Chapter Text
Avery sees the words “YOU DIED!” across his screen, his mind panicking with what the fuck just happened. He doesn’t know why Derek would go so far just to save him, a broke college student barely making it along on new years fricking eve, someone.
Derek saved Avery over himself, why? As the tears stream down every face, he can’t help but let out sobs. “No one has ever- done- this.. kindness- for someone like me..” Avery lets out in broken sobs, he doesn’t have a clue what to do. Does he try and find Derek again? Does he sit in the mess he’s made? He doesn’t know anymore.
— — — — — — — — — —
Derek knows what he’s done, he and the king have merged. His head throbs with pain from all the foreseeable knowledge in the universe, lack of nutrition and just like in general.
“man your mind is fucked up”
“can you talk to me now..” Derek rubs his temples as his vision goes blurry
“i..i think im gonna-“
The last thing that is heard from Derek’s mind is a loud thud.
— — — — — — — — —
It’s been a few days since the.. thing.. happened, and Avery hasn’t left bed almost at all. Sure, he’s used the restroom, but that’s it. His tongue moves on the tops of his teeth, feeling the buildup due to not brushing them every night. His stomach begs for even a site of food, but he feels to sick to eat a thing.
“I’ve killed derek.” is all he would think before he would break into tears again and reach for the blade. The cycle is weep, cut, mastrabate, repeat. Being grossed out by yourself and thinking you killed someone is not a good combo.
Avery can’t help but wonder what happened to Derek, how he killed him, at least. His mind ventures over suicide or explosion, but the king wouldn’t let him go so easily. “He probably used medieval punishment to kill him or something worse.” he whispers to himself while tossing and turning. He can’t help but wonder what happened to him. The one person he actually cared about him enough to sacrifice himself for him enough to be able to kill himself for Avery no one would ever do that except for Derek.
Month have passed since the sacrifice. Avery ended up figuring out how to get out of the house after a while, mostly by the pressure of being expelled if he didn’t show up to classes. He’s in a bit better headspace but every night he still has nightmares about that experience. They’re also vivid like everything just happened fresh wounds being reopened. It’s about hard to describe.
Found a small café uptown to study for his final exams, which basically means just sketching since he went to art school. working on a final draft, I guess. He orders a cappuccino and finds a seat by the small reading nook in the corner of the café. New York is nothing short of busy. At least this little quiet corner seems like a pleasant workspace.
As he's working, he hears people enter and exit the cafe, but he keeps sketching until he finds a good stopping point in his draft. Since it's the weekend, he has no classes today thankfully so he spends his time in the city. He gets on a bus and just sits there until he can find a decent location. He ends up stopping at some sort of hospital. Well, I guess not really. It's like an extended living place for hospital residents so they don’t have to live in the hospital. You can volunteer there and stuff to help out with people or you can use it as community service. He puts his name on the volunteer list and has to fill out a couple of little forms and he’s assigned with people in his age group when he makes it they’re playing a game of cards.
“whacha guys playing?” Avery says in a cheerful but emotionless voice “we’re playing group poker! wanna join?”
one of the guys dressed in all black in the corner. so far he looks smug, like he’s winning.
“He has the best poker face!” another guy pretty pissed off says in the corner of his eye.
“I think I’ll pass today, but good luck to you guys!” Avery walks over to the other activities going on, sewing, baseball and even cooking classes!
He stops by each station, saying hello and attempting to learn whatever was happening at the station. Avery isn’t a very fast learner, to say the least. He’s about to leave when something catches his eye, a tall, darker skinned man with frame glasses and dreads lighting a cigarette in the corner. Avery pats his pocket himself to find his vape and edibles stashed away. “One more social event couldn’t hurt,” Avery says to himself before making his way over to the man.
“Hey.” Avery says while reaching for his vape.
“What's up.” the man says while flicking off the blunt end of his cigarette and lighting a new one. But something is off, avery knows that voice from somewhere, something he could never forget.
“Derek?” avery says with genuine shock on his face.
“wait, how do you know my name?” the shady man fires back defensively.
…
“d3rlord?”