Romance Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Cassunzel Short Stories ❯ Leap of Faith ( Chapter 17 )

"Cass.." Rapunzel wheezed. "...I can't breathe." 

"Get close to the ground and take shallow breaths," Cassandra instructed, bringing both her and Rapunzel to the floor. Rapunzel stuck close to her side as she let out a couple coughs. Cassandra took a deep breath to calm her panicked mind. Rapunzel herself was already nearly in hysterics and freaking out so if they wanted to get out, Cass had to keep her composure. She had to remain calm for both of them. 

Cass looked around and tried to spot an exit through the flames and smoke but she could barely see 20 feet in front of her. The building was becoming filled with smoke by the second. Soon, they weren't gonna have any visibility at all. The air was getting stuffy and the fire was burning hotter. They didn't have much time. Making a decision, Cassandra turned back around to face Rapunzel. "We need to start moving."

"Moving?" Rapunzel asked, confused. "There's nowhere to move...!" 

"When we came in here, the entrance was on the south side of the building. That direction is blocked but there's another one in the opposite direction."

"Cass, this place is huge! We're never gonna find it in time!"

"It's better than sitting here waiting for the smoke and fire to consume us."

"C-Cass, I can't.. I... I'm not brave enough to do that. I'm not.. brave like you." 

"That's not true," Cassandra resorted. "I've seen you literally take on a demon with just your hair. I've also literally seen you jump off of an incredibly tall tower." 

"But that's when I had my hair," Rapunzel responded. "...I-I knew I was protected and that I had more of a chance. Now, though... I.. I-I'm too scared.." 

"I'm scared too, Raps," Cassandra admitted, surprising Rapunzel. Cass never admitted she was scared. "But being scared doesn't mean you're not brave." Cassandra paused. "...You taught me that." Rapunzel's eyes softened before she swallowed and slowly nodded.

Cassandra gave her a sweet smile. "There's my brave girl," She responded. Thank god for the lighting because that sentence made Rapunzel's face explode into color. Well, you know, other than the fact that they were in a life threatening situation with a minor chance of survival. Cassandra lent her hand out to Rapunzel. "Take my hand and don't let go. The visibility we have is fading and we can end up losing each other." Rapunzel nodded as she took Cass's hand. "And stick close to the ground and save as much air as you can." With that, they both started carefully, but quickly, moving through the fire. 

They had been maneuvering through the fire-struck building for a good ten minutes. Or at least, that was their estimation. The air was running thin and the visibility was 0 to none. Cassandra suddenly put her arm in front of Rapunzel as a part of the building fell in front of them, blocking the only path they had a chance for survival. 

"What do we do now?!" Rapunzel asked frantically as she coughed into her sleeve. 

Cassandra looked around for anything that pointed to a new plan but she couldn't see a damn thing. Squinting her eyes, she could barely make out a fire escape that led to a staircase and led them to the roof. It was risky, but it was their only option. "We need to get to the roof."

"What?! Cass, we'll be stuck!" 

Cassandra shook her head. "No, we can jump to the next building and get out from there. It's doable, and it's not a far jump, the hard part is getting there in one piece." Rapunzel didn't seem to be listening as she stared at something in the distance. It was then that she noticed that Rapunzel's expression was horror-struck. "Rapunzel? What's wrong?"

Rapunzel looked back at her with a panicked expression before pointing at something. Cass followed her finger and her eyes widened when she saw the perfectly placed bombs not to far away from them. “Shit,” Cass responded and if not for the dire situation, Rapunzel would have got on her ass about her usually tamed language. She wasn’t even sure if Rapunzel’s panicked brain heard it. 

The fire hadn't gotten to the bombs yet, but when it did... Cass looked back up at Rapunzel with a panicked expression of her own. Their time just ran out. "Screw going slow and steady, we need to go! Now!" Cassandra pulled herself and Rapunzel to their feet and pushed her in the direction of the fire escape. They blindly ran, hoping they were going in the right direction. Luck seemed to be on their side today because the door came into view.

Cassandra didn't waste a single second as she swung the door open and ushered Rapunzel inside. With that, they both ran up the stairs to the roof. Cassandra, again, swung the door open when they reached the top. Cool air hit them in the face as they ran out onto the roof. Out of breath, Cass looked towards the building next to the one they were on top of. "No time to waste, we need to jump! Come on, together." Rapunzel nodded. Their plan to jump at the same time didn’t go as they planned because as soon as Cass jumped and made it to the other side, some of the roof collapsed in front of Rapunzel and she stopped herself to a halt.

