"We need to get to the Globe Theatre now. William Shakespeare is in serious danger," Rapunzel said.
"What do you mean 'in danger?'" Kit asked as they left his house.
"She means those witches are intent on killing him," Flynn explained.
Kit stopped. "Wait. What?"
"So eloquent," Flynn remarked as he walked beside Rapunzel.
Kit rolled his eyes as he caught up. "I can be eloquent. I am a writer after all. Here's a little something I've been working on." He cleared his throat. "He that loves pleasure must for pleasure fall." He paused, an eager expression on his face.
"Gesundheit."
Rapunzel sighed, shaking her head. "We don't have time for this. Kit, we don't have time for you to quote yourself. And Eugene… stop being snarky for five minutes."
"It's from my play Dr. Faustus," Kit explained.
Flynn shrugged. "Never heard of it."
They reached the Globe Theatre before Kit could go into a long lengthy re-telling of his play. Flynn wasn't sure Kit would do that but he was pretty confident Kit would do exactly that if given the chance. Flynn knew the type. Likes to brag and show off and… Damn, Flynn was describing himself. He wasn't going to think too long and hard about any similarities between himself and Christopher Marlowe.
There was a short line outside the theatre.
"Maybe we're early," Flynn suggested.
But when they got inside, they saw that was not the case. The entire theatre was full of people. And judging from the actors on stage, the show had begun.
"Oh no," Rapunzel said, pointing to a spot across the room. "Marcella and Griselda are here."
They had their pretty faces plastered on, which Flynn was grateful for. He couldn't stand looking at their ugly mugs a moment longer.
"We need to get to Will," Rapunzel said, heading for the side of the stage.
It wasn't hard for them to get backstage. No one was guarding the back door. They just walked right on in.
"That was easy," Flynn said.
"That was because I'm here," Kit announced, sauntering past. Flynn wanted to punch him but resisted the urge.
The backstage area was full of actors, all men, getting dressed for the play. A man in a dress and blonde wig caught Flynn's eye especially.
"I didn't know drag was so popular back in this time," he said.
Rapunzel shot him a look. "It was illegal for women to perform on stage. So men had to do it. Now, we need to find Will. Eugene, stop distracting me. And don't touch that."
He jerked his hand back from a piece of jewelry just sitting on a table. "It was fake anyway," he muttered, catching up to her.
They scoured the group of people until they finally found Shakespeare near the curtains, directly behind the stage.
"Will," Rapunzel said, rushing over to him. "We need to leave. Marcella and her sister, Griselda, are here to hurt you."
"I'll be fine," he said to her. "My show has started. I never miss any of them." He sneaked a peak around the curtain. "It's act 2 scene 2. Romeo and Juliet are meeting for the first time."
Shakespeare was mouthing along to the words as the actors on stage spoke them. Flynn rolled his eyes and grabbed Shakespeare, dragging him away from the curtain. "We just spent the night in a cage because we were trying to keep you alive. Now, you are coming with us. We're getting you out of here before the witches can kill you."
A scream came from the other side of the curtain.
Flynn knew instantly that was never a good sign.
Shakespeare burst through the curtains and on stage. Rapunzel and Flynn shared an annoyed look before running out after him. After a moment's hesitation, Kit followed.
The crowd of people were pointing at two very boil-y and chin-hairy women.
Marcella and Griselda dropped their disguises.
"Speak your words yourself, Shakespeare," Marcella said, walking through the crowds of people toward the stage. "You need to speak them yourself."
Kit yelped at the sight of them. "Those are two very, uh… unfortunate looking women."
"That's what I said," Flynn responded, actually liking Kit for one second.
Rapunzel sighed and rolled her eyes "Boys."
The actor who was playing Romeo sauntered forward. "But soft! These women are no competition, my dear Juliet."
Shakespeare scowled. "Those aren't the words, Thomas."
The actors, presumably Thomas, shrugged. "I was improvising."
"Enough!" Marcella shouted, making everyone in the room go quiet. "Shakespeare, you will recite the words to your play or we will have to hurt you." She lifted up another poppet.
