Varian tossed his bag in the back of the wagon.  When everything had settled down, his Dad wanted to return home to check on Old Corona.  So Varian decided to go with him, which Rapunzel advised was a good idea.  As long as he wasn't thinking of Andrew, she was for it.  Of course she did warn him to be armed with his alchemy just in case.  He supposed she didn't want him to leave the protection of the castle, but she also was a firm believer of freedom to leave when one pleased regardless of the possible dangers.

     He climbed into the seat next to Quirin and his father flicked the reins.  The horse started to pull the horse along the road.  The trip was silent, so he let his mind wander as his father drove the cart to New Old Corona.

     Ever since Varian was young, he wanted to make his father proud.  His father was never one to talk much, especially after the death of Ulla, Varian's mom.  He remembered his mom always kept the house warm with chatter and could even be considered an over-sharer, saying literally anything on her mind.  When she died, his Dad just didn't seem to know how to express his feelings, which led Varian to feel like he was the problem.  But his father had been proud of him since day one.

     He also remembered how much he wanted to be just like his father.  Tall, strong and respected.  But he ended up like his mother.  Short, smart and awkward.  He was happy to be naturally like his mother, but he couldn't have at least gotten a little of his father's muscle? Varian heard Rapunzel telling him that muscles were overrated, but it was hard to take her seriously when she was engaged to someone like Eugene Fritzerbert.

     The seventeen year old shook his head.  Why that was on his mind, he didn't understand.  He supposed it was better than thinking about a certain Saporian with a man bun, and, honestly, he didn't need to look like a wrestler for his career and wasn't like he wanted to woo over any of the ladies.

     When they reached New Old Corona, Varian hopped out of the wagon.  "I'm off to check the animals," he said.  Quirin nodded with appreciation.

     Even though Varian didn't live in Old Corona anymore, it was still where he grew up.  The good memories.  The bad.  Most of them were in the little old farm town.  And since he was terrible with human connection (he was working on it and making progress thanks to Rapunzel), he spent more time talking to a stray raccoon than anyone else.  Of course he ended up naming it Rüdiger and would always be his best friend.  But his friend was currently safe back at the castle laying about and eating an apple probably.

     Varian didn't even make it to the barn before a large figure walked directly into him.  Stumbling back, he looked up at the person.  He immediately frowned upon seeing who it was. "Oof-"

     "Sorry, didn't see you there," the man retorted.

     An obvious lie.  Varian knew the Grayson boy his whole life.  It was a small town.  Everyone knew each other and the Grayson boy was always seen as the ideal farmer boy to the adults.  The perfect angel.  The smart kids ran when he walked in their path.  Varian was one of them.  But Varian had recently lost the ability to give a dime about him after Varian managed to single-handedly take out a kingdom.  After that, old bullies tend to seem pretty lame and not as frightening.  However, it didn't mean that he wanted to run into him within seconds of returning to Old Corona.

     Grayson cast him a dark glare.  Nice to know that some people never change, but perhaps he'd mature and walk away.  Or perhaps Varian should just walk away.

     Varian merely gave a polite nod before walking past him.  Now was the true test.  If Grayson never changed, he would grab him.  If he was smarter, he would let Varian walk away.  It proved to be the former when Varian felt the back of his collar get yanked back.

     "For the love-" Varian cursed as he tried to push Grayson's hand away.

     "The only reason you're still in one piece," he whispered in his ear, "Is because of the Princess."

     "She's technically crowned Queen, so..." Varian honestly felt more annoyed than frightened.  After all, he was carrying enough alchemy to take out a Saporian threat.  The guy was still an idiot.  He stuck his hand in his satchel, grabbing the first thing his fingers came in contact.

     "Hey, Grayson!"

     The voice caught both of them off guard, both turning their heads in the direction.  It was another guy about Varian's age, a couple years younger than Grayson.  He was taller than Varian, but smaller than the old bully.  His shoulders were broad from farm work and his skin darkened by the sun.  His green eyes flashed something dangerous from beneath his stray caramel hairs.

     He walked directly up to them and Varian slowly let go of his alchemy.  The boy had the nerve to grab Grayson's arm holding Varian.  "Are you insane?" The boy looked the man in the eyes.

     "Back off," Grayson growled.

     "Do you remember who you just grabbed?  He literally destroyed your house with a swoop of a robot arm.  You want to anger him?"  The boy gave a coy smirk, glancing at Varian.

