#nigel is fixin to be the big bad

[honeyxmonkey]

Shattered Trust (part 5)

“Why did you leave?”

Veronica pursed her lips and looked away. She couldn’t bear to see the hurt in his eyes. She sighed and carded her fingers through his hair.

“I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I thought you would be better off without me.” She brushed a tear away from his cheek. “I promise I will never leave you again.”

Varian hugged her, letting a few more tears fall. He had exactly what he wanted. How long would it last?

*******

“Varian wasn’t in his room.” Rapunzel sighed and dropped onto her throne. “He might be in town today.”

Catalina and Angry looked at eachother confusedly. “Why is Varian so upset? We haven’t seen him in a few days, what happened?”

Rapunzel groaned and mentally slapped herself. The girls didn’t know.

“We uh... we lied to him. About something rather big and he’s really mad at us.”

Lance snorted from where he was sitting on the side. “’Mad is an understatement. I have not seen him this angry at anyone since... well, since I don’t know when.”

Rapunzel thought back to the day he stole the flower. “I have, and trust me, if we let him be alone for too long something bad could happen.”

Eugene cleared his throat and gave her a look.

“I didn’t mean like that. I was wrong to think he would do something like that again.”

Eugene nodded, apparently satisfied with her answer. “Alright, but I do think we should give him some space to clear his head.”

******

Varian immediately liked his mother. She was everything he’d thought she’d be and more. After he was done crying, they’d spent the day together. They got to know one another and it was great. That was when he found out she had tried to come back once when he was five.

“So, he wouldn’t even talk to you?” Varian asked her quietly.

Veronica nodded. “He was so mad. I mean, he had every right to be after I left without a word. And you... well, you weren’t there that day. I never got to see you.”

“What did you do?”

“Well, after your father yelled at me, I left. I had no reason to stay. He didn’t want me back in his life and I can’t really say I blame him.”

They both were silent for a moment before she asked him a question.

“How did you know I was here?”

“Monty told me. He was surprised he hadn’t seen us with you yet.” Varian bit back another wave of tears. “They- they lied to me. They all told me you were dead. When I asked why they lied, dad wouldn’t say anything. Rapunzel said she was afraid I would leave Corona with you.”

Veronica looked surprised. “Why would the queen think I would want to take you away?”

Varian laughed bitterly. “I don’t know. She’s never been this insecure about our friendship before. It’s almost like... like she’s jealous? I don’t know why. I mean, she has no reason to be.”

Veronica was silent for a moment. “Varian, you should talk to them. Perhaps this is the only way to make things right. For everyone’s sake.”

Varian nodded. He really didn’t want to but he knew she was right. He couldn’t keep ignoring his friends no matter how much he wanted and no matter what they’d done, they were still his family and he loved them. That would never change.

*****

Varian and Veronica went to the palace later that day. Pete and Stan were pleasantly surprised to see him.

Pete hugged the young alchemist and it seemed like he was trying not to cry. “I’m so happy you aren’t trying to kill us right now!”

Varian pat his back awkwardly. “Yeah... me too?”

After releasing him, the two guards allowed them in the castle.

“Rapunzel is going to be so stoked to see you!”

Varian bit back a bitter comment. No matter what Rapunzel had done he had to keep a level head. He refused for things to turn out like they had last time.

They entered the throne room to find all his friends were looking anxious. Rapunzel most of all.

When she saw Varian she jumped up and ran to hug him but stopped short when he backed away from her. Instead she offered him a smile.

“Varian, I am so sorry.”

“For what?”

A look of confusion crossed her features. “W-what do you mean?”

“What are you sorry for? Lying to me? Letting Nigel lock me in a dungeon for something I didn’t do? Oh, or sending Cassandra of all people to talk to me.” The bitterness in his voice stung like venom. “Did you think I was going to go back to being a villain? Is that something you’re scared of?”

He expected her to deny it right away, but instead she turned her head away and bit back tears.

“I... Varian I...” She couldn’t even bring herself to say it.

Varian once again felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. Why was she so scared of him? Scared of him. One of his best friends, his basically sister, was scared of him. Scared he would turn to kidnappings and murder plots at the drop of a hat. Scared he would turn into a monster again.

“Okay.” Varian’s voice was barely over a whisper. He looked right at Rapunzel. He wanted to be angry at her. He wanted to yell and make her feel just as wronged and betrayed as he did. But one look into her eyes and he could tell she was already suffering tremendously from guilt. He didn’t want to add to that. “That’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”

She was surprised by how soft his voice had gotten.

