Eugene was no stranger to pain. It tore at him like dogs, ripping him apart. Even with all the joy Rapunzel had brought, love always brought some pain with it. He never really understood pain until the moment he saw her crumple to the ground.

It was a silent, white-hot pain. He didn't even scream, just stared at the scene until he realized that she wasn't breathing.

He resisted the urge to shake her awake, fearing he'd do more damage.

" Rapunzel." He finally whispered. She looked horrible. Almost all the color had drained from her face. Even worse was that he could see the last bit of pink leaving her face.

" Eugene?" She rasped. He gathered her into his arms, holding onto her like the world itself rested on her shoulders.

A thorn drove itself through Eugene's heart as Rapunzel opened her mouth to speak, only to let out a ragged cough. In the end she gave him a sad, small, smile. Her eyes stayed open, but her chest stopped moving.

This couldn't be the end. It couldn't, it couldn't, it couldn't. She was supposed to come with him. It was supposed to be how it always had been. They'd be in love like they'd always been. She'd be around, alive, painting and laughing like always.

This was their always now.

Eugene didn't even recognize that tears were streaming down his face until he gasped for air. Over. Everything was over. All he could do was hold onto her unmoving body. All he could think about was how cold it- she- was.

" I love you Rapunzel."

The weight in his chest grew warm. At first it seemed no different than any other time he'd sobbed. But it only got warmer. Reeling back, he realized that it wasn't his chest that was warm, it was hers.

Instinctively he scampered backwards. A dim light radiated from her chest. Within moments it went from a warm light to a burning sun. Every inch of her was glowing. It looked as if the sun itself had taken form in Rapunzel.

As soon as it began, it was over. She dropped to the ground with a dull thud. The light show had enraptured Eugene, but the moment it was over bitterness replaced the awe he had felt before. Was this supposed to be some pity prize? He didn't want whatever just happened. He wanted his wife.

The moment the thought ran through his head, her arm twitched. A shield of denial kept Eugene from rushing to her. Hope was the deadliest thing to come out of Pandora's box after all.

Her golden head rose slowly. Her eyes were tired, but full of life as ever.

As it turned out, he didn't need to rush to her. She did that just fine on her own.

They kissed.