Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Would you look at these gemstones? Who knew manual labor could be so worth it, huh?” Eugene crows, running his hands over a brightly-shining garnet. “And the size of it, too! This thing’s almost as big as my face! Not as handsome, of course, but in terms of scale, it’s solid competition!”

But you’re distracted from the mining as you watch a streak of red bound out from Mulan’s home.

Growing up, Mushu was one of your dearest friends in the valley, but even back then… You’re not sure you would have expected the kind of care he showed just yesterday, when he enlisted you to help Beast with his self-confidence.

Eugene prods your shoulder, bringing you back from your thoughts. “Hey, buddy, are you even hearing me? And also, are you even seeing the giant gemstones ?”

“They’re impressive, alright,” you laugh. “But, uh, I think it’s time for me to move on, here. Is that okay?”

You don’t need to ask. He’ll understand, but… you hate to let anyone in the Valley down. And you’ve started to recognize that as the problem it is; in a sense, the same kind of thinking that led to your breakdown as a young teen, leaving a splintered-off Forgotten to deal with a mess of emotions. But it’s hard to accept that the re-discovered love you have for this place could be twisted into something dark again.

Eugene hesitates, and for a moment, you worry you have let him down. But, instead, he’s looking off to the east, up at a certain tall tower silhouetted by the rising sun.

“Yeah… I should probably get back to Storybook Vale soon, anyway.”

You worry at your lower lip. “Eugene–” He hushes you, and you correct yourself as you continue, “ Flynn , if you want–”

“I don’t,” he cuts in, tone gentle but firm. “Not yet… Hey, don’t worry about it. Relax, will ya? That’s- That’s my thing to work on. You’ve got all this, right?” He gestures around the Valley. “Gotta leave something for the rest of us. Just… Look out for her, alright? Especially when it comes to…” he trails off, jerking his head in the direction of Glade of Trust.

“Always.” Your tone is downright solemn. Some duties around the Valley matter even more than others, and this is one of them.

“Thanks.” Eugene smiles at you, a rare look of pure sincerity, before he pulls the swagger back up around him. With a two-finger salute, he heads off for the Dream Castle, and the Port of Many Worlds within. Once he’s left, you store away the royal pickaxe, and head off in the direction you saw Mushu go.

When you were young, Mushu was always encouraging you. Maybe he wasn’t always a good influence, no, but he was your hype man long before you’d even heard that term. Now, you want to return the favor.

“Hey, Mushu!” You spot him sitting at the base of the dragon statue you’d helped him make, stroking his whiskers as he admires the monument to his guardianship of the Valley. Now, this statue… That was the kind of behavior you usually expected from Mushu - looking out for others, sure, but in a self-congratulating way. “You’re up early.”

He laughs, getting to his feet. “Yeah, well, you know how it is… Mulan loves to get up early for some training, and you think I’m gonna leave my girl to cook breakfast for herself?” He puffs out his chest. “She relies on me for these things!”

Normally, you’d point out that Mulan can prepare her own breakfast– and then tease Mushu about how she could always rely on Remy, instead of him, if she doesn’t want to do it herself. But… As much as you two have fallen back into a playful dynamic, you’re just not feeling it right now. Instead, you crouch down, getting closer to his level in a way you hope is accommodating, not condescending.

“You know, you did a really good thing for Beast yesterday. I think it really helped him out.”

“Uh-huh. And do you know that you don’t need to sound so surprised by that?” Mushu quips, smirking. Clearly, he’s still going for the usual playfulness. “I am the Valley Guardian, after all.”

“I know, just… That was really great. You’re awesome, you know that?”

“Of course I do.” Mushu tilts his head to the side. “You remember I didn’t do it alone, though, right?”

You’re thrown by the praise being flipped back at you. “I- Oh- Yeah, but– I mean, that’s not–” 

“Not what? We were a team on this one, you and me. I mean, we always are. What I said about us doing the whole guardian thing together… You knew what I meant, right?”

“That… I was helping you with the M.U.S.H.U. program?”

Your answer gets an exasperated sigh from Mushu, who brings a hand up to the side of his head like it’s aching.

“Okay, so you didn’t know. I mean, yeah, I appreciate your help with the program! But it’s not like being a guardian to this place is new to you.” You can only blink, causing Mushu to gawk at you. “Hello? You’re the Ruler of the Valley! You’re always helping folks out here, looking after the place… You picked up the slack for me and then some while Mulan and I were gone.”

Your stomach feels like it’s twisting into a knot. “Picked up the slack? Mushu, I–”

You’re about to remind him who caused the Forgetting, but then you realize… He doesn’t know. He wasn’t here yet, when you and the others were learning about the Old Ruler, the Forgotten, how all of it was you. And suddenly, you feel so small. You wish you were small, young again and easily comforted by just a joke from the dragon in front of you.

“No, I’m the reason there was slack to pick up,” you spit out, dropping your gaze. “I messed this whole place up, Mushu! The Forgetting was my fault. I did that. I almost destroyed the Valley, because I wasn’t–”

Smart enough, strong enough.

Good enough.

But the words don’t come from your throat, which feels tight as your eyes start tearing up. And then, Mushu surprises you for the second time in two days. In the light of this confession, he reaches up and loops his arms around your neck in a hug.

“I know, kid,” he sighs - you didn’t realize you missed hearing him call you that; almost still don’t realize it because hearing he knew this already scares you. “Mulan and me, we heard.”

“Oh…”

“Now, before you start freaking out - and I know you, I know you wanna start freaking out right now - it’s not like anyone here’s gossiping behind your back. But they do worry about you, and folks told us so we can look out for you, just like they do.”

“Oh. ” This time, there’s a lot more weight to the word. You know you’re appreciated in the Valley, even if that appreciation is begrudging from the likes of Scar and Ursula. But… You hadn’t realized everyone was looking out for you like that. You can’t decide if you feel more touched, or guilty.

And in surprise number three, it seems like Mushu can tell that, because he leans back to give you a stern look and says, “And it’s not like we’re worried you’ll cause another Forgetting, you understand? We just care about you. And I’m not the only one who sees that you don’t give yourself enough credit for all your hard work around here.”

“But… But does it even count? Aren’t I just doing it to make things up to you guys?” you whisper, flinching at your own words.

“Maybe that’s what you tell yourself,” Mushu starts, patting your cheek, “but I’ve known you almost your whole life, kid. So I know you better than that– You may worry you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, but trust me when I say I know a thing or two about the differences between noble reasons and selfish ones. You don’t care because you want to make it up to us. You want to make it up to us because you care.”

In your mind, doubt creeps in immediately, resisting his words. But… You can’t deny that it resonates within your heart . And if there’s one thing you’ve been learning from your time in the Valley, it’s that you could stand to listen to your heart a little more. The only problem is…

“It’s not so easy to believe,” you admit, and Mushu hugs you again.

“I know, kid, I know,” he chuckles, sadly. “You and my girl Mulan can be a lot alike, for better and for worse.”

“But we’ve both got you to help us.”

“Now, that sounds more like the kid I know…” He gives you a squeeze. “You’re darn right you do.”