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Chapter Text

“And this is the, um, book place.”

Fiyero glanced off, barely listening to the gorgeous blonde at his side. What was the use of memorizing this place? It wasn’t as if he would be here very long. Even his father knew it. He had spoken to his only son like he would be back in Winkie Country before Lurlinemas!

“Hm,” was all he replied with.

To be honest, his thoughts were trained on that girl from last night. He had been surprised at her green skin, sure, but it wasn’t like it was anything unusual. His best friend was a Horse for Oz sake!

No thanks, get stuffed.

He chuckled internally. Usually girls were tripping over themselves just to be near him. But not her. No, she had rather cleverly told him where he could shove his offer.

“There’s a collection of rare books around here somewhere,” the blonde, Galinda, was saying. “And some medium rare as well.”

Fiyero looked down to see her batting her lashes. She was certainly beautiful, and well-liked, from what he could tell. His mother would be jumping for joy if she could see the doting pink swirl in front of him.

“So many to choose from,” he quipped.

Galinda giggled, then gave a toss of her hair before moving along.

A flash of green caught his eye.

It was her.

Without even thinking, Fiyero found himself gravitating towards her, the girl made of emeralds. When she glanced up from her notes, he noticed that even her glaring eyes were a brilliant shade of green.

“Oh, it’s you,” she observed drily at his approach. The dark-haired girl beside her could only gawk.

Fiyero smirked at her snappy tone. “I know. What a shame.”

“Not a shame, simply a nuisance.”

He clicked his tongue. “Ouch. You don’t even know my name.”

For a moment, she seemed to actually look guilty. “Usually no one in this school wants anything to do with me, so I don’t really bother with the whole friend process.”

“That’s not a very optimistic approach on life,” Fiyero retorted, watching as a hint of a smile crept up the corner of her mouth.

“Well, I’m not a very optimistic person.”

By then, at least half the library was watching their little interaction.

The prince held out a hand. “My apologies for last night. I’m Fiyero.”

She looked…stunned at the hand he offered her. “Elphaba.”

They shook, and a chorus of gasps echoed throughout the large space. Elphaba’s cheeks instantly grew red. Really, one would think she had a third eye!

“Um, your highness!”

Oh, right.

Fiyero turned to see Galinda trotting towards them, her eyes trained on Elphaba. “We weren’t finished with your tour!” she giggled. “And besides, you don’t want to be seen near the vegetable stand.”

Laughter erupted. He’d gaged that she was popular, but now it felt more like a cult.

A book snapped shut. Elphaba brushed past him and practically flew out of the library. Cries of ‘asparagus’ and ‘celery’ trailed in her wake.

He knew at once that Galinda Upland was not the kind of girl he thought her to be.

“That wasn’t very kind,” he snapped. Before the blonde could open her mouth to defend herself, he slipped past her and into the courtyard.

It wasn’t very hard to spot his target. Wherever she went, people made a wide berth to let her pass.

“Elphaba!”

She froze halfway across the Quad.

When he drew near, she faced him sharply. “Come to mock me? Is there piece of broccoli up your sleeve you plan to throw?”

He had been joking in the forest, when he accused her of defensiveness. But now he could see she really meant it.

“Not at all,” he said quickly. “I came to see if you were alright. That was a nasty thing of her to say.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s Galinda for you.”

“So you’re familiar with her?”

“Unfortunately so. She’s my roommate.”

Yikes. “Very unfortunate indeed.”

Elphaba smiled. It was a clear, definitive smile. “I try not to let it bother me. Nothing I haven’t heard before.”

“It’s still cruel,” he insisted.

“That’s my world for you.”

She was so honest, so vulnerable. It was strange to meet someone who spoke her mind so freely. As a prince, Fiyero was used to incessant flattery and compliments, but not from her.

They’d begun a slow pace towards the canal, where the roads split towards the dormitories.

Slowly, he turned to face her. “Then maybe the world should change.”

Her eyes took him in almost studiously. “Yeah, maybe it should.”

Was that his cue?

“Well,” he began, clearing his throat. “I’d better get unpacked. But, um, I’ll see you later!”

She nodded, her lips pressed together as if suppressing something.

“See you later.”

Elphaba fell back against her bed, books pressed close to her chest.

So, the arrogant jerk from last night was a little less of a jerk than she had thought. Dulcibear had always warned her never to judge a book by its cover. She’d be heeding her advice from now on.

I’ll see you later.

But would he? A part of her wondered if this was all some elaborate joke set up by Galinda. And yet, he had seemed so genuine. Sure, he might be a little straw-headed, but there was something truthful to be found in the naivety.

The doors to the dorm room flew open. Lo and behold, Galinda Upland stormed in, looking furious. Her cronies trailed after her, nearly collapsing under the weight of her books and bags.

“You!” the blonde squealed, pointing a perfectly manicured hand in Elphaba’s direction. “What did you do?”

Swallowing back a groan, Elphaba sat up. “For once, someone isn’t drooling at the chance to simply be near you? The horror.”

Galinda stamped her foot like a petulant child. “You put a spell over him, I’m sure!”

“I’m flattered you think so highly of me.”

“Why you witch!”

How original. “I’ll have to tell Morrible about your high praise.”

Was it a little callous to hang Madame Morrible over her head? Sure. But Oz, she really was beginning to grate on Elphaba’s nerves.

Pfannee and Shen-Shen, Galinda’s doting minions, glared openly. “Let’s go, Galinda,” Shen-Shen sneered. “It smells of cabbage in here.”

They giggled as one and sashayed out.

Really, could no one come up with a clever insult? It was always vegetable jokes with them. Between the three of them, Elphaba was surprised they had even been accepted into Shiz.

The next day, she managed to slip out of the dorm while Galinda and her cronies gossiped and prepared her for class.

Against her better judgement, Elphaba found herself looking for Fiyero in the library. Why she cared so much about the spoiled prince, she couldn’t say. But he had spoken up for her, which in her book, counted for something.

No one deserved to be laughed at. She could attest to that.

When she didn’t see him, however, her heart sunk. Class wasn’t due to start for another half-hour, yet by then most students were awake and studying.

“I was wondering when you’d get here.”

Elphaba jumped as Fiyero came up beside her. “You really love surprising people, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”

“That gift is going to get you punched one of these days.”

Both hands went up instantly. “I hope you don’t plan on being that person anytime soon.”

She offered a knowing smirk as an answer. “Let’s get to class.”

Chapter Text

“So tell me about yourself.”

Fiyero watched her features scrunch up in confusion. “Like what?”

Their biology class had just ended, giving him a good ten minutes before history. “Well, where are you from? My friend, the Horse, is convinced you grew from the trees, and that’s why he almost ran you over.”

She chuckled. “Well you can tell him that I am not a tree child. I’m from Munchkinland.”

Really? “I thought most people from Munchkinland were…you know…”

“Short?”

“Pretty much.”

That earned a scoff. “My mother was from Gillikin. She married down with my father, so we don’t really speak to that side of the family.”

Somehow, the story sounded awfully familiar. “Your father wouldn’t happen to be the governor, right?”

Her face fell. “Yeah, that’s him. An appointed governor, not elected.”

“What’s the difference?” he asked pointedly.

Elphaba’s head turned so sharply he half feared it would fall off. “The Munchkinlanders get no say in who is leading them, and you don’t think it’s a little unfair?”

Her passion on the subject shocked him. “I mean, from what I hear life has been good for them.”

“That’s because you’re hearing whatever my father decides to put out. The crops have been failing for the past two years, and he does nothing about it. I try to help, but no one wants-”

No one wants help from a green girl.

He heard what she left unsaid loud and clear. Oz, he’d sounded like a complete jerk. It was her home they were talking about, where was he to offer his two cents?

“I’m sorry,” Fiyero offered tentatively. “I should have listened to you.”

She halted. They were halfway to the history room. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone apologize to me before.”

As a prince, apologies were all he heard. He used to consider it an annoyance, now he saw it as a testament to his own fortune in life. Here was this girl, this smart, quick-tongued girl, never once given an apology by a world that was endlessly cruel to her.

So, he faced her, reining in a smile that the top of her head barely brushed his shoulders.

“Then let me be the first.”

Elphaba looked up. There were flecks of gold in her eyes.

“Alright.”

Galinda Upland watched her roommate enter with the Winkie Prince trailing close behind. He was hanging onto her every word, like her boring facts were even remotely interesting.

“I just don’t get it,” she whispered to Pfannee and Shen-Shen. “What does she have that I don’t?”

They both shook their heads. “Nothing! She has nothing.”

And yet, when Elphaba took her seat at the front of the class, he took the one right beside her.

“You’re going to love Dr. Dillamond,” Galinda could hear her gushing. “He offers a lot of insight on the subject, and it’s great to have a differing perspective compared to some of the human professors.”

Ugh, how could he stand it?

“Silence, class!” Dr. Dillamond bleated. The Goat nodded his head at the prince at the front of the classroom. “As you certainly must have heard by now, we have a new student. Welcome, Mr. Tigulaar.”

Fiyero nodded in return.

The class was spent listening to Dillamond’s incessant prattling. He went over the Munchkin-Vinkun war, which had Pfannee snoring in his seat.

Thank Oz it was over quickly. Galinda was still furious over the D- he gave her on her most recent essay. So what if her glitter gel pen had leaked all over the paper? It wasn’t like he expected her to start all over!

She followed Elphaba at a discreet pace, hiding behind her companions. She and Fiyero parted at the Quad. No doubt she was headed for Morrible’s classroom.

Jealousy coursed through her. This green pariah had stolen everything, from Madame Morrible’s tutelage, to the boy of Galinda’s dreams. Of course, he could never actually fall for Elphaba Thropp. He was a prince! Surely his standards were much higher. Much, much higher.

“So,” she crooned, sidling up next to the taller figure, “finally got away?”

His blue eyes fluttered shut, and a big sigh seemed to pour out of him. “Might I help you?”

“Oh!” she giggled, tossing her hair. “So polite!”

Both brows flew up, as if to say, ‘well?’

Clearing her throat, Galinda straightened. “I’m surprised you haven’t gotten lost yet! We never finished our tour.”

Fiyero seemed to bite the inside of his cheek. “No worries. Elphaba proved to be a great help. And she doesn’t publicly insult her fellow classmates. Quite a plus if you ask me.”

Oh. He still remembered that.

“It was all in good fun!” she insisted. “Elphaba is used to it!”

“So that makes it right all of a sudden?” he retorted, scoffing. “When we met, I actually thought you were genuine.”

Galinda’s hand went to her throat. “I am genuine! Everyone is always telling me how good I am!”

He laughed. “If you need other people to tell you whether you’re a good person or not, forgive me for having doubts.”

With that, he stalked off.

And Galinda Upland fainted right then and there.

Elphaba balanced the floating coin between her fingers. She could practically feel the power coursing through her, pulsing in her fingertips.

“You are much more attuned to your powers today,” Madame Morrible noted. “Only a week ago, it would have taken you the full period just to make the coin quiver.”

She let the cold metal drop into her palm. “It’s all thanks to your teachings, Madame.”

Morrible nodded. “Perhaps, but I can sense something different about you.”

Strange. Elphaba didn’t feel any different. Maybe it was her success in class that had her powers manifesting so clearly. She’d written her father to inform him of her progress, but all she got in return were inquiries into Nessa’s wellbeing.

“I hear you have managed to strike a friendship without newest student,” Morrible continued with an arched brow.

Heat flooded Elphaba’s cheeks. Would she call Fiyero a friend? He was a prince, after all, and princes never admitted to being friends with people like her.

“I’m just helping him get settled in,” she said.

The sorceress smiled. “Of course.”

After being dismissed for the day, Elphaba entered her dorm room to find Galinda Upland lying flat on her bed, bundled up in a fluffy pink robe, her golden hair piled up into curlers.

Her minions fanned her aggressively. “There, there,” Shen-Shen crooned.

“Chip a nail?” Elphaba asked drily.

All three glared.

“I will not reply to your taunts,” Galinda said haughtily, “because I am the larger person here.”

“Bigger.”

“Excuse me?”

Sweet Oz. “Nevermind.”

She made for the balcony to study, turning just in time to see her roommate prod at her skull.

“Am I bigger?”

Chapter Text

The large F bloomed bright red before Fiyero’s very eyes.

Professor Lenx tutted. “Very poor work, Mr. Tigulaar.”

Put it on the front page, Fiyero thought irately. Oz, his father was probably having a field day after hearing how badly his son was failing. He’d been at Shiz for only a week, and already his grades were slipping.

Outside the mathematics classroom, he slumped against a discreet corner. Maybe he would get lucky and no one would discoverate him.

“Fiyero?”

Well, maybe one person could.

Her glasses glinted in the light of the afternoon sun, giving Fiyero the impression he was being visited by an angel.

“I’m afraid only failures are allowed here,” he said with his best attempt at a smile.

Elphaba promptly dropped down beside him. “Don’t mind me then.”

His lips pressed together. “You? The prized pupil of the most powerful sorceress in Oz? How could he not be proud?”

She gestured to her green skin. “But enough about me. What’s got you looking so down?”

With a flourish, he revealed his F marked homework. “Lo and behold. Almost every question wrong.”

He expected her to laugh, to call him stupid or brainless. Instead, she plucked the paper from his hands and scanned the front page.

“That’s because you aren’t finishing the equation. You’re taking the first potential solution and rolling with it, but there’s more to be discovered beneath the surface.”

It all made sense. Elphaba explained some more, how math was much more complicated than he’d anticipated.

Watching her speak with such confidence, no snarky remarks, no fretting over Galinda and her cronies…it made him feel different. Like he had been sleeping for the past twenty-one years and was only now waking up.

“You listening?”

