Bro'mance
Chapter 37
Half Alive
The room remained solemn an eerie silence had fallen around the group of friends, each staring in different directions, and neither willing, to look in the eye of the betrayer, or of the others; a silent condemnation dancing on the edge of their subconscious.
A few hours had passed since the "episode" and no one seemed to dare bring it up, nor speak further of the revelation; screaming through the echoes, into each person's mind. For it was just too painful.
Siefer sat perched on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped lightly with Elphaba's, his thick fingers threaded with slender emerald. Every now and again, his thumb would rise and the meat rubbed tenderly over her pale knuckles. Tears shimmered in his eyes, and his heart ached for the emerald angel lying languid before him.
Every now and again, a soft whimper of pain, slipped past Elphaba's cracked, pale lips, her brow would furrow and her eyes would clench, a crescendo of trembles rippled through her body, before she stilled once more.
"No…no…please…no" moans Elphaba, her voice was so weak, so filled with pain and desperation; yet another crack to his heart, a thunder clasp to the harsh reality, screaming back at him.
"Zitto Zitto ... tacere il mio amore ... Sono qui ... per togliere i vostri incubi ... dormire dolce bambina... il mio amore prezioso" whispers Siefer. Gently, he leans towards Elphaba's writhing form. His fingers stretch and tremble as the tips lithely brush against her forehead. Shush shush...silence my love...I'm here...to take away your nightmares...sleep sweet child...my precious love.
"Sie-Sie" whimpers Elphaba, her voice was ragged, hoarse, it broke his heart. She was suffering, alone in the darkness, with no one there to protect her.
"Sono qui il mio prezioso ... dormire ... Sarò quella che tiene te ... mentre si dorme" Closing his eyes, Siefer leans forward and closing his eyes, presses a tender kiss to Elphaba's forehead. I'm here my precious one...sleep...I'll be the one holding you...whilst you sleep.
A soft sob, vibrated deep within his throat, feeling his emerald angel shake beneath his lips. He could feel the nightmares encroaching on her mind, and yet he was powerless to stop it. Weakly, he lowers his forehead and touches it to Elphaba's.
"Sie-Sie…help…me" cries Elphaba softly.
Pulling away, Siefer's hand slowly traces the elegant slope of her jawline, and cupping her cheek. Silent tears of anguish brim against the edge of his eyes, and tangle within his lashes.
"Mi dispiace così tanto il mio amore ... il mio cuore il mio tesoro" chokes out Siefer. Slowly, his head turns to the side and rolls down until his cheek presses against Elphaba's. A cold shiver ran down his body, feeling the cool, clamminess of her skin pressed against his. I'm so sorry my love...my heart my treasure.
Siefer…
"Sono così ... così mi dispiace il mio cuore" Siefer's voice trembled he was so close, so near the edge of breaking away completely. I'm so...so sorry my heart
What killed Siefer the most, was having to sit back, and watch, as his Fae suffered alone, the helpless feeling flooding his heart, cracking it, filling the chambers and making it swell to the point of shattering.
He was a Prince for Ozsakes! He was supposed to be the strong one, the brave one, the one who ran headfast into danger, conquering dragons and Ogres, who protected the weak and saved the damsel in distress. Swing in on a vine of ivy and save the day, and yet here he was, sitting idly by, defenseless, a stone statue, quietly observing the world from a distance.
Siefer…what…have…you done…
Silent like the grave, a figure slowly stepped into the threshold, his dark, piercing sapphire eyes stared hollow at the occupants, gathered around the hospital bed; despair and agony shimmering within their eyes.
His fist clenches, seeing Siefer sit beside the emerald angel, one hand clasped almost desperately with pale emerald, the other, cupping her quivering cheek; the tips lost within a sea of ebony.
"Siefer" growls the man darkly.
A hard sob slipped past Siefer's lips. Clenching his eyes, he allowed the tears he had fought hard to keep at bay, to dance down his skin the silver liquid sparkled in the light, making the flesh beneath glisten.
What have you done to me….
"Fae per favore! Ti prego perdonami!" cries Siefer, as he buries his tear-stained face deep within Elphaba's raven hair. Fae please! Please forgive me!
