Chapter 6: Tangled vs The Helicopter

playlist on YouTube at Ch6: Tangled vs the Helicopter (Broken Dreams)

Eugene began to wake up, quickened by the growing realization that his surroundings seemed too unfamiliar. He opened his eyes, to the sunrise spilling the first trace of color through the balcony French doors, reflecting off the polished tile floor, over the room and its trappings, beginning to reveal hints of its shining grandeur once more.

Whoa… Rapunzel? He carefully turned to look behind him. Rapunzel still slept peacefully. Her short brown hair splayed out in all directions on her pillow beneath her. He breathed a sigh of relief. After the stress he had seen on her face in the previous days, he was glad to see her relaxed and content. He could not help but smile as his heart swelled with pride and happiness for her.

He stretched out, waiting to either doze back off or let it be time to get up. The grand-father clock read about six o'clock, so the latter option seemed more likely as his mind began racing. Rapunzel said she gets up by 7? Okay, and what am I going to do today? We've gotta continue the investigation. I've gotta meet with my contact. Spending the day with the King tomorrow probably. The thought of a trip to his contact brought his satchel to mind. Oh man, the guards must still have that. If I could get it back- I could return that, too! Perfect!

He carefully slipped out of bed, redressed as quietly as possible, then glanced between the balcony and the door to the hall. Knowing there was a guard waiting right outside the door left a bad taste in his mouth after the previous night. Balcony would be more fun, but... He hung his head, but headed toward the door.

The two guards jumped back to wakeful attention as he startled them with his sudden appearance.

Oh boy. He forced a smile. "Good morning," he said too unnaturally. "Uh, can I… go?"

The guards looked perplexed, but one tried to sound helpful. "Go where?"

"Uh, I guess actually back to the King's office. Which, I know where that is now, if he's there yet?"

The other guard glared at him, then reopened the door to check inside.

Eugene frowned at him in offense. "She's still asleep," he whispered harshly. "Perfectly safe and sound. Just like the last three nights I spent with her."

He closed the door again, then nodded. "Go on."

"I'll take him," the other commanded.

"Thaaanks," he grumbled. Just an illusion of trust around here, it seems… Hope not?


Rapunzel woke up as the door clicked closed again. Some more blinks, and she turned around. The other half of the bed was messed up, but conspicuously empty. The bathroom door was wide open, and the light off inside. Every other door was closed.

"Eugene?" she called out, hoarse, groggy, but trying not to be too loud.

...silence…

Her brow pinched; her throat tight with worry. Don't tell me...


Out of force of habit, Eugene silentlywalked up to the door of the King's study and gulped. He ran his hand through his hair one more time, straightened his doublet, then raised his fist to knock- but stopped just short when he recognized muffled voices from the other side.

"Clearly the safest place for her is by his side."

"Your Majesty! Y-... You can't be serious."

"I am. I'll withhold final judgement until then. But I expect an honest report."

A pause; and what sounded like a mumbled concession, followed by rapidfire concerned oppositions.

Eugene trembled at the thought. Final judgement? I thought I already was in the clear?! She IS safest with me- that makes last night make sense- but… But the King gave me his word! He signed my pardon! It's stamped by the Magistrate! It IS all an illusion… He touched over his breast pocket, feeling hurt as he heard the King's voice again.

"IF any of those things happen, then we will deal with them accordingly. I assure you, I am keeping an open mind as well. I'll be doing more-"

I've heard enough- His mind was spinning, but he steeled his face and knocked. I'd rather not hear about my inevitable demise.

"looking into it today-... Yes? Who is it?"

"Uh, Eugene, Your Majesty."

"Oh. Oh, well, come in."

Heart thudding, he cautiously opened the door, hoping he seemed natural. Inside, he locked faces with the Captain's usual scowl.

"What is it, Eugene? Is everything alright?" the King asked.

"Oh, uh," he looked to him, "Everything's fine, I just-"

"Where's Rapunzel?"

"She's good!" he jumped, hands rising in surrender. "She's still asleep. Guard's still at the door." He had to glance to the Captain. But, strange, sounds like I outrank your men now, hah! But he could not smirk, only gulp.

"Then what's the matter?"

"I just wanted to ask if I could get my satchel back? If, at all possible…"

The Captain grunted. "Why?"

"Just, there's a couple personal things I had in there, and-"

"Like your playscript?" the Captain quipped, glaring at him with a judging smirk.

Eugene froze. "Uh, well… that's not all, but- I mean if it's no longer evidence…" Unsure of this entire request, he shifted his weight to one foot and one hand held his other wrist in front of himself, wringing it. "If you wouldn't mind? I'd really appreciate it."

The King smiled softly at him. "Captain, won't you?"

He grunted and sighed. "Follow me." With one last pleading glance to the King, he shook his head and took the lead out the door.

"Breakfast at 7," the King instructed Eugene before he left.


Rapunzel crept out the door, startled by the guard she had forgotten about. "Oh! Uh, did you see- Did Eugene leave this way?"

"He's gone to the King's study, Your Royal Highness" he replied pleasantly, but noticed her alarm at that, and so clarified, "Of his own accord."

She took a deep breath. "Ah, okay." I still don't believe you… "Well, then, I'm just- gonna head back to my room, thanks-"

"I'll escort you."

"Th-... thanks…" She deadpanned him. Ugh.


"So, uh, heh, what a difference forty-eight hours makes, huh?" Eugene tried to strike up a conversation.

The Captain grunted.

"Uh… Please tell me your office just happens to be in the prison?" Walking in silence with the Captain had been nerve-wracking enough, but now as they approached the first row of cells, he had to hold back another panic.

"The one where I put your precious satchel is," he snarked.

Eugene tried not to look into any of the cells, and instead focused on the Captain's demeanor. Maybe this wasn't worth it… On the opposite side from last time, something familiar caught his eye. He double blinked and stared. Wow, yeah. Only forty-eight hours...

The Stabbington brothers had just awoken to their footsteps, and stared right back at him, confused, and slightly terrified, but still angry.

"Well, I'll be damned," the gravelly voice seemed to come out of the stone floor itself.

Eugene glued his eyes back to the Captain's shoulder and cleared his throat.

"Rider?" he asked, venturing only slightly closer to the bars, genuinely bewildered. "What's goin' on here?"

"Shutup, you," the Captain growled back at him. "None of your business."

Eugene finally glanced back just as he finished passing, and gulped. With a deep breath he looked forward again, to find the Captain glaring at him, too, but with much less vitriol than usual, and especially less than he had just shown the brothers. This feels different… Not too happy with the pardon of your prized catch?

As soon as they entered the office, he spotted his satchel. It was hanging on a hook beside a collage of Flynn Rider wanted posters on the wall, some with darts still stuck in them. It actually made him crack a smile. Yup. "Wow, Cap, didn't realize you thought that highly of me."

The Captain cracked a smile at that, too. He walked straight to it and plucked it off the hook, but as he held it out to him, he spoke, noticeably policing his own tone. "Thank you, for remaining calm past those two. And, whatever my personal feelings on you, you need to know that of course, I am glad you rescued the princess."

"Ah-" Eugene was still stunned for a moment, but finally gulped and accepted the satchel. "Thank you, Sir." With a deep breath, he focused on rifling through the bag. Still no lockpick, of course. "Uh, Sir?"

"What?"

"Did anyone find a lockpick on me?"

The Captain looked at him confused.

"I was unconscious when your men found me."

"And?"

He gulped. "And I'm missing my lockpick..."

"Even if I did have it you expect me to give that back?"

He sighed, exasperated. "And it was the Stabbingtons who tied me to that dinghy."

The Captain's beady eyes shot wide, before quickly heading back toward the door.

"Honestly I'm surprised they're still here then," Eugene called after him.

"We've had double guards on them 24/7, after the circus you brought in here." As the Captain brushed past Eugene, he paused and looked back at him. He sighed. "Thanks."

"It'd probably be alongside a hem."

He froze again, and set his beady eyes back on him.

Eugene froze up in turn, anxiously looking him up and down. "What?"

"You really doin' this?"

"Doing what?"

"Goin' straight."

Eugene glanced away, nervous. "Uh, yeah?"

"Or you just tryin' to do them in again?"

He deflated with a chuckle. "Well ooobviously I don't want them out after me again… But I am goin' straight. I have this chance to start over now, and I don't intend on wasting it."

The Captain grunted in surprised, if still disbelieving, approval. "And the pretty girl's got nothin' to do with it," he lobbed sarcastically.

Eugene took the affront, but could not dispute it. "She's got everything to do with it. But what difference does that make?" he answered sadly.

The Captain looked like he was holding back a snarl, but he finally continued to lead the way back out.

Eugene rolled his eyes behind him and followed along again. This time he was truly calm, and did not even feel the need to look at the brothers.

In a hall just past the cell block, the Captain grabbed a guard, and instructed them on how to re-search them.

Eugene smirked as he continued on without him. "I, uh, better get to breakfast. Thanks!"

He made his way back through the halls as quickly as possible. In one hall, he passed Bryn, holding open a scrolling blueprint to another man.

"Oh, Bryn, right?" Eugene said as he came up to them. He got both their attention. "Good morning!" he smiled and waved as he passed.

Both men just looked at him, surprised, and almost confused.

Bryn quickly recovered and returned a smile with a curt nod and a cheerful "Good morning! Mr. Fitzherbert."


Redressed in her old dress, and refusing further escort, Rapunzel spun around as she walked down a hallway. Pascal watched out behind her, both concentrated but just as confused. "Maybe we should have had him direct us," she joked with him. "At this rate, we may miss breakfast!"

Pascal whirred in exasperation.

"Was that the landscape to turn left at? Or- oh no… That portrait looks just like the other one! Or, is it the same one?" She groaned but shuffled on. "Oh! There! The one with all the naked people in the water and the bull and-!" She studied it pleasantly as she walked past the massive 6'x7' gold-framed painting. "Why are there so many flying children in these?" she wondered aloud to Pascal, who chirped back with no answer for her. "Huh…"

The slightest sound of boots interrupted her reverie- familiar boots.

She finally looked ahead at where she was going, as he was briskly following a crossing hallway. "Eugene!" She ran up to him. He is still here!

He halted in his tracks, his face lighting up as she consumed his attention.

"Where have you been?" she asked, overwhelmingly cheerful at finding him, and at his reception.

"Nowhere. Why?" he grinned cheekily. "You surprised to see me?"

Rapunzel smirked at his naughty attitude. "I'm glad to see you're still here."

His hands snapped to his hips as he leaned out toward her. "I told you sooo," he teased.

"I suppose you did." She waltzed the last few steps to him, before perking up again with a hop. "Oh! You found your satchel!"

"Oh, uh, yeah," he straightened up, grabbing it self-consciously. "The Captain was keeping it as a souvenir."

"Um, is there still something in it?"

The sting of familiar embarrassment snuck back up on him, mixed with a new type of embarrassment. 'I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider.' What would she think of this now? That I still like… care about it? "Uhh..." Defensively, he slid the strap around so the bag sat behind his back.

Oh, Eugene… Please don't tell me- "W-what do you have in there?"

"It's nothing, really," he brushed off, but took a step back from her.

He couldn't have! He wouldn't! "Eu... You didn't- I mean, no, oh my gosh- I'm sorry..." But? What did he do then?

"Blondie-!" he snapped at her with a whine in his voice. He noted fear in her eyes now, a way she had hardly ever looked at him, like when she first revealed herself to him as his captor. Oh no- He felt another urge of offense, but focused on putting her at ease. Awgh, I didn't even do anything. He took a deep breath and rubbed his neck. "Look, it's... Something I'm returning."

Relief washed over her. "Ohhh! Okay! What else would you need to return?"

"It's something I stole from your mother."

She blinked. "My mo-?"

"Your mom, your real mom- the Queen. A long time ago."

"Well what is it?"

"It's just…" He reddened. "Well, I mean- I was gonna give it back, or least I told myself that, but then I never saw her again. It wasn't a big deal and she may not even remember- or maybe she didn't even notice, ya know? Probably... So anyway," he shot a thumb out behind him, "I'm just gonna go put it back where it belongs." He pursed his lips and refused to continue speaking. It's still embarrassing now.

Rapunzel watched him expectantly, but he did not continue. "Eugene?" Her brow furrowed in worry, but she tried to look sympathetic.

Finally he took a deep breath and gripped her shoulders. This is Rapunzel. She's head over heels in love with ME, and she understood around the campfire the other night! He brightened up. ...buuut that still doesn't mean I have to tell her. "Look, I'll meet you at breakfast, okay?"

She smiled, only partially forced. "Okay."

"I promise," he added. He took her hands, pecked her cheek, trying to smirk innocently as he pulled away.

She only returned a look of pained confusion. How could you… But she did not even have the heart to stop him. If he wants so badly to go… Her gaze fell away.

As he walked backwards, with a frown, he insisted, "I'll be right back." Then he turned around to abruptly continue on his way. Fine, gimme a few minutes and I'll prove I'm not lying.

"Rapunzel?" The beaming Queen had come up from around another corner, just catching a glimpse of Eugene before he disappeared past another corner. "Eu-oh? Uh, are we all ready for breakfast?"

Rapunzel's attention darted back and forth between her mother and the direction Eugene had disappeared down. She felt about ready to lose her breath, as she slipped back in time and her head filled with a voice not her own, all at once, disjointed and overlaid. 'THIS is why- Don't let- Watch you'll see- That criminal- Told you so!' She gripped the ends of her hair behind each ear and blinked hard, desperately trying to see the red carpet she felt plush beneath her feet, not cold sandy dirt, sticks, and grass...

"Rapunzel?!" the Queen's voice overlaid as well but ultimately won out, as her loving alarm organically acted with the real acoustics in the present room. Rapunzel shook her head clear as she watched her mom hurry to her side. "Is everything alright, Darling?"

"Y-yeah…" she tried to sound cheery, with a trembling smile, and terrified green eyes that desperately held to their focus on her face.

The Queen took her shoulders, then cupped her chin, looking her over close up now, and not believing her words.

"Um, Eugene said he just..." She gulped and glanced back again. "He said he'd be right back..." He did and he will- Yet she felt the same tears from the shore leap back at her.

"But?"

"But..." She looked back at her mother holding her; the mother who was not the voice in her head, but who looked just like her, only older and with such great concern for the whole of her well-being. Rapunzel pitched into her chest and hugged her, with a childish desperation that was scooped up and wholeheartedly welcomed by the Queen's loving arms. She took a moment to calm herself, then finally looked up at her again, daring to still show some uncertainty about Eugene. "He said he'd stolen something from you, a long time ago, and that he wanted to go take care of it."

The Queen's concern switched to peaceful realization and amusement. "Oh ho ho," she chuckled, "It's alright Sweetie."

Rapunzel was not so easily assured.

"I'll go see him," the Queen nodded. "It's okay, go on and start on breakfast. And don't worry about him. It really is just a small thing, and I'll bring him right back." She stroked her swoop aside and kissed her forehead. "I promise, it's okay."

