Varian sighed.

He was bored.

And alone.

Not in like an angsty way or anything, he was just by himself in the room. The four adults left him in the room by himself so that they could go to do stuff—it made sense, they probably expected him to sleep the whole time. He couldn't just expect them to stay with him all day, could he? No. They had duties to attend to.

The princess had lots of important stuff to do, though at the moment was trying to just get Ruddiger, Eugene had to do guard training stuff with Lance, and Cassandra was Rapunzel's Lady in Waiting, not to mention training to be a guard.

He couldn't be too upset about being alone. Actually—he was really excited. Rapunzel was trying to get Ruddiger again since the queen wasn't busy at the moment, and brought Cassandra as backup. They knew Rapunzel's mother didn't hate Varian, but they needed to be prepared for a panic once she realized he was out of jail. And the lady in waiting could be very convincing.

Since most of the time they'd have duties, if it had been any other day, he wouldn't have cared. Actually, all of them were very apprehensive about leaving him, but he had assured them he'd be fine for a while by himself. Since he was so sick they just assumed that he'd be asleep anyways, or maybe write in his diary, and locked the door.

They'd asked him if he needed anything so he requested some more ink for his quill and a notepad separate from his diary. He hadn't really written in a long time, and his handwriting in his diary really showed that.

He also wanted to practice some equations, but he quickly found that his hands were too shaky to cooperate. It felt like he had no muscle.

They waited until he'd fallen asleep to leave, but now he was awake. Wide awake.

And of course, the one time there was a problem, and he actually needed one of them, they were gone. Not there. They'd already given him so much of their time though, and he didn't want to waste any more of it. His problem was insignificant anyways, it was just that..he really, really needed to pee.

Like, bad.

Who could blame him? He'd been force fed water for the past day, and it was finally catching up with him! Plus, being starved for a year really leaves your body feeling weak. Including your bladder, which hadn't really had to do much, and was now being overwhelmed.

A blush crept on his face when he thought about his diaper being changed while he was asleep for those three days. He hated that Eugene had to to that, but he trusted Eugene, and didn't think he would do anything to him.

They had taken the diaper off of him earlier, very reluctantly, after he assured them that he didn't need them. Now he was kind of wishing he hadn't fought so hard for them to take the diapers away. He let out a shaky breath, because not only was it uncomfortable, but it also kinda hurt.

He bit his lip. He was supposed to stay there, in the bed. Rapunzel said so herself. She explained to him that while he wasn't necessarily a prisoner to the bed, if he got up he could get hurt. He was really weak and couldn't even support his body weight with his arms. Or even hold a bowl, really.

So he sat still. And he waited.

Back in the dungeons, it wasn't like he could just go and use a toilet. He either had to use a bucket, or if the bucket wasn't there, either pee on the floor or hold it until he couldn't anymore. He usually had to ask and be given permission though. The guards really liked messing with him. Eventually he was so out of it that he didn't even notice wetting himself though.

He blushed, wondering if he had been wet when Eugene and Lance had taken him. He certainly hoped not! That would be humiliating.

He stared up at the ceiling as his bladder felt like it was pulsing against him. He felt like even breathing strained it too much.

They were supposed to have left a tub beside his bed so he could easily reach it for puking, and they were supposed to have also left a smaller one for him to pee in, just until Cassandra could get him a urinal bottle. Though of course, Lance had left them just across the room, and now they just sat there, taunting him. He bit his lip and looked at it. It was a decent sized tub, and it was perfect for using. He hissed through his teeth as he leaked and tried to regain control.

Rapunzel told him not to get up, but he could feel himself growing more wet by the second. Tears pricked his eyes as he realized he was sitting in a wet spot. But he would be quick. He would be so quick, that Rapunzel wouldn't even know he had gotten up!

But she would, because the tub would have the evidence in it.

His bladder throbbed painfully as he wondered if he was even allowed to go. Did he need permission? Did they even care? Things were different now, was this different too?

