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Flynn had done a lot of stupid things in the past.
He was not above admitting that.
Nor was he exactly immune to making any stupid decisions.
He was smart enough to see and notice a lot of things most people didn’t. And sometimes he knew ideas sounded stupid but weren’t, and were often the best ideas. But he was also aware that some ideas sounded stupid and were stupid , and he still made them for one reason or another. Usually it was an irrational one.
Being friends with the Princess of Corona was a stupid idea.
The stupidest one to ever exist.
And yet he agreed.
Because…well, of course he did.
She was very hard to say ‘no’ to.
And it wasn’t because she was a princess or someone with actual authority, or whatever. Flynn had no issue telling anyone with any bit of authority ‘no’, if anything that was his bread and butter. Flynn Rider’s whole existence was one big loud declaration of ‘no’ to the whole world.
No, it was because it was just impossible .
Especially with those big green eyes, freckles, and expressive round face.
They got under his skin, and lanced through the cracks of his hardened armor, and reminded him of those orphans in the orphanages he tried to forget about. The ones who looked up at him and huddled around while he ferried them off on a grand adventure. Lonely and a little broken by something .
And…
He figured he could just avoid her.
It would be easy.
She was princess in the castle with guards, lessons, and duties. Sneaking out was not something she could do easily or all the time. Especially if she didn’t want people to take notice. And given that she hid from guards, she was very much trying to keep her trips outside the palaces as secret as possible. Whoever the Cas person she mentioned on occasion was likely the only person who knew she snuck out at all.
Plus, Flynn was excellent at hiding.
Generally pretty good at slipping notice.
He had wanted posters everywhere and could still relatively walk the crowded streets.
Granted every wanted poster for some reason had the inability to get his nose right, like to an almost insulting degree. He was pretty sure the King of Equis played some part in that with his annoying grating voice, greasy mustache, and stupid puffy pants. Corona just was being extra rude about it. But, he supposed, in a way, he shouldn’t look a gifted horse in the mouth all that much.
He figured if saw her, and she hadn’t noticed him, he would slip into the shadows.
Or turn around and walk in a completely different direction.
Avoid her without her knowing.
It wasn’t an issue if she never knew he was there in the first place.
It would all just be the coincidence of their paths crossing just not happening.
Plain and simple.
She couldn’t be mad about it. Nor was Flynn being a jerk. And no one was being a bad friend in their friendship that definitely should not exist. The stars just weren’t aligning, oh well, so sad. Nothing anyone can do.
That idea worked for all of like two times.
Which was actually like a half generous statement.
These big green eyes of Rapunzel’s were freaking bird-like .
And well…
“Ah, there you are, I haven’t seen you in a while.” She said with a big wide smile as she neared him. Her tone is bright and airy, like they are just good friends running into each other. Not a princess who snuck out and a wanted thief scouting out a potential target.
But there was enough of an undertone of something that made the words translate to I was worried about you.
And…
Flynn should have run for the hills.
He could chance the rest of the seven kingdoms.
Corona wasn’t protecting him, it was just the dumbest place for him to be. Everyone everywhere wanted him for something, but they weren’t going to fight each other over someone else arresting him. Especially Corona with their harshness towards thievery.
There were other places and people to steal from.
It would probably be a bit easier.
But Flynn didn’t run for the hills.
No, he just smiled back and shrugged. “Oh, you know, I’ve just been busy running around.” Like she didn’t have any clue what he did. When in reality, he was sure she had the most clue as to what he was doing, what jewels or things he got caught taking.
She laughed.
Then he asked her “What are you doing tonight, Freckles?”
And…
Well…
A schedule sort of formed.
Schedule being used in the loosest context of the word.
Mostly it was his fault.
He doesn’t exactly have the greatest context of time. Like he knows how minutes, hours, days, and weeks work. He gets time. It's just, Tuesdays mean absolutely nothing to him. Every second Tuesday, yeah good luck with that one. He was pretty sure he was sixteen for like over a year and half. Then eighteen for like 8 months. Or was it…nine. He lost track at some point.
Rapunzel had blinked at him when he told her so.
“My schedule is whatever I decide it is for the day.” He admitted with a shrug.
“That sounds nice.” Rapunzel responded.
The despondent nature of her demeanor did not slip his notice for the five seconds it existed before she excitedly looked at some flowers in a window sill pot.
And the words ‘ oh it is’ died on his tongue.
“It’s whatever.” He said after a moment. “Clearly it has its disadvantages, you know, like not knowing when Thursday is.”
Rapunzel laughed as she turned to look at him.
Flynn smiled at her.
Proud of himself for dispelling the brief dark mood that fell over her.
Because that's what friends do, right?
He wasn’t really all that sure, friends were few and far between in his experience. He wasn’t really sure he'd ever had an honest friendship in his lifetime.
