Chapter 17

Rapunzel and Flynn follow Lance into the crowd in the centre of the camp.

As they join everybody else, various men clap Flynn on the back in a pleasant greeting, sharing a joke or a laugh with him as they walk through.

Rapunzel watches it all with intrigue as she follows closely behind him. She doesn't say anything because she doesn't want to intrude, but she also doesn't want to get too far away from him, so she awkwardly hovers by his side instead.

There's an anxious feeling in her chest as she finds herself surrounded by more thugs and bandits than she'd ever imagined she would be. They're all much larger than her, and louder too. She couldn't feel more out of place, and she attempts to make herself appear as small as possible. Then she remembers Flynn telling her that they all think she's one of them, and that manages to ease her mind enough.

Clearly, Flynn and Lance have no trouble fitting in because everyone here already seems to know each other. They seem especially relieved to see Flynn finally up and about again. Clearly, she wasn't the only one who'd been waiting for him to wake up all day.

Thankfully, none of them pay much mind to Rapunzel's presence. She only receives a couple peculiar looks from the side before they quickly realize she is here with Flynn Rider, and therefore don't end up questioning it.

So many criminals in one place couldn't be more unfamiliar to her. Despite the thrill of that danger, it excites her more than anything and she finds herself fascinated with how people can have such a lifestyle as this.

She does look like she fits in well, though – considering the trousers and hood she's wearing as opposed to a gown and heels, or anything else she'd be required to wear at the castle. Her clothes are caked in dirt by now and her hair hasn't been brushed in days, appearing wavy and tangled instead. Rapunzel supposes her disheveled appearance is working in her favor.

"Oh yeah, Flynn and I go way back," Lance tells Rapunzel later in the night as the three of them settle on a couple log benches within the camp. Rapunzel and Flynn sit next to each other, with Lance seated across from them.

The bonfire crackles nearby and there are other people lingering around them with tankards in their hands, chatting joyfully with one another. A lively tune is played on a fiddle and a lute somewhere in the background.

"We've been on loads of adventures since we were teenagers," he continues. "You know, stirring up trouble and all that. Before that, we just caused trouble at the orphanage. They loved us, of course. We were the head mistress' favorite. That's where we met each other, actually."

"I was always the more outgoing one out of the two of us," Flynn boasts confidently. He nudges Lance next to him with his elbow, "But that's why we complete each other, right, Lance? I've got the looks and… actually, I've got the brains too, but—"

"You sure like to talk yourself up as the kid who got suspended for kicking in a window… three times."

"Two times, actually!" Flynn corrects defensively. "And the first one was an accident."

"Okay," Lance scoffs, "And the second one 'wasn't your fault', right?"

Rapunzel chuckles at their entertaining banter, though there's a sadness behind her smile. They seem to have so many amazing memories together. Rapunzel doesn't remember much of her childhood. She'd spent most of it inside the castle, and she hardly ever spoke to anyone, except for Cassandra. Everything about it seems so dull compared to Flynn's.

"Sounds like you two had a lot of fun," Rapunzel comments.

"Eh, getting into trouble wasn't always the fun part," admits Flynn. "But yeah… we made some good memories."

Lance looks to Rapunzel sitting across from him. "What about you? Where are you from?" He realizes he'd never asked her before.

"I'm from… the village," she says.

"The village," Lance ponders that, before leaning forward and pointing a finger at her. "Come to think of it, you look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

"Uh…"

"I wouldn't be surprised," Flynn jumps in, patting Rapunzel on the shoulder. "Don't let her looks deceive you. This little thief is gaining quite the reputation out there."

A muscular man with an eyepatch and a bandana around his neck wanders into the clearing in front of them. Everyone turns their attention to the sound of his deep voice speaking over everyone. "What do you boys say we start the night off with a little fun?"

The crowd erupts into cheer, raising their drinks in the air excitedly.

The man circles around himself with his arms outstretched. "Been a while since we've had a good round of some proper entertainment!"