     "Why do you think I'm angry?" Grayson retorted.

     "Touché, but you're smart enough to know when to pick your fights.  Varian was just about to end you, you're welcome.  Better run before he changes his mind again."

     Grayson glared, but let go to Varian's surprise.  And walked away.  Varian looked at the boy who smirked in victory.

     "Why would you say that?"

     The boy looked at him.  "Say what?"

     "Say I was going to end him.  I'm trying to start over, not scare people," Varian retorted.

      He shrugged.  "I just saved your neck, but whatever.  Honestly, Grayson being scared of you isn't so bad.  I did, however, stop the fight before you used your alchemy ball.  If you were truly worried about your new reputation, being in a fight, even without harming him, wouldn't look good on your part."

     Varian had to admit that he had a fair point.  "Thanks... I'm sorry, your name isn't clicking."

     A shadow cast over the boy's eyes.  "You don't remember me?  I suppose that's all the better." He gave a sad smile, sticking out his hand.  "I'm Riley."

     Varian didn't accept, casting a skeptical look.  The name was familiar and now he recognized the boy in front of him.  Five years prior, the boys used to play catch, but then things went south.

     The smile faded from Riley's face.  "Yeah, that's the reaction I was expecting..."

     The alchemist sighed.  "So... What happened between you and Grayson?  You two inseparable last I checked."

     "Black rocks.  Families moved to different places and I guess you can say I grew up during that year before I came back.  Didn't having him breathing down my neck to judge my every move.  Last we talked I gave him a black eye, which is why he didn't try to get in a fight with me," he gave a smirk, the one Varian remembered him always wearing.

     "I can attest to that.  You have a mean throw," Varian retorted.

     "Yeah... I'm really sorry about that.  Not that you'd want to hear my apologies, but I am." Riley nervously scratched the back of his neck.

     "By the sun..." Varian muttered.  "Have you felt guilty since that day?"

     "Well, duh.  I'm not heartless, just stupid."

     Varian couldn't help but snort back a chuckle.  As much as it was nice to know that Riley did care, and felt bad, it actually didn't make Varian feel better.  To have guilt from one's actions and to not know how to make amends.  He knew that feeling very well.  For some reason, Rapunzel had the heart to forgive him.  It would be selfish not to give Riley a chance.  It didn't mean they were friends yet, but at least he felt a little easier around him.

     "Your alchemy still blowing things up? Or is that joke too soon?"

     Varian smirked.  Honestly, he should have remembered it was Riley the moment he said alchemy.  Other than his parents, Riley was the only one who never called it magic.  Even after Riley turned against him.

     "Yes, but not physically.  It's the highlight of the newspapers nowadays." Varian set his hands on his hips.

     "Told you that it'll make you famous."

     "You also said it would be because I'd destroy all of Corona with it," Varian added.

     "I mean, you kinda did-" Riley cleared his throat, realizing what he just said.

     Varian's eyes widened before letting out a laugh.  "I guess... I guess I did.  Almost.  What about you?  Your throwing arm bring you any fame?"

     "Nah. Not yet.  Did get me a job though."

     "Really?  What for?"

     Riley reached in his pocket and pulled out a pin.  It had the royal crest on it.  Varian recognized it as a Coronan Guard badge that the guards carried around off duty.  Or when they were without uniforms.  But that would mean Riley was already at the castle and trained under Eugene without Varian even seeing him.  To be fair.  It wasn't that hard since Varian spent most of his time in his labs.

     "Impressive.  Have you started yet?"

     "Next week," Riley said.  "Might bump into each other pretty often now."

     "Maybe."

     "So... What brings you back to Old Corona?"

     "Came with Dad to check on things after the earthquake."

     "It was weird.  Nothing was damaged but I've never felt an earthquake like it.  It honestly doesn't make sense," Riley said.  "Something was off about it."

     "Finally!" Varian let out a sigh.  "I'm not the only one!  I thought I was going crazy or something.  Everyone else has been shrugging it off as normal.  It almost felt... Not of this world."

     "Black rocks.  Now this... Maybe this time it won't escalate and ruin the crops."

     "Or be related to centuries of a feud with a demon and a dead alchemist," Varian added.  "Or some stupid Saporians," he muttered the last part under his breath.

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Here's a drawing I made of Varian and Riley a few months back :)