It was late, late into the night. It had been a long day before and everyone in the house was sleeping soundly.

Well… almost everyone.

Tulio was currently tossing and turning in his sleep, quite violently, and making small crying noises. Miguel jutted awake as he was accidentally elbowed in the chest, groaning in pain.

"Tulio, what the hell…!" It took Miguel only seconds to realise that his partner was not awake and having a nightmare.

"Tulio! Tulio wake up," Miguel whispered as loud as he felt he could, he didn't want to wake up Eugene.

Miguel put his hand on Tulio's shoulder but that caused the man to wake up suddenly, threw the hand off of him and yell "Don't touch me!"

Tulio panted violently, trying to calm down as he surveyed his surroundings. It took him a minute, but he realised where he was eventually.

He was in an old, run-down house that the family of three had snuck into and were camping out in. He wasn't back there, he was with his partner and son.

He was safe.

"Another nightmare?" Miguel asked once he saw the lucidity in his partner's eyes again. All he got in response was a nod and sniffle as Tulio fought back tears of humiliation and old fear.

"Oh darling… come here." Miguel cooed, putting his arms out. Tulio immediately fell into them as he griped Miguel's clothes with a death grip as if he would disappear if he let go and started to quietly sob.

Miguel didn't say anything and just let Tulio get it all out, which didn't take long. It never did, Tulio didn't let it.

Tulio slowly leaned back out of Miguel's embrace but kept a hold of Miguel's hand.

"Better now?" Miguel asked, Tulio gave a small smile and nodded again. Miguel pressed a kiss to Tulio's forehead, wishing he could make the bad memories go away.

But he never could.

It was then that the two were interrupted by the sound of the creaking door, they looked over and saw a small head poking its way into the crack.

"Eugene? What are you doing up?" Tulio asked, leaning over.

"I thought I heard yelling…" Eugene whispered out.

Tulio cringed before quickly lying, "You must of had a bad dream, would you like to sleep with us tonight?"

The 10-year-old brightens at that, it was not often that he was allowed to sleep with his parents, so he took every chance that he could get. He quickly rushed over and jumped into Tulio's arms, who laughed at his son's antics.

Miguel couldn't help but smile warmly, as he pulled Tulio close with one arm while the other arm ruffled Eugene's hair.

Soon all three of them were settled in the bed once again, Tulio being held to Miguel's chest while Tulio held Eugene close.

Eugene didn't mind it, but he could tell that Tulio was holding him extra tight that night, he didn't care.

It made him feel safe.


It started as a regular day.

Most disasters do.

Tulio was enjoying a nice breakfast with the whole family, which included the king and queen.

Everyone was having a nice time, gossiping and generally getting along. Then a maid came in and passed along a piece of paper to the king.

He blinked in surprise, "What does it say, Dear?" The queen asked.

"It appears that a Nobel family from Spain will be giving us a visit today." The king announced, passing the paper to his wife, who looked it over.

"Oh, I hope it's not because we stole from them in our golden years Darling." Miguel half-whispered to Tulio, making him, Eugene and Rapunzel chuckle.

"Oh! I've heard about these lot, apparently they hold the monopoly on the sugar and spice industry in Spian. Incredibly wealthy I can imagine." The queen added.

That sentence made Miguel and Tulio stumble in their cool atmosphere. Tulio especially, sat frozen on the spot.

No… no… it couldn't be…

"Uh, excuse me my dear, what is the name of these fine people visiting today?" Miguel asked, with a wide uneven smile, like he wasn't trying to give away just how uncomfortable he was.

The king and queen couldn't see it, but Eugene and Rapunzel could.

And it made them nervous, what on earth could they be so afraid about?

"Oh,I believe they are named the 'Maduro' family."

At that, Tulio stood up so fast and violently that made the table jump and food and drink to be spilt everywhere.

But Tulio didn't seem to notice, he had this, dark, blank and haunted look in his eye. Af if he had just witnessed the brutal murder of his entire family.

"I-I have to go!" And with that, the dark-haired man sprinted out the room, at a speed Eugene hadn't seen in years.

"Papa, wait!" Eugene yelled out as he too stood up from his seat.

He turned to Miguel to ask him what the hell all that was about, but his mouth snapped shut when he saw what Miguel was doing.

He was staring at nothing, with a rage in his eyes Eugene didn't even know his loud and fun Dad was even capable of having.

Miguel had one hand gripped on a glass of water that then let out a piercing sound as it cracked from under the pressure.