"Damn," Flynn muttered. "I wonder how many of those they make? Do they just, like, have them on hand? Ready to use on a moment's notice?"
Marcella turned to Flynn, pointing her finger at him. "Be silent!"
He did as she told him. That flicker was back, telling him to listen to Marcella and only Marcella. Nothing else mattered.
"Now," Marcella said, turning back to Shakespeare. "You will recite a part of this play. The words will be used to open up a portal to our home. Now, recite!"
Shakespeare opened his mouth. "But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
Griselda shook her head. "No, no. Not that part."
Shakespeare frowned. "What part?"
"The part where Romeo dies," she said, a savage grin on her face. "His final words. Recite them!"
"No!" Rapunzel shouted, running in front of Shakespeare. "You will not do this. You will kill him otherwise."
"That's the plan," Marcella said, shrugging.
"You don't need Shakespeare's words. I can take you to your home planet. None of this needs to happen."
"No?" Marcella transformed back into her pretty self. "Well, I think it does." She turned to Flynn, her eyes narrowed. "Oh, Flynn Rider. Kill her."
Flynn turned to Rapunzel and immediately began stalking towards her with the intent to harm her. Rapunzel stumbled back.
Shakespeare burst forward. "What is the meaning of this?" He grabbed Flynn's shoulder. "Flynn Rider. My dear friend. You do not want to hurt this girl."
"I want to." He felt like he was in some sort of out of body experience.
"No, you don't. You love her. I have seen it in your eyes."
That almost snapped Flynn out of it. Almost. But he couldn't process the Bard's words. All he knew was he needed to kill Rapunzel.
He shook Shakespeare off him and lunged at her. She kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the stage.
"You don't need to do this, Eugene," she said. "Remember, it's me. Marcella has you under her spell again. Eugene!"
But this time, Marcella had her hooks too deeply into him for that name to mean anything to him.
Flynn stood back up and grabbed Rapunzel, throwing her to the ground. She landed with a huff. He got on top of her and wrapped his hands around her throat.
"Eugene," she gasped, clawing at his hands and arms.
"Enough!" Shakespeare shouted, running towards the edge of the stage. "You want to hear my words? Then hear them! But let Flynn Rider go. Let me friend go."
Marcella and Griselda shared a look.
"No," Marcella said. "We're going to keep Flynn Rider right where we want him."
Rapunzel was digging her nails into Flynn's hands and yet, that didn't matter to him. He couldn't even feel the pain. He just knew he had to kill her.
Shakespeare suck in a deep breath. "Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on."
"Eugene," Rapunzel whispered. He tightened his hold.
At the back of Flynn's mind, he knew this was bad. He knew Shakespeare was starting to recite the words the witches wanted. And he knew if he didn't stop all of this, he'd lose the one person he cared about most in this entire world.
"The dashing rocks they seasick weary bark!" Shakespeare continued. The audience had been quiet but they started murmuring and crying out when a circle opened in the air. It grew bigger and bigger, revealing another place on the other side. The portal. It had opened.
Marcella gasped. "Our home, Griselda," she said to her sister. "Shakespeare, continue!"
Shakespeare looked over at Flynn. "Stop, my friend. You don't want to do this."
Rapunzel was still fighting him but her grip was becoming weaker.
"Finish it!" Marcella shouted.
Shakespeare sighed and faced the crowed. "Here's to my love." He pretended to drink something. "O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I…"
It all happened fast.
Kit came out of nowhere as he barreled into Marcella, which then made Marcella barrel into Griselda. The witches fell to the ground.
Shakespeare ran over to Flynn and pulled him away from Rapunzel, who sat up, coughing and gagging.
Flynn shook Shakespeare off him. He still needed to kill Rapunzel. That was all he knew he had to do.
He lunged for Rapunzel again but it confused him when he saw her running to him. Why would she run to him if he was trying to kill her?
Rapunzel reached him, grabbed his face, and did something that shocked him to his core.
She kissed him.
It was like magic. The sky opening up for the first time. It was passionate and sweet. The kiss sent a fire straight to Flynn's core.
