A/N: This stupid castle uses non-Euclidean geometry… How are there long intersecting hallways leading to their bedrooms when they are both one on top of the other in the same tallest tower?
Genie, move Eugene's room to the ground, cuz I wrote that part before I checked the castle diagram. Also - I just have so many questions. Some I made up answers to. Some I jump-cut through cuz well the show does it a zillion times to make TBEA & SOTSD somehow "work."
Ooh, and starting next week, I want to see if I can do a remake of the Wind In My Hair music video bit!
Standing in Front of You
Chapter 2
Rapunzel retied one end of the rope around a column of her balcony ledge near the wall, then handed it off to Eugene. With a smile full of pride in her, he stepped over the ledge, and began his descent. She followed shortly after, both slipping down easily in the night sky.
Carrying the re-coiled rope between the two of them, they dodged a night guard and slipped back inside, then carefully made their way down the Earthen-colored hallway to Eugene's room.
With the door secured behind them, they dropped the rope, and Rapunzel wandered over to his window. She leaned on the sill, enjoying the refreshing breeze blowing in, a crisp addition to the warm scent of musky cologne inside; and she was not sure which was more intoxicating.
Behind her, Eugene changed back into his grey pants and black boots; and laid out his white shirt and black doublet. Also from inside his wardrobe, he pulled his black cape, then tapped her shoulder, presenting it to her with a smirk.
After a quick eyeful of him shirtless, she lit up at the cape offering and immediately threw it over herself. The large hood flopped all the way down in front to her nose. Eugene covered his mouth as he quietly giggled til she adjusted it.
Behind him, a knock came at the door; they blanched at each other.
"Eugene?" The King's voice.
Both heads darted to look to the wide open wardrobe, and in no time, Rapunzel was swiftly crouched inside.
"Oh, uh, just a moment!" He closed the wardrobe door behind her and threw his cream undershirt from his suit back on over his head. He was still adjusting it when he opened the door. "Sir?" He blinked as his bangs from his messed up hair fell into his eyes and he frantically brushed it all back.
The King merely took a deep breath and frowned at him.
Eugene immediately dropped his head. "Yeah, that, ah, that didn't go quite as I had hoped…"
"I can imagine," he groaned. "Have you spoken with Rapunzel?"
"Oh," he perked up. "Uh, yes, actually. Yeah," he cheered right up, "We talked about it. I apologized, everything's fine, she just said she needs time, and then just wanted some space tonight. She said she wanted to get to bed early, after all that, and, uh, to be well-rested for the big day tomorrow!" He ended with a smile.
"Hrmmm," he slightly growled at him and his story. "That's what Cassandra said, too." Then he gave up and sighed.
Eugene, after a quick prayer thankful that there was at least one wavelength he and Cassandra shared, he saw his opportunity, and turned serious again. "Your Majesty, I love Rapunzel. I'd never hurt her, and I'll be here for as long as she wants me to be. I- I just made a miscalculation today, that mostly cost me my own face. I, hah," he held a hand up with his crooked smile, "I don't need a lecture on waiting and respecting her wishes."
The King smiled at him strangely. "Hm, very good, then. We can discuss it all later then." He glared him down. "MUCH later."
He gulped. "Gotcha," then squeaked, "Okie-dokie…"
The King nodded. "Alright then. Goodnight, Eugene." He turned to leave.
"Goodnight, Your Majesty. And, thank you," Eugene prompted him to stop and look back, "For everything."
Finally, the King smiled, nodded curtly once more, and continued back down the hall.
Eugene watched for awhile to make sure no one else would be barging in on them. Satisfied, he closed and relocked his door and opened the closet door. With a deep sigh and bugged out eyes, he motioned his relief to her, earning a giggle. That shirt came off yet again, then he pulled on his white shirt and began buttoning it as he whispered. "Hey, you ever hear of The Book of Hearts?"
"Oh, yeah!" she whispered back. "I can't wait til the Day of Hearts so I can actually read what's in it! But it's kept locked up until then..."
