Bonding dodging

A guest asked for a oneshot of a teen Emma- having been raised by Snowing- acting distantly towards Snow and turns down all her bonding opportunities. Emma finally confesses that she finds them all too childish, but didn't know how to tell her. Snow is hurt at first, but then comes up with a more "grown up" bonding activity for them.

Guest: Thank you, I'm aware I make errors lol.

Snow just didn't understand. Emma had always loved getting to spend some one-on-one time with her. Lately though, she seemed to be avoiding her mom at all costs.

Growing up in a royal household made getting one-on-one time with each parent difficult to come by as it was. Add into the mix that Emma was the eldest of five, and it made it extremely difficult. Snow and Charming did their best though. They wanted each of their children to have as much time with them both as possible. Snow had suggested many of what she knew to be Emma's favourite activities for them to do together: horseback riding, visiting the local village's bakery to sample a new cake or pastry, going to feed the ducks and the swans that live in the pond…Emma didn't want to do any of them. Snow couldn't help but feel hurt. Had she done something wrong? Emma didn't seem to be avoiding her dad as much as she was avoiding her. She saw them often, practicing her sword fighting skills or maybe hand to hand combat. Sometimes not long after Emma had rejected her mom's offers. Clearly she wasn't too busy to spend time with her dad. Clearly, there was a problem. Snow wasn't prepared to let this go on. No, she was going to nip this in the bud. So Snow made sure she was down early for breakfast (Emma was always down first, her life revolved around her stomach). She made sure Emma had all her favourite foods before hitting her with the question.

"Sweetie, have I done something to upset you?" Snow asked her. Emma looked confused. She shook her head, taking another bite of her toast. "Ok, that's good. It's just…I can't help but feel like you're avoiding me. Every time I suggest we do something, you say you're too busy. But then sometimes I see you doing something with dad. What's up?" Snow could see that Emma was becoming uncomfortable. She clearly had something to say. "Go on," Snow encouraged her "whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise not to get mad." Emma sighed, putting down her toast.

"I still want to spend time with you…but all the things you want me to do with you…they're for little kids." That got Snow more than she thought it would. Emma was only twelve. She wasn't that grown up yet, was she? "It's stuff you can still do with Rosie, and maybe even Christopher or Michael, but it's all too little for me." Emma explained. "I'm sorry." She knew that would be hard for her mom to hear. Snow shook her head, putting on a brave smile.

"No, don't be. I'm glad you told me. I just wish you had told me sooner. I guess it's hard for me to accept you're growing up, huh?" Emma smiled shyly in return. Snow thought for a moment. What could she and Emma do together that would be special for them, but grown up enough for Emma? Snow thought she had the perfect solution.

"Tell you what, Em. It's been ages since you and I practiced archery. How about we start that back up? Just you and me?" Emma smiled.

"Yeah, I like that idea." Emma said happily. Snow relaxed. They were back on track.