"And then the Princess kissed the frog and a great light was emitted from the little green body. The frog changed into a tall, handsome Prince and they lived happily ever after in his glorious kingdom!"
    The beautiful young woman closed the book and looked at the two kids sitting on the floor in front of her. "The end! Did you like it, Nana? Kiseop?"
    "Aw, yes Mrs. Lee! That was so beautiful~ I want to meet my own Prince someday!" the little red-haired girl giggled, hugging a small puppy in her chest.
    "Ew, why would someone kiss a frog? It's disgusting!" the boy exclaimed sticking his tongue out in a disgusted expression.
    "Because it would become a Prince, silly!" the girl shoved her little friend. She got up and crossed her small hands upon her heart. "I would kiss any frog, at any time, if this meant I could find my Prince!"
    "I wouldn't!"
    "You're a boy; boys don't kiss each other!" Nana stuck her tongue out as Kiseop put his hands on either side of his waist.
    "Who says?"
    "Children! Children! Calm down."
    Mrs. Lee smiled sweetly at them, putting her hands reassuringly at their tiny shoulders. "No one is kissing any frogs tonight." she chuckled and ruffled her son's hair.
    "Hello everyone!" the voice of a tall, big guy bombarded in the room and the little girl jolted up from the floor, throwing herself in his arms.
    "Papa! Papa!"
    "Nana, my love!" he smiled lovingly at her and hugged her tightly. "Were you a good girl, sweety?" he asked as he let her down.
    Nana puffed out her chest and rose her head.
    "Of course! Mrs. Lee read us 'the Princess and the frog'! Papa, I want a Prince too!"
    "Someday, Nana, you'll have your Prince, but until then you'll have to do with me." Mr. Goodwing said lovingly and his daughter's cheek. "Mrs. Lee thank you for babysitting Nana tonight." Mrs. Lee put on her coat and helped her little boy with his own while she smiled kindly.
    "It was a pleasure Mr. Goodwin, Nana is my favorite student." she pinched one of Nana's chubby cheeks and took Kiseop's little hand in hers. "Goodnight Nana, Mr. Goodwin."
    "G'night Naaana!" the little raven boy waved at his friend, a big toothy smile plastered on his face.
    "Goodnight." father and daughter wished in one voice.
    The young mother and her son exited the enormous mansion of Mr. Goodwin and were immediately drown in the chilly air of the night in the city of New Orleans.
    The road to their small house wasn't long and they found themselves there in no time, their nostrils being filled with the tasty smell of pasta.
    "Daddy's making pasta!" the boy exclaimed and ran up to his father who hoisted him up in his arms and spinned them both around.
    "Hey, chipmunk!" he kissed one chubby cheek and turned to his beautiful wife. "Sweetheart." the couple shared a brief kiss and he turned to his son who was looking with big eyes at the saucepan. "Wanna help me with the sauce?"
    Kiseop nodded eagerly and grabbed the spoon his father gave him, bringing it to his lips and tasting.
    "Hmm, I think it needs more oregano."
    "Yeah, you're right." his father agreed after tasting and offered the bowl with the oregano to Kiseop who grabbed a fistful of it and mixed it with the red sauce. They tasted again and both nodded pleasured.
    "I'm so lucky to have two chefs instead of one." Mrs. Lee cooed and wrapped her arms around both of her boys.

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    Later that night, when it was time for little kids to go to bed, the three-membered family was sitting on Kiseop's bed, Kiseop being tucked under his warm blanket.
    "And the waiters will be dancing while serving the customers and we'll have the most famous pasta in all of New Orleans!" Mr. Lee exclaimed, receiving cheers from his son and sweet loving smiles from his wife. "But for now, we have to work hard because that's how you make your dreams come true, right Kiseop?"
    "But what about the Evening Star?" Kiseop looked outside his window, at the most bright of all stars. "Nana said that if you make a wish at it, your wish will come true." His father chuckled and kissed his forehead.     
    "Stars are good too, but it's better if you combine it with hard work. Now, lay down and close your eyes."
    "Goodnight, Kiseop." his mom kissed his cheek and he wished back at them as they left the room and closed the door.
    The little boy waited until he heard their bedroom's door closing to open his eyes and lean in the windshield of his window. He took in the beautifulness of the star before closing tightly his eyes and putting his connected hands upon his chest. An image of their dream restaurant being created in his mind as he murmured the word 'please' a few times from within his heart. "Please. " He opened his eyes and sighed deeply before moving back under the covers and let the sweet dull of sleep take over him.

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    It was many years later when Kiseop turned tired from his night shift and quickly changed to head out to his other one. He had turned out into a fine young man, with the completion of his childhood dream still present in his mind.
    He reached the diner and put himself immediately into work. The most he worked the faster he'd open the restaurant his father dreamed about all of his life. He served plates full of tasty pancakes and cups full of milk or coffee at the hungry customers. His feet tapping on the floor and his body swaying according to the rhythm of the Jazz coming from outside. A big smile on his lips no matter how tired he was.
    Lean fingers wrapped around his wrist as he let a plate in front of a beautiful dark skinned girl.
    "Kiseop, will you go to the dance with me?" the girl batted her eyelids and his hand seductively, making Kiseop laugh awkwardly and pull gently his hand away.
    "I'm sorry Bella, but I'm working tomorrow night."
    "You always work!" Bella pouted.
    "Sorry, but I-"
    "Yeah, yeah. You have to work hard so you can open the restaurant of your dreams. I know." she waved her hand dismissingly and sighed.
    "I'm sorry." Kiseop apologized again and moved away to serve someone else. "Oh! Hello, Mr. Goodwin!" Kiseop smiled happily at the father of his best friend. "Where's Nana? Won't she come tod-"
    "Kiseop! Kiseop! Kiseop!"
    "Speak of the devil." Kiseop managed to let the tray down before a too-excited red-haired was thrown into his arms!
    "Oh, Kiseop you won't believe it!" Nana squeezed his chubby cheeks, a thing that hadn't changed on him since he was just a little boy, catching his full attention.
    "Wut?"
    "Papa found me my Prince! Here look at this!" she let him go and pushed a Newspaper in his face.
    "Crowned Prince Ellison Kim of Maldonia will be landing foot on the port of New Orleans today at noon." Kiseop read and Nana nodded excited.
    Kiseop felt a flutter in his heart when his eyes took in the black and white picture of the aforementioned Prince. His eyebrows furrowed at the strange feeling.
    "And! And! Papa tell him!"
    "Tonight I'll be hosting a-"
    "Ball masque! Papa continue!"
    "As I am for 8th year in line the king of Mardi Gras and I-" Mr. Goodwin was interrupted again by his daughter.
    "He invited Prince Ellison to the ball! And the best part of it; the Prince will be staying in our mansion!" the girl ended eagerly.
    "Oh, Nana, I-I'm happy for you." Kiseop smiled, but something inside made him feel something he had never felt before; jealousy. He couldn't understand why.
    "Kiseop you should come!"
    "Yes you should!" Mr. Goodwin seconded his daughter, eating a big forkful of his pancakes.
    "Nana I would love to, but I..." Kiseop scratched the back of his head. "I don't think I can, I'm working tonight."
    "But Kiseop! You're my best friend in the whole world! You can't be missing from the night I'll meet my Prince!"
    "Nana, I'm sorry, but you know the restaurant-"
    "No! You know something?" the girl pointed her finger at him. "You'll be working tonight; at my ball! You'll bring some hundreds of those tasty pancakes of yours and we'll pay you."
    "Nana, this- this is-" Kiseop looked wide-eyed at her.
    "We'll buy the old wine yard for you! Isn't this what you always wanted?" Nana insisted and got up.
    "Yes, but Nana-"
    "No, Kiseop. Seeing my dream coming true makes me happy, but seeing both of our dreams coming true is making me delighted. And anyway it's time I'd help you with yours, right papa?"
    "Of course, my dear! Kiseop is like a son to me." the man smiled and got up, putting a reassuring hand on Kiseop's shoulder. "Don't worry for anything, son."
    Kiseop's lips turned slowly into a big smile. He opened his arms and hugged both his friend and her father.
    "Thank you! Thank you both so much!"
    "Don't mention it, sweety." Nana kissed his cheek and moved away when Kiseop withdrew his arms. "Now I have to go take my suit. Remember, Kiseop; it's a ball masque." Nana winked at him and exited the diner after her father. Kiseop turned back to work full of joy.
    And thus none of them noticed the dark figure eavesdropping on them from his table beside the door or his evil, full of mischief, smile.

