Guardians and Angels

Chapter 26: Rapunzel

I really couldn't be happier.

After what happened yesterday, I couldn't wipe this silly smile off my face. It was a permanent tattoo on display for all to see. And the thing is, I don't mind one bit that I'm smiling like a crazed maniac, because this time it's a real smile. I quite enjoy the fact that I don't have to hide behind a fake smile and hide my pain anymore. Jack has helped me overcome that and forget my pain.

His words still played like a song on repeat in my head.

"I need you Rapunzel."

"I've never seen you as anything but special."

I never knew I meant that much to him. I never knew I could mean that much to anybody. Considering everything that went down with my last boyfriend--torturer more like--I never thought that I was capable of being seen as important to someone, and it's really nice to know that's not true anymore. I actually mean something to Jack and I'm going to relish in that thought for as long as I can because it makes me incredibly happy to know that.

"Geez, I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much, Punz," Merida voiced. We were currently sitting at the lunch table, waiting for the boys to join us.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I like seeing you this happy."

I couldn't help but smile more. She was right. I have never smiled this much. My cheeks kind of hurt from all the smiling and grinning, but I couldn't stop.

Jack and Hiccup appeared out of nowhere and joined us at the table as well. Jack swung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. "Hey, Princess." Ever since we've made it official between us, we look for any excuse to touch or be near each other in subtle ways. It's purely innocent, and it means the world to me. 

"Hey, Princey. What's today's gruel?" I asked, nodding towards his food. Over the course of time that I've known Jack, I've come to realize that he hates school food with a passion.

"It's a concoction of worms, guts, and blood, I believe."

I nodded. "So, spaghetti?"

"Look at this thing, Punz! It's bloody, gutsy worms for sure."

I just laughed. "You can have some of my food if you want."

He wiped away a fake tear and put his hand on his heart. "What would I do without you?" he sniffled.

Rolling my eyes, I shoved my chicken nuggets towards him. "You're such a baby. Why don't you just make your own lunch if you hate school lunch so much?"

He shrugged. "Too much work."

"You're just lazy."

"That I am. No shame in admitting it."

We both chuckled at that and he put his arm around my shoulder again and pulled me closer to him. He pecked my cheek and my face felt hot instantly.

Merida groaned. "Okay, if you guys are gonna be all lovey-dovey, we need to set some ground rules. No PDA. No googly eyes. No inappropriate jokes; I'm looking at you, Jack. I'm everywhere and I have a bow and some pretty sharp arrows. And finally, there will be nothing that leads to little frost-headed munchkins running around, do you understand?"

Jack saluted to her. "Yes, Ma'am. Although, thinking about it now, some frost-headed munchkins with Rapunzel's freckles and cute smile would be pretty adorable," he said, winking at me and tightening his arm around me.

"You just broke three rules, Frostbutt."

"What did I do?"

"Hugging--a form of PDA, joking inappropriately about your Frost spawns, and winking at her, which is equivalent to googly eyes," she told him matter-of-factly.