A/N: More sad.

Suitors of Rapunzel

Ch16 □ Day 7 ⌧

playlist on YouTube as SoR - Ch16: Day 7

"Your Highness…" the older maid standing behind her at her vanity complained. She sighed deeply, dabbed a cotton swab into a bottle of alcohol, then roughly poked around her crusty inflamed earlobe surrounding the gold-ringed emerald.

Rapunzel instantly shrieked and pulled away.

The maid leaned back with her hands on her hips. "If you don't want to take care of them, then you never should have gotten them done."

'This is why you never should have left! Dear, this whole romance that you've invented-!'

Rapunzel's throat thickened.

Suddenly she was back in that jewelry store, leaned back in that chair, looking up at his encouraging smile and squeezing the life back out of his hand. It was scary, but easy to put her blind trust in him.

The piercing had indeed not hurt all that much after all. The daily maintenance for the next couple weeks was merely a moment of discomfort here and there. What was he talking about, 'the healing's worse?' she had thought.

But that was before her world had crashed down with that storm last week. And she had not kept up with it since.

Now she was paying the price.

Now she understood.

Now that it was too late.

She stoically sat back up straight. Her sorrowful cheeks felt as hot as her reddened infected ears. But she forced herself to sit still, wincing terribly, as each dab seared her mind and body both with blindingly excruciating pain. Her face scrunched up tight.

Simple tears filled her eyes, quickly pouring down her cheeks. Yet she silently endured.

"My Dear, we could always take them out. They'll heal and close up."

Get rid of them? 'Like it never ever happened…?' She imagined erasing that whole memory of the jewelry shop, erasing everything attached to it, erasing HIM. NO!

"Although, they'll probably scar now anyway."

So either way, a permanent reminder. She sniffled. "No. No, leave them." No matter how much it hurts.

Rapunzel wrung her hands together, then knocked at the door, identical in everything but number.

Tom's voice was summoned. "Who is it?"

"Oh," she squeaked back, "Um, it's just me! Uh, Rapunzel."

The door opened, to reveal Tom in a loose, casual cream peasant shirt, but his uniform navy pants and black boots. He held the door and the frame in each hand, looking confused, but interested. "Rapunzel…? Darling, what's the matter?"

She pouted. "I… I just came from Eugene's room- well, his door- an-n-and he's not answering. And the door is locked. It's-" She sniveled back a sob. "It's been like that all week…"

He cringed. "Rapunzel, he's just- not there."

Her face cracked. "I thought that might be it," her tiny voice pitched high, tears seeping into the sound, as they gathered in her eyes. "But, I just needed to see…"

He studied her hard for a while, til he eventually sighed. "Come on in." He opened the door more for her, as he turned back to sit on his bed, stroking about his chin.

She stepped inside, hands still clasped together, unsure what to do with herself. "Oh!" She turned around to close the door behind herself.

"N-no," Tom stopped her. "Leave it open."

She turned back to him, confused, but obeyed.

"What, ah… What were you going to see him about?" he tried.

"Him," she answered, her throat even thicker and wetter than before.

"Of corse, but…"

"I guess you know what happened…" she mumbled.

He winced, but nodded.

"Then you know he- he-..."

Tom looked up to see her barely holding herself together. "Oh, Dear," he reached out, "Come here, come here."

She roughly plopped down hip to hip, and dove into his arm. "He promised he wouldn't leave me!"

His arms wrapped around her, as he rubbed her back. "I know, but-"

"But he did!" she cried into him.

"But that's not something I can get him in trouble for."

"I know," she sniffled.

"Rapunzel," he strained as he cringed again, "Um, what exactly happened last week with you two? He told me, of corse, but I wann'er hear it from youu. I've wanted to ask you sooner but, I wasn't shor… I didn't want to upset you any further."

She continued crying, trying to figure out how to get some sort of explanation together, but did not know where to begin or how much to tell.

