Precious Like Magic
Rapunzel rocked back and forth on her heels, looking at out towards Corona from her balcony.
"Blondie you're gonna break the railing if you keep doing that." Eugene said from behind her.
"I can't help it. Cass is coming back today. We haven't seen her in months Eugene. Months." Rapunzel couldn't stop the excitement from showing in her voice.
"Yeah, I know. But she wrote. Like all the time. It's not like we haven't kept in touch." Eugene shrugged before hugging Rapunzel from behind, planting a gentle kiss on the top of her head "I know you're excited. Don't tell anyone but I am too. I'm sure she'll be here soon enough."
Rapunzel sighed and leaned into her boyfriend's chest, "I get that. Do you think she missed us too?"
"You? Yes. Fitzherbert? No so much." Replied a voice from the bedroom door.
"Cass!" Rapunzel looked over to see Cassandra leaning against the open door, arms crossed over her chest and a smile on her face.
The Princess quickly ran to her arms. Cassandra nearly fell back from the force of Rapunzel jumping into her arms, but managed to catch herself, spinning Rapunzel around in the air once before letting her down, the brunette hugging her tight. Cassandra couldn't help but return the hug equally as hard.
"Careful Princess, you cling onto me much longer and your boyfriend might get jealous." Cassandra whispered into Rapunzel's ear. The Princess blushed and pulled back, which made the warrior chuckle.
"Me? Jealous? I'd never be." Eugene walked over to them, pecking Rapunzel on her still slightly pink cheek before smirking at Cassandra, "Nice to see you Cass-un-drah."
Cassandra narrowed her eyes, "I see you're still just as annoying as you were when I left Fitzherbert."
"Eh, why change perfection?" Eugene smirked.
After a moment Cassandra laughed, "Good to see you too. And don't worry I missed you annoying me too."
"The feeling is completely mutual." A silence followed between the three.
This is the first time in a while they've been in the same room. And there was something they felt like they needed to discuss. Something that they've been writing letters about for weeks. Their relationship. Cassandra is well aware that some of her more recent letters to Rapunzel were more akin to those a knight would send to their fair Princess, rather than a friend to a friend. And she knew Eugene saw those as well.
And Eugene wasn't stupid. He knew that Rapunzel liked Cassandra. He saw as much on her face whenever she'd get one of her letters, from how she talked about her, how her eyes lit up, the dreamy look in her eyes when the topic of Cassandra would come up. It's the same look she looked at him. And right now the look Cassandra was giving Rapunzel was the same look he always gave her.
As for Rapunzel she also recognized these feelings for what they were. The warm feeling in her chest, the way her heart beat faster when she thought or talked about Cassandra, she got the same way around Eugene.
"Is anyone hungry?!" Rapunzel yelled suddenly, startling both Eugene and Cassandra. As well as Pascal who was peacefully sleeping in his bed, "Ups. Sorry little guy." Pascal perked up, smiling when he saw Cassandra, he have her a little wave before getting comfortable and curling up to sleep again, "So uh... food?"
"I guess I could eat." Cassandra smiled warmly at Rapunzel.
"You know me Sunshine. I'd never say no to good food and company. Oh and Cassandra I guess." Cassandra lightly punched Eugene on the shoulder as they exited the room, the two laughing, Rapunzel between them.
The ice was now... mildly cracked.
They ate dinner in relative silence, Cassandra sharing some of her more recent adventures she's had on her way back to Corona. While Cassandra teased Rapunzel earlier about making Eugene jealous she actually had no idea how either of them felt about her letters. And the longer they sat there, looking at each other the more nervous she got.
"Uhm... so..."
"Do you like me?" Rapunzel asked her blatantly. Cassandra felt herself stop breathing for a second.
Eugene groaned, "Real subtle Sunshine."
"I... I'm sorry. But it's been killing me not to know the truth." Rapunzel reached to take Cassandra's injured hand in her own. The burn wound from the Hurt Incantation was the only thing her tears weren't able to heal when she brought her back to life after the battle with Zhan Tiri. Cassandra flinched but didn't pull away, "Cass... do you like me? You can be honest. It's just the three of us here. Please."
Cassandra's eyes switched to Eugene. He didn't seem uncomfortable or surprised. In fact he looked like he too was eager to hear the answer.
Seconds seem to pass like hours as Cassandra collects her thoughts. Finally she takes a deep breath and puts a hand over Rapunzel's.
"I do. But I don't expect you to like me back. You have Eugene, I know you're happy with him, and I'm happy that you're happy." Cassandra trailed off towards the end. She wasn't lying, but it was still a hard thing to admit.
"Is... that why you left?" The sad look in Rapunzel's eyes nearly broke Cassandra's heart.
"No! Of course not! I left because I needed to figure stuff out that's all."
"And have you?" Eugene asked bringing his seat closer to Rapunzel. He offered Cassandra a hopefully reassuring smile, "I think Rapunzel has. And I have too. I don't mind it you know. I love Rapunzel and that'll never change for me." Eugene wrapped an arm around Rapunzel's shoulder.
Cassandra's eyes widened. She looked from Rapunzel to Eugene and back to Rapunzel again.
"We've been talking about it for a bit. But we didn't want to jump to conclusions. I love Eugene with all my heart. And I love you Cass, just the same." Just like Rapunzel to be so honest about her feelings.
"But... how does it work then? Have you told your parents? What about the rest of the kingdom? I don't want them to think that you're cheating on Eugene or..." Rapunzel laughed making Cassandra pause and get confused yet again.
"Give my parents some credit Cass, you really think they wouldn't notice their daughter crushing on her best friend? And as for the people well... some might think its weird I'm not gonna lie to you about that, but I like to think most would be ok with it. A few have already teased me about being a real heartbreaker. Not in a bad way of course!"
Cassandra laughed, that same laugh Rapunzel fell in love with long ago. Back when she first heard it Cassandra had already started making her way into the Princess's heart.
"Then I think I'd like to give this a try. If you'll have me." Cassandra was pulled into another tight hug.
"Always." Rapunzel kissed her on the cheek as she pulled away. Cassandra almost felt her heart stop again.
"You know that meas you also have to put up with me right? Sunshine and I are a package deal." Eugene chuckled as Rapunzel turned to kiss him as well.
"I'll live." Cassandra chuckled as well. She gave Eugene a look and she knew he was thinking the same thing as she was.
They each took one of Rapunzel's hands in their own and planted a kiss on each of her cheeks. Rapunzel's face turned redder then Max's favorite apples. The rouge and the warrior laughed again, this might not be so bad after all.