The people standing behind Rapunzel bump their tankards together and she swears she feels some of it spill onto her shoulder. She chuckles at their enthusiastic reactions despite her confusion of what's going on.

"Now… who wants to go first?"

One of the bandits slaps a hand onto Flynn's shoulder, standing next to him with a drink in hand, "I think we all know Rider here has the best hand with a sword."

Flynn shrugs, "Well, I wouldn't say I'm the best but…" A couple of the men pull him to his feet, and everyone begins to holler encouragingly. They urge him into the clearing as Lance also shouts words of encouragement from the sidelines.

"Looks like you're up, pretty boy." The burly man shoves a sword into Flynn's hand before he can protest. He speaks up again, gazing out among the gathering crowd. "Anyone dare to prove their skills against Corona's most wanted?"

There are more shouts as everyone eyes each other, anxiously awaiting whoever will step up next. Then the laughter dies down when a small female voice speaks up from nearby.

"I'll do it."

A silence falls among the camp as everyone turns their heads toward Rapunzel – still sitting down and off to the side.

"Ha!" Flynn laughs after a stunned moment, "Seriously?" There's amusement in his smile.

"What?" she stands up, joining him in the clearing. "Afraid you'll lose?" Everyone makes an excited 'oo' noise, snickering at her comment.

"Pfft, no," scoffs Flynn. He glances around himself, conscious of the audience listening to their banter. "I'm just afraid you won't be able to handle it."

"Well then… Flynn Rider," she confidently saunters forward with a raised chin, stopping a few feet in front of him. "Why don't we find out?"

He studies her in bewilderment, the onlookers also marvelling at the scene before them. She's putting on a show, and he likes it. "All right," Flynn shrugs after a while, deciding to accept that challenge. This will be interesting. "You're on, Blondie."

Someone steps in to hand a sword to Rapunzel. She accepts it with a smug smirk, taking a moment to feel the weight of it in her hand.

Everyone has formed a circle now around the clearing, with Flynn and Rapunzel in the middle of it. They both take a step away from each other as the crowd continues to make space for them.

Flynn raises his weapon slowly, readying his stance, "Now, just know, I'm not gonna be taking it easy on—"

Rapunzel swings her sword at him, and he stumbles back. Flynn jumps to react a second later, their blades colliding in a cross above their heads.

As they freeze in that position, Flynn gapes at her from underneath their swords with wide eyes. He hadn't been expecting that. "Okay, never mind then."

Rapunzel scrapes her sword along his as they back away from each other again.

The rowdy crowd hoots and shouts from the sidelines, observing the fight with anticipation. The two slowly circle around each other with their weapons raised, watching the other's eyes intensely.

The sound of metal clanging rings out among the camp as Rapunzel lunges for him again. This time, Flynn doesn't hesitate to block her attack, countering it quickly. She dodges just in time and swipes at him again. He whips around himself and clangs his weapon against hers repeatedly.

They stumble away and begin to circle each other again. Their boots crunch into the dirt as their feet step in unison like a mirror, slowly crossing one foot in front of the other.

Rapunzel swipes again as she bounds to the other side of him, switching places with each other. Sparks fly to the ground as Flynn attempts another strike at her, but she is quick to duck underneath his sword.

Everyone gasps audibly, reacting to every move they make and getting more excited by the second. They shoot theirs fists into the air encouragingly and Flynn hears his own name being shouted among them.

Though the noise of the audience is loud in their ears, they're both too focused to pay much mind to it, and instead focus on anticipating their opponent's next moves.

They're panting for breath now, with Rapunzel appearing less tired than him. But there's a challenging glint in their eyes as they warily observe one another from across the clearing.

With one last attempt, Flynn lunges forward and swings his blade across his chest, only for it to collide abruptly with Rapunzel's own.

She swings her arm around so quickly that Flynn's weapon falls out of his hand and clatters to the ground. As he stumbles away, Rapunzel kicks her boot into the side of his knee, and he falls back into the dirt all within a manner of seconds.

She points her sword at his chest, peering down at him with panting breaths.

The audience cheers and whistles loudly for their winner, but the sound is nearly blocked out completely for Flynn as he only stares up at her in shock.

After a moment, Rapunzel smirks at him. She lowers her sword and holds out her other hand.

Flynn watches her blankly before chuckling softly to himself, shaking his head. He grabs her wrist, and she pulls him back to his feet.

"Oh-ho, that was awesome!" Lance exults, springing directly up to Rapunzel once the fight is over, "You shoulda seen his face! I would pay to see that again!"

Flynn brushes off the sleeves of his tunic, composing himself. "Well… I can't say I saw that coming."

"Like I said, I can handle myself," she reminds him smugly, passing off the sword to someone nearby.

The crowd begins to disperse around them. They continue to chatter amongst themselves, directing their focus elsewhere.

"You know what, Cassandra? You're not half bad," Lance admits, beyond impressed, "I can see why Flynn likes you." He leans in next to her, raising a hand up to his mouth secretively, "Though, I totally believed he'd get his butt kicked by a girl."

"I heard that," grumbles Flynn. "This is just an off day for me, okay?"

"Yeah, sure it is," continues Lance sarcastically.

"All right well, while you two make fun of me, I'm gonna go get myself a drink." He definitely needs one after that fight. With that, Flynn disappears through the group of people who are currently discussing who will compete next.

Lance seats himself around the bonfire where it's slightly quieter and away from everyone else. He sighs audibly, "Yeah, that's just like Flynn. He's a real softy on the inside."

"Oh, yeah?" Rapunzel takes a seat next to him, intrigued.

"Oh, big time." He leans closer to her again, lowering his voice, "Believe it or not, his real name is Eugene Fitzherbert. Don't tell him I told you that, though."

When Flynn returns with a couple of tankards a few minutes later, Lance decides he needs to get himself one before also disappearing into the party.

"I got you one too," Flynn steps over the log Rapunzel is sitting on, taking a seat next to her. "I wasn't sure what you liked."

"Thank you." She accepts the mug he holds out to her, briefly sniffing whatever odd liquid is in there. She's never been the one for alcohol, mostly because her parents would probably kill her if she tried it.

"So… Where'd you learn to fight like that?" he asks, taking a heavy swig.

Rapunzel holds her drink in her lap. "When I was ten, I convinced my mother to let me take sword fighting lessons. She thought it'd be useful for me to learn how to defend myself. Plus, Cass and I used to always sneak out and practice together. She's always been good at that kind of stuff."

"You just keep surprising me more and more, don't you?" Flynn glances behind himself where he spots Lance conversing with an old friend in the distance. He turns to Rapunzel again, lowering his voice. "Be honest. What'd he say about me when I was gone?"

"Oh, nothing," Rapunzel hums innocently. "Just that… your real name is Eugene Fitzherbert."

Flynn throws his free hand in the air. "Ha! Of course, he did! Just when you think you know a guy, he tries everything in his book to embarrass you."

"What? That's not embarrassing," says Rapunzel, completely serious.

"Oh, come on."

"No, really!" she insists. She glances around them, noticing that no one is close enough to hear them. "I mean, my real name isn't even Cassandra."

"Yeah, but Cassandra isn't nearly as bad as Eugene." Flynn grimaces at the name. The fact that he actually sounds upset about the matter makes Rapunzel laugh.

"So… where did Flynn Rider come from?" she asks curiously.

"Well… let's just say Flynn Rider is who I wanted to be." He takes another sip of his drink. Then his eyes trail the dirt ground, his voice becoming somber as he fiddles with the tankard in his lap. "I wasn't really anybody when I was growing up. Then one day I decided I was gonna change all that. So, I picked myself up, left the orphanage and made a name of myself. And… I haven't looked back since."

He makes it sound so easy. Rapunzel knows all too well what it feels like to want to be somebody else. The fact that he had completely turned his life around like that without even thinking about it makes her heart flutter with wonder. It all sounds like a fantasy to her.

