The pig princess
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma refusing to eat her meals and Snow forcing her. Again, I've made Emma a child for this chapter. Trigger warning: anorexia is a main theme in this chapter
Snow watched Emma leave the dining room, a concerned look on her face. She'd been watching Emma at meal times for a while now. Snow was deeply concerned, almost every mealtime now Emma was sneaking most of her food away somehow. She was getting very creative with her methods, but Snow still noticed. Emma was also insisting on having more sword training, which worried Snow even more. She could slowly see Emma losing weight. Her little face was becoming hollow. She decided enough was enough, and when Emma came back from her sword lesson they were going to talk.
Snow was waiting in the hall when Emma came through the door. Emma smiled at her mother.
"Hi." She greeted her.
"Hi sweetie." Snow cocked her head to the kitchen. "Come on through honey, I have a surprise for you." Curious, Emma followed her mother through. Snow patted a stool at the counter, which Emma hopped up on to. Snow slid a plate in front of Emma.
"Johanna's special apple pie. Your favourite." Snow noticed Emma give a small grimace before covering it with a smile.
"Wow mom, it smells delicious…but I think I'll save it for a little later…" Emma tried to hop down again.
"Stay where you are." Snow told her. Emma froze, turning around again. "Emma, do you think I haven't noticed that you're not eating your food?" Snow asked her. Snow could see Emma was surprised.
"Oh." Emma said, looking down. Snow gently made her look up again.
"So, are you going to tell me why?" She asked. Emma shrugged.
"It's nothing, really…"
"Emma, when you're not eating properly and doing a ridiculous amount of exercise it's not nothing. Talk to me." Snow said firmly. Emma sighed.
"Gwen and Ellyn keep calling me the pig princess." Emma muttered. Snow fought hard to remain calm. The idea of her daughter being bullied made her mad enough, without it resulting in her starving herself.
"Well, you listen to me Emma Ruth. There is absolutely nothing piggy about you. They're just jealous that you're so beautiful inside and out and they just don't know how to cope with that. Don't let them get to you, and don't let them win." Snow gave a pointed look at the pie. Emma followed her mother's gaze. Slowly, she picked up the fork and took a bite. Snow smiled and kissed her head.
"That's my girl. Enjoy it. And if anyone ever says something like that to you again, come find me. I'm pretty handy with a bow and arrow still." She said with a wink. Emma grinned whilst taking another bite. Snow relaxed slightly, they were moving in the right direction.