Two New Faces and I am SO EXCITED Right Now!!

~Rapunzel
This morning, Tangled Fan brought in a box and set it on her bed before yelling and hurrying out the door again.  I had the perfect view of the box from my side of the table, and I wanted to investigate.  Unfortunately, nobody else was as enthused as I was, and nobody jumped up and yelled, 'we need to go check that box out now!!'.  Finally, after an hour of unbearable curiosity, I spoke up.
"Guys, why don't we check out the box over there?" I stood and waited to be noticed.
Which never happened.
Literally everyone ignored me.
So I went over to each individual and asked, even Punzie, who just rolled her eyes and grumbled about the possibility that more dolls were here now.
When I had gathered a group --Anna, Hans, and Zelia-- I popped my head over to Eugene's side, smiling when I saw him stand the second he saw me.
"Cmon, do you want to go see the mystery package?" I joked, trying to make it sound intriguing.
He nodded and gave me that grin of his, and soon, our little bunch was on the floor and headed to the bed.

It didn't take long to get over there, and we soon met...

Belle...

                                                               And Beast/Raymond/Ray. 


I was slightly terrified of Beast, but I tried to keep it hidden.  How rude would THAT be??  Plus, my shyness kicked in, and I wanted to go back to my side of the table the second Belle glanced my way.  Even more so when Beast STARED at me.  I didn't mean to, but I ended up reaching for Eugene...and then I realized that he was hanging back a little ways behind me, his face worried as he looked over the both of them.
"Are you shy, too?" I whispered, and he nodded before trying to smile at the newcomers.  Zelia was greeting them, albeit a bit rudely, but that was Zelia for you.

We all started back, and not a word was spoken.  I hung back, feeling quite out of place.  I wanted to talk to them, even though Beast--er...Ray...-gave me the willies, but I just couldn't get myself to speak up.  Eugene did, however, and started talking to both of them.  He periodically glanced back at me, so I finally gave in and helped tell them about the other dolls in our group.
I couldn't believe how perfect Belle acted.  With gorgeous brown hair and huge doe eyes, she was beautiful.  She walked with grace to spare, and spoke eloquently, with a very faint French accent.
Ray, on the other hand, spoke not a word, and acted like he couldn't see or hear well.

When we got to the bins under the table, Ray motioned frantically to Belle, rushing aside.  We paused, watching, as she went over and STARTED TO PULL HIS HEAD OFF!

We all froze in our tracks.  Anna squeaked and ducked behind her husband, still watching over his shoulder.
I wanted to scream, but knew it was rude and inappropriate of me, so I reached to clutch Zelia's arm.
She wasn't there...she was scrambling to climb the trash bag, clearly fascinated by the whole morbid thing.
When the head came off, it revealed a fairly handsome, ginger-haired and blue eyed human version of Beast, and the coat slipped off to reveal human hands.

 

After that, everyone was abuzz.  Ray was very much NOT abuzz, and just wanted to be left alone...so we obliged.  Anna and Hans went back, but Zelia, Eugene, and I stuck around on the floor.  I hung back, and Zelia spent her time staring at Ray.  Hmm. 

And Eugene and Belle seemed to be hitting it off very well.  He was talking to her, and she was smiling, laughing, and gazing into his eyes --even though he kept dropping his gaze away, for some reason.  The both of them made a pretty cute couple, actually, and I had to smile.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking.  Why am I not mad because they're both hitting it off so well, when just yesterday, I was saying about how I had a thing for Eugene??
Well, dear readers, that is because I know I don't stand a chance, he is out of my league, and they are absolutely adorable together.  I mean, just look at them!!!

I turned my attention to Ray for a moment or two, and caught him staring at me.  When our eyes met, he abruptly gave me a LOOK and turned his back.
Alrighty then.
I looked at Zelia and nudged her with my elbow, redirecting her gaze from Ray to Eugene and Belle.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Probably not, Hopeless Romantic," Zelia said dryly.
"Wedding bells for those two, sometime in the future.  He's quite taken and I think it's mutual," I explained.
"Hmmph," Zelia rolled her eyes and stalked off, leaving me completely alone.

Yay me, right?
So I tried to gather the courage to talk to Ray, thinking that maybe, he was feeling left out too.
He fairly growled at me, and I quickly backed off.
Looks like there's no chance of me befriending anyone in THIS group, either!
I don't know why I hung back, maybe because I thought Zelia would come back around.  Regardless, I did...and eventually, Zelia did.  Eugene noticed her, and quickly cornered her, requesting something of her.    She nodded, and then Eugene headed my way.  Zelia went instead to go talk to Belle and Ray.

Eugene gave me that special grin of his and put his hand on my shoulder, so I couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey, little miss wallflower," he teased.
"Hmm...says the guy who was hiding behind me earlier!" I threw back, and his grin broadened into a smile.
"You got me.  But for the record, you're the prettiest wallflower in existence, I'm fairly certain."
I giggled.  "Somehow, I sincerely doubt that..."

"Well, you shouldn't." he slipped his arm around me, pulling me close with an adorable grin.  I was beyond surprised, especially since Belle was looking right at us.
Oh no.  He wasn't going to use me like Flynn did.  Was he??
At that, I quickly slipped away, and as soon as that happy mood had appeared, it was replaced with uncertainty.  Without an explanation, I tried to hurry back to the table.  When he followed me and asked if I was okay, I said I had forgotten Pascal up there, even though he was on my shoulder. 
"He's..."
"I just..I'll talk to you later.  I'm not feeling too hot right now."  I felt bad lying, but I DIDN'T necessarily feel the best, anyway.  My stomach twisted just at the thought of him trying to use me to get Belle's attention.  He started to follow me, but I told him he didn't have to and that he needed to help Zelia out.

The rest of the day came and went.  I was silent in my corner for the majority of the time, thoughts tumbling through my mind in waves of confusion.  Waves?  Maybe HURRICANES of confusion would be the more suitable term.  I didn't care that Belle likes him, I just had not taken him for the using kind.

When I wasn't totally silent and buried inside my thoughts, Belle and I talked.  She was a really, really nice girl, and I almost hope we can become friends..but I have learned to hope for things cautiously.

