Requested by @kelseyfitzherbert
Everything had changed, utterly and completely. Rapunzel’s destiny was shot, taken from her as quickly as Cassandra snatching the Opal. Eugene had found his family, and it turned out they were royal. The caravan was gone.
Exhausted, she lay on the bed that King Edmund had so graciously offered her. Well, her and Eugene. She couldn’t help but be a little pleased about that. With things the way they were, Cassandra wouldn’t be there to tell them to not be together, and no one else they were traveling with cared. She could really use some good, quality Eugene cuddles right about now.
And, right on cue, the door opened, and when Rapunzel looked over, it was her eternal savior. She always knew she could rely on him.
“Hey, there, Blondie.” His voice was soft, defeated, but he still smiled for her. She smiled back and scooched over, making room for him on the bed. Eugene took the invitation and joined her, sinking into the first real mattress he’d had under him since the House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow (though the reality of that bed was debatable at this point). He held out his arms to her, and as Rapunzel cuddled up, he kissed her forehead. “How’re you holding up?” he wondered. He knew this was hard for her - hell, it was hard for him, too, but Rapunzel felt things more deeply than anyone he’d ever known, even as she rolled with the punches. He was eternally impressed with her resilience.
“I’m... surviving,” she answered, snuggling close. She took a deep breath, and his scent filled her nose, then she rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Strong and true, just the way she liked it. It had been almost two years since his heart had stopped for her - because of her - and she still clung to the sound of it and let it sooth her when she was rattled. She wrapped her arm around him, holding him close, and was gratified to feel him hold her tighter in return.
“I’ve got you,” he promised. “You’re okay. We’ll figure this out together.”
Together. They could handle anything together. They were stronger together. More than once, Rapunzel had felt that without Eugene, she couldn’t do half of what she’d done since meeting him.
Things stilled, and there was nothing but the sound of them breathing. Rapunzel’s heart beat strongly in her chest, her hands fisting in his shirt, clinging as though if she let him go, he’d vanish. He’d already pushed her away once today, she couldn’t stand it if it happened again. Ever.
Her voice was soft, muffled against his chest. But Eugene heard her. He heard her, and he felt like his heart stopped once again, quieting so that he could hear her better.
“What was that, Sunshine?” he asked breathlessly.
She pulled away just enough to look up at him so she could see him plainly and so he could hear her better. “Marry me,” she repeated. “I want to marry you, Eugene. We’re better together, in every way. I’m your light, and you’re my power. We can conquer every hurdle together, and I’m ready. Will you marry me, Eugene?”
Very little could strike Eugene speechless. Even when he was shocked, he usually quickly recovered and either laughed of jabbered on like an idiot. Not now, though. Now, he had no words for the beautiful girl in his arms. It was everything he’d wanted for the past two years. He stared at her, studying her features, her wide green eyes, the slight furrowing of her brow. She was exhausted, that was clear, but he believed her. He believed she meant this in a way he hadn’t figured she was actually ready in Vardaros.
So he kissed her. He ran his fingers along her face, tucking her hair behind her ear, then continued the path along her cheek and jaw, drawing her in for a deep, loving, passionate kiss. She wanted him forever, just like he wanted her. She was ready now, and he couldn’t be happier.
Their lips parted, and Rapunzel was smiling now. “Is that a yes?” she giggled.
“Oh, yeah! Yes,” he grinned back, and kissed her again.
