Fiyero stood outside Elphaba's door, hearing her heartbroken sobs. He raised his hand to knock, but stopped. What if she didn't want to talk to him? What if she never wanted to see him again? He didn't want to go back to her hating him.
Finally gathering up his courage, he knocked on the door. "Fae?"
"Go away," he heard Elphaba's muffled voice cry.
"Fae, please, I just want to talk to you."
"I don't believe we have anything further to say to one another."
Fiyero winced, feeling the sting of Elphaba's words. "Fae… please."
The crying stopped and he heard the bed shift and footsteps padding across the floor. The door opened and Elphaba stood in the doorway, practically glaring at the prince. Fiyero closed his eyes, trying to push the mental image of Elphaba's green, tearstained face staring back at him.
"What do you want?" she asked harshly.
"We need to talk. May I come in?" Fiyero asked, opening his eyes.
Elphaba paused, then moved aside to allow Chistery and Fiyero into her room. She closed the door behind them and sat on the edge of her bed. Fiyero sat down next to her, reached out to gently take her hand, and felt her turn her head away as he did so.
"I'm so sorry, Fae," he said gently. "I never meant to hurt you. At first, I thought you were joking, but then realized how much effort it took for you to tell me that. When I pulled my hand away, it wasn't because I was disgusted. Confused, but certainly not disgusted."
Elphaba sat in silence. She didn't want to say anything to Fiyero, nor felt like listening to him.
"Hey," he whispered, reaching up to cup her cheek and turned her to look at him. "Just because my mental picture of you has changed doesn't mean my feelings for you did. I love you, Fae. Not because of the way you look, but because of your personality and your kind heart. You're still beautiful to me."
Elphaba scoffed, and Fiyero quickly interrupted her before she could say anything. "When I heard people call you 'artichoke girl', I thought it was because you liked artichokes. Not my favorite vegetable, but if it's on my plate, I'll eat it."
Despite herself, Elphaba chuckled softly.
"Besides, I think green skin makes you look exotic," Fiyero smiled, gently running his hand up and down her arm. "And I'll tell you a secret… green used to be my favorite color."
Elphaba laughed dryly. "You don't have to lie to me."
"It's not lying."
"Then what is it, then? Looking at things another way?"
Fiyero heard the edge and bitterness in Elphaba's voice and knew he had to be very careful, least he lose her forever.
"Nothing's changed. You're still my beautiful Fae and nothing will ever change that." To prove his point, he leaned over and gently kissed the green girl. If he was honest with himself, he expected Elphaba to slap or hex him. But she never did. Instead, she melted into the kiss and when they pulled away, leaned her head on Fiyero's chest.
"You mean that?" Elphaba whispered softly.
"Of course I do," the prince smiled, kissing the top of her head.
"And you don't mind?"
"Of course not. Like I said, it's strange, but not ugly or bad."
"Most people would argue with that."
"Well, I'm not 'most people'."
Elphaba smiled softly and snuggled closer to the prince. "I was afraid that you wouldn't like me anymore if you knew. I love you, Yero."
"I love you, too, Fae. So, are we good?"
"Yeah," she mumbled. "We're good."
"Good." The prince gently pulled Elphaba closer to him, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, still cradled in his arms.
Fiyero noticed how Elphaba's breathing had evened out and he felt her lean more against him. He chuckled, knowing that she had fallen asleep. He got up and maneuvered her as best he could, without waking her, under the covers. "Fresh dreams, Fae."
He got an incoherent mumble that sounded like 'Yero my hero' and he kissed her forehead before pulling up a chair and sitting next to her bed.
"It has been a pleasure hosting you, Your Majesties," Frex said as he bowed and shook the king and queen's hands.
"Thank you for hosting us, Governor Thropp," Raal smiled. "We certainly got a lot accomplished."
"That we did," Frex laughed.
"Goodbye, Fiyero," Nessa said softly. "We'll see you next week."
"I shall count the days until then," Fiyero smiled, feeling Elphaba discreetly slip her hand into his.
"It was nice seeing you again, Fiyero," Elphaba said, being very diplomatic because she knew her father was watching. "Have a safe trip back to the Vinkus."
