"This is a great idea, bluebell. Nothing like a little alchemical pizzazz to get their attention," Varian said with a grin as he sent up more lanterns with vials around them.

They started to explode and Aquaria leaned against Varian with a bright smile.

They got back into their human tower to see if the animals were coming.

Suddenly, two familiar faces were seen.

"It's Ruddiger and Pascal!" Rapunzel announced excitedly.

Varian could see slightly out of the jewel, gasping when he saw his furry friend fall off the cliff.

"No! Ruddiger!" Varian cried and Aquaria gasped with worry, but she breathed deeply out of relief when she saw Ruddiger flying away from the vulture with Hamuel. "Oh we're doomed."

"Varian, wait! Wait, wait! This is part of their plan! Haha!" Rapunzel saw Pascal and smiled brightly before she gasped. "Dwayne."

Suddenly, they were thrown off the cliff and Rapunzel thought fast. She ripped off her hair tie and threw her hair through the opening.

The rest of them fell from their human tower.

"Nice shot, Rapunzel!" Angry cheered.

"I gotta admit, that was pretty close," Rapunzel said and Aqua sighed softly as she fell backwards onto one of the couches.

"Alright, can we do this again sometime?" Aqua asked jokingly as she looked up at her sister.

"Let's not," Angry said quickly.

💧

Aquaria smiled brightly as they were finally pulled out of the talisman.

"Oh, yes! Water! I missed you!" Aquaria splashed around a bit and hugged Max. "You guys are the best!"

"You did it!" Rapunzel cheered as she hugged the white stallion. "I knew this trip was gonna be good for you guys!"

Aquaria tested her magic and sighed in relief before she grabbed the pendant, slipping it into her pocket. She then turned to see Max chasing Ruddiger and she smiled, holding Varian's hand as they all started to follow.

"Well it looks like it was a happy ending for everyone. Right, Skully?" Catalina whipped out the bird skull she had found in the pendant. "You can say that again," she spoke for the bird and let out a laugh. "By the way, anyone see what happened to Dwayne?"

"Nope, not a clue what happened to him," Aqua said as she shook her head.

"Let's go, we have to find our cart and get to Neserdnia," Rapunzel said.

🧪

"We're here! Aqua! Think of all the supplies we'll be able to get here!" Varian gripped her hand tight.

"Can we go into the market while you guys return the loot?" Aqua asked her sister with excitement.

"Go on. Just be safe," Rapunzel said and the two ran off to search the Neserdnian market.

They stuck by each other and eventually found the stuff they were looking for. Ruddiger sat himself on Varian's shoulders happily.

They had gotten what they were looking for, but Aqua saw some tools at another shop and decided to check them out.

Varian saw something while Aquaria was looking through some different tools.

"I'll be right back. I just need to look at something quickly," Varian said, kissing her cheek quickly before he ran to check out the picture frame he saw.

Aqua hummed, continuing to look through the tools.

"What are you looking for, gorgeous?" A male voice asked from beside her.

"Nothing in particular," she said plainly, not paying the guy any mind.

"Are you here with anyone?" The guy asked.

"Yes, her boyfriend," Varian said as he walked over with a glare.

"Yep!" Aqua smiled brightly as she went into Varian's arms immediately. "Bye!"

Ruddiger chattered angrily and shook his little fisted paw at the boy.

Aqua walked away with Varian and Ruddiger, giggling at the look on his face.

"Is someone jealous?" She teased with a grin.

"No... maybe... yes..." Varian admitted sheepishly.

"Don't be jealous, freckles. I love you, no matter what anyone says or thinks. No guy can ever make me think differently," Aqua assured him.

"I know. I love you too, bluebell," Varian said, kissing her cheek gently with a loving smile.

"So, what were you going to get?" She asked curiously.

"A picture frame for our picture. I was gonna buy one, but I would rather make one instead," Varian said with a smile.

"I honestly thought that you destroyed that drawing during... you know..." Aquaria trailed off.

"Yeah..." Varian looked down. "But even though I was mad, I was still in love with you, no matter how much I told you that I hated you. This drawing means so much to me," Varian said as he pulled it out of his pocket.

