WIP of the first page of the OTNWAS comic! Currently in the clean-up stage, then I'll hand the files over to @aj-cordierit , who will give them a good once-over, fix what needs to be fixed, and render them 🙂↕️ (and we'll keep sending them back and forth until we're both satisfied HEH, we're currently discussing more stuff we could possible add or change. I'm afraid this is a life-long project now.)
dereks pov!! hes pretty delirious for most of this and i tried to show that in the writing, but i was worried it might make it too confusing, so lemme know
Everything hurt. Everything hurt and d3rlord—Derek, now—wanted to lay down and die. But he couldn’t. Avery would never know what had happened to him. Avery would worry, he would be guilty, he would be left grieving with no closure for the rest of his life. Even with the infinite knowledge mostly faded from his mind, that was something he knew.
So Derek trudged on. (He was so, so tired.) The moment you lay down, you are not getting back up. You cannot afford to rest. He reminded himself. Keep walking, keep walking, keep walking. He knew the way to Avery’s base. Had memorised it, with the Knowledge still in his head. He was so, so close. (Much too far.) Keep walking, keep walking, keep walking. He just needed to see Avery again. (Just needed to lay down again.)
Avery’s base. Visible, through the trees. Keep walking, keep walking, keep walking. you’re almost there. The door. He knocked. I’ll just sit down and wait.
His helmet slammed into the ground as he passed out.
He was awake, maybe. It was dark. Soft. Still hurt. Waves of pain washed over him, and he whined, Shutting his eyes tight. (When did he open them?)
Awake again. He was sitting up, this time. And it was light. Someone was spooning soup in his mouth. Odd, but he obliged anyway. Open mouth, swallow. Open mouth, swallow. Tired. He wanted to sleep again. He turned his head away from the soup, and was laid back down in the softness again. Dark.
He was awake. It was dark. Where was he? Did he get to Avery? He didn't see Avery anywhere. I can’t be here. I have to get out. I need to get out. Get up, get up, get up. A noise. More pain. He was on the ground, now. I have to get up. Someone…someone was talking to him? He looked up. Avery. Avery is here. They were saying something, lifting up Derek’s body and laying him back down in the bed. Avery was holding him. (It felt strange, touching a slime.) It was nice. So, so nice. He hadn’t been held in so long. He was on the bed now, and Avery wasn’t holding him anymore. Avery was talking, and their voice sounded so lovely. Please hold me, Derek thought. His face was wet. Oh. He was crying. He was crying, and Avery was holding him again. It was nice. So, so very nice.
He awoke slowly, his clouded head clearing. He felt his embarrassment grow as bits and pieces of his memory came back to him. Getting spoonfed? Crying in someone else’s arms? Honestly, he deserved to feel ashamed of himself. Ignoring the throbbing pain throughout his body, he sat himself up in bed, clasped his hands in front of him, and waited for Avery to come back.
Finally, he did. “Look who’s finally awake.” Avery stood in the doorway, smiling. “You feeling hungry?”
Derek nodded. “Yes, please.” God, his voice sounded awful.
Avery pulled some beetroot soup out of his inventory. “This is all I’ve got, unless you want bread. But that might be hard for you to chew right now.”
“That is probably correct.”
“Alright,” Avery said, handing the soup to Derek. “Sorry that I don’t have more options.”
“I don’t mind,” Derek assured him, accepting the soup with a nod of thanks. He was used to having limited options, used to eating whatever would fill him up the most without considering taste. He practically shoved the soup down his throat, despite knowing it wasn’t proper, despite knowing he could make himself sick. He was so incredibly hungry. When was the last time he ate, other than the recent humiliating spoonfeeding? He really didn’t know.
Handing the bowl back to Avery, he spoke up again. “I do apologise for…”( Acting disgraceful? Forcing my problems onto you? Showing up at your door, bruised and bloody?) “…Intruding upon you, like this.”
“What?? Dude, that’s crazy. I mean, I’m the one who dragged you into my house. Plus, you literally saved my life. Even if I didn't want you around—though I do, don’t worry—I think I'd be obligated to take care of you.”
Derek bowed his head slightly, so Avery couldn't see his face. Don’t cry. DO NOT cry again, you idiot. You’ve disgraced yourself enough already, He thought sternly.
“Thank you,” Derek replied.
“Of course.” Avery smiled again. “Oh! Lemme open the curtains so we can get some light in here.” He moved to the window and pulled the fabric aside so the morning sunlight could pour in. Derek blinked and squinted in the bright light.
“How are you feeling this morning, by the way?” Avery continued.
Derek hesitated. “I’ve been better. First time having limbs amputated, you know how it is.” He motioned to his bandaged wings.
Avery snorted. “Wait, was that a joke? Did you just make a joke?”
“Yes, Avery,” he replied, amusement in his voice. “That is a thing people do sometimes.” Especially if it gets you to laugh.
“Well–I–but—I didn't realize you made jokes!” Avery sputtered.
Derek snickered.
“Anyway, what about the rest of your injuries?” Avery asked, obviously changing the subject. “You looked like you were bruised up pretty bad.”
“Oh, those will be fine. I can deal with bruises.” (Derek let him.)
Avery shrugged. “Alright, man. You know yourself best.”
au where everything is alright and slimeknight are just characters in a visual novel. also avery's a hypocrite but its okay because his boyfriend best friend doesnt check his youtube account.
germansingergirl
theartofmadeline
stormborns
jacobvanloon
snowghoul
blakekathryn
