I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend.

Coming from Emerald City, Christmas is a big holiday and especially for your family. Your family goes all out every year with the decorations, the food, desserts presents, etc. It’s no wonder that their love for the holiday passed on to you and when you arrived at Shiz that didn’t change.

Every year during Christmas time, your room gets turned into a winter wonderland, you bake a bunch of Christmas cookies, listen to cheesy Christmas music, and even set up a medium sized Christmas tree in the corner of your room.

Your family does different themes for Christmas each year and (this year you’re doing harry potter and you’re so excited) they ship off a box full of decorations for you to use for your room.

Your roommate went home for the weekend for their cousin’s birthday, so you asked your boyfriend Fiyero to help. It was Friday, and he was still in his 4:00 class, so you figured that you can lay out all the decorations on top of your bed, so that you two can start right away once he gets here.

You just placed the star of your tree carefully on a nearby chair, when you noticed a small brown box with an envelope taped on top. Must be from mom and dad you thought.

You carefully pulled the envelope off the box and opened it up to read it. It said,

Hello Dear,

I hope this box brings you good cheer before you come back home for Christmas. We left a little extra something in the box for you and Fiyero. We hope you like it!

Love,

Mom and dad.

For me and Fiyero? You thought. But what could they have gotten for me and Fiyero? You had a bunch of questions that could only be answered with opening the small brown box.

You picked up the brown box to reveal a leafy green plant with white berries attached to a neatly tied bow. The bow was attached to a string so you slipped your fingers through the loop to get a better look at the plant.

After close examination, you realized that your parents gifted you mistletoe for you and Fiyero. You blushed at your parents gesture.

Your parents never sent you something like this, since you and Fiyero started dating a few months ago, and this was your first Christmas with a boyfriend.You felt a little embarrassed that your parents initiated for you and Fiyero to kiss, but you found the gesture sweet nonetheless.

Your eyes lit up as you thought about hanging it up somewhere before he arrived. Maybe above the door. No you thought. You’ll never get him to stay there. You thought about putting it on the tree, but soon realized that that would be a terrible mistake. Then your eyes landed on a particular spot and you thought it might not be too bad. In the middle, but not too obvious that it would give away your intentions.

…

The door slowly opened and you looked up, after placing an ornament on the tree, to see Fiyero.

“Hey Princess.” He said before walked over to you to place a kiss on top of your head.

“Hi.” you said with a smile. “How was class?”

Fiyero rolled his eyes, “Boring as always.”

You laughed at his response.

“But I’m glad that’s over, so that now I can spend some time with you and help you decorate your room.” He looked at my bed, “Is this what your parents sent you?”

“Yup.”

“Oztastic! Where do I begin?” He said enthusiastically.

“You can help me with the tree, but first…”

You walked over to your bed and grabbed a Santa hat before walking back to place it on Fiyero’s head. Once it was secure Fiyero jokingly posed like a model.

“And how do I look?”

“Eh.”

Fiyero showed feigned shock.

“I am shocked, appalled, flabbergasted-“

“I’m just kidding.” I interrupted, “You look handsome.”

“That’s more like it.” He said with a smile.

Fiyero kissed me softly before he grabbed some ornaments to help me with the tree.

….

Fiyero and you made pretty good progress in a short amount of time. You two finished decorating the tree, added some lights around the room and scattered some decorative trinkets. You even had time to take a break for some hot chocolate.You took the last sip of your hot chocolate and rose from your bed.

“Alright it’s time for the last decoration.”

Fiyero groaned from his position on your bed, but you ignored him and grabbed the garland that was sitting on the nearby chair. It was red, green, yellow, and blue to represent the different Hogwarts houses.

“It’s just one more.” You said.

You wanted to hang this now, so that you two can be officially done with Christmas decorating. However, you also wanted to see his reaction when he saw what was hanging up above from where you wanted to hang the garland.

Fiyero caved after seeing your pleading eyes and he joined you near the balcony doors. You slid the ladder towards him and he stepped up, so he could begin to hang the garland.

Your eyes watch the back of his head as he inched closer and closer to the mistletoe. Any moment he’ll see that plant and look back at you with a smirk, before planting a kiss on your lips. He got close and closer until his eyes finally landed on the plant.

But instead of turning around with a look of mischief, he paused before continuing to hang the garland. That was not the response you were expecting nor hoping for. Didn’t he see the mistletoe?

Fiyero quickly finished his job and he jumped off the ladder with a proud smile.

“The garland is done and now I think I deserve to be awarded.” He said with a smile.

“With what?” I asked curiously.

Fiyero walked slowly towards me. Maybe he did see the mistletoe and he wanted a kiss as an award.

“With cuddles.”

And before you could say anything he grabbed your hand and dragged you to your bed. You have always loved being in Fiyero’s arms, and it was one of your favorite places in the world. But you couldn’t help, but feel disappointed that he didn’t kiss you after seeing the mistletoe.

—————————

“Alright class that is enough for today. We’ll pick up where we left off on Wednesday.”

We all thanked Dr. Dilamond before exiting out of the room and to the hallway. You and Fiyero walked hand in hand through the Christmas decorated hallways. A smile graced your face as your eyes looked upon the school’s festivity. It was nice to know that Shiz loved Christmas just as much as you.