“I can tell we’re having trust issues.” Varian decided he would be the bigger person and make the first move to forgive. “But Rapunzel, you don’t have to worry about me like that. I’m not going to try and hurt you again.”

Rapunzel nodded and she knew he meant it. She took a step forward, arms out as she waited for Varian to accept the hug. Varian fell into her embrace and for a moment, everything seemed like it was going to be okay.

Veronica watched with a smile. It gave her no greater joy than to see her son surrounded by people who loved him.

The Nigel walked in and that moment ended.

“Your majesty, we went back to his lab and we found this.” Nigel marched forward and showed Rapunzel the automaton plans. “I have every right to believe he wants to use them for evil.”

Rapunzel stared at the plans but Varian wasn’t worried about her. He glared at Nigel.

“Did you break into my house?” He demanded angrily.

Nigel fixed a cold, steely glare of his own on the boy. “Don’t try to turn me into the bad guy. The evidence for your conviction is right here.”

Rapunzel slowly looked at Varian. “Var, what is this?”

Varian snatched the plans out of her hands and kept his glare at Nigel. “Do you want to know why I have these? Do you want to know what this is? I’m trying to help my village.”

Rapunzel stayed silent as Varian explained.

“I tweaked the design so that instead of them being made for battle, they’re supposed to be used for construction.” He crossed his arms. “I’ll take your apology now, Nigel.”

Nigel glared at him. “Do you truly expect me to apologize to you? How do we know you aren’t lying?”

Rapunzel stepped in, fixing her own glare on Nigel. “He’s not. I trust him.”

Nigel crossed his arms. “Forgive me for saying this your majesty, but trusting this boy is foolish and would only lead to the end of the kingdom.”

“Excuse me!” Rapunzel demanded, her gaze intensifying. “How dare you, Nigel! Varian has proven time and time again how trustworthy he is! How can you still not believe in him?”

“Forgive me, but you were quite certain he would return to his old ways when he left yesterday.”

“And that was my mistake. I shouldn’t have even entertained the thought.” She looked at Varian apologetically. “I’m sorry.” She looked back at Nigel, her glare returning. “But you do not get to go and arrest my friend because he yelled at me. He was angry and had every right to be.”

Varian watched Nigel’s face go red from anger and embarrassment. “But he’s attacked the kingdom before! Who’s to say he won’t do it again!”

Rapunzel grit her teeth. “That’s enough, Nigel.”

“Your majesty, he is a danger to Coro-”

“THAT IS ENOUGH NIGEL!” Rapunzel yelled, startling everyone in the room. “I want you to take a leave of absence.”

“What! For how long?”

She sighed and ran a hand over her face. “I don’t know!” Just, go. We all need to take a breather and I don’t want you two in the same room.”

“Then why send me off!”

“Because you’re being irrational and I don’t trust you around him right now!” That’s why.” Rapunzel crossed her arms. “Now, Nigel.”

The man grumbled under his breath but walked away, aggressively brushing past Veronica on his way out.

Varian let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding in. “Thank you.”

Rapunzel gave him a tight lipped smile. She was obviously still stressed out. “Of course. I’m sorry for everything that happened. I shouldn’t have lied or doubted you.”

Varian nodded. “And while all this was happening, I found my mom.”

Her eyes widened. “You... what?”

He pointed his head towards Veronica who took that as her cue to walk over.

She did and gave the queen a smile. “Your majesty.” She bowed her head. “Thank you, for standing up for my son. It... it means alot to me, to know that he has such a good friend.”

Rapunzel couldn’t decide between being shocked and faking happiness. The result was her staring blankly as everything Quirin told her ran through her mind. This woman seemed nice enough. But then again, so had Gothel.

She shook off her thoughts and gave her a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Um... thanks for watching after Varian for the day. I know I was the last person he wanted to see.”

If his mother noticed her apprehension, she didn’t comment on it. “Yes, well. I hope you two can patch things up. I’d hate for you to end your friendship over me.”

Rapunzel was startled by this. It was an odd thing to say. The queen looked into her eyes but only saw warmth and motherly affection.

“Uh... right. Yes. I mean, I love Varian. I would never let that happen, of course.” She awkwardly stumbled over what to say. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of the woman.

“Rapunzel,” Varian’s voice was soft and his eyes were kinder than she’d seen them in a while. “I know my dad probably said some awful things about her but, she’s changed. I trust her.”

Rapunzel resisted the urge to tell him he’s barely known her for a day. But, knowing the reaction that would entail, she instead smiled and nodded. “Okay. If you trust her then I do too.”

*******

Hope you guys enjoyed chapter 5! Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated!