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The blinding lights of the stage would never fail to be overwhelming. Underneath that sweltering, exposing brightness, he learned his first lesson as an idol was to shine even more than all of it. It wasn’t about singing more loudly, or putting more movement into the dance, but a feeling from within that could manifest as a shroud that would envelop the entire stage in an embrace of exhilaration. 

But Aventurine of the Nova Stonehearts sang on that stage that night embracing nothing. 

He hit the notes, nailed his choreography, had the smile on his face schooled into one of utter happiness to be performing this energetic, romantic song on stage. The exact song matched his intended stage presence, and so it was easy to delight the sea of faces in front of him, a mass of smiles fading into blurs. Who were these people, who adored him so, just because he could sing and dance and pretend? They were nothing to him, but also everything in this make-believe setup. A handful of minutes for a dream.

Both parties knew this, and yet Aventurine could not examine the tiny part of himself that wanted to believe the illusion. That he might just turn it into something real. In these transient, fleeting moments, the feelings rose so high it could become real. 

It was a good show. 

But it could be better, couldn’t it? It could be more. He could sing these songs for each of the faces in the crowd, all he needed was the single face in the crowd who could truly know who he was without this costume, without these songs. 

If only. 

Aventurine however did not have much left in him. Not then, not when the lights, the music, the excited cheers all drained him the more he sang. How many more endless concerts like this, singing to delighted faces who could not truly see him?

Beyond tiredness, beyond hopelessness. Something felt amiss, and it could no longer be filled in with substances, with meaningless flings that were criminally few and far in between, and unspoken promises that he’d negotiate himself a proper hiatus. Something in his chest felt as if it was digging into him like shards. 

But he pressed on. 

“Come with me, we will reach for the sky!”  

The lyrics of the song traveled across the humongous hall and he spun in place as the dance dictated. His body became a little heavier as the song neared its end, he felt his head spin behind the half-mask of his idol uniform, the hat felt a little too heavy on his head. 

Beside him, Sapphire and Sugilite sung their lines. 

So close. Aventurine’s turn came up again and forced the last words of the lyrics out. 

“For all eternity, in victory, you and I!”  

The roaring euphoria of a crowd who had just witnessed the time of their life washed over him. He stretched out his hands as the end of the choreography demanded. The music ended, the lights flashed in a wondrous finale. 

And the top idol Aventurine fell face-first forward with a thud.

The smell of disinfectant and the sound of murmurs swam into Aventurine’s consciousness. A bad idea. The state of consciousness wasn’t one he wanted to contend with for the time being. Or if ever. 

He wanted to sleep some more. His entire body felt heavy, sore, and wrong. 

“He just wouldn’t wake up, and he’s stuck halfway in his transformation phase. The Cornerstone’s still with him.” He heard Sapphire’s calm, steady tone. “I went to call for the curtains to drop immediately. The media can’t get even a single glimpse of this.”

“Bets on he’s just pretending so he can cut the seasonal tour short,” Sugilite scoffed. He could hear the shuffle of fabric as the man crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You know he’s such a selfish little drama llama.” 

“You don’t know that, Sugilite, don’t make baseless assumptions,” Topaz shot him down from beside his bed.

“Calm down please,” Pearl chided. “Let us keep this discussion on track. If he does not wake up, then we must seek proper medical attention soon. We don’t know what are the side effects of such a prolonged transformation.”

“Sure, Pearl, let’s go pick a random doctor and let them see the abilities of our Cornerstones. Let’s show them our trade secret and exactly what it does to our bodies, hm?” Obsidian’s mocking tone came from a far off corner. 

“A random doctor won’t do, we’d need someone from the Genius Society who might even begin to understand these things,” Topaz offered 

“Well, yes of course it would not be just any doctor,” Pearl agreed. “We wouldn’t be in much luck with the Genius Society, since it will take them months to even respond to a request. But I remember the IPC has this really capable Intelligentsia Guild member with eight PhDs…”

The weight of a headache began to press into Aventurine’s head. His body began to hum with the uncomfortable power of the Cornerstone somewhere deep within his chest as he subconsciously tried and failed to  like a song that was out of tune. He tuned them all out and thankfully was able to go back to a deep, restful sleep.

“It is day eight of patient Aventurine’s comatose state,” a deep, soothing bass-baritone voice traveled to tickle Aventurine’s ears as he swam from the deep, deep well of his slumber. “Since he has been transferred here to this remote resort planet and brought under my care five days ago the effects of the Cornerstone’s power has not receded in any observable form. The patient’s frame remains enlarged at twenty percent of his usual size. Measurements of limbs are as follows—”

Whoever spoke read a list of body parts and numbers, the monotonous manner in which this person read had quite a calming effect on him and he might have gone back to sleep. He wanted so much more sleep than he had. Five days? More? He could sleep forever if he could, and let all the thoughts and worries he held melt away, but the curiosity of seeing who this lovely voice might belong to bled some of the exhaustion away from him. 

Aventurine opened his eyes with a sigh and found himself lying on a double bed—not a medical bed, surprisingly— with some fresh, lightly scented flowers resting on the bedside table and an IV drip attached to his finger. The room was modern, spacious, cozy and there were floor to ceiling windows that looked out into a vast and very blue ocean lit by the morning sun. 

They were in a resort; the person had mentioned this earlier. 

He found himself dressed in a loose medical gown, with some of the outfit from his idol transformation still stuck on his skin. The clothes were a form of quasi-skin extensions and were part of the Cornerstone’s effects. On him now, when he was sort of half-transformed, it looked like hastily scrubbed off paint. It still covered the middle part of his body and left arm, though his neck was exposed, showing the commodity code that had been branded there. Not something he hid from his fans, the mystery of it was part of the persona, but he didn’t like it when it was exposed while he was transformed for some reason. 

He sat up and held a free hand over his face, noting the absence of the half mask he usually had on when he transformed, and looked towards the direction of the speaker in the room with him. Said individual had his back turned as he looked at a number of screens on a cart full of medical instruments by the side of his bed. 

He turned around as he finished his list, and Aventurine met a stony, statuesque face instead of one with regular organic features. The man—the doctor—wore a helmet that concealed his face. He was taller than him when he wasn’t transformed, had a muscular build underneath that was evident even the royal blue sweater vest and white long sleeved shirt he wore. 

Aventurine did not quite know what to make of it. Who was this strange man? He could not quite properly articulate the question in a manner that wouldn't come off as too straightforward. 

So, between the both of them, it was the Doctor who first spoke. 

“You are awake,” the Doctor observed, and with the clinical coldness health professionals usually employed asked him as he approached, “How are you feeling?”

“Just alright,” Aventurine answered immediately, a reflex mostly, not giving it much thought. 

The doctor tilted his head to the side slightly. 

“You’ve been in what is essentially a coma for more than a week,” he explained. “Is there any discomfort or the sort you’re feeling now from your prolonged transformation?”

Aventurine could not describe the mess in his head, in his body. Deep within he felt his Cornerstone hum strangely, like an instrument that was off tune. A little better than when he last stirred, when it was completely out, but still rang in a discordance. He felt for the power within and could not quite grasp enough of it to turn back, or to do much of anything. But he was not used to admitting such things aloud. Showing weakness just wasn’t how Aventurine operated. 

