Author's Note: I disclaim.
Ah the calm before the storm . . . enjoy!
They lay next to one another, a fine sheen of sweat settling on their brows, their chests rising and falling rapidly as they recovered. Small but sincere smiles appeared on their faces. Fiyero lifted his arm and she rested her head in the crook of it.
She signed his name, fearing to speak in case his parents two rooms over could hear. She almost laughed at the absurdity of her worry; they surely would have been more likely to hear the noise of their most recent and vigorous activity. They were very very quiet, all things considered.
Fiyero placed a wet kiss on her lips. I'll miss you. He said simply, with the fluid motion of one, tired hand. Nodding, she linked his hand with her own, the darkness in the room disguising the greenness of her skin, at least for one who wished not to see it.
"I'm scared for you to leave." She said reluctantly, after they had dozed. Fiyero pulled the duvet around them. Elphaba shivered happily in its warmth and they tucked it around the small island their bodies made, huddled together. "Parting is so . . ." She couldn't find the words, and she began to shake.
Don't cry. Fiyero kissed her face, but Elphaba laughed even as he turned to hold her more closely.
"I'm not crying." She insisted, feigning a smile. She held his face and sniffed, and his expression told her he did not believe her. "I never cry." She said.
Never? She shook her head and thought for a moment, scrutinising his face as though he were underneath a microscope and she were a scientist.
"I don't think I even cried when my mother died." She admitted. Laughing sardonically, she faced him. "I never even got a chance to grieve for her. Maybe I would have cried. There just didn't seem much time for tears. There was so much to do and I didn't have time to think of anyone but Nessarose. I used to run around, I used to do so much. After Nessa was born I just stopped."
You just stopped? Fiyero asked.
"I didn't resent her for it. You know, it's not an understatement when people talk about Nessa's beauty." She signed for him and the only sounds were those of the rustling of the sheets. "She was like that from day one. You could hardly take your eyes from her."
You love her a lot, don't you? She nodded. I know how you feel; I'd do anything for my sister. She could probably get away with murder. He joked.
"I'm very proud of Nessarose. She hasn't grown up resentful or cruel, not like her big sister."
You aren't cruel!
"Oh I know not in that sense, but my father thinks I can be ungrateful."
I've seen the way he is with you; please tell me you don't take him seriously?
"I really shouldn't should I?" She said. "But the thing is . . . he's my father, and he's the only one I'll ever have. I can't help but love him, even if he never really loves me back."
This seemed to upset Fiyero more than it ever had Elphaba. He leaned back on his arms and frowned. If he could speak, she knew he would be muttering away to himself. She tried to reassure him, but she had the feeling that Frexspar's behaviour spoke louder than her words.
Fiyero touched her face, drawing his finger down from her eyes to her lips. The indecency of her father's attitude to his eldest daughter was the most frustrating thing Fiyero had encountered to date. She was so sharp, quick and beautiful. She was such a treasure, and it felt as though Frexspar was trying to tie her down, to hide her away, to deny that she was his.
You know, I was gonna wait to give you this but since I don't know when your birthday is and I . . . well I'd like you to have something to remember this trip by.
She blinked. "Fiyero I don't need anything to remember this by, I'll remember you all on my own." She promised.
He sat her back on the pillows and gave her a kiss. I know, but I bought you this and you should have it. So wait there for a second.
She did as she was told and watched him climb silently from their bed, all the while wondering what in Oz he had bought. She hoped it was not alive. As he rifled through a suitcase and some bags, she took a great amount of pleasure in the fact that he was utterly nude. Elphaba bit her lip, wishing he was a little closer.
Here! He signed, turning round like a puppy when you called it for a treat or something. She giggled. Here, happy . . . um . . .
"Anniversary?" She suggested.
He looked confused. Anniversary? Of what?
She licked her lips, thinking. "The first time we had sex?"
Ha. Oh, you genius. He thrust the package into her arms and scooted in next to her. She looked up at him for a second, before carefully untying what was already beautiful wrapping paper. The gift it revealed was the scarf she had wanted but could not afford, the first day they went to the markets. Do you like it? He asked, tentatively.