He blinked. “Yeah, I get it.”

She hesitated to continue. It was almost like she could see right through him. “Good.” Her lips pressed together. “If, you know, you ever need help again, you know where to find me.”

Was she…offering to tutor him?

Fiyero was momentarily stunned. Elphaba was so clever, so talented, that it should have been an insult to even suggest she take him on. And yet she had, because she wasn’t like everyone else at this school, with their noses turned up. She was kind.

“Of-of course,” he managed to splutter. Not wanting to look like an idiot, he flashed a smile. “Although I’m afraid my many callers will occupy a good portion of my time.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”

His stomach dropped. “What?”

“Hiding behind a joke. You don’t have to do that with me.”

“I-I’m not.”

It was a blatant lie, and she knew it. She didn’t call him out, though. Instead, she stood, brushing off her skirt.

“My mistake. Don’t forget the essay for Dillamond due tomorrow.”

Before he could open his mouth, to do what, he couldn’t say, she was gone.

Fiyero felt guilty at once. He had driven her away all because he was afraid of being himself. It was his own insecurities, the need to be the perfect prince, which had him behaving all smug and proud.

That wasn’t the kind of person Elphaba saw.

He had to make it up to her. Somehow.

A thought struck him then, as potent as a bolt of lightning. The Ozdust ballroom, the most exclusive dancefloor in all Oz, was only a boat ride away.

Fiyero flew to his feet, his gaze set on the library, where a large portion of students gathered to study.

All eyes fell on the prince as he entered. Hands flew to hair, fingers worked to straighten uniforms. The prince in question simply slipped off his satchel, bouncing onto one of the tables amidst a chorus of gasps.

“Dancing through life…” he began.

“Fabala!”

Instinctively, she turned at the sound of the old nickname. “Nessa! Is everything alright?”

The smile on her sister’s face said otherwise. “Guess what just happened?”

Elphaba hated guessing games. “Humor me.”

Nessa rolled her eyes playfully. “That adorable munchkin boy, Boq, just asked me to the Ozdust!”

The eldest Thropp daughter stared in horror. “The Ozdust? Ness, that place is off-limits.”

“Oh, Elphaba,” Nessa groaned, wheeling ahead. “Don’t be so pessimistical. It was Fiyero’s idea, and a prince can’t really get in trouble.”

Fiyero? Just this morning he had been moping about his poor grades. Why a party?

As much as she tried to push the thought away, it had hurt to see him disappear behind the charming prince façade. Maybe her fears were right, and he wasn’t her…friend. Not that she blamed him, anyway.

“Anyway,” Nessa continued, throwing Elphaba out of her musings, “Boq had been too shy to ask me originally, but then Galinda emboldened him-”

Elphaba’s head snapped up. “Galinda!”

“Don’t!” Nessa hissed, glancing around nervously. They were alone just outside the Quad. “Don’t you dare say another word against her. She’d the most popular girl in school, Fabala, and she gave me Boq. You just don’t get it. You can’t.”

“Nessa!” Elphaba cried out, but her sister had already wheeled away.

You just don’t get it. You can’t.

But she could. At least, she could try to.

It wouldn’t be easy though.

“Galinda.”

The blonde glanced up innocently from her vanity. For once, her cronies weren’t around.

“Yes?”

This was for Nessa. She would set aside her pride for Nessa.

“My sister and I were just talking about you, and-”

“Oh!” Galinda squealed. “We were just talking about you! I know you weren’t invited, obviously, but the whole school is going down to the Ozdust tonight! Prince Fiyero invited me personally, and I’m extending that invitation!”

Fiyero had asked her? Elphaba’s heart seemed to sink at the idea.

“And don’t say you have nothing to wear,” Galinda droned on, reaching into one of the dozens of pink trunks that littered their room. “Because you could wear this!”

She pulled out a hat of black fabric, its top elongated into a sharp cone compared to the circular brim.

The swirl of pink and gold before her began to giggle. “It’s really, uh, sharp, don’t you think?”

Sharp was an understatement. But there was something about it that endeared Elphaba. And when Galinda pressed it into her hands and flitted off, she simply admired it.

Pulling back the curtains to her side of the room, she saw it then, the bright red and orange glowing against her dark bedding. It was a poppy, her favorite flower. And beside it was a note addressed to her.

Elphaba,

I’m sorry for this afternoon. I know I’ve

said that quite a bit since we’ve met, but

I mean it. Dr. Dillamond said that poppies

are your favorite flower, and I have to admit,

they are quite pretty. I’d like for you to come

down to the party tonight, but if I’ve been too

much of an arse, I understand.

-Fiyero

So much for being personally invited.

Her decision had been made from the moment she’d held that hat in her hands. But now she knew for certain.

It was time for a party.

“She took it?”

“Yes! Can you believe it?”

Galinda crowed with laughter alongside her friends. It was all going perfectly!

Innocent little Nessarose had accepted Boq’s invitation right away, all at Galinda’s suggestion. It would keep the Munchkin boy out of her hair and give Elphaba an excuse to join them at the party. She watched her sister like a hawk, no way she would let her go to the most scandalacious ballroom at Shiz by herself!

And the hat, Oz, that hideoteous hat. A gift from her granny, and a horrid one at that.

It was too good!

The tall, handsome figure of Prince Fiyero was waiting for them by the canal. He looked so regal in his dark blue suit that Galinda could already picture herself at his side, a crown on her head.

His blue eyes scanned the small group. “Is this everyone?”

Was she crazy, or did he seem…disappointed?

“Who else?” Pfannee drawled, stepping into the boat. “Let’s go!”

Nessa and Boq made up the rear, the former looking quite pretty in a cream-colored dress. And her jeweled shoes were to die for! Galinda would have to see about getting a pair of her own.

“Is your sister coming?” Fiyero asked Nessa calmly.

The girl frowned. “Elphaba hates parties, especially illegal ones.”

“Huh,” was all he replied.

The Ozdust Ballroom was already packed by the time they arrived. Fiyero led the group right into the center, and at once all attention was on the Winkie Prince.

Galinda did her best to dance right into his arms, but somehow he managed to evade her.

“I don’t get it,” she pouted, leaning against the wall. “I look gorgeous, don’t I?”

“You look stunning,” Shen-Shen assured her. “The most beautiful girl at school.”

Her eyes flashed. “At school?”

Pfannee cleared his throat. “In all of Oz. In all the world!”

That was better. Momsie had always told her she was beautiful, and that no one would be able to resist her.

But someone had. And it was the very person Galinda wanted!

“Are all Winkies this brainless?” she sniffed. “Ugh, I need to lie down.” But she couldn’t, not when she looked this good. Her dress was an Emerald City exclusive, for Oz sake!

“Miss Galinda?”

Oh. Joy.

Galinda turned sharply, patience worn thin. “Listen, Biq, you have a date already, so go dance with her! I am not interested, never have been, and never will be.”

Maybe it was harsh, but what else could she do? He just wouldn’t leave her alone, and she could never come home with a Munchkin boy on her arm. Popsicle would just about perish of shame.

The boy’s freckled face fell at once. “Right. I’m sorry to bother you, Miss Galinda.”

He sulked off, and a pit began to form in Galinda’s stomach.

“What a weirdo!” Shen-Shen giggled. “Did you see the way he…”

She trailed off, and the flashy music from the Animal band screeched to a sudden halt. Galinda looked towards the source of all the stares.

And her eyes fell on the green figure at the top of the staircase.

Chapter Text

Deep breaths. Make a good impression. Don’t jabber too much.

Elphaba repeated the mantra over and over, taking small, tentative steps around the corner. The Ozdust really was beautiful. Maybe. Maybe tonight would be fun.

Ignoring the butterflies that flew circles in her stomach, she stepped into the light.

The music stopped. Partygoers made to complain, but their protests turned into laughs. They were looking at something on the stairs.

Oh. They were laughing at her.

They were laughing. And pointing. Had she done something wrong? Were her shoes untied? Yes, she was green, but they had to have heard by now, right?

Then it hit her. The hat.

Galinda had given her the hat. She had known…

It was too late to run away now. Elphaba made her way down the stairs, eyes downcast as the laughter grew. The only people who regarded her sympathetically were the Animals, and even theirs was a look of pity.

A flash of blue caught her eye.

Fiyero.

She couldn’t look. Wouldn’t look. He must be so embarrassed to have even been seen near her. Her first real friend, gone, all because she was an idiot.

The hat was off her head in an instant. People clapped and hooted.

Galinda’s face appeared in the crowd. Her brown eyes went wide, and her hands fisted into the folds of her magenta skirts.

All Elphaba could do was stare her down.

Why would you do this to me? She wanted to scream. She hadn’t done anything wrong. How could people hate her so much when they didn’t even know her?

A tear trickled down her cheek. No. She never cried, not even when her Mother died.

Feet moved towards her. A pair of shiny boots she would recognize anywhere. Had he come to mock her? The crowd would get a kick out of the prince of the Vinkus poking fun at the green girl.

Two broad hands cupped her own. They were warm but rough from his time on horseback.

“Elphaba,” Fiyero whispered.

She looked up, green eyes meeting blue. “You should go.”

He shook his head, eyes full of sorrow. “Never. I’ve been saving my first dance all night.”

Dance. A dance? He wanted to dance with…her.

Without breaking his gaze away from her own, Fiyero took the hat from her and set it gently on her head. The crowd’s shock practically radiated throughout the room.

Deep breaths.

She took his hand, allowing him to press his other one against her waist. Her heart was pounding at twice its normal speed. Had he always had a ring of darker blue around his pupils?

Then, they began.

Back and forth, out and in, a twirl followed by a dip. It felt as if they were moving as one. Two souls connected by the weight of what other people thought of them. But that fear was gone now. In its stead was the knowledge that they were good enough as they were, without the need to be perfect, to be loved by the world.

Never once did his eyes turn away from hers. She was so lost she hardly noticed when the rest of the crowd joined them. Skirts swished, glitter flew through the air, and everyone was happy, laughing not at the green girl in the silly hat, but because they were enjoying themselves.

All except one.

Galinda Upland stood alone for once, the petals of her dress seeming to droop. It was strange. The most popular girl at school, surrounded by people and yet with no one at the same time.

“Want to get out of here?” Fiyero asked, smiling.

Elphaba pressed her lips together. “You want to leave school grounds…again?”

He shrugged. “I’m a nuisance, remember?”

She had to laugh. “Fine. I know just the place.”

One more, her heart began to race as his hand intertwined with her own. “Lead the way, oh pointy one.”

Giving him a playful swat on the arm, they slipped out of the throng of people and into the cool night air.

“You know, you still haven’t told me anything about yourself.”

Fiyero huffed out a laugh, running a hand through the tall stalks of grass. “You never asked.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes. “Well now I am.”

The clearing ended at the edge of a great cliff overlooking the desert. It was so vast that his head began to spin at the thought of trekking through all that sand.

“What’s there to tell?” he said simply, dropping onto the ground. “My father is the great King Liir, my mother his beloved queen, my whole family is shockingly gorgeous and yet I’m the only one who can’t hold down a school for even a month.”

She sat beside him, her green eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe that.”

Of course she didn’t. “That’s because you tend to see the best in people.”

“Not always,” she admitted. “My sister says that I could make the trickle of rain sound like a thunderstorm.”

That was a harsh term to use with one’s sister. “That’s not very nice,” he snorted.

To his surprise, she shrugged. “She’s not wrong. But you’re different. From the moment you and your friend nearly ran me over, I knew it.”

Fiyero laughed at the thought of Feldspar’s face when he discovered that the green girl was not, in fact, born from the trees.

“He apologizes, by the way.”

“I accept.”

It was silent for a moment before Elphaba leaned back against the ground, her hat pressed to her chest. “You were kind.”

He mimicked her movement, feeling the soft earth against his head. “Kind?”

“Yes. That’s what I remember most about that day. Well, other than…”

“Other than?”

“The Animals. Their ability to speak is being stripped away.” The words tumbled out of her, like a dam that had suddenly burst. “I followed Dr. Dillamond to his hideout. An owl, a vicar, can’t preach anymore, an Ox from Quox can no longer talk.”

Fiyero’s stomach dropped to his feet. “They can’t speak?” He thought of Feldspar, his closest friend for years. “Does the Wizard know?”

Her head shook furiously. “I don’t think so.” She pressed her palms over her eyes. “I’m scared for them, Fiyero. I have a friend, the closest thing I have to a mother. I can’t lose that, I can’t lose her.”

The pain in her voice had him sitting up. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll think of something, I promise.” He took her hands. “I’m glad you told me.”

Elphaba rose so that they were seated side by side. “That’s why I’m so determined to meet the Wizard. He has to know.”

Despite his inner protests, Fiyero gently draped an arm around her shoulder. “You will. And if he doesn’t do anything about it by Oz we’ll make him.”

Her body seemed to tense at the sudden contact, and for a moment he thought of pulling away. But then, gradually, she allowed her head to rest on his shoulder.

“We?”

“Obviously. You think I’d let you carry this alone?”

She was quiet, so he let the conversation drop. Out here, without the constant buzzing of students or the droning of professors, he felt himself.

Maybe it wasn’t the scenery. Maybe it was something else. Someone else.

“Elphaba?”

Nothing. She was asleep.

“It’s all that studying you’ve been doing,” he chuckled, even though she couldn’t hear him. After a while, he collected her hat and hoisted her into his arms. The heat of her head against his chest had his legs feeling like jelly.

Do not drop her, he warned himself.

The dorm wing was silent. Most of it’s occupants were either asleep or still partying.

Elphaba’s room was empty. Galinda was still out and about. He would never forgive her for the cruel trick she’d played tonight, never.