"I will always love you, Varian. You mean the world to me and you always will," Aquaria said softly before she saw the others. "Come on, let's see if the other's are ready to go."

"When we get back I'm gonna work on the scroll some more. I have a feeling I'm close to figuring out what it means," Varian said and she hummed.

"Alright, I'll join you, but I'm gonna work on giving Ruddiger a bath. He's filthy after today," Aqua said and Ruddiger squeaked. "Plenty of apples will come your way if you take a bath."

Ruddiger immediately perked up and crawled over to her shoulder and snuggled down.

"I love you too, Ruddiger," Aquaria said with a light laugh.

"Don't be trying to steal my girlfriend, Ruddiger!" Varian pouted playfully.

"I don't know, Var. He's one handsome raccoon," Aqua joked. "I don't know if I can still be your girlfriend. I think I'm in love with Ruddiger."

"Oh no! How dare you betray me, buddy?" Varian laughed and Aquaria started to laugh too.

"I do love you, Ruddiger. You're my baby." Aquaria smiled brightly and Ruddiger chittered happily.

"You guys are finally back!" Rapunzel smiled at them.

"Took them long enough," Angry grumbled.

"Did you get what you needed?" Rapunzel asked curiously.

"They probably didn't even need to get anything and just disappeared to makeout," Angry shot with a grin.

"First, yes we got what we were looking for, and second, we haven't done that yet. W-we aren't there yet, you know?" Varian was bright red.

"No, I don't know. How have you two not, you know, gotten down yet?" Angry asked which caused Varian and Aqua to nearly choke on the air.

"Angry! Be appropriate!" Rapunzel blushed a bit.

"Too young for that, Kiera. We're going at a speed we both like," Aquaria said, her face looking like a tomato.

"You know, l-let's just go," Varian said quickly, trying to hide the bright red glow all over his face.

Everyone loaded onto the cart and Aqua sat in the back with the animals, except for Max of course.

🧪

It was getting dark out so Varian joined Aquaria in the back, curling up behind her. He wrapped him arms around her and smiled, holding her against his chest happily.

"Are we there yet?" Aquaria asked quietly, still half asleep.

"Not yet, princess," Varian said softly and she turned to face him.

"I'm your princess," she murmured as she snuggled into his chest.

"Do you like when I call you princess?" Varian asked, knowing that she wasn't really with it.

"Yeah, only you... you're my prince..." Aqua yawned adorably and closed her eyes once again.

"Sleep, princess. I'll be here when you wake up." He couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she was when she was tired.

Varian fell asleep along with Aqua and Rapunzel couldn't help but think it was utterly adorable.

💧

When Aquaria woke up, she saw that she was in her bed with Varian's head on her stomach as he slept.

She smiled and ran a hand through his hair gently as he held onto her waist.

He started to wake up and kept his hold on her as he snuggled closer to her.

"Good morning, Varian," Aqua said softly and he looked up at her with a smile.

"Morning, gorgeous," he said, his voice slightly raspy. He crawled up so that he could pull her on top of him, holding her like a teddy bear.

"I love how you sound in the morning," she murmured and he chuckled lightly.

"I sound hot," he joked and Aqua laughed.

"You're a dork."

"You know you love me," Varian said cheekily.

"Yes I do. Very much so. You are the best boyfriend ever." Aqua buried her face in his chest and smiled.

"I love you too. I can't believe that I'm actually dating a princess. My princess," Varian said with a bright smile.

"And you're my alchemist. I wouldn't want it any other way," Aquaria said happily. "But don't call me princess."

"Aww... but you said last night that you like it when I call you princess. You even said that I'm your prince!" Varian pouted and Aquaria huffed.

"Fine, you can call me princess," she gave in.

"Yes!" Varian cheered like a dork.

Aqua couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he was.

"Come on, let's go to the lab. Speaking of which, where's Ruddiger?" Varian looked around and he got up.

"Ruddiger?" Aqua looked around before seeing their friend asleep in a pile of pillows on her bed.

"There you are," Varian said as he picked Ruddiger up and cradled him in his arms.

"Alright, now can we go to the lab? The little man needs a bath." Aqua smiled as she stroked Ruddiger's fur gently.

