It had been a long day for Horace, or Eugene, as he was starting to get used to being called.
First he'd been chased by that crazy horse, then he'd stumbled upon a girl that was somehow even more sheltered than he was. He'd been given a new name, and though it had taken him a few hours to learn how to respond to it he was starting to get used to it. In fact, he really liked the name Eugene, or at least he liked the way that Rapunzel said it.
Eugene had quickly learned that Rapunzel was conflicted, to say the very least. She wanted to get out and see the world, but she was so scared of letting down her mother. She didn't seem truly afraid of the woman, which was a bit reassuring, but Horace still thought that her mother's tendency to guilt-trip Rapunzel was concerning, even if the blonde didn't see any issue with it.
Rapunzel only calmed down from her guilt when she had some excitement to distract her. They ended up finding far more excitement than either of them had wanted. Between being chased by guards again, being attacked by these two brutes who also seemed to think that Eugene was the thief Flynn Rider, almost drowning, and the revelation that Rapunzel apparently had magical hair with healing powers, they both needed some time to process it all.
Eugene was proud of Rapunzel. He now knew that she had very good reason to be afraid of people and protective of her hair, and yet she had come out of her shell and befriended the thugs at the tavern. She'd also shared the secret of her hair with Eugene. She trusted him enough to tell him about something that she clearly held close to the vest.
Eugene was surprised with her powers, but it wasn't the magical hair itself that most surprised him, it was what that hair might mean.
The song that Rapunzel had sung to activate her powers was one that Eugene was vaguely familiar with. He'd heard those words from Adira a couple of times. Apparently the incantation was on one of the scrolls in the Great Tree. Adira spent most of her time guarding the Great Tree examining these scrolls, trying to learn the secrets hidden within them.
According to her, the moonstone was just one half of a whole. Its counterpart was known as the sundrop, and supposedly had the powers to heal instead of destroy. The song, the glowing hair, the healing, it was all painting an absolutely unbelievable picture. Rapunzel was the sundrop.
Eugene had been told since he was a child that it was his destiny to protect the moonstone. That no matter how hard he tried to run from it, his fate was tied to the opal. Eugene wasn't really the kind of person who believed in destiny, which was part of the reason why he had run away from home, so he could find his own fate and future. He was starting to second guess that now.
He'd travelled so far from the Dark Kingdom, and the first person that he really seemed to find a kinship with might be connected to the sundrop, and therefore the moonstone. No matter how far he ran, Eugene couldn't get away from the reminder of his birthright. Maybe his dad had a point when he'd talked about his destiny.
Eugene wished that he'd paid more attention to his dad and Adira when they'd talked about the possibility of the sundrop. Maybe then he'd know for sure whether Rapunzel was actually connected to the sundrop, and how to help her if she was.
Eugene was feeling a little bit overwhelmed with this potential that Rapunzel had something to do with the sundrop. It was definitely not what he had expected to find when he'd left home. He knew Rapunzel wasn't defined by whatever powers she might have, but he needed a little bit of time to wrap his head around this. So just after Rapunzel had healed his palm he'd gone to find some firewood, just so he could catch his breath and process everything that had happened that day.
Eugene grabbed a few stray pieces of dead wood that he found lying on the ground, though most of his focus was on figuring out what was going on with Rapunzel and her powers. Eugene had been taught from an early age to never let his guard down, even when he had no reason to be cautious. When he heard the rustling of leaves, he was immediately on his guard.
Eugene reached for his bone dagger, though he didn't immediately pull it out. Sometimes potential threats didn't become truly dangerous until they were provoked. Eugene wouldn't bring out his dagger until he knew he needed it. He faced the source of the rustling, and jumped a bit when a dark creature came leaping out of it. Eugene yelped in slight panic as he felt small claws dig into him as the creature climbed onto him.
He swung out to knock it away, but stopped himself when he registered just what the creature was. It was a raccoon. A very familiar looking raccoon.
"R-Ruddiger?" Eugene stared at the animal in disbelief. Ruddiger chattered eagerly and climbed onto his shoulder. The raccoon nuzzled against him and Eugene pet his fur. "What are you doing here?" He was surprised, but still pleased to see the familiar animal. These past few months had been lonely, and it was nice to see a friendly face.
"Ruddiger!" Another voice called out from the trees. Eugene froze, convinced that he had just been hearing things. He couldn't have heard what he thought he had. It wasn't possible. He thought he'd made sure that this very thing wouldn't happen. Despite Eugene's denial, a familiar teenager stumbled out of bushes that Ruddiger had just run out of.
