12That sounds like fun!
Eugene quickly texted her back, I'll see you tonight.
He was taking Rapunzel to the Snuggly Duckling, which he would never take a date there, but this was Rapunzel, and she was different. He had a feeling she would enjoy herself.
He got up to get ready. Eugene's beauty regiment was lengthy. His friends teased him for it, even his ex-girlfriend, but it was something he was proud of. A man's hygiene shouldn't be shit just because he's a man.
"Well you look lovely," Eugene noted as he opened his car door for Rapunzel.
Rapunzel looked down at her outfit and scoffed. She was wearing black ripped skinny jeans, a purple-striped shirt, and black sneakers, "Oh please, I hardly tried."
"Yet you look amazing," Eugene shot back.
Rapunzel rolled her eyes before getting into the car.
"What about me?" Eugene asked as he got into the driver's seat.
"What about you?"
"How do I look?"
Rapunzel cocked her head to the side and let a moment of silence go by, "You look okay."
Eugene let out an exaggerated gasp, "I'm hurt!" She let out a giggle at Eugene's reaction. "I'll have you know," he continued, "I put some serious thought into this outfit."
Rapunzel eyed him up and down, "I'm sure you did."
"You're terrible, Rapunzel," Eugene joked.
"That's why you like me."
"Tch got me there." Eugene noticed what was just said. Except he didn't feel any panic. In fact, he enjoyed how naturally their banter came along with his confession if it even counted as one.
"Oh wow, this place is different," Rapunzel noted as she took a seat in a booth.
"I think you'll like it. What do you want to start off with?" Eugene asked. Even though there were tables no one waited.
"I'll take a Malibu and pineapple and a glass of water."
"One Malibu and pineapple AND water coming right up." Eugene walked away from his date. He'd order something light for himself. Didn't want to sit here empty-handed, but he didn't want to get drunk either.
"Eugene!" Hook Hand greeted him, "What can I get you?"
"A Malibu and pineapple," Eugene noticed that Hook Hand raised an eyebrow, "Not for me! Even if it was don't judge," Eugene continued his order, "A water, and a… cider."
"What flavor?" Hook Hand asked.
"Apple is fine."
Hook Hand went to wander around the bar to find the mix needed for Rapunzel's drink. "Here you go," placing the Malibu and pineapple, along with the bottle of cider, and a tall glass of water in front of Eugene.
"Thanks." Eugene picked up the drinks and carefully made his way back to Rapunzel.
"A Malibu pineapple for the lady along with her water."
Rapunzel helped him out with the drinks, "What's piano night about?"
"Oh, that's tonight? It's basically the night where Hook Hand plays the piano." Eugene informed her.
"Hook Hand?"
"The bartender's name," Eugene answered.
Eugene's answer seemed to leave Rapunzel even more confused. "It's a nickname. His actual name is…" Eugene found himself not being able to answer, "I actually don't know his actual name."
Rapunzel took the first sip of her drink, "I see."
If it wasn't for Rapunzel being right in front of him Eugene would've gone down the thought rabbit hole of not knowing Hook Hands' actual name. "Anyway! Yeah, he plays the piano, and it's even more impressive because of his prosthetic hand." Is that how he got the nickname Hook Hand?
Rapunzel enthusiastically nodded, "I can't wait to hear him play! So, what did you get?"
Eugene slid his bottle over to her, "Cider."
"Never took you for the guy who drinks cider," Rapunzel confessed.
"Expect the unexpected," He took a swig of the cider.
"Noted. Have you named your art piece yet?"
Rapunzel was asking about that weird blue caged oval he had painted last time they hung out. He'd honestly avoided thinking about it. Looking at it gave him the creeps. As if it was trying to tell him something.
"Not exactly, I'm bad with names."
Rapunzel let out a laugh, "Clearly, you don't even know the bartender's name, and you said you're a regular."
"Not my fault, plus no one calls him anything but Hook Hand," Eugene protested.
"Sure, Eugene." Rapunzel laughed.
Eugene was sure he would never hear the end of this. He'd ask Hook Hand, not tonight, but eventually. Eugene was afraid that Hook Hand would be his actual name. That would be funny, but it had to be-
"Moonstone." Rapunzel interrupted his thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Your painting," Rapunzel said, "You should name it Moonstone."
"That's an odd name." Eugene pointed out.
Rapunzel shrugged, "I give my paintings a background story, and that's how I get the names."
"You gave my painting a story?"
"Correct," Rapunzel looked smug. So sure of herself.