“Hmm, not when among such interesting company, Doc. What’s underneath that handsome statue head? It’s nice to meet you, I’m Aventurine of the Nova Stonehearts, as I’m sure you already know.”  

He did not quite expect any favorable response, but he certainly did not expect no response at all. 

The Doctor ignored his attempts to tease and introduced himself instead to segue the conversation into propriety.  

“Dr Veritas Ratio of the Intelligentsia Guild, assigned to you at the request of Diamond himself,” Ratio offered in return. “I am to ascertain the anomalous behavior of your Cornerstone and ensure it isn’t causing any detrimental effects on your body while you are still half-transformed, while also finding a means to ensure you will be fit for the holiday tour.”

Holiday tour. They could push it back a bit, he supposed. But he was out for eight days. And now that he was awake and he couldn’t transform back, or even get his Cornerstone out. The seasonal tour would have been cut in half, likely and some of the magazine spreads and interviews he was meant to do. He wasn’t sure how much time he would be given to recover. 

“They care more about the thing, sure,” Aventurine scoffed. Always about the tour, the group, what the fans wanted. Never about the performer, or what they needed. 

“I have not made such an observation and cannot affirm or deny such a statement,” Ratio said as he pulled a chair with wheels from a desk nearby and steered it to Aventurine’s bedside. “I was simply told to ensure your complete physical health. Now, will you permit me to get your diagnosis?”

Aventurine snorted. 

“Sure, Doc, whatever you need,” Aventurine said with a shrug. 

Ratio sat down beside him and leaned over. 

“Then please relax,” He very gently pressed a hand on Aventurine’s chest to push him back down the bed so that he could lie prone. 

“Hey, easy, Doc, I’m not one to be pushed down,” Aventurine said, resisting by propping an elbow up beside him. He then propped up one of the two pillows behind him so he could lie back slightly upright. “There. I hope that’s fine.”

“My apologies,” Ratio said, he pulled back immediately when Aventurine piped up, and the slight hunch of his shoulders communicated a manner of regret with his actions. “Then, if I may,” he said and pulled up an electronic stethoscope and plugged it into the ears of his statue head, taking the listening device and pressing it on Aventurine’s chest.

He wondered what the doctor was looking for, because he took awhile, moving that device across his chest, listening through the tissue paper thin fabric of the medical gown. He could feel the heat of those slender fingers over his chest, brushing over his clothing so very lightly it should have been nothing, but Aventurine’s heart began to beat just a little faster with excitement. He tried to calm it down. It must have been because it had been ages since he got to feel someone else’s touch, someone’s warmth.

Among the Stonehearts, relationships weren’t forbidden, but highly discouraged and needed to be kept secret, enough that the effort spared to keep everything under wraps just wasn’t worth it. A single scandal with the wrong lenses could shift fan perspectives, could destroy the fantasies they had so carefully built up of a nearly attainable celebrity who was utterly devoted to the happiness of their fans.

It must have been minutes before Ratio pulled away, going now to check his blood pressure with another device, along with a few more tests done with various contraptions. 

Ratio said nothing as he took his results, jotting it down on a large folding screen tablet. It went on for a while, the tapping of his stylus against the ceramic screen, until Aventurine could not quite bear the silence anymore. 

“Not going to tell me anything, Doc?” Aventurine piped up.

A thoughtful sound went up from Ratio’s throat. 

“Shall I, when you have been reticent in being truthful regarding your own situation?” Ratio asked in a level tone, managing to accuse Aventurine without adding a reprimand in his words. 

“I am not trying to keep things from you,” Aventurine retorted with a scoff, though he wondered how it was the Doctor could tell. 

“Of course,” Ratio agreed, without scorn or cynicism as he tapped the tablet in several places, likely to pull something up on the screen. “I suppose it is a bit difficult to articulate what you may be feeling at present when this is the state of you.”

He flipped the tablet around and held out the screen to Aventurine.

“This was taken yesterday,” Ratio said, showing him a black and white scan of what was likely his chest. He didn’t even need to ask what was wrong, as he saw his broken Cornerstone above his lungs, just beside his heart, shattered in chunks. 

Aventurine instinctively placed a hand over his chest and he let out a self-deprecating chuckle as Ratio took the tablet away. 

“Well, that’s the state of me indeed,” he said as he bent his head and looked at his lap. Little wonder he felt rather off, he didn’t expect the thing to have actually broken inside of him though. 

Ratio tapped away at his tablet and began to explain. 

“It is evidently stress related. That is why I had them transfer you out of a stuffy hospital. A change of scenery is better,” he turned to look out into the blue ocean outside the window, bringing a curled finger up to the statue’s lips. “Though I could not so easily decide what sort of environment would be better for your spirits. Typically it would be more comforting to be somewhere that reminds one of home, but your files have stricken away any mentions of a birthplace, or even your previous name, as I might have narrowed down which corner of the cosmos you could be from, so I went for the more obvious choice of a beach resort.” 

They were stricken for a reason, Aventurine thought with a tiny smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he felt the ghost of the brand’s burn on his skin. He wanted to make a smart little quip, how the Doctor should have pulled a list of worlds integrated under the IPC where total indentured servitude had been legalized, but he supposed the Doctor did not quite earn such antagonism. It would be a poor show of his own manners. All the good Doctor wished was to figure out where he was born, to have been better informed the type of resort Aventurine might have chosen. He appreciated the thought, truly, but he would not have chosen differently.

“I was born on a desert planet. Rather depressing,” Aventurine said, providing a little tidbit of personal information as a little bit of peace offering, and perhaps an avenue for the Doctor to do the same. “So, I would have chosen the ocean anyway. It’s quite lovely, thank you, Doctor.”

Aventurine pulled up a small smile.

Ratio looked up at him, the statue head remained still and stony, but he could not help but think underneath that mask, on a face he didn’t know, a smile was drawn on it too. 

“The air, the sound of the crashing waves and a view of the water will do wonders for one’s mental wellbeing,” he agreed. “So, now tell me a few things about the mechanics of the Cornerstones…”

When Ratio concluded his brief interrogation, the Doctor left Aventurine to his own devices for the meantime. Apart from the broken Cornerstone residing in him, he was physically fine if not in a state of exhaustion. Supposedly it was a slew of negative feelings that broke his Cornerstone—a supposed rare occurrence. Aventurine had not been feeling himself lately, and the toll it took when he was on stage might have just been the breaking point. 

By all rights, Diamond, the lead of the Stonehearts, could call for a punishment. They had to treasure the Cornerstone like their lives after all, as it was their livelihood, the very foundation of their idol work, and more, but instead he sent him to a fancy resort instead. He supposed it was not taken against him, when he could not anticipate it happening.

Ratio removed his IV drip and left him to rest for the meantime, which he did, briefly, before he decided he was a little bored. 

A quick glance at the clock told him it was mid-morning. He felt like he’d already had enough sleep and so tried to get up on his feet. He began with a few wobbly steps before he steadied. His limbs felt like static, but he powered through towards the desk near the bed, where he noticed some of his personal belongings arranged neatly on the surface, including his phone and a plain jewelry case containing his rings and wristwatch. 

