A shared pain
Wanli8970: asked for a oneshot of Emma comforting Mulan who is feeling down about being separated from Shang Yu by telling her how she felt when separated from her parents. Set during Snow and Emma's time in the Enchanted Forest in season 2.
Emma woke up to the sound of quiet sniffling. She looked beside her to see Snow was sound asleep. She sat up and could just see from the dim glow of the fire that Aurora was also sound asleep. She then looked to where Mulan was sitting keeping watch. Emma could tell by her hunched shoulders that it was her crying. As silently as possible, Emma got up and walked over to her.
"Mulan?" She whispered. Mulan jumped, grabbing her sword and turned to face her. She relaxed when she saw Emma.
"What's wrong?" She asked rather curtly. "Is there a threat?" Emma shook her head.
"No, it's just…I heard you crying." Emma said awkwardly. Mulan looked down.
"I wasn't crying." She said stubbornly. Emma didn't need her super power to know that she was lying.
"If you say so. But you know there's nothing wrong with crying…the others are asleep. They'll never know if you tell me what's wrong." Emma offered. Mulan was touched that Emma was reaching out to her after the introduction they'd had.
"I just miss Shang." Mulan said quietly. "My boyfriend. I haven't seen him since before the curse hit." Emma felt for Mulan, even though she had not aged she hadn't seen her partner for nearly three decades.
"I'm sure you'll see him again." Emma tried to encourage her. "I know it sucks just now. But it'll be better than you can ever imagine when you see him again."
"How would you know? You ever been separated from the person you love for nearly three decades?" Mulan snapped. Emma shrugged.
"I only met my parents officially about a week ago. And now I'm separated from my dad and son. I grew up in care. I always wondered what it would be like when they found me. If they found me. As a kid you imagine the most stupid things: they lost you, never meant to give you up. When you grow up you realise that it's probably the exact opposite. But of course I was wrong. Don't tell Snow I said this, but I know that they love me. They had to give me up even though it hurt them too. I also know that when you see Shang again, you'll see so much love in his eyes it might frighten you a little. You will see him again. It's going to be ok." Mulan hastily wiped her eyes and turned back to where she was keeping watch from.
"You should get some sleep. It'll be your turn next." Emma nodded, going back to her spot round the fire. Emma knew Mulan just needed time to compose herself. She just hoped she had helped.