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door knob jiggle. He quickly got excited, someone finally came. He used all of his strength to push himself up so he was sat up in bed as the door knob turned, someone was trying to unlock it. He bounced up and down desperately as he panted. And of course, he deflated when he realized it was the person he really hadn't wanted to see.

Cassandra.

He bit back a groan. He couldn't just tell her! That was embarrassing! And she was—she was Cassandra! Rapunzel was soon to follow, and of course, they immediately noticed that something was off because Varian just couldn't catch a break no matter how hard he tried.

"Hello, Vari!" Rapunzel exclaimed, "how are you doing this afternoon?" Pascal made a noise from her shoulder and waved hello.

He simply shrugged, sitting criss cross apple sauce and shaking his knees rapidly, his hands buried deep in his crotch from underneath the blanket.

They tried for conversation a few more times, but found that he wasn't particularly chatty. His eyes were bleary, as if he was focused on something else.

He only perked up at the mention of Ruddiger. He was told that Rapunzel had spoken with her mother in private about it, having chickened out of telling the king last minute. Arianna had requested seeing him, but Rapunzel thought it wouldn't be such a good idea just yet.

"So, i'm going to get Ruddiger from her in a while, but right this moment he's being given a bath. So you'll see him soon!" She exclaimed.

He smiled genuinely, "thank you so much. It means a lot to me."

Noticing his sudden burst of chattiness, she took advantage, "Hey, are you okay? You seem...almost less energetic? Is it the sickness? Is it the..everything? Is it hitting you hard today?" Rapunzel asked, only receiving another shrug, "here" she grabbed the water glass on the bedside table, "drink this, I think it'll help."

Varian bit his lip. Not wanting to let the princess in on his little problem, or Cassandra for that matter, he just took it and cringed as he drank a sip. He really didn't want to seem ungrateful after all she'd done for him.

"When are Eugene and Lance getting back?" He blurted suddenly as his bladder jolted.

Cassandra raised a brow, "it should be soon, why do you ask?"

"Oh, um, curious! Yeah, just curious..about..them.." he said quickly, trailing off.

"Varian, you can tell us if you need something. You know that, right?" Rapunzel asked.

Varian nodded. He really hoped one of them the two men would hurry up and get here. But would they even help him.? He wondered if he was meant to just do it by himself? Find a way, something?

"Okay..." Rapunzel said slowly, "do you..?"

"Wh-what?" Varian asked.

"Need something?" Rapunzel questioned.

"O-oh!" He bounced, "nope! No, no no no! I'm completely fine!" He gave a shaky half smile.

"Varian" she said seriously, noticing how much he was shifting, "does something hurt?"

"No!" He exclaimed. She inched closer and raised a hand, but he flinched away, shielding his face. He curled up and whimpered, "i'm sorry.."

"Cassandra watched the scene unfold with worry in her eyes, "Varian..she wasn't going to hurt you, she just wants to make sure that you're okay."

"I am okay, I already told you that!" He hissed, crossing his legs and whimpering, "I just uhm..I don't know, I miss them. They're coming back, right?"

"Awe, that's so adorable..don't worry Varian, they aren't just going to abandon you" Rapunzel said sweetly.

Cassandra scoffed, "at least now we know who your favorites are."

"No need to get jealous" Varian smirked.

"Oh, you little twerp!" She gasped, "if you keep on with the sass, maybe i'll ban you from seeing Eugene. He doesn't need to taint you with that attitude of his!"

"Cass, leave him alone! He probably just wants to spend some time with them because they're men, just like himself" Rapunzel said.

"Calling Eugene a man isn't just generous, it's a lie" Cassandra smirked.

Rapunzel rolled her eyes, "oh, come on I think he's proved himself."

"Please, he almost shit himself when I took the moonstone" Cassandra smirked.

Rapunzel gasped, "Cassandra! Such foul language in front of the child!"

But Varian wasn't even paying attention, not enough to say that he'd heard much worse from the mouths of the guards, missing the entirety of that little piece of information in favor of putting all of his attention on his bladder.

"I don't think he's paying attention" Cassandra whispered, "he's in his own little world."