Fiyero and you reached the courtyard and you noticed a hot chocolate station. You figured it would be just what you needed to fight the bitter cold.

You tugged at Fiyero’s hand and suggested for you two to walk to the hot chocolate stand. Fiyero smiled in agreement and the two of you waited in the short line.

As you waited, your eyes wandered to a couple off to the side. The boy motioned above them where a piece of mistletoe was hung. The girl giggled before she brought the boy into a simple and sweet kiss. You tried to hint to Fiyero about the mistletoe and you were still confused why he did nothing after he saw the mistletoe the other day.

“Hey Fiyero look at the couple over there.”

Fiyero looked over and smiled at the happy kissing couple.

“Cute.” He said before turning back to the line.

“Don’t you see what they’re standing under?” You said as you tried to keep his attention on the couple and specifically the mistletoe.

Fiyero squinted his eyes before recognition appeared on his face.

“Oh isn’t that the plant that’s hanging above the balcony doors in your room?”

“Yeah.” You said with hope.

“Thats cool.” He said. And that was it.

It was your turn to get hot chocolate, so you let Fiyero take care of it, as you stared longingly at the couple who just pulled away from each other. You wish Fiyero understood what you were implying, but he didn’t seem to be getting the hint.

—————————

Finals were coming up, so Fiyero, Boq, Glinda, Elphaba and you decided to form a study group. You all were currently in Galinda’s room and taking a break from your studies.

Galinda was decorating her room with Christmas decorations, Elphaba and Boq were discussing about what had recently happened in Munchkin land, and you were currently curled into Fiyero’s side on Galinda’s bed.

You giggled as Fiyero tickled your neck with kisses. He pulled away and looked down at you. His eyes were filled with pure love and adoration and he sent butterflies in your stomach.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are princess?”

“Only every day.”

“Well in case I didn’t tell you today-“

Then Galinda came near her bed.

“Excuse me.” She said and sent me a wink. You gave her a confused look, but then she hung a familiar plant above her bed. Above Fiyero and you. Mistletoe. Galinda walked away like nothing happened and continued decorating her room.

You looked at Fiyero expectantly. You waited for him to kiss you, but instead he said,

“Now where was I?”

You swallowed your disappointment and tried to put on the best smile you could muster.

“Telling me I’m beautiful.” I reminded him.

“Oh right.”

He told you you were beautiful, but you didn’t hear him. You wanted to tell him that he should have kissed you, but you said nothing. You didn’t want to make a big deal out of something so small.

—————————

You figured that you had one more shot at getting Fiyero to kiss you under the mistletoe. Fiyero wanted to spend time with you after he hung out with his friends, so you decided to sneak into his room, since you knew he never locked it (which you always scolded him for).

However, it was times like this where you were glad he didn’t lock his door. It made sneaking in easy. You were glad his roommate was out with Fiyero because you don’t know what excuse you would have come up with to try to explain to him why you were sneaking into their room.

You shut the door behind you and you made your way to his balcony doors. Then you placed the mistletoe above the double doors. He’ll instantly see it when he walks in and he’ll recognize that it’s in the same spot that it is in your room.

The door opened and it was only Fiyero. His roommate wasn’t with him.

“Where’s Charlie?” You asked.

“He went with John to the dining hall.”

You nodded in understanding. Fiyero began to walk up to you, but he paused when he noticed the mistletoe. You inwardly cheered triumphantly.

“Did you put that there?” He asked

“Maybe.”

“Hmm.”

He was now standing in front of you and he placed a piece of my hair behind your ear.

“Why did you put it there?” He said with a smile.

“I figured your room could use some festive cheer.” You said as an excuse. You didn’t want to spoil the moment and the way it looked like it was going, it looked like he as going to kiss you. Which is what you wanted.

However, instead he grabbed your hand and lead you to his bed.

“Thank you.” He said, “You always know how to bring happiness into my life princess.”

I smiled at his words, but I still wanted him to notice.

—————————

Fiyero was working on an assignment for Dr. Dilamond’s class, while he was waiting for Galinda, Elphaba, Boq, and you to arrive. However, his mind was only focused on you.

He couldn’t help, but think that something was off. You acted like your normal, sweet, brilliant self, but he couldn’t help but think that something was bothering you. It wasn’t easy to notice, but after a few months of dating, Fiyero was able to notice different quirks about you.

Like how your tongue peaks out in the corner of your mouth whenever you’re concentrating hard. Or how your eyebrows furrow when you’re concerned. Fiyero noticed that your smile hasn’t been reaching your eyes lately and this concerned him.

Fiyero wanted to make sure that you were okay, but at the same time he felt like it was his fault. He couldn’t explain why he felt this way, but he just did. Call it intuition.

“Fiyero!”

Fiyero looked up from his already forgotten assignment and he was met with Galinda and Elphaba shortly behind her.

“Fiyero! You’ll never guess what happened!” Galinda said in a giddy and excited voice as she sat in front of Fiyero (Elphaba sat next to her).

“What happened?” Fiyero said. A part of him couldn’t care less what she had to say, but he knew that ignoring her would be rude. He met her through you and although she wouldn’t be his first choice for a friend, she actually was a nice girl to be around.

