Author's Note: Haha, um…that was quite a goshdarnned long wait, wasn't it? And it was all school's fault. All. Not mine! I did my duty, writing in my little Great Wolf Lodge notebook that says "Splash into Learning!" on the cover almost everyday during totally-unrelated-to-Spanish Spanish lectures and after tests in History. And plus, this is the end, so I wanted to be as perfect as I could get it. Which, in relation to other stories, is not perfect at all. :P But anywho, the wait is not over, because…yep: I've made this last chapter into a two part chapter. But if you're as lucky as I think (hope?) you all will be, then the last part should be out this afternoon, followed directly (or not? -shrugs-) by the epilogue.
Another thing I would like to address is The Wicked Challenge. If you are seriously working on a piece or just have not had any time to work on it yet, then please send me a PM! I cannot stress that enough. Because with the deadline fast-approaching and only five stories submitted…It's like, what's the point? Although we'd still have voting no matter what, because I will never abandon this! But anyway, here's who I have so far. Correct me if I'm wrong…
1. Love Lost by green-as-elphaba and Porcelain by Meltalviel for Challenge One.
2. Fatal Attraction by Fae2135 and The Secrete Romance of Shiz University by CrystalClear444 for Challenge Three, and
3. Violent Wiggles by CardboardCreative for Challenge Five
As for now, read, review, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Wicked because one: I'd be rich (I'm not) and two: I wouldn't be writing on FanFiction because I wouldn't be the fan, I'd be the people the fans loved.
Title: The Dare
Rating: T
Summary: When Fiyero participates in a game of Truth or Dare, he receives the challenge of a lifetime: become quite intimate with the Green Girl. The prize? One hundred thousand dollars. The result? You find out. And PS: Bonus points for actually...loving her.
Fiyero
Fiyero smiled to himself as rechecked his reflection in the mirror (for only the sixteenth time), reminiscing about…everything. Everything that was wonderful. And because the only truly wonderful thing in Oz was Elphaba, that's all he was thinking about. Then again, there was another thing to be happy about: he had done a good deed. Contrary to his previous beliefs, good deeds were kind of fun to do and they gave you a really nice feeling inside. And Fiyero liked feeling good.
…Anyway, after Elphaba had decided to end their little passionate rendezvous outside the dorm room and they had bid each other farewell (by means of yet another kiss), Fiyero had returned to his room to find Pohilo gazing sullenly at the ceiling.
"What's the matter?" Fiyero had asked, concerned about his roommate.
Pohilo had given a little sigh. "Oh, nothing."
But Fiyero was a somewhat obstinate man and was used to getting what he wanted (plus he genuinely liked his roommate), so he'd pushed the matter further.
"Don't give me that, man. You look like someone in your family was killed by a cyclone and you're usually an optimistic kind of guy."
"All right," Pohilo had relented after a few clock ticks. "This may sound petty – well, okay, it definitely sounds petty – but I'm just a bit jealous of you. And not even for a good reason."
The compliment that used to be a given for Fiyero was more of a disturbance to him now. "Yes? How so?" He'd inquired curiously, sitting down on his bed.
"You have a date for tomorrow night and I don't." Noticing his roommates's raised eyebrows he had added, "Which is uncharacteristic of me, yes, I know, but you can't ignore your own feelings."
The last statement had caused the image of lovely green someone to pop into Fiyero's head, but he ignored it for the time being. "So shouldn't you be jealous of more than half the entire student population as well?"
"Thanks," Pohilo had responded with sarcasm, "but seriously. What don't I have?"
"Confidence."
"Are you serious? That's all I need?"
"No," Fiyero had admitted, "but it's a start. Listen; why don't I help you find a date tomorrow?"
And Pohilo had been more than happy with the proposal. So the next morning, Fiyero had set out to find the perfect girl for his friend. Preferably someone who was smart, somewhat attractive and most importantly, someone with self-confidence. You know, to balance out their personalities. After all, one of the two would eventually have to make the first move, and Fiyero had a feeling that person was not going to be Pohilo.