Like a positive trigger, she at last felt relieved enough to smile fully, and trust a little longer. "Thank you..."


After only a little bit of wandering around the library in awe, Eugene found the right section. He shoved some half-fallen books back up and a bit to the side, to reveal eighteen years of dust filling in a small gap in between. He had been smiling; now that vanished with a gulp. He gingerly took a book out of his satchel, the same width as that dust. But before he put it back, he flipped open to his favorite part and started rereading it again. His smile returned.

"You know, I knew it was you."

Eugene jumped with a gasp and jerked towards the voice. The Queen was standing at the end of the row.

"Well, not little Eugene Fitzherbert exactly," she nodded to the side as she approached him. "But I knew that 'Flynn Rider' was probably a child I'd been re-"

"I am so sorry," he blurted, snapping the book shut, "I was gonna give it back to you the next time you came, and…" He sighed. "I was gonna apologize, for taking it all for myself. It's just- I loved this thing so much, and there was nothing else like it in the monastery's library, but... You never came back after..." His face screwed up, feeling his guilt all over again, and even the undeserved secondhand guilt over her greatest loss.

The Queen thought as he spoke, but indeed gasped as she realized when the last time was that she visited the orphanage, and why it was the last time.

Eugene explained anyway, to show he remembered and understood. "That was the last time you were there, right before you got sick, and then-"

"No, I know... I-I'm so sorry, I just couldn't be there and not-..."

"Oh, no, no, no!" He waved his hands at her. "It was okay. It was okay, really! We all knew what happened, and I understood. But that's why I felt extra terrible that I'd just stolen something from you too, right before..." He bit his lip, knowing he did not need to finish.

The Queen simply nodded as they both choked on their words, but eventually cleared her throat. She managed to strain out, "It was just a book."

"I know, but, I was only 8," he reminisced to the book, "It was the first thing I ever stole. Everything else was to get by or live more comfortably, and the crown was more political, but this... This I always sort of felt bad about not really being mine." He ran his thumbs over the embossed cloth cover and worn cracked spine. "But I loved it. I started reading it out loud for everyone else, every night then…" He shook his head. "I'm sorry, you must be hungry and you're missing breakfast because of me."

The Queen chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Dear. Come here." She pulled him down into a hug. "I knew that whoever had that book, needed it more than this stuffy old library. I didn't remember your name, but I do remember how your eyes lit up."

Eugene had hugged her back appreciatively, but the rest of her words made his neck tighten as he buried his face into her shoulder, entirely too desperate for all the motherly love she was gushing. "Thank you," he practically whimpered. He pulled away, nervous to overdo it, but still eager to return the sentiments and his gratitude. "It has done so much for me- these stories got me through the worst times. But it's just that it hasn't all quite... I'd lost my way, ya know?" he cringed as he heard the feeling in his gut leave his mouth in such words. "So I'd like to return it to you now." He held it out to her and shrugged, "I'm finally done playing Flynn Rider anyways."

She simply smiled and shook her head sweetly as she closed her eyes a moment. "No."

"No?"

"I'd like you to keep it. What am I going to do with it now? Everyone only knows you as Flynn Rider nowadays; And I doubt the sisters would appreciate me invoking that idea," she chuckled. "And, Eugene, if it's meant that much to you, then why not?"

"Really?" His crooked smile popped up in childish surprise.

"Please," she pushed it back to his chest. "It's more than yours now. It seems everything is falling into place, finding where it belongs." She patted his arm, but he looked to her for further explanation.

Funny, yeah, this book finally found its way back to her, just like Rapunzel. And both because of me now… He nodded. "Thank you. Thank you so much." But… He looked down to the book. I'm not him anymore… Does that mean no more adventures? Even if they were all unscrupulous… He's fictional. I never really WAS the dashing 'hero' he was...

"Come, let's get going before we both completely miss breakfast."

He stared blankly at it a moment longer, before finally snapping out of it and dashing to catch up. "Dah, yes! Coming!"


At the dining table, Eugene took the satchel off and hung it on the corner of his chair, beside Rapunzel yet again. She did not fail to notice it still seemed the same weight; surely the other thing was still in there.

"Eugene?" The poor princess's face was a whole mixture of emotions: thrilled he came back, relieved that everything was okay, curious what the thing was, confused about what happened, worried something might still be or go wrong. Don't...

"Hm?" he looked to her, smiling.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yep!" He turned his attention to the Queen and smiled, then to the King and nodded curtly. "Your Majesty."

The King nodded back, slightly confused.

Rapunzel tugged on his sleeve and easily got his attention again. She whispered, "What is it?"

Eugene smirked, but replied at normal volume. "It's just a book."

Her eyes tweaked at him.

He blushed. "You know what book."

She sighed and smirked, rolling her eyes and finally secure in settling her anxiety over his strange behavior.

The Queen smiled at them both.

The King eyed Eugene, "I trust the Captain didn't give you any trouble?"

Eugene rolled his eyes. "Relatively, no. No trouble," he chuckled. "Thank you."

When they were just about finished eating, Rapunzel had found a new anxiety: the guards posted at each of three sets of doors, plus a few extra at the windows. They were there the day before too, but now she worried if this would be a constant thing. That's just… too many people… to always be watching my every move? "So, um," she swallowed, trying to figure out how to bring it up nicely. "Are there always this many guards around?"

The King hesitated as he glanced to Eugene, but then sighed and answered. "Usually, there's only half this many. Lately we've been running double shifts, for," he cleared his throat, "Obvious reasons."

"Surveillance," Eugene added nonchalantly, without bothering to take his eyes off his food, then shrugged. "And we still don't know everything, so."

"So, all part of the plan?" Rapunzel asked, "I mean, there is a plan, right?"

Understanding but also worried, Eugene chimed in to redirect the joint question back to the King. "I mean, uh, the whole kinda, I-was-part-of-the-castle-infiltration thing, uh, that's, I'm sure, not really a boon for your security. But yeah, I'm hoping too, I mean, I'm hoping that you'll tell us that there's a plan?"

"We have a plan," the King grinned, then pointed to Eugene. "But you're the one who's going to help us. Where were you supposed to meet your contact?"

He nodded along. "Uh, The Wiley Swan."

"Then that's where you and the Captain will be going."

"I'm coming too!" Rapunzel jumped to secure her spot in the brigade.

Eugene cringed, but sighed. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds... sounds great." He took a deep breath, then pushed his plate away without finishing the last bite. She was fine at the Snuggly Duckling, she'll be fine here… I hope.


Down in the drafting rooms near the Head Architect's office, they had converted one whole room and its broad tables into an investigation center.

"Everyone questioned yesterday reportedly gave the same story," the Captain relayed to the King, Bryn, Eugene, and Rapunzel, "Save for Nick."

Eugene frowned. That kid… He got himself mixed up in this too- but still… murder?

Bryn set his eyes on Eugene. "You said you knew this man when you were young?"

Eugene nodded. "Yeah, but, I just don't believe he could do something like this. Then again," he shrugged, "I dunno. I don't really know him anymore."

The King raised his brow at him. "That's hardly a character testament."

He frowned in agreement. "I know."

"Well, we'll see what we find today," the Captain concluded. "Let's go."

"You'll have to excuse me, Captain, but I will not be able to join you," Bryn smiled to the Captain, "I'm afraid I am pressed by, other matters." Though, his smile turned smug and his eyes moved accusingly to Eugene.

Eugene noticed, and was taken aback. "What?"

Rapunzel noticed as well, and butted in for him, "What does that have to do with Eugene?"

"Just a certain hole in a certain roof that requires urgent repair," he answered snidely, without taking his eyes off Eugene.

Eugene quickly realized and retreated in on himself shamefully.

The King smirked and Rapunzel snickered at him.

"Alright," Eugene tried to recover some dignity, "So, I meet with my contact. Just, tell him everything. See what he knows. If he doesn't know who the leak was, get him to find out from the guild. That's it. Piece of cake."

The Captain nodded. "Sure you'll find a way to screw it up."

The King raised a brow to him as Eugene merely rolled his eyes.


Out front once again, three horses waited for the Captain, Eugene, and Rapunzel. A half-dozen more men stood ready on their own horses.

One of Eugene's crossed arms fell and landed pointing a finger out at the Captain. "Uh, you can't go dressed like that."

"What?" The Captain's mustache twitched and he glared at him.

Eugene deadpanned him. "Really? You think you're gonna just barge into this place like the Snuggly Duckling? All gold breastplate, feathered helmet, WHERE'S RIDER," he mocking growled with a funny face just like him, that made Rapunzel giggle. "Like you'll just be handed information about the Thieves' Guild because you demand it?"

He grunted at him. "I suppose undercover would be the best approach here. Wait here." He left.

Eugene carefully watched him leave, then bent to Rapunzel's ear. "Rapunzel, Fleming's probably the only one who could have helped me out here- corroborated my whole story and proved the leak. Almost anyone could have killed him that night. Or maybe he really did just wander out drunk and fell over the edge himself, but I doubt it. There were guards crawling all over the place, you saw."

"And who's in charge of the guards," she followed, as he nodded. "But w-why would he do that?"

"He's the Captain. He's more like a soldier. He tried to execute me, and he'd probably love to try it again- I dunno," Eugene shrugged. "For all we know, he killed this guy, but doesn't want anyone to know he went against protocol."

She sighed and shook her head, arms crossed. "Great, I feel much better now," she sassed.

Eugene cringed and shook his head, holding his temple. "I don't know, I don't know. I'm just spitballin here." He reached out to rub her upper arms. "But look, we'll be fine. Don't worry. He can't touch either of us without the King getting his neck right away, in any matter. Nobody can."

She nodded. "If he did kill him, he only hurt himself in the long run. Now it's harder to trace everyone."

He nodded. "Yup. Shot himself in the foot… Maybe." He shrugged again. "Or maybe it was Nick. I'm really at a loss here."

Soon enough, the Captain returned in plain clothes, and with tense smiles, they all headed out.

With one leg on each side again, Rapunzel rode Maximus alone, except for Pascal atop his head. Eugene hovered close beside her, half leading the way, and half nervously watching how she handled herself in the saddle. Max at least did not need any direction, so by the time they made it to the bridge, by way of side and back roads, Eugene laid off, confident she had gotten the hang of it. The Captain rode behind them, watching them both very carefully. The rest of the men trailed as far behind them as possible.


Along the way, they discussed their manner of approach and contingencies. Over the bridge and farther to the south, the road eventually opened up on a clearing before The Wiley Swan. It was a larger and more reputable-looking building than The Snuggly Duckling.

As they brought their horses up to some posts out front, Eugene turned to the Captain to quietly remind him, "You're gonna go in there just like any other paying customer."

He grunted his agreement. The rest of the men stayed back, hidden from sight in the woods just off the road.

Eugene entered the tavern, Rapunzel behind him. He knew exactly where he was going: the back corner. He broke off, zigzagging right through the center area filled with tables and boisterous patrons, from a wide range of backgrounds. She took a few steps to follow him, then changed her mind and wandered over to the bar instead, which took up nearly the entirety of the back wall.

Rapunzel looked around at the rest of the colorful people filling the establishment, relaxing with ease and contentment at being in a bustling crowd again. She eagerly hopped up onto a stool, leaning far onto the counter, and waved down the bartender.

In the back corner towards the right of the bar, near a large bulletin board, there was one table with only one man sitting at it, who had watched them both from the moment they entered. "Hey, Beanpole," Eugene happily greeted him.

"Who's the girl?" the seated man immediately asked, trying to sound more dramatic than he appeared. He wore a boring broad hat, very plain clothes, and still had a very young, clean-shaven face. He could easily have disappeared into the crowd right here.

"Nobody," he immediately answered, "But she's with me."

The man glared at Eugene. "You're 4 days late," his whiney voice complained. "If it weren't for some strange rumors I heard, I'd have left."

"Strange rumors?" Eugene asked, bemused. He sat down. "Pray tell."

"That you did get it, but there's been conflicting stories since then."

Eugene gulped, losing the sass and folding his hands in front of his chin. "Some of those rumors are probably true." He took a deep breath. "Listen, I did get it. Then a lot of stuff happened."

"Like her?" he glanced at her only a moment.

Eugene ignored him. Blondie stop drawing attention! "The point is, I got taken in. And now everything's different."

His brow scrunched. "How different?"

"I got a full pardon. For everything. And now I'm working with them."

The man's eyes bugged out as he hissed, "You're working with them?!"

"And I'm here to relay that anyone willing to cooperate with the investigation could possibly get one as well."

"You?"

"Yeah."

"You are working with them?"

He sighed. "Yeah. Things didn't exactly go as planned. Everything's belly up."

"You steal their crown, and they give you a full pardon?"

"It's a long story."

The man squinted off into the crowd. "And that other man you came in with? Him, I recognize." His glare returned to Eugene. "And now you've already made me to him."

Eugene gulped. "Don't worry, he's watching me, too. Anyway, there's no real loss for you here."

"Then what do you want with me?"

"I would like some harder proof of who commissioned this. But what I really need, is to find out where the map came from. We're trying to route out the leak in the Castle, and our prime suspect turned up dead, the night after the job."

The man was one step ahead. "And no one knows how?"

Eugene shook his head. "And it wasn't me."

He threw his hands up, sure of himself. "Well then you can't just take me in."

Eugene sighed. "I know that. And he knows that, but- so you don't know who was involved on that end at all?"

"Of course not. I got insurance for the paying end, not them."

"Right, but- okay so only the guild knows. So-"

"So you expect me to just get that kind of information for you?"

He deadpanned him. "Yes. Tell them the job was a bust either way. If you need leverage, tell them that anyone with useful information could get a pardon as well. Or tell them I could sell them all out at any moment. Whatever you need to."

"And he doesn't know my name?"

"Not yet," Eugene sassed.

The man studied him a while, then eyed Rapunzel suspiciously. "Who is she?"

Eugene stared back at him carefully, not needing to say anything. He knows anyway...

He smiled, impressed. "Wow."

"Alright, well that's that then," Eugene concluded. "You don't have a choice. Report back to them, then send word through a Coronan guard for where to meet next."

He took a deep breath, but nodded.

"You leave first. We'll see that you get going safely."

Back at the bar, Rapunzel had unwittingly attracted a young man to her.

She was looking down the bar to the right, watching how the bartender poured drinks, and as Eugene talked business beyond. She averted her eyes each time the man he was talking to glanced at her, then tried to be sneakier each time she resumed.

"Hey."

The voice came from her left, startling her to turn around.

A handsome and friendly looking face greeted her with a charming smile. "I've never seen you here before. How ya doin?"

"Oh," she smiled, "Uh, I'm- uh, yeah, I'm new here." Her nerves quickly turned to bubbly friendliness herself.

