Warnings: Fluff, slow-burn romance, shy reader, post-war reflections, some humor, and a little bit of angst.
Masterlist
Words: 1437
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Ling had returned home a hero. After fighting alongside Mulan and helping to save China from the Huns, he was welcomed back to his small village with open arms. People greeted him in the streets, children followed him around asking for stories of his time in the Imperial City, and he loved every moment of it. But beneath the jokes and the loud laughter, there was a quietness he hadn't expected—a lingering feeling of wanting more, something deeper than the acclaim and cheers.
And then there was you.
You had lived in the same village for as long as Ling could remember. He had seen you around, usually with your head down, eyes shyly avoiding his gaze, but he always noticed. There was something about the quiet way you moved through life, the way you watched everything so carefully, and the soft smiles you gave when you thought no one was looking. You were the complete opposite of him, loud and goofy, always cracking jokes or causing a scene.
What Ling didn’t know was that you had been watching him long before he became the village hero. There was something about his carefree nature that had always drawn you in, but you were far too shy to ever approach him. You admired him from a distance, giggling at his antics with his friends, appreciating the way he could always bring light and laughter wherever he went.
But now, Ling was back, and he was more than just the funny guy you admired from afar. He was a hero, and you felt even more distant than ever.
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One afternoon, as you were on your way to the village market, you noticed Ling sitting by the well in the middle of the village. He seemed lost in thought, something you weren’t used to seeing from him. Normally, he was surrounded by people, but today, he sat alone, absentmindedly tossing small pebbles into the water.
You hesitated, your heart pounding in your chest. This was your chance to speak to him, to finally say something after all this time. But the thought of approaching him made your hands shake. What could you possibly say to someone like Ling?
But then, as if sensing your presence, Ling looked up and caught your eye. His face lit up with a bright, familiar smile, and he waved you over.
“Hey!” he called out, his voice as cheerful as ever. “Don’t just stand there! Come join me. I don’t bite… much.”
You felt your face heat up at his teasing tone, but there was something about his smile that made you relax, just a little. Slowly, you made your way over, clutching the basket in your hands as you sat down next to him on the well’s edge. The late afternoon sun bathed the village in a warm, golden light, and a soft breeze stirred the leaves on the nearby trees, carrying the faint scent of jasmine through the air. Everything around you seemed peaceful, but inside, your nerves were swirling.
For a moment, there was silence. You could feel your nerves creeping up again, unsure of what to say or how to act around him. But Ling, ever the conversationalist, broke the silence with a chuckle.
“Bet you didn’t expect to see me sitting all alone, huh? Everyone usually wants to hear about the war and all the crazy stuff that happened. But sometimes, a guy just needs a little peace and quiet.” He turned to you with a grin. “I bet you get that, huh? You’ve always been the quiet one around here.”
You nodded, too nervous to speak just yet, but his words made your heart flutter. He had noticed you. He knew who you were.
Ling’s expression softened a bit, his usual joking tone fading. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” he admitted, tossing another pebble into the well. “About everything that’s happened. It feels good to be home, but… it’s different. I’m different.”
You glanced at him, your brow furrowing in concern. You hadn’t expected this kind of vulnerability from him. Ling had always seemed so carefree, like nothing ever weighed him down. But now, there was a heaviness in his words that tugged at your heart.
“You’re… a hero now,” you said quietly, finally finding your voice. “Everyone in the village… they’re proud of you.”
Ling chuckled, though there was little humor in it. “Yeah, I guess so. But I didn’t do it for the praise, you know? I did it because it was the right thing to do.” He looked at you then, his gaze steady. “And because Mulan showed us that anyone can be a hero, even someone who doesn’t think they have it in them.”
At the mention of Mulan, your heart clenched slightly, an unexpected ache settling in your chest. Mulan was brave, smart, and strong—everything you weren’t. Maybe that was who Ling admired, who he had really wanted by his side. You suddenly felt small, unsure, like you could never measure up to someone like her. You glanced away, trying to hide the doubt flickering across your face, but Ling noticed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice gentle, the usual teasing gone.
You hesitated, then softly admitted, “I just… I don’t know if I could ever be as brave as someone like Mulan. She’s amazing, and you fought beside her. She’s a real hero.”
Ling looked at you, his eyes softening with understanding. “Mulan is incredible, yeah. She’s strong and fearless, but that doesn’t mean you have to be her.” He reached out, his hand brushing yours, sending a shiver up your spine. “You have your own kind of strength, you know? And I’ve noticed it.”
Your cheeks burned at his confession, and you ducked your head, unsure if you believed him. You hadn’t expected him to notice you like that, to remember you at all, really. But there was something warm in his voice, something that made you feel like maybe, just maybe, you hadn’t been as invisible to him as you thought.
