Archive of Our Own ^beta

New Orleans had always been a city of music, mystery, and magic.

The kind that curled around street lamps at dusk and echoed through the jazz that filled every crooked alleyway.

It was a city where you could lose yourself in the colors, sounds, and stories. And for Alberu Crossman, that was the point.

He’d been ten when his mother clasped his small hand in hers and whispered, “Don’t look back.”

And they hadn’t as they ran from the glittering halls and his royal bloodline, from a crown that never felt safe, and into the wild embrace of the South.

His mother’s magic was old, older than any spellbooks, and before she passed, she gifted him a pendant. A simple brass, worn smooth with a sun-colored stone at its heart.

“A veil,” she had said, her voice trembling with effort. “It’ll hide your hair, your skin, and your eyes. It’ll make you safe, baby.”

And as much as that pains them both to admit, it did.

When Alberu looked in the mirror, he saw pale skin, blond hair, and soft blue eyes.

A face that could disappear in a crowd. A face no one would question in this foreign country.

But every time he touched the stone, he remembered who he truly was.

He remembered the boy with deep brown skin and amber eyes, curls that coiled in summer heat, and a voice that loved to hum while stirring gumbo.

He remembered what it felt like to be whole, and he remembered why he couldn’t be.

Still, Alberu found happiness in the small things.

A warm cup of chicory coffee, handwritten recipes tucked into old cookbooks, and the best friend who had barreled into his life like a hurricane at age eleven.

“Allllllllllll hyunggggggg!” Cale La Bouff sang with a lilt in his voice as he burst into the café kitchen, twirling in a blinding mess of gold, white feathers, and a sequined sash.

“It’s my BIRTHDAY!”

“I know,” Alberu said, laughing fondly at the display of excitement by the red-head. “You’ve reminded me every day for the past two weeks.”

“And tonight is the masquerade ball of the century!” Cale dramatically flopped against the prep table, narrowly missing a bowl of dough.

“I’ve hired a jazz band, imported firework petals from France, and there will be wine flowing like the Mississippi! You are coming, right?”

Alberu lifted a skeptical brow.

“I thought I was catering.”

“You are. But you’re also coming as a guest.” Cale then proceeded to flung a velvet box at him.

“And this is your costume. Prince Blueblood, straight from the storybooks. You’ll be the most handsome man in the room. Of course, except for me.”

Barely managing to catch it with both of his hands, Alberu opened the box. Inside was a navy blue suit with gold trim.  

Alberu hesitated as he clutched the box with furrowed brows. The voice that came out of him was softer than before, a refusal already at the tip of his tongue.

“Cale…”

Immediately, Cale covered his mouth with a feather he was somehow holding.

“No excuses. Just for one night, okay? You could be someone else at the party. Pleaseee.”

Cale pleaded, even clasping his hands together to make a sad puppy expression.

Alberu, again, hesitated at his expression. But what Cale said had struck him.

Be someone else.

Funny, because he did that every day. 

But still, Alberu smiled in defeat and nodded his head. He decided to humour Cale's request, after all, it is his birthday.

“Fine, just for you.”

'It'll be just for one night. I can do this.'

Cale cheered the moment he agreed. Hugging Alberu tightly as he repeatedly said his thanks.

And then, just as quick as he arrived, Cale left. Still, his voice was loud and cheerful while boarding his car. 

"I'll come pick you up, later!"

Alberu could only shake his head in mild exasperation as he waved goodbye.

'The things I do for him.'

That night, the city shimmered with celebration. Music floated from balconies, lanterns bobbed over the streets, and Cale’s mansion was bursting with laughter and masked faces.

Alberu stood by the terrace railing, dressed as a prince, with his pendant tucked beneath layers of silk. For the first time in a while, he felt like he finally belonged in the story.

He left the ballroom for a moment, telling Cale he needed fresh air, before stepping out of the empty balcony.

It has truly been a while since he last attended a party this grand as a guest. Truthfully, if it hadn't been Cale's eighteenth birthday, he wouldn't have even agreed to come.

And now, seeing this opulence and the familiarity of everything, sent Alberu into memories he had since long buried.

However, it was at that moment.

A frog jumped onto the balustrade, making Alberu step back in surprise.

