Work Text:
Derek hoisted the empty sack over his shoulder, brushing away the hair that had fallen into his face. For the last few days Ina had made a remark about the length of his hair, which just barely reached his shoulders, and how she was determined to cut it short again. Though each day she would get enraptured in one chore or another and completely forget about her plan, not that Derek minded. He liked his hair long.
“I promise you, I will not forget again.” Ina reassured Derek as she pulled his hair back, tying it out of his face with a cord made of leather. “The last thing we need is you tripping over something you cannot see.”
“But I am able to see.” He responded coyly. After everything Ina had done for him after all these years, taking him in, and caring for him as if he was her own son, he hated talking back to her in any way. She rested a hand atop his head, her golden hair, which was also tied back, seemingly shining against the morning sun.
“I am merely looking out for you, child.” She let go of him and began to walk “Do we have everything we need?” Derek held up the empty bag, and Ina held up her own, smaller bag that was filled with gems. They nodded to each other and started their journey into town. It wasn't a very grand distance, but it was time consuming.
Derek loved the small walks to town, though, especially around this time of year when the leaves had all shifted in hue, but still clung to the trees like a lifeline. He looked up at the sunshine that tried to break through the barrier of reds, and oranges, and the occasional purple. He playfully kicked a pile of leaves into the air and raced to the stone bridge ahead, a smile wide on his face from the sudden burst of energy.
“Oh- stay where I can see you, Derek!” Ina laughed and called out to him, picking up the ends of her long dress and apron to follow after him. When she reached the bridge she leaned against it and panted, quickly turning into a chuckle. “You're getting too fast for me!”
“Sorry..” The smile wavered from Derek fast, replaced with a wave of embarrassment. Ina reached over and pulled him into a one armed hug.
“Don't be sorry that I'm getting too old.” She sighed, looking down at Derek, who just barely went above her shoulder. “Or that you're getting too tall.” She laughed and gave him a tight squeeze before walking across the bridge. She seemed to find light of the situation, but Derek, however, was mortified. He's always been taller than most kids his age, but was he reaching a point of too tall? Had he reached some disturbed, forbidden height at 13? Did he- “Derek? Are you coming?”
“Yes, sorry!”
============
The village was bustling today, not that there was ever a day it wasn't. Derek stayed closed behind Ina as she wedged through the marketgoers, avoiding any of the big carts and showy visiting merchants. “I've been thinking, Derek.” He looked up at Ina, who was rummaging through the bag in hand. “After the shopping, we should have extra emeralds, is there anything you would want?” Want? Him? Why would they not save the few extras? It's not as if they had many ways to get currency to begin with!
“Are you.. sure?”
“Of course, you've been rather helpful during this year's harvest.” He looked around the various stalls. “Perhaps the Smiths will have those glazed apples you-”
“I want to get a new book. I've read and reread the ones at the house more times than I can count.”
“You've picked up reading fast, haven't you? I'm proud.” Ina rested her calloused hand on his head once more “Well, we shall get you something new to read.”
They'd traveled between the various shops and market stalls, each greeted them with a warm smile and polite conversation. By the time the sun was nearing its peak, the bag Derek held had started to grow heavy against his back. He had to walk carefully to keep himself centered and stop from falling backwards. They walked up to a rather large stall, books lined its corner. Derek side-eyed the leather spines as the merchant let out a gasp.
“Ah, Ina! It has been a while since we have last spoken, yes?” The merchant clasped his hands together, the man, Derek never bothered to remember his name, was a traveling merchant that was an old friend of Ina. Because of this, he often sold them goods at a reduced price, one of the reasons they frequented him when looking for non-necessities. “And, my, is that little Derek? Why, the last time I saw you, you were no larger than a fawn!”
“He has certainly grown.” Derek smiled awkwardly, but froze up when trying to speak. Luckily the merchant did the talking for him.
“I assume the two of you did not traverse here only to greet with me, would it be incorrect of me to assume you plan to purchase something?”
