Chapter Text
Avery wasn't the type to care about what his dreams meant. His dreams were usually short and sweet, not a lot of symbolism to find when it felt like his dreams lasted minutes, if not seconds. But, recently…Avery's dreams were longer than normal, a lot stranger too.
He doesn't remember when it started. Ok, welllll. He does.
Derlorde. or a bit after that. Avery can't pinpoint when it exactly started but he was 90% sure the dreams had something to do with the man he found just after he found a book he didn't write and the mine he didn't make. Said book and mine belonged to a half-dead Derlorde, he later learned.
Back to the dream thing, though.
Like already mentioned, Avery didn't care for dreams or their meanings but these new dreams meant something. Avery just didn't know what. He could ask Derlorde but with the whole "I know everything and you can't hide anything from me" shtick, Avery thought Derlorde would've asked about it but for some reason, Avery gets the feeling Derlorde (for once) didn't know about his dreams.
Which was weird. But Avery had yet another feeling that something Derlorde warned him about was a part of the reason why Derlorde is oblivious to Avery's dream related issues.
The feeling that this "King in Yellow" was trying to tell Avery something. He was very confused on what, though.
Ok, here's what the dreams USUALLY consist of:
Avery waking up in his room, him going to open the door and being tranported to the giant yellow gates that Derlorde has mentioned once. Avery usually looks back for a second before walking through the gates and being met with…nothing?
The first time he got this dream, he woke up right there. Confused and kinda startled, Avery thought Derlorde's warnings were just getting into his head.
The second time, though. Avery didn't wake up after seeing, uh nothing. What he does is out of character for Avery.
At this point in the dream, Avery walks further into the nothiness and finally, after walking a while, he is met with a bright yellow curtain. There is something behind the curtain, he can't see it and it won't let him.
They both stare at each other, or Avery tries to.
It speaks and the non-existent ground seems to shake. Avery can never hear the words but he can feel what it wants to say.
Avery. It speaks with all, everything Avery has ever and never heard sounds like it.
You have come to see me. It sounds prideful knowing this…fact?
Avery never came to see It, at least, he thinks so.
It laughs, loud. Oh my warrior, you want answers.
Avery can feel It tilt its head, in an emotion Avery can't understand.
"Yeah." Avery pauses, "I want answers."
Usually, Avery can feel it smile and he asks a question, the questions always differ. The first question he asked was: "Why?"
It just continued smiling. It has to be one question, Avery.
He asked another question, Avery doesn't remember what it was.
Avery wakes up after It answers his question.
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So, that's usually how the dreams go and why Derlorde doesn't know. Avery is literally talking to The being that screwed Derlorde over forever. And Avery doesn't feel as bad about it as he should.
The dreams aren't the only issue. Derlorde was getting a bit…overbearing, to say the least. The guy wouldn't let Avery do ANYTHING alone. If Avery wanted to go on a little adventure to find a new village? Derlorde had to come and he would intimidate anyone who came close to Avery. Avery wanted to talk to his skywars team? Derlorde had to be there, watching Avery and making everything so uncomfortable. He hadn't been able to attend recently because Derlorde doesn't know the definion of privacy.
Steve forbid, If Avery wanted to tend to the animals. Derlorde would shadow him, as if he can't watch him from their house. Everywhere Avery went, Derlorde had to be right on his dick. It was too much, Avery didn't really have friends, so jumping from being a loner to having a guy literally babysit him was annoying.
Avery knew Derlorde was trying to help him but, every time Avery asked him to kindly fuck off, Derlorde just wouldn't get it. The guy claimed to know everything yet he doesn't understand Avery's problems with his behavior at all.
The dreams were Avery's only way out, since he gave up on getting Derlorde to listen.
It still felt wrong to confide in The King in Yellow, the being who made Derlorde so scared. But, at the same time, Derlorde doesn't listen to Avery. Not about serious stuff, anyways. Derlorde said he loved the sound of Avery's voice but as soon as Avery said anything about Derlorde's fear or pride, the asshole would shut Avery down. So, Avery kinda saw his conversations with It as a way to get back at Derlorde. Even if Derlorde didn't know.
The other issue Avery forgot to mention is that he was getting closer to It while his relationship with Derlorde was falling a little. Avery wouldn't mind if he couldn't tell that it was affecting Derlorde. Like. A lot.
Derlorde was too prideful to say anything, Avery learned that ever since he found the guy dying in that mine. But Avery could tell, he wasn't THAT stupid. Derlorde backed off more recently. Derlorde would let Avery go far away and not force Avery to bring him along. It was a weird switch, especially when their relationship is a bit rocky right now. Avery just doesn't get Derlorde.
Avery doesn't know what to do either. so, uh, he goes to the only person who has the answer.
The dream sequence starts and when he finally reaches It, It answers the question Avery never asked
Troubles with the little lord? I can help you, my lovely warrior. The words ring in Avery's head, he doesn't know if he feels relieved or scared.