caramel-whiskeys-writing

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER EIGHT

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 1830

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Within the month Nerissa plans out a nice evening and Dinner where Bigby and Snow can come over and get a break from working hard in the office. The main thing though is that Rapunzel can be social with only the other two people she's comfortable around. Nerissa asks for Snow to bring over some stuff to cook, and she's already started by the time Bigby and Snow arrive at the apartment. Before they arrived, Rapunzel was a bit of a panicked mess since she hadn't seen Snow in a while, but Nerissa calmed her down and gave her some work to do in the kitchen. Granted the apartment was small, but it was big enough for a dinner party of four. Rapunzel is making sure the table has all its chairs and that they have everything ready when the typical Bigby knock is heard from the door. Rapunzel opens it slowly and looks out through the small crack. Upon seeing them she opens the door fully and gives a weak smile. "Oh, it's you guys." She fidgets with the sleeve of her sweater as she invites them in. Snow greets her kindly and easily starts up a calm conversation with Rapunzel, who tries to answer honestly and hold back any anxiety that may arise. Bigby doesn't say anything and just watches the two women speak softly to each other as they keep a slow conversation while standing in the doorway. His gaze landed on Rapunzel more often than not to make sure everything seems okay with her, on the outside at least. It's Nerissa's voice from the kitchen that reminds Rapunzel to let them into the rest of the place. Snow keeps up the conversation with Rapunzel while Bigby makes his way to the kitchen.

"So, what are the drink options for tonight?" He starts looking through the cabinet to find a glass and some whiskey, hopefully. Nerissa furrows her brow at him as she keeps working on the food.

"Not even a hello, just straight to drinking huh?" As she talks to him Bigby glances over his shoulder and sees that the other two are out of earshot.

"How are things going? With Rapunzel I mean?" Bigby's voice was shallow and quiet and Nerissa half smiled at him before turning her attention back to what's on the stove.

"Worried about her are you? You know, she's right there. You could just ask her." Bigby huffs at her. Nerissa points to the spot above the fridge and he finds the drink he's looking for. He frowns as he reads the label, but pours himself a glass nonetheless.

"Why don't you just answer the question?" His eyes almost glare up at her as he speaks. Nerissa shakes her head, not seeing the face he's giving her.

"She's fine. I mean obviously she's in need of some socialisation, seeing as I asked you guys to come, but otherwise she's good." Bigby leans against the counter top swirling his drink in his glass. "She actually asked me to bring her to see her old place a few days ago. I told her I was too busy to do it, but I think she caught on that I was lying and just didn't want to bring her there." Nerissa reaches up and gets herself a glass, holding it out to Bigby for him to pour her something to drink. As he does so he replies with concern in his voice. Something that's not heard often.

"She asked to go back?... I'm glad you didn't bring her. I imagine she might've gone back into her old ways if you did." He downs half the drink. His eyes land on the back of the chair that he sees Rapunzel sitting in from around the corner. Snow is still trying to keep a decent conversation with her, one that doesn't feel pushed. Bigby and Nerissa are quiet for a while until Snow gets up from her spot and goes into the kitchen.

With that, Bigby takes his time to slowly make his way over to Rapunzel, who sits in her chair fidgeting with her fingers and sleeve. He watches her as she sits alone. Her hunched over posture, her feet crossed together underneath the chair. Normally he'd see this kind of behaviour and body language from someone he's interested in. Slowly he nears the table and does so loudly enough so he doesn't startle her. Coughing a bit, he sits in the chair across from her. Rapunzel doesn't raise her head, just keeps fidgeting. Only when he speaks to her does her soft gaze look at him through her eyelashes.

"Snow talk your ear off?" He jokes gently. He places his arms down on the table, both hands holding onto his glass. The muffled talking of Snow and Nerissa coming from the kitchen working as a white noise.

"Just a bit." She visibly looks nervous. Bigby notices this and tries to think up something to say or even do to get her mind off of whatever she's thinking about.

"Did you want a drink? I can get you whatever you want." He offers her, a faint smile on his face. He swings his feet out from under the table and to the side like he's going to get up from the chair. She shakes her head.

"No, I'm okay. I had some earlier." She can't keep her gaze on him and her eyes flicker from side to side as she talks to him.

"Nerissa trying to soften you up, eh?" She smiles slightly at his playful tease. She knows he's trying to cheer her up and keep her being social, but something in her isn't letting herself calm down.

"No actually, I just finished off the last bit of cooking wine since she didn't want it to go to waste." She hums out. Her voice is that typical soft and shy, but when she's with Bigby you can hear a bit of confidence in her tone of voice. However, this time that confidence is gone. Rapunzel keeps her gaze lowered to the table and her body language screams closed off. They sit in silence for a while, a long while actually. Bigby is now fidgeting as well, and debating whether he should stand up and get more to drink or if that would make him seem uninterested in being around her.

Bigby has been trying to think up ways to help Rapunzel, along with Snow's help, but he can't come up with anything besides going out for coffee, or lunch, or calling her on his breaks. Feeling the pressure, he lights a cigarette and hums as the taste hits his tongue. It's a good while before Snow comes back into the dining/living room to start up another conversation. She's clearly the best person in the whole apartment when it comes to talking about anything at any time. Her and Bigby keep a mild conversation and Rapunzel listens in, slowly starting to get comfortable.

Soon the food is almost ready and Nerissa asks Rapunzel to help her. While they plate everything up for their guests they quietly chat, Nerissa having her back and making sure she's okay.

"Yeah, I'm good just... Don't know when to try and say something when someone else is talking." Nerissa smiles at her roommate.

"Well I think you're doing just fine. You can't rush being social and everyone finds themselves in situations like that. Don't feel pressured to speak, you can just listen if you want to." She does that light smile that Nerissa has come to know is probably her most genuine and thankful kind of smile.

"Thanks, Nerissa." They pick up the plates and go to the table. Nerissa pours drinks for everyone and Bigby actually ends up being the talker of the night. He tells stories of Fable cases he's allowed to speak about. Nerissa hops in with some little comments here and there and she notices Rapunzel quietly finding them funny, in her own way. As time ticks on, the four of them are enjoying themselves, enjoying the food and keeping Rapunzel's mind off her worries. It's been the longest time without her anxiety taking over since she moved in with Nerissa.

Their two guests stay later than originally planned and they all start playing card games with some light music playing in the background. Snow has had a few drinks and is telling tales that could either be true or are just a part of her creative ideas. Bigby follows suit as well, feeling comfortable around other Fables for the first time in... almost forever. Somehow these three women are getting him to relax and keep the normal angry wolf at bay.

When Bigby and Snow are getting ready to head home in a taxi Rapunzel stands with them by the door while Nerissa cleans up in the kitchen. She holds her arms around herself and smiles at them with a gentle look in her eyes.

"So," Snow says, raising her head to look at her. "Have any new plans? Or ideas? I know we ask it a lot, but we just want to know what's running through that head of yours." Snow keeps her voice gentle and casual so as not to alarm her new friend. Rapunzel's smile falls as she darts her eyes back and forth trying to find an answer.

"Well... Not really but, Bigby," Her eyes land on him for a moment before going back to nervously glancing around. "He's been trying to get me out for short amounts of time. And Nerissa keeps dragging me along for drives and... well... I feel more comfortable being out in public, I guess." She squeezes her arms tightly and her voice drops to a quiet hum the longer she speaks. Bigby smiles at her, even though she's not looking up at him to see it.

"You're doing good. It's a lot to take in, but you haven't had a freak out in public yet." Snow elbows him when he says that.

"Hey, come on Bigby." His eyes widen at her words, feeling a bit bad now and apologizing.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that... You've come far though. We can keep going out for quick lunches if you like. Just call me." Rapunzel's eyes finally raise to look at him and she nods.

"Thanks." Snow also tells her that if she's sick of Bigby or Nerissa to call her as well and they can try and find something to do together.

"Thanks guys. I know I must frustrate you with, well, me being me. But I really am trying, and... even though I get scared easily, I can't deny that you haven't helped." The two make sure to let her know that they will keep helping her through it before finally heading out the door. Before Bigby gets in the taxi after Snow, Rapunzel shouts from the top of the steps.

"Bigby... thanks, really I... I know you don't get out much either but, it's nice having someone who understands how I feel when dealing with... life I guess." She chuckles a bit at that last part. Bigby truly was the only person she knew well enough to say that to. He's the only one who also struggles with being around other people and having to be social with them. It's almost like they're helping each other learn to navigate the world together, step by step.

Bigby smiles and nods to her.

"Don't thank me. Be proud of yourself for getting this far." Those words get a bigger smile out of her than she's had in weeks. A genuine smile, that carries a lot of weight to it, coming from her. Bigby waves goodbye, along with Snow as the taxi drives off.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER SEVEN

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2099

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

"After you." He can tell that she's still a bit tense and anxious, no doubt from the encounter with the mundies and the unwelcome attention they had paid to her. He follows her inside, closing the door behind them and locking it. He leans against it watching as she moves further into the apartment. Bigby shoves his hands into his pockets and feels himself get angry as he remembers the mundies; both at the restaurant being annoying, and the ones outside acting like she's a piece of meat.

"You alright Bigby?" She asks him, looking concerned. He takes a deep breath, trying to push back the anger that he can't show, or it'll only worry her more.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He mutters. "Just those damn mundies back there... the way they were looking at you... it pisses me off." He pushes himself away from the door and walks over to her. His footsteps are slow and measured. He wants to reassure her, to tell her everything's okay but he can't shake the anger that's churning in his chest.

"Could you stay... here with me until Nerissa comes back?" He pauses for a moment, caught off guard by her request. He can see the vulnerability in her eyes, the way she's trying to hide the fear and anxiety that's still lingering in her expression. He's torn between his duties as Sheriff and staying with her to make sure she's okay. But in the end, his need to protect and care for her wins. He nods, his heart calming just a bit as he walks over to her.

"Yeah, I'll stay. I'll stay as long as you need me to." He sinks down onto the couch and gestures for her to sit down next to him and takes out a cigarette to light.

He takes a drag of his freshly lit cigarette. The smoke filled his lungs and calmed the tense, restless energy coursing through him. He watches her out of the corner of his eye, taking in the way she's sitting beside him. He blows out a stream of smoke as he tries to think of what to say. The silence stretched out between them. Only broken by the sound of his exhaled breaths.

"Are you really the only one who smokes that brand?" She asks suddenly. He looks at her; surprise flickers across his face at the question.

"Nerissa always likes to talk about how you smoke a certain brand that no other fables do." He hadn't expected her to bring up his habit of smoking and definitely not right now. He takes another drag before replying.

"Yeah," His voice was deep but not defensive. "It's a special blend. Not something you can just buy at any store. Just fable places." He studies her face, trying to gauge her thoughts and feelings. He wonders if she's judging him for his smoking or if she's just making small talk to fill the silence. Either way, he feels a twinge of defensiveness rise up in him, but he doesn't show it.

"What's the normal reaction people have when they try one?" He can see the curiosity mixed with wariness in her gaze as he watches her, taking a quick drag again before answering.

"It's strong," He replies bluntly. His voice is rough as he keeps the smoke in his lungs. "It's not for first time smokers or weak lungs, that's for sure. Most people cough and sputter." He blows out a large plume. He can't help but feel a sense of pride as he sees her watching him. Her eyes fixed on his face as he smoked the cigarette. It's definitely the first time that someone shows an interest in his habits, and for sure the first person who doesn't scoff at his cigarette of choice. He watches as the smoke floats to the ceiling.

