Update: so sorry guys, for being inactive. Hit a major writers block, and with this whole COVID-19 thing going around I've been out of commission for a while.

Again, my deepest apologies. Hoping this is good enough? Review please.

~ Lazulite Dragon

Quick note: I changed some things. Eugene has been adopted by Isabel and Jonathan, the King and Queen. He refers to them as mom and dad. It's more of a relationship where he has as much power as Rapunzel lets him. This is a matriarchal society.

Warnings: alcoholism, some cursing, also public indecency, and difficult home life.

Chapter Text:

Was he totally shit faced? Maaaaaybe.

Did his parents Isabel and Jonathan kick him out again? Maaaaaaybe.

Had he fucked up so bad Rapunzel, mom and dad would have full rights to rag on him? Hell yes.

Would his parents be disappointed? And probably ignore him for the next week to a month (again)?

Actually, Eugene couldn't think about that. In a literal and metaphorical sense. It was a little cooler than last night when he'd been forced to sleep outside (again) because of his drinking habits. He'd been told he could come back when he was 100 percent sober. That was maybe... a week ago-ish? He honestly couldn't remember.

Ah crap.

Eugene was thrown out of the last pub that night, he'd been fresh out of his hard earned coins and couldn't pay for that last drink. The owners and a couple of bouncers had dragged him out back, roughed him up a bit (a lot, actually). Then none to gently tossed him out front. He rolled down the steps, hitting his head a few times along the way. His old reputation as thief was apparently still reason enough to kick him about, many of his old... Acquaintances didn't care if he was royalty, and he didn't say anything so...

He lay sprawled on the streets for quite sometime before deciding to get up. He shakily got to his feet, trying to ignore he stares of the late crowds watching him as he stumbled upright. He sloppily finished the last of his pint, fell over again and cut his palm on the glass.

Ow, ow ow ow ow— FRICK his elbow REALLY hurt. Like he'd struck his funny bone or something!

"Ow!" He hissed, springing upright. A warning rolled through his body as he fumbled along the wall for balance. He indignantly pushed himself away as his other wrist sent a shock of white hot agony stabbing up his arm in a way that left him dizzy and breathless.

"I don' need no wall." He mumbled, he tried kicking it but ended his face ended up hitting it instead of his boot. Wiping blood from his nose as he continued down the street, occasionally weaving into traffic but someone would always grab the back of his collar and yank him out of harms way, pat his shoulder, and shove him along his way, Eugene's stomach growled.

"Sorry compadre," he mumbled, patting his stomach. "No coins for snacks little guy." It gurgled unpleasantly, the warning came stronger this time. Eugene spotted an ally way not far, he hoped he could make it there before he lost it on someone's hard earned shoes. He managed to tumble into the alley far enough that he was mostly hidden from the view of the people. He kneeled over a gutter and was promptly violently ill.

"Poor lad." Someone murmured as they passed.

A minute later Eugene sat back, eyes closing as his body revolted all over the front of his shirt, some landing in his lap.

He was so, disgusting. Anger flared red and hot, in a burst Eugene punched the wall. A sick, wet crunch was heard followed by agonized whimpers as Eugene fell to his knees, cradling his broken fingers to his chest, under his armpits, between his thighs.

Anywhere to try and stop the pain.

He gasped.

"Mama is he okay?"

"Sweetie... don't bother him."

"But mama—"

"Come along, darling."

He could never go home like this. He reeked of vomit, sweat, and a bit of piss. Eugene shuffled backwards until the hard wall dug into his sling tipped his head back against the brick work, a few tears falling free. He lay on his side, the filthy street spiking his once clean clothing further, he saw a rat skitter into it's whole a few meters from him.

Even the rodents had homes, safe places where they'd stored the days morsels, while Eugene had nothing, no money, no roof over his head, and no maybe not even a family.

He edged further out of the way. He curled in on himself, still cradling his burning hand to his heart as he cried himself to sleep.

The wall his only comfort.

Unknown date of mayhem, part two.

The next day everything hurt. His entire left arm felt numb with pain, his nose stuffed which prevented him from tasting the full grime of his actions, and his head.

Oooooo his head ached. The light of dawn made his pain all the worse, his stomach was sore from puking in his sleep. Thankfully he'd been on his side, he was a little unsettled at how different his night could've gone if he hadn't had a wall at his back to keep him from rolling onto his back. His cheek felt sticky, and he had a strong feeling it was shit off the street mixed with his own waste. His hair was a rats nest, he spotted the little rodent scampering about the gutter near his sick. Eugene shooed it away.

His brain slowly became aware of his desperate need for the bathroom. He looked to the entrance of his sleeping spot. No one was up yet? Perfect!

Maybe he could find a fountain or a pond and wash up. He stood, feeling much better already. He checked his surroundings before starting a light jog, he kept to the borders of the suburbs and city as he hunted for a suitable water source.

There! A fountain... Oh no. There was a dog, a grey hound, a big one guarding the precious water source in greed. Gathering the remains of his lost dignity he made a beeline for the stone work. When he got close the canine stood, a deep feral growl rumbling deep in its chest. It's deep brown eyes looking black as they glinted with malice.

