[Video to text transcript]
Derek fumbles with his keys, still not all paying attention to what he's doing. When the key turns, he pushes the door open and waits as it slowly creaks.
The apartment was clean. Even moreso than Derek usually kept it.
> Oh wow! Itβs... clean.
Avery walks inside and look around, squinting due the lack of light and inability to see very well.
They look back at Derek, their eyes srill having a small glint of worry.
> I usually keep the lights off, it's... easier. The switch is, uh... here-
He flicks the lights on, sharply hissing before covering his eyes.
> Christ, that... that's really bright. Uh... ow....
Momentarily they cover their eyes from the light, before being able to open them again. A light chuckle escapes them.
> Itβs fine! Itβs good, uh... you okay?
> Mmhm, yeah. I'm just... I never realised how bright they were. Where's Av- the, uh... little slime?
Derek nods, although it doesnt seem all that truthful. He rubs at his temple, trying his best to keep his gaze on the floor.
Avery lets out a muffled chuckle.
> Dude itβs fine, I know what you named it. It can be our son or something like that.
They look further into the house before making their way in while speaking.
> I donβt think Iβve seen it last time I was here... You remember where it was left?
> Uhh... no. I wasn't taking much notice during... that time.
He shifts on his feet, starting to look around the lounge room.
> Can you check the bedroom? Should just be that door there.
> Alrighty then.. Let me know if you find anything, detective.
And theyβre off to the bedroom, disappearing out of sight.
Derek finds Avery Jr behind the couch, looking down and squeezing it lightly. It bounces back into the vaguely blocky shape.
His eyes widen suddenly and he looks around the room, seeing no one. He doesn't relax, in fact his breathing seems to have increased.
Meanwhile Avery has been looking around the bedroom. It was... strange. To see his room where Derek spent his New Years Eve, on the day they first met.
Avery noticed small bloodstains on the desk that Miranda seemed to miss when she was cleaning up. They instinctively flinched. It was painful to think about what he went through.
> ...heβs been in the lounge for a while now.
Avery spoke his thoughts out loud, before heading to the door to check on his friend.
Derek groans and makes his way into the kitchen, clutching his head. Avery Jr was squished against his chest until he reaches one of his counters, where he simply sets it against the nearby knifeblock.
Avery voice can be distantly heard from the kitchen, up until they enter the room and spot him.
> Derek! Did you find it?
> Hm? Yeah, I found him. Right here. Just... my head hurts.
Derek lifts his head to look over at Avery, but he looks a lot more tired than he was when he came in.
Avery briefly glances over at the plushie, but their gaze quickly goes back to Derek. They look worried.
They walk up to him and gently put a hand on his back.
> You sure youβre okay? You seem tired. Maybe you should take some ibuprofen when weβre home?
Derek nods, although flinches at the hand on his back.
> Yes please. I, uh... you go ahead. I need to deal with something, ok?
> ...dude you know Iβm not leaving you alone like that.
> Mmn... Avery, just... please? I'll be right behind you.
They head over to the door, before momentarily stopping and looking at him once more. Same worry in their eyes.
> Iβll wait for you near the front door, okay? Take your time.
And to the front door they went.
Derek nods again, burying his head in his arms. He sighs and reaches out for Avery Jr, but the shakiness makes him grab something else and he falls to the ground hard.
Not even halfway through on his way to the door, Avery hears the fall and instantly runs back.
> Oh Avery, I am fine. Better than ever. Could you help me up?
Derek stares up, his eyes not really focused on anything. He blinks in strange increments, as if operating on some internal timer to mimic a person's natural behaviours.
Avery stares at him for a few seconds, concern growing and mixing with cautiousness.
> ...Derek? I heard- I heard something fall and-
This isnβt right. Something feels off.
> It was me! Sorry. I tripped on the floor. Very slippery, you see. Could you help me up?
Avery stares at him once more, as if attempting to think of something.
They walk up to him and give him a hand, yet they feel tense. As if theyβre ready to enter fight or flight.
> Fantastic! Thank you Avery.
Derek smiles, reaching his hand out to take hold of Avery's. He grabs tighter than normal, and harshly pulls Avery down closer. He pulls out the knife from behind his back and holds it against Avery's throat, hand now gripping Avery's as hard as he can.
> Foolish creatures. Both of you.
Averyβs face almost instantly switches to one of anger.
> GOD DAMN IT- YOU ASSHO-
And yet their eyes fill with fear when they notice the knife that he was holding. Desperately trying to pull themself out of his grip.
> Oh, no. No, I will not be doing that. You were given a chance to run.