A cruel, insane smile tugged at the edges of the man's lips, and for a second, he closes his eyes, relishing in the feel of his brother's pain and anguish.
His eyes open, and smugly, he steps into the room.
"Well dear brother-"starts the man.
Instantly, all heads snap up and turn towards the door. Their eyes widen and their mouths drop open. This man, was the last person any of them had expected to see again.
"F…Fiyero?" squeaks Galinda.
"What sort of trouble have you gotten into now?" asks Fiyero, as he stops dead center. Standing tall, his hands rise and grasp onto his hips.
"What are you doing here?" seethes Siefer.
"I came to admire your handiwork" smiles Fiyero. His eyes flicker towards Elphaba, trembling violently within the sheets, a light sheen of sweat darts across her forehead, and her breathing was ragged.
For a clock tick of a moment, a flicker of anguish, skipped across his heart, seeing his Fae, suffering, cracking the hardened stone forged around his now impenetrable heart.
Closing his eyes, Fiyero turned his gaze away from Elphaba, and glared back at his brother.
"Your presence is not needed here nor wanted Fiyero…now leave" growls Siefer.
"And you would know best how?" asks Fiyero darkly. Smiling, Fiyero shifted his weight, and his arms rose. His hand cupped his chin, as the other cradled his elbow in the palm of his hand. His eyes rose skyward.
"Oh yes" chuckles Fiyero, as his eyes return once more towards his enraged brother. His hands slowly lower back down to his sides. "You're the only one who knows our Fae the best…isn't that what you told me?"
"Get out Fiyero…this is neither the time nor the place for this" growls Avaric. He knew what his friend was doing, and it only pissed him off the more.
"Oh come come now…can't two brothers discuss such matters of the heart in a civilized manner?" asks Fiyero.
"This is not a discussion Fiyero, this is you trying to piss your brother off so you can have a valid excuse to try and pummel him again" snarls Avaric.
"Oh please…why in Oz would I try such a dirty tactic" snorts Fiyero.
"Because it's what you do best" snarls Galinda darkly.
"Oh…the little Gillikinese Princess here is a little feisty" teases Fiyero. "Maybe I can help you lose some of that feistiness…in my room" offers Fiyero as he slinks closer to Galinda. An acidic smile pulls on his lips as one of his arms wrap tight around Galinda's waist, the other rises and cups her cheek.
Snarling, Galinda jerks her face out of Fiyero's grasp, and reeling back, spats in his face.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" snarls Galinda.
Standing rigid, Fiyero's hand reaches down and grabs at the handkerchief, half dangling out of his pocket. Grandly, he flicks the cloth out and snapping it in the air, brings it up to his face.
Wiping the spit from his face, Fiyero's eyes open and stare coldly back into dark cerulean. A smile and his hand reaches out and grabs hard onto Galinda's chin, stilling her movement and preventing her from pulling away.
"That…I'll give you…the next time though" warns Fiyero darkly.
Growling, Avaric steps up next to Galinda's side. His hand reaches out and grabs hard onto Fiyero's wrist. His fingers tighten, and a satisfied smile, crests on his lips, seeing Fiyero wince.
"Get out of here Fiyero…now…before I have you thrown out" warns Avaric darkly.
Fiyero turns and glares back at his friend, the same darkness, and a flicker of insanity, sparkles in his eyes as the two former friends glare back at each other; locked in a silent battle of wills.
"Et tu Avaric?" asks Fiyero darkly.
"Let go of Galinda and get the hell out" snarls Avaric.
"Oh…so the Beast does actually have a heart? How interesting" chuckles Fiyero.
"I've more a heart than you…you soulless bastard!" seethes Avaric.
"Ah…but was it not you who had started all this? Was it not you who had handed down the "Bro'mance" rules to me, in hopes of ruining my chances with Fae?" asks Fiyero, his voice darkens.
"It was a mistake Fiyero…a mistake that I now am paying the price for" growls Avaric.
"As you should…if it weren't for you than none of this would have happened" seethes Fiyero.
"I've made my mistake and admitted it…now I'm paying the price for my cruelties…but unlike you…I've faced mine…have you?" asks Avaric smugly.
