Just the Way You Are

Mokuba and Rebecca remained in the bell tower the next day. They spent the day with Quasimodo helping him complete his chores. Together, they cleaned the bells, cleaned the floors, and even helped redecorate a little bit. After the work was complete, they played a few games like charades and hide-and-seek. Quasimodo even showed Mokuba and Rebecca how to feed the pigeons that sometimes roosted in the tower. He held a few bread crumbs in his hand and a pigeon began eating from his hand. Mokuba and Rebecca crumpled up some of the bread they brought with them and did the same thing. Some of the birds even landed on their heads, causing the children to laugh.

As evening was falling, Mokuba and Rebecca went out to the balcony to watch the sunset. The blonde looked at her boyfriend and told him, "Hey, Moki, that was really great of you last night, how you empathized with Quasi." He looked at her and she told him, "You really are the warrior of empathy."

"No, I'm not," he replied modestly. "Not a warrior like Seto, anyway."

"Still, what you did was wonderful," continued Rebecca. "How you opened up to him like that. You guys really do have a lot in common. I guess that's why I was able to warm up to him so quickly; because he makes me think of you."

Mokuba gave a small smile. "We are alike. And it's like we talked about last night. I think that's what brought us together."

"And at least your brother is nothing like his master," Rebecca added.

Mokuba was thankful for that. There were a lot of differences between Kaiba and Frollo. Mokuba's brother had a more just nature and a kinder heart while Quasimodo's master was cruel and vicious. Another thing to be thankful for was that Quasimodo and Mokuba weren't manipulated by their guardians and turned evil.

The raven-haired boy faced his girlfriend. "Hey," he called to her. Rebecca turned and gave him her attention. "Thank you for being here with me, Becca. It really means a lot to me."

"It's like I always tell you, anywhere you go, I go," she told him. "And I don't care where as long as we're together. Besides, you'd do the same for me, right?"

"I would do anything for you," he said with conviction in his tone. "You know that, right?"

She did know and she could sense the seriousness in his words. She knew how fiercely her boyfriend loved her and she admired that about him. Rebecca loved Mokuba just as fiercely. They lovingly gazed into each other's eyes and pulled each other in for a passionate kiss.

Quasimodo finished ringing the bells and looked and saw his friends kissing. He smiled and sighed with happiness as he watched the romantic scene.

Mokuba and Rebecca went inside and went into separate rooms to change clothes as they would get ready for bed. Mokuba took off his tunic and put on a white blouse to sleep in. Afterwards, he splashed water against his face to wash himself.

Quasimodo noticed that Mokuba was looking a lot better than he did yesterday. Maybe spending the whole day here in the bell tower was good for him. "You seem a lot happier than you were the other day, Mokuba," he told him.

"Well, today was a fun day," he admitted. "I got to spend time with you and Rebecca."

"I had fun too," Quasimodo told him. Then he wondered, "How long have you and Rebecca known each other for?"

"About five years," he answered, combing his hair. "When we met, we were just getting to know each other. It wasn't until three years later when we met again when I discovered I was developing feelings for her. A few days after, I finally got my courage and confessed my love to Rebecca."

"And what did she say?"

Mokuba smiled and said, "She said she felt the same way. And when I asked her if she would be my girlfriend, she immediately accepted. We've been lovers since then." He sighed and set his comb down. "When I confessed my feelings, I also confessed my flaws. I admitted to Rebecca that I wasn't brave, strong, or always resourceful. But despite that, I wanted to be someone she could depend on. I wanted to be there for her whenever she was sad or scared or needed someone to lean on for comfort and support. And it was because I wanted that for her that I realized I loved her."

"And you two trust each other enough to talk about anything?"

"We do," Mokuba answered. "That's the best part of our conversations, being able to confide in each other."

To Quasimodo, that sounded very endearing. He knew love and trust were very serious; especially because they worked together. He had seen many couples go about their romantic ways, but never imagined it could happen to him. Still, the wonders of love fascinated him. He was silent for a moment, then he asked, "When you guys kiss, what does it feel like?"

To Mokuba, the sensation was blissful. "It's an amazing feeling. It's like the happiest I've ever felt in my life, like all the happiest feelings are building up inside of me. It makes me feel so warm and peaceful. It's like… it's like…"

"Heaven's light?" the hunchback asked.

"Yeah, it's a lot like that," Mokuba answered, knowing that was coming. "It's like Heaven's light."

Rebecca came out dressed in a pink nightdress. "Of course it is," she said, brushing her hair. "When you're with the one you love, you feel like you're in Heaven and all the greatest sensations fill your very soul."

Mokuba smiled at his girlfriend. He always thought she looked cute with her hair tied to her sides, but he also thought she looked more like a young lady with her hair down. What did it matter? To him, his girlfriend was gorgeous no matter what her style. Then he faced his friend again. "Quasi, I hope that someday, Heaven's light will shine on you."

"Do you really?" he asked, astonished.

"Sincerely," Mokuba answered.

Rebecca wished the same thing. "Even you deserve someone to love and who can love you back."

Quasimodo often wished the same for himself, but he also thought it would be impossible. "I don't know. I appreciate how you two sincerely hope that for me, but I just don't think – I mean, is it even possible that someone could love someone like me?"

"Absolutely," Rebecca said strongly. "It's not about what you look like on the outside. It's about who you are inside. Your talents and abilities demonstrate who you are more than your appearance does. And if Mokuba and I can see past your appearance, then others can too."

It was true. Mokuba and Rebecca didn't see his ugliness. Instead, they saw his gentle demeanor.

Mokuba approached the hunchback and gave a gentle smile. "If it helps, Rebecca and I like you just the way you are. We don't mind so much what you look like. But we wouldn't want you to change. You're our friend and friends accept one another no matter what. You're a special person, Quasi, and I hope that one day, you'll get to see that for yourself and others will too."

Mokuba started vocalizing, then he sang, Oh, your eyes, your eyes, they're the window to your unique soul

And that, and that, is something a true and wise friend would know

You're so wonderful in each and every way

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment you, you won't believe me

And it's so, it's so, sad that others don't see what I see

But whenever you ask me if you look okay, I'll say

When I look at you, there's not a thing that I would change

'Cause I think you're special just the way you are

And when you smile, that's when my world stops and stares for a while

'Cause I think you're special just the way you are

Rebecca took her turn and sang, Your laugh, your laugh, it fills me up with so much glee

Your voice, your voice, when you sing, you do it beautifully

You're so wonderful in each and every way

Oh, you know, you know, we don't ever want you to change

If special's what you're looking for, then just stay this way

So don't even bother asking if you look okay, 'cause we'll say

When we look at you, there's not a thing that we would change

'Cause we think you're special just the way you are

And when you smile, that's when our world stops and stares for a while

'Cause we think you're special just the way you are

Quasimodo was touched by their song. He knew that they were serious with their words. They really did accept him the way he was. Tears of happiness began to fill his eyes. "You two are the best friends anyone could ever have," he said gratefully.

"Well, I think anyone would be lucky to have a friend like you," Rebecca returned, and they all began embracing each other. For Quasimodo, this meant that there was hope that one day, he would find someone special who would love and accept him. As he hugged Mokuba and Rebecca, he wondered if maybe he already did.