Romance Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Cassunzel Short Stories ❯ This Moment ( Chapter 15 )

Rapunzel followed behind her best friend. Or rather, Rapunzel followed behind the person that used to be her best friend. She kept her eyes directed at the ground as she tried to focus on anything but the still seeping wound that took over her side. It had been nearly an hour and neither of them had said anything. Well, to each other at least. Rapunzel could hear the cursing Cassandra had been sputtering out under her breath.

“You’re such a nuisance to me.” Rapunzel clearly heard the familiar voice rung out through her head. “All you do is cause problems - I always have to take care of YOU.” There were a lot of truly evil things that Cassandra had said to her the hour prior as well as the last couple days. But Rapunzel couldn’t find it in her to be mad at her. Because she knew everything that she had said was true. “Follow me, don’t follow me, I don’t care.”

Rapunzel had followed her but because she didn’t know where else to go. She didn’t have any weapons, not that Cass would protect her right now anyway, but if she hadn’t followed her, she would just worry something bad was gonna happen to Cass. Something was wrong. Even when Cass had the moonstone, she never outright insulted her with such hatred. One moment they were fine, happy, the next Cassandra suddenly hated her. Rapunzel didn’t know why or how all of this started coming up. Maybe she had a realization about how terrible Rapunzel has been to her? She did not know.

Rapunzel knew about the deep, slashed wound that was still pouring blood almost immediately after it happened. But she didn’t dare tell Cass. Cass was right, she always took care of her. Rapunzel could handle it, she could take care of it herself, and Cassandra would never have to know. Would she even care if she did know?

“You ruin everything!”

“I hate you.” That one was one of the ones that hurt the most.

But the main one that cut deeper than any wound ever could was, “I should’ve finished you off when I had the chance. I could care less about what happens to you.” It was said with such venom that Rapunzel was actually scared for her life for a split second. That was the last thing Cass said to her before she turned around and marched off. This past hour, Rapunzel never tried so hard to hold back tears. But she didn’t let them fall. She was weak and pathetic as Cassandra had said. She didn’t want to cause her any more trouble.

It was then that the world started spinning. She could barely see Cass who was only like 15 feet in front of her. Cassandra’s person suddenly doubled. She couldn’t focus. Everything was growing dark. ”No,” Rapunzel thought. “No, no, no! Stay awake... Don’t be weak.. stay-” She tried to take a step forward to keep going, but everything went black and she hit the floor.

Cassandra heard the small thump and she pretty much growled. “Ugh, what is it...” She whirled around and stopped upon seeing the unconscious Rapunzel laying face first on the ground, her head laying in her arms, as well as a puddle of blood underneath her. “...now?”

Everything went in hyper mode as Cassandra rushed over to her. She dropped her sword and slid to her knees. Her hands were above the non-responsive girl, shaking as she hesitated. “Raps?” She asked but only to get no response. She hadn’t called her Raps in days. But that didn’t cross her mind as she grabbed the princess and turned her over so that she was laying in her arms. Cassandra couldn’t stifle a gasp as she saw blood rushing down her beautiful face, most likely coming from her head. Cassandra moved her shaking hand onto Rapunzel’s side as she stared at the crimson liquid coating running down her face. That’s when she felt it.

Upon feeling something wet, Cassandra quickly pulled away her hand and held it up to her face. What she saw horrified her. Her entire hand was covered in blood and some even covered her arm. She quickly looked down where she pulled her hand away and that’s when she saw Rapunzel’s slashed shirt. And under it, was a deep, slashed wound that started from her side nearly to her back. Her entire half body was coated in blood. Cass couldn't remember noticing a tear in Rapunzel’s shirt from an hour prior, but she paid no attention to that.

Cassandra, who was still horrified, remembered that she was supposed to be doing something as she quickly tore some of her own shirt and pressed it over Rapunzel’s seeping wound. “M-Maybe she didn’t...” Cassandra was about to say something like ‘Maye she didn’t know’ considering that when you receive a wound like this, your body goes into shock. It would also explain why Rapunzel didn’t tell her. But that theory went right out the window when she saw the trail of blood that led all the way back to where they came from. Another thought crossed her mind, as she grew angry: “Dammit! Why didn’t she tell-” That’s when everything hit her. Memories came flying back at her all at once that it made her dizzy.

“You’re such a nuisance.”

“You ruin everything!”

“I hate you.”

"So worthless."

“I wish I had never met you.”

“All you’ve ever been to me was a burden.”

“I don’t know what it is that makes you so stupid, but it really works.”

“Whoever told you to be yourself, gave you bad advice.”

“I can’t wait to spend my whole life without you.”

“Whatever doesn’t kill you, disappoints me.”

“Only thing that is pleasing about our relationship is that you are no longer in it.”

“Are you talking to me? I thought you only talked behind my back.”

“Cry me a river, then drown yourself in it.”

“You haven't changed since the last time I saw you. You should.”

“Every time I think you can’t get any dumber, you prove me wrong.”

“You hear that? It’s the sound of me not caring.”

“All mistakes are fixable, yet you aren’t.”

“Are you at a loss for words, or did you exhaust your entire vocabulary?”

“Oops, my bad. I could’ve sworn I was dealing with an adult.”

“Oh, you don’t like being treated the way you treat me? That must suck.”

“I’ll never forget the first time we met. But I’ll keep trying.”

"You're so weak. So pathetic."

“I’m not insulting you, I’m describing you.”

“I forgot the world revolves around you. My apologies, how still of me.”

“Take my lowest priority and put yourself beneath it.”

“I find the fact that you’ve lived this long both surprising and disappointing.”

“Were you born this stupid or did you take lessons?”

“If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person on the planet.”

“You fear success, but you really have nothing to worry about.”

“Are you ever overwhelmed with the urge to tell someone to shut up? Because that’s how I feel right now.”

“If I said anything to offend you it was purely intentional.”

"You’re the type of person who can’t read the room. You don’t understand when you aren’t wanted."

"You're nothing to me. Never have been."

"Go jump off a cliff for all I care."

