Chapter Text
The role of Deputy Mayor was always held inches above Snow’s shoulders, somebody else taking the fall and leaving her with the burden of responsibility. It was never a heavy burden – she almost enjoyed the responsibility.
Things are much more complex now though.
Jack and his never-ending proposals, Toad’s continued commentary about him finally having a glamour, and the rest of the fables with new requests that Snow cannot provide on Fabletown’s current budget.
Snow is tired. She’s more than tired in fact.
Life is overwhelming too.
There are things easing the burden though.
Bigby Wolf.
Nobody knows of their relationship.
There’s always been an underlying suspicion amongst the other fables, but it was always shut down by Snow White, she never missed the comments about her name being fitting.
And then Crane was gone. Snow was freed from his inane expectations. She felt comfortable exploring her emotions in a healthy manner.
The list of her stresses eased with each day; she became less snappy towards the other fables.
Her alarm jolts her from the thoughts.
She rolls over and presses the button on the clock, silencing it. Falling back onto the bed, she stares up at the ceiling. It’s Saturday, she doesn’t have to drag herself over to the business office.
She could stay here for the entire day; something doesn’t feel right though.
She’s missing something.
The bed is warm, but it’s empty.
It’s miles apart, there’s space for at least another person...
The relationship with Bigby is unique too. They admitted their love in his apartment over a bottle of whiskey.
Not often a drinker, the alcohol went straight to Snow’s head. Her mouth ran away with nonsense until Bigby was kissing her.
She remembers little of the night, but she remembers pulling him into a tight embrace. A weight lifted from her heart as they hugged.
It was the first time in centuries that Snow had been hugged properly, not a brief hug-in-passing, it was filled with love for only her. A tear welled in her eye as she buried her head against his shoulder, something that he didn’t comment on.
He knew.
He knew everything that Snow needed.
And he’s given her it.
She’s never felt so much love in her life.
And she is grateful for him.
Her phone is across the room.
She is so very tempted to call him.
It’s winter, he’d normally be hibernating.
He’s known to sleep through the entire day and night in winter, the frigid wind never meeting his bones.
Snow isn’t sure if he’s still doing that.
She slowly rolls out of the bed with barely any energy.
Her apartment is cold as she wanders through.
Thud thud thud.
Glancing over at the door, she bites her lip and frowns. She's not expecting any guests this morning.
The door handle is colder when she takes it and opens the door, sighing quietly.
She longs to go back to bed.
Regardless of its emptiness, it was warmer than the rest of her apartment.
She comes face to face to... chest...
“Bigby?” she queries, looking up at him. A small smile covers his face, and he nods.
“Hey Snow,” he comments and glances down the corridor with a cautious glance towards the other apartments.
He can hear somebody preparing to leave their apartment, and he really does not want to explain to the other fables what’s going on between himself and Snow.
It’s new ground. It’s slippery, a path never walked in his life. He’s never done this, he’s always shielded his heart, blocking the love.
And then... that night...
Snow fists a hand into his shirt and pulls him inside her apartment, hugging him tightly. Bigby chuckles lightly and kisses the top of her head, closing the door behind him. He winds his arms over her shoulders, hugging her gently.
“I was just about to call you...” she admits.
She was.
It scares her to say it.
But she was going to call Bigby and invite him up to her apartment.
He’s lightly massaging her shoulders, holding her in his arms.
“Hey, let's go lay down...” he suggests. Snow nods and smiles, though it feels wrong to smile.
She’s not happy, but she’s not sad.
She’s just... not right.
Bigby pulls her close and lifts her with ease, wandering through the apartment. He knows the path to the bedroom, and he closes the door with his foot.
He doesn't need to do much to see that she’s overwhelmed.
There’s a look in her eyes, tiredness combined with something that he can’t place. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure that she’s okay though.
He lays her on the bed before kicking his shoes off and unbuttoning his shirt. He slides into the bed behind Snow and winds an arm around her waist.
“You’re warm...” Snow mumbles, letting his warmth spread through her body. It comforts her greatly to have somebody else here with her, to not be alone.
She spent so many years on her own, so many centuries waiting wistfully for somebody to hug her, to tell her that she is loved, that there is somebody out there who enjoys her company.
That person is Bigby.
He’s here.
He’s gently kissing her neck, massaging her waist, cuddling her, he’s surrounding her.
He’s everything that she needs in life.
They only kept their relationship a secret because of the others, Snow didn’t know how they would react and she was not sure that she wants to see them find out that the business office kept another secret from them.
“Hey... stop thinkin’...” Bigby’s rough voice halts all her thoughts. She doesn't need to do anything, her thinking just stops, at his request. Bigby pulls the duvet closer and settles closer to Snow.
“It’s our day off... we don’t have to do anything... no duties, no work... nothing...” he continues.
Snow nods, but the thought of speaking overwhelms her.
She doesn’t need to though, Bigby will say everything that she needs to hear.
“I know things are hectic... the fables’ requests are getting more... ludicrous, but we’ll get through it, Snow. We will,” he promises.
Snow slowly turns in his arms, burying her face into his chest as tears sneak out of the corners of her eyes, trailing down her cheeks, betraying her.
Bigby doesn’t comment on them.
He doesn’t need to.
He pulls Snow into a tighter embrace, holds her closer, and kisses her gently. He's muttering promises of love over and over, promises of protection that she knows he’ll hold true.
And she knows that whatever happens, she’ll be okay while she has Bigby in her arms.
Maybe being public with the relationship would be a good thing...