Cassandra spun around and her heart sped up as she saw the princess on the other side scared and trapped. "Rapunzel, you're gonna have to jump!"

"Are you crazy?! That's way too far, I won't make it!"

"Raps, the building is gonna go down! Come on, you can do it!"

Rapunzel gulped but as soon as she looked through the hole, she backed up. The flames were so large now that they were coming through the top. "I-I can't Cass, I can't do it." She started. Cassandra's heart started to quicken even more. They didn't have much time.

"Raps-" 

"I can't! You all think I'm so brave but I'm not. M-Maybe when I had my hair but... I'm nothing without it! I'm not brave, not like you, and I never will be! I.. I'm weak without the sunstone! I'm nothing without it!" There was so much fear in her eyes, Cass could see it all the way on the other side. She could also see the tears sitting there waiting to fall. 

"That's not true!" Cassandra responded. "You are strong! You fought a gigantic lion robot, you built Corona from the bottom up after Zhan Tiri and I destroyed it, you took on thugs, pirates, raiders and so much more! And you did all of that without the power of the sunstone! You don't need to have the sunstone to be able to be strong and brave because you're all that and more without it! You can do this, Raps, I know you can. I've seen you take on the world - you did that. Not the sunstone. You. Don't let the sunstone define you. It doesn't define you. Besides, you're not alone. I'll catch you, I won't let you fall!" Rapunzel, frozen in fear, still looked unsure. Was she… shaking? Cassandra couldn’t remember a time where she ever saw Rapunzel shake like she was. Hell, she’s never seen Rapunzel this scared before. And she most certainly never heard Rapunzel talk down about herself. What the hell had happened these last three years? 

Cassandra could hear cracking noises coming from the building. Her eyes filled with fear and panic. She had to get her out of there now! Why wasn't she moving?! Cassandra rushed forward and stepped up on the edge of the building and started speaking. "Raps, look at me," Her voice was filled with so much fear and worry Rapunzel had to meet her eyes. "I know you're scared. I am too. But I will catch you, I promise!" Rapunzel still didn't move. She looked stricken and scared. She looked frozen.

As the sounds became louder, Cassandra's heartbeat sped up and her mind, body and soul were consumed with absolute fear. She felt so helpless. She needed to save her - she couldn't lose her. She couldn't. Why wouldn't Rapunzel believe her?! Cassandra decided she didn't care about remaining calm anymore. "Rapunzel, you have to trust me! Please!" Finally some recognition kicked in Rapunzel's eyes and she started to slowly back up. Cassandra, still freaking out, nodded frantically. "That's right, come on, you can do it..!" Rapunzel seemed to hesitate for a second when she was far enough. She took a shaky breath, ran forward and... leapt. 

Rapunzel realized quite quickly that she wasn't going to make it as she predicted. But true to her word, Cassandra grabbed her at the last second and dropped them both to the floor then put her arm over her protectively in the process. Not a second later, the building exploded. Cass pulled Rapunzel closer and kept a protective arm over her to protect her from the debris that was flying in all directions. A sharp object ended up slicing into her side. She didn't know what it was, it all happened so fast, but she did know it cut deep and she could already feel the blood soaking through her shirt. In all honesty, she barely even felt it. The only way she knew it happened was because she could feel the cold feeling of blood. But she didn't let up though. She kept her arm protectively around the princess to make sure she didn't get hurt.

Cass only pulled back once she was sure that there was no more debris flying around. Panting softly, she looked at the princess in concern. "You okay? Are you hurt?" 

Rapunzel pulled back and took a shaky breath before giving her a small, still slightly fearful, smile. "I'm okay. Thanks to you." 

Cassandra took a shaky breath of relief. "I told you I wouldn't let you fall." She teased as she poked the princess in the side, making her giggle. But it was also said with true sincerity. 

"You never do," Rapunzel responded with a smile. Cass returned it. 

Cassandra began to get up. "Well, come on, we should-" Suddenly a piercing, unbearable pain came from her side and spread all throughout her body. "A-Ah!"

Rapunzel was up in an instant. "Cass?" She asked worriedly. Cassandra didn't respond. She couldn't respond. "Cass, are you-" Rapunzel gasped when she saw it. There was a deep, deep gash cut into Cassandra's side that led all the way to her back. It was gushing blood already. Cass must've gotten hit in the blow. But what object could have done such a thing? It was like none Rapunzel had ever seen before. Rapunzel was staring in horror at her best friend's wound. It was so deep. Rapunzel had never seen such a horrible wound before. There was so much blood already... It nearly made Rapunzel sick.

It was then that she realized that Cassandra was staggering. Her eyes widening, she rushed forward and caught the warrior seconds before she hit the floor. "Hold on, Cass, I got you." She was trying to stay calm but the fear could be heard in her voice nonetheless. She brought them to the floor once more and turned Cassandra so that she was laying in her arms. Her eyes were barely open. "Hold on Cassandra..."

"...Hold on..." Was all Cassandra heard before everything went black. 

Cass groaned as her senses began to awaken. Cassandra tried to raise her arm but realized she couldn't. Ugh, she had never felt more weak in her life. Slowly opening her eyes, she took in her surroundings and realized rather quickly that she was in a hospital. That's when everything hit her. She remembered the fire, the fear, the explosion, the debris. Panic took over her heart as she frantically searched the room. "R-Rapunzel.." She tried to call out but her voice was scratchy and quiet. "R-Raps?" She tried to say louder. Her only concern was if Rapunzel was safe or not. When no one responded, her panic rose and she tried to sit up only to wince. "Rapunzel?" ...Please be okay…

"C-Cass?" Cassandra took a sigh of relief as she looked up and saw the princess standing in the doorway. Her concern quickly rose back up though. She looked like a wreck. Her hair was messy, she had bags under her eyes, she was paler than usual, and her clothes were dirty, covered in soot and dirty from the fire. It was torn in some places and... were those blood stains? 

Before Cassandra could say anything, the princess's eyes filled with tears and she rushed forward and suddenly she was wrapping her arms carefully around her and sobbing into her neck. Cassandra blushed at the position but she used what energy she had left to raise her arms and wrap them around the shaking princess. "Thank god you're okay..." She heard her mumble after some minutes. 

She had never seen Rapunzel this upset before. Was it seriously that bad? She had to know. "Was it really that bad?" 

Rapunzel suddenly shot back and Cassandra regretted asking due to the fearful, horror-filled expression on her best friend's face. A fear that Cassandra had never seen in her eyes before. Tears continued to run down from her eyes. “‘Was it really that bad?’” Rapunzel repeated, almost offended by the question. “Yes, it was that bad! Cassandra, they told me you weren't gonna make it! B-By the time I was able to get you here, you had already lost so much blood and-"

"Wait, how did we get here?" 

"I carried you.." 

Cassandra's eyes widened slightly. "You carried me from the roof, out of that building, and all the way here?" 

"....Well, yeah. I didn't really have a choice. You were barely breathing.." 

"Damn," Cass said. "Remind me to never doubt your strength again." Cassandra was trying to lighten the mood a little but when Rapunzel only gave her a half-attempted, tired glare Cass realized that her friend was still incredibly upset and she wasn't in the 'playing' mood. Cassandra looked away. "Right, bad timing." Rapunzel shook her head and groaned as she flopped herself in the chair next to Cassandra's bed. 

It was silent for nearly a minute before Cass finally took a chance to look back at her best friend. Her heart broke when she saw her. She looked exhausted, her face was still twisted into a horror-stricken expression and she still looked panicked. Seemingly, the shock of what happened still hadn't worn off. "Hey, I'm okay." Cassandra soothed as she placed her hand over Rapunzel's. It didn't seem to comfort Rapunzel at all as she stared at their joined hands with a conflicted, fearful expression. Cassandra sighed and moved over slightly. "...Come here." Her voice was soft and soothing as she patted the spot next to her.

Rapunzel seemed like she wanted too but she hesitated and looked unsure as she bit her bottom lip. Cassandra rolled her eyes. "You're not gonna hurt me Raps." She hesitated for a couple more seconds, a frown planted on her pretty features, then she got up and crawled into the bed next to Cass. As soon as she did, she dug herself into Cassandra as she let out a shaky sigh. Her nose was pressing into her neck and a deep blush filled Cassandra's face but she still nonetheless wrapped her arms around the distressed princess. She lay her head on top of Rapunzel's and held her for as long as it took to calm her down. 

