Chapter 21: Good Decisions

Though Elphaba had made it clear that she didn't want more, Fiyero wanted everything. But he was afraid if he pushed her, she'd put a stop to the little they did have. And as much as he wanted to tell himself he was strong enough, resisting her was near impossible when she beckoned him to bed. She always needed to be above or at the same level that he was, and he knew it had to do with feeling like she was out of control. He liked being with her whatever way he could, so it didn't bother him much at all.

"You are amazing," he told her.

"You, too." She fell into the bed next to him. "You're also exhausting."

"We've got time." He kissed her slowly. "You can rest here."

She laid her head on his chest. "I appreciate that. Galinda has gotten so chatty lately that it's hard to get any peace."

"You two are really friends now, huh?"

"I don't know. I mean, we actually talk now. But it's too much sometimes."

He ran his fingers through her hair happily. Fiyero had meant to stay up, but suddenly he felt sleepy as well. The calming feeling of having her beside him lulled him into sleep.

"Fiyero, wake up!"

"What?" He muttered.

"It's past curfew."

He sat up a little, looking out the window. It was pitch black. It must be the middle of the night. "Shit. I thought one or both of us would wake up."

"I'm in so much trouble."

"You don't think Galinda would cover for you?"

"I have no idea." She got up and moved to frantically gather her things.

"Don't bother, Elphaba. Just stay. Getting back now or in the morning won't make a difference. There's no use of getting all worked up."

She looked at him strangely. "You… want me to stay?"

"Of course I do."

"You're up for it again, then?"

She thought that was why he wanted her here? Of course, the moment the words were out of her mouth, his eyes were on her body. But for once, he was able to say, "No, not exactly. I mean, if you really want to. But I just meant really staying and sleeping or talking. You were complaining earlier about how talkative your roommate was and wanting peace. I thought you'd want some more of it, and you can get it here."

"Oh." She settled back in beside him. "Thank you."

"I'm getting something out of it, too."

"What?"

Being with you. But he didn't say that. Instead, he commented, "Companionship. I don't know about you, but it's lonely here sometimes. You are the best company I could ask for."

"That's sweet," she commented. "You miss home?"

"I like learning, but I do feel somewhat isolated and ostracized here. Don't you?"

She nodded. "But I was always quite isolated, Fiyero. Lurlinemas break is coming up in only a few weeks. You'll get to go home."

"You're coming, too, right? You're still welcome there."

"Only because you won't stop talking about it if I don't." She laughed. "But maybe this, um, aspect of our friendship ought to go on hiatus when we're there?"

He knew that she was probably right, but it didn't mean he liked it. Rod would be angry to find that Fiyero had ended up in bed with Elphaba. The best thing to do would be to hide it from him, especially since their relationship wasn't technically anything more than it had been when they'd left for Shiz. "If you think that's a good idea."

"I think we both do, Fiyero."

And so they returned to Kiamo Ko without a word about what had happened between them. Elphaba almost automatically retreated to her room while Fiyero had tea with his brother.

"Have you found yourself a suitable girlfriend?" His brother didn't waste time.

"I'm at Shiz to learn, Rod, not to meet a woman. I'm sure I will." He already had, and he hadn't needed to be at Shiz to find her, either. But he wasn't going to say that, especially not before Elphaba understood he had more serious intentions for their relationship.

"You had a woman, Fiyero, and you drove her off. You're a prince and you will eventually need to marry."

"Why? I'm not leading the tribe, you are. I don't need a queen or heirs."

"It's expected, Fiyero."

"And I will – eventually."

Rod groaned. "One of these days, you're going to understand the demands of your position. You've had it easy, Fiyero. You can't just run around taking in homeless people and rescuing animals. That is not for a prince."

"Then let me enjoy the time when I can!" Fiyero demanded. "If it's going to change, Rod, let me have my fun while I still have a chance."

"So that's what you've been doing? You haven't found a girl because you've found several?"

That wasn't what he'd meant, but if Rod took it that way he'd let him. He'd lie. That's what it would take. "Yes. I'm just… trying things out."

"Right." His brother looked skeptical.

"Fine. I'm just having a little bit of fun…" He was, in a way. Being with Elphaba… and that's all she wanted it to be, so technically it wasn't really lying, then, was it?

"I didn't peg you for much of a playboy, Fiyero."

He shrugged. "I never had much variety before."

Rod snorted. "Fine. Just as long as you settle down at some point – preferably before you finish at Shiz."

"How's Verda?"

"Stressed over taking care of a baby. Pregnant again."

"Again?"

"What? I can't have more than one child?"

Fiyero nodded. "Of course." He got up. "I was going to go talk to Elphaba…"

It was as though she was an afterthought to Rod. He began getting up, as well. "How has she done at Shiz?"

"She had the highest marks in the incoming class." And he was proud of her for it. He wasn't sure if she was even as proud of it as he was.

Rod paused for a moment. "Really?"

"Yes. I told you, Rod. That test wasn't just a fluke. I knew from the moment I first spoke to her that she was incredibly intelligent."

"So she really could possibly be useful to us."

He didn't like the way Rod had phrased that. Elphaba had spent most of her life only being useful. But at the same time, he knew that any good opinion regarding Elphaba was a great stride on it's own. "She's really done great."

"How is she getting on socially?"

"She's close with a Gillikinese girl from Frottica." He didn't add that the girl was her roommate and they were thrown together. After all, Elphaba and Galinda really had become friends as of late.

"That's interesting."

"She's got more friends than I do, actually." By one.

Rod studied him for a moment. "Maybe you made a good decision when you brought her here."

"I'm certain I did."