Chapter Text
A small party filled with cheers and joy at the snuggling duckling pub.
“Toast to Cassandra for winning in the challenge of the brave!” Rapunzel raised her cup in the air.
“To Cassandra!” Everyone replied doing the same motion as the sun princess.
“Cheers!” Cups clink together as laughter surrounds the room.
“You know, for a place like this. It may not be ideal but they have some pretty good chicken wings.” Varian walked over to his table with a bowl and a large cup.
“How do you know that’s chicken?” Nuru asked, watching him place the bowl down.
The moon boy's eyes widened, placing a hand on his chest. Afraid that it might’ve been something else.
“Are you okay?” Yong gave him a concerned look.
“Did you really have to say that to him!” Hugo sat in a chair beside him.
“I was curious.” Gently putting her cup down.
“Why? Do you think this place looks too suspicious to you? Are there too many scary things for your liking? Or is this not fitted for your style princess! That you have the nerves to judge and make assumptions that they would make food out of something else.”
“No! I don’t mind this place at all and I'd never do any of that so don’t you dare put false words into my mouth.” She felt offended that the blonde would just assume just because of her status.
“ Chicken wings can be made out of different things for those who are vegetarian or vegans.”Nuru shot back.
“There’s vegan wings?” The youngest member asked.
“Some people can not consume meat like one of my older sisters for example, it doesn’t digest well for them and upsets their stomach so instead the ingredients are replaced with plant based products like soy, fruit, grains, legumes, seeds and so much more.” The young princess explained.
“Oh you thought that they were made out of plants?” Varian stares down at the bowl.
“Yup, sorry about not telling it to you sooner.”
“No need to apologize.” The moon boy sat down.
“How would you know what chicken wings are, not quite the food fitting for you since royals are afraid of getting your hands dirty.”
“Look who’s judging now. Hypocrite.” The two began to bicker and argue.
“I've been meaning to ask, what is an incantation?” Hook foot’s question gathered everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me?” Rapunzel wondered if she heard that correctly.
“Yeah I be wondering about that too.” Most of the competitors had the same thought too as they recall the princess shouting about it during the Wreck Marauder’s rampage.
“A series of words said as a magic spell or charm.” Varian looked down at his cup.
“You know magic?” The young child's eyes grew with excitement.
“Well kinda.” Mumbling his words.
“Then why didn’t you use it when you were getting attacked?” Lance answered everyone’s question.
“Didn’t want to. I chose my training in combat rather than use that” Clearly this topic was beginning to upset him.
“When did you realize you had it?” Why are so many people so interested in this subject now?
“Yeah, what is your power like?”
“How does it work?” More questions began to pile up.
“One at a time please and all will be answered in a long story.” The sundrop stood in between her boyfriend and Cassandra.
“Oooh tell us.” Everyone gathered around now thrilled to hear more.
“Can we drop the topic please!” Varian slams his cup down against the table.
“So everyone knows the story about how I got my power and what happened there but not much is known about Varian’s, his power is a bit different that I don’t even know the origin story behind it.” Rapunzel couldn’t hear the boy due to the trillion requests.
“He has the power of the moon. A power given since birth that only Hugo, Blondie, the frog, trash panda and I know about, believe me it’s one of the most surprising things to come across.” Eugene crossed his arms.
“If it's barely used then he’s wise to keep it hidden.” Cassandra stated.
“You okay?” Yong glanced over.
“I’m-I’m sorry… I can’t.” The teal haired boy got up from his chair, storming out of the pub in frustration.
The group of teens shifted their attention at the door then exchanged worries that something was clearly troubling their friend.
“I got this.” Hugo reassures two younger members.
The older princess grew concern as she watches her brother leave.
“ I got this one.” He said to Rapunzel while following after him.
Outside
The blond teen could see him pacing back and forth clearly stressed out and his raccoon friend on the floor obviously trying to help him calm down.
“Okay.” He was fidgeting with his hands in the cold winter air.
“Hey Hugh I’m good…I-I’m-I’m okay…it’s -it’s okay just.” By his stuttering and shaky voice he knew that he wasn’t.
“Um.” Varian covered his mouth, trying to steady his breathing.
“You mind, if I stay out here for a second with you?” Strolling closer.
“Like it’s been dealt with right? That’s all I mean … nothing is going to change. I never used the incantation, they never saw it… I.” His mindset was filled with unnecessary intrusive thoughts.
“That doesn’t mean you never had feelings.” Any mention of last year would immediately trigger the moon boy.
“What’s that, I’m-I’m supposed to be feeling something right, I don’t feel… anything.” Unsure if he felt numb, scared, on the verge of tears or was this all a start of a panic attack.
“I don’t think...um” Pushing his hair back.
“Hairstripes.” Spoken quietly.
“Just go back inside.” Varian had his back turned away from him, waving a hand in a gesture for someone to go away.
“I’m not going head back in.” The older alchemist knew not to leave a person in distress alone.
“Okay.” He paused before letting out a heavy sigh.
“Clearly you matter more than some celebration.” Hugo wanted to be there to help.
“Thanks.” The younger alchemist leans back against the fence.
They stood in silence as the winter breeze pressed against their faces.
“I-I-I never… I never meant to.” Varian held both of his hands together.
“Hey I already know. You did what you had to for a good reason, you can’t keep blaming yourself for what happened.”
“But I do… every time it’s brought up I can’t help but to think of how much damage I created …the pain you were in… the look on Eugene’s face… that night.” Unable to complete his sentence.
“Are you afraid of the consequences and effects it can bring afterwards? Or is it how others will view you?” Rotating his head to the younger boy.
“Both…How would people see me if they knew?” Hugging his arms tightly.
“Then only you can decide when to use it again.”
“A hard chance. It’s never going to happen again.” Varian glanced up at the night sky.
“I wouldn’t exactly say never, who knows maybe you will probably use it in a case of an actual emergencies you know.”
“What if I can’t snap out of the trance?…Would the whole world turn against me because of it? What then?” Shifting his attention over to Hugo.
“You know that won't ever happen… but say that day unfortunately does.” The blonde took a deep inhale.
“What?”
“Let me finish, If the world turns against you then fight back. Show them that you’re not a person who surrenders so easily.” He knew that Varian was a strong, brave and loyal person, Corona would be a fool to betray him.
“Where is the logic in that? Doesn’t that just prove their point? How am I supposed to go against an entire kingdom alone!?”
“Not exactly proving them right but capable of doing more than just some title as the wielder of the moon’s power. That means closing your heart if you have to.”
“What if I hurt another living being? My dad, Ruddiger, Rapunzel, Cass, Lance, Eugene or even you again.” His breathing began to quicken.
“Woah hey don’t worry, I will do anything to bring you back rather it’s from a dark magical chant or death itself. I won't give up on you.”
“And if I end up alone?” Looking at the green grass.
“You won’t cause I’ll always be on your side regardless of the circumstances, it’ll be you and me against the world.”
“Ow and this guy too.” Ruddiger bit his leg.
“Ouch! Ow! Arrête! Je ne plaisante pas!(stop! I’m not kidding!) I'm trying to have a bonding moment with him.”
Varian just watched in amusement, they sure have a small rivalry for his attention.
“Ha now you won’t interrupt me.” Lifting the little bandit up from the scruff like a cat.
“Back to what I was saying. As your friend I won't let anyone stand in the way. I promise to try my best to prevent anything bad from happening.”
“Thanks.” Giving him a soft smile in return.
“And you are also going to help out too for his sake whether you like it or not. ” Ruddiger and Hugo glared at each other.
The small gray critter gave a chattering sound as he nodded. Varian was his best friend, obviously anyone who betrays or hurts his boy became his enemy.
“Do you think there is more than just the wither incantation? Or is this all?” The younger boy asked.
They began heading back to the building.
“Heck should I know, I’m not the moonstone. Now then take your night panda back.” Handing the raccoon over to the boy.
“Ok.” Varian wrapping his arms around his animal friend.
Once they opened the door Yong and Nuru began to back away.
“Guessing you two were listening in to the whole thing.”
“I mean if you told us what it was like to have a power you were born with.” Still wearing the same worried expression.
“Because I didn’t want you guys to look at me the way that you are right now.”
“Ever thought what you say might hurt him.” Hugo huff.
“Sorry.” Both sound like kids that got scolded by their parents.
“Don’t apologize, we’re friends if you two have questions then ask.” He gave a reassure smile.
“Ok, tell us what your life was like before? You said you lived in a tower.” Nuru boldly spoke.
“We want to learn more about each other.” Heading back to their table.
“That is if you are willing to listen to me rant.” They all shook their heads.
“We only know what happened last year, before, during and after princess Rapunzel’s birthday. How is it like living there for so long?” The young girl in purple said remember hearing about it during the sundrop’s coronations.
“Cramped, you think the tower has all these luxurious rooms and space similar to a castle but nope. Living in that tower wasn’t always the best. The person who took me away from my birth family treated me so much differently from Rapunzel, the worst part is that I thought I went crazy.”
“Most likely it’s the other way around. The wicked witch of the weast was greedy, power hungry. for what exactly magic? Youth? Beauty? Immortality? ” The three turn their attention to him.
“Unsure.” He shrugs his shoulders.
“So you never saw the signs?”Nuru asked.
“Nah she was always away and when she returned I always stayed hidden either on top of the mantle, in my closet or room.” The group sat down.
“Aww so you hid me in your safe space, how cute.” The older alchemist smirks.
“Gothel would get so angry at me.” Varian rolled his eyes and ignored his remark.
“I guess no one knew how insane she truly is until it was too late.”
“Varian.” They couldn’t imagine the pain the boy went through growing up.
“I heard the incantation in a dream one night and wrote it down on a piece of paper not knowing what it meant, so I showed her.” Fidgeting with his ring finger.
“How did that crone react?” Hugo grip his hand tightly.
“Please tell us it went well.” Yong wore a mixed of scared and worrisome look.
