Fiyero had never felt like such a yoyo before in his life. Elphaba knew, and she had actually comforted him. His heart had nearly burst when she'd said what she had about him looking at her twice. If only she knew how often he had looked, and how much he loved what he saw. She was such an amazing person. He longed to tell her everything he thought, but he didn't want to scare her away. Then she had told him to win back Galinda. Oz, he didn't want Galinda back! He wanted her fascinating roommate. He was about to give up all hope when she actually took him in her arms. He held her now, rocking her back and forth as if she were the one needing comfort.
The embrace held too long for just comfort, and though he knew he should release her, he couldn't help but drop a gentle kiss on the top of her head. She looked up surprised, and as he saw her beautiful eyes widen, he knew he was lost. Drawn like a moth to a flame, he began his descent to her lips. Even if she killed him for it, he knew then that it would be worth dying to know what she tasted of. She was stiff in his arms, and he searched her eyes for hope or fear. When he saw the panic rising in her eyes, he froze halfway to her lips, uncertain if he could do this if she was so obviously not ready.
The desperate fear inside her grew. When Fiyero was Galinda's boyfriend, he was safe. He was far too honorable to cheat on Galinda. She could allow him to touch her, hug her or dance with her without any danger of him wanting more from her. Free, he was dangerously unpredictable. She was terrified that she might actually have to really face up to her feelings.
Was she attracted to
him? Who wasn't?
Did she want to be with
him? Absolutely.
Did she deserve him?
Not in the slightest.
Any relationship they might begin would certainly be short-lived, taking any hope of her happiness with him. She couldn't lose him. Besides, why would anyone as great as he was want to be with a social reject like her? No he deserved Galinda. This was just a fight, and they would makeup later. He would be happy, she would be safe, and things would just go back to the way they were. That was what she wanted, wasn't it?
Fiyero refused to release her, certain she would run. He didn't know what he expected to happen, but he knew he didn't want her to go. He couldn't move, halfway between heaven and hell. She was restless in his arms, but didn't fight him. He felt like he was holding a fist full of sand. The tighter he held, the more she slipped away. Frustrated, he dropped his arms.
"What do you think of me?" He needed her to say it. He had to hear the words come out of her mouth so he could stop this ridiculous hope that kept growing and shrinking making his heart feel like a helium balloon being repeatedly popped. "Do you…do you think you could…" His courage was failing as he couldn't find the words. He raised her hand to his lips, brushing them with a slow gentle kiss. It was a drink of water to a man dying of thirst. Suddenly he was sure. Her eyes still held their fear, but her hand was still there. She wouldn't leave.
"Elphaba, you mean everything to me. I just want you to know, Galinda's right, and I didn't even realize it until tonight. You're the one I want." Her jaw dropped slightly in amazement, and his eyes were drawn to her soft, perfect lips. He didn't check her eyes for permission this time, afraid that if he stopped this time, nothing would ever be right again. He knew she was scared, but he knew she wouldn't leave him. They would work through her fear together.
When their lips touched, it felt like he'd jump over a cliff and under a waterfall. He couldn't breathe, and he was perfectly content to drown in her. If a soft relatively chaste kiss from her made him feel this way, he shuddered to think what a proper one would do. Her soft sigh was all it took to encourage a second kiss, and a third. He fought himself to keep them light, knowing if he kissed her as he liked, he would drive himself crazy with desire while driving her farther away into her fears. She was completely amazing, and he wondered how he could possibly have been with Galinda instead. Eyes fluttered closed, her head rested on his shoulder now, butterfly kisses falling on his neck. This was the best moment of his life.