"Oh," he was suddenly disappointed in himself for not including her. He continued as he latched up his black doublet. "Well, it's also not locked up, uh, whenever I feel like it," he chuckled, "But anyway, besides all the signatures, and the romance war story, there's maps in the back of all these secret tunnels all throughout the mountain that the whole city here is built into. There's one that goes straight to the bridge."
Rapunzel gasped, following his train of thought, as she struggled to contain her voice to just a whisper. "We're gonna go in a secret tunnel?!"
"Shhhhh!" he snickered as he chastised her. "Not if you announce it to the whole castle!"
She practically vibrated in place, she was so excited.
He huffed and shook his head at her. He added a small knife in his boot, and slung a sword sheath strap across his chest. Then he stepped back up to her, ready to go.
Both their eyes fell uneasily to the red box on his dresser. Slowly, they returned to each other's, their smiles sobered.
Eugene cleared his throat, reached for the box, and stuck it on the top shelf inside his wardrobe. Then he took her hands in his, dipped his forehead to hers, and whispered, "It'll be waiting there for you."
Wow… Rapunzel lost her breath in a tiny chuckle, biting her lip and squeezing his hands back. "Thank you," she whispered back.
A peck on her cheek, and he leaned away to smile at her. 'I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider.' he remembered, and how he had looked at her then: in gentle awe that someone liked him at all, let alone liked him just for himself, and not what he could help them steal. He blushed and tore himself away. Well, helping the princess steal herself away on a quick trip is different. He picked up his half of the rope again. "Ready?"
She looked him up and down, a nobler version of his roguish self. Her grin took over her whole face. "I have a feeling this is gonna be fun…"
"Me too," he chuckled, giddy to be sneaking around with her mostly for fun. If anyone caught them, how much trouble could they really get in? "Well then, uh, follow me," he chirped.
They crept through to the stables, charmed Max with mere smiles, then slipped him and Fidella out, to meet them at the bridge. Back inside, they made their way down to the bowels of the castle, and, remembering the map he had studied, found the correct storage room. They searched around for an opening, which Rapunzel quickly found. Hand in hand, they strolled through the tunnel in silent awe, every so often shyly catching each other's eye with how joyfully excited they looked. He brought hers up to his lips for a quick kiss, both of them remembering the last time they had snuck down a secret tunnel.
They found the exit just as they expected they should be near the bridge. Once exited, they saw that they were indeed.
"Sweet," Eugene whispered.
"That, was so cool!"
"Blondie," he hissed but humorously, "Sneaking!"
She covered her mouth and giggled.
He could not help but smile. With a tight grip on her hand, he led her from shadow to shadow, evading a few crossing troops of guards, though he did not seem surprised or alarmed even once. They finally made their way down below a dock to the grass at the foot of the bridge underneath it. He explained as he untied their rowboat there. "Patrols are doubled everywhere for the coronation tomorrow."
She perked up with intrigue. "How do you know that?"
"I may have picked my way into somewhere that happened to be the Captain's office and accidentally checked out all the plans for this weekend."
She elbowed him; he turned to see a smirking frown.
His smirk was with charm though. "What?" He tossed the rest of the mooring rope aside and shrugged. "I get bored."
Max and Fidella met them, and Eugene tied one end of their long coiled rope between their saddles. As the horses took the bridge, they silently pulled them in the boat below.
Eugene reclined against the bow, eyes closed and arms crossed behind his head, enjoying not having to do any of the rowing work for once.
Rapunzel eyed him and smirked. "Hrm…"
He cracked one eye open. "Hm?"
She plopped down on his lap and reclined as well atop him.
"Oof!" But he smiled and held her there. One hand crossed her back, the other brushed through her short silky hair, as she rested her head on his chest. He looked down at her, peacefully smiling against him, then looked back up to the bright castle towering above them, but gradually moving away and becoming smaller. His brow worried. It's so much… So much responsibility, work, expectations… But it's also so great, and safe, and loving… And overbearing, overprotective, misunderstanding... With a deep breath he sighed and kissed her temple. "I gotcha, Blondie."
"Hmm," she hummed happily, and peaked over his shoulder to the dark woods beyond. Freedom… She sighed.
On the opposite shore, he pulled the rowboat aground, and helped her out - and they both froze with deja vu, eyes locking in shock.
