Peppermint tea 🍵

He wore his original outfit, which was muted brown button-up collared shirt with ¾ length sleeves, red stringy ribbon, a dark brown short ruffled coat, black fingerless gloves, red bow like belt, muted dark brown pants and black boots.

While there were mentions and talks about Varian being the Moonstone Opal, this was the first time it wasn't just a rumour spread like usual but an actual coincidences and occurrences. Rapunzel, obtained the powers as a baby due to the Sundrop flower and how the king had taken it to help with his sick wife which made Rapunzel have these powers, while it's been 10 months...Where she was Sundrop-free after Eugene saved the princess from her kidnapper, but after 6 months where her powers returned back and the black rocks were a taboo topic now...Not even the princess talked about it because of her father, even Quirin too, keeping the information secret to Marcellus and Varian.

Now that Varian has these powers obtained after the princess's powers came back from the mysterious rocks, this became like a hush-hush to them. After it was revealed, Quirin became a little more stern to Varian than he ever was.

Flashback (6 months)

At Old Corona, in the house at night. Marcellus draws something on his journal as Varian watches and his legs swinging side by side, the alchemist leans on his shoulder.

Varian: "You know, all of this...Got me tired."

Marcellus: "Oh..."

Varian: "...How am I gonna tell this to Dad? Is he gonna be afraid now that the moonstone opal returned to me?" he asked, worriedly.

Marcellus: "You should someday, but not right now...Knowing how this affected you," he said sympathetically.

Varian: "..." he chuckles nervously, "Whatever floats anyone's boat." he rubs his eyes.

Quirin: "Varian," he enters the room.

Varian: "Hey, Dad!" he gets up from the couch to rush to give his father a hug. "How did things went so far?" he asked, tilting his head. "We and Marcus had so much together," he hum a tune...Until he saw his dad ruffles his hair until he notice his hair glowing. He cringed in fear, as his hair turned blue.

Quirin: "Varian?" his eyes furrowed, "Why is your hair glowing?" he asked, worriedly.

Varian: "Well, I-I..."

Quirin: "Were you running off to the woods, yesterday?"

Varian: "Maybe..."

Quirin: "...Varian...We need to talk privately at your room," he sternly said as Varian's eyes darted.

Varian: "What?"

Quirin: "Come with me, right this instant." he yells at him, as Varian nods worriedly.

Varian: "Yes, sir."

As the two left the living room, as Marcellus stands up from the couch to follow them. Ruddiger crawled on his shoulder, as Trickster follows him.

In Varian's bedroom. Quirin clasped his arms behind his body, sternly looking at Varian. As Marcellus adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, the man broke the silence:

Quirin: "It seems like you snuck out of Old Corona to go and explore somewhere, but you decided to find mysterious rocks which resulted to you getting your powers. Son?"

Varian: "Dad, I just felt the need to take a time alone. I just followed some bunch of people who were going to some place where the mysterious rocks are at...I didn't know the moonstone opal...Will return back to me, I thought it would never happen."

Quirin: "Varian...You know how much I was worried about you getting these powers, I didn't wanna see that fate that happened to your late-mother happen to you as well."

Varian: "But Dad, you know I wouldn't died from it."

Quirin: "Have you recalled the moonstone opal?" he asked, worriedly. "The opal that gave people the power of destruction, which that power you've gotten would risk people from death, ruin, decay, disintegration, nothingness and destruction to those around it."

Varian: "What?"

Quirin: "...Varian, you need to realize your powers are destructive." he spoke, worriedly. "I never wanna have you die like your late-mother."

Varian: "..."

Quirin *Wipes a tear from his own face*: "Just please don't risk yourself with these powers..." he exited the room, as Varian bit his lip before tears began to form in his eyes and shook.

Varian: "How did I not realize that?" he asked, angrily.

Marcellus: "Varian?" he closed the door, as Varian sat on the bed with his head drooped.

At night, Marcellus slept gently on the bed as his prosthetic leg laid aside the nightstand, as the translucent teenager wore a an oversized red shirt in the wardrobe and neutral black pants.

Varian: "Marcus," he shakes his shoulder but the pale teen was asleep which he sighs. "Sorry for bothering you," his head drooped.

As he rolls out of bed and goes towards the window, as he gazes off to the window.

Varian: "Back to life after happily ever after. Trapped again in this world

I have to endure

Stuck inside, once again and I'm gazing out.

True that my intentions could be dangerous, but I'm still missing out."

He touches his hair streak.

Varian: "But I wish that I could more than that, prove to my father

I am less dangerous..."

As the wind blows through his hair, gently. Sighing deeply, he closes his eyes and crossing his arms against the window.

Varian: "And share the world around me, enjoy the scenery for once.

Be the person I could, achieve the goal I wished to earn.

I'll be out there, I swear with the wind in my haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair."

End of flashback

Trickster: "Rrrrrrrrr..." the pet chittered, worriedly.

Marcellus: "All of this that happened from months ago...It's hard to believe that Varian isn't the Moonstone Opal, he possess these powers from negativity...But also when he shows negative...Emotions that come from the Moondrop..." he told to himself, "Ever since the months that passed from this...Varian...Well, could be the Moonstone Opal...The teal streak on his hair...Proves me otherwise, it was not from alchemy incident...But he hid it to avoid mentioning the powers...After it was gone, it's almost like Varian's teal streak hadn't disappeared, after obtaining the Moondrop, it began to glow each time he expresses something negative or darker within him." he thought to himself, "Maybe the whole Varian being the Moonstone makes sense...Now, it's been a whole week after the Expo, that he became way quieter and avoidant of seeing me."

Before his thoughts were cut short by Quirin, coming inside the living room.

Quirin: "Hey, son...Haven't you seen your brother? That silly boy had ran off like always, hence why he hasn't come home just yet." he said, annoyedly.

