(Warning: Long Chapter)

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Chapter 19 -
Festivity Fun With Varian
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“(____)!”

You blink in surprise when the Queen scoops you up into a very tight hug. You grunt, not knowing she can be this strong.

“You didn't get hurt, no bruises, scratches?” She examines your face and your hands.

Cassandra is behind her with her arms crossed, glaring slightly, “You really had us worried. When I see Rider, I'm giving him a good punch to the face.”

You smile softly at Arianna, “I'm okay.” You let out a deep sigh, “I'm sorry. I was just hanging out with my….buddies at the wrong time.”

Arianna was dressed up with jewels and her crown, sighing softly, “But they said you were kidnapped.”

You chuckle sheepishly, “Not exactly kidnapped. I stumbles into them and somehow we were running from a broken dam.”

They stare at you and you blush in embarrassment, “They saved me, basically and that's why I'm here now.”

Arianna hums then smiles gently, “Okay, but please be careful.” She sighs sadly, “Try to have fun today, alright?” She kisses your forehead and walks off to her room.

You and Cass just stood there a bit confused. Cass kneels to you, “You know who to call if you're ever in trouble.”

“Owl. I know and I never got into serious trouble that I can't handle.” You hug her, “Don't work too hard Cassy!”

She pulls away, smirking, “Don't call me Cassy. But you should know I love working hard.”

You roll your eyes, “Yeah yeah.”

Skipping out to the festive streets, you smile at everyone's joyous mood and go down to the main event area. You spot Eugene watching Rapunzel getting her hair braided by the girls you pick flowers with. Not far, you see two guards getting closer and you run over to Eugene.

He yelps when you push his body down behind the small wall then wave at the guards who wave back happily. Max huffs and Eugene smiles thankfully at you.

You pat his head before petting Max, “Just let them have fun.” Max pouts and you two notice Eugene gazing in surprise fondness toward Rapunzel as she twirls with her beautiful braided hair.

Max neighs, smirking at Eugene and he gently shoves Max with a smile. “She's your light, Eugene. Don't lose her.”

You gently pet Pascal’s head as he squeaks happily and you walk off to maybe enjoy food. Suddenly, a hand pulls you into a deserted alleyway and you panic. That is until you see Varian smiling innocently, “Hi.”

“Varian!!”

He laughs and leans on the wall next to you. “What are you doing here?” You ask and you notice Varian didn't have his usual alchemy attire on. Meaning no gloves, goggles, or leather apron. He looked like an average everyday day boy.

“Dad and I decided to visit Xavier. He said I could hang out with you if I find you.” Varian chuckles nervously, “I'm still a little nervous going about big gatherings like this.”

You hum in thought and grin, taking his hand, “Come on.” Varian screams a bit when you run through the crowd, nearly knocking people over.

“What are we going to do?”

“Nothing!”

“Nothing? What's that supposed to mean?”

You glance back at him, smiling warmly, “Just let go and have fun!”

Varian blinks, not knowing what to think. A childish grin happily makes its way to his face and he follows your lead. You stop in front of Monty's and pushed the door opened, causing a jingle to ring out.

“(____)! I knew you'd be stopping by. A friend I see!” The jolly and big man said with a cheerful smile. Monty helps a few customers and walks over, “What can I get you two kiddos?”

“Do you have anything new?” You ask.

“Hm…..not yet.” Monty grins, “Though I can get you some Chocolate Lollipops!”

You and Varian now walked around, looking at the stands while eating the rose shaped chocolate on a stick. Both of you didn't pay no mind to your linked hands as it sways gently.

“Hey! Mine is caramel filled!” Varian said excitedly.

You smile, “Really?” Once you glance at his face, you couldn't help but laugh.

“What?” Varian says confused with chocolate all around his mouth.

“I'm guessing you hadn't had chocolate in awhile.” You pull out a handkerchief from your pocket.

“Well you might think it's weird, but this is the first time I had chocolate. Wait, what are y-” Varian stops talking.