Slipping between the curtains, Fiyero set her down carefully on the bed. Just as he made to set her hat on the nightstand, he spied it. A poppy, his poppy.

He smiled faintly to himself before pulling the covers over her sleeping form.

“Goodnight, Elphaba.”

Chapter Text

Elphaba still wasn’t exactly sure how she ended up in her room last night. The last thing she remembered was listening to the sound of Fiyero’s heartbeat, the warmth of his arm around her shoulders.

Even now, lying still in bed, she shuddered.

They had been talking about the Animals. Dr. Dillamond had said nothing since that night, and whenever she tried approaching him about it, he made excuses or simply hurried her along. He must be under suspicion.

Ms. Coddle would certainly stoop that low. She disliked the professor, as she disliked all of the Animals wandering around Shiz.

Elphaba threw on her school uniform, and after taking a long look at herself in the mirror, something she rarely did, she decided to put her hair in a quaint half-up style. Why, she couldn’t say. Something in her gut just told her to look her best.

That was when a tentative voice from across the room spoke up.

“Uh, Elphaba?”

Right. Last night. The cruel laughter of the other students hadn’t entirely left her.

Turning sharply, her eyes landed on the small figure in a pink robe. “Yes?”

Galinda swallowed. “I-I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Well that was new. Elphaba’s jaw tensed to keep her mouth from dropping. “Whatever. Everyone else got a kick out of it.”

“It was wrong, I know,” Galinda continued. “And I didn’t mean to-”

“Didn’t mean to?” she laughed mirthlessly. “What were your words again? I’m inviting you?”

The other girl was silent.

Elphaba scooped up her satchel, dropping Fiyero’s poppy into the bag. “That’s what I thought. Actions have consequences, Galinda. You can’t just take it back when the guilt decides to set in.”

Leaving the blonde stunned, she left.

The apology stuck with her, though. Galinda Upland, who was pretty, popular, and downright mean, had said sorry. It sounded like she meant it too.

Was it going to snow?

There were stares as she passed, which was expected. Her infamous entrance at the Ozdust had spread by now, eliciting a few giggles here and there. She didn’t care. Fiyero had danced with her, in front of all those cruel, insensitive jerks. He had defied their expectations, even her own. That was all she ever wanted of him.

“Elphaba!” As if on cue, the man in blue came trotting towards her, looking wildly out of breath. “I was…looking…for you,” he panted.

He’d been looking. For her.

“Oh,” was all she said.

Fiyero’s smile fell. “You don’t look very pleased.”

She blinked. “Sorry, I’ve just been thinking. Galinda apologized.”

“Really?” he snorted. “I hope you told her off.”

Shrugging, she began the trek to the history classroom. “I did. But it was so strange, hearing those words out of her mouth.”

“D’you think she meant it?” he asked casually.

“I think so. But if she meant it, why do it in the first place?”

He nodded. “I get it.” Suddenly, a slow flush crept up his neck. “By the way, I wanted to say how brave I thought you were last night. You could’ve ran away, or yelled at those small-minded people that laughed, but you didn’t. I…admire that.”

Try as she might, Elphaba could do nothing to stop the pounding of her heart. “Oh, um, thank you.”

Thank you? She could have kicked herself. What sort of an answer was that!

Fiyero’s shy smile dropped. Clearing his throat, he made for the classroom. “Anyway, are you coming?”

“Yeah,” was her curt reply.

“I feel like an idiot,” Fiyero lamented, falling back into the soft hay. “I didn’t mean to come off so strong!”

Feldspar munched loudly on an apple. “At least you didn’t sing to her.”

He grimaced. “Not a chance. She’d push me into the canal.”

“You know how to swim.”

Fiyero glared at his companion. “Watch it, or you’re sleeping in the woods tonight.”

“Woe is me,” the Horse said with a roll of the eyes. “Honestly, Yero, stop feeling sorry for yourself and just go for it! What’s the worst she could do?”

“Turn me into a frog, liquify my insides, give me a pig’s tail-”

He was cut off by an exasperated whinny. “I get it! Geez, she sounds like a witch.”

“Quite the opposite, actually,” Fiyero admitted. “She’s kind, and passionate, and sure, even a little bit aggressive, but then again so are you.”

“I take offense to that statement.”

A snarky retort died on Fiyero’s lips. Twigs snapped, and a green figure emerged from the bushes.

Elphaba paused at the sight of the pair of them. “Oh.”

Flying to his feet, Fiyero hastily tried to brush off the remnants of the hay. “Hello.”

Real charming.

“You must be Miss Elphaba!” Feldspar cried, breaking the awkward silence. “Yero here has spoken a good deal about you.”

He was going to kill that horse.

“He has?” Elphaba asked quietly. She shook her head. “Sorry, I forgot my manners. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr.…?”

“Feldspar,” the Horse declared proudly. “Captain in the Vinkun Army and attendant to Prince Fiyero.”

“Don’t make yourself sound too important,” Fiyero grumbled, earning a harsh glare.

Elphaba hid her giggle well. “Well, Mr. Feldspar, it is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

“Huh,” he said with a hint of amusement. “No wonder you talk about her so much.”

“We’re leaving now,” Fiyero said quickly. His neck was growing warmer by the second. “Sleep well, my future welcome mat.”

“You too-hey!”

Fiyero fled through the trees, a laughing Elphaba trailing behind. “He’s something.”

“He’s a twat.”

She tutted. “Poor little prince.”

Hardy har. He rolled his eyes to the sky. “Never mind him. What’re you doing out here?”

“I like to visit the stables sometimes,” she confessed. “In Munchkin Country, we have a whole pen of them, though usually they're too skittish to let me come near.”

“Their loss.”

He noticed the way she began to fiddle with one of her rings. “Anyway, so that was the friend who nearly ran me over?”

Fiyero let out a bark of laughter. “That’s him. Never could see very well, but he insists the mares prefer guys without glasses.”

“I see the incessant flirting is common amongst the Vinkun.”

“No, just the handsome ones.”

They continued in silence up the gravel road, until the gates of Shiz University loomed above.

It was now or never. “Listen, Elphaba, about today, I-”

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “I didn’t mean to brush you off, it’s just that I don’t really get compliments a lot, and it caught off guard, you know how it is. Well, you probably don’t, cause you’re, well, you, and-”

She froze mid-sentence, as if the gravity of her words had just hit her.

Fiyero pressed his nails into the flesh of his palms. “You have no idea the effect you have on people, do you?”

“I…” she began, before trailing off.

He swallowed hard, taking a small step forward. “Every time I compliment you, speak to you, sweet Oz, even smile at you, you shut me out. Talk to me, Fae.”

The nickname slipped out of him. It suited her.

Elphaba looked down, her eyes clenched. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Fiyero. I’m green.”

“And?”

She glanced up. “And? And, if anyone so much as guessed how I…might feel, you would be the laughingstock of the school. I won’t do that to you.”

Oh, Elphaba. Brave, beautiful, silly Elphaba.

“A month ago, I might have agreed with you,” he admitted softly. “But now, because of you, I don’t care what the world thinks. You’re green, so what? I have a lewd birthmark on my thigh! If the rest of Oz can’t accept our differences, why should we care?”

They were so close. He could feel her cool breath on his cheek.

“You really mean that,” she breathed. It wasn’t a question.

Fiyero took her hand slowly. “With my whole heart.”

When he leaned closer, however, she pulled back. “No, we can’t.”

Oh no. He had been too forward again. “Elphaba, I’m sorry if I scared you-”

“No!” she exclaimed. “You didn’t! There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s me.”

“Fae.”

“It’s me,” she continued. “You don’t want this, trust me.”

At that he snorted. “Don’t tell me what I want, Elphaba Thropp. I want you.”

There it was. What he had been keeping locked away inside his chest from the moment they first met in those woods. When she called him a nuisance, when she told him to get stuffed, he knew he was a goner.

And now here he was, laying himself bare.

Elphaba stared, her green eyes wide. “What?”

“I want you, Fae. I-I love you.”

Love was such a funny concept. His parents loved him, but they never understood their troublemaking son. The school loved him, only they loved the idea of him.

With Elphaba, he didn’t have to pretend. He didn’t have to play the spoiled, brainless prince fit for only flirting and making mischief. She saw through him and told him so straight to his face.

He loved her for that.

“Fiyero.”

“Please, Elphaba. Tell me to go away, to leave for Winkie Country and never return, and I will. Tell me there’s something, and I swear, I will be by your side, no matter what people say, what Galinda and her cronies do. If there’s talk, so be it. They can go to hell for all I care.”

Tears lined her eyes. He’d said something wrong, hadn’t he?

Fiyero braced himself for the rejection. As soon as she said the words, he would be off, back to the Vinkus where his disappointed father and shamed mother were sure to be waiting.

Instead, she stepped forward. “You love me?”

“When you aren’t near, I feel like a void. Nothing. You are the light, Elphaba, the joy in my world where there once was darkness. How could anyone not love you?”

The tears spilled over. Instinctively, he brushed them aside with a thumb.

“I never thought...” she sobbed, “that I was worthy, that I deserved love.”

“You deserve the world, Elphaba.”

She sunk into his arms. It was as if the weight of all those years being scorned and mocked was finally pressing down on her. At once, Fiyero’s arms went around her, holding her head to his chest.

“Wanna know something,” she sniffled.

Fiyero couldn’t resist. “Enlighten me.”

“I love you too.”

He gasped, nearly choking on the very air he breathed. “Really?”

She nodded against his chest. “I just assumed you would never want someone like me. So I pushed it down.”

“You never have to do that again,” he vowed. “Never.”

Gently, he tilted her chin upward. At her nod of assent, he leaned down and pressed their lips together.

Oz, he’d experienced kisses before from all sorts of people, but never anything like this. Elphaba was pure, crackling fire, and when he kissed her, he felt like he was being jolted by a current of electricity.

And he never wanted to let her go.

Chapter Text

Galinda Upland had never once doubted her goodness.

Until now.

It was a joke. A stupid joke she hadn’t actually expected Elphaba to fall for. Only she did. She was supposed to be smarter than that!

When the green girl had descended those stairs, an expression of utter betrayal on her face, Galinda felt sick. And worse, Elphaba knew who did it. Pfannee and Shen-Shen had laughed themselves hoarse, because they were the ones who sat back and watched. They hadn’t gifted the hideoteous hat in false kindness.

That was all Galinda had, really. False kindness.

Late that night, while the whole school slept, she remained. Flipping through her old copies of Oz-mopolitan didn’t help, nor did the fact that Elphaba was still gone.

Her roommate had always maintained a strict sleeping schedule, so her absence was certainly odd.

A few minutes before midnight, however, the doors flew open.

“Oh, you’re still up,” the green girl noted. She looked flush from running.

Galinda sighed. “I wanted to finish our conversation.”

She blinked. “Seriously?”

“Of course!” the blonde cried. “You ran away!”

“I didn’t run away,” Elphaba retorted. “I gracefully ended the topic.”

Geez, her and those fancy words. “Well it wasn’t very nice.”

At that, she arched a brow. Oops.

“Right. Sorry.”

“I don’t feel like hearing your excuses, Upland.”

“Their not excuses! For Oz sake, set aside your pride for once!”

Elphaba laughed. “I did, remember? When you gave me that hat!”

“You looked pretty in the hat!”

The other girl’s teeth snapped together with a loud snap. “Excuse me?”

Galinda crossed her arms. “I said you looked pretty in that hat. And I mean it, in case you were wondering.”

She noticed Elphaba’s breaths coming out short. “Then why did everyone laugh?”

“Because their stupid,” was all she had to offer. “You’re smarter than them, and their jealous. I know the feeling.”

“You. Jealous.”

“I have my friends, my popularity. But you have Morrible, and a chance to be the Grand Vizier to the Wizard! And you’re friendship with Fiyero didn’t help.”

Elphaba blushed at the mention of Fiyero. “You could have told me.”

Galinda bit her lip. “I’m an Upland. We aren’t known for being jealous of other people.”

“Huh,” she huffed. “So where does this leave us?”

“I don’t know,” the blonde admitted. “But I’d like to start as friends.”

To her surprise, Elphaba smiled.

“I’d like that very much.”

Last night had been strange to say the least. Wonderful, but strange.

Fiyero, her Yero, as she had affectionately called him on the long walk back to campus, loved her. He actually loved her.

I want you, Fae. I love you.

A small part of her had wondered if it was all a dream. It was a breathtaking relief when she was proven to be wrong. When he kissed her. Elphaba had never been kissed before and hadn’t ever expected to be.

But Fiyero, sweet Oz, he made her feel like she had kissed a thousand times before. It was so familiar, as if they had known each other their whole lives.

She never wanted it to end.

Eventually it did, though, and hand in hand, they made their way home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Fiyero had said, kissing her brow. “Goodnight, my love.”

All she could do was blubber out a meek ‘goodnight’ and giddily slip into the dorm room.

Where Galinda was waiting.

“Good morning!” the puff of pure pink squealed, jolting Elphaba out of her reminiscing. “Isn’t it so nice out today?”

She glanced out towards the balcony. “The leaves are changing.”

Galinda pursed her lips. “So?”

“It’s almost Autumn.”

A loud groan forced itself out of that tiny body. “Great, that means Winter. My Summer wardrobe is much more fashionable.”

At that Elphaba laughed, flipping her satchel closed. “Only you would think of clothes, Upland. Winter is a bad time for Munchkin Country. We don’t do very well in colder climates.”

“You mean the fields?”

“Yeah. We harvest as much as we can, but my father isn’t very…interested. Not when we have a household of staff cooking our meals, selecting the choiciest fruits and vegetables. It isn’t fair.”

Galinda looked away, an expression of hard thinking on her face. “I didn’t think of it like that.”

