Work Text:
something felt different today. odd. Avery couldn’t place exactly what was wrong, but it felt like the air shifted. D3rlord3 had been staying over at his place ever since he found him passed out in a strange mine. at first, he wasn’t very talkative and mostly gave cryptic warnings.
after a few days, D3rlord3 started talking more. he wasn’t an open book by all means, but he started talking about other things rather than crossroads and carcosa. Avery didn’t even really have an idea of what D3r saw that made him like this, only getting vague answers when questioning the other about it.
he didn’t mind having D3rlord3 around, in fact it was the opposite. he found comfort in having someone else around after being on this strange world alone for so long. it gave him peace of mind, despite not knowing exactly what it has hidden.
now, D3rlord3 was pacing around his house, full knight gear on. he even had his sword ready in case anything happened. Avery watched him pace, looking up at him from where he was sitting, head leaning against his palm.
“hey man, you uh, good? it’s been 20 minutes.” Avery finally pointed out, making the knight stop in his track for a second. he glanced at the slime, a golden eye barely visible under the helmet. he began pacing again.
Avery sighed into his palm, turning to look out the window. it was dark outside, which made sense because it was night time, but it was unnaturally dark. strange shadows danced around, the air shifting the nature wildly. Avery got an uneasy feeling looking out, so he turned to stare at D3r again.
“D3r, can you just tell me what’s going on?” Avery pleaded again, shifting in his spot. after a few seconds, D3rlord3 stopped again, turning to Avery and taking cautious steps towards him. the slime straightened out, looking up at the knight.
“i.. do not know exactly. but something is- something is watching. he’s always watching, but now he’s close.” D3r finally gave an answer to Avery. Avery tilted his head, not at all satisfied with the explanation.
“okay.. who’s he? the thing you saw? and- what do you mean by he’s close?” Avery further questioned. D3rlord3 exhaled through his nose, glancing at the window.
“i mean that he’s nearby, searching for us.” D3r clarified, not offering much more than that. he seemed very on edge, and that feeling was transmitting to Avery as well. Avery rubbed his arm nervously, the substance moving around with the motion. he got up as well, looking around.
“should i.. i dunno, fortify the place? block off the entrance or somethin’..? Avery asked, looking at the knight for approval. D3r didn’t move, just continued looking back.
“that’s not going to stop him.” is all he replied. Avery shifted on his weight nervously. before he can say anything else, D3rlord3 suddenly groaned, clutching his helmet. Avery immediately stepped closer, hovering an arm out.
“woah, hey, you good? what-“ he stopped himself, analysing D3r. the other got down on one knee, still holding his helmet. Avery crouched down besides him, filled with even more worry.
“um, can i help with anything? shit..” Avery looked around, getting up and boarding the windows. he also put some blocks in front of the door for good measure, even if D3rlord3 said it wouldn’t help. he grabbed a few weapons as well, bringing them to where D3r was crouching.
“alright, i got you, he’s not here okay? even if he is, he’s not going to get you. or me. i’ll- i don’t know, fight him off. i am a skywars professional after all” Avery chuckled, trying to ease D3r’s nerves. or probably his own more. the knight didn’t seem to find it funny as he got down on both knees, hands glued in their place.
“shit. okay, uh.. fuck, D3r? i need you here, i don’t know what else to do” Avery cursed, now starting to panic. he reached a hand out to place on D3rlord3’s heavily guarded shoulder. as soon as he did though, the knight’s gaze snapped to meet his, a wide eye being visible through the helmet. before Avery can say anything, D3r grabbed his arm with his other one, ripping it off of his shoulder and pushing Avery down to the hard floor, holding his arm pinned down above his head.
Avery’s eyes went wide open at the sudden action, staring up at D3rlord3 who was above him. the other looked in a different direction for a second, noticing a glistening weapon. he took it with his other hand, raising it up and holding it over Avery’s throat. Avery yelped in fear, blocking with his arm as D3r swung down.
“D3R!-“ was the only thing he could yell out before the other swung, slicing his slime hand off. Avery screamed in pain, but it’s no big worry yet, since he could reattach it despite the pain. the bigger concern to him was what was happening to D3r to make him act this way.
before D3rlord3 could swing again, Avery also grabbed a weapon with his previously held hand that D3r had released to block the attack, holding an axe under the crushing pressure of the blade purely out of adrenaline.
