Hooray for FLUFF! Now that they've kissed, I can have more fluff between them. So for you romantics, these future chapters are for you!

Chapter 8: Eight Ways to Say "I Love You"

Eugene

It was a spur of the moment plan. I would thank her, and then make my move. See? Spur of the moment. And to quite honest, I didn't expect the response I got from her. Our lips had locked, and I broke away, expecting a stammer, and then her running off to be embarrassed, like most of the girls I've been with over the years. But this girl was different, I know that now. I broke our kiss, ready to explain, but before I could, she had her arms around my neck and her lips on mine. I wasn't expecting my heart to beat faster, nor did I expect that she knew what she was doing. It was amateur, but it was absolutely wonderful.

"Flynn! Rapunzel! Get back to work!" Mr. Nose sounded. Rapunzel jumped back, her face flushed crimson as she averted my gaze and went to retrieve the order. Mr. Nose stared at me angrily, his arms crossed over his chest. "Any explanation?" he asked.

"Nope, I've just been wanting to do that for three months now," I told him. Mr. Nose got up in my face.

"I'm one for romance Mr. Rider, but in the workplace it is unacceptable," he growled. "Consider this strike one…" with that he walked away. My eyes followed Rapunzel as she left the kitchen, and came back five minutes later with Amanda in tow. They made their way to the back, and the next thing I knew, Amanda was squealing and jumping up and down. The bell above the entrance to the restaurant rang and in walked Gothel, in all of her evilness. I ducked under the counter to avoid being seen by her. Rapunzel saw her mother waiting and she looked up at the clock. As did I, 5:15. She hung up her apron and clocked out, leaving the kitchen without a word to me. I noted that she seemed significantly happier than before as she left.

Rapunzel

He kissed me… he really kissed me… My first kiss, from anyone! I ran from the kitchen, delivering the food I had in my hands. The customers thanked me and I saw Amanda putting money in the cash register.

"Code Red, kitchen, two minutes," I hissed in her ear. Her eyes widened as she finished her business and tucked the leftover money in her apron. I grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the kitchen, ignoring Eugene completely.

"What's the matter?" Amanda asked in a whisper. I blushed at the thought of Eugene's mouth on mine…

"Flynn kissed me…" I said in a panic. Amanda's eyes brightened and a goofy smile lined her face, she began jumping up and down like a child who just heard the best news in the world.

"What was it like? Was is rough? Sweet? Did you kiss him back?" she asked in frenzy.

"Well… it was… really… I don't know the word for it exactly, passionate?" I said, not sure of how to feel right that moment. "And yes, I kissed him back," I added. Amanda's grin turned ear to ear and she hugged me.

"So does this mean you guys are an item now or something?" she asked. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at Eugene who was right where I left him. I turned back to Amanda.

"That's up to him, now isn't it?" I stated. I looked up at the clock and saw it was 5:15. I took off my apron and removed the tips from it, putting the money in the pocket of my jeans. Amanda followed me as I hung up my apron in the place of where my purse was. I put my card in the reader and took the card.

"Call me tonight, okay?" Amanda said, giving me a hug. I nodded and put my purse on my shoulder. I shot a glance at Eugene who was hiding from something, most likely mother. I walked out without a word to him. I'd let him climb up my hair tonight if he wanted.

"Are you ready to go dear?" Mother asked as soon as she saw me. I gave her a smile.

"Yeah, let's go home," I replied. Mother put her arm around my shoulder as we walked out together.

"So dear, did anything interesting happen today?" Mother asked. I nodded.

"I got to train a new employee," I said. This statement was true, I trained Eugene.

"Oh really, what's their name?" Mother asked as we got in the van. I blushed at the thought of Eugene. Should I tell her his name is Eugene? I made my decision as Mother pulled out.

"His name Stephen," I lied.

Eugene

"Okay you sissy, she's gone," Amanda said, holding out a hand to me. I took it and stood up, brushing off my apron.

"I'm no sissy," I told her. Amanda just laughed.

"Says the man who hid from an old lady," she said. I groaned and leaned back on the counter.

"Rapunzel's mother is quite the demon, she tried to choke me yesterday," I said. Amanda laughed at my statement.