Rapunzel started to force a smile - but Eugene twisted his hand to grab her wrist instead and yanked her to him and right into a kiss with his other hand on her neck. Like I should have.
As he pulled away, he still clutched her there and leaned his forehead to hers. His other hand went to rub and squeeze her waist. "I'm so sorry-"
She chuckled at him but leaned away to look into his eyes. "I- I get it." It wasn't even really his fault. She ran her hands down his arms to take his hands, held together out away from them, and bounced up to peck his lips again. "It's okay," she giggled. "We're here now."
He cringed at his past self but also blushed at how they were now. Someday…
Max and Fidella came up on them, and together they rewound up the rope and hooked it to Max's saddle.
Eugene came back to take her hands, standing in front between her and the woods. With a proud smile, he stepped aside and motioned forward. "Shall we?"
She grinned up at him, then looked to the trees and brush herself. Her toes wriggled beneath her, where the dirt gradually turned sandy along the shoreline. The most refreshing breeze blew through between them, plastering the cape against her, and whipping their hair up and about. With deep breaths of the fresh air, they set out into the woods.
Just a few steps past the first treeline though, they smirked at each other, a simultaneous challenge: "Race ya?"
"Oh, you are so on, girl!"
"You tryin' for a rematch?!"
"I can at least tie ya for the day!"
He hopped on Max and she on Fidella, both of them blasting into full gallops straight toward the wall.
Rapunzel and Fidella just barely beat Max and Eugene again, but they kept making it closer each time.
Back atop the wall again, the view at nighttime now looked both more enchanting and more intimidating.
"This is why I kept the rope," Eugene grinned widely at her.
Realization spread across her face. "Really?!"
"Really," he chuckled.
"Oh my goodness…" She looked out to the beautiful wild forest beyond and lost her breath again. This time, though, her heart also caught in her throat. She looked back to Eugene, holding the rope out to her, but got lost gazing at his face.
"Hellooo?" He giggled and rolled a wave through the rope to snap her out of her daze. "You comin' Blondie?"
With a huge grin and deep breath, she snatched the rope out of his hand and without another thought, stepped off the edge.
On the ground again, she looked back up, waiting for him.
He slid down right after. With a hand on the small of her back, he turned her to look out at the expanse again, that they now stood amongst. "Welcome, to outside of Corona, Rapunzel."
Inherently always wound up, Rapunzel took a few giddy deep breaths she could not control, before grabbing his wrist, and breaking into a run.
"-whOAH!"
Besides some pit stops and distractions and breaks, they were again running at the top of a grassy hill, they both lept off into the air, both laughing and screaming all at once. They hit the soft grass below and immediately collapsed, rolling the rest of the way down the hill.
Right where he had landed, Eugene fell back to lay sprawled out in the grass. With deep breaths, he sucked in the fresh and cool night air. After recent tensions, it was all so thoroughly revitalizing.
Beside him, Rapunzel arrived still laughing, and plopped down beside him. She rolled over to his side, stretching an arm across his chest.
He chuckled, and moved his arm from between them, to wrapping around under her and pulling her close. Staring up at the full moon on this beautifully clear night, he sighed out with a peaceful but wondrous smile. "Do you really think… we were destined?"
She paused at the gravity of such a question, and looked up to his face, then up to the stars herself. "I think so."
"Hmm…"
"You were the only person in eighteen years to find me-"
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we have to-"
"No, but we did fall in love."
"Hm-hm, yes we did. And quite ironic it was your crown after all," he mused.
"Only ironic? So you still don't believe in destiny?" she said teasingly.
"Well," he grinned, and glanced down at her. "I do think we were destined, but not because two souls randomly got picked and the cosmos just says so. I don't like that. I think we're destined, moreso because of who we are- the people we grew up into. Like, we fit- what each of us needs- what we've always needed in life, we found in each other…"
She grinned, listening to him speak so surely about them, and from the way his hand held her upper arm, his thumb stroking back and forth, pressing him to her. "I suppose," she giggled. "Afterall, I was the first person in sooo many years to find little Eugene." Her own hand wandered up and down the far side of his chest she held.
"That you did. See? We're even."
"Just like always."