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    "Can you feel this, Gerard?" A handsome young man with hair and eyes the color of the moonless night exclaimed, opening his arms wide and taking a deep breath of New Orleans' summer air. "This is it! This is the city that knows how to party!"
    "Yes my Prince but we have to go; Mr. Goodwin is expecting us and it wouldn't be nice to- Prince! Prince Eli, where are you going?" Gerard, a short white haired guy, shouted following after the excited Prince.
    "Just look at them!" Eli pointed at a group of street performers. Jazz's rhythm flowed from the performers' musical instruments while the rest, girls and guys, danced to it.  
    A giggling female dancer came forward and grabbed Eli's hand, tugging him in the center with her. The young man chuckled and ignored his servant's complains, letting himself get drowned in the fast tempo of the music as his feet moved along to it.
    Less he knew he was being watched, a pair of black, slitted eyes following every action of his and a wicked mind planning evil plans.
    When Gerard tugged his Prince's hand and pulled him out of the crowd Eli was breathing hard, a big smile on his face, his hair were sticking on his forehead.
    "My Prince we shoul-"
    "Gerard look at that! A trickster!" Eli exclaimed and moved forward, to look better at the tricks a tall, slightly dark skinned man performed.
    "You, sir!" the trickster pointed at the Prince who smiled surprised and pointed at himself too. "Yes, yes, you! Come forward." Eli took a step closer and the man grabbed his wrist, turning it so the inside of the Prince's hand was facing upward. "I can see you're coming from afar." he traced one slim finger on the lines of Eli's palm. "A great means on your shoulders." Eli's eyes opened wide.
    "How did you-?"
    "If you wanna know more... then follow me!" the stranger exclaimed, giggling and pulled down his tall hat. He moved through the busy people crowding the streets making Eli follow him.
    They turned right, into a narrow, dingy alley and found themselves in front of a painted green door. The tall man disappeared and as the Prince looked surprised all around him, the door creaked open slowly making goosebumps rise on his skin.
    "Come in! Come in!" a distorted voice was heard and Eli felt like an invisible force pushed him forward to stumble inside the dark building. The door banged closed behind him and Gerard and low lights in various colors were .
    "Take a seat; don't be afraid!" the same creepy voice was heard again and the duo moved tentatively forward and sat on a pair of chairs, in front of a big tribal table.
    "So, I'll be your host for tonight; the Shadow Xander!" the trickster's voice echoed all around the room and a green light illuminated his form. "What would you want to know?" the man was hanging upside down, his legs bent in half, holding him in the air by a horizontal column that hung from the ceiling. "I can tell you everything about your past, present and future!"
    The Prince took a deep breath and straightened in his seat.
    "Then tell me!"
    Xander, the man of shadows, snickered.
    "Oh, you try to be brave don't you, Prince?" Xander somersaulted and landed gracefully on the floor. He patted down his green overcoat and sat on the big armchair on the other side of the table, resting his legs over its arm. "Oh, interesting! You've been disowned by your parents for playing around too much;" a slim eyebrow was raised as he took a card from the pack that had magically appeared in his hands. "with the wrong people. Or should I say, gender?"
    "How did yo-"
    "Shh, shh, shh! No questions yet." a long finger shook in front of the Prince's face. "You now are in your way to meet with a stunning, rich girl and merry her but what I see here is that-"
    Eli nodded excitedly waiting to hear the rest. He couldn't believe in what he was hearing! The strange man was right in everything!
    "Yes?" he pushed eagerly.
    "No, everything will go just the way you want! You can go now."
    The Prince was surprised by the sudden change in the man's behavior. He looked questioningly at him as he got up.
    "Don't you want me to pay you?"
    "Oh, you'll pay me don't worry." Xander's smile was big and evil and made shivers ran down the Prince's back.
    "How much?" Eli croaked, an ominous feeling creeping in his gut.
    "Everything!" the words were followed by a sinister laugh as Eli felt invisible hands grip his arms and holding then down.
    "Gerard! Gerard help me!" were the last words he uttered before a black abyss swallowed him.

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    "Oh, no, no, no, Kiseop! You didn't!" Nana shook her head disapprovingly.
    The young man looked at her questioningly, wondering what he'd done wrong this time.
    "What?"
    "It's a masque ball and you dressed in a suit and just put a mask?"
    "Yeah, what’s wrong with- hey, Nana don't pull me!" The redhead grabbed his hand and started dragging him up the stairs of the glorious garden and into the huge manor. "Where are you taking me?"
    "I'm not going to let my best friend walk around in something so simple!  I'm taking you to change into something else!"
    They walked up the staircase leading to the bedrooms. Nana opened her chambers’s door and pushed her young friend inside.
    "Change into what? Your father’s costums won't fit me and I don't think you have anything for males in your closet." Kiseop let himself be sat on the big king size bed and watched her as she thought about it for a while and then shrugged, heading to her closet and starting pulling out some of her dresses.
    "It's not necessary to be for men; it's the Mardi Gras! You can dress up as a girl!"
    Kiseop jumped up and gestured with his hands.
    "I'm not gonna dress up as a girl! This'll be embarrassing!" But his complains fell in deaf ears as the girl neared him and started putting dress after dress in front of his tall, slim body, trying to decide which one would look better on him. "Nana, are you listening to me?" the girl shook her head rejecting and throwing to the side a sky blue, puffy dress with feathers embellishing its torso.
    "I’m listening, just don't giving you any mind." she rejected another one, this time a pink, mermaid styled one.
    "Nana! Don't-"
    "Oh, God!  This'll look perfect on you! And it'll make a beautiful contrast with your skin and hair!" Nana threw the rest of the dresses on her bed, holding only one in her hands. "Now, start undressing." She started to push down his arms the suit's jacket and Kiseop sighed, grumbling under his breath as he batted away her hands and started undressing. He knew it'd have no meaning trying to change her mind.

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    "Nana, I can't go out like that!" Kiseop whined poking his head from the walk-in closet's door. "I look ridiculous!"
    The girl rolled her eyes. "Just come out from there and let me have a look."
    Kiseop sighed dejectedly and withdrew his head, closing the door.
    "Kiseop come on it can’t be so-..." Nana's sentence was left unfinished as the door opened again slowly and Kiseop came out, avoiding to meet her eyes. His hands the silk fabric awkwardly. "Kiseop this is..."
    "I knew it! I look ridiculous!" Kiseop grunted and turned around, ready to get into the closet again, making Nana jump from her place and run at him, grabbing him from his gloved hand to stop him.
    "No! Kiseop you- you look amazing!" she smiled broadly and threw him a one-over.
    The silky dark-red dress fell over his body like it was made for him. It's corset fitted perfectly on his torso, complimenting his sculptured collarbone and its skirt shifted around his legs like water every time he moved, creating the mirage of a red colored water fall running down his body.
    "Are you crazy?" Kiseop asked looking at her like something was wrong, really wrong with her head.
    "Kiseop you look so beautiful!  It's such a same you're not a girl!"
    "Okay, that's it! I'm going to change." Kiseop turned, only for him to be grabbed and put into place once again.
    "Wait a moment." Nana ran to her desk and opened some boxes in various sizes before she found exactly what she wanted and went back to Kiseop. "Close your eyes and duck."
    Kiseop did as he was told and felt Nana tie something around his eyes- a mask probably- and tangle something else in his hair.
    "Alright! Now no one will be able to recognize you!"
    She clapped her hands excited and watched as Kiseop opened his eyes and trailed his fingers over the red mask embellished with small diamonds the size of a pin's head and the little tiara resting on top of his head.
    "Nana, I-" Kiseop's eyes met with his friend’s and the sea of feelings showing in the green orbits made him pause and take a deep breath. He couldn't complain again. This girl just wanted him to have fun. He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
    "Aw, you're welcome sweetheart."  Nana gave him a hug and took his hand, this time walking slowly out of the room.