"Likewise, Elphaba," Fiyero said, quickly catching on and shaking her hand. "And thank you."
After saying goodbye to the king and queen, Elphaba and Nessa watched from the parlor window as the carriage drove away and vanished from sight.
"We'll see him again after the break," Nessa whispered.
"I know," Elphaba sighed, pushing herself away from the window.
"I take it that you two made up?"
"We did," Elphaba confirmed. "He… he doesn't think any different of me."
"Elphaba, please see me in my office. Now," Frex said from the doorway, turning and walking down the hall.
Elphaba gulped. She knew exactly what this was about, and she didn't like it one bit. Giving her sister a reassuring smile, she followed her father.
"Yes, Father?" Elphaba asked as she walked inside her father's office.
"Close the door."
She did as she was told and sat down across from her father. She did her best not to show her nerves, which proved to be very difficult.
"Elphaba, is something going on between you and the Vinkun prince?" Frex asked, sitting down at his desk, his eyes glaring at his eldest daughter.
Elphaba bit her lip. "We're acquaintances," she said. Acquaintances, who just happen to be in love.
"'Acquaintances' that are kissing in the middle of the garden after dark?" Frex asked coldly.
Elphaba winced. Her father had seen that? "I… we…"
"I trust I don't need to remind you of his reputation. I don't want you to get involved with him and then have something happen. Think of what that will do to Nessa."
"Nessa has nothing to do with this. She knows Fiyero and is also friends with him."
"I will not have Nessa embarrassed when people find out that her green sister is fooling around with the heir to the Vinkun throne."
"You won't have to worry about that, Father. Nothing will happen between us. He loves me and…" Elphaba stopped. She saw her father stiffen and his gaze hardened.
"So, you're acquaintances who happen to be in love."
Elphaba closed her eyes, wishing she could go back in time. "Yes. He loves me and I love him."
Frex sighed and stood up. "Elphaba, do you realize how foolish you have been? This could damage Nessa's reputation when word gets out that you two are fooling around!"
"We're not fooling around, Father. Nothing happened. We're…"
"He's your boyfriend?"
Elphaba had never thought about that. He said he loved her, but he didn't say anything about being boyfriend and girlfriend. "He… never mentioned it."
"And how can you say that he loves you? Does he know…"
"Yes, he knows that I'm green. I told him. And he still loves me."
"And Nessa…"
"Nessa approves of us."
Frex stilled. "She… she does?"
Elphaba nodded. "She does. She trusts Fiyero and she trusts me."
Frex still looked angry. His face had softened a bit, but the aggravation was still there.
"She supports us. You can ask her if you like."
Elphaba knew her father wasn't really going to question his youngest daughter. He trusted her. If she approved…
"You may go," he finally said.
Elphaba got up and hurried to the door.
"Elphaba."
She turned around to see her father looking at her, his gaze softer than usual. "Father?"
"Just… don't do anything stupid."
Elphaba faught a smile and nodded. "I won't, Father."
Frex inclined his head and Elphaba slipped out. That went better than she had expected. All she had to do was get through the rest of the vacation so she would see Fiyero again.
"Elphie! I missed you so much!" Galinda said as she saw her best friend climb out of the carriage after the break.
Elphaba turned just as Galinda bumped into her, almost knocking her to the ground, and wrapped her in a hug. "I've missed you, too, Glin," she smiled, hugging the blonde back.
"Ooh, we have so much to catch up on! How was your break? Your father wasn't too horrible, was he? Did you get any presents? Did it snow?"
"Glin, one question at a time," Elphaba said as she and Boq helped Nessa out. "My break was fine, my father was… well, my father. I got a new music book and a notebook, and you know it barely snows in Munchkinland."
"I heard that the King and Queen of the Vinkus paid your father a visit. Did they bring Fifi?"
"Yes, Yero came with them," Elphaba blushed.
Galinda gasped. "Elphie, you gave each other nicknames?"
"You call Fiyero 'my hero'?" Nessa asked, knowing what the name meant.
Elphaba nodded. "And he calls me 'Fae' which, apparently, means 'beautiful' in Vinkun. And I… I told him."