It's still a bit hard to gauge what she's thinking since they've only been slowly getting closer with each other over the last two-ish months. She likes to go out with him when he's not busy, so it is hard to spend more than ten or twenty minutes with her. Over that time though, Bigby has grown increasingly fond of her company. He likes how easy she is to talk to. She doesn't judge him for his brusque exterior and bad habits. Along with liking her company, he has also grown protective of her even at times when it's not really needed.

As he takes another drag, he can't help but wonder if she's being this curious because she's considering trying a puff for herself. There's a part of him that kind of likes the idea, the way she would look with a cigarette in her hand and the smoke curling around her face. But he also knows that he shouldn't encourage her to pick up a bad habit like his, especially when she already has enough on her plate. She turns her attention towards the tv when she turns it on. She felt odd catching herself watching him as they stopped speaking. But Bigby can't help but feel a bit disappointed. He had hoped that she might ask to try a drag. After a few minutes he hears a huff of a chuckle come out of her. He glances over to her, his brows furrowed in confusion. It's not often that she laughs or chuckles like that.

"I just now realised the name of the cigarettes. Quite fitting that only you smoke them." She crosses her arms and leans back into the couch. He gives a slight snort of amusement, the corners of his lips twitching into a hint of a smile.

"Yeah they're a little on the nose, aren't they?" His mind wars with itself over whether he should offer her a try of the cigarette or not. He looks at her again, taking in the way she sits on the couch with her arms crossed. He can't help but picture what she would look like with a smoke between her lips. He fights with himself over it for a good bit before deciding: fuck it. He holds out the cigarette to her. His hand steady and he can feel his heart rate pick up as he waits for her reaction. He hopes she doesn't get mad at him for offering it to her.

"You want to try it?"

"Depends. Is it gonna kill me?" She asks, turning her head to face him. He takes a quick drag before answering with a small grin.

"No, it's not going to kill you." He holds it out again for her. "It's just a different kind of smoke. Stronger and more... flavorful. But it won't kill you. Trust me." He watches closely as she hesitantly takes it from his hand, her fingers curling around the butt as she brings it to her lips. He feels a thrill of excitement run through him as he looks at her. His eyes glued to her lips as she takes a tentative puff. He can see the way her eyes widen just a fraction as she inhales, the way her cheeks hollow out. He's not surprised when she coughs out the smoke. He can't help but chuckle as he sees her face scrunch up in a mix of distaste and discomfort.

"Told you it was strong." He says with a hint of teasing in his voice. "Not for first smokers." He feels a little bad because of the small smile that forms on his face at her reaction. He takes it back from her.

"How do you smoke that shit?" She says through soft coughs.

"I guess you could say I have a bit of a tolerance." There's a smugness in his voice as he speaks. "It takes a while to build up, but once you're used to it, it's not so bad."

"A bit? I don't think anybody could handle those, Christ." She gets up to go to the kitchen for a glass of water. His eyes follow her movement and he chuckles a bit hearing her mumbling to herself, clearly unimpressed by his cigarettes.

"It takes a tough palate to handle them, but once you get used to them they're pretty damn good."

"I'll take your word for it." She's in the kitchen for a moment before she calls out. "Did you want anything to drink?"

"Yeah. I'll take a whiskey. On the rocks, if you don't mind."

"Ok, but Nerissa buys the cheap shit. Just letting you know."

"Thanks for the heads up." She comes back into the living room and hands him his glass. His fingers brushed against hers ever so slightly. Bigby feels his heart skip a beat at the brief touch, his mind distracted for a second before taking a sip. She sits back down on the couch and her eyes are back on the tv. The whiskey is just as shitty as expected, but he doesn't mind.

Soon Nerissa comes back home. She sees them sitting on the couch and greets them. She then sniffs the air a bit.

"Were you smoking those shitty cigarettes here? I can smell it." There's no harshness to her words. She always has to comment on his smokes since she doesn't like the taste of them.

"Yeah I was." A smirk on his face as he speaks, glances back at her couch, the back of the couch. "I know you don't like them, but they're my favourite. You'll have to deal with it."

"What are you doing here anyway? Did she ask you to stay after going out?" Nerissa asks quietly as they talk in the entryway just out of earshot of Rapunzel who sits sipping her water and watching the tv.

"Yeah, she asked me to stick around for a bit. She seemed a little shaken up after dealing with some mundies. I thought I'd stay and make sure she's alright."

"Mundies? What happened?" Bigby tells her about the group of humans outside of her apartment and how they called her as she struggled with the door. It seems as though a group of certain mundies have been causing issues in the area so she's not too surprised that they had run into them. Nerissa heads down the hall to her room and Bigby goes back to the couch once they finish the conversation. He sits down next to Rapunzel again, his eyes finding her once more. A small spark of fondness flickering in his chest at the sight of her. An odd feeling that he wasn't used to.

"Are you heading out now that Nerissa is back?" She asks softly. He watches her for a moment considering her question. Part of him wants to stay, but he knows that he still has some work to do before calling it a day. Plus she is safe now that Nerissa is here.

"Yeah I probably should. I've got work to do. Can't sit around here all night." After a few more minutes Bigby decides it's time to head back to his office. Rapunzel comes outside with him as they wait for a taxi to pick him up. He's smoking another cigarette as they wait. He steals glances at her every now and then, feeling a strange sense of disappointment at leaving her like this. But he doesn't say anything. His usual gruffness prevents him from saying the words that are running through his mind. After a few minutes the taxi pulls up. Bigby turns to her, his face a mask of stoicism once more. He gives her a nod, his normal way of saying goodbye. Yet out of nowhere and very out of character, Rapunzel hugs him.

He's taken aback by the sudden hug. His mind races to process what's happening. Neither of them have ever been the kind to act this affectionate with anyone so both of them feel odd about the whole thing. He stiffens at first, but slowly, he relaxes and carefully wraps his arms around her. She pulls away, clearly a little awkward and nervous.

"Have a good night. And thanks for staying with me." He's still a bit surprised by the hug catching him off guard.

"Yeah, no problem. You take care of yourself. And if those mundies or anyone else gives you trouble again, you let me know alright?" His gaze lingers on her face lit by the street lamps before he turns to get in the taxi. As it pulls away from the curb, he glances out the window. His eyes seeking her out one last time. Even after the taxi turns a corner and she's out of view. He can still feel the sensation of her arms around him. A strange warmth lingers in his chest.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER SIX

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 1980

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Over the course of about two months, Nerissa had been slowly introducing Rapunzel to different parts of the city and taking her out to restaurants and such. Bigby has started to become a part of her life as well. Not nearly as much as he wishes, but seeing that Nerissa is helping Rapunzel get her life together after everything, and seeing that it's actually helping her makes him feel less concerned. Bigby had taken her out for coffee a few times and brought her out to some parks, anything that would work in between him being at the office or a case.

They now sit on an outdoor patio for a small restaurant in the city. Bigby is sitting across from her, a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He's in a good mood, his eyes sparkling with humour as he watches her laugh at the joke he just told. It was one of the first times he had heard her laugh. She was still getting used to being in public after locking herself away in her old apartment. He loves seeing her happy like this. The way her face lights up and eyes sparkle when she truly enjoys herself. Something that probably hasn't happened in a long time. He takes a drag of his cigarette and grins at her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"You know," He says with a hint of humour in his voice. "You have a pretty nice laugh when you actually let loose and have some fun."

"It's... been years since I laughed. I never really thought about that until now." She responds genuinely. He takes a sip of his beer, his eyes softening slightly at the thought. He can see the decrease in happiness on her face. The underlying pain and trauma that she still carries with her even now.

"Yeah, I can't imagine... but I'm glad you're laughing now. It suits you." She smiles at his words, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort at the sincerity in his voice. She takes a sip of her own drink, feeling a bit more at ease now that they've spent more time together. She glances around the restaurant patio, taking in the other patrons and the general atmosphere of the place.

"So... is anything interesting happening at work?" She's clearly not used to starting conversations. He takes another drag of his cigarette, considering her question for a moment before responding. He can sense that she's not the most comfortable with small talk, but he's determined to keep her talking anyway. Anything to keep her engaged and enjoying life around her.

"Work?" He says with a shrug. "Eh, same as ever. Nothing exciting has been happening lately. Mostly just enforcing the rules and dealing with the usual troubles." He leans back in his chair and rests his arms on the backrest while studying her face. He can see that she's listening intently even though she seems a bit uncertain about how to respond. He takes a sip of beer, trying to come up with something else to say.

"But," he says, his voice a bit more sly now. "I did have a pretty interesting encounter with a couple of witches in the middle of a park the other day." She raises a brow.

"Oh yeah? Bet that was fun." He grins at her response, he huffs a bit in amusement as he recalls the encounter.

"Fun? Yeah, I guess you could call it that," He chuckles. "I had to break up a fight between them, who were convinced that the other one had cursed their hair. It was like trying to break up a cat fight, except with magic involved."  She scoff-laughs and takes another sip of her drink, looking over at the passing cars. Bigby's eyes never leave her face. He's glad to notice she's letting her guard down a bit.

"Yeah, it was ridiculous," His voice is almost fond as he recalls the memory. "One of them threatened to turn the other one into a frog if she didn't apologise. That was a fun one to deal with."

"Good thing they didn't curse you instead." Rapunzel jokes, and he chuckles at that.

"Nah, they wouldn't dare. They know better than to mess with me. Plus, I have a reputation to maintain as the Big Bad Wolf." he grins, his eyes sparkling with a hint of arrogance. He loves the feeling of being feared and respected, the knowledge that he's someone to be reckoned with. At the same time he hates himself for that, yet... he also knows that Rapunzel and a few others seem to see past that. Past the tough exterior to the real him. He studies her face for a moment, his expression gentle as he looks at her. He taps his cigarette against the edge of the ashtray, blowing out a cloud of smoke before speaking again. They sit and talk for a little long until it starts to feel like too much for Rapunzel. A loud group of mundies sat beside them. He can sense her growing uncomfortable as the group of mundies gets louder and more raucous beside them. He can see the tension in her face and the way she's clenching her fists under the table. He knows that being around strangers in a crowded space like this is hard for her, and he wants to alleviate the discomfort as much as he can. He reaches across the table and lightly brushes his hand against hers, trying to get her attention. When she looks up at him, he gives her a gentle smile and tilts his head towards the exit.

"Hey, let's get out of her. I think we've had enough of this place." She nods. Bigby takes one last drag of his cigarette before putting it out on the ashtray. He watches as she stands as well, her movements tentative and cautious. He can see the lingering anxiety in her face, and he knows that she probably just wants to go home and retreat back into her comfort zone. He makes sure to stay close to her as they walk out of the restaurant together onto the street before looking for a taxi. He brings her back to Nerissa's place and takes note of how she keeps her eyes looking out the window for the whole ride. Bigby gets out of the taxi first and holds the door open for her. He stays by the taxi that will be taking him back to his office, and he watches as she goes up the few stairs to the front door. His eyes take in every little detail of her expression and body language. He can tell that she's trying to appear calm and collected, but he knows her well enough to recognize the signs of anxiety still coursing through her. Then from just a handful of feet away on the street a group of mundies catcall her. Bigby immediately tenses when he hears it. His jaw clenches in anger, and he can feel himself grow annoyed and protective. He takes a step forward, his body coiled and tense as he glares over at the mundies. He feels a strong urge to confront them, to show them that she's off limits and not to be messed with. But he also doesn't want to scare or upset her more than she already is. So he restrains himself to watching them closely, ready to intervene if they get any bolder.

