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Silver Lining

Chapter 24: Bonus Chapter: To Penacony

Notes:

Wow... I thought I was so prepared for this chapter after having finished the main story weeks ago and having gone through a bit of a grieving process then already. It's so strange... completing a story you think it's such a happy experience and achievement--and it is! But... it's also saying goodbye, because a journey has come to an end, even if it's a happy one. Silver Lining was such an amazing journey... and beyond anything I could've ever imagined it would be.

I began this story how I think most fic writers do--creating something that we want to read. I knew going into this that Omegaverse and especially Mpreg often didn't get cast in a positive light, and I expected my fic would be no different. I expected less than kind responses, but at the end of the day I just wanted to create a story I enjoyed. True to my comment on chapter one 'Someone's got to make the truly cursed tea for this ship. Might as well be me o7' This was me wishing myself well in this scary journey of writing a genre that can receive some truly abhorrent responses. Never did I imagine Silver Lining becoming what it is now.

This probably sounds a bit weird and maybe a bit cheesy, but I'm going to miss you all and this fic so much. Of course I'll still keep writing more Ratiorine, and writing in general. I've wanted to be a storyteller ever since I could hold a pencil in my hand, but I know that every story is different and people go their separate ways as we all navigate life. I don't know how many of you will be here for my next story, and I don't know how many of you will continue to enjoy Ratiorine or migrate to other ships. Regardless of where life takes us, I am so thankful to all of you that have spent your valuable time reading my story and for those of you that reached out and left comments, whether it was here on AO3, in discords, or on social media. I've made so many amazing friends and connections through this story, it's truly saddening to say the final goodbye to it.

Alas... all good things must one day come to an end. And I fully believe this, as it prevents what was once a good experience from going bad. We've all seen far too many of our favourite series turn into something we detest because it's gone on longer than it should have. With that said... I leave you with the final chapter of Silver Lining.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. <3 -Fae

For those that the images don't work for, as always, there is text beneath the image describing the messages sent. Enjoy <3

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Aventurine tapped his pen against his desk in an irritable manner. He knew it was just his pre-heat symptoms acting up, but he wanted to be home already. The Omega had gone through several heats now since Verasha’s birth, and while the couple usually navigated them just fine, it was definitely trickier to do with an infant around. By contrast, Ratio had gone through only two ruts, but a mated Alpha tended to be less needy than an unmated one. Naturally, Ratio was very happy with this change in his cycle.

Letting out a small groan as he flopped over his desk, Aventurine tried to ignore the cramping in his body.

“Shut up in there…” he grumbled at his own instincts, “You’ve only got a few hours left for your workday and then you can ride that monster’s length as much as you want.”

As if by some unfathomable curse then, the owner of said monster dick decided to send Aventurine a message.

[Dr. Ratio]: ‘I just dropped Verasha off at Topaz’s place for the weekend. How are your symptoms?’

Aventurine replied back very bluntly.

[Aventurine]: ‘Like I want to die but also be stuffed so full I can’t even walk…’

[Aventurine]: ‘Sitting at this desk is torture right now.’

As always, there was some delay in Ratio’s reply when Aventurine spoke his more vulgar mind, but eventually the doctor’s reply came.

[Dr. Ratio]: ‘You do not have much longer to work. You’ll likely be home before I will. You can use that time to make yourself comfortable until I arrive.’

[Aventurine]: ‘Want me to stretch myself out so much you can just glide right in huh?’

[Aventurine]: ‘Kinky’

[Dr. Ratio]: {Cracked Sticker Sent}

[Dr. Ratio]: ‘I implied nothing of the sort.’

“Yah… sure you did…” Aventurine seized up again with another cramp, letting out a low and pained moan when it started to ease up.

“Fuck… I really don’t think my body’s going to let me finish this workday…” Aventurine then glanced over at the clock on his work desk.

Two hours to go.

Another cramp immediately ripped the Omega’s attention away, causing Aventurine to grit his teeth as he began to feel his lower half heat up. In a bit of a panic, Aventurine pressed on Ratio’s contact again, dialing up the doctor as he felt his body begin to heat further. This was moving too fast to still be pre-heat. Thankfully, Ratio also answered the phone in a similarly speedy fashion.

“Reaching your limit?” was the doctor’s first reply.

“I think the limit is here… kgh—” Aventurine doubled over his desk again, feeling his lower half pulse under the tone of Ratio’s voice.

“The doctor did say your first heat off of your suppressants would be more intense… Are you sure you want to do this?”

Closing his eyes as he felt another surge of desire pulse through his body at his Alpha’s voice, Aventurine recalled back to their doctor’s recommendation when he and Ratio had first proposed their question.


“Everything looks healthy,” the Omega’s physician had replied after a thorough exam of Aventurine’s womb.

