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Life was changing, just like that.
It wasn’t just about the fact that Ratio had altered his physical appearance; although the cat ears and tail were new and different, there was little about Ratio himself that would truly be altered…or, at least, Aventurine hoped that was the case. He was still a professor, still a doctor, still everything Aventurine knew and loved. There was just…a little extra now.
An ‘extra’ being, well…a pregnancy. He was barely two months along, so nothing was guaranteed, but Aventurine had high hopes for their future child. He’d be lying if he didn’t feel anxious about the concept of becoming a father; of course he’d worried about the way he’d raise his future children in the past when it was just a fleeting idea, but it was a much more tangible feeling now that it had a strong chance to become reality. What example would he lead? Would he tell his child about their heritage?
Would they face the same horrors he had one day?
Thoughts like that made his stomach churn with that anxiety, bringing little more than nausea and misery to him - so he did his best to push those thoughts away. It wouldn’t help to fuss over things like that, especially once the baby had arrived. All he could do was what he thought was best for them.
Besides, he had an amazing partner to work through it all with. Ratio didn’t give off the most paternal of vibes, but Aventurine had seen him interact with children before. There was no mistaking the fond glimmer in his eyes as he knelt down to meet the eye-level of a child trying to ask him a question, only to answer with a digestible response. He was the type to cradle an infant in his arm as he gave a lecture, so that its parent may fully devote to the lesson at hand without distraction.
Ratio was going to make a phenomenal father.
Aventurine…well, he was just going to do his best and support where he could.
It was a late summer evening when Aventurine arrived to pick his mate up for the day, having elected to do so from the day he’d found out his mate was expecting. Ratio had called it highly unnecessary, but Aventurine knew better; they both loved having the extra time spent together on their commute home.
Besides, his poor mate had been having a hell of a time hormonally. His primary care doctor had warned him he’d experience heat flashes frequently, and to have the proper avenues ready to anticipate them. At work, that meant finding a quiet place to rest until the flash passed - which was available in the form of his office.
At home, that meant Aventurine would take care of him. Thoroughly.
The frequency with which his heat flashes occurred had begun to affect his very scent recently, causing him to smell as though he were in the firm grip of pre-heat. It was a constant, addictive smell, and Aventurine could not resist it. Perhaps that, too, was why he elected to pick him up every day.
In his hand were a bunch of white tulips; he’d selected them himself, having chosen half-bloomed buds so that they may open in the majesty of his office or on their counter at home, whatever he decided. Flowers were best enjoyed in full bloom, after all.
He walked the long route toward Ratio’s lecture hall, turning corners and getting turned around a few times before he finally found the right room to enter. He turned the knob and opened the door, peeking inside curiously.
Inside sat his mate, leaning atop the edge of his lecture desk with his arms crossed and one foot kicked up, heel pressed back against the desk as well. Surrounding him were several different men Aventurine had never seen before - but judging by the mixing scents in the room, he could tell that they were all alphas.
His stomach twinged with distaste as he scanned the room, having not quite been noticed yet as they spoke.
“Perhaps a collaboration could be arranged?”
“Mr. Wilke, please elaborate.” Ratio’s voice was…curious. “What sort of collaboration?”
“Well. What would you consider worth a little dignity, Doctor?” Aventurine could see it, plain as day; not only were they seemingly about to proposition him, but Ratio looked as though he were completely comfortable amongst the dirty, roaming stares he was getting from each of the alphas. He knew they could smell him; Aventurine could just from the doorway. “To get that funding in order-”
Why was his pregnant mate in a situation like this?
“Sorry, am I interrupting something?” He couldn’t help himself from speaking up. Even if his mate seemed to trust these people, he hated the way they were looking at him. He needed to get him out of that room.
Aventurine had a sharp smile on his face, his eyes roaming through the room as his scent flared into the room challengingly.
The lone omega’s scent sharpened somewhat in response, which Aventurine did not miss. It brought his rising itch to establish his dominance a little relief, knowing he knew who he belonged to, but it did not settle the anger stirring low within him directed at the alphas blatantly eyeing a claimed omega. He understood some didn’t care to respect an established bond, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t up for defending it.
“Uh, yeah, you are,” growled the apparent Wilke, who turned his gaze toward Aventurine in the form of a leer. “Who’s this?”
