Chapter summary: Rapunzel knows how to make deals.

Rapunzel – when she was twelve years old – had to take a leap of faith.

Mother had been gone from the tower for a very long time, such a long time that all the food in the tower had run out. Rapunzel had waited for as long as she could after that, she had been so young after all, waiting and hoping that Mother would come back because she was so little, and she couldn't possibly take care of herself.

(At the same time, a piece of her had wished Mother would never come back because Mother always so strict and hated most of the things she liked and never let her go outside.)

But then after a week and a half with no Mother, Rapunzel had to decide if she wanted to keep praying Mother would come back or if she needed to leave the tower. Rapunzel has been terrified to the bone but also excited beyond compare when she chosen to find a way out, which she found in the boarded-up stairs Mother claimed to have gotten rid of years ago.

Rapunzel had been so excited when she stepped out into the grass for the first time, the feel of emerald green blades soft against her bare feet and the sun beating on her arms. Birds and butterflies became real not just pictures in a book and paintings on her wall.

The outside world was her world now, and she was excited and terrified and anxious to be apart of it.

For the first two years, she had been on her own. In those two years she hadn't wanted to, but she had devolved quite a few handy skills as pickpocket. Once she got her hair under control as very long ponytail (she was much too scared to cut it, even years after leaving Mother's care), she became a rather good little petty thief.

A few coins out of a lady's purse here, an apple off a cart there. Not much, never enough to be caught, just enough to get her through a couple days. Though her contempt for it remained as the two years went on, a resignation came with it. She had no skills, nothing to sell, no way to get an apprenticeship, just about the only way that could get some money was her hair.

And though Rapunzel had come to realize how terrible Mother was to her, her advice to keep her power hidden she learned perhaps had been something worth listening too.

But on Rapunzel's fourteenth birthday, her world changed again.

She had been in the capital city for the Lost Princess's Anniversary. That always drew big crowds, which made it easy for her to get a little extra off the carts. She could steal enough fruit and coins to last her maybe two weeks – a month even, if she played her cards right.

Then, from across the pavilion, she had seen two people watching the baker's shop. They were walking down the street on opposite ends, peeking inside as they passed and whispering whenever they met. The two were scouting it out for something, most likely for some bread and coins.

Rapunzel had watched from the corner, keeping a watchful eye on the fruit stand she herself was planning to strike first, seeing if they were a threat to her own chances. If these two got caught, that would put the guards on high alert and force her to up her game, so she didn't get caught likewise.

The two boys were older than her, that was obvious. By how much she wasn't sure, but enough that she could tell that they were closer to adulthood than adolescence but still young enough to be her peers.

One was incredibly tall, with dark skin and a red vest. He lacked any hair on his head but had the beginnings of stubble around his chin. He was stocky – much stockier than most thieves she could think of, so Rapunzel was willing bet that this boy leaned more towards the muscle side of whatever partnership he had with the other boy.

The other boy was tall as well – no where near as tall as the other boy, but much taller than her – with tan skin, and brown hair cut in short strands at the base of his neck and a few hairs on his chin as well. He was smaller than his friend, much wirier, better fitted for thievery. He was the leader, she could tell from his posture and the glance he gave his friend. Even if it was never spoken, this boy was the leader.

Rapunzel looked away from the second boy, who was making her feel very strange. He was by far the handsomest boy she had ever seen before. She shook her head and turned back around to face the boys, wondering if they were going to scout today and strike tomorrow, or if they were daring enough to try this kind of heist during the Lantern Festival. Petty theft on the street was one thing, but this was something else.

The leader boy looked up, and bright hazel eyes met her green ones. Rapunzel's breath hitched in her throat and she pulled back from her position, turning on her back towards the street she was standing on. The building she was peeking over the side of was cold against her back, the thin layer of her hair providing very little barrier between the two.

Her breathing was heavy as she hoped and prayed that it had just been a trick of the light, that he hadn't seen her, that she was just imagining things. She steadied her breath and peeked over the edge of the building again, hoping that they were still walking in that strange formation, but instead found those hazel eyes inches from her.

She gave a gasp at the proximity and stepped back, nearly tripping on her hair.

"Can I help you?" the boy asked. His voice was young too, but deep enough to pass for mature. The second boy appeared at the leader boy's flank, crossing his arms with a quizzical expression.

"N-no," Rapunzel answered nervously. The leader boy raised a brow and leaned against the building, an easy smirk on his lips.

