Title: Under the Falling Stars

Rating: K+

Warnings: Nothing that I can think of. In fact I think this is the first chapter with Eugene that doesn't have him swearing at least once in it.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by the Disney. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended

Author Notes: It's Pascal's turn now! Like Max he thinks differently than a human would so I hope it won't be too confusing. I also wanted a mostly private moment between Eugene and Rapunzel and this is the result

Again, thank you to my reviewers: Frostystuffs, Jaell, Stagemanagertargaryen, Silviatangled, TangledFrozenLuv43, Reviewer1, and Marine Dolfin

Pascal had never liked winter. Putting aside the fact that cold was not good for chameleons and he could very easily lose limb or tail to it, it had always been one of his least favourite seasons. Back in the Tower it had meant many days spent hiding practically inside the fireplace keeping out of the sight of The Mean One. She spent much more time in the Tower during the cold months, only going out when necessary. That meant Pascal could really only come out at night once she went to sleep.

Life in the palace was different. A good different. No hiding needed. No having to sneak around unless he wanted (or when he wanted to annoy a certain former thief). He could go where ever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and if he couldn't be with Rapunzel, he would spend his time with The Queen, the Handmaiden, the Horse, or even the Thief.

However, now that winter had settled in, he really preferred to stay in the Princess's Suite on one of the special cushions that Jessica had found for him. Each was rather small, just big enough for him to lounge on, and filled with buckwheat. They would be put on a little warming shelf in the fireplace to absorb the heat and Pascal would rotate through them as each cooled down and was switched out with the next. The palace wasn't all that cold to humans, but more than cold enough for him.

It had snowed all the previous night. Rapunzel had been thrilled and had gotten up extra early. When she couldn't cajole Pascal into going outside to enjoy the snow, she had left to find someone who would. He had seen her later from the windows, dragging Flynn out into the fluffy white stuff. Pascal didn't envy nor was jealous of the man. Better Eugene than him as far as he was concerned. He had watched the pair play like hatchlings for several hours. It had been very amusing.

It was late now, after dark. All the clouds had cleared off during the day and the night sky was awash with stars. Rapunzel had returned from dinner and had curled up an armchair she had dragged over to the balcony windows. She had a thick wool blanket wrapped around her shoulders and Pascal was on his warming cushion on her lap. They were watching the sky because Rapunzel had learned from her Astronomy lesson that there was to be a very special event that night. A meteor shower.

"I'm so glad that it cleared up for tonight." Rapunzel was saying. "Master Kilchas said that this was a once in a life-time event. He even invited me to come watch from his observatory, but I didn't want to impose on him. It's supposed to last for hours and I don't think Da and Ma would want me out that late."

Pascal chirruped in affection. He liked most of her instructors. There were a couple that didn't like him, but he would just stay out of sight during those lessons. Master Kilchas was one of the ones Pascal had thought wouldn't like him. The man was elderly and looked very much like a wrinkly old apple, but he had been surprisingly kind and incredibly pleased to find Rapunzel such an enthusiastic student.

"I know I could have asked and they'd probably say yes, but I still don't think they would like it. Sometimes I feel like they just want to give me everything that…" Rapunzel sighed and rubbed her face with her hands. "That I never got growing up."

Pascal chirruped again and rubbed his head against her arm. Rapunzel smiled down at him. Just then there was a soft fa-ump just on the other side of the window-glass that caught the attention of both of them. They looked to see a rope now hanging in front of the window and a grinning Flynn Rider hanging onto it. His old satchel was slung across his shoulders. The man waved and let go of the rope to drop the last few feet to the balcony outside. Without preamble he opened the balcony doors, letting in a blast of cold air as well as himself.

"Hey Blondie." Eugene said.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel exclaimed, setting Pascal and his cushion aside so she could jump up and shut the balcony door behind the man. "What on earth are you doing? If the guards catch you up on the roof again, you are going to be in so much trouble."

Flynn waved off her concern. "What can I say, I live for danger. But that's beside the point. I have a surprise for you, now hurry up and get changed. You can't go out in that." He motioned to the dressing gown and robe she was currently wearing.

Rapunzel folded her arms across her chest. "Why do we need to go outside?"

"You want to have the best view of this shower thing, right? I know the best spot." Eugene assured her.

"We're not going out on the water, are we?" she asked, suspicious.

