If I Can't Love Him

The Last Petal

After fending off some particularly aggressive forks and a coat rack, Roman was able to sneak up the stairs to the west wing. Virgil quietly followed when he saw a window of opportunity to do so.

Roman's sword was drawn. He was on high alert. He saw a faint source of light and followed it into a large disheveled room. He spotted a torn portrait with disturbingly familiar features. He shook his head and ignored his uneasy feeling. He had to prove that he was stronger than this castle. That he could defeat the monster.

Remus was right out in the balcony when he spotted Roman and looked up. He couldn't make out his face for the shadows. "Come to kill me I suppose?"

Roman sneered "Very perceptive of you beast! Are you gonna fight back? Defend yourself?"

Remus simply shrugged.

Roman scoffed "Too kind and gentle I suppose."

Roman raised his sword to put the creature out of its misery.

Remus braced himself for the end when-

"Remus! No!" Yelled Patton's voice.

In a moment of adrenaline, Remus grabbed Roman's arm and threw the sword to the side pinning the man down to the ground.

Remus made eye contact with him "Roman?"

Roman growled and pulled out a dagger. He stabbed a distracted Remus and pushed the creature off. He took off running down the stairs where he was met by one Virgil.

Patton gasped and ran to Remus who was now bleeding on the ground.

Remus raised his paw to Patton's face "Patton. It's you." He said weakly.

Patton nodded "Yes, I'm here. Now save your strength I'll get you patched up and-"

Remus shook his head "It's too late for me. A-at least I got to see you one... one last time."

"Shhh don't talk like that." Patton said, cradling Remus as best he could. "We're together now everything is going to be alright."

Remus looked at him sadly "You don't understand."

Patton looked down at the beast, tears in his eyes. "You're my home. Stay with me."

The light faded from Remus' eyes and his body went limp.

"No. No." Patton let out a sob. "Please! Don't leave me!"

The last petal fell from the rose.

"I love you." Patton said softly, tears streaming from his eyes.

For a moment, the only sound was Patton's sobs and the wind whistling by. But a new sound came. Something that sounded foreign and magical. Almost like music. All of the fallen petals from the rose came and swirled around Remus' lifeless body.

Patton looked up in confusion. There was a blue and green glow coming from within the body of the beast and he was slowly lifted into the air, seemingly by the petals. Patton moved back startled. He watched as the petals seemed to multiply and completely hid Remus from view. There was a blinding flash of light that forced Patton too look away.

When he looked back he saw a body surrounded by the blue petals. But he was no beast. He was a man.

Patton backed away more, startled and confused.

The man stirred and slowly rose to his feat. He turned and looked down at Patton and-

He looked like Roman. Roman with a mustache.

"Wh- what's going on? Where's Remus?!" Patton asked, slightly panicked.

The man looked down at him and smiled softly "Patton. It's me." He offered his hand to the boy who took it hesitantly and was pulled up into the strange man's arms.

"Patton look into my eyes."

Patton looked and concentrated, puzzled. Then he realized "Remus?"

The man nodded.

"It is you!" Patton grabbed Remus' hair and kissed his newly human lips. They stayed like that for a moment, locked in each other's embrace.

Remus pulled out to look at him. "I'd love to celebrate with you in a more intimate way. But I think that I have some explaining to do and some people to check on."

Patton giggled and nodded. Taking Remus' hand they walked down the steps. The entire castle seemed to be covered in a magical wave that transformed everything from dark and sinister to light and filled with joy.

Roman looked up to where Patton and Remus had appeared at the top of the stairs. He gasped as his memories came back. "Remus!" He called.

Remus dropped Patton's hand and ran down to hug the nearly identical man.

Virgil looked at Patton who shrugged at him.

"Is there something you two would like to tell us?" Virgil asked.

Remus looked at him and smiled "Allow me to introduce myself." He gave a small dramatic bow. "I am duke Remus and this is my twin brother. Prince Roman."

Roman gave an awkward little wave at Virgil and Patton, who were understandably going through various states of shock.

Roman looked at the other three "Yep. He's my brother and I'm a prince. Though, I am very confused. What exactly happened? My memory is hazy."

Remus scratched his head awkwardly "It's a long story."

"We have time."

Remus sighed and told his tale. How the sorcerer came and cursed him. About the rose. About how only love could break the spell.

Roman listened and nodded along. "And Patton fell in love with you?"

Patton smiled and held onto Remus' arm. "I did."

Roman looked at them and smiled "Well I'm glad. Really. I always knew there was good in you Re. Sorry about trying to kill you by the way."

Remus shrugged "Well at least it all worked out in the end."

Virgil cleared his throat "So... since your brother is back and in love with Patton I guess that means you're ready to move on?"

Roman blushed and looked at Patton apologetically.

Patton smiled at him "All's well that ends well."

Roman looked at Virgil "Yeah. I think I'd better stop chasing something unattainable and start looking right in front of me."

Virgil blushed softly and hugged Roman.

Remus and Patton smiled at the two and shared another kiss.

"Move! I'm gay." Was heard from across the room.

Remus and Patton turned to look at where Roman and Virgil had been bumped out of the way by a now human Remy. Emile ran after and apologized to the two who had been knocked over.

Remus smiled brightly "Remy! Emile! It's good to see you."

Remy nodded and sipped on a coffee that he had apparently had time to make. Emile smiled brightly and kissed Remy's cheek. Remus chuckled and looked around as servants celebrated their return to human forms.

Remus threw his arm around Patton and they greeted everyone. Roman had reunions with all the people he'd magically forgotten over the years.

There was celebration all around. After long last the duke had found love. And the spell was finally broken.