“Ah. That would be my mate.” A sigh escaped him, before he spoke again. “That will be all for today, gentlemen. You know where to find me.” Ratio rose off of the desk, turning his gaze to Aventurine with a bit of a frown as the crowd dispersed reluctantly, shooting curious glances or glares in the blond alpha’s direction.
Aventurine walked deeper into the room, his smile tense as he strolled past the line of exiting strangers leading up to his mate. Ratio’s frown deepened as their eyes met again, his arms still crossed over his chest.
“What are you doing here?” He asked crossly, which sent a pang through Aventurine’s chest at the unexpected bite in his tone. Ouch.
“Picking you up,” he answered curtly, his cool smile unbreaking. “You know, like I’ve done every day these past few weeks?” Perhaps he was being harsh, but Ratio seemed like he didn’t want him there, and that bothered him.
Ratio relaxed, his ears flattening somewhat as though chagrined. “Forgive me, but that was important. I’m trying to earn funding for the school in time for a festival they’re wanting to hold.”
“Seems like a hefty price for a little money.” He hated to sound so accusatory, but he couldn’t resist his knee-jerk reaction to assume the worst. “You seemed awfully willing to pay it, too.”
“What?” Either he didn’t understand, or he couldn’t believe what he was hearing; either way, Ratio sounded incredulous. “You have a lot to say about an encounter you were not a part of.”
“Just commenting on what I saw with my own two eyes.”
“Aventurine..” Ratio pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed with another puff of breath exhaling from his mouth. “We will discuss this when we get home.” He paused, gaze softening as he noticed the flowers in his hand. “Are those for me?”
“Yes.” They were, he thought but didn’t say. He felt dejected, but being snarky would only worsen their predicament. Besides, they were for him; that wasn’t something he could just reasonably take back because he was upset.
‘Upset’ - he was still angry, still felt it burning a hole in his stomach as he offered the bunch to his mate, who took them and briefly inhaled their scent with a perk of his ears. It just didn’t make sense why his employer, knowing his situation, would allow him to be alone in a room full of alphas for the purpose of discussing money.
And why was Ratio so relaxed in that situation? Was it the scents of the other alphas calming him, like anyone would do?
It had to be the omega’s scent pushing him this far, he knew that, but it didn’t stop him from continuing to think as irrationally as he had been.
“They’re lovely. Thank you.” Ratio seemed to have paused the conversation entirely in his mind, considering the little smile he gave Aventurine - and that was what finally won him over a little, his tense shoulders drooping a bit.
Apparently, his expression must have given something away anyway, because that smile faltered a bit before Ratio sighed again and placed the flowers carefully in the empty vase atop his desk, making sure they were stable before he crossed his arms and began to walk toward the door.
“Come on, then. I’m not discussing this where someone may overhear us.”
The trip to the car was brief, silent, and uncomfortable. If Aventurine had a tail, it would be lashing back and forth - but Ratio’s was calmly trailing behind himself, the fur somewhat ruffled as it bounced lightly with each step he took. The alpha busied himself with watching that tail as they made their way out of the building, lest he go running his mouth prematurely.
The second they got in the car and began to head home, Aventurine let go of the need to help himself.
“A group of alphas?” he blurted out in disbelief. “With you? Alone?”
“Aventurine-”
“They may not be able to tell you’re pregnant yet, but you-” Aventurine paused, inhaling briefly as if to try and calm his raging nerves. They’re trying to take your mate, his instincts snarled at him, and his grip on the steering wheel grew fierce. “You know what alphas are like. Especially when you smell like that.”
“This seems like projection,” Ratio commented, gazing out the window with a frown on his face. “Perhaps we should reassess-”
“Reassess what? The fact that your mate doesn’t like you being put in a situation like that? What is there to ‘reassess’, Veritas?”
His mate glanced at him briefly, frown deepening. “We should reassess what may be making you react like this,” he corrected. “Are you sure we shouldn’t explore medication?”
“You want me to see a shrink because of this?” Aventurine laughed. “Are you serious?”
“No, I think you should find a proper rut suppressant until this phase of my pregnancy dies down. Kakavasha, please. Take a moment and think about why you’re acting this way.”
Aventurine was silent, the tense smile on his face wobbling a bit.
“I just want my mate to be safe,” he finally said. “Is that too much to ask?”
“And I want mine to be stable and happy.” It wasn’t a jab, but it certainly felt like one regardless.
