Sort-of prequel to my own Memento Mori. Just some Snigby I wanted to write about.

The Undone and the Divine

Compilation of Snigby fluff from June 1986 to December of that same year. Cutesy and angtsy.

Rated: T for language, mentions of disturbing images and violence, and suggestive/light sexual content [rating will not change, ever]

Enjoy!

Chapter One: the Willow Beetle

June 1986

The small box rose and settled in his pocket as he walked, like a stone would. He felt it more than the water in his hair, droplets of it falling into his eyes, as he approached the Business Office. After only a day or two, the door read "S. White" and he could smell the fresh paint. It stung his nostrils and he fished around in his other pocket for a cigarette.

Goddamn it.

He'd given his pack to Colin. The pig had probably smoked the whole thing already on his way to the Farm.

With a sigh, Bigby opened the door. It was dark inside, with the exception of a lone lamp on Snow's desk. Snow herself sat hunched over, poring through files and papers. He watched her for a moment. Her raven hair fell into her eyes as she murmured to herself while reading. She was probably trying to fix all the shit that Crane caused, Fable by Fable. Bigby cleared his throat and she jumped slightly, looking up at him.

"Oh - Bigby," she breathed. "You scared me."

"Sorry."

"No, it's fine. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Can't I pop in to say hi?"

A small smile touched her red lips. "Of course you can, but I'm a bit busy at the moment."

He crossed the room to her desk and his footsteps echoed. "You oughta go home, get some rest."

"I can't."

"Snow." He reached out and touched her hand as it flipped through a file. Her skin was so soft, and she peeked up at him. "Fabletown can handle itself for a night."

"Can it?"

"It'll have to."

She sighed and shook her head, but closed the file. "You know...maybe Crane was right."

Bigby scoffed. "About what?"

"Maybe I don't have what it takes to run this office, this town."

"You don't have what it takes to run it his way, that's for damn sure."

"Oh, thanks."

He smiled. "What I mean is, he was a cowardly prick. You can handle this. You were meant to do this. And besides, I need you here to keep me in line."

Snow smiled too, showing off her white teeth. "I suppose you do."

He removed his hand from hers to shove it into his pocket. His fingers curled around the box and he pulled it out.

"What's that?"

"A gift."

"Oh, Bigby. You didn't have to - "

"I didn't." He passed it over to her. "Open it."

Her blue eyes widened as she pushed the top up and a broad, bittersweet smile spread across her lips. "Oh-Oh my God."

"T.J. said he wanted you to have it."

"He's so sweet. I-it's a shame..." Her smile faded and she peeked up at Bigby as hurt and tears flooded her eyes. "Did I do the right thing?"

"It's what's best."

She nodded, swiping at a lone tear. "I know."

Bigby walked around her desk and perched himself on its edge beside her. Her scent pierced his nose and fuck it all, why'd he give his cigarettes to Colin? But he took a deep breath of her, strawberries and contentedness, and sighed. "T.J. told me these things have a pouch that squirts shit at you when you touch them."

Snow laughed softly. "I hope not in those exact words. But yes, they do."

"Huh. Well, seeing as it's your favorite, what else can you tell me about it?"

"Why are you curious?"

He touched her hand again and met her gaze. Her azure eyes were bright, melted. "You're happy. I like seeing you happy."

"That makes two of us."

"So c'mon. Tell me all about the willow beetle."

She smiled and began with, "It's considered a pest in Europe..."

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