Marcellus: "I don't know..."

Quirin: "Me neither, I don't what Varian was doing after the Expo had ended, it's possible that he ran off like always..." he sighed, "Anyways. Marcellus, how about I mak-" he stopped at mid-sentence when he noticed the burnt arm, "Marcellus..." he walked towards him, with concern as he held his hand gently. "H-How, when did this happen?"

Marcellus: "..."

Quirin: "Tell me, please. Who had done this to you?" he asked, with mix of worry and sadness.

Marcellus: "Dad..."

Quirin: "That burnt, looks like charcoal..." he spoke with a stern tone.

Marcellus: "Please, Varian..." he moved towards Varian, as presses a hand on his shoulder which resulted to Marcellus's arm getting burned, he cringed as he saw his hand burnt from the Moondrop.

Cassandra: "..."

Marcellus: "Varian, stop..." he protects himself with his good arm. "STOP!"

As the teenage alchemist from the Moondrop's control caused the black rocks to occur even more, as Marcellus shuts his eyes and Cassandra pulled him away.

Marcellus: "When after Dr. St. Croix activated Varian's machine during the Expo, Varian's Moondrop powers triggered and it resulted to black rocks spawning and occurring around the kingdom, I-I for one tried to save him but ended up burning my hand from the powers...Instead...This happened a week now, and it's already a fresh memory from how Varian might trigger the Moonstone Opal each time his emotions get the best of him."

Quirin: "So it was Varian that burnt your arm..."

Marcellus *Slightly bending over: "Please, Dad...Whatever happened, I'm still fine...None of this is Varian's fault, his powers triggered from his emotional response, I shouldn't have done that...It's my fault that I even tried to save him when his powers drove..."

Quirin: "It doesn't explain what he's done to you, his inventions drove you to more injuries and this...THIS, is ENOUGH to tell me that Varian had lost control of Moonstone Opal..."

Marcellus: "DAD, YOU HAD TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT VARIAN'S GOING THROUGH COULD SPARK HIS MOONDROP POWERS, EACH EMOTION HE MAKES WOULD CAUSE HARM TO ANYONE...BUT TO ME, IT DIDN'T KILL ME, IT JUST LEFT A BURNT MARK ON MY ARM, I'VE NEVER SHOULD'VE GONE THERE TO SAVE HIM KNOWING HOW HIS POWERS ENDED UP WORKING...VARIAN'S MOONSTONE...IT COULD'VE KILLED ME BUT IT DIDN'T, IT'S MY FAULT..." he shouted at himself, his hands clasped over his head.

Quirin: "I know how much you care for Varian but he causes you harm with the inventions he makes, you can't be near him without ending up either hurt or damaged by the things he creates....It not only hurts you but could hurt or kill anyone...So, please Marcellus, don't even approach him, let alone risk your life to his inventions..."

Marcellus: "You want him dead, Dad..." his head drooped, "I've only did it to save Varian from getting hurt and killed, I risked my life so he doesn't end up risking his...If I hadn't saved him...Varian could've died from it." his tears rolled down his face.

Quirin: "Marcellus, please listen...I'm not prohibiting you for doing the right thing to save Varian, that's a brave choice and I'm proud of you for it...But please understand that, that Varian's inventions had caused you to get hurt, and I don't want you to become protective over something that ends up risking your life....So please," he grabs his shoulder and kneels down. "Don't try to let him do harm to you than he already did."

Marcellus: "Okay...sir..." his head bowed, "I promise I won't do this to myself and risking my health and life for all of this..."

Quirin: "Good..." he let go off his shoulders, "I'm sorry for how I sounded...I'm just as concern of you as I am with Varian...Is just that, you are far weaker than Varian so I am far more protective...with you, even more so than Varian."

Marcellus: "..."

The man gave him a hug, as Marcellus returned the gesture with his good hand. Quirin cannot help but feel guilty for telling Marcellus not to be near Varian, but he knows how dangerous...Varian's powers could be, so he won't wanna risk Marcellus like his late-wife even Varian...To death, as he pulls away as he stood up.

Quirin: "I'll make us something, please don't go near Varian when his powers trigger, alright?"

Marcellus: "Yes, sir."

The man cringed when he heard Marcellus call him "Sir", but yet he didn't cared when his own son said it so he let it slide, he walked off from the living room to make some food. As the raccoon jumped out of the couch to comfort their owner, as they curled around Marcellus's leg.

Marcellus: "..."

Flashback (1 year ago)

While the 16-year-old tidied the bed of Varian's bedroom since he shares a bed with Varian, neatly fixing the sheets of the bed and places the pillows as he took care of the house, preferring to them as "chores" but not like typical house chores, but the types that molded Marcellus to becoming a "Mature person" long before becoming an adult...As the pale teen neatly taken care of the room, until a door creaked open.

Varian: "I've been having a lot of fun having to make all kinds of side experiments, I might need to see how a certain compound could react to another one." he blabbered, "Maybe finding out...How strong certain metals could be?"

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "Also the breathable materials throughout the house greatly helped Marcellus...Speaking of, Marcellus." he stopped when he noticed the teen cleaning his bed, "Marcus...What are you doing?" he asked, curiously. "Are you tidying the bed?" he tilts his head.

Marcellus: "..." he nods slightly.

Varian: "Anyways, wanna see a cool compound I've created?" he hum a tune, "Like you'll totally be blown out of your mind to get to know how much compounds I could make in one fell-swoop."

Marcellus: "..." he folds the dirty sheets in a basket, as Varian stood there.

Varian: "Marcus..."

He carried the basket to the bathroom, as Varian watched from the distances and looked at him with nothing but mere sadness.

