#wickedsanta24

“Good morning,” Fiyero smiled, padding back to her and climbing onto the bed, staying on top of the covers as he kissed her nose.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s time to go.”

She blinked up at him, pushing herself up onto her elbows, and yawned. Mid-yawn, she let out a surprised yelp, almost choking on the air switching directions in her throat, as Fiyero pressed his lips against hers. “Sharing a morning breath kiss is your idea of romantic?”

“It was our first kiss of the day. That’s romantic in-and-of itself. And there’s a lot more where that came from.”

Elphaba smirked. “Such scandalacious behavior,” she chuckled as Fiyero stole another kiss, wrapping his leg around hers. “What would your newlywed wife say?”

“If she asks, I’ll tell her I was with my girlfriend.”

“Your ex-girlfriend.”

He booped her nose. “The best ex-girlfriend ever.”

“We really mustn’t make a habit out of saying that. It’ll give people the wrong idea. Wouldn’t one think that bringing your ex-girlfriend on your honeymoon would be frowned upon?” Elphaba blinked innocently, fighting the smirk with all her strength.

“I have no problem with it. Especially if your ex-girlfriend is adorably adorable.”

She wrinkled her nose.

“But we really should get ready.”

“I thought we weren’t leaving until this afternoon.”

“Perhaps I don’t want to waste a single tick-tock.”

“Yero, we just got married. We have all the tick-tocks in the world ahead of us.” Nevertheless, she moved to get up, but Fiyero pulled her back down. “Yero!”

He gave her an overly vocal kiss. “Okay. Now we can get ready.”

Elphaba laughed and playfully wiggled out of his arms. She jumped out of bed, looking at him over her shoulder before disappearing into the adjoining bathroom.

Elphaba rarely laughed, so when she did, he knew he’d done something to earn it. Only a few people were privileged enough to see her softer side. He knew she spent years maintaining her carefully constructed walls, and once he got to know her, he made it his mission to tear those walls down.

She really was his whole world. She had been the first to see past his dancing-through-life façade and rip off his mask. She hit him with the truth, and a few of her schoolbooks. And he had been the second (because she very adamantly kept Glinda in the first spot) person to see the person underneath the hard, green exterior and get to the shy, insecure girl who gave up on being loved years ago. Now, here they were, happily married for almost two days, about to journey to Otour, a small village near the Thousand Year Grasslands, for their honeymoon.

When choosing destination spots, Elphaba mentioned that there weren’t many romantic locations in Munchkinland (though Fiyero knew that wasn’t the only reason she was reluctant to return to her home country). Glinda suggested the Emerald City, but both Elphaba and Fiyero agreed that they didn’t want a place filled with hustle and bustle. The Quadling Country was in its rainy season, making the marshes extra soggy and not very romantic. That left only the Vinkus.

After hearing Fiyero extol the beauty of his homeland, Elphaba expressed interest in seeing the Vinkun countryside. She was particularly curious about the Hanging Gardens of Krum, and even more intrigued as to why Fiyero had never visited.

“I’m sure there are places in Munchkinland you’ve never explored,” he said in response to Elphaba’s comment.

“Mostly because my father wasn’t interested in taking me around.”

Fiyero fell silent for a moment, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I will show you off to everyone in the Vinkus. We’ll go everywhere.”

Now that he had graduated from Shiz (with Elphaba’s active help) and was officially assuming full-time crown prince duties, he could only escape for three days. Initially, Fiyero felt upset about the shortened vacation, but Elphaba had revealed that she didn’t want an extended honeymoon.

“Just being with you is like a dream come true,” she had admitted during a rare moment of tenderness, and Fiyero had melted like butter in her hands. “I don’t need a long honeymoon to prove our love.”

Fiyero looked up as Elphaba emerged from the bathroom, wearing a robe with a towel wrapped around her hair. When she undressed, she was clad in her undergarments and a simple slip. She had just finished buttoning her dark blue blouse when Fiyero finally stopped gazing at her and hurried into the bathroom for his turn. Elphaba rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop the blush from spreading across her cheeks. Even after all these years, it still took her by surprise that Fiyero actually liked – loved – looking at her.

After breakfast, the couple grabbed their bags and loaded into the coach. After saying goodbye to his parents, Elphaba and Fiyero climbed in and set off. Fiyero had insisted on starting the no-staff weekend with him driving the coach, but his father was quick to remind him of why he still didn’t have his license: an incident involving an axel, a clothesline, and a bread cart.

“A whole weekend without staff or royal duties. However will we survive?” Elphaba mused with a soft chuckle.

“Well, quite easily without the royal duties,” Fiyero grinned. “And we didn’t have royal staff at Shiz.”

“I had to teach you how to separate your laundry. You wouldn’t have had any white shirts if I let you do it yourself.”

“Maybe I liked those off-white colors.”

“Maybe I should’ve let you wear that pink shirt and get busted by Morrible.” Elphaba rolled her eyes and settled against his side. “Thank you.”

“You’re thanking me? I should be thanking you for making sure I didn’t go to class wearing a pink shirt. Especially when Glinda –”

“No, I mean thank you… for marrying me.”

He glanced down at her. “Fae, marrying you was not some duty I did because I was being held at gunpoint. I married you because I love you.”

“And you couldn’t stand me returning to the Governor’s Mansion to be Nessa’s servant.”

“Because I love you, and you deserve so much better than that. You showed me that I deserve more than just being satisfied with going through the motions of life. I desired to return the favor.”

She looked up at him with her brown, doe eyes, and fully relaxed against him.

They reached their accommodations in Otour by the afternoon, and after a quick refresh, Fiyero dragged Elphaba back out, her on one arm, and a picnic basket on the other.

“Are we going to see the Hanging Gardens of Krum?” she asked.

“I was saving that for tomorrow. The summer lends itself to showing off Vinkun nature the best.

There’s something else I want to show you.”

The coach dropped them off at the edge of the Thousand Year Grasslands. Fiyero thanked their driver and offered Elphaba his arm, leading her through the tall blades of refreshed, green grass.

Elphaba smiled as she stretched her hand to the side, letting the tallest blades tickle her fingertips. She heard the soft sound of water rushing and looked up as they approached a mountain in the distance.

