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[life_began]

When Rapunzel told Eugene that she wanted to go see her apartment, she was quick to assure him that it was for no other reason then her finding it amusing that for as much as she's explored Darrow, she hasn't been to the one place that is technically hers.

"You really can see the ocean from here!" She exclaims once they arrive. It's a nice building, and Rapunzel is excited as they ride the elevator together, gold key clutched firmly in hand. She's never really had a place that belongs to her, so she's excited to see it, even though her place is with Eugene. She still feels like she's inconveniencing him, and feels a bit guilty whenever she creeps out of her comfortable bed in the mornings to find him asleep on the sofa, no matter matter how much he assures her that it's okay.

Once they reach the doorway, she gives him an excited grin and unlocks it, pushing it open slowly. The first thing she notices is the sunlight. It fills the room brilliantly and she gasps, heading straight for the sunbeam spilling through the large picture window. It's even bigger than their apartment, with plenty of room for her to twirl around without even touching the sofa. Pascal clings to her hair as she spins and she nearly topples over, stumbling a bit and letting out a happy laugh as she looks over at Eugene. "Look at all this light! It's wonderful!"

Maybe she could use it as an art studio and come here when Eugene is at work, even though she really should get rid of it and double her allowance. That is one fine view, though. She takes it in and then turns back to Eugene, arms spread wide. "What do you think?"

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[hasanewdream]

When she brings up her other place, I'm not entirely surprised. I mean, it's hard not to see it coming, with the way we've been living. Don't get me wrong, having Blondie around has been great. But I know my place is meant for just me and even with her reassurances, I'm already steeling myself for her to announce she wants to move out.

I had reasons for her not to go before. But she's a quick learner, and it's clear now she can absolutely survive on her own if she wanted to. I wouldn't say anything otherwise to get my way. And when I see this place that's been sitting unused, well -

I already know I'll be helping her move over her stuff any day now.

"Looks like this city likes you more than me," I say, offering her a quick (but somewhat forced) smile. What else am I going to say? The place is great - there's no arguing otherwise.

[life_began]

"Maybe the city knew that I've been kept cooped up in a tower all my life," she replies cautiously, giving him a small smile as she looks around. "And it wanted to give me space."

The kitchen is a little bigger than the one at Eugene's, and she heads down the hall to explore. The door at the end of the hall leads to a large master bedroom with a nice ocean view and a four poster bed, and she sighs longingly as she shuts the door.

The second door she tries leads, to her surprise, another bedroom. It's a tad smaller, but still nice, and she lets out a bit of a squeal before tearing off down the hall.

"Eugene! There are two bedrooms!" She grabs his hands and grins hugely, bouncing a bit. "We should move here! Wouldn't that be wonderful? We'd both be comfortable!"

She says it like splitting up never crossed her mind, because she didn't. Her home is with Eugene, and she's never living alone again.

[hasanewdream]

I'm keeping my mouth shut, for the most part. I don't want to discourage her from wanting to move, as much as I already dislike the idea. It's not like I'll never see her again, I know that. This isn't her getting taken off to that tower of hers and me to jail. Still -

Still.

I'm halfway to the room she's in when she calls out to me.

"We?" I repeat as I approach, eyebrow raising up. It occurs to me that maybe she doesn't even realize she could live alone if she wanted to. This is all a new thing to her, and I know I have two choices here. Just go along with it, or actually sit and explain it to her.

I'm already conveniently leaving things out about how things went to her. I don't want to add this kind of thing to the list.

"Rapunzel, listen, I'm flattered, but - you do know you can move out and live on your own now, right?" I ask, scratching the back of my neck as I try to really not show how much I don't like the idea of splitting up. She's had enough of people trying to manipulate her to do what they wanted in her life. "It's okay if you want that, I mean. I'd understand."

[life_began]

Rapunzel's face falls a little as Eugene speaks, and she shares a slightly damp and shiny look with Pascal as she steps away, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I spent most of my life alone in that tower," she starts quietly, looking up at Eugene from under her lashes. "I - I don't want to live alone anymore. Even with that aside, I want to be with you. I like knowing you're right there."

She sighs and bites her lip, blinking a few times. "But if you'd rather have your own space back, that's okay too. You can tell me."

[hasanewdream]

"What? No. No! That's not it," I insist. So, this is going well. I really wanted to hold this conversation off to a better time because she deserves it at a nicer time than this. Somewhere not in the middle of a strange apartment at least.

I see her face, though, and yeah, there's no getting around this.

"It's just that -" I start, than falter. This is the kind of conversation I would have liked to plan beforehand. It isn't like trying to charm people like I used to, this is important. "Look, Rapunzel, I like you. I mean, really like you. And it drives me absolutely crazy. In a good way, in a good way, I promise."

I don't think I'm being clear enough. This would be so much easier if she remembered what happened. Then again, she would also end up remembering the bad parts of it too, which is why I am not talking about it in the first place.

"What I'm trying to say is I want to stay with you, but only if it's in a way that's more than just friends. Do you understand what I mean?" I ask. Maybe she doesn't. I feel like this part is certainly something her 'mother' wouldn't have taught her about.

