Rapunzel: Do you ever want to talk about your emotions, Eugene?

Eugene: No.

(Y/n): I do!

Rapunzel: I know, (Y/n).

(Y/n): I'm sad.

Rapunzel: I know, (Y/n)-
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I giggled, seeing the red blush on Varian's cheeks. My eyes fluttered shut as we rode towards the campsite. I drifted off to sleep, only having one thought in mind:

That everything was perfect...

.

.

But nothing can be perfect for long...

(WE ARE THE CRYSTAL GEMS-)

-(Y/n)'s POV-

     I was sitting down, gentle, green grass tickling my skin.  As small fireflies flew by, I picked up a bright, (f/c) flower off the ground, admiring it's glow. I smiled to myself, humming a soft lullaby my mother used to sing for me.

     I was in the garden, my safe place, gazing up at the heavens. There was nothing but the full moon and the stars and yet, it somehow looked beautiful.

     I raised the flower in my hand, lifting it up towards the sky. It wasn't as bright as the stars above me, but it still shined. It was like a star left on earth, faded sure, but still a star.

     "(Y/n)?" a voice echoed behind me. A familiar voice.

     "(Y/n)?" they repeated but I didn't get up. I didn't even turn around. All I wanted was to stay here in the garden where everything stayed perfect. No worries, no problems, no decisions...no regrets...

Perfect.

     But the voice didn't let me stay. It kept repeating itself, like a ringing in my ear. I tried ignoring it but it only grew louder and louder until I couldn't take it anymore.

     "(Y/n)!!!"

     My eyes snapped back to reality. "What?! W-what happened..." I stammered, my memory blurry.

     I looked up, seeing Varian's face inches away from mine. "(Y/n)! You're awake!" the alchemist grinned, backing away.

     I averted my eyes to the ground, mumbling a soft, "Yeah..."

But I didn't want to wake up...

     I looked around, seeing everyone already at the campsite. "Did we just get here?" I asked. It felt as if hours passed by when in reality it had only been a few minutes.

     "Yep!" Varian answered. I watched as he tied (H/n) to a nearby tree. He turned to me, about to say something but then stopped himself. He tilted his head in concern, "Hey, are you alright? You look sad, did...did I do something wrong?"

     My eyes widened, "What? No! You didn't do anything wrong, Var! And I'm fine, don't worry about me..." I smiled, bottling up my emotions for another time.

Varian lifted a brow, "Alright...and you're a hundred percent sure you're fine?"

I nodded, trying to change the subject, "Yeah, yeah, let's just go to the others."

I grabbed onto his arm, immediately regretting it. I heard a faint wince come out of Varian's mouth causing me to retract me hand.

     "Shoot..." he mumbled, pulling his sleeve down.

Huh?

     I furrowed my eyebrows in concern, "Var, what are you hiding...?"

     "Nothing, I-" I interrupted him by pulling his sleeve up, revealing a large, deep stab wound.

     I stumbled back a bit, "Oh god, Varian, you're bleeding!" I yelled, gently grabbing onto his wrist, inspecting the injury.

     The alchemist chuckled.

WHY IS HE LAUGHING?!

"Don't worry princess! It's just a scratch. My double caught me off guard and hit me with his sword."

     I blinked excessively. "Just a scratch? Just a scratch?! Varian, why didn't you say something!" I panicked, placing pressure on the wound.

     He looked away from me, scratching the back of his neck with his other hand, "Well I didn't want to worry you. You already looked pretty bummed out..."

     This boy-

     I sighed, dragging Varian by the wrist. He lifted a brow, "W-what are you doing princess?"

"I'm gonna bandage your wound, Mr. Prince Charming," I huffed, sitting him down on a nearby log, "But this time I get to save you."

I heard Varian chuckle at my statement, "(Y/n) really, it's alright! You shouldn't be worrying about me."

I grabbed a roll of gauze and disinfectant from a nearby bag. "What do you mean, of course I should! Var, you're always so concerned about me that you have no time to be concerned about yourself! Don't you think I care about you too? Please, just let me help you this once!"

