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“Out of all the things Rapunzel could do with Eugene (and there were plenty she could name) kissing had always been her favorite. It was public, intimate and he was so dastardly good at knowing the right moments to sweep her off her feet that she was constantly on edge around him.”

Her eyes followed his hand on his stubble, he bottom lip bit between her teeth and she was once again tempted to kiss him. She wondered if he was feeling it too but didn’t dare ask. It was best to let him lead her into it it was nice this way, he was her guide and she would protect him.

Notthattherewasanythingtoprotecthimfromnow but when did danger ever show up with a big sign saying “BAD IDEA TURN AWAY?”

Rapunzel caught his gaze, oh… right. This one particular princess could name quiet of few things they could do. He leaned forward, so did she, and in the background she heard the light shuffling of the made she’d been speaking to walk away. He missed her lips but the kiss was welcomed all the same and she smiled at it.

"Hmm Christmas tree? Well you’re in luck because decorating things is my forte. Usually I don’t like cutting down a tree because that kills it, but I learned that if you cut of the tip of the tree and leave the rest it’ll continue to grow. It’s like a hmm like a hair cut for the tree. Neat right?” Taking his hand in hers she pulled him forward and intertwined their fingers together. “We’re gonna have a few trees, the biggest one is gonna be in the very front of the castle outside so everyone can add decorations to it. We can decorate one at the library I think it’s already there with the boxes.”

But the constant repetition of ‘she’s a princess’ kept him from enacting most of his thoughts. Not that he couldn’t see how she was eyeing him, or how she kept so close to him. The feeling was mutual. At least that hadn’t changed with the title, or the time apart.

Rapunzel snatched up the idea of decorating a Christmas tree in no time at all. Between the pair of them, there was no Christmas memories. Or, there were, for Rapunzel. She’d had two years of them, and he’d spent them in the barracks. Not exactly the nicest, coziest place you could spend your Christmas.

“The one in the library, huh?”

Ah, the library. Eugene didn’t even attempt to hide his expression. A very smug smirk appeared, his teeth biting at his inner cheek to avoid it from getting any more lecherous. The library was quiet, out of the way, and a consistently perfect place to steal kisses (and more) from the petite blond.

It also meant he wouldn’t have to say please and thank you, and he might even be able to relax. The castle had always been a fearful place, high atop a hill, surrounded by guards. He was still waiting for the other guards to throw him in shackles, toss him in jail and announce his execution. But he kept up his charade, walking hand in hand with the princess. Eugene wondered when it would stop feeling like a charade, but with Rapunzel at his side? He could do this. Be the guy that Corona might call king one day.

Rapunzel had open her eyes - saw the light as it were - and in the end it all lead back to him, the swashbuckling rogue who’d broken into her tower and brought her to the truth. He would leave, there was no way around that but she hope he’d return to her. He’d never let her down before so why would he start now?

The blonde pressed herself as close to him as possible with half a mind to pepper his face with kisses but knew better. There was still weirdness there and with them so out and open she had to force herself to act like the princess she was (even if it was a pain).

He felt weary to her. With his arms so wrapped around her and her face hidden in the crook of his neck she could smell sea salt in his hair and taste it when her lips sneakily kissed the area just below his ear. She didn’t reply to him, too afraid to know what he meant when they said ‘they tried’. Who was they? Why wouldn’t they want him to come back to her. Her arms squeezed around him once to say ‘it’s ok, I’ll protect you’.

The beginnings of a statement formed but she stopped herself. She knew how he felt about her hair, he wouldn’t accept her healing him not over this. He could heal with time, the natural way - without subjecting her to her curse. Instead she allowed herself to say what she felt at the moment, elated for all the right reasons.

Flynn Rider had been nothing if not promiscuous.

But…

Eugene settled for cradling the back of her head in his hand, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Not on the hair, as he’d quickly learned to avoid. There was so much time he’d lost, wasted or otherwise thrown away, and she was always here, always so excited to see him. And he was so sick of leaving her. It felt wrong, to him, to her, and it showed. A warm fire crackled in the distance, the smell of food wafted down the hallways, and he was waiting for the next interruption, the next thing to pull him away.

When nothing happened, he felt he’d allowed her enough time to think and re-think where he’d left off. “One particular princess to show me how exactly one decorates a Christmas tree. Because, honestly, it seems easy enough, but I know I’ll get it wrong otherwise.” This wasn’t what he wanted to do at all, but it certainly did give him time to slip his present under the tree. The upside of his dress clothes was the stiffness of the fabric, and how easy it was to sneak things under his vest. Child’s play, for a long-time thief.

With seniority would come longer stays in the kingdom she just wished he’d hurry up and get old. Ever since he’d return from his two year long sabbatical of being her guide and thief they’ve been finding each other at odd times, random places and increasingly random levels of friendships.

One day they were holding hands and walking without a care and others she felt as if they were as frigid as ice. It was mostly her fault, not sure just how far she was willing to go but he was understanding and gave as much as she did.

His return was expected but not until after the holidays so when she heard that teasing voice of his she was more than just startled. She ran, leaving the poor maid to talk to herself and propelled herself into his arms in the tightest embrace she could muster.

"You’re back earlier than I expected!"

Flynn Rider had been an idiot, if he was honest.

As Rapunzel threw herself into his arms, he was glad the armor he usually wore was in for a cleaning. It had been knocked up worse than normal, with cracks and dents down the back. A nasty fall had almost cost him his life, but here he was, as lucky as ever, for new reasons.

The princess was excited to see him; the princess was hugging him. Eugene couldn't hold back the smile, arms wrapped tightly around her. Words were unlikely for the moment, as he took in the curve of her back, the scent of her perfume. Different from the last time he'd seen her, but her. Entirely her.

Eugene wouldn't let her go, his arms around her waist, keeping her close. It was easy to fall into old habits with her, where he could be as forward and open as he liked. The maid could avert her eyes if it offended her. Eugene was lucky to have this girl, this wonderful little ray of light and kindness who was always there to greet him. He didn't want to say goodbye, but then he'd never get hellos like this again.

"Couldn't keep me away if they tried -- and believe me, they tried."

 ”Ok I can’t handle it anymore -  I’mreallyexcitedforChristmas! I saw the castle decorations being pulled out and I really wanna make a gingerbread house and wear cloaks and sing carols.”

“Way back, huh?” Eugene allowed his skepticism to show, though in all honesty, there was nothing to be suspicious of. With the association to the sands, and the attire – no. Not even worth considering. Eugene pushed aside all the gossip, all the prejudice, and allowed his more eased disposition to take over. “Me, a guard? Uh. No. But I am from Corona.”

But what he found a bit odd was this particular guard didn’t seem to know who he was.  Nearly every man clad in armor knew him by name and his extremely close relationship to Marina and Rapunzel that they didn’t even give him a second glance when he walked by.  This man was either stupid or a new recruit.  That would probably explain why he hadn’t seen him around before.  Jim was kinda glad that this man took a more casual pose and tone of conversation, it made him subconsciously feel more at ease.

Regardless!

“I do! I know. I don’t lord it around, ya know? Not my thing, acting smug, letting everyone know what I know. I'm more low-key than that.” Eugene leaned on his poley-staff thing. He never remembered the name – polearm! Polearm, that was the name. Had to remember that... “ I wouldn't be any good as a guard if I go around, offering maps to the castle, Rapunzel’s itinerary. Call me old-fashioned, but it’s good to have some secrecy. Mystery.” Eugene stopped his tirade, eyes narrowed at the man. “That said, you seem to be on – good terms with the princess, from what I've seen. And this room is as secure as it’s ever going to be.”