That Night

"You're a prince of sorts, aren't you?" Snow asked from across the fire.

"What are you talking about?" Bigby lounged comfortably on a blanket she'd laid out, sans his shirt. She had the feeling would've taken off his pants too if he thought he could get away with it. He brought their camping gear in while in his wolf form, or rather his true form, and had been just short of fully dressed the whole time.

The whole trip had been a wonderful respite from their duties, and she was beyond happy she'd gotten the idea. She was also beyond happy that Bigby was finally able to unwind. It was nice to see him in his element. It'd been a long time, probably not since New York City had been built had she had the opportunity.

"You said that your father was the Lord of the North Winds."

He scowled at the mention of his father. It was the darkest expression she'd seen him make all trip. It reminded her of around the office, where it was a much more common companion. She realized then since they'd left he'd been mostly smiles, which was odd now that she thought about it. He was attractive either way–

"If I considered that man my father, which I don't, it would make me a lord at best."

"And that your mother was the master of the forest, which," Snow added, trying to focus on the strange conversation she'd started. The way the fire lit up his bright brown eyes lit something up in her. "could be considered a queen."

His answer was flat, "That's not how wolves work, Snow."

"Perhaps not," she conceded, "But you never explain your 'wolf' things, and you do live in man's world now, so applying some man-logic, the son of a queen would be a prince."

"A prince without a kingdom," Bigby added moodily.

"Well there are a lot of those that I know."

They both shared a chuckle at that before quiet fell over their campsite. She felt his hot gaze on her, and somehow knew his attention was entirely on her. It wasn't the first time she'd felt such a thing, but it was the first time she allowed herself to indulge in it.

"You aren't actually a princess, are you?" he finally said.

"No," she admitted, "I'm not. I divorced my prince which cost me my titles. I didn't even bear any of his children, thank God for that, but if I had, in the right circumstances I could be regent and king-mother."

After thinking a moment, Bigby quietly said, "I'm glad you didn't have any of his children. Though it would be a miracle if you did, considering…"

He trailed off, though not exactly out of embarrassment. More like he'd just said more than he'd meant to. It reminded her he wasn't human.

"Oh don't leave me hanging, what? Am I barren or something?"

Avoiding her gaze for once, he answered, "The opposite."

She laughed. "You're joking, Prince Charming is infertile? How would you even know?"

"I just can." Bigby shrugged. "He smells… infertile."

"And here I was thinking he just got a vasectomy once those were invented." She frowned. "Now that I think about it, that makes way more sense. How else would he be so promiscuous and not have sired at least one child."

"It's those royal blood lines, wreak havoc on fertility." Then despite his better judgement, he added, "I know you're very not barren."

"Oh am I?" Snow challenged, for some reason not at all scandalized. Not even at the hot way his eyes made her feel. He was saying things he must've thought about before. The ease at which they came out of his mouth betrayed that. Even that didn't bother her. "And how do you know? Wolf thing?"

"Yeah, something like that." He seemed almost embarrassed. No, not embarrassed, flushed.

Now that they were out in the woods away from Fabletown and the office, Snow felt the weight of said office lift. She let herself enjoy his company in a way she hadn't in a while.

His golden eyes were still on her when he said, "I heard stories about you. Long before I ever actually met you." Snow blinked, she'd never heard this before. "I'd hear it from the birds as they sang, about some girl with snow white skin and blood red lips and coal black hair. Even the wind sang of it sometimes, a girl so fair, the fairest in the land." He snorted. "I never thought much of it, besides being so odd. That is, until I met you."

"Bigby-"

She didn't know what to say.

"Let me finish," he pleaded, "Please."

Snow nodded.

"When I met you, I realized the one thing the birds left out. But how would they've known, it is a wolf thing. Glossy coat, sure. Bright eyes, sure- but it's the scent that's the deciding factor. The moment I breathed you in I realized you were what I had been missing."

"I never realized…" she trailed off, "You know, I forget sometimes that you're not a man. On the inside I mean.

He let out a short laugh, "Actually, it wasn't until a while after you turned me partially human that I realized it wasn't just your scent that's beautiful."

Snow actually blushed at that.

"I'm not saying anything you haven't heard before." Bigby pointed out.

"I know." she said quietly, "It's just nice to hear you say it."

"And why would that be?" he asked flirtatiously.

She waved him away.

"And why were you trying to make me out as a prince earlier?" he pressed.

"Why are you so talkative?" she shot back playfully. There were a few moments of quiet before Snow answered, "People always say I only have eyes for princes, so I was trying to figure out why I've always had eyes for you."