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    "Thank you, but I don't dance." Kiseop denied the hundredth dance proposal, smiled apologetically to the young man standing in front of him and Nana, and sipped from his drink .
    "Kiseop, you should dance with somebody." Nana whispered, opening her purple fan -that came in set with her purple Victorian styled dress- in front of .
    "Nana, I'm not going to dance with anyone. I'm a man remember?" Kiseop argued back in a low whisper.
    The girl opened her lips to complain, but the sound of the large gong her father had put in the garden cut her off and one of her family's servants announced the arrival of their most important guest.
    "Prince Ellison Kim of Maldonia has arrived!"
    "Oh my GOD! He’s here! He's here! How do I look!?"    
    "You look fine. Just, calm down."
    The girl took a  few deep breaths and straightened her body at the same time a  young handsome man entered through the garden's entrance. His muscular form was clothed in a cream white suit, a dark blue ribbon encircling horizontally his upper body.
    His silky black hair were being pushed back with wax and his eyes and lips smiled kindly to the people around him.
    Kiseop was sure he hadn’t seen someone else looking so-  Kiseop shook his head chasing away the thought before he could even think about it.
    Nana squeezed his hand and moved forward. She greeted the Prince, introducing herself and bowing in front of him. The Prince took her hand in his and kissed its upper side, then they proceeded in heading to the middle of the garden and they started dancing beside the fountain.
    Kiseop wandered around for a bit, declining yet another proposal to dance -it seems he was really popular as a girl- until he got bored and moved further into the garden. He found a beautiful patio and sat on the bench, untying the mask and letting it beside him.
    He took a deep breath and let the mind swirling essence of the hundreds of roses that surrounded the patio, fill his lungs. He let his head loll back and looked at the dark star-filled sky over him.
    "It's a dreamy night, right?"
    Kiseop gasped and looked around him, trying to find the source of the hoarse voice.
    "Who is there?" Kiseop asked -more like ordered- when he didn't see anyone. He reached his hand to grab the mask and hide his identity, but instead of the mask's hard material, his hand touched a soft, goo-y thing.  He turned his head surprised and his eyes met with a pair of black beads.
    "Just as beautiful as you." the green frog smiled and one of his beady eyes closed in a wink.
    Kiseop screamed and as he jumped up from the bench his foot got caught in the dress’ skirt making him fall back, his hands flailing, the frog being thrown in the air. He tried to grab balance but there was nothing except the bench and a small table which resulted in him falling down on his back.
    "Aww". Kiseop whined, rubbing the back of his head and opening his eyes.
    "Are you alright, Princess?" the creature’s eyes looked at him from his position on Kiseop's chest.
    Kiseop’s eyes opened wide and he started batting the frog with his hands trying to chase it away. "Hey! Stop it woman! Don't do that!  Hey! That hurt!" The talking thing complained as it hopped all over Kiseop's body trying to avoid his hands
    . One wrong hop and the frog found himself ready to land on Kiseop's face, but it was already too late to try preventing it and a wrong swing had as a result its goo-y mouth connecting with Kiseop's lips.
    A bright light surrounded the patio for a minute and when the brightness subsided the frog found itself dropped on the floor, over a silky red little pond, the girl nowhere to be seen.
    The little creature looked curiously at the dress that was a heap on the pavement, the little tiara dropped where the beautiful girl’s head was just seconds ago. A gasp was heard and then a bump started moving under the cloth.
    "What happened? Why is everything so dark? I knew kissing frogs won't result to any good!" the bump stopped moving. "Wait did I- did I just kiss a frog?! Had I too much wine to drink?"
    The frog grabbed the skirt's ending and raised it, looking underneath.  His beady black eyes met a similar to them pair and he smiled.
    "Hello, I'm a Prince actually. My name's Ellison; you can call me Eli." Eli waved and threw the cloth away, uncovering Kiseop.
    Kiseop looked at him funny and swirled a finger at the side of his head.
    "Are you crazy?"
    "No, but apparently, I'll be soon, taken what I've seen today. At least now I'll have company!"
    "You are crazy! I'm not going to keep company to a talking frog- oh God I think I'm going mental." Kiseop facepalmed and shook his head.
    "Excuse me, but what do you think you are?" Eli chuckled and grabbed Kiseop's hand raising it in front of the other’s face.
    "What are you saying? A human of...course..." Kiseop took a look of his hand, his eyes opened wide and looked down his body and then.... it was when he passed out.
 

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    "Hey, lady~ wake up!" Eli nudged gently the other frog's shoulder and neared unconsciously his face to 'hers'.
    The 'girl' groaned and 'her' eyes fluttered, opening slowly.
    "What happened?" the voice was small, low but the scream that followed was anything but that.
    The Prince felt his head spin and pain started numbing his left cheek. He blinked and moved his chin just to make sure it hadn't fall from its place.
    "You have a nice cross for a woman." Eli said while rubbing his pained face.
    "Get away from me, you slimy thing!" Kiseop yelled and stood up on his two green legs.
    "It's not slime! I'm secreting mucus! Something you're doing too, now."
    Kiseop ignored him, looking up and down his own body, touching the mucus on his skin and making disgusting faces.
    Suddenly a thought striked his mind and he lifted his gaze, looking at the idiotic frog opposite him who had laid down on his belly and proped his face on his palm, watching Kiseop's every move.
    "Who are you?" Kiseop asked suspiciously.
    "I've already introduced, but you were busy freaking out." Eli sighed and put on his most charming smile -as charming as it could be taken his present form. He hopped up and bowed, bringing one arm behind him. "Prince Ellison Kim of Maldonia. Nice to make your acquaintance, Princess..." Kiseop laughed. Eli straightened. "What?"
    "You don't wait from me to actually believe you, right?"
    Eli scowled and put a hand on his waist. "And why's that?"
    "Because the Prince is dancing with my friend." Kiseop crossed his arms on his chest.
    "Well, let me inform you that the one who's dancing with your friend is my handyman who betrayed me. He made a deal with a trickster named Shadow Xander. That's why I'm a frog." Kiseop blinked and shook his head disappointed, his hand coming up to cup his face. "You still don't believe me?"
    "No, I do -in a crazy way, I do believe you."
    Eli sighed and thanked God silently. "And now what we'll do?"
    "Firstly we have to warn Nana. Come!"
    Kiseop grabbed Eli's hand and he started running towards the center of the garden.
    "Sorry! Coming through! Excuse me!" The two little frogs yelled while dashing between pairs of feet, long dresses that touched the floor and other various things, spreading chaos all around them. Screams and gasps filled the place as some people ran to avoid the frogs.
    "Be careful!" Eli tugged Kiseop's hand, making him fall in his arms when he saw someone trying to hit them with a bat.
    They continued running, but this time it was so they could avoid the feet trying to step on them and the things people tried to hit them with.
    "Nana!  Nana! He's not the real Prince!" Kiseop screamed as he was only a meter away from the girl. But the fake Prince she was with, growled upon seeing the two little frogs and kicked them away. Yelling orders to Nana's servants to capture them.
    "Ouch!" Kiseop rubbed his hurt from the impact with the mosaic floor and Eli looked at him worried. The Prince was unable to comfort his hurt companion. He just grabbed 'her' hand and lifted 'her' of the floor, running away from the crowd chasing them.  
    "Here!" Eli yelled and hopped in the air, grabbing with his small fist the joined ropes of some helium balloons, his other hand never leaving Kiseop's.
    The boy who was holding the balloons gasped and released them from his grip, letting them fly freely up, towards the sky.
    "Nana!  Nana, no!" Kiseop screamed and thrashed around trying to get free from Eli's grip.
    "Stay put!" Eli growled and with a fast motion, let Kiseop's hand only for him to wrap his arm quickly around Kiseop's torso.
    "No! I can't let her like this! She's in danger!"
    Eli closed his eyes and counted to ten in his mind. When he opened them again he tried to speak logically.
    "Princess, if you jump from here; you're dead meat." Well done Eli, that was so smooth. He thought and rolled his eyes. Kiseop murmured something and Eli scowled. "What?"
    "I said, I'm not a Princess! Neither am I a woman! I'm Kiseop and I'm a man!" Kiseop exploded making Eli freeze. His arm going slack, almost dropping Kiseop.
    "Whoa, there! Sorry!" Eli apologized as he re-adjusted his hold on Kiseop.
    "You can let go of me now." Kiseop said once he had taken hold and had wrapped his legs around the ropes. Eli obliged.
    Silence followed after that as they flew over the outskirts of town, towards the fields strewn with wheat. The stars shined above them and the many sounds of the town traveled into the air.
    "Then," Eli started, "why were you dressed as a Princess?"
    Kiseop closed his eyes and felt heat burning his cheeks.
    "Nana made me."
    "Oh."
    Kiseop wanted to hide behind something from embarrassment, but he had nothing available at this moment.
    "You're really beautiful." he heard the Prince say and his eyes opened wide, looking up, just to see Eli avoiding his gaze.