     I didn't realize it, but Varian's whole face lit up, his freckles stained with a dark, red blush. "Now, don't move. This'll sting for a bit..." I warned, about to disinfect the wound. ((Y/n) be wife material tho-)

     As I started cleaning the cut I heard soft footsteps coming our direction. I glanced to the side, seeing Cassandra, Eugene and my sister sit across from us.

     I paled seeing Rapunzel patching up Eugene's bruises. Were they that hurt because of me?

     I looked around at the others, seeing their beat up forms. Those doubles really did catch us off guard, didn't they? It seemed as if everyone was harmed in some way, physically and mentally.

     Lance was passed out, Cassandra was patching up some bruises, Eugene had wounds left and right and Rapunzel somehow escaped without a scratch, but the look in her eyes said otherwise.

     I frowned, my head drooping down. This is my fault isn't it? Stupid instincts, stupid me! I should've listened to them, but I just HAD to fuck everything up...

     Like I always do...

I finished up patching Varian's arm with the gauze, making sure it wasn't too tight.

"Thanks princess," Varian playfully bowed down, a bright smile on displayed on his face, "I owe you one!"

"Huh?" I blinked, my mind snapping back to our conversation, "O-oh, yeah no problem!"

     Varian frowned, pulling his sleeve down, "Princess, are you sure you're alright? You've been acting strange ever since you woke up..."

     I brushed him off, trying my best to put on a smile, "Varian, like I said it's nothing. I was just...caught off guard that's all. I'm okay!"

     I'm totally okay...right?

     Varian's eyes narrowed, "(Y/n) I-" he stopped himself, rethinking his words. He sighed, "I...if you say so..."

     I watched as he walked away, probably going to wake up Lance. I thought for a moment, seeing Rapunzel was also finished helping Eugene and currently setting up the tents.

     "Hey sis!" I exclaimed, popping up beside her. This was my chance to get my mind off things, a little 'sister bonding time™'.

     I caught her eyes widen in surprise. "Whoa!" She laughed, stumbling back, "Hey (Y/n), what are you doing here?"

     I held onto the ends of the tent she was setting up, "I saw you were struggling putting up the tents so I thought I'd help!"

     Or in other words, I saw you were doing something and I wanted to help so that I wouldn't be absolutely fucking useless!

A sour expression made it's way onto Rapunzel's face. It was like a sudden awkwardness was released into the air. "Oh uh...thanks (Y/n)," she smiled, "But I don't think that's such a good idea..."

I lifted a brow, letting go of the fabric, "Huh? What do you mean?"

She looked around, not wanting to look me in the eyes. "(Y/n) don't take this personally, but I talked with the others and we all agree that letting you lead the group wasn't the...best idea."

     ...What..?

"Wait, so...so you don't trust me anymore?" I stuttered, try to process what she was saying.

"What? No!" Rapunzel placed a hand on my shoulder, "It's not like we don't trust you it's just...we um...we don't think that you should...help out as much, yeah!"

My face was blank. I mean, I don't blame them for not trusting me, I don't think I'd even trust myself if I were in their shoes, but does she have to sugarcoat it?

     "Rapunzel, I'm sorry I just wanted to help out and-"

     "I know you're sorry, (Y/n)," Rapunzel sighed, "And I know you didn't mean to put us in danger, but what if something happens again? Time's running out and and we can't risk you making another mistake like that!"

I tried speaking but no words came out of my mouth. I turned around seeing Cassandra and Eugene hiding behind a rock, eavesdropping on our conversation.

"Wait, you said that you talked to the others about this?" I asked in disbelief, "Has...has everyone here lost trust in me?"

My words caused Cassandra to jump out of her hiding spot. "Raps..." she defensively started, walking up to my sister, "What exactly did you say to her...?"

I stepped back. "So you did talk to the others..." I said, feeling a sharp pain go through my heart. They really didn't trust me...

     My eyebrows furrowed as I continued my sentence, "And...and you all think I should just not do anything the rest of the trip? You want me just to sit around and be useless?!"

