Chapter 7 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Couple: Esmeralda x Phoebus

Esmeralda waited until she was sure Frollo and his soldiers weren't paying attention to Phoebus anymore before dashing into the water. Both her mind and her heart were racing in fear as she replayed the scene where the wounded soldier fell off the bridge in her head.

He couldn't be dead. He was the single most promising soldier she'd ever met and he couldn't be punished for it. It was just wrong.

She gasped as she dragged the man back to shore. He hadn't been under the water long but he didn't appear conscious.

Please God. Please, please, please don't let him be dead.

She heaved the man onto the shore, inspecting his injuries and almost sobbing in relief when she saw that the arrow had narrowly missed his heart. The soldier stirred, coughing up water and attempting to sit up, only to groan in pain from his wound.

"Don't move," she instructed him. "We'll need to stitch you up."

"Es... Esmeralda?" His voice was raspy, and barely audible as he was breathing heavily.

She put a gentle finger on his lips, hushing him. "The soldiers may be back any time soon. We need to get you to a safe place."

He shook his head. "Don't worry... about me. Get... yourself to a safe place."

Determination clouded her eyes and she spoke firmly. "I'm not leaving without you."

Phoebus half-smiled as he stared affectionately at her. "I've never quite met a woman like you."

Esmeralda paused from inspecting his wound, surprised for a second before melting into a gentle smile. "I've never quite met a soldier like you either, as I've said before."

"Ex-soldier," he corrected.

"Ex-soldier," she agreed in a soft voice. There was a pause before she continued. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Defend that family and throw away your status like it was nothing."

"It was nothing," he assured her. "Compared to the lives of the innocent."

"You don't... regret it?" She put a hand against his face as she spoke, staring into his eyes with curiosity and awe. "I mean, most men wouldn't-"

"I'm not most men," he cut her off smoothly. "I made my decision, and it's the best decision I've made in my life." He leaned into her hand, placing his own hand on it to keep it there. "And I didn't just do it for the family. I did it for you and your people too."

She frowned at his unexpected words. "Me?"

"I've seen Frollo in action. He needs to be stopped, I want him to be stopped. I was hoping my... defiance will open the eyes of the people of Paris so they can see what a monster he is." He grunted in pain and Esmeralda's eyes turned panicked, but he continued. "You're beautiful, and people need to see that."

She was momentarily left speechless, but was interrupted when she heard rustling from the bushes nearby. Gasping she stood up, attempting to do whatever was in her power to lead them away from this area. He was not healed yet, he could not be found in this condition, they would kill him on the spot. Dammit, she shouldn't have let her guard down.

The rustling came closer until a man's worried face appeared, holding a torch. "Esmeralda!" he exclaimed in relief. "You're safe."

The woman let out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. "My friend, I need your help. Phoebus is wounded and we need to move him to a safe place before Frollo's men return."

The man nodded in return. "Of course, Esmeralda, but where would we-"

"I have a friend," she replied confidently, rushing back to Phoebus and placing his arm around her shoulders, helping him stand. "Help me."

The man rushed to Phoebus's other side, taking half the burden. "Where to?"

"The cathedral."

A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in like... 8 months? So sorry. But Happy New Years! I probably would have updated sooner, but the first time I've actually seen this movie was less than 24 hours ago, which is why they may or may not be pretty OOC.

Also this story is set during the course of the story, if you couldn't tell. It was when Phoebus was shot by the arrow and fell into the water. The reason is that because I don't think Phoebus actually had to give up anything for Esmeralda because he's still a Captain in the second movie. So you see, if he were to have any regrets it would have been before the end of the movie.

It's not very fluffy and I do apologise for that. They're really cute together, I wish my story was fluffier.

I might do other Disney couples but I don't know. And as always, thanks for reading.