(Y/N) was the youngest of the (L/N) name and by far the cleverest. By the age of five, she devised a plan of escape that would free her from any family event she did not wish to attend. All she needed was a second, and she could sneak away from any watchful eye. No one ever understood how, and she never shared her secret with anyone, save for one soul.

She met him just after an escape, hidden behind the tall gate she'd climbed over. He noticed her right away, storm cloud gaze landing on her and then the freshly tattered white dress she wore. She was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. She looked to be around his age, too -- eight, as he'd just turned the other day.

(Y/N) caught his gaze and his cheeks flushed. His hair was the same color as the gold necklace that hung around her neck, but (Y/N) thought something about him was prettier. She brushed the dirt off of her dress and approached as the boy's eyes widened.

A few steps closer and she noticed why he was so nervous. On his left arm he wore a white band; a band that marked him as less than her, a band she was supposed to frown upon. He quickly got to his feet. He looked like he wanted to run.

"What's your name?" (Y/N) asked.

In all her seven years of living, (Y/N) hadn't ever been so close to an Eldian, nor had she spoken to one. Her family always kept her far from internment zones, and though she attended events to which honorary Marleyans were invited, she was never allowed near them.

He, however, had been that close to a Marleyan before, but never one who spoke to him without disdain. He tried to find his voice -- if he knew anything, it was to never keep a Marleyan waiting -- but he could not speak. He was afraid.

"I'm (Y/N)," said the girl. "Are you hiding, too?"

His heart was still racing from fear of being caught; of what terrible punishment awaited him when he was. He knew she must've been important, for her clothes looked quite expensive, and her earrings sparkled in the sunlight. His mother never wore earrings like that; even if she did, they'd never look as nice on her.

"They'll find you here," (Y/N) said. She held out her hand, her pretty (e/c) eyes looking kindly at him. "We can go to my hiding spot. No one ever looks there."

She could tell he didn't know what to do. His eyes fell on her fingers as if he was afraid to meet her gaze -- rather, he thought he didn't have the right. Finally, he found his voice and said, "But I'm... I'm Eldian,"

"I know," She grabbed his hand. He jumped at the contact. When he finally met her eyes, she smiled kindly at him. "It's this way,"

She tugged on his fingers gently, and together, they set off. He followed her down the dirt path, around the corner, and then right down the street for everyone to see. His heart pounded, his eyes fell on their interlocked hands, and he was just about to let go when she ducked into a small alleyway. He looked over his shoulder and was amazed to find that no one had seen them. He looked to see if (Y/N) was surprised, too, but she was still forging ahead without a trace of reluctance. She knew they would remain unseen. She had done this before.

For the first time, he allowed himself to smile.

She brought him through twists and turns he thought he'd never remember, then finally, they arrived at what he assumed was their destination.

There were not many abandoned places in Marley. The rich liked to buy whatever they could to flaunt their wealth, land was certainly no exception. Often, they would buy old properties and fix them up so others knew they had the money. Those properties would never be used, save for in conversation.

(Y/N) thought her little two-story hiding place was special, for no one bought it, nor had they tried to. She believed she was the only person who knew of its existence. It belonged to her and her alone. Until that day.

"You still haven't told me your name," (Y/N) said, pushing the old wooden crate underneath the only unlocked window.

"I'm Zeke," answered the boy.

His eyes followed her as she fearlessly pulled herself on top of the crate, even though it looked like it might collapse at any moment due to its age. She crouched down, just the slightest bit taller than him on her pedestal, and held out her hand once again.

"Nice to meet you." She smiled, and Zeke felt his face grow hot.

Tentatively, slowly, he wrapped his fingers around her hand. They shook, and (Y/N)'s smile grew.

And from then on, they were unstoppable.