Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Vecca stirred in her bed, slowly waking up. She yawned, running a hand through her light brown hair. She looked beside her, expecting to see her girlfriend. To her surprise, Cherry was nowhere to be seen.

"Cherry?" She said softy, peering around the room. When her girlfriend wasn't anywhere to be found, she got dressed and started making her way down the stairs.

Downstairs, Cherry stood in front of a large tack board, gazing at her notes and mumbling to herself.

"I'm just not quite understanding why it's not working. Okay, okay, think Cherry. Think, think, think, think, think, think, think, think. Okay if I do this, it's going to be- I can work an extra shift every Tuesday. We can do-"

"Yikes." Angel said, his blue eyes widening. He crossed his arms, continuing to watch the scene unfold.

Cherry continued to rant anxiously. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, Cherry!"

Vecca sighed, adjusting her eye patch and putting her hand hesitantly on Cherry's shoulder. "Cherry? Sweetie? You, uh, you good?"

Cherry turned around, her eyes bloodshot with dark rings underneath them. A testament to her sleep-deprived self.

"Nope, no! Not really! Haha! I've been up all night trying to figure out why no one wants to invest in the hotel!" Cherry said, crushing an old piece of paper in her hand. "We've asked the mayor. We've tried reaching out to other towns. We only have a couple months left before the bank forecloses on us-" She laughed, overwhelmed. "And at this rate..." Her voice trailed off, implications clear.

Vecca squeezed Cherry's arm, trying to provide some comfort. "Maybe it's time-"

Cherry's eyes widened, knowing exactly what Vecca was implying. "No."

Vecca continued, "To ask-"

Cherry put her hand's on either side of Vecca's face, holding her cheeks desperately. "Don't say it!"

Vecca rested her hands on Cherry's shoulders. "Your Dad." She said, concluding her sentence.

Cherry groaned, resting the top of her head on Vecca's chest. Vecca sighed, moving her left hand to run her fingers through Cherry's black hair soothingly. "Cherry, I know you don't want to, but we need every advantage we can get."

Cherry lifted her head up, her side bangs slightly messy from rubbing against Vecca's shirt. "No, Vecca. He's just an engineer, he's not rich or anything. It's not like he could help pay for the hotel, and I wouldn't want him to anyway!" Cherry rambled. "Did you know none of his friends even know I exist?! Not even his Dad! Not even Queen Ra-" She gasped, a wide smile spreading across her face as she stood up straight. "Wait. That's it!"

Vecca tilted her head to the side, looking confused. "Not tell anyone the hotel exists?" She asked, trying to understand.

Cherry shook her head. "No! He could get me a meeting with Queen Rapunzel! The literal Queen of Corona! One of the most influential kingdoms around!"

Vecca placed one hand on her hip, keeping the other one free so she could make hand gestures as she spoke. "Didn't we already try that?"

"Well. yeah, with the mayor. He was an asshole." Cherry grumbled. "But Corona is the most powerful kingdom in all of the seven kingdoms. We could go to the top! There's sure to be someone who will listen. And from what I heard, that someone would be Queen Rapunzel."

Cherry said, running upstairs and into her and Vecca's room. She looked around, rummaging through a few boxes she had stacked up against the wall. Soon enough, she found a sea shell. Well, not a regular sea shell. It was a light blue, with purple swirls all over it. A magical artifact, it had a matching sea shell to go with it. The two shells could could be used by two people to communicate, no matter what distance. A gift from her father. Varian had found it in a place called The Spire, if Cherry remembered correctly. He had taken it so him and her could talk when he wasn't visiting. It... hadn't been used in a while.

A memory flashed through Cherry's mind as she looked down at the shell. She was little. Five years old, maybe. Varian was around twenty? He had come up for a visit, bringing the sea shell as a gift. "Here, see, you open it like this," Varian had explained, showing Cherry how to open it. "and now, where ever I am, you can always reach me. Pretty cool, right?" He spoke softly, running a hand through his hair. Cherry had gazed at the sea shell in awe. "So we can talk now?! Like, every day?!" She had exclaimed excitedly. Varian laughed, pulling her into his arms to hug her. "Mhm. Every day." He hummed, squeezing her gently. Cherry hugged him back. "Do you promise?" She whispered. Varian smiled. "I promise."