You wipe his mouth, making sure to wipe off all the chocolate and you smile shyly, “Sorry.”

Varian's face flushes a bit and he laughs nervously, “It's okay. I never asked this before and I know you live in the castle, but, what do you do?”

“Well I could do whatever I want, but the only thing I don't like is when I have to wear dresses and sing….stuff like that when there's important people over.”

“Basically you're the entertainment.” Varian raises a brow at you.

You stop then grimace, rubbing your cheek, “Um…. Now that you put it that way. I feel like I am.”

Varian bites his lip and thought he should've kept his mouth shut. He took a deep breath and grins, putting an arm around your shoulders. “Forget what I said. Let's enjoy this delightful day!”

You yelp when Varian moves to give you a piggyback ride, “You better not drop me.”

“I won't.” He holds your legs securely and you wrap your arms around his neck.

You two grin at each other before Varian walks along. “Should I run?”

You blink and glare slightly at him, “No.”

“I think yes.” Varian says mischievously and runs, dodging people and you hang onto him. “Varian, slow down! You're going down hill!”

Varian's eyes widen and he tries to slow down, “No brakes!!!”

Both of you yell and finally Varian stops, but not good enough. You and Varian flip onto a cart full of flower petals. The spile in front of the wheels slide away from the extra weight, causing the cart to fly forward. Luckily, you throw some money to the cart guy and he stops yelling in protest.

The cart flies up when someone randomly puts a broken table out on the street.

“AHHHHHH!”

You and Varian cling to each other as the cart grinds on the rooftops. Flower petals are spurring everywhere and everyone thought it was beautiful, not paying mind to you two. Screaming for dear life.

You're back on the ground and the two of you tilt the cart to avoid corners and stands. Soon both of you are laughing, making sharp turns. Varian looks over at you and you grin happily at him.

The cart wheels hit a crack in the street and it flips, making you and Varian go airborne. Varian pulls you close and right at the moment, Stan and Pete are leading horses that are heaving bales of hay.

Hay flies up when you two land on it and Varian opens his eyes to sigh in relief. You blink at Varian as does he and you both burst out laughing, hopping off the moving hay cart.

Varian shakes his head to get the strands of hay off. Your about to dust off your clothes when someone or should you say, HORSE, bumps you and Varian into a dancing crowd.

Two chains of people separate you and Varian. They all dance, switching partners every time they spin or cross a random person. You go along with it, having fun moving with the festive music. This wasn't a fancy dance so you just let go and switch with whoever.

Varian kept trying to spot you and every time he did, he was spun around and at one point a hat lands on his head.

For you, you had ended up with Eugene in clapping and spinning around each other. He gives you questioning look but you grin innocently then pull him to switch partners.

Varian Didn't bother taking off the hat and raised a brow at the girl he danced with because she had lots of hair in a big braid.

You spot Varian right in front of you as you twirl, almost running into him. He laughs and holds your hands, moving close to the edge of the dancing circle. You follow Varian's lead then quickly pull him through the crowd.

“That…. was FUN!” Varian says with energy and hugs you tightly, smiling, “Wait here. I brought something with me and I want to make up for when we didn't watch the lanterns together.” He runs off somewhere and you chuckle softly when he nearly trips over his own feet.

“(____)! You were right! This was so much fun!” Rapunzel pants happily from running to you. “Do you have the bag?”

You smile, “Yeah, here you go.” You hand her the bag and she hugs you, “Thanks. I hope everything will go good.”

You hug back, “It will.”

She giggles softly then runs off wherever Eugene was calling. Varian came back a few minutes later, “Sorry. I had to give the hat back along the way.”

You're lead to a dock and you stop, hesitant of the water. “Are we going to be out ON the water?”

Varian smiles softly and sees a hint of fear in your eyes, “Do you trust me?”

You gulp, glancing between the water and the slightly rocking boat, “What kind of question is that?”

Varian laughs lightly, “One that will let you know, I will always keep you safe.” He holds out a hand and stands halfway on a small boat. “Do you trust me?”