He took her response only as strange as nervousness. A quick glance to her dress helped him continue. "Oh, I'm- terribly sorry, Miss," he looked surprised, "Are you- are you a noble?"

"Um," she bit her lip to think. I've heard that term but I don't know if that includes me now exactly? Either way- More confidently, she continued, "Uh, no. No, I'm not."

The man chuckled and blushed but did not seem too distressed about it. "My apologies. Ah, well then, what's your name?"

She hesitated again, though less noticeably. What if anyone else remembers the Lost Princess's name? Eugene had not given her any specific directions, but she knew, Lying's best right now. "Just call me Blondie," she chirped.

"Blondie?" He stared at her short brown hair a moment, confused again. "Alright."

"And you are?"

"Tony," he said with a smile. "So, Blondie, where ya from?"

"Ah-" she froze, then broke into a laugh as she remembered Eugene's old answer. With a carefree grin and her own charm, she parroted, "I don't do backstory." That should shut him up.

He chuckled in reciprocation, smiling wide. "Well, are you at least gonna tell me if you have a boyfriend?"

She started at the operative word there, while his tone and manner sank an uncertain rock in her stomach. Boy friend? "I-" He's a boy and he's my friend but-...?

"Yes?" she cooed. Oh, but if he means like-! And no one is supposed to know, then- does that include a stranger like this?! "Uh, I mean- No?" She shook her head, flustered. "What do you mean?"

He was smirking hard at her. "Well if you did, I think you'd know."

Crystal blue eyes pierced hers, leaving her uneasy, as captivating as they were. "So I guess I don't," she decided on.

He dipped his head but continued staring. "Then who's that you came in with?"

"Oh," she relaxed a bit and smiled again, "That's my friend." A pride swelled in her at the sense of normalcy that gave her. Ah! Not only do I have a real human friend, but I can talk to other people about him, too!

"What's his name?"

Ahah! These people would only know him as Flynn, so I know to lie about that, too! "Flynn Rider," she said smugly.

He did not react at all to that name. "So what's he doin' here?"

"He's just talking to another friend of his."

That he looked shocked at. "And he left a cute thing like you here all by your lonesome?"

'Cute!' She could not help but blush. "Well, um…"

"No, really, what could possibly be more important than you?"

"It's, ah…" What is with this guy… She thought back to how she had in turn successfully stopped Eugene from prying about her feelings about her mother. "It's complicated."

"Well, I'm sure, if you don't even know if he considers you his girlfriend or not-"

"So what are you doing here?" She turned it on him.

He froze now and stared at her, before jumping back into friendliness. "Oh, I'm just here to meet people, ya know, and you just looked very interesting!"

She brightened back up at that. "Oh, really?" Well, that sounds nice...

"Yeah, I'd love to know what brings you here." He waved his hand away towards Eugene. "Let them talk. Why don't you tell me your story?"

Rapunzel simply quietly smiled at him, staring right back, for quite some time. Finally, she said very assuredly, with her own sly smile, "What do you want?"

As soon as Eugene finished with his own rendezvous, he got up and headed over to the bar. He paused a few feet away, behind Rapunzel, as he eyed up both her and the man she was talking to. This is NOT the place for new friends, Blondie. He immediately caught a glance from the man. Eugene frowned very obviously at him, and continued to approach her other side.

"I think I just want what any young man wants," he continued in a rush, his eyes darting from Rapunzel to just behind her.

"And what is that?" she pressed, unamused.

"Yes," Eugene butted in as he slid up close beside her, leaning far over to see the other guy. She startled again for a moment, but grinned as she recognized his voice before she even looked to him. "What is it that all young men want?" He glared him down.

The man smiled at him with smarm. "Ah, Flynn Rider."

Eugene cracked- eyes widened, jaw fell lax, stomach dropped. Oh crap.

"Excuse me." He spun away, and casually headed for the exit.

The pair tensely watched him leave, then both sighed in relief.

"Thank you," Rapunzel groaned first.

"Was he bothering you?" Eugene asked, on edge again. Don't think that I- like…

"Kind of," she shrugged.

"Alright," he sighed, then plopped onto his own bar stool. "Let's have lunch before we head back."

"Sounds great!" she cheered up, turning more toward him and leaning in.

Eugene took to trying to shake his own blush, smirking at her adoringly.

They ordered, and soon began eating.

"By the way," Eugene's mind had not stopped replaying even the short bit at the end he had seen of the man bothering Rapunzel. "For the record, I'm not jealous or anything." He took another bite of food.

Her attention darted to him. "Of that guy before?" You did seem jealous...

"Yeah." Not that I have any right to a relationship with you anyway. "I mean, you can do whatever you want of course- talk to whoever you want, but, here?" He looked her in the eye, his concern softly wrinkling his brow. "Here, right now, it's different."

"Well, how exactly?"

"Well," Eugene nodded graciously to her, "What were you two talking about?"

"He kept asking me question after question," she complained. "About me and about you. But I do know not to give out any important information."

"He knew my name- not shocking actually, considering the posters- but now he knows we're connected, and who I met with."

"Oh…" His name… "Should I not have- I gave him that name…"

"Yeah, that's fine. Like I said, posters."

"But, well, what else does that all mean?"

Eugene looked at her, both full of worry. "Not your fault, but…" He kept his voice as low as possible. "It means he may be able to figure out that I was the guy on this job."

Rapunzel worried at her lip, mulling it all over. "I didn't tell him who I was, at least."

"Good." He smiled brightly at her. Her hand was resting on the counter, and his joined it. They locked eyes, their grins growing, safe in the public crowd, where no one could stop them.


The Captain, Eugene, and Rapunzel left at the same time. As they walked back to their horses, content with their work, Eugene and Rapunzel noticed the man who had been talking to her was lingering. He sat on his horse, almost hidden under a shady tree, opposite where theirs were tied, watching them as they exited.

Rapunzel whispered, "Is that-?"

The man raised a handheld crossbow.

Eugene saw the line of fire- "CAP!" -and dove to push him out of the way.

"EUGENE!" Rapunzel shrieked after him, noting the same danger he had, only doubled as he threw himself in front of it.

Eugene's upper arm was winged by the bolt, tearing through his white sleeve and leaving a red gash sliced into his deltoid. He cried out from the heavy slash as they both tumbled to the ground, hitting the dirt road hard.

The Captain recovered immediately, dirty but unscathed. He scrambled to his feet to watch the back of their assailant fleeing into the distance, followed by his extra men already rushing past them in pursuit.

Eugene's hand shot to his arm, applying pressure as he cringed and growled out in pain loudly.

Rapunzel watched everything in slow motion, and so registered quickly that Eugene was not badly hurt this time. She grabbed Max's reins off the post as she climbed atop him in one step, and they were off.

Eugene yelled as he rolled over to press his forehead into the ground, trying to alleviate the pain by redistributing it, and to get his mind clear from the shock. What if I'd caught the full hit… defending the stupid Captain?! His body braced, not knowing if the attack was over. He coughed and strained to the ground, "Ho my God. Ohhh my God…" I don't wanna die- again- not just for this!

The Captain watched him with wide-eyed fear and awe.

Eugene forced his eyes open to scan their surroundings, blurry as his vision was at the moment. He saw the Captain watching him, and the blur of horses speeding away down the road. "Cap- they're gettin' away," he groaned.

The Captain slid to his knees in front of Eugene and grabbed his good shoulder. "On your back." Whimpering, Eugene managed to understand and comply, flopping over onto his back. He still could not bring himself to look at the wound. "You're fine, just…"

"Jurst…" Eugene gasped through gritted teeth, "Stiiiings…" The panic rushing throughout his system hurt worse though. "I may also be having a panic attack!" he wheezed.

The Captain further readjusted him to lay on his side on his good arm, and urged his reddened hand away as he replaced it with his own for the pressure. He looked around quickly, but settled on the bloodied sleeve of the injured arm. With a strong pinch of cloth, he yanked the shoulder hem open, then stripped the rest of the sleeve clear off.

Eugene winced as the collar dug into his neck and he felt his sleeve disappear- Insult to injury!- as the Captain of all people began to bandage him up. Two days ago you were aiming for my vital organs…

"How you feel?"

"I'll be fine," Eugene groaned, still tense and still trying to catch his breath.

"Yeah, you will be. That's a deep cut, but probably feels worse than it looks. Should heal up just fine, though." He talked while he wrapped the sleeve around the wound, bloodying the entire thing, and tied a tight knot to staunch it. "Alright, Sir, let's get you back to really get that cleaned up."

Eugene looked up at him funny. The fuhh…?

"Ah-" the Captain finally caught himself and quickly blinked back to look stern. "Lapsis linguae."

Eugene huffed a laugh as he rolled onto his knees.

The Captain stood up, and helped Eugene to his feet even though he did not necessarily need it. He kept his hold on his good forearm to get his full attention. "Thank you."

Eugene melted a little from the bonding moment. "Don't sweat it. You got my back, too, right?" he said hopefully but ultimately without certainty.

With an ever so slight smile showing, the Captain grunted and nodded curtly, then released him.

He smirked. "Still think it was me?"

"Yeah, I was wrong…" he admitted with surprised relief, but also humility. "They're cleaning the operation."

Eugene locked eyes with him knowingly.

"Eliminating everyone involved."

"Someone's trying to break the chain," he added. "Even more than it already was…"

"How much do you really know about these people? Think about it, Rider. You're the lowest man in the pecking order, but you knew more than you were supposed to. Now you've gone rogue, helping us. What all would someone need to pay any of them to bump you off?"

He gulped, remembering getting passed around Snuggly Duckling. "Not much…" He looked up to the Captain, pleadingly, gripping the man's caring handiwork on his arm.

He grunted, but nodded assuredly at him. "Don't worry, I need you alive."

Eugene huffed a laugh at even the slight relief that gave him. "Thanks. Flattered. Aaand still freaked out." Then he turned all around, bracing now to be tackled in a hug… that never came. He and the Captain had been left alone. Worry struck again. "Where's Rapunzel?"


"She must've gone after that guy herself!" Eugene yelled over as he and the Captain sped down the way they had seen everyone else head.

"And the sun sets in the west. Nothing gets by you!" the Captain yelled back. "Besides, I told you to stay at the bar!"

"Are you CRAZY? I'm goin' after Rapunzel!"

"You're too valuable, idiot!"

"And the Princess isn't?! Anyway I know where he's headed!"


"Tony" managed to shake the rest of the trailing guards, but not Maximus and Rapunzel. As they headed west, the area got rockier, around a few twists through a narrowing passage that eventually opened up to a beachy cove, concealed by cliffs surrounding its crescent. They were approaching a relatively short pier jutting out to where a small steamer ship sat, ready to leave for the open ocean beyond.

"We've got him now," Rapunzel whispered smugly to Max. "He's got nowhere to go." She unlatched a coil of rope from his saddle, and just before the other horse made it to the pier, she lassoed him right off of it. Haha YES!

"Oof!" He landed back on the dark gravelly sand, and immediately began grappling to get a hand on the rest of the length.

His horse, with his crossbow still strapped to the saddle, continued on, down the pier and up the ramp to the ship.

Rapunzel slid off her saddle and wound the rope back up on her arm as she approached him. "Well, well, well! Looks like you're not going anywhe- Ah!"

He had used the rope between them to trip her off her feet himself, and the two began scrapping in a ball. Eventually, he got enough rope around her, and enough slack for himself, that she was safely restrained enough.

Oh no… My hair was great for distance, but close up- She cringed, but was more angry and annoyed than she was scared, so she still gave him a battle face.

He produced a small knife and sliced the part that still wrapped around him. "There we go, Blondie," he stood and hoisted her to her feet beside him. "Like me after all did you?" he mocked her as he shoved her to walk backwards with him toward the pier, while she struggled and grunted and growled at him.

Max tried breighing at the pair and posturing to intimidate the man, but he merely brandished his knife to him, then held it against Rapunzel's side as a threat.

She gasped and stopped struggling. What have I done?!

Max stilled as well, but maintained his glare at the man.

"Easy horsey," the man tried to soothe him.

A voice in the distance just barely carried to them, and Rapunzel and the man both looked up.

Eugene!

"Come on, move it!" he began hurrying her.

They were halfway down the pier when Eugene and the Captain came tearing out onto the shore, all the way to the pier, where their horses finally halted.

The Captain was seething, but Eugene had paled, his tunnel-vision seeing only her. NO...

"Trade?" the man called. "Flynn Rider for the girl, Captain."

"I'm sorry!" Rapunzel called out as she struggled a bit more, but froze as she felt the edge press against her side again.

Eugene and Rapunzel locked eyes.

And she saw it in him again. No-... Eugene, don't! Any worry for herself dissipated.

"Cap…" he said breathlessly before turning to him. "Let me go. I won't say anything, I swear." At least he doesn't know who she is. I'M his target, not her.

The Captain kept his aim on the target, but glanced at him.

"Don't! It's okay!" she yelled for him, "I've got this!"

"Blondie!" Eugene rose and shifted on his saddle, ready to hop off.

"You stay on that horse, Rider!"

"Aw, look at that," he said just to Rapunzel. "Guess your boyfriend does care. But it's him I'm after."

She smirked through her disgust. "The reward for him's been lifted," she sneered. "I'm-" As Princess I'm worth more to this guy right now… She gasped as she realized it. But if I tell him that… They were still ever so slowly inching backward.

Meanwhile Eugene was hissing through his teeth to the Captain. "I am worthless to you without her!"

The Captain merely glanced at him again.

The ship's engine sounded ready to kick off.

"Cap!" Eugene yelled, frantic.

"Ship's leavin', Rider!"

Eugene's eyes narrowed. He leapt off his horse and jogged onto the pier.

"RIDER!" the Captain yelled, as Rapunzel screamed but caught herself, "EU-!"

Eugene slowed to a calm walk, hands raised, beginning to make his way down the pier. "Easy now, I'm unarmed. Just let the girl go, and I'll go with you." They were at the end, with the ship beginning to pull away. Halfway down himself, he finally moved to one side of the pier, gesturing for her to have the rest of the path to leave, as he continued toward them.

As soon as Eugene got out of his line of sight, the Captain fired.

Rapunzel screamed as the bolt hit the man's shoulder barely an inch beside her, but bounced off, though it was enough to shock him into dropping both his knife and his hold on her. Eugene broke into a run down the rest of the pier, but the man hopped off onto the ship at the last possible moment.

Oh crap! Eugene went to Rapunzel first, who was shuddering from the shot herself. He made quick work of dropping the tangled rope from about her, and holding her close. "Are you alright?!"

She was soon breathing easy again, and hugging him back. "Yes, yes I'm fine- I'm so sorry… but-" She turned to look back at the departed ship.

He watched it with her. "He wouldn't've hurt you. He wanted me."

"I…" I could've told him who I was… "I know."

He hid his face in her neck, to whisper. "Oh I wish I could kiss you right now!"

She giggled, "Me too." Oh-! She pushed him away to look at his own wound, the completely reddened cloth wrapped around the top of his arm. "Are you okay?!"

