The moment their lips touched, time slowed to a crawl. Every moment might as well have lasted an eternity.
First, it was all fireworks. Life was a fair, with colorful lights flashing every which way. Sensations that she'd pay a fortune to keep in a bottle forever rushed through her. They'd kissed before, but nothing compared to this. She didn't have time to ponder it before the memories started flooding back.
The famine is over, finally!
Where did Fitzherbert go?
Princess! What's happening to you?
You are my new dream
You want to go outside?
Flower gleam and glow.
It was like waking up from a dream. Except it was more than that. Dawn- no- Rapunzel was afraid. It was too warm, too cramped, she needed to get away. She pushed Eugene away.
" Dawn?" Oh gosh, had he been taken too somehow. No. No no no no no. Not after how hard she tried to save him.
" Eugene, listen you have to believe me. We've known eachother longer than these past months."
His face lit up. " You remember?"
" You- I don't- Eugene what's happening?" All of the pieces were there, she just couldn't seem to make them fit. It didn't help that Eugene was talking a mile a minute.
" Okay, so I left Corona after you framed me- no hard feelings- and then I got word that you disappeared. Naturally I was freaked out. I asked around and realized you signed a deal and got trapped here. So I travel the land looking for a portal. Eventually I found this old wizard who really likes to make these complicated smoke rings-"
" Stop." Her heart stopped as another memory rushed in.
You have to sign it.
Rumplestiltskin stepped out of the shadows. His scaly skin was somehow more and less frightening then she had heard. It wasn't monstrous, but it showed corruption.
" I know."
" But only you."
" Not a chance! Eugene, he'll understand. I know he will. We'll get through this together."
" Not without you."
" What do you mean?"
" Gothel. We made a deal. I have to kill you in front of your lover, or else I die." The look on his face was the picture of remorse without regret.
Rapunzel backed away, fully aware that his power eclipsed anything her kingdom had.
" There's a loophole though. If you forget him, you won't love him. You'll be safe."
" Is that what would happen if I signed this?"
He nodded," Make him hate you. Make him believe you want him gone. Believe me, he'll take your rejection better than your death."
She couldn't breathe. At first she thought it was the sheer panic. Then she looked at Eugene's face. It was horribly contorted by terror, but what really stood out was where he was looking.
Rumpelstiltskin was standing behind them, choking her.
" P-please. Don't." She choked out. He'd been her friend, and warned her of the danger. Why was he doing this now?
" I'm sorry dearie, but the moment he arrived here the deal opened again. If I didn't work towards this, Gothel would have made sure I dropped dead. The contract was far too specific."
By now Eugene seemed to have caught on. He rushed towards him, fury in his eyes. Just as he was inches away from his throat, he froze. His expression clearly showed that it wasn't by choice.
For a minute, they all stood there. Until a far too quiet voice broke the silence.
" Then kill me, that would break the deal, wouldn't it?"
" No!" Even without air she manages to screech the words. Not again, she couldn't lose him. Rumplestilskin had to say no.
Pure horror. It swelled up in her very soul as the grip on her throat loosened. A dark aura appeared around his hands.
Eugene looked at Rapunzel. His eyes spoke words that he might never get to say again.
Without thinking, Rapunzel jumped in front of him as the spell hit.
Because she loved him.