Lance was the closest thing, maybe , but he lied most of the time. Sure he had moments of sensarity on occasion. But most of the time was just loud and jovial. The one time he was genuine, like Flynn knew it his bones Lance was having one of his once in a blue moon moments of actually serious sensarity and he should listen , he disappeared shortly before saying anything to him. Just vanished without a single word, chasing after some big score.
And…
Well, Flynn tried not to think about it.
Either way a schedule of sorts formed between Rapunzel and him.
They ran into each other on average every other week or so.
Sometimes it was a handful of days.
Other times after a couple of weeks.
Or Flynn figured it was a couple of weeks. He wasn’t exactly counting the days between seeing Rapunzel and not. He just generally kind of assumed. Knew enough to know when the gaps were longer or shorter between each of their run ins.
They don’t really have a system either.
But that night he was perched on a rooftop near the docks.
Just sort of there.
Flynn had more than familiarized himself with every guard patrol and routines there was to familiarize himself with. And he genuinely wasn’t looking to sneak into the castle anytime soon. It still has a way of feeling weird because Rapunzel is there and she was a friend. Like he wouldn’t rob the house of a friend. Not that the King or Queen would probably grant him any ounce of their hospitality.
The routines of the docks weren’t really worth knowing.
They changed too much.
And the stuff that was consistent enough to learn, wasn't worth stealing. A whole crate of apples was only going to get him a whole crate of apples . Which is only useful for like bribing a horse.
There was no reason for him to be where he was.
Other than boredom …. maybe.
He knew he was close to the tunnel Rapunzel liked to crawl out.
Not that he was seeking her out or anything .
If he was too honest, which he so rarely was, it was just a coincidence.
And…
As chance would have it, he spotted Rapunzel, in that oversize green skirt she liked to wear when sneaking out, walking down the street. Making her way towards where he was and the docks just in general.
Looking like she was chatting to nothing. But he knew it was Pascal on her shoulder, because she did talk to that weird frog a lot . And it was almost like they understood each other.
Flynn whistled when she was close enough.
Watching Rapunzel perk up at the sound.
Glancing around to figure out where it came from.
Before her eyes landed where Flynn was perched on the rooftop giving an airy salute. A smile spread across her face. Then her gaze flickered down, landing on the same crate and barrels he had used to climb up. She skipped towards them, clambering up with all the grace he would expect from a princess and the practice speed he would never expect.
“Hey, Flynn!” She stated as she popped up at the edge of the roof.
“Hey Green, what are you up to tonight?” he asked with his usual grin and suave tone he always does, holding out a hand to help her hoister herself up.
Rapunzel took it without hesitation.
The Snuggly Duckling was the last place Flynn should be agreeing to take Rapunzel to.
She’s the princess of Corona.
The Snuggly Duckling was a…hang out for criminals of all types.
If they knew who she was…
They would probably snatch her up and ransom her off. Probably wouldn’t even hesitate, consequences be damned . Oh and when they got captured, because they thought with half a brain, they’d no doubt blame him. Declare “ Well, Flynn Rider brought her there ,” to anyone who listen.
And Flynn's life would just be over.
His wanted posters would just say ‘dead’.
Guards would have kill on sight orders, probably.
It probably wouldn’t matter if Rapunzel said she asked Flynn to take her. Borderline begged and pleaded for him to take her back there so she could see everyone again. Resume her piano lessons with Hood Hank, and just generally meet different people. How she wanted to go back, but she didn’t know how.
Looked up at Flynn with her big green eyes…
And he agreed.
Of course, he did.
He prays Rapunzel doesn’t catch on to the fact that if she looked at him just the right way he caved. He buckled right under the weight of it just to make her stop looking at him like that. Because she kept looking at him, she might see something inside him crack, buckle, and fall apart all together.
But, in his defense, he complained about how bad of an idea it was.
Rapunzel seemed nonplussed about all of it.
Pointing out the flaws in his rationality .
She was the princess, sure, yes, but she kept mostly to the palace. She only made a scattering of public appearances, always with her parents…and admittedly a lot of guards. A guard would recognize her, but people in town wouldn’t . He’s seen her interact with handfuls of townspeople, and not a single one of them noticed who she was.
He didn’t even recognize her.
Flynn grumbly reminded her that he wasn’t from Corona.
Nor was she dressed in a way that made it apparent she was who she was. Which earned him an exactly , as he mentally kicked himself for giving that reasoning. Because she just grabbed her skirt and twirled like it proved a point. It only proved she wasn’t wearing shoes for some unknown reason.
She would just simply Raquel again.
No one was going to know who she was.
And…
As long a Flynn didn’t say anything…
Which he wasn’t going to.
No one was going to be the wiser but the two of them.
