Its been a while since I wrote something, so I wanted to expand on my Varian story! Consider this my third part series on my "Tears of an Alchemist" story! I love all of you guys!

Ting ting ting ting

I listened to that sound of metal as I felt my head throb. Was this a dream? Was this another vision that haunted me? I opened my eyes to be greeted to a medium sized room, a much warmer and cozier room than my cell. Dull pain shot through my body as I tried to lean up. Nope, definitely not a dream.

"Rapunzel…" I tried to call for her, only for it to come out as a soft whisper. My ribs felt like they were digging into my lungs.

"So you're awake." It was a familiar voice that I've heard before.

I turned me head and… I saw Cassandra fidgeting with a sword.

"Cass? what are you…"

"Zip it pipsqueak,I'm here to watch over you," she interrupted.

Cassandra was sitting at the windowsill, facing the window, an angry frown plastered on her face. She was in her guard uniform but there was a large rip on the side of it, a remnant of that day.

Guilt flowed over me as I realized what I had done to her. Every day in prison I longed for my chance to start over and give my condolences to all those I hurt on that day when I captured the Queen.

"I'm sorry we had to meet like this," I apologize, shifting my weight to my side to get a good look at her. I looked for a response from Cassandra but she stared blank-eyed at the window.

"I never thought I would be talking to the person that I risked my life fighting just a week ago" she asked, waiting for my response.

"You know what's worse? Risking your life to fight a friend who betrayed you." Cassandra's eyes opened wide, her eyebrows were raised in surprise at my response. "I was angry that Rapunzel, you, and the whole palace refused to help me. After all I've done for everyone and this was how they repaid me? Letting my father die an agonizing death? No. I couldn't let that happen."

Cassandra gripped her sword tighter. "Really? I doubt you cared for any of us. Knowing you, you used it to get close to the royal family so you could snatch them in your grasps for ransom," she snapped.

"No Cass that's not true. I cared about Rapunzel with all my heart. I trusted her. I trusted YOU. Even more, I—" I wanted to tell her how I truly felt but the words didn't come out. I did have feelings for Cassandra but I couldn't help but feel like that friendship ended when my automaton nearly squeezed her to death. My rage overcame me and I almost wanted to kill her for not loving me back. I was no longer the Varian she knew. So I took a deep breath and mustered up my courage. "I had feelings for you Cassandra."

I kept my gaze on her and her face softened. Her hand let go of her sword and it clanged onto the floor.

Cassandra lifted up part of her shirt, showing me the side of her torso , which was black and bruised. "You know, it still hasn't healed right?" Her voice was stern but no longer hostile.

I saw the candlelight beside the window flicker and reflect off of Cass's pale complexion. Though she acted all tough, she was a very pretty girl, with gray eyes that are perfectly framed by her angular face and wavy black hair done in a bob. Her natural appeal was one aspect of her that drew me in at first. And under than tough girl exterior, she held a warm and loving heart that was reluctant to open up. But what I wanted most was to be let into that locked heart.

"I understand if you're angry at me but I truly regret all the pain I have caused you." I sat up and inched towards the edge of my bed.

A breeze blew into the room through the window and the candlelight went out. Darkness consumed the room. Moments of silence followed. She crossed her arms and turned to face me. I saw her slim silhouette in front of the moonlit window.

"My father was the only one I had and when I lost him, all I wanted was revenge. My mind was clouded with terrible thoughts and all I was thinking about was making you feel the pain that I had felt" I admit quietly.

"Your father, what happened?"

I stood up and limped over towards her. As I walked I felt my knees buckle and my head throb, but I fought the pain. I reached into my pocket and approached her with two vials of alchemy materials. I shook them and they produced a purple and green glow that lit both of us up in the dim room. It was still hard to see her so I leaned closer till I could hear her labored breathing due to her injury.

"It was because of an accident that he was trapped in the rocks. I went to find help in the kingdom but no one would help me. I had lost my mother at a young age and the thought of losing my father—" I felt my throat close up and my nose get runny. I couldn't go back to those thoughts that tormented me day and night in the jail cell. I shake my head, "I'm sorry. You can't understand what I'm trying to say."

"No," she interrupted. "I do."

"No you don't!" I snarled back, feeling my fury envelope me. How could she say she understands me!? She works at the palace and is paid on a royal guard and handmaiden's salary! What could she know about a peasant boy losing his only parent? What could she know about poverty? What could she know about being rejected by those who you trusted?

"Varian, please," she begged, her dimly-lit eyes burning into my soul.

My eyes followed Cassandra's fingers as she removed her gloves and reached for my hands. When they touched mine I felt a spark go off. It was magical to hold her hands in mine, face to face midst our tensest emotions.

"I do understand your struggle Varian. On that day when my father was injured I felt so broken. Ever since I was a young girl I thought that he was the unbreakable captain of the guard. He was the foundation of my life and I couldn't bear to lose him," she stopped, a tear began to roll down her face but with one quick stroke, she wiped it away. "But you lost your father and were left to deal with it yourself. You're a brave kid Varian, a brave but lost kid."

I felt my eyes water and I could hardly hold back the well of tears in my eyes. It felt like the wall of emotions inside my body suddenly broke down as the feelings of confusion, anger, and resentment were washed away by this new feeling of love. So I let my tears knock down this wall, as I plunged towards Cassandra, wrapping my arms around her and crying on her shoulder. Not before long, I felt her embrace me, comforting me with soft strokes. It made sense to me now. Even after all the damage I wrought, even after all the hatred I had, these were still my friends. My eyes were blurred from the tears but through my filmy vision, I saw Cassandra smiling.