Chapter 11: I Love You

"Ok," Elphaba clapped her hands, skipping down the stairs in her pajamas, "did either of you decide on what movie we're watching?"

She tried to keep her smile at bay, but it was hard to do so when she felt so happy she could melt. Oz, Fiyero likes her! Maybe even loves her. She probably looked like a big idiot, but she could care less right now.

Fiyero and Glinda shook their heads.

"Oh!" Glinda suddenly exclaimed. "We could watch 'As Long As You're Mine'!"

"No." Both the others panned.

"What? Why not?"

"Glinda," Elphaba placed an arm on Fiyero's shoulder, leaning her body to his. Knowing his attraction gave her some sort of confidence she'd only ever felt when dancing. "You know that we don't like romance movies."

"But-"

"And you're not sick," Fiyero cut her off. "You can't use that excuse today."

Glinda rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Fine."

They bounced ideas off each other for almost twenty minutes. How could they not decide on a stupid film? Almost every excuse met title after title. 'We already watched that.' 'It's over two hours long.' 'That's too gory for me.' 'I'm not feeling that one today.' Elphaba was getting a migraine. The trio finally decided on watching a thriller with a romantic subplot..

"I'll go set it up," Fiyero started towards the living room.

"I'll help you."

"Actually," Glinda pulled Elphaba back. "Can you help me with the snacks Elphie?"

With her back turned, Elphaba missed Fiyero's wide eyes at Glinda. The green girl was slightly confused. They didn't have that many snacks, and it was always popcorn and fruit anyways.

"Sure," she dragged out and crouched to retrieve some fruit from the cabinets.

Fiyero made a gesture to Glinda. 'What are you doing?' She'd said she wouldn't say anything.

Glinda shook her head and motioned for him to relax. 'I'm not saying anything, I swear.'

With his heart beating rapidly in his chest, Fiyero reluctantly left the kitchen.

"So…" Glinda was absolutely horrible at keeping secrets, Elphaba smiled and leaned against the counter. "Elphie, what do you-"

"You can quit trying to be discreet," Elphaba cut her off. "I heard everything."

"You did?!" Glinda whispered.

Elphaba nodded. "I thought Fiyero had asked you not to say anything?"

"I wasn't! I was going to ask you what you think of him."

The green girl rolled her eyes, but a wide smile was plastered on her face.

"So what do you think of him?"

Elphaba looked down and sighed. "I like him."

"As in-"

"Yes."

Glinda squealed and grabbed Elphaba's hands. "Oz, this is huge! I knew it. Ever since he took you out on that date."

"That wasn't a date."

"Oh potato potahto." Glinda dismissed. "The man has it bad for you."

"Really?" Elphaba brought her hand to her mouth. She hadn't meant to pry more into what Fiyero had said, but she couldn't help herself.

"I've said more than I should've."

She tilted her head to the side. "Technically you haven't said anything he asked you not to. Besides, I already told you I heard everything."

"But you didn't see his face."

That was true. She hadn't.

"Fiyero was so sad when he told me. He's…I don't know…scared."

She was suddenly worried. "Of?"

"Either he's worried you might not feel the same way, or this is the first time he's felt this way. Or both." Glinda glanced at the doorway, making sure Fiyero was still in the living room. "I mean, falling in love can be terrifying."

There was that word again. Elphaba had accepted a while ago that she loved Fiyero, but she had also accepted that he could never feel the same way about her. That ashe could never be that girl. Now this.

Oz, she wanted to just jump into his arms and squeeze him so tight. But like Glinda said, he's scared. He'd said he'd tell her. But when would that be? Elphaba suddenly felt a pit at her stomach. What if he just said that so Glinda wouldn't kill him? What if he was actually waiting for this crush to pass? Maybe that's why he was scared. If anyone found out he liked the artichoke, he'd never hear the end of it. Dear Ozma.

Even if that hurt, that made so much more sense.

"Yeah," Elphaba snorted. "'Falling in love'."

"Elphie?" Glinda sensed her change in demeanor. The microwave dinged, and she shoved a fresh bag of popcorn in. Then she turned on her best friend with narrowed eyes and crossed arms. "What just went on inside your head?"

"Nothing," Elpaba placed some grapes in a bowl with a bit more force than necessary.

"Elphaba," Glinda grasped her hands to stop her. "Just a minute ago you seemed happy. What changed all of the sudden?"

She sighed. Elphaba knew that if she told Glinda what caused her sudden mood change, the blonde would just lecture about how Elphana was a pretty girl, how she needed to stop thinking so lowly about herself, and that Fiyero really did like her. She wasn't up for that today.

"I guess I'm just tired."

She was tired; Glinda could see that. But not because it was getting late. "Ok then." She let that drop for now. Fiyero was right. She did seem like she had a lot on her plate with the competition season coming up. But there was also something else. The microwave went off. Glinda sighed. She'll figure it out later.

Glinda snored lightly on the sofa chair, and Elphaba's heavy eyelids seemed to want to join her. She yawned and whispered, "Can I lay down on you?"

If she had been more awake, she probably would have taken everything that happened earlier into account first, but her tired mind reasoned she'd napped on him before. He was a really comfy pillow.

"Sure," Fiyero adjusted so he could lay her head on his lap as she usually did, but she crawled closer. His breath caught in his throat.

"Lay down."

His eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "What?"

Elphaba sighed. She motioned to bring his feet up and lay flat on the couch. Once he did, she settled herself between the couch and him, pillowing her head on his chest. He was glad she was laying on his right side. His heart was beating so incredibly fast. Fiyero swallowed hard.

He settled a slightly trembling hand on her hair. "Comfy?"

Elphaba let her eyes close. "Very."

"Nervous? For this weekend I mean," he whispered.

"Mm." She nuzzled herself further into his chest. "Kind of. Mostly for the plane ride."

"Remember, I get to sit next to you to see your reaction."

"Of course." Elphaba let out a long sigh. "Goodnight, Yero."

"Goodnight, green girl."

She smiled, enjoying the soft caresses of his fingers on her head. Oh, to hell with it. "I love you."

It took all of Fiyero's willpower not to tense at her words. He'd longed to hear those words from her lips. If she loved him like he loved her, maybe his heart would be pounding with joy instead of breaking.

"I love you too," he pressed a kiss to her hair.

Not like I do, Elphaba thought. She hoped with time the hurt would lessen.

Sorry this chapter took longer than usual. Very busy holidays and no access to a computer haha. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it.

Also, thank you so much for the nomitation/votes for Best New Author at the 14th Greg Awards! Love y'all !

R&R :)