She shrugged. “No one does. Not here at least.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Elphaba sputtered. “Seriously?”

The blonde pouted. “I’m not a complete ditz, Elphie.”

Elphie. That was new. A little perky, sure, but then again so was everything about Galinda.

“You’re right,” she said. “I’m sorry. Honestly, there’s nothing we really can do. Nessa is aware, and when she becomes governor, she will be much more attentive.”

“But you’re older!” Galinda cried, prying the last curler out of her hair. “Shouldn’t you be governor?”

A sad smile crossed Elphaba’s face. “The people won’t accept a green governor. My father has made his wishes known from the moment Nessa was born.”

Galinda harrumphed. “He’ll see. When you become the Wizard’s right-hand woman, he’ll regret ever doubting you.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest. “Thanks, Galinda. That’s…really nice of you.”

They made their way down into the Quad, where all eyes fell on the green girl and the pink. Elphaba didn’t blame them. Just twenty-four hours ago, they had been at each other’s throats.

“Um, Galinda!” Shen-Shen screeched, rushing towards them with Pfannee on her heels. “What are you doing?”

Galinda raised her chin, planting both hands on her hips. “I’m walking to class with my friend.”

Her former cronies gawked as she looped her arm through Elphaba’s and tugged her towards the history classroom.

“Fae!”

Unbidden, her heart began to race. Both girls turned as Fiyero caught up to them.

Elphaba patted her former arch-nemesis on the arm. “I’ll meet you in class, okay?”

The blonde went, but not before shooting her a look that warned they would be discussing this later.

Once she had gone, Fiyero took Elphaba’s hands. “I missed you.”

“You saw me last night!” she chuckled.

“Still. I missed you bossing me around.”

“I do not and don’t you dare say otherwise!”

He raised a brow.

“Oh. Sorry.”

He laughed, cupping her cheek and kissing her. A few gasps were heard, books dropped, and she could have sworn someone fainted.

That drew a laugh from Fiyero. “Morons.”

“Well, you don’t exactly see a prince kissing a green girl every day.”

“All I would see is a very lucky man getting to kiss a beautiful woman.”

Her cheeks grew warm. “Flirt.”

“Born with it, I assure you.”

She swatted his arm. “Let’s get to class before Galinda explodes.”

He frowned. “That’s right. When did that happen?”

“Last night,” she admitted. “She explained herself and apologized again. We decided to try again.”

Fiyero pondered her words. “And you’re confident she means well?” At the expression on her face, he shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that, Fae. I trust your judgement. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I appreciate your concern,” she said with a soft smile. “And I do trust her. She shot down those cronies of hers in front of the whole school.”

“Really?” he asked, brows raised. “I’m impressed.”

She giggled, pressing a hand to her mouth. “You should have seen their faces. I think Pfannee was two seconds away from turning completely blue.”

He shared her laughter. Oz, it felt so good to have someone who laughed with her instead of at her.

The whole class looked completely stunned at the sight of the Vinkun prince and the so-called ‘vegetable stand.’ Especially when Fiyero kissed her hand and pulled out her chair.

“My lady,” he winked.

Elphaba rolled her eyes.

Galinda took the seat next to her. “You have a lot of explaining to do, Elphie.”

There it was again. “Elphie?”

“Well, your name can be a mouthful! I know! In return, you can call me…Galinda.”

“That is your name.”

“Let’s not quarrel. Now spill.”

Fiyero leaned back in his seat with a huff. “Morning.”

Instead of tossing her hair or batting her lashes, Galinda waved him off. “Explain yourself, Miss Thropp.”

“What can I say,” Elphaba shrugged. “I finally wore him down.”

Chapter Text

Tap. Tap. Click. Tap.

“Yero,” Elphaba drawled. “If you don’t focus, I will beat you over the head with that textbook.”

Fiyero pointedly lifted his fingers from the table. “Focusing.”

The library was particularly sparse that day. It was a Friday, after all, and most students had opted to spend their afternoons out on the town. Not Elphaba though. They had an essay for Dillamond due on Monday, and Fiyero needed all the help he could get.

“What was the name of the Black Bear that first petitioned Queen Ozma for Animal rights?”

Fiyero racked his brain. “Mr...Bear?”

She sighed, though a smiled flitted onto her face. “Funny.”

Her smile made him want kiss her right then and there. “I’m serious, Fae. You’ve always been smarter than me.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re not smart in your own right, Yero.”

“You don’t have to say that.”

Reaching across the table, she took his hand, running a thumb across his palm. “It’s true.”

What did he do to deserve her?

“I love you,” he blurted out.

She started. “You know, I’m never going to get used to hearing that.”

Interlocking their fingers, he winked. “Well you should, because I intend to say it every time I look at you.”

Her sharp laugh earned a chorus of shushing from the other students.

The sound of gears turning alerted Fiyero to another presence drawing near. Elphaba seemed to recognize it at once.

“Nessa, what’s wrong?” she asked gently.

Fiyero noticed the red rimming the youngest Thropp’s eyes. “Boq broke up with me,” she sobbed.

At once, Elphaba stood. “Oh, Ness, I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Fiyero said quickly. Poor Nessa. She was so sweet, without a single bad bone in her body. Why would Boq break up with her?

Nessa shook her head. “Can we go into the hall?”

Elphaba nodded. “Of course.” Turning to Fiyero, she offered an apologetic look. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take all the time you need.”

The sisters left, leaving Fiyero to pore over his notes. His princely writing, in comparison to Elphaba’s messy scrawl, drew a laugh out of him.

“Mr. Tigulaar,” the librarian said sweetly from behind him. “I’m off early for the night.”

He got the hint at once. “Of course, Madam.”

As he gathered up his and Elphaba’s things, he heard her giggle to herself.

Just outside the hall, Elphaba’s gentle voice carried across the room. “He’s an idiot, Ness.”

“I thought he was the one!” Nessa cried. “He called me beautiful! We deserved each other, Fabala.”

“I can turn him into a chicken,” her sister offered.

Even Fiyero had to smile at that.

But Nessa was unamused. “No! I don’t need protecting, Elphaba. I need-I need him.”

“Ness-”

“It’s not fair!” she said angrily. “You have a whole prince, and I have no one! It should be me with a boy on my arm that loves me, not my green sister!”

Fiyero flinched. He could practically feel Elphaba’s pain at her sister’s harsh words.

“Is that really how you feel?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“Fabala…” Nessa began.

Footsteps clicked against the marble floor. “No, it’s fine. I’ll talk to Boq, don’t worry. See you later, Ness.”

Elphaba turned sharply around the corner, nearly smacking right into him.

Her eyes went wide. “You heard?”

“Fae,” he tried to soothe.

She promptly burst into tears.

Elphaba listened to his hums, sighing contentedly. His thumb ran circles on her shoulder soothingly.

“Is that how you convinced the other students to go to the Ozdust?” she asked teasingly.

“And my superb dance skills,” he declared.

“Of course, how could I forget.”

Her dorm was empty. Galinda had gone out to do some shopping, and likely wouldn’t be back until curfew. Some students had been gossiping that Boq had gone with, carrying her bags and trailing like a puppy.

Elphaba’s amusement died quickly. “How could she say that?”

Fiyero pressed her against his chest. “She shouldn’t have. You’re brilliant, Fae. She envies what you have.”

“But she’s the next governor! Our father adores her, she’s beautiful and well liked, and yet it’s not enough.” Then again, had it ever?

“Boq broke her heart. It’s hard for her to comprehend.”

She sighed. “I know. It still hurts.”

Lips pressed against the top of her head. “And you have every right to feel that way.”

The sound of his heartbeat comforted her. She began to drift off, and when she woke up, he was gone. Moonlight filtered in through the window, casting a glow on the single poppy on her bedside table and the note next to it.

Dearest Fae,

I didn’t want to get you in trouble on my account.

Consider this an offer of apology. I’ll see you tomorrow.

All my love,

Yero the Hero.

Elphaba rolled her eyes, stifling a giggle. Yero her Hero.

A loud snore had her jumping in surprise. Galinda, looking utterly swamped, was sprawled across her bed. Bags upon bags piled up around her. She looked like a queen in her fortress.

Clutching the poppy to her chest, Elphaba fell back against the pillows.

Life was good.

And then it all came crashing down.

“Elphie!” Galinda cried, storming into their dorm room. “Dr. Dillamond has been arrested!”

Elphaba set aside her books, heart dropping into her toes. “What?”

Galinda looked ready to cry. “Avaric saw it all go down! He was pulled from his office like a criminal! Oh, Elphie, it was terrible!”

Giving her a quick squeeze, Elphaba flew out the door. Who cared if she was still in her dressing gown? Dillamond had done nothing wrong!

Oh, Oz. His secret meetings.

Miss Coddle must have discoverated them.

No. No, no, no!

Students gathered around the Quad, most in their pajamas. It would seem the ruckus had caused quite some noise. Elphaba was in the bathroom all morning, trying out some of Galinda’s beauty products at the blonde’s request.

In the center, Miss Coddle attempted to quiet down the outrage.

“The doctor is on good hands, students,” she insisted. “Do not fret, campus security has everything under control.”

“Security?” Elphaba demanded, pushing past a group of yawning Munchkins. “You don’t need security unless he did something illegal.”

Miss Coddle frowned. “Now, Miss Elphaba, this doesn’t concern you-”

“What’s next?” she asked, throwing out both arms. “Are you going to arrest the birds for singing? Should the butterflies be afraid now?”

She was so angry. Dr. Dillamond was nothing but brave and kind, and he was being prosecuted for nothing more than fighting for what he believed in.

A crack formed in the stone floors. Students scuffled back, squealing.

Someone drew to her side. She recognized that form.

“That is quite enough, Miss Elphaba,” Coddle seethed. “Or I will be forced to have you removed as well.”

Fiyero stepped in front of her. “Not if you wish to be hearing from King Liir.”

Miss Coddle frowned. “Winkie Country has no authority here. Now step aside, before I expel both yourself and Miss Elphaba.”

“You will do no such thing.”

The voice echoed so deeply that some students had to cover their ears.

Madame Morrible breezed easily into the Quad. “Miss Elphaba is under the protection of the Wizard. You expel her, he will be forced to take action.”

Elphaba shot her a grateful look.

Miss Coddle looked furious, but her fear of the Wizard seemed to outweigh her hatred of Animals.

“Of course, Madame,” she managed to get out through gritted teeth. To the other students, she smiled. “Off with you all. Enjoy your weekend.”

Everyone dispersed, save a few stragglers.

Morrible sighed deeply. “Are you alright, Miss Elphaba?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you. But what about Dr. Dillamond?”

“The doctor was discoverated in a plot against the Wizard. We were forced to act.”

“What? But Dr. Dillamond respects the Wizard!”

“The evidence spoke otherwise, my dear.”

Fiyero scoffed. “It had to have been planted, Madame.”

Morrible nodded. “His Ozness will investigate.”

That was a relief. “He’ll be taken care of though, right?”

“You have my word, Miss Elphaba.”

Chapter Text

The months passed calmly following Dillamond's arrest. Snow fell, the canal froze over, and snowball fights became common after school.

Fiyero, bundled tightly in his winter coat, looked around. He didn’t see Elphaba anywhere, which was strange. Usually, she was the first person his eyes gravitated to. Her lesson with Morrible couldn’t be taking that long. Of course, she had been devastated at the loss of their History professor. Fiyero had spent hours with her compiling care packages to send him, all delivered personally by Madame Morrible.

Still, it was so unfair.

A sharp, cold force smacked into the back of his neck.

“Ow!” he cried, turning just in time to see a small green figure ducking behind a pillar. Passing students guffawed.

Scooping up a handful of the white slush, he waited until her head poked around the corner and launched it full force at the pillar.

Elphaba let out a squeal. “Hey!”

“All’s fair in war!” he called back. Her gaze turned murderous. He quickly turned tail and bolted past the canal into a side path that led past the library. The sound of boots against stone prompted him to pick up the pace. Snowballs flew at his head. It was a good thing Elphaba couldn’t aim worth anything.

Fiyero found himself dashing past a strange carving depicting a rather handsome gentleman. Probably one of Miss Coddle’s fantasies, he mused with a little grin.

He emerged into the same clearing Elphaba had taken him the night of the Ozdust. Snow piled up to his ankles, making it difficult to make an escape. Therefore it was no surprise when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his neck, taking both him and his assailant down.

“I win!” Elphaba announced triumphantly, tossing her braids back.

Grinning, Fiyero tweaked her chin. “Because I let you.”

She laughed. “You did not. I beat you fair and square.”

“Attacking me from behind? Real mature Miss Thropp.”

“Hey, all’s fair in war,” she said, reiterating his mantra. Falling back onto the ground beside him, she sighed. “My father wrote.”

Fiyero grimaced. “Yikes. What did he say?”

“Oh, just that he was sending over some of our mother’s dresses for Nessa. What with the Lurline’s Ball next week.”

Right. The most sought-after ticket at Shiz. “What about you?”

Those brilliant green eyes met his. “Me?”

“They can’t all be for Nessa.”

“That’s how it goes in my house.”

Things had been…tense to say the least between the sisters. Nessa had tried to make amends, and Elphaba accepted. Still, the weight of their differences hung over them. The breakup with Boq had simply brought those differences to light.

“Hm,” Fiyero grumbled. “That’s not fair. You deserve something special of your own.”

A clever little smirk spread across her lips. “I do. You.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “You flatter me, love. But I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

“Will you go to the ball with me?”

Her jaw dropped. It was so endearing that he couldn’t help but laugh.

“You…want to go…with me?”

Fiyero rolled his eyes playfully. “Really, Fae, aren’t you supposed to be the smart one? Of course I want to go with you!”

