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Derek took a deep breath. The chapter was completed, the author’s note at the start of it had been written, and Derek Marcus Hutchins was mortified. He just had to press post- just had to send the chapter out for the internet to enjoy, but-
But he was hesitant.
Previously, he had enjoyed the anonymity of the website, but with the infinite knowledge mostly gone, he knew that someone he cared for a lot had read his fanfictions-
In fact, they continued to read his fanfictions up until Derek had encountered Hastur- the final chapter posted just hours before that fateful event; Funny, how the final comment Derek had ever read on one of his fanfics had belonged to the person who was the most important to him.
…Avery deserved to know Derek was still around, and with the other’s phone number, e-mail and other methods of contacting the blonde long forgotten, Derek was forced to write the next chapter of his 500k enemies to lovers slow burn, because he knew, deep down, that Avery would read it.
He just hoped the other wouldn’t be too angry with him.
It had been three weeks since new year’s eve, and Avery did what he was best at.
Struggle.
He struggled with everything-
With getting up in the morning, with putting on a brave face in front of his friends and family and with maintaining his barely-passing grades.
He’d seen Derek’s final letter, he knew he had to move on, but-
But it was hard. How the hell do you move on when someone you don’t know just saved your life, at the cost of their own…? How do you go on, knowing that you’re the only person who’s aware of the tragedy that befell a complete stranger- how do you cope with the knowledge that you’re the only one who knows the reason why the world hadn’t been destroyed yet-
How do you handle being the only one who knows that the world had been in danger in the first place!?
Derek was cruel- how did he expect Avery to heal when he could never speak of the things that had happened to him?! How did he expect the blonde to…
…He… Maybe there was a way- maybe Avery just hadn’t found it yet- maybe… Maybe one day he’d be okay, and maybe Derek had known he’d one day be okay.
Maybe… Avery just had to wait for that. Maybe the pain would lessen over time.
Avery was planning to just spend the day mindlessly doomscrolling on youtube or tiktok, when he got a notification.
Oh!
They’d posted again.
Avery wasn’t proud of it, but he read a lot of fanfiction, and by far his favourite author on Ao3 was a mysterious man called ‘Redlord337’, who’d been writing a ship that had Avery very confused, but intrigued when he first read the tags.
It had taken less than 500 words to convince Avery that the ship- while interesting- was by far the least fascinating part of the fic. Redlord’s writing style was… something else; Reading it didn’t feel like a chore- instead, it was like the sentences and words just flowed along, chapters flying by without Avery realizing it.
The first time he had read Redlord’s writing, Avery hadn’t realized over six hours had passed until he decided to take a break and actually looked at the time.
It had been 2AM.
After that, Avery had been a bit more careful while reading Redlord’s work, deciding to only read what the other wrote in the weekend, so that when the blonde inevitably lost track of time, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
Another thing Avery started to do was comment on the other’s work, and while Redlord didn’t always reply, when he did he was very thoughtful and polite, even towards those that criticised him.
Avery was pretty sure Redlord was an established author of sorts, but when he had asked the other about it, Redlord denied it, stating he just did this as a hobby, and if he turned it into a job he probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much- plus, it would mean less content people could get for free.
Avery had begged Redlord to publish his own, original works, because unlike most other authors he knew, the ao3 author’s work was actually easy to read for the blonde. The last reply he ever got from the author before he went radio silent was ‘I’ll think about it’
That had been months ago, and while Redlord did occasionally go radio silent, Avery had been worried about the other. But hey! Looks like he got a proper distraction from his grief now, with his favorite author back.
And… it seemed like the other had a lengthy author’s note at the start of their newest chapter.
Avery quickly read the previous two chapters, just to refresh his mind, before reading over the author’s note.
Hello, it’s been a while.
Avery smiled. Redlord always seemed so formal in his writing.
Unfortunately, it seems like the ao3 curse may not have been a superstition, because I’ve been affected too. Months ago, I ran into a complicated situation, which- over the course of months- caused me a lot of pain; physically, mentally and emotionally.
The blonde frowned.
He’d heard about the curse before, but it was never pleasant to read about it.
For a short summary; I’ve been dealing with horrible physical pain for months, met someone very important to me during new years’ eve (I know they read my fanfiction, hi Avery).
Avery froze-
Wait
No way.
There was no possible way-
Avery quickly continued on- NEEDING to know if what he had read was-
I almost DIED on new year’s eve, was in a coma for a week, forgot how to contact that very important person (sorry, Avery), got out of the hospital, almost got hit by a car and I am finally well enough to post again.
In good news; I finally know how to fix some of the plot holes, so at least that’s one less thing to worry about.
I hope you will enjoy the chapter, and once again, sorry for the absence (and if you’re reading this, Avery, sorry for not contacting you before this. I am who you think I am.)
Avery was frozen for a total of 30 seconds after reading the author’s note, before very quickly scrolling all the way down, to where the author’s tumblr was linked-
He had to know-
He had to know if Redlord was actually Derek.
D3rlord3????
He had to know- Avery had to know if this other person was really-
A minute after sending the message, Avery got a reply.
Hi, Avery.
...It... really was him, wasn't it?
Oh my god it’s- it’s you?
It’s me, Derek.
Where are you? Can I come over?
Do you know the cafe on the 5th of wayfarer street?
Yeah???
I’m there rn.
DO NOT MOVE IM COMING OVER
I won’t. I’ll wait here for you. Want me to order you something?
Avery didn’t reply to that final message, too busy putting on his shoes and rushing to find his skateboard-
Derek hadn’t died-
Derek was alive!
….Avery learned Derek was alive because of the other’s account on ao3.
That thought caused Avery to pause.
…Had-
Had he really just-
Was this REALLY how he was going to find out that his cru- hero had survived something he shouldn’t have and was out and about?
‘Am I really COMPLAINING about the fact I now know Derek’s alive!?’
Avery shook his head, quickly grabbing his keys to head out-
The sooner he’d get to hold Derek, the better.