“Hello there, beautiful,” the frog said, its voice smooth and somehow charming(?).

Alberu stared in confusion at the frog, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came out of his mouth.

Instead, it was the frog who spoke again. 

“Don’t scream, I get that a lot.” the frog sighed, seemingly wistful as it raised its hand(?) to wipe invisible tears.

That made Alberu finally snap out of his daze, his voice tinged with hesitation as he asked the talking frog.

“…Why is a frog talking to me?” 

And the frog, who has now perched comfortably, simply replied in a casual tone.

“Because I need you to kiss me.”

Alberu stared blankly at the green blob. He couldn't believe he was having thus conversation with a perverted and shameless frog, of all things.

This is what he get for downing caffeine like it is water. 

The frog, sitting with a comically elegant posture, cleared its throat.

“My name is Valentino, Prince of the Caro Kingdom. I’ve been cursed by a dramatic and very bitter ex-boyfriend who turned me into this... thing.”

At the name, a memory flashed in Alberu's mind. Right, the Crown Prince of the Caro Kingdom is named Valentino. However, he still couldn't believe that he turned into... well a frog.

And then, as if sensing his thoughts, Valentino flared his tiny arms hastily.

“And the only way to break the spell is with a kiss from a prince.”

“You’re insane,” Alberu said immediately, his voice flatter than it had ever been.

Had he finally gone insane from working?

Valentino seemed to have expected his words, and now stared at Alberu's eyes with a serious glint in its eyes.

“I’m desperate,” Valentino replied.

“You’re also a frog.”

“And yet I have better manners than most of the men here.”

Alberu groaned into his hands. Really, this conversation is driving him insane.

“Why don't you ask one of the actual princes.”

“I would if I could get inside without being squashed!” Valentino protested vehemently. “But you—"

Alberu raised a brow as the frog scanned him up and down. He didn't know what to feel about that.

"You’re dressed like royalty. And you look like you just walked out of a fairytale.”

...is this frog flirting with him now?

Truly, the world is wide.

Alberu heaved a heavy sigh as he reputed Valentino's words.

“I’m not a real prince,” Alberu muttered quietly.

Valentino squinted, confusion somehow marring his little froggy face.

“You sure?”

He was about say 'yes' again, only to hesitate when he saw the look on the frog's eyes.

Valentino tilted his froggy head, even clasping his hands for bonus effects.

“Just one kiss. Please.”

Alberu sighed again before rubbing his temple hard. Goddammit, why is everyone using his weakness today?

“Fine. But if this ends with me getting warts—”

“No warts. Just charming self.”

There's no going back now, is there?

So Alberu sighed in defeat before leaning down towards the frog who puckered up its lips.

And then—

Pop!

When Alberu opened his eyes again… the world was huge.

“Ribbit?!”

Valentino, on the other hand, looked absolutely horrified.

“Oh no.”

Alberu flailed, panic rising in him as the reality of the situation sank in.

“Why am I—?!”

“You turned into a frog?! That’s not supposed to happen!”

“I told you I wasn’t a real prince!”

“No, no, no, this is all wrong—!”

“FIX IT!”

“I can’t!”

However, as the two loudly panicked at the unexpected situation, guests began to wander toward the terrace, drawn by the commotion.

"Kyaaa! There's frogs out here!"

"Oh my god! Someone! Take it away!"

"Where's the servants?!?"

Left with no choice, the two frogs leapt for their lives, tumbling down into the garden fountain and disappeared into the night.

A while later, when the commotion quietened down, Alberu surfaced with cough from holding his breathe for too long.

“This is unbelievable.”

Valentino appears next, now looking more sombre than he had earlier.

“I am never kissing a stranger again.”

“Isn't that just great? Should've thought of that earlier, because now we’re both cursed. Great job, Your Highness.”

And so began the journey of the two frogs in tuxedos, bickering through the bayou under the full moonlight.

"Hey, I never got to ask your name."

"You're only asking that now?"

Valentino looked away sheepishly, fortunately he does have some shame.

"We were kinda preoccupied."

Alberu sighed again. And then, opened his mouth after some hesitation.

"...it's Albert."

"Albert?"

"Yes."

Valentino eyed him, a scrutinizing look appearing in his eyes.

"Huh, doesn't suit you."

"What?"