And that wasn't even half of what she had said to Rapunzel the last couple days. But the one thing that stood out to her most of all was:

"I should've finished you off when I had the chance. I could care less about what happens to you."

Cassandra's hand, the one not putting pressure on Rapunzel's wound, was placed over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears and horrification.  

"Raps, you can't ever let anyone bring you down, okay? Because the moment you do, you already lost." This memory was from when Cass first arrived home and her and Raps went to the Lost Lagoon. "I promise, I will never let anything bad happen to you, I will always protect you, and I will never hurt you ever again." 

Rapunzel gave her a sweet smile and rubbed her thumb over Cassandra's knuckle. "I know, Cass." She said simply with no hesitation.

Cassandra had to choke back a sob as she stared down at her best friend. Could she even call her that anymore? Cassandra certainly didn't deserve that title. How could she be so stupid? She let some crazy old-bat influence her. Again, she let someone manipulate her into thinking that Rapunzel was out to destroy her. When would she ever learn?

What made the situation hurt even more was the fact that Rapunzel, not once, argued with her. Rapunzel was the type to stand up for herself. The type that if she thought someone was wrong, she'd yell back at them in the same manner they were. Even if it were Cass or Eugene. But she didn't. Which meant that Rapunzel actually believed, actually agreed with, everything that Cassandra had said to her. 

Cassandra herself was starting to hyperventilate as more horrible memories flooded her mind. How could she have said those things? She was going too far. How did she not realize it? She thought that without the moonstone, she wouldn't be the monster that she knew she was. She was wrong. She was worse than one. Way worse. And she couldn’t even use the excuse that the moonstone made her do those things. ‘Cause she was just as herself. Tears streamed down her face and she quickly shook her head to try and rid herself of these thoughts. It didn't work.

As she looked down at the clothing Rapunzel was wearing, and the shoes, more tears filled her eyes. She tried to change herself for her. She tried to fix herself for her. She didn't cry, at all, which Cass could only assume was for her. She didn't fight back for her. She didn't tell her about something that could quite possibly kill her for her. She made her feel inferior. She made her feel unwanted and unloved. She pushed her beneath her and used everything she knew that would hurt her. She made her feel like she was the absolute worst person on the planet. But she wasn't. Cassandra was.

 This all started because she was so mad, so upset, so scared by what that old lady had said. Cassandra wanted to break Rapunzel, hurt her, before Rapunzel could do it to her. Rapunzel not once insulted her back. Never said anything hurtful. Cassandra was the backstabber, she was the one who hurt Rapunzel. Rapunzel didn’t hurt her. Cassandra hurt her. Again, Cassandra let someone break her friendship with Rapunzel. Again, she let someone push her into hurting her. She broke her promise. She told Rapunzel she loved her and she used that to her advantage. What kind of person was she?

Cassandra had to calm herself for the time being because she suddenly remembered that the woman plaguing her mind was dying. Quickly picking the princess up, she ran to where a stream of water ran. She put Rapunzel against the tree and tied her shirt around Rapunzel's torso so it continued applying pressure. Cassandra then pulled the rest of her shirt over head, leaving her in only her gray sports bra, dipped it in the water, and got to work. She cleaned Rapunzel's wounds as best as she could. She was so pale... She still hadn't stirred or moved. 

Cassandra then removed Rapunzel's blood soaked shirt and started to wrap bandages around her torso. The bandages covered the entirety of her stomach, only stopping under her bra. Cass then started applying bandages to her head to stop the bleeding from there too. Once done, she grabbed her jacket and placed it around Rapunzel to securely cover her. 

Rapunzel was barely breathing... But there was nothing else she could do. There was no village nearby, she didn't have much first-aid supplies, and they were stuck in the middle of a damn seemingly endless forest. All that was left to do was wait and hope that she woke up. Realizing it was gonna get dark soon, Cassandra washed the blood from her hands and busied herself in making a fire. By the time she was done, the sun was already starting to set. 

Cassandra moved herself back in front of Rapunzel as she gently pushed some stray pieces of hair behind her ear. She left her hand on Rapunzel's cheek. She was so cold... "I'm so sorry," Cassandra said, tears in her eyes. "I'm so so sorry." Cassandra came to a realization that she probably ruined her friendship with Rapunzel for good this time. Not that she didn't deserve it anyway. She then noticed something sticking out of Rapunzel's pants pocket. 

Cassandra reached over and grabbed it, realizing it was a piece of paper. Cassandra swallowed and held it up in her shaky hands. Half of it was covered in blood but as Cassandra opened it up, she could clearly make out Rapunzel's handwriting. Taking a deep shaky breath, she started to read:

Cass (this was crossed out) I'm sorry (this was also crossed out). 

Cassandra, I don't know what's going on with you, but I've come to a realization that you're right. About all of it. I haven't been the greatest friend to you, I never was. You're right - I am weak. I haven't been able to admit when I was wrong. I fought and fought and everyone who disagreed with me, I pushed beneath me. Especially where it considered you. I swear to you, It was never intentional. I never wanted to hurt you. Ever since I first laid my eyes on you, I wanted to be like you. I wanted to be in your life. I felt a pull like I never had before. I just had to be your friend. I looked - look - up to you. You're brave, noble, kind, honest, fearless, courageous. All the things I am not. If it helps - I hate myself too. 

 These last couple years, when you weren't around, have been hard. Eugene and I are no longer together. Pascal.. Pascal died. My father forbade me to leave the castle because of... reasons. I never thought I would see the daylight again. I'm a little lost as well. I don't want to be queen, but I have no choice in the matter, do I? I never really did, I supposed. I want to be out there, exploring the world, seeing new sights with... with you. I wasn't happy. Until you came home, that is. I had never been happier seeing you ride up on Fidella with your dramatic entrance. It was the first time I felt happy and ecstatic in years. Since you left. And then.. then something happened. I don't know what I did wrong, but I'm sorry. Perhaps you've come to realize how much of a horrible person I am. 

When I lived in the tower, I had never felt affection or had a friend before outside of Pascal. Got- She was often abusive. Mostly mentally, but sometimes physically too. So when I left, I guess that carried over. Maybe she isn't my real mother, but after 18 years of living with her, I guess I took on some of her... mannerisms. I'm more like her than I let on. Although she never cared for anyone other than herself, I feel like... like she came with me. I can always hear her voice telling me I'm weak, that I wasn't ready for the real world, that all I would do was hurt the people I care about. And she was right. 

I never should have left the tower. If I hadn't, the people of Corona wouldn't have been put into danger. You wouldn't have gotten hurt. You wouldn't have taken the moonstone. You wouldn't have had to live with that guilt.... I know those times still haunt you, but I never truly blamed you, if it's any consolation. I never saw you any different. All I saw was how much I hurt my best friend to the point where I drove her to do something that... isn't her. I was going to do whatever it took to bring you back. Even if I had to die in the end. If it meant that I could have saved you, I would have gladly done so. 

I wanted to fix what I did. What I hurt. What I broke. But I guess I'm never going to be able to. Because all I do is keep causing you more pain. I cause everyone pain... Eugene, my parents, the people of Corona, you. All this time I thought I was helping people, that I was a good person and changing people's lives, but as it may seem, it wasn't for the better like I hoped. 

You're right about me getting in the way too. Everything you did, everything that made you happy, I somehow got in between and destroyed it. Like when we were in Varados - I should've just let you do what you knew was right instead of fighting with you and nearly getting us killed. Or that time in the Challenge of the Brave. I should've opened my eyes more and realized that if you were joining something so dangerous, there had to be a reason. But I got in the way and treated it as if it was some type of game. 

There are many, many other times that I can think of but the one that haunts me the most is: the time in the Great Tree. I should've listened to you. I want you to know that I wanted to, really, I did. I know you thought that all your pleas and warnings went unnoticed; but they did not. I didn't trust Adira either. But she was our only hope in getting somewhere. I was scared, really scared, I admit. I didn't know if I was going to come out alive and most importantly, I didn't know if you and the others would come out alive either. I forced myself to trust Adira even though it went against every instinct I had. I wanted to listen to you, I wanted to give in. I still beat myself up over it. You were only looking out for the group, for me, and I... pushed you away. I ignored your pleas and warnings, I ignored your feelings and because of that, you got seriously hurt. I never forgave myself for that.

And yet, even after the fact, I still blamed you. I stood by my decision. I wish I didn't. I knew you were right and I couldn't handle the fact that you could've died because of me. After that, a rift was set between us. You were hurt, mad and upset and being your best fr- being your past best friend, I could see all that in your eyes, in the way you acted towards me. I noticed how betrayed and hurt you must've felt and yet, I still went through with everything else. I stopped trying all together. I told myself that I would fix everything once all of it was over. If I survived, that is. 

When you took the moonstone, I felt so betrayed. So angry. So scared. So upset. And it took me a while to realize that... that's how you must've felt. I wanted to save you, I wanted to help you, but how could I when everything that you were doing was my fault? I literally nearly drove you to madness. I nearly drove you to a place where you almost didn't come back from. That wasn't you and I knew that. I knew that if I didn't stop you from doing something you would regret, it would eat at you for the rest of your life. I didn’t want that to happen. You’re a good person and you didn’t deserve that guilt hanging on your shoulders for the rest of your life. 

Honestly, I almost gave up. I didn't exactly know your true intentions - but I knew that you wanted to get rid of me. Get back at me. And at one point, I wanted to let you because that's what I deserved. But then I realized I couldn't. Not for my sake, but for yours. You're a good person Cass, a really good person, and I had faith that you would eventually see what was happening and return to the strong, brave, confident, amazing Cass that I know you are. So I kept fighting - for you. I was scared, if I'm being completely honest. Really scared. The entire kingdom relied on me to keep them safe but that would've meant having to fight my best friend. To hurt you. And if I wasn't able to bring you back, it meant.. I would have to kill you. I was forced to choose.

And you may think that I chose Corona, but no, I chose you. I always will. Varian and Eugene made Project Obsidian behind my back. But please don't be mad at them. They were just as scared as I was. It was never meant to be used. I only authorized it as a very last resort. And I knew it would never have come to that. I knew it would never be used. I don't know how it went off… But after you left Corona, I had any remaining copies destroyed. After you left, I told the people that it was my fault why you did what you did. And once I explained why, in detail, they turned all their hate from you onto me. That's what I wanted. You don't deserve to be looked at like you are some type of monster because that's not what you are. You were hurting - because of me. 

Slowly, Corona's hate heightened. That's why my father forced me to stay in the castle. I wanted to believe it was for my safety, but it wasn’t. It was because it ‘looked bad on him’. My mother just stood by and let it happen. Eugene started to change as well. He became... out of control. He often got mad, yelled at me, and sometimes even grew violent. I don’t know what the sudden change was but I couldn’t find it in myself to be mad at him. It was probably my fault anyway.

I looked forward to your letters, I waited for them, they were the only thing that kept me going. The only thing that got me up in the morning. When you finally came home, it was as if the world stopped. All my problems, all the pain; it disappeared. All that mattered to me was you. I missed your smile, your laugh, that spark in your eyes. I missed you in general.

When you started... acting differently, I realized that the reason why everyone hated me, why Eugene was violent and mean, was because of me. I didn't know what I did wrong, but I knew that it must've been something bad. You were the only thing that I had left. The only thing that made me happy, made me smile, made the pain disappear. So when you told me you hated me too, I knew I lost you. I knew I lost everything. I knew that I lost everyone I ever cared about. I knew I lost the last person, the very last thing, that ever mattered greatly to me. And I didn't want to continue. I had nothing left to lose. When you found me in that valley, overlooking that cliff, and we were attacked then suddenly teleported to some strange forest - I was going to jump, in all honesty. You were the only thing I had left and I pushed you to hate me. Just like everyone else. So I didn't see any point in continuing. I still don't. As I watch you curse and slice through everything that comes in your path, I secretly wish it was me. I wanted to take care of it for you - for everyone. Everyone's lives would be so much better, so much less dangerous, without me in it. But I failed at that too.