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    "I still can't believe you got tricked from Shadow Xander!" Kiseop exclaimed while jumping on a rock. The balloons had popped hours ago and they were walking through the forest for minutes on end since then.
    "Hey! I'm new here! How could I even think what this bastard had-"
    "Shh."
    "-in mind?"
    "Shh!" Kiseop hopped down, beside the Prince and put a hand over his mouth. "I think I heard something." he whispered while looking all around, alerted.
    Eli turned his full attention to his surroundings and then it was that he heard it. It was a low rustle on the floor, but it certainly was there.
    "I think it's better if we-" Kiseop's sentence was cut off when a huge grizzly bear came from the bushes, growling and pawing at them.
    Eli and Kiseop screamed, Kiseop falling into Eli's arms when he took a false step back.
    They were ready to turn and start running when the bear clutched its belly and started laughing. It fell back and rolled on the ground, loud barks of laughter coming from its mouth.
    The two frogs were watching it curiously as it continued laughing.
    "Uhm, mister?" Eli's voice was uncertain. He exchanged worried looks with Kiseop and he jumped a little closer to the mass of fur. "Hello?"
    The bear turned around and sat up, little laughs still escaping its mouth.
    "You were so fun, little guys!" it said and wiped his eyes.
    "Are you gonna eat us?" Kiseop asked making Eli slap his own cheek.
    "Kiseop!"
    "What? Eat you? No, no, no!" The bear said seriously and waved his hands in front of his body. "I just wanted to scare you a bit. By the way, I'm Soohyun!"
    A large paw was pushed forward. Eli grabbed it with both of his froggy hands and smiled. "I'm Eli!"
    Kiseop moved forward, still a bit hesitant and mimicked Eli's actions.
    "I'm Kiseop."
    "Nice to meet you both!" Soohyun exclaimed. "So what are two tiny little things like you doing here?"
    "I'm a Prince and a witch doctor turned me into a frog, then I accidentally kissed Kiseop and he turned into a frog. Then we flew here with balloons because my servant who took my place as Prince tried to catch us and now-... I think we're lost." Eli explained really fast in a single breath.
    "We're not lost."
    "Oh yeah? Then where are we?" Eli challenged Kiseop, putting his hands on his waist.
    "In the forest!" Kiseop looked angrily at the Prince.
    "Really? I can't believe it! What gave you this idea?" Eli said ironically, making Kiseop angry.
    The bear, Soohyun, was left speechless, looking at them bickering. His eyes landed on each one like he was watching a tennis match.
    "Hey." He said but to no avail, so he repeated himself. "HEY!"
    "What?!" Eli and Kiseop yelled/asked in a single voice, turning to glare at him for interrupting them.
    "Why don't you go to Papa Dongho?" The bear shrugged.
    Kiseop let his head loll to the side, looking questioningly at him while Eli hopped his way towards Soohyun.
    "Who?" Kiseop asked.
    "Papa Dongho. He's a witch doctor too; if someone's able to turn you back to humans, then he is the one." A strange voice was heard, very similar to a purr.    The trio turned their heads looking all around them for its source. "Uuup heeree~!" It purred, making them raise their eyes.
    There, on the branch of a tree, was sitting an orange cat. Its tail swinging in a slow rhythm in the air.
    "Who are you, now?" Kiseop asked.
    "There, there froggy." The feline jumped from the branch and landed gracefully on its paws. "I'm AJ. A stray."
    "So, AJ, you think you can take us there?" Eli asked without losing time, making the feline smile.
    "Of course; but we'll start our trip in the morning." AJ turned his back and climbed up on his previous position. "I'm in a date right now." He added as he laid down on the branch and his head looked up, at the brightest star of all. "Sorry 'bout that Kevinie."
    "Is he talking to the star? ’Cause I can't see anyone else around us." Eli whispered to Kiseop.
    "I heard that! I'm a cat you know. And yes, I'm talking to the most beautiful star, my Kevinie. Now go somewhere else and let us alone." AJ glared at them.
    "Okay, ha-ha, have a good time!" Kiseop wished him and dragged Eli away. "I don't know about you, but I need some sleep. What about you, Soohyun?"
    The bear yawned and laid underneath a big tree.  "Yeah, me too. G'night."
    "Good night." Kiseop said and let go of Eli's arm. He climbed on the tree and found a hole on it, an abandoned nest.
    "Good night, Soo." Eli wished and followed Kiseop, getting in the nest too. "Hey, want me to keep you warm?" Eli's voice had a suggestive tone that made Soohyun chuckle and cringe when a loud slap followed the Prince's words. "Stop slapping me!"
    "Stop being a ert! I told you I'm a man!" Kiseop exclaimed angrily and moved away from Eli, to the other side of the small nest and laid down.
    "So?"
    "So?! Just-" Kiseop made a disgruntled sound and turned his back to the annoying Prince. "Don't do that."
    Eli shrugged and laid down, letting sleep envelop him in its warm arms.

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    Morning came and they started on their road. As AJ had said it wouldn't be so easy. Papa Dongho lived in a farm, two days away from where they were. The road they were taking passed through the forest and then through a huge field with tall wheat.
    The day passed and they eventually had to stop. Their feet hurt, their bellies growled demanding to be filled with food.
    "Eli and Soohyun, please go gather some tree branches." Kiseop asked and started looking for edible fruits.    
    When the fire was lit and they were all gathered around the fire with the handmade saucepan where Kiseop was stir-frying some fruits and wild veggies he had found, they heard a low purr coming from AJ, quickly turning into a light melody.
    AJ was looking at the star, his Kevinie as he insisted calling it, touching, affectionate words flowing out of his mouth.
    Eli got up and reached his hand out in front of Kiseop. Kiseop looked questioningly at him.
    "Dance with me?" Eli asked gently only for him to receive a shake of Kiseop's head.
    "Sorry, no."
    "Because you're a man?"
    "No, because it's been years since I last danced."
    "Then even better!" Eli smiled and grabbed Kiseop's hand, tugging him forward and making their bodies collide.
    "What are you doing?" Kiseop gasped when the Prince's arms wrapped around his thin waist.
    "Dancing with you." Eli started swinging their bodies slightly, following the rhythm of AJ's singing, and leaned the side of his head against Kiseop's. "Just relax." He murmured and smiled when, after a while, he felt Kiseop relaxing and moving his body in sync with Eli's.
    The minutes passed and neither wanted to separate from the other, finally finding a peaceful moment in the chaos of the last day.
    "Something's burning!" Soohyun's voice broke the wall that had fallen between the two frogs and the rest of the world and Kiseop's eyes opened wide. He pushed himself away from Eli and ran to the saucepan just to find their food being burned to a crisp. "Aw, come on it's okay. We can go find some more. Don't worry." Soohyun took the little frog gently in his paw and brought him close to his chest when he saw the tiny shoulders slump.
    "It's all Eli's fault." Kiseop whined, his voice coming muffled from the fur that surrounded him and Soohyun send a comforting expression when Eli's eyes opened wide.
    "Yes, it is. That's why he'll go fetch some more. Right, Eli?"
    "Yeah, yeah." Eli's shoulders fell and he started searching for fruits. For some reason he really didn't like Soohyun hugging Kiseop. "Of course! He likes everyone else except me!" Eli murmured angrily at himself as he pulled harshly down some wild berries. "But how he can like me when I'm the one at fault for him turning into a nasty frog!"
    His mumbling went on and on, being the only way he could find to ignore the wave of something akin to jealousy, washing over him.
    "Hey, paaal." a purr reached his ears and he turned quickly around to find the feline watching him from above a big rock. "What's wrong?"
    "Nothing's wrong." Eli shrugged, making a few fruits fall from his arms. AJ jumped gracefully on the ground and kicked them with his front paw, successfully making them land back on Eli's arms.
    "Eli, dude, you were murmuring even before I got here. Is it Kiseop?"
    "...Yes" Eli agreed unwillingly and changed the subject 'cause he's not so sure he wants to ponder over the new feelings being created inside him. "Why aren't you with Kevinie?"
    "The weather got bad suddenly and she hid behind those stupid clouds." AJ growled and walked beside Eli on their way back to their little camp. A light breeze ghosted over them making shivers ran down Eli's spine.
    "You're lucky. With all this fur you can't feel anything." Eli commented on AJ's long orange fur.
    "Oh, you're back!" Soohyun announced and Eli felt a wave of anger washing through him when he saw the bear laid down with Kiseop nuzzled in the crook of his front leg. They seemed to be very comfortable. What worsened Eli's mood was that Kiseop was avoiding to meet his gaze.
    Eli neared the saucepan and threw the fruits away, and without a single word he turned and distanced himself from the rest. He climbed on the broken trunk of a tree, he laid down on the center of the circle it had been created on the top and gazed up on the cloudy sky.
    "What happened to him?" Kiseop asked trying to hide his worry as he got up from his warm place and started cooking their dinner again. He received only a sardonic smirk from AJ.

