Chapter Nine:

"Just try it." Fye insisted, holding out the short purple dress insistently with the other hand placed on her hip. It was decorated with white beads that danced across the fabric in a soft of looping design, along with beaded strings that hung down the dress in layers, letting the light reflect off of them like stars.

Toothiana simply shook her head, looking back to a plain black dress that hung on a hanger. It was long and elegant, but it lacked any flashy colors or beads. "I don't think Pitch would like it." She removed the gown from the hanger and crossed the room to a full-length mirror, turning from side to side as she examined the black dress. It was a little long, but with heals… it would probably be all right.

Fye huffed and stepped in front of the mirror, holding out the dress again. "I thought you invited me shopping with you because you needed my help." Her mismatched eyes blinked stubbornly at Toothiana stubbornly as she pursed her lips. "Well, I'm helping." She offered the dress once more.

Toothiana sighed. It really was a pretty dress… Tooth walked towards a dressing room as Fye flittered after her, the dress still held in her arms. "It's just…" She gave one look at Fye, whose eyes were widening pleadingly as she scrunched up the fabric with her little fingers.

Tooth glanced at the dress again. It wasn't that she didn't like it. She truly did! It was just that Pitch wouldn't like the length… It was a shorter than most of the dresses she wore.

"Just try it." Fye said one last time, pushing the dress into Toothiana's arms. The fabric was smooth and slid easily over her fingers. Tooth looked up to see Fye pouting at her pleadingly. Tooth rolled her eyes and sighed, draping the dress over her arm.

"I'll try it on, but there are no promises." She said, pointing at Fye, whose lips had spread into a bright grin.

"Trust me," She gushed, taking Toothiana's hand and leading her to the dressing room, "you'll love it."

Tooth just smiled and pushed aside the curtain, stepping into the small room and hanging the dress on the hanger attached to the wall before closing the curtain. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror: usual long dress and pinned up wavy brown hair.

It reminded her of Aster's picture.

Just the thought of him made her chest ache. How long had it been since they'd last spoken? About a week or so? And now she'd be seeing him tomorrow night at the celebration for finally being ready for their performance with Toothless. She didn't want to think about what it would be like when they saw each other again, especially after their almost kiss.

Would he even want to talk to her? As strange as it sounded, the thought of never being around Aster ever again felt unbearable. She'd opened up to him in ways she

hadn't opened up to Pitch.

What kind of wife was she?

She clutched the front of her dress as she leaned to the side, using her hand to steady her. She'd made her decision… she would have to stay with Pitch; she'd made that decision back when she chose to marry him. She stared at her reflection. She was disgusted with herself. Loving two people at once… and one of them she'd only just met! Toothiana had always despised the women who cheated on their husbands, or led people on simply because they could. Now look at me. She thought wryly as she removed the dress from its hanger. I'm one of them.

It hurt. It hurt so badly, not only the fact that she felt like an awful person, but also the fact that she was hurting other people as well. What gave her the right?

She slipped off her own dress and pulled the other over her head, smoothing out the skirt before checking her reflection. Tooth almost gasped at what she saw. The dress truly did fit her perfectly. The straps hung from her shoulders, leaving a smooth curving neckline that dipped just above her breasts. The fabric rolled of her hips and stopped right above the knee. Toothiana gave the dress a twirl, smiling despite her self when the skirt furled out around her.

"How is it?" Fye asked, her foot tapping excitedly. Tooth sighed; she knew what the sprite-like girl would do as soon as she walked through the door. She pushed back the curtain, mentally preparing herself for the-

"Oh my goodness, Toothiana you look beautiful!" Fye exclaimed rushing forward and pulling her into the store and in front of the three-way mirror. Tooth's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she quickly tried to step down, but Fye pushed her back up. "Turn to the side." Tooth obeyed, craning her neck to see the back of the dress. The beads still danced across the fabric, but the collar of the dress dipped in a 'V' between her shoulder blades. It was different, and Toothiana liked that. When she finally stepped down she gave Fye a defeated look.

"Alright, it's a lovely dress."

Fye bounced up and down, happily clapping her hands together in victory.

"But!" Tooth interrupted, causing Fye to still. "it's pretty flashy, don't you think?" She spun, looking in the mirror as she did so. "The whole reason I even went shopping was to find a dress that didn't look expensive so that we wouldn't cause a scene."

