I find it interesting how like, fast Gothel ages during the film

I would've thought the magic made her young for a few days a least, but I guess she's sort of like a... decaying corpse? I don't know how else to explain LMAO-- because she ages hella fast and it's weird, so I figured her body just starts to rot like almost instantly after she's rejuvenated by Rapunzel.

Also

Gaslighting, manipulative son of a-- (censored)

...

..

.

The faded logo of the Snuggly Duckling was pained on a trap door leading into a hallowed out tree, the sound of men coughing audible inside. Gothel stands with his back pressed against a nearby boulder, his dagger in his hand and his cloak hood over his head.

He slowly emerges and approaches with a dangerous scowl, the trap door pushed open after a few attempts.

Bran pulls himself out with wheezing breaths, coughing and hacking as he collapses onto his hands on the ground. Gothel's eyes widen in surprise before he quickly backs up, hiding behind a boulder to his right as he watches. Bran forces himself up as he staggers a bit, catching himself on the tree root as Rhett rises with panting breaths.

"I'll kill her! I'll kill that wench!" Bran spits venomously, Rhett nodding silently in agreement,

Gothel's eyebrow raises at this, his thoughts drifting back to the woman on the wanted poster as he connects the two.

"She's going back to the kingdom," Bran continues as he rises, "We'll cut her off, and get back the crown. Come on!"

Bran starts to walk with Rhett in tow, both scowling furiously.

"Or..."

They freeze at the sound of a man's voice calling to them, making them turn around quickly.

Gothel stands on the boulder he had been hiding behind, hood down and revealing his slightly graying hair and pale skin. "Perhaps you want to stop acting like wild beasts chasing their tails, and think for a moment?"

He holds up (Y/N)'s satchel with a smug smirk, eyes narrowed down at the two.

Bran and Rhett both gasp in surprise at the sight before their expressions harden into scowls, both unsheathing their swords.

Gothel rolls his eyes at this, sneering. "Oh, please. Unsurprising you have no manners at all..." he murmurs before clearing his throat, speaking loud and clear. "There's no need for that, gentlemen."

He tosses the satchel at Bran, who drops his sword as he catches it. Bran tries to open it, Rhett launching himself at Bran and attempting to snatch the satchel from him as both fight over it. Bran shoves Rhett away with his shoulder, reaching in and pulling the crown out with a wide smirk, Rhett relaxing with a wicked smile.

"Well! If that was all you desire, then be on your way!" Gothel says with a musing tone, waving his hand in a shooing motion. "I was going to offer you something worth 1,000 crowns. Would've made you both rich beyond belief, and that wasn't even the best part!" he lets out a wry chuckle, "Ah, well! C'est la vie. Enjoy your crown!"

Bran looks down at the crown in his hand, frowning as he looks back to Gothel.

"What's the best part?"

Gothel smirks, holding up the wanted poster of (Y/N).

"It comes with revenge on your little friend here," he says in a sing song, gesturing to the poster with his other hand.

Bran and Rhett look to one another, slow smirks appearing on their faces.

...

..

Fire from a campfire crackles softly, the flames dancing with the breeze. Pascal sits on the grassy ground, Faunus' hair splayed out across the ground and around him and (Y/N), who were currently sitting on a log side by side.

Faunus held (Y/N)'s hand palm up gently in his, carefully wrapping his hair around her hand with a focused look in his eyes.

(Y/N) looks from her hand to Faunus, Faunus not taking his eyes off her hand as he works.

"You're... being oddly quiet there, sunshine," she comments, breaking the silence. "What, did I freak you out with my name back there? Was it too soon?"

Faunus' eyes glance up to meet hers, an amused smile quirking at his lips as he looks back down while continuing.

"And I'm... not really getting why you're wrapping my hand up with your magic hair--"

(Y/N) inhales sharply as she flinches her hand back, the pressure a bit too tight around her hand. Faunus jumps a bit, looking up at her with wide eyes as he winces.

"Sorry, my Lady," he apologizes gently, turning more towards her and relaxing his arms so his hands were resting on his knee, her hand still turned palm up in his.

"You don't have to call me that anymore," (Y/N) teases with a small smile, shaking her head. "Just (Y/N) is fine."

