Tangled: Stardust and the 12 Zodiacs (Varian Fanfiction)

Chapter 63: Secret

(January 22)

Varian awkwardly drummed his fingers on the table, glancing everywhere but at the brunette in front of him. He knew he was the one who asked if they could talk, to let her know he was ready, but he still felt nervous.

"So—" They both said at the same time, pausing at the awkward event.

"Oh, uhm, you first." Varian muttered, pointing at Rapunzel who nodded.

"I...about what happened.." Rapunzel inhaled a deep breath, steadying herself. "Varian, I'm truly — really sorry for what me and my father did to you. I know I just apologize over and over again, but I mean it! I-I know my apologies won't change anything that happened to you, but I just want you to know that I really am sorry. I let distractions and my father reign over me rather than making sure of my friend's safety. I should have done something that could have helped you before, I-I-I should have cleared your name after you left, I could have done something — anything to help you and we should have been there when you needed us most as your friends..but we've let you down. I'm really sorry..."

Varian took a sip of water from his glass beside him, in an attempt to wash the nerves away. "You're right. Your apologies won't do anything to change the past or erase what has happened to me." Rapunzel bowed her head, frowning. "But... I think it would be best for everyone to...just forget about it."

Rapunzel paused, looked at him with questioning eyes, confused as to what he's saying. "What do you mean forget about it?"

"I mean...I somehow got the truth I wanted, not in the best way I want to hear it, but it's still the truth. You got distracted for three months and forgot to help me, and you obeyed your not-so-honest father. It's really all in the past." He sighed, "But I'm not gonna lie... it really would take a while for me to fully forgive you. But what is said is said and what is done is done. Let's just...forget about it and move on."

"...Are you really sure?" Rapunzel meekly asked. "I thought you would be more..."

"Angry?" He finished as she nodded. Varian threw his head back, leaning his back on his chair as he closed his eyes. "I know I've said a lot of things when we were on truth serum, and while all of those were true, I just...don't want anything bad to happen anymore. We all saw what happened the last time this darkness of mine got in the way and I don't want that to happen again. Besides, I was already trying my best to forget about everything until Shrau'n mentioned it and Gold kept accusing me. You — pushing me to tell you what was wrong that time — just made me crazy and I ended up spilling everything."

"So, you really do hate me..." She quietly muttered under her breath.

"Hate's a strong word princess. If you were to ask me, I 60 percent don't like you and 40 percent like you. I was just in a flurry of emotions and you pestering me to tell you what was wrong made me burst." He admitted, sighing. "I don't hate you that much unlike before...but I certainly can't say that I like you as well. I'm grateful that you gave me a second chance to redeem myself; including me in everything you do and trying to make me feel like I'm your friend again...but sometimes I can't help but feel that it's just a way for you to keep an eye on me. That if I make a mistake, I'll be thrown back to prison again.."

"No, Varian...that's not true!" Rapunzel shook her head. "I really do want to make it up to you, and I do want us to be friends again!"

"Well...that would take some time, princess." Varian told her but Rapunzel only gave him a determined look.

"I'll take that as a challenge." She exclaimed.

"No, please don't. Be genuine about this or I'll hate you forever." Varian laughed, shaking his head.