Chapter Text
Avery stared at his screen as the colors of red appeared and the text " You Died". This couldn't be possible. Why would D3rlod do that, why does he always have to sacrifice himself for him? "Shit, get back on" Avery whispered, clicking on the respawn button and yet, he went directly back to the homepage.
What?
Avery leaned forward in his chair, seeing a box of text appear on his screen, directly from Minecraft.
"Sorry, this world does not exist"
..
"What!" Avery yelled, getting up as he tried everything in his power to get back on. Typing the URL, yet nothing appeared, going into his archive and yet again. Nothing was there once more. The world completely vanished. Avery's eyes widen as he paced around his room, tears welling up in his eyes. "No, no no no no no." He muttered as he stared at his screen before sitting back down on his chair.
Closing out of Minecraft, Avery opened the google drive, finding another video attached to it with the gameplay as well.
A letter
For Avery, from D3rlord.
Each word that he read felt like a stab to his heart. This was somebody, somebody on the other side, who has went through horrors, just to protect him? For what reason even Avery didn't know. Yet those words, 'Please don't think you failed, Avery' brought those tears down. His body shaking as he stared at his screen. It was Minecraft, a messed up world that was founded and horrors of the unknown.
Yet, he met somebody who seemed to care about him. Care enough to sacrifice his own mind for him.
.......
Avery closed the doc as he stared outside. The sun was slowly rising, the beginning of the New Year was off to a start, that was for sure.
"Gosh" Avery muttered to himself, running his hand through his hair as the infamous discord notification echoed throughout the room. Looking up and clicking on it, he felt his heart stop.
A friend request, specifically with the username: D3rlord.
Avery quickly clicked accept as he began typing quickly, his mind racing with a million thoughts.
'Derek? Derek is that you?'
Avery was scared, could it be a trick? Could the man that D3rlord mentioned, what was it? The king in yellow be the one talking to him instead? He didn't know. But those words popped up,
'Yes Avery'
Avery let out a sigh of relief. There were million of emotions swirling through his head; sadness, guilt, anger, yet the blooming emotion of relief took over.
'How? How did you find me? Are you alright?'
And in just a few seconds was a response
'I do not know if I'm alright. My head is aching and looking away feels like I'm dying every second. The King in Yellow is gone, but that was supposed to kill me as well. Yet I am here.'
'Everything hurts Avery'
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Derek stopped typing as tears poured down his face. He couldn't stop looking at the screen, it was the only way that the pain wouldn't be to the point where Derek wanted to die. He was supposed to die. That was how the ritual worked. That's how it was supposed to kill the King in Yellow practically. And although he stopped hearing that low voice of horror in his ears. Those thoughts of past, present and future kept pouring into his mind.
The past of finding the cave, of exploring to far along
The present of him staring at his screen
And the future, Avery helping him in person with Derek's problems.
Derek shook his head as he began typing, wiping the tears traveling down his face.
'Avery, I'm sorry. It was the only way to keep you safe. And honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would go through this pain once more knowing not only is the King gone but that you are safe. That the rest of the world is safe'
Derek let out a sigh as he opened the web camera on his side, looking at himself. He could see the way his hair has been away from the shower, the pain to harsh to even think about taking care of himself. The dark circles underneath his eyes, the struggles of sleep. He looked horrible. Derek went back onto the website, seeing Avery's response
'I'm still mad. And to be honest. I was worried out of my mind. Are you sure your okay?'
Derek let out a small laugh as he rubbed his eyes
'Not really' he typed before pausing.
'Do you remember me telling you about the world of past, present and future?'
'I remembered some parts. Why?'
Derek stared at the screen before he typed out those words, 'In the future. I saw me in your apartment. Being, cared by you is a word I can put on'
The room was quiet, the sound of the PC in the background. Derek was growing restless as he rubbed the temple of his head, the pounding headaches getting worse.
'That's.... something?' Avery typed before sending yet another message 'I can't exactly, go to your place or something. I don't even know where you live lol. Maybe we can chat for a bit more? Would that work?'
...
'Yes'
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Two weeks had passed when Avery friended Derek on Discord. When the Minecraft world that brought the two together has now disappeared forever and surprisingly. Derek was still alive. Although Derek spoke of the great pain it brought. He was still alive, still breathing. Still talking to Avery about, whatever really. Answering questions and catching up on life outside.
