DISCLAIMER: The Wicked characters are not my property or creation.
AN. Happy Valentine's Day fellow Ozians! In honour of that, the 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the beginning of my teaching degree and Far Longer Than Forever (my Oz, I'm old); and also for the love of Love Story (Taylor's Version), I give you this oneshot.
Just Say Yes
By Vinkunwildflowerqueen
Elphaba was going to kill him.
And honestly, he couldn't really blame her.
He knew this was pointless, on so many levels. A fool's errand.
Yet here he was, dressed in his best suit. As if that was going to make a difference.
Feeling rather nauseous, he needlessly straightened his tie for the millionth time since leaving his hotel, heading up the stairs and ringing the bell. He couldn't help but strain his ears for any sound of movement on the other side, despite the thickness of the door.
There was nothing, and he bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, exhaling slowly.
It was a beautiful day- the sun was shining, the sky was the deepest of blues and there was a light breeze that danced through the air to caress his skin just gently enough to keep him from sweating- which could be blamed either on nerves or wearing a suit on the kind of March day that proclaimed winter was well and truly over.
Fiyero couldn't really enjoy the warmth of the sun or the light breeze, however. Not now.
As the door swung open, Fiyero swallowed, plastering on a charming smile as he made eye contact with the middle-aged, dour faced woman who opened the door.
"Hello," he said, mentally scrambling for a name that he was sure Elphaba must have mentioned at some point.
He came up empty though.
"I'm Fiyero Tiggular. Prince Fiyero Tiggular," he amended, again, like that would make any difference. "I'm here to see Governor Thropp."
The woman's expression didn't change in the slightest, neither with the recognition Fiyero had expected or with surprise at his unannounced arrival.
Instead, she eyed him up and down, looking totally unimpressed. Fiyero could tell immediately why Governor Thropp would have hired her to run his household in his daughters' absence.
"Wait here," she said at length, leaving him standing on the doorstep as she disappeared from view.
Fiyero blinked almost stupidly, staring at the spot where she'd been.
"Thank you, I'd love to wait inside," he muttered under his breath, turning to stare down at the town square visible as he stood at the top of the hill. "Yes, it was a long trip. Why yes, I'd love a refreshment, thank you."
There came the sound of footsteps on marble floors, making Fiyero spin on his heel to face the door again, just as Frex came into view, stopping dead at the sight of him.
Fiyero instinctively straightened his shoulders, not bothering with an attempt at a smile this time.
"Governor Thropp," he nodded soberly.
"Mr Tiggular," Frex replied.
Fiyero never knew if he ignored his title on purpose or not, even after all this time.
Frex was staring at him suspiciously.
"Elphaba isn't here."
"I know."
Elphaba and Nessa were spending their spring break at the Upland's home in Gilikin, at Glinda's insistence that they needed "quality girls time" before they began preparing for their final exams and graduation.
Fiyero, not being a girl, had not been invited. Not that he minded, considering his plans.
"I'm here to speak to you, actually, sir," Fiyero said.
Frex's eyes narrowed slightly, and Fiyero's heart thudded in his chest so loudly he was sure that Frex must be able to hear it.
"Very well," Frex said finally, clearly reluctant. "Come in."
Fiyero's shoulders eased slightly as he stepped over the threshold into the foyer, despite knowing this was only the first- and easiest- hurdle.
Frex led him to the living room, taking a seat in an armchair as Fiyero sat on the nearby loveseat, perched tensely on the edge of the seat.
Frex didn't seem inclined to ask him about the journey or offer him refreshments any more than the housekeeper had; he just sat there, watching Fiyero stone-faced. Honestly, why Fiyero expected any kind of small talk or effort to put him at ease by the Governor, Fiyero had no idea. A small sign of sympathy would have been nice though.
Finally, when it became quite clear Frex wouldn't be breaking the silence any time soon, Fiyero took a deep breath.
