How you doin?

Flynn didn’t know what to do. The strange man gave him a way out of his miserable life and saw a talent that most people had crucified him for. He was confused, and it didn’t help that Hopper gave him no time to think. It was a clear-cut Yes or No during the first time that he met him. How was Flynn supposed to say No when they were about to cut his arm off? He was cornered, and quite literally confused. One of his men had asked him to get inside a car, which he was blindfolded for quite some time until they reached a warehouse that contained hundreds of crates. People were working their asses off, not even batting an eye on him.

As the men pushed him around, he stopped just outside a door that said "Colin Hopper" on it. A girl was also standing beside it until he realized that it was a familiar face. "Meg?" He furrowed his brows, quite glad to see a friend. "What are you doing here? What is this place?" Flynn is begging to find some answers—something to keep his mind sane. "Do you work here?"

Flynn had always hated his job, and for the longest time he had been wishing for a change. He knew he couldn’t go back to stealing and conning people anymore because he promised….he promised Rapunzel that he would change. While he was out doing some bartending, he saw a figure come into the bar. He could tell the man was quite a something, given that he had an air of authority around him and was followed by two men who simply stood beside him like some kind of guard. In an instant, Flynn observed what was happening. Ella, fortunately, was right in front of him on the bar as she made a small suggestion about their sink. Flynn tried to listen, but his eyes were more fixated on the person behind her.

A brilliant idea came to his mind. Perhaps he could steal the wallet that was lying on the table. Then maybe he’d know who the guy was without being intimidated by the guards around him. Rider went ahead to give their drinks, quickly picking up the wallet from the table. Soon enough, he rummaged through the contents from behind the bar, and that was when Ella found herself more alarmed. "I’ll bring it back, don’t worry." He chuckled, not finding a single ID on it. Disappointed, Flynn simply decided to bring it back after their second round of drinks came in.

This is where he fucked up. As he was placing the wallet back on the table, Hopper finally noticed him, and one guy from the back held him by the neck and smacked his head on the table. Flynn couldn’t move. The men began talking about slicing his hand off, and he could see Ella shrieking on the corner until Hopper finally spoke to him. Long story short, Hopper knew what he did from the start, and he was quite impressed by the speed of his hands. Flynn returned to Ella with a wary look on his face. "He…. He offered me a job…" Flynn confessed. "Please don’t tell Punz, I beg you. I didn’t know what to do." Quite frankly, maybe this is the change he needed. However, Flynn wasn’t really sure what he was getting into.

Flynn popped another cornick in his mouth, sitting idly on a bench even before sunrise. He had to go out before anyone woke up, and usually Ella was so up early that he had to leave even when it was dark outside just to avoid her. Flynn had been avoiding any conversation with anyone at home, especially with Rapunzel. He couldn’t seem to forget their kiss, and though he was pretty unserious about most things in life, Rapunzel was the only person he was very serious about. He didn’t want to mess up the relationship they had, plus the fact that the two live together. It was about to get messier than expected.

Thus, Flynn simply avoided any chance of a conversation until he heard a voice behind him, and to his surprise, Rapunzel was standing in front of him. "Wait a minute, did you follow me?" He asked, tilting his head as he let out an exhale. This was bound to happen. However, though he was terrified of a conversation, he also had to admit that he missed Rapunzel more than ever. "What is this, Punz?" He asked, tapping the available seat beside him on the bench. Flynn shifted the corn nut to her side, wondering if she wanted one because this was mostly his breakfast. "I don't want to be just another guy, Rapunzel. I--" The boy looked down, exhaling deeply as he thought about what more to say. "I like you, but I don't ever want to lose you. You changed my life, more than you think." He confessed, this time looking at her. “It’s not just a kiss for me. It’s.... a step to my dream of a life with you. That’s what it means to me.” @punzgothel

All Rapunzel had wanted was an excuse to go to this stuffy party, wear a nice dress, and see some fireworks. It was the closest thing she was getting to the lanterns until her birthday, after all. With no one in the house wanting to go with her, not even Ella, she’d decided to come with Dee Dee instead. Of course, Flynn had little idea who her friend was, so she’d just said that it was Ella, not thinking much of it. Of course, Rapunzel had not taken into consideration the logistics of using a friend who lived with her as an excuse before, and figured this might happen. The night was growing later, and honestly, she’d expected Flynn to come looking for her a little earlier than this, but nevertheless, the shock that had nearly caused her to knock her drink on the floor as his arm came around her was genuine.

“Eugene? Oh, my gosh, it’s you! Where the heck did you come from?” she asked, looking up at him in wonder. She wasn’t entirely drunk, not as bad as her night had been with Jim, but she was certainly beginning to feel something. “Hey, don’t ruin my hair like that,” she scolded playfully, swatting his hand away with her own. “About that. I thought Ella was coming, I really did, but then she bailed at the last minute, and I’d already promised my friend Dee Dee I was coming,” Rapunzel explained. She wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning her head into his chest with a relaxed grin. “I’m so glad you found me.”

.

Flynn widened his eyes, biting his lips as he placed a finger on her lips. "Punz." He chuckled, guessing by now that she had a couple drinks in. She called him by his real name, and Flynn didn’t like anyone else overhearing. Nonetheless, he could forgive her for slipping. He could actually forgive her for most things, even without asking, though he wouldn’t admit it. "It’s fine. I was just worried about you. Your name has been quite loud, and the threat doesn’t lessen each day. I know you’re trying to live your life, and the fireworks are awesome here… But I want you safe, and free. Just be careful next time, please." Flynn held her hand, squeezing it gently before realizing it. Instinctively, he let it go, trying not to look too vulnerable around her. "Dee dee, now that’s a new character. Who is she?" Flynn chuckled, though he was surprised by her sudden closeness. Her small body was against him, and for a moment, he didn’t know where to place his hands. Rapunzel had always seemed like a delicate sunflower to him, and he was terrified of messing it up and ruining it for them. Still, he thought it best to embrace her as well. After all, it was the New Year, and he had an excuse to be clingy, even if only for a day. 

"I’m glad I found you." He responded, biting his lip to repress the smile that was begging to show on his face. He didn’t want her to see how happy he was to have her by his side. A man would think that living together and seeing each other every day would lessen the feelings he had for her, and yet here he was, melting against her touch — the best part was she didn’t have a single idea how he felt about it. "Happy New Year, Rapunzel," Flynn added, grateful for the moment. Their embrace was suddenly disturbed by the shouting of the crowd around them, signifying that the countdown was about to start. Flynn stood motionless, awkward, and unsure of what to do. The people screamed the numbers, a countdown to ten. He looked at her, smiling as he tried to coax himself out of the uncomfortable situation. Sure, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to know what it felt like to touch her lips, and feel her warmth by his side. His mind raced with the question of whether that was too much to ask. Flynn was glad he didn’t drink, or else he might not have been able to control himself. Nonetheless, as he turned, he felt her body push against him and her lips press against his. Flynn could feel a warm sensation on his cheeks, and yet he allowed himself to give into the moment, wrapping his hands around her waist as he kissed her back.

Flynn wasn’t supposed to attend the grandiose party since he had sworn to himself that he was going to do better this year. The elite party would only tempt him into making some cons again, and he knew better than to set himself up for some fun. Rapunzel had told him that she was going with Ella, and that would probably be the best choice to go with. Flynn made himself comfortable on his couch with a cold canned beer on the side when he received a text from Aurora. She was asking for a companion, and he contemplated coming for a bit before finally getting off his couch and changing into more suitable and appropriate clothing for the event.

Flynn was fashionably late, and he spent most of the evening with her. He knew Rapunzel was somewhere at the party, and his eyes lingered for her, trying to catch a glimpse of the bubbly blonde girl. Still, he tried to take her off his mind, focusing instead on the beautiful woman in front of him tonight. Rapunzel had always been so close, yet so far away. Maybe he needed to convince himself that there was no chance and that his feelings were only messing with him.

He was off to get another drink when he came back, and Aurora was no longer at her chair. Flynn tried to search for her, but instead he found Rapunzel drunkenly walking around alone. Immediately, he came to her, holding her close. "Where’s Ella, Why are you alone?" He asked her, looking back at her gorgeous green eyes. She smiled at him, and though he was worried for her, Rapunzel always had the capacity to soften him. "Ah fuck it, you have me now." He said, messing with her head with his hand.

The bar was about to close. One by one, the people deserted the place, either with tears in their eyes or a huge drunken smile on their faces. Flynn had grown accustomed to his work, though he finds no pleasure in it. When he thought the last of the visitors had left, there was finally a sense of relief. At last, he was himself again. He only needed the occupation to keep him alive, but he knew that he was always more than a bartender trying to make it through the day. As he was about to close the doors, he saw another shadow sitting idly at the edge of the bar. As he came closer, Flynn realized that it was a familiar face. Too familiar, in fact that he had to come up to her and talk. 