“James purposefully dragged me under the mistletoe, so that he could kiss me! Isn’t that so cute! I was so—“

“Mistletoe?” Fiyero interrupted. Why did that name sound familiar? He thought.

“Yeah the plant.” Elphaba said.

Fiyero’s mind immediately went to the plant that was hanging in his and Y/n’s room. Is that the plant they’re taking about?

“What does it look like?” He asked.

“It’s a green plant that kind of dangles down and it has white berries as well.” Elphaba answered.

“Sometimes the berries are red” Galinda added, but Fiyero wasn’t listening since his brain was on overdrive. It seemed like mistletoe was used for kissing? Y/n hung that up in her room and in my room Fiyero thought. So does that mean— , but Fiyero wasn’t 100% sure.

“What is mistletoe used for?” Fiyero asked.

“Well two people stand under it and then they kiss. The custom originated from the Emerald City, but it then migrated to the Upper Uplands with the help of Persephone Thomas.” Galinda said.

Y/n was from the Emerald city, which would explain why she would carry on the custom in her room and not me Fiyero thought.

“And when someone hangs one up on purpose?” Fiyero asked.

“It’s because they want to be kissed!”

That was all Fiyero needed to hear before he started to grab his belongings and walk out of the library.

“Hey where are you going I thought we were going to study?” Galinda shouted, but Fiyero continued walking.

He had something to take care of first.

—————————

Fiyero didn’t come to your study session today, which was strange. According to Galinda he was the first one there, but then all of a sudden he left abruptly. Which was odd. Where would he be going?

You got a lot done during your study session. Elphaba helped you immensely with your literature essay and Boq had some wonderful insights for your history project. Galinda was also quite helpful with Dr. Dilamond’s assignment.

You had just finished your study session and decided to go to Fiyero’s room to make sure everything was alright with him. Yes he never really cared for his studies, but it’s not like him to just leave like that. Something must be wrong you thought.

You approached Fiyero’s room and knocked. Silence. You knocked again just to be sure. Silence. You put your hand on the door handle and slowly twist the knob. The door slightly cracked open. You roll your eyes at the fact that the door was unlocked. He really needs to start locking his door you thought.

You opened the door fully and checked for anyone inside and it looked like Fiyero and his roommate Charlie both weren’t there. You kind of wished Charlie was here because then he could have given you an idea about where Fiyero could be.

You were about to walk out and admit defeat when you noticed a folded piece of paper on Fiyero’s bed. Curious, you walked over and opened it up and read.

Come to your room princess. I have a surprise for you!

Surprise? What surprise you thought. You wasted no time and walked out of his room with the note in hand. You walked down a couple of hallways before you were in front of your door. With bated breath you opened the door and the sight made you gasp.

It was like you were in a winter wonderland, but with plants. A plant wonderland. All around the ceiling there were green plants hanging like branches and you took a step closer to get a better look at them. And that’s when you recognized the familiar white berries that made this plant stand out.

It was mistletoe.

There was mistletoe everywhere and it brought a smile to your face. Was this the surprise Fiyero was talking about? Speaking of Fiyero where was he?

Suddenly you felt two hands on your shoulders and you quickly turned around to see your boyfriend with a beaming smile on his face.

“Hello princess.” He said the teasing tone.

You turned your body so that you can completely face him.

“Did you do all this?”

He simply shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know what you were talking about. Your eyes then trailed down to something behind his back.

“What’s behind your back?” But he ignored you.

“Galinda told me something very interesting today.” Fiyero began.

He was avoiding your questions and he seemed to have something prepared, so you played along.

“Did she?”

“Yes. She brought up how people hang up mistletoe, so that they can kiss someone and usually it’s their significant other. It’s an emerald city custom, a custom that is not practiced in Winkie country.”

This piece of information surprised you. This whole time you thought he knew about what hanging mistletoe meant, but now that appears not to be the case. That would explain why he never kissed you all those times you dragged him under the mistletoe or hinted at the notion.

“Which is why I didn’t understand any of the hints my girlfriend sent my way. Every time she brought me under the mistletoe or showed me the plant, I thought nothing of it. But after Galinda’s words, a few words from other students and some thinking.”

“Oh you actually used that brain of yours.” You joked.

Fiyero laughed at your joke and nodded.

“Yes I used my brain princess and I realized that all this time my girlfriend wanted to be kissed. And as her boyfriend it is my job to make sure that her wish is fulfilled…so…”

Fiyero finally revealed what was behind his back the entire time. It was a branch of mistletoe, but instead of white berries like all of the other plants hanging around the room, the berries were a bright ruby red. He hung the mistletoe above both of you, so that the plant can be used for its purpose.

“Well…” Fiyero prompted.

You waisted no time in wrapping your arms around his neck and bringing his lips down to yours. Fiyero returned the kiss and when his hands wrapped around your waist you realized why you love him so much.

The library of Shiz University was always a sanctuary for you, high arches, endless shelves, the faint scent of parchment and ink, but lately it had become a place of torment. Because Fiyero had been coming around more often.

You’d never meant for it to happen. It wasn’t your fault that your eyes kept finding him, that your thoughts trailed back to him even when they shouldn’t. He belonged to Glinda, everyone knew that. They were golden, untouchable, and perfect, but that didn’t stop your gaze from flicking toward him in stolen moments. The way your heart fluttered when he laughed, head tipped back, sunlight catching in his hair like strands of spun gold.

He wasn’t even doing anything in particular. Just leaning lazily against a bookcase, listening as Glinda whispered something up at him, her hand brushing against his sleeve. But the easy grin on his lips was enough to scatter your focus into a thousand hopeless daydreams.

You were so lost in them that you didn’t see the pedestal until your hip bumped it.

Time fractured. The priceless crystal orb displayed there wobbled once, then tipped over the edge. Gasps tore through the silence as it plummeted toward the marble floor.

You didn’t think. You couldn’t.

Your hands flew up, and instinct, raw, unpracticed, and wild, burst out of you in a rush of heat. A word you hadn’t spoken aloud in years burned your throat. Power shimmered in the air, and the orb froze, suspended inches from shattering. Splintered cracks that had begun to spread reversed themselves, glowing faintly as they knitted back together until the orb was whole, perfect, untouched.

It floated upward, your magic guiding it, until it settled back onto its pedestal as if it had never moved.

Only then did the silence fall.

Every eye in the library was on you.

Whispers hadn’t started yet, shock had stolen their words, but you could feel them ready to spill. Glances darted between one another, wide and uncertain. Even Glinda’s mouth was parted in astonishment.

Fiyero's attention was settled on you.

Not laughing. Not distracted. His bright blue eyes were fixed on you, wide with something you couldn’t name.

Your chest seized. Horror flooded your veins. No one was supposed to know. No one. You’d kept it hidden, locked away. But now...

You turned and ran.

Through aisles, down halls, your shoes echoed sharply against stone. You didn’t stop until you were climbing one of the spiral staircases that led into the high towers of Shiz. By the time you burst through the heavy wooden door, your lungs burned, your heart pounded, and your hands still trembled with leftover magic.

The tower was empty. Cold stone walls rose high, one window spilling light across the floor. You pressed yourself against the wall, breath shaking.

What had you done?

The shame was unbearable. The whispers would spread faster than fire in dry grass. People already looked for reasons to sneer, to judge you. Now you’d handed them one on a silver platter.

Your eyes burned with unshed tears, but you blinked furiously, pressing your forehead to the wall. You just wanted to vanish.

The door creaked.

You froze.

“Hey,” came a voice, warm and careful.

Your stomach twisted violently. You knew that voice.

You turned slowly, dread and disbelief tangling in your chest. Fiyero stood in the doorway. The sunlight behind him framed him, his lean form and easy posture, except his expression wasn’t easy at all. It was unreadable, cautious. Intent.

“Fiyero,” you whispered, throat tight. “I-”

Words failed. Excuses, explanations, lies, all scattered.

“I didn’t mean...It was an accident, I wasn’t-”

He held up a hand, stepping further inside. The door closed with a soft thud behind him. His eyes never left yours.

“That was…” His voice was low, “Incredible.”

The word stunned you. “Incredible?” Your voice cracked, half-hysterical. “Everyone saw me! They’ll think I’m-”

“A freak?” he supplied gently, but he shook his head before you could nod. “No. Not me.”

Your arms wrapped around yourself, defensive. “They’re going to talk. They’re going to-”

“They always talk,” Fiyero cut in, tone easy but steady. “That’s all this place does, talk, gossip, pick people apart. You’ve seen it. But what you just did…” His lips quirked, almost in awe. “You saved a priceless relic without even thinking about it using magic. Do you realize how impressive that was?”

Your throat worked. “Impressive? It was reckless. Stupid. If Madame Morrible hears-”

“I don’t care about Morrible,” Fiyero said, voice firmer now. He stepped closer, and your pulse leapt painfully. His gaze softened. “I care about the fact that you just did something no one else here could. You weren’t even trying to show off. And still…” He tilted his head, smile faint but real. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on your face when you caught that orb.”

Heat flushed through you, equal parts shame and something sharper, more dangerous. You shook your head, looking away. “You’re not scared of me?”

“Scared?” he repeated, and then laughed, a quiet, warm sound that melted some of the ice in your chest. “Not even a little. Intrigued?” His smile curved, sly and soft at once. “Definitely.”

Your breath hitched. His closeness was overwhelming now. You could smell him, sunlight, spice, a trace of cologne. You could feel the weight of his gaze like it pressed against your skin.

“There’s more to you than anyone realizes, isn’t there?” he asked softly, as if he already knew the answer.

You hugged yourself tighter, torn between retreat and the dizzy thrill of being seen by him. The man you’d stolen glances at for months, hopelessly, silently.

“I…I should go,” you whispered, though your feet refused to move.

Fiyero tilted his head, studying you, and something flickered in his eyes, something dangerously close to temptation. “You can,” he said, voice low. “Or…” He stepped closer still, until the space between you was only a breath. “You can stay. With me. Tell me more about yourself, the magic, and what makes you...well, you.”

The tower shrank around you, filled only with his presence, his voice, his impossible warmth.

And a treacherous thought bloomed in your mind. The kind of thought that said maybe he truly wanted to know the real you.

The next time you slipped into the library, hoping to drown your mortification in pages and silence, Fiyero was already there. Not with Glinda. Not surrounded by the usual orbit of adoring classmates. Just…there. And when his gaze caught yours, he smiled, quick and easy, like you shared a secret.

You flushed and ducked your head, pretending to be busy with your notes. But a few minutes later, the chair across from you scraped against the floor.

“Mind if I sit?”

You almost dropped your quill. “There are...there are plenty of other tables.”

“Yeah,” he said, grinning, “but none of them have you at them.”

Your heart tripped over itself. He leaned forward, arms folded on the table, studying you like you were more interesting than any book in the room. His eyes flicked to your hands, where your quill trembled slightly, before returning to your face.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said softly, “about what you did the other day.”

You stiffened. “Fiyero-”

“Don’t panic,” he interrupted gently. “I’m not about to shout it across the room. I just…I want to understand.” He tilted his head. “How does it work? The magic. Is it like breathing? Or…something else?”

You stared at him, dumbstruck. No one had ever asked you that, not like this. Not without suspicion, or fear. The weight of his sincerity pinned you in place.

“I...” You swallowed, eyes darting to the shelves as though the spines might save you. “I just want to be normal. Am I normal yet?”

“Normal is boring,” he said, easy as ever.

And then he started showing up everywhere.

At lunch, when you sat at the edge of the dining hall with your books, he would slide onto the bench beside you, stealing half your bread roll like it was the most natural thing in the world. He asked questions, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes ridiculous, but always with that same spark of curiosity in his eyes.

“So do you have to say the words? Or could you just, like, snap your fingers?”

“Do you feel it, here?” He pressed his palm over his chest. “Or here?” He tapped his temple with a grin.

You deflected, dodged, or sometimes answered with vague truths, but he never pushed too far. He seemed content just to be near you, to chip away at the walls you’d built.

And people noticed.

Glinda noticed.

The first time you caught her staring, she was across the hall, her smile brittle as glass as she watched Fiyero laughing at something you’d said. The second time, she marched right up to your library table and leaned down between you.

“Fiyero,” she said sweetly, though her eyes were sharp as knives, “aren’t you supposed to walk me to class?”

He blinked, surprised. “Is that today?”

Her smile widened, sugar over steel. “Yes. Today. Right now.”

He glanced at you, as though asking permission, and something twisted in your chest. You forced a polite smile, lowering your gaze to your book. “Don’t let me keep you.”

Glinda slid her hand possessively into his arm, tugging him away with a satisfied air. But as they left, Fiyero looked back over his shoulder at you. Just for a moment.

And it was enough to leave you rattled, quill trembling in your hand, heart racing in a way you couldn’t quite control.

Because it wasn’t coincidence anymore. He was choosing this.

Choosing you.

And it didn’t take long for Glinda’s patience to crack.

At first, she’d cling tighter to Fiyero’s arm in public, her laugh pitched a little louder whenever you were in earshot. But it wasn’t enough. Because no matter how bright her smile, Fiyero’s eyes wandered to you.

The whispers started soon after.

Why’s Fiyero sitting with her again?

Did you see him carry her books?

Glinda must be furious.

And she was.

You found out just how much when she cornered you one afternoon. The corridor outside the lecture hall was quiet, the faint scent of chalk and dust hanging in the air. You were juggling your notes, mind already racing ahead, when Glinda stepped directly into your path.

Her smile was gone.

“I know what you’re doing,” she said, voice low but sharp.

Your stomach dropped. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, please.” Her eyes narrowed, deep brown and cold. “You think I haven’t noticed? The way he looks at you? The way you…linger?” She leaned closer, her perfume surrounding you. “He’s mine. Whatever little tricks you’re pulling...stop.”

Heat flared in your cheeks. “I’m not...Glinda, I swear, I’m not trying to-”

“I don't believe you.” She straightened, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her gown. “Fiyero is mine.”

Her heels clicked sharply as she walked away, leaving you pressed against the wall, pulse racing with a mix of fear, shame, and indignation.

But later that evening, Fiyero found you.

Not in the dining hall, not in the library where others could see, but in the garden, near the farthest fountain where moonlight glittered silver across the water.

He leaned against the stone edge, casual as ever, but his smile softened when he saw you. “She cornered you, didn’t she?”

Your heart stuttered. “How did you...”

“I know Glinda,” he said simply. “And I know you.” His gaze held yours, serious for once. “Don’t let her get to you.”

You wrapped your arms around yourself. “She thinks I’m trying to steal you.”

He chuckled, but there was no mockery in it, only warmth. “You couldn’t steal me. I’d have to choose to be stolen.” His grin tilted, teasing. “And maybe I like where I’ve been drifting.”

Your breath caught, but before you could respond, he stepped closer. “Show me.”

Your brow furrowed. “Show you what?”

“The magic.” His voice was low, urgent. “I don’t care if it’s dangerous. I just…I need to see it again. Not by accident, but because you chose to.”

The garden was hushed, the only sounds the trickle of water and the wild thud of your heart. His eyes were fixed on you, alight with something between wonder and hunger.