Fiyero was unable to counter that. Yes he had made his mistakes, yet his stubborn mind refused to admit to such. For to him, his mistakes were nothing compared to the horrors this brainless oaf and his bastard of a brother had bestowed upon his angel of darkness.
"Unable to counter the truth? Or are you too blinded by your anger and jealousy to admit to such?" asks Avaric smugly.
"This isn't over…not by a long shot" growls Fiyero, as he shoves his face closer to Avaric's.
"No…it's not" smiles Avaric.
Growling, Fiyero turns and storms out of the room.
"Let go of your blind hatred Fiyero…before it turns you into something you are not" replies Avaric, stopping the young Prince dead in his tracks.
"Ex…excuse me?" asks Fiyero, as he slowly turns to face Avaric.
"Let go of it Fiyero…accept it…before you cross the bridge of no return" warns Avaric. He didn't know why he was warning his friend, after all, Fiyero had made his bed, and now he should just sleep in it. And yet, yet a part of him, still couldn't just stand idly by and watch he fell further and further into darkness, and into the cesspool of insanity.
"I'd watch that tongue of yours Avaric…before I rip it out" threatens Fiyero.
"Fiyero stop!" cries Galinda.
Startled, Fiyero turns and stares confused into shimmering cerulean.
During the fight, Galinda had crumpled to her knees, her body shaking as her mind fought to accept the truth, the reality that her dear friend, had fallen into the darkness, and had succumbed to insanity's whirlpool.
Weakly, Galinda rises to her feet, her dark cerulean eyes stare pleadingly back into dark sapphire. Slowly, her hands clasp and rise up towards her chest.
"Just please…stop" pleads Galinda, her voice cracking "hasn't there been enough pain…enough violence on this journey of hell?"
"This coming from one who committed the ultimate sin" snarls Fiyero.
"You…you-"stammers Galinda stunned.
"Yes Galinda…I know of the spell you cast on Fae…and I know what the spell is doing to her…to her mind" smiles Fiyero darkly.
"What's that?" asks Galinda softly.
"It's destroying her…crushing her from the inside out" chuckles Fiyero. Darkly, his eyes rise and glare back at his brother standing tall between him and Fae. "Oh brother…I fear the repercussions of such will be quite interesting…she'll not be happy once she finds out"
"She won't" growls Siefer.
"That's the funny thing about memories though brother…they have a mind, a will, a power of their own…if they wish to come back…then they will...for memories are never lost…just simply forgotten…and they always find their way back" smiles Fiyero.
Before Siefer or anyone else can speak, Fiyero turns and walks gallantly out of the room. Nearing the threshold, his hand rises and waves off towards the group "Good luck…I'd hate to see the disaster crashing down upon your heads!" and with that, he was gone once more.
"What…what do you think-"starts Galinda, but her words are cut off, by a bloodcurdling scream.
"Noooo!"
One by one, Siefer, Avaric, Galinda, Nessa and Boq turn and their eyes widen, seeing Elphaba's body arch gruesomely off the bed. Her fingers spread out to her sides, curled and contorted violently, and the color drained from her face.
"No…no get off me please! Stop!...Don't…don't touch me there please! Siefer…SIEFER!" screams Elphaba.
Diving towards her, Siefer wraps his arms protectively around Elphaba's slender waist, and gently, lifts her up and cradles her writhing body against his chest. His hands lower and cup against her cheek, the other, threads through her raven hair.
"Hush hush il mio amore ... il mio cuore ... il mio amore prezioso ... sono qui ... sono qui" soothes Siefer.
Weakly, Elphaba's trembling hand rose and reached for Siefer. A sob and Siefer's hand gently laced with hers. Closing his eyes, he brought their joined hands down towards his lips, and pressed a tender kiss.
"Please Siefer…please" whimpers Elphaba.
"What my love…?" chokes out Siefer.
Slowly, Elphaba's long black lashes flutter open. Her dark, chocolate eyes stare desperately back into soft sapphire. Tears shimmer, making the gold dust within sparkle. She looked so broken, so lost.
"Please…make him go away" cries Elphaba. Slowly, her dark
"Who?" asks Siefer.