"Varian." Eugene breathed. He knew that Ruddiger wouldn't go anywhere without the boy, yet he was still more surprised to see Varian. The kid was supposed to go home. Eugene had known that somebody would have come after him, but he had expected his father or Hector, not the kid that he had specifically told to not come after him.
Varian looked like all his breath was knocked out of him. He stared at Eugene as though he was seeing a ghost. "H-Horace?" They just stared at each other for a long moment before Varian's expression fell. He looked vulnerable and pained, though also incredibly hopeful. "You...you're here. I actually found you."
Varian ran towards Eugene and embraced him. The man was shocked, but he didn't hesitate to return the hug. Eugene had been concerned as soon as he'd seen Varian, and that concern only got worse when he heard the boy whimper and sniffle. There weren't a lot of things in this world that Eugene couldn't handle, and tears were one of them. Especially Varian's tears.
"What are you doing here?" Eugene asked. He did his best to keep his tone calm. Varian clearly wasn't in a good place right now. He would probably get defensive if he felt like he was being yelled at, and Eugene really didn't want to start a fight with the kid right now.
"I came to get you." Varian huffed between his small sobs. "D-did you really think I wouldn't?"
"Well, I had hoped." Eugene said. Varian stiffened and Eugene quickly realized just what he had said. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but...no, you know what, no, I'm not happy to see you out here." Eugene pulled away from Varian. "You shouldn't be so far from home. How could the others have brought you here?"
Varian blinked and had a slightly guilty expression in his eyes. Eugene felt a surge of panic. He put his hands on Varian's shoulders and knelt to be at his level. "Kid, please don't tell me that you've come all the way out here on your own."
Varian shifted uncomfortably. "I...I couldn't go back to the Dark Kingdom to get them. I was already too far behind you. If I went back, I'd never be able to catch up to you."
"You...you've been on your own this whole time?!" Eugene felt like he was going to be sick. He wrapped his arms around Varian and pulled the kid close to him, hugging him again. Eugene held him as tightly as he could. He needed to remind himself that Varian was okay. He was here, he was safe, he was alive.
Eugene couldn't help but notice how much Varian had changed these past few months. Eugene would swear that the boy was taller, and his hair seemed to be a little longer too. This wasn't all that unusual. Varian was a growing boy, it would make sense that some of that growth would happen within the span of several months.
What really worried Eugene though was that not everything about Varian was bigger. Holding the boy close, Eugene could feel just how skinny he was. The kid had lost some weight while they'd been separated.
This wasn't what Eugene had wanted. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Eugene had just wanted some space to find who he was outside of the heir of the Dark Kingdom. He'd just wanted a small break, a lick of freedom, before he dedicated his life to his kingdom and upholding their legacy.
Varian wasn't supposed to have been dragged into this. He was supposed to go home, find comfort from his dad, and maybe find who he was outside of being Eugene's supposed bodyguard.
Eugene would need to have words with his dad, as well as Quirin. Varian was just a kid. He shouldn't feel like it was his responsibility to clean up after Eugene's messes. He loved the kid, but he didn't like how their whole relationship was built on the weight of the world being put on Varian's shoulders. He shouldn't have had to deal with it when he was just five years old, and he shouldn't have to deal with it now.
"I'm sorry," Eugene muttered. He didn't specify what he was apologizing for, because there was far too much to start listing right now. He was sorry for abandoning Varian. He was sorry for not being able to help him feel safe in the world. He was sorry that Varian had felt like he'd had no choice but to follow him for all these months. He was sorry that he had caused his dad to feel the need to assign Varian to watch him in the first place.
Despite everything, Eugene couldn't bring himself to be sorry for leaving the Dark Kingdom. He didn't regret meeting Rapunzel, or getting some real experience outside his sheltered home. He liked being away from home. Eugene had learned so much, and been able to put everything he'd learned growing up to the test. There was still a lot he didn't know, and Eugene wanted to experience all of it.
At the same time though, he didn't want to hurt Varian any more.. He couldn't leave Varian alone again. The kid had lost too much weight already. Eugene couldn't give him the chance to get any worse.
"Hey, kid, I've made a new friend recently." Eugene pulled back to look at Varian. "I said I'd take her to this festival in Corona tomorrow night. Why don't you come with us?"
Varian frowned slightly. "A festival? W-with lots of people?" He sounded tense and a little nervous. Eugene wasn't surprised. He knew that Varian felt uncomfortable around people. He probably had never participated in a true festival, but Varian was a smart kid. He had to know that parties and festivals attracted a lot of people, and brought out some of the traits and personalities that people may hide. They weren't exactly the ideal way to ease somebody into socialization.