I'm just so tired, Cass. I'm so, so tired. I'm so tired of the fighting. I’m so tired of hurting the people I care about you and not even realizing it. I'm so tired of Corona being attacked because of me. I’m so tired about the fact that I keep putting everyone's lives in danger; making them live in constant fear. I'm just so damn tired that I just want to disappear forever. I know that you're never gonna see this letter, because I really don’t want you to see me being so weak, but I decided to write it down anyway. 

The final thing I want to tell you, the final thing that I’ve ALWAYS wanted to tell you, Cass, is... I love you. I love you so much. Not as a friend, not as a sister, as something... more. I always have. It just didn't take until you left for me to realize it. You're everything to me. My light, my soul, my heart. The thing that gets me up in the morning, the thing that keeps me going. The thing I look forward to seeing again. The thing I worry about most. I've never stopped thinking about you - there's not a day that goes by where I don't. I don't blame you for hating me. I'm not mad at all the things you've been telling me because I know every little bit of it is true. And I know that this doesn't mean much but... I'm sorry. I'm truly, truly sorry. I don't know what tomorrow holds. All I know is that I don't want to continue on anymore. I don’t want to get up and keep fighting.

Perhaps I'll get myself ‘accidentally’ lost, you wouldn’t notice anyway whether it was intentional or not. Nor would you care. It’s okay, I really don’t care about what happens to me either. Even if it’s extremely painful and slow, I deserve it. I deserve to suffer. Perhaps I'll wait till we get home, or perhaps I'll let this stupid wound kill me. Don't worry, not that you will, but it doesn't hurt. I can't even feel it. I can't feel anything anymore really. Everything is numb. I haven't been eating, I haven't been sleeping, I've been careless with my own safety. If you didn't hate me, you would be so disappointed in me.

I'm sorry for hurting you so much that you have to lash out to get your point across. You hate me, everyone hates me, so what's the point in living, right? What's the point in doing anything anymore? I hope you live a long, happy life without me Cass. I just want you to be happy. That's all I've ever asked for. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Just promise me something, okay? You’ll never give up and you’ll never stop being yourself for as long as you live.

Anyway, I should probably actually be useful and try to find a way out of here. You’re in this mess because of me. As always.

Love (Crossed out)

Sincerely, Rapunzel. 

By the time Cassandra was done reading, she was in tears. They dropped onto the paper as she kept a hand firmly on her mouth. She had no idea. Well, of course she didn't. She freaked out on her. But for Rapunzel to write something so dark, something that was so unlike her? Cassandra was scared, if she was being honest. Rapunzel had to be seriously suffering and felt so unloved and hated that she thought her last resort was to kill herself. It was so unlike her. Cassandra always saw her as the light - the one that had a perfect life, that had everything, the one that never broke, the one that was always so strong and seemed unbreakable. She was the one that always shunned hope and light in any given situation; no matter how bad. She was the one that kept hope alive in everyone’s else's lives. So for Rapunzel to give up, to write all of this.... it told Cassandra how much of a bad place Raps really was in. Of how much she was hurting. And Cassandra didn’t make it any easier for her.

How could she not have seen it before? It was so obvious. Once she returned, Rapunzel had asked Cassandra to sneak her out and when she asked why they couldn't just leave, she said it was 'just like old times'. When she arrived, Eugene was nowhere to be seen. He was always with Rapunzel in one way or another. Cass assumed he was just leading the guard; investigating something on the outskirts of town. When Rapunzel and her were sneaking out, the few citizens that saw them, Cass assumed that the glares and hushed talking were because of her. 

When she asked Rapunzel how she had been doing, once they reached the lagoon, Rapunzel completely skipped over the question and started talking about anything and everything she could think of. When she asked again, she gave the excuse of: "Oh, you know, just boring princess stuff. What about you? You've been out there for so long! What kind of adventures did you go on?" She must've asked Cassandra a hundred questions about her until they had to go back.

 Cassandra noticed almost immediately that Rapunzel's smile was fake so when Cass asked if she was okay, she just said she was tired. And Cassandra took that as an answer. Cass still had her doubts, but she just assumed that if Rapunzel didn’t want to talk about it, there was nothing else she could do. She should've pressed on, she should've asked more, she shouldn't have believed her. But she did. Why didn't she deem any of that suspicious? In her defense, Rapunzel was really good at hiding her feelings. She was really good at covering it up. Even better than her. If Cass hadn't spotted Rapunzel in that valley when she did, even though all she did was yell insults at her, she would've lost Rapunzel forever. And it would've been because of her.

Choking back a sob, Cassandra gently folded the letter with shaky hands before she looked back up at her still unconscious best friend. With her shirt off and only bandages and a bra covering her, she noticed how skinny she was... Rapunzel had always been on the skinny side, but she could practically see her ribs. She was dangerously skinny. There were serious dark bags under her eyes and... were those cuts on her arms? How did Cassandra not see all of this until now? Even when she first arrived before she met the old lady, she didn't notice it. Was she really so stuck in her own ways that she didn't notice how frail and weak her best friend really was? She had hugged her for fucks sake. She should’ve felt the difference. Was she really so oblivious because she was so focused on herself? Was she really that selfish? The answer to that was: Yes, yes she was. They all were. 

Although Raps had made mistakes, Rapunzel had always taken care of everyone else. She was always there for them, always ready to help and make their day better, always ready to drop everything, stay strong and reserved, and push on. It was all for other people. All for Eugene. All for Corona. All for her. But now that Rapunzel was hurting and was the one that needed help, that needed a hand, that needed light, everyone turned their backs on her. Including Cassandra herself. 

Well, no more. Cassandra promised herself. No more will she let her best friend suffer in silence. No more will she be the one hurting her. No more will she let anything hurt her. Rapunzel was there for her in her darkest moments and even when she had started to treat Rapunzel like dirt, she tried to be there for her, get her to talk, she tried to help her; despite the fact of how much pain she was in herself. Despite the fact that Cassandra kept spraying insults at her left and right. She kept trying. And when Cassandra had had enough? She lost every little bit of control she had left and pretty much beaten Rapunzel to death with cruel, horrible words. All because Rapunzel was worried about her and wanted to help her.

 Cassandra would be there for her now, like she was for her, for everyone else. If she... If she woke up, that is. Cassandra shook her head at the thought. She was stable, she was going to be fine. At least, she hoped. Cassandra would never forgive herself if she lost Rapunzel due to her own carelessness. Hell, if Rapunzel died, Cassandra would die right along with her. She loved Rapunzel with every inch of her heart, she never stopped. Not even when she had the moonstone. She loved Rapunzel. She forgot that for a moment. She forgot how much she loved her. If Rapunzel died because she was too blind to see the manipulating ways of some old cook... if she died because Cass had forgotten how much she loved her... Cassandra would run her sword through her heart. That was a promise she was gonna keep. 

Cassandra sighed as she leaned against the opposite tree from Rapunzel. She watched the slow rise of the princess's chest fall and rise. All she could do now was wait. 

It was late hours of the night when Rapunzel started to come too. Her first thoughts were: Was she dead? No, she didn't think she was. She could feel the cold breeze of the wind hit her exposed chest but she could also feel the tight wrapping of bandages. And damn, did her head hurt like hell. Rapunzel could also feel something warm and heavy covering her shoulders. Rapunzel groaned as she slowly started opening her eyes. She took in her surroundings. There was a fire, still burning brightly, in the middle of what looked like a camp sight. She was leaning against a tree. She noticed Cass's belongings not too far away. Where was Cass? Rapunzel was about to call out Cass's name in question, but she was stopped. 

"R-Raps?" Before Rapunzel could respond to that familiar voice, she was suddenly pulled into strong arms that were careful of her wounds. "You're alright!" She heard Cassandra say as she dug her face into Rapunzel's neck. She could feel the warm sensation of tears. Wait, why is Cassandra shirtless? Rapunzel couldn't hold back a blush.

Rapunzel was confused. Didn't she hate her? "C-Cass?" Rapunzel asked, her voice sounding much weaker and dry than she’d liked to admit. 

Cassandra pulled back, held her by her shoulders for a second before reaching up her hands and placing them on both sides of Rapunzel's cheeks, gently stroking her cheekbones with her thumbs. The action held so much affection and gentleness, it actually made the pale woman blush. "You're okay." Cassandra repeated. Whether she was repeating it to herself or was letting Rapunzel know she was safe and okay, Rapunzel did not know. It sounded like both. But that confused her even more.

"W-Wha-" Rapunzel stuttered. "I-I don't-" 

Cassandra knew what she was trying to say. She could see the confusion in her eyes. Cassandra shook her head and she couldn't stop the tears from filling her eyes. She pulled Rapunzel back into her arms. "I'm so sorry." Cassandra said, her voice shaky. "I'm so so so sorry."

Rapunzel didn't lift her arms to hug her back. She felt so weak, she didn't know if she could. "C-Cass - what's.. what's going on?" Rapunzel was asking about what the hell had happened, but she wasn't displeased when Cassandra released her and held her by her shoulders and gave her the answer she had been searching for the last couple days.

"I-I let..." Cassandra cleared her throat. "I.. was caught off guard by this woman and... and.." Cassandra shook her head. "I let her fill my head with lies. Again." Cassandra said the last word with such venom that Rapunzel immediately went into comfort mode. Finally finding some kind of strength to lift her arms, although they were shaking, Rapunzel cupped both of Cass's cheeks and wiped away the tears that continued to fall down her cheeks.

"H-Hey, it's okay, you-"

"It's not okay!" Cassandra shouted, gently removing Rapunzel's hands off of her face. She didn't push them away though, she only held them in her own hands. "It's not okay Raps! It's not - I.. don't make excuses for me this time. Don't.. Don't protect my actions."

Rapunzel was about to say something else, when realization dawned on her. "You read my letter." She said simply. Cassandra saw the starting of anger that crossed her eyes for reading into her privacy. 

"W-Well, you technically wrote it for me.."

"You were never supposed to see it!"

"But I'm glad I did! You should've told me!"

"Right, because it's not like you haven't been emotionally unavailable or anything."

"That's not an excuse! You should've told me the first night I was home or I don’t know, write a letter to me while it was all happening!”

"Uh-huh, like it was easy for you to tell me about your feelings." Rapunzel stated. Cassandra opened her mouth to say something then realized she was right. Rapunzel might have worn her heart on her sleeve, but when it came to strong emotions she was feeling, she also had trouble speaking up about them. 

"Ugh, that's beside the point! Th-That's some serious stuff there Rapunzel and I would like to know when-"

"Why?" The question was sharp and filled with anger.

"What the hell do you mean 'why'? Because I ca-"

"If you cared about me in any way, you wouldn't have believed what some woman that you don't even know said about me!" 

"Okay, you're right, maybe I shouldn't have," Cassandra said simply to try and calm the situation. "But that doesn't mean that I don't care about-"

"You told me you hated me, Cassandra." 

"I know what I said, but I didn't mean it. I didn’t mean any of it. You shouldn’t have taken me seriously!"

"How was I not supposed to take you seriously if I didn’t know what was going on? How could I have known? I can’t read minds, Cassandra! You never tell me anything! And if you didn't mean it, then you wouldn't have said it. If you didn't mean it, it wouldn't have even crossed your mind. Hatred is not an emotion you can just make up Cassandra! It doesn't matter what you said or did, your eyes tell the whole story. I know what I saw!" 

"I was scared, okay??" Rapunzel had to stop. Cassandra never, never admitted she was scared. She once said that once you admit to being scared, your enemy has already won. She didn't admit to being scared to anybody. Not even her. "I shouldn't have believed her and I know that! When I arrived back in Corona, I didn't know what to expect. I was terrified. The last time we saw each other - I tried to kill you, I tried to destroy your kingdom. Maybe we left off on a good note and we sent letters back and forth to each other, but seeing you in person was different. I could care less about what the rest of Corona thinks. But I thought that since... since you had time to really think about my actions, you would realize what a horrible person I had been to you and would hate me. The doubts wouldn't go away no matter how hard I tried to make them too. And when that lady got into my head... she opened old wounds a-and I... I wanted to hurt you before you could have hurt me. And you have no idea how truly sorry I am. I just..." Cassandra shook her head and hoped Rapunzel understood.

