Fireworks.. [slimeknight Ig?]

July 4, 2026..

[warning: kinda've bittersweet, D3rlord3 is still dead, Avery has a ptsd attack(I think that's the correct term? Im so sorry if not! My poor sweet slime child im so sorry for making you have ptsd in this fic, you do not deserve that 😭), I'd advise you not to read this if you were lookin for fluff]

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"I don't need the world to see that I've been the best I can be, but I don't think I can stand to be, where you don't see me.." Francis forever - mitski

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I've taken a break from Skywars.. Well, anything related to Minecraft in general. I just couldn't bring myself to come back to where I lost the person most important to me.. (Not that I've known him for that long.. I didn't get the chance to.)

But Minecraft was my escape.

When everything else got too loud, I'd get on Minecraft and play Skywars.

I've been trying to get better, after D3rlord3's or well, Derek's? Death? I still don't know which to call him, I use them interchangeably.

And when Wifies uploaded that video a few months later? it all came back to me. I tried to resist watching it, I really did.. but I just wanted to see him a little longer... Watching our fight just.. it really hurt to see.

Was there really nothing I could've done..? I groan in frustration, tugging at my hair.

Maybe playing Minecraft will make me feel better?

It can't hurt to try..

Getting out of bed has gotten easier for me, it was really hard a few months ago. (I almost got fired from my job at the gas station..) But, as I've said, I am trying to get better.

For Derek..

He'd want me to be okay.

I got out of bed.

Ignoring how hungry I was, I open my laptop and load up Hypixel. (after putting on a peak rock playlist of course.) I could eat breakfast later. Or, dinner I guess I woke up pretty late. The sun's already setting.

"Isn't it crazy how this laptop belonged to him at some point?" I say quietly to no one but myself. A dry laugh comes out. I try not to think about it too much.

I haven't played in a while, but everything was pretty much muscle memory, the first round was fun. But I didn't play as well as I could've. A few people asked for screenies.. It was kind of sweet, I guess after that Wifies dude posted those videos they really boosted my channel. The communities came together and made a lot of art for D3r, It's nice to see how many people appreciate him. And well, me.. I can't say I expected the amount of fanart I've received. 

The second round of skywars was going better! I began to really lock in, until..

Until I heard it again., fireworks.

Oh, right.. it's The Fourth of July? Another firework holiday, great..

My hands froze, my senses faltered. I no longer noticed the feeling of my hand on the mouse. I no longer paid any attention to whatever was going on in game, I couldn't hear the eerie static sound that seems to always be there.

My room flickered in different colors, illuminated by the fireworks outside.

Bright colors and loud noises,

This setting is oh so familiar..

All I could think of was the moment D3rlord3 pushed me off.

The last time I saw him.

The last conversation..

I hadn't even noticed how I'd crumpled in my chair, curled up with my knees to my chest. Tears staining my grey sweatpants, I feel hot, stuffy, and uncomfortable.

My arms were wrapped around my legs, I tightened my grip, making myself as small as possible. I really don't want to be here..

I scramble out of the ball and try sitting in my chair normal so I can reach my laptop. I noticed I had died in game due to not paying attention. Well, isn't that familiar.. I try turning the volume of my headphones up in a desperate attempt to block out the noise, but it barely helps, it seems like the volume key on the laptop is broken.. great.

And my phone is dead.. 

My effort goes in vain as I just began to cry louder out of frustration.

It'll be over soon, surely, they'll run out eventually..

I pull my hoodie drawstrings and clench my headphones to try and block out the noise.

I try to control my breathing using what I've learned from random YouTube videos I watched while trying to get better.

I focus on the music.

My breathing steadies, it's still a bit shaky but I think I feel better.

"I promise.." I sniffle a bit in between words, "Derek."

"I'll... I'll keep going forward."

[712 words]

[A/N: Thats like, literally all. One short lil chapter. Unless I decide to turn this in the slime knight oneshots or make this longer for some reason? but I'm lwk more of a skephalo writer. :P]

[Hoped this was cool, byeee :3]