Chapter Text
There’s a leak coming from the ceiling. The tap, tap, tapping of water was making Gus feel sick.
He had lived in far worse conditions than Zenoheld’s dungeon cell; this place was practically paradise compared to some of the streets he’d slept on as a kid, but he was convinced he was going insane— and the worst part is that he didn’t even know why. Or at least that’s what he tells himself.
Deep down, he knows why, but he chokes it down before his brain can accept it. It doesn’t feel as awful if he pretends it's not the case.
In frustration, he ran his fingers through blue waves of hair, but it was less of a combing than a pulling. His hair had become greasy over the last few days from the lack of shower access, leaving an oily feeling on his fingertips. Gus knew fiddling with his hair was probably spreading the oil down the strands and making it worse, but he had nothing else to take his frustration out on. No sheets to pull and twist, no objects to throw or break, and he’d already done enough damage to his nails and chapped lips. Just him, a metal bench that could hardly be called a bed, a toilet, and the red lasers that kept him from escaping his metal prison. His hair is the only suitable target at this point.
“It’s good that you don’t have a cat,” Vulcan spoke from his place on the floor next to Gus. “There would be a concerning amount of hairballs.” He told a rare joke, in reference to the loose strands that were scattered on the floor.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Fortunately, I’d be too busy for a cat.”
“Fortunately?”
“For the cat’s health.” Gus clarified. “I don’t think I’d care to own one, though. I’ve had my hands full for the last couple of years as is,” Gus hesitated for a moment. “Master Spectra doesn’t seem to be the petkeeper type either.”
Though he seems to keep me , a small part of him thought. He cringed at it.
“I have no complaints. I would rather not be chased by a feline.” Vulcan agreed, and the image of a tiny Vulcan and Helios hopping and rolling away from an excited cat almost made him smile. Almost.
Helios…
Truthfully, Gus had been trying not to think about Spectra. Unfortunately, trying not to think about something means you inadvertently think about it. Thinking about Spectra made invisible barbed wire pull tighter around his heart, both bleeding and suffocating. His heart hadn’t exploded yet from the pressure, but his mind wasn’t far behind at this rate, and he wasn’t sure anymore which was preferable.
Spectra kept him grounded. But Spectra isn’t here, and how low he’s sinking without him is pathetic.
Tap, tap, tap.
This whole situation is funny. Spectra had warned Gus that his temper was going to cause problems from day one of their partnership and had warned him of the same thing when meeting Zenoheld. Gus got angry anyway, and his temper made him act rashly. It’s because of his temper that he’s locked away. This situation is truly so funny on the surface, but the idea of laughing makes him feel nauseated because he has to swallow the truth that this is all his fault. He made his bed by picking an unwinnable fight based on anger and ego, and now he has to lie in it.
Pride has led to more than one downfall for him. Not taking Dan Kuso seriously in battle led to him suffering a loss, underestimating the prowess of Mira and the human girl she was with at the amusement park, and now challenging Zenoheld. But that might be why he and Spectra work so well together because Spectra might be worse than him in that regard. Spectra’s arrogance towards Mira joining the Vexos is when everything suddenly went downhill, at least in Gus’ mind.
What stings is that deep down, Gus knew from the moment he left the palace with Spectra that he didn’t have a chance against Zenoheld. Zenoheld had the best engineers and scientific minds working to make him the best version of Farbros possible; Gus only had himself and Vulcan. He could get far with only the two of them, but there was only so far he could go without the limitless resources and minds Zenoheld had access to. But Gus thought about how good it would feel to crush Zenoheld’s face into the ground under his boot, how much Zenoheld deserved to be taken down a few pegs for his dismissal of Spectra—
And admittedly, how proud he wanted Spectra to be of him.
He knew Spectra would be furious, so furious that the air would scald Gus’ skin like boiling water. But then he’d realize how firmly Gus’ loyalty lies, how readily Gus is willing to defend him from scathing remarks and threats, and how much Gus is willing to risk life and limb for him. Maybe, he’d finally realize that Gus cares for him, not as a master but as a person.
It is all so stupid but in a way that’s absolutely absurd, Gus still doesn’t regret it. He’s twisting his heart into knots in a way that has doomed him, and he almost doesn’t mind.
Gus pulled tighter on his hair, forcing some of the strands taut instead of their natural soft wave.
Tap, tap, tap.
It has already dawned on that he didn’t have to be stuck here. He could have left a note in his room, sent Spectra a message before taking Zenoheld hostage, or anything else, but he didn’t . Whether through sheer confidence or stupidity, he ensured that there was no safety line if things went south.
Did Spectra even know he was here in the first place? If not, did he have no choice but to rot? Spectra would come back for him, Gus knew without a doubt in his mind. At the end of the day and no matter how angry Spectra is at him, Spectra is still a lonely teenager against two strong groups of enemies. He wouldn’t leave his only ally, the only thing he has that resembled a friend.
“I’ll never forget that you came back for me.” Spectra remarked, the soft richness of his voice contrasting the destruction of New Vestroia from below. His face was partially covered by his red mask and there was a cut down the side of his cheek that was bleeding, but the small smile on his face looked quite genuine. It made Gus nearly freeze in his tracks from the sheer warmth.
“Not after that.” Gus mumbled to himself.
But whatever Spectra would do doesn’t matter if he doesn’t know where Gus is in the first place. How would he know if Zenoheld doesn’t give him the slip?
No, no. Gus wouldn’t still be alive and left to rot in secrecy if there was no further use for him. Zenoheld has kept him alive for some reason, so can’t let himself assume he’s going to be here for forever.
Tap, tap, ta-
A loud bang penetrated the air when Gus slammed his fist into the metal bench, the sound echoing through the cell as quickly as the pain that shot through his nerves.
“Master!” Vulcan called out as Gus retracted his hand, hissing in pain while flexing it. “Please don’t cause yourself harm.”
“What else am I supposed to do?” He hissed out. Gus groaned as he balled his injured hand into a tight fist, his knuckles turning white.
What else could I do, he thought. He tried the air vent yesterday, it seemed feasible at the time but the tight screws didn’t budge even when using his utmost strength. The vent was his only hope that wouldn’t cost him a few fingers, and that was crushed before it really had time to blossom.
“At least try, Master.” Vulcan requested.
Gus hesitates but he gives a reluctant nod. Vulcan didn’t say it, but Gus could tell he was trying to tell him to just wait it out. Eventually an opportunity would present itself and he just has to be patient. The resignation made him feel nauseous but there was nothing to do about it.
Everything shouldn’t feel hopeless because of the sheer fact that he was still breathing, but it does.
Gus feels like he’s going insane, and he’s ashamed to admit that it’s because of Spectra’s absence.
Tap, tap, tap.
Tap, tap.
Tap.