We are not afraid.

" It's okay, you're okay, you've lived a million years, you'll make it through the day. "

[d3rs-rest]

" I'm not scared of a game. "

Hi. I'm Derek, or d3rlord3, or... whatever. This is my blog, mostly. He/him pronouns, will share labels upon being asked.

I don't know why I made a tumblr. Maybe I'm trying to find something.

Other notices, I'm autistic and some fucked up form of plural, as of recently? I'll let It explain Itself.

<👁>

We feel no need to introduce ourself. However, on Derek's insistence, we suppose we could regardless.

We respond to any royal title or form of The King In Yellow, as well as Hastur. We expect you to use It/Its or He/Him on us. (yes, capitalised.)

boundaries and ooc:

Yes:

- Roleplaying (PLEASEE)

- ships!! slimeknight, slimeking, The Courting, whatever!! Though Derek and the King may not reply well to being shipped in-roleplay.

- ooc asks!

- silly/joke asks!!

- Violence (just add a tw and a cut!!)

No:

- NSFW/sexual rps!

- Anything with the word Master

ooc funfacts post here!!

this universe's Avery is @averythemayo-iest, mod is @genderfluidratswitheyes, art in the profile picture was made by @\lutiqa. King in Yellow's and Derek's mannerisms and etc were inspired by both our fictives of aforementioned, and headcanons.

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

He walked into the store, the establishment strongly smelt quite good. It was colder in here, even more so when he approached the display case?? idfk the thing with the icream in it ykwim.

“Mmm I’m still paying.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Nope. You choose. I pay." Derek gestures at the display case. (yeah i think thats it???)

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment before sighing in defeat, stepping up to the display case to look at the flavors.

“Fine, but let me at least pay some of it back?”

[d3rs-rest]

"No way José. I'm paying, nothing about it. Pick your flavor." Derek playfully put up his chin in some sort of "rich person-pouting" imitation.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery quietly snickered at Derek’s antics; he was absolutely going to try and slip some cash into the other’s pocket later, but he’d let him win for now.

His eyes scanned the flavors before just deciding on his usual, turning back to face Derek. "Hmm.. could I get mint? With a waffle cone please."

[d3rs-rest]

Derek absolutely knew (even without checking infinite knowledge on his side) and was going to get them right back to Avery whenever he found them.

He ordered as well - one scoop vanilla with sprinkles - and sat down on a nearby bench.

[averythemayo-iest]

“You really do seem like the type to get sprinkles. Fitting for you.”

He looked at Derek’s order while walking over to sit beside him on the bench.

“Thanks for paying, even though you really didn’t have to.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Of course. A knight's duty, no?" Derek can't help the stupif grin spreading over his face. It somewhat ruins the cool charming look he was going for.

[averythemayo-iest]

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. Though a smile still sat on his face—visible behind the ice cream pressed to his mouth.

“Yeah, yeah. Knight’s duties.”

Avery parroted as he gently flicked Derek’s forehead, before going back to enjoying his sweet treat.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek was so utterly in love.

He caught himself staring and returned to his (half melted) ice cream.

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

He walked into the store, the establishment strongly smelt quite good. It was colder in here, even more so when he approached the display case?? idfk the thing with the icream in it ykwim.

“Mmm I’m still paying.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Nope. You choose. I pay." Derek gestures at the display case. (yeah i think thats it???)

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment before sighing in defeat, stepping up to the display case to look at the flavors.

“Fine, but let me at least pay some of it back?”

[d3rs-rest]

"No way José. I'm paying, nothing about it. Pick your flavor." Derek playfully put up his chin in some sort of "rich person-pouting" imitation.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery quietly snickered at Derek’s antics; he was absolutely going to try and slip some cash into the other’s pocket later, but he’d let him win for now.

His eyes scanned the flavors before just deciding on his usual, turning back to face Derek. "Hmm.. could I get mint? With a waffle cone please."

[d3rs-rest]

Derek absolutely knew (even without checking infinite knowledge on his side) and was going to get them right back to Avery whenever he found them.

He ordered as well - one scoop vanilla with sprinkles - and sat down on a nearby bench.

[averythemayo-iest]

“You really do seem like the type to get sprinkles. Fitting for you.”

He looked at Derek’s order while walking over to sit beside him on the bench.

“Thanks for paying, even though you really didn’t have to.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Of course. A knight's duty, no?" Derek can't help the stupif grin spreading over his face. It somewhat ruins the cool charming look he was going for.

[yakuza-yuki]

Just add some friction!

day 1 of YHS pride im so sorry to kick it off with a straight couple guys. They’re my rarepair 🫡 i think it’d be fucked up if they kissed about it @rabbitphone

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

He walked into the store, the establishment strongly smelt quite good. It was colder in here, even more so when he approached the display case?? idfk the thing with the icream in it ykwim.

“Mmm I’m still paying.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Nope. You choose. I pay." Derek gestures at the display case. (yeah i think thats it???)

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment before sighing in defeat, stepping up to the display case to look at the flavors.

“Fine, but let me at least pay some of it back?”

[d3rs-rest]

"No way José. I'm paying, nothing about it. Pick your flavor." Derek playfully put up his chin in some sort of "rich person-pouting" imitation.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery quietly snickered at Derek’s antics; he was absolutely going to try and slip some cash into the other’s pocket later, but he’d let him win for now.

His eyes scanned the flavors before just deciding on his usual, turning back to face Derek. "Hmm.. could I get mint? With a waffle cone please."

[d3rs-rest]

Derek absolutely knew (even without checking infinite knowledge on his side) and was going to get them right back to Avery whenever he found them.

He ordered as well - one scoop vanilla with sprinkles - and sat down on a nearby bench.

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

He walked into the store, the establishment strongly smelt quite good. It was colder in here, even more so when he approached the display case?? idfk the thing with the icream in it ykwim.

“Mmm I’m still paying.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Nope. You choose. I pay." Derek gestures at the display case. (yeah i think thats it???)

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment before sighing in defeat, stepping up to the display case to look at the flavors.

“Fine, but let me at least pay some of it back?”

[d3rs-rest]

"No way José. I'm paying, nothing about it. Pick your flavor." Derek playfully put up his chin in some sort of "rich person-pouting" imitation.

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

He walked into the store, the establishment strongly smelt quite good. It was colder in here, even more so when he approached the display case?? idfk the thing with the icream in it ykwim.

“Mmm I’m still paying.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Nope. You choose. I pay." Derek gestures at the display case. (yeah i think thats it???)

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, his face wrinkled with slight displeasure.

“No, I’ll pay. What do you want?”

[d3rs-rest]

"absolutely no way. you go first." Derek insisted.

[kolatric1]

D3rlord3 and AveryTheMayo fanart. Cus why not? Although the hype's kinda over.

(PS: This is my side of the drawing I made with my Best-friend -> @4-wind )

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s eyes lit up at the question. He stepped back completely from the hug.

“Absolutely I do!”

He re-grabbed Derek’s hand and let him lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"I'm paying, what flavor?" Derek swung their arms again uayy

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah." Derek smiled.

"...Do you perhaps want some ice cream? There's a store up ahead."

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was looking at its phone screen, rechecking his messages to make sure today was right. When you opened the door; it looked up excitedly, shoving his phone into his pocket and waving.

“Hello!!! Hehe, I don’t mind the nickname.”

With a huge smile on his face, he looked at you expectantly.

“So, where we headed?”

[d3rs-rest]

"ah- right." Derek looked away in a way he hoped hid the flush spreading on his face.

"uh, i was thinking the park?"

[averythemayo-iest]

”That works for me, I love the park here. So many plants and types of wildlife”

Avery let you lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is very pretty, yeah." Derek nodded. He honestly didn't get out too much, nor spent a lot of time in parks.

"Do you go there often?" He stopped Avery from goin on the road by holding a hand out to block him, even though they were almost 2 meters away still.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Used to, It’s been a while since I’ve been back. I had wanted to it’s just, I hadn’t really been leaving my house since new years- So I’m excited to go back!”

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah, i uh. i know." Derek cleared his throat and fidgeted with his sleeve.

It's a bit awkwars to admit to a guy that you've been metaphysically stalking him.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh- ah- forgot that you’d know. Like, KNOW know.”

Avery thought for a moment before gasping and turning towards you while he walked.

“Wait, so since you know everything, you know like what dinosaurs looked like and stuff? OH- and can you tell what I’m thinking?? You know all my favorite stuff-”

He cut himself off and raised an eyebrow curiously.

“How much do you know about me?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Slow down, slow down. Yes, i could know what dinosaurs look like if either I or the King wanted me to know. I'm not currently checking on your thoughts, and yeah i know all your favorite stuff. I... know a lot about you." Derek was almost sheepish with the confession. "a whole lot."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh.. wow…”

Avery’s steps faltered a bit in reaction to the information, stumbling in his backwards stride before regaining composure.

“Soo you have to dig for that knowledge, yourself? I mean, you said you could know what you wanted to know..”

Was that a stretch to make? Derek choosing to think about him..? Maybe it was just The King feeding him those thoughts…. didn’t hurt to ask though. Doubts aside, his smile—retaining its softness—turned jokingly smug while a faint rosiness tinted his cheeks.

“It’s.. kinda nice to know someone like you with your knowledge would choose to think about me of all things..”

That smugness faltered some as Avery spoke under his breath, his quiet voice reflecting the way his heart warmed at the thought.

[d3rs-rest]

"Um, yeah. I mean. Sometimes I'll just be fed knowledge, and, um, i do have to... Know... at least once a day? i think? but yeah. I can usually choose. hah." Derek was very red.

"You're nice to know about. Or know in general. You're just nice, actually. To be around and think of and see and speak to and watch and. um. sorry i think I'm rambling."

[averythemayo-iest]

He snickered, turning swiftly back around to walk beside you again rather than in front of you.

“Gotta get your daily source of knowledge.”

Avery froze up at the second part, prior faint tint of blush now spread over his entire face. His words caught in his throat when he tried to reply.

“I- th-thanks- ahem uh-“

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to get his thoughts in order.

“Thanks.. thats- gosh, I don’t think anyones every told me that. Or anything like it.. hah.”

“.. You’re nice to be around too.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Thank you, Aves." Derek muttered. [Avery looks pretty, blushing.]

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course!”

He looked away bashfully, though his eyes eventually drifted down to Derek’s hand. Having an internal battle with himself over whether or not to hold it, well.. more of internally hyping himself up.

Avery’s hand moved, back of his palm gently bumping against yours. He cursed at himself mentally.

“Sorry-“

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took Avery's hand before the other could go on a tirade of apologies (and before he cohld overthing it). "It's okay."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was practically shaking, internally he felt like he would explode at any given moment. He exhaled a shaky, but happy sigh.

“Okay. Great. Awesome even-“

He squeezed the hand intertwined with its own. Not hard enough to be uncomfortable, just in a way to say he isn’t planning on letting go. A ‘oh, you’re stuck with me now’ way if you shall

“Hey we should be nearing the park, right?”

[d3rs-rest]

The faint sound of static filled the air, nearly too quiet to hear, and for just a moment it looked like Derek's eyes had a yellow sheen. He spoke when it died down. "Yeah, we're about two blocks away. In the street sense, not the minecraft sense, hah." He grinned.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery cast a quick glance towards him, having not noticed anything besides Derek’s pause before replying. Though, he focused in on the faint tint of yellow.. had his eyes looked like that before? hm.