It went on for nearly 20 minutes and Cass was starting to think she fell asleep but suddenly, she took another shaky breath and pulled back before moving herself to lay on the pillow so she could face Cass eye-to-eye. "Feel better?" Cass asked. Rapunzel slowly nodded. "Good. So, how long am I gonna be stuck in this bed?" 

"For as long as it takes. You're not even supposed to be alive right now.." 

Cassandra gave her a playful smirk. "Hey, it's not the first time I've escaped death. Besides, I'm too stubborn to die." Cass's heart warmed when Rapunzel let out a weak giggle. 

"That you are." Then her face fell. "...I felt so helpless. I-I knew that if you died... there was no way I was gonna be able to bring you back this time. I was gonna lose you for good... I can't lose you again, Cass. I... just can't." 

Cassandra's eyes softened as she placed her hand on her cheek. Rapunzel leaned into her touch. "Hey, I'm not going anywhere." 

"...You can't promise that." Rapunzel whispered.

"Maybe, but I can promise that I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." Cassandra was stopped dead short when Rapunzel suddenly, and quickly, leaned forward and caught her lips into a quick, soft kiss. It was over before Cassandra could even respond as she stared at Rapunzel wide-eyed, a blush covering her face, as she put her fingers over her lips in disbelief.

Rapunzel looked even more flustered than she did. Cassandra realized she had never seen Rapunzel flustered or blush before. She decided that, just like how Rapunzel was with everything else, it was adorable. Cass was still in too much shock to do anything other than stare at Rapunzel wide-eyed with her fingers still on her lips. "S-Sorry.." Rapunzel said as she looked down to avoid her eye contact. "....When they said you weren't gonna make it, I... I realized that there were things I never told you because I was too scared... and I had never regretted anything more in my life than I did. I promised myself that if you did wake up, I would tell you that I loved you, w-whether you felt the same or not." It was said so quick and fast, Cassandra's shock-filled brain took a second to register what she said. "I-It's okay if you don't feel the same, I just.. I just needed to tell you.. because I don't know when the next time..." She paused. "....Right now may be the last chance I get." 

Cassandra finally got her bearings as she slowly removed her fingers and hooked them under Rapunzel's chin then slowly lifted her head so that their eyes met. Rapunzel stared deep in her eyes and as she always did, Cass could see every emotion swarming in her beautiful emerald hues. Fear. Worry. Exhaustion. Fear of rejection. Love. Admiration. Adortion. Affection. Fondness. And so much more. Cass stared into her eyes for a couple more seconds before she leaned forward and caught Rapunzel's lips in a soft, gentle, loving kiss. It was Rapunzel's turn to be in shock as her eyes widened at the feeling of Cassandra's soft lips moving over hers. 

As the kiss deepened though, she felt herself melting into it. Closing her eyes, she put her hands on Cassandra's cheek and pulled her closer so that she could kiss her better. Cass's hand moved from her chin to behind her head and tangled it in Rapunzel's hair. Rapunzel swooned from the small pleasure-filled groan that escaped from Cassandra's lips. When air became a necessity, Cassandra finally let go of Rapunzel's lips but didn't pull back as she stared deep into her eyes. Cass suddenly gave her a sweet smile, the type of smile that made Rapunzel's heart swell with joy, then she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Rapunzel's forehead before pulling her in her arms. 

She knew Cass wasn't one for words, so she took it for what it was and cuddled into her. Slowly, the melody of Cassandra's heartbeat slowly started to lure her to sleep. Rapunzel breathed in Cass's natural scent, the scent she thought she would never be able to smell again, and smiled. "I love you, Cass." Rapunzel whispered. She didn't expect Cass to say it back because Cass wasn't one for mushy stuff, neither was she one for words, but she wanted to say it anyway. 

A couple seconds passed before Cassandra tightened her hold around Rapunzel and kissed the top of her head. "....I love you too, Raps." Rapunzel was genuinely surprised, but genuinely touched, that she actually responded back but she didn't press, because she wanted to savor the moment, as she pressed herself more against her. As she slowly drifted off to sleep, a joyous smile was plastered on her face. Cassandra’s face wasn't any different.