“No, it wouldn't. Though you must tell me of your travels, friend.” Ina turned to Derek, “Go ahead and pick one.” Derek stepped forwards and looked over each book while the two adults spoke, he did not have much preference on what he read. So he was merely searching for whatever book was in the worst condition, something he learned often meant a cheaper price. Once he'd found it, he lightly tugged on Ina's apron and handed it to her.
“I want this one.”
“Ah, a fine choice, my young friend! How about.. just an emerald?”
“Only one?” Ina sounded surprised. “That almost sounds like I'm cheating you. I have more to offer if-”
“Nonsense! You and your boy are family!” Derek took a step back behind Ina as she paid, and they continued to talk. A distant shouting caught his attention, making him turn to the crowd to see.. a slime?
No older than 6, the young slime waded through the crowd with a bundle in hand, a man chasing after him. As he got closer he snuck between Derek and Ina, hiding behind the woman.
“You get back here, thief!" The man shouted, Ina and the merchant stopped talking and turned to the man. He was large, it seemed he chased the boy a long distance given his flushed flushed and breathlessness. “Ina!”
“Jack? What is the meaning of all this shouting?”
“Him!” He pointed to the young boy behind them. Ina and Derek both turned to the boy, who cowered at all the eyes suddenly on him. He held the bundle close to his tattered shirt and looked between all the people around him. “He stole from my cart!”
“Oh, look at the poor boy, Jack. He looks starved!”
“Starved or not. He's been doing this for months, he should lose those lancerous hands of his!“ The boy suddenly yelped and cowered behind Ina once more, a look flashed upon her face, one Derek recognized easily.
“Do you not have a heart?! This boy is in need of help and all you wish to do is mutilate him!”
“Uh.. could you folks possibly move this dispute to another location? I believe you may be scaring away possible patrons..” The merchant nervously cleared his throat as Ina thrust the bag of last two remaining emeralds into Jack's hands.
“If you are so desperate for payment than here! Take your money and leave this child alone, Mr.Smith!" Jack looked down at the bag, then to the boy, who stuck his green tongue out at him, and walked away with a grumble. Ina sighed exasperatingly, Derek walked over and put a hand on her arm in alarm. “Apologies.. I did not mean to cause such a scene, I-” They both turned back to see the boy try to slink back into the crowd.
“Where do you think you're going?!” Derek shouted, grabbing onto the collar of the boy's shirt and dragging him back over.
“WAIT! Nonono! I'm sorry! I-” the slime's cries died in his throat as he looked up to Ina, a look of terror on his face. She knelt down before him.
“Are you alright?” The slime looked back to Derek, who still held onto him tightly with a scowl. To think he was going to just walk away without a thank you, how ungrateful! The boy nodded slowly. “Good. Where are your parents? Does your family know where you are?” She looked around, surprised at the saddened expression on his face.
“I..” He pouted for a moment. “..I don't have parents..”
“..What is your name?”
“..Avery..”
“Well, Avery, you are welcome to come home with us. No child should have to be alone on the streets.” What? Derek let go of the boy, Avery, and looked between the two of them. What was she thinking? Inviting someone, someone they just witnessed committing a crime, into their home?! This must've been some sort of joke!
============
It was not a joke.
He was staying with them indefinitely. In their home, in his room. All of this decided without a second thought, Derek couldn't believe it!
He looked at Avery from across the table, who stared down at his plate in wonder, as if unsure where to start. Ina sat between them watching the boy with a gentle smile on her face. Derek did his best to ignore it and started to eat, only to stop when he looked to see Avery suddenly, and loudly, start to eat like a dying man.
“Don't eat too fast! We don't need you to choke.” Ina warned, Avery suddenly stopped eating before looking to Derek to copy him. Derek pursed his lip at the sight. “Now, Avery, if you are to stay here, you are expected to help. This farm may be small but it is still a group effort.”
“Anything! I'll do anything you need me to, miss!” Avery blurted out quickly, setting his silverware on the already empty plate.
