Not completely unscathed
What if Varian hadn't gotten out of that fight with Cassandra completely unscathed?
After everything that had happened, getting captured by Cass, imprisoned, thrown across a room and nearly falling to his death, Varian hadn't noticed his injuries right away. Even hours after being back in Corona he was still hopped up on adrenaline. Though, he blamed some of it on the effects of the truth serum.
It was nearly five hours later and Varian was down in the now destroyed Demanitus Chamber. He looked around at the demolished workshop.
He bent down to pick up a piece of paper and a spike of pain shot through his chest. He gasped sharply. Ow. Was all he could think.
The pain became more prominent and he steadied himself agaisnt the wall as he stumbled back a little.
"Varian? You okay?" Rapunzel called down to him.
"Yeah." He said and immediately a burning sensation in his chest could be felt. The truth serum. He clenched his jaw trying to fight back the urge to tell the truth. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. "No." He gasped out. "I- I'm not."
She was down the staircase in an instant. Her eyes widened when she saw him leaning against the wall. "Varian what happened?" She gently put a hand his arm.
Varian fought back the pain, tears and the truth serum. He couldn't let Rapunzel know that Cass was the one who hurt him.
"Varian." Her voice was sterner. "What. Happened."
He gave in. "Cass. Cass, she-she threw me across the room with the black rocks. And it might have broken a few ribs."
Rapunzel helped off the wall. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Honestly? I didn't notice until just now." He tried to laugh but the pain was too much. "I was trying to bring her back."
He coughed and immediately noticed the taste of blood. "I think I'm gonna-"
He collapsed in Rapunzel's arms. The princess struggled to keep him up.
"Eugene!" She called up the stairs, frantically trying to keep her friend from falling on the floor. "Lance!"
Both men came at her calls. They were surprised to see Varian unconcious.
"What happened?" Eugene asked as he and Lance took the kid.
"Cass hurt him. Badly." Rapunzel was trying not to cry. She couldn't believe Cass would do something like this. And to Varian of all people.
They got him upstairs and to the medical room.
Doctor Flora was surprised by their sudden appearance. "Oh my! What happened!"
Rapunzel couldn't hold back the tears now. Her dam broke and she started sobbing into Eugene's chest.
Lance explained what Rapunzel told them while he helped the doctor place Varian on one of the beds.
Doctor Flora pursed her lips and looked over at the crying princess. "I am so sorry my dear. Until now I truly thought you had a chance of saving her. But, seeing what she has done to Varian, a child of all things... well." She didn't finish her thought and went on treating his wounds.
Eugene started to lead Rapunzel out of the room. "We'll come back in a few hours to check on him."
Rapunzel suddenly stopped when they were halfway outside. "What are we going to tell his dad?"
Lance and Eugene looked at eachother.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get it, Sunshine."
Rapunzel sighed. "A-alright."
Three hours later they went back to the medical room. Varian was awake but still laying down.
"You're going to need to take it easy for a while." Doctor Flora was saying. "After taking a hit like that? Well, honestly I'm surprised you got back up."
Varian bit his lip. He looked like he wanted to cry. "Cass... she..." He trailed off.
Eugene knocked on the doorframe. "Hey buddy. How are you?"
Varian smiled at the sound of his voice. "Not dead. That's good."
They noticed a large, black and blue bruise crawling up his chest and collarbone. They could only imagine what the bruise looked like on the skin they couldn't see.
Rapunzel sat next to him. "I'm so sorry we didn't get there sooner."
Varian sat up painfully and put a hand on her arm. "Rapunzel, don't blame yourself for this. I'm going to be fine."