"Probably thinking about smart people stuff" Rapunzel whispered back, "like science and math."

"Hey, Var?" Cassandra questioned. The boy tensed up. She continued, "you alright?"

Varian blushed like a madman when Cassandra got closer, because what if she knew oh my sun this was so embarrassing, "yeah."

"You sure? Your face is getting kinda red" She commented.

"Oh, yeah it's um—I just feel a little hot" he lied, holding himself under the covers and crossing his legs. He was going to have to tell them. He had to go so bad.

But they were girls! That was so humiliating, he couldn't tell them.

There was a knock on the door, and while Cassandra awkwardly walked over to open it, because why was this room so big, Varian was thanking the sun, because he was saved.

"Hey blondie! We brought some games to play with the kid—oh, Varian, you're awake!" Eugene exclaimed, before frowning as he got a better look at the boy.

"Yeah, and if he wasn't awake, he would have just woken up because of how loud you are!" Cassandra hissed, "seriously, close the door before you name names!" She exclaimed, shutting it herself, "we can't risk anybody figuring out that we kidnapped a prisoner!"

"Okay, yeah, sure, it's not like we picked the most secluded area in the castle or anything!" Eugene hissed.

Varian whimpered, bouncing up and down. He really didn't have time for one of their arguments, the bed was already wet enough as it is.

"Are you okay Varian?" Lance questioned, noticing how the boy was curled in on himself, with tears in his panicked eyes.

Varian bounced a little and whimpered. The entire room's attention had shifted to him, but he didn't care, shaking his head.

"What?! Why can you tell them but not us?!" Cassandra asked in feigned betrayal.

Eugene got closer as Varian motioned for him to, abandoning his little quips with Cassandra, "what's wrong?" He whispered.

"Ca-can you get Rapunzel and Cass out of here?" Varian whispered urgently, his voice trembling with discomfort as his eyes flickered back to the girls who looked a little taken aback, clearly listening in on the whispering.

"Did they do something?" Eugene asked seriously.

Varian shook his head, "N-no! No, I just..." he sniffled, "please? They can hear and they're gonna think it's silly..please?" He begged.

Eugene nodded, "You heard him, I assume. Ladies? Could you please give us some privacy?"

Rapunzel nodded, the concern clear on her face as Cassandra led her out.

As soon as the door was closed, Varian broke down into tears, covering his face as he shook.

"Kid, Hair-stripe, what's wrong?!" Eugene asked, his expression serious.

"I-I'm so stupid!" He wailed, "I just made a huge deal out of something you're going to think is stupid, a-a-and—"

"Varian, what do you need?" Lance asked calmly.

He whimpered, Brushing his bangs from his face, "I-I need to pee" he murmured.

Eugene blinked slowly, wondering if he'd heard the kid right. He watched as the kid looked at him expectantly with tears in his eyes. Tears.

"Oh my goodness!" Eugene exclaimed, "we didn't even think about this! I don't even think you've been since we took away the diaper, how have you not exploded yet?!"

"Oh jeez, how are we even going to do this" Lance questioned, "he can't even hold himself up with his arms, there's no way we can get him to the bathroom! He would so fall face first off the toilet!"

"It—it's coming out..." he whimpered, bouncing up and down, "I—I think the bed is wet" he whimpered, "i'm so sorry..."

And Eugene was really quick to jump into action, rummaging around and looking for something that the boy could use, but Lance was one step ahead of him, "the puke bucket!" He exclaimed, quickly grabbing it.

"Here, here!" Eugene said quickly, urging Lance to hand it to Varian.

Eugene and Lance were quick to grab the boy's arms and help him sit up completely. Varian shakily sat on the edge of the bed, the blanket flailing around and exposing the beds middle, which Eugene and Lance had noticed already had a pretty sizable wet patch on it.

Varian whimpered, "I—I can't! Mph—I can't hold it!"

"Then go!" Eugene exclaimed.

"N-no, I meant I can't hold the bucket!" He hissed, "a-and I c-can barely even see it and I can't st-stop shaking" he whimpered.