Well, night fell, and I, of course, went to sleep, curled up in my corner with Pascal.  I had given Belle my blanket, since we were one blanket short, and so I was freezing cold in my thin little nightie.  Of COURSE tonight would be in the  low thirties!  It's May, for goodness' sake.  Why is it this cold??  Tangled Fan has the heat on, but it's still pretty chilly without a blanket and a sleeveless, short-ish, lightweight dress as your nightie!
My slumber was disturbed by...Eugene.  He gently shook me awake, and even though it was dark, I could still see the glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
What on earth...
I rubbed my eyes, trying to keep up with what he was saying.
"...get your blanket and your buddy, and let's go,"
"Wh...where?  My hair is a mess and I'm in my nightie..." I mumbled.
"Don't worry bout that, just come on," he scooped Pascal up and then helped me to my feet before feeling for a blanket.
"I gave it to Belle...we were one blanket short," I whispered, and he nodded.
"Oh, wow, it's no wonder why your arms are so cold, then," he took my hand and led me to his side of the table, ducking behind the cutout and snagging his blanket.  Next, he led me to the far side of the windowsill, and then draped the blanket over my shoulders.
"There... And here we are,"
I could see his face better..and then I realized.
Windowsill.
Night.
Stars!
I gasped and looked up, not disappointed by the crystal clear night.  The stars looked like tiny, precious gems that had been scattered across blue-black velvet.
I couldn't remove the smile from my face as I turned to look at Eugene. I wanted to say so much, but I couldn't get a single word out.
"I noticed it was a clear night, and knew you would like to stargaze," he shrugged, smiling.
I just wordlessly grabbed him into a tight hug, so quickly that the blanket slid off of my shoulders.  He chuckled and held me close for a minute, and almost seemed reluctant to let me go.  I didn't consider that at the time, I just was so excited about the stars.  He sat down I'm the corner, and I started to sit on the opposite corner, but he made a grumble of disapproval.
"Hey...you can come over here if ya want, you know,"
I didn't hesitate, and I snagged the blanket I had dropped as I came back over.
"Lean forward," I asked him.  I was going to give the blanket back, but he shook his head. 
"No, you need it--"
"We'll share.  It's chilly," I gave him a grin, and he chuckled. 
"Alright, fine..." he pretended to be exasperated as I reached to drape the blanket around his shoulders, minding Pascal on his shoulder opposite me.  When it didn't quite reach as far as I thought it would, he pulled me closer.  I held onto my corner and he held onto his, and we both just fell silent for awhile, just looking up at the stars.   
I wanted to ask him about Belle, because based off of his response to that, I could probably deduce whether or not he was going to use me.  I know it's stupid of me to worry about him using me, because quite frankly, I don't think he has it in him to use anyone, but you never know, right?  And I prefer to be safe rather than sorry. 
After awhile, though, I couldn't stand my curiosity any longer.  "So...what do you think about Belle and Ray?"
"Ray seems pretty...distant, but maybe he just needs time to settle in.  Belle's nice, though...what about you?" 
Well, that didn't really help much of anything.  'She's nice'....that could mean anything! 
"I think the same about Ray, I guess.  He's...I don't know.  He fairly growled at me when I tried to talk to him earlier today.  And Belle's just perfect in every way.  She's beautiful, and elegant, and is so eloquent.  I wish I could be a tenth of the doll that she is!"  I blurted. 
"Well...I don't," he said quietly.  I looked away from the sky, and saw he wasn't looking out the window..he was looking at ME. 
"What?" 
"I think you're perfect just the way you are.  You're beautiful, and sweet, and you're unique.  If you were like Belle, you would be like the majority of the Disney merchandise population.  I think your little quirks are great, actually.  Belle's nice and all, but she's just like the rest of 'em."
"Really?  And here I thought you and Belle were going to end up getting married and you guys looked really cute togeth--"
CRUMBS. 
I didn't just let that one slip, did I??
Crud, crud, crud...I did...
"Wait.  So that's why you ran off today?"  he turned towards me as best as he could and gave me a worried expression. 
"I-I...It's stupid but...I thought that when you were talking with her, you both seemed really happy and I thought you would make a cute couple, and you two seemed to hit it off really, really well, and I was happy --I mean, I'm not a horrible individual, I want to see you happy!  And then you came over and you were being nice to me, too, and stuff, and  I just all of a sudden started worrying about if you would use me like Flynn did, and I know it's stupid, but I just panicked and I left.  It's stupid..."
"No...it's understandable.  I should've gone after you, but I thought maybe you wanted some time alone.  I'm sorry.  No...I wasn't even really enjoying myself.  The whole time, I was thinking about you, to be honest.  She's nice, but definitely not viewed as a future mate.  More like an acquaintance.  I love you,"
I sucked in a breath.  Well, had I ever been wrong.  "...Oh."
He chuckled.  "It isn't too soon, is it--"
"No," I smiled, and he reached to kiss my forehead.  I fell silent for a few more minutes, watching him even though his face wasn't turned towards me.  Finally, I spoke up.  "I know it's dumb also, but you'll never use me in any way, right?  I-I just need to hear you tell me..."
"It's okay.  I promise I would never even think about doing such a thing to you...here.  I'll even shake on it," he held his pinky finger out to me, and I giggled.
"That's silly...you don't have--"
"Oh, c'mon,..." he waggled his eyebrows, never breaking eye contact, and I rolled my eyes, trying and failing to not laugh. 
"Fine," I dropped my corner of the blanket and linked my little finger with his, and then he laced the rest of his fingers with mine.

We just sat together and stared at the sky for a good while.  Eventually, I got comfortable enough to rest my head up against his shoulder, still watching the sky, and within minutes of doing so, he cocked his head and looked at my face, blocking my view of the sky.
"What?"  I asked, quirking a brow.
"Oh, you're awake.  The way you leaned up against me there, I thought you fell asleep or something," he gave me a gentle smile.
"Oh -- I'll move-" I started to do exactly that, but he tightened his arm around me and shook his head.
"Nah, you're fine," he said, so I slipped my arms around him and we stayed there for a little while longer.

I don't even know what time it was when we went to go to the table.  All I knew was that I was reluctant to go back, and I had a bone to pick with Eugene.  I was just really terrified to tell him, and I would have preferred to wait a little longer, but I just needed to tell him and get it off my chest.
When we went back to his side of the table, he followed me to the divider.
"Well, I'll see you," he smiled and put his hands on my shoulders.
"Okay," I gulped, trying to calm my nerves.  I had to say it....I had to say it..I had to say ittt!!!  "Oh!  Here's your blanket back."
No, that is not what I wanted to tell him.
"No, you take it with you.  You have a lot less to wear for bed than I do, and I can move my bed away from the window if need be," he smiled, pushing the blanket back towards me instead of taking it from my arms.
"Well..."
"Yes, you will take it with you.   No ifs, ands, or buts."
I grinned.  "Thanks.."
"Okay.  Night," he said, ducking to kiss my cheek.  With that, he turned to go.
Tell him...tell him!!!!!
"Hey, um..."
He swung back around to look at me curiously.  "What?"
"I-I...love you.  Night,"  I turned on my heel to leave, embarrassed from telling him, but he reached out and caught my arm, chuckling.
"That's nothing to be embarrassed about, sweet girl.  Love you, too,"
I looked up at his face, which held a really funny expression.  He was obviously beyond excited, but he didn't seem to be surprised to hear it.  But then he impulsively grabbed me into a really tight hug....slightly tighter than I thought necessary for me just saying a simple 'I love you', but oh well.  Maybe I had given a less-than-enthused reaction to his confession.  But regardless, I hugged him back and then went back to my side of the table, curling up in the corner with Pascal and trying to fall asleep quickly, before it could sink in that  EUGENE LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
Maaaybe I am a bit too excited now... =]

It's Rapunzel

Hello, everyone!  I'm....Rapunzel.  Eugene said I didn't need to worry about backstory or anything, so I guess I won't - he said you guys know about me.  I'm pretty sure he warned you guys that he's letting me use his blog, but don't worry -- we're sharing it, so you'll hear from him, too (:  I'm actually really excited to share it with him...but then again, I guess I get excited over anything that has to do with maybe getting to spend time with him.  He's such a nice guy, and I'm so thankful that he let me use this blog to write...but anyway.  I'm sure you guys don't want my half of the posts to be full of gushy dreams of sharing a life with him -- which will never, ever happen, I'm quite sure.  Oh my goodness, if Zelia could read this...yeesh.  She's not much of one for romance or emotions...and since I AM, it gets kinda awkward, as you all can imagine :} 

Anyway.  Here I am rambling... today, Eugene was gone for the majority of the morning and early afternoon, as was Zelia.  Sooo, I was stuck on my side of the table with basically all the dolls that are not too fond of me.  Fun, fun...right?? 
Punzie was sure to lay it on thick.  "No wonder they have to take long breaks from you sometimes.  I don't know how they can stand you, 'specially Zelia.  I always knew Eugene was weird, but her...and you...whew." 
"It's because she's my sister, and she HAS to put up with me," I reminded her.  I didn't look up at her, I just kept my gaze down in my lap, where my buddy, Pascal, was sleeping. 
"Yeah, but he doesn't.  It's kind of cute, actually.  Or at least...it would be.  The two freaks--"
"Punzie, stop.  Please.  I'm asking nicely, so please...just stop."  I stood up,  went over to the nearest corner, and sat down.  Anna was sitting there, and I was hoping maybe she would at least socialize with me, but she didn't.  She just gave me a horrified look before jumping up and leaving.  Way to make a doll feel better....
"Good choice, Anna," Punzie gave her a sly grin, and Anna told her to shut up.  "Hey, now...who's the boss of this table?" 
"It shouldn't be you," Anna grumbled.  Hans stood and touched Anna's arm and started to ask her to simmer down, but she cut him off. 
"Ohh, you know what happens to--" Punzie tried to taunt her.
"WOULD EVERYONE JUST STOP IT??"  Elsa yelled. 
I'm amazed she could even yell that loudly..she's normally very quiet.
Everyone listened to her, even Punzie.  Whoa.
After that, everyone quieted down, and everyone left me alone.  I couldn't help but notice how everyone gave me a wide berth. 
Eh...usual day here.  Usual day for me anywhere...