And in that moment, you knew, you could refuse, step back, protect yourself. Or you could give in, let him see the part of you no one else had ever asked to see.

Your fingers trembled as you lifted your hand. The air thickened, humming, and the water in the fountain rippled, rising in elegant arcs that caught the moonlight, scattering it in shimmering ribbons. You shaped it, bent it, until droplets spun into the air like silver stars.

Fiyero’s breath caught. “Beautiful.”

And you realized, with a dangerous thrill, that he wasn’t just looking at the magic.

He was looking at you.

After that night in the garden, something shifted.

Fiyero didn’t stop at one demonstration. He wanted more.

It started innocently enough, finding you in the library again, leaning across the table, whispering, “So…could you do that water trick with wine instead?” He’d grin, boyish and teasing, but his eyes held a deeper facination.

Soon, he was finding excuses to pull you into hidden corners: an abandoned classroom, the shadowed edge of the gardens, even once into the stables, where the horses stamped nervously as you lit the air with sparks of green flame.

Every time, he was the same, breathless, grinning, like a child watching fireworks for the first time. Except when he looked at you, it wasn’t just awe for the magic. It was awe for you.

“Do you feel it before it happens?” he’d ask, leaning close, his shoulder brushing yours. “Like a tingle? Or does it just…explode?”

“Could you make the vines move if you wanted? Wrap around someone’s wrist?”

“What about fire? Could you call it, hold it, without burning yourself?”

You tried to deflect, tried to tell him some things weren’t safe, but his curiosity was relentless. And the way he looked at you made it harder and harder to say no.

One evening, tucked away in the empty music hall, he watched as you coaxed a candle flame to split into two, then three, then a dozen tiny lights dancing in the air. His eyes reflected their glow, wide and enchanted.

When you lowered your hands and the lights winked out, silence stretched.

Then, softly, he said, “Teach me.”

You blinked. “What?”

“Teach me,” he repeated, leaning forward, elbows braced on his knees. His voice was steady, but there was a tremor of excitement under it. “I don’t just want to watch anymore. I want to understand. I want to feel what you feel when you do that.”

Your heart lurched. “Fiyero…it’s not something you just…learn like swordplay or dance steps. It’s-”

“Complicated. Dangerous. I know.” His grin flickered, but his eyes didn’t waver. “But I can’t stop thinking about it. About you. About what it must be like to hold that kind of power in your hands.” He reached out, palm up, like an unspoken invitation. “Let me try. Just once...with you.”

The air between you seemed to crackle, charged not only with magic but with something riskier, heavier. You stared at his hand, then at his face, soft and carefree, looking at you with fierce, unshakable determination.

And you knew if you agreed, you’d be stepping across a line.

Not just with your magic. Not just with him.

But with Glinda, with the fragile order of everything at Shiz.

And still, your fingers twitched toward his.

You hesitated for a long heartbeat, staring at his outstretched hand. Every part of you screamed that this was dangerous, showing him, letting him try, but something in his eyes…it broke your defenses.

Slowly, you placed your hand in his.

His fingers curled gently around yours, warm, steady. He grinned eagerly, and you hated how the sight made your stomach tighten.

“Okay,” you murmured, leading him toward the single candle burning on the piano. “Start small. Flame is…fickle, but it listens if you focus.”

“Focus,” he repeated, though his grin told you concentration wasn’t exactly his strength.

You guided his hand closer to the flame, not enough to burn but enough that the heat licked at his skin. “Close your eyes,” you instructed softly. “Picture it not as fire, but as something that can be shaped, like clay. Breathe with it.”

To your surprise, he obeyed. His lashes brushed his cheeks, his breath evened, and you felt a faint hum stir in the air around him. Your magic twitched in response, like a thread tugged tight.

The flame shivered.

Fiyero’s brow furrowed, lips parting slightly. The flame stretched upward, then sputtered back into place. He opened one eye, sheepishly. “Did I-?”

“Almost,” you said gently, a smile tugging at your lips despite yourself. “Try again. Don’t force it. Invite it.”

The second attempt flared brighter. The flame swayed unnaturally, splitting just for a fraction of a second before snapping back into one. He laughed in astonishment, shaking his head. “That was me, wasn’t it?”

“That was you.”

By the third try, sweat glistened at his temple, but he didn’t give up. His hand trembled in yours, his whole body leaning into the effort. Then, suddenly, the flame split. Two thin tongues of fire wavered in the still air. Wobbly and clumsy, but real.

Fiyero’s gasp echoed in the quiet hall. “I did it.” His grin was radiant, breathless. “I actually...did you see that?”

You were already looking at him, not the flame. The glow flickered across his face, highlighting the sharp cut of his jaw, the excitement in his eyes. He turned to you, closer than you realized, and in that instant the room seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of you in the hush of candlelight.

Your hands were still joined, suspended between you. His thumb brushed against your knuckles absently, and your pulse skittered wildly.

The laughter in his eyes softened into something heavier. Something he couldn’t hide. His breath hitched.

“I can’t…” he whispered, leaning closer, the words catching against your skin like sparks. “I can’t pretend anymore.” His gaze flicked to your lips, then back to your eyes.

His forehead almost touched yours when he whispered, hoarse and trembling, “Can I…kiss you?”