"Yeah, yeah," he brushed off. He held her arm and waist as they walked back down the pier, but when they reached the sand again, he urged her off toward Max, while he stomped back in rage towards the Captain. "Are you OUT of YOUR MIND?!"

"Relax, Rider," he stretched in his saddle, "I had the shot-"

"He was wearing gambeson! WHAT made you THINK you'd get him like that?! What if you hit HER?!""

"LISTEN," he bellowed back, "YOU pull a stunt like that again, I'LL kill ya before they can. I told you to stay on that horse. How do I know this isn't one elaborate ruse of yours for you to high-tail it outta here?! Back to wherever you crawled out of?!"

Rapunzel had just mounted Max, but she turned back in obvious offense. Eugene gaped at him incredulously. "Are you kidding me?" He stopped bothering, shook his head, and climbed back on his horse, immediately leading the way back towards the pass. "Let's go!"

Max jolted to get going and catch up, but the Captain raced to cut Eugene off, halting him once more.

"Where's that ship headed, Rider?"

Still trying to catch his breath, he took one more big inhale and sighed. "It's a smuggler ship. Their next stop'll be the Southern Isles. But with nothing on him, and wanting me? Clearly not for a reward if I'm already riding with Corona? He's only smuggling information."

It all connected for the Captain, and his expression relaxed in regretful shock.

"I wanted to capture him, not chase him off!" Eugene sneered, before jerking his horse around the Captain's to spitefully continue on his way. Idiot! No wonder you could never catch me.


On the ride back, Eugene had cooled his temper toward the Captain. Once Rapunzel was also distracted getting acquainted with the guards, he calmly tried to strike up a friendly chat once again. "Sooo… What happens to me when this is done?"

The Captain looked to him in surprise, but just silently stared at him long and hard.

Eugene sighed. "Look, I overheard part of what you and the King were talking about this morning-"

"You did?" he frowned, alarmed.

"Ah- just about how I'm not out of the woods yet." He cringed. "And I guess that's why you were still suspicious of me today."

The Captain's brow furrowed hard, piercing eyes searching his.

"I know I've got this pardon, but once we find everybody else involved? I'm just, free to go, right?" He paused for an answer the Captain refused to give. "I mean, right? Or is this all just a ploy to keep me around… until..."

The Captain looked off towards Rapunzel excitedly telling them how she had, for a time at least, caught the man they were chasing. "Well, with him gone, looks like you're gonna be stickin' around a lil longer. But maybe you don't wanna leave." The Captain pointedly glanced from Rapunzel to him and back again.

"You-..." He glanced at Rapunzel himself. "You think I let him get away?!"

"Well, once this mystery is solved, what other reason is there for you to stay?"

Eugene gulped. "She may be safe with me personally, but it's not safe for her to be associated with me. That guy didn't know who she was, only that she might lead him to me."

"You think she's any safer as a famous princess? An only child?"

He gulped again. "A little safer…"

"So what're your plans?"

"After this, I-… I dunno." I know exactly what. He cleared his throat and sighed. "I break her heart, then get lost." He looked back up to him, comforted by only one thought. "But until then, you-" he pointed, "You need me."

"Unfortunately," the Captain groaned, glaring at him, "We do."


When they returned, each was whisked away to clean up, as much as their silent expressions protested. Eugene was taken to get his arm properly cleaned and bandaged, and Rapunzel for a full bath to get all the sand off. The Queen had already seen to it that Rapunzel had a new dress, with more on the way, though she declined any shoes. So once Eugene was done, the Queen took him to the tailor's quarters.


"Heyyy, Rapunzel?" he grabbed his elbow in shyness, lingering in her bedroom doorway, trying not to snoop too much.

"Oh," she was taken aback by his demeanor, but jumped up. "Eugene! I was just getting my paints set up!" She proudly gestured to the area. "My mom even got an easel for me!"

"Oh, nice," he marvelled.

"And oh," she hopped over to him, "That's a nice outfit!"

He blushed. "Heh, thanks. Also courtesy Your Mom. Uh, yours, too, by the way- your dress," he chuckled.

"How's your arm?" she winced herself as she gingerly touched his shoulder.

"It's fine," he happily insisted. "Seriously, please, do not worry about it."

She frowned. "Well, alright. But you know you can ask me for anything, right?"

"Right," he smiled fondly, "Um, so, listen though, will you come with me somewhere?"

"Of course!" she laughed. "Where to?"

"Uh," he switched to rubbing his neck. "Just another part of the castle, kind of."

She smiled as she joined his side. "Well, what part of the castle?"

"The… church?" He cringed.

She chuckled. "What's that?"

He sighed, and she cringed at herself. You're the most 'sheltered' person ever, and she did that without religion? "It's… a whole thing. I'll try to explain a bit. It's not that big a deal, really, but the place is really amazing, so I thought maybe you'd like to see it?"

She had been biting her lip. Oooh, should not have laughed at him! But she turned somber to match his mood. "Of course, Eugene..."


Hand in hand, they approached from a side vestibule connecting the castle and church's northern transept. Eugene pulled the creaking wooden door open, but had just barely stepped inside when he froze. The door swung shut behind them, echoing throughout.

I should not be here… He gulped. Nonsense, I know full well I can and SHOULD be here. If there's anywhere I 'should' be, THIS is definitely it.

Whoa… Rapunzel was already awed by the suddenly massive open space. From where they stood, all she could see was the gray stone of the transept, arcade of columns along the perpendicular nave, and high vaulted ceiling arches. Her upward gaze brought her back to him. "Eugene?"

"Shh," he reflexively hushed. He reached over and dipped two fingers in the small font to bless himself.

Rapunzel watched him, then tugged on his arm to question if she should as well.

He paused, his mind falling back in time and eyes darting to check himself on his catechism. In the end just shrugged and whispered, "Yeah, go ahead."

Umm… She dipped all of her fingers in and touched the right points, but out of order.

He just closed his eyes and sighed with a smirk.

She made a friendly pout up at him, but then crossed her eyes trying to watch one big drop of the holy water roll down to her nose.

He chuckled and wiped it off her.

"Whaaat?" she whined in a whisper.

"Nothing, Sweetheart." He ruffled her hair and smiled, but hesitated. Oh, shoot, her hair!? He glanced around. Alright, shouldn't be anyone important around… He shook his head. That's a stupid rule anyway. "You're fine."

There was no mass at the moment, and at this hour there was hardly anyone around.

He led the way over to the pews, his boots making more echoes on the stone tile.

As they made their way farther in, the rounded apse to their left came into view. Soaring arched glass windows made up the entire curve, all the way up to the barrel vault ceiling. The golden light of the evening sun set the entire altar aglow.

Rapunzel gasped so sharply at the sight that she startled Eugene, who was also idly taking it in. Her neck craned up and up and up, futilely wishing she could take it all in at once. This place! It's so beautiful! And enormous! Oh my gosh, the stone? The carvings? How did they ever build this?! The ceiling is so high! And so many windows! With glass! But so little support! Oh, but those arches, with the braces along the- "Whoa!" As she leaned back too far while twisting, she lost her balance and fell back against Eugene's arm.

He snickered at her, and shouldered her off back onto her feet. Then he kept his voice low and as solemn as possible. "I've only been here a couple times, but it is so beautiful. This is the main church, St. Michel's. We used to go to the smaller one, St. Pierre's, but I figured, we shouldn't be wandering around town right now, and it was a nice excuse to come here again."

She turned back and smiled at him, recognizing his vulnerability. He just didn't want to come here alone. There was a stack of books just inside one of the pews, and after a brief glance around, she tentatively picked one up. The rest underneath it were all identical, with varying wear and tear. She opened to a random page, but could not read the words. This is… nonsense? She turned to Eugene.

He was standing stiffly just beside the pew, with a death grip on the side of it, gazing over the altar, biting his lip and struggling to keep himself composed. I... died… I DIED! - BUT SHE…! HOW?! And turning the rest of my life around- I know I can- but it still feels impossible to actually feel welcome again...

Rapunzel tugged his sleeve again, hoping to disturb his obviously troubling thoughts. Startled, he looked to her and managed to focus his frantic eyes on her confused face. "Um," she whispered, "What is this?" She held the book out to him.

"It's a missal," he began explaining. "It's different from a Bible. It keeps track of what readings and celebrations for each mass-" She was only looking more confused, so he finally looked to read what it was open to. "Oh, it's in French. And this is… Jean, that's John-" His heart jolted as he recalled the numbers and noticed the passage ahead. He took the book from her, and with a quake in his voice, he continued, pointing as he went. "Book of John, chapter 15, verse 13… Nul n'a un plus grand amour… que de donner sa vie pour ses amis…" He fell silent, the wind gone from him.

She watched him with growing concern. "Eugene?" She placed her hand over his left, which tenderly lay atop the page.

"Rapunzel, I…" I'm not a fucking 'hero!' I've done nothing good before that one moment, then I was lucky to get out of there with my life, and that was only because of YOU! YOU SAVED ME! Again, HOW?! He cleared his throat. "It means… There is no greater love, than to lay down one's life for a friend." He looked to her expectantly.

And she met his eyes, with such an intense depth that he did not fight it. Her mouth fell open in awe. "Eugene, you-"

He cut her off sharply. "So did you."

"I-..." I laid down my freedom- for the rest of my life- so, basically, yeah… Her voice fell to a mumble. "We both did…"

"But you saved me," he stressed. "You. And I don't understand how…"

"I'm… not quite sure myself." Crying was the only thing different… She sighed and frowned, but had her own vexing questions. "Eugene, I don't understand, what is all this? I mean, how can you read this? What is this all about?"

"I know French," he answered automatically. "And Latin." Finally he looked at her confused face again. Oh… "They're different languages. And everything else, is religion..." He shook his head. "I don't know how to explain the whole thing."

She held his arm in comfort, then continued looking around as she wondered aloud, hoping to help. "Why did you used to come here? Or the other one, like you said?"

His head spun from the memories that prompt drew out. "I made my Communion and Confirmation here," he mumbled weakly. "The other one was for weekly mass-" He turned away, his heart aching for that long ago past. "I…" His breathing was unsteady, as he looked down the aisle and up the columns and arches all the way to the ceiling, til his eyes wandered to the altar and stayed glued there, entranced. "I liked the sense of belonging… and the... hope, that people would do the right thing…" He looked back to her as he bit his lip. "But I've never believed in anything as real as you."

Rapunzel watched his eyes, unable to understand his thoughts, but found she cared so deeply for the feelings she saw behind them. And I replaced… this? She gulped. "I'm sorry you lost that," she said as she brushed his bangs back, her fingers continuing over his ear. "I…" she shrugged, "I've never had that, not really…"

"It was nice," he shrugged. "While it lasted."

"But," she questioned, "You say- Was this like, something about… magic?"

That lightened his mood as he gawked at her. "Uhhh, yeah, maybe something like that," he laughed. He slipped his fingers into her hair as he brushed it back over her head, entirely away from her forehead, which he then kissed. "Thank you, Blondie," he continued chuckling.

"Well," How else to comfort him? "Then I hope you feel like you belong with me…"

He just smiled sweetly at her, then looked to a side doorway to a staircase he had spotted before, and smirked. "Hey, here, come on." He took her hand and pulled.

Rapunzel's face lit up and she happily scampered over with him. More exploring?!

They climbed the staircase to the second story, then found themselves outside on a narrow dead-end terrace, but with a view out towards the mainland. They ran to the edge, taking in the scene as twilight was falling, painting the sky a streaked gradient from orange to pink to purple to indigo. Flecks of silver stars were just becoming visible above, and golden glows slowly dotted the buildings below. Dazzled in wonder, each wrapped an arm around the other's waist.

It's so beautiful everywhere around here… Rapunzel continually lost her breath at the sights.

Eugene's attention quickly drifted to watching her.

She eventually noticed him staring, causing her to blush and him to grin. "Nobody can see us up here, can they?"

A breeze picked up, touseling their hair.

"No, they can't," he said, smiling wistfully, bangs flying in his eyes.

She shyly brushed a hand through her hair to keep the short ends from floating about. When she looked back up to him, his own dreamy gaze had picked up its own extra spots of reflection in his eyes. Entranced, she moved in, and he soon reciprocated. Their chests met, then, slowly, their lips, immediately followed by tongues dancing. Her arms rushed to his neck, one hand on his heated flesh, the other diving into his hair, pulling a moan from him. His arms snapped around her waist, one running up to embrace the length of her back.

He can't help but love me, can he? It's like an impulsive selfishness, but it means wonders for me… That he'd give me such time and attention and affection!

I'll take what we can get. But that such a wonderful person could love me?

A few blissful moments passed in this heaven, until Eugene heard a shoe shift on the stone, that was not his. He ripped himself back in a sudden stroke of terror, which exploded from him when he looked past Rapunzel and saw the other footwear's owner. KING! "Your M-..." His voice died, painfully aware of how wet his lips were, and from who. He took another step back from her for good measure, then froze, not sure his legs could support another step.

Rapunzel protested his leaving a bit, but when she saw how he was not looking at her exactly and how his face paled, she whirled around. Her father stood in the doorway. "Da-..." She fell back against the ledge. No- Eugene- don't- you can't punish him for this!

The King paused, perfectly calm himself. "Good evening," he said, with sarcasm and the slightest smile that explained he had seen everything.

Eugene fell back a few more steps, shaking as he grabbed and leaned against the ledge himself. He gulped, wide-eyed. His mind immediately pinged his position up here- Over, down, around the corner, slide down the tiles, run along the buttresses til- NO. He took a deep breath, bracing.

Rapunzel stepped forward. There is a way out of here, I just don't know which way yet. "Dad!" she smiled cheerfully, "What are you doing here?"

"Ohhh," he stepped forward, but still blocked the doorway. He mused, "I was just coming to find you two for dinner, and someone had seen you run off up here." His smile grew more into a stern smirk. He eyed both of them carefully as they stayed frozen. Finally he took a deep breath and walked over to the widened space of ledge that had opened up between them. Hands clasped, he leaned his arms over the ledge. He squinted into the distance himself at the scenery, appreciating the breeze on his own face and hair.

After letting them stew long enough, he asked, "Have you ever heard the story of St. Michel?"

Rapunzel and Eugene locked eyes, then looked back to him.

"I have," Eugene practically whispered. Then his brow furrowed as he looked out towards where the King was looking. Chased me up here, cornered, gonna kick me out?

"I haven't," Rapunzel drifted closer to her father.

The King recounted the peasant tale of St. Michel bargaining with his neighbor the Devil for his fields, and how the Saint always got the upperhand.

Rapunzel grew distressed as she listened to the story. She had not yet expected the ending when he finished. "Wait, that's it?"

The King cleared his throat. "Well, yes, it's just a local tale."

