#variandra

⦁ Varian: *Rubbing his arm while hanging his head and avoiding her eyes* I... I'm really sorry Cassandra... I know I don't deser-- Cassandra: *Hugs him as his expression reads shock and confusion* Hey Genius, I TOLD you, call me Cassie." Varian: *Tearing up, smiles and returns her hug*

⦁ Varian: *Amazed as Cass hands him the necklace he gave her* After everything you... you kept the cassandrium? Cass: It doesn't really go with any of my outfits, but it served as a pretty good reminder that somewhere underneath all that rage and emotional turmoil was still the same kid who was willing to drop everything to help me achieve my goals. Varian: *Puppy-eyed smile* Cass: *Teasingly* Don't read TOO much into it, okay. I'm not the mushy feely sort so there's no need to get all misty-eyed-- Varian: Uh, Cassie... *shyly pulls out a tattered blue ribbon and hands it to her* Cass: ... *Looks surprised then smiles softly* *puts it on him* Still a winner. Varian: *Smiles down at the ribbon then holds up the necklace* May I? Cass: *Pulls hair back and lets him put her necklace on for her*

⦁ Varian: Hey Cassie, so the royal wedding is tomorrow. Cass: *Hanging up decorations* You don't say? Varian: Right, *clears throat* so I was just thinking, I know you'll be busy but if you weren't planning on going with anyone maybe you could go with, er we could go as-- as uh... Cass: Hold up! Are you trying to ask me out on a DATE? Varian: Who ME?! Pssshhh noooooo, we're just friends! I wouldn't--! Cass: *Not buying it look* Varian: ... *Rubbing arm awkwardly* But, you know... if you happen to have fun and find that you actually enjoy yourself then maybe SOMEDAY you might consider a... a REAL... date? Cass: Hmmmmm, I dunno. You really think you can handle a WHOLE day celebrating someone else's romance with your 'just a friend'? Varian: *confident look* Uh absolutely! *softening and shrugging a little* The fact that I still get to BE your friend already makes me pretty lucky. Cass: *Looks surprised again then her expression softens a bit* Well... I am the head of security AND the Maid or Honor, so yeah I will be busy, but I think I can save a dance for you at the reception. Varian: Wow, really?! *After she's walked away he silently pumps his fist and mouths 'yessss!'* Cass: *Looks over her shoulder* Varian: *Spins around* I mean, sure, yeah, I-I'll see you then! Heh.

⦁ *Meanwhile just outside in the hall Stan and Pete are giving their commentary* "She said yes, pay up." "That wasn't a 'yes', that was a 'kinda'!" "It was an overall positive response so it counts!" "If that's your idea of romance then I feel sorry for--" "YOU LEAVE MY WIFE OUT OF THIS!" "I was gonna say your readers, since you're writing that romance novel but yeah, her too."

⦁ Varian doesn't care. That goof walks out with a happy heel click anyway.

⦁ At one point during the reception though Varian briefly doubts himself and decides to take a break away from the party. Cass stops him by catching his wrist causing him to turn around in surprise.

⦁ "Not so fast, you still owe me a dance."

⦁ Cassandra resting her head on his shoulder while they dance and Varian just looking like he’s going to implode from happiness.

⦁ Later on, Cass catches the bouquet and turns to see Shorty making kissy faces at her. There's a tap on her shoulder and she turns to see Varian. She grabs him and drags him away in a hurry saying, "I'll take it."

⦁ Getting into shenanigans with Rapunzel, Lance and Eugene like: Cassandra: *Standing on Varian's shoulders to reach a window* Hey Raps, we're all sneaking out to see the circus that everyone has been talking about just outside of town. You in? Varian: Whatever your answer is, please make it quick! Her heel is digging into my clavicle! Rapunzel: I'll be right out! Cassandra: *Losing her balance as Rapunzel tosses a rope of tied together curtains out the window* WHOA! WHOA!

WHAM

Varian: *Strained voice after breaking her fall* Ow...!

⦁ Owl letting Ruddiger use his wing as an umbrella.