Varian had kept that promise. For the first week, maybe. As time passed, the sea shells were used less and less. Until just looking at it made Cherry feel angry.

Cherry shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She grabbed the sea shell and hurried downstairs, staring down at the beautiful shell while holding onto the hand railing. Cherry looked up, seeing everyone's eyes on the shell curiously. She quickly explained it's purpose. Magical artifacts were becoming more and more common these days, so they didn't question it.

When Cherry still seemed reluctant to open it, Heinrich sauntered over. He placed a beer bottle down on one of the side tables. "What's the holdup? You got daddy issues?" He asked, running his thumb over his dark goatee.

Cherry twirled around, her ponytail swishing behind her head. She gripped the shell defensively. "No, we just have never been close." She said, tucking a loose strand of black hair behind her ear. "After he and my mom split, he never really wanted to see me." Cherry explained, her brown eyes darting around the room, almost as if she was looking for an escape route to get away from the conversation at hand. "A-and when he did, it was just an awkward mess of him trying to 'bond' with me while trying to get back together with my Mom. He calls... sometimes, but only if he's bored or like, needs me to do something." She said, fidgeting with the bottom of her red suit.

Heinrich scoffed, amused. He leaned in, elbowing Angel. "Daddy issues." He whispered. Angel stifled a laugh.

"Well, I'd like to meet this 'esteemed alchemist'. He invented hot running water, right?" Angel asked, resting his arms on the couch. Cherry nodded, looking unimpressed despite her father's great accomplishments.

"He was a criminal for a while too!" Nellie exclaimed, sitting down on the couch underneath Angel. Her short blonde hair framed around her face as she spoke. "A bad boy." She said, giggling. Angel and Heinrich moved away, slightly concerned.

Cherry cringed. "Ew. Please never refer to my Dad as a 'bad boy' ever again" She groaned, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

Vecca sighed, and placed her hand on Cherry's upper arm, gesturing to the sea shell. "Cherry, come on. It's now or never, right honey?" She encouraged.

Cherry took a deep breath, fixing her disheveled look and nodded confidently. "Of course." She said, her voice wavering as she slowly, but surely, opened the sea shell.

It started to make chiming noises as Cherry waited for Varian to pick up.

After years of not really speaking to each other, she was calling her Dad...

Because she needed a favor...

This definitely wouldn't be awkward.

Chapter Text

Varian stood in his lab, mixing potions together. Ruddiger, his faithful raccoon friend sat on his shoulder, making chittering noises whenever Varian spoke to him.

"That's it," Varian said to himself. "Almost there..." He continued, putting a drop of green substance in a flask filled with a different purple liquid. Varian watched as the mixed together.

"Now presenting..." he poured the mixed substances into a small bottle, screwing the lid tight and inserted the bottle into a small gun-like contraption.

"The magic-tastical-alchemical-weapon-shooter!" He exclaimed, aiming the gun at a bullseye on the wall and pulling the trigger. A purple flame shot out and splattered on the bullseye, immediately turning to liquid afterwards. "That shoots fire!" Varian smiled, Ruddiger warbled happily beside him.

Varian twirled the gun around on his pointer finger. "Hoo hoo hoo! Hold the applause! Please, okay. Oh, thank you, thank you-" Just as he was congratulating himself, the liquid inside the weapon started bubbling, until the bottle broke and substance splattered all over the floor. Varian squealed and jumped away from the spill, groaning. "Oh God, who am I kidding, This sucks!"

He kicked the machine angrily, watching the contraption fly across the room and over to a small wooden box. The force of it knocked the box over, and one of his old drawings spilled out. Varian's dark eyebrows softened as he gazed down at the drawing. Him, you... and Cherry. When she was a baby. God, that felt like yesterday to him. How had eighteen years passed?!

He remembered when he drew that. He was staying at the Saporian's hide out with you and a newborn Cherry.

"What are you drawing?" You had asked, tilting your head to the side as you rocked Cherry in your arms. Varian turned his pad of paper around to show you. "Family picture." He shrugged sheepishly. You glanced at it before looking down at the floor. Varian cleared his throat awkwardly. "Can I... can I hold her?" He asked. You nodded, gently passing Cherry to him.