Rapunzel huffed at the confrontation. "But St. Michel was being greedy. It was him who tricked the Devil! That doesn't sound very nice, or fair, or- or…"

Eugene bit his tongue but raised his brow as he studied the ground. Hospitable?

"It is the Devil, after all-" The King shrugged.

"But he wasn't hurting anyone," she argued. Her eyes darted between her father and Eugene, and back again. "Why did you tell me that story?"

"It's just one of the legends that goes with this kingdom-" the King calmly gestured to the towering church and castle.

Rapunzel's arm shot out towards Eugene. "Are trying to say you're going to kick Eugene out?!"

Eugene stiffened in terror. I appreciate the fervor, but...

She continued, "You invited him in! And he hasn't hurt anyone! What- Just because of who he is?!"

The King stood up straight and tall, taking it all in stoically.

"You wouldn't have anything if not for him, bargaining with you," she laid her case out.

While staring into her determined eyes, the King finally spoke. "Eugene."

He started where he was slouched and cowering out of his line of sight. "Yes Sir?" he tried to say as humbly but respectfully as possible.

He did not look at him as he continued. "Go downstairs and wait by the door to the Castle vestibule."

"Yes Sir." Eugene jolted into step and headed straight there.

Rapunzel continued glaring at her father.

When the King was sure he was far enough away, he spoke again as he relaxed leaning back against the ledge this time. "I had never thought much of it as a metaphor."

Rapunzel glanced away and down. He's just going to deflect and tell me I'm crazy for reading too much into it.

"You're very sharp yourself, aren't you?"

"I don't know," she sighed and fidgeted.

"But you're so quiet sometimes…" the King thought out loud to her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"It's alright," he assured her, "I'm just… curious as to why."

"I'm just quiet," she mumbled again.

He stared at her, unsure what to make of her answer, but moved on. "And this young man, you defend him?"

She flashed back to screaming at the sight of him dropping in the tower, then bargaining to heal him, and last night ensuring he was not in trouble for her sneaking in. "Yes." Then it all flipped, to him defending her. "He defends me, too. He…" Sliced my hair… and I'm so glad he did because- "He saved me. I wouldn't be here without him."

He twisted his tongue around in thought and crossed his arms. "You know, last night, he confessed to me…" he watched her face carefully, as she grew alarmed, "That he loves you."

She froze, her mind screaming. She figured she should speak, but only a choking sound came out.

His eyes narrowed. "And what do you have to say about that?"

"I-" she looked down nervously, "I don't wanna get him in trouble."

"Rapunzel," he raised his brow and leaned toward her, proving he was serious while maintaining neutrality, "Do you love him?"

If he's already told him, then… She looked up to his chest at least, and answered meekly, "Yes…" She sighed in defeat. "Is he in trouble?"

"No, Sweetheart." He reached for her shoulders to pull her into a comforting hug, that she eagerly fell into. "Not unless you want him to be?" he teased.

She chuckled in ecstatic relief. "Alright."

"Rapunzel," he said tenderly, "I just want you to know that, your Mother and I, we love and care about you, so much. We want for you to be happy here."

Her smile turned a little flat and firm. She nodded. "I know." 'Here…' Me staying 'here' means without Eugene. And what happiness could that ever be.

He nodded back. "Now then, dinner?"

She nodded again, almost morosely.

As they re-emerged from the staircase, Eugene picked his head up. He obediently and rigidly stood at the door they had first entered through. He waited as they crossed toward him. "Y-your Majesty," he stuttered out weakly as they neared.

"Rapunzel, go on ahead," the King directed.

She blanched at him, then to Eugene, who only dared glance back at her. "No," she stated angrily as she halted.

The King looked to her, surprised, but then turned back to Eugene, serious once more. "Mr. Fitzherbert."

He gulped.

"You know why you're here," he said sternly looking down his nose.

He cast his eyes down. "Yeah I- I think I got it…" To keep her happy, until… Til I'm not needed anymore.

The King passed with a nod, then Rapunzel grabbed Eugene's arm to hang on once more, but he shifted it to look more like he was escorting her.

"So am I in trouble?" he whispered.

"Apparently not until I say so," she quietly chuckled back.

"'Until?'" he repeated with an alarm that begged for her to be joking.

She laughed at him.

His own grin finally settled in. For now…


Eugene's stomach twinged, the same way it had yesterday. He slowed his chewing. What the… He glanced around, mushing the food around his mouth. Well what the hell else am I supposed to do? He swiftly scooped up his napkin from his lap, and discreetly emptied his mouth, then carefully folded over it and wiped his lips.

The King and Queen watched him, both growing concerned.

He glanced up between the both of them, then down to his plate again, mortified. "Sorry…" But now what? He glared into the steak and its glaze and sides, trying to analyze their color, texture, consistency, and seasoning flecks. What is it… His brow furrowed deeper.

"Eugene?" Rapunzel asked first. He'd never turn down a meal like this! "What's the matter?"

"Could I try yours?" he asked quietly, uncertain of everything around him at the moment. She's the PRINCESS. If hers is different than mine, then…

She blinked, taken aback. Why? She looked at his food, with different sides than hers. Maybe the meat was bad or not cooked right. It can be difficult to get meat cooked correctly! "Uh, sure."

His neck twinged as he meekly but quickly reached his fork over to pluck a perfect cube off of her plate and pop it into his mouth. I have to know!

"Eugene?" the King asked tentatively, the furrow of his brow cut deep as trenches into his forehead.

He stared into nothing as he concentrated on his chewing. This one tastes the same though… His heart rate sped up as he grew nervous. Finally he slowed his mouth again, and looked up to Rapunzel. With his mouth full, he covered it with his hand to ask her, "And you feel fine?"

"Yeah, why? Yours looks fine." She studied both his face and his plate. It's well-done...

"My stomach would disagree. But let's see." He swallowed, and as it settled, the pain seemed to dissipate the tiniest bit. It can't be… After what the Captain said earlier, it makes sense, but- in here?! How?! Who?!

"What is it?" the King interjected.

Eugene tried to open his mouth to speak but only gasped in terror, at least only at his fearful predictions thus far, as his jaw trembled and he tried to find his voice. "I'm sorry Sir," he whined as quietly as he could. "But I think something's wr-ong." His jaw and lips quivered at the end, as his breathing readied itself for fight or flight, as his eyes studied the King closely. He bit his lips together. He still needs me. And he could order me executed at any moment. So who…?

The King studied his eyes and face right back, then reached his fork towards Eugene's plate, only for Eugene to parry it with his own.

Eugene cringed, but was shocked. Okay so obviously HE doesn't wanna kill me! Help me then! He looked up to the old man like a sad, scared child.

The King gingerly settled back into his own space, though his eyes saw red, and yet the former thief was not quite the target of that anger. "Guard," he called out, then looked to the nearest man who had turned his head, "Go fetch the Captain."

Eugene sunk back and down into his seat, arms crossed close against himself. "I'm sorry," he whined, "I'm so sorry…"

"How are you feeling?" the King whispered, with great concern.

"Kind of like last night? But last night was fish… In red sauce... And I'm not allergic to anything..."

Rapunzel had her own curious tension finally break and the cold wave of anxiety flooded over her now. "Mine tasted different?"

"Not the taste," Eugene shook his head, "But it didn't hurt my stomach." He went back to biting both lips.

Rapinzel's mouth fell open, watching him tentatively. The same as last night… She leaned close to him and whispered, "Poison?"

He finally showed her his worried eyes.

She sat back up straight, brushed both hands through her hair and held there, trying to remain calm herself. He can't- But if he does, I can't-!

"Eugene, Darling," the Queen delicately interrupted. "Drink some water."

He looked up but eyed his goblet of water critically.

The Queen passed hers over. "Here."

"Don't you worry young man," the King whispered, trying to reassure him. "Just stay calm, my boy. We'll take care of you."

Eugene nodded, trying to keep his mind blank as he anxiously rubbed his forehead. He took the Queen's glass and gulped it all down.

Rapunzel eyed his arm. I know he said- but… "Eugene," she latched onto it, looking for his approval. "How do you feel exactly?"

He took a deep breath. "Pretty okay still, but now I'm nervous… I just had one bite of mine and spit the other one out, but I don't know..." He bit at his lips, regret creeping in with his worries. "Rapunzel," he snatched her hand below the table.

Rapunzel froze and stared wide-eyed at him. She was at last getting the hang of what her parents should not see, only for him to go be reckless now.

"I am so sorry I got you into this."

"Eugene," she laughed nervously, gripping his hand back, "If you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't be here."

Exactly. He bit his lip, pointlessly weighing a cosmic trade off of giving up knowing her and her possibly remaining in the tower, versus not getting her mixed up in this plot- letting her fall in love with him only to lose him like this. Is this what I get...

"Eugene, just don't freak out…"

"Heh, yeah. Don't freak out," he repeated more to himself than anything.

The Captain arrived, spoke privately with the King as the old man glared him down, and they both leaned in close to each other. But then the Captain snapped back in alarm, at attention, and looked to Eugene with a new type of terror on his face. Eugene tried to give kicked puppy dog eyes back. The Captain hurried back out.

He returned shortly, leading a large burly man in chef's whites, flanked by half a dozen guards, who closed the doors behind themselves.

The King laid the plate down before him. "Eat."

"What is the meaning of this! How dare anyone insult my cooking. To even insinuate that I would ever turn on you, m'Lord!"

"Not me," the King growled gravely. "But this young gentleman."

The Chef's scowl only deepened. "This little pipsqueak?! If I wanted to kill him, I'd wring his scrawny neck or skewer that skinny waist of his!"

"Ah-hah-haaa...," Eugene nervously fake-laughed. "Ya know, been faced with both those options before, and, gotta say, still not a fan of either."

"Is there anyone else new working under you?" the King grilled the chef.

"No!" he answered indignantly.

"Ya know, not that I'd prefer poison either," Eugene quietly continued rambling to the table. "Or getting shot…"

"Well then?" the King asked the chef, who shrugged in outrageous frustration.

"I just really don't wanna die," Eugene concluded to himself.

"Our esteemed guest here," the King announced, "Became ill from your cooking last night, and tonight he says it feels like the same thing is beginning to happen again."

"Only faster," Eugene called over to add, still gulping down more water from the Queen's refilled goblet.

"Fine!" The chef snatched a chunk of meat off the plate and quickly ate it.

"We'll wait," the King commanded.

Rapunzel stayed glued to watching Eugene, her face wrought with worry. "Are you alright?" she kept asking. She ran her hand over his forehead every so often, wiping away sweat and keeping an eye on his temperature.

He kept squashing his smile and whispering, "I'm fine, I'll be okay..."

The stand-off did not need to last long. Soon, the chef's demeanor changed, and when he could no longer deny the reaction, clutched at his stomach. His voice fell with regret. "Y-Your Majesty, I- I don't know what could have gone wrong-"

The King's outraged face turned from him. "Captain."

The Captain nodded, and motioned for his men to drag the chef away out of the room.

Eugene watched in horror and opened his mouth to protest, but ultimately only cringed.

"Eugene, come- come on." Rapunzel pulled on his arm, "I'll make you something." And I'll feel much better knowing exactly what goes into it. And… hopefully you'll like my cooking! She could not help but grin in anticipation.

It no longer occurred to him to be uncomfortable with her on his arm; he looked down at her sweet concern and smiled crookedly. "Really? I'd love that- uh-" he glanced to her parents, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Pfft," she smirked and raised an eyebrow at him. "Come on. I'm serving you now."


The Captain went ahead of them, cleared the kitchen out of any other personnel, then stood guard at the door, with other guards posted at the other doorways to the outside.

Despite being both lost and dazzled by the extensive kitchen, Rapunzel quickly whipped up something. The King sat with Eugene at a table, while the Queen sweetly tried to help Rapunzel. Both women blushed as they awkwardly tried to work together.

Eugene rested his elbows on the table, hands clasped in front of his face. "Thank you," he said quietly to the King beside him. "And I'm sorry I've been so much trouble."

The King chuckled, "No more trouble than you were the other day."

Eugene chuckled back.

"In fact," the King said quietly, "I'm quite certain that's not what trouble looks like at all." He pointed to his girls.

Eugene's stomach flipped from the weight of that gratitude again, and merely settled back in to watch them himself.

Rapunzel and the Queen managed to make a pasta dish, with vegetables, in a garlicky white cream sauce. Having all abandoned their dinner upstairs, they made up plates for the whole family.

While the rest ate, restless Rapunzel found canisters of loose tea, one labeled "Chamomile," and opened it to sniff. Yep, that's it! She fixed a large mug for him, and presented it as well. "This will help you calm down, too."

"Oh, thanks," he said as he took the mug.

The Queen added, "And it should help with any other pain you may still have."

"Mm," he acknowledged while blowing on the steam.

"Oh, right," Rapunzel mumbled, cringing. "I always forget those ones since, ya know," she ran her hand through the air where her hair used to be.

Her drop in mood triggered Eugene to look up, concerned, but wary of saying anything.

The Queen continued, "Lots of flowers have medicinal uses."

"I know…" Rapunzel responded meekly, suddenly uneasy and distant. 'Flower'... Just- she tried to focus, tried to block out the memories flashing by, Just don't get sick, Eugene, please!

"Sweetheart? Is everything alright?"

"Blondie," Eugene called with a deep determined voice, comforting her wounds only he could see.

She looked up to meet his stern, protective eyes, immediately recognizing his love shining through once more.

"Look where you are," he directed, "Look who you're with." He held his hand out.

As he ignored those same reasons he should not be so forward, she looked around at the castle kitchen, and her parents. Nobody here expects me to just be their medicinal tool. She sighed, dropping her head with relief and embarrassment. She grabbed his hand.

He held it tight. "Nobody is ever going to 'use' you ever again."

"Thank you," she cringed, but smiled.

"Thank you for the meal!" He sat back and gestured to the plate. "This is delicious!"

"Mm," her parents agreed.

"Yes, Darling!"

"Wonderful, Sweetheart!"

"Thanks!" she bounced up, beaming.


Later that night in her blue nightgown again, Rapunzel stood out on Eugene's balcony, leaning on the stone ledge and serenely soaking up the salty humid night.

Eugene exited the bathroom wearing only his pants and, with his bed untouched, but fireplace newly lit, he looked for her. "Blondie?"

"Oh!" Jolted into action, she ran back inside and came flying out from one of the offshoot doors he had not explored. "Eugene, I didn't realize this was a corner room, too! Have you seen the view from here?!"

"Oh," his interest in the views from the castle was re-piqued. "No I haven't," he smiled and headed over. "Let's see."

It was a smaller sitting room with another balcony of its own, whose doors were thrown open wide. The evening sea breeze gently toyed with the sheer curtains. A stiff, straight-backed loveseat to the right faced a second fireplace to the left, along with a matching winged armchair. The upholstery looked of questionable comfort, but matched the fabrics from the bedroom. A couple buffets lined the walls, which Eugene noticed multiple corners every few feet, a total of 8 in total if he had counted all around. The ceiling here boasted octagonal coffers, decorated in pie slices with alternating gold and green designs. "Rapunzel," he gasped, "This is a tower."

