Chp 7 whoo ^w^- I hope the pacing of the story is ok so far.. I don't want it to feel too slow or too rushed, but I'm doing my best; building on character relationships and what not. More hints of Snowing~ Let's get into it!

The taller blonde woman huffed and walked over in between Snow and Charming, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Ahem..." Snow jumped back a bit and glared the woman down, Red growled lowly as well.

"Abigail-I-I was just being polite. This is Snow, a friend of mine. She saved my life." Charming gestured to her and smiled.

Abigail turned around and looked Snow up and down. "Hmm. Well I suppose I have to thank you for that." She then turned her attention back to the Prince and snaked her arms around him. "But James, you should know better." Her tone was like a subtle scolding.

The Prince bowed his head, "Yes milady." His eyes shifted to Snow's once more. "I apologize..."

"Good. I won't have to punish you then hmm?" She smiled playfully and Red audibly gagged, making her turn her face sharply to glare at the wolf.

Snow went over to her and patted her shoulder reassuringly, trying to keep herself from chuckling. "Easy Red... Easy." She looked up at Abigail and recognition showed in her eyes. "Wait a minute... You're- the nag with a bad attitude?"

Abigail's eyes widened and she scoffed, "Excuse me?" Charming was behind her, making cutting motions.

"I mean... Ahem. You're must be his fiancée..." Snow shushed her voice and looked down a bit sadly.

"Indeed. So we understand each other?" Abigail's tone was laced with venom.

Snow gulped and nodded. "Y-yes." She bowed. "I'm sorry for interrupting." She quickly scuttled back to Red and grabbed her arm. "Cmon, we should be going."

Red nodded and linked their arms tighter, following Snow out, side by side. Charming looked on with a wistful yet wanting look in his eyes.

The two shuffled through the main hall corridor and pushed their way out. Snow looked down sadly, as the moonlight highlighted her best features and made her dark hair shine. Red squeezed her hand lightly. "I'm- I'm sorry..."

Snow shook her head. "Don't be. I don't know what I was thinking... True love doesn't exist, I've always told myself that."

"It doesn't have to be this way you know?" Red trailed off.

"And what? You expect me to just go after him? Snow lifted her head and looked at Red incredulously.

"Well..."

"No." Snow stated firmly. "I won't be that type of woman. Looking for love like some lost puppy."

Red looked down and whimpered softly.

"O-oh... Peter, right... Sorry.. I'm being really inconsiderate aren't I?"

Red shook her head and sighed. "No, it's alright. He'd want me to move on... Right? I can't be hung up on him forever but..."

"I know." Snow put her hand on Red's cheek. "Everything's gonna be alright. You'll find someone."

Red smiled slightly and chuckled. "And you'll get your prince."

"Oh, I don't know about that..." Snow looked up to the moon in its iridescent glow. The two kept walking in silence afterwards, making it back to the cottage with scuffed up dresses. The lights were off and the room was almost pitch black; except the small lantern light, held by Grumpy who sat by the door.

"You two are back early. Lemme' guess... Your little escapade didn't work out." He huffed and rose to his feet. "Figures."

Red was the first to speak. "Well, they were hitting it off until his fiancée came between them..."

This made Grumpy raise an eyebrow. "Fiancée? Snow... You can't just go after a married man."

"Well technically he's not-" Grumpy glared at her and Red stopped mid sentence. "Sorry..."

"She's right... But.. I didn't- I mean I didn't mean to." Snow looked down guiltily. "We didn't even do anything, just exchanged glances and pleasantries."

"Loving glances..." Red smirked, making Snow roll her eyes.

"As if." She quickly defended.

Grumpy growled at the two. "That's not the point." His gaze shifted to Red. "Stay out of this." And then to Snow. "And Snow, don't be reckless."

The two looked over at each other and then nodded.

"Yes sir..." They stated in unison.

"Good. Now. Bed." Grumpy pointed to their room and escorted them by the leftover candle light. He opened the door and ushered them in.

Snow was first to lay down, and Red followed. "Goodnight Grumpy." Snow said quietly, as she turned over and fell asleep. 'Geez... Out like a light.' Red thought. She looked over and sighed. "Night." Turning over as well, Red bid Snow goodnight with a small kiss to the forehead.

Grumpy turned around and closed the door, smiling to himself.

...

It had been a few months since Red had first moved in, and she always made excuses to be with Snow. The dwarves had finally come around to her, and would occasionally bring up friendly conversation with her. Snow and herself would go out just about every day- hiking, just taking a stroll or otherwise- enjoying the others company.

Snow sat down happily and sighed. Clutching a piece of parchment to her chest.

Red walked over and sat next to her, cautiously pressing. "So... What's with that?"

"Hmm?" Snow looked over, unaware her friend was there. "Oh it's- it's nothing.. Just a letter." Snow couldn't contain herself from smiling, as she opened it for Red to see. "From Charming. I received it recently."

Red carefully leaned over and read the scroll. "Not a day goes by where I haven't thought of you... Is he saying?-"

"I don't know. But I think maybe... I hope so." She smiled and rolled it back up.

"What about true love not existing? Hmm?" Red raised an eyebrow playfully and shoved her friend.

"I can't help it alright? With him it's just... Right you know?"

"Actually.. I don't.. Not really." Red looked down and smoothed out her cloak.

"Right... I keep doing that don't I?" There was guilt written all over Snow's face. "I'm sorry..."

Red laughed. "It's fine... I'll get over it eventually." She turned around to face Snow completely. "Anyway, what are you gonna do about this?"

Snow looked down and clutched the scroll tightly. "I- don't know. I'm scared."

"Scared of what? Going for it? It not working out?" Red questioned.

"Well.. Mainly scared of it actually working out." Snow admitted.

Red tilted her head. "Why? Shouldn't that be a good thing?..."

"It should... Yes but, I've- I've never been so scared about anything before..." Snow shook her head and studied the ground.

Red smiled brightly and hugged her friend affectionately. "That's great."

"Great?" Snow chuckled. "Are you crazy?"

"Maybe. Maybe. But I do still think you should try." Red nodded confidently.

"You really think so?..." Snow asked uncertainly.

"Yes! This might be your only shot. Go for it girl!" Red stood up and grabbed Snow's hand, pulling her up with her.

Snow smiled and chuckled. "Alright alright... I'll leave at first light then. I have a castle to crash."

Red chuckled and smiled, reassuring her friend.

"But- where will you go?" Snow grabbed Red's hands. "Will you come with me?"

... Red paused, and shook her head. "No. Actually I've been thinking... Of going out for a while. To search for my pack you know. I think it's about time I found where I belong."

"But... You belong here. You're always welcome." Snow hugged her wolf friend and rubbed her back. "I understand though, you need to find your own path. I wish you all the luck towards your happiness..."

Red nodded and held Snow tighter, a few tears escaping her eyes. "Thank you... You as well with your prince." The two broke apart and smiled at each other bittersweetly, as Red wiped her eyes. "Well... I better get going. I'll say my goodbyes to the dwarves first." She paused and looked back at the cottage, then at Snow again. "I'm really gonna miss you."

"And I you." Snow smiled sweetly and nodded. "We'll meet again, don't worry."

"Promise?" Red looked up hopefully.

"Promise." Snow smiled and attached the scroll to her side. "Now excuse me, I have a prince to get to." She started walking away along a path, and turned back to looks at Red, waving.

Red nodded and waved back, smiling to herself. "And I have a family to find."

Well, finding family means Anita will come back into the picture for a bit, we shall see how that turns out. I wanted to work on Red traveling and coming into her own, so I'll try that out in the next Chapter. - Thank you for reading as always c: