~Flynn~

I knocked on the bathroom door, anxiously looking back and forth each side of the hallway, making sure no one was coming up. Thank goodness there's not a line of men waiting. Maui's excuse to talk to me alone was for him to go to the bathroom and text me that he needed help putting some leave-in conditioner in his hair. Everyone thought it was hella weird. Not the conditioner part, which apparently is normal for Maui's character, but the fact that he's asking me to help him.

"Maui knows how to apply it," Moana had said. "He already put some in before we came here."

"Maybe he got distracted looking at his face and put too much in," I had tried to save-face. "He knows I like to take care of my hair too, so he's probably going to give me the residue."

This had grossed the girls out. "If he already had it in his hair and you put it in yours, that's gotta be unsanitary," said Moana.

I had shrugged and turned to make my way. "One must make sacrifices sometimes. Even gross ones." I had then sent Rapunzel a wink. "Don't miss me too much, Blondie. I will be back momentarily."

And now here I am, a few minutes later, being dragged into the bathroom by another man. Wonderful.

Maui locked the door behind him, while I sat down on the toilet. Pants still on, obviously.

"Alright, I'm here," I gesture to the room, "in what you call an appropriate talking area. So spill the tea, sis."

Maui rolls his eyes. "Have you made your decision to leave? Last time we talked about this was on Halloween. I told you and Eret I'd give you a week to decide. You both declined. He never gave me a reason, but yours was because you needed more time to think about it. It's been nearly two months. I need to know your final answer so I can help you escape or to leave you to your doom."

"Damn, Maui," I rubbed my neck, overwhelmed. "Why the dramatics?"

"Takes one to know one." He remarks.

"Touché," I fire back. "Look, trust me, I really want to, especially now that Rapunzel knows—"

"Rapunzel knows?!" Maui practically screeches. "What do you mean she knows? Knows what? "

I sigh, disappointed in myself for letting that slip. "She knows everything. That I'm a thief and—" I cut myself off before I let slip another very important detail. One that only she knows.

Should I tell Maui? The fewer people who know, the better. But maybe he can help? He successfully faked his death. He knows how dangerous it is working under a mysterious boss and abusive bosslords. He has a few more years' experience than I do. Hell, he was my mentor for a while. One of the nicer ones. No, I probably really shouldn't say anything. Not everyone is able to successfully fake their death and stay off the radar. I shouldn't reel him back in. The less he knows about my participation in Han's kidnapping, the better.

And yet… he's the one that's trying to get me and Eret out. He's willingly making himself involved somehow. Maybe I should...Ugh! I don't know what to do.

"And all that jazz," I finished, hoping he didn't read through me.

No. I've already risked Rapunzel by telling her about Hans. It sucks that I have more restraint with Maui. I wish I had that with her. I would rather he know about me helping with Han's kidnapping than her. But I can't change my past actions. I won't risk anyone else knowing. Both for his safety and mine.

Maui's eyes are wide as saucers. "She fucking knows you're a criminal?! Are you serious? And she hasn't said anything to anyone?"

"Not that I'm aware of," I answer, honestly. "If she did, they're keeping it a secret too."

For a moment, I wondered if she told her cousins. They have every right to know that I helped with Han's disappearance. I know it must have been torture for Rapunzel to keep it in. I don't blame her for saying something. But for Elsa and Anna not to forward the message? Why would they do that? Maybe for Rapunzel's sake since we're dating. Maybe…maybe even for my own sake since they're my friends. Maybe they're okay with the knowledge that Hans had been kidnapped and therefore bad things are happening to him. Or happened. Past tense. He could be dead now.

Maybe they feel that justice had been served and are okay not having confirmation. I'm not about to ask. You know, just in case nothing has been said at all. That would suck if it was me who spilled the beans.

Maui sighs, disappointed and probably stressed out. "Damn teenagers. Okay, well, if she hasn't said anything yet, then she must really, truly love you. Cuz honestly, I probably would have snitched if it meant getting some reward money."