He wondered if it was Jade who packed it all for him, but it would have been Ratio who put it all neatly on the desk wouldn’t it?

He wore the watch—he liked the weight of it on his right wrist the most, but kept the rings aside. He then checked on his phone, rifling through his messages—nothing, of course. He should not have expected anything at all. 

Being a Stoneheart was his entire life. He had gambled a lot to get there, to gain success, to have his name and face known across the cosmos. In turn that meant personal relationships had taken quite a hit in priority. He hardly had any close friends, certainly not plenty who would personally be concerned for his well-being. 

He sighed and checked his phone, finding that there was no accessing most of the internet, save for some communications. 

Likely, they were in one of those “total disconnection” sort of resorts. 

He wandered outside his room, not bothering to change out of the medical gown, or look for slippers. Outside of his room was a rather spacious living, dining, and kitchen area. The layout implied they were in a beachfront villa rather than a hotel suite. 

Aventurine found Ratio at the kitchen, preparing what looked like lunch— though he supposed there was still time for it to be considered brunch just yet.

“Not feeling up for more sleep?” Ratio asked from the stove where he stirred something in a saucepan. 

“No,” Aventurine replied as he watched Ratio.”I am just a little bit hungry though,” he said with a playful tone. “Is that for me?”

“Yes,” Ratio affirmed as he turned around and poured what looked like oatmeal into two bowls. It smelled of warm cinnamon, apples and bananas. 

Ratio garnished both bowls with chopped nuts and a drizzle of cream before he presented one to Aventurine and then sat down in front of him with his own. 

“I didn’t think you’d be up for some breakfast,” Ratio said. “But I prepared some just in case. Something light would be best for you to start, after you’ve gone a few days without solid food.”

Aventurine did not feel hungry until he saw Ratio cooking, until he caught a whiff of the food laid out in front of him. 

He could not remember the last time someone thought about making food for him. If it had ever been an occurrence in his life.

“Eat,” Ratio urged him, and Aventurine could not see a reason why he shouldn’t. He lifted a single spoon up to his lips.

The warmth and light sweetness of homemade food, coupled by the silent presence of someone eating beside him made something within him slotted in place.

He looked at his left hand as he searched for the threads of power from the Cornerstone he could grasp. The hum of the Cornerstone responded, but he could not quite yet manipulate them for a reversal of his transformation. Being in such a prolonged state of transformation to his enlarged state should have had a negative effect, but he supposed the Cornerstone kept him together enough to supply him with everything he needed to maintain such a thing without immediate harm. 

All in all, it was still an improvement. He did learn Ratio was right and the Cornerstone was responding to his stress, his negative feelings, and fostering the opposite seemed to be the key to getting it fixed. 

Knowing that, there was really nothing more to his recovery than to simply enjoy himself.

Aventurine dug into his food, watching Ratio as he ate, who merely sat in front of him, with his untouched bowl, still unwilling to remove the stone statue head. 

The next few days passed by at a languid pace, not too slow as for Aventurine to get bored and just enough for Aventurine to appreciate the passage of time. As he was no longer in a coma, Dr Ratio did not have to painstakingly maintain the medical instruments that held up his body in a healthy, proper condition. Instead Ratio monitored his vitals twice a day, made him sumptuous meals (though the occasional room service from the resort arrived now and then), and provided just enough company for Aventurine not to feel entirely isolated.

But the stone bust remained firmly in place. Ratio would sit with him during brunch and dinner, food in front of him as if he might finally remove the headpiece and eat with Aventurine for once, but it firmly remained in place. 

Perhaps it was because it was simply the two of them, or there might have been more to it, Aventurine certainly did not want to think too hard on it, but he grew more and more curious how Ratio looked underneath that bust. He could not even begin to imagine. 

He supposed, if he had access to the web, he could pull up his face, but he didn’t have that at his disposal at all. 

Aventurine, of course, was never one to back out from a challenge. He liked games, liked his gambles—earning this idol gig had been one huge one with the Stonehearts—and this was another one of them. 

“Hey, Doc,” Aventurine knocked at the door to Ratio’s room one late afternoon. They mostly kept out of each other’s way until the meal times—Ratio preferred to keep to his room—and took his meals after Aventurine did in the veranda of his bedroom that Aventurine did not have a proper vantage of, as foliage carefully shielded the place from view.

He heard the unmistakable first seconds of their debut single Overdrive to Love muffled on the speakers of a phone before it was abruptly cut off, and Ratio shuffling inside.

Aventurine did not quite know what to make of it, and so he set that tidbit of information aside for now.

“Doc,” Aventurine knocked again.

“Coming,” Ratio called from behind the door and opened the door. He opened it wide enough for a glimpse into his room. “What is it?” 

“I’m bored and in need of a change of pace, Doc. Play a game with me,” Aventurine declared to that indifferent statuesque face, bringing up his best pout.  

Ratio turned around back to his desk, to the laptop that was running calculations on screen, and then back towards him. 

Aventurine could feel an excuse rising from Ratio. Of course, he wouldn’t agree too easily. He had discerned that stone helm he wore maintained a distance between them and they certainly did not do any activities together. 

“You’re here for my well-being, right? I’ve been getting better,” Aventurine piped up. He motioned to himself, showing his left arm, where none of the transformation’s clothes was left on him and he had somewhat been able to revert to only being at five percent of his usual size and already he stood shorter than Ratio. “But I would appreciate doing a few things with you.”

The Doctor sighed.

“Very well,” he said, stepping out from his room and shutting it firmly behind him. “Let us play your game.”

“You don’t even know what game I’m proposing,” Aventurine chuckled as he strode towards the living room. Several entertainment implements had been prepared for him, a large television, a tablet, video game consoles, a laptop, some physical books featuring both fiction and non-fiction and a guitar. He had grown tired of most of them by himself, having never been one for leisure and he wasn’t quite ready to touch the guitar just yet. 

“I’ve spared us both from expending any more energy doing a pointless back and forth,” Ratio said plainly. “You will persist until I agree, so we may as well go with it.”

“So, you don’t know what you’re getting into,” Aventurine grinned from ear to ear with giddy mischief. 

“Enlighten me then,” Ratio said, crossing his arms in front of his ample chest, dressed today in a simple knit sweater in a shade of cobalt. 

“A simple game of Snakes and Ladders,” Aventurine mentioned as he sat himself on the couch, patting the space beside him. “Winner must obey three requests from the loser.”

Ratio spared only a moment to think before he answered. 

“Requests within reason,” he said with a firm and rather cold tone.

“Sure,” Aventurine shrugged. “Nothing that will spoil the fun.” 

“Then proceed,” Ratio said. 

Aventurine pulled up his tablet where a cartoonish board game featuring the aforementioned snakes and ladders. He had debated between himself if he wanted to challenge Ratio to a video game or chess, but ultimately decided on a simple, fun game based on luck.

“Then please, Doc, choose your color,” Aventurine said, and watched as Ratio did not hesitate to tap on the blue token.

Aventurine chose green and let Ratio roll.

