Chapter Text
Six months have passed since New Year’s Eve.
Six months since he lost D3rlord.
Avery still thought about him every chance he got. He had to move on, even if a part of him desperately wanted to stay stuck in the past. Sometimes, he still wondered if D3rlord was out there somewhere. Just being stupidly smart and courageous. But lying around crying wouldn't change anything. Needing a distraction, Avery had applied to the nearest college, never actually expecting to get accepted.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Ugh... I'm up, I'm up." Avery groaned. He dragged himself out of bed, slipped into his creeper slippers, and shuffled to the bathroom. Later, he shoved a slice of bread into the toaster and threw on a white shirt, and some black shorts. He then returned to the smell of smoke. "Shit! Just my luck." He reluctantly choked down the burnt toast, grabbed his bag, and bolted out of his dorm.
Avery ran down the campus path, completely lost in thought. "I hope I didn't lose my—"
Thud.
He crashed directly into someone, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Avery landed squarely on top of the stranger, his face instantly burning with embarrassment.
"I—I'm so sorry!" Opening his eyes, he found himself staring into deep blue eyes, framed by messy brown hair parted down the middle. He wore a white button down layered with a brown sweater vest, with dark brown cargo pants. The other man propped himself up on his elbows and spoke.
"I would appreciate it if you could move, please?" the man asked, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice.
"Ah, right!" Avery scrambled off, face burning. Dusting the dirt from his knees while grabbing his sunglasses. Before he could stand up, a hand appeared in his sight. "Thanks," Avery mumbled, awkwardly taking the brunette's hand. He pulled himself up and cleared his throat. "What's your name? I don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you new?" He smiled. "My name's Derek."
"My name's Derek."
He offered a polite smile, but the other man's reaction made him freeze. The blonde looked at him as if Derek had just confessed to a horrific crime. He cleared his throat, nervously brushing his dirty-blonde hair out of his eyes.
"My name's Avery." He stared into Derek's eyes with his green eyes. An intense, desperate hope in them. It spooked Derek. A sudden, heavy familiarity brushed against the back of his mind. Something was right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't quite taste it.
"I'm late for class! Look, I want to meet up here right after, okay?” It sounded less like an invitation and more like a demand.
"Okay then. Nice meeting you," Derek replied, completely thrown off. Avery spun around and sprinted away, leaving Derek to turn and head in the opposite direction.
Throughout his entire lecture, Derek couldn't focus. The name kept echoing in his mind.
Avery.
He used to know an Avery.
He was certain of it.
Avery. Avery.
Then, the memories came rushing back. Some pieces were still missing, blurred and fractured, but it all came back. He remembered a green slime named Avery. That was the only detail that mattered. He had risked everything—given his entire life—for him. No wonder he was in the hospital for over 5 months. He'd passed out cold and somehow made it through all the piercing headaches. All because he wanted to save him. If he really sacrificed his life for this random guy—who might not even be the real Avery—he must've meant a lot to him.
The time finally came.
During his lunch break, Avery rushed back to the exact spot where he had accidentally fallen on top of Derek earlier. He knew he should stop hoping. He knew Derek was likely long gone. Yet, a tiny voice in his head kept screaming that Derek was still right here on this campus. When he arrived, his heart leaped. Derek was standing there, looking around with his phone in his hand. The moment Derek spotted Avery, he smiled and waved.
"Hey," He greeted him as Avery approached. "Hey, Derek," Avery replied. They stared at each other for a long moment, both waiting for the other to make the first move. "This might sound stupid," Derek started, scratching the back of his neck, "but do you play Minecraft?"
"Yes, I do..." Avery said, his breath catching. "Is your username Themostmayo?" "Yes." Avery stared at him, hope flaring in his eyes. He couldn't believe that fate was bringing them together yet again. "My old name was... D3rlord... I think." Derek squeezed his eyes shut, pressing a hand to his forehead as he tried to trigger the memory. "Yes. Yes, it was." Tears blurred Avery's vision. He threw his arms around Derek, tackling him into a tight hug.
"God, I hate you! You're the stupidest person I've ever met! And yet you're still the smartest person I've ever met!" Derek wrapped his arms around Avery and laughed. "Don't laugh!" Avery cried into his chest, squeezing tighter. "This isn't funny!"
Derek cleared his throat. Avery opened his eyes, suddenly aware of the other students walking past and giving them strange looks.
"Ah, right." Avery scrambled backward, pushing himself off Derek's chest as a sudden warmth rushed to his cheeks. "Sorry."