The gambler sat up slowly in the medical office, shifting the blanket back over his lower half as the doctor moved to sit down and put their notes into their computer.

“So…” Aventurine started, “We’re good to start trying?”

Ratio moved over to stand beside Aventurine, resting his hand on his mate’s shoulder to offer them a hopeful reassurance.

“We generally recommend couples wait about 18-24 months after having their first baby before considering getting pregnant again,” the doctor replied, turning in their seat to face the pair directly, “Verasha is a little over 2 now, so you should be safe to begin trying. However, because you’ve been on suppressants as contraception for a while, it may take some time for your body to regulate your cycles again. Your first heat off them will likely be very intense, and you may need to take off work for a few days.”

The doctor then moved their gaze over to Ratio, “As for your partner… You will need to take time off as well to see to their symptoms. Every Omega reacts to being off their suppressants differently. Aventurine may require a lot from you, or even go the complete opposite and want nothing to do with you. Do not take any of this personally, but listen to your instincts closely during this time and try to ease into things again.”

The physician then focused their attention back on Aventurine, standing up from their desk and walking forward to hand the Omega a brochure of medical information to look through.

“Your first few attempts to get pregnant may prove unsuccessful, even as Dominants. Just because you are experiencing a heat cycle does not mean you are ovulating yet. A mild to moderate discomfort on your first heat is to be expected, but your subsequent heats should level out significantly afterwards, and your ovulation will begin to regulate normally.”

“How long should we try before considering there may be a problem?” Aventurine inquired.

“You’re referring to your past records with failing to conceive,” the physician clarified.

Aventurine himself swallowed slowly, feeling old memories of less favourable circumstances beginning to surface. Both doctors sensing the Omega’s distress, tried to subdue the situation. Ratio released a soothing set of pheromones into the room to remind Aventurine of his presence while their attending physician quickly tried to explain in more detail.

“Your body has successfully chosen a mate and bore a child already Aventurine,” the doctor tried to clarify more sympathetically, “As a Dominant Omega, your biology is unique to other Omegas, but you are not infertile.”

“…It is just selective,” Ratio whispered more softly.

“I have every reason to believe you will be able to conceive and carry another child to term without complication. It may not happen on the first try, but that would likely be due to your body trying to regulate its cycles from your suppressants. I would wager that as soon as your body has stabilized off the suppressants you will see a positive test very shortly, and we’ll be seeing you again for your pre-natals.”

Both doctors watched the Dominant Omega slowly process the information they were being given. A swarm of past memories both recent and distant flooded Aventurine’s head even so.

“Is there anything we can do to try and help it…?” the Omega lifted their head after a minute.

“To increase your chances?” the doctor clarified the question and Aventurine nodded, “There is some research about certain foods you can try and modify your diet with, both adding and removing to increase your mate’s sperm potency as well as get your womb healthy if you’ve been struggling. However, looking at your exam…”

The doctor shifted back to their computer then and brought up the scans from Aventurine’s recent ultrasound showing his womb, “You’ve already got a nice, thick lining. Everything looks clear, and you’ve maintained a healthy weight. Just keep up on your nutrition and vitamins and nature will do the rest.”

“…” Aventurine remained unconvinced.

If it was that simple then… why didn’t he and Ratio conceive when they bonded? Weren’t all new mothers their most fertile shortly after giving birth? What if Verasha was… just a fluke?


“Aventurine… can you hear me still?” Ratio’s voice grew more worried on the phone now.

Aventurine had his lips pressed thinly together, suppressing a whine as he felt another pulse. His hands stretched out onto his desk, grasping for any object to try and dispel the tension into. His mind felt like it was spinning, lost in a thick fog he couldn’t make heads or tails out of.

When Ratio didn’t hear a reply on the other end of the phone, he grew more concerned. The pang on the back of his neck was strong enough to know his mate was in heat, but it had been like this for a few days now. Only Aventurine would be able to tell Ratio when he was fully ready.

A sharp cry was heard on the phone as Aventurine’s insides seized up again. The Omega felt his first drops of slick slide out from his entrance.

“It burns…” came Aventurine’s breathy reply on the other end of the line, “Ratio… I can’t… I can’t…”

“Do you still have control of yourself?” Ratio swallowed.

The doctor’s mind quickly began racing through the different options to get Aventurine out of the office safely and back home. There was certainly no way they’d be spending the Omega’s heat in HQ.

“Barely…” Aventurine whimpered with another keening whine, “Aeons… Ratio it hurts!” the Omega sobbed in a helpless display.

“I’ll call Jade and have her take you home. Or is it bad enough that you believe you need to go to the hospital?”

Aventurine shook his head negatively, though Ratio couldn’t see it, “Home…” he panted before letting out another groan.