"The Shadow Man" cries Elphaba. Closing her eyes, Elphaba buries her head in Siefer's chest her muffles sobs reach his ears, breaking his heart all the more. "he…he always there…in dreams…hurting me…touching me in bad places…he hurt me Sie-Sie…please…make go away" pleads Elphaba.
"I'm sorry my love…I'm so so sorry" whispers Siefer.
"I want my mama" cries Elphaba.
"I know you do sweetheart….I know"
The nightmares continued, growing worse each night, and there was nothing any of them could do, for the memories were trying, fighting their way back into her mind.
All Siefer could do, was hold Fae's trembling body within his arms, and sooth away her tears, until she once again fell asleep. And every time she did, Galinda cast the sleep spell, hoping with all her might the power of the spell would be powerful enough to rid Elphaba of her nightmares.
A week later, Elphaba was released from the Infirmary, with strict instructions to take it easy and rest. The others were instructed to watch Elphaba carefully, and make sure she didn't relapse.
The therapy would continue every day, with the specialist coming to either the dorm room, or Elphaba returning to the Infirmary for her lessons.
She still could not walk, which required Siefer to either carry her, or place her in a wheelchair, until her legs became strong enough to support her, and she had regained her ability to walk. The lesson's the Doctor assured them, would be starting immediately upon her release.
The day she left, the sky was overcast, and a threatening tympani of thunder boomed across the sky. The air was wet, and the clouds were swollen thick with water.
Quickly, Siefer, Galinda, Nessa and Boq helped wheel Elphaba back to the safety of her dorm room, and all the while, ignoring the stares and distant laughter of their peers. They didn't care anymore what the students of Shiz thought. All that mattered, was staying by Elphaba's side, and aiding her in her recovery.
Elphaba stared, watching the faces of the students pass her by; a child-like wonderment, sparkling in her eyes. Occasionally, she waved at a few of the students, and a few who dared waved back, resulted in Elphaba dissolving in fit of giggles.
"They friendly" giggles Elphaba, as she tips her head up towards Siefer.
"Yes they are sweetheart" smiles Siefer, though he knew the truth, the students weren't, and he could hear the gossip, the cruel jokes on the wind.
How easily these weak minded fools have forgotten that day in the Infirmary, when they beheld the cruelties bestowed upon Elphaba by the hands of her father, and the short-lived kindness which followed. Morons all of them, brainless sheep following the flock.
"Sie-Sie?" came a timid voice.
The light tugging of his shirt, and the innocence of her voice, shattered Siefer from his thoughts. Shaking his head, he lowered his eyes down to stare back at Elphaba, looking back at him, her eyes wide, and sadness tinged within.
"Come on…let's get you inside before it rains" replies Siefer gently.
"O'kay" is all Elphaba says, before turning away.
After getting Elphaba settled back in, the others had sat around and chatted lightly. Every now and again, their eyes drifted towards the window seat, where Elphaba sat, staring absently out into the rain.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" asks Nessa softly.
"I don't know" is all Galinda says.
"Perhaps being back in her room…in her bed…where things are familiar will help" offers Boq.
"I hope so" sighs Nessa.
"We better get going…it's getting late…and we all have make up exams to attend to tomorrow" replies Siefer, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"We all know our schedules then?" asks Galinda, as she walks the others to the door.
"Nessa and I will be here later in the afternoon so you can go and do your make up exams" explains Boq.
"Then I'll be by an hour later to take over so Nessa and Boq can finish off the rest" replies Siefer.
"Sounds great…see you guys tomorrow!" giggles Galinda.
"Glin…are…are you sure you don't want me to stay?" asks Siefer.
She could see it, the fear and apprehension in his eyes. This was the first night that Siefer would not be by Elphaba's side, and that frightened the prince all the more, especially now with her nightmares having grown worse.
"We'll be fine…I found a sleep spell even more powerful than the one I've been casting…it should negate the nightmares and allow Elphie to get a good nights rest" smiles Galinda.
"Glin" starts Siefer in a warning tone.
"I know what I'm doing Siefer…besides…would you rather her suffer with those nightmares…or be put to sleep?" asks Galinda.
"Fine" grumbles Siefer.
"She'll be alright…I promise…I'm here and I won't let anything happen to her" smiles Galinda.
"Fine…but if it starts to get out of control"
"I'll send for you…promise" smiles Galinda.
