More crowded than usual, the Rabbit Hole was filled with almost everyone who attended the town meeting. Belle had been congratulated on more than one occasion by the town people for how well she handle the tactless woman from Camelot. Blue even thanked her.
Ruby and Mulan might not have been an actual couple but what they stood for was very real. The words that they said and the sentiment behind them were genuine. They deserved the attention and free drinks they continued to receive from the residents of Storybrooke. Luckily, those who opposed the fake relationship had not chosen to join them them at the bar.
It was a pretend relationship, Belle knew it, Mulan and Ruby knew it, although Mulan didn't know that Belle knew. Which put Belle in an uncomfortable situation.
Ruby was a bit more flirtatious than usual when Wolf's Time approached. This being the last night before the first night of change meant Belle had to watch as Ruby hung all over Mulan. Hands roaming freely around the girl's waist as they chatted with whomever was currently congratulating them.
Touch became a constant between the two of them for the night. Ruby's head would would find its way into the crook of Mulan's neck. Mulan's hand would rest on Ruby's leg as they sat by one another. Her hand would touch her shoulder if she got up get another drink. A knot formed in Belle's stomach, wondering if every touch that Mulan returned was calculated.
It was particularly annoying when she found herself seated across from the faux couple with Merida by her side. "You know your eyes are absolutely stunning," Mulan said as she stared at Ruby. "They've always been pretty but tonight, just wow."
Not the most articulate of compliments but it made Belle sick. She wasn't jealous, ok maybe she was, but more than that she was concerned for Ruby. Mulan was playing a game pretending to be in love, while Ruby was falling faster every minute. "It's too dim in this bar for you to see her eyes," Belle snapped, not aware of the bitterness in her voice. The surprised look on Ruby's face meant she had heard it.
"The darkness makes them even more intense," Mulan seemed unphased by Belle's comment. She turned fully toward Ruby then and placed her hand under Ruby chin and kissed her gently. "They glow more brightly as the full moon approaches. One could count the phases of the moon by the light in your eyes." If Belle wasn't sick to her stomach she definitely was now. She had to look away.
Merida who had sat quiet until that moment made an audible groan and reached for her glass. Her hand clumsily bumped the glass across from her, spilling it over onto Mulan's lap. "Would ya look at me," Merida said as Mulan leapt from the booth. "I'm such a horrible clutz." Merida's hands reached for Mulan's legs with a napkin. Mulan took the napkin from her hand.
"It's nothing that won't dry given time," Mulan laughed as she blotted her pants with a napkin.
Ruby slid out of the booth and possessively wrapped her arm around Mulan, "Let me help you with that." Belle watched as they walked toward the bathroom. She wondered if this would be when Ruby would tell Mulan about her feelings. She couldn't think of a less romantic place to confess those kinds of feelings.
Her head was dizzy, not quite spinning as they approached the bathroom, "Ruby, what are we doing?" Mulan's speech wasn't slurred but it was far from perfect. She asked the question knowing the answer. The alcohol that coursed through her veins made her far from her usual reserved self and quieted the voice in her head telling her this was a bad idea.
"What do you want to be doing?" The questioned dripped with innuendo. Ruby eyes swirled with something animalistic and Mulan felt it too. The events of the night, the playful touching, the constant kissing, the residents of Storybrooke telling them they were the most attractive, it had felt anything but fake. Mulan felt the world slip away, there was nothing, no bar, no Aurora or Philip. There was only this moment.
Her lips firmly pressed to Ruby's as they pushed through the door of the bathroom. Their position change as Mulan became the initiator. It was the first time they kissed with no watching eyes and Ruby wanted it to be Mulan's choice.
Mulan's tongue begged for further entrance slowly and deliberately caressing Ruby's upper lip. Their kissed deepened as their tongues explored one another's mouths. They continued kissing, moving deeper into the restroom until Ruby's hips met the back of the sink.
"Oww," Ruby laughed and Mulan pulled back. Their eyes met for a moment. Ruby's hand found its way to the side of Mulan's face and caressed her cheek gently, before moving to her hair and pulling her back toward Ruby's mouth.