Flynn shook his head. "If the weather was warmer maybe, but no. If you react anything like you did with the lanterns, the boat might end up capsized, and I don't want to have to explain that to your folks. This will be an even better place. Now hurry up. You don't want to miss this."

Rapunzel looked at the rope that Eugene had just climbed down. "I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to be up on the roof either. Especially you."

"Where's that sense of adventure? Do you want the best view of this or not?" he made shooing motions towards her bedchamber. "Go. Get into something warm that you can climb in."

With an exasperated sigh Rapunzel hurried into the next room to change. Pascal sat up on his cushion to watch Flynn watch Rapunzel until she shut the door most of the way. The man then puffed out his cheeks as he blew out a breath before looking at Pascal.

"Don't worry, Frog. I've got a plan for you too. I won't make you miss this either." He said as he went over to the fireplace. Pascal gave him a dirty look. Was Eugene ever going to get his species right? Flynn took the two warming cushions that were sitting there and wrapped them up in the scarf that had been around his neck. He tucked the bundle into the satchel and turned back to Pascal. "There. With those and what I've got arranged, you'll be just fine."

Pascal wasn't too sure of that. On the one paw, he did not like the cold. On the other, he did want to see these falling stars just as much as Rapunzel did. He had come to trust Eugene, but he wasn't quite sure he trusted him that much. Flynn didn't give him enough time to make up his mind however. The man took off one glove and just picked him up right off his cushion.

"Eugene, what are you doing?" Rapunzel asked as she came back out. Instead of a dress, she had on a pair of men's britches, an oversized shirt, her cloak, and a pair of shoes. Pascal saw Eugene's eyebrows shoot up. Pascal couldn't help but snicker. The man looked like he had been hit on the back of the head with a frying pan.

"What am I doing? What are you doing in my clothes?" he spluttered.

Rapunzel folded her arms across her chest. "I'm not going to go clambering about the palace roof in a dress. Not in this cold. This is much more practical."

Flynn waved the hand holding Pascal. "Okay, fair point. Still doesn't explain how you got some of my clothes into your closet in the first place."

"The same way one of my dresses got into yours." She retorted. At his blank look, Rapunzel rolled her eyes. "Jessica and Jason, of course. They've known about us spending nights in each other's rooms for a while and they thought to help out in case one of us oversleeps."

"That's creepy." Eugene said flatly and sighed. "I think I'll just be glad they didn't report me to the Captain or, worse, your dad. Now come on." He finished tucking Pascal into his satchel and headed back to the balcony door. "Let's not waste any more time."

Pascal heard Rapunzel giggle as he burrowed further into the warmth of his cushions. Flynn's bare hand had been cold, which the chameleon thought was a little odd. He had noted before that Eugene was very hot-blooded for a human. Then again, the man had just been outside in the cold. It stood to his reason that Flynn's hands would be cold from that even with gloves on. He could hear the two as they started climbing up the rope and felt the satchel sway a bit. If it was summer, he would have happily climbed up the wall on his own, but at the moment he was content to be hauled about inside the warm satchel.

Except that there was something else in there with him and his cushions. Something small, hard, and box-shaped. Pascal squirmed about to find out what it was and discovered that it was a tiny wooden box about the same size as his torso. Curious, Pascal tried to shake it. It was hard to do since it was almost as big as he was, but he was certain he could hear a faint rattle inside.

"Here we are." He heard Eugene say as the movements from outside stopped. "What I'd tell you. Best view ever, right? Blankets, some cushions, a couple of braziers to keep us warm, and one just for Pascal."

Rapunzel laughed. Flynn opened the satchel and pulled out Pascal along with the bundle he had made of his scarf and the cushions. "All right. I'll admit that this is a much clearer view than the one from my rooms." She answered, her breath puffing in the cold air. Eugene knelt and set the bundle down onto the little iron stove type thing that radiated more than enough warmth for Pascal. The chameleon squeaked happily and nestled under the scarf so that only his eyes were visible. Since Flynn was busy with that, he didn't notice that the little box thingy had fallen out of the satchel as well. Rapunzel saw it though and picked it up. "Eugene? What is this?"

Eugene turned to look over his shoulder. "What's what?" he asked and Pascal peeked out to watch. Rapunzel held up the box and Flynn blanched. Quickly he reached for the box. "That… You weren't supposed to see that yet!"