I eventually gathered Pascal up and left for the windowsill.  When  I was down on the floor, walking to the windowsill --yeah, I could have gone through Eugene's side of the table, but I felt weird doing so, so I just went across the floor.  When I got up there on the sill (and after I almost fell, because my hand slipped when I was trying to climb up there..), I just sat quietly with Pascal, staring out the window and thinking. 
That's another thing...I think a lot.  Probably too much.  Sometimes, I even prefer to be alone when I think about more pressing matters --which isn't too hard of a thing to do.  That's why I, if Eugene told you guys, requested he not come around for two weeks, because I had an overabundance of pressing matters to think about.  Mostly about Flynn, unfortunately.  Well, of course...it only lasted two days.  Not that I minded....it's silly, but I had missed him.  Eugene, not Flynn.  And in that frame of time, I was able to finally get myself to just quit obsessing over Flynn and wondering if things had been different if I had been different.  If that makes sense...?  And then when Eugene was so caring and even stayed with me through the night when I was scared over the storms (another reason why I'm weird...and just to clarify, small storms don't bother me, but the ones that have lots of wind, or lots of lightning and thunder loud enough to rattle the windows...those ones get me upset faster than anything else.)  anyway, he was so nice to me, and didn't say I was stupid for being afraid...at that point, I decided that I could trust him.  Man....after I forgot about Flynn, at least half of the weight of the world was no longer on my shoulders--the rest is from certain other individuals making fun and constantly harassing me...*cough PUNZIE cough*.  But anyway....today's thoughts were focused on exactly that...my invisible qualities. 
Either I'm invisible and nobody even seems to notice me, or I'm way too visible and everyone decides to harass, make fun, laugh at my clumsiness...you get it. 
I was in the middle of drowning in my own thoughts when I heard a boot scuff. 
"Hey, you,"
Eugene!
I shot upright, surprised to see him standing just about a foot away from me.  I stuck Pascal on  my shoulder, and then clasped my hands behind my back. 
"Hey, yourself.  Where were you today?  I mean, if you don't mind me asking," I added.
He gave me a calculating stare before saying, "I, ah...I was actually visiting these three little girl dolls that Tangled Fan has...they're orphans.  Jordan, Casey, and Audrey..."
Where had I heard those names?  They sounded so familiar, but I'm pretty sure I'd never met any little orphans.  Still..maybe the dolls at one of my previous homes had had those names.  Hmm...
"I really was...you can ask--" he acted like he thought I didn't believe him. 
"No, no...I believe you!  I just...the names sound really, really familiar, and I was trying to remember why.  Anyway, um...that's really sweet of you! Is this the first time you've seen them?" 
"No, I visit them at least a couple of times a week.  Whenever I'm not hanging out with you," he gave me that special little grin of his.  I wish he wouldn't grin like that....it made me like him even more.  And he visits three orphan girls regularly??  I needed to ask Tangled Fan if I could, too.  At least I might be able to make some kiddos happy and give them company, at least. 
"That's so cool.  Was Zelia with you?" 
"No, actually...she goes once in awhile, but she didn't today," he told me. 
My sister.  My...sister?  ZELIA?  Whoa.  I did NOT see that coming.
"Wow...my SISTER does this, too?  Are you sure it's my sister?  Or did...I don't know...aliens kidnap her or something?"  I joked, and he laughed.
"Nah...she's actually really good with kids.  You'd be surprised!" 
"I already am!"  I giggled.  "I can't wrap my head around that.  Are you planning on adopting them -- Casey, Audrey, and Jordan, right?  Sorry I'm asking so many questions.  I'll stop if you--" 
"No, you're fine!  And, well...Tangled Fan only adopts to married couples, so...and yeah, really --I couldn't at first, either."  he finally sat down on the windowsill, and I dropped down so I could face him to talk some more.
"Hmm...cool!  And that kind of stinks about her only adopting to married couples.  I mean, I can understand why, but you'd be such a great dad to them, I'm sure.  And at least they'd have a home..." I trailed off. 
"Yeah...that's basically what I thought, too.  And you think I would be?"  he quirked a brow. 
Oh, geez!  "I am ninety-nine percent sure you would be a perfect father.  And I'm sure they just love you...you'd be a really fun dad," I grinned.  I could just imagine him with little kids...he'd probably be really sweet with them.
He gave me a small smile before clearing his throat and asking how my day went. 
"Hmmh...why can't we just talk about your day?  Your day seemed a lot more fun," I sighed. 
"What's wrong?  Punzie?"  he asked, reaching to cover my hand with his. 
"Yeahh...what's new, though - really?"  I shrugged.  "And then everyone gives me this...this huge berth, like they think they can't go anywhere near me.  It just makes me feel...I don't know.  Horrible.  I just wish that I could have one...just ONE...friend that sticks with me no matter what.  Zelia's...I mean, I have Zelia, but she definitely isn't much of one to talk with when it comes to emotional matters.  I'm just really tired of it, but I should be used to it.  I don't know why I think that maybe, just maybe, someone could come and befriend me and..." I broke off and sighed, realizing that I was ranting,  "..and I'm sure you have better things to do than to listen to me complain." 
"I'm sorry. And it's okay....I don't have anything better to do," he gave me a gentle gaze.  "I just wish things were easier for you.  You don't deserve to be treated that way."
"Hmmh...tell that to everyone on my side of the table." I groaned.
He sighed.  "Yeah...I'm sorry,"
"It it isn't your fault.  I should apologize to YOU, since I've obviously ruined your happy attitude for today..." I said as I realized that his cheerful expression had disappeared.  Now I felt even worse!
"No... I just feel for ya," he told me, squeezing my hand before beckoning me to come sit beside him.  I did, of course, and then he asked if he could put his arm around me.
Well, gee, Eugene...lemme think about it. =D
I nodded, and he didn't just put an arm loosely around my shoulders...he pulled me close and gave me one of the most comfortable hugs I have ever gotten.  Way to make me fall for you even more, Eugene....
He kept me close to him for the rest of the afternoon, and we either talked or just sat and enjoyed each other's company.  When evening rolled in, and then darkness crept into the room, we finally went back to the table.  Before I left for my side of the shelf, I gave him a hug and thanked him.  He always managed to make me feel better, and I owe him so much just for being here for me...! But regardless, when I went back to my side of the table, I was greeted with silence.  My sister was back, but she didn't want to talk with me, so I just went to my corner of the table with my blanket and my chameleon, and resumed my state of invisibility.

More storms, a movie, and a blog takeover

Last night, there was another storm, and it was even worse than the last round...it started up at about eleven thirty, with constant lightning...fun, fun.  When the thunder started getting closer, I promptly went to the divider and tapped on it, asking if she was awake.  When the answer was a quiet squeak of a yes, I didn't bother saying anything, I just headed over to her side.
"Storm getting to you?" I asked as soon as I knelt beside her.
"Oh! Yeahh, you have perfect timing," she sighed as she pulled the blankets off of her head. "Wow.  It was getting too hot to be doing that."
"I suppose so.  It's been pretty muggy out lately," I told her, helping her smooth her hair out of her face.  I didn't even really think about it, I just did it...she didn't make a big deal of it, so I suppose it didn't bother her..whew.
"Yeah....I'm sorry, this is just so stupid and childish of me...!" She whispered, but then a loud thunderclap shook the windows, and she flew upright, grabbing my arm.
I put my arms around her and did the same thing I did yesterday....held her till the storm calmed down.  As I did, I told her that her fear, once more, was not stupid.  She would tell me in time why she was so afraid.
Well, sometime was last night, in hushed whispers.
"I was always a little scared of storms, but one day, when I was in Tennessee, there was a really horrible one, and a tornado just barely missed us.  I was so scared...and now they just terrify me.  So there you have it.."
Whoa.  My girl could have been sucked up by a tornado.  We never...wow.
"Wow...you have a right to be scared, then.  Wow,"
Pascal squirmed on Rapunzel's lap, and we both watched him silently.
When the lightning and thunder were gone, she didn't pull out of my arms right away. "Thanks for staying with me, Eugene  ...if you knew--" she broke off, and I wanted to ask her what she was about to say, but I didn't.  "If you, ah, knew how much it meant to me...thank you."
I told her it was no problem, and then she gave me a calculating look before kissing my jaw.
And with that, she told me goodnight, curled up on her side with Pascal, and snuggled under the blanket.
Well then.
I said goodnight to her back, and then I kissed the top of her head before I left for my side.
And do I even need to tell you that I was mentally freaking out?  Probably not, right???