Somehow, he is everything she wants to be.

Rapunzel feels herself smile brokenly as she watches his dreary expression, hoping to ease his mind somewhat. "For the record… I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider."

A couple hours later, when the alcohol has just begun to settle into everyone's systems, the party becomes rowdier and the music louder.

The band breaks into a lively, joyous jig that fills the warm air of the busy camp. More people are pulled and pushed into a crowd until nearly everyone is on their feet and dancing in unison.

The bouncing beat of the drums make the ground seem as if it's quaking beneath their feet as they stomp to the pounding rhythm. Women pick up their skirts and kick off their shoes without a care. Others stand off to the side and clap their hands together, cheering.

All the while, everyone is laughing with beaming smiles on their faces. They are all far too drunk to mind the occasional spilling of ale, or the way they stumble and lean against one another in the middle of it all.

Lance finds Rapunzel and Flynn sitting off to the side, lost in conversation as it all unfolds.

"What are you two still sitting around for?!" Lance emerges from the crowd, shouting over all the noise. He's holding an overflowing tankard in his hand and doesn't seem to notice the way it splashes over as he walks. He looks to Rapunzel questioningly, "Don't tell me your fighting skills are better than your dance skills."

"Maybe I'm skilled at both," she shouts back to him, raising her eyebrows challengingly.

"Oh-ho-ho," Lance laughs, before leaning secretively toward Flynn. "I like her!" He attempts to whisper, though he ends up yelling it instead, and everyone hears it. "All right then, Cassandra. Why don't we put that to the test?"

Rapunzel springs to her feet confidently, happily accepting that challenge with a smirk. "All right, maybe I will." She turns to Flynn, who's still sitting down and not making any moves to get up. "Aren't you coming?" She has to lean over him so he can hear her over the music.

"No, no—" he waves his hand dismissively, his other holding a half empty tankard.

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun!" she insists, practically jumping already from the excitement. She hadn't realized she'd reached for one of his hands.

"No—you two go on ahead. I'm gonna finish my drink," Flynn shakes his head in protest, though there's a chuckle beneath his words. He squeezes her fingers in his before they slip away again.

"Suit yourself," Lance shrugs, before theatrically holding out his arm for Rapunzel. "Milady?"

She takes it with one last apologetic glance at Flynn over her shoulder. He can tell she's reluctant to leave him alone, but he smiles and waves her off encouragingly.

Then she's practically pulled into the party by Lance and neither of them are able to say anything more.

Before Rapunzel knows it, she's entirely enveloped by people laughing and dancing and smelling strongly of ale. They cheer and sing and holler, a few of them making eye contact with her and welcoming her in.

No doubt, they recognize her as the one who had somehow beat Flynn Rider at a swordfight, not to mention the one he had brought here tonight.

Maybe it's all in her head, but the fact that she's here with Flynn seems to make her automatically more popular than she otherwise would be, and honestly, Rapunzel doesn't much mind it. The idea of anyone recognizing her is far from her mind by now.

As Rapunzel stands unmoving in the middle of it all, she watches everyone dance in awe around her. Then she realizes - she doesn't have a clue how to move like this.

She'd taken ballroom lessons at the palace since she was a kid, and she'd been forced to waltz at various balls on more than one occasion – and hated it. But never has she danced like this. This is entirely different.

There's no rules, no steps, no choreography. There's no forced posture or lifeless expressions, no infuriatingly long gowns, or heeled shoes to trip over. No, this is messier, and heavier, and spontaneous.

It's freeing and joyous, and the most fun she's had in her life. She doesn't believe she's ever heard music quite like this.

Unlike how things would be at a ball, none of these people are even thinking about how they look. Instead, they merely allow the rhythm to take them wherever it wants to go, all while forming true, genuine connections with the people around them. There's a sense of community within it all that Rapunzel has never experienced before.

Her mother would kill her if she ever danced this way at home, but once she starts, she finds herself unable to stop.

