Author's Note:
I just watched Oz the Great and Powerful and I really shipped Oz x Theodora so I was inspired to fanfic! Enjoy!
He could still see Theodora behind the fiery eyes, green skin and hooked nose. She was the witch he had pictured as a child, not the kind witch he had met when he first arrived at Oz. Her face was grim from all the hatred and evil in her heart. Oz watched her staring into his soul, she didn't move. He still found her beautiful. He still remembered kissing her, dancing with her as the glowing embers from the fire consumed them. He didn't know what to say now. He didn't know whether she was going to kill him right there or listen to him. Why wouldn't she have slaughtered him already? She certainly had the power.
"The wizard of Oz. You're supposed to be dead," she muttered, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth. Oz took a slow and shaky breath. He was taken aback by the harshness of her voice. It was once rich and deep, like caramel. All the years of screaming, cackling and cursing had aged her voice.
"I am a wizard," he said simply, shrugging his shoulders.
"No you're not," she snapped, "You never were. You were just a conman but it took me too long to find out." Oz gave a low chuckle.
"A conman I may be but the people of Oz put their dreams into me which makes me the wizard," he replied, taking his hat off and walking towards her. She didn't move but instead just watched him.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't just murder you on the spot," she snarled.
"This is not you. You know that, deep down, she did this to you. There is still good inside you somewhere. You can fight this, I promise."
"You promised me many things!" she shrieked, "So many promises you couldn't keep!" Theodora was becoming enraged.
"What do you mean?" he asked. He was honestly concerned. The wicked witch that everyone fears suddenly became so small.
"You gave my sister the same music box. I bet you give it to everyone, don't you? You promised me that we'd be together forever! You said we belonged together! I believed you. I was so naive to believe you! I grieved for your love! I wept and it hurt! I was in pain!" she cried.
"I didn't..."
"Do you know why witches don't cry?"
"No. I..." Oz stopped his words when he saw a single silvery tear roll down her cheek. It left a red streak where it singed her skin. He heard her flesh sizzle in contact with the tears. More tears started to spill from her eyes, making her cry out in pain. Oz couldn't do anything but watch it happen. Theodora fell to the floor in anguish. She seemed so weak. She was an entirely different wicked witch to the one he had once seen.
Oz knelt down on the floor beside her and grabbed her cold, green hands. She hesitated for a second, enjoying the warmth of another human. She looked down at their hands, entwined, and she stopped her screams of pain. Her cheeks were still burning but something about his touch made her body numb.
"G-get off m-me," Theodora whispered, not knowing if she really did want him to let go or not. Oz didn't let go. She didn't try to pull away, she didn't resist.
"You don't want that," he said, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
"How... how do you know w-what I want?" she said. Oz shushed her with a finger to his lip.
He pulled her off the ground and brought her close to him. He felt her body pressed up against his as he took both her hands in his. Theodora was confused but she let him lead her, it was as if she was mesmerised. It was as if she was suddenly unable to fight back. He started taking small steps back and forth, turning around every now and then. The rest of the world went silent, just for a moment. The landscape around them dissolved away to nothing. The same tune that the music box sang was in both of their minds as they twirled around and around.
Oz stopped in his tracks and held Theodora closer to him.
"But... you love... G-glinda," she whispered, tripping over her words.
"I lost myself," Oz said, smiling.
Oz slowly brought his face closer hers until he could feel her warm breath on his cheek. He pushed his lips on to hers and kissed her passionately. Her lips were soft. They were just as soft as he remembered. He cupped her cheek with his hand gently. She smelt of roses and freshly cut grass. She smelt just like the forest he first met her in. He never wanted to let her go.
He slowly pulled away.
There were two deep chocolate eyes staring at him. There was dark hair brushing his cheek. Her skin was no longer green. Her eyes were no longer tired and cruel. She was no longer filled with hatred. She was no longer the wicked witch of the west. She was Theodora.
She smiled at him and drew him into the tightest hug he'd ever had in his life.