Flynn can just repeat that he thinks the whole thing is a bad idea. Because it’s absolutely terrible. Worst thing he could possibly be doing…or second worst, maybe, after allowing their friendship to be a thing.
But…
Whatever .
Rapunzel assurances of ‘ nothing will happen’ mean nothing.
Flynn’s argument that he does have a bounty on his head was weak.
The bounty in Corona had gone up sure, and it was a pretty nice decent sum. But his recent success in infiltrating Equis made it not quite high enough for any other criminal to really consider turning him over. He’d been at the Snuggly Duckling once or two since he returned and no one made an unnecessary budge towards him.
Plus Rapunzel had already stood up to the thugs before.
But at the very least, she agreed that at the smallest whiff of trouble, she’d leave with him. She promised to trust Flynn’s judgment on the matter. No question, qualms, or anything, even if she didn’t notice any reason for them to leave .
That eased the nerves buzzing in Flynn’s chest a bit.
And…
It was like fate was doing everything in its power to prove him wrong .
Rapunzel opened the door to Snuggly Duckling and walked right in without second thought. Giggling some final meaningless assurance to Flynn’s last complaint he got in. The whole pub practically excited burst out ‘ Raquel!’ in greeting.
Which just made Rapunzel’s smile wider.
She turned back to give him a smug look. One Flynn teasingly half returned, before she went bounding into the pub. Excitedly waving at a few thugs as she did so, and complimenting someone’s helmet or bit of facial hair that hadn’t been there before. Saying ‘ of course I came back’ to those who asked.
A helmeted thug bolted towards the kitchen when she mentioned cupcakes.
Flynn walked leisurely behind her.
Close enough to reach out to grab her at the slightest indication of something going sideways. Yank her away as quickly as possible, turn and bot with her. But not close enough that anyone picks up that he was on edge about her being there.
He dragged her there the first time.
Had no issue with her running around doing whatever she wanted in that pub. Okay, maybe he was a little grumpy when it all went not according to plan in scaring her away from him. But he didn’t care.
Flynn hadn’t known back then that Rapunzel was the princess.
And well no one can catch on that he knows now.
Hook hand makes it a little difficult.
Swooping in and grabbing Rapunzel, declaring that his favorite student had returned to learn piano from him. Someone somewhere shouts that she was his only student, and got a tankered thrown at their head. Rapunzel turned to look wildly concerned, but relaxed as the burst of laughter from the direction of the cup being thrown. Before Hook Hand steers Rapunzel away towards the piano.
Flynn tried to follow, but some thug with a big nose looped an arm around him.
“I see you finally brought her back.” he said with a hopeful grin that feels a little too knowing for Flynn’s liking.
“Well, she asked to come back.” Flynn returned easily, as ducked out of the guys hold. Taking a step back and to the side as he did so. Not noticing the way the thug half frowned at him. “Here we are.”
Flynn turned to continue walking towards the piano.
Only to find himself face to face with a massive chest of a towering thug.
And…
“Whoa, Big Guy, didn’t see you there.” He said with a laugh.
“What was Equis like inside?” The large man asked, staring down at him.
He sounded a weird mix of serious and curious. Though his facial expression remained rather flat and intimidating as he started down at Flynn.
Flynn blinked up at him for a moment.
“Buy me a drink, and I’ll tell ya.” He started after a bit.
The thug looked at him for a moment then nodded. Stopping off towards the bar.
Flynn let out a breath and shook his head a bit. Before once again trying to make his way towards the piano. He’ll tell the guy whatever he wants, outside of the how he got into Equis, and as long as he lets him just get closer to Rapunzel, Hook Hand, and the piano.
He got like ten steps before someone pulled him down towards a seat.
“We won’t hear near the piano!” They huff as Flynn half flopped about a bench. Right next to a short old man that’s more than a few sheets to the wind. “We all want to hear too.” They state again as other’s huddle around. “Brian’s left ear doesn’t work so good.”
Flynn has no clue which one Brian is, but he doesn’t care.
“Guys come on.” Flynn tried to get back up.
But Big Thug shoves him back down, before handing him a tankard.
Flynn stared at it in surprise for a moment.
Before looking up to see Rapunzel.
He has a clear enough view of her at the piano on the stage.
A look of concentration on her face as Hook Hand points at some sheet of paper and does something with his hook. The piano dinks a little bit outside of the melody and Rapunzel cringes. But Hood Hand says something and she smiles even though wrong notes sound like they seem to clash in the air. They sound slightly less wrong than a moment prior.
Grant it’s not a clear shot to her if they need to run.
But Flynn was quick and agile.
If he needed to he could make his way over if anything starts going wrong. And he could probably wiggle his way out the group before anyone could think to grab him and pin him down. Or Big Thug is tall enough, and his helmet has massive horns. Flynn could scramble up into the rafters with the sacrifice of some clothing item.
