Odontophobia

neongenesisevang asked for a oneshot of the Charming family being at the dentist for Neal's check-up. Because he's scared, the dentist suggests Emma goes first as a good role model. Emma tries to get out of it because she's afraid of the dentist as well. Snowing have to force her.

"It's not going to hurt, buddy." Charming promised his son. "Remember you came when mommy and daddy were at the dentist a few weeks ago?" Neal just whimpered, clinging to his big sister. He had only come here today under the bargain that Emma came too. He wanted his big sister with him. She made him feel brave. Although even that wasn't going to be enough to make him go through with this. Snow and Charming felt at a loss. Neal had to go for this check-up. Plus, they didn't want him being scared of the dentist all his life. That would just lead to toothache and infections.

"Neal Nolan?" The dentist said, coming out the room. Neal suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Emma like a koala cub. The dentist smiled. This wasn't the first child he had cry on him.

"Oh dear Neal! I don't look that scary, do I?" He asked, crouching in front of the small boy. "I just want to look at your teeth. Nothing else." He promised. His promises did nothing to calm Neal down. The dentist went for plan B. "Who do you have with you here today, Neal?" He asked.

"Mommy, daddy and big sister Emma." Snow answered for him, seeing that Neal wasn't going to stop crying. The dentist nodded, and had the receptionist pull up the dental records for Snow, Charming and Emma.

"Ok, so yes, I remember mommy and daddy from their check-ups a few weeks ago, but it's ok if you don't remember that Neal. But your big sister hasn't been to the dentist in…golly, quite a while! Maybe Emma could have her check-up first and show you how to be brave?" The dentist suggested. Emma suddenly felt sick. She knew coming here was a bad idea.

"Oh I don't know about that…" Emma said awkwardly. "I'm just here for the kid…"

"Exactly, and now Neal needs you. Go on, Emma." Charming encouraged her. Emma's face was losing all colour.

"No." Emma said simply. "I've been to the dentist to have my teeth checked, Neal hasn't. Neal, you'll be fine…"

"Emma?" Snow asked. "When did you last have your teeth checked?" Emma muttered something under her breath. "Pardon me?"

"Two thousand and three, alright?" Emma snapped. Snow and Charming were appalled.

"Uh, no, not alright." Charming said simply. "Come on Em, it's just a check-up. We're both right here…"

"No." Emma said, putting her foot down. "I only came to support Neal, not go in there myself."

"Emma, look at Neal." Snow told her. Emma looked down and saw Neal looking up at her, even more horrified than before. Emma felt pretty bad. She was meant to be here to make him feel better, not worse.

"Alright." She sighed, putting Neal on the chair beside her. "Guess I'm overdue for a check-up." She grumbled. "Let's get this over with." Emma started to shuffle behind the dentist into the appointment room. She looked back at her family. What. Weren't any of them going to bother coming with her?! She just told them she was scared!

"On it." Charming said quickly, getting up and standing beside the dentist's chair. He smiled at Emma. "You're ok." He told her. Emma scowled at him. How did she get herself into these situations?