"Good dog." Eugene tried to keep the fear out of his voice, he stepped closed and the beast lunged. Eugene leapt back, feeling the rush of air as fangs snapped inches from his face.

He needed a distraction.

Eugene battled with his thoughts, but he couldn't be picky. He had to make a choice.

It began to bark. He darted for a clump of foliage hiding just as the neighbour's top window opened, they threw a bucket towards the dog. It misses, but splashed piss and other nasty things all over the street. The stench made Eugene want to gag, but he kept silent.

The window shut.

Slowly, he shuffled off on of his gloves and tossed it to the hound. It sniffed it, licked it, and carried it off to the side. It lay down, content to chew on the leather. Eugene tensed in fear as he steadily crept past the dog. The beast eyed him out of the corner of its eyes, but now it seemed to be guarding the glove,not the fountain.

Eugene sighed in relief as he kneeled and cupped the fresh liquid in his palms. He checked his surrounding again before stripping off his pants, fully dunking them and his shirt in a thorough wash. Then he stood, sopping clothes in his arms and ran for the cover of the woods. He made it to the edges of the forest just first merchants opened shop.

He ran, not sure where he was going until he came upon a grassy clearing.

It was beautiful. A tall strong tree dominated the centre, small violet and golden flowers barely allowed room for he grass to grow. Birds chirped in the higher branches while butterflies flitted around for pollen and sun spots. Eugene hung his clothing on some of the lower branches to dry before nestling himself in the sun between two twisty roots.

He sighed, he'd have to show Rapunzel this sometime. He worried for his younger sister.

Right now, she wasn't here. He pushed those thoughts from his mind.

"Eugene!" He bolted awake, "EUGEEEENE!" Fuck! Not now!

He jumped up right, and started frantically climbing the tree. Only part way up did he realize he'd forgotten his clothing. He hoped whoever was looking for him wouldn't come this way.

Naturally it did.

A brunette stepped out of the trees, her face looked older due to stress. She was beautiful none the less.

Rapunzel Fitzherbert promptly looked up and saw her older brother cowering in a tree. He was oddly in his underwear and wearing his boots, he was missing his gloves and belt, and he was holding one of his arms to his chest like it hurt. His left eye has a nasty bruise and is leaking tears.

She maintained contact with her sibking, silently demanding he climb down this instant.

After five minutes of staring her gaze softened. She took his now dry clothes and draped them over her arm.

"Come down, I've made lunch." Eugene obeyed, even though it was clear he didn't want to leave the tree, He jumped the last few feet.

Guilt and shame swamped his beaten overwhelmed body. He stood there facing his sister, silently shaking in his underwear and boots. She held out his clothes, he inched foreword, wary of her intentions. He snatched his jeans and shirt before retreating behind the tree to dress. He reappeared, blushing and still holding his arm to his chest.

The guilt was crushing now. He couldn't meet her gaze, he just stared at his feet, shoulders hunched and trembling. He could feel her gaze, pinning him where he stood, a meter from her.

He's not going to cry. He dug his fingernails into his palms.

He's not going to cry, he pressed on his arm, hoping he pain would distract him.

He's not—

Rapunzel held out her arms. "Eugene, my beloved disaster."

He wanted to come to her, to take that extra step. But he just. . . Couldn't.

Why?

"Eugene?" Her voice was worried now. She took a step toward him, he took a step back. She felt tears rise to her eyes.

"Brother? What wrong?" He took another step back, and another until they had a whole ten meters between them. She was weeping now, he looked away unable to bear her tears.

"Nothing's wrong." He whispered, voice cracking. Great, now both are crying.

Everything is wrong. His heart his wrong, his head is scrambled and his arm is throbbing in earnest now. Unable to stand it he sank to his knees. He curled in on himself sobbing hard.

He wasn't the screaming type, but an inhumane sound tore from his throat. Rapunzel dashed to his side, she gently, carefully placed a hand on the top of his head.

She's careful, and he hates that she has to be careful around her own brother. He's become a monster, the shell of a Eugene she used to know. His uninjured limb came up to grip the back of her calf. She flinched, and his hand dropped.

She's scared of him.

He can't breath past the hands that are closing around his throat.

"Please go." She's trembling just as much as he is. She's trembling because of him, he's trembling because he's scared.

He's terrified he'll hurt her, either on accident or on purpose.

"Rapunzel... Leave me."

"I'm n-not going t-to l-l-leave you."

"... Please..." He begs into her shin, his hand is fisting in the grass, the other on his shoulder. "Leave. Now." His voice grates out harsher than he meant to. She steps away, he sees her bare feet. That's one of the things he loves about his little sister, is her strange refusal to wear shoes.

It's endearing, and he likes that she isn't as fucked as he is.

She kneels, and pulls him into a fierce, protective hug.

"I'm never leaving you, Eugene Fitzeherbet. I promise."

He breathes a deep sigh, the first real breath in god knows how long. His head clears and he feels a piece of him glimmering with hope. She pulls him up, and he swings his arm over his shoulder, pulling her into his side. She wrinkles her nose at his unwashed stench, but laughs anyways.

He smiles down at her. "Thank you." She doesn't say anything, she doesn't need to. Her sparkling green eyes a short brown hair say it all.

He's not whole, and he may never be.

But it's a start, and that's all he can ask for.