Today, Rapunzel came over around one.  I had already talked with Tangled Fan, so she said she would bring the laptop and DVD back around one-thirty, so we wouldn't have to hunt her down.
She greeted me with a shy smile, her eyes uncertain.  She was likely still thinking about last night's little kisses, and she was terribly awkward.  I did my best to just act like it was no biggie, and she quickly calmed down.

We just sat and talked for a bit.  Nothing big, no pressing matters, no Flynn, no talk about how worthless she was.  It was nice!  When Tangled Fan came back with the laptop, she--Rapunzel, that is--flopped onto her belly, propped her head up on her arms, kicked her legs up in the air, and stayed that way for the whole movie.  When "I See the Light" came on, I couldn't help but start humming.  It's just in a Disney doll's plastic to sing, of course. I didn't want to sing in front of her.
  But when she realized I was humming -- which didn't take her long--, she grinned and glanced over at me. 
"You know..you can sing if you want," she winked, and I decided to tease. 
"Okay.  I will if you sing the duet with me,"
She looked tempted, which really surprised me.  But then she just shook her head.  "Nahh, I'll pass.  But you should sing -- I just don't want to ruin the song with my terrible voice." 
"Your voice is just fine!"  Sure, she couldn't hit the "it's like the sky is newwww" part, but the rest was fine. 
"How do you know that?"  she quirked a brow and turned away from the laptop to look at me again.
Ohh boy. 
Did I really just slip up?!
Stupid.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!  "I figure your voice is just fine, rather." 
"O-oh," she gave me a distracted smile and turned back to the movie.

Fast-forward to the end of the movie, and I was trying not to cry.  Two whole, unmanly tears had already slipped down my cheeks, but I didn't want to wipe them and draw attention to the matter.  I just...the thought that Rapunzel could've died when she fell was still all too real, and the ending just reminds me of that -- and that I could very well have ended up losing my best girl. 
When the weird little pub thug tied to the lanterns had drifted up and the laptop screen went black before the credits, Rapunzel rolled onto her back with a sigh, clearly satisfied with the movie. 
"We'll have to do this agai--are you crying?"  she tsked her tongue, sat up, and wiped my cheeks.  "The ending get to you, huh?  It did me, too." 
I chuckled, ducking my head away with embarrassment.  "Mm...yeah," 
She smiled, leaning and cocking her head so she could see my face.  "So...thanks for doing this with me today." 
Turning back to her, I grinned and held my hand out.  "It was my pleasure -- nobody I'd rather spend the day with,"
She laughed and took my hand.  "You're so sweet." 

After we talked for awhile, she finally sighed.  "You know...do you know if Tangled Fan would let me use her blog account so I could start a blog?  Silly as it seems, I'd love to start one.  I keep forgetting to ask her."
YES!
I would tell her about the blog -- this blog. 
"Actually, ah...I kinda run a blog, so you could just take it over," I told her. 
"Ohh, no.  I can make my own--but that's so cool that you have one!  Is it fun?" 
"It's interesting, but actually...It'd be really great if you took it over.  I, ah...I hope you don't mind, but I wrote a little about you.  The readers would probably really like to hear from you!"
Translation: Writing is fine, I see why you like it, but take it back please.  There's not a post where I HAVEN'T posted about you, and the readers are probably tired of my boring-ness and want their writer back!!  But then I realized that those old posts were on there...
Hm.
"Really?  I-I guess I don't mind...I mean...it's definitely surprising that you wrote about me, but it's fine.  And you think?" 
"I know they'd love to hear from you.  Just...don't read the old posts, okay?  I don't..I'm shy about dolls I know reading stuff I write."
"Ohh, I'm sure you're a great writer.  But I can respect that!  Thank you so much," she tackled me into a quick hug.  Her eyes were absolutely shining with excitement.  Soo, since we still had the laptop with us, I showed the blog to her and how to post things...as well as how to get a post up without seeing the titles of the other posts that have been done.  Sneaky, I know, but...I don't want her finding out about her past the hard way.  
She asked that we share the blog, so I told her we could--that way I can still update you on the girls and such.
 I just hope that it makes her remember something from before...slim to none chance, but you can always hope, right?  Plus, I'm sure you guys are tired of my writing. 

Storms last night

Last night, there were some pretty nasty storms.  I couldn't sleep because of them, and I could hear Rapunzel was up and pacing.  I was wondering why -- I have been honoring her wanting to be alone so far, but I was worried because she usually paced only if she was really upset, afraid, or nervous. Soo I got up out of bed  and crept over to her side of the table.  She was the only one up, and was clearly upset about something. 
"Hey...what's wrong?  I'm sorry, but I couldn't lay in bed and listen to you pacing any longer," I announced myself in a whisper. 
She gasped quietly, and when another montage of lightning went off, I saw her face was just filled with fear. 
"Go back to bed, I'm sorry I woke you," she whispered. 
"No.  I've been up...this storm's pretty bad, huh?" 
"Yeah...that's why I've been up.  I'm...it's really, really stupid, but I'm terrified of storms," the end of her sentence was a squeak, because a loud boom of thunder sounded.  That's when lightning cracked and sizzled.  For a split second, the room was so bright from it that it was almost like daytime.  That basically sent her into a tizzy of fear. Her eyes widened even more, and she tried to run and dive for her corner, but I snagged her arms and pulled her close.  She buried her face in my shoulder, and I put my hands over her ears when some more thunder rolled.  The thunder was loud enough to make the window shudder...yikes. 
She clamped her arms around me so tight I could hardly breathe, but I figured that if it made her feel less afraid, I could deal with some shallow breathing.  I kept my arms around her until the majority of the storm had passed through.  While I did so, I thought.  I couldn't remember her being so terrified about storms, but we haven't had a storm this loud for practically a year, so I'd never been around her when there was a bad storm.  I wished I could get to the girls, too, to make sure that they were alright, but Tangled Fan kept them in a different room and in a box, so they probably couldn't even hear much of the storm. 