"Of course, my Lady-- (Y/N)," Faunus corrects, sheepishly smiling as she chuckles with amusement.

Faunus looks down at her hand, clasping it lightly.

"Please... please don't freak out."

(Y/N) leans back just a hair, observing Faunus' face with a hint of apprehension as she slowly nods. Faunus nods back, his eyes falling shut as he takes a deep breath, exhaling through his mouth softly as he lifts her hand up just a bit.

...

"Flower, gleam and glow..." Faunus sings out, his voice deep with an enchanting quality to it as the roots of his hair begin to glow a brilliant gold. "Let... your power shine..."

(Y/N) looks up at his hair in awe as she softly gasps, her eyes trailing along the glow as it trails down his hair.

"Make the clock reverse..."

The hair beside her begins to glow, making her shift a bit to watch it with fascination, her hand still in Faunus'

"Bring back what once was mine..."

As (Y/N) follows the glowing path down, she makes eye contact with Pascal, who only grins as he lifts his hand up and points to it with a nod.

"Heal what has been hurt..."

(Y/N) looks down at her hand as the hair wrapped around it begins to glow, making her lean back warily as her fingers twitch.

"Change the Fates' design..."

Faunus' hands around hers tighten just a bit to keep her hand in place as he continues to sing, (Y/N)'s eyebrows furrowing as she feels a warm sensation on her hand. She looks back up at Faunus, Faunus' eyes still shut and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Save what has been lost... bring back what once was mine..."

She looks to Pascal, Pascal smiling as he nods along with half-hooded eyes.

"What once was... mine..." Faunus finishes the song, waiting for a moment as his hair begins to fade back to its original color.

Faunus' eyes flutter open as he nervously watches (Y/N)'s reaction, nodding down at her hand as he slowly releases it. (Y/N)'s eyes dart from Faunus' to her hand a few times before she starts to unwind the hair from around her hand, holding her breath.

She lifts her hand up towards her, her mouth dropping open as she makes a sound of disbelief at the sight. The cut was completely healed, not even a scar left behind. She opens and closes her hand as she stares at her palm, her breathing picking up from the overwhelming amount of shock she was experiencing.

Her mouth opens, a scream threatening to escape her.

"Please don't freak out!" Faunus exclaims before she could, his hands raised in a calming manner.

(Y/N) stares at him, mouth agape, her hand still outstretched facing her. Faunus watches her with a pleading expression, bracing himself in case she did begin to panic.

"I'm... totally not freaking out! Who said I was freaking out? Are you freaking out?" her words come out in a rushed manner as she lowers her hand, a tight lipped smile on her face. "No, no! Totally not freaking out. I'm just, uh very fascinated by your hair and the, uh-- glowing and healing thing it does, I--"

Her eyes widen with realization.

"Wait."

She looks towards the frying pan, squinting back to Faunus.

"My head... you fixed it, didn't you? After the concussing blows you delivered with your frying pam!" she points at him in an accusatory manner, making him rear back with his hands held up in mock surrender as he blinks owlishly.

"Ah..." Faunus awkwardly laughs, looking away sheepishly. "... Yes."

"Aw," (Y/N) sighs in mock disappointment, lowering her hand. "Here I thought I was a super human. But... I guess this does... weirdly make more sense. How--When did it start doing that?"

Faunus lets out a soft chuckle, shrugging his shoulder. "It's... always been like this."

His smile falls as he looks down, "Father says when I was a baby, people tried to cut it. They... wanted to take it for themselves."

"But once it's cut..." He reaches behind him, smoothing the back of his hair down until a short, brown strand was visible. "It turns brown and loses its power."

(Y/N) stares at the short strand of hair, frowning sympathetically.

"A gift like that..." Faunus laughs bitterly, shaking his head as he looks down at the fire. "It has to be protected. That's why Father never let me..."

Faunus pauses, struggling to find the words to say as he sighs and looks back to (Y/N).

"That's why I never— I..." Faunus trails off, looking away ashamedly.

(Y/N)'s face falls in realization.

"You... have never left that tower," she murmurs quietly, watching the side of his face with furrowed brows as she frowns.

Faunus doesn't respond as he slowly turns back to her, his sad eyes meeting hers.

"You--" (Y/N) shakes her head quickly, her eyebrows furrowing, "You're not still going back there, are you?"