"She seems nice to me," she stated. I rolled my eyes.

"She may seem nice but she finds someone she doesn't like and she will destroy you!" I exaggerated. Amanda continued laughing.

"I'm so sure…" she said sarcastically. "Oh, and Mr. Nose says that you're on clean up tonight for your little scene with Rapunzel." I groaned.

"Everything has its consequences," I said. Amanda nodded at this.

"So, are you guys an item now? You and Rapunzel, I mean," she said. I shrugged.

"I suppose so if you want to think of it that way," I said. Amanda laughed.

"Ah, young love…"

"Do you ever stop laughing?" I asked. Amanda shook her head.

"Why? Does it annoy you?"

"Yes, very much so…" I said.

"Then no, I never stop laughing," she said, laughing just for good measure. I rolled my eyes and we got back to work.

Rapunzel

I couldn't stop thinking about kissing Eugene. It was all that occupied my mind. I thought about whether or not I had fallen in love with him or not. I liked him, as more than a friend. That was for sure. But I wasn't sure if I had fallen in love or not. I leaned on the windowsill, waiting for Eugene. It was 10:00 and I still hadn't heard a thing from him.

"Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair!" I heard Eugene call out. I smiled to myself as I looked down to see Eugene standing there. I threw my locks over the side of the wall. He scaled up and sat on the windowsill like he had the night before. Before I could stop myself I kissed him, just because. He seemed to enjoy it as much as I was enjoying it. We broke apart and I let him in.

"What took you?" I whined. Eugene flashed a smile at me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him.

"Why? Did you miss me fair maiden?" he said playfully. I nodded my head seriously. He laughed and we broke our embrace. I could tell he was thinking something by the glimmer in his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked. Eugene snapped back into reality.

"Just thinking about how cute you are," he said. I giggled and could feel my face heating up.

We talked for hours and by the end of the night, had decided to begin dating. Behind my mother's back of course. I had never felt so rebellious, and as long as mother didn't find out nothing bad could come of this arrangement. Eugene kissed me goodnight and I let him slide down my hair, with that he was gone. I didn't know how to describe my feelings for him other than that I had fallen in love.

Eugene

Rapunzel and I had been dating secretly for about a month, and her 18th birthday was growing near. I didn't know how to describe my feelings for her exactly. I had changed for her when we met. I sensed something different about her from the very beginning. Amanda shed some light on the subject one morning at work,

"You're in love big guy," she had told me. "There's no other explanation! Now you just have to tell her."

"Tell her what? I love you?" I asked. Amanda nodded.

"You have to tell her Flynn, if you've got it that bad for her then just come out and say it!" And thus began my 8 attempts at telling her that I loved her.

Attempt #1 (Go Fish)

We sat on her bed, playing cards. It was almost midnight, which was technically my curfew. She set down her last cards with a playful grin on her face.

"I win again, Eugene. You need to get better at go fish," she said. I laughed. I kissed her softly.

"You're right, I do… Hey Rapunzel, I want to tell you something rather… important," I said. Rapunzel stared at me.

"What is it Eugene?" she asked. I gulped, unable to say the words.

"Nevermind…I- I… I should go," I said quickly.

"No, Eugene, what is it?" she asked.

"I'll tell you some other time," I said. She let her hair out of the window and I slid down it. As I made my way home I slapped my forehead. Bonehead move Eugene… I thought Next time, for sure.

Attempt #2 (Paintings)

Alright Eugene, you're just going to say it this time! I thought as Rapunzel showed off her newest painting.

"It's lovely Rapunzel," I said.

"You really think so? It was one of those paintings that I just did because…" she said. I nodded.

"You know what else is lovely?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

"What's that?" she asked.

"You are," I said in a husky voice. She giggled and we kissed. I looked into her eyes, ready to say it. But a light clicked on under the door and I was shoved hastily into her closet. When I emerged it was time for me to go. Why is it so hard to admit the truth?

Attempt #3 (The Necklace)

"Okay Rapunzel, open your eyes," I said revealing my surprise. She opened her eyes and saw the gift, wrapping her arms around me. I decided that this was the moment to tell her.

