Chapter Text
Varian trembled, his mouth partially open as he tried to quietly regain his breath. He was sat upright in his bed, another nightmare had wrecked his mind. It always hurt to sleep in this bed. Even now, even now that everything is done and over with; it still hurts. He questions why he even tries, it's as if Quirin's ghost haunts their home.
He wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Varian slowly pushed himself out of bed, wincing as the bed loudly creaked. The, once sleeping, ball of furr beside him poked up it's head. Varian always felt bad for waking up Ruddy. He tried to shush the creature back to sleep with a head rub, but ultimately failed. The light poking in from the blinds aided the fluffball's attempt to stay awake.
The raccoon followed the boy closely as he slowly made his way through the hallway. Ruddiger yawned and jumped onto the boy's shoulder. Varian just softly scoffed, forcing out a small chuckle. He took the racoon from his shoulders and held him in his arms like a small baby. Ruddiger was loving the attention of course. What racoon wouldn't love getting belly scratches while being held?
Varian soon sat down the spoilt racoon, heading into the house's living room. He looked down at the man sleeping on the couch. Hugo. Varian couldn't help but smile, Hugo looked so ugly when he slept. He'd sprawl out like he's trying to fight a man in his dreams, and was somehow losing.
Varian tried to be as quiet as he could, really. He didn't want to disturb his friend- if they even were friends. He didn't tend to care what they were, as long as he wasn't left alone. He headed to the kitchen, pulling out a potion bubble from the cabinet. As he dropped it onto the wood below the stovetop, it lit up. He loved doing this, it made things so much easier. The warmth was comforting, and the fact that the chemicals made the fire purple was always a plus.
The two factors seemed to help him keep his thoughts off of his dream. Though, it always crept back into his mind. The robots...the spikes....the...
He pinched his arm to bring himself to reality. No, he's not letting this control him. He went to the cabinets, taking out the pre-mixed coco powder solution he had made. It was easier to just have it already mixed. Varian hesitantly turned on the sink, letting the water pour into a pot. He was always worried his custom sink was gonna blow Old Corona sky high again.
Once it was filled halfway, he took the pot back to the stove, setting it on it. When the water came to a boil, he uncorked and poured in about 2/3rds of a cup of the mixture, before putting the rest back. He hummed as he periodically stirred, waiting until everything was dissolved and mixed properly.
Once it was done, he poured two cups, one for himself and the other for when the blonde finally woke up. Hugo might be more of a coffee person, but Varian doesn't have the materials to make coffee. He pulled a jar of marshmallows from another cabinet, dropping some in, before putting the jar away.
He pulled out another one of his potion bubbles, tossing it onto the fire, immediately putting it out. As the drinks took forever to cool, he was left with his thoughts once more. Why couldn't he stay out of his own head?
He looked to Hugo. Why, despite everything, has Hugo stuck by him? He had every opportunity to betray, and even has once before, yet here he is on Varian's couch. He smiled softly at the blonde, sighing. Hugo knew so much, he knew everything about Varian, everything that Varian hated about himself, but he's never truly left him.
Varian's grateful to have a friend like this, but the warmth still feels...hollow. It feels like some ploy, some- some scheme. Varian never liked to think that way, yet that's been a consistent pattern. When he thinks things are getting good, they get bad. And they get worse and worse every time. He shuddered at the thought of it.
He was soon having his pants' leg pulled on by something much smaller than him. Ruddiger. Varian just picked him up, thankful for the distraction. "What's up, Ruddiger?"
The creature squeaked, crawling up his arm and onto his shoulder. He leaned into the fur as the racoon nuzzled in between the crook of his neck and shoulder.
Varian walked back to his room, peeling off the racoon so he could properly get ready for the day. Varian had to go to the capital this afternoon, Rapunzel had requested him in a letter. To be honest, she was vague, Varian didn't have a clue why he was being summoned.
Varian tossed off the over sized shirt he'd been sleeping in. He looked through his drawers for moment, before finally pulling out what he had been looking for. Varian slid on the binder, staring in the mirror as he adjusted it. He ran his hand down the flatter chest. It always felt nice, no matter how many times he put them on. He then continued getting ready, and he was almost done when he heard his name being called from downstairs by the blonde. The vest can wait.
He quickly walked down to the kitchen, looking at the blonde standing by the counter. Nothing seemed to be wrong?
"Mornin' Stripes," Hugo yawned, scratching the back of his head. "was just wondering-" he pointed to the two cups of hot coco. "Was one of these for me or are they for you and your furry child?"
Varian snorted. "One's for you, four eyes. Ruddiger can't have chocolate, it's bad for him." Varian watched as Hugo picked up the green mug.
"Just make sure to check if it's still h-" Varian's words didn't register as Hugo threw back his head and took a swig. Hugo's eyes were wide as he looked back down after drinking that poorly planned sip.
"I might be stupid." Hugo mumbled, setting down the cup. "It's still hot."
Varian just looked at him. "Oh really? Never would've guessed."
Hugo just lightly shoved his arm in response. "I don't need the attitude, 'specially not from someone that wears suspenders underneath a vest."
Varian gasped and crossed his arms. "I'll have you know suspenders are fashionable AND functional. Not that you know what either of those two mean!" Varian shoved him in return.
Hugo let out an obnoxiously fake gasp, putting his hand on his chest. "Varian! After all of our trials you hurt me this way? My trust! Betrayed!" He put the back of his other hand on his head. "How will I ever recover?"
Varian rolled his eyes, shoving the blonde again. "You won't ever recover! I'll kick your ass while your most vulnerable!"
The two couldn't help but laugh, and soon enough the two were in a death grip hug. Both of them were trying to pick up the other, and both were also trying not to be picked up. Today, Hugo lost that battle as Varian managed to swipe out his feet from under him and grab him. He held him like a trophy wife, walking over to the couch and tossing him onto it.
"And you're taller than me! How'd I manage to get you?" Varian was laughing until the blonde rolled off the couch and kicked his legs out from under him.
Hugo took his chance and ended up tackling Varian, the two rolling around until Hugo finally had Varian pinned.
"And you were thinking you'd won, Goggles, ain't that funny?" Hugo let out a chuckle.
Varian meanwhile had grown much more red faced, both from how much he had been laughing, and just by how Hugo's just...Hugo. He looks too pretty to be able to pin down and stop a once feared war criminal, yet here we are. Varian simply joined his chuckling.
"Alright, alright, I give in! Can you get off of me though, your kneecap is crushing my gut-" Varian lightly wheezed as Hugo stood up. And once Hugo's hand was offered down, Varian took it and accepted the help up.
"So, what does Little-Miss-Salad need you for later?" Hugo dusted himself off, looking to Varian.
"Don't call Rapunzel a salad!"