At last, Linguistics provided Fiyero with the girl he had been looking for: her name was Whitalia and she not only received some of the highest marks at Shiz, but was also an avid participator in class discussions. Surely she had some confidence.
Fiyero had done the task of asking her out for his friend, and she had agreed. The fact that the two had never held a conversation before didn't faze her, and so the Winkie Prince was certain that she was the one. In fact, she and Pohilo had sat together, whispering like young schoolchildren, throughout the rest of the class. Definitely a match.
"See you later Whit," Pohilo called out as he entered their room, and his roommate smiled at the nickname. Once he was out of earshot, he gave Fiyero a grin and exclaimed, "Thank you so much, buddy. I really mean it. She's wonderful, she's perfect, and she's all thanks to you. You know, I've said it before but I'll say it again: Elphaba has done you some serious good."
Fiyero grinned in response. "No problem. And I totally agree."
- - -
The faint sound of chimes beyond Briscoe Hall's walls marked the arrival of the carriages that would convey the students to the Ozdust ballroom.
Fiyero knocked on the door and after a, "Hold on, I'll be right there," from Elphaba it opened and she stepped out, looking very pretty. No – beautiful. Her raven hair fell around her face and down her back in subtle waves, her clothes framed her body perfectly, and her shirt…well, her shirt exposed more cleavage than usual. (Hey, he's a guy.) Overall, the effect was stunning.
"What?" Elphaba demanded when she noticed he was staring at her, feeling heat rise to her face. "Are you still not accustomed to my skin tone? Well, how abouph-" But Fiyero silenced her with a kiss. She pulled away after a few clock ticks saying, "Yes, well…okay. That works too."
"Shall I escort you to the carriage, then?"
"You shall." And with that Fiyero took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers'. Surprisingly – and luckily – she didn't object.
Riding to the Ozdust was rather awkward, as even Elphaba had to admit, for they were riding with Master Lolinen and his partner, Miss Shenshen. Needless to say, the latter (and the former, although he was at least somewhat polite) was not too pleased with the arrangements, and managed to throw out multifarious insults. None of which, however, actually had the desired effect (especially, "I've never liked the combination of chocolate and vegetables myself."). But both couples survived – except for the bruise that had started to develop on Shenshen's leg as a result of a "leg twitch"– and arrived at the Ozdust in no less than twenty minutes.
Fiyero made a move to assist Elphaba as she climbed out of the carriage but she rejected the motion, saying, "I may be a woman and we may be going together, but I am still quite capable of fending for myself. Am I not?"
Of course, because this was only her second time wearing heels, she slipped and fell to the ground.
"You are not. I mean – you are," he corrected hastily and helped her up.
"I am. But you may accompany me inside. And for the rest of the evening, if you would like."
"That was the plan."
They both walked into the ballroom together, hand in hand. As it is in most fairytales, the grand doors opened to reveal a wide set of stairs set with a lavish carpet that emptied into the main ballroom. Elphaba gaped at the opulence of the chandeliers which all let off a green hue on everything around it. She had never seen so much green in her life.
"Elphaba, enough! You very well know that I am only allowing you to attend Shiz for the sake of your sister, so please. Act normal for once! Just try to fit in this one time."
Yes, well, she would most definitely fit in here.
As the couple walked down the stairs, Fiyero's eyes wandered across the crowd of partying students as he looked out for the certain someone he was most fearful of. And to his horror, that someone was there. Staring right back at them.
Elphaba felt the grip on her hand tighten considerably and looked at Fiyero in concern. "Something wrong?"
"No, not at all. Why?" He followed her gaze down to her hand, which was turning a pale green from lack of circulation. "Oh, my bad," he apologized sheepishly and loosened his hold, "I'm just glad you're here with me."
A few minutes later, Glinda and a blissful Boq arrived.
"Elphie, I can tell you look adorable!" Glinda cried, reaching out to hug her friend – as if she hadn't seen Elphaba an hour earlier. "And hi, Fiyero. It's always a pleasure to see you."
