Tangled!

The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more the world seemed to open up. Rapunzel had never imagined so much color, so many sounds. Every step she took was a discovery, a piece of freedom she had never known existed.

By mid-afternoon, they reached a sunlit meadow, golden and wide, stretching out like a sea of wildflowers. The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with soft white clouds drifting lazily across the horizon.

Rapunzel gasped. "It's so big."

Flynn smirked. "What, never seen an open field before?"

She shook her head. "Never."

Flynn gave an exaggerated sigh. "You know, I'm starting to think that tower of yours really was a prison."

Rapunzel didn't answer. Instead, she did something that made Flynn raise an eyebrow, she ran.

Barefoot, her long hair flowing behind her, she dashed through the tall grass, arms stretched wide like she could scoop up the whole sky. The breeze rushed past her, wrapping around her like a soft embrace.

She twirled.

She laughed.

She threw her arms up and spun, her feet kicking up petals and tiny bursts of dust from the earth.

Pascal, still perched on her shoulder, clung on for dear life before leaping off and tumbling into a patch of daisies with an indignant squeak.

Flynn, standing at the edge of the meadow, just stared.

Rapunzel looked like she belonged to the wind itself.

Her golden hair caught the sunlight, shimmering as it lifted with every movement. Her laughter rang through the air, light and full and free.

For a moment, he forgot why he was there.

Then she stopped suddenly, breathless, turning to him with wide eyes.

"Flynn!" she gasped. "You have to try this."

He raised an eyebrow. "You… want me to run in circles like a crazy person?"

"Yes!"

Flynn snorted. "Yeah, I think I'll pass."

Rapunzel pouted. "Come on, you can't not want to feel this."

"I'm good, Blondie." He plopped down in the grass, leaning back on his elbows. "I'll just enjoy the show."

Rapunzel crossed her arms, considering. Then, without warning, she marched over, grabbed his arm, and yanked.

"Whoa, hey!" Flynn stumbled to his feet as Rapunzel dragged him forward.

"You're doing this!" she declared, eyes sparkling.

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Flynn opened his mouth to protest, then suddenly, she spun him.

Completely off guard, he flailed as she twirled him in an unexpected dance, laughing all the while. He barely caught his balance, staring at her in shock.

She grinned up at him. "See? Fun!"

Flynn blinked.

When was the last time someone had laughed like that around him? Not in mockery, not in sarcasm, but real, unfiltered joy?

He sighed dramatically. "Fine."

And just like that, he gave in.

They spun together, feet moving across the grass, golden strands of hair twirling like silk around them. The wind joined in their dance, tugging at their clothes, lifting Rapunzel's laughter into the sky.

For the first time in a long time, Flynn found himself laughing too.

Pascal, watching from the flowers, let out an unimpressed huff before curling up for a nap.

Finally, they collapsed back into the grass, breathless and grinning.

Rapunzel gazed up at the sky, eyes bright with wonder. "I never knew the world could feel like this."

Flynn turned his head, watching her.

He wasn't sure what to say.

Because for the first time in a long time…

He wasn't thinking about gold. Or riches. Or himself.

For the first time, he was just here.

With her.

And strangely enough…

It felt like freedom.