She did. She always did. Rapunzel sighed and leaned forward, wiping the tears that ran down her face. "Don't worry about it Cass, it's o-"

"Don't do that." 

Rapunzel gave her a confused look. "Do what?"

"That. Don't pretend like it's okay when we both know it's not. Don't push down the anger or the hurt. Don't just suck it up, give me a fake smile, just to make me feel better. I said some fucked up things and I treated you like shit. That's what happened so don't pretend like it didn't.”

Rapunzel pulled her hands away. "What else do you want me to say?" She whispered. 

"I want you to talk to me! You can badmouth me all you want and I'll listen! I won't take it to heart - because I know it's true."

Rapunzel sighed. "Like that will help anything. Just forget about it Cass. It doesn't matter, I'm fin-."

"Does this look ‘fine’ to you?!" She gestured to Rapunzel's frail body. Rapunzel covered herself more with Cassandra's jacket in shame. "Because it doesn't look fine to me! After everything I read - you are most certainly not fine!"

"What else do you want me to say, Cass?" Rapunzel responded through clenched teeth. "It's happened. It's over. I move on. There's no point in fixing something that can't be fixed."

"What is 'moving on' to you, huh? Do you consider 'moving on' as throwing yourself off of a cliff?" To Cassandra's horror, Rapunzel looked away. Confirming she was right. "You're still gonna go through with it." She responded with disbelief. 

Rapunzel snapped her head back to her. "What else do you want me to do Cassandra?? Nothing's gonna get better, so what's the point anymore?! Everyone hates me, my own so-called ex-fiance literally beat me against a damn wall, my father wants to keep me trapped in a tower for the rest of my life, Pascal's dead, and you're nowhere to be found!" 

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I'm right here, aren't I??"

"But you weren't!" Rapunzel yelled, tears filling her eyes. All anger faded from Cassandra's eyes as she stared at Rapunzel with slight wide eyes. "You weren't there! I-I would never guilt you for leaving because I know that's what you had to do, but it took 4 years, 4 years, for you to come back! And then your letters disappeared for a good two years! I-I didn't know if you were dead, or hurt, or just simply forgot about me - but you weren't available! I was so worried! I tried leaving, I tried to go find you, but I was literally carried back by the guard with chains and they chained me in my own room! And are you really here now? Because ever since you got back, except for the first day, I suddenly meant nothing to you and all I ever did was burden you! A-And maybe I did but... but you can't say that you're 'here' when you haven't been! And when's the next time you're gonna leave, huh? You're gonna leave me behind like before! So, when you tell me that you care about me, that you want me to talk to you, then scold me for not telling you... It's - it's a little infuriating! And confusing! You want the truth? Fine. You haven't been here. You have been nowhere to be found. You’ve been emotionally unavailable. You haven't been here, here since the Great Tree. A-And that's fine, but don't say that you have been here for me when you most certainly have not been!" By the time Rapunzel was finished, there were tears running down her face. "Don't pretend like I matter to you when we both know that I don't. Maybe I did once, but it all went out the window years ago. I'm not your first priority anymore, and that's fine, but do not sit here and lie to me saying that you’ve been here when you haven't been around for a long, long time." 

Rapunzel looked away almost immediately after she stopped talking. Cassandra was stunned into silence. Mostly because she knew Rapunzel was right. After the Great Tree, Cass really did stop making her her first priority. She stopped being there for her as a best friend should. She hasn't been around the last four years and she never, not once, asked Rapunzel how she was. She never even looked into why Eugene wasn't around her anymore. She never once looked into why the citizens of Corona didn't smile at her, or wave to her, or greet her with cheer and kindness like they always did. 

Cassandra scooted closer to Rapunzel and gently directed her head back to Cassandra. Leaving her fingers under chin, she gently lifted Rapunzel's head so that their eyes met. "Maybe I wasn't there before," Cass whispered. "But I'm here now." Cassandra said it was so much affection and promise, that Rapunzel broke down. Cassandra's eyes softened as she pulled the sobbing princess into her arms; careful of her wounds.

"I-I'm s...so-" The princess tried to say after some minutes but her words were barely audible. 

"Shh.." Cassandra rocked her back and forth. "Don't. You were right." 

Rapunzel tried to shake her head. "No, Cass. It's... It's not your job to watch out for me.." 

"Actually, it is." 

"Cass-"

Cassandra gently pushed her back as she stared deep into her eyes. "I'm still your best friend, right?" 

Rapunzel blinked a couple times in disbelief as to why she would think otherwise and replied: "Y-Yes, of course, but-"

"Then it's my job to watch out for you. Like you watch out for me. It's in the signed contract of being a best friend." Cass said, trying to lighten the mood slightly but also to get her point across.

It worked. Rapunzel let out a small weak, pained giggle. "There was a contract? I don't remember signing it."

"You signed it as soon as you deemed me your best friend. And once you did sign it, there was no getting rid of it. You're stuck with me."

Rapunzel gave her a lopsided, weak smile. "Is that really such a bad thing?" 

Cassandra gave her a smile back. "I hope not. You're stuck with me for the rest of your life." Cassandra then stopped and gave her a glare. A glare that had no actual bite, but more of a promise. "Which is not just gonna be a couple of days."

"Cassandra-" Rapunzel tried to intervene, a tired frown now coating her pretty features.

"Don't you 'Cassandra' me. And don't you give me that bullshit that you're fine. After that letter I read, I'm not letting you out of it that easily." 

"Really? What are you going to do to stop me?" 

"Jump after you." Cassandra said simply. She said it with such ease that it took Rapunzel by surprise. "If you jump off that ledge, if that's what you really believe you need to do, I'm going with you because I am not about to live a life without you in it." 

"Cass, you can't-"

"I can do whatever I want. I don't care what you say. I promise you; you jump, I jump after you. End of story."

Rapunzel looked towards the floor. "But all I've ever caused you was pain."

