Following a few paces behind with the wheelchair, Blue watched the pair of them speculatively. Of course there had been rumours ever since the Remembrance Day ball – that was inevitable. For Snow, a legendary ice queen, to abruptly change the habit of centuries by attending the ball with an escort was bound to cause interested comment. That her choice had fallen on Bigby Wolf, of all people, had naturally raised eye brows, and in some quarters had led to feverish speculation.
It was just that they were so different. So unsuited. Snow, true to her name, was all icy froideur – aloof and pure as unblemished snow. Even as an invalid she was dressed to impress, wearing an expensive, immaculate suit. Bigby, on the other hand, was as dishevelled as ever. Hair rumpled, nicotine stained fingers gripping a half-finished cigarette (as usual), and unshaven – though Blue could hardly blame him for that. He supposed that being a wolf Bigby couldn't help his hairiness. He'd overheard Snow complaining once about his unfamiliarity with the sharp end of a razor, only to be informed that it was a weakness of his glamour that however often he shaved the hair would always grow back within minutes. And he couldn't help the lack of cologne either. With a nose as sensitive as his it would be a bit much to expect him to douse himself in a chemical scent. What he definitely could help, though, was his clothes. They probably hadn't been washed, let alone pressed in days. Rumpled, probably sweat stained, Blue doubted it was Bigby's attire that had drawn Snow to him.
If she was interested in him. While he enjoyed the gossip about his boss as much as anyone, Blue had his doubts. That they had gone to the dance together didn't necessarily mean anything. Bigby had been investigating Rose's supposed murder, and it would be just like them to use the ball as another opportunity to discuss the crime. Workaholics both of them. And come to think of it, Bigby had used the ball for his big moment – he had hardly been thinking of romance. And a less romantic couple at that dance would have been hard to find. Snow had seemed fairly repelled by her partner – who had arrived late, hardly a love sick swain hanging on her arm – and since then had been consistently offended by any reference to their 'romantic' relationship. Blue wondered how Bigby felt about that.
Perhaps he didn't care. They had worked together for centuries and Blue had never noticed him show any particular interest in Snow, or anyone else for that matter. Hardly a ladies man, unlike Snow's ex-husband. Maybe that was the attraction. Bigby was so opposite to Charming in practically every way imaginable.
And that was the other thing. Their stories were so different. Not to mention their species. Bigby might have lived as a human for centuries, but he was still a wolf. And not just any wolf either. The Big Bad. It was in his name. Despite the amnesty and his apparent moral reformation he clearly wasn't ashamed of his past. (Though why should he be? It wasn't like he was really human.) He had been, and perhaps would always be the villain of the story. A monster to frighten children – and according to Ride he had been genuinely terrifying, whatever the Mundy's take on the story had sometimes made him out to be. So much so that even now, when as far as Blue knew he hadn't even taken wolf form for years, he was banned from the Farm and a source of uneasy fear for most of the Fable community.
Snow, on the other hand, was a story book princess. Innocent – though since her divorce she'd grown cynical – and as the deputy mayor of the community had continued to occupy her old role as benevolent ruler since leaving the Homelands. She was the heroine of the story, both in the old world and this one, the driving force behind the establishment of their new, safe community. Owing in some measure, Blue had to admit, to Bigby. Just as Snow was the real power behind King Cole's throne, Bigby was Snow's muscle, her enforcer. Initially it had seemed an odd choice – Blue remembered being surprised by Snow's insistence, overriding even Bigby's objections. But it had worked out surprisingly well. No one wanted to mess with a cop who, rumour had it, could turn into a giant wolf and eat you.
But despite some evidence of personal distaste on Snow's part, they had a good working relationship, one that had only grown closer since they had been forced to work closely together to solve Rose's 'murder'. Yet there had never been any hints of romance. That was understandable on Snow's part, but Bigby's? Blue could understand the attraction– any man would – but it was odd that after going so long without showing any romantic interest he should suddenly develop a crush. It was generally assumed that Bigby wasn't interested in human women. He'd never made a move on one anyway. Unless he was shy. The idea nearly made Blue laugh out loud.
No, on the whole Blue had listened to the stories flying around, but never really believed them. But over the last few months he had begun to change his mind. Bigby's attention to Snow during her convalescence had been nothing short of devoted. They had all taken their turns visiting her, of course. And everyone had been delighted by her recovery. But as her strength returned, the number and length of those visits had begun to tail off. As her Personal Assistant, and closest work colleague Blue had continued to visit assiduously – he owed it to her – and he hadn't been alone. It seemed that every time he went to that ward, there was Bigby Wolf. When did he do his work? Apparently never. It was quite sweet really, though he would never say so in front of Bigby – he could just imagine how he would react. It hadn't gone unnoticed by the gossips of Fabletown either. Snow would probably not be gratified.
As they walked down the street Blue could see people watching with interest – Bigby and Snow walking together. And bickering like an old married couple. Or rather she was, complaining about his 'babying' of her. She was right. It hadn't escaped Blue's notice that despite his seeming carelessness, Bigby was never more than a foot away from her elbow, presumably ready to catch her if she fell.
Perhaps they did suit each other after all. Snow was proud, and Blue hadn't spent decades working with her not to know how prickly she could be. On the other hand, it took a lot to ruffle Bigby Wolf. He could handle her. And as lofty as she could be, Snow would probably value someone as loyal and dependable as Bigby had proved himself to be.
All in all, it would be very interesting to watch how it all developed.