You turned around, looking away. Things weren't great between you and Varian. After everything that had happened, after all the hurt he had caused you, how could you love him like you used to? You couldn't. Varian knew that. But right now, all that mattered to the two of you was keeping Cherry safe. And that meant sticking together right now. Even if being around Varian reminded you of memories you'd rather forget.

Varian gulped, and gazed down at the baby. Black hair that matched his. Including his teal streak. That alchemy accident had been more permanent that he thought, apparently. He smiled, watching as Cherry curled her tiny hand around his finger. She could make him smile no matter how dark things seemed. She was his light. Cherry cooed, reaching up towards Varian. "I'm so proud of you already." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "I will always be here, Cherry. I promise."

The amount of promises he made but never kept were numerous. Sure, he had had every intention of keeping them. But time and life just seemed to get away from him. And before he knew it, he had let you down again.

Suddenly, a loud dinging sound filled the space around Varian, interrupting his thoughts. He looked around frantically, trying to figure out what it was. Finally, he realized it was coming from the top drawer of his work table.

No.

Why?!

Now?!

Varian moved frantically, fishing the seashell out of the drawer, and looking at it. He was horrified. Why was Cherry calling him?! She never calls. Was something wrong? Were you in trouble?!

"Daughter? Daughter. Daughter calling?! OH! Uhm-uh." He shook his head. She was, y'know. Just calling. For fun. Because they haven't talked in a while. Yeah, that's it.

"Hello, Cherry. H-Hey, Cher-Cher." He said to himself, practicing what he'd say when he finally picked up the shell. "No! No. That's not good." He yelled, tugging on his hair nervously. "Oh, this is the first time she's called you in years. This has to be perfect." He put on a brave face, and took a deep breath before opening the seashell, picking up.

And, in his special awkward Varian-way, he said the first thing that came into his mind. "Heyyy, bitch." He spoke, a failed attempt at trying to sound 'cool'.

Meanwhile, Cherry stood in the lobby of her hotel, Vecca at her side. A surprised look crossed Cherry's face at her father's interesting choice of words. Angel snickered from his seat.

"Hi Dad!" She said, faking enthusiasm.

"Hey! How are you? Oh ho. Wh-Wh-where are you these days?" Varian asked, fidgeting with one of the many trinkets sitting on his table.

Cherry paced around the room as she spoke. "You know where I am, Dad. I've told you before."

Varian felt a wave of embarrassment wash over himself. "You have? Oh, yeah uh, well, you know, I um uh-"

"I told you when you called me before, remember..?" A pang of hurt filled Cherry's chest. "Or did you not listen?" Cherry asked, crossing her arms.

Varian walked a few steps forward, keeping his focus on the conversation. "No, no, no, no. Just, you know, just forgot. I've just been really busy!" He muttered. "Ya know, with, um…" He gave his machine another weary kick. "Important things."

"Remember the building beside Mom's house? Well, I actually started renting it in order to run a hotel to rehabilitate lost souls." She said, glancing over to where Nellie and Sammy were fighting over who got to sit on the purple chair. "Well... trying to. At least."

Varian's face lit up. "That old place? Wow. Hey, A hotel! Fun!" He said enthusiastically, walking to the small corner in his lab where he had a kitchenette, perfect for those late night projects.

Cherry sighed, looking around the hotel which was currently falling apart. Paint peeling, loose nails hanging off the walls, her guests fighting constantly. They needed an upgrade. A big one. "Listen, Dad, I've got… kind of a big ask." She finally choked out, sighing.

Varian was just about to take a sip of his tea, when he stopped in his tracks, coughing. "Yeah, of course. Anything in my power is yours for the asking. You just name it~" He said, placing the mug of tea down.

Cherry spoke passionately, pacing around the lobby. "I need to speak to Queen Rapunzel. I need to go to the top."

Varian winced. No. No. No. No. That couldn't happen. He wasn't proud to admit it, but after he was redeemed, he kept Cherry a secret from everyone. Even Quirin, his own father. He didn't know why, exactly. Maybe it was because he was ashamed of himself for doing everything he did to you. Maybe it was because he just didn't want to deal with all the questions. What ever the reason, nobody knew about his daughter. Cherry was eighteen years old now, for heaven's sake. He couldn't exactly tell everyone the news now! "Oh, no. No~ No, no, no, no, Cherry, no, no, no. That's, uh hah, no." He said quickly.