Tom sighed again, softly whispering. "Rapunzel, just tell me. Please. You know you can tell me anythin'. I'm shor he was a perfect gentleman otherwise, though, like normal, right?"

She looked him in the eye, noting the carefulness behind those words. She solemnly nodded. "Of course." No faults there.

Tom nodded back, eased by her answer.

"Speaking of which, though," she rolled her eyes, "What ever happened to… that guy?"

"Who?"

"That first 'suitor.'"

"Uh," he looked away and around. "I don't know, actually." He shook his head at a loss. "I know he's left, though- And as for Eugene, I can go yell at him myself if you want," he chuckled, "With no other repercussions, if that's what yor afraid of."

She chuckled at the thought. "I'm not afraid, but… No, I don't wanna get him in trouble. And I don't think you yelling at him would do anything. But I just don't think I wanna talk about it with anyone else…" You wouldn't understand… He's the only one.

"Alright, but, I do think you should talk about it at some point."

"I talked to my mom a little, that night."

"Yes, I- ah, heard she interrupted…"

"Wasn't anything to interrupt, apparently," she scoffed bitterly.

He nodded. "But you talked with yor mother, that's good."

She stared out into space, til her breathing calmed down once more. But he was right about everything- We can't have a future, and I can't say it… But-! Oh I just want him… Eugene! I miss you so MUCH!

"Rapunzel…"

"Hm?"

He stared back an extra long time, then finally smiled. "Let's go see about his door, shall we?"

Rapunzel hung back as Tom approached Eugene's door. He glanced back at her, then knocked casually. "Fitz?"

All was quiet and still.

He knocked again, called louder, then tried the knob. Locked.

"Do you have a key?" she whispered.

"Umm," he thought, "Yes. Yes, I'm shor. Just, ah, gimme a moment." He turned his back to her, blocking her view, as he pulled something out of his pocket, and unlocked the door.

Her heart dropped at hearing the clicking pop.

He glanced at her, then slowly opened the door and peeped in. "Fitz?" But then he stood up straight and opened the door completely, beckoning her in. "He's not here, but…" He looked around, unexpectedly perplexed as well.

She walked in and looked around. The dresser was bare; no bottles of oils or lotions or creams, no jewelry box, no stationery, no clothes or boots or gear or weapons anywhere. The room had been stripped back to basic furnishings. Anything that was his, was gone. Her face began to twist up. Despite the distinct scent of his cologne left lingering in the air, she begged to be wrong. "Are you sure this is the right room?"

"Number 50." He motioned to the number on the door.

"So he's really-?" She locked eyes with him, desperate, on the verge of hyperventilating.

He shook his head. "I don't know where he's been staying then."

"Do you have any idea where he might've gone…"

"When?"

"Well, like, now, I guess?"

Tom quirked a brow at her. "He had a shift this afternoon, but-"

"What?" she gasped, surprised.

"What?" he questioned, confused.

"He had a shift?! He- he's here?!"

"Yes of corse. Rapunzel," he narrowed his eyes at her, "He's still working here. He's still around."

She stared at him, wide-eyed, completely mixed about how to take that news. He's still here! He's here and doesn't want to see me? What if I see him! What will I say! I want him back! -but he's right...

"Rapunzel?" He stared, trying to figure out the multitudes of emotions flying across her face.

"I-..."

"I mean, I don't think I should just pop up with you all of a sudden, but, I'll tell him I sawr you?"

The idea of Eugene still being near, but hiding from her, made her faint. "Wh- where would he be right now?"

Tom shook his head despairingly. "I don't know."

Rapunzel wandered around, looking for him, everywhere she could think of.

Eventually she headed upstairs, to a sitting room whose windows overlooked where a barnyard could be seen from. She surveyed the scene below.

The dairy maids were just leaving for the day. All sorts of workers were milling about, socializing as the sun dipped low enough to cast everything in orange with long shadows, signaling quitting time.

