Chapter Text
Derek knew they were in the Adirondacks somewhere- though the information didn't do them much when they were trudging through the forest in the dark.
Really, they just picked a direction and ran until they found a road.
From there, they hitchhiked.
It was a strange experience all around.
Avery (rightfully) jumped at every noise and flash of light and Derek felt like he left his brain function somewhere in the janitor’s closet.
They ran next to each other in silence, with the proximity of the only other person who understood what the other was going through only slightly dampening the fear of being recaptured- of it all being taken away.
They were trying to escape the government after all, and while they may have been idiots on the supernatural side of things, they were still trained and well funded hunters. It sucked being the prey.
Finding a road was a blessing and a curse. They could be tracked and accessed more easily, but they could cover more ground if they could hitch a ride. As long as they made it to a largely populated area, they would still have a chance to remain hidden.
It was funny; even as he watched Avery convince some springbreakers to give them a lift, he didn't feel there.
Maybe he was still in his cell, or maybe he was sitting in his apartment, staring at his godforsaken computer screen. Maybe this was the King controlling him- he certainly wasn't the type to get into the back of some random people's car. Maybe-
Avery's head slumped against his shoulder with a tiny snore and he realized that he might've been overthinking it (and overwhelmed and scared and exhausted and-).
Maybe they were simply free.
“How are you not worried that we'll get mugged? Is the knowledge seeping in or something?”
It was a different night in a different city.
They had already borrowed (- and reluctantly stolen-) enough of what they needed for bus fare and necessities.
There were still some things that they desperately needed, like consistent food, shelter, income, charge for Derek's brain stabilizing device (-hilariously it looked like it took a micro USB in the charge port and Derek didn't know whether to laugh or to cry when it worked-), a plan, etc.
But Avery insisted that they keep moving for now so their trail was hard to trace and Derek couldn't fault his logic, even if it felt like they were too out in the open for his tastes.
Currently, they were walking along the ugly jagged streets of a run down neighborhood toward the nearest bus stop. It was just them up the side of the road in the dark and it was clearly creeping Avery out at least a little.
Derek huffed amusedly at the question, “I already told you, I can't access it.”
“Yeah, but you also told me that you wrecked a room without anyone messing with your headgear. Maybe it bleeds through?”
There was a beat while they trekked through the streetlights.
“You've noticed my headaches, huh?” He smirked good naturedly at the mildly sheepish grin Avery sent his way.
“You get this squinty look in your eyes like everything is pissing you off,” He explained as he tried to mimic it before shrugging, “And you get quiet.”
Derek raised an eyebrow at that in jest and Avery huffed a laugh.
“More than usual,” he amended.
Derek chuckled lightly and mulled the question over in his mind.
Avery was right that he was surprisingly calm. He was naturally guarded in most situations, but this slow walk through a seedy part of town? He was happy- content because of his company.
“My guess,” he hypothesized, “Is that after learning about the nature of existence, dealing first hand with the King In Yellow, and being in captivity for months, a regular gun just doesn't feel all that threatening anymore even if it's still plenty effective.”
Avery quieted and his walk lost a bit of energy, and Derek realized that maybe it was still a sore subject.
“That and as much as I loathe the idea of crediting him at all, I don't think the King in Yellow will let just anything kill us.” He added in hopes it would ease his companion's thoughts some.
“I hadn't thought about that.” Avery acquiesced with a little more energy.
They walked a bit further up the street before Avery exclaimed, “Wait, does that mean you're a god?!”
“What…?”
“Think about it; you have the King inside you. The King, who is a god, now needs you to live. That's gotta mean something in terms of power scaling.”
Derek didn't need to look at him to know that Avery was smirking at the thought. His returning happy energy bled over to Derek as he smiled and explained, “I am not a god now, no. Even if a mortal transcending into godhood was a thing that I thought could happen, I still probably wouldn't be one. At most you and I are demi-gods.”
Derek chuckled some at the thought but noticed Avery stopped walking. He looked back at his equally confused friend.
“What?” Derek asked.
“...You said… ‘you and I’.”
“...Yeah?”
Derek’s heart sank a bit at Avery's expression.
“Avery,” he said delicately, “You and I both have some of Hastur's power. I thought-... Did you really not know?”
“No!? How would I have known?!”
Shit, he was panicking.
Derek stepped closer and responded as measured as he could, “You eyes are golden, Avery. When I said I hesitated, I meant that I didn't push you off the platform fast enough- that the King managed to slip some of his power into you while we were arguing.”
Avery was staring at the sidewalk in between them looking somewhat haunted.
“Is the King in me too? Did he win…? The world isn't destroyed as far as I can tell, but even with my eyes, I don't feel any different.”
“So far, it only activates when you're freaked out or in danger. As long as we keep our heads down, it won't matter.”
Avery looked to Derek with an amount of suspicion.
“What does it do when it activates?”
“I imagine it heavily depends on the situation. It healed your arm faster than it would have normally, but I know you were sedated at the time.”
Some of the suspicion fell away from his face as he asked, “Did it do anything other than that?”
Derek made a face and remained silent for a bit too long. Immediately Avery's hackles were back up.
“Derek.”
“There's no point in telling you… It's just going to freak you out.”
Avery paused and stepped forward to put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “Derek, am I a burden?”
That seemed to shock him into looking Avery in the eye, “What? No, of course you aren't.”
Golden eyes looked back at him, but Avery's face was surprisingly hard to read.
“You're sure I'm not dragging us down? I know I’m not smart like you…”
“Avery, no. I don't think you're a burden or anything like that-.”
“-Then why are you treating me like one?”
Derek was taken aback and watched as Avery's face finally settled into hurt.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, that every time something big and important has to happen, you don’t tell me. You just run off to deal with it yourself!”
“To protect you!”
“I don't need protecting all the time, Derek! We're supposed to be a team!”
A car drove by and both stopped arguing to make sure it kept driving.
The sudden loud to sudden quiet gave Derek’s brain space to reassess.
Avery had a point. They were working together to escape the DMS- they really didn't need secrets or petty squabbling to make their lives any harder.
“But you're so important.” Derek blurted before he could really process what he was saying.
Avery's grip on Derek’s shoulder tightened a little and he stared like he could see right down to Derek’s very soul.
“...Do you think that, or is that the King?” He asked carefully gentle.
Derek knew the answer but was embarrassed to admit it in such a way.
“Me…” he answered rather pathetically.
Avery kept staring and Derek realized his mistake.
“Plain old Derek Hutchins.” He added awkwardly.
Avery's face softened and he smiled a smile so charming Derek felt a little light headed seeing it.
“Good,” Avery replied before mildly scolding, “No more secrets, no more lying- just talk to me. You're not in this alone.”
“Noted.” Derek nodded and Avery pulled him into a hug.
“You're important to me too.” He nearly whispered into Derek’s ear.
It took a moment for Derek's fingers to do anything but twitch at his sides, but eventually, he hugged back with the urgency of someone who had been alone for too long.