"Governor, the first time I met you after Elphaba and I began dating, you asked me my intentions," Fiyero said.
He was no more deluded now than he had been fifteen months ago that the question had been motivated by affection for his eldest daughter; as opposed to determining that his family's reputation- Nessa's reputation- would not be caught up in any further scandal due to Fiyero's formerly scandalacious reputation. But he couldn't say that, naturally.
"I told you that I loved Elphaba, but that we were too young to make any long-term decisions about our future together," he reminded him.
He sighed. "That wasn't exactly true," he admitted, and Frex's gaze sharpened. "We'd only been dating for a few months then, but I knew- I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. That my intentions were to one day marry her. But I also knew that Elphaba wasn't anywhere near ready to think about that, that she wouldn't have trusted me if she knew that."
Fiyero cleared his throat. "It's different now. Elphaba and I are different. And with us graduating in just a couple of months, everything is different now."
He straightened fully in his seat, facing Frex squarely. "My intentions are to marry Elphaba, sir. And I intend to ask her soon. I'm not here to ask for your permission- both because Elphaba is a legal adult who doesn't need your permission, and also because well… Elphaba would hate that."
He took another deep breath. "I'm aware that you don't like me, Governor. That you don't approve of my relationship with Elphaba. But I wanted to come and let you know what my plans are. As a courtesy."
Silence settled in the room once Fiyero finished speaking, he and Frex seemingly engaged in a staring contest that neither was willing to concede.
Fiyero was determined not to break the silence first. The heavier the silence grew, the more he wavered- he wasn't one for silences at the best of times, let alone when he was nervous- but he held firm.
"You are correct, Mr Tiggular," Frex finally spoke. "I do not approve of your relationship with Elphaba. Your reputation is not one that I deem appropriate to associate with my daughter."
Fiyero set his jaw. "And by that, you mean Nessarose."
Frex paused.
"Nessarose insists that you have changed since being with Elphaba," he said, not denying Fiyero's claim. "But you shall forgive me if I am reluctant to believe that."
Fiyero wasn't really offended by that- Frex wasn't the only one to doubt that he had shed his formerly scandalacious reputation. Oz, he was pretty sure that his parents' press secretary still had a wide variety of plans in place to cover with any scandal he might cause, ranging from getting drunk and doing something stupid, to Elphaba getting pregnant before they were married.
There were plenty of press and people who were under the impression that his relationship with Elphaba was a stunt, designed to smooth over his reputation and reform his image. The Vinkun prince in a steady relationship with the intelligent, studious daughter of the Munchkinland Governor was a much better image- even if she was green. Fiyero had almost punched his parents' press secretary when he had told him that shortly after Fiyero and Elphaba's relationship had become public.
But Fiyero was highly offended on Elphaba's behalf at the implication that Frex didn't believe that Fiyero could change- had changed, as a result of loving Elphaba.
"I realise that my word alone in saying that I've changed isn't much proof," Fiyero allowed. "But I would hope that my actions since meeting Elphaba and Nessarose would be enough to convince you, Governor."
Frex didn't say anything to that, but he didn't look at all convinced.
"Elphaba is everything to me," Fiyero said solemnly. "And with all due respect, sir, I know that is a foreign concept to you. But it's true. I love her. And I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
Frex regarded him coolly. "And your parents? Surely they can't approve-"
"They do, actually," Fiyero interrupted. "They love Elphaba. They know she makes me better, makes me happier. And they think she'll be a wonderful queen when the time comes."
Frex's eyebrows arched sceptically.
"Your parents approve of this ridiculous plan to marry directly after you graduate college?"
Fiyero faltered without thinking, and Frex's eyes gleamed with triumph.
