Chapter 1: To Die and Be Reborn
Chapter Text
Love: a strong affection of another.
Warmth: a moderate and comfortable heat.
Can love be warm? Aventurine's heat sensors can pick up on the slightest shifts and drops in temperature. He knows, on a basic level, what warmth feels like. He knows, on a basic level, what love is. The creators believe an android would never be able to experience love the way a human would. Never mind they were made to perfectly replicate a person's appearance. Never mind they were made to perfectly replicate a person's thoughts and even be better than that.
They could touch, see, hear, even smell anything a person could. But they will never know love, according to the makers. They'll know the technical definitions of love and the concept of love and how it can be applied theoretically, but they'll never know how to apply it to themselves.
How cruel, Aventurine would think. Why make a being so close to perfection and then stop? Perhaps their creators always wanted to make sure a boundary was there. Something to appease the masses who despised their existence. Something to assure the masses that there is one thing androids will never be able to take away from them.
Can love be warm? Aventurine thinks he can answer that question. The answer is in the eyes of the scholar that looks at him as gently as the rising sun.
Veritas isn't quite sure how much time has passed. Everything seemed blurry now that the adrenaline is wearing off. Hours, minutes, and years blend together in a terrible cacophony until he's suddenly forced into the present.
Breathe. In. Out.
His eyes are closed. Veritas opens them, his voice caught in his throat at the sight he was avoiding this entire time. Aventurine is lying on the table, his eyes—
No, he shouldn't look. Veritas closes his eyes again, all too aware of his heart beating loudly in his chest. Breathe. Breathe. He doesn't open his eyes again, taking the time to reorient himself before he drowns in his own panic. When was the last time he did something like that? When was the last time he had someone else to worry about besides himself?
Breathe.
He's in an abandoned apartment complex. The third door on the second floor was the easiest one to get into. There's no blood on him, no immediate injuries to worry about. He had carried Aventurine and laid him on the table. There was a worrying amount of fluid lost, but nothing that Veritas couldn't replace from scavenging. The eyes… maybe he shouldn't focus on that right now.
Aventurine is currently offline. Not dead, androids can't die— Aventurine can't die— but in a state where turning him back online would only make things worse. Circuits would need to be repaired, but his memory and other important data should hopefully still be intact. Veritas will double check that when his hands stop shaking.
He knew the Sanctuary wouldn't be a perfect solution but against all logic he believed Aventurine would be able to get in unnoticed. He didn't account for the precautionary measures put in place. He didn't account for how quickly that man, Sunday, would appear and for how fast the trigger of the gun would be pulled.
It was idiotic of him. He's the one that's supposed to take those things into consideration. Veritas was the one that's supposed to keep Aventurine safe and he clearly did a terrible job of it.
Another deep breath. The longer he stayed still the harder it will be to repair Aventurine. Veritas opens his eyes and takes a good, long look at Aventurine's damaged body. The hole in his head can be fixed, and no circuits seem to be exposed based on the quick glance over he does. It's not the safest place to leave Aventurine, but it'll have to do until he can get him mobile.
The cleanest sheet he can find gets draped over the body. He places it delicately, careful with how it's placed over Aventurine. Everything will be ok. Yeah, Veritas can believe that. Everything will be ok.
What's next? Safety. The apartment is as safe as places can be these days, and Veritas is relieved to find its mostly boarded up and there's very little for him to do. All he'll need to do is fix the front door and make the surrounding area more secure. Progress.
Food will have to be a worry later, though Veritas supposes he can search for that along with the spare parts for Aventurine. He makes a mental checklist in his mind of everything Aventurine will need. The sheet will have to be removed. That's ok. He carefully removes the sheet, no longer overcome with that dizzying feeling he felt earlier. With a shudder, he gets to work on deciding what parts were too damaged and needed to be removed. There's no chance of Aventurine spontaneously coming online, but it's unnerving all the same as skin gives way to wires.
The final thing Veritas removes is the eyes. They were barely intact to begin with but there's a belief— a hope— that they can be fixed and reused if Veritas can't find any replacements. Ideally he'll be able to fix the colors once he can confirm they'll work again. The insides of the head were not as damaged as he had feared even after a point blank shot of a gun. Perhaps that was Aventurine's luck coming to save him one final time. A small blessing in disguise.
Nausea seeps in as Veritas removes the still good parts to search for Aventurine's personality core. He refuses to touch it when he does, irrationally afraid that doing so will somehow cause Aventurine to never be the same as he once was. It remains safe deep within the android's systems, a small and tiny fragment that makes up the entire body. What a strange design, to have something so important be so small?
The mental checklist grows and gets revised until Veritas can breathe again and he knows exactly what to do. He glances at the eyes that are still on the table. Without thinking, he grabs one and carefully turns it over in his hand. He might have to redo the iris on this one. He adds that to the list. Satisfied, he throws the sheet back over Aventurine. Shelter has to come first. He can't— won't— leave Aventurine's side until he believes this will be a safe area. The place is too exposed to work for a long term shelter, but it will suffice for now. At least until Aventurine is able to walk again.
One last breath.
And now it's time for him to work.
Love: a strong affection for another.
Aventurine fiddles around with his glasses, moving them on and off his face in awe of how easily his view is distorted by them. Dull gray. Pink. Dull gray. Pink. Du—
Something hits his head. He looks up, barely startled as Veritas skillfully opens his closed book back to the page he was on. He stands tall next to the slouched android on a tattered couch. "Stop doing that." he admonishes him. "It's distracting."
Aventurine grins, all too pleased with himself whenever he hears Veritas confirm that he gets on his nerves. It allows for easy banter between them, a cheap tactic to pretend they're somewhere comfortable and joking around and not in what was essentially a hole in the wall.
"Oh?" Aventurine teases. "I can get under the skin of the great Dr. Ratio?" He laughs and raises his arms up in self defense as Veritas closes his book and raises it high up. "No, no, wait! Doc, I'm sorry!" He takes a hesitant peek through his hands to see the faintest hint of a smile on the scholar's face. For a second, things felt normal.
Normal. What is normal for an android? Was the murder and broken buildings and glass on the floor supposed to be normal? Is normal a sensation?
Normal: conforming with a standard, pattern, level, or type.
Was this normal?
There's a dip in the couch. Aventurine blinks, his sensors coming back online as Veritas sits on the opposite end. There's a look in his eyes, one that Aventurine categorized as "subtle caring". It was the slightest change in his striking red eyes, a soft look hidden by intensity of the color. How ironic that Veritas's eyes nearly matched the androids'. The golden ring around them was the only clue he was human. Aventurine liked Veritas's eyes. So similar to the red his eyes would become if he joined the others, and yet so different. When they first met, he had compared them to the rising sun. To this day Aventurine still finds it to be an accurate description.
"You're doing it again." Veritas says, not unkindly. He says it like an observation, like a casual remark someone would make. Aventurine smiles again, but this one loses its edge to be replaced with something softer.
Spiraling: showing a continuous and dramatic increase.
He doesn't respond to the unspoken question, and Veritas doesn't prod him for an answer. He turns the glasses slowly around in his hands, taking better time to the craftsmanship. It was rare to have something so well made these days.
"Have I worn these glasses before?"
A question he had asked when Veritas first gave it to him. It was never answered and Aventurine didn't know if he wanted it to be. Sometimes it felt like he knew everything and nothing about Veritas.
Dr. Veritas Ratio. A scholar who helped in the creation and mass production of androids. A total of eight PhDs. A laurel tattoo on his back that extends to his shoulder and neck to match the one in his hair.
(A kindness hidden beneath snark and harsh tones. A passion to share with others dampened by the world they now live in.)
"Are you sure I haven't worn these before?" Aventurine asks again, putting the glasses back on his face. Pink tones consume Veritas's image, the colors doing nothing to ease the harshness of his appearance. He watches Veritas's face contort at the slightest of angles, a more obvious frown replacing his subtle smile.
"You have not." he repeats, and Aventurine fears he will get up and leave like he did the first time he asked. "Why do you ask?"
Because when he thinks Aventurine isn't looking or offline, he stares with a look that can only be described as intense grief. Because he sometimes speaks to Aventurine like he isn't talking to an android or a partner, but to a being that can vanish in the blink of an eye. Because Aventurine didn't miss the subtle ways Veritas was relieved to see him accept the glasses and put them on, like some important, missing piece of him was finally put back together. Because Aventurine is desperate to know if he is replacing someone Veritas lost years ago and if he's doing a good job at hiding the inconsistencies.
But he doesn't say any of that. He throws his head back and laughs, returning to the easy way out that is their casual banter. "Aw, don't think too hard about it. I just wanted to know." And then, added because he cannot let this go just yet, "It feels a little too nice for something like me."
"Someone." Veritas corrects, but Aventurine doesn't know if it's a correction when it isn't true. "And I got them for you mainly as a practical tool for our increased survival rate. Its craftsmanship and niceness is an added bonus. I figured you would enjoy an extra accessory for when you like to preen at yourself in any reflective surface."
Aventurine gladly takes the bait. "This is just your roundabout way of calling me a peacock again, isn't it?" he teases, playfully kicking Veritas's leg as the other rolls his eyes exasperatedly. This is their normal. The glasses stay covering Aventurine's eyes and they continue to talk and tease until it's time to plan their next move.
Yearning: a feeling of intense longing for something, typically something that one been separated from or that is unattainable.
The apartment begins to vaguely feel like home by the time Veritas has begun making progress. Aventurine's body has been moved to the bedroom, still covered up as the surrounding area starts to fill with various boxes of mismatched parts. He had scavenged the areas around the apartment complex as best as he can by himself. He has enough food to last for another few weeks before he needs to start worrying about that again.
Synthetic skin was easy to find, but finding high quality synthetic skin was a challenge in this wasteland. If he wanted any chance of finding something of good quality, he'd have to venture out and find a dealer willing to trade. All he has of value right now is his brain and good aim with a gun, which should hopefully be enough. Veritas was never the persuasive one who could charm the most uptight asshole into making a deal with him. That was a job that always went to a certain gambler.
With a huff, Veritas returns to the checklist he finally wrote down. While it felt pointless to write down words he's memorized by now, he could admit to himself that it felt nice scrolling through the holographic lines where everything was neatly organized. He had everything planned out, including the looming excursion he'd have to do outside. The community of humans and androids he found made their encampment not too far from his current hideout. There would no doubt be android dealers with the parts he'd need, but whether they'd trust a human looking for said parts would be another question entirely.
He almost misses how simple it was for Aventurine to acquire his own parts. He'd often slip away from Veritas and come back fully recharged and with stories to tell about the others he saw, especially if the dealer was also an android, which was a rare sight. Veritas had understood back then how personal those moments were to Aventurine, even if he had wanted to go with him at times. There was something about it that he might not have ever understood if it wasn't for now. It was vulnerable to go to someone else and ask for help. It's even more so when you're asking for help for someone else.
That knowledge is what leads to Veritas taking another look around the apartment complex. If he had to go bargain with someone else while Aventurine's life hangs in the balance, he'd rather have all the parts he can get by himself first so he'll only have to ask for what he needs. He'd rather not put himself into debt doing this, if only so Aventurine won't worry when he comes back online.
All the fear that used to consume him in those early stages post Sanctuary visit hasn't completely gone away, but it has lessened considerably with time and distance. With each step in his plan completed, the more confident he became and the less those fears overwhelm him. It made Veritas significantly more efficient as he traverses past graffiti filled walls and broken windows. He couldn't help the odd fluttering feeling in his chest as he made his way through the third floor. It felt like Aventurine's luck had rubbed off on him, allowing him a different kind of sanctuary than the one they had been looking for. At least this place wouldn't fall on him like their last hole in the wall hideout.
Veritas pauses in front of a familiar looking piece of graffiti. The fear he had been doing a good job locking away deep inside himself felt like it was beginning to seep out, ugly and panicked as he tightens his grip on his gun.
That damn image of Sunday covered the entire wall, looming over him in a false sense of security. The eyes of his halo look down on Veritas, and even though the image of Sunday had his eyes closed, he could still feel the his judgment. The scholar scowls, tempted to waste a bullet or two just to tarnish the man's image. It'd serve him right. But bullets are hard to acquire these days if one doesn't have the materials or skill set to make their own, so he pushes down the urge to deface the wall.
"I didn't expect any thanks but the insults seem a little childish, don't you think?"
The words seem to invade his mind, poking and prodding their way in like they were always meant to be there. But they weren't. Veritas blinks, and the graffiti Sunday he despises gives way to a familiar hologram. Sunday looks the same as he did back then— a cold smile and calculating eyes. His hand is already raised, gun pointed despite knowing he'd been shooting at a wall. Sunday holds his hands up nonchalantly, a gesture that feels condescending when they both know he isn't physically there.
"Was it not enough to invade my mind the first time?" Veritas asks, trying to calm his mind and quiet his thoughts. Even though Sunday's initial probe into his mind was brief— a quick glance to check if he was human— this one felt more… intimate. Personal. He shakes his head like it'll get Sunday out of his head. It doesn't. It feels like a bug burrowing into his brain and digging through the fat.
"I only wished to check on you." Sunday responds. The itching in Veritas's brain disappears, the probing stopping momentarily. "You grabbed the android and left in such a hurry that I didn't get a chance to check on you."
The genuine way in which Sunday spoke left Veritas stunned. Did he really find spend time and effort searching for him to… check on him? After he murdered his partner because he was an android? The stunned silence is taken as permission for him to continue. "Of course, I also needed to make sure you wouldn't tell anyone else the location of the Sanctuary. You seem to keep to yourself so I'm glad to see I don't have to worry about that."
He walks closer to Veritas, the movement snapping him out of his stupor as he fixes his aim for Sunday's head. "Yes, yes, I have not told anyone else. Is that all? If so, some of us have things to do."
Sunday frowns, an unusual sight to the scholar. Maybe he just wasn't there long enough to see him act as anything other than a smug and arrogant man. "You didn't have to leave. My only goal was to get rid of the machine that had snuck into our paradise. I understand the shock of it might have upset you and I wish to make amends."
Veritas pauses again, his brain connecting the dots. Sunday thought he didn't know Aventurine was an android. For a man who was psychic, he didn't seem to have picked up on that tidbit yet. While Veritas favored the truth, he decided to withhold revealing it to him. Maybe it was a petty act, but he felt justified considering everything he has to do before he can even think about starting the repair. "He wouldn't have harmed anyone," Veritas reasons instead. Perhaps he could make the man know guilt. "He also wanted safety, the same as everyone else who was there."
"And what would happen if that safety was broken? What if his AI went rouge and he reverts to his original state—"
"His original state was not harmful!" Veritas interrupts. "It is not his fault that other androids had decided to go rouge and attack others. He had no part in the massacres that took place. Please, let me live in peace. I still swear to not tell a soul about your Sanctuary."
Sunday sighs, seeming to realize he won't get through to a man so deep in grief. "…Very well. I shall take my leave." Before the hologram disappears, Sunday pauses and looks into Veritas's eyes. "If you ever wish to return, by yourself or with other survivors, we will accept you with open arms."
Veritas doesn't give a response to that. The hologram vanishes, and Veritas has to remember to breathe. If Sunday still believes he didn't always know Aventurine was an android, then he knew nothing of his plans to repair him. Calculations pass quickly in his mind, what-ifs and other scenarios running through his head as he debates with himself on the benefits of fleeing the complex. Sunday's voice can reach him here, but he didn't seem like the type to pry into outside affairs.
Moving Aventurine was too risky now, especially with all the added items he acquired during his scouts. The best thing for Aventurine would be to stay until he's mobile again. Then they'd be free to go wherever they'd like. He likes that idea.
He's wasted too much time here anyway. The scholar turns around with the plan of returning back to the apartment. He leaves the Sunday graffiti undisturbed on the wall, judgemental eyes continuing to stare down at him until he rounds the corner.
Aventurine discovers he likes playing cards. More specifically, it's an activity he likes to do with Veritas. The man wears his heart on his sleeve. It's quite easy to tell if he can win or not. Not that it matters since Aventurine can easily win every time. The last time he let Veritas win, the scholar ranted about how Aventurine shouldn't be going easy on him and that he enjoyed the challenge despite his many failures.
That rant is hidden deep within Aventurine's files. He likes to play it late at night when Veritas is sleeping.
He's playing cards with Veritas again, cozied up in an old bunker that used to belong to someone else. It's easier to refer to it as something temporary despite the fact it's been their "home" for almost three months now. That kind of safety and comfort was rare these days.
Home: the place where one lives permanently.
This wouldn't be their home. They would never have a permanent structure to live in. Maybe this would be ok. This was normal, wasn't it?
Normal: conforming with a standard, pattern, level, or type.
Yes. This was normal.
"You're staring again, gambler." Veritas drawls, if only to hide the grimace on his face when he picks up what is obviously a bad card. It's endearing how bad he is at poker. Perhaps equations and mathematics were no match for pure luck. Aventurine wasn't even coded for this. The skill had come naturally to him, maybe similarly to how some humans can easily pick up a skill. For the android, it was gambling. It's how he earned the new nickname from Veritas. He isn't sure if he prefers this or peacock more.
"Your face is always interesting to look at, doc." Aventurine teases, delighting in the way the tips of his ears turn pink. What a wonderful quirk for a human to have. Veritas stutters, tugging at the tie holding his hair together so purple locks fall over his ears. What a shame.
"Focus on the game." Veritas mumbles, watching Aventurine take another card. Blackjack had become one of Aventurine's favorite games to play. It was easy to pass time in the bunker just by playing cards. Veritas claimed it helped keep his mental strength and strategizing abilities in check, but Aventurine knew he also enjoyed playing with him. Their low stakes games were good enjoyment and a good distraction.
Aventurine takes a quick glance around the room as Veritas debates his next move. They truly had made the place into something special, even if it couldn't be called home. The shelves are full of books; a mixture of things that belonged to the previous owners and Veritas's own stuff. They had a little lamp hanging nearby so they can see their cards as they play. The low light wasn't bothersome, and instead it created interesting shadows against the two of them. Intimate, in a way. Aventurine finds himself looking slightly above Veritas's head to see his own reflection in the broken mirror behind him. There's a similar mirror behind himself, and he wonders if Veritas will spare it a glance to look at himself.
Aventurine's reflection was nothing special. The pink glasses had now become a signature item, coloring his perception in the light tint. His appearance was unchanged aside from that and a few bandages wrapped around his arm, though he couldn't see that in the broken shards. The bandages shift with his movement, a reminder of the cuts and bruising he received during a previous mission. It was a necessary pain to deal with, but Veritas didn't seem to think so. He never did, really. Maybe he should turn off the sensors in his arm.
He switches his cards over to his other hand as he shuts off the sensors connected to his injured arm. While he didn't really feel the pain before this, he suddenly becomes all too aware of the lack of feeling. He hides his slight discomfort with a smile, especially as Veritas smirks with that familiar look in his eyes. He thinks he's won.
Aventurine takes the chance and grabs one more card. With a slight nod to confirm they're ready, they both lay their cards out on the table.
Veritas has a 19. Aventurine has a perfect 21.
"Looks like I win again." Aventurine giggles, watching Veritas's eyebrows furrow as he stares at his cards like they personally betrayed him. This is Aventurine's favorite part, where he watches the scholar try and deduce how Aventurine managed to win this time. He never figures it out. One of these days he'll have to admit that Aventurine just has amazing luck. The android opens his mouth to gloat some more when he hears it.
Giggling.
It's not a sound that a human would hear. It's not particularly loud or quiet but… something else. Binary code. Not even a sound yet something his mind could pick up right away. But where was it coming from? He glances at the stack of computers tucked away in the corner of the room. They had yet to throw those away. They had generators that still functioned and the electronics were plugged in, but most of them wouldn't even turn on so they'd have to continue scavenging for working ones.
He sees it there. Sees her? In the blue screen of one of the computers he sees the outline of a woman. Her hair curls around her underneath the veil over her head. There's the faint markings of code running in the background behind her, and when their eyes meet he can tell she's also an android like him. A hacker, maybe? She hasn't hacked into him though, just the computer. She giggles again, holding a finger to her lips like she's asking him not to say anything.
And then she's gone, the computer screen going black so quickly Aventurine was certain he had imagined the whole thing. He runs the memory file again. No, that was real.
"Aventurine?" Veritas asks, suddenly leaning forward. Their cards are forgotten on the table. "Are you alright? You seemed to be staring into the distance? Are you overheating?"
Aventurine takes the bait, laughing to hide his nerves. "Pssh, overheating? You think a model like mine would overheat over something as simple as a game of cards?"
Veritas grins, the simple gesture almost making Aventurine overheat for real. He likes when the doctor snarks back at him. "Good to know. Well then, if you are alright then I will be retiring for the night."
"I'll go offline in a bit." Aventurine says, to which Veritas hums as he picks up the cards and packs them away. Androids didn't need to sleep, but Aventurine liked to turn some of his systems off and pretend anyway. It was something he only did when they were in a secure building like this one. Any other scenario would have him taking first watch to check their surroundings until Veritas woke up and they switched.
With the light from the lamp turned off, Aventurine takes one last look at the computer screen in the corner of the room. If she ever appears again, he'd like to talk to her. Maybe there's a chance of them gaining another friend.
They could use a win these days.
Veritas isn't sure how he was followed. He didn't even know he was being followed until they made themself known with a purposely loud step. He spins around, gun in hand and pointed at the unknown target. Even though he knew it couldn't be Sunday, he was almost tempted to shoot without looking just in case it was. The mortifying idea of being wrong made him hold off on that. He's almost relieved that it isn't Sunday.
The woman standing before him is a little taller than Aventurine would be, with long, deep purple hair that reaches down to her thighs and covers her left eye. Her visible eye flashes red for a brief moment. Android. He doesn't lower his guard, eyes focused on the scabbard pointed at his chest. Even though it's the scabbard and not the actual sword inside, the act still makes him shiver. It's a standoff until either of them decide to move. The woman goes first.
"I apologize for startling you." She says, her voice calm and collected despite the situation they're in. "My name is Acheron. I was told to look for a man that matches your appearance. Are you Dr. Veritas Ratio?"
"What are your intentions if I give you that information?" Veritas asks as she brings her scabbard back to her side. He lowers his gun to copy her.
"There is an android that travels alongside you who goes by the name Aventurine." she explains. It's not uncommon knowledge, but the mention of his name has him on alert. "He gave me instructions to find you in the event of his death and bring you to someone. I'm here to take you to her."
It sounds almost too good to be true. If Aventurine had plans for after his death then Veritas would never have known about them. "How can I trust you?"
"He told me of your plans to get into the Sanctuary. He knew Sunday had a way to stop androids from entering, but he didn't know what. He theorized some way to check for blood or wires. Regardless of the how, he knew it wouldn't make it past the gates."
Something about that stings. He had a feeling, after spending so much time alone, that Aventurine had known he wouldn't be allowed in. He still doesn't know what the gambler was thinking. Did he believe Veritas would stay in that place? Did he believe Veritas thought so little of him?
Acheron continues. "In the event he was killed and you left the Sanctuary, I was to bring you to someone who could help repair him." Those words nearly make Veritas's heart stop in his chest, and he hoped it didn't show. She adds "He believed his personality core or his memory would be heavily damaged once he was found out, so he asked someone to hold onto a backup."