The sound seems to be able to snap Miguel out of his silent rage but his eyes were still clouded as he stood up, bowing to the king and queen, Who were both just as shocked as Eugene and Rapunzel.

"Forgive me and my husband for our out of character behaviour. But you must excuse me now, as I have to calm Tulio down before…" Miguel didn't finish that sentence before he too ran out of the door Tulio had done previously.

The four people still left in their dining room, just stared at each other with open mouth shocked expressions.

What on earth was all that about?


Tulio was not sure where he was running. He didn't care, he just wanted to get away. He could hardly see where he was going as his eyes were full of tears and his lungs burned from the sudden sprint, it made him feel sick.

No, like actually sick

His stomach turned so suddenly and so violently that Tulio tripped on his own feet and slammed to the ground before vomiting up all of his half-eaten breakfast onto the nice, clean expensive carpet.

Tulio felt so pathetic. His arms could barely hold himself up from face-planting into his vomit as they were shaking so hard, his mouth and throat burned from the stomach acid, his knees hurt from falling on them and he couldn't even see because his eyes were full with free-flowing tears.

He felt like a child again.

He didn't hear Miguel running up behind and he was only vaguely aware of being practically picked up, led into an empty bedroom and quickly cleaned up before they both collapsed on the empty bed.

It only really registered in Tulio's mind what was happening after Miguel had spent the last 5 minutes holding him to his chest, whispering sweet nothings as he rocked Tulio back and forth.

Then, it was like the damn broke, over 40 years of pent up trauma that Tulio almost always refused to talk about, all bubbled to the surface.

And Tulio cried and cried and cried. It was a loud and painful cry. There were no words for the cry, other than gut-wrenching. One full of years of anguish, fear, pain and anger.

And all Miguel could do was hold his precious partner close and Listen.

Like he always had, like he always would.

Both of them didn't even realise that Eugene and Rapunzel had followed Miguel to comfort Tulio, but stayed outside the door to give the two men some privacy.

It was only after Tulio had stopped crying that Eugene knocked on the door and waited to be called in.

Both men almost jumped out of their skins when they heard the gentle knock, Miguel looked down at Tulio, he needed to know if he was ready to face people at the moment.

Tulio nodded slightly, feeling tired and gross, but there was no hiding now.

"Come in," Miguel called out, running his hands through Tulio's hair.

Eugene and Rapunzel stepped into the room, worried and confused looks on their faces.

"Oh, kids don't look at me like that. I'm okay, really." Tulio croaked out, his voice horse from screaming and crying for the last 20 minutes.

"You're a bad liar Papa." Eugene spat out.

"No I'm not and you know it." Tulio shot back.

"Well you're clearly lying right now! We just watched you run out of breakfast looking like you're about to have a panic attack, you just threw up on the floor and then we just had a listen you scream and cry like you were being murdered for the last 20 minutes. So forgive me if I'm a little sceptical."

Tulio flinched at such a harsh cone come out of his son's mouth. Before remembering about the mess.

He turned it to Rapunzel, "I am so sorry about the carpet, I'll clean it up I promise.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about it, the staff have already taken care of it." Rapunzel said, in a comforting tone.

"Oh… well would you tell them I'm sorry?"

"No offence Tulio, that's really the least of my concerns. Why did you panic so much about those Noble's? Do you know them?" She asked.

Tulio let out a bitter laugh, leaning out of his partner's grasp and sitting down on the edge of the bed, head placed firmly in his hands.

"Know them? Hehe… they're my damn parents…"

A hush fell over the group, "Wait, your parents The one's you never talk about?"

"I didn't talk about them for a reason, son. I didn't talk about them, because I didn't wanna remember them. For the last 40 years I tried to forget about them and put as much distance between them and I as possible." Tulio said, lending back on the backs of his hands, head still firmly down.

"Why? Dad mentioned them before but never actually told why you both hate them so much." Eugene asked, generally interested.

It was quiet for a moment, before Miguel spoke up, "Are you sure you want to tell them darling? You don't have to if you don't to, we can avoid them the whole time-"

"No… I think they're both old enough to understand." Tulio said, no trace of emotion in his voice, "You both might want to sit down for this, it's not exactly a happy story." Tulio added, pointing to a set of chairs near the door.

As soon as everyone was settled and Tulio was ready, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"For the first 10 years of my life, my life was perfect. My parents were pretty wealthy, my dad had a budding spice business and my mum was a respected member of the community. I had the best education that they could afford, I understood three languages by the time I was eight. Life was good, my parents loved me and I loved them.