"Hey sweetheart, you live there? Wanna let me and my buddies in with ya?" One of them shouts. Bigby clenches his fists tightly at the guy's words; the way he's speaking to her, like she's just some piece of property for them to take advantage of. Rapunzel has been trying the keys for a moment and none of them seem to work. She glances back at Bigby.

"Bigby? I think I grabbed the wrong keys." Finally Bigby has a reason to come up to her. He stands next to her and he still has his eyes on the group of mundies as he comes up to her. He glances down at the keys in her hand, his expression hardening as he sees the look of discomfort on her face. He wishes he could do more to make her feel safe and secure, but right now he's just trying to keep his own anger in check.

"Let me take a look." His voice is gruff but gentle when speaking to her. Bigby keeps her close to him with an arm moving to her waist. While it does make Rapunzel uncomfortable, he does it to make those men shut up. He can feel her tense up under his touch, but he keeps his hold firm and steady. He glances up at the mundies for a moment, his gaze challenging and menacing. He knows that they're watching them, and he knows that they're not going to do anything as long as he's with her. But the way they're looking at her, like she's a prize to be won, makes him sick to his stomach. After trying all the keys none of them open the door. He bangs on the door hoping that maybe Nerissa is home. He does this several times, the sound echoing through the quiet building. After a few moments of knocking with no answer, Bigby mutters a curse under his breath. He knows that they can't just stand out here all night, especially with those guys around and him needing to head back at the office before the end of the day. He glances down at her and sees that she has a bobby pin in her hair. He gets an idea.

"Do you mind if I use that for a minute?" He gestures to the bobby pin.

"What? My bobby pin?' She points to it. He nods.

"Yeah, just for a sec. I can use it to pick the lock and get us inside." She removes it from her hair and holds it out for him. He looks at the lock on the door and inspects it closely. He can sense her watching him, no doubt feeling a little uneasy about his ability to pick locks.

"Just relax." He says, his voice reassuring. "I've done this before. It'll only take a minute."

"The Sheriff knows how to pick a lock?" She questions, but it's also a bit of a tease. He grins at her question, his eyes flashing up at her for a moment. He likes the hint of playfulness in her tone as she tries to lighten the mood.

"What can I say? I'm a wolf of many skills." He replies affectionately. "Sometimes, the rules need a little bending to get the job done." He takes a few moments to get the bobby pin in the lock right and try to unlock the door. After some manipulation and twisting, he finally feels the lock give way. He turns the doorknob and pushes the door open, gesturing for her to step inside.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER FIVE

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2527

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Two weeks go by and Nerissa is hosting an event as planned. It's sort of a fable anniversary, but also to remind everyone that Rapunzel exists. There aren't too many fables there, but enough to fill the decent sized living room. Rapunzel sits on top of the stairs trying to hide from everyone. She's still not used to so many people wanting to talk to her. Plus most of them are drunk. Bigby stands near the bar, nursing a drink in his hand. He blends in with the crowd of fables, not trying to cause any problems, at least for today. He glances over at the stairs where he had noticed her before. He sees her trying to hide from everyone, looking uncomfortable as she sits on the side of the stairs that has the one shadow in the whole room. He watches her from the bar for a little longer, noticing the discomfort on her face and he can sense how much she wants to be anywhere but here. He takes a moment and looks around at the others. Most of them are too occupied with drinking and talking to try speaking with Rapunzel.

Finally after some time, he sets his drink down and pushes away from the bar. He slowly makes his way over to the stairs, his footsteps almost completely silent thanks to the crowd. He stands a few steps below her, not wanting to tower over her.

"Hey..." He says, his voice low so only she can hear. She looks at him, clearly not wanting to be at this party whatsoever.

"Hey." She speaks quietly before looking away. Bigby stands there awkwardly for a moment, not really sure what to do next. He can tell that she's still guarded around him, still wary of his presence.

"Can I sit down?" he asks gruffly. Her eyes land on his feet and how close he is getting to her as he takes a step up on the stairs. She nods her head and brings her knees to her chest. He sits down on the far side of the same step she sits on. He glances at her for a second, taking in her small form curled up.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." She says, feeling his eyes on her. He raises an eyebrow at her words, his expression softening a bit.

"Don't sass me, princess." There's a hint of levity in his voice. She scoffs.

"Princess. All these drunk losers call me that now." Bigby huffs out a small chuckle at her words.

"Yeah, well, they're all a bunch of idiots." He pauses for a moment before continuing. "Except me. I call you princess with a healthy dose of sarcasm."

"What? Am I not royal enough for you Sheriff?" She says in a playful manner but Bigby thinks that he's offended her and it takes him a moment to realise she's not. A small smirk appears on his face.

"Oh trust me, you're far too princessy for me." He teases back.

"Oh sorry I'll go put on my gown and..." She's quiet for a moment. "You know. I never actually had a gown." She remembers that detail of her life. Bigby listens to her and can hear the hint of sadness in her voice.

"Yeah... a tower doesn't really give you much room for fashion." He says with that hint of sarcasm again. He glances at her, and that sarcasm quickly goes away as he sees her thinking about it.

"But I'm sure you would look quite elegant in a gown." Bigby says sincerely. She huffs.

"Doubt it." Bigby can hear that she really does doubt it. It strikes him that she seems to have low confidence in herself.

"You doubt it, huh? Why's that? You think you wouldn't look good in a gown?"

"I just... think that's more of a Cindy or Beauty thing. People never really wore gowns in my city." She keeps her knees to her chest the whole time they talk. He huffs out a small snort.

"Yeah, I can see that. Beauty and Cindy are definitely the kind of people who would rock the gown look. But I'm sure you would look good too." He pauses for a bit before adding with a hint of sarcasm. "But it might be hard for you to hide on the stairs in a gown though."

"I'm not hiding." She says trying to defend herself, but obviously that's what she was doing. He raises a brow at her denial, clearly not convinced.

"Yeah, sure you're not," He says gruffly again. "You're just sitting on the stairs, all alone, in the shadows. Totally not hiding."

"I'm not alone. There's an annoying wolf bugging me." She says quietly but playfully. She's nervous that Bigby won't get that she's joking with him given his usual reaction to jokes. However Bigby can't help but feel relieved that she's comfortable enough to make jokes with him.

"Hey, who are you calling annoying?" He plays along and gets a huff of a small chuckle out of her. He feels a hint of satisfaction that he was able to get a positive reaction out of her. He looks over at her for a moment before speaking again as he watches the crowd with her.

"You know, you could come down from the stairs and join the party. Instead of hiding up here."

"No way. I'll pass out from nerves. I'm... still not great with people." Her voice softens. Bigby listens to her and hears the vulnerability in her voice. He understands that she's still uncomfortable around people, especially in a big crowd like this. He nods slowly.

"Yeah I get it. I remember how nervous you were when we first met." He thinks for a moment before continuing.

"But you know, it might be good for you to try to interact with people a little bit more. You don't have to go crazy, just talk to a few people, maybe try some of the food and drinks." She chuckled lightly to herself.

"I'm talking to you aren't I? Nerissa thought that she might have to save me from you." He huffs out a laugh.

"Yeah, you are. And Nerissa thought that huh? She thought, "What, I'd bite you or something?" She tenses at the word bite. It triggers that horrible memory she had tried so hard to forget over the course of meeting Bigby. He notices her sudden tension at the mention of the word 'bite' and immediately realises he's said something wrong. He curses himself internally, realising that he's touched a nerve.

"Shit..." he mutters under his breath, his gruff expression turning guilty. She sinks into her knees more and watches the crowd of people, trying to clear her mind from her memories. He watches as she closes herself off, her body language closing in on itself. He can tell that her mind is somewhere else. He wants to say something to comfort her.

"Hey... look at me." It takes her a second, but she looks over at him softly. He locks eyes with her, his face showing concern.

"I'm sorry," he says in a low voice. "I shouldn't have brought up the whole bite thing. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories for you." Her eyes widened.

"Wait... How did you?" Bigby realises that maybe Nerissa didn't tell her that she had told him about what that wolf did to her. He freezes; he's said too much. He had assumed that Nerissa would've said something to her about it, but clearly he was wrong. His expression is sheepish as he stares at her for a moment.

"Uh... Well, Nerissa might have told me..." He admits his voice is hesitant.

"Oh." She sinks back into her knees and gently closes her eyes for a minute. He watches her and can practically see the walls going back up around her. He curses to himself once again, hating that he's caused her to retreat into herself.

"Hey... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." She sits still not knowing what to do or say as Bigby watches her quietly. He sighs and feels awkward and unsure of what to do himself. He wants to say something to comfort her, but he's never really been good with emotions or words. He decides to just go with honesty.

"I know you probably don't want to talk about it... but I just want you to know that I'm sorry that happened to you." She continues to sit still and listen to him speak. He takes a deep breath.

"No one deserves to have something like that happen to them. And I know it probably doesn't mean much coming from me, but I just... I wish I could have been there to stop it." He says earnestly. Tears start falling down Rapunzel's face, but she's perfectly quiet. He watches as a few tears fall down her face, and his heart clenches at the sight. He feels a hit of guilt and helplessness. He swallows heavily, his expression filled with remorse.

"Hey... hey, don't cry..." His voice gruff but soft. She sees Nerissa in the crowd looking at her. She stares back at her knowing that at anytime she needs her, Nerissa will be there. Rapunzel lowers her head and wipes some tears away. Bigby notices her looking at Nerissa through the crowd and can see the silent communication between them. He can see how much she values Nerissa's presence and support, knowing that she can rely on her friend when she needs her. Most Fables don't have anything like that these days. He wishes to reach out and gently comfort her, but he's not sure if she would even want him to touch her.

"Look at me." It takes a second but her puffy red eyes look at him through her hair. He locks eyes with her. He sees the pain in them and is hit again with guilt. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But I just... I need to know something." He looks at her intently, his eyes searching her face for any sign of... anything really.

"Does anyone else know about what happened to you? And don't lie to me." She shakes her head. His heart clenches at her answer. He feels a mix of anger and protectiveness rise up within him. He can't believe that she's carried this pain on her own for so long, and he feels a sense of responsibility to be there for her now.

"Why haven't you told anyone?"

"Why would I?" He frowns at her response, his mind filled with confusion and anger.

"Why wouldn't you? You've been through hell, and you've been carrying this burden on your own all this time? Why haven't you told anyone about it?"

"Because... I don't know anyone." She tightens her grip on her legs and looks back at the crowd. He's never really thought about it, but he realises that she's right. She doesn't really have anyone but Nerissa.

"You have me." He tries to be gentle at this moment, at least as much as he can be. She doesn't say or move for a full minute before a small whisper that he can barely hear over the party.

"I know you're not the wolf that did that to me Bigby. I just... I can't..." He listens to her soft whisper. He can barely make out the words, but he hears the pain and vulnerability etched in her voice again. He knows that she's struggling to differentiate him from the wolf that hurt her. He wants to tell her that he would never do anything to harm her, but he knows that words may not be enough to convince her. He swallows heavily once more.

