Maternal
Sorceress of Stories asked for a oneshot of Snow being the one to convince the lost boys to help instead of Emma, because Snow is the most motherly person Emma has ever known and thinks her mom can get through to them better than she could. A reminder that Snow was still MM to Emma at this point :).
Emma knew they had to convince the Lost Boys that Pan was not going to help them. That they should switch sides. The problem was, Emma didn't know how to get through to them. She'd never been great with kids. Even when she was one. Fortunately for Emma, there was someone in their group who did seem to be good to getting through to kids. Well, people in general. She knew what people needed to hear and how to say it gently. Mary Margaret. Yes, Emma was sure she was their best shot at getting through to the group of boys.
"Mary Margaret?" Emma called to her as she sat on guard by the fire one evening. The woman smiled warmly over to her. A smile, Emma hated to admit, that was reserved only for her. Emma knew Mare wanted more from her, wanted Emma to be a proper daughter, but Emma just wasn't ready for that level of trust. Emma came and sat on the log beside her.
"We need to get the Lost Boys on side." Emma began. Snow listened patiently. "We need someone to convince them it's the right thing to do, that Pan will turn on them sooner or later." Emma looked up at her roommate turned mother. "I think you're the best person to do that." Snow nodded slowly.
"Why me?" She asked. Emma realised this was a fair question, but it involved letting out feelings. Emma was sure Mary Margaret knew that, but she had called checkmate. Emma turned her gaze to the flickering flames.
"Because it needs to be someone who's good with kids, and you're a teacher." Emma began. Snow waited, she was sure Emma had more to add. Emma had hoped Snow would let it go with just that, but clearly she wasn't. "You know how to get through to people, even when they can't see properly themselves." Emma prepared herself. "You're the most motherly woman in this group." She said quietly. Snow's breath hitched slightly. That was the closest to admitting their relationship Emma had ever come. Snow restrained herself from pulling her daughter into her arms. She would take this subtle admission for now. Emma recognised her as maternal. The more mushy parts of motherhood would come in good time. Even if every second Snow had to sit beside her little girl and not be able to ever hold her tore her apart.