“That’s the Vinkus River,” she said, pointing to the winding stream of water at the base of the mountain.

“Yes,” Fiyero confirmed. “And that,” he pointed up to the mountain, where a waterfall of five separate streams rushed down, “is the Suoran Straoms, or the Five Sisters Streams, the second tallest waterfall in the Vinkus.”

Elphaba looked up at the water rushing down the side of the cliff. She had seen drawings of this in their textbooks, but seeing the wonder in real life was a wondiferous experience.

“The legend is that long ago, while the Vinkus was in a deep drought, the five tribal daughters came together to pray for rain. Then, the stones in the cliff cracked open, and water flowed down in separate streams, landing on each of their heads and drenching them, creating the Vinkus River, and rehydrating the land.”

Elphaba hummed, acknowledging that she heard the story while still mesmerized by the water. Fiyero smiled, seeing her eyes filled with childlike awe.

“Some said that the original water that flowed out was enchanted water. Crops flourished, thirsts were quenched, and some say that it was the clearest, sparkliest water they’d ever seen. There was also something about it being a fountain of youth source, and some who drank got an extended life span. I was maybe seven or eight years old the last time I was here. I took a big, refreshing gulp directly from that middle stream, thinking that it was going to make me live forever.”

“And?”

“I got horrendibly sick and was bedridden for a week. My parents thought I was going to die. My thirst wasn’t quenched, but my colon was cleaned out.”

Elphaba snorted out a laugh. “I guess its magical properties had run out.”

“Something that I should’ve been told before. See, this is the problem with legends. Some of it’s real, and some is made up, but no one ever tells you which parts are true.”

He set the basket down and pulled out a red and white gingham picnic blanket, neatly arranging their delicious spread. He and his wife shared a peaceful lunch, reminded of their picnics by Suicide Canal in their days at dear old Shiz. Fiyero threaded his fingers through Elphaba’s as they watched the five streams of water rush down the side of the mountain.

“Elphaba.”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Yero.” She snuggled closer and inhaled the fresh, country air, moistened by the water.

(WICKED)

“Yero! Wake up! Wake up!” Elphaba smiled, shaking her husband’s arm.

Fiyero peaked out from under the covers, giving Elphaba the same look she gives him when he wakes her up early. “Fae, I don’t have to look at the clock to know it’s way too early for –”

“We’re going to the Hanging Gardens today! Remember? You promised!”

He had never seen her so excited for anything before. Her eyes were bright and alert, and once Fiyero gained more consciousness, he noticed how she was already dressed. He yawned and pushed himself up.

Elphaba bounced on the balls of her feet as she resisted the urge to tear the covers from his body to assist in his waking. “Yero,” she almost whined.

Oz, she was so adorabubble when she was really excited about something. Fiyero had never been able to deny her anything during their courtship, and knew he wouldn’t be able to start during their marriage. So he pushed himself up, kissed her ‘good morning’ and went to get ready. “Fae, we have to eat breakfast,” he said when Elphaba tried to pull him out the door the second he finished combing his hair.

“We can eat on the way there.”

“No, we can’t. We have to catch the boat. It leaves every hour on the hour.”

Elphaba glanced at the clock. Eight-oh-five. Ozdamnit.

“And eating on the boat is less than ideal. Trust me.”

“So don’t drink the waterfall water, and don’t eat on the boat. What is it with you and learning the hard way to leave natural water sources alone?”

Fiyero chuckled and shrugged, succeeding in getting his wife to sit and have breakfast with him. Elphaba eagerly told him what she knew of the history of the hanging gardens. Fiyero neither confirmed nor denied her suspicions, which piqued her curiosity, yet made her antsy.

“Yero, if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the boat!” Elphaba frowned, finishing first and pulling him up. “And I’m not waiting another hour.”

Fiyero calmly got up and placed their dishes in the sink, rinsing them with water. He heard Elphaba impatiently tapping her foot behind him, and knew he’d owe her extra kisses to make up for annoying her. “Ready?” he asked brightly, finally working up the courage to turn around.

Elphaba wordlessly grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door. He barely had time to grab his satchel – which contained their money and boat tickets – from the hook as he was all but dragged out.

They made it to the trolley stop just in time and caught the streetcar. A few heads turned as the prince and princess boarded, but no fuss was made per Fiyero’s published requests. An older gentleman offered his seat to Elphaba, but the green woman politely declined.

“Already starting your benevolent report with the people, I see,” Fiyero chuckled at her ear.

“We’ll only be on for a few stops. I’m much too excited to sit,” Elphaba shrugged, actively having to remind herself not to start bouncing like Glinda.

Fiyero smiled and slipped his hand into Elphaba’s. He knew he had to keep the public displays of affection toned down when they were out in this much public, but he couldn’t resist. The nearby passengers who saw smiled at the royal couple, some older couples looking like they were remembering their newlywed days.

They reached their stop with ten minutes to spare. Fiyero procured the tickets from the satchel he was almost forced to leave behind and gave them to the captain as he helped them aboard. The ferry was a decent size, not a pleasure vessel, yet not a large ship. Having never been on a boat before, Elphaba was torn between wanting to watch the water, and being safely seated in the center of the boat.

Fiyero wrapped his arms around Elphaba’s waist, easing her fears and allowing her to enjoy her first boat ride. The wind made the whisps of hair that freed themselves from her braid dance around her face. The twinkle in her eyes mirrored the twinkle of the crisp, clear Vinkus River water beneath them. He loved this view. He could get used to this view.

The boat ride was only a few minutes, and the captain helped them disembark on the dock. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Elphaba’s gaze was locked upwards on the grand structure hanging over her.

The Hanging Gardens of Krum.

It was even more magnificent than she had imagined. The ascending series of tiered gardens featured a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, resembling a massive green mountain. High walls and stone pillars were adorned with flourishing vines that bore bright flowers. “It’s… beautiful,” she whispered in awe.