Aventurine didn’t have a response for that - particularly, because they pulled into their shared home not long after, but because he knew deep down that Ratio was right as well.
And yet, the minute they stepped foot into the house, they were talking again.
Aventurine didn’t want to continue. Not when he knew he was going to be backed into a corner logically.
“Can’t we discuss this further?” Ratio swayed a little where he stood, which was strange. Aventurine decided to focus on that instead.
“Are you okay?” The fur on his tail was still kinked out of whack, lashing back and forth while his ears pinned back, Aventurine noticed.
“…yes,” he answered hesitantly. His pupils were blown out as he licked his lips, growing hazier by the second. Was it…? “I just- I believe I’m just..” His scent was quickly ripening, giving Aventurine the out he was so desperate for. He dove on the chance in seconds.
“You’re flaring up,” he said, pressing a hand to his forehead. Sure enough, he was hot to the touch, searing his skin with the light burning sensation. “We can talk about this later. Let me take care of you for now.”
“No, I don’t think-”
“‘No’?” he echoed, feeling his instincts flare up at the rejection. He stepped back, feeling a little pinch of relief when the omega chased his touch instead of continuing his denial.
“W-well…wait…” The omega relaxed as Aventurine cupped his cheek, melting into the touch as his resistance began to fade. He knew it was just Ratio being stubborn about wanting to talk.
That was the last thing Aventurine wanted to do, inevitable or not. He just wanted to stake his claim again, be reminded that no one was taking his mate away - and then he’d be okay.
“I love you,” Ratio murmured in a tender tone, nuzzling into his hand with a light purr building in his throat as his hooded eyes gazed down at Aventurine, dark with desire and yearning. “You know that, right?”
“Mhm.” His eyes were just as half-lidded as he watched the omega, impatience eating away at his composure.
What if he’d gone into heat like this when those alphas were surrounding him? They’d have savaged his precious mate, taken whatever they wanted through sheer numbers alone - and then what? What excuse could be given from anyone that would have allowed it to happen?
Aventurine released an aggravated breath, pulling Ratio in and scenting him aggressively as the omega purred, his tail sputtering from the way the blond honed in on his neck to nibble and lick at the sensitive skin there. His head rolled, exposing more of his skin to explore - including the bite scar on his mating gland, which was the next thing Aventurine shot for.
Teeth sank in roughly and Ratio choked on a moan, sounding more like a whine the longer the bite held. He clawed at Aventurine’s hair, pulling him closer, until he felt those teeth sinking deeper, deeper, until he was pulling and scrabbling at Aventurine’s scalp with a dazed moan that warped into a sharp hiss of pain as the skin began to break.
Aventurine finally let go once he could taste blood again, lapping over the wound carelessly as he guided the omega toward their couch and released him to push him down onto it.
Clutching his neck wound, Ratio looked up at the alpha, arousal and desire heavy in his demeanor despite the slight glimmer of unease Aventurine swore he could see in those dazzling eyes of his.
Unease? What for?
Aventurine impatiently tugged his mate’s pants down his legs, watching with satisfaction as the heat-addled omega stripped his upper half in response, caring only for his relief in the moment. Once he was stripped, Aventurine crawled on top of him, sucking in a slow, deep breath to inhale as much of his scent as he possibly could. Rich, heady from slick, addictive-
He could feel the way his instincts were guiding every move he made, insisting he stake his claim and remind this omega who he belonged to.
Oh, he would be reminded.
His fingers traced up Ratio’s thigh slowly as he planted his left hand by his head, watching him with a hungry stare as the omega squirmed and sighed under him, savoring the touch and yet obviously seeking more than what meager amount Aventurine had to offer so far.
“Please,” he purred softly, and Aventurine’s hand finally continued its upward movement, spreading his palm across his smooth skin to push his leg to spread apart from the other.
Eager, Ratio complied, spreading his thighs expectantly - but he was met with nothing but more delicate touching, Aventurine’s gloved fingers ghosting every muscle in his leg leading up to his already soaked pussy, which was clearly waiting for attention.
He spread his folds open with two sets of fingers, exposing his clit to the cold air with a gasp that sent his arousal spiking. His cock was already hard, trapped in his pants and throbbing with want, but he wanted more than just to rut and knot him. No, he needed a stark reminder of who he belonged to - what pleasure could feel like with his mate, and no one else.