Rapunzel held it out of reach with a mischievous grin. "Why not? What are you hiding from me…" her words trailed off as she opened the box and looked inside. "…now." She finished slowly as her eyes went very wide. She fished something very small out of the box and looked between it and Eugene. Pascal craned his neck to see that she held a ring between her fingers. It was a very pretty thing, not that Pascal was anyone to judge such things. Silver with a green stone centered between two amber-coloured ones.

"It's not what you think!" Flynn said desperately. "I mean it is, but it isn't. I mean…" he groaned, covered his face with one hand and muttered, "This wasn't how I planned it."

"You were planning to… Eugene, I thought we agreed…" Rapunzel started to say.

"I know!" Eugene interrupted and then sighed. When he spoke next, Flynn's tone was more serious than Pascal had ever heard him before. "Look, Rapunzel, here's the deal. That whole…" he waved around a hand as he looked for the right word, "…fiasco with Larry. It got me thinking. That isn't going to be the last time that some petty prince or lordling is going to come here to try to sweep you off your feet. A-a-and I… I got that just to prove that I am serious. About us." Eugene reached out again to take the ring and this time Rapunzel let him. "I do want to marry you. Someday, but not right now. Not when neither of us is ready for it."

Rapunzel knelt next to him and took his hands. "I don't know what to say. What do you mean?"

Flynn took a long moment to look at her in earnest. "I don't want you to say yes or no, just yet. Hear me out. We aren't ready for marriage. I know I'm not. I'm still trying to figure out who this new Eugene actually is. And you. You are still so young, Rapunzel. You haven't even been out of the Tower for a full year yet and there is so much that you haven't seen or done. And I want you to be able to without feeling like you've been tied down or trapped by anyone. Even me." He held up the ring. "I wanted this to just be a sort of promise. That in a few years, maybe after I ask a few times, that we will."

She looked at the ring and then at Eugene again. "So this is less of an engagement ring and more of a betrothal ring?" she asked slowly. Flynn gave her a sideways look.

"There's a difference?" he asked. Rapunzel grinned.

"Yes, actually. Ma explained it to me." She answered, taking the ring from him. "An engagement is when two people are ready to marry right away. It's more of a short-term thing. A betrothal is long-term and between two people who aren't ready but intend to wed someday. She even told me of princes and princesses that are betrothed from birth without ever meeting their intended until the day of the wedding, if then." At the growing horrified look on Eugene's face, she continued with a sly grin, "Don't worry. Ma and Da never did that for me."

Flynn chuckled. "Well that's good. One less thing for us to worry about. So… shall we get betrothed then?"

"That depends." Rapunzel said, instead of directly answering the question. "You didn't steal this did you?"

"Blondie!" Eugene exclaimed, looking for all the world like he was wounded to the core. "I cannot believe that after all this time, you don't trust me!"

She just gave him another sly smile and reminded him, "You told me that trusting you was a horrible idea."

Flynn returned with a flat look. "Ouch. Well, rest assured you mistrustful girl. I get compensated quite well for the stuff your dad gets me to do. That was paid for fair and square." He picked up the box and took out a tiny pouch that was inside as well. Out of the pouch came a fine silver chain. "I figured that you could wear the ring on this until the time is right. What do you say?"

Instead of answering, Rapunzel grabbed Eugene's collar and leaned in to kiss him soundly. Pascal turned red and looked away from the pair. As he did so, he happened to glance up at the sky and saw the first bright streak of light shoot across it. To the little chameleon, that seemed like a very good omen. The first was soon followed by the second and the third. He glanced back at the kissing couple and gave as loud a squeak as possible to get their attention. It took a couple of tries and he almost went over to stick his tongue in Flynn's ear. He didn't only because it was far too cold outside his little heated nest.

The two humans broke off the kiss and looked up. Rapunzel's eyes widened in that same wonder she had that night over six months ago when the three of them watched the lanterns from the little boat out on the water, and Eugene, like back then, seemed to only have eyes for Rapunzel. No more words were exchanged as the two settled back to watch the celestial show. Rapunzel was sitting just in front of and between Eugene's knees. Flynn had his arms around her waist and his chin resting on top of her head. One blanket was wrapped around his shoulders and another across her lap.

"I don't know, Blondie. I think this might actually top your lanterns." Eugene said after several minutes of silent watching. "This is definitely something else."

"I know, right!" she replied enthusiastically which made Flynn chuckle. "Master Kilchas told me that people sometimes make wishes on falling stars. I know these aren't exactly stars, just bits of rock, but it makes you wonder how many wishes are being made tonight."

"Lots, I bet. I doubt the fact these aren't stars is going to stop people from making wishes on them." Eugene answered.

"What would you wish for?"

Flynn shrugged and tightened his arms around Rapunzel. "I have everything I could want right here. What's there left to wish for?" He paused for a moment and then groaned. "Oh man, that sounded a lot cheesier than I thought it would. Not that it isn't true, just very, very cheesy."

Rapunzel laughed. "I wouldn't argue that. I can't think of anything I want to wish for either." They continued to watch the sky for another several minutes. Pascal shifted around in his nest and pulled the scarf closer. Finally Rapunzel broke the silence. "Hey, Eugene, can I ask something?"

"What?"

"I was just thinking… Never mind. It's too weird." She fiddled with the ring that now hung on the chain around her neck.

Eugene sniggered softly. "Says the girl who used to have seventy feet of magic glowing hair. Weird only scratches the surface of our lives since the moment you clocked me with your frying pan, so go ahead and ask your weird question. I promise I won't freak out."

She turned a little to look back at him. "Well, okay, but remember, you promised." She closed her eyes for a moment and then took a deep breath. "What was being dead like?"

Pascal squirmed around to look at the couple. He was just as surprised at Flynn appeared to be. He knew the two rarely talked about what had happened back in the Tower and certainly this particular question had never come up before. Pascal had to wonder what could have possible have brought it up now.

Evidentially that same thought was on Eugene's mind as well. "Why are you asking that?"

It hard to tell in the dark with only the light of the quarter moon and the flashed from the falling stars, but Pascal could tell by the way Rapunzel's tone changed that she was a little embarrassed and probably blushing. "You mentioned your… Lawrence and that reminded me about the night of the Banquet and what you said to him. You don't have to tell me. I know it was weird to ask…"

Her reason made sense to Pascal. Of course he knew about that. Rapunzel had told him all about what had gone on at the Banquet. He also knew, from Maximus, that the two males had come to a compromise (more or less).

Flynn just pulled her against him and held her close. "Not so weird. I'm actually surprised that more people haven't asked that. And I don't mind you asking. The truth is, Rapunzel, I don't remember."

"You don't?" Rapunzel pulled back a little in surprise.

"Don't look at me like that, Goldie. I don't remember a lot of things." He answered with a roll of the eyes.

"Like what?" she demanded.

Eugene blinked a few times before answering that question. "I… I don't remember where I leave my boots half the time."

Rapunzel rolled her eyes. "Under your bed. They are always under your bed. How many times do I have to remind you to check there first?"

"Okay… I don't remember most of that party your parents threw for your return." Flynn pointed out. Now Rapunzel gave him an unamused look.

"You spend most of that more than a little drunk, Eugene."

Flynn grinned and pointed a finger at her. "I don't remember you stuffing me into your closet!" He declared in triumph.

She shoved his hand away and jabbed him in the chest with her finger. "That's because you were unconscious! Of course you don't remember that!" She was fighting to keep a smile from her face as she spoke.

He obviously could see her amusement trying to break through. "Still counts." He said and pulled her back against his chest. "Honestly though, I really don't remember. I can remember what it was like to be dying; well you heard what I said to Larry, but actually being dead…" he shook his head.

"It was the longest five minutes of my life." Rapunzel whispered softly. Eugene tightened his arms around her again.

"I know. And I never want you to have to go through that again. The thing is; there was no time for me. I just closed my eyes and then the next second I was opening them again." He paused for a moment, "You know what, though. I don't think people are supposed to know what being dead is like until it's their time. And since it wasn't mine, as close as it was, that's why I don't remember."

"I'm sorry to bring it up." Rapunzel mumbled.

Flynn put his hand under her chin and lifted it so he could see her face clearly. "Don't ever be sorry for asking. I made a promise to never keep anything from you, remember. Even if you think it's a hard, or uncomfortable, or weird question."

Rapunzel smiled and snuggled against his chest as they looked back up at the sky again. Pascal watched them for a moment. He couldn't be happier to see such a close bond between the two. Rapunzel was his dearest friend and Eugene was worthy of her. They were true mates. At that moment the little chameleon remembered what Rapunzel had said earlier about wishes. Well, they might not have wishes of their own, but he had one. That theirs would be a long and happy bonding and that he would be there to see it.

Overhead, a particularly bright "star" flashed across the sky.