He took a sip of the drink.
Ale that is a little more waterdown than usual.
Okay, Big Thug is cheap.
“Alright, what do you guys want to know?” Flynn asked.
The question stirred up an argument of who got to ask the first question about Equis. Flynn kind of figured it would with how generally he asked it. But serves Big Thug right, getting him a cheap drink for information he could only get from Flynn.
But it allowed him to watch Rapunzel a bit, and the crowd in the pub.
A table near the piano cheered as Rapunzel got whatever she was playing more correct. Clapping as Hook Hand nodded and nudged at her shoulder to give her a thumbs up. Rapunzel beamed and laughed as someone called for an ‘encore’.
The argument ends with Big Thug declaring he bought the drink, he gets the first question. Before simply repeating the question he first asked before the drink.
Flynn rolled his eyes, and took another drink from his tankard.
“Very green-blue.” Flynn answered vaguely. “And you know what, terrible decor, lots of clashing colors and weird ornamentation.”
Big Thug frowned a bit.
But the others’ laugh at the response. A few good natured nudged at Big Thug, teasing him for asking such a simple question. After a second of it, his frown turned up a bit, as if he realized Flynn had answered his question with a good joke. Then laughs a bit as another made a comment Flynn half listened too.
Another thug cut in after a moment.
Declaring it their turn to ask something. Before asking a question about the supposed traps and false doors all through Equis’ palace.
Flynn answered the question easily.
Claiming there to be a lot, one almost at every other turn.
It hadn’t been like that, not even really close . But it felt like that when every more experienced guard pointed something out to him or specifically told him which door to open or how to step. All with a despondent sigh, that told Flynn Equis’ security captured more of its guards than actual thieves.
The questions kept coming.
Flynn answered them as vaguely and as entertainingly as he could manage. He didn’t want to give too much away lest someone figure out how exactly he got in and out. Well the getting out was kind of easy, the in was the hard part. The fact that he’s still the only one to have managed it had its advantages.
As far as he knew, Equis didn’t even know how he achieved it.
No one needed to know how mind boggling easy it was.
He can’t just toss out what he did and expect it to be shot down for how simple it was. He used it to get in , it had worked, there was no ignoring that. There was proof it actually worked really really well.
Occasionally he would glance over at Rapunzel.
Just to check in on her and things .
But the more time went on with nothing happening, the more he let himself relax a bit.
He finished his waterdown ale and got up to leave. But quickly some other thug got up and came back to shove another drink at him. Waterdown as well. Cheapscapes, the lot of them. Flynn sits back down and drinks it however.
At some point in his talking with the thugs, Rapunzel had finished her lesson. Hugged Hook Hand for his efforts. She laughed and curtsied at the table to thugs who had been cheering her on. Hook Hand instantly took to playing, commanding some more out of place guy with an accordion to play.
Rapunzel had jumped off the stage.
Laughing as the thug with the big nose came over, and offered up his hand as he bowed. Almost like he was asking Rapunzel for a dance to the lively melody Hook Hand was hammering out on the piano keys. She nodded and the big nosed thug quickly moved to sweep her into a dance, and swirl her.
Some of the other pub patrons got up to join in the dancing as well.
Others’ simply clapped.
And…
Flynn was admitted a little buzzed when Rapunzel approached him.
Ever so slightly buzzed.
There was just enough alcohol in his few drinks to make him feel the beginning tingling of any level of drunkenness he dare allow himself. Maybe like half of an actual ale. But whatever, Flynn doesn’t care. That was nowhere near enough to make him spill his secrets.
“Ah, Freckles, your back!” He started casually. “How was the lesson?”
“Great!” Rapunzel declared happily as she took a step closer. “I learned a new song, and how to play with basically six fingers.” She held up her right hand and a single finger on her left hand. “Isn’t that amazing?”
“Yup.” Flynn said with a nod.
It actually kind of was amazing she picked it up so fast. They’d maybe only been there like two hours or so, close to three at the most. She probably had tutors at the palace who taught her how to play, so she wasn’t starting from scratch. But to pick up a whole song and how to play it with four less fingers was impressive.
Even to him, someone with no musical skills whatsoever.
Unless a kazoo counted.
He was pretty sure it didn’t.
Rapunzel said something, Flynn missed hearing over a loud cheer.
“What?” He asked.
“Come dance with me.” Rapunzel requested.
“Uh, I’ve told you before Green, I don’t dance.” Flynn stated as he got up from his seat. He dusted himself off. “Not my thing.”
“But you have danced. I’ve seen you.” She returned crossing her arms knowingly. “We’ve done it before, and you didn’t step on my toes once.”