“Yay! Can’t wait to see if any new flowers have bloomed.”

[d3rs-rest]

"They have." Derek answers instantly this time, with a slight laugh. "I saw when i checked."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery gasped excitedly, his stride gaining a slight spring to it.

“And you’d know what kind of flowers too, wouldn’t you??!!”

A short pause

“OH! Oh, do you have a favorite flower?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Not really. I guess dahlias are pretty?" Derek laughed. "I've never been big into flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

“What!! How? They’re so cool and beautiful! Those are nice though, they’re very geometric-y.”

Avery hummed, happy with the answer before continuing.

“Dahlias are fitting for you, a lot of people say they symbolize inner strength and kindness.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Hah. Yeah, i suppose. Though honestly you're one of the first people to call me kind since Kindergarten." Derek laughed. "Thank you though. ...Fits you too."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Surprising! You’re so nice, people should call you kind more often.”

Avery pouted cartoonishly, but it didn’t last long at the returned complement.

“Awwe thanks! You definitely have more inner strength than me though, hah”

[d3rs-rest]

"I don't think so. You're the strongest person i know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s face became flushed, he looked off to the side.

“Thanks… I try to be”

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek said softly in an attempt at reasurance.

"...What's your favorite flower?"

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hm, I don’t know if I can choose…”

He thought hard for a moment, mumbling a couple flower names to himself then shaking his head before deciding.

“Hmm if I really had to pick I’d say my favorite is either weeping begonia, or green carnations.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek stares blankly for a second, then the static and yellow sheen return. "...Ahh. They're lovely!! They fit you."

[averythemayo-iest]

The yellow again…. his eyes narrowed and its head tilted a bit.

”They are lovely, but uhm- are you okay?”

He stoped walking.

“You just keep spacing out and stuff, and your eyes..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh! Yes, i, uh, I'm checking stuff." Derek laughed sheepishly. "I must focus myself briefly to sort through all the info and find the right one."

ooc idk why i decided specificslly to hone in on him being german NOW and incorperate that into his speech mannerisms but i have. shrugs

[averythemayo-iest]

”OOOooohh, that makes sense.. It was just worrying to see without context”

He started walking again, quite a joyful stride with a slight skip to his step.

“It’s so cool to think about the fact that you can just.. do that,”

Avery quickly corrected himself.

“I mean, obviously all the side effects and stuff seem HORRIBLE- so besides that, but wow.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Besides the Creature and how disorienting it is, yeah, it is pretty cool, actually. Though sometimes I wish i could get to know you personally before. Well, uh. knowing everything about you." Derek caught himself. "Sorry, I'm rambling again."

[averythemayo-iest]

He frowned softly.

“I don’t mind your rambles! And Im not that interesting- besides, my memory is wayy too bad for me to have an accurate knowing of myself.”

Avery did an honestly pitiful laugh, it was awkward sounding.

“But maybe sometime you can remind me a bit on my childhood stories or something, and you can hear it all from me?”

A short pause. He lifted and pointed a finger at Derek.

“Actually, I don’t know much about you, maybe you should share some of your own life ‘lore’ sometime, if you’d want.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You are the most interesting person I know, Aves, don't be silly."

Derek laughed as he was pointed at. "It's not a lot, really. My life is pretty boring. I've got a decent relationship with my mum, no friends..."

[averythemayo-iest]

”So I’m the most interesting person you know, but you have no other friends to compare.. uh huh….”

He raised his eyebrow and snickered to himself.

“Thats ok!! We can both have boring lives. Though theres no way thats your whole story.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Ah ah ah, I said you're the most interesting person I know, not that i personally know. And i know everyone, technically."

Derek grinned and nudged Avery teasingly, then sobered a bit.

"But yeah, i guess it's not my whole story. Don't think you wanna hear me traumadump though, lol."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You smartass!”

He returned the nudge, slightly harder than the one he was given.

“Dude, you know every lowest point in my life including the ones I haven’t even reached yet- I feel like it’s unfair to you in a way.”

[d3rs-rest]

"I mean, i dunno. My dad was a drunk deadbeat, i guess. I dropped out of college. I'm not employed. There isn't really a lot to be said." Derek shrugged.

[averythemayo-iest]

“I’m sorry..”

Avery gave a short, tight squeeze to Derek’s hand, his thumb rubbing against his.

“Hm, what college did you go to?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek named a prestigious college of your, yes your the reader, choice in favor of being both locationally ambigious and because the mod doesn't know colleges.

"It was a scholarship."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You-“

Avery was wide eyed and open mouthed.

“You got a scholarship??? To go to [the ambiguous prestigious college that we (yes we) all know]??!”

“I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. You are extremely smart.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeahh. I dropped out cause it wasn't my thing though." Derek shrugs.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course you’d be too smart for college”

He said with a playful bite in his tone, accentuating it by rolling his eyes dramatically.

“Isn’t that the sign for the park?”

Avery pointed up ahead.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is!" Derek started lightly swinging Avery's hand with his.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Yay!!”

Avery returned the swinging motion and smiled wide.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't help but return the smile, it was just infectious. "I like when you smile."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Awe! I like seeing you smile too, you look pretty when you smile.”

Dereks complement, as well as Avery’s own compliment in return, sorta flew over his own head for a second. Until he backtracked and the fluster settled in.

“Well- uhm- you’re, p-pretty when you aren’t smiling too but, like, you’re smile is just, really pretty- o-or handsome- uh- ohmygodishouldshutupsorry”

He face palmed and dragged his hand down to rest on the bridge of his nose, covering most of his face. His gaze dropped to the ground in embarrassment.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's flush hadn't even fully gone away from before, yet returned now in full intensity. He laughed softly. "Thank you... Though i could never wish to compare to you."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was internally screaming. He uncovered his—still flustered—face and turned to look at Derek.

“Nuh uh! Have you seen yourself?? Comparing you to me would be like- like comparing twenty bucks to a penny!”

[d3rs-rest]

"With you being the "twenty bucks", maybe." Derek turned it back around.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Whatever you think, I mean you’re wrong, but sure.”

He bumped his shoulder against Derek’s again.

[d3rs-rest]

"...Nuh uh." Derek bumped back.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Yuh huh”

Avery snickered before his attention shifted to a small, blooming, marigold bush growing off to the side. He let go of Derek’s hand for a second to dart over towards it. He crouched down to pick a flower off from its stalk.

“Here!”

He smiled softly and passed the flower to him, before reaching to hold Derek’s hand once more.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took it reverantly, smiling softly.

He tucked it behind his ear.

"Thank you, oh wise one of flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled again at his given title.

“You are welcome, M’lord.”

Avery poked fun with referencing the other’s minecraft user, before meticulously adjusting the flower behind Derek’s ear to make sure it wouldn’t fall.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek really outta get regulated with all the blushing he's doing. He laughed. "I chose that username when i was, like, 13, i think."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Y’know, it feels like getting an award when you laugh.”

Avery stared softly at Derek, his tone earnest and quiet—like it was a thought he meant to keep inside his head.

“It’s nice seeing you all flustered and giggly. I dunno I just.. you seemed like such a ‘high inner-emotional walls’ sorta guy? But you laugh, and you blush, and you swing my hand excitedly..”

He stopped himself before too many words could escape him, and before his own blush returned. Switching the topic and glossing over what he had said.

“Sorry- thats unrelated. But 13 year old you was pretty good at usernames. Huge amounts of aura, dude.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh. Hah." Derek didn't know how to reply. He knew how he'd come across earlier as compared to now, he'd done that on purpose back then, but to hear it said by Avery gave him butterflies like he'd never felt before.

...So he, too, switched the topic, although his voice was still a considerable bit more quiet and soft.

"Of course you'd say "aura" unironically."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You attack my vocabulary.”

He put his hand to his chest dramatically and spoke with mock dismay, pouting some as the cherry on top.

[d3rs-rest]

"I have all right to, i feel, if you're using a stupid one." Derek teased.

[averythemayo-iest]

”I lied, you DON’T have aura.”

He huffed, but quickly broke out into a giggle.

[d3rs-rest]

"Wow. Wounded." Derek huffed back, but couldn't stop the grin from forming.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hehe, good.”

Avery grinned before his attention was stolen, gasping and quickly running off to the side again. He pointed at a small collection of flowers growing nearby a tree, excitement quite visible on his face as he turned back to look at Derek. Oh boy, here he goes;

“These are Cypripedium candidum! White lady’s slipper, they’re a rarer type of orchid! Usually they’re found in fens and wetlands, kinda cool to see one here. They have a low seed set due to flowers not being pollinated, and are pretty hard to cultivate. That plus habitation being destroyed, invasive species, and their shade intolerance contribute to their rarity. In some places, they’re considered endangered and-“

He cut himself off, clearing his throat and walking back over towards Derek.

“Sorry- I should stop interrupting the walk- they’re just cool flowers.”

[d3rs-rest]

"It's fine, keep talking. I like seeing you happy and it's interesting." Derek waved his hand in a "go on" motion. "They are really cool."

[averythemayo-iest]

”… In that case,”

He retook Derek’s hand in his own.

“They basically deceive bees into getting stuck in their little flower-pouch thing since they can’t self fertilize, they rely on the bees to get tricked again with another flower. And when they disperse seeds, despite letting out thousands very very few survive. They rely on a certain fungi to sprout and grow. Because of the way their roots are, they’ve got pretty good resistance from prairie fires. And since—like I said—they have low shade tolerance, prescribed brush burns tend to help their numbers.”

He would point out other flowers nearby, giving short descriptions on them. He noticeably skipped over any of the blue ones.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek listened to the best of his ability (he kept getting distracted by just staring at Avery, though. Gorgeous.)

[averythemayo-iest]

Im not writing allat, but he’s been talking about various flowers. Jumping from species to species, currently he had been at the end of his nightshade talk after spotting a bunch of black nightshades.

“—and despite technically being somewhat toxic in certain forms, you can still eat the berries that yield from certain black nightshade species. Like red makoy! And speaking of nightshades, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, bell peppers, and wayyy more are all classified as nightshades. Taxonomy is so odd sometimes, don’t you think?”

Avery turned to look at Derek, seemingly at the end of his rambling spiel.

[d3rs-rest]

"Mhm." His ass is not listening.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, but there was no aggression behind it.

“Are you listening?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek blinked back into reality. "Hm? Sorry."

[averythemayo-iest]

He squeezed Derek’s hand.

“It’s alright, thanks for letting me talk your ears off.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You're too kind. And no need for thanks, I like hearing you talk."

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. You do?”

Avery looked towards Derek like he was expecting it to be a joke.

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeah, of course. It's very pretty." Derek smiled in an attempt at reasurance.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Thank you”

He smiled back, and spoke with a soft voice. He was blushing.

“Not a lot of people say stuff like that.. actually I don’t think anyone has.“

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand. "They should. You deserve to be appreciated more."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s gaze dropped away and onto the ground, he held the hand intertwined in his own tighter. His chest felt warm, as well as his face.

“Wasn’t expecting you to say that.. over some dumb flower talk…”

He spoke under his breath.

