#spectragus

Gus trying to assimilate back into normal life. He saw himself as a revolutionary, and likely assumed he may well face death to put Spectra on the throne. And now he's... Living a normal-ish life? Yes he's still working on interplanetary spanning issues with the Brawlers, but like? He's not dead, and while still serving at Spectra's side— well, he isn't.

He stands next to Keith. Mira's brother. Who dotes on her, and laughs without the sharp edge of secrecy and ideological fervor. Keith who laughs openly. Keith who's blue eyes are the same bright blue, but not piercing. Not having to be so constantly vigilant. Keith's eyes are still beautiful to Gus, but softer.

And, truthfully, maybe not what he fell in love with.

Spectra was a mask. He understood that. But it he still can't help but feel like the rug has been pulled out from beneath him, the air stolen from him. Keith moves the same, but not quite. Sounds the same, but not quite.

Gus should be glad they survived. They succeeded, for all intents and purposes. But this isn't what he fought for. Gus thought if he survived that he would serve a new ruler of Vestal. Be constantly on the watch for those who would depose Spectra.

And it's not like Spectra is gone. He's still very much there, and how much of Spectra is/was Keith is staggering at times. His intensity, his power, his presence. They're all still there. But just. Slightly different.

It's a little maddening. It feels like he's insane or stupid or both. And he still cannot fathom leaving Spectra— Keith's side.

His name doesn't taste right on Gus' tongue. "Spectra" was a prayer, a litany of devotion to an idea he knew was an idea more than a concrete person. Keith is, well. A name. A person's name. Spectra's name.

It feels like blasphemy. It feels like letting go. It feels like stepping away from a ledge he'd willing led himself to, at the behest of the ideal that pushed him there in the first place.

made a few memes that i. personally. think are funny. and also to cope with not being able to draw rn.

bonus!!:

29. First date? (Give as much or little detail)

Does destroying the Alternative together count? jk I think their first date is something like. . .they attend whatever the Vestal equivalent of a TED Talk is, they sit in the very back as far away from other attendees as they can get, and they spend the whole time heckling the presenter like those two old gay Muppets. Then they go get lunch and actually seriously discuss whatever the TED Talk topic is.