"She's rich," I remind him, "She doesn't need the money." I ignored the tingly sensation in my stomach. Rapunzel loving me makes me all…mushy gushy inside. God, I love her so much.

Maui looks at me suspicious.

"What?" I say. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," he's glaring now, but I'm unsure if he's mad or not, "I'm just wondering why you're really with her. Is it for her or for her daddy's money? Or maybe the things inside their house you can steal and profit off of."

Okay, now I'm mad. I pointed an accusing finger at him, stepped forward, and poked him in his very muscular chest. "Listen here, bud. I'm with Rapunzel because somehow, after knowing her for four years, I finally got to actually know her. I fell for her hard and it was never for her money. I fell for her because of her. And if you ever say anything around her that suggests the idea that I'm only with her for the money, I will try my damned hardest to beat you up."

"That's physically impossible." Maui puffs out his chest and flips his hair. "Look at me. I'm a God."

"It's the thought that counts."

While I was full on serious, Maui laughed and pats me on the back. "Okay, okay. I can tell you're genuinely hooked on her. Look, once upon a time, I used to be like that. Dating girls just to steal from them. I broke a lot of hearts. I don't want you to do that to Rapunzel. She's such a sweetheart. Ever since Moana and I met, I've changed my life around for the better and the things I used to not regret doing, I regret them every day now. Don't break her heart, Flynn." He squeezes my shoulder hard. "Because I will break that average face of yours."

He releases me with a smile, and as I'm whining in pain, I say: "Average?!"

Blasphemy.

"Anyway," Maui continues, turning serious again. "Shouldn't Rapunzel knowing motivate you even more to get out?"

I nod. "Of course, she does. But I still have the Stabbington Brothers I gotta pay off. If I don't pay them off, they'll find me, and I'm afraid they'll use Rapunzel against me. Whether she knows what I do or not, she's still my girlfriend. I love her and if they end up stalking me due to suspicion, they'll know right away."

Maui sighed and shook his head. "That's why most of the recruits are teenagers. Easy to fall in love and make friends, therefore it's easy to bring in more recruits for the drug and thievery empire. Or, if push comes to shove, it's easy to make hostages to keep one motivated in their role. We'll need to be careful. It was easier for me because I was one of the Druglords, but you're one of the playing pawns."

"So what do we do?" Because now that I'm thinking about it deeply, something I try not to do so I don't panic, I found myself, well, starting to panic. I try not to feel hopeless, but the feeling is growing every second that passes.

"First, I need to know that this is what you really want to do and that you won't back out at the last second," he said, "This is a matter of life and death, Flynn. You have to be certain."

I don't answer right away. Instead, I carefully think of everything. It's not the first time I've thought of this decision, and the answer is always the same, it's the same now, but something that keeps me unsure is if I'm even worthy enough for Rapunzel. I want a future with her, but what if we don't work out? What if my future actions are all for nothing? I have nothing good going for me besides her.

Make it work with me then, she would probably tell me. Find what you're good at, Flynn. You find it and you make it work and it will be the greatest risk you have ever taken. The best adventure Flynn Rider has ever taken.

And I do quite like adventures.

"I'm certain," I say, my voice hard and firm. "More than I've ever been."

Maui smiles, proud and relieved. "Thank the gods. Now if we can just convince Eret. He's stubborn as hell."

"Well, he does have more to lose since his dad, Drago, or whatever, is one of the Druglords." I point out.

"He doesn't even like his dad, so is it really much of a loss?"

"It's complicated, and this is coming from someone who has never had parents. Eret loves his dad despite it all. He wants to make him proud even though he knows what he's doing is wrong. But, whether he admits it or not, he's more so afraid of him. It's hard to leave in situations like that. People are guaranteed to get hurt."

