Mulan sat cross-legged on the couch, her eyes skimming over the page of the book she held, but not actually seeing the words. She peeked at the clock above the microwave in the tiny kitchenette, before peering out the window to search for the sun.

The sky was dark, the last of the vibrant hues of the sunset's golden blood-orange were retreating below the rooftops. The sun had gone for the night, sinking sleepily below the horizon to lay in wait for another day's dawn.

Perfect.

Mulan flicked her book closed with a snap, and tossed it on the couch. She stretched, smoothed the front of her clean navy blouse with a nervous hand, and called out to her girlfriend.

"'Rora!" She called, her voice carrying down the short hallway to the open door of the other girl's room. "C'mere. I want to show you something."

"What is it?" Aurora queried, poking her head out to see what the fuss was. She was clothed in little more than a gossamer silk nightdress. The translucent cream fabric shimmered and shifted with her every movement, cupping her bosom and flowing elegantly over her hips. A hem of delicate lace teased just above the knee. Mulan had to momentarily remind herself how to breathe.

"You'll see" The warrior said with a wan grin. She strode across the room, took the princess's hand in her own, and tugged gently towards the window, looking over her shoulder in askance. Daring her to follow.

Aurora complied, curiosity kindling to life in her azure eyes, and she allowed herself to be guided towards the windowsill. Mulan momentarily unwound her fingers from her lovers, extirpating herself from the grasp, and gripped the window frame, pushing hard with a murmured 'oof' as the glass windowpane slid upwards under her brute force.

She locked the window securely in place with the tiny brass latch, before swinging her legs over and out. The soles of her worn boots barely made a sound as they landed on the cool metal slats of the fire escape.

She silently held out a hand, gallantly inviting her princess to follow. Aurora paused a moment, arching an eyebrow, before slowly surrendering to Mulan's lead. Her nightshift whispered along her thigh as she stepped over the sill and out into the cool night air.

The lights of the quiet city were spread out below, tiny pinpricks of luminescence in the almost impenetrable darkness. The streets were empty at this time of night, and nary a soul disturbed the peaceful world of the sleepy town.

Storybrooke is our home, Aurora thought with a sad smile. It always will be.

It was where they belonged. Others may have left and returned to the Enchanted Forest through portals or ventured off into the far reaches of the world to explore and start lives of their own, but Aurora and Mulan had opted to stay behind. Someone would need to take care of the town and its people. This was their place. This was their new start. This was their happy ending.

Mulan tugged her from her reveries, pulling her up the narrow metal stairs to the roof of their apartment complex.

A petit table draped with a white satin cloth sat upon the rooftop. A pair of wrought-iron deck chairs were perched in the welcoming glow of candle-light. A single wine-red rose rested upon the table next to a diminutive black ring box. A tiny teardrop diamond sparkled, cradled in the crux of a simple golden band. The many facets reflected the flickering flames, tossing shards of light into the darkness.

The princess let out a little gasp, her fingers flying to her mouth as she struggled to comprehend the scene. Tears welled in her eyes, as the implications sunk in.

Mulan ran her fingers nervously through her hair, her eyes looking everywhere but Aurora's face.

Shit. She probably hates it.

"I… I know it's not perfect. I wanted to impress you and take you to Ireland and show you all of the places you wanted to see in the world. The green hills and the cliffs, but the flights were canceled because of a storm and the stupid lady wouldn't give me the money back or let me switch the flight so—." Mulan's ramblings were cut short by Aurora's lips capturing her mouth midsentence.

Her fears, her doubts, and all her ruined planning seemed to fade into oblivion like morning dew beneath the rays of the sun.

"It's beautiful. I couldn't think of anything better." Tears of jubilation stained the princess's cheeks in blotchy rivulets as she gazed into the dark eyes of her mate.

Mulan grinned crookedly, her heart lighter than air. She leaned forward, wrapping Aurora in an embrace, their foreheads touching. Breathing the same air under the same sky. They stood a moment in complete quiet, reveling in their togetherness.

The warrior cleared her throat. "So…Aurora, will you—" Mulan's question was cut short again by Aurora's hungry lips, hot and insistent.

Yes. Yes. Today, tomorrow, and every day after. The princess's body seemed to say, the message clearly read in the vibration of every cell and sinew. Rapture was etched in her very soul. I am yours and you are mine.

Mulan's head swam, and the night was alight with stars.

They broke their kiss, breathless, panting, laughing, and crying.

"The best is yet to come, princess." The warrior whispered, indicating the glittering heavens with a nod of her head.

Aurora's face turned upwards, her neck craned back as she scoured the skies. Her face and hair were basked in the pallor of the moon's soft glow. Chestnut tresses looked nearly black in the night's shadows, and stars were reflected in the ice-clear pools of her eyes. Somehow, even in darkness, the princess shone with an ethereal beauty. Fey-like and otherworldly. Untouchable and unreal.

I can't believe she's mine. Mulan thought. My other half.

A flash of light arced across the sky and Aurora gasped, rocking forward on her toes and pointing with excitement. "Look! Look! Did you see it?!"

Mulan watched out of the corner of her eye as the meteor disintegrated, blazing out in a flash of brilliance. "Yes. Beautiful." She murmured, far more focused on Aurora than the multitudes of stars that dotted the sky above.

Tentatively she reached out, stroking the princess's hair. It was smooth and soft to the touch, like fine spun silk or satin. She wove a lock between her fingers delicately, and playfully tucked the ringlet behind Aurora's ear.

"Have you ever seen anything so perfect?" Aurora whispered, eyes shining in the pale moonlight.

"No, never." And the swordswoman spoke truly, her eyes unerringly trained on the upturned face of her new fiancée. Everything was exquisitely radiant, and the future seemed nearly as bright as the distant stars.