Nodding, Siefer casts one last glance towards Elphaba, before turning to face the petite blonde. "Take care of her Glin…I'm counting on you"
"I will" smiles Galinda.
After a moment of hesitation, Siefer finally leaves, allowing the blonde to relax and breathe. Turning, she presses her back against the door.
"Whew…I thought he'd never leave" slowly, her eyes rise and stare at Elphaba, sitting in the window seat, the small of her back was pressed against the wall and her legs were bent, and tucked against her chest. Her slender arms wrapped loose around her knees and her raven hair fell majestically over her shoulders.
The moonlight poured in, casting her skin in an ethereal glow of silver. Her face was hidden, yet a hidden longing, a sadness, could be seen.
"Elphie?" asks Galinda.
Slowly, Galinda pulls away from the door, and makes her way towards her friend. Reaching her, she stretches her hand out towards her friends shoulders.
The tips of her fingers brush against the fabric of her dress. Elphaba jerked, and jumped away, her head turned, and glared frightened back at Galinda.
"Glinny?" asks Elphaba softly.
"Yes Elphie…are…are you alright?" asks Galinda.
"I fine…tie-tie" is all Elphaba says.
"Then let's get you to bed" smiles Galinda.
"No…I stay here" says Elphaba, turning her gaze once more towards the moon.
"But"
"Please…I stay" whispers Elphaba.
"Alright honey" smiles Galinda.
A chill runs down Galinda's back. Her arms rise and wrap around her chest as the cool midnight breeze sweeps past her. Turning, she eyes her bed. A frown pulls on her lips, seeing the large, thick pink blanket half tucked at the edge of her bed.
Shaking her head, she turns her gaze towards Elphaba's bed, and her eyes light up, seeing the thick black blanket half spread across Elphaba's perfectly made up bed.
Smiling, Galinda walks over to the bed and grabs up the blanket, turning, she returns to Elphaba's side.
"Here" is all Galinda says as she spreads the blanket over Elphaba's body.
Instantly, Elphaba tensed, and fear sparkled in her eyes, at the closeness of the blonde.
"It's alright Elphie…I'm not going to hurt you" soothes Galinda.
"I sorry…I…I don't know why…I do that" whispers Elphaba, her voice, her eyes were so lost, so broken.
"It's alright Elphie…don't worry about it" smiles Galinda reassuringly. Slowly, so not to frighten her, Galinda's hand rises and cups Elphaba's arm.
"No it not" cries Elphaba.
"What do you mean honey?" asks Galinda.
"It not ok…I feel…lost…like piece of me missing…like I not whole" cries Elphaba.
"Oh Elphie" cries Galinda.
"What wrong with me Glin…what wrong with me?"
Tears pour from Elphaba's eyes, burning her skin. Her slender body trembles and shakes violently in the moonlight and her hands rise up to her chest. Her dark, chocolate eyes stare brokenly at them, as if the answers to her questions were hidden within the palm of her hand.
Crying out, Galinda lurched and wrapped her arms tight around Elphaba's body. Lowering her head, she rests her wobbling chin on Elphaba's shoulder.
"There's nothing wrong with you sweetheart…nothing"
"Why I feel incomplete…like I missing?" cries Elphaba.
"It's just a feeling honey…I promise…it's just a feeling…it'll go away" replies Galinda. Gently, she rubs soothing circles on Elphaba's back.
"I feel so lost Glinny…so lost" cries Elphaba.
"I know you do sweetheart…I know" whispers Galinda softly.
Pulling away, Galinda stares tenderly into broken chocolate. Her hand rises and cups Elphaba's cheek, the other rises, and pinches a few loose strands of raven hair. Tenderly, she tucks the strands of hair behind Elphaba's ear, before cupping her other cheek.
Closing her eyes, Galinda leans forward and presses her lips against Elphaba's.
Instantly, Elphaba tenses, and her eyes widen in surprise.
Was this right? Was it normal for a girl to be kissing another girl?
Slowly, Elphaba's body relaxed into the kiss, and her eyes drifted closed. Shimmering tears of starlight bubbled at the edges of her eyes. Slowly, one by one, they fall down her cheek, burning the flesh beneath.