“A rare miracle.” He huffed back. “Besides, we should probably head back. It’s getting kind of late.”
Rapunzel frowned slightly.
Like she knew he was right, which he was, but she wanted to stay just a bit longer. Flynn could almost see her mind spinning around to squeeze out just a little more time at the Snuggly Duckling. Like she is just some random girl, and not, you know, the princess .
“One dance with me and then we’ll go.” Rapunzel said.
“Green, you promised--”
“That I would go if there was trouble. Yes, I did promise that. But I don’t see any trouble happening around, do you?” Rapunzel asked.
Flynn opened his mouth.
An objection that actually there was arguably a lot of trouble happening around them. They were generally surrounded by thugs, in a pub, with alcohol. All it took was someone getting slightly mad for a minisugal reason and swinging. And then everything would just descend into complete chaos .
“Come one, it's just one dance, Flynn.” Rapunzel cut in before he could say anything.
Suddenly someone shoved his shoulder, causing him to stumble half a step towards her. A gruff ‘dance with her’ sounded somewhere behind him. But when he turned around he couldn't figure out who pushed him or spoke. Everyone just looks weirdly expentend of him.
And a little bit like they might have a go at him if he tells her ‘no’.
He turned back and she looked at him again with those big green eyes.
They’re going to be the death of him, he was sure.
He can feel it.
“Fine,” He agreed.
Rapunzel beamed at him. It feels like the sun breaking past the clouds to shine down on him to warm him to his very core. Before quickly grabbing his hand and yanking him towards where everyone was dancing to the lively melody. They easily meld right into the fray of it all, like the whole dance was just missing them.
It’s an actual bar jig Flynn is familiar with.
He knows the steps, and the breakaways.
Rapunzel…not so much.
But she made up for it with her enthusiasm and wherewithal to quickly process what everyone else is doing. If she faulted, she would simply add her own flare. An extra jump or twirl. Or she uses her momentum to make sure they spin with extra speed as Flynn would reach out to catch her when she was just slightly off .
She laughed.
And…
He laughed as well.
Bright, loud, and boisterous.
A way he hadn't laughed in a while. Not since things with Staylan started feeling not so great . He was sober enough to realize that at that moment. And was quick to blame his light buzzed state for loosening things in his chest and not Rapunzel…
Because that felt… dangerous.
But Rapunzel laughs brighter as he directs her in the flow of the familiar dance.
Looping an arm around her waist.
Guiding her through the pattern of steps.
Breaking away to spin her as fast as he possibly can while she gleefully laughs with everyone else watching.
He pulled her back as the music ended with a heavy finite note.
Rapunzel was giggling.
He could feel himself smiling.
“See you can dance.” Rapunzel said, she jabbed at his chest with her finger and gave him a knowing pointed look. It’s a little bit I told you so without completely being that.
“I never said I couldn’t dance.” He stated in return as he rolled his eyes. Before smiling down at her. “Just that I don’t dance, two very different things.”
Rapunzel made a small ‘ah’ sound as she nodded.
“Still…” She giggled.
“I happened to know that dance.”
“That you did.”
Rapunzel grinned up at him.
He smiled back at her.
That had been…admittedly rather fun.
A sort of fun he hadn’t really had allowed himself in a while. Even after things in Equis and all through the seven kingdoms and the general continent. Sure he had his fun, but it wasn’t so unbridled or loose, if he was honest. He was always looking over his shoulder a bit, always looking and moving for the next best thing.
He tightened the arm around her waist a bit.
And…
She was the Princess of Corona .
He was a wanted thief.
They shouldn’t know each other, but they do.
Her father would probably have his head just for breathing the same air as her. God knew what he would do to him for touching her. Holding her after a dance they shared.
Flynn cleared his throat and drew back quickly.
Rapunzel blinked at him confused.
“We should probably head back now. We---yeah we should go.” Flynn stated reaching for Rapunzel to turn her towards the door then thinking better of himself. “Come one, Green, we got to go.” He stated as he pushed past her instead.
Ignoring the way she looked at him.
Flynn’s eyes lazily skimmed over the page of the book in his hand.
It wasn’t turning out to be as interesting as the title made it seem.
Not that Gems and Jewels: A Study of Cut, Clarity, and Class sounded all that exciting. But it sounded like it might at least teach him something . Give him a little bit of knowledge to keep in his back pocket for when someone tries to short him a few coins. Instead it felt like a boring lecture using words Flynn was pretty sure were made up.
There were too many letters for them to be real.
Honestly it wasn’t a book he would ever pick up.
No, those books were completely on the other side of the shop.
And…
Well…
Flynn really didn’t mind when Rapunzel darted off towards the atlas, maps, and books that were generally more information than fiction. Eagerly glancing around at everything at stacks and piles all around the shop as she did so. Quickly snagging a few titles that captured her interest. Disappearing into the depths of the shelves with just a flutter of her all familiar green skirt and cloak.