"I know!" she squealed. She pulled him by the hand the rest of the way through that room, out to the edge of the balcony. "Look..."

Bright stars hung delicately above the vast darkness of the sea spread out before them. It was nearly impossible to discern where the horizon ended and the sky began, save for the sparkles that rose up beyond. Their reflection counterparts were much less stable as they shimmered on the water.

"Wow..." Eugene breathed. He unknowingly squeezed Rapunzel's hand tighter as he felt her try to slip it away.

She hummed a smile and stepped in front of him instead, pulling and wrapping his arm around her. "Tonight's a peak night for shooting stars -oh," she tensed, unsure, "I mean, is that what people really call them? They look like stars that-"

"Yeah," he chuckled, "Yeah that's right."

"Oh, heh, thanks."

He wrapped his other arm around her now, and she hugged them across her chest. Mmmph… Her unhindered breasts met his arms as they were scooped together. An easy smile grew on him, and he tilted his pelvis up against her backside. Alone again… He surged up against her with the sound of the waves crashing in.

Mm, better, she thought as she felt how they fit together, how he moved against her.

He dipped his chin to her shoulder. "Gonna make lotsa wishes, huh?"

"Wishes?" she asked, turning her head to his cheek.

"Yeah," he smiled, "There's all sorts of sayings and things about wishing on stars."

"Like birthday wishes?"

"Yeah, or like, a dream… Ooh!" His head darted up. "Did you see that one?" DON'T FORGET ME.

"Yes!" she squealed as she squeezed him tighter around herself. "Hurry up then, what else is there you still wanted? Uh, enormous piles of money? An island?"

He chuckled at the silly innocence of this inside joke. "No, Blondie, I'm good, thanks."

"I don't even know what I should wish for," she mused, but he was silent. "Eugene," she said carefully, "What is your new dream, after me?"

His eyes fell. "Maybe on the next star. It's bad luck to tell a dream."

"Now that you made up!"

"Nooo," he drew out laughing in childish offense. "Well, Corona doesn't subscribe to that, but, uh, this other kingdom says so."

She gasped. "You've been to a whole other kingdom?!"

"Yeah, a few, actually," he chuckled, "That was a long time ago, though."

She sighed. "Sometimes it sounds like your life was so romantic…"

"Ehh," he cringed, "It really wasn't." Romantic would imply being sincere. "So, uh, they say," I shouldn't say it, but- "Wishing on shooting stars is supposed to be the strongest…" I mean I guess it couldn't hurt...

"Oh reeeally?" she teased in sing-song. "You're just a dream expert, aren't you?"

"YuP," he popped off his lips, and they both laughed. Yeah. Yeah it's gonna hurt being sincere this time.

"Well, I know a lot about stars, at least. Between my room on the other side, and now yours, we can see all of- well, most of- this is the northern sky."

"You are a quick one. How do you know we're facing north?"

"Oh, well there's the North Star," she pointed out amid the myriad, "It doesn't ever move, and that's also which way is north, so, I've just..." She blushed a moment. "I've charted lots of different stars and planets from my tower, and painted their paths and the phases of the moon on my walls."

His mind's eye rescanned the tower. The main ceiling. "Ohh, yeaah," He looked down at her with astonishment. "You... That's amazing, ya know?" he breathed.

"Hm," she smiled, glancing back at him. She was otherwise busy studying the horizon, nearly imperceptible from the ocean at this time of night. "I couldn't see the 'horizon' though, and we're so far north that there are some stars you could never see from here. She thought it was 'abstract and innocent' enough to let me have a short book on it- 'astronomy.' She never understood any of it, but I guess she liked that it kept me busy... Do you know anything about astronomy?"

He was interrupted from getting lost in her scent and just barely brushing the smooth top of his cheek against hers. He was not expecting to be called on. "Uh, not really. All I know is I'm indecisive 'cause I'm a Libra."

"You- what?" she giggled at him. "Libra's a constellation, but I liked to draw my own, but- well- do you know anyone else who might know anything about it?"

"Uh, no. No, can't say that I do... But, your parents should. I know that sailors have to know how to read the stars when they're out at sea, 'cause even if you can't see any land mass, you still need to navigate at night."

"Uh-huh!" she chirped excitedly. "That was one of the things it said in my book." She sighed again, eyes still dreamily fixed on the sea. "Maybe I could meet a sailor." And go on a whole ship! Like we saw today! With Eugene! That'd be an amazing trip! I wonder to where...

Eugene's grip tightened a bit on her, to squeeze his hands around her fleshy sides. Yeah, a fancy prince sailor from some Island kingdom across the Southern Sea, who's rich enough to have his own sailing ship, and do anything you want, and go wherever you want to go... "M-maybe..." His mind began blanking on anything else to do or say, besides to try to hold her there forever and to declare to the great dark void before them just how much he wanted her. In a world full of new and exciting things for her, he wanted to be worth her time and interest for himself. I'm sorry all you met was an orphan thief- I want you to want me to take you sailing- but… I couldn't even if you wanted to... He retreated to hiding his nose behind her ear and resting his forehead there. "Tell me... Uh, tell me more about the stars..."

She was having a hard time remembering everything she knew about astronomy, with how he was distracting her, in all ways. Her body felt so alive, every point it touched with his creating their own constellation. His breath was warm and sweet and it tickled in that particular way. His attention and care was all clearly only directed at her- I almost don't care about the stars at all anymore; this is so much better than anything else! She giggled. "You're not even looking."

He whipped her around and before she knew it, his hand was on her cheek, directing her jaw, to crane her neck up toward him, and steadying her vision- to lock eyes with his. "Yes I am." Eugene smiled as softly as he had spoken. He held them tightly still, chest to chest now, the delicate silk sticking to his clammy skin and leaving nothing about her state beneath it to the imagination. His smile only grew more delicious. "The stars will always be there. I'm looking at the only thing that matters."

Well, actually they move depending on... Rapunzel's snarky thoughts were forgotten as he made her cheeks burn against the cool night air. She waited on bated breath as Eugene's eyes slowly drifted closer and closer. First, they were quickly darting, searching her own, skipping back and forth over the small bridge of her nose. Then, down to her lips, where they settled as they neared, and his lids drooped.

He dove and yanked her in. Rapunzel let out a small yip of pleasure at the first shocking touch of their lips, and at realizing how she let herself fall in his arms, and how they supported her. Despite him being the main initiator, this time it was his closed lips meeting her readily parted ones.

Why am I fooling around here, when I know the inevitable outcome? I'm only torturing myself and getting her hopes up. But then she raised her arms around his neck, and her tongue flicked at him, hoping for entry, and he was a goner. He opened and welcomed her in as she went on exploring his mouth at her leisure. He took interest in playing with how her silk nightgown shifted and slid against her skin, but it stuck to his heated hands. Hands that went as high as under her arms, but once they encountered side boob, did not push them.

She amused herself seeing how far back in his mouth she could reach, and mapping out all the different textures and shapes of him. How his front teeth had no gap between them like her own did and what that felt like. How foreign and exciting the same features could be when it was on another person, how different and enticing they could taste.

He helped in sucking her in as hard and as far as he could, mostly because he could not get enough of her.

The pressure itself was curious. She pulled away a bit, just to feel it increase and tingle, but signaled him by accident.

He unexpectedly ended it, his mind regrettably falling into the feeling it was a sort of one-night stand, but mixed with his feelings about her, and fear for why she had shifted away, he ended up gasping, "I'm sorry..." I always thought I loved Lancelot, but for real this SUCKS. He winced.

She shook her eyes open, confused. "What? For what?" She smiled widely and giggled. "You didn't do anything wrong."

That I can't stay... He bit his lip. I'm only allowed here 'cause your parents are giving YOU a toy, and ME a rather patronizing reason really to stick around, guarded, for as long as they need…

Rapunzel noticed that under her palms, his bare chest had broken a sweat at some point, and his heart was racing. His bangs brushed her forehead as he shook his head.

"I mean," he relaxed his shoulders and forced a positive voice, "Thank you. I never said thank you."

She pulled away to see his face. "Again, for what?"

"For everything," he laughed, "But specifically, I never even said thank you for... bringing me back."

She giggled. "That's kind of understood, I figured."

"Then thank you for whatever you've said to your parents about us." His heart was still racing, but his eyes were glazing over as he stared openly at her.

She blushed even worse, but her face fell. "I did kind of lie to them at first," she frowned.

He took her hands in his. "Hey."

She looked up for his smile.

"It's just to keep the peace." His winning smile turned into his winning smirk. "I won't steer ya wrong. Forget what anyone else says is allowed or whatever. This is your chance to be free and," he spread an arm out and gestured to his whole torso, "Explore. Safely." His fingers returned to brush her hair back and trace around her ear. "I'd never let anyone hurt you, especially not me."

She smirked back, rolling her eyes at him despite how red she was herself.

Eugene jerked his head back towards the door. "C'mon." He pulled her back inside to the sitting room, to the loveseat. He plopped down and pulled her close beside him, nearly sitting atop his lap- nearly. They both giggled, but his trailed off almost immediately.

Rapunzel snuggled into his side; his arm around her shoulders still. "Hm, I amso lucky to be marrying such a romantic."

He sucked in a deep breath. "Rapunzel..." he said painfully.

"How do you know how to be so romantic? Was there someone else out there who taught you?"

"Rapunzel, I can't marry you though..."

Her breath stopped.

"We've been through this."

She groaned. "I know what you keep saying, and I still don't care-"

He did not seem to hear as he started talking over her. "That's what I need to talk to you about."

She tried to sit up and scoot away from him, but he could tell she was only doing so in a huff, so he pressed her into her seat.

"Now your father was talking to me a bit about what's going to happen."

She was too hurt to say anything in protest. As she snuggled further into him instead, she could feel their hearts both racing to the same panicked rhythm. Oh… He doesn't really wanna leave...

"Tomorrow he and I are going hunting, then the day after he's going to formally announce that you've been found and returned home. Then he wants to have a week-long celebration, but I guess it'll take some time to plan for that, because he said I'm welcome to stay here for the next month. And of course there's the investigation, but once we get to the bottom of everything, Rapunzel..." After another moment, he nudged her.

"No."

"Rapunzel, you're a princess." It came out annoyed.

She shot up and twisted onto her knees, straddling his lap, facing him and leaning down on his shoulders to hold herself. "I don't want to be just some princess!"

The volume of her voice alone shocked him. She towered above his face now. He looked up helplessly, his arms glued themselves into the corner where the seat cushions met the back. "But, I thought, you liked it here," he managed to choke out.

"It's nice, and my parents are amazing, but I can't lose you." Her hand brushed his bangs away and cupped his cheek. "Nothing makes me feel like when I'm with you. And the things you say, the way you… are with me..." The pads of her fingers brushed his cheekbones.

He forced his eyes to narrow at her, but his voice remained raspy, betraying him. "That's just because you've never even kissed anyone else before." He could not help that he said it to her lips.

"And no one had ever saved me before." All you did for me- it's more than anyone would ever!

He rolled his eyes. "I didn't really save you, but…" He squeezed his eyes shut to avoid her pleading face. "If I married you," he looked away into the fireplace, "You'd lose your title and claim and I can't let you do that!"

"Eugeeene," she whined. I thought... "Am I really that stupid? Or crazy or naive-" we'd leave together...

"What?!" Confused, he locked on her hurt eyes. "No! Why would you-"

"Then how can you say any of this! Before, you said you want me too, you want everything that I want, that we were- we're sharing the same dream now! Or do you actually only want me to take my place here as princess?! And you got that pardon, so- is that it?" Her voice squeaked, terrified it was the latter. Please no...

He stared at her, lost for words. Both… Almost… "Blondie, I…"

"Just tell me- what do you want?" She drooped down onto his lap, tired and exasperated.

"I want you…" he blurted, then paused and sighed. He held her cheeks to make her look back up, desperate to prevent her from tearing up over him. "Just you. Blondie, I proposed to you before you told me you were the Lost Princess. I do still wish I could marry you, yes, of course, but I can't. So I'm not- I'm not misleading you- I'm not lying about anything here. You're not stupid or crazy, God, please- I can want both things. I do want you for myself, but I also want you to be happy with your family. I love who you are, but I also want you to be who you were born to be. So…" He sighed and lowered his eyes. "I'll take what I can get while I can. I just want to enjoy the time I do have with you. That's all. No pretense. Spending time with you is the only ulterior motive here."

She shook her head, bargaining. Then we won't stay here… "Just forget I'm the princess then."

Oh how I wish I - and everyone - COULD. Before he knew it, those lips came down on his. Like magnets, his hands were down on her nightgown again, pressing up her thighs, hips, to her sides, and down again. "But," she let it escape from him when she moved to sucking on his bottom lip only. He moaned before he got away again to finish, "The kingdom." He let her steal another one only briefly. "You're the only heir."

I only just learned that word, but- "Eugene!" It was not as loud as last time at least, but it carried just as much hurt. "I'm more than that. I'm still me!" Please stop… I don't want that!

He could only look up at her, still engrossed in his own tragedy. "Yes, you are more. And I love you," he whimpered. "For all that you are." He felt the rest of his willpower drain out with it.

"I love you, too," she said sweetly, as she observed his submissiveness. She leaned back down as he waited to be had again. But she only rested her forehead atop his sweaty brow, pressing his neck back down along the top edge of the back of the loveseat. "Say you're mine."

"I'm yours." No hesitation. His lashes fluttered, in awe at the self-assuredness and determination in her eyes, and what they demanded of his. Something else was pulled from him with that declaration of handing himself over to her: Passion? Love? Dominance? Whatever it was, all he knew was that he was melting under her, as he truly was all hers. His breathing labored with his neck bent back like this; his Adam's apple quivered up and down. He held her tiny waist in his large hands, further subduing his own body and mind. I'd do whatever you tell me to right now...

"Alright, then." Her own voice had hit upon that accidental sultriness again, as did her smile. Her only intention though, was to use cuteness as a defense mechanism and try to tease him.

Suddenly he felt a familiar pang- I'm scared. It was the same as when he had watched her blissfully engrossed with watching the glowing lanterns rise. He wanted to pull that warm smile against his own heart. He dared to slide his hands down and back farther, urging her to stay down on his lap as he tilted up to her, as he watched her enraptured face. I'm scared I can't have this… But slowly, he savored every electrifying instance of tactile contact. I'm scared this'll end at any moment.

Rapunzel studied him back, brushing his bangs back, running her fingers through his hair and over his ears. He's all mine… I can see how he looks at me… That's always the same. She giggled and blushed. His absentminded grin, hooded lids, and his engorged pupils lost in the green of her own irises; it was all doing things to her, even beyond what his wandering hands were. Oh goddess how he's finally touching me again! She bit her lip, taking deep breaths to control herself. Even more giddy was her realization that these things were happening again. Eeeee! AGAIN! This is even better than the first time!