“I will hang up now and call Jade for you then. Try to stay in control.”

With another groan and sob on the other end of the call, Ratio woefully hung up on his mate and immediately dialed Jade’s number.


Jade, while still not exactly close with the couple, had been informed of the bonded pair’s intentions along with Topaz. Jade had her opinions about the family trying to expand, but kept them to herself. Her most curious inquiry was more fixated on the ‘why’ of Aventurine wanting to expand their family. Was the unexpected edition of Verasha and Ratio not enough? And if so… what void was the reckless gambler trying to fill this time? The future could not erase the pain of the past, though it could potentially dull it.

If Aventurine was trying to fill the well of his sorrows and loneliness by increasing the circle around him, the Avgin would be sorely disappointed. However, that was not Jade’s place to step in and advise. The young Omega would find out for themselves soon enough.

Topaz didn’t hold the same opinions as her superior, but like Aventurine… the female Alpha was still young and full of far more hope than was necessary in their line of work. While refreshing to witness, and something precious Jade desired to protect, she understood that Topaz’s sweet and hopeful innocence would begin to fade as well. The signs were already present as time marched silently on.

Hearing her phone ring as she sat in her parlour, the Beta picked up the device and observed the caller ID.

Dr. Ratio…

…Problems already?

“Doctor…” Jade answered the call after a few rings, “Are you not already on leave? What business do you have to call me?”

“Aventurine is unable to cope with his pre-heat symptoms,” Ratio replied, “I need you to take him home.”

“I don’t think that will be possible doctor,” the Beta replied, “I have a meeting in 5 minutes with a very prestigious client... He will have to deal with his symptoms on his own.”

“Jade…” Ratio replied through gritted teeth—unable to help his Alpha side from coming forward more, “This is his first heat off of his suppressants, and you—”

“There is time and a place for all things, dear doctor. This is not one of them…”

With that, the Beta hung up her call not a moment before her client arrived through her doors. In their hands was a small figure of a distant planet that glimmered like gold in the low light.

“Punctual as ever,” she replied.


Back in his office, Aventurine remained curled over his desk, fighting against any urge to touch himself or seek out something to decrease the cramping and aching in his body. Things had mildly improved when Ratio had gotten off the phone with him due to no longer hearing his Alpha’s voice in his ear. However, there was simply no way Aventurine would be finishing his day like this.

Getting up from his desk, the gambler walked on shaky legs over to his coat rack. His body was already burning up, but he wasn’t about to leave looking like even more of a mess. Slipping on his coat and glasses, the Stratagem was immediately hit by the lingering smell of his mate and their child. Hunching over, Aventurine tried to keep his knees steady with his hands placed on them, breathing heavy and slow to try and calm down his primal desires.

“I know… I know… it’s exactly what you want… Just… calm down, ok?”

Standing up slowly, Aventurine grabbed his hat and placed that on as well, receiving another text from Ratio shortly after.

[Dr. Ratio]: ‘Jade is unable to assist. I will be there in 10 minutes to collect you.’

[Aventurine]: ‘Kay’

The gambler didn’t have any more strength than that to send his reply. Moving back over to his work desk, Aventurine began to close up his things, feeling just a bit of respite before a knock came on his office door. Tensing in fear of who it might be and what they may know, the gambler cast a hesitant gaze in the direction of the sound, relieved to see Pearl outside of his office doorway. While Pearl was also a Stoneheart, she was an Intellitron, and as such… did not deal with heat cycles or ruts, nor have the ability to smell them. However, like all Intellitrons, she was extremely perceptive.

“You’re leaving early?” she inquired, though it came out more like an observation.

“Yah…” Aventurine resumed turning his PC off for the day (and for the following ones he’d likely be out for), “Verasha’s not feeling good so—”

“I did not ask for an explanation,” Pearl interjected, and Aventurine ended his half of the conversation there, “I am here to inform you that you have a meeting with Opal in two weeks. Details will be forwarded to your phone on Tuesday. Do not be late.”

“Got it…” Aventurine mumbled.

“A personal observation… but he does not seem pleased. Conduct your affairs wisely,” was her final reply before leaving.

Aventurine’s brows narrowed in suspicion. First and foremost, why did Opal want to see him? And what had the other Stoneheart in a foul mood about it? It had been 2 years since Verasha had been born now, so it certainly couldn’t be that. Even during his pregnancy and post-partum Opal had never once spoken to him outside of required meetings. Aventurine had continued to remain on top of his work and had even managed to be promoted back to rank P45 in just 7 months after his son was born. There was no way Opal was aware of what he and Ratio were planning either... So what could it be?

