Prompt from Guest: Could you do Frollo x Esmeralda story. AU where Frollo is cursed to change werewolf every full moon. One of his former victims cast this curse to reflect his cruel and beastly nature. And only way to break it is to prove that he's still capable of goodness and show mercy to

other human being. Otherwise he's eventually doomed to get stuck his werewolf form

forever. Raising Quasimodo is slowing his curse, but because he's still very merciless and

cold person. He's starting to lose control of his transformations. When Frollo meets Esmeralda he takes different approach to her defending Quasimodo. Because he realizes that being merciful to her can be his last chance to break curse.

…

Frollo couldn't understand why this had happened to him.

He was a true Christian, a god-fearing man who his best to follow the commandments.

He did not deserve this curse.

"What do you mean every full moon?" He hissed, chains rattling beside him, as the Archdeacon looked sadly down at him, the squalling baby in his arms.

"You killed an innocent woman on the steps of Notre Dame. Did you really think looking after this poor child would be your only punishment?" The older man sighed, "If you want to break it, you have to prove that you are capable of goodness and show mercy."

"Mercy?!" Frollo snarled "I suppose you think I should be letting those… gypsies just roam free!"

"The majority of them do no harm." The Archdeacon sounded exhausted, "And the sooner you realise that, the better."

"And that… thing?!" Frollo sneered at the baby, "How can you expect me to care for it when I'm cursed like this?!"

"He… he is a he. And he might be your salvation. Raise him as your son and you might find that the curse is slowed."

There were no words that Frollo could say, limbs going limp in the chains.

"Fine." He growled, "Goodness and mercy… fine."

….

The years passed, and what the Archdeacon said came to pass. As he raised Quasimodo through the years, the curse did seem to slow, but it was still there.

Always present.

He tried to protect Quasimodo, tried to protect him from the cruelty of everyone outside of Notre Dame, and for a moment, he honestly thought his words had got through to the young man.

And then Quasimodo found himself tied to the main stage and pelted with rotten fruit.

Be kind and show mercy.

Just before he could call an end to the public humiliation, a hushed silence fell over the crowd as the gypsy girl made her way up the steps to free the poor boy.

Frollo knew what everyone was expecting.

Captain Phoebus was looking at him, waiting for the order.

Frollo remained silent though, watching as the girl helped Quasimodo to his feet, leading him back to Notre Dame.

"This festival is over." Frollo sighed, turning to the Captain, "Tell the people they are to pack everything up."

"Yes Sir."

…

"…And this one is Big Maria!"

Frollo couldn't stop the fond smile on his face as he heard Quasimodo introducing his bells, probably to the gypsy girl.

"Would you like to see more?"

"Yes please!"

Before Quasimodo could disappear outside the bell tower, Frollo made his way up the rest of the stairs, "Not right now Quasimodo." He spoke up, watching as the boy shrunk in on himself, "I think our guest might appreciate something to drink and eat."

The gypsy girl looked at him warily, watching as he placed a bottle of wine and a basket of food on the table.

"Come." He gestured for them both to take a seat, "Let us put this day behind us."

….

Frollo never liked to admit that he was wrong… but maybe he was slightly impressed.

She was kind.

She was intelligent, able to hold a conversation with him about the Bible and its'… finer points.

When Quaismodo talked about his little wooden Paris that he'd whittled, she listened with interest, complimenting the boy on the likeness of his figures.

Frollo could tell that there would be a gypsy girl… Esmerelda figure soon.

That night, as he warmed himself by the figure, he could swear that he saw her image dancing in the flames, taunting him.

She was so young and beautiful.

There was no chance she would ever choose someone like him… not with his curse, and not even without it.

….

"You can't just keep him up there." Esmerelda frowned, having snuck back inside to see Quasimodo, "I know what happened at the festival was awful, but not everyone is like that!"

"I won't risk it!" Frollo snapped back, "You saw what they were like out there!"

"I know… but your guards were the ones who started that riot."

"I- " Frollo cut himself off.

She had a point, but he was unwilling to admit that.

"It's safer for him in the tower."

"Maybe… but he'll be happier out there."

Again, Frollo couldn't argue with that.

….

The full moon was fast approaching, making Frollo's blood rush, his temper flaring at the littlest things.

He kept a careful eye on Quasimodo as the young man walked through the streets, being led by a couple of the village children, who eagerly pointed things out to him.

Children were so innocent.

They didn't see anything wrong with Quasimodo, they just saw another friend.

Frollo hung back, not wanting to appear like he was hovering over his ward, spotting a flower seller nearby.

Did Esmerelda like flowers?

Not dwelling on the thought for long, he bought a white tulip from the stunned girl, before continuing to follow the small group.

When they finally stopped, the children showing Quasimodo one of their favourite games, Frollo took his chance, handing Esmerelda the tulip, who took it with a pleased smile.