"Then why, pray tell, have you been watching me and my buddy here for the last five minutes?" the second boy asked. Rapunzel blinked and felt a rosy blush rise to her cheeks. It seemed she hadn't been as subtle as she thought.

"You-you're trying to steal from the bakery," Rapunzel offered up. The leader boy rolled his eyes.

"Oh, really?" leader boy said. "And on what grounds does that claim come from, Blondie?"

Rapunzel frowned. "You've been scouting it out."

The second boy shook his head. "I believe your mistaken, little miss. We've simply been pacing the street because our parents don't like us leaving the street."

Now it was Rapunzel's turn to raise a brow. "Oh, really? What's your father's name then?"

"Bobby," said leader boy.

"John," said the second boy.

Leader boy looked at the second boy in irritation.

"Bobby John," leader boy amended, smirk just as charismatic as ever. But Rapunzel wasn't buying one bit of it, crossing her arms and frowning at the two of them in disbelief. She wasn't the girl in the tower anymore – she was no fool.

"Your father's name is Bobby John?" Rapunzel asked, looking between the two boys.

"Yes," they both said, looking unshakable in their resolve. Rapunzel was almost inclined to believe them.

"Then why'd you call him Bobby?" Rapunzel asked. "And you'd call him John?"

Now leader boy hesitated for a moment – probably not having been anticipating that question – and Rapunzel smiled, taking that moment to catch them.

"Exactly," Rapunzel said. "You're scouting out the bakery."

Second boy bit his lip nervously, while leader boy tried to remain calm. Rapunzel, however, could see little cracks in his bravado; his smirk was starting to droop just a little on the sides.

"Okay, so, what if we are?" leader boy asked. He inclined himself forward, rising his shoulders to appear more imposing. "What are you going to do?"

"Call the guards on us?" second boy picked up.

No, she couldn't do that. Though she wasn't an enemy of the state, she knew at least one warrant was out for her arrest. Calling the guards would only result in her being arrested alongside these two.

She sighed.

"Depending on how good you are?" Rapunzel asked. "I was going to join you."

This got their attention. Both of their postures straightened at once, eyes widening out to sizes comparable to saucers.

"No, no way, not happening!" leader boy said, warm eyes becoming more stubborn. Second boy joined in on this, frowning deeply.

"The last thing we need is you messing this up for us," second boy continued. Rapunzel pursued her lip out and crossed her arms.

"You got spotted by me!" Rapunzel said. "You're lucky that it wasn't just some guard that caught onto your little game here." She looked at her nails. Play neutral, make them think you could care less, that was a piece of advice dropped on her once when she tried to hook up with a band of pirates.

"You're a girl, sweetie," the leader, a woman with brown hair named Caine, had told her "and you'll have to play hard to join any team."

Leader boy bit his lip. "Regardless, we're not taking along an amateur. Have you ever even stolen anything in your life?"

She hated lying, she really did, but she couldn't let them know she was a thief too until after she got on board. Her own card was that she could go to the guards at any time, and that would be taken from her hand if they knew she had a warrant out for her.

"You got to get a start somewhere," Rapunzel fibbed, voice lighter than she felt. The boys, however, seemed less than impressed with her little joke. They continued to look at her with those blank expressions that told her plainly that she wasn't invited on their little escapade to steal from the baker.

Okay. Plan B, Rapunzel.

She plastered on a sympathetic look as she could manage, crossing her arms with a languished sigh.

"Well, it looks like I'll have no choice but to offer you a deal," Rapunzel said.

"A deal?" leader boy asked, interest a little peeked. Rapunzel smiled widely, mischief shining in her green eyes.

"You let me in, or I'll have no choice but to tell the guards," Rapunzel said. Leader boy's eyes narrowed.

"You're bluffing," leader boy said. Second boy looked a little more frightened at the prospect – it seemed he believed she would actually do it.

"Try me," Rapunzel said warningly. Her and leader boy remained in a staring contest for several moments as he tried to discern if she was telling the truth (she hoped that he wasn't catching on that she wasn't). He scrutinized her for a moment longer before giving a very loud sigh.

"Fine!" he said. Rapunzel smiled.

"Really?" she nearly squealed. Second boy looked less excited.

"Really?" second boy asked.

"But if you get caught, we aren't coming back for you, got it Blondie?" the leader boy said, raising a finger stubbornly.

"Okay, okay, okay!" Rapunzel said. She stuck out her hand to shake.

