Tangled: Stardust and the 12 Zodiacs (Varian Fanfiction)

Chapter 26: Toru-ble Under the Underpass

*Mentions of slight blood warning. Nothing too gory, but there's still blood*

"I honestly can't believe you two would go out every night. Do you two go out as well back at home?" Soul angrily said, furiously scrubbing Flick's fur. She would usually use her bath bombs since Flick hates getting scrubbed, but as punishment, Soul bathed the fox naturally.

Flick let out a small yelp when Soul started scrubbing between his legs. Sir Hoots-a-lot watched the fox bathe with a sympathetic look in his eyes. The two have never seen their owner look so upset, especially now that her disappointment was directed to them.

Sensing someone watching, Soul glanced up to see her owl watching them on top of the caravan. "Don't think your off the hook, Sir. I'll give you your punishment later." Soul informed as she rinsed the foam off Flick's fur. After Soul made sure the fox was really clean and that there was no dirt left, she gently picked Flick up and placed him on the table inside the caravan, wiping him with a towel. Soul watched the fox shiver and trembled, and she instantly felt guilty for doing what her beloved fox hates. But she knew that she needs to be stern from time to time, and she needs to make sure that Flick and Hoots would never sneak out ever again. After all, the two are what Soul has left in her family.

"Come here." Soul softly said as she opened her arms to the fox. Flick happily jumped in her arms, and Soul could care less that the fox was still wet as she hugged him.

"Hoot!" Hoots hooted, flying in the caravan. Giggling, Soul gestured for the owl to join in and Hoots flew happily chirping as he perched himself on his owner's shoulder, snuggling in her warmth.

"Please, please, please. Don't do that again. What if you guys get hurt? Lost? Captured and killed?" Soul stated. Flick and Hoots shared a look at the last part. "I don't want you two getting hurt. If you want to go outside, when we stop for lunch or stop for the night just, bark or hoot at me, and I'll let you out so I can come with you. Just please, don't sneak out again. Understand?"

Flick licked the girl's right cheek, while Hoots pecked her left.

"Good. Now, -"

"What are you doing up?" A voice questioned from behind them.

Gulping, Soul turned around to face Varian with an unamused expression on his face. "Varian! Hey. Nice day we're having?" She greeted, attempting to change the topic.

"Sit back down." He commanded, pointing at the couch.

"I feel fine now. My ankle's healed." Soul huffed as she sat down on her couch.

"Oh, really?" Varian cheekily asked, narrowing his eyes playfully at the girl as he crossed his arms.

"Yeah!" Soul confidently replied.

"So, it won't hurt if I do.....this?" Varian kneeled and took the girl's left foot, pulling her boot off as he gently pressed his thumb on her ankle. When he heard no sound of pain, Varian was about to be impressed that her sprain already healed until he looked up and laughed at the girl's face as Soul tried to keep her scream. "You look like a chipmunk with your cheeks all puffed up."

"And you look like a beaver." Soul shot back. At this point, Varian wasn't bothered by the nickname anymore as he thinks that beavers are cute and smart.

"Just rest your foot. I'll take care of Flick and Hoots. I'm sure Ruddiger would be thrilled to know that he won't be alone on his punishment." Varian stated as he stood up.

"What is Ruddiger's punishment?"

Outside, Ruddiger was crying as he watched Max and Oren eat all the apples. Maximus smirked at the raccoon, taking a bite off an apple and slowly chewing on it, much to the raccoon's horror.