Slowly, Flynn felt like he was waking up from a nightmare.
Rapunzel was kissing him. He was kissing her. This was real. This was right.
He had kissed many girls in his past but this kiss was beyond anything else. He felt like he was experiencing life for the first time ever.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in closer to him.
The audience cheered.
Rapunzel pulled back from the kiss, which only disappointed Flynn. He could have kissed her for hours, days, weeks… even years.
"It's you again," she whispered just for him to hear.
"It's me."
The love in her eyes almost made him fall down. His eyes flitted to her neck where redness had formed from his hands. "Rapunzel, I'm so sorry."
She covered his lips with her fingers. "It wasn't your fault. Marcella had a strong hold on you. Her powers must have been stronger because of this place. The magic in it. I'm not mad and I don't blame you."
He pressed his forehead to hers. "Some first kiss, huh?"
Her expression faltered. "Right."
Then he remembered. If this was his first kiss with her then… this was her last kiss with him. She had kissed him before. And now she would never again. Because she would die in Versailles and there was still nothing he could do about it.
Their moment was broken up by the savage laughter of Marcella. "You fools!" She held a knife in her hands. "You can't get rid of us that easily."
The portal was getting bigger and bigger. Flynn could see through it – it looked like a beautiful countryside – somewhere he didn't think women like Marcella and Griselda would live.
"He still needs to die," Marcella said, pointing at Shakespeare. Then she threw the knife directly at him.
"No!" Kit shouted, pushing Marcella away. She stumbled back but it was too late. The knife was heading straight for Shakespeare.
Flynn acted on instinct.
He pushed Shakespeare out of the way, who landed with a thud on the hard stage. The audience watched in rapt fascination. The momentum of pushing Shakespeare out of the way meant Flynn was directly in the line of sight of the knife.
It hit him square in the shoulder, making him stumble to the ground.
"Eugene!" Rapunzel shouted, running towards him.
"No!" Marcella shrieked as she ran onstage. "He was supposed to die." She ran over to Shakespeare, who was sitting up, looking dazed.
Kit followed Marcella and grabbed her arms, tugging her away from the Bard. "Someone get me a rag!"
Shakespeare ripped off a piece of his shirt and stuffed it in Marcella's mouth. "There. That way she can't use her powers anymore."
"What about that one?" Kit asked, nodding at Griselda.
Shakespeare jumped off the stage, grabbed Griselda, and stuffed another piece of his shirt into her mouth. "You're not going anywhere." Griselda glared at him.
"Eugene," Rapunzel said, drawing Flynn's attention back onto her. "We need to get this out of you." She touched the knife sticking out of his shoulder.
He winced. "Be careful, Blondie. It hurts like a bitch."
"Let's get you to my tower. It can heal you."
Shakespeare kneeled down beside Flynn. "You saved my life, friend. Flynn Rider. You are the most fascinating man I have ever met. Please let me name my play after you."
Flynn groaned as he stood back up. "Buddy, you can name anything after me. But I have a different name in mind for the play you're working on. What do you think of the name 'Hamlet?'"
"Hamlet," Shakespeare said, testing the words on his lips. "Interesting. I like it."
"Great." Flynn clapped his hand on Shakespeare's shoulder. "I get the credit."
Rapunzel rolled her eyes. "No you don't, Eugene."
"I could try," he muttered as they walked off the stage. When Flynn looked out at the audience before them, he was startled to see how enrapt they looked. "Uh, do they think everything they just saw was a part of the show?"
Shakespeare smiled sheepishly. "My performances can get a little… wild, if I may say so."
Flynn just shook his head. "And one more thing. What are we going to do about that?" He pointed at the still open portal just floating in the room.
"We're going to close it," Rapunzel said. She walked over to Marcella and Griselda, who were know tied up with cloth, thanks to Kit. "I'm taking you two back to your homeland. But this time, no one is going to die for it." She turned to the portal. "We have no need for you. You can close now."
Miraculously, the portal began to shrink until it disappeared altogether. The audience oohed and aahed.
"How did you do that, Blondie?" Flynn asked.