Mullan moved with urgency, pressing Ruby further against the bathroom sink and pushing her off the ground. Long limbs wrapped around Mulan's back as she stabilized herself on the edge of the sink. Mulan hands gripped her waist tightly as any existing space between them disappeared.
Mulan tenderly kissed the side of Ruby's neck. Deliberately, slowly peppering the softest of touch down toward the neck line. With same intentional and agonizingly slow movements Mulan's hands found their way to the bottom of Ruby's shirt, making contact with bare skin. A growl rolled out of the back of Ruby's throat as she tightened her legs' grip on Mulan pulling her in closer.
Inch by tortuously slow inch, Mulan's hands explored upward. Ruby pushed hard back against Mulan and released the hold her legs had on her, "Wait."
"I'm sorry. I'm not sure what came over me." She shook her head as she pulled away. "I've had a few too many, got caught up in the moment and I crossed a line."
"It's not that," Ruby answered as she bit her lower lip. She slid off of the sink, standing in front of Mulan. "I just, I need to tell you something and i don't think I should wait any longer."
"Are you ok?" Mulan took Ruby's hand in her own. "You can tell me anything."
"I sure hope so," Ruby nervously replied. "Mulan, I…" There was a drunken haze of confusion that clouded Mulan's eyes and Ruby knew now wasn't the time and certainly wasn't the place. "Would you want to go on a date some time? Just you and I."
"Sure," Mulan arched a brow in confusion. "Was that it?"
"I was thinking we'd go somewhere quiet," Ruby avoided answering Mulan's question. "Somewhere we could talk just the two of us, maybe a picnic by the lake."
"I'm free tomorrow evening. If that's not too close to night to interfere with your transformation with it being Wolf's time tomorrow night," Mulan was rambling a bit.
"That sounds perfect," Ruby smiled and kissed her.
"Though," She swallowed hard. "A picnic by the lake," She nervously rubbed the back of her neck. "Isn't really a place where anyone else would see us being a couple. Should we-" Ruby cut through her words with a deep kiss.
"That's kinda the point," Ruby breathlessly responded as she pulled away. Mulan's eyes glanced at her full of question as she started to open her lips she was met again with Ruby's.
"Ugh," Grumpy groaned. "Get a room." He playfully chastised as he and entered the bathroom, Astrid's arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders.
"I think they did," the former fairy, current pseudo-nun said as she kissed him. "They just beat us to it."
"Too bad Snow isn't here to witness her two favorite sidekicks both trying to get it on in the same bathroom," Grumpy laughed.
"Yeah, too bad," Ruby's smile faded as she felt Mulan pull away.
"Excuse," Mulan stepped past them in the doorway. "I'm going to get another drink." She stumbled slightly as she exited.
"You should probably slow down," Grumpy said with a slight smile and passed by Mulan taking her place in the booth "Or else, Ruby will have to carry you home."
"Right, wouldn't want that," Mulan sighed heavily as she walked toward the bar and Ruby followed a few paces behind.
"Are you alright?" Belle asked Ruby who hadn't taken her eyes off of Mulan. "Did you tell her yet?" Ruby shook her head as she sat down in the booth silently across from the her friend.
After Mulan had fetched another drink she didn't return to the Ruby in the booth. Instead, she made her way over to Merida who was drinking with the Merrymen.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Belle asked as she placed her hand on top of Ruby's. "You don't look alright."
"I'm fine," Ruby answered after a moment. "We had a moment. I asked her on a date." She kept glancing back to Mulan who seemed to be having an amazing time in Merida's company. Currently, they were arm wrestling the Merrymen.
"You asked your fake girlfriend on a date?" Belle laughed as she took another sip. "Fake or Real?"
"Real," Ruby said still watching Mulan. She had no reason or right to monopolize Mulan's time. There was also no reason to be jealous of Merida. She wasn't the object of Mulan's affection. Merida posed no threat at all. Except, when Mulan laughed. She threw her head back and heartily chuckled at the girl's remarks. Ruby had never made Mulan laugh like that.
"Does she know it's a real date?" Belle skeptically asked.
"I hope so," Ruby answered. "I'm definitely going to tell her how I really feel tomorrow."