"My parents understand my reasons," Fiyero answered slowly. "In a perfect world, Elphaba would move to the Vinkus. To have time to make the Vinkus her home and to ease into everything before we get engaged. And honestly, that would be enough. Because I know that this life- my life- it's a lot. The idea of being royalty and all the pressures that go along with that, it's a lot. I was born into that life. It's all I've ever known and it is a lot. But having Elphaba in my life, by my side, it makes it all bearable. The fact that she's willing to consider dealing with all of that… I know I can't ever make it up to her. And if I could give up the throne for her, give her a normal life, I would."
Fiyero's head dropped as he stared at his knees, a lump in his throat.
"It would be enough just to have her with me," he repeated. "I wish I could ease her into everything slowly. But the thing is… she wouldn't do it. She won't leave Nessa until she has to."
He rose his head to stare at Frex, lifting his chin defiantly.
"You've made Elphaba feel responsible for Nessa her entire life. You've made her responsible for Nessa, and even though there's no real way that you could stop her from moving to the Vinkus or anywhere else, you've made it impossible for her to leave. To have her own life."
Frex's lips were pressed into a thin line so tightly that they were almost white.
"Elphaba and Nessarose are very close," he said tightly. "It is only natural that they would feel sadness or reluctance to be living apart. Rest assured, Mr Tiggular, I have not forbidden Elphaba to do anything. As you said, she is a legal adult."
"You don't have to forbid anything," Fiyero challenged him. "All you need to do is make her feel guilty about leaving Nessa. The same way you make her feel guilty that Nessarose can't walk."
Frex's face darkened. "If you seem to believe Elphaba is so unwilling to leave Nessarose, I wonder at your decision to propose at all."
Fiyero bit the inside of his cheek.
"Elphaba and I have discussed our future," was all he said.
He didn't want to explain to her father about how long it taken for Elphaba to even agree to date him in the first place- thinking there was no point when their future plans were so different, laid out for them both in different ways. He didn't deserve to know about how long it had been before Elphaba had begun to hesitantly voice any idea, any dream about a future together, willing to accept that they could have such a thing.
Frex wasn't worthy of the knowledge of all the length conversations that Elphaba and Fiyero had shared, while Elphaba wrestled with her love and sense of duty towards her sister, and her love for Fiyero.
But finally, Elphaba had settled on hesitantly being able to leave Nessa when she and Fiyero married. Fiyero was just moving the timeline up much quicker than Elphaba had in mind.
"Elphaba deserves so much more than you've given her," Fiyero said quietly. "She deserves to be loved, she deserves to be treasured. She deserves every day, to know that she is loved and cherished, and that she makes the world a better place."
He rose to his feet swiftly, and Frex followed.
"I'm going to ask Elphaba to marry me," Fiyero said firmly. "And if she's willing to marry me in a week, I'd do it. If she wants to wait a month, or a year- or more, I'll do that too. But it is happening."
He hesitated for a moment, bowed his head politely and then strode towards the foyer and the front door.
He let himself out of the Governor's house, coming to a halt at the bottom of the front steps and taking a deep breath, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he exhaled slowly, tilting his face up towards the sun.
He wasn't sure what he'd been hoping to accomplish here. For Frex to suddenly realise his mistreatment of his daughter, and give his blessing for Fiyero to propose?
Fiyero could practically hear Elphaba scoffing derisively at that idea as though she were standing right next to him.
They had always known Frex's reaction would be an obstacle to their eventual marriage. From the moment they'd acknowledged to one another that it would one day happen, Elphaba had fretted over it, worried that her father's inevitable disapproval could keep her from Nessa, or create a barrier between the sisters.
But Fiyero had to admit that he did feel better having done it, even if Frex hadn't exactly reacted positively to his plan. Even if all that came of this was that Frex didn't fight with Elphaba after they were engaged. Call him crazy, but Fiyero rather wanted the mood to be celebratory after proposing.
Fiyero returned to the hotel, changing out of his suit and collapsing on the bed with a sigh. He wasn't travelling back to Shiz until the following day- he hadn't been sure how long it would take to speak with Frex, or even if the Governor would agree to see him at all. And it's not as though Elphaba would be suspicious by his absence.
