((Out-of-character disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: "Namesake" is the copyright of Isabelle Melançon and Megan Lavey. This story/art is licensed under the Creative Commons as a attribution, non-commerical work. No profit is being made off this piece. ))
"There. It looks like your wounds have all closed up, and I should be able to get rid of the scarring next session. Except the arrow scar – sorry about that." Marrick finished placing the bandage on her arm. Poor Gemma – Oz always seemed to rough her up. Not that she exactly avoided it...
"Thank you so much Marrick," she beamed at him. "I don't know what I would have done without you. You saved my life. Again."
"Well, the last few times were pure chance -"
"They still made all the difference to me," she cut in. "I'm still standing because of you. Well, sitting, I suppose." She looked down at herself, wearing a recovery shift and sitting up in a silky smooth luxurious featherbed. They both laughed heartily, and it seemed to him that she held his gaze a little longer than usual when the laugh broke.
"Gemma, I'm not joking: please take care of yourself. I might not always be there to save you when you go flinging yourself off a cliff next time." he said earnestly.
"I guess that means I need to keep you near me all the time, huh?" She grinned and poked at his stomach playfully. He sighed. When was she going to take life seriously?
"No, I mean it, Gemma" he said, sternly. She stopped grinning and put on her usual, contemplative expression, eyes attentive.
Gemma sighed. "Marrick, I get it. I was trying to get home, and then they captured my sister. I'm not trying to get killed, okay? But I can't go around living my life the way others want me to live it like I'm made of glass, the way you guys treated the other Dorothies. And if something were to happen – they still have you. You're the most powerful warlock Oz has seen in centuries: remarkable for someone so young. With age you'll be able to do more than any Dorothy."
He felt panic building in him. She just didn't understand! Finally it burst out. "Gemma, please listen! You aren't just some Dorothy. You're Gemma! So many in Oz love you and depend on you more than you know. Velma, Olga, LisaAnn – they would be crushed if you were lost, and they never paid attention to Dorothies. Even Triangula is fond of you. And I..." but here he choked. It was too painful to think about, though indeed more than one night he had laid awake because of it.
"You...?" she asked quietly.
He couldn't hold it in any longer. "I would be more than crushed. I don't think I could go on without you."
Marrick was suddenly aware of a warmth enveloping his hand. He looked down and saw Gemma clasping it tightly. He gazed at her face with wonder and as she stared into his blue eyes.
'Marrick, you're like no one I've ever met before. I feel so safe with you.'
'But...b-but.' He sputtered. This was impossible. There was no way someone as amazing, brave and beautiful as Gemma could possibly want him.
'Shhhhh' she murmured, her face drawing ever closer to his as she held a finger to his lips. His lips burned with her gentle touch.
'But-' he finally continued 'But you're from another world.'
'So?' she smiled. 'I like this world better.'
'And you'll die someday...'
'Protection spell, remember?' she said. His eyes were closed and he felt his blood rushing to his flaming skin, but he felt her grinning all the same.
'And...and...my skin is blue.'
She laughed softly. 'My favorite color. Enough.'
She squeezed his waist, and her lips brushed his as she said -
'I like-you like you. Will you go steady with me?'
'Oh my Oz...' he started, but then she met his lips full force and he felt himself melting...melting...oh what a world...
Then they both promptly fell asleep.
.
.
.