He inhaled sharply, waiting for what she would do next, having gladly surrendered his caution-minding leadership, just waiting to see where she would jerk his reins next.

She, however, stood up – giggling.

Eugene had to blink before slowly easing his neck back up. He sat stunned for another minute, trying to catch his breath. Blondie, how do you do this to me… Finally it dawned on him that she was still standing right beside him, still giggling, still with only that wonderfully easy silk nightgown on. Delicate magical princess? You're just a real person, like anybody else, and yet like no one ever... An amazing person who likes- LOVES the real me. A devious smile took him over, as he jumped up at her side and grabbed her hips against his. "C'mere, you," he rumbled against her temple, grinning so tightly that his bottom lip curled under his top teeth entirely.

Rapunzel squealed as he pressed them together, leaving not a single gap to want. YES! But her giggles suddenly halted with a gasp, when she felt a squishy center that he leaned into her with, pulsing. She braced against it, taking in the rush of sensations from just this connection. Sparks flew from memories from the previous morning, only growing her fire.

He watched carefully, full of want but also so much love. "You're okay," he breathed, still grinning. "And I'm sorry for all the negative talk. No more of that. Tonight, I just wanna love you."

"No more talking, hm?" Her eagerness jumped at him, shoving her lips against his, both moaning but neither of them caring to correct themselves too elegantly. Her hands glided over his bare shoulders and back to sculpt out his trap muscles as he made another move.

Eugene hoisted her up off the ground just enough to scoop his arms under her bottom, popping her up even higher above him than before. Her legs instinctively clung around his waist, her arms around his neck, happily smothering his face in her cleavage, amidst more of her squeals and laughter. He looked straight up towards her, both to breathe and to revel. "Now see? I could get used to a view like this."

She could not contain her rain of giggling little kisses wherever she could reach. He returned only some of them, since he was watching his step as he walked them back to the bed. "Another night together?" she mused, full of shy suggestion.

Eugene just smiled and kissed her again, and let her have a longer drag on his lip before responding. "Why not?" He locked eyes with her; a mischievous glint in his. From the foot of it, he tossed her over onto the bed, with a squeal from her, to land on what she had previously claimed as her side of it. He immediately crawled over her and flopped to the other side, laying down alongside on his good arm, facing her. "So I'm yours, hm?" he teased, leaning into her. "Are you sure you're not mine?"

Rapunzel giggled. "I am!" she whined playfully. "I'm your princess," she announced with a flourish.

Eugene's smile vanished as both possible meanings battled it out in his mind. My ruling Princess, whom I'll forever henceforth be required to bow to? Or MY princess, and no one else's... I wish-

"What?" she asked, confused. "Whatever you're thinking, you can tell me." Because I am not ready to let you win this argument, much less let you leave...

No more arguing tonight. "Nothin'..." He smiled again. You win, Princess. "You're all I want, so if you say you're mine, I'm honored to have you." He decided to close all their problems off for the night. Tonight he got at least one more night to fall asleep with her, snuggle her, kiss her, run his fingers through her hair, and, in all likelihood, hold her body as she thrashed in ecstacy. The only thing about tomorrow worth thinking about was waking up beside her. As he brushed her hair aside, stumbling through the screen of vines leapt back from his memory. Climbing that tower was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am already the luckiest man in the world, laying at her side, to have had her this much.

I still can't believe he actually likes me… "Eugene," she turned serious, "Look, I know I'll never be a normal girl, no matter where I am, whether I stay or go, it doesn't really matter. Whatever happens, whatever I decide or manage to do, I just feel like - you are my home, Eugene."

His smile remained but his brow furrowed. And you're mine. And you're mine. And you're mine. He brushed her cheek and leaned in for a kiss, before he could say anything that would only hurt them both eventually.

She smiled and closed her eyes and kissed him back, berating herself the whole time. Gah that probably sounded so stupid!

I REALLY shouldn't. He kept it short, pulling away after not too long, then thumbed her cheek again and they smiled together for a moment. He searched her eyes, then glanced away, still troubled - but made a decision. To hell with it all! I'll take any damnation, especially if I get to please her! His smile opened up, genuine, as he at long last let his entire heart pour into it. "And you're my home, Rapunzel."

She laughed, overjoyed at his acceptance. "Mm, yeh."

His heart warmed and cheeks flushed. "But if I'm being honest, though, I have to apologize, I-" he nervously glanced about the room again: the intimidating grandeur of it all, but also the romantic dim glow of the lights and their reflections. Then back to her. "I feel scared again." He moved to find her hand, holding it between them.

"Why…" she asked tenderly.

"I'm scared to lose you, too."

She bit her lip. I don't wanna just argue. We just said-!

He finally locked eyes with her securely. "But I'm not scared of anything when I'm with you like this."

Whew… Not only did she feel her own heart warm at that, but it filled her with a feeling of strength and power, like she could protect him from anything. "Good, 'cause I'm not scared either. Of anything. Especially with you."

Eugene kept eye contact with her, but reached to toy with the embroidered edge on the far side of her neckline, sitting atop her cleavage. It was his injured arm though, so his wrist and forearm were already propped up across her on her chest. "So what did you want to do tonight?" he asked gently. "With me?"

Her heart started skipping beats for where he was touching, and all he was so close to. When his fingertips brushed flesh, she gasped with a shudder. She studied his beautiful face, loving how he was looking at her. "Everything," she breathed.

He giggled. "You don't wanna do everything... not in one night."

"Wellll," she mused, turning red. "Could we… do what we did the other night?"

He grinned, biting his lip like a dork. "Absolutely."

"Aaand, yesterday morning," she bumped him teasingly.

His brow raised. "Duly noted." Niiice.

"I don't know where you think we should go from there, so," she pushed up for his fingers to touch cleavage again as she watched it, "What do you want to do?" She smiled slyly at him.

He laughed adorably, soaking her up, always surprised when she actually made the advances. A few days ago you wouldn't let me put my arm around your shoulders, heh. "Wellll," he looked down at the edge of the nightgown collar he held in his fingers, "Hooonestly?" His eyes took hers again. "I want everything, too."

She gasped, both at the deep look in his eyes and as that look unexpectedly lit up every nerve in her body, startling her with the intensity. "But you said-"

He smirked. "I said that's what I want. Not what I plan on us sticking to."

She chuckled, genuinely relieved and playfully annoyed. "Sooo, what do you plan on sticking to?"

He tugged the edge away towards her far shoulder, then, ever so slowly, pulled it off down her shoulder. It merely stretched the wide open neck across farther, but stopped just past her small deltoid, only revealing that shoulder and more upper chest. "I plan on sticking to whatever it looks like you can handle. Part of which is, I want…" he licked his lips, "To play with these. To make you feel good." He withdrew his hand, leaving her with the proposition, while purposely, just barely brushing a perky nipple through the thin silk on his way.

Oh-h-h, YES. She shuddered, but only wanted him closer. She leaned toward him, wet her lips, looking up at him. "Show me."

He leaned in, too, lips finding hers for a kiss, and his hand returning to her bare shoulder.

Her hand grabbed the side of his neck, assuring him she could easily jerk him to a halt, though all she really wanted was to pull him as close as possible.

Slowly, his hand slid down, fingertips slipped beneath that embroidered edge, between silk and soft, hot, squishiness. The corners of his mouth tugged at a smile. Mapping her out and pleasuring her was all that consumed his mind. Blondie...

Her tongue stilled, focusing on his touch.

She's gonna jolt at the nipple… "Mm?" he moaned for approval without leaving the kiss.

"Mm-hm!" she returned affirmatively.

His hand slid down farther, running the roll of each finger over the nipple, til he cupped the entire breast.

She gasped and squeaked, throwing her head back, forgetting the kiss from too much stimulation, but pushing her chest toward him. Her fingers on his neck pulled him closer. Her whole body and brain were abuzz, only wanting more.

But Eugene had paused his hand for her, even as he fell drunk off her reactions alone. He closed-mouth kissed at her gasping lips again, adoring the state she was slipping into. She stabilized her forehead against his shoulder, but as she caught her breath, his fingers moved to toy with it again.

She moaned out sweetly, pushing herself all the way up against him, pressing her lips harder to his. Her opposite hand grabbed at his thick shoulder, while her waist twisted to pull her leg up over his.

He chuckled, leaving for only a second as he grabbed behind her knee to pull her leg farther, grinding her pelvis against his thigh. Back up top, he switched to groping, squeezing, massaging out the whole of her breast in his large hand, as her chest heaved, every so often teasing out and lightly pinching at the nipple. His mouth moved along her cheek to her ear. "I love you," he gasped, making himself smile.

"I love you too," she rasped in return, breathless. Oh, never stop surprising me with those random declarations!

"Can I…" He glanced about them, thinking of angles, and what would make her most comfortable. He kissed her temple before bringing them back forehead to forehead.

"Can you what?" she tried to see his eyes, then chuckled when they were too close to focus.

A lot of things! He cleared his throat and chuckled. "Can I like, kneel over you? I just don't want you to feel like…" trapped… He shrugged to fill in the word. "But, would you be comfortable?"

A deep grin spread across her cheeks, remembering him lying entirely atop her on her old bed in the tower before they left. "Mm, yeah," she purred.

"I'd have you straddle me, but I don't wanna hold my arm up." He sensually pressed another kiss on her cheek, then rolled over. He sat back on his knees for leverage above her and so she retained most of her mobility below. Both hands now went to the loose shoulders of her nightgown. "'Cause I wanna take this off." He slipped them down just an inch before looking to her for direction.

Rapunzel closed her eyes a moment as she took in a shuddering breath, tingles rippling through her body. She locked eyes with him, bangs falling over his deliciously dark eyes, which reflected golden bubbles of the dim gas light sconces on either side of the bed. The line of his mouth was pensive but hopeful, but his breathing was nervous in a way she had only seen when he was terrifyingly facing down the truth.

"Blondie?" he asked with care, still awaiting an answer.

"Eugene," she whined and giggled. "I trust you." She became distracted with running her own hands up his arms, over his chest, tracing his clavicles and outlining his pectorals, pressing her fingertips against his soft yet firm flesh, feeling as it flexed. She dropped to serious as she ran her fingertips over the edge of the bandage on his arm.

He flinched, but there was no pain, just the spark of love from her attention.

"Ooh-" she cringed and retreated. "Does it hurt?"

"It did when it happened, but I'm fine now." He shrugged and glanced away. "Feels numb now."

She touched his face to turn back. "I trust you with anything and everything."

He chuckled at her, but still worriedly searched her eyes as deeply as he could. "Like I said, I just worry. I don't want you to feel like..." Like I'm…

She laughed out loud at him. "You worry too much!" She lunged up to kiss him.

He followed her back down as he happily kissed back. Slowly, still nose to nose where he could not see her chest, he began guiding the sleeves down her arms. "I just wanna make you feel so good… I wanna kiss you all over…"

The silky fabric slid over her hypersensitive skin, most prominently felt as it passed over her nipples. The rough underside of the embroidery lightly chafing made her shiver - and suddenly there was air. Her eyes widened, to see his eyes still trained on hers. Nervous at the start of something new, not knowing what to do next, and frightened at what he would think of her - and yet at the same time so desperate to be touched.

She's already self-conscious about so much. With incredible reverence, he guided her arms out of the loose arm holes, still managing to only glance, but never staring at her revealed entire torso. His eyes softened. "You're…" His crooked smile grew in place of words he could not decide on. Gorgeous, radiant! Sexy, amazing-! "The most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he giggled, Gah I'm so cliche?! But he added, "And I mean that." This time. I really do!

She giggled back shyly. "Out of how many?" she teased.

"A lot!" he laughed but blushed.

He's happy- She laughed both with and at him, making herself bounce around a little. He likes me- but… Her upper arms smushed her breasts together as they lay freely. She focused on getting lost in his eyes. He… I don't know, but- and it's- scary? but- I feel so safe with him. In all ways. Her hands absently found his forearms to latch onto and slide down. Oh, wow… His sinewy muscles there were hard as stone under his heated skin.

"You're different," he smiled. After days of trying to wrap his head around her being THE princess, the sight struck him at how real, genuine, and loving she was; he would never be able to only think of her as some royal figure piece. He grabbed under her back and scooped her up to sit up with him in a hug. "You're perfect," he whispered into her neck. And I could swear right now that I would never let you go. Fate or Destiny or whatever says you're the princess, but I want you! So of course you're perfect, 'cause I can't have nice things...

She hugged him dearly, reveling in how his bare back felt, and his arms across her own bare back. Her breasts squished against his chest, surprisingly comfortable and nicely warm and secure. "You say so," she tried to tease back, self-deprecating.

He leaned away. 'Mother always said I was plain. Unimpressive.' You are so the opposite. "Don't say that. Rapunzel…" My insisting won't make her believe. He cupped her cheek. "Someday, you're gonna see just how wonderful you are."

It was such an ingrained feeling, she had not even realized what she was saying. Ugh, and now I just like- killed the mood… She bit her lip. "Sorry…"

His brow pinched at her, and he nuzzled his nose into her other cheek. His voice came forceful and serious, but still sultry and caring. "If you trust me, then trust me on that. And I'm gonna show you exactly how you should be treated."

The feeling of such words on her cheek, in his unique tone, took her breath and made her heart pound and mind race. Oh, yes please - But if I am as great as you say, then why would I need help with something as simple and basic as knowing how I should be treated?! I-... His mouth latched onto her neck, and his arms on her back began laying her back down. She gasped, a slight whimper at all the physical and emotional feelings, and she bit her lip, dismayed at her realization. I don't believe I deserve any of this. So I guess I am helpless in this. So please - and it feels so good! - show me how a normal person would know they're supposed to be treated! "Please," was all she choked out.

Sad? He leaned away to check her, leaving her head back on her pillow. He winced. She's desperate. Hand still on her cheek, he kissed her forehead. "I love you," he whined back, frustrated at her life. Fuck anyone who would ever hurt you. From her forehead, he continued kissing down her brow... cheek… chin… neck… clavicle… chest… and across her chest… and back across her chest…

She held her breath, always anticipating his next moves. Her fingers brushed his bangs back into his hair, over and over, keeping them out of his way, fingertips sometimes feeling his jaw working around. His soft lips pressing against her everywhere, his breath tickling her, his coarse goatee brushing her like a paintbrush, his words resonating in her soul… 'How you SHOULD BE treated. I'm gonna show you...' His otherwise terribly strong arms held himself up above her, tenderly planted up against either side of her torso, careful to shift more weight to his uninjured arm. His every touch had always been more than she had ever received before, and this right now was more than she had ever even known to imagine or hope for. Her hands held his temples, and urged him to look back up at her. She smiled seeing the lights reflected in his eyes again. "I love you, too."

