This is a request from 'I-am-A'

Enjoy my brosephs and brosephines!

After becoming Deputy Mayor, Snow White quickly learned that three traits were an absolute must in order to survive her new position. Determination, was necessary to even begin to tackle the mountain of work which figuratively piled up on her desk continually. A keen knack for management was another; after all, what good was a Deputy Mayor who couldn't prioritise? Finally and perhaps the most important of all: patience. Dealing with Fables on a daily basis whose chief concern wasn't the welfare of the entire community, but rather their own trivial inconveniences ranging from broken AC's to petty grudges, required a rather thick skin. Fortunately, patience had always been a virtue of hers, indeed very little could seriously get under Snow White's skin.

"ACHOOOO!"

Today however…

Bigby had sneezed, rather violently, for the hundredth time that day. When he first came in, she immediately noticed how horrible he looked with his skin deathly pale, his nose alarmingly red and his once vibrant eyes half lidded and lifeless. She told him as much, though in typical Bigby fashion, shrugged it off and grunted an: 'I'm fine, it's nothing.' It certainly didn't look like nothing, but figuring he'd suffered far worse let it slide for the time being. Then the sneezing started. Followed by the incessant sniffling. Normally that would be tolerable… except when one takes into account Bigby's tendency to huff and puff…

Three almost destroyed pieces of furniture later and she had decided enough is enough.

"Bigby, have you got a cold?" She asked without looking up from the paperwork in front of her. Her cool, commanding voice seemed to shock Bigby from whatever he was doing.

A sniffle. "Snow I'm fine, nothing to worry about." She noticed how strange his voice sounded, likely a result of a blocked nose.

No way was she dealing with this. "Bigby you look and sound like crap, go home, get some rest."

"Snow…"

"I wasn't asking Bigby." And with that the matter was put to rest. Or so she thought…

He gave a little grunt and stormed out of the business office with what she thought was a defiant glint in his eye – and several documents and papers he was examining beforehand.

He wasn't really going to take it easy was he?

He'd likely just sulk in his own office for the rest of the day. Typical Bigby, looking after everyone except himself. She glanced at the paperwork in front of her and decided her concentration was worth for crap today anyway. With a sigh she stood up and decided she'd have a half day today.

A couple raps on the Sheriff's Office door prompted shuffling and a few quiet curses on the other side. Sure enough, when the door opened Bigby was met with the sight of a less than pleased Snow White wearing her traditional beige blazer and skirt, light blue blouse with white snowflakes, raven hair done up in a bun, arms crossed and a serious scowl if ever he saw one. His expression reminded her of a child whose hand was caught in the cookie jar.

Busted.

"Sheriff, what part of go home and get some rest did you not understand?"

He seemed lost for words for a moment, alternating between 'ummms' and 'hmmms'. It was actually quite endearing to see the 'Big Bad Wolf' fumbling with his words.

"Bigby, this is the last time I'm going to say it: go home, lie down, we can finish this up tomorrow."

He shut his eyes for a moment and seemed to mull it over.

Finally he opened them and looked more than a little sheepish. "I don't exactly have anything to lie down on."

That's right, he didn't have a bed or even a couch for that matter. She was no doctor, but she still figured it'd be better for him to lie down somewhere comfortable. A few seconds later she came up with an idea and promptly grabbed his hand with hers'.

"Right come on." She starting leading him down the hallway, causing a confused Bigby to sputter and stumble over himself quite comically.

"What? Where are we going?"

"My apartment."

"What? Why?" That got his attention.

They stopped in front of the elevator and she turned to face him.

"I've got a couch you can lie down in and I figure that the only way you'll actually do what I say is if I keep an eye on you." She had the faintest knowing grin gracing her face.

To say he was surprised would be a colossal understatement. "But I thought we were busy with-"

"It'll still be there tomorrow, besides I felt like taking the day off." She replied matter-of-factly.

He sighed in defeat. Once Snow put her mind to something there was no stopping her. Better to just resign himself to his fate, after all he could think of far worse things than being looked after by Snow.

After reaching her spacious apartment, she had wasted no time in practically shoving him down on her rather spacious couch, which judging by the texture was made from some mix of linen and cotton. She then proceeded to shower with woollen blankets, pillows and other items to make him more comfortable. He stopped questioning her rather odd behaviour a while ago. She seemed to calm down for a while before she pressed her very cool hand against his forehead.

"Jesus Bigby, you're burning up!" Her motherly concern melted his heart.

"Snow it's just a fever, not the plague. Nothing to worry about." He tried to reassure her.

It didn't work. "Like hell you are! Lie down!" She shoved him down into a lying position before running off to the kitchen and returning with a damp cloth.

He let out an uncontrollable shiver when her cool hands brushed against his forehead as she laid it across his forehead.