She held it out and shook it from its folded form. Even in the dim moonlight, the colours seemed to bounce around the room. Or maybe that was just her fancy. She pressed the cloth to her chest. "It's perfect." She told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. As they moved, the silk scarf fell from between their bodies until they were skin-to-skin once more. "Thank you. It's the best gift I've ever had."
Oh, no it can't be. He insisted.
But she nodded enthusiastically. "No it really is. I mean father never really gets me anything that isn't practical. At Lurlinemas he'll usually get me a book on religion, which I read but not for the education it might give me. And dear Nessa only gets a small allowance, so her gifts are usually clothing she's made. Father doesn't like to see her buying me pretty things. I guess I'm not usually a fan of them."
But this time?
She kissed him. "I love this." She said, grinning so hard it was beginning to hurt. Fiyero lay her down next to him and wrapped the scarf around them both. Soon, they were fast asleep.
"Nessa you are turning into a regular little liar." Elphaba quipped when they were safely in the carriage and out of earshot of their father.
Only when encouraged by my elders. It's not my fault I'm just a product of a bad environment. She said, red-cheeked with pride.
I thought you carried it off with a superior kind of tact. Fiyero told her. For a second I thought we wouldn't get to be alone.
"Oh dear Nessa has always been able to manipulate those around her – not perhaps consciously," she hastily added before her sister could object to the term. "But people are predisposed to want to do things for you precisely because you are so innocent and sweet. And with me it is the exact opposite." Her companions laughed, having learned to recognise when she was making a joke. "Maybe it wouldn't work quite so well if I weren't constantly standing next to you as a reminder?"
Oh Elphaba. I hope you don't mean that. Elphaba wrinkled her nose at her sister. It is nice to be alone, though. Sometimes I wonder if father will ever let me be more than his little girl. It's gotten tiresome lately. She said, her fine features crumpled up into a scornful expression.
You'll always be the youngest, Nessarose. Fiyero said. My little sister will be an adult one day, I know, but it changes nothing about how protective I feel over her.
That did not placate Nessa, but Elphaba thought it was good for her. "I hate to say it, but you are soaking up all the extra love and affection father doesn't give to me."
I don't mean to be ungrateful! She insisted.
"Neither do I – but that doesn't seem to matter to father." Elphaba reminded her. "Nessa if you ever wanted to leave home, you know you can, don't you?"
Of course but I don't think I really want to leave Munchkinland.
"I meant leave Colwen Grounds." Elphaba said. "You'll be fine. Just try and leave some of father for me." She winked at Nessa, who had thought she was being serious, and made her laugh.
In no time at all they were stopped at the gate that used to mark the entrance to the town centre when Munchkinland was first founded. Fiyero made a scene of helping them from the carriage, earning him the admiration of Nessarose and a sarcastic smirk from Elphaba. The place was mad with traders and their goods and it gave Elphaba a chance to appreciate that they could communicate easily over the din.
"Watch!" Elphaba screamed, wrenching Nessarose back painfully from the street, where a viciously out-of-control pony and cart missed her by a hair's breadth. Panic-stricken, She clutched Nessa to her chest, panting heavily and as near to tears as she ever thought she could be. "Nessa for Oz' sake!" She raged, holding the girl back towards the safety of the pavement. Fiyero stood behind Elphaba, holding her shoulder and noticing how upset they both were. "Please please don't ever do that again! Nessa!" She yelled, kissing the girl's hair and holding her again.
I'm sorry Elphaba! I didn't do it on purpose! Nessa insisted, shoving her sister away.
"Nessarose Thropp you could have been killed! For Oz' sake I'm just trying to stop something from happening to you."
But Nessarose's face still fell. She stood awkwardly and shuffled her feet. Can I go to the grocer's market please? She asked.
Elphaba tried to catch her eyes and looked for a moment at Fiyero who nodded his head. "Of course." Nessarose turned and walked inside, away from the road. When had left, Elphaba felt Fiyero hands on her back. "I wasn't harsh, was I? I'm sorry I just got a fright."
