A/N: This is actually a re-write of my story "Intimate," just condensed a little. I thought it'd be interesting to see the difference between the two, and to see if my writing has improved, haha. Which version do you prefer?

Without further ado, here it is!

The thought that amazes

Is that you love me

And it's heavenly

Forgive me for wanting you so

But one thing I want you to know

I've loved you since heaven knows when

~There, I've Said It Again~

Rapunzel's grip tightened on the novel she held, her nerves thrumming with anticipation. Storm clouds gathered on the horizon, clogging the skies with muddied colors and a tangy breeze. She curled her fingers around the latch to the ajar window and rested her head against it, thoroughly enjoying the mixture of scents wafting in. Cottages sprawled out beneath the palace in an organized maze while the people rested from a long day of excitement.

The young royal maiden and her beloved had just been married hours before, and Rapunzel's stomach leapt at the memory. Their ceremony was unconventional, to say the least, especially when Maximus and Pascal came stumbling back into the chapel covered in tar. However, their unsightly appearance did nothing to lessen the kiss between Rapunzel and Eugene, signifying their union. Her lips still tingled from the ghost of his mouth devouring hers, his hands firm on her waist. Every guest cheered and threw showers of confetti; even the toughest guard found himself caught in the moment.

Which brought Rapunzel to her current predicament—hiding out in the library and wondering if she was truly ready for their wedding night. It didn't make any sense as to why she felt so nervous. She spent years with him on the quest for the moonstone and Eugene did more than enough in proving himself. He remained loyal and true, more than willing to wait for her and protect the group on countless occasions. So why wouldn't the numbing sensation dissipate in her fingers and toes?

There was no doubt she loved him dearly, and he loved her. When Rapunzel approached her mother with questions, Ariana responded with kindness and explained everything dutifully, despite the awkward subject matter. Throw in the carefully detailed anatomy books and Rapunzel felt quite confident in her knowledge. Regardless, there seemed to be a massive difference between reading about intimacy and actually participating in it. Sure, they'd kissed passionately before and snuck in playful swats on the bottom between lessons and training.

But tonight, she was expected to strip down—in more ways than one—and pray he liked what he saw. Ever the chronic over-thinker, Rapunzel imagined scenarios where she was a clumsy lover, unable to move past her own insecurities and leaving Eugene unsatisfied. He'd never directly confirmed past trysts, but it'd been loosely implied. What if she couldn't measure up to those other women? Her sunny personality and friendship with him seemed juvenile in comparison.

Fears aside, he wasn't the type to brush off Rapunzel's worries. If she simply told him she felt too exhausted from the day and wanted to postpone the special moment, he'd understand. He always did.

"Hey, Blondie. It's getting late."

Rapunzel startled at Eugene's voice, whipping her head up to look at him. His body leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms folded across his lean chest. The white shirt and bottoms he wore draped his form perfectly, accentuating muscles earned from years of thievery and training in the castle grounds. The crackling flames in the fireplace outlined his handsome profile, alighting his brown eyes into lovely shades of amber.

"Hey."

Eugene's brow knit in concern. "Are you feeling alright?"

There was no point in trying to come up with a lie or an excuse; he'd see right through it.

"I'm not so sure about tonight."

"...Okay. Tell me what's on your mind."

The familiar sound of his footsteps brought a tiny smile to her face as he sat down beside her. Eugene laid a comforting hand on her knee and rubbed soothing circles. She reached out towards the messy strands of hair at the nape of his neck, twirling them in her fingers.

"You know I love you with everything I have, right? And agreeing to marry you was the best decision I ever made, but…" Rapunzel released a shaky sigh. "I don't know if I'm ready to—you know—"

"Consummate the marriage, as they say?"

His tone relaxed her nerves, if just slightly. Rapunzel nodded in confirmation and thanked the heavens for his calm demeanor. Yet, she still felt the impulse to launch into an apology.

"I'm so sorry, Eugene. I know I've probably disappointed you in—"

He silenced her with a chaste peck on the cheek. "It's okay, Sunshine. But if you don't mind me asking…have I said something wrong?"