"Well…" he shrugged to the side. "Not always."
"Pfft, what? What do you mean?"
"Like, you're royalty, and I'm…" He shrugged again to fill in the blank.
"Eugeeene," she humorously chided him, "That doesn't matter."
"I mean, if I am wrong, that's something that might matter to the likes of Fate and Destiny though," he reasoned, though he did at least keep smiling. "Certainly mattered to the horse."
"Weeell, maybe it's just that, this way we were both destined to end up someplace that makes up for our pasts…" She thought some more on it, then giggled with a ridiculous look. "Oh no," she laughed. "If we were both long lost Corona royalty, then we'd be like brother and sister though!" She scrunched her nose up while he burst out laughing, too, "And then, uhhh!"
"Alright, alright, good point. And I guess even if it was different kingdoms, we might like, have to marry other people. So, good thing only one of us is royalty." He leaned over and kissed her temple.
She cooed at the gesture, and wriggled in the cool grass at how happy and relaxed she was in this moment. She sighed and snuggled him closer, reveling in his sturdy warmth. "Eugene… Thank you, so much for this…"
"Heh, no problem, Blondie." He kicked his legs up to cross one over his raised knee. "I…" He sobered and sighed as he considered the true severity of this comparison he was about to make. "Rapunzel," he held her just a little tighter, "I saw firsthand what you went through. And you know what I did to stop that."
She stiffened and shrank back at the same time. He's right- how could I ever compare them?!
"I, of course want you to be safe, but I would never, ever, do anything, to limit your freedom. I promise you that."
"I know, Eugene, I'm sorr-"
"But you can always call me out on it if something sounds like that. Please."
She paused, but then nodded against him.
His voice strained a bit again, desperate to be fully understood. "I just don't want you to ever feel like you can't talk to me about something, alright?"
She sighed and nodded again. Have I? I guess... "I know, I know- but, thank you for the reminders again. I still sometimes don't think of it when I should."
He rubbed her arm up and down. "It's okay. That's what I'm here for. Sometimes I notice when you're holding back, and I try, but sometimes I don't notice."
"Well, I can't expect you to be a mind reader," she craned her neck up as he leaned down, for a quick kiss. "But you do understand me so well, so, thank you, for everything you do…"
He smiled and went back to stargazing, but ended up staring at all the imperfections in the moon. "And thank you," he continued so softly, "For letting me know… That I am the one."
She blushed and giggled, "You're welcome I guess? But I don't see how you could think it wouldn't be." Her hand rubbed around his torso, landing just below his right ribs.
He smirked down at her. "Ya know, the whole thing about a selfless act, is that ya don't expect anything in return."
She chuckled, sitting up, to opt for looking down at him laid out before her. Okay, so, right, I can tell him anything. "I just…" She grinned but also cringed, trying to remain cheery through her guilt over complaining about such great things. "I just, I'm not ready for any of that yet. I-... Urgh, okay," she ran her hands through her hair past the ends, hanging on her own shoulders. "I don't know if this is where I belong. I just feel so stir crazy here sometimes. And I don't want everything to end. I don't even know if I want to stay 'here.' I can't explain it, but I still have this feeling that something is still out there waiting for me."
He had been peacefully staring up at her, but now the blood drained from his face and his eyes widened. I was right- but… He tried to gulp, but his voice only made a strange noise. The panic from the banquet bubbled back up. Oh no- oh no oh no oh no! I- I- I? I don't feel the same way…
Uhhh, oh no- "Eugene?" she whined, getting scared again from his initial reaction.
"Blondie," he immediately said with a laugh and a smile to reassure her, but he leaned up on his elbows, clearly distressed. "I…Well, I do, though… Want to stay 'here'..."
"You… do?" her voice cracked, her head suddenly going light from panic.
"Honey, Honey, hold on," he scrambled up to sit facing her, and grabbed her arms.
"I'm… not happy here- there…" She felt herself break, and safe in his care, desperate to realign their understanding.
"Rapunzel…" he gasped, but had to pause to take in that bombshell, even though he had been seeing it coming all this time. "I hear you," he whispered, "C'mere." He tugged on her arms and she leaned a little closer. He stared at her long and hard, trying to straighten it all out in his mind. "Sweetheart, we don't have to agree on everything- and I'm not gonna fight you."
