Reviews :

Firesong-Writes : Awww lol! Well, it's really good advice, whether you're taken or not. It's never been something I struggled with, but I do have major abandonment issues, having and cherishing my own alone time, whether given to me by myself or others, but abandonment creeps into my life in innocent facets, such as that one with Kepa and Gideon - a simple request to simply do something other than want to hang out with me is close to things that would send me spiraling into a whole week's worth of overthinking. All stuff I've gotten better at, but... I'm wondering if the only reason it's gotten better is because I've stopped associating with people who have so deeply hurt me, in these and other aspects. Thanks for all your love, friend. And, also for your support on the comic! I'll be making a proper announcement about it shortly. I am sooo excited.

Burgie : Yes! You'll get a good idea what's been going on in Beaux's life - not technically all good stuff, unfortunately, but him and Gideon definitely bond over similarities. Things look up for Gideon, and then look down... And then up, and down and up and down hahaha. Never ends.

chuckiboo : Hey! Thanks so much :D I'm glad you enjoyed! Some proper foreshadowing for sure, a lot does end up changing along the way, but... of course, what else is new with this saga lol. As for Beaux, you'll be happy to learn that Beaux represents a person in my life of whom I GREATLY admire and relate to, this particular person has been an incredible mentor and guidance for my life, this person is someone I'm very close to, everything I aspire to be - think of Beaux and Gideon as a yin yang. They're one and the same, Beaux is just far more evolved and enlightened, if Gideon had a devil and angel on his shoulder, Beaux would be the angel. Beaux isn't prominent in this story, but the chapters where he is present or mentioned, will be impactful and unforgettable, for Gideon. I'm glad you're stoked about it, Beaux's proper debut has definitely been long overdue. I've been patiently waiting for the proper moment to fully integrate him into Gideon's life, and this moment finally felt right. So, I hope you enjoy! :D


Song Listened To :

Last Chance (Alternative Version) by CHPTRS


*Chapter 138*

"Trying to escape Sugar Rush, too, eh?" Beaux called with a warm smile, and as Gideon neared, the two met eyes in a flurry of extended, loving warmth, complete with a firm handshake and a bear hug.

"Always," Gideon choked a laugh as the two pulled away, the air before the two fogged, it was here did Gideon get a good look into Beaux's eyes.

His only great nephew, Beaux stood just shy of six foot tall, silver-white hair wafted atop his scalp to perfection, equally as silver, haunting eyes that held a world of warm inquisition. Gideon felt a breath catch in the back of his throat, although Gideon was always in the presence of a User, be it Mara or Lash, there was a strange form of ethereal purity that hovered in Beaux's presence, an untouched innocence so eloquently layered with infinite wisdom Gideon was well aware he'd likely never have his knuckles clutched into. Although Beaux was Ace and Libby's only son, Gideon felt it spooky just how much like Zed Beaux looked, especially in his smile. He looked more like Berri's brother than Ace even did. Somehow, both nebulous galaxies were now wrangled into each other's gravities, and it was here did Gideon feel a strange swell of bittersweet nostalgia hit him dead on.

"Too many people," Beaux's deep voice whispered lightly with a narrow of Zed's cheeky, wise little smirk of full knowing, a Kingly presence Beaux wore as if he had been the lucky duck crowned King, though turned away from it.

"It's much," Gideon huffed, he bobbed a nod and looked down to their feet; both bare, despite the cold, both beings that radiated every ounce of Ralph's wrecking power, both men that carried on the legacy of Ralph's and Vanellope's infinite spire of love and ability. Gideon drew to Beaux's eyes once more and so softly pressed on, "I just... Need proper headspace. I love Sugar Rush, and I love everyone in it... Despite how horribly I've been treated."

"Y'know, Uncle Gideon, you and I are not all that different," Beaux started sweetly, though a look of tender hurt hung in his glistening eyes, the color nearly translucent, "I knew from the very day your loading bar was announced... I knew, surely, if no one else palled along for the ride and included another loading bar in on the nonsense, you'd grow up incredibly lonely. I knew it."

