Work Text:
This is gonna be more of a slow burn than a straight up cute scene etc, i dont write smut that often so if there's some, it won't be constant.
Enjoy :D .
Chapter 1-
Avery had a discussion with his father, the king of this whole town. He had to marry the woman his father chose for him, not even letting him get to know anyone anymore.
His father had tried setting him up with a few princesses before but he was never satisfied, always letting his father become more and more furious.
Avery’s mother was dead, for unknown reasons. His father never told him, but it didn't bother him not knowing the truth. It was just annoying how whenever something wasn’t right for his father, his mother’s death got blamed on him.
The king had gotten a knight to protect his son at a very young age, after all he was really hyperactive and got hurt easily. And his father was too busy to watch over him, at the age of 11 Avery had gotten a new knight who pretended to be 2 or 3 years older than him so he could get that job. But he was only 1 year older than Avery. Derek.
Avery often thinks about when he met d3rlord3… Those happy moments with his only best friend brought him joy.
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That day, Avery had broken his arm. His dad furious at him couldnt take it anymore.
“Abel, “ the king clapped his hands calling his servant “Didn’t you have a trained team of knights awaiting to get a job.” the king asked with a tone of annoyance.
“Yes my king, but- they’re really young from 15-20 years old. Does it matter?” the servant asked politely already giving looks too roles below him to get the army of knights outside.
“It does not matter, Abel. I need my son to be watched 24/7, someone mature enough to look over my child. I'm too busy anyways.” the king said, getting impatient.
“Yes my royalty, follow me please.” - abel said walking slowly for them to catch on.
“Come on ave, you’re getting a… knight all for yourself isn't that fun.”
His father said coldly, grabbing his son’s shoulders since he wasn't moving.
His son had a wrong idea of knights, he felt like he was gonna be even more alone that a knight was watching over him 24/7. He was irritated as heck, sighing in annoyance while getting dragged. He gave up after 2 minutes, not wanting to get scolded by his father. He cursed himself for being born in a position this high… or at least having been born with a father so cruel with him.
“Here are all of the knights, my king, from the youngest 15 year olds to the strongest 20 year olds.” the servant smirked pointing at all of them.
The king, amused, looked at Avery, letting him choose. - “Look, my child, so many to choose. Who do you want?” - his father asked like all of these people were just objects you could choose.
I don't want any. He thought to his insides, so he stayed quiet, testing his father’s patience.
Minutes passed and avery was still with his mouth open looking at everyone, his father lost his patience immediately trying to hold himself together. He was gonna choose for him if he didn't.
“If all youre gonna do is stay quiet then im choosing for you.”- and he grabbed one of the “15” year old’s knight’s, although he was young he stayed calm and tried not to show excitement.
The knight’s name was d3rlord3. Avery blinked slowly, eyes landing on the knight his father had chosen.
He… looked cold
Taller than the other 15 year olds, maybe stronger. But not even the oldest. What are the odds…
But he wasn’t trembling like some of the younger ones. He stood still, hands behind his back, gaze steady, not at the king, but… slightly downward. Respectful, but not
afraid.
That was new.
“Your name?” the king demanded.
The boy lifted his head just enough. “D3rlord3, my king.”
Avery frowned a little.
D3rlord3.
“From now on, you will not leave my son’s side,” the king continued. “You will watch him. You will correct him. And if anything happens to him-”
“It won’t,” D3rlord said.
There was a pause.
Avery’s head snapped toward him.
That wasn’t how knights talked.
For a second, even the king looked surprised but instead of anger, a small, amused smile crept onto his face.
“Confident,” he muttered. “Good. Let’s hope it’s not misplaced.”
Avery studied him more carefully now.
Derek didn’t look back at him immediately but when he did, it was quick. Just a glance.
And for some reason, Avery didn’t feel as irritated anymore.
“…Whatever,” Avery mumbled, crossing his arms. “Just don’t be annoying.”
D3rlord almost smiled, not like avery could see it under his helmet but at least it was nice knowing the knight had emotions too.
Avery went up to his room, d3rlord not leaving his side but keeping a distance so it wasn't awkward, avery was overthinking too much, he would never have privacy
again he could never have friends if d3rlord was there. He was too worried, his father stopped them.