Fye raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Black doesn't want to cause a scene?" She giggled, "That's funny, I've always thought he liked being the center of attention." Tooth gave her a chiding glance. Fye crossed her arms and stuck out her tongue, and then she turned back to the racks of clothes. "So why does he want to blend in?"

Tooth returned to the changing room, slipping off the purple dress and putting on the black one. It looked nice enough. It was simple and didn't draw too much attention, plus it was a color that Pitch would like.

She stepped out and let her arms fall to her sides. "What do you think?" Fye glanced at the dress and shrugged.

"It's fine."

Tooth frowned and looked in the mirror. It wasn't a bad dress; it slimmed down her usually wide hips. "What's wrong with it?"

Fye pulled out a light blue dress, about the same length as the one Tooth had tried on before. A few gold threads shimmered here and there forming a line down the front of the dress. "It's just dresses more like these," She lifted up the dress. "are more popular with people who aren't rich." Toothiana raised a doubtful eyebrow. "They like the shorter length, it makes it easier to move around and dance." She playfully bumped Tooth's hip. "Do many of your rich friends wear short dresses?"

Tooth thought about it, and the more she did, the more it seemed to make sense. Even though she didn't have many- more like any- friends in the same social circle as she and Pitch, whenever they went to dinners in order to secure a deal or went out to one of the nicer restaurants, all the women wore longer dresses.

Tooth laughed lightly, "You really think the purple dress will be better?" Fye nodded eagerly. Tooth sighed and shook her head, "alright, but if I'm the only one wearing a short dress at this party, I'm going to blame you."

TTT

Jack tucked a strand of hair behind Rapunzel's ear. The pair were sitting on the windowsill, painting little blue snowflakes on the windowpane, well, Rapunzel was painting Jack was sitting next to her, telling her all about life in the circus.

"And Hiccup has a dragon-"Jack said, smiling when he saw Rapunzel's eyes widen in awe.

"He has a real dragon?" she gasped, setting down her paintbrush and resting her chin in her hands. Jack chuckled.

"Yeah, his name is Toothless. You two would actually probably get along really well" Jack explained, watching as her soft lips formed a dreamy smile.

"Can he fly?" She asked, looking at him intently.

Jack raised an eyebrow at her. "Punz, he's a dragon." Rapunzel rolled her eyes and playfully shoved him, causing him to laugh and wrap his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug. She settled comfortably in his arms, getting Jack to grin happily. He loved holding her, even if they weren't exactly sure what 'they' were yet. Yes, Rapunzel had kissed him on the cheek after he'd taken her to see the lights, but she hadn't done it again. In fact, the most they did of any romantic nature was to hold hands and occasionally cuddle. Jack shifted his body into a more comfortable position. Despite the warmth that filled his chest whenever her was near Rapunzel, there was a niggling pain in his chest. It had started ever since he'd read Merida's letter to Hiccup.

He sighed; turning to look out the window before remembering it was closed. Rapunzel could never open her window unless it was dark out and she turned off all the lights. Jack clenched his fists. He wanted her to go outside. He wanted her to stop living with her not-so-kind mother. A flare of anger shot up inside of him whenever he thought of Gothel… that woman… she drove him insane. Every time she climbed into the tower, Jack would hide in Rapunzel's dresser and listen to every word that vicious toad would say. Half the time he'd have to force himself not to burst through the wooden doors and teach the old bat what it felt like to get swung at with his staff.

That was another strange thing… Gothel did not seem old enough to have an eighteen-year-old daughter… she looked as though she were in her mid twenties. It gave Jack an eerie feeling, not so different from the feeling Pitch Black gave him…

Rapunzel's hair brushed against his cheek as she softly hummed a soft tune, occasionally singing a few verses with her honey-sweet voice."Look at the world, so close and I'm halfway to it. Look at it all, so big, do I even dare?" Jack felt himself smile softly as he gave her a soft hug. Even then, there was a subtle ache in his heart that tugged and pulled at his chest. He didn't want to let her go, ever. He didn't want to leave her when the circus moved on, and he knew she didn't want to stay.

Jack leaned close to her ear, taking a slow, nervous breath before finally whispering, "Run away with me."

