Wrong end of the stick
Next level asked for a oneshot of Neal overhearing his parents talking about Neal (Baelfire) not deserving Emma and being confused. I've wrote this the best I can considering that Neal was named after him haha. Still, if you're a major SwanFire fan this chapter might not be for you.
IMPORTANT: Well guys, the day is here. As of tomorrow, I officially become a proper grownup with a proper grownup job and everything. I'm afraid this means that writing will be taking a backseat. To be very clear: this does not mean this story is ending, or that I want you to stop giving in requests. No, the day this story ends is the day where no more requests are coming through. But it does mean I won't be around as often, so you'll have to be patient with waiting times.
Just since I know things will be different from now on, I wanted to take the time to thank each and every one of you for reading, and for your continued support. You've got no idea how much it means to me when I get just one message/review from someone telling them this story has made their day better. That truly means the world to me. As long as people want their stories written, I'll be here to write them. You might just have to wait a little longer now.
Thanks again guys,
JMAMK x
Neal was very confused. He had gotten out of bed one night to go to the bathroom, which was right beside his parents' room. Before he went in, he overheard a conversation that greatly confused him.
"She did deserve better." Charming sighed. "There's no denying that. "Neal wasn't really everything Emma deserved."
Neal frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Was he not a good enough little brother? He did his best. He shared with Emma when his parents asked him to. He listened to her when she was in charge, and he always gave her really big hugs.
"No, I suppose that's true." Snow agreed sadly. "Even if I wish it weren't."
Neal couldn't take anymore. Were his parents going to send him away because he wasn't nice to Emma?! He burst through the door, beginning to cry, alarming both his parents.
"I'll be a good boy!" He promised. "I'll be nicer to Emma. Please don't send me away!" He wailed. Snow and Charming quickly realised what had happened. Snow came over and picked the five year old up, carrying him over to their bed where she sat with him on her lap.
"Honey, mommy and daddy weren't talking about you, although you should have been asleep and not listening in anyway." Snow gently told him off. Had his curiosity not gotten the better of him, he wouldn't have gotten so upset.
"Yes you were!" Neal protested. "You said my name."
"Yes, we were talking about someone called Neal, but that someone wasn't you, Neal." Charming told him. This confused Neal. How could they not have been talking about him? "Do you remember when we told you about why we called you Neal?" Charming asked him. Neal nodded.
"Henry's daddy." He answered. "He was really brave and that meant Emma got her memories of you back and she could find you." Neal continued. Charming nodded.
"Well, we were really proud of what Henry's daddy did then, but he wasn't always very nice to Emma. You'll find out more when you're older if you ask Emma, it isn't our place to tell you. Anyway, mommy and daddy found out some new stuff today and we were talking it through. It wasn't about you. You're Emma's favourite little guy. Of course we're not sending you away." Charming assured his son. Neal nodded, now feeling pretty silly.
"What have we learned today?" Snow asked, while the lesson was still fresh in Neal's head.
"Not to listen in." Neal answered. Charming kissed the top of his head.
"That's right buddy. Go on, back to bed." He told him. Neal left his parents' room and went to the bathroom before going back to his bed, without waiting to hear what his parents were talking about now.