"Yeah, it's... Definitely something that has shaped me, for better or worse," Gideon grumbled sorrowfully, Beaux nodded and peered deep into Gideon's eyes, as if to assure he definitely knew Gideon's pain, though was prepared to sprinkle some of his own, lonely wisdom on such a fragile, rare being right in his grasp.

"I may have grown up with Theo, Berri, Wren and Mara, but..." Beaux shook his head and chuckled, "Somehow, if it wasn't both Mara and I being left out, it was me. Berri and Mara became fast friends, as adults, and... I made some poor choices that pushed everyone away."

"Yeah, we don't see you around much," Gideon pressed nervously, "I mean, I guess... The same could be said about me. They just alienated you, too? Because of your powers?"

"No, not at all, if anything, my mom and dad did worlds of help making sure Mara and I assimilated into normalcy, I never once felt greater or had a god-complex," Beaux shrugged, he wore a cozy teal-colored hoodie underneath a tattered, grey jean jacket, the air fogged about both men as they spoke. Beaux hovered in a gap of emphasized silence and narrowed his gaze into Gideon's equally as gripped, haunting stare, "Our family's not big on anomalies. It's much like you and your artwork, there's no one else on palace grounds that can do what you do... Save for Vanellope, she can paint, but... Manifest?"

"A lifetime of being misunderstood," Gideon scoffed a chuckle and shook his head, "I can manifest imagination into willed, real life. I was a loud, annoying child, I hardly ever-"

"Stop, stop right there," Beaux huffed tenderly with a little smirk of gained wonder as he gingerly eased his two fingers into the center of Gideon's chest, "You were a child. That's all... You were a child. Innocent."

Gideon faltered and allowed Beaux's wise words to nearly take his legs out from under him. He inhaled a trembling breath and was well aware he didn't want to get immediately emotional in front of his great nephew, he did everything in his power to rein it all in nicely.

"I beat myself up everyday that I wasn't more present in your childhood, you and I are one in the same," Beaux whispered as he shook his head, "Betcha they don't tell you stories about me and my artwork, do they?"

"What? No, you make art too?" Gideon huffed in surprise, Beaux shrugged and shook his head.

"It was stamped out of me, I got discouraged," Beaux mumbled with a smile, almost to prove he wasn't bitter over it any longer, "No one cared that I was following a passion, I was living every single day doing exactly what I felt was right, in my bones. My dream was totally destroyed the day I accidentally overwrote incredibly important files with my User powers, in the code room, with my artwork..."

"What were the files lost?" Gideon worried, Beaux shrugged and looked as if he was at a loss.

"I don't know, I was too young to understand," Beaux egged in almost laughing delight, "But... It stuck to me like molten tar. The looks of sheer, unadulterated disappointment from all the important adults above me... My poor mother worried about me for months, she loved when I painted and played out my imaginative scenarios for her, but... A part of me died, that day. I'll never forget the look in grandpa's eyes..."

"Zed," Gideon huffed sorrowfully, he shook his head and knew Zed was kind, a noble man that was well aware right from wrong, "Surely he apologized, or..."

"We reconciled last year, I bravely brought it up and he told me that he was heated in the moment, but... Deeply apologized, nonetheless," Beaux muttered, he looked down to his bigger hands and sighed, "I haven't painted to this day, it's too much for me to revisit... But, when I discovered that you were an artist, and Tessa gave you that wall, and everyone seemingly tolerated it, I felt such a pull to come to your side. I will forever beat myself up, I will forever regret not swooping in and making sure you felt seen and heard."

"I don't blame you, that's really kind of you," Gideon gently guffawed as he waved his hand, "I'm here, aren't I? I'm alive."

"... And in Turbotime, looking for the first out, eh?" Beaux completed darkly, he looked serious in emphasized, narrowed nervousness. Gideon felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle, "The second Lash told me you would be my temporary neighbor, I was so stoked. I visit palace grounds on occasion, to see mom and dad, and everyone else, but... I know why you're here. They have a certain, elitist barrier about them. It's impossible to break through."

"You have to be typical, either married or with kids on the way," Gideon muttered, Beaux huffed a fogged laugh and bobbed an agreeing nod.

"I just think they don't know what to do with us. We're not to be contained," Beaux stated with gentle pride, "I hope your spirit hasn't been squashed, like mine has. I can tell you are doing work to make a new life for yourself. Don't think I didn't see that little make-out session you just had with that badass Castle Run gargoyle."

"Kepa," Gideon huffed a cute laugh and looked down to his feet as he shyly sagged his bigger hands into his pockets, "Yeah, she's... She's the best. Got some big plans, for Valentine's Day."

"Good," Beaux encouraged with a warm, genuine smile.

"What about you?" Gideon tenderly prod, beaux flagged his hand and looked off as if to express none of it was a blip on the radar.

"I've been living a nomadic life for the last year, bumming with friends inside Sugar Rush until making my rounds in Vidrix. I'm not tied, but I do know my ways have estranged me from the palace," Beaux mumbled, "I know it keeps them on their toes... A rogue User just lallygagging about."

"I was gunna say," Gideon choked a laugh, though Beaux gently swat at Gideon's chest and gave him a knowing look.

"Not too different from you, my guy, Mr. Manifesto," Beaux's deep voice lured in full knowing, Gideon stiffed a little and felt a cold wash of knowing come over him. Beaux peered up into Gideon's eyes with a sense of wonder and sighed, "Not even us Users can do things like that... I know the palace head's are shitting their pants trying to keep you on their good side."

"Me? No way, they don't care," Gideon staggered, Beaux looked off in full side-eye of disagreeing.

"I wouldn't speak on it so soon, Uncle," Beaux drawled, he huffed an apprehensive chuckle, "They keep you at arm's length until you sprout legs and make use of 'em... They know I'm a harmless nomad, I just go wherever the wind takes me, making sure to keep my abilities a secret... You, on the other hand..."

"Me, I'm nothing to them," Gideon continued to argue, though Beaux huffed a dark chuckle and shook his head.

"You're going to be the one to change things," Beaux delicately declared, Gideon froze and peered hard into Beaux's eyes as his great nephew sweetly though darkly carried on, "I've met MANY a soul in my wanderings, Uncle Gideon... None I've seen with such a roaring fire behind those eyes, of yours. You know what's gone wrong, and something tells me YOU will be the one to change it, for good."

"... I'd love that," Gideon stated in truth, he shook his head and shrugged, "I'd love nothing more than to get into the inner workings and set and teach the new standard... I'd love nothing more than to have new souls born onto palace grounds knowing they'll be cherished and supported, included through and through."

"It's you, Gideon," Beaux stated cutely, he narrowed his gaze and broadened his smile, "It's been since your childhood that I've properly been with you, one on one. The man you are today is vastly different from the man you were on your first birthday, even though it was only a short few months ago. You've been some places, seen some shit, done some soul searching. It's you, Gideon."

Gideon heaved a shaky sigh and looked down to his hands; confidence fled him, what felt like a chaotic dance of fiery stars danced about him in haphazard cues, as if he was the big bang and the universe was now doing the best it could to find its mark. He began to feel dizzy with the idea of it all, the fervent wall of love Beaux was seemingly tossing his way, Gideon delicately peered into Beaux's wise, haunting eyes and felt an old soul staring back at him, deep into his thoughts. Never in his life did he ever feel so certain in someone else's opinion of him, save for Kepa's fervent adoration and support. He sighed and dared to bob a small nod.

"I'd like that," Gideon admitted humbly, "I'd like to teach them how to treat people like me, I'd like to be the monolith on the horizon."

"You already are," Beaux eased, continued confidence in his words oozed from his pores, "They're just not ready to receive you... They will, one day. Getting there will be painful, but I can see the world of love in your eyes, the world of love you have for them. I know you're angry, I know... Trust me, I know. But I truly believe I walked so you could run. It's groundwork only we can lay, but I need you to know that I am forever in your corner, save for my tardiness in life..."

"Thank you, Beaux," Gideon stated in full humility, he sagged his shoulders and shook his head in warm disbelief, "This... Was one of the kindest things anyone's ever said to me."