Sometime after the last grumble of thunder had rolled through, she loosed a shuddery sigh and loosened her grip on me.  "Th-thank you.  It's stupid of me, I know." 
I pulled away just enough to see her face.  "No, it's not.  I know that a lot of people don't like storms,"
She bit her lip.  "But it's weird.  We got a lot of bad storms in Tennessee, where I came from...and Flynn always laughed when I would get scared....Flynn and everyone else.  So yeah, I'm pretty sure it's weird of me," she muttered quietly.  Her fear had been replaced with shame. 
"Well, I'm not Flynn, and I say that it's just fine.  Everyone has those little fears or quirks.  I do...I'm not sure about Zelia though.  She's just terrifying sometimes," I tried to get her to smile, and it worked. 
"Really?  And...yeah.  She's pretty fearless.  I wish I could have a little bit of that bravery." 
"That's fine, though.  I can't blame you for not being able to sleep, though...it was a pretty loud one." 
"Mhm," she nodded before suddenly reaching to hug me again, burying her face in my shoulder.  "Thank you for staying up with me, and for not thinking I'm stupid for being afraid." 
I wrapped my arms around her and didn't answer her, I just asked, "How's your thinking...going?  I'm sorry I kinda broke your two-weeks-of-alone-time thing, but I knew you were upset about something, and I couldn't stand it anymore." 
"It's been fine--I've sorted out a few things...Zelia thinks it's stupid of me, but I'm used to the insults.  Punzie's been pretty horrible, too, but nothing new with--" she paused as she heard some rain come pattering down on the roof -- gently at first, but then it came down harder and harder.  A whisper of thunder reappeared, and lightning could just barely be seen on the horizon line.  "--oh, great.  I just want to get some sleep..."
I wordlessly slipped away from her, going to scoop up Pascal.  I snagged her blanket as well, and then crept back over to her.  I think I almost stepped on someone's hand - Punzie..oh dear gosh, that would've been terrifying-- but I made it over to her, putting a hand on her arm. 
"C'mon," I whispered. 
She did, giving me a curious look.  We left the table, and I helped her to scramble up in this great little spot I knew about. 
It was under the table and on top of the bins, but it was surrounded on two sides by other boxes and the other side was the wall; the fourth side was open and facing across the room.  The boxes blocked the majority of the lightning from being seen -- except for a flash of light in the room--and it somewhat blocked the sound of the thunder.  Somewhat.  Hardly.  But whatever. 
After she sat down in the one corner, I wrapped her blanket around her and handed Pascal to her before sitting beside her.  "There.  You won't be able to see the lightning as much, and I'm hoping it blocks the sound out a wee bit." 
She gave me a small smile.  "Thank you...this place is actually pretty neat,"
"Yeah...I thought it was, anyway."  I watched Pascal get comfortable on her lap as I spoke. 
"You can go get some sleep, Eugene.  I'll be fine, and I won't wake you up by pacing." 
"It's tempting, but I'd prefer staying with you, to be honest."
"Your joints, though..." she gave me a concerned look. 
"They will be just fine.  I'm not pacing, am I?  I'm sitting down."
She sighed.  "Okay...if you're sure.  And thank you,"
We sat in silence for awhile, but eventually, the thunder started up louder once more.  She bit her lip and started to look a bit worried, so I tried to think of something to talk about to distract her. 
"So...um...how's Anna been treating you?" 
She quirked a brow, staring at me, but then she caught on to what I was trying to do.  "She's still avoiding me, but she's less hateful doing it." 
We continued the conversation, and despite the storm --which wasn't as violent as the one before it--she, with her knees pulled up to her chest, leaned up against me and fell asleep.  I didn't want to wake her up, but I also knew I couldn't carry her up to the table, so I just stayed there too.


This morning, I was up shortly before she was.  I was just considering getting up and leaving her on her own when she woke up.  She didn't seem to notice me at first, until after she had unfurled her legs and stretched.  When she looked over her shoulder, she gasped in surprise. 
"O-oh!  Did we...did we fall asleep down here?" 
"Yeah,"  I told her -quite simply.
She nodded before giving me a shy smile.  "Thanks for staying up with me last night.  I, um...I really appreciated it..and I don't think I've ever been calm enough to fall asleep during a storm." 
"You're welcome.  Glad I had a calming influence on you," I chuckled, putting an arm around her shoulders and hugging her without even thinking.  As soon as I caught myself, I started to apologize, but she shook her head. 
"That's quite fine," she actually grinned.  "Don't be so apologetic." 
"Okay, but I'll stop apologizing after I say this:  Sorry for breaking the break agreement thing." 
She slugged me playfully.  "I'm pretty sure I told you not to worry about that.  Actually...thank you for doing so.  I've been way overthinking things, and I'm pretty sure I just got my answers."
"Hmm...like about what?" I asked, curious. 
"Lots of things," she said, probably knowing full well that I really wanted to know. 
"Oh, so you're not going to tell me.  Typical!"  I pretended to be mad, and even threw in a huff of disgust.
She giggled.  "I will, but--"
"But not now!  You've peaked my curiosity and now you'll leave me hanging forever!"  I kept on teasing her, and she gave me that adorable little smile of hers.  I haven't seen that one in a long time! 
"Do you always tease this much in the morning, or..?"  she asked.
"Hmm...I don't know.  Maybe," I said with a wink, and she actually leaned up against me, smiling. 
"Well...I'll tell you.  But not because you're complaining highly about it...I just need to get it off my chest," she gave me a mock-disgusted look for the 'complaining highly' part.  
"O-okay?"  I must admit that I was a little worried. 
"I...I just want to thank you.  It's been almost a month, and you've put up with me...so well.  You've really opened my eyes as to how a person should act.  With Flynn, I was naive, and I was just so excited over the fact that maybe, just maybe, someone cared about me...I didn't have any experience, and I thought that maybe that was just how others acted.  Maybe he preferred to be around me when I was prettied up, because I know I look horrible.  Geez, I don't look very pretty when I AM prettied up anyway!  But regardless...I thought maybe he was just giving me space or pretending he didn't see when I would trip or be clumsy.  I thought maybe he was just staking his claim or something when he'd want to be around me when we were around the others...specifically Diane, that girl that he was trying to get the attention of.  I thought maybe he was just having a bad day whenever he'd get short with me.  But no.  If you really care about someone, your actions are...and correct me if I'm wrong, but it's when you can spend hours talking about anything and everything to them, and never get bored.  They'll stay up with you no matter what time of the night it is, just because you're lonely or need reassurance.  They know exactly what to say and when, and they don't complain if you don't braid your hair or dress up.  They just care about you.  They don't mind your pet, and you love how they laugh, how they smile, and how they tease you.  They'll come and dance with you whenever there's music to dance to, and they don't get mad if you need to vent about your ex or your past...or anything.  They put your problems above their own... And...they keep tabs on you via your sister, when you say you need space." she gave me a pensive stare, silently asking me if I got what she was trying to tell me. 
Ah. 
She knew about when I pulled Zelia aside to ask her how Rapunzel was (I did that Sunday). 
Woops...
"Hmm...you know about that - about me keeping tabs on you?" 
"Yep," she answered in such a quick, sure manner that I had to laugh. 
"I hope you don't mind...I was just worried about ya."  I was beyond relieved that she wasn't mad at me or anything. 
"No, no...it's fine.  I thought it was really sweet, actually," she blushed and giggled quietly before catching herself and immediately dropping her gaze to her lap. 
What a change a couple of days had given her.  She seemed so happy to have finally gotten Flynn out of her head - for the most part. 
I asked what was going to happen to the ban, and she rolled her eyes, saying it was silly of her and that it was done. 
"Awesome...so...movie tomorrow?"  I accompanied that with my best silly/hopeful face, and was rewarded with a laugh.
"Yes....movie tomorrow,"
"I can't wait," I winked, and she gave me a shy smile.  "Oh...and by the way?  You saying you're not pretty...that's a straight out lie.  You are beautiful, inside and out...just sayin'." 
She gasped, but then she burst out laughing, surprised at her own gasp.  "Um...I think you're just trying to make me feel good, but thanks."

We decided to leave our little spot, but we made it only as far as my side of the table.  She said she wanted to spend the day with me if I was okay with it, and do you really think I was going to pass up that opportunity??   She sat on the wicker chair, and I on the box beside it. 
And was I ever glad to have her over for the rest of the day...not a minute was spent talking about Flynn, and I think the proverbial battle's already half over.  I wanted to tell her about..well, you know.. but I decided that it was too soon, and I wanted to be sure she trusted me 101% before I told her. 
Eventually, though, she sighed and leaned her head up against the wicker chair.  "I suppose I need to get back over there..."
"Hmm...I guess." I gave her a smile, even though I was rueful to let her go.
She stood up, and I realized we were holding hands.  When had that happened??  Regardless, she gave me a grin, held her other hand out for me to take, and pulled me up off of the box.  When I stood, I still held onto her hands, reluctant to let her go. But regardless, I gave her a grin.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she met my eyes and gave me a smile in return.
"Yup!  When?"  I asked. 
"Hmm...around one?"
"Awesome," I told her, and she nodded before she turned to leave.  "Wait!"
"What?"  she turned and gave me a curious look. 
"Thanks for spending the day over here.  It might sound silly, but I missed you these past coupla days."
She gave me an honest-to-goodness, toothy smile, but then her eyes actually teared up a bit as she came back over.  "Thank you.  I have to admit...I missed you a bit, too.  I'm sorry I've been so weird..I'm just afraid of letting my guard down...you know?" 
"I know," I pulled her into another hug.  "You can trust me, though.  I promise I'd never do anything to hurt you, okay?"
She buried her face in my shoulder for a minute, but then she pulled away and gave me a teasing grin as she held her little finger out.  "Pinky promise?" 
"Pinky promise...just for you," I pretended to be exasperated, and she laughed as she linked her tiny finger with mine. 
"Okay.  I'll see you tomorrow," she smiled up at me, holding my gaze, and I nodded. 
"See ya then," I told her.   I made sure she had her blanket and Pascal with her, and then she started to leave.  Before she went to the other side, though, she turned back to me with a shy smile. 
"And thanks once more for staying with me last night.  I don't think I've ever felt safer, to be honest." 
With that, she left. 