“The way you say it makes me want to believe it. A-and it—.. you just— gosh..”

Avery put his free hand over his face.

[d3rs-rest]

"Good! You should believe it! It's true." Derek's voice softened again. He took Avery's wrist gently and pulled down his hand to look in his eyes. "You deserve the world."

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up, but was quick to let himself relax. Avery’s face was flusteredly red and his eyes ever so slightly watery. His voice was breathy with disbelief and shock.

“Oh my god, you cannot just say that.. like that..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Well it's true." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. Well I mean, I have you, so.”

‘You’re my world’ went unsaid outside of the implication. He was panicking internally; was this flirting?? Is it normal to try to flirt with some dude you met on minecraft the second time of seeing him in person??? Probably not, but hey he was anyways.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek short circuited and went bright red as he caught the implication.

[averythemayo-iest]

He moved his wrist from Derek’s grasp, intertwining that hand with his as well. Now holding both hands and facing Der entirely.

Avery giggled, he was sort-of embarrassed but plowed through it anyways.

“There! Now we’re even.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek laughed breathily. "Yeah. I suppose we are."

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment, letting go of both Derek’s hands. Avery shifted somewhat closer in, his hands lingering near the other’s waist.

“Uh- can I hug you?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took the question as permission to wrap his arms around Avery first. He rests his head against Avery's shoulder.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery melted into the hug immediately, holding Derek tightly like he’d float away if Avery were to let go. He sighed contently.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek may or may not have been unable to resist the impulse to gently bite Avery. And he may or may not be being mocked by the King for it.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery froze up, but didn’t back away. He giggled and hid his face against Derek.

“Der?? What’re you doing?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Affection. Shush." Derek muttered with a grin. yayy gay people being gay the narrator doesnt know how to narrate

[averythemayo-iest]

”Affection, hm?”

He parroted, you could hear his smile through his tone. Avery slid one of his hands from Derek’s back up to the back of his head, gently petting through his hair. Oh god, he was head over heels huh.

[d3rs-rest]

"yes." if Derek was a cat, he'd be purring. Luckily he's not a cat. And he's definitely not melting into Avery either. Mhm. You're lying if you say you are. Shut up hastur.

[averythemayo-iest]

He slightly, and slowly, rocked both of them back and forth in the deep hug.

“… Hey would you get like, freaked out if I uh—“

Avery took a second to find his words and truly debate if now was a good time to ask this. Which I mean, the debate didn’t last long. He’s impulsive, sue him.

“—if I kissed you..?” He cleared his throat.

[d3rs-rest]

"oh! uh, yeah, of course. i mean. no, i wouldn't get freaked out, uh. I'd. yeah." Derek stammered. Awkward freak.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery pulled back from the hug, but still kept himself close to Derek. Hands moving towards the other’s shoulders, then moving up further to cup his face. One of his thumbs tracing over the plush skin on his cheek.

“O-okay then..”

Avery was suddenly very aware of the way his own breath hitched, and how his voice wavered. He swallowed down his anxiety before leaning in; and with upmost softness, pressing his lips against Derek’s.

His own lips were quite rough, clearly having been torn to shreds from years of picking and biting. Though considering he might get the chance to kiss Derek more? Avery might start buying chapstick.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's own lips weren't much better, really.

He couldn't care less about how chapped Avery's - or his own - lips were, though, in this moment all that mattered was this. The fact Avery liked him enough to kiss him - although he'd Known it, it was nice to get tangible proof - and that they both lived long enough to.

Derek tangled his hand in Avery's hair.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery hummed contently and smiled against his lips. He tried to bring himself impossibly closer, essentially just letting himself melt into the kiss.

He pulled away for a moment—though not far enough to warrant Derek moving his hand from his hair—to catch his breath, given Derek had taken it from him. Avery spoke in a hushed whisper, his voice wobbly with excitement and fluster.

“..wow… I— you-... can I— can we do that more?”

[d3rs-rest]

"please." Derek whispered back, slightly out of breath as well.

A little embarrassing, but oh well.

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled under his breath before leaning in for another kiss; longer than the prior one, but gentle and loving all the same.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek melted into the kiss once more, nipping at Avery's lip playfully

[averythemayo-iest]

He made a muffled noise of surprise in response to the nip, giving one back in return. Avery moved one of his hands to Derek’s back, rubbing it in slow circles.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't resist grinning into the kiss. His heart swelled with so much affection, he had half the mind to be afraid of bursting.

[averythemayo-iest]

Much to Avery’s dismay, eventually he did need to breath again. He pulled away from the kiss once more, making quick eye contact before looking off to the side. His face was red and his pupils dilated—his expression could not manage to capture all of the love and adoration Avery felt towards Derek.

[d3rs-rest]

"You're... a really good kisser." Derek murmured. He couldn't bring himseld to speak up, not in the wake of all the love between them.

He hesitated, before pulling Avery into a hug.

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up at the compliment, face somehow managing to become even redder. He spoke with the same soft murmur.

“Thanks, you are too..”

When Derek wrapped his arms around him, Avery was quick to return the hug—practically melting into him.

[d3rs-rest]

"Thanks." Derek pulled Avery closer, savouring the feeling of him in his arms

[averythemayo-iest]

“… Hey wait, so you knew this was gonna happen, didn’t you?”

Avery’s tone was joyously smug, his grin audible in his voice.

[d3rs-rest]

"I knew it was going to happen somewhere, yeah. Experiencing it is different, though. I'm glad it was here." Derek decided to be a sap.

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was looking at its phone screen, rechecking his messages to make sure today was right. When you opened the door; it looked up excitedly, shoving his phone into his pocket and waving.

“Hello!!! Hehe, I don’t mind the nickname.”

With a huge smile on his face, he looked at you expectantly.

“So, where we headed?”

[d3rs-rest]

"ah- right." Derek looked away in a way he hoped hid the flush spreading on his face.

"uh, i was thinking the park?"

[averythemayo-iest]

”That works for me, I love the park here. So many plants and types of wildlife”

Avery let you lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is very pretty, yeah." Derek nodded. He honestly didn't get out too much, nor spent a lot of time in parks.

"Do you go there often?" He stopped Avery from goin on the road by holding a hand out to block him, even though they were almost 2 meters away still.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Used to, It’s been a while since I’ve been back. I had wanted to it’s just, I hadn’t really been leaving my house since new years- So I’m excited to go back!”

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah, i uh. i know." Derek cleared his throat and fidgeted with his sleeve.

It's a bit awkwars to admit to a guy that you've been metaphysically stalking him.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh- ah- forgot that you’d know. Like, KNOW know.”

Avery thought for a moment before gasping and turning towards you while he walked.

“Wait, so since you know everything, you know like what dinosaurs looked like and stuff? OH- and can you tell what I’m thinking?? You know all my favorite stuff-”

He cut himself off and raised an eyebrow curiously.

“How much do you know about me?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Slow down, slow down. Yes, i could know what dinosaurs look like if either I or the King wanted me to know. I'm not currently checking on your thoughts, and yeah i know all your favorite stuff. I... know a lot about you." Derek was almost sheepish with the confession. "a whole lot."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh.. wow…”

Avery’s steps faltered a bit in reaction to the information, stumbling in his backwards stride before regaining composure.

“Soo you have to dig for that knowledge, yourself? I mean, you said you could know what you wanted to know..”

Was that a stretch to make? Derek choosing to think about him..? Maybe it was just The King feeding him those thoughts…. didn’t hurt to ask though. Doubts aside, his smile—retaining its softness—turned jokingly smug while a faint rosiness tinted his cheeks.

“It’s.. kinda nice to know someone like you with your knowledge would choose to think about me of all things..”

That smugness faltered some as Avery spoke under his breath, his quiet voice reflecting the way his heart warmed at the thought.

[d3rs-rest]

"Um, yeah. I mean. Sometimes I'll just be fed knowledge, and, um, i do have to... Know... at least once a day? i think? but yeah. I can usually choose. hah." Derek was very red.

"You're nice to know about. Or know in general. You're just nice, actually. To be around and think of and see and speak to and watch and. um. sorry i think I'm rambling."

[averythemayo-iest]

He snickered, turning swiftly back around to walk beside you again rather than in front of you.

“Gotta get your daily source of knowledge.”

Avery froze up at the second part, prior faint tint of blush now spread over his entire face. His words caught in his throat when he tried to reply.

“I- th-thanks- ahem uh-“

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to get his thoughts in order.

“Thanks.. thats- gosh, I don’t think anyones every told me that. Or anything like it.. hah.”

“.. You’re nice to be around too.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Thank you, Aves." Derek muttered. [Avery looks pretty, blushing.]

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course!”

He looked away bashfully, though his eyes eventually drifted down to Derek’s hand. Having an internal battle with himself over whether or not to hold it, well.. more of internally hyping himself up.

Avery’s hand moved, back of his palm gently bumping against yours. He cursed at himself mentally.

“Sorry-“

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took Avery's hand before the other could go on a tirade of apologies (and before he cohld overthing it). "It's okay."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was practically shaking, internally he felt like he would explode at any given moment. He exhaled a shaky, but happy sigh.

“Okay. Great. Awesome even-“

He squeezed the hand intertwined with its own. Not hard enough to be uncomfortable, just in a way to say he isn’t planning on letting go. A ‘oh, you’re stuck with me now’ way if you shall

“Hey we should be nearing the park, right?”

[d3rs-rest]

The faint sound of static filled the air, nearly too quiet to hear, and for just a moment it looked like Derek's eyes had a yellow sheen. He spoke when it died down. "Yeah, we're about two blocks away. In the street sense, not the minecraft sense, hah." He grinned.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery cast a quick glance towards him, having not noticed anything besides Derek’s pause before replying. Though, he focused in on the faint tint of yellow.. had his eyes looked like that before? hm.

“Yay! Can’t wait to see if any new flowers have bloomed.”

[d3rs-rest]

"They have." Derek answers instantly this time, with a slight laugh. "I saw when i checked."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery gasped excitedly, his stride gaining a slight spring to it.

“And you’d know what kind of flowers too, wouldn’t you??!!”

A short pause

“OH! Oh, do you have a favorite flower?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Not really. I guess dahlias are pretty?" Derek laughed. "I've never been big into flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

“What!! How? They’re so cool and beautiful! Those are nice though, they’re very geometric-y.”

Avery hummed, happy with the answer before continuing.

“Dahlias are fitting for you, a lot of people say they symbolize inner strength and kindness.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Hah. Yeah, i suppose. Though honestly you're one of the first people to call me kind since Kindergarten." Derek laughed. "Thank you though. ...Fits you too."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Surprising! You’re so nice, people should call you kind more often.”

Avery pouted cartoonishly, but it didn’t last long at the returned complement.

“Awwe thanks! You definitely have more inner strength than me though, hah”

[d3rs-rest]

"I don't think so. You're the strongest person i know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s face became flushed, he looked off to the side.

“Thanks… I try to be”

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek said softly in an attempt at reasurance.

"...What's your favorite flower?"

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hm, I don’t know if I can choose…”

He thought hard for a moment, mumbling a couple flower names to himself then shaking his head before deciding.

