Chapter Text
After Avery pulled away and calmed down, he looked around the room again while Derek sat in his chair, glancing at the computer every second or two - his head was killing him. Avery walked around, noticing piss bottles under Dereks desk, dust covering 90% of the room, rotting bottles of milkshakes and random food in bowls or plates. It was disgusting, and Avery, being kind of a clean freak, wanted to clean it all up imidietly.
"I know, its disgusting."
Dereks voice cut throught the silence as he looked up at Avery.
"No, no... I mean, it *is*, but its nothing too bad. Its managable."
Avery replied, looking back at Derek, noticing every feature about the latters face - unshaven stubble, eyebags under eyes, a slight frown curling his lips and the grease on his hair. Derek didnt answer to Averys words, just looked back at the screen of his computer.
"Uh... I can help you clean...! If you want to."
Avery added, looking down - a nervous habit to avoid eye contact.
"If you want to."
Derek stated before leaning down and hissing - a sharp pain stung inside his head. Averys eyes widened, he reached his hand out but stopped mid-move.
"Are you- are you okay...?"
He said quietly, his hand falling back to his side as Derek inhaled sharply and sat back up.
"Yes. My head just...hurts."
His voice was quieter - more pained.
"Can I bring you some painkillers or water..?"
Avery asked, his expression worried.
"I dont have any painkillers at home."
"Well- i can go buy some! And some food and cleaning stuff so i can clean!"
"I...i dont have money."
Avery scoffed playfully at Dereks words before shrugging
"Thats alright, because i do! Ill buy it myself, really."
Derek sighed deeply before nodding.
"Alright... The code to the gate and front doors is 102425."
He said, not looking away from the computer screen that was opened on the desktop, only app on it was minecraft and google. Avery nodded, noting the code in his mind.
"Ill be right back!"
He stated before leaving the room, then the apartment, and the building. The boy drove to the nearest Walmart and bought many things - medication (mostly painkillers), water, juice, mostly microwave meals (he cant cook), some fruit and veggies, cleaning products and snacks. He thought about buying milkshakes but he realized Derek miiiight be sick of them already. When he returned, he put tue bags down on the kitchen counter - a cockroach ran across it and Avery flinched at the sight but quickly recovered. He opened the blinds and windows to let the sun in before going back into Dereks bedroom with painkillers and a bottle of water in his hand.
"Im back, Derek"
He anounced. Derek turned his head to the younger man and nodded.
"Did you manage to get everything you need?"
Derek asked, his voice more relaxed now, but still had that hint of pain. Avery nodded, giving Derek the painkillers and water. The man swallowed them quickly.
"So, uh, ill start cleaning your room first! Then ill clean the bathroom so you can shower."
Avery stated, and before Derek could reply, he already sprinted to the kitchen and brought back the cleaning suplies and a rag. Derek just sat in the chair, feelings slightly useless as the latter started preparing to clean. Avery opened the windows and blinds, Derek closing his eyes for two or three seconds as real sunlight hit him. Then, the younger man took the piss bottles and empty milkshake bottles, throwing them in a trashbag, then he cleaned up Dereks desk - dusting it and cleaning off any stain that was on it. When Dereks headache subsided thanks to the meds, he helped Avery clean and that way three hours passed in a heartbeat. The bedroom was now clean, still had that slight urine scent mixed with rot, but it was subtle enough to ignore for now - as long as the window stayed open it should stop stinking in a few days. Well, anyways, then they moved to cleaning the bathroom. And, since it was small, it took them two hours to fully clean it - and then Avery proposed that maybe Derek should...shower?
"Uh....i mean... I should, but-"
Derek started, but Avery quickly cut him off while gathering the cleaning supplies into the corner
"Yea, you should! Get in, ill help you wash your hair and we can trim it maybe? But im... Not the best at haircutting. Just a warning."
The young guy stated, walking over to the bathtub and turning on the water. He made sure to rise out any remaining chemicals from the tub before pouring fresh, warm water into it. He nudged Derek to get it, the man hesitated.
"I...i dont think i can-"
"But you can! I belive in ya, and...you smell...."
Avery said with a chuckle. Derek hesitated for a minute more before taking off his shirt and pants, his body was slim, very pale, and you could count his ribs, it looked like the man hasnt eaten anything in weeks. Because he hasnt. There were some faded scars on his upper arms that Avery decided to ignore for now, it may be a more sensitive topic for Derek, after all... Derek stripped his last piece of clothes before getting into the warm water. Avery turned off the faucet and clasped his hands.
"I knew you could do it!"
He exclaimed cheerfully, reaching for a bottle of shampoo he bought during his trip to walmart. Derek layed down and wet his hair. Avery squeezed a generous amout of shampoo onto his hand and started massaging it into Dereks black hair. The older guy sighed with relief, it was the first time he was touched with such care and affection, it felt overwhelming in the best way, his hair was pretty tangled so Avery accidentally pulled at it here and there but Derek didnt mind.
"So...um...do youuu wanna tell me what happened after you threw me off that edge..?"
Avery voice cut throught the comfortable silence, it was quiet and unsure. Like the man was hesitating on asking something like that so soon. Derek paused, looking down at his hands in the water. "I...i am sorry, for throwing you off of it." "No, dont apologize!" "But i really am sorry. If i didnt...youd be in my place." Dereks voice got more quiet. "I...i knew youd ask this...why did i prepare...?" He added quietly - Avery could barely hear the words. "So you...you do have that um...infinite knowlage thing, huh?" Avery replied, his fingers starting to massage the shampoo into Dereks hair again. "...yes. I do. And if i didnt kill you, youd be the one stuck with knowing things humans werent meant to know." "Damn...um...i dont know what to say." "I know." "'course you do." He nudged Derek with a smirk before taking the showerhead and rinsing the shampoo out. It felt weirdly domestic in the best way possible for both of the men.