"Well, yeah, there will be people there," Eugene admitted. "But we were planning on avoiding large crowds." Eugene and Rapunzel hadn't really talked about it, but between the risk that he would be mistaken for a thief again, and her inexperience and fear around people, he thought it would be safest for them to take things nice and easy. Maybe they'd spend some time dancing and celebrating with the people of Corona, but they would also be spending a fair amount of time in quiet places where they could unwind.
Varian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Eugene wondered if the kid had always been this doubtful. "Why would you go to a festival only to avoid everybody?"
"It's complicated." Eugene shrugged. "Rapunzel's actually a lot like you. She doesn't have a lot of experience around people, and is a bit nervous. She's been looking forward to this for a long time, and I don't want her to get overwhelmed."
Varian's gaze softened a little bit. "You really seem to care about this Rapunzel."
You know, I think I'm really starting to." Eugene smiled fondly. Just thinking about Rapunzel's soft smile and bright enthusiasm made him happy. There was a lot he would be willing to do just to bring out that smile of hers. "I think she'd really like you." Eugene had learned that Rapunzel really liked learning as much as she could, though she hadn't really been given the chance. She would probably be absolutely fascinated with Varian's alchemy, and the kid would probably enjoy being able to talk to somebody who had at least an idea of what he was talking about.
Varian looked shocked. "You...you think she'd like me?"
"Of course." Eugene said without a moment's hesitation. "Why wouldn't she? You're incredible. You're funny, nice, and the smartest kid I know. Who wouldn't love you?"
Normally Varian would preen from his praise. The kid thrived on compliments and being recognized. This time, Varian almost seemed to shrink in on himself. It wasn't right at all.
"You forgot violent, impulsive, and incapable of doing the one job I'd been given." Varian said.
"What? Kid, no!" Eugene brushed some of Varian's hair out of his face. It needed a trim. Preferably one that wasn't nearly as sloppy as his own. "My leaving had nothing to do with you. It was my choice. Even if it was your job to stop me, which it never should have been in the first place, the responsibility still falls on my shoulders."
Varian grimaced. "But when my alchemy backfires on me my dad blames himself and says he should have kept a closer eye on me. You do the same thing."
"Sure, but there's one very big difference," Eugene said. "You're just a kid. You're still learning and growing. It's the job of the adults around you to keep an eye on you, to make sure that you're doing it safely. It's not your job to do the same thing for us."
Varian frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess, but that still doesn't change the other things. I'm not good with people, you know that. What if I lose it and attack or scare her?"
Eugene wanted to refute it, but Varian had a point. He'd attacked that woman back at the inn when they'd first left the Dark Kingdom, and he hadn't done much better after that. Varian was nervous around people, and Eugene doubted that had changed in the past few months.
Eugene couldn't help but hope that Varian and Rapunzel could help ease each other through their social anxieties, but he didn't think it would work out that way. Rapunzel was terrified of people being harsh and threatening, and Varian was suspicious of everybody he saw. The boy would surely be nervous about Rapunzel's secrecy around her hair, and if he was a little too intense in his reaction to his doubts, then Rapunzel may feel overwhelmed and in danger.
Eugene knew that it may not be for the best that Varian and Rapunzel spend an extended amount of time with each other, especially at a festival when the presence of other people may put them on edge in the first place.
But Eugene wasn't going to give up so easily. He'd made a promise to Rapunzel, and he had to start making things up to Varian. He would be able to make this work, he would have to.
"That won't happen." Eugene said. "I'll make sure of it."
Varian didn't look convinced. At what point did Varian stop trusting every word that Eugene had to say.
"I don't know, Horace," Varian said quietly.
"Oh, I go by Eugene now." The young man said automatically. Varian gave him an odd look.
"You changed your name? Why?" Varian asked.
"A couple of reasons," Eugene shrugged. "Mostly I just felt that I needed a change. New name, new look, new me."
Varian grimaced. His eyes focused on Eugene's shoulder, where he usually wore his fur cloak. The boy then looked towards Eugene's waist, where he normally wore his tiger fur satchel. Varian looked pained, and Eugene couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty. He'd had a very specific reason for putting away his fur, and part of it was to keep them safe. Varian didn't know this though. All the kid saw was that Eugene had gotten rid of the things that connected the two of them.