“I'm glad to hear that. Perhaps you could go outside and see the rest of the grounds before it gets too dark? Derek and I can take care of the dish.” Avery nodded and pushed back his chair, nearly running out the door, determined to map out the entire area “Make sure to come back before sundown!”
Derek stood and collected the dishes, bringing them to the small wooden basin as Ina carried the large pot of hot water over, slowly pouring it into the basin. He looked out the window at Avery, who raced through the yard looking at various things. “Ina.. Are you sure about this?”
“He does seem like a curious boy, doesn't he?”
“I just mean that..”
“He almost reminds me of somebody.” She smiled and ruffled his hair before she began washing. Remind her of somebody? Was she talking about him? Avery was nothing like him! Nor was he ever like Avery.
“But.. he's-” Derek stuttered, unsure what to say. “He's a thief! A criminal! The only thing he'll do here is cause trouble, if not worse!”
“And why do you think that?”
“Because it-”
“It is all he knows.” Ina wiped her hands on her apron. “Derek, we don't know what Avery's life has been up to this point. But he is young, too young to deal with such a thing. He does not know better, and he won't without guidance. That is why we to teach him.”
“..We?”
“He is going to be looking to you, Derek. He needs somebody who can keep him out of trouble, and keep him safe.” Ina sighed and rested a hand on his cheek.“I know that might be a lot to ask, especially when you're at that age of trying to figure yourself out. Just.. promise me you'll look out for him.”
Derek looked out the window, Avery was now just standing in the evening light, looking around, confused and intimidated at this whole new setting around him.. not unlike he did when Ina first took him in.. Took him under her wing and cared for him, the sick boy who was hiding within the small stable that held her mule.
If she could do it for him, he could do it for Avery. Try to, anyway.
“..I promise..”
============
Derek settled under the covers of his bed, looking at the new book he'd gotten from the market when the door creaked open, causing the candle beside him to quiver. Avery shuffled in, now dressed in comfortable bedclothes (his bedclothes. But he promised himself not to make a fuss.) that were too large for him.
This was another adjustment Derek would have to get used to. There were only two bedrooms within the house, and Ina scolded him for suggesting to let Avery sleep in the barn. Sharing a room, all this time this room had been his own form of sanctuary. Which he now had to share. He wasn't.. upset.. about it, other than the fact that, until Ina could find a way to get another bed in here, that also meant sharing his own bed.
Derek pulled his knees in and let Avery climb to the left side of the bed, burrowing under the covers and curled up, staring at the wall. The room fell silent and Derek went back to reading. After a few minutes he heard shuffling.
“What are you doing?” Avery rolled over and asked.
“I'm reading.” Derek explained, turning the page and continuing to read. Avery only stared at him before speaking up again.
“..Reading what?”
“A book I got before you decided to hide behind Ina.” His voice fell to a mutter, he wasn't sure if Avery heard him or not. “..like a coward..”
“..Can you read to me..?” Avery sounded hesitant to ask, as if he was going to get thrown out for asking.
“Can't you go grab a book and read it yourself?”
“But I can't read!” Derek sighed, planting his face into the pages. Of course he didn't, it was a miracle that Derek could read at all. He turned to the boy, that young, expectant glimmer in his eyes that made Derek finally give in.
He reopened the book to the first page, and started to read. It didn't take long until he started to hear faint snores beside him, and he himself was starting to grow tired. He set the book down on the small table, and blew out the candle, letting sleep wash over him.
============
Derek shut the book, a saddened expression on his face. It was in much better condition, more lavish than the one he had back in the day, as everything within this large bedroom was, but it was still the exact same tale. It was then he realized that he never finished the story, despite how reading aloud became a nightly ritual between him and his brother. Avery would always fall asleep only a few pages in.
He turned to the King, sprawled out on that large bed, resting. The bandages wrapped around Him were fresh, and healing well. Derek sighed and walked to the bed, taking a seat in the large, comfortable chair beside the bed and began to read to himself.