Valentino shrugged his froggy shoulders, before continuing.

"Kinda feels like not your real name though~"

And isn't that the truth?

However.

"...it is the name my mother gave me when I was ten, so it is my name now."

That quietened Valentino as he could feel how true that statement is. He kept quiet then, not knowing how to converse without poking the sorrow beneath 'Albert'.

It was Alberu who broke the sudden silence.

“You know,” Alberu grumbled, hopping onto a moss-covered root, “when I dreamed of leaving the party early, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

“Think of it as an adventure,” Valentino chirped, leaping beside him with infuriating grace. “Two cursed frogs lost in a mysterious swamp, like a romance novel, but more… well moist.”

Alberu narrowed his eyes into a glare, boring it to the prince beside him.

“Don’t say the word moist.”

“Fine," Valentino immediately relented, that was until he added with a smirk, "damp, humid, and mysteriously amphibious.”

Alberu groaned, placing his now froggy(?) hands to his equally froggy face.

“I’m going to throttle you.”

“Try it, darling. I’m very slippery.”

He even had the gall to wiggle his brows(do frogs even have brows??).

They had been lost in the bayou for a few days now. Busy dodging owls, avoiding snakes, and narrowly escaping a raccoon that had mistaken Valentino for a snack. Thankfully, Alberu knee how to cook and used the surrounding plants for their meals.

And through it all, Valentino never stopped talking.

Alberu, meanwhile, was losing his patience, his dignity, and, quiet frankly, his will to live.

“So,” Valentino said as they hopped across a log, “do you want to be a prince, or is it just a hobby?”

Alberu huffed in annoyance, before letting out a grumble.

“It’s none of your business.”

“Oh ho, so mysterious. I like that. What are you hiding under that pendant of yours, I wonder?”

Alberu instinctively touched the spot where the necklace used to rest against his skin.

It was now stuffed somewhere in the inner folds of his frog suit. It pulsed faintly with magic, a tether to the illusion he used to wear.

And then somehow, that single action made Valentino understand.

“Oh,” he said, his voice softer this time. “You’re really not who you look like, are you?”

“No,” Alberu said, his voice now tight. “And I don’t want to talk about it.”

The subject of his true lineage has always been a sensitive topic for Alberu. He didn't like being reminded of who he was, and where he came from.

Not since he left his kingdom, and especially since his mother passed away.

He still carries close to his heart every advice and words his mother had told him. And he will not disappoint her.

And fortunately, Valentino didn’t push for answers. Instead, he hopped ahead with a sigh.

“Alright, then let’s find someone who can fix this mess. I’m starting to miss my hair.”

Alberu hesitated, before following a moment later.

“You’re still obsessed with your hair?”

“My curls are legendary.” Valentino proudly said with his chest puffed up.

However, before Alberu could argue, a deep soulful tune drifted through the swamp air. It was jazz, low and melodic, with a trumpet so rich it made the water ripple.

The two frogs froze in their steps(?).

“Is that… Louis?” Alberu asked dumbfoundedly.

“No,” Valentino replied, before pointing to a direction. “It's coming from over there!”

They hopped through hanging moss and cattails until they reached a small clearing.

And there, on a lily pad floating in a moonlit pond, lay a massive crocodile in sunglasses, strumming a banjo and blowing into a trumpet between verses.

“Woah,” Valentino whispered in awe. “A singing crocodile.”

The croc, hearing its voice, stopped mid-note and turned its head.

“Well, I’ll be! Are those frogs talkin’ to me?”

“Yes,” Alberu said, before chuckling nervously. “Please don’t eat us.”

The croc laughed, it was a booming sound that shook the leaves.

“Eat ya? Nah, y’all too talkative for my taste. Besides, I got dreams.”

It then held up its trumpet with pride.

“I wanna be a jazz legend! Sing on the biggest stages in the world!”

That made Valentino’s eyes sparkle in excitement.

“A fellow performer!”

His exclamation caught the crocodile's attention again, however this time, an intrigued look appeared on its face.

“You sing too?” it asked.

Valentino puffed out his tiny chest, before confidently claiming.

“Darling, I sing, I charm, and I dazzle.”

“Same here!” it grinned, the sharp teeth appearing in full force. Momentarily scaring the two frogs.