Ratio rolled a six, off the bat, earning him an extra roll, so he went for it and got a two, just before a set of ladders that would take him up. Aventurine was behind when he rolled a five, and then a four, which ended with him on that ladder just in front of Ratio, that took him to the fourth row well above Ratio. 

“Oh, Doc, left you behind,” Aventurine chuckled.

Ratio said nothing, rolling nonchalantly as Aventurine advanced without any further ladders. Meanwhile Ratio eventually made his way to one that brought him just beside Aventurine.

“Anything can happen,” Ratio retorted, to which Aventurine laughed.

“That’s the fun of it, isn’t it?” he grinned and rolled, not advancing to any ladders, but making steady progress.

They went on without much action in the way of ladders or snakes, until poor Ratio ended up on a snake that sent him all the way back to the second row, a development which he audibly gasped in distress at and, as if remembering himself, cleared his throat. 

“This is terrible,” he muttered.

“Anything can happen,” Aventurine reminded the Doctor with a singsong voice.

But try as he might, Ratio could not advance, and even ended up on another snake, which sent him all the way back from the fifth row to the third. Ratio’s shoulders spread out in dejection, as Aventurine advanced steadily. 

No ladders advanced his path, and Aventurine even ended up going down three rows from the last when he reached a snake as well.

That gave Ratio some hope, but he was so helplessly still stuck at the fourth row from the tenth, that victory looked further and further away.

True enough, Aventurine eventually secured himself a solid victory when he reached a ladder that ascended him straight to the finish, marking the end of the game and him decisively as the winner.

“Well, would you look at that,” Aventurine said with a wide grin. “I win, Doc.”

Ratio turned to him slowly, in a manner that Aventurine could read as vaguely annoyed. He had to chuckle, he didn’t think the Doctor would be a little bit of a sore loser.

“It did slip my mind until now, that you do have a bit of a reputation for being lucky,” he muttered, sounding a little cross. “Make your requests then,” he bade, waving a hand.

Aventurine made a laugh of mischief as he leaned closer to the Doctor. 

“First request, I’d like for us to have a nice walk by the beach together, enjoy the sunset,” Aventurine declared.

“Fair enough, it is a lovely day for a walk,” Ratio agreed. 

“Second request,” Aventurine went on. “I want to have a nice bonfire picnic together with you after our walk. I suppose the resort staff can arrange such a thing upon short notice?”

“A walk along the beach at sunset and bonfire-lit picnic dinner afterwards,” Aventurine could hear Ratio roll his eyes at the thought. “What exactly is meant to be achieved with such arrangements?”

Aventurine rumbled with another bout of amused laughter. 

“Come on, Doc, surely you can figure it out for yourself,” he said, pressing forward, so that his mouth could align with that of Ratio’s bust. The flirtatious effects would be quite lost without the whisper of his breath on skin and he wondered if Ratio could even see properly through that thing, but he performed such theatrics nonetheless. Ratio tried to appear unaffected, but Aventurine could detect how he tensed, his shoulders seizing into a flat horizontal, his fists clenched on his lap.

“And the third request?” Ratio asked. 

“You’ll hear about it later,” Aventurine said, pulling away and getting on his feet. “See you in a while, I should think you have something appropriate for the beach? It will get a little chilly,” he said, before retreating into his bedroom to change, leaving Ratio alone in the living room to contemplate exactly what he had gotten himself into.

They both walked along the stretch of palm trees which seemed to be untouched even by the highest tide by the shoreline, where the crashing of waves lapped in a languid rhythm against the sand. 

Aventurine was dressed in a long shirt in khaki he used as a light jacket under a white henley and slim light brown shorts that came just above his knee. He opted to be barefoot. 

Ratio stride along beside him, dressed in a simple long-sleeved button up shirt, white pants and flip-flops. For a man who always seemed to be cooped inside, he navigated the tricky uneven sand underneath his feet with ease, even when that blasted stone headpiece still covered his face. 

“How come I've never seen you on the beach?” Aventurine asked, slowing down his pace so he could fall into step with Ratio. 

“You begin your days around nine in the morning, half past eight at the earliest,” Ratio began to explain. “I am up doing laps right here in these waters as the sun rises.”

Aventurine made a thoughtful noise. 

“That's way too early,” he chuckled. 

The sun had begun its slow descent on the horizon and the colors of the sky began to shift, but it was not quite sunset yet. 

“Look, Doc, is that a crab?” Aventurine pointed as he saw a little brown-gray blur scuttle past into a tiny hole in the sand. Aventurine chased after it, only to cause more of the little things to scurry about. 

“We’ve been served these crabs,” Ratio confirmed. “Deep fried with a bit of breading.” 

Aventurine laughed, running and trying to block a crab’s path to a nearby hole in order to catch it. Of course, he knew it would be just a little bit impossible with his bare hands, but it was fun to try, so he kept at it, eventually finding his way to the water. He had never been able to just fool around on a beach prior to this.

Life had been all about surviving, striving, winning. There had never been anything more to it than that. Over the past few days, somehow, he felt like he was actually living. 

Aventurine laughed as chasing crabs turned into frolicking along the waves. He splashed freely as he laughed. 

“Come on in, Doc!” Aventurine called, bending over to scoop some water in his hands and throwing it in Ratio’s direction. 

A few glittering droplets reached Ratio, who stood a few steps away from Aventurine and did not react even when the wetness bloomed on his clothes a little. 

“Your request did not specify cavorting on the shores,” Ratio responded, folding his hands in front of his chest as he turned his head away. 

“Aw, Doc, don’t you want to let loose a little, have some fun?” Aventurine asked, whipping a curved jet of water in his direction, letting it land at Ratio’s feet before it could thoroughly drench him. 

“You have one more request to make,” Ratio mentioned. “You may use that if you wish, otherwise I would rather not get wet.”

“Oh, alright,” Aventurine relented though he still kept up a smile, and didn’t feel too disappointed. He really wasn’t expecting Ratio to have agreed. He instead proceeded to make the most of it by splashing water back into the ocean by himself. 

“This is fun, Doc!” Aventurine said, turning around to grin. “You’re missing out!”

Just as he turned around, he noticed Ratio had his phone held outstretched, as though he was taking a photo of Aventurine against the sky. Before Aventurine could comment on it though, Ratio quickly put back his phone and acted as if he had done nothing out of the ordinary. Ratio did not reply to him, Aventurine forgot the next things he wanted to say at what he just saw. 

It was easy to delude himself into thinking that Ratio may be trying to act all distant because he wanted to maintain professionalism, but obscuring one’s face and by extension their expression went quite the extra mile. More than that, some of Ratio’s actions went beyond what he might have done as a health professional, cooking him meals far more than they ordered for room service was one Aventurine thought was quite odd. They weren’t exactly specialized nutritionist meals for him either, just simple, home cooked affairs that Aventurine never had enough of, might never will. 

A smirk formed on his lips, the giddiness bubbled in his chest. He bent and gathered as much as he could and sprung his arms into the air and danced underneath the spray of a second’s worth of rain he made, laughing and laughing, almost like a madman. 

Eventually, the sky turned from deep blue to purple and orange as the sun began to sink and Aventurine returned to the shore, running up to Ratio, just a little drenched, smelling of salt. 

