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This wasn’t supposed to happen.
The princess’s lips pressed against hers, her hands on her hips, the warmth of them pressed up against one another…
Cassandra pulled away to stare, believing that maybe this was a dream. That everything was going to turn into a crazy fantasy if she just continued on. But the way Rapunzel smiled back, touched her cheek… It didn’t feel like a dream.
Suddenly, she thought of Eugene. He was right there, asleep by the fireside. If he had seen-
“We shouldn’t be doing this…” Cassandra whispered, glancing away to the stars of the sky above. Her stomach turned at the anxiety she was just given. She didn’t want to discuss this, not now… not with the feelings she had for Rapunzel.
“What?” Rapunzel pulled Cassandra’s cheek softly so she was looking at her again. Cassandra searched her eyes curiously. Why was she confused?
“Eugene.” Cassandra whispered back softly, trying hard to not look miserable. “I want to, Raps.. but…”
“He knows.” Rapunzel replied so easily, so casually. As if this wasn’t about something that could end her relationship.
“About-...?”
“About you and I… about how I've wanted to kiss you forever…” The princess shrugged, slightly flustered at the questions.
“What?” Cassandra’s turn to be confused. Eugene knew? And Rapunzel had known? Er- well, felt the same? She gulped a lump of her feelings into her already buzzing stomach.
“I love you, Cass… I think we’ve gotten closer despite our… disagreements recently.” She glanced nervously at Cassandra’s hand, “And I’ve… I’ve been dreaming of you. You and Eugene are my dream, now… both of you together.”
Cassandra only stared at her, unsure how to react. “I-... I love you too Raps.”
A whiney from Maximus told them they weren’t the only ones awake.
“Let’s talk about this, away from the others?” Cassandra shrugged.
Rapunzel grinned, nodding. The two walked quietly over to Maximus, Rapunzel kissing his nose and petting him before getting on behind Cassandra. He blew out a happy noise before trotting off to a more private area away from prying ears.
The grass was cool, even with shoes on, Cassandra shivered, sitting on a nearby stone. Rapunzel followed, her smile attempting to be infectious.
“So you … feel… romantic feelings for me?” Rapunzel looked flustered as she asked, as if she hadn’t just been so calm about it.
“I.. I do.” Cassandra chuckled, her eyes squinting joyfully, before feeling guilty for the feeling. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to love Rapunzel, but… the fact that she couldn’t have her. The fact that she could ruin her reputation if they were seen kissing.
Cassandra gulped. “But we shouldn’t…”
“Why not?”
“B-because…” Cassandra stared at Rapunzel, a slight fear behind her eyes. “There’s… these rules people have. About… well, how you should act.”
“And why do I have to follow them? I haven’t let that stop me.” Rapunzel shot back. “I- I wear no shoes, I go on adventures like this… That's not princess-ly?”
“Raps- it’s not that.” Cassandra grimaced. “If what you’re saying is true- that… that Eugene knows and you want me…. It doesn’t change the fact that women aren’t supposed to be together.”
“Why not?” Rapunzel’s curiosity came out as frustration.
“Because- ugh, Raps, I don’t know. It’s some bias that people have, but it’s… It’s like treason.” Cassandra bit at her lip. “It’s been a bias passed down for years and no one’s going to just… fix it because you like me.”
Rapunzel made a face, unsure if she should ask more. “But I want to be with you. I want to kiss you.” She gestured as she spoke before crossing her arms.
Cassandra smiled a bit at that, chuckling, before frowning again. “I know, Raps… but it’s… it’s harder than you think.”
“Have you kissed other women before?”
“Uh… yes.” Cassandra blinked at her, curiously.
“Then what’s so different if I do it?” Rapunzel sighed, wiggling her toes in the grass distractedly.
“Well.. I had to keep it a secret.” Cassandra put a gentle hand on Rapunzel’s shoulder. “It wasn’t… something I could let my dad know.”
“That’s not fair…” Rapunzel sighed.
“Yeah..” Cassandra pulled Rapunzel back to her, pulling her into a tentative hug. She wasn’t usually the one to start these situations but Rapunzel was upset. Though, her hand burned a bit at the touch. Rapunzel gladly soaked into the hug, embracing Cassandra warmly.
“We can just keep it a secret.” Rapunzel whispered after a moment. “Only Eugene gets to know.. He doesn’t care if we’re together.”
“Heh… Okay..” Cassandra blushed, severely done with the hug. She couldn’t just push Rapunzel off, though. “If you want to, Raps.”
“If you want to, also.” Rapunzel pulled away, still gripping at Cassandra’s arms. “I’d never want you to do something you don’t want to.”
Cassandra blinked away, sighing. She’s done so much for Rapunzel she didn’t want to do. But part of that was her job. Looking back, Rapunzel’s face looked like it had gotten redder.
“Oh, Raps, don’t cry!” Cassandra jumped, holding her face. “I- I want to kiss you! Seriously.”
“I just-” Rapunzel started, her lip quivering. “I don’t want you to lose anybody… because you kiss me. Does my father feel that way too?”
“Oh Raps…” Cassandra felt herself slump. “Surely you can change his mind. I- I doubt he could ever abandon you.”
“Oh…”
Cassandra watched as tears fell down Rapunzel’s cheeks.
“Look, we can keep it secret for now… then change our dad’s minds later… okay?” Cassandra tried to put a band-aid on the situation, but Rapunzel’s tears flowed more. She pulled her into another hug, and Maximus whinnied again. He hadn’t been wanting to listen to the conversation, but seeing Rapunzel cry he’d gotten closer to join the hug.
“Thanks, you guys.” Rapunzel sniffled, “I just thought this would be a different kind of moment.”
“Yeah?” Cassandra chuckled, sighing. “Me too, for a moment.”
Rapunzel hugged Maximus’s neck, giving him a kiss on the nose, before raising an eyebrow at Cassandra.
“Yeah?” Cassandra chuckled again.
“You wanted me to kiss you again.” Rapunzel shot back with a smile.
“What?” Cassandra blushed, laughing.
“You did, didn’t you? That’s what you were hoping for.” Rapunzel grabbed at Cassandra’s hands giddily.
“I-” Cassandra sighed, sheepishly nodding.
Instead of replying, Rapunzel moved Cassandra’s chin to look at her before leaning in to kiss her, their lips touching gently. Cassandra stood still for a moment before she drifted closer, kissing her back. Maximus made a noise of embarrassment and trotted away again to eat some grass.
Rapunzel relaxed into the kiss, her arms slowly resting on Cassandra’s shoulders. Cassandra’s hands came up to hold Rapunzel’s waist, trying not to shiver.
When the kiss ended, it was reluctant on both sides, as they stared into each other’s eyes.
“We can try to make this work.” Cassandra spoke after a moment.
“Okay…” Rapunzel sniffled, smiling. “I’d love to.”