Tangled: Stardust and the 12 Zodiacs (Varian Fanfiction)

Chapter 59: Storm

((A fellow writer and good friend of mine, @ZoneRobotnik helped write this chapter because the storm in this chapter is something I have trouble with writing. Oh! Make sure to check her works out too! Reunion at Sea is my personal favorite :3 Anyways! ONWARDS TO THE CHAPTER!!!!!))

"Ugh.." Gold groaned as he opened his eyes, feeling a heavy weight on top of him.

"Where...where am I?" The person asked, barely recognizing his surroundings.

That voice....

"Varian." Gold tested.

"Yeah?" Varian answered.

"Get. OFF. me." The older male commanded and only then did Varian realize who he was using as a cushion.

"S-sorry..." Varian apologized as he stood up.

"Out of everyone in this small group, why do I get to be the one who's stuck with YOU." Gold grumbled, dusting off his trousers as he stood up.

"I'm thinking the same thing." Varian replied under his breath before turning to look at the male. "Look, why do you hate me so much? Because I'm starting to think that this isn't just me being an ex-villain/criminal anymore."

"It's because YOU, more so than the others, are hindering Soul to stay. It's because of YOU that she wants to go and continue on in this quest." Gold growled, pointing his index finger towards the alchemist.

Varian scoffed. "Why would it be my fault? And why just me? She's friends with everyone else too, you know. Also, for your information, she was the one who volunteered to join us in this quest. Plus, hasn't it occurred to you that the reason Soul probably wants to continue is because, at long last, she finally feels free and she doesn't want to stay a caged bird anymore?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at the man as he crossed his arms. He also repeated some of Soul's words from before, carefully paraphrasing them so he wouldn't come off as suspicious. After all, Gold didn't know he was listening to them.

"Oh, you don't understand what I'm dealing with here, boy. And you don't understand why you're the reason." Gold chuckled as he took off his coat, hanging it on his shoulder. "But it's good that you don't understand. Shows that you're still immature."

Varian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing, nothing." The older man waved his hands. "But as I said, you don't understand what I'M dealing with here. Why I don't want her to go with you folks. Not like you can, anyway. I'm not allowed to elaborate it to you even if I want to."

"But that doesn't mean you can pour your anger on me." Varian frowned as dropped his arms on his side.

Gold gave him a glare, leaning towards him. "I'd tell you why, but I'm afraid I'm gonna get burned to death by my sister, so I can't."

"A-alright, you don't have to say-."

"Plus, you're a boy who's close with my sister. Of course I'm gonna hate you."

"Ah, over protective brother."

Gold huffed, walking away. "Call me what you want, but at least I have a reason to act the way I act towards you. Not only were you that troublesome kid who knew nothing but to cause trouble and explosions, but you," he stopped walking, turning around, "you have darkness in you. Soul told me how you were almost fooled by a fae when you first entered Melodiah forest."

Oh, right. That fae...

"I told her to always test the people she brings to our house by going through the long path. If they survived, it means they passed. The forest senses a possible danger to them. They disturb what they think is a threat before it disturbs them. And you, being almost fooled by them is enough proof that you have darkness in you, whether it be in mind, heart, or both." He explained. "You have something that you feel that's unresolved yet. A lingering hate of some sorts. And because of that is why I also don't trust you."