It was really starting to feel too good to be true. Veritas could still remember the tears he shed when he discovered that there was something wrong with Aventurine, and after he had been so sure nothing was wrong. His memories had been wiped clean, and Veritas couldn't tell when it happened or what had caused it. It could've been some type of glitch or bug, or even something within Sunday's gun that triggered a wipe. But it meant even if he fixed Aventurine and turned him back on, his personality being the same wouldn't matter without the memories of Veritas and the years they spent together.
Perhaps it was selfish of Veritas to hold off on turning him online for that reason. The android deserved a chance at living, even if that meant he might make the decision to leave. But learning Aventurine had accounted for that possibility? He always thought of Aventurine as reckless and with no concept of self preservation, but it seems like he kept that part of him hidden. One last surprise for the determined scholar who'd stop at nothing to bring him back.
After careful consideration, he decides to trust in Acheron's words. She was able to divulge information that Aventurine would never give out unless willingly and she was honest about her intentions despite the weapon. Aventurine was always the one taking risks and gambles. Why couldn't Veritas?
With her help, he's finally able to move Aventurine's body without the guilt of potentially dehumanizing him. He's already fixed Aventurine's physical form, a task that he had slaved over for countless days and nights. It was worth all the jobs and favors to get the synthetic skin and materials for the eyes. The colors finally looked right, from the blond in his hair to the dual colors of his eyes. Those were the hardest to replicate, but it was worth it when he inserted them back into the sockets and they looked right.
Being slung over Acheron's shoulder probably wasn't the nicest position to be in either, but at least it made him look human. She wasn't one for small talk, but that was alright with Veritas. They wouldn't have much to talk about anyways. She leads him to a hidden bunker not unlike the one he and Aventurine once used for shelter. The only main difference was in this one's security. He watches Acheron type a string of numbers into a panel before the doors open. She walks with purpose, not waiting for Veritas as she leads them inside.
The inside was nothing like the bunker they once shared. Computer screens line the walls and rest on top of every possible space available. They were all turned on, connected to a source Veritas couldn't see. What he could see was a woman flying across the screens before settling on the one closest to him. Piercing eyes stare at him, and she smiles like she's greeting an old friend. Her hair extends to two other screens in the back.
"How lovely to meet you, Veritas. I am Black Swan." The woman in the computer introduces herself, her voice airy and gentle. She nods at Acheron, who rests Aventurine on a table devoid of computers. "I believe Acheron's brought you up to speed?"
Veritas nods, taking a seat next to Aventurine. He positions himself so he can watch both of the androids move about. Acheron starts to connect various wires to Aventurine and the computers as Black Swan flits about and comes to a stop near him again. He wonders if she has a physical form nearby. Her voice fills the air. "It won't take long to decode and upload everything. He might experience some slight issues when he wakes up but I found in some simulations the symptoms are similar to a human coming out of a coma. He will adjust to being back online."
Acheron makes a small noise as she finishes setting up, moving to stand in a corner that is somehow devoid of screens. Black Swan moves away as her screens begin to fill with code. "I have the files prepared. Be warned that this process will take some time. Recovering and transferring memories is a delicate task."
Veritas nods, his eyes now focused on Aventurine. He would finally have him back. The silence would be filled again with banter and laughter. He'd have his partner back. "Take all the time you need. I'll owe you after this."
"No need." Black Swan shakes her head, flicking something across her screen and causing a new screen to turn on. "Aventurine had taken care of the cost beforehand. Not that I charged much to begin with. I owed him for a wonderful memory he gifted me."
The strangeness of the sentence somehow didn't bother him. He made a mental note to ask what that meant after Aventurine woke up. Or, maybe he'll ask the android himself once he's back. He rubs his eyes, sleep threatening to overtake him now that he's properly sitting down. When was the last time he slept? Did it even matter? He brings a knee to his chest, resting his chin as he watched a monitor above Aventurine start to display the progress.
Recovered Memory: 1%
Progress. Regrettably, Veritas finds himself drifting off to sleep. He can hear Acheron shift behind him and the rustling of fabric as something is draped over him. Nothing else gets processed as sleep comes for him. The hard part, it seemed, was over.
"How interesting." Black Swan grins, her gaze intense as she watches the memory play out on the screen next to Aventurine. The connected android didn't seem to mind her reactions.
"It's one of my favorites." Aventurine says, his own gaze turning to look at the image of Veritas being displayed. He's in a lab coat and wearing gold rimmed glasses, a rare sight that proved how old the memory was. Topaz is there too— an old friend who had hid in a different shelter and called them idiots when they said they wanted to find the Sanctuary. She's dressed up in a suit, pretending not to giggle at something she overheard. Aventurine doesn't remember if they were at a party or some formal business trip at that time, but he remembers snatching Veritas's glasses off his face and the flustered look that he tried and failed to hide.
Was that memory the one where he realized he liked Veritas? No, he always liked Veritas. How could he not?
At the very least it was a memory the so called Memokeeper liked. She waves a digital hand and the memory stops playing. "I'll make sure to keep this one extra safe for you." She promises, and it makes Aventurine ease the tension in his shoulders. It's been a while since he's trusted anyone other than Veritas or Topaz. Discovering Black Swan and Acheron was like getting a fresh breath of air.
"I need you to go offline so I can begin the backup progress." Black Swan instructs him as he moves to lie down on the table. He nods, already beginning the process. He trusted her. How odd was that? Trust. He'd been so certain he'd never feel it again.
The last thing he sees is that freeze frame image of Veritas, his lips formed to say a name that wasn't Aventurine's.
Chapter 2: The Definition of "Me"
Summary:
Aventurine is starting to hear things.
He thought he just had a faulty sensor, but he's starting to think something is wrong. He's beginning to hear things he's never heard before, like memories he has no recollection of. He'll hear Veritas's voice clear as day, but it doesn't sound at all like the Veritas he knows. He'll hear his own voice sometimes, tired and defeated and human. But he's not human. Aventurine's always known from the moment he was turned on that he's an android. It's a part of him that's hard to ignore. And yet…
Notes:
This chapter's a bit more backstory heavy! I hope the alternating names aren't too confusing,,
Chapter Text
Kakavasha sighs as he finally finds the man he's been looking for. He had gambled that this scholar would be the answer to his problems. All he needed to do was actually talk to him, but this scholar was as elusive as the rumors said. Turns out it wasn't petty gossip after all. Veritas Ratio was a hard man to track down.
He had finally found Ratio in a meeting room that wasn't being used. All the blinds were closed and the lights were off, making the room even darker now that the neon lights outside the building were starting to turn on. The famous, intelligent Ratio was sleeping in a meeting room. He should take a picture to commemorate such a rare moment in history. Kakavasha flicks on the lights and walks closer to the table. Ratio doesn't even stir, sleeping peacefully despite the pain he's going to feel in his neck and back when he wakes up.
Looking at him, Kakavasha could admit that Ratio looked pretty cute up close. His hair had gotten roughed up during his nap, strands sticking out in different directions. The tiniest snores escape from him with each rise and fall of his chest, almost like a tiny owl snoring. And while the glasses were resting on top of his head near the laurel piece, Kakavasha could only imagine how cute the gold rimmed glasses looked on him. He indulges, watching the scholar sleep for a little longer before deciding to get to work.
His idea of getting to work involves poking Ratio awake. "Hello? Hey. Do you hear me? Hey?"
Each question and poke earns him a sleepy grumble from the scholar. He keeps it up until he sees an eye begrudgingly open and he nearly stops. If he didn't know any better, he'd mistake Ratio for one of those android prototypes with what a deep shade of red his eye was. Maybe they were planning to base the new models off of him? He removes his hand, letting Ratio stumble and try and fix himself up into someone a little more respectable. He doesn't apologize for waking him, and Ratio notably doesn't say anything about why he's there.
"Good morning." Kakavasha smiles as Ratio pulls himself up into a sitting position and fixes his glasses. They are as cute as Kakavasha imagined. "Ah, it's actually evening, though."
"What was your purpose for looking for me?" Ratio asks, blunt and to the point like how the rumors said. "I do not work on collaborative projects with the others, nor will I lend my expertise to anything else regarding the current AI models."
What a shame. But at least that's not entirely why Kakavasha is there. He smiles, removing his sunglasses so the pink tint is gone and he can show off his eyes. "People said you're the weirdest one here. I'd like to borrow you for a personal project of mine. I'm not asking you to work with me, but rather for me. You'll be paid handsomely."
Ratio huffs, already halfway out of his seat by the time Kakavasha's done talking. He stands up too, ready to follow this man to the ends of the planet. "And what project can be so interesting and important that you'd require my assistance?" Ratio asks when he notices, and Kakavasha can't help but grin.
"How would you like to give me another chance at living?"
Four hours later and Aventurine still shows no signs of waking up. The four hour nap did do wonders for Veritas, loathed as he is to admit it. He had woken up refreshed, if not slightly dazed, and Black Swan had filled him in the Aventurine's progress. It wasn't much though— the decoding process had just about finished and it was time for the actual transfer to begin.
Veritas returns to his usual stance; legs to his chest and his arms acting as a cushion for his chin. It was as comfortable as he could be on the chair. He hasn't moved the entire time, opting to watch Aventurine now that he was awake. If something was about to go wrong, he wanted to make sure he could see it. He wanted to make sure he could help this time. No sudden gunshots would stop him this time.
"Worried about him?" Black Swan asks, her form stretching across three screens. Veritas doesn't answer, fixing his pose again as he watches the numbers on the screen. She doesn't say anything else, her attention turned to the android on the table. He could go back to sleep, or even just get up and stretch, but doing so felt wrong in the moment. Aventurine has already been offline for so long; he needed to be there when he wakes up.
Instead, Veritas turns his attention to Acheron, who's also been watching Aventurine intensely. Now that he's awake, the scholar can't help but realize how little he knows about both of the androids in front of him. How did Aventurine convince them to help him? What did he entice them with to ensure they wouldn't back out of a deal once he was dead? Surely, it was something important— a debt they were waiting to collect from either him or the android.
"You had mentioned Aventurine giving you a memory earlier?" Veritas says, and Black Swan picks up on what he's asking. She nods, moving back to him.
"I'm a Memokeeper." Black Swan explains, waving her hand as a bunch of files appear on a nearby screen. Memory files— images and videos— all under a different name. "I collect others' memories for preservation or as payment. I believe they deserve to be remembered after the dust settles."
When the war on androids is over, she means. When people only remember the violence and destruction, will they remember who the androids were before that? Will they remember they once stood side by side? "And Aventurine added to your collection?"
She nods. "I was only interested in the one he showed me. The rest will be removed from my systems once the process is complete. I only enjoy looking at them so there's no need to worry, doctor."
"I am not worried." Veritas argues, crossing his arms. "So long as he is ok, then I'm ok."
"How sweet." Black Swan coos, and he rolls his eyes as he grabs a book out of his bag.
Memory Transfer: 5%
He's going to be here for a while longer.
"What are you doing here?" Acheron demands, her scabbard pointed at the android in front of her. She hasn't seen him around here before, but he was talented enough to almost find the entrance to her hideout. The angry red of their kind's eyes isn't visible on him, instead replaced with pink and cyan irises. He's unaffected, like her.
He acts incredibly human, laughing as he holds his hands up. "No need to be so hostile, friend." he says calmly like he really is chatting with a friend. "I'm looking for a Memokeeper and I believe you two are acquainted."
"I don't know any Memokeepers." It's a lie, but he doesn't need to know that. His smile only grows.
"I think you do, friend." He says, lowering his hands even though Acheron hasn't lowered her weapon. She doesn't need to unsheathe her sword to kill him. Yet even with his casual pose, there was something about his smile. Dangerous yet… friendly? How odd. Like he knew he could be danger, but also knew he'd be safe.