Unable to give the thought much further scrutiny as another squeezing of his abdomen all but ripped Aventurine’s breath from his lungs, the gambler quickly closed up his office for the day and made his way out of HQ to be picked up by Ratio.


The car ride home was agony. The Omega’s pheromones filled the car the minute Aventurine got in, making it not only insufferable for Ratio to try and focus driving, but being ignored by his bonded mate less than a foot away had the Omega in an inconsolable frenzy.

“Aaugh…!” Aventurine cried out in the car, writhing in his seat as the couple faced yet another stoplight for what felt like ages, “Why are there so many damn red lights?!”

“I can’t exactly control the traffic patterns Kakavasha,” Ratio barked back, feeling his Alpha side growing increasingly agitated.

Twisting in the passenger seat, Aventurine mewled again, ending in a high-pitched whimper as he thrusted his hips upwards. Groaning in misery as another set of cramps delivered a powerful blow to his system, the gambler fought to hold onto any fragments of his sanity he could.

“Ughn…” he writhed again, pinching his brows tight with tension, “Veritas… I need it…”

“I know you do,” Ratio tried to stay composed, “…Just a little further.”

“…I can’t…” Aventurine shook his head before letting out another pained cry, “I need to stroke it… now.”

“Resist it if you can,” Ratio reminded firmly, “It’s only going to make your symptoms worse because it’s not what your body needs right now.”

Aventurine let a high-pitched keening whine, sinking low into his seat at Ratio’s tone. His head was so foggy… the heat in the car now almost making the Stratagem’s breath visible. Reaching a shaky hand forward, Aventurine turned on the AC full blast and aimed it at himself. However, even with the AC to cool his body down, the Omega’s heat continued to cause Aventurine undue torment.

Looking down at his own body, the gambler could see himself fully aroused beneath his clothing. Aventurine’s legs were splayed completely, and he could so easily picture Ratio between them, pounding his sanity into oblivion like the Alpha had done so many times in the past.

Feeling the inertia as Ratio accelerated the car once the traffic light turned green, Aventurine grit his teeth, feeling his insides cramp up again. Aeons… he needed that man between his legs now!

“Stop the car…!” Aventurine gasped with his eyes shut tight.

Ratio looked over at his mate with a growing concern.

“Stop…” Aventurine breathed, slowly moving his hands low to touch himself.

He couldn’t take it anymore… the gambler needed something, anything to touch him.

Immediately the Alpha shot his hand out to put a stop to Aventurine’s own before the Omega could make his condition any worse.

“Don’t,” Ratio tried once again to subdue his mate, “You’re going to make it worse if you do that. We’re nearly home. Hold out a little longer Kakavasha.”

“Sadistic Alpha…” the Omega hissed back and wantonly thrusted his hips upwards against Ratio’s hand.

The Alpha in return let out a low and warning growl at his mate to behave for the remainder of the drive. While these warning growls and heavy words would work between a normal Omega and Alpha, Dominants lived true to their nature. Aventurine continued to thrust his hips up, despite Ratio’s warnings, for whatever little contact he could get. Ratio gripped the steering wheel of the car almost white-knuckled as he felt the wet heat of Aventurine’s arousal push back against the palm of his hand.

It was all too easy for Ratio to picture veering the car over to the side of the road then. He would throw on the hazard lights of the vehicle before demanding Aventurine get in the back. Ratio would follow quickly after, the Alpha pounding relentlessly into his mate then. It would only take a few minutes… but… would they be able to come back from it?

Hearing Aventurine cry out again and pleadingly thrust his hips up with another surge of slick pooling into his slacks, Ratio’s finger moved to hit the turn signal and pull over. However, just before the Alpha was able to turn off, his eyes caught sight of a familiar house coming into view on the horizon.

Ratio was normally a careful and meticulous driver, but with his Dominant Alpha barely giving his rational mind a moment’s reprieve, the Alpha floored the accelerator. The car revved to life, speeding down the remaining distance towards their home.

The rough remainder of the drive thankfully got the needy Omega to temporarily focus less on his desire to fuck into Ratio’s hand and more invested in gripping the seat for stability. The minute the car was parked into the drive and turned off though, both Alpha and Omega were racing to get out of the vehicle and into their home.

Ratio threw open the door on the driver’s side, slamming it shut before storming to Aventurine’s side. Ripping the passenger door open, Aventurine all but leapt into Ratio’s arms, legs wrapped desperately around Ratio’s waist. The gambler could immediately feel his Alpha’s swelling arousal and grinded himself on it brazenly.

“Alpha… Alpha please… right now,” the Omega begged—rational mind completely lost as Aventurine shamelessly thrusted his hips on his partner that was struggling to carry the pair into their home.

 “Silence,” the Dominant Alpha growled in response, fumbling for his key to unlock the door.