Suddenly she noticed one person spin out from where he had been leaning against the opposite side of a large tree trunk, hiding in wait for the crowd to thicken. He was half dressed like a guard, with the same navy blue pants and black boots, but his red coat draped over a satchel, strapped across his own personal dark green short-sleeved tunic-style shirt. And she would recognize that chestnut brunette anywhere.

She gasped, twitching toward the window and holding a hand up to it. "What is he still doing here, if-..." Her breathing froze as she watched.

Eugene blushed with excited nerves as he approached her crowd of friends. "Brenna?" He smiled, again not as smooth as a 'usual' day for him, but cutely endearing.

Brenna immediately darted her full attention to him. "Oh- ah…"

"Hi!"

"Eugene. Hi…!" She smiled in complete return, dipping her head coyly, gripped with infatuation herself.

Eugene watched the rest of her friends peel themselves away, then walked up to her more closely.

They both pulled themselves away out of the way.

"So, uh, what's going on?" Brenna asked eagerly.

Eugene shrugged, still playing it somewhat aloof, but clearly eyeing her with his smirk. "Nothing else much. What about you? How was your day?" Keep it cool, but interest centered on her…

She giggled. "It was good… Pretty routine. Just like the rest of the week you've asked about, thank you." Her grin teased him.

So you've noticed. I'll take my licks but keep it casual– "Well, a good quiet week is nice."

"Hm, yeah…"

Their eyes wandered around a bit, further parsing and feeling each other out.

–then pull the trigger because YES you're RIGHT I'm interested. But in that I admire you, as an equal, or above me; even if you seem to have put me on a pedestal. Keep it humble, considerate…

"Ah, listen," Eugene began with the most gentle confidence, "Would you like to get lunch sometime? Maybe tomorrow? If you're not too busy?"

Lunch is less serious than dinner - an activity to DO but all that time to TALK - I actually wanna get to know you - and that's TWO outs to politely decline without saying no outright…

She blushed fiercely, shyly flattered, and, though she had imagined this turn, was still somewhat surprised when it actually happened. "Why, uh- hah- yes, yes!"

"Really?" he continued smiling charmingly. Honestly I'm a bit surprised, but hey!

"Yeah," she chuckled. "Tomorrow sounds good. Is noon alright?"

"Sure! Yeah, okay."

They chatted more, til they realized it was indeed getting dark, which Eugene finally noticed with alarm.

"Oh! It's getting dark- You should get going."

"Oh, yeah…" She seemed less concerned, and also less shocked by the time passed.

"Will you be okay getting home safe?"

"Yes, yes. It's not far."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you."

"Oh, no, it's alright!"

"Well then, uh, I'll see you tomorrow?" His grin turned expectant.

"Yes, noon- lunch. You'll come find me?"

"I will." He leaned in as if for a quick hug, just like every other day he had come to bid her goodbye after work, but this time, with a deeper desire in his eye.

She eyed him back, guessing what it meant.

Rather than an embrace, though, with hardly anyone left around, and thus more privacy, and a clear date acceptance, Eugene swooped in for a soft kiss on the lips.

She startled at first, but quickly reciprocated, never losing her smile.

In the upstairs window, Rapunzel's heart sank to her stomach and flipped over.

Neither opened for more, but Eugene did come to hold her cheek.

They slowly parted, but it took another moment for him to open his eyes; she still looked enraptured. He smirked proudly.

"Sorry," he still offered politely, though he chuckled and his brow pinched. "That okay?" –yeah she LOOKS all good to me, but actually I've apparently got shit judgment about these things anymore -the last time it was good I didn't initiate it- so actually I'm NOT confident that was a good move, even though it felt like it. Please tell me I didn't blow it already. More than friends, right? For lunch tomorrow- MORE than just friends?

She chuckled back, nodding. "That's-..." She continued giggling, giddily nodding her head all around. "That's more than 'okay,' yes."

