Overworking themselves
Jade Star asked for a oneshot of season 6 spoilers! (Can I get an Aussie update on that please?) Snowing picking up extra duties around the town whilst everyone recovers from the events of awake. Emma worries they'll wear themselves out. Snowing are apologetic, wishing they could do more.
Emma couldn't help but notice how every time something needed done around town, at least one of her parents always jumped at the opportunity to volunteer to help. Not that they weren't active citizens before, but they seemed to be taking it to extremes. From big events, to cats stuck up trees, one of them was always ready and willing to help, it would seem. Emma saw deeper than that though. Although they were always raring to go and very enthusiastic about helping, she saw the bags growing under their eyes. The slight purple hue that was forming. The way their smiles became more weary when they thought nobody else was watching. Emma had to say something before one of them got hurt. Her opportunity came at the next "emergency": a collapsed wall at the community centre.
"I'll go help the dwarves make sure the area is secure." Charming said, going to grab his now ever-ready toolkit.
"And Neal and I will go to the school and try and arrange for the things that take place in the community centre to take place in the school hall." Snow added, getting ready to place Neal in his carseat. Emma sighed. They weren't meant to hear the call from Grumpy. Unfortunately, she had been in the room with them when her walkie crackled into life.
"You two have done a lot recently. Let us handle this one." Emma said, reaching for her dad's toolkit. Charming held it back.
"We've got this Emma. You stay here and relax." He suggested, kissing her forehead. Emma sighed in frustration.
"It feels like all I've done lately is relax." She grumbled. "Both of you are hogging all the assignments. Not even just the juicy ones: everything! What's going on, guys? Why are you both so determined to run yourselves into the ground doing all the good deeds there are to do?" Emma asked them outright. Snow smiled at her.
"We're just doing our bit, Emma. After you, and everyone else, took such a risk to wake us up, the least we can do is make sure we're pulling our weight too. You all need to recuperate. Magic is dangerous." Snow pointed out. Now Emma saw what was going on.
"Guys, we're all fine. We have been from the moment we woke up. There's no reason to feel guilty, or like you have to make up anything to us. You're just going to wear yourselves out, and then, when the final battle does come, there's no way you'll be able to help." Emma pointed out. Snow's nostrils flared at the thought of the Black Fairy fighting their daughter.
"Oh trust us Emma, no matter what, we'll be by your side at that fight." Snow assured her. Emma smiled, taking a hand from each of them.
"Even so, please, sit this one out? Spend some time with Neal. Let me and the others handle this. We got it." Emma promised them. Snow and Charming shared one of their silent conversations. Maybe it was time to stop punishing themselves. Emma did seem ok, as did everyone else.
"If you're sure." Charming said, squeezing her hand. Emma smiled.
"I've never been more sure about anything." She told him. "I'll see you both later!" She called as she left with her dad's toolkit. But by the time Emma returned home early that evening, her parents were already fast asleep on the couch, Neal in her father's arms. Emma smiled at the sight. They had definitely earned this break.
