Subconscious comfort
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma snuggling into Snow whilst she's dreaming when they're both stuck in the EF in the second season. Later they have a heart to heart. (I think this is what you're after, I was a little confused :S)
Katherine: I'm going to say no to that because it sounds like it's leading into a multi-chapter story.
Guest: Did I not write a sequel to that chapter?
Guest: I don't think there's anything much I can add to that miniseries.
Morrigan: Sorry, but that's been too closely covered.
Snow hated the awkwardness that still surrounded her and her daughter. It just wasn't fair. Yes, in reality it had been twenty-eight years since Emma had been born, but in Snow's head, it had been mere minutes. It was hard for Snow to accept that the little baby she had pictured in her head was actually a strong, independent woman who hadn't needed mothering in a long time. Snow kept expecting someone to hand her the baby; but yet here the baby was.
Emma didn't know it, but even when it wasn't her turn to stay watch, Snow rarely slept. She had been a solitary bandit; she didn't need much sleep. Even with Mulan and/or Aurora keeping watch, Snow didn't feel comfortable sleeping, not with Emma out in the open like this. It just wasn't safe. So Snow spent most of the nights awake, occasionally taking a peek at her sleeping daughter. She couldn't help but notice how sweet Emma looked whilst she was sleeping. All that hard exterior she forced onto the world melted away, and just the real Emma remained. She slept curled up to one side with a tight clutch on the corner of whatever they were using to cover themselves (if anything). Snow couldn't be certain, but she suspected that was because Emma was missing her blanket. It was nice for Snow to know that she had been able to provide her daughter with some form of comfort as she grew up. But one night, however, things went a little differently. Snow became aware that Emma was muttering to herself. The mutters gradually became increasingly louder, and clearly more distressed. At first, Snow hadn't been sure if Emma was awake or asleep until she saw her eyes screwed tightly shut. Snow frowned, did she wake her up? But the decision was taken out of Snow's hands, when Emma suddenly rolled over and practically on top of Snow. Snow froze for a moment, shocked. Emma settled with her head resting on Snow's stomach, one hand at her side, clutching onto Snow's top. Snow's heart warmed. Here it was, finally happening. After twenty-eight long years, her baby finally needed her.
"It's ok." Snow said quietly, a gentle hand resting between Emma's shoulder blades. Snow just let her instincts take over. It seemed to be working, it didn't take long for Emma to settle again, back at peace. Snow chanced her arm, carefully reaching down and kissing the top of Emma's head.
"Sleep well angel." Snow whispered, settling back down to gaze up at the stars whilst she waited for morning.
Snow jolted when she heard Emma gasp. She looked down, worried Emma had somehow hurt herself.
"Are you alright?" Snow asked her. Emma pushed herself off of Snow's torso and scooted back.
"Fine." Emma answered. "Why am I cuddling you though?" Snow smiled at her.
"You were obviously having some kind of nightmare." She began. "You just moved over, and then you settled down again. I didn't see the point in moving you. You were happy." Emma didn't really know how to respond to that, so she just stared awkwardly at the ground. "It's ok to want some comfort from me, you know." Snow said gently. "I'm your mom, Emma. You were denied that right for nearly three decades. It's ok to want a hug. It's part of my role." Emma sighed, getting up from the forest floor.
"We've got a lot of ground to cover today." Emma said dryly, walking away. Snow frowned, watching her go. It was going to be a long process, getting Emma to open up to her. She supposed that was only fair, given that she hadn't been there for all of her daughter's life so far. It just didn't feel fair though. It hadn't been Snow's choice. She hadn't walked away. She just wished that Emma saw it like that.
