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Aventurine is greeted by a plaintive mew and the nudge of a soft paw against his arm when he hazily returns to consciousness. Groaning at the crick in his neck and the throbbing ache in his head, he frees one arm from where it had been pillowed underneath him to let the cat-cake on his desk nuzzle against it. "Is that you, First?" he mumbles. "Don't be a busybody… I'll be in bed in, um…"
"It's almost four in the morning, gambler. The cats expected you in bed hours ago."
Stirred into wakefulness by the reproving voice, Aventurine lifts his head, dredging up a smile. Ratio is standing at the door to his office, arms crossed as he stares back at Aventurine; from the frown creasing Ratio's brow, Aventurine gathers that his smile must not be convincing. "Shouldn't you be in bed, Doctor?" Aventurine teases gently, which earns him a reproachful glare.
"I was in bed. I got woken by a distressed cat-cake who was extremely worried about why you were not." Ratio walks over, giving First a pat before he cups his hand around Aventurine's cheek instead, tilting his head up to look at him critically. "It's plain that you're beyond exhausted if you fell asleep at your desk. When you said you would be home late, I expected you would get ready for bed immediately upon your return, not go to your office."
"Exceptional circumstances, Doctor," Aventurine murmurs, turning his face into the touch. Ratio's hand is comfortingly soft and warm. First insists on joining in as well from where it's still huddled on Aventurine's desk, dragging itself over to press a paw to Aventurine's other cheek. A laugh slipping out, Aventurine reaches over to give it a few scritches. "I'll be right there, I promise. I just need to… finish this quickly…" He's interrupted by a yawn that brings tears to his eyes, forcing him to blink them away.
"What is so urgent that it can't wait until tomorrow?" Ratio retorts gently, stroking his thumb down Aventurine's cheek. "Unless lives are at stake, I'm sure it can wait."
Aventurine sighs at that, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment to indulge in the comfort of Ratio's touch before forcing them open again. "A child's life is at stake, Ratio. Not in immediate danger, no, but look — " He starts to gesture towards his screen, realises it switched off while he was sleeping, then rolls his eyes. He knows he's sleep deprived, but his mental faculties are worse off than he thought. "Anyway, I need to finish this case report by morning so that Diamond can approve it immediately, and we can get the search for his parents underway. Jade might have forced me to go home, but I can do that much for a scared child who's waiting in police custody, don't you think?"
Ratio's only answer is silence. It's only a beat later that Aventurine realises Ratio's not looking at him — he's staring over Aventurine's shoulder. Glancing back, it's immediately obvious what he's looking at.
Aventurine's heart softens a little as he reaches over, picking up the drawing. It's not particularly recognisable as him, mostly yellow scrawls that are supposed to represent his hair, but he can tell that the figure is holding hands with a smaller one next to it; a self-portrayal of the artist, mostly recognisable from the pointy ears and poofy tail scribbled in red.
Aventurine remembers that tail waving happily when the child pressed this drawing into his hands, smiling up at him shyly before leaning in to whisper to him. I like your hair, big brother. It shines like gold.
Setting the paper back down, Aventurine smooths it out carefully before turning back to Ratio, offering him a smile as he reaches up to lay his hand over Ratio's on his cheek. "I'll be in bed soon, I promise," he says. "Go back and keep the cats company for me in the meantime."
"I think I'd rather keep you company, if it comes down to that," Ratio answers unhesitatingly, and First lets out an approving mew. Before Aventurine can so much as protest, Ratio has pulled up a chair next to him, and First seals the deal by leaping into his lap the moment he sits down. "Carry on," Ratio says, taking out his phone with one hand while he pets First with the other.
Aventurine gapes at him, then decides it's not worth protesting. If Ratio wants to hover and fuss, there's not much he can do to stop him. Shaking his head (and slightly regretting it when it sets his headache off), Aventurine just turns back to his desk to get back to work. He doesn't particularly want to stay up any longer than he has to either, and the sooner he gets done, the sooner he can actually go to bed.
By the time Aventurine hits 'send' on the finished email, he has to fight to keep his eyes open, and his head is throbbing fiercely enough that he's not really sure he wants to bother going back to the bedroom at all. It would be so much easier to just lay his head down on the desk again. He could just lean forward, close his eyes, and…
"I assume you're done now and we can go back to bed."
Aventurine jerks upright at that, then bites back a hiss of pain when that makes his head ache even more sharply. It wasn't Ratio's fault, but Aventurine still glares half-heartedly at him. "Forgot you were there," Aventurine mumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose. What he wouldn't give to get rid of this headache — he wonders if he can get away with another dose of painkillers yet, even if the last dose evidently hasn't done much good.
Ratio's answering gaze is decidedly unimpressed. "I see your headache is worse now. I think it would have been more efficient for you to sleep first and work on your report tomorrow morning, but I knew you wouldn't have accepted that answer." He sets First back on the table, slipping his phone into the pocket of his pyjamas as he stands up. "But since you no longer have any excuses, it's time to get you into bed."