“The Hanging Gardens of Krum are less legend and more a blend of agriculture, architecture, and fact. It’s the most factually mythical wonder in Oz,” Fiyero explained, gently taking her hand and guiding her forward. “Unlike the Five Sisters Streams, which have purely mythical origins, ancient plans survive detailing the garden’s architecture and engineering. Being close to the river ensures everything remains well-irrigated, and everyone knows to respect the flora to help this place maintain its paradise-like life.” He led her up the steps to the first terrace. “It was very modern for the time it was built.”

Elphaba was amazed at how the plants could live and thrive when not connected to the earth. She noticed the irrigation system running along the walls, the trickling water almost sounding like soothing music. “The water looks like it’s flowing upward,” she observed, noticing a clear, narrow tube of water moving against gravity.

“It’s not an illusion. It’s a capillary action. A new engineering feat that allows the water to travel upward with a little push.”

Her gaze followed the water upward. “Incredible.”

Fiyero led her through all the levels, showing her the native Vinkun plants and more architectural wonders. The grandeur of the greenery surrounded Elphaba, and for the first time in her life, she felt at peace surrounded by so much green and truly appreciated the color’s beauty.

(WICKED)

As they ended their final night in Otour, Elphaba sat in front of her vanity as she slowly ran a brush through her hair. She didn’t realize she was humming until Fiyero started humming with her. She turned, smirking at him when she saw him lounging on the bed, wearing only his pajama pants.

“Hey,” Fiyero grinned.

“Hey,” Elphaba grinned back, braiding her hair and slipping out of her robe. “You’re staring at me.”

“Yeah.”

“You normally only stare at me in the mornings.”

“Maybe you’re even more beautiful in the evenings.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes. Fiyero invitingly patted the spot next to him, encouraging her to come to bed. The green woman obliged and snuggled under the covers with her husband.

“I had a wonderful weekend,” she smiled against his lips. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Fae. I loved watching you have fun.”

“But you had fun, too, right?”

“You know me. I’m always having fun.”

Elphaba blinked at him. “Fiyero…”

“I just… couldn’t stop myself from thinking that… I’ve never seen you so happy.”

Elphaba pushed herself up onto her elbows. She opened her mouth, but cut herself off as she decided to say something different. “You’re the first person to ever make me feel this happy.” A pause, then, “If you tell Glinda I said that, she’ll kill both of us.”

“I didn’t come too late? I was worried that you had endured too much sadness and that nothing I said or did would make you truly happy.”

“No. You arrived right on time.” She kissed him. “You saved me just in time. You make me really, truly happy.”

He smiled, pulling her close as he chuckled at her giggle, which Glinda clearly influenced. After a bit of cuddling, the couple lay in comfortable silence, and Elphaba was sure Fiyero had fallen asleep when –

“Hey, Fae?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to stay here forever?”

She hummed. “I’d love to, but I was kind of looking forward to being your princess. As much as I love this honeymoon phase –”

“What if I want to stay in the honeymoon phase?”

“I’ve heard that couples in the honeymoon phase are so lovey-dovey that it starts to feel like they’re trapped in a bubble, and it leads to them letting their lives pass them by.”

“So… no forever honeymoon phase?”

“Staying here on a forever honeymoon might throw a monkey wrench into our post-honeymoon plans. And I had a lot of plans.”

“Okay,” he agreed, hoping her plans aligned with his and included family planning. He was silent for a moment, then added, “Have you ever thought that somewhere out there, a monkey might be having a ‘human wrench’ thrown into his plans since humans get a ‘monkey wrench’ thrown into theirs?”

Elphaba had already closed her eyes. “Fiyero, close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“Okay. But can I say one more thing?”

She forced her eyes open and rolled over to face him. “Yes?”

“You’re my most favoritist ex-girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

“Was that a compliment?”

“Yes. You’re my favorite out of many. That’s a major accomplishment,” Fiyero said with a boyish grin.

She decided to humor him. “You’re the only ex-boyfriend I’ve ever had. Goodnight.”

“So I’m the only one that matters!”

“Fiyero.”

“Yes, dear?”

“Go. To. Sleep.”

“Dancing in front of everyone? Been there, done that. It didn’t exactly go over well last time…” Elphaba laughed a little at her own remark, but Glinda couldn’t fight off the pang of guilt that struck her. 

Yes, Elphaba’s first and only experience dancing in front of a crowd had been disastrous, and it was her fault… but that was months ago, and they’d more than made amends– Glinda glanced at the smudge of pink lipstick she’d left on Elphie’s neck… Elphaba may have absolved her of her past mistakes, but Glinda didn’t know if she could ever truly forgive herself.

“This would be different, Elphie.” Glinda turned to her, “The Midwinter Gala is a formal dance– with dances like this, there’s a precise way to dance, every step is already planned, you don’t have to worry about what others think when everyone’s dancing the same way.”

“Please,” Elphaba scoffed, “Not once have I ever worried about what other people think.”

“That’s a lie and you know it.” Glinda tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

Elphaba did not respond.

“You simply must come to this gala, dear Elphie, for I have the most magnificent dress to wear and it would be a shame if you didn’t get to see it.”

“I can just go through your wardrobe to find it.”

“We may be a couple, but that still doesn’t give you the right to go through my stuff– that’s just not what roommates do! Besides, I’m having it custom tailored and I’m picking it up the day of the gala, so there’s no way you can go snooping around for it.”

“Then I’ll simply have to wait for you to get back.” Elphaba took a moment to kiss her sweetly before deciding to turn up the charm, “Really, my sweet, I don’t care as much for the dress as I do for taking it off of you.”

“Elphie, you scoundrel!” Glinda laughed with a wink, “If that’s your only goal, then I’ll have to stop at Shenshen’s to change before I return, if only to avoid being absolutely ravished by you!”

Elphaba grumbled, knowing her inevitable defeat was near.

“Yes, truly, the only way you’ll get to see me in this dress is if you–”

“Fine– I’ll go to the damned gala.”

“Thank you!!” Glinda squealed with joy as she wrapped Elphaba in a tight hug, “Oh, this is going to be so magical! You won’t regret this one bit!”

–

“I think I’m beginning to regret this…” Elphaba said as she swirled her glass of overpriced, flavorless wine. She sat at a table with Fiyero, Crope, and Tibbett, who all seemed equally as bored as her. The group made a point of staying as far away from the grand dance floor as possible. 