Aventurine cared little to do as he was told, and continued to whine petulantly, planting needy kisses along any patch of exposed skin for every second the doctor took to find his keys.

Crashing through the front door, the pair fell down together right into the foyer with Aventurine racing to get off his pants as quickly as possible. Unsatisfied with their chosen place of copulation however, Ratio growled low in response, issuing a command at his mate.

“[In your nest, Omega.]”

Aventurine mewled in response, scrambling beneath Ratio to try and get his way regardless of the Alpha command trying to order him around. The Dominant Omega didn’t care if they did it in his nest or on the front lawn. He just needed Ratio inside of him now. A pleading rub of his arousal against his chosen Alpha had Aventurine staining the pair in the patches of slick that had soaked through his clothes.

Ratio, feeling his cock twitch in a strong desire, fought to try and remain in control of himself and the situation. He needed to get them to their nest, but Aventurine’s touch was so tantalizing… The Omega’s honeyed smell eroded away the doctor’s careful control and slipped down along his skin as warm and soothing as Aventurine’s hands now pushing open the Alpha’s shirt.

“Breed me… Veritas…” Aventurine panted beneath his chosen love, “Fill me until I can’t breathe… please…”

“Insatiable…--” Ratio grit his teeth, finally giving into temptation.

There was a small sound of something metal clinking between them. A gentle rustling of fabric, and in one swift thrust Aventurine felt Ratio ram into him.

The Omega’s eyes shot wide open with a clipped gasp as his form trembled beneath his mate. All of the air now expelled from the Omega’s lungs with that first sudden thrust, it was the first time Aventurine had fallen silent since his pre-heat had started. The feel of the hard floor against the Omega’s back barely registered as the gambler’s toes curled tight in anticipation. Tipping his head back with a tight squeezing of his walls, Aventurine slowly felt his breath returning to his lungs just before Ratio began a rough and brutal pace.

“[Hands down],” the Alpha commanded again, and the Omega easily complied.

Aventurine braced himself on the floor as best he was able, keeping his legs splayed as Ratio pounded into him. Feeling equally needy as his partner though, the Omega’s hips were hardly steady, and pushed back with each heavy thrust from his Alpha. The sounds of wet skin slapping together with a reckless abandon quickly began to fill the home.

True to Aventurine’s nature as a Dominant, the Omega’s thighs were absolutely soaked with slick and sweat. It was a bit tricky for Ratio to get the angle he wanted however, having only removed Aventurine’s clothes enough to slip in. He couldn’t reach deep enough, which quickly began to frustrate both Alpha and Omega. Without a word said, Aventurine pulled back, slipping free of that soothing heat from Ratio’s arousal filling him. The Alpha growled in response, ready to pull his Omega back onto him and violently take what was his. However, Aventurine was able to move quickly, acting completely on instinct as he pulled his clothing lower and spun around, presenting himself properly for Ratio with his back displayed and his hips tilted up in offering.

Ratio spent no time admiring the view, and crawled right over his partner, pulling his needy mate back against him as the pair slotted together again. Ratio’s girth spreading his hole, Aventurine gasped with a needy desperation, pushing his hips back to coax Ratio into resuming his brutal pace. Irritated with his needy mate, Ratio sunk his teeth into the juncture of Aventurine’s shoulder, causing the gambler to cry out in a mix of pleasure and pain. At the same time, a rough thrust to sheath himself completely inside the Omega had Aventurine’s head spinning.

Cock dripping with precum onto the marble floor beneath them, Aventurine could feel his own arousal sway and bounce with each violent thrust. The Omega wouldn’t last long like this, but Aventurine hardly cared, squeezing his walls to tighten his own grip on Ratio’s length when he felt his Alpha drag back against him.

“Stay in me…” the Omega’s mind pleaded, “Stay in me forever… Fill me with your claim.”

Whimpering as another cramp hit him, Aventurine squeezed his stomach as Ratio thrusted in. The added pressure had the Alpha gasping against Aventurine’s ear.

“Kakavasha…” the Omega could hear Ratio breathe, and squeezed tighter still, bearing down with all of his strength to try and lock Ratio in with him.

The Dominant Alpha was quick to catch on and slammed the pair’s hips together with enough force to nearly collapse them both to the floor again. Aventurine cried out with a wanton moan, feeling a tight pressure build in his hips while Ratio pistoned in and out against that tight heat. His cock dripping steadily onto the floor below, Aventurine reached a shaky hand back to attempt at stroking himself. It only took two pathetic rubs of his hand against his own rock-hard length before the Omega was seizing up in orgasm, his walls clamping down on Ratio like a vice—denying the Alpha access to his womb as he came.

“Damnit it—!” Ratio cussed behind his partner.