"Okay, okay let's think...oh, my goodness. Uhm..." Lance began, before snapping his fingers, "okay! Okay, here instead of the tall bucket we have a wide, short tub. You can get on your knees and go instead of going off the edge of the bed!"

Eugene repositioned the boy, who cringed as a hot stream of urine shot out of him and rewetted his already soaked underwear. Lance replaced the bucket with a tub.

Varian whimpered, and just sat there staring at the tub in front of him, Eugene steadying him from behind, but not making a move to actually get any relief.

"Kid, what are you waiting for?" Eugene asked quietly, as if it was he himself who was dying to pee.

"Am—Am I really allowed to go? This isn't a trick?" He fidgeted rapidly, gnawing at the bottom of his lip, "can I? Please?" He squirmed and writhed as he waited for permission, just as he was supposed to. He knew it was probably silly, but he couldn't go until they said yes. It was just the rules.

"Kid—yes, sun, yes! Please, just go on, nobody's stopping you, hurry up before you have an accident!" Lance said quickly.

Varian looked up at them, "I can't!" He whined.

"Why not?" Eugene asked, exasperated.

"Y-You're looking! I mean, I dunno why I feel this way, I mean, the guards always liked to look but—"

"The guards what?!" Eugene exclaimed.

"P-please don't look!" Varian hissed, clearly distressed as his face turned a bright shade of red, and both men were quick to rectify their mistake. Eugene closed his eyes and Lance turned around.

Varian's hands shook as he yanked his hospital gown up and pulled the band of his boxers down, releasing himself from the restraint, before positioning above the tub below him as he got ready to go.

He sighed deeply, leaning into Eugene's hands, no longer feeling constricted by the tight elastic digging into his bladder, whimpering as he finally began to let go.

The noise of his deep breaths and the hissing of urine hitting plastic was the only sound on the room, and it was loud. He got shy at multiple instances and his thundering stream would trickle into nothing before he willed it to come back full force.

By the time he had finished, it had been several painful minutes, and he felt relieved. He pulled his boxers back up into place and let his hospital gown fall down as he sighed, allowing his body to sag forward a bit, "...I'm done..." he said awkwardly.

Lance took the mini tub from him, noticing how his weak noodle arms could barely even hold it. He frowned at the liquid inside, noticing how such a small boy held so much, and just how orange it was, almost red with small dots of blood spreading throughout it.

Well, that certainly wasn't good.

Eugene took notice of just how much liquid there was in the tub as he helped Varian get situated, sitting up against the back of the bed, "feeling better?"'he joked.

Varian flushed and nodded, looking down at his lap, "sorry..."

"He's still really dehydrated" Eugene murmured, setting the tub down and helping varian lay back down, "Varian, it's okay, but why didn't you tell the girls you had to go?"

"...Because they're girls?" Varian said incredulously, as if it was obvious.

"Kid, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but girls pee too" Eugene deadpanned.

"I-I know! I was just... embarrassed" he mumbled, feeling his face growing wet, "i'm sorry. I didn't know what to do..I thought..I thought..I dunno.."

Eugene sighed. "Kid...Cassandra and Rapunzel won't get mad at you or make fun of you, or whatever lies your brain is telling you right now. I promise. They'll understand, and they'll help you."

Varian just nodded, looking down and letting his bangs cover his face, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay" Lance said, "sometimes things can get overwhelming. I think it's cute. Such a little gentleman."

Varian panted as he leaned against the bed, closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath.

"Kid, you really shouldn't be getting up like that. I think it would be way easier for you if you were to use a Urinal bottle that you could just place and go laying down. That little bit of movement has you exhausted. You really shouldn't be getting up with all of the injuries...." Lance said.

Varian sucked his bottom lip in, "Oh, um, alright then."

There was a knock on the door, "can we come back in?" Rapunzel asked, concern lacing her every word.

"Yes!" Lance called.

Varian's face fell, "W-what?! No! Hide the evidence!" He exclaimed.

"What evidence?" Cassandra asked as the door opened.

Eugene froze in front of her, the tub of urine in his hands, "um..."

"Oh" Cassandra said.

"You...you just had to pee?" Rapunzel asked, "Varian...why didn't you just tell me?"

He shrugged, "I was being silly...I was just...I don't know.." he looked down, "i'm sorry.."

Rapunzel paused for a moment, figuring it had something to do with her being a girl, "it's alright" she said, "but next time you can tell me...okay? I would have helped you."

"But I didn't want you to see...or hear" Varian mumbled, "i'm a boy!"

"I've noticed" Rapunzel chuckled, "but I promise I won't look at anything you don't want me to."

Varian just nodded, "it sucks."

"I know" she sighed, "and it's going to. For a long time."

"Yeah" Eugene said, "but it's all part of the long, painful road to recovery. Also, I think we need some new clothes and bedsheets...he had a little bit of an accident" Eugene said.

"Eugene!" Varian gasped, "don't tell them!" He exclaimed, covering his face, "why would you tell them?" He mumbled.

"Lady in waiting is on it!" Cassandra said, not making a big deal of it, "here, i'll come back with the sheets and clothes, and you guys get him up and take the sheets and hospital gown off, got it?"

"I think he'll want some privacy, i'll come with" Rapunzel said quickly, whispering to Cassandra, "that was a lot of pee. Poor thing. And it's red! Is that bad?"

Cassandra nodded, "it's probably red because he held it so long, or dehydration—something could be wrong with his kidneys too. We should bring a sample to the doctor."

—————————————————

Varian hissed as Eugene and Lance moved him, carrying him to the connected bathroom. They helped him slide off his gown and underwear, much to the kids discomfort. Even Varian screwed his eyes tightly shut.

When they finished they told him he could open them again, there was a towel placed over his lap that he was thankful for. He looked down to his body and his heart dropped. He hadn't noticed how horrible he looked. Where did his little stomach pudge go? Where did any extra skin he'd ever had go?

He was a bruised, broken pile of bones, and 70% of him was bandages.

Lance left when there was a knock on the door and returned with the gown. They tied it loosely around the small boy and carried him back to the room, where Cassandra was, the sheets already changed. He blushed, putting his head against Eugene's chest to hide his face, "i'm sorry.."

"It's okay. No problem. I cleaned your tub too—"

"YOU CLEANED IT?!" Varian shrieked as Eugene placed him onto he bed.

Cassandra chuckled, "it's really not a big deal! Now how about you get some rest? You look exhausted."

Varian nodded, "yeah. I'm pretty tired" he yawned, wrapping the blanket tightly around himself, "thank you for helping. But never do it again."

"You're welcome kid" she smirked, "sleep tight."

And Cassandra grabbed her clipboard and began to talk to Eugene and Lance, ready to jot down anything concerning, "well..he said the guards liked to watch him pee...doesn't help their cases that they kept him naked. I'm starting to think they're perverts."

"We need to question him about the...y'know, lack of clothes" Cassandra said, clicking her pen and getting out her clipboard, "did he say anything else about the guards besides that they...liked to watch?"

"I think they made him hold it until...they were satisfied" Lance shivered, "just the way he acted...like he needed really, really expressed permission. I just...poor kid."

Cassandra nodded, writing it down, "my dad tasked me with gathering some evidence...but I mean, just looking at him is evidence enough."

"Probably for something legal that's going to happen" Eugene frowned, "ugh..rules."

—————————————————

When a soft knock came to the door, Cassandra rolled her eyes, "did Lance loose the key again?"

"...Cassandra" Eugene said, "Lance is right over here" he said, pointing to him.

Cassandra froze, sharing a look with Rapunzel, "then who's at the door?" She whispered.

"Um—who is it!" Rapunzel called, her voice laced with anxiety.

"Doctor Rosa!" The woman replied.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, and Rapunzel opened the door, "oh, hello" she said, "you really gave us a scare, come in!"

The woman smiled apologetically, "well I finished getting the medicine together. Just some stuff for fevers and colds, as well as a few antibiotics. Oh, painkillers too. I have some instructions, as well as possible side affects written down. You may have to try them all to see which one gives the best results. Undesired side effects are no joke."