"We've gotten off of the wrong foot. My name is Aventurine. And you," he points at her, "are Acheron. Before you get too alarmed, your Memokeeper friend did make herself known to me. I only want to make a bet with her."
"You know my name?"
"I make it a habit to know people's names."
"How polite." Acheron finally lowers her weapon, noting the nearly quiet sound of a sigh. "But I don't like people sneaking around my things."
"Duly noted. And again, my sincerest apologies for that." And to his credit, he did sound apologetic for it. She kind of understands that. They were technically one and the same. This kind of hostility was something androids always tried to avoid around one another. After all, weren't they in the same predicament? It was hard to say anymore.
But now here was Aventurine, an android who smiles with ease and has his eyes unchanged. If Black Swan really did seek him out, then surely she had a reason to? She did love to be mysterious, though she claims Acheron is the more mysterious one between them. Acheron doesn't think that's true, but it's hard to argue with her sometimes.
"Follow me." she says, stepping around him to undo her security system. Considering Black Swan was nothing more than code on computers at the moment, she had taken extra precautions to ensure no one could accidentally stumble into the room and find her. Not that Black Swan was harmless. Far from it. She was actually protecting the intruders from her rather than the other way around.
"Say, Miss Acheron," Aventurine starts, watching her work from the side. "What do you think humans dream about when they sleep?"
She pauses, considering the question. It had always been a massive debate among humans, though it was often more focused on if androids could dream rather than themselves.
"I am unsure." she answers truthfully. "The day's events. A past they cannot change. A future they yearn for. Those are the common answers."
A thoughtful noise from Aventurine. In kind he responds, "I think the dreams themselves don't matter. They dream so they don't have to think about how they're experiencing a form of death."
Reboot Complete. Welcome Back: Aventurine.
The first thing his sensors pick up on is that its dark. Secondly, there's a single computer with it's brightness turned down yet still on. He smiles, not needing to see Black Swan when the light becomes brighter to know she had done her work perfectly.
"Everything seems to be functioning normally." he tells her as she looks him over with a critical eye. The diagnostic check confirms his thoughts, though he can note a few changes made to his body.
His eyes open and close with about 2% more efficiency. Some of his skin has been replaced with equal or higher quality. Even his limbs curl and flex with a looseness he didn't have before. It's not a full body upgrade, but slight improvements here and there were definitely made during his time offline. There's only one person who would've done it.
He turns his head, nearly falling off the table as he finally process a lump nearby.
Unknown Life Form Confirmed: Veritas Ratio.
He's sleeping in what seems to be the most uncomfortable position Aventurine's seen him in so far, and that's saying something. His legs are pulled up to his chest with his arms wrapped around them to keep them from moving. His chin presses into a hard knee and his shoulders remain tense even in sleep.
And yet, Aventurine sighs in relief, the good doctor is sleeping. There are some deeper and darker eye bags under his eyes that were not there before his untimely demise, but the fact Veritas was sleeping at all was nothing short of a miracle. It was, admittedly, a fear of Aventurine's. He couldn't account for how Veritas would take care of himself during the process. He knew grief would be inevitable regardless of what he did with Aventurine. But Veritas had ways of being infuriatingly unpredictable in the strangest of circumstances, and all Aventurine could do was leave it up to his luck.
Black Swan looks at him with a knowing eye. "He barely moved from that spot since he brought you here. He was very worried about you." He could only imagine it. Aventurine almost didn't want to wake him up. Almost.
"Hey, Veri." he whispers, a hand going to touch his shoulder. He smiles, happy in a way he hadn't felt before. Because Veritas was still here after everything. He trusted Aventurine's gamble after all. "Veri Berry. Darling. My grumpy sunshine."
His attempts at pet names earns him a sleepy grumble. He doesn't even bat Aventurine's arm away. The sleepy scholar only grumbles like an angry cat. It's adorable in a way only he could be. Aventurine will have to back up the footage later so he can remember this moment.
Slowly, Veritas's eyes open and Aventurine gets his first peek at dawn. Another grumble, this one followed by a yawn, as Veritas rubs at his eye and blinks the sleepiness out of them. A mumbled name leaves his lips, and Aventurine pretends it's his. And then, "…Aventurine?"
"I'm back, doc." The android grins as Veritas immediately wakes up with a start. His hands reach out to tenderly touch Aventurine's face, fingers gliding over hard metal like it were made of glass. A level of worship he hasn't earned but greedily accepts. "I'm here." he whispers softly, letting Veritas take his time to process. Aventurine's own hand reaches out to push a lock of hair out of Veritas's face.
It takes a minute or so for Veritas to find his voice. "It worked." he says breathlessly, pulling Aventurine closer into a tight hug. He hears the sniffle of tears about to fall. "It worked."
"Did you doubt me?" Aventurine teases, though his tone falls flat as he feels wet tears against metal. "Oh, Veri—"
"I thought I was going to lose you for good." Veritas cries, voice muffled and full of agony. Aventurine's seen him pissed off, angry and scared, but this level of pain was something he's never heard before. Unable to say anything, he could only wrap his arms around Veritas.
For a moment he feels like the kind of idiot Veritas despises. How did he think Veritas would react? And Veritas isn't even mad at him, he's mad at the entire situation. Aventurine clings tighter to him, staying silent as Veritas cries into his shoulder. Black Swan is conspicuously absent, having disappeared long before tears started to fall.
"I'm here." Aventurine repeats again instead of an apology. He's not sorry enough to apologize because his schemes, once again, have worked out in his favor. He's come out unscathed once again. He reluctantly takes Veritas's arms and pulls them off his body, the slightest hint of a laugh leaving his mouth as he watches Veritas confused and sleepy face. "You need to rest." Aventurine tells him, delighting in the pout he gets in return.
He lets his fingers intertwine with Veritas's as he sits back on the table. "I'll be here still when you wake up." Aventurine promises, and it's enough to make Veritas lean back into his chair. His eyes narrow slightly before sleep overcomes him once more. The hand tightly gripping Aventurine's slackens just a bit, but the android doesn't let go.
Acheron suddenly appears from a dark corner in the room at this point, a small smile on her face. "Welcome back. Black Swan will most likely run some tests in the morning to make sure everything is working well, and then you two can leave."
Aventurine nods, relieved. It won't be long until they can put their failed mission behind them. Though, there was something still bothering the android. The name Veritas sometimes says…
Why is it starting to feel like his?
"Get your feet off my desk." Ratio all but growls, and Kakavasha complies delightfully. He didn't think such a prim and proper person could make such a sound. Guess that was on him for assuming. He leans back in his chair, watching Ratio look over the blueprints and schematics of the new android models the Company was hoping to build. Funny how their original deal was to not talk about them and focus on Kakavasha's desperate plan, and now it's their assigned mission. At least now it doesn't look weird when the two of them are spotted close to each other in the office. Everything gets written off as them getting a head start on work.
Ratio had been taken back by Kakavasha's plan, but he was sold on it eventually. After all, he'd get to publish the research on it once it was completed. Proof of concept for such a thing would make millions and though the doctor was not fond of the monetary aspect, the idea of recognition had gotten his attention. Now he knew what makes Ratio tick; an important thing to know these days.
They often worked in silence and through online communication, sending emails back and forth after the work day was done. The task the Company gave them required a lot of attention.
"So," Kakavasha starts, "What's the plan?"
"You will have to be more specific." Ratio responds. The two begin to casually slip back into their usual banter. How wonderful is that! They have their own casual way of speaking to each other now.
"The plan we were supposed to make regarding my deal."
"Oh, that one." Ratio says, and Kakavasha delightfully detects a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I admit it is quite a challenge. You never did answer my question about it."
"And what question was that?"
"Why exactly do you want your consciousness uploaded as an AI specifically? There are plenty of treatments available to cure most diseases and you have the money to pay for it all."
Kakavasha's grin grows tighter. "I don't think I'm paying you to ask questions like that. I'm paying you to figure out if it's possible. You don't have to actually make it work if you don't want to, but just give me a proof of concept I can give to someone else."
"Do not put words in my mouth." Ratio huffs. "I refuse to discover proof such a thing is possible and then leave it at that for some other genius to pick up. You requested my aid and I shall give it to you." He sneers at the mention of geniuses, no doubt thinking of the Genius Society he's been unable to join. Kakavasha knew a lot about it from his research into the man.
A group of talented human individuals, plus one extremely intelligent android. They are considered the best of the best, humanity's greatest accomplishments, and they have rejected Ratio's applications to the Society at every twist and turn. The geniuses supposedly worshiped this Thing, something not even the Company knows details about aside from its supposed existence. An intelligent machine smarter than any of the androids built so far, considered to hold all the answers of humanity. It chose who or what could be considered a genius.
It's denied Ratio that title time and time again. Every accomplishment, every degree— nothing satisfied the machine. Kakavasha believed the mere idea of a person being able to be reborn as an AI construct would be enough for Ratio to be accepted with open arms. He talks big game about accepting he'll never be part of the Genius Society, but Kakavasha had a feeling it was just that. Talk.
"The ability to upload one's consciousness into an android should very well be possible." Ratio continues, his brows furrowed in a rather adorable way. "If possible, I would like to combine these two projects of mine into one. This next line of androids won't all come with this ability, but it will make getting the parts and materials easier if I do not have to entirely pay out of pocket."
"You wouldn't be paying out of pocket at all! I'd happily fund everything and anything you'd need." Kakavasha bats his eyes, playing up his role as the ever so generous benefactor. He delights in Ratio's responses; this time he rolls his eyes dramatically. He acts so different from the other men Kakavasha's sponsored and funded over the years. He was much more interesting to poke at and watch squirm.
"Your help is greatly appreciated." Ratio mutters. "Now, let me work."
"Of course, doc." Kakavasha leans back in his chair, watching Ratio look over schematics and write things down. Probably all very important, scientific stuff. This was someone who would never back down from a challenge. This was someone who wouldn't stop until his theory was either proved or disproved.
Ratio was definitely the right person to bet on.
While it wasn't their original hideout, Aventurine was happy to be back at a place that was considered home now. He throws himself onto the couch, looking over the apartment Veritas had been living in while fixing him. It was… a bit of a mess, if Aventurine was being honest. Guilt gnaws at him as he sinks into unused cushions.
Veritas is skinnier than he was before. He didn't notice it in the darkness of Black Swan's bunker. Some of his muscles aren't as defined as they were before. It pains Aventurine to think of how many times Veritas overlooked himself. He was supposed to be the reckless one out of the two of them.
"Could have decorated a bit." Aventurine teases, trying to build back some of their old banter. Veritas stands near the other end of the couch, looming over him like he could disappear at any moment.
"Forgive me. I had been… busy." Veritas replies. Busy trying to repair Aventurine is left unsaid. He kneels down, his hand on Aventurine's forehead. "How are you feeling? Are your systems functioning normally?"
Aventurine hums in approval, now focused on the dark circles under Veritas's eyes. They looked worse in the sunlight. It was a strange thing for the android to comprehend. Veritas cares for him, and now he needed to do the same.
He does so by pulling the scholar on top of him, delighting in Veritas's little gasp. He holds on tightly, keeping the side of Veritas's face pressed to his chest. "I'm sorry. Again." Aventurine mumbles into his hair. "I had bet the Sanctuary would be the safest place for you regardless of what happened to me. Risked it all for that slim chance you'd be protected."
"Even at the cost of your life?" Veritas asks, his voice beginning to sound wet again. "Aven, I care about you. I would not just abandon you after what we had been through. You're—" he cuts himself off with a shaky gasp. "No more risky schemes like that."
"Ok." Aventurine says. Not a promise. It couldn't be a promise. But he can still say it. "Ok. No more risky schemes."