"I'm Rapunzel," she said, "but you can call me your new partner!"

Leader boy shook his head. "Partner-in-training-on-a-one-time-basis, okay, Blondie?" He pointed to himself. "Name's Flynn Ryder, and this is Lance."

Lance waved unsurely, but his eyes were nicer than before.

"Now, come on," Flynn said, turning on his heel. "We've got some more planning to do."

Partner-in-training-on-a-one-time-basis became full-time partner fairly quickly.

After that first bakery job, which had gone just swimmingly, except for the part where they went on a mad dash for three hours to now get caught – even if they had managed to score a couple of coins and at least a week's worth of bread – Flynn and Lance had let her stick around for one more job and then another and then another and then soon enough two years had gone by.

They became a trio of thieves and each one had their roles. Flynn was, pretty simply, the thief. Out of the three of them, he was obviously the best out of that part of the job. Slights of hands, pickpocketing, breaking and entering, all of it he could do with a kind of ease none of them could master. If they needed someone to sneak in, he became the go to guy.

Lance was a jack of all trades – he could be a thief when they really needed someone else with Flynn but was good at eliminating the people in their way. He didn't kill them, but he wasn't too shabby in a fight even if he preferred a nice grab and go to having to take down assailants.

And Rapunzel? Rapunzel was the grifter – the distraction. At age fourteen, she had been just young enough to garner pity for her plight and keep their targets distracted. But as time wore on, her role expanded to playing many roles and using so many names and ruses that it was impossible to find her real one by word of mouth. And it didn't exactly deter that she was growing up into quite a pretty young lady, something that always managed to distract some of their less-than-stellar marks.

Flynn helped with this some too – he had been nineteen when they met and now at twenty-one most remains of adolescence was completely gone from his physique. He was handsome, something he was fully aware of and used to his advantage, flirting with female marks so that Lance or less commonly Rapunzel could sneak up and take the purse or item she had.

Rapunzel noted this change in Flynn many times with a fluttery feeling in her stomach, something she wondered if Flynn was noting about her. But if the way he kept treating her (with the casualness one would give a sibling) was any indication, he certainly wasn't.

But still, that didn't matter, because at least they all had each other. And for two years, they worked pretty well together, becoming a unit that got even the Baron's attention.

When the Baron summoned them to Vardaros, they had been more or less completely terrified. The Baron was everyone's worst nightmare – cunning and ruthless, he was the Machiavelli of crime bosses. When they first heard that the man was asking around for them, they had been very afraid that it was because they crossed some line – went over his territory without knowing.

But when they arrived in Vardaros to find that the Baron was after their heads (yet), but simply wanted to give them a job, Rapunzel had been very relieved.

This was the chance of a lifetime – working for the Baron meant no one messed with you, everyone was too afraid to mess with the Baron to dare come after his men. It meant that her and her small family of friends could be safe, finally, not wondering where their next meal was coming from.

They settled into life under the Baron's care nicely. They would get sent out on one or two jobs a month, give him what he sent them for and they would get a square of the share and a place to rest. All in all, not that bad. Some of the character's around them were shady even for them – wanted thieves – but besides from Anthony the Weasel, all in all, they were harmless.

(Besides, if they tried to hurt one of them, they had Rapunzel's hair – a secret Rapunzel disclosed to them six months after meeting them when Flynn wouldn't shut up about her hair being too long for the jobs.)

Also helping them was that Flynn had fallen into good favor with the Baron's daughter, Stalayn. Stalayn was also a pretty good thief in her own right, that Rapunzel could tell from the one or two jobs they had been forced to have her on the crew. Several years older than Rapunzel, Stalayn had knee-length brunette hair and womanly curves she just didn't yet, something Flynn seemed to like very much.

Not that that last part had anything to do with her not liking Stalayn (Lance, I mean it.) No, Stalayn had that uneasy look in her eye and an angry curve to her jaw that made Rapunzel think that this girl would drop them at a moment's notice if the job went south. And while Rapunzel knew honor amongst thieves was scarce, she didn't take too kindly to this variable being exposed to her family.

But for a year they kept up their employment with the Baron, and Flynn kept up that good grace with Stalayn. Flynn would within two months proclaim to love Stalayn (something that put a very bitter taste in her mouth), and within six would be lined up to marry her (something that had put a tight feeling in her chest).

Everything would have been completely fine – they would've stayed here under the Baron and Flynn would have gotten the happily ever after the girl of his dreams if they hadn't walked through the doors.

