(no subject)

[life_began]

Rapunzel has discovered donuts.


She actually can't believe that she has wasted so much time in this city without knowing that donuts existed. Looking back on each donut-less day, she can't believe that she didn't realize that something was missing from her life.

That thing? Was donuts.

Today she's left the bakery was a dozen of them, entirely assorted, though she does enjoy the kind with chocolate and colorful sprinkles. They're packed in two boxes of six each, resting comfortably in her fabric tote bag that the grocer told her was good for the environment.

Okay, fine, there is a thirteenth donut in her hand, because she just couldn't wait. It's a special pumpkin flavor, and she just had to try it because she had no idea how a big orange gourd would translate into a sweet, delectable little treat. As it turns out, it translates very well.

Ambling along the city streets in a light coral colored sundress, storefronts catch her eye. There are so many shops that she hasn't been into yet, but she hopes to explore them all someday. She stops in front of a window displaying men with bulging muscles in tight clothing, and she tilts her head with a vaguely perplexed expression on her face, munching on her donut as she takes it in. What's an Iron Man?

When she finally looks past the display and into the store, she's surprised to see Stiles inside. She lets out a squeal and finishes her donut, licking her fingers clean and giving the last little piece to Pascal before heading inside.

"Stiles!" She calls out, heading straight for him and pulling him into a giant hug before he can even get a word out. She presses a kiss to his cheek as she pulls away and then giggles and reaches up to wipe the smear of lip balm that she's left behind. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but I'm still not sure how to work the little calling box. It won't come to life anymore when I press the buttons."

She's thankful that she's with Eugene and that everything is just as new to him as it is to her. It makes her feel a little less lost.

She grins at Stiles, not noticing that the store is full of only men of various ages, and that they've all turned to look at her, or that a few mouths fall open with shock and jealousy when she pulls a box of her bag and poses a very important question to Stiles. "Do you want a donut?"

Comments

[myonlydefense]

Stiles is really kind of awful with cute girls that he has a thing for-- that much is a fact that's been proven time and time again. But it's hard to have too much of a thing for someone who's taken and a Disney princess without feeling somewhat awkward, and Stiles figured out who she was after bouncing the name around in his head for a while.

So as it is, it's pretty funny when Mike gets caught. Socially awkward nerds who are worse than him make him laugh. He puts a hand to his coworker's chest and pushes him back, raising his eyebrows. "Give the lady some space, would you?"

"What, I was just--"

"Going to dust the cases in the back? Thanks, bud." He and Mike have a staredown until the Darrow native gives in and walks away, and he looks back at Rapunzel. "You gotta excuse him. I don't think he's talked to a girl before. Like, ever."

His eyes flicker up to Pascal and he grins. "At least he's in your corner."

[life_began]

"Well, I've never played baseball and I'm sure my first attempt would be better than that." She runs a soothing hand over Pascal's back and then sits up, moving the Spider-Man book way from her chest and looking down her dress, not quite understanding the appeal. She shrugs and then looks back up at him, smiling again.

"Thank you for rescuing me." She looks around the shop and goes over to the figurines on a shelf in the corner. "So, who's your favorite?"

[myonlydefense]

"My pleasure, Punz." He hops up to sit on the counter, watching Rapunzel as she explores. "I'm a pretty big fan of Spider-Man, actually. Nerdy little dude who does things no one expects. I'm into that kinda thing. You thinking of reading one?"

[life_began]

She smiles at the nickname and watches him as he speaks. There's a passion in his voice that's infectious, and it makes her want to know more. "I think I might, actually. It's an interesting format, combining such detailed art with a story like that."

Looking around the store overwhelms her a little. It's so brightly colored and packed to the brims with books, and so many of them seem to have the same or similar titles. "Could you tell me where I should start with this Spider-Man story? I trust your judgment, and if you like him, I'm sure I will too."

[myonlydefense]

"You're an art gal?" Stiles beams as he hops over the counter and heads toward the Spider-Man section, waiting for her to follow before stopping in front of the trades. He points decidedly at one of them, then takes it off the shelf without waiting and putting it in her hands. "This is a good jump-off point. On the house, I gotcha. If you like it, lemme know and shoot me a text, I'll order you the next one."

[life_began]

"Oh, yes! I draw a little, but painting is my favorite. Had to have hobbies where I came from." She looks down at the book in her hand, tracing over some of the intricate lining and grinning back up at him. "Thank you, Stiles. You're so wonderful, you know that? You're going to make some lucky girl or boy very happy someday."

She grins and gets up onto her toes to kiss his cheek, hugging the book to her chest.