“Could you give us a second, d3rlord.” the king asked the young soldier.
“Yes sir.” d3rlord walked a few meters away from them, near avery’s room
The king waited until he was far enough before speaking, his hand tightening slightly on Avery’s shoulder.
“You will behave,” he said, voice low but sharp. “No more childish injuries. No more defiance.”
Avery looked away, jaw tightening. “I didn’t ask for this father!” he said childishly
“No,” his father replied coldly. “You don’t ask. You obey.”
There was a pause.
Avery hated how heavy silence felt around him when his father was like this. It made him sweat a little, his mouth opened a little his eyebrows frowning.
“That knight,” the king continued, glancing briefly in D3rlord’s direction, “is not your friend. He is a tool. Do not forget that.”
Something in Avery’s chest twisted at that.
“…He’s a person,” Avery muttered, barely loud enough to be heard. “And… father i dont have friends…” that was right, even though he lived in such environment he was still really sociable and tried to say hi to every kid, he was really cheerful compared to his father.
The king’s grip tightened.
“Careful,” he warned. “Attachment makes people weak. And weakness…” he leaned down slightly, his voice dropping getting scared even further, …is what got your mother killed.”
Avery froze, He didn’t respond this time. A knot inside his neck formed, wanting to loudly sob.
“Go to your room,” the king said flatly, letting go of him.
Avery didn’t wait. He turned quickly, pushing the door open harder than he meant to.
d3rlord straightened slightly as Avery passed him, but didn’t speak. He watched, payed attention. Carefully.
Not until the door shut behind them… it was so silent.
“…You don’t have to worry,” d3rlord said quietly.
Avery turned, confused. “.. w-What?”
d3rlord hesitated, like he was choosing his words carefully. He realised the prince was way… oblivious and dumber than he thought, but instead of getting impatient and
angry like his father. He had patience, explained carefully.
“I won’t get in your way.”
Avery stared at him that… wasn’t what he expected at all.
“…Good,” he said after a second, looking away again sniffing his sobs in. “Because I don’t need a babysitter! I.. i think”
d3rlord nodded once.
“Understood.”
But he didn’t leave.
And somehow, that made the room feel a little less empty.
“And what do you need then?”
He asked carefully, avery wasn't expecting that type of question coming from a knight. He got nervous, he wasn't really good with choosing things, like earlier with the knight choosing.
“Y-yoou wouldnt understand,”
He said quietly rubbing his neck, maybe he was a little mean earlier, but he was a really good kid.
“I can try though, my prince” he answered respectfully, calmly. “I wont pressure you though, nor tell your father if you ask me to. But im here my prince.”
He was really kind, avery thought. Too respectful, he felt a little dumb around d3rlord.. Because he was but this will soon not be an issue.
Avery hesitated. No one had ever asked him that before.
Not like that.
His fingers tightened slightly against his sleeve as he avoided Derek’s gaze, eyes fixed somewhere on the floor. “I don’t know,” he admitted quietly fidgeting with his
fingers.
The words felt… embarrassing.
“I just, heh… well-” he paused, frowning a little, like he was trying to figure it out himself. “I don’t want someone watching me all the time.” D3rlord didn’t interrupt.
“I can’t even think properly when someone’s just… there,” Avery added, his voice smaller now. “It feels like I’ll mess something up.”
There was a short silence “I can stand further away,” d3rlord said, Avery blinked, looking up at him.
“…What?”
“I’ll still be doing my job,” d3rlord explained, calm as ever. “But you won’t feel like I’m hovering.”
Avery looked everywhere but at him for a second.
“You’d do that?”
“Yes, my prince.”
No hesitation. No attitude. Not even an annoyed sigh. Just… yes. Avery looked away again, but this time it wasn’t out of irritation.
“…Okay,” he giggled. Another pause. “My… my dad”
D3rlord tilted his head slightly.
“ yes prince?” Avery froze again. He felt really close to d3rlord already, he was older but he didnt mind.
Avery didn’t feel completely trapped.
“Do you have friends???” he asked curiously. D3rlord looked confused, what???
“Why prince?”
“well- uhh- DO-dont tell my dad but if you didn’t have any friends i could give you some company..?” he giggled childish, but it was sweet. He overheard the king telling avery he couldn't be a friend of his and he couldn't risk it all just to make that kid happy..