He finally grinned wider and more deeply, pinching the corners of his eyes in adorably. "Good. Good, then- So, noon, tomorrow? I'll see you then?" Double check if that kiss does mean tomorrow's still on - or not…

"Yes, yes," she blushed.

YES! He began to step away, but kept her hand for one last kiss goodbye, as he bowed. "See you then."

Already… Any bit of resolve, hope, doubt, curiosity, confusion, possibly all feeling whatsoever, fell out of Rapunzel, leaving her shaky. She tried to turn away, but her knees wobbled, and she ended up collapsing to the floor.

Sitting there, surrounded by the heap of her skirts, feeling only numb inside and out, the tears poured out.

I know I made a mistake - but just ONE mistake! And HE KNEW how I FELT, that I felt the same. He doesn't even want to try to fix this?

Was I just another girl to him? He said I was special - Or does he say that to everyone?

…even if it's not that… I would have only hurt him and held him back, to stay my secret. He's better off without me…

She doubled over where she sat, sinking further in.

"Just sawr yor ex."

Tom caught Eugene in the stable, getting that horse ready again.

Eugene was startled to realize his presence, but then just glared at him.

"Yeah? We all see 'my ex' everyday. So?"

"She was crying, Fitz."

"She miss me already?" he snarked dryly.

Tom glared back.

Eugene looked away."It's only been a week. What're you, tryna fix us up? Gonna be doing a lotta hard work by yourself. Just like I was. For nothin'."

"I am not necessarily trying to 'fix you up.' But what am I supposed to do when she comes crying to me?"

Eugene shrugged. "I dunno."

"She came to my bedroom, crying, after she couldn't find you, and you weren't answering yor door."

Eugene paused and bit both lips together, finally unnerved.

"You wanted me to report everything to you. Well?"

"Tell her she'll get over it. Tell her she deserves better than me. Tell her I'm every bit the untethered disloyal thief everyone expected. Tell her it's another self-sacrifice, torturing myself to be her invisible guardian angel forevermore. Tell her whatever the fuck she wants to hear about me." He threw his arms out exasperatedly. Apparently none of it matters.

"I still don't see why you con't just go tell her yorself," he sassed back with his hands on his hips.

"'Cause I can take a hint, and I'd rather keep a shred of dignity while I can still feel something, while I actually still want to build a decent life - not just get my heart ripped apart yet again."

"Fitz, yor the older, more experienced between you two – so yes, it's always gonna fall to you but – Con't you just be the more mature one here? Go talk to her?"

"I also just happened to be the first guy she met. So, first break-up, too. And I am being mature in not crawling back begging to be her- I don't even know what."

"Anyway," Tom rolled his eyes, "I mean I con't have the bloody Princess slipping into my room all alone! I didn't even know what else to do! She's so informal, but then to- augh, door open- anyone walking by can see she's there, but at least - hopefully - can see nothing's going on. Door closed- well- then that might conceal that she's even there, but - God, I didn't know which would be worse! If someone did see her go in, what're they going to think we're doing in there?"

Tom rambled as he followed Eugene guiding the horse outside.

Eugene shrugged. "She's fine with you."

"Yes, of corse, but…" He scoffed and sighed. "And why is yor room empty? Did you switch to another?"

"Naw," he stared out into the distant skyline, "I just can't stay in the castle anymore."

Tom's brow rose. "But- you are staying, though, right?"

Eugene nodded, but then quirked at him. "How'd you get into my room?"

Tom balked, but answered smoothly. "Guards know how to do that, too, you know."

Eugene just smirked and snorted a laugh at him.

"But- why, though? The King wouldn't've kicked y-"

"I can't stay there. I passed out the other night, with you there, but I- I can't sleep there. Not alone."

Tom stared him down, trying to parse out the dissertation that he was not saying behind those simple words.

Eugene shook his head. "Just don't worry about it. I got a place. Won't affect work."

"And what am I supposed to do with her?"

He shrugged again. "Your job, which I guess just got a lil bit harder."