Rapunzel scooted away immediately, turning to look at him with widening green eyes. Her lips parted as she fumbled for something to say as she slowly shook her head from side-to-side. "Jack, I-I can't leave-"

"Yes, you can." Jack argued as Rapunzel slowly stood, running her fingers through her hair as she paced across the room. Jack jumped up and followed her, gently grabbing her by the shoulders and spinning her around. He could see the conflict in her eyes, flashing like lightning in a storm. It had always been so easy to read her, to know just what she was thinking. She wanted to go, to be with him, he knew. But she also felt an unyielding loyalty to her mother. Why? That woman was so…

Jack grabbed is staff, which he'd set up against the wall and gripped it tightly, ignoring the warm pain that bloomed in his palm. He'd never felt so frustrated over anything in his entire life. It would have been so much easier if he didn't care, it would hurt so much less.

But he did care, and it hurt.

"My mother…" Rapunzel said, her words slowly fading off as she looked at him. She seemed so sad, and it just killed him.

"She doesn't really care about you!" Jack snapped, instantly biting down on his tongue when he saw Rapunzel's brows pull into a glare, the hurt evident on her face.

"Y-you don't know that!" She exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly as she turned away, covering her mouth with her hand.

Jack felt a sharp pang of regret, he hadn't meant to make her cry, he'd never mean to do that- "Punz, I-I'm sorry." He said softly, his arms falling to his sides as he stared at her back. She sniffled softly and turned to face him, her eyes were red, and he could tell that she had cried, but she looked absolutely furious.

Jack immediately wanted to shrink back, but the anger on her face quickly dissipated, leaving her lower lip trembling as she walked back to the window seat, sitting down and staring at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap.

Jack felt a weight on his chest as he quietly padded over to her and sat down. The space between them was small, but to Jack it felt huge, like a rift that couldn't be crossed. He nearly felt his eyes water up. He opened his mouth to apologize again, but Rapunzel spoke first. "It's alright." She said softly, twiddling her thumbs as she took a shaky breath.

"No, it's not." Jack intervened, grabbing her hand and holding it up to his chest. His own heart fluttered when he saw Rapunzel's cheeks flush pink at the action. He met her gaze, "I shouldn't have yelled at you," he paused, preparing himself for another possible argument, "but I still don't think Gothel is who you think she is." Rapunzel swallowed.

"I-" Her eyes welled up with tears and she quickly tried to brush them away, "I think you're right." She bit her lower lip. "I'd been thinking it ever since we went to see the lights, and…" She closed her eyes for a moment before she continued, "I just didn't want to believe it."

Jack slowly wrapped his arms around her, not saying a word. Rapunzel returned his embrace, curving her arms around his shoulders and burrowing her face in his neck. They took a moment to just hold each other. It felt nice…

Then Rapunzel gasped and Jack pulled away, looking around the room quickly. "What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, quickly looking her over to see if she'd somehow been hurt.

"You're bleeding!" She answered, taking his hand and flipped it palm-up. There was a sliver of wood sticking out from the skin, with little ribbons of blood spilling over his hand. Rapunzel examined it quickly before hopping up and hurrying across the room, rifling through one of her drawers.

"Don't worry about it, Rapunzel." Jack said, standing up and poking up at the sliver with his finger, wincing slightly at the surprising sting. Rapunzel ignored him as she pulled a small silver object out of the drawer and returned to his side, gently taking his arm and pulling him back down onto the window seat.

"Sit still." She said, adjusting her grip on the… tweezers. Jack's heart lurched and he immediately tried to squirm away, but Rapunzel was surprisingly strong and managed to hold him in place.

The sharp points poked into the skin of his fingers, causing Jack to wince in pain. Rapunzel looked up at him and giggled softly, "It's not that bad, Jack."

"Well you're not the one getting stabbed in the hand." He teased as Rapunzel pulled out the sliver, tossing is into the waist basket. She paused for a moment, holding his hand in hers as the blood dripped onto the floor, biting her lip gently. "Um Punz, do you have any bandages or…"

Rapunzel looked up at him seriously, her brows slightly furrowed. "If I do something, will you promise not to tell anyone… ever?" Jack gave her a quizzical look before her slowly nodded.

"I promise."

Rapunzel nodded, taking a nervous breath as she let go of his hand and reached for a thick lock of hair. She then gave him a look, "Just don't… freak out… ok?" She said uncertainly as she began to wrap her golden hair around his hand.

Jack eyed her hair uncertainly. What is she doing with her hair? He wondered, but he tentatively replied, "Alright."

Once the hair was wound tight, Rapunzel took a deep breath and did something that took Jack completely by surprise. She started to sing.

"Flower gleam and glow

"Let your power shine"

As Rapunzel sang, her long hair began to glow, looping across the room like little threads of sunlight, filling Jack's chest with strangely comforting warmth. Pascal scurried across the floor and climbed up onto Rapunzel's shoulder. Jack could've sworn the chameleon was smirking at him, if that were even possible.

"Make the clock reverse"

"Bring back what once was mine"

The light spread through her hair, flowing like a river and filling the room with an almost angelic glow.

"Heal what has been hurt"

"Change the fate's design"

The hair that had been coiled around his hand began to glow. Jack's eyes widened at the warmth, the energy that began to flow through his body, completely filling him up. It was so different seeing Rapunzel's hair glow, and then feeling it. It was amazing, making him feel so light that he could fly.

"Save what has been lost"

"Bring back what once was mine"

Jack's eyes fell to Rapunzel's face. Her closed eyes made her look peaceful, and her pink lips slowly formed the next words. She was so beautiful… Jack almost wanted to… Jack blushed at the thought despite himself. He was being an idiot, Rapunzel's hair was glowing and all he could think about was… was kissing her.

"What once was mine."

Rapunzel slowly opened her eyes, looking at him nervously as she slowly began to unwind her hair. Jack opened his mouth to say something, but found himself unable to find the words, what he'd just witnessed finally seemed to hit him. How could such a thing have happened? How was it even possible? How could-

The breath flew out of his lungs as though he'd been punched when he looked down at his hand, the blood, the wound… it was gone! Completely healed, as though it had never been there in the first place. His mouth went dry, and he struggled to speak, but all he could manage was a strangled "ahhhhhhh…" Rapunzel immediately lifted her hands up, her eyes widening with panic.

"Please don't freak out!"

Jack immediately silenced himself, sucking in a deep breath and rolling his eyes up at the ceiling. Okay, so Rapunzel has magical hair that glows and heals when she sings. It's not weird. I've seen a dragon… so this… this is nothing. Jack let the breath out in a loud 'whoosh' before he forced a smirk on his face. "So, is the glowing hair and magic powers a new thing? Or is healing hair just a normal thing with you?"

Rapunzel laughed and looked away, playing with the long strands of her hair. "Uh… I've been able to do it forever, I guess…" She shrugged, staring at her lap for a moment. She then sighed and swept back her long hair, revealing a short brown strand that curled up slightly. "My mother told me when I was a baby people tried to cut it… They wanted to take the power for themselves, but once it's cut… it turns brown and loses all its power." Rapunzel sighed and stared at the floor. "A gift like that, it has to be protected." She turned and looked at him in the eyes. Jack felt his heart skip a beat.

He tilted his head, "Is that why you didn't ever leave, until the lights, I mean…" Jack asked, gently taking her hand. He couldn't imagine how she must have felt for eighteen years, to believe that she would be hunted if she ever went outside. She must have been terrified when he'd first come in the tower… but she'd still trusted him. He was the first person from the outside world she'd ever trusted. He felt a smile pull on his lips. Was it wrong for him to feel happy for that?

He felt her squeeze his hand as she smiled at him. "Until then." She said softly as she smiled at him.

Jack bit the inside of his lip. He didn't want to force her, but…

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her in and sinking his fingers into her soft hair. "Please." He begged softly, squeezing her gently. "I can't stay here forever." He pulled away, cupping her face in his hands. "When I leave, I want you to come with me."

Rapunzel's eyes widened, and Jack could see her rushing through the options, her possible choices, and her desires. Jack's heart rate quickened as he waited. He wanted her to be with him.

I know I've just met her, and I know I'm going to sound like an idiot, but… His eyebrows rose pleadingly as he gazed at her. But I can't imagine not being with her anymore. Jack thought of Merida- the princess and Hiccup. He'd had to leave her.

He remembered the look on his face when he'd read the letter, the pain in his voice… he wouldn't end up like that. It would be like being alone all over again. He squeezed his eyes shut. Please, Punz. Please.

"Ok." She said softly. Jack's eyes flew open and he immediately looked to her, wondering if he'd really heard her correctly. She was smiling with a mix of nervousness and… excitement. "I-I'll go with you."

Jack felt his mouth spread into a grin, letting out a bout of laughter. She was going with him! They could be together! He hugged her tightly.

Maybe everything would be all right.

TTT

Toothiana and her fairies swung across the trapeze, the familiar chorus of wires creaking as they flipped, tucked and spun through the air.

The new routine was a bit difficult, but the few days she'd had to practice had been helpful, and she'd missed the time she usually spent training her fairies. She prepared to make her next jump. She needed to do a triple back flip –while making sure to keep her legs tucked in- and make sure that she was close enough for Fye to catch her hands. Toothiana would then tuck her knees around Fye's trapeze and pull herself up; they'd then sit together and wave to the crowd.

It would be one of Fye's first performances as a highlighted trapeze artist.

Tooth knew it was exciting for her, but the teen was also nervous. She wanted to do well, and it was a very difficult routine for her first time being featured instead of being a background trapeze artist.

In fact, it was one of the most extreme acts Toothiana had ever done, and it required exact timing and concentration. With a quiet grunt she pulled herself up, releasing the bar and flipping through the air. The spotlights blinded her as she counted out each rotation. One…Two... Three! She flung out her arms, feeling Fye's fingers curl around her wrists. Tooth returned the gesture and began to pull herself up, feeling the familiar burn in her abdominals.

She slipped beside Fye, feeling the trapeze wire dig into her hip painfully. Despite it, she smiled brightly, raising her arm as though she were about to wave to an audience.

She could hear Pitch rise to his feet, although the bright spotlights shining in her eyes obscured her vision. "That was good." He said. Despite herself, Tooth felt a niggling feeling of irritation in her stomach. Maybe he should try coming up here and flipping around without falling.

She quickly shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking that way… but no matter how hard she tried, she found herself losing her patience with Pitch. She wanted to talk back; she wanted to stand up for herself.

She wanted to speak up.

"That's enough for today." Pitch instructed, earning a sigh of relief from most of the fairies. They'd been working ever since noon perfecting their performance, and Tooth had been working ever since she'd gotten home from her shopping trip with Fye. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't tired too.

TTT

Later on in the dressing room, Toothiana felt a warm hand on her shoulder as she finished fixing up her hair. She looked up into the mirror and saw Fye looking at her with concern. "Are you ok, Tooth?"

Toothiana felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. It had seemed like so long since someone had asked her that…

Tooth forced a smile and examined her hair in the mirror, touching it with her hands here and there to make sure it was as she liked it. "Of course." She lied. I'm falling in love with someone else, how could I be all right? She thought off handedly. Tooth bit down on her tongue, trying to banish the thoughts from her mind.

She wasn't allowed to think that way.

Fye looked unconvinced, her blue and pink eyes examining her carefully. She gave Toothiana's shoulder a squeeze. "Ok, but if you ever need to talk-"

"I know." Toothiana said, giving her a thankful smile and for a moment-just a moment- allowing her true feelings to show, all the confusion, the sadness… everything.

But only for a moment.

Toothiana rose to her feet, her long green dress swishing around her ankles as she pulled on her heels. She said her goodbyes to Fye and made her way to the door. Just as her fingertips met the cool metal of the door handle she heard Fye say softly.

"Hey, I don't know what's going on, but… just listen to your heart, okay? It will help you more than you might think."

Toothiana paused and looked over her shoulder. Fye was smiling at her hopefully, holding her hands together.

Toothiana tried to return the gesture, but she was certain it looked more like a grimace than anything.

She then turned away and opened the door, walking into the darkly lit hallway.

A/N: Oh my goodness this took a long time to update, haha! Sorry about that ;^^. On the plus side, stuff is going to start getting intense in the next chapter, just a little forewarning ;). So, what do you think will happen next? What do you want to happen? What do you not want to happen? Who do you want to see? Leave me a review and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!