Romance Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Cassunzel Short Stories ❯ The Battle of the Stubborn ( Chapter 6 )

“Well,” Cassandra stated, placing her hands on her hips. “It’s official, we’re lost.” Cassandra glared at the brunette girl in front of her. “You just HAD to go exploring in a condemned AND closed off cave, didn’t you?”

“I was curious! Besides, you didn’t have to follow me, so that’s on you.”

“I followed you because you tend to get yourself into trouble wherever you go. No thanks to your ‘curiosity’.”

Rapunzel made a cute little huffing said, crossing her arms. Cassandra always loved getting the princess riled up, she was both equally cute and hot when she was mad. “It’s not the FIRST time we have been stuck in a dark cave together before.” Rapunzel responded, snapping Cassandra out of her fantasy.

“Yeah, but you’re the reason we got stuck there too.”

“If I remember correctly, YOU’RE the one who pierced the place with a rock, making the place nearly collapse, and knocked us into the cave.” Rapunzel stated. 3 years ago, or even 2 years go, Rapunzel would have never said such a thing; because the topic was too painful and she, and Cassandra, avoided talking about Cass’s moonstone days. Another reason being, she didn’t want to hurt Cassandra or make her feel guilty knowing that for a while, the guilt of what she did hung on her shoulders.

But now, 4 years later, they could talk about it, even joke about those days, without either feeling their heart clench and crumble. Of course, the guilt will always hang onto Cassandra but she learned how to control it. She definitely made up for what she did by dedicating the last 4 years to protecting citizens and villages all over the world. Corona included. Although, this was the first time Cass had been to Corona since she left for the first time, having only arrived 2 months ago. Ever since she returned, Cassandra and Rapunzel rarely ever left each other’s side. Back before she left, the ‘old’ Cassandra would never allow such closeness and invasion of her personal space. Back then, she MADE Rapunzel learn how to leave her be when she needed to be alone, which was quite often.

When she returned, Rapunzel was pretty back on top of her. Unlike before, the Rapunzel who stubbornly ignored her wishes, Rapunzel actually left her be when needed. Cassandra was grateful but learnt rather quickly that being away for 4 years from the princess left its mark on her. She couldn’t stand being alone for 5 minutes without the princess. She was actually the one who initiated the closeness by always following her around, right next to her, coming up with activities for the two of them to do, new ones and old ones, and going so far as helping her with princess duties. As long as she was next to the princess, she didn’t care what they were doing.

Rapunzel was surprised at first, extremely surprised, but she couldn’t have been any happier. Cassandra was never the touchy-feely kind of person but nowadays, Rapunzel could actually get her to talk about how she was feeling without cornering her. Most of the time, Cassandra came to her first. Rapunzel also noticed how more affectionate Cassandra got. From the small touches here and there, the way she pressed up against Rapunzel and even going as far as holding her hand now and then. Cass also did these things in public which was something to get used to. The two of time built a sense of closeness like they never did before. They teased each other, endlessly, had many sleepovers, and so much more. They were an unbreakable pair. Unstoppable. For the moon can’t shine without it’s sun.

Everyone saw the way they looked at each other. Although Eugene and Rapunzel broke up a long time ago, because of the fact she realized she was in love with Cassandra, Eugene would often be in her bedroom listening to Rapunzel go on and on about Cassandra then suddenly she would become upset because Cassandra would never return her feelings. Everyone saw how much the both of them loved each other, belonged together, and I mean everyone. Everyone except them, that is.

Cassandra made an annoyed huff. “Well you let loose the toxic gas!”

“That was you too, Cass.”

“Well..!” Cassandra started, struggling to find an excuse. Rapunzel raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, waiting for the warrior to find an excuse that didn’t exist. Eventually Cassandra groaned, crossed her arms and pouted. “Fine. You got me there.”

Rapunzel giggled because god, she looked adorable when she pouted like that. Which made Cassandra look up and she couldn’t help but crack a humorous smile. “Come on,” Rapunzel stated, grabbing the girl’s hand. “Let’s find a way out of here.” Cassandra followed her willingly. 15 minutes go by of the two being in comfortable silence before Cassandra let out a frustrated ‘ugh!’ and stomped her foot like a kid being told no.

“This is pointless, Raps,” Cassandra groaned. “We’re NEVER gonna find a way out of here. Now we’re gonna have to live down here, hunting for rats for food and become crazy cave people.”

Rapunzel raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you being a little dramatic?”

“Unless you have a better plan, it’s the only one we got.”

“Cass, that’s not a plan.”

“Then what do YOU have in mind, Einstein?”

“Hmm..” Rapunzel placed her hand under her chin and gently stroked it, trying to think of something. Cassandra waited for a solid 2 minutes before Rapunzel responded. “I have to admit,” She started, Cassandra leaned in with a hopeful heart before Rapunzel gave an apologetic smile. “I got nothing.” Cassandra groaned for the fifth time.