“Same,” Crope agreed, “I do love a gala, but I hate that they’re so… restrictive in gendered roles.” He gestured to the dance floor, where strictly male and female couples waltzed away to the repetitive tune of some dull minuet. “At the Ozdust, we could dance however we pleased with whomever we pleased, but I barely know how to waltz, and I fear if I danced with my dear Tibbett I’d be scorned.”

“You’ve never let that stop you before,” Fiyero mentioned, adjusting his tie, “Why start now?”

“This just feels… different. I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself in such a regal environment. I may be a menace through and through, but I have some decency!”

Elphaba couldn’t focus on the conversation. Her corset was too tight, and she hated the choking fabric of the sleeves, a textural nightmare. 

She caught her reflection in the wine glass– it was a pretty enough dress, a shiny material that seemed black but in the sparkling light of the ballroom, revealed a sheen of iridescence. Still, she’d rather be wearing a suit.

And she missed Glinda… Oh, how she missed Glinda… Maybe her presence would make the gala a little less miserable. That is, if she ever actually arrived. Elphaba figured her dress must be magnificent if it was taking this long for her to get ready.

–

From across the grand hall, a stirring in the crowd drew Elphaba’s attention. Her heart leapt as she saw Glinda descending the stairs in a magnificent lavender dress with shimmery opalescent sleeves and a beautifully layered skirt. She wore her hair half up, and the golden glow of the ballroom’s crystal chandeliers made her look absolutely heavenly. 

Elphaba was not particularly religious, but whenever Glinda was near, she felt she was in the presence of an angel. And the world seemed to think the same, for the crowd of dancing couples seemed to part like a sea around her. She crossed the floor to Elphaba and the boys, keeping her ethereal air all the while. She flashed that pearly smile to everyone that greeted her, a smile that Elphaba knew to be nothing more than a pretense, a false display of joy and friendliness.

“Hello, Elphie.” She greeted, taking Elphaba’s hand and pressing a kiss to it. “You look absolutely beautiful in that dress.”  And then there was that real smile, soft and genuine, something special reserved only for Elphaba. “Thank you for coming, it really means a lot to me.”

"Of course," Elphaba smiled. The wine had gone to her head, and she felt dizzy in Glinda's presence. She was so elegant, and Elphaba decided that maybe, this night would be worth it after all. "You're so... I love that dress. Definitely worth the wait to see you in it."

Glinda giggled, her brown eyes full of joy, and Elphaba felt breathless under her loving gaze, as if the world belonged to the two of them alone...

But it didn't, as evidenced by Glinda stepping away to greet the rest of their friends.

"And boys! You all clean up nicely!.” Glinda took Elphaba’s hand and gestured to the boys, “Come, let's dance!"

–

The group– save for Fiyero, who didn't want to dance on account of the fact that he was already married– made their way towards the center of the ballroom where dozens of couples danced to the lilting melody of a sweet, romantic tune.

"Miss Glinda, I don't know if you've noticed yet," Tibbett started, "But every last couple in the ballroom is one boy and one girl."

"I see..." Glinda bit her lip nervously.

"This poses an issue for all four of us."

"There's no need to worry– we'll make it work." Glinda answered. "I'll dance with you, Tibbett, and Crope can dance with Elphaba."

Elphaba watched as Tibbett tentatively placed a hand on Glinda's waist and they awkwardly started up into a messy little waltz. She sighed as she reluctantly mirrored the same actions with Crope, going through the motions for a few different songs.

"Some party..." Elphaba muttered as she swayed along with Crope. "You'd think for an institution as socially progressive as Shiz, they'd have abandoned gendered galas long ago."

"You'd think so..." Crope spun Elphaba around, and she nearly tripped over her own feet, "But this is supposed to be a mirror of Gillikinese high society, and they still care a lot about tradition."

"But no one our age gives a damn! Sooner or later, society's going to have to abandon these antiquated ideals and accept that we're moving forward."

"I couldn't agree more. But, if I may ask, what's wrong about just pretending and playing along for one night? You're going to have to try and blend in sometimes, a little practice never hurt–"

"Oh please, I'll never blend in!" Elphaba scoffed and gestured to her own green-ness, "As for what's wrong with playing along, well, I didn't exactly come here to dance with you! No offense..."

"None taken, my dear." Crope laughed, then cast a longing glance at Glinda and Tibbett across the room, "I'd rather be dancing with my own partner too."

The music rose to a grand flourish and Crope twirled Elphaba around once again. This time, Elphaba did step on her own skirts and nearly lost her balance, saved by Crope's arm around her waist.

"And I hate this stupid dress! If it were up to me, I would have worn a suit!"

"Hold on– you've just given me a fantastic idea!"

"What do you mean?"

"Come, let's find our friends, and then I’ll tell all of you!” Crope took Elphaba's hand and whisked her away through the crowd. “Oh, this plan is magnificent, you’re going to love it!”

–

A short while later, Crope, Tibbett, Elphaba, and Glinda sat together in the commons of Briscoe Hall, the room lit by the warm glow of the fireplace.

"So, here's the plan." Crope grinned, an almost sinister smile like one would see on the face of a criminal mastermind. How seriously Crope took his shenanigans... "It’s time for us to become masters of deception. We need to disguise ourselves in order to blend in as traditional couples."

“Disguises?” Elphaba perked up at this. "Would I get to wear a suit?"

Crope bit his lip and avoided her gaze for a moment. "Unfortunately, no... See, the whole point is to remain in disguise, and the green is a bit of a dead giveaway, you see."

Elphaba grumbled and slouched into the couch, listening to the rest of Crope's plan.

"I'll put on a dress and a wig and some makeup– don't worry, I've done it flawlessly before, and then we'll have Miss Glinda wear my suit and voila! We'll be able to dance with our rightful partners and no one will ever know!"

"Hold on..." Glinda finally spoke up, clinging to Elphaba's arm, "Me? In a suit? You can't be serious."

"Do you want to be able to dance with Elphaba or not?"

Glinda hesitated. "I– of course I want to be with Elphie, but a suit? I really don't know if I could pull it off..."