But then everything changed, when my father invited over a very wealthy man for dinner, hoping to get an investment. I thought he was nice at first, he was kind to me and even gave me a piece of candy. But then I noticed he was staring at me a lot, I didn't think anything of it at the time but then I heard him ask my father they could speak in private."

Tulio stopped, sighing heavily; Miguel put his hand on Tulio's, who grabbed it tight, before continuing.

"I was a nosy kid so I followed them, and stood out the door. I couldn't quite hear what they were saying but then I heard my father yelling 'You can't possibly think that I would allow that to happen?! How dare you even think of something so despicable?!' I have never heard him yell like that before. But I continued listening, it got quiet after that, but I could make out a few sentences 'I would give your company all the money you want and more' and then 'but still, how could I ever forgive myself?'.

I wanted to keep listening but then I was pulled away by my mother since it was bedtime. I still remember it so vividly, my father came to my room just as I was going to sleep. He had a look on his face that I can't describe even now, guilt, greed, acceptance? I don't know, but he came up to me and he told me, 'Mr Escoria is going to come in in a minute. Just do what ever he says and don't scream, no matter how much it hurts.' I had no idea what he meant but I just said 'Okay daddy'. He cringed and then walked out of the room.

A little while later, I had my door creaking open and… you can probably guess what happened next."

Tulio finally stopped and looked up to faces of pure shock, horror and disgust. Rightfully so.

Rapunzel had tears in her eyes as she cover her mouth, and Eugene looked so disgusted and angry. "No… can't possibly mean-"

"Do I really have to spell it out for you Eugene? I was molested."

Rapunzel broke at those words, she threw herself at Tulio and pulled him in for a big hug. He leaned into the hug but didn't hug her back.

"What the hell happened after that?" Eugene whispered out.

"Well, my father's company grew and… well I'm guessing Mr Escoria had told some of his rich friends about what my father had allowed him to do to me… then my farther started getting a lot more investors."

Rapunzel pulled back in shock, "No…" her voice shook with horror. Tulio just nodded, eyes tired and sad.

Eugene couldn't believe, The man that had raised him ever since he was eight years old had gone through all of that when he was just a boy himself? He felt sick.

"What about your mom? Surely she didn't know or…?"

Tulio just shook his head, "She knew… I cried to her the morning after the first time because I was in so much pain, she just hugged me and said 'I know it hurts baby, but you did so well. Think about how much money your father is going to make now, always such a good boy. My good Chiquito.'"

Eugene took and deep breath, stood up In prominently punched the wall nearest to him. It caused a loud thud as a nearby painting was jostled from its nail, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Pick that up and sit down Eugene. I'm not finished and you're scaring your wife." Tulio scolded, in a no-nonsense tone.

Eugene did as he was told, putting the painting back and promptly sitting back down on the couch, rubbing his bruising knuckles.

"Don't feel too bad son, I did the exact same thing when I heard about it the first time." Miguel said, sending a kind gaze his way.

"After that, Affection was used like a weapon against me. The day after I was visited by an investor, they would shower me with praise and buy me gift after gift. I'm not sure if it was because they felt guilty about what they would let happen, or if they just wanted to make sure that I would keep doing it, I don't know. But it would happen once or twice a month after that… until I turned thirteen."

"…Thirteen? It went on until you were 13 years old?" Eugene hissed to no one in particular.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened in my mind that day. I'm pretty sure a part of me snapped. I was visited by another investor the night before, and I was on my way to breakfast when I had my parents talking in the hall. Turns out Mr investor had decided not to invest in my dad's company and to leave without a trace. They sounded annoyed, just annoyed.

I was raped for nothing that night, and they were just annoyed."

Tulio let out a laugh, it sounded manic as fresh tears started streaming down his face.

"I broke that day. I was a broken person, no, a broken child. I just remember going into my room, packing up as much as I could carry and

Then I jumped out the window. I walked out of my parent's estate and I never looked back." Tulio laughed along as he told the sad story.

"Why didn't you tell someone?" Eugene asked.

"Nobody would have believed me, I wasn't important like my parents. I tried once to talk to a maid about it, she just sneered and complained about how difficult it was to get the blood of my sheets every week."

"Oh good god…" Rapunzel wheezed, just barely being able to keep her breakfast from making a second appearance.

Tulio let out a shaky laugh, gripped the roots of his hair and pulled sharply. "And now they're back. They're going to make me go back there. I-I don't wanna go back." Tulio whispered out as the true weight of the situation hit him. His parents, that used him as a bargaining tool, were coming today.

"Why do you think that they're coming to get you?" Rapunzel asked, wondering if that was the real intent for the nobles' visit.

