"Shouldn't I be the one comforting you?"

The question is simple yet seems to make everything more complicated. Emma cuts the hug short and actually takes her arm from underneath Snow. She immediately misses the warmth and the general feeling of love. Now everything is cold and she feels alone again. But she can't retreat and go back to the way things were, her pride wouldn't let her. She glances at the stars, unwilling to see the pain on Snow's face that makes her look so much like Mary Margaret.

"You should be." Her voice dies down as she thinks about her next move. She looks back at Snow and she sees the hurt come across Snow's face yet she sees her thinking about something and shifting in place. As much as she wants her mom's arm wrapped securely around her, this whole mother/daughter moment has been her comforting Snow and she won't let it switch now. The whole day she felt incompetent and like a failure of a daughter but in this instance, she is the one being the hero. So she swallows her pride and fear to inch closer to Snow. She subtly moves her arm so that Snow is forced to use it as a pillow. The position is surprisingly comfortable; she doesn't usually lie on her back and extend her arm out. Her heart is beating rapidly in her chest as Snow gazes questioningly at her.

"But I'm okay with this too. I used to protect Mary Margaret and make sure no one hurt her despite Regina's efforts and David's lack of effort. I guess this feels more like before and I- I kind of need that too." Emma's voice cracks as she talks about her best friend. She can feel the water building up in the corner of her eyes and it hurts to remind herself that Mary Margaret isn't the woman she is holding. Emma shuts her eyes. She is startled when warm hands gently grasp her face and wipe away the tears. She has been crying and breaking down a lot, which lead to moments like these and she isn't sure how she feels about it. A large part of her is still scared of losing her parents and the thought of losing them makes this tender gesture heart wrenching.

"Emma, look at me." She can feel her fear rising to the surface as she tries to keep her eyes closed. Everything hurts too much to open them. Maybe if her eyes just stay shut, the world will disappear for just a second and all that will be left is time for her to sort out her feelings. But Snow's thumbs are rubbing gentle circles on her cheeks and it makes her open her eyes. Her hazel eyes meet the hazel ones of her mother and immediately she hears Snow let out a sigh of relief. Emma's eyes drop so she isn't looking at her perfect mom. She has too much guilt about all her conflicting feelings and she knows that she is see-through when it comes to Mary Margaret/Snow. Both women always seem to know what she is feeling even though, sometimes, she doesn't want them to.

"I- I'm sorry." Emma whispers. Strangely, as a result of her apology, Snow tenses and stops rubbing Emma's cheek. It feels like she is doing everything wrong and Emma can't hold back the tears anymore. She hesitantly glances at Snow.

"Emma I don't want you to be sorry for anything. You're still angry, I know that, but you are trying so hard to not be and I love you so much for it." Snow searches her eyes for something and Emma can't tell what. Her chest tightens when she realizes Snow said she loved her. It's a good feeling, even great but somehow she is weighed down by the guilt that she can't reciprocate fully it just yet. "I'm happy that you found someone to protect and love like you did with Mary Margaret; she was your family when you had none. I know that you miss her. And I can't say that it doesn't hurt me to think about what we missed out on but spending this time with you now has eased some of it. Now will you please let me be the mom and switch positions with you?" The last sentence has a lighter tone as Emma realizes Snow is gently trying to help her.

Emma shakes her head and a smile spreads on her face. "No. I like this spot so you can just get used to it." She hopes that her mom gets the teasing and fortunately she does. Snow beams back at her and actually comes closer to wrap an arm around her waist. Emma glances at the stars and sighs. She uses her other hand to intertwine her and Snow's hands. She finally feels like things are getting better. Her whole life has felt like one big slide downwards and now she has Snow's hand to help her out of it. She smiles when Snow's head rests on her shoulder.

"When you said that love is not wanting someone to feel pain… doesn't that mean you said you love me?" Snow's voice just in that moment sounds so much like Mary Margaret. Emma flinches, expecting that thought to lead to pain and guilt but nothing comes besides a dull ache of missing Mary Margaret. She chuckles and tries to play off what Snow figured out.

"Pshhh I didn't say that." She can feel Snow's smile grow larger.

"Admit it. You love me." Snow says in a singsong voice. Emma rolls her eyes in a playful way.

"I- I just- ugh fine." She lets out a grunt and relents to Snow's prodding. "But you said it first."

"Yes, I said it first and I will say it again. I will always love you Emma." Snow whispers and just hearing the three words that she has been searching for her whole life makes Emma feel relieved and overwhelmingly happy. But then her mind goes to work again and her curiosity arises.

"You're okay with me not saying it back?" Emma asks, her voice barely above a whisper. She never thought that anyone would say that without expecting something in return. This time Snow tilts her head slightly and looks at her.

"I know you will say it when you're ready." Snow goes back to her position of just resting on Emma's shoulder. A smirk graces her face. "Besides, you already indirectly said it. And that's enough for me."

Emma smiles and closes her eyes. Everything seems to be just right and she begins to unwind. The inner war seems to be over and her mind can finally rest. Suddenly she is overcome with sleepiness. With the seconds before sleep claims her, Emma takes the time to say,

"Goodnight, Snow."

"Goodnight, Emma."