This is my first fic, born out of a random late night conversation involving Granny's sass and speculations on what our FTL friends would think of certain additions to the bedroom.
I own nothing
Ruby sighed as she adjusted her apron and hefted the large serving tray over her right shoulder. Life was finally starting to get back to normal after Cora and Hook's unpleasant visit from the other realm. Or at least whatever you could attempt to call normal when your hometown was inhabited by nearly every storybook character ever written.
While the town was still groaning and adjusting to the changes of not only awaking from a curse, but defending itself from the Mother of All Evil and her cronies, and the nuns – fairies - whatever - kept busy by cooking up a set of spells to mimic Rumpelstiltskin's barrier breaking potion, the residents of Storybrooke were allowing themselves a chance to relax and enjoy the some of the positive things being in a world formerly without magic had to offer.
And some are enjoying themselves more than others, Ruby thought to herself as she lowered the platter of food in front of Storybrooke's two newest citizens. When Aurora and Mulan arrived through the portal Emma had created to blast Cora back through to the other side, they were shocked to say the least.
There had been a brief period where everything in this realm made the duo uneasy. Having to explain how modern plumbing worked was a memorable afternoon for everyone staying at Granny's B&B. Ruby suppressed a smile at that memory. She didn't think the water heater would ever be the same.
"Here you go girls. Enjoy!" Ruby allowed herself to grin as Aurora and Mulan slowly dragged their individual plates in front of them, cautious of this new and odd cuisine. They had arrived at the diner together that morning, a bit shy in their modern clothes, though Ruby was surprised at how natural each woman looked in their attire. Aurora in a pretty floral dress, borrowed from Bell no doubt, and Mulan in slacks and a t-shirt that read "Miner's Day '99"
They had been interested in the different types of food this modern realm had to offer ever since Henry had shared with them his stash of pop tarts. "Belle told us you were the person to come to with such questions," Mulan informed Ruby when they arrived earlier.
"So, whatcha think?" Ruby leaned against the edge of the booth and watched as Aurora tentatively picked up her burger and took a bite. "Oh my, " she breathed, as she took another, larger bite. "This is wonderful!" Mulan simply nodded in agreement. The usual stoic warrior was elbow deep in a basket of french fries and showed no sign of coming up for air any time soon.
Ruby stifled a laugh as she watched Aurora purse her lips, half in annoyance, half in amusement, at her companion. With the danger quelled for the time being and a lack of immediate adventure, the quiet Storybrooke life had a unique effect on the two women. Ruby wasn't the only one who noticed that as the duo relaxed and adjusted to the town, they grew closer in more ways than one. Touches lasted longer, eyes lingered, and smiles were easier to come by.
"Remember to breathe girl!" Granny swept by with a stack of new menus, stopping short by the occupied booth and giving Mulan an appraising look.
"Apologies Granny, it's just this food is unlike anything in our land". Mulan swallowed hard and reached across the table and helped herself to the bottle of ketchup at its edge
"Don't I know it," Granny smirked, shifting her grip on the menus and giving her granddaughter a wink.
"Yes, modern conveniences, as you call them, are wonderful," Aurora chimed in, sipping her iced tea and blushing slightly as her hand brushed gently against Mulan's on its way to the container of sweeteners next to the condiments.
"Wait until you get a load of pay per view," smirked Granny, tilting her head back and laughing.
"Oh gods, Granny don't''. Ruby shuddered, turning to walk away from the group. Ok, so she might have let it slip that she though the princess and the warrior made a cute couple. And of course, without a battle to fight or anyone to threaten with her crossbow, Granny needed something to occupy her time. Apparently that new hobby was uniting these two women, and the sooner the better.
I just wish she had more tact sometimes, Ruby though has she tossed her tray up on the counter. For whatever reason the diner was dead today, aside from the prospect of young love sitting in the corner booth. Granny was still at the table, leaning close to the couple, her voice low. Ever since the curse broke, she has got more and more ornery, though Ruby, leaning behind the counter with her back to the diner. You'd think she still was having Wolf Time with the way she's been acting lately.
"RUBY, GET YOUR KEYS. WE'RE GOING FOR A RIDE".
Ruby stiffened as the shout rang through the empty diner. The brunette slowly turned to see Aurora, blushing deeply, standing next to the booth with Granny handing her and Mulan their coats. Mulan was giving Granny a sideways look that was a mixture of fascination and horror.
Ruby swallowed hard. She knew that look on her grandmother's face. No good can come from this.
"Get a move on girl, you're driving!" Granny tossed Ruby's coat at her from across the room.
Catching her jacket with one hand, Ruby fished her keys out of the register. She met Granny's eyes, reading the glint of mischief from behind the older woman's spectacles and asked the ultimate question. "Where?"
Well, should I keep going?