"Well, don't be shy Ms. Mysterious Painter, tell the story," Eugene would be a liar if he said he wasn't genuinely interested in hearing it.
Rapunzel opened her mouth to share the story, but a piano key cut her short. "That's Hook Hand," Eugene leaned over to whisper since the pub went dead silent the moment the key went off.
As amazing as Hook Hand was on the piano, Eugene just couldn't take his eyes off Rapunzel. She looked so beautiful. Unaware of her surroundings, taking the music in. Did Eugene recognize any of the songs? Absolutely not. He was hardly paying attention.
At some point, Rapunzel got up to leave a tip in the jar on the piano.
When Hook Hand finished the last note, Rapunzel was the first one to clap. "That was- wow- it was fantastic!" She told him.
"Yeah," Eugene agreed.
Rapunzel once again stood up, "I'm going to go talk to him."
However, Rapunzel didn't have to since Hook Hand was already making his way towards their booth.
"Eugene," Hook Hand acknowledged before turning to Rapunzel, "Hello there, Miss. Just came by to thank you for your tip! It didn't go unnoticed."
"No problem. You deserve it!" Rapunzel gushed, "Honestly, I've seen a lot of pianists play, but none of them could do what you did."
They continued to talk, forgetting Eugene. It wasn't like he minded it at all. He still hadn't snapped out of being mesmerized by Rapunzel. Something about her looking happy made his heart do all sorts of dances.
"Eugene," Hook Hand brought him back to earth, "You going to introduce us, or are you going to be rude?"
Eugene cleared his throat, "Right. Rapunzel, this Hook Hand. Hook Hand this is Rapunzel."
"Nice to meet you, Hook Hand." Rapunzel extended her hand.
"Likewise," Hook Hand took it, "You must be special if Eugene brought you here." That earned him a stomp to the foot, "Son of a-!" Hook Hand took a sharp breath in, "I should get going, bye!" He glared at Eugene before hurrying away.
"Ignore him," Eugene said.
"Right," Rapunzel agreed with him.
"So, the story about my painting?" Eugene was eager to know, especially now since Hook Hand finished playing.
"Ah yes. I almost forgot. I was thinking what-" Rapunzel was once again interrupted by the one and only Hook Hand.
"Ruffians and thugs! Please welcome my new friend Rapunzel up on to the stage!"
The pub cheered. Rapunzel looked like a deer caught in headlights. Eugene had to nudge her to unfreeze her, "Thanks," she murmured before walking towards Hook Hand.
"She will play a song for us!" Hook Hand informed the pub.
"I will?"
"Yeah!" The pub cheered.
Rapunzel scanned the crowd for Eugene. When they locked eyes, he gave her a thumbs up, "You got this," he mouthed.
Rapunzel took a deep breath in, "I will!"
The crowd cheered some more. Rapunzel turned to Hook Hand, "Do you have a guitar?"
He nodded, quickly going behind a curtain and coming back with an acoustic guitar. "Thanks," Rapunzel took the guitar from him. Taking a seat on the stool that someone had placed on the little stage.
She strummed the first chord. Although she wanted the start singing the lyrics, she didn't want to annoy the crowd with her singing voice, so she hummed them.
Rapunzel never failed to amaze Eugene. First, the amazing art, bright personality, a hell of a lot of perseverance, and she can play the guitar? He wondered what other things she had up her sleeve.
By the end of the song Rapunzel couldn't hold herself back from singing the last words out loud, "let me go." She did a quick bow before giving the guitar back to Hook Hand and walking towards Eugene.
"That was so cool!" Her cheeks were red, adrenaline coursing through her body.
Eugene offered her water, "That was the ballsiest thing I've ever seen anyone do."
Rapunzel left the glass of water nearly empty, "You think so?"
"I know so," Eugene confirmed.
"Thank you."
"You never told me you were so talented,"
Rapunzel smiled, "You never asked and to just bring it up randomly would be weird"
"I guess you're right."
A cocky smirk appeared on her lips, "I usually am."
He noticed he finished his drink while Rapunzel's Malibu and pineapple needed one more chug. "Do you want another one or?"
Rapunzel looked down, surprised to see how much she'd had, "Oh no, it's fine. I'll finish it right now."
"You don't have to," Eugene told her.
"No, I want to," with that Rapunzel brought the glass up to her lips and took one last finishing drink. "Let's go."
It was back in the car where things went south, "I can't find my keys," Rapunzel stated.
"Do you need me to pull over?" Eugene asked.
Rapunzel felt around her feet, "No, it's fine, keep driving."