“Greaaat, stuck in a dark, wet, cold cave.”

“Look on the bright side, at least we’re together.”

“Oh yes, wonderful, we’re gonna die together.”

“Cass!”

“What? I’m just being a realist here.”

Rapunzel groaned and ran a hand frustratingly down her face. She got her bearings before speaking again. “Clearly, this isn’t helping. Can you stop being a pessimist for 15 seconds and help me find a way out of here?”

“Fine, fine.”

“Finally!” Rapunzel threw her hands up in the air in frustration then brought them back down to place on her hips. “You can be so frustrating sometimes, you know that?”

“You know you love me.”

“Hmm... do I know that?”

“Yes, you say it like every day.”

“I don’t know, Cass, everyday is a new day.” Rapunzel teased.

“Raps!” Cassandra let out a surprisingly inhuman growl.

Rapunzel laughed. “Alright, alright. Now come on,” Rapunzel turned back to start waking in a direction that hopefully led to an exit.

“No.” She heard from behind her, making her whip back around.

“What? Why?” Rapunzel asked in confusion.

“Say it.” Cassandra said simply.

“Say what??” Rapunzel was seriously starting to get pissed off.

“That you love me.” Cassandra crossed her arms. “Say it.”

Rapunzel groaned. “Cass, we don’t have time for this!”

Cassandra stubbornly leaned against a wall. “I’m not leaving until you say it.”

“Ugh! Fine,” Rapunzel growled then said a very quiet ‘I love you’. Her stubbornness was getting the best of her. They matched each other’s stubbornness perfectly and when around other people, it could get quite annoying once they BOTH had their mind made up about something that they don’t agree with. Neither ever backed down until one of them finally succumbed. It could go on for hours or even days. It was a little game they played. See who can hang on the longest until one of them gets tired of the others bullshit and submits.

“What?” Cassandra said, placing a hand on her ear. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

Rapunzel knew Cassandra was messing with her. Knowing Cassandra, she knew the warrior was serious when she said she wouldn’t move until Rapunzel did what she asked. She was cornered. And the most infuriating thing was that Cassandra knew she had Rapunzel cornered. The triumph smirk on her face said it all. Well, two could play that game.

“Then I guess we’re gonna be here a long time, hm?” Rapunzel took a seat on the floor, her legs in a crisscross and her hands under her chin while she looked up at Cassandra was a smirk of her own.

Cassandra laughed. “Alright, tough girl. We’ll see how long you last.”

“Oh, I’ll be fine. You know full well I can keep myself occupied. It’s you, you should be worried about Ms. Impatient.”

“Oh, there’s things I can do to keep myself.. occupied.. as well.” Cassandra’s voice dropped an octave as she looked at Rapunzel with a suggestive look.

Rapunzel blushed and looked away. Cassandra smirked. She loved to make the younger girl squirm. “G-Guess we’re gonna be here a while.” Cassandra sat down directly across from Rapunzel.

“Yep,” Cassandra suddenly looked up and smirked. “Hey, let’s make this a game. If I win, you have to go with me, wherever I go, whatever I want to do, for a WHOLE day.”

Rapunzel huffed. “....And if I win?”

“Hm..” Cassandra thought for a second. “I’ll go with you to that boring art show you’ve been trying to get me to go to.”

Rapunzel’s face lit up for a second then she narrowed her eyes, poorly hiding her excitement. “And you have to pretend you like it.”

“Fine. So what do you say?” Cassandra lent out her hand to Rapunzel.

Rapunzel smiled at Cassandra, the type of smile that meant she was gonna win at all costs, and shook Cassandra’s hand. Cassandra gave her one of her own. “Deal.”

“May the best stubborn queen win.”

Rapunzel rested her hand on her knees and she groaned. She was bored out of her mind. It had been 4 hours. 4 hours the both of them started this stupid game. Neither had relented.

Cassandra was leaning against one of the cave walls. “Ready to give up yet?”

“Nope.” Rapunzel stated simply.

“Me neither.”

Another four hours went by. Cassandra and Rapunzel lay side by side as they started up at the dark ceiling. It had been 8 hours. Rapunzel told Eugene they were gonna be gone for the day, and even the night, so until one of them lets up, they weren’t leaving anytime soon. Neither knew what time it was but they were pretty sure it was nighttime.

Rapunzel turned on her side to face Cassandra and propped herself on her hand as Cassandra placed her arms behind her head and continued looking up. “You’re not gonna win Cass, so you might as well give up now.”

Cassandra turned to look at her. “You forget, princess, I’m just as stubborn as you. Maybe even more.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“We’ll see.”

“You know that when my mind is made up, nothing’s gonna stop me from getting what I want.” Rapunzel said then realized how bad that sounded and added: “No matter how condescending that sounds.”

