A/N: I've gotten quite a few requests for more short stories after I posted "I'm Coming Home", so here ya go - a collection of one-shots about Rapunzel, Eugene, and the royal family. Enjoy, and thank you so much for reading and suggesting ideas for these one-shots! (:
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Rapunzel's POV
The morning after my return home, I woke up in my overly soft bed. I had slept fitfully, having dreams off-and-on about Gothel and Eugene's death, but I still woke up excited to spend the day with my new family and Eugene. Pascal was curled up beside my head, so I gently picked him up off of the fluffy pillow and woke him up.
"Today is a very big day, Pascal! It's my first full day home!" I squeaked. I was a little nervous, but excitement trumps nervousness, right?
I threw on my new pink dress and then quickly combed through my hair. Goodness, I was able to brush my hair so quickly now! As soon as that was done, I made my bed and placed Pascal upon my shoulder before racing out of my door. Narrowly missing a maid, I paused to apologize.
"It's fine, Princess!" she was a plump, rosy-cheeked woman with brown hair and a simple green dress. I recognized her from the celebration on my birthday. She took my hand and gave it a quick pat, telling me that my parents were in the dining hall and simply couldn't wait to see me. Thanking her, I took off down the hallway at a quick pace. I realize that running in a castle must not be proper Princess behavior, but I simply couldn't help myself! All this room...I realized how much I loved stretching my legs and running, unhindered by my long hair or the small tower I'd been confined to. When I got to the sitting-room, I hung a right and went down another long hallway, finally reaching the dining hall.
As soon as I bounded into the room, my parents met me with broad smiles and open arms.
"Good morning, my dear girl!" my mother smiled, hurrying to envelope me into a warm hug. I hugged her back, and then greeted my father. I was a little shy around him, as was he, but he still gave me a quick, awkward hug good-morning.
"Oh, and nothing for me? The reason you're here right now?"
After my father let go of me, I turned on my heel to see Eugene in the doorway. He grinned when he caught my eye, and I giggled. "Early birds get the hugs!"
He shook his head in mock disgust. "Sure, be ungrateful. Go ahead, be my guest..."
My parents exchanged looks - I'm not sure if they were amused or disturbed - but I walked over to give him a quick hug. When I pulled away, he grinned, but I barely caught it before I turned back to my parents.
"Shall I make us breakfast? Where's the kitchen?"
My father chuckled. "The chef will serve breakfast, just like he did supper yesterday evening. You can just sit and relax, dear,"
"But I just got up! I don't need to relax," I argued. I wasn't used to being pampered. I'd cooked breakfast and lunch every morning for Gothel and I for the past five years, at least!
"You'll have plenty to do and explore later, so save your energy," my mother reassured me.
"I don't think you need to save any energy, Blondie. You're energetic as it is," Eugene teased, sitting down beside me at the table. My mother and father sat across from us.
"Hey, you can't call me Blondie anymore," I pointed out, gesturing to my short hair.
He shrugged, but my parents started talking before he could tease me any further.
"How did you sleep, my dear? Everything was okay?" my mother asked.
"Oh, it was fine," I smiled. "I slept well. Thank you!" I, of course, didn't want to bring up the fact that I'd had trouble sleeping: I didn't want to worry or upset them. It was due to nightmares that I hadn't slept well, anyway. Eugene threw a quick glance my way, but noticed what I was doing and gave me a slight nod.
"And how about you, Mr. Fitzherbert?" my father asked, turning his attention to the thief beside me. (Hopefully, ex-thief...)
His eyebrows shot up, and he clearly hadn't been expecting any questions or idle chatter directed his way. Though he had been slumped in his chair, he sat upright and looked at my father, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Oh! Uh, Eugene, please, sir. I-I...the living arrangements are wonderful, thank you, sir."
My father chuckled, clearly amused at Eugene's awkward response; but moments later, the food arrived.

After breakfast, I begged Eugene to come explore the castle with me. He was a little apprehensive about poking around the castle, given his previous track record, but he obliged like the sweet person he is. Of course, this means that I had to deal with quite a bit of teasing, though!
The castle is huge! I've never seen anything so big and roomy in my entire life! ...Well...given the fact that I've been in a tower for eighteen years kind of affects this opinion, though. There are rooms for things I didn't even think existed: reading rooms, meeting and negotiation rooms, dining halls and sitting-rooms scattered throughout; bedrooms and sun rooms, kitchens, rooms simply for storage...it was amazing!
Possibly my favorite place in the castle, aside from the library, is the courtyard. It's full of gorgeous flowers and plants, and you can see the sea in the distance. It's simply breathtaking.

Eugene, however, seems a bit thrown off by everything. I think he's having a hard time going from being a thief to living amongst royalty, but that makes two of us! Of course, I wasn't a thief, but I've never been around so many people in my life; nor have I been coddled or loved so much.