"Mutt."
The slur was muttered under the boy's breath. Her ears caught the curse anyway.
Red stood next to her, a flash of hurt crossing her face.
She felt rage build up in her before she tackled him.
The boy's and her parents jumped in surprise.
It was tricky to earn the upper hand with him being older than her. Luckily for her, her body was powered by the thought of revenge.
She managed to get a few hard punches in before she was pulled off him. There was a sneaking suspicion they let her have him for an extra second.
It didn't matter, either way, she would accept her punishment with pride.
"Emma, enough." Snow's voice was barely raised.
She could tell they were faking it for the furious parents.
"I'm sorry about that," David apologized with a forced smile.
"I'm not."
Her interruption was shushed by Red who pulled her into a backward hug.
She stayed silent despite her obvious annoyance toward the parents and boy.
"But I believe he owes my wife an apology."
His parents exclaimed in protest, "He did nothing to Snow White."
"And I'll do nothing to him." Her voice was full of sarcasm as she fought against Red's grip, and the parents backed up slightly.
"I mean my other wife," he clarified, gritting his teeth.
The parents appeared ready for another interjection. David decided then to make her wait in the car with Red.
"Oh, you're so screwed," she told them as Red dragged her off.
She felt bad for their soon-to-be demise.
"I-" Her explanation was cut off by Red.
She gapped in surprise when she's pulled into a hug.
"Thank you, " she whispered, practically cuddling her.
"I didn't do anything."
She allowed the cuddling since she isn't heartless.
Or is she?
Honestly, she had too many attempts on her heart to remember anymore.
Who's to say they all failed?
A sudden ping in her pocket had her pulling out her phone.
It's was a text from Red.
"Hey, pup!"
She hid her phone from the view of any lurking eyes.
It seemed everyone was always curious about anything she did.
She sent back a quick reply as she chewed on her lunch., "Yeah?"
"You busy?"
Her head whipped around before she climbed the fence.
"Nope."
Red was silent in order to prevent leaving any evidence for Snow.
"I'm at Granny's."
The reply was short but had enough context for her to jog to Granny's.
Once she walked in, she easily spotted Red. Her clothing style had toned down after the curse which she was grateful for.
She was her mo- her thought was interrupted by a shout from Red. "Hey!"
As she sat at the counter, Red set down her usual cup of cocoa.
"I'll be out in just a second, Ems."
She nodded, sipping her beverage in wait. When her shift ended (and her cocoa), they headed out.
A grin appeared on her face, "So, where are we going?"
It had been a routine for one of her parents (David and Red) to 'pull' her out of school for some bonding.
Snow disapproved of the method but was glad their relationship was growing. Plus, she missed boring school work and got to hang out with a parent.
So, in her book, it was the best thing possible.
Snow's scolding voice echoed throughout the house.
"Emma Ruth, don't you slam that door!"
She glanced over her shoulder with a sneer, "It's Swan."
As she laid in bed, her mind went over her earlier decisions. It hadn't been her smartest plan. It was obvious either way someone would be hurt.
She glared at her ceiling, knowing Snow wouldn't check on her. At least that's what the clattering in the kitchen indicated.
A grimace appeared on her face, she was pissed. Her other parents would probably gain a warning from Snow. The thought made her scowl.
Snow White couldn't keep a secret.
She closed her eyes in frustration, a wave of exhaustion overcoming her.
A knock awoke her later in the evening.
"Nobody's home," she muttered as she attempted to return to her previous slumber.
The door opened after her response.
It was Red.
"Hey, pup."
The wolf shoved her over before she laid with her.
She whined, cuddling into the warm figure.
"You're cuddly today," the girl commented as she rubbed her back soothingly.
An unintelligent mumble escaped her.
Red sighed in compromise, "Alright, we can cuddle but you have to stay awake. "
She nodded in agreement, her eyes fluttering closed.
"So, you and... Snow had a fight."
It's wasn't a question but she whined in response. Her tired mind didn't have the energy to explain herself.
"M'sleepy," she complained as her eyes heavy.
The wolf untangled herself from the cuddle, sparking a whine from her.
She whimpered with a pout.
Red sighed, "We're talking right now."
She felt tears prickle her eyes in exhaustion.
Without a glance at Red, she could tell her demean diminish.
The wolf cursed silently under her breath as she pulled her back into a cuddle.
"You're alright, pup," the girl soothed.
"You're a sleepy pup, aren't you," she teased, "maybe we should enforce an earlier bedtime."
She ignored the comment in favor of sleep.
Blissful sleep.