The candle flame trembled, then split into two again, as if answering for you.

The words lingered in the air. His thumb brushed over your knuckles again, slow and reverent, as though waiting for you to flinch, to pull back.

But you didn’t. You couldn’t.

You gave the faintest nod, breath catching in your throat.

And then Fiyero leaned in.

The first kiss was tentative, his lips brushing yours gently, like he was afraid of breaking you, or of the line you were both so clearly crossing. It was warm, careful, impossibly sweet. His hand cupped your cheek, thumb tracing your skin tenderly.

When he pulled away, his breath was ragged, eyes wide and searching yours for regret. “Sweet Oz...,” he whispered.

Something in him snapped. The careful restraint dissolved. His mouth crashed back to yours, hungrier, more desperate.

The second kiss was nothing like the first. It stole the air from your lungs, stole the ground from beneath your feet. His hands slid to your waist, tugging you closer, pressing you against the cool stone wall of the music hall. You gasped against his lips, and he took the sound greedily, deepening the kiss until you thought you might shatter.

His body crowded yours, his warmth seeping through every layer of clothing. The wall was cold at your back, but he was fire at your front, his lips urgent and insistent. His fingers curled against your hip, possessive in a way that made your knees weaken.

You clutched at his shirt, holding on, losing yourself in the rush. All those stolen glances, all those daydreams, they were nothing compared to the reality of him, mouth hungry, breath uneven, every ounce of his attention locked on you.

When he finally tore his lips from yours, he rested his forehead against yours, panting, eyes closed.

“Stars,” he whispered hoarsely. “I want you.”

“Take me,” you whispered.

The candle flame sputtered and split again in the silence that followed, as though the magic itself echoed your desire.

The stone of the tower against your spine kept you grounded while Fiyero’s body burned into yours. He had no patience left for restraint; his kisses were urgent and greedy.

He tasted like sunlight, like danger. His hands were everywhere at once: one firm at the small of your back to keep you steady against the wall, the other slipping under your skirt to brush over your skin. When you made the smallest sound, a sharp little gasp as his fingers brushed your thigh, he slid his mouth over yours and swallowed the noise.

“Shh,” he breathed against your lips, voice shaky. He worked quickly, fingers deft despite the tremor of want. Buttons came loose beneath hurried hands, fabric was shoved aside with breathless impatience. You pressed both hands against his chest, feeling the rapid rise and fall beneath your palms. The tug of his jacket, the scrape of cloth, all of it slid away until skin met skin, warm with the heat building between you.

When he lifted you, it was impetuous. One leg hooked around his hip, the other braced against the wall as he positioned you higher, shifting you until you were angled against him and he could drive into you. The first thrust hit hard and hot and too deep; the wall behind you thundered in your back and your hand flew to the stony surface to keep yourself from crying out. He didn’t give you time to adjust. He rocked into you again, harder, and the world contracted to the friction and the press of his body.

He kissed you then like he couldn’t stand the space between you, short, frantic brushings to keep you quiet. Every time you tried to respond aloud, he crushed your mouth to his. His hips moved with increasing speed, each hard snap punctuated by the rasp of breath he smothered against your mouth.

“Do you hear them?” he murmured between kisses, words lost in the press of his forehead to yours. “Do hear how close they are?” His voice was a warning and a promise. You could hear students in the courtyard below, the distant murmur of footsteps, and the risk made everything hotter.

You clung to him, nails scoring the plane of his shoulders, the sweet sting adding to the electric ache pooling in your belly. He pounded into you at an angle, building a delicious, dangerous knot that made your breath hitch into staccato gasps. Each gasp he caught in his mouth and swallowed as if it were his prize.

He shifted a hand to your throat, not to choke but to anchor, thumb brushing the pulse there while his other hand mapped the curve of your hip. The domination of it sent a tremor through you: being held so completely, so seen. When his fingers found your clit, you cried out low, the sound immediately swallowed by his mouth. His grin against your lips told you he loved that, how your body answered him, how you made those tiny uncontrollable noises that he couldn't wait to hear when you two were alone.

By the time you rode the first wave of your orgasm, your body tightening around him, he didn’t loosen his grip. He kissed you through it, moaning into your mouth as you clenched around him like a vice.

He didn’t stop. He wanted you to cum a second time. He took you again harder, faster, with less thought for decency or consequence. The wall scraped your spine; your hair spilled over your shoulders and his fingers threaded through it, anchoring you so that each thrust would hit the exact place that made you arch your back.

Every time your lips parted, his were there, kissing you into silence.

His breaths became ragged, low curses ripped from him as he sank deeper. “Fuck,” he panted, voice rough. “Cum with me...” The need in him was a physical force; his fingertips rubbed tight circles over your clit, and your second orgasm stole your breath.

He spilled into you with a shuddering groan, one hand splaying against the wall, the other cupping your jaw as if to steady himself. When your breathing slowed, he didn’t pull away; instead, he bent his forehead to yours and kissed you slowly.

For a long moment, you simply stood there, wrapped around each other in the hush of the tower. The world outside kept moving, students laughed, a distant bell chimed, but inside the stone room, there was only the press of skin and the taste of him on your tongue. His hands were tender now, roaming with a softer fierceness as if memorizing every inch of you he’d finally been given.