⦁ After Varian is knocked unconcious and/or nearly drowns and doesn't seem to be breathing: Varian: *Smiling real big* Was I dreaming or did you actually kiss me? Cassandra: What did I say about flattering yourself? It wasn't a kiss. Lance: Oh, but it was a kiss! The kiss of life! Cassandra: Keep talking Big Guy, and you're gonna be the one needing it.

⦁ Cassandra slowly noticing how Varian is growing up and thinking things to herself  like: "Wow, he's gotten a lot taller since I met him. It's actually sorta--" *smacks self* "HE'S SIXTEEN!" // "He really is such a smart guy, kind and-- NO! No! Nonononono he's just seventeen... ummm..." // *After he gives her a rose and a peck on the cheek* *internally* "Do NOT fall for it! Do NOT fall for HIM! DO NOT GO THERE!! He's--... eighteen... oh no..."

⦁ Cassandra at some point grabbing Rapunzel by the front of her dress in a panic and "I'M ACTUALLY STARTING TO LIKE VARIAN BACK! HOW DO I MAKE IT STOP?!" "Cass, it's okay if you have feelings for Varian. He's not a kid anymore and he IS a really nice guy... nowadays." "BUT HE'S SUCH A GEE-HEE-HEEK!" "That doesn't REALLY matter to you does it?" "Well, no... not anymore, but STILL... *clasping hands together pleadingly* Just, please don't tell Eugene okay? I'll never hear the end of it!" "I won't, don't worry. Look, from what I've heard, a crush only lasts a few months. If that's all it is, then all you have to do is wait it out. It's that simple." "MONTHS?!" "Oooooorrrr you can just come clean now and tell him how you feel. The choice is up to you." *Grabs a pillow and buries her face into it* *Muffled whining as Rapunzel pats her on the back*

⦁ Rapunzel: You know Varian, you grew up real handsome. I'm a little surprised that you're still single. Varian: *Bashfully rubbing the back of his neck* Really? I mean, I guess I've gotten a few looks, but I'm not exactly fighting off admirers with a stick. Rapunzel: *Noticing Cassandra giving a deadly look to a girl she catches staring at Varian while cleaning her halberd effectively scaring said girl off* I think that's been covered.

⦁ Eugene: *To Rapunzel* Big Nose told me. Cass has a thing for VARIAN?! I mean I shouldn't be surprised, he DID go rogue and try to destroy us all, he seems like Cassandra's type. But seriously, VARIAN?!

⦁ Varian being SO out of the loop: Varian: *To Cassandra* So this afternoon while we were watching you compete the prince said something to me that was kinda odd. "Wow Kid, you really are THE venomous cobra man aren't you?" Okay, so I've done things to deserve that, but it was still out of nowhere! Cassandra: *Awkward laugh* You know Eugene, he has no filter. I wouldn't pay attention to anything he says. Varian: *Raised brow* Okaaaayyy, but Rapunzel said something weird too. "Oh so YOU'RE the one the fortune-telling monkey was talking about!" Those two need a vacation. I think the grease has slipped off their frying pans a little bit if you know what I mean. Cassandra: Yeah, royalty right? I have no clue why they'd say things like that.

⦁ Cassandra finding herself being set up on a blind date with Varian. Cassandra: *Gesturing to a setup for a very romantic dinner* So you DIDN'T do all of this? Varian: I swear! Cassandra: Well if you didn't then who-- ... Both: RAPUNZEL!! Big Nose: *Hiding behind the door with the princess* Wow, that was fast! Varian: *Stops to think then pulls out a chair for Cass* Well, no point in letting a good meal go to waste right? Cassandra: *Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear* I... guess not. Big Nose: *Throws a hand over Rapunzel's mouth as she is about to squee out loud*

⦁ Varian's clumsiness leading to Accidental Affection™

⦁ Eugene: *To Cassandra* Why is your face so red? Did you actually spend some time in the sun for once?

