AN:
Hi there!
I started this fic a while ago and it was actually the first fic I tried writing in English (and my first Wicked fic). Somewhere in the middle or so I kinda lost my inspiration for this one and ended up writing another one instead, neglecting this story terribly. Now that I'm finished with that other story, I finally started working on this one again. I just hate to leave things unfinished. Because I like to think that I have improved a little over the past few months, I decided to give this fic a little make-over. If you have previously read this story you don't need to worry – the changes won't alter the content too much and you can simply pick up where you started ;)
HOWEVER, while going through all the old chapters and reviewing them, I realised one thing: I REALLY did try to improve this story, but because I did not completely start over from scratch, this will never be as good as it could have been if I would have completely discarded all the original text and only kept the storyline. I honestly tried, but there are plenty of cases where I would just stare at the old stuff, somewhat unsatisfied with it, but not be able to re-write it in a better way.
Hopefully I did OK with my "renovation efforts" and made this story a little better, but at the end of the day I guess it's just one of these average Fiyeraba thingingies... hope you still kinda enjoy this :)
IIMPORTANT (please read):
How this works:
How this works:
This is a somewhat experimental set up and I'm aware that there are some positive aspects to it, but also some drawbacks...
* There are two versions of this fic – a Fiyero version and an Elphaba version (same title!).
* Each version will concentrate heavily on the storyline of that particular character. There will be crossovers here and there but there will also be large portions of plot that are clearly set apart.
* You can read both stories OR you can read only one. Both stories complement each other, but also make perfect sense by themselves - in worst case you might miss out on some background info and details, but that's it.
* Generally chapter 1 of the Elphaba version goes with chapter 1 of the Fiyero version and so on and so forth. Both versions will always get updated at the same time.
* While, in most cases, it does not matter which version you should read first, sometimes reading the Elphaba ver. first might be better (like for the first chapter).
I hope it's not too confusifying for you all!
The rating here is T. I am not quite sure yet, but I think that there might be some chapters that could be a bit borderline. In this case I'll add an extra warning and mark the higher rated parts accordingly so you can avoid them if you prefer to do so.
UPDATE LOG:
This chapter was updated on: 01-06-2014
Added a sentence here and there, but mainly changed the wording or sentence structure. Still really short, but that's all there is to it, so can't change it...
And now:
Happy reading! (hopefully)
xoxo MLE :3
Chapter One: Just Twenty More Minutes
Completely out of breath, Fiyero Tiggular reached the railway station. He had slept in, just as almost every other morning and usually he would not even give a twig, but today was different. Today was important, because today she would finally come back from the Emerald City. For that reason alone he could simply not be late again.
He had already been late the last time, about a week ago, when he had come to wish her good luck and had sent her off to see the oh so wonderful Wizard of Oz. She probably already did not think all too highly of him, so for once, he thought, it would not hurt to make a good impression. After some searching he had been able to find the right platform and at exactly 11 o'clock he was all but ready for the train's arrival.
Panting and wheezing, but extremely satisfied with himself, he plonked himself down on one of the nearby benches. Surveying the busy waiting area, he noticed many impatient travellers, but as far as he could see, no train was in sight.
Nervously he tapped his right foot on the ground. His eyes fell on the self-picked bouquet he was holding in his hand. Red poppies, the same flowers he had given her as a farewell present; the same flowers that had been blooming all around them on that special day a couple of weeks ago. They appeared a bit ruffled from all the running, but he was sure that she would not mind too much. It is the thought that counts, is it not?
At this very moment he was much more worried about whether she even liked poppies - or any other kind of flowers for that matter. Maybe she detested them just as much as frilly dresses and high heeled stilettos? For a tick-tock he considered disposing of the flowers in the neatest trash can, but then again, it felt wrong to greet her empty-handed. And even if she would not appreciate the flowers, she surely would not take offense at his innocent gesture.
A bell rang. He was certain that the train's arrival would be announced, so he awkwardly jumped up from this seat. Giving himself a quick once over, he noted that he was standing much too straight and stiff. How embarrassing. He was supposed to be a dashing and daring prince, but any thought of her easily made him lose his cool.
Loosening his shoulders, he assumed a slightly more casual posture. He even managed a tiny, but sincere smile, however, that same smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared, as the monotone voice resounding from the speakers informed the waiting travellers that the train from Emerald City, final destination Munch Bay, would be delayed by circa twenty minutes.
"Twenty minutes?" he exclaimed. How much longer could he possibly wait to see her again?
He knew he was being ridiculous, but he could simply not help it. It had only been one short week, but somehow these last few days had felt like eternity to him. Shiz was plain boring without her. It was not like he ever really enjoyed studying at Shiz University, but with her around it was at least somewhat less dull, somewhat worthwhile, he might even say.
And he also really needed her help. It was only three more days until this semester's final essays were due and Fiyero knew that there was no way in Oz that he would pass without some assistance from her. Under normal circumstance he would not be too concerned about passing or failing a paper, but he wanted to make sure to pass at least this one time, so he could move on to the next course together with her.
He briefly wondered whether he should be feeling at least a little guilty. After all, he had not seen his girlfriend for a whole week and all he was thinking about was her roommate. The thought of seeing Elphaba again made his heart jump in an odd, yet positively pleasant way; the thought of seeing Glinda seemed to nearly choke him.
He was not sure what to call these feelings he had for Elphaba, but he decided that it would probably be a good idea to talk to Glinda about all this. Maybe they should give up this whole girlfriend-boyfriend charade. If he was honest, it never had been real. He did not truly love her; at least not on that level he had always pretended to love her. It was just that they had been so perfect together – or so they had thought. However, if one looked more closely, neither of them was actually really all that perfect to begin with.
The bell rang again, this time announcing the train's arrival and Fiyero let out a relieved sigh. He heard the train's whistle and only seconds later he could see it entering the station.
The train came to a halt; steaming, doors opening. Hundreds of people poured out of the wagons, dozens tried to get inside. He anxiously scanned the area. A green girl would surely not be too hard to find, even in such a crowd.
He kept looking, but after several minutes, he began to feel a little discouraged. Most people had left the platform, the last passengers just boarded the train and the whistle blew again, signalling the train's departure. As the train set in motion, Fiyero's eyes were still trying to find Elphaba. Had he mixed up the time? The date?
He craned his neck in a hopeless attempt to see better. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Fifi," Glinda called his nickname and he whirled around to face his probably soon-to-be ex-girlfriend.
She stood there all by herself, holding her little pink suitcase, beaning at him.
"Glinda," he exclaimed and gave her a light hug.
Then he looked past her, furrowing his brow.
"Where is Elphaba?" he asked, slowly directing his gaze back at the blond girl.
For a moment he could see hurt and anger in her face, but then this expression gave way to tears.
"I'm so sorry," Glinda cried and threw herself in Fiyero's arms. "So, so sorry."