A/N: I am so sorry I haven't posted in so long. I got caught up reading The Host by Stephanie Myers and couldn't put it down. After I finished I was so upset it was over I wrote a fan fiction on it just so I could add to the story. It would mean a lot if you checked it out and reviewed. Here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, haven't we established this?
Rapunzel's eyelids flittered open, bringing on a wave of memories. Going to the kingdom with Jack Merida and Hiccup, buying new paint, dancing on the cobblestone streets, these were all positive, good memories. Then the less happy memories floated through. Seeing the mosaic of the lost princess, realizing Gothel had always been using her, cutting her hair. Rapunzel sat up with a gasp and looked around the small bathroom she had slept in the night previous. Her long hair snaked around the room and coated the ground. There wasn't a trace of blonde left, just a reddish brown color similar to Hiccup's.
Rapunzel lifted herself of the floor, her back and neck groaning in protest. It had been her second uncomfortable night in a row. She raised her eyes to the mirror hanging above the sink with some reluctance. Her hair was shorter than it ever had been before, grazing her jaw in the longest areas and hanging by her ears and face at the shortest. Perky layers fanned in an outward direction, making her hair look choppy and spikey. The brownish red color fit her complexion and eye color well, but Rapunzel couldn't help but miss what once was. Her hair had been such a big part of her life and now it was laying limp on the floor.
Carefully, she moved her hair out of the way and walked into her bedroom. Merida let out a soft gasp when she saw Rapunzel. She looked so different, less innocent in a way. "What happened?" Merida asked dumbfounded. "I cut it. I couldn't stand for it to be a constant reminder of what never should have been. It was far too painful," Rapunzel explained, pulling a fresh uniform out of her neatly arranged drawer. Merida didn't fail to notice how her eyes blatantly avoided the mirror. She could tell Rapunzel was still having trouble coping with the new reality she had been introduced to. Merida didn't blame her, but she admired Rapunzel's bravery and ability to move forward, be strong.
Rapunzel went back to the bathroom and got ready for school. She knew people would stare at her and ask questions, questions she wasn't willing to answer. She ran a brush through her short locks for the first time and shivered at how different it felt. It was as if a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders, literally and metaphorically. Rapunzel could feel how much lighter her head felt. It was a good light, not so restraining. There was nothing holding her back now, nothing at all.
As expected, her classmates were curious at the change but promised Rapunzel it was a fitting style and color for her face. Rapunzel couldn't help but smile at her classmate's support, but there were still two people who had yet to see her. When lunch came around, the nerves in Rapunzel's stomach kicked up. She couldn't avoid them any longer. Jack and Hiccup were going to have to see her hair sometime, and that time was right now in their school cafeteria.
Rapunzel attempted to be graceful sliding into her chair. She didn't want to draw more attention to herself than was needed. It wasn't long before both Hiccup and Jack's mouths were gaping as they stared her way. Jack was at a loss for words. He didn't think it was possible for her to get any more beautiful, but seeing her now, he knew he was wrong. The way she had cut her hair was perfect for her face, making her cheekbones look higher and more pronounced. The brown color made her emerald eyes stand brighter and draw more focus. Her skin looked even more delicate and light. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to speak, to tell her how incredible she was. He was just too nervous.
"It looks really good Rapunzel, I like it," Hiccup voiced after an awkward silence. She smiled softly, still somewhat self-conscious about the change. She looked to Jack expectantly, meeting his icy blue eyes with her apple green ones, a fierce intensity burning in the iris. Suddenly, she stood up and pulled Jack from his seat, dragging him in tow and heading for the gardens. When she reached their destination, she looked Jack in the eyes again. "Do you still love me?" she asked pointedly. Jack was taken aback by the upfront question. She wasted no time, an impatient hand angled on her hip, one eyebrow raised. Jack tried not to get lost in her eyes again, knowing she expected an answer. "I will always love you Rapunzel, no matter what," he promised strongly.
Her heart melted on the inside. How could she have overlooked this, his incredible beauty and charisma? What else had she missed this entire time? She pulled him closer to her by the collar of his shirt and pressed her lips into his, kissing him with undeniable passion. This wasn't anywhere near what she had experienced with Flynn, it was better. Ice coursed through her veins offering a burn made of cold. She entwined her long fingers into his white hair and breathed in his scent. It was unlike anything she had ever smelled before. She broke apart from their deep embrace, gulping air down her freezing throat. Jack stood, his surprise palpable in the early spring air. That kiss was nothing short of magical.
"I want you Jack. I didn't realize just how badly I did until now. I love you," Rapunzel choked out breathlessly. She wasn't feeling like herself at all. Any shyness or urge to be timid and careful had vanished. She had been timid and passive for much too long and what had it gotten her? Lies she was forced to believe. Jack, unable to form words wrapped Rapunzel in his arms, holding her tight. His jaw rested atop her head, he stroked the back of her hair gently, soothingly. "Jack, I need you to take me to the kingdom after school," she stated. "It would be my pleasure," he replied, finding his words. They both knew it wasn't going to be like last time, fun filled and carefree. No, there was something that had to be done.
As soon as the final bell sounded, the two rocketed off towards Corona, not bearing to spare a second glance to see if they were being watched. They got there quickly and spent no time fooling around at the brightly colored stands or dancing in the town square. They approached the doors to the castle, guarded heavily by two officers. Rapunzel released Jack's hand from her own and stepped up to the guards boldly. They stared at her like she was insignificant. "Let me in," she said strongly. "I'm the lost princess.