The Doctor had laid out a little beach towel on the sand, sitting on one side and leaving just enough room for Aventurine to join him.

Aventurine took his place in that space next to him, leaning back and using his hands as posts behind him as he admired the view of the sunset, the view of the burning deep orange globe as it hovered over the horizon.

He had seen it a handful of times since he had awoken, since he spent his late afternoons here for the sea air, as the Doctor had recommended it, but he liked it the most then and there, where he could feel the presence of the Doctor next to him.

Aventurine could not resist leaning his shoulder against the Doctor’s arm just a little, not quite resting his weight on him, but enough for skin to press through the fabric of their clothes.

He thought Ratio might pull away, but he sat very, very still, as if he was afraid a single shift could dislodge this fine balance Aventurine had brought between them.

A good sign, so Aventurine pushed his luck and tilted his head just enough so that he could lean just a tiny bit more into Ratio, who still did not move away. 

Pleased, Aventurine stayed still, and still pushed his luck, wrapping one arm around Ratio’s as the sun began to sink beneath the horizon. 

The Doctor still did not attempt to release himself, to move away or even made any protest. And they sat in silence, reveling in that strangely negotiated intimate moment. 

Just until the sun finally disappeared completely, leaving them in the in-betweens of the day, the few moments before it would turn completely and utterly dark, when Ratio carefully made to rise, letting the arm Aventurine had wound around him fall away as he got on his feet. 

“We should make our way to the picnic before we lose the light,” Ratio said, hovering over Aventurine. 

That fragile moment between them completely dissipated. Aventurine got on his feet, taking the beach towel with him and folding it up for Ratio before handing it back to him. 

They made their way, walking side by side, to the side of the beach a little closer to their villa where a rather luxurious spread of pillows, a low table where a basket of food sat, and a portable fire pit had been arranged. 

Aventurine made his way to the firepit, lighting it up as Ratio made to lay out all the food. It amused him a little, how easy it was for them both to fall into a role to set things up. Ratio sat down on one side of the table in front of plates of sandwiches, cold cut skewers, cuts of fresh fruits, and a variety of tiny pastries. Aventurine got the fire going and sat by his side, closer than he would have dared before what happened when they watched the sunset.

“Well, Doc, will you just watch me eat again?” Aventurine asked, as he plucked a single grape from the platter and popped it in his mouth. “I made a specific request for us to have a picnic together, if you remember,” he made a small, sly smile.

Ratio sighed.

“So you did,” he said. “However, I am obligated to maintain some degree of professionalism and this—” he tapped at the headpiece, “—maintains it.”

Aventurine leaned in, crowding Ratio’s space. 

“I want to see what you look like,” Aventurine said, reaching out to touch the sharp jawlines of that statuesque headpiece and he dragged his fingers down the neck where the helmet obscured even that part of his head. “You keep it such a secret, you can’t hardly fault me for being curious.”

Ratio’s hand came up to cover Aventurine’s, stopping him from trailing his hand further down. 

“What’s the harm?” Aventurine pressed on, before Ratio could tell him off, referring not just to the consequences of Ratio showing him his face, but what Aventurine wanted to get at once that single barrier between them was removed. “Don’t you want me to see it too?” 

He heard Ratio take in breath, he leaned his head forward a little as he held it with both hands.

It came off somehow despite how snug it looked resting on Ratio’s head, revealing a head full of shiny, purple hair that fell in waves. A pin of golden leaves rested on the side of his head. He looked up at Aventurine, warm eyes framed with eyeliner—a deep red like wine ringed with gold met Aventurine’s, searching, questioning. As if to ask, “What now?”

A swell in Aventurine’s chest rose at the sight of Dr Veritas Ratio’s face. He had always thought he might be good-looking, but the face underneath that mask wasn’t just pleasant to behold, but breathtaking. So much so that Aventurine could not help but extend his hand again to frame the side of Ratio’s face as he brought their faces close.

Aventurine felt the thrum of this magnetism between them from the very day he woke up, which he found odd and strange and never really wanted to acknowledge, until the days passed and his curiosity about his Doctor grew and grew. Now that he could see that face, that force only grew stronger. The desire could not be denied.

He hovered his lips over Ratio’s, half-lidded eyes looking up at those beautiful warm ones, inviting him to partake. He had to want this too, they both had to want it. And Aventurine didn’t need much to tell his wager would pay off. 

Ratio took a moment, but he leaned in to close the gap between them, pressing their lips together. 

Something inside of Aventurine righted, felt complete and whole, but he ignored it, all in favor of relishing in this moment.

For such a confident, no-nonsense Doctor, Ratio didn’t seem like he knew how to kiss at all, which worked fine. Aventurine let their lips touch and very slowly he coaxed Ratio’s lips open and got his sweet prize when their tongues met. Ratio tried to follow the very slow dance that followed until it was just about time for some air and they had to part ways. 

Somehow during their kiss, Aventurine had wrapped his arms all around Ratio’s body, pulling their bodies flush. Ratio in-turn leaned into him, the weight of his larger frame pressing up against Aventurine’s as he too pulled him for an embrace.

“See, not quite a series of terrible events was it? ” Aventurine said, bringing up a hand to gently push away a lock of hair from Ratio’s forehead. “You’re beautiful, by the way, Doc.” 

Ratio’s face was flush with red and the color deepened upon hearing those words.

“The headpiece was removed for the purposes of eating,” he reminded Aventurine, picking up another piece of grape and pressing it against the other man’s lips.

Aventurine’s eyes widened in surprise when he felt the warmth of those fingertips and the cool fruit brush his lips. He took it into his mouth willingly, earning him a very small, shy smile from Ratio.

Who knew his Doctor was so cute. 

“Alright then,” Aventurine relented with a chuckle as he picked up one of the sandwiches, which had been cut to almost bite-sized. “But kissing could count as eating… I guess it’ll just have to be dessert.”

Aventurine winked, earning a confused and concerned look from Ratio, but he chose to eat the sandwich that was offered rather than speak any further and both of them focused on eating, with Aventurine chatting away about the food, the ocean, the stars that started to come out above them, while Ratio offered his own insights here and there. The lack of his headpiece had encouraged him to be a little more animated.

They chatted away about everything and nothing even long after finishing their food, somehow ending up lying down side by side on those cushions. When the topics had run dry, Aventurine began strumming the guitar he brought out there and sang a little song for them both. They stayed that way, enjoying the music, the sight of the stars above them and each other’s company. 

Perhaps it was the relaxed company, but both Aventurine and Dr Ratio somehow fell into a light nap in their picnic area. The bonfire kept most of the chill away until it died down into embers. Aventurine rose and took a look at Ratio, who slept on his side, curled beside him. 

None of the drinks they were served had any alcohol, so Ratio was not out cold drunk, but napping comfortably among the cushions beside him. They had talked about a lot of things, mostly nothing of import, just inconsequential stories about their work and adjacent topics. Aventurine didn’t really have someone to do that with. 

He took a few moments to admire Ratio underneath the dim starlight, feeling a little sore that the Doctor hid this lovely face from him this whole time, though he found endless amusement in how that might have been the entire point, since Aventurine could not exactly keep his attentions away from beyond that of a patient to his doctor when presented with such a lovely, interesting man.