Varian: "Marcus," he knocked him from the back which ended up causing the basket to fall on his head and landed on the floor and on him. "Oh, I'm sorry..." he reached out, "I shouldn't have done...That..." he offered a helping hand. He shook, he saw Ignatius's black figure chuckled with his hands resting on his hips. His lips quivered, as words from him echoed in his head.

"What a clumsy fool"

"Don't be such a mistake to people's eyes, Albino."

"Why must you be this stupid?"

Marcellus: "Sor-Sorry, I-I h-had t-to g-go an-and ta-take ca-care o-of th-this..." he whispered with a trembling way, as he stood up with difficulties as he took the dirty shirt from his head and places on the basket and trudges with strain. The wooden prosthetic leg caused a strain on him, as he went to the bathroom with a pained expression.

Varian: "That's how he sounded, no wonder, his voice shaken up and even his body too...Scared of talking because what Dad said, from the time's his own parents forced him to be silent as a punishment..." he avoids eye contact, as he saw the door slightly opened by mistake. The teenager accidently left the door open to the point Varian saw the whole picture, as he stepped towards the door.

Marcellus: "O-Okay..." he took a dirty shirt and began to clean it with soapy water, until he didn't notice Varian watching.

Varian *Shrugs*: "Oh, that's what you've been doing...You tidied the bedroom and washing the dirty clothes and sheets."

Marcellus: "Ig-Ignatius, plea-please...I-I don-don't hav-have tim-time fo-for th-this, I-I n-need t-to d-do ch-chores aro-aroun-around t-the hou-house a-as th-the li-list sa-said." his voice, shaky while his body froze.

Varian: "Ignatius?" he moved towards Marcellus, which caused Marcellus shaking. The alchemist doesn't know how to handle someone that is traumatized, yet it's his new adoptive brother...Scared of being punished and sounding like this shaken up, it's like watching someone at a breaking point. "I'm not Ignatius," he sounded confused.

Marcellus: "Ign-Ignatius, pl-please...Yo-You w-won't w-want m-me t-to b-be p-punished b-by M-Mom a-and D-Dad." he stopped, as he huddle in a corner.

The teenage alchemist froze.

Varian: "Dad..." his shoulder hunched, "Please help..." his brows knitted into a frown. But his father is too busy with duties, so he sighed and tried to sound as reassuring as possible to maybe try and ease his shoulders. "Marcellus, whoever Ignatius is...He's not in our house, you don't need to be afraid anymore."

As Varian moved closer to Marcellus, non-threateningly as he kneels on the floor.

Marcellus: "N-No...H-He's t-there, gr-grinning a-at m-me...P-Probably g-gonna t-tell M-Mom a-and D-Dad a-about w-what I-I j-just d-did." he shook, as his shoulders hunched.

Varian: "Hey...He's not there, I'll assure you that he's not in our house and he'll never will be...I'm sorry for how much pain he's caused you..."

Marcellus: "..."

The pale teenager shrinks back, his eyes remained unfocused as they moved involuntarily and blinked, he breathed heavily. But then Varian taps his shoulder, which caused him to panic. Marcellus's panic state really is hard to watch, Varian was not new to having someone severely if not so traumatized that it's difficult to stare at someone like this.

He won't bare to watch Marcellus in this state, as Varian hugged him around the stomach. Marcellus tried to flinch from the touch but he failed, this made him became severely traumatized from it and began to sob, wrenching sob coming from a scarred teenager made Varian tremble, yet he cannot let go off him when he not only panic but cried.

Varian: "There, there...It's okay...It's gonna be over..."

End of flashback

The teen shakes his head, when he realized that this was a flashback to how he behaved towards Varian and it wasn't well the best impression, he struggled to differentiate between him and Ignatius. It took him times to accept the teenage alchemist as well, a different person that actually care for him and his well-being, the trauma got rooted inside him that Marcellus cannot stop himself from thinking that Varian might end up like his own birth brother.

He's scared that Varian will end up in the dark path if something bad happens to the teen of Old Corona. He won't bare to watch his only inner circle of support become a vengeful alchemist...He won't, that's gonna lower his self-esteem to a zero if that happened, Varian...He'll turn to the dark path if Quirin either dies or gets hurt.

His body shook, he'll not let this happen...Varian being his last resource of comfort if the village leader either dies or is withdrawn by something. He tugged at his own hair, shaking his head...Varian, if something worse happens to him, he'll watch him seep into darkness even more than he did, Varian becoming the vary thing people rumoured.

The teen fell on his knees, his hands curled into fists as he showed visible stress from it. The raccoon sensing his stressed state, crawled on his lap and laid there.

Trickster nuzzled on Marcellus's lap.

Marcellus: "Ma-Make i-it st-stop, ma-make i-it s-stop." he shakes his head, he played with his hair anxiously. "I-If V-Varian e-ever t-turns t-to t-the d-dark s-side, I-I'll l-lose th-the v-very per-person...T-That g-got m-me o-out o-of m-my she-shell."

While, Varian hid from the doorframe of the living room while he watch him spiral over this.

Varian: "..."

Marcellus: "V-Varian, yo-you wo-won't tu-turn e-evil, pl-please..." he whispered to himself, "A-Anything...I-I'll l-lose s-someone t-that s-sparked m-my con-confidences..."

Varian: "..."

Hours had passed, and Marcellus took a deep breath as he stroked the albino raccoon's head as he cracked a nervous smile, while Quirin came back with something he made as he walked closer to the sofa and places them on the table, it's a croissant that the translucent teen used to make for the orphanage in Old Corona.

Quirin: "I hadn't tried making these, when I was originally trying to figure out what I should be making, a thought came to mind when you used to make these for an orphanage in Old Corona...I immediately went with it, and I made one..." he smiled, as he sat on the other couch.

Marcellus: "Thanks..."

Quirin: "So, Marcellus...Had any plans on what you'll give to the princess in the next month following?" he asked, curiously.

