After a moment or so--]

... You may call me Veritas, if you'd like.

[takesitall]

...Kakavasha.

[There's a sense of power, when he says his name.]

But only in private. There's power, knowing my name like that.

[ignoranceisblight]

[... Oh.]

Kakavasha... [He nods, though.] Only in private.

[takesitall]

[He shudders a little at hearing his name.]

Or Vasha. But only in private. What about calling you Veritas?

[ignoranceisblight]

[He has to think on that for a moment.]

While I certainly prefer for that to be in private, I have no real objection to you using it in public, if you wish.

[A pause, then he presses a kiss to Kakavasha's forehead.]