Letting his Alpha side fully take over, Ratio thrust in anyways, pushing against those tight walls desperate to milk his claim.

“[Open yourself, Kakavasha!]” the Alpha commanded with a roar that echoed through the house.

Whimpering and thrusting his hips back, Aventurine fought against his own body, trying to relax his muscles just enough to feel Ratio push past them and enter his womb. The feeling of Ratio’s cock expanding, slipping past those tight walls and pushing deep enough inside him to feel his stomach distending had Aventurine’s mind going blank. The Omega’s body froze in compliance to his chosen mate, yielding for Ratio spill into him and breed him at the Alpha’s whim. The high of that instinctual submission had Aventurine’s mind on autopilot. The Omega could only gasp for air, legs trembling as his own seed continued to drip down lazily from his flagging erection. Slick from his inner walls slipped down from his entrance and dripped along his thighs with each thrust from the Alpha grunting above him.

Pushing against his prostate at this new angle, the Omega immediately locked his walls tight again on Ratio’s length, crying out with overstimulation as the Alpha felt his own arousal swell with his impending release.

Ratio gave a few shallow thrusts against those tight walls, grinding his hips against Aventurine’s while his bared fangs nipped and kissed against the Omega’s heated skin. Each pleasuring bite and suckle against his flesh had Aventurine’s walls rippling in compliance, feeling Ratio swell more and more inside him. The stretch was burning in the most pleasant of ways, filling him like no other Alpha could’ve ever dreamed of doing.

“I’m going to split in half like this…!” Aventurine’s mind gasped, unable to voice any thoughts when it took all of his energy just to breathe with Ratio so deeply slotted inside of him.

Every push of his abdomen with the Omega’s breath had the gambler feeling just how deep his Alpha was inside of him. Moaning in complete submission to his chosen mate, Aventurine released a unique set of pheromones, exposing his marked mating gland for the Alpha to claim once again. Ratio bit in without hesitation and with another powerful thrust, his knot finally swelling completely to lock the pair in together. Crying out as he orgasmed a second time, Aventurine could feel slick spill from his entrance while another warm sensation began to pool into his stomach. The sensation had the Omega flushing from head to toe, never having felt such a violent tightening of his walls and outpouring of his own essence from his entrance. There was no way either of his or Ratio’s clothes weren’t absolutely drenched as Aventurine vaguely picked up on the sounds of heavy amounts of slick spilling onto the floor beneath them.

Whimpering both in shame and pleasantly at the realization of how hard his Omega side had come, Aventurine moved his soiled hand from his length to his womb, pressing gently to feel his abdomen distended with Ratio’s length sheathed firmly inside of him. The Alpha above him growled possessively still biting into the Omega’s mating gland. Letting his instincts control him completely, Ratio thrust in once more as he continued to fill Aventurine up with their hopeful brood.

“Too empty…” the Alpha’s mind rumbled with another heavy thrust, feeling their mate whimper beneath them, “[Be still.]”

The command was obeyed immediately, with Aventurine falling silent as Ratio continued to occasionally grind his hips forward, letting his swollen knot continue to expand while he spilled into his chosen mate.

“[You will carry child after this Omega, mark my words.]”

The Dominant Alpha had no intention of letting his mate go until he was satisfied. Thankfully, the Dominant Omega felt exactly the same.

“Please… please take…” Aventurine’s heat addled mind begged, “I want to be filled with Ratio’s claim again. Let me swell with his pride… let him consume me… inside and out… and bear his lineage.”

“Veritas…” Aventurine weakly replied, the gambler’s hand still on the ground flexing in search of his lover through their primal haze.

“…Kakavasha…” Aventurine heard a breathless reply after a minute.

Feeling another sweaty, much larger palm then rub over the back of his hand, the mated couple searching out then intertwining their fingers together again. The two rational sides held tight to each other as their instincts rested for a moment.

“I really…” Aventurine breathed, giving a weak sway of his hips, “…I want to have a baby with you again…”

“It aches so badly, being empty…”

Pressing a delicate kiss to the mating mark on his lover’s neck, Ratio nuzzled the new wound gently. Letting out a low purr, the doctor tried to catch his breath as the pair came down from what was only their first round of a very long heat.

“I know…” he breathed sympathetically, “I know love…”


The pair crashed and banged their way through the halls of their home once they’d recovered from their first round. Aventurine’s heat left little room for reprieve; demanding Ratio fill him again less than fifteen minutes after the pair had finished their act of insemination. Tripping over a few spare toys and tables that happened to be in their way, Aventurine and Ratio eventually entered their shared bedroom, collapsing into their nest just in time for their instincts to consume them again.

The Omega was immediately on his knees, ass tilted upwards in offering to his mate. Ratio was quick to discard both of their remaining clothing completely this time, smelling the heavy scent of honeyed pheromones pouring through the room.