Marcellus: "...Maybe a gift I made for her..." he laughed, "I made it for her and it's in Varian's bedroom."

Quirin: "That's quite nice of you, she'll love it." he smiled with his eyes closed.

Marcellus: "..."

Quirin: "There's duties in Old Corona, that you'll need to take care off in the next week...I'll need to remind you on it, because it's a big day...But then again, you'll need to wear something protective like a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen..." he reminded him.

Marcellus: "Thanks..."

Quirin: "Also have you tasted the croissant?"

Marcellus *Grabs it*: "..."

────୨ৎ────

At Kingdom of Corona, Cassandra drew nearer to a gift shop that she decided that she'll buy a gift for Rapunzel, she plans on buying her friend a present because she prefers to surprise her...Until the lady-in-waiting rested a hand on her hip, when she looked to see Rapunzel with Eugene, who were talking and laughing.

Cassandra: "..." she shakes her head, her hands falling to the sides as she stares down at her feet.

Until Lance showed up, behind the wall as he grins at her before tapping her shoulder.

Lance: "Hey, whatcha' lookin' at?" he asked, curiously.

Cassandra: "Augh!" she rolled her eyes just by seeing him, it's nearly a week from now since she hasn't seen him here.

Lance: "C'mon, tell me! I've never seen you that upset over my man being with the princess." he nudged her, "Like how come you be this envious over him?"

Cassandra: "Technically that's his girlfriend!"

Lance: "Still." he shrugged, "Sometimes, being envious one's relationship isn't the best."

Cassandra: "Easy for you to say, coming from a criminal background." her eyes narrowed. "But, please don't tell anyone about it!"

Lance: "Your secret, oh I'm not great at keeping secrets."

Cassandra: "Please, I don't want her to know about it and neither would you and Eugene."

Lance *Sighs*: "Fine, you win but don't expect me to keep it longer...Likely because I'm bad at it!"

Cassandra *Pinches her nose*: "Anyways, I technically had a crush on the princess since the time she asked me to be her friend, due to her optimistic and yet cheerful personality, it made me sort of had a crush on her, but I kept it to myself to avoid conflicting her with her already committed relationship with Eugene. She'll get married to him, so I don't wanna act like a third wheel to them!" she explains.

Lance: "Oh that's juicy secret." he spoke, curiously. "Mind telling them about it?"

The black-haired woman slapped her forehead.

Cassandra: "No, I don't wanna tell ANYONE about my relationship between me and Rapunzel, I'm happy when she's happy with Eugene, seeing her with him makes me uncomfortable considering his past, but I'm a little trusting of him...Because of her! Yet my feelings towards her, well, it didn't die down at all."

Lance: "Aw...Looks like someone's had a crush on the princess, but give my pal Eugene a break, he choose to date the princess so let him be able to experience it." he grins, nudging her shoulder.

Cassandra: "..." she shakes her head, looking upset about it.

Eugene: "Hey, Blondie. Look at them talking? Nearly a week now, since Lance decided to live in Corona." he smirked, "And it seems like he and Cass kinda are talking with each other."

Rapunzel: "Aw, that's sweet to see from both sides, I mean. Cass totally would be friends with him in no time!" she squeals, her eyes sparkled.

Cassandra: "Raps."

Rapunzel: "Anyways, you two could get along so well...It would be fun to see you and Lance spending time together," she smiles with delight.

Lance: "See that, we'll totally be best friends for life." he winks at her, which she rolled her eyes.

Eugene: "Don't piss her off, you know you'll deal with the Dragon Lady herself."

Lance: "Ha." he laughs, "But anyways. How about we go around Corona, the four of us?" he said with a smirk.

Eugene: "That's cool of you, Lance." his brows lifted with delight.

Rapunzel: "..." she nods.

Eugene: "And Blondie totally agrees with you." he said, happily. "Why won't she not? This is the best thing for four of us to do." he added, warmly. "And then we'll go back to the castle!"

Flashback (1 year ago)

The black-haired woman hid behind a tree as she watches the two go around Kingdom of Corona, like always. Seeing the brunette-haired princess, wearing her homecoming dress, a soft pink puffy short-sleeved dirndl dress with golden embroidery on the bodice and skirt, with a laced corset. It's been nearly a whole week by now since the homecoming ceremony had ended, as well as the "Contest of the Crowns" finished. The three of them participated and won the contest and a blossoming friendship between her and Rapunzel, so now Cassandra doesn't have question if her and Rapunzel would ever be friends despite her being her lady-in-waiting.

She wore her adventurous outfit, instead of her lady-in-waiting dress to avoid making it dirty.

Cassandra: "She's right all along, me nd Raps did indeed work well as genuine friends, it took a month or so for us to see each other as close friends than strangers, like my whole life of me being lonely, being isolated, kinda resulted to me not being able to create friends of my own until she came into the picture..." she smiles warmly. As the lady-in-waiting crept behind a tree, to watch Rapunzel spend time with Eugene as she cracked a smile.

Rapunzel: "Hey, Eugene." she clasped her hands together. "Y'know, we'll totally take a ride on the boat like we used to." she held onto a loaf of bread, smiling.

Eugene: "Ha! It's been such a long time since we've done that. That's when you had your healing long hair," he winks.

Rapunzel: "Aw, it's not that long. It's been a week or so, you did indeed saved me....By cutting my hair," the brunette-haired woman shyly tucking stray hair behind her ear.

Eugene: "Heh, but you have a point. We could go on the boat and watch the starry night sky and enjoy the quiet moments of our lives!" he smirked.

Rapunzel: "..."

Cassandra *A small smile tugged at her lips*: "Rapunzel is so happy with him, like she enjoys his presences and seems like she's comfortable with him around her...It makes me happy when she's happy, watching her smile and all is what makes me see how much Eugene made her feel the happiest she ever been."