“Hmm if I really had to pick I’d say my favorite is either weeping begonia, or green carnations.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek stares blankly for a second, then the static and yellow sheen return. "...Ahh. They're lovely!! They fit you."

[averythemayo-iest]

The yellow again…. his eyes narrowed and its head tilted a bit.

”They are lovely, but uhm- are you okay?”

He stoped walking.

“You just keep spacing out and stuff, and your eyes..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh! Yes, i, uh, I'm checking stuff." Derek laughed sheepishly. "I must focus myself briefly to sort through all the info and find the right one."

ooc idk why i decided specificslly to hone in on him being german NOW and incorperate that into his speech mannerisms but i have. shrugs

[averythemayo-iest]

”OOOooohh, that makes sense.. It was just worrying to see without context”

He started walking again, quite a joyful stride with a slight skip to his step.

“It’s so cool to think about the fact that you can just.. do that,”

Avery quickly corrected himself.

“I mean, obviously all the side effects and stuff seem HORRIBLE- so besides that, but wow.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Besides the Creature and how disorienting it is, yeah, it is pretty cool, actually. Though sometimes I wish i could get to know you personally before. Well, uh. knowing everything about you." Derek caught himself. "Sorry, I'm rambling again."

[averythemayo-iest]

He frowned softly.

“I don’t mind your rambles! And Im not that interesting- besides, my memory is wayy too bad for me to have an accurate knowing of myself.”

Avery did an honestly pitiful laugh, it was awkward sounding.

“But maybe sometime you can remind me a bit on my childhood stories or something, and you can hear it all from me?”

A short pause. He lifted and pointed a finger at Derek.

“Actually, I don’t know much about you, maybe you should share some of your own life ‘lore’ sometime, if you’d want.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You are the most interesting person I know, Aves, don't be silly."

Derek laughed as he was pointed at. "It's not a lot, really. My life is pretty boring. I've got a decent relationship with my mum, no friends..."

[averythemayo-iest]

”So I’m the most interesting person you know, but you have no other friends to compare.. uh huh….”

He raised his eyebrow and snickered to himself.

“Thats ok!! We can both have boring lives. Though theres no way thats your whole story.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Ah ah ah, I said you're the most interesting person I know, not that i personally know. And i know everyone, technically."

Derek grinned and nudged Avery teasingly, then sobered a bit.

"But yeah, i guess it's not my whole story. Don't think you wanna hear me traumadump though, lol."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You smartass!”

He returned the nudge, slightly harder than the one he was given.

“Dude, you know every lowest point in my life including the ones I haven’t even reached yet- I feel like it’s unfair to you in a way.”

[d3rs-rest]

"I mean, i dunno. My dad was a drunk deadbeat, i guess. I dropped out of college. I'm not employed. There isn't really a lot to be said." Derek shrugged.

[averythemayo-iest]

“I’m sorry..”

Avery gave a short, tight squeeze to Derek’s hand, his thumb rubbing against his.

“Hm, what college did you go to?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek named a prestigious college of your, yes your the reader, choice in favor of being both locationally ambigious and because the mod doesn't know colleges.

"It was a scholarship."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You-“

Avery was wide eyed and open mouthed.

“You got a scholarship??? To go to [the ambiguous prestigious college that we (yes we) all know]??!”

“I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. You are extremely smart.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeahh. I dropped out cause it wasn't my thing though." Derek shrugs.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course you’d be too smart for college”

He said with a playful bite in his tone, accentuating it by rolling his eyes dramatically.

“Isn’t that the sign for the park?”

Avery pointed up ahead.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is!" Derek started lightly swinging Avery's hand with his.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Yay!!”

Avery returned the swinging motion and smiled wide.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't help but return the smile, it was just infectious. "I like when you smile."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Awe! I like seeing you smile too, you look pretty when you smile.”

Dereks complement, as well as Avery’s own compliment in return, sorta flew over his own head for a second. Until he backtracked and the fluster settled in.

“Well- uhm- you’re, p-pretty when you aren’t smiling too but, like, you’re smile is just, really pretty- o-or handsome- uh- ohmygodishouldshutupsorry”

He face palmed and dragged his hand down to rest on the bridge of his nose, covering most of his face. His gaze dropped to the ground in embarrassment.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's flush hadn't even fully gone away from before, yet returned now in full intensity. He laughed softly. "Thank you... Though i could never wish to compare to you."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was internally screaming. He uncovered his—still flustered—face and turned to look at Derek.

“Nuh uh! Have you seen yourself?? Comparing you to me would be like- like comparing twenty bucks to a penny!”

[d3rs-rest]

"With you being the "twenty bucks", maybe." Derek turned it back around.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Whatever you think, I mean you’re wrong, but sure.”

He bumped his shoulder against Derek’s again.

[d3rs-rest]

"...Nuh uh." Derek bumped back.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Yuh huh”

Avery snickered before his attention shifted to a small, blooming, marigold bush growing off to the side. He let go of Derek’s hand for a second to dart over towards it. He crouched down to pick a flower off from its stalk.

“Here!”

He smiled softly and passed the flower to him, before reaching to hold Derek’s hand once more.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took it reverantly, smiling softly.

He tucked it behind his ear.

"Thank you, oh wise one of flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled again at his given title.

“You are welcome, M’lord.”

Avery poked fun with referencing the other’s minecraft user, before meticulously adjusting the flower behind Derek’s ear to make sure it wouldn’t fall.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek really outta get regulated with all the blushing he's doing. He laughed. "I chose that username when i was, like, 13, i think."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Y’know, it feels like getting an award when you laugh.”

Avery stared softly at Derek, his tone earnest and quiet—like it was a thought he meant to keep inside his head.

“It’s nice seeing you all flustered and giggly. I dunno I just.. you seemed like such a ‘high inner-emotional walls’ sorta guy? But you laugh, and you blush, and you swing my hand excitedly..”

He stopped himself before too many words could escape him, and before his own blush returned. Switching the topic and glossing over what he had said.

“Sorry- thats unrelated. But 13 year old you was pretty good at usernames. Huge amounts of aura, dude.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh. Hah." Derek didn't know how to reply. He knew how he'd come across earlier as compared to now, he'd done that on purpose back then, but to hear it said by Avery gave him butterflies like he'd never felt before.

...So he, too, switched the topic, although his voice was still a considerable bit more quiet and soft.

"Of course you'd say "aura" unironically."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You attack my vocabulary.”

He put his hand to his chest dramatically and spoke with mock dismay, pouting some as the cherry on top.

[d3rs-rest]

"I have all right to, i feel, if you're using a stupid one." Derek teased.

[averythemayo-iest]

”I lied, you DON’T have aura.”

He huffed, but quickly broke out into a giggle.

[d3rs-rest]

"Wow. Wounded." Derek huffed back, but couldn't stop the grin from forming.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hehe, good.”

Avery grinned before his attention was stolen, gasping and quickly running off to the side again. He pointed at a small collection of flowers growing nearby a tree, excitement quite visible on his face as he turned back to look at Derek. Oh boy, here he goes;

“These are Cypripedium candidum! White lady’s slipper, they’re a rarer type of orchid! Usually they’re found in fens and wetlands, kinda cool to see one here. They have a low seed set due to flowers not being pollinated, and are pretty hard to cultivate. That plus habitation being destroyed, invasive species, and their shade intolerance contribute to their rarity. In some places, they’re considered endangered and-“

He cut himself off, clearing his throat and walking back over towards Derek.

“Sorry- I should stop interrupting the walk- they’re just cool flowers.”

[d3rs-rest]

"It's fine, keep talking. I like seeing you happy and it's interesting." Derek waved his hand in a "go on" motion. "They are really cool."

[averythemayo-iest]

”… In that case,”

He retook Derek’s hand in his own.

“They basically deceive bees into getting stuck in their little flower-pouch thing since they can’t self fertilize, they rely on the bees to get tricked again with another flower. And when they disperse seeds, despite letting out thousands very very few survive. They rely on a certain fungi to sprout and grow. Because of the way their roots are, they’ve got pretty good resistance from prairie fires. And since—like I said—they have low shade tolerance, prescribed brush burns tend to help their numbers.”

He would point out other flowers nearby, giving short descriptions on them. He noticeably skipped over any of the blue ones.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek listened to the best of his ability (he kept getting distracted by just staring at Avery, though. Gorgeous.)

[averythemayo-iest]

Im not writing allat, but he’s been talking about various flowers. Jumping from species to species, currently he had been at the end of his nightshade talk after spotting a bunch of black nightshades.

“—and despite technically being somewhat toxic in certain forms, you can still eat the berries that yield from certain black nightshade species. Like red makoy! And speaking of nightshades, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, bell peppers, and wayyy more are all classified as nightshades. Taxonomy is so odd sometimes, don’t you think?”

Avery turned to look at Derek, seemingly at the end of his rambling spiel.

[d3rs-rest]

"Mhm." His ass is not listening.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, but there was no aggression behind it.

“Are you listening?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek blinked back into reality. "Hm? Sorry."

[averythemayo-iest]

He squeezed Derek’s hand.

“It’s alright, thanks for letting me talk your ears off.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You're too kind. And no need for thanks, I like hearing you talk."

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. You do?”

Avery looked towards Derek like he was expecting it to be a joke.

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeah, of course. It's very pretty." Derek smiled in an attempt at reasurance.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Thank you”

He smiled back, and spoke with a soft voice. He was blushing.

“Not a lot of people say stuff like that.. actually I don’t think anyone has.“

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand. "They should. You deserve to be appreciated more."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s gaze dropped away and onto the ground, he held the hand intertwined in his own tighter. His chest felt warm, as well as his face.

“Wasn’t expecting you to say that.. over some dumb flower talk…”

He spoke under his breath.

“The way you say it makes me want to believe it. A-and it—.. you just— gosh..”

Avery put his free hand over his face.

[d3rs-rest]

"Good! You should believe it! It's true." Derek's voice softened again. He took Avery's wrist gently and pulled down his hand to look in his eyes. "You deserve the world."

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up, but was quick to let himself relax. Avery’s face was flusteredly red and his eyes ever so slightly watery. His voice was breathy with disbelief and shock.

“Oh my god, you cannot just say that.. like that..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Well it's true." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. Well I mean, I have you, so.”

‘You’re my world’ went unsaid outside of the implication. He was panicking internally; was this flirting?? Is it normal to try to flirt with some dude you met on minecraft the second time of seeing him in person??? Probably not, but hey he was anyways.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek short circuited and went bright red as he caught the implication.

[averythemayo-iest]

He moved his wrist from Derek’s grasp, intertwining that hand with his as well. Now holding both hands and facing Der entirely.

Avery giggled, he was sort-of embarrassed but plowed through it anyways.

“There! Now we’re even.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek laughed breathily. "Yeah. I suppose we are."

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment, letting go of both Derek’s hands. Avery shifted somewhat closer in, his hands lingering near the other’s waist.

“Uh- can I hug you?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took the question as permission to wrap his arms around Avery first. He rests his head against Avery's shoulder.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery melted into the hug immediately, holding Derek tightly like he’d float away if Avery were to let go. He sighed contently.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek may or may not have been unable to resist the impulse to gently bite Avery. And he may or may not be being mocked by the King for it.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery froze up, but didn’t back away. He giggled and hid his face against Derek.