Cassandra, once more, redirected her eyes back up to hers. "You've caused me more happiness and joy than you have pain." Rapunzel gave her a confused look. "Before I met you, all I had were my weapons, my dad, and Owl. My dad was rarely ever around. I never even really had a friend before. Kids always made fun of me because I liked to fight instead of playing with dolls. As a teenager, I didn't fit in because while they were all talking about boys and romance, I.... I couldn't.. Because all I wanted to talk about was girls." Rapunzel was so surprised that she actually shot her head up until she was sitting on her knees on Cass's level and her eyes were wide. "...It's not common. I know. Well, at least, that’s what other people are led to believe. People like me are in hiding so it's not like I could've talked to anyone about it. As I grew up to be an adult, I was backstabbed, hurt and shoved down so many times, that I just closed myself off period. For the longest time, everyone saw me as a cold, dangerous, short-tempered person. Many people stayed away from me, or spoke about me behind my back. Kids cried whenever they saw me. But I didn't care. I thought I didn't need anyone. I would often train in fields that not a lot of people go to. Alone. I was convinced that my destiny was to be on the guard. There had never been a female guard member so I knew my chances were pretty slim, other than the fact that my dad was the captain, but I trained anyway. It wasn't until I nearly struck a lost, newly-found, princess from a tree. I sorta ran after that. I nearly struck a royal, especially one that had been missing for 18 years, and I didn't know you. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was spending my time behind bars. But... then you showed up at my doorstep and asked me to dinner. I reluctantly agreed, because well, I didn't really have a choice. You know the rest. You made me your lady-in-waiting. At first, I wasn't too excited about it. Honestly, I was dreading it. You and I were just... so different. I thought that we would never have anything in common and we wouldn’t get along. And then the whole thing with the Lost Lagoon happened and you taught me how to swim and before I knew it, I realized... I was falling for you rather quickly. I tried to ignore those feelings but I couldn't keep you out of my life. I warmed up to you and as time went on... I was hooked. I couldn't go a day without having to see you. Even on the days I wasn't working. You just.. you made me feel like I mattered. I knew I was pretty much a stick in the mud, but even when I tried anything and everything to push you away, you still tried to be there for me as best as you could. I felt loved, I felt heard and for once in my life, I felt like I was important to someone. I had never even had a friend before, much more a best friend. I found myself starting to open up, at least a little - and do and say things that.. that I would never do or say with anyone else. You, somehow, started to open up the person I was underneath... underneath all the hard exterior. Even Eugene tried to tell you - but you didn't listen. You saw something in me that no one ever saw before. What you saw in me, I had no idea, and still don’t, but you saw past all the bullshit and actually treated me like a person who needed to be heard and feel like they mattered. You decoded me into a person I didn't even know I was possible to be. You didn't treat me as if.. as if I was below you, you treated me with respect and as if I was your equal. Before I knew it, I made more friends than I ever had in my entire life. I cared for them - but I loved you. I was truly happy for the first time in my life and I truly felt like I could be.... myself." Cassandra looked down. "I guess that's why it hurt so much when you stopped listening to me. I felt like I didn't matter to you anymore or maybe, I never did. I thought about how all the other people I trusted betrayed me and how it was happening again. We were being torn apart, growing distant, and it was only a matter of time before... before you turned your back on me, too. But for once, I wanted to strike back first. I wanted to hurt someone first before they hurt me. And I.. I acted." Cassandra sighed before looking back up to meet her eyes. "The point is Raps, I seriously care about you. You made my life something worth living; a life I wanted to live in. You morphed me into someone I thought I would never get to be. You restored the hope that I had lost so long ago. You brought it back. Instead of gray and gloomy, you made my life bright and full of life. You brought the sunshine - you erased the dark nights - you restored hope and friendship back into my heart. You taught me how to be myself. You taught me that it was okay to be scared, or be hurt. You taught me that it was okay to be vulnerable or weak. You taught me how to confide in someone. You taught me how to trust. How to laugh. How to cry. Even how to let go. Even after everything I did to you, you still pushed me to go towards my destiny, you let me leave, knowing it would hurt you in the end. You never once blamed me, yelled at me, or imprisoned me. You let me go with a smile and a hug and a 'I love you'. Now I'm realizing, I should've looked at the deeper meaning to those three little words that have such a huge meaning. The point is, Rapunzel, maybe you have made mistakes, maybe you have hurt me - but you've also made my life worth living. And that says more than anything that went on between us. You-" She didn't get to finish. Rapunzel suddenly grabbed her face and kissed her. 

Cassandra was stunned at first, and very flustered, but she soon found herself melting into the kiss. Slowly closing her eyes, Cassandra wrapped her arms around Rapunzel and pulled her even closer, deepening the kiss. The kiss relit an old flame. Cassandra gently tiled Rapunzel's head back only a little and pressed harder. Rapunzel let out a groaning sound in the back of her throat. Cassandra had to keep herself from moaning at the sound of it. Cassandra pulled away reluctantly after air became a necessity and stared deep into Rapunzel's bright emerald, desire-filled? eyes. Both women were panting softly, their lips merely inches apart. 

Rapunzel, realizing what she just did, pulled back with a deep blush, her eyes wide. "I'm so-sorry, I don't know what got into me- I.. I'm sorry-'' She stuttered, hoping to god that she didn't just ruin what little friendship they had left. Just because Cassandra admitted she was into girls, didn't mean she was into her. Did it? 

Rapunzel shook her head and started to move away. Cass hadn't said anything yet. She was just staring at her. Rapunzel couldn't read her expression or eyes. But before she could get far, she was suddenly pulled back into Cassandra and her lips were on hers. 

It was Rapunzel's turn to be surprised. But as Cassandra tilted her head back a second time, this time a little farther, she couldn't help but let out a low moan as she closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Cassandra's neck and pushed herself closer into her. Cassandra reached up and wiped the tears that were streaming down her face. When did she start crying? Rapunzel didn't know nor did she care.