“I’ve… I’ve always admired you,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “The way you make people laugh. I’ve never been good at that, but… I’ve always liked it about you.”
Ling’s smile softened, his usual goofiness replaced with something much more tender. He gently took your hand, his fingers brushing yours in a way that made your heart race.
“You don’t have to be like me,” he said softly, his thumb tracing small circles on your hand. “I like you just the way you are. Quiet, thoughtful… You’re perfect.”
You looked up at him then, your eyes meeting his, and for the first time, you felt like maybe you could let your guard down with him. Maybe you didn’t have to be afraid anymore.
Ling leaned in closer, his face just inches from yours, and the world around you seemed to slow. The golden light of the setting sun turned the sky a soft pink and orange, and the wind carried the faint sound of birds settling in for the night. Everything felt magical, as if nature itself had paused to witness this moment.
Your thoughts raced. Could he really feel this way about you? Or was this just another joke, a moment of kindness for someone who didn't deserve his affection, especially with someone like Mulan so fresh in his life?
“I’ve been wanting to tell you that for a long time,” Ling whispered, his breath warm against your skin. “I just didn’t know how.”
Before you could let the doubts consume you, you leaned in, your heart pounding in your chest, and kissed him softly. It wasn’t a bold kiss—nothing like you’d imagine someone as outgoing as Ling would expect—but it was filled with everything you had kept hidden for so long.
Ling’s hand cupped your cheek gently as he kissed you back, his lips soft and tender, like the unspoken promise of something more. The village seemed to fade around you, the warmth of his kiss grounding you in the moment.
When you finally pulled away, Ling grinned, his playful nature returning. “Well, I guess that’s one way to break the silence,” he joked, making you laugh softly despite the rush of emotions swirling inside you.
But beneath the humor, there was something real, something genuine. And as you sat there with him, your hands still intertwined, the sun setting in the distance, you realized that maybe Ling had been searching for the same thing you had—someone who saw beyond the laughter, beyond the hero, and loved him for who he truly was.
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Author’s Note:
Thank you so much for reading! I really loved writing this soft and sweet story about Ling and the shy reader finally finding their way to each other. Ling’s goofiness mixed with his deeper emotions was so fun to explore. I hope you enjoyed this little slow-burn romance! Feel free to leave feedback or requests for future stories.
Best non-canon Disney couple round 2: Flora x Fauna x Merryweather vs Yao x Ling x Chien-po
Flora x Fauna x Merryweather
Yao x Ling x Chien-po
Voting ended onDec 25, 2025
Flora x Fauna x Merryweather: "Flora and Merryweather love to bicker (Blue - Pink! / This looks horrible - That's because you are wearing it my dear) while Fauna is a peaceloving influence navigating between them and together they raised a wonderful child (Briar Rose)"
Spring out of February with one of these characters!
Wendy Pleakley (Pleakley, Lilo & Stitch) - Fireflies in a jar, cotton-candy coloured dresses, and a mountain of vital research. One day, your contributions will be appreciated. “Too controversial” is just an opinion. Right? Your work isn’t controversial, it is groundbreaking!
Polyhymnia/Polyhymnus of Hesiod (The Muses, Hercules) - As the Muse of hymns, meditation, and religion, the other Muses look to you for wisdom and guidance. That is why you’ve come here to Swynlake to find the Muse that may be here, waiting to be trained for their birthright. Will you find them, or is Swynlake a dead end?
Roland Doyle (Rolly, 101 Dalmatians) - Lucky owes you an apology…for something you did! Yeah! That’s right, that’s totally how that works. Whatever! It’s Lucky’s fault, ultimately, that the band split up and the family secret was revealed. Nevermind what you did to provoke it…so where’s your apology, eh? You’re in town to get it!
Cornelius Robinson (Cornelius Robinson, Meet The Robinsons) - A notebook full of chicken scratch and sketches, a full house, and your favorite thing to look at – your wedding ring. Your big family is more than you ever thought you’d have, including your wife and children of your own. They are your world, but unfortunately not the world and you often lose yourself in your work, trying to benefit the global community. Will you ever find your work-life balance?
Jimmy Ling (Ling, Mulan) - Can’t anybody take a JOKE anymore? Oh, brother, apparently not. Yet again, CANCEL culture rears it’s ugly head. Now you have to relocate to Swynlake so you can #learnbetterdobetter. And maybe learn you were actually wrong?
George Goof (Goofy, A Goofy Movie) - Being a younger dad with no time to finish university never bothered you, you did well for Max all of this life! But after being laid off, the job search had been difficult without a degree. You’ve got just the plan to fix this…why not go to university WITH your son?