"I'm not that wolf, Rapunzel.... I swear."

"I know. I just... It's hard to not remember everything when you're around."

"I get it. I... I know I must remind you of what happened." She sighs a bit before standing up with the intent of going up the stairs to her room for the night. But she pauses for a moment.

"I'm... sorry for what I said Bigby. I... didn't mean to yell at you that day." He watches her from the step he sits on as she gets up.

"Don't apologise. You've got nothing to be sorry for." He pauses for a moment. "And... for what it's worth, I'm sorry too." Suddenly without warning as she's trying to clear her face of the final tears, she slips on the step. Bigby's attention is snapped back to her when he hears the sound of her foots slipping on the wooden step. His instincts kicks in, and he acts on reflex.

He surges forward with surprising speed and reaches out and grabs her before she can fall. Holding her steady. Her heart races as she almost fell down the stairs. It takes her a second to realise that Bigby was touching her. She thought that she would start to panic but... she didn't.

He holds her close, his arms wrapped around her as he makes sure she's got steady feet on the stairs. He can feel her body tense in his grip and he braces himself for her to start panicking, knowing her history. He feels the tension in her subside as she relaxes into his hold. He holds her protectively as he speaks.

"You okay?'

"Yeah, th-thanks." She stutters a bit. She goes to walk away and Bigby feels concern and disappointment. He doesn't want her to leave yet. He reaches out and gently places a hand on her arm.

"Wait... don't go yet." She tenses a bit and looks back at him.

"Do you... want a hug or... something?" The moment the words leave his mouth Bigby inwardly cringes. He's not exactly known for being the most comforting or affectionate person, and the idea of giving someone a hug feels strange and unnatural to him. But he doesn't want her to go just yet, and he's willing to try something new if it means keeping her here a little longer. She looks at him for a moment, until she basically jumps into his arms. He's taken aback by her sudden movement. He wasn't expecting her to actually go in for a hug, but he quickly adjusts and holds her close. The feeling of her body against his is unfamiliar, but strangely comforting to him. Her hug is tight and she tries not to cry as her words squeak out.

"Forgive me for being so... scared around you." He gives a husky sigh; his voice soft and low.

"There's nothing to forgive. After what you've been through, being scared around me is understandable."

That night Bigby went for one more drink after she went to her room before leaving the event. Unfortunately for Bigby he didn't get any sleep thanks to her. He spends a restless night after the event, moving around in his arm chair as he tries to quiet his thoughts. Everytime he closes his eyes, images of Rapunzel's tear-streaked face and the trauma she'd experienced flash through his mind. He can't shake the guilt he feels for bringing up her painful memories earlier in the night and wishes there was something more he could have done to comfort her. But that hug will have to do for now.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER FOUR

Must Read Warning: This chapter has mentions of rape and scenes of self harm

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2040

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Warning for chapter: mentions of rape and scenes of self harm.

A week goes by and all Bigby can think about is Rapunzel. He just can't shake the thought from his mind about her fearful reaction when he tried to touch her, or the revelation of what a werewolf did to her... it all haunted him. He tries his best to focus on work, on his duties as the sheriff, but his mind keeps drifting back to her. How could anyone hurt her like that...

He suddenly finds himself at her doorstep, his hand hovered over the door knob. He hesitates, unsure of what to say or do. He takes a deep breath, steeling himself. You idiot, what are you even doing here?

He knocks on the door, his gruff exterior betraying a hint of nervousness. A gust of wind hits the door and it's... unlocked? That's not right. The woman is scared of everything. She wouldn't have the door unlocked. Bigby grows concerned as he notices this. He pushes the door open slowly, his senses on high alert.

"Rapunzel?" he calls out gruffly, stepping into her home. He looks around the ruined tower, searching for any sign of Rapunzel. He feels his concern almost turn into worry as he finds no sign of her.

"Rapunzel?!" He calls out again, his voice louder this time. He starts to look around the room, searching for any clue as to her whereabouts. He glances out the window and sees her outside and down the tower. There's a weird grey and green glow going on everywhere outside. He rushes out of the tower and makes his way down to her, trying to figure out what's going on. She's on her knees in the field of grass with her hands on the ground. As Bigby gets closer he can hear her shouting something and it sounds like her voice is being strained badly. As he moves closer he calls out to her, his voice betraying a hint of worry.

She doesn't notice him. She's too worried about what's happening in front of her. There are tears flooding her face, she's bleeding from some cuts on her arms that she caused. Mixed with the grey and green plant life glowing around her, he knows that she's doing some kind of magic.

"PLEASE WORK PLEASE!" Bigby is concerned and shocked as he takes in the scene before him. He sees the tears on her face, the cuts on her arms, and the glowing plant life surrounding them. It hits him that she's trying to use her powers to heal the homelands, and it's taking a toll on her. He approaches her, moving closer carefully and trying not to startle her.

"Rapunzel." He calls out again. His voice is softer this time around.

"NO. NO PLEASE! HEAL! HEAL!"She's slamming the ground in front of her. She's shaking as she sobs out the words in desperation. As Bigby sees what's got her all dishevelled and emotional. It's a glowing yellow flower. He stops a few feet away from her. He watches her intently, his concern growing the more he sees her struggle.

"PLEASE WORK PLEASE!" She brings up a knife to cut herself and water it with more of her blood. Bigby's face turns to shock and fear as he sees her bring the knife to her skin. He knows she's desperate to make the flower bloom and likely heal what's around them, but it's clear that she's hurting herself in the process. He quickly moves towards her and grabs her wrist before she can slice her own flesh.

"Stop!" His voice was sharp. She fights Bigby even in her distraught state.

"NO PLEASE!" She shouts and sobs heavily. Her voice sounds like it's going to break. He struggles with her as he tries to hold her wrist in his grip. She may be weakened by her efforts, but she's still putting up a fight, her desperation clear in her actions. He holds onto her lightly, trying to keep the knife away from her skin.

"Stop it," He says frimley, his voice betraying a hint of anger and fear for her. "You're hurting yourself." As they fight against each other, the flower withers and goes from yellow to grey. When she sees it wither she stops. She doesn't move or shout. The tears keep flowing. Bigby's chest fills with sadness at the state of her along with the flower. He can see the despair on Rapunzel's face as she stops fighting him and her tears flow down her stained face. He releases her wrist while he slowly slips the knife out of her hand as he does so. He looks at her, his rugged features showing a hint of concern and sympathy.

"Rapunzel..." He says quietly.

"No... No... NO!" She leans over the flower. Her tears land on it but not doing anything to heal it. "DAMMIT WHY?!" He stands there silently, not knowing what to say or do. He wants to comfort her, but he knows there's nothing he can say to ease her pain. All he can do is stand there, watching her as she falls apart.

"No..." Her shouting fades away and she just sobs, looking at the flower as she lays beside it. Everything is quiet and only her sobs break the silence. Bigby is feeling helpless and unsure. He can see the pain and despair etched on her face, and he wishes there was something he could do. Anything. He just wants to help.

"This... this was the only way... to heal..." Her cries and sharp inhales of air cause her to shake. His heart gets heavier with every word. He can tell that she believed deeply in the power of this flower and its ability to heal.

"Why did you have to come here?! WHY?!" She yells at him. Her voice still sounding rough. "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" She sits up right and gently picks up the flower. "THIS WAS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD SAVE THE HOMELANDS! THIS IS THE FLOWER THAT SAVED ME FROM DYING!" Bigby recoils slightly as she yells at him. His gruff exterior faltered for a moment. He can sense the anger and pure emotion in her voice, and he knows that she blames him for ruining her chances of saving the homelands.

"I..." he starts, trying to find the right words. "I didn't know. I didn't know what this flower meant to you." He looks at her, his expression troubled. "I'm sorry."

"I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE! BUT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO LISTEN! DAMNED DOGS! YOU'RE ALL THE SAME!" She shouts before collapsing to the ground and tightly holding the flower to her chest. He remembers the only time she's ever met another wolf. His heart now filled with guilt and frustration as she strains her voice to shout at him. He knows she's angry at him for not leaving her alone, for unto understanding the importance of what she was doing. He winces at her comment about dogs, but he doesn't argue. She's hurting. He thinks to himself. He remembers what Nerissa told him about the wolf that raped her, the one who made her afraid of them, and rightfully so. Seeing her like this strains his heart and he feels a wave of protectiveness wash over him. Taking a step forward, he kneels down beside her. He tries to find the right words to say.

"Rapunzel..." His voice is gentle despite his rough voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't understand... I didn't realise how important this flower was to you." Through thick tears and sobbing cries she only gives him a death stare. He's feeling that guilt again along with remorse as she looks at him like that. He locks his gaze with her stare.

"Please understand, I didn't mean to cause you pain. I just... I was worried about you." After a moment of no response and feeling as though he's ruined a lot for her he leaves. He tells Nerissa about what had happened in hopes that she'll be able to comfort her and help her out of this mess.

He doesn't see either of them for months until Nerissa walks into his office on a random day. He's poring over some paperwork when she walks in. He looks up as she enters and his gruff expression softens a bit at the sight of her.

"Hey... Nerissa," he sets down his pen. "Been a while. Can I help you with something?" She sits down lighting a cigarette.

"You know, after the healing flower died. Nothing held Rapunzel to that tower or the homelands." His expression turns serious when she brings this up without saying hello first.

"Yeah... I remember. The flower died," he leans back in his chair. "Did she... is she..." He trails off, not wanting to finish the question. Nerissa takes a long drag of her cigarette.

"I'm honestly surprised with how she's doing. She's been staying at my place for the past two months. I've... never seen her so... lively? I guess." Bigby feels a wave of relief at hearing that she's doing well, and a hint of surprise at her description of being 'lively'. He can tell from her tone that she's a little perplexed herself.

"Lively," he says gruffly, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that she's at least clean and fixed up her appearance a bit. She's still very sad and lonely." He nods slowly. It sounds like Rapunzel has taken care of herself physically. But he also understands that her sadness and loneliness aren't easily fixed. He looks at Nerissa intently, a hint of concern in his expression.

"Is she... coping?" He asks bluntly.

"Well she hates the colour yellow now." She says with a bit of a laugh but it soon fades. "I knew she feared wolves but... she even hides when a mundy is walking their dog by my building." He feels a pang of guilt as he hears her words. He knows that his presence caused her to fear wolves even more, and it pains him to hear that she's even afraid of mundy dogs now.

"Damn..." he mutters under his breath. His expression troubled me. "Has she.. Has she talked about me at all?" She chuckles a bit before taking her sweet time finishing her cigarette.

"Yeah." He's curious now thanks to her chuckle, his eyes narrowing again.

"What'd she say about me?" He asks, leaning forward in his chair.

"She hates herself for acting the way she did. She... told me that she wasn't mad at you... she was upset because all this time she was working so hard, but..." He listens intently to Nerissa, feeling guilt for hurting her, even if it was accidental.

"She... wasn't mad at me?" His face showed disbelief. She shakes her head.

"Oddly enough. I think that pain of failure took over for that moment." Nodding slowly he understands what she means. He can imagine that the pain of watching her only hope to heal fade away right in front of her eyes would be overwhelming.

