( Because it's Ratio. Because Ratio can't help but care and can't help but to want to help. Because he's scared that one day he will be too much for Ratio to want to help, no matter how much he swears he wants to be by his side, wants him. Aventurine goes willingly when Ratio pulls him close, rests his forehead on his and tries to focus on the other man. On his words.

He's crying again, isn't he? His shoulders shake with it, even as he buries his face into Ratio's shoulder. Why does someone love him this much? What has Aventurine ever done to deserve the love of this man? Nothing, nothing, he's done nothing -- a sob is caught in his throat, his grip on Ratio's shoulders tightening. )

I don't know how to, Veritas, I don't know how to do... to do any of that.

( Does that make him unworthy? He feels that it does, he feels that his inexperience with love, in the face of the depths of Ratio's affection and loyalty comes up too short, too wanting to justify it. )

What if I never know how to? ( He swallows, attempting to push forward into territory he avoids, territory he has no idea how to navigate: ) Spending every day knowing that you want me has been-- it's been the best thing that's happened to me. I don't want to lose you, I'm terrified of what would happen if I did. But everyone else has left, Ratio, that's the curse of this luck of mine.

( Through their will or the universe's. )