Soon enough, she's blending in so well that it suddenly seems as if she'd always been one of them. Like this is where she belongs. This is what she'd been missing for all eighteen years of her life.

Her heart is racing yet she can't find it in herself to stop giggling as Lance grabs her by the hands and swings her around.

Flynn watches the two of them from a distance, leaning back in his chair and casually sipping his drink.

As Lance twirls her under his arm again, Flynn's eyes only seem to focus on Rapunzel.

Watching the beaming smile on her face as she dances so freely somehow entirely captivates him.

Maybe it's the alcohol talking, or the way the light of the bonfire casts a new glow on her face, but she has never looked more beautiful. He doesn't believe he's ever seen anyone as beautiful as her.

Flynn had known it when he first laid eyes on her all those years ago as kids. He never would have believed they would be here now, somehow together again despite how different their lives have always been.

He hadn't realized it before, but all those times they'd accidentally brushed shoulders these past few days, or looked at each other for a second too long, he'd wanted those moments to last. He'd wanted more out of them.

Watching her now - truly happy, and completely unaware of his gaze, he wants her more than anything.

A man accidentally bumps into Rapunzel from nearby. He leans closer to her to say something, and Rapunzel throws her head back as she laughs. It can be heard beneath the music, and the sound of her laughter alone brings a sense of admiration to Flynn that he can't explain.

Then he's snapped out of his trance when Lance steps in front of him, completely blocking his view.

"Would you quit staring and just go dance with her?" insists the other man rather aggressively.

Flynn hadn't even realized Lance had approached him until now. Next thing he knows, Lance is plucking Flynn's drink from his hand and setting it down elsewhere.

"No, no—Lance, I don't—I don't dance," he protests as he's pulled to his feet.

"Come on, don't be like that!" Lance only continues to push him toward everyone.

"Lance, I'm serious! Don't—" Flynn stumbles forward as Lance shoves him hard in the back.

Suddenly, he's swept into the crowd, now standing awkwardly in the middle of them all and unsure how to get out of it.

Unamused, Flynn glares at him through the dancing figures, wearing a look that says 'I'm gonna kill you', though Lance only bursts into laughter at his reaction.

When Flynn turns around again, he finds himself bumping directly into Rapunzel. Absentmindedly, he grabs her shoulders as they both clumsily stumble into one other.

He chuckles nervously, "Uh… hi."

"You're here!" Rapunzel squeals, not seeming to mind. She's never looked happier to see someone. Her beaming smile makes Flynn's heart melt, and all he does is stare at her dumbfounded.

"Come on, dance with me!" Just like that, she grabs his hand and pulls him away.

They dance well into the night, and Flynn never leaves her side.

In the early hours of the morning, the party has finally begun to die down. Some have retired for the night, while others still roam about to chat to one another and finish their last drinks.

Rapunzel feels warm, and her fingertips are numb.

She drinks what everyone else is drinking because she's been taught never to deny something that is offered to her. After a while, she doesn't entirely realize the effect it has on her because it feels like she is walking on the clouds. At a certain point, she stops questioning what is happening around her as her mind seems to sway and melt into her surroundings.

She keeps drinking because she likes the way it seems to make her feel, even though she doesn't entirely understand it. Maybe she does it because she knows that she normally would never be allowed to at home, and there's a thrill of rebellion behind it all. It makes her feel like she fits in and for once, she can live a life that isn't her own. She can pretend even if it's just for a few hours.

She likes the way Flynn has hardly left her side since they arrived here, and she likes that she hasn't thought about the castle for the entire night either.

Flynn talks to everyone, and Rapunzel follows him like a shadow, but she feels safe standing next to his shoulder in a group of strangers that may as well be twice her size.

Even when she does wander off, Flynn watches her the entire night and she would glance at him just after he looks away.

Eventually, he pulls her out of a conversation and asks her gently, "You doin' okay, princess?" He lowers his voice despite the number of people around them, as if they are discussing their own secret.