He glanced up with his crooked smile briefly, before he slid down a little farther, and his lips loosened more seductively, reaching out. Finally he turned his head, and kissed the inside of her breast.

She watched him in disbelief, her breathing getting heavier, and whimpering at even the small contact.

He chuckled against her, but kept going. He shifted to his elbows, so his hands could come up, jiggling playfully, but ultimately grabbing hold of each breast, and continuously deep massaging.

Ah…! How is he so exciting and relaxing at the same time…?! She threw her head back, moaning, and arched up into him. I want those hands somewhere else, again, too! AND more new things!

He kissed back and forth, each time higher up the curves, til he reached nipple. Then, he started with a testing lick over the pert nub…

And she yiped. Her breathing picked up speed, turning frantic and ragged. Her head thrashed into her pillow, still arching her back, offering her bare chest up to him.

His mouth closed around it, sucking in as much as he could, running his tongue around but avoiding teeth, while his fingers teased the other one out. He amused himself with testing out what exact moves brought her the greatest pleasure. Hm, it's fun to feel like a teenager again, heh! They spent minutes on end enjoying themselves there as he worked it and she moaned and squirmed around, before he switched sides. Then he did it all over again. And again.

She gasped for air like she was drowning, and whimpered and moaned at every sensation. His pelvis sat over her knees, his knees straddling her hips, pinning her down there, contrasting with the moist airy freedom above. Her hands ran through his hair and over his cheeks. "Oh Eugeeene!" she quietly cried to him, "Oh I love you!"

His mouth was busy, but she felt the smile that grew on his lips. Yesss… Oh Blondie, I'm gonna MAKE you never forget me. Below, they both felt him hardening between them. He ground it against her knee before he remembered himself with a gasp, popping his lips off her breast. "Sorry."

Through her own heat, she giggled at him, and reached to wipe her thumb across his swollen lips. "You're fine," she assured him.

His eyes rolled back as he moaned at the sensitive touch, eliciting another giggle from her. He managed to grab her hand before it left, and shoved that thumb of hers into his mouth, to suck on that next, still moaning.

She gasped at the unexpected move, then squealed at the heightened feeling of his tongue on the pad of her thumb.

His mouth finally released her, but he held her wrist to keep her fingers on his face. "I am all yours," he recited. "And I wanna kiss you," he managed to open his eyes and find hers, "Everywhere."

Her brow jumped and eyes widened at the gravity of his insinuation. Her voice fell weak. "That's… a lot of places…"

"EVERYWHERE," he repeated, low and rumbly. He conspicuously licked his lips as he grinned. He unconsciously wiped at his goatee already, stroking it into shape, anticipating his final destination.

Her already-blown mind merely had her gulping but reflexively nodding down at him. "Re-really?"

"Yes…" he answered with the same vibrato, but then his hand reached for her face, chuckling. "Ya okay, Love?"

"Yeah!" It came out as a high-pitched squeak.

His smile remained, but his brow furrowed. "You're so anxious," his hands ran up and down her sides, trying to relax her, with mixed results as she welcomed the tingles breaking through her inner tension. "Would you most prefer we stopped?"

"What?" she snapped with alarm, "No, no, please! I want to-"

A hand in the air eased her worries back down. "Alright, alright," he chuckled. "I didn't think so." With a smirk, he kissed between her breasts while his hands held the sides of her chest and wrapped around back to her shoulder blades.

She sighed out, arching up to him. "I don't know how to describe it, but pleeease! You- you feel like..." 'A little rebellion, that's good, healthy even!' She remembered the terrifying thrill of leaping off out the window- "You feel like freedom." -while holding onto her hair pulley system she knew would guide her descent. "And safety. At the same time."

"Mmm," he smiled. His kisses trailed on down her tummy.

His soft moist lips, his warm nose, his silky bangs, and scratchy goatee: all brushed against her bare skin, every bit of it a brand new, never before imagined, incredible sensation. "I wish you'd found me sooner," she idly mused.

"Hm? Oh really?" Another kiss. "Can't imagine why."

She laughed and sighed back into the sensations. "You feel amazing."

He smirked against her. His hands continued winding down and up again and around. He scooted down backwards, enough to slide her legs out from under him as he directed, and paused with his hands on her knees, solemnly watching her eyes. Slowly, he pushed the bottom of her night gown up, all the way up to her hips.

Oh my goodness- She felt another swell of wetness release, and squeezed her thighs together, futilely hoping to quell it. Hooo, nothing's gonna be enough til he touches me like he did the other night! She sucked in a deep breath of anticipation, with dark desire in their eyes, reflecting the light of their love.

"Can you imagine," he asked as he massaged her thighs, "What my tongue would feel like down there?"

Her breath left her. Hoooooo my…! "Uhhh…" Her smile pinned itself to her ears and she blushed like a bright red cherry. Imagine it she could indeed. Somewhat, at least. Only he could show her firsthand. "Uh, squirmy?"

"If that's how you like it, Sugar," he nodded automatically.

Her hands flew to cover her wild grin and fiery blush. His FACE?! Right up in THERE?! "Are you serious?" she asked with disbelief, but an excitement in her voice.

He giggled at her, brought back once again from routine flirt to amateur love. "Yes, I'm serious."

"Okaaay…" she breathed out. "Then show me."

He smiled and kissed the inside of her hip. She gasped, and he glanced back up to her, that devious glint taking over. "Tell me what you want." He kissed the other hip; another gasp. "Tell me to lick you." His nose grazed back and forth across her belly while he waited.

"I…" Her hyperaware chest heaved with heavy breaths. Her bare breasts and stiff rosey nipples rose and fell in the night air, light glistening where he had left them moist. She raised the back of a hand to her forehead. I can't believe all this- I want him to do anything and everything, my Goodness! He's been nothing but an absolute Dream so far! With a raspy air, she indeed requested, "I want you to, l-lick me."

He took her knees.

"I can imagine forever what it would feel like, but only you can show me it for real," she rambled.

Damn straight! He guided them apart.

She opened them slowly at first, then more quickly once she was already revealed. "Please," she whined.

"Oh, Blondie," he looked back from her own flower to her eyes. "You don't need to tell me twice." He dropped all the way back and down so he lay on his elbows, with his face center stage.

Loose, relaxed, wetness of his tongue pushed between her moist lips, to her own pool of sweetness, and slipped its soft bumpy self up to press against her smooth little nub.

As soon as tongue touched clit, it was like lightning had struck her, and she came instantly. Legs clamped like a vice around his head, a hand suddenly twisting his hair forcing him down against her, stomach clenched, every muscle seized tight, her throat only making a tiny choking sound before going mute.

Oh, God-! That was even faster than I expected! Eugene hummed a chuckle, vibrating through his mouth to her core, instigating a second wave already.

She moaned sharply, then shuddered and jerked in place again, as she was already wound so tight.

They stayed like that for a minute, til she finally relaxed. She breathed deeply, loosened her hold on his hair and released his head. He sat up, laughing, stroking his soaked goatee. She tried to catch her breath, head all fuzzy trying to come back to reality. He dove back up the bed to lie out beside her, his smiling lips reaching out for her shoulder, and hand running back around her tummy as he snickered. She gasped and settled in with him, trying to make sense of the dizzying height of her comfort level with him; she grabbed his arm, to hold against herself, and sighed.

"That was fast," he chuckled. "Pretty sensitive, huh..."

"Yeah," she gasped. TOO sensitive? she worried, but then felt his thrilled grin against her shoulder, and saw the peaceful look in his eyes. She chuckled at him. "That was…"

He giggled. "Ya like that?"

"'Like it?!'" she happily scoffed, to more giggles. She wiped her hair back from her forehead.

"Ya know, I can do a lot more than that- you're just super sensitive," his own sensitive ego felt the need to point out.

"Oh my gosh, Eugene…" She had yet to catch her breath, as she shuddered from aftershocks. "You are welcome to do that again anytime you like…"

"Well, congratulations, Princess, 'cause that is like, my favorite thing to do," he snickered and licked his lips some more. Then he looked back up to her face, and his giddiness melted. Her face was flushed, her short chocolate hair mussed against the pillow, the side gas lamp glowing behind her, giving her a rim highlight that looked like solar flares. And, the most contented smile of happiness he had ever seen on her lips, pushing into full cheeks and pinching the side of bedroom eyes through soft lashes. She was staring right back into his eyes, and he lost his breath. He felt a course of electricity through his own muscles down to his core, demanding he get all of her as close as possible. God I wanna be inside you…

"Oh is it now?" she teased. "Well, looks like that'll work out for both of us then."

"And you get so wet and you taste so good," he raved his praise, already wanting more.

Her brow raised. "Ah, I suppose it would have a taste."

"It's also called 'going down on' someone, or 'eating out,'" he smirked, "But I didn't wanna scare you." He bumped against her. "Miss Men-are-out-to-literally-eat-me."

She blushed and chuckled at herself. "Well, if that's what it feels like, then by all means, 'eat me out' every night, Mr. Not-too-bad-with-the-ladies."

I want MORE- that, again, yes, but… more… all of it- all of YOU. I don't want someone else to show you these things- I wouldn't TRUST anyone else! And besides, you're MINE- He shook his head out and blinked back to the moment. No she's not. Not really. "What?" he asked, having also lost the thread of conversation momentarily. Not bad with the ladies- "Oh, heh, yeah…" His desire had remained though. But I have her for now…

Her hand came up to stroke his cheek. He's distracted? What's he planning now? "I guess you'll just have to stick around then." She smirked at him.

I can't. But he smirked back knowingly. But I can for a little while… "Guess so."

She ran her hand through his bangs and around his ear, as he moaned into her touch. Or is he upset? "What're you thinking?"

Oh? He grabbed her hand, kissed her palm, then spoke into it. "Just thinking I gotta cool it 'cause I want you so bad…" His fingers all clenched her tight wherever they touched, arms pulled her just a little more, his pelvis tilted against her.

She snickered but blushed, turned on further both by that relentless want of his, and his care for going slow with her. "Well, thank you, I guess?"

Still holding her hand on his cheek, he went in to kiss her lips, while his other hand found a breast to massage in time to her moans. He ran some math in his head, of how many days had passed, how far they had already progressed, and how long he had been invited to stay. He grinned, his breathing already heavy. We'll get there...

"Rapunzel," he whined to her, then pulled her hand down from his cheek, all the way to his chest, and urged her farther, but she stopped abruptly at the waist of his pants, removing her hand altogether. He whined again, obedient but crushingly disappointed. "Nnrh-" Uh- what about ME?! Cruel Mistress! Ferckin one thing I haven't missed about being a teenager is the blueballs! He clenched his hand into a fist, shoved down at his side.

Like yesterday morning, but- "Take your pants off," she requested breathily.

His full attention snapped back to her. "Ah," he laughed with relief, "Why yes of course, Your Highness!" He rolled onto his back, and whipped his pants and shorts off from under himself, fully exposing how ready he was, then rolled back against her for another deep kiss. "'kay, maybe eating out's my second favorite thing."

"Second to what?"

"Second to kissing your face…"

She dove back in, while confidently running her hand down his side, to his hip, and inward- as he moaned. Ohhh, that sound! You sound so delicious! It made her want to keep revving him up just to keep hearing it! She found him below, and just in brushing it, he choked out of the kiss. She snickered at his wide-eyed shock.

"Careful," he breathed, still cautious of her as a newbie.

"Can I?" she asked, as her fingers trailed around it.

"Yes- please," he gasped, growing desperately needy as she unwittingly teased him. "God, pleeease- I want you to-" Her hand finally firmly grasped him, and his pleas blurred into moans. "Awwwghf, yesss! Mmmmm…" His face burrowed into her hair, while his fingers continually brushed through it, holding it out of her face. "Should wet your hand," he quickly instructed.

"Mm? Oh!" She let go, and the thin velvety skin was just tacky enough to stick to her heated palm; both very dry. She went to spit into her hand, but first noted the musky scent it came back with, the strangest part being how it appealed to her.

With her hand freshly moistened, she reached for him again, and the slippery firm grasp felt as good as when she first grabbed it herself. She stroked him just like she remembered, and his moans continued, soon giving way to squirming.

Oh God she's just working me herself!

"Hm," she smirked, "That good?"

"Uh-huh," his throat dumbly and automatically produced. His hips began thrusting opposite her strokes as he pulled her closer. "Fuck I love you… I want you"

Her other hand pet his hair as well, with a smug grin on, proud of how she was giving him as much pleasure as he had given her.

He lasted longer than the morning, but this time his mind had more to wander through. Last time I thought those were my last moments with her. Now I have- I don't know how much, but we have more time! I'm gonna be your first- your first everything. You'll never forget me. "Blondie," he gasped as he rocked against her helplessly, at the mercy of her small hand, "Can I cum?"

"Hmwhat?" she giggled, eating up the sight of him completely falling apart in her arms.

"Please!" he strained, dropping his head to her shoulder. Oh- "Finish. can I finish?"

"Oh," she chuckled, then remembered the white goo his finishing produced. "Oh- but, um, where...?"

"I don't care- just-!" He twisted away from her, trying to control himself. "Here- just-" He lay sprawled out his back, and gave in. His breathing intensified, muscles all clenched, and hips dropped their rhythm for a few jerky thrusts instead. She kept going- welcome at first but soon he hissed and grabbed her wrist. "Nrgh- neh-neh-neh-neh-neh…"

She eased off of the once-more limp length, and reached up to cup his cheek to turn his slack face towards her. After a comfortingly deep kiss, she pecked his lips and stroked his hair some more, all the while adoring his tiny noises and moans, and how he could not even focus his eyes. "I love you, Eugene," she kissed his nose, to a tiny meep. "And I love making you feel good, too."

"I… Wow… Yeah..." He finally blinked his eyes into working, looking at all of her love, plain as day in her face. I don't know what to do with- all of this love- from both of us… "I," he gasped then sighed, "I just love you, Rapunzel."

"I know." She giggled as she snuggled into him. Just stay with me…

But we're building castles in the sky… The worry remained hidden behind his smile, but for the night, he was soon able to happily fall asleep with her.

Some time later, Rapunzel still found herself awake with that worry. While he slept peacefully, she slipped out of bed and back out to the balcony. It was chillier now, and without his arms around her. She clutched her arms, trying to rub the goosebumps away. The great height of this balcony, and the vastness of the ocean and sky beyond suddenly seemed impossibly big. This world without him would feel so empty… She looked up to the stars, just as a pair shot through Orion's shield. She gasped lightly, but then stiffened her lip and raised her head high with a deep breath. LET HIM STAY.


A/N: AHHHHHHH please review! Any more ideas &/or theories?! I finally got my husband fully in on helping me with every little bit of the heist plans & action scenes, so omg has that helped (& he loves it all too!)

Follow me as MiraNova23 on tumblr for Tangled Fandom Resurrection, messaging, keeping up with what's going on in my life, how the writing's going, my other fanworks, lots of Chuck vs Tangled, and all-around general Disnerdiness.