A/N This is a story that has been wreaking havoc inside my head ever since I saw the new release of the Wizard of Oz on the big screen. As a child, I never questioned the relationship between Hunk and Dorothy; however, after seeing the movie now that I am older, I did some research and found that a concept cut from the original screenplay was that Hunk and Dorothy were basically in love.
This is my take on what happens after Dorothy returns from Oz.
I realize that Aunt Em is actually probably a sweet, caring woman, but, for the sake of this story, seeing as she is our antagonist, she is quite rude and unaccepting.
***Also, please keep in mind that everything in this story is purely innocent.***
And, as always, thanks so much for reading, and I would be so grateful if you reviewed!
Disclaimer: If I owned the Wizard of Oz, then Hunk and Dorothy would have been making out by the middle of the movie. Duh.
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Chapter 1
"Hunk. Hunk! Hey!"
The tired farmhand awoke with a start, his eyes snapping open. Dorothy stood just inches away from the foot of his bed, her hair hanging loose, ruffled from her restless night, huddled in a thin, sky blue sheet that seemed far too cheery for this time of night.
Rubbing his eyes vigorously, Hunk slid to the side of the bed closest to the wall. Dorothy responded eagerly by silently slipping next to him in the small, twin-sized bunk, the mattress wheezing in response. She reached to smooth her pink nightgown, before grasping her blanket and spreading it generously over both of them.
Hunk, only somewhat awake, felt her arms wrap themselves around his waist, her head coming to rest contentedly on his chest. He reached up to stroke her hair, mumbling sleepily, "Who was it this time, D?" She took a shuddering breath, burying her face deeper into Hunk's chest before she responded.
"It was Scarecrow," came her muffled reply, "again."
Hunk felt the cool wetness of her tears soak into his T-shirt, and he could feel her shoulders shake with silent tears.
"There, there, D," he murmured, stroking her back comfortingly.
"Oh, Hunk," she sobbed, "I'm so sorry. It was just so terrible. I-I couldn't bear it, Hunk. He was burning, and sh-she made me watch him. I had to just stand there, helpless, while he burned right before my eyes."
"Hush. You're back now, Dorothy. She can't hurt him, not now. I'll stop her if she even tries to."
"Thank you, Hunk. You were always… such… a… good friend…"Dorothy slurred tiredly, and Hunk felt her breathing slow, until it found the slow, steady rhythm of sleep. He smiled, drifting off himself.
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It had begun just two days after Dorothy had returned from Oz. The shrieks that rattled through her clenched teeth made it clear that the dreams were far from pleasant ones. They always involved one of her three Oz companions- most commonly, Scarecrow. One night, the Tinman might be completely rusted, watching himself crumble. The next, the Lion could be attacked by Flying Monkeys. But, most often, the Scarecrow was burning. These dreams were incredibly painful for Dorothy to endure.
It took Dorothy a week to come to Hunk. She had awoken in the middle of the night, her legs tangled hopelessly in her bed sheets, panting, after a particularly excruciating nightmare. In the spur of the moment, Dorothy had frantically untangled herself, slipping from her bed, jamming her feet into her worn farm shoes, before swinging the window open, stepping over the sill and into the chilly night air.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she marched directly over to the small house only about eighty feet from her window, where the family farmhands slept. Upon reaching the house, she found herself hesitating on the porch. Granted, Hunk was her best friend, but he was unsure as to how he'd react to seeing her now.
Biting her lip, she pushed open the door nervously, stepping cautiously inside and pulling the door shut behind her, without so much as a squeak. Carefully navigating between the chairs and tables, she crept to where Hunk slept, on the bottom bunk, careful not to awaken Zeke or Hickory. She came to a stop at the foot of Hunk's bed, her gaze fixated on the muscles of his bare stomach before she knelt beside him and gently prodded him awake.
She explained her situation with the dreams, and he sat up in bed, leaning his back against the wall and patting the spot beside him in invitation. Dorothy scampered next to him, diving into a tearful retelling while he dutifully soothed her until, finally, she cried herself to sleep on his shoulder.
Hunk awoke, as usual, a half an hour before the others, and, finding Dorothy resting peacefully in his arms, he woke her and escorted her back to the house before beginning work. They acted as though nothing had happened , deciding not to mention that night to her aunt and uncle. However, only three nights later, Dorothy came to Hunk again.
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It had been almost two months since Oz. Hunk's bed became half Dorothy's at least twice a week, and they still managed not to get caught by either of the two other farmhands or Dorothy's aunt and uncle.
It was nothing new for Dorothy to come to Hunk with a new nightmare… in fact, Hunk had almost come to expect it.
But now, Dorothy's eyes fluttered open, and her ears led her to the window, following the sound of knuckles softly rapping at her window. She fumbled with the lock, before throwing open the window to find a sheepish Hunk… this was the first time Hunk had a nightmare that he needed Dorothy for.