It was the afternoon.
A rare one where Rapunzel had free time.
Which she had used to sneak out for some time.
Naturally she ran into Flynn.
A complete happenstance really.
Flynn had just finished selling off a few bits of jewelry. Bits at pieces he had taken from some nobles when he arrived. There wasn't anything special, plain gold and silver, maybe a lesser gem or a pearl. Things that were easily replaced and hardly missed. Rather easy to sell to a metal worker for some spare coin. And those spare coins could be used to buy some bits of supplies that were running low.
Rapunzel just happened to be walking by.
And suddenly Flynn afternoon was commandeered.
He half offered it.
Honestly sometimes shopping later in the day was better. People want their items gone, and they are a lot more willing to haggle and less willing to call the guards. They could care less where Flynn Rider got his coin and were just genuinely happy he was willingly giving it over than just taking. Not that Flynn was overly known for stealing from food stalls.
Rapunzel had just grinned and asked if he knew any interesting places to go.
Without really thinking, he took to the bookshop they were currently in.
It was somewhat of a smallish shop. The entrance to it was crammed and stuffed into an odd recess of a small courtyard between a fabric seller and tailor/seamstress duo shop. A tiny simple sign just above the door declaring what the place was. Barely even noticeable, even when one was looking for it.
The inside of it was just as cramped as the front door appeared.
Shelves were stuffed with as many books as they could hold, and then like ten more. Stacks of books covered the counter and nearly every flat surface available, save the floor and a few bits of the windows to let light in. The place was literally filled to the brim with every type of book imaginable and then some.
It was all owned by a rickety old man who had to be ancient .
He was old when Flynn discovered the place years back.
All wrinkling and old, with boney hands, paperskin, and whispers of white hair. His eyesight was barely anything. The man had thick glasses, but he always seemed to lose them, and when he did have them he still squinted at things. His hearing was a bit on the outs too. And he only had a few teeth to his name it felt like. Yet he was still more aware than anyone Flynn had ever met.
But he was a pretty decent guy.
He hadn’t ratted Flynn out when he first found the place.
Flynn couldn’t have been older than barely fourteen. He was running from guards, Lance and him had done the rather rare thing back then of splitting up. God knows what they even stole. Flynn had run into the shop's door, figuring it to be some side entrance for the fabric shop, only to come face to face with a space full of books. Hurriedly he moved into the depths to hide, narrowly slipping just out of view as the guards entered. The man had seemed to materialize out of nowhere, told the guards that no one had entered the shop in the last hour, let alone recently, and sent them on their way.
After a few minutes of making sure the guards were good and gone, Flynn moved to leave. The man caught his arm and told him he would only cover for him once . Flynn had hurriedly nodded and vacated the place.
A few weeks later he came back, with the intention of buying a book he had spotted in his hiding. It had taken every fiber in his body to resist taking it and put it back on the shelf when he left hiding, but it felt rude to steal from the shop that just helped him hide. But Lance and him had made a big score and he for once had a few extra coins. Only to find he was a few short at the counter, but the man had let him have it anyway.
Flynn liked coming back on occasion.
He had no clue if the man recognized him or not. But it didn’t matter, it was kind of nice to be in a place where he didn’t have to worry. To flip though the familiar pages, read the words he knew by heart, feel the weight of the story in his palm.
Flynn sighed to himself.
Gems and Jewels really weren't doing it for him.
If anything it made him feel like half an idiot. With its extra big made up words and overly flowery language explaining things he sort of already knew. Flynn does not like being made to feel like half an idiot.
He glanced over at Rapunzel.
She was hunched over and nose deep into a book.
Appeared to be some book about nautical crafts, if the silvery embossed bit of the title that he could make out before her fingers that read “ Nautical Crafts, Pra--” was anything to go by.
Her eyes were moving quickly along the page. A bit of hair had fallen out from behind her ear, but she was so enthralled in the book she hadn’t bothered to shove it back. Rapunzel almost seemed to lean in a bit more as she read, just for a moment. Before suddenly she turned to the side away from Flynn to lean over and look at an atlas book she had splayed out of the floor. Delicate tracing a finger along the map, before ducking back into her book. Diving right back into reading it like she never stopped.
Flynn blinked at her a bit.
Before turning to glanced down at her pet frog thing.
Finding Pascal was jumping from book cover to book cover of some books laid on the floor. Happily entertaining himself and changing color to match the covers before jumping to another one. Like he’s so used to Rapunzel just becoming so engrossed in something.
Flynn flicked his gaze back to Rapunzel.