Rapunzel feels her eyes closing as she sways, wanting nothing more than to lean into him, "My head feels fuzzy."

He'll admit he's felt the same way for a while, but it's clearly affecting her more than it is for him. He's aware it's probably her first time drinking, and assumes how this must all feel for her. "Wanna go for a walk?"

She nods at that suggestion.

Flynn places his hand on the small of her back, leading her away from everyone else without being noticed.

The voices and music fade away as they head out of the camp and deeper into the dark forest.

Rapunzel isn't sure how long they walk alongside each other, but she knows she doesn't stop smiling to herself the entire time.

She finds the silence in his presence entirely comfortable, yet something about being suddenly alone with him makes her incredibly nervous. Maybe it's because nobody even knows they are here right now, but the possibility of them getting caught makes it all the more exhilarating.

After a while, they feel the rain beginning to drizzle from above. The air smells like pine and the ocean that can't be too far from where they are.

Within minutes, it begins to pour. Before Rapunzel can process it, Flynn grabs her hand and pulls her ahead into the woods.

She stumbles after him and her legs feel numb, but Rapunzel finds herself laughing as they run carelessly through the downpour that only gets heavier by the second. She shrieks at how cold the water feels against her skin, which only makes Flynn laugh too.

They are already soaking wet by the time he pulls her underneath an enormous willow tree, sheltering them from the brewing storm. Thunder rumbles overhead as water drips off the vines that encase them.

Everything is a haze as Rapunzel leans her back against the tree trunk, breathing heavily from running. She doesn't let go of his hand though, and he ends up almost crashing into her when they slow to a stop.

They're both panting now, but neither of them minds the chill of the rain anymore.

Rapunzel feels butterflies in her stomach as Flynn reaches up to pull her hood down. His touch is gentle, and it makes her feel safe.

He sees her face more clearly now and that blonde hair he finds so beautiful. It drips with water and sticks to her freckled cheeks. His hands linger on the fabric of her cloak long afterwards.

Rapunzel can hardly remember how they got here. Everything is a blur, and she feels dizzy from the ale. She doesn't know what time it is or what Flynn is thinking or when she will be going home again. All she knows is that everything about this moment feels like a dream that she wishes would never end.

"What are we doing?" Rapunzel breathes, still catching her breath. She stares up into Flynn's eyes as he stands so much closer to her than anyone has ever been.

"I don't know," he murmurs with a chuckle beneath his words.

The craziness of what they are doing hits him all the same. The fact that they are both running from the very law her father created remains in the back of their minds, though neither of them are bothered by it in the moment.

One day they are running for their lives from guards, the next they are here, drunk and feeling a sort of way that neither of them know how to explain.

"Are you cold?" Flynn asks after a while.

She shakes her head. "No." She isn't even thinking about that anymore.

His hands slowly move from her cloak to her hair. He strokes it gently, pushing it back behind her shoulders. "Is this okay?" His voice is just above a whisper.

His touch sends shivers down her spine and Rapunzel's breath nearly catches in her throat. "Yes," she says. Their faces are inches apart now, and the princess swears she can feel his heart beating against hers. She loses herself in the calming sound of the rain pelting above them. "I wanna stay this way forever."

"I know," he whispers. There is so much more about that he wants to say, but he doesn't. "Let's just enjoy this moment while it lasts."

They stare into each other's eyes until Flynn decides he can't go on any longer without kissing her.

His hands press against the tree behind her.

Then before either of them knows it, their lips collide, and Rapunzel cups his face in her hands quicker than she means to.

Her back presses further into the tree as Flynn completely melts into the feeling of her body against his.

It isn't until now they realize how badly they had both wanted to do this since the night began. It's evident in the way that he kisses her, and everything about it is complete bliss.

It all feels hazy and confusing and thrilling. Yet at the same time, it's as if everything has suddenly fallen into place.

If this is a dream, Rapunzel swears she never wants to wake up again.

A/N: Sorry this one is so long but I think it's worth it. ;)