"Yeah, I can see that," He runs a hand through his hair. "Do you think, do you think she'd be willing to see me?" Nerissa sighs and thinks for a moment.

"My mind immediately says no, but... if it was some sort of thing where a bunch of other fables who wished to meet her were around and you just happened to be there then... maybe." Bigby nods again as he thinks about her random idea. It's not the most ideal situation, but he's willing to take any chance he can get to see her.

"Alright, if there's an event or something where she'll be around other fables... let me know. Just... just don't tell her I'll be there. I want to talk with her and I don't want to scare her away from events either."

"I can throw an event for sure. Granted, it'll be hard to invite people that won't start a fight with you." She chuckles a bit. Bigby can't help but huff out a small chuckle at her joke. He knows that his reputation isn't spotless, and that a lot of fables would love a chance to start a fight against the big bad wolf.

"Yeah, that could be a problem. But if it means I can talk to Rapunzel, I'm willing to take my chances." 

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER THREE

Must Read Warning: This chapter has mentions of rape and scenes of self harm

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2550

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Mentions of self harm and rape in this chapter

"I've been... trying to fix it. To heal the land... that's why... nobody sees me anymore and why my powers... have started t face." She doesn't look up at him and just keeps her head low, continuing to hug her knees to her chest. Bigby slowly nods, starting to slowly put the pieces together. Her powers are fading, why she had become a recluse, it's all because of her attempts to heal the homelands. He's hit with sympathy and admiration for her, the effort she's been putting into all of this. She's been sacrificing herself to do so...

"Why are you trying to fix the homelands?" He quietly asks.

"Don't you miss home?" With soft eyes and a wondering expression she finally looks up at Bigby. He hasn't thought about the homelands and how things used to be in a long time, but the question stirs something within him. Miss home?

"I..." He mutters with his gruff voice, trailing off for a moment. "I do..."

"Well there you go. That's why I've been..." She can't finish her sentence and moves her gaze back to the floor again. Finally she speaks up. "I'm not shaking because I'm nervous, I'm shaking because I'm exhausted. But I can't stop trying or else it will all be for nothing, right?" Bigby listens to her, her exhausted tone and trembling body painting a stark picture. He's hit with concern, seeing finally the true state of herself, weakened and lonely. Underneath that concern thought is admiration for her determination and willpower. She was pushing herself to the brink, all in the name of trying to heal something that most likely would fade away. He can't help but respect that. He takes a deep breath, wanting to say something to reassure her, but he's not sure how to phrase it. He wants to tell her that she needs to take care of herself, that she can't keep pushing herself like this. But he also knows that he can't stop her, that her determination is too strong. So he settles with a gruff "You need to rest," trying to keep himself seeming gentle.

"Can't do that." She says quickly back. "The homelands were never home to me. But the fables that felt that way, I want then to have that back." Bigby feels sadness upon hearing this. The homelands were never home to her... That wasn't fair. He looks at her, seeing the determination, but also he sees the toll it's taking on her. He wants to say something, to try to persuade her to rest, but he gets the feeling it won't do any good. She's too set on her mission, and has been for years. She stands up and walks over towards the window. She picks up a leaf that was resting on the edge of the window sill gently sending it off in the wind. Bigby sees something amazing that makes his eyes widen. Following the leaf of a small strain of magic or... was it? It looked like he saw the homelands healed, back to the way it was. Did she manage to actually fix some of it? The moment plays back in his mind, the burnt and ruined land, lush and green for but a moment. He turns to look at her, his eyes wide with shock and surprise. This had to be another illusion and not really the homelands right?

Before he can ask about it though, seeing the sunlight shine down on her he sees the true toll all of this has taken on her over the years. He sees the countless scars on her arms. She's covered in them, and there's a fresh one still bleeding. He didn't even notice that she had done it. Disbelief and shock washes over him as he realizes what she'd done.

"What are you doing?" He asks his voice, betraying him and clearly showing his worry.

"The homelands needs my blood to heal it." She runs a hand over the scars. He's slowly being filled with horror. Her blood? She's been bleeding herself to heal something this big?

The horror turns into outrage as it sweeps over him. He's unable to believe what she was doing to herself.

"You're... you're draining yourself dry just to heal this place?!" He stammers out, his gruff voice betraying his worry and surprise. She steps back at his louder voice. Bigby instantly regrets his outburst as he sees her step back at his raised voice. Dammit... He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry," he mutters gruffly. "I didn't mean to shout. I just..." He struggles for words, trying to find a way to articulate his concern without sounding too forceful. He looks at her again, taking in the sight of her scars, seeing just how often she must harm herself. It pains him to see any fable like this, pushing herself to the brink in the name of healing the homelands.

"This... this isn't healthy. You can't keep doing this to yourself," he says firmly, his rough exterior softening slightly.

"I've been doing it for 150 years, Sheriff. I've not come to harm yet." But she has. She's lonely, her power is fading, hell even fables are forgetting her.

150 years... 150 years of bleeding herself to heal something that will never come back, putting herself through so much pain and suffering.

"But look at you! You're not alright, you're exhausted, you're lonely, you're... you're losing yourself in all of this." His voice is tinged with concern and frustration.

"And start being someone I'm not? Sheriff, I never saw anybody but one person for 19 years. Then only for one year I saw a city, but from a balcony. Then either 10 or 20 years in a cage. And now 150 years here watching the place everyone card about root away," She leans on the window sill looking out. "I can't stop." He listens to her words, feeling a load of sympathy for her lonely existence. 19 years in a tower, followed by isolation in a cage... she probably never wanted to live like others. He walks closer to her, stopping a few feet away.

"I understand that you want to do this, but at what cost? You're sacrificing your own health and happiness for the sake of this land and some assholes. Is it worth it?" She's nervous with him being this close to her, but she looks at him with a sad smile on her face that hurts Bigby deeply.

"Im' a nobody. Is the life of one fable more important than all the rest?" His heart drops at that sad smile on her face. She sees herself as a nobody... someone not important at all.

He stands there silently for a moment, her words sinking in. He wants to tell her that she has value, that she's not just some nobody, but the way she says it makes him realize she truly believes it.

"You're not a nobody," he says, his voice quieter than usual. "Your life matters too, Rapunzel."

"Your life matter because you're the Sheriff, protecting fables. Snow matters because she's the deputy mayor." She points at Snow. "Me? I'm a hermit trying to fix a dream that will never come true. And if it does, it'll happen when I've given everything and die." Bigby listens to her, her words hitting him like a punch to the gut. He knows deep down that she's right, that his life has more significance than hers in the grand scheme of things. But hearing her describe herself that way, like she's worth less than everyone else, hurts him in a way he can't explain.

"You're not just a hermit, and you have more value than you think. To me, at least." She raises an eyebrow.

"And what do you mean by that Sheriff?" He feels frustration at her own words. Damnit, that came out way too serious. He takes a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "I mean... you're not worthless. You're not just some hermit," His voice betrays a hint of vulnerability. He pauses for a bit, debating whether to say more. She huffs a bit but not in annoyance, but knowing that he's trying too hard.

"Don't work yourself too hard to try and find a meaning for me Sheriff. I'm okay with being alone, trust me." He gets a bit irritated at her response, her nonchalant attitude toward her own self-worth irritating him. God damnit, she's so stubborn...

"It's not about you being alone. It's about valuing yourself. You deserve more than this, Rapunzel."

"Do I?" There's a hint of something in her voice. Bigby doesn't know it, but she desperately wants him to prove to her that she has something to truly continue living for besides the homelands. He feels as though there is something behind her question. He takes a step closer, closing the few feet gap between them. He looks into her eyes, his roughness softening even more. He knew that her words were more than just a rhetorical question.

"Yes,: he says firmly. "You do. You have value, even if you don't see it yourself." She gets nervous when he gets close to her. He sees the nervousness when he steps closer, her body tensing slightly. He senses her unease and tries to soften his demeanor even more. He reaches a hand out, as if to touch her arm, but he hesitates, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

"It's okay, he says quietly. "I'm not going to hurt you." She quickly pulls her arms towards her body as his hand comes out. Bigby's heart sinks as he sees this, her shielding them from her touch. He lets his hand fall back to his side, his expression betraying a hint of sadness in frustration. He stands there silently, unsure of what to do next. He wants to reach out to her, to comfort her somehow, but he can see the walls she's put up. He's never been the best at dealing with emotions, especially not his own, let alone someone else's.

He clears his throat, trying to break the silence.

"Why do you flinch when I get close to you?" her eyes widened.

"I... I'm not used to people." She crosses her arms and holds them close to her body. The answer she gives is clearly a lie as she lets Nerissa near her. He raises an eyebrow, his expression skeptical.

"You don't flinch when people like Nerissa are close to you,"

"I don't?" She says trying to act like she didn't know. The irritation he once felt is back. Her attempt to feign ignorance is obvious. He narrows his eyes.

"No, you don't. You let them get closer to you without flinching. But when I get near, you pull back like I'm going to hurt you." Her grip on herself tightens and she can't look at him. Bigby notices this, he feels concern and confusion, sensing the tension and defensiveness in her body. He takes his hands and gently touches her chin, tilting her head up to look at him.

"Look at me," His voice was quieter than before. The panic floods her body and quickly she slaps his hands away and moves across the room from him. Something about him sparks great fear in her. He didn't expect such a strong reaction from her, and the look of her eyes worried him. He steps back, giving her space, but his concern only grows.

"Why are you so afraid of me?"

"Just don't touch me!" She yells as he hides in the corner. His heart hurts hearing her yell, flinching slightly at the volume of her voice. He watches her cower in the corner, the fear in her eyes clearly evident. He keeps his distance, not wanting to crowd her or make her feel even more uncomfortable.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he says softly, voice laced with concern. "I promise."

"Just stay away!" She yells and tears fill her eyes. Nerissa comes back inside as soon as she hears the yelling, and goes over to Bigby.

"What happened?" She asks, looking between him and Rapunzel. He sighs heavily, rubbing a hand over his face.

"I just tried to... touch her." he mutters. Rapunzel is shaking and tears quickly flow down her face.

"Come on, let's leave her be for now." Nerissa leaves with him and he glances back at her one last time. His body filled with sadness seeing her shaking and crying. He looks back at Nerissa as they close the door, feeling like she knows why Rapunzel reacted that way. Once they've taken a few steps away from the front door, he turns to Nerissa.

"Do you know why she reacted that way?" She has a pained look on her face. She doesn't want to tell Bigby, but she knows that he'll push.

"I don't think I should..." He senses her hesitation, the pained look on her face telling him that she does know something.

"Please, Nerissa. I need to understand what's going on with her." A hint of desperation in his voice. She looks at the ground.

"It's not you in particular, it's wolves in general." He's a bit shocked and surprised by what she says.

"Wolves in general?" He tries to wrap his head around what she's saying. "You mean she's scared of me because I'm a wolf?"

"Her story says she never saw another living being besides Mother Gothel but... she had. It was a werewolf like you." Anger and bitterness wells within. He takes some deeper breaths trying to control his emotions.

"So some werewolf hurt her, "he mutters, "Is that it?"

"Hurt is putting it lightly." Nerissa seems to hold back tears.

"Thankfully Gothel's greed to keep her alive saved Rapunzel. But... I can't tell you... I can't." Bigby feels a pang of dread as he sees her hold back tears. He can sense the weight of her words and the pain in her voice.