She swallowed. “All of Shiz’s benefactors will be there. If they see me on your arm-”

“They will wonder how this massive dork ended up with the cleverest, most beautiful woman in the world,” he finished, sitting up in the snow.

“Yero, don’t say things you don’t mean.”

A flash a pain went through him. How could she not see? “I mean every single word. I love you, Elphaba, and I mean to spend every minute of the rest of my life with you. Starting now.”

Elphaba bit her lip. “That’s a long time, Yero.”

“Exactly why I can’t wait to start.”

She sat up with him, her long nails cupping his face. “So romantic. Yero my hero.”

He chuckled at the pet name. “Forever your hero, Fae.”

“HE WHAT!”

Galinda’s screams could probably be heard all the way in Quox. She could care less-or was it couldn’t?- because her friend was going to the dance.

The green girl opposite her on the bed winced. “Some people have eardrums, Upland.”

“But still!” she squealed. “He asked you! Was it over dinner? Ooh, did he bring flowers?”

“I tackled him in the snow.”

Yeesh. Not exactly what she had in mind, but oh well. “Never mind then. We have to find you something to wear, Elphie!”

Not pink, that was for sure. Perhaps a nice blue? No, Fiyero was bound to wear blue. Definitely not green, it was like putting a Munchkinlander in red!

Honestly, Galinda was surprising herself. Her former obsession with the Winkie prince had seemed to vanish overnight. Now that she thought about it, which was a first, she realized that maybe they weren’t, in fact, perfect for each other. He would never love her the way he loved Elphaba, and that was fine.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she didn’t have a dozen suitors lined up at her door.

At the thought of dresses and frills, Elphaba blanched. Quite a feat when one was already green. “Oh, Galinda, you really don’t have to do that.”

The blonde jumped up and down like a toddler. “I know! That’s what makes me so nice.”

“And so humble.”

“Uh-huh, sure.”

They flipped through dress after dress. Galinda tried a gorgeous butter yellow gown, only for Elphaba to insist it made her feel like an asparagus trapped inside the body of a banana. The red went well with her lipstick but was utterly outlandish against her complexion.

“I look like a ladybug,” Elphie cringed. “And not a pretty one.”

Galinda threw up her hands in despair. “Your pessimistical attitude isn’t helping.”

“It’s not pessimism,” she argued. “I’m stating the obvious.”

A sharp knock on the door forced Galinda to rein in the snarky retort on the tip of her tongue. Elphie huffed and collected her skirts. “I got it.”

On the other side, Nessarose Thropp immediately burst into laughter. “Applying for a job as a stop sign?”

“Being tortured is more like it,” she grumbled. “Is something wrong?”

Nessa wheeled herself into the room, a cream-colored package in hand. “Mother’s dresses came.”

Galinda made a point to occupy herself with a magazine. She didn’t know the full story surrounding the late Mrs. Thropp, but judging by the way her roommate’s body tensed, it had to be serious.

“That’s great, Ness,” she said with obviously forced cheer. “Did you find one you liked?”

The youngest Thropp daughter nodded. “Her silver piece, the one she wore for your second birthday, I think.”

Elphie smiled sadly. “That one was always my favorite. You’ll look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Fabala. But that’s not why I’m here. There were a few ones in black, and since black has always been your color, I thought you might want to have them.” She held out the package. “Mother would want you to have them.”

Tears formed in the green girl’s eyes. Galinda found her own throat growing tight. To not have anything to remember your own mother by! She silently cursed Governor Thropp.

“Nessa, I-”

The sisters locked hands. “It’s alright, Fabala. Oh, guess who asked me to the ball?”

At once, the tears vanished. “Who?”

“Avaric.”

Galinda looked up. “The munchkin? Oh, Nessa, he’s adorable!”

“I know,” she giggled. “He passed me a note during our Agriculture class to meet him in the library.”

The blonde sighed dreamily. “You Thropp girls are magnets for romance.”

Nessa turned to her sister. “Fiyero asked you?”

“It took some convincing on his part,” Elphie shrugged. “But yeah, he asked.”

“Now we have to try on these dresses!”

Elphaba’s groan was ignored, and the torture began anew.

Chapter Text

Elphaba spun a few times in front of the mirror. The heels were a bit too high for her liking, but Galinda had insisted.

The perpetrator in question emerged from the bathroom in pin curls and a fluffy pink robe.

“Elphie!” she chided. “The ball is in two hours! Why aren’t you ready?”

She shot her roommate a look of bereavement. “I’m making sure I don’t break an ankle in front of the whole school.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” the pink explosion said, pulling her towards the vanity. “Now, what to do with your hair…”

“You could just leave it,” Elphaba suggested.

Galinda gasped as if she had been stabbed. “What do you take me for, an amateur? No, we need something big, something bold.”

“How about a bird’s nest.”

“No, that’s out of fash- oh very funny.” She rolled her eyes. “How about something like this?”

Her small fingers moved deftly, pulling her hair back until it hung in a loose but elegant bun, allowing a single braid to fall softly in front of her face.

Stepping back to admire her work, Galinda brought a hand to her heart. “Why, Miss Elphaba. You’re beautiful.”

Elphaba took in her reflection. “I feel beautiful. Thank you, Galinda.”

Her roommate tapped her chin with a finger. “It feels like something’s missing though. A pop of color, maybe.”

“And I wasn’t enough?” she teased.

Ignoring the joke, Galinda hummed. “Perhaps a hair piece. No, that’s not it.”

A thought struck Elphaba like a bolt of lightning. “A flower?”

“Yes!” she squealed. “That’s perfect!”

On her side of the room, Elphaba slipped the poppy Fiyero had left her from her nightstand. A few experiments with Morrible had given her the ability to keep it alive for a long period of time.

Galinda smoothly wove it into her hair. “Perfect.”

Oz, it was perfect.

“Now for the dress.”

Right. Her mother’s dress. It had been a unanimous decision from both Nessa and Galinda. The dress hung just past her ankles, a black gossamer skirt atop one of silk. It was sleeveless, save the strip of fabric that looped around the back of her neck, leaving the rest exposed. The bodice and skirt were embroidered to look like they had flowers growing on them.

She could picture her mother wearing such a thing in the days before her marriage.

“I feel exposed,” she admitted, shivering.

Galinda, her hair uncoiled into perfect curls pulled half-up, plucked a silk shawl from Elphaba’s trunk. “Here,” she said, wrapping it around her roommate with a flourish. “Now you’ll be warm.”

As one, the girls watched themselves in the mirror. Slowly, the blonde dropped her head on Elphaba’s green shoulder.

“Look at us,” she giggled. “The beauties of the ball.”

Elphaba made all the right ooh’s and ah’s as her roommate quickly dressed in a gown of dusty pink. It really was lovely, with draping sleeves and silver embroidery.

“Are those…bubbles?” she asked, inspecting the pins in her friend’s hair.

She twirled. “Gifts from Momsie. They belonged to my Grannie Billie.”

“The one who’s always sending you ugly hats?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Well, she has some taste.”

“Just not in hats.”

“Relax, Fiyero,” Avaric sighed. “You look fine.”

Still, Fiyero examined himself once, then twice. The suit had been his father’s. Deep blue, it boasted Vinkun markings around the shoulders.

“I am relaxed,” he insisted. Only his voice betrayed him, coming out in a frightened squeak.

The munchkin boy buttoned up his jacket. “At least you don’t have to worry about looking like a dork next to your date.”

Fiyero frowned. “What do you mean by that?” He had invited Avaric to get ready in his private suite, since they were both taking out one of the Thropp sisters.

“Well, you’re a prince,” he said obviously. “And Elphaba is being tutored by the Madame Morrible. You’re made for each other. Nessa is going to be governor, and I…my father owns a shoe-making business.”

He clapped the shorter man on the back. “Don’t think that way, Avaric. Nessa said yes, didn’t she ?”

Avaric nodded.

“Exactly! She clearly likes you, and so long as you like her in return, who gives a twig what anyone else thinks?”

His words had the desired effect. “Thanks, Fiyero. Has anyone ever told you how wise you are?”

Fiyero barked out a laugh. “Sometimes. Only when she’s in a good mood though.”

The men waited casually by the canal. Lanterns floated on their own, magicked no doubt, and hundreds upon hundreds of flowers decorated the walkway. Snow fell gently, yet Fiyero felt nothing. More of Morrible’s magic, he supposed.

Students lingered, some in pairs. All of Shiz had clamored to get dates, because Oz forbid you went alone. There were the occasional groups, all chatting animatedly about the important donors that would be in attendance.

“An ambassador from the Wizard is supposed to be here!” one girl whispered to her friend.

A black-haired boy lifted his chin as he passed with a horde of finely dressed students. “My father plans on introducing me to the head of the Bank of Oz.”

“It’s a party, not an interview,” Fiyero mumbled.

Avaric chuckled. “That’s how it is here at Shiz. It’s not about how talented you are, but who you know. Best to start making connections before graduation.”

His first thought was of Elphaba. “But talent is necessary.”

“Sometimes.”

A sweet voice called out, halting the conversation. Nessa wheeled towards them, looking lovely in a silver dress that flowed as if it were made of water.

“I was looking for you,” she said shyly.

Avaric stared at her in awe. “I-you-wow.”

Her cheeks grew red. Pointedly, she looked towards the Vinkun prince. “Good to see you, Fiyero.”

“Good to see you too, Ness,” he nodded chivalrously. “Is your sister with you?”

“Galinda kept her all afternoon.”

He winced. “Yikes.”

“Tell me about it.”

Fiyero stepped back. “I’ll let you two go join the party.”

He watched them go, hand in hand. It was nice to see Nessa so happy after Boq broke her heart. In fact, the Munchkin boy had been rather sulky lately. In class, he kept to himself in the back row, hardly answering questions.

A part of him wondered if it had something to do with a certain blonde he trailed nowadays.

“Oh, Elphie, you’re walking just fine!”

Fiyero straightened his jacket, sucking in a deep breath. Why was he so nervous?

A flash of pink caught his eye, and out emerged Galinda Upland. “Oh, Fiyero! Elphie, I found him!”

She brushed through the crowd, and when he saw her, his jaw nearly dropped.

Radiant. That was the only word that came to mind.

“Elphaba,” he breathed. “You’re incredible.”

Her green cheeks grew darker. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”

He laughed. “I’m blushing, Miss Elphaba.”

Someone cleared their throat. “We’re going to be late, so if you lovebirds are done?”

Elphaba rolled her eyes at her roommate. “Really, Upland?”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Thropp. You’re Morrible’s student! Everyone is dying to meet you.”

“Fine,” she conceded. “Shall we, your highness?”

Fiyero cringed as he offered an arm. “The only person who calls me that is Feldspar. And that’s when he’s feeling petty.”

The Quad had been decorated with ribbons in the school’s colors, beautiful hydrangeas and candles that illuminated the place in a gentle glow.

“Who’d have guessed Morrible could decorate,” Elphaba whispered, wrapping her shawl tighter around her bare arms. Oz, she was gorgeous.

“Oh, didn’t you hear?” he asked coyly. “Professor Nikidik was in charge of the planning committee this year.”

She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Galinda says he has the taste of a hermit from Quadling Country.”

“Galinda thinks that anyone who doesn’t plan at least three outfit changes a day is an embarrassment to fashion.”

“She also has ears!” the topic of their teasing reminded them. “I’m off to the pastry table.”

In a swirl of pink and silver, she was gone.

Morrible approached with two finely dressed men trailing her. “There you are, Miss Elphaba, Prince Fiyero.” She looked very regal in robes of deep purple. “Allow me to introduce Commander Cherrystone and Sir Chuffrey. They come as ambassadors from the Emerald City.”

Elphaba’s green eyes went wide. “A pleasure to meet you, sirs.”

“Miss Elphaba is my only student. She possesses immense magical talents.”

Sir Chuffrey took a swig from his wine glass. “Yes, His Ozness is most interested in her gifts. Though, you failed to mention, er…”

“Greenness?” Elphaba finished for him. “It’s usually the first topic of any conversation.”

Her light joke made the men smile, but Fiyero still couldn’t shake off Chuffrey’s plain rudeness.

“And you must be King Liir’s boy!” the older man said, turning. “The Winkie heir and Morrible’s prized pupil,” he missed out loud. “In two years I’m sure you’ll be the talk of all Oz.”

Fiyero glanced over to take in Elphaba’s reaction. She smiled at the thought. “You’re very generous, Sir Chuffrey.”

Commander Cherrystone, who looked no more than a few years older than Fiyero, adjusted his military uniform. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Elphaba, your highness, but I do believe those pastries are calling my name.”

The trio went. Once firmly out of sight, Elphaba turned and blew out a breath. “I was this close to throwing up all over Chuffrey’s hat.”

Taking her by the waist, Fiyero chuckled. “If that happened, I would have pulled down my pants as a distraction.”

“You would not,” she gaped.

He shrugged. “It’s called solidarity.”

“A big word for you.”

“Oh, very funny.”

Chapter Text

His heart beat soothingly, a calming sound as they swayed to the music. Elphaba sighed contentedly.

“What’s so funny?” she asked when his low chuckle reverberated against her body.

“Oh, nothing,” he said. “I just never expected to be here this long.”

She pulled back to meet his gaze. “Do you want to leave?”

A thumb reached out to brush her cheek. “At Shiz, silly girl. You know, my father never thought I’d make it past Lurlinemas.”

“That’s not fair,” she objected.

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I proved him wrong.”

Elphaba leaned back against his chest. “That’s right. I’m proud of you, Yero.”

“I love you, Fae.”

“I love you too.”

It was quiet for a few moments. Dancers straggled off of the floor. It had grown late, even Morrible had retired for the night.

“We ought to go,” she suggested quietly.