⦁ Varian: Ugh, that necklace I made for you looks so cheap and gaudy to me now. Here, I can take it and make a better new one for you-- Cassandra: *Snatching it away protectively* No! Varian: *Surprised look* Cassandra: *Realizing how that sounded* I mean... it's fine. I'm fine with it just the way it is, thanks. Varian: *Smiling broadly*

⦁ Despite all of this, Varian is wondering if he'll be stuck in the friendzone for good. He pours his heart out in a sentimental song about wrestling with whether he should just let go and move on or take a chance and keep dreaming all while reminding himself over and over of why he finds her so amazing and while he only 'liked' her before, now he just might be falling in love.

⦁ Varian facing his hemophobia to help Cass when she gets a really bad cut on her arm in a fight though he is dizzy the whole time.

⦁ He lets himself faint as soon as it's all taken care of.

⦁ Cassandra slowly accepting her new feelings for Varian with the help of tender gestures like this.

⦁ Varian telling Cass that he has fallen in love with her with a romantic serenade that is a reprise of his earlier solo. She joins in and it becomes a duet as her way of saying "same". Needless to say, he was not expecting that. (Yes, I have lyrics but I'm not sharing them publicly until they're complete enough that I'm willing to pay a registration fee).

⦁ Each taking off a glove to hold hands.

⦁ "No time for dreams?!" "I know how it sounds, but my dad raised me to be very practical." "Yeah, mine too, but I grew up in a farming village. There's nothing BUT time to dream so I have lots *heh*... if you want, I could... share them with you..." *Cue the song A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman*

⦁ Varian saying things to Cass that are so sweet that she doesn't know how to respond to at first so she just punches him while hiding a bashful smile.

⦁ "You're more than a queen to me." ... *same cheeky smile he gave her in the first episode* ... *pained grunt*

⦁ Cass finding sweet little love notes every once in a while and secretly keeping them all in a box under her bed.

⦁ Everyone knows Cass calls Varian things like "You Goof", and "Nerd" occasionally but what no one knows is that when no one else is around she slowly started to call him embarrassingly endearing nicknames too. She never does in front of others though because if Eugene ever found out about it, he'd have a field day.

⦁ Of course he and Lance find out about it and of course they do.

⦁ "BWAHAHAHAHAHA" --"HAHAHAHAHA AW MAN I CAN ONLY DREAM OF BEING THAT RICH!"--"HAHAHAHAHA I CAN'T BREEEATHE!! I'M DYING AGAIN!! HAHAHAHA OH MAN I'M ACTUALLY CRYING!! IT HURTS!! HAHAHAHA!!!"

⦁ A dagger narrowly misses his face and lands right between them. "Believe me, I can make it hurt a LOT worse."

⦁ "I believe her." "Me too." It's never brought up again.

⦁ The two of them working through relationship conflicts that have their own arc and coming out of it closer and better than before.

⦁ *In the middle of fighting off bad guys* "I feel like you're embarrassed to tell people I'm your boyfriend!" "I'm not! You can do embarrassing things, but I'm not embarrassed BY you. There's no one else in the world I'd rather be with! DUCK!" *Ducks as she throws a weapon knocking out the goon coming up behind him* "... Really?" "Of course! We wouldn't even be together if that wasn't true! You're smart enough to figure that out. I love you, Knucklehead!" "I... I love you too!" "That means a lot, really, but we should save this conversation for later! Now is a very bad time!"

⦁ This happening: Varian: *As Cass passes it to him* Herz Der Sonne's book? Why are you...? Cass: *Hands him a quill* My name is already in there, but the space next to it is still blank. She's handed him a book, but he looks at her like she's just handed him the world.

⦁ Being the pair that is ALWAYS laying a supportive hand on the other's shoulder/forearm/knee/back/waist etc. any time they are in the same room.

⦁ During a serious discussion, she places a hand on his cheek and he leans into her touch.

⦁ Varian being so relieved upon seeing that Cass is okay after a near fatal incident and peppering her face with kisses not caring who sees.

⦁ Forehead touches

⦁ Eugene: He has a goatee now! You said goatees were stupid! Cassandra: *Smugly* I implied that YOURS was stupid and that it made YOU look ridiculous, I never said they were stupid in general.