'I think I'm ready to come over to your place' Avery typed as Derek snapped out of his daze as he stared at the message with great shock. He knew it was to happen, but it was still something to be happy about.
'Yes of course. Here is my address' Derek typed
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Knock knock knock
'That must be Avery' Derek thought. Of course it was! He knew he was coming. Pushing back his chair, still staring at his PC did he feel around for his phone, turning it on before staring at it instead. Getting up and walking towards the door. And there he was, Avery. Wearing that same Hawaiian jacket, white shirt and khaki pants. Just like his Minecraft avatar.
Some things never change.
"Hi, Avery"
"Hi Derek!"
..............
"Does it still hurt?" Avery asked Derek as he closed the door in the process. As he walked down the hallway, he could see the effect the knowledge has taken on Derek. With the messy home, the lack of food. Even Derek, somebody who he never were to imagine meeting in person looked tired and in pain. And seeing the way that Derek had to use some screen to keep the pain at bay pained Avery.
"I'm sorry I can't even look at you" Derek mumbled as he walked towards his set up and sat down, rubbing the temples of his head as Avery laughed
"Nah dude it's okay. I understand" He said as he looked at the PC. Seeing Minecraft loaded up. There weren't any worlds at all, no hint of that world either. "Is there something you want? I might not be a great cook but I can probably whip something up" Avery said as Derek nodded
I'll take that as a yes!
Avery walked out of the room that Derek was in and found the kitchen after looking through every door. Avery grabbed a pan and a couple of left over eggs that was in the fridge. As he began to make something basic. He looked around the kitchen for a bit.
This wasn't really what I was imagining. Well, to be frank. I didn't think I would meet Derek, Heh! He looks around my age too. Why does he care so much about my life. He has so much to live for too Avery thought as he brought the plate of food to Derek, seeing the tears coming back to his eyes
"Hey, I have some scrambled eggs for you" Avery said, placing his hand on Derek's shoulder. Derek only nodded as he took the fork. Leaving Avery to do whatever he wants in the home.
Walking towards the bed, Avery began to clean up to the best in his abilities as he watches Derek slowly eat, staring at the computer.
"Derek, have you tried sleeping?"
Shaking his head no Avery sighed "Maybe, we can try tonight or something? I know I can't really talk since my sleep schedule is dogshit but you look like you haven't slept in years" He said, chuckling a bit as he rubbed the back of his neck. With no response, Avery walked forward "Derek, please. I'll be here" He said, taking a real close look at his face.
Although Derek can't see Avery's face, Avery could see Derek's, could see the gold in Derek's eye, his left eye. The knowledge was still there, that was clear. Derek let out a sigh,
"As long as you sit on my bed I think I'll be good" He said. Avery looked at him, a small smile appearing on his face as Derek got up without the screen in front of his face. The pain already starting.
Laying on the bed, Derek had his eyes closed as Avery sat next to him. Keeping watch as he would say he did.
"You know, it feels weird seeing you. Since I'm so used to seeing you in your skin" Avery said, looking at the alarm clock on the nightstand as Derek let out a small chuckle.
"Yeah- you without your slime skin" He said as he flinched slightly from the pain, "It's different but nice to see you, in person" Derek muttered as his breathing slowed down, falling asleep.
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Derek was thrashing, turning left and right, little groans became yells as he clutched his head, tears streaming down his face as Avery woke up from the nap he took on accident. Avery, didn't really know what to do. Was he having a nightmare, or was it from the pain.
"Derek" Avery called out, shaking him awake as Derek cried from the mental pain the King in Yellow so dared to place into his head.
"Derek!"
"D3rlord!"
Avery was getting scared each second that Derek wasn't waking up, crying from the pain as he clutched his head. He didn't know what to do. What can he do? He felt helpless all over again. He couldn't solve a simple puzzle in Minecraft, how can he help somebody that he cares for.
"Derek!" Avery cried, holding Derek into a hug the best he could do with how much Derek was thrashing around, "Derek wake up. I know it hurts" Avery yelled.
Derek let out a gasp, his eyes opened as he whipped his head around. Seeing Avery holding him, a panic look in his eyes.
The pain came back in an instant as Der closed his eyes.
"This is why I don't try to sleep" He muttered.