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    "AJ may I....may I ask you something?" Kiseop asked hesitantly the other, moving closer to the cat.
    "Whatever you want Kiseop."
    Kiseop ran his eyes around just for him to make sure Eli was still being petulant and Soohyun was in his seventh dream as he had eaten and fallen to sleep.
    "Well, how....what is it...." Kiseop closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're in love with Kevinie, right?"
    "Why, yes, Kiseop. I love her more than anything." AJ said and looked up, trying to even get a glimpse of the owner of his heart.
    "How did you know? That you were in love with her, I mean." Kiseop asked and averted his gaze, looking down on the floor.
    AJ chuckled and draped a leg around Kiseop's shoulders.
    "That, my sweet froggy was really easy." AJ continued gazing lovingly at the dark sky.  "Every time I'd see her, since I was just a tiny kitten, my breath would hitch or my heart would skip a beat and then I couldn't think anything else but her. Her beauty. The way she shone. It didn't take long for me to realize she was the one for me." AJ said, his voice holding a melancholic purr.
    A low 'ow' was Kiseop's reaction.
    "Are you in love, Kiseoppie?" AJ teased, making Kiseop feel his face heat up.
    "I-I'm not! Of course not! I-...."
    "It's him, right? Our idiotic Prince?"     
     "What?! Eli? No! No! I mean, me and him? No, no, we're both guys we couldn't possibly-" Kiseop cut off himself and hung his head down, sighing dejectedly. "I don't know! I have all these strange feeling inside me!" He raised his head and looked hopefully at the cat. "But it can't be that, right? I mean I only know him for a little more than a day. It's too soon."
    AJ chuckled and rubbed Kiseop's back with his paw.
    "Kiseop, this," He patted the frog's chest with his other paw, "your heart doesn't take in mind if you are both the same gender or how long or not you know each other." He laid back on the ground and looked on his star that had been uncovered momentarily from the clouds. "Nor what species you are. Love is blind." He purred and closed his eyes when 'Kevinie' was hidden again.
    They stayed like that, a peaceful silence falling over them as they were both lost in their own thoughts, until Kiseop smiled and hopped up.
    "Thank you, AJ."
    "My pleasure, froggy!" The cat purred and cracked open his eyes, watching his star that had come out again. A melancholic feeling taking over him. "You are the lucky one, bastard Eli." He murmured and reached out a paw, imagining he could touch Kevinie.

    
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    "Eli?" Kiseop called out his name unsure if the Prince was sleeping as he neared his laid down form with soundless steps. A hum was his only reply and Kiseop felt himself tensing instantly. "I-I brought you food. You didn't come down so I thought you might be hungry." He blubbered and let an extemporary dish on the floor beside Eli.
    The Prince stood up instantly. "You shouldn't have. You're not my servant." He said, his words coming out a bit harshly even if he didn't mean them to be heard like this. "Kiseop, wait! I-
    "Well, Mr. Prince; excuse me for caring about you!" Kiseop exploded, but his eyes opened wide immediately when he realized what he had just said.
    "I didn't want for it to come out like this! I just wanted to tell you that you didn't have to bring me food." Eli apologized, but couldn't prevent a smile from spreading on his lips. "So, you care about me?"
    "No, it's just-....I didn't feel like leaving you to starve."
    "Mmhmm." Eli smirked and Kiseop made a disgruntled sound, turning around and moving to the other side of their 'room'
    "Good night!" He said angrily and laid down, turning his back to the Prince and willing himself to sleep and ignore the shivers that ran down his back upon hearing Eli's low and y -no, no, y! Definitely not!- laugh.
    Minutes passed but sleep didn't seem to come for the little frog as he shivered lightly -this time from the chilly breeze hitting his small body. His breath hitched when he felt a warm body, laying down behind him and an arm wrapping around his waist.
    It felt good -dang it felt really good. A million tiny butterflies started flying around in his stomach and his heartbeat accelerated, something that made him panic and turn around, shoving Eli away.
    "I- I told you not to do that!" Kiseop's voice was trembling, his eyes were glued somewhere on Eli's torso and his hands stood on his chest.
    "I just wanted to warm you up! You are shivering!" Eli exclaimed.
    "I'm okay! And I don't want your slime on me!"
    Eli rolled his eyes. "I'm secreting mucus and so are you!"
    "So? I don't need any more mucus on me! I have enough of my own!"
    "Yes," The Prince's eyes became two slits. "You'd prefer a fluffy, warm fur, won't you, Kiseop?" His voice was filled with venom, something that made Kiseop look at him weirded out.
    "Excuse me?"
    "Nothing, forget it!" Eli got up and jumped his way out of the tree.
    Kiseop was left staring at the place the Prince was just a few seconds ago; his heart beat quickly and his mind was more confused than ever.
    He his other side again, trying to think what Eli could possibly mean with that, but he couldn't find a good enough explanation. He ignored the little silly voice that murmured unrealistic things to him. He wouldn't leave himself believe even for a single second that Eli was jealous and was referring to him being close with Soohyun. That was just stupid, and absurd, and inconceivable, and so wonderful and made his heart skip a beat and a smile to form on his mouth and- Whoa there Kiseop! What are you thinking! Kiseop slapped his cheek and shook his head, hiding his face in the crook of his arm and closing his eyes.
    He was on the verge of unconsciousness when he felt something warm envelopi in his still shivering form. Kiseop cracked open an eye just for him to find a big leaf covering his small body and he heard rustling at the other side of their 'room' where Eli settled down. He smiled and closed his eyes again murmuring a soft "Thank you" just before sleep took over him and he was lost in a world with masks, dresses, suits and a smiling, handsome Prince holding him in his arms while they danced under the beam of hundreds, millions of lit candles.

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    The sun shone again the next day. The strange team was making their way conversing and having fun with each other. But our Prince was confused.
    Eli had caught himself one too many times being taken aback by Kiseop. His eyes following the other's every move.
    In one moment he would be his usual self, making fun with AJ, singing and dancing and the next, he would be lost and the cause for this would be either a single, quiet laugh coming from Kiseop or a meeting between their eyes that would leave him breathless and unable to remember what he was saying or doing.
    So, what was that feeling that made his little heart flutter every time he looked at Kiseop?
    He couldn't deny it; Kiseop was really beautiful, even now while being a frog. And since yesterday, Eli found himself liking him more and more.
    Right now, Kiseop was sitting on Soohyun's shoulder -Eli on the other one-, and the bear was reminiscing about a funny experience of his that Eli had failed miserably to follow. Kiseop laughed and his eyes fell accidentally on Eli's. The little frog blushed and averted his gaze quickly, leaving Eli to ponder over his feelings once again.
    A loud growl came suddenly from Kiseop's belly, making the other three laugh. At the same time, a fly buzzed around their heads and Kiseop's pink tongue poked from his mouth.
    "What-?" His tongue poked out again. "No, wait-" and again.
    "Ohh!" Eli exclaimed excited when his tongue did the same. He targeted the fly and let his tongue unveil itself, unfortunately missing the bug.
    He tried again, but this time when he tried to pull it back something prevented him from doing so. Eli followed with his beady eyes the length of his tongue and, in his great surprise, discovered a flushed Kiseop that tried to disentangle their appendages, on the other side.
    "Oh, God" He heard the feline sigh, but didn't pay him any mind as he walked carefully over Soohyun's shoulders, nearing Kiseop. Reaching out his arm, he started disentangling the mess and he smirked when their tongues were free again and back into their mouths.
    "So," he started, leaning back on Soohyun's neck. "Can this be considered as French kissing?"
    As it was expected, a hand was raised and ready to land on his cheek. Which he caught before it made an impact, this time. Eli chuckled and pulled on Kiseop's hand bringing him closer and connecting their mouths in a kiss.
    Suddenly, a bright light surrounded them and the two little frogs felt like their bodies flew in the air before they landed harshly on the floor.
    "Arghh! What happened?" Eli asked, rubbing his head.
    "I don't kn- Hey! I'm human again!" Kiseop exclaimed happily and looked at Eli, a bright smile on his face. "And you are- !" He screeched and covered his eyes.
    "We both are as it seems." Eli said covering his private parts with his hands while his eyes raked down Kiseop's perfect body.
    "Ah, I see my help isn't needed anymore." A voice they haven't heard before reached their ears, making them turn to look at the young man standing at the end of the field.
    "Are you maybe...Papa Dongho?" Kiseop asked dumbfounded.
    "Hey! I'm older than what I look!" The boy said and waved the lollipop he was holding on his hand, a ray of light escaped it and the two boys were instantly covered in clothes.
    "Oh, thank you!" Kiseop smiled, looking down at the black shoes, black slacks and crispy white shirt with the red suspenders. Eli wore the same clothes except his suspenders that were in a dark purple hue "I'm Kiseop and-"
    "He's Ellison Kim, the stupid Prince who let Shadow-Xander trick him, I know, I know." The young, beautiful man rolled his chocolate eyes.
    "How-"
    "Papa Dongho knows everything!" A little fury, white bunny appeared on their feet. "Hi! I'm Hoon!" The bunny jumped a few times in front of them, waving his small paw and twitching his long ears.
    "Are all the animals talking here?!" Kiseop exclaimed and looked around him.
    "Papa Dongho;" Eli started nearing the boy. "How did-"
    "How did you change back?" Dongho ended Eli's sentence and the Prince nodded. "There's no time for explaining right now; you have to stop Xander."
    "But-"
    "Now, go! Find his amulet and break it! It's the only way to stop him! And I have to turn back, mom is cooking my meal~"
    In a cloud of smoke Papa Dongho and his little companion vanished leaving the other's to turn back to where they had come from.
    "Hey! Get back here!" Eli yelled making a turn around himself looking everywhere for the wizard. "That's why I hate teenagers!" he growled and sensed a hand resting on his shoulder. Turning he saw Kiseop staring at him and felt his breath being taken away. He already knew Kiseop was beautiful, but now, dressed in those clothes and with a small smile playing on his lips, he was astounding. "Kiseop..." Eli muttered his name.
    "We have to go back. We have to save Nana." Kiseop said, the earlier smile being replaced with a frown. It was like a bucket of cold water fell on Eli, drenching him and shaking him out of his trance.
    "Yeah, yeah let's go." he shook his head and moved away from Kiseop. His heart beat falling slowly in its usual rhythm.