Fiyero nodded. He offered a hand. “I think Galinda had one too many pastries.”

She held back a laugh. “Pfannee and Shen-Shen had to carry her back!” Her laugh trailed off. “I’ll bet she’s dead asleep, so we’ll have to be quiet.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You know…we could always go back to my room.”

His room. Nearly three months of dating, and she had never stepped foot in his room. It was a suite, like Galinda’s, and that was all she knew.

“Are-are you sure?” she couldn’t resist asking. “I mean, all those shiny boots.”

A short laugh burst from his mouth. “Only two pairs, love.”

“Same difference,” she said quickly to mask her nerves.

In true Fiyero fashion, he saw right through her. “Hey, we don’t have to if you don’t feel comfortable.”

Elphaba shook her head. “No, no I want to. It’ll be nice to get some peace and quiet.”

“I promise not to tell Galinda you said that.”

Hand in hand, he led her to the opposite wing of the dorms. Technically, boys and girls weren’t supposed to be alone together in a room, but many brushed that rule aside.

When Fiyero threw the doors open sheepishly, she was surprised to see that it was so him. Crude drawings littered the walls, his school jacket hung casually over a chair, and those boots she had teased him mercilessly about rested against his four-poster bed.

“You were expecting something more formal,” he guessed.

She slid off her shoes, doing everything in her power not to groan with pleasure. “I know you too well, Yero. Honestly, I’m just surprised you kept it in this good of a condition.”

He laughed at that, taking her by the waist. “So witty tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“My mistake. You’re the cleverest, smartest, brightest girl in the whole world.”

“Those words all mean the same thing.”

“My point has been proven,” he declared smugly.

To silence his gloating, she kissed him. It was a gentle, unassuming kiss. And then, to her own shock, her hands began to wander up his neck and into his hair.

Fiyero sighed into her mouth. “Are you sure, Fae?”

Instinctively, she pulled back. “Sorry.”

“You misunderstand,” he breathed against her neck. “I want you to devour me, love.”

At his consent, she pulled him to her. His suit jacket fell to the floor, so did her shawl. Oz, she had never felt like this before. It was so electric, and yet so right, like they were meant for this.

Her fingers moved deftly to unbutton his shirt, and he smiled into the kiss.

And then his own hands reached for the back of her dress.

“You should know something,” she blurted out. “I’m green.”

He stared in utter disbelief for a moment. “Fae, love, I’m not colorblind.”

“No, I mean…I’m green everywhere.”

“Elphaba Thropp, I wouldn’t care if you were pink, had webbed feet, or even a third eye. I love you for you.”

It sent butterflies through her stomach. To be seen not by her skin, but for herself, was all she had ever wanted from people. Her own family was ashamed of her, even Nessa. And yet this man, this prince, who could have had anyone at school falling eagerly at his feet, wanted her. Loved her.

Taking him by the hands, she led his fingers to her dress.

She heard the buttons unclasp, the smooth gossamer slide over her head, and felt the rush of cold air as it dropped to the floor.

Not once did his eyes leave her own.

“You’re beautiful, Fae.”

His own shirt was tossed aside, and soon they were on the bed. The silk sheets were cool against her bare back. She shivered at the sensation.

Kisses roamed her body hungrily. His fine pants joined the shirt. It took every morsel of her being to keep her gaze upward.

“Are you alright?” he whispered, stroking her cheek. “We can stop.”

Elphaba scoffed quietly. “We’re already this far, Yero.”

“Good point,” he huffed, reclaiming her mouth.

And then it happened. She had expected it, of course, Dulcibear having explained the less embarrassing details to her and Nessa years ago.

And yet, it was both everything she had been expecting and more. She clung to him, her nails digging into his back.

“Sweet Oz,” she managed to get out, her brow pressed against his shoulder.

Fiyero kissed her neck. “Elphaba.”

“Don’t talk.”

“Yes ma’am.”

In one smooth movement, the poppy in her hair, their poppy, was on the nightstand.

As the moon ascended, Elphaba pulled back only briefly to meet his gaze. His blue eyes were so full of emotion that for a moment she could hardly speak.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you more, Fae.”

Fiyero watched her sleeping form with a surge of love. That’s what this was. Pure, unattainable love, that somehow he of all people had managed to find.

Her hair fell like a dark curtain down her back. In the light of the morning sun, her freckles shone. Oz, she was beautiful.

Careful so as not to wake her, Fiyero slipped out of bed and threw on a robe. What to make the night after making love to the woman who held your heart in her hands?

Ah-hah. Elphaba had a sweet tooth, and a severe one at that.

It was early, far too early for anyone to be out and about. Even Morrible was nowhere to be seen as he crept down the hall and towards the kitchens. He prayed to the Unnamed God that one of the cooks wouldn’t happen to discoverate him.

The mental image of the Vinkun prince prancing around the school in nothing but his nightrobe had him snickering to himself.

Thank Oz they were empty. Fiyero swiped a plate and heaped it full of chocolate muffins, cinnamon rolls, and a glass of milk. The walk back was just as tense, but the halls remained quiet. He would bet a good portion of the school was nursing a pretty nasty hangover. Someone had slipped a case of Quadling wine into the punch bowl last night.

Back in his room, he found her awake and flipping through one of his textbooks.

“Good morning,” Elphaba greeted with a broad smile. When she spotted the treats in his hand, her smile dropped. “Yero, you shouldn’t have.”

Fiyero scoffed. “Nonsense. Besides, who would miss them, hm?”

“Um, the people who made them?”

“Fair,” he admitted. “Still, I wanted to gift my lovely girlfriend with a nourishing breakfast on this fine Lurlinemas Day.”

She flipped the covers back, allowing him to slide in. “Nourishing?”

He shrugged. “You rub off on people, Fae.”

Sighing, she popped a chunk of muffin into her mouth. “So I’ve heard. And no one stopped you?”

“Nope. Everyone’s either still out partying, or hungover.”

She shuddered. “I had a feeling. Crope?”

At the mention of their troublesome classmate, Fiyero huffed. “The likely culprit. Now that you mention it, I recall his satchel looking rather weighed down after class yesterday.”

“Sweet Oz. We live amongst lunatics.”

“No, love, you live amongst lunatics.”

“I live amongst lunatics and a dork, how about that?”

He reached over to tweak her nose. “You wicked witch.”

“Watch yourself,” she warned, wiggling her fingers dramatically. “Or I’ll stuff a mattress with you.”

Fiyero laughed tauntingly. “Well, don’t threaten me with a good time!”

She slapped him on the arm playfully, her laughter sending goosebumps up his spine.

They spent the rest of the morning just like that, laughing and kissing, and even reading. He found that her voice had a calming effect over him. When she spoke, he listened.

Finally, just as the sun was at its peak in the sky, she leaned back, allowing his arms to wind around her chest.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” she sighed.

“It’s a Saturday, Fae. We have all day.”

“And going forward?”

He pressed his lips to her hair. “Forever. Even when you’re the Wizard’s grand vizier and you’re living in the Emerald City, I will love you forever.”

She adjusted so that they were face to face. “You know, if I ever get to that point…you could come with.”

“Oh, Fae,” he said softly. “Where you go, I go.”

“Where you go, I go,” she repeated.

Chapter Text

Spring was in full bloom at Shiz when it came. Elphaba had been in Sorcery class, poring over her notes, when Morrible’s voice rang out from the canal below.

“Miss Elphaba!”

Hastening over to the balcony, she looked down to see half of the student body crowded around the madame.

“Look!” Morrible continued, pointing an elegant finger at something in the distance. “I’ve finally heard back from the Wizard!”

Elphaba’s heart dropped to her stomach. The floating mechanism certainly looked kike a positive omen, but he could just be letting her down easy,

Still, the excitement bubbled as she raced down into the courtyard. Galinda was already waiting for her. Grasping onto her friend’s hand, they surged to the front of the crowd.

“Open it!” Morrible nearly squealed as the machine drew nearer. “It’s for you!”

Without warning, it spit out a rich, emerald green envelope. She was going to be sick with nerves.

It wasn’t a dismissal. No, it was an invite to the Emerald City!

Non-transferrable, of course.

“Elphie, you did it!” Galinda screeched, throwing her arms around the green girl. “I knew you could do it!”

Tears threatened, but Elphaba managed to rein them in. “Thank you, Galinda. I couldn’t have done it without my best friend.”

The blonde pulled back stunned. At once, Elphaba felt guilty. Stupid, saying such a thing to Galinda Upland of all people.

Instead, she smiled, her brown eyes alight. “You’re my best friend too, Elphie.”

A best friend. For the first time in her life, Elphaba Thropp had a best friend. It was almost too good to be true.

Morrible gripped her arm firmly, interrupting the moment. “Listen to me, Miss Elphaba. You first must prove yourself to His Ozness. He is a very wise and powerful man. Even I had to prove my skills upon meeting him.”

“Prove myself?” she squeaked out. “How?”

“Dearie, this is the Wizard of Oz. I know you have what it takes.”

She was going to meet the Wizard of Oz! Fiyero was going to faint when she told him.

So why wait?

“I’ll be right back!” she called back, sprinting for the Quad. Steady rain had begun to fall, but she didn’t care. Students glanced up in confusion at the green figure running wildly amongst them. Oh, to the Unnamed God with them! She was going to meet the Wizard!

“Fiyero!”

The tall figure that emerged from the Agriculture classroom looked up. “Elphaba? What is it?”

Without another word, she threw herself into his arms. He let out an ‘oof’ of surprise but managed to stay upright.

“The Wizard wrote back!” she cried. “He wants to meet me!”

His blue eyes went wide. “That’s wonderful Fae! I’m so proud of you!” He enveloped her in an embrace, swinging her around like a doll.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered against his chest, staring in awe at the fine gold script in her hand. “I have only ever dreamed of this moment.”

“Dream no longer, Miss Elphaba,” he said smiling.

The next day she stood on the train station platform, her luggage packed and ready to be transported to the Emerald City.

Elphaba gripped the brim of her hat tightly. Her heart was pounding a million times per minute.

A warm hand enveloped her own. “Deep breaths, love.”

She turned to see Fiyero at her side, looking very princely in his fine blue suit. “I know. It’s just…”

“What?” he asked gently when she failed to continue.

“What if I embarrass myself? I’ll be a disgrace to my family, to Madame Morrible.”

“Fae, you could never disgrace anyone. I’ve seen your gifts, we all have. If the Wizard is too blind to see them, then he’s an idiot.”

She gawked at the blatant insult to the Wizard. “You mean that?”

Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly. “With all my heart.”

“Okay then.”

The clip-clopping of heels alerted them to the presence of Galinda Upland. She was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

“Elphie! The train is here! And it comes with the cutest little man!”

Elphaba laughed. “I’m coming, Upland, relax.”

Waiting under the gazebo, however, another sight caught her eye. Her father, dressed smartly in a jacket and top hat, watched with narrowed eyes, Nessa at his side.

“Oh no.”

Both Fiyero and Galinda turned to look at her.

“My father is here,” she squeaked.

“Don’t be afraid, Elphie,” Galinda said reassuringly. “We’re here.”

She wasn’t alone anymore. Why, then, did she feel like she was walking into quicksand?

Nessa smiled joyfully at their arrival. “Oh, Elphaba, we’re so proud of you!”

Judging by the look on their father’s face, Nessa had definitely overstated.

“Thank you, Ness,” Elphaba acknowledged gratefully. “Father.”

“Elphaba,” Governor Thropp greeted tersely.

Clearing her throat, she gestured to the two people at her side. “Let me introduce Galinda Upland-”

“Of the Upper Uplands,” Galinda made sure to remind him.

“A pleasure.”

“And this,” Elphaba continued, “is Fiyero Tigulaar, my…uh…”

Fiyero winked. “Her boyfriend. It’s an honor to meet you, Governor Thropp, sir.”

The Governor’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Prince Fiyero?”

“Indeed, sir.”

His face contorted. “And you are dating Elphaba. My daughter, Elphaba?”

“I know. I was shocked she gave me the time of day as well.”

Nessa hid her giggle behind a hand.

Before the Governor could question any more, Madame Morrible appeared. “It’s time, Miss Elphaba. Good day to you, Governor Thropp.”

“Good luck, Fabala,” Nessa said quickly. “Ozspeed!”

Her classmates all gathered to see her off, some with handmade signs. There were cheers, words of congratulations, and even a rather enthusiastic wish of luck from Pfannee and Shen-Shen.

“I’ve made a decision,” Galinda whispered before it was time to board. “I’m changing my name.”

Elphaba pulled back. “Your name?”

“Are you sure?” Fiyero snickered.

The blonde braced both hands on her hips. “Yes. Since Dr. Dillamond had his own way of saying my name, in solidarity, I will be known no longer as Ga-linda. But as simply…Glinda.”

It was the thought that counted.

“That’s very…considerate of you, Glinda,” Fiyero said, pressing his lips together.

“Such…braverism,” Elphaba snorted.

Galinda-wait, Glinda, looked proud. “Why thank you. I intend to express my outrage at his arrest.”

She couldn’t begrudge her that. When Elphaba met the Wizard, she knew what she would ask of him. Proving Dillamond’s innocence and helping the Animals was her heart’s desire, and she would see it through.

Before boarding, Elphaba turned to Fiyero. “I’ll miss you.”

“Nonsense, love. You’ll be the Wizard’s Grand Vizier!”

“Promise you’ll join me if things go well?”

“I swear it,” he declared. “I love you.”

Those familiar butterflies flitted around her stomach. “I love you too.”

She hopped on, blowing a kiss to the newly named Glinda. What would she do without them?

Just as the train began to move, it dawned on her.

“Come with me!”