Joints part 2 and Rapunzel's ban...

This morning, I just stayed in bed, staring way up at the ceiling for awhile.  I wasn't looking forward to getting up, because I wasn't sure that my hips would stay better.  They felt better, yeah, but would they stay better?

Well, around 8-ish, I heard Rapunzel come over to my side of the table.  I bolted upright in bed...too fast.  I called that I was still in bed and would be out in a minute, but it came out pretty gravelly.  I was, of course, fighting the urge to either black out or vomit because I'd sat up way too fast.  She must've realized something was up, because she was beside the bed in a second. 
"You okay?" 
"Yeah, I just, ah..sat up too fast," I blinked repeatedly until I stopped feeling weird. 
"I didn't wake you up, did I?"  she gave me a worried look.  "And how are you feeling?" 
"No, I was just laying around, and I'm fine - I won't really tell how much better my joints are until I start walking on them, though, and that's why I was kinda procrastinating on getting up," I explained. 
"Okay," she nodded.  I finally realized how she looked.  She looked worried, and was fiddling with her hair.  When I asked what was wrong, she shrugged her shoulders up to her ears, held her breath...let it all out in a big rush, and then grimaced.  "I...need to talk to you for a minute."
"What's wrong?"  I asked.  This didn't sound good.  Had I done something wrong?  I swung my legs to dangle over the bed and patted the spot next to me.  She sat down, but she wouldn't look me in the eye.  She looked like a scared little kid, and that just tore me apart. 
"I-I...mind if I ask for a rain check on that movie?  I...I just need some time to think by myself.  I figure that if I give myself two weeks, I'll have some things straightened out that have been bothering me."  she grabbed a lock of her hair and started furiously running her hands through it once more...until she got both of them tangled up.  When she did, she gave a frustrated groan and pulled her hands up, hair and all, to bury her face in them. 
"Hey...what's...I'm confused.  What's wrong?"  I took her hands -and hair- away from her face so I could untangle her fingers. 
"I just...I'm confused and I need time to think.  By myself.  Without...getting more confused." 
"Is it something I've done?  I'm so sorry, Rapunzel...was it--"
"You haven't done anything wrong, bud.  Just...like I said.  I just need to think some things over," she bit her lip, and I realized I was holding onto her hands, still from when I'd untangled them from her hair. 
Way to be a  moron...I thought as I promptly let go of her and slid a bit further away from her.  When I realized that was the wrong thing to do, because her eyes quickly teared up and clouded over with confusion, I pulled her into a hug as my mind wailed.  Girls are way too confusing.  She was never this way before...what'd I do?  I just wish she'd tell me.  She hugged me back, but then pulled away.  "I promise I'm not upset or mad at you, and I don't want you worrying or getting your joints messed up again because of this, okay?  I'll see ya in two weeks, I promise," she gave me a small smile, stood up, and left.  Just like that.
Soo I just rolled back into bed -- no use of getting up, anyway...not right now, at least -- and sighed.

Later today, I went over and peered around the divider, caught Zelia's eye, and jerked my head slightly, trying to get her to come with me.  Luckily, nobody else noticed.  And by nobody else, I mean Rapunzel. 
Zelia got the hint, and we went under the table. 
"I'm losing her.  I'm so afraid, Zelia.  You can't possibly understand, but you're around her more.  What do I do?  She told me to give her two weeks by herself.  I'm losing her-"
"Quit repeating yourself.  You're not losing her.  She's falling for you, and she's terrified and is struggling against her feelings, because she doesn't want to be hurt again.  The past few days, she's been talking a lot about you...she keeps saying about how she wishes she was different, how she wishes she was prettier, how she wishes she was not as clumsy...and that all usually links back to something about you or Flynn.  She thinks she needs to change herself, because she thinks you're out of her league.  But at the same time, she's still hung up on Flynn.  She thought that their love was true, when it instead was unrequited.  He's hard to forget, and there's also most likely this little nagging worry at the back of her mind that tells her that she'll get used again.  So she distances herself." 
"But she was never this way before..."
"Things are different, Eugene.  Very, very different.  Get that through your head, okay?" 
I nodded quietly. "But what should I do?" 
"Keep being your normal self...if you can call yourself normal.  But just...don't give her those two weeks.  She might be testing the waters, seeing what you'll do...wondering if you care."
I sighed.  "You're sure that's what I should do?" 
"Positive." 
"Okay."  I nodded, feeling mentally drained.

She headed back up to the table, but I went for a walk, thinking about what to do and testing my joints (which were fine--thankfully).  When I came back, it was around ten, and the darkness surrounded me like a thick blanket.  Tangled Fan had recently given me the lamp, which I could use on nights I couldn't sleep, so I flicked it on.  I went over and sat beside the divider, tapping on it gently. 
"What?"  was the prompt answer from Rapunzel. 
"I was just wondering if you were up, and if so, if you needed someone to talk to.  You just seemed pretty upset today,"
"I'm fine, Eugene, really.  I just need time alone, okay?" 
"Okay.  Sorry...but can I just ask two things?" 
She sighed.  "Okay.  What?"
"Are you sure it wasn't something I did?"  I leaned my head up against the divider and waited for her answer. 
"Noo, no, it definitely wasn't something you did, so don't worry.  I promise I just need two weeks to sort my mind out.  What was your other question?"
"After the two weeks are up, then will we watch Tangled together?" 
I heard her giggle quietly.  "Oh, Eugene...yes.  We'll watch Tangled, I promise.  Now, get to sleep, and don't pace around tonight!" 
I couldn't help but smile -- at least she was feeling good enough to giggle.  "Okay.  Good night, and you get some sleep yourself -- none of this lack of sleep stuff, okay?" 
"Hmm....no promises." 
"If I have to come over there and tickle you until you promise to sleep-" I started to tease, reluctant to stop talking with her. 
She started laughing.  "No....you don't have to do that.  You're...oh my." 
"I'm what?" 
She went silent for a few seconds.  "Y-you're....really funny."
Hmm...now, why didn't I believe that?
But I laughed it off and told her good night again. 
Annd so then I went to bed with that good ole, familiar ache in my chest. 

Stupid joints...and Rapunzel's being..weird...?

I haven't been able to see the girls much this week, which really bothers me.  Tangled Fan has been busy with class assignments and stuff outside, so I haven't been able to see them.  Ugh.  I haven't been sleeping because of that, of course.  I'm just worried about them, and Rapunzel, and..yeah.  You get the point.  But regardless...this happened. 
This afternoon, I went out on the windowsill.  To my surprise, Rapunzel was already there, staring out the window.  I had to smile when I saw her, because she just looked so beautiful.  Silly, I know.  But regardless, she soon noticed me. 
"Oh!  Um, hey.  I didn't see you there, sorry!"
"It's fine.  Mind if I stay here?" 
"No, not at all," she gave me a small smile.  "I was just thinking." 
We sat quietly for awhile, but then I asked if she had seen any movies before.  She, of course, answered with no, and I asked if she wanted to see Tangled. 
"When?" 
"Hmm...are you free this afternoon?"  I asked.  I knew it was a bit of a bad idea, because my joints have been acting up.  I'm sure Rapunzel told you about how, back in January-ish, my hip joints got messed up.  Well, the problem only resurfaces if I walk way too much.  Turns out, since Rapunzel's accident, I've been up through the night a lot more, and because of that, I pace.  When I pace,....you get the gist.  My joints have been pretty sore, but I haven't let on to it yet.  I don't want to worry her, and I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't have any more issues with my joints!  Oh, yeah right.  Well, today, my joints were especially bad.  The idea of walking the whole way across the room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen or living room....it was purely a bad idea.  I should've known better, but at the same time, I just wanted to be with my girl.  But anyway.
She smiled and nodded.  "Yeah!  That sounds like fun."
Soo, we headed down to the floor to start our journey.
 Unfortunately for me, I landed the wrong way when I jumped down, and I was surprised I was still able to keep my balance. 