A drink or two later there was a loud crashing sound coming from outside of the building followed by a monstrous roar. Ruby and Belle were in the back of the bar and made it to the street last.
When they got outside, Philip was next to Lancelot who was driving the sheriff's car. Merida and Mulan were standing close by. Most of the other patrons had scattered off, afraid of whatever made that noise.
There was an assortment of weapons in the back seat of the sheriff's. "It's not Maleficent," Phillip said as he grabbed a sword. "I've seen Maleficent in dragon form. She's purple and much more terrifying."
"Maleficent's here?" Mulan asked looking to Philip as her old friend handed her a sword.
"We've made peace," Phillip said as she put a hand on Mulan's shoulder. "We just want to raise her child and so do we."
"What happened?" Merida grabbed a bow and arrow from the back seat. She cursed under her breath at the poor craftsmanship.
"Not sure," There's a trail of destruction that started in the woods and seems to be headed toward the library.
"Should you even been carrying one of those?" Ruby asked as she stepped to Mulan's side. "You've had too much to drink?"
"Even drunk, Mulan is more than able to use a sword," Philip laughed. "Blindfolded with ear muffs in, she's still the best swordsman- er swordswoman I've ever met. But it's sweet that you're worried."
"Yeah, thanks babe," Mulan added with a forced kissed on the cheek. The gesture made Ruby cringe. Everything that had just occurred minutes ago was gone. "With luck I won't need to use it." She smiled at her.
There was another roar followed by a small puff of fire. The six of them followed the sound to an alleyway behind the library. It was a dragon alright, though it was only the size of a large horse.
It roared and shot fire at them as it approached. "Stand back, you vile creature," Lancelot said as he readied his sword. "I'm not afraid to put you down."
"You will do no such thing you daft bastard," Merida said as she shoved past him. "It's already badly injured."
A trail of blood lead from its wing and head right back to a broken window in the library. It attempted to fly and landed back on the ground with a hard thud. "It looks like it tried to force its way in," Mulan pointed.
"Why would it need to do that?" Philip asked.
"Lilly," Belle said as she stepped toward the creature. Hesitantly, she approached the injured dragon. "Are you Lilly?" It roared once more.
"Who's Lilly?" Ruby asked as she slowly approached the creature.
"Maleficent's daughter," Belle answered. "They've been sort of living in the space below the library. She's just been looking for her mother."
As if magically summoned by calling her name, the sorceress appeared in a cloud of purple smoke. The pointy end of Mulan's sword met the chin of Maleficent.
"Ah, Mulan, it's nice to meet you," She said pushing the sword away. "You certainly live up to the legend."
"And that's your daughter?" Mulan asked pointing to the dragon.
"Well, yes, though she's not always a dragon," Maleficent answered. "Usually, she's a much less friendly human." The sorceress moved toward Belle then. "We were practicing transformation in the woods. It worked as you said. Lilly was able to access her inner shifter just as the book suggests. The problem now is that she can't shift back."
"Is there a color that suppresses dragon transformation?" Ruby asked. "For wolves it's red."
"I don't think there is," Belle shook her head.
They argued amongst themselves for a few minutes, coming up with different solutions and then shooting them down. Merida stepped away from the group and reached for something in her pocket. A small vial that contained a silver liquid. She poured it on the tip of one of the arrows and shot it at the beast.
It made a horrible howl and collapsed before transforming back into Lilly. "What was that?" Maleficent asked as her daughter stood up slowly and staggered toward her with an arrow sticking out of her arm.
"It's wolfsbane," Ruby answered for Merida, her nostrils twitching at the smell.
"You should get her to the hospital," Merida ignored Ruby and turned to Maleficent. "Whale has an antidote but it needs to be administered soon."
"I'll drive you," Lancelot offered. "My car is down the road."
"I'll help you carry her," Phillip said noticing the tension in the air. He glanced back to Mulan and carefully placed Lilly's injured arm over his neck.
"Merida," Mulan took a deep breath. "Why are you carrying Wolfsbane?"
"Do you have any idea what that could do to Ruby?" Belle's voice was frantic.
"She knows precisely what it could do to me," Ruby stepped toward Merida her body was rigid. "Don't you?"
