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And whose fault is that?
…
“Mine.” Avery replied, he was no longer in his kitchen. He was transferred into an endless abyss of black.
“Yes… He left you Avery, he used you to keep himself alive.”
“He never came back for you, he came back for you.”
“He did.” Avery’s eyes were unfocused, slowly falling underneath. Suddenly, a small knife was at Avery’s grasp. Already pointed right under his chin.
“You are real”
“You are special.”
“You’re capable of great things, Avery. Please, this isn’t your fault. It’s none out our faults”
A certain man entered Avery’s mind, reminding him of before everything broke down. His soft and reassuring words brought him the truth. And Avery knew he wasn’t lying this time.
What? Who is this? The king in yellow?
Even as drunk as he was, he still recognized who was talking g to him. It seems he was more aware now.
No? Derek would never do that.
“Stop it.” Avery suddenly woke up.
“Derek would never do that.” Avery stood his ground.
Avery was awake, alive from his… Wrong state of mind. Fueled by Derek’s voice, he fought.
“Then why do you think he came to see you for?”
“Because he cares about me. Now, leave.” Avery was taken back a little by his words but persisted anyway. All his anger and resentment builded up. If was all the kings fault. Why the hell is he still here?
“Fuck yourself.”
“A feisty one I see…”
Avery’s world was filled with colors again, Derek’s words had once again bring light to Avery’s world. How could he forget?
“I’m sorry…”
“I’ll never forget, I’ll never forget again.” Endless flowing tears completely soaked Avery’s face.
Chak!
A somber man wobbled into Derek’s hospital room. It took him a second to recognize it was even Avery.
What in the hell happened when in the past three days?
Avery slumped down on the side of the bed. Clearly too drunk.
“Avery?” Derek asked alarmed.
“What?” Avery murmured.
“Are you drunk?” Derek was concerningly, but not harsh. He was just worried. And then was immediately taken back by soft crying. Coming from Avery himself.
“Are you okay?”
Avery had his head on Derek’s sheets now, sobbing rather politely.
“Why won’t you wake up?” But the question didn’t sound like it was directed towards Derek. More… to himself.
“Do you know how much I need you?” Avery’s sniffles.
“You do?” Derek tried stroking Avery’s back, his head was still throbbing, but much, much less intense now.
“No— I’m not talking about you I’m talking about D3rlord3.” Avery sounded a bit defensive.
Derek laughed. He’s so drunk!
“What— How old even are you?” Derek says, he knew how old Avery was, he looks younger than his age though. Even though he looks like 18 just a few days ago, Avery’s seems to have aged fifteen years.
“*hic!* Twenty… I’m turning twenty one thisApril.” Avery replied honestly.
“Oh my gosh, You’re underage drinking!” Derek scolded Avery.
“Do you know how dangerous that could be?!” Derek almost passed out again after Avery told him he downed half a bottle of vodka. This guy is nuts!
“Leave me alone… besides, who are you to even ask me for my age?” Avery questions a bit rudely.
“I’m older than you for sure, now get your ass up dude! You’re gonna die if you don’t chase that down—“ Derek was caught off guard by how close Avery’s face was to his.
The smell of alcohol was strong.
“You look like you’re 20 too? Are you lying to me???” Avery says as Derek shoves a water bottle in his mouth, forcing him to drink. Backing Avery off.
“I tell you my age after you drink all of that.” Derek crosses his arms, fed up. Intrigued, but fed up. So this is what he looks like drunk.. How childish…
Derek smiles. Even though he may be somber, he’s more honest drunk, and more cute.
“Tell me.” Derek turns back around to the entire bottle already empty.
How on earth—
“Tell me.” Avery says once more. He really wants to know this guys age.
“Fine, I’m twenty three” Derek put his hands up in defeat. He thought making Avery drink the water would be harder, but it surprisingly was easier than expected.
“Did you get a call?” Derek asked, he had actually woken up a few hours ago, they finished testing him and says he’s all healthy again.
‘Maybe just a small stroke’ They briefly explained. But he has to stay for another day to make sure. They had told him they gave his friend a call but he didn’t pick up.
“My phone is dead.” Avery answered.
That’s what I thought.
“You look familiar.” Avery squinted his eyes.
“Huh, do I?” Derek rested his chin on his first. Leaning over half smirking.
“Well, no matter.” Avery flipped his hands up to the ceiling, giving up. Derek’s brows furrowed with disappointment.
“How did you get past the front desk?” Derek knew the nurses weren’t crazy enough to let some drunk kid Walt into a patients room.
“I just walked in, I think they were too bu—*hic* busy or sum”
“Well, thanks for coming” Derek chuckles.
“I’m not here for you” Avery insisted.
“Like I said, I’m here for D3rlord3, my friend.” Derek’s eyes widened at the word ‘friend’, did Avery really think of him as a friend? Derek soften his expressions.
“So why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at your ‘friend’s’” Derek asked.
“I’m here to wait, *hic!* he needs to wake up” Avery covered his face.
“I’m just so scared… What if he doesn’t ever wake up?” More tears began pouring down Avery’s cheeks. His face was redder than ever. But he was still somewhat politely crying. Softly sniffling.
At least he isn’t crying as hard as last time.
“Who ever it is… I’m sure he’ll wake up.” Derek used his natural comforting voice. Squeezing Avery’s heart as he continues to pat his back.
“You even sound like him!” Avery falls back into this ‘stranger’s’ lap. Moved by his voice, Avery began to ramble his words again. Forgetting everything about social cues or whatever. A weird comfortable ease filled Avery.
“You speak just like him you know? He sounds so nice, I just can’t get over it. It’s kinda embarrassing to say this, but I ask him questions just to hear him talk.” Avery’s admitted. Derek flushed, did Avery mean it?
“I wish he’d open up to me more, I really want to help him through everything we’ve gone through, but he doesn’t seem like the type to open up.” Derek felt a knot in his stomach. Lying wasn’t the best solution if he didn’t want Avery to worry.
I guess I need to open up more too. God I feel terrible for lying.
“I don’t wanna force him either… I just want to know and help him.” Avery had his chin on his forearm, rested by Derek’s knees. He was staring at a random spot on Derek’s blanket.
“I’m no expert but, maybe you should tell him. There’s nothing wrong with trying to get close with someone.” Derek suggested. Though the suggestion was half for Avery and half for himself. He sighed. Derek tried to make Avery less stressed and worried about him and the entire situation but instead did the opposite. He had to undo this somehow way or another.
“You’re right, I’m sorry I dragged you into this… *hic!* Who are you again?” Avery looked up, at the figure with straight black hair and pure blue eyes. His skin was a dull tan. The only word Avery’s mind could generate to describe him was handsome. Very handsome. Not in a lovey dovey way, more like a damn, why can’t I be like that?Way.
He couldn’t touch it, but the figure seems familiar, like a person from his dreams.
“I’m D3rl—Derek.” He answered, but when he did, Avery was already asleep.
He sure sleeps well.
A gentle breeze swirls the curtains of Derek’s hospital room.