“Der?? What’re you doing?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Affection. Shush." Derek muttered with a grin. yayy gay people being gay the narrator doesnt know how to narrate

[averythemayo-iest]

”Affection, hm?”

He parroted, you could hear his smile through his tone. Avery slid one of his hands from Derek’s back up to the back of his head, gently petting through his hair. Oh god, he was head over heels huh.

[d3rs-rest]

"yes." if Derek was a cat, he'd be purring. Luckily he's not a cat. And he's definitely not melting into Avery either. Mhm. You're lying if you say you are. Shut up hastur.

[averythemayo-iest]

He slightly, and slowly, rocked both of them back and forth in the deep hug.

“… Hey would you get like, freaked out if I uh—“

Avery took a second to find his words and truly debate if now was a good time to ask this. Which I mean, the debate didn’t last long. He’s impulsive, sue him.

“—if I kissed you..?” He cleared his throat.

[d3rs-rest]

"oh! uh, yeah, of course. i mean. no, i wouldn't get freaked out, uh. I'd. yeah." Derek stammered. Awkward freak.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery pulled back from the hug, but still kept himself close to Derek. Hands moving towards the other’s shoulders, then moving up further to cup his face. One of his thumbs tracing over the plush skin on his cheek.

“O-okay then..”

Avery was suddenly very aware of the way his own breath hitched, and how his voice wavered. He swallowed down his anxiety before leaning in; and with upmost softness, pressing his lips against Derek’s.

His own lips were quite rough, clearly having been torn to shreds from years of picking and biting. Though considering he might get the chance to kiss Derek more? Avery might start buying chapstick.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's own lips weren't much better, really.

He couldn't care less about how chapped Avery's - or his own - lips were, though, in this moment all that mattered was this. The fact Avery liked him enough to kiss him - although he'd Known it, it was nice to get tangible proof - and that they both lived long enough to.

Derek tangled his hand in Avery's hair.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery hummed contently and smiled against his lips. He tried to bring himself impossibly closer, essentially just letting himself melt into the kiss.

He pulled away for a moment—though not far enough to warrant Derek moving his hand from his hair—to catch his breath, given Derek had taken it from him. Avery spoke in a hushed whisper, his voice wobbly with excitement and fluster.

“..wow… I— you-... can I— can we do that more?”

[d3rs-rest]

"please." Derek whispered back, slightly out of breath as well.

A little embarrassing, but oh well.

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled under his breath before leaning in for another kiss; longer than the prior one, but gentle and loving all the same.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek melted into the kiss once more, nipping at Avery's lip playfully

[averythemayo-iest]

He made a muffled noise of surprise in response to the nip, giving one back in return. Avery moved one of his hands to Derek’s back, rubbing it in slow circles.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't resist grinning into the kiss. His heart swelled with so much affection, he had half the mind to be afraid of bursting.

[averythemayo-iest]

Much to Avery’s dismay, eventually he did need to breath again. He pulled away from the kiss once more, making quick eye contact before looking off to the side. His face was red and his pupils dilated—his expression could not manage to capture all of the love and adoration Avery felt towards Derek.

[d3rs-rest]

"You're... a really good kisser." Derek murmured. He couldn't bring himseld to speak up, not in the wake of all the love between them.

He hesitated, before pulling Avery into a hug.

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up at the compliment, face somehow managing to become even redder. He spoke with the same soft murmur.

“Thanks, you are too..”

When Derek wrapped his arms around him, Avery was quick to return the hug—practically melting into him.

[d3rs-rest]

"Thanks." Derek pulled Avery closer, savouring the feeling of him in his arms

[d3rs-rest]

happy gay month to everybeing except hastur

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was looking at its phone screen, rechecking his messages to make sure today was right. When you opened the door; it looked up excitedly, shoving his phone into his pocket and waving.

“Hello!!! Hehe, I don’t mind the nickname.”

With a huge smile on his face, he looked at you expectantly.

“So, where we headed?”

[d3rs-rest]

"ah- right." Derek looked away in a way he hoped hid the flush spreading on his face.

"uh, i was thinking the park?"

[averythemayo-iest]

”That works for me, I love the park here. So many plants and types of wildlife”

Avery let you lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is very pretty, yeah." Derek nodded. He honestly didn't get out too much, nor spent a lot of time in parks.

"Do you go there often?" He stopped Avery from goin on the road by holding a hand out to block him, even though they were almost 2 meters away still.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Used to, It’s been a while since I’ve been back. I had wanted to it’s just, I hadn’t really been leaving my house since new years- So I’m excited to go back!”

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah, i uh. i know." Derek cleared his throat and fidgeted with his sleeve.

It's a bit awkwars to admit to a guy that you've been metaphysically stalking him.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh- ah- forgot that you’d know. Like, KNOW know.”

Avery thought for a moment before gasping and turning towards you while he walked.

“Wait, so since you know everything, you know like what dinosaurs looked like and stuff? OH- and can you tell what I’m thinking?? You know all my favorite stuff-”

He cut himself off and raised an eyebrow curiously.

“How much do you know about me?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Slow down, slow down. Yes, i could know what dinosaurs look like if either I or the King wanted me to know. I'm not currently checking on your thoughts, and yeah i know all your favorite stuff. I... know a lot about you." Derek was almost sheepish with the confession. "a whole lot."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh.. wow…”

Avery’s steps faltered a bit in reaction to the information, stumbling in his backwards stride before regaining composure.

“Soo you have to dig for that knowledge, yourself? I mean, you said you could know what you wanted to know..”

Was that a stretch to make? Derek choosing to think about him..? Maybe it was just The King feeding him those thoughts…. didn’t hurt to ask though. Doubts aside, his smile—retaining its softness—turned jokingly smug while a faint rosiness tinted his cheeks.

“It’s.. kinda nice to know someone like you with your knowledge would choose to think about me of all things..”

That smugness faltered some as Avery spoke under his breath, his quiet voice reflecting the way his heart warmed at the thought.

[d3rs-rest]

"Um, yeah. I mean. Sometimes I'll just be fed knowledge, and, um, i do have to... Know... at least once a day? i think? but yeah. I can usually choose. hah." Derek was very red.

"You're nice to know about. Or know in general. You're just nice, actually. To be around and think of and see and speak to and watch and. um. sorry i think I'm rambling."

[averythemayo-iest]

He snickered, turning swiftly back around to walk beside you again rather than in front of you.

“Gotta get your daily source of knowledge.”

Avery froze up at the second part, prior faint tint of blush now spread over his entire face. His words caught in his throat when he tried to reply.

“I- th-thanks- ahem uh-“

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to get his thoughts in order.

“Thanks.. thats- gosh, I don’t think anyones every told me that. Or anything like it.. hah.”

“.. You’re nice to be around too.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Thank you, Aves." Derek muttered. [Avery looks pretty, blushing.]

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course!”

He looked away bashfully, though his eyes eventually drifted down to Derek’s hand. Having an internal battle with himself over whether or not to hold it, well.. more of internally hyping himself up.

Avery’s hand moved, back of his palm gently bumping against yours. He cursed at himself mentally.

“Sorry-“

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took Avery's hand before the other could go on a tirade of apologies (and before he cohld overthing it). "It's okay."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was practically shaking, internally he felt like he would explode at any given moment. He exhaled a shaky, but happy sigh.

“Okay. Great. Awesome even-“

He squeezed the hand intertwined with its own. Not hard enough to be uncomfortable, just in a way to say he isn’t planning on letting go. A ‘oh, you’re stuck with me now’ way if you shall

“Hey we should be nearing the park, right?”

[d3rs-rest]

The faint sound of static filled the air, nearly too quiet to hear, and for just a moment it looked like Derek's eyes had a yellow sheen. He spoke when it died down. "Yeah, we're about two blocks away. In the street sense, not the minecraft sense, hah." He grinned.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery cast a quick glance towards him, having not noticed anything besides Derek’s pause before replying. Though, he focused in on the faint tint of yellow.. had his eyes looked like that before? hm.

“Yay! Can’t wait to see if any new flowers have bloomed.”

[d3rs-rest]

"They have." Derek answers instantly this time, with a slight laugh. "I saw when i checked."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery gasped excitedly, his stride gaining a slight spring to it.

“And you’d know what kind of flowers too, wouldn’t you??!!”

A short pause

“OH! Oh, do you have a favorite flower?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Not really. I guess dahlias are pretty?" Derek laughed. "I've never been big into flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

“What!! How? They’re so cool and beautiful! Those are nice though, they’re very geometric-y.”

Avery hummed, happy with the answer before continuing.

“Dahlias are fitting for you, a lot of people say they symbolize inner strength and kindness.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Hah. Yeah, i suppose. Though honestly you're one of the first people to call me kind since Kindergarten." Derek laughed. "Thank you though. ...Fits you too."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Surprising! You’re so nice, people should call you kind more often.”

Avery pouted cartoonishly, but it didn’t last long at the returned complement.

“Awwe thanks! You definitely have more inner strength than me though, hah”

[d3rs-rest]

"I don't think so. You're the strongest person i know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s face became flushed, he looked off to the side.

“Thanks… I try to be”

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek said softly in an attempt at reasurance.

"...What's your favorite flower?"

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hm, I don’t know if I can choose…”

He thought hard for a moment, mumbling a couple flower names to himself then shaking his head before deciding.

“Hmm if I really had to pick I’d say my favorite is either weeping begonia, or green carnations.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek stares blankly for a second, then the static and yellow sheen return. "...Ahh. They're lovely!! They fit you."

[averythemayo-iest]

The yellow again…. his eyes narrowed and its head tilted a bit.

”They are lovely, but uhm- are you okay?”

He stoped walking.

“You just keep spacing out and stuff, and your eyes..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh! Yes, i, uh, I'm checking stuff." Derek laughed sheepishly. "I must focus myself briefly to sort through all the info and find the right one."

ooc idk why i decided specificslly to hone in on him being german NOW and incorperate that into his speech mannerisms but i have. shrugs

[averythemayo-iest]

”OOOooohh, that makes sense.. It was just worrying to see without context”

He started walking again, quite a joyful stride with a slight skip to his step.

“It’s so cool to think about the fact that you can just.. do that,”

Avery quickly corrected himself.

“I mean, obviously all the side effects and stuff seem HORRIBLE- so besides that, but wow.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Besides the Creature and how disorienting it is, yeah, it is pretty cool, actually. Though sometimes I wish i could get to know you personally before. Well, uh. knowing everything about you." Derek caught himself. "Sorry, I'm rambling again."

[averythemayo-iest]

He frowned softly.

“I don’t mind your rambles! And Im not that interesting- besides, my memory is wayy too bad for me to have an accurate knowing of myself.”

Avery did an honestly pitiful laugh, it was awkward sounding.

“But maybe sometime you can remind me a bit on my childhood stories or something, and you can hear it all from me?”

A short pause. He lifted and pointed a finger at Derek.

“Actually, I don’t know much about you, maybe you should share some of your own life ‘lore’ sometime, if you’d want.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You are the most interesting person I know, Aves, don't be silly."

Derek laughed as he was pointed at. "It's not a lot, really. My life is pretty boring. I've got a decent relationship with my mum, no friends..."