Crope rolled his eyes, "You will look stunning, darling, just trust me. Now, the both of you come upstairs to our room, we'll get you fitted in a suit and I can slip into my drag. Don’t dally now, we haven’t got much time!"

–

Elphaba was surprised at just how similar Crope and Tibbett’s shared dorm room looked to that of her and Glinda, though the wallpaper was less floral and more geometric. The two alcoves on either side of the room sat empty, and the beds that belonged there had been pushed together in the middle of the room, effectively creating a double bed big enough for a couple to share. Maybe she and Glinda could try that arrangement. Really, the single beds were not big enough for two.

“Come with me,” Tibbett said to Glinda, holding a suit bag and two boxes of sewing supplies, “We’ll get this suit fitted perfectly to you. As for hair– Crope, dear, where do you keep the hair pins?”

“They’re in the cupboard in the washroom, love.”

“Ah, good, let’s go.” Tibbett dragged a visibly apprehensive Glinda with him into the washroom, leaving Elphaba and Crope together once more.

"Sorry that you won't get to wear a suit this time." Crope said as he rummaged through his closet, pulling out an extravagant gold-trimmed dress. "Perhaps at the next Ozdust function, Tibbs can get something tailored for you. There's no doubt that you'd look absolutely stunning in one, this just isn't the right time or place for it."

"I understand." She turned and gave Crope the privacy to change. A moment later, after his approval, she turned back to him, "I still don't quite understand why we're going through all this trouble, though. If we're not enjoying this gala as we are, then why bother going back?"

"For fun, Miss Elphaba." Crope laughed as he started to apply a thick layer of makeup, "I don't expect you to be familiar with the concept. We're going to have beautiful, romantic evenings with our respective partners one way or another, and if we have to use lies and deceit to get there, then so be it."

"Well, yes, but we could have perfectly romantic evenings in the comfort and privacy of our dorm rooms, couldn't we?"

"Oh, you really don't get it, Elphaba. Yes it would be easier to just stay in, but we're making memories here! Think, twenty-five years from now, you'll have a riveting story to tell your kids about the time you and your beloved snuck into a gala."

Elphaba blinked in shock at the implied prospect of her and Glinda having a family some day. She didn't bother chasing that tangent though, instead focusing on the conversation at hand. "Fine, I can see how this is more exciting. But what if we get discovered? If we get in trouble for violating the sanctity of tradition?"

"First of all, we won't get caught. Tibbs will have Glinda looking perfectly masculine, and I've been practicing my own hair and makeup for years. We'll be just fine. And if, somehow, our cover does get blown, we'll just run for the hills. Maybe you can whip up some of that magic you're so darned good at. Make everyone fall asleep or something."

Elphaba shifted in her seat. Magic was still a sensitive subject. She had no idea how to control it, and she didn't want to risk hurting people again.

"Anyway, as soon as I get my makeup done we'll head down."

"Why not wait for–"

"I want our new outfits to be a surprise. Trust me, it will be magical."

"The last time I was promised a magical time, I spent an hour drinking terrible wine and hating my life."

"Hm." Crope grumbled as he put on a surprisingly realistic looking wig of wavy blonde hair, "Well, forget that. I swear on my life that this will be nothing short of perfect!"

"I'll be holding you to that, you know." Elphaba said with a snarky smirk, "I may not have full control over my magic, but I'm certain it's powerful enough to kill a man."

"Lucky for you, I'm hardly a man." Crope chuckled and applied a coat of scarlet lipstick, and he looked so natural in his femininity, "I go through all this trouble to help you, and you still see it fit to threaten my life? Why, you really are Elphaba the Terrible."

"Terrible? You wound me– where did you even pick up such a title for me?"

"Glinda, of course. She's got every title under the sun reserved for you. Elphaba the Terrible, Miss Elphaba the Delirious, and lately it's been Miss Elphie the Handsome. She goes on and on, she really does."

Elphaba couldn't help but smile at the very thought of her treasured Glinda. She filled her heart with such giddiness, almost to the point of discomfort. Her stomach began to turn with sheer butterflies. 

"Elphaba? Are you alright? You look unwell. Bit green... Or I should say, greener than usual."

"I'm fine." Elphaba smiled. She felt warm. "I just... I love her so much it almost hurts."

“Have you ever told her that?”

Elphaba thought for a moment. Her and Glinda had been together for months, but neither of them had ever truly declared their love officially. “No… I really think it’s something that goes without saying, though.”

“You need to tell her. Even if your love transcends words like you say it does, she still deserves to hear it out loud.”

“You’re right.” Elphaba affirmed, a confident and determined grin replaced any apprehension. “I’ll tell her tonight.”

"Oh, it is so good to see you this happy and confident, my dear." Crope stood up and slipped into a pair of heels, walking in them as naturally as could be. "Let's go, we mustn't keep our lovers waiting."

–

Returning to the magnificent ballroom was almost torturous for Elphaba. She made her way back to the table where Fiyero sat, chatting with Boq and Nessa. Nanny hovered over them, too absorbed in her glass of wine to pay much mind to the young people she kept watch over.

"Elphaba!" Fiyero greeted the pair, "You're back. And who's this lovely lady with you?"

"It's me." Crope answered, his voice pitched slightly higher than usual. “Shame on you, a married man taking interest in a lady like me!”

"Oh wow... Crope..." Fiyero trailed off as a subtle blush took over his dark skin. "You look fantastic! I didn't expect to find myself so attracted to you but here we are.” Fiyero’s voice, usually so rich in tone, was almost squeaky with embarrassment, “I... I'll shut myself up now. So, where are Tibbett and Glinda?"

"They should be here soon." Crope answered, "We've come up with a clever little plan to get around the strict boy/girl dance code."

"Does it involve Miss Glinda wearing a suit?"

"As a matter of fact, it does. How did you guess?"

"Because she's coming down the stairs as we speak."

Elphaba turned to see Glinda descending the stairs just as she had done earlier in the night, except under disguise, the crowd did not recognize her, did not bow to her whim as they had before. Yes, this new Glinda had the privacy of anonymity like never before.