Lance, Flynn, and Rapunzel had become pretty common members of the Baron's, err, welcoming committee. They always were around when new people were brought to him for audiences or punishments. Flynn was to be his son-in-law, and Lance and Rapunzel were his partners in crime, they were unspoken family of him now.

On this particular day, things had been slow, no new audiences or jobs to go on. Flynn had been called off with Stalayn for wedding planning (as daughter of the Baron, no expense would be spared), so it had just been Lance and Rapunzel lounging around the living space they were giving in with bored faces and conversation that went in circles.

(You realize he's, like, the same age as me, right? Lance, I don't have feelings for Flynn – Keep telling yourself that, little miss.)

They, had however, been quickly pulled by the Weasel to come greet surprise visitors, brought in especially because they had crossed the Baron.

So, they had stood at the Baron's side, meanest snarl she could manage on her face when the doors opened to reveal who it was that had arisen the Baron's ire.

One was a girl who looked around Flynn and Lance's age, hair cropped short to her ears and olive-green eyes. She was scowling as she was brought forward, hands tied together, and eyes narrowed on the incoming form of the Baron. This sight was not something that surprised Rapunzel – young men and women were brought in all the time for wronging the Baron. She had probably gone rogue on a freelance job or mouthed off to her handler.

But then Rapunzel's heart stopped when she saw who was being dragged in next.

It was a boy – scrawny and young with unkempt hair. Cracked goggles was on his head, raven hair being held back by the brown strap of the item, blue eyes wide with fear. This was a young boy – very young, couldn't be more than twelve or thirteen, hands tied like the girl.

This was a child. The Baron was going to punish a child – and Rapunzel knew what the punishments given by this man were.

"He's so young," Rapunzel breathed. She hoped her partners caught her meaning. Apparently, they did because Lance leaned forward to whisper.

"We can't let him punish a child, Flynn," Lance said, voice almost inaudible. Flynn shuffled on his feet, face unsure, but made no comment.

"Cassandra Burrow and Varian Wry," the Baron's voice boomed, eyes unrelentingly cold. "You've been a thorn in my side for far too long. I've dreamed of this day."

Cassandra – the girl – smirked at the words.

"Glad to know you dream of me," Cassandra said. Her eyes were fearless in a way Rapunzel had never seen before. The boy – Varian – looked more afraid, especially once Cassandra started talking.

"Cassie –" Varian hissed fearfully under his breath.

"Silence!" the Baron roared. "Such disrespect will not be tolerated in my presence."

The man holding the rope tightened her bands as punishment and did so to Varian too for equal measure. Cassandra gave a hiss at the pain while Varian tried to jerk away, only to get a swift slap across his face for the motion.

Varian looked up in surprise, fire lighting in Cassandra's eyes at this movement. A red mark began to appear on Varian's face. On instinct, Rapunzel tried to move forward only for Flynn to take her arm and pull her back.

"Easy Blondie," Flynn whispered. "We don't know what he's doing yet."

Rapunzel gave one restless sigh but did ease a little at Flynn's words. The Baron may not be known for mercy, but she had never seen him put a child to death. He could have compassion in that heart somewhere.

"You've stolen from men, double crossed my precious Stalayn –" Stalayn smirked deviously from his spot at her side, something Cassandra returned with an unforgiving stare "—and then have the audacity to come into Vardaros, trespassing into my territory."

"But's that only because –" Varian tried, only to be swiftly cut off by Cassandra.

"She left us for dead in the middle of nowhere," Cassandra said. "Nearly got Varian killed by arrows, and we only took her share because she didn't do anything."

The silence after that statement was almost deafening. No one ever dared insult Stalayn – lest they get the full wrath of the Baron's men. Even Flynn – Stalayn's own fiancé – was too shocked to come to her defense.

Stalayn, meanwhile, merely smirked more and climbed down to their level with slow, even steps.

"I only wished to instill in little Varian here the trademarks of being a thief – never trust anyone," Stalayn said. Her words were icy and cold, so much so that they put a dark feeling in Rapunzel. She reached down to ruffle Varian's hair. Rapunzel could see Varian did not appreciate the gesture, but the red mark on his face and rope on his hands kept him from pulling away.

"You nearly cost me the greatest thing in this world," the Baron said, leaning back in his stone chair. "As well as continually stole from my men, losing me hundreds in profits. Such insolence will not be tolerated."

Varian's eyes became more fearful and Rapunzel wanted to reach out, but Flynn's hand still on her arm and her own fear kept her rooted to the spot.