[averythemayo-iest]

”So I’m the most interesting person you know, but you have no other friends to compare.. uh huh….”

He raised his eyebrow and snickered to himself.

“Thats ok!! We can both have boring lives. Though theres no way thats your whole story.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Ah ah ah, I said you're the most interesting person I know, not that i personally know. And i know everyone, technically."

Derek grinned and nudged Avery teasingly, then sobered a bit.

"But yeah, i guess it's not my whole story. Don't think you wanna hear me traumadump though, lol."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You smartass!”

He returned the nudge, slightly harder than the one he was given.

“Dude, you know every lowest point in my life including the ones I haven’t even reached yet- I feel like it’s unfair to you in a way.”

[d3rs-rest]

"I mean, i dunno. My dad was a drunk deadbeat, i guess. I dropped out of college. I'm not employed. There isn't really a lot to be said." Derek shrugged.

[averythemayo-iest]

“I’m sorry..”

Avery gave a short, tight squeeze to Derek’s hand, his thumb rubbing against his.

“Hm, what college did you go to?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek named a prestigious college of your, yes your the reader, choice in favor of being both locationally ambigious and because the mod doesn't know colleges.

"It was a scholarship."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You-“

Avery was wide eyed and open mouthed.

“You got a scholarship??? To go to [the ambiguous prestigious college that we (yes we) all know]??!”

“I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. You are extremely smart.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeahh. I dropped out cause it wasn't my thing though." Derek shrugs.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course you’d be too smart for college”

He said with a playful bite in his tone, accentuating it by rolling his eyes dramatically.

“Isn’t that the sign for the park?”

Avery pointed up ahead.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is!" Derek started lightly swinging Avery's hand with his.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Yay!!”

Avery returned the swinging motion and smiled wide.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't help but return the smile, it was just infectious. "I like when you smile."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Awe! I like seeing you smile too, you look pretty when you smile.”

Dereks complement, as well as Avery’s own compliment in return, sorta flew over his own head for a second. Until he backtracked and the fluster settled in.

“Well- uhm- you’re, p-pretty when you aren’t smiling too but, like, you’re smile is just, really pretty- o-or handsome- uh- ohmygodishouldshutupsorry”

He face palmed and dragged his hand down to rest on the bridge of his nose, covering most of his face. His gaze dropped to the ground in embarrassment.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's flush hadn't even fully gone away from before, yet returned now in full intensity. He laughed softly. "Thank you... Though i could never wish to compare to you."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was internally screaming. He uncovered his—still flustered—face and turned to look at Derek.

“Nuh uh! Have you seen yourself?? Comparing you to me would be like- like comparing twenty bucks to a penny!”

[d3rs-rest]

"With you being the "twenty bucks", maybe." Derek turned it back around.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Whatever you think, I mean you’re wrong, but sure.”

He bumped his shoulder against Derek’s again.

[d3rs-rest]

"...Nuh uh." Derek bumped back.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Yuh huh”

Avery snickered before his attention shifted to a small, blooming, marigold bush growing off to the side. He let go of Derek’s hand for a second to dart over towards it. He crouched down to pick a flower off from its stalk.

“Here!”

He smiled softly and passed the flower to him, before reaching to hold Derek’s hand once more.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took it reverantly, smiling softly.

He tucked it behind his ear.

"Thank you, oh wise one of flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled again at his given title.

“You are welcome, M’lord.”

Avery poked fun with referencing the other’s minecraft user, before meticulously adjusting the flower behind Derek’s ear to make sure it wouldn’t fall.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek really outta get regulated with all the blushing he's doing. He laughed. "I chose that username when i was, like, 13, i think."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Y’know, it feels like getting an award when you laugh.”

Avery stared softly at Derek, his tone earnest and quiet—like it was a thought he meant to keep inside his head.

“It’s nice seeing you all flustered and giggly. I dunno I just.. you seemed like such a ‘high inner-emotional walls’ sorta guy? But you laugh, and you blush, and you swing my hand excitedly..”

He stopped himself before too many words could escape him, and before his own blush returned. Switching the topic and glossing over what he had said.

“Sorry- thats unrelated. But 13 year old you was pretty good at usernames. Huge amounts of aura, dude.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh. Hah." Derek didn't know how to reply. He knew how he'd come across earlier as compared to now, he'd done that on purpose back then, but to hear it said by Avery gave him butterflies like he'd never felt before.

...So he, too, switched the topic, although his voice was still a considerable bit more quiet and soft.

"Of course you'd say "aura" unironically."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You attack my vocabulary.”

He put his hand to his chest dramatically and spoke with mock dismay, pouting some as the cherry on top.

[d3rs-rest]

"I have all right to, i feel, if you're using a stupid one." Derek teased.

[averythemayo-iest]

”I lied, you DON’T have aura.”

He huffed, but quickly broke out into a giggle.

[d3rs-rest]

"Wow. Wounded." Derek huffed back, but couldn't stop the grin from forming.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hehe, good.”

Avery grinned before his attention was stolen, gasping and quickly running off to the side again. He pointed at a small collection of flowers growing nearby a tree, excitement quite visible on his face as he turned back to look at Derek. Oh boy, here he goes;

“These are Cypripedium candidum! White lady’s slipper, they’re a rarer type of orchid! Usually they’re found in fens and wetlands, kinda cool to see one here. They have a low seed set due to flowers not being pollinated, and are pretty hard to cultivate. That plus habitation being destroyed, invasive species, and their shade intolerance contribute to their rarity. In some places, they’re considered endangered and-“

He cut himself off, clearing his throat and walking back over towards Derek.

“Sorry- I should stop interrupting the walk- they’re just cool flowers.”

[d3rs-rest]

"It's fine, keep talking. I like seeing you happy and it's interesting." Derek waved his hand in a "go on" motion. "They are really cool."

[averythemayo-iest]

”… In that case,”

He retook Derek’s hand in his own.

“They basically deceive bees into getting stuck in their little flower-pouch thing since they can’t self fertilize, they rely on the bees to get tricked again with another flower. And when they disperse seeds, despite letting out thousands very very few survive. They rely on a certain fungi to sprout and grow. Because of the way their roots are, they’ve got pretty good resistance from prairie fires. And since—like I said—they have low shade tolerance, prescribed brush burns tend to help their numbers.”

He would point out other flowers nearby, giving short descriptions on them. He noticeably skipped over any of the blue ones.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek listened to the best of his ability (he kept getting distracted by just staring at Avery, though. Gorgeous.)

[averythemayo-iest]

Im not writing allat, but he’s been talking about various flowers. Jumping from species to species, currently he had been at the end of his nightshade talk after spotting a bunch of black nightshades.

“—and despite technically being somewhat toxic in certain forms, you can still eat the berries that yield from certain black nightshade species. Like red makoy! And speaking of nightshades, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, bell peppers, and wayyy more are all classified as nightshades. Taxonomy is so odd sometimes, don’t you think?”

Avery turned to look at Derek, seemingly at the end of his rambling spiel.

[d3rs-rest]

"Mhm." His ass is not listening.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, but there was no aggression behind it.

“Are you listening?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek blinked back into reality. "Hm? Sorry."

[averythemayo-iest]

He squeezed Derek’s hand.

“It’s alright, thanks for letting me talk your ears off.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You're too kind. And no need for thanks, I like hearing you talk."

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. You do?”

Avery looked towards Derek like he was expecting it to be a joke.

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeah, of course. It's very pretty." Derek smiled in an attempt at reasurance.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Thank you”

He smiled back, and spoke with a soft voice. He was blushing.

“Not a lot of people say stuff like that.. actually I don’t think anyone has.“

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand. "They should. You deserve to be appreciated more."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s gaze dropped away and onto the ground, he held the hand intertwined in his own tighter. His chest felt warm, as well as his face.

“Wasn’t expecting you to say that.. over some dumb flower talk…”

He spoke under his breath.

“The way you say it makes me want to believe it. A-and it—.. you just— gosh..”

Avery put his free hand over his face.

[d3rs-rest]

"Good! You should believe it! It's true." Derek's voice softened again. He took Avery's wrist gently and pulled down his hand to look in his eyes. "You deserve the world."

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up, but was quick to let himself relax. Avery’s face was flusteredly red and his eyes ever so slightly watery. His voice was breathy with disbelief and shock.

“Oh my god, you cannot just say that.. like that..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Well it's true." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. Well I mean, I have you, so.”

‘You’re my world’ went unsaid outside of the implication. He was panicking internally; was this flirting?? Is it normal to try to flirt with some dude you met on minecraft the second time of seeing him in person??? Probably not, but hey he was anyways.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek short circuited and went bright red as he caught the implication.

[averythemayo-iest]

He moved his wrist from Derek’s grasp, intertwining that hand with his as well. Now holding both hands and facing Der entirely.

Avery giggled, he was sort-of embarrassed but plowed through it anyways.

“There! Now we’re even.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek laughed breathily. "Yeah. I suppose we are."

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment, letting go of both Derek’s hands. Avery shifted somewhat closer in, his hands lingering near the other’s waist.

“Uh- can I hug you?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took the question as permission to wrap his arms around Avery first. He rests his head against Avery's shoulder.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery melted into the hug immediately, holding Derek tightly like he’d float away if Avery were to let go. He sighed contently.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek may or may not have been unable to resist the impulse to gently bite Avery. And he may or may not be being mocked by the King for it.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery froze up, but didn’t back away. He giggled and hid his face against Derek.

“Der?? What’re you doing?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Affection. Shush." Derek muttered with a grin. yayy gay people being gay the narrator doesnt know how to narrate

[averythemayo-iest]

”Affection, hm?”

He parroted, you could hear his smile through his tone. Avery slid one of his hands from Derek’s back up to the back of his head, gently petting through his hair. Oh god, he was head over heels huh.

[d3rs-rest]

"yes." if Derek was a cat, he'd be purring. Luckily he's not a cat. And he's definitely not melting into Avery either. Mhm. You're lying if you say you are. Shut up hastur.

[averythemayo-iest]

He slightly, and slowly, rocked both of them back and forth in the deep hug.

“… Hey would you get like, freaked out if I uh—“

Avery took a second to find his words and truly debate if now was a good time to ask this. Which I mean, the debate didn’t last long. He’s impulsive, sue him.

“—if I kissed you..?” He cleared his throat.

[d3rs-rest]

"oh! uh, yeah, of course. i mean. no, i wouldn't get freaked out, uh. I'd. yeah." Derek stammered. Awkward freak.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery pulled back from the hug, but still kept himself close to Derek. Hands moving towards the other’s shoulders, then moving up further to cup his face. One of his thumbs tracing over the plush skin on his cheek.

“O-okay then..”

Avery was suddenly very aware of the way his own breath hitched, and how his voice wavered. He swallowed down his anxiety before leaning in; and with upmost softness, pressing his lips against Derek’s.

His own lips were quite rough, clearly having been torn to shreds from years of picking and biting. Though considering he might get the chance to kiss Derek more? Avery might start buying chapstick.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's own lips weren't much better, really.

He couldn't care less about how chapped Avery's - or his own - lips were, though, in this moment all that mattered was this. The fact Avery liked him enough to kiss him - although he'd Known it, it was nice to get tangible proof - and that they both lived long enough to.

