Vane would turn to Derek, their sword loosening in their hands. Derek seemed focused, but really, when is he not? Vane sighs, snapping his fingers in front of Derek's face.
With that, Derek wakes up from his inner mind. Derek shook his head slightly, staring down at Vane who looked disappointed—but not surprised at him.
V : “You're zoning out again.”
D : “I know i just—”
V : “Derek, i get it.”
Derek rapidly blinks for a moment, before responding.
D : “No, you don't.”
Vane looks around the area, making sure the coast is clear before leaning in and whispering.
V : “...Have you seen the prince anywhere? I haven't seen him at all today.”
Derek's eyebrow lifted, confused by the topic change but didn't comment. With a sigh, he answered.
D : “He's busy. He's supposed to meet his... Princess today.”
Vane's face darkens slightly. They stare at the netherite sword in their hands, can't help but feel bad for Derek.
V : “I see.”
They mutter out, unsure of what else to say. Because they knew, an ‘everything will be okay’ won't help someone as stubborn as him. They took a small step closer.
V : “Are you okay though? Really, this time. I want to know how help, and i can't do that without knowing what's bothering you.”
V : “Mainly.”
Derek finally turns to look at Vane, he notices the sadness and determination in their eyes.. To which, believe it or not, is hard to just ignore.
D : “Well, i..”
V : “Are you sad about prince Avery marrying someone else and you want to be the one he's marrying and you hate her for being the chosen one?”
D : “What—no!?”
V : “Oh, good. I didn't want to deal with another jealous guy, hahah...”
Derek lets out a long sigh, before slightly muttering.
D : “Another jealous guy?”
V : “Yeah! I mean... My sister is really upset because her love interest left her for an idiot.”
Vane tries to lighten up the mood, their tone slightly brighter.
D : “Your sister is a guy?”
V : "NO NO—That was miswording!”
Vane awkwardly chuckles to themselves.
V : “But um... you were saying?”
D : “Well...”
Derek pauses, unsure of how to word this without Vane somehow twisting it.
D : “I don't... Hate her. I just..”
Derek tries to express with his hands, moving them slightly before flopping them back down.
D : “Wish i could've been the one in her position. I—she seems like a sweet person. I suppose Avery would be in great hands... I just want him to know that...”
D : “I'm here too.”
Vane nods in response. The silence was deafening, uncomfortable. But Vane didn't want to leave it that way.
V : “And i'm here for you. You gotta think of yourself too, Derek.”
Derek's eyes widen, only to soften ever so slightly. He can't help but smile a little, turning his head at the ground.
D : “Thank you, Vane.”
V : “What's a good old pal for?”
D : “...I'm not sure myself.”
D : “You wanted to see me, your majesty?”
Derek enters the throne room, his movement slightly nervous, but not too nervous to the point where he looks like a deer about to get run over.
The throne room was gigantic, a single gigantic seating in the end of the room. A being, sat there. It's face blurred out, no one ever questions how or why. Not that anyone dared.
Derek could only stare at it, not speaking unless commanded. He looked like an ant compared to it.
? : “Your presence is no longer required.”
Derek could only stare in pure shock, thinking he heard the wrong thing—he quickly recalled.
D : “I'm... Sorry?”
? : “I am confident that my message has been received and understood by you.”
Derek stutters with his words, unsure of what to do—or even think. The first thing on his mind? Being away from Avery. Being away and unable to protect the only thing he cares about.
? : “I am instructing you to depart for this mission and to refrain from returning prior to its completion.”
D : “What m-mission, exactly... your majesty?”
The being, known as The King, or the name no one dared to call him, “Hastur” stayed silent. As if Derek was supposed to respond to that question himself. Derek let's out a hazy breath.
H : “You will acquire that knowledge at a subsequent time.”
Derek takes a deep breath, thinking, attempting to calm down, he argues back.
D : “But i need to know why. You can't just... Sent me away without giving me any reason—”
H : “The choices I make are not to be challenged.”
Derek scrambles with his words, for the first time since forever he couldn't understand. He couldn't make up a plan. Why would he just leave in the orders of a king? But he knows, no matter what, he cannot fight an immortal being.
But that complying includes leaving Avery. Leaving his god, his universe... And the thought of that still messes with his brain. Terribly.
D : “Avery.”
Derek would call out, grabbing the attention of the prince, who was seemingly tending to the moonflowers. Because even though he was apart of the royal heir, he still wanted to have hobbies, didn't he?
A : “Derek! I was starting to think you were ignoring me. I haven't interacted with you after... So long.”
D : “I know.”
Avery stares at him, unsure of what else to say. But the glint in Derek's eyes spoke, that something was wrong. That something couldn't be fixed.
A : “...Der?”
Avery walks closer to him, closing the distance. Despite the intensity, the outside world is still beautiful. Flowers blooming, the wind swaying softly, the moon shining his eyes. The eyes filled with confusion and worry.
D : “Nothing.”
Derek lifted his hand, placing it on the others cheek, softly cherishing it. Derek could only look at him with those unreadable eyes. Avery hated that, but he could only stay silent.
D : “The moon is beautiful, isn't it?”
Avery's breath hintches, unsure of what to say, he could only lean into the touch. Yet... It felt wrong. It felt forbidden.
A : “...It is.”
Now you are left thinking what of me?
>> START << || >> NEXT ( not yet ! ) <<
There are 3 references made here, see if you can find them <3.
If you're still taking art prompts, could I.. maybe.. possibly.. hypothetically.... suggest an outfit swap with Derek and Avery? (And maybe the King too if you feel like it)