⦁ Cassandra: *Going through her weapons wardrobe* Okay, so you're meeting my dad tonight. After everything that went down a few years ago it's a safe bet that he's not going to like you so if worst comes to worst, I can hold him off for at least a few minutes while you run.

Varian: *Sitting cross-legged on the bed* Haha, "hold him off" that's funny. Cassandra: *Glancing over her shoulder with concern* I'm serious. *Comes over as he stands up, straightens his collar, dusts off his shoulders etc.* Now when you meet him, be sure to stand up straight, look him in the eye, only address him as 'Captain' or 'Sir' and if you see his mustache start to twitch then excuse yourself to the bathroom because that means he's about to explode and I'm going to need a minute to talk him down and-- Varian: *Taking Cass's hands* Whoa, hey, Cassie, I've never seen you this nervous before. It's kinda freaking me out. Cassandra: I know it's just... ugh! My dad can be really confrontational and he's not very good at letting go of grudges. It took years just for him to be able to stand in the same room as Eugene for more than five minutes without glaring him down and all he did was steal things! Varian: *Downcast* And I've done much... much worse. Cassandra: *Sympathetic, regretful look* You're not the same as you were back then. You've really grown up and you know that stuff was wrong. *Looking down* I just want him to see that too so we can all move on. Varian: *Tilting her chin up* Don't worry too much about it. Hey, us being together is all the proof I need that miracles can happen. We'll never know if we don't give it a shot right? Cassandra: *Smiles softly and kisses his cheek* Right.

⦁ The Captain grills Varian about his choice of career as an alchemist and almost brings up Varian’s past until Cass gives him a pointed look and clears her throat suggesting that she already made him agree not to bring that up. Everything is super tense until Cass is forced to leave dinner in a hurry so she can help Rapunzel and Varian tries to fill the uncomfortable silence.

⦁ Varian: *Swinging his arm in a gung-ho way*  Heheh... well you know what they say, "when a friend is in need, whether in the raging seas below or the highest peaks above, there is nowhere else for a noble man to be." Captain: Hold it, Pencil Neck! Are you... quoting Knights of the Hidden World? Varian: Yeah... you've read it? Captain: *Anxiously scratching the back of his head* Oh, I uh... might have skimmed a chapter or two in my free time...

⦁ Cassandra coming back from an unexpected adventure and both her and Maximus are left slack-jawed to find that Varian and her dad are geeking out over a book series, quoting lines, sharing theories and reenacting dramatic scenes together like best buddies. Varian shows off how he recreated a high tech weapon from the books and the Captain tries not to let out a fanboy squeal.

⦁ "Yes, but they're MY dorks."

⦁ Eugene gagging as he witnesses an Eskimo kiss because he's seeing Cass being downright mushy and it's something his brain can't comprehend and doesn't want to.

⦁ Varian: I've always wanted to do this... *picks Cass up and spins her*

⦁ Playful shoulder nudging

⦁ *Holding her face* "Cassie, being with you is a dream come true! We've been dating for years now but I wake up every morning and feel like I need to pinch myself just to be sure I'm not still dreaming! You're the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm NOT going to take that for granted."

⦁ Now it's Cassandra's turn to look at him like he's just handed her the world.

⦁ Varian finally thinks they're ready and plans a whole romantic day where he intends to at some point propose to her. Throughout the day he tries several times and there is a whole montage of moments that get interrupted by something stupid or something goes horribly wrong. By the time the sun is setting, he's frustrated and a little discouraged but his spirits lift when he finally has the perfect moment.

⦁ When he goes for his pocket to retrieve the ring that he made himself, Cassandra surprises him by taking both of his hands, looking him in the eyes, saying the sweetest things she's ever said in her life and popping the question. He answers by taking out the ring and saying, "I-I guess I can't imagine my life without you either, Cassie, so... yes," with a crooked smile and in a small, soft tone that cracks a little on 'yes'. He cried. Rapunzel cried. I cried. Everyone cried.