#emsprovisions

But as autumn approached and the days grew shorter and colder, something in Eugene shifted. It was as though the light inside him was fading, too. 

And Rapunzel had no idea what to do.

It was hard not to assume that Eugene was upset with her, or had grown to hate life inside the castle. When pressed, however, he just told her everything was fine. 

“I think we should go on a fall date,” Rapunzel announced one evening. “I have the weekend off from any princess duties, so we can do whatever you want!” 

Eugene raised an eyebrow. “What makes a fall date different from a regular date?” 

“We do fall-themed activities!” Rapunzel said excitedly. It was the perfect plan. It would make the season a little more fun, and it would definitely make up for whatever was bothering him. “We can go horseback riding and look at all the trees, or visit the garden pumpkin patch, or go apple picking—”

“It all sounds great, Sunshine.” Eugene said. He swooped down to kiss her cheek. “Just as long as I get to spend the day with you.” 

And so, Rapunzel planned the best day ever. They were going to do everything. Ha! 

When the day of the big date arrived, Rapunzel could hardly contain her excitement. “Get your coat, Eugene! We’re going horseback riding first. If it’s okay with you, I might take my sketchbook, because the leaves are really—”

“Uh, Rapunzel?”

“What?”

Eugene pointed out the window. “I don’t think we’re going to make it very far.” 

Rapunzel’s heart sank as she looked outside. Eugene was right: it was pouring rain. She could hear distant thunder. Not ideal weather for their cozy autumn date.

The two settled on staying in, with games and puzzles to keep them entertained. It was fun—dates with Eugene were always fun—but Rapunzel couldn’t shake her disappointment. She pushed a puzzle piece into place and sighed. "I’m sorry our day didn’t go as planned.”

“Don’t worry about it, Blondie,” Eugene said. He squinted at his own puzzle piece, turning it clockwise before trying to shove it in an empty space. 

“It’s just—”

Eugene frowned. “What?” 

“You just seem so sad lately. I hoped the date would cheer you up. And I...I kinda thought you were mad at me and hated living here.” 

“Rapunzel—”

“I shouldn’t have assumed. I should have asked what you needed.” 

“Well,” Eugene began, “I have been kind of sad. You were right. But—sweetheart…it’s not because of you, or anything you did.” 

“It’s not?” 

“No. I always get like this. I hate when it’s this dark. And Corona gets so cold. I think I just…I think I get a little depressed?” 

Eugene sighed and scratched the back of his head, unsure of his sudden confession. It made Rapunzel’s heart clench. The way he spoke about this time of year reminded her of living in the tower—terribly empty and alone. “I’m so sorry, Eugene.” 

“You don’t have to be sorry.” 

“I should have known. 

“But I never told you,” Eugene said gently. “That’s not your fault.” 

“But I knew you hated the cold!” 

“Hating the cold doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be depressed at a certain time of year.” 

Rapunzel sighed. “I guess that’s true,” she said. “But what can cheer you up? Is there anything that helps?” 

“Being with you.” 

Rapunzel smiled and brought Eugene’s hand to her cheek, covering it with her own. “What else? What would you want to do if you planned our date?” 

“I’d definitely want to stay warm,” Eugene said. He pressed a kiss to her free hand. “I like reading my favorite books. We could go to the library. Maybe we’d get a nice dinner.” 

Rapunzel beamed at him. “I’ll be right back.” 

                                                        ***

Twenty minutes later, Rapunzel returned, a stack of thick quilts and Flynnigan Rider books in tow. “Hot chocolate is on the way, and the cook is making soup,” she said brightly. She could hardly see above everything piled in her arms, and sighed in relief as she finally set everything down. “We can get in bed under the blankets! Or make a really warm fort! And maybe you can read to me, because I haven’t read these Flynnigan books yet, but if you just want to read on your own, that’s okay, too!” 

Eugene just dropped his puzzle piece and stared at her. 

“Oh,” Rapunzel said. Her shoulders sank. “I did it again, didn’t I? I didn’t ask if you even wanted this to be a date.” 

But all was forgotten when Eugene stood, wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her. He pressed his forehead to hers, grinning as he cupped her face and pulled her in for another kiss. “Rapunzel?” 

“Hm?”

In fact, the loft is silent and–save for the kitchen light–dark. 

Huh, Carlos thinks, because it’s strange for TK to not leave most of the lights on for Carlos. He sees TK’s set of keys in the bowl when he drops his own set in, and he knows he saw TK’s car when Carlos parked his own beside it. 