Maui nods, agreeing. "Moana told me that he and Heather are still dating and that it seems pretty serious. I knew they were dating before, but I was under the impression that it was going to be a short fling. Eret doesn't really date and stay committed. The few flings he had in the past never made it to a month. If he's still with her that must mean he's really hung up on her and it would be unfortunate if she's caught up in this too. Like I said before, there's a reason why a lot of the recruits we have are teenagers and young adults. His father put aside, if Heather is involved with everything too, it would make even more sense why he doesn't want to leave. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the teachers or other school staff are in on it. It's the perfect way to find targets."

Holy shit. I never thought about that before. Shit, if that's true then what if the Stabbington Brothers already know about Rapunzel and I because of some corrupt teacher? Or maybe another student that's part of it all was hired to spy on me? What if it was Eret? We don't exactly see eye to eye sometimes, and I'm pretty sure he's still mad at me for snooping through his dad's stuff months ago at his party, but surely he wouldn't put Rapunzel in danger.

Would he?

Maybe…maybe asking her to be my girlfriend was a mistake. I'm putting her in danger. Telling her about myself and about Hans was so stupid. The stupidest thing I have ever done. I was just so caught up in my guilt and felt she deserved to know and she was so persuasive. She pushed for answers and it was hard for me not to tell her everything that night I had snuck into her room to return her crown. So damn cute and annoying and just…UGH!

I should have had more control. For years, I've kept it a secret from my friends and caretakers at the orphanage. I've done a damn good job at staying low. There have been many moments where I wanted to tell Kristoff and Jack and Bunny about my issues. Hell, even Principal North. But I always had control, always successfully kept my mouth shut. And all of a sudden, a pretty blonde breaks my restraints.

How typical of me.

"Hey," Maui snaps me out of my thoughts, "I can see you're overthinking. Relax, man. Everything is going to be okay. We're going to figure something out and free you. Rapunzel and everyone else you love are safe and they're going to stay that way."

I silently prayed he was right.

We decided to end the conversation there, and returned to the party a minute or two later. When we re-entered the room, I was surprised to see a group of people dancing in the center, with bystanders watching from the sides, almost to the walls to give the group some space. They were all holding hands as they danced something that looked like it must have been choreographed for months. Unless it's one of those dances that everyone knows how to do somehow. (Bar hoppers, I tell ya. They know all the moves.) But surprisingly (and not surprisingly at the same time) Rapunzel and Anna seemed to be leading the group.

The live-band was going hard at work, speeding up the tempo, urging the dancers to move faster, and the bystanders to clap faster as well. Maui and I moved our way to the front and that's when I saw some of the people participating.

The people in my main group that danced were: Rapunzel, Anna, Olaf, Jack, Kristoff, Tooth, Bunny, and Moana. Other classmates that danced with them were Mavis and her boyfriend Johnny, Marianne and her sister Dawn, Elena and her sister Isabel, Mirabel Madrigal with her fun sister Luisa (because the other sister Isabella is kind of a bitch and a stick in the mud). There was Marinette and her friend Alya, along with Alya's boyfriend Nino and that one blonde dude Aiden or something. (Rapunzel had mentioned him before but I was too busy being weirded out how he's a genderbent version of my girlfriend). There was also Eep Crood and my other orphan pal Guy, along with my other orphaned friend Tulip. And so many more!

Even Rapunzel's parents, as well as some other older folks, were dancing amongst the teens. It honestly looked like a lot of fun.

Rapunzel notices me and waves me over, gesturing me to join it. I smile but shake my head, mouthing the words "no thanks" and hoping she wouldn't be upset. I wasn't able to see her expression though because next thing I know, Maui is shoving me forward into the dancing circle. Someone grabs my hand, officially merging me into the crowd, and I'm left to defend myself.

Fuck, what do I do?! I don't know how to dance like this.

"Just move your body, Flynn!" The person who grabbed me said. I then realized it was Jack.