He released the omega before he poised two fingers against his clit, barely offering any touch as he swirled them in a smooth, easy circle. Ratio’s breath shuddered with a moan as Aventurine leaned close, his head tipping back and eyes gazing up at him like he’d hung the moon and stars.
Why wasn’t that enough to satisfy this discontent he felt?
Impatient, he pressed harder, fingers keeping their rhythm despite the added pressure. He could feel Ratio’s hips twitching, rocking into the touch as his breaths stirred into something rougher, his hands reaching up for the blond as he pulled himself upright and nuzzled into his neck.
Aventurine shuddered as he felt hot breath on his throat, a warm face burying in his collar as the omega huffed his scent and rutted into his fingers like an animal. A weak, desperate moan escaped the usually-composed professor, like Aventurine’s full attention alone was enough to make him break down into a mess. It was — titillating, and more importantly, it felt good to have his hindbrain reassured that the omega still wanted him.
Or would he be like this for anyone? a treacherous voice asked in the back of his mind, causing his hand to falter and the omega to purr and nuzzle into him desperately, one of his hands clutching at Aventurine’s arm as his tail sputtered and lashed impatiently. Did Veritas Ratio have this point in him readily accessible for anyone who found him in this state, or was it reserved for Aventurine? Was this reduction base level instinct or love for his mate?
His mind flashed again with the alphas from earlier, particularly, the leader - what had he been about to say? What was he going to ask of Ratio? The thought was driving him crazy.
It made him feel sick, angry, but his arousal was still at the forefront, still urging him to please his mate, to tie him well and full with a knot - to make sure his scent was all over the other man, unable to be parsed separately from his own.
Aventurine’s hand was moving only somewhat now, distracted by his thoughts, but he was brought back by Ratio’s motions growing jerky, his hips rocking into the vague touch greedily as a tongue dragged up his throat, bringing another delighted shiver up his spine.
His hand lifted off of the couch as his knee planted down on it instead, bringing his freed appendage up to tangle his fingers in Ratio’s hair and pull, lifting his head away from him to watch his expression contort somewhat with - what, pain? He was barely pulling. His mate’s eyes fluttered open to stare up at him, widening somewhat as Aventurine’s slow rubbing suddenly picked up the pace.
Careful, easy circles became rougher in pressure and back-and-forth in motion, drawing out a moan from the other man as his ears flattened and his legs bent inward, eyes betraying his desperation as his lips parted for his sounds to escape freely. Aventurine’s breath trembled as he felt the powerful throbbing of the nub against his fingers, able to identify the approach of his orgasm even before his thighs had begun to tremble and his body began to squirm.
Wet, slick sounds filled the room as Ratio’s hips bucked and rolled into the touch, his ears flat against his head and sensitive tears gathering in his eyes as his pussy clenched on nothing, craving to be filled with something.
But Aventurine denied him that something, instead guiding him to the edge with not a thing but outward stimulation.
“Please,” he moaned, urgency gaining in his voice as he rode Aventurine’s touch desperately, “I- ngghh-” His words melted into grit-teeth garbling as his eyelids fluttered and clear fluid shot from his pussy in a powerful arc, only able to release a sob of pleasure as his cunt twitched and convulsed in explosive response to the mild touching he’d received. Aventurine’s hand never stopped, his breaths rough and heavy as he inhaled the scent of sex, of cum and arousal and hunger, fueling each little sputter of arousal from his pussy.
And yet, instead of getting off of him to start the main event, Aventurine pushed him back against the couch again and dove between his thighs, sinking down to the floor to shove his face into his pussy as it drooled and wept onto the couch beneath him.
“A-Aventur—wait!” Ratio’s weak plea fell on deaf ears, Aventurine’s tongue first lapping across his mate’s winking hole before teasing at it with the tip, feeling it kiss at the caressing muscle desperately like it was begging to be filled. He licked his way up to the messy, wet flesh waiting for his attention, thoroughly and expertly cleaning away the excess slick while Ratio shook and bucked under him, gasping for air and mercy as his fingers pulled and tugged at Aventurine’s hair in oversensitivity.
Two of Aventurine’s fingers nudged at his hole carefully before he paused to pull off his glove - and then, after slicking them, pushed inside, savoring the way his walls clamped down on him instantly.