Riiight.  Well, we hardly made it halfway across the room before I lost my balance.  When I lost it, I...lost it.  I stumbled, and would have fallen if it wouldn't have been for a box.  I grabbed onto it with one arm, and Rapunzel gasped.
"A-are you okay?  Oh my goodness, what happened?!  Are you okay?"  she helped me back upright, and gave me a concerned gaze.  When I didn't say anything--I was trying to catch my breath, but the pain was just intense enough that I couldn't.  "Do you need me to get Tangled Fan?" 
I held up a hand, waving off her concern.  "N-no...I'm fine." I panted.  "I-I should've told you before, but I didn't...want you to worry...I'm sorry.  At the beginning of the year, I had an accident and ended up really messing up my hip joints.  I usually am fine, but lately, I've been having a hard time sleeping, and when I can't sleep, I usually pace.  Walking too much gets this problem fired up, and...."
She gasped again, giving me a look of sheer horror.  "Sit down, right now."  I started to shake my head, but she gave me that classic and incredibly sour, "do it or I'll MAKE you" look  before repeating her request. I sat down, and she sat as well, biting her lip. 
"I'm sorry, this is all my fault.  You're so pale....what do you want me to do?"
"Nothing...and it's not your fault.  Just...gimme a few minutes.  If you want to go get Tangled Fan to set up the movie, you can-"
"Excuse me, but I am not leaving you here alone!" 
Alrighty then...
"Well, all I'll be doing is sitting here until I feel up to moving,"
"And I'll stay with you as long as it takes.  You've been here for me, so now I'm here for you!" 
Ah.  That was her logic. Okay. 
"Well...thank you." 
She scooted a bit closer.  "How long have your joints been hurting?  I know it's because of us going for day-long walks, so don't skirt around it."
"It's not...it's not because of that.  And, oh I don't know.  A few days...maybe a week?" 
She pressed her hand over her mouth.  "Ohh..." 
"Like I said, don't get upset.  I'm sorry, I was really looking forward to watching the movie with you,"
She slid right over beside me, and shook her head.  "That's fine!  We'll...shoot for tomorrow, maybe?  Or the day after.  Sometime, I promise!  And stop apologizing.  That's at least the second time."
I chuckled. "I could say the same to you, you know."
Rolling her eyes, she didn't hide her smile.  "At least you must be feeling a tad better, your face isn't as pale...?" 
"Yeah....like I said, you could go...I'll be fine." 
Instead of saying anything, she silently gave me a smile and left.

Thinking I was alone for the rest of the day after she had left, I eased myself down onto my back.  It took some of my weight off my joints, at least, and that helped some.  I was kind of melancholy that she had left, but it was far better than her sitting here, watching me be a big baby.
But wait....she wasn't gone! 
After awhile, I heard a couple of grumbles, a grunt, and a yelp...so I propped myself up to see...

None other than Rapunzel, trotting back with Tangled Fan's headphones and MP3 player.  The cord, which was way too long, trailed behind her and tangled up around her ankles.  She tripped, almost fell down...and noticed I was struggling to sit up.  I was planning to help her, even if I had to crawl! 
"Noo, no-no-no!  Stay right there!"  she exclaimed...before she dropped the headphones and kicked them my way.  They stopped right by my head -- I was getting ready for them to crash into me, but they didn't--and she gave an adorable, triumphant giggle. 

I watched quietly as she set the MP3 up, cranked it up to nearly full-blast, and then set it to play.
"There!"  she turned to me, her smile waning slightly.  "How are you?" 
"I'm fine...thanks,"
"I thought we could listen to music.   I remember you said you liked to listen to music, soo..."she shrugged and looked over at me before she flopped down onto her back, putting her hands behind her head. 
"Thank you...really.  It means a lot," I told her. 
"So...what songs do you recommend?"  she asked, after a few minutes of awkward silence.

As a good song would come on, I would tell her.  Most of the songs I pointed out were ones I liked because they reminded me of her, but I didn't point that out. 

However....once or twice, I caught her watching me, so I think maybe she was catching on.  Oops....

We stayed like that for hours.  I was pretty stiff, unfortunately, by the time I decided that she wasn't going to leave until I was back on the table.  As soon as I stood up, I realized just how stiff I was.  I stumbled a step and hoped she hadn't seen...but of course, she had. 
"Wait a sec, bud," she told me as she shoved the MP3 and headphones out from the middle of the floor. 
"I'm fine," I told her repeatedly - and every time, she would say huh-uh or just shake her head, and then that stubborn girl tucked herself under my arm and slid her arms around me. 
"You might say you're fine, but you obviously are not.  C'mon-"
"I'm fine by myself," I reassured her.  "I don't want to stumble and hurt you, or something." 
"You won't,"  she tightened her grip around me, so I put an arm around her and squeezed her shoulders.  I figured that she would think that I was just holding onto her for balance, when I was really giving her a one-armed hug...and keeping my balance. 

When we got up to the table, she asked where I wanted to go.  I told her I'd be fine on the wicker chair, and so she led me over there.  I eased myself down onto the chair, and she bit her lip, giving me a concerned look.
"I'm fine, don't worr-"
"I'm not worrying," said the obviously non-worried girl...as she toyed with her hair.  Trademark worried Rapunzel move.
"The way you're biting your lip, playing with your hair, and the way your brows are furrowed all tell me you're worried," I pointed out.
She allowed her hands to pounce up on her hips, as she gave me a mock-insulted expression.  "Fine, Sherlock.  I'm worried." 
"C'mere," I patted the box beside me, and she quickly obliged.  When she sat down, I risked putting my hands on her shoulders.  Oh, wow...I twisted the wrong way to do that, and pain zinged across my hips and up my back.  I tried not to grimace, though.  "I've done this more than once, I'll be okay.  It's really no big problem.  If I need Tangled Fan, I'll get her.  I don't want you worried, okay?" 
"It's....it's not that, entirely.  Well, it is, but..oh, never mind!"  she muttered, refusing to look me in the eye. 
"Then what?  Tell--"
"I need to let you get some rest.  You will rest up, right?  I'll be back later to help you get to your bed,"
"I won't need help--"
"Well, you'll get some, anyway, then.  I'll see you later." 

Just like that, her mood changed.  Her face became unreadable, and I could tell she was guarding something.  She quickly fled my side of the table, and I couldn't help but wonder what I'd done.
I'd probably messed up somehow...maybe putting my hands on her shoulders had upset her?  Was it when I had put an arm around her when she was helping me back to the table?  Did she think I was faking this, just to get her sympathy or something?  What had I done?  I wanted to just ask her when she came over later --if she did-- but I didn't want to pry. 

