FTRS Shots and Other Stuff

What is Worth to Steal (Gilly x Jax)

Non-FTRS AU

***

The first time he met her, she had been caught scaling the castle walls while he was practicing his swordsmanship.

"Hey, hey watch the shoes, mister! They're brand new," the young girl hissed at the soldier aiming the sharp tip of their spear at her boots. She bared her teeth at them, resembling a wild animal. It didn't help that her hair was tangled and frizzy, the brown strands puffing up.

"Stay back, your highness, she might be dangerous." Jax rolled his eyes. The girl was just the same age as he was. Frankly, he had never even seen a thief or a vagabond with how they restricted him from leaving the castle. If she had come to steal some of their priceless artifacts, he would gladly let her have them; they were unnecessary anyway.

"Let her go, Pete," he said, raising a hand. "Keep your weapons away."

Pete gave him an incredulous look. "Your Highness, she's a thief! She was about to interrupt your sword—"

Jax made a shushing motion, even though he didn't want to do it. That was the only way to get them to listen. "Well, if she's that bit of an aggressive thief, why'd she get herself caught?"

At the remark, the girl growled, offended. "I did not! These knuckleheads just had to arrive at the wrong time!" Her brown eyes flashed with distaste. "I could cut your neck without you noticing, your highness."

His soldiers raised their spears closer, and Jax panicked. "I thought I said to keep your weapons away!" He ran a hand over his curly hair. "Just let her go, she hasn't even done anything harmful yet."

"Your highness she threatened your life!"

"That's exactly the point I exist; my life is to be constantly targeted. Now. Let. Her. Go." Pete scowled, but he ordered the rest to clear away except for one, who held her arms firmly just in case she escaped. "Escort her out, soldier," he said. The soldier nodded and tugged on the girl. She had a look of disdain, but she didn't look at Jax this time.

***

The second time they met, she had been again, caught scaling the castle walls.

"Watch the shoes!" she uttered the same thing, glaring at the soldier who seemingly had purposely aimed his spear at her boots.

"You again?" Pete clicked his tongue. "What're you trying to steal here anyway?"

"None of your business," she spat. Jax noticed there was now a purple strand in her wild mane.

"Have you been cursed?" Jax said without thinking. The girl had a look of surprise that lasted for a second before Jax could blink, as if it was never there in the first place.

"None of your business," she repeated, eyes trained to the ground.

The prince felt sorry for her. Living a sheltered life, Jax had no idea what the conditions common folk had, not until he had made his first friend. Oliver Funklehouse was a sailor's son who brought fish for them every 2 months. Ollie would recount his tales (most Jax assumed was made up) while also talking about the world beyond his walls. Jax had learned about a certain area was struck with poverty after the imprisonment of Lady Flora, a noble woman. Cases of thievery increased in the village, and Jax supposed the young girl was a victim of it too.

Even if he was a prince, Jax felt like he needed to do more than just studying and practicing swordsmanship. If he was to rule one day, he'd have to rule fairly.

"Give her a silver," he instructed. Jax made eye contact with the girl. He hadn't studied her face before, but underneath her grimy exterior was freckles blooming on her face, sharp brown eyes, and long eye lashes. She was sort of pretty, but he didn't say that. Instead, "Go. Take that instead." The girl fixed him with the same glare, but she readily accepted the coin placed on her palm. As she walked away, she looked back quickly then faced forward.