His lips hovered carefully before he latched onto his clit, tongue pushing under the hood of his pussy to fish it out so he could suck and moan into it, driving a sharp arch in Ratio’s back as he howled and suddenly came a second time - this time, his entire body shaking as he pulled and scratched at Aventurine’s scalp, twisting and bucking and clawing as he sobbed and mewled in ecstasy. His pussy practically swallowed his fingers as he pumped them in and out steadily, curling just enough to make Ratio’s toes curl in mirror response.
Garbled nonsense was spilling from the professor’s mouth as he struggled to comprehend his haywire senses, body shaking intensely and tail twitching restlessly as Aventurine kept him going, refusing to let the fire die as his tongue fluttered and laved over his throbbing clit. Frantic whines and high-pitched moans were all he could hear among the rest of the wet sounds he was causing, suddenly feeling thighs snap shut on either side of his head in the fight to earn a little mercy, a little breathing room.
…until he realized Ratio was using his tightly-shut thighs to rut against Aventurine’s face, subconsciously riding the pleasure despite his tacit begging for a break.
How could he refuse?
Aventurine groaned into his meal, adoring the powerful shudder that rippled through his mate’s body in response as he sang with overwhelmed bliss, his body jerking and contorting involuntarily as his next orgasm shook him. Only then did Aventurine start to let up, pushing Ratio’s thighs open to release him from his torment as he quivered and twitched, each breath punctuated with a sharp gasp. The omega melted into the couch, his legs going slack with relief as his head lolled backward and he stared at the ceiling exhaustedly.
Aventurine rose, standing over him with a rough exhale as he started to unbuckle his pants, opening them up slowly while Ratio’s ears pricked, his tail lifting from its limp position to flick and twitch impatiently.
Sure enough, despite the satisfaction he’d been brought, there was still a hungry glimmer in those eyes.
Aventurine dropped onto the couch with him, planting his knee in place of the leg he lifted up to hike over his shoulder. His nails raked across Ratio’s skin, leaving red lines in their place and drawing a soft hiss from his lips as he shifted, spreading away his other leg to allow room for Aventurine to slot himself in place.
The alpha wasted no time in lining his cock up, smearing it through just enough slick that he was able to press inside - and then sharply thrust forward, bottoming out in one swift movement.
A strangled noise escaped from Ratio, who reached for Aventurine with a shaky whimper. The blond refused him for the time being, focused solely on staking his claim as he started a pace, his thrusts powerful, slow, and purposeful.
The omega panted heavily as he was filled, whines punctuating each deep-reaching thrust as their hips met. Aventurine sank his teeth into the calf of the leg propped up on his shoulder, finding a cruel satisfaction in the way Ratio yelped under him in response.
One look down at him told Aventurine why he wasn’t saying anything, why he wasn’t fighting his rough hand; the poor thing was lost in his heat, his eyes so blown out he couldn’t identify what color they were anymore. He was ready to take whatever Aventurine had for him.
That, or whatever anyone would have for him. The thought spiked Aventurine’s aggression, his hips suddenly snapping forward a lot rougher than he had before. He released his hold on his leg, trailing vicious bites and nips up his leg and thigh as he hunched over the omega, fucking into him with a cruel vigor.
All Ratio could do was whimper and claw at the cushions as Aventurine took exactly what he wanted, pounding into him with each wet slap of flesh filling the air and driving him further into an angry stupor, wanting nothing more than the pleasure, the catharsis.
Mine. He panted hotly into the air as his gaze rose from where their hips met to Ratio’s stomach, his belly barely distended from its usual position. That was right; even if these other alphas wanted him, Aventurine had already staked his claim in the form of his pregnancy. Greedily, his hand smothered the bump, covering it as though he could feel their child even as small as it was currently. His nails scraped across his flesh with a particularly rough thrust, focused on nothing but his own satisfaction as the pleasure built.
Ratio was rather quiet, save for the odd gasp and whine, but Aventurine barely noticed; all he could see was the look of pleasure contorting his features, the tears of overstimulation in his eyes from being pushed so far.
Aventurine finally gave the omega what he was after, leaning down into him - and, in a mean streak, bit into his shoulder, drawing a cry of pain from him; there, that was more like it. He wanted to hear his voice, hear him sing like he usually did, even if it meant that song was a little sour with pain. His hands groped at his chest as his thrusting grew shallow, desperate, twisting his nipple and causing him to squirm with a gasp of pleasure. Ratio’s hands grabbed at him, clung to him desperately, as though seeking a comfort he was not yet willing to give.