"Yes, Ma'am."
They were in front of her house when Rapunzel let out a frustrated sigh, "I can't find them."
"You probably left them back at the pub," Eugene suggested.
Rapunzel took a minute to consider the idea, "Yeah you're probably right."
"I'll call and let them know," Eugene took out his phone to pull up the pub's number. "Uh, Rapunzel?"
"Yes?"
"They closed already," he showed her his phone with the hours listed.
Rapunzel's face fell into her hands, "I'm locked out of my place."
"You can crash at my place if you'd like," Eugene offered.
"Really? That would be nice. I mean if you don't mind. I don't want to impose or anything," Rapunzel rambled.
"It's fine," he reassured her, "Besides, I'm inviting you, no way you're imposing."
That seemed to calm her down because she relaxed, "Okay."
"Welcome to my humble home," Eugene said as he locked the door behind him.
"I like it," Rapunzel said, walking through the living room.
"Thank you." Eugene stood there before realizing they hadn't figured out sleeping arrangements. "You'll sleep in my bed and I'll be out here," he gestured towards the sofa.
He took her hand, "Here let me show you towards your room."
He turned on the light and Rapunzel stopped dead in her tracks, "You weren't lying."
"About what?" He turned to look at her. Rapunzel was staring at her painting. "Oh that. Yeah, why would I lie about that?"
"To impress me and get in my pants," Rapunzel pointed out.
"I'm hurt!" Eugene jokingly clutched his chest. "Anyway, let me get you some jammies."
He went into his closet and pulled out a pair of basketball shorts with the huge shirt he uses for loungewear.
"Hope this is comfortable enough," he handed her the clothes, "the bathroom right outside."
Rapunzel took the clothes and made her way towards the bathroom.
He quickly changed out of his jeans and shirt into joggers and, for the sake of Rapunzel, a shirt. He usually slept in boxers, but that would not happen tonight.
Rapunzel walked in straight to the bed and climbed in. "I'll see you in the morning," Eugene said as he turned the light off about to leave his room.
"Wait," Rapunzel stopped him.
"Is there something you need?"
A look of nervousness came over her. She cleared her throat, "It's just that this is your bed, and it's big enough for the both of us."
Eugene had to stop his jaw from falling, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Rapunzel nodded, "Plus I trust you."
"Yeah ok. Let me just go turn off the lights around the house." He quickly returned to his bedroom and got into bed, suddenly feeling very aware of both hers and his movement.
"I just realized something," Rapunzel stated.
"What's that?" Eugene asked. Keeping his posture frigid like a log.
"I never got to tell you the story behind Moonstone."
"Oh yeah. You kept getting interrupted," Eugene let a soft chuckle slip out. It was as if the universe wanted the story to be just between them.
Rapunzel scooted closer to him. Eugene was thankful that only the moonlight was illuminating the room so she couldn't see his blush. That didn't stop him from being one suave motherfucker. He extended his arm, and she snuggled into his side.
"I was thinking," Rapunzel started, "What if the Moonstone came from the moon?"
"What? No way," Eugene's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Rapunzel lightly hit him on his chest, "Don't be an ass. Like I was saying, maybe the Moonstone fell from the sky thousands of eons ago. But it has a catch, it has destructive powers."
"Poor Moonstone. It's a weapon," Eugene lamented.
"Stop being such a baby. Well, the moon is the opposite of the sun. If the moon replaced the sun for eternity nature would suffer. Sun brings life so moon brings death, not literally, but you know what I'm trying to say?" Rapunzel reasoned.
"Tell me more."
"There are also legends of the moon being known for its hysteria and darkness. Not to mention the waning moon can represent the end of life. You know what I mean?"
Eugene took a second to gather his words before speaking, "Yeah, that makes sense. I like your reasoning too."
"I don't want to make it sound like I hate the moon," Rapunzel started.
Eugene looked for where Rapunzel was resting her hand and held it, "No one is accusing you of that."
"I know. I'm just saying!"
"You're so cute," He turned and pulled her into a hug.
"Eugene," Rapunzel softly cried as he took her into a bear hug.
"Sshh," He let her go, but she stayed at his side, "It's time to go to sleep, my little moon hater."
Rapunzel wanted to protest, but the mention of sleep made her realize how heavy her own eyes were.
A/N: Wow yes an update who would've thought? This fanfic hasn't died, but my motivation and ideas have, kidding! Sorry for dragging ass to update. I hope everyone is staying safe. See ya guys in the next chapter.