Aventurine found he had not the heart to wake Ratio up at all, but it was not a cause for concern since the humming within his chest had become much, much clearer all of a sudden. 

What had felt like clawing through broken glass now felt as if he was walking in the air, he took a single tendril of that Cornerstone’s power and wove it over himself, transforming in size, in shape in an instant. Always, when he changed, he felt like more, like larger than life, and the costume that now clung to his body, the hat, the half-mask that adorned his face rather than obscured it all was a reflection of an idol’s affection. All of it now was for his beloved Dr Ratio. 

Substantially larger than his usual size and much stronger, with inhuman stamina and strength to perform incredible feats of dancing and singing. There were other uses for it too, of course, but for now, Aventurine used such power to very carefully gather Ratio into his arms and carry him back into the villa as if he weighed nothing.

Ratio stirred halfway, making a soft groan as he stirred and a small gasp as he saw Aventurine transformed. 

“It’s Aventurine… of Nova Stonehearts,” Ratio murmured with sleepy wonder as he clung to Aventurine’s shoulder and looked up at him. “What a nice dream this is… I’m a big fan…”

“What, really, Doc?” Aventurine laughed delightedly. Imagining how Ratio must have been holding back all this time they spent together. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Say what?” Ratio mumbled, reaching up to touch his face as a dreamy smile spread across his lips. 

“Hey, it’s me. I’m the real thing, you aren’t dreaming right now,” he chuckled and pulled Ratio up closer to him, bumping their foreheads. 

The realization bloomed in Ratio’s expression as his eyes widened and his face began to flush a very cute shade of red. 

“Wh–why—” he sputtered. “You can transform again!” He said, reaching up to examine Aventurine’s face. “Are you all better?” 

“Not quite, but enough to carry you all the way back,” Aventurine replied as they reached their villa. 

Upon entering, he went towards the Doctor’s room, identical to his in almost every way, except for the number of medical instruments and the sort neatly arranged in a corner. He ignored most of it to gently have Ratio lie on the bed. 

“So, what is this about being a big fan of mine?” Aventurine teased as he sat beside Ratio, leaning over him and placing a gloved hand with large fancy claws on his chest. “Is that why you’ve been trying not to get so close to me all this time and hiding your face?” 

“It’s hardly professional,” Ratio explained, the blush had not subsided as he looked up to Aventurine like this. “And I didn’t think you’d be very happy to hear such a thing when you were quite unwell. I apologize, I will… not overstep these boundaries again.”

Aventurine smiled, how thoughtful of his Doctor. But that was then and as the days passed he had forgotten most of the burnout that the seasonal tour had taken upon him and could only think of this lovely Doctor in front of him. 

He took Ratio’s hand in his, bringing those lovely fingers to his lips. He remembered how they coasted over his chest even through the fabric of his medical gown. 

“I’m not complaining,” he said, smiling down at Ratio. “I am doing the opposite. I remember I still have dessert to claim from you.” 

Ratio’s eyes widened in surprise, with a little concern. 

“Is that alright? Even if I am a fan? Doesn’t it feel… suffocating?” he asked. “I… I cannot deny I took on the job willingly because I admire you as an idol, and I have fantasized…things concerning you.”

It might have. Perhaps it should have. Sometimes he did grow tired of being put on that pedestal, as the idol and not the person, but it felt different with Ratio. He had never once felt an expectation to perform, or to constantly be Aventurine of the Nova Stoneheart. With Ratio, he had just been expected to be himself in order to get better. 

“It doesn’t bother me, not when it’s you. I do feel like… I’m more than just an idol to you,” he said, dipping his head down as he aligned their faces, cupping Ratio’s cheek. “In fact, I would like to hear what sort of fantasies you had…”

“Is that a request?” Ratio asked, one corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly into a smirk. 

Aventurine snorted, brushing their lips together. 

“No,” Aventurine breathed over Ratio’s lips. “But if you don’t tell me, then how can I fulfill them?” 

One of Ratio’s hands tentatively went up to the Aventurine had on his face. 

“It’s only a silly whimsy,” Ratio said, with a little self-deprecating smile. “And I fear… where this may all lead. You are still my patient.” 

“As my Doctor, my well-being is your priority. I don’t see how this contradicts it at all,” Aventurine said, “So, let’s see where this all goes, Doc. You and I, together.”

Ratio still looked concerned, surprised, but a glint of hope lit those wonderfully rich eyes, framed with such a pretty shade of scarlet. 

“Alright,” Ratio said with a sigh, as if releasing himself from some unseen bond. He squeezed Aventurine’s hand, the one still resting on his face. “I want this, I’ve wanted you. To touch, to kiss… maybe more…”

Aventurine did not need further invitation. He captured Ratio’s lips with his own and began a deep, seeking, tangling kiss. Ratio may have fantasized about him, but he definitely did not act upon this desire with anyone else. The thought alone made a sense of possessiveness surge in him, as he moved to completely be on top of Ratio, not breaking their connection.

His entire body, empowered by the Cornerstone, was far larger than Ratio’s considerably tall frame and likely heavier, but Ratio wrapped his strong arms around his back and spread his legs from underneath, allowing Aventurine to slot their hips together. He ground between Ratio’s legs, letting the other man feel the growing heft of his bulge, though he did not feel Ratio’s.

Still, a gasp emanated from the man at the act, breaking their kiss, followed by a soft, pining moan. 

Aventurine ran his hand down the front of Ratio’s body, feeling the hard ridges of his chest, his abs and down his trousers, where the triangle between his legs remained flat, absent of any evidence of a growing erection, satisfying his curiosity. 

It mattered little. In fact, excitement rose within him as he imagined all the pleasures they might have from each other either way. 

Ratio’s gaze met his with a sense of hesitant inquiry, but Aventurine dipped his head on top of Ratio’s ample chest, deft fingers making short work of the buttons holding Ratio’s shirt together, and then that of his pants. Soon, he had Ratio’s shirt pulled off, and Aventurine peppered kisses over Ratio’s chest, delighting in the soft plumpness of his generous chest, contrasting with the hard ridges of his flat abdomen.

“Tell me what you mean by more,” Aventurine breathed along the warmth and soft skin that smelled of sweat and salt.

A faint and shaky moan came from Ratio as Aventurine trailed kisses further down to the downward curve between stomach and the groin, digging his hands underneath strong thighs and pushing them further apart.

“You,” Ratio sighed, like a prayer as he spread his legs wider. “Like this, inside of me.”

Aventurine pulled down Ratio’s trousers and nuzzled against the space between his legs, still clothed in plain black underwear and he could feel the moisture through the fabric and he could not wait much longer and pulled both remaining articles of clothing off of him completely. 

Ratio made a soft noise with his throat as he lay underneath Aventurine, exposed and vulnerable, his face beet red now with anticipation and possibly embarrassment. 

“Are you ready then?” Aventurine asked, trailing his gloved fingers lightly over the crevice between his legs.

“Yes,” Ratio answered, shuddering as Aventurine pushed one leg apart further, teasing a finger at the tight hole where wetness leaked from his tight channel, ascertaining the truth of his desire.  