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    They were passing through the thick vegetation of the forest for the second time in just two days. Eli and Kiseop pushing branches away from their faces. Their feet kept getting caught in various root-webs.
    "Aah!" a scream was heard suddenly and Eli saw Kiseop tripping onto a tree's thick root. He reached out to grab him, but it was already late and he saw Kiseop falling face first onto the ground, the corns he had gathered from the field scattering around him.
    "Kiseop!" he yelled and ran to him, kneeling beside him and helping him into a seated position. Eli Kiseop's cheek, chasing away some dirt and making him flinch lightly in pain.  
    "Are you okay?" Soohyun asked and sat on his , his big black eyes running down Kiseop's body, searching for injuries.
    "Yeah, I don't think I- ow!" Kiseop closed his eyes and squeezed Eli's arm when he tried to get up.
    "What is it?" Eli looked worried at Kiseop, his arm staying on Kiseop's back for support.
    "I think I might've hurt my ankle." Kiseop murmured, opening his eyes, meeting Eli's gaze and pointing at his right leg.
    Eli looked at his foot and withdrew his arm. He moved beside Kiseop's feet and took the hurt ankle gently in his hands, probing slightly the limb that had already started swelling up. "You've definitely sprained it." He said and looked sadly at Kiseop who was flinching at the probing.
    "What are we gonna do now? He can't walk." AJ said nearing Eli who had pulled his shirt out of his slacks. Eli ripped a long stripe from the end of his shirt and rested Kiseop's foot on his thigh. He rolled up the black cloth and started wrapping the swelling limb.
    Kiseop moaned in pain when Eli tied the two edges a bit too tight, making him mumble a really soft 'I'm sorry' and glance apologetically at the other.
    "Okay, can you walk?" Eli asked and got up, he reached out his hand and waited until Kiseop put his own onto Eli's palm before he pulled him up and wrapped his other arm around Kiseop's waist, their bodies coming closer.
    "I-I think s-so." Kiseop stuttered, his hands resting on Eli's shoulder and his eyes avoiding the other's gaze.
    "Let's see." Eli unwrapped his arm and moved away from Kiseop who lost his balance and fell forward right into Eli's waiting arms. "Alright, that's it; I'm carrying you."
    "What? No, no, you ain't gonna do that!" Kiseop's eyes went wide.
    "Yes, I am! Now shut your mouth and wait here." Eli pecked Kiseop's lips and turned him around, making him rest on a tree's broken trunk. He took off his shirt and put all the corn Kiseop had gathered earlier in, he tied it into a knot and gave it to Soohyun who bit onto it, holding it in his mouth.
    Eli, then, went back to Kiseop who was too tired for his brain to even think of protesting when Eli scrooched down, his back turned to Kiseop. "Give me your hands." He said patting his own shoulders. When Kiseop didn't move, he looked back. "Come on, Seoppie." Kiseop blinked and put his hands hesitantly on Eli's skin. Eli grabbed them and brought the long limbs around his neck. "Now your legs." Eli advised when Kiseop had locked his hands.
    "Ar-are you sure?" Kiseop's voice was low and his breath hitched when Eli turned again, their faces being only inches apart.
    Eli felt his heartbeat quicken as he glanced between Kiseop's eyes and mouth and saw a pink tongue darting out to moisture those plump lips. He unconsciously mimicked the motion and took a deep breath, straightening his head. He succeeded in taking out a small "Yes." and felt Kiseop hiding his face into his neck as long legs straddled his back.
    He put his hands under Kiseop's thighs and stood up slowly.
    "We're going to find a nice clearing and then rest for the night." Eli informed them all, ignoring the dirty look AJ and Soohyun shot him as he started making his way carefully through the forest.
    
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    It was late at night when Eli covered what was left from the campfire and walked towards where Kiseop was laying on the ground, star-gazing. He laid beside him and looked up at the dark sky. The trillions of stars shone like diamonds scattered on black velvet, the moon being a really thin slice on the sky.
    "The roast-corn was really tasty." Eli complimented, trying to break the awkward silence. Eli would bet Kiseop had amazing cooking skills if he could make simple corn taste this heavenly.
    Through the day, Kiseop had confessed his dream to open a restaurant and how he was very close in making it come true.
    "Thank you." Kiseop murmured and silence fell over them again. "It's very beautiful." the boy murmured referring to the star-filled sky.
    Eli turned and looked at Kiseop's face, the stars' reflection made his dark eyes shine and then it was when the Prince realized what the feeling in his chest was. He was in love with this wonderful boy. He didn't know when it had happened; he only knew he was falling more and more for him.
    "Yes, indeed." He mumbled and let his eyes meet with Kiseop's when the later turned to face him.
    The Prince's fingers trailed on Kiseop's facial features, gently the scratch on his cheek caused by his earlier fall, and he moved his head closer to the boy's, hesitating only for a moment before he connected their lips in a soft, sweet kiss. When he drew back, he found Kiseop's fingers being tangled into his hair. A smile cracked on Kiseop's mouth as he pulled Eli forward, taking one of Eli's lips between his and letting his tongue to run over it.
    "I think I know...why we turned back...into humans." The Prince mumbled between kisses, making Kiseop hum and smile into another kiss. Eli moved, hovered over Kiseop and propped his hand beside his head, careful not to crush him with his weight, his leg coming in-between Kiseop's. He pulled back from the kiss and looked deeply into Kiseop's eyes. "I know it'll sound crazy, taken that we've only met for the first time a couple days ago but..." the Prince's expression became deadly serious. "I’ve fallen for you."
    Kiseop felt his heart stop. His eyes opened a fraction wider and his lips parted before a smile started spreading on them. His fingers played with Eli's hair and he raised his head, catching the Prince's lips in a lingering kiss.
    "Thank God, I'm not the only crazy one here. " A chuckle came from him once they parted and he let butterfly kisses on Eli's nose, cheeks, chin and everywhere he could reach. He chuckled again upon taking in Eli's expression. "I might have, too."
    Eli let out a sigh and captured the boy's lips in a slow, deep kiss.
    "ert." Kiseop whispered in a humorous way when Eli kissed his neck. "You found your chance now that I'm weak and can't run away."
    The Prince laughed.
    "You're at my mercy now!" Eli mimicked an evil laugh and started tickling Kiseop who burst out into chuckles.  
    
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    Kiseop and Eli were hiding behind a fence, watching the fake Prince leaving Nana's side and going towards the guest house at the end of the garden. Earlier, when they had set foot in town, they had decided it would be best for them to go to the Goodwin mansion while AJ looked out for Shadow Xander and Soohyun kept a low profile, staying hidden in the bushes at the outskirts of town 'till night would fall and people dressed in costumes would crowd the roads.
    "Okay, now what are we gonna do?" Kiseop whispered.
    "I'm gonna go find Gerard, you go and talk to Nana." Eli stood up, but his arm was pulled back, preventing him from leaving.
    "You can't go there! What if Shadow Xander is with Gerard?" He stood up too, still holding Eli's arm.
    "I'm going to be fine, Seoppie."
    "I can't believe that. He had already turned you into a frog once." Kiseop looked worried at him. "I'll go to Gerard and you to Nana."
    "But what will I say to her? She'll think I'm nuts."
    "She'll believe you, he looks exactly like you!" Kiseop smiled. "And you are nuts."
    Eli Kiseop's face and let a brief kiss on his lips, putting their foreheads against each other's right after. "Okay, but be careful." Kiseop nodded and they took their separated ways.