As far as the actual proposal, Fiyero hadn't really planned anything beyond letting both his parents and Frex know of his plans. He didn't even have a ring organised, let alone a plan about how and where to ask Elphaba to be his wife.
His father had been absolutely no help when Fiyero had written to him and asked how he had proposed to Kasmira. He was sure he must have heard the story before, but couldn't remember it.
'It was Valentine's Day- or Brunhilla Day, as it still was then. We had dinner at the restaurant where we'd had dinner with your godparents that first night, and I had the ring hidden in a bouquet of roses,' Ibrahim wrote. 'A little cliché, perhaps. But it was significant to your mother and I- that's what matters, Yero. You know Elphaba best, you'll know how to create a special moment for the two of you.'
Fiyero was less confident about that. Because as he thought about Elphaba and their relationship as he stared up at the ceiling of the hotel room, trying to think about what could make a good proposal, he was coming up with squat.
As the weeks passed, Fiyero slowly began to make preparations to ask Elphaba to marry him. The hardest part was not letting anything slip to Elphaba, although thankfully she was preoccupied with exams.
He had everything planned for the night of their graduation, down to the smallest detail. He had developed what he thought was the most perfect proposal for him and Elphaba- a walk as the sun began to set, ending in the clearing where they had first touched hands. There, where they had first bonded over the Lion Cub, Fiyero would ask her to be his wife. It seemed perfect.
Which of course meant that all his plans were ruined.
It was just after eleven o'clock at night when there came a knock on his suite door. Fiyero had actually been in bed, knowing tomorrow was going to be a big day. And he certainly wasn't expecting to find Elphaba standing in the hall.
"Hey, Fae," Fiyero said. "What are you doing here this late? Did dinner go okay?" he asked concernedly, suddenly much more awake.
Frex had arrived in town that morning to attend his daughters' graduation, and had insisted on having dinner with Elphaba and Nessarose that night. Elphaba had tried to get out of it, or to have Fiyero or Glinda tag along as a buffer between her and Frex, but no such luck.
But the way Elphaba's arms were folded tightly over her chest seemed to suggest dinner had not gone well.
"Why is my father asking me about our plans?" she asked bluntly.
Fiyero froze. "Huh?" he asked.
Elphaba's eyes narrowed slightly. "My father. Kept asking me about my plans for after graduation."
Fiyero rubbed his hand over his face. "Isn't that… a good thing?"
"It's a weird thing, because as long as I can remember, the only plans my father had for me was to take care of Nessa," Elphaba said.
Fiyero wasn't sure what to say to that.
"Huh," he finally repeated.
Elphaba's eyes narrowed further. "And then he asked after you."
Fiyero's eyebrows rose. "Huh."
Elphaba tilted her head slightly, studying him closely. "Fiyero, why is my father asking after you?"
"I guess he likes me more than we thought he did?" Fiyero guessed.
One eyebrow arched sceptically.
"When I was home over Lurlinemas, he shot daggers every time your name was mentioned," she said. "And now he's asking about our plans, our future?"
Fiyero blinked at her, trying to think of something to say that would make sense.
"Hu-"
"Fiyero, you say 'huh' one more time," Elphaba said warningly.
Fiyero grinned. "Fae, what do you want me to say? I wasn't there," he reminded her. "And I can't read your father's mind. Who knows what he's thinking?"
Elphaba didn't look at all convinced.
"Yero, what's going on?" she asked him, finally unfolding her arms.
Fiyero stilled. "What do you mean?" he asked nonchalantly.
"You've been acting strange for weeks now," Elphaba replied. "I thought it was just because of exams, or because we're graduating… something is going on, isn't it?"
Fiyero rubbed a hand through his hair, sighing tiredly. "Fae, can we talk tomorrow?" he asked her. "I'm really wiped, and tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Elphaba tensed again, her eyes widening slightly. "Something is going on, isn't it?" she demanded, drawing into herself apprehensively.