"It's fine." Derek offered a reassuring smile. "Wanna go grab a coffee and talk? I know a place, and I’d like to get to know you better." He gestured for Avery to fall in step with him as he turned down the campus walkway.
Avery hesitated, looking down at his clothes. "Maybe I should change first? I kinda just threw on the first things I found." He glanced sideways at Derek, feeling self-conscious. God, Derek looked good. His styled brown hair caught the sunlight, and his blue eyes were beautiful. Compared to him, Avery felt like a mess with his shaggy, dirty blonde hair, thrown-together outfit, and his green eyes.
"No, you look fine," Derek laughed softly, nudging Avery's shoulder. "It's not like I'm taking you out to a fancy dinner. Now, are you coming or not? We'll run out of time." Derek picked up the pace, and Avery had to jog a few steps to catch up.
A few minutes later, they were settled at a small corner table, the warmth of their coffee cups radiating between them. "Thanks for paying," Avery said, wrapping his hands around his mug and nervously scratching the back of his neck. "I'm kinda short on money right now..."
"It's fine, I don't mind," Derek said, offering a small smile to ease the tension. "So..." He leaned back, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "What have you been doing since I've been gone? What are some things you like?"
Avery looked away, his gaze drifting out the window as he tightened his grip around his coffee mug. "Well... after I thought you died—which, clearly, you didn't—I kinda just stayed in my room all day long. Like a total loser." He let out a soft laugh. "But I eventually forced myself to apply for college. Somehow, I actually got in." He paused, his eyes flicking back to Derek, silently searching his face for any kind of reaction. Derek remained still, listening intently. "As for things I like..." Avery’s posture relaxed, the light returning to his eyes. "Well, I still play Minecraft, especially SkyWars. And I’ve gotten really into photography lately." He set his mug down and turned his head towards him. "How about you?"
"Me?"
The question caught Derek off guard. He blinked, shifting uncomfortably. The truth was, his life had been a blank slate since he was discharged from the hospital a month ago. He tried to think of a hobby, a preference, anything—was empty. Everything before waking up in that hospital bed was a blur, trailing off into the dark memories of the King in Yellow.
"I... don't do much, honestly," Derek admitted quietly. "Well, I just can't remember."
"I don't remember anything past that King in Yellow crap, but since I've recovered, I've been getting into poetry," Derek said, taking a sip of his coffee. "I spend most of my free time reading, as well."
They sat and talked, the conversation going easy until their lunch break finally ran out. Standing outside the cafe, Derek gripped his coffee cup and turned to face Avery. "It was nice catching up with you."
"Can I have your—" Derek started.
"Can I get your—" Avery said at the exact same moment.
They both stopped and laughed. After a quick exchange of numbers, they finally parted ways.
Avery couldn’t get Derek out of his head. All day long, his mind full of questions, all revolving around him.
The second he finally got back to his dorm, he changed into his pajamas and collapsed onto the bed. He pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over his contact list. There it was: Derek.
He stared at the screen, falling into a spiral of overthinking. Should I text him? What if it's too soon? do I seem too clingy? What if he only gave me his number to be nice?
Avery decided to text him anyways and worry about it later.
Avery: Hey
The instant his thumb tapped send, he closed his phone and threw himself backward, burying his face in his pillow. He only meant to close his eyes for a second, but exhaustion won, and he drifted straight off to sleep.
A string of notifications woke Avery up.
Derek: Hey, sorry I just got home.
Derek: Are you free on Wednesday?
Derek: I was thinking we could maybe hang out at my place tonight.
Avery’s heart did a little flip. He typed out a reply instantly, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Avery: Yeah sure why not
Avery: Just text me whenever I should come lol
Setting his phone down, Avery caught himself smiling at his phones screen. He immediately forced his face back into a neutral expression. Why did he feel so weird inside?
The next two days blurred together. Avery’s mind entirely occupied by the hours until Wednesday. In between classes, he crossed paths with Derek. Every shared glance, passing smile, and casual wave left Avery with a pounding heart and a burning face. It was a strange, dizzying feeling he couldn't quite shake.
When Wednesday afternoon finally arrived, Derek grabbed his phone and texted Avery without a second thought.
Derek: Hey, you can come over now if you’d like.
Derek: I get it if you don’t want to, though.
Derek: Oh, by the way, I live in my own apartment.
Derek: I’ll send you the address.
He slid his phone into his pocket, expecting to wait. Instead, his phone lit up instantly.
Avery: No it's fine I'm on my way :)