Forever and Always

9 - Wittle Angel

A few days had passed since Cassandra's kiss, and a newfound energy pulsed through Varian's lab. Gone were the scattered tools and half-finished projects; in their place, meticulously labeled vials bubbled with vibrant concoctions, and whirring contraptions hummed with an almost sentient purpose.

Varian himself, sporting a fresh coat of soot and a triumphant grin, cackled with glee as he held aloft a beaker filled with a swirling green liquid. Beside him, perched on a stool with a satisfied air, was Ruddiger. The ever-resourceful raccoon clutched a steaming mug, the scent of warm cocoa filling the air.

"Behold, Rapunzel!" Varian declared, brandishing the beaker like a trophy. "My latest invention – the Everlasting Ember Elixir! One sip, and you'll never feel cold again!"

Rapunzel, who had just entered the lab, raised an eyebrow. "Really, Varian? Or is this another one of your... 'accidental' hair dye concoctions?"

Varian sputtered, his cheeks flushing a familiar shade of red. "Hey! That was a one-time mishap! Besides, this is different. This is pure... uh... pure alchemical genius!"

He cautiously took a sip of the green liquid, his eyes widening in surprise. "Hmm, not bad! Tastes a bit like... swamp water with a hint of cinnamon."

Ruddiger chattered indignantly, swatting at the beaker with his tiny paw.

"Alright, alright, you don't have to be a critic, little buddy," Varian chuckled, scratching Ruddiger behind the ears. "Maybe I need to tweak the formula a bit."

Rapunzel smiled, the warmth reaching her eyes. It was good to see Varian back in his element, his enthusiasm bubbling over like one of his potions.

"So, how is Cassandra settling in?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Varian's grin faltered slightly. He cleared his throat, avoiding her gaze. "Oh, uh, Cassie? She's... she's doing good. Seems like Corona hasn't forgotten how to get under her skin, though."

"Is everything alright?" Rapunzel pressed gently.

Varian sighed, running a hand through his hair – a habit that usually resulted in a minor explosion, but thankfully, not today. "It's complicated, Rapunzel. We... we have a lot to work through."

He took another sip of the Everlasting Ember Elixir, wincing at the slightly swampy aftertaste. "But hey, maybe some scientific breakthroughs will help patch things up, right?"

Rapunzel placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. "Maybe. But sometimes, Varian, the best solutions aren't found in a beaker."

Varian looked at her, a flicker of hope sparking in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Rapunzel smiled enigmatically. "Just be yourself, Varian. And who knows, maybe a little honesty can be just as powerful as the most potent potion."

Varian scoffed, a nervous laugh bubbling up from his chest. "Honesty? About what? Me and Cassandra? We're just... old friends catching up. That's all."

His voice lacked conviction, and Rapunzel knew it. Her brow furrowed slightly, a knowing glint in her golden eyes.

"Varian," she began, her voice gentle but firm. "We've been friends for years. I can tell when something's bothering you. And let's be honest, lately, whenever Cassandra's name comes up, you either look like you're about to explode with excitement or melt into a puddle of goo."

Varian's cheeks flushed scarlet. He tried to deflect, waving a hand dismissively. "Nonsense! It's just... well, she's... she's a formidable fighter, you know? And a valuable asset to any... scientific investigation, of course!"