( He laughs at that, leaning forward even still — a conscious effort to continue to invade Ratio’s space. Aventurine had put on his best cologne the moment the man had called him to his office, he’d made sure he looked as perfect as he could be to help swing luck in his favor. )

Professor! You’re making it out as if I’ve been denied affection when that’s simply not true. ( Genuine affection, sure, but they’re not talking about Aventurine’s sexual proclivities right now. That’s second date material. ) Would you rather that I demand to be punished in the most pleasurable way you can think of? I’ve been told I’m pretty when I beg.

( No matter how much he might loathe doing so. There is a hint of it in his eyes, the hollowness that once was his constant state of being, but more importantly: ) You failed to mention that you were uninterested.