“This thick of a scent… and yet you don’t actually smell fertile yet,” the Alpha commented as he began climbing over the Omega.

“Are you… fucking kidding me?” Aventurine panted, frustrated in response, “This aches worse than any heat I’ve ever had!”

“The doctor… said the first few attempts might prove... unsuccessful…” Ratio panted heavily in reply as he began stroking himself to full arousal again, “You’re not in full heat yet… so there’s still a possibility.”

“Aeons… how the hell did we ever get Verasha so easily…?” Aventurine whined, feeling Ratio slot inside of him shortly after.

Letting out a sharp cry, the Omega’s words were silenced as his walls immediately clamped down on that familiar rod. Eager to milk more of Ratio’s seed into him, the Omega was not about to let up any chance of being bred and filled with his mate’s legacy.

“That…” Ratio grunted with a tentative first thrust, “Would be down to your ‘luck’… insatiable gambler…”

Aventurine’s mind slipped completely into heat not long after that first thrust. The following days were all a blur with the Omega helplessly pawing at Ratio every waking moment of the day to be bred. There was barely a minute Ratio had to himself or to even care for his partner before Aventurine was screaming for Ratio’s seed inside of him.

The pair ended up having to get rather creative with keeping Aventurine’s Omega instincts sated. There were times when Ratio was simply too exhausted and Aventurine would be forced to sit out in the kitchen, eating whatever food he could focus on consuming with a plug shoved deep inside of him to keep Ratio’s spend in place. The Omega could hardly make it through a meal without desperately grinding his hips on the plug, or another larger toy sheathed inside of him.

It appeared Aventurine was only ever satisfied when he was completely filled, happily observing his distended stomach and praying to the Aeons that it would result in a successful breeding session.

There were other times Aventurine would be laying on the floor with his hips tilted up, Ratio massaging his legs and thighs that rested on the bed while the Omega let gravity do the work and push Ratio’s seed further inside of him. The entire process of his first heat off of suppressants was as pleasurable as it was agonizing, fraying the Omega’s mind to the point of near insanity.

“Come on…” Aventurine would try and encourage his body along; swaying his hips back and forth to try and push in further whatever claim of Ratio’s he’d manage to keep inside of him.

“You’re still in heat,” Ratio reminded his love gently while massaging Aventurine’s legs, “It’s going to take time before we know for sure.”

This was the third day, and the Omega’s heat had not let up at all, despite the numerous times the pair had slept together. Aventurine groaned in response, giving another flex of his hips before grimacing again.

“…Do you need another round?” Ratio replied, looking at Aventurine’s face twisted in a mix of pleasure and pain.

The Omega nodded and quickly shifted to get back up and into bed for Ratio to fill him again. The Alpha himself was exhausted even being the one not at the mercy of his instincts, so Ratio could only imagine how agonizing the process was for Aventurine.

“A mild to moderate discomfort on your first heat is to be expected…” the physician’s words echoed in the back of Ratio’s mind.

If this was only mild to moderate, the Alpha shuddered to think of what a severe reaction might be. Alas, Ratio was hardly allotted any more clarity than that as Aventurine screamed for his mate, writhing in their shared nest for his mate.

“[RATIO!! HELP!]” the Omega shrilled, already feverishly stroking himself to try and stave off the pain and pleasure.

Letting out a relinquished sigh, Ratio pushed out his soothing pheromones, and allowed his Alpha complete control again as he crawled over his inconsolable partner.

“I’m here, my Omega…” the Dominant Alpha purred as their bodies began to meld together again, “I’m here.”


Aventurine’s first heat without suppressants ended up lasting for a solid four days. By the end of it, the couple was absolutely exhausted, but hopeful their efforts had paid off. Ratio was mindful that nothing may take yet, and it could take the pair a few tries before they achieved success, but Aventurine wasn’t so keen on believing that. The Avgin wanted to prove his past wrong. He wanted to see that positive mark on his pregnancy test this time and know that he was the one in charge of his own destiny, not the whims of fate or instincts.

“I want to bear his child again because it is what I want…” Aventurine thought to himself while mindlessly rubbing his hand over his sore abdomen the night before he’d return to work, “I want to control my own destiny… for once in my life.”

Returning to work, Aventurine was a little sore for the first few days, but he didn’t let it show. The couple were masters at disguising their intentions, as was true of most of the upper echelons within the IPC and its respective partners. The only others outside of Aventurine and Ratio that knew the couple were even trying to expand their family were Jade and Topaz after all—and the mated pair doubted either Stoneheart would dare betray their trust.