"I'm sorry," she finally fell against him. "I know you love living in the castle, and there's a lot I like, too, and I like keeping busy, but there's so much… I just don't know, I'm sor-"
"I don't care about living in the castle, Blondie. I care about living with you. And I didn't say never leave - I just mean it's a good home, someplace to always be able to go home to."
She dropped her head. Right, of course… "But still, you like it all. Me, I'mmm, not so sure."
"Well," he said cheerfully again. "I'm not also trying to adjust to being around people to begin with, and I… honestly? I am very happy having our basic needs met. Why wouldn't I be? We don't have to worry about food, or shelter, or clothes, and the rest is just fun. For me, it's nice to be able to relax from worrying about all that."
"I guess so…" She narrowed her eyes in thought. "But you don't really have any other friends…"
"Ah- I have friends!" he laughed off. "I… well the Pub Thugs hang out with me… or at least they let me hang out with them... " He shook his head. "My point is it's just a very good practical idea for us to live in the castle right now. But if you're not happy there, then, I dunno, we'll figure something out."
She groaned. "But I have to be Princess. Everyone's counting on me. This kingdom needs me. And most of the time, I do believe I'll do a good job! And I mean, even me- I should be like, come on, I'm a Princess! I'm lucky! And I have so much here, even the whole," she gripped down his upper arm as she finished, but shrugged, "'Happily ever after.'"
"You may be Corona's Princess, and your parents' daughter, but Darlin', I am well aware that I'm the one who's been watching out for you, all along. The people adore you as a leader, but a kingdom itself can't care about you how you really need; your parents can never fully understand how different you are; but I am here for you. Whatever you want. I just want you to be happy, and free. I'll do whatever you need for that to happen."
She pouted. "I'm… sorry, Eugene, but I don't know what you can do for this. It's just… everything about being a princess is so stressful…" Still, she nuzzled her face against him. "But thank you."
"Blondie," he said, hoarsely, "What I can't do is sit by and watch you lock yourself up in work and force yourself to talk, speak, and act just like they want…"
"I know… But what choice do I have?"
"Well, I'm new to this, too, but I think as future ruler, you should have some say in how-"
She was shaking her head. "My dad still controls everything. I can't set foot outside without being surrounded by a dozen guards."
Eugene tensed, his annoyance with the old man's actions grating on him just as much. "Then it's a good thing your boyfriend is an expert at breaking your father's laws, hm?"
She giggled. "Eugene, you can't-"
"Rapunzel, I will not hesitate to go against him if it's for you."
"But you're scared of him," she laughed.
Eugene deflated instead. "Blondie, I get extra pissed at him, 'cause, I understand that urge to protect you. I get it. I feel it too! I would do anything to keep you safe. But I'm also here to safeguard your freedom. So I understand that protecting you can't mean limiting you at all. And I just don't get how a man twice my age, with all that power, and advisors- a father, a husband - How can he think this will help you? Or help his relationship with you. I don't get it. He's only gonna push you away, or drive you crazy trying to please him."
"Okay, yeah, but you are still scared of him."
"I'm getting less scared of him as time goes on. If he keeps this up, I will snap at him… eventually..."
She suddenly clutched him tight. "Don't get yourself kicked out, please…"
He scoffed and threw his head back as he leaned back on his hands. "One thing I can tell about that old man is that he hates it looking like he's in my debt, 'cause I don't act how they like, but I 'returned you to him.'" He scoffed again out the side of his mouth. "Yeah, as if you're an object. Gonna rule a whole kingdom but still be treated like his or my property. Uh-huh, okay."
"See what I mean?" She flopped down across his lap.
He smirked down at her. "Wanna go farther?"
She chuckled up at him. "Of course!"
She sat up and he looked around again. "Actually, way out here, we're pretty close to ahhh…" His crooked smile took over mischievously.
"Close to what?" She saw it in him and eyed him suspiciously.
He smirked at her. "You wanna see something pretty cool?"
A/N: Yes, we are going there! Please Review/Comment! And if anyone understands any of this lore, uh, send help.
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