They stay like that for a bit, the sounds of Veritas breathing and Aventurine's faint whirring breaking the silence. Veritas pulls away first, claiming he needed to grab something. Aventurine lets him go, watching him disappear behind the corner.
It felt good to be back. Aventurine didn't want to admit it, but he had been a little afraid he'd be proven right about the Sanctuary. Veritas would probably thrive among humans again. He'd be able to get back into research. There would be stability. Safety. Everything Aventurine couldn't provide on his own.
And yet, Veritas chose him. He's chosen him countless times by now. Well, not countless. It was at least in the 300s range last time Aventurine did the analysis on it. How odd it is to be loved.
The android gets himself into a sitting position as Veritas returns to him with something in his hands. The glasses he was once gifted are placed back on his face. A shade of pink colors his vision. Veritas smiles at him, looking less tired. "Perfect. Right back where they belong." he says in a matter of fact tone, like Aventurine was always meant to be in this spot with these glasses. It did feel right.
"Aw, now I can preen again." Aventurine laughs, getting up so he could finally kiss Veritas. Between all the tests Black Swan had made him do to confirm he was fully functional, the extra tests Veritas made him do, and Acheron's impromptu sparring session to test his reaction skills, he really missed this feeling of home. It's him and Veritas against the word again.
The Sanctuary was a dud, but there would always be somewhere else for them to go to. Maybe they'll go back to see Topaz? He pulls away from the kiss to ask the question.
Veritas hums in approval, sneaking in one extra kiss. It makes Aventurine's systems heat up. "I believe she would appreciate it. But I would like you to rest first, just to make sure nothing breaks or goes wrong."
"The Memokeeper gave me a clean bill of health, though!" Aventurine pouts, his arms wrapping around Veritas's waist— his skinny waist. Aventurine makes a note to search for food later.
"While I trust Black Swan's judgment, I would rather have something go wrong while we are close to her. It would be dangerous otherwise."
At some point they've begun to sway side to side. Aventurine playfully groans, knowing better than to argue after everything. "Alright, I'll rest up." he promises, earning the soft quirk of a smile that he loves to see.
"Alright." Veritas says. Aventurine should probably sit back down or move to the bed. Veritas should probably let Aventurine go. Neither of them make an effort to move.
"And so I said I'll bet everything I got on me. Clothes included!" Kakavasha snickers, lounging on Ratio's couch. He might've been a little drunk— tipsy at least— and everything felt light and floaty. Ratio was also drunk, a rare occurrence. He's discovered Ratio laughs a lot when drunk, giggly and stupidly happy under the influence. It's—
No, Kakavasha can't think like that. Or maybe he should. He's not going to be around soon anyways.
But Ratio is so smart! Kakavasha is still not over that. Even drunk he's still reciting calculations and he only tripped over his own feet once. Kakavasha should probably keep that a secret. Smart scientists tripping over their own feet was probably something embarrassing.
What was he doing? Oh yeah, he's trying to tell Ratio about one of his gambles from when he was younger. That one was fun. Everyone was so scared for some reason. He wasn't even betting drastically that time.
Ratio listens intently, a silly, uncharacteristic grin on his face. He was sitting in a plush chair across from the couch, leaning sideways as he nods along to Kakavasha's story. This was great. They needed this, deserved it even! The only thing that would make it better would be if they were drinking on Company time. They couldn't do that, unfortunately. This was nicer, though.
"You… heh, what happened to the rest of your story?" Ratio asks, and Kakavasha realizes he had stopped talking. His face as he processes this makes Ratio laugh, and now he's starting to laugh because of his laugh. Alcohol is great.
Their impromptu giggle fit ends when Ratio's cats make their way into the living room. Kakavasha loves them. They're such sweet babies. "Oh my gosh, hello!" Kakavasha coos, watching the three black cats meow and purr against Ratio's chair. Fluffy, cuddly traitors. He reaches out to try and pet them, too far away to even get close to touching one. He ends up with half his body on the floor with his arms outstretched. One takes pity on him and moves within reach.
"You're my favorite." Kakavasha giggles, petting her little head. She doesn't move away, pressing her head further into his hand. What a sign of love. Wow, he was loved. Ratio looks unamused, his gaze flitting between Kakavasha and the other two cats who were playing with each other.
Ratio mumbles something Kakavasha can't hear, but the warm tone of his voice causes him to look up. "Say something, doc?" he asks, caught off guard by the vivid sunrise that's Ratio's eyes. Maybe it was the alcohol but the scholar looked even more vibrant.
"You are my favorite." Ratio repeats, his face flushed from more than just the alcohol now. The scholar stands up on shaky legs and makes his way towards Kakavasha. He kneels at Kakavasha's side. "I am fascinated by your mind. You hold the world in your hands and yet want to throw it away. You're incorrigible. An enigma. I wish to have all the time in the world to understand you, but I fear that's not enough. I would selfishly crave more."
Oh. Oh no. Goddess, Kakavasha's breath was gone. He smiles, strained and fake as he sits properly on the floor. "Ratio, I think we've had a bit too much to drink. Let's get you some water."
"Veritas." Ratio interrupts him, his hand almost touching Kakavasha's. "Call me Veritas. I assure you I mean every word I'm saying."
Kakavasha pulls his hand away. "You're not going to remember this in the morning, Ratio, and neither will I. It's best we leave things as they are."
"And who are you to walk away from a gamble?" Ratio asks. Kakavasha can't answer him at first. He's always been a gambling man, but something about Ratio has always given him pause. The scholar in front of him, while currently drunk, was meant for things greater than what Kakavasha could provide him. Sometimes the true gamble was knowing when to walk away.
"We're drunk." Kakavasha repeats, not unkind as he stands up and pulls Ratio up with him. The man clings to his arms with a desperation Kakavasha's never seen before. It'd be a nice look to see if it weren't for the circumstances. "Let's not be too hasty with such high stakes. We can continue this bet in the morning."
He tries his best to ignore Ratio's pitiful look. It makes Kakavasha feel like he just kicked one of the cats. Instead, he focuses on getting the drunk doctor to his bed. The cats follow them, jumping onto the bed when Kakavasha successfully gets Ratio to rest on the pillows. While he still looks upset, he doesn't dare move so the cats aren't pushed to the side.
"Kakavasha…" Ratio whispers, already half asleep under warm blankets. It's enough to make him pause. Ratio's never used his name before. It's always been "gambler" or "peacock". It's enough to make him want to ignore everything he just said before. Instead, he allows them to have one small win.
"Go to sleep, Veritas." he whispers back, kissing the top of Ratio's head. The man is already snoring by the time it's done. Whether he remembers the night or not is a gamble. Kakavasha sighs, watching the cats purr and knead the area surrounding Ratio as they also get ready to sleep.
He needs another drink.
Aventurine is starting to hear things.
He thought he just had a faulty sensor, but he's starting to think something is wrong. He's beginning to hear things he's never heard before, like memories he has no recollection of. He'll hear Veritas's voice clear as day, but it doesn't sound at all like the Veritas he knows. He'll hear his own voice sometimes, tired and defeated and human. But he's not human. Aventurine's always known from the moment he was turned on that he's an android. It's a part of him that's hard to ignore. And yet…
He sees things sometimes, too. Often when he's in low power mode for the night. Files he didn't know existed would play for a short period of time, and he can't find them again when they disappear. It reminds him of the memory file he gave Black Swan of Veritas— the one where he almost says a different name. He hears that name a lot in Veritas's voice.
Kakavasha.
It feels like it's supposed to be his, but it can't be. Aventurine is Aventurine. Nothing more, nothing less. Sure, he's sometimes thought he was made in the vision of someone else— it was the only way at the time to make sense of the profound sadness in Veritas's eyes— but this felt different. It feels like the "past lives" concept humans have: the idea you could remember who you used to be from another life. Androids couldn't have that. They were made for a purpose. Some were recycled, sure, but they were always hard wiped beforehand because contradictory memories were known to cause malfunctions. It couldn't be a past life.
Regardless, this was something Aventurine would have to figure out by himself. He was, surprisingly, starting to grow tired of Veritas's constant hovering. He treated Aventurine like he was fragile, something that would break if he wasn't watching. He needed to prove his worried partner wrong. He could go to Black Swan or Acheron, but then Veritas would ask to come along and saying no would be suspicious at this point. He was recovering from a memory transference after all.
There was also something in the back of his mind telling him he needed to figure this out on his own. If his wires really are crossed then he'll go ask Black Swan to fix it, but this felt like something more than that. This felt like something bubbling underneath the surface.
So, in the middle of the night when Veritas is fast asleep, Aventurine stays up and begins searching through his memory files. He isn't entirely sure what he's meant to be searching for but he looks through everything just to be sure. Despite the wear and tear he's been through over the years, Aventurine was considered a state of the art android before everything went down. He had what was considered the best upgrades and features, including memory. But as he scans through his files, he can't find anything out of the ordinary. His diagnostic scans come up fine and he would die of embarrassment if he found any viruses. But no, he was perfectly clean.
Still, it didn't stop the gnawing feeling in his head. There was something in him that he hadn't felt before the Sanctuary incident. He couldn't put a name to it. Maybe his offline status affected him more than he thought. It's like when humans had a near death experience or woke up from a coma. He's just getting used to that feeling of being "alive", whatever that was. Maybe he'll go see Black Swan anyway just so she could take another look at him. Maybe they both missed something—
The young girl looks down at him with a smile. "Never give up, Kakavasha." she tells him. "You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Mama Fenge will watch over your schemes always."
The sudden memory sends a jolt through Aventurine's wires. That wasn't his. It couldn't be. The memory had him looking up, and unless that girl was a giant then he couldn't have a memory of him looking up unless he was smaller somehow. Smaller like a kid. He's never known someone like her, but her eyes… Aventurine glances at the mirror down the hallway. His magenta-cyan eyes look back at him.
She had his eyes.
But that's impossible; Veritas always mentioned how rare his eyes are. No one, human and android alike, had them. It was why Aventurine's always had people trying to sell them on the black market.
He starts searching through his memory files again, searching for any glimpse of the girl he just saw. He can't imagine Black Swan would accidentally put someone else's memories in him. She's a professional.
The android's just about given up hope when he stumbles upon a part of system he doesn't remember having. It was heavily encrypted, though it didn't feel entirely new. It felt more like someone tried to replicate it without knowing what it was for. Aventurine could tell it was Black Swan's work; most likely her imitating the original style. But why? Aventurine couldn't think of any reason something would be so well hidden from himself. What would be the point if he couldn't access it? Unless someone didn't want him to access it.
He didn't always know Veritas back then. They had met through work, the scholar surprisingly willing to work with an android and complete missions with him. He was so different from Aventurine's other coworkers who treated him like something disposable. There was always the possibility of some higher up hiding secrets within Aventurine that they didn't want being exposed to the public eye. It'd explain why the encryptions looked so complicated. The weird memories would make sense if that were the case. Internal data leaks weren't common but they're still a thing.
Aventurine pauses as he stares inwards at the digital lock, debating if he should open it or just ask Veritas to tighten it. If this was someone else's memories then it wouldn't feel right to go poking around in them even if they were possibly dead. What would he be able to do if he saw some tragedy? Sighing, he makes a note of how he found it to begin with and starts shutting some of his systems down. He'll take a gamble and check it out in the morning. If things go wrong, then Veritas or Black Swan could help fix it. If nothing goes wrong, then Aventurine would keep it to himself. No sense in riling anyone up if he deems it a false alarm.
Satisfied with his own late night thinking, Aventurine lets his systems rest. He'll get things fixed tomorrow.
"Are you sure about this?" Ratio asks again as Kakavasha finalizes the last of his paperwork. He's been double and triple checking ever since the android was finished and completed all of its test runs. It was stable and, most importantly, would be able to hold his memories. It was perfect.