"It's not my first time dealing with portals."
Both Shakespeare and Kit shook their heads, their expressions full of admiration.
"The lady is spectacular," Kit said.
"Truly," Shakespeare added. "The most fascinating woman."
Flynn shifted on his feet. And here he thought he was the most fascinating person Shakespeare knew. He also hated how it seemed like both Shakespeare and Kit would kiss Rapunzel if they got the chance.
"Let's just take these two witches home," he said, drawing everyone's attention to him. "And get this damn knife out of my shoulder."
Rapunzel nodded. "Good idea."
Flynn grabbed Marcella's arm. "You're not going to hurt anyone ever again." She glared at him. Thank god for the piece of cloth in her mouth. It kept her blessedly silent.
They were heading for the door when a man in the balcony above stood up and said, "That woman doesn't get to leave." He was dressed in fine clothes, compared to the people in the lower section. Flynn assumed the man was talking about either Marcella or Griselda but when he saw who the man was pointing at, Flynn realized it was Rapunzel.
"What?" he asked.
"She was not supposed to be on stage. She needs to stand before the magistrate and confess to her crime."
Flynn snorted. "We're not going to do that, buddy."
"I am the Sheriff," the man said. "You will do as I say."
Flynn leaned in close to Rapunzel and said, "Run."
"Yep," she agreed.
They all hurried out of the theater, dragging Marcella and Griselda with them. There was a commotion from the theater as the Sherriff burst through the doors and began chasing them.
"Where are we going?" Shakespeare asked, following Rapunzel as she took them towards the Tower of London.
"You'll see," she called out.
Marcella tried digging her in heels into the ground but Flynn shoved her along, even though it hurt his shoulder. She tried making him kill Rapunzel and Flynn Rider was not the forgiving type over that.
When he heard the sound of shouting behind him, he looked over to see the Sheriff chasing after them.
"I've never had this much fun in my life before," Kit exclaimed as he jumped over a barrel a man was pushing through the alleyway.
"You need to explore the world more, Kit," Shakespeare called back. "Fascinating things abound. It will also make you a better writer."
Kit frowned. "Are you saying I'm not a good writer?"
Shakespeare shrugged. "Not as good as me."
"Rapunzel," Flynn said, "The Sheriff is gaining on us."
She skidded to a stop. "I have an idea." She ran over to the man with the barrel. "May I use that?"
The man, who was tiny and old, blinked up at her and smiled. "Of course."
Rapunzel took the top of the barrel off and out spilled wine. The Sherriff ran right into it and slipped on the cobblestone streets.
"Watch out below!" a woman shouted from one of the windows above. Next thing Flynn saw, a sludge of poop landed right on the Sheriff's head.
Flynn winced. "That isn't fun. Sorry, buddy." He shoved Marcella ahead of him as he started running again.
Shakespeare laughed as Rapunzel joined back up with them. "Your comedy timing is genius, Rapunzel. I may have to use that in one of my plays."
"I thought you only wrote high-brow stuff," Flynn said.
Shakespeare only laughed harder.
Flynn looked over at Rapunzel. "What did I say?"
"Nothing," she responded, chuckling to herself. He kept looking at her until she gave him an answer. "Shakespeare also loves his potty humor," she whispered.
Flynn gasped. "Shakey? Huh. No way. I wouldn't have guessed."
With the Sheriff no longer chasing them, they reached Rapunzel's tower with no more problems.
Shakespeare and Kit looked at it with awe.
"Wait till you see what it looks like inside," Rapunzel said, motioning them to follow her.
Once again, Shakespeare and Kit looked in awe as they gazed around the inside of the tower.
"Here," Rapunzel said as she yanked the knife out of Flynn's shoulder.
"Jesus, Blondie," he exclaimed and then quickly went silent as he saw his wound heal right before his eyes. "Uh… what?"
She shrugged. "My tower is a pretty powerful thing. Now, let's get these witches home," Rapunzel said, plugging in the coordinates for Orden.
He didn't even know how to process any of that. Her tower has magical healing abilities. Who knew?
