(Hi! This is about Lock and Key. They are in _Most Wanted, _and they meet Hale, a princess in my More Than Blood series on here. I haven’t written in that world in a while, but I am trying to write more in it.)

———

Hale is ahead of the twins but within their sight. Lock has an apprehensive gaze on her back. Key rolls her eyes at her brother.

“You know what Mom and Dad always said,” Key reminds him, swatting at him. He dodges, but his attention quickly returns to the princess fighter in front of them.

“Yes I know. Don’t trust anyone. Especially royals,” he answers. Even with their parents having been gone for a long time, their insistence on not trusting people was drilled into their skulls.

Key shakes her head, red hair bouncing with her movement. “No they said specific royals. Which doesn’t include Hale.”

This princess comes out of nowhere and helps them. How can Key not be curious?

“So you think we should just…what? Go with her?” He asks incredulously. It’s rhetorical, but Key is very serious.

She shrugs, which does not make Lock feel better about this situation. “We know how to get around better than anyone. Who is better to help?”

“Anyone. Literally anyone,” he deadpans, giving his sister a blank stare.

Grabbing his upper arm, she shakes him as if to shake sense into him. “This could be our chance!”

Lock is stressed to the max. The enthusiasm for this princess baffles him. His sister might be losing her mind. “Our chance for what, Key? We’re criminals! Not chauffeurs!” He snaps sternly, running a hand through his ginger tresses.

“Our chance to do something, be something more than just this,” she tried to explain, gesturing widely to their surroundings. “Do what Mom and Dad wanted to do in their lives. The right thing.”

Sometimes Lock really hated his sister’s fervor for their parents’ words. And that she was older.

It usually made her right.

Sighing, somewhat dramatically (Key would say very much so), he nods. “Fine,” he draws out the single word just to be difficult.

Pumping her fist in the air in victory, she actually giggles. It almost makes him smile.

Key drags Lock closer to Hale and presents the good news, “We want to help you.”

Hale glances at them, not impressed, more like amused. The twins can see that she isn’t threatened by them since she doesn’t even have her hand on her sword, and she’s entirely relaxed.

“I know. You were talking very loud.”