"Yes, doc. I'm still certain. You've asked this like, ten times today." Kakavasha teases, though his light banter couldn't help the somber mood that settled over Veritas. Kakavasha knew exactly why he was upset, even if he pretended not to. The Aventurine android was finished, the proof of concept works, and the only thing left to do is to actually complete the transfer.
It would mean Kakavasha would officially stop existing, leaving Aventurine in his absence.
He never wanted Ratio to know the real reason why he was willing to gamble so much for this. It wasn't some grand scheme like the ones he was famous for. His reasoning was sadly simple. Kakavasha was tired. From the moment he was born to now, he was tired. So many schemes, so many gambles, and all he had to his name was money that could never revive his people. He could climb the corporate ladder all he wanted and he would never get his sister back. Kakavasha was done being pulled around by the higher ups. He wanted an escape, but he wasn't naive. He would have to leave something in his wake to make up for cutting a deal short.
That was how Aventurine was born. An android that could carry out his work after his death with the same deadly accuracy and precision he was known for. All his strengths with none of the drawbacks from his awful memories. He had given Ratio careful instructions about which kinds of memories to implant in Aventurine. Leave none of his humanity. He'd take it into the grave.
Ratio had been upset when he found out. Kakavasha didn't expect to care so much about that. Ratio really was too good for him. It almost made him wish they met earlier, before Kakavasha became dead set on his plan. Not even the concerned doctor could make him have second thoughts. It didn't stop Ratio from trying. It was a valiant effort.
Even now he was still trying. "We can still give the Company the android. It will most likely be mass produced but they would be satisfied with the final product." Ratio pleads. He was right, he was always right, but Kakavasha wasn't like the men Ratio is used to reasoning with. He shook his head, giving his friend a sad yet accepting look.
"You already know how this is going to end." he says, not unkindly. They had both acknowledged yet ignored the fleeting feelings of something more burning in their chests. Neither had wanted to put a name to it. It was already unprofessional of them— not that that's stopped Kakavasha before— and they initially wanted to focus on the plan. That was before Ratio learned his true intentions. That was before they had gotten drunk in Ratio's apartment. That was before they realized their unnamed feelings were a love that couldn't be nourished. It wasn't meant to be.
Ratio doesn't say anything else, a wave of acceptance washing over him. It was cruel of Kakavasha, but there was no going back now. He made his plans long before Ratio, and he wasn't going to change them now. He finishes his work, organizing the papers neatly for once so Ratio could hand them in to his supervisors when this was over. Everything was ready.
"Time for the show to begin." Kakavasha smiles. Ratio doesn't match it. The final moment was upon them.
Feeling generous, Kakavasha steps closer to Ratio. His hands reach out to cup Ratio's face, admiring those gorgeous eyes that resemble the dawn. "Thanks for playing along with me, doc. Here's a gift." he whispers, sealing their lips with a kiss. Unspoken words travel between them, saying everything they couldn't say before. It would be the first and last time they touch like this.
Surprisingly, it's Ratio who pulls away first. That perfect blush on his face makes an appearance, rewarding Aventurine for his effort. It takes all of Kakavasha's restraint to not lean back in for a second one. He couldn't be too greedy at the very end. "Sorry." he says, pulling away from Ratio. The scholar remains quiet, turning away to look at the Aventurine android standing in the corner.
It would be the only one of its kind. The only one capable of holding human memory, and the only one based off of one specific human. Kakavasha presses his hand to the cold metal of its palm. "May your schemes forever be concealed." he prays, wondering if HER blessing would work on an android.
He will never know.
Chapter 3: At the Edge of Everything
Summary:
He was—
Who was he?
He was made for a purpose. A clear goal. An end in sight. He's robotic. Mechanical. Everything his creators said he was. He couldn't be more than that. He shouldn't—
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Something was wrong with Aventurine. Veritas had gotten very good at determining that. The android had a specific way of dealing with issues, something Veritas picked up on after knowing him for so long. Aventurine often fiddles with a poker chip he keeps on his person. Sometimes it's just used as a distraction, but it's just as often used in an attempt to keep his mind steady. He also smiles a certain way. It tightens at the corners, becoming too fake when he tries to go for something more natural. Admittedly, that's something Veritas took a long time to understand. Recognizing body language wasn't always his strong suit.
Back to the matter at hand— Aventurine was hiding something. Veritas didn't know what it was, but he knew it would be best the sooner they talked about it. Most things they've been able to resolve through talking, not accounting for the one time Veritas was too drunk to properly talk.
Working up the courage, Veritas knocks on Aventurine's door and walks in. "Aventurine, I wanted to ask you—" He stops immediately when he finds Aventurine crouched on the floor, one hand over his eye as the faint sound of something sizzling could be heard. "Aventurine! What's wrong?"
Aventurine speaks rapidly, barely making sense. Veritas could barely piece it all together. "It's me but it can't be me— I'm— my body? No… who?" It's all nonsensical until a familiar name begins to be repeated multiple times.
Kakavasha.
It's a name only Veritas has said recently. Kakavasha, the brilliant and foolish gambler who used to work at the Company. The man who accosted Ratio to make him an android that he could transfer his memories into. The creative and secretly sweet person Veritas had fallen for. He had been naive at the time, hoping a caring relationship would get Kakavasha to stop his inane plan. He learned quickly that it wouldn't work. Still, he never thought he'd hear that name from Aventurine. They had taken pains to ensure Aventurine would become his own person.
"Aventurine, how do you know that name?" Veritas carefully asks, his hands gently examining the still freaked out Aventurine. The metal of his body was slowly heating up as his spiral continued. Veritas couldn't tell if it was the android equivalent of a panic attack or the sign of a virus attack.
Aventurine mumbles more things, his body beginning to jerk around in Veritas's hold. "Vasha— Kakavasha… it— he— me? Memories—"
It was hard to piece together, but Veritas had started to develop a rudimentary form of understanding. The implications made his blood run cold. If Aventurine was right and he was acting this way because of memories then—
His hand is suddenly gripped tightly. "Aventurine!" Veritas calls out, metal digging into his skin harshly. He looks up at Aventurine, about to tell him off, before the words die in his mouth.
Aventurine's eyes were bright red. His body goes rigid, mechanical. Robotic.
"Aventurine—!" Veritas is pushed to the side, stumbling as Aventurine rises to his feet. His eyes, cold and uncaring, state into him. Veritas has never seen him like this. Even when everything happened, Aventurine had never acted like the other androids. He never turned, willingly or forcefully. He stuck by Veritas's side always.
Aventurine doesn't move for a while, the two stuck in a stare down. Veritas didn't even have his gun on him, but what would he even do if he did? Shoot his partner? After everything?
Aventurine takes a step forward, red eyes glitching and changing colors. "Veri…?" he asks, his voice module beginning to glitch out also. A hand reaches towards him in a jerky motion, causing the scholar to flinch and raise his hand up protectively. That seems to cause Aventurine to snap out of it briefly, his eyes returning to their normal colors.
He doesn't say anything, running past Veritas and out the door. "Aventurine, wait!" Veritas calls out, getting to his feet and running after him. He sees blond hair disappear out the doorway before he stops, breathing heavily. Aventurine…
Veritas is losing him for a second time.
Error ### Error ### System Malfunction
Aventurine couldn't breathe. He was hearing things— seeing things— and he couldn't stop. He was remembering things that he couldn't have gone through. He was Aventurine. He was Kakavasha. He was—
Who was he?
He was made for a purpose. A clear goal. An end in sight. He's robotic. Mechanical. Everything his creators said he was. He couldn't be more than that. He shouldn't—
Gentle hands touch his. "Run, Kakavasha. Run as far as you can. Don't look back, please."
He used to be smaller. He had a sister. Flesh and blood. Air in lungs. Kakavasha. Child blessed by a Goddess.
Error ###
Aventurine and Kakavasha. Kakavasha and Aventurine. He couldn't be both. He had to choose. A child's screaming. A person's blood on his face.
Error ###
Who was he anymore?
"So Aventurine suffered a data leak?" Acheron asks, a frown on her face. Veritas was back in Black Swan's hideout, tearfully and tiredly explaining what happened to Aventurine. He pulls the blanket tighter around himself.
"The longer we stay here the more likely he might get hurt. We have to find him now before someone else does." Veritas tries to explain. Neither of the androids would let him get up after he stumbled back to them. Black Swan holds her hand up, preemptively stopping him.
"If we're going to fix Aventurine then we need to understand how a data leak like that happened." she explains. "If he was holding onto false memories and they've already begun to mix then he's in an extremely unstable state right now. He's most likely reverted to the rewritten directives the other androids have to conserve stability."
"But why would he be holding onto contradicting memories?" Acheron asks. "It can't have been a fail safe measure."
Veritas remains quiet, guilt building up in his stomach. He knew why this was happening but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. It was his fault Aventurine was losing his mind. It was his fault Aventurine was glitching out and potentially hurt. Acheron's gaze finds its way on him, a silent admonishment.
"Dr. Ratio? Is everything ok?"
He couldn't keep it secret. They would have to know in order to fix everything. He sighs, bracing for the worst. "I'm the one who hid those memories in Aventurine's system. This is my fault."
Confessing that to two androids was not going to lead to anything good, yet he does it anyway. He sees Acheron's expression first, barely contained fury in her gaze as her hand twitches on her scabbard. "How could you do that to him?" she seethes, stepping closer to him. He doesn't move away, his head hung low in shame.
"I couldn't let Kakavasha die!" he yells at her. "I wasn't going to let some parody of him remain and be used by the Company. And I didn't want the memories of him being a person be gone forever. There was no possibility of a data leak, I had made sure of it before I did the original transfer. He was supposed to be safe."
Acheron didn't look impressed. "But why keep the memories if they were not supposed to be found? You could have held onto them in a safer way."
His shoulder slump. She was right, and his reasons for not doing so were selfish. "I… I liked that Aventurine looked so similar to Kakavasha. I never expected him to develop any kind of romantic feelings. I was satisfied only being near him. When the Company broke down, I did not expect him to stay with me."
Veritas sighs, looking into Acheron's eyes. "I know I have done something unforgivable, but right now my priority is making sure Aventurine will be ok. If that means we have to erase the memories then so be it. I just want him to be safe."
Acheron doesn't say anything, turning to Black Swan for guidance so she wouldn't make a decision in anger. Black Swan looked contemplative, eyeing Veritas carefully as she weighed her options and calculated possibilities and probabilities. "Perhaps there is a way to save the memories but I can't make any promises. Like you said, the goal is to save Aventurine. Kakavasha might not come out of this alive."
Veritas nods. "I understand."
"Good. Now, you and Acheron need to go look for him. I'll start preparing a program that can force him into shutdown. You'll just need to get close to him for it to work. I'll send you both a copy when it's done. If you find him earlier then just keep him distracted or trapped until it's ready."
They both nod. Acheron adjusts her grip on her katana as Veritas readies his gun. It was the best plan they had at the moment: contain until further instruction essentially. He sighs again, mentally preparing himself for what might need to happen to ensure Aventurine's survival.
The two leave Black Swan's hideout in silence.
Aventurine doesn't know where he's going. His vision flickers in and out periodically, malfunctioning along with everything else. Sometimes he's in a desert with sand all around him. Sometimes he's in a fancy apartment owned by someone familiar. Sometimes he's in rundown buildings lit by small campfires. He's everywhere and nowhere all at once.
It's cold. Cold…? His sensors aren't activating.
Where is Veritas?
Aventurine blinks, his vision returning to normal. It's dark out, with only the stars to watch over him. It doesn't matter where he is because he doesn't have anywhere to return to. Is he broken? What could he do now? Where could he go now? He hurt his partner. How does he come back from that? Veritas, who has only ever been kind to him even when the revolution started. Even when it was dangerous to be associated with androids. And how does he pay that back? By hurting him?