Flynn tied Marcella and Griselda to chairs so they couldn't even think about escaping. He experienced that with Connie before and he wasn't looking forward to it again.
Once he was done, he joined Rapunzel at her desk. "Do you think showing the most famous writer in the world your time machine was the brightest idea?" Flynn asked, glancing over at Kit and Shakespeare who were walking around, touching everything and arguing over who was going to do a better job at writing about Rapunzel's tower in one of their upcoming plays.
"It will be fine," Rapunzel said. "If they decide to write about it, no one will believe them. Everyone will just assumed it was a matter of fiction."
"And the entire audience of people back at the theater? What will everyone else think when those people go on and on about witches and portals opening in the sky?"
Rapunzel shrugged. "Mass hysteria?"
Flynn chuckled, pulling her closer. Now that they had kissed, the barrier between them had disappeared. Flynn felt more comfortable with her. He still was stricken with guilt at knowing she'd eventually die in his past and her future but there wasn't anything he could do to stop it, so he decided to focus on the here and now. And in the here and now, he was with Rapunzel.
And it felt fucking amazing.
They landed in Orden within a matter of minutes. Outside the windows, the world looked beautiful. Blue skies. Green grass. Trees aplenty.
"It looks just like our world," he mused. "I wonder why they were fighting so hard to get back to it."
"People do strange things to return to the ones they love."
Flynn raised an eyebrow. "You think Marcella and Griselda were trying to get back to someone they love? I doubt it. Those two women are incapable of love."
"You'd have to ask them," Rapunzel said, walking over to the witches.
Flynn snorted. "Not in my lifetime."
They walked the witches outside to a beautiful sunny day.
Rapunzel untied their hands. "You're home now."
Griselda went running away but Marcella gave them a begrudging nod of thanks before she took off.
They watched the witches leave, returning to whoever or whatever they were trying so hard to get back to.
"So, this is an alien planet?" Shakespeare asked, looking around. "I never would have guessed."
Flynn clapped him on the back. "There's a lot you don't know, buddy. Trust me."
"Can't we stay here and explore?"
"You want to explore the land full of sirens who were intent on killing you just an hour ago?" Flynn laughed. "Shakey, you're a little crazy."
"We can't stay," Rapunzel said. "We need to get you two back home."
"Why?" Kit asked.
"Because we can't change history too much." She looked right at Shakespeare. "You need to be in London to write more of your plays. What's the one you're working on again? Hamlet?" She winked. "You need to get home to finish it."
Shakespeare shrugged. "It's just a play. I've started and never finished many of them. What's one more?"
"Just trust us," Flynn said. "People need to hear your words in the future."
"You're from the future? I thought you were just from the New World. I assumed that's why you were acting strange."
Shit. Flynn glanced over at Rapunzel, pleading with his eyes for help.
Rapunzel walked over and took Shakespeare's hand. "Let's get you home. I don't want you to stop writing. For me?"
Shakespeare practically wilted under her pretty gaze. "For you, my fair maiden, I'd do anything."
"Me too," Kit added.
Flynn could only roll his eyes as they headed back into the tower.
Rapunzel got them back to London, 1599. "This is it."
Kit gave them all a bow and said, "Remember the name Christopher Marlowe," before he left.
Shakespeare huffed. "He thinks he's so intelligent. I know I'm more clever."
"Let's get you home," Rapunzel said.
They walked Shakespeare back to his house just to make sure he got their safely.
"Flynn Rider, I wanted to show you something." He walked over to his desk and lifted up a piece of paper. "Are you sure you want me to call this Hamlet? I can still use your name."
Flynn was about to say that, 'yes, Shakespeare could absolutely use his name on one of the most famous plays on the planet,' but when he looked over at Rapunzel, who was giving him a look, he shook his head instead. "You should probably just stick to the name 'Hamlet.'"
"Shame. Flynn Rider is such a good name."
Rapunzel meandered into the back room and that gave Flynn a chance to talk to Shakespeare one-on-one.
"I wanted to ask you something. Back at the theater, you said that I was in love with Rapunzel. Why did you say that?"
