Disclaimer: I don't own Tangled, I don't own any of these characters. Besides, Rapunzel already owns Flynn (much to my dismay).

Chapter I: Eugene Summons His Nerves

It only took two days before I was convinced I couldn't live without her - and I was right.

Now, today is our first anniversary since that fateful day she pounded me with a frying pan. I mean, seriously, that is one awesome weapon, but I don't really like it when its powers are used against me. She still threatens me with it. Domestic violence at its worst.

Anyway, the story of my death is not even nearly as important as the story of my life after it. I mean, I woke up after seeing the other side, devastated to realize that I was absolutely alone. No family, no friends. And then she called for me, and sang that song, and suddenly all I could see was light (as well as a stunning, freckled, green-eyed brunette). And then I wasn't alone.

I mean, we've been through some hard times the past year. With that innocent, golden heart of hers, real pain and suffering hit her like the stampede of a herd of horses. She saw the orphanage I grew up in... That was a less than pleasant explanation. And she misunderstood me so many times; but we've worked through it all.

It happens, but then she... she looks at me with those eyes and I can just see everything she's feeling and it all makes sense again. So we talk it out- I swear I've never told anyone this much about myself until I met her. And I mean, we had awkward conversations, as to what the difference between a my body and well, hers, and why she absolutely can NOT see the difference first hand yet. Yeah, I'm a tad sexually frustrated (any hot-blooded male would be, I mean, seriously, have you seen her smile?), but then that look in her eyes happens again and I just feel so much love it doesn't even matter anymore.

Yeah, I'm a sap. Don't roll your eyes at me. I've become everything I never thought I'd be - the thugs at the Snuggly Duckling say I'm whipped, that I've got it bad, and they are way too right. She's my everything now.

That's why I'm proposing tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night is when we're going to release the floating lanterns, not in search of the lost princess, but in celebration of the found princess. She found her home. And along the way, I found myself. I found that I hadn't been really living, until her.

Tomorrow night I'm going to officially tell the whole damn kingdom that I'm not just some scumbag thief that did this so that I wouldn't get executed. Oh don't worry, I did have to pay for my crimes; I'm finally finished those community service hours.

And yeah, marriage scares the hell out of me. But this way, I won't have to worry about these stupid princes think that they can just come up to the King and say, "I would like to court your daughter," looking straight through me like I don't exist. Thank goodness she steps in and says, sorry, I've already got someone. And she grins at me and I don't feel like breaking the prince's femur anymore because I'm floating.

I can be a prince. I want to be her prince. Without her knowing, I've been talking to her father on the side about what I need to do to be considered a suitable suitor.

I've become really close to him, oddly enough. Maybe it's a man thing. Maybe it's because we both love her. Or maybe it's just the man thing, I mean really, we're the ones that end up staring at each other during one of her long rants about the fabrics the castle has to offer. Her mother gets thoroughly absorbed into the subject while the King and I have silent conversations about the complex psyche of women.

So that's why today I have to talk to him about my plans. And her mother, hoo boy, I hope this goes over well. Her mother always seems to catch me walking out of her bedroom in the wee hours of the morning. But we weren't doing anything, honest! Most of the time she just wanted to be held as she fell asleep. Most of the time. Heh.

Okay I should probably not joke about her innocence, especially to you, you'd probably kill me. But know that I'm a love-struck fool that would go any length to make her happy.

I would die for her again, and again- I'd die a thousand times, but live without her, that I could not do.

So I need you to approve of me -

Is that a yes?

Don't give me that look! Hey, don't make me hit you. I will. Don't tempt me.

Okay, I get it, I'm going. Just gotta ask the King for his daughter's hand. Yikes.

Oh, and thanks, Maximus.