"Oh, thank you so much!" Rapunzel smiled, "he's been sleeping a lot lately" she chuckled, "he gets exhausted really quickly. He's been awake more, but doesn't complain of pain often. I can tell it hurts really bad though..."

"He may be afraid to admit what hurts. You've told me of his time in prison. It's guaranteed that he's coming out of this with mental trauma as well...be patient with him" Dr. Rosa said, "oh, and he's sick...like, really sick. I also tested him for some things. He has broken ribs, and a bunch of other bones that healed wrong."

  "So...what should we avoid?" Cassandra asked.

"Try to avoid puking. It's almost guaranteed that he'll have blood in his puke, and he could tear the lining of his throat and stomach...puking will have a lot of negative affects. Some of these drugs have puking as a side affect. Maybe avoid those ones" she smiled, "use them as a last resort if the others don't work. We don't want to have to risk more puking than is necessary."

Rapunzel gave her a nod and thanked her, and she left.

"Okay, I guess we should read these" Cassandra said, side eyeing Eugene and Lance, "don't give him anything without reading the label. I can just see it now, you two killing him with an overdose."

Eugene scoffed, "as if we're that dum—AH" he yelled, jumping backwards as he turned around, "oh my sun—"

"What?!" Lance asked.

"I turned around and he was staring at me!" Eugene screeched.

Varian giggled, rubbing his eyes a little, "I woke up!"

"Yeah, Clearly" Eugene shuddered, "that was creepy. You woke up so fast."

"What's all that?" Varian questioned, pointing to what had to be dozens of medicines and drugs.

"It's going to make you feel better" Eugene said, "hopefully..."

"I've been reading these side effects, and I separated them into three piles: last resort, in the middle, and definite okay's" Rapunzel said.

"Wow" Eugene said, "that quickly?"

Rapunzel nodded rapidly, "this one seems to have the least amount of things that could go wrong! I think it could cause delusions though...like, it'll make him way more relaxed if the side affect happens."

Cassandra smirked, "kinda like being high?"

Eugene gasped, "yes, exactly like that!"

"What do you mean by high?" Rapunzel questioned.

Lance sighed, "Eugene, you haven't taught her drug safety yet? Worst boyfriend ever."

Eugene rolled his eyes and shoved Lance, "well, she's about to find out."

Varian's eyes bulged, "I do not want to be high! It makes you do and say stuff you wouldn't regularly! And it makes you so much more sensitive, it really messes with your brain!"

"Oh, relax pipsqueak, it's not likely to happen" Eugene said, "it'll numb the pain. I know you're hurting."

Varian quieted down and looked at his lap. Eugene was right. He sighed, "okay. Fine."

Rapunzel tried to hide her frown. If Varian wasn't going to argue, than he must really be hurting. She gave him a small pill and a glass of water, "it'll start working in about thirty minutes."

—————————————————

Just as Rapunzel had said, after just thirty minutes Varian started to change. His movements were more relaxed, his speech slower. He started to become almost drowsy-like, and couldn't really focus on anything.

Cassandra and Lance smirked at each other when they watched him, unblinking, staring at the wall with his mouth agape.

"Varian?" Lance asked.

The boy didn't react.

Eugene poked his shoulder. Instead of flinching like they expected, he turned his head slowly, "whaa do'ya want?" He slurred, his eyes narrowing into a glare, before slumping forward. Eugene caught him and the boy blinked rapidly.

"How high are you?" Cassandra cackled.

"How...how what?" Varian asked, squinting his eyes and giggling.

"High" Eugene repeated.

"Hello!" Varian cried, waving his hand rapidly.

Rapunzel ran a hand down her face and shook her head fondly.

They watched Varian babble incoherently for a few minutes, before everybody shot forward in panic, crying in protest when he tried to get out of bed. He was in no condition to even be moving, let alone walking.

"No!" Eugene shouted, his voice panicked.

Varian whimpered when Rapunzel laid him back down, "I—I'm sorry..."