Carlos quietly toes off his shoes and shrugs out of his jacket, setting his things down behind the couch before creeping towards the open doors of their bedroom. 

There’s a large and dark lump on his side of the bed. Frankly, the lump is too large to be TK alone. Carlos quirks a brow at the sight, his mouth drawing into a pinched line. He knows the path to the closet even in the dark, and flips on the switch, letting a soft light spill out into the bedroom and cast over the sleeping face of TK and his companion. 

And whatever annoyance Carlos momentarily feels gives way to complete awe at the sight of TK actually peacefully sleeping while snuggled up with their dog, an Australian Shepherd named Lizzie. 

They adopted her about a month ago, after Carlos took TK on a date to the Humane Society with the promise of “we don’t have to find the one today.” He was wrong of course, which he probably should have known, given his husband’s love of strays. But one look at the good-mannered and sweet-natured Australian Shepherd in the kennel, with her bright blue eyes, and her brown and white fluffy coat, and they were both goners. 

Lizzie has been a great addition to their home. She’s curious when she spots Lou II through the glass of his enclosure, nose sniffing as he scuttles up to the front to inspect her too. She goes to the firehouse with TK on most of his shifts and gets her fill of socialization by being doted on by the 126. And although there is a very strict vacuuming routine to keep the shedding at bay now, Carlos would not trade the happiness she provides them with for the world. Carlos has fulfilled his wish of having a pet to pet, and TK has fulfilled his wish of wanting a dog since he was a kid. 

She’s also definitely way more protective of TK. He often finds her laying on top of him or near him if he’s not beside TK himself. This is probably why he finds her curled up against TK’s chest in bed now. Carlos had set a firm rule that he doesn’t want Lizzie sleeping in their bed, but honestly, if her presence can soothe TK enough that he can actually fall asleep without Carlos, he’s more than okay with dropping that rule. Plus the sight of them really is the cutest thing Carlos has ever seen, and he’s very tempted to pull out his phone and take a picture if he knew it wouldn’t set off the flash.

Carlos quickly strips out of his jeans and button up, trading them for sleep shorts and a t-shirt before heading for the bathroom to brush his teeth. He rushes through the routine, in a hurry to go climb into his warm bed and hold his husband, so he can take over his duties from the dog. 

Carlos sits down beside TK’s hip, reaching forward to brush his fingers through TK’s hair. Lizzie lifts her sleepy head and regards Carlos with a lick to his arm and a yawn, before tucking back in. 

“TK,” Carlos whispers, continuing to brush TK’s hair back. “Baby.”

TK stirs. Carlos hates waking him but he needs TK to shift over so he can crawl in behind him. 

“Baby, I need you to move over so I can get in bed.”

TK’s eyes blink open and he catches sight of Carlos leaning over him. His face immediately breaks into a big smile.

“There you are,” Carlos fondly murmurs, hand running down to cup TK’s cheek.

“Hi baby,” TK whispers back, his voice thick and sleepy. “Sorry Lizzie’s in the bed. I was lonely.”

“I know, baby, it’s okay. I’m glad she helped you sleep.” He leans down to press a kiss to TK’s forehead, and before he can pull away, TK wraps his arm around Carlos’s waist to keep him tugged close for a kiss. Carlos has an awkward arm braced over the other side of Lizzie so he doesn't topple all of his weight on top of TK, and he laughs as TK holds him in place. “You have to let me get in bed, babe.” 

“I’ve got you where I want you,” TK says back, his voice muffled where he’s buried his face against Carlos’s neck. 

“Babe, come on,” Carlos laughs. 

At this point, there is too much noise and too much movement on the mattress for Lizzie to stay comfortable where she’s laying against TK. With a targeted huff, she stands up and moves towards the foot of the bed, throwing a glare back at her dads as she completes a few circles and rolls herself into a tight ball, nose tucked aggressively under her tail.

They both begin to laugh harder at the sight of their annoyed dog and then TK does finally shift over, closer to his own side of the bed, to allow Carlos some space to move in beside him. He rolls into Carlos’s arms, nose tucked in against his chest, all warm, soft, and heavy from sleep, and Carlos can’t help the kiss he presses into TK’s hair.

“Lizzie’s good, but she’s not a Carlos substitute,” TK sighs happily, nuzzling his face against Carlos’s neck. 

“I’m glad I’ve not been replaced, then,” Carlos chuckles.

TK looks up at him with a smile in the dark, before pulling him down for a goodnight kiss.