"Yeah, come on," Varian replied before they left to go to Old Corona.

💧

Aquaria hummed softly as she got the bath ready for Ruddiger. She had her bathing suit on so she could join him and wash him easier.

The fluffy raccoon bounded around the bathtub excitedly. He absolutely loved when Aqua gave him a bath.

"Are you ready, Ruddiger?" Aqua looked at him with a smile which made him scamper up her back and onto her shoulder.

Ruddiger jumped into the bathwater and Aqua giggled as she stood up, stepping into the water. She yelped a little at the cold temperature. She quickly used her powers to heat the water up a bit so it was nice and warm.

Aquaria hummed softly as she sunk down into the relaxing water and then looked at Ruddiger who was watching her.

"Come here, bud," she said and she grabbed the special shampoo that was for cats but she used it on Ruddiger.

He chittered happily and relaxed when he felt Aqua start massaging the shampoo into his fur. He started to let out a purring sound with each breath.

Aquaria was humming a soft melody as she washed Ruddiger.

"Maybe you could wash my hair after," Varian's voice whispered in her ear and she screamed.

"Varian! Don't do that!" Aqua shouted and Varian fell back on the floor, howling with laughter.

Aquaria held her hand over her heart as she breathed heavily. Varian sat up crisscross applesauce.

"Oh! Your face was priceless! Ah!" Varian yelped when a bubble of water was dropped on his head, soaking him from head to toe. "Hey!"

"You deserved it," Aqua replied with a smirk.

"I thought you loved me," Varian whined as he lied on the ground.

"How did you make me fall for you?" Aqua shook her head with a giggle and he shot up.

"Because I'm oh so handsome and you think I'm smart!" Varian smiled proudly.

"I guess that's part of it." Aqua hummed softly and Ruddiger peeked his eyes open, wanting Aqua to keep washing him.

"So, do you think you'll have time to wash my hair?" Varian looked at her with a cheeky smile.

"You're sixteen! Why can't you wash your own hair?" She couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Because Ruddiger likes it and I wanna be relaxed!" Varian pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Get your swim trunks on then and wait for me to finish with Ruddiger," Aqua said with a light giggle.

"Yay!" Varian jumped up and ran to his room.

Aqua rolled her eyes, but she smiled as she put some kitten conditioner in her hands before running it through Ruddiger's fur.

"You're both so cute," she murmured happily and Ruddiger chittered.

Varian ran back in as Aqua was rinsing the conditioner out of Ruddiger's soaking wet fur.

"I'm ready!" Varian beamed and Aqua smiled up at him.

"Give me a minute," she said as she stood up in the bath with Ruddiger in her arms. She grabbed a towel off of the stool beside the tub, wrapping the furry creature up nice and snug.

Varian hopped into the tub and sat patiently, watching Aquaria's every movement.

Aqua set the wrapped up Ruddiger on the stool and then turned to Varian.

"Do you want me to warm the water up again?" Aqua asked softly and Varian hummed.

"I would like that," he replied to which Aqua leaned down and put her hand in the water.

As Aquaria started to warm up the water, Varian pecked her cheek.

"Thaks you, sunshine," Varian said and Aqua shook her head.

"That nickname is for Rapunzel," Aqua said and Varian chuckled.

"I guess you're right, Squirt." He smirked a little and Aqua smiled, pecking his lips.

"I love you, freckles," she murmured and he smiled bright.

"I love you too, bluebell." Varian pecked her nose, chuckling lightly as she scrunched her nose cutely.

"Is the water good now?" She asked as she stood up.

"Yes, thank you," Varian responded with a nod.

Aquaria smiled and grabbed the cup from the shelf. She filled it with water before dumping it on Varian's head, making sure to not get any water in his eyes.

Varian relaxed as he leaned his head back a bit. When he felt her hands go into his hair, he let out a deep breath. The feeling of her rubbing his scalp and massaging the shampoo into his hair seemed to release any tension in his body. Varian let out a sound that was almost a moan and Aqua laughed a little as she shook her head.

"If I had known it would feel this good I would've had you do this sooner..." Varian said as he sighed in content. "I need you to do this more often."