"It's okay! It's okay, i'm sorry for yelling" Eugene said, his voice more gentle, "but you can't get up right now"

Varian simply nodded and sat there, his legs crossed as he shook his knees. He hummed, clearly trying to distract himself, before his efforts proved to be fruitless.

"I c-can't!" He mumbled, his voice filled with emotion.

Varian's eyes widened and he gasped before anybody could respond, "I gotta go!" He whined, whimpering when Rapunzel laid him back down.

"Go where?" Lance asked, amusement laced in his voice.

"Pee! Gotta go pee!" He chirped.

"Oh, he must really be out of it to say that while Cassandra's in the room" Eugene smirked.

Varian started moving around more and more, squirming nonstop, "pleeeease!" He whined. Eugene chuckled, and went to go get the tub.

Lance felt his anxiety grow when Varian went quiet, going completely still, "oopsie...." He muttered.

"Oopsie?!" Eugene exclaimed, whipping around, his voice tight, "what do you mean, oopsie?!"

"I don't gotta go anymore" Varian said simply.

Cassandra and Rapunzel were quick to run into the bathroom to give Varian some privacy while Eugene did everything he could to avoid a full-blown accident. Lance was no help, the man couldn't even see because of how hard he was laughing.

—————————————————

"I remember the guards liked to put me in handcuffs and—and cuff them to the wall above my head" Varian said out of literally no where, voice slurring his words as he giggled.

Eugene froze, "oh. Um..really...?" He asked, not knowing how else to respond.

"Yeah" Varian said, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "they put them like—waaaay high. So I had to stand up really straight or it would hurt."

"Why would it hurt?" Rapunzel blurted.

"Sharp studded metal thingies were all over the cuffs" he said, shrugging, "and they kept me like that allllll day, until I was at the point of exhaustion. It was hard to stand up, my legs couldn't stop shaking. But every time I slumped, the studs dug into my skin so I was forced to stand until I passed out."

Rapunzel sucked in a breath and leaned against Cassandra, who was writing what Varian said down on the clip board.

Varian seemed to move on from the topic quickly though, before anybody could ask questions, "hey, look!" Varian practically screamed, "it's a bird!"

"Where?!" Lance gasped.

"Here!" Varian cried triumphantly, handing Lance a quill.

"Varian" Cassandra said slowly, "that isn't a bird."

"You can't trick me, you devil!" Varian hissed, glaring at her.

Cassandra sputtered, "w-what?!"

"Ha!" Eugene laughed, "devil!"

"Varian, that wasn't very nice of you" Rapunzel chastised, trying to stifle her laughter.

Varian gasped, eyes blowing wide, "oh! I'm sorry!"

"It's fine" Cassandra rolled her eyes, a small smirk on her face at how genuinely apologetic the boy looked.

"Hey Cass...this bottle says that another side affect is nightmares. Or heightened bad dreams" Rapunzel said, "It seemed like one of the least bad side effects. And I didn't think he'd actually get the side affects" she frowned.

"It's okay!" Varian cried, "I have nightmares like—every night!"

"Wow. He really is unfiltered" Rapunzel frowned.

"Well, if we ever want answers from him we could just get him to pop this pill and ask him stuff" Lance shrugged.

Varian inhaled, before screaming to the top of his lungs, "Rapunzel! RAPUNZEL, THERE'S A DRAGON OVER THERE!"

Varian pointed to the corner, "Varian, no there isn't! Calm down" Rapunzel said.

"N—no!" He exclaimed, before sobbing loudly, "it's right there!"

"Varian, what dragon?!" Lance cried.

Varian smirked, "dragon deez nuts across your face! HA!"

Everybody say there in stunned silence before Eugene and Lance began to burst out into laughter.

Cassandra smirked but rolled her eyes, "Varian, no."

"I—I feel floatyyyy~" Varian sung, "lalalallalalaaaaaa"

"Varian"

"LALALALALALALALALA!"

"Varian!"

"SHUT UP, DEVIL!"

"Oh dear sun."

They were in for a long night.