Tom grabbed the center of his shirt, for a light jostle to get his full attention. "She is still yor responsibility, too."

Eugene choked. "I know…" He grabbed Tom's hand to remove it from himself. "That's why we're doing all this. Why we got another meeting tomorrow morning, and why you're reporting to me about her, instead of asking about how I did ask Brenna out for lunch tomorrow."

He sighed, but indeed switched his disposition. "And how did it gooo…?"

Eugene cracked a little smile. "She said yes."

"Well, there you go! See, what'd I tell ya?"

Eugene chuckled. "Yeah, yeah… Big catch to normal folk…" He shrugged, sweetly smiling a bit more. "And I do like her…"

Upstairs, from room to room, Rapunzel had followed Eugene's movement through windows.

She saw only him enter the stable. But then, soon after, he exited not only with a horse, as could be expected, but also followed by Tom. She blinked back in shock. He said he didn't know where else he could be – Maybe he just got lucky while looking for him?

–and why did he have a key to Eugene's room?

Well, I guess he IS yelling at him, anyway. She would chuckle if she were not so crushed.

She watched until Eugene had ridden out of the gate and turned out of sight, and Tom returned inside to the castle.

"Does he just… not even care?" she sobbed, then scoffed. "I almost wish he would leave forever, instead of hanging around – just out of reach…"

Back in her room, Rapunzel sat on her bed, with her art history book open once more before her, but holding the thigh holster and knife.

She had taken out a new stack of books, piled on the 'other' night table, blocking the stack of his, pushed back toward the wall. Any novel she could find by a female author, or transcribed ancient classics of Greek and Roman and Carthaginian women wronged.

On her night table, a pile of his love letters she had pulled out.

In the art book, she flipped around through the Rococo they shared a fondness for. The playful, carefree, lighthearted paintings had filled her with the most joy, and uplifted him alongside her.

But as she turned from even just Jean-Honoré Fragonard's The Swing, to The Secret Meeting, to his Birth of Venus, and others, they did not light up the same glee that had encompassed them before. Instead, they all spitefully mocked vignettes of their past month.

She slapped the book closed.

Pascal jumped and squeaked at the sound.

She leapt from the bed, fastened the thigh holster around herself, and threw on one of her usual day skirts. Then she headed for her sewing box.

Pascal had been used to her jumping so quickly from one activity to the other, but it had been a while. He scurried about, but ended up on a perch to watch.

With chalk, she drew a line above where the knife handle sat. Then she transferred the skirt to her dress form. Pins, scissors, thread, needles, and trim flew about in her frenzy.

Eventually, she had a secret pocket in her skirt, that led directly to that handle. She practiced drawing it over and over again.

She could almost hear his written words in his voice…

'...I know you're strong…'

'...the best day of my life…'

'...you can do anything…'

'...it's not so bad…'

'I will always love you, all of it, more than anything.'

She sliced the blade through the air with a strangled cry.

'...the Power of Authority. Don't ever forget it. Please.'

With a choking sob, she forced herself to stand taller. But she looked in the mirror:

Dark circles hung under her eyes, from excessive crying and lack of sleep, but also reflecting her mood.

Her short, spiky, 'unladylike' new haircut, that somehow upset some people? She vowed to accentuate the wild spikiness from now on.

She imagined a new belt and pouch to design and create soon, to carry her own money and things, since she did not have a whole guard glued to that hip anymore. Even if there did seem to be more floating around her than before.

She decided to even do shoes a little more regularly, so that she was more free to cover any type of terrain. On her own.

'...protect yourself…'

'...you fight… Doesn't matter WHO they are.'

"The world may not be all as bad as she said… But if even he can-..." She sniffled, despite how she snarled. "Whether he meant to or not, if HE can hurt me like this, then…" She resheathed the knife. "I can handle myself."

Pascal saddened as well, turning teal.

"If I can't have him, then I don't need anyone."

A/N: Emo punk princess dark'ness transformation sequence gooooo!

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