You breath in, ignoring the water and smile while taking his hand, “I always know, so yes.” He helps you in and steadies when you wobble.

Once you're settled in, Varian starts rowing out to the waters and you could barely see another small boat in its own clear waters.

“I won't go far from the docks, okay?” Varian says and stops the boat. You felt better knowing that you're not too far from land.

“We still got time to before they launch the lanterns, so I got a small dinner.” Varian holds up a picnic basket, “My dad packed it.” He blushes lightly in embarrassment.

You take it, laughing softly, “Well, he's doing his best.” You look pull out whatever was inside, “Slices of bread, cheese, grapes, oooooo!” You pull out two cupcakes and grin, “Varian, you have the best dad ever!”

Varian snorts, waving a hand, “I guess, you can say that.”

You hum happily then hand Varian half of the food. You two ate while Varian started talking about helping the village out by making something to give them hot running water.

Now onto the cupcakes, you kept moving them away as Varian tried to grab one, “There's a reason that there's two, (____)!”

“Yeah and that reason is that they're BOTH mine!”

“As IF I'm letting you have both! You only get ONE!” Varian is over you, but you still hold the cupcakes away.

“NO! I found them first!”

“You did not- Okay, maybe you did find it, but this is suppose to happen logically! Two and two! One is yours and one is MINE!”

There's a small splash and you both stop. You realize you're holding ONE cupcake. The two of you sit up straight and watch the cupcake sink to it's soggy death.

“We're such idiots.” Varian pouts.

You grins sheepishly, “Not entirely.” You halfen the cupcake and hold out a side to him, “We're actually two halves of a whole idiot.”

Varian laughs, taking his half, “Makes sense.”

You spot a single lantern come up from the castle and point, “It's starting!” Varian looks and you excitedly sit closer to Varian.

More lanterns began rise and slowly they all grouped together before starting to spread out in one direction. You notice the lanterns floating down toward the water, barely an inch away before going up. It almost reminded you of bubbles.

It all surrounded you and Varian, even the reflection in the water mirrored above. You know Varian doesn't like the word but this was very magical.

Varian pulls out two lanterns from under his seat, lighting them. “(____).”

You turn to him and smile. A lantern is placed in your hands and you can see the warm light giving Varian's eyes a sparkle. “Ready?”

With a nod, you both let go of your lanterns at the same time. They went up, slightly dancing together and join the others in the sky. You kept gazing at all the designs on the lanterns and thought how people care so much when someone isn't there. They have faith and that was all they needed.

Varian glances at you, seeing your far off expression. He was very confused. This feeling right now, it was like he was more happy to with you. No matter what mood you two were in, he was glad you were always there. You were imperfectly perfect and he loved that because you aren't like everyone else.

You feel Varian put an arm around your shoulders and you look at him as he smiles happily. You give him a smile back and lean your head on his shoulder.

This moment wasn't the most perfect considering you two still had hay and flower petals everywhere on you. But it was the greatest moment through feeling and just being there with each other.

The lanterns were still coming when Varian sighs, “We should head back now.” You notice Quirin standing by the docks and pout, disappointed that Varian probably has to go.

The boat is rowed back and Quirin helps tie it down. “Sorry, (____) but it's getting late and I want Varian and I get to get home before all the lanterns leave.”

You nod, smiling in understanding and see Varian looks a bit down. “Hey. You know I'll we're not going to be away forever.” You hug him tightly and have a feeling of not letting go. It felt so good to hug him.

Varian felt the same and chuckles, hugging back, “I know. See you later, (____).”

You wave to Varian and Quirin as they start walking across the bridge with a few others from their village.

“I wonder how things with Rapunzel and Eugene went.” You pull off hay from your hair and groan, shaking your hair.

Half way toward the castle, everyone has went inside to get sleep so they could clean up tomorrow. You hear faint yelling as it gets closer.

“NO! You don't understand! You can't!”

You stop walking, “Eugene?”