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    "Hey, cutie." Eli said, taking the seat opposite the red-haired girl at the patio.
    "Eli, you're back! Oh my God what happened to your clothes?!" She asked surprised when she took an once over at him.
    "It's a big story, but please listen to me." The girl nodded and Eli started explaining everything at her, except for the part where he and Kiseop confessed their love for each other. He wasn't sure if Kiseop wanted him to announce that and he didn't want to break the girl’s heart. Yet.
    "You want me to believe that my Eli isn't my Eli and that you are the real Prince?" The girl said in a somehow ironic tone. The Prince nodded and then Nana started laughing. "Oh God! What your clever mind thought of!" She wiped her eyes softly and put her hand on his. "That was really funny, you even dressed in those clothes! Hahaha."
    Eli sighed and dragged his hand down his face.
    "Nana, just tell me. Have you seen Kiseop anywhere around here these past few days? Since 'I' came here?"
    Nana's face fell.
    "No and I'm worried about him."
    "He's fine don't worry." I worry enough. Eli thought. "He was together with me that's why you haven't seen him. And by the way how I would've known about him if I wasn't telling the truth? 'Eli' haven't met him isn't that right?" Eli spoke logically and saw the girl thinking about it before her eyes opened wide and a breathless 'Oh my!' escaped her lips and their eyes met. "You believe me now?" she nodded. "Nice, now I want you to do something for me."
    "Anything." The girl nodded again and straightened her back, making Eli smirk, a plan forming in his mind.

✰ ✰ ✰                                                  ✰ ✰ ✰                                                 ✰ ✰ ✰

Meanwhile...

    Kiseop followed the fake Prince to his chambers. He waited outside for a while and then neared the door opening it slowly and entering the hall. He made sure only him and Gerard where in the small house before he put his plan into action.
    "Prince Ellison?" He said loudly and put his back against the wall beside the bedroom door. "I've brought you your dinner."
    The door opened after a few moments.
    "I haven't ordered din-" The sentence was cut by a right cross. "What the- who are you!" Gerard yelled holding his nose that bleed.
    "It's none of your business, Gerard." Kiseop said and cracked his knuckles.
    Gerard moved back, trying to get away from the stranger that neared him, a menacing glint in his dark big eyes, until his hip touched the side of a wooden desk.
    "You're a bad man, Gerard." Kiseop grabbed the front of the man's shirt. He felt his stomach turning as his eyes ran over the features that were so familiar, but so strange to him at the same time. He felt sick at the thought of this bastard walking around in Eli's form. "And you're a really awful servant."
    "P-p-please don't hurt me!" Gerard stuttered, his hands coming up to grab on Kiseop's that tightened their grip more and more by the second. "Please!" He pleaded breathlessly, making Kiseop smirk.
    "I'm not." Kiseop let go of him and brushed the shirt on his shoulders. "He will." The last thing Gerard saw was a sweet smile and a fist coming toward his borrowed, handsome face.
    Kiseop snatched the long string that hung around Gerard' neck before the other and took a step back, avoiding the man as he fell unconscious on the floor. He let out a pained moan and jerked his hand, feeling his knuckles burn from the punch.
    Gerard started changing back in his true form. That of a short, fat guy with no hair on his bald head and Kiseop felt even sicker than before. He looked around for something to tie him up until he spotted the colorful rope that held the curtains in place -leaving the window open for the occupants to view the beautiful gardens- and he headed there with careful steps, trying not to put too much weight on his hurt ankle.
    Right when he had tied him up, he heard a light knock on the front door and Nana's voice calling out Eli's name.
    "Come in!" He shouted from where he was seated on the floor and heard the door opening and Eli calling out his name.
    "Kiseop! Are you okay? He didn't do anything to you, right?" Eli, worried, ran to him and knelt beside Kiseop on the floor, his hands checking on his face and arms for any visible injury.
    Kiseop let out a small chuckle and cupped Eli's cheek.
    "I'm perfectly fine. He on the other hand..." He let his sentence unfinished and shrugged, smiling.
    Eli then, remembered to glance at his ex-handyman and noticed the blood trickling from his nose and the darkening eye. He laughed relieved and let himself sit back.
    "Right cross?" Eli asked, ruffling Kiseop's hair when he smiled and tilted his head to the side. "Good job, Seoppie."
    A cough drew their attention to the forgotten girl. Kiseop turned beat red and looked at her worried.
    "Nana, I-" His words were cut off by the girl hugging him suddenly. His eyes opened wide when he felt her small body shaking.
    "The maids came to bring me my dress and tiara and the mask and from then on wherever I'd ask no one had seen you and your suit's still in my closet and- and-" A sob left her lips. "I was so worried for you!" She cried out and Kiseop wrapped his arms around her slim waist, making eye-connact momentarily with Eli before hiding his face in her red hair, whispering sweet comforting words. "And I had started hating the Prince because he wasn't what I had dreamed off and you weren't here beside me like always and now I find out that you were with the real Prince and you went through all that and-" She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back. Nana wiped her nose with the inside of her hand and sniffled before cracking a small humorous smile.
    "What?" Kiseop asked her and let a peck on her cheek.
    "You and Eli need a good bath." She said making both of them burst out in laughter.
    "We know." Kiseop looked down at himself. "But I can't go home like that, do you mind if I shower here?" he asked her and she shrugged.
    "Don't ask me." She looked over at Eli and smiled. "This is the Prince's room."
    "I don't mind." Eli smiled broadly, receiving an eye-roll from Kiseop.
    Nana kissed Kiseop's cheek and stood up. "Then I'll leave you two to get freshened up." She exited the room and then closed the front door behind her. Resting her back on the door, she sighed and looked up to the afternoon sky.
    "You finally found your Prince, Kiseop." She murmured and a small bitter smile appeared on her lips. She might be having her head flying in the clouds, but Eli's affectionate tone when he spoke about Kiseop or the worry filling his eyes and the way he looked at him was really hard to ignore. And the same went for Kiseop. Nana hadn't seen him smile like this to no one else, until now.
    She shrugged and dusted down her red dress. She wouldn't hate them for that, she was sure they hadn't planned it and especially Kiseop would've resisted his feelings, but least he knew; love comes when you least expect it.    
    Nana smiled and made her way towards the mansion cheerfully. She wouldn’t give it up. She'd find her own Prince one day.
    
✰ ✰ ✰                                                  ✰ ✰ ✰                                                 ✰ ✰ ✰

