Chapter 1
"A book?" he repeated to his wife for the twenty third time that day. Eugene's brain was working overtime trying to comprehend the idea of writing a book about his exploits as Flynn Rider. The only way he could cope was by asking the same question over and over again until he could finally wrap his brain around it. "Rapunzel, I always knew you were crazy, but this just proves it. I can't write a book. Besides, who'd read it?"
She rolled her eyes, sitting across from him in the library where she had set up a pile of blank paper and an bottle of ink and a dry quill, just waiting for him to get started. "Just write down how you talk about yourself," she suggested innocently, though he felt that perhaps from someone else that could be a bash on his ego. He wasn't quite sure with her sometimes, if she was being nice or if she was only pretending, though Rapunzel was born to be nice. "And you and I both know it'd be the most read book in the kingdom."
He shook his head, slight exasperated. "I don't know Rapunzel. I can't actually see myself writing anything like that. I've never actually written more than crass messages on public property though that was years ago," he added hastily, trying to cover up any more of his illegal exploits that she didn't know about. Eugene was lost in thought, and she watched him for a moment, waiting for him to break from his reverie and say something. He met her pleading eyes and he sighed, watching her with the utmost adoration. This girl certainly was something else. "You just want to read it don't you?"
Rapunzel looked mildly offended. "Maybe just a little," she said with a cute smile that Eugene just couldn't resist. He raised an eyebrow at her and her smile grew wider, and he couldn't help but smile with her. "Please, please, please, Eugene? Write it all down? I'm sure there's stories I haven't heard yet from your swashbuckling days of adventure and triumph!"
"You're buttering me up aren't you?" he teased, and she shrugged, her smile still huge as she squeezed his face between her hands and kissed him. "Fine," Eugene finally gave in, unable to deny those eyes anything they wanted. She had him tied around her finger so tightly, and one of these days it's gonna get him into serious trouble. "Fine, I'll write it, but on one condition!" For a moment she was taken aback, not expecting an ultimatum from him, and then tilted her head, waiting for him to continue. "You, little lady, have to stay here as long as I'm writing this, I'm not gonna be here alone. And since you're making me do it, I figure you are the best candidate!"
She huffed for a moment and looked at Pascal, who shrugged. Eugene wondered if the fro—chameleon was actually agreeing with him for once. "I'm prepared to make a deal with you," she said winking after silently communicating with her long time companion. He watched her, barely able to hide his amusement at the deja vu that statement brought to him. "I'll stay here with you when I am not needed elsewhere, and Pascal will stay with you while I'm away, only if you read it to me when you're done." Rapunzel held out her hand, and Eugene could barely control his expression as he shook her hand.
"Deal, Goldie," he said laughing at the old nickname that still seemed to crop up from time to time, his mind wheeling backwards already in time. "Now, the only question is where to start..." Eugene put his pen to the page, closed his eyes as his memories brought him back in time, passing through the two years he'd been with Rapunzel, before he even knew that she existed. Back to as far as he could remember, back when little Eugene Fitzherbert first found the novel The Tales of Flynnigan Rider in the dusty little library in the orphanage.
This is the story of my life. I am writing this down in absolute secrecy in the dead of night, in case anyone comes looking for me. This story, of adventure beyond your wildest dreams, is full of danger, clever escapes and of course, me. The handsome, sly Flynn Rider, thief extraordinaire.
"Eugene, you are so dramatic." Rapunzel's voice was light and airy as it disturbed his train of thought, and he nearly smashed his forehead against her face as she read over his shoulder.
"You wanted me to write this!" he complained, putting the pen down and resting his chin on his palm, and giving her a look. With a smile she pulled up a chair beside his desk, put the quill back into his hand and leaned against his shoulder, waiting for him to continue on with his writing. "No more interrupting?" She nodded and pretended to lock her mouth shut and Pascal then proceeded to pretend to eat the key, the two of them smiling at Eugene like they had done nothing wrong. "All righty then," he laughed.
I was born in the summer, but as far back as I can remember, I lived at the orphanage. My parents died when I was just a baby, and I grew up on the poorer side of things. My name then was nothing of note, and I was no one of note, just another child waiting to someday, maybe get taken in by a nice couple looking for a child. When I was ten, I found a book in the library, if you could call it that, titled The Tales of Flynnigan Rider and I knew from the moment I started to read it that I wanted to be just like him. He had all the money he could ever dream of having, he was brave, cunning, strong, and virtuous. He had women in love with him everywhere. He was wanted and loved.
Everything I wanted to be.
So from that day forth, I insisted that everyone there call me Flynn Rider. I created a new persona for myself, something to strive for and something to dream about, and as I grew older, girls started to notice me more, and I felt more and more like the hero from the story. When I turned 18 and moved from the orphanage, I had all the skills I needed. The stealth of a cat, the wit and charm of the best of the rogues, devilish good looks, a clever mind to get out of any situation no matter how big or small, hopeless or dark.
And that, dear reader, is the beginning of some of the greatest adventures of my life.
AN: I reviews are greatly appreciated, as well as constructive criticism!