Shakespeare looked at him as if he was crazy. "It's because it's true. You love her. Anyone with eyes can see that."
"But I don't love her." He didn't think he did. They only just kissed for the first time today. He had only known her for a couple days now. Love didn't happen that fast. For Flynn, love had never happened at all before.
"I think you and I both know that's not true," Shakespeare responded. "But I can see the pain in your eyes every time you look at her. You're carrying a secret. A burden. You know, you remind me of this line I wrote. 'The course of true love never did run smooth.' You, my boy are in for a world of hurt with that women."
"Isn't that a bad thing?"
"No. Because it means the love you have for her will only be that much sweeter when you fight for it. And today you did that. That witch had you under her spell but true love's kiss brought you out of it. Love is precious but no one ever said it had to be easy."
"But it's worth it?" Flynn asked, sounding dubious.
Shakespeare smiled. "Every minute." He turned to a piece of paper on his desk and began scribbling away.
Flynn walked into the back room to find Rapunzel. He couldn't stop thinking about what Shakespeare told him. Was going through this process worth it even if it meant losing her in the end?
Because he would lose her. He already lost her to death and he knew that there would come one day when they would meet and she wouldn't know who he was. And when that day came, he knew that he would never see her again after that.
How is that something anyone can come to terms with?
He found Rapunzel looking at Shakespeare's book case. His eyes landed on the original copy of Romeo and Juliet. Flynn knew in that moment exactly how Rapunzel had it on her own bookshelf in the future.
He was going to take it for her.
Of course, she'd never let him.
So, he had to distract her.
"Some day, huh?"
Rapunzel smiled over at him. "It was. But I got to meet Shakespeare. How many people can say that?"
"Well, I can, since I met him too."
She laughed as she nudged him. "Ok, Mr. Sassy."
"Mr. Sassy?" He crossed his arms. "I'll have you know that I think of myself as being more of a Mr. Charmer."
"Whatever you want, honey." She patted his arm. "Whatever you want."
He shook his head as he smiled. "But seriously, it was a crazy day. I could have…" He cleared his throat. "I could have killed you today. I don't know how I would have lived with myself if I had."
"I knew you wouldn't."
"How can you have so much trust and faith in me?"
She gazed up at him with her huge, green eyes and he thought he was the one who was going to melt this time. "Because I know there's still more to come. I don't know my future. But you know me, which means the day you meet me for the first time hasn't happened yet. I knew today wasn't the day I die."
He almost flinched. He knew exactly which day she was going to die. "But you've said that time travel is fickle. Can't things change?"
"Sometimes they can't. And other times, they're set in stone. We're set in stone, Eugene."
His fingers tightened on her waist. "And that doesn't bother you?"
Her eyes went glassy. "Of course it does. I think about it every day. Every moment I'm with you. But you make me so happy. I'd go through this a million times over knowing I get to experience these precious moments with you. We kissed today. I'd never change that."
"I just don't know how to fully process it."
"You will. Once you spend more time doing this, you'll see. You'll learn. I have. And I still find my way back to you every time."
He let out a slow breath. "Rapunzel, I-,"
"That's it!" Shakespeare shouted from the other room, making them pull away from each other.
Rapunzel laughed but there was a strain to it. "Shall we see what Will is up to?" She walked out of the room.
Flynn used that opportunity to nab the original copy of Romeo and Juliet. He wasn't going to take it to the 21st century and make a fortune off of it. He was going to give it to Rapunzel because he knew she'd value it.
And that was priceless.
He joined Rapunzel in the other room, where Shakespeare was telling her how he just wrote the ending to one of his plays. Flynn wasn't really listening. He was too caught up in staring at Rapunzel's face and thinking over what they just talked about.
"We should get going," Rapunzel eventually said.
Shakespeare's smile dipped. "Don't you want to stay for supper?"
"Things to get to and so little time."
"Time travel things?"
Rapunzel patted his arm. "Exactly. I always knew you'd understand. I'm so grateful to have met you."