Aqua hummed softly as she listened to him and she smiled. She was glad that she could help him to relax.

"Just shut up and let me help you relax," she said softly as she looked at him.

"But I need you to know how good it feels so you can do it again." Varian glanced up at her with a bright smile.

"I can do this again if you really want," Aqua offered.

"Of course I want you to do this again! This is the most amazing feeling in the world!" Varian let out a moan of content once again.

"Alright. I'll make it happen," Aqua said with a little giggle as she started to rinse the shampoo out of Varian's hair just before the door to the bathroom swung open.

⚒

Quirin was walking past the bathroom when he heard a moan which made him stop immediately.

"If I had known it would feel this good I would've had you do this sooner..." He heard Varian say from in the bathroom. "I need you to do this more often."

"Just shut up and let me help you relax," Aquaria's voice sounded and Quirin raised an eyebrow as he listened in.

"But I need you to know how good it feels so you can do it again."

'What are they doing in there?' Quirin asked himself.

"I can do this again if you really want." He listened to Aquaria and his mind started to think of what the two teenagers were doing in the bathroom.

"Of course I want you to do this again! This is the most amazing feeling in the world!" Quirin heard Varian moan and immediately he thought the worst.

"Alright. I'll make it happen."

Quirin burst into the room and the two teenagers looked over at him.

"Hi dad!" Varian waved with a bright smile.

"Hello, sir! Do you need something?" Aqua looked at him, smiling warmly as she continued to massage Varian's head.

"Oh... no, dear. I heard you two and I thought... it sounded like you two were doing something you shouldn't be," Quirin said, relieved that he was wrong.

"What?! No! We wouldn't do that!" Varian's hole face turned red and Aquaria laughed, though her cheeks were tinted red now as well.

"I'm just washing his hair. I promise that we aren't doing anything that we wouldn't do with you around," Aquaria assured and Quirin hummed softly with a nod.

"I apologize for barging in. Enjoy the wash, son. Be down in time for lunch though," Quirin reminded before he left.

Aqua looked at Varian's flushed face and she couldn't help but giggle.

"I can't believe he thought that we... oh my stars..." Varian was so embarrassed and it showed. He turned towards her and looked into her eyes. "I promise, I've never even thought about doing that with you before. Not that I wouldn't want do it with you! I mean, I don't want to! No, that's not what I mean! Now! I mean I don't want to do it now! Or later! I don't want to do it later! Well, later in our relationship, but-"

Aqua pressed her lips to him, effectively shutting him up. He quickly kissed her back and relaxed again. When Aqua pulled away, she giggled a little.

"Are you done?" She asked with a grin and he quickly nodded. "I know it's too soon for anything like that and I'm okay with that. I'm happy with how things are between us. I don't need to do anything inappropriate to be happy or to want to be your girlfriend. Just being around you makes me so happy."

"I feel the same way. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable or move to fast. I-I think we're going a good speed," Varian said as he looked at her with a smile while she filled the cup with water once again.

"We are. We definitely are." Aqua said as she continued to rinse out his hair.

Varian watched her face before he smirked and pulled her into the tub with him.

"Ah! Varian!" Aqua gripped onto him tight, having been taken by surprise.

Varian couldn't help but laugh as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "We should definitely do this again."

"You scaring the fadoodlecakes out of me?!" Aqua pushed off of him with a grimace.

"Absolutely!" Varian nodded and Aqua splashed him. "Hey!" Varian splashed her back and she squealed, splashing him again.

This started a little splash war between them and Ruddiger watched from the stool, still snuggled up in his towel.

Quirin had heard Aquaria's yelp so he went back to check on them. When he saw the two splashing each other, he couldn't help but see them as children again. He remembered when they would run around and play in the castle at Aquaria's birthday party each year.

He was glad that they found each other. He left and went to his room to look at the picture of him, Varian, and Rosamund.

"You would be so proud of him, Rose," Quirin spoke as he looked at the face of his wife. "He's become so much more than either of us could've ever dreamed. I know that you're watching over us. I haven't forgotten my promise. I will still tell him when the time is right. For now... I don't want to take his happiness away..."