Tangled!

The river was unlike anything Rapunzel had ever touched. Cool, fluid, alive. She let it slip through her fingers again and again, watching the ripples stretch across the surface. Pascal leaped onto a floating lily pad, puffing out his tiny chest with pride as he balanced.

Flynn, meanwhile, stood back with his arms crossed. "So, is this the part where you discover fish and completely lose your mind?"

Rapunzel gasped. "There are fish in here?"

Flynn groaned. "Oh no. What have I done?"

She scanned the water eagerly until, there! A flash of silver darted just below the surface. Her heart leaped. "Flynn! Look!" She pointed excitedly. "It's swimming! Under the water!"

Flynn dragged a hand down his face. "Yep. That's generally where fish live."

But Rapunzel wasn't listening. She was already pulling off her shoes, dipping her feet into the water with a delighted giggle. The smooth pebbles beneath her toes, the way the gentle current tickled her skin, everything was new. Everything was perfect.

For a long moment, she just sat there, basking in it all.

Then, as if on cue, her mind whispered: You shouldn't be here.

Her fingers tightened around her dress.

Mother had always warned her. The world was full of thieves, dangers, people who would hurt her.

She glanced back at Flynn.

People like him.

She studied him carefully. He was leaning against a tree, arms still crossed, watching her with a lazy smirk. His whole attitude was so casual, so self-assured. He acted like nothing in the world could touch him.

Could she really trust him?

Flynn must have noticed her staring, because he tilted his head. "What? Something on my face?"

Rapunzel quickly shook her head. "No! I just… was wondering."

He raised an eyebrow. "Wondering what?"

She hesitated. What if he lies? But something in her pushed forward anyway.

"…Why do you steal?"

Flynn blinked, clearly not expecting that question. For a moment, his smirk faltered. But then, just as quickly, it was back. "Well, I could give you some noble speech about needing to survive, but honestly? I like nice things."

Rapunzel frowned. "But… stealing is wrong."

"Depends who you're stealing from," he said casually, shrugging. "Rich people? Royalty? They have plenty to spare."

She studied him. "But… wouldn't it be better to earn what you have? Instead of taking from others?"

Flynn chuckled. "Ah, see, that's the thing, Blondie. The world isn't as fair as your tower. Sometimes, people don't get what they earn. Sometimes, they have to take it."

Something about his words stuck in her chest like a thorn. The world isn't fair.

She had never thought about that before.

In her tower, things had been simple. She painted, she read, she sang, she cleaned. She had everything she needed. But… what about the people out here?

She looked back at the river.

Maybe this journey would teach her more than just what the floating lights were.

Maybe it would teach her what the world really was.

Just as she was about to speak again.

A sudden rustling in the bushes made her freeze.

Flynn's expression shifted instantly, his body tensing. He held up a hand. "Stay here."

Rapunzel's heart pounded as he moved toward the noise, pulling a small dagger from his belt.

Another rustle.

A branch snapped.

Rapunzel gripped a handful of her hair, eyes wide.

Then—

A rabbit darted out of the bush.

Rapunzel let out a breath of relief.

Flynn sighed, putting his dagger away. "Great. Our terrifying enemy? A bunny."

Rapunzel giggled, but she still felt the lingering weight of fear.

The world was beautiful, but it was also unpredictable. She was beginning to see that.

She was beginning to understand that adventure wasn't just light and laughter, it had shadows too.

And yet…

She still wanted to see more.

She turned to Flynn. "Let's keep going."

Flynn studied her for a moment, as if searching for something in her face.

Then he smirked. "Alright, Blondie. Let's see how much more of the world you can handle."

And with that, they left the river behind, stepping deeper into the unknown.