Cherry gripped the sea shell angrily, her eyebrows narrowing. "Look Dad, I don't ask you for much, I never have, but this, this is really important to me." She pleaded. "It's the most important thing I've ever done. And I..." Vecca took Cherry's hand, squeezing it reassuredly. "...need you. I need your help." Cherry continued.

Varian winced, hearing the anguish in his daughter's voice. He didn't want to let her down any more than he already had, but this was practically an impossible ask. "I-I don't know, Cherry."

"Please, just come see what I'm trying to do. You'll see why it's a really good idea. And Rapunzel is bound to agree if I get the chance to talk to her." Cherry said, shuffling her feet on the ratty red carpet which covered the floor. "Please, Dad."

Varian gulped. He had heard her say those words before, 'Please, Dad.' Many times. In that same tone of voice. He didn't like it when she said that. Those were always the words before he let her down. Again. Suddenly, he processed what she had said before those two words. She was asking him to visit her. To be involved in her life. This could be his chance to make the last eighteen years right!

"Wait. You're... inviting me over?!" He said happily. Not waiting for Cherry's response, he continued to speak. "Absolutely! Hoh! I'll leave tonight, be there in a couple days if I hurry!" He exclaimed, quickly saying goodbye and closing the sea shell.

"♪ My daughter wants to see me~! ♪" He sang to Ruddiger, picking the old raccoon up and twirling him around the room. "Ha! Take that depression!" He yelled, throwing his fist in the air in victory.

Cherry sighed, closing her sea shell. She was nervous, but also relieved that Varian seemed somewhat excited.

"Well, we have a few days until he gets here." She said, shrugging.

Vecca nodded, smiling softly. She turned around, her face changing to a stern look. "Okay people," Everyone stood at attention. "Varian is on his way. So we are going to get this place presentable and we are going to make an amazing impression. Vamanos!" She yelled at the group.

Cherry let out a sigh of relief as everyone started to clean. She placed a hand on Vecca's shoulder. "Thanks, Vec'." She said weakly.

Vecca took both her hands in her's, intertwining their fingers. "Hey, anything for you, alright? I know your Dad is a sore subject. But don't worry. I'll make sure everything looks great!" He kissed Cherry's cheek and walked off, continuing to bark orders at the guests.

Cherry fidgeted with the bottom of her jacket. This is positive. She thought to herself. Varian visiting was a good thing. Maybe... maybe he had changed. Maybe he'd start keeping his promises. She closed her eyes. She shouldn't get her hopes up. Cherry shook her head, and began to help with the clean up.

Meanwhile, Varian was scrambling to pack, anxious to get going. When he had a backpack and a suitcase ready to go, he made his way over to his father's house. He'd ask his father to let Rapunzel and everyone know he had gone on an alchemy trip.

"Alchemy trip? Varian, I don't think a new set of erlenmeyer flasks calls for an impromptu road trip." Quirin said, running a hand over his tired face.

Varian gripped his bags nervously. "They are, Dad. Come on, will you please just let everyone know?" He asked.

Quirin sighed, nodding regretfully. "Yes. Okay, fine." He muttered. Varian turned to leave, but Quirin reached out, grabbing his son's shoulder. "Varian, listen. You know I'm so proud of the man you've become... but son, you're not... getting any younger. Don't you think it's time you stop these surprise trips and settle down? Get married, maybe?" He said, his voice rough, but still tender. "A couple grandchildren would be nice..." He muttered.

Varian turned bright red, stepping back.

Come on, Varian. Just tell him. Get it over with. He'll understand why you kept it a secret, right? He thought to himself. Varian opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Who was he kidding. He couldn't tell his Dad now. After eighteen years.

Varian cleared his throat, stepping back. "Look... Dad..." Varian bit his lip anxiously. "Can we talk about this when I get back...?" Varian said quietly, avoiding eye contact.

Quirin sighed, nodding. "Yes. Of course, son. Have fun on your trip." Him and Varian exchanged weak smiles as they said their goodbyes.

Finally, Varian was on his way to visit Cherry. The weight of his past decisions crushing him. He hadn't done may things right in his life.

But maybe, this visit could help right a few wrongs.