Rapunzel (Seventeen JeongCheol story)

Chapter 6 - Tower

A/N: I had to work overtime today and feeling worn out af but SVT just dropped the comeback announcement so WOOOOO I'M BACK ON TRACK BITCHES

Btw thank you so much for the love and support this book gets from y'all <33333

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'So there's a village out there?'

'Yes! Gosh, you guys should see it! It's awesome!' sighed Jeonghan excitedly. Dino and Jisoo were sitting on the floor of his bedroom as he was walking back and forth, telling them about everything he saw while gesturing wildly. 'It's wonderful! All the buildings! It's fascinating! There were trees and flowers all around the village! It's beautiful! I've never felt so alive in my life' he said. 'And the people were so nice! I met these boys by the bakery and they were so kind to me. They gave me the best pastries I've ever had. And...'

'And??' asked Jisoo, knowing already that the best is just yet to come.

'I... met this guy...' said Jeonghan in a tiny voice and he already felt blush creep up his cheeks.

'Oh my gosh, I knew it! The hot dude from your romance stories you've been dreaming of!!' jumped excitedly Jisoo. 'He was hot, right??!?!'

Jeonghan smiled as he remembered the other man. He was really really handsome. And he was so nice to him too. He wanted to meet him again.

'He was the most handsome man I've seen in my entire life' he sighed dreamily. Jisoo squealed but Dino just narrowed his eyes.

'Why, how many men have you seen in your entire life?' he asked.

'Don't be a party pooper' waved him off Jisoo. 'Tell us about him!' he asked Jeonghan.

'His little brother fell into a trap and I tried to save him but I almost fell too' explained the boy. 'But then... he caught my waist before I could've fell. He is so strong! And he was so nice... we talked for a bit after that and-'

'And? What's his name?' asked Dino curiously.

'His name is- oh' gasped Jeonghan and he frowned. 'I don't even know his name! H-He didn't tell me' he sat down on his bed bitterly. Then his eyes lit up. 'I'll ask him next time!'

'There will be a next time?' asked Dino anxiously.

'Obviously, dummy! He has to get to know his future husband before they get married!' exclaimed Jisoo. Then he moved his bunny ears around, making both Jeonghan and Dino gasp. It never meant anything good when Jisoo's sharp ears sensed strange sounds. 'Oh shit, it's-'

He didn't even have time to warn them as suddenly the door to Jeonghan's room flew open and Gothel entered with her weasel, Otto around her neck.

'Jeonghan' said the woman in a flattering tone. Her voice gave Jeonghan chills. He quickly stood up from his bed and faced Gothel. 'I heard you took a little... trip today' said Gothel.

Jeonghan's head was full of questions. How did she realize he was gone? Dino and Jisoo swore she didn't even leave her bedroom until he was back. Then Jeonghan's eyes landed on the weasel in the woman's neck and he narrowed his eyes as he saw the wide evil grin on the animal's face.

'Otto' he whispered in defeat. Then he looked back at Gothel. 'Why didn't you tell me about the village? It's not even far from here!'

'It's for your own good' said Gothel as she slowly started walking in the room, taking a look at all of Jeonghan's stuff. 'I'm trying to protect you.'

'From what?' asked Jeonghan angrily.

'The evil world' answered simply Gothel.

'That's bullshit! Everyone was so nice to me!'

'That's what you think' gave him a look Gothel. 'I didn't think it only takes a handsome man and some nice words to you to lose your sanity, Jeonghan' she added in a disappointed tone. Jeonghan pressed his lips in a thin line. She knows. 'Who did you meet?' asked the woman.

'I-I don't know his name' whispered the boy. He had a bad feeling. Despite barely knowing the other boy he wanted to protect him at all costs. He can't give him out to the witch. Jeonghan was never a hero, but he had to do everything to save the other man.

'You're lying!' shouted Gothel stepping forward. Jeonghan backed away, falling on his chair that was behind him. The woman towered over him threateningly.

'I'm telling the truth!' he said.

'I only need a name. Nothing else' said Gothel.

'But I just said that I don't know it!' cried out Jeonghan. Gothel hummed in response. Jeonghan, Jisoo and Dino all frowned. It never meant anything good.

The witch turned around, her eyes landing on Jeonghan's painting canvases. Some of them haven't even been touched yet, others had paintings or sketches on them.

Gothel raised her hand towards the canvases. Yellow light appeared around her hand and with a movement of her wrist she made the paintings and canvases emerge from their place. Jeonghan widened his eyes as he saw the paintings starting to shake. Then Gothel suddenly fisted her hand and at the same time all the canvases blew up in thousands of pieces.

Then she turned towards the glasses that held Jeonghan's paintbrushes and dirty painting water in them. With the same motion of her hand she lifted the items from the small table and smashed them just like that. Glass shattered and pieces of wood, glass and metal flew in every possible direction. Dirty painting water splashed everywhere, staining the wall, the floor and Jeonghan's pants.

'Please, stop!' yelled Jeonghan.

'He was just telling the truth!' spoke up Dino in a small voice. Gothel narrowed her eyes.

'So your little friends know your secret?' she glared at Jeonghan. Then she lifted her hand again. Jeonghan gasped when he saw his bunny emerge from the floor. Jisoo was waving his limbs desperately and had a terrified look on his face.

'No!' Jeonghan shouted and stepped between Jisoo and Gothel, blocking the bunny from the magic. Jisoo dropped back on the ground and hid behind Dino's legs. 'They don't know it either!' Jeonghan added and looked at Dino. The baby dragon had a determined look on his face, saying there's no way he is leaving Jeonghan, but the boy gave him a glare. Dino frowned but picked Jisoo up with his small hands and rushed out through the door.

Jeonghan turned back to Gothel.

'Why are you doing this?' he asked in defeat. 'You can't keep me locked away from the world forever!'

'Just watch me' said Gothel quietly. Then with a sudden movement she raised her hands towards the ceiling. The familiar yellow glowing appeared from her hands and suddenly Jeonghan lost his balance and dropped on the ground. It felt like standing in a very fast elevator.

The small tower where Jeonghan's room was started growing taller and taller until it was in an almost unreachable height, but still not taller than the magic wall. The paintings he did on the walls dispersed as if they never existed. Jeonghan gasped as he saw his bedroom door disappear and the windows and the ceiling stretching taller too. The room was now high above the whole castle, locking Jeonghan away from even the castle's other rooms.

Gothel lowered her hands and stepped to the window as if nothing had happened.

'Hugo!' she called out for her dragon. Wings' hushing was heard and suddenly Hugo's shadow appeared in the window.

'Enjoy your time alone' turned Gothel to Jeonghan. The boy stood up from the ground where he previously fell. 'I hope it will refresh your memory. The next time I come back I need a name' she reminded him as she stepped out of the window and sat on Hugo's back. 'Until then, clean up your mess' she grinned.

Jeonghan turned back towards his room with teary eyes as Hugo slowly flew away with Gothel on his back. All the boy's paintings, all his brushes were gone with all the memories and hours he put in those works.

'Why?' he whispered to himself.