"No, not at all!" Rapunzel shook her head vehemently, trying to search for the right words. "I'm afraid I won't be able to…I don't know. It sounds silly."

"Honey―"

"You've been with so many other women! What if I can't give as freely as they did?"

A pregnant pause ensued, in which Eugene stared at her wonderingly. He leaned forward and planted a tender kiss on her lips, effectively quieting her thoughts.

"Rapunzel, I never shared anything special with those women. I was young and stupid, terrified of becoming attached to anyone. Then I met you and the rest is history." Eugene trailed off, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. "I adore you, Sunshine, and I'm a lucky man to have you."

She didn't realize she'd been holding her breath, but she swiftly recovered with a coquettish grin. "I think I like you, too."

"You're funny," Eugene replied, offering a smirk of his own. "Goodnight, darling."

With one last parting glance, he stood up to leave; she admired the view of his taut bottom until the second the door closed behind him. Bringing her hand to her forehead, Rapunzel ran her fingers through her chopped strands and focused on the water droplets trickling down the glass. The rain blurred the edges of the outside world and transformed it into something entirely bewitching. Moonlight trickled in through the open curtains and increased her awareness of the stillness surrounding her. With every passing minute, Rapunzel's worries about his past lovers ebbed away and she came to the long-awaited conclusion that there was no use in waiting. They were husband and wife, a worthy cause of celebration.

Placing her book onto the spare decorative pillow, she fought to calm the racing of her heart and stood up from the bench. In the same moment, the door swung open and Eugene walked inside, each step purposeful. Rapunzel had no time to protest, for he swept his arms underneath her legs and carried her bridal-style. She stifled giggles as he sprinted across the quiet halls and hid them from patrolling guards. Much to her relief, they reached her expansive bedroom without incident. Once her eyes adjusted more clearly to the darkness, she saw her blankets had been littered with loose rose petals. A single candle stood on her nightstand, the wax dripping slowly into the metal dish.

"This is beautiful," Rapunzel murmured, nuzzling into his neck.

"Anything for you, Sunshine."

Ever so gentle, Eugene lay her down on the bed and leaned over her, his eyes traveling a path from Rapunzel's gaze to the hem of her nightgown. She watched intently while his hands wandered beneath the fabric and softly squeezed her thighs. Intense warmth cascaded throughout her whole body, starting from the tips of her ears to in-between her legs. Faltering slightly, her fingers trembled while she fiddled with the hem of his shirt. He wasted no time in tossing the offending clothing aside and allowing her to drink him in. His breath shuddered in his chest as her focus shifted down his abdomen to the clean line of hair peeking above his pants. His tanned skin was a work of art, connecting to well-muscled shoulders and defined hip lines. Her palms splayed on his chest and she relished in the gasps escaping his mouth.

Keen to explore him, Rapunzel planted kisses along his collarbone and began pulling down his pants. Her fingernails gently scraped the defined lines of his hips and in response, his hands gripped at her waist. There was no denying the craving, the longing pulsating throughout her entire body, followed by goosebumps. Their lips met in a sloppy embrace, desperate to taste one another. His hands moved expertly to slip off her nightgown and tossed it to the ground, leaving them both entirely exposed. Eugene's hungry eyes lingering over her petite form had her heart thumping in her throat. His palms rested on either side of her body, trailing a tantalizing path to her breasts where he proceeded to slowly squeeze them. Their bodies pressed together in perfect sync, performing a dance tailored just for them. He repeated those three enchanting words as he caressed her head and sent waves of elated pleasure across her skin. She never knew love-making felt so all consuming, so overwhelmingly gratifying. Eugene's mouth kissing between her breasts, her neck, her stomach; she didn't realize she was even capable of producing such elated noises. In turn, Rapunzel's hands cupped his butt and explored every inch of his body, relishing in his pleasured moans.

As the night waned, the couple found themselves in each other's warm embrace. Just before they drifted off to sleep, they whispered sweet nothings and earnest promises.

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