"An arrow with a tip coated in wolfsbane, if shot in your heart, would kill you in five seconds," Merida barely finished answering before she was lifted from the ground and slammed into the wall by Ruby. "But I wouldn't shoot you in the heart." Merida attempted to wriggle free from her grasp.
"Ruby stop," Mulan pleaded as she stepped to her side.
"Why would you carry it at all?" Belle asked. "Ruby's not a threat to anyone."
"I find that a little hard to believe given my current situation," Merida shouted back, as Ruby held her tightly. "I'm just looking out for you, Mulan."
"I don't need you to protect me," Mulan protested as she placed a hand firmly on Ruby's shoulder "Ruby, please let her go."
"She is not yours to look after," Ruby's voice was distant, buried under an animalistic growl.
"That is not for you to decide," Merida kicked Ruby hard in the knee in attempt to free herself. But it had the opposite effect. Ruby's grip tightened. There was an audible pop as Merida's shoulder slipped out of socket. She let out a loud cry.
"What did you just do?" Mulan cried out as she dropped to her knees.
"I didn't mean to," Ruby stammered through her shock. "I just-"
"Don't know your own strength?" Merida spat out. "You're a fool. You all are. But you the most." She turned to Mulan with tears of anger flooding her eyes.
"Me?" Mulan reared backward.
"She doesn't love you, Mulan" Merida stated factually. There was a pregnant pause as Mulan tried to think of what to say. "I saw her and Belle together in the library just yesterday, kissing."
"Mulan, it wasn't," Belle started to say. "I kissed her."
"Wait," Mulan looked to Ruby. "What?"
"That may be but Ruby didn't pull away," Merida added.
"You have no clue what you're talking about," Ruby argued. She pulled Mulan toward her. "Listen, it's not-"
"It doesn't matter," all the light fell from Mulan's eyes as she looked at Ruby. "I'm going to take Merida to the doctor." They walked away. Thousands of words bounced around in Ruby's head but none of them were the right one.
Sunset was nearing as Ruby sat on the a blanket by the side of her lake by herself. Mulan was late; Ruby felt foolish thinking she would show at all. She started to pack away the meal Granny had prepared for them when there was a sound of someone approaching from behind.
Ruby didn't need to turn around to face her, she recognized Mulan's scent. "I was beginning to doubt that you would come," Ruby said. "But I'm glad you did."
Mulan dropped a small metal sword on the ground by Ruby's side. "Pick it up," Mulan flatly said. Ruby stared confusedly up at her. "You said you wanted lessons. Why not start now?"
She grabbed the sword and stood slowly, "I was hoping we'd talk first."
"I'm not sure what there is to say," Mulan lifted her sword. "Raise your weapon," she said firmly. Ruby half heartedly raised the sword across her chest.
"Last night," Ruby started to speak but was cut off by Mulan's sword meeting her own.
"Last night, was a mistake," Mulan's sword clanked against hers once more.
"A mistake?" Ruby asked as she pushed Mulan back with her sword. "Do you really feel that way?" Mulan didn't answer with words she just swung once more. "You can't think-"
"I don't know what I think," Mulan tossed her sword to the ground. "You're obviously not doing this for the sword fighting lessons."
"What?"
"You're not a novice," Mulan huffed and gestured toward the firm grip she had on a sword. "Who taught you?'
"Charming has taught me some basics," Ruby sighed as Mulan looked to the sky. "But we quickly realized that my wolf abilities were more handy in a fight. I've always wanted to know more."
"I can't figure you out," Mulan turned away and looked at her feet. "Why lie about that? Why lie about anything? Has it really been about Belle?" Before Ruby could muster an answer. "Wouldn't you just tell me you had feelings for her? Especially when I've been nothing but honest with you about my feelings for Aurora."
"I don't. It isn't- this wasn't ever about Belle," Ruby stumbled through her words. "That kissed just sort of happened. If you'll just let me-"
"Like what almost sort of happened in the bathroom last night," Mulan said with anger.
"No," Ruby stepped toward Mulan. "That was something else. We had a moment there, a real one." She took her arms in hers. "I know you felt it too."