"Thank you, but why- "

"- I believed that you would appreciate it." He cleared his throat nervously, "I can always- "

"- I do like it." She smiled slyly at him, "Is this a thank you for the dance at the Feast of Fools?"

And just like that, Frollo was transported back to that time… how she sat on his lap, how she pulled him closer with that scarf, before pulling his hat down over his face and skipping away.

"Have I apologised for that yet?" She then said, a slightly sheepish look on her face, "I know it must have been… uncomfortable."

"I- "

"- I'll be honest. From the previous experiences me and my people have had with you, I did it to be cruel and teasing." Esmerelda confessed, "But over the last couple of days… I've found that you may not be as bad as you pretend to be."

Frollo remained silent.

…

When the full moon came around, and Frollo found himself chained up in the church basement, he found himself thinking of her, wondering what she was doing now.

Was she thinking of him?

….

"There you are!"

Frollo tried not to jump at the sudden voice next to his ear, turning to see Esmerelda looking at him in concern.

"You've been gone for days! Quasi said that was usual for you?"

"Hmmm." He usually required a few days to recover after the full moon, but he couldn't tell her that.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes." He cleared his throat, realising that he must have drifted away from the conversation, "Apologies, but I have been feeling a little…ill recently."

The concern on her face only got deeper.

"Ill? How ill?"

Ah, of course.

When it came to gypsies, even a small illness could be seen as a death sentence. Very different to other citizens such as himself.

"Nothing that you need to concern you about." He forced the smile onto his face, "Now, I believe it has been too long since I treated you and Quasimodo to a pastry treat."

Thankfully, Esmerelda didn't push the matter, simply nodding and following on behind him.

…..

Months passed as the pair got closer.

It was clear that Esmerelda was growing more and more concerned by his monthly disappearances, but she didn't say anything.

It was the middle of August when it all came to a head.

Having been working for the majority of the day, Frollo couldn't help but sigh slightly in relief at the feeling of the cool summer breeze on his face.

He headed down the street where he knew Esmerelda would be dancing.

Rounding the corner, he stopped in his tracks.

"Where did you get the money?!" He heard one of the guards yelling, reaching out to grab the hat that Esmerelda was holding.

"I earnt it!"

"Gypsies don't earn money!"

"Yeah!" The second guard agreed, "They steal it!"

"You'd know a lot about stealing, wouldn't you?!"

Frollo saw the guards' faces tighten in anger, and he found himself striding forwards quickly. "That is enough!" He bellowed, watching as the guards let go of Esmerelda in shock, prompting him to move in front of her, almost protectively, "As fair as I'm aware, I don't pay you to harass people!"

The two guards looked stunned.

"B-but Sir!" The tall one protested, "You- she's a gypsy! You said- "

Waving his hand in dismissal, cutting the man off, Frollo straightened up to his full height. "Are you questioning me?"

"N-No Sir!"

"Good… carry on."

As the guards moved away, Frollo turned to look for Esmerelda, only to spot her handing the hat of coins over to the group that was with her. As that group dispersed, she turned back to Frollo and gave him a warm smile.

"Thank you." She whispered, before leaning up to kiss him on the cheek quickly.

What was this feeling?

…..

That evening, as the sun started to set, Frollo found himself writing up a new set of rules for the city.

Unless there was actual proof of a crime, gypsies couldn't be harassed or arrested.

…

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Frollo grunted in surprise as Esmerelda charged into him, wrapping her arms around him.

"I know it might not seem like much to you…" She continued, "… but it's made all the difference to us. We're not expecting a change overnight, but already people are starting to treat us better and- "

"- I'm cursed."

Esmerelda stopped mid-sentence eyes widening as Frollo winced, not believing that he'd just said that.

"Cursed? As in- "

"- I turn into a monster every full moon." He just couldn't seem to keep his mouth shut around her.

"… Show me." Esmerelda seemed determined, "On the next full moon… show me."

…..

It felt different this time around.

Leading up to the full moon, he didn't feel as antsy, as tense or as angry.

He merely thought that was due to Esmerelda's continued visitations, and the long hours they spent together.

It wasn't until he was chaining himself to the wall, Esmerelda seating herself a safe distance away, that he realised just how different he felt.

"I need you to get the Archdeacon." He whispered, "Something's wrong."

Esmerelda didn't question him, pushing herself to her feet and rushed to where the Archdeacon stayed.

Less than half an hour later, long after the moon had risen in the sky, the pair re-entered the room as a shocked look flashed across the Archdeacon's face.

"I suppose a congratulations is in order." The older man smiled warmly at Frollo, a look the Judge hadn't seen in quite some time, "You've managed to break the curse."

"But, how I- " Frollo stopped.

The new law.

He wasn't just being kind and showing mercy to one person.

He had done it for an entire group.

As the Archdeacon moved to free him, Esmerelda moved closer as well, reaching out to take one of his hands.

"We're free." She whispered, "We're both free."