This time Eugene popped out, holding his hands up in defense, "Kid, don't take it personally! Sure, you might not be able to help us in a sense but we could still use your 'future vision' thing to our advantage!"

Advantage?! Use?!

"Oh, so now I'm not a person anymore, I'm your tool?!" I yelled out, catching the attention of a sleepy Lance and a very confused Varian, "Listen, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have trusted 'Eugene' and I know I was being stupid and dumb and an idiot, but that doesn't mean you can just shut me out! If time's really running out like you said then don't you think another person helping out would make everything go by just a bit faster?!"

The three fell silent at my words. I panted, I tried to calm down, but I just couldn't. It was like I had no control over my emotions.

     Stupid hormones.

     Eugene, Cassandra and Rapunzel all made eye contact with each other, debating what to say next.

I sighed, "Rapunzel, all I want to do is help, please! I just want to be apart of something important, be someone important! Is that too much to ask?!"

"(Y/n)," my sister said, her voice loud, trying to be in control, "I promise you, it's...it's for the best..."

I scoffed, "For the best? I don't understand, why can't you just let me help out I-"

"(Y/N) ENOUGH!" Rapunzel yelled. It was like I could feel the ground shake from under me, "I'm sorry, but we don't have the time for this! I'm not gonna keep arguing with you! You not helping is the best thing we can do at the moment! Yeah it's harsh, but it's true! We can't afford you making another mistake..."

     "But that was one ti-"

     "(Y/n)!"

     I shut my mouth. I wanted to yell, I wanted to stand up for myself...but I didn't. I looked down at my hands thinking it over. I shouldn't keep being so selfish...it's my fault that they're hurt...

I gazed towards the floor, swallowing my pride. "Fine..." I sighed in defeat, "We're doing this for Corona right? We're doing this for our kingdom...i-it's our job to protect our people...even if that means I'm not the one doing it..."

I heard a sigh of relief come out of my sister's mouth, "Thank you! For a second there I thought-"

"I'm gonna go to sleep now," I mumbled walking towards my already set up tent. I wasn't even tired, I just wanted an excuse to escape the situation.

     "Oh...uh alright! Night sis!" Rapunzel smiled obliviously.

As I walked away I heard footsteps beside me. I looked up seeing Varian blocking my path. "(Y/n), are you-"

"I'm fine!" I yelled out, pushing past him and going into my already set up tent, zipping it shut.

The alchemist frowned, his hand reaching towards the zipper but stopping at the last second. He sighed, reluctantly walking away from the tent...

~One Hour Time Skip (HA THE CHAPTER AIN'T OVER YET-)~

-Varian's POV-

I was laying awake in my sleeping bag. Funny, it's called sleeping bag but I'm not even sleeping. I couldn't. My mind was racing from one thought to another.

(Y/n) was obviously not 'fine'. The starry glow in her eyes wasn't there anymore, she kept getting distracted, and even her smile was strained. She just wasn't herself...

     Why are girls so confusing?

'Why are you so obsessed with the princess anyway?' a voice in my head asked. Wait...I'm hearing voices?

'Don't you see pessimistic Varian? Actual Varian looooooves her~' another voice sung. Okay, I'm officially going insane...

Wait...if I can hear them can they hear me?

     'One, she's my friend, of course I'm worried about her! And two, we're just that, friends!' I thought to myself. I noticed my cheeks light up. Who knew my own inner voices could make myself blush?

It was the pessimistic me who decided to answer first, 'Really? Then why's your face so red?'

     'He loves her~'

     'Wait, doesn't that mean we like her?'

     'Ooooo! I'm okay with that! She's a cutie! Right actual Varian?~'

     I mentally groaned, shutting up the two voices, 'BE QUIET! IT'S JUST A SMALL CRUSH!'

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a loud CRACK come from outside my tent. I raised a brow. What was that? Everyone already went to bed...

     Slowly, I picked up my dagger, ready to defend myself from whoever or whatever was on the other side of the tent door. Okay Varian, you got this...you're not gonna let whatever's behind this hurt your friends, are you?!

     I gently unzipped my tent, making sure not to make a sound. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, about to walk though the opening.