The young alchemist shook his head.
“Did you ever fight back?” Nuru asked.
“No I was a coward and I didn’t say anything, couldn’t stand up for myself.”
“I stayed silent growing up. Thought even a peep would set her off.”
“Then how did you know that was the wither incantation?” Yong asked.
“Whenever I dare to bring those words up, Gothel would immediately lash out, telling me to shut my mouth and say hurtful things but when Rapunzel asked, her personality changed to kind and gentle, told her what it was, how dangerous the incantation could be and to use it only for emergency. After that she had been the one to explain it to me gently.” Varian gave a soft smile.
“Explained to me about my power and connection to the moon. Always been the one who’d stepped up. ” He felt grateful for his sister.
“I assume she was scared to death that I might bring the whole tower down one day.”
“Or maybe madam Grimhilde was afraid you’d turn her into a prune.” Hugo mumbled under his breath.
“Are you referring to that dark evil witch queen in the Flynn rider book?” Yong says, shifting his focus to him.
“Yup and nope.” The blonde took a sip from his huge mug.
“Until I notice how much destruction it created, let alone the small amount of control I have. I swore to myself I won’t ever use it again.” Varian places Ruddiger down onto the floor.
“I know there is nothing anyone can say to make you feel better.” The three gave him a sad sympathy look.
“I hardly have any control, let alone wonder what other dangerous things it might hold. I refuse to harm anyone else because of it.”
“Another living being? Who did you hurt?” Nuru wore a puzzled expression.
“Does it really matter, just be glad no one else got injured.” Hugo examines his hand.
“It was you wasn’t it?” The young princess glares.
“Yeah so, who’s asking?” Looking away as he stole another crown.
“Of course, I’m not surprised.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh you want to start Starly!” The two began to argue.
“No fighting please. Today is the day of congratulations, can’t we just hangout once without you two causing chaos and be better friends to a person who’s literally telling us his traumatic past.” Yong stood in between them.
“I don’t want to burden you guys with my feelings and besides this is way more entertaining.” The moon boy rested against the table.
“Fine.” They said in unison.
“We apologize for that Varian.” Nuru shifts her attention to the boy now twirling his hair.
“Sorry hairstripes.”
“Hm? There is no need to apologize and besides I’m happier now, living a better life with a parent that treats me better.” He hummed.
“At least your father knows well enough to keep you smiling.”
“Yeah my dad is the best and more understanding when I make mistakes.” Picking at his scalp.
“You alright? Not hurt are you?” Hugo asked.
“Oh I’m fine, just thought about looking for a nearby lake or might head home soon to wash the dried blood off.” They all shivered with unease, remembering the carcass being thrown at his head.
“Why not borrow the restroom sink?” Yong suggest.
“ I don’t want to intrude plus do you know how awkward that is returning with wet hair?”
“You are washing your hair, not bathing. This is a pub where there will be people cleaning up after a bloody fight so don’t feel ashamed and we have a towel so don’t worry.” Hugo planned on asking Attila for one later.
“That sounds like a good idea might do that later.” The three agreed.
“Say how long you guys plan on staying in Corona?”
“Probably for three more days.” The young princess stated.
“It would be so much fun to have a sleepover.” Yong said with excitement wanting to spend more time with his friends.
“Um, are your families okay with it?”
“My parents won’t mind since they let me go on trips with the princesses all the time.” The youngest beams.
“I’m sure my mom and sisters won’t mind. Plus aren’t you two secretly a package deal ?”Nuru glances over at the alchemists.
“Bold of you to assume but unfortunately no cause Eugene is a helicopter parent and is being a total di-.” He got interrupted.
“It’s not easy living in a world where people can easily accept love of different kinds or genders orientation.” Varian gave Ruddiger a pick of chicken.
“I know that feeling.”
“You do?”
“Yeah I’m gay.” Nuru felt like she could come out to them.
“Oh Hugo is gay too, you guys should hookup.” Yong said unsure what anything meant while keeping an innocent smile.
“Huh!” The blonde shot up an offended look.
“It’s not how it works.” She burst into laughter.
“What?” Lost in confusion.
“I’ll explain to you later.” Varian pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep inhale and exhale.
“Back on topic.” Catching her breath.
“Sleepovers can happen at the castle or in Varian’s place if Princess Sunny or Quirin is on board too.” Hugo suggests.
“If we explain that it is mostly a regular hangout. I’m sure they’ll accept it.”
“That’s great then hanging out at Varian’s place.” Yong and Nuru gave each other a high five.
“ Even years from now when we'll be in our late teens or early adulthood we can go on an adventure together too.”
“Maybe along the line you might get yourself a redhead girlfriend instead of annoying us.” Hugo teased her.
“Well then I hope it’s that girl I met at the festival last year.”
They began to chat away about the possibility of the future. The moon boy smiled at the crazy things that they might encounter and a ton of things about each other.
Rapunzel shifts her attention over to the small group especially at Hugo. They were starting to form a close bond but why was her mind filled with random questions, especially about the blond teen.
To be continued