het_reccers | Shipper's Manifesto: Rapunzel/Eugene Fitzherbert (Tangled)

The Rapunzel/Eugene Shipping Manifesto...as told by Eugene Fitzherbert

I know what you're thinking, why would there possibly be a need of a shipping manifesto for Rapunzel and me? Honestly, I have no idea. But, I figure if it gives me a chance to talk about ~~my heroic deeds~~ how Blondie and I fell in love, then it's worth it.

I know that there some out in Fairytale Land who claim to have the best love story out there. Sorry to disappoint, but really there is no comparison to the one between me and Rapunzel. Prince Charming finding Snow White in the middle of the forest? Yawn. Some kind of beast locking up a woman because he didn't want to spend all winter with his freaky furniture that's alive? OK, that I can understand that, but it doesn't make it the best story out there. Prince Phillip slaying a dragon to reach Princess Aurora? That might come close...

Nah, our story is better.

I wish that I could say that it was love at first sight, but, really, it was more like out of the fire, get hit in the head with a frying pan.

But, don't worry, all you romantics out there. Soon I won Rapunzel over with my good looks and Smolder™ and soon she was begging me to take her on a date to the kingdom. ~~OK, that might not have been how it happened.~~ She even tied me to a chair and wouldn't let me go until I agreed to her demands. I wish I could say I said yes right away, but there were some pressing business issues *cough* That might have had something to do with a satchel. *cough* so I had to decline.

Let's just say Blondie doesn't take no for an answer.

So, soon, despite my need to deliver the contents of my satchel, we were going back to Corona. I'll be honest, I wasn't pleased. The last thing I wanted to do was go back to where I had just ~~escaped~~ left. So, I tried to convince her to go back home to where her mother was. When that didn't work, I decided to take her to somewhere I knew she would hate: the Snuggly Duckling.

Boy, was I wrong.

Not only did she save my precious nose from getting smashed in, she got those ruffians to start singing and dancing. And thanks to her charm, they helped us escape the royal guard. That's when I knew I was starting to get into trouble. The kind of trouble when you start thinking "If I forget there is a frog on her shoulder, seeing her in the lantern's light as we flee from Corona's finest is almost romantic." Yeah...that kind of trouble.

Still, at that point, I was fairly confident in my abilities to keep her in the "only friends" category. As Flynn Rider, I didn't swoon over anyone. Not even a woman with the biggest, greenest eyes who was genuinely interested in who I was. No matter what, I was not going to tell her anything about me.

Yeah, you can guess how long my resolve lasted.

By the end of the night, she had my name, my entire history and my more-than-passing interest in her.

The next day confirmed what I had already reluctantly acknowledged the night before: I was in love with the woman from the mysterious tower. We did everything she wanted for her birthday, and, for the first time in my life, I wasn't gauging my happiness on the amount of coins in my pocket or the latest hard to find item that I acquired, but on the look of joy on Rapunzel's face. Suddenly, my dream of being on an island of my own, tanned, rested and alone seemed unimportant. But Blondie? She was becoming more than anything I had ever thought possible. Sitting on the boat with her, watching the lanterns float around us as I held her hand, I knew she felt the same way. (Really, with a guy as good-looking as me, does it surprise you?)

Kissing her proved more difficult than it should have been. I had to die--and come back to life--to actually get it. But let me tell you something, it was absolutely worth it.

So, why should someone ship Rapunzel and me? Besides the obviously good-looks and epic backstory? I'm sure just watching the two of us interact would provide even the most ill-spirited person a reluctant grin (Blondie has that effect on people. Trust me.). Plus, seeing Rapunzel's blonde hair in action is quite a sight to see (which would explain why I waited for her to rescue me so often). And I won't even get into my charm and charisma. There are only so many hours in a day.

Bottom line, we are good for each other. She helped me to go from selfish to selfless in two days flat. Before meeting her, the only value I had in myself was the contents of my satchel. If it was empty, so was I. And you probably have a pretty good clue that Rapunzel only thought her worth was in the blonde locks that she used to have, thanks to Gothel. But now, we see our true potential in ourselves through the love that we share with each other.

Wow, that was pretty cheesy. Blondie is always telling me that I turn into a sap when I have more than a couple of beers. I guess she's right.

Speaking of my bride-to-be, I probably should go and find her. We are planning a wedding, after all.

Fic Rec #1: He's a Rebel
Author:

just_a_dram
Rating/Warning(s): T

Why This Must Be Read:

just_a_dram has a ton of Tangled stories that I love, but this one holds a special place in my fangirl heart. This story is absolutely the perfect follow-up to the movie with spot-on characterization. Charming and sweet. Oh, and did I mention they have a secret garden? :D

Fic Rec #2: Knit Together
Author:

mrstater
Rating/Warning(s): T

Why This Must Be Read: Like

just_a_dram,

mrstater has a ton of Tangled fics which are awesome, but I love this fic to pieces. It's funny and makes my little fangirl heart swell with happiness. Let's just say that Eugene gets a handmade sweater from Rapunzel.

Fic Rec #3: Worth the Sacrifice
Author: Estrelle Buscador
Rating/Warning(s): K

Why This Must Be Read: I really enjoyed seeing Eugene's characterization here. And sweet!

Fic Rec #4: Disentangling Flynn
Author:

grav_ity
Rating/Warning(s): PG

Why This Must Be Read: This is brilliantly written story. The meshing of the two storylines (Flynn/Eugene) is done wonderfully. And there is proposal practice with Maximus! :D

Fic Rec #5: Details
Author:

professor_spork
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13

Why This Must Be Read: Perfect Rapunzel characterization here. The author totally excapsulated her charm and charisma. (Plus, I'm a sucker for a collection of drabbles posted as a collection.)

Fic Rec #6: Playing Flynn Rider
Author: P.I.D.
Rating/Warning(s): T

Why This Must Be Read: A fun, playful fic that takes place a couple of years after the end of the movie. Pascal isn't too thrilled about the idea of personal space. Eugene isn't too thrilled about sharing a room with a frog.

Fic Rec #7: The Ancient History of Solaris
Author:

sache8
Rating/Warning(s): T

Why This Must Be Read: This fic is a nice, long fic that takes the world of Tangled and expands on it masterfully. Lots of awesome original characters, excellent plot and great characterization.

Fic Rec #8: The Next Birthday
Author: lalaietha
Rating/Warning(s): K

Why This Must Be Read: I like this because it shows Rapunzel's insecurities in the aftermath of coming back to the kingdom. A tad angsty, but nothing too heavy.

Fic Rec #9: Revelations
Author: juileluvswriting
Rating/Warning(s): K

Why This Must Be Read: It's a short but nice expansion of what is going on in Eugene's mind throughout the campfire scene (which is probably my favorite scene in the movie).

Fic Rec #10: What You Don't Know
Author: Airplanned
Rating/Warning(s): M

Why This Must Be Read: (written by

just_a_dram--thank you!) This story is a mature examination of Rapunzel and Eugene’s relationship as it develops following the close of the movie. It addresses psychological issues both of them reasonably could have given their respective backgrounds, while still managing to be consistently funny and hopeful. Throughout the course of the story it becomes clear why each of them needs the other in order to heal and be happy, and remains true to character even in its most passionate moments. It also happens to feature one of the best characterizations of Eugene you can find.