"Rough day, ain’t it?" He looked at her with caution, gauging whether she was up for a conversation or not. Flynn knew about the gossip blog and what it had to say about her. Ever since Rapunzel got involved it in, it was automatic that he was hooked with each post. Though he hated to admit it, he was all caught up in the gossip. Meg was a smart woman. She was quick and clever, and the two somehow shared the same language. Thus, Flynn figured he’d cut the crap and be real with her. Taking a bottle of vodka from the shelves, he took two shot glasses and poured them to the brim. "So what exactly do you see in him?" A direct question to a direct person. Maybe the gossip blog was right; maybe she was better off without her French beau. "Guessing the dick game’s not bad for someone like you to put up with that shit." He teased, drinking a shot. “I’m kidding. Don’t kill me.” He pushed her shot glass closer to her side, signaling it as his humble peace offering. 

Flynn had been contemplating whether he’d push through his date with the beautiful Daphne Blake. She was…. by all means, out of his league. However, from their conversation at the bar, Flynn could tell that she was more than her glamorous looks and high-end fashion. She was genuinely interested in getting to know him and advising him on life in general. He knew that she was no Rapunzel, but for some reason, Flynn thought he could at least try. Try to meet someone else; try to feel for someone else. He'd been there for Rapunzel for a long time as she struggled to find herself, and perhaps now was the time for him to find himself as well. 

Opening the doors to the luxurious restaurant Daphne had particularly chosen, he saw her sitting there with her legs crossed, waiting for him to come. Flynn could tell she was genuinely pleased to see him when she saw him. "Hey." He grinned, slightly unsettled by the grandeur of the setting. "I know you like this place, but I’m just thinking…" He wanted to reclaim the game, and impress her in his area of expertise. "Since you’ve already been here. Why not give it a shot on the other side of town? It’s a lot more exotic there. I think you’ll like it." He suggested, hoping she’d say yes. He took his motor keys out and showed it. “Up for a ride?”

Flynn was up last night from a party, and the only thing that woke him up from his long slumber was the sting of the sun shining on his face. He was sweating, despite the cold air. The window was strategically opened so that the sun would only hit his face. "Damn." He shook his shoulders, annoyed that his sleep was cut short. He had messed-up bed hair as he looked around his room, trying to guess what time it was. He was assuming it was only morning, but he had a gut feeling that it may be more than that because of the ray of sun that melted his face awhile ago. Standing up, Flynn only wore his boxers. He took a towel and placed it neatly on his shoulders. He managed to walk out of his room and into the kitchen to get some fresh water when he heard someone squeal behind him. Immediately he looked back, and a different blonde greeted him.

Flynn had to quickly take the towel from his shoulders and wrap it around his waist. "What are you doing here, Ella?" He was embarrassed, especially since it was Ella, of all people, who had to see him like that. As far as Flynn remembers, only Rapunzel, Cass and Pascal know about this place. "How-what?" He couldn’t mumble a single sentence. He was confused, embarrassed, and definitely too shocked to speak. "What the hell is happening?!” He uttered, though he remembered the manner in which to converse with someone like Ella. She was too graceful of a person that he felt the need to reciprocate a bit of her politeness. “Good morning, I guess?"

Flynn sat next to Pascal on the couch, not even attempting to utter a word. In an instant, it seemed like Pascal already knew something was up because being silent and clingy, which was synonymous with Flynn asking for help or a favor. "Hehe." He grinned sheepishly, already anticipating the other person’s response. Peyton was a cool pal, though they were a bit uptight. They weren’t as difficult and annoying as Cass. Flynn actually thought that they cared for him, even just a little bit. Sure, Rider was troublesome, and he radiated "BDE" (which he claims is true), but Peyton seemed to understand that those traits were simply inborn qualities unique to someone like him—or at least that's what Flynn thought. Nevertheless, he was cool with them. He could readily hang out with Payton without any fuss.

"So, I met a woman last night." Flynn confessed, moving awkwardly from his side of the couch. "I kind of gave her your number since I don’t own a phone. Did someone message you? Please?" He batted his eyes, using his best charm to plead his case. Daphne Blake was a goddess, and Flynn would very much like to look into her if he could. Payton was his only hope. "We could check her Instagram. I remember her handle." In an instant, Flynn swiftly tapped their hand, and their phone was readily placed in his. It was a pro-move, and he was quite proud of it. "Here she is. What do you think? She seems posh, but she’s really nice." He gave the phone back, showing her Daphne’s account.​