"No!" Faunus responds confidently, though his expression falters. "Yes?"

He groans with frustration, burying his face in his hands.

"It's... complicated," his voice comes out quiet and muffled, filled with confliction.

Pascal croaks sadly as he leans against Faunus' foot, trying to offer some comfort to him. (Y/N) watches him with a sorrowful expression, Faunus peering through his fingers at her as he clears his throat, smoothing his hair back with both hands as he exhales.

"So... (Y/N) (L/N), huh? That's... a... beautiful name," Faunus changes the subject with an awkward grin, turning a bit to face her.

(Y/N) felt herself smile giddily at the compliment as she chuckles, rubbing the back of her neck with a shrug. "Ah, I guess so."

"Does it mean anything from where you're from?" Faunus questions curiously, tilting his head with a smile.

(Y/N) looks down in thought, sighing through her nose as she shakes her head. "I don't know. I never asked my parents. We... didn't have the, uh... best relationship."

Faunus' smile falls as he watches her wring her hands in front of her, her body language tense.

"Oh..." he murmurs, looking down at Pascal for a brief moment. "I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not like you told them to be complete Grade-A jerks to me," (Y/N) responds with a wry chuckle, shaking her head as she watches the flames of their campfire.

"They treated you badly?" Faunus asks with furrowed brows, tone hardening a bit in anger.

"That's putting it mildly," she says with a bitter smile, shoulders slumping a bit as she sighs. "It's... fine."

Faunus' hands clench for a moment on his lap before he slowly scoots closer to her, their knees nearly touching as she gives him a questioning glance.

"I'm... I'm here if you want to talk about it," Faunus offers kindly, cheeks a bit red as his eyes flick between hers. "I'm a great listener! Ask Pascal."

(Y/N) and Faunus look down to Pascal, who squeaks affirmative with a few firm nods.

"See?" Faunus says with a grin as (Y/N) softly laughs, shaking her head in amusement. "If you wanted to talk... I'm here for you."

"Are you sure?" (Y/N) questions quietly, tilting her head. "It's not a fun story."

Faunus turns his body to fully face her in response, keeping his eyes on her to show she had his full undivided attention.

(Y/N) rolls her eyes fondly, her expression becoming a bit serious as she looks down at her hands on her lap.

"My parents were... how do I put this?" she looks up at the starry night sky in thought, humming. "Obsessed... with being perfect. They held high standards in the house, and... nothing I did ever seemed to be enough for them."

She pauses for a moment as her hands open and close anxiously on her lap, a sigh leaving her as she continues.

"When I was a kid, I wanted to try everything," (Y/N) says with a laugh, rolling her eyes once more. "Dancing, singing, art, music-- you name it, I probably tried doing it. But... nothing ever worked out."

(Y/N) shakes her head. "The dance classes I took were held by a sweet old woman... I... can't remember her face anymore, but... other kids my age attended, and their parents would usually come along to dance with them. The first few dance lessons I had went well I thought, so I approached my parents asking if they wanted to come watch me and maybe even dance with me. They agreed, much to my delight and shock."

She could almost hear the soft music playing in the background, laughter of children and their parents filling her ears.

"The lesson started, my joy quickly fading as my parents made cruel comments and jokes about my posture and body nearly the entire time. They expressed absolutely no interest in joining me, only wanting to watch and pass their stern judgement. I was only six."

(Y/N) felt herself becoming angry, so she takes a moment to take a deep breath her eyes shutting. They open in surprise when a hand was set over hers, her eyes meeting Faunus' as he offers her a reassuring smile.

She relaxes at this, feeling herself manage a small smile back before she continues.

"When the class was over and we were home, they bluntly told that I was a horrible dancer and should quit because I was too clumsy and I'd never improve. I thought to myself... well, parents know best, right? And I... quit the next morning."

Faunus' eyebrows raise at the familiar sentiment, Gothel flashing through his mind.

(Y/N) shakes her head, scowling lightly down at her feet. "The same cycle happened whenever I'd try anything new. Singing? Terrible voice, too high-pitched. Art? Why are you even trying? You'll never be able to draw that, let alone paint it. Music? Stop playing that insufferable racket, I'll just give up on it and lose interest in a week."