"Now, you are going to lie here and rest and God help you if you get up. Now, I'm going to go make you some soup and you better eat it."

"Thanks mum."

She playfully hit his shoulder. "Ass."

He just chuckled as she got up with a huff and walked to the kitchen.

He perhaps spent a little too long staring at her legs as they walked away.

"Oh and I'll be right here watching you, in case you feel like escaping."

He smiled.

True to her word, she never left his side, sitting in the chair next to the couch, offering him playful banter and pleasant company, interrupted only by the occasional sneeze. He had seen so little of this side to her ever since she became deputy mayor. It was refreshing for the both of them.

"What was she like?"

That seemed to baffle him. "Who?"

She shot him an inquisitive look. "Your mother."

That threw him for a loop. "What brought this on?"

"You called me Mum."

"I was only joking."

"I know, but it got me thinking. You've never talked much about it."

"No one really ever asked."

"Well, I'm asking now."

He nodded. "Yes you are."

Her brows furrowed in understanding. "If you don't want to talk about it…"

"No, no, it's just a bit of a touchy subject for me."

She gave him a sorrowful look. "Didn't you get along with her?"

He shook his head. "No it's just, a long story."

"I've got time."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "Her name was Winter and she was the best mother a pup could hope for, kind and caring. She loved us, my brothers and me, and we loved her." He looked away from her, a peaceful glint in his eye, which soon turned cold.

"My brothers though, used to pick on me a lot. They'd shove me around, bite at me, and mockingly called me the 'Big Bad Wolf." He recalled bitterly.

Her eyes lit up in understanding. "So that's how you got the name."

He nodded. "Yeah, that's how I got the name."

Her brows knitted together in scepticism for a moment. "Wait, why would they make fun of you like that?"

He gave a little chuckle and turned back to face her. "Would it shock you to learn that I was the runt of the litter?"

She laughed in astonishment. "You? The runt? I find that hard to believe."

"It's true. When they were making fun of me, guess they never expected that I'd get to the size I am now."

She nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with mirth.

He took that as his cue to continue. "My mother protected me from the worst of it though. I was happy. But she was always sad, even though she tried to hide it from us."

Answering her unspoken question he continued. "My father, the good for nothing piece of shit, left her when she was pregnant with us. Even after that she still loved him, not that I understood why. She was always sad, even though she tried to hide it. I hated him for it."

His eyes glistened with unshed tears, tears he had promised he'd never shed again on this matter. Blinking them back, he no longer cared that Snow saw him like this.

"She died when I was still a pup."

Snow took his hand in both of hers and he looked at her surprised by this gesture. She returned him a soft understanding smile. He turned away, staring at the ceiling again.

"When she died my brothers all went to look for our good for nothing father. But I couldn't just leave her there for scavengers." It was like he was trying to convince himself rather than her.

"So I stayed behind to guard her body. But I was so small…"

She gave his hand a squeeze.

"I couldn't do much. Afterwards I resolved to eat something bigger every day, until I was large enough to face the man who left my mother to die."

"Did you ever find him? Your father?"

"Yes."

"Did you..?"

He paused for a second before shaking his head. "No." He seemed disappointed.

Still, her eyes held no judgement. He felt himself get lost in those two blue oceans.

"I've… never told anyone else before."

She gave a small understanding smile. "I won't breathe a word of it to anyone."

He smiled as well. "I know you won't, I trust you Snow."

She still hadn't let go of his hand.

She woke up hours later still in her chair and one glance to her left revealed why. Lying on his back, wrapped in several blankets was Bigby. He looked almost peaceful, snoring softly, bringing a smile to her face. Though it was dark, she noticed how his still pale face would scrunch up slightly ever so often and he'd mutter something incoherent, clearly lost in whatever dream he was in. She smiled at how much he reminded her of an overgrown puppy sometimes. Not that she'd ever tell him that, least she damage his manhood.

Her thoughts drifted back to their earlier conversation about his mother. She had never seen this side of him before, so emotionally vulnerable. She was touched beyond measure that he would willingly open up to her about everything; in fact he seemed glad to let everything out as well. She guessed there was only so much you could repress before it began to eat away at you. That was something she could relate to.

Every time Bigby's name was mentioned, all that anyone thought about was a giant beast who held no remorse, and no love for anyone. She knew better, especially after what he had told her earlier, after she had seen the sadness in his eyes. Would a monster love his mother as much as Bigby loved his? They didn't know Bigby like she did. He had made mistakes, they all had, but he deserved a second chance more than anyone.

He wasn't a monster. She didn't think he ever was.

Despite herself, she couldn't help but lean over him and run a hand through his hair.

She pressed her lips to his forehead.

"Goodnight Bigby. Get well soon." She whispered.

Hope this one was ok, by all means feel free to inbox me with any story suggestions you'd like to see.