[life_began]

She blushes fiercely as Eugene speaks, and she opens her mouth to reply, but ends up snapping it shut again as he continues.

"Eugene, I - I've never seen us as just friends, not since I came here." She shares a look with Pascal, who shrugs and scurries down to the floor, trotting off towards the window to give them some privacy. "I just... don't know what I'm doing."

She bites her lip and tucks her hair behind her hair, looking at him with a soft pout. "But are you saying that if I did just want to be friends, you'd leave me here alone?"

That doesn't sit well with her, and her shoulders slump as she drops her gaze to the floor.

[hasanewdream]

Well, that relief was short lived. I don't really know how to answer that without sounding terrible. I know what I want to say, I just don't want her to get the impression I'd ever think about just abandoning her.

"I would always be your friend, Blondie," I say. And that's the truth. "I don't know if living with you would be the right thing to do if you didn't feel that way -" Did I mention I'm really glad she feels that way? I haven't actually had that sink in yet. "- but I'd always be your friend, Rapunzel. That wouldn't change anything."

But this isn't a problem now. Because apparently she feels the same way. Great, right? We can figure this out. I've never attempted to be serious before, not with anyone, but I can do this with her.

"We'll take it one step at a time," I add with a slightly hopeful smile. I can go slow. I want to go slow with this. "Like - maybe dinner? And if you want to move in this place, we'll come here. It's got a better view than anything my place's got."

[life_began]

"Oh." She takes a breath and chances a look at him, smiling hopefully. "I suppose you're right."

She bites her lip, unsure of what to do or say. She feels the same as she has since she looked at him instead of the lights, and realized her new dream, but she doesn't know what to do. He's so much more experienced than her. He's really, truly lived and she hasn't, and she feels a bit lost.

"I really do like you." She takes a step closer but keeps her arms wrapped around herself, cheeks stained pink as she sets her green eyes on him. "As more than a friend. I want to be with you. I actually, uh, can't imagine my life without you in it."

When he suggests dinner, she's a little confused, and she tilts her head almost imperceptibly to the side. "We have dinner together almost every night, Eugene. But I would like to live here. With you." She swallows hard, actually able to feel the heat in her cheeks. "If you'll have me."

[hasanewdream]

Dates, that's what it was called. I was trying to think of the word that had been used when I had asked for advice, and that was it. Do it proper, ask someone who might know here - that had been my thinking.

I could explain, too, what I meant by eating together and how it's different from what we've been doing. But she closes in and then I think, you know what, that can wait. That can wait because we're finally someplace that literally has nothing that can interrupt what I've been wanting to do for a long time.

So I just smile at her after she makes her suggestion. I can answer her, but Id much rather show her first. Lifting a hand to cup her cheek, I gently nudge her chin up, just enough so I can easily lean down and press my lips against hers.

Let me tell you, the feeling - let's just say I'm glad I've gotten a second chance at this.

[life_began]

Rapunzel certainly isn't expecting the kiss, so when Eugene's lips touch hers she freezes for a moment, trying to process what's happening. When she finally gets it, she melts into it, eyes closing as she sags against him. She kisses him back even though her head is spinning and she's breathless, pushing up onto her toes to wind her arms around his neck.

Her heart is beating against her chest and she doesn't think she could put a name to this feeling if she tried. It's like seeing the lanterns and flying through the air all at once, and she swears she sees the stars behind her eyelids.

[hasanewdream]

There's maybe a half second there that I think maybe this wasn't the best way to go about this. Turns out? I have nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing to worry about. Is this the most ideal place for this to happen for the first time? I don't know.

I also don't care.

If I'm being really honest, I could stay like this the whole day. The whole week, even. I almost feel strange at how different I feel about this kiss compared to anything else I've ever felt.

It takes my breath away a little, too.

So when I finally do break the kiss (it is really hard to do this, because let me repeat - I could keep at this for a long time), so I can look at her, really look at her. I can't fight the smile that breaks out on my face, nor do I want to.

"So, I hope that answered any remaining questions you had," I say, my teasing light, my expression more fond than I think I even realize it is.

[life_began]

"It certainly cleared a few things up," she says breathlessly, looking up at him with wide green eyes. Her cheeks are stained pink and she reaches up to cup his cheek, slender fingers tracing the curve of his jaw.

"Oh, Eugene." She lets out a soft laugh, a happy little sound that bubbles up out of her before she can help it, and springs up on her toes to throw her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

[hasanewdream]

I cant help it. With her arms securely around my neck, I lift her up and spin her a little. Just to get another laugh at her. I could honestly listen to her laugh all day. It's a good feeling when I know I'm the one that caused it.

When I set her down again, my expression s a little more soft. press a light kiss to her forehead. It was brief, affectionate.

"How about we start looking into packing things to move over here?" I suggest with a smile.

[life_began]

She giggles as he spins her around, tossing her head back and clutching at his shoulders. There's a grin splitting her face when he sets her down, and she keeps her arms around him as he kisses her again.

"I think that sounds like a fantastic idea," she has happily, practically glowing with emotion. "The sooner the better."