Abruptly stopping as Iago’s arm stopped him in his tracks, Gus turned to look at him with a frown. He wasn’t trying to make the situation worse by any means but maybe if they could all just sit down and talk about what he’d seen things would go smoother than tempers blowing up. Although, as Iago called out to Valenduris, Gus could have slapped his hand across his face because this was exactly what he was trying to avoid. The words were harsher than he expected them to be and he found himself shuffling his feet closer to Iago; the urge to reach for his hand was there - Vincent Iago was safe, but as his fingers reached to entwine with his, Gus found them halting at the coolness of his words. Instead he trepidly rubbed the scarf between his fingers once more.

Blue eyes widened slightly at the recognition, finally, and his frown deepened. He had always known the Cassian Valdenuris to be level headed although it wasn’t as if Gus went out of his way to spend much time with him, preferring spending time with Vincent; there was something special about Iago that Valenduris didn’t have. He wouldn't really call Iago a friend, at least not until very recently when he realized he quite enjoyed being pulled into his orbit and giving him his undivided attention. Maybe it was his smile or maybe it was the way Gus felt as if they could take on the world together, everyone else be damned. Even if the world around them was in flames, the ashes burying them alive, he would be content with it as long as he had his fingers threaded through Iago’s.

The butterflies in his stomach burnt to death as nerves tumbled around and built up into his throat. His throat bobbed when he swallowed. He squared his feet and narrowed his eyes at the intruding blonde, unable to peg the look of emotions flickering across his face. They weren’t positive, that much Gus could tell, but it didn’t stop him from running his fingers through his hair before he shrugged. His mouth opened and then closed as he took another glance at Iago before he turned his attention back toward Valdenduris. “Not really.” The quiet admission slipped from his lips as he glanced down at the ground as the words he wanted to retort with dried up in his throat.

Gus breathed out a slight gasp of surprise at the details, his eyes softening as he all but turned his back to Valdenduris to saddle up close to the strawberry blonde, although careful to keep his distance enough not to touch him; the desire to was there though, to run his fingers through his hair, although instead the red-head grit his teeth and turned toward the Gryffindor with fury in his steps. “Hey! That was really rude, you know. It’s not as if you’re so bloody perfect yourself.” He growled. Vincent probably didn’t want him defending him, but he wasn’t going to sit here and watch his friend be torn down by someone he had once considered himself close to. Or still did. Someone who didn't care wouldn't have come to find someone to warn them about the rumors and check on them.

The wind from his sails deflated as the next words stabbed through his heart until he feared it might stop beating. Gus rested his hands against his chest just to ensure it was still beating, sighing a silent breath when he felt it against his own hands. He took another glance at Iago from the corner of his eye before Gus blew a hot breath of air out from his lips. The stabbing pain masked the umbrage thrumming under his skin. He hadn’t woken up one morning and decided to be like this nor was he ever going to be ashamed about being with Vincent the way he was. People like him, who tried their hardest to fit in deserved happiness too; the idea of being damned to a life of desolation seemed cruel, as he'd die from a broken heart simply because people thought he was offensive for loving someone in a way society didn't seem fit. Society could screw itself. “When it starts hurting you, then you can have your asshole opinion.” He snapped at the daft man, his hand dropping back to his side. (He surprised himself with the outburst, but at least managed to furrow his eyebrows together.)

Part of Gus knew this wasn’t his fight, though – he didn’t have the history Valenduris and Iago did, and whatever the underlying words meant were more likely to tear down Vincent than himself. But he was not a pervert and wouldn’t let anyone try to call him such.

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