And she was nothing short of beautiful. She wore a white suit that had been quickly but perfectly tailored to fit her, sleek and straight and stunning. Her hair was pinned and cropped in a way that made her look incredibly masculine. Several errant curls found their way loose from the pins, framing her face in a most adorable way. A pop of color caught her eye, and Elphaba noticed the iridescent bowtie she wore, shifting in the light between pink and green.

"Good evening, Miss Elphaba." Glinda bowed in an absolutely gentlemanly fashion, pressing a kiss to Elphaba's hand just as she had done earlier. Now, though, she really looked the part. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course." Elphaba grinned, absolutely captivated with Glinda's effortless charm.

Almost as if on cue, the orchestra started playing again, a beautiful triple-beat waltz started to play, a jovial melody that commanded a flowing style of dance.

As their roles dictated, Glinda led, and Elphaba felt so safe in her embrace as they danced together in a beautiful sweeping and swaying pattern.

“I can’t believe this is working,” Glinda said with a smile as they danced past Crope and Tibbett, “I also can’t believe I look this good in a suit! Impossible– Glinda Arduenna Upland, a lady of high society, wearing pants and liking it…”

“What an absolute scandal.” Elphaba smirked, “You do look dashing, though.” Elphaba let her free hand wander down to the small of Glinda’s back, pulling her closer despite the fact that she was the follower in this dance, not the leader.

“I must say, I am loving all this attention, too.” Glinda melted into the touch as they continued to circle around the ballroom. “Maybe I should cross-dress more often.”

“If it gets us into elegant galas like this, I’m all for it. Crope was right, being sneaky is fun.”

“You’re having fun?!” Glinda gasped, “My, we are both full of surprises, it seems. I enjoy dressing in menswear, you’re actually having a good time at a high-society event, how far will the surprises go tonight?”

“Only one way to find out–” Elphaba took the lead position and spun Glinda around dramatically, pulling her into a decadent kiss right in the middle of the ballroom. Elphaba decided that when the kiss broke, she would profess her love for Glinda.

What felt like an eternity of passion must have only been a few seconds in reality before another couple barreled into them.

“Hey lovebirds!” The sharp voice of a man interrupted them, “You’re in the way! Either dance or get off the floor, don’t make an obstacle of yourselves!”

Elphaba scowled, her romantic intent replaced with rage as she glanced in the direction of the man who nearly trampled them. She’d save her declaration for later, when the moment was right.

“Pay him no mind,” Glinda laughed as she swept Elphaba back into their waltz. She wanted to freeze this moment. Elphaba looked so beautiful, so carefree, so happy. As they spun together in dance, her braided strands of hair seemed to twirl and float, defying physics as they danced. Her eyes, deep and green and full of wonder, held such a love the likes of which she had never expected from Elphaba. 

And she was stunningly beautiful herself, clad in a dark dress that clung to the subtle curves of her body and shimmered faintly in the glow of the chandeliers. At a loss for words, Glinda simply carried on with the waltz, step by effortless step. Moving in tandem with Elphaba felt as natural as breathing, as easy as simply existing.

It was so clear… She loved Elphaba. And yet, she’d always been too afraid to say it. Afraid of rejection, afraid of the permanence of it all, afraid of the intensity of her own feelings.

“Elphie…” Glinda started, “There’s… there’s something I want to say.”

“Yes?”

“I…” She trailed off. The room was too warm, there were too many people around to hear, too many witnesses to the frailty of her emotions. How was she supposed to be brave in a world that was so expansive and cruel? She blinked back a few incredibly persistent tears, “I am a coward!” 

Feeling smaller than ever before, Glinda ran off, leaving the warmth of the ballroom for the cruel frigidity of the winter’s night.

–

“Glinda!” Elphaba trudged out into the snow, hiking up her skirts to keep them dry. She caught a glimpse of Glinda’s slender silhouette in the warm light of a streetlamp and quickly gave chase, her boots almost thunderous against the icy cobblestone streets. “Glinda, where are you going?”

“Back to the dorm! Where no one can see me, or– or judge me, or–”

As Elphaba got closer, it became evident that Glinda was crying. They sat together on a cold bench in the snowfall.

“Glinda…” She started, tentatively reaching a hand for her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Glinda answered immediately, then paused and followed up with “Everything!”

Elphaba was incredibly confused, but she still did her best to help. She’d never seen Glinda in a state like this. She took her hand, “What can I do to help?”

“I don’t know,” Glinda sniffled, “Nothing is wrong. In fact, this night has been perfect. I shouldn’t be upset if I’ve had such a wonderful time, should I?”

“I mean, if you’re upset despite having a good time, then something must be wrong…”

“Nothing is wrong!” Glinda insisted, fresh tears falling, “You make me so happy, and… and for some reason, that scares me!”

“Talk me through it,” Elphaba said, running a thumb across Glinda’s hand, “I can’t wave a wand and make everything better, but I’m more than happy to listen.”

“Right.” Glinda took a deep breath to regain her bearings. The chill of the night had helped bring her back to her senses. “I’m used to people loving me. But they don’t love me, they love the idea of me, they love what I present to them. But that’s not me, you know? You’re one of the only people that knows the real me. To be known, to be seen… and by someone as amazing as you…” Glinda became choked up and turned away from Elphaba.

“Hey, don’t cry…” Elphaba brought a gentle hand to her face and wiped away her tears, “It’s alright…”

“No, it’s not.” Glinda sighed with another shaky sob, “We were having a great night until I ruined it. I shouldn’t even be scared! You make me so incredibly happy, Elphie, and I guess I’m scared by the sheer intensity of my feelings, and the… the weight of what I wanted to say to you back in the ballroom.”

“And what did you intend to say to me?”

“Nothing!” Glinda laughed, blushing like a schoolgirl. “Nothing at all!”

“If you don’t want to share, that’s fine.” Elphaba tucked a finger under her chin, “But at least I’ve got you smiling now. No more tears, my sweet…”

“Oh, Elphie… I love you.” Glinda whispered in the breath’s space between them. Elphaba did not reply, she simply closed the gap between them in a quiet kiss. 

“I know.” Elphaba said, and kissed her again.

“And I’m truly sorry I was so hesitant to tell you. I’ve never loved anyone like this before. These feelings are so big and it’s hard to know what to do with them!”