"Jack, what the hell man?!" I swallowed down the embarrassment as he tugged me along with the rest of the dancing group. He didn't seem to know what he was doing either, but because Jack likes fun, his confidence makes it seem as though he does. He really doesn't care at all what people think. Doesn't care if people laugh at him rather than with him. It's admirable.

Because to me, he's being himself. Fully. He's not hiding who he is. Not like…not like me.

"Don't be a loser, sweet cheeks," Jack teases as he does an awkward and very late twirl, "Rapunzel wants you to dance, so you're going to dance. She's like a sister to me, so whatever a sister wants, a sister is gonna get. Go dance with your woman!"

"What about yours?" I look around, half-assing my movements as I continue to follow the dancing people, trying to ignore the ones that were looking and pointing at me for not knowing what I'm doing. Geez, I think this is worse than the ice skating we did for Elsa's birthday. I was practically glued to the wall. At least then, Jack reserved the rink for us. "I don't see Elsa dancing."

"She doesn't really like dancing all that much," he answers, not looking bothered. "At least not these kinds. She hasn't admitted it, but I'm pretty sure she's a sucker for slow dances instead."

I chuckle, completely understanding. "Mood. Funny though that she'd rather sing in front of everyone than dance. I would rather dance than sing."

Jack laughs. "Right! That's what I said. She and Merida are somewhere on the sidelines though, so if you want to be a loser, I won't keep you."

"Are you calling your girlfriend a loser?"

"I plead the fifth."

For a moment, I considered retreating, but my eyes caught Rapunzel's again, and she smiled, big and bright. She looked so happy to see me participating, and honestly…it's worth the embarrassment. So without a second thought, I focused on the other dancers, mimicking their moves, and while I certainly wasn't perfect, I caught on rather quickly. I tried to make my way to her, Rapunzel doing the same, but every time we got closer, another dancer would pull us away.

Annoying as hell, but as long as Rapunzel was still having a good time, I couldn't be too upset. Eventually though, Rapunzel ends up twirling on her own, closing her eyes as she feels the instrumental music in her soul, and it took all my strength not to stop moving and just watch her.

I saw an opening though. If I play my steps right (literally), I'll be able to reach her. In three, two one…

Right on cue, like magnets, Rapunzel is pressed against my chest, our hands up and held together. Neither one of us were moving because the music had stopped, but we were breathing heavily. I was glad to finally be near her, but it sucks that we made it right as the song ended. I don't really want to dance like that again–that was my workout for tonight–but I would definitely like a slow dance.

We broke a part when people started cheering and clapping, and I noticed that she had looked a little shy. Her face was flushed and once again my strength was tested. I wanted to kiss her, to make her blush more red. I didn't though; surprisingly I was strong enough not to listen to my urge, but that's probably because her parents were watching. And other important business people.

Yeah, we kissed in front of her parents before, at the Snuggly Duckling when we sang together, but the lights had gone out when it had happened. People probably saw our silhouettes but they didn't actually see anything and we didn't see them. Oh man was her dad mad. He didn't say anything to me the rest of that night, but it was so obvious he wanted me deeeaaaddd. It was definitely awkward, but if I could I would do it all over again.

"You're a good dancer, Blondie," I tell her as we made our way back to our friends, who were waving at us to come over.

"And you're a fast learner," she comments.

I laugh, knowing she was referring to my awkward first steps. "You noticed how bad I was, huh?"

"I noticed that you tried," she answers, and surprises me by kissing my cheek. "And that's all that matters to me."

God, I love this girl.

I don't want anything bad to happen to her, and I know the best way to guarantee that is to let her go. But I can't. Now that I have her, I don't know if letting her go is even possible. What I need to do is let my "job" go. As long as Rapunzel is by my side, I'll be able to find my purpose in the world. I'll figure out what goals I have that I'm unaware of. Figure out my dreams. Actually, in all honesty, my biggest dream is Rapunzel.

And I can't think of any other dream that could be as sweet.

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A.N: I'm so sorry if the plot ends up giving Riverdale vibes (lmfaoooo)