He understood, rubbing her back comfortingly. He saw her blush when he leaned in and gave her a kiss. Of course you did, sweetheart. It's alright, she must have just had a fright, too. She'll get over it. Just let her alone. You know it runs in your family. He pointed out, and she rolled her eyes at his reference to her.
"What did you call me?" She asked, when they – carefully – walked across the road to the centre square, close enough to be holding hands.
Sweetheart? You don't like it?
"No I do." She replied, telling herself to relax. "You used it the other day, too."
I remember.
"Should I have one for you? Does that make me a bad person?" She jested, elbowing him in the ribs.
Fiyero laughed. Well I dunno. If you had a name for me what would it be?
"So . . . Fiyero's out?" She wondered aloud, nervous now that she actually had to be creative. He confirmed she was not allowed to use his given name. "Um, you know I really think this is more of a girlfriend task."
Don't be frightened. He teased, pinching her where she was ticklish.
"I am not!" She insisted, turning on him with what she hoped was detectable jesting in her anger. She was worried a little that the only pet name she could think of at the time was 'my love' and since she did not feel like saying it to him (yet) it was hardly appropriate to use that one. "I can't think of anything."
My parents call me –
"No! I will absolutely not use a name your parents use. It just weirds me out." He laughed happily and offered up a bunch of what Elphaba termed ridiculous names. "Look, if I ever come up with one, it will be spontaneous and sprung from some special moment that will mean a lot to us therefore giving it meaning that some random name would not have if we just try and think of one now."
You're just buying time. He said.
"Maybe, but don't you think I've come up with such a good excuse?" She asked enthusiastically.
It is very convincing. He admitted.
"You see." She said proudly.
I don't really care about a nickname, Elphaba. Although you're right, it is a girlfriend task. He told her when they had enough of wandering and settled in a café. She had picked it out for the vivid mosaics that covered the walls, the ceiling, the floors and the tables and chairs; the vibrancy reminded her of him, his tattoos, the scarf he bought her which was now draped over her shoulders, and his unrepentant enthusiasm.
"Well there you go. I'm not your girlfriend." She said, even as he pulled out a chair for her and then pushed it in again.
Do you want to be?
Elphaba choked on her own tongue. "Excuse me?"
Do you want to be my girlfriend?
"Fiyero –"
Alright. Don't answer unless it's in the positive. I just want it observed that I want you to be my girlfriend.
Elphaba smiled, though not at him. "Very sweet." She said, wishing she could articulate her feelings more, and hoping they would just as soon make themselves known to her.
Before I go, which I must do very soon, he said, and they glanced up at town clock which their table sat opposite and read that it was time they found Nessa and got back. I want to know what you want to do when we return to Shiz.
It was a subject she had not wanted to broach. "I don't know Fiyero. I'm not the kind of demonstrably affectionate person –"
I don't expect you to be sweetheart. I just want you to tell me if for instance I'm allowed to walk with you to lectures. To tutorials? Am I allowed to have coffee with you?
Elphaba blushed. "We don't have the same classes, Fiyero, but I'd like to be alone with you like we used to. In the library, if you don't mind. And . . . well this is nice. We could have coffee, too. Dinner, you know. I wish I had the courage to be your girlfriend . . ."
It made him laugh that she could not look at him while she spoke. I'll pick you up at the station? Or is that too demonstrably affectionate?
Elphaba laughed. "No, it's just right. I'll look for you."
They spent no more time at the café, or in the square. Nessa found them only a few moments later, having worked up the courage to apologise for being mad at her sister. Elphaba kissed her, and took her hand as they walked through the crowds.
May we come back once we've said goodbye? I want to buy a dress I saw across the way there. Elphaba followed her gaze to the dressers and seamstresses and raised her brow. Please?
"How could I ever deny you, my dear?" Elphaba responded, and was rewarded with a satisfied beaming grin from her sister. "I'll warn you though, I won't be in a good mood." She felt Fiyero's hand in hers and squeezed it tightly, not letting her fears of her father ruin her last few minutes with Fiyero Tiggular.