Rapunzel: "Also, how about we bring Cass along next time we do go on the boat?" she asked, curiously.

Eugene: "Well, it's complicated, maybe ask her if she feels like it." he raised a brow.

Cassandra: "Huh?"

Eugene: "Like she's your lady-in-waiting, maybe you shouldn't push into things if she doesn't feel like it." he shrugs, "But hey. Could you ask her to come with us someday?"

Rapunzel: "Well, you're right...I should be less pushy when it starts with forming friendships."

Eugene: "And there she is."

Cassandra: "Hi, you two love birds are having fun with each other."

Eugene: "Well, Mon amour wanted to go to Corona after our classes had finished, mind joining us for a walk?" he asked, confidently.

Cassandra: "Oh, that's sweet of you two...I don't mind that," she nods. "It's not like I won't leave the princess alone with you, you'll probably risk her to thieves or something."

Eugene: "No, I won't. I would never due to this to my own girlfriend, I'll never let thieves kidnap her, I'll promise myself I'll rescue her like how I saved her from Gothel."

Cassandra: "Well, I'm just saying because you have a pretty good hand on leaving her behind sometimes." she chuckles, which made Eugene's eyes widen.

Eugene: "Hold on there, this will never happen, never in years I'll just leave her behind..." he rolled his eyes, "Stop with this. Already!"

Cassandra *Nudges his shoulder, playful*: "I'm just teasing you as always even if it were true that you kinda were a little bit riskier to Rapunzel, you'll totally save her from dangers, but she is capable of using her wits and strength to stop thieves..."

Eugene *Folds his arms close to his chest*: "Augh, hearing you this makes me feel guilty of my own past deeds."

Cassandra: "Ha," she chuckles slightly as he sighed. The princess frowns at her, as she looks at him with concern. "Oh...." her smile falters when she saw Rapunzel upset about her "jokes" towards Eugene, the princess tucks stray hair behind his ear. Kissing his forehead, the woman stares down at her feet.

End of flashback

A laugh slipped out her lips, as she remembered the time when Eugene asked her to come with him and Rapunzel for a walk in Corona. While, Varian hid behind a tree as he peeked from behind it. His brows knitted into a frown, biting his lip. As he turned his back from the tree, and fell on his knees.

Varian: "Sheesh, after what happened after the reveal that I won't believe myself that someone else that isn't Marcus to know I'm the Moondrop flower." he spoke to himself.

A gust of wind brushed against his cheek, shaking his head as his leg propped against his chest.

Varian: "And I almost killed him with Moonstone powers I posses within me...Now I'm scared to even see him when what I've just done to him is unacceptable." his head drooped as he whispered, shaking his head. "That could've been worse if I did actually killed him, I will be...a criminal by now, a murderer of some kind."

He leans against the tree, a bird lands on the nest of the tree as it nestled there.

Varian: "I miss Marcus, he's my only resource of comfort if Dad's not here for me, but he saw me in this state, the one creating these rocks, I created these black rocks, and I can't...I can't risk hurting him when it happens again and again, Dad's gonna kill me if I kept doing so and causing him more harm. It's better to ignore it, but I hate to ignore the person I care for, pushing each other away, isn't going to do anything and it won't solve the problem. It would turn from worse if I kept doing it constantly. A brother should stay close at all costs," he stood up.

────୨ৎ────

At Old Corona, in Varian's bedroom. Marcellus rummages through the drawer, kneeling on one foot, while Trickster just stared at him with complete concern.

Marcellus: "I don't even know what I'm doing at this point, like I had no idea what I was searching other than make a whole mess." he sighed as he shook his head. The teen grabbed the things from the floor and put them back in the drawer, neatly. Before closing it, "..."

Until a piece of paper glided along and fell on the floor.

Marcellus: "Huh?"

He stood up and walked towards it, he knelt down and took it. It was a drawing of him and Varian that Varian must've drawn, it was from 1 year ago...He didn't know Varian could drew him as usually, he didn't like when someone had drawn him knowing that he is as worthless to anyone's eyes.

Marcellus *He couldn’t hide his smile*: "Heh," he held onto the drawing.

Until Trickster hopped on his lap and laid there. Before a knock on the door interrupted him, as he got up from the floor and approached the door.

Marcellus *Opens the door*: "..."

Quirin: "Hey."

Marcellus: "Yeah, do you need me with something?" he asked, calmly which Quirin shook his head.

Quirin: "No, I came to check up on you."

Marcellus: "Oh."

Quirin: "Anyways, has Varian returned home? It's been an hour by now that he left the house."

Marcellus: "..."

Quirin: "That silly boy ran away without asking me, he'll get lost."

Marcellus: "Dad, he wanted to catch a break from all of this...I don't think it's good for him to think about what just happened." he frowns, his arms clasped behind his body.

Quirin: "I mean, you totally got a point...Maybe Varian needs time to think, nothing wrong about that." he smiles, "Anyways. I'll probably be in the kitchen, if you need anything, just ask me."

He walks away from the room, as Marcellus closed the door.

Marcellus: "..."

The pale teenager looked at Trickster on the floor, who chittered worriedly as Marcellus avoids eye contact from it.

Marcellus: "I suppose we'll have to wait for Varian to come home." he smiles softly.

During the afternoon, in the living room. Marcellus adds vague description in his journal on the couch, while taking notes. Quirin checks and rechecks the writing on the piece paper he wrote...That he'll probably tell to the king about the black rocks in Old Corona, he turns to look at Marcellus, as his eyes softened at the injury.

His poor child having his arm burnt by his birth son being the Moonstone Opal, hurts him.

Quirin *Ruffled his hair*: "..."

Until a door creaked open, Marcellus too busy with writing things on his journal. The footsteps echoed within the room, Marcellus listened to them. The wooden door of the living room opened slightly, it was Varian.

