Exchanging heat
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma just wanting to snuggle with her parents after being trapped in the cave.
Emma sat covered in the blankets still shaking from the cold. It had been hours since she'd been brought home and wrapped carefully in bundles of blankets. Hook had left about an hour earlier, wanting to make sure Henry was alright.
Snow came over with the thermometer, as she had done every half hour. Emma opened her mouth without resistance.
"Again, a little warmer, but not very much." Snow said after checking the result. "Soup, hot cocoa and hot water bottles aren't making much difference." Snow sighed. "Maybe we'd better take you to the hospital…"
"No." Emma said, alarmed. She hated hospitals. "No, I'll be ok. Just… come here a second." She asked, motioning for Snow to sit next to her. Snow did as Emma asked, puzzled. Slowly, Emma curled up leaning against Snow, sighing with relief. Snow could feel how cold she was fully now as she got under the blanket with Emma.
"Better?" Snow asked. Emma nodded.
"Ye-yeah. Body heat s-seems to work b-b-best. Where's d-dad?" She asked.
"He's putting Neal to sleep. Want him over too?" Snow asked. Again, Emma nodded.
"Can't hurt."
After a few minutes, Charming came back into the room.
"There you are." Snow said. "Come on, you go round the other side. Emma said sharing body heat seems to work best for heating her up." Without needing any further explanation, Charming took his place on the other side of Emma.
"How's that?" He asked her.
"Warmer." She said, relaxing. Snow reached forward and grabbed the thermometer from the coffee table. Again, Emma opened her mouth without a fuss.
"Huh." Snow said when it beeped. "Already a couple of degrees warmer. Looks like you've avoided a trip to the hospital."
"T-told you." Emma said cheekily. Snow rolled her eyes.
"Well, don't worry Emma. We won't move until you say you're warm enough…and your mom's agreed with the thermometer." Charming teased.
"Oh just double team me why don't you!" Snow joked back. "I can always still call Whale…"
"No, don't do that. I'll behave." Emma said. "Besides. That would mean you moving." Snow smiled, wrapping an arm around her daughter.
"Don't worry, we're here." She assured her. Maybe this ice cave had one tiny little advantage if it meant Emma letting her and Charming be close to her. Not that she'd ever want it to happen again, but it was nice to be able to hug Emma. Even if her hands were cold…along with the rest of her.
Another batch down!