~ Rapunzel Goes Home (extended edition)

~ Chapter 037

~ Eugene and Rapunzel's Auditory Nightmare

Eugene Fitzherbert snapped awake to the sound of his name being called. "Rapunzel?" he murmured. Before he was even aware of it; he had flung away the soft, warm covers of his bed in the Green bedroom and ripped open the door and ran into the hallway; completely oblivious to the guards, who let him pass.

"Eugene!" It was Rapunzel, it was a call filled with despair, it was the kind of call he would climb from his own grave to answer. He saw the king's robe whip into Rapunzel's room. As his bare feet slapped the cold stone floor; he wondered why was he running so slowly?

"Rapunzel!" He called back to let her know he was coming.

"Eugene!" He could hear how his name tore at her throat, the tears and now sobs that came behind his own name. His bare feet squeaked against the smooth stone floor as he tried to slow down enough to make the turn into Rapunzel's room, catching himself against the door. Her room was filled with guards with swords out, a maid, and her parents while she struggled to get herself free from the covers.

"Rapunzel, I'm here." He calls, standing just inside the door, some guards blocking his approach.

She wrenched herself free of her bed and her parents and threw herself at him. He expected to catch her in a hug, but instead she ripped open his shirt and her hands explored the spot where the knife had gone in. Then grabbing him by the collar, she pulled him down and kissed him, then put her arms around him in a rib-cracking hug.

Where ever did she get so strong?

He closed his arms around her, enveloping her in his love. "It's okay, Goldie, I'm here, you're safe now." He felt her tears on his chest, but all he wanted was for her to feel his love.

Feeling eyes on him, he looked up. The queen was looking shocked and the king was scowling. The guards had their swords pointed at him and even the maid had her hands on her hips looking like they were gripping something.

Then he remembered; she had ripped his shirt open. He felt uncomfortable, but wasn't going to break the embrace until Rapunzel herself let go.

"Another nightmare I take it?" He felt her nod. "Was I dying again?" This time, a shake.

"It was just a sound, the sound of Mother's knife plunging into you, over and over again, getting louder and louder." Rapunzel shivered against him, hugging him tightly again. Eugene felt his skin crawl where that wound had been, that had hurt, a lot.

He rubbed his cheek against her chestnut brown hair, a twinge of guilt for having cut it without permission, but he held her tight and would do so forever if needed.

The king gave a nod and the guards put away their weapons, but their eyes were still hard.

Eventually, Rapunzel stopped shivering and let go, wiping her eyes with her hands and giving him a brave smile.

The maid with the crossed apron strings was explaining to the queen that she had brought rosemary tea to help ease the princess's nightmares. Eugene used the distraction to button up his shirt as the butler helped him into his robe.

The memory of her hot little hands exploring his body burned on his skin.

~ End of Chapter 037

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Author's Note: This was just fun. Eugene is glad there's an ocean handy. He's going to have a rough week.