"Told him what?" Galinda asked.
Elphaba looked down at her arms and Galinda immediately understood. "Oh, Elphie. What did he say?"
"He still loves me. He remembers what green looks like and, apparently, it was his favorite color."
Galinda giggled. "I just knew it would work out. Fifi loves you."
"I know. He told me."
"And you said it back, right?"
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Yes, I did."
"Did you kiss?"
"… Yes…"
Galinda squealed. "Oh, Elphie! Your first kiss! What was it like?"
"I… I don't think this is the best place to talk about this," Elphaba whispered, looking around at the other students, who were all staring at them.
"Oh, of course! We'll discuss this back in our room! Come on!"
Elphaba was dragged away by the petite blonde, shouting an apology to Nessa, who only laughed and waved at the two.
"Okay, tell me everything!" Galinda said as she slammed the door behind them.
Elphaba gasped for air as she laid her suitcases on her bed. "It was… exhilarating."
"Is he a good kisser?"
Elphaba blushed as she sat down on her bed. "Yes."
"Was there a lot of tongue?" Galinda asked as she bounced over to her friend's bed and sat down next to her.
"Galinda Upland!" Elphaba gasped, snacking her giggling friend's arm.
"I'm sorry, Elphie. But… was there?"
"No!"
Galinda shrugged and let the subject drop. "I'm sure Fifi is waiting to see us."
"We saw each other over the break."
"You did, but I didn't." Galinda pulled the green girl to her feet. "Come on! Let's go to the café. He's probably there."
Elphaba decided not to protest as her friend led her to the café. It's not like it would do her any good or anything. Sure enough, the prince and Avaric were already in the café, conversing over muffins and coffee.
"Avie! Fifi!" Galinda shrilled, running into the café towards her boyfriend and enthusiastically hugging him.
"Hey, Glin!" Avaric smiled, returning the hug.
Galinda pouted and pushed away from Avaric. A split second and she smacked his arm.
"Ow!" Avaric exclaimed, clutching his now-sore arm. "Glin, what was that for?"
"Is that any way to greet your girlfriend after not seeing her for two weeks?" Galinda asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Glin, we're in public," he said in a low whisper.
"So?"
"I… uh… I do believe a 'Fifi!' was mentioned in your greeting," Avaric said nervously, trying to draw attention away from himself.
"Don't think you can draw attention away from yourself that easily, mister. We'll discuss this later. But right now… Fifi!" Galinda said, launching herself at the Vinkun prince.
"Hey, Glin, how was your break?" Fiyero smiled.
"Oh Oz," Avaric groaned, knowing what they were all in for.
"It was simply Ozmazifying!" the blonde gushed, then proceeded to tell her friends the full length account, with details, of her Lurlinemas break, including her parents' ball, all of her gifts, how much she enjoyed the snow, and other events.
"You just had to ask Galinda how her break was," Elphaba sighed as Fiyero walked back to her room. Galinda and Avaric had left earlier, leaving the couple alone.
"I was curious," Fiyero defended himself with a small smile. "I didn't know she would go into a full story with details down to the littlest thing like that."
"Well, now you know not to be curious."
The prince laughed. "That I do."
They walked in silence for a moment. "Fae," the prince began. "Were you alright after I left? Between you and your father, I mean."
"Yeah," Elphaba said, fixing her braid so it was hanging over her shoulder. "It's okay. He wasn't very happy after finding out that… we were in love, but it's okay now."
"He saw the kiss?"
"Yeah. He did. But… he didn't forbid us to be together, so that's a good sign."
"I'm glad, Fae. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Neither do I, Yero. Neither do I."
They soon reached Crage Hall, which meant that Fiyero had to say goodbye to Elphaba.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Fiyero said as they stopped in front of her door, wrapping his arms her and giving her a goodbye kiss.
"See you tomorrow," Elphaba smiled. She didn't know why, but being around Fiyero made her feel safe. Like nothing could ever harm her again. Like he could never harm her. These thoughts followed her as she went into her room and prepared for bed.
Now, there's one more hurdle for the Fiyeraba, but we have two more chapters of fluff before that, so be prepared.