“I'm Toonka, by the way. And I do weddings.”

The crocodile, now Toonka, then tilted his head. 

"Whatcha' doin' far out here? Ain't ya frogs out North? Try'nna get eaten now?"

This time, it was Alberu who answered.

“We’re cursed,” Alberu said, his voice solemn. “We’re trying to find a shaman who can turn us human again.”

Toonka nodded his head in understanding, not even questioning the veracity of their claims.

“Ooh, then you need Bud.”

“Bud?” Alberu asked at the sudden unfamiliar name.

“Yeah. The lil’ firefly. He knows the swamp like the back of his wing.”

"How do we find him, friend?" Valentino asked.

"Quiet easy, I tell ya. You only need to say one word."

"And that is?"

"Booze."

"Huh?"

Simultaneously, Alberu and Valentino let out a confused sound, before glancing at each other.

'Did I hear that right?'

'It wasn't just me, right?'

Tooka seemed to find their expressions hilarious, as he let out a guffaw before shouting.

"BOOZE!"

The two frogs stared at him as if he had gone mad.

But then—

It was at that moment.

As if summoned, a blur of light came crashing through the trees.

“Watch out!” came a slurred voice. “Comin’ in hot!”

A glowing firefly zig-zagged through the air, bounced off a tree, spun wildly, and crashed face-first into Alberu.

“Oof—!”

“Sorry, little-frog. Got a lil’ dizzy, had a few too many sips o’ moonshine nectar, hehe.”

Alberu was too stunned to even reply, busy gaping at the swaying firefly still splat on his nose.

'Is he ok???'

Fortunately for him, it was Toonka who spoke up.

"My friend, they're cursed and need a guide to someone who could help them undo it."

Bud blinked blearily at them before grinning sloppily.

“Y’all need a guide?”

“Please,” Alberu said finally, peeling him off his face.

“Well then, follow me!” Bud shouted with a cheer. “Jopis is what you need. She’s got voodoo, magic, and a whole lotta puppies.”

And then he flew off, leading the three whilst swaying this way and that with a song. 

“Did he say… puppies?” Valentino whispered quietly as he sang along.

Toonka blew his trumpet before shrugged nonchalantly in response.

“Jopis has a lotta everything.”

That caused Alberu and Valentino to exchanged looks again.

They could only hope that this time, it was not a fluke.

And so their journey continued.

They made their way deeper into the bayou, with Bud lighting the way with his song, Toonka stomping alongside humming a tune with his trumpet, and Alberu and Valentino… dancing and singing along.

“You’ve been quiet,” Valentino finally said, voice softer than usual as he twirled Alberu before leading him back to his arms.

“I’m tired.”

“That’s a lie.”

Alberu looked at him, surprised appearing in his eyes before it disappeared when he scoffed.

“You’re surprisingly observant for someone who’s spent the whole trip talking about his reflection.”

Valentino smiled, looking a little bit sheepish.

“There’s a difference between charm and distraction, Albert.”

Alberu blinked at his words.

Oh.

He didn't expect that. He honestly that thought Valentino forgot because he never used it in their time together.

Well, until now that is.

“You remembered my name.”

It was Valentino this time who scoffed.

“Of course I did. You’re the one who kissed me first, remember?”

Alberu immediately flushed red, his voice rising in pitch as he corrected the smirking Valentino.

“Let me make it clear, you kissed me.”

“Semantics.”

They stopped for a moment near a mossy rock, the moonlight filtering through the trees.

“You never did tell me who you really are,” Valentino said gently.

Alberu stared into the water. The reflection that looked back was not his, it was froggy, green, and utterly ridiculous.

But maybe… maybe that wasn’t the worst thing anymore.

“I’ll tell you,” he said, “when we’re human again.”

Valentino nodded, and for once, he didn’t make a joke. Instead, he just whispered.

“Alright, I’ll wait.”

Alberu felt an unknown emotion when he said that. He did not know what it meant, but it wasn't unpleasant so he let it be.

"Mhm."

And now, as they went deeper into the swamp, they noticed that everything became quieter.

Gone was the sound of the birds and the chirping of insects.

Even Bud, who had been narrating every twist and turn of the journey with a drunken sort of flair, had gone unusually silent.

A thick mist wrapped around the trees like whispering hands, and the water beneath them glowed faintly blue with reflected starlight.

“Are we… sure this is safe?” Alberu asked, looking up at the dangling vines that glittered like silver threads.

Toonka let out a low hum, his eyes scanning the surroundings with caution.

“Safe’s a funny word around here.”

“Don’t worry!” Bud called at the front. “Jopis likes frogs. Well, usually. So you'll be fine!”

“…Usually?” Valentino echoed back, before chuckling nervously.

However, it was then that, without warning, the swamp opened up, making Alberu and Valentino hold each other for balance.

A giant tree rose from the center of the bayou like the heart of the forest itself, its roots twisted into an enormous dome with its wide trunk hollowed into a glowing chamber.

Hanging lanterns bobbed through the mist, casting shimmering lights over the water. Dozens— no, hundreds of tiny, barking puppies darted in and out of the tree’s openings, yipping and tumbling over each other with joyful chaos.

Valentino blinked repeatedly at the sight. When Bud said puppies, he didn't expect this much of them.

“Are those…”

“Yup,” Bud said, popping the p. “Her guardians. Remember, don’t step on one.”

'What would happen if they do???'

That question was left unanswered as the tree’s doors opened.

And by the entrance, Jopis stood waiting.

Tall, poised, and dressed in flowing ivory and gold, she looked like royalty. Her eyes were sharp, old, and amused. And her voice, when she spoke, was warm velvet.

“Two frogs,” she said simply, then tilted her head slightly in thought. “Cursed by love. Or is it the lack of it?”

Alberu felt suddenly very small in her presence.

“We were told you could help us.”

She tilted her head again to the other side.

“Perhaps, but only truth breaks lies. And love, true love, requires truth.”

Valentino cleared his throat, now stepping forward with his charming smile on place.

“Okay, but could you maybe be less… vague?”

Jopis laughed softly at his boldness, amusement coloring her face.

“You were cursed because the both of you were pretending to be someone you’re not. And the curse will not break… until you both accept who you really are.”

She stepped closer and kneeled gracefully before them. The puppies gathered around her skirts with their tails wagging.

“Frogs or princes, love or lies, it makes no difference. The kiss must be real, the hearts must be honest, and the masks…” She looked at Alberu, her gaze piercing him. “…must come off.”

Alberu flinched at her attention. She wasn't pertaining to him, right?

Then suddenly, Jopis straightened and stood up.

“Now go. Your answer waits where you first began.”

The swamp shifted behind them once more. A quiet breeze tugged gently at the moss and the path home had reappeared.

“Thank you,” Alberu murmured, bowing his little froggy head low.

Jopis smiled faintly at him, then turned her eyes to Valentino sith a meaningful look.

“Don’t wait too long. The full moon is not eternal.”

And as they left, the puppies ran after them, yipping goodbyes with Jopis waving farewell to them gracefully.

And once they were far enough away, Toonka sighed.

“Well, that was cryptic.”

“She’s always like that,” Bud said, now upside-down on a branch. “Real fond of riddles. I once asked her for help finding a spoon, and she told me to seek within myself.”

Valentino muttered thoughtfully next, “I still don’t get it. We kissed, wasn’t that supposed to fix it?”

Alberu, on the other hand, hopped ahead. He didn't turn his head to them as he spoke.

“Maybe it wasn’t a real kiss.”

Valentino’s brow furrowed in confusion, the day had been so confusing so far.

“What does that mean?”

“Maybe it didn’t count. Maybe you need to kiss someone who isn’t pretending.”

Valentino froze in before hopping after him.

“Wait, are you saying this is your fault?”

“I’m saying I’m not a real prince!”

“You’re more real than half the royals I’ve met,” Valentino snapped back.

“You don’t know me,” Alberu shouted, his voice now rising. “You know my disguise. That’s all anyone ever sees.”

And then suddenly, Valentino’s voice dropped.

“Then show me.”

“What?”

“Show me who you really are. I don’t care how you look, and I don’t care what you’ve done, but I do care that you keep pushing me away.”

Alberu looked away at his words. This is too much, too much than he could handle.

“You wouldn’t say that if you saw me.”

“Try me.”

But Alberu only shook his head.

“Maybe… maybe you should kiss someone else.”