"Please, Nerissa. Tell me. I need to know what happened to her." She's quiet for a moment before she whispers.

"The wolf tricked her and raped her, Bigby." He feels shock, anger, revulsion wash over him as he hears this. His hands clenched into fists, his usually gruff exterior crumpling for a moment. He stands there in silence for a bit, his mind racing. How could anyone do something like that... Finally he finds his voice, growling out through clenched teeth.

"Are you sure?" Nerissa nods.

"It even tried bonding with her. Ther-" She tries to calm herself. "There's a failed bond mark on the back of her neck. It's larger than normal because... she was a kid." The horror and anger flood over him as she confirms his fears. He can't imagine the fear and pain she must have gone through just from that moment alone. His eyes widen at the mention of the bond mark. He clenches his fists hard enough he's about to bleed, and his jaw setting.

"A failed bond mark..." he mutters, "And she was a kid..."

"I didn't want to tell you." Nerissa sobs out. Bigby feels bad for making Nerissa go through saying all that out loud as she sobs quietly. He puts a hand on her shoulder, awkwardly trying to comfort her.

"It's okay. I understand why you didn't tell me. Thank you though, for telling me." 

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER TWO

Must Read Warning: This story will have mentions of self-h*rm and r*ape. It will also contain a good handful of 18+ content.

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2600

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

Two months go by and Bigby can't spare any time away from the case. Snow and him make sure that some stuff gets sent to her place. One day however they end up getting another lead on the case, and it brings them right back to her. Somebody had seen Rapunzel let a person into her apartment, and the witness even took a few photos. Bigby now wonders if maybe it was all an act, just a lie. This time however, they have Bluebeard tagging along in case they have to arrest multiple Fables.

The growing feeling of betrayal and anger hurts him as he felt like she was being honest with him, but now he's not sure. It doesn't help either that he saw the photo of her letting someone into her apartment. He follows behind them all, completely lost in thought and his mind racing with questions. He can't help but wonder if her isolation was just a lie to cover something sinister. As they approach her place, Bigby's expression is serious and focused, his gruff nature hardened this time as he prepares himself for what they may find.

Once they arrive at the door, Bigby hesitates for a moment before knocking loudly, his knuckles rapping against the wood with a firm, authoritative sound. A moment passes and the door opens only a crack. The door knob shakes with her hands.

"Hello?... oh, Sheriff." He feels a bit of surprise and concern as the door finally opens revealing a small glimpse of Rapunzel. He takes in her shaking hands and nervous expression. He steps right up to the door, trying to get a better look at her and also anything possibly in her apartment.

"We need to talk." Something about the way the light shines through the hall behind her isn't the same as last time. It's grey and dark, almost like it was burned.

"What... I'm sorry but.. I can't." His brow furrows with her refusing to talk, along with what he's trying to make sense of behind her.

"What do you mean you can't? We need to talk, It's important." He tries to push open the door further, wanting to get a better look inside to see what's going on. But the door doesn't budge, for a woman with shaking hands and a weak looking body she sure has some strength.

"Rapunzel, what's going on? Why can't we come in?" Her eyes widen in fear and she keeps her foot by the door, stopping it from moving any farther. Bluebird shouts something as he doesn't like the girl and is quite suspicious since they have evidence against her.

"Nothing. The place is just a mess right now." Bigby feels the irritation from Bluebeard's voice and chooses to ignore him for the time being.

"Rapunzel, we know someone's been coming in here," He says gruffly. "Don't lie to me. Let us in."

"I can't do that. I'm sorry, but I can't." There's a bit of strictness and concern suddenly in her voice. While she's still shaking, she's gained a more stern tone.

"I'm sorry Sheriff." He's getting frustrated with her now and crosses his arms. His expression hardens as he tries to get a better read on her.

"Why can't you do that? What are you hiding?" He mutters in a gravelly voice, his eyes narrowing as he studies her.

"Nothing I-" Bluebeard cuts her off, yelling to just push her out of the way. Bigby's lips press together in a tight line as he hears Bluebeard's suggestion. He hesitates for a moment, not wanting to forcibly enter her apartment without her permission. But then he sees the fear in her eyes. The way she's refusing to let them in, and his gut instincts kick in. He takes a deep breath and nods.

"Alright, move aside, Rapunzel."

"Bigby-" She says as he forces his way in. Something about the way she says his name was different. The four of them move in and they notice very quickly that this place is not like how it was before. Something was very wrong here and she's trying to cover it up. He looks around the space, his eyes taking in the state of the apartment. Almost immediately, he notices this is a completely different place entirely. It's small, burnt and... windy, like it's outside in a field. It's not the same apartment at all. They all look around confused, and a bit frustrated. Bigby feels a mix of confusion and anger wash over him. He looks at Snow, Nerissa, and Bluebeard, seeing the same perplexed expression on their faces.

"What the hell is this place..." He mutters and his frown shows up again. Rapunzel quickly moves away, putting distance between herself and them. She retreats to the other side of the room, near a small bed, and he can see the fear running through her small figure. The wind blows through the place and is strong and constant, adding to the strangeness of everything. Bigby exchanges a look with Snow and then the others as they all wonder what the hell is going on. Bigby walks over to the one window in the place and when he looks out he's... 50 feet in the air?! It's a tower in the middle of a field? But they're just on the street in New York? Was this a spell or something? Bluebeard nears Rapunzel and speaks to her in a sharp and aggressive tone.

"What is this? This shithole? What are you hiding? I know something is going on here!" Bigby turns and watches, feeling tense as Bluebeard tries to get some information out of her. He can't help the questions and theories running through his mind. She tries to move away from him but Bluebeard keeps closing the gap between them, his voice only getting louder and more accusing.

"Bullshit!" Bluebeard bellows, his frustration growing even just by looking at her.

"You can't expect us to believe any of those lies. This place isn't normal!"

"I swear it's nothing to worry about!" She looks at Snow and Nerissa for a second who seem annoyed with Bluebeard but don't do anything to stop him. Suddenly, Bluebeard grabs her by the hair and pulls out the hair tie that held her brown hair back out of her face. Bigby gets concerned and angry as he watches some of her hair getting pulled out of her head and her gasping in pain from Bluebeard's rough action. He instinctively moves towards them, ready to intervene in case Bluebeard takes it too far.

With her brown hair now covering her face there's a change in Rapunzel's behavior. She's clearly still a mess, her skin dirty, her hair tangled hair and her messy clothes. He is then filled with sadness as he takes in her disheveled look. He wonders if the previous apartment was some kind of illusion, just a cover up for this current reality. But it's her expression that catches his full attention. Her eyes wide, fixed on the hair tie in Bluebeard's hand. Bluebeard continues to bark questions and orders at her.

"Who's been coming here? What are you hiding? Tell me!" Suddenly her eyes flash from staring at his hand to giving Bluebeard the deepest death stare. Something in her snapped, and it was starting to scare Bigby, what was she going to do?

His senses turn on high alert as he watches the blank expression turn into one of pure rage. He feels a shiver down his spine. He's used to dangerous situations but the look in her eyes is one he's never seen in any Fable before. Bigby steps in.

"Bluebeard, back off," He says with a firm, demanding voice as he moves between him and Rapunzel.

"What, but... we need answers!" He protests, his eyes darting between Bigby and Rapunzel. She stands up keeping that death glare and walks up to Bluebeard. Before anyone can react she's got her hand on Bluebeard's jaw holding it in a tight grip. He goes to pry her hand off his face, but it's no use.

"Do you know what you've just done?" The deep stare she gave him was now straight into his eyes. He tries to wrestle free, but her grip is shockingly strong, her hand holding him tight.

"W-what the hell... What are you doing?" He gasps, a mixture of anger and fear in his voice. A disturbing scene plays out as Bluebeard struggles to breathe and falls to his knees. Rapunzel's stare is terrifying and within a minute the life from Bluebeard, including the flush of his skin, turns into a withered corpse. She lets go of the body and it falls to the ground with a thud. Bigby's eyes widened in shock and horror as he watched the scene unfold before him. Before they knew it, Bluebeard's life had been snuffed out in a matter of minutes. He stood transfixed, his mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The body lays lifeless and motionless on the floor.

Rapunzel is breathing heavily while everyone else is scared to move or say anything. Bigby glances back at her and sees a tear run down her face. When Bluebeard removed that hair tie something had happened to her. His stomach drops as he watches her quietly cry, the sight breaks through the shock that had taken hold of him. He looked at her carefully, realizing that something had shifted in her. Everything had changed the moment Bluebeard had ripped out her hair tie.

"Rapunzel," Bigby does his best to be gentle. He takes a few steps towards her, careful not to come too close.

"What... what just happened?" he asks, glancing towards the withered body at her feet. Rapunzel is quiet and her voice is breathy.

"I drained him of his life. He... removed the hair tie." She doesn't look away from the body as she speaks.

"Drained him of his life...?" he mutters softly as he continues to look between her and Bluebeard's lifeless body, his mind racing to make sense of it all. "Because of the hair tie?" His gruff exterior falters slightly.

"There was a spell on the hair tie. It blocked out all the memories from back in the homelands. The memories of my life." She doesn't move an inch.

"I don't want to remember it. But here I am, reliving it all again." There's a hint of sympathy in his chest as he listens to her.

"Memories about your life before... here?" He asks quietly. He looks at her, seeing the pain and trauma written all over her face. He feels a sudden urge to reach out to her, to comfort her, but he holds back. Unsure how she'd react.

"I can live with the memories of being locked in a cage because I knew that nobody cared or loved me but... My story? Mother Gothel and how she pretends to love me, that I can't..." His gut continues to drop with sadness and concern for her as she talks about her past. Locked in a cage, isolated, uncared for... the memories sounded like a nightmare.

"Mother Gothel..." He mutters, the name ringing a bell. He hesitates for a bit but then decides to ask, "What happened? With Mother Gothel?"

"She stole me from my family. I had healing powers as I was going to die before being born. She pretended to be my mother, locked me away in a tower." She recapped. Suddenly Bigby realizes that the burnt tower they were standing in... was said tower. He starts to feel some outrage as he hears her story. Kidnapped from her family, locked away in a tower, all for the sake of her healing powers...

"Jesus... How long were you there?"

"19 years... I only got to spend 1 year with my real family until the war happened. Then I was in a cage for 10 years... I think it was 10, could've been 20." 19 years in a tower, 10 or 20 years in a cage. Bigby feels a wave of anger and sadness wash over him as he processes her words. To be robbed of a normal life, to be trapped and isolated for such a long time... It's hard to imagine.

"But I guess that's just the life of some Fables eh?" She smiles in a sad and almost 'life sucks' way. Sympathy runs through his chest in response to her resigned tone.

"Yeah... guess it is..." He grumbles quietly. He looks at her, taking in her weary expression and the sadness in her smile. He sees all the past bearing down on her, almost making his heart start to ache. She brings a finger to her mouth and bites open a small wound.

"Of course before I was returned to my family, Mother Gothel cut my hair, making it lose its power." She moves her bleeding finger over the body.

"My tears healed my ex from dying, but they can't even do that anymore." They all watch in minor shock at what she's doing. A single drop of blood falls and lands on the body.