    The streets were buzzing with the sounds of Jazz, people talking and laughing. Every road, every alley was filled with people dressed in costumes or had their bodies painted and colorful masks on their face.
    It was the night when Mardi Gras reached its peak.
    The parade had already begun and there, on the most amazing chariot, a Prince and a Princess both dressed in crispy white clothes, were ready to get married. The crowd cheering as the chariots passed through.
    "Do you see him?" Nana asked, trying to keep her smile in place.
    Eli turned and looked down at where Kiseop was standing.
    "No." Eli said when Kiseop shook his head.
    "We've gathered today here-" The priest started, but the two people in front of him turned and glared at him.
    "Not now!" they said in unison.
    "Dear Lord! What's wrong with-"
    "He found him!" Eli announced and Nana pushed a lever that made the bells over their heads start jingling.
    In just mere seconds Eli had jumped down and was running towards Kiseop, same with an orange stray cat and a grizzly bear.
    "He went inside the church!" Kiseop said and grabbed Eli's hand, leading them inside the sacred building.
    But when they got inside the chamber was completely empty. Only their footsteps echoing through the walls.
    "You fools! You thought it would be that easy to trick me? Hahaha!" Shadow Xander's evil laugh echoed around them, making them search with their eyes all around the hall.
    "Xander! We have something you might want!" Eli shouted, squeezing Kiseop's hand.
    A big transparent mirage of Shadow Xander's head appeared on the western wall. "Really? You fools! I've already retrieved it!" Another reflection appeared on the eastern wall.  "And in a few minutes I'll have everything that I've ever wanted!"
     Eli searched his pockets for the amulet Kiseop had snatched from Gerard and glanced frightened at the reflections.     
    "Lost something, my Prince?" Another reflection, this time the trickster's full form, materialized behind Eli, holding a hand out and dangling the amulet in front of the Prince's face.
    "Nuh-nuh-nuh!" Xander disappeared when Eli tried to snatch away the amulet only for him to show up sat on the back of a chair, swinging the necklace with his finger. "You were a really bad Prince, Eli. Vanishing on your own, transforming back into a human and-" He disappeared and appeared behind Kiseop in an instant. He snapped his fingers and Kiseop's arms were tied behind his back. "Finding your true love."
    "Leave Kiseop out of this!" Eli shouted and reached out to Kiseop, but another snap of the trickster's fingers had him pinned on a wall, unable to do anything.
    "He's very...pretty, I must say." Shadow Xander Kiseop's cheek, laughing when Eli started thrashing around.
    "If you even touch a single hair of his head I'm gonna-"
    Xander materialized in front of the Prince and pushed up Eli's chin.
    "You're gonna do what, Prince? I'm stronger than you." He turned and looked at everyone. "I'm stronger than every single one of you!" He laughed evilly. "And in a few seconds I'll be stronger than every person in the whole city! Even your little friend Papa Dongho -or should I say Baby Dongho?"
    Eli and Kiseop, no matter the situation, couldn't but agree at that as the nickname 'Baby Dongho' fitted the wizard perfectly.
    "10 more seconds!" The trickster announced and started counting down. "Nine! Eight! Seven! Si- aaah!" A scream escaped his lips and his hand that held the amulet was yanked back as blood started dripping from his forearm. The magic pendant fell on the floor. "You stupid cat." Xander shrieked and glared at AJ who was hissing at him. He snapped his fingers and the feline's little body was thrown onto a wall.
    "No! AJ!" Shouts came from Kiseop, Eli, and Soohyun when they saw the cat's limp body falling on the floor.
    Xander laughed hysterically, taking a look at his watch. "There's nothing you can do now!"
    "Oh, there is!" Nana's voice echoed, drawings everyone's attention. She raised her hand and threw the amulet on the floor with force, breaking into thousands of tiny pieces.
    In just a moment, blinding light covered the room and Eli fell on the floor while Kiseop's binds vanished.
    "You foolish girl! What have you done?!" Shadow Xander fell on his knees and glared at Nana.
    "Exactly what she needed to do." A familiar voice was heard. "And I've said countless times; I'm not as young as I look!"
    "Dongho!" Xander gasped and fell back in his try to get up and run away.
    "It's time for you to pay Xander." Dongho said in a bored-out tone and pointed his candy bar at the trickster. Lightning emitted from its edge and a puff of red smoke covered Shadow Xander; when it subsided, a snake had taken his place. A snake unable to speak or make any other sound, but hissing. "Now go where you belong." Dongho's candy created the same lightning again and the snake disappeared.
    "Why didn't you come earlier?!" Kiseop cried out as he run beside the unconscious cat. He took it on his lap and petted his soft fur. Eli coming beside him and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
    "He couldn't; Xander was way too strong even for him. That's why we've waited until you broke his amulet." Dongho's little companion, bunny Hoon, said jumping up and down on the floor.
    "He's still breathing." Kiseop murmured and bent down, nuzzling his face in AJ's fur, tears escaping his eyes.
    Eli knelt down and wrapped his arms around his lover. Sniffles were coming from were Nana was standing too, Soohyun hugging her with his front legs.
    One of the church's windows shuttered suddenly -drawing everyone's attention- and a great yellow-ish light shone into the room.
    "It was time." Dongho exclaimed and rolled his eyes.
    "Shush, Kiddo." A beautiful young man glared at him and stood over the pair holding AJ. He took the limp body in his arms and petted gently its head. "Haa, you foolishly brave cat." He murmured affectionately and kissed AJ's forehead.
    A bright light was emitted from the connection point and suddenly the cat's eyes blinked open, looking straight into two brown orbs.
    "Ah, Keviniee, we finally get to meeeet." AJ purred and rubbed his head on the boy's.
    "Kevinie is a man?!" Soohyun exclaimed, making the boy and the feline look at him.
    "Yes, he's Kevin, but AJ always liked calling him Kevinie." Hoon explained and everyone nodded in understanding.
    "Are you gonna stay this time, Kevin?" Dongho asked and crossed his arms.
    Kevin smiled mysteriously and placed the cat on its feet.
    A couple motions of his hands and some more blinding lights later,  and all the animals that were present in the hall had turned into fine young men, dressed in colorful suits with matching masks covering their faces.
    The bear Soohyun had turned into a tall, handsome, brown haired man that was covered in a silky red suit. He smiled at Nana who's breath was caught when see made eye contact with him and bowed, introducing himself.
    The bunny Hoon had turned into a blond, with honey like eyes and a smile that would make it really easy for him to captivate the heart of every woman on the whole planet. He was fretting over Dongho's unhealthy eating habits making the wizard have a headache and vanish in a puff of pink smoke.
    The cat now was a tall, tallest than the rest, ginger-head. His cat-like smile and the shape of his eyes reminding of his previous nature. He reached out his arms and hugged his star, leaving out a long pleased sigh.
    Eli helped Kiseop off the floor and wrapped his arms around the boy's slim waist, rubbing their noses together while closing his eyes.
    After a few minutes they started making their way outside the church. Kevin staying behind for some seconds. Watching as the rest, his new and old friends walked out. "I think I'll stay this time." He whispered and ran to grab AJ's extended hand.

✰ ✰ ✰                                                  ✰ ✰ ✰                                                 ✰ ✰ ✰

    It was hours later that Eli and Kiseop found the opportunity to get away from the party taking place in the mansion and for them to find shelter at the patio they had first met some days ago.
    "It's magical here." Eli said and sat beside Kiseop on the bench.
    "I had enough magic to last me a lifetime, believe me." Kiseop said, laughng along with Eli.  "Eli?" Kiseop leaned his head on his Prince's shoulder who hummed to show he had his full attention. "Will you go back to your home one day?" Kiseop's voice was small.
    "Never." Eli grabbed gently his chin and turned him to face him. "Kiseop, I haven't told that to any one; I-" Eli took a deep breath. "I was disowned."
    Kiseop straightened instantly, worry filling his eyes. "Why?"
    "My parents found out that I not only liked women but men too, and they were angry at me." Eli grimaced. "They caught me with a duke." He averted his eyes, feeling his cheeks coloring.
    The Prince felt awkward in the silence that followed his confession, until Kiseop started laughing. Kiseop cupped Eli's cheek and turned his head, crushing their lips together.
    "Don't worry; I think I have a place in my restaurant for you." Kiseop smirked over Eli's lips, accepting the deep kiss that followed.
    "Really? And what place is it exactly?"
    "My personal adviser." Kiseop locked his arms around Eli's neck and kissed him again, and again, and again.
    A familiar song started echoing through the mansion and Eli got up, pulling Kiseop with him,  AJ's voice flying into the night and Kiseop chuckling. "It's our song."
    "I love you." Eli brought his arm around Kiseop's waist, holding him close to his body while with the other he held Kiseop's hand in-between their chests, over their synchronized heartbeats.
    "I love you." Kiseop murmured back, his fingers playing with the hair on Eli's nape.
    Since that day their lives were being filled with laughter and love, in a town with all of their beloved friends and a restaurant that had an ex-grizzly and an ex-cat as the main dancing waiters.
    And as the saying goes: They lived happily ever after.
    
       ✰ ✰ ✰                                                  The End                                               ✰ ✰ ✰
   

E.L.: Heeey~ It was time for me to make an appearance here, right? xD

Kiseop: *blink blink blink* What is that?

E.L.: My beast! 13K+ words!

 

Eli: You're lucky  your sister edited that for you!


E.L.: Well~ If you waited till I'd edit THAT then you'd be too old to read without glasses >.<

Eli: Hmmm...


Kiseop: Anyway, the story is too long on its own, let's keep the postscript short.


E.L.: Yeah! You're right!

Eli: Then-

E.L.: I hope you liked it! (You too S.L. :P) I'll try to have the next parody ready earlier than this one (Christmas break is near the corner, either way) and maybe make it shorter next time.....maybe......?

Eli:

Until then~ Byebyebeee~


Fairytale: The princess and the frog (Disney, 2009 production)
Cast:
Tiana→ Kiseop
Prince Naveen→ Eli
Charlotte La Bouff→ Nana
Dr. Facilier→ (Shadow) Xander
Mr. La Bouff→ Mr. Goodwin
James→ Mr. Lee
Eudora→ Mrs. Lee
Mama Odie→(Papa) Dongho
Lawrence→ Gerard
Ray (lightbugg)→ AJ (cat)
Louis (crocodile)→ Soohyun (bear)
Evening Star→ Kevinie/Kevin
The snake (snake)→ Hoon (bunny)

(P.S. Please ignore any mistakes that we failed to correct, thank you~  Please comment so I'll know you liked it and didn't get bored with it.❤)