Hearing loss
McKennaC asked for a oneshot of Snow and Charming finding out Emma is hearing impaired because of being left out so long in the cold as a newborn. They feel guilty and as a result become even more protective, and Emma has to reassure them that she's ok and can take care of herself.
"And so that's how Judy Chapman managed to have glitter engrained into every square inch of the carpet in my classroom." Snow finished her story. Charming laughed, the reaction Snow had expected, but Emma continued drying the dishes. Almost like she hadn't heard at all. "Um, Earth to Emma?" Emma still didn't respond. "Emma!" Snow shouted. Emma turned round, like she'd just heard her mom for the first time.
"Yeah?" Emma asked her.
"Didn't you hear my story?" Snow asked her. "I've been telling it for the last few minutes."
"Oh, sorry, you're on my bad side. Why don't you tell it again?" Snow and Charming gave her a puzzled look.
"Bad side? What do you mean Emma?"
"Oh, did I never mention it to you guys? I can't hear very well in my left ear. I'm pretty good at lip reading so if I know someone's talking on that side I can generally make out what they're saying. But if I don't know they're talking, I miss it."
"When did you find that out?" Charming asked her. "Is it a genetic thing? Should Henry and Neal be tested?" Emma shook her head.
"Ah no, not genetic. I've had it since I was born. It was a pretty cold day when I was put through the wardrobe and I wasn't brought inside by Pinocchio for a couple of hours…" The realisation hit Snow and Charming like a ton of bricks. Emma had hearing loss because she'd been so cold after going through the wardrobe. It was their fault.
"Emma, we're so sorry." Snow said in a strangled voice, not sure they could ever make it right. Emma just shrugged.
"I've never known any different, it's no big deal. They tried hearing aids a couple of times but they didn't make any different. I was just told not to go underwater when I went swimming and not to let it get too cold…"
"Emma, it's freezing outside and you haven't been wearing a hat let alone earmuffs! Do you have a woolly hat and earmuffs? If not, I'll go out and get them for you."
"And what about the temperature at the station? I know it can get pretty chilly in their sometimes. I'll go and get some heaters to warm it up. I can go in half an hour earlier in the morning so it's nice and toasty for you…"
"Guys relax." Emma said, amused. "You don't need to feel bad about what happened. A little hearing loss is nothing compared to death by Regina. I'm no different to anyone else. I've grown up not being able to hear in one ear and have adapted accordingly. Calm yourselves down. I'm fine."
"If you're sure." Charming sighed, still feeling bad. "But could you compromise and at least let us get you a nice warm hat? A nice fashionable one, we promise." Emma rolled her eyes.
"If you insist." She agreed. She really didn't feel bitter about it, but she understood their guilt. It was best just to appease them until they got used to the situation.