"But my blood can still work." He can see the resignation in her expression, the realization that her healing abilities are gone. Despite that, he can't help but be surprised by the fact that her blood can heal. Then slowly the body comes back to life in front of their eyes. She steps away as they all watch and sits on the dirty bed, and curls her knees to her chest.

It's almost like he was never dead in the first place. He glances over at Rapunzel, seeing her curl up, her knees drawn close to her. The sight of her being worn out and sad tugs at his heart strings again. She sits there as Snow and Nerissa help Bluebeard. Rapunzel doesn't say anything or look at them, just at her feet. All the memories that she tried so hard to forget were flooding back to her. Snow and Nerissa's voices are low and hushed as they check him for any lingering effects of his near-death experience.

Bigby can sense Rapunzel's discomfort, the weight of her memories heavy on her shoulders. He wishes to help her but he's not sure how, or if he even can.

"Want to know why I made the illusion?" She says to Bigby. He looks over at her and nods slowly. HIs curiosity grows now as he remembers the fake apartment.

"Yeah, I do."

"I couldn't leave home. No matter what memories I have of this damned tower, I can't leave it." She lowers her head.

"This isn't an illusion. The door to the apartment is a portal. You're in the homelands right now." Bigby feels a surge of confusion and surprise as he absorbs her words. The homelands? He was in the homelands? He looks around the tower again, taking in the dusty, ruined state of it.

"So... we're not in Fabletown right now?" He asks, his gruff voice betraying a hint of disbelief.

"No. Take a better look out the window. You'll see the burnt forest on the right." The forest where Bigby is from. He quickly walked up to the open window. His eyes take in the whole empty and blackened place. So this was the fate of the homelands... a part of his old life that he had been trying to forget about. She lets out a scoff mixed with a laugh.

"Looks horrible doesn't it? I... I've been... maybe I shouldn't say." He turns from the window, seeing the bitter smile on her face. He senses that there's more to her story, something she's holding back. He walks closer to her, his gruff exterior softening slightly as he looks at her intently.

"No... go on," He speaks gently. "You can say it."

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

Bigby Wolf Fic!

Hello everyone going through either a Bigby tag or TWAU tag. I am currently writing a Bigby x OC fic and I even have one part up for you to read! (Read description below if interested)

Bigby Wolf fic Masterlist

One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | CHAPTER ONE

Must Read Warning: This story will have mentions of self-h*rm and r*ape. It will also contain a good handful of 18+ content.

Bigby fic Masterlist

Word count: 2401

Summary: One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

The city was going through a beginning of a heat wave and of course Bigby and Snow had gotten a lead on a case of missing and enslaved Fables thanks to Nerissa. She told them that she had met a woman who had heard about the missing Fables along with living in the area where some suspicious things had been seen. The taxi stops in a really nice area of Fabletown, but it feels odd since there is nobody out on the streets thanks to the heat. Nerissa walks them over to a townhouse apartment and Bigby carefully surveys the area, already feeling exhausted from the heat and being overworked thanks to the case. He sees through a small opening of the curtains that the place inside is very well taken care of. He puts out his cigarette on the step once Nerissa knocks on the door. Nerissa makes sure to tell them both to be kind and gentle with the woman. She speaks to both of them but really she's talking to Bigby.

The door opens up just a crack a few moments later. It's a younger woman peeking through the crack; she opens her eyes and quickly lands on Bigby and Snow before Nerissa. Her voice is soft yet bubbly, however she looks over nervous and scared.

"Hello?" It takes her a second to get the courage to speak. Nerissa greets her warmly and tells her that she's brought the security office with her. Bigby shifts on his feet, impatient and still grumpy as ever.

"We just need to ask you a few questions," He mutters. He watches the woman through the crack with narrow eyes.

"Oh... okay. Come in." Her voice is shaky as she slowly opens the door from them to pass through. As suspected the place is covered in rich people's things and stuff from back home in the homelands. She walks them over into the kitchen where she stands in the corner away from them all. She's wearing a mesh shawl and a lace bralette with a skirt, clearly not expecting visitors. Bigby eyes the place looking a bit unimpressed. He tries to size up the woman as he follows her, taking in her appearance with a critical eye. She clearly doesn't belong here amongst all these fancy things. It doesn't take long for his gaze to linger on the skimpy outfit. His brow furrows slightly as he sees how nervous she is. He takes a few steps closer to her, stopping a few feet away as he crosses his arms over his chest. He glances at Snow quickly before bringing his attention back to her as he speaks.

"I take it you know who we are."

"Who wouldn't know you?" She says a little more scared when Bigby shifts a tad closer towards her. Everyone knows the big bad wolf. Some Fables aren't scared of him much, but some truly are terrified. Nerissa gently places a hand on his shoulder and moves him away from her.

"She's not used to being around people, give her some space." He huffs under his breath as he's pushed away, clearly not happy being given orders while working under a lot of stress.

"She can't be that fragile,: He mutters quietly enough the only snow Nerissa could hear. He gives another huff as he shoves his hands into his pockets, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Snow shoots a glare at him telling to act professional and not scare the woman, Bigby just rolls his eyes and lets out a huff in annoyance. The woman speaks up and her voice is quiet as she tries to not have a shaky voice.

"So, what did you need to ask?" Her arms cross over her chest as she hugs herself trying to calm herself down a bit. He gives the woman a long look, studying her for a moment.

"We've been hearing rumors about a new, illegal business," he starts his tone gruff as usual. "Something involving slaving Fables." He goes to light a cigarette as he talks but Nerissa gently places a hand on his arms to stop him.

"We just need to ask you some questions. Nothing too difficult." He glances at Snow as she continues the conversation.

"We've been investigating for a while now, and your name and residence came up."

"Mine?" She tightens her grip on herself. "I thought maybe my pages in your books had been lost." Her eyes shift to the ground. Nerissa tells Snow and Bigby that no Fables remember her or her story, yet she's the most popular Fable with the Mundys. He frowns as she says that, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"What do you-" He's cut off by Nerissa who tells them that no one remembers her but she's somehow the most popular Fable? Bigby gives a deep, gruff grumble as he tries to process this information. He glances at Snow again, looking even more confused than him.

"How does that even-" He shakes his head, cutting himself off this time. He focuses his attention back to the young woman, his gaze still critical.

"Do you know anything about what we're talking about? Have you heard anything about this whole... Fable slave business?"

"No. I haven't. I... never leave my home..." She keeps her gaze on the ground and her voice gets a bit depressed as she clearly doesn't have any friends or even a need to talk to people. She lives in the richest Fable building but nobody knows who she is. Bigby feels a bit of pity in his chest as he hears the sadness in her voice, but he quickly pushes it away. He's not supposed to care; that's not what he's here for. A sharp huff comes from him as he glances at Snow once again.

"You don't leave your home. Ever?"

"No. I can't bear to leave it." Her pale green eyes stay on the floor of the kitchen. Nerissa speaks up.

"Are you sure you don't know anything about what's going on? I've had some Fables tell me people come into this apartment."

"What?" Her eyes move back up to them. "No, nobody ever comes here." Bigby frowns as he listens to this, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"No one at all? Not even a delivery person," He asks in a gruff tone." No one at all has entered your home?"

"Nobody I swear!" She begins to seem even more nervous and in her mind she's worried that someone might be sneaking into her apartment. Bigby though only thinks that she's possibly hiding something due to her reaction.

"Nerissa I swear nobody even knows I exist!" her voice shaking as she only talks to the only person she thinks will believe her. Bigby is already pretty skeptical about her claims, but Nerissa's reaction only seems to confirm that something is off about this whole situation. He shifts on his feet, eyeing her with a sharp gaze.

"No one knows you even exist, yet you're one of the most popular Fables around?"

"Popular with the Mundys." She backs up a bit and leans against the kitchen counter.

"Their favorites are the princesses right? Think which princess Fables you know?" She points to Snow and Nerissa.

"Clearly them, but what other ones." Bigby feels a tad bit of guilt, but he hides it. He looks over at his friends acknowledging their status as princesses, then back at the young woman. He takes him a moment of thinking and racking his brain trying to recall any other princesses he knows. It's quiet for a minute until Snow speaks up.

"Well there's Beauty and Cindy, but I'm not sure of many more that are still alive." He nods in agreement.

"Beauty and Cindy, right..." He mutters as he runs a hand through his thick hair in frustration. He feels a bit annoyed that he can't think of any other Fables, but he brushes the feeling aside.

"The Mundy's love me and my story, but... other Fables have forgotten me. Granted, I do have a hard time leaving the house but, I'm the one that saved all the Fable nooks back in the war." her hands are still a bit shaky as she speaks. Bigby feels himself softening a bit at her explanation, feeling that guilt once again. His frown slowly leaves his face as he looks at her with a more sympathetic look. He takes a moment to collect his thoughts, his gruff demeanor weakening slightly.

"You... saved all the Fable books? You did that?"

"Yes. I... was stuck in a cage for about 10 years. You all got away a lot earlier than I did." She frowns, looks back at her feet and hugs herself again.

"When I got here you all were worried about what to do, but I left the Fable books at the woodlands." Bigby's frown deepens once again as she mentions being stuck in a cage. He takes a step closer to her, his gaze softening even more as he studies her with a mix of worry and understanding.

"You were in a cage. For 10 years." he says in a quieter tone than usual. She takes a fearful step away from him as she's not fond of anybody being near her.

"Yeah, I was. I guess you'll want to know who I am then?" His shoulders slump forward as she quickly takes a step away from him, his expression becoming more guilty than anything. He mentally cursed at himself for making her scoff, but he nods reluctantly, wanting to know more about her.

"Yeah," He mutters. "I think we'd all like to know."

"Rapunzel." In that moment nothing about her seemed like a princess at all. She was wearing a whores outfit basically, and her nervousness was clearly trauma based. It had been so long that her hair that had turned brown and cut short was now chest length. It had been almost 150 years since any Fable knew who she was. Bigby is in a state of disbelief as she introduces herself as Rapunzel. He looks her up and down, noting now different she looks from what he expected a princess to look like. A deep sigh leaves him as he tries to push away his surprise and confusion.

"Rapunzel..." He grumbles under his breath, still studying the princess with sharp eyes. "I can't believe I didn't recognize you."

"Don't feel bad. Nobody does anymore." She uncrosses her arms. Snow and Nerissa both have a guilty look on their face and Bigby was trying his hardest not to show his. 150 years since any Fable knew who she was. He can't move past that fact. 

Bigby looks over at the two women with him and he has to avert his gaze from them when he sees that they also feel bad for not knowing who she was. He looked to the ground for a moment before he spoke up.

"How could we all have forgotten you? You're one of the most famous princesses in fairy tale history."

"I guess being a shut-in hermit does that over the years." She rubs the back of her neck nervously and with a fake smile trying to make light of the moment.

"I'm the one and only." She chuckles a bit, really trying to sell it. Bigby feels his rough exterior start to soften as he watches her try and make light of the situation.

"I never once went out of my way to talk to anybody. You all had gotten your feet back when I came back from the war so... I didn't really fit in." She gets nervous again, realizing she's said a bit too much. They all feel a deep sense of guilt for not reaching out or making sure not only her but other Fables outside of the woodlands were alright mentally at least. He takes a step closer to her, trying to speak in a softer voice.

"You mean you've been by yourself this whole time? Nobody checks on you, or comes to visit?"

