Chapter Text
"Avery, what's in your inventory?"
"What..?"
The words echoed in the middle of the void. Eyes around them watching their every move silently, emotionless and cold. Each second feels too long and knowing what's gonna happen any minute now, he's not wasting any time and risking it. A simple question, it would save them.
"What's in your inventory?"
Before Avery can even look back at him and speak, they felt the nudge on their chest. It was rough yet soft enough that their mind went foggy. They couldn't grasp what just happened. Not the What and nor the How nor the Why.
What's happening? How could you lie to me? It—whatever that thing is, it wants me. So why are YOU the one doing the work and "finishing the job"? I thought I could help. But how could I compete with that sharp and quick-witted and beautiful mind of yours?
The dark is consuming them, their eyes are blurry. Teary-eyed, they looked up only to be blinded by his armour's shine. It looked brighter and more vibrant, until it didn't. More tears has flown from their eyes, even his armour said good bye. The eyes around them are gone. Full darkness. As much as they squint their eyes, Avery cannot see him anymore. Now they're just falling… and falling and falling. They've become laxed. Then, the screen turned red.
"You died."
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid guy. Their mind repeated the same words over and over whilst not knowing who it is for, them or him. I hate you for making me feel this way. Dumb. Clueless. Useless. Real. Special. Fuck. I hate how short this meeting is and even then I felt so much. Being called a dumb in their own home as a child, and useless in a hell of a shitty school—this sure is a breath of fresh air.
How fleeting a moment could be.
Passed out on his desk, there they are. Barely awake but his eyes widened. Two options: respawn or back to the title screen. Upon realizing, he looked at his clock, 11:59pm.
They shook their screen. Held it at each side as if they can't believe what he's seeing. The table trembles, notebooks and snacks fell, cans rolled off the floor.
…
"Babe? What's with the noise?"
They looked at the door, perplexed. They took all the mess, fixing the notebooks that fell and throwing all their trash. Carefully, they walked down the stairs. And there at the couch, they saw him. Sitting so casually and had no business looking that good.
"Are you alright?" he asked with genuine concern.
"What..? Ho— I don't understand…" Avery stammered, they couldn't believe what they're seeing and neither do they understand what is happening.
They tilted their head, smiled softly, and chuckled, "Are you having bad dreams again? I told you to stop playing those horror mods, didn't I?"
Still confused, they just nodded and muttered, "Yes. Yeah…"
He stood up, and went to the kitchen. Avery, opened their mouth to speak but no words were let out. They just stood there, right beside the staircase with everything and nothing in his mind.
"Derek," they called out.
"Hm? Y-Yes?" he responded, confused. "Why call me by my name? Did I do something wrong?" Derek added, putting the mug of hot chocolate he just made on the counter.
"Oh." Avery snapped into reality. They stared into Derek's eyes, deep into it. Those brown orbs that turns gold when the sun hits. It's mesmerizing.
"What's wrong, babe? Hot chocolate usually calms you down."
"It's for me?" Avery asked.
"Of course, silly," Derek smiled, his eyes disappearing when he does. He reaches out for Avery's hands, putting them around his neck as his own slithers around Avery's waist.
"You're safe, okay?" That little bit of reassurance calms their mind. Three words yet it felt like a million. Sweet and warm. It felt just right.
"Thank you," they smiled, looking into his eyes, brushing away strands of his hair on his face.
The moonlight seeps through the curtains, barely lighting up the already dim-lit kitchen. "Drink the hot choco now before it cools down, 'mkay?" He said while caressing their head.
"Mhm," they nodded quickly and held the mug up, sipping the sweet chocolate. Marshmallows floats, they smile. He knew them so well.
BANG!
The loud thunder causes Avery to flinch, they gripped the mug tighter instead of dropping it. The hot liquid burns their shaking hands but it was nothing compared to the image they just saw.
A dark room with faint yellow light. It triggers something in them. Their breathing starts to speed up, fast and shallow. Their heartbeat is raising at an abnormal pace. The image keeps popping up. The light closer every time, and much brighter than the last.
Derek, knowing Avery, immediately runs to the kitchen. He takes the mug off of Avery and shook them. Their staring blankly at the window, as if fascinated with the faint glow of fireflies outside in their garden.
"Babe? Babe, are you okay? Please, snap out of it. Avery!" he shouts.
Avery flinches one last time and eventually jumps back into reality. "It's the second time tonight, honey. What's happening to you?" he asks concerningly. He cups their cheeks, wiping away the sweat and tears flowing on their cheeks.
"I… I also don't know. I don't know what's happening. I'm confused. I thought… I don't know, my head hurts so much." His hands tremble badly, his head is spiraling.
"You need to rest, it's so late." Derek's arm wrapped around Avery for support, helping him walk towards their couch.
Avery composed themself and forced a smile. Still bothered, they nod, "O-okay." Derek responded with a smile and a kiss, hugging him closer. Their heads rest on eachother, Derek ever so often caressing Avery's back.
"You'll be fine, I love you," Avery smiled with Derek's words. It calms him down, even with the heavy rainfall. Despite the cold night, Derek managed to make them feel warm.