Realizing she hadn’t said anything to him since she sat down. Dumping her collection of books in the middle of the aisle and just plopped down. She grabbed the atlas and just started flipping though it. Half ignoring Flynn as he teased her about her location.
It was half hearted, they were in the back corner of a bookshop hardly anyone knew about.
But…
That had been like… thirty minutes ago.
And that had to be the longest time she’d ever been quiet in his presence.
Normally Flynn wouldn’t have minded the silence. Heavens knew how much he enjoyed it when Lance would finally shut his trap after a certain point. And he was never a huge fan of people just talking to him outright.
But…
His book was boring and he was over it.
Flynn loudly clapped his book shut.
Rapunzel jumped at the sound.
Quickly looking up from the book with wild wide eyes. Hurriedly glancing around and suddenly sitting up straighter. Like rigidly straight. A small sort of gasp that sounded a bit… panicked , he dared observe, as she turned more toward him and the sound.
Pascal quickly darted towards the shelter of the fabric of her skirt.
It was an odd response.
One that made Flynn feel a bit bad for startling her.
Because it reminds him of the sharp sound of wood striking wood harshly, and the heavy clump of heels. How they can snap him right to attention.
It didn’t sit well with him.
Rapunzel slightly eased when her eyes landed on Flynn.
“Well this book is horribly boring.” Flynn started with a huff as he quickly turned his gaze back to the book in his hand. “It’s ridiculous, and honestly I am a little offended it was ever published by anyone.” He added as he lightly tossed the book on the floor. A boring book was still a book, and he always had more respect for books than he probably should. “I think I physically felt it sucking my soul out of my eyes.”
Rapunzel giggled at the statement.
“It can’t be that bad.” Rapunzel said with a roll of her eyes.
She reached for the book.
Flynn moved to pounce on it. Trapping the book under his hand before she was even close to it. He grinned slyly at her, like he was well and truly, honestly , saving her from the soul sucking boredom of the book’s content. Swallowing how it felt alarmingly like a habit to do so. He almost had to remind himself he didn’t care what happened to that book at any given point.
“Trust me, Freckles it is.” Flynn countered.
He quickly scooped it up, and glanced around. He shoves the book into a spot on the bottom shelf to his right. Tucked in near the top and crammed slightly, to hopefully never be found again by anyone.
He turned back to Rapunzel, reading an elbow on his knee and resting his head on his fist.
“How’s your book?” Flynn asked with a slight huff.
“Oh, it’s amazing.” Rapunzel returned easily, her smile melting away any rigidness. “It’s by this old famous ship captain, talking about how he ran his ship, the Cordelia. ” She continued excitedly as she glanced back at the book. “All his tricks, practices, and life aboard the ship. It’s fascinating I had no idea how much work and coordination went into commanding a ship. The chapter I am reading, he is explaining how he used the stars to navigate through the night after a storm knocked the whole ship off course.” Rapunzel said as she turned back to Flynn. “He was basically back on course in a single night, and the ship was able to reach a port for repairs and treatment of injury by midday! It's astonishing!”
“Yeah, knowing how to navigate using the night sky is pretty useful.” Flynn said.
Rapunzel froze slightly as she looked at Flynn.
He raised a curious eyebrow at her.
“You…you know how to navigate using the stars?” She asked suddenly, her green eyes half sparkling as she looked at him.
“Enough to figure out where the north is.” Flynn answered with a shrug.
He wouldn’t say he was great at navigating using the stars. Nor would he dare say it was a skill he had out right. But over the years he had picked up on what stars and constellations to look for to help orient himself. Generally sort of figure out where he needed to go or not go. And he was marginally better at than Lance was.
But he couldn’t exactly plot a course or whatever.
“That's all I really need to know,” he continued.
“Can you teach me?” Rapunzel asked, moving to rest on her hands and knees.
“Teach you where north is?” Flynn asked oddly, because surely she knew that. “I mean, alright, I guess I can, it’s pretty easy, it’s that way.” He pointed towards the back of the shop. “And you can remember Never, Eat,” he pointed towards the east, “Sour,” he pointed towards the front of the shop. “Wh--”
“No, Flynn.” Rapunzel said, reaching to push his hand down, rolling her eyes and giggling. “How to navigate using the stars.”
“Why me?”
“Because you know how.”
“I know the bare minimum.”
“That’s more than me.”
“Surely there is someone in….your circle that could teach you.” Flynn huffed a bit as he lifted his face from his fist. Mindful of the fact that he needed to make his words more general. They were the only ones currently in the bookshop, save the old shopkeeper who was hard of hearing, but one could never be too careful. “Like a tutor, or some old navy person just hanging around.”
Rapunzel looked at him for a moment.
Then sank back a bit.