"You're so good to me Eugene," Rapunzel said, admiring the jewels that I had put around her neck.

"I know," I said. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Rapunzel smiled and we hugged. But the clock read midnight and I had no time left to tell her. As I slid down her hair I mouthed you complete me. She mouthed and you are too, before I reached the bottom. I would have said it then, but I was afraid of waking anyone. Another failed attempt at the truth.

Attempt #4 (Pep-Talk)

"So, have you told her yet?" Amanda asked as I waited for my order. I shook my head. "When are you going to tell her?"

"You think I haven't been trying for the past few weeks?" I asked as Rapunzel walked in.

"Trying what?" she asked.

"To get a promotion," I lied hastily. Rapunzel hugged me.

"You'll get it eventually," she said before leaving again. I sighed.

"Just say it Flynn," Amanda said. "You just have to say it."

Attempt #5 (Flowers and chocolate)

"Eugene, we need to be more careful. Mother is getting suspicious of these gifts," Rapunzel told me as I handed her the flowers and chocolate that I bought earlier that day.

"I know that, don't worry about it," I told her. She took one of the chocolates and ate it, smiling at the taste.

"Caramel, my favorite!" she said happily. I smiled, knowing that I had gotten it right after all. I wanted to say it now. But it didn't feel right; something about the moment was telling me that I shouldn't say it. So I left as usual. The voice inside my head murmured from time to time The time will come soon enough. Just wait.

Attempt #6 (Another reassuring push)

"You haven't told her yet?" Amanda said angrily as we closed up the restaurant for the night.

"God Amanda, you sound like the mother I never had," I groaned. "No I haven't, Rapunzel's been really interested in investigating her past right now. I haven't seen her in days." Amanda rolled her eyes.

"Flynn, you love her right?"

"With all my heart," I confirmed. Amanda gave an evil grin.

"Then just come out AND SAY IT!" she yelled. Now it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"If I ever see her again, I'm leaving!" I said walking out the door.

"Flynn…" Amanda said while tapping her foot.

"Yeah, yeah, I know… clock out," I muttered making my way back into the kitchen.

Attempt #7 (A week before her birthday)

"I feel like I'm getting closer to the truth Eugene! Mother hasn't been answering my questions, but there's this festival on my birthday, the festival of lights. The local millionaires host it every year for their long lost daughter. I feel that we can figure stuff out if we go to it!" Rapunzel said.

"Well I'm glad that things are going well," I told her. We embraced for the first time in a week.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around…" she said. I kissed her gently.

"Don't worry about it," I said. "We'll go to the festival together if you want." Rapunzel's face lit up.

"Really, you'll take me?" she cried.

"Yeah, if you want to go so badly," I said. Rapunzel kissed me happily.

"You're so wonderful," she said. The clock read midnight as she said this. As routine, I slid down her hair and we parted ways for the night.

Attempt #8 (Come out and say it)

"Okay Eugene, just say it… you've been waiting for weeks now. Just say it!" I muttered aloud to myself as I climbed up Rapunzel's hair. I climbed into her window and swept her into a kiss before she could even say hello.

"Someone's feisty this evening," Rapunzel said playfully. I laughed and took her into my arms.

"Rapunzel, I've been waiting to tell you this for such a long time now. I feel the time is right, so I'm just going to say it," I said. Rapunzel gave me a confused look.

"I have something to tell you as well," she said with a smile. I took her hands in mine. "You can go first," she added.

"Okay… Rapunzel, I love you," I said. She gasped and it turned into a smile.

"I love you too Eugene," she said. This shocked me a bit.

"You do?" I asked.

"That's what I wanted to tell you, but I wasn't sure if you felt the same way," she said. I let out a broken laugh and hugged her.

"That's strange, I thought the same thing," I told her. "I'm serious Rapunzel… I love you, a lot."

"I love you as well," she said. I didn't have the need for more words. I needed my lips for something else, and apparently Rapunzel felt the same way.

See? Fluff. I like fluff. Next Chapter will be up soon, but I have to get ready to go to my grandparents house to see my uncle in The Merry Wives of Windsor as JOHN FALSTAFF (main character). So I'll post when I get the chance. Review plz! (Maybe I can post later today if I can get the time)