A bruise
A guest asked for a oneshot of a follow up to 505 with Snow babying Neal. Sorry for your wait!
"Honestly mom, it's not that bad." Neal tried to convince his mother as at the same time he tried to gently move her hands away. But Snow just shooed his hands away and continued to examine the bruised area just below his ribs.
"It's not fine. You're hurt." Snow said coldly, not even looking at her son. How could she look at him? She felt totally ashamed with herself. She had injured her own child. Neal knew that was what his mom was thinking about.
"Is it less about the fact that I've got a bruise and more the fact you blame yourself for the bruise?" Neal asked tentatively. Snow's hands froze against his skin. She swallowed hard to prevent herself from crying. No matter how badly Snow was feeling she always refused to show that by crying in front of her children.
"It was my fault." Snow said quietly. "I did this to you…and I don't think I will ever be able to forgive myself." Neal didn't let his mom say another word. He moved his arms around her neck and pulled her into a tight hug.
"It was not your fault." He said firmly. "It was the Snow Queen's for cursing everyone. It doesn't matter now, I really am fine, the bruise will heal soon enough. Emma sorted everything. End of, we don't need to say any more about it." Snow smiled proudly. Her boy. Her wonderfully selfless, caring boy.