Silence fell heavily between them.

Valentino stared at him with something like hurt flickering behind his eyes. But it couldn't be, Alberu must have seen wrong.

But then, why does his chest ache?

Why does he want to take back what he said, and go back to Valentino's embrace?

Thousands of thoughts raced through his head, and it was only when Valentino's voice quietly reached him that he snapped out of the daze he fell into. 

He met Valentino's eyes, and somehow he could feel the silent plea in them.

“…I don’t want someone else.”

It felt like a confession, an oath, and a promise.

All things that Alberu didn't know how to handle. 

That's why, instead, he turned his head away before replying with his voice forcefully even.

“I think it’s better if you try.”

And finally, Valentino took a step back.

“...Fine. If that’s what you want...”

Alberu didn’t stop him.

The silence swallowed them as Valentino disappeared into the moss and mist, with Bud, now sober, fluttering after him sith a worried look.

Toonka stayed behind, watching Alberu with a quiet frown.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” he asked.

Alberu sat on a root, his tiny frog body hunched.

“I don’t know what I believe anymore.”

Toonka silently observed him, before plopping beside him with a big splash.

“Lemme tell you something. I sing in a swamp and I play trumpet for nobody. But every time I play, I believe I’m on the biggest stage in the world.”

He then nudged Alberu gently.

“You don’t gotta need to be royalty to be worth loving.”

Alberu closed his eyes, now contemplating Toonka's words.

Maybe Toonka was right.

Maybe... he didn't need to hide behind a facade anymore.

But then, it was at that moment.

Just as the quiet began to settle again, Bud came crashing through the trees, wild-eyed and glowing wildly.

“VALENTINO’S BEEN KIDNAPPED!”

Alberu immediately jumped to his feet.

“What?!”

“That no-good slimy ex, he told us about,  showed up outta nowhere and poof! snatched him up like yesterday’s gumbo!”

“Toonka—!” Alberu turned, his voice laced with urgency. “We need to go. Now!”

Toonka growled and dove into the water, with Alberu and Bud on his back.

“Let’s get our prince back.”

Adin’s lair lay deep in the shadows of New Orleans' forgotten corners, where iron fences curled like claws, and the street lamps flickered like dying stars.

It was the kind of place where whispers carried too far and magic seeped through the cracks in the pavement.

Valentino was trapped inside a crumbling chapel overtaken by ivy and voodoo vines. Candles lined the cracked tiles, casting flickering red light on the faded stained glass. Chains, enchanted and laced with shadow, bound his small frog body to a pedestal.

Adin stood before him in a dark velvet coat, his smile as thin as a knife’s edge.

“You always looked better when you were helpless,” he purred.

Valentino scowled at him and was somehow was able to show his obvious disdain to the man on his froggy face.

“You always looked better in the rearview mirror.”

Adin chuckled nevertheless, regardless of Valentino's reaction. Honestly, it looks like the sight turns him on. 

“You know, all I wanted was to keep you with me. You made me feel... real.”

“That’s not love,” Valentino hissed spitefully. “that’s obsession.”

Adin leaned closer, smile growing wider as a red flush rose on his face.

“Call it what you like. But now, you’ll never leave me again.”

Valentino thrashed against his bindings. If he was going to be imprisoned like this, he won't make it easy.

He was also regretful.

He shouldn't have pushed Alberu for answers. He shouldn't have pushed his feelings to him. And now, he wasn't even able to know the hidden name of his beloved.

Everything was his fault, and he shouldn't have even approached him that night.

Even if they never met.

Even if Valentino never got to learn who 'Albert' was.

And even if he never fell in love.

As long as 'Albert' was safe, and even opening his dream restaurant. Even if Valentino was never in the picture again.

As long as 'Albert' was finally happy, then... he would endure living and dying with a hole in his heart.

And then, it was at that moment.

Just as Adin raised a hand wrapped in a ominous power to subdue him, the door exploded open.

A voice thundered and echoed into the chapel.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!”

A frog shouldn’t have been able to sound that furious, but rage burned in every syllable of its word.

Valentino's eyes widened as he recognized who it was.

It was 'Albert'.

Worry, dread, and overwhelming joy and relief crashed into Valentino in a frenzy.

