#deutgus

[i-overanalyze-musicals]

2016 DeutGus Oneshot for @fandom-trash-goblin!

I hope you like it! I'm gonna put it under a cut lol. I think I did okay, please let me know what you think!

Old Deuteronomy closed his eyes and let the Everlasting Cat’s presence wash over him, ready to receive the knowledge of this year’s Jellicle Choice. He had a feeling of who it would be, which was confirmed by the Everlasting Cat. It was a bittersweet decision, but he knew it would be for the best.

“This year’s Jellicle Choice is Gus.”

Nobody was shocked, as they had been when Grizabella was chosen. There were no gasps or anger. Just a somber acknowledgement of what they knew was coming. Jellylorum led Gus up to the tire where Old Deuteronomy stood. Tugger, Munkustrap, Coricopat, Tantomile, and Asparagus Jr stood on either side of their father as they watched Jellylorum bring Gus forward. A shadowy figure stood near a pile of junk, quietly observing. The cats on either side of Old Deuteronomy all reached out, briefly holding his hands as he approached, although they were only met by the confused and clouded eyes of their father. Jellylorum stepped back as Gus shuffled up towards his mate.

Old Deuteronomy took his mate’s hands and smiled warmly, if not a bit sadly at him. Gus’s eyes sparkled with recognition, but he still looked slightly confused. “Come, love.” Guided by Old Deuteronomy’s gentle voice, Gus stepped onto the tire as well.

As the tire slowly floated up, Gus seemed to realize where he was. In his frail and shaky voice, he spoke up.

“What’s...what’s happening?”

Old Deuteronomy’s heart broke at the realization he had to explain his mate’s death to him.

“You are the Jellicle Choice. It will be alright, love. We will miss you.”

“I...I don’t want to leave you all. I can’t go just yet, I want to stay.” Gus began to panic as the cloud staircase descended, illuminated by the moon and spreading fog around him and his mate.

“Go, love. You deserve to move on. Go now, it is time.” His voice was soft but firm. Gus looked at the moonlit fog, trickling closer to his feet as if beckoning him, then turned and hugged Old Deuteronomy.

And with that, Gus the Theatre Cat climbed the glowing clouds, and his family watched as the last bit of his patched blanket was enveloped by the luminescent fog at the base of the clouds.

Old Deuteronomy stepped back on the tire, gazing sadly at his children while the tire descended. When he reached the ground, Tugger and Munkustrap met him and hugged him, both crying silently into his fur. Old Deuteronomy had tears in his eyes, but refused to let them free, instead focusing on consoling his children. Coricopat and Tantomile stood by, and ever in sync, they each raised an arm to the moon, thanking the Everlasting Cat for ending their father’s suffering. Asparagus Jr and Jellylorum embraced each other nearby, Asparagus looking up sadly at where Gus had ascended, and Jellylorum loudly sobbing in his arms. The rest of the tribe stood away, letting the family grieve. Jennyanydots moved the kittens along, taking them to her den to rest and answer their questions, and the other cats left as well, all retreating to their dens, giving the family space.

After a while, Old Deuteronomy and his children parted ways, returning to their dens and mates, all feeling sad, but content that Gus was at peace.

And in the Heaviside Layer, Gus re-lived his most spectacular performances, the once forgotten glory of the Theatre Cat restored in the dazzling light of the clouds.

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

Maybe Deuteronomy watching Gus perform? It could be when they were younger, or him watching old Gus perform and missing the better days

Here we go!

The music softened up as an old, raggedy tomcat was led onto the stage by his daughter. The frail tom looking around confusedly, flicking his ears at the queen walking beside him for guidance.

Old Deuteronomy approached him, setting a paw on his shoulder and gesturing towards the clearing, as if to say ‘Go on’.

Gus just shook his head and turned to go to the sidelines, but Old Deuteronomy gently pulled him back, setting a paw on his cheek. The exchange ended with someone getting a garbage bin and setting it in the clearing and Gus shakily sitting on it.

JellyLorum stood beside him, gesturing for him to sing. However, the elderly Tom turned away and looked at the cats around them curiously, his paw shaking from Palsy. With a sad sigh, Jelly began singing for him. Telling tales of how he used to preform and how they never called him ‘Asparagus’.

MunkuStrap, CoricoPat, and Tantomile watched on. The silver Tom had a sad but loving smile on his face, and the two mystic twins were ever in sync as they watched with tilted heads. Asparagus Jr and Tugger were not even there, for Asp could not bear to see his father in such a state and Tugger was right behind him.

After Jelly sung a bit of his song, Gus’ face lit up with recognition and the queen stopped as his raggedy voice sung out. He wasn’t singing it per say, but reciting it. The old tom’s lungs were not in such health to sing anymore.

“A-and I once played the Rumpus Cat! Could do it again!” Gus smiled for the first time in a long time, seemingly reminiscing about his past performances.

“So do it again!” Old Deuteronomy called out proudly, he wanted Gus to be happy and live his theatrical past again.

With that boost of confidence, Gus jumped into a performance of The Pekes and The Pollicles. It wasn’t as professional as it once was, and Gus stumbled on a line or two (which MunkuStrap was happy to help with, despite the old cat waving him off as if he didn’t need assistance), but it was spectacular. Gus’ eyes sparkled with energy that he hadn’t had in years.

JellyLorum presented him with a bouquet, and he bowed to the tribe. They clapped and cheered, all happy that Old Gus was finally proud again.

When his song died down, and SkimbleShanks’ began, Jelly led Gus out of the main area and into a quiet clearing so he didn’t have to hear so much racket. Old Deuteronomy followed them and sent Jelly to enjoy Skimble’s song.

Turning to his mate, Deut smiled, “You were spectacular.”