Dropping back almost disappointed and half in sad sort of thought as she looked at the floor in front of her. Her gaze fell to the book in her hand as she slowly shoved some of her hair behind her ear. She fiddled with the edges of the pages with her fingers. In a way that seemed mournful in a way that she could never fully learn everything in the book.
It was weird.
Surely the palace library was bigger than the shop they were in. It probably had more books than the story, though likely not by much.
And Rapunzel probably had access to a whole array of tutors.
She was after all the princess of Corona, that generally awarded her an education. One that was hell of a lot better than the sorry excuse for one Flynn had been given. She could probably learn anything and everything she wanted.
Or Flynn assumed so.
He didn’t really ask about Rapunzel’s life in the palace.
He could probably imagine it if he really thought about it.
But he usually avoided doing that.
An attempt to not sour the odd friendship he had with her. It was best to keep it as nice as he could for as long as he could. Heaven only knew when it might actually come in handy. But also because it was kind of a nice reprieve from being a thief.
Being a thief was fun.
But it had its moments that were not so fun.
And it was nice to just do whatever Rapunzel decided.
Flynn knew, generally , why she snuck out.
Granted that it felt a little obvious, in the sense that she wasn’t really allowed to leave. The whole few public appearances, no one in town really knows what she looks like, and the whole history with her almost being taken as a baby. The reason was glaringly obvious in the fact that she wasn’t allowed out much. And she was a wildly curious person.
Flynn didn’t need to be a genius for that.
“I don’t think there is.” Rapunzel signed, shaking her head solemnly.
Flynn’s brows knitted together.
Surely that wasn’t true.
If Corona was landlocked, sure maybe he would believe there was a possibility that no one was around with nautical experiences. But its capital literally sat on an island. Ships came in and out of the docks daily . There had to be some palace official in charge of the docks that had spent time on a ship who could teach her more than Flynn could.
“Gothel will probably just say it’s something I don’t need to know.” Rapunzel said lowly, most likely to Pascal who had crawled up on one of her wrists. “Or that it’s too advanced for me.” She sighed again, slightly. “Just like she did when I charted the stars.”
“You charted the stars?” Flynn asked, blinking in surprise.
That was some…
Pretty advanced stuff.
Rapunzel turned to look at him for a moment.
Then nodded quickly.
“Yeah, I did a few years back.” Rapunzel admitted. “I always liked looking up at the night sky, and one night I was bored so I started kind of plotting them out in a sketchbook. Over the course of a few months I’d made out the night sky.” She grinned proudly as she looked at Flynn, sitting up a bit straighter. “It was really fun. But…” Her shoulders fell. “Gothel just said I copied them from a book when I showed her. I didn’t even know we had books about the stars and the night sky until she said that.”
Flynn let out a whistle.
That was pretty impressive stuff.
Or he figured it was.
He only knew like three constitutions, and he only knew how to find one by looking for the line of three consecutive stars. And more often than not he used another to find the north star. The orphanage didn’t care about teaching them about the stars. And being a thief hadn’t really allowed him to expand any knowledge he had on them very much.
“And Gothel is…?” Flynn dared to ask.
“My governess, essentially.” Rapunzel answered.
Flynn nodded in understanding. “Well, I suppose, if I am your only option , I could teach you what I know. Something is generally better than nothing.” He stated with a playful sigh like teaching her was going to be a hassle and he was taking time away from a busy schedule.
“Really?!” Rapunzel perked up instantly. “You’ll teach me how?”
“As much as I can.” Flynn agreed.
“Oh thank you, Flynn.” Rapunzel said, springing up from her spot on the floor.
Half launching herself towards him to grab his arm. Book completely forgotten on the floor before her. Smiling way too big and bright, Flynn has half the sense to accuse her of blinding him. But it died in his throat a little bit as she hugged his arm tightly.
He cleared his throat and carefully tried to remove his arm from her grasp.
“I can’t do it right now, though.”
“What, why?”
“Well, for starters it’s mid-afternoon. The sun is still out.” Flynn stated easily. Watching as Rapunzel made a slight ‘oh’ expression before she giggled as she pulled away from him a bit. Settling to sit right beside Flynn. “I mean it will tell you directions, but it will also blind you. And I quite like and need my eyesight. Glasses hardly do my face any favors.”
“I don’t know--.”
Flynn quickly created circles with his thumb and index finger and held them up to his face. “Really, you think this looks good. It’s an assassination to my good looks, more so than those horrible posters. Actually, no some of these are way worse.”
Rapunzel giggled, and nudged his shoulder.
Flynn chuckled in return as he lowered his hand.
“Okay, next time it’s night, and we run into each other…”
“I’ll teach you what I know.” Flynn agreed. Realizing almost immediately it was the first time they ever made plans for their next run in. “Sounds like a plan.”
“It does.” Rapunzel smiled out.