“I’ve got a couple of ideas, if you’re willing.”

“Really? Like what?”

“For starters, a romantic moonlit stroll through the snow. Then, perhaps some tea by the fire in our room. And then, since you look the part of a true gentleman, maybe I could put on a record and have you lead me in another dance. And even after all that, the night would still be young…” Elphaba gave a sly smile, standing up and offering Glinda a hand. “We’d find ways to keep ourselves busy, I’m sure.”

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, Miss Elphaba..." Glinda returned the same mischievous smile and took her hand.

A chilly breeze swept up a gust of snow, reminding the pair that it was, in fact, the dead of winter, and they'd catch cold if they stayed out too long.

Elphaba shivered.

"Are you cold?" Glinda asked, offering Elphaba her jacket. "Take this."

"Thanks," Elphaba smiled, wrapping herself in the satin-lined jacket that was just a little too small for her frame, but still so perfectly comfortable.

They walked through the night, arm in arm, and snowflakes floated and fell through the air, catching the light like beautiful stars.

"This was fun," Elphaba said, "I know I was stubborn about it at first, but I really am glad I came along."

"What can I say?" Glinda said as she started to remove some of the pins from her hair, "I'm a master of persuasion."

"And to think... I got to see you in that magnificent dress and a dashing suit. Truly, I've been spoiled tonight." Elphaba watched as she undid more of the pins and beautiful golden curls fell loose in the cold breeze. "You are so beautiful."

Glinda was about to respond with one of her typical superficial deflections, but she held her tongue when she realized that the compliments felt different coming from Elphaba.

"Thank you..." Glinda whispered as she took Elphaba's hand once again and they made their way to their dorm.

–

“Miss Glinda,” Elphaba said as they ascended the last flight of stairs up to their dorm room, “Before this night comes to an end…” The words caught in her throat, but if Glinda was brave enough to say them, then she could be, too, “I wanted to say that I love you, too.”

“Is that so?” Glinda feigned nonchalance, but the twinkle in her dark eyes and the sugary smile she cast over her shoulder as she unlocked the door gave herself completely away.

“I do.” Elphaba confirmed as she followed Glinda inside, kicking off her boots. “I was talking to Crope earlier and even the very mention of you sent my heart into backflips in the most peculiar of ways.”

Glinda took the last few pins out of her hair, messy and windswept. Elphaba had given her back her jacket when they had entered the dorms, and she shrugged it on over her shoulders, fixing her hair in the mirror.

“I love you so much that sometimes, it hurts.” Elphaba said plainly as she set a kettle over the fire.

“What–” Glinda turned from her mirror, eyes full of worry, “Elphie, I don’t ever want you to be hurting because of me!”

“It’s not a bad pain, really!” Elphaba quickly tried to cover her mistake, “If anything, it’s honestly because I’ve been smiling so much around you, and I’ve never really done much smiling in my life and–”

“Don’t worry, Elphaba. I know what you mean.” Glinda drew a slender finger across her jawline, “You can relax, I understand you.”

“Good.” Elphaba exhaled a sigh of relief, “I was just worried that–”

“Oh, hush… you talk too much, dear.” Glinda stood on her toes and pulled Elphaba into a sweet kiss.

Elphaba melted into the embrace– this was their first real kiss as a couple after professing their love. They’d kissed before, but now there was a definitive love behind it, no more questions, no more guessing.

Hungry, Elphaba took charge of the kiss, guiding Glinda backwards until her back hit the door. Elphaba slid a hand under her jacket, mesmerized by the feel of its satin lining on the back of her hand and the warm cotton of Glinda’s dress shirt under her palms.

Taking a hint, Glinda let the jacket slide off of her shoulders, leaving her in a half-sleeved white dress shirt and that adorable pink bowtie.

“I was so excited to take that dress off of you.” Elphaba murmured against Glinda’s lips, reaching up to loosen her tie, “But this suit will do just as nicely.”

“Damn, I left the dress at Crope and Tibbett’s!” Glinda realized with a start. 

“We can get it tomorrow.” Elphaba placed a hand on her shoulder, partly to reassure her and partly to keep her in the embrace. She fiddled with the buttons of Glinda’s shirt as she pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.

“Elphie, I love you, I really do, but this has to wait.”

“Does it?” Elphaba kissed her collarbone.

The whistling of the tea kettle from the fireplace confirmed Glinda’s statement.

“You said it yourself, dear.” Glinda took the kettle with a potholder and poured two steaming cups of tea, “The night will still be young even after we finish our tea and our dance, just like you planned it.”

“Right.” Elphaba agreed, recollecting herself. It was surprising, how Glinda’s love made somewhat of a beast of her.

“And while the tea steeps…” Glinda crossed the room and kicked off her dress shoes, switching into a pair of heels that didn’t match at all with her suit, but made her a good few inches taller than Elphaba, which she loved. She put on a record, filling the room with some floaty, romantic piano sonata. “May I have this dance, dear Elphie?”

“Of course.” 

The music was not very metric or danceable, but still it provided the perfect backdrop for Glinda and Elphaba to simply hold each other and sway together in the firelight. Elphaba rested her head against Glinda’s chest as they danced, comforted by the tide of her breathing. 

“Glinda?” Elphaba whispered as the music hit a softer point.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking… about the future, and how I have no idea if or when I’ll ever get to meet the Wizard. My whole future hinges on that meeting, and whenever it comes, I want you to be there with me. Wherever my future leads after that, I know I want you by my side.”

“Elphie, this sounds awfully close to a marriage proposal. We only just professed our love for one another tonight!”

“It’s not a marriage proposal! I mean, not now, not yet! Unless you wanted it to be?”

“You’re charming, Miss Elphaba.” Glinda smiled and booped her nose, “I think it’s sweet that you’re already envisioning such a future. And while I’m not accepting any official proposals right now, I’d be willing to entertain the idea, perhaps after we graduate.”

Glinda kissed her sweetly, soundly, as the song reached its peak and then decrescendoed into the familiar staticky silence of a finished record. 

Then they sat down together on the couch with their tea, cozied up together like they’d been so many times before. But tonight was different. They were now truly, deeply, unashamedly in love. 