     With one last breath I stepped out, waving my dagger around. TAKE THIS WHOEVER'S OUT THERE!

     When I heard no yell, scream, anything I opened one of my eyes, scanning the area.

     No one...

'You're an idiot,' pessimistic Varian mumbled.

I shook him off, throwing my dagger back inside the tent. As I walked around the campsite I started hearing some muffled...humming?

     I turned to the side, seeing a (h/c) haired girl sitting on the ledge of a cliff.

     (Y/n).

     She wasn't crying, she wasn't talking, she was just...sitting there...staring at the sky. I narrowed my eyes, trying to get a better look at her.

     Shoot, she's sad what do I do?!

     "Varian?" I heard. I looked down seeing she was staring straight at me, "I-I'm sorry, it's late d-did I wake you up?"

     I froze. Why is she apologizing?!

"No, no, no, it's okay! I couldn't sleep anyway..." my smile faltered, seeing the saddened expression on her face, "(Y/n), ever since we came back from that cave you haven't been acting like yourself. What's wrong?"

     "Var, I'm f-"

     "Stop saying that you're 'fine', you're obviously not! (Y/n) please, you can't just push your feelings away!" I bursted out.

She sighed in defeat, averting her eyes away from mine. "I...I screwed up..." she confessed, her eyes welling up with tears, "It was stupid of me to trust that double and because of that you're hurt, everyone's hurt! It's my fault! I-I'm sorry..."

She frowned, looking up at the starry sky, "It's just...ever since I was little all I ever wanted was to be Queen of Corona. That's what I was born to do! But when Rapunzel showed up...everything changed," she sighed, turning to me, "Varian, all I want is to be someone, someone important, someone who matters! But I can't...I-I'm just not..."

I could feel my heart sink at her words. "(Y/n), I didn't-"

"Varian, i-is there something wrong with me?"

That. That was what made me break.

I wrapped my arms around her embracing her up in a tight hug. What she needed right now wasn't a 'prince charming', or a knight, or whatever! She needed a friend, someone to talk to.

I held her as she continued to pour her feelings out, "I-I'm trying...I really am it's just it's...it's hard knowing that I'm not good enough..." I could feel hot tears land on my shoulder.

I titled her head to meet my eyes, "Hey, just look at me. Breathe, everything will be alright..." I could feel her heart rate begin to slow down to its normal pace.

Sighing, I decided to pour my feelings out as well, "Look, I know we haven't known each other for long, but I want you to know that you are good enough. Don't ever let yourself believe otherwise. You're important to me, princess..."

I could feel her back away from the embrace. She smiled sadly, "W-why me? I don't even consider myself important."

I smiled back, unable to look away from her, "(Y/n), of course you're important to me..." I brought a hand towards her face, wiping away her remaining tears, "I lov-" I stopped myself. Dang it Varian, you could've given yourself away!

I mentally winced at what I was about to say next, "I...you're my best friend..."

I noticed her bright eyes fade away. Shit, did I say something wrong?!

My doubts disappeared when I heard her adorable laughter. "Heh, I guess we are best friends aren't we?"

I could feel drops land on my shoulder once more. My eyes widened, "Princess, you're crying!"

She laughed, tackling me into a hug, "They're happy tears, you dork! I just...thank you Varian...thank you for everything..."

Those words were like a breath of fresh air to me, a harmony. I hugged her back, "Of course princess, I'll always be here for you...never forget that."

She held up her pinky finger like she had done a week before now, "Always?"

I looked her in the eyes. She looked so happy yet so sad at the same time, how could I say no to her?

I felt a wave of confidence rush by me. I took her hand and kissed it lightly...

"Always princess...always..."

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     Is it bad to say that I was proud of this chapter? Did y'all like it??? Yes? No? Kinda?

     I'm not the best at writing emotional stuff, but I hope I at least made you guys proud!

     Also, GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW READERS!!! I looked at the stats and so many new people are coming to read my story and it makes me so happy! So be sure to greet them in the comments!

    ♡♡︎♡︎︎Love you guys!♡︎♡︎♡︎