It took everything in Aventurine’s power to resist testing to see if he and Ratio had achieved success even a few days after he’d finished his first heat cycle. Thankfully, the upcoming meeting with Opal had the Omega plenty occupied during his time at work. It seemed that something big was on the horizon…

Being so high up in the chain of command, Opal rarely had a need to talk to Aventurine at all. So when it came time for their one-on-one meeting the following week, there were plenty of thoughts and theories brewing in the gambler’s mind as to what the high-ranking Stoneheart desired of him.

Upon arrival in the pristine and elaborate office, Aventurine was met with a small display of a planet rotating listlessly on Opal’s desk. The golden edges of the planet’s unique design shimmered, refracting the light and creating a dream-like display of colours throughout the room. Of course, Opal’s room always emitted a myriad of colours—true to the Stoneheart’s nature.

But this…

This was…

Different.

Aventurine recognized the model planet and breathed out a slow exhale at the sight of it. He remembered well the mentions of a certain planet of festivities being talked about when he was nine months pregnant with Verasha… was it finally time?

Penacony...” Aventurine breathed before fixing his gaze on the figure of Opal’s back, “Is Diamond finally ready to do something about it?"

“This historic debt is utterly unimaginable,” Opal spoke plainly, the light of sunset casting the room in a now red and purple glow, “So, the profit involved is also... shockingly high.”

Aventurine’s brows furrowed in response, “But why me?” surely there were other Stonehearts far more qualified and higher-ranking than himself for an assignment of this caliber.

Opal continued to face away from Aventurine. Keen as the gambler’s eyes were, he couldn’t decipher the true intentions behind the decision for the assignment of Penacony to be brought to him. Was this another punishment? Certainly… Jade wouldn’t have ratted him out. There was no profit to be gained from it after all. So what was the hidden secret behind the world of dreams and pleasant fantasies that called on Aventurine’s unique talents specifically?

“It should have been me,” Opal replied finally, “but Diamond believes that The Family still has some value in cooperation and hopes this affair still has some room for a peaceful resolution.”

That explains why it wasn’t a job for Obsidian or Sapphire at least. Hell, even Sugilite would probably bumble a negotiation there. But then… surely Jade…?

“So, after some thought, I've concluded that you are the best candidate,” Opal stated with a hidden intention behind his words.

Aventurine narrowed his gaze in skepticism, “This is only our second conversation ever. You really trust me that much?”

“No,” Opal kept his back turned to his guest, “I've never trusted you. Perhaps Jade does, but I don't.”

At this Aventurine couldn’t help but grin, feeling his old nature stirring to life again. Well, at least there was still some fun in this game to be had with the IPC. After the birth of Verasha, some of the Stonehearts had cast aside Aventurine’s flippant and two-faced nature aside of a more favourable rouse to believe in with him as a kind-hearted and loving mother… but not all of them.

“Glad to see some of you aren’t completely gullible. This game would be too boring otherwise…” and Aventurine hated games that involved no risk.

In the end, Opal’s scrutiny suited the gambler just fine though. Simply because he was now a parent didn’t mean that Aventurine had let go of any of his ambitions after all. There was no room for such luxury lifestyles within the IPC. Anyone that believed the Avgin had worked so hard to gain back his ranking shortly after giving birth just because he wanted to prove his viability to the company…

Was sorely mistaken.

“Maybe luck won't be on your side this time,” Opal then continued a certain airy and flippant nature heard in his tone, “and the bill for all of your past good fortune will come due."

Finally, Opal turned around to face Aventurine properly. The distant skyscraper of the Stoneheart’s office reflected a kaleidoscope of colors into the room—displaying the Stoneheart’s power in a silent and visual flex of authority. The music box that had accompanied the invitation to Penacony played on its own then.

The decision for Aventurine to take on the task of Penacony… was absolute.

With a small grin hitching at the corners of his gaze, Opal spoke his final words, reading directly into the depths Aventurine’s being. The Stoneheart was no fool. A family in the present did not erase the past, and loss… would forever be loss.

“…But isn't that what you've been longing for, Aventurine?”

The mission was sound:

A Mission to Penacony: Seek out the Watchmaker’s Legacy

…And reclaim what rightfully belongs to the IPC…

Through means of creating an opportunity… by the DEATH of an IPC executive; Aventurine of Stratagems.

How… was Aventurine going to tell Ratio?

…And what did it mean for the vulnerable future they were trying to create?

“Put your affairs in order. Your flight leaves in six weeks.”

Notes:

See you all in the sequel to Silver Lining. As a heads up, the sequel will NOT be my next fic coming out, but I hope you enjoy my next Ratiorine fic regardless.

In the meantime while I continue to work on my next story for Ratiorine, feel free to say hi to me on BlueSky @faecakes ; v ; / As always I would love to have more Ratiorine friends to brainrot with.