“Sweet Oz,” he breathed into the cradle of your neck. “You’re mine.” He sounded almost afraid someone would take the words away if they were spoken too loudly. “Please say you'll be mine.”

You threaded your fingers through his hair and pulled him back down to your mouth, needing another kiss, another to know that this was real...that he was real. When you finally pulled apart for air, your breathing was slow and unsteady, “I'm yours, Fiyero.”

You would normally feel nervous being so exposed like this, but not with Fiyero. You’ve always felt safe with him and this is no different. You’ve been friends for so long and something about this feels so natural. It’s almost as if it was meant to happen. 

He drops to his knees in front of you, hands resting on your bare thighs as he looks at you in a way he never has before. His blue eyes are filled with want, with yearning and you nod to let him know that he can have exactly what he’s wanting. 

You watch him scoot forward, leaning in and pressing a feather light kiss to your collarbone. You can’t help but let out a gasp when his lips make contact and move your head back to give him more access. He kisses all the way to your shoulder and up your neck, giving it a soft bite. 

You try your best to suppress a moan but it comes out anyway and that only causes Fiyero to bite you again. You moan even louder and before you can register what’s happening, you’re flat on your back and he’s hovering over you, eyes darkening. He lowers himself down onto you as his lips find yours in a messy kiss. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted, but nothing like you imagined.

His lips are soft like you always hoped and he knows exactly what he’s doing just like you assumed he would because of how much experience he has. This is easily the best kiss you’ve ever had-not that you have much to compare it too.

One hand slides up your shirt, grabbing hold of your breasts as his tongue slides into your mouth. He gives it a squeeze and you gasp into his mouth, hands sliding into his hair. You can feel him getting hard against you and it only makes you more wet. His other hand slides into your shorts, fingers finding their way inside your cunt. 

He’s moving at a rapid rate and you have to hold onto the bedding beneath you. You’ve never experienced anything quite like this, your own fingers never being able to bring you this much pleasure. Your eyes flutter shut and with every moan and whine, Fiyero gets more confident, more hard. 

“Fiyero, please,” you beg and he’ll do whatever you ask, especially when you’re whining like that. “I need you.”

“Whatever you want, darling,” he replies. “Now come here.” He helps you get under the covers and places himself on top of you again. He pulls on the bottom of your shirt and pulls it over your head and tosses it to the floor. “Wow,” he whispers when he takes in your bare chest, feeling so lucky to be able to see you like this.

“What is it?”

“Nothing-you’re just beautiful.” He pulls you in for another kiss as his own shirt comes off before he pulls down your shorts. He kisses his way down your body, slowly moving underneath the covers. He nips at the waistband of your panties, smiling when he hears you gasp again. 

He spreads your legs, mouth moving over your cunt, surprised at how wet they already are considering how little he’s actually done. You’re soaked and he hasn’t even fucked you yet. Your panties are off in an instant and you barely have any time to ask what he’s doing before his mouth is on your cunt again, devouring you like a man starved. 

Fiyero can’t see you, but he can just imagine the look on your face as moans fall from your lips. He just knows that your eyes are shut tight, hands fisting the sheets as your back arches in absolute pleasure. 

He hooks your legs over his shoulders to give himself better access as he goes in again and again, getting harder at the sound of your moans. And when your fingers pull on his hair, he groans in pleasure, encouraged to keep going even when you come. 

He pulls away sooner than you’d like and when he climbs up your body, his eyes are filled with need, with hunger, seeming even more desperate than he was before he gave you head. But this time, you’re in charge. 

“I’m on top,” you tell him and he smirks before lying flat on his back. He removes his pants and underwear before helping you top him. He’s fully prepared to let you take control, even feeling turned on by the idea. He loves a woman in charge, especially when it’s you. 

It starts off slow and awkward but you eventually get to a good pace, moving hard and fast as Fiyero tries his best to match you. He would have never guessed you’d be this way since you’re so shy and reserved but then again, what is it that they say about the quiet ones?

“Feel so good, darling. So wet for me.” 

“You feel good too.” You feel breathless already, somehow already getting so so close. Your fingers intertwine with his as you pin his arms to the bed, leaning down for a kiss. His hips buck against yours again and again. 

“We have to be quiet,” you tell him as you reach up and cover his mouth because he’s getting to be a little too loud. You don’t want to imagine what would happen if you were to be caught like this, especially since Fiyero shouldn’t be here right now. “Can you be quiet for me?” You’re whispering now, voice so sweet like always. 

He nods and grabs hold of your hand, pressing a kiss to your palm before entwining your fingers again. He’s so close, just needs one more push. And when he pushes into you once more, he’s coming and you have to cover his mouth again as he seems even louder than before. 

And when he comes down, you get off of him and he pulls you to his chest, the two of you cuddling up underneath the covers. His hand lazily moves up and down your back as he tells you that you should do that again, but he gets to be on top next time. 

“As long as you’re mine, you can be on top as much as you like,” you reply. He smiles wide and rolls you onto your back, laughs pouring from your mouth as he peppers your face with kisses. 

“I’d love to be yours.”

“You always were.”