Gus ducked his head bashfully, “I fumbled around...it wasn’t that special.”

“Oh, but it was! It was maybe your most amazing performance yet!” Deuteronomy took him by the paw and gently twirled him around, having flashbacks to when they were younger and dancing sunnily with old friends.

“I suppose it was rather magical.” Gus chuckled weakly, old glazed over eyes still having some remains of those inspirational sparkles.

“Will you be joining the rest of the festivities?” Deuteronomy asked.

“Nah,” Gus waved his hand in dismissal, “I’ll let the youngsters have their fun without an old cat like me taking up space. I’ll be there when you choose, though.” He smiled a tad.

“Then, I shall see you then, my love.” Deut smiled sweetly, bowing in a goodbye while Gus laughed at his eccentrics.

On his way back to the cheery clearing, Gus could not help but hope that the Everlasting Cat let Gus have his peace.

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

WHEN WILL SOMEONE ELSE SHIP OLD DEUTERONOMY AND GUS FROM THE 2016 REVIVAL!?

I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE FOREVER!!

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

IF SOMEONE WROTE A REVIVAL DEUTGUS FIC I WOULD LOVE YOU FOREVER

[i-overanalyze-musicals]

Could i get 35 for Deutgus pwease?

Of course you can! <3 (/p)

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"Here, take my hand!" Gus shouted to Deuteronomy, as he danced under the warm streetlight. Music from the theatre nearby trickled through the air.

"Oh, I don't know if I should. I can barely dance, Gus, you know this." Deuteronomy chuckled as his lover pouted, then let out a loud laugh when Gus grabbed his arm.

"It'll be fine! Just hold onto me, and don't stop moving!"

They spun around together, laughing as they danced, or as close to dancing as they could manage in their dizzy and unbridled joy, until they were both out of breath and gasping for air. They coughed and laughed and spun some more, reveling in the contrast between the chilly night air and the orange light of the streetlamp, and the memorable atmosphere it created. They collapsed in a pile and gazed up at the stars, still breathing heavily as they chuckled.

*****************************************

The moon lit the sky a calming, intangible blue that Old Deuteronomy was familiar with. Only, this time it was stained with the bittersweet knowledge of a goodbye he was not prepared for.

"Take my hand, love. Everything's going to be fine." Old Deuteronomy looked up at Gus, who was frozen in hesitation at the curling stairs of clouds beckoning him. He looked down at his mate, a worried expression on his face.

"Just hold onto me right now. I will let go, but then you must keep moving."

A flicker of recognition sparked in Gus's hazy eyes. Neither of them knew, but they were both recalling the same memory of a orange tinted night under the stars. Gus began to hum lightly. A chill went down Old Deuteronomy's spine when he heard the familiar tune.

He responded by humming along. The flicker of recognition grew into a stronger flame as they harmonized. They concluded the song, smiling at each other. Old Deuteronomy spoke.

"I have to let go now. Don't stop moving." He smiled sadly up at Gus, who reached out and cupped his mate's face, smiling back at him.

"I won't. I promise." He turned to face the bright, glowing moon. The dark night sky gazed back at him, rings of blue encompassing the moon and stars. A cool breeze caressed his face as he walked forwards, climbing the glittering clouds to meet the loving embrace of the Heaviside Layer.

Old Deuteronomy watched him go, then looked past the jellicles standing before him. He began to hum once again, gazing at the pleasant orange of a streetlight in the distance.

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

GUS AND OLD DEUT ARE HUSBANDS. DONT BELIEVE ME? WATCH THE GUS PART OF THE 2016 REVIVAL BOOTLEG:

* Gus comes onstage, Old D greets him then motions at their surroundings as if he’s saying “Go on!”

* Gus shakes his paw and turns away as if to say “No, I don’t want to take up someone else’s chance to be reborn.”

* The Old D SETS HIS PAW ON GUS’ FACE AND MAKES HIM LOOK AT HIM like “No. It’s you’re time to shine. Go on.”

* Then Jelly sits him down and sings and I FREAKIN CRY CAUSE ITS SO SAD BUT SO GOOD AT THE SAME TIME

* Then after the first bit Gus is about to leave but Deut stops him like “What about when you played The Rumpus Cat?” and Gus remembers

* Then JellyLorum goes to stand by her other dad-

* Then Deut is like “So do it again!” When Gus talks about playing The Rumpus Cat and I just- asdfghjkl I can’t it’s so cute

* Gus gets his confidence and starts The Pekes and The Pollicles and It’s amazing

* Old Deuteronomy sings with his husband a lil and then MunkuStrap sings with him!!

* Gus sings and I am so happy because Gus’ number is one of my favs

* Jelly gives him flowers!!

* Deut goes to him like “I told you that you could do it!”

THEY ARE HUSBANDS

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

First meeting, what happened when they realized Gus had dementia, and what happened when Tugger changed his name?

Oh it was great. They knew each other because they grew up in the yard together, but they only got together during Deuts coming of age ball. Then two or so balls later they did the mating dance together. Old D's first thought upon seeing Gus was that he was gorgeous. And Gus' first thought when he saw Deut was "He looks like a mop". They were drawn together immediately. Gus' dementia was a very very dark time. As time went on it became clear that it wasnt just old age, it was something more serious. Time came when he couldnt remember half of his children and forgot that two of them were exiled...that's when they knew it was serious. Gus didnt mind. Every Jellicle finds their true name one day or another, and some change it to be their new name. Tugger chose to do just that. In fact, his parents were very proud that he found his true name. Sometimes Gus called him Fiddle to tease him though.

[jupiter-aint-stupider]

If anyone has any Old Deuteronomy x Gus hcs (specifically from the 2016 revival) then please tell me them