The figures in pink and blue froze. Glinda was the first to break out of her shock and began to race after the train.

“Where?”

“To the Emerald City!”

Now it was Fiyero’s turn. “Are you sure?”

Elphaba waved a hand. “I’m positive! Now get on, or you’ll miss it!”

Glinda leapt first, with a little assistance from the Vinkun Prince at her back. She and Elphaba fell to the floor in heaps of giggles. Fiyero seated himself beside them.

“This is crazy,” he panted.

“I’ve always wanted to see the Emerald City,” Glinda squealed. “It’s all so… Oz-mopolitan!”

The prince and the green girl shared a look.

Chapter Text

The Emerald City was beyond words. Even Elphaba, Fiyero noted amusedly, was speechless. Not that he blamed her.

Palaces, museums, and all sorts of shops littered the city. Everything sparkled a brilliant shade of green. Even the people were dressed in varying shades of lime and pea-colored coats and dresses.

“It’s incredible,” Elphaba breathed. “And it’s all green!”

Glinda-he was still a little confused about that- clutched her hand tightly. “I think we’ve found the place where we belong, Elphie.”

“Is that a color-changing horse?” Fiyero couldn’t help but notice. Feldspar was going to lose his mind.

The blonde’s screech made him jump. “A jewelry shop! Oh, Elphie, please, please can we go in?”

Elphaba sighed, turning to Fiyero. “Wanna come?”

“Sure,” he shrugged. “Feldspar has been insisting on getting his saddle bedazzled.”

She scoffed. “He has not.”

“I’m perfectly serious, Fae. Pure sapphires, if I’m remembering correctly.”

As Glinda bounced towards the jewelry shop, Elphaba linked her arm into his. “I always thought gold was his color.”

He snorted loudly. “He says sapphires match his eyes.”

“His eyes are brown, Yero.”

“I told them they were blue a few years ago. He’s never looked in a mirror before.”

She smacked him on the shoulder. “Fiyero! That’s mean.”

A hand went up in defense. “I forgot! He only mentioned it yesterday.”

“Poor Feldspar.”

“It should be poor me. If he ever finds out, I’m due for a kick to the head.”

Her laugh carried into the shop. Fiyero was nearly blinded by the shine. Ruby necklaces, Diamond bracelets, and even a few tiaras lined the shelves.

Glinda flitted to the crowns. “Ooh, Elphie, Fiyero, look at this one,” she gasped, holding up a silver tiara inlaid with blue stones. “It’s fit for a princess.”

“It’s perfect,” Elphaba said.

But the blonde pursed her lips. “I never took blue as being my color.”

Fiyero surveyed the crown. “Have you ever worn anything other than pink, Glin?”

“Does magenta count?”

A sigh burst from Elphaba’s lips.

While the girls shopped, Fiyero found himself wandering the aisles. A group of well-dressed people that looked to be his age eyed him.

“I take it a handsome man such as yourself is looking for a ring?” one of the women asked. The man at her side winked.

Fiyero hid his amusement well. “No, just browsing.”

Then his eye caught on something. A gold ring, several smaller bands wrapped around one another, with a deep blue stone nestled in the center. It was so simple and yet so…her.

He found the girls ready to leave, so he made an excuse about seeing to Feldspar’s saddle.

Once they had gone, he raced back and slipped the ring from its stand.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glinda collapsed against the bench, her arms aching.

“Where’s the shopping staff when you need them?” she groaned, leaning onto Elphie’s shoulder.

Her friend blinked. “You have staff just for shopping?”

“You don’t?”

“I live in Munchkin Country. The only thing we shop for is fruit, vegetables, and more fruit.”

She shuddered at the mere thought of buying nothing but food. How could other people bear it?

Fiyero joined them, a lollipop in each hand. “For the ladies.”

“Aw, Yero,” Elphie said affectionately. “You didn’t have to.”

Glinda accepted her pink pop. It tasted like cotton candy. Elphie’s, a lime green, made her lips press together at once.

“Sweet, just the way I like it.”

Try as she might, she couldn’t stop the wave of envy that coursed through her. She was happy for Elphie, of course she was! And yet, the love between her and Fiyero was enough to make any girl feel wildly incomplete.

But when her friend smiled at her and teased about a group of boys that lingered nearby, that familiar joy and happiness reappeared.

“What time is it?” Glinda asked, glancing towards the large clock in the center of the courtyard. It was in the shape of a dragon, and its beady red eyes sent shivers along her spine. “Sweet Oz, Elphie, it’s three-forty! Your appointments at four!”

Elphie nearly choked on her lollipop. “Holy Lurline! Let’s go!”

Thank Oz they made it just in time. One of the guards at the front of the palace gracefully took their bags, eyeing Elphie’s invitation warily before handing it off to the gate master.

Elphie’s grip on Fiyero’s arm looked bone crushing.

After a moment of tense silence, the gate master beamed brightly.

“The Wizard will see you now!”

Deep breaths. Make a good impression. Smile politely. And most important, try not to throw up on his shoes. The last time she had done that, the Minister of the Lollipop Guild had not been impressed.

A heavily armored Monkey waited at the top of the steps. Nodding once, he turned.

“Do we follow him?” Fiyero whispered.

“It’s that or stand here like dolts.”

So they joined the Monkey, following him down a long hallway flanked by members of his own species. They too were armored, though judging by the gold O-Z on the front of their guide’s breastplate, he held some sort of authority.

The door at the end of the hall creaked open the closer they drew.

“Elphaba Thropp,” Glinda hissed into her ear, “listen to me. You can do this. You can do anything.”

Fiyero nodded. “Glin’s right. You are the most powerful person I’ve ever met. This is your moment.”

She had their support. No matter what, they were here for her.

Arm in arm, they entered the chamber. A large head of solid gold peered out from behind a curtain of green.

If she bolted now, they wouldn’t have enough time to catch her.

And then the head spoke.

“I am Oz,” it bellowed. “The Great…and terrible.” Flames grew from torches on the walls. “Who are you, and why…do you seek…me?”

“Say something,” Glinda squeaked. Even Fiyero looked half ready to grab them and run.

Elphaba stepped forward. “My name is Elphaba Thropp, your Ozness, and I-”

“Elphaba?”

The voice that came out of the figure’s head did not match the one they had just heard.

“Voice crack?” Fiyero suggested.

But no. A man emerged from the curtain, dressed finely in an emerald coat, his hair and mustache sleek.

The Wizard of Oz held out both hands. “I didn’t know that was you, Elphaba. You know, it’s so hard to make out faces back there.” He turned back at his now powered-down machine. “It’s a bit much, I know. But hey, folks have come to expect that sort of thing. And you gotta give the people what they want.”

A smile emerged on Elphaba’s face. “It is so wonderful to meet you, your Ozness.”

“That’s good!” the Wizard cried. “I love making people happy.” He faced her companions. “And you two must be…?”

“Glinda,” the blonde said sweetly. “The Ga- is silent.”

Oh boy.

Confused, he looked to Fiyero. “Hey, wait just a clock tick. I know you! Liir’s boy, right?”

They shook hands. “That’s me, your Ozness.”

“Gee, I’ve never had royalty here before!” the Wizard chuckled. Introductions aside, he turned back to Elphaba. “Morrible spoke very highly of you, Elphaba. You’ll have to prove yourself, of course, but I’ve found that trusting Madame’s judgement can prove very beneficial.”

Morrible’s faith in her was reassuring.

“I’m ready.”

Chapter Text

Fiyero would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. He wanted this so badly for her. It was her dream, the very thing that would prove to her father that she was more than just his green daughter, to the world that she wasn’t a freak, but a force of nature to be reckoned with.

The blue Monkey from earlier made his way to the dais. With a flourish, he revealed a weathered brown book that seemed to hum with magic.

“Madame!” the Wizard called with a dramatic clap.

Heels against marble echoed throughout the chamber, and Madame Morrible, clad in a glittering green gown, emerged from a hall off to the side.

“Is that…?” Glinda gasped.

Elphaba flew towards the older woman. “Madame Morrible! What are you doing here?”

Morrible smiled. “I couldn’t miss your big moment, dearie.” Her gaze landed on Fiyero and Glinda, standing off to the side. “And you brought guests.”

“It was at my request,” she said quickly. Fiyero placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

The Wizard cleared his throat pointedly. “Shall we?” He gestured to the book.

It was the Grimmerie. Fiyero recognized the ancient book of magic from Dillamond’s class. Only the Wizard could read it.

But when Elphaba drew near, it opened at once. The pages flipped back and forth, as if they couldn’t decide which spell to land on.

Morrible gasped, a hand going to her throat. “Sweet Oz.”

“It opened for her,” the Wizard breathed.

Glinda went to Fiyero’s side. “Can she read it?”

He clenched his hands tightly. “That’s for her to find out.”

“We’ve been practicing levitation spells,” Morrible revealed in a quiet voice.

The Wizard nodded. “Levitation. Of course.” Clearing his throat, he looked around until his eyes landed on the blue Monkey. “Have you-have you had the chance to meet Chistery? He’s the Captain of my Emerald Guard.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Elphaba greeted with a smile.

Chistery merely grunted.

“Now, uh, he’d hate to admit this, but he watches birds so longingly, every morning.”

“Birds?” The pages began to flip. “How can I help him?”

Glinda bounced on her toes. “Elphie, look!”

The Grimmerie settled on a page with gold wings spread across the yellowed parchment.

“Are those words?” Elphaba asked.

Madame Morrible led her forward. “Our lost language of spells. Do not be discouraged if you cannot decipher it, dearie. I myself can only read a word or two, and that took years-”

Elphaba began to speak.

He knew she could do it! Fiyero internally celebrated her success, hardly noticing when Glinda’s hand crushed his arm in an iron grip.

The more Elphaba spoke, however, the more the squeaks of pain grew louder behind them. He didn’t recognize the words, obviously, having no magical abilities of his own. But he could almost feel the power that pulsed through the air. It was her power.

A screech broke the happy mood.

Chistery collapsed to the ground, clawing at his back.

“Chistery!” Elphaba cried, rushing forward. Fiyero managed to grab her by the waist before the Monkey lunged, hissing. “He’s in pain!”

Morrible held up a hand. “It’s just the transition, dearie.”

“The transition?” Fiyero snapped. “You expected this?”

Before the Madame could reply, there was a horrifying ripping sound. A pair of feathery wings tore through Chistery’s back, growing larger by the second.

“No,” Elphaba sobbed, falling back against Fiyero’s chest.

“Gloryosky,” the Wizard gaped.

Glinda watched the sight unfold with wide eyes. “You did it. You actually did it.”

“He’s in pain,” Elphaba said, facing Morrible. “Quick, how do I reverse it?”

“Reverse it?” she scoffed, as if the mere suggestion were ridiculous. “A spell from the Grimmerie can never be reversed.”

There was screeching in the distance. Oh, Oz.

Elphaba’s green eyes filled with tears. “No, no.”

The sight outside the chamber was something to behold. Fiyero reined in a gag at the sounds the wings made as they tore free. The same Monkeys that had seen them to the Wizard were now hooting in excruciating pain.

Instead of horror, Morrible and the Wizard were smiling. “I knew she had the power! I told you!”

“It’s just what we hoped for, eyes in the skies.”

“Oh, they’ll make perfect spies.”

Spies. Spies.

Fiyero had never once in his twenty-two years of life even considered hitting a woman. Let alone one who was twice his age. All that was about to go out the window.

Elphaba echoed his thoughts. “Spies?”

“Well, I-”

To their shock, Glinda held up a hand. “Your Ozness, sir, may I have a word with Elphie?” Without waiting for approval, she took her friend by the arm. Fiyero could only follow.

Tucked inside a hallway off to the side, Elphaba pulled free. “What are you doing?”

“I know you, Elphaba, and I know what you’re thinking!” Glinda hissed. “What happened to those Monkeys is wrong, but you can’t throw this all away.”

Fiyero scoffed. “Wrong? That’s a delicate way of putting things, Galinda.”

The blonde glared. “If she runs, how does that bode for you?”

Runs? A glance at Elphaba proved her words to be true. “I wasn’t going to leave you.”

“But you were still going to leave.”

“Look around you, Yero!” she said, her voice breaking. “He’s behind it all, and now I’m one of the pieces in his game! This is my fault!”

His anger dissipated easily. “Fae, don’t say that. They tricked you.”

Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “And I was dumb enough to fall for it.”

He pressed her to his chest. Her small arms enveloped around his waist. “Never say that, Fae. They’ve probably had this planned for weeks.”

“From the moment Morrible met me, she knew.”

“I never liked her anyway.”

She laughed once, thick with emotion. Then, her voice turned serious. “What are we going to do, Yero?”

Glinda braced a hand on her back. “You haven’t given your heart’s desire, Elphie. Remember?”

For the first time since he’d met her, Fiyero found himself impressed by Galinda Upland. “She’s right, Fae.”

“I didn’t think about that.”

“But now you have!” Glinda said, throwing her arms out. “You can put an end to all of this right here!”

Elphaba got that look on her face, the one Fiyero would have recognized anywhere.

She was planning.

Elphaba glanced up as the Wizard entered, trailed by Morrible. The latter held a stern expression on her face. It was a look of warning.

She had never felt more betrayed. Morrible, the first person at Shiz to see through her, to make her feel like she belonged. It had all been an act.

“I agree with you, Elphaba,” the Wizard said abruptly. “Spies is a very harsh word. How about scouts?”

Ignoring his attempts at civility, she raised her chin and stepped forward. “I’ll accept your proposition.”

“Wonderful!”

“On one condition.”

His smile dropped. “Oh? And what is that?”

“The Animals. I know you’re behind it all. You leave them alone, restore their jobs, and write Animals laws into effect. That is my heart’s desire. Do that, and I will work with you.”