Varian: "Hey, Marcus..." he closed the door behind him as he moved closer to the couch, "Sorry for me not being in Old Corona, needed some time to think."

Marcellus: "It's okay..."

Varian: "Also sorry for pushing you away, Marcus. I just wanted to calm down from what just happened," he smiled with reassurances.

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "Besides, it's afternoon. We'll totally spend time in the house and pretend what just happened last time wasn't relevant."

Marcellus: "It is, I've been worried about losing you...I don't care about my arm burnt from it, I am worried that you'll push me away when I try to help you or ran away from me where I cannot...Find you! You won't be there," his brows furrowed.

Varian: "Wha-What? You've been worried about me being lost...I am good at navigation since day one, how will I ever get lost?" he asked, softly with an awkward tone.

Marcellus: "I know, but I would hate it even more if you did get lost...I and Dad won't be able to find you...If you did," he shakes his head.

Varian: "Aw, I promise I'll always return because pushing someone away isn't gonna solve the situation." he reassured him, "And I'll always come back in Old Corona to see you and Dad again..."

Marcellus: "..." his head hanged low, he turned to look at Quirin and he shook. The man glared at Varian, "D-Dad..." he quivered.

Quirin: "Varian...Hadn't I told you not to hurt your own brother?" he asked, sternly. "Yet, what you did to him is unacceptable. Look what you did to his own arm, you've hurt him by using...The Moondrop's powers you obtained and used it towards your own brother. Burning his own arm."

Varian: "Dad, I could expla-" he abruptly stopped when Quirin slapped his face.

Quirin: "Explain what? HURTING MARCELLUS LIKE THIS," he stood up. "You have any idea what those powers could do to someone, they'll get hurt or even worse die from it...You had any idea...What you just did to Marcellus? Your own brother that you told me dozens of times to protect him from those who harmed him, yet you decided to risk his life by using the Moonstone Opal's powers against him."

Varian: "DAD, YOU HAD ANY IDEA OF WHY I DID THIS! WHY I'VE DONE THIS TO THE PERSON I CARED FOR, IS BECAUSE MY EMOTIONS HAD GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF THINGS..." his irises glowed from the Moondrop essences, "YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT MASTER ST. CROIX WAS TOUCHING MY INVENTION AND THAT TRIGGERED THE MOONSTONE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING BECAUSE OF THE MOONDROP, AND MY EMOTIONS GETTING THE BETS OF ME..."

Quirin: "So you risked his life over this!"

Varian: "N-NO, Ye-Yes b-but s-still n-no, D-Dad...I-I didn't kn-know th-that I-I'll d-do th-this t-to M-Marcellus, y-yet I-I d-did..." his voice trailed off, becoming shakier the mere thought of his father's response. "I-I hu-hurt h-him w-with the-these po-powers, I-I f-felt gu-guilty fo-for i-it be-because I-I di-didn't me-mean t-to d-do i-it, y-yet I-I d-did..." he wrapped his arms around himself, as he shakes his head. "Mar-Marcus tri-tried t-to he-help m-me b-by r-rushing t-to m-my a-aid t-to s-stop m-me fr-from d-doing m-more h-harm t-to an-anyone...End-Ended u-up h-his ar-arm b-being bu-burnt fr-from i-it, I-I d-didn't th-think i-it wi-will ev-ever co-come cl-close t-to re-reaalizing...Th-That I-I'll ri-risk h-his li-life fo-for th-this."

Quirin: "So you had risked his life and almost killed him, his own arm got burnt from YOU using these powers against him, what kind of son or brother are you to Marcellus to be almost killed...By you, I can't believe I raised someone to hurt Marcellus..." he grumbled, "I've never did I ever wanted him to get hurt by someone who swore to one's heart to never get hurt...Yet...Almost like you did the complete opposite and had inflicted pain on Marcellus...That's what I'm seeing right now, someone who had risked Marcellus's life because of the powers."

Varian: "DAD, PLEASE...I'LL NEVER DO THIS TO ANYONE LET ALONE MARCUS!" he tugged at his own hair, "I'm sorry for what I just done."

The man shields Marcellus from Varian as the teenage alchemist rubbed his cheek.

Varian: "You had any idea that I'll never do this to anyone, let alone Marcus...The very person I've protected my whole life, since day one...I'll never risk his life and almost killing him."

Quirin: "YOU ALMOST DID, YOUR POWERS GO OUT OF CONTROL THE MOMENT YOU TRIGGER THEM, MARCELLUS TRIED TO STOP YOU YET YOUR POWERS RISKED HIS ARM TO GET BURNT...FROM IT, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOW SEEING...YOU'VE GOTTEN HIM HURT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE OF THE MOONDROP ALONE."

Varian *Tears streamed down his face*: "N-NO, D-Dad...Wh-Why wo-won't y-you t-trust m-me? M-My e-emotion h-had gott-gotten t-the b-best o-of m-me, t-that th-the M-Moonstone O-Opal se-senses m-my m-mood a-and i-it tr-triggers i-it wh-when I-I'm expe-experiencing s-stronger e-emotions li-like th-these on-one's..." he places his hand against his own chest, gripping onto his own chest.

Marcellus: "Dad, please...Whatever he did, it's not his fault...I shouldn't have done that to myself..." he spoke, worriedly.

Quirin: "That still doesn't explain the fact YOU GOT HURT BY HIM, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF VARIAN POSSESS THESE POWERS, IT'S STILL TELLS ME THAT YOU WERE HURT BY HIM WHEN HE TRIGGERED HIS MOONSTONE OPAL'S POWERS."

Varian: "DAD...HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT WHEN I WAS STILL LIKE THIS."

Quirin: "And that's the problem, you've done this all by yourself. There's no one to blame but yourself!"

Varian: "..." tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm so-sorry..."