Derek tangled his hand in Avery's hair.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery hummed contently and smiled against his lips. He tried to bring himself impossibly closer, essentially just letting himself melt into the kiss.

He pulled away for a moment—though not far enough to warrant Derek moving his hand from his hair—to catch his breath, given Derek had taken it from him. Avery spoke in a hushed whisper, his voice wobbly with excitement and fluster.

“..wow… I— you-... can I— can we do that more?”

[d3rs-rest]

"please." Derek whispered back, slightly out of breath as well.

A little embarrassing, but oh well.

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled under his breath before leaning in for another kiss; longer than the prior one, but gentle and loving all the same.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek melted into the kiss once more, nipping at Avery's lip playfully

[averythemayo-iest]

He made a muffled noise of surprise in response to the nip, giving one back in return. Avery moved one of his hands to Derek’s back, rubbing it in slow circles.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't resist grinning into the kiss. His heart swelled with so much affection, he had half the mind to be afraid of bursting.

[averythemayo-iest]

Much to Avery’s dismay, eventually he did need to breath again. He pulled away from the kiss once more, making quick eye contact before looking off to the side. His face was red and his pupils dilated—his expression could not manage to capture all of the love and adoration Avery felt towards Derek.

[d3rs-rest]

"You're... a really good kisser." Derek murmured. He couldn't bring himseld to speak up, not in the wake of all the love between them.

He hesitated, before pulling Avery into a hug.

[averythemayo-iest]

//ooc gay. im not finishing this or making it look good take my bullshit

(reference below)

[d3rs-rest]

what does this mean avery

ooc i laughed so hard. i know this is ooc but i had to. this is amazing

[d3rs-rest]

Ding!

Somebody had rang the doorbell for the apartments, and was waiting (im)patiently for entry.

-@averythemayo-iest

Derek rushes to the door, pulling the jacket on as it closes behind him. "sorry! Hi Aves- Avery. Hi Avery."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was looking at its phone screen, rechecking his messages to make sure today was right. When you opened the door; it looked up excitedly, shoving his phone into his pocket and waving.

“Hello!!! Hehe, I don’t mind the nickname.”

With a huge smile on his face, he looked at you expectantly.

“So, where we headed?”

[d3rs-rest]

"ah- right." Derek looked away in a way he hoped hid the flush spreading on his face.

"uh, i was thinking the park?"

[averythemayo-iest]

”That works for me, I love the park here. So many plants and types of wildlife”

Avery let you lead the way.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is very pretty, yeah." Derek nodded. He honestly didn't get out too much, nor spent a lot of time in parks.

"Do you go there often?" He stopped Avery from goin on the road by holding a hand out to block him, even though they were almost 2 meters away still.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Used to, It’s been a while since I’ve been back. I had wanted to it’s just, I hadn’t really been leaving my house since new years- So I’m excited to go back!”

[d3rs-rest]

"yeah, i uh. i know." Derek cleared his throat and fidgeted with his sleeve.

It's a bit awkwars to admit to a guy that you've been metaphysically stalking him.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh- ah- forgot that you’d know. Like, KNOW know.”

Avery thought for a moment before gasping and turning towards you while he walked.

“Wait, so since you know everything, you know like what dinosaurs looked like and stuff? OH- and can you tell what I’m thinking?? You know all my favorite stuff-”

He cut himself off and raised an eyebrow curiously.

“How much do you know about me?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Slow down, slow down. Yes, i could know what dinosaurs look like if either I or the King wanted me to know. I'm not currently checking on your thoughts, and yeah i know all your favorite stuff. I... know a lot about you." Derek was almost sheepish with the confession. "a whole lot."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Oh.. wow…”

Avery’s steps faltered a bit in reaction to the information, stumbling in his backwards stride before regaining composure.

“Soo you have to dig for that knowledge, yourself? I mean, you said you could know what you wanted to know..”

Was that a stretch to make? Derek choosing to think about him..? Maybe it was just The King feeding him those thoughts…. didn’t hurt to ask though. Doubts aside, his smile—retaining its softness—turned jokingly smug while a faint rosiness tinted his cheeks.

“It’s.. kinda nice to know someone like you with your knowledge would choose to think about me of all things..”

That smugness faltered some as Avery spoke under his breath, his quiet voice reflecting the way his heart warmed at the thought.

[d3rs-rest]

"Um, yeah. I mean. Sometimes I'll just be fed knowledge, and, um, i do have to... Know... at least once a day? i think? but yeah. I can usually choose. hah." Derek was very red.

"You're nice to know about. Or know in general. You're just nice, actually. To be around and think of and see and speak to and watch and. um. sorry i think I'm rambling."

[averythemayo-iest]

He snickered, turning swiftly back around to walk beside you again rather than in front of you.

“Gotta get your daily source of knowledge.”

Avery froze up at the second part, prior faint tint of blush now spread over his entire face. His words caught in his throat when he tried to reply.

“I- th-thanks- ahem uh-“

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to get his thoughts in order.

“Thanks.. thats- gosh, I don’t think anyones every told me that. Or anything like it.. hah.”

“.. You’re nice to be around too.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Thank you, Aves." Derek muttered. [Avery looks pretty, blushing.]

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course!”

He looked away bashfully, though his eyes eventually drifted down to Derek’s hand. Having an internal battle with himself over whether or not to hold it, well.. more of internally hyping himself up.

Avery’s hand moved, back of his palm gently bumping against yours. He cursed at himself mentally.

“Sorry-“

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took Avery's hand before the other could go on a tirade of apologies (and before he cohld overthing it). "It's okay."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was practically shaking, internally he felt like he would explode at any given moment. He exhaled a shaky, but happy sigh.

“Okay. Great. Awesome even-“

He squeezed the hand intertwined with its own. Not hard enough to be uncomfortable, just in a way to say he isn’t planning on letting go. A ‘oh, you’re stuck with me now’ way if you shall

“Hey we should be nearing the park, right?”

[d3rs-rest]

The faint sound of static filled the air, nearly too quiet to hear, and for just a moment it looked like Derek's eyes had a yellow sheen. He spoke when it died down. "Yeah, we're about two blocks away. In the street sense, not the minecraft sense, hah." He grinned.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery cast a quick glance towards him, having not noticed anything besides Derek’s pause before replying. Though, he focused in on the faint tint of yellow.. had his eyes looked like that before? hm.

“Yay! Can’t wait to see if any new flowers have bloomed.”

[d3rs-rest]

"They have." Derek answers instantly this time, with a slight laugh. "I saw when i checked."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery gasped excitedly, his stride gaining a slight spring to it.

“And you’d know what kind of flowers too, wouldn’t you??!!”

A short pause

“OH! Oh, do you have a favorite flower?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Not really. I guess dahlias are pretty?" Derek laughed. "I've never been big into flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

“What!! How? They’re so cool and beautiful! Those are nice though, they’re very geometric-y.”

Avery hummed, happy with the answer before continuing.

“Dahlias are fitting for you, a lot of people say they symbolize inner strength and kindness.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Hah. Yeah, i suppose. Though honestly you're one of the first people to call me kind since Kindergarten." Derek laughed. "Thank you though. ...Fits you too."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Surprising! You’re so nice, people should call you kind more often.”

Avery pouted cartoonishly, but it didn’t last long at the returned complement.

“Awwe thanks! You definitely have more inner strength than me though, hah”

[d3rs-rest]

"I don't think so. You're the strongest person i know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s face became flushed, he looked off to the side.

“Thanks… I try to be”

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek said softly in an attempt at reasurance.

"...What's your favorite flower?"

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hm, I don’t know if I can choose…”

He thought hard for a moment, mumbling a couple flower names to himself then shaking his head before deciding.

“Hmm if I really had to pick I’d say my favorite is either weeping begonia, or green carnations.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek stares blankly for a second, then the static and yellow sheen return. "...Ahh. They're lovely!! They fit you."

[averythemayo-iest]

The yellow again…. his eyes narrowed and its head tilted a bit.

”They are lovely, but uhm- are you okay?”

He stoped walking.

“You just keep spacing out and stuff, and your eyes..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh! Yes, i, uh, I'm checking stuff." Derek laughed sheepishly. "I must focus myself briefly to sort through all the info and find the right one."

ooc idk why i decided specificslly to hone in on him being german NOW and incorperate that into his speech mannerisms but i have. shrugs

[averythemayo-iest]

”OOOooohh, that makes sense.. It was just worrying to see without context”

He started walking again, quite a joyful stride with a slight skip to his step.

“It’s so cool to think about the fact that you can just.. do that,”

Avery quickly corrected himself.

“I mean, obviously all the side effects and stuff seem HORRIBLE- so besides that, but wow.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Besides the Creature and how disorienting it is, yeah, it is pretty cool, actually. Though sometimes I wish i could get to know you personally before. Well, uh. knowing everything about you." Derek caught himself. "Sorry, I'm rambling again."

[averythemayo-iest]

He frowned softly.

“I don’t mind your rambles! And Im not that interesting- besides, my memory is wayy too bad for me to have an accurate knowing of myself.”

Avery did an honestly pitiful laugh, it was awkward sounding.

“But maybe sometime you can remind me a bit on my childhood stories or something, and you can hear it all from me?”

A short pause. He lifted and pointed a finger at Derek.

“Actually, I don’t know much about you, maybe you should share some of your own life ‘lore’ sometime, if you’d want.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You are the most interesting person I know, Aves, don't be silly."

Derek laughed as he was pointed at. "It's not a lot, really. My life is pretty boring. I've got a decent relationship with my mum, no friends..."

[averythemayo-iest]

”So I’m the most interesting person you know, but you have no other friends to compare.. uh huh….”

He raised his eyebrow and snickered to himself.

“Thats ok!! We can both have boring lives. Though theres no way thats your whole story.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Ah ah ah, I said you're the most interesting person I know, not that i personally know. And i know everyone, technically."

Derek grinned and nudged Avery teasingly, then sobered a bit.

"But yeah, i guess it's not my whole story. Don't think you wanna hear me traumadump though, lol."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You smartass!”

He returned the nudge, slightly harder than the one he was given.

“Dude, you know every lowest point in my life including the ones I haven’t even reached yet- I feel like it’s unfair to you in a way.”

[d3rs-rest]

"I mean, i dunno. My dad was a drunk deadbeat, i guess. I dropped out of college. I'm not employed. There isn't really a lot to be said." Derek shrugged.

[averythemayo-iest]

“I’m sorry..”

Avery gave a short, tight squeeze to Derek’s hand, his thumb rubbing against his.

“Hm, what college did you go to?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek named a prestigious college of your, yes your the reader, choice in favor of being both locationally ambigious and because the mod doesn't know colleges.

"It was a scholarship."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You-“

Avery was wide eyed and open mouthed.

“You got a scholarship??? To go to [the ambiguous prestigious college that we (yes we) all know]??!”

“I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. You are extremely smart.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeahh. I dropped out cause it wasn't my thing though." Derek shrugs.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Of course you’d be too smart for college”

He said with a playful bite in his tone, accentuating it by rolling his eyes dramatically.

“Isn’t that the sign for the park?”

Avery pointed up ahead.

[d3rs-rest]

"It is!" Derek started lightly swinging Avery's hand with his.