Morrible scoffed. “Dearie, be reasonable.”

“Equality shouldn’t be seen as unreasonable, Madame.”

The Wizard held up a hand. “Listen, Elphaba, when I first got here, there was discord, and discontent. And back where I come from, everybody knows that the best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy.”

Fiyero stepped forward, his features contorted in rage. But Elphaba held up a hand.

“That was thirty years ago. If Oz isn’t stable enough to handle Animal activity amongst them, then have you really done your job?”

Her reasoning stumped him. “Well, I-I suppose you have a small point.”

“She has an excellent point,” Fiyero cut in.

The Wizard sighed. “Very well then. You’ll have your wish.”

It was as if the world had suddenly lifted off her shoulders. “Really?”

“I’m the Wizard of Oz, Elphaba. I keep my word.”

She had done it. Dillamond would be free. The Animals who had been locked up for nothing more than being different would no longer face an unjust law.

Morrible scoffed furiously and turned on her heel.

“She’s always been rather ornery,” the Wizard muttered. “I’ll have one of my manservants show you to your rooms.” He left humming an unfamiliar tune.

“Holy Kumbric!” Glinda screeched.

Fiyero hefted Elphaba into his arms, spinning until she was dizzy. “That’s my girl!”

“I can’t believe I just did that!” Elphaba laughed, her heart pounding. “I thought he would send his guards after me!”

“No chance,” Fiyero teased, tweaking her nose. “You would’ve turned him into a frog.”

Chapter Text

The rooms certainly were spacious.

Elphaba found herself led to a suite of apartments decked out in green. It even had a second floor for her bedroom! Glinda had the room next door, all pink, of course.

She didn’t know where Fiyero’s room was, which made her all the more nervous.

A calming shower soothed her only momentarily. Her closet was filled with all sorts of dresses and other clothing, most in black. They got that much right, at least.

Throwing on a soft pair of pajamas and a silk robe, Elphaba curled up on the couch by the fire, a book in hand. Fiyero would be fine, she told herself repeatedly. He was a prince, they would never harm him.

There was a knock at her door. Her heart leapt, thinking it was him.

Instead, Madame Morrible entered.

“You’ve settled in nicely,” she noted tartly.

Elphaba set aside her book. The Madame’s betrayal still stung. “I have one question, that’s all.”

The older woman arched a brow. “Oh?”

“When you met me, did you have any hesitation? I’m not blind, and neither are you. Was it my magic that drew you, or was it my being green?”

Morrible shook her head. “Your skin was never on my mind. I assumed you would ask the Wizard to change that.”

“Only he’s not a wizard. And you knew.”

“I did. We all must do things to survive, dearie. You’ll learn that soon enough.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand. You’re the one with the magic. Why follow him?”

A wry smile spread across her face. “I’m impressed, Miss Elphaba. In the past twenty years, you are the only person to ask me that.” She sighed. “Were I to strike down the Wizard of Oz, there would be a revolt. I would not have such outrage behind me were the roles reversed. It is not magic that runs Oz, but the power to hold the public.”

“And the Animals?”

“We needed someone to blame.”

“Why not Ozma? She was in power before the Wizard arrived.”

Morrible seated herself in the chair opposite her pupil. “Ozma was a child, ruled by her father and her regents. Who would believe a little girl of ten was to blame for all their woes?”

Elphaba shook her head. “Will he keep his word?”

“He is many things, but when he makes a promise, he keeps it. Now, the question is, will you keep yours?”

She leaned back. “I guess we’re similar in that sense.”

“Good. You are to be presented to the public tomorrow afternoon. And your little friend.”

“Glinda?”

“We need a public persona to keep the people happy,” Morrible said simply. “You are the Wizard’s trusted advisor now. Someone has to make the speeches, wave to the crowds, go around Oz spreading the word of the Wizard’s powerful vizier.”

Her heart lurched to her throat. “And Fiyero?”

“Your affection for each other is noted. I’m sure all the gossip columns of Oz will be thrillified with a new couple to write about. He is to be made Captain of the Guard. King Liir will have no objections, I’m sure.”

Captain of the Guard. He was probably puffing and preening in the mirror at this very moment.

Morrible moved to her feet. Halfway to the door, she paused.

“You have always been a good student, Miss Elphaba. I know you will continue to prove me right.”

She left, the smell of static and lavender in her wake.

That night, Elphaba tossed and turned, her conversation with Morrible replaying in her mind. The people were what kept the Wizard in power. So long as he held their love, they would support him.

Speaking of love…

The space beside her felt empty, no matter how many pillows she clung to. To the Unnamed God with toughness. She was lonely.

Collecting her robe from the floor, she tentatively made her way downstairs. It was late, and yet the lights of the Emerald City remained on. She felt bad for the people who were not twenty stories up in the air, who had to deal with the brightness shining through their windows.

It was quiet outside her rooms, save for the four guards that watched over her and Glinda’s wing of the palace.

“Miss?” one of the guards asked gently. “Are you alright?”

They were so undisturbed by her greenness. Their commander must have given them the rundown.

“Where is Prince Fiyero staying?”

“Just down the hall, miss.”

She nodded, slipping past them. “Thank you.” Unfortunately, they followed. Orders, probably. After all, she was technically the only person here who had any real magic, save for Morrible.

The Wizard could not read the Grimmerie. She had deduced as much when he granted her demands without much argument.

More guards outside a set of doors down the hall told her that she was in the right place. She entered to find his foyer empty. Upstairs, however, he was wide awake, a book in hand.

“Fae!” he exclaimed. “Is everything alright?”

“Can I sleep in here tonight?”

He smiled, flipping back the covers. “Oh, love, I was hoping you’d say that.”

She nestled into his side, his arms wrapping around her. “Morrible spoke to me.”

At once, he was tense. “What did she say?”

“She gave me a lesson.”

“Not a magic one, I hope. Yours could run circles around her little rain tricks.”

Despite the serious conversation, she laughed. “No, a lesson on life. The Wizard holds power because he holds the people. Expose him as a fraud, no one will believe you.”

Fiyero huffed. “Only a coward hides behind his own people.”

“He’s a coward that keeps his word, at least,” she sighed. “Morrible thinks he’ll cede to my demands.”

“The old man better.”

His passion made her smile. “You’re to become Captain of the Guard, you know?”

He pulled back to meet her gaze. “Seriously?”

“Very. Oh, Prince Fiyero in his uniform. Makes a girl swoon at the thought.”

“Funny,” he said with a roll of the eyes. “My mother will never let me hear the end of this.”

Elphaba ran her fingers along his jawline. “Morrible said something else.”

“Let me guess. Glinda is to become the Wizard’s official shopper?”

She barked out a laugh. “No, silly. She said that the gossip columns are going to like us.”

“With my debonair good looks and your awe-inspiring beauty, who wouldn’t?” he said with such seriousness.

But Elphaba shook her head. “You’re sure on this, though? I may be the Wizard’s advisor now, but I’m still…me.”

Fiyero sat up. “That’s right, you’re you. And I love every single part of you.”

“No matter what people might say?” she asked quietly.

His hand reached up to cup her cheek. “No matter what. I love you, Elphaba Thropp.”

“And I love you, Fiyero Tigulaar.”

Chapter Text

“Can you believe it, Elphie!” Glinda squealed. The skirts of her pale pink gown sparkled in the light. “I think I’ll wear this one.”

Her best friend, and the official Grand Advisor to the Wizard of Oz, giggled. “Its always been your color, Upland.”

Glinda took in her dress of deep black. “You know, I think purple would look good on you, Elphie.”

Elphie laughed. “I’ll consider it.”

In all honesty, the dress was actually quite stunning. It was sleeveless, leaving her green arms and back bare, though a long strip of gauzy fabric wrapped around her shoulders to protect from the cold. The bodice and skirt were embroidered with onyx stones, looking almost like vines.

“What should we do with your hair?” Glinda mused, coming up behind Elphie, who sat primly at the vanity.

“Can’t we just leave it down?” she groaned.

The blonde gasped and clutched at her heart. “You’re trying to send me into an early grave, Elphaba Thropp.”

She sighed but allowed her hair to be tampered with. They settled on a soft side bun, held up by an emerald hair band.

Glinda stepped back. “My work here is done.”

“What would I do without you,” Elphie lamented, taking her hand. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come.”

Looking back on it, the change was really astoundifying. “Do you remember when we first met, and I offered to help with your…problem?”

Elphie chuckled. “Like it was yesterday.”

“I’m sorry for that.”

“Oh, Upland, I forgave you a long time ago.”

Plucking a poppy from Elphie’s nightstand, Glinda passed it into her green hands. “Fiyero’s still getting fitted?”

Poor prince, stuck in the official dressing rooms.

“He complained the whole way there,” she smiled. “You’d think I was leading him to surgery!”

Glinda giggled into her hand. “I’ll be sure to get him a card.”

The girls collapsed into fits of laughter.

Fiyero cringed.

“I’m not wearing the hat.”

The dresser, a man named Grommetik, frowned deeply. “It is the standard uniform, your highness.”

“I look like a moron.”

“Nonsense!” a voice behind him insisted. “I think you look rather dashing.”

He turned to see Elphaba, looking achingly beautiful, leaning against the doorframe. “Don’t indulge him, Fae, I beg of you.”

“Poor Yero, whatever will you do?”

Fiyero tossed the hat aside, much to Grommetik’s protests. Taking her by the waist, he and Elphaba made their way to the Wizard’s chamber.

“Nervous?” he asked, noting the way she fiddled with her rings. One ring in particular remained perfectly packaged in the back of his closet. That would have to wait.

“A little,” she admitted. “My brain keeps going over different scenarios.”

“Tell me.”

“Lots of booing, maybe a few vegetables thrown.”

She was so serious it made him laugh. “Fae, love, you never have to worry about those things again. If anyone tries to grumble, I’ll sic Feldspar on them.”

“So he can what, annoy them into liking me?”

Fiyero paused just outside the Wizard’s chamber. “Yesterday, when we first got here, no one was staring or pointing. Do you remember that?”

She nodded.

“Only the small-minded make such a big deal out of other people’s differences. They’ll love you, Fae, just as I love you.” A smile spread across his face. “Although, I think I might have them beat in that respect.”

Elphaba pulled him into an embrace. “Thank you, Yero. My hero.”

He huffed into her shoulder. “I’ll always be your hero.”

Pulling back, her eyes went wide. “That reminds me, I have a gift.” From her pocket, she slipped out a bright orange poppy. “For good luck, of course.”

“My favorite flower,” he quipped. “How’d you know?”

Those stunning green eyes rolled to the ceiling. “What can I say, you’re very predictable.” She slipped it into the lapel of his uniform. “Are you ready, Captain Tigulaar?”

“I don’t know, Grand Advisor Thropp,” he retorted, kissing her. “Are you?”

“Now I am.”

Elphaba entered on Fiyero’s arm. Her eyes went to Glinda and Morrible, the former in a dusty, one-sleeved pink dress, the latter in forest green.

“Will his Ozness be joining us?” she asked in voice dripping in sarcasm.

It was Morrible who answered. “His Ozness has never showed his face to the public. I act as his spokesperson for today, until Miss Glinda takes over the role.”

So it was official. “I’m so happy for you, Glinda,” Elphaba said earnestly, squeezing her best friend tightly.

“I’m going to get my own bubble!” Glinda announced. “So I can travel on my own!”

“A bubble?” Fiyero chuckled. “I hope you like heights, Glin.”

The blonde tossed her hair. “I’ve been told I have very good stamina.”

Elphaba masked her sigh with a fake yawn.

“It’s time,” Morrible declared. “With me.”

Fiyero’s hand linked with her own. “Are you ready?”

Was she? This was all she ever wanted. She had forced the Wizard to rescind his anti-Animal regime, and a recent letter from Nessa told her that Professor Nikidik had been removed from his post, and Dr. Dillamond was to return.

It was her heart’s desire come true, and she had her own heart right here at her side.

To hell with what other people thought.

“Yeah,” she said with an intake of breath. “I’m ready.”

On the steps right outside of the palace, a sea of people had gathered, waving little green flags and calling out for the Wizard. How woefully naïve they were.

“Fellow Ozians!” Madame Morrible began, her voice thundering across the square. “It gives His Ozness, the most wonderful Wizard of Oz, great pleasure to introduce his official Grand Advisor, Miss Elphaba Thropp!”

It was now or nothing.

Elphaba stepped forward. There were a few shocked gasps. They were drowned out by the roaring applause she received from the rest of the crowd. It was deafening.

“Thank you,” she said, waving. “I am honored to accept His Ozness’s generous position.”

The roars grew louder.

Morrible’s smile was sickly sweet. “His Ozness would also like to introduce Prince Fiyero Tigulaar, our new Captain of the Guard.”

A lot more squeals were present this time, though they died when Fiyero made a point to kiss Elphaba firmly in front of a handful of cameras.

“Don’t want them getting any ideas,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m about to be the most envied man in all Oz.”

She laughed, and the clicking continued.

Glinda was made known as the official spokesperson of the Wizard. The Uplands were well known, even in the Emerald City. She smiled brilliantly, as if she had been born to it.

“You did it,” Fiyero said softly, the cheers growing louder. “This is all for you, Fae.”

“And to think, we’re here together only because you decided to run me over in the forest.”

He spluttered. “I didn’t run you over!”

“That’s right. Because I blended into the foliage.”

Fiyero kissed her brow. “Have I ever apologized for that?”

“You never needed to,” she said, leaning into his shoulder. “Being here by my side is enough.”

“I will always be by your side, Fae. As long as you’re mine.”

She smiled, listening to his heart beat.

“As long as you’re mine, Yero.”