But he did, he didnt care if the king was happy anymore, after seeing his true facet. He just wanted to focus on avery’s happiness.
He chuckled, echo coming from inside his helmet “is that what you want… “ he smiled underneath that helmet.
Few seconds ago avery looked like the type to be mean and rude and spoiled but seeing how he truly was… it was amazing d3rlord felt connected to this amazing person.
“Well well wellllll… maybe…. perhaaaps..!! “ avery laughed nervously “What do friends do??”
Derek went still for a moment.
What do friends do? The question felt… out of place.
He wasn’t supposed to have those. Not here. Not with him.
His grip tightened slightly behind his back, just for a second.
He is not your friend. He is a duty. Thats what the king had told avery, but it looked like he didnt care. Not now
Derek exhaled quietly.
“my prince? Whats that question? You never had a friend?” he asked, though his tone had softened.
Avery shifted on his feet, clearly nervous now.
“Well! uM!! don’t tell my dad..,” he said quickly, glancing toward the door like the king might still be there. “But if you don’t have any friends… I could- be your friend and.. And do friend stuff and and…”
He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks warming. “I could give you some company… and well i dont know what friends do but… i- ill admit i need a friend.. “
There was a pause.
A small one.
But it mattered, d3rlord looked at him properly this time. Not like a prince. Just… a kid. D3rlord was a kid too… avery didnt know he was just one year older though..
“…I see,” he said quietly
Then, softer.
“I think I would like that.” he chuckled, moving hsi head from side to side. Avery’s face lit up almost instantly.
“Really??”avery asked enthusiastic. Derek gave a small nod.
“Yes… Avery.”
The name felt strange on his tongue, But not wrong either. Avery let out a small, nervous laugh, rocking slightly on his heels.
“Thats? GREAT THATS GREAT D3RLORD!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!! ” he couldnt help but jump of excitement, avery knew how to not have awkward moments, with anyonr
Derek tilted his head slightly though
“Goin back to your question tho… about what friends do…I’m not entirely sure,” he admitted.
That made Avery laugh properly this time.
“Great! So we’re both bad at this huh?” he elbowed d3rlord
“…It would seem so.” he remained stone cold
Another quiet moment passed but this one felt different. It was Lighter. There was no tension like how it was earlier.
“…We could start simple,” Derek added after a second. “Talking, perhaps...” Avery nodded quickly.
“Yeah yeah, okay. I can do that. pffftt of course i can duhh..”
He paused.
D3rlord laughed at his irony
“You’re not as scary as I thought.” avery admitted with an smile
Derek almost smiled again beneath his helmet.
“And you’re not as difficult as I was told.” Avery blinked.
“HEY!! ” they both laughed with eachother
They were having a conversation, not obligated, but as kids. They told eachother stuff like what did they most like and the thing they hated the most.
“Im not near 15 my prince.” d3rlord admitted with a chuckle
“WAIT_ what?!?” avery opened his mouth “You look so much more- mature though! Youre way taller than me??”
D3rlord laughed louder now “SHHHH” avery squashed him with an smile on his face.
“Im only 12 my prince.” only a year older than avery? And how developed he already was? He was amazed.
“Youre the coolest 12 year old ive ever met!” he laughed “probably the only one too tho..” he thought, they looked at each other and burst out laughing, stuff like that didnt scare him anymore, he was so connected to his new friend and he just met him. It was like a soulmate, like butter on bread.
“Also… you can call me derek… my prince” he smiled warmly
Derek, that sounded… very normal for someone who was gonna watch over him every day.
“Well i think your name is also cool! And your armour! Youre cool overall!” for someone with a vocabulary who needed to be high… avery’s was… average.. Derek found it curious.
“Well my dear prince i think its time for you to go dinner, isnt it? We’ve been talking for hours..” derek said firmly, calm, mature.
“Indeed derek… i’ll see you down at the table, deal?”
“deal :) “
From that day on derek watched everything avery did, how he acted, how he didnt act, how he talked, how he felt. Most of the days he got punished by his father, it would leave him really broken but it was nothing derek couldn't fix by putting an smile on his face. They were inseparable… too inseparable.
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