She snorts with an eye roll, "They also always made comments on my physical appearance. They knew that really got to me, so... they used that against me whenever they could. One of their favorite things to call me was the ugly duckling. Real creative, huh?"

"That's... That's awful," Faunus says in a weak whisper, watching her with sadness.

(Y/N) squeezes his hand lightly, grateful for his support as she continues."Once they successfully managed to crush every one of my interests, I became a... doll, I guess you can say. I was just... existing lifelessly, staying at home all day and night performing chores and rarely speaking unless I was spoken to by my parents. I was... thirteen at this point, I think."

(Y/N)'s body trembles a bit as she relives the memories, Faunus removing his hand from hers as he moves closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders in a comforting manner.

"My parents sent me out of the house to the market. Said they were tired of seeing me all the time, and wanted space from me. Wordlessly, I agreed. Before I left, I could hear them talking about how I was just a burden on them-- about how I never did anything and when I did, I always did it wrong."

She scoffs quietly, shaking her head as she clears her throat. "As it turns out, trading ships from the mainland had arrived early that morning on Amythestia, and were still docked in the harbor, set to leave the next morning. I saw the ships, and decided... they wanted space, right? Why shouldn't I give it to them... permanently? That night, I snuck out of the house and approached the captain of one of the ships, offering the jewelry I had stolen from my mother as payment for safe passage to anywhere, I didn't care. My first crime!"

(Y/N) jokes with a weak laugh, sighing with amusement before becoming serious.

"I thought he was going to refuse, but... I guess he saw how desperate I was, and let me on board. We sailed away from Amythestia, and I never looked back," she chuckles quietly, smiling fondly. "The captain was kind. He let me keep the jewelry, gave me that green cloak I always wore... even gave me this dagger."

She unsheathes the dagger from her thigh, holding it loosely in her hand as her fingers trace over the blade.

"We landed on the shore of Corona, and I'd been living there ever since. The jewelry was enough to buy me a small house and kept me stable for a few years, but... lacking the proper skills for life, I couldn't find anyone that would hire me. I was-- still am-- terrible at everything," she states bluntly, tucking her dagger away.

"I had to resort to begging, and soon that turned into accepting loans from, uh, shady people, like those oh-so-kind brothers you met before," she speaks in a monotone when she mentions the brothers, scoffing. "And I've just been trying to go one day at a time."

She looks to Faunus, who had been listening diligently the entire time she had been speaking.

"So... that's me," (Y/N) forces a laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. Her smile falls as she looks away ashamedly, "That's the reason I never... really allowed myself to... have a dream, I guess. I was... maybe still am... afraid that whatever dream I decided on... it just won't work out."

Faunus brows furrow deeply as he frowns, his arm still around her shoulders and hand comforting and warm on her bicep.

(Y/N) clears her throat lightly, playfully glaring at Faunus as she waves a threatening finger at him. "Now, don't go telling everyone I, the mysterious wanted thief, is afraid! I'll deny it with every fiber of my being!"

"I'd-- I'd never tell anyone else!" Faunus quickly responds, rapidly shaking his head as he removes his arm from around her to hold his hands up in a reassuring way. "You just trusted me with something so important to you, and I promise I'd never, ever do anything to betray that trust--!"

"Sunshine," (Y/N) cuts him off, giving him a fond, exasperated smile. "I'm only playing with you. I know you wouldn't tell anyone. I trust you."

Faunus blinks rapidly, his body instantly relaxing as his cheeks burn red. "Oh."

(Y/N) raises a crooked finger to her mouth as she starts to laugh, Faunus slowly smiling as he lowers his hands and begins to chuckle as well while watching her. (Y/N) sighs with amusement as she looks back up at him, her laughter slowly dying as she smiles up at him. Faunus meets her eyes as he grins, (Y/N) feeling her face heat up a bit.

(Y/N), becoming acutely aware of how close they were, clears her throat nervously, quickly scooting away as she rises swiftly.

"Uh-- it's getting a little chilly, isn't it? Really miss my cloak. Um--" (Y/N)'s eyes dart to the fire as she backs away, carefully stepping over Faunus' hair. "I should go get some more firewood-- to make sure we have enough for the night."

She turns and quickly begins to walk away.

"(Y/N)?"