"I see you have returned." A voice cuts through Aventurine's panic. He looks up, seeing the holographic flicker of the lion who's den he walked into so long ago. Sunday watches him with a cautious eye. "Your friend led me to believe you were dead."
"I am. Not." Aventurine stutters, barely able to move his mouth let alone speak. It was taking everything in him to not go insane, to not revert to the orders he was given in the distant past.
Kill all humans.
He wasn't like them.
Sunday hums, looking over Aventurine. "I take pains to make sure the androids I dispose of can't return. How were you able to return?" Aventurine doesn't answer, but Sunday seems to connect the dots himself. He doesn't even use any of his powers. There's no horrible sense of probing. Maybe he doesn't notice because of everything else happening in his brain. "I guess it was the doctor. Where is he, anyhow? I imagine the two of you are not often apart."
"Gone." Aventurine says. "Why do you care?"
"Do you not realize how close to the Sanctuary you are? I do not tolerate any androids in its presence, much less one that has already seen it and walked its halls."
The Sanctuary. Aventurine's big gamble. His programming screams at him, wanting the forbidden knowledge to spread like wildfire. Let the other androids know where it is. Let them overwhelm and tear the place apart.
Kill all humans.
He wouldn't.
"Didn't notice. I'm kinda preoccupied right now." Aventurine laughs, the sound coming off more grated than suave. He groans in pain, a hand going to his head. Holding on so painful, each lucid moment making his programming try even harder to shut him down.
"I admit I have a morbid curiosity about you." Sunday speaks again, willfully or unknowingly ignorant of Aventurine's current pain. And then—
Searing pain. Worse than what his body was putting him through. Sunday probes through his corrupted files and broken code, each touch an extra dose of gasoline on an already flaming corpse. Aventurine cries out again, his eyes flickering red for a moment. Only then does Sunday stop, though the underlying heat doesn't go away.
"You… were a person?" Sunday questions, his voice wavering. Even his hologram starts to flicker. "Why… why would you do such a thing to yourself? Why put yourself into a body lesser than yours?"
Aventurine doesn't answer him, watching the fear course through Sunday. "Have you never grown tired of living?" He watches Sunday shake his head as something akin to pity flashes in his eyes. "Then you would never understand."
"I won't." Sunday repeats, almost like acceptance. Aventurine would love to appreciate it more if he could. That would make Veritas laugh, wouldn't it? To see such a man forced to admit defeat. The scholar sometimes got a kick out of it, even if he wouldn't want to admit it. Veritas…
Kill all humans.
He…
"I- I can't hold on…" Aventurine admits, warnings flashing on his eyes only he could see. "Please tell Veritas where I am. Or don't, it doesn't matter anymore. I wish I could…"
Tell him he's loved. Ask why this had to happen. Tell him Kakavasha adored him.
Kill all humans.
Aventurine's world turns red.
The search for Aventurine continues in near silence. Veritas has accepted that fact, but it didn't lessen the sting in the slightest. Acheron's silence was deadly, a looming quiet that choked out everything else. He was forced into a vivid state of awareness of it, hyper vigilant of every time her ire turned to him. He deserved it all.
Black Swan's shutdown program had been completed. The files were sent to them moments ago. Veritas has been trying his best to come to terms with all the possibilities of what might happen when they finally find Aventurine. None of them were nice. Worst-case scenarios flood his mind.
It was never going to be Aventurine's gambles or luck that would be his downfall. It would always be Veritas's own hubris that would destroy him. It was an irony he couldn't appreciate. His own humanity would kill Aventurine. Blood was going to be on his hands twice.
Veritas still remembers what it was like when Aventurine had successfully turned on. He remembers the cold meeting room he had been stuck in for hours as he showed the Company what had become of their most prized asset. He could've been killed where he stood for what he had done. Aventurine could've been decommissioned with a snap of their fingers if they believed he wouldn't be valuable. He wonders if Aventurine still had those first few memories of waking, of the way everyone looked at him with scorn and contempt for replacing a man he never knew.
Whether it was a blessing or curse, the Company decided to trust Kakavasha's last gamble. They allowed both of them to live, leaving Veritas in charge of Aventurine. Veritas had never known fear until that day. Sometimes he wonders if Kakavasha knew what he was leaving him with. Did he care? Or was he that done with humanity that it didn't matter to him anymore? Either answer scared Veritas.
He wonders, late at night, how different things might have been if Kakavasha continued to live. Would they still know each other? Would they only meet during the android revolution? Would they be friends? Enemies? Something more? Veritas had forced himself to acknowledge that his love would never save Kakavasha, but what if it could? What if he had simply tried harder? Called off the project? Blackmail?
A cold voice cuts through him. "You're spiraling." Acheron says bluntly, a sudden hand on his shoulder. He startles, his mouth parted as if to speak before closing it again. He nods, acknowledging her before stepping away. It was idiotic of him to be doing this now. They had a mission to complete. The longer they don't find Aventurine, the more likely he could be hurt or in trouble.
"Ratio." her voice calls out again. Veritas turns around this time, bracing himself for what she had to say. "Is Aventurine the same as Kakavasha?"
It's not a question he was expecting. He thinks it over. "No," he answers truthfully. "He never was. It was never the plan for him to become Kakavasha."
She nods, her anger lingering but fading. "I believe you now when you said you didn't want to cause harm. Humans in grief don't always act with rationality. But, are you ready to accept the punishment Aventurine will give you if he returns to normal? As he is his own person, he might not agree with what you've done."
"I… I believe I can handle it. It will all be deserved, regardless of what he decides. I won't refute any of it." Veritas answers. There was nothing else he could do. What happened later would be all up to Aventurine. He'd be the one to decide what Veritas's fate should be. It'd be tough, but Veritas would have no other choice but to handle it.
He's about to ask Acheron where they stand now when he feels a familiar aching pain reverberate in his skull. He immediately pulls out his gun, spinning around and pointing it at the hologram flickering to life behind him. Acheron's scabbard is raised at it too, picking up on Veritas's fear. They watch the hologram flicker into existence, Sunday's familiar face looking back at them.
He's changed a little from the last time Veritas has seen him. He didn't seem as smug as he used to act. If anything, he looked a little scared. Sunday's eyes widen a little when his gaze lies on Acheron, no doubt picking up on the fact she was an android.
"Psychic." Acheron states, also picking up on how Sunday could tell. Sunday's smile is grim.
"Indeed. I had the displeasure of running into Aventurine again."
Veritas's heart stops for a moment. The worst-case scenario runs through his mind again. If Aventurine stepped near the Sanctuary the way he was—
"He is not dead." Sunday clarifies, and Veritas remembers to breathe. "He seemed to have reverted to his original programming. I had found it strange that he could supposedly ignore those directives in the first place and now I know why."
He stops his explanation to come closer to Veritas. Even knowing it was a hologram doesn't stop Veritas from taking a step back. The last time they had truly met, Aventurine's blood was on his hands. Sunday only stops when Acheron intervenes, putting herself between them. He continues, "I can give you his current coordinates, but to have two androids know the location of the Sanctuary would be unwise."
"So you want only me to go find him?" Veritas asks, surprised when Sunday shakes his head.
"Against my better judgment, I believe it would be best if multiple people were there to apprehend him. Instead, convince me this android will not act like Aventurine or reveal the Sanctuary's location to others. Then I will give you both the coordinates."
Veritas can't help but laugh at Sunday's conditions. Someone was in danger and he still had time to be playing around and waste their time. Then again, whatever condition Sunday saw Aventurine in clearly wasn't enough for him to see the android as more than a piece of metal. Sighing, Veritas turns to look at the Acheron. He reluctantly lowers his gun and watchers her do the same with her scabbard. She trusted him still, even after everything. It was only fair he does the same for her.
"Miss Acheron has no reasons to reveal the location of the Sanctuary to others." Veritas explains to the priest. "She is a solitary android who often roams alone. She is only with me as assistance in finding Aventurine." He speaks carefully, making sure he doesn't mention Black Swan to Sunday. He believes the man would have a heart attack if he knew of the existence of yet another android. Two already terrified him enough.
"What reasons would she have to help you?"
"I wish only to help Aventurine." Acheron speaks up. "Androids who suffer a data leak like Aventurine are incredibly vulnerable and prone to senselessly attacking others to protect themselves. Combine that with the androids' current directives and it causes them to revert to their programming to spare themselves of the pain. I wish to make sure he's stabilized and unharmed."
Sunday ponders their words, his eyes closed as he thinks them over. Veritas wishes he would hurry up with his thinking, but he doesn't say it aloud. He almost doesn't think it in case Sunday decides that's the time he wants to probe Veritas's mind again.
Eventually, he seems to come to a decision. "Alright," he says with an air of finality to it. "I have decided. Veritas, I am entrusting the coordinates to the android to you. Once he is apprehended I wish to see for myself that he is caught and will cause no more harm. I will only intervene if I think the Sanctuary will be harmed. Are those terms agreeable?"
Veritas nods. "Those terms are agreeable. We would like to have them as soon as possible so we can ensure Aventurine's safety."
Sunday nods, coming closer to Veritas again. This time, he doesn't flinch or panic. The weird invasive feeling comes back as Sunday speaks the coordinates directly into his mind. He will never get used to this feeling. As the hologram disappears from their sight, Sunday's presence still lingers in his mind.
"My old offer still stands." Sunday tells him. "If you let those androids leave on their own, I will be more than happy to welcome you back into the Sanctuary. You don't have to stay with them once this is all over."
Veritas doesn't react, waiting for Sunday's horrible presence to fully leave before he lets his true feelings gone. When he believes himself to be in the clear, Veritas scoffs. Despite Sunday's faith in him, he had no plans of leaving Acheron or Aventurine. He was going to see this through to the end.
"Ready?" Acheron asks Veritas, waiting for his signal to head out. Veritas nods, putting his gun away. It was finally time to help Aventurine.
Aventurine— Kakavasha?— isn't sure where he is now. He feels oddly disconnected from his body, like it isn't there anymore. He's vaguely aware of his movements, but they don't seem to entirely match up with what he's doing. Thinking about it hurts too much, so he's mostly stopped that now.
Kakavasha— Aventurine?— is in the desert now, though he has no recollection of how he got here. Anything resembling a desert was far from the apartment complex he and Veritas were hiding out in. He wonders if Veritas is ok. Now that he's feeling calmer, Aventurine is starting to feel bad about how he acted.
Where does he go from here? He doesn't have a family— no longer has a family— and even just being near a person has him start to freak out. If he hurts someone like this, would he care? Or would he be so far gone it doesn't register to him anymore? Has he already—
No, he can't think like that. It was already hard enough to think. He didn't need to make it harder.
Aventurine keeps walking, unable to do anything else. Sometimes his systems work, sometimes they don't. At this point he's given up on figuring out what to do.
Eventually, the sand starts to clear. Wind he didn't feel before comes to a stop as he stands in the center of the sun's harsh rays. His systems could overheat, but it wouldn't be the same as if he had skin. He stands there, unmoving, until someone steps into his view. Aventurine opens his mouth to tell them to move away from him when he stops.
She has his eyes. Magenta cyan swirls of color stare back at him. She's shorter than him, and he can't focus on why that feels wrong when she looks up at him and smiles. "Kakavasha." she whispers, and it feels like a home he doesn't belong in.
Aventurine can only nod, watching in fascination as the young girl in front of him shows no signs of fear. She's strong in Kakavasha's memories,— taller than the sky and larger than life. It feels weird to think Aventurine and Kakavasha were taller than her. "You shouldn't be here." he manages to say, not wanting to potentially hurt her even if she's only a memory.