Aventurine hummed inquiringly, hooking his own powerful arms underneath Ratio’s thighs and tipping him back as he brought his lips onto that slit.

As he approached, mouth opened, tongue at the ready Ratio buckled against him with a soft cry, but Aventurine held him still and brought his mouth to connect with the slightly engorged crown of that valley, small and infinitely sensitive to his ardent attentions. Ratio moaned and writhed underneath him, long legs winding around his waist. He swirled his tongue there before he went down, towards the opening that now oozed even more sweet nectar. Aventurine sent his tongue to tease at the opening before he pushed it in.

“Hnngh—Aven!” Ratio cried in surprise as he buckled his hips, hands grasping at his wrists. “Oh–!”

“Is it too much?” Aventurine pulled up, wiping at his lips with a finger. 

A pause as Ratio sucked in breath and after a moment he answered, “N-No… I want it…I need you.”

“You will,” Aventurine assured him, as he gently worked a single digit in, testing the way Ratio might receive the intrusion.

He felt the body in his arms relax as he pushed and so was comfortable enough to follow with another finger. Ratio shuddered and sighed, even made a soft sob when he joined the pair of fingers with a third.

Aventurine worked Ratio open, slowly, drinking upon the sweet cries Ratio made and how endearingly he endured, pleading with him to hurry and that he could take it. 

“Soon, very soon,” Aventurine promised, as he was satisfied with how wet and prepared Ratio was, withdrawing his fingers as he brought his hips down.

Aventurine reached for his cock, still enclosed in his stage clothes brought about by the abilities of the Cornerstone. Easy enough for him to manipulate that quasi-fabric to bring it out with a thought.

Freed from the confines of his clothes, his thick cock tumbled between Ratio’s legs, engorged and leaking. 

Ratio’s eyes widened at the sight, mouth falling open slightly as he beheld the sight of it.

Aventurine smiled at him as he reached for the nightstand, where he tugged the drawer open and found a few condoms—his own room had them in the same spot. He grabbed the biggest sized one and tore it open with his teeth, locking eyes with Ratio as he took it out of the wrapper and sheathed his length with it.

Finally almost ready, Aventurine placed his hands on Ratio’s thighs once more, running his hands up and down those powerful muscles.

“Ready?” he asked, as he teased the tip of his shaft up and down Ratio’s entrance. 

“Yes,” Ratio breathed. “Please.”

Aventurine guided the tip to the entrance, his eyes still locked onto Ratio’s and pushed inside.

The moan that rose from Ratio’s throat filled the room and he lifted his hips to meet Aventurine’s, relishing in the penetration. He threw his head back, and Aventurine could swear he saw those pretty eyes roll back, but Aventurine did not dare thrust inside of him all in one go. As much as every nerve in Ratio’s body seemed to yearn for it, the tightness of his passage resisted further entry despite trying to open him up earlier, and he could only go at a slow, shallow rhythm and could only push a little past the tip. He feared pushing past where he felt the slightest resistance, and eventually Aventurine slipped off, eliciting a soft frustrated cry from Ratio. 

“Aven, please , I need more,” Ratio pleaded, bringing his hands to his crotch, fingers spreading himself open. 

“I don’t want to hurt you, darling,” Aventurine said as he aligned their bodies once more, adjusting a little before he once again pressed inside, leaning forward, trying to get his weight to slowly open him up further, but he could feel Ratio’s body straining as his opening strained and stretch to accommodate him. 

A lower, more guttural cry erupted from Ratio as Aventurine breached him. He reached up and wrapped his arms around Aventurine’s neck, trying to pull him down, causing him to surge forward a little more, where he felt Ratio shudder at the suddenness of the intrusion. 

Instead of discomfort, or even pain, Ratio groaned in pleasure, legs that framed his hips and clung to his waist shaking as his body adjusted.  

“I want it, please,” he cried, looking up at Aventurine, his eyes shining with frustration, wanton need and bodily strain. His hair fell in messy curls on the pillow, clung to his face as sweat formed on his forehead, and the eyeliner on his eyes had begun to smudge. 

What a difference it was from earlier. Brief as it was since he could behold Ratio’s face, the writhing, needy man beneath him was a far cry from the calm and serious Doctor from earlier. The sight of it kneaded at his chest as warmth bloomed there. 

“I know,” Aventurine said, tipping forward further as Ratio took him in a little further. He pushed and pulled in more shallow thrusts, going deeper and deeper as moments passed. He could feel the tightness of Ratio wrapped all around him, and a little bit of the wetness through that sheathe, pressing around, squeezing in places. He was more focused in making sure Ratio wouldn’t get hurt from his size, but soon those worries eased as he reached all that he could of that channel—he wasn’t quite all inside, this form really did exaggerate and enlarged all parts of his body, but that didn’t matter. 

He rested for a few moments, watching his sweet Doctor, letting his body grow used to the intrusion, the stretch while Aventurine enjoyed the sight of it, so lewd as that tight passage where they were made to be one gaped wide open. 

Beneath him, Ratio made soft pleading noises as he urged Aventurine on. He tried to move his hips, to fuck himself on that girthy rod, but he succeeded once before his entire body grew weak from the intensity of the sensations coursing through him and he lay slack on his back. 

“Aventurine,” Ratio moaned his name, another plea. “Please, I—I can’t—”

How could he deny such a heartfelt and bold entreaty? He pulled back, holding Ratio’s legs open as he instinctively tried to close them at the intensity of their connection and pushed forward just before he could fully withdraw, using the entire length of his shaft to drive into Ratio, prying him wide and open once more.

The wet slapping sounds of their bodies linking again and again, Aventurine’s softer grunts and most of all Ratio’s moans soared through the room. Perhaps the entire villa might have heard it, not that it mattered. Aventurine began at a slow, considerate pace, with every stroke a balance of deliberate conquest and earnest giving and taking of pleasure. Arms held on to him for dear life, nails sinking into his back. Everything around him faded away except the sounds of Ratio’s sweet cries, the look of exquisite agony on his face as the tip of his cock ground into the deepest parts of him. 

It felt as if his entire body was being squeezed by that tight passage, its walls closed in around him like a vice, its grip unrelenting. He had to remember not to force anything, not to use much of his strength and it was a challenge in itself to keep that balance, to not completely lose himself into the tight warmth of ecstasy that was Ratio’s lovely body. Because it was so easy when he could not really remember the last time he could let loose and simply enjoy someone else’s warmth and touch. 

Gradually he increased the pace, driving into him again and again. Without warning, Ratio’s body seized into an orgasm and as every tremor wracked his body Aventurine could feel it and instead of stopping to give Ratio a break, fell back into a steady rhythm, fucking him through the electric high of his climax.

The sobs of rapture that erupted from Ratio that followed were sweeter than any music he had ever heard, could ever sing on his own. Tears streamed down his eyes, his eyeliner smudged around his eyes, painting streaks beside it. He babbled incoherently, calling his name, begging and begging for more, to give it all to him. 