He didn't know how he was able to find him, but now here, seeing him again, made Valentino's resolve strengthen and he continued his actions to unbind himself.

Adin, on the other hand, could only raise a brow at the brave frog. There wasn't even tension and wariness in his posture as he merely stared at 'Albert' with amusement.

"Well, well, look who we have here. Guess who has a visitor?"

"Release Valentino!"

"Or what? You'll defeat me with your tongue?" scoffed Adin.

'Albert', instead of being intimidated, merely smirked back.

"Or they would come."

Immediately after his words, Toonka crashed through behind him with a loud crocodile roar that reverberated throughout the old chapel, before swiping the pews aside like twigs.

Bud then dove in from the rafters, glowing like a comet, shrieking, “SWAMP JUSTICE!” and successfully kept poking Adin's eyes.

"What the—?!"

Adin’s magic lashed out like vipers, but then Toonka barreled into him mid-chant, sending them both tumbling.

Bud whooped at the sight.

"Yeah! Show him what you got, Toonkie!"

Alberu, on the other hand leapt onto the altar while they were preoccupied and bit through the shadowy chain, helping in freeing Valentino.

“Are you okay?!” he had asked breathlessly.

Valentino looked up at him, wide-eyed and in awe.

“You came.”

“Of course I came, you idiot.”

They tumbled together to the floor as Adin screamed, bound now by golden vines blooming from Jopis’s magic, which had followed Alberu’s pendant all along.

The pendant, which now glowed at Alberu’s throat, pulsed like a heartbeat.

Alberu tentatively touched it.

And then suddenly, it dissolved.

A golden wind rippled through the room.

Valentino blinked repeatedly, because in that moment, the frog in front of him began to shimmer.

The frog-shape melted into the light, and then, standing in his place was a man in his twenties, a tall and lean built, with warm brown skin like polished earth, amber eyes like fire behind honey, and curls that framed his face in soft waves.

Alberu Crossman stood in the dim light in his true appearance.

Valentino could only whisper in wonder, “Oh...”

Alberu looked down at his hands, and trembled seeing his now brown skin.

“The pendant’s gone…”

Valentino then stood slowly, he was still a frog but his voice was oh so soft. It was a voice he didn't use to anyone else.

“So this is the real you.”

Alberu met his eyes, an unsure look appearing on his face.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Are you kidding?” Valentino stepped closer in disbelief, his little heart thundering still from everything that happened, and most especially, because of the wondrous sight before him.

Ah, it seemed like he fell all over again.

“You… you’re stunning.”

That caused Alberu to smile, it was small, a little shy, but he finally did.

“You really think so?” he murmured.

Valentino stepped into his arms.

“I never stopped thinking it. Ever since I first laid my eyes on you.”

Alberu blushed at his words, and it did a wonderful job on making Valentino malfunction.

Fortunately for him, it was Alberu who made the first move.

Softly and tenderly, 'Albert' kissed him. And it was unlike the peck of their first time.

Immediately, magic burst through the chapel in a wave causing the wind swirl and the candles to flare

And when it all cleared, two human males stood, blinking at each other whilst still holding each other in an embrace.

Valentino laughed in stunned disbelief.

“I could stand straight again!”

Alberu then grabbed his arm, his eyes wide as he stared at Valentino.

“And your hair! Oh gods, your hair survived!”

Valentino immediately ran his fingers through his glorious locks.

“Thank the heavens,” he breathed out, relief obvious in his voice.

And then they turned back to each other.

“You really came back for me,” Valentino repeated.

“I was never going to let him keep you,” Alberu replied softly.

“And I… I’m sorry I pushed you. I was... scared,” Valentino admitted.

“I was scared too,” Alberu confessed, the rim of his eyes turning red. “Of what you’d think if you saw who I really was.”

“I saw you,” Valentino said, cupping his cheek tenderly. “I saw you, even before the pendant broke.”

Alberu’s eyes burned at his words. He pulled Valentino into a hug, burying his face in his shoulder.

Valentino smiled fondly at him, before opening his mouth to ask in a teasing tone.

“Does this mean we can try again? Like… not as frogs?”

Alberu laughed loudly at him, before teasing him back with a smile.

“Only if you’re not cursed again in the next 24 hours.”

“No promises.”

"Alberu," 'Albert' suddenly said.

