Chapter Text
8:12, 31.12.31
~ DEREKS POV!
Der, was peacefully (and desperately) trying to treat his migraine before spotting his phone ring a notification. He didn't think much about it, but immediately stopped when he probably realized that Avery texted— and immediately picked up the phone.
Oh. A new years party.... Hes going, but just to see Avery. According to Hastur.
As quick as Derek can, he got ready. Eventually deciding on a black and green hoodie with his hair up in a lazy bun. Not much, but it'll do. He grabbed his messenger bag, packed it with stuff that may be irrelevant, and set off to arrive.
9:05AM
As soon as Derek arrived, he bumped into Avery.
"Oh shit— Sorry, Derek! Uhh, how have you been holding up?" Avery rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, looking like he hasnt slept in days.
"Im doing fine, Avery. And have you been getting any sleep lately..?" Dereks tone held a tint of concern as his brows furrowed. His expression giving a mix of worry and affection.
"Oh, uhh yeah! Thanks for asking though." His face says it all, as if against his words. Dark circles are under his eyes, an almost invisible tear stain was on his hood.
"... Anytime, Avery."
As the two entered the house, Avery was already seen yapping Dereks ear off. Despite looking like be might break down in any second. Although Derek was sure nobody else could see that.
Although, Avery was interrupted by a man slinging his arms around their shoulders, seperating them and lessening Avery and Dereks promixity. The two were both equally annoyed.
"*Hic* Avery!! *hic* you came, with Derek!! Hehahah... *Hic* how have you two— *hic* been??" The man said in a way that made it obvious he was drunk.
"We've been doing fine, Korai."
Derek, with no surprise, knew Korai was— well, drunk. He pinched his nose in frustration and mumbled something that sounded similar to "Oh mein Gott, ich hasse diesen Typen... kann der nicht einfach abhauen?".
"What?" Avery noticed.
"Nothing."
"Oookaayy.. Well, I'll go the bathroom. I need to uhh, take a number 2! Yeah. Uhh, see ya later, Der."
"... See ya, Aves."
The two seperated from Korai and eachother, as they went to different locations.
9:06
Derek heard some sobbing in the bathroom. He wonders to go in to check on Avery— since, well, who would forget to lock the door when they're taking a shit? Yeah no that sounded weird.
He hesitates, but decided not to. But he's getting very concerned for Avery's wellbeing.
Whilst after a long while, Derek was seen on a couch. Scrolling through something, possibly his emails. Although he has Avery's pinned on top there. Mourning someone who's already alive is pathetic. Shut it, you're not supposed to break the fourth wall. (😒)
Avery finally comes out, wiping his face with a towel for a second before going out to the balcony. Seemingly no one noticed, except for Derek.
Derek decides to follow him. Creepy, but hey, today's the day he sacrificed himself for Avery, why not comfort him?
Avery had his head burrowed in his arms, tears seemed to stain his hoodie sleeves as the moon illuminated his features. He seems to be muttering something, but what?
Derek gently put a hand on Avery's shoulder, he flinched before his posture relaxed.
"sniffle oh hey, Derek. I'm sorry you had to see me like this, i uh, just had a breakdown." Averys voice trembled, tears still streaming down his cheeks.
Without saying a word, Derek gently wiped away a tear with his thumb from Avery's cheek. The other froze, unfamiliar with the touch on his face. Before melting completely.
Avery slowly put a hand on top of Derek's, the two just standing there for a moment. As if exploring eachothers eyes, mesmerized.
"... Thanks," Avery mumbled, "it's just..." The taller man tilted his head in confusion. "Hm..?"
"Uhm, my friend died... N-not now! Of course.. Todays his death anniversary. He uh, saved me from an incident..." Derek made a hum of sympathy, pulling his hand away from Avery's cheek and instead wrapping it around his waist. The other man blushed violently, but replicated his move.
The two stayed like that for a good while, Avery's head resting on Derek's shoulder as they watched the moon. "What if I told you he was still alive?" Derek broke the silence, leaving Avery choking on his saliva. "Wh-what? N-no.. I don't t-think so.. It can be true, but chances are low so..."
"If so, what if I told you I was d3rLord3?" Avery paused, and looked at Derek directly. Meeting eye contact. "No. Y-you only watched the videos-" Avery backed away, fear had stricken his face.
"Avery. I know you cried the night i almost died, I know that if you were planning to have a wife you would name your kid after me if they were a boy, i know for a fact you cry every new years because the fireworks reminded you of that one line that haunts you."
"No.. No no no please don't tell me I'm dreami-" Avery was then cut off by Derek crushing him into a hug, the force tight enough to knock the air out of his lungs.
The man froze, his hands hovering just above Derek's back. Before melting completely, letting his sobs take over as his body trembled violently. Derek didn't care about the tears staining his hoodie, all that mattered was Avery. In his arms, safe from the king in yellow, safe from the dangers Derek had experienced.
As the hug broke apart, the first thing Avery blurted out was ; "Can I kiss you now?" He immediately put his hands over his mouth, his face had morphed into an expression of panic. "Wait, no, shit, i-if your comfortable, of course!! I totally understand if you're not fine, it's okay!! Let's just pretend this never happened! Hell, you can stop being friends with me cause I'm an idiot, yeah! J-jus-" but he was quickly shut up by Derek crashing his lips against his.
Their lips slotted perfectly against eachother, like two lost puzzle pieces finally finding eachother. Avery's hands moved around frantically before settling on Derek's shoulder, the other had put his hands onto his waist, gently steadying Avery.
The two stayed like that for a hot minute, before Derek had to pull away for air. Avery gently whined, tugging at the front of Derek's hoodie, but didn't bother to go back in.
Fireworks had started to burst in the sky, the main colors being yellow, red, and green. God, it was mesmerizing. The yellow was annoying, though. "Happy new years, Aves." The taller gently murmured. "Back to you, d3ar." And both their lips touched again as the colors burst into the air, in a flurry of light, green, red, and yellow.
Happy not new years, reader.
TIMESKIP ; 30.3.38
"Hey, honey, ya know what day it iss~?" Avery called to his husband from the kitchen, you can practically hear the smugness in his voice. Derek groaned, covering his face. "Not again..." Hastur silently chuckled in his mind, which led to him getting a mental glare from his current vessel.
"Aww, cmon!! I just prepared the drinks!!" Avery pouted, holding up a tray of a red and a green drink from the entrance of the kitchen. Both having little accents of gold for a reminder of Hastur. "Fine, but why do we keep up this tradition anyways..?" Derek jokingly rolled his eyes, but he couldn't resist the smile growing on his face. "Because--!!" Avery started. "It's a celebration of when the video was posted AND when people started making 'fanart' for us!! Including ships!!" He excitedly exclaimed, giving Derek the green drink.
Derek almost spit out his saliva. "Sh-ships?? Theyve been shipping us since 2026..?" His reaction was priceless, nearly dropping the glass. (But didn't for the sake of the goodness Avery made.) "Duh! Did your infinite knowledge not tell you??" The shorter man joked, nudging Derek slightly as he drank his drink. "N-no, i didn't really bother to check there.."
The other giggled and put his head onto Derek's shoulder, pecking his cheek before doing so.
And so, they lived happily ever after. Safe in eachothers arms.
Safe.
Safe.
Safe?