(Y/N) pauses in her tracks, looking back over her shoulder to Faunus.

"For the record... I don't think you're terrible at everything. And, I..." Faunus looks away sheepishly, quickly forcing himself to look back to her with a firm smile. "I think you're beautiful."

(Y/N) opens and closers her mouth a few times, gobsmacked and flustered but unable to tear her gaze from his.

"You'd... be the first to think that," (Y/N) laughs nervously as she looks away bashfully, rubbing her arm lightly in nervous habit as her cheeks become hot. "But... thank you. That's... very sweet."

She turns and walks away into the woods as she looks over her healed hand with awe, Faunus' smile and blush growing as he chuckles fondly while watching her leave. He takes out the small carved bird she had done for him, his thumb brushing against some of the smeared charcoal gently.

"Well! I thought she'd never leave-- thought she'd just blab on forever."

His face instantly drops to horror as it pales, a shocked gasp leaving him as he spins around while rising and dropping the bird.

"F--Father?!" Faunus whispers dreadfully, eyes wide.

Gothel stood behind him, removing his cloak and revealing his wrinkling skin, his hair a bit gray in some areas.

"Hello, Faunus," Gothel greets with a smirk, casually leaning his arm against the tree beside him.

Pascal croaks fearfully as he huddles down on the log, changing into the color to blend in as Faunus stammers nervously.

"H--How did... How did you find me?"

Gothel pushes off the tree and approaches Faunus, wrapping his arms around him in a hug.

"Oh, it was really quite easy," Gothel muses as he strokes a hand through Faunus' hair. "I just listened for the sound of complete and utter betrayal and I followed it."

Faunus sighs at his harsh words, not hugging the man back.

"Father--"

"We're going home, Faunus," Gothel harshly cuts him off, pulling away with a stern look. "Now."

He grabs Faunus' wrist, starting to walk as Faunus quickly pulls his arm away.

"You don't understand!" Faunus shakes his head, Gothel turning to him with a glare. "I've been on this incredible journey, and I've seen and learned so much! And..."

Faunus smiles a bit giddily, looking the direction (Y/N) left in.

"I... even met someone."

Gothel rolls his eyes with a sigh.

"Yes! The wanted thief. I'm so proud!" he mocks enthusiasm, scoffing. "Come on."

He grabs Faunus' arm once more, pulling him along.

"Father-- wait!" Faunus yanks his arm free, backing up a few steps as Gothel scowls while facing away from him. "I think..." he hesitates, a bashful grin on his face. "I-- I like her, and... maybe... I think she likes me, too."

...

"Likes you?" Gothel repeats with a cruel laugh, looking over his shoulder to Faunus. "Please, Faunus! That's demented!"

Faunus was taken aback, stammering in protest.

"See-- this is why you never should have left!" Gothel shakes his head, walking past Faunus, who sighs with dejection. "Dear, this whole romance that you've invented-- it just proves... you're too naive to be here."

He comes up behind Faunus, grabbing his shoulders as Faunus' expression hardens with some anger. Faunus thinks over (Y/N)'s story, his face becoming increasingly upset as he begins to see similarities between her parents and his own father.

"Why would she like you? Come on now, really!" Gothel laughs as he moves in front of Faunus, grabbing some of his hair and holding it up with a disgusted glare. "Look at you! You think that she's impressed?"

Faunus' eyes widen a fraction as he watches Gothel back up towards the forest, a mist settling at their feet.

"Now, stop being bratty," he hisses lowly, offering a kind smile a second later as he holds his arms invitingly. "Come with daddy! Father..."

Faunus' expression hardens fiercely.

"No!" he shouts firmly, voice strong and leaving no room for any discussion.

Gothel, of course, was still going to have something to say.

"No?" Gothel repeats as his smile drops, expression darkening. "Oh... I see how it is."

Faunus holds his ground, though his eyes still held a bit of uncertainty and fear as he watches Gothel.

"Faunus knows best, Faunus is so mature now!" Gothel sarcastically says with a laugh, approaching Faunus and tapping the top of his head. "What a clever grown up man! Faunus knows best..."

Faunus steps back from Gothel with a scowl, watching as he turns away from him.

"Fine! If you're so sure now, go ahead and give her this!" Gothel swiftly turns, holding (Y/N)'s satchel up with a crazed smile.

