Rampion’s feet padded against the brick floor, his blonde braid dragging behind him as his fingers comb through some of the strands, slowly untangling knots as he walked upstairs to his painting. He swallowed quietly, fingers brushing against the drawing he’d work weeks on. Gothel had left him alone again, promising to come back soon. Soon was usually five days or so. He paused, palm stilling against the wall, as he heard shuffling before a loud thud came from behind him.

He swiftly turned, almost tripping over his shiny hair as his hands wrapped around the railing, peering over to see if Gothel came back early. His shoulders rose to his head, tensed with nerves before ducking quickly. Someone was there. His heart pounded fiercely as he slowly climbed back down the stairs, steps hesitant and quiet to not alert the stranger. He got to the bottom of the stairs, fingers reaching out for a weapon as his eyes remained on the distracted figure.

He snatched the pan before quickly getting up, feet quiet but hearable as he approached them, arms raising before coming down once the person moved to look back at him. His heart stopped at the sight of their eyes, pretty.

He winced at the loud sound of a body thumping against the floor, guilty for knocking them out but not regretful. “You’re the one who snuck in here.” He muttered to the unconscious body, lips tilting down. He grunted as he lifted them up, struggling a little before dragging a chair closer with his foot and shoving them into it. He nibbled on his lower lip, unsure how to restrain them if they woke before circling them multiple times with his hair, like rope. His eyes slowly looked down to where he hit them, a satchel.

He glanced back at them before slowly walking away with a eye on them, snatching the bag before peering into it. He placed his hand into the satchel, pulling out a shiny crown before blinking.

An idea bloom into his head before he shifted on his feet, a wide smile covering his previously frowning lips.