Shakespeare pulled her into a hug and kissed each of her cheeks. For once, Flynn didn't feel jealous. He only felt sad that they were saying goodbye to Shakespeare. Because saying goodbye to him meant that he'd soon have to say goodbye to Rapunzel, which meant she'd be one step closer to the day she died.
Shakespeare clapped Flynn on the back. "Flynn Rider. I'll miss you." He planted a kiss straight on Flynn's lips.
He pulled back. "Woah. Getting a little close there, aren't we, buddy?"
Shakespeare only smiled before turning back to his endless amounts of paper on his desk.
Flynn and Rapunzel both knew it was their cue to leave.
"Let me inside to say goodbye?" he asked once they reached her tower.
She agreed. Together, they entered her tower, standing before each other awkwardly.
"Now what?" Rapunzel asked.
"I'm always amazed when you ask that. I forget you don't know everything." He meandered over to her bookshelf with her following.
"I can be mysterious at times."
He snorted. "You can say that again. When I met you the first time, I was so confused."
"I bet."
"What did you think of me when you first met me?" He leaned against the bookshelf.
"Unlike you, I wasn't confused. I knew in my gut you felt right."
He leaned in closer to her. "Show off."
Rapunzel's eyes darted down to his lips and back up to his eyes. Flynn couldn't stand it a moment longer. He had to kiss her again.
So, he did just that.
He kissed her with everything inside him. He poured all the passion and angst and everything in between he had been feeling ever since he met Rapunzel.
She clung to his shirt, pulling him closer against her. There was a desperation to her kiss that almost killed him. For her, this was the last time they'd kiss. What she didn't know was just how permanent that would be.
The kiss naturally ended and they pulled back from each other.
"You were wrong," he said. "Before. That wasn't the last time we'd kiss."
"I never said that."
"I know. But when I commented about how great of a first kiss it was, I could see on your face how hurt you felt by that. Just a reminder that you never know what the future can holds. It can surprise a person. Even you."
She kissed his cheek. "You should get going. I might cry the longer you stay."
He flinched. "Don't say that."
"But it's true. I might have come to terms with us but it still breaks my heart. I love you, Eugene."
He sucked in a breath.
"You don't have to say it back. I just needed you to know." She turned away from him and walked over to her desk.
Flynn lingered a moment, getting his thoughts in order. He was about to leave when he remembered something. "You can find me at a bar called Duke's in New York, 2023."
"Why are you telling me that?"
"I thought I'd make your life easier in finding me again. Just be aware, that version of me is going to be very confused when he sees you."
He left her tower before Rapunzel could say anything more.
Rapunzel watched Eugene leave and knew she had to move on soon enough. Eugene's words were going through her mind. What did he mean by that version of him would be confused to see her? Did it mean they were reaching the end? Was the day coming that he wouldn't know who she is?
She backed away from her desk, feeling the overwhelming emotions bubble up inside her. She couldn't leave yet. She wasn't ready.
Rapunzel stumbled over to her bookshelf, needing something to steady her as she caught her breath. When she looked up, something caught her eye.
It was a bound stack of papers, very different from all the other books she had on her bookshelf. How did that get there?
She grabbed it and gasped. Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's original copy. She knew instantly that Eugene had stolen it for her. She wanted both to scold him for doing that and kiss him for doing it.
But she did neither.
She just hoped that Shakespeare had another copy, otherwise the world would go without Romeo and Juliet.
Selfishly, she placed the play back on her shelf, walked to her desk, and plugged in the coordinates for the time and place Eugene just gave her.
There was no use dwelling on the past.
She could only look to the future.
Flynn watched as Rapunzel's tower disappeared before his eyes as he stood in the filthy, feces ridden streets of old merry London.
All he knew was he was tired of running. He just wanted to go party and get drunk and forget about how much his heart was aching all over again.
There was only one party he could think of that he wanted to attend – Carnival in Venice, Italy.
So, he set his watch to the year 1760. He figured any year would do for a party. And the alcohol was always so much cheaper in the past.
He pushed the button on his watch and off he went, his heart aching for Rapunzel the entire time.
Until Saturday!