He presses the knife harder, a line of blood ever so slightly starting to spill.
> I grow tired of the games you and Derek play. Why not just be done with you?
Avery holds his hands on the Kingβs, in an effort to push the knife away. Or at least not let him slit their throat.
Why did you help him? You knew something was wrong, so why? Why, Avery? You idiot. Stupid idiot.
> Derek... please... you-... you are real...
The pressure on the hands grows stronger as Avery attempts to push the knife away.
> That will not work this time, boy. Not the way you are thinking of, anyway. Tell me...
The King leans in, its eyes still unblinking. The knife stops pressing as hard, hands trembling with effort.
> Does it please you to know I can hear him? Derek? Oh, how he is trying so hard to fight me.
Averyβs hands are shaking, but they keep on a steady grip on the Kingβs.
> Derek please.. I know you can do this-... Iβm- Iβm here.
Avery closes their eyes shut as they suddenly jolt and attempt to push the knife away and upwards, away from their throat.
The knife slices through skin, but not of Avery's throat. It drags upwards of their cheekbone, blood dripping down the metal already stained with the blood of Derek's hand.
> You are here and he will watch you die for it.
And finally, Avery manages to push his hand away, the blade cutting directly through their eye. They then proceed to put their hands onto him and push him away.
> Ha. Hahaha. I think Derek might have screamed louder than you did. By the suns, it's so funny when your kind scream.
He doesn't stay down for long, slowly approaching Avery once more.
Avery attempts to get up, before stumbling backwards and bumping into a minifridge, a green apple rolling out of it.
Heβs covering his face with his hands as muffled hissing, heavy breathing and almost cries can be heard coming from him. They are shaking.
The King whispers, standing over the other man. He gets down and tries aiming for the throat again, but the sight of the apples seems to catch him off-guard. More than that, he froze completely.
Avery simply falls on the floor into a sitting position, hands still grasping at their face, blood dripping between the fingers.
Their ragged breathing can be heard.
The King is still frozen, but the knife drops. He sits back on his feet, staring at the apple. Almost looks as if in a trance, eyes dimmer than they were.
He doesn't make a sound. Not for a whole minute that seemed to stretch between them. It was impossible to even tell if he was breathing.
Suddenly his eyes snap to Avery, but no longer with that near-manic bloodlust. Now it was just... sad. Worried. Terrified. Derek.
Avery flinches at the sound of the sound of the knife dropping, before finally putting the hand away from the eye thst wasnβt damaged.
They didnβt sound angry or disappointed, no, they sounded.. Genuinely worried. Scared. Not of him, but for him.
> Avery... you should've left. Please. I could hear him.
His voice is all mumbly now, nothing like the sadistic hiss of the King.
> I can... still hear him...
Avery finally gets up, revealing a large slash on their face. And yet, they donβt seem to mind it, as they instantly run up to Derek and put him into a tight hug.
> No... I donβt- I canβt let him hurt you again, please... Iβll be okay...
> Avery... he's coming. I just... I- I need to tell you this. Okay? Maybe it'll help, or- or maybe it won't but I... I might not get another chance.
Derek whispers, hugging Avery back. Not very tightly, as if terrified he'll break them. He clenches his hand, the pain bringing a wave of odd clearness to his mind.
> I... you're so important to me. I don't know how to express it properly, but, just... I'd do anything for you. Anything you ever ask. There isn't a single thing I wouldn't learn, or make, or do, if you asked. Okay?
Avery looks up at him, his eyes almost terrified.
> No- no no, Derek donβt- Donβt say that! Youβll- Youβll get another chance. Weβll be okay.
They bury their face in his chest, hugging him tightly.
> Youβre so important to me too. Youβre one of the best people Iβve ever met.
Derek leans back against the cabinets, holding Avery close to him. It doesn't take long for him to drop his arms and try to push Avery away gently.
> Please, now... leave. He'll hurt you again. I'll deal with it. Call the ambulance, you're... you're bleeding a lot.
They stare at him, tears rolling down their cheeks, flinching ever so slightly as the salt touches the wound.
> I donβt want to lose you.
> It's on the floor. Please go.
Avery quickly grabs the knife on the floor and heads to the door, before momentarily looking at Derek, their eyes full of fear once more.
> ..I love you, man. Please donβt do anything to yourself.
> I... don't know how to tell you.
Derek whispers, slumping over his kitchen counter once more. He stares at the top before suddenly gripping the sides and slamming his head against the marble. A dull thump is all the sound he makes as he passes out.
Once Avery is done calling the ambulance, they come back to the kitchen to find him passed out. Cleaning up the blood, they simply hug him while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