"Nobody knows I exist." Her voice is soft yet there's a hint of self-deprecation that only he picks on. His heart sinks as he hears her act like it's a normal way of life. He can't believe she's lived here this long in isolation. He takes another step towards her and his rough and gruff exterior crumbles.

"That's not fair. You shouldn't be alone like this." She puts her hands up and takes a step back. Her eyes go wide in worry.

"No, no. I'm fine really. I'm okay being by myself, it's better than the cage I was in." His heart sinks as he watches her step away from him. He's unsure of why he makes her uncomfortable and nervous, but he doesn't plan on being too pushy. He stops in his tracks, holding his hands up in a defensive gesture as he quickly tries to reassure her.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm not going to hurt you... I just... it doesn't sit right with me. You've been alone all this time, shut off from the rest of us. That's not right." He pauses for a moment as he studies her with a mixture of worry and sadness running through him.

"How do you do it? How do you survive like this, all alone?" Then to Rapunzel's comfort, a call comes through Snow's phone. Something is happening elsewhere and they need to hurry over as it's tied to the slave case. Bigby feels frustrated at the phone ringing. He wants to understand how she could have been okay with living in total isolation. But unfortunately they must go and Snow calls after him once she begins to leave the apartment.

"We have to go," He mutters, his voice laced with regret and frustration. "There's something we need to check out. I'll... " He hesitates, "...I'll come back."

"I'll be fine sheriff. I'm not a young girl anymore." She smiles and it seems genuine, but it's just a way to have him not worry about her and increase the chances of him not returning. Despite her reassurances, he can't shake the feeling that she's trying to put on a brave face. Her words echo in his mind as he follows Snow and Nerissa. Their footsteps and shadows fade away as Rapunzel watches them leave through a window. 

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

Bigby Wolf fic Masterlist

Introduction + Author's Note

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad | Introduction + Author's Note

Bigby Wolf fic Masterlist

Introducing...

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The Big Bad Wolf Isn't so Bad a Bigby Wolf fic

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Dedication to all the crazies desperately waiting for TWAU2

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Forgotten Princess Rapunzel

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The Sheriff Bigby Wolf

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IMPORTANT WARNINGS

There are some mentions of self-harm and r*pe within this book along with a handful of sexual interactions including oral & knotting. (also pregnancy later on)

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One day on a dangerous case Bigby, Snow and Nerissa have to go to a strange apartment. Who they find inside is the Princess Rapunzel, however she seems to have been forget within Fabletown as not even Snow recalls her story. Thanks to fate, somehow Bigby manages to help the woman grow and find comfort in the city, along with creating relationships.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

no i don't want to use your ai assistant. no i don't want your ai search results. no i don't want your ai summary of reviews. no i don't want your ai feature in my social media search bar (???). no i don't want ai to do my work for me in adobe. no i don't want ai to write my paper. no i don't want ai to make my art. no i don't want ai to edit my pictures. no i don't want ai to learn my shopping habits. no i don't want ai to analyze my data. i don't want it i don't want it i don't want it i don't fucking want it i am going to go feral and eat my own teeth stop itttt

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

S. M. ~ Different Kisses

Black Butler Masterlist

Have you ever wondered how Sebastian would kiss in different situations? Don't worry, I got you, babe.

Quick Kisses

These kisses are quick, chaste, and sweet either used as a greeting  farewell's where there is no danger involved. Most of these kisses are on the lips followed by a quick squeeze of a hug, but sometimes it's a cheek kiss if his hands are full.

Sleepy/Morning Kisses

First thing in the morning whether he's in bed with you or if he's waking you up for the day. Most times Sebastian will gently lean over his partner and gently give cheek kisses, or on rare occasions it's a lip kiss as you rest in his arms. These ones are lazy and groggy kisses, but fill with love nonetheless. 

Can't Get Enough of You Kisses

These are obviously heated and passionate. and is initiated by an overwhelming feeling, often lust, that makes each partner dive deep into each other's kisses plus mouths. These kisses will most likely lead to lip biting, sucking, tongue-play, and sometimes all three. 

In The Rain/Snow

The kiss in the rain often happens a bit before the 'can't get enough' kisses. Sebastian likely pushes you against something, and the rain starts to fall. Both of you are too passionate to care, and instead continue to kiss as the rain comes down. The kiss in the snow is often initiated when each of you see each other again after being apart for a while. The snow making it a more sappy moment causing sweet whispers to leave him.

Goodbye Kisses

So there are two types of these kisses. First is the "I'll see you soon" ones. These kisses are usually long, gentle kiss that is accompanied by either of you hugging each other, or one of you saying, 'I'll see you later, love', and the other saying I love you'. The second are forever goodbye kisses. These happen when Sebastian or you knows they will never see the other again. It is passionate, long, and is often filled with tears, as you each desperately want to savor what little time you have left together.

I'm Sorry Kisses

The 'I'm sorry' kiss is often initiated by one of you when there is a disagreement, or has said something offensive. It will often include him gently caressing the other's face. The partner who initiated the kiss will also often gently whisper, 'I'm sorry' before leaning in. The kiss will be gentle and loving, but also will show a little bit of desperation, as the partner who initiates the kiss does not want to lose the other.

Possessive Kiss

This kiss happens often when you're is talking to someone else, or when you are somewhere in public and you're being stared at too much. It is a passionate kiss, and is meant to signal that he does not want anyone else having their attention, and is often accompanied by a fierce and tight embrace.

Any Requests? DM me :)

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

G.S. ~ Different Kisses

Black Butler Masterlist

I'm back??? Posting more Black Butler?!?! This must be a miracle.

Quick Kisses

Grell loves the idea of showing the world that not only you are taken but also herself. She'd have a lot of fun surprising her special someone with short, soft kisses on the cheek, when they least expect it. Especially if you're blushing. She's a woman who loves to see her lover's face in a deep crimson color.

Sleepy Kisses

Those are always the most interesting to Grell. Especially if they are in the morning, and she get to see your adorable bedhead. She'd be the type to leave a trail of kisses on your face and neck when you're trying to wake up. Grell would love to see your face when you try not to let a yawn or a moan out...

In The Rain/ Snow

She loves the sweet and gentle kind, where her partner puts their jacket over her to keep her dry, and they put their hand on her face. These are passionate and demanding kisses and can be fun. Pressing you against a wall and covering your neck in kisses and gentle lovebites, only to pull away to see the look on your face. Snow kisses are sweet and warm, to counter the coldness of the snow. Grell would love it if her special someone pulled her into their arms and twirled her around in the middle of a snowy forest.

Goodbye Kisses

Grell dislikes having to separate from you, but she love giving you long and lingering kisses at the very last second, just to make sure that you remember her while apart. Especially if she gets to hold you close and gently caress your face, while you hold onto her hips in an attempt to keep her from going, in the most loving, yet desperate embrace.

Before She Does Something Stupid

These are very long and passionate, to make sure that her lover knows how she feels about them, in case she don't make it back. she'd love to hold you close in an embrace, just to let herself calm down before she has to leave. She would be whispering how much she loves you a few times before finally needing to leave.

Passionate Kisses

These are Grell's favourite. She thinks these kisses should happen anytime, anywhere, from behind closed doors to in public, from a soft and gentle one, to a demanding one that leaves you completely out of breath. She'd love to make you bite my lip and make a mess of your hair when you're all flustered.

Any Requests? DM me :)

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

New FanFic?

Hello all my readers! I know that I don't post too much on here that often, but think I might end up posting a new fic if you guys wish to read it.

I'm in the process of making a Hannibal Lecter (NBC) fic and I have already written the first part! So if you'd like to read it let me know with either a like or comment. I'd love to share this chaotic fic I have with you!

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

Sebastian Michaelis ~ He/You Walk in on You/Him

Black Butler Masterlist

You Walk in on Him

When you open the door to Sebastian’s room forgetting to knock or speak you stare shocked at him, and he at you. Once a few moments pass he kindly and gently asks for you to leave and to come back later all while not trying to cover himself up. You quickly rush and close the door with shaking hands and wondering if this accident is going to bite you in the ass later. For a few days afterwards, you were shy and quiet around Sebastian as he was good-looking and everyone knew that, but you had now seen him without clothes on. He’ll tease you about the accident sometimes and quietly enjoys seeing you flustered just as much as you were at that moment.

He Walks in on You

When Sebastian makes the mistake of opening your bed chamber door before knocking or speaking to you his eyes instantly go wide, but then soften ever so slightly. He bows his head as you eek in surprise to see him in your doorway as you’re half undressed. His voice is quick yet apologetic. He closes the door and leaves you be for the rest of the day besides meal and teatime. For the quick moments that he does see you again for the next week, he will always apologize greatly, and every time makes the offer to go out of his way for you if you need or want something. He genuinely feels sorry for walking in on you, but all the while in the back of his mind is your shocked, blushing face and glowing skin that he had never seen before. On very rare occurrences where it’s just you and him or it’s a place where nobody would be listening in on your conversation, Sebastian will tease you about it.

[caramel-whiskeys-writing]

Sebastian Michaelis ~ Prepares a Bath For You

Black Butler Masterlist

You had worked all day, and it didn't go unnoticed. You seemed to be the only one who would work into the night and ensure everything you did was done correctly. It was probably past 930pm, and you were very tired but still had some work to do. Feeling your eyes close every now and then, you sighed loudly, getting the attention of the passing butler.

He peaked his head out from around a corner and saw you standing there cleaning and looking like you were about to collapse. He sighed before walking up to you. He placed his hand on your shoulder, getting your attention. You jumped a little at the sudden touch, but relaxed when you saw Sebastian.

"My dear, why on earth are you still up?" You shrugged your shoulders before getting back to work and saying to him.

"Well, I didn't want to leave anything dirty overnight. Plus, I doubt the other servants will do it in the morning." You let out a yawn as Sebastian frowns at you. He knew that you were a hard worker, but even he would get a break once in a while. He walks away without saying anything you to which you thought was odd, but you still worked. It was probably 10pm by this point, but you weren't sure. Finally, you seemed to be done and were ready for bed.

As you opened the door to your quarters, you saw light coming from your bathroom. You did have a tendency to leave candles burning, so you quickly walked into the bathroom worried that you were going to be the cause of the new manor to burn down. You were quite confused when you saw Sebastian sitting on the side of the bath.

Walking towards him, you asked,

"Hey, um... what are you doing, may I ask?" He turned to you without stopping what he was doing and said in response,

"Well, you did have a stressful work day, and you seemed quite tense when I talked to you earlier, so I thought I'd start up a bath for you." Your eyes narrowed a bit, and you blinked a few times before he continued.

"It should be ready for you now. Just don't stay in too long." He grabbed his jacket that he had hung up on a hook before closing the door. It was a few seconds later when you had stripped and decided to get in the bath when you heard Sebastian's voice coming from the other side of the door.

"Oh and Y/N, if you need anything, do call, alright?"

"Yes, o-of course." You stuttered a bit while you covered your body out of instinct before you heard him close the door to your room. You sigh lightly as you slip into the bath, feeling quite calm after a few minutes. The bath smelled of blood orange and grapefruit. It was also a quite sexy colour of red with white rose petals floating around. While in the bath, you were stuck in thought about why Sebastian would start a bath for you without asking. Yes, you were Ciel's best servant, but there had to be some other underlying reason that you knew he wasn't going to tell you.