Cassandra, nor Rapunzel, couldn't seem to hold each other up anymore as they both tumbled to the floor; their lips never leaving each other’s. Rapunzel was surprised that her wound didn't reopen. She barely even felt it. Cassandra was above Rapunzel as she kissed her with such passion and promise. Rapunzel ran her hands up and down her muscular arms, over her toned stomach, and even, accidentally, brushed her hands against her breasts. Cassandra groaned into the kiss but before things could go too far, she pulled away. Cassandra wanted nothing more than to make love to Rapunzel right then and there, but not only was the princess injured, but also skin and bones. Being so frail right now, she didn't want to end up hurting her accidentally. 

As she looked down at the princess beneath her, she had to hold herself back. Raps was looking up at her with half-lidded eyes, her mouth was parted slightly, she was panting, and was looking up at her with an expression that was a mixture of awe and amazement. Her hair was sprayed over her face and her eyes were filled with desire. Her eyes were quite literally sparkling in the moonlight. 

Suddenly embarrassed by her nearly loss of control, she blushed deeply. "Uh," She gave Rapunzel a lopsided grin. "I love you too."

Rapunzel actually let out a genuine laugh. It made Cassandra grin. She missed that sound. "I can see that now." Cassandra's grin widened as she lowered herself, careful of not laying on top of Rapunzel, and gave a small peck to her lips. Cassandra stayed there for a second and gave her a sweet smile that Rapunzel returned before Rapunzel spoke again, with a deep blush: "Uh, Cass? If you don't put a shirt on.. we're not leaving this god forsaken forest. Not that I don’t think you look hot.. but that’s kinda the problem." 

"Hm?" Cassandra asked, half dazed before she looked down realizing she was still very much shirtless. "Oh!" Shooting back, she covered herself with her cape, blushing deeply before shooting Rapunzel an embarrassed smile. "Right." Rapunzel let out a giggle. Cassandra moved to lay next to Rapunzel and brought her into her arms as the both of them listened to the stream of gentle water and looked up at the star-filled sky.  

Cassandra's hand was behind her head as the other was wrapped securely around Rapunzel, pulling her into her side. "Hey Raps?" Cassandra asked after some minutes.

"Yeah, Cass?"

"Do you think that warlock and witch sent us here on purpose?" 

Rapunzel shot Cass an amused smile. "What?" She asked with a small laugh. 

"I'm serious!" Cassandra said but couldn't keep the laugh that came with it. 

"Since when are you superstitious?" Rapunzel asked with an amused smile.

"Not superstition, destiny." Cassandra said simply. Rapunzel's eyes actually widened as she got the deeper meaning. She knew she read into it correctly when Cassandra looked down at her with one of the sweetest smiles she had ever seen on her. 

Rapunzel's eyes softened as she pressed herself closer. She leaned up and gently planted a kiss under Cassandra's chin. "Well, if that's the case, then I think they did send us here on purpose." 

Cassandra smiled and kissed her forehead. A couple minutes of comfortable silence passed before Cassandra spoke up again. "Hey, Raps...?" It sounded so scared and different from their earlier playful banner that Rapunzel had to actually tilt her head to see her face. Cassandra looked back down at her with what only Rapunzel could describe as a terrified, tear-filled expression. She had never seen those looks on Cassandra before and she wondered what the change was. "...You really scared me today."

Rapunzel eyes' filled with guilt as she pushed herself up until she was face-to-face with Cassandra. She reached forward and wiped the tears that were already starting to leak from her eyes. She left her hand on her cheek. Cassandra only stared back at her with fear, worry and sorrow. "I'm sorry, Cass. I really thought.."

Cassandra placed her hand over Rapunzel's and closed her eyes to lean into her warmth before reopening them again. "I'm so sorry..."

"Cass-"

"Really, Raps, I am. I shouldn't have reacted like that, I just..." Cassandra shook her head. "I never meant too..-"

"I know, Cass." Rapunzel gave her a sweet smile. "I forgive you."

"But I broke my promise-"

"So did I." Cassandra had to snap her eyes back to Rapunzel in surprise. Rapunzel never broke promises. Ever.

"What-" 

"I broke my promise of never giving up. I made that promise to you all those years ago, do you remember?"

"O-Of course I do. But you didn't break it. You didn't give up."

Rapunzel sighed and frowned. "But I almost did. I was going too. That counts as breaking it. I gave up completely. And I was ready to... to leave you. That's another promise I broke. I promised that I would never leave nor give up on you."

"Oh, Raps.." Cassandra sighed and scooted herself forward until they were barely inches apart. "You didn't leave me and you didn't give up on me."

"But I was going too." Rapunzel whispered.

"But you didn't, my love. You didn't." Rapunzel was, for like the 3rd time that night, stunned into silence. Cassandra was not one for mushy names so hearing those two words from her, brought tears to her eyes. She had to bite her bottom lip to try and hold them back. Cassandra shook her head, leaned forward and captured her lips into a soft, gentle kiss before taking Rapunzel's bottom lip gently into her mouth before she parted. "I'm right here. I'll always be right here. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Rapunzel couldn't hold back the tears this time as she shook her head and whispered: "I... I don't want you to stay here... I want to go with you. Into the outside world. I want to explore the world with you, share my life with you. I want to oneday marry you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I-If you'll let me.." 

Cassandra's eyes were wide before they softened. Cass gave her a loving smile before leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She pulled away and gently held Rapunzel's face. "Nothing would make me happier." She whispered. Tears filled Rapunzel's eyes before she pushed herself forward and wrapped  her arms around Cassandra's torso; pressing her face into the woman's neck. Cassandra smiled and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. "Everything's going to be okay. I'll make sure of it. I promise. And this time, I mean it, with all my heart." Rapunzel only nodded, unable to speak at the current moment. 

As the moon shung high over them, Rapunzel couldn't help but let out a true smile as she pressed herself into Cassandra's body. She decided that all the pain and heartache she had to go through these past years were all worth it...

Just for this moment. 

MY GOD. Nearly 11,000 words, holy shit. Guess this one got a little out of hand haha. Had lots of fun writing it though, even though it took me like 3 hours. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it and feedback is always appreciated! Have an amazing day everyone!