Varian shifted uncomfortably. "...Was it the old you that trapped me in the Great Tree and ran away? Or was that the new you?"
Eugene flinched. He didn't know what he should say. That regrettable moment in the Great Kingdom had been an awkward transitional moment between Horace, the loyal prince of the Dark Kingdom, and Eugene, the young man that he was still trying to figure out who he was.
Varian eyed Eugene expectantly. He truly wanted to get an answer. Finally Eugene sighed. He figured since he was still trying to find out who exactly Eugene was, then the new him could be considered any time when he took a risk and did something he normally wouldn't have. In a way, new Eugene had made his first proper appearance in the Great Tree, when he'd decided to leave the Great Kingdom.
"That...that was probably the new Eugene." He admitted.
Varian tried to scowl, though it looked more like a pout. "I don't like the new Eugene very much."
Eugene flinched. Varian's opinion was more than fair, but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt. He was really starting to like this new him. It was a little exciting to see just who he was. Varian was one of the most important people in Eugene's life. He wanted the kid to like him, even this awkward experimental phase he was in.
Varian was an alchemist, a scientist. Surely he knew that sometimes amazing things only came after experimentation and a lot of different trial and error. Then again, Varian was still just a kid. He was young, hurt, and had every reason in the world to let his emotions get the better of him. As much as it hurt, Eugene couldn't force Varian to understand him. Especially not when Eugene was still trying to figure this whole thing out himself.
"Varian-" Eugene started, but the kid shook his head harshly and took a small step back. That hurt more than anything else.
"I-I don't think I'm up for a festival." Varian said quietly. "Or meeting your new friend."
"Kid, please, just-" Eugene tried to say, but when he stood up and tried to take a step towards Varian Ruddiger hissed harshly and bit Eugene's face. The raccoon jumped off his shoulders and ran towards Varian. He looked protective and angry, and it didn't feel good to have that growl aimed at him. Eugene had messed up with Varian, he knew he had, but he wasn't the kid's enemy.
"I just want to go home." Varian said. He didn't look like he was going to start crying anymore, but somehow his exhaustion was even worse to handle.
"And we will." Eugene swore. "But I made a promise to Rapunzel. We have to follow through with that first, and then we can go."
Varian's face darkened when Eugene mentioned a promise. "I'm not doing anything. If this promise means so much to you, fine, do what you want, but you told me that it wasn't my job to clean up your messes."
"You're right, it's not." Eugene said. He tried to keep his voice as calm and reassuring as he could, even though he was starting to feel panicked. He wasn't used to seeing Varian angry and bitter. "I just don't want you to be on your own."
Varian sighed and seemed to deflate. "You don't have to worry about me. I won't be on my own."
Eugene grimaced. "As great as Ruddiger is, he's not really the best company."
Varian gave Eugene a small glare. "I wasn't talking about Ruddiger. You're not the only one that's made a new friend."
Eugene's eyes widened. "A friend?" The kid who was scared of barmaids and merchants had actually come out of his shell and opened himself up to somebody while Eugene was gone? It was shocking, and he didn't really know if he believed it, but he really wanted to. He wanted to know that Varian had somebody other than just him, so he let his hope beat down the doubt in his head.
"Kid, that's great!" Eugene smiled. Varian still didn't look happy, but Eugene could see a small smile in his eyes.
"I'll be fine." Varian said. "Just try not to take too long...Eugene."
The young man flinched slightly. He'd really grown to love hearing the name Eugene from Rapunzel, but coming out of Varian's mouth it just felt wrong. It felt like Varian was talking to a complete stranger, not someone that he had known for most of his life. Eugene was just about to tell Varian that he wouldn't mind if the kid continued to call him Horace, but before he could the kid turned and walked back through the bushes. He was gone.
Eugene stood where he was, just staring at the place that Varian had been standing. Eventually he tore his gaze away, picked up the firewood he must have dropped at some point, and made his way back to where Rapunzel was waiting for him. He knew that he had a long ways to go to make things up with Varian, and he would, after he took Rapunzel to see the lanterns. Then they could all go home, and hopefully things would go back to the way they were before everything changed.
A/N: Meanwhile, Gothel is talking to and manipulating Rapunzel. Since Eugene didn't steal the crown, so that can't be used to test him and spread doubt, Gothel instead somehow knows that Eugene is a member of the Brotherhood and tells Rapunzels that he's just after her hair. I probably could have written about that scene itself, but I'm tired, and there's not really more than that.
The Stabbingtons and the Coronan guards still think that Eugene stole the crown, so those parts of the movie remain the same in this story.