Quirin: "I'm very disappointed of you, Varian! You almost killed Marcellus," he said, sternly. Messages his temples, "I need time to think," he stomps out of the room and leaves, before he slammed the door shut, leaving Marcellus with Varian who began to cry, while his tears streamed down his cheeks as he holds onto his cheek.

Varian: "I'll never make Dad proud of me...He'll always think I'll risk someone's life and even yours." he fell on his knees, his body shook. "And I know Dad was always stern to me and scolded me for the things I've done...But I didn't realize...He'll lay a hand on me by slapping me."

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "You shouldn't have to deal with me and my dangerous actions."

Marcellus: "...."

He blinks quickly as Marcellus stood there, this reminded him of the time he did got slapped by someone, even by his own parents, the townsfolk and the orphanage.

Marcellus: "It's okay...Sometimes parents act like this...Their anger had gotten the best of them and resulted to hurting their child emotionally and physically...But promise you that, Quirin acted this way out of concern, he knows I'll get hurt by you...And he doesn't want me to be hurt by anyone even you, who swore that you'll protect me." he kneels on the floor, "..."

Varian: "What's even the point? Dad would never be proud of me..." he spoke, his voice sounding shaky.

Marcellus *SIghs*: "He will be proud of you, if I'm proud that you could succeed against all odds. Then you'll make anyone and even Dad proud of you for achieving things and saving people's lives with your inventions, I dislike seeing you be called dangerous, harmful or destructive person because of your inventions failing and over trying to show the village you're capable of something."

Varian: "But all of these are true, I am this way to people." he curls up and cries, "Dad slapped me because he had enough with hurting you and Old Corona." he clings onto Marcellus, "Marcus...Dad now thinks I've hurt you on purpose because of how my powers got triggered...I wish I didn't have these powers, none of this would've happened."

Marcellus: "..." he pulled him close.

At night, in Varian's bedroom. Marcellus props a hand against his cheek, as he stares at the window, watching the sky. While Varian read a book as he laid on his back against the bedframe, Trickster on Marcellus's shoulder, he stargazed.

Varian: "..."

Until the door creaked open, revealing to be Quirin. Marcellus shook when he turned to look at him, Quirin sighed.

Marcellus: "Why did you slapped the very person you swore to protect?" he asked, shakily.

Quirin: "Marcellus...I'm very sorry for what I just did...My anger had gotten in the way of things, I didn't mean to scare you, Marcellus..." he said, as he approached Marcellus.

Marcellus: "..."

Quirin: "I didn't mean to slap Varian...Is just that because of how I've been dealing with him, I ended up laying a hand on the very thing I swore to protect and care for...Yet due to many instances of Varian showing his inventions in a dangerous state, it backfires and I always scold him for it, but didn't even lay a hand on him till now..."

Marcellus: "..."

Quirin: "Please don't think of me as less caring because of what just happened." he rested a hand on his shoulder, "I'll never lay a hand on you or Varian...I just let my anger get in the way of things."

Marcellus: "..."

But Quirin didn't realize that Varian was right next to them, even if he remained occupied he still listened to the conversation.

Quirin: "I had to go now, have fun with Varian but please don't let him hurt you like he did now."

As the man leaves the room, as the teen's brows knitted into a frown as the alchemist's head drooped. Varian knew that his own father apologized to the person who was abused by everyone even his own parents. When he adopted Marcellus, he swore he won't lay a hand on him like everyone else did to Marcellus yet he laid a hand on him, while it wasn't Marcellus.

It still traumatized him nevertheless.

Yet the village leader devoted to caring about them and his people, and he did indeed talked about caring for Marcellus and Varian, as if he wasn't right next to them. But he won't say anything cause he's most likely scared to see his father angry again, so he remained silent and occupied.

────୨ৎ────

Tomorrow, at Kingdom of Corona. Marcellus clad with a wide-brimmed hat, and a walking stick took a walk to the streets of Corona with Varian.

Varian: "Dad wasn't able to make breakfast today due to having to deal with village duties, so I decided to make ham sandwiches for both of us to eat." he rummages through his bag and pulled out two ham sandwiches, he offered the other one for Marcellus. "It's not like it's the first time Dad decided to not make breakfast because of a busy schedule."

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "Y'know Dad...He's like this when he had to deal with things of his own," he nervously smile.

Marcellus: "Hadn't gotten over how he slapped you?"

Varian: "Me too, it's obviously something Dad would never do, lay a hand on me by slapping my cheek...He usually scolds me and lectures me like all parents do, but laying a hand on me...I didn't realize it would happen..."

Marcellus: "Does it still hurt?" he asked, worriedly.

Varian: "Yeah, despite my cheek healing from it, it still pains me emotionally that he'll ever do this to me..."

Marcellus: "I know...But I've been used to people, either my own parents, townsfolk and even the orphanage to have one to slap me in the face...It wasn't unusual for Dad to slap you...Because I was concern this might happen to someone but not me, and it turned out my worries came true."

Varian: "But hey, Dad needed some time to think...I mean, parents being angry isn't new."

Marcellus: "Yes..."

Varian *Smiles*: "Let's just move on from it and enjoy a moment of peace." he holds onto the ham sandwich.

As the two ate the sandwiches in complete peace, while Gyeffroy sneaked behind a tree as he watched someone from afar, it's Adam De Vries.

Gyeffroy: "..."

The ginger had gone to go and buy things for the house, because his mother instructed on it. Yet he stopped when he saw Adam De Vries, the alabaster teenager's arms clasped behind his back...Holding a letter, Gyeffroy's eyes widened.

Adam De Vries *Looks over his shoulder*: "Who's there?" he asked, quietly. Which caused Gyeffroy panicked and turned his back from the tree, his face blushed.

Gyeffroy: "Totally gonna be teased by Trubin, that's for sure..." he shuts his eyes, his brows lowered.