"I saw missing posters of me around for months after I ran away. I heard people talking about me, how they would give a lot of money to anyone who brought me back. I was even recognised a couple of times but I alway managed to give them the slip." Miguel leaned over and pulled his husband down to lay his head on his chest, holding him close.

"But it's impossible for them to know your here." Rapunzel mumbled to herself, a thoughtful look on her face.

"What do you mean Sunshine?" Eugene asked.

"It's impossible for them to know you're here because it was a private matter when you two found Eugene, only people close to the royal family know about you guys." Rapunzel concluded.

"They really just want to trade." Eugene continued.

"So… it's just a coincidence?" Tulio's voice shook. "Just my fucking luck…" he laughed bitterly once again, gripping onto Miguel's shirt with white knuckles.

"Well, this is good isn't it? If they don't know you're here, then we can just avoid them. You won't have to see them Tulio." Miguel said, pulling his husband closer.

"Y-yeah. Yeah that's right!" Eugene smiled, "We can just leave them to the king and queen and you can hide in you're room till there gone, then it'll be over."

"We can tell mom and dad that The kingdom can't trade with them because of personal reasons and they'll understand, The nobles will leave and they'll be none the wiser that you were ever here." Rapunzel added, trying to keep her tone even and calm.

"R-really? I can just hide? I don't have to see them?" Tulio asked, "You really think the King and Queen will understand?"

"Of course they will," Eugene piped up, moving closer and grabbing Tulio's hand. "It'll all be ok, Papa."

Tulio smiled. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "We'd better go now then, we have no idea how much time we have before they get here."

"Good idea love."


"So you see you're majesties, that is the reason why we can't trade with them. And again, I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning, but I'm sure you can understand why I did." Tulio finished, he and his family standing in the throne room.

"My good man, I am so heartbroken to hear such a sad tale. Of course we understand." Kind Fred said, giving his sympathies.

"We must inform these Nobles at once that the kingdom can not trade with them, and send them on their way as soon as possible." The queen continued, feeling so very angry.

She knew what it was like to lose a child, and to have your parents use their child for material gain, made her want to declare war.

But of course, the situation had to be dealt with as stealthily and as quickly as possible.

The Maduro family could not find out that Tulio was here. If they had such a warped sense of love as he described, they would do anything in their power to bring him back.

Anything…

"Guard!" She called then waited as one ran forth, "When the Maduro's arrive, tell them that the kingdom has kindly refused their offer to trade but they are welcome to buy whatever it is they want in the streets they must leave it within a week."

The young guard then stuffed as he grimaced and nervously said, "I'm so sorry your majesty, but I'm afraid it is already too late they arrived in their carriage and I came to tell you that they are being escorted here this very minute."

She could hear gasps of horror as she and her husband stood to their feet. "We were informed that they wouldn't be arriving until later today!" The king bellowed.

"I-it appears that the weather became winder then they expected, s-so they arrived early." The poor lone guard shook as he could feel the animosity of everyone in the room.

"I-I got to get out of here." Tulio stammered as he shot to the throne rooms door. Only for it to open before his hand could reach it.

"Introducing, Mr Sergio and Mrs Delores Maduro!" Another guard Announced to the whole room, before the two people that Tulio hoped to never see again stepped into the room and stood right in front of him.

The door was closed behind them, and silence permeated the air. It was thick and heavy and all Tulio could hear was The beating of his own heart as he took in the appearances of his mother and father.

They had not aged well.

Which was to be expected as they had to be pushing on 70 if he remembered correctly.

He looked at his father, gone was the younger man of his memories and there stood a decrepit old man. The dark blue eyes that he shared, were now heavy and clouded over. Tulio wondered if he could even see him. His skin, which was once pulled taught with youth, had now gone saggy and loose with age. The dark brown hair that he once was gone, only specs of it could be found in short grey locks that barely covered the sides of his face. There was very clearly a bald spot. It almost made him want to laugh.

Then he turned to his mother. The long black hair that she once had was now shorter and put up into a bun there was also completely grey, only slightly lighter in colour than her husband. Her eyes, which were once also blue, had now turned an icy silver. It made him want to shiver, as even now they still held the compassion that she once held for him. His skin, which had also become saggy retained more of its olive colour, one that was the same as his.

There was no denying that he was his parents' son.

And unfortunately, it also seemed they had noticed it too.

"…Chiquito?"

His body froze as the familiar nickname fell from his mother's lips. She knew. She recognised him…

He took in a deep breath and let all the emotion drain from his face.

"Hello Mother, Hello Father."