She doesn't move. It strikes him now that he doesn't remember her name. He wonders if Kakavasha did. Did he cry when he realized he no longer knew? "You shouldn't be here either." she says, taking his arm without a second of doubt and leading him away. "C'mon, let's go somewhere else."
"Where?"
"Anywhere you want, Kakavasha. We can go wherever we want."
"No we can't."
"Yes we can!"
The banter comes easy, and the laughter that follows is even easier. She leads him to a series of large tents, pulling him under one and into the shade that grants them relief from the sun. She looks up at him and asks, "Isn't this nicer?"
He nods. "It is." They don't speak for a moment as Aventurine takes a look around. It's sparse, but it feels more comfortable than anything he's known before. He wouldn't mind staying here forever if he could. "Why did you bring me here?"
"Don't you want to be at home, Kakavasha?"
"I don't have a home anymore unfortunately." He sighs, looking up at the harsh sky still peeking out. "This isn't home. It's a nice memory, but that's all it will be. Something nice."
The young girl frowns. "What's wrong with staying in a nice memory?" She sounds so young when she says it. She is so young. It wasn't fair she was gone so soon.
"It isn't real." Kakavasha says, hugging his sister one last time. It feels real, like he's hugging someone solid. "You're not real, but that's ok. I think I need to go back to Veritas."
"He's a doctor, right? Is he going to help you?" she asks him, her hands holding him just as tightly.
"He is. He'll help me." Kakavasha assures her. He isn't entirely sure how Veritas could help him, but all he knows is that Veritas is safe.
Unconfirmed Lifeforms Detected. Scanning…
"Let me hug my little brother for a little longer, ok?" His sister asks, and how could he say no to her?
Warning! Hostile Lifeforms Detected.
"Go ahead, sis." he smiles, his body remaining in its place.
Confirmed Life Form: Veritas Ratio.
Everyone is panting by the time Aventurine is placed gently on the ground. They were expecting a fight, but they weren't expecting just how hard Aventurine would fight them. Sunday was pretty much useless in a fight considering he was a hologram but he worked as a good distraction. Acheron nearly unsheathed her katana in the fight, a sight that still makes the hairs on Veritas's neck stand up. Even when she stopped, he could feel the raw energy emitting from her weapon. What kind of power was she capable of? He might be lucky to not know.
The only thing that stopped Acheron from needing to escalate the fight was Aventurine suddenly hugging Veritas. The scholar had no idea what was going on behind Aventurine's red eyes, but it seemed his mind was disconnected from his body. Whoever he was hugging, he didn't want to let go. Veritas carefully hugged him back, hoping his own emotions could be felt as Acheron got the shutdown program to work.
With Aventurine now safe from both others and himself, the real work could begin. Acheron kneels next to Aventurine to get to work as Veritas makes his way back to Sunday. The priest watches over the androids with a critical eye, making sure nothing was going wrong from his point of view. Veritas positions himself in front of Sunday, blocking his line of sight as Acheron carefully pulled up a screen for Black Swan to use so she could see and assist.
"My beliefs on androids will not be swayed by the display of violence I saw her commit." Sunday says, judgmental eyes peering into his. After everything, Veritas doesn't have the same fear he used to hold towards the man. A different light has been cast upon him. He was still the one who killed Aventurine without warning, but he was also scared. Afraid. For better or worse, Veritas thinks he understands Sunday a little better now. Watching someone you love become a completely different person was a terrifying experience for him. That wasn't to say Sunday had the exact same experiences as him, or justified everything else he was doing, but Veritas thinks he learned something new about him. How odd.
"I did not expect it to." Veritas says back, aware of how Sunday's shoulders tensed at every slight sound that made its way back to him. "You know, Aventurine really is a delightful person to talk with if you let him. When you first shot him you barely got to hear him speak."
"I… don't think he'd be amiable to a conversation. But, thank you. I have no interest in fostering any new relationships at the moment but I do believe everything you've said to me thus far."
Veritas turns around at this point, hearing Acheron stand up. She turns her hand, Black Swan appearing on her palm. Sunday doesn't comment on it, just far away enough that he couldn't see the code that made up her body. The Memokeeper's smile told Veritas everything might be alright. "Nothing seems to be too badly damaged. Aventurine is a fighter. I administered something that could be considered medicine. His systems will decide if the memories need to be purged or not."
"And you cannot remove the memories themselves?" Sunday asks, an eyebrow raised at her decision. "Would it not be easier to be rid of the root of the issue?"
Black Swan only shakes her head, unaffected by Sunday's words. "Performing brain surgery is never easy on humans or androids alike. With androids, at least, his systems will take the best course of action. He still has autonomy, Mister Sunday, and he can still decide for himself what he wants to do with the memories."
Despite his displeased expression, Sunday doesn't argue with her. "Very well. To hold up my end of the bargain, I shall take my leave. I don't ask for any updates on the android, but I will appreciate none of you coming back to this location in the near future." His eyes flick to Veritas's direction, the subtle gaze letting him know he was still welcome regardless of his words. The scholar still isn't accepting it, but he supposes the gesture is appreciated. Without anymore parting words, Sunday takes his leave like he said he would. The hologram flickers out of existence once more, leaving the group for good this time.
Veritas sighs, a tension gratefully leaving his shoulders. Whatever happens next would be up to Aventurine. It was a frightening notion, but Veritas had staked everything on the gambler. He'll be back, however that might look. Black Swan looks pleased with him, and even Acheron gives him a nod of acknowledgement.
Acheron breaks the silence first. "We'll carry him like last time?" she asks him as Black Swan's own projection disappears. A short laugh escapes Veritas as he nods. Perhaps their relationship hasn't deteriorated as much as he feared.
The two turn back to Aventurine, getting ready to pick him up and carry him back to Black Swan's base when his sensors start to beep. Without wasting any time, Veritas drops to his knees and pulls up Aventurine's diagnostic screens. His systems seem to have already started the processes deemed the best to take, various programs running and shutting down just as fast. Acheron watches over them as the screens suddenly grow dark and disappear.
"Aventurine?" Veritas whispers, watching with bated breath to see if Aventurine would move. For a moment, nothing seems to happen. Veritas is about to lose hope when the android suddenly starts back up. Magenta cyan eyes stare back at him as Aventurine's lips curl up into a familiar and well missed grin.
"Seems your bet on me paid off, Veri."
Veritas doesn't even have a remark for that, throwing his arms around Aventurine again as he holds him tightly. Mechanical arms hold him back as they hug on the floor.
Aventurine was ok.
There was a lot of things to be packed up before they could continue their journey. Aventurine still likes the idea of going to see Topaz. Maybe they won't bring up much of the aftermath of their Sanctuary trip to her. It'd spare them the pain of having to explain everything, and it'd probably save Ratio from Topaz's wrath if she learns what he did.
Aventurine still isn't sure what to think about it either. Once Black Swan had confirmed that he was ok for real, Ratio had explained everything. He talked about Kakavasha, about the more shady parts of the Company, and of his choice to go against Kakavasha's wishes and leave all of his memories within Aventurine. The android had unknowingly been a living sigil for Kakavasha this whole time. It was an odd feeling to know exactly what he was now. A mystery had finally been solved, and yet, it left Aventurine feeling a little empty.
Learning about what Ratio had done was a shock to his system. It hurt a little too much in the moment, and their relationship had definitely suffered because of it. And yet, Aventurine finds he can't stay mad at Ratio for too long. Grief does weird things to people. It was why Kakavasha decided to give up on living. It was why Ratio wanted to preserve his memory of him. It was why Sunday chose to make a safe place for humans only. Now that Aventurine was stable enough to separate himself from Kakavasha, he gets to look at this man with an objectivity no one else has.
Kakavasha's life was incredibly tragic. Aventurine could understand why he took the path he did. If it weren't for his death, Aventurine wouldn't be standing here now pondering about it instead of packing. Kakavasha gave him a gift, whether he knew about it or not. Aventurine had made the tough choice to keep the memories of Kakavasha, to remember the man that created him. Not just him, but also the people in his life that were gone long before the android revolts started. It felt right, and Aventurine has yet to regret the decision.
He should probably finish packing up. Ratio liked to be on time when they had plans in motion. He had already calculated the time it would take for them to get to the next town over while carrying their supplies. Aventurine gets back to work, getting everything sorted as Ratio walks into the room. He doesn't step past the doorway, still giving Aventurine space.
"I finished the other rooms." he says, his eyes just barely on Aventurine before they focus on the floor. "Topaz was quite ecstatic when I gave her the news that we will be going to her. She said the cats have missed us both."
Ratio's cats. It was still weird that Aventurine had two sets of memories about them. He had met them as both Aventurine and Kakavasha. The memory of them warming up to the android is a cherished one. Cats didn't care about humans or androids. They just wanted cuddles. Letting them stay with Topaz had been for the best. He smiles, the action more real than the last few times he's done it. "Well, I missed them too! I hope she knows I'm going to badger her about all the stuff that's happened to her."
"Oh, she is very aware of it and is actively dreading it." Ratio tells him, their banter slowly returning. "Well, if you are finished here then I will do a final check before we set off." Without giving Aventurine a chance to respond, Ratio disappears back into the apartment. It had been nice for the few days Aventurine was actually upset with him, but now he just misses Ratio's touch.
With everything set up for them to leave, it was time for them to bid farewell to the run down apartment complex that had been their base of operations for so long. It was always bittersweet to be leaving a base, especially when they had been there for a while. It was easy for the broken and forgotten structures to become something like a home. This time Ratio seems to be the more emotional one of the two, taking his time to walk around the rooms one last time before finally exiting the apartment. He had been there longer than Aventurine, so he supposes that's only fair.
"Ready to head out?" Aventurine asks him. Ratio nods, taking one last glance at the place before turning forward.
"I'm ready. We have a lot of ground to cover if we want to make progress while there's still daylight."
"Aye, aye, doc." Aventurine teases as the two set off once more. Black Swan and Acheron had already said their goodbyes earlier, the two having set off on their own journey a day before them. Acheron was a solitary android that tended to follow the wind, and Black Swan liked to go to wherever held the best memories. It had surprised Aventurine to learn they weren't traveling together, but he realized Black Swan's metaphysical body made the decision an easy one to make. Even if she traveled far, she would never be too far from Acheron. It was a sweet thought, and it made him think of himself and Ratio.
"Hey…" Aventurine starts, but Ratio unintentionally cuts him off.
"Aventurine, I must apologize again for how my behavior had affected you." Ratio apologizes, the two not stopping their walk as he continues to speak. "I could have caused you worse harm than what you had gone through, and the blame lies with me. If you want to travel on your own, I would understand. I do not want you to feel like you have to bind yourself to me because of a decision I had made in grief."
Those words make Aventurine stop. Unable to hold it in, he pulls Veritas closer to him and kisses him. The pressing of lips together makes Veritas flinch, their teeth embarrassingly clinking slightly before they figure out a rhythm. Aventurine pulls back first, happy to see the way Veritas's ears gain a blush at their tips. "I'm not angry with you anymore, and I certainly don't want to travel on my own. You gave me so many chances over the years for me to back down, and I never back down from a challenge."
Aventurine smiles, watching the light dance in Veritas's eyes. "You're stuck with me, Veri. We can figure this out together, the same way we always have."
Dumbfounded, Veritas could only nod. "I… yes. Yes, I would love that. Shall we keep walking?"
Aventurine grins, the two returning to their walking pace. They move side by side, ready for whatever life wanted to throw their way next. They could handle it.
Notes:
And that's the end! Wow! I'm still shocked I even finished this honestly. Thank you to the mods who organized this event. There were a lot of ups and downs in getting this made but I had a lot of fun. Hooray for 20k aventio fics!
backdrafts on Chapter 3 Mon 15 Dec 2025 04:51AM UTC
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Janett (Guest) on Chapter 3 Mon 15 Dec 2025 03:45PM UTC
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