Adam De Vries *Bumps into Marcellus which caused Marcellus to fell on the ground*: "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that." he apologized, which Varian offers a helping hand for Marcellus.

Marcellus: "It's okay..." he cleans himself off, "I'm okay like always."

Varian: "Who are you?" he asked, confusedly.

Adam De Vries: "Adam De Vries." he responded, calmly. "And you two?" he asked, confusedly.

Varian: "I'm Varian, and this is Marcellus."

Marcellus: "Hi."

Adam De Vries : "Whoa," his mouth opened. "I almost forgot about you, it's nearly been 10 years by now. Marcellus! Cannot believe it, I just can't...Where have you been? It's been such a while now since we've last seen each other." he shook his shoulders, causing his wide-brimmed hat to fall from his head.

Varian: "Don't need to shake him to death," he grabbed Marcellus's hand and stepped away from Adam. The pale teenager's eyes widened, as he shakes his head.

He murmured an apology, and ran away.

Varian: "Did you met him before?" he asked, calmly. "I mean, Trubin and Gyeffroy, yes. Two of them became your first friends! But him."

Marcellus: "He was that guy I met him, who was punished a lot like me..." he frowns. "He was taken to the orphanage after his own parents were killed by thieves..." he took the wide-brimmed hat and puts it on, "Adam was the same age as...Me, 3-4 years old. Let's say, he's the kid whose been abused quite often by the orphanage like me. And now adopted by different...Parents, who seems like they are loving."

Varian: "..."

Marcellus *Played with his hair*: "But he hates thieves because of what they did to his own parents..." he sighed.

Varian: "I know how it feels for him losing his own parents by thieves."

While Adam hid behind a tree, as he peeked through. Until he felt tapping against his own shoulder, and stepped back to see Lance.

Lance: "What are you doing, little guy?" he asked, curiously. The teenager's eyes narrowed, his brows lowered.

Adam De Vries: "WHO ARE YOU? Are you gonna rob me or kill me?" he asked, angrily.

Lance: "Sheesh, kid. Calm down!"

Adam De Vries: "..."

Lance: "Anyways, what are you doing around here?" he asked, curiously.

Meanwhile, in Eugene's bed chamber room. The man sat on the mattress, his hands rested loosely on his knees. He took a deep breath, as he stood up.

Eugene: "Rapunzel has her royal classes, I've already finished mine's...But I don't know what else should I do after this," he paces through his room. "I don't know where my old friend, Lance is, I'm afraid to know. Who should I spent time with? Maybe or I suppose, I'll wait more till Blondie finishes her classes. And I'm totally not gon-" he stopped when Cassandra knocks on his door. "I spoke too soon," as a door creaked open.

Cassandra: "Hey, Fitzherbert...You did said you had no one to go with you, so why not I spend time with you instead."

Eugene: "Not so fast." he wags his finger, "I'll wait for Rapunzel to finish her lessons. Besides, it was only once when I had no one to go with but you."

Cassandra: "...C'mon, you had no one to spent time with, so why not-" she was interrupted by him.

Eugene: "NOPE." he shook his head, "Not in billion years. Don't count the last time, because I had no one else but you to go outside with!"

Cassandra: "Sheesh, you really are hopeless without Rapunzel." she crosses her arms, leaning against the wall.

Eugene: "Hopeless, c'mon...Think something better, Cass-en-dra...I don't wanna Rapunzel to be alone without me and I'm not being this hopeless about it, like c'mon, I'm not THAT hopeless, Cass...I mean, she could spend time with her own parents but she often goes to me regardless of what place am I...Usually and quite often."

Cassandra: "Seems like you're hopeless to me without her." she chuckled slightly, which he rolled his eyes out of that response.

Eugene: "You'll see about that one, trust me." he wags his finger, "I'll tell you that I'm not that hopeless about this."

Outside of the castle, Marcellus and Varian sat on a patch of grass near a tree. As Marcellus quietly reads a book as birds tweets and nestled in a nest, as Varian just leaned against Marcellus's shoulder as his hands rested on his stomach.

Varian: "Let's be honest, it's kinda the not-so-first-time visiting Corona during this mood." he tittered, "I mean. You and I spending time like always, without anything to push us away...Marcus!"

Marcellus: "Varian..." he looks at him, "I need to talk about this..."

Varian: "Sure, what is it?"

Marcellus: "Well, if something bad happens to Dad...I don't know how I'll feel about this," he said with concern. "Whether I'll feel devastated or something, I just hope it doesn't happen and shouldn't happen at all."

Varian: "Marcus...Whatever you're saying maybe true, I just hope Dad's not hurt and nothing bad happens to him..." his head lowered. As Marcellus adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, "Like something bad happens to him, I'll totally not be happy about it."

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "Even if it does...I won't have the best response from it," he closes his eyes sadly. "Like I'll totally have strong emotions from it, like no I won't be happy if Dad's hurt or something." he frowns. "Or best impression of it!"

Marcellus: "..." his hands wringed. His hands clasped over his head, he breathed rapidly and shallowly.

Varian: "I mean, how will I act when something bad happens to Dad?!" he asked, sternly.

Marcellus: "..."

Varian: "Marcus..." he moved away, "What's wrong?" he asked, worriedly as he tries reaching out but Marcellus flinches.

Marcellus: "Nothing..." he tittered. "I just act like this all the time," he smiles nervously.

Varian: "..."

Marcellus: "Anyways, I'll just not worry about it and hope it doesn't happen." he continues to read as Varian watches him with concern, he hates when Marcellus is in distress.

Varian: "Marcus, are you scared I'll became evil in your eyes?" he asked, holding his hands. "Like I know how distressed you are when you heard what I said, but sometimes there's no way of knowing if something bad happens but even then, I'll never make you feel distressed about it..."