“You know…” Glinda started as Elphaba gazed at her through the steam of her tea, “If we were to get married someday, I’d let you wear a suit, if that’s what your heart desired. I’m sure you’d look perfectly handsome.”

Elphaba felt hot under her neck. “You really think so?”

“I do.” Glinda answered, setting down her cup of tea and inching closer to Elphaba. “Though, I think you’re stunning regardless of what you’re wearing. Or what you aren’t wearing.”

“Miss Glinda, you should know that hypocrisy is incredibly unbecoming for a lady of high status like yourself.” Elphaba set down her tea as Glinda moved closer to her.

“I have no idea what you mean…” Glinda undid another button of her shirt, playing along with Elphie’s act.

“Didn’t you stave off my advances just minutes ago?”

“Yes, I did.” Glinda said as she adjusted herself into Elphaba’s lap, “But that was before you got me riled up with all this talk of marriage.”

“What, talking about the possibility of being a married couple suddenly has you wanting to act like one?”

“Yes,” Glinda smiled as she coaxed Elphaba to lean back against the pillows. Her deep brown eyes shimmered with desire and her voice was thick, “As a matter of fact, it does.”

She is used to the eyes, the discomfort at her chair. Pity has saturated every corner of her life, no more obvious than in her own father. 

She has not cried for father yet, but surely the tears are coming.

The air is different now, like a charge around her. Was this what Frex had been met with as governor? People seem afraid to meet her eye-- 

She's dressed like her sister, she realizes half way through the service. She's dressed all in black, her turtleneck to her tights. Was Elphaba in mourning this whole time? Or did the dark just contrast her skin? 

Or was the black clothes a sign of power?

There's much that Nessa does not understand about her sister, but she can get behind that, at least.

When it's over, she wheels herself out of the church, back to home. The rest will journey to the crypt with the coffin, to lay Frex to rest beside Melana. The cemetery was not made accessible to Nessa; why let her go somewhere that will lead to her distress? Stay.

Stay in the governor's too big house. With its pretty facade and its dark, empty rooms. Stay in the lingering grief with the mother you never met, the sister who pitys and must resent you and the father who loves the thought of you, the look of you, as he wraps you in cotton wool.

So frustrating, so infantilizing! As she comes to the governs house, she remembers wanting to yell at him, to hurt him, with his rules and strictures. Who was he to say where she should go, how she should feel?  This house, this land, could not contain her! 

But the house now felt too big, all alone as she is. The rest of Oz sprawling, impossible. 

 When you're in charge, when there are so many dangers, how do you keep people safe?

She wheels herself into her father's office, her office now. Her throat clenches; all of these memories and only her here to see them. The big books of Munchkin history she and Elphaba used to read together, the religious volumes Frex would read in the evening, the drawing of Dulcibear she drew when she was three. 

This was simply not how it was supposed to be.

She was always going to succeed her father, someday.

But he was not supposed to leave her like this, hot on Elphaba’s heels. Would Elphaba be surprised to know he cared enough about her to be heartbroken? 

She didn't know how fragile a heart could be. Hers aches in her chest, keeping a time of it's own. Maybe it can sense how wrong and strange her life has become.

She was supposed to go away to school and people were going to see her differently. She was going to learn who she was away from her father's smothering and Elphaba's oddities. She was going to kiss a boy and fall madly in love. She would have a roommate who would be in her life forever. And in time, she would take over for her father, with her sister at her side. They would be happy. 

Why couldn't people do what was best for them? Why was she the only one who could see what was best?

Thank goodness, she has Boq. Her beautiful love, the boy who made her heart so full. He would be happy to stay home with her. Boq would make this dank little room so bright. Boq will love these books, she thinks. After all, much of Munchkin history was not available to the public.

Boq had often mentioned that it was strange that the governorship did not represent the population of the people it ruled over. She loved how thoughtful and smart he was. This problem could so easily be solved if they were married. The next Eminent Thropp could be part Munchkin, for the very first time. How lucky she was, to change the world like this. 

She shouldn't get ahead of herself, of course. Boq was her boyfriend, not her husband and she was far from thinking about motherhood. She didn't even have a mother, she didn't know how to be one.

Well, if she was honest with herself, that wasn't true. Elphaba had been like her mother, and now they both were gone. 

Elphaba who had not even said goodbye to her on the train. Who left her in the dust, when it was supposed to be her turn to shine. 

How could she do that, really. Her sister had always been at her side, always her confidant and companion. Hadn't they read together, played together? In this very room, while father worked, Nessa had told Elphaba all her hopes for the future. Hadn't Elphaba been the one person to know her the best?

Shiz had changed everything. Suddenly Elphaba is magic and the wizard wants to meet her. She has an obvious crush on the Winkie prince that she refuses to acknowledge. And her relationship with Galinda! Or Glinda, rather. 

She would always be thankful to her, of course, and maybe a little bit in awe of her if she was honest. But that name change showed that even she was not immune to getting sucked into these political issues. What good could come from this? Best to stay home, and safe.

She saw how Boq looked at Glinda too. Yes, better they all stay apart. 

Glinda was working with the Wizard she knew, but said she wanted to visit soon, or at least maintain a correspondence, in the letter of condolence for her father.  While she appreciated it-- no one else has written to her-- she is not sure the letter is truly for her. It seems as though Glinda was asking, without asking, without leaving a trail, if Nessa had seen Elphaba. 

What a foolish sentiment. Nessa will probably never see Elphaba again.

Finally, the sob she knew was in there flies free. And there is no one here to hear her. 

Oh that she was her sister! To break the windows, to screech the walls down. The grief, the anger of her abandonment should be felt by more than just her. Instead she can do nothing but cry and cry.

After she is done crying, though, she reconsiders. She wishes that people would notice her, pay attention to her, yes. But she does not want anyone else to feel this grief. 

It is a terrible thing to be left, to be exposed out in the world to things that could hurt you. Frex tried to protect his children, but he failed. Her sister wouldn't be doing this, wouldn't be terrorising Oz if they had not left their home. 

Boq is the only person Nessa has to love left, now. But he has a family, a people. Her people.