"Well, I love you," Beaux muttered, "I believe in you... We may not all be in the same boat, but... We ARE in the same storm."

"I like that," Gideon huffed in renewed delight, "Thank you... Truly."

"You're more than welcome," Beaux cleared his throat and brightened a little, "Now that we've gotten all the existential crisis tabled... How are you!"

"I'm okay, I've been better," Gideon and Beaux roused into happy, knowing laughter that eased into warm smiles about their fogged breath, "I have Kepa, she lives near Juniper's shores... I have Lash and Mara. I've also been hanging out with Callum and an old Academy friend, a bunch. Lots of different friend groups to sag into."

"Callum?" Beaux grit his teeth and looked apprehensive, he chuckled nervously as Gideon sagged, "I-I didn't expect that. I'd keep an eye on Callum, my guy..."

"He apologized for what he did to me," Gideon covered dully, though Beaux shook his head and scrunched his eyes closed.

"It goes beyond that," Beaux warned, "I told you that we are one in the same... We both have unmatched intuition. Callum's not necessarily a good reflection of kept company, fair warning. You probably just can't see it cause you have your nose up to the painting."

"I mean... I guess he can get a bit riled, sometimes," Gideon nervously pondered, Beaux looked off and opened his mouth in faltered nervousness, as if the words about to come out of his mouth were taboo.

"...Dare I say Uncle Rancis gives me the same vibe," Beaux muttered, Gideon blinked firmly in surprise, "It's always been a gut feeling. There's something tumultuous there, and I only feel it with Callum and Uncle Rancis. Penny and Wren are beams of sunshine, but something about those two Fluggerbutters, just... Not sure about it. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not above being wrong."

"I keep Callum at arm's length, they're just fun to have guy's night with, I guess," Gideon mumbled, Beaux nodded in understanding.

"Just remember to be on your toes," Beaux tenderly warned.

"Well, what about you? What have you been up to?" Gideon now diligently flipped the script.

"I was bumming about Vidrix before Lash got on me about finding my head and having a place of peace for a bit... I don't know how long I'll be a resident here, but, it's really nice, isn't it?" Beaux and Gideon cutely looked about the gorgeous, sunny courtyard with glee, "I had the idea of sneaking into Dead Zed and finding my mother's people, the Teltokua... Sometimes I feel driven to get to my roots, the ones that branch away from Sugar Rush."

"You're lucky to have branching roots, in that sense," Gideon muttered darkly, "My whole identity is Sugar Rush and Fix-It Felix Jr."

"Not too shabby, my guy," Beaux side-eyed Gideon with a broad smile, "More of a reason to dig your heels in to the code room and really refresh the standards. Over the past year, the palace has turned into a snooty place of cliques and gossip. I'd like to think Tessa isn't the problem, I think it's more a mob mentality, a collective comfortability, but... She definitely could use a good shake, snap out of it, set things straight."

"I think she knows, really," Gideon bobbed an assured nod and narrowed his eyes into a cheeky smirk, "She's done work to make sure I feel seen and heard by her... She's the only one that has previously made me feel included, out of everyone... Sucks that we're currently feuding."

"Just get a few sleeps on it, you can revisit with her once the dust settles, I know she loves you," Beaux assured, "If you weren't important, energy and tears wouldn't be wasted on you. Mark my words, Gideon... You're going to be the one to grapple onto Zed's crown and make clear that changes need to be made."

"I'm shocked you see that in me," Gideon volleyed cutely.

"I'm shocked you DON'T see that in you," Beaux retort, insulted in Gideon's favor, "You've got to give yourself far more credit. You've already made palace walls tremble with just how outspoken you are about this mess. I don't even visit palace grounds any longer, and even I am filled in on all the drama. All eyes are on you, dude. I'd utilize that to the best of your good-hearted ability."

"...Thanks for this, Beaux, I needed this," Gideon bobbed a nod and sighed, "I'll talk to Tessa... I still need space, User-knows how much of it, but... I'll come up with a game plan."

"You're on a hero's journey," Beaux cutely expressed, the twinkle in his silver eyes never faded, "You'll circle back eventually, a changed man."