His knot was swelling, driving his instincts haywire. All he could think about was his mate, mating him, making him mine, mine, mine-
He shoved his growing knot to stretch his poor mate’s pussy, rutting it inside before he forced it back out, again and again, despite the way Ratio began to claw and scratch at his shoulders in a scrambling mess to handle the pressure, the pain of effort.
It was when he latched onto his mating bite again, teeth digging into the fresh wound and drawing a frantic sob from Ratio, that the knot finally grew too large - locking them together as he began to fill his mate with all of his stress, anger, and frustration. Aventurine shuddered, fingers sinking into his flesh as he ground against him, savoring the flight of his high like it were a long drag off of a cigarette.
Ratio went slack beneath him mere moments afterward, causing Aventurine to let go and lift his head, smearing away blood from his mouth with a shaky hand as he observed his blacked-out mate.
And…his eyes roamed his body, or at least what he could see, finding numerous bites, scratches, and bruises dotting his mate’s form.
All caused by Aventurine.
Perhaps it would be easier to digest if this was a norm for them, but Aventurine never lost control like this. He’d never been so rough before.
The more his head cleared, and clarity hit him, the more awful he felt.
What have I done? His fingers trembled as he delicately touched Ratio’s face, turning his head to the side to examine the angry, red wound he’d made on the side of his neck. He’d have to use first-aid on that, once they separated.
His gaze dropped to his stomach, where red welt lines and even a few bloody trails lay in the wake of his abuse, directly over where their child lay growing. His heart lurched in his chest, feeling sick all of a sudden.
How could he let himself threaten their child like this? Any type of rough handling or crude treatment meant danger for their baby. And yet there he was - leaving his mate completely battered, all because he’d gotten jealous.
His throat tightened, gently prodding his mate.
“Veritas?” he said softly, his voice breaking a little as he continued. “We can talk about it…”
No response. As expected, his mate was completely out of it - of course he was. He’d forced three orgasms on him and still made him go through sex, so of course he’d be exhausted by it all.
Aventurine buried his hands in his hair, taking a shaky breath as he tried to stay calm. His mind flashed, remembering seeing unease and pain on his mate’s face multiple times through the affair. And he’d just…ignored it.
His chest heaved shallowly, quietly, as he felt his eyes beginning to burn. His hands slid down to his face, dropping his head in shame.
What are you freaking out for? You did this, he told himself. And it was true. Aventurine had dodged their conversation by insisting he needed to help Ratio through his flash. Aventurine had made the conscious decision to manhandle him, knowing he was pregnant. Aventurine had done everything - all Ratio had done was make a suggestion after an apparent misunderstanding.
And he’d taken everything out on him.
Parts of him were still arguing with his rational mind, insisting that his dominance had been threatened, his claim had been challenged - but that was the issue right there.
Veritas was not some object to be possessed. He was not something to ‘claim’ and hold stake over. He was his own person, his own omega, and Aventurine needed to properly digest that - all of him.
So…perhaps he’d been right. Rut suppressants were readily accessible for someone like Aventurine; if it meant his mate and baby were safe from things like this happening again, maybe…it was for the best that he started them.
He couldn’t stay stagnant like this, not when he had a baby on the way. Aventurine may be able to protect that baby from the horrors of his own past - but that didn’t mean he couldn’t cause horrors of his own by refusing to be better.
He could only begin to imagine what kind of terrible life he could create from a mate that no longer trusted him and a child that feared what he would do if pushed too far.
The thought made him sick to his stomach.
Aventurine slowly, shakily sank down against Ratio, pressing his ear to his chest to hear his heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
His eyes slipped shut, and he exhaled softly with relief. Still okay. Still alive.
But something was missing, wasn’t it?
Aventurine gently scratched Ratio’s scalp as he slept, brushing his fingers between his ears, and yet…
Nothing.
Not a hint of his usual purr as he slept, something he always did when cuddled up with Aventurine. A constant Aventurine never thought he’d have to go without.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, feeling wetness drip across his face and onto Ratio’s chest. “I swear I’ll be better.”
He had to be. This wasn’t something breakfast in bed and pampering could fix.
This was something Aventurine was going to have to take by the wheel and direct all on his own.
Even if it killed him inside.