By eleven PM, I was feeling just a tiny bit better, but my concerns about Rapunzel hadn't ceased.  But regardless, I stumbled back to bed and started to smooth the blanket out, leaning up against the bed to do so. That's when I heard Rapunzel calling quietly. 
"I'm over here...getting my bed ready," I called, and she rushed to join me behind the cutout.
"How'd you get back here?" 
"I walked, silly," I teased her in an attempt to get her to lighten up, since her eyes were filled with concern.  When her expression turned darker and her eyes actually filled with tears, I softened.  "Hey...I'm sorry.  I was just trying to get you to laugh-" I fell short of saying 'hon'.  Woops.
She shook her head. "I'm just...I have a lot on my mind and I'm touchy right now.  It's fine.  Anyway, ah...since you're okay back here, d'ya want me to leave?  Sorry, I came a bit too late.  I should've--"
"You're just fine.  And actually, I'd like it if you stuck around and told me what's wrong," I gingerly sat down on the bed and patted the spot near me. 
She started to refuse, but then I gave her an overly-dramatic puppy-dog pout.  "Oh, geez, Eugene.  If you really...fine.  I suppose it'll help to talk,"
"Mmhm!"  I gave her an encouraging grin - at least, I hoped so - and she sighed and sat beside me. 
"This is so stupid, and I feel bad to keep you up talking, but...I just feel really terrible.  If you've been having problems with your joints for 'a few days or a week', it's my fault, because we've been going for such long walks.  And I feel horrible because I've been complaining so much to you about Flynn and just everything, and you...you have actual problems, and you never even t-told me!" 
Oh, geez.  She always had blamed herself...Shoulda known.
"Rapunzel, it is not your fault.  It's not the long walks that get to me, it's that combined with, mostly, lack of sleep and pacing when I can't sleep.  I'm pretty sure that your problems are actual, legit problems, too, by the way. I didn't tell you, because I don't like to tell anyone about my joint issue.  Silly, I know,"  we both sighed at the same time, and she ducked her head. 
"I just...I'm sorry.  I should have noticed something was off--"
"Nothing was off for you to notice," I told her, and her eyebrows furrowed. 
"You're sure?"  she asked. 
"I am positive, dear girl--er, um...rather--sorry." I let that one slip out without even thinking.  Way to blow it...I was about to just head-slap myself when she giggled, her face burning red. 
"It's fine," she blushed an intriguing color of crimson  Her neck was red!  "Um...so...I-I should let you get some rest.  I'll be over in the morning...?"
"Yep...if I'm still asleep, just come and yell in my face, wake me up," I joked, and I finally got that laugh out of her.  Thank goodness! 
"Okay.  Movie tomorrow, maybe?  If you're feeling up to it," she got shy at the end of the sentence, ducking her head so her hair covered most of her face like a thick, yellow curtain.
"Sounds great," I told her, resisting the urge to brush the hair out of her face.
Then, she randomly grabbed me into a tight hug.  I choked in surprise, but I hugged her back, of course.  When she finally pulled away, she didn't look happier -- in fact, she looked even more troubled.  That was really concerning...
We exchanged 'good night's, and then she left.  And as for me?  Well...I gingerly let myself down onto my back, and hoped I would go to sleep before I started worrying. 

Dancing and a slip up

Today, sometime in the afternoon, I heard loud music coming from Tangled Fan's MP3.  It seemed like it was coming from the other side of the table, which was odd....I thought that I had seen everyone going on a walk.  Hmm...I peeked over on the other side, and saw Rapunzel was the only one there.  She was...dancing....by herself.  She held her arms in a certain position as she glided around her entire side of the table, and it appeared as if she was trying to dance with an imaginary partner.
I couldn't help myself. 
I ducked over to the other side of the table and watched her for a moment, gathering up courage to speak up.  I wasn't sure how she'd respond...
Finally, though, I went and tapped her on the shoulder.  She had not even noticed me up until that point.  When she whirled around, face blazing and mouth agape, I stepped back and bowed.  When I straightened, I gave her a grin and looked her in the eye.  "May I, um...may I have this dance?"  I had been so confident...and as soon as our eyes met, I totally lost my cool.  Don't be creepy, don't be creepy...you've done this before..okay not the way you just did, but you've asked to dance before...she isn't answering, why isn't she answering...great, I've gone and freaked her out and now she'll--
 "OH!  Um...hi.  And....I mean....uh...okay," she stammered, but I could see that pretty, shy grin spreading across her face--even though she kept her chin tilted towards her chest.  She glanced up long enough to shove her hair nervously from her face, and then I cautiously slid her into my arms.  I wasn't sure how close she wanted to be, or where I should put my arms or hands or--I wasn't sure how to do anything, really...and I'm pretty sure she felt the same way.  But after a song or so in complete, awkward silence, she laughed. 
"This is so awkward.  You know, I won't mind if you--oh, geez.  Here."  She re-situated herself so that I had to pull her a bit closer--which somehow made things slightly more comfortable and less awkward and stumble-y.  She met my eyes and bit her lip.  "I didn't disturb you earlier, did I?  With the loud music?" 
"No, you were fine.  I was just curious as to what you were doing, and when I saw you dancing, I thought maybe I could be a better partner than the air."  I tried to maintain a straight face as I guided her around the table. 
She laughed again.  "Yeah...you're actually a really good dancer!" 
"I had a good teacher," I couldn't help but smile as the bittersweet memories flooded my mind.  How awkward I must've been on our wedding day, when she first taught me to dance..!
"What?  You have this wistful sort of smile on your face," she slowed as she made this observation, and I, still dancing but absentmindedly at best, didn't...and it ended that we both tripped. 
"Sorry--sorry!  Um...nothing," I cleared my throat awkwardly and apologized. 
"It's fine," she told me with a grin.  "You know...I've never danced with anyone before.  Flynn taught me, but he never danced WITH me.  Always coaching from the sidelines...anyway, so this is the first time I've danced with someone.  But I don't know...it just..it just feels so natural, like...I don't know. I guess it just feels like I've done it before,"
That's because you HAVE danced with me before, beautiful.  
"Hm," I grinned.  "Well...I'm honored to have been your first dance partner...aside from Mr. Air." 
She giggled, burying her face in my shoulder for a second.  "Yeah...well, I think you make a much better dance partner than Mr. Air." 
"You...think?" I asked teasingly, and she rolled her eyes. 
"You're terrible..." she pretended to be disgusted, but I saw the lovely little smile she was trying to hide.
...And that was approximately when the MP3 player died on us.
As the music shut off abruptly, our dance only slowed.  She didn't seem to want to stop, so I didn't.  Eventually, she sighed.  "I suppose...it's kinda silly, dancing without music." 
I shrugged, regretful to let her go.  Annnd that's when she looked up at me, smiled, and hugged me, burying her face into my shoulder.  I pulled her closer, and we stayed there until she pulled away from me, a couple of minutes later.
"Thanks," she grinned. 
"What?" 
"For coming over and dancing with me,  silly!" 
"Oh!  Well, you're certainly welcome, beautiful."
I didn't just say that...did I?  
Great.  I did.  Ohhh great.  Way to blow it, idiot.  She gave me a wide-eyed, baffled stare...without saying a word. 
"Sorry, it just...it just, ah...slipped out.  It's not like I didn't mean it--no, no...I mean it, you ARE beautiful, but..I didn't mean to...say...it."  I huffed, embarrassed and disgusted with myself.  Rapunzel slowly backed away, still staring at me wordlessly.  Her face quickly developed some sort of odd expression, like she was concentrating so incredibly hard on something. 
"I-I guess I should go...I'm sorry," I took a step backwards, wishing she'd say something.   When she didn't, I tucked my proverbial tail between my legs, and rushed for my side of the table.

Late that night, after everyone had come back to the other side of the shelf, and it sounded like they had all gone to sleep, I was still awake.  I was figuring on a sleepless night, wondering if I'd really screwed up our relationship, when I heard a gentle, but definite, knock at the divider, followed by a quiet "Eugene?"
I sucked in a breath before I rushed to the divider.  I'd never even considered communicating through the divider!  "That you, Rapunzel?  Look, I'm sorry...I really messed --"
"No, you didn't mess up, and don't apologize.  I'm sorry, I was the one who messed up.  It just really caught me off guard, and I didn't know what to say.  It seems almost like you've told me that before, and I don't know why...maybe it's just your actions and how you treat me...but..it just kinda threw me off, and I didn't really know what to say.  Therefore...thank you.  I actually needed to hear that today," she said quietly.
"You don't have to apologize, either.  And why did you need it?" I asked.
"Punzie, earlier today.  That's why I didn't go for a walk with everyone else, and that's why I was dancing...I was trying to take my mind off of...things," she sighed, and I heard what must've been her head thunk up against the divider.  I finally sat beside the divider in my own corner, and sighed as well. 
"Sorry,"
"I should be used to it by now," she threw back. 
"I don't think anyone EVER gets used to that.  Whenever you're sick of it, just come over.  I promise I don't mind." 
She was quiet, but I could still hear her beside the divider. Soo, I just sat there and waited for a response that I never got.