Ratio reached his peak again just as Aventurine felt his own just start to reach the penultimate stages. He cried out Aventurine’s name then, shaking as another orgasm tore through his body, igniting nerves in a frenzy of nothing but pure pleasure. The sight of it alone quickly dragged Aventurine to the edge, but they weren’t done, even as Ratio went slack beneath him. Aventurine held off his own climax, intent on bringing Ratio to another one, using his fingers to massage his cock.

Ratio thrashed beneath him and Aventurine pushed him down with a hand as he fucked him hard, rubbed his dick and kept him in place.

“Aven!” Ratio wailed, his voice coming up high and strained with desperation. “Aven, Aven!!”

“Come for me again, sweetheart,” Aventurine commanded, breathing the words low and raspy, domineering while being gentle.

“It’s s-s-so m-much,” he sobbed, shutting his eyes as he threw his head to the side and then back. 

“Be good. You can do it,” Aventurine cooed. 

In another few seconds Ratio’s body seized for the third time that night, clamping down so hard down on Aventurine’s shaft, the walls around him clearly having every intent to squeeze him flat if it could. The sensations teetered at the edge of so much pleasure it very nearly went to pain, but it didn’t and it was more than enough to send him over. Moisture gushed from Ratio as he quivered uncontrollably in Aventurine’s arms, sobbing and babbling incoherently. Aventurine held Ratio in his arms, his own moans harmonizing with Ratio’s cries as they rode out the highly charged rapture that overcame them, enclosing them in the dizzying euphoria of their coupling. 

It was all so, so perfect, neither of them didn’t realize they had both passed out right after. 

Sometime later, it was Aventurine who woke up first and carried Ratio back to his own room where he cleaned them both up with a warm and wet towel. Ratio stirred briefly towards the end, to pull Aventurine down for a quick kiss, before he fell back asleep on the bed. 

A deep satisfaction carved itself within Aventurine’s chest as he lay naked beside the sleeping Dr Ratio. He had been able to revert back to his usual size without any trace of his idol costume, though he could not quite yet bring out the Cornerstone. It must still not be fully repaired, as the exhaustion quickly seeped into his muscles the moment his body was free from all influence of the Cornerstone’s abilities.

And so there he slept soundly nestled against Ratio’s warmth. 

When he next woke up, Aventurine found himself lying half-sprawled on top of Ratio’s chest, hand hanging over his waist, while he practically had the side of his face against his chest. Above him, Ratio was reading on his folding tablet with one hand, while the other was on Aventurine’s head, smoothing his hair in very gentle, soothing strokes.

The Doctor had not noticed he was up yet, and so Aventurine took a few moments to admire the Doctor from this angle and relish in the feeling of that warm hand on his head. But soon he felt his body protest at the stillness in which he held his body and he had to shift a little, and decided to do so by pulling Ratio in for a half-embrace. 

“Hm?” Ratio pulled away the tablet and stopped the movements of his hand. 

“Good morning,” Aventurine said sleepily, smiling up at Ratio.

“Good afternoon, you mean,” Ratio said, returning the smile as he smoothed back Aventurine’s hair. 

“What? Really?” Aventurine looked outside, where the position of the sun confirmed the time, and then back up to Ratio. 

“You may have over exerted yourself last night,” Ratio said in his Doctor’s tone, it could have been said in a chastising tone, but Ratio had a tiny, warm smile for him instead. 

“It was worth it, I feel even better, I think it healed a little faster all thanks to that. ” Aventurine said, pulling himself up so he could rest his head on Ratio’s shoulder. 

Ratio put aside the tablet and gathered him in with one arm. 

“So, I think it would be a good idea to maybe do it again,” Aventurine pressed, grinning up at Ratio. “I would have to hold off transforming though.”

Ratio snorted. 

“As much as I enjoyed it, I don’t think I could last another night for a while,” he said. “I’m afraid you will have to put in another request, seeing as all that exertion has taken a toll on the both of us.”

“I only have one request left though,” Aventurine pouted. 

“Oh, requests have an expiry date, they must be used within the day they were earned,” Ratio mentioned. 

“What?” Aventurine gasped in surprise. “Who made those rules?” 

“I did, just now,” he had one side of his lips turned up into a small smirk. “You are dreadfully lucky in games of chance. I can’t let you accumulate them or you would be able to order me around all day one of these days.”

“Aw, and here I was hoping to use it to ask you to go to my next concert,” Aventurine buried his face at the crook of Ratio’s neck, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes. 

“I have mentioned I am a fan. You needn’t use a request for that,” Ratio said, sinking a hand in Aventurine’s hair and combing through them with his fingers.

“No?” Aventurine dropped the expression immediately, turning it into a sly one as he raised his head and leaned into Ratio, looking at him in the eye. “Then, what if I used it to ask if you would go out with me?” 

That request seemed to not have been anticipated. Ratio’s eyes widened, and then softened into a smile full of warmth and budding affection.

“You don’t even have any requests for the day,” he scoffed.  

“Then I’ll earn one. Come, let’s play rock, paper and scissors, best of three,” Aventurine said, sitting up next to Ratio, holding up a fist in front of him. 

Ratio laughed, and held up his own hand. “Oh, very well,” he said.

Aventurine, of course, won in five turns, much to Ratio’s amusement. 

“So, will you go out with me, Doc?” Aventurine asked. 

“Of course I will,” Ratio answered, and Aventurine straddled his lap to seal Ratio’s affirmation with a searing kiss.

The blinding lights of the stage would never fail to be overwhelming. Underneath that sweltering, exposing brightness, he kept to heart the first lesson he learned as an idol—to shine even more than all of it. It wasn’t about singing more loudly, or putting more movement into the dance, but to bring forth a feeling from within that could manifest as a shroud that would envelop the entire stage in an embrace of exhilaration. 

And Aventurine of the Nova Stonehearts sang on that stage that night embracing, reveling in that feeling. 

He hit the notes, nailed his choreography, had the smile on his face schooled into one of utter happiness to be performing this energetic, romantic song on stage. The exact song matched his intended stage presence, and so it was very, very easy to delight the sea of faces in front of him, a mass of shining, smiling faces. His fans, who adored him and so he sang and danced and gave it his all to pretend for them. This was all just make-believe, a lovely fantasy they could all revel in, but it wasn’t so bad. It was still quite a good show.

And it was real, in some ways, all because of one face in the crowd. 

His heart raced as he sung the lines to their newest song, reaching out with his hand to the audience as the choreography dictated.

“Take my hand, let’s wander free.”

The Cornerstone in his heart resonated with the words, making his heart soar. 

“Over the ocean waves together!”  

The lyrics of the song traveled across the humongous hall and he spun in place as the dance dictated. His body felt light as a feather and he scanned the sea of faces, searching for the one he wanted.  

Beside him, Sapphire and Sugilite sung their lines. So close to the end. 

Across that endless sea of faces, he found him and locked in on those warm wine and gold eyes, gazing up at him with warm, familiar affection. Just in time, as Aventurine’s turn came up again, and the ease of which the words, the notes came up felt like a triumph. 

“As the sunset kisses the horizon. In this forever, it’s just you and me.” 

The crowd cheered, Aventurine danced as the choreography demanded. The music ended, the lights flashed in a wondrous finale. 

And the top idol Aventurine basked in the applause, his heart immensely full.