Faunus gasps, eyes widening in shock. "How did you--?!"

"This is why she's here!" Gothel yells, cutting Faunus off as he yanks the crown from the satchel, waving it at Faunus. "Don't let her deceive you!"

Gothel angrily throws the crown at Faunus, who scrambles to catch it as he looks down at the gems with wide eyes.

"Give it to her, watch! You'll see!"

Faunus looks up at Gothel, eyes narrowing as he confidently replies, "I will!"

"Trust me, my dear!" Gothel snaps his fingers as he approaches Faunus. "That's how fast she'll leave you! And I won't say I told you so!"

He wraps (Y/N)'s satchel around Faunus' neck, yanking on it before Faunus pulls away with a glare.

"No, Faunus knows best!" Gothel angrily laughs, gesturing wildly at Faunus. "So, if she's such a dream girl, go and put her... to the test!"

Faunus looks down at the crown once more, feeling a small seed of doubt sprouting in the back of his mind, despite his efforts to crush it.

His eyes dart back up, a gasp leaving him when he sees Gothel leaving towards the woods.

"Father-- wait!"

"If... she's lying don't come crying!" Gothel spits venomously, turning to Faunus with a wicked scowl. "Father... knows best!"

Gothel swiftly turns away, his cape fluttering in the mist as he disappears into the dark woods, leaving Faunus standing frozen in his spot.

Faunus stares the way Gothel left in for a few moments, swallowing thickly as he looks down at the crown, the moonlight reflecting of the gemstones.

"Hey, sunshine! I had a quick question for ya-- might be a little childish, but hey, I gotta ask!"

Faunus gasps and tenses when he hears (Y/N)'s voice calling to him, making him hide the crown behind his back as his breathing picks up.

...

(Y/N) emerges from the woods, carrying a bundle of firewood in her arms as she smiles to herself.

"Now, is there any chance of me getting... I don't know, super strength in my hand or something?" she asks loudly so he could hear, stepping over a log as she approaches the campfire. "Because seriously, that'd be absolutely amazing."

She spots Faunus standing with his back to her, Faunus remaining silent.

(Y/N) frowns with concern, noticing his body language was tense and apprehensive.

"Hey... are you okay?" she questions gently, coming to a stop a few paces behind him.

Faunus turns around, flashing her a tight lipped smile as he nods. "Hi! Sorry-- yes, I'm... I'm okay. I was just..."

His eyes dart between hers before he quickly looks away, running a hand through his hair as he laughs nervously.

"Just lost in thought, you know?" he looks down, swiftly bending down and picking up the dropped bird and dusting it off.

(Y/N) watches him for a moment, squinting a bit suspiciously. She decides to not press the issue-- not wanting to make him uncomfortable. If it was really important, he'd tell her. Right?

"So! Are you excited for tomorrow?" (Y/N) asks with a smile, kneeling down and setting the firewood down. "It's going to be amazing. There's a festival, and Fionette always has the best baked goods..."

(Y/N)'s voice gets drowned out as Faunus looks over his shoulder towards a decaying tree stump, (Y/N)'s satchel hidden inside of it. He quickly faces forward, feeling himself relax more in her presence as a small smile forms on his face.

...

In the dark brush of the woods, Gothel watches with a glare, Bran and Rhett behind him with scowls.

Bran grunts, unable to contain his fury as he steps forward, Rhett loyally following.

"Patience, boys," Gothel firmly says, holding a hand out and stopping them in their tracks. "All good things to those... who wait."

Gothel smirks maliciously as he watches the two, allowing his hand to drop back at his side.

...

..

.

Wow

I'm not sure why that took me so long to write-- I guess I really wanted her backstory to be, well, not perfect, but at least okay😭

I hope it was--😭

HEY LOOK AT THAT YOUR PARENTS ARENT DEAD

But lowkey you probably wish they was now huh 🌝

Also

I can smell the daddy comments from here, before I've even published it LMAO--💀

Thanks so much for reading this chapter! The next one will be a bit short, and honestly it's only because I want this story to be 20 chapters long. Perfect number. Tickles my brain.

Don't worry! I'll most likely end up uploading two chapters together to make up for the next short as hell one <3

Until the next chapter, my loves!❤️