"Tell me you don't have feelings for her," her voice was firm and cold. "That you never did."
"I'm not going to lie to you," Ruby answered. "There's an attraction, there always has been but it's-"
"Then there's nothing else to say," Mulan retorted.
"Yes, there is," Ruby pulled Mulan toward her and kissed her deeply.
"No," Mulan pushed her away. "What we felt last night was lust. An alcohol induced confusion. Nothing more."
"That isn't true," Ruby wrapped her arm around the girl's waist and took Mulan's hand in her own. She placed it on her chest just above her heart. Mulan felt it beat; hectic, strong, "You don't have to hold it in your bare hand to know-"
"You love Belle," Mulan voice waivered as she felt Ruby's heart pound beneath her chest. "And I love-" Ruby kissed her again and Mulan kissed her back.
"Mulan," Ruby's forehead rested against Mulan's."When this started I didn't think it… things changed."
"I know," Mulan pulled away. " But a person can't love two people at once. We can't keep pretending we're together. It only makes it harder to separate reality from fantasy."
"I don't want to pretend anymore," Ruby softly spoke. "I want to be-"
"Stop," Mulan said firmly. "Please let me say this before I lose the will." Ruby's head hung low. "I'm going to tell Aurora tonight."
"Tonight?" Ruby swallowed hard. She could feel the wolf stirring in her, anxious to get out. The sun was almost completely gone from the sky.
"The whole truth. All of it," Mulan voice was soft. "She deserves nothing less. So does Granny."
"She already knows," Ruby sighed. "She knew how I felt before I did."
"Is there anything you haven't lied to me about?" Mulan asked before dismissively waving her hand. "The people of Camelot think they're close to finding a way back."
"They what?"
"Something about the remains of Jefferson's hat," Mulan shrugged, the details didn't matter. "It might take a while to line all of the pieces up but they're building a portal." She turned away. "I'm going with them."
"To Camelot?" Ruby felt as if all the the air had been knocked out of her lungs.
"To Camelot," Mulan answered. "Or Dunbroch."
"To be with Merida?" Ruby asked
"Not to be with Merida," Mulan shook her head. "I don't see us that way."
"She certainly sees you that way," Ruby mumbled under her breath.
"There's nothing for me here," Mulan weakly confessed. "I came here to tell Aurora that I have feelings for her despite the fact that she loves another and instead I got so wrapped up-" She ran her fingers through her hair. "I need to tell her. I need to do what's honorable. Belle loves you, you know."
"She doesn't," Ruby argued. "We're just friends. Rumple is her true love."
"Rumple might not ever come back," Mulan answered studying Ruby's eyes. "Can you honestly say part of you doesn't hope that he never returns?" Ruby said nothing. "I see the way she looks at you. There's love there."
"Even if there is, does it matter? What if that not what I want?" Ruby started to argue but stopped as she felt her body start to change. She usually had more control than this over the transformation. "You should go."
"Ruby, I'm-"
"Leave now," Ruby growled. Mulan gave her one wide eyed glance before she followed her commands. The change came quickly after.
The wolf ran deeper in the woods. Ruby felt relief with each step. The fresh air was exactly what she needed to clear her mind and focus. She felt at one with herself, at one with the wolf. She was completely in control of her emotions.
Until she picked up a familiar scent. In an instant the wolf took cover. She fell in and out of consciousness as the wolf lead her out of the woods and back into town. It was relentless in searching for its target. When she reached the library, she lost total control of the animal.
Everything went black.
When Ruby came to she was handcuffed to the bedpost of Mulan's bed, wearing nothing but a pair of Mulan's boxers and a her bra. Sheer red drapes hung from the ceiling. If it had been any other night, Ruby would have assumed something incredibly sexy happened.
She heard rustling coming from the other room. A second later, Merida appeared. "Merida," Ruby shouted. "Where's Mulan? She not. I didn't? Where is she?"
"Calm down. She's fine. Granny said you probably wouldn't remember anything," Merida sat next to her on the bed and uncuffed her. "Mulan went to go get breakfast."
"What happened last night?" Ruby asked as she sat up.
"You really want to know?" Merida arched a brow and asked.
"Tell me everything," Ruby said firmly.