[averythemayo-iest]

”Yay!!”

Avery returned the swinging motion and smiled wide.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't help but return the smile, it was just infectious. "I like when you smile."

[averythemayo-iest]

”Awe! I like seeing you smile too, you look pretty when you smile.”

Dereks complement, as well as Avery’s own compliment in return, sorta flew over his own head for a second. Until he backtracked and the fluster settled in.

“Well- uhm- you’re, p-pretty when you aren’t smiling too but, like, you’re smile is just, really pretty- o-or handsome- uh- ohmygodishouldshutupsorry”

He face palmed and dragged his hand down to rest on the bridge of his nose, covering most of his face. His gaze dropped to the ground in embarrassment.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's flush hadn't even fully gone away from before, yet returned now in full intensity. He laughed softly. "Thank you... Though i could never wish to compare to you."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery was internally screaming. He uncovered his—still flustered—face and turned to look at Derek.

“Nuh uh! Have you seen yourself?? Comparing you to me would be like- like comparing twenty bucks to a penny!”

[d3rs-rest]

"With you being the "twenty bucks", maybe." Derek turned it back around.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Whatever you think, I mean you’re wrong, but sure.”

He bumped his shoulder against Derek’s again.

[d3rs-rest]

"...Nuh uh." Derek bumped back.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Yuh huh”

Avery snickered before his attention shifted to a small, blooming, marigold bush growing off to the side. He let go of Derek’s hand for a second to dart over towards it. He crouched down to pick a flower off from its stalk.

“Here!”

He smiled softly and passed the flower to him, before reaching to hold Derek’s hand once more.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took it reverantly, smiling softly.

He tucked it behind his ear.

"Thank you, oh wise one of flowers."

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled again at his given title.

“You are welcome, M’lord.”

Avery poked fun with referencing the other’s minecraft user, before meticulously adjusting the flower behind Derek’s ear to make sure it wouldn’t fall.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek really outta get regulated with all the blushing he's doing. He laughed. "I chose that username when i was, like, 13, i think."

[averythemayo-iest]

“Y’know, it feels like getting an award when you laugh.”

Avery stared softly at Derek, his tone earnest and quiet—like it was a thought he meant to keep inside his head.

“It’s nice seeing you all flustered and giggly. I dunno I just.. you seemed like such a ‘high inner-emotional walls’ sorta guy? But you laugh, and you blush, and you swing my hand excitedly..”

He stopped himself before too many words could escape him, and before his own blush returned. Switching the topic and glossing over what he had said.

“Sorry- thats unrelated. But 13 year old you was pretty good at usernames. Huge amounts of aura, dude.”

[d3rs-rest]

"Oh. Hah." Derek didn't know how to reply. He knew how he'd come across earlier as compared to now, he'd done that on purpose back then, but to hear it said by Avery gave him butterflies like he'd never felt before.

...So he, too, switched the topic, although his voice was still a considerable bit more quiet and soft.

"Of course you'd say "aura" unironically."

[averythemayo-iest]

“You attack my vocabulary.”

He put his hand to his chest dramatically and spoke with mock dismay, pouting some as the cherry on top.

[d3rs-rest]

"I have all right to, i feel, if you're using a stupid one." Derek teased.

[averythemayo-iest]

”I lied, you DON’T have aura.”

He huffed, but quickly broke out into a giggle.

[d3rs-rest]

"Wow. Wounded." Derek huffed back, but couldn't stop the grin from forming.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Hehe, good.”

Avery grinned before his attention was stolen, gasping and quickly running off to the side again. He pointed at a small collection of flowers growing nearby a tree, excitement quite visible on his face as he turned back to look at Derek. Oh boy, here he goes;

“These are Cypripedium candidum! White lady’s slipper, they’re a rarer type of orchid! Usually they’re found in fens and wetlands, kinda cool to see one here. They have a low seed set due to flowers not being pollinated, and are pretty hard to cultivate. That plus habitation being destroyed, invasive species, and their shade intolerance contribute to their rarity. In some places, they’re considered endangered and-“

He cut himself off, clearing his throat and walking back over towards Derek.

“Sorry- I should stop interrupting the walk- they’re just cool flowers.”

[d3rs-rest]

"It's fine, keep talking. I like seeing you happy and it's interesting." Derek waved his hand in a "go on" motion. "They are really cool."

[averythemayo-iest]

”… In that case,”

He retook Derek’s hand in his own.

“They basically deceive bees into getting stuck in their little flower-pouch thing since they can’t self fertilize, they rely on the bees to get tricked again with another flower. And when they disperse seeds, despite letting out thousands very very few survive. They rely on a certain fungi to sprout and grow. Because of the way their roots are, they’ve got pretty good resistance from prairie fires. And since—like I said—they have low shade tolerance, prescribed brush burns tend to help their numbers.”

He would point out other flowers nearby, giving short descriptions on them. He noticeably skipped over any of the blue ones.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek listened to the best of his ability (he kept getting distracted by just staring at Avery, though. Gorgeous.)

[averythemayo-iest]

Im not writing allat, but he’s been talking about various flowers. Jumping from species to species, currently he had been at the end of his nightshade talk after spotting a bunch of black nightshades.

“—and despite technically being somewhat toxic in certain forms, you can still eat the berries that yield from certain black nightshade species. Like red makoy! And speaking of nightshades, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, bell peppers, and wayyy more are all classified as nightshades. Taxonomy is so odd sometimes, don’t you think?”

Avery turned to look at Derek, seemingly at the end of his rambling spiel.

[d3rs-rest]

"Mhm." His ass is not listening.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery narrowed his eyes, but there was no aggression behind it.

“Are you listening?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek blinked back into reality. "Hm? Sorry."

[averythemayo-iest]

He squeezed Derek’s hand.

“It’s alright, thanks for letting me talk your ears off.”

[d3rs-rest]

"You're too kind. And no need for thanks, I like hearing you talk."

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. You do?”

Avery looked towards Derek like he was expecting it to be a joke.

[d3rs-rest]

"Yeah, of course. It's very pretty." Derek smiled in an attempt at reasurance.

[averythemayo-iest]

“Thank you”

He smiled back, and spoke with a soft voice. He was blushing.

“Not a lot of people say stuff like that.. actually I don’t think anyone has.“

[d3rs-rest]

"I know." Derek squeezed Avery's hand. "They should. You deserve to be appreciated more."

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery’s gaze dropped away and onto the ground, he held the hand intertwined in his own tighter. His chest felt warm, as well as his face.

“Wasn’t expecting you to say that.. over some dumb flower talk…”

He spoke under his breath.

“The way you say it makes me want to believe it. A-and it—.. you just— gosh..”

Avery put his free hand over his face.

[d3rs-rest]

"Good! You should believe it! It's true." Derek's voice softened again. He took Avery's wrist gently and pulled down his hand to look in his eyes. "You deserve the world."

[averythemayo-iest]

He froze up, but was quick to let himself relax. Avery’s face was flusteredly red and his eyes ever so slightly watery. His voice was breathy with disbelief and shock.

“Oh my god, you cannot just say that.. like that..”

[d3rs-rest]

"Well it's true." Derek insisted.

[averythemayo-iest]

”.. Well I mean, I have you, so.”

‘You’re my world’ went unsaid outside of the implication. He was panicking internally; was this flirting?? Is it normal to try to flirt with some dude you met on minecraft the second time of seeing him in person??? Probably not, but hey he was anyways.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek short circuited and went bright red as he caught the implication.

[averythemayo-iest]

He moved his wrist from Derek’s grasp, intertwining that hand with his as well. Now holding both hands and facing Der entirely.

Avery giggled, he was sort-of embarrassed but plowed through it anyways.

“There! Now we’re even.”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek laughed breathily. "Yeah. I suppose we are."

[averythemayo-iest]

He thought for a moment, letting go of both Derek’s hands. Avery shifted somewhat closer in, his hands lingering near the other’s waist.

“Uh- can I hug you?”

[d3rs-rest]

Derek took the question as permission to wrap his arms around Avery first. He rests his head against Avery's shoulder.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery melted into the hug immediately, holding Derek tightly like he’d float away if Avery were to let go. He sighed contently.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek may or may not have been unable to resist the impulse to gently bite Avery. And he may or may not be being mocked by the King for it.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery froze up, but didn’t back away. He giggled and hid his face against Derek.

“Der?? What’re you doing?”

[d3rs-rest]

"Affection. Shush." Derek muttered with a grin. yayy gay people being gay the narrator doesnt know how to narrate

[averythemayo-iest]

”Affection, hm?”

He parroted, you could hear his smile through his tone. Avery slid one of his hands from Derek’s back up to the back of his head, gently petting through his hair. Oh god, he was head over heels huh.

[d3rs-rest]

"yes." if Derek was a cat, he'd be purring. Luckily he's not a cat. And he's definitely not melting into Avery either. Mhm. You're lying if you say you are. Shut up hastur.

[averythemayo-iest]

He slightly, and slowly, rocked both of them back and forth in the deep hug.

“… Hey would you get like, freaked out if I uh—“

Avery took a second to find his words and truly debate if now was a good time to ask this. Which I mean, the debate didn’t last long. He’s impulsive, sue him.

“—if I kissed you..?” He cleared his throat.

[d3rs-rest]

"oh! uh, yeah, of course. i mean. no, i wouldn't get freaked out, uh. I'd. yeah." Derek stammered. Awkward freak.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery pulled back from the hug, but still kept himself close to Derek. Hands moving towards the other’s shoulders, then moving up further to cup his face. One of his thumbs tracing over the plush skin on his cheek.

“O-okay then..”

Avery was suddenly very aware of the way his own breath hitched, and how his voice wavered. He swallowed down his anxiety before leaning in; and with upmost softness, pressing his lips against Derek’s.

His own lips were quite rough, clearly having been torn to shreds from years of picking and biting. Though considering he might get the chance to kiss Derek more? Avery might start buying chapstick.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek's own lips weren't much better, really.

He couldn't care less about how chapped Avery's - or his own - lips were, though, in this moment all that mattered was this. The fact Avery liked him enough to kiss him - although he'd Known it, it was nice to get tangible proof - and that they both lived long enough to.

Derek tangled his hand in Avery's hair.

[averythemayo-iest]

Avery hummed contently and smiled against his lips. He tried to bring himself impossibly closer, essentially just letting himself melt into the kiss.

He pulled away for a moment—though not far enough to warrant Derek moving his hand from his hair—to catch his breath, given Derek had taken it from him. Avery spoke in a hushed whisper, his voice wobbly with excitement and fluster.

“..wow… I— you-... can I— can we do that more?”

[d3rs-rest]

"please." Derek whispered back, slightly out of breath as well.

A little embarrassing, but oh well.

[averythemayo-iest]

He giggled under his breath before leaning in for another kiss; longer than the prior one, but gentle and loving all the same.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek melted into the kiss once more, nipping at Avery's lip playfully

[averythemayo-iest]

He made a muffled noise of surprise in response to the nip, giving one back in return. Avery moved one of his hands to Derek’s back, rubbing it in slow circles.

[d3rs-rest]

Derek couldn't resist grinning into the kiss. His heart swelled with so much affection, he had half the mind to be afraid of bursting.