In the dark
Sam asked for a oneshot of Emma being afraid of the dark but trying to hide it. Snow realises and buys Emma a nightlight, embarrassing her. Trigger warning! Small mentions of sexual abuse.
There were little clues that Snow found during her trips to Neal's room during the night to feed him. If she shut Emma's door fully on her way to Neal's room it was always open just a smidgen when she came back out again. If she bumped into Emma when she went to visit the bathroom she always had a torch with her. Emma insisted that she used it so she didn't bang into anything and wake Neal up but Snow knew the truth- Emma was afraid of the dark. Snow had discretely mentioned her theory to Charming and asked him to take Neal out for the day. Whilst at the supermarket anyway, Snow picked up a small nightlight for Emma's bedside table.
When Snow got home, Charming and Neal were already gone and Emma was sitting watching TV.
"Hey." Emma greeted her mom as she put the food away in the fridge, freezer and cupboards.
"Hi." Snow returned the greeting nervously. By the end there was only one thing left- the nightlight. Snow came over and placed it on Emma's lap.
"Um, what's this?" Emma asked, picking it up.
"It's a nightlight for your room." Snow explained. "I know you don't like the dark." Emma dropped the nightlight immediately.
"I don't need this." She said defensively. "You can give it to Neal."
"Emma..." Snow tried to place her hand on Emma's knee but she jerked away. "Sweetheart, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Nobody's judging you."
"That's when it always happened." Emma said quietly. "In the dark." Emma didn't have to elaborate for Snow to understand what she meant. Snow placed Emma's hand over the little lamp again.
"Then you will never be in the dark again." She said gently, the subtle meaning clear between them.