#//but here's a significantly longer one than initially intended to make up for it SJJDJKDJKDFF

[ambershadowed-moved]

@sunlightrapunzelflower liked for a starter awhile ago (the call was for a short starter but I feel like writing something longer so heck with that lol)

- - -

Varian had escaped from prison. He’d grown desperate, feeling his sanity slipping the longer he was trapped there, though it hadn’t been as long as it might have seemed. What he’d done to escape had likely left him more hated in Corona than he already was, but that was a consequence he was willing to deal with.

It didn’t matter, anyway. Because as soon as he had gathered a few of his things from his home- His staff, for one. And what few of his alchemy materials hadn’t been damaged in the battle of Old Corona- he’d left, likely for good.

The choice he’d made had been a stupid one, most likely. But he’d done it. He’d decided to follow Rapunzel. At first, he still believed he hated her- But he saw it as one last shot, one last chance to find some answers. Not for his own sake, but for his father’s.

Catching up to the group had been a feat that had left the boy incredibly worn down and about ready to quit, but there was a streak of determination in him that wouldn’t let go. And somehow, he’d done it.

It was Rapunzel herself that he’d spotted, seemingly alone. Behind her, just out of her line of sight, the young alchemist watched her. He’d started out believing he still hated her. But in the time it had taken to catch up, he’d started to calm down, to reconsider how he actually felt.

And now maybe he detested the idea of staying with their group a little bit less. He doubted they would feel the same way, though. And he was incredibly glad that he’d apparently caught the princess alone, as she was the only one that he could possibly see being willing to listen.

And taking a deep breath, Varian stepped forward towards her.

“Rapunzel...?”