Cassandra only chuckled. “Me neither, Raps.”

“Wish we were in a place a little... less dark and scary.”

Cassandra actually looked down this time and gave the princess a sweet, genuine smile. “No need to be scared, Raps, I’m right next to you. I’m won’t let anything harm you.”

Rapunzel blushed deeply and looked away from Cassandra’s piercing eyes. “I know that..” She mumbled. Cassandra chuckled and looked back towards the ceiling. In the 4 years she was away, she grew a lot stronger. Having fighting bandits, pirates, slavers and so on, she had to be. She also trained in Ingvarr for a while. She was probably the toughest warrior for miles; she even beat Adira in a fight. One thing’s for sure, she wasn’t a force to be messed with. If someone pisses her off, or taunts her, they’re as good as dead and they won’t even see it coming. Apart from Rapunzel, of course.

But with great power comes with great responsibility. In other words, Cassandra often got into fights with raiders and what-not while she was in Corona; she always won but didn’t walk away unharmed. The last time, she nearly got run through but she was quick enough to avoid it going through her stomach only for it to cut a big gash on her hip. Rapunzel fretted over her for hours after Cassandra’s constant reminders that she was okay dammit but it was a pretty bad gash, so Rapunzel pretty much cornered her in her room to treat and wrap her wounds. While she did so, Rapunzel scolded her for the entirety time it took. Cassandra, knowing she wouldn’t get a word in, just stayed silent. From then on, Rapunzel was the one who treated whatever wounds she received.

Rapunzel thought she was sly. But Cassandra noticed how she always traced her biceps or left her hand on her abs a little longer than needed. She even caught her nearly drooling sometimes; her eyes fixated on her well-toned stomach and muscular arms. When Rapunzel caught her looking at her with an eyebrow raised, Rapunzel always grew flustered and started babbling about some nonsense. Cassandra always looked away, smiled and never spoke of how she noticed the way Rapunzel looked at her.

Eventually, they both moved to lay on their stomachs while they laid on their arms.

“I wonder what time it is.” Rapunzel finally said.

“Probably late. Considering we got here an hour before sundown, it’s well into the night.” Cassandra responded while Rapunzel made a humming sound.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to sleep in a nice comfy bed instead of here on this cold, wet ground?” Rapunzel asked, tilting her head to the side to look at Cassandra in the corner of her eye.

“I see what you’re doing, Raps, and it’s not gonna work.”

“Not even a little bit?”

“Nope.” Rapunzel started pouting. Cassandra looked at Rapunzel in the corner of her eye and shook her head because god she looked adorable.

“Why do you wanna win so badly anyway?” Rapunzel asked. “If you had just asked, I would’ve followed you anyway.”

“Because you probably would have said no, anyway.” Cassandra sat up and propped her back against one of the walls. Rapunzel sat up but stayed where she was while tilting her head to the side in curiosity; the way she always does.

“When have I ever said no to you?”

“Hmm, let me think..” Cassandra teased. Rapunzel laughed.

“Come on Cass, just tell me.”

“I don’t know Raps.”

“Please?” Rapunzel gave her her absolute best puppy dog eyes, knowing Cassandra wouldn’t be able to resist now.

Cassandra groaned. “Fine,” Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “But you asked for this, remember that.”

Rapunzel nodded and waited for Cassandra to respond, anticipation visible in her face. She was almost scared of the answer if not excited.

“I was gonna take you out.” Cassandra stayed simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“I love you.” Rapunzel responded as soon as the words left Cassandra’s mouth. Cassandra blinked at her in confusion and surprise because what the hell just happened.

Rapunzel suddenly stood up, Cassandra followed, slowly. Rapunzel clapped her hand together. “Oh no!” She said dramatically. “Looks like I lost. Oh well! Looks like you won! Now I have to go out with you, oh no!” Rapunzel pretended to faint, her hand on her head and fell into Cassandra’s arms. Cassandra caught her, of course, but the disbelief was still present on her face. Rapunzel looked up and gave her a sly smile then she straightened herself back to her feet.

Cassandra blinked. Once. Twice. She barely registered what Rapunzel was saying. Rapunzel huffed in frustration and rolled her eyes before grasping Cassandra’s shirt and yanking her down to meet her lips. Cassandra’s eyes widened impossibly wide but quickly registered she was supposed to do something. She grasped the younger girl’s hips, pulling her more into her, before deepening the kiss as Rapunzel let out a little moan into her mouth. That set Cassandra’s whole body ablaze as she deepened it even more.

Eventually, they parted and stared deep into each other’s eyes. Then Rapunzel giggled and with newfound energy, grabbed the confused and dazed older woman’s hand and pulled her in a direction. “Come on, let’s find a way out of here!” She exclaimed. Once Cassandra finally came back to herself and was actually able to breathe again, she shook her head and chuckled and followed close behind the enthusiastic princess.