Fiyero suppressed a wince. "Fae," he said, reaching out a hand towards her.
Elphaba took a small step backwards and they both froze.
"Fae," Fiyero said again, his voice rather croaky. "Can we talk about this tomorrow, please? I don't think now is the time-"
"I think now is the only time," Elphaba interrupted, her cheeks taking on a paler hue of green as she began to pale.
Fiyero dropped his hand to his side, silently stepping aside to she could enter the suite.
The room was filled with boxes, mostly half-empty as he'd packed up the rather remarkable amount of things he'd collected over his time as Shiz in an effort to make the suite more homey as he and his friends began to spend more time there- dinners, games nights and study sessions.
Fiyero closed the door and turned to face Elphaba, who was focusing her gaze more on the boxes and piles of things strewn across the room than Fiyero himself.
"Fae, it's nothing bad, I swear," he said softly, trying to reassure her.
When she finally looked up at him, he couldn't hide a wince this time at the sight of tears in her eyes.
"But there is something?" she pressed.
Fiyero faltered, thinking of all his careful plans he'd made- every tiny detail accounted for. And then he sighed.
"Hang on just one second," he said and hurried off to his bedroom.
He grabbed the small box from the drawer in his nightstand and then returned to the living room where she waited apprehensively.
It wasn't the clearing, it wasn't the perfect, romantic vision he'd wanted to create for her. Yet somehow it was.
In one motion, Fiyero sank down onto one knee and opened the box, holding it out towards her.
Elphaba's eyes widened, and she went very still, one hand pressed over her mouth in shock. Fiyero had spent days working out what to say in this moment, repeating it to himself in the mirror, in the shower, the words swirling around his head until it made him dizzy.
But now his mind was a blank, and he just stayed there, waiting. Watching her face to see her reaction.
"Huh," she finally breathed out, breaking the silence between them.
His heart pounding in his chest, Fiyero broke into a grin.
"Fae," he said, and then stopped, shaking his head. "Elphaba. I love you. Will you marry me?"
Her dark eyes flitted between the ring and his face, all the while Fiyero's heart attempted to jump into his throat while he waited for her answer.
Finally her eyes met his and stayed there, while her hand lowered from her face to her stomach.
"Are you sure?"
Fiyero's eyes stung with the sudden tears that welled up, blurring his vision slightly.
"Elphaba, I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life," he said simply, his voice trembling slightly.
Elphaba's gaze returned to the ring, swallowing visibly.
"My father-"
"We've talked," Fiyero admitted. "I told him this was going to happen whether he liked it or not. Which it sounds like he's realised."
Elphaba opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"We- we don't have to get married immediately," Fiyero said hastily, a note of desperation colouring his tone. "If you want to wait- have a long engagement, we can do that."
Elphaba's eyes shot back to his, almost panicked.
"Or we can get married a few months from now," Fiyero added, not sure she was thinking a long engagement left room for him to change his mind.
"Fae, I don't care when it happens, I just care that it happens. That I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you. That's all I know, and all I care about."
Elphaba still hadn't really said anything, and Fiyero was beginning to feel a little sick. Also, his knee was starting to ache.
"Elphaba," he whispered, capturing her attention. "Will you marry me?" he repeated.
Elphaba opened her mouth, closed it without a word. And then she nodded.
Fiyero let out a sigh like he'd been holding his breath underwater, his shoulders drooping in relief as he launched to his feet and closed the short space between them.
He wasn't sure whether it was his hands or hers that shook as he removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto her left hand, holding it tightly between them as he leaned down so that his forehead rested against hers.
Elphaba's breath hitched as her fingers tightened around his, the diamond in the ring catching in the dim light of the room. And then one whispered word settled in the air between them as it slipped from her lips.
"Yes."
The End