Before Aventurine has even come up with an answer, Ratio has rolled his chair back and leaned over, sliding an arm under Aventurine's knees and the other behind his back. "What — " Aventurine's protest is cut off as Ratio lifts him with ease, an arm instinctively coming up to wind around Ratio's neck to support himself. "You don't need to carry me, Doctor," he hisses. His cheeks are hot, and although the lighting in the office is dim, he doesn't think that will save his blush from being visible. "I'm perfectly capable of walking myself."
"Yes, you are," Ratio deadpans. "I will carry you nonetheless. This way, you cannot make further excuses. Let's go, First."
First hops off the desk with a yawn, shuffling along behind them sleepily as Ratio walks towards the door. Aventurine sighs, giving up and leaning his head against Ratio's chest. He has to admit, it's… nice, even if it's also unnecessary. He's so tired that not having to walk to the bedroom himself is a relief, before he even thinks about his headache. Ratio's attentiveness makes him feel, as ever, both comforted and guilty. "You really should have just gone back to bed instead of sitting up with me for no reason," he mumbles into Ratio's pyjamas. "Also, I haven't washed up. Don't go straight to the bedroom, I need to change."
"That is a prime example of what I would call a 'further excuse'," Ratio retorts. "You need to sleep. I will change our sheets after you wake up if you insist."
"You're really not giving me any outs, are you, Doctor?" Aventurine lets out a laugh. "I suppose I'm not winning this."
"No, you aren't. The sun is already rising as it is. No further delays."
"Is it rising?" Aventurine cracks an eye open, but they're not conveniently passing a window for him to check, nor can he be bothered to dig his phone out. "What time is it?"
"Five-forty. You've stayed up all night, gambler." First obligingly pushes the bedroom door open for them, hopping ahead. Aventurine smiles as it leaps up onto the bed, cuddling down next to Second, who appears to have slept blissfully through the night. Third, however, is awake — it stares at them as they approach, blinking its wide eyes slowly. "Move over, Third," Ratio orders as he approaches, and it hops over to join the other cat-cakes at the foot of the bed as Ratio sets Aventurine down. And then starts tucking him in, like he's a kid.
"Ratio, if you don't get into bed with me, I will get out just to drag you in," Aventurine threatens, which finally stays Ratio's hands. Casting a glance at Aventurine that's half-amused, half-annoyed, Ratio does at least comply. He slides an arm around Aventurine as he gets in, tugging him close.
Aventurine can't deny that this is nice. The cat-cakes are hopping back up to invade their space again now that they're settled in; he can feel one snuggling against his back, and another has wedged itself between his and Ratio's legs. Only Second has been immobile through this. Just before he closes his eyes, he sees Ratio leaning in, and he sighs softly at the touch of lips against his neck.
"Goodnight," Ratio murmurs. "Even if it may be morning."
Aventurine's too sleepy to reply properly, but he makes a vague hum that seems to satisfy Ratio. The last thing he's aware of before slipping into sleep is the sensation of gentle fingers stroking through his hair.
"Oh, Diamond approved my report."
With those words, Aventurine gets Ratio to look up from where he's punching in the synthesiser settings for another helping of waffles. (Aventurine will never stop teasing him about how he's completely reliant on the synthesiser for any sustenance that isn't coffee. It's cute, really, that he's such an advanced chemist but dislikes traditional cooking so much.) "Good," Ratio answers, batting First away from the synthesiser. "Is the matter resolved to your satisfaction?"
"Mm, wait. I need to check my other emails." Aventurine takes another bite of Ratio's synthesiser waffles, chewing thoroughly. It's actually just about dinnertime, so he supposes this is technically dinner — but it's also his first meal since waking up, and Ratio indulged him when he demanded a breakfast meal, so he's going to call it breakfast. Swallowing, he goes on with, "It looks like the search's already started… oh." Aventurine frowns, putting down his fork as he opens the next email. "They found the child's father already."
Ratio pauses with his finger over the 'start' button. "That should be good news," he says cautiously, "but I gather from your tone that it is not."
"Well… no." Aventurine sighs, swiping over to the next email. "He's in the Shackling Prison." Abandoning his waffles for a moment, he takes a swig of his coffee instead. With the sweetness of the syrup still lingering in his mouth, it still ends up tasting bitter despite the milk and sugar he's already poured in.
"…I see. That is unfortunate." Ratio turns back to the synthesiser, but he doesn't start it going. He just pats First instead, possibly to keep it from trying to make another dozen servings of waffles. "Does the child have another parent?"
"They're searching for his mother, but she's gone. The Cloud Knights went to her address earlier today, but they found it completely empty — as if nobody had ever lived there. They're conducting a thorough search now, but who knows when or if they'll ever find her." Aventurine sighs, putting down his coffee. "Don't bother with that second batch of waffles, unless you or the cats want to eat them."
"Alright." Ratio cancels the process and picks First up, returning to the table instead. "Is the child still in police custody?"
"They finished taking all the statements they needed this morning, so Jade dropped him off at one of her orphanages, but it's a temporary arrangement. They don't have the capacity to take him full-time. We're not sure what's going to happen to him yet; since he's from Xianzhou, I suppose chances are he'll be sent back and left in the Xianzhou government's hands eventually… but the red tape's going to take months." Aventurine sighs, leaning his head on one hand as he glares at the screen. "This was supposed to be an easy project. None of us were prepared for this to involve a trafficked child."
Ratio is quiet for a moment as he stares down at his coffee. Eventually, he picks it up, taking a long sip before he speaks. "This child. What is his name?"
"Li Ming. He told me it means 'dawn', apparently." Aventurine smiles faintly at the memory. "He's Foxian. You might have guessed from the drawing, I suppose. I'll go and visit — "
"I would like to come with you, if you would be open to that."
Caught off-guard, Aventurine stares at Ratio, wondering if he heard the words correctly. "Come again?"
"I'd like to see him," Ratio repeats. "If it would be possible. From what I gather…" Ratio hesitates for a second before he pushes on with, "It doesn't sound like this child has anywhere to stay, at least until matters can be resolved with his parents. Which means — if you want to — " Ratio coughs, eyes skittering away from Aventurine's for a second before he inhales, turning to Aventurine with a resolute gaze. "We could have him here for the time being, if you want," he says, and Aventurine thinks his heart may have stopped for a second.
His shock must show on his face, because Ratio resumes his rambling with, "Of course, this suggestion is pretexted on the assumptions that such an arrangement would be feasible from a legal standpoint, and agreeable to the child himself as well, but I can at least promise you that I am willing, if all other involved parties are open to it. I can tell that you care for him, and I know we haven't discussed children yet, but we've been taking care of our three cats for several years by now and I understand that you — "
"Ratio! Ratio, stop." Aventurine laughs, amusement and affection bubbling up in him as he stands up, walking around the table. Taking Ratio's face in his hands, he leans down to shut Ratio up with a thorough kiss, pouring every drop of his delight into it.
Aventurine doesn't pull away until he's breathless, and even then, he can't bring himself to draw back fully. He presses their foreheads together instead, staring into Ratio's dawn-toned eyes. "I would love that," Aventurine whispers. "I didn't think… well, we've never talked about kids before, but — " He laughs again, unable to hold it back. "I wasn't sure you would want it, and asking you a question like, 'hey, would you be willing to take in this kid that has nowhere else to go?' would definitely not be a good way to go about it."
"That was why I asked. I didn't think you would." Ratio's smile is warm as he reaches up to caress Aventurine's cheek. "I assume, of course, that this will be a temporary arrangement. If Li Ming's mother is found and both of them want to reunite, I would certainly not stand in their way. But in the meantime, at least until matters are resolved… I would be happy to have him here." After a pause, he adds, "And either way, whether he ends up staying with us or not, I want to make it clear that I would be open to raising children with you if you want them."
Aventurine's heart is brimming with so much warmth that it feels like it may overflow. "I… well, I guess it's a bit late to say it while we've basically already agreed to foster a child temporarily, huh? But… yes." Aventurine steals another quick kiss, reaching down to take Ratio's hand in his. "I've… been thinking about it. I just wasn't sure how to approach the question."
"I've been thinking about it as well, so that makes two of us," Ratio murmurs. "I will say, this is not how I planned to ask you if you wanted children."
"Does anything ever end up going the way we plan?" Aventurine teases. "A few years ago, I doubt either of us ever thought we'd even end up together."
"I certainly did not, but I'm happy we did." This time, Ratio is the one who steals a kiss, this one long and thorough. Eventually, what makes them pull away is the distinct clink of a plate against the table — and when they both look over to the source of the noise, it's to meet the guilty eyes of a cat-cake with a half-bitten waffle hanging from its mouth.
"Well, I guess I didn't want that one anyway," Aventurine teases, as First slurps up the rest of its stolen treat before they can take the waffle away from it. Ratio rolls his eyes, reaching over to flick First's forehead.
"We'll have to teach these little miscreants to get along properly with a child," he says. "And we'll have quite a few other matters to arrange to get our home ready, not to mention the paperwork and other procedures. It'll be a busy time." With a last quick kiss, Ratio stands up. "I believe I will synthesise that next batch of waffles after all, as First seems keen on finishing your meal."
"At least the other two aren't in the kitchen to fight with it," Aventurine answers. "I'll make some calls. We should be able to visit Mingming by tomorrow, if not today… oh, right. He told me to call him that. I guess we can ask him if you should as well?"
Ratio nods, his gaze focused on the synthesiser as he once again punches in the settings. "I'll look forward to meeting him. Go make your calls, gambler, and I'll get this ready for you."
Stealing another quick kiss before pulling away, Aventurine gives First a pat as he pulls out the phone. He'll start by calling Jade to arrange the meeting and get her opinion on the feasibility of this arrangement. There's a lot to do; as Ratio said, it'll be a busy time.
But this is the kind of trouble Aventurine is happy to deal with, and he won't be alone. He'll have Ratio by his side — and soon, maybe, a new member of the family as well.