Fiyero wanted to point out that she couldn't see him, exactly, but quickly came upon the decision that that wouldn't be the smartest thing to do. After all, she was acting cordial to him again.
"Same goes to you." Turning to Elphaba he asked, "Would you like to dance?"
"No."
Fiyero offered her the best pout he could muster. "Please? If you don't, then I'll be forced to resort to other things, such as proclaiming my love for you to the world."
"You'll do no such thing," Elphaba said mock-sternly, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle. "But anyway, you know I don't like to dance."
"But the reason why we're here, why everyone's here, is to dance."
"And so we're going to move around like sappy, romantic lovers just because everyone else is? Oh yes, Fiyero, that is most certainly a grand motive," Elphaba said sarcastically.
"You mean we're not lovers?" Fiyero asked, a little hurt.
"We are, Yero, but that's beside the point."
You could say that Fiyero was once again sent into a state of bliss, but that is also beside the point. "Okay, fine. But you owe me at least one dance before the night is over."
"Come on Elphie, don't be such a party-pooper!"
"Oh, alright. But not until later," she said, yielding to his demands. "As for now, I'm getting kind of thirsty-"
"So Boq and I will grab you two ladies some punch," Fiyero finished for her and the two walked off toward the punch bowl.
Glinda grabbed her friend's arm in excitement. "This is so thrillifying, Elphie! We both ended up with the man of our dreams. But do you think," she continued, this time seriously, "do you think we'll be best friends forever? Because what if something terrible happens between us, or Boq leaves me or Fiyero leaves you or…or just something happens to our lovely square of friends?"
Elphaba hesitated. "Honestly? I have no idea. But why are you dwelling on the future, Glinda?"
The blonde ignored Elphaba's last statement and pressed on. "I want to stay best friends with you, no matter what happens. Okay?"
"Of course – but where are all these nonsensical thoughts coming from?"
Glinda lowered her head. "I don't know if I should tell you…"
"What, Glinda, tell me what?" Elphaba pressed.
"Well, I've been having these dreams…and you…oh, I'm in this most beautiful dress and everybody loves me…" She giggled then, causing Elphaba to roll her eyes. "But in it I have this inner feeling that I know you're not there with me, and you're not well. I think you're…dead."
"That's ridiculous. I'll be fine, I promise."
But her friend was doubtful. "Are you positive?"
"No, but anyway, it's the future. Anything can happen, except for that dream of yours."
"Dreams," Glinda corrected, "but you won't desert me?"
"No, I told you! Ah, but look – our punch has arrived." Elphaba said, eager for a change in subject.
The men handed their girlfriends – oh, excuse me; the girlfriends of them – their drinks. Glinda sipped the punch daintily before asking, "What's in this? Lemons?"
"And melons and pears," Boq said.
"Oh my. Such a wonderful combination of flavors!"
The four friends engaged in small talk throughout the next four glasses of punch, until Elphaba acquired the natural feeling of her bladder needing to be emptied.
"Excuse me guys, but I have to make a trip to the bathroom," Elphaba said and started to head off towards said location, but Fiyero grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"Don't."
"What-?" She asked in bewilderment. "I really have to go. And who's to say I don't have any urgent feminine quandaries to attend to?"
"I just don't think you should go alone, that's all," he elaborated, his eyes darting around the room.
Elphaba was still completely bemused. "Why not? And what are you looking at?"
"Because…I don't want you to. Isn't that a good enough reason for you?" He pleaded.
"Not if it's totally irrational, it's not. Look; I'm going to the restroom and you, my dear, will stay here."
"But-"
"See you in five minutes, Yero." And with that she took off for the bathroom, leaving a worried Fiyero behind in her wake.
The restroom was rather hard to find. There were many hallways in the building, and Elphaba had to meander through four of them before coming upon her destination.
After doing her business and cleansing her hands (with oil, of course), she stepped back out into the hallway…
And there was Avaric.