"You must be made an example of," the Baron said. "Tomorrow at noon, you shall be killed for all Vardaros to see."

Cassandra began yelling at him, harsh and unforgiving while tears streamed from Varian's eyes. Rapunzel felt her heart break in a thousand pieces.

The Baron was going to kill a child – a sweet child, one that still had a chance to get out of this life. He was so young, nothing he could have done could justify the Baron putting him to death. And this Cassandra too? What could she have done? What could anyone have done to force the Baron's hand to this?

Well, whatever it was, Rapunzel wouldn't let it happen on her watch.

"Wait!" Rapunzel called, breaking out of Flynn's grip. She stood firm in front of Cassandra and Varian, her bottle green eyes wide with determination and fear.

"Blondie!" Flynn shouted after her, but Rapunzel didn't turn to him.

The Baron's eyes narrowed.

"Rapunzel Gothel," he drawled, and a shiver went up Rapunzel's spine at the tone. Not since Mother had she been so afraid of someone. "What are you doing?"

"Yo-you can't do this," Rapunzel said simply. Her voice was braver than her heart felt.

He raised a brow. "Why not? They have stolen from us! Left Stalayn for dead, could have left your partner with no fiancé! I believe the punishment is more than fair."

Rapunzel gulped. The Baron was not known for reasoning, at least never to the other's advantage. But she couldn't let this happen. She couldn't watch a child die.

"They stole from you, us?" Rapunzel asked. "Give them a chance to return what they stole. On our next job – send them with us! Me and the boys can keep an eye on them!"

The Baron pursued his lips while Stalayn just laughed, crossing her arms at Rapunzel's side.

"And who's to say they won't just double cross you, Blondie?" Stalayn said. Rapunzel grit her teeth. No one could call her Blondie, unless that person was Flynn Ryder.

"Me and my team are the best thieves you have," Rapunzel said. "We've never left a man behind, even those we didn't like." Rapunzel hoped Stalayn knew she was talking about her. "Why would we letting enemies get away be different?"

The Baron took a deep breath. "You know how I feel about second chances."

That he never gave them. Yes, she knew very well.

"How about a deal then?" Rapunzel asked. "If we manage to bring them back here with enough to pay you back, then you hire them on as thieves to work with me, Lance, and Flynn."

The Baron's lips twitched into almost a smile. "And if you don't return with them or the payment?"

Rapunzel took a breath. "Then I will tell you the truth behind my hair."

Flynn and Lance both in took breath, and another silence engulfed the crowd. It was an open secret that her hair was that long for a reason – none knew why, and none dared asked. She was one the Baron's top men and had been hired not for her hair but for her skill, but Rapunzel knew that Baron wished to know even if he never said. She also knew that the Baron was a gambling man - and this was an offer he couldn't refuse.

It was the perfect bargaining chip. One she hoped didn't backfire.

The Baron gave a poor but loud excuse of a laugh. "Very well. You shall return with these two fiends and my payment when I give you your next assignment, or you will tell me why it is you have never cut your hair. Are we agreed?"

"Yes."

Me: *has three other fics, homework, and responsibilities*
Also, Me: LEVERAGE AU BABY!

This is a fairly short story, it'll be at most five chapters and like maybe one or two follow-ups, but I hope you guys like it. It's essentially a what-if taking the idea that main four are all orphan/thieves and then throwing in Varian for good measure because every family needs the little brother. :)

Raps is totally crushing hard on Eugene/Flynn, but she's sixteen so he doesn't quite return the affection yet – she's still technically a kid after all! It would be weird if he did! But for now, Raps is trying her hardest to get him to notice her, even if he's one hundred percent oblivious. The age difference is about…five years? Why can' Eugene have a canon age? Must we guess?

Also, Rapunzel only thinks her last name is Gothel – she was raised by a woman calling herself Mother Gothel, so she just picked that as her last name when she was pressed to get one. As for Cass and Varian's surnames – Cassandra I literally bulled from thin air but for Varian it was because he's kind of sassy and mocks the royal family – he's wry. I thought it was funny. If you read some of my other Tangled stuff, you'll recognize that this isn't the first time I used that name for him.

Unfortunately, Pascal and Rudiger had to be cut from the story - I love them, but honestly I couldn't find a way to fit them that wouldn't just sideline them. So they're just off living happily in the forest. Yay!

Hope y'all enjoyed!
- Princess Chess