“Drowning in Your Love”
“Forever, Promise.” | a slimeknight fanfic | CHPT 1
? : “Derek.”
A voice pops up, interrupting Derek's mindless monologue. Derek flinched slightly at the noise, turning to the voice that filled the silencing atmosphere.
D : “I... Yes? My apologies.”
He'd apologize before the other could make a complaint. They sigh, crossing their arms and stares up at him. Calculating.
? : “You zoning out is a really bad thing, Derek. What could've possibly happened to make you this unfocused? We're on duty.”
Derek looks away from them, trying to avoid their gaze, but he knows. They won't let it go until Derek explained, and they could wait for forever. Unless they find out themselves, which is mostly the case.
? : “Is this about the prince?”
Derek froze. Eyes widing. They knew? How? He never told anyone, unless he decided to not be so secretive anymore and did. They let out a long sigh, then walks up to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder. Not squeezing, just... There.
? : “Tell me, Derek. Is this about the prince?”
They repeated, trying to engange in eye contact. However, noticing how much Derek is avoiding their gaze, they frowns a little.
? : “Derek.”
D : “You don't know anything, Vane. Don't act like you do.”
V : “I do know.”
A drop of silence falls upon them. Derek hesitated. How could they know? He kept it a secret well, no? Were they exposed? Was it gossip, fools who noticed and spread the word like ants who found food?
D : “What do you know?”
Derek asked blantly, not trying to throw any emotion in there (but obviously, failing. Hard.)
V : “I know you love him... In a way. It's bold really, loving the prince. But at least he loves you back.”
D : “How do you know that?”
Derek quickly snipes back, not agreeing. But not rejecting it either. He just... Needs to know, who told them.
V : “I'm not stupid, Derek. I saw you both. The way you soften at him. It's really something i'd never miss.”
Derek finally looked at him. His eyes hesitating, and for once, in this life, he didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to think.
V : “I won't tell anyone. I'm not a ‘scumbag’. You do know he's going to get married soon, yes?”
Derek froze. Of course he knows. It's the only thing he can't stop thinking of ever since it was annouced. He nodded, once, slow. The fear in his eyes was a billboard to Vane.
V : “Is that why you were zoning out?”
Derek looked out to the distance. Not wanting to give an answer, not because he didn't trust them, but because he's afraid if he said it, the world would know. And thinking about this right now already hurts his head.
V : “I know. Hesitant, aren't you? You don't have to say it.”
V : “But you also can't hide it forever.”
A : “Earth to Derek? Are you even listening?”
Avery whines into his ear, trying to grab his attention. Grabbing his arm and shaking it slightly.
D : “Avery—calm down. I'm listening. You were saying something about the garden flowers?”
Derek turns his head at him, his capelet swaying as he turned his body a bit as well. Avery smirks, finally getting his attention.
A : “Yes! I was! I said that they are very pretty. Though, i don't think we should keep any lilies in here.”
Derek raises an eyebrow, looking at the beautiful white liles in front of them, Derek turns back to Avery who seemed to understand why he's so confused.
A : “Ah—So... ███████ is actually allergic to flowers, the strong scents and all.”
Since when did he care so much about her?
D : “Is that so?”
A : “Yes.”
D : “I suppose... I'll inform the gardeners then.”
Avery nodded happily. He takes his hand, dragging him around the garden. The sky—blue. The sun shining down reflections through the glass. Derek managed to match Avery's pace, sighing at his energy. Not that he minded.
A thought came to mind.
D : “Avery.”
Avery stops, turning his head to look at Derek with a smile that is now leaning more to the confused side.
D : “Promise me something.”
Avery fully turns to him. His tone is serious, this must be important. He tries his best to listen, finally for once, he zippered that loud mouth of his. Derek took a deep breath.
D : “Promise me... That you'll remember me, for as long as you can.”
A : “You're being silly, Der, i'd always remember you! Forever if i'm bold enough to say, which i am!”
D : “I know i can't, Vane. But i can't help it.”
D : “Is it my fault that i love him?”
V : “No, it isn't. But to the universe? It is.”
Vane looks ahead, finally respecting the fact that Derek doesn't want to see his ‘judgemental’ gaze.
D : “I just hope he doesn't forget about me. I want him to at least look at me with that same bright smile of his. No matter how much it hurts my heart.”
Vane sighs, his hand drops from Derek's shoulder.
V : “Your existence is already enough for him, Derek.”
>> START << || >> NEXT <<
Creator's Note:
This is a teaser chapter btw 💗. I made about 2 new characters for this fic, which is Vane and another character i will not spoiler :3. I hope the fact that the pronouns are not color coded doesn't confuse you guys, lol. Thank you for reading 💞.
Here's info about Vane!:
Vane is a non-binary (they/them) working along side Derek as a knight, Vane is in good terms with almost everyone. Although, they have a flaw of not being able to understand others emotions or feelings correctly. This leads to him being bold, that for some can cause problems. Vane is not good at keeping secrets.