"Hm?"

Valentino tilted his head, though he had an inkling on what he meant.

"Alberu Crossman was my name."

Valentino's eyes immediately softened, and it was his turn to like he was about to cry.

"Alberu," he called out in a trembling tone.

"Yes," 'Albert'–, no, it's Alberu now, replied tenderly as he cupped the Prince's cheeks.

"Alberu."

"Yes."

Valentino would call his name millions of times, and Alberu would answer every single time.

And somehow, Valentino could read so in his eyes.

"Alberu, I love you."

Alberu smiled at him before pulling his head down for a kiss.

"And I love you, too."

It was a bright spring afternoon when New Orleans saw its grandest wedding in years. Not for royalty or politicians, but for something better.

For love.

The ceremony was held in the courtyard of a blooming garden restaurant nestled between the bayou and the city, draped in strings of golden lights and paper lanterns that bobbed like stars.

Jazz floated through the air, warm and smooth, accompanied by the distant buzz of fireflies.

Alberu stood beneath an arch of magnolia flowers, wearing a deep navy suit lined with gold embroidery.

His curls were pinned with sun-colored gems, and his pendant, no longer enchanted, now rested proudly on his chest as a simple memory.

Beside him stood Valentino, radiant in white and gold. His dark curls gleamed in the sunlight, and his hands were clasped tightly with Alberu’s, as if he couldn’t quite believe they were real.

The crowd included all the oddest, brightest souls you could find.

Cale La Bouff, resplendent in pink silk and too much glitter, sobbed loudly into his handkerchief and made everything about himself.

“My best friend is marrying a prince!”

Alberu's shock when he returned home was immense when he found Missing Posters and the police looking for him everywhere.

The reward for giving clues for his whereabouts, much less finding him, almost made him fait, much to Valentino's amusement.

And when he saw Cale again?

It took a long while to calm him down from his sobbing. It was a pitiful sight that made Alberu's heart clench. Cale was thinner and paler than before, clearly worrying for him.

He apologized for ruining his birthday only to be smacked on his chest by a puffy eyed Cale.

"It's more important that you're back, safe and sound, idiot hyung!!!!"

And don't even get him started when he told him he's dating Valentino.

Cale, with no further questions asked, bombarded him with questions and tests throughout the course of their relationship.

Of course, he also did that iconic scene as the final test.

"Here's a 1 billion gallon check, leave hyung and never approach him again."

And it was only when Valentino passed it all that he was able to propose and marry Alberu.

Meanwhile, Toonka wore a bowtie (over his chest scales) and tried not to cry, though his trumpet leaked a note or two when he got emotional.

Bud floated above the altar, already a little drunk, and shouted “Kiss him already!” way before the priest even finished his words.

Even Jopis stood quietly at the back, surrounded by her puppies, wearing a coat and red lipstick. She didn't smile, but her eyes were warm.

And then, finally, they kissed.

A kiss that wasn’t desperate, nor cursed, nor bound by fear.

It was soft and achingly sweet.

Cheers immediately rang out and music reached its peak, causing the whole courtyard to erupt into dancing.

The reception was held inside Alberu’s dream come true.

Sun & Flame, the restaurant he had dreamed of building since childhood, was now real.

Warm wood and dark lanterns, a central stage where jazz was held king, and tables packed with people who came not just to eat but to feel alive.

Toonka took the stage that night, trumpet in hand, with Bud on backup vocals. Valentino, of course, couldn’t help but steal the mic and flirt with every verse.

Alberu sat at the bar, watching it all, laughter caught in his throat, his hand resting over the warmth of his heart.

“I’m glad you stayed,” he said, looking at Valentino beside him.

“I’m glad you let me,” Valentino replied, brushing their shoulders together. “You know, technically, I still owe you for kissing me first.”

“You begged me.”

“Details.”

They laughed, clinked their glasses, and kissed again, just because they could.

And from that night on, they wrote their own fairy tale.

It was not as perfect as fairytales would say, but it was real.

They loved, argued, danced barefoot in the kitchen, kissed under moonlight, chased puppies around Jopis’s garden, and fed the city with dogfood with their sweetness to each other.

And they lived, fully and happily, ever after.

✧✧✧

✧

✧

✧

✧

END