“D3rlord3, stop!” he yelled again, using the stump of his other hand to sustain the weight of the axe. he grunted as he pushed it into D3r’s weapon as hard as he can, making the blade slide off for a moment. he managed to back away from under D3rlord3 slightly and continued blocking off attacks.
D3rlord3 was unresponsive, just wildly swinging the sword towards Avery. he looked absolutely mad. due to the uncalculated attacks, Avery managed to knock D3r’s sword from out of his grip. the other’s chest was heaving, staring at where the weapon was thrown. Avery was panting too, and despite still being on guard, he let his axe drop to the floor as well.
“d3r, please snap out if it. i’m not-“ the words were knocked out of Avery’s lungs as D3rlord3 surged forward, getting on top of him again and squeezing at his throat with both hands. Avery let out a choked sound as he tried to get the pressure off with his only intact arm.
okay. this is how he might go. D3r was too strong and his hand wasn’t really doing much except leaving pieces of slime on D3rlord3’s gloved hands. Avery squeezed his eyes tightly shut and gave up.
he was already awaiting the death screen or some sort of mob heaven, and after a few more seconds of enduring the pain, the pressure started lifting. Avery opened his eyes and noticed D3rlord3 gaining his sense back, looking terrified. he took his hands away fully and backed off, falling backwards. Avery immediately coughed violently, propping himself up with his elbow and turning slightly on his side as he continued coughing.
D3rlord3 looked at Avery, then at his own shaking hands. he couldn’t get any words out, his throat feeling dry. Avery stopped coughing, leaning back on his elbow and stump to look at D3r. he gave a small weak grin.
“hey. glad you’re you again.” his voice shook as he spoke. D3r was still analysing him, looking at his missing hand and the dents on the slime on his neck. he was breathing even harder now, entering a panicked state.
“i- i’m- i didn’t- i’m so sorry Avery..” he managed to rasp out, clearly shaken and mad at himself at the same time. Avery once again tried to ease the situation, blowing air out of his mouth in a childish demeanour.
“‘s all good now, don’t even worry about it. i think whatever it was is gone now though, so that’s cool.” he said, trying to act like everything’s fine. D3rlord3 stared at him in disbelief. he took off his helmet and threw it on the ground, taking a deep breath to ground himself.
“i- i knew this would happen and i didn’t do anything to- to stop it.” D3r admitted, running a shaky hand over his face. Avery tilted his head, confused by his words. it was also pretty hard to think right now, since the pain was sinking in. he hissed, looking at his cut arm. D3rlord3 looked over as well, guilt washing over him.
“..Avery-“ he started, not knowing what to say further. he watched as Avery struggled to get into a sitting position. D3rlord3 finally got up and walked over to the slime, crouching down in front of him. he stopped again when he saw Avery flinch at the proximity.
he ignored the sharp stab in his gut at the other’s reaction and wrapped his arms around Avery, staying like that for a second before shifting his arms so he could raise Avery and carry him.
“woah- man, you’re really strong you know that?” Avery chuckled. D3r did not. he carried Avery over to his bed, placing him down gently before rummaging the chests for a healing potion. he finally found one, rushing back over to Avery and poured it into his mouth. he watched as the liquid swirled around in the other’s transparent body, letting out a sigh of relief once the potion started taking effect.
he crouched down besides the bed, placing his head on it. Avery turned his head to look at him.
“thanks, D3r.” he whispered with a weak smile. D3rlord3 raised his head to look back at him in disbelief.
“why.. are you thanking me? i hurt you. badly.” D3rlord3 asked, feeling even more guilty. Avery shrugged, still looking at him.
“you weren’t yourself. ‘s not your fault” he said quietly. D3r shook his head, getting up from his crouching position.
“rest. you need to heal.” he stated, pausing in his steps to glance once again at Avery before walking out of the bedroom. outside of the room, he stared down at the helmet on the floor, then at his hands again, coated in bits of slime.
D3rlord3 couldn’t put